Could more changes be in store for Facebook?

Report: Facebook to open up to developers by Steven Musil April 26, 2009

Facebook plans to announce at a developer event Monday that it will open up user-contributed information to third-party developers, according to a report Sunday in The Wall Street Journal.

[…]

The move seems a continuation of APIs (application programming interfaces) Facebook launched in February that let developers access content and methods for sharing in Facebook apps including Status, Notes, Links, and Video.

Of course, all this hinges on persuading Facebook's 200 million users to share their personal data, a topic that ruffled some feathers in February. Facebook users threatened to revolt after the company announced changes to its terms of service…

[…]

But facing a rebellion from thousands of users and a possible federal complaint from the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the social-networking service returned to its previous terms.

Read the entire piece here: Report: Facebook to open up to developers by Steven Musil April 26, 2009

20090426 Report Facebook to open up to developers by Steven Musil

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10227816-93.html

Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers. E-mail Steven.

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/

Brian Lamb

I took some time out this evening to watch some C-SPAN. The moderator of the program, Brian Lamb was interviewing Christopher Hitchens, who I always find fascinating…

It reminded me of this piece I saw several weeks ago by Paul Bedard, published on April 11, 2009 that “Even at 67, C-SPAN Boss Brian Lamb Isn't Slowing Down.” / Kevin dayhoff April 26, 2009

With 30 years under his belt, Brian Lamb isn't ready to retire just because he's 67. He still wants cameras in courts and in secret press gatherings

Sixty-seven must be the new 47 for C-SPAN's Brian Lamb. He's sounds as feisty as ever as he looks to expand the cable's reach to federal courts and closed-door press events. When will he retire? "I have no idea," says the man behind the public service network that just turned 30. "I do enjoy it. I'm in good health and still have all the energy I ever had."

Read the entire piece here: Even at 67, C-SPAN Boss Brian Lamb Isn't Slowing Down

Check out more Washington Whispers.

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/04/11/even-at-67-c-span-boss-brian-lamb-isnt-slowing-down.html

http://tinyurl.com/crxkfy

20090411 CSPAN Boss Brian Lamb Isnt Slowing Down by Bedard
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

New idea for the one-dollar bill

New idea for the one-dollar bill

April 26, 2009

As everyone is aware, these days new designs for our paper currency are being developed frequently. However the design of the one-dollar bill has not been re-visited until recently. We have been fortunate enough to have received an advanced look at one of the many ideas…

Above please find one design idea being circulated for comment and review. Before too long, we all going to quality to use this new currency...

####
20090426 New idea for the one dollar bill

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

JoeTrippi.com: “Playing for Change” video

JoeTrippi.com: “Playing for Change” video

Playing for Change video

Saturday, April 25, 2009

http://joetrippi.com/blog/?p=2687

20090425 JoeTrippi com Playing for Change video

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

Slow Roll Time At Langley By David Ignatius

Slow Roll Time At Langley By David Ignatius Wednesday, April 22, 2009

At the Central Intelligence Agency, it's known as "slow rolling." That's what agency officers sometimes do on politically sensitive assignments. They go through the motions; they pass cables back and forth; they take other jobs out of the danger zone; they cover their backsides.

Sad to say, it's slow roll time at Langley after the release of interrogation memos that, in the words of one veteran officer, "hit the agency like a car bomb in the driveway." President Obama promised CIA officers that they won't be prosecuted for carrying out lawful orders, but the people on the firing line don't believe him. They think the memos have opened a new season of investigation and retribution.

The lesson for younger officers is obvious: Keep your head down. Duck the assignments that carry political risk. Stay away from a counterterrorism program that has become a career hazard.

Obama tried personally to reassure the CIA workforce during a visit to Langley on Monday. He said all the right things about the agency's clandestine role. But it had the look of a campaign event, with employees hooting and hollering and the president reading from his teleprompter with a backdrop of stars that commemorate the CIA's fallen warriors. By yesterday, Obama was deferring to the attorney general whether to prosecute "those who formulated those legal decisions," whatever that means.

Read the entire column here: Slow Roll Time At Langley By David Ignatius

20090422 Slow Roll Time At Langley By David Ignatius
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Obama stopped by CIA headquarters April 20

"Smiling Sheep" by Kevin Dayhoff April 22, 2009

Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters April 20, 2009

http://www.thetentacle.com/ Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters… http://tinyurl.com/ct6ue8

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/04/smiling-faces-president-barack-obama-at.html

20090420 SDOSM Remarks By The President To CIA Employees http://tinyurl.com/cff6nc

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/04/remarks-by-president-to-cia-employees.html

20090422 SDOSM 1971 Smiling Faces Tell Lies by The Undisputed Truth

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/04/1971-smiling-faces-tell-lies-by.html

20090422-Smiling-Sheep.gif
20090422 SDOSM Obama stopped by CIA headquarters April 20

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

More Profiles in Arrogance by Michael Steele

More Profiles in Arrogance by Michael Steele

Recently in his speech in France, Barack Obama called America "arrogant." (1) I'm sure the French loved it -- And so did the liberal press.

But who is this president who calls the American people arrogant?

This is the same politician whose supporters anointed him "The One" and a candidate who boasted that his election would be remembered as "the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal." (2)

This is the same man who indicated his disdain for small town and working Americans when he said they "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them," while addressing a group of San Francisco caviar and champagne liberal elitists.

How arrogant is that? Arrogant enough?

In truth, President Obama seems to champion the twisted "Blame-America First" mentality of the worst of the American left.

More importantly, it shows an absence of wisdom to criticize the United States while on foreign soil, and then join with the Pelosi-Reid Democrats in Congress to do everything possible to end American exceptionalism and create a weak, dependent socialist state patterned after the examples of Europe.

He has taken steps towards nationalizing American auto companies; firing executives while leaving in power the same Union Bosses who funded his campaign and helped cripple the U.S.'s manufacturing base.

He has refused to let financial firms pay back taxpayer-funded bailout loans (3) so he can make them hostages to the whims of the Federal government.

As a lawyer, Obama once sued the same financial institutions on behalf of radical groups like ACORN for failing to use leftist social engineering criteria for lending instead of an applicant's ability to repay a loan.

He campaigned on "transparency" and "integrity" in government and then has nominated a rogue gallery of tax evaders, Washington bureaucrats, and lobbyists to run his Administration.

Obama brazenly follows his chief of staff's maxim of "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste...This crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before" (4) to cripple our free markets with massive taxation and spending that wrests away our freedoms and puts even our great-grandchildren in debt.

And now, anyone who dares speak out against or challenge Obama's ultra-liberal agenda, such as the hundreds of thousands of patriots who attended last week's Tea Parties, should expect to be labeled "unhealthy" by this Adminstration. (5) Now, THAT is arrogance!

