Friday, June 28, 2013
BIG BROTHER, NOT SNOWDEN AND GREENWALD, IS THE STORY
BIG BROTHER, NOT SNOWDEN AND GREENWALD, IS THE STORY
“Instead of being adversaries to government power … [the media of Washington, D.C., are] … servants to it and mouthpieces for it.”
So said the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald, who broke the story of Edward Snowden’s disclosure of NSA spying on the American people, after Greenwald’s confrontation with Meet the Press’s David Gregory. Greenwald needn’t have limited his observation to the D.C. media. Plenty of reporters and cable-news talking heads are playing the same role in the NSA drama.
Indeed, if they spent half the time investigating Obama’s Big Brother operations that they spend sneering at Snowden and Greenwald, Americans might demand that the government stop spying on them.
But to much of the mainstream (and not-so-mainstream) media, Snowden and Greenwald — not the NSA, the Obama administration, and the supine Congress — are the story — a story of villainy.
“Instead of being adversaries to government power … [the media of Washington, D.C., are] … servants to it and mouthpieces for it.”
So said the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald, who broke the story of Edward Snowden’s disclosure of NSA spying on the American people, after Greenwald’s confrontation with Meet the Press’s David Gregory. Greenwald needn’t have limited his observation to the D.C. media. Plenty of reporters and cable-news talking heads are playing the same role in the NSA drama.
Indeed, if they spent half the time investigating Obama’s Big Brother operations that they spend sneering at Snowden and Greenwald, Americans might demand that the government stop spying on them.
But to much of the mainstream (and not-so-mainstream) media, Snowden and Greenwald — not the NSA, the Obama administration, and the supine Congress — are the story — a story of villainy.
Army reportedly blocking military access to Guardian coverage of NSA leaks
Army reportedly blocking military access to Guardian coverage of NSA leaks
The Monterey (Calif.) Herald reported that employees at the Presidio of Monterey, an Army public affairs base about 100 miles south of San Francisco, were unable to gain access to The Guardian’s articles on former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and his professed leaks of classified information about the intelligence programs.
Late Thursday, an Army spokesman told The Herald by email that the newspaper’s NSA reports were, in fact, being blocked across the entire Army. He wrote that it’s routine for the Defense Department to take “network hygiene” action to prevent disclosure of classified information, The Herald reported.
The Monterey (Calif.) Herald reported that employees at the Presidio of Monterey, an Army public affairs base about 100 miles south of San Francisco, were unable to gain access to The Guardian’s articles on former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and his professed leaks of classified information about the intelligence programs.
Late Thursday, an Army spokesman told The Herald by email that the newspaper’s NSA reports were, in fact, being blocked across the entire Army. He wrote that it’s routine for the Defense Department to take “network hygiene” action to prevent disclosure of classified information, The Herald reported.
Teen Justin Carter Jailed In Texas After Making Sarcastic Threat In Facebook Comment
Teen Justin Carter Jailed In Texas After Making Sarcastic Threat In Facebook Comment
Earlier this year, Carter and a friend got into an Facebook argument with someone regarding “League of Legends,” an online video game with notoriously die-hard fans. Justin’s father, Jack, explained to ABC local affiliate KVUE that at the end of the conversation “[s]omeone had said something to the effect of ‘Oh you’re insane, you’re crazy, you’re messed up in the head,’ to which [Justin] replied ‘Oh yeah, I’m real messed up in the head, I’m going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts,’ and the next two lines were lol and jk [all sic].”
In case you’ve never been online before today: Internet shorthand LOL stands for “laughing out loud”; JK means “just kidding.”
A woman in Canada who came across the boy’s post failed to see the humor, however, and alerted police after Internet research revealed Carter, who was 18 at the time of the incident, lived near an elementary school. Carter was taken into custody and charged with making a “terroristic” threat.
Earlier this year, Carter and a friend got into an Facebook argument with someone regarding “League of Legends,” an online video game with notoriously die-hard fans. Justin’s father, Jack, explained to ABC local affiliate KVUE that at the end of the conversation “[s]omeone had said something to the effect of ‘Oh you’re insane, you’re crazy, you’re messed up in the head,’ to which [Justin] replied ‘Oh yeah, I’m real messed up in the head, I’m going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts,’ and the next two lines were lol and jk [all sic].”
In case you’ve never been online before today: Internet shorthand LOL stands for “laughing out loud”; JK means “just kidding.”
A woman in Canada who came across the boy’s post failed to see the humor, however, and alerted police after Internet research revealed Carter, who was 18 at the time of the incident, lived near an elementary school. Carter was taken into custody and charged with making a “terroristic” threat.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
California man faces 13 years in jail for scribbling anti-bank messages in chalk
California man faces 13 years in jail for scribbling anti-bank messages in chalk
Jeff Olson, the 40-year-old man who is being prosecuted for scrawling anti-megabank messages on sidewalks in water-soluble chalk last year now faces a 13-year jail sentence. A judge has barred his attorney from mentioning freedom of speech during trial.
According to the San Diego Reader, which reported on Tuesday that a judge had opted to prevent Olson’s attorney from “mentioning the First Amendment, free speech, free expression, public forum, expressive conduct, or political speech during the trial,” Olson must now stand trial for on 13 counts of vandalism.
Jeff Olson, the 40-year-old man who is being prosecuted for scrawling anti-megabank messages on sidewalks in water-soluble chalk last year now faces a 13-year jail sentence. A judge has barred his attorney from mentioning freedom of speech during trial.
According to the San Diego Reader, which reported on Tuesday that a judge had opted to prevent Olson’s attorney from “mentioning the First Amendment, free speech, free expression, public forum, expressive conduct, or political speech during the trial,” Olson must now stand trial for on 13 counts of vandalism.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: 'WAR ON COAL IS EXACTLY WHAT'S NEEDED'
WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: 'WAR ON COAL IS EXACTLY WHAT'S NEEDED'
“A war on coal is exactly what’s needed,” White House climate adviser Daniel P. Schrag told the New York Times.
Obama’s plan will crack down on emissions even further, give $8 billion in taxpayer money to fund loan guarantees for energy projects, and allocate $7 billion to finance foreign climate mitigation and adaptation projects, reports The Times.
National Mining Association President and CEO Hal Quinn said Obama’s anti-coal policy is wrongheaded, costly to the 76% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, and will continue the already bleak jobs outlook in America.
“A war on coal is exactly what’s needed,” White House climate adviser Daniel P. Schrag told the New York Times.
Obama’s plan will crack down on emissions even further, give $8 billion in taxpayer money to fund loan guarantees for energy projects, and allocate $7 billion to finance foreign climate mitigation and adaptation projects, reports The Times.
National Mining Association President and CEO Hal Quinn said Obama’s anti-coal policy is wrongheaded, costly to the 76% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, and will continue the already bleak jobs outlook in America.
RAND PAUL UNLOADS ON IMMIGRATION BILL
RAND PAUL UNLOADS ON IMMIGRATION BILL
“This Gang of Eight bill delegates a lot of authority to the administration,” he explained. “So, with my amendment, ‘Trust But Verify,’ we tried to get that authority back and keep it in Congress, where Congress would vote on whether the border is secure.
“Ultimately, whether or not these people become citizens, under the Gang of Eight bill, is up to the president,” Paul continued. “I don’t care if it’s a Republican president or a Democratic president. That’s too much power for one person to have.”
“So, I would have kept that power with Congress and said Congress has to vote whether the border is secure before we keep moving forward. I would make even the initial process of giving work people visas dependent on a secure border,” he stated.
“This Gang of Eight bill delegates a lot of authority to the administration,” he explained. “So, with my amendment, ‘Trust But Verify,’ we tried to get that authority back and keep it in Congress, where Congress would vote on whether the border is secure.
“Ultimately, whether or not these people become citizens, under the Gang of Eight bill, is up to the president,” Paul continued. “I don’t care if it’s a Republican president or a Democratic president. That’s too much power for one person to have.”
“So, I would have kept that power with Congress and said Congress has to vote whether the border is secure before we keep moving forward. I would make even the initial process of giving work people visas dependent on a secure border,” he stated.
We're all Osama Bin Laden now
We're all Osama Bin Laden now
For war hawks, the year is perpetually 1939 and every tin pot dictator is Adolf Hitler, even if originally installed and supported by the U.S. government. We have been forced to pay for two completely useless wars over the past twelve years, with the specter of Nazi Germany and another Holocaust thrown in the faces of anyone who objected. Anything other than full commitment constitutes “appeasing a dictator,” the fatal mistake that led to WWII.
Yet, the abridged world history textbook that every neoconservative seems to have read apparently contains nothing else about Nazi Germany. It doesn’t seem to tell them anything about why Hitler was a dictator in the first place, long before the Holocaust got under way.
The truth regarding that question is stranger than fiction.
Five years earlier, Germany had suffered a spectacular terrorist attack. Someone set fire to the German parliament building, the Reichstag. Joseph Goebbels regarded the first report of the attack as “a tall tale” and hung up on the caller. Only upon receiving a second call did he believe the report and inform Hitler. Tragically, the eerie similarity to Bush’s reaction to 9/11 didn’t end there.
For war hawks, the year is perpetually 1939 and every tin pot dictator is Adolf Hitler, even if originally installed and supported by the U.S. government. We have been forced to pay for two completely useless wars over the past twelve years, with the specter of Nazi Germany and another Holocaust thrown in the faces of anyone who objected. Anything other than full commitment constitutes “appeasing a dictator,” the fatal mistake that led to WWII.
Yet, the abridged world history textbook that every neoconservative seems to have read apparently contains nothing else about Nazi Germany. It doesn’t seem to tell them anything about why Hitler was a dictator in the first place, long before the Holocaust got under way.
The truth regarding that question is stranger than fiction.
Five years earlier, Germany had suffered a spectacular terrorist attack. Someone set fire to the German parliament building, the Reichstag. Joseph Goebbels regarded the first report of the attack as “a tall tale” and hung up on the caller. Only upon receiving a second call did he believe the report and inform Hitler. Tragically, the eerie similarity to Bush’s reaction to 9/11 didn’t end there.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Death of Daniel Somers
The Death of Daniel Somers
Many who shout the loudest that we must “support the troops” urge sending them off to unwinnable and undeclared wars in which there is no legitimate US interest. The US military has been abused by those who see military force as a first resort rather than the last resort and only in self-defense. This abuse has resulted in a generation of American veterans facing a life sentence in the prison of tortured and deeply damaged minds as well as broken bodies.
The numbers sadly tell the story: more military suicides than combat deaths in 2012, some 22 military veterans take their lives every day, nearly 30 percent of veterans treated by the VA have PTSD.
We should be saddened but not shocked when we see the broken men and women return from battles overseas. We should be angry with those who send them to suffer and die in unnecessary wars. We should be angry with those who send them to kill so many people overseas for no purpose whatsoever. We should be afraid of the consequences of such a foolish and dangerous foreign policy. We should demand an end to the abuse of military members and a return to a foreign policy that promotes peace and prosperity instead of war and poverty.
Many who shout the loudest that we must “support the troops” urge sending them off to unwinnable and undeclared wars in which there is no legitimate US interest. The US military has been abused by those who see military force as a first resort rather than the last resort and only in self-defense. This abuse has resulted in a generation of American veterans facing a life sentence in the prison of tortured and deeply damaged minds as well as broken bodies.
