Liew's Crime Spree?

U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White sentenced Walter Lian-Heen Liew to serve 15 years in prison, to forfeit $27.8 million, and to pay $511,667 in restitution for stealing trade secrets from du Pont de Nemours & Company and then selling them to a state-owned Chinese company.

The sentencing judge described it as a“white collar crime spree” that included violations of the Economic Espionage Act, tax evasion, bankruptcy fraud, and obstruction of justice.The jury found that Liew filed false tax returns for USAPTI and Performance Group and made false statements and oaths in bankruptcy proceedings for Performance Group.

The court indicated that “the 15 year sentence was intended, in part, to send a message that the theft and sale of trade secrets for the benefit of a foreign government is a serious crime that threatens our national economic security.

Good Going.   Just a thought.

Family...

Image is not related.

 A former General Motors Co (GM.N) engineer was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and her husband was sentenced to three years for conspiring to steal trade secrets for use in China, federal prosecutors said.

Investigators accused Du of copying more than 16,000 GM files soon after the automaker in January 2005 gave her a severance offer. They said Qin later claimed, while pitching his services, to have invented some of the stolen GM technology.

Both defendants [Du and Qin] are U.S. citizens, and their case is part of a crackdown  on trade secret theft, whether involving China or other countries.

U.S. corporate victims of trade-secret theft have included General Motors, Ford, DuPont, Dow Chemical, Motorola, Boeing and Cargill as well as lesser-known companies.

The White House issued a report outlining a new strategic plan to combat trade secret theft from U.S. businesses, stating that “Trade secret theft threatens American businesses, undermines national security, and places the security of the U.S. economy in jeopardy.”

Just a thought.

McCain's Heroes !!!

Oil depot fire rages, threatening a greater disaster.

[April 22, 2011- Time] Sen. John McCain visited the Benghazi strong-hold of Libya’s rebel forces, a sign of creeping escalation in the conflict with Gaddafi.  He called the  opposition fighters  “My heroes”.

McCain renewed his opposition to President Barack Obama’s decision to scale back U.S. military involvement. He called for the U.S. and its partners to increase their support of and assistance to the Libyan opposition. 

[Saturday, 26 Jul 2014 ...Reuters]

Security in the Libyan capital has deteriorated following two weeks of fighting between brigades of former rebel fighters who have pounded each other with rockets and artillery fire in southern Tripoli near the embassy compound.
                
The violence is the worst seen in Tripoli since 2011. Libya is teetering toward becoming a failed state just three years after  NATO-backed war ended one-man rule.

You conclude !?      Just a thought.

Trade Secret's theft?? !!

    

The plan was for Kang Gao to do his exit interview with Two Sigma Investments, [a $21 billion quantitative hedge fund in New York], and jump to Citadel LLC, a rival firm in Chicago.  He ended up in jail.

He’s accused of stealing Two Sigma secrets and faces a potential four-year prison term.

The prosecutions come as Wall Street is increasingly protective of intellectual property. That include trading models, software codes, and strategies which have become more valuable as firms seek a millisecond advantage over rivals. 

Gao is the fourth Wall Street analyst or programmer to be ensnared in a crackdown by the D.A., on intellectual property theft from financial firms. That is only the beginning.

Just a [New] Thought.

World Conflict Consequences.

Ehrlich Architects-Abu Dhabi Parliament.

Syria: In the fourth year of the civil war, chaos rules supreme. The country is split between government troops, moderate opposition groups, Islamists, vigilantes and criminal gangs.

Iraq: With jihadists entrench their positions across the north and west, and the national army seemingly incapable of mounting a challenge, Americans and even some Iraqis have begun to ask how much blood and treasure it is worth to patch the country back together.

Libya: Washington assured Libyans the United States, together with the international community, was committed to the Libyan people.
But with post Gaddafi Libya bursting with heavily armed militias, the U.S is washing its hands off on the country.

Ukraine:The downing of the Malaysian airliner and ongoing fighting in Ukraine has been a trying time for the people. Ukraine tried to join with Russia earlier and failed. Now a conflict between Russia supporters and Ukraine Gov.

