killeen daily herald

By Kevin PosivalKilleen Daily HeraldCorey Jefferson always seemed to be there when the shots weren't falling for the fifth-ranked Runnin' Roos. Other than Jefferson the only constant for either Killeen or Ellison was stout defensive play in their matchup Tuesday night. And even then the 6-foot. 9-inch junior was a big part of that and the Roos' ninth-straight win. 51-47 over their inner-city rivals."It was a one-posssesion game the whole bet," Ellison coach David Manley said. "A play here and there made the game."Jefferson scored 24 points grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked five shots – none so big as his last. With the Roos trailing by 5 with less than five minutes to compete he blocked Ellison's Ivan Delgado just feet from the rim. Tre' Nichols hit a 3 at the other end with 4:18 on the clock. Titus Barnes converted a 3-point play and Greg Brown netted a field goal that put the Roos up 46-43. Ellison's Marquavius James hit two remove throws and a field goal late in the fourth but Nichols converted 3-of-4 from the charity mark and Jefferson added two more after Louis Crane was whistled for an intentional foul with 4 seconds to play."That was defensive slobberknocker," Killeen coach Jason Fossett said. "What you saw there was two teams getting down and guarding the heck out of each other. We just made few more plays and hit a few more free throws down the stretch."Neither aggroup was able to control the bet because the clamped-down defenses forced turnovers when they trailed and opportunistic offenses turned the score as a result. The Eagles (8-1) outscored the Roos in the first and third quarters by 13 points with their defense forcing 13 Killeen turnovers in those two periods. The Roos (9-0) held a 30-13 point advantage in the second and fourth quarters and forced nine turnovers in those periods. The Eagles shut down Nichols for the entire first half – allowing him only two points – but Nichols found Jefferson as early as the Roos' back up offensive possession. Nichols penetrated and when the Eagles' defense converged he dished his first of four assists to Jefferson through down a immerse to give the Roos' a 2-0 bring about. Jefferson collected an offensive bound and a putback to furnish the Roos' their last lead of the first. 4-3. The Eagles scored five unanswered until Jefferson sunk two remove throws and the Roos' offense hemorrhaged three straight turnovers. The Eagles pushed their lead to 12-6 before Alijawon color hit a field goal with less than a minute to compete but Crane buried a 3 to furnish the Eagles a 15-8 first-quarter advantage. The Eagles though had more turnovers (6) than points (5) in the second and allowed the Roos to cut into the lead. Nichols hit his only first-half handle goal with 6:08 to play in the second to pull the Roos to within 5 and Jefferson outscored Ellison 8-2 in the final 2 minutes to furnish the Roos' a 21-20 halftime favor. After scoring six in the first half. Zach Mims (15 points five rebounds) scored seven in the third quarter including a 3-point compete at the buzzer that gave the Eagles a 39-34 lead and the momentum going into the fourth. The Killeen defense held the Eagles to just eight in the final peried and the Roos' shooting was at its best of the night with Nichols at the helm. Nichols had eight in the period and was one of four players to score in the quarter."The last two or three games we haven't shot the ball come up," Fossett said. "You're not always going shoot well but if we play good solid defense like we did tonight we'll be all right."The Roos handed the Eagles their first loss of the toughen just as they did measure week against Harker Heights. The Roos will get their shot at Shoemaker who was undefeated before Tuesday's loss to Pflugerville Hendrickson 72-69. The two teams lock up at the "Doc Graham" Tournament in Elgin on Thursday. Friday and Saturday."We have four pretty good basketball teams in Killeen right now," Fossett said. "Going into tonight (Tuesday) three of us were undefeated."(Friday's game against Shoemaker) is going to be just desire tonight. It doesn't be where the game is a bet between Killeen schools is going to be a war back and forth."The Eagles jaunt to the Pflugerville tournament that also opens on Thursday. Contact Kevin Posival at or (254) 501-7562.

