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WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2006 – The president's terrorist surveillance program serves the purpose of gathering intelligence against terrorists wishing to attack the United States, the nation's No. 2 intelligence officer said in appearances on Sunday morning talk shows. "This is focused on al Qaeda," said Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden, principal deputy director of national intelligence and former director of the National Security Agency, during a "Fox News Sunday" interview. "The only justification we have to undertake this program is to detect and prevent attacks against the United States." Through the president's authorization of the program, the NSA can...

(AP) -- After more than a year of delays, the Department of Homeland Security says it plans to launch a preparedness program next month aimed at alerting and preparing children for terror attacks and natural disasters. The program, called Ready Kids, is scheduled to roll out with TV ads, school programs and other events. "Ready Kids is a tool for parents and teachers to use to be able to speak to their students and children about how to be prepared for any type of disaster," said DHS spokeswoman Joanna Gonzalez.

Montana-Based Program Supports Troops By Christopher J. Moore Each “Giving Tree” ornament had a soldier’s name written on it. Supporters were asked to purchase suggested items for one of the soldiers and place them in a gift bag beneath the tree. Courtesy Photo Montana Supporting Soldiers group members box care packages to send to deployed soldiers. Courtesy Photo WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2006 - Liann Meyer, an America Supports You team member based in Helena, Mont., sent some cheer to deployed troops this holiday season. Meyer’s organization, Montana Supporting Soldiers, sent care packages full of cookies, candy, cards and decorations to more...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2005 – A family reading program and a retail giant have joined forces to help deployed military parents stay connected with their children. Thanks to a partnership by United Through Reading and the Minneapolis-based Target retail chain, the Family Literacy Foundation's read-aloud-by-videotape program -- previously available only to the Navy and Marines -- is opening to all branches of the armed forces. "United Through Reading enables military parents and their children to continue to share bonds of love," said Betty Mohlenbrock, program founder. "The program touches children's lives in ways a handwritten letter cannot," she said. "Hearing...

HABBANIYAH, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2005 – While western Iraq's Anbar province was making headlines with its voter turnout this month, a quieter turnout of its young men was making headway graduating from school. In Habbaniyah, a volatile city where rockets and mortars destroy buildings and lives all too suddenly and frequently, the Iraq Construction Apprentice Program is facilitating Iraqi rebuilding efforts, one brick and one life at a time. The apprentice course began in September at the military base here, an old British base that the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence contracted ECC International to renovate so the Iraqi...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2005 – The World Wrestling Entertainment RAW TV show will feature a special "Tribute to the Troops" program tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern time on the USA Network. WWE chairman Vince McMahon and WWE RAW superstars recently returned from their "Tribute to the Troops" tour of Afghanistan, where they met with thousands of men and women in the U.S. military carrying the message "America Supports You," according to a WWE news release. "Monday Night RAW: Tribute to the Troops" will feature matches between WWE superstars held at a special RAW taped on Dec. 9 at Bagram Air...

PARIS - An anti-bribery panel urged governments Friday to do more to investigate evidence of kickbacks and corruption in the U.N.-commissioned report on Iraq's oil-for-food program. Only 11 of some 40 countries whose citizens or companies were implicated by the inquiry have requested the evidence unearthed with a view to possible prosecutions, said Mark Pieth, panel chairman at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. "The working group encourages its members to follow up by obtaining this information," said Pieth, who also was a member of the independent inquiry headed by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. The United...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2005 – A program designed to help wounded veterans find meaningful civilian jobs is paying off by enabling some to use their military expertise to ensure their former comrades are getting the quality weaponry they need in combat. Since becoming a partner in the Defense Department's "Hire a Hero" program last summer, the Defense Contract Management Agency has hired five permanent employees as well as two volunteers who lend their talents while undergoing rehabilitation, Nancy Adams, the agency's program director, told the American Forces Press Service. DoD established the program last December to encourage agencies to develop...

PATUXENT RIVER , Md., Dec. 6, 2005 – For a people who first heard of it while they lived under Soviet influence, this U.S. Navy fighter aircraft is of great public interest. Polish citizens invariably know it by name. Employees of PZL-Swidnik even refer to it with a hint of ownership – the F-14 Tomcat. " The recent agreement paves the way for the eventual creation of long-term technical and economic benefits that will produce dividends for both the U.S. and Poland." Czes Covington A business bridge between the U.S. Navy’s F-14 program and a Polish aerospace company is in...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 6, 2005) -- While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom here, one sailor temporarily put aside her duties as a religious program specialist to perform another job in Fallujah. Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Radel, 25, was among many female service members assigned to search Iraqi women and children entering the city. However, Radel, who is operating with II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (Forward), is the only RP to fulfill the duty for II MHG to date. According to Radel, the month-long duty was frightening, but an experience she’ll never forget. “I was kind...

