Office of the Game Moderator/Atlasian Mustelid Post Gazette

[Badger]

This will be the Office of the GM where economic figures, news, Fed Reports, and other related announcements will be posted. I will keep the most recent economic figures updated on this first page.

Like previous GM's, I'm instituting a new newspaper for announcements/news stories that don't quite fit a release from a government office. I give you: THE ATLASIAN MUSTELID POST GAZETTE. (Taa-dah!) I am undecided how much to use this new organ of the media rather than existing newspapers, but I will endeavor to occasionally plant provide a story to the existing Atlasian media at random intervals. The ratio of AMPG stories to other papers I'll change as needed.


UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 9.2% (February: 9.1%)

ANNUAL GDP GROWTH RATE: 0.4% (February: 0.2%)

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (ANNUAL RATE): 1.0% (Unchanged from February)

ANSE INDEX: 652.41 (As of 3/25/11).

[Badger]

I will add additional graphics/building pictures/frills, bells and whistles to the main page later as time and whimsy dictate. (The Office is officially accepting any/all submissions or suggestions).

I would have included the initial statistics I've worked out for current unemployment, GDP and inflation that I've worked out, but I left them at my office.

[Badger]

Yank pointed out--correctly--in a recent volley of words in the Senate that I haven't done anything in my office yet (which I would've acknowledged in that thread had some hypersensitive mod not locked it ).

True. Due to some renovations at my office, my access to the internet during the day has been cut by close to two thirds since the beginning of last week, and will continue so until at least the end of next week. I wanted to announce this last week, but I wanted to first open my office to have a place to announce it, and my last post on the Budget Committee took more time than I had....

Even after I have full internet access at work, I'll be in jury trial 1-2 days the week after that, and accordingly catching up on work much of the rest of the week. Also, my time in evenings and weekends will be fuller than normal until after Nov. 2nd. Put simply, RL elections are still more important than fantasy ones, and I'll be working to avoid having to say the words "Governor Kasich".

All this said, please understand I will NOT be an absent GM during this period. I pledge to focus my efforts in this period to 1) Regularly update economic information and Fed Reports; and 2) to keep driving the Budget Committee's work.

Many of you may be understandably thinking: "Oh great. Another promising new GM developing internet troubles then planning lessened activity". Don't. Just don't. As I said I will still be present and working over the next few weeks.  I'm simply being realistic and giving advance notice that there will probably be no storylines to speak of until next month. That's all.

You all know my dedication and penchant (obsession some say) for detail. I'm just letting you all know that due to workplace issues and the upcoming election I'll be merely a GM of "average" activity for the next few weeks.

[Badger]

It wasn't a hypersenitive mod, it was the hypersensitive PPT pissed the Senate floor was being disrupted by an outsider.

I hope you remember the mandates which you voted for regarding things the GM and other cabinet officers had to do?

One dealt with floods response preparedness, the other, I can't remember offhand.

Of course I do, of course. <Ahem>

But maybe you could list them here anyway? Just as a test for you of course.

[Badger]

The current major economic figures are finally posted in the first post, where they will be updated regularly.

In other news:

Consumer Confidence Declines
(AMPG) Economists announced Monday that the Consumer Confidence Index, measuring optimism on the state of the economy that consumers are expressing through their activities of savings and spending, declined for the third straight month in a row. The drop of 5.2 points to an Index level of 46.9 was notably sharper than the previous months minor declines, and brought renewed fears in some circles of a slowing economy.

The pullback in confidence was due to less favorable business and labor market conditions, coupled with a more pessimistic short-term outlook. Overall, consumers’ confidence in the state of the economy remains quite grim. And, with so few expecting conditions to improve in the near term, the pace of economic growth is not likely to pick up in the coming months.

Consumers are also more pessimistic about future employment prospects. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead remained essentially unchanged, however those anticipating fewer jobs increased notably. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes likewise declined slightly.

[Badger]

FYI: My jury trial is indeed progressing to a second day, but even more concerning the severe cutback in internet access at work is apparantly going to persist at least throughout this week as well. ARRRGHHH!!

