Subject: Fw: War of Terror based on lies [The Untold Story]


We read in the Newspapers about the roadside bombs in Iraq, and hear about the Iraqis that are being slaughtered, we watch George Bush stand before us on TV and say the war is going well, and many accept his explanation of this war as his means of protecting Americans from the terrible unseen monsters of terrorism.
There is another unseen, untold story though, a story that the Republicans and Bush supporters refuse to look at, and if they are made aware of it they shrug it off as a myth, they are the ones that will " like Jerry Fawell" throw anything they don't want to accept into the "Profane and Old Wives' Fables (March 5, 2006)" category, just as he did in some of his sermons he delivered to thousands of conservative listeners in that sermon, [direct quote from part of this sermon] "Global warming, in my opinion, is a myth designed by America's enemies with the evil intent to bankrupt this nation". See this sermon and many more at (http://trbc.org/new/falwellsermons.php)
He is one of the best examples of the stereotypes that continue to argue that Bush is doing the right thing, a true Christian that is leading this Nation into a Faith based Government.
The other side of the story though is the true untarnished truth, it is the story of lies being told, to force thousands of our finest young men and women to go to war, lies that led Americans to believe that Iraq was in some way responsible for the terror attacks, lies that led Americans to believe that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, lies that have caused the slaughter of more than 250,000 Iraqi Civilians, lies that have cost the lives of more than 2395 of our Troops that is the number that has been (Officially acknowledged) however I think if a tally were taken, State by State and County by County, you would find a much higher causality count. The number of wounded (Officially acknowledged) have reached 17469 http://icasualties.org/oif/
There is also an untold story of suicides among our Military at a rate of more than 13.5 per 100,000 troops http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A52735-2004Feb18?language=printer
Then there are those that have died from the injuries they suffered in Iraq, I haven't found the data on them.
The war has cost more than $276,686,921,091 and that is rising every day.
There is also the untold story of the way our Troops are treated when they come home with wounds so severe that they have very little hope of a happy future.
They come home to be harassed by the very Government they were serving when they sustained their wounds, they are told they owe the Government money because they were not in the service long enough to qualify for the money they were paid.
There are a few instances where they are demanded to pay for the Armour they were wearing when they were wounded, they are having to pay for their meals while they are recovering in Veterans Hospitals, they are having to repay the combat pay they were paid after they were wounded
http://www.socialistworker.org/2006-1/579/579_02_Wounded.shtml

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=1562145

http://yq.search.yahoo.com/search?p=%22Government+Accountability+Office%22&ei=UTF-8&fr=yq-news&x=wrt&yq_rs=rs_out

http://kos.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/7/27/22541/4655

Not only have they been through Hell in Iraq they return to their homeland to be harassed by the same Government they were sworn to serve.
The Government that was responsible for their torn bodies will now try to destroy what is left of their lives.
Many of our "war" heroes are living on the street because they have no place to go, yet Bush will tell you to support our Troops!
I consider these lost, abused, torn men and women victims of war, not Veterans, but victims. Victims of a war that is ruining lives both here and in Iraq.
I have heard the Rush Limbaugh's, Pat Robertson's, Jerry Falwell's, George Bush's and other war monger Republicans say it is better that our Soldiers fight the Terrorists in Iraq than here, well, these victims of the Bush war are fighting the terrorists on American soil. They have to fight every day just to survive. They fought a war based on greed and lies in Iraq and now they are fighting the war on terror at home.
The Webster's Dictionary defines the word terrorism as "A system of government by terror; intimidation.
How can you put a sticker on your car with "Support Our Troops", while the Government is dishonoring the ones that have returned home, ravaged from this war of greed?

Martha Leftwich

While America slept look what happened!

Bush approves Dubai buying defense supplier

By Caren Bohan and Susan Cornwell Sat Apr 29, 8:19 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush approved on Friday a Dubai-owned company's $1.24 billion takeover of Doncasters, a British engineering company with U.S. plants that supply the Pentagon

Hoping to avert the sort of controversy that erupted over another Dubai state-owned company's plan to acquire operations at U.S. ports, Bush signed off on the deal after getting company assurances that the military supply chain would not be broken, the White House said.

Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer (news, bio, voting record) of New York, a leading opponent of the failed deal that would have given Dubai Ports World control of major U.S. port operations, said he would not oppose the purchase of Doncasters by Dubai International Capital. But another lawmaker, Democratic Rep. John Barrow of Georgia, said he wanted more details.

"Congressional oversight means accountability and accountability will help make sure that we don't sell off a piece of our military industrial complex today that we wish we had back tomorrow," Barrow said in a statement.

Doncasters is an international group that operates nine U.S. plants. It makes precision parts for the aerospace and specialist automotive markets, including parts for defense contractors for use in military tanks and aircraft.

