#Executive Protection Services

[globalpursuit]

Stay Secure: Why Executive Protection Services Matter in the USA

When it comes to executive protection services, Global Pursuit is the name you can rely on. Our expert team will go above and beyond to protect you and your assets, giving you the peace of mind you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive security offerings. For more information, visit our website today.

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

In English, we say, "Toxicity."

In TES, we say, "Do the right thing. Paarthurnax deserves to die."

[justaz]

merlin being forced to confront the fact that he’s failing his people bc he’s sitting idly by while uther slaughters them all and coming to the decision that he has to act to save them but that’ll make him camelot enemy no. 1 but technically he already was they just didn’t know it. merlin spending a week all morose but unwilling to talk about it and spending as much time with his friends as possible. on his last night in camelot, he goes to arthur’s chambers and the prince is confused on why he’s there. merlin drops a sealed letter on his desk before pulling arthur into a gentle and emotional kiss. they barely separate, their lips hardly a breath apart, and merlin asks for forgiveness. arthur, thinking he’s apologizing for the kiss, tells him there’s nothing to forgive and goes in for a second kiss but merlin pulls away, knowing that that one brief kiss was all he could handle. if he lets arthur kiss him the way he’s dreamt of being kissed, he won’t be able to do what he needs to do, he won’t be able to leave. merlin tells him good night and leaves before arthur can react. he’s gone by dawn.

[trump-executive-orders]

Declaring a National Energy Emergency

Issued January 20, 2025.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) ("NEA"), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. The energy and critical minerals ("energy") identification, leasing, development, production, transportation, refining, and generation capacity of the United States are all far too inadequate to meet our Nation's needs. We need a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive our Nation's manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain the basics of modern life and military preparedness. Caused by the harmful and shortsighted policies of the previous administration, our Nation's inadequate energy supply and infrastructure causes and makes worse the high energy prices that devastate Americans, particularly those living on low- and fixed-incomes.

This active threat to the American people from high energy prices is exacerbated by our Nation's diminished capacity to insulate itself from hostile foreign actors. Energy security is an increasingly crucial theater of global competition. In an effort to harm the American people, hostile state and non-state foreign actors have targeted our domestic energy infrastructure, weaponized our reliance on foreign energy, and abused their ability to cause dramatic swings within international commodity markets. An affordable and reliable domestic supply of energy is a fundamental requirement for the national and economic security of any nation.

The integrity and expansion of our Nation's energy infrastructure -- from coast to coast -- is an immediate and pressing priority for the protection of the United States' national and economic security. It is imperative that the Federal government puts the physical and economic wellbeing of the American people first.

Moreover, the United States has the potential to use its unrealized energy resources domestically, and to sell to international allies and partners a reliable, diversified, and affordably supply of energy. This would create jobs and economic prosperity for Americans forgotten in the present economy, improve the United States' trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security. Accordingly, our Nation's dangerous energy situation inflicts unnecessary and perilous constraints on our foreign policy.

The policies of the previous administration have driven our Nation into a national emergency, where a precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid, require swift and decisive action. Without immediate remedy, this situation will dramatically deteriorate in the near future due to a high demand for energy and natural resources to power the next generation of technology. The United States' ability to remain at the forefront of technological innovation depends on a reliable supply of energy and the integrity of our Nation's electrical grid. Our Nation's current inadequate development of domestic energy resources leaves us vulnerable to hostile foreign actors and poses an imminent and growing threat to the United States' prosperity and national security.

These numerous problems are most pronounced in our Nation's Northeast and West Coast, where dangerous State and local policies jeopardize our Nation's core national defense and security needs, and devastate the prosperity of not only local residents but the entire United States population. The United States' insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to our Nation's economy, national security, and foreign policy. In light of these findings, I hereby declare a national emergency.

Sec. 2. Emergency Approvals. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies ("agencies") shall identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them, as well as all other lawful authorities they may possess, to facilitate the identification, leasing, siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources, including, but not limited to, on Federal lands. If an agency assesses that use of either Federal eminent domain authorities or authorities afforded under the Defense Production Act (Public Law 81-774, 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) are necessary to achieve this objective, the agency shall submit recommendations for a course of action to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

(b) Consistent with 42 U.S.C. 7545(c)(4)(C)(ii)(III), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with, and concurrence by, the Secretary of Energy, shall consider issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline to meet any projected temporary shortfalls in the supply of gasoline across the Nation.