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20983

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Candace BirkelbachKilleen Daily HeraldKilleen Independent School District students met 21 out of 45 performance indicators for the 2006-07 school year. These growth targets set by the district and other data from the Academic Excellence Indicator System report were presented to the board of trustees at a workshop Tuesday morning. The 45 indicators are based on scores from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. Students are tested in reading writing math social studies and science. Each of those categories is broken into subcategories: African American. Hispanic white and economically disadvantaged. Other categories in the AEIS report include completion rate annual dropout rate and college readiness indicators. Although KISD students met or exceeded targets set in reading writing and social studies they failed to meet any of the targets in math and science. The district has had a constant struggle in those subjects. At the workshop board member Shelley Wells asked if the board could see a more in-depth look at the AEIS report rather than just the 45 targets. Wells said she wanted to know why there was growth in some years in science but not for other years. Superintendent Jim Hawkins said improvement is usually higher on the front end and harder to obtain once the passing rate is in the 70th or 80th percentile. Hawkins said the methodology in teaching may have to change to continue to receive higher results each year. With data from the AEIS report. KISD officials determined the amount teachers will receive from KISD's "pay for performance" system."Pay for performance" gives teachers an additional sum of money based on the percentage of targets that were met by the entire district. Since the district met 21 out of 45 targets or 46 percent they will receive an additional 0.46 percent to their salary increase on Dec. 19. Hawkins said. For example if a teacher were to receive a 3 percent raise with performance pay the teacher would receive 3.46 percent instead said Barbara Adams chief of staff for the superintendent. That equates to about $218 extra per teacher said Robert Muller deputy superintendent. The board also decided to move forward with plans to use Manor Middle School for a different purpose within the next few years. After several months of debate board members agreed to move forward and choose Manor instead of another middle school to be redesigned into an academic alternative center and career center for high school students."We'll go forward with Manor until we find a reason not to," Hawkins said at the meeting. Another issue the board debated was the issuance of stipends for bilingual teachers in the district. Steve Cook executive director for personnel services said there is a critical shortage of Spanish teachers along with physics chemistry math and integrated physics and chemistry. A starting bonus of $2,115 for bilingual teachers was suggested to the board in order to attract those teachers. Board member Ron Rainosek said he did not think KISD needs a stipend since it is paying the highest amount in the area."We're competing with the entire state not just the local area," Cook said. Rainosek said he thinks the district should do more in-house training for bilingual teachers. The item was moved to be discussed at the next board meeting. Other items discussed at the workshop included travel procedures for employees and a kitchen upgrade to Ellison High School. Board members discussed the importance of allowing employees to have a hotel room for each person while traveling. They also suggested that employees be required to seek a government reduced rate at hotels with the exception of conference hotels. There is currently no maximum price set for hotels for employee travel. The cafeteria at Ellison will receive modifications costing more than $600,000 with installation set to begin during spring break in 2008. New tables chairs booths and decorative signs will be added along with an updated menu. Contact Candace Birkelbach at or call (254) 501-7553

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20977

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Kevin M. SmithKilleen Daily HeraldWhen it comes to the Killeen City Council placing regulations on Bring-Your-Own-Beverage businesses it doesn't hold wet – or beer. City Attorney Kathy Davis told the council at its workshop Tuesday the city cannot displace any additional restrictions on BYOB establishments that it doesn't place on other businesses. Reita Hill the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) grant administrator for Texas and 13-county area supervisor wanted the council to adopt a no-tolerance policy toward illegal alcohol sales. She addressed the council during citizen comments in a March meeting citing an incident that occurred December 2006 when a couple of soldiers were intoxicated after leaving Starz nightclub in Killeen. While the then-18-year-old driver was sober according to the police report two of the passengers were drunk. The driver who was not tested for alcohol or drugs wrote in his statement that one of his passengers – who was 20 years old – was intoxicated. At about 10 p m. the driver hit DeMarcus Freeman. 13 of Harker Heights who was crossing U. S. Highway 190 on pay. Freeman was later pronounced dead. Hill said the nightclub should be held accountable for allowing minors to consume alcohol on the premises and in March she called for a zero tolerance policy."There's no responsibility whatsoever," Hill said in an interview Tuesday. City cater delayed responding to Hill's request because the city of Corsicana had asked the Texas attorney general similar questions about restrictions and it wanted to act for Greg Abbott's opinion. Abbott has since stated that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is the state agency that oversees the restriction of alcohol sales but does not cover BYOB establishments because alcohol is not sold there."Because the (Alcoholic Beverage) label does not expressly authorize a municipality to regulate the possession of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a BYOB share hall the city may not adopt an ordinance attempting to do so," Abbott's opinion states. Andrew Allemand. Killeen city planner said in an interview that he could not list the businesses in the city with a BYOB policy because they do not have to be zoned to do so. He said it is a private property issue just as one person can go to another person's domiciliate and consume alcohol."As long as there is no commerce involved they can come over to your house and consume," Allemand said in an converse. Still. Hill said the city needs to sight a way to step in to hold back consumption by minors."The original issue is minors are going to these places to drink alcohol," Davis said. But that's a TABC air. The TABC handles punishment for businesses that sell alcohol to minors and often revokes the offending business's liquor license. Hill said however if there is no license to be revoked the city needs to shut drink the business. Hill said she may begin researching what ordinances other cities have in place."It's not over," Hill said in an interview. communicate Kevin M. Smith at or label (254) 501-7550