Gaza: Three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped while hitchhiking in the West Bank. They were found murdered weeks later. After extensive search for the perpetrators and mass arrests of Hamas members, more rockets fired into Israeli territory.

If you are at war, you feeding the hate of others and wasting your resources. While others are building theirs and their children's lives.

Just a thought.

Tattoos...?

Health Risks

It hurts to be stuck with needles over and over for an extended time–it’s risky too. Getting a tattoo can put you at risk for contracting a variety of illnesses from a bacterial infection to HIV.

Social Stigma
Tattoos still tend to be thought of as counter-culture by many. Some frown upon them as less than desirable and some employer uniform codes even go so far as to disallow tattoos to in the workplace. 

Uncertain Quality
You’re good to go for a lifetime (maybe a color touch up years down the road). But the trade off is that there are no do-overs. The artist you pick, the style you choose. 

• Just a thought.

The Gaza/Egypt tunnels.

Hamas spawned off the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt has branded a terrorist organization. Egyptian authorities have been cracking down hard on Muslim Brotherhood and accused Hamas of helping Islamic militants waging a campaign of violence in Egypt.

Egypt has tightened the closure on Gaza by destroying smuggling tunnels under the border that were largely propping up the strip's economy. That has thrown Hamas into a financial crisis. A clear cause an effect.

More rockets on Israel will not convince the Egyptian to change their minds. Israel ground invasion of Gaza is to destroy the network of secret tunnels.  So it is on both sides.

Hamas wants the permanent opening of the crossing with Egypt, an arrangement to allow Gazans to pray in Jerusalem and the release of political prisoners held by Israel. This is simple but will not happen.

Militants must put aside the murdering methodology against Egypt and or Israel. But then, Peace and building lives is far difficult task.

Just a thought.

Comrie...

Leroy Comrie.

Leroy Comrie represented the New York City Council District 27, which comprises St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Jamaica, Hollis, Rosedale, and other neighborhoods within the borough of Queens. He most recently served as Queens deputy borough president, also served as deputy majority leader of the City Council and chairman of its Queens delegation while in the City Council.

Mr. Comrie is a great individual who spends time to know his community and his  people. I met him for the first time, he listened to me and promised to further discuss the issue.  Simple location, office and minimum staff, but will get results for District 14 New York. Vote for him on Sept 9th, 2014 for NYS Senate.

Just a thought

The Netherland Star-Snieder

 

 

Young and Handsome

 

A little Older Snieder

Israel and Peace.

Egyptian cease-fire proposal offered little hope for a diplomatic solution as Hamas rejected the proposal. The current administration in Egypt band the Muslim brotherhood and their man 'Morsi". Israel accepted the proposal and stopped the military activities, Hamas didn't. 

Hamas leaders are hiding, war and misery is the path of choice as long as someone else is dying.  Hamas chose to start and continue fighting.

War sets the people back 10 years. This time is no exception.

Peace is a great choice. People will go back home, work, school, normal life, etc.   Peace is not a weak choice for Israel. So pursue.

Just a thought.

I close my mouth.!!

The life of this young man [my nephew] may look just a total fun. Earlier he finished college, worked hard, advanced in his job, got married and have two young children. Yet there were two issues ipacting his life for quite sometime. His weight increased as years passed. He also smoked cigarettes.

Yet, one day it hit him. He realized that the extra weight is taking a toll on his life and also his family. Being persistent, he did something about it. He lost 37 LB in the past year. He simply said "I close my mouth". Steering away from much salt, sugar and staying with small portions.

He also decided recently to through away his pack of cigarette. That was the end of it.

It is a tough battle on both ends. So keep it up. It is a gift to yourself and your larger family to enjoy for life.  It is a great example for all.

Just a thought.

Merkel- and Soccer

World Cup Soccer 2014

Brazil 2014..third place?

 

 

 



It is not Brazil, alone, that is in shock after the greatest humiliation in World Cup history. It is all of us who have held the 1970 Brazil team of Pelé, Gérson, Tostão, Carlos Alberto and others as the pinnacle of how soccer can and should be played.