Sec. 3. Expediting the Delivery of Energy Infrastructure. (a) To facilitate the Nation's energy supply, agencies shall identify and use all relevant lawful emergency and other authorities available to them to expedite the completion of all authorized and appropriated infrastructure, energy, environmental, and natural resources projects that are within the identified authority of each of the Secretaries to perform or to advance.

(b) To protect the collective national and economic security of the United States, agencies shall identify and use all lawful emergency or other authorities available to them to facilitate the supply, refining, and transportation of energy in and through the West Coast of the United States, Northeast of the United States, and Alaska.

(c) The Secretaries shall provide such reports regarding activities under this section as may be requested by the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.

Sec. 4. Emergency Regulations and Nationwide Permits Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Other Statutes Administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. (a) Within 30 days from the date of this order, the heads of all agencies, as well as the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall:

(i) identify planned or potential actions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply that may be subject to emergency treatment pursuant to the regulations and nationwide permits promulgated by the Corps, or jointly by the Corps and EPA, pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33, U.S.C. 1344, section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899, 33 U.S.C. 403, and section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1413 (collectively, the "emergency Army Corps permitting provisions"); and

(ii) shall provide a summary report, listing such actions, to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB"); the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Such report may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order.

(b) Agencies are directed to use, to the fullest extent possible and consistent with applicable law, the emergency Army Corps permitting provisions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply.

(c) Within 30 days following the submission of the initial summary report described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, each department and agency shall provide a status report to the OMB Director; the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; the Director of the National Economic Council; and the Chairman of the CEQ. Each such report shall list actions taken within subsection (a)(i) of this section, shall list the status of any previously reported planned or potential actions, and shall list any new planned or potential actions that fall within subsection (a)(i). Such status reports shall thereafter be provided to these officials at least every 30 days for the duration of the national emergency and may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order.

(d) The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, shall be available to consult promptly with agencies and to take other prompt and appropriate action concerning the application of the emergency Army Corps permitting provisions. The Administrator of the EPA shall provide prompt cooperation to the Secretary of the Army and to agencies in connection with the discharge of the responsibilities described in this section.

Sec. 5. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Emergency Consultation Regulations. (a) No later than 30 days from the date of this order, the heads of all agencies tasked in this order shall:

(i) identify planned or potential actions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply that may be subject to the regulation on consultations in emergencies, 50 C.F.R. 402.05, promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; and

(ii) provide a summary report, listing such actions, to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the OMB Director, the Director of the National Economic Council, and the Chairman of CEQ. Such report may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order.

(b) Agencies are directed to use, to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law, the ESA regulation on consultations in emergencies, to facilitate the Nation's energy supply.

(c) Within 30 days following the submission of the initial summary report described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, the head of each agency shall provide a status report to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the OMB Director, the Director of the National Economic Council, and the Chairman of CEQ. Each such report shall list actions taken within the categories described in subsection (a)(i) of this section, the status of any previously reported planned or potential actions, and any new planned or potential actions, and any new planned or potential actions within these categories. Such status reports shall thereafter be provided to these officials at least every 30 days for the duration of the national emergency and may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order. The OMB Director may grant discretionary exemptions from this reporting requirement.

(d) The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Director's authorized representative, is available to consult promptly with agencies and to take other prompt and appropriate action concerning the application of the ESA's emergency regulations. The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries for the National Marine Fisheries Service, or the Assistant Administrator's authorized representative, is available for such consultation and to take such other action.

Sec. 6. Convening the Endangered Species Act Committee. (a) In acting as Chairman of the Endangered Species Act Committee, the Secretary of the Interior shall convene the Endangered Species Act Committee not less than quarterly, unless otherwise required by law, to review and consider any lawful applications submitted by an agency, the Governor of a State, or any applicant for a permit or license who submits for exemption from obligations imposed by Section 7 of the ESA.

(b) To the extent practicable under the law, the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure a prompt and efficient review of all submissions described in subsection (a) of this section, to include identification of any legal deficiencies, in order to ensure an initial determination within 20 days of receipt and the ability to convene the Endangered Species Act Committee to resolve the submission within 140 days of such initial determination of eligibility.

(c) In the event that the committee has no pending applications for review, the committee or its designees shall nonetheless convene to identify obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure specifically deriving from implementation of the ESA or Marine Mammal Protection Act, to include regulatory reform efforts, species listings, and other related matters with the aim of developing procedural, regulatory, and interagency improvements.

