http://jngiwhmulgez.com/

Below is a table pulled from the GovExec.com newsletter that I found interesting and informative and wanted to share with you. 

I would suggest that you sign up for this e-mail publication as it has many articles concerning the Coast Guard and it’s interaction with the maritime industry as well as other items that can and often does have a very large impact on our daily lives.

 I don’t necessarily agree nor do I disagree with items listed in this publication but, as with all other such publications, can have both good items and bad items.  Over the years, I have discerned that the writers for this publication are pretty much middle of the road when it comes to reporting.  This is good because it gives you, the reader, the chance to make up your own mind about what is happening on the “hill”.

 Some of the articles make me see red and I watch my blood pressure rise with every printed word, others are so stupid it makes me wonder why anyone would take the trouble to publish it but, that is also good for a grin, a chuckle or an all out belly laugh.

There are also some comments listed below the chart that I thought were interesting as well.  These comments just go to prove that this is OUR country and it is OUR right to speak out.  So don’t just set there on your laurels and gripe about it, say something.  Your comment may not change the world, but it will do a couple of important things, it will let others know how you feel and it will make YOU feel better. 

Remember, if you don’t say something, nothing will ever change.

Touch keys with you later.

N.

Budget boosts and cuts, agency by agency By Kellie Lunney klunney@govexec.com February 4, 2008

Agency	FY 2008 Proposal (in billions)	FY 2009 Proposal (in billions)	FY 2009-FY 2008 (in billions)
Agriculture	$20.2	$20.8	+0.6
Commerce	6.6	8.2	+1.6
Defense	481.4	515.4	+34.0
Education	56.0	59.2	+3.2
Energy	24.3	25.0	+0.7
Health and Human Services	69.3	70.4	+1.1
Homeland Security	34.3	37.6	+3.3
Housing and Urban Development	35.2	38.5	+3.3
Interior	10.6	10.6	–
Justice	20.2	20.3	+0.1
Labor	10.6	10.5	-0.1
State and other international programs	35.0	38.3	+3.3
Transportation	67	68	+1.0
Treasury	12.1	12.5	+0.4
Veterans Affairs	39.4	44.8	+5.4
Army Corps of Engineers	4.9	4.7	-0.2
Environmental Protection Agency	7.2	7.1	-0.1
Judicial Branch	6.1	6.3	+0.2
Legislative Branch	4.4	4.7	+0.3
NASA	17.3	17.6	+0.3
National Science Foundation	6.4	6.9	+0.5
Small Business Administration	0.5 (463M)	0.7	+0.2
Social Security Administration	7.9	8.4	+0.5
Other Agencies	7.5	7.2	-0.3
Executive Office of the President	0.3	0.4	+0.1

Note: Supplemental and emergency funding requests are excluded.

COMMENTS

• the troubling part is almost all agencies are getting increases, there is way to much fat and a real belt tighting is needed. Hopefully the new president will relook at these budget priorities and do some real cutting. Other than VA and DOD a minimum 10% cut is warranted dan ketter Posted February 5, 2008 10:58 AM
• Abolish the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) and we would save some $17-18 Billion annually. The are giving away money that we don’t have and which is not appreciated by those receiving it. Many of the USAID programs are for very questionable projects that American citizens are not aware of. Disgusted Posted February 5, 2008 10:22 AM
• I assume the idiot question is rhetorical. The Army Corps of Engineers is also heavily involved in Iraq and Afghanistan so that makes the reduction even more senseless and idiotic. The next administration will need to come in with BIG shovels to clean up the “mess” he is leaving in that “zoo”………. concerned citizen Posted February 5, 2008 9:53 AM

This is an e-mail that was sent to me.  However, I did receive permission to publish this for you.  Unfortunately, the graphics would not down load so you will have to follow David’s instructions and see for yourself.  Awesome David, I thank you as I know your fellow mariners will.

Touch Keys with you later,

N

 Howdy Virginia 5 crew,

(I hope I’ve got everybody who’s either got a license or MMD (Z-card), on the ‘To’ line…  if not please pass this along.)

