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Some refunds delayed as IRS battle against fraud intensifies

'...The agency is barred from issuing refunds before Feb. 15 on any returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Congress mandated the delay to give the IRS more time to review returns to try to catch fraudulent ones before refunds are paid out. In reality, taxpayers taking these credits will probably have to wait even longer to get their refunds — until the week of Feb. 27, the IRS says, because of weekends and the President's Day holiday...'

Reference: www.foxbusiness.com
Tags: IRS, Delay of tax refunds in 2017,

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What's Happening with Retirement

'...in the active workforce CSRS people are seen as kind of a favored sub-category, with a civil service annuity formula producing a benefit roughly double what FERS people earn, for the same years of service and the same high-3 salary level. (The Social Security component of FERS and the employer contributions to the TSP there were designed to make up the difference. Whether they do is another question, one that you can get answered by asking any FERS person whether he or she would rather have CSRS.)...'

Reference: www.fedweek.com
Tags: CSRS vs FERS, Social Security, TSP, Federal Retirement,

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The Clintons think of us as the help: 'to the Clintons, we are all valets...'

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Carr: Nation fails its moral exam

'...From WikiLeaks, we know the disdain they have for “medieval” Catholics and “needy Latinos.” We’ve long understood the Clintons’ breathtaking contempt for “the help” — Secret Service agents, the military, basically anyone in uniform. Now we’re discovering the Clintons’ supposed acolytes feel the same way about their masters. They say no man is a hero to his valet, and to the Clintons, we are all valets...'

Reference:
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Cybersecurity threat to Election Day is slim, experts say

'...Cyber security experts say the threat to Tuesday's election by some malign state actor or rogue hacker changing the actual vote count is probably slim, given that the U.S. voting system is fragmented and decentralized. The state by state, district by district and polling place by polling place network provides an inherent safeguard – one that is augmented by the fact that widely used electronic voting machines are not connected to the internet...'

Reference: www.foxnews.com
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A riigged political system and more proof of biased media as the administration attempts to hide Wikileaks damaging leaks

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Unethical Media Colluding With Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Campaign

'... Another email reveals more media collusion with Clinton campaign...As the 2016 Presidential election comes less than one month a way, new information shows that major members of the media are or have apparently colluded to help the political campaign of Hillary Clinton. Normally, the way this is should work is the media is supposed to act as an ethical, independent, watchdog to help keep government honest and transparent when there is a lack of such...

Reference: www.netadvisor.org
Tags: Rigged Political System, Biased Media,

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FBI arrests contractor in probe over stolen code used to hack other countries: NYT

'...The FBI has arrested a contractor for the National Security Agency and is probing whether he stole and disclosed highly classified computer "source code" developed to hack into the networks...'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags: National Security Agency (NSA), Cyber Theft,

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Trial Opens For Occupiers Of Oregon Wildlife Refuge

'...In most cases, a) there's some dispute over what actually happened, b) there might be at least some question as to sort of the legality of things that were done, and c) the defendant's goal is to be acquitted or to minimize the charges or to minimize sentencing," Sali says. "Here, most of those things are absent...they were exercising their First and Second Amendment rights...'

Reference: www.npr.org
Tags: Second Amendment rights, The First Amendment, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Occupation/Protest,

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Obama just granted clemency to 111 federal inmates, 35 of whom had life sentences

'...caught in crossfire in Chicago and killed on Friday, it was revealed that the alleged shooters were felons on parole. That in turn prompted calls from local officials for stiffer sentencing...'

Reference: vice.com
Tags: Obama clemency initiative

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U.S. Army fudged its accounts by trillions of dollars, auditor finds

'...The IG report also blamed DFAS, saying it too made unjustified changes to numbers. For example, two DFAS computer systems showed different values of supplies for missiles and ammunition, the report noted – but rather than solving the disparity, DFAS personnel inserted a false “correction” to make the numbers match...'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags: DFAS, Army, Obama Legacy, Accounting Failures,

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Guccifer 2.0 hacked DCCC

'...I wonder what happened to the true democracy, to the equal opportunities, the things we love the United States for. The big money bags are fighting for power today. They are lying constantly and don’t keep their word. The MSM are producing tons of propaganda hiding the real stuff behind it. But I do believe that people have right to know what’s going on inside the election process in fact...'

