Need a part-time surveillance job?

Love your country, but never trust its government.—Robert A. Heinlein; Author, WWII US Navy Veteran

Metro Phoenix? No. This is an operation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Metro Phoenix? No. This is an operation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sierra Vista, AZ — Though you may be tired of the NSA snooping through your emails and checking out your nude photos on the cloud, you now have the opportunity to get paid for surveillance.

EKS Group, LLC out of Brandon, Florida—with an office in Sierra Vista, Airzona—is looking for part-time Surveillance Role Players for some operation in Phoenix?

EKS Group is owned by a disabled American veteran that was established in Sierra Vista in December 2006 and is a member in the Chamber of Commerce. They provide both counter intelligence and human intelligence services to the DoD.

The applicant must be 21-years of age, a U.S. Citizen and be able to maintain a secret DoD clearance. The applicant must complete a 40-hour Surveillance Operations Course.

The job is physically demanding and applicants must have the ability to walk up to 18-miles per day up to twelve consecutive days. The applicant must be able to drive or ride in a vehicle for up to twelve hours per day.

The work environment includes exposure to temperatures over 100-degrees to cold conditions below 32-degrees. The applicants are required to perform in both rural and urban environments. There are no rural or urban environments in Phoenix that reaches a low of 32-degrees in the summer.

Jade Helm, although publicly announced, is unusual in its scope. Recently discharged veterans have said they participated in operations of this sort, but not on this scale and usually on Federal facilities. National Guard units conduct operations off of bases. This raises little concern since they do conduct rescue and humanitarian operations during disasters.

Most main-stream media in Texas are running stories that this is perfectly all right and everyone should remain calm. The operation is centered around a fictional invasion of Texas. The Washington Post agrees.

A Texas sheriff deputy pointed out that the military are, “…going to set up cells of people and test how well they’re able to move around without getting too noticed in the community. They’re testing their abilities to basically blend in with the local environment and not stand out and blow their cover.”

The title of this job sounds like the “cells of people” they are going to move and they may act in that capacity. The text of the job, however, appears as though they are setting up informers and drivers to move the “cells” in the region of the operations.

The Army still seeks Internment/Resettlement specialists. A move which seems inconsistent with the closing of Gitmo by this administration.

In February of last year, Justice Antonin Scalia spoke at the University of Hawaii lamenting the decision of the Supreme Court in the 1944 case of Korematsu v. United States (323 U.S. 214). He is quoted as saying:

“Well of course Korematsu was wrong. And I think we have repudiated in a later case. But you are kidding yourself if you think the same thing will not happen again.”

These factors have caused liberty advocates to vocally question the so-called National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The NDAA is revised to authorize an Army which must be authorized every two-years. The Navy, and by extension the Marines, are the only authorized military forces in the Constitution unless the Congress declares every two-years that an Army is necessary.

The NDAA of 2012, signed by President Obama on December 31 of 2011, contained so-called “indefinite detention” clauses allowing the military to detain anyone at anytime for any reason without trial according to some claims.

According to Russia Today, the Congress re-affirmed indefinite detention this year. According to reports, Justice Scalia seems to have been correct.

In signing the 2012 NDAA, President Obama wrote:

“I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a Nation.”

There is no such assurance when he signed the recent NDAA with indefinite detention authority.

Meanwhile, more videos of concern are surfacing on the Internet. A YouTube video from DAHBOO777 showed a marshal-law type exercise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He apparently received another video, recently, purported to be from Canada showing trains moving military equipment toward the west coast. Canada and the United States signed an agreement to assist one another in times of civil disobedience. According to the video, Facebook has been taking it down from Canadian sites.

So if a clean-shaven soldier in a well-pressed uniform approaches you and politely asks you to step into the back of a van with no threat of force, he is not mental. He’s Canadian.

Surprise MVD office to temporarily close for interior renovation

PHOENIX — Tomorrow the Surprise Motor Vehicle Division office will close for interior renovation, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The remodeling project will almost triple the customer waiting area capacity, offering customers more efficient and comfortable service at the office.