The numbers sadly tell the story: more military suicides than combat deaths in 2012, some 22 military veterans take their lives every day, nearly 30 percent of veterans treated by the VA have PTSD.
We should be saddened but not shocked when we see the broken men and women return from battles overseas. We should be angry with those who send them to suffer and die in unnecessary wars. We should be angry with those who send them to kill so many people overseas for no purpose whatsoever. We should be afraid of the consequences of such a foolish and dangerous foreign policy. We should demand an end to the abuse of military members and a return to a foreign policy that promotes peace and prosperity instead of war and poverty.
Marco Rubio, We Hardly Knew Ye
Marco Rubio, We Hardly Knew Ye
Speaking of Rubio’s new stance on immigration, the aide adds: “I honestly don’t know how to explain it. I’ve never seen anybody so passionately argue against amnesty and then completely flip in two years. It’s just mind-boggling.”
Erick Erickson, whose RedState.com organized “money bombs” to help Rubio in his campaign for the Senate, seconds this view. “I think he has completely reversed himself on the position,” he says. “It’s somewhat bothersome that he refuses to admit a reversal or even an evolution. Somehow trying to reconcile his former opposition to now, it cheapens his image, and I don’t know that he understands that.”
Speaking of Rubio’s new stance on immigration, the aide adds: “I honestly don’t know how to explain it. I’ve never seen anybody so passionately argue against amnesty and then completely flip in two years. It’s just mind-boggling.”
Erick Erickson, whose RedState.com organized “money bombs” to help Rubio in his campaign for the Senate, seconds this view. “I think he has completely reversed himself on the position,” he says. “It’s somewhat bothersome that he refuses to admit a reversal or even an evolution. Somehow trying to reconcile his former opposition to now, it cheapens his image, and I don’t know that he understands that.”
Monday, June 24, 2013
Hi Octane PC 1996
Hi Octane PC 1996 14633075977 | eBay
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HI OCTANE brings the future of racing home. You can choose from six different hover cars loaded with mini-guns, shields, and missiles. Hit all nine tracks in the Championship Mode, or choose one track and enjoy a Single Race. Those who prefer death and destruction to racing will enjoy the Death Match mode. You can also challenge friends with two different multiplayer options. So bring the future of racing today with HI OCTANE.
HI OCTANE brings the future of racing home. You can choose from six different hover cars loaded with mini-guns, shields, and missiles. Hit all nine tracks in the Championship Mode, or choose one track and enjoy a Single Race. Those who prefer death and destruction to racing will enjoy the Death Match mode. You can also challenge friends with two different multiplayer options. So bring the future of racing today with HI OCTANE.
Official: Water complaints could be 'act of terrorism'
Official: Water complaints could be 'act of terrorism'
Residents who say children have become ill from drinking water says state is attempting to silence its critics.
A Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deputy director warned a group of Maury County residents that unfounded complaints about water quality could be considered an “act of terrorism.”
“We take water quality very seriously. Very, very seriously,” said Sherwin Smith, deputy director of TDEC’s Division of Water Resources, according to audio recorded by attendees. “But you need to make sure that when you make water quality complaints you have a basis, because federally, if there’s no water quality issues, that can be considered under Homeland Security an act of terrorism.”
Residents who say children have become ill from drinking water says state is attempting to silence its critics.
A Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deputy director warned a group of Maury County residents that unfounded complaints about water quality could be considered an “act of terrorism.”
“We take water quality very seriously. Very, very seriously,” said Sherwin Smith, deputy director of TDEC’s Division of Water Resources, according to audio recorded by attendees. “But you need to make sure that when you make water quality complaints you have a basis, because federally, if there’s no water quality issues, that can be considered under Homeland Security an act of terrorism.”
With amendment killed, Rand Paul won’t support immigration bill
With amendment killed, Rand Paul won’t support immigration bill
The Kentucky Republican had previously been open to supporting the measure, which includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants that’s contingent on bolstering border security. Paul introduced an amendment that would have required Congress to vote on whether the border was properly secure, but it failed to gain approval this week.
Without that inclusion, Paul said definitively on CNN’s “State of the Union” he would be a “no” vote.
“Without some congressional authority and without border security first, I can’t support the final bill,” Paul told chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.
The Kentucky Republican had previously been open to supporting the measure, which includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants that’s contingent on bolstering border security. Paul introduced an amendment that would have required Congress to vote on whether the border was properly secure, but it failed to gain approval this week.
Without that inclusion, Paul said definitively on CNN’s “State of the Union” he would be a “no” vote.
“Without some congressional authority and without border security first, I can’t support the final bill,” Paul told chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.
Web Inventor Berners-Lee Warns Forces Are 'Trying To Take Control'
Web Inventor Berners-Lee Warns Forces Are 'Trying To Take Control'
Companies and governments “trying to take control of the internet” are undermining the founding principles of the web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee has warned.
The inventor of the World Wide Web said the internet is facing a “major” threat from “people who want to control it on the sly” through “worrying laws” such as SOPA, the US anti-piracy act, and through the actions of internet giants.
“If you can control [the internet], if you can start tweaking what people say, or intercepting communications, it’s very, very powerful…it’s the sort of power that if you give it to a corrupt government, you give them the ability to stay in power forever.”
Companies and governments “trying to take control of the internet” are undermining the founding principles of the web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee has warned.
The inventor of the World Wide Web said the internet is facing a “major” threat from “people who want to control it on the sly” through “worrying laws” such as SOPA, the US anti-piracy act, and through the actions of internet giants.
“If you can control [the internet], if you can start tweaking what people say, or intercepting communications, it’s very, very powerful…it’s the sort of power that if you give it to a corrupt government, you give them the ability to stay in power forever.”
Hastings Sent Colleagues Email Hours Before Crash
Hastings Sent Colleagues Email Hours Before Crash
The crash that killed journalist Michael Hastings was ruled an accident by police, but conspiracy theories continued to circulate on Friday.
Hastings, 33, was killed in a fiery solo-vehicle crash in Hancock Park early Tuesday morning.
He was best known for a 2010 Rolling Stone article that led to the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was the former U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Biggs told KTLA that he received an email from Hastings on Monday.
Biggs had known Hastings since 2008, when the journalist was embedded in his unit in Afghanistan.
“On Monday morning, I woke up and I got an email, and it’s very panicked,” Biggs said.
He was blind-copied on the email, which was sent to Hastings’ colleagues.
In part, it said that the feds were interviewing his close friends and associates, and that he was onto a big story and needed to get off the radar.
The FBI has denied that Hastings was ever under investigation.
The crash that killed journalist Michael Hastings was ruled an accident by police, but conspiracy theories continued to circulate on Friday.
Hastings, 33, was killed in a fiery solo-vehicle crash in Hancock Park early Tuesday morning.
He was best known for a 2010 Rolling Stone article that led to the resignation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was the former U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Joseph Biggs told KTLA that he received an email from Hastings on Monday.
Biggs had known Hastings since 2008, when the journalist was embedded in his unit in Afghanistan.
“On Monday morning, I woke up and I got an email, and it’s very panicked,” Biggs said.
He was blind-copied on the email, which was sent to Hastings’ colleagues.
In part, it said that the feds were interviewing his close friends and associates, and that he was onto a big story and needed to get off the radar.
The FBI has denied that Hastings was ever under investigation.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Sir Arthur C. Clarke finally going to outer space on Sunjammer solar sail spacecraft
Sir Arthur C. Clarke finally going to outer space on Sunjammer solar sail spacecraft
Famed science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke is finally headed for space — five years after his death.
Though the author of “2001: A Space Odyssey” died in 2008 in Sri Lanka, scientists from NASA today announced plans to send his DNA into orbit around the sun in 2014 aboard the Sunjammer, an astonishing solar-powered spacecraft.
Called the Sunjammer Cosmic Archive (SCA), the flying time capsule is a first in the history of space travel, carrying digital files of human DNA including Clarke’s aboard the sun-powered space ship.
The DNA is to be contained in a “BioFile.” Other so-called MindFiles, including images, music, voice recordings, and the like, provided by people all around the globe, will also be included in the cosmic archive for future generations — or perhaps other civilizations — to see.
Famed science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke is finally headed for space — five years after his death.
Though the author of “2001: A Space Odyssey” died in 2008 in Sri Lanka, scientists from NASA today announced plans to send his DNA into orbit around the sun in 2014 aboard the Sunjammer, an astonishing solar-powered spacecraft.
Called the Sunjammer Cosmic Archive (SCA), the flying time capsule is a first in the history of space travel, carrying digital files of human DNA including Clarke’s aboard the sun-powered space ship.
The DNA is to be contained in a “BioFile.” Other so-called MindFiles, including images, music, voice recordings, and the like, provided by people all around the globe, will also be included in the cosmic archive for future generations — or perhaps other civilizations — to see.
For NASA, Mars Beyond Reach Without Budget Boost
For NASA, Mars Beyond Reach Without Budget Boost
If NASA continues to be funded at its current levels, a manned mission to Mars could be permanently beyond reach, space industry experts say.
When asked how soon astronauts could potentially set foot on Mars under NASA’s current budget constraints, Thomas Young, the former executive vice president of Lockheed Martin, says the outlook is bleak.
“With the current budget, bear with me, I would probably say never,” Young said during a meeting of the U.S. House of Representative’s space subcommittee today (June 19).
If NASA continues to be funded at its current levels, a manned mission to Mars could be permanently beyond reach, space industry experts say.
When asked how soon astronauts could potentially set foot on Mars under NASA’s current budget constraints, Thomas Young, the former executive vice president of Lockheed Martin, says the outlook is bleak.
“With the current budget, bear with me, I would probably say never,” Young said during a meeting of the U.S. House of Representative’s space subcommittee today (June 19).
Trust us: A brief history of government spying
Trust us: A brief history of government spying
In 1975, the Church Committee revealed the extent to which the federal government’s intelligence apparatuses were aimed not at foreign enemies, but at Americans. While President Obama has repeatedly told us that we should trust the government, history teaches us that the current scandal involving the National Security Agency is not an isolated incident.
Big Brother has been with us for a long time.
In 1975, the Church Committee revealed the extent to which the federal government’s intelligence apparatuses were aimed not at foreign enemies, but at Americans. While President Obama has repeatedly told us that we should trust the government, history teaches us that the current scandal involving the National Security Agency is not an isolated incident.
Big Brother has been with us for a long time.
Rand Paul wants to block Obama from sending aid to Syria
Rand Paul wants to block Obama from sending aid to Syria
“The President’s unilateral decision to arm Syrian rebels is incredibly disturbing, considering what little we know about whom we are arming,” Paul said Thursday.
Said Paul: “Engaging in yet another conflict in the Middle East with no vote or Congressional oversight compounds the severity of this situation. The American people deserve real deliberation by their elected officials before we send arms to a region rife with extremists who seek to threaten the U.S. and her allies.”
“The President’s unilateral decision to arm Syrian rebels is incredibly disturbing, considering what little we know about whom we are arming,” Paul said Thursday.
Said Paul: “Engaging in yet another conflict in the Middle East with no vote or Congressional oversight compounds the severity of this situation. The American people deserve real deliberation by their elected officials before we send arms to a region rife with extremists who seek to threaten the U.S. and her allies.”