Reference: guccifer2.wordpress.com
Tags: Guccifer 2.0

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Federal Worker Retirement Pamphlets and Publications

• Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) Publications
• Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Publications
• Retirement and Insurance Publications
• Other Retirement Publications
• Publicaciones en español
• Federal Long Term Care Insurance
• Health Benefits
• Life Insurance

Reference: www.opm.gov
Tags: Retirement Pamphlets (OPM),

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Lawmakers: 'Ransom' to Iran puts Americans at risk

'...U.S. government airlifted the equivalent of $400 million to Iran this past January – as four detained Americans were released by Tehran – and say the transaction has put more Americans at risk of being taken hostage...Obama administration denied the cash transfer was done to secure the release of the four Americans, GOP lawmakers said it was tantamount to “ransom...'

Reference: www.foxnews.com
Tags: $1.7 billion arms settlement for Iran, Does America pay ransom?, Iran, Lawmakers, Obama administration, Obama Legacy,

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House Passes Package of Reforms Aimed at Federal Agencies and Employees

'...The House of Representatives passed a package of government reform bills today that would make a number of changes impacting the federal workforce. The legislation is known as the Government Reform and Improvement Act (GRIA) (H.R. 4361) and is actually a package of past proposed bills. The package includes...'

Reference: blogs.fedsmith.com
Tags: Government Reform and Improvement Act (GRIA) (H.R. 4361)

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Seniors group warns of Social Security buying power loss

'...Social Security has already lost 23 percent of its buying power since 2000, and another potential year of no cost-of-living increase could squeeze seniors — whose expenses haven’t lowered with low inflation...'

Reference: www.benefitspro.com
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Lawmaker Demands Information on Excessive Bonuses Paid to Federal Employees

'...problems and delays at TSA. “Smurfing” is a technique that breaks specific financial transactions into something below the reporting requirement to mask them. “Hoggan’s $90,000 in bonus payments in 13 months is a clear violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of the law,” wrote McCaskill in her letter to acting OPM director Beth Cobert...'

Reference: blogs.fedsmith.com
Tags: Kelly Hoggan, Smurfing,

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Will There Be a COLA Increase in 2017 for Federal Retirees?

'...Social Security benefits and federal retirement benefits did not go up in 2016. This was obviously bad news for retirees who rely on their monthly checks for a big part of their overall income. No COLA increase resulted in millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees paying for increasing food and other costs with the same income they had in the previous year. To add insult to injury, medical costs and medical insurance also went up, so these extra costs also had to be absorbed with the same income as the year before...'

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Tags:2017 Federal Employee COLA, 2017 Federal Employee Pay Raise,

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Video: Wishy Washy Politicians Will Say Anything to Get You to Bite

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Watch the video of Obama talking about Hillary in 2008 and compare that to his endorsement of her now.

Wishy Washy: Obama Endorses Clinton, But What Does He Truly Think of Lying Hillary

Now that corporate backed Hillary Clinton has trash talked Bernie Sanders to the degree that we no longer have an opportunity for 'real' positive change for all Americans, we are left with the standard of fake, lying, corporate backed scum that are destroying the working class and raping seniors by not expanding Social Security, yet permitting corporations, big oil, and the extreme wealthy to ride off the backs of working men and women. All of this while we permit transgenders to share restrooms and locker rooms with our children. Way to go America! Let's keep the world laughing at us while we decline with our own naive lack of common sense.

Reference: Federal Employees
Tags:Liars endorsing liars, Obama Legacy,

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Harvard Poll: Tthe American Dream is Dead for Them

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Nearly Half of Young Americans Believe the American Dream is Dead for Them

'...When November IOP polling asked 18- to 29- year-olds if the “American Dream is alive or dead” for them personally, respondents were nearly evenly split (49%: “alive;” 48%: “dead”). While no significant difference was found based on race or ethnicity (whites – 49% said “alive;” African-Americans – 44% said “alive;” Hispanics – 52% said “alive”), respondents’ level of education did play a role. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) college graduates said the American Dream was alive for them personally, compared to only 42% of those not in college/never enrolled in college saying the same. Additionally, a significant majority of both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders supporters said they believed the American dream was “dead” (Trump voters – 61%: American Dream “dead,” 39%: “alive;” Sanders voters – 56%: American Dream “dead,” 44%: “alive”)...'

Reference: iop.harvard.edu
Tags: Obama Legacy, The American Dream, Destruction of America's Working Class,

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Hillary has no need to worry, the current administration wants her to be President

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State Dept. inspector general report sharply criticizes Clinton’s email practices

'...The report says Clinton, who is the Democratic presidential front-runner, should have printed and saved her emails during her four years in office...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags: The Clintons, Hillary, Destruction of America's Working Class,

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Federal employee resignation can start lawsuit time limit (constructive discharge claim)

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Resignation Can Start Lawsuit Time Limit

'...The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that federal workers who want to file a constructive discharge claim have 45 days from the time they resign to do so. The ruling effectively extends the time former federal employees have to file lawsuits over purported discriminatory acts in the workplace. With their 7-1 ruling the court rejected the Justice Department's argument that the clock should start ticking on such claims when the conditions the filers allegedly confronted at work became intolerable. Marvin Green, a former Colorado postmaster, claimed in a lawsuit ...'