We were all traumatized, it is not entertaining to watch an uneven contest, and it hurts to bear witness to such a proud, magnificent sports country reduced to supine forlornness.

Today is the final game for Brazil team. Can they bring back the magic? Show us the Samba? Can they cover up their faults? Can they  wipe the tears and pull it off?
I don't think so. We need a new team for that.

Just a thought.

Brazil's Loss... the Cause.

The World Cup Soccer has never seen anything like it. The defeat of Brazil 1/7 by the German team. Brazil was down by five goals up to the first 29 minutes.

Brazil was missing two key players, Neymar, its star striker and Silva, its captain and defensive linchpin. Silva got an unnecessary yellow card when he purposely fouled the goal keeper.

Neymar was the focus in all important plays all through until the last match.  It was hard to see who will replace and get goals. The team and the coach gave no body else a prior chance.

The midfielders were absent in assisting the defense team right in the beginning of the game. They were not exhausted or over-worked playing, they were absent and slow.

Finally, Brazil had an easy way advancing.  They barely passed [luck] with PK where their goal keeper made two saves.

Still, nothing can explain the shocking results. The third place coming soon, would they be able to repair any of their problems? Hard to imagine!

Just a thought.

Brazilians are Shocked.!!!

Brazil's World Cup dreams ended in humiliating and brutal fashion as Germany inflicted their heaviest defeat in the first semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

Brazil, completely disorganized on defense, surrendered five goals in the first 29 minutes. Missing 2 good players didn't explain the comprehensive failure of the entire team in a defeat that forever changes the world’s perception of Brazilian soccer.

The German dominated the mid-field and went on the attack with speed while the Brazilian were slow to respond. It was shocking to the crowd, to the players and to the soccer followers everywhere. It is a nightmare for the Brazilian team and supporter.

Just a thought.

Con Man's Story

Not related to story.

The little town of Smithers, British Columbia, had never seen anyone like `Bryan Richards.

He rocked for Jesus on his Christian Power Hour radio show [30 minutes long].
“Until next time, this is Bryan Richards, the rock jock who spins for Jesus, saying, `Gotta’ love you, ’cause He’s the Daddy.’ “Don’t despair, God’s always there".

Bryan also sold time-shares in resorts, vacation and wilderness packages and Christian music recording sessions. 

Smithers’ pastors, tired of seeing Bryan chase the unmarried women in their parishs, challenged him to prove he was an ordained minister.
Then someone hired a PI to check on Bryan. The PI went to the police.  Bryan was wanted by USA and his run ended in the small Canadian town of Smithers. Bryan Minrad, his real name, was arrested and prosecuted.    [a true story.]

Just a thought.

For the Love of my Family

At the weight of 230 LB for someone who is 5'9", Ray was heavy and getting heavier. He did various exercises, some of which is extensive, yet the weight stayed the same.

Then he decide to do something about it. He noticed some members of the family have lost weight already. He didn't ask one question. He took the challenge and went for it.

He looked at the daily food intake. The Calories, the Salt, the Sugar, what to eat and what to steer away from, and that was the key.

The first five pounds went down easy. That followed by a total of sixty pounds down,  and a proud, delighted family and friends.

"I did it my way for the love of my family".  You can do it for yours.

Just a[real] thought.

Happy Canada Day

Canada Day.

 

Soccer ...Soccer.... US team.

The American goalkeeper had saves of every kind. He flashed a leg out several times to knock shots away. He dived to his right or his left to snare hard-hit balls. He reflexively punched close-in shots away. He tipped the ball over the crossbar on a couple of occasions.

That's the most saves in any World Cup game since they began keeping such records in 1966. His club coach said there is no better goalkeeper in the Premier League.

 Howard "It's my job. That's what I signed up to do," he told ESPN. Many learned that he has Tourette syndrome.

With all the excitement, today's disappointment is far easier than later. Many of the big boys are out, Spain, England, Italy, and now USA. This team achieved a lot and we enjoyed the performance and the excitement.  The New York Times puts the TV numbers of Soccer viewers on Sunday as "Bigger Than Baseball".

Just a thought.