The Rand Paul moment
The Rand Paul moment
Whatever its merits, the National Security Agency meta-data program couldn’t be better fashioned to play into fears of the government. Is it vast? Yes. Was it secret? Check. Does it arguably run outside the normal checks and balances of government? Uh-huh. Does it raise profound questions about privacy? Roger.
This is the kind of issue Rand Paul was born and (literally) raised to raise holy hell over. And it isn’t just the NSA program lately. The leak about the program came on the heels of revelations that the IRS was singling out tea party groups for extra scrutiny and invasive questions, and on the heels of the AP and James Rosen investigations.
Add in the gun control fight from earlier this year and Paul is nearly 4-for-4 in fights sticking up, in his view, for the first four amendments of the Bill of Rights. The only thing that is missing is the third, because no has proposed the quartering of troops in our homes — yet.
Whatever its merits, the National Security Agency meta-data program couldn’t be better fashioned to play into fears of the government. Is it vast? Yes. Was it secret? Check. Does it arguably run outside the normal checks and balances of government? Uh-huh. Does it raise profound questions about privacy? Roger.
This is the kind of issue Rand Paul was born and (literally) raised to raise holy hell over. And it isn’t just the NSA program lately. The leak about the program came on the heels of revelations that the IRS was singling out tea party groups for extra scrutiny and invasive questions, and on the heels of the AP and James Rosen investigations.
Add in the gun control fight from earlier this year and Paul is nearly 4-for-4 in fights sticking up, in his view, for the first four amendments of the Bill of Rights. The only thing that is missing is the third, because no has proposed the quartering of troops in our homes — yet.
PRIEST’S EXCORIATING OPEN LETTER TO NANCY PELOSI: RENOUNCE THE FAITH OR COMPLY
PRIEST’S EXCORIATING OPEN LETTER TO NANCY PELOSI: RENOUNCE THE FAITH OR COMPLY
The priest said, though, that it is Pelosi’s stance on the matter that is problematic, as she isn’t interested in “giving an answer.”
But that wasn’t the harshest of his rebukes. Pavone went on to charge that Pelosi made a “mockery of the Catholic faith” during the press conference and that she offended millions of Americans who follow church doctrine. Here, he was referring to her claim to be a “practicing and respectful Catholic” who believes that the abortion discussion is “sacred ground.”
The priest said, though, that it is Pelosi’s stance on the matter that is problematic, as she isn’t interested in “giving an answer.”
But that wasn’t the harshest of his rebukes. Pavone went on to charge that Pelosi made a “mockery of the Catholic faith” during the press conference and that she offended millions of Americans who follow church doctrine. Here, he was referring to her claim to be a “practicing and respectful Catholic” who believes that the abortion discussion is “sacred ground.”
Rand Paul threatens to support filibustering immigration bill
Rand Paul threatens to support filibustering immigration bill
“Unless they change the bill, I will vote on the side of not ending the debate, which is essentially like a filibuster, but it’s not the filibuster people think of,” Paul said during an interview on the “Andrea Tantaros Show.”
On Wednesday, the Senate rejected an amendment to the immigration bill proposed by Paul that would require the Congress to vote on whether members deem the U.S. borders “secure” every year for five years and mandate the construction of a fence along the border with Mexico. All eight members of the bipartisan group of lawmakers who wrote the original bill voted against Paul’s proposal. As the bill is currently written, agencies under the executive branch will determine border security, not Congress.
“Unless they change the bill, I will vote on the side of not ending the debate, which is essentially like a filibuster, but it’s not the filibuster people think of,” Paul said during an interview on the “Andrea Tantaros Show.”
On Wednesday, the Senate rejected an amendment to the immigration bill proposed by Paul that would require the Congress to vote on whether members deem the U.S. borders “secure” every year for five years and mandate the construction of a fence along the border with Mexico. All eight members of the bipartisan group of lawmakers who wrote the original bill voted against Paul’s proposal. As the bill is currently written, agencies under the executive branch will determine border security, not Congress.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Electronic Gaming Monthly, July 1992
Electronic Gaming Monthly, Issue Number 36, July 1992
Electronic Gaming Monthly was one of the longest running print magazines in the U.S. This issue from July 1992 was near its height and weighed in at around 160 pages. This issue includes: Features
Electronic Gaming Monthly was one of the longest running print magazines in the U.S. This issue from July 1992 was near its height and weighed in at around 160 pages. This issue includes: Features
- EGM Express - It's official! Sega has announced that their Sega CD (name change) will retail for $299 and come with three pack-in discs!
- Leading Edge - Only with EGM do you get such extensive information on the incredibly hot arcade action in Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition. In our continuing coverage, check out the pix to find out how to do the secret Boss moves of M. Bison, Vega, Sagat, and Balrog!
- Cover - The Caped Crusader returns to stave off the latest threat to the peace and tranquility of Gotham City. Batman Returns to the game systems just in time for the hot movie release!
- Olympics Preview - The summer olympics are only weeks away and the video game companies will have carts out on some of the events. EGM previews the best of the games commemorating this special event!
- Super Play - Find out how to master levels seven through eleven in the second of our two part Super Play. As expected, the bosses are stronger and harder to beat. Learn which weapons to use and where to get the hidden 1-ups.
- Fact Files
- Super NES Times - Axelay, Dinosaurs, Race Drivin', On the Ball, Space Football, Krusty's Super Fun House
- Nintendo - Bee 52, Widget
- Sega Genesis - Taz Mania, Muhammad Ali Heavyweight Boxing, King Salmon, Warrior of Rome 2
- Turbo Champ - New Adventure Island
- Neo Geo - Andro Dunos
- Game Gear - The Terminator; CES Preview - Home Alone, Taz Mania, Tale Spin, Batman Returns, Chakan, Ayrton Senna's Monaco GP 2, Defender of Oasis, Wimbledon Tennis, The Majors: Pro Baseball, Shinobi 2
- GameBoy - Centipede, Zen: Intergalactic Ninja
- Lynx - Steel Talons
- Advertiser Index
- Insert Coin
- Letters to the Editor
- Review Crew
- Software Calendar
- Gaming Gossip
- EG Express
- International Outlook
- Tricks of the Trade
- Next Wave
- Super NES Times
- Nintendo Player
- Outpost: Sega
- Turbo Champ
- GameBoy Fan
- Atari Lynx
- High Scores
House bill threatens $1 billion in NASA funding cuts
House bill threatens $1 billion in NASA funding cuts
The proposed $16.8 billion funding package would focus NASA’s long-term efforts on Mars exploration, set pre-determined milestones for development of commercial manned spacecraft — including a non-negotiable deadline for first flight — and sharply cut funding for Earth sciences.
“This authorization bill reflects a sincere effort to maximize return to the taxpayer while working to protect America’s role as the world leader in space exploration,” Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., chairman of the Subcommittee on Space, said in opening remarks.
“It is realistic and reflective of the hard choices we must make as a nation and provides support for agreed-upon priorities. The stark reality is that if we fail to reform mandatory spending, discretionary funding for space, science and research will continue to shrink.”
He said the proposed “authorization discussion draft” was consistent with the 2011 Budget Control Act, mandating automatic spending cuts — sequestration — in the absence of legislation to trim $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit.
The proposed $16.8 billion funding package would focus NASA’s long-term efforts on Mars exploration, set pre-determined milestones for development of commercial manned spacecraft — including a non-negotiable deadline for first flight — and sharply cut funding for Earth sciences.
“This authorization bill reflects a sincere effort to maximize return to the taxpayer while working to protect America’s role as the world leader in space exploration,” Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., chairman of the Subcommittee on Space, said in opening remarks.
“It is realistic and reflective of the hard choices we must make as a nation and provides support for agreed-upon priorities. The stark reality is that if we fail to reform mandatory spending, discretionary funding for space, science and research will continue to shrink.”
He said the proposed “authorization discussion draft” was consistent with the 2011 Budget Control Act, mandating automatic spending cuts — sequestration — in the absence of legislation to trim $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit.
Why Democrats Love To Spy On Americans
Why Democrats Love To Spy On Americans
The very topic of Democratic two-facedness on civil liberties is one of the most important issues that Greenwald has covered. Many of those Dems — including the sitting President Barack Obama, Senator Carl Levin, and Sec. State John Kerry — have now become the stewards and enhancers of programs that appear to dwarf any of the spying scandals that broke during the Bush years, the very same scandals they used as wedge issues to win elections in the Congressional elections 2006 and the presidential primary of 2007-2008.
The very topic of Democratic two-facedness on civil liberties is one of the most important issues that Greenwald has covered. Many of those Dems — including the sitting President Barack Obama, Senator Carl Levin, and Sec. State John Kerry — have now become the stewards and enhancers of programs that appear to dwarf any of the spying scandals that broke during the Bush years, the very same scandals they used as wedge issues to win elections in the Congressional elections 2006 and the presidential primary of 2007-2008.
Will Obamacare Hurt Jobs? It's Already Happening, Poll Finds
Will Obamacare Hurt Jobs? It's Already Happening, Poll Finds
“We were startled because we know that employers were concerned about the Affordable Care Act and the effects it would have on their business, but we didn’t realize the extent they were concerned, or that the businesses were being proactive to make sure the effects of the ACA actually were minimized,” said attorney Steven Friedman of Littler Mendelson. His firm, which specializes in employment law, commissioned the Gallup poll.
“We were startled because we know that employers were concerned about the Affordable Care Act and the effects it would have on their business, but we didn’t realize the extent they were concerned, or that the businesses were being proactive to make sure the effects of the ACA actually were minimized,” said attorney Steven Friedman of Littler Mendelson. His firm, which specializes in employment law, commissioned the Gallup poll.
NYPD 'Hunting Of Man' T-Shirts Seen On On-Duty Officers In Queens
NYPD 'Hunting Of Man' T-Shirts Seen On On-Duty Officers In Queens
On-duty members of the NYPD’s Queens Warrant Squad were spotted outside a city courthouse last week wearing T-shirts imprinted with a Ernest Hemingway quote, that in the context of the officers’ work, could be considered very disturbing:
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Tipsters, who passed along the photo below, told Gothamist and SocialistWorker.org that the cops had badges around their necks, and that words on the front of their T-shirts read, “Fugitive Enforcement NYPD.”
The Queens Warrant Squad was described by ABC News as “an elite team of parole officers whose job every day is to track down fugitive felons on the run.”
On-duty members of the NYPD’s Queens Warrant Squad were spotted outside a city courthouse last week wearing T-shirts imprinted with a Ernest Hemingway quote, that in the context of the officers’ work, could be considered very disturbing:
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Tipsters, who passed along the photo below, told Gothamist and SocialistWorker.org that the cops had badges around their necks, and that words on the front of their T-shirts read, “Fugitive Enforcement NYPD.”
The Queens Warrant Squad was described by ABC News as “an elite team of parole officers whose job every day is to track down fugitive felons on the run.”