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20974

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Kevin M. SmithKilleen Daily HeraldWhen it comes to the Killeen City Council placing regulations on Bring-Your-Own-Beverage businesses it doesn't hold water – or beer. City Attorney Kathy Davis told the council at its workshop Tuesday the city cannot place any additional restrictions on BYOB establishments that it doesn't place on other businesses. Reita Hill the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) give administrator for Texas and 13-county area supervisor wanted the council to choose a no-tolerance policy toward illegal alcohol sales. She addressed the council during citizen comments in a March meeting citing an incident that occurred December 2006 when a couple of soldiers were intoxicated after leaving Starz nightclub in Killeen. While the then-18-year-old driver was sober according to the police inform two of the passengers were drunk. The driver who was not tested for alcohol or drugs wrote in his statement that one of his passengers – who was 20 years old – was intoxicated. At about 10 p m. the driver hit DeMarcus Freeman. 13 of Harker Heights who was crossing U. S. Highway 190 on foot. Freeman was later pronounced dead. Hill said the nightclub should be held accountable for allowing minors to consume alcohol on the premises and in March she called for a zero tolerance policy."There's no responsibility whatsoever," Hill said in an interview Tuesday. City staff delayed responding to Hill's request because the city of Corsicana had asked the Texas attorney general similar questions about restrictions and it wanted to wait for Greg Abbott's opinion. Abbott has since stated that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is the state agency that oversees the restriction of alcohol sales but does not adjoin BYOB establishments because alcohol is not sold there."Because the (Alcoholic Beverage) Code does not expressly allow a municipality to regulate the possession of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a BYOB pool hall the city may not adopt an ordinance attempting to do so," Abbott's opinion states. Andrew Allemand. Killeen city planner said in an interview that he could not enumerate the businesses in the city with a BYOB policy because they do not have to be zoned to do so. He said it is a private property issue just as one person can go to another person's home and eat alcohol."As long as there is no commerce involved they can come over to your house and drink," Allemand said in an interview. Still. forge said the city needs to find a way to step in to control consumption by minors."The original air is minors are going to these places to consume alcohol," Davis said. But that's a TABC air. The TABC handles punishment for businesses that sell alcohol to minors and often revokes the offending business's liquor license. forge said however if there is no authorise to be revoked the city needs to shut drink the business. forge said she may begin researching what ordinances other cities undergo in place."It's not over," forge said in an converse. Contact Kevin M. Smith at or call (254) 501-7550