Islamic Heaven officials have announced a major policy shift which could significantly impact upon proclaimed jihads across the world. The Virgins for Martyrs program, a central tenet of jihadist philosophy for more than a thousand years, has been cancelled. “Allah has made the decision. We won’t be housing any more suicidal jihadists,” Islamic Heaven spokeswoman, Sukai Sanchez told the media. “So the virgins are no longer needed.” This dramatic shift in policy is not unexpected. Just last year Brainsnap reported that Islamic Heaven officials were finding it difficult to recruit the necessary virgins to satisfy the increasing number of suicide...

NORTH CANTON, Ohio (Army News Service, Nov. 29, 2005) — More than 50 new recruits gathered at the North Canton Armory Nov. 20 for their one-weekend-a-month drill assembly. But instead of reporting to their new units, they reported to their recruiters. The troops are participating in the restructured Recruit Sustainment Program, a new take on an old idea. Cpt. Robert H. Paley administers the program, which helps integrate recruits into their new role as Soldiers and prepare them for Army basic combat training. His enthusiasm for the program is evident in the smile he wears as he passionately talks about...

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Nov. 17, 2005) -- With only six weeks until Christmas, many people have started their holiday shopping. However, not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on presents. For those Marines and sailors – E-5 and below – on Marine Corps Base Quantico who might be a little tight on cash this holiday season, the Adopt-A-Family program is ready to help. The program, which was started in 1989 by the Personal Readiness and Community Services Center here, is designed to support readiness and enhance the morale of the leathernecks and sailors on base during...

The government agency leading the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay has consistently overstated its progress while minimizing threats to the bay and its own failures to address them, according to a federal oversight report released yesterday. ... The criticism comes amid growing angst among policymakers and the public that an agreement reached five years ago for cleaning the bay by 2010 could fail without a big political and financial boost. In the agreement, known as Chesapeake 2000, the region's political and environmental leaders proposed cutting the amount of major pollutants that enter the bay nearly in half over a decade....

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2005 – CBS commemorated Veterans Day by highlighting troops and causes that support them, particularly the Defense Department's "America Supports You" campaign, on "The Early Show" this morning. Servicemembers and many others shivered in the November cold outside the show's New York studios for hours to spotlight the America Supports You program every time the cameras panned the crowd. Dozens of servicemembers, from newly minted sailors in dress uniforms to soldiers in desert camouflage fatigues, were intermingled among volunteers holding signs that proclaimed "America Supports You" with the program's signature logo. "Serving those who proudly serve," read...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2005 – About 300,000 wallet-sized cards and key fobs with critical employment and job-training information will be distributed to military personnel and veterans over the next six months, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today at its annual pre-Veterans Day salute. The department also unveiled the Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines -- REALifelines -- Advisor. This new online tool will provide valuable information and resources to help returning wounded and injured veterans successfully transition into civilian employment, Labor Department officials said. "The 'Key To Career Success' cards and REALifelines online advisor are part of our outreach efforts...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2005 – A unique center here is helping troubled veterans turn their lives around by providing a military-style program designed to help them beat addictions, develop career skills, land jobs, find homes, and become productive citizens. The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, MCVET for short, offers an ambitious array of programs aimed at getting veterans back on their feet and into the mainstream sober, drug-free and self-sufficient. Military service provides the common thread behind the program. All "students," as participants are called, are veterans, as well as 75 percent of the staff. The result is...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 10, 2005) – The Army announced that it is changing the name of the Disabled Soldier Support System, or DS3 – a program that assists severely wounded Soldiers – to the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program. "The name change of this program is indicative of the Warrior spirit that today’s Soldiers so proudly display,” said Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army Chief of Staff. “Medical technology has advanced to the point where Soldiers injured today on the battlefield are much more likely to survive than those injured in previous wars," said Schoomaker. "Soldiers enrolled in the...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2005 – Young veterans face unemployment rates three times the national average, so a new Department of Veterans Affairs program is working to promote job opportunities for those leaving military service, the Veterans Affairs secretary said. R. James Nicholson spoke to the American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel in anticipation of National Veterans Awareness Week, which began Nov. 6 and continues through Nov. 12. "Fulfilling the Commitment - Coming Home to Work" is a new VA initiative focused on veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Nicholson said. The initiative, announced in mid-October,...

FEMA asks Louisiana for $3.7 billion By BRETT TROXLER btroxler@wbrz.com 2theadvocate.com staff From a report by News 2's Tony Jones tjones@wbrz.com The federal government is asking Louisiana to come up with more than $3.7 billion. According to FEMA, the amount is a down payment for what the state owes for its share of hurricane relief. Denise Bottcher, a spokeswoman for Gov. Kathleen Blanco, said the state just can't come up with that kind of money. Bottcher said when members of the governor's staff first heard the request, they "just about fell over." Louisiana is already facing a $1 billion budget...