Currently, because of maximum occupancy guidelines, only 68 customers can be inside at one time, leaving many who visit the Surprise office to wait outside before receiving a number. After the renovation is finished, the office will hold a maximum of 188 customers.

“This renovation is an example of the Motor Vehicle Division’s ongoing commitment to efficient customer service,” said Motor Vehicle Division Operations Director Chuck Saillant. “Our updated offices, self-service kiosks, ServiceArizona website and Authorized Third Party providers provide customers with a variety of quality service options.”

The project is scheduled to last a few months, with the office anticipated to reopen sometime this summer.

Besides increasing the capacity of the customer waiting area, the project will include expanding the number of customer service windows, upgrading the air conditioning system, upgrading the restrooms and enhancing the look of the customer waiting area.

“We are very excited for this remodeling project,” said Surprise MVD Office Manager Tricia Hervey. “The renovation will allow us to better serve our customers in the Surprise and Northwest Valley areas in an expanded, more modern facility.”

While the Surprise MVD office is closed, customers may visit either the Glendale MVD office at 16380 N. 59th Ave. (59th Avenue south of Bell Road) or the Phoenix-Northwest MVD office at 20626 N. 26th Ave. (north of Loop 101). Customers may also choose to visit one of MVD’s Authorized Third Party providers.

MVD is in the process of placing a ServiceArizona self-service kiosk at the Surprise City Court for public use. Customers can also access more than 20 MVD services online through ServiceArizona.com.

Lane restriction on SR 66 in Williams required for pavement preservation

WILLIAMS — Restrictions will be in place beginning Monday, April 13 on a section of State Route 66 between Bearizona Boulevard and Pine Street in Williams as ADOT crews begin construction on a roadway improvement project on behalf of the city.

The work will be conducted during daylight hours only and is anticipated to be completed by early summer. The roadway improvement consists of milling and replacing the existing pavement, applying new roadway surface sealant, striping and markers, and is scheduled weekly from Monday-Friday during daylight hours only. No weekend or holiday work is anticipated.

During construction, traffic may be reduced to one lane of travel, with flaggers in place. Drivers can expect delays and are recommended to allow for extra travel time while construction is underway. Access for businesses and adjacent properties will be maintained at all times during the roadway construction.

Accident Involving Flagstaff Police Cruiser

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagscanner web site reported that around 6:30 P.M on the 7th, a Flagstaff Police Officer was involved in a collision near Black Barts RV Park, 2760 E Butler Ave.

They were attempting to obtain more information, but Christopher Yazzie commented:

Cruiser was going eastbound, and the blue small SUV looked like it was hit on the driver side. The front of the Flag PD cruiser was smashed. From the damage it looked like the collision was at lower speeds around 30 Mph. Traffic was allowed to pass between the two cars involved.

Kaibab National Forest seeks comments on adding camping corridors

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is seeking public comments on an Environmental Assessment released today that analyzes the potential effects of adding camping corridors and making other changes to the transportation system of the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts.

The document and background information are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV. The 30-day comment period begins today and runs through May 11.

Specifically, the Kaibab National Forest is proposing to:

  • Designate approximately 291 miles of camping corridors along all or portions of several system roads on both districts. The corridors would extend 200 feet from either side of the centerline of the road, except where limited by topographical factors, resource concerns or private land.
  • Add 15 spur roads to the open road system on the Tusayan district. These spurs total 1.3 miles and would provide access to areas historically used for motorized camping.
  • Close approximately 9 miles of currently open roads across the two districts.
  • Add approximately 16 miles of roads to the open road system across the two districts. This includes 12 miles of formerly closed roads and 4 miles of user-created routes.
  • Develop an adaptive management strategy for making future changes to the transportation system for the two districts based on changing needs and/or new information.

Besides the proposed action, the Environmental Assessment also analyzes the potential effects of other alternatives such as varying corridor widths.

The proposed action and alternatives were all developed based on several years of monitoring following implementation of the Travel Management Rule on the two districts, which included documenting public concerns about recreational access and other issues.