Among the Doncasters' holdings is a plant in Barrow's district in Georgia that is the sole supplier of turbine fan parts for the U.S. Abrams main battle tank.

Doncasters also makes engine parts for one variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, a Pentagon spokeswoman said. The program, co-developed by the United States and eight other countries, is building a next-generation radar-evading jet fighter.

Dubai International Capital wanted its Doncasters takeover done in March, but had to wait for a 45-day U.S. review of national security concerns by the inter-agency Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS). It made its recommendation to Bush two weeks ago, and Bush said he approved the deal on Friday after it was "looked at very carefully."

"It's a sale that should go through," he told reporters.

ARMY APPROVED

The White House said CFIUS checked "issues ranging from counterterrorism to counterproliferation to counterintelligence, among others." It said the Dubai buyer "made contractual commitments to DOD ( Department of Defense) to assure reliability of supply."

U.S. Army Secretary Francis Harvey said the Army had recommended approval of the deal even though it normally preferred to have more than one source for the parts it buys.

"We have British firms, we have French firms, we have Japanese firms" as suppliers, he said. "I don't have concern."

In the ports dispute, Bush was at odds with members of his Republican party as well as Democrats who were angry they were not consulted about a deal with clear security implications.

This time, the administration briefed some lawmakers, and the White House also sent a classified report about its decision on the deal to House and Senate leaders on Friday.

Schumer said Friday that the Doncasters' deal was different from the ports saga because it was carefully considered and involved products -- not services possibly easier to sabotage.

But Barrow was not satisfied, saying Bush should provide a full report with specifics of any assurances in the deal.

House Armed Services Committee Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, said his own staff review indicated the Doncasters deal was okay. "Numerous American companies" could make the tank components that Doncasters makes, Hunter said.

Dubai International Capital's purchases include Britain's Tussauds Group, owner of Madame Tussauds waxworks, and a stake in car maker DaimlerChrysler. The company is one of several Gulf Arab government-linked investors looking to use record oil revenues to diversify holdings.

(Additional reporting by Jim Wolf)
____________________________________________________________
I have tried to wake people up but no one is willing to listen
____________________________________________________________
February 28, 2006
Connecting Dubai Ports World, the Carlyle Group, CSX, John Snow, and David Sanborn

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear Buzz,

Remember these two names: John Snow and David Sanborn. Then remember these three companies: Carlyle Group, CSX, and Dubai Ports World.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

PART OF CSX -- namely, CSX Lines -- was sold to ...drum roll, please.... The Carlyle Group, early in Feb. 2003, for $300 million.

One of the biggest customers of CSX Lines is the US military.

John Snow, the CEO of CSX, was appointed Treasury Secretary by Bush jr. on Feb. 7, 2003.

Read about this cozy deal at:
http://www.bridgedeck.org/mmp_news_archive/
2002/mmp_news021219.html

and at:



THE MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS'
WHEELHOUSE WEEKLY

- Bridging the Information Gap With E-News You Can Use -

Volume 6 . . . . . Number 51. . . . . December 19, 2002

STORIES COVERED

a.. Season's Greetings: MM&P Holiday Closings
b.. MM&P-Contracted CSX Lines Purchased by The Carlyle Group
a.. Text of CSX Lines Letter Announcing Sale
c.. New Global Marine Agreement Brings Increases for 2003
d.. MM&P's Rodriguez Briefs USTRANSCOM and MarAd Leaders
e.. ILWU Announces Caucus has Approved Port Contract
ALSO

a.. Car Carrier TRICOLOR Capsizes after Collision
b.. Masters Supporting Strike Face Prosecution In Venezuela
c.. Time Running Out to contribute to Schmidt Support Fund
d.. Reminder: Memorial Fund in memory of Jerry Backman
e.. MITAGS Academic Notes
f.. PMI Academic Notes
a.. Able Seaman to Mate Upgrader Course
g.. MM&P Market Watch
REMINDERS

a.. New U.S. Customs 24-hour Rule Requires Advance Cargo Lists
b.. All-Hands Message from MM&P President Brown
c.. Security Info for Mariners
d.. "SOSpenders" Life Jackets Recalled
e.. Health & Benefit Plan Office Update
a.. Dental Benefit Administered through Delta Dental
f.. Quotas Set for Transfers into Offshore Licensed Membership Group
MM&P-CONTRACTED CSX LINES PURCHASED BY THE CARLYLE GROUP
MM&P-contracted CSX Lines, the US-flag container shipping subsidiary of CSX Inc., will be sold to the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm based in Washington, DC for $300M. The acquisition will give Carlyle control over the nation's largest Jones Act container fleet and will add to the company's growing transportation portfolio.