Sec. 7. Coordinated Infrastructure Assistance. (a) In collaboration with the Secretaries of Interior and Energy, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the Department of Defense's ability to acquire and transport the energy, electricity, or fuels needed to protect the homeland and to conduct operations abroad, and, within 60 days, shall submit this assessment to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. This assessment shall identify specific vulnerabilities, including, but not limited to, potentially insufficient transportation and refining infrastructure across the Nation, with a focus on such vulnerabilities within the Northeast and West Coast regions of the United States. The assessment shall also identify and recommend the requisite authorities and resources to remedy such vulnerabilities, consistent with applicable law.

(b) In accordance with section 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631), the construction authority provided in section 2808 of title 10, United States Code, is invoked and made available, according to its terms, to the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to address any vulnerabilities identified in the assessment mandated by subsection (a). Any such recommended actions shall be submitted to the President for review, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.

Sec. 8. Definitions. For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) The term "energy" or "energy resources" means crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606 (a)(3).

(b) The term "production" means the extraction or creation of energy.

(c) The term "transportation" means the physical movement of energy, including through, but not limited to, pipelines.

(d) The term "refining" means the physical or chemical change of energy into a form that can be used by consumers or users, including, but not limited to, the creation of gasoline, diesel, ethanol, aviation fuel, or the beneficiation, enrichment, or purification of minerals.

(e) The term "generation" means the use of energy to produce electricity or thermal power and the transmission of electricity from its site of generation.

(f) The term "energy supply" means the production, transportation, refining, and generation of energy.

Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

[ivygorgon]

AN OPEN LETTER to THE PRESIDENT

President Biden take Executive Action to protect abortion rights!

2,498 so far! Help us get to 3,000 signers!

The reactionary activists on the Supreme Court are about to strip away half a century of the established right of all Americans to make their own decisions about planning their families. I support and agree with the Senators who have demanded that you use your executive power to protect reproductive justice in America. These four steps would be a great start:

Direct the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to drop the remaining FDA restrictions on mifepristone, including requirements that pharmacies obtain a special license to distribute it to patients.

Direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to aggressively enforce federal requirements that guarantee Medicaid beneficiaries the right to seek family planning services from a provider of their choice as specified by the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396a; 42 C.F.R. § 431.51).

Direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to require that all federal employees, military personnel and dependents, and persons in custody or being provided healthcare, be given paid time off and reimbursement for expenses necessary to access abortion.

Given the risks now presented by states that are criminalizing reproductive decision-making, direct the HHS Office for Civil Rights to require that websites or mobile applications that collect information related to reproductive health (such as period trackers) adequately and proactively protect personally identifiable information and other sensitive data.

Please get creative and get aggressive. The Supreme Court has been hijacked by a reactionary minority. You can help save us. Thanks.

▶ Created on June 15, 2022 by Jess Craven

📱 Text SIGN PLMOFL to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW JESSCRAVEN101 to 50409

[mottifyprague-blog]

Why Should You Rent a Mercedes Sprinter For Your Next Trip?

Whether for fun or business, travel planning calls for exacting attention to detail. One important factor is mobility. Regarding group travel or the necessity for roomy, dependable cars, the Mercedes Sprinter hire Prague is unique. Renting a Mercedes Sprinter for your next vacation will improve your experience by combining comfort, usefulness, and design.

Should Your Next Trip Call for a Mercedes Sprinter?

You should give this some thought.

1. Unmatched Covering

Its roomy inside offers enough legroom, which makes long trips fun. Modern climate control systems, ergonomic seating, and premium materials guarantee that every passenger stays comfortable all through the voyage. Whether you're heading with colleagues, friends, or family, the Sprinter's opulent lodgings offer a laid-back vibe that distinguishes it from regular vans.

2. Adaptability for Every Event

Extremely adaptable, and meeting a range of travel requirements, the Mercedes Sprinter This vehicle can fit any occasion, from family holidays to business retreats, weddings, and road excursions. It can be configured in several ways so you may select the one most fit for your needs. Does equipment or luggage call for more room? Choose a model with more freight area. Getting ready to move a large group? Select a passenger model with enough chairs.

3. Dependability and safety

Any travel should first be about safety; thus, the Mercedes Sprinter does not let down. Modern safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and advanced braking systems, abound on this vehicle. These tools give you peace of mind when driving and assist lower your chance of mishaps. Furthermore, the Sprinter's well-known dependability guarantees hassle-free and pleasant travel.