Additional information and methods to submit comments are available at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV

Safety improvement project scheduled on SR 87 north of Strawberry next week

The Arizona Department of Transportation will remove dead trees from the right-of-way along a nine-mile segment of State Route 87 next week in both directions (mileposts 276 to 284), approximately six miles north of Strawberry.

Work will begin on Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes to allow a safe work zone for maintenance crews to remove fallen trees from the roadway. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone.

In the interest of safety, motorists are urged not to stop in the tree-cutting areas to pick up wood.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Special event requires brief closures of US 60 and US 93 in Wickenburg

Due to a special event, the junction of US 60 and US 93 at the south roundabout in downtown Wickenburg will close briefly from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday, April 13 and again from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 17.

The closures will allow more than 200 horses and riders participating in the 69th annual Desert Caballeros trail ride to cross US 60 the highway safely.

What to expect during the closures:

  • Eastbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to Tegner Street.
  • Westbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to the Hassayampa River Bridge.
  • Traffic destined for northbound US 93 will be stopped at the westbound US 60 closure.
  • Southbound US 93 will be closed at the south roundabout prior to milepost 200.
  • The Wickenburg Police Department will enforce the closures and provide traffic control.
  • Drivers will need to wait for horses to pass through, no alternate routes suggested

Governor Doug Ducey Issues a Proclamation to Commemorate Prisoners of War Remembrance Day

PHOENIX — In honor of Prisoners of War Remembrance Day – held annually on April 9 – Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation today calling upon all Arizonans to pay respect and gratitude to all of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces who have suffered captivity in foreign countries during active service.

“Today, we pause to recognize the brave members of our armed forces who, throughout history, have been taken captive by an enemy nation while fighting to protect us at home.

We are eternally indebted to these men and women. Day after day, American heroes put on the uniform and answer the call to service – selflessly relinquishing their personal freedom to preserve ours. To those who have not returned home, they are in our thoughts, prayers and hearts. We forever honor them, and we continue to pray for their safe return.

I ask that all Arizonans join me in paying respect to our nation’s Prisoners of War, their families and all who serve and sacrifice in the name of our national and personal security. God Bless them all.”

Road construction starting on US 180 west of St. Johns

The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin an improvement project on Wednesday, April 22 to resurface eight miles of US 180 west of St. Johns (milepost 338-347).

The $3.6 million project will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt, removing and replacing the approach slabs at the Little Colorado Bridge and other related work. The work is anticipated to be completed by October.

Work hours will be from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone and drivers should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes. A traffic signal will also be used to regulate traffic across the bridge in alternating directions. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone.

Drivers are asked to use caution and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Today is POW remembrance day

OPINION
pow-mia-banner-2ARIZONA — In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 1-307, today is Prisoners of war remembrance day.

Subsection B. of the law requires:

The governor shall make proclamation of prisoners of war remembrance day to commemorate the sacrifices of men and women who suffered captivity in foreign lands while in the service of our country. The governor shall recommend that teachers and students of the schools of this state observe this day with appropriate exercises and shall encourage citizens to contemplate the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.

We searched the official web site of the Governor of the Great State of Arizona and his Facebook page. We found no proclamation nor any information on “…the plight of Americans who have been held captive of an enemy nation.”

Looking over the web site of the Arizona Legislature, we found that Senator Lesko handed out 60 dictionaries, but no word on Prisoners of War.

This is an absolute disgrace. Thus, it falls on us to tell you the plight of POWs.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

Vietnam POWs cheer as their flight takes off from Hanoi.

First we honor those faithfully served our nation during a most difficult time in their lives. We pray for your continued health.

The most disgraceful treatment of returning prisoners of war by the United States government has to be the treatment of those returning from the Vietnam war. Many do not know, nor seem to care, that those veterans are denied access to the records of their own debriefing. They are still held classified after 40-years!

You would think that former POW John McCain would be on the front lines defending the rights of other POWs in this matter. Unfortunately this is not the case. He is one of the loudest voices in keeping these records secret and withheld from the patriots who served their country when future presidents and actors ran to foreign lands.

It is still the wee-hours of the morn. Perhaps statements are forthcoming. If they are, we hope that they will include remonstrances to the national government to allow Vietnam POWs access to their records.