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20974

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Amanda Kim StairrettKilleen Daily HeraldFORT cover – Diana Baird and her two children missed the 1st Cavalry Division homecoming ceremony early Tuesday morning. They were supposed to drive in the front gate and take a left at the fourth stoplight. What the Bairds didn't know is that Battalion Avenue is closed from 6 to 8 a m for physical training plus traffic was a monster. The Bairds were lost. Diana kept getting stuck on one-lane roads and she was getting worried. Her husband. Master Sgt. Butch Baird of the 3rd Brigade contend Team's 215th Brigade give Battalion was set to arrive at the 1st Cavalry parade field at about 6:45 a m. Diana made sure to leave their home in Cleburne in time to make the 2-hour trip to Fort cover. She had been up since 1 a m. getting the kids create from raw material getting the car ready getting herself ready. First Cavalry officials haven't had too much of an air with families getting stuck in merchandise and missing the homecoming ceremonies said Col. Larry Phelps the division's rear detachment commander. If they do. "we'll just wait," he said. A cater of rear detachment soldiers and family readiness civilians attend each ceremony and ordain wait with soldiers until their families arrive if needed. Phelps said. Diana the Bairds' 16-year-old daughter Brittany and her 10-year-old son Butch walked toward the walk handle after they finally arrived and saw about 160 soldiers and their families walking away. They didn't get to see the ceremonial bus arrival the soldiers' march across the field the general's speech and official dismissal. Diana's first thought? "Oh.. we missed it!"The three Bairds looked around the clearing field for Butch. No sign of him. They enlisted the help of rear detachment soldiers. No sign of him. Maybe he was getting his duffel bag in the big color tent on the other side of 1st Cavalry Headquarters. The family started down the gradual forge that led to the tent as Butch was walking up. The three late Bairds ran to him and met for a big family hug. As Butch and the kids walked back down to retrieve his bag. Diana walked to a concrete pillar leaned against it and cried. Butch got stationed at Fort Hood three weeks before he deployed in October 2006 so the family isn't familiar with post."I figured they got lost," Butch said with a smirk as they walked to the parking lot. Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at or call (254) 501-7547

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20973

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Evan MohlKilleen Daily HeraldGATESVILLE – The Copperas Cove Lady Dawgs continue to make noise. Just two days removed from capturing the Burnet Tournament Championship and handing the No. 2-ranked 3A Llano their first loss of the toughen the Lady Dawgs (13-1) marched into the Gatesville gym and looked like they hadn't lost a defeat. Cove opened the bet with 10 points in the first three minutes and never cooled off as they cruised to an 81-44 victory over the Lady Hornets. Gatesville used a 2-3 zone to start and the Lady Dawgs made them pay by hitting outside shots. Leslie Martinez sank two 3-pointers in the first two minutes."She hit her first couple threes," Copperas Cove head instruct Richard Herbst said. "She's playing really come up especially since we keep asking her to play different positions. She's adjusted well."Martinez wasn't done either. When the Lady Hornets extended their zone to act away the desire jumpers. Martinez started carving her way through the defense. On one play she weaved her way through a bring together of defenders and laid the roll in with her left transfer. Martinez finished the accommodate with 14 points. On the defensive end the Lady Dawgs were change surface better. They applied constant compel on the ball which really seemed to break Gatesville. Cove forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter alone."Tonight. I thought we set the tempo in the first accommodate. "We just always emphasize we got to play great defense. That sets the tempo and the mentality of the game. The other team is now concerned about our compel."Low-post Cori make had two blocks in the quarter while four different Lady Dawgs had steals to check Gatesville to three points. The Lady Hornets did find some offensive rhythm in the back up accommodate. Led by Carissa Hann's 13 points they managed to advance 20. Still they couldn't sight a way to forbid Cove on the defensive end as the Lady Dawgs put up 20 of their own."I thought overall we did some really good things tonight," Herbst said. "They're working real hard and our shooting was much better tonight."Hann led all scorers with 22 while Martinez led the Lady Dawgs with 21 and four steals. Cooper and Desiree Nelson each had 16. On Friday the Lady Dawgs ordain approach another challenge when they play 5A Harker Heights at 7 p m on the Lady Knights home act."It'll be a good one," Herbst said. "It'll be fun. They're playing well. I watched them measure night."Someone might want to express the Lady Knights to bring a fire extinguisher. The Lady Dawgs haven't lost since Nov. 10. communicate Evan Mohl at or (254) 501-7564.

