Thread: Is Gunwalker scandal even bigger than anybody ever thought

Sunday, February 27, 2011

"Fire in the 'gloryhole!'"

Vander Werf connected to Gunwalker scandal? Is Gunwalker even bigger than anybody ever thought?

Russell Vander Werf, Director of Industry Operations (DIO) for Houston ATF (responsible for overseeing inspection of all federal gun and explosives licensees in the area), was arrested while in New Orleans, after damaging a hotel room in Metairie, LA. Damage consisted of disabling the fire alarm and replacing a bedroom door with a piece of plywood with a circular hole cut in the middle, wrapped in gray duct tape (known as a "glory hole)". The hotel manager had received a call reporting numerous young men entering and exiting the room and "sex noises" coming from the room. Vander Werf admitted that he put the plywood on the door and disabled the fire alarms. ATF confirmed Vander Werf was in the New Orleans area on official business. It has been confirmed that on or about Valentine's Day, 2011, Russell Vander Werf is being reassigned to ATF Headquarters in Washington. -- Wikipedia.

Robert Farago writing at The Truth About Guns reports ATF Glory Hole Agent Still Drawing Pay, Pension, Benefits. His source is this thread from CleanUpATF.org. Farago writes with outrage that ATF Headquarters favorite "gloryholer" had been spending the last year with full pay and benefits at home -- as a GS-15 that's not chump change. Unfortunately Robert did not read far enough. Later on in the string, ATF agent All Eyes On You writes:

It has been confirmed that Russell Vanderwerf is being reassigned to 99 New York Ave. The decision was apparently made a week ago and ATF Management doesn't want it announced, because they think they can move him without ya'll noticing?! Why so secretive? What else is going on with this puke?

And later he comments:

A paid move from Texas to DC with GS-15 pay, for a Deputy Chief spot. A DIO to a Deputy Chief sounds like a promotion to me. Disciplinary action? No way. He's a GS-15 supervisor, that'll never happen.

"What else is going on with this puke?" I think I have a clue -- Project Gunwalker. What was his job in Houston? "Director of Industry Operations (DIO) for Houston ATF (responsible for overseeing inspection of all federal gun and explosives licensees in the area)."

And recall that although the ATF is pretending that the Phoenix/Tucson offices are the crux of the Project Gunrunner prosecutions that it was Carter's Country in the Houston Field Office's area of operations which is on the record as having been told to proceed with suspicious sales. Recall also that even though Vander Werf was busted in late 2009, we know from the Fast and Furious documentation that the whole encourage-dealers-to-cooperate meme was being being worked at least back that far.

Okay, so Texas is a border state. But what if this is bigger than anybody ever thought? What if this is not about exaggerating the border problem, but the entire problem of criminal access to firearms all across the country?

But based on a rumor and a hunch, I decided to stop by a couple of Birmingham area gun stores yesterday and ask around. I had this question:

Have you ever called in a suspicious sale that had passed the NICS check but still seemed hinky and been told to go ahead with it?

At the first one, I had a counterman tell me yes, and then when I asked for more detail, the owner told me he was wrong and that he wasn't going to say anything further. He darn near ordered me out of the shop.

At the second, though, the owner wasn't there and the counterman and his partner both filled me in on their experiences. Yes, they said, it had happened more than once. Two instances stood out: one on a buy of four semi-auto AKs to some folks who wore gang colors and one on some Glock pistols to to a Hispanic girl accompanied by a couple guys with MS-13 tattoos. It just didn't make sense to them. The buyers did not know that they had passed the NICS checks. They could have been put off for further investigation. It just didn't make sense.

And that was just two gun stores. Two out of two I surveyed. In Birmingham, Alabama, far from the southwest border.

So what if this is more than anecdotal? What if Gunrunner is far more widespread than has been previously thought? What if it is just the tip of the spear of a policy to ENCOURAGE the circulation of firearms to gangs all across the country?

It strikes me that ATF headquarters may have very good reason to take an obvious disciplinary case deserving of firing and hold him close, pay him for doing nothing for over a year and then to promote him to ATF headquarters.

And that reason is the Project Gunwalker Scandal.