4. Performance and Fuel economy

The VIP Mercedes Sprinter Pragueis a reasonably priced option for long distances, even for its size since it is designed for fuel economy. Its sophisticated diesel or gasoline engines guarantee a mix of economy and power, therefore enabling you to travel great distances without regular stops for refueling. Whether you're negotiating local streets or blazing down highways, the van's quick handling and smooth ride improve the driving experience even more.

5. Innovations in Technology

The Mercedes Sprinter shines in this area since modern passengers value the technological integration in their cars. High-end touchscreen, navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB ports help to keep travelers occupied and connected all through the travel. Advanced assistance technologies and user-friendly controls allow drivers to simplify their driving experience and enable even difficult routes to be under control.

6. Group Travel's Cost-Effectiveness

Renting one Mercedes Sprinter could be less expensive than reserving several vehicles or depending on public transportation for a group. Sharing the expenses among guests can help you to enjoy first-rate travel affordably. Besides, having everyone in one car promotes unity and simplifies coordination.

7. Professional Pleasure

Mercedes Sprinter radiates professionalism and elegance for business travels or corporate gatherings. Arriving in a Sprinter shows clients or partners a dedication to quality and excellence, which will leave a lasting effect. Executives holding mobile meetings or team-building excursions will find this to be the perfect fit.

Conclusion

The Mercedes Sprinter is a travel buddy combining luxury, utility, and efficiency rather than only a van. Renting one for your next vacation can change your trip and give everyone engaged a flawless and fun experience. The Sprinter is the best option for discriminating travelers because of its great comfort, sophisticated amenities, and adaptability of use. Selecting a Mercedes Sprinter will guarantee that you travel confidently and in luxury, whether your trip is for a family vacation, work trip, or special occasion.

[koreessentials]

How To Set Up KORE Executive Protection Belt 👌🏽 @Koreessentialsbrand

KORE Essentials Tactical Belts, Leather Gun Belts, EDC Belts, Range belts, Executive Protection Belts and Battle belts are the Best-Fitting, Most Comfortable Gun Belts you'll ever wear! Our belts feature 40+ micro size positions to adjust with so you get a perfect fit - every time. Our proprietary Power-Core™ center is ultra-supportive and virtually indestructible. Kore EDC belts (1.5” wide) fit any waist from 24" up to 44” & 54” (EXL Tacs to 72”). One Year Warranty & 30 Day MBG. Thanks to FORWARD ASSIST for the awesome review. 

Visit - http://www.KoreEssentials.com

[gilsonlawfirm]

How Executive Protection Services Can Safeguard Your Business Reputation

In today’s fast-paced business world, maintaining a strong reputation is not just about profitability; it's about trust, reliability, and professionalism. A company's reputation can take years to build but can be destroyed in mere seconds due to security breaches, threats, or mismanagement. This is why executive protection in Washington DC has become a vital component of corporate security. Partnering with security guard companies can ensure that your business not only safeguards its assets but also fortifies its brand reputation. In this article, we'll explore how executive protection services play a crucial role in protecting your business’s reputation and ensuring its continued success.

What is Executive Protection?

Executive protection is a specialized security service designed to protect high-value individuals, corporate executives, and business leaders. It encompasses a range of security measures, including personal protection, secure transportation, surveillance, and crisis management. The core objective of executive protection is to ensure the safety and well-being of executives while safeguarding the interests of the business. In Washington DC, where businesses face unique security challenges, having a robust executive protection strategy is essential.

Partnering with security guard companies for executive protection ensures that your business executives are well-protected, your physical assets remain secure, and your corporate reputation remains intact. In the event of any security incidents, proactive measures and contingency planning become the linchpins that prevent negative publicity or financial loss.

Why Executive Protection Services are Important for Business Reputation

1. Protecting Executives and Key Personnel

Executives are often targeted due to their visibility, influence, and decision-making authority. An incident targeting an executive can bring unwanted attention to a company and damage its credibility. By investing in executive protection in Washington DC, companies show their commitment to employee safety, which boosts loyalty among employees and reassures stakeholders about the company’s commitment to security.

Security guard companies can provide personal protection agents who are highly trained in security protocols. These agents work discreetly to ensure that executives are safe in both corporate environments and during travel. A well-protected executive workforce reflects a company that values responsibility and diligence.

2. Preventing Security Breaches and Unauthorized Access

Unauthorized access to a business's premises or data can result in breaches of confidential information. Such breaches can lead to legal challenges and irreparable damage to a business's reputation. An executive protection team, in collaboration with security guard companies, uses advanced surveillance systems, background checks, and access control measures to prevent such breaches.