FYI: Some discussions have been proposed with the President-elect regarding certain matters related to the GM's Office, so I assure you I'm still active, just not as much as usual (or that I'd like ).

[Badger]

LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS DECLINE SLIGHTLY:
(AMPG) Measurements of Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) for Atlasia decreased by 0.1 percent in October to 102.4 (2004 = 100), following no change in September, and a 0.2 percent increase in August. Analysts state the figures demonstrate the economy is slow and has no forward momentum. Shaky consumer confidence is primarily blamed for the slowdown.

Economists preparing the report are deeply divided, however, as to whether such economic stagnation is a likely trend for the forthcoming year, or may instead reflect a short term lack of growth compounded by isolated events outside seasonal variables. Economists were even more heatedly divided at the press conference announcing the results as to the proper fiscal policy to address the lagging growth. Debate was acrimonious between those favoring additional public stimulus to prime the economic pump and those favoring attacking public debt as a primary focus.

Ultimately tempers flared into violence between rival gangs of economic theorists requiring police intervention. Eight arrests occurred, as did three injuries reported as "tweed burn" suffered by the combatant academics. A arrested gang of Neo-Keynesian identified as members of the Westside Krugman Locos Posse demanded appointment of public counsel,  notwithstanding their incomes each being well into six figures, claiming such steps would help to stimulate the local economy of new lawyers. A leader of the rival gang of Monetarist thugs also arrested was asked regarding his pending criminal charges and simply replied "I'm confident the free market will ultimately set things right".

[Badger]

Erg! And so it continues. No sooner does the office move take place last week when one of the four prosecutors in my office goes on paternity leave. So now I'm doing double duty through next week. Though I guess I owe him for covering for my daddy leave this summer .

I'm actually leaving for home momentarily after a 13 hour day. My wife gets home from a meeting then has to go back to work--at 9 PM after working 12 hours. Whoever said public employees and non-profit workers are overpaid goldbrickers can suck it.

I will maintain at least "moderate" activity till then, though. I hope to update national economic stats AND (maybe) finish the Budget Process Committee work by the end of this week. Then, at long last, I can get work on some real storylines.

[Badger]

STATEMENT TO THE SENATE AND PRESIDENT REGARDING THE BUDGET:

Greetings assembled politicos:

Momentarily the budget adopted by the Budget Process Committee will be posted. It's basically the same as the NathanNewman Sim (Long Version) provided in the Committee and the Economics discussion thread, with the Committee's estimation of the current national debt. I want to first thank all of the Committee members for the work they gave in formulating this addition to Atlasia government. You can each look at your efforts for the Committee and be accordingly proud.

First thing the government needs to understand about this budget:

THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL AS TO WHAT THE BUDGET SHOULD BE, BUT RATHER AN ESTIMATION OF WHAT IT CURRENTLY IS.

What you esteemed elected representatives of the people decide to do with the budget from this point is entirely up to you.

Technically, as GM I could simply adopt this budget as posted and that would be that, short of President Fritz firing me. But I want this to be as broad-based a project as possible. While the Committee sincerely hopes their hard work is acceptable and finished, if the consensus of the Senate and President is that there are necessary changes--again, the question being what the budget IS, not what it SHOULD BE---then we will take those recommendations under advisement and go back to deliberations (again, if we really, REALLY have to ).

As far as upkeep of the budget goes, fundamentally that is in your control also. A few considerations though: It was noted among skeptics that the budget was a tedious process that bored many having to do every year. A very good suggestion was made to treat the budget more as a tally sheet of decisions affecting spending and taxes, rather than an annual process to be voted on.

With this in mind, unless the government decides differently, the budget will be modified only by 1) policy decisions (i.e. laws passed affecting the budget); and b) generally incremental changes caused by inflation, population growth, and some national events. In other words, the Senate and president need not pass a budget every year or term in order to keep government running. Unless specific changes are made to particular program(s) and/or taxes, the budget will otherwise be marginally changed every year by the GM to account for inflation and population growth, but at the same basic spending levels as last decided on by the government. Specific events might change spending levels a bit more as determined by the GM.

For example, increased unemployment rates will trigger increased spending on unemployment benefits. We can (unsurprisingly) expect the costs of medical care to rise faster than the standard Consumer Price Index (without reforms of course), and disasters like 9/11 can cause a drop in economic activity and resulting tax revenue. If the GM determines there are such national trends effecting the numbers outside legislation passed there will be suitable news reports to warn of the developments (or at least to explain the problem when the revised budget numbers come out ).

But again, this is all up to YOU. If the Senate should pass and the president sign (or have his veto overridden) a bill or resolution to actually do an annual budget process, then as the government's loyal servant I'll gladly abide. Otherwise, just keep doing what you've been doing and now we can put all this debate about government spending, taxation and debt to actual practice.

We've worked on this hard in the Committee, but from here on in this is YOUR budget. Think of it as a new toy we've built for Atlasia to enjoy. Now, like any new toy received by a kid on Christmas morning, feel free to kick it to shreds.

And now, without further ado, Atlasia's current budget:

[Badger]

Spending ($2673.05 billion)

Military Spending ($446.11 billion)
$106.57 billion ... Military personnel
$153.62 billion ... Operation and maintenance
$80.84 billion .... Procurement
$68.13 billion .... Research, development, test and evaluation
$16.15 billion .... Military Construction, Family Housing and Other
$17.99 billion .... Atomic Energy Defense Activities
$2.81 billion ..... Defense Related activities

Iraq and Afghanistan Operations ($111.85 billion)
$105 billion ..... Military Operations
$6.85 billion .... Reconstruction aid

Military Retirement ($115.48 billion)
$40.83 billion .... Military retirement
$36.34 billion .... Income security for veterans
$3.24 billion ...... Veterans education, training, and rehabilitation
$34.35 billion ..... Hospital and medical care for veterans and retired military
$0.72 billion ...... Housing and other veterans benefits and services

International affairs ($31.59 billion)
$13 billion ........ International development and humanitarian assistance
$9.47 billion ...... International military aid
$7.97 billion ...... Conduct of foreign affairs
$1.15 billion ...... Foreign information and exchange activities

General science, space, and technology ($23.97 billion)
$5.62 billion ...... National Science Foundation programs
$3.44 billion ...... Department of Energy general science programs
$14.91 billion ..... Space flight, research, and supporting activities

Non-Defense Energy Spending ($2.12 billion)
$0.73 billion ...... Energy supply
$1.03 billion ...... Energy conservation and preparedness
$0.36 billion ...... Energy information, preparedness, & regulation

Natural resources and environment ($31.16 billion)
$5.45 billion ..... Water resources
$9.07 billion ..... Conservation and land management
$3.12 billion ..... Recreational & Park resources
$8.42 billion ..... Pollution control and abatement
$5.1 billion ....... Other natural resources

Agriculture ($26.02 billion)
$21.73 billion ..... Farm income stabilization & crop insurance
$4.29 billion ...... Agricultural research and services

Commerce and Housing Loan Programs ($6.82 billion)
$-4.28 billion ..... Federal Housing Loan Programs
$2.17 billion ...... Postal service
$-0.96 billion ..... Deposit insurance
$7.96 billion ...... Universal service fund
$1.93 billion ...... Other advancement of commerce

Transportation ($70.68 billion)
$36.51 billion ..... Highways and highway safety
$8.51 billion ...... Mass transit
$0.61 billion ...... Railroads
$17.26 billion ..... Air Transportion
$7.37 billion ...... Water transportation
$0.42 billion ...... Other transportation

Community and regional development ($19.1 billion)
$6.25 billion ...... Community development
$2.86 billion ...... Area and regional development
$9.99 billion ...... Disaster relief and insurance

Education ($64.07 billion)
$38.57 billion ..... Elementary, Secondary & Vocational education
$22.27 billion ..... Higher education
$3.23 billion ...... Research and general education

Training, labor and unemployment ($47.81 billion)
$6.88 billion ...... Training and employment
$1.6 billion ....... Labor law, statistics, and other administration
$39.33 billion ..... Unemployment compensation