I have a suggestion for all Three Percenters out there. Stop in your local gunshops, wherever they may be, and ask them the same question:

Have you ever called in a suspicious sale that had passed the NICS check but still seemed hinky and been told to go ahead with it?

Ask them on condition of anonymity and report back to me here. Just give me towns or counties, nothing specific enough to get the dealers in trouble. What we need right now is more anecdotal evidence of this behavior on the part of the ATF. Of course if you find someone who is willing to go on the record to Senator Grassley or the House of Representatives you can pass that on too to my email address, GeorgeMason1776@aol.com.

And watch out for "gloryholers." They might be your tax dollars at work.

http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot. ... ected.html

Many links on this post; go to the link above if you wish to view them

[b] Many links on this post; go to the link if you wish to view them

A journalist's guide to 'Project Gunwalker'

* February 2nd, 2011 1:45 pm ET

Do you like this Article?

The following is a summary and time line of articles appearing on the Sipsey Street Irregulars blog and Gun Rights Examiner, reflecting original reporting on the developing "Project Gunwalker" story by Mike Vanderboegh and myself. That's the purposely ironic name I assigned it, a parody of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive's "Project Gunrunner," and it refers to allegations by whistleblowing ATF insiders that:

* ATF management was allowing potentially hundreds of semiautomatic firearms to be walked across the Mexican border in order to pad statistics used to further budget and power objectives.
* Mexican authorities were kept in the dark, and protests that they should be informed were overridden, first by the Phoenix ATF office, and ultimately by higher-ups in Washington, DC.
* A gun used in this operation was involved in a December 2010 incident in which a Border Patrol agent was killed.

The original allegations were posted on CleanUpATF.org. Vanderboegh and I, who have a history going back years of documenting allegations posted there, and pressing for congressional hearings to investigate the claims, were both contacted independently by various ATF insiders claiming to have corroborating information and documentation. Mike vetted his sources and I used my contacts to help validate that my informant was who he represented himself to be. Mike and I did what we could throughout our separate and coordinated investigations to test and corroborate what was being told. We also had a small circle of behind-the-scenes consultants, including firearms designer Len Savage, and a few other knowledgeable advisors, all with contacts and informed insights of their own, and all of whom have earned our trust over the years.

Our primary goal was to help arrange for protection for our sources, and quickly, as retaliation was feared. Because the allegations involved higher ups within the Justice Department, the added protection afforded by separation of powers was sought. Through various contacts and machinations that are documented in the following timeline, the whistleblowers came under the protective umbrella of Sen. Charles Grassley, a senior member of the Committee of the Judiciary.

Our secondary goal was to push this story outside our limited spheres of influence and into the "mainstream press," so that it would be problematic to ignore or bury things. Again, making this happen has been an ongoing struggle, but we've seen the first cracks in the dam. The following time line will bring journalists just getting involved with this story up to speed by walking them though it, from its genesis to where we are today as major media outlets finally begin to take notice and get involved.

By way of a FAQ, two seem to be recurrent:

Will you have your sources contact us?

and

Will you provide us with copies of documentation?

The answer to both is "No." The reason is one of protection. You will need to observe official proceedings and develop/consult sources of your own.

Here's what's happened so far, at least what I can publicly disclose:

Dec. 28:

* Border Patrol agent killed with ATF-smuggled AR? Some ATF agents seem to think so.

Jan. 3:

* So the DOJ comes to visit, worried about the ATF-smuggled gun that may have killed the Border Patrol officer last month, and their exit page is CUATF.

Jan. 5:

* "Pure fact verified." The ATF scandal that's going to guarantee oversight hearings.
* ATF source confirms ‘walking’ guns to Mexico to ‘pad’ statistics

Jan. 6:

* More information on ATF ‘walking’ guns across Mexican border

Jan. 7:

* Walk Don't Run
* White House now in decision making loop on ATF "Walking Gun-gate" scandal. The ghost of Vince Foster to walk the corridors of the fifth floor?
* This just in on the Mexican end of what David Codrea has called "Project Gunwalker."

Jan. 10:

* The Curious Case of the Walking M-16s by L. Neil Smith

Jan. 12:

* Following the various threads of Project Gunwalker -- "Gun Dealer: 'ATF Approved Sales to Mexican Gun Runners'"

Jan. 13:

* Does Texas gun shop tie in with ‘Project Gunwalker’?

