I've been a little light on my posts lately. I've been kind of busy. Or maybe I just have a derth of interesting things to say. But I'm going to get back on the wagon.
I will start with my thesis topic. Or rather, the lack of a thesis topic. I'm in my final class of my masters degree and all I need now to actually HAVE a masters degree is a thesis. Yep, only 100 pages of my pontification is holding me back.
So, I can write about anything I want, port security, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, cyber security... But I keep going back to the balance of civil and military relations. I have a friend who works/worked/works for GEN McCrystal - yeah, no comment on that one other than, way to overreact Obama. I've also been studying up on the Korean War which includes when Truman sacked MacArthur for going too far up the Korean Penninsula. So these military folks got the boot, but what happens to folks in the State Department when they run afoul. Did Ikenberry get even a sideways glance when he released a public memo to cover his arse? Nope. It's curious, it really is. And I think I could write a few pages about it.
It's either that or how Clausewitz would raise a baby. Because I tell you what, raising a baby is like going to war, everything taken individually = very easy, put it all together, not so easy.
Showing posts with label Under the Dome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Under the Dome. Show all posts
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Recess.
Congressional Recess.
When staffers only work 8 hours a day, as opposed to 12 or 14.
When fewer people call and yell at us.
When you can actually take a lunch (as in an entire hour and not at your desk - it's glorious).
When you don't have 7 meetings before noon.
When you can actually return phone calls and clean out your in box.
It's a grand time.
When staffers only work 8 hours a day, as opposed to 12 or 14.
When fewer people call and yell at us.
When you can actually take a lunch (as in an entire hour and not at your desk - it's glorious).
When you don't have 7 meetings before noon.
When you can actually return phone calls and clean out your in box.
It's a grand time.
Friday, March 12, 2010
work wokr wkro
It is approps season, which means I work all the time.
All the time.
It's annoying, all the budget hearings and the meetings and the approps all at once. I wish I could really prep for the budget hearings. I know a ton about FEMA and Emergency Support Functions and if I wasn't prepping for a 9:30am hearing at 9:30pm the night before, I could write some rockin questions.
It's feast or famine working on the Hill. It's either August and you're sitting around bored out of your mind, or it's March and you're at work at 10:02 on a Friday night.
Blah.
All the time.
It's annoying, all the budget hearings and the meetings and the approps all at once. I wish I could really prep for the budget hearings. I know a ton about FEMA and Emergency Support Functions and if I wasn't prepping for a 9:30am hearing at 9:30pm the night before, I could write some rockin questions.
It's feast or famine working on the Hill. It's either August and you're sitting around bored out of your mind, or it's March and you're at work at 10:02 on a Friday night.
Blah.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Oh I see how it is, want me to work do you?
That's it. I want to know who's been complaining to OPM that the fed govt keeps shutting down. It's a BLIZZARD here PEOPLE.
Well take this!!
Statement of OPM Director John Berry on the Continuing Snow Emergency
"First and foremost, I want to assure every American that their government is working for them, as it has been throughout the snow emergency. Over 87% of government workers live and work outside the National Capital Region, and the vast majority of them are functioning normally. Within the National Capital Region, emergency and mission-critical staffers are at their posts or teleworking. We are receiving daily reports from across government that many thousands more are also teleworking.
The decision to close government buildings in the National Capital Region has two components: first, the safety of our employees and the public. Second, maintaining government operations to the greatest extent possible. As Director of OPM, this decision rests with me, and I will always accept responsibility for it.
The Federal government has plans and systems to maintain operations during emergencies like this one. We are still digging out from a blizzard of historic proportions, and some work has doubtless been delayed, but all the work will get done. Some buildings have been closed, but the people who do the work have been open for business. We've equipped many of them with tools like notebook computers, Blackberries, and secure Internet connections that allow them to work from almost anywhere.
Traditionally, OPM has calculated the cost of closure as the cost of giving all Federal workers in the National Capital Region a paid day off. But with so many emergency and mission-critical personnel reporting to work as scheduled, and so many others teleworking, that calculation is outdated. With the new data that agencies have been reporting to us throughout the week, we will be able to update this calculation.
The new cost calculation will be one component of a larger assessment of lessons learned that we are already working on. The data and experience gained from this emergency are helping the government to be even better prepared for future storms and other events that might cause widespread disruptions in the National Capital Region.
- end -
Our Mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People.
Well take this!!
Statement of OPM Director John Berry on the Continuing Snow Emergency
"First and foremost, I want to assure every American that their government is working for them, as it has been throughout the snow emergency. Over 87% of government workers live and work outside the National Capital Region, and the vast majority of them are functioning normally. Within the National Capital Region, emergency and mission-critical staffers are at their posts or teleworking. We are receiving daily reports from across government that many thousands more are also teleworking.