Reference: www.courthousenews.com
Tags: constructive discharge claim

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Opinion without an opinion: A short, referenced guide on LGBT rights debate in America

What Would Obama Do?

What is the big deal with accommodating LGBT's in the federal workforce or anywhere for that matter? Obama says 'LGBT rights are human rights’ ...that is the word from Obama. So why is it an issue? The largest argument comes from the religious side of the debate. A christian believer in God often feels that what someone does behind closed doors is their business and are held accountable based on the beliefs of each party. Live and let live! However, what happens when the government infringes upon the religious beliefs of others? This is where the debate occurs. The Bible says, 'If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.' Obviously you can see that when a government forces the lifestyle of others upon those that are opposed to that lifestyle based on their religious convictions, it is going to be a problem. But what does the constitution say about protecting alternative lifestyles or impeding the free exercise of religion. The constitution is clear on impeding the free exercise of religion and spells it out using the specific word 'religion.' The constitution 'prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting ...' As far as LGBT constitutional right trumping religious freedom, we are at a loss for a reference with the exception of Obama. These are the facts, your opinion is yours, as well as your right to agree with Obama, God, The Constitution, or your own subjectively created cocktail of oil and water. Your support simply lies with what you personally believe within yourself.

Reference: federal-employees.blogspot.com

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Inadequate Staffing at TSA Causing Long Waits at Security Lines

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TSA Increasing Staffing as Waits Soar at Airport Security Lines

'...Confronted with projections that airport security lines will surge this summer, the Transportation Security Administration is adding screeners, bringing more bomb-sniffing dogs to congested hubs and asking Congress for funds to increase overtime...'

Reference: www.bloomberg.com
Tags: Smaller Government, TSA, Homeland Security, Obama Legacy, Jeh Johnson,

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Bill To Release Secret Pages On Saudi-9/11 Role Surging On Hill

'... As commander in chief, Obama... His nonchalant attitude shows disrespect for the 9/11 victims and their families, whom he’s repeatedly promised release of the 28 pages. Yet he’s never even read them? These families need that trove of evidence to get justice and closure on their long-running nightmare. Here we have a president who’s now made a record four trips to Saudi Arabia, counting last week’s trip, and he’s never read the evidence against the kingdom...'

Reference: www.investors.com
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Get the $20 bill 'collectible' uncut sheet before the currency change from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

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$20 Currency Sheets

'...The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is proud to present the Series 2009 $20 Uncut Currency Sheets bearing the signatures of U.S. Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner and Treasurer of the United States, Rosie Rios...'

Reference: www.moneyfactorystore.gov
Tags: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

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FBI Warns Of Car Hacking Risks: Increased Connectivity Leaves Vehicles Vulnerable To Cybersecurity Threats

'...Some of the vehicle manipulations these researchers successfully performed remotely on a vehicle include shutting down the engine, disabling the brakes and even steering. That's on vehicles traveling between 5 and 10 mph. In vehicles traveling at any speed, the researchers could manipulate the door locks, turn signals, tachometer, radio and GPS...'

Reference: www.techtimes.com
Tags: Active Remote Automobile Hacking,

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More Reading: FBI Public Service Announcement on Automobile Hacking Dangers

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Sick Leave and Retirement Crediting

'...When you retire, unused sick leave will be converted into retirement months. If you retire under CSRS, each month’s worth of unused sick leave will increase your annuity by 1/6 of 1 percent (.1666 percent). If you have a full year it will be increased by 2 percent. If you are a FERS retiree...'

Reference: www.fedweek.com
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Bernie Beats the Serpent: America angry about politicians bought and paid for by corporations and the one-percenters

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Sanders surprises Clinton

'...The 69-year-old New Yorker built his victories in Michigan, in the heart of the industrial Midwest, and Mississippi in the Deep South with broad appeal across many demographics. He won evangelical Christians, Republicans, independents, those who wanted an outsider and those who said they were angry about how the federal government is working, according to exit polls...'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags: 2016 Election Update

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Benghazi (Clinton-gate): Do you trust Hillary or the protectors of our great nation

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Benghazi committee receives new documents as more Clinton emails are released

'... polls show many voters do not trust Clinton and that they believe she did something wrong in her handling of the emails. Exit polls from the Democratic primaries held so far show that a vast majority of voters who were seeking a candidate who is honest and trustworthy supported Bernie Sanders...'

Reference: cbs6albany.com
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Postal Worker Attacked In Dorchester

'...allegedly attacked a postal worker in Dorchester. The USPS Letter Carrier says he was delivering mail when he was attacked in the area of ...'

Reference: boston.cbslocal.com
Tags: Federal crime, Attack on Postal Worker, USPS,

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What Sanders' Big Government Proposals Would Actually Mean for Federal Agencies

'...While the Republican-controlled Congress has fought to shrink government and rein in what it views as an out-of-control bureaucracy, Sandersis looking to expand it and give it more responsibility...'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags: Sanders

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Feds arrest 2 Middle East refugees on terror-link charges

'...accused of lying to immigration officials about their alleged ties to terrorist organizations. The two men were arrested Thursday. Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, of Houston, was charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, 23, of Sacramento, California...'

Reference: www.cnn.com
Tags: refugees,

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USPS Releasing 50th Anniversary Star Trek Stamps

'... stamps are designed by The Heads of State and pay homage to the most recognizable aspects of Star Trek: The Original Series. This isn’t the first time Star Trek has been immortalized by the USPS however...'

Reference: comicbook.com
Tags: Star Trek Stamps

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Yahoo will now tell you if your account is attacked by government hackers

'...Yahoo has announced in a blog post that it will warn users if it thinks their accounts are being attacked by state-sponsored hackers...'

Reference: www.businessinsider.com
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Big banks to get free money to guarantee they charge you more for credit

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Why the Fed Just Decided to Give Big Banks Free Money

'...the Fed is paying America’s banks, collectively, a little more than $12.5 billion per year. So why is the Fed paying banks so much? ...'

Reference: fortune.com
Tags: Fed Rate Hike,

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Chattanooga shooting a 'terror attack,' FBI Director James Comey says

'...The semantic dance of whether or not to call the July mass shooting in Chattanooga a 'terrorist' attack appears to be winding down. FBI Director James Comey twice called the deadly Chattanooga shooting that killed four Marines and one sailor a 'terror attack' during a...'

Reference: www.foxnews.com
Tags: terror attack, FBI, Chattanooga shooting terrorist attack,

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myRA.gov: A new retirement savings account with the government

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myra.gov

'...myRA.gov is a simple, safe, affordable way to start saving for retirement. Open a myRA, build up savings, then move on to other investments. myRA® is designed to make saving for retirement easy for people who need it most – workers who don’t have access to a retirement savings plan at their job or lack other options to save. It’s affordable. Fits your budget with no cost or fees. *Interest earned is at the same rate as investments in the Government Securities Fund, which earned 2.31% in 2014 and an average annual return of 3.19% over the ten-year period ending December 2014...'

Reference: myra.gov
Tags: myra.gov

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The Difference Between a Supplement and Social Security

'...To get the supplement, you have to be younger than age 62 at retirement and eligible for an immediate, unreduced, non-disability FERS basic retirement benefit. You’re eligible at your minimum retirement age (between 55 and 57, depending on your year of birth) with at least 30 years of creditable service, or age 60 with at least 20 years of creditable service...'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags: FERS Supplement.,

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FBI chief concerned about surge in inner-city violence

'...-- The fact that many police and sheriff departments nationally are short-handed. -- A "YouTube" and "gangbanger" culture that treats guns as if they were fashion accessories. He pointed out that the increase in shootings has included a surge in multivictim incidents, meaning more shootouts. There were several such incidents in Cincinnati over the summer, including an August shootout in Madisonville that left two dead and five injured...'

Reference:
Tags: www.usatoday.com

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FBI says it 'disrupted' dozens of potential militants

'...Comey said investigators had followed "dozens and dozens of people around the United States 24/7" during the summer and had "disrupted" them. Comey told the committee that Islamic State recruits from the United States are incrementally younger with more "girls –women under 18" - seeking to join the militant group...'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags:

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How did ISIS get so many Toyota pick-up trucks and SUVs

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US Officials Ask How ISIS Got So Many Toyota Trucks

'...Toyota has a “strict policy to not sell vehicles to potential purchasers who may use or modify them for paramilitary or terrorist activities,” Lewis said. He said it is impossible for the company to track vehicles that have been stolen, or have been bought and re-sold by middlemen...'

Reference: abcnews.go.com
Tags: Terror Financing unit of the Treasury Department, Treasury Department, Toyota Trucks,

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