Senate Rejects Rand Paul’s Border-Security Amendment
Senate Rejects Rand Paul’s Border-Security Amendment
The Senate on Wednesday voted 61–37 to table an amendment to the immigration-reform bill that would have significantly strengthened the bill’s border-security and enforcement requirements. The so-called Trust but Verify amendment, offered by Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.), would have given Congress, and not the Department of Homeland Security, the ultimate authority to determine if the border is effectively secure. It also included enhanced security measures, such as requiring a double-layer fence to be completed within five years, as well as a number of other triggers that must be implemented before illegal immigrants could be awarded legal status. “We desperately need immigration reform—but part of fixing the system is fixing our broken borders,” Paul said before the vote.
The Senate on Wednesday voted 61–37 to table an amendment to the immigration-reform bill that would have significantly strengthened the bill’s border-security and enforcement requirements. The so-called Trust but Verify amendment, offered by Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.), would have given Congress, and not the Department of Homeland Security, the ultimate authority to determine if the border is effectively secure. It also included enhanced security measures, such as requiring a double-layer fence to be completed within five years, as well as a number of other triggers that must be implemented before illegal immigrants could be awarded legal status. “We desperately need immigration reform—but part of fixing the system is fixing our broken borders,” Paul said before the vote.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Marco Rubio endorses arming al-Qaeda in Syria
Marco Rubio endorses arming al-Qaeda in Syria
This past weekend at the Faith Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington, DC, two very distinict foreign policy agendas were put before conservatives. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) took a skeptical approach to Syria, explaining that intervention there doesn’t serve America’s interests. And it would seem that Americans overwhelmingly agree with that sentiment.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) endorsed the idea of an active approach to foreign policy
This past weekend at the Faith Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington, DC, two very distinict foreign policy agendas were put before conservatives. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) took a skeptical approach to Syria, explaining that intervention there doesn’t serve America’s interests. And it would seem that Americans overwhelmingly agree with that sentiment.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) endorsed the idea of an active approach to foreign policy
TWA Flight 800 investigators break silence in new documentary, claim original conclusion about cause of crash is wrong
TWA Flight 800 investigators break silence in new documentary, claim original conclusion about cause of crash is wrong
“..This team of investigators who actually handled the wreckage and victims’ bodies, prove that the officially proposed fuel-air explosion did not cause the crash,” reads a statement by the producers of the film, which will debut on cable network EPIX next month. “They also provide radar and forensic evidence proving that one or more ordnance explosions outside the aircraft caused the crash.” However, the statement said they did not speculate about the source or sources of any ordnance explosions.
The whistle-blower team, which includes investigators — at the time — from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), TWA, and the Airline Pilots Association, have since retired from their positions. They claim that at the time, they were placed under a gag order by the NTSB, which they charged falsified the official conclusion of the cause of the crash
“..This team of investigators who actually handled the wreckage and victims’ bodies, prove that the officially proposed fuel-air explosion did not cause the crash,” reads a statement by the producers of the film, which will debut on cable network EPIX next month. “They also provide radar and forensic evidence proving that one or more ordnance explosions outside the aircraft caused the crash.” However, the statement said they did not speculate about the source or sources of any ordnance explosions.
The whistle-blower team, which includes investigators — at the time — from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), TWA, and the Airline Pilots Association, have since retired from their positions. They claim that at the time, they were placed under a gag order by the NTSB, which they charged falsified the official conclusion of the cause of the crash
RUBIO HELPS KILL AMENDMENT REQUIRING BORDER FENCE HE CLAIMS TO SUPPORT
RUBIO HELPS KILL AMENDMENT REQUIRING BORDER FENCE HE CLAIMS TO SUPPORT
The amendment would have undercut Rubio’s promise to Univision’s Spanish-speaking audience this past weekend that amnesty would come before border security in the end. “First comes the legalization. Then come the measures to secure the border.” He added, “It is not conditional. The legalization is not conditional.”
The amendment would have undercut Rubio’s promise to Univision’s Spanish-speaking audience this past weekend that amnesty would come before border security in the end. “First comes the legalization. Then come the measures to secure the border.” He added, “It is not conditional. The legalization is not conditional.”
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
As U.S. Plugs Border in Arizona, Crossings Shift to South Texas
As U.S. Plugs Border in Arizona, Crossings Shift to South Texas
Apprehensions at the Mexican border — the single best indicator of illegal traffic — are still far below their peak: there were 356,873 last year, compared with 1.6 million in 2000.
But after nearly a decade of steady declines, the count has started to rise again over the past year, driven by the rise in the southern tip of Texas, where the numbers so far this fiscal year are up 55 percent. Since October, 94,305 individuals have been apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley alone, topping the count in Tucson for the first time since 1993.
Apprehensions at the Mexican border — the single best indicator of illegal traffic — are still far below their peak: there were 356,873 last year, compared with 1.6 million in 2000.
But after nearly a decade of steady declines, the count has started to rise again over the past year, driven by the rise in the southern tip of Texas, where the numbers so far this fiscal year are up 55 percent. Since October, 94,305 individuals have been apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley alone, topping the count in Tucson for the first time since 1993.
3 NSA veterans speak out on whistle-blower: We told you so
3 NSA veterans speak out on whistle-blower: We told you so
For years, the three whistle-blowers had told anyone who would listen that the NSA collects huge swaths of communications data from U.S. citizens. They had spent decades in the top ranks of the agency, designing and managing the very data-collection systems they say have been turned against Americans. When they became convinced that fundamental constitutional rights were being violated, they complained first to their superiors, then to federal investigators, congressional oversight committees and, finally, to the news media.
To the intelligence community, the trio are villains who compromised what the government classifies as some of its most secret, crucial and successful initiatives. They have been investigated as criminals and forced to give up careers, reputations and friendships built over a lifetime.
Today, they feel vindicated.
For years, the three whistle-blowers had told anyone who would listen that the NSA collects huge swaths of communications data from U.S. citizens. They had spent decades in the top ranks of the agency, designing and managing the very data-collection systems they say have been turned against Americans. When they became convinced that fundamental constitutional rights were being violated, they complained first to their superiors, then to federal investigators, congressional oversight committees and, finally, to the news media.
To the intelligence community, the trio are villains who compromised what the government classifies as some of its most secret, crucial and successful initiatives. They have been investigated as criminals and forced to give up careers, reputations and friendships built over a lifetime.
Today, they feel vindicated.
SNOWDEN: The Truth Is Coming, And The Government Can't Stop It By Murdering Me
SNOWDEN: The Truth Is Coming, And The Government Can't Stop It By Murdering Me
“How many sets of the documents you disclosed did you make, and how many different people have them? If anything happens to you, do they still exist?” a questioner asked Greenwald in a livechat on the website of The Guardian, to whom Snowden has provided some of the documents.
Here is his answer:
“All I can say right now is the US Government is not going to be able to cover this up by jailing or murdering me. Truth is coming, and it cannot be stopped.”
“How many sets of the documents you disclosed did you make, and how many different people have them? If anything happens to you, do they still exist?” a questioner asked Greenwald in a livechat on the website of The Guardian, to whom Snowden has provided some of the documents.
Here is his answer:
“All I can say right now is the US Government is not going to be able to cover this up by jailing or murdering me. Truth is coming, and it cannot be stopped.”
Monday, June 17, 2013
Obama’s Syria Policy Looks A Lot Like Bush’s Iraq Policy
Obama’s Syria Policy Looks A Lot Like Bush’s Iraq Policy
President Obama announced late last week that the US intelligence community had just determined that the Syrian government had used poison gas on a small scale, killing some 100 people in a civil conflict that has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives. Because of this use of gas, the president claimed, Syria had crossed his “red line” and the US must begin to arm the rebels fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.
Setting aside the question of why 100 killed by gas is somehow more important than 99,900 killed by other means, the fact is his above explanation is full of holes. The Washington Post reported this week that the decision to overtly arm the Syrian rebels was made “weeks ago” – in other words, it was made at a time when the intelligence community did not believe “with high confidence” that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons.
Further, this plan to transfer weapons to the Syrian rebels had become policy much earlier than that, as the Washington Post reported that the CIA had expanded over the past year its secret bases in Jordan to prepare for the transfer of weapons to the rebels in Syria.
The process was identical to the massive deception campaign that led us into the Iraq war.
President Obama announced late last week that the US intelligence community had just determined that the Syrian government had used poison gas on a small scale, killing some 100 people in a civil conflict that has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives. Because of this use of gas, the president claimed, Syria had crossed his “red line” and the US must begin to arm the rebels fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.
Setting aside the question of why 100 killed by gas is somehow more important than 99,900 killed by other means, the fact is his above explanation is full of holes. The Washington Post reported this week that the decision to overtly arm the Syrian rebels was made “weeks ago” – in other words, it was made at a time when the intelligence community did not believe “with high confidence” that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons.
Further, this plan to transfer weapons to the Syrian rebels had become policy much earlier than that, as the Washington Post reported that the CIA had expanded over the past year its secret bases in Jordan to prepare for the transfer of weapons to the rebels in Syria.
The process was identical to the massive deception campaign that led us into the Iraq war.
FED CHAIR BERNANKE TO PRINCETON GRADS: MERITOCRACY DOESN'T 'PASS ETHICAL MUSTER'
FED CHAIR BERNANKE TO PRINCETON GRADS: MERITOCRACY DOESN'T 'PASS ETHICAL MUSTER'
He explained that meritocracies were inherently unfair, and that those who were the luckiest needed to give back to society to make the concept of meritocracy work ethically.
“A meritocracy,” Bernanke said, “is a system in which the people who are the luckiest in their health and genetic endowment; luckiest in terms of family support, encouragement and, probably, income; luckiest in their educational and career opportunities; and luckiest in so many other ways difficult to enumerate — these are the folks who reap the largest rewards.”
He explained that meritocracies were inherently unfair, and that those who were the luckiest needed to give back to society to make the concept of meritocracy work ethically.
“A meritocracy,” Bernanke said, “is a system in which the people who are the luckiest in their health and genetic endowment; luckiest in terms of family support, encouragement and, probably, income; luckiest in their educational and career opportunities; and luckiest in so many other ways difficult to enumerate — these are the folks who reap the largest rewards.”
Obama Speaks with Forked Tongue on Surveillance
Obama Speaks with Forked Tongue on Surveillance
A court challenge wasn’t open to Snowden either. Glenn Greenwald, who published Snowden’s leaks in the Guardian, notes that for years the ACLU has tried to challenge the surveillance programs in court on Fourth Amendment grounds, but the Obama administration has blocked the effort by arguing that the ACLU has no standing to bring the suit. It’s a classic Catch-22. Since the surveillance is secret, no one can know if he has been spied on. But if no one knows, no one can go into court claiming to be a victim, and the government will argue that therefore the plaintiff has no standing to challenge the surveillance. Well played, Obama administration.
A court challenge wasn’t open to Snowden either. Glenn Greenwald, who published Snowden’s leaks in the Guardian, notes that for years the ACLU has tried to challenge the surveillance programs in court on Fourth Amendment grounds, but the Obama administration has blocked the effort by arguing that the ACLU has no standing to bring the suit. It’s a classic Catch-22. Since the surveillance is secret, no one can know if he has been spied on. But if no one knows, no one can go into court claiming to be a victim, and the government will argue that therefore the plaintiff has no standing to challenge the surveillance. Well played, Obama administration.
Woz: This is not my America
Woz: This is not my America
Woz believes a certain decline started a few years ago.
