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Bill Richardson leaves Cuba without U.S. subcontractor Alan Gross - Latest News - MiamiHerald.com
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March 8, 2010 Obama Appointment Has Castro Ties
President Obama made a terrible mistake nominating Mari Del Carmen Aponte to be ambassador to El Salvador. Aside from the fact that Aponte has given tens of thousands of dollars to Democrats, why would Obama waste more political capital trying to get this controversial and incompetent nominee into government?
Nearly a dozen years ago, President Clinton nominated Aponte to be ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Several months later, her nomination was withdrawn because Aponte did not wish to answer Senators' tough questions about her past.
Aponte's biggest problem was her eight-year relationship with Roberto Tamayo, a man who was friendly with and indisputably in regular contact with Cuban intelligence. Some have even called him a spy. Tamayo loaned Aponte money, which allegedly came from the Cuban intelligence service; and Aponte never repaid the loan.
A Cuban defector once even asserted that Cuban intelligence wished to recruit Aponte. Of course, she denied any knowledge of Cuban intelligence efforts to recruit her.
The FBI questioned Aponte about her contact with Cuban intelligence, and she gave somewhat inconsistent answers. The FBI then requested that she take a polygraph test, but she refused saying that she was not subject to a background check.
These are hardly the actions of a trustworthy public servant who has nothing to hide. Over the objections of career personnel at the State Department, she received her top-secret security clearance — after all, she was a good friend of Hillary Clinton.
Regardless of the truth about her dealings with her boyfriend and his connections to Cuban intelligence, Aponte would seem to have divided loyalties. Although she has experience serving as an ambassador, she previously represented the "country" of Puerto Rico in the United States.
That's right, from 2001 to 2004, Aponte served as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. In this cabinet-level role, she represented the governor of Puerto Rico in the United States. It appears that she viewed herself as an ambassador to the United States. At an official gathering in 2003, she referred to Puerto Rico as a "country." And this was no slip-of-the-tongue: several days later her office issued a press release calling her office building in D.C. an "embassy."
But even if we were to set these loyalty concerns aside, there are still plenty of troubling things about Aponte's record. Her record conclusively shows her to be both radical and incompetent.
She has served on the boards of the National Council of La Raza, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (now LatinoJustice PRLDEF), Democracia USA, and PODER PAC. La Raza (the Race) and LatinoJustice PRLDEF both advocate for rights for illegal immigrants, among other things.
Democracia USA is a group founded by the radical People for the American Way. Like ACORN, Democracia USA has been accused of voter registration fraud. PODER PAC is a discriminatory group that only supports liberal, female, Hispanic Democrats. Fittingly, its slogan is "by Latinas, for Latinas." This slogan is not far from the slogan of the blatantly racist group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), which is, "For The Race everything. Outside The Race nothing."
Aponte is also a member of the Belizean Grove, and she recommended Justice Sonia Sotomayor for membership. Of course, Sotomayor quit the females-only club before her Senate confirmation.
But even if we set aside concerns about Aponte's loyalty and her radicalism, she still has a disturbing record of incompetence. For example, she served on the board of the United Way of America as its president, Bill Aramony, lived a lavish lifestyle, and funneled United Way's money to his family and cronies.
What was the board's reaction as the problems came to light? After an internal investigation, the board unanimously offered its support for Aramony and attributed the problems to sloppiness and inattention to detail. Ultimately, Aramony went to prison, and the lackadaisical board was shaken up after local chapters withheld their dues to the national organization.
Aponte was a partner at a minority law firm that routinely changed its name partners — five times over the course of six years. At one point, the firm owed the IRS $1 million in back taxes. Eventually, the firm collapsed, and a creditor sued for $1 million claiming that the firm had filed fraudulent documents to obtain money.
The business license of Aponte & Tsaknis, another firm at which she served as partner, was revoked. Aponte was the registered agent for the firm. Furthermore, she was managing partner of KJN/DC, an advertising firm, whose business license was also revoked.