By employing executive protection in Washington DC, your company not only ensures physical protection but also secures confidential business information. This proactive approach demonstrates responsibility and integrity, two essential elements of a strong business reputation.

3. Enhancing Client and Partner Trust

When clients and business partners know that a company prioritizes executive protection, it fosters a sense of trust. They are more likely to engage with a business that is committed to the well-being of its employees and stakeholders. This commitment to security speaks volumes about the professionalism and integrity of a company.

Partnering with security guard companies ensures that meetings, conferences, and events are conducted in a secure environment. Such measures build stronger relationships with clients and partners who feel confident in the company's commitment to professionalism and security.

4. Crisis Management and Reputation Control

No business is entirely immune to unforeseen events. A quick response during a crisis can determine whether your company’s reputation suffers irreparable damage or emerges stronger. Executive protection services provide comprehensive contingency plans and crisis response strategies.

In the heart of Washington DC, where the political and business landscape is complex, partnering with experienced security guard companies ensures that any emergency situation is managed effectively and discreetly. A swift and efficient crisis response demonstrates accountability and commitment, which strengthens your company’s reputation rather than tarnishing it.

5. Demonstrating Corporate Responsibility

Implementing executive protection in Washington DC signifies a company’s commitment to corporate responsibility. Companies that prioritize security and the well-being of their executives showcase their dedication to ethical business practices. Such commitment sends a strong message to stakeholders, clients, and the media that your company is serious about safeguarding its interests and relationships.

A strong corporate responsibility ethos also attracts top talent. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that cares about their safety and well-being, which translates into better retention rates and a more motivated workforce.

Key Components of Executive Protection Services

1. Personal Security Agents

A crucial component of executive protection is the deployment of personal security agents. These agents are highly trained professionals who ensure the safety of executives at corporate events, meetings, and while traveling. In Washington DC, where executives often face media attention and public interactions, personal protection agents provide discreet yet robust security.

2. Secure Transportation Services

Reliable transportation services are a core part of executive protection. Security guard companies often offer armored vehicles and secure transportation options to ensure executives are transported safely to their destinations without risk. A seamless and secure transit experience enhances the confidence clients and partners have in your company.

3. Event Security Management

Corporate events, seminars, and conferences require robust security measures to protect both the attendees and the company’s reputation. Executive protection services offer specialized event security management to handle all aspects of safety, from crowd control to surveillance and emergency response.

4. Advanced Surveillance Systems

Modern surveillance systems, including CCTV, drones, and remote monitoring, are deployed to maintain a secure environment around corporate premises. Security guard companies integrate advanced technology to provide 24/7 monitoring, ensuring that no threat goes unnoticed.

5. Crisis Response and Emergency Protocols

Having a well-documented crisis response plan is crucial. This includes emergency contacts, evacuation procedures, and protocols to deal with media inquiries. A robust plan, facilitated by executive protection in Washington DC, ensures that any issue is addressed swiftly and efficiently, minimizing risk to your company’s reputation.

Partnering with Reliable Security Guard Companies

When choosing security guard companies, it’s crucial to partner with those that have a proven track record in corporate protection. These companies should offer services tailored to your business needs, with specialized expertise in executive protection in Washington DC. Reliable security companies employ experienced professionals who understand the dynamics of corporate environments and can handle the complexities that arise.

Their commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct ensures that your company’s reputation remains untarnished. Investing in a trustworthy partnership with a security guard company reassures clients, partners, and employees of your commitment to safety, responsibility, and professionalism.

Conclusion

In an era where reputation is everything, safeguarding your business’s image is not a luxury but a necessity. Executive protection in Washington DC, facilitated by security guard companies, provides comprehensive measures to protect your assets, executives, and confidential information. From personal protection to secure transportation and advanced surveillance systems, these services are essential in maintaining a secure and trustworthy corporate environment.By partnering with a reliable security guard company, businesses demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, responsibility, and ethical corporate conduct. Investing in executive protection in Washington DC is an investment in the longevity, stability, and integrity of your business. Prioritizing security today ensures a prosperous and resilient future.

[toopeanutcrown]

RBJ Risk

We provide residential and commercial security, risk & security consulting, executive protection, security design, cyber security, as well as surveillance and counter surveillance.