The decision to close government buildings in the National Capital Region has two components: first, the safety of our employees and the public. Second, maintaining government operations to the greatest extent possible. As Director of OPM, this decision rests with me, and I will always accept responsibility for it.
The Federal government has plans and systems to maintain operations during emergencies like this one. We are still digging out from a blizzard of historic proportions, and some work has doubtless been delayed, but all the work will get done. Some buildings have been closed, but the people who do the work have been open for business. We've equipped many of them with tools like notebook computers, Blackberries, and secure Internet connections that allow them to work from almost anywhere.
Traditionally, OPM has calculated the cost of closure as the cost of giving all Federal workers in the National Capital Region a paid day off. But with so many emergency and mission-critical personnel reporting to work as scheduled, and so many others teleworking, that calculation is outdated. With the new data that agencies have been reporting to us throughout the week, we will be able to update this calculation.
The new cost calculation will be one component of a larger assessment of lessons learned that we are already working on. The data and experience gained from this emergency are helping the government to be even better prepared for future storms and other events that might cause widespread disruptions in the National Capital Region.
- end -
Our Mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People.
Monday, February 08, 2010
I may never work again
Federal Government Operating Status in the Washington, DC, Area the following message applies only to Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are CLOSED.
Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are CLOSED.
Well...it's been snowing here
The Washington Post has a poll asking if the Federal Government should be shut down another day (as we are slated to receive more snow Tuesday night).
Should the federal government close on Tuesday?
No -- closings are a big taxpayer waste
Yes -- it's too dangerous to go to work
No -- just give early dismissal on Tuesday
Yes -- and keep offices closed until the schools reopen
No -- mandate unscheduled leave instead
I think the follow up question should be, 'Do you work for the Federal Govt?' Because if you do, you don't get a vote! (Or, your vote should count twice.)
Should the federal government close on Tuesday?
No -- closings are a big taxpayer waste
Yes -- it's too dangerous to go to work
No -- just give early dismissal on Tuesday
Yes -- and keep offices closed until the schools reopen
No -- mandate unscheduled leave instead
I think the follow up question should be, 'Do you work for the Federal Govt?' Because if you do, you don't get a vote! (Or, your vote should count twice.)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hopeful Bookends
I went to Denver a year and a half ago for the DNC Convention. It was great. I have a good friend who lives in Denver, a good friend who flew from Utah to Denver and met some new friends.
I got tickets to go to Obama's acceptance speech in Bronco's stadium. Such a good idea in theory. I stood in line for 4 hours in the heat. During every minute it was a challenge to stay in line and not go find a restaurant, a chair and food. But we (our little party of 3) hung together and we made it in.
Once we made it in, finding a seat was a challenge. All the good seats were taken by the smart/crazy people who had been in the stadium since noon. We sat in the stair isles and tried to avoid the security guards who clearly did not think blocking the exit ways was such a good idea.
When Obama started his speech, a group of nice elderly southern women who clearly had waited a LONG time for this moment let us squeeze right up next to them and they protected us from the security.
Obama's speech was amazing. It really was. It was a combination of being there with all those people, and waiting in line, and being a democrat from Utah who actually had a CHANCE to win and get something done...it was great. Worth every minute of that 4 hour line.
The crowd sang 'We shall over come' on the way out.
Fast forward a bit...
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the State of the Union. I had been offered tickets in the past, but as much as I respect the office of the President, I didn't want to stand in line and wait and listen to George W. - it just wasn't worth it.
But last night was a different story. I went over to the Capitol and hung out in the Majority Leader's office for a while. It was nice to sit and eat chinese food. I went up to my seat about 8 and waited. I sat next to a nice guy from Louisiana who had come up just for the occasion. He was a total history buff and I kept pointing out Senators and members of the Cabinet - he loved it.
Obama started speaking and as much as you may or may not like his politics, he's a pretty funny guy. It was interesting to see -live- who clapped for what and when. The top military brass stood up twice, both when the POTUS said he supported the military. They didn't move when the POTUS talked about repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell - not because they don't agree, but because it is a political decision to be made by the civilian leadership, and they just implement the decision. THe Supreme Court Justices apparently made scowls when Obama knocked them for their decision last week.
The Republicans were respectful and clapped on quite a few occasions. Obama certainly gave them a few things to be happy about - offshore drilling???!!!
In the end, I thought it was a good speech. It was nice to be there and have the President say, 'look, I know it's not easy, but if we buckle down and work together we'll figure it out'. No one has to have all the answers, but they have to be willing to try.