You know that Barack Obama's hubris and charisma conceal the inexperience and lack of wisdom that our country cannot afford in its president.
And though the teleprompter and mainstream media liberals may delay America's realization of the peril the Obama White House portends for our future for a while, the eventual failure of leftist policies and ineffective leadership will not.

We must be ready when that time comes.

Please help the Republican Party's effort to spread the word about the Democrats' arrogance of power and support GOP Members of Congress as they work to hold the Obama Democrats accountable to the American people, by making a contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25 to the Republican National Committee today.

Your gift will also help support the recruitment and election of principled candidates who will defeat the Democrats in 2009 and 2010 and lay the groundwork for ending Barack Obama's grip on power in 2012. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. Kevin, the RNC is working hard to hold back the Obama Democrats' damaging, arrogant power grab -- please take this opportunity right now to support our fight against ineffective leadership and failed legislation by making a secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25 to the RNC today. Thank you.

1 "[A]rrogant." (President Barack Obama, Town Hall, Strasbourg, France, 4/3/09)

2"[T]he moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks After The Democrat Primary, St. Paul, MN, 6/3/08)

3"[R]efused to let financial firms pay back taxpayer-funded bailout loans..." (Stuart Varney, "Obama Wants To Control The Banks," The Wall Street Journal, 4/4/09)

4"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste...This crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before." (Gerald F. Seib, "In Crisis, Opportunity For Obama," The Wall Street Journal, 11/21/08)

5"I think any time you have severe economic conditions there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that's unhealthy," (David Axelrod, "Face the Nation" 4/19/09)

Contributions or gifts to the Republican National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Contributions from corporations, labor unions, federal contractors and foreign nationals without permanent residency status are prohibited.

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info@gop.com

Paid for by the Republican National Committee, and authorized by Coleman for Senate '08. 310 First Street, SE - Washington, D.C. 20003 - (202) 863-8500www.gop.com

Copyright 2009 Republican National Committee

20090423 More Profiles in Arrogance by Michael Steele

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

1971 "Smiling Faces Tell Lies" by "The Undisputed Truth"

1971 "Smiling Faces Tell Lies" by "The Undisputed Truth"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I5mcaOm7KE



Smiling Faces was unsuccessfully originally recorded by the Temptations in 1971. Producer Norman Whitfield had the song re-recorded by the Undisputed Truth and released that same year, resulting in a number three Billboard Hot 100 Position. Smiling Faces was the ONLY top 40 single released by the "Undisputed Truth.

Lyrics
Smiling faces sometimes
pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces

of the evil that lurks within
Can you Dig it.

Smiling faces,
smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies
and I got proof
Oh Lord Yeah

Let me tell ya
The truth is in the eyes
Cause the eyes don't lie, amen

Remember
a smile is just a frown
turned upside down
My friend
So here me when I'm saying
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth

Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies
and I got proof

Beware,
beware of the handshake
That hides the snake
Can you dig it, can you dig it

I'm telling you
Beware
Beware of the pat on the back
It just might hold you back

Jealousy (jealousy)
Misery (misery)
Envy

I tell you, you can't see behind
smiling faces
Smiling faces sometimes
Hey, they don't tell the truth
Smiling faces,
smiling faces
Tell lies
and I got proof

Hey
Your enemy won't do you no harm
Cause you'll know where he's coming from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice I'm only try' to school ya

smiling faces
Smiling faces sometimes
they don't tell the truth
Smiling faces,
smiling faces
Tell lies
and I got proof

20090422 SDOSM 1971 Smiling Faces Tell Lies by The Undisputed Truth

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Related:

Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters

http://www.thetentacle.com/ Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters… http://tinyurl.com/ct6ue8

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/04/smiling-faces-president-barack-obama-at.html

20090420 SDOSM Remarks By The President To CIA Employees http://tinyurl.com/cff6nc

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/04/remarks-by-president-to-cia-employees.html

Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama at CIA headquarters

‘Smiling Faces…’

 April 22, 2009  Kevin E. Dayhoff  http://www.thetentacle.com/

 On Monday a smiling President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters for the first time since taking office. It was a charm offensive to give the agency a pep talk to help stave off low morale issues.

 This comes after he released, just last Thursday, four Office of the Legal Counsel memos classified “Top Secret,” that were authored by John C. Yoo, Jay S. Bybee and Steven G. Bradbury.

 The first document was dated August 1, 2002, two were dated May 10, 2005, and a fourth was from May 30, 2005. They laid-out the argument that certain interrogation techniques used by the CIA on suspected al Qa’ida terrorist detainees were legal.

 Missing among the documents is the information as to when high-ranking members of Congress were briefed on these activities.

 The release of the 124 pages is the latest in a series of affronts that amount to a breach of faith and trust with the men and women who are tasked with protecting us from danger and harm. This has been done solely for political gain – and to run a stick in the eye of the previous administration as a function of a “We Won” personal vendetta.

 Whispers in the hallways indicate that as a result of this latest round of cutting the CIA off at the knees has resulted in serious morale problems at the agency with many dedicated members of the (once)elite arm of our frontline national defense force looking for the door.

 Read the rest here: ‘Smiling Faces…’

http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=3123

 20090422 TT Smiling Faces ttked

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

CYBER TROOPERS MAKE ARREST FOR SEXUAL SOLICITATION OF A MINOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2009

CYBER TROOPERS MAKE ARREST FOR SEXUAL SOLICITATION OF A MINOR

(Columbia, MD) – A man who had been making on-line plans for months to allegedly have sex with someone he thought was a 13-year old girl had his plans interrupted last night when he was arrested by members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit.                       The suspect is identified as Robert A. Prall, 28, of the 6200-block of Sandrise Court, Elkridge, Md.  He is charged with one count of solicitation of a minor.  If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.                       The investigation began in late February 2009, when an undercover state trooper assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force posted a listing on an Internet site featuring on-line classified advertisements.  The on-line identity indicated the person was a young girl.                       Within days, a communication was received from an individual who identified himself as a 28-year-old man from Elkridge.  During the next two months, on-line conversations occurred between the man and the trooper posing as the 13-year-old girl.  Most of the conversations had sexual overtones or were outright  discussions of the two meeting for sex.  In the interim, investigators identified the adult as the suspect, Prall.                     On April 22, 2009, through email, texting and instant messaging, Prall made arrangements to meet the person he thought was the 13-year-old girl in Columbia and take her back to his home for sexual intercourse.  The two were to meet at 4:30 p.m. and would go to Prall’s home while his live-in girlfriend was away.                       Prall arrived at the designated meeting place shortly before 4:30 p.m. yesterday.  He was arrested by Maryland State Police and taken to the Waterloo Barracks for processing.                         State Police coordinate Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is made up of federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers dedicated to identifying and apprehending criminals exploiting and victimizing children through the use of the Internet.  The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigates all varieties of computer related criminal activity and operates the Computer Forensics Laboratory.  State Police provide assistance to police departments throughout Maryland in computer crime investigations.

