“The UN, Guns, and US Constitution” – Explaning the Arms Trade Treaty July 27, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Politics, terrorism, weapons and tactics.Tags: 2nd amendment, arms trade treaty, Constitution, guns, mark consulting group, NRA, ownership, senate, UN
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Recent events in the US have once again ignited the debate over control of guns within the US. This post is not a political debate rather an introduction to US gun issues and, more specifically, actions of the United Nations. First, for some quick statistics. According to the US Firearms Institute between 40% – 50% of US homes own firearms. There are between 250 million and 280 million firearms in the US owned by between 120 million and 150 million US citizens. Hunting, shooting, and firearms are deeply embedded in the US culture and history. In fact, the right to own firearms is guaranteed in the US Constitution’s 2nd Amendment which states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” As every 6th grader knows, the 2nd Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights which was passed in 1791. While many people don’t agree with the 2nd Amendment the US Supreme Court has upheld the amendment and clarified the intent in several cases: (more…)
“Money Laundering May Support Drugs and Terror Funding?” – US Senate says of HSBC July 17, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Risk & Risk Management, terrorism.Tags: AML, HSBC, mark consulting group, PATRIOT, risk, security, senate, terrorism
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According to a US Senate Report issued today and major news outlets including MSNBC, Europe’s largest bank, HSBC, has “A “pervasively polluted” culture at HSBC allowed the bank to act as financier to clients moving shadowy funds from the world’s most dangerous and secretive corners, including Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria, according to a scathing U.S. Senate report issued on Monday.” The report, titled: US Vulnerabilities to Money Laundering, Drugs, and Terrorist Financing: HSBC Case History “…examines the anti-money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing vulnerabilities created when a global bank uses its U.S. affiliate to provide U.S. dollars, U.S dollar services, and access to the U.S. financial system to high risk affiliates, high risk correspondent banks, and high risk clients.” The US Enacted stronger Anti Money Laundering laws as a part of the PATRIOT act passed in the wake of 9/11. These AML laws were designed to cut of the flow of money to terrorists. In the case of HSBC it appears many of the rules were ignored potentially allowing drug cartels and terrorist to move and launder money.
In a statement emailed to NBCNews.com, the bank said:
We will apologize, acknowledge these mistakes, answer for our actions and give our absolute commitment to fixing what went wrong. We believe that this case history will provide important lessons for the whole industry in seeking to prevent illicit actors entering the global financial system.
Laws & the US Constitution…a Primer ;) June 28, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Constitution, house of represenatives, I'm just a bill, ObamaCare, schoolhouse rocks, senate, Stole Valor
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Today the US Supreme Court ruled on two laws that have been a major source of debate. I have already had two knock down arguments on Facebook over these findings. In light of this, and the fact that we are approaching the 4th of July, I am going to take a moment to interject some levity into the debate.
The Supreme Court upheld the law commonly known as ObamaCare and struck down as the Stolen Valor Act as unconstitutional. As we have foreign readers…here is a primer to the US Government..the Congress (comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate) in conjunction with the President of the US introduce Bills. (more…)
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 