Say what you will, but Obama is trying.
And I know you can't really tell, but the blonde standing next to the woman in the white coat in the upper gallery - is me.
I got tickets to go to Obama's acceptance speech in Bronco's stadium. Such a good idea in theory. I stood in line for 4 hours in the heat. During every minute it was a challenge to stay in line and not go find a restaurant, a chair and food. But we (our little party of 3) hung together and we made it in.
Once we made it in, finding a seat was a challenge. All the good seats were taken by the smart/crazy people who had been in the stadium since noon. We sat in the stair isles and tried to avoid the security guards who clearly did not think blocking the exit ways was such a good idea.
When Obama started his speech, a group of nice elderly southern women who clearly had waited a LONG time for this moment let us squeeze right up next to them and they protected us from the security.
Obama's speech was amazing. It really was. It was a combination of being there with all those people, and waiting in line, and being a democrat from Utah who actually had a CHANCE to win and get something done...it was great. Worth every minute of that 4 hour line.
The crowd sang 'We shall over come' on the way out.
Fast forward a bit...
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the State of the Union. I had been offered tickets in the past, but as much as I respect the office of the President, I didn't want to stand in line and wait and listen to George W. - it just wasn't worth it.
But last night was a different story. I went over to the Capitol and hung out in the Majority Leader's office for a while. It was nice to sit and eat chinese food. I went up to my seat about 8 and waited. I sat next to a nice guy from Louisiana who had come up just for the occasion. He was a total history buff and I kept pointing out Senators and members of the Cabinet - he loved it.
Obama started speaking and as much as you may or may not like his politics, he's a pretty funny guy. It was interesting to see -live- who clapped for what and when. The top military brass stood up twice, both when the POTUS said he supported the military. They didn't move when the POTUS talked about repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell - not because they don't agree, but because it is a political decision to be made by the civilian leadership, and they just implement the decision. THe Supreme Court Justices apparently made scowls when Obama knocked them for their decision last week.
The Republicans were respectful and clapped on quite a few occasions. Obama certainly gave them a few things to be happy about - offshore drilling???!!!
In the end, I thought it was a good speech. It was nice to be there and have the President say, 'look, I know it's not easy, but if we buckle down and work together we'll figure it out'. No one has to have all the answers, but they have to be willing to try.
Say what you will, but Obama is trying.
And I know you can't really tell, but the blonde standing next to the woman in the white coat in the upper gallery - is me.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Blog much?
Man.
It has been a while.
I think of all sorts of nifty things to blog about, but then I run out of time.
I'm going to the SOTU tonight and if only I could take in my gigits, I could blog up a storm.
It has been a while.
I think of all sorts of nifty things to blog about, but then I run out of time.
I'm going to the SOTU tonight and if only I could take in my gigits, I could blog up a storm.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Who are you anyway?
I keep forgetting my badge.
At work I need a badge to get into the Capitol. I actually need a badge to get into the building (well unless I want to undress, which I do not). My badge also has my food card on it, so I can't eat without my badge. (ok, well there is cash, but who uses cash anymore?) I used to wear my badge on my belt, but since the winter has come I have been wearing mostly dresses and dresses don't really have belt loops.
Thus, I have been putting my badge on my jacket pocket, which seems like a grand idea, but then I leave my jacket at work and the problems start.
When I drive in, I can't even get into the complex without a badge. I know most of the guards, but you really need an ID, which I totally understand.
Saucy male coworker said, 'why don't you just put the badge in your wallet'. Which is all fine and good, but dresses don't have pockets either.
Oh the bother.
At work I need a badge to get into the Capitol. I actually need a badge to get into the building (well unless I want to undress, which I do not). My badge also has my food card on it, so I can't eat without my badge. (ok, well there is cash, but who uses cash anymore?) I used to wear my badge on my belt, but since the winter has come I have been wearing mostly dresses and dresses don't really have belt loops.
Thus, I have been putting my badge on my jacket pocket, which seems like a grand idea, but then I leave my jacket at work and the problems start.
When I drive in, I can't even get into the complex without a badge. I know most of the guards, but you really need an ID, which I totally understand.
Saucy male coworker said, 'why don't you just put the badge in your wallet'. Which is all fine and good, but dresses don't have pockets either.
Oh the bother.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Taking OLD to a new level
I staffed my boss at the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Committee this week. I've never staffed a conference committee before, none of my bills have ever made it that far. We've always been stuck in an omnibus or a long term CR or other such nonsense.
But I digress...