Finally, Aponte served as an unofficial advisor to the unpopular, one-term mayor of Washington, D.C., Sharon Pratt. Presumably, Aponte's relationship with Pratt helped her land a seat on the board of the University of the District of Columbia. Throughout Aponte's time on the board, the university was beset by problems.
There is certainly enough in Aponte's past for Senators to justify placing holds and demanding recorded roll call votes on this controversial nominee, whose radicalism on display, loyalty concerns, and incompetence are just another example of this Administration's astounding arrogance.
Read this and more at NetRightNation.com.*****
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News Clips
June 13th, 2007
State News
Lawmakers look for budget fat in policy analysis
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070612-104040-5989r.htm
The state government's budget crisis has lawmakers looking everywhere for cuts, including an unlikely scourge: reports from task forces, study groups and blue-ribbon commissions.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican, told his colleagues yesterday that the state should examine how much it spends on reports to the General Assembly.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of these things, and somebody has to do them," Mr. O'Donnell said.
Groups seek to halt work on ICC
Environmentalists say air pollution from highway could be harmful
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.icc13jun13,0,5077281.story?coll=bal-local-headlines
Environmentalists called yesterday for the federal government to stop work on a disputed six-lane toll road across Montgomery and
Two groups, Environmental Defense and the Sierra Club, said a study commissioned by one of them shows that construction of the 18-mile
Tom Moore: Enforce new gang laws - and hire more police to do it
The Maryland General Assembly passed a new law designed to help the state better prosecute gang members who engage in violent crimes. But whether local law enforcement officials will be able to support the cause, or even have the manpower to do so, is unclear.
The Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007 prohibits a person from participating in a criminal gang “knowing that the gang members engage in or have engaged in criminal activity,” according to state Sen. Roy Dyson, D-District 29.
Home loan relief sought
O'Malley lines up $111 million plan to aid refinancing in face of foreclosure
Seeking to reduce the risk of Marylanders losing their homes because of the state's quick foreclosure process, Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to announce today $111 million in private-sector commitments for refinancing and to create a task force charged with studying reforms to protect homeowners.
O'Malley plans to announce the creation of the Maryland Homeownership Preservation Task Force, which will be charged with developing a comprehensive homeownership preservation plan and with finding ways to mitigate the negative outcomes of foreclosures, which state officials worry will rise with the proliferation of subprime lending.
Purses, races cut at ailing
Plunging revenues left them no other choice, officials say
With revenues plummeting, the Maryland Jockey Club will cut $3 million from its budget this fall, reducing the purse $2,000 in every race for the rest of the year and trimming the number of races at Laurel Park through Dec. 31.
The Jockey Club and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said they had no choice.
"It's another nail in the coffin for
Plan aims to ease voting
Moyer proposes use of provisional ballots in
Aiming to avoid a repeat of the 2005 city election when some voters weren't listed on precinct rolls and had difficulty casting a vote, the
The council also will consider loosening restrictions on absentee ballots.
Hey you, read this sign!
Moyer wants to limit city's sandwich boards
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_12-42/CAN
From City Dock up to
The free-standing signs line the sidewalks, assuring guests that yes, they are open, and even yell at them to get in the door.
But under city law, sandwich-board advertising is illegal. And Mayor Ellen O. Moyer wants the law enforced.
Study Says
http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=59150
Almost two-thirds of high school students in city public schools do not earn diplomas, giving
The study, which analyzed 2004 data, found that only 34.6 percent of
City campaign season kicks into gear
Mitchell runs ad; Harris picks up endorsement
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.ci.campaign13jun13,0,975278.story
Standing in the shadow of the
On the same day, City Councilman Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. - one of
Mitchell aims his first salvo at school system's problems
Just as the hangover from last fall's gubernatorial television commercial bonanza was starting to wear off, Baltimore City Councilman and mayoral candidate Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. aired the first television commercial of this year's mayoral race. The 30-second spot, which aired yesterday only, focuses entirely on schools.
