Free Republic

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved today a resolution authorizing an agreement between the county and the Multicultural Institute, which will now operate the county's Day Worker Program. The San Mateo County Human Services Agency noted in a report that members of the Redwood City community have voice concern about day workers congregating to seek employment. To mitigate those concerns, the county, in contract with El Concilio, launched a pilot day worker program in the North Fair Oaks unincorporated area of Redwood City, according to the report. Now, as a result of today's unanimous vote, the Multicultural...

4/26/2006 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- The team of four works to save lives, aircraft and money, usually behind the scenes. They are vital to the mission of this forward operating location serving Operation Enduring Freedom by running the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program. The 40th Air Expeditionary Group safety office manages the BASH program by monitoring, evaluating, and where needed, eliminating the threat so that the aircraft based here can complete their combat missions. The primary threats to bombers and refuelers launched and recovered from here are wimbrels, mynahs and egrets. “For an effective BASH program...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, April 25, 2006 – U.S. military officials from the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team met with Ussama Osman, the eastern region head of office for the U.N. World Food Program, on April 20 to discuss cooperative efforts on projects between the two organizations. "It was a very successful meeting to develop opportunities for the PRT and WFP to work together," said PRT commander Army Lt. Col. Anthony Feagin. "Everyone committed to meeting again to share information on current and future planned projects." PRTs work in concert with the Afghan government and are responsible for assessing...

WASHINGTON -- Lacking assurances from Russia and China that they would approve UN sanctions, the U.S. administration is trying to deny Iran technology, assets and especially weapons to slow down a suspected nuclear weapons program. As part of that campaign, a top U.S. State Department official on Friday urged Russia to drop its plan to sell Tor anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. "We hope and we trust that the deal will not go forward because this is not the time for business as usual with the Iranian government," said Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, who has been trying to line up...

AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar, April 17, 2006 – People use the term "decompress" a lot at U.S. Central Command's Rest and Recuperation Center here. Servicemembers enjoy video games in the USO lounge at the As Sayliyah Rest and Recuperation Center in Qatar. Personnel from Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa can get four-day passes to the facility. Photo by Jim Garamone  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The center allows servicemembers and Defense Department civilians to leave the stress of service in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa behind, said Army Capt. Pernita Duggal, in charge of the...

IRAN is in the eye of the storm. Not even a week has passed since Seymour Hersh disclosed a secret US plan to attack Iran that includes a nuclear strike at its nuclear installations. And now there is this report about a mock Iran invasion exercise by the US and UK. Clearly, noose is tightening around Iran. Which is very disturbing considering the disastrous ramifications of such a campaign for the Middle East and the world. Even as the region is battling the terrible effects of the conflict in Iraq, not to talk of the impact on global economy, this...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, April 14, 2006 – As coalition leaders continue their efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan and prevent the re-emergence of terrorism, they often turn to the Commander's Emergency Response Program, which lets them quickly improve Afghans' lives with low-cost, high-impact projects. Workers build a new aqueduct system in Afghanistan's Khost province with funds from the Commander's Emergency Response Program. The program lets coalition leaders rapidly allocate resources to address local needs. Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Such projects include rehabilitating roads and bridges, building and...

For Immediate ReleaseApril 8, 2006 President's Radio Address       Audio      In Focus: Immigration      THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Members of the United States Senate reached a promising bipartisan compromise on comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, this compromise is being blocked by the Senate Democratic leader who has refused to allow Senators to move forward and vote on amendments to this bill. I call on the Senate Minority Leader to end his blocking tactics and allow the Senate to do its work and pass a fair, effective immigration reform bill.  Radio Address 200620052004200320022001  Radio Interviews 20052004 Immigration is an emotional...

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Army News Service, March 30, 2006) – A Department of Defense program is easing the transition from business suit to battle dress uniform and back again for Reserve and Guard members serving throughout the world. The National Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a nationwide network of nearly 4,200 volunteers who facilitate communication between reservists and their civilian employers. “We keep reservists and their civilian employers on the same sheet of music when it comes to employment of military members,” said Findley Brewster, Texas ESGR Area 4 chairman. “If the communication...

PALOMINAS — The Naco Border Patrol Explorer post added four new members Wednesday with a ceremony at Valley View School honoring the newest graduates of its training class. “You came in as individuals and now you graduate as a team,” Darcy Olmos, Patrol Agent in Charge at the Naco Border Patrol station, told the graduates. The new Explorers are Alexalyn Hardgrave, 15, of Sierra Vista; Sammy Collins, 16, of Sierra Vista; Devin Humphries, 16, of Hereford; and Christopher Tillman, 15, of Sierra Vista. Humphries was honored for having the group’s highest test score average at 91 percent. Hardgrave also was...

