The IG, whichalso looked at the Northern California TRACON and Los Angeles (LAX) Tower,expressed concerns at the rapidly rising levels of trainees, found largeincreases in overtime at all three facilities – caused by the staffingshortages – and even calls into question the FAA’s bogus staffing “ranges”that have failed to properly identify the right number of controllers neededto safely work these facilities that have such a large impact on the nation’sair traffic.The report, which was requested by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., can befound here: http://”I want to thank Senator Feinstein for requesting this report and holding theFAA accountable for its dangerously misguided and reckless policies that haveled to this crisis at these critical facilities,” NATCA President PatrickForrey said. “A large TRACON like the ones in Northern and SouthernCalifornia, or a major airport control tower should never be where a newtrainee with no previous experience is sent to start their career. It’sterribly unfair to these trainees to put them in such a ridiculously difficultsituation that most often results in their failure to succeed in training,which only worsens the problem for all involved.”The IG found in a report last June that the FAA’s imposed work rules and paycuts have resulted in a drastic decline in the number of controllers who wantto transfer to hard-to-staff and busy facilities like the ones in Californiadiscussed in today’s report. “The FAA’s failed ‘run it like a business’ approach the past few years isrearing its ugly head,” Forrey said. “Simply forcing out experiencedcontrollers through imposed work rules and pay cuts and unfair, demoralizingworking conditions, only to replace them with lower paid trainees, hasresulted in high training failure rates, low experience levels and shortstaffing.”Desperation has bred reckless policies. Instead of fixing the labor mess itcreated, the FAA continued to dig itself a hole, all the while denying therewas a staffing problem.

Today’s report is clear: there IS a staffing problem.If the FAA cannot properly staff the country’s busiest TRACON, what does thatsay about the credibility of this agency on important issues of protecting thepublic’s safety?” The IG report is supported by NATCA’s own research asserting the criticalstaffing problems at Southern California’s air traffic control facilities. AtSouthern California TRACON the operational error total for 2009 puts thefacility on pace to surpass last year’s error total. Operating with 160 fullycertified controllers, the facility stands to lose 37 more to retirements,adding to the 50 it lost over the past three years.When LAX Tower was once lauded for going error-free for 27 months it wasoperating with 44 to 46 fully trained controllers; now that total is down to34. With the risk of losing five more to retirement, the potential for errorsincreases.With 25 eligible to retire at Northern California TRACON the facilitycontinues to lose experienced controllers; now operating with 133 fullycertified controllers when the last negotiated staff number between NATCA andthe FAA was for 196.SOURCENational Air Traffic Controllers AssociationDoug Church, NATCA National Office, +1-301-346-8245; Mel Davis, SouthernCalifornia TRACON NATCA Facility Representative, +1-858-243-2921; Steve McCoy,Northern California TRACON NATCA Facility Representative, +1-916-396-6977; orMike Foote, LAX Tower NATCA Facility Representative, +1-562-619-7107, all ofthe National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Once again, the draft was an unusual one for the Philadelphia Eagles.The Eagles turned heads with their 19th overall pick when they traded it to the Carolina Panthers for a second and first round selection, as well as Carolina’s first round pick in 2009.When the team’s next pick finally came at 43rd overall, head coach Andy Reid and company traded the pick for a 2nd and 4th round pick from the Vikings. At long last, the Eagles used the 49th overall pick to select defensive tackle Trevor Laws from Notre Dame.The Eagles biggest headline maker came with the 49th overall pick when the team drafted Cal’s receiver and return specialist DeSean Jackson.”I feel like I have a lot to prove,” Jackson said in press conference Sunday. “[E]veryone will get to see what the real DeSean Jackson is like.”There is little to debate about Jackson’s ability.

While at Cal, Jackson set a Pac-10 record with six punt return touchdowns.Meanwhile, Trevor Laws figures to fill in to the defensive line rotation created by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Laws is expected to contribute as a solid reserve player to back up Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley.”I’m ready to get back to finally play football again.” said in an interview.”I’m sick of running all these little sprints and drills That’s not football. I’m excited to get out there and put the helmet on and go to work.” . US` Largest AIDS Group Urges White House to Ensure Goosby has the Support andResources Necessary to Effectively Lead Lifesaving Global AIDS Program. NewGlobal AIDS Coordinator Brings Years of Experience Working in Global AIDS Fight.WASHINGTON–(Business Wire)–AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today lauded President Obama`s choice of Dr.Eric Goosby as Global AIDS Coordinator for the President’s Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the lifesaving US global AIDS program first spearheaded byPresident George W Bush six years ago “We applaud President Obama`s selection of Dr Eric Goosby to head PEPFAR andbelieve Dr Goosby is an excellent choice to lead PEPFAR Dr. Goosby brings awealth of experience to the job having worked in global AIDS for many, manyyears. His firsthand experience should serve him well in this key position inthe global AIDS fight,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS HealthcareFoundation.

“However, it is crucial that President Obama ensures that Dr. Goosbyhas the capability and full support of the Administration in order toeffectively lead this landmark lifesaving global AIDS program and that we do notsquander the steady progress that PEPFAR has already made in the global fightagainst AIDS Such support would include honoring Mr. Obama`s 2008 campaignpledge of funding for the global AIDS program in the amount of at least $50billion by 2013-a pledge that may have moved off the President`s short listamidst growing global and economic crises.” PEPFAR was the result of President Bush’s groundbreaking 2003 State of the Unionpledge to bring two million HIV positive Africans and others into treatment andprevent seven million new HIV infections via a five-year, $15 billion US-fundedprogram. It currently supports antiretroviral treatment for 1.4 million peopleworldwide. About AHFAIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation`s largest non-profit HIV/AIDShealthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to morethan 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, LatinAmerica/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at Healthcare FoundationMedia Contact:Ged Kenslea, 323-860-5225Mobile: orAlternate Media Contact:Lori Yeghiayan, 323-860-5227Mobile: Copyright Business Wire 2009.

GENEVA (Reuters) – Outbreaks of swine flu have prompted several countries to ban the import of pork, raising the prospect the disease will add a further protectionist blow to sagging world trade. China  |  Russia  |  Japan  |  Mexico  |  South KoreaInternational trade rules allow countries to restrict or ban imports for health and safety reasons — but this has to be based on scientific evidence. pork or pork products or any meat products from the United States resulting from the recent outbreak do not appear to be based on scientific evidence and may result in serious trade disruptions without cause,” the USTR’s office said in a statement.Meanwhile, USTR said the United States was not considering any bans or trade restrictions on meat from Mexico.Russia banned imports of all meat — including beef and poultry — not treated thermally from Mexico, Texas, California and Kansas, and raw pork imports from eight other U.S. states, Central America and the Caribbean.China, the world’s largest pork consumer, also banned imports of live pigs and pork products from Mexico, Texas, California and Kansas.Serbia also banned pork from all of North America, said Joe Schuele, a spokesman for the U.S. Meat Export Federation.Some of the markets are not large importers of U.S. pork, but the trend is concerning, Schuele said.”There may be a certain follow-the-leader mentality,” he said.