CSX Lines will be renamed Horizon Lines LLC, when the transaction is completed early next year pending regulatory approval. CSX Lines is the nation's largest ocean transport company, with 17 US-flag vessels and 22,000 containers, providing ocean transportation and logistics services to and from the US, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Carlyle's other maritime holdings include Seabulk International, formerly Hvide Marine, which owns and operates 10 Jones Act tankers in the Gulf of Mexico. Through United Defense Industries, Carlyle controls United States Marine Repair, the nation's largest non-nuclear ship repair and conversion company.

Carlyle Group is a politically-connected global private equity firm with reportedly more than $13.9 billion under management. The company's directors and advisors include former President George H.W. Bush, former British Prime Minister John Major, and former Secretary of State James Baker. IBM Chairman Louis Gerstner is slated to become chairman of Carlyle on January 7, replacing former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci.

John Snow, the CEO of CSX, was appointed Treasury Secretary by the younger President Bush last week. The current CSX Lines President and Chief Executive Charles Raymond and his management team will remain in place. Raymond will also serve as chairman of the board.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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TEXT OF CSX LINES LETTER ANNOUNCING SALE
The following is the text of a letter sent by CSX Lines President and CEO Chuck Raymond to the company's customers announcing the sales agreement with The Carlyle Group:

"We are pleased to share with you an exciting development for the US domestic trades. CSX Corporation has reached an agreement to sell CSX Lines, the leading US-flag containership and logistics provider, to a venture formed by The Carlyle Group, a global equity firm.

"The close of this transaction will take place in the early part of 2003. Effective upon the closing our name will change to Horizon Lines, LLC, however we will continue to provide the same quality service to our customers. Customers moving cargo between the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico can expect uninterrupted high quality service at competitive rates from the newly named Horizon Lines, LLC.

"You will not notice any change in your service. To ensure continuity of the quality service and innovation for which CSX Lines has been known, I will continue as president and chief executive officer, leading the current management team from our Charlotte, NC headquarters.

"In addition, current contracts with shippers' and employee collective bargaining agreements will remain in place until their existing arrangements expire. We expect to maintain our current levels of employment, so you can expect to continue working with the associates who currently serve your needs.

"Your line representatives and phone numbers will remain the same, as will our 877-678-SHIP main customer service number. The new company also will retain CSX Lines' Horizon Group, developers of the industry's most widely accepted and highly acclaimed comprehensive Internet-based cargo booking, tracking and billing service. You can continue to access us and Horizon through our existing Web site, www.csxlines.com.

"Why a change in ownership? This sale permits CSX Corp. to fulfill its strategy of focusing on its rail assets (CSX Corp. divested itself of the international segment of MM&P-contracted SeaLand Service to Maersk in 1999). As a company with strong fundamentals, inherent value and a heritage of innovation and service, this acquisition presents a solid business investment opportunity for the venture formed by The Carlyle Group."

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

NEW GLOBAL MARINE AGREEMENT BRINGS INCREASES FOR 2003
On December 16, representatives from MM&P-contracted Global Marine Systems Ltd. met with MM&P and MEBA reps at MM&P HQ to discuss and finalize terms of the contract for the ATLANTIC GUARDIAN, a UK-flagged cable ship based in Baltimore. The new 12-month agreement is to be in force from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.

Among significant items in the new agreement:

a.. Global Marine has agreed to a total billet increase of 3-percent. The MM&P will determine allocation after a review.
b.. Pension, Health & Welfare benefit increases separate from the billet increase are intended to be put in place. Terms of the increases will be finalized after the upcoming MM&P Health & Benefit Plan trustees' meeting taking place in Linthicum from January 13-15.
c.. New overtime rates for MM&P LDOs have been agreed to by Global Marine. OT will be paid at the standard hourly pay rate plus a 25-percent hourly premium for work performed in excess of 40-hours during the workweek.
This agreement was inked in the shadow of the Company's plans to relocate the ATLANTIC GUARDIAN to a non-US port beginning in 2004. The company agreed that should any of their vessels, under present or future ownership, operate out of the US, the MM&P will be contacted for manning.

Similar terms were agreed to for MEBA members sailing on the ATLANTIC GUARDIAN.

Global Marine was represented at the talks by Susan Wells, Gloria Sellers and Capt. Danny Wilson. MEBA representatives participating were Bill Vanloo, Mark Gallagher and Steve Delong.

MM&P was represented by ATLANTIC GUARDIAN 2/M Chris Reiblein, Atlantic Ports VP Rich May and Director of Special Projects Richard Plant.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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MM&P'S RODRIGUEZ BRIEFS USTRANSCOM AND MARAD LEADERS
MM&P's Executive Assistant to the President, Mike Rodriguez, represented the Union at a Joint Planning Advisory Group (JPAG) meeting held at the US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Scott AFB, Illinois on December 9-11.