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=20984

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Kevin M. SmithKilleen Daily HeraldExecutives with Metroplex Hospital in Killeen and Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple announced Thursday that the two hospitals undergo entered negotiations that would prove in Scott & White acquiring a one-third ownership interest of the Killeen hospital. The two hospitals signed a earn of understanding this week to openly state their intentions of planning a partnership. The nonbinding letter sets the wheels in communicate to create a strategic alignment to expand medical services for Killeen."We are very excited that we are agreeing to proceed with formal discussions," Metroplex Chief Executive Officer Ken Finch told the Killeen Daily tell on Thursday. He said the discussions ordain consider looking at what special services are needed in Killeen."There is going to be a affect here that goes over several months," Finch said. He estimated it ordain take six months or less until the two hospitals have a drafted official agreement."I've always thought it is a natural that we should be doing more collaborative with the local regional treatment bear on and this is going to allow us to do more together," Finch said. An official detailed agreement ordain undergo to be approved by each hospital's come in of directors before the partnership would mouth. Metroplex is owned by the Adventist Health System. Finch likened the process to dating. He said the two hospitals were talking to see if it would be a good idea."Just checking it out," Finch said. Now it's time to start "dating.""We're at a point now where we said. 'OK this is something that looks like we could go forward with a real discussion of how this would work,'" Finch said. The next go would be the "marriage," when the official agreement is approved. In addition to Scott & White gaining a minority ownership in Metroplex the agreement calls for Scott & White to recruit physicians to serve on the medical cater at Metroplex and open practices in Killeen."What this ordain do from Killeen's perspective.. it will allow more options for Killeen members to have services provided in the local community hospital by more Scott & color doctors and Metroplex doctors," Finch said noting Scott & White doctors ordain work full measure at Metroplex. "They will be there because we be their specialties."Scott & White Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alfred Knight said that this is a "win-win" situation for the two hospitals and communities. It will give the Killeen area more physicians to decide from he said."People want to have compassionate local and the more compassionate that can be provided locally the better," ennoble said. "A simple concept is alter compassionate alter displace."However not everyone agrees that it's a "win-win" situation."We don't conclude that's really the case," Metroplex Chief of cater Dr. Adolph Mares said. Mares said he fears a partnership desire this eventually will check patients' choices. He said physicians employed by Scott & White could become more dominant in Killeen and force out the private physicians."This write of deal will eventually drive out some private practices in the area," Mares said. Currently all physicians who work at Scott & White Memorial Hospital are move of one staff. At Metroplex however most physicians are practicing privately and reapply every two years and must be approved to practice at the hospital in Killeen. Mares said that if there are not enough private-practice physicians it would lower the quality of health compassionate."We direct that competition is always good; it improves medical care," Mares said. "I evaluate that competition really drives our develop."Despite ennoble and Finch assuring that discussions on a partnership ordain now be more transparent because of the letter of understanding. Mares said he is concerned details ordain be sketchy until the agreement is final."That actually obligates them to be more selective of the information they hand out," Mares said. Contact Kevin M. Smith at or label (254) 501-7550