So the Homeland Approps Conference was in a super cool old Brumidi room in the Capitol. My boss and the House conferees were all on one side of the table and about half of the Senators who were supposed to be there were on the other side of the table. (Apparently conference isn't such a big deal if you are a senator). AND, then it go really good... they wheeled in ROBERT BYRD to chair the meeting.
Senator Byrd has been in the Senate since 1959. He is an institution. Whatever you think about his politics, the man has a (RULE in the US Senate named after him.
Add to that the man is a bagizillion years old and has been in the hospital lately, when they wheeled him into the room, the entire room went silent. I mean no one uttered even so much as a peep. So they wheeled him in and he sits there for a while so people start whispering to each other how cool and historic it is to have him chair the committee (because bets are, he's not going to be chairing many more hearings) and all the sudden WACK!!! The venerable Senator from West Virginia gaveled down the start of the meeting.
It was by far the coolest thing I did all week.
In case you don't believe me how wicked awesome Sen. Byrd is in action... here is a clip of him speaking on the Senate floor about dog fighting and Michael Vick.
But I digress...
So the Homeland Approps Conference was in a super cool old Brumidi room in the Capitol. My boss and the House conferees were all on one side of the table and about half of the Senators who were supposed to be there were on the other side of the table. (Apparently conference isn't such a big deal if you are a senator). AND, then it go really good... they wheeled in ROBERT BYRD to chair the meeting.
Senator Byrd has been in the Senate since 1959. He is an institution. Whatever you think about his politics, the man has a (RULE in the US Senate named after him.
Add to that the man is a bagizillion years old and has been in the hospital lately, when they wheeled him into the room, the entire room went silent. I mean no one uttered even so much as a peep. So they wheeled him in and he sits there for a while so people start whispering to each other how cool and historic it is to have him chair the committee (because bets are, he's not going to be chairing many more hearings) and all the sudden WACK!!! The venerable Senator from West Virginia gaveled down the start of the meeting.
It was by far the coolest thing I did all week.
In case you don't believe me how wicked awesome Sen. Byrd is in action... here is a clip of him speaking on the Senate floor about dog fighting and Michael Vick.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
You should sleep better tonight.
I'm at home watching the debate on the Homeland Approps bill.
Does this make me:
a. a nerd because I am watching the homeland approps bill from my couch?
b. a bad staffer because I am watching the homeland approps bill from my couch (and not my desk)?
c. a super big nerd that I am even watching the votes on the ammendments on the Homeland Approps bill
d. a good American because I am monitoring where my taxpayer dollars are going in the homeland security arena.
I can't really tell.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Holy Cute.
President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Monday, May 25, 2009
I want to be an Army Ranger...
Last week I went down to Ft. Benning, GA. Otherwise known as home of the Army Ranger, also known for Basic Training and thus called Benning School for Wayward Boys or Ft. Beginning. Charming isn't it?
So, a dozen of so of my fellow Congressional staffers with a few Army liaison folks hauled down to GA. As an aside, it rained the entire time we were there.
I don't believe I had ever been to Georgia, other than the Atlanta airport and I just don't think that counts. It is lovely, and I hear they make a mean sweet tea, although I was eating in the Mess Hall and MREs, so I didn't get any sweet tea.
Army Ranger training is pretty much two months, 61 days, of hell. They take you out into the wilderness (a variety of wildernesses actually, swamp, mountains, desert) and see if you can survive. (My sources tell me that no one has died lately, you just get sent home from Ranger school, which is a fate worse than death.) Also part of Ranger training, repelling off REALLY high cliffs, jumping out/off of things and getting over any fear you may have to do about anything, including killing another human being with your index finger and so forth.
Being sure to make our experience as educational as possible, we all got to jump out of a 34 foot tower, simulating jumping out of a plane. We repelled down a wall that I don't even want to know how tall it was. AND the best part, was climbing up a 72 foot tower and taking a zip line across a lake and then dropping into the lake. (See video below) A few people didn't do this, not sure why. Fear I guess (more on that later).
A particular highlight was the plank walk. You climb up a 55 foot tower, and then walk across the suspended plank from one end to the other and 3 steps in the middle...over water. Just think of walking along a curb 55ft in the air knowing that if you fell it would be one hell of a long way down, into water. After you get done with the walk, you shimmy down a rope, give the RANGER sign a good wack and then FALL into the lake. Thusly...
So, other than playing around and taking zip lines into the lake, we were able to watch a class of Rangers graduate. This included a demonstration of skills the newly minted Rangers now posses. It was really cool to see what a person can do if they apply themselves. It was kind of like watching a cross between a Jacki Chan and Luke Skywalker. These guys are serious. But the point to it all is self discipline.