WASHINGTON (ARMY NEWS SERVICE, March 23, 2006) – Army and Air Force officials announced March 17 that a new Joint Cargo Aircraft, designed to enhance the combat readiness of both services, will be developed by a combined team. Fielding of the new aircraft is expected within two years. The Request for Proposals was released March 17 after the Acquisition Strategy Report was signed that morning, according to Pentagon officials. A Joint Program Office, comprised of personnel from both branches of service, will open Oct. 1 in Huntsville, Ala., with the Army taking the lead. “This is a big day for...

BATON ROUGE, La. (Army News Service, March 17, 2006) – Another chapter in what has become one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history came to a close as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency closed its Blue Roof program for victims of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A team of more than 700 engineers and other volunteers from throughout 41 Army Corps of Engineers districts worldwide wrapped up a seven-month mission to provide temporary repairs to both residential and public building roofs damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,...

WASHINGTON - The Senate committee delegated to come up with immigration reform legislation proceeded at a glacial pace Wednesday, with senators still far apart on such issues as a guest worker program and a policy toward the estimated 11 million people in the country illegally. "We are quite a ways from having a bill," said Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., as the panel waded through a host of amendments on how to improve border enforcement. Even with farmers and businesses depending on illegal immigrants to fill low-wage jobs and President Bush in support of a temporary worker program, advocates...

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Even though they are deployed thousands of miles away from home, hundreds of Sailors assigned to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) are keeping in touch with their children through the “United for Reading” (UTR) program. More than 700 Sailors have taken part in the program since Reagan departed San Diego Jan. 4 on its maiden deployment. “We’re coming up on two months of operation and have hundreds of smiling children that are the recipients of over 750 video recordings,” said Lt. Chris Anderson, Reagan’s program coordinator. Sponsored by the Family Literacy Foundation, the...

3/7/2006 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- Air Mobility Command added a new twist to the High Flight program here when Air Force civilians were added to the professional development and orientation course. Forty-seven captains from across the Air Force and six civilians from the command recently participated in the twice-a-year program. Patricia Dorsey, director of the family support center here and one of the first civilians to attend the course, found it extremely beneficial. "It is not often that civilians have the opportunity to attend leadership training with their military counterparts," Ms. Dorsey said. "The AMC mission...

VAIL, Colo., March 6, 2006 – Amputees being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., wrapped up the third annual Vail Veterans Program here yesterday, having taken another step ahead in their rehabilitation and more convinced than ever that they have the support of the American people. Army Sgt. Tim Gustafson, a Tennessee National Guardsman participating in the Vail Veterans Program at Vail, Colo., gets instruction on how to traverse the slopes on a "bi-ski" from Carl Desrosiers, of the Vail Adaptive Ski Program. Photo by Donna Miles  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 24...

Ship operators who reduce pollution by observing a speed limit while entering the Port of Long Beach will be rewarded with lower dockage rates. The reduced dockage rates are part of the port's Green Flag Incentive Program, an annual $2.2 million clean air initiative that provides financial incentives and recognition to those who voluntarily reduce their speeds. The tariff reduction plan was approved Monday by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Under the program, carriers will qualify for a 15 percent discounted Green Flag dockage rate during the following year if 90 percent of their vessels comply with a 12-knot speed...

TAJI, Iraq – During the recent, and highly publicized, sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite factions, a group of Iraqi and American Soldiers pushed aside the apprehension Feb. 23 to conduct a community health outreach program north of Baghdad. Soldiers from 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, along with Soldiers from elements of 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment and 4th Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted a combined operation to provide much needed medical care to a local Iraqi Sunni community, relieving tensions in the area while simultaneously fostering hope in a unified Iraq. Approximately...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2006 – Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld urged about 60 members of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program here today to dream big and reach for the stars as they seek ways to serve their country and its ideals. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld poses with members of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program during the group's visit to the Pentagon Feb. 28. Photo by Helene C. Stikkel  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Rumsfeld reminded the group -- high school dropouts at risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency and criminal activity who are turning their lives...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2006 – A "tremendous" coalition of countries remains united in its stance against nuclear weapon development in Iran, a situation sparking increasing international concern, said the nation's senior diplomat today. "The Iranians now need step back, look at where they are, see that they're isolated on this issue, and return to a state in which they go back and seal the activities that they have begun, ... and get back into negotiations with those who are prepared to offer them a course for civil nuclear power," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on ABC's "This Week." Rice...