A new law went into effect you may have heard about regarding a TWIC credential (Transportation workers Identification Card).  It is a new Dept. of Homeland security mandate and goes into effect on Sept, 1^st of this year.  There seems to be some confusion about who needs it and how to get it. 

The new law states (paraphrased):

If you hold a valid Engineering, Master or Mates License or MMD (even ‘Ordinary Seaman or Wiper), Federal Law requires you to get the TWIC card by Sept 1^st 2008.  Even if you don’t operate under your license – you must still get one under the new law.   (http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#mariners)

After confirming the particulars of the new law I decided to get it out of the way early.  It turned out to be a drawn-out application process with several hoops and thought I’d pass along some of my lessons-learned. 

How to get one:

1). You need to pre-enroll online.  Go to: https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/  

2). Click ‘Register’

3). Scroll down and click ‘Accept’

4). Complete the requested information, enter the code at the bottom of the page and click submit

5).  Create login information *Here’s where it gets problematic: the password requirements are unusually strict - it took me 4 times to get what they were asking for.

Password Rules:

1.      Minimum password length is eight characters.

2.      Passwords must contain at least one of each of the following: one alphabetic uppercase, one alphabetic lowercase, one numeric, and one special character. 3.      Passwords shall not contain any two identical consecutive characters (example: 22apples, 14588904). 4.      Passwords may contain no more than two identical consecutive characters in any position from the previous password. 5.      Passwords shall not contain any dictionary word. 6.      Passwords shall not contain any proper noun or the name of any person, pet, child, or fictional character. 7.      Passwords shall not contain any employee serial number, Social Security number, birth date, phone number, or any information that could be readily guessed about the creator of the password. 8.      Passwords shall not contain any simple pattern of letters or numbers, such as “qwerty” or “xyz123″. 9.      Passwords shall not be any word, noun, or name spelled backwards or appended with a single digit or with a two-digit “year” string, such as 98xyz123. 10.     Pass phrases, if used in addition to or instead of passwords, should follow these same guidelines. 11.     Passwords shall not be the same as the User ID. 12.     Password length will be selected to provide a level of protection commensurate to the value or sensitivity of the resources or data it protects, but not less than eight characters.

So, using the complex rules above an acceptable password might look something like this: $Hep6r9b9

6). On the next screen enter your personal information and click ‘Submit’

7). Click ‘Login’, enter the username and password you created and click ’sign-on’.

8). Then click ‘Find enrollment center’

9). Choose an address and click ‘Find’

10). On the next page you’ll see a map to the nearest enrollment location which for most folks will be on Corson Ave.      Scroll-down the page and click on ‘Port of Seattle’ to schedule an appointment.

11). On the next page you’ll see a calendar, click on an open space that matches an appointment time.

12). Review your appointment details and click the ‘Make Appointment’ button in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

13). The next screen will be your ‘Appointment Confirmation Card’ with a barcode.  Click the ‘Print’ button.

14). After printing, click ‘What to Bring to the Enrollment Center’ for a list of documents you’ll need to establish your identity.

15). The (Seattle) enrollment center is in the Fraternal Order of Eagles hall at the Southwest corner of Corson Ave & Michigan Ave.  The map does not clearly indicate this.

Notes:

1). As you get your cards, please stop by the office so Gary or Kim can make photocopies for your personnel record.

1). There’s a TWIC FAQ here: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm.

2). Bring a good book, there was a backlog and I waited an hour

3). The interview is an in-depth TSA security screening which lasts about 20 minutes and you pay $105 for the privilege.  They take CC’s and cash.

4). They promise to contact you by the method you indicated in the application 2-3 weeks later so you can stop back by, establish your identity again and pick-up your newly activated biometric TWIC card.

5). The TWIC expires every 5 years.  You can ask them to sync-up the expiration with your license to simplify things (I did).

6). Early word is that by early ‘09 the Coast Guard will combine the MMD, all Licenses and the TWIC into one card. (http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/twic_faqs.shtm#mariners) .

Hope this helps,

David

Trustee

Steamer Virginia V