[rangeroperation]

RANGER OPERATION SERVICES INC - SECURITY SERVICES | Security Guard Service | Security Service in Miami FL

Ranger Operation Services Inc- Security Services specializes in providing top-tier Security Guard Service in Miami FL, catering to various needs, from private events to corporate security solutions. Our team of highly trained professionals is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of your assets, using the latest in security technology and practices. We are also a leading name in providing high-end Security Service in Miami FL. Our approach to security combines traditional methods with innovative solutions, offering peace of mind to our clients. Whether you're looking for vigilant patrolling or sophisticated surveillance, our experts are here to deliver unparalleled service. Trust us to protect what matters most to you.

[globalpursuit]

The Holistic Approach Of Executive Protection Services

Elevate your safety with Global Pursuit's Executive Protection Security Services. Our elite team of trained professionals offers discreet and personalized protection for executives, dignitaries, and high-profile individuals. With meticulous planning and unmatched expertise, we ensure your security is prioritized, allowing you to navigate the world with confidence.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

All bets are off

When unions are outlawed, only outlaws will have unions. Unions don't owe their existence to labor laws that protect organizing activities. Rather, labor laws exist because once-illegal unions were formed in the teeth of violent suppression, and those unions demanded – and got – labor law.

Bosses have hated unions since the start, and they've really hated laws protecting workers. Dress this up in whatever self-serving rationale you want – "the freedom to contract," or "meritocracy" – it all cashes out to this: when workers bargain collectively, value that would otherwise go to investors and executives goes to the workers.

I'm not just talking about wages here, either. If an employer is forced – by a union, or by a labor law that only exists because of union militancy – to operate a safe workplace, they have to spend money on things like fire suppression, PPE, and paid breaks to avoid repetitive strain injuries. In the absence of some force that corrals bosses into providing these safety measures, they can use that money to pay themselves, and externalize the cost of on-the-job injuries to their workers.

The cost and price of a good or service is the tangible expression of power. It is a matter of politics, not economics. If consumer protection agencies demand that companies provide safe, well-manufactured goods, if there are prohibitions on price-fixing and profiteering, then value shifts from the corporation to its customers.

Now, if labor has few rights and consumers have many rights, then bosses can pass their consumer-side losses on to their workers. This is the Walmart story, the Amazon story: cheap goods paid for with low wages and dangerous working conditions. Likewise, if consumer rights are weak but labor rights are strong, then bosses can pass their costs onto their customers, continuing to take high profits by charging more. This is the story of local gig-work ordinances like NYC's, which guaranteed a minimum wage to delivery drivers – restaurateurs responded by demanding the right to add a surcharge to their bills:

https://table.skift.com/2018/06/22/nyc-surcharge-debate/

But if labor and consumer groups act in solidarity, then they can operate as a bloc and bosses and investors have to eat shit. Back in 2017, the pilots' union for American Airlines forced their bosses into a raise. Wall Street freaked out and tanked AA's stock. Analysts for big banks were outraged. Citi's Kevin Crissey summed up the situation perfectly, in a fuming memo: "This is frustrating. Labor is being paid first again. Shareholders get leftovers":

https://www.vox.com/new-money/2017/4/29/15471634/american-airlines-raise

Limiting the wealth of the investor class also limits their power, because money translates pretty directly into political power. This sets up a virtuous cycle: the less money the investor class has to spend on political projects, the more space there is for consumer- and labor-protection laws to be enacted and enforced. As labor and consumer law gets more stringent, the share of the national income going to people who make things, and people who use the things they make, goes up – and the share going to people who own things goes down.

Seen this way, it's obvious that prices and wages are a political matter, not an "economic" one. Orthodox economists maintain the pretense that they practice a kind of physics of money, discovering the "natural," "empirical" way that prices and wages move. They dress this up with mumbo-jumbo like the "efficient market hypothesis," "price discovery," "public choice," and that old favorite, "trickle-down theory." Strip away the doublespeak and it boils down to this: "Actually, your boss is right. He does deserve more of the value than you do":

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/09/low-wage-100/#executive-excess

Even if you've been suckered by the lie that bosses have a legal "fiduciary duty" to maximize shareholder returns (this is a myth, by the way – no such law exists), it doesn't follow that customers or workers share that fiduciary duty. As a customer, you are not legally obliged to arrange your affairs to maximize the dividends paid by to investors in your corporate landlord or by the merchants you patronize. As a worker, you are under no legal obligation to consider shareholders' interests when you bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions.

The "fiduciary duty" lie is another instance of politics masquerading as economics: even if bosses bargain for as big a slice of the pie as they can get, the size of that slice is determined by the relative power of bosses, customers and workers.