###

CONTACT:

Mr. Gregory Shipley Office of Media Communications & Marketing 410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20090423 Cyber Troopers Make Arrest For Sexual Solicitation Of A Minor

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

April 21, 2009

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet

Published April 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

... of not only the Community Media Center, but also everything that is great about our community.

Thoughts turn to baseball and Jackie Robinson

Published April 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

... is this week's winner of the famed Carroll Eagle mug. For an extended version of this column, with even more on Jackie Robinson, go to explorecarroll.com.

Dayhoff: Recalling Jackie Robinson, the great American experiment

Published April 15, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Mills' contributions to hospital follow a healthful tradition

Published April 12, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

... me with information for this week's column. If you'd like to learn more about the work of the foundation, give her a call at 410- 871-6200. When he is not eating sushi with Sherri Hosfeld Joseph

Recalling the devastating Westminster fire of 1906

Published April 8, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

... Spring Carnival. It is never too early to start teaching your children fire safety. As history shows us -- it's everyone's concern and it can be a matter of life and death.

County jail started out 0-for-1 when it came to holding prisoners

Published April 3, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

Dayhoff: A brief review of the Westminster Navy, and its role in American history

Published April 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

... Navy; a proud heritage few Carroll Countians know. Now you know it too. Well, perhaps not. Happy April Fool's Day. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Merriment and joy, from one kind of cell to another

Published March 27, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Dayhoff says: When it comes to Obama on Jay Leno, get over it

Published March 26, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Celebrating historic buildings, 'Irishtown' and spring fever

Published March 22, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

20090421 SDOSM Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Governor to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day Friday, April 24th

Governor to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day Friday, April 24th

... Friday, April 24th Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown, and the entire O’Malley Administration will be coming to Westminster for “Capital For A Day” (CFAD).

This will be our first CFAD of the 2009 schedule, and we have moved it up a little earlier than expected, but are really looking forward to spending the day in Carroll County.

The Governor was invited to join the new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at an event at a local farm, and so we have decided to make the entire day a CFAD event.

The Governor’s schedule will be as follows, and we would like you to join him at any events that you are interested in attending.

Friday, April 24th Capital For A Day in Westminster:

What: GOVERNOR TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) AGREEMENT SIGNING AND TREE PLANTING PRESS EVENT WITH USDA SEC. TOM VILSACK

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm

Where: Farm of Richard Soper, Jr and family, 523 Warfieldsburg Road, Westminster 21157

What: GOVERNOR - MAIN STREET WALK AND LUNCH

When: 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Where: Main Street, downtown Westminster

What: GOVERNOR TO HOLD CABINET MEETING

When: 1:30pm to 3pm OPEN TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC AT 2:15pm

Where: Location TBD- either McDaniel or Carroll Community College

The Cabinet meeting is closed for the first 30 minutes, while the Governor goes through a normal cabinet meeting agenda with the Secretaries.

Then around 2:15 pm, it is open to the public for the Mayor, Commission President Gouge, and Senator Haines to give brief comments and for a Q and A with elected officials and the Cabinet members. So the Cabinet meeting agenda would look like this:

CABINET MEETING:

1:30 to 2pm Closed Cabinet meeting with Governor

2:15 to 2:30pm Presentation of Local Issues to Governor and Cabinet- Mayor Ferguson, Commissioner Gouge, and Senator Haines (5 minutes each)

2:30pm to 3pm Questions and Answers with All Elected Officials and Proclamation of “Capital For A Day”

In addition to this meeting, the Cabinet members will also be spending the entire day with their local counterparts in city and county government in Carroll County.

They are encouraged to meet in the morning with your local staff, to have working lunches downtown that day, and to do any press events in town that you feel would be good ideas for them to see/tour/visit.

20090424 SDOSM Gov to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net   http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ www.westgov.net 

Remarks By The President To CIA Employees

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

April 20, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT TO CIA EMPLOYEES

CIA Headquarters

Langley, Virginia

3:41 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Well, thank you for the extraordinary welcome. And thanks, for those of you who prepared from the CIA gift shop -- (laughter) -- the t-shirts, the caps, the water bottles. (Laughter.) Michelle and the girls will appreciate that very much. (Laughter.)

It is a great honor to be here with the men and women of the CIA. I’ve been eager to come out here to Langley for some time so I can deliver a simple message to you in person on behalf of the American people: Thank you. Thank you for all the work that you do to protect the American people and the freedom that we all cherish.

The CIA is fundamental to America's national security. And I want you to know that that's why I nominated such an outstanding public servant and close friend, Leon Panetta, to lead the agency. He is one of our nation’s finest public servants, he has my complete confidence, and he is a strong voice in my national security team, as well as a strong advocate for the men and women of the CIA.

I also benefit from the counsel of several agency veterans -- chief among them, Steve Kappes, who's stayed on to serve as Leon’s Deputy, and he's done outstanding work. (Applause.) I have to add just as an aside, by the way, I just met with a smaller group of about 50 so we could have a dialogue, and all of you look really young. (Laughter.) And so to have a graybeard literally and figuratively -- (laughter) -- like Steve Kappes here I think is absolutely critical.

I also want you to know that we have one of your own, John Brennan, who is doing a terrific job as my advisor for counterterrorism and homeland security. And we are very grateful for the work that he does and the insights that he brings from his long years of service here at the CIA.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the extraordinary former CIA officer and Director of Central Intelligence, Bob Gates, who is also part of our Cabinet and every once in a while gives me a few tips. (Applause.)

Let me share with you just a few thoughts about the situation in which we find ourselves. First, I want to underscore the importance of the CIA. When the CIA was founded, you were focused on one overarching threat: the Soviet Union. And for decades, the CIA carried out a critically important mission. With the end of the Cold War, some wondered how important the CIA would be to our future. Now we know.

Here in the 21st century, we've learned that the CIA is more important than ever, for, as Leon mentioned, we face a wide range of unconventional challenges: stateless terrorist networks like al Qaeda, the spread of catastrophic weapons, cyber threats, failed states, rogue regimes, persistent conflict, and now we have to add to our list piracy.

The CIA is unique in the capabilities of collection, analysis and operation that you bring to bear. So you are an indispensable tool, the tip of the spear, in America’s intelligence mission and our national security. It is because of you that I can make good decisions. You prove that the key to good intelligence is not simply technology -- it's the quality of the men and women who have signed up to serve.

