FBI - National Security

Gymnast “Mistreatment” - Abuse and FBI Failures

In 2018, the former physician to the US National women’s gymnastics team plead guilty to repeatedly sexually assaulting gymnasts under the guise of medical treatment.  His actions were truly heinous.  We now know the story is even more shameful.  The FBI was aware of the allegations, but did not appropriately investigate the matter.  While the FBI failed to act with necessary urgency, dozens more victims were abused.  When exposed, the FBI agents lied and attempted to cover-up their stunning inaction and misconduct.  We will explore the case and FBI failures.

Comey's Higher Loyalty

Review of the former FBI Director's book and the issues.  A fact-based analysis of:  political influence of federal agencies (FBI, DOJ, CIA, IC, IRS); Martha Stewart; Rudy Giuliani; enhanced interrogation, warrantless surveillance; the Clinton investigation; Russian election meddling; Jim Comey; Andrew McCabe.

Michael Flynn - Truth or Consequence

Is Flynn a hero illegally targeted by corrupt officials or is he a traitor saved by corrupt officials?  Opinions about his investigation and prosecution are often rooted more in ideology than fact.  Explore the case in detail with someone who has experience in the field.  Topics: what did he do; was the investigation proper;  was prosecution warranted; exculpatory evidence; entrapment; Brady evidence; court decisions; lying to feds.

Roger Stone - Fairness or Corruption

As part of the Russia Investigation Stone was convicted of lying to and obstructing Congress and tampering with a witness. Days before beginning 40 months in prison, President Trump commuted his sentence.  We will explore whether this was an act of fairness or corruption.  His supporters claim the investigation was improper, his trial was unfair, and there was unequal justice at play.  Topics:  the charges; legal opinions; political opinions; pardons; commutations; allegations against Andrew McCabe and James Comey; FISA abuse.

Chinese Intelligence 

China has a large and highly proficient Intelligence organization.  They are particularly effective in human intelligence, economic espionage, and cyber warfare.  They are also very aggressive in co-oping students, academics, and businessmen. Topics:  structure, mission, effectiveness, operations; Ministry for State Security; People’s Liberation Army; industrial and economic espionage; cyber warfare; TikTok.

Russian Intelligence 

Soviet/Russian intelligence has been highly effective for over a century.  During WW2 and the Cold War their human intelligence was particularly successful.  We will discuss their success and failures and compare them to Western Intelligence.  Topics:  intelligence effectiveness; structure; GRU; KGB; SVR; FSB; FSO; Spetsnaz groups; atomic spies; Cold war spies; Defectors; Cuban Missile Crisis espionage; Russian Sleeper spies; The Cambridge Five;  The Americans; assassinations. 

Cuban Intelligence

Cuba has an effective regional intelligence service.  Particularly adept at HUMINT (human intelligence) and counterintelligence, they are closely aligned with Russian and Chinese Intelligence.  We will explore their effectiveness and some of their major operations.  Topics:  IRONBARK; the Cuban Missile Crisis; Ana Montes; The Cuban Five; Grenada; Venezuela; drug trafficking; Cuban, Russian, and Chinese Intelligence structure; SIGINT; sonic "attacks" on US embassy personnel.

British Intelligence

 Britain has a well deserved reputation for excellence in all areas of intelligence.  Their intelligence services were truly brilliant during WWII.  They clearly won the Battle of Wits.  We will exa”mine some of their most effective operations. Topics:  structure; successes and failures; current effectiveness; ULTRA; Bletchley Park; the Double-Cross System; convoys; U-boats; Plan Z; operations Mincemeat, Bodyguard, Fortitude; ZIG ZAG; Venona; Five Eyes; operation Primrose; MI19; the Cambridge Five.

Canadian, Australian, New Zealand Intelligence

An examination and comparison of the intelligence communities of 3 major US intelligence partners. Topics: structure, agencies, history, size, effectiveness of intelligence agencies;  RCMP; Task Force 2; Five Eyes; Camp X; Hydra; Pine Gap.

Origins of Contemporary Espionage

 Accurate, timely intelligence is essential to national security.  The origins of modern-day intelligence trace to British intelligence in WW1 and WW2.  Codebreaking and counterintelligence played a key role in defeating the Axis.  Topics:  ULTRA; MAGIC; Double-Cross; codetalkers; intelligence effectiveness; MI5; MI6; operations Primrose, Bodyguard, Mincemeat; VENONA, Ironbark.

FISA

Analysis of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).  Established in 1978 to combat foreign espionage they now are used to fight terrorism.   Few Americans knew about them until recently.  Much mystery remains.  We will explore the interworking of the law and court.  Topics:  origin and history, Church Committee, "Family jewels", Terrorism Surveillance Program, FISA warrants, US Intelligence community, judges, alleged FISC "abuse", DOJ IG investigations, Patriot Act, USA Freedom Act, future issues.

Secretary Clinton Email Investigation

We will explore one of the most controversial and politically charged matters in recent memory.  We will address political issues, but the emphasis will be on what the IG and FBI investigations revealed.  Topics:  the scandal;  investigations;  testimony;  political and legal reaction;  consequences;  the "Clinton Defense"; intent vs negligence;  national security;  the Attorney General;  was the FBI investigation flawed or politicized;  will Clinton and her colleagues be "punished";  unanswered questions.                                               

US National Security

 An analysis of the US Intelligence Community.  Topics: agencies and their missions; strengths and weaknesses;  myths; intelligence estimates; President's Daily Brief ; intelligence sources; HUMINT; SIGINT; classification; "Black " projects; intelligence value and confidence levels; recommendations for improvement.  

