If You've Started Stockpiling Food, Don't Forget The Stamps

People may not be stockpiling food, but they certainly are stamps. Post Offices across the country have reported selling over 6 billion since last year when it was first introduced. People are stocking up on the forever stamp with reports of some buying hundreds of dollars worth at a time. These 41-cent stamps will still be honored after the new increase goes into effect. The new 42 cent rate increase will go into effect on May 12th.

Some Federal Air Marshals Can't Get Security Clearance To Board Planes

Well if you think airline security isn't strict enough, think again. It appears that even some air marshals cannot get on board the plane they have been assigned to protect. According to the Federal Air Marshal agency some of the marshals share similar names with those on the terriorist no-fly list and have been denied access to board the plane leaving the plane in some instances to take off with no security on board. Those marshals familar with the situation say this has been a major problem that has plagued them as well as the public for years.

The agency introduced a new directive this month which should help to alleviate the problems faced by Federal Air Marshals.

The new directive will allow airlines to implement a system that will allow them to look up the name along with demo graphical information and date of birth which should clear up the problem of misidentification. They will also be able to see the law enforcement status of any air marshal in question.

It was reported this week by Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff that one major airline has reported it averages about 9,000 false positive hits per day per the no- fly list,creating big problems not only for air marshals but also the general public.

The terrorist screening center will start to review a list of nearly 500,000 names that appear on the list and remove those that do not belong to actual suspects.

Washington Times

Is This What It's Come To?

Schools and Universities across the nation are faced with the dim reality that they could be the next target for an attack.

Most schools have increased security measures and have implemented an emergency plan for school shootings.

As for one High School in Stoughton Mass. they have decided to be proactive. Law enforcement along with facility and students participate in a worst case scenario school shooting exercise.

Full Story and Video.

FBI Celebrates A Century 1908-2008

On July 26, 2008 the Federal Bureau of Investigation will celebrate 100 years as a national security agency. Starting out with 34 "Special Agents" the bureau today has approximately 30,000 employees. In the beginning there were few federal cases, but that soon changed, leading to 100 years of historical cases filled with famous gangsters, bank robbers, violent crimes and espionage. Here you will find the history of the FBI.

Attorney General George Wickersham named the force the Bureau of Investigation March 16, 1909

Renamed the United States Bureau of Investigation July 1, 1932

The Federal Bureau of Investigation became the permanent name for the agency in 1932

Bonnie and Clyde

Semi Crashes Into Chicago Train Station: 2 dead 21 Injured

Two women are dead and 21 injured, eleven are in critical condition after a semi during rush hour on Friday was exiting one of the nearby expressways made a sudden turn, running through a street level bus shelter. The tractor trailer came to a stop after it had taken out part of the station's north stairwell where several of the injured appeared to have been at the time of the crash. The Story

A Day In The Life of Missouri Water Patrol and Emergency Responders

There is absolutely no way to determine just how many lives have been saved over the past months. Missouri State Water Patrol and Emergency Responders across the Ozarks have gone above and beyond and deserve recognition for putting their lives on the line for others. I have a new found respect for the dangers they have encountered. Here is but a small glimpse of the work they have done. Missouri State Water Patrol

Polk County Now Operating New Video Arraignment System

Prisoners awaiting arraignment in the Polk County Jail will no longer have to be transported to the courthouse thanks to a new video arraignment system. Video cameras and monitors have been installed in the third floor courtrooms along with the juvenile courtroom, jail, the sheriff's office and two conference rooms. This will allow prisoners to appear before the judge without ever leaving the jail.

A federal grant in the amount of $197.46 was obtained by Rep. Roy Blunt. The video system was purchased for $78,000, with the left over amount to be used for future maintenance of the system. The system works through the intranet and can also be used for remote training sessions. The system has been in use for approximately two months. Aside from court personnel working through some procedural issues the added security to the public will be a great asset to the community.

Alert: Stimulus Check Scam

While the IRS prepares to start sending out rebate checks in May, phishers are busy sending out fraudulent emails to tax-payers explaining how they can get their rebate now. Tax-payers are also given a deadline to respond to the offer. The phishers use bogus email addresses that mimics the "irs.gov" address and have gone as far as to lift the graphics and logos so that the web-site looks like the IRS web-site.



The email recipient is then instructed to go to the linked site and fill in the information such as bank account and routing numbers and the check will be deposited directly into their account. The IRS requests that these emails be sent to them at phishing@irs.gov. Information concerning this scam can be found on the IRS.gov website.



The IRS states that they do not contact tax-payers through email for any kind of personal information.