You're on the front lines against unconventional challenges. You help us understand the world as it is. You support the work of our troops and our diplomats and law enforcement officers. You disrupt terrorist plots and you're critical to our efforts to destroy terrorist networks. You serve capably, courageously, and from here in Virginia to dangerous outposts around the globe, you make enormous sacrifices on our behalf. So you should be proud of what you do.

Second, you need to know that you've got my full support. For decades, the American people have counted on you to protect them. I know that I've come to personally count on your services; I rely on your reporting and your analysis, which finds its way onto my desk every single day.

And I know you've got a tough job. I know there's no margin for error. And I know there are endless demands for intelligence and there is an urgent necessity to collect and analyze information, and to work seamlessly with other agencies to act on it. And what makes it tougher is when you succeed –- as you so often do -- that success usually has to stay secret. So you don't get credit when things go good, but you sure get some blame when things don't. Now -- (laughter) -- I got a "Amen" corner out here. (Laughter.)

Now, in that context I know that the last few days have been difficult. As I made clear in releasing the OLC memos -- as a consequence of a court case that was pending and to which it was very difficult for us to mount an effective legal defense -- I acted primarily because of the exceptional circumstances that surrounded these memos; particularly the fact that so much of the information was public, had been publicly acknowledged, the covert nature of the information had been compromised.

I have fought to protect the integrity of classified information in the past, and I will do so in the future. And there is nothing more important than protecting the identities of CIA officers. So I need everybody to be clear: We will protect your identities and your security as you vigorously pursue your missions. I will be as vigorous in protecting you as you are vigorous in protecting the American people.

Now, I have put an end to the interrogation techniques described in those OLC memos, and I want to be very clear and very blunt. I've done so for a simple reason: because I believe that our nation is stronger and more secure when we deploy the full measure of both our power and the power of our values –- including the rule of law. I know I can count on you to do exactly that.

There have been some conversations that I've had with senior folks here at Langley in which I think people have expressed understandable anxiety and concern. So I want to make a point that I just made in the smaller group. I understand that it's hard when you are asked to protect the American people against people who have no scruples and would willingly and gladly kill innocents. Al Qaeda is not constrained by a constitution. Many of our adversaries are not constrained by a belief in freedom of speech, or representation in court, or rule of law. I'm sure that sometimes it seems as if that means we're operating with one hand tied behind our back, or that those who would argue for a higher standard are naïve. I understand that. You know, I watch the cable shows once in a while. (Laughter.)

What makes the United States special, and what makes you special, is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and our ideals even when it's hard, not just when it's easy; even when we are afraid and under threat, not just when it's expedient to do so. That's what makes us different.

So, yes, you've got a harder job. And so do I. And that's okay, because that's why we can take such extraordinary pride in being Americans. And over the long term, that is why I believe we will defeat our enemies, because we're on the better side of history.

So don't be discouraged by what's happened in the last few weeks. Don't be discouraged that we have to acknowledge potentially we've made some mistakes. That's how we learn. But the fact that we are willing to acknowledge them and then move forward, that is precisely why I am proud to be President of the United States, and that's why you should be proud to be members of the CIA. (Applause.)

Third point -- third point: I want you to know how much the American people appreciate your service. Sometimes it's hard to acknowledge sacrifices made by the people whose work or even identity must remain secret. And that's part of the enormous burden that you carry when you sign up. You make extraordinary sacrifices giving up parts of your life in service to your country. Many of you take long deployments overseas. You miss seeing your families. You miss weekend barbecues and the birthday parties, watching your children grow up. You can't even exchange in the simplest pleasure of talking about your job or complaining about your job openly. (Laughter.)

There are few signs of patriotism more powerful than offering to serve out of the limelight. And so many of you have signed up to serve after 9/11 -- that's partly why you're all so young -- fully aware of the dangers before you. You serve courageously, but your courage is only known to a few. You accomplish remarkable things, but the credit you receive is the private knowledge that you've done something to secure this country.

That's a sacrifice that's carved into those marble walls. Those 89 stars stand as a testament to both the men and women of the CIA who gave their lives in service to their country, and to all who dedicate themselves to the mission of this Agency.

Now we must look forward to the future with confidence. All that you've achieved, I believe that the CIA's best days are still yet to come. And you will have my support and appreciation as you carry on this critical work. We live in dangerous times. I am going to need you more than ever, precisely because we're seeing changes in our foreign policy and we want to send a new message to the world. That requires better intelligence, not less of it. That means that we're going to have to operate smarter and more effectively than ever.

So I'm going to be relying on you and the American people are going to rely on you. And I hope that you will continue to take extraordinary pride in the challenges that come with the job.

Thank you very much. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END 3:48 P.M. EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-CIA-employees-at-CIA-Headquarters/

20090420 SDOSM Remarks By The President To CIA Employees

Related: http://www.thetentacle.com/ Smiling Faces - President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters… http://tinyurl.com/ct6ue8
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

This week in The Tentacle for Wednesday April 22 2009

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
‘Smiling Faces…’
Kevin E. Dayhoff
On Monday a smiling President Barack Obama stopped by CIA headquarters for the first time since taking office. It was a charm offensive to give the agency a pep talk to help stave off low morale issues.

In the Face of Tragedy…
Michael Kurtianyk
On Sunday morning, I heard the church bells ring as I went to get the morning papers. I wanted to make sure that I picked them up before my 7-year-old daughters got to them. I knew what the headlines were going to be, and I didn’t want daughters to read the headlines before my wife and I had a chance to talk and prepare for that conversation.

A Malay Wedding – Part Two
Tom McLaughlin
Seremban, Malaysia – It’s the day before the celebration. Nazir’s son picked me up at the airport and I feigned I knew him, faking it most of the way. The marble finally dropped into the correct location in the brain and I realized who he was and could participate in the conversation instead of stupidly nodding my head.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Selling Newspapers?
Roy Meachum
"State of Play" opened this weekend; the film will be discussed with Bob Miller on his WFMD "Morning Express" Friday. Its’ message about modern newspapering burns in my mind and cannot wait another three days.

A Call to Arms…
Farrell Keough
I had the privilege of attending the Frederick County Tea Party. While neither man will accept the credit, great thanks goes out to Blaine Young and Bob Miller of WFMD radio, 930 A.M. That attendance on such an awful day to be outside was remarkable!

Monday, April 20, 2009
General Assembly Journal 2009 – Volume 12
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The General Assembly Department of Legislative Services produces a document each year summarizing the legislative session. This year, I thought I’d produce my own right here on The Tentacle.

Because Hope is not a Method
Steven R. Berryman
My name is Steve, and I’m a “right-wing extremist.” That’s how I would start an “AA” meeting if those letters stood for “activists anonymous!”

Friday, April 17, 2009
Tea Party 2009
Roy Meachum
The story made all the papers: Washington Post, New York Times, etc. In Frederick, the News-Post slapped it across the front page: "Tea Party" Brews on Tax Day."