Non-Medicare Health Spending ($253.32 billion)
$192.72 billion .... Medicaid grants
$6.23 billion ...... State Children's Health Insurance
$3.17 billion ...... Indian health
$3.24 billion ...... Substance abuse and mental health services
$4.7 billion ....... Disease control, public health and bioterrorism
$29.36 billion ..... Health research and training
$3.01 billion ...... Food safety and occupational health and safety
$10.89 billion ..... Other health care services

Medicare ($345.76 billion)
$182.76 billion .... Hospital insurance (HI)
$115.14 billion .... Supplementary medical insurance (SMI)
$46.7 billion ...... Prescription drug benefit
$1.16 billion ...... Health care fraud

Civilian Retirement (Social Security excluded) ($72.02 billion)
$4.89 billion ...... Civilian retirement and disability insurance
$58.22 billion ..... Federal employee retirement and disability
$8.91 billion ...... Federal employees' and retired employees' health benefits

Aid to Low-Income Families ($206.78 billion)
$38.45 billion ..... Housing assistance
$37.58 billion ..... Food stamps
$19.3 billion ...... Other nutrition programs (WIC, school lunches)
$38.66 billion ..... Supplemental security income (SSI)
$18.21 billion ..... Family support payments (TANF)
$34.05 billion ..... Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
$13.15 billion ..... Child tax credit
$4.8 billion ....... Child care funds
$2.58 billion ...... Other aid to low-income families

General Family Support ($25.62 billion)
$6.56 billion ...... Foster care and adoption assistance
$2.92 billion ...... Child support and family support programs
$16.14 billion ..... Social and family services

Social security ($544.82 billion)
$454.4 billion ..... Old-age and survivors insurance(OASI)
$90.42 billion ..... Disability insurance (DI)

Administration of justice ($43.1 billion)
$11.35 billion ..... Federal law enforcement
$10.46 billion ..... Border security and immigration
$10.91 billion ..... Federal litigation and judicial activities
$6.16 billion ...... Federal prison system
$4.22 billion ...... Criminal justice assistance

General government administration ($17.76 billion)
$3.67 billion ...... Legislative functions
$1.14 billion ...... Executive office programs
$9.8 billion ....... IRS & other fiscal operations
$3.15 billion ...... Other general government

Net_interest_long ($211.08 billion)
$211.08 billion .... Net Interest

Undistributed offsetting receipts and allowance ($-43.99 billion)
$-43.99 billion .... Undistributed offsetting receipts and allowance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tax Expenditures and Tax Cuts ($1075.13 billion)


2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts ($294.9 billion)
$116.96 billion .... Benefits for Richest 1% of Taxpayers
$28.87 billion ..... Benefits for Next Richest 4%
$58.92 billion ..... Benefits for Next Richest 15%
$43.6 billion ...... Benefits for Next 20% of Taxpayers
$46.55 billion ..... Benefits for Bottom 60% of Taxpayers

Corporate Tax Breaks ($60.36 billion)
$15.74 billion ..... Untaxed Foreign Profits
$9.87 billion ...... R&D Tax Breaks
$4.05 billion ...... Energy, Mining and Timber Tax Breaks
$9.93 billion ...... Tax Free Bonds
$20.77 billion ..... Other Corporate Tax Breaks

Personal Business & Investment Benefits ($86.71 billion)
$30.38 billion ..... Lower tax rates on capital gains (excluding housing)
$28.76 billion ..... Step-up basis of capital gains at death
$23.01 billion ..... Tax-Free Bonds
$1.36 billion ...... Enterprise & Empowerment Zones and New Markets credit
$3.2 billion ....... Other personal investment tax breaks

Pension & Retirement Deductions ($168.47 billion)
$51.05 billion ..... Employer-paid Pensions
$58.12 billion ..... 401Ks & Keogh plans
$7.31 billion ...... IRAs
$29.48 billion ..... Group and personal life insurance benefits
$19.77 billion ..... Untaxed Social Security benefits
$2.74 billion ...... Other retirement benefits

Health Insurance Tax Benefits ($140.99 billion)
$125.69 billion .... Employer-paid Health Insurance
$4.33 billion ...... Self-employed medical insurance premiums
$1.83 billion ...... Medical Savings/Health Savings Accounts
$9.14 billion ...... Deductibility of medical expenses