This is why bosses hate unions. It's why the scab presidency of Donald Trump has waged all-out war on unions. Trump just effectively shuttered the National Labor Relations Board, unilaterally halting its enforcement actions and investigations. He also illegally fired one of the Democratic NLRB board members, leaving the agency with too few board members to take any new actions, meaning that no unions can be recognized – indeed, the NLRB can't do anything – for the foreseeable future:

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/28/nx-s1-5277103/nlrb-trump-wilcox-abruzzo-democrats-labor

Trump also fired the NLRB's outstanding General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, who was one of the stars of the Biden administration, who promulgated rules that decisively tilted the balance in favor of labor:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/06/goons-ginks-and-company-finks/#if-blood-be-the-price-of-your-cursed-wealth

Trump is playing Grinch here – he's descended upon Whoville to take all the Christmas decorations, in the belief that these are the source of Christmas. But the Grinch was wrong (and so is Trump): Christmas was in the heart of the Whos, and the tinsel and baubles were the expression of that Christmas spirit. Likewise, labor rights come from labor organizing, not the other way around.

Labor rights were enshrined in federal law in 1935, with the National Labor Relations Act. Bosses hated – and hate – the NLRA. 12 years later, they passed the Taft-Hartley Act, which substantially gutted the NLRA. Most notably, Taft-Hartley bans "sympathy strikes" – when unions walk out in support of one another. Sympathy strikes are a hugely powerful way for workers to claim value away from bosses and investors, which is why bosses got rid of them.

But even then, bosses who were honest with themselves would admit that they preferred life under the NLRA to life before it. Remember: labor militancy created the NLRA, not the other way around. When workers didn't have the legal means to organize, they organized by illegal means. When they didn't have legal ways of striking, they struck illegally. The result was pitched battles, even bloodbaths, as cops beat and even killed labor organizers. Bosses hired thugs who committed mass murder – literally. In 1913, strikebreakers working for the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company started a stampede during a union Christmas party that killed 73 people, including many copper miners' children:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Hall_disaster

Workers didn't take this lying down. Violence was met with violence. Bombs went off outside factories and stately mansions. There was gunfire and arson. Bosses had to hire armed guards to escort them as they scurried between their estates and their fancy parties and their executive offices. The country was in a state of near-perpetual chaos.

The NLRA created a set of rules for labor/boss negotiations – rules that helped workers claim a bigger slice of the pie without blood in the streets. But the NLRA also had benefits for bosses: unions were obliged to play by its rules, if they wanted to reap its benefits. The NLRA didn't just put a ceiling over boss power – it also put a ceiling over worker militancy. Von Clausewitz says that "war is politics by other means," which implies that politics are war by other means. The alternative to politics isn't capitulation, it's war.

Trump has torn up the rules to the labor game, but that doesn't mean the game ends. That just means there are no rules.

The labor movement has many great organizer/writers, but few can match the incredible Jane McAlevey, who died of cancer last summer (rest in power). In her classic A Collective Bargain, McAlevey describes her organizer training, from a tradition that went back to the days before the National Labor Relations Act:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/23/a-collective-bargain/

McAlevey was very clear that labor law owes its existence to union power, not the other way around. She explains very clearly that union organizers invented labor law after they invented unions, and that unions can (and indeed, must) exist separately from government agencies that are charged with protecting labor law. But she goes farther: in Collective Bargain, McAlevey describes how the 2019 LA Teachers' Strike didn't just win all the wage and benefits demands of the teachers, but also got the school district to promise to put a park or playground near every school in the system, and got a ban on ICE agents harassing parents at the school gates.

This wildly successful strike forged bonds among teachers, and between teachers and their communities. These teachers went on to run a political get-out-the-vote campaign in the 2020 elections and elected two Democratic reps to Congress and secured the Dems' majority. McAlevey contrasted the active way good unions involve workers as participants with the thin, anemic way that the Democratic Party engages with supporters – solely by asking them for money in a stream of frothing, clickbait text messages. As McAlevey wrote, "Workplace democracy is a training ground for true national democracy."

Militant labor doesn't just protect labor rights – it protects human rights. Remember: MLK, Jr was assassinated while campaigning for union janitors in Memphis. LA teachers ended ICE sweeps at the school gates. Librarian unions are leading the fight against book bans.

The good news is that public opinion has swung wildly in favor of unions over the past decade. More people want to join unions than at any time in generations. More people support unions that at any time in generations.