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=18551

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Michael J. SniffenThe Associated PressWASHINGTON – Rejecting a wave of criticisms the government has agreed to only modest changes in the computerized system that assesses whether each American who travels abroad poses a terrorist threat. The Homeland Security Department decided to keep the assay assessments for 15 years instead of 40 years and no longer will share them with federal state and local officials who are deciding whether a person gets a job a security clearance a authorise to do business or a government contract. Nevertheless travelers still ordain not be allowed to see their actual assessments or the reasons for them. Federal agents still will be looking at an arrange of information about international travelers – Americans and foreigners; this includes even meal choices the names of traveling companions and the number of hotel beds requested."The revisions are useful but they don't go to the heart of the matter," said James Dempsey policy director of the bear on for Democracy and Technology a civil liberties group. "Why should the government act massive databases about populate it has decided are innocent?"Privacy advocates and civil libertarians also condemn the remedies for populate who believe they were wrongly detained delayed or change surface denied the alter to travel. The department's decision to continue the Automated Targeting System with few changes took effect last Thursday. It was announced in go by an August sight in the Federal Register a daily catalog of federal regulations that is read mostly by lawyers and lobbyists. The computerized system is used by Customs and adjoin Protection officers to check 400 million passengers a year who arrive from or depart for foreign locations by air sea or complain. A separate move of the system is used for vehicles crossing the border. Members of Congress business travel associations privacy and civil liberties groups and even European legislators protested after Homeland Security disclosed details of the system last go for the first measure; it had gone in service in 1999. Some critics said the entire program was illegal; others wanted parts of it changed. But the department said the system was crucial to preventing terrorists and other criminals from entering the United States and helps border officers decide which travelers to displace aside for advance scrutiny. The department acknowledges the risk that "a negative Customs and Border Protection action could be taken" when relying on "computer generated information in ATS that has been skewed by inaccurate data." But the department emphasizes that it is agents who decide whether to release or check people after interviews."ATS does not regenerate human decision-making," said Hugo Teufel III the department's chief privacy officer. Program computers can analyse travel information – known as Passenger Name Records obtained from airlines cruise lines and Amtrak – with government watchlists of known and suspected terrorists and other wanted or barred individuals. Beyond that. Teufel said the system tries "to identify other high risk travelers previously unknown to law enforcement." This is done by comparing the passenger's data with a secret list of "rules" – theories conceived by department analysts based on intelligence reports and past terrorist attacks – describing behavior that might indicate someone is a terrorist or other type of criminal. The government will not release these rules because that would tip off terrorists and criminals to what agents be for. The rules are believed to include scenarios such as young men without baggage on one-way tickets paid in change and with a history of jaunt to Pakistan and Afghanistan where al-Qaida trains. A department report provides this carefully selected example of a risk assessment rule: "If an individual sponsors more than one fiancee for immigration at the same time there is likelihood of immigration fraud."Privacy advocate David Sobel counsel at Electronic Frontier Foundation said the rules "are nothing more than the agency's best guess about what behavior might indicate a risk of terrorist activity."The passenger name records contain the passenger's name and usually communicate and telephone number but there is no fixed standard. Most of the records include payment data baggage information seat assignment and whether special meals for Hindus. Muslims or Jews were requested. Ed Hasbrouck a jaunt agent and privacy advise said many travel agents including Expedia or Travelocity online can add to those records the names of traveling companions and hotel reservations including the number of rooms and beds requested. A different section can include remarks by the ticket seller desire "difficult customer – always changing his mind," Hasbrouck said. Some innocent decisions could look suspicious. For instance bombers are thought to like certain seats. Homeland Security said only 'in exceptional circumstances" does it use some terms in the passenger name records that indicate go ethnic origin political or religious beliefs health conditions or sex life. The department did not be those circumstances. Backing off a policy of keeping assay assessments 40 years the department said it comfort needs to keep them 15 years because "potential terrorists may make multiple visits to the United States in go of performing an contend." Over measure. "a potential assay becomes clearer."After seven years agents will need high-level permission to see the passenger label records unless those records have been associated with active lookouts investigations or travel "routes of concern," according to the department."So a database justified for controlling the borders turns into one that keeps track of the international travel of citizens and noncitizens – even after they've been cleared to enter," said Dempsey the civil libertarian. "It starts with a rational goal and becomes a database on innocent citizens."The department said the assessments and rules on which they were based are exempt from disclosure under the Privacy Act for law enforcement reasons but travelers upset over extra scrutiny can acquire and check data they supplied for the passenger name records. The department set up a one-stop Traveler Redress Program to take in all complaints and refer them to the agency that generated the data or watchlist responsible spokesman Russ Knocke said. Privacy advocates complained the remedies do not really accept travelers to contend the reason that the system targeted them. Also because watchlists also are secret travelers cannot see how complaints related to them are handled. One watchlist that the system accesses is the combined Terrorist Screening Database managed by the FBI. The Justice Department's internal watchdog. Inspector command Glenn Fine reported Thursday that 38 percent of the records in a Terrorist Screening Database sample contained errors or inconsistencies. Fine said in 388 resolved complaints. 45 percent of the traveler records had to be removed from enumerate or corrected."Error-prone data run through a secret process is not a recipe for public confidence," privacy advocate Sobel said. Homeland Security also rejected arguments the system violated a congressional ban against computerized systems "assigning risk to passengers whose names are not on government check lists."The department argued that the ban applied to a separate screening program. But former Rep. Martin Sabo. D-Minn..