Jan. 18:

* Is ‘Project Gunwalker’ about to bust wide open?
* "Project Gunwalker" scandal story at a tipping point this morning, though it may take a short while for you to see it.
* Senators crawfish on helping agents in Project Gunwalker scandal. See if you can't help concentrate their minds.

Jan. 19:

* Open Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee staff on 'Project Gunwalker'
* Sources, Timeline and Summary of the ATF "Project Gunwalker" scandal and the death of BP agent Brian Terry.
* We have movement on the Senate side of the Project Gunwalker scandal.
* Outstanding idea from Kurt Hofmann on ratcheting up the pressure on the Project Gunwalker scandal!

Jan. 20:

* Mayors Against Illegal Guns issues new graphic in light of ATF's "Project Gunwalker" scandal!
* Yogi Berra was right. Rumor of a big, bad ATF bust early next week.

Jan. 21:

* ‘Project Gunwalker’ sources talking to Senate staffers
* The shadow war for the truth. "Management culture of ATF holds no regard for the life and/or safety of front line agents." STAND DOWN THE ATF!
* Will the Mexican reporter who called last night about Project Gunwalker please contact me?
* Senators now in contact with ATF agents about Project Gunwalker scandal.

Jan. 22:

* Knox reports on ‘Project Gunwalker’
* Jeff Knox and World Net Daily pick up on the Project Gunwalker scandal.
* Brian Terry memorial service marred by insincere promises and pious platitudes

Jan. 23:

* ‘Project Gunwalker’ investigators: Watch for smears, focus on leads
* David Codrea on Liberty Watch Radio about Project Gunwalker.

Jan. 25:

* ATF Project Gunrunner dog and pony show in Phoenix today. Are they ready to spin the "modified limited hangout" on the death of BPA Terry?
* Here's the dog and pony show -- "Gun Running Operation Uncovered in Arizona." Yeah? Did they arrest the Phoenix ATF SAC as the mastermind?

Jan. 26:

* Hans von Spakovsky asks "Is the fix in at Justice? Appointing Robin Ashton to oversee ethical standards is like choosing a fox to guard the henhouse."
* More on the Project Gunrunner dog and pony show in Phoenix.

Jan. 27:

* One question for ‘Project Gunwalker’ skeptics
* This just in: Senate is now referring to "Project Gunwalker" as the "Brian Terry Whistleblower Case" plus a question for ‘Project Gunwalker’ skeptics.

Jan. 30:

* Phoenix ATF reportedly retaliating against ‘Project Gunwalker’ whistleblower
* Mexican press picks up on 'Project Gunwalker'
* David Codrea: "Phoenix ATF reportedly retaliating against ‘Project Gunwalker’ whistleblower."
* "Torpedo . . . LOS!" MEXICAN PRESS PICKS UP ON 'PROJECT GUNWALKER'!! ATF brass headed for lifeboats?

Jan. 31:

* Why does link for Mexican newspaper redirect to the FBI’s website?
* A Sipsey Street Exclusive: Senator Grassley is on the Project Gunwalker scandal case -- big time.
* BREAKING NEWS: Grassley Writes Melson on Project Gunwalker
* "We do not permit the exit of arms to Mexico." Riiight. El Diaro translation, cleaned up by, ironically enough, Avatar at CleanUpATF.org
* ATF execs' ululations of agony -- Not-so-instant Karma at the tipping point of the perpetual scandal that is ATF -- and David Olofson's revenge.
* There's going to be a lot more of this before it is over.
* Plumbing the considerable depths of ATF spokesman "Baghdad Tom" Mangan's 'unawareness.'

Feb. 1:

* Media begins noticing ‘Project Gunwalker’
* Three Examiner Columns on "Project Gunwalker": Two from David and one from Kurt
* Burning the midnight oil at DOJ over Project Gunwalker.
* If it is on television, it must be true.
* Actions louder than words. Eric Holder just told the President of Mexico and Senator Charles Grassley to go fornicate themselves.

Feb. 2:

* Has ATF Phoenix SAC been transferred to Mexico?
* Late to the story, Pravda (WaPo) Parrots Kremlin Cover Up Line.
* "Heer there be Dragones." My letter to the Pravda reporters. "Welcome to the Project Gunwalker Scandal story."
* Washington Post ‘Project Gunwalker’ piece lets key claim go unchallenged
* FOX News picks up the Project Gunwalker story.

Feb. 3:

* Irrational exuberance
* Putting their money where their cover-up is. Did Project Gunwalker Scandal cause the Obama administration to double down on ATF?
* Mainstream press reports shed additional light on ‘Project Gunwalker’
* Of Whistleblowers and Watchdogs
* InfoWars on Gunwalker
* My letter to Consul General Salvador De Lara, Consul General in Atlanta of the Republic of Mexico.
* So where are the "authorized journalists" asking sharp questions of the State Dept. about the violation of treaty & protocol in Project Gunwalker?
* Chris Dumm, writing at The Truth About Guns, has an interesting observation. . .
* Alex Jones' "DisInfo Wars" finally finds the "Gunwalker" scandal, but of course they can't mention Sipsey Street.
* TTAG picks up my letter to the Mexican Consul General in Atlanta. "If there is justice in this world castration's too good for them."

Feb. 4:

* Need good Spanish translation of my letter to the Consul General ASAP
* ATF Deputy Director Melson doing the French Mistake in Lyon.
* I Accuse! Meet the Assistant Attorney General at the center of the Project Gunwalker Cover-up: Lanny Breuer.
* A word about our Project Gunwalker scandal icon.
* Death in the Desert: Project Gunwalker and the ATF Cover-Up
* WaPo Reporter: "Help! I'm trapped in my Weltanschauung and I can't get out!"

Feb. 5:

* The Project Gunwalker Scandal in a nutshell.
* ‘American Thinker’ narrates development of ‘Project Gunwalker’ story
* Did Lanny Breuer play a role in ‘Project Gunwalker’?
* BP agent Brian Terry's own valediction is an indictment of the government-paid cowards who are covering up the circumstances of his death.

Feb. 6:

* On the Obama Death Star, The Project Gunwalker scandal continues as the Empire Strikes Back in the form of evil eminence Darth Breuer.
* ATF Agent: "Unfortunately the objectives usually have nothing to do with the best interest of the Government or the public."
* No answers yet about guns found at Border Patrol agent death scene
* Profiles in Cover-up. When is some big media type going ask Janet Napolitano what the meaning of "swift justice" is? Plus a calendar to keep track.

Feb. 7:

* Big Week for Gunwalker Scandal -- Agents Suggest Witness List. "God have mercy on our agency but please don't give the bad guys another free pass."
* My letter to the Consul General of the Estados Unidos Mexicanos in Atlanta -- In English AND Spanish.
* ‘Project Gunwalker’ allegations bolstered by Project Gunrunner indictments
* Open Source Analysis of "Fast & Furious" Bust Confirms It As An Integral Part of the Project Gunwalker Cover-up.

Feb. 8:

* Sound of Silence: Wagering odds on a scandal, cops become crooks & Kurt Hofmann asks the 1.1 Billion Dollar Question about Project Gunwalker.
* STONEWALL: The empire strikes back. DOJ issues denial on death of Brian Terry. "Standard coverup material that even a boy of 8 would laugh at."
* GOA issues email action alert: "The word is starting to leak out."
* DOJ Denies ‘Project Gunwalker’ allegations

Feb. 9:

* A Call to All Second Amendment Activists: There is a way you can help to shine the bright light of truth on the Project Gunwalker Scandal.
* Looks like Grassley's office ain't buying the stonewall on the Project Gunwalker Scandal. Five questions for the Congress to ask under oath.
* The nameless, faceless dead of the Project Gunwalker Scandal. "What's a few more dead Mexicans in the grand scheme of things?"
* Latest from Only Guns and Money & Texas GOP Vote on the Project Gunwalker scandal.
* ATF stonewalling highlights importance of getting answers under oath
* Congressional Research Service can be used to expose ‘Project Gunwalker’
* Another country heard from . . .
* BREAKING NEWS: Grassley to Holder: Terry family deserves answers
* Rosetta Stone: David Codrea Posts Grassley Letter to Eric Holder with Project Gunwalker DOCUMENTS."The best way to honor his memory is to come clean."

Feb. 10:

* ATF Whistleblowers to Senator Grassley: "Welcome to the party, pal!" But remember, the fight against this evil is an open invitation to YOU as well.

Feb. 11:

* The story upon the stair. The failure of "authorized journalists" to pick up on Senator Grassley's [b]slap of Eric Holder.
* An ATF agent's indictment. "ATF DIDN'T make every effort to 'interdict' these guns or they WOULD HAVE been interdicted."
* Wanted: individual skilled in firearms smuggling, insulting Mexicans, threatening subordinates, massive cover-up . Lack of scruples a plus. Apply ATF.
* ‘Project Gunwalker’ protest can help kill ATF’s long gun reporting proposal
* Phoenix television reporter conducts exclusive interview with Terry stepmother
* David Codrea: ‘Project Gunwalker’ protest can help kill ATF’s long gun reporting proposal. "Any chair in a bar fight."
* Ask and you shall receive: Stacey Delikat in Phoenix comes through with the first media report on the Grassley letter to Holder.
* CCRKBA calls for Senate investigation of Project Gunwalker Scandal. NRA weinermobile still looking for a parking place.
* CCRKBA Calls for Senate Investigations of ATF

Feb. 12:

* NRA issues statement on Grassley ATF inquiry
* Big Week for Project Gunwalker Scandal: Bomb Damage Assessment Time for both the Justice Department and the Coalition of Willing Lilliputians.

Feb. 13:

* WikiLeaks memos confirm: "Heavy firepower now in the hands of Mexican criminal organizations isn’t linked to mom-and-pop gun stores."
* T.J. Bonner: Missing in Action in the Project Gunwalker Scandal and the cover-up of the circumstances of Brian Terry's murder.
* David Codrea sends us a "GunTalker" reminder for today.

Feb. 14:

* "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead," and the Washington Post is still not covering Grassley's slap-down of Eric Holder.
* National Border Patrol Council silent on ‘Project Gunwalker’ allegations
* Fly on the wall inside ATF: C.O.W.L. deep-cover agent Waldo presents the alternate universe working inside the heads of ATF upper management.

Feb. 15:

* This just in: "The Washington Post is still dead." But, the Washington Times finally picked up the Project Gunwalker Scandal story!
* Another ATF whistleblower asks -- "Senator Grassley: are you watching?" Waste, fraud and abuse, this time at ATF's Martinsburg facility.
* Media response to ‘Project Gunwalker’ story practically nonexistent
* Firearms Coalition Immediate Action Needed – ATF Comment Window Closes Today!!
* Well, duh. "FBI: Friendly fire ruled out in Tucson border agent's slaying." Also, 3 suspects freed. Did ATF walked gun kill Terry all by itself?
* Two from Moonbattery.
* Michael Savage links Washington Times story on Gunwalker.
* Here we go again? "Oh, sh**" moment for ATF once more? Two U.S. Immigration Agents Shot In Mexico.

Feb. 16:

* This just in: "The Washington Post is still dead." So, too, is Matt Drudge. "Woodward and Bernstein circa 1972 they ain't." Time for a cacerolazo.
* FOIA request filed with ATF over Grassley ‘Gunwalker’ briefing
* Grassley to Holder: ATF refused to answer specific questions in briefing
* Senator Grassley fires another salvo in the Project Gunwalker Scandal. ATF "refused to answer specific questions about the facts & circumstances."
* National Review Online notices Project Gunwalker Scandal.
* Updated Summary, Narrative, Condensed Timeline and Document Sources of the “Project Gunwalkerâ€

weapons given to Cartels; Americans were killed; Federal Agent killed with these weapons...

36,000 Mexicans killed by Cartels

By the way.. an Operation like this can only come from the highest level as far as approval and that puts Bush (The Village Idiot) Neck Deep in this Scandal as well

this will make Water Gate look like a walk in the Park. Let the Trails for Treason and Sedition Begin

and Oh

This is Far FAR BIGGER than Water Gate and at the end of the day... your shit better not stink

this is thousands of times bigger than Water Gate:

Mexican Nationals were slaughtered by the THOUSANDS

Americans were killed

A Federal Agent was gunned down

Cartels armed to the teeth with high caliber / high killing capacity weapons

This is all covered under the RICO ACT and a SHIT LOAD of People need to go to Jail and Obama Impeached and put on Trial

Related:

Project Gunwalker’ allegations bolstered by indictments http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-227383.html

U.S. Senator to ATF: Negligent in Death of Border Patrol Age http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-227206.html

Sen. Grassley: Time For ATF To Come Clean http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-227738.html

‘How could this end well?’: How the ATF 'allowed guns to fall into the hands of the Mexican drugs cartels'

By Simon Neville
Last updated at 9:03 AM on 6th March 2011
Comments 2

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been accused of allowing guns to slip across the border and fall into the hands of Mexican drug cartels.

The allegations made by senior agent John Dodson came after it was discovered that the gun used to kill a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Mexico was first bought in a Dallas, Texas store.

Attorney General Eric Holder has now asked top Justice Department officials to rethink their strategy against gun traffickers along the U.S. border with Mexico after some in Congress said the current strategy endangers law enforcement officers.


Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent John Dodson claims he was ordered to let guns get in the hands of the Mexican drug cartels


One of the guns Dobson claims was smuggled killed U.S. Immigration and Customs Agent Jaime Zapata when he was shot on a Mexican highway

Agent Dodson made his allegations to CBS News, saying that he was ordered to lets guns through during his time stationed at the ATF’s Phoenix offices.


U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata was shot and killed in Mexico this February by a gun bought in Dallas, Texas

He said: ‘I'm boots on the ground in Phoenix, telling you we've been doing it every day since I've been here.

‘We just knew it wasn't going to end well. There's just no way it could.’
CBS also said it had a video it claims was filmed by ATF agents showing AK47s being smuggled into Mexico, while the authorities looked on.
The allegations have been raised by the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley.

He says he has been told by some personnel at ATF that the agency has allowed assault rifles to be sold to suspected straw purchasers for an illegal trafficking ring.

Grassley is questioning whether agents adequately tracked the weapons after that, but so far his requests for information to the agency have gone un answered.


Under pressure: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is facing calls to explain its decision to allow gun smuggling to take place

Two of the weapons ATF are alleged to have allowed to be smuggled over were recovered at a fire fight that killed U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Brian Terry last December.

Immigration officer Jaime Zapata was killed and colleague Victor Avila injured when they came under attack in on a busy main road near San Luis Potosi.

Authorities discovered one of the weapons used against them was bought in Dallas, Texas.

The Justice Department turned down a request from Grassley for copies of communications between ATF headquarters in Washington and the agency's Phoenix office after Terry's death in south eastern Arizona.

It said: ‘We are not in a position to disclose documents relating to any ongoing investigation.’

The ATF has said it will review its procedures in complex firearms trafficking investigations.


Attorney General, Eric Holder, right, who spoke at the agent's funeral, is calling on the Justice Department to rethink its strategy, along with Sen. Charles Grassley

It is understood the reason the weapons were allowed to be smuggled was in the hope of following them up the chain of command, leading to arrests of more senior criminals.

In the letter to Grassley, dated Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich said the Inspector General's office has been asked by Holder to evaluate the concerns raised about ATF investigative actions and determine whether further investigation is needed.

In November, the IG's office concluded that a federal campaign to stop the smuggling of high-powered guns to Mexico is too narrowly focused on small-time gun runners and not the larger organisations suspected of arming Mexico's increasingly violent drug cartels.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... gents.html

Thousands OF CALLS NEEDED TO UTAH, PLEASE JOIN IN!

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-230649.html

The Houston ATF office was supposed to be in charge of the Waco debacle as it was in Houston's district. Yet Houston ATF bowed to the Litlle Rock ATF office and allowed them to head up the slaughter of the citizens at the Waco massacre.

This latest debacle needs a thorough investigation. The ATF has very little credibility as it was and continues to lose more as time goes on.

For the younger folks out there, it was the ATF that gained and earned the name of Jack-booted thugs back in the 90's. Looks like they accepted the brand and intend to live up to their past reputation.