OMG the Dept. of Homeland Security wants me

[wtmusic]

Got this email today:

Dear ,

In response to the September 11th tragedy, President Bush signed an Executive Order for the development of the Citizen Corps under the Department of Homeland Security. We wish to establish the long-due San Fernando Valley Medical Reserve Corps (SFV-MRC) and the San Fernando Valley Citizen Corps (SFV-CC), collectively the SFV-Corps. We need the help of your web design company.

<snip>

The ultimate purpose of the SFV-CC is to develop a systematic, efficient, and effective method for providing public education and training opportunities, stimulating wide-spread participation, and organizing volunteer programs to increase the safety of our community.

The Valley is prone to several major natural disasters, for instance, wild fire, earthquake, mudslide, and flooding. In addition, given the our extensive array of prominent businesses and research industries in aerospace, construction, entertainment, food processing, and manufacturing, coupled with a population greater than Hawaii, Maine, and Idaho, the Valley poses as a potential target for terrorists. The SFV-Corps will tender education and prevention services, in coordination with local colleges and universities, to improve the public health infrastructure of our neighborhoods and communities. The Corps will strategize with local, state, and federal law enforcement and terrorism response teams to formulate and institute a citizen approach to thwart and combat terrorism.

Is this campaign propaganda? Should I respond?

[NMDemDist2]

1. they want you to help design the website?

are you a webmaster?

[wtmusic]

9. that's what it looks like

and yes

[tech3149]

2. trace the source

If the originating IP is a gov domain (double check for spoofing) it's valid. It wouldn't hurt to be prepared for emergencies. Even better if the training is free. If things go real bad, you could be a double agent for the underground.

[notadmblnd]

3. and don't forget to bill them.

nt

[kerry-is-my-prez]

7. Bill them the same way Halliburton bills the military.

Let's see - $500,000 dollars for a one page web site sounds about right.....

Then to really piss them off - send 50% of the proceeds to the Kerry campaign.

[wtmusic]

10. HA! Community service!

Love it :thumbsup:

[jukes]

4. GA has GEMA

a FEMA analogue. they also have a citizen's coprs, volunteers to bee on-call for disasters.

sort of like a volunteer fire dept. it's legit, non-political, & worthwhile to a limited degree.

i'd take the contract if i were you.

[patdem]

5. I would NOT trust e-mail.... a letter with the homeland security logo

could be the real thing...but email for such an important thing?? Probably a money thing...get you to pay for the seminar???

[shance]

6. Info on the *Citizen Corps* created by Homeland Security

Im wondering the difference between this program and the TIPS program.

Im also wondering how many DUers have received any informations on this program and have been asked to get involved?

There are at least three *neighborhood* programs Ive read about being intiated by Homeland Security and the Republican party. Wheres the bi-partisanship?


President Creates Citizen Corps

Citizen Corps Logo

* The Citizen Corps will enable Americans to volunteer to participate directly in homeland security efforts in their own communities. Citizen Corps will be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
* Community-based Citizen Corps Councils will help drive local involvement in Citizen Corps, developing community action plans, assessing possible threats, identifying local resources and coordinating other Citizen Corps programs.
* These Councils will be broad-based - including leaders from law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, businesses, community-based institutions, schools, places of worship, health care facilities, public works and other key community sectors.
* The President's budget for FY 03 will request $144 million in matching funds to support the formation and training of local Citizen Corps Councils.
* Citizen Corps volunteers will be able to participate in a variety of programs that match their skills and abilities. The President's FY 03 budget provides more than $230 million for these efforts, including:
* Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program: Builds on successful local programs in which civilian volunteers help local police departments to perform non-sworn functions, freeing up police officers to perform vital front-line duties in times of emergency.
* Medical Reserve Corps: Enables retired healthcare professionals to effectively augment local health officials' capacity to respond to an emergency.
* Operation TIPS (Terrorist Information and Prevention System): Operation TIPS will enable millions of America transportation workers, postal workers, and public utility employees to identify and report suspicious activities linked to terrorism and crime.
* Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): The President has proposed tripling over the next two years the number of Americans enrolled in CERT - a training program that enables individual Americans to participate in emergency management planning in their communities and prepare to respond to disasters and other emergencies.
* Neighborhood Watch Programs: The President's plan will double the number of Neighborhood Watch Programs in the next two years, and enhance the program by incorporating terrorism prevention into its mission.
* Citizens' Preparedness Guidebook: The Citizens' Preparedness Guidebook provides current crime and disaster preparedness techniques as well as the latest information on terrorism, to give Americans guidance on how to prepare in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and public spaces.
* For more information on Citizen Corps initiatives or to become a volunteer, Americans can visit www.citizencorps.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS.

[wtmusic]

Reeks of witch-hunts and fearmongering to me

Nothing wrong with preparedness. But recruiting volunteers for TIPS, Neighborhood Watch, etc.?

I'm going to have to find a way to chase this one down. Why didn't I get this 3 years ago? Looks a lot like a GOP reelection tactic.

Thanks for the info, BTW.

[shance]

16. You bet. Its the secrecy that I dont understand.

How are they being funded, whos being contacted about these programs?

Doesnt make sense.

[Eric J in MN]

8. Was a person's name at the bottom of the email?

If so, whose name?

[wtmusic]

11. The domain is neuroinitiative.org

which appears to be a non-profit psychiatric information portal. Weird.

[Eric J in MN]

13. So there isn't the name of a person in the letter? (nt)

nt

[Cat Atomic]

12. Sounds like a group soliciting pro bono work.

Possibly even a quasi-Bush campaign group.

I get this sort of thing occasionally as well (I do interactive design). If it's not a cause I believe in or a group I'm familiar with, I send them a bid. Most don't write back.

[SheilaT]

14. Yes, yes, yes! Do it!

Charge them a LOT of money. Get rich. Give some of it to DU, some more to other worthy causes, and buy yourself something nice. Do not pass up this opportunity.

A man I know who is a serious professional webdesigner for businesses, got a call about a year ago asking him if he'd do web design for Republicans, and he turned them down before it dawned on him he could take them for a lot of money and maybe even subtly sabotage them. But he's very honorable, and decent, and did the right thing.

[walldude]

15. Why do I get the feeling

that they don't want to pay you for this? And if they do want to pay you you should be honored to be in the same company as Halliburton, who also got no-bid contracts from the Bushies ;)

[wtmusic]

17. It's "volunteer"

and WTF, why do I have to donate my time to protect my community from the after-effects of Junior's failed foreign policy? Why do I have to pay the bill for his huge deficit? (Sorry just ranting) :grr:

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. you'd think that

"given the our (sic) extensive array of prominent businesses and research industries in aerospace, construction, entertainment, food processing, and manufacturing", these rich companies would be able to afford to pay for something that benefits them.

And I haven't seen Halliburton doing much volunteering in Iraq. I think you should mention the words "cost-plus" in your reply.

[wtmusic]

19. My response

Mr. ,

Thank you for your interest in our services.

Although I support efforts to make the Valley safer, I am not willing to volunteer services in light of the following:

1. The current increased risk of terrorism is directly the result of President Bush's failed foreign policy;
2. The President's irresponsible tax cuts, which benefit only the Valley's wealthiest residents, have made it impossible to fund your project properly (perhaps donation requests should be directed to them).

Should funding become available we would be happy to submit a proposal.

Sincerely,

[Vickers]

20. Ha! Perfect!

:toast: