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Combating Terrorism: Issues in Managing Counterterrorist Programs Statement of Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
One of the major shortcomings in federal efforts to combat terrorism is the lack of linkage among the terrorist threat, a national strategy, and agency resources. Improvements are also needed in intergovernmental relations at the federal, state, and local levels. The reality is that the federal government cannot respond on its own to terrorist attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons. The Gilmore Panel, which issued its first report last year, found may of the same problems that GAO has cited, including the need for (1) more rigorous analyses of the threat, (2) better management of federal programs, (3) stronger coordination with state and local officials, and (4) a national strategy to combat terrorism.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Challenges to Building a Comprehensive Strategy for Information Sharing and Coordination, Statement of Jack L. Brock, Jr., Director, Governmentwide and Defense Information Systems, Accounting and Information Management Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
The unprecedented growth in use of the Internet has revolutionized the way much of the world communicates and conducts business. Without proper safeguards, this widespread interconnectivity poses enormous risks to America's computer systems and to the critical operations and infrastructures they support. For example, hostile nations or terrorists could use cyber-based tools and techniques to disrupt military operations and communications networks. According to the National Security Agency, potential adversaries are developing a body of knowledge about U.S. systems and about methods to attack these systems. Information sharing and coordination among organizations are central to producing comprehensive and practical approaches and solutions to these threats. The "ILOVEYOU" virus is a case in point Because information sharing mechanisms were unable to provide timely warnings, many entities were caught off guard and forced to take their networks off-line for hours. Data on possible threats--viruses, hoaxes, random threats, news events, and computer intrusions--must be continually collected and analyzed. Appropriate warnings and response actions must be effectively coordinated by strong partnerships to ensure that the right data are in the right place at the right time. Jointly designed, built, and staffed mechanisms among involved parties is most likely to obtain critical buy-in and acceptance. After determining what information to collect and report, guidelines and procedures must be established. At present, there is a shortage of persons with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to undertake these efforts.
Chemical and Biological Defense: Program Planning and Evaluation Should Follow Results Act Framework Statement of Kwai-Cheung Chan, Director, Special Studies and Evaluations, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Governmental Reform, House of Representatives
During the last decade, concerns about the possible use of chemical and biological weapons in both military and civilian settings have led Congress to boost funding for new and expanded initiatives to counter these threats. For example, the Chemical and Biological Defense Program appropriation has more than doubled from $388 million in fiscal year 1996 to $791 million. This testimony discusses whether a framework exists to monitor and evaluate the impact of increased funding on protecting soldiers from the effects of chemical and biological weapons.
Combating Terrorism: Linking Threats to Strategies and Resources, Statement of Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
To develop sound programs to combat terrorism, the United States must develop a thorough understanding of the terrorist threat. U.S. intelligence agencies track and analyze terrorist threats, including the use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. In GAO's view, some public statements made about CBRN do not include important qualifications to the information they present. For example, terrorists would have to overcome significant technical and operational challenges to successfully make and release chemical or biological agents of sufficient quality and quantity to kill or injure large numbers of people without substantial assistance from a foreign government sponsor. Secondly, much federal effort to combat terrorism has been based on vulnerabilities and worst case scenarios rather than an analysis of credible risks. A threat and risk assessment can be used to develop a nationwide strategy and guide resource investments. Officials in five foreign countries GAO visited--Canada, United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, and France--said that because of limited resources, they make funding decisions for programs to combat terrorism on the likelihood of terrorist activity, not on the countries' overall vulnerabilities. These countries maximize their existing capabilities to address a wide array of threats, including emerging threats like CBRN, before they create new capabilities or programs to respond to such attacks.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Fundamental Improvements Needed to Assure Security of Federal Operations, Statement of Jack L. Brock, Jr., Director, Governmentwide and Defense Information Systems Accounting and Information Management Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate
Since the early 1990s, an explosion in computer interconnectivity, particularly the growth in Internet use, has revolutionized the way that the government and the world communicate and do business. The benefits have been enormous. Without proper safeguards, however, this widespread interconnectivity poses enormous risks to critical operations and infrastructures in such areas as telecommunications, power distribution, law enforcement, national defense, and other government services. This testimony discusses efforts by federal agencies to deal with computer security issues. Recent audits by GAO and agency inspectors general show that the government is not adequately protecting critical federal operations and assets from computer attacks. This testimony provides greater detail on these problems and discusses broader issues that need to be considered as a national strategy for critical infrastructure protection is being considered.
Combating Terrorism: Observations on the Threat of Chemical and Biological Terrorism, Statement of Henry L. Hinton, Jr., Assistant Comptroller General, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Without substantial backing from a state sponsors, most terrorists would have to overcome significant technical and other hurdles to produce and release chemical and biological weapons capable of killing or injuring large numbers of people. According to experts GAO consulted, except for toxic industrial chemicals, such as chlorine, specialized knowledge is needed in the manufacturing process and in improvising an effective delivery system for most chemical and nearly all biological weapons. Moreover, some of the components of chemical agents and highly infective strains of biological agents are difficult to obtain. Finally, terrorists would face other obstacles in carrying out a successful attack, from unfavorable weather conditions to personal safety risks. The President's fiscal year 2000 budget proposes $10 billion for counterterrorism programs--an increase of more than $3 billion over the amount requested for fiscal year 1999. To determine whether the government is spending enough on counterterrorism and spending this money on the most appropriate programs, policymakers need the best estimates of the specific threats facing the United States. The intelligence community has recently produced estimates of terrorist threats from abroad involving chemical and biological weapons. GAO recommends that the FBI prepare comparable estimates for domestic threats.
Combating Terrorism: Intergovernmental Partnership in a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness Statement of Paul L. Posner, Managing Director, Federal Budget Issues, Strategic Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility for terrorist attacks. However, local government, including police and fire departments, emergency medical personnel, and public health agencies, is typically the first responder to an incident. The federal government historically has provided leadership, training, and funding assistance. In the aftermath of September 11, for instance, one-quarter of the $40 billion Emergency Response Fund was earmarked for homeland security, including enhancing state and local government preparedness. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is highly intergovernmental, national policymakers must formulate strategies with a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges facing those governments. The development of a national strategy will improve national preparedness and enhance partnerships between federal, state, and local governments. The creation of the Office of Homeland Security is an important and potentially significant first step. The Office of Homeland Security's strategic plan should (1) define and clarify the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities; (2) establish goals and performance measures to guide the nation's preparedness efforts; and (3) carefully choose the most appropriate tools of government to implement the national strategy and achieve national goals.
Terrorism Insurance: Rising Uninsured Exposure to Attacks Heightens Potential Economic Vulnerabilities Statement of Richard J. Hillman Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
The tragic events of September 11, 2001 brought to light the huge potential exposures insurance companies could face in the event of another terrorist attack. Faced with continued uncertainties about the frequency and magnitude of future attacks, at the same time government and military leaders are warning of new attacks to come, both insurers and re-insurers have determined that terrorism is not an insurable risk at this time. As a result, in the closing months of last year insurers began announcing that they could not afford to continue providing coverage for potential terrorism losses. The effects of this trend have yet to be fully realized, but there is some indication that it has begun to cause difficulties for some firms in certain economic sectors. My statement today is based on discussions with a variety of insurance industry participants, regulators, policyholders, and other affected parties. Because many companies were deeply concerned about the possibility that their difficulties in getting terrorism coverage might become general knowledge, they spoke to us only on condition of anonymity. Finally, my statement primarily addresses the availability of terrorism insurance coverage.
Combating Terrorism: Key Aspects of a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness, Statement of JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in preparing for catastrophic terrorist attacks. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is intergovernmental, national policymakers need a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges when formulating antiterrorism strategies. Key aspects of this strategy should include a definition and clarification of the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities. GAO's has found fragmentation and overlap among federal assistance programs. More than 40 federal entities have roles in combating terrorism, and past federal efforts have resulted in a lack of accountability, a lack of cohesive effort, and duplication of programs. This situation has led to confusion, making it difficult to identify available federal preparedness resources and effectively partner with the federal government. Goals and performance measures should be established to guide the nation's preparedness efforts. For the nation's preparedness programs, however, outcomes have yet to be defined in terms of domestic preparedness. Given the recent and proposed increases in preparedness funding, real and meaningful improvements in preparedness and establishing clear goals and performance measures are critical to ensuring a successful and a fiscally responsible effort. The strategy should include a careful choice of the most appropriate tools of government to best achieve national goals. The choice and design of policy tools, such as grants, regulations, and partnerships, can enhance the government's ability to (1) target areas of highest risk to better ensure that scarce federal resources address the most pressing needs, (2) promote shared responsibility by all parties, and (3) track and assess progress toward achieving national goals.
Bioterrorism: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Role in Public Health Protection, Statement for the Record by Janet Heinrich, Director, Health Care--Public Health Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives
CDC has a variety of ongoing research and preparedness activities related to bioterrorism. Most of CDC's activities to counter bioterrorism are focused on building and expanding public health infrastructure at the federal, state, and local levels. These include funding research on anthrax and smallpox vaccines, increasing laboratory capacity, and building a national pharmaceutical stockpile of drugs and supplies to be used in an emergency. Since CDC's bioterrorism program began in 1999, funding increased 43 percent in fiscal year 2000 and an additional 12 percent in fiscal year 2001. While the percentage increases are substantial, they reflect only a $73 million increase in overall spending because many of the activities initially received relatively small allocations. Gaps in CDC's activities could hamper the response to a bioterrorist attack. For instance, laboratories at all levels can quickly become overwhelmed with requests for tests. In addition, there is a notable lack of training focused on detecting and responding to bioterrorist threats.
Chemical and Biological Defense: DoD Should Clarify Expectations for Medical Readiness, Statement of Nancy Kingsbury, Managing Director, Applied Research and Methods, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
"As the war on terrorism proceeds at home and abroad, the need for attention to these matters has become more urgent. My testimony today is based on our report on DOD's preparations for medical support for chemical and biological casualties. In the report, which is being released today, we responded to your request that we determine how DOD had adapted its medical personnel to emerging chemical and biological threats. Specifically, we looked at how DOD and the services had addressed chemical and biological threats in the distribution of medical personnel across specialties. We also looked at the extent of training for medical personnel in the treatment of chemical and biological casualties."
Coast Guard: Budget and Management Challenges for 2003 and Beyond Statement of JayEtta Z. Hecker Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
Like many federal agencies, the Coast Guard's priorities were dramatically altered by the events of September 11. The Coast Guard has requested $7.3 billion for fiscal year 2003--a 36 percent increase from the previous year. The events of September 11 caused a substantial shift of effort toward homeland security and away from other missions. As resources were shifted to meet these needs, the law enforcement mission area, which consists mainly of drug and migrant interdiction and fisheries enforcement, saw a dramatic drop in mission capability. The Coast Guard's fiscal year 2003 budget request reflects an attempt to maintain and enhance heightened levels of funding for homeland security while also increasing funding for all other Coast Guard missions beyond fiscal year 2002 levels. The Coast Guard faces substantial management challenges in translating its requested funding increases into increased service levels in its key mission areas. For example, workforce issues present a daunting challenge. If the budget request for fiscal year 2003 is approved, the Coast Guard will add 2,200 full-time positions, retain and build on the expertise and skills of its current workforce, and deal with already high attrition rates and looming civilian retirements. The Coast Guard has yet to determine the long-term level of security needed to protect the nation's major ports. These challenges mean that, in the short term, additional funding may not increase the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its missions.
Social Security: Observations on Improving Distribution of Death Information, Statement of Barbara D. Bovbjerg, Director, Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues and Richard J. Hillman, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Financial Services; and Subcommittee on Social Security, Committee on Ways and Means
Congress, law enforcement, and others have expressed concern about the misuse of Social Security numbers (SSNs). Death information collected by the Social Security Administration (SSA), including the SSN, generally reaches financial institutions and other entities within one to two months of a person's death. SSA and the National Technical Information Service could improve the timeliness of the distribution of the Death Master File. Improving the timeliness of death information to the financial services industry would help to narrow the window of time that a criminal has to open new accounts using a deceased individual's identity. Additional education for the financial services industry about the availability and contents of the Death Master File would also be helpful. Providing timely death information and making financial institutions more aware of a reliable source of such information could deter criminals from using deceased individuals' social security numbers to obtain false identities for fraudulent activities.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Significant Homeland Security Challenges Need to Be Addressed: Statement of Robert F. Dacey Director, Information Security Issues
On June 18, the President transmitted draft legislation to Congress for the creation of a Department of Homeland Security to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recovery from attacks that do occur. As proposed, functions of the Homeland Security Department's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Division would include (1) receiving and analyzing law enforcement information, intelligence, and other information to detect and identify potential threats; (2) assessing the vulnerabilities of the key resources and critical infrastructures; (3) developing a comprehensive national plan for securing these resources and infrastructures; and (4) taking necessary measures to protect these resources and infrastructures, in coordination with other executive agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector. To create this division, six federal organizations that currently play a pivotal role in the protection of national critical infrastructures would be transferred to the new department. Potential benefits for this division include more efficient, effective, and coordinated programs; better control of funding through a single appropriation for the new department and through establishing budget priorities for transferred functions based on their homeland security mission; and the consolidation of points of contact for federal agencies, state and local government, and the private sector in coordinating activities to protect the homeland. Finally, the new department will also face challenges, such as developing a national critical infrastructure protection strategy, improving analytical and warning capabilities, improving information sharing on threats and vulnerabilities, and addressing pervasive weaknesses in federal information security.
Homeland Security: Critical Design and Implementation Issues Statement of David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony before the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"In my testimony today, I will focus on two major issues that we believe the Congress should consider creating a new cabinet department principally dedicated to homeland security: (1) the national strategy and criteria needed to guide any reorganization of homeland security activities and to help evaluate which agencies and missions should be included in or left out of the new DHS; and (2) key issues related to the successful implementation of, and transition to, a new department, including leadership, cost and phasing, and other management challenges. Our testimony is based largely on our previous and ongoing work on national preparedness issues1, as well as a review of the proposed legislation." -David Walker
Homeland Security: Effective Intergovernmental Coordination is Key to Success, Statement of Patricia A. Dalton, Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
In my testimony today, I will focus on the challenges facing the federal government in (1) establishing a leadership structure for homeland security, (2) defining the roles of different levels of government, (3) developing performance goals and measures, and (4) deploying appropriate tools to best achieve and sustain national goals. My comments are based on a body of GAO's work on terrorism and emergency preparedness and policy options for the design of federal assistance, our review of many other studies, and the Comptroller General's recent testimonies on the proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, I will draw on GAO's ongoing work for this Subcommittee, including an examination of the diverse ongoing and proposed federal preparedness programs, as well as a series of case studies we are conducting that examine preparedness issues facing state and local governments. To date, we have conducted interviews of officials in five geographically diverse cities: Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seattle, Washington. We have also interviewed state emergency management officials in these states.
Homeland Security: New Department Could Improve Coordination but Transferring Control of Certain Public Health Programs Raises Concerns, Statement for the Record by Janet Heinrich Director, Health Care--Public Health Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. Senate
Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility for terrorist attacks. However, local government, including police and fire departments, emergency medical personnel, and public health agencies, is typically the first responder to an incident. The federal government historically has provided leadership, training, and funding assistance. In the aftermath of September 11, for instance, one-quarter of the $40 billion Emergency Response Fund was earmarked for homeland security, including enhancing state and local government preparedness. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is highly intergovernmental, national policymakers must formulate strategies with a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges facing those governments. The development of a national strategy will improve national preparedness and enhance partnerships between federal, state, and local governments. The creation of the Office of Homeland Security is an important and potentially significant first step. The Office of Homeland Security's strategic plan should (1) define and clarify the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities; (2) establish goals and performance measures to guide the nation's preparedness efforts; and (3) carefully choose the most appropriate tools of government to implement the national strategy and achieve national goals. The President's proposed Homeland Security Act of 2002 would bring many federal agencies with homeland security responsibilities--including public health preparedness and response--into one department to mobilize and focus assets and resources at all levels of government. GAO believes that the proposed reorganization has the potential to repair fragmentation in the coordination of public health preparedness and response programs at the federal, state, and local levels. The proposal would institutionalize the responsibility for homeland security in federal statute. In addition to improving overall coordination, the transfer of programs from multiple agencies to the new department could reduce overlap among programs and facilitate response in times of disaster. There are concerns about the proposed transfer of control of public health assistance programs that have both public health and homeland security functions from Health and Human Services to the new department. Transferring control of these programs, including priority setting, to the new department has the potential to disrupt some programs that are critical to basic public health responsibilities. GAO does not believe that the President's proposal is sufficiently clear on how both the homeland security and public health objectives would be accomplished.
National Airspace System: Reauthorizing FAA Provides Opportunity and Options to Address Challenges: Statement of Gerald L. Dillingham, Director, Civil Aviation Issues: Testimony before the Subcommitee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
The reauthorization of AIR-21 provides an opportunity for Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to focus on several challenges to improving the national airspace system. These challenges include (1) funding planned airport capital development, (2) increasing capacity and efficiency, (3) implementing human capital and procurement reforms, and (4) ensuring aviation safety. This is testimony of Gerald L. Dillingham, Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, before the Subcommittee on Aviation, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Homeland Security: Challenges Facing the Coast Guard as it Transitions to the New Department, Statement of JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director Physical Infrastructure, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Fisheries, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