The bad news is that union leadership fucking suuuuuuuucks. As Hamilton Nolan writes, union bosses are sitting on vast, heretofore unseen warchests of cash, and they just experienced a four-year period of governmental support for unions unheard of since the Carter administration, and they did fuck all with that opportunity:

https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/confirmed-unions-squandered-the-biden

Big unions have effectively stopped trying to organize new workers, even when workers beg them for help forming a union. Union organizing budgets are so small as to be indistinguishable from zero. Despite the record number of workers who want to be in a union, the number of workers who are in a union actually fell during the Biden years.

Indeed, some union bosses actually campaigned for Trump, a notorious scab. Teamsters boss Sean O'Brien spoke at the fucking RNC, a political favor that Trump repaid by killing the NLRB and every labor enforcement action and investigation in the country. Nice one, O'Brien. See you in hell:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/08/teamster-union-trump/679513/

Union bosses squandered a historical opportunity to build countervailing power. Now, Trump's stormtroopers are rounding up workers with the goal of illegally deporting them. Fascism is on the rise. Labor and fascism are archenemies. Organized labor has always been the biggest threat to fascism, every time it has reared its head. That's why fascists target unions first. Union bosses cost us an organized force that could effectively defend our friends and neighbors from Trump's deportation stormtroopers:

https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2025-01-28-trumps-lawbreaking-also-aimed-at-workers/

Not every union boss is a scab like O'Brien. Shawn Fain, head of the UAW, won an historic strike against all three of the Big Three automakers, and made sure that the new contracts all ran out in 2028, and called on other unions to do the same, so that the country could have a general strike in 2028 without violating the Taft-Hartley Act (Fain was operating on the now-dead assumption that unions had to play by the rules):

https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/11/rip-jane-mcalevey/#organize

A general strike isn't just a strike for workers' rights. Under Trump, a general strike is a strike against Trumpism and all its horrors: kids in cages, forced birth, trans erasure, climate accelerationism – the whole fucking thing.

A general strike would build the worker power to occupy the Democratic Party and force it to stand up for the American people against oligarchy, rather than meekly capitulating to fascism (and fundraising), which is all they know how to do anymore:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/10/smoke-filled-room-where-it-happens/#dinosaurs

But before we can occupy the Dems, we have to occupy the unions. We need union bosses who are committed to signing up every worker who wants workplace democracy, and unionizing every workplace in spite of the NLRB, not with its help. We need to go back to our roots, when there were no rules.

That's the world Trump made. We need to make him regret that decision.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/29/which-side-are-you-on/#strike-three-yer-out

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"The Biden Administration last week [early December, 2023] announced it would be seizing patents for drugs and drug manufacturing procedures developed using government money.

A draft of the new law, seen by Reuters, said that the government will consider various factors including whether a medical situation is leading to increased prices of the drug at any given time, or whether only a small section of Americans can afford it.

The new executive order is the first exercise in what is called “march-in-rights” which allows relevant government agencies to redistribute patents if they were generated under government funding. The NIH has long maintained march-in-rights, but previous directors have been unwilling to use them, fearing consequences.

“We’ll make it clear that when drug companies won’t sell taxpayer funded drugs at reasonable prices, we will be prepared to allow other companies to provide those drugs for less,” White House adviser Lael Brainard said on a press call.

But just how much taxpayer money is going toward funding drugs? A research paper from the Insitute for New Economic Thought showed that “NIH funding contributed to research associated with every new drug approved from 2010-2019, totaling $230 billion.”

The authors of the paper continue, writing “NIH funding also produced 22 thousand patents, which provided marketing exclusivity for 27 (8.6%) of the drugs approved [between] 2010-2019.”

How we do drug discovery and production in America has a number of fundamental flaws that have created problems in the health service industry.

It costs billions of dollars and sometimes as many as 5 to 10 years to bring a drug to market in the US, which means that only companies with massive financial muscle can do so with any regularity, and that smaller, more innovative companies can’t compete with these pharma giants.

This also means that if a company can’t recoup that loss, a single failed drug can result in massive disruptions to business. To protect themselves, pharmaceutical companies establish piles of patents on drugs and drug manufacturing procedures. Especially if the drug in question treats a rare or obscure disease, these patents essentially ensure the company has monoselective pricing regimes.

However, if a company can convince the NIH that a particular drug should be considered a public health priority, they can be almost entirely funded by the government, as the research paper showed.

Some market participants, in this case the famous billionaire investor Mark Cuban, have attempted to remedy the issue of drug costs in America by manufacturing generic versions of patented drugs sold for common diseases."

-via Good News Network, December 11, 2023