What the ad says: Somber piano music plays in the background as the camera trains on a dark school hallway and an empty classroom. A female narrator says: "Friday is the last day of school. Too bad it isn't the last day of a broken school system. Too bad it isn't the last day of no accountability."
Offering choices in recreation centers and in education is crucial, mayor says
Amid
Speaking at a forum sponsored by the Greater Homewood Community Corp., she outlined her wide-ranging strategy to counter the increase in crime and emphasized efforts to better reach the city's youth.
Top prosecutor backs Harris for council
http://www.examiner.com/a-777706~Top_prosecutor_backs_Harris_for_council.html
“Ken Harris has been one of the members of the council who has been responsive to our efforts - and he has done so in a nonhostile and non-aggrandizing way,” Jessamy said in a written statement.
Harris also received an endorsement from state Sen. Joan Carter Conaway, D-District 43.
“Based on [what] has happened to the city government, we need Ken Harris as City Council president,” she said.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin also attended to support the endorsements.
“He has the vision we need, and more importantly, the integrity; he’s not afraid to stand on his own,” Cardin said.
Candidates look to add to police force
http://www.examiner.com/a-777719~Candidates_look_to_add_to_police_force.html
With the number of murders in
What no one appears to have asked is one question: Will it work?
Statistics suggest it’s not the answer, and criminologists say it might have the opposite impact.
Sex-ed proposal OK'd for schools
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070612-104035-2415r.htm
The Montgomery County Board of Education yesterday approved Superintendent Jerry D. Weast's proposal to expand lessons on sexual orientation and condom use to all middle schools and high schools beginning this fall.
The curriculum, five years in the making, was approved in a 6-1 vote, despite a last-minute addition allowing teachers to tell students who ask that homosexuality is not a mental illness.
Board member Stephen Abrams cast the dissenting vote, saying that he was "extraordinarily upset and offended" that Mr. Weast did not notify the board about the one-sentence addition until Monday night.
Sex-Ed Lessons Revised For Vote
Teachers Could Answer Questions On Homosexuality
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/11/AR2007061102218.html
Superintendent Jerry D. Weast informed school board members in a memo yesterday of a one-sentence addition to the lessons, which are proposed for all eighth- and 10th-grade health classes in the fall. The lessons were field-tested at six schools this spring.
Final sex-ed revisions OK’d
http://www.gazette.net/stories/061307/bethnew213928_32366.shtml
With a 6-1 vote, the county school board adopted final revisions to a controversial sex-education curriculum on Tuesday, even as the embattled lesson plans are being contested at the state level. And for the first time in county classrooms, teachers will be allowed to answer students questions about homosexuality.
Permitting teachers to answer the questions was a change Superintendent Jerry D. Weast forwarded to the board on Monday.
National News
Mikulski urges more action against sexual assaults in the military
Letter to defense chief prompted by report of attacks on 500 servicewomen since 2002
Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski is pressing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for details on what, if anything, the Pentagon is doing to reduce the number of sexual assaults against female members of the military.
In a letter released by her office yesterday, the Maryland Democrat asked Gates how he planned to create "an environment of zero tolerance for sexual misconduct of any kind." The senator said she wanted to know what steps the Pentagon is taking to address "the unique stress and mental health needs" of women in uniform - "especially those who have suffered sexual assault."
Immigrants still give us their best by Michael Olesker
http://www.examiner.com/a-777721~Immigrants_still_give_us_their_best.html
The first time Sen. Barbara Mikulski ran for political office, she marched through the Broadway Market shaking everybody’s hands. In those days, you still heard six different languages hollered across the aisles. It made Mikulski, the granddaughter of Polish immigrants, feel right at home.
She was running for Baltimore City Council. One of the people at the market that day was John Prevas, who was just out of law school. He was helping out at his family’s luncheonette. The next time he saw her, at Miss Irene’s Pub around the corner, Mikulski was shooting pool.
