The Daily Muck

On YouTube, Charges of Security Flaws
Three weeks after insider publication NavyTimes reported it, the Washington Post savvies that a whistleblower posted a video claiming serious problems with Coast Guard patrol boats.

According to Michael DeKort, the boats made by his employer, Lockheed Martin, have blind spots in their surveillance systems, and other problems. The Coast Guard has asked YouTube to remove the video; as of yesterday, according to the Post, it’s still available — but less popular than a clip of a cat playing with a wheel. (WPost, Navy Times)

N.O. Not Ready for Prime Time
“On the eve of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and with Tropical Storm Ernesto bearing down on Florida and the Gulf Coast, a government watchdog says specialized government rescue teams that search out and save people trapped in damaged buildings are badly underfunded, understaffed and largely unprepared for responding to catastrophes.

“The findings, published in a 23-page report by Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner, appear to contradict assurances by senior administration officials that the federal government has learned the lessons of its bungled response to Hurricane Katrina and is prepared to deal with major storms this year.” (Wash Wire, AP)

U.S. Blocks Men’s Return to California From Pakistan
“Federal authorities have prevented two relatives of a father and son convicted recently in a terror-related case from returning home to California from Pakistan unless they agree to be interviewed by the F.B.I.” (NY Times)

Prison for GOP Press-Aide-Turned-Bank-Robber
“Thomas C. Springer, 57, of Garrett Park, [Md.,] worked for three members of Congress, including former Rep. Toby Roth of Wisconsin, before he was sentenced to two years in prison in 1989 for robbing banks in Montgomery County. He went on to work for then-Rep. Michael Forbes of New York before 1996, when he received a 3 1/2-year term for robbing a Vienna, Va.

“Prosecutors say that on Nov. 30, 2005, Springer passed a note to a teller at a Kensington bank that read, “Bank Robbery.” He fled with $400, but dye packs the teller placed in with the money exploded in his coat pocket as he left. A bank customer followed him, and police eventually arrested him in Wheaton.

“In his confession, Stringer explained that he needed the money for golf and to cover his rent, according to the FBI.” (AP)

FBI Said to Investigate “Painter of Light” Kincade
“The FBI is investigating allegations that self-styled ‘Painter of Light’ Thomas Kinkade and some of his top executives fraudulently induced investors to open galleries and then ruined them financially, former dealers contacted by federal agents said.

“Investigators are focusing on issues raised in civil litigation by at least six former Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery owners, people who have been contacted by the FBI said.

“The ex-owners allege in arbitration claims that, among other things, the artist known for his dreamily luminous landscapes and street scenes used his Christian faith to persuade them to invest in the independently owned stores, which sell only Kinkade’s work.

“‘They really knew how to bait the hook,’ said one former dealer who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case. ‘They certainly used the Christian hook.'” (LA Times)

Ex-Colleague Says Armitage Was Source of Leak
Washington Post writes follow-up to original Newsweek story, featuring one anonymous source confirming the original article. (WPost)

Questions Linger on Use of Jet By NY Gov Hopeful Eliot Spitzer
“In May, Mr. Spitzer, on his way to a series of fund-raisers, flew on a jet provided by Richard Fields from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport to Tucson International airport to Lunken Field airport near Cincinnati, and to La Guardia airport in New York City.

“The names of the airports will be important if the state lobbying commission decides to launch an investigation into whether Mr. Fields, a registered lobbyist, violated lobbying regulations by charging Mr. Spitzer and a campaign staffer accompanying him at a first-class commercial rate instead of the actual cost of a chartered flight.” (NY Sun)

Pentagon to Monitor Recruiters
“The Defense Department has announced it will closely monitor military recruiters and their commanders in light of two investigations — one by the government, the other by The Associated Press — that found increased levels of recruiter misconduct.” (AP)

Dem TN Sen. Candidate Ford Releases Full Tax Returns, GOP Candidate Corker Offers Summary of His
“Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. has released full copies of his federal income tax returns for the past four years, while Republican candidate Bob Corker has released only a summary of his returns.” (AP)

Politics as Usual in Calif. Appointments
“[California Governor Arnold] Schwarzenegger [R] has carried on the political tradition of providing favors – in the form of coveted state appointments – to generous campaign donors.

“At least 13 of Schwarzenegger’s appointees, their spouses and their companies have contributed more than $1.4 million to his campaigns, according to campaign disclosure forms and a review by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.” (SD Union-Tribune)

Will Ethics Matter in the Georgia Governor’s Race?
“While the allegations coming out of [Gov. Sonny Perdue (R-GA) and Mark Taylor’s (D-GA)] camps potentially involve serious wrongdoing, it’s an open question whether voters care.

“The research shows that ethics is not a big issue for most voters,’’ said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia. “They figure it has no impact on what kind of job they’ll do.’’ (Gwinnett Daily Post)