IGTNT: Remembering a Sailor

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Wednesday July 30, 2014 · 4:52 PM PDT

2014/07/30 · 16:52

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco was on her first tour of duty aboard the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), when her life ended tragically. She leaves behind a husband and her parents in Puerto Rico.

She joined the Navy in April, 2013 and left Norfolk on the Destroyer USS James E. Williams on May 30, 2014. On June 19, shipmates found her unresponsive and the Navy is investigating her death as a suicide. A memorial service was held for her on the USS James E. Williams on June 20th. There isn't personal information available at this time, but there is a sufficient statement from the Commander of the destroyer USS James E. Williams, on a vibrant, young Sailor. Please take a moment to read and reflect on Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco.

Since 2001, there have been 2337 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

Sandy on Signal for Three Star Kossacks

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Sunday June 01, 2014 · 6:09 AM PDT

2014/06/01 · 06:09

A couple of weeks ago, I sent the Chattanooga Times Free Press a letter regarding climate change. It is right at 200 words, which is all they allow. They edited and redacted out the facts and dumbed it down to just the last sentence. Here is my letter and below is what they printed today.

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." - Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The last 35 years, were the hottest in 400 years. The arctic is rapidly losing its ice shelf. The ice shelf serves as a reflector to the sun's ultra-violet rays. Without the ice reflecting the sun's warmth, our planet will absorb the sun's heat and temperatures will continue to rise.

Our ice shelves are melting due to what is known as the "greenhouse effect." The "Greenhouse Effect" is a warming that occurs from increases in certain gasses, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. This was first discovered by Joseph Fourier about 200 years ago, it was proven and verified over 100 years ago, by Svante Arrhenius. Arrhenius performed calculations to prove how much incoming radiation was absorbed by CO2 and water vapor to heat the atmosphere.

Whether or not some people believe it, we need to decrease CO2 emissions to save our planet. The most significant man-caused source of CO2 gases is coal-fired electrical generation. Let’s move to other energy sources, such as: nuclear, solar and wind to address our needs. The time to act is now.

Sandy Lusk,

TNDP, State Executive Committeewoman District 11

Sandy on Signal for IGTNT

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Thursday May 22, 2014 · 5:30 PM PDT

2014/05/22 · 17:30

Tonight, we remember a soldier, who died while serving under Operation Enduring Freedom in Amman, Jordan.

Since 2001, there have been 2319 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

Sandy on Signal

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Thursday May 15, 2014 · 5:25 PM PDT

2014/05/15 · 17:25

Tonight, we remember a devoted husband, father and soldier.

Since 2001, there have been 2317 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

Sandy on Signal for IGTNT

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Thursday May 08, 2014 · 5:30 PM PDT

2014/05/08 · 17:30

Tonight, we remember a soldier from California. She was just 19 and had been in Afghanistan for two months. She became ill and was sent to Germany for treatment.

Since 2001, there have been 2317 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

Sandy on Signal for In Support of Labor and Unions

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Friday April 25, 2014 · 6:49 AM PDT

2014/04/25 · 06:49

This story has been updated, see bottom of story for details. After negotiations went sour between Tennessee's Gov. Haslam and Volkswagen, Volkswagen warned they had other offers in alternative sites outside of Tennessee.

New documents reveal that Volkswagen had accepted Gov. Haslam's $300 million offer of taxpayer dollars to help the company expand production in Chattanooga. That offer was revoked by Governor Haslam, after he learned UAW would be part of Volkswagen in Chattanooga.

From News Channel 5 in Nashville:

emails leaked to NewsChannel 5 Investigates -- emails that the state had refused to release -- show Volkswagen lawyers had actually drawn up papers for a potential deal to bring more than a thousand new jobs to Tennessee, but it was the Haslam administration who pulled the plug on the incentives it had offered in August 2013.
"A number of circumstances have changed or occurred since we delivered the August 23rd materials," Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty emailed a top Volkswagen executive on Jan. 31. "The August 2013 incentive summary does not account for these changes and is no longer relevant."

Haslam administration claims there was a 90 day limit on the offer, but the day the State received the letter from Volkswagen in January, they sent out a MOU ( Memorandum of Understanding) in order to close the deal.

Democratic State Rep. Mike Stewart told News 5:

"As far as the emails that I'm looking at today, they just confirm what I think everybody already knew -- which is, these jobs, this package was pulled for reasons that have nothing to do with any deadline," said state Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, after reviewing the documents

Sandy on Signal for In Support of Labor and Unions

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Monday April 07, 2014 · 12:34 PM PDT

2014/04/07 · 12:34

Reports are circulating that Volkswagen is planning on accepting UAW in Chattanooga and tossing out the recent election of February 14, 2014, which was sabotaged by right-wing, anti-union groups and elected Republican officials, such as: U.S. Senator Bob Corker and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, State Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Gerald McCormick.

Volkswagen workers were intimidated by threats from GOP officials that the VW plant in Chattanooga would not expand and make the new SUV, if UAW was elected. UAW had the votes initially, but after a week of lies, threats and intimidation by Senator Corker and others, the workers rejected UAW in a vote 712-626.

Chattanooga Times Free Press has an anti-union voice (as they always do) presenting their views that VW should not do this. There is a poll, up on this page. Please go vote Yes on it.

Sandy on Signal for In Support of Labor and Unions

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Tuesday April 01, 2014 · 11:14 AM PDT

2014/04/01 · 11:14

On February 14, 2014, Volkswagen and UAW were set to join forces in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This would have been a historical event for the South because both the company and the workers wanted this to happen. Outside forces from third party right-wing groups and elected Tennessee Republicans, such as Senator Bob Corker and Governor Haslam, interfered and cost this election. The election is on appeal with the NLRB and is scheduled for April 21st in Chattanooga.

News 5 in Nashville obtained these documents: Haslam administration linked $300 million to VW-UAW process

Were hundreds of millions of your tax dollars offered to Volkswagen -- and then pulled back -- to try to keep the United Auto Workers out of Chattanooga?
For months, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has denied any connection.
But documents leaked to NewsChannel 5 Investigates offer conclusive proof that the Haslam administration wanted a say in the automaker's deal with organized labor -- in exchange for $300 million in economic incentives to help VW expand its Chattanooga operations.

Throughout the election, Governor Haslam denied involvement in the VW/UAW but this document shows the role that Haslam played in trying to get rid of UAW. It also states that Corker's Chief of Staff was in direct involvement with anti-union forces. Read More

Connect! Three Star Kossacks and Nashville KosKats to Convene!

Sandy on Signal for Three Star Kossacks

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Thursday March 06, 2014 · 8:45 AM PST

2014/03/06 · 08:45

With the sudden and significant uptick in diaries related to issues that affect all Tennesseans, in Nashville and Statewide, it has come to the attention of the Three Star Kossacks and the Nashville Koskats that a joint meeting is in order. Thus we have determined that our first annual March Meeting will be held this coming Saturday, March 8 at The Pour House.

Sandy on Signal

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Wednesday March 05, 2014 · 4:57 PM PST

2014/03/05 · 16:57

Tonight, we remember two patriots dedicated to the service of our nation. One was a young Marine on his first tour of duty; and, the other an Airman with the Air National Guard, who had multiple tours of duty.

Since 2001, there have been 2310 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.

Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.

Sandy on Signal for Three Star Kossacks

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Wednesday February 19, 2014 · 8:28 AM PST

2014/02/19 · 08:28

no image description available — VW's officials vs. Bob Corker. Who do you believe? Thanks to Tracy Knauss for his artwork.

Last Friday, Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga voted against having UAW represent them. This was a shock to many because initially the workers supported it. By Friday, Sen. Bob Corker, State Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Gerald McCormick's threats and intimidation caused the workers to worry they might be responsible for shutting the plant down or not having it expand by manufacturing the new SUV.

Corker was smug and gleeful. After the vote, he told the Media:

“Needless to say, I am thrilled for the employees at Volkswagen and for our community and its future.”

Corker may be thrilled, but VW and many others are disappointed by his interference and fear-mongering. From Reuters: VW workers may block southern US deals, if no unions

"I can imagine fairly well that another VW factory in the United States, provided that one more should still be set up there, does not necessarily have to be assigned to the south again," said Bernd Osterloh, head of VW's works council.
"If co-determination isn't guaranteed in the first place, we as workers will hardly be able to vote in favor" of potentially building another plant in the U.S. south, Osterloh, who is also on VW's supervisory board, said.

Osterloh added:

"The conservatives stirred up massive, anti-union sentiments," Osterloh said. "It's possible that the conclusion will be drawn that this interference amounted to unfair labor praxis."

Heckuva job, Corkey! Your interference will cost Chattanooga in terms of jobs, plus all the incentives given to bring VW here. Sen. Corker it is YOU that is the laughingstock of the world.

VW's officials vs. Bob Corker. Who do you believe? Thanks to Tracy Knauss for his artwork.

UPDATE: VW CEO Calls out Corker for saying VW won't expand if UAW is approved in Chattanooga

Sandy on Signal for Three Star Kossacks

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Wednesday February 12, 2014 · 5:48 PM PST

2014/02/12 · 17:48

Hat tip to Kicks82 for sharing this update this morning from VW's CEO for Chattanooga Mr. Frank Fisher from Reuters:

"There is no connection between our Chattanooga employees' decision about whether to be represented by a union and the decision about where to build a new product for the U.S. market," said Frank Fischer, CEO and chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga in a statement early Thursday.

At this moment, workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga are voting to determine if they want to want unionize. In spite of a significant snow storm, the election is taking place from February 12th to the 14th.

Anti-union groups have gone into full assault mode to stop the workers from voting in the UAW. The TNGOP and third parties continue to threaten and insult Volkswagen workers in order to prevent the workers from organizing.

On Wednesday, Republican Senator Bob Corker told reporters:

“I’ve had conversations today and based on those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga.”

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IGTNT: Remembering a Sailor

My climate change letter botched and butchered by our conservative newspaper in Chattanooga

IGTNT: Devoted to his country

IGTNT: He never met his six week old son

IGTNT: She was only 19

Update: VW has secured other offers out of TN & Haslam reneged $300,000,000 deal with VW over UAW

Volkswagen considers adopting UAW and tossing out old election

TN Gov. Haslam offered VW $300 million in incentives, if no UAW

Connect! Three Star Kossacks and Nashville KosKats to Convene!

IGTNT: Remembering a Marine and an Airman

VW reconsiders expansion in South after no UAW in Chattanooga

UPDATE: VW CEO Calls out Corker for saying VW won't expand if UAW is approved in Chattanooga