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To: FJB who wrote (699914)2/19/2013 3:52:19 PM
From: joseffy1 Recommendation  Respond to of 1583348
 
USDA Staffers Required to Chant, 'Pilgrims were illegal aliens'...

USDA Staffers Required to Attend Sensitivity Training, Bang on Tables, Chant, 'Pilgrims were illegal aliens'...

JW Releases Confidential USDA Videos Revealing “Cultural Sensitivity Training” Program
February 14, 2013
Whistleblower Reveals Indoctrination Program Requiring USDA Staffers to Bang on Tables, Chant, “The pilgrims were illegal aliens”

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch today released previously unseen USDA videos revealing a compulsory “Cultural Sensitivity Training” program. A whistleblower reported to Judicial Watch that employees were required to bang on tables, chanting in unison “The pilgrims were illegal aliens” while being instructed to no longer use the word “minorities,” but to replace it with “emerging majorities.” Judicial Watch received the videos pursuant to a May 18, 2012, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.


The sensitivity training sessions, described as “a huge expense” by diversity awareness trainer and self-described “ citizen of the world” Samuel Betances, were held on USDA premises. The diversity event is apparently part of what USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack described in a memo sent to all agency employees as a “new era of Civil Rights” and “a broader effort towards cultural transformation at USDA.” In 2011 and 2012, the USDA paid Betances and his firm nearly $200,000 for their part in the “cultural transformation” program.

USDA Training Administrator, Vincent Loran, in an October 10, 2011, email previously revealed by Judicial Watch, asked Betances for a copy of a training video vowing to keep it secret. “It will not be used for or show [sic] in any way shape or form,” Loran promised. Nevertheless, Judicial Watch was able to obtain the video. Highlights from the video of the taxpayer-financed diversity training include:

  • USDA Sensitivity Training Video Excerpt 1“If you take a look at all of you here and you think about your salaries and your benefits and what you have left undone – plus my fee – plus the expense of the team that putting the video together, this is a huge expense.”
  • USDA Sensitivity Training Video Excerpt 2 – “I want you to say that American was founded by outsiders – say that – who are today’s insiders, who are very nervous about today’s outsiders. I want you to say, ‘The pilgrims were illegal aliens.’ Say, ‘The pilgrims never gave their passports to the Indians.’” Betances also asked the audience, “Give me a bam,” after these statements, to which the audience replied in unison.
  • USDA Sensitivity Training Video Excerpt 3By the way, I don’t like the word ‘minorities.’ How about ‘emerging majorities?’”
The complete video is available here:

“This USDA diversity training video depicts out-of-control political correctness,” said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch. “Can someone please explain how any of this helps USDA employees to better serve the American taxpayer? This video further confirms that politically-correct diversity training programs are both offensive and a waste of taxpayer money. No wonder it took over half a year to obtain this video from the Obama administration.”

As reported by Fox News in October, 2012, Judicial Watch first broke the news of the USDA compulsory sensitivity training program based upon information it obtained in response to a FOIA request. That request was prompted by a tip provided to the organization by a USDA whistleblower.

Judicial Watch also previously uncovered information revealing that in April 2011, the USDA had treated 300 of its employees to a taxpayer-funded ‘tasty celebration’ of dishes from around the world, salsa dancing lessons from Vincent Loran, and a rap performance by a USDA employee who shared his feelings on human differences.

To see all documents regarding this investigation please click here.

To see this in our Investigative Bulletin please click here.



To: FJB who wrote (699914)2/19/2013 4:00:01 PM
From: joseffy1 Recommendation  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1583348
 
Obama finally shows his face after $1m golfing weekend with Tiger Woods that White House didn't want world to see
  • Obama played at exclusive Florida course on Sunday with Tiger Woods
  • President refused to say if he had been beaten by the champion golfer
  • Cost of Air Force One trips to and from Florida, along with hotel rooms, greens fees and exclusive golf lessons comes to $989,207
  • Tried to mend fraught relationship with traveling press corps by 'hanging out' with them for 10 minutes on the flight back
By Meghan Keneally and Louise Boyle 18 February 2013
dailymail.co.uk

Pictures finally appeared of President Obama on Monday evening as he headed home to Washington after a relaxing golf weekend which was kept heavily under wraps.

The President was on the course on Monday for the third and final day of a Florida vacation with departing US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the president's Chicago pal Eric Whitaker and White House aide Marvin Nicholson.

The President had enjoyed a round of golf with Tiger Woods on Sunday - a fact that only emerged by chance after media were banned from attending the event. The traveling pool of journalists were reportedly furious after not being allowed on to the club grounds.

Back in the swing of things: President Obama waves in the doorway of Air Force One as he departs from Palm Beach International Airport on Monday







Back to business: Obama jogs up the stairs of Air Force One upon his departure from Florida heading for D.C. (left) as an aide carries on the golf back of Obama's friend Eric Whitaker


Bags of fun: An aide heaves several golf bags up the stairs of Air Force One after weekend on the course with friends




It has long been a White House tradition that pool reporters cover the President's rounds of golf and even have the opportunity for a few questions on the course.

The President waved as he jogged up the steps of Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on Monday evening while a White House aide heaved golf clubs and large bags on board.

When he landed back in Washington and walked across the White House lawn, several frustrated reporters collectively shouted to the President to ask if he had beaten Tiger Woods.

Despite appearing to have heard the question, the Daily Caller reported, Obama did not answer and just smiled.

Home again: President Barack Obama waves to members of the media as walks across the South Lawn of the White House following his arrival on Marine One helicopter on Monday night


The President was relaxing on a trip to the Floridian, an exclusive club along Florida's Treasure Coast. Obama arrived in Florida late on Friday and returned to Washington on Monday night

The club's owner is Jim Crane, a Houston businessman who also owns baseball's Houston Astros. Crane also has given money to Obama's political campaigns.

The White House had barred media coverage of the president's golf holiday but released the names of his partners.

The Huffington Post reports that the President tried to make amends with the traveling press by spending a quick 10 to 15 minutes with them in the back of Air Force One as they headed back to D.C



To: FJB who wrote (699914)2/21/2013 9:38:43 AM
From: Peter Dierks2 Recommendations  Respond to of 1583348
 
U.S. Ups Ante for Spying on Firms
China, Others Are Threatened With New Penalties.
Updated February 21, 2013, 6:28 a.m. ET

By SIOBHAN GORMAN and JARED A. FAVOLE
WASHINGTON—The White House threatened China and other countries with trade and diplomatic action over corporate espionage as it cataloged more than a dozen cases of cyberattacks and commercial thefts at some of the U.S.'s biggest companies.

Top administration officials painted a pervasive portrait of the far-reaching costs of espionage—competitive disadvantages, job losses, product impacts—that American firms as well known as General Motors Co. and DuPont Co. have already had to confront.

"There are only two categories of companies affected by trade-secret theft: those that know they've been compromised and those that don't know it yet," ...

Message 28738108