Senator Grassley: "Someone in the Justice Department leaked a document to the press along with talking points in an attempt to smear one of the ATF whistleblowers who have testified before the House.  This document was supposed to be so sensitive that you refused to provide it to Congress, but then someone provided it to the press.  The name of the criminal suspect in the document was deleted. But the name of the ATF agent was not.  This looks like a clear and intentional violation of the Privacy Act as well as an attempt at whistleblower retaliation. In a private phone conversation with me, you already told me that someone has been held accountable for this.  But your staff refused to provide my staff with any details.  Who was held accountable and how?"

Attorney General Holder: "You know, it - it's - it - it almost pains me and please don't take this away from Senator Grassley - pains me that as you said we had a private conversation.  You sent me a handwritten note that I took very seriously.  You and I have worked together on a variety of things, I think I have a good relationship with you. You sent me a handwritten note that I looked at, took serious, referred that letter to OPR, the I.G., I'm not sure which of the two, and asked them to try to find out what happened.  I called you to try to indicate to you that I had taken that matter seriously, that action had been taken.  You know, in a different time in Washington, I'm not sure that what you just said necessarily would have been shared with everyone here, but, you know, so be it, it's a different time I suppose."

FACT

A week and a half before the November 8th oversight hearing with the Attorney General, Senator Grassley was informed that the Attorney General wanted to speak with him.  Their discussion was a follow-up to a handwritten letter which Senator Grassley had sent to Attorney General Holder on June 30, 2011, but had never released or discussed publicly.  The letter raised concerns about the leak of a sensitive document to the press regarding a whistleblower who had come forward with allegations of gunwalking.

In the Attorney General's call, he assured Senator Grassley that someone had been held accountable for the leak of the document.  However, Attorney General Holder would not identify who had been held accountable.  At that time, Senator Grassley informed Attorney General Holder that in order to refrain from raising the issue publicly, Senator Grassley's staff would need more detailed information on the issue from Justice Department staff, such as who had been held accountable and how.  After the phone call, Justice Department staff contacted Senator Grassley's staff, but refused to provide any further details.

 

The evening of the November 8^th hearing, attorneys for former U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke acknowledged that Mr. Burke had leaked the sensitive document to the press.  The Justice Department Inspector General confirmed that the office continues to investigate the leak, which means there are others who may be involved in drafting and distributing the talking points and document to the press.  In addition to the Inspector General investigation into the leak, the Justice Department has confirmed that its Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a separate investigation of other leaks.  However, the department has refused to provide additional details.

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

On Thursday (tomorrow), the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will hold a hearing examining derivatives reform that will feature testimony from Gary Gensler, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Mary Schapiro, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Committee members are likely to ask questions about the agencies' work leading up to the MF Global bankruptcy, which has left farmer clients in the lurch.  Sen. Chuck Grassley, a member of the Agriculture Committee, made the following comment on the hearing.  Grassley has a scheduling conflict with the Judiciary Committee, where he serves as Ranking Member, but plans to attend the Agriculture Committee hearing as much as possible.  If he can't attend, he will pose any questions he thinks were not asked to the witnesses for written responses for the hearing record.  Also, the Agriculture Committee has scheduled an investigative hearing on the MF Global case for Dec. 13, so there will be continued opportunities to ask questions.

"I appreciate the committee leaders' attention to this issue.  It's been weeks since MF Global's bankruptcy.  The public is still in the dark on basic facts.  Unanswered questions include who discovered that client money was missing, how much of that money is actually missing, and how much of the client money can be recovered.  I hope the committee will be able to get some direct answers from Chairman Gensler and Chairman Schapiro.  It's a good opportunity to ask the questions our constituents would ask if they could be there."

NFPA's simple tips to stay safe and warm this winter

 November 30, 2011 - 'Tis the season for rosy cheeks, button-down coats, and cranking up the heat. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it's also the time of year when home fires peak, many of which are caused by heating equipment.

"Half of all home heating fires occur during December, January, and February, when we are fully utilizing our heating systems" said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. "The public can reduce their risk of getting left out in the cold by following NFPA's safe heating behaviors."

Dan Doofus highlights the importance of home heating safety.

In NFPA's report "Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment," in 2009, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 58,900 reported home structure fires, 480 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. Stationary and portable space heaters accounted for one-third (32 percent) of reported home heating fires, but nearly 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths, two-thirds (66 percent) of associated civilian injuries, and half (52 percent) of associated direct property damage.

Overall, fires, injuries and damages from fires involving heating equipment were all lower than in 2008 and fit into a largely level trend over the past few years.  The number of deaths from heating equipment was virtually unchanged.

As temperatures begin to drop, here are some safe heating behaviors to follow:

?     All heaters need space.  Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

?     Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.

?     Never use your oven to heat your home.

?     Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.

?     Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

?     Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

?     Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.

?     Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

?     Test smoke alarms monthly.

In an effort to reduce winter fires, NFPA is partnering with the U.S. Fire Administration on a special campaign - Put a Freeze on Winter Fires. For more information, visit NFPA's website at www.nfpa.org/winter.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA's website at www.nfpa.org for more information.

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-30-

ALLIANCE, OH (11/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa will perform in the University of Mount Union's Christmas Festival, Child of Light, on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Myers Sanctuary, located in Dewald Chapel on the University's campus. The holiday event will feature performances from Mount Union's Concert Choir and Women's Choir.

Wachal, a freshman French and international studies major, is a graduate of Bettendorf High School. Wachal also is a soprano and member of the Mount Union Concert Choir.

Under the direction of Dr. Grant Cook III, director of choral activities at Mount Union, the choirs will combine choral selections and traditional carols with scriptures and readings of the season.

The performance is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To make reservations, contact the Office of Alumni Relations and University Activities at (330) 823-2030 or alumni@mountunion.edu.

About the University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Ranked as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience, as evidenced by its mission to prepare students for fulfilling lives, meaningful work and responsible citizenship. The University's 115-acre campus is located in Alliance, Ohio, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and more than $100 million has been invested in the construction and renovation of modern facilities throughout the course of the past decade. For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Courtney-Wachal-to-Perform-in-University-of-Mount-Union-Christmas-Festival/3125828.