Housing tax benefits ($163.71 billion)
$76.03 billion ..... Mortgage Interest
$14.83 billion ..... Deductibility of property taxes on homes
$36.27 billion ..... Capital gains exclusion on home sales
$29.72 billion ..... Exclusion of net imputed rental income on owner-occupied homes
$2.11 billion ...... Housing bonds & low-income housing investments
$4.75 billion ...... Exception from passive loss rules for $25,000 of rental loss

Other individual deductions and exemptions ($159.99 billion)
$37.89 billion ..... Charitable contributions
$34.62 billion ..... State and local taxes (w/o home property)
$6.55 billion ...... Soldiers and veterans tax benefits
$5.94 billion ...... Workmen's compensation
$14.01 billion ..... Education deductions and credits
$32.81 billion ..... Child credit
$2.81 billion ...... Child care credits and deductions
$2 billion ......... Deduction for the blind and elderly
$7.86 billion ...... Social Security benefits for disabled and survivors
$3.76 billion ...... Untaxed foreign personal income
$3.28 billion ...... Employee parking and transit expenses
$1.25 billion ...... Adoption and foster care tax credits
$5.42 billion ...... Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)- revenue loss component
$1.79 billion ...... Other fringe benefits

-----------------

New budget is $3748.18 billion
($2673.05 billion in spending, $1075.13 billion in tax expenditures and cuts).

Deficit is $401.04 billion.

National Debt: $9.81 Trillion

[Badger]

Tax Rates


Marginal Tax Rate
           Single                        Married Filing Jointly         Married Filing Separately   Head of Household

10%: $0 – $8,375                $0 – $16,750                    $0 – $8,375                     $0–$11,950

15%: $8,376–$34,000         $16,751–$68,000             $8,376 – $34,000            $11,951–$45,550

25%: $34,001–$82,400       $68,001 – $137,300         $34,001 – $68,650          $45,551–$117,650

28%: $82,401–$171,850     $137,301 – $209,250       $68,651–$104,625         $117,651–$190,550
33%: $171,851–$373,650   $209,251 –$373,650        $104,626–$186,825        $190,551-$373,650
35%: $373,651+                  $373,651+                       $186,826+                       $373,651+


Corporate Tax Rates:
Taxable Income ($) Tax Rate:
 
$0 to 50,000 15%

$50,000 to 75,000 25%

$75,000 to 100,000 34%

$100,000 to 335,000 39%

$335,000 to 10,000,000 34%

$10,000,000 to 15,000,000 35%

$15,000,000 to 18,333,333 38%

$18,333,333 and up 35%

This rate structure produces a flat 34% tax rate on incomes from $335,000 to $10,000,000, gradually increasing to a flat rate of 35% on incomes above $18,333,333.


Estate Tax: 45% on estates above $2 mil

Excise Taxes:
Gas: 18.4 cents/gallon (24.4 cents/gallon for diesel).

Cigarettes: $1 per pack.

All other taxes rates are at RL FY 2010 levels.

[Badger]

I'd be very surprised if the Atlasian tax system recognises marriage - has the government gone back into the marriage business while I wasn't paying attention?

Did it ever formally leave the marriage business. I'm asking seriously rather than snarkily. Note my relatively recent (March, 2009) registration . Insight from an old time veteran like yourself would be helpful here.

Congratulations on a job well done.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr. President, thank you very much.

[Badger]

Marginal Tax Rate
           Single /           Married Filing Jointly/ Married Filing Separately/  Head of Household
10%: $0 – $8,375         / $0 – $16,750          /$0 – $8,375          / $0 – $11,950
15%: $8,376–$34,000/ $16,751–$68,000/ $8,376 – $34,000/ $11,951 – $45,550
25%: $34,001–$82,400/ $68,001 – $137,300/ $34,001 – $68,650/ $45,551 – $117,650
28%: $82,401–$171,850/ $137,301 – $209,250/ $68,651 – $104,625/ $117,651 – $190,550
33%: $171,851–$373,650/ $209,251 –$373,650/ $104,626–$186,825/ $190,551 - $373,650
35%: $373,651+/ $373,651+/ $186,826+/ $373,651+/

Sorry, that's impossible to read. Use a table, please.

Point taken. I'll get on that.

Er, how exactly do I do this?

[Badger]

Nice work so far, Badger.

Thanks, DF. But again, the real thanks go to the whole Committee.

[Badger]

I'd be very surprised if the Atlasian tax system recognises marriage - has the government gone back into the marriage business while I wasn't paying attention?

Did it ever formally leave the marriage business. I'm asking seriously rather than snarkily. Note my relatively recent (March, 2009) registration . Insight from an old time veteran like yourself would be helpful here.

Sorry - wasn't trying to be snarky myself - I don't pay enough attention to know for sure.
Anyway, this bill was what I was thinking of.

Interesting point (and not taken as snarkily; I was referring to my question and trying to phrase it in a way that didn't sound like I was being bitchy ). Still, from my brief review of Article 2 it appears "marriages" are still in effect, but just all relabeled as "civil unions". So I'd guess the same laws apply, but the term "marriage" is just legally anachronistic rather than void.

I suppose I'd be willing to update the terminology when I rehash the chart into a table as True Con suggested again, once someone can show me how to do that.

EDIT: One can also review a more legible readout of the tax rates at the source, linked here:
https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Fiscal_Responsibility_Act

[Badger]

Invasion of the Body Scanners

(AMPG) This weekend passengers aboard Flight 345 from Nyman raised their voices in protest today against what they deemed invasive body scans and pat downs. Flight protesters complained that scans and pat downs made them feel "violated". Many have lodged complaints at the office of Secretary of Internal Affairs Doctor Cynic.

"We feel that the Secretary doesn't care about our civil liberties despite his long talk of it. We demand that his office bring an end to this invasive procedure," one passenger commented.

Pilots and staff reported passengers becoming "visibly unruly and belligerent" on board the plane soon after being subjected to new TSA security procedures including frisks and full body scans of randomly selected flyers. The flight's departure was delayed by over 90 minutes as TSA air marshalls were dispatched to the plane. Passengers report the marshalls spoke to passengers urging calm and the flight eventually proceded to its destination in Detroit without further incident. No arrests were reported.

This latest disturbance follows a week of reported disturbances at airports around the nation resulting in multiple passengers being denied admittance to their flights after refusing to submit to body scans. At least 3 subjects have been arrested in separate incidents at LaGuardia Airport in New York and Peter International in Chicago following conflicts with TSA security staff.

The Internal Affairs Office has been requested for a statement, as has noted TSA critic Senator Libertas (POP: At-large).

[Badger]

SoIA Dr. Cynic Responds to TSA Controversy:

(AMPG) Moments ago the Secretary Dr. Cynic issued a written statement regarding ongoing complaints over new TSA security measures for airplane passengers:

NOTICE:

With regards to the issue of bodyscanning and the TSA, as well as the complaints lodged to this office...

Although final say so lies with the President, I am making the recommendation that body scanning be officially ended. My office will be instructing TSA security in a new procedure. They will no longer be allowed to touch sensitive areas of male and female passengers. These include the "private parts". I'm recommending that children and those with developmental disabilities be exempt from patdowns.

Passengers may lodge official requesting for their refunds, which this office demands be granted and none of those passengers will be placed on no-fly lists. However, the three persons arrested for assault will not be released, and will instead have to go through the traditional channels in the judiciary.

What this office can do, it will do. I make these recommendations to President Fritz and he can either go along or deny my requests. For those who have felt violated and have been inconvenienced, this office offers profound apologies.

DR. CYNIC, SOIA

Other updates to follow as this story develops.

[Badger]

President Fritz Ends TSA Body Scans; Legislation Introduced to Ban TSA

(AMPG) Following recent controversies over new TSA screening procedures for air travelers, President Fritz announced his administration would adopt the recommendations of SoIA Dr. Cynic to end the practice of full body scans of passengers. The President stated:

As President, I stand behind the Secretary's recommendations.

Security on board our airlines is important, and we must act to ensure that weaponry and explosive devices are not brought aboard our air crafts.  We live in a dangerous world.   Our security needs must also meet the criteria of common sense.  While I applaud the TSA for their diligence, I agree with the Secretary that this has been taken a bit too far, and needs to be scaled back.

Fritz

All the while, legislation was introduced in the Senate today to abolish the TSA. In the early morning hours the office of Senator Libertas (POP: At-Large) notified the AMPG that he would be introducing such legislation at earliest opportunity. Shortly afterwards the following bill was filed in the Senate's legislation que.

Freedom to Fly Act a.k.a. The TSA Sucks Act

1. The Transportation Security Administration is immediately abolished; airlines shall henceforth resume control over their own security operations.

2. No employee of the TSA at any level shall be considered immune to local, regional, and federal laws against child pornography, molestation, and sexual assault.

No comment has yet been issued from the Administration regarding this proposal. Senate sources are unsure whether the measure will be brought to the Senate floor for debate before the Thanksgiving holiday.

[Badger]

BREAKING NEWS: TSA Chief, Deputy, Director of Security All Resign in Protest

TSA Administrator "Incredibly Furious" at Sudden Policy Change & Absence of Communication

(APMG) The Atlasian Mustelid Post Gazette has learned that the TSA Administrator, Deputy Administrator and Assistant Administrator for Security Operations have all tendered their immediate resignations to the Office of Internal Affairs. According to letters submitted by the resigning administrators, their actions are in response to the Fritz Administration's abrupt termination of using full body scans and more therough frisking of airline passengers. The letters cited an absence  of consultation or communication with TSA officials before the Administration's recent change in policy.

A high level TSA employee familiar with the situation stated the TSA Administrator was "incredibly furious" when he learned of the change in his department's security procedures while watching the evening news at home.

Another source close to one of the resigned administrators described deep frustration at the sudden reversal of a policy described as "meticulously developed".

"The new body scan and frisk standards and technology were studied and developed for nearly a year before implementation. Then after all that review, training, and purchasing technology the policy is scraped at the drop of a hat without a single inquiry to the [TSA]."

Apparently the Fritz Administration's lack of consultation was as concerning to TSA leaders as the policy change. The Source continued:"Yes, the change in policy is bad and will only increase the risk to air passengers and crew. But just as frustrating was the IA Office and President never even gave us a chance to explain why it is such a dangerous policy change."

When asked for an opinion on public controversy over the recently instituted security procedures, the TSA official acknowledged concern, but also stood by the procedures as necessary. "No one at the agency wants to implement these procedures out of prurient interest. It was only instituted to avoid situations like the near tragedy of the underwear bomber. We instituted these policies because we had to in order to keep passengers lives safe."

Umar Abdul Mutallab is a Nigerian citizen who attempted to detonate plastic explosives hidden in his underwear while on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253, en route from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas last year. He was subdued by passengers and currently charged with six criminal counts, including attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted murder of 289 people.

Controversy erupted last week when TSA security procedures were implemented at airports including the use of technology allowing security officials to view full body scan of passengers and more intrusive body frisks. Many have complained against the new procedures calling them overly intrusive. Polls currently show the public split near evenly on support or opposition to the new procedures.

Pursuant to civil service guidelines, TSA leadership will fall on an acting basis to the senior Assistant Administrator, and Security Operations will be headed by the resigned Assistant Administrator's deputy, until when and if the SoIA should make permanent appointments to those positions.

When asked, SoIA Dr. Cynic declined statement on the matter until he could fully brief President Fritz on these developments.

[Badger]

Internal Affairs Office Sources say Secretary Dr. Cynic may support legislation abolishing TSA.

(APMG) Well-placed sources at the Ministry of Internal Affairs report SoIA Dr. Cynic may come out in support of recently introduced legislation to abolish the TSA.

Today Senator Libertas (POP: At-Large) introduced legislation to abolish the TSA. To the surprise of some Nyman analysts, The liberal Secretary may join the hardline controversial Populares Senator. The Secretary's reported support comes on the heels of a growing fracture between the TSA and IA Office leading to recent resignations of top TSA officials disgruntled at the sudden policy changes regarding airline security procedures, and the purported lack of communication from the Fritz Administration in reaching that decision.

Ministry officials close to the Secretary say his "He won't shed a tear if the TSA is banned, because the administration will then look to hire private security firms which we will compel them to follow along with our guidelines."