High-ranking industry, military and government representatives attended the meeting, which was co-chaired by USTRANSCOM and MarAd. The meeting focused on carrier issues relating to VISA activations and contingency planning for manning the surge and RRF fleets in the event of war with Iraq.

Rodriguez outlined MM&P's plans for filling open billets throughout the fleet in accordance with the contingency agreement between MM&P, MEBA and AMO. Addressing the conference on behalf of the licensed unions, he emphasized the need to provide mariners with the proper force protection gear, training and services.

"Merchant mariners are resourceful people but they must be sent to sea with the proper training and tools," he said. Rodriguez underscored MM&P's commitment to providing professional mariners to the commercial and RRF fleets.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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ILWU ANNOUNCES CAUCUS HAS APPROVED PORT CONTRACT
The International Longshoremen's Warehouse Union (ILWU) caucus has recommended support for the proposed new contract with the Pacific Maritime Association. This is an important step toward finalizing the agreement. The contract is expected to be ratified by the ILWU membership soon after the New Year.

The Caucus met and by a 92-percent vote, overwhelmingly recommended that its membership approve the tentative contract reached last month with waterfront employers.

Key elements of the contract proposal are a base wage increase over the life of the contract; increases in pension benefits; and provisions covering the implementation of new technology.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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CAR CARRIER TRICOLOR CAPSIZES AFTER COLLISION
The car carrier TRICOLOR capsized in the English Channel on December 14 after it was in a collision with the OT Africa Line container ship KARIBA. She was carrying over 1,000 new BMWs, Lexus' and other luxury models. Several days later, the capsized TRICOLOR was struck by another vessel that was transiting the Channel. No one was injured in any of the incidents. Divers are currently working to remove bunkers and other hazardous materials from the stricken vessel.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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MASTERS SUPPORTING STRIKE FACE PROSECUTION IN VENEZUELA
Government officials in Venezuela are trying to prosecute Masters of the country's state-owned tanker fleet involved in a general strike. The ship captains of 13 tankers face three to six-year jail terms if convicted. They have been charged with obstructing the supply of electricity and/or gas, a law enacted to try to crush Venezuela's leftist guerrilla movement in the early 1960s.

More than 40 tankers throughout the country have been made idle by the strike and government efforts to move them with foreign crews have largely failed. Venezuelan law prohibits locally-flagged ships from operating unless there is a Venezuelan master and 50 percent national crew.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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TIME RUNNING OUT TO CONTRIBUTE TO SCHMIDT SUPPORT FUND

The MM&P's Gisele Schmidt Fund closes December 31

The MM&P's Gisele Schmidt Fund will close in less than two weeks. Gisele, 21, is the daughter of long-time member Gary Schmidt and was paralyzed as the result of a tragic auto accident earlier this year.

The purpose of the fund is to help with medical expenses not covered under the MM&P Health & Benefit Plan and for specialty items Gisele needs for everyday living.

In the spirit of the season, MM&P members are encouraged to contribute generously. The Union is absorbing costs associated with administration of the fund so that all proceeds will directly benefit Gisele.

Contributions may be made until December 31, 2002, payable to the:

Gisele Schmidt Fund
c/o MM&P
700 Maritime Blvd.
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Questions may be directed to John Gorman, MM&P Comptroller, at jgorman@bridgedeck.org or by calling 410-850-8700 x12.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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REMINDER: JERRY BACKMAN MEMORIAL FUND
A memorial fund has been established in the memory of recently deceased MM&P member Jerry Backman. Jerry shipped out of San Francisco and was 49-years old at the time of his tragic death as the result of an auto accident. Jerry leaves a widow and two children.

Donations made in memory of Jerry will be used to assist with the education of his children, a 22-year old daughter and a 15-year old son.

The Backman family is privately managing the fund. They are most appreciative of all the messages expressing sympathy and the positive stories from his shipmates and friends.

Contributions may be sent to:

The Jerry B. Backman Memorial Fund
c/o Bank of the West
2900 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA 94565

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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MITAGS ACADEMIC NOTES
Holiday Schedule
Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2003. The admissions office will be closed all day on December 25 and January 1 and the afternoons of December 24 and 31. The office will be manned, however, on all other weekdays during the holiday period.

