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Sam Sacks - page 74

Sam Sacks has 859 articles published.

As War in Afghanistan “Ends,” Quagmire of Reconstruction Continues

The US combat mission in Afghanistan was scaled down at the end of last year. But American taxpayers can expect new tales of misadventure about the war-torn country to emerge over the coming years. John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal on Monday, with harsh words for federal agencies in charge of US development projects in the nation. He warned Washington-led reconstruction was under the leadership of “horrendous” mismanagement, which has failed to ask simple questions or… Keep Reading

FDA Sets Up Clash With Congressional Dems Over New Gay Blood Donor Policy

At first glance, it appeared on Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration scrapped  a discriminatory policy that prohibited gay men from donating blood. But Democratic lawmakers had previously argued that the proposal is still based on “outdated stereotypes.” “The recommendation to move to a one-year deferral policy is a step forward relative to current policies, however, such a policy still prevents many low-risk individuals from donating blood,” scores of legislators said in a letter sent on Dec. 15 to Health and Human Services Secretary… Keep Reading

New Report Opens Wide Loopholes in Digital Surveillance Protections

The feds and corporations are hijacking Americans’ webcams to conduct surveillance, and there isn’t much legal recourse for innocent victims when it happens, according to a new report. The paper, which details these 1984 telescreen-like capabilities using court documents, was released this week by a team of lawyers with the Chicago-Kent College Privacy Program. The report’s authors say that federal officials who remotely activate webcams routinely flout the Bill of Rights, and call for an end to the practice. “Allowing law enforcement to remotely activate… Keep Reading

Defense Contractor Caught Bilking the Pentagon

A classified report alleged that a major defense contractor might be charging unfair rates for an engine maintenance program. The Pentagon Inspector General found that taxpayers might be getting ripped off by Pratt and Whitney, and that the contractor has been improperly withholding information from the Defense Department. The Air Force “does not know whether the $1.54 billion already spent” on the deal through October 2014 “is a fair and reasonable price,” the inspector general found, but service branch currently intends to see out the… Keep Reading

Airports Still Impervious to Privatization

From water treatment plants to trash collection services to highway management, big chunks of the nation’s infrastructure are being sold off to private companies hoping to spin a buck off of vital public utilities. But, according to a federal study, the nation’s airports have been resisting the profiteers, much to the benefit of consumers. Officials and corporate interests often tout airport privatization as a policy initiative that brings increased efficiency. But, in a report released publicly on Friday, the Government Accountability Office found those claims… Keep Reading

President Obama Declares NDAA Guantanamo Restrictions Unconstitutional

On Friday, President Obama signed a defense spending and policy bill crafted annually by Congress. What was remarkable about the enactment of the routine legislation was that he reserved the right to ignore certain provisions of the law related to the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. At the heart of the matter, were provisions in the bill that withheld authorization for the transfer of prisoners to the United States. President Obama said he had the right to overlook those stipulations as Commander-in-Chief of the… Keep Reading

Following Sony Hack, U.S. Officials Re-engage on CISPA

It died in the 113th Congress, but supporters of controversial cyber-security legislation are hoping to revive it next year, now that a high profile hack has the nation’s media transfixed. “A lot more needs to be done,” said President Obama speaking to reporters on Friday about the matter. “We’re not even close to where we need to be.” He then made a pitch for the government to have capabilities laid out in the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). That bill passed the House… Keep Reading

White House Promises Response, But Documents Show North Korea Cyber War Began Long Ago

As the rhetoric surrounding the attack on Sony ratcheted up from “hack” to “cyber-terrorism” to “an act of war” – with the last description following FBI allegations of North Korean involvement – pressure built on the White House to formulate some sort of response. Speaking to reporters on Friday, President Obama didn’t offer much by way of specifics. “We just confirmed that it was North Korea,” he said, stressing the timely nature of the discovery. “We have been working up a range of options. They… Keep Reading

Senators Warn TPP is Trojan Horse for Wall Street Deregulation

Many details of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) are still cloaked in mystery, but a trio of Senators have learned enough about them to raise concerns that the trade deal could precipitate another financial meltdown. On Tuesday, Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to US Trade Representative Michael Froman objecting to a number of such provisions being considered by his delegation. Most notably, the trio singled out clauses that would establish an international court that serves primarily… Keep Reading

Development Agencies Struggle to Identify Spending for Afghan Women

According to an oversight report released Thursday, agencies tasked with empowering Afghan women are keeping woefully inadequate books. As a result, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said it’s “unclear how US efforts contributed to gains that have been made, and whether reported gains are sustainable over the long-term.” The Pentagon, the state department, and its development wing, USAID, have spent enormous amounts to support Afghan women and girls since the US invasion and occupation in late 2001. Between 2011 and 2013, USAID… Keep Reading

Warren Zeroes in on Chamber of Commerce Following Defeat of Transparency Bill

A late night attempt to hold regulators and misbehaving financial companies more accountable was defeated in the US Senate on Tuesday, giving the Chamber of Commerce one last victory before the lights go out on the 113th Congress. Just before ten o’clock in the evening, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) moved to pass the Truth in Settlements Act – a bill, co-written with Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) that she introduced earlier this year. It unanimously passed out of committee in September. The transparency bill would require… Keep Reading

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