If true, Dr. Cynic would be the second prominent liberal to come out in support of the measure following the unexpected endorsement by Senator Snowguy (JCP: Midwest).

The Secretary could not confirm or deny his reported support of the TSA abolition bill. The Ministry support did not indicate whether President Fritz might share Secretary Dr. Cynic's support of the measure.

[Badger]

Economy Worsens:

The latest national economic numbers from the Office of the GM/Bureau of Labor and Economic Statistics.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 8.8% (previous month: 8.5%)

ANNUAL GDP GROWTH RATE: 1.1% (previous month: 1.5%

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (ANNUAL RATE): 1.1% (unchanged from last month)

ANSE INDEX: 831.19 (down 66.94 from last week).

The GM's Office notes this is the largest single month increase in unemployment in over 5 years.

The GM's Office further plans to report these individual economic figures individually on a weeklyish basis rather than altogether monthly.

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TSA Resignations Rescinded

TSA Security Procedures to Continue For Now With Modifications

(AMPG) The President and SoIA's meeting with TSA administrators last week resulted in TSA airline security procedures being re-instituted with modifications, and the administrators rescinding their previously submitted resignations. The late night negotiations were held in a booth at the Original Hot Dog Shop on the University of Pittsburgh campus and lasted several hours. Afterwards statements were issued by both parties announcing a successful agreement had been reached.

By virtue of the agreement electronic full body scans of random airline and train passengers would continue, though full body frisks would be limited to those travellers who either choose such a procedure in lieu of a body scan or who display reasonable and articulable suspicion of criminal activity such as having suspicious items revealed by a body scan. The TSA will also immediately implement training and procedures to make such body frisks less invasive and to secure any short term record of body scans from public dissemination before being destroyed.

The TSA Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Assistant Administrator for Security Operations all took part in the meeting after submitting their resignations a week ago in response to the Fritz Administration's indicating an abrupt suspension of the recently implemented TSA security procedures. Such procedures led to public concern over invasions of travellers privacy. The administrators indicated they are satisfied with the outcome and ready to return to work.

"We at the TSA understand the concern over privacy rights, and promise to immediately implement better training of our officers to avoid horror stories such have been reported recently, while still doing all we can to ensure the safety of passengers and crew on airlines and trains", the TSA Administrator stated.

A bill still is pending in the Senate to abolish the TSA and is expected to proceed to a vote on the Senate floor notwithstanding this agreement. President Fritz has promised to veto the bill if passed.

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Majority of Public Support TSA Body Scans at Airports

Public Divided Over Body Frisks

A recent poll shows nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they supported the Transportation Security Administration’s use of full-body X-ray scans. But support for the “aggressive” pat-downs was more tepid — just under half of those polled said they were “justified.”

The recent poll showed a 2-1 support for body scans, with 64% in support and 32% opposed. This level of support is down, however, from the 81% support of such scans recorded at the beginning of the month before their use was widely implemented and became a source of controversy.

When it comes to pat-downs for those who turn down the X-rays or fail them, Atlasians were divided. In the poll 48 percent said the procedures are “justified,” while 50 percent said the pat-downs “go too far.”

This poll was taken prior to the recent negotiations between the Fritz Administration and TSA administrators which resulted in implementation of additional training and restrictions on the use of body frisks.

Although the poll repeatedly included the typo of referring to "Americans" instead of "Atlasians", AMPG staff closely reviewed the results and poll methodology and found the numbers were nevertheless correctly calculated.

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As a sort of meta-question here related to the role of the GM and the powers of the President, with regard to the TSA affair and the rescinded resignations - was this simply the case that the President declared he successfully negotiated their rescision and you as GM went along with that (or felt you had to) - or was there a behind the scenes discussion between the President and yourself about how that might happen?

There was a simulated conversation involving the President, the GM and myself.

"Simulated"? I was yelling at my monitor as I typed, Doc.

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NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ABSENCE

I'm leaving after work tomorrow for a prosecutors conference out of town, and don't expect to be back until Sunday. As I don't own a laptop I'll have minimal contact with the forum from tomorrow afternoon until Monday.

See you all then. Please play nice.