Our Colonel escort and I were chatting as we were waiting for the others to jump (or not jump, as it were). He said everyone is afraid of something. Most people are afraid of walking across a plank over water. The point is not the fear, the point is what you do with it. Army Ranger training is figuring out your weakness (fear, hunger, pain, exhaustion) working through it and coming out the other end stronger.
It was a very enlightening 48 hours.
RLTW.
So, a dozen of so of my fellow Congressional staffers with a few Army liaison folks hauled down to GA. As an aside, it rained the entire time we were there.
I don't believe I had ever been to Georgia, other than the Atlanta airport and I just don't think that counts. It is lovely, and I hear they make a mean sweet tea, although I was eating in the Mess Hall and MREs, so I didn't get any sweet tea.
Army Ranger training is pretty much two months, 61 days, of hell. They take you out into the wilderness (a variety of wildernesses actually, swamp, mountains, desert) and see if you can survive. (My sources tell me that no one has died lately, you just get sent home from Ranger school, which is a fate worse than death.) Also part of Ranger training, repelling off REALLY high cliffs, jumping out/off of things and getting over any fear you may have to do about anything, including killing another human being with your index finger and so forth.
Being sure to make our experience as educational as possible, we all got to jump out of a 34 foot tower, simulating jumping out of a plane. We repelled down a wall that I don't even want to know how tall it was. AND the best part, was climbing up a 72 foot tower and taking a zip line across a lake and then dropping into the lake. (See video below) A few people didn't do this, not sure why. Fear I guess (more on that later).
A particular highlight was the plank walk. You climb up a 55 foot tower, and then walk across the suspended plank from one end to the other and 3 steps in the middle...over water. Just think of walking along a curb 55ft in the air knowing that if you fell it would be one hell of a long way down, into water. After you get done with the walk, you shimmy down a rope, give the RANGER sign a good wack and then FALL into the lake. Thusly...
So, other than playing around and taking zip lines into the lake, we were able to watch a class of Rangers graduate. This included a demonstration of skills the newly minted Rangers now posses. It was really cool to see what a person can do if they apply themselves. It was kind of like watching a cross between a Jacki Chan and Luke Skywalker. These guys are serious. But the point to it all is self discipline.
Our Colonel escort and I were chatting as we were waiting for the others to jump (or not jump, as it were). He said everyone is afraid of something. Most people are afraid of walking across a plank over water. The point is not the fear, the point is what you do with it. Army Ranger training is figuring out your weakness (fear, hunger, pain, exhaustion) working through it and coming out the other end stronger.
It was a very enlightening 48 hours.
RLTW.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Best week EVER for a defense nerd girl.
But just for the record, Obama is going to put the war spending where it should have been all along, in the BUDGET. This $84 billion is cleaning up Bush's mess.
Obama's FY09 Supplemental Request: $83.4 billion
Fri, 04/10/2009 - 12:15pm
President Barack Obama has written to House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), asking for swift approval of his request for $83.4 billion in supplemental appropriations to "fund ongoing military, diplomatic and intelligence operations." Obama also told Pelosi this would be the last supplemental to fund military operations he planned, intending to move the costs for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq into the regular budget request.
"As I noted when first I introduced my budget in February, this is the last planned war supplemental," Obama writes Pelosi. "Since September 2001, the Congress has passed 17 separate emergency funding bills totaling $822.1 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... We must break that recent tradition and include future military costs in the regular budget so that we have an honest, more accurate, and fiscally responsible estimate of Federal spending."
The request is "only intended to bridge us over until the end of September, when this spending will come under the FY 2010 appropriations bill that should be in effect at that time," a Senate Democratic foreign policy staffer noted. "So the smaller amount is not surprising."
White House Announces Fy09 Defense Supplemental
Obama's FY09 Supplemental Request: $83.4 billion
Fri, 04/10/2009 - 12:15pm
President Barack Obama has written to House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), asking for swift approval of his request for $83.4 billion in supplemental appropriations to "fund ongoing military, diplomatic and intelligence operations." Obama also told Pelosi this would be the last supplemental to fund military operations he planned, intending to move the costs for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq into the regular budget request.
"As I noted when first I introduced my budget in February, this is the last planned war supplemental," Obama writes Pelosi. "Since September 2001, the Congress has passed 17 separate emergency funding bills totaling $822.1 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... We must break that recent tradition and include future military costs in the regular budget so that we have an honest, more accurate, and fiscally responsible estimate of Federal spending."
The request is "only intended to bridge us over until the end of September, when this spending will come under the FY 2010 appropriations bill that should be in effect at that time," a Senate Democratic foreign policy staffer noted. "So the smaller amount is not surprising."
White House Announces Fy09 Defense Supplemental
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