The Coast Guard is one of 22 agencies being placed in the new Department of Homeland Security. With its key roles in the nation's ports, waterways, and coastlines, the Coast Guard is an important part of enhanced homeland security efforts. But it also has non-security missions, such as search and rescue, fisheries and environmental protection, and boating safety. GAO has conducted a number of reviews of the Coast Guard's missions and was asked to testify about the Coast Guard's implementation challenges in moving to this newly created Department. This is the testimony of JayEtta Z. Hecker, Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, and Fisheries, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Potential Terrorist Attacks: More Actions Needed to Better Prepare Critical Financial Markets: Statement of Davi M. D'Agostino, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment: Testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks exposed the vulnerability U.S. financial markets to wide-scale disasters. Because the markets are vital to the nation's economy, GAO s testimony discusses (1) how the financial markets were directly affected by the attacks and how market participants and infrastructure providers worked to restore trading; (2) the steps taken by 15 important financial market organizations to address physical security, electronic security, and business continuity planning since the attacks; and (3) the steps the financial regulators have taken to ensure that the markets are better prepared for future disasters. This is the statement of Davi M. D'Agostino, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, before the House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
National Preparedness: Technologies to Secure Federal Buildings, Statement of Keith A. Rhodes, Chief Technologist, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
The terrorist attacks of September 11 have heightened concerns about the physical security of federal buildings and the need to protect those who work in and visit these facilities. These concerns have been underscored by reports of long-standing vulnerabilities, including weak controls over building access. There are several commercially available security technologies that can be deployed, ranging from turnstiles, to smart cards, to biometric systems. Although many of these technologies can provide highly effective technical controls, the overall security of a federal building will depend on robust risk management processes and implementing the three integral concepts of a holistic security process: protection, detection, and reaction.
National Preparedness: Integration of Federal, State, Local, and Private Sector Efforts is Critical to an Effective National Strategy for Homeland Security, Statement of Randall A. Yim, Managing Director, National Preparedness, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
Combating Terrorism: Intergovernmental Cooperation in the Development of a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness, Statement of Patricia A. Dalton Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Combating Terrorism: Enhancing Partnerships Through a National Preparedness Strategy Statement of Patricia A. Dalton Director, Strategic Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in preparing for catastrophic terrorist attacks. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is intergovernmental, national policymakers need a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges when formulating antiterrorism strategies. Key aspects of this strategy should include a definition and clarification of the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities. GAO has found fragmentation and overlap among federal assistance programs. More than 40 federal entities have roles in combating terrorism, and past federal efforts have resulted in a lack of accountability, a lack of cohesive effort, and program duplication. This situation has led to confusion, making it difficult to identify available federal preparedness resources and effectively partner with the federal government. Goals and performance measures should be established to guide the nation's preparedness efforts. For the nation's preparedness programs, however, outcomes have yet to be defined in terms of domestic preparedness. Given the recent and proposed increases in preparedness funding, real and meaningful improvements in preparedness and establishing clear goals and performance measures are critical to ensuring a successful and a fiscally responsible effort. The strategy should include a careful choice of the most appropriate tools of government to best achieve national goals
Combating Terrorism: Critical Components of a National Strategy to Enhance State and Local Preparedness Statement of Randall A. Yim, Managing Director, National Preparedness, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
Federal, state, and local governments share responsibility in preparing for catastrophic terrorist attacks. Because the national security threat is diffuse and the challenge is highly intergovernmental, national policymakers must formulate strategies with a firm understanding of the interests, capacity, and challenges in addressing these issues. Key aspects of this strategy should include a definition and clarification of the appropriate roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local entities. GAO has found fragmentation and overlap among federal assistance programs. More than 40 federal entities have roles in combating terrorism, and past federal efforts have resulted in a lack of accountability, a lack of cohesive effort, and program duplication. As state and local officials have noted, this situation has led to confusion, making it difficult to identify available federal preparedness resources and effectively partner with the federal government. Goals and performance measures should be established to guide the nation's preparedness efforts. For the nation's preparedness programs, however, outcomes have yet to be defined in terms of domestic preparedness. Given the recent and proposed increases in preparedness funding, real and meaningful improvements in preparedness and establishing clear goals and performance measures are critical to ensuring a successful and a fiscally responsible effort. The strategy should include a careful choice of the most appropriate tools of government to best achieve national goals. The choice and design of policy tools, such as grants, regulations, and partnerships, can enhance the government's capacity to (1) target areas of highest risk to better ensure that scarce federal resources address the most pressing needs, (2) promote shared responsibility by all parties, and (3) track and assess progress toward achieving national goals.
Homeland Security: Responsibility and Accountability for Achieving National Goals Statement of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Administration took several steps to strengthen homeland security, including the creation of an Office of Homeland Security (OHS). The success of a homeland security strategy requires all levels of government and the private sector to communicate and cooperate with one another. The federal government must formulate realistic budget and resource plans to support the implementation of an efficient and effective homeland security program. A fundamental review of existing programs and operations can create the necessary fiscal flexibility by weeding out out-dated, poorly targeted, or inefficient programs. Although Congress called upon GAO to evaluate the effectiveness of OHS programs, GAO has experienced difficulty in gaining access to this information.
Terrorism Insurance: Alternative Programs for Protecting Insurance Consumers, Statement of Richard J. Hillman, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives
Before September 11, insurance coverage for losses from terrorism was a normal feature of insurance contracts. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have changed insurers' perceptions of their risk exposure. Both insurers and reinsurers say that they do not know how much to charge for this coverage, and because they cannot predict future losses, they may exclude terrorism insurance from future contracts unless the federal government provides some guidance to the industry. Several insurance programs in the United States and other countries ensure that insurance will be available to cover risks that the private sector has been unable or unwilling to cover, including losses from catastrophic events and terrorism. For government insurance programs, the question of long-term cost and program funding needs to be addressed before any program is established. Some federal insurance programs have a statutory intent to provide subsidized coverage, while others are intended to be self-funding. Regardless of statutory intent, if federal insurance is underpriced relative to its long-run costs and the federal government pays the difference, a government subsidy results.
Terrorism Insurance: Alternative Programs for Protecting Insurance Consumers, Statement of Thomas J. McCool, Managing Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment, Testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Before September 11, insurance coverage for losses from terrorism was a normal feature of insurance contracts. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have changed insurers' perceptions of their risk exposure. Both insurers and reinsurers say that they do not know how much to charge for this coverage and because they cannot predict future losses, they may exclude terrorism insurance from future contracts unless the federal government provides some guidance to the industry. Several insurance programs in the United States and other countries ensure that insurance will be available to cover risks that the private sector has been unable or unwilling to cover, including losses from catastrophic events and terrorism. For government insurance programs, the question of long-term cost and program funding needs to be addressed before any program is established. Some federal insurance programs have a statutory intent to provide subsidized coverage, while others are intended to be self-funding. Regardless of statutory intent, if federal insurance is underpriced relative to its long-run costs and the federal government pays the difference, a government subsidy results.
Commercial Aviation: A Framework for Considering Federal Financial Assistance, Statement of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11 killed thousands of Americans and foreign nationals. The economic toll will also be enormous. Countless jobs and retirement funds are now at risk. Estimates of the losses to the airline industry alone have ranged from $4 billion, according to many analysts, to more than $20 billion, according to some airline officials. Congress has already appropriated $40 billion for emergency responses, including increased transportation security, and Congress is considering financial assistance to the airline industry. GAO believes that the government needs to clearly define the nature of the problem--separating short-term needs from long-term challenges, industry wants from real needs. Although all airlines now face major financial challenges, government assistance cannot overcome the financial difficulty that confronted several carriers before the events of September 11. The government has a range of options to assist the airline industry, from loans and loan guarantees to tax subsidies. The choice and design of the assistance is critical to targeting federal aid to the immediate problems, spreading responsibility among all industry stakeholders, and ensuring accountability to Congress and the American people. Because an unknown level of risk will accompany such assistance, mechanisms must be put in place to protect the federal government and the taxpayers from excessive and unnecessary losses.
Combating Terrorism: Use of National Guard Response Teams is Unclear, Statement of Mark E. Gebicke, Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
The Defense Department (DOD) recently approved the creation of 10 National Guard response teams to help state and local authorities deal with terrorists attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. GAO found differing views on the role and the use of these response teams and how they will fit into state and federal plans to respond to weapons of mass destruction. Army officials believe that the teams can be a valuable asset to federal authorities. They also believe that the teams will be a critical part of the state and local response. However, officials with the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which are responsible for managing the federal response to terrorist attacks, do not see a role for the teams in the federal response. Instead, they foresee the National Guard providing its traditional assistance in emergencies. Differing views also exist at the state level. Many state, local, and federal groups can do the work that the teams would perform. For example, more than 600 state and local hazardous materials teams in the United States deal with incidents involving highly toxic industrial chemicals and other hazardous materials. GAO's discussions with state, local, and federal officials and its own analysis found several concerns that could affect the teams' abilities to meet their mission and responsibilities. These concerns centered on recruiting and retention, training, and operational issues. This testimony summarizes GAO's June 1999 report, GAO/NSIAD-99-110.