The Tea Has Been Tossed
Joe Charlebois
Just as a beaten dog will eventually turn on his owner, or a slave endeavor to escape the bondage of even the most benevolent master, a people can only be suppressed so long before they cry “No more!”

Thursday, April 16, 2009
Health Care Reform – Part 1
Patricia A. Kelly
Barack Obama is not the only one who believes that health care reform is essential to the economic and personal well-being of Americans. Technically, we can’t be beat, but our system is a mess.

Will This History Repeat Itself?
Tony Soltero
Fourteen years ago, on April 19, 1995, a young man named Tim McVeigh bombed the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 Americans. It remains to this day the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history.

A REVIEW – No Conventional Story
Roy Meachum
Chazz Palminteri had 'em rolling in the aisles Tuesday. The Hippodrome Theatre brought his "Bronx Tale" to Baltimore. To say the one-man show was an opening night smash would be understatement of the most egregious sort.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The First Summer
Kevin E. Dayhoff
As the first summer approaches following the departure from the White House of President George W. Bush, I am reminded of the story that in the first summer after President Harry Truman left office, he took a road trip with his family in which he visited Frederick.

A Malay Wedding – Part One
Tom McLaughlin
Seremban, Malaysia – Three months before the wedding-I had returned to Malaysia after a 35-year absence, a former Peace Corps Volunteer. A couple of phone calls put me in touch with my kampung folks and a joyful reunion ensued.

Bob Dylan: An Appreciation
Michael Kurtianyk
I’m not sure when I first heard Bob Dylan. My guess would be at home on the radio hearing “Blowin in the Wind,” or “Like a Rolling Stone.” Growing up, my musical tastes veered toward what today would be called “Classic Rock” or “AOR (“Album-Oriented Rock”).

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Naming a Puppy
Roy Meachum
One survey shows 21 percent of respondents object to the name (Bo) the Obama girls have chosen for their new Portuguese Water Dog puppy. Of course, it's plain dumb for any survey to ask. But, good grief! – one in five object to the name!

Advice from The Voice of Experience – Part 2
Nick Diaz
In my last installment on http://www.thetentacle.com/, I started giving readers, potential motorcyclists all, some advice on buying good, used, cheap motorcycles. I stressed the importance of doing one’s “homework,” which means thinking things over as one finds out about the various types, models, and brands of motorcycles available.

Monday, April 13, 2009
General Assembly Journal 2009 – Volume 11
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
A race worth saving? No, this is not some deep philosophical question about the future of mankind. The race is the Preakness, and the question relates more to the last minute effort to avoid a potential bankruptcy sale.

About the Net
Steven R. Berryman
What the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), once contrived to connect university research scientists to each other in the course of their daily work, has now become the world’s greatest tool, toy, and liability – our Internet.

20090422 SDOSM This week in The Tentacle

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Follow The Eagle from Wednesday to Sunday

Follow The Eagle from Wednesday to Sunday

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2775/follow-eagle-wednesday-sunday/

Posted 4/22/09

Every week the staff of The Eagle covers news of the community, but this week we have some news of our own -- that this is the last Wednesday edition of The Eldersburg Eagle, and that we're combining many of its elements into our Sunday edition, The Carroll Eagle.

It has been a tough decision, to be sure. We've come to cherish The Eagle banner, and have formed bonds with the community over the years.

Those bonds will continue. We'll continue to publish an online edition of The Eldersburg Eagle at our Web site, explorecarroll.com, and we also hope those who have come to count on The Eagle for news, opinion and commentary will follow us to our Sunday edition as well.

The Carroll Eagle is distributed both inside the Baltimore Sun's Sunday edition and also at locations throughout the community, including our familiar paper boxes. If you want to receive it Sunday at home, call 1-877-BUY-A-SUN.

You'll find our familiar features including Hoby Wolf, Cathy Drinkwater Better, John Culleton and David Grand, as well as education news and sports features — such as our Carroll County Student-Athlete of the Season award recipient, who will be revealed this Sunday, April 26. (See preview above.)

Though some things are changing at The Eagle, a few key things won't.

First, our phone number is still 410-549-2806, and our staff phone extensions and e-mail addresses also remain the same.

Secondly, our mailing address is still P.O. Box 474, Eldersburg, MD 21784.

Most importantly, our commitment to serve the community to the best of our ability, and to share the story and history of this community, hasn't changed.

Our staff is humbled by residents of this community who have placed their trust in us, and we'll continue to do our best to honor it. We'll see you in The Carroll Eagle, and online.

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2775/follow-eagle-wednesday-sunday/

20090422 SDOSM Follow The Eagle from Wednesday to Sunday
Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.westgov.net/ Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

This is the last weekly edition of The Eldersburg Eagle

This is the last weekly edition of The Eldersburg Eagle

To our readers

Posted on www.exploreacarroll.com 4/22/09

This is the last weekly edition of The Eldersburg Eagle.

http://explorecarroll.com/news/2776/our-readers/

Starting next week, we are eliminating the print version of The Eldersburg Eagle to focus our resources on The Carroll Eagle, which is distributed every Sunday with The Baltimore Sun.

However, the journalists of The Eldersburg Eagle will continue to bring you the same great content you've come to expect from us on our Web site, ExploreCarroll.com.

In fact, we'll be updating the Web site even more frequently.

ExploreCarroll.com includes an expanded community calendar and forums for interactive comment. We'll be adding more breaking news and local blogs.

In addition, The Carroll Eagle will increase in size, distribution and content and continue to be published every Sunday. If you're not a Baltimore Sun subscriber and would like to start weekend home delivery, please call The Baltimore Sun today at 1-877-BUY-A-SUN.

We appreciate your readership and thank you for your continued support of The Eagle.

http://explorecarroll.com/news/2776/our-readers/

20090422 SDOSM This is the last weekly edition of The Eldersburg Eagle
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Flying in to Charlotte airport… Not quite like the Beatles’ song, but nevertheless…

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte and dates back to 1936. When it was first built, one of it claims to fame, according the airport’s web site history, in 1936, it that “it was a modern and spacious airport equipped with a radio beam.”
Dayhoff Daily Photoblog
20090419 Charlotte airport
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet

By Kevin Dayhoff,

Posted www.explorecarroll.com 4/21/09

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the rededication ceremony for the Carroll County Community Media Center.

More than 80 people attended, and it was a reunion for many of us who have watched this great community asset come out of a closet in a basement at what was then Western Maryland College to become a first-rate facility with many talented artists.

Marion Ware, executive director commented that “the rededication was to celebrate five years in this shared community resource… and to recognize all the people and organizations that have made the vision … of community and connections possible.”

Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/dj3z8q

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2773/dayhoff-getting-community-media-center-closet/

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet
Published April 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Thoughts turn to baseball and Jackie Robinson
Published April 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Dayhoff: Recalling Jackie Robinson, the great American experiment
Published April 15, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

20090421 SDOSM snip WE Getting the CMC out of the closet

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

The Beatles - Back In The USSR

The Beatles - Back In The USSR

Released November 22, 1968

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-2LQGigK-0



19681122 The Beatles Back In The USSR

SDOSM 20090421

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Maryland State Police: Barricade In Carroll County Has Ended

Maryland State Police: Barricade In Carroll County Has Ended

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2009

BARRICADE IN CARROLL COUNTY HAS ENDED

(Westminster, MD) - Maryland State Police found one person deceased after entering a Carroll
County home this afternoon where they had been since this morning after receiving a phone call from a man who threatened to harm himself.

The deceased has been identified as Carl Michael Byczkowski, 45, of the 600-block Glen Drive, Westminster, Maryland. He sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by a forensic examiner. Byczkowski will be taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

Shortly before 9:30 a.m. today, troopers at the Westminster Barracks surrounded a single-family home in the 600-block of Glen Drive, in Westminster, Maryland, after receiving a call from a man at that address who said he was going to shoot himself. The man closed the interior blinds to the home when troopers arrived on the scene.

Responding troopers established a perimeter around the house. Due to the statement of the man in the house about his possession and use of a firearm and the proximity of the house to other homes, troopers quickly notified nearby residences to evacuate until the situation was resolved. Area schools were also notified of the incident, but none were in close proximity to the home to be in danger. Detours around the area were established by troopers.

The Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element (STATE), negotiators from the Hostage Recovery Team, and a representative from the Carroll County
State’s Attorney’s Office responded to the home. Throughout the day, troopers attempted to make contact with Byczkowski, but never received a response.

At about 2:00 p.m. STATE Team members made a tactical entry into the single family home where they found Byczkowski deceased. No one else was in the home.

CONTACT: D/Sgt. James Dewees
Westminster Barrack
4103-386-3000

###

CONTACT: Sergeant Arthur Betts
Office of Media Communications & Marketing
410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20090421 SDOSM MSP Barricade In Carroll County Has Ended
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Explore Carroll: Man shoots himself in Westminster standoff

Explore Carroll: Man shoots himself in Westminster standoff

In an update on Troopers On Scene Of Carroll County Barricade; Explore Carroll com is now reporting:

“Man shoots himself in Westminster standoff”

Police are unsure if there are victims inside the house

From staff reports Posted 4/21/09

A man who had barricaded himself inside his Westminster home today from police has apparently killed himself according to Sgt. Arthur Betts of the Maryland State Police.

Read the rest here: “Man shoots himself in Westminster standoff”

http://explorecarroll.com/news/2772/man-barricades-himself-inside-westminster-home/

20090421 SDOSM Exp Carroll Man shoots himself in Wster standoff
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

MDGOP Announces Commission for Environmental Solutions

MDGOP Announces Commission for Environmental Solutions

Maryland Republican Party

James Pelura, DVM, MS Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2009

CONTACT: Justin Ready, 410-269-0113

Maryland Republicans Celebrate Earth Day

MDGOP Announces Commission for Environmental Solutions

ANNAPOLIS - Our most treasured asset, the Chesapeake Bay is in trouble. Millions of dollars are spent each year on finding solutions to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, while each year the reports are the same….the Bay is unhealthy and more must be done.

The Maryland Republican Party realizes that more money is not the answer. The time has come for reason, rational thinking and science to lead the way for developing a responsible approach for saving our most precious natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay.

As a result, the Maryland Republican Party is proud to take this opportunity on Earth Day 2009 to announce the formation of the MDGOP Commission for Environmental Solutions.

This commission includes representatives from the Maryland General Assembly, the recycling industry, green construction, water and sewage treatment, agriculture, the power industry as well as experts from the field of natural resources.

The Maryland Republican Party firmly believes that real solutions to our environmental problems will result from a scientific and rational approach that will provide for clean air and water while maintaining strict fiscal efficiency.
Tomorrow is too late, we must act today.
###

www.mdgop.org

15 West Street • Annapolis, Maryland • 21401 • (410) 263-2125 Annapolis • (410) 269-5937 Fax

20090421 MDGOP Announces Commission for Environmental Solutions
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Troopers On Scene Of Carroll County Barricade

Troopers On Scene Of Carroll County Barricade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2009 2:13 PM

TROOPERS ON SCENE OF CARROLL COUNTY BARRICADE

(Westminster, MD) - Maryland State Police have established a perimeter and are attempting to contact a Carroll County man who is refusing to come out of his house after telling troopers this morning in a phone call that he was going to harm himself.

A positive identification of the man who called has not been made at this time. He is believed to be a 45-year old man in possession of multiple loaded firearms inside of the residence.

Maryland State Police have surrounded a single-family home in the 600-block of Glen Drive, in Westminster, Md.
Troopers have not been able to determine at this time if anyone is in the house with the suicidal man.

Shortly before 9:30 a.m. today, troopers at the Westminster Barracks received a call from a man at that address who said he was going to shoot himself. The man closed the interior blinds to the home when troopers arrived on the scene.

Responding troopers established a perimeter around the house. Due to the statement of the man in the house about his possession and use of a firearm and the proximity of the house to other homes, troopers quickly notified nearby residences to evacuate until the situation is resolved.

Area schools have also been notified of this incident, but none are in close proximity to the home to be in danger.

Detours around the area have been established by troopers.

The Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element (STATE) has responded to the scene, as have
negotiators from the Hostage Recovery Team, and a representative from the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office.

State Police negotiators have attempted to make contact with the man, but have been unable to do so.

No shots have been fired by the suspect or by police since troopers first arrived on the scene. Troopers are urging the man to surrender and resolve this situation peacefully.


###

CONTACT: Sergeant Arthur Betts
Office of Media Communications & Marketing
410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20090421 Troopers On Scene Of Carroll County Barricade

Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

The Behind the Scenes News on the Gulf of Aden Pirate Take-Down

The Behind the Scenes News on the Gulf of Aden Pirate Take-Down

REC'D THIS FROM A FRIEND

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009

From some friends with ties to special ops who would like to remain under the radar: Having spoken to some SEAL pals here in Virginia Beach yesterday and asking why this thing dragged out for 4 days, I got the following:

1. BHO (President Barack Obama) wouldn't authorize the DEVGRU/NSWC SEAL teams to the scene for 36 hours - going against OSC (on scene commander) recommendation.

2. Once they arrived, BHO imposed restrictions on their ROE that they couldn't do anything unless the hostage's life was in "imminent" danger

3. The first time the hostage jumped, the SEALS had the pirates all sighted in, but could not fire due to ROE restriction

4. When the navy RIB came under fire as it approached with supplies, no fire was returned - due to ROE restrictions. As the pirates were shooting at the RIB, they were exposed and the SEALS had them all dialed in.

5. BHO specifically denied two rescue plans developed by the Bainbridge CPN and SEAL teams

6. Bainbridge CPN and SEAL team CDR finally decide they have the OpArea and OSC authority to solely determine risk to hostage. 4 hours later, 3 dead pirates

7. BHO immediately claims credit for his "daring and decisive" behavior. As usual with him, it's BS.

So per our last email thread, I'm downgrading BHO's performance to D-. Only reason it's not an F is that the hostage survived.

Read the following accurate account.

Philips first leap into the warm, dark water of the Indian Ocean hadn't worked out as well. With the Bainbridge in range and a rescue by his country's Navy possible, Philips threw himself off of his lifeboat prison, enabling Navy shooters onboard the destroyer a clear shot at his captors and none was taken.

The guidance from National Command Authority the president of the United States, Barack Obama had been clear: a peaceful solution was the only acceptable outcome to this standoff unless the hostage's life was in clear, extreme danger.

The next day, a small Navy boat approaching the floating raft was fired on by the Somali pirates and again no fire was returned and no pirates killed. This was again due to the cautious stance assumed by Navy personnel thanks to the combination of a lack of clear guidance from Washington and a mandate from the commander in chief's staff not to act until Obama, a man with no background of dealing with such issues and no track record of decisiveness, decided that any outcome other than a peaceful solution would be acceptable.

After taking fire from the Somali kidnappers again Saturday night, the on-scene commander decided he'd had enough.

Keeping his authority to act in the case of a clear and present danger to the hostage's life and having heard nothing from Washington since yet another request to mount a rescue operation had been denied the day before, the Navy officer unnamed in all media reports to date decided the AK47 one captor had leveled at Philips back was a threat to the hostage's life and ordered the NSWC team to take their shots.

Three rounds downrange later, all three brigands became enemy KIA and Philips was safe.

There is upside, downside, and spinside to the series of events over the last week that culminated in yesterday's dramatic rescue of an American hostage.

Almost immediately following word of the rescue, the Obama administration and its supporters claimed victory against pirates in the Indian Ocean and declared that the dramatic end to the standoff put (aside) questions of the inexperienced president's toughness and decisiveness.

Despite the Obama administration's (and its sycophants) attempt to spin yesterday's success as a result of bold, decisive leadership by the inexperienced president, the reality is nothing of the sort. What should have been a standoff lasting only hours as long as it took the USS Bainbridge and its team of NSWC operators to steam to the location became an embarrassing four-day and counting standoff between a ragtag handful of criminals with rifles and a U.S. Navy warship.

20090418 The Behind the Scenes News on the Pirate Take Down
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Washington Post news and opinion digest for Saturday April 18 2009

Washington Post news and opinion digest for Saturday April 18 2009

Barack TV

POTUS has become part of my morning routine. I have a lot of things to get done at an early hour--read the newspapers, surf the Net, file this column--but when I get to the office and flip on the cable channels, by 10:30 or 11, there he is.

Reading the Tea Leaves

Tea Time

Most Viewed Opinion Articles

Next Choler, Please

Finished With Facebook

You'll Love Diversity -- Or Else

Landing a Job When Your Résumé's Too Good for It

Top 35 Opinion Articles

Most Popular on washingtonpost.com

Most Viewed Articles

Updated 12:00 a.m. ET
1) Family of 5 Is Found Dead By Dad's Hand, Police Say By Matt Zapotosky and Michelle Boorstein Washington Post Staff Writers April 18, 2009 2:24 PM
MIDDLETOWN -- Homicide has come to this tiny town in northwest Maryland for the first time in at least two decades. Police called to a pale yellow house yesterday found the bodies of a mother, a father and their three small children.

2) Race a Dominant Theme at Summit By Scott Wilson Washington Post Staff Writer April 18, 2009 7:21 PM PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, April 18 -- In presenting himself at a summit here as an equal partner to Latin America, President Obama is drawing on his race as evidence of U.S. social progress and of his own affinity for the region's poor.

3) Next Choler, Please By Dana Milbank April 17, 2009 5:03 PM
Why is the choler from the left still more vitriolic than that from the right?

4) A Golden Age for Cheapskates By Nancy Trejos Washington Post Staff Writer April 18, 2009 12:50 AM Jill Berry is always on the lookout for free things.

5) Beset by Troubles, S. Africa's Voters Are Divided Over Zuma By Karin Brulliard Washington Post Foreign Service April 18, 2009 6:49 PM JOHANNESBURG -- One week before this country's fourth democratic elections, South Africa's main opposition party has unveiled a last-ditch campaign slogan that minces no words: "Stop Zuma."

6) Gun-Trafficking Crackdown Hits Hurdle By Karl Vick Washington Post Staff Writer April 18, 2009 8:43 AM PHOENIX -- It seemed a fortuitous alignment of justice and politics, George Iknadosian's trial beginning just as President Obama called for new attention to the flow of weapons from the United States to the drug cartels inside Mexico. The Phoenix gun dealer stood charged with selling hundreds of...

7) Capitals' Hole Grows Deeper By Tarik El-Bashir Washington Post Staff Writer April 18, 2009 3:50 PM New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist outplays Simeon Varlamov, above, as the Rangers shut out the Capitals, 1-0, on Saturday to take a 2-0 series lead.

8) Chavez Gives Obama Book on Latin American History By Scott Wilson Washington Post Staff Writer April 18, 2009 11:43 AM PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, April 18 -- With the media watching their every gesture, President Obama and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela continued their getting-to-know-you phase with a gift and another handshake, this one for more than one camera.

9) For GOP, Tea Protests Offer An Alluring, but Risky, Lifeline By Dan Balz April 18, 2009 10:49 AM The tea bag protests that marked tax day on Wednesday represented an opportunity and a risk for the Republican Party. Opportunity because they offered a jolt of energy for a battered party after two dismal elections. Risk because they supplied at best only a partial answer to what ails the GOP....

10) Nice Party, But Not So Revolutionary By Benjamin L. Carp April 17, 2009 5:15 PM We like the spectacle of drowning tea for the same reason kids like knocking over building blocks.

Most Viewed Opinion Columns and Editorials

1) Next Choler, Please Why is the choler from the left still more vitriolic than that from the right?
By Dana Milbank

2) Finished With Facebook What started with the occasional link up with friends turned addictive. I'm now on a road to recovery. By Kristen Hansen Brakeman

3) You'll Love Diversity -- Or Else Racial and ethnic diversity is the key to happiness, success in the global marketplace and, not least, an interesting life. By Kathleen Parker

4) Landing a Job When Your R?sum?'s Too Good for It You've lost your job. But you don't immediately panic. After all, you have an undergraduate degree and perhaps an advanced degree. You either saved or more likely borrowed heavily to earn this get-out-of-unemployment-free card. So with your beefy r?sum?, you begin applying for jobs confident that... By Michelle Singletary

5) The Love That Bo Knows When the dog begs for the South Lawn it's time to put world peace on hold. By Colbert I. King

6) Demon Denim What the nation's obsession with denim says about the national psyche. By George F. Will

7) The Sting, In Four Parts If only his big ideas for health care and deficit reduction weren't constructed over sand. By Charles Krauthammer

8) CAROLYN HAX Adapted from a recent online discussion. Dear Carolyn: By Carolyn Hax

9) Where Tinkerers Take Control of Technology At a recent HacDC get-together, Tim Collins displays his latest toy to a visitor. It's a microcontroller, a $6 mini-computer on a chip smaller than his thumb. "This has more computing capacity than my first computer, which cost thousands of dollars," he observes. By Mike Musgrove

10) GPS Units Plug Into the Web, but We're Not There Yet A typical GPS unit has its eyes on the stars and its feet set in concrete: It can fix its location anywhere within reach of Global Positioning System satellites but then must refer to maps that are months or years out of date. By Rob Pegoraro

11) Fertile 'Gardens' Edith and Edie Beale, commonly called Big Edie and Little Edie, have the potential to be ridiculously pathetic characters, a mother and daughter living on dreams and delusions in the midst of rot and ruin -- and dozens of cats. By Tom Shales

12) Potemkin Country America's "progressive" president has some peculiarly retro policies. Domestically, his reactionary liberalism is exemplified by his policy of No Auto Company Left Behind, with its intimated hope that depopulated Detroit, where cattle could graze, can somehow return to something like the 1950s.... By George F. Will

13) CAROLYN HAX Dear Carolyn: My 29-year-old daughter is dropping hints that she will soon be engaged. I have hopes (maybe expectations) that her intended will ask her father, and they will marry in the Catholic Church, preferably, or in a religion they would both choose to practice. By Carolyn Hax

14) Help File: Using Routers Q Verizon seems to be telling me that I have to use the wireless router they provide. I'd rather keep my Apple AirPort router. Can I? By Rob Pegoraro

15) The Dream She Dreamed Susan Boyle took an accurate measure of her worth and put it to the test of reality TV. By Jeanne McManus

16) Rights Case Gone Wrong Corporations shouldn't be held liable for foreign governments' human rights violations. By Curtis A. Bradley and Jack L. Goldsmith

17) 'You've Got to Execute' When President Obama finished announcing his Afghanistan-Pakistan policy on March 27, he turned to the advisers gathered behind him and said: "Okay, now you've got to execute." By David Ignatius

18) Tax Fantasies of the Right and Left I almost choked on my scrambled egg whites yesterday morning when I read The Post's story about the April 15 "tea party" protests promoted by Fox News and other conservative organizations. By Steven Pearlstein

19) Look Homeward MEXICO CITY -- And now a little heresy from your friendly foreign affairs columnist for President Obama: Stay focused on fixing the American economy. Avoid pleasant distractions created by dealing with foreign leaders and crises without congressional interference. Stay out of the honey-tree trap of... By Jim Hoagland

20) A Cuba Policy That's Stuck On Plan A An experiment in stopping communism continues after nearly five decades of failure. By Michael Kinsley

21) Fedorov's Late Shifts It might be good to see Sergei Fedorov now, because you never know when the great ones will go -- and Fedorov more than qualifies. By Mike Wise

22) Mad as Hell at Teatime Mad-as-hell Americans reflect a sentiment the Republicans might use to attack Obama. By Eugene Robinson

23) Obama Is Just Not Their Cup of Tea As a tea party, what happened in Lafayette Square across from the White House yesterday was a washout. By Dana Milbank

24) CAROLYN HAX Dear Carolyn: Am I completely unreasonable in thinking that having a neurotic dog for the last two years has somewhat prepared my spouse and me for a baby? Our first is due in August, and I'm starting to freak that we won't be able to handle it. By Carolyn Hax

25) Reading the Tea Leaves T-Day wound up as something of a Rorschach test, taking on a different shape depending on your political views and the media you consume. By Howard Kurtz

26) 'Idol' Math: 2 Judges + 2 Judges = A Big Fat Zero Allowing "American Idol" star Simon Cowell to critique only half the show's competitors will go down in the history books as the dumbest idea ever hatched to "tweak" the most watched television show in the country. By Lisa de Moraes

27) The Obama Doctrine Somali pirates and the president's measured approach to force. By E.J. Dionne Jr.

28) Red Faith, Blue Faith Newsweek's cover story declaring the 'fall of Christian America' is accurate, but incomplete. By Michael Gerson

29) 'Judge Parker' Wins His Case More than 750 calls, e-mails, and letters were heard. The comic strip is back. By Andrew Alexander

30) The Minister's E-Mail Trespasses Dear Miss Manners: Our new minister has a practice that I find disturbing and inappropriate. When he is notified that a congregant is ill or had surgery, he sends an e-mail (with details) to a list of about 30 people, including the entire staff and officers.

31) Hackers Test Limits of Credit Card Security Standards The number, scale and sophistication of data breaches fueled by hackers last year is rekindling the debate over the efficacy of the credit card industry's security standards for safeguarding customer data. All merchants that handle credit and debit card data are required to show that they have met... Brian Krebs

32) NAMES & FACES It's nice to know you'll be missed: After seven years, Ann Jordan is signing off as chairwoman of the National Symphony Orchestra's board -- and the NSO and Kennedy Center sent her off in style.

33) World's First Mac Botnet? Not Quite. This morning, as I scrolled down the list of security Web sites I normally check via my RSS reader, I noticed several items referencing news about the "world's first Mac botnet." As I read on, it became clear this was neither news nor a first. Ryan Naraine from ZDNet.com writes about a paper... Brian Krebs

34) Microsoft Fixes 23 Software Security Flaws Microsoft on Tuesday issued eight security updates to plug at least 23 security holes in its Windows operating systems and other software. The patches are available through Windows Update or via Automatic Updates . One patch fixes six flaws in Internet Explorer 6 7 (the flaws are not present in IE8... Brian Krebs

35) Glut of Stolen Banking Data Trims Profits for Thieves A massive glut in the number of credit and debit cards stolen in data breaches at financial institutions last year has flooded criminal underground markets that trade in this material, driving prices for the illicit goods to the lowest levels seen in years, experts have found. For a glimpse of just... Brian Krebs

20090418 WaPo news and opinion digest for Saturday April 18 2009

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/