Class Openings
Between now and the end of February 2003, seats are available in following courses:

a.. 1/6-17: MED-PIC
b.. 1/6-10: MED-PRO, HAZ, ARPA, CMM-ADVWX, CMM-SHS ADV I
c.. 1/6-11: MED-DOT-DA
d.. 1/13-17: CMM-VPEN
e.. 1/20-31: GMDSS
f.. 1/20-24: SHS-BAS, CMM-ECDIS
"Refresher" Week courses
a.. 1/23-24: MSC-DC
b.. 1/25: LIC-EXAM PREP
c.. 1/27-31: FF-BADV, GMDSS-REF, CMM-SHS ADV I, BRM, CMM-ADVSTB
d.. 1/27-30: SMA
e.. 2/3-7: CMM-SHS ADV, SEC-ShpOff, CSE-AWR
f.. 2/10-21: MED-PIC
g.. 2/10-14: MED-PRO, CMM-SHS ADV
"Shipboard Management" Week courses
a.. 2/17-21: CMM ADVSTB, CMM-SHS ADV II
"MSC" Week courses
a.. 2/24-28: SHS-EMR5, ROP, MSC-COMMS, CMM-MPP
b.. 2/24-27: SMA
c.. 2/24-3/7: CMM-CHS

Schedules, Course Info & Registration
Always check the MITAGS website for updated course availability. You can also check future schedules, review detailed course descriptions and register on-line or contact Admissions at admissions@mitags.org or 443-989-3226.

New Course Offerings
Additional classes added to the schedule are:
a.. Confined Space Awareness (CSE-AWR)
b.. Damage Control (DC)
c.. CMM Advanced Shiphandling (CMM-SHS ADV); and
d.. Small Arms (SMA)
Also, look for the "Course Cluster" weeks in the 2003 schedule. . .

"Refresher" week offers:
a.. Radar Renewal
b.. BST elements
c.. HAZMAT renewal; and
d.. sessions covering the admin requirements associated with license renewal, as well as tips on license exam preps
"Shipboard Management" week provides:
a.. an ISM/Regulatory update
b.. contingency planning
c.. media response
d.. maritime security; and
e.. shipboard assessor training
"MSC" week has Military Sealift Command-certified courses in:

a.. Environmental Protection
b.. Anti-Terrorism (Level I)
c.. CBRD Orientation; and
d.. Damage Control

Damage Control & Small Arms
Starting in January 2003, Military Sealift Command (MSC) courses in Damage Control (DC) & Small Arms (SMA) will be available at MITAGS as a package:

a.. DC will be held January 23-24 (Thursday-Friday); and
b.. SMA will be held January 27-30 (Monday-Thursday)
From February 17-21, take the "MSC" week, including DC, then follow-up the next week with either Small Arms or MSC Communications.

These courses are required for all LDOs sailing on LMSRs and are highly recommended for all members.

Please Note:
a.. With the Damage Control course now being presented on the MITAGS campus, DC quotas will no longer be arranged at the MSC sites at San Diego, CA and Freehold, NJ.
b.. Effective January 1, 2003, Damage Control and Small Arms will be on the list of courses available through the Trust Student Out-of-Eligibility Program.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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PACIFIC MARITIME INSTITUTE ACADEMIC NOTES
PMI will be providing DOT Training for D&A on the following dates and locations:
a.. January 13: Honolulu
b.. January 17: Seattle

Upgrader Course: Able Seaman to Mate
~ Act Quickly: 40% Discount for January 2003 Start Date ~
The Pacific Maritime Institute will be running the programs necessary to upgrade from Able Seaman to Mate in January 2003. In order to attempt to fill their first courses, they are offering a 40-percent discount to mariners wishing to start their training in January.

For the latest up-to-date info on class schedules, visit the PMI website at www.mates.org.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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MM&P MARKET WATCH AS OF 12-18 CLOSE

D O W
N A S D A Q

8,447.30
-141.80 for the week
1,361.51
-35.08 for the week
Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFINX) 82.56

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund (VEXMX) 18.95

Vanguard International Growth Fund (VWIGX) 12.08

Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund (VMRGX) 11.27

Vanguard Windsor II Fund (VWNFX) 21.24

Vanguard GNMA Fund (VFIIX) 10.74

Chase Growth Fund (CHASX) 12.66

Fidelity Asset Manager (FASMX) 14.03

Fidelity Growth and Income (FGRIX) 30.71

Fidelity Magellan Fund (FAGX) 80.22

Spartan US Equity Index Fund (FUSEX) 31.53




MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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~ Reminders ~

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NEW US CUSTOMS 24-HOUR RULE REQUIRES ADVANCE CARGO LISTS
The new 24-hour rule requiring advance cargo manifests from sea carriers went into effect on December 2. Under the new rule, US Customs will grant sea carriers a 60-day grace period to fully implement the program.

"By quickly implementing the '24-hour rule', we can do a better job of protecting the American people and the global trading system as a whole," said US Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner. "Knowing the contents of a container before it is loaded onto a ship bound for the US is a critical part of our efforts to guard against the terrorist threat."

Customs has posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on its website for those who have questions about the program. It may be accessed by going to: www.customs.gov/impoexpo/24hour_faq.htm or downloaded as an Acrobat file by going to www.customs.gov/impoexpo/24hour_rule.pdf. Questions can also be E-mailed to Customs at: traderelations@customs.treas.gov.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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ALL-HANDS MESSAGE FROM MM&P PRESIDENT BROWN
MM&P International President Capt. Tim Brown and Executive Assistant Mike Rodriguez recently attended a meeting with the US Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration and the Military Sealift Command focusing on the assets needed to conduct an operation in the Middle East.

Deployment and time frames are still being discussed. Below is what the Union knows as of this time.

It is anticipated that merchant marine personnel will be key to this operation. MM&P, MEBA and AMO have a cooperative agreement so that if any of the unions' contracted vessels need personnel and the contracted union cannot supply licensed marine officers, one of the other unions will staff these billets.

MM&P has sent letters to all MM&P applicants, to retirees who retired within the last 3 years, and retirees that retired within the last 4-7 years. The purpose of the letter is to ascertain your current address, the validity of your license, whether or not you have STCW-95, and other personnel data.

There are plans underway to provide a fast track STCW-95 course for those needing it as well as providing assistance in revalidating your license if it has expired.

In the case of retirees, you will be able to return to covered employment without the fear of exceeding the earnings limitation for health care. However, no additional pension credits will be provided for any service that you may render to your country during this emergency employment.

Since Desert Shield/Desert Storm, American Merchant Mariners have been provided with re-employment rights. These rights will insure that your present employer will give your current employment position back when you return from service with the MM&P in this type of deployment.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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SECURITY INFO FOR MARINERS AVAILABLE OVER THE INTERNET
With maritime security remaining a vital issue in the US and soon to be revisited at the International Maritime Organization's December meeting, mariners should be aware that security info is available via the Internet.

The latest Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format is circular 9-02 "Guidelines for Port Security Committees, and Port Security Plans For US Ports" and, more importantly, 10-02 "Security Guidelines For Vessels". The latest hard copy issued, but not yet available on the Internet, is titled "Recommended Security Guidelines for Waterfront Facilities.

The 9-02 and 10-02 NVICs can be downloaded via accessing: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/index.htm and selecting "2000s" on the left and then clicking on the PDF icon on the right next to the 9-02 and 10-02 subject title. Read these NVICs carefully. This information is being supplied to the world at the IMO meeting in December.

Most of the responsibilities listed under 10-02 will most likely be assigned as collateral duties to a deck officer. With the existing workload licensed deck officers currently have, additional duties will make the LDOs job much more difficult and time-consuming.

Richard Plant, Director of Special Projects, has requested that the USCG IMO Delegation call for all port state authorities to review their certification of inspection (COI) manning requirements. In doing so, they should consider the present and future workloads that these regulations will impose on the crew.

Due consideration should also be given to whether additional unlicensed crew or LDOs are needed aboard foreign and domestic vessels to successfully complete the many tasks mandated under these new security proposals.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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"SOSPENDERS" LIFE JACKETS RECALLED
SOS Incorporated, manufacturer of SOSPENDERS brand life jackets has alerted the USCG and the public that they have recalled approximately 7,200 automatic inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs).

The purpose of this recall is to investigate a safety defect involving the Hammar model MA1 Manual/Automatic inflators. Approximately 300 defective Hammar units in one lot of 500 were loaded incorrectly and will not inflate the vest. SOSpenders Corp. has made the decision to recall all Hammar products for 100-percent safety inspection.

The USCG and SOS Inc. stress that is important for consumers to stop using the PFDs immediately and return them to SOS.

Important info to assist in the identification of potential defective units and what to do when units are identified is available from two websites:

a.. USCG HQ's Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division at: www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/mse4home.htm
b.. and from SOSpenders Inc. at: www.sospenders.com
Questions regarding this recall may be addressed to Daniel McCormick of the USCG at dmccormick@comdt.uscg.mil or 202-267-2713.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE MM&P PLANS OFFICE

HEALTH & BENEFIT PLAN CHANGES
The Board of Trustees, based on recommendations by the Cost Containment Committee, adopted changes to the Health & Benefit Plan. The following changes will become effective January 1, 2003:

Annual Deductible

The current annual deductible of $150/$300 will be raised to $250/$500.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum

The current out of pocket maximum of $2,000 will be raised to $3,000.

Dental Reimbursement Levels

a.. The Plan payment to in-network dental providers will go from 90% to 80%.
b.. The Plan payment for out-of-network providers will go from 80% of UCR to 70% of UCR.
c.. New contract with Delta Dental replaces Aetna/US Healthcare (Prudential Dental) agreement. See below for additional information.
Prescription Drug Program

Mail order drugs will be subject to a 20% co-pay for all single source brand name and generic drugs with a maximum out of pocket, per prescription, of $75.