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You will be given a convenient appointment time for your follow-up visit. Generally speaking, patients are seen within 1-2 days and are provided with a complete report of findings. The doctor will show you your x-rays, discuses his findings and present the best treatment plan for your condition. The cost of care will also be presented at this time, along with available payment options.


text:
What channel is Georgia vs. Baylor on today? Time, TV schedule for Sugar Bowl 2020
Sporting News 1 January 2020, 15:22 UTC
Georgia hopes this Sugar Bowl appearance goes better than the last one.
The Bulldogs' 2018 season finished with a decisive loss to Texas in which it trailed 28-7 early in the fourth quarter. This one will conclude with a Jan. 1 matchup against Baylor that figures to be a similarly difficult task.
Like No. 5 Georgia (11-2), No. 7 Baylor (11-2) spent much of the year in the College Football Playoff discussion. Despite falling short of that destination, claiming the Sugar Bowl would mark a successful campaign for each team and a building block for the future.
Here's a guide to everything to need to watch the Sugar Bowl matchup between Georgia and Baylor, including start time, TV channels and a full New Year's Six bowl schedule.
MORE: Georgia vs. Baylor odds, predictions, betting trends
What channel is Georgia vs. Baylor on today?
TV channel (national): ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Georgia vs. Baylor is televised nationally on ESPN. Sean McDonough and Todd Blackledge will call the game from the TV booth, and Holly Rowe will offer additional reporting from the sideline.
What time does the Sugar Bowl start?
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 1
The Sugar Bowl meeting between Georgia and Baylor starts at 8:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Bulldogs are 4-0 all-time against the Bears, though the schools haven't played one another since 1989.
New Year's 6 bowl schedule
Cotton Bowl Classic
Penn State 53, Memphis 39
Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal)
LSU 63, Oklahoma 28
Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal)
Clemson 29, Ohio State 23
Florida vs. Virginia
Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Georgia vs. Baylor
Monday, Jan. 13
College Football Playoff championship
LSU vs. Clemson