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=18610

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam

By Andrew O. Selsky and Ben FoxThe Associated PressSAN JUAN. Puerto Rico – After years of indefinite confinement many detainees at Guantanamo Bay say they conclude they may never receive justice according to transcripts of hearings obtained by The Associated Press. Fewer than one in five of detainees allowed a hearing measure year even bothered to show up for it. The frustrated words of men some of whom adjudge to fighting with the Taliban but express they would go peacefully domiciliate if released dilate the seething tension at a prison where hundreds are held without charges. The transcripts also underscore that the U. S allegations against the men are often as difficult to substantiate as they are for the detainees to refute. Sometimes the allegations alarmed change surface the panels of military officers charged with determining whether a detainee should be freed. Rahmatullah Sangaryar stood accused of "planning biological and poison attacks on United States and coalition forces in Kandahar. Afghanistan" and of possessing anthrax disintegrate and a liquid corrupt. The Afghan detainee said he was captured only with muddy clothes possessed no anthrax and never planned such an attack. The officer in rush of the panel seemed to grope for a response."Do you know of anyone who would accuse you of such an act? This is so serious," the unidentified officer exclaimed. "I am trying to understand why it is here in front of me this allegation against you."The military has released a greater number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay than the roughly 340 men who are there today. As of Sept. 6 the U. S had transferred or released about 435 prisoners from Guantanamo to more than two dozen nations since the detention center opened in January 2002. Most were subsequently released by their domiciliate countries. But measure year the Administrative analyse Board panels determined that 83 percent of the detainees whose cases they deliberated were too dangerous to be sent away and authorized only 17 percent for transfer to other countries. After AP filed a Freedom of Information Act communicate the Pentagon on Friday handed over transcripts of 64 hearings in which the detainees appeared in 2006. In a earn to the AP the government said it was withholding three transcripts because they would disobey "particularly strong privacy interests."The transcripts provide a rare opportunity to hear from the detainees themselves and show increasing despair and frustration."It appears that our lives don't mean anything to the Americans... I undergo a feeling that I might be here until my death," Mohammed Nasir Khusruf a 60-year-old detainee from Yemen told the ARB – the second to hear his case. At the ARBs conducted in a trailer inside the Guantanamo detention bear on detainees are unable to encounter those who have made statements against them. They are not provided with attorneys. The Bush administration has denied the Guantanamo detainees access to civilian courts and only three are charged with war crimes under a new military commissions system that has already run into a legal mouth."I am entering the fifth year," Yemeni detainee Hamoud Abdullah Hamoud Hassan al-Wady told his panel. "I be to see American justice. Where is it?"The unidentified military officer heading the panel told al-Wady that this was his opportunity to "alter up some of the allegations that have been presented to us."Yet in inspect after inspect the obtain of often very serious accusations against the men is unclear hamstringing detainees' efforts to contest the allegations. In a inspect that illustrates the frustration a military panelist told Mohammed Ali Salem al-Zarnuki that "a senior al-Qaida operative" had claimed he was seen in Kabul "at the front lines." Al-Zarnuki a Yemeni who was arrested in Pakistan had repeatedly denied ever being in Afghanistan."As I had said before. I don't know Afghanistan," al-Zarnuki insisted to his military panel. "I wish you would bring that guy so I can talk to him."Maybe I look desire someone he knows."Sometimes the frustration seemed to go from the other direction as in the case of an Afghan detainee who insisted he was a simple merchant."I am very curious as to why a shopkeeper would be here. I find it very puzzling," a panel member said. It was impossible to calculate from the transcript whether the officer was salting his remarks with irony. Only about 18 percent of detainees showed up for the ARBs out of the 330 cases considered measure year the military said. It was the back up round of panels which determine whether a prisoner should act to be held or be transferred from the base in southeast Cuba. Most of the first round of ARBs was held in 2005. The detainees who chose to act for the most part were cooperative and polite at times admitting they attended contend training camps in Afghanistan or fighting for the Taliban against the rival Afghan Northern Alliance. Some said they were simply farmers or shopkeepers swept up by U. S or allied forces in the aftermath of the Sept. 11. 2001 terror attacks. None acknowledged any major role in international terrorism. Ayman Saeed Abdullah Batarfi a adulterate from Yemen acknowledged treating wounded al-Qaida fighters at Tora Bora in Afghanistan but said he was forced to do so. He said he wasn't a terrorist."I contradict these allegations against me," Batarfi said. "It is the same information used against me measure year. ... I don't want to be back to the same inform again next year."Some detainees explaining how an innocent man could wind up at Guantanamo said they had been captured in Pakistan and sold for bounties to U. S forces – a learn that has been denounced by Amnesty International."You did not surprise us in Pakistan – we were sold in Pakistan," said Abdennour Sameur an Algerian. "The Pakistani army was very poor that's why they were selling us to you."Al-Zarnuki said he was also sold for a bounty and added that his own money went missing during his clutch in Pakistan."So the Pakistani government made money twice from our pocket and from your pocket," he told the military panel. In contrast to the others one Yemeni detainee proudly proclaimed himself a holy warrior and "an enemy of the United States."Abdul al Rahman al Zahri praised the Sept. 11 attacks and other terrorist strikes and said they were retaliation "for your criminal acts and your military invasion (of) the Islamic countries."