For brand name drugs where the generic equivalent is available, the member will be responsible for paying the total cost of the difference between the brand name and the generic drug. The Plan will then pay 80% of the cost of the generic and the member will be responsible for the 20% up to a per prescription maximum of $75.

The Plan has also removed the mandatory mail order provision. This means that any prescription, regardless of the number of refills, can be obtained at a retail level but will be limited to a 30-day supply. However, obtaining maintenance medications through the mail order program may still be less expensive to you.

A synopsis of these changes and additional changes effective April 1, 2003 appears in the November-December 2002 issue of the MM&P's Master, Mate & Pilot newspaper. The Plan Office has also mailed a summary of all changes, with examples, to Health & Benefit Plan participants.

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ADDRESS CHANGES
Remember to notify the Plan office whenever you move or have a change of address. There are a number of important mailings scheduled for the next few months and we would like to keep all members well informed. You can fax your address changes to the Plan Office at 410-850-8655 or you can email them to the Plan Office at mmpplans@aol.com.

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NEW DENTAL PROGRAM WITH DELTA DENTAL
This is a reminder that effective October 1, 2002, the MM&P Plan's contract with Prudential Dental expired. Prudential was purchased by Aetna/US HealthCare in 2001 and could no longer offer the Plan the same type of fee-for-service arrangement as before.

In order to continue to offer Plan Participants an in-network dental benefit option, the Plan reviewed proposals from organizations that provide network dental services. After review, the Trustees approved a contract with Delta Dental, the largest provider of dental services in the US.

The Delta Dental Claims Processing Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, will handle claims administration for all MM&P eligible participants and dependents. This includes claims submitted by out of network dentists as well as those who are Delta Dental providers.

Plan participants who choose to go to a contracted provider will pay 10 percent of the contracted amount and the Plan will pay 90 percent. Participants will have access to all Delta providers in the Delta Premier Network option that includes over 133,000 dentists nationwide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

~ Where Does My Dentist Submit My Claims?

Effective October 1, 2002, all dental claims with dates of service on or after October 1, 2002, from both in and out-of-network providers, should be sent directly to: Delta Dental, One Delta Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6999. Participants will receive a claim form in the mailing sent out by the Plan Office on August 11. Your dentist can copy this form and use it to submit all dental claims incurred on or after October 1, 2002.

~ How Do I Find A Delta Dentist?

You can locate participating dentists in your area in two ways. You can call 1-800-932-0783 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, or you can sign on to the Delta website at www.MidAtlanticDeltaDental.com. Once you have signed on to the website, key on the bar marked "Pennsylvania". (MM&P Plan members are enrolled in the Delta Premier Option through Delta Dental of Penn.) Next enter the search criteria to find participating Delta dentists in your area or enter your own dentist's name to find out if he/she participates with the Premier network.

WORK IN PROCESS

Delta Dental will coordinate with the Plan Office to transition all billing for "work in process". This means that all root canals, orthodontia work and other staged procedures that are not completed under the old arrangement will be carried over and the remaining balance billing, for work performed on or after October 1, 2002 will be processed by Delta Dental.

It is important to remember that all work that has been pre-determined by Prudential/Aetna must be completed and billed with a billing date on or prior to September 30, 2002, in order to assure that your co-pay will remain the same as quoted in the initial pre-determination.

Any work started under the old Plan but billed for date of service on or after October 1, 2002 will be reimbursed according to whether the dentist is participating in the Delta Dental network. If your dentist is not a participating dentist, the balance billing will be paid at the out-of-network rate of 80 percent of the Plan's UCR schedules.

CLAIMS QUESTIONS

All questions about any dental claims incurred on or after October 1, 2002, including claims submitted by out-of-network providers, should be directed to Delta Dental at 1-800-932-0783. You have been provided with a Delta claim form to forward to your dentist, however, your dentist may submit any standard dental billing form as long as the bill is sent directly to Delta at the above listed address.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Participants have been sent a brochure that includes a perforated generic identification card. This card lists the telephone number and the billing address for Delta. You are not required to carry an identification card because your social security number and birth date will identify you as an eligible participant in the Delta Dental Network.

It is important to remember that MM&P claims will be processed by Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. You or your dentist can access your eligibility by calling either the Plan Office or Delta Dental at 1-800-932-0783.

If you or your dentist have any questions, you can contact Delta Dental at 1-800-932-0783 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Plan members are identified by social security number and the Group Plan number for MM&P which is 7117.

Billing for both in and out of network claims should be submitted on standard dental billing forms and sent directly to Delta at

Delta Dental of Pennsylvania
One Delta Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
You can locate participating providers on-line at www.MidAtlanticDeltaDental.com. Masters, Mates and Pilots members have access to providers in all of the Delta networks.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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QUOTAS SET FOR OFFSHORE LICENSED GROUP AT GEB MEETING
MM&P's General Executive Board met on October 3-4. One item of particular note is that the Offshore Advisory Committee established quotas for admittance to the Offshore Membership Group.