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: ansible playbook error at -name Hi i have an error when running the following ansible-playbook:
(i am trying to install a LAMP stack and wordpress on my virtual machine)
The error seems like it's coming from the database.
Are mysql_db and mysql_user valid commands to create database and user ?
Please help, Thank you.
---
- hosts: vbox
  remote_user: arnold
  become: yes
  become_method: sudo
  vars:
    MySQL_root_pass: root_pass
    dbase: dbwordpress
    user: wp_user
    parola: wp_pass
  tasks:
    - name: Linux update
      apt: update_cache=yes

    - name: Linux upgrade
      apt: upgrade=safe
      async: 600
      poll: 5

    - name: Install apache
      apt: pkg=apache2 state=installed
      notify:
       - start apache

    - name: Set MySQL root password before installing
      debconf: name='mysql-server' question='mysql-server/root_password' value='{{MySQL_root_pass | quote}}' vtype='password'

    - name: Confirm MySQL root password before installing
      debconf: name='mysql-server' question='mysql-server/root_password_again' value='{{MySQL_root_pass | quote}}' vtype='password'

    - name: Install mysql
      apt: name={{ item }} state=installed
      with_items:
       - mysql-server
       - libapache2-mod-auth-mysql
       - pkg=php5-mysql
      notify:
       - start mysql

    - name: Install php
      apt: name={{ item }} state=installed
      with_items:
       - php5
       - libapache2-mod-php5
       - php5-mcrypt
      notify:
       - restart apache

    - name: Create database and user for wordpress
      mysql_db: name={{ dbase }} state=present
      mysql_user: name={{ user }} password={{ parola }} priv=dbwordpress.*:ALL state=present
      notify:
       - restart mysql