“All these things that talk about the Constitution that made us so good as people, they’re kind of nothing. They all dissolved with the Patriot Act,” he said.
“There’s not even a free open court anymore,” he added.
He is clearly distraught about what he sees is the erosion of the America he believed in, one whose people had clear rights. Everything, in his eyes, was overturned.
Warming to his theme, he explained: “That’s what a king does. A king just goes out, has anyone rounded up, killed, puts them in prison.”
He began to compare America to Russia. It was Russia, when Woz was growing up, that followed people around and made them disappear.
“We’re getting more and more like that,” he offered, gloomily.
Woz believes a certain decline started a few years ago.
“All these things that talk about the Constitution that made us so good as people, they’re kind of nothing. They all dissolved with the Patriot Act,” he said.
“There’s not even a free open court anymore,” he added.
He is clearly distraught about what he sees is the erosion of the America he believed in, one whose people had clear rights. Everything, in his eyes, was overturned.
Warming to his theme, he explained: “That’s what a king does. A king just goes out, has anyone rounded up, killed, puts them in prison.”
He began to compare America to Russia. It was Russia, when Woz was growing up, that followed people around and made them disappear.
“We’re getting more and more like that,” he offered, gloomily.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Rand Paul and the rise of the libertarian Republican
Rand Paul and the rise of the libertarian Republican
The latest evidence is Paul’s (R-Ky.) plan to launch a class action lawsuit against the government for the National Security Agency’s collection of phone records and monitoring of Internet data. “If we get 10 million Americans saying we don’t want our phone records looked at, then somebody will wake up and say things will change in Washington,” Paul argued during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Paul’s seizing on the NSA issue comes less than three months after he made national headlines for his filibuster of the nomination of now-CIA Director John Brennan. And both issues have a narrative string connecting them: Paul as the most visible defender of civil liberties not only in the Senate, but in elected office right now.
The latest evidence is Paul’s (R-Ky.) plan to launch a class action lawsuit against the government for the National Security Agency’s collection of phone records and monitoring of Internet data. “If we get 10 million Americans saying we don’t want our phone records looked at, then somebody will wake up and say things will change in Washington,” Paul argued during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Paul’s seizing on the NSA issue comes less than three months after he made national headlines for his filibuster of the nomination of now-CIA Director John Brennan. And both issues have a narrative string connecting them: Paul as the most visible defender of civil liberties not only in the Senate, but in elected office right now.
Everything is Rigged, Vol. 9,713: This Time, It's Currencies
Everything is Rigged, Vol. 9,713: This Time, It's Currencies
Traders at some of the world’s biggest banks manipulated benchmark foreign-exchange rates used to set the value of trillions of dollars of investments, according to five dealers with knowledge of the practice . . .
Employees have been front-running client orders and rigging WM/Reuters rates by pushing through trades before and during the 60-second windows when the benchmarks are set, said the current and former traders, who requested anonymity because the practice is controversial. Dealers colluded with counterparts to boost chances of moving the rates, said two of the people, who worked in the industry for a total of more than 20 years.
This time the rates allegedly being rigged are in the foreign-exchange or “FX” markets, meaning that if this story is true, it would almost certainly trump LIBOR for scale/horribleness.
Traders at some of the world’s biggest banks manipulated benchmark foreign-exchange rates used to set the value of trillions of dollars of investments, according to five dealers with knowledge of the practice . . .
Employees have been front-running client orders and rigging WM/Reuters rates by pushing through trades before and during the 60-second windows when the benchmarks are set, said the current and former traders, who requested anonymity because the practice is controversial. Dealers colluded with counterparts to boost chances of moving the rates, said two of the people, who worked in the industry for a total of more than 20 years.
This time the rates allegedly being rigged are in the foreign-exchange or “FX” markets, meaning that if this story is true, it would almost certainly trump LIBOR for scale/horribleness.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
3 Reasons the ‘Nothing to Hide’ Crowd Should Be Worried About Government Surveillance
3 Reasons the ‘Nothing to Hide’ Crowd Should Be Worried About Government Surveillance
There are many, many reasons to be concerned about the rise of the surveillance state, even if you have nothing to hide. Or rather, even if you think you have nothing to hide. For those confronted by such simplistic arguments, here are a three counterarguments that perhaps might get these people thinking about what they’re actually giving up.
1. Every American Is Probably a Criminal, Really
That Americans think they have nothing to hide in the first place is a sign of how little attention they’re paying to the behavior of our Department of Justice. Many Americans have run afoul of federal laws without even knowing it. Tim Carney noted at the Washington Examiner:
Copy a song to your laptop from a friend’s Beyonce CD? You just violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Did you buy some clothes in Delaware because they were tax free? You’re probably evading taxes. Did you give your 20-year-old nephew a glass of wine at dinner? Illegal in many states.
Citizens that the federal government wants to indict, the federal government can indict if it monitors them closely enough. That’s why it’s so disturbing to learn that the federal government doesn’t need to obtain a warrant on us in order to get our emails and phone records.
There are many, many reasons to be concerned about the rise of the surveillance state, even if you have nothing to hide. Or rather, even if you think you have nothing to hide. For those confronted by such simplistic arguments, here are a three counterarguments that perhaps might get these people thinking about what they’re actually giving up.
1. Every American Is Probably a Criminal, Really
That Americans think they have nothing to hide in the first place is a sign of how little attention they’re paying to the behavior of our Department of Justice. Many Americans have run afoul of federal laws without even knowing it. Tim Carney noted at the Washington Examiner:
Copy a song to your laptop from a friend’s Beyonce CD? You just violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Did you buy some clothes in Delaware because they were tax free? You’re probably evading taxes. Did you give your 20-year-old nephew a glass of wine at dinner? Illegal in many states.
Citizens that the federal government wants to indict, the federal government can indict if it monitors them closely enough. That’s why it’s so disturbing to learn that the federal government doesn’t need to obtain a warrant on us in order to get our emails and phone records.
Ron Paul: Snowden Might be Targeted For Drone Assassination
Ron Paul: Snowden Might be Targeted For Drone Assassination
“Everybody is worried about him and what they’re going to do and how they will convict him of treason and how they’re going to kill him, but what about the people who destroy our Constitution? What kind of penalty are those individuals who take the Second or the Fourth amendment and destroy it? What do we think about people who assassinate American citizens without trials and assume that’s the law of the land? That’s where our problem is.”
“Everybody is worried about him and what they’re going to do and how they will convict him of treason and how they’re going to kill him, but what about the people who destroy our Constitution? What kind of penalty are those individuals who take the Second or the Fourth amendment and destroy it? What do we think about people who assassinate American citizens without trials and assume that’s the law of the land? That’s where our problem is.”
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Windows NT grandaddy OpenVMS taken out back, single gunshot heard
Windows NT grandaddy OpenVMS taken out back, single gunshot heard
HP has announced the end of support for various flavours of OpenVMS, the ancient but trustworthy server operating system whose creator went on to build Windows NT.
OpenVMS started out as VAX/VMS on Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX minicomputers, then later was ported to DEC's fast Alpha RISC chips before the Compaq acquisition of Digital led to their untimely demise.
HP, which snapped up Compaq, ported the software to the Itanium, but the tech titan isn't going to bother moving the code to the latest, and perhaps last, generation of IA64 chips: and thus official service support for Alpha and Itanium OpenVMS pre-version 8.4 will finally end in 2015; support for Alpha and Itanium OpenVMS v8.4 will live on to 2016 and 2020 respectively.
HP has announced the end of support for various flavours of OpenVMS, the ancient but trustworthy server operating system whose creator went on to build Windows NT.
OpenVMS started out as VAX/VMS on Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX minicomputers, then later was ported to DEC's fast Alpha RISC chips before the Compaq acquisition of Digital led to their untimely demise.
HP, which snapped up Compaq, ported the software to the Itanium, but the tech titan isn't going to bother moving the code to the latest, and perhaps last, generation of IA64 chips: and thus official service support for Alpha and Itanium OpenVMS pre-version 8.4 will finally end in 2015; support for Alpha and Itanium OpenVMS v8.4 will live on to 2016 and 2020 respectively.
Lindsey Graham: ‘If I thought censoring the mail was necessary, I would suggest it’
Lindsey Graham: ‘If I thought censoring the mail was necessary, I would suggest it’
Sen. Lindsey Graham would propose censoring Americans’ “snail” mail if he thought it would help protect national security, the South Carolina Republican said Tuesday. But for now, he says he doesn’t think it’s necessary.
Faced with questions about the disclosure that the National Security Agency has been collecting phone and email records of citizens, Graham pointed to a World War II-era program in which the federal government censored mail. He said it was appropriate at the time and that he would support reinstating the program if it aided security efforts.
Sen. Lindsey Graham would propose censoring Americans’ “snail” mail if he thought it would help protect national security, the South Carolina Republican said Tuesday. But for now, he says he doesn’t think it’s necessary.
Faced with questions about the disclosure that the National Security Agency has been collecting phone and email records of citizens, Graham pointed to a World War II-era program in which the federal government censored mail. He said it was appropriate at the time and that he would support reinstating the program if it aided security efforts.
The NSA is Spying on You — Here is How You Should Fight Back
The NSA is Spying on You — Here is How You Should Fight Back
This assault on personal privacy affects the Facebook generation more than anyone else. Your generation is completely digitized and uploaded. Everything you do is traceable via phone, email and bank records. And it is you, more than anyone, who should be outraged by this astounding assault on your constitutional right to personal privacy.
I hear people say, “Well if you aren’t doing anything wrong, then the government will leave you alone.” But over the last month and a half, this administration has proved that they will target anyone. Under this administration, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has targeted political dissidents, the Department of Justice has seized reporters’ phone records, and now we’ve learned the NSA seized an unlimited amount of Verizon’s client data. So, do you really expect us to trust a government that admittedly targets innocent citizens without probable cause? These overreaching acts are unacceptable under any president, whether Democrat or Republican.
This assault on personal privacy affects the Facebook generation more than anyone else. Your generation is completely digitized and uploaded. Everything you do is traceable via phone, email and bank records. And it is you, more than anyone, who should be outraged by this astounding assault on your constitutional right to personal privacy.
I hear people say, “Well if you aren’t doing anything wrong, then the government will leave you alone.” But over the last month and a half, this administration has proved that they will target anyone. Under this administration, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has targeted political dissidents, the Department of Justice has seized reporters’ phone records, and now we’ve learned the NSA seized an unlimited amount of Verizon’s client data. So, do you really expect us to trust a government that admittedly targets innocent citizens without probable cause? These overreaching acts are unacceptable under any president, whether Democrat or Republican.
'Just Shut Up or Die'
'Just Shut Up or Die'
Messrs. Manning, Assange, and Snowden apparently took literally the message that has been plastered on public buildings, subways, airports, and billboards: “if you see something, say something.” What the “something” is, and to whom your report is to be made, are never indicated, but the reaction of the hacks is clear: don’t have that “something” be critical of the state or its owners!
Perhaps the most lackwitted condemnation of Mr. Snowden is found in the last resort to which all statists eventually come: the public opinion poll. More Americans condemn this man than support him. The Barrabas factor; turning to the well-conditioned mob, whose members probably did graduate from high-school, for the final verdict, has long served the interests of state power. Even now, idolaters of state power are hoping that the rest of us will remain firm in our conditioning, and join in their lynch-mob frenzy.
Messrs. Manning, Assange, and Snowden apparently took literally the message that has been plastered on public buildings, subways, airports, and billboards: “if you see something, say something.” What the “something” is, and to whom your report is to be made, are never indicated, but the reaction of the hacks is clear: don’t have that “something” be critical of the state or its owners!
Perhaps the most lackwitted condemnation of Mr. Snowden is found in the last resort to which all statists eventually come: the public opinion poll. More Americans condemn this man than support him. The Barrabas factor; turning to the well-conditioned mob, whose members probably did graduate from high-school, for the final verdict, has long served the interests of state power. Even now, idolaters of state power are hoping that the rest of us will remain firm in our conditioning, and join in their lynch-mob frenzy.
RAND PAUL SPARS WITH CBS REPORTERS OVER GOV’T SURVEILLANCE: ‘JUST BECAUSE CONGRESS APPROVED IT, DOESN’T MAKE IT RIGHT’
RAND PAUL SPARS WITH CBS REPORTERS OVER GOV’T SURVEILLANCE: ‘JUST BECAUSE CONGRESS APPROVED IT, DOESN’T MAKE IT RIGHT’
When King asked about a recent Pew Research poll that found that the majority of Americans support the collection of phone records, the congressman said that the public would not be so supportive if they knew the full extent of the program’s ramifications.
“Government has no right to this knowledge unless you’re accused of a crime, unless there’s probable cause,” he said, while going back and forth with the hosts.
When King asked about a recent Pew Research poll that found that the majority of Americans support the collection of phone records, the congressman said that the public would not be so supportive if they knew the full extent of the program’s ramifications.
“Government has no right to this knowledge unless you’re accused of a crime, unless there’s probable cause,” he said, while going back and forth with the hosts.
German government outraged by US snooping scandal
German government outraged by US snooping scandal
The German government is demanding explanations from the US after it emerged that its secret spying programme Prism collected more information from Germany than any other EU country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to raise the issue when she receives US President Barack Obama in Berlin next week, her spokesman said on Monday (10 June).
Data privacy is a very sensitive topic in Germany and the cluelessness of Merkel’s government about the affair may become an issue in September’s elections.
“Everything we know we found out from the media,” interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said on Tuesday in a press conference in Berlin.
Its head of domestic intelligence, Hans-Georg Maassen, standing beside Friedrich, added: “I knew nothing about it.”
The German government is demanding explanations from the US after it emerged that its secret spying programme Prism collected more information from Germany than any other EU country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to raise the issue when she receives US President Barack Obama in Berlin next week, her spokesman said on Monday (10 June).
Data privacy is a very sensitive topic in Germany and the cluelessness of Merkel’s government about the affair may become an issue in September’s elections.
“Everything we know we found out from the media,” interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said on Tuesday in a press conference in Berlin.
Its head of domestic intelligence, Hans-Georg Maassen, standing beside Friedrich, added: “I knew nothing about it.”
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The PS4 Doesn't Have The Xbox One's DRM
The PS4 Doesn't Have The Xbox One's DRM
PS4 will not put any restrictions on used games, Sony’s PlayStation boss Jack Tretton said today. Gamers can buy PS4 games, trade them in, lend them to friends or keep them forever. Loud cheers. He was drawing several points of comparison, obviously, to the Xbox One.
“In addition to creating an amazing library of new titles on PlayStation 4, we’re focused on delivering what gamers want most, without imposing restrictions or devaluing their PS4 purchases. For instance, PlayStation 4 won’t impose any restrictions on the use of PS4 games.”
...
“In addition, PlayStation 4 disc-based games don’t need to be connected online to play.”
PS4 will not put any restrictions on used games, Sony’s PlayStation boss Jack Tretton said today. Gamers can buy PS4 games, trade them in, lend them to friends or keep them forever. Loud cheers. He was drawing several points of comparison, obviously, to the Xbox One.
“In addition to creating an amazing library of new titles on PlayStation 4, we’re focused on delivering what gamers want most, without imposing restrictions or devaluing their PS4 purchases. For instance, PlayStation 4 won’t impose any restrictions on the use of PS4 games.”
...
“In addition, PlayStation 4 disc-based games don’t need to be connected online to play.”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEGINNING TOY GUN TURN-IN PROGRAM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEGINNING TOY GUN TURN-IN PROGRAM
Strobridge Elementary Principal Charles Hill has a brilliant idea: he’s holding a toy gun exchange next Saturday in which students of the Hayward, CA school can turn in a toy gun to receive a book and a raffle ticket to win one of four bicycles.
Really.
Strobridge Elementary Principal Charles Hill has a brilliant idea: he’s holding a toy gun exchange next Saturday in which students of the Hayward, CA school can turn in a toy gun to receive a book and a raffle ticket to win one of four bicycles.
Really.
Rand Paul: Big Brother Really Is Watching Us
Rand Paul: Big Brother Really Is Watching Us
How many records did the NSA seize from Verizon? Hundreds of millions. We are now learning about more potential mass data collections by the government from other communications and online companies. These are the “details,” and few Americans consider this approach “balanced,” though many rightly consider it Orwellian.
These activities violate the Fourth Amendment, which says warrants must be specific—”particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” And what is the government doing with these records? The president assures us that the government is simply monitoring the origin and length of phone calls, not eavesdropping on their contents. Is this administration seriously asking us to trust the same government that admittedly targets political dissidents through the Internal Revenue Service and journalists through the Justice Department?
How many records did the NSA seize from Verizon? Hundreds of millions. We are now learning about more potential mass data collections by the government from other communications and online companies. These are the “details,” and few Americans consider this approach “balanced,” though many rightly consider it Orwellian.
These activities violate the Fourth Amendment, which says warrants must be specific—”particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” And what is the government doing with these records? The president assures us that the government is simply monitoring the origin and length of phone calls, not eavesdropping on their contents. Is this administration seriously asking us to trust the same government that admittedly targets political dissidents through the Internal Revenue Service and journalists through the Justice Department?
Monday, June 10, 2013
Atari Age, July/August 1983
Atari Age, Volume 2, Number 2, July/August 1983
Atari Age was Atari's official publication but it didn't last long because it didn't come along until after Atari had started their long, downhill slide into oblivion. The July/August 1983 issue includes:
- Captain's Log
- New Cartridge Report
- Atari News
- ARC Program Introduction
- Sneak Peeks
- Your Turn
- Master Strategy Guide
- Making of a High-Tech Ad
- Game-Grams
- Solution Section
- Clubhouse Store
- Critics' Choice
- Contest
- Coin Video Corner
- Star Raiders Comic Preview
- 5200 Flash
'Star Wars: Episode VII' Begins Shooting In January
'Star Wars: Episode VII' Begins Shooting In January
During a PGA-sponsored "Produced By" conference at the 20th Century Fox lot, director J.J. Abrams stirred anticipation for "Star Wars: Episode VII" by dropping some details on the project, including its January 2014 production date.
"Most likely we are going to be moving to London at the end of the year for the 'Star Wars' movie," he said, according Hitfix.
During a PGA-sponsored "Produced By" conference at the 20th Century Fox lot, director J.J. Abrams stirred anticipation for "Star Wars: Episode VII" by dropping some details on the project, including its January 2014 production date.
"Most likely we are going to be moving to London at the end of the year for the 'Star Wars' movie," he said, according Hitfix.
All the Infrastructure a Tyrant Would Need, Courtesy of Bush and Obama
All the Infrastructure a Tyrant Would Need, Courtesy of Bush and Obama
Combining the people who didn’t trust Bush and the ones who don’t trust Obama adds up to a sizable part of the citizenry. But even if all the critics were proved wrong, even if the CIA, NSA, FBI, and every other branch of the federal government had been improbably filled, top to bottom, with incorruptible patriots constitutionally incapable of wrongdoing, this would still be so: The American people have no idea who the president will be in 2017. Nor do we know who’ll sit on key Senate oversight committees, who will head the various national-security agencies, or whether the moral character of the people doing so, individually or in aggregate, will more closely resemble George Washington, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, John Yoo, or Vladimir Putin.
What we know is that the people in charge will possess the capacity to be tyrants — to use power oppressively and unjustly — to a degree that Americans in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, or 2000 could’ve scarcely imagined. To an increasing degree, we’re counting on having angels in office and making ourselves vulnerable to devils. Bush and Obama have built infrastructure any devil would lust after.
Combining the people who didn’t trust Bush and the ones who don’t trust Obama adds up to a sizable part of the citizenry. But even if all the critics were proved wrong, even if the CIA, NSA, FBI, and every other branch of the federal government had been improbably filled, top to bottom, with incorruptible patriots constitutionally incapable of wrongdoing, this would still be so: The American people have no idea who the president will be in 2017. Nor do we know who’ll sit on key Senate oversight committees, who will head the various national-security agencies, or whether the moral character of the people doing so, individually or in aggregate, will more closely resemble George Washington, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, John Yoo, or Vladimir Putin.
What we know is that the people in charge will possess the capacity to be tyrants — to use power oppressively and unjustly — to a degree that Americans in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, or 2000 could’ve scarcely imagined. To an increasing degree, we’re counting on having angels in office and making ourselves vulnerable to devils. Bush and Obama have built infrastructure any devil would lust after.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Rand Paul says NSA phone records seizure saps Obama's 'moral authority'
Rand Paul says NSA phone records seizure saps Obama's 'moral authority'
Speaking one day before President Barack Obama meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in California, Paul said the NSA program, the controversy around IRS treatment of conservative groups, and other recent government actions sap America's "moral authority" to urge Beijing to embrace democratic reforms and openness.
"I'm appalled," Paul told Yahoo at the start of a wide-ranging exclusive interview in a conference room down the hall from his office.
"I'm not opposed to them going to a judge and getting an order for an individual who you have probable cause to believe that they've been involved with a crime," he said. "It's not that I don't want to go after terrorists or rapists or murderers or any kind of terrible criminal. It's that I want to go after them, not the rest of the law-abiding citizens that are out there."
"It's a great invasion of our privacy," Paul said, calling the NSA activities a violation of the Bill of Rights and insisting that the officials involved need "remedial eduction" in Constitutional protections.
Speaking one day before President Barack Obama meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in California, Paul said the NSA program, the controversy around IRS treatment of conservative groups, and other recent government actions sap America's "moral authority" to urge Beijing to embrace democratic reforms and openness.
"I'm appalled," Paul told Yahoo at the start of a wide-ranging exclusive interview in a conference room down the hall from his office.
"I'm not opposed to them going to a judge and getting an order for an individual who you have probable cause to believe that they've been involved with a crime," he said. "It's not that I don't want to go after terrorists or rapists or murderers or any kind of terrible criminal. It's that I want to go after them, not the rest of the law-abiding citizens that are out there."
"It's a great invasion of our privacy," Paul said, calling the NSA activities a violation of the Bill of Rights and insisting that the officials involved need "remedial eduction" in Constitutional protections.
Amash Leads Letter to NSA, FBI on Phone Tracking
Amash Leads Letter to NSA, FBI on Phone Tracking
Washington, D.C. Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) led a bipartisan coalition of House members in a letter to the NSA and FBI demanding more information about the government's telephone tracking program.
The Guardian reported late last night that a secret surveillance court has ordered a Verizon subsidiary continuously to turn over "telephony metadata" to the NSA, the Defense Department agency that is supposed to focus on foreign intelligence.
The leaked secret court order reveals that data associated with potentially tens of millions of Americans have been handed over to the NSA, including telephone numbers, the time and duration of calls, and geolocation data. It is not known whether the transmitted information includes data about Internet use.
"The astonishing amount of information the government is secretly seizing from Americans should shock anyone who has even a passing interest in privacy, civil liberties, or the Constitution," said Amash. "The government is vacuuming up data on every call made by every customer of a major phone company. This sort of sweeping surveillance is not even plausibly authorized by statute, let alone the Constitution."
Twenty-one Representatives signed the letter to Robert Mueller, Director of the FBI, and Keith Alexander, the head of the NSA. The letter asks for specific information about the government's surveillance, including the frequency of the practice and the agencies' legal justification.
Washington, D.C. Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) led a bipartisan coalition of House members in a letter to the NSA and FBI demanding more information about the government's telephone tracking program.
The Guardian reported late last night that a secret surveillance court has ordered a Verizon subsidiary continuously to turn over "telephony metadata" to the NSA, the Defense Department agency that is supposed to focus on foreign intelligence.
The leaked secret court order reveals that data associated with potentially tens of millions of Americans have been handed over to the NSA, including telephone numbers, the time and duration of calls, and geolocation data. It is not known whether the transmitted information includes data about Internet use.
"The astonishing amount of information the government is secretly seizing from Americans should shock anyone who has even a passing interest in privacy, civil liberties, or the Constitution," said Amash. "The government is vacuuming up data on every call made by every customer of a major phone company. This sort of sweeping surveillance is not even plausibly authorized by statute, let alone the Constitution."
Twenty-one Representatives signed the letter to Robert Mueller, Director of the FBI, and Keith Alexander, the head of the NSA. The letter asks for specific information about the government's surveillance, including the frequency of the practice and the agencies' legal justification.
NSA taps in to user data of Facebook, Google and others, secret files reveal
NSA taps in to user data of Facebook, Google and others, secret files reveal
The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian.
The NSA access is part of a previously undisclosed program called PRISM, which allows officials to collect material including search history, the content of emails, file transfers and live chats, the document says.
The Guardian has verified the authenticity of the document, a 41-slide PowerPoint presentation – classified as top secret with no distribution to foreign allies – which was apparently used to train intelligence operatives on the capabilities of the program. The document claims “collection directly from the servers” of major US service providers.
The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian.
The NSA access is part of a previously undisclosed program called PRISM, which allows officials to collect material including search history, the content of emails, file transfers and live chats, the document says.
The Guardian has verified the authenticity of the document, a 41-slide PowerPoint presentation – classified as top secret with no distribution to foreign allies – which was apparently used to train intelligence operatives on the capabilities of the program. The document claims “collection directly from the servers” of major US service providers.
President Obama's Dragnet
President Obama's Dragnet
Within hours of the disclosure that federal authorities routinely collect data on phone calls Americans make, regardless of whether they have any bearing on a counterterrorism investigation, the Obama administration issued the same platitude it has offered every time President Obama has been caught overreaching in the use of his powers: Terrorists are a real menace and you should just trust us to deal with them because we have internal mechanisms (that we are not going to tell you about) to make sure we do not violate your rights.
Those reassurances have never been persuasive -- whether on secret warrants to scoop up a news agency's phone records or secret orders to kill an American suspected of terrorism -- especially coming from a president who once promised transparency and accountability.
Within hours of the disclosure that federal authorities routinely collect data on phone calls Americans make, regardless of whether they have any bearing on a counterterrorism investigation, the Obama administration issued the same platitude it has offered every time President Obama has been caught overreaching in the use of his powers: Terrorists are a real menace and you should just trust us to deal with them because we have internal mechanisms (that we are not going to tell you about) to make sure we do not violate your rights.
Those reassurances have never been persuasive -- whether on secret warrants to scoop up a news agency's phone records or secret orders to kill an American suspected of terrorism -- especially coming from a president who once promised transparency and accountability.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Submarine On NY Highway Causes DHS & 29 Other Agencies To Investigate ‘Terror Threat’
Submarine On NY Highway Causes DHS & 29 Other Agencies To Investigate ‘Terror Threat’
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On Friday afternoon, a New York motorist called police with a tip about a potential terror threat. Seems someone was hauling a suspicious-looking object — it resembled a torpedo — on the highways around the city.
Before long 30 agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, were searching for this potential menace.
They should have set the terror color chart to Rebel Gray, because they were just hunting for a bunch of good ol’ boys from Summerville hauling a replica of the H.L. Hunley to Connecticut for the weekend.
“It’s pretty bad when four Confederates and a replica of the Hunley can cause all this,” says Mark Clark, general manager of the exhibit. “Maybe they were worried we were here to get them back.”
On Friday afternoon, a New York motorist called police with a tip about a potential terror threat. Seems someone was hauling a suspicious-looking object — it resembled a torpedo — on the highways around the city.
Before long 30 agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, were searching for this potential menace.
They should have set the terror color chart to Rebel Gray, because they were just hunting for a bunch of good ol’ boys from Summerville hauling a replica of the H.L. Hunley to Connecticut for the weekend.
“It’s pretty bad when four Confederates and a replica of the Hunley can cause all this,” says Mark Clark, general manager of the exhibit. “Maybe they were worried we were here to get them back.”
Obama administration defends Verizon records order
Obama administration defends Verizon records order
The Obama administration is defending itself against charges it secretly obtained records for Verizon phone calls made in the United States, arguing that the policy is a vital tool in monitoring terrorists and has the approval of “all three branches of government,” according to a senior administration official.
The Obama administration is defending itself against charges it secretly obtained records for Verizon phone calls made in the United States, arguing that the policy is a vital tool in monitoring terrorists and has the approval of “all three branches of government,” according to a senior administration official.
DO BLOGGERS ‘DESERVE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION’? SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM ISN’T QUITE SURE
DO BLOGGERS ‘DESERVE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION’? SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM ISN’T QUITE SURE
The issue of whether bloggers are technically journalists has been discussed since, well, since blogging ever became a thing — and the line between the two is only becoming more blurred. But Sen. Lindsey Graham in some interesting comments Wednesday didn’t seem quite sure if bloggers should even receive First Amendment protection.
Speaking to reporters ,the South Carolina senator asked rhetorically, “Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves?” the Free Times out of Columbia reported.
“Is any blogger out there saying anything — do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”
The issue of whether bloggers are technically journalists has been discussed since, well, since blogging ever became a thing — and the line between the two is only becoming more blurred. But Sen. Lindsey Graham in some interesting comments Wednesday didn’t seem quite sure if bloggers should even receive First Amendment protection.
Speaking to reporters ,the South Carolina senator asked rhetorically, “Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves?” the Free Times out of Columbia reported.
“Is any blogger out there saying anything — do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”
Tasered 10-Year-Old Boy Sues Police
Tasered 10-Year-Old Boy Sues Police
Webb then said, according to the lawsuit, “Let me show what happens to people who do not listen to the police.” He then “shot his Taser gun at the boy’s chest,” said the family’s attorney Shannon Kennedy of the Kennedy Law Firm of Albuquerque.
Kennedy said instead of calling paramedics over, who were also on campus for the Career Day event, Webb pulled the barbs from the Taser out of the boy’s chest.
“He grabbed the wires, he yanked them and it came out of the prongs, and then he went up to me and he ripped the prongs out of my chest,” R.D. told ABC News in September.
The boy said the officer then took him to the restroom to wash off and then to the nurses office.
“R.D.’s mother arrived at the school in absolute shock and rushed him to the emergency room,” said Kennedy.
The lawsuit claims that as a result of the battery, the boy now has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Webb then said, according to the lawsuit, “Let me show what happens to people who do not listen to the police.” He then “shot his Taser gun at the boy’s chest,” said the family’s attorney Shannon Kennedy of the Kennedy Law Firm of Albuquerque.
Kennedy said instead of calling paramedics over, who were also on campus for the Career Day event, Webb pulled the barbs from the Taser out of the boy’s chest.
“He grabbed the wires, he yanked them and it came out of the prongs, and then he went up to me and he ripped the prongs out of my chest,” R.D. told ABC News in September.
The boy said the officer then took him to the restroom to wash off and then to the nurses office.
“R.D.’s mother arrived at the school in absolute shock and rushed him to the emergency room,” said Kennedy.
The lawsuit claims that as a result of the battery, the boy now has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Friction between McCain, Paul underscores divide within Republican Party
Friction between McCain, Paul underscores divide within Republican Party
“It is very clear that any attempt to aid the Syrian rebels would be complicated and dangerous, precisely because we don’t know who these people are,” Paul wrote in an opinion piece earlier this week. “The situation in Syria is certainly dire. … Al Qaeda is making confirmed inroads into the country. No one wants to see Syria become a bastion of extremism. But like other American interventions in the past, U.S. involvement could actually help the extremists.”
But McCain, fresh off a secret trip to Syria, on Friday upped his call for intervention — telling the Associated Press the opposition needs heavy weapons.
“It is very clear that any attempt to aid the Syrian rebels would be complicated and dangerous, precisely because we don’t know who these people are,” Paul wrote in an opinion piece earlier this week. “The situation in Syria is certainly dire. … Al Qaeda is making confirmed inroads into the country. No one wants to see Syria become a bastion of extremism. But like other American interventions in the past, U.S. involvement could actually help the extremists.”
But McCain, fresh off a secret trip to Syria, on Friday upped his call for intervention — telling the Associated Press the opposition needs heavy weapons.
Jailed for Facebook Comments, Marine Brandon Raub Sues
Jailed for Facebook Comments, Marine Brandon Raub Sues
A lawsuit has been filed by officials with the Rutherford Institute on behalf of a Marine who was jailed and held for the comments he made on Facebook – comments that expressed a dissatisfaction with the present direction of the U.S. government.
According to officials at Rutherford, the civil rights action names as defendants members of law enforcement and the government who were involved in last year’s episode where Marine veteran Brandon Raub, 27, was arrested by a swarm of FBI and Secret Service and forcibly detained in a psychiatric ward for a week.
A lawsuit has been filed by officials with the Rutherford Institute on behalf of a Marine who was jailed and held for the comments he made on Facebook – comments that expressed a dissatisfaction with the present direction of the U.S. government.
According to officials at Rutherford, the civil rights action names as defendants members of law enforcement and the government who were involved in last year’s episode where Marine veteran Brandon Raub, 27, was arrested by a swarm of FBI and Secret Service and forcibly detained in a psychiatric ward for a week.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Zzap! 64, September 1987
Zzap! 64, Issue Number 29, September 1987
I remember how surprised I was when I found out this existed. Why couldn't we have a games magazine dedicated to the Commodore 64 here in the States? You would have though there would have been a big enough market for one given that this was the mot popular computer ever. The September 1987 issue of Zzap! 64 includes:
Refined Regulars
- Editorial - Ciaran Brennan tells it like it is
- Zzap! Rrap - Bursting forth from a heap of unsolicited SAE's, Lloyd goes talkabout with the Zzap! readership
- What's New - Britain's Brightest Commodore Monthly brings you the gossip from inside the world of the C64
- The White Wizard - A Rainbird spectacular, featuring Knight Orc and Guild of Thieves...and who are those shady characters?