Meet The Blogger

Meet the Author

Gary Cook

The News 2k

The first thing I noticed about Gary's blog is that there was no personal profile. It appeared that the day he created his blog he was off and running with the latest news. As I read his posts I began to wonder who is this mystery blogger who seems to have a great style of writing? He was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions.

What is your current occupation?

2k:
I am a high school social studies teacher as well as a speech and debate coach. This is my first full year teaching, but it is my fourth year as a debate coach.

Why did you decide to create a blog?

2k:
I am not really for sure. I guess it grew out of my frustration about finding out about what is happening in local tv news. I always was aware of what was going on with MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN, but you never could find out what was happening locally. My blog started out that way and remains true to that theme for the most part.

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?

2k:
I just hope to provide a home for people who are interested in what is going on behind the scenes of television news. In my blog's relatively short existence, I have already had current and former television personalities tell me that they check in frequently. From covering the big game, the big story, or the big storm, I hope to continue to build upon what I have created and provide more information for my readers in the weeks and months to come. I am not an insider... all the information obtained is grunt work. That makes it a lot of work some days, but it is very rewarding.

What other kinds of blogs do you enjoy reading?

2k:
Well, my first stop is always The Turner Report. He is a top notch blogger and he provides great insight into SW Missouri current issues. I also enjoy reading personal blogs (like yours) to find out about the average person and their thoughts about everything. In addition, I am a political junkie. Any political blog is also a must-read for me.

What is your biggest pet-peeve?

2k:
That is a tough question. I guess it would have to be people who aren't what they seem. I have encountered far too many people that put on a different "face" depending on who they are around. I pride myself in truly being me... no matter where I am or who I am talking to. I have found that it is better to have one or two people you can truly trust than to have an entire army of so-called friends!

If you could change anything in America what would it be? Why?

2k:
Another toughie. Are you sure you aren't a journalist? ;-) I guess my honest answer would be that I wish more people knew Christ and his will. I look around at our society and I think of how much better the world would be if more people truly read and studied their Bible. I am a very compassionate understanding individual and I don't wear my religion as a flashy banner. I feel it is better to show it through how I live, but sometimes wish more people would open their eyes to the truth. I respect people of all faiths. I feel it is important to do that, even if you disagree with them. Yet, I wish I had the ability to enlighten more people to the truth...especially those who are agnostic and apathetic. How is that for a deep answer?

I appreciate Gary taking the time out of his busy day so that we could find out a little more about the man behind "The News 2K. Being a huge supporter of high school speech and debate I can also appreciate the work you do. I look forward to reading more great posts!

Everyone keep checking back for more "Meet The Blogger." Be sure and check your emails the next blogger could be you!

Ebay Sells...WHAT?

The day after the anniversary of the Columbine school massacre, another story unfolded as Ryan Schallenberger was preparing his plan to bomb the Chesterfield South Carolina high school where he attended. This time however the plan would not be carried out thanks to his parents who alerted police when 10 pounds of ammonium nitrate was delivered to their home in Chesterfield South Carolina. The ammonium nitrate had been purchased on Ebay, authorities stated.

While my focus could be on the planned bombing it is not, but I think the focus is more importantly directed on why in the world Ebay would allow such a dangerous product to be sold on their site?
We put cold medicine under lock and key that requires a signature and identification but we can buy ammonium nitrate from Ebay? And on top of that have it shipped to a residential address?
Ten pounds no less shipped to a residential address!

I went on Ebay to see if I could purchase ammonium nitrate and this is what I found. click here.
This is one of two sellers I found listed. Now I am not repeat not suggesting that either of the two sellers listed here sold this young man the nitrate. But somebody did and Ebay allowed it and is still allowing it. And now every mentally deranged person in the country knows where you can get it.!

It would take many bottles of this size to equal 10 lbs, but notice one of the statements. "Sold in 10z size...without you having to pay for a one pound lot... "
So I gather from this that at some point one pound lots were available?


The sellers goes on to state the following,
"THIS IS SHIPPED BY GROUND ONLY & SHIPPED IN 1OZ BOTTLES, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU BUY. ONCE YOU TRY IT OUT & ARE HAPPY WITH IT, GOOD LUCK FINDING ANY MORE. WITH THE GOVERMENT GOING NUTZ ON OUR SUPPLIERS, IT WILL SOON BE ATHING OF THE PAST. SO IF YOU THINK YOU WANT SOME MORE, YOU BETTER GET SOME NOW."

So come on Ebay, what's up with selling such a dangerous product especially when it can so easily fall into the wrong hands knowing the government has already cracked down on it?

You think just because the disclaimer says to follow all the city, state and federal rules that a mentally disturbed person who is about to kill himself along with others is going to care about following the rules?

Is $4.99 "buy it now" price worth the risk?