The visitors wanted to talk about
Bush honors victims of communism
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070612-104043-4985r.htm
President Bush yesterday told hundreds of people whose countries had emerged from the grip of communism that their sacrifices would not be forgotten as he dedicated the Victims of Communism Memorial to the millions oppressed and killed by totalitarian regimes.
"We'll never know the names of all who perished, but at this sacred place, communism's unknown victims will be consecrated to history and remembered forever," he said to more than 500 people just blocks from the Capitol. "We dedicate this memorial because we have an obligation to those who died, to acknowledge their lives and honor their memory."
Gilchrest cosponsors emergency room bill
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/NEWS01/706130367/1002
U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest, R-Md.-1st, has cosponsored legislation in Congress that will help keep emergency rooms open across the country and available when they are needed the most.
H.R. 882, the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act, addresses some of the problems facing emergency rooms today.
Security budget nears House approval
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070612-102254-1511r.htm
The House began debate yesterday on the first of 12 appropriations bills, under a threat from President Bush to veto any spending bill that exceeds his budget requests.
The 2008 Homeland Security Department spending bill, which was headed for approval late yesterday, would provide more than $36 billion for fiscal 2008 -- about $2.5 billion more than last year and $2 billion more than the president's request.
Democrats said the increase is necessary because Republicans have neglected spending on domestic issues for years.
"Over the last six years, President Bush and the rubber-stamp Republican Congress shortchanged
Members squabble over
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0607/4469.html
A proposal to lift the travel ban to
"It's an emotional issue for both sides. Everyone just has to calm down," said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), who serves on the financial services subcommittee with the other two and tried to mediate the dispute.
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Fidel Castro says he "remains in the loop"
31 December, 2006 – January 6th, 2007
My January 3rd, 2007 Tentacle column is on US relations with Cuba and South America in the coming year – 2007. Please find it here:
Castro Watch, by Kevin E. Dayhoff, Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007”
We have many things to look forward to in 2007 and certainly at the top of the list is the eventual demise of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Read the rest here. I’d love some feedback… I have, in the past, done a great deal of research on Cuban-American relations and I plan to re-visit much of my research, brush it, break it down into bite-size and write about it, in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the BBC is carrying an article about Cuban President Castro’s New Year’s message…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/12/061231_fidelmessage.shtml
Photo from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/images/2006/12/20061226161704_42389181_castro_afp203body.jpg
According to the BBC on December 31, 2006, Fidel Castro says he “remains in the loop:” “Castro issues New Year's message - In his New Year message, ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has said he is recovering slowly from his surgery.”
Fidel Castro says he "remains in the loop"
Castro issues New Year's message
31 December, 2006 - Published 19:12 GMT
In his New Year message, ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has said he is recovering slowly from his surgery.
"Concerning my recovery I always said it would be a long process," he said in the written message, read out by announcers on state-controlled media.
"But it is far from being a lost battle," he added.
Read the rest here.
The 80-year-old leader handed over control of the country to his brother Raul in July, when he underwent urgent intestinal surgery.
President Castro traditionally sends a message broadcast by state TV and radio to Cubans on New Year's Eve to mark the anniversary of the 1 January 1959 revolution that brought him to power.
"I have not stopped being in the loop on main events and information.
"I have had exchanges with our closest comrades always when co-operation has been necessary on vitally important issues," the statement read.
The president also thanked the Cuban people for their courage during his recuperation.
Speculation about President Castro's medical condition has been rife.
Although Mr Castro's health is a state secret, Cuban officials have said that he is not suffering from cancer or any terminal illness, and that he is recuperating.
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Vicki Huddleston
Principal Officer, USINT,
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/huddleston_vicki.html
In September 1999, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, a career Foreign Service Officer, became Principal Officer at the United States Interests Section (USINT),
Ambassador Huddleston was Deputy Chief of
Earlier in her career, she was chief of the Economic Sections in
Ambassador Huddleston has received four Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Honor Awards. In 1994-1995, she shared with members of the U.S. Embassy in
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