    - name: Install wordpress
      command: "{{ item }}"
      with_items:
       - cd ~
       - wget http://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz
       - tar xzvf latest.tar.gz
       - cd ~/wordpress
       - cp wp-config-sample.php wp-config.php
    - name: Config wordpress
      lineinfile: dest=~/wordpress/wp-config.php {{ item }}
      with_items:
       - regexp=^DB_NAME line="define('DB_NAME', '{{ dbase }}');"
       - regexp=^DB_USER line="define('DB_USER', '{{ user }}');"
       - regexp=^DB_PASSWORD line="define('DB_PASSWORD', '{{ parola }}');"

    - name: Copy files to root document
      command: "{{ item }}"
      with_items:
       - rsync -avP ~/wordpress/ /var/www/html/
       - cd /var/www/html
       - chown -R arnold:arnold *

  handlers:
    - name: start apache
      service: name=apache state=started
    - name: start mysql
      service: name=mysql state=started
    - name: restart mysql
      service: name=mysql state=restarted
    - name: restart apache
      service: name=php state=restarted

And the error code:
ERROR! conflicting action statements

The error appears to have been in '/home/arnold/Documents/wordpress':    line 49, column 7, but may
be elsewhere in the file depending on the exact syntax problem.

The offending line appears to be:

    - name: Create database and user for wordpress
      ^ here

The error appears to have been in '/home/arnold/Documents/wordpress': line 49, column 7, but may
be elsewhere in the file depending on the exact syntax problem.

The offending line appears to be:

    - name: Create database and user for wordpress
      ^ here

A: You have two modules mysql_db and mysql_user under one task:
- name: Create database and user for wordpress
   mysql_db: name={{ dbase }} state=present
   mysql_user: name={{ user }} password={{ parola }} priv=dbwordpress.*:ALL state=present
   notify:
       - restart mysql

Spilt them into two tasks:
- name: Ensure the database for WordPress exists
  mysql_db: name={{ dbase }} state=present
  notify:
    - restart mysql

- name: Ensure the user for WordPress exists
  mysql_user: name={{ user }} password={{ parola }} priv=dbwordpress.*:ALL state=present
  notify:
   - restart mysql

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Medium to full purple-red; very sweet berry fruit aromas with that unique slightly jammy note of Malbec contributing. The palate, likewise, is rich and sweet, with layered mint and berry flavours. Cleverly handled oak is also a feature. Multiple trophy winner 1998 National Wine Show. Drink to 2011.


text:
Living with the Hyundai Kona Electric
By Abhishek Chaliha | on December 14, 2019
India's very first truly desirable electric vehicle is here. We spend a few days with it to tell you what it's like living with an electric car in the National Capital of India.
I'm driving up a network of flyovers onto NH8, leaving the city of New Delhi behind. The road opens up, and so I depress the throttle pedal. The next feeling that I have is of being catapulted into the horizon! Now, I'm familiar with this sensation, but normally I'd associate it with, say, an Audi RS7 or a Mercedes-AMG E63 AMG, but not without some drama and theatrics involving the mad howl of an engine and a raucous exhaust note riddled with crackles and bangs. Just the memory of it makes my senses tingle!
Today, however, it's an entirely different story, for I'm driving an electricity-powered Hyundai Kona! And every time you go anywhere near the throttle pedal, the response is literally electric, accompanied by a distant soundtrack. What can I say, this thing is absolutely thrilling to drive, and you truly have to experience its acceleration in Sport mode to understand what I'm talking about.
This makes me wonder about the future – how will people react to talk of engine and exhaust notes, redline gear changes, and the power delivery of an exhilarating petrol car. Perhaps folks will just wonder what all the fuss was about, because everyone will be used to enjoying the uninterrupted, relentless acceleration of an electric car!
300km real world range
Anyway, back to the Kona for the moment. The car comes with a 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. Now, the first thing you should do is forget about the ridiculous and unrealistic ARAI-rated driving range. All you need to know is that this car is claimed to have a driving range of 312 kilometres on the WLTP cycle, but on the streets of New Delhi you can expect a driving range of about 300 kilometres on a fully charged battery.
But what about charging? Well, Hyundai sells this car with a 2.8 kW portable charger, which you can plug into any 15amp power outlet. It'll take a claimed 19 hours to fully charge the battery. And this's how I charged the car during my brief stint with it. I would plug it in after reaching the office, and it would remain on charge until I left work.
To give you a rough real-world figure, after 4 hours on charge, the battery would gain about 90 kilometres of driving range. So, on a standard charger, it's painfully slow. Luckily, Hyundai also provides a 7.2kW wall box charger at the time of purchase, which they'll install at your home or office, as per your preference. This is supposed to fully charge the battery in a claimed time of 6 hours and 10 minutes.
There is also a third option – a 50 kW CCS Type 2 DC charger, which can fully charge the battery from empty in a claimed 57 minutes. Unfortunately, it comes at a price – a rather steep price of about ₹9 lakhs.
Lacking infrastructure
I used a mobile app called ElectreeFi to find EV charging stations in Delhi, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a great many of them in the city. The app even tells you if these stations have a DC Type 2 charger. The one I decided to visit is located on Malcha Marg. Since there were no signboards in the market, I had to ask around for directions to the charging station.
Once there, the parking lot attendant quickly moved a car parked in the charging station zone, and I grabbed a charging cable, only to realise that the cable port was entirely different from the fast charging port in the Kona. Now, this charging station doesn't offer the option of AC charging, which meant that the entire trip was in vain.
A quick word with Hyundai India officials provided me with a google location for a compatible charging station in DLF cyber city in Gurgaon. This place too had the same DC fast charger as the one in Malcha Marg market, but there was also an AC wall box charger here. So, I plugged in the Kona without wasting any time.
During a chat with the station attendant, I learnt that this Plug N Go charging station was completing a year of operations on that very day. And since EV charging was free for the first year, I had to pay nothing at all! As for the DC fast chargers at the station, well, they are GB/T Type 2 chargers, which are compatible with the Mahindra eVerito and Tata Tigor EV.
Unfortunately, the charging station closed at 6pm, which meant that I was only able to charge the car for a couple of hours, at the end of which I realised that the pace of charging there was identical to that of the 2.8 kW portable charger that I had been using in office. So, this was definitely not an AC fast-charging station.
The next day, I had to go into the depths of Greater Noida to shoot the Kona – and to test it of course. But since I couldn't fully charge the battery the previous day, I had no choice but to abandon the idea of testing it for fear of draining the battery under heavy acceleration.
Now, ordinarily, you're not likely to be testing the performance of your EV on a daily basis with hard acceleration runs, so this is an unlikely concern, but that's not to take away from the fact that the EV charging infrastructure is woefully inadequate in our country. That being said, if you own one of these and you charge at home a couple of times a week, range anxiety simply shouldn't be an issue.
A viable option?
The car comes with four driving modes – Eco, Eco+, Normal, and Sport. And I can testify to the fact that Eco and Eco+ will extend your driving range to more than what the distance-to-empty readout will have you believe.
But if you're someone like me who makes an intercity round trip of 90-kilometres every day, the car will consume much more than a quarter of the charge on a daily basis. And since you wouldn't want the car to run out of charge, or be low on battery anywhere, you'll have to charge it every day.
And this leads to another problem. You see, the battery may come with an 8-year or 1.6 lakh kilometre warranty, but in the fine print it says that its life is limited to around 2,000 charge cycles. And if you were to charge the car every day, 5 days a week, you're likely to end up with a battery life of well under 8 years.
So, in short, this is a car for someone with a limited driving radius. And, in that sense, the driveability and refinement of the Kona EV, with its effortless controls and generous real-world driving range, makes it a very practical daily driver – which is not only without tailpipe emissions and noise, but it's also quite addictive in terms of the driving experience. And quite a bit of fun too.
While the rumble of an AMG V8 is still to die for, the distant electric soundtrack of an EV motor can be quite entertaining too.
Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Energy: Electricity
Battery: 39.2 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer
Transmission: Single-Speed Reduction Gear / Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 134bhp
Price: ₹ 23.71 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)
X-factor: An uncompromised electric car that excels as a daily driver.
• Fast
• Practical driving range Cons
• Handling
• Cabin space
Also read - Hyundai Kona Electric, Track Test
Tags: Hyundai Kona Electric Hyundai Kona Hyundai
Hyundai Grand i10 discontinued
Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV teased ahead of February reveal
JK Tyre is the new tyre partner for the Hyundai Creta
Upcoming cars in India 2021: Up to ₹15 lakh
Hyundai i20 Exterior Design Overview | Sponsored Feature


