Syrian Assaults/ History of Social Services/ Random holiday links

Missoulian: US condemns air assault by Syrian government
Statement by Press Secretary Jay Carney on the Ongoing Air Assaults by the Syrian Government

“The United States condemns the ongoing air assault by Syrian government forces on civilians, including the indiscriminate use of SCUD missiles and barrel bombs in and around Aleppo over the last week. The attacks over the weekend killed more than 300 people, many of them children. The Syrian government must respect its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population. The Syrian government must fulfill its November commitment to do more to facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, so that millions of Syrian men, women, and children have access to urgently needed services. To bring the suffering of the Syrian people to an end, it is imperative that Syrians reach a comprehensive and durable political solution to end the crisis in Syria. The United States remains committed to advancing a political settlement to help end the bloodshed in Syria.”

Missoulian: Health law not first new program with launch woes

Social Security: A Program and Policy History
The Development of Social Security in America
History of Medicare and Medicaid
A Short History of SNAP

Some links for the holidays.

Who invented electric Christmas lights?

History of the National Christmas Trees

The First Lady Reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Children's National Medical Center

America’s Story- Christmas Day

Holiday and Christmas tree fire safety outreach materials

Seasonal Specialties Recalls Pre-lit Christmas Trees Due to Fire, Burn and Shock Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Menards

Endangered Species Act/ Work at Glacier/ S. Sudan

Missoulian: Endangered Species Act's 40th anniversary draws celebration, critics

Endangered Species
“For 40 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected America's imperiled plants and animals—from the carnivorous green pitcher plant of Southeastern wetlands, to the western snowy plover of northwestern beaches, to the iconic polar bear of the Arctic.”

Missoulian: Want to work in Glacier? Now's the time to apply

Work with Us
“When you were a kid, did you dream of being a park ranger - or do you just think the hat is cool (it's ok, we do too!)”

USAJobs.gov

Missoulian: US moves troops in prep for more action in S Sudan

Message to the Congress -- War Powers Resolution Regarding South Sudan

U.S. Citizen Evacuation in South Sudan

“The U.S. government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of United States citizens in South Sudan. We are working with our allies around the world to connect with and evacuate U.S. citizens as quickly and safely as possible. For their safety and security, we will not outline specific evacuation plans.”

Baucus/ Forest Jobs Act/ Mayorkas/ Military Sexual Assault

Missoulian: Obama nominates Baucus as ambassador to China
President Obama Announces his Intent to Nominate Senator Max Baucus as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China

Missoulian: Tester's Forest Jobs Act passes Senate committee
S.364 — Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act of 2013

Missoulian: Senate confirms Mayorkas to Homeland Security Dept

On the Nomination (Confirmation Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security )

Missoulian: Obama orders military to review sexual assault
Statement by the President on Eliminating Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces

Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 3304, with an amendment. (Subtitle D- Military Justice….)

Hunting Regulations/ NSA Spying/ Right to Privacy in the Digital Age

Missoulian: FWP considers hunting regulation changes
Montana's 2014-2015 Hunting Regulation Proposals Up For Review
“At the meetings in January, FWP will present proposals to aid the recovery of Montana's declining deer populations by reducing hunting pressure on antlerless mule deer and white-tailed deer. Wildlife managers surmise Montana's deer numbers are in decline statewide due to a number of unique circumstances—from the cyclical nature of mule deer populations to predation and disease and from drought to tough winter conditions. For the next two hunting seasons, with a few exceptions to address game damage issues, FWP proposes to: 1) convert general mule deer seasons to antlered-only; 2) eliminate most mule deer B, or antlerless, licenses; 3) eliminate white-tailed deer B licenses in Regions 4 and 6 and in most of Region 5.”

Missoulian: 5 major NSA spying task force recommendations
Liberty and Security in a Changing World
“On August 27, 2013, the President announced the creation of the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. The immediate backdrop for our work was a series of disclosures of classified information involving foreign intelligence collection by the National Security Agency. The disclosures revealed intercepted collections that occurred inside and outside of the United States and that included the communications of United States persons and legal permanent residents, as well as non-United States persons located outside the United States. Although these disclosures and the responses and concerns of many people in the United States and abroad have informed this Report, we have focused more broadly on the creation of sturdy foundations for the future, safeguarding (as our title suggests) liberty and security in a rapidly changing world.”

Missoulian: UN votes to protect privacy in digital age
General Assembly adopts consensus text backing right to privacy in digital age
Deeply concerned that electronic surveillance, interception of digital communications and collection of personal data may negatively impact human rights, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a consensus resolution strongly backing the right to privacy, calling on all countries take measures to end activities that violate this fundamental “tenet of a democratic society.”

Campaign Finance/ CSKT Water/ Farm Bill/ Teen Drug Use

Missoulian: Campaign finance: Man fined $100 for Missoula school election 'reward'

Bixler v Suprock

Missoulian: Report released on CSKT water compact, impact if fails, off-reservation claims
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Water Compact Report

Missoulian: Conference committee sees progress, but no farm bill vote until 2014
S.954 - Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013

Missoulian: Survey: Teens using synthetic drugs less often

Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings