Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) says the national security budget of the United States must reflect a committment to keeping Americans safe (0:09).

 

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Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) says that the current generation of Americans is the richest, freest, and safest generation in the history of the world. However, Gingrich says this will only remain true if the safety of the American public remains the highest priority in this country. (0:28)

 

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By Courtney Costello-Talk Radio News Service

Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell testified Tuesday on the urgent need for high-speed rail in America.

Governor Rendell’s testimonies were heard before The Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security.

Chairman of the Subcommittee Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) listened to testimonies from an expert panel on the issue that included Amtrak President Joseph Boardman, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Joseph Szabo, Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Chairman Robert Eckels, Government Accountability Office Official Susan Fleming and National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commissioner Tom Skancke.

“We must push for a comprehensive network of true high speed rail…Such a network will be a catalyst for growth and development,” said Gov. Rendell. “It will better connect Americans as our population continues to grow as well as reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life.”

The panel all agreed that establishing high-speed rail in America is contingent upon
improving existing railways like the Amtrak Acela, creating city to city high-speed rails, and inter-city rails.

Members of the panel testified that the creation of high-speed railways would be funded by federal and state governments, as well as private investments. In addition, Gov. Rendell proposed the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank.

The panel testified that an investment in existing and new railways would help grow the economy.

“High-speed rail will create jobs for our citizens and orders for American factories, especially in some of the hardest hit parts of our country, where there is tremendous manufacturing capacity to build rail cars, tracks and equipment using American concrete and steel,” said Rendell.

By Celia Canon- Talk Radio News Service

General David Petraeus, Commander of the United States Central Command, warned that military missions against terrorist groups are comprehensive and require more than force.

 “Countering terrorism requires more than counter-terrorist operations,” said Petraeus today in a speech to the Center of a New American Security.  The General went on to discuss the implications of shifting military attention from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan and how the U.S.’ experience in Iraq should optimize the efficiency of military operations in other countries.

“As we turn and shift our focus to Afghanistan and Pakistan it is very important to reflect on what we learned from Iraq and to remember that you have to apply what was learned there with a very nuanced understanding…of local circumstances,” said Petraeus.

Petraeus was one of the leading figures during the 2007 surge of U.S. troops in Iraq, a move that increased U.S. military capability in the Middle East by more than 20,000 soldiers and additional brigades. The surge was instrumental in the counterinsurgency mission that would help secure the region. Petraeus completed his work in Iraq by rebuilding the Iraqi army. 

Petraeus highlighted the success of the U.S. army in improving security conditions, stating “We’ve gone from a situation in which June of 2006 or 2007 saw 160 attacks per day on average. in Iraq it is now between 10 and 15 attacks per day and has been that way for about 6 months now; in fact in the low end of that in recent weeks.”

However, Petraeus did concede that last month was an exception. There were over 400 attacks in May, the highest in the country’s post-invasion history.

The General touched upon the peacekeeping role that the army has recently acquired with the Iraq mission and named the safety of the civilian population as a major priority.

“The overriding mission of a military force in counterinsurgency has to be to secure the people and…be seen as securing and serving them. This is hugely important,” said Petraeus.

Petraeus explained that once security has been established throughout the country, the U.S. would not be able to leave Afghanistan until they have assured that the established government follows a peace-ensuring criteria.

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the changes being made to the Department of Justice. The top priority remains to be the safety of the American public but the Department is currently pursuing a very specific set of goals.(0:51)

 

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George Cole, ironworker and brother-in-law of Harold “Rusty” Billingsley who was killed in a recent Las Vegas construction accident, says that Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew all citations and fines which was initially offered as the accident could have been prevented. Cole says Billingsley’s employer bore no responsibility. Cole discusses unsafe working conditions and OSHA’s failure to enforce safety standards. (0:57)

 

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Nicholas Sullivan, author of “Can You Hear Me Now?,” talks about how hard times for the economy have affected cellular phone usage, and alternative methods for purchasing cell phones. (1:03)

 

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Author Nicholas Sullivan and founder of the COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance David Aylward spoke during a conference call addressing emergency response and safety benefits for children equipped with (and knowledgeable about how to use) cellular phones.

The speakers described the cell phone as a huge asset to children in emergency situations. They each discussed how cell phones have replaced landline phones regarding user preference, and that many children now use text messages to communicate with people who can help them. Sullivan urged that teaching young children to use cell phones in strictly emergency situations can teach them to budget their available minutes and use phones responsibly.

Aylward spoke about how he founded the COMCARE program to help speed up emergency response time. Children, he said, can now use cell phones to help them in emergency situations, and this has saved “precious” minutes and seconds in the lives of many young people.

There were 5 opinions issued, and the Court heard argument in one case.

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