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- Written by: Editor
H.R. 754, the FY 2011 Intelligence Authorization Act, would add several thousand civilian positions in intelligence, increasing the number of analysts who work tirelessly to keep our country safe. The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support.
“Hiring more counterterrorism analysts will make our country safer and more secure,” said Rep. Thompson. “It was these very counterterrorism analysts that located Osama Bin Laden and are now tracking senior al Qaeda leadership across the globe. By providing more resources for this critical effort, our intelligence community will be able to confront, head on, the threat posed by al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations throughout the world.”
Hiring additional counterterrorism analysts will give our military the tools it needs to continue the transition from a flawed counterinsurgency strategy to a more effective counterterrorism strategy.
This tactical change would significantly reduce our military footprint in countries around the world, while allowing our military and intelligence communities to confront terrorism threats wherever they develop.
A counterterrorism strategy would also allow for a responsible redeployment of our troops out of Afghanistan.
“The Afghanistan war is now the longest running war in United States history,” Rep. Thompson continued. “It’s time to get our troops out of the region and shift to a counterterrorism strategy to fight the war on terror. That’s where the future of our fight against al Qaeda and terrorism lies.”
Last Thursday, Congressman Thompson delivered a floor speech in support of H.R. 754. A full copy of his remarks is available below:
“As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence, I’m pleased we are able to work through our differences to bring a stronger and now bipartisan Intelligence Authorization bill to the floor today. H.R. 754 will support critical U.S. intelligence capabilities by increasing resources for our country’s counterterrorism efforts, while also providing needed flexibility to the Central Intelligence Agency to hire the analysts that it needs.
“Last year, under the leadership of then Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Reyes, President Obama signed the first signed the first intelligence authorization act in 6 years. That bill included a number of long overdue provisions that supported critical U.S. intelligence capabilities, significantly enhanced Congressional oversight, and improved accountability across the entire Intelligence Community. Today's bill builds on that effort and represents an important step forward towards enacting an Intelligence Authorization bill for the second year in a row.
“Unfortunately, the process used to produce this bill was badly flawed, and there weren't proper hearings to get to where we are now, and that's evidenced by the amendments that we're able to get into this bill to bring it up to the position that it's in. However, with the changes made to the classified annex, I believe this authorization will strengthen our national security and is in the best interest of our Intelligence Community.
“Specifically, the additional funds authorized by this bill to hire more counterterrorism analysts will make our country safer and more secure. It was, after all, counterterrorism analysts that located Osama bin Laden after he had disappeared for nearly ten years; and that are now tracking senior al-Qaeda leadership around the globe. By providing more resources to this critical effort, our Intelligence Community will be able to confront head on the threat posed by al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations throughout the world.
“In fact, given the recent success of our counterterrorism effort, this is the strategy we should pursue over our counter-insurgency campaign in Afghanistan, which has not shown the results that Congress expected or that the American people demand. This tactical change would significantly reduce our military footprint in countries around the world, while allowing our military and intelligence assets to confront terrorism threats wherever they’re developed.
“Mr. Speaker, our Intelligence Community must be prepared for any and all threats, making it all the more critical for Congress to pass an Intelligence Authorization that furthers our national security. This legislation is necessary, will enhance the capabilities of the intelligence community, specifically our counterterrorism efforts, and will make our nations safer. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and thank the members of our intelligence community and their families for their great work and their sacrifice.”
Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and portions of Sonoma and Yolo counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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- Written by: Editor
UKIAH, Calif. – An annual fundraising event, Trailapalooza, is being planned by South Ukiah and Willits Rotary, Rainbow Ag and J Arena for Saturday, May 21.
The event will take place at the J Arena, 4800 Burke Hill Road, Ukiah.
Trailapalooza it promises to be a fun-filled day beginning with the gymkhana at 2 p.m., followed by a special demonstration from T.R.A.I.L. participants.
Other plans include a silent auction, pony rides, games, snack and beverage concessions.
Later in the day you can enjoy barbecued chicken or ribs for dinner and live bluegrass music from the Redwood Highway Band.
T.R.A.I.L. stands for Teaching Riding as an Access to Independence and Learning. It was created to provide horseback therapy to children unaccustomed to the freedom of riding a horse; children who are physically, developmentally, socially and emotionally challenged.
Tickets are just $20 for adults, $15 for riders, and $7 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations: Rainbow Ag, Ukiah Trophy or Willits Furniture. Checks should be made payable to: South Ukiah Rotary.
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Beth Schwarz, 707-391-7049, of South Ukiah Rotary or Mike Smith, 707-972-2471, of Willits Rotary. Either one would be more than happy to assist you. You are also welcome to log-on to the Willits Rotary Club Web site to make a donation: http://willitsrotaryclub.org.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The Lake County Land Trust is a charitable nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preserving Lake County’s natural resources through education, partnerships and land conservation.
The trust owns and operates the Rodman Slough Preserve near Upper Lake, owns the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown and is currently working on several land conservation projects in Lake County.
The annual spring dinner at the Saw Shop in Kelseyville is one of two major fundraising events for the Land Trust.
“Marie Beery, owner of the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, has been presenting this dinner for the Land Trust for many years and her generosity and hard work on this event are greatly appreciated,” noted Land Trust President Pete McGee.
Also very much appreciated are the staff at the Saw Shop, this year’s sponsors: Foods Etc. of Clearlake and Big Valley Properties of Kelseyville; wine donors: Six Sigma, Wildhurst Vineyards, Tulip Hill Winery, Steele Wines, Moore Family Winery, Brassfield Estate and Langtry Estate; Bruno's Shop Smart Store, and musicians Tom Nixon and Doug Kauffman.
For more information about the Lake County Land Trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or call 707-262-0707.
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- Written by: Debbie Clarke
LUCERNE, Calif. – The North Lake Garden Club meets Tuesday, May 24, at Lucerne Community Church, 5870 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.
The group gathers at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments and sharing plants. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. with speaker Dan Charvet of Heartwood Nursery of Fort Bragg.
He will be speaking on hybridizing plants and camellias.
Members always comment on how they learn something to help them with their own gardens. Last month, Jim Xerogeanes of Mendocino College shared a fantastic slide show on a beautiful Oregon garden.
The club also will hold its fifth annual plant sale on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the old Hillside Honda location on Highway 20 in Nice.
There will be a variety of perennials for sale, right on time to plant your garden.
Unfortunately, the High Tea and Garden Tour has been canceled. The club also finalized its slate of officers for next year.
North Lake Garden Club is a member of California Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc. and Mendo-Lake District with meetings held on the fourth Tuesday, September through May.
Next month's meeting will be held on Saturday, June 18, in a beautiful garden at the home of Sharon Thorne and Don Smith.
The club will install its new officers and have a potluck picnic.
The club's regular meeting date will resume in September, as the club takes July and August off.
If you have a public place where a tree should be planted or need more information about our garden club please call club President Don Smith, 707-972-6023.