text:
Sport / Women's Sport / Tennis /
Sports Personality favourite Emma Raducanu in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19
By Sports Team
Emma Raducanu will have to celebrate alone if she is voted the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year for 2021 after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 19-year-old, who is the hot favourite for the award after her shock US Open success in September, was always planning to be in the United Arab Emirates this weekend rather than at the BBC event at Salford's Media City.
However, she will now be isolating in a hotel room when the ceremony takes place having tested positive in Abu Dhabi, where she was due to take part in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Raducanu said: "I was very much looking forward to playing in front of the fans here in Abu Dhabi, but unfortunately after testing positive for COVID-19, I will have to postpone until the next opportunity.
"I'm isolating as per rules and hopefully will be able to get back soon."
Raducanu is joined on the shortlist by heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury – who threatened to sue the BBC for including him on last year's shortlist but is yet to comment this time – plus Olympians Tom Daley and Adam Peaty, 17-time Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey and England and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
One key omission is Lewis Hamilton, who missed out on a record eighth Formula One drivers' title on Sunday to Max Verstappen.
The 36-year-old won Sports Personality for the second time last year after equalling Michael Schumacher's record of seven titles.
Raducanu is odds-on to claim the prize after becoming the first British woman to win a grand slam title since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977. She became the first qualifier ever to win a grand slam, and did so without dropping a set.
Fury was first included on the awards shortlist in 2015 after his victory over Wladimir Klitschko, but a petition was set up calling for his removal after comments he made linking homosexuality with paedophilia surfaced. He was not taken off the list, but did not finish in the top three in the public vote.
Diver Daley's place on this year's shortlist comes after he claimed an emotional first Olympic gold medal with Matty Lee in the synchronised 10 metres platform event before taking bronze in the individual category, 13 years after he first appeared at the Beijing Games aged 14.
Peaty also shone in the pool, becoming the first British swimmer to retain an Olympic title in the 100 metres breaststroke, while cyclist Storey broke the record for most Paralympic gold medals with three more in Tokyo, having first competed in the Barcelona Games in 1992 as a swimmer.
Sterling was arguably England's best individual performer as the team reached a first major men's tournament final since 1966 at Euro 2020.
The awards will take place without a studio audience due to rising coronavirus infection rates and the emergence of the omicron variant, with only "essential staff and contributors" – including the nominees – now allowed to attend.
SportPersonalityEmma RaducanuIsolationAbu DhabiBBC


text:
CelticsBlog Podcasts
First to the Floor: everybody stay calm!
Four losses in five games have Celtics fans not feeling the holiday spirit
By Wayne_Spooney Dec 21, 2022, 8:00am EST
Share All sharing options for: First to the Floor: everybody stay calm!
Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Losing 4 out of 5 games doesn't disqualify a team for the championship. Well, I guess it would in the playoffs. Let me rephrase: losing 4 out of 5 games in December doesn't disqualify a team for the championship. On this episode of First to the Floor, Jake Issenberg and I discuss reasons for optimism, some Danilo Gallinari trade targets, and why losing 4 in 5 isn't a novel experience for a contender.
Some of the best teams of the modern era have gone through exactly what the Celtics are in the midst of — a really sloppy, lethargic, and unlucky stretch of play. As Ben, FTTF's fearless leader and statistically extremely likely to be descended from convicts, put it, the Celtics are in that phase of getting in shape where they're happy with the progress, get complacent, and put a few pounds back on. And like me during the last month or so, there's no better time to put on a few pounds than during the holidays, it just can't become a lifestyle.
So, with that extremely stretched and likely confusing metaphor, let's look at some previous contenders that also went for seconds and had a few too many IPAs at some point during the regular season. A quick note: I avoided LeBron teams because he regularly coasted during the regular season. I just don't think it's particularly helpful in analyzing the Celtics' current situation.
2018-19 Golden State Warriors
Lost in The Finals
Had they not been decimated by injuries, this team almost certainly would have been crowned the champs for the third season in a row. It's one of the greatest collections of talent the NBA has ever seen. If you're unfamiliar, it was like the team the Celtics just played in the Finals except instead of Wiggins they have Kevin Durant, the best scoring forward of all-time in his prime. Even still, as loaded as that team was, they lost 5 of 6 games in mid-late November and had another stretch of losing 3 of 4 in late February-early March. A team that, at times, looked invincible, had a hang up even worse than this recent stretch from the Celtics.
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
2018-19 Toronto Raptors
I actually think this version of the Raptors is a nice comp for the current iteration of the Celtics. You've got the two-way wing superstar (Tatum/Kawhi), the secondary scorer star (Brown/Siakam), a gritty veteran point guard (Smart and Lowry are basically the Spiderman Pointing Meme), an old veteran center playing incredible defense and solid offense (Horford/Gasol), and a collection of good-great role players (FVV, Powell, OG, Ibaka/Williamses, Brogdon, White). Fifty-eight wins is a ton and 24 losses is not a ton. A small number if you will. Well, this team lost 3 of 4 two different times during the season, one of which was in early to mid-December. The sky was not falling.
2017-18 Houston Rockets
Lost in 7 in WCF
This was an incredible team that probably wins the title if not for a cold shooting Game 7 against one of the most dominant teams in history. Shot a ton of threes, like a ton. Solid defensively. Oh damn, this is hitting a little too close to home. I will admit that if anything sinks the '22-'23 Celtics, it will probably be one too many games of cold shooting in a playoff series. But hey, there's no way it's 27 straight, right? So maybe I shouldn't be comparing us to the apex of the joyless, but effective Harden Rockets, but it's too late and writing is hard.
This team won an incredible number of games. Sixty-five is more than any rational Cs fan would expect out of this current group. Even so, these Rockets lost five straight. "When" you ask? From December 20-29. Ah! The parallels! Make it stop!
2013-14 San Antonio Spurs
I present, the pallet cleanser. Team coming off a Finals loss starts the year by playing unselfish team basketball and blowing the league out of the water made up of guys that have logged a ton of minutes together. Now that's more like it. This was an absurdly fun team that got to the core of what makes basketball great. Move the ball, move yourself, play good defense. Ultimately, they'd stamp the legacy of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker for good. The best part, our guy Jake Issenberg made this comparison on a pod we did over the summer, and let's hope he's right.
Why am I bringing them up here? Well, this team lost 4 of 5 games in mid-January during what was otherwise a storybook season. Until the Celtics make losing over half their games the norm and not an anomaly, I'm going to believe they are writing a similar story. Here's to Banner 18. So, in the words of the great American poet Michael Scott, "everybody stay calm!"
I hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening!


It may come as a bit of a shock but vinyl is on the rise. The medium is showing huge growth for the first time in about thirty years. ARIA reported in 2013 that while digital sales enjoyed a revenue growth of 0.5% vinyl smashed them with a 77% growth for the year. Most people are content with blaming 'the hipsters' for this strange turn in format consumption along with the prevalence of single speed bicycles. However with International Record Store Day coming up soon we thought we'd try to explain why people have started buying back into analogue magic.
We're in an age where consuming music can be done practically everywhere, on the tram, on the toilet, even while we're camping (which, thankfully, has spelled the end of many fireplace sing-alongs).
The problem with this ease of listening is that it's taken away so much of what makes music great. We lost the ability to listen to something we don't instantly love, we demand a hook every seven seconds, anything that doesn't grab our attention in the intro is skipped and forever forgotten.
We now listen for instant gratification, we listen because we want to be the first to hear the new [insert band name here] and we listen to escape the rants of religious fanatics, department store radio and nagging parents. People have even accepted listening to algorithm recommended music over making their own choices, which is kind of sad.
It's rare that we listen to a particular album in its entirety. Even rarer that we simply sit and give an album our full attention. Listening to an album on vinyl offers magical inconvenience, a distinct lack of portability and a demand of our attention that digital formats pardon. This digital convenience means we've forgotten how to listen to an album, and as a result people have forgotten how to make an album.
Those who contributed to the resurgence of vinyl sales seem to have made a conscious decision to go against the listening habits that we've developed in the last 10 years. Habits that are a product of iTunes single sales, the shuffle button, music streaming, digital releases and hype-fueled internet culture.
Now don't get us wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with listening to spotify or soundcloud or 'buying' music digitally. We're just saying that vinyl has its place too. It's hard to top lying on the couch on a Sunday afternoon and listening to music with no buffering, spotify ads or a fast-forward button. There's a wonderful physical ritual of placing a needle down onto an actual object and listening to close to an hour of music that has been arranged in that particular order by actual human beings. And then there's the sound, believe it or not vinyl simply sounds better than any other form of recorded music. It bathes your ears in a warm smooth sound and connects you to the original source like nothing else. Music simply shouldn't be filtered through sample rates and digital compression. It should issue from bumps, grooves and vibrations. When you listen to vinyl you're listening to the same vibrations that came from the guitar, drums or synthesizer in a studio where a little moment of sonic magic happened. What on earth could possibly be better than that?
Record Store Day is coming up on the 19th of April. Which means a you've got a month to raid your mum and dad's garage, pinch their record player and make off with that precious vinyl.


Hang some legendary rock and roll imagery on your wall and transform any room into a place fit for a rock God. This iconic image from Nirvana was created by frontman Kurt Cobain and featured on the bands early promotional work and gig flyers. The yellow smiley is a symbol of great music and is as famous and the guitar riffs and drum beats synonymous with the bands heavy sound. Complete with a 61cm x 91.5cm gloss black plastic frame, fronted with transparent Perspex and ready to hang in your home.
High quality, framed Gloss Black Framed Smiley, Nirvana framed poster with a bespoke frame by our custom framing service.


Eagle Rock Tours is a travel tour company in Fredericktown, Ohio. We are a travel company specializing in motorcoach tours departing from central Ohio and the Ohio Valley. We have a diverse line up of tours to appeal to a wide range of interests. Whether your interests lean to an ocean cruise, a star-studded Branson tour, a day at the casino or, perhaps, an adventure to the great American Southwest, we have a trip sure to please.


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