MI5

A premier counterintelligence service for over a century. We address its history, with an emphasis on World War II operations. MI5 was brilliant; easily defeating the Nazis in the war of wits. Topics include: history of MI5, MI6; MI9; MI19; Scotland Yard; Double Cross System; deception operations; Operations Bodyguard, Fortitude, Mincemeat; secret interrogation centers; German Intelligence; Zig Zag; Garbo; Snow; Operation Pastorius; and Nazi spies in the U.S.

Situational Awareness

Safety in an unsafe environment.  First responders learn tactical awareness by necessity.  You can easily learn to pay more attention to your surroundings while continuing your normal activities.  Paranoia is counter-productive and harmful, but practicing relaxed awareness can improve your odds of avoiding or surviving danger.  A practical discussion that can have real impact in your life.  

 Stop and Frisk 

Analysis of a controversial police tactic.  We will explore the procedures  and whether they are legal and effective.  Topics:  case law and court rulings;  4th Amendment; politics;  targeted and random searches; profiling; sobriety checkpoints;  pros and cons;  NYPD.

 Profiling

 Analysis of a widely used but controversial police tactic.  What is profiling, is it legal, and does it work.  Topics:  racial, behavioral, and criminal profiling;  Terry stops;  reasonable suspicion;  exclusionary rule;  crime prevention;  profiling terror suspects;  TSA;  NYPD.

What you should know But were afraid to ask 

Not everyone has IRS problems, but everyone has questions.  This unique, informative, and entertaining discussion by a retired IRS executive will address scams, avoiding problems, divorce and taxes, and common but serious mistakes in dealing with IRS.

IRS Criminal Investigations

This rare discussion on IRS enforcement measures will emphasize the little-known world of criminal investigation.

Avoiding the Audit Lottery

Learn how IRS selects returns for audit and to avoid/survive them.  This discussion could save you time and money.  Ifyou think all you need is a good accountant, you are wrong.

Having "Safe Relations" with IRS

Can you really settle for less than you owe?  This discussion addresses the collection process and includes practical advice that can keep you out of  trouble.

Protecting your business assets.

As a business owner, officer, or director your personal assets are at risk.  How to limit that exposure and avoid common mistakes that can result in personal financial ruin.  Topics include personal liability for business taxes, independent contractors, avoiding audits, selecting the right accountant, tip income, IRS collection procedure, dealing with IRS, and what to do if you have personal or business tax problems.  Important for business owners at all levels, this information is essential for new business owners and anyone serving as an officer or board member.

Presidential Assassinations        

Some Americans know four presidents were assassinated;  few can name more than two.  Fewer know attempts were made to kill 12 others.  This is a facinating and revealing insider's look at assassinations and the protective mission of the Secret Service. 

"Secrets" of Dignitary Protection      

Special agents of the Secret Service, Diplomatic Security Service, and other agencies (FBI, CIA, etc)    have extraordinary access to  protectees.  Historically they have kept observations and mission details confidential.  Recently, the public has been given a peak behind the veil of secrecy.  This presentation addresses the history of the USSS, dignitary security, and recently revealed "secrets".

Pinkerton’s Detectives and Civil War Spies 

The name Pinkerton has been synonymous with private investigation for 170 years. Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency initially became famous catching train robbers. We explore its counterintelligence and espionage mission during the Civil War. Topics include: Allan Pinkerton; Abe Lincoln; George McClellan; Civil War spies and counterintelligence; U.S. Secret Service; Confederate Secret Service; Lee’s lost orders; Antietam; Gettysburg; “Secret Line”; Edwin Stanton; Lafayette Baker; the Lincoln Conspirators; Booth; Mary and John Surratt; George Sharpe; Kate Warne; and Pinkerton’s Women’s Bureau.

USCG is one of the most effective and necessary federal agencies.  It is unique in having military,  law enforcement, and life-saving duties.     We will address its’ history, mission, equipment, and training.  We will also discuss disaster preparation and response - comparing USCG to FEMA.  Topics:  Revenue-Marine; revenue cutters;  fleet; Alaskan, WWII and Arctic operations; USCG Academy; rescue swimmers; Katrina; Maria; DHS; recommendations. 

Special Forces

Asymmetric or unconventional tactics evolved during WWII and are integral to all modern armies.  Special operations are conducted by specially designated, organized, trained, and equipped forces.  Topics:  history; structure (US, UK); mission; SEAL Teams; Delta Force; Rangers; SAS; training; operations.

Special Forces Training

Special forces operators:   our most highly trained soldiers.  Topics: history; structure; general, specialized, and unit specific training.

In Dec 2019 we created a sixth branch of the US Armed Forces.  Space Force is the first independent branch created since the US Air Force was established in 1947.  What does it do, and is it needed?  We will examine its mission and organization.  Topics:  pros and cons; history; mission, structure, cost, and size; leadership. 

Democratic Socialism

What it is and why it's gaining popularity.  A brief discussion of capitalism, democracy, socialism,  communism, social democracy, and democratic socialism.  Topics: Bernie Sanders; FDR's New Deal; Venezuela; the Nordic Model; European social democracies;  Milton Friedman;  minimum wage;  "free" stuff; and government effectiveness. Warning:  not a flattering analysis of socialism, especially as an economic system.

Get Elected, Get Rich - Congressional Corruption

A review of how members enhance their personal wealth while in office (shameful and corrupt, but legal).  Topics include the STOCK Act, land deals, horse-trading, insider trading, cronyism, and ethics.  

Medicare for All

A fact-based analysis of the economics.  What is the cost and can we afford it?  Is it the “best” option?