Effective October 4, 2002, no member of any membership group, including the Offshore Unlicensed Membership Group, may transfer into the Offshore Licensed Membership Group without having been a member of the organization for at least as long as the length of time that the lowest applicant admitted into membership has in the organization.

Please see your local Offshore Vice President for additional information.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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CREDIT UNION MEMBERS: PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH DIRECT DEPOSIT
a.. Do you want an easy way to grow your savings?
b.. Do you want an easier way to make deposits to your Masters, Mates & Pilots Federal Credit Union account?

Consider establishing payroll or pension direct deposit.

Many employers allow you to directly deposit your pay into several different financial institutions. Trinity Management, Strong America, Moran Towing of Florida, and McAllister Brothers are among the MM&P-contracted companies that already provide for employees to deposit funds directly into the MM&P Federal Credit Union.

MM&P Health & Benefit Plans Pensioners and A&G Region Pensioners may have deductions made directly from their pension check to their Credit Union account. In addition, employees of MM&P, Plans, MITAGS and MIRAID are also eligible for payroll deduction directly into their Credit Union account.

Add to your savings by paying yourself first! Contact your payroll office to establish Credit Union direct deposit or to find out if this is available for you. For additional details or to get answers to your questions on this or other MM&P Federal Credit Union programs, contact Kathy Klisavage, Credit Union Manager, toll-free at 1-800-382-7777 or by Email at mmpfcu@bridgedeck.org.

NEW, USED OR REFI: LOW VEHICLE LOAN RATES AT MM&P FCU
Members are reminded that the Masters, Mates & Pilots Federal Credit Union is offering vehicle loans as low as 5.25 percent. Rates range from 5.25 to 6.99 percent for terms of 24 to 60 months. It doesn't matter if it's for a new, used or a refinanced vehicle.

These rates are also in effect for new or used recreational vehicles, motorcycles or boats. Limited funds available at this rate, certain terms and conditions apply.

MM&P Federal Credit Union membership is open to all MM&P members, to all MM&P, MITAGS, MIRAID and Plans staff, and to their immediate families.

Rates and terms of offer are subject to change. Call Kathy Klisavage, Credit Union Manager, toll free 1-800-382-7777 or Email mmpfcu@bridgedeck.org for all the details.

MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly

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The MM&P Wheelhouse Weekly is the official electronic newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, ILA, AFL-CIO, 700 Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights, MD 21090-1941. Phone: 410-850-8700; Fax: 410-850-0973; Email: iommp@bridgedeck.org. For further info or to subscribe contact John Peige at jpeige@bridgedeck.org. The Wheelhouse Weekly is sent via Email to MM&P-contracted vessels at sea, broadcast worldwide via FEC marine telex and is posted on our web page.

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Why are we still lying to our young people about the benefits of joining the Military?
What right have we got to send our young people to War and disgrace this Nation by making them pay atrocious debts the Army claims they owe for serving their Country?
They are being penalized for going to war and having their legs blown off. They are being treated with less respect than abandoned animals.
These troops were lied to, deceived, and sent to war to be mangled both physically and mentally only to return to a Country where their Government bills them for everything from their Armour to the meals they are served in the Army Hospitals.
Their credit is ruined and they are thrown out into the streets, yet Bush has the brass on his face to stand up and ask us to support our Troops.
The only way to support our Troops is to show them honor and respect.
Our Country is not showing them honor nor respect, they are only the tools of war to be cast aside once they are unable to serve Halliburton and The Carlyle Group.
They are not Veterans of War, they are victims of an Administration that has allowed this war to continue for the profits of these large corporations.
This is a war of profit, a war to be fought as long as we have greedy politicians in office, Politicians willing to sacrifice young lives for the wealth they are making off the blood of our young men and women.
This war is not about oil, it is about the contractors that Bush, Cheney, and nearly every other member of the White House owns Stock in and are reaping billions of dollars off the blood of American Soldiers.
I can't stand up and say I am a proud American, I am a disgraced American, disgraced and ashamed that America has stood by and allowed this Administration to lie, steal, deceive and send our Soldiers off to a war of greed to be killed or wounded and then make them pay because they were wounded.
I am ashamed that we are still allowing the ones in office to even utter the words God Bless America, they should instead be saying God Please forgive me for destroying America.
I am ashamed of the people that will still argue that Bush is a good President, I am ashamed of the ones that helped put him in office, most of all I am ashamed of the ones that will still vote corruption in the name of God rather than vote for a civilized Nation based on the teaching of the Bible.
Every person that voted for Bush and his Administration has the blood of our fallen men and women on their hands.
May every Bush supporter sleep well tonight.
God Help America
Martha Leftwich