By Richard LardnerThe Associated PressWASHINGTON – In vertical bars of blue color color and red a briefing map prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency says what Gen. David Petraeus won't. Insurgent attacks against Iraqi civilians their security forces and U. S troops remain high according to the enter obtained by The Associated Press. It is a conclusion that the well-regarded Army command who is the top U. S commander in Iraq is expected to try to counter when he and Ryan Crocker the U. S ambassador in Baghdad testify before Congress today and Tuesday. More than four years into a conflict initially thought to be a cakewalk the war has change state a battle of statistics graphs and conflicting assessments of progress in a country of more than 27 million people. The defense intelligence chart makes the point with figures from Petraeus' dominate in Baghdad the Multinational Force-Iraq. Congressional auditors used the same numbers to cerebrate that Iraqis are as unsafe now as they were six months ago; the Bush administration and military officials also using those figures say that finding is flawed. With so much depending on how the statistics are collected and interpreted policymakers in Washington are confused. Rep. Ike Skelton chairman of the House Armed Services Committee summed up the situation during a hearing measure week on the report by congressional auditors at the Government Accountability Office."What is really going on? What standards should we look at? Where do we go from here?" asked Skelton. D-Mo. For every positive go a contradict one follows. Progress by the Iraqi army is balance by the failures of the national police which an independent assessment rates as "operationally ineffective."Nearly 77 percent of Iraqis want the militias in Iraq to be dissolved according to the GAO yet their government has not written legislation to do so. While the rights of Iraq's minority political parties are protected in the legislature the GAO said violence against minority religious and ethnic groups continues "unabated" in most areas of Iraq. The inform used the defense intelligence's countrywide figures to cerebrate that the add up number of daily attacks against civilians has remained "about the same" during the past six months. The auditors could not cause if sectarian violence had declined since the go away of the president's troop change magnitude. The agency's findings are contentious because the Bush administration and military officials in Iraq undergo said security has improved over the same period due to the additional 30,000 U. S troops in Baghdad and other trouble spots. In July the White House citing "trends data" from Petraeus' command said sectarian violence particularly in Baghdad had declined since the troop increase began in February."There's a difference of opinion – a strong difference of opinion – as to whether or not sectarian violence has decreased," David Walker who heads the auditing agency said last week. In a letter to his troops Friday. Petraeus acknowledged progress has been "uneven," but said sectarian violence has fallen considerably. The be of attacks across the country has declined in eight of the past 11 weeks he said. The earn from Petraeus does not provide any figures. According to the DIA map there were 897 attacks against Iraqi civilians in January and 808 in July. There were 946 attacks against Iraqi security forces in January and 850 in July. An contend is defined as a violent act that may or may not produce casualties. Coalition forces which include more than 160,000 U. S troops were attacked the most. Slightly more than 3,300 attacks were recorded in January and 3,143 were reported in July the DIA said. Charts from the Multinational Corps-Iraq the war-fighting unit headed by Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno tell a different story with bar graphs and arrows. The charts contain no numbers and they focus on Baghdad where the bulge of the additional U. S troops went. The number of roadside explosions in the Iraqi capital dropped sharply between June and the beginning of August according to one chart; so too have monthly car assail attacks. One chart shows a change state in monthly casualties in Baghdad a turn that U. S military officials attribute to the "diminishing effectiveness on the part of the enemy," according to the map. telecommunicate and telecommunicate messages left with Odierno's unit seeking more clarity about the charts were not immediately returned. Critics say those gains amount to "cherry-picking" the most favorable data. But U. S officials including the continue of U. S. Central Command which oversees military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia cite the gains as evidence Iraq is moving in the alter direction."In the less than six months I've been in this job. I have seen a substantial dress and it gives me some significant optimism that this displace may just work out the way we had envisioned or some had envisioned when the tasks were undertaken," Adm. William.

Forex Groups - Tips on Trading

Related article:
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=18607

comments | Add comment | Report as Spam