- 54 Manoeuvres - Philippa returns to go on the road with Autoduel and to indulge in a spot of gardening with Shard of Spring
- Zzap! Tips - Play to win with maps of Head Over Heels and The Last Ninja - not to mention an amazing amount of hints and POKEs
- Technical Bit In The Middle - Raster interrupts drive Mr. Liddon off the rails
- Competition Winners - Is your name included?
- The Scorelord Pontificates - The greatest gamers blow their own trumpets
- Zzapback - Julian and Steve take a retrospective view at issues eleven and twelve
- Readers' Charts - The chart that's by the readers and for the readers
- Previews - Things to come in future issues...including Yogi Bear from Piranha, Renegade and Athena from Imagine and a profusion of releases from Cascade Games
- Terminal Man II - Things hot up for Cross and company
- Dedicated Follower - Sega's dedicated games console gets the once over
- Twenty Twenty Vision - Julian Rignall sees eye to eye with Binary Vision's Paul Norris
- Mental Procreation - Andrew Braybrook's labours reach their penultimate stage
- Tamara Knight - Due to overwhelming demand, Mel Croucher's trek across the universe reaches its inevitable conclusion
- Reader Offer - A spectacular shoot 'em up offer - for your eyes only
- Zynaps - Hewson's latest shoot 'em up sizzles its way across 12 colorful levels
- Re-Bounder - Gremlin's Bounder returns - meaner than ever and twice as agile
- California Games - Epyx's sunny compilation wins a Gold Medal to wear on the beach
- Guild of Thieves - Become a part of the criminal underworld with Magnetic Scroll's stunning adventure
- Deceptor - US Gold's metamorphising release allows you to become half man, half car and half robot (that's three halves isn't it???)
- Street Sports Baseball - Baseball is kid's stuff when you play with the Epyx Streetsports gang
- Star Paws - Catch the Griffin in this race against time from Software Projects
- Zynaps - have a real-life shoot 'em up courtesy of Hewson
- Firebird Comp - Win a Bubble Bobble arcade machine of your very own in this major Firebird competition
- California Games - Become the envy of your street gang, with a host of street-cred sports gear from Epyx
- PCW 1987 - Get in free to this year's Personal Computing World Show with one of 50 free tickets!
Deadline Looms for Suspect to Decrypt Laptop, or Go Directly to Jail
Deadline Looms for Suspect to Decrypt Laptop, or Go Directly to Jail
If a judge orders you to decrypt the only existing copies of incriminating files, are your constitutional rights against compelled self-incrimination being violated?
That’s the provocative question being raised as a Wisconsin man faces a deadline today either to give up his encryption keys or risk indefinite imprisonment without a trial. The defendant’s attorney, Robin Shellow of Milwaukee, said it’s “one of the most important constitutional issues of the wired era.”
If a judge orders you to decrypt the only existing copies of incriminating files, are your constitutional rights against compelled self-incrimination being violated?
That’s the provocative question being raised as a Wisconsin man faces a deadline today either to give up his encryption keys or risk indefinite imprisonment without a trial. The defendant’s attorney, Robin Shellow of Milwaukee, said it’s “one of the most important constitutional issues of the wired era.”
PBS's Gwen Ifill Defends Eric Holder, IRS Despite Online Backlash
PBS's Gwen Ifill Defends Eric Holder, IRS Despite Online Backlash
Here’s an interesting example of your tax dollars at work: Gwen Ifill, a newscaster for the Public Broadcasting System, uses her television programs to staunchly defend Eric Holder, the scandal-ridden U.S. attorney general, and the Internal Revenue System, which has been accused of targeting conservative organizations that apply for a tax-exempt status.
Not content with using her roles as managing editor and moderator of the “Washington Week” program and as a senior correspondent for the “PBS NewsHour,” Ifill took her crusade online on Sunday, when she posted on Twitter that it’s “Fun to see the same (named & unnamed) folks calling for Holder resignation who always have” and asserted that “people don’t want to know the details back and forth” of the IRS targeting.
Here’s an interesting example of your tax dollars at work: Gwen Ifill, a newscaster for the Public Broadcasting System, uses her television programs to staunchly defend Eric Holder, the scandal-ridden U.S. attorney general, and the Internal Revenue System, which has been accused of targeting conservative organizations that apply for a tax-exempt status.
Not content with using her roles as managing editor and moderator of the “Washington Week” program and as a senior correspondent for the “PBS NewsHour,” Ifill took her crusade online on Sunday, when she posted on Twitter that it’s “Fun to see the same (named & unnamed) folks calling for Holder resignation who always have” and asserted that “people don’t want to know the details back and forth” of the IRS targeting.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
SUPREME COURT: Police Can Force Open Your Mouth And Swab Your DNA
SUPREME COURT: Police Can Force Open Your Mouth And Swab Your DNA
Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the court’s most outspoken conservatives, wrote the dissenting opinion that was joined by three of the court’s liberal justices. Scalia’s dissent questioned Kennedy’s assertion that DNA helps police identify suspects.
“The court’s assertion that DNA is being taken, not to solve crimes, but to identify those in the state’s custody taxes the credulity of the credulous,” Scalia writes in his dissent.
Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the court’s most outspoken conservatives, wrote the dissenting opinion that was joined by three of the court’s liberal justices. Scalia’s dissent questioned Kennedy’s assertion that DNA helps police identify suspects.
“The court’s assertion that DNA is being taken, not to solve crimes, but to identify those in the state’s custody taxes the credulity of the credulous,” Scalia writes in his dissent.
Obama's Orwellian Doublespeak on the Drone Program
Obama's Orwellian Doublespeak on the Drone Program
President Barack Obama has decided to deal with revelations about the Justice Department’s spying on journalists and other scandals by changing the subject. In a major national security address last Thursday, he announced the phase out of the Guantanamo prison facility and the CIA’s oversight of the drone program. But these are cosmetic changes that can’t conceal the biggest scandal: His record on the war on terrorism, which is arguably even more draconian than George W. Bush’s, his angst notwithstanding
The question is whether liberals will protect their principles or their man.
What was remarkable about Obama’s speech was its complete disconnect with his own actions in office. In a textbook example of Orwellian doublespeak, he declared that America would be haunted by the civilian casualties produced by drone attacks — without noting that these attacks were the defining feature of his war on terror.
President Barack Obama has decided to deal with revelations about the Justice Department’s spying on journalists and other scandals by changing the subject. In a major national security address last Thursday, he announced the phase out of the Guantanamo prison facility and the CIA’s oversight of the drone program. But these are cosmetic changes that can’t conceal the biggest scandal: His record on the war on terrorism, which is arguably even more draconian than George W. Bush’s, his angst notwithstanding
The question is whether liberals will protect their principles or their man.
What was remarkable about Obama’s speech was its complete disconnect with his own actions in office. In a textbook example of Orwellian doublespeak, he declared that America would be haunted by the civilian casualties produced by drone attacks — without noting that these attacks were the defining feature of his war on terror.
Cruz: ‘Abolish the IRS’
Cruz: ‘Abolish the IRS’
I think we ought to abolish the IRS and instead move to a simple flat tax where the average American can fill our taxes on a postcard, put down how much you earn, put down a deduction for charitable contribution, for home mortgage, and how much you owe,” Cruz said in an interview with Fox News on Monday.
“It ought to be just a simple one-page postcard and take the agents, bureaucracy out of Washington and limit the power of government,” he added.
Lawmakers are probing the IRS’s use of higher scrutiny for Tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status.
I think we ought to abolish the IRS and instead move to a simple flat tax where the average American can fill our taxes on a postcard, put down how much you earn, put down a deduction for charitable contribution, for home mortgage, and how much you owe,” Cruz said in an interview with Fox News on Monday.
“It ought to be just a simple one-page postcard and take the agents, bureaucracy out of Washington and limit the power of government,” he added.
Lawmakers are probing the IRS’s use of higher scrutiny for Tea party groups seeking tax-exempt status.
Obama Administration Will Sign Anti-Gun Treaty, Ignore Senate
Obama Administration Will Sign Anti-Gun Treaty, Ignore Senate
Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the Obama administration would sign a controversial U.N. treaty on arms regulations even though there has been a bipartisan rejection of the bill in Congress.
Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that the Obama administration would sign a controversial U.N. treaty on arms regulations even though there has been a bipartisan rejection of the bill in Congress.
Monday, June 3, 2013
11-Yr-Old Suspended From School For Merely TALKING About Guns
11-Yr-Old Suspended From School For Merely TALKING About Guns
“The principal told me that with what happened at Sandy Hook if you say the word ‘gun’ in my school you are going to get suspended for 10 days,” Henkelman said in an interview with WMAL.com.
So what did the boy say? According to his father, he neither threatened nor bullied anyone.
“He said, I wish I had a gun to protect everyone. He wanted to defeat the bad guys. That’s the context of what he said,” Henkelman said. “He wanted to be the hero.”
The boy was questioned by the principal and a sheriff’s deputy, who also wanted to search the family home without a warrant, Henkelman said. “He started asking me questions about if I have firearms, and [the deputy said] he’s going to have to search my house.
“The principal told me that with what happened at Sandy Hook if you say the word ‘gun’ in my school you are going to get suspended for 10 days,” Henkelman said in an interview with WMAL.com.
So what did the boy say? According to his father, he neither threatened nor bullied anyone.
“He said, I wish I had a gun to protect everyone. He wanted to defeat the bad guys. That’s the context of what he said,” Henkelman said. “He wanted to be the hero.”
The boy was questioned by the principal and a sheriff’s deputy, who also wanted to search the family home without a warrant, Henkelman said. “He started asking me questions about if I have firearms, and [the deputy said] he’s going to have to search my house.
California lawmakers OK a dozen gun-control measures
California lawmakers OK a dozen gun-control measures
Californians who want to buy ammunition would have to submit personal information and a $50 fee for a background check by the state, under a bill passed by the Senate. The state Department of Justice would determine whether buyers have a criminal record, severe mental illness or a restraining order that would disqualify them from owning guns.
Ammo shops would check the name on buyers’ driver’s licenses against a state list of qualified purchasers.
The goal of the bill is “to ensure that criminals and other dangerous individuals cannot purchase ammunition in the state of California,” said Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles), author of SB 53.
The vote was 22-14, with a few Democrats joining the Republican minority in opposition.
Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) said, “We are criminalizing legal, historic behavior in the state of California and putting onerous burdens and regulations and requirements on law-abiding citizens.”
The Senate also OK’d a bill that would outlaw the sale, purchase and manufacture in California of semiautomatic rifles that can accommodate detachable magazines. The measure, SB 374 by Steinberg, also would require those who own such weapons to register them with the state.
The Assembly joined the action on guns by passing a measure to require the state Department of Justice to notify local law enforcement agencies when someone buys more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. The bill would also ban kits that convert magazines to carry more than 10 rounds and would extend a ban on gun ownership for anyone who conveys a serious threat of violence to a licensed psychotherapist.
Californians who want to buy ammunition would have to submit personal information and a $50 fee for a background check by the state, under a bill passed by the Senate. The state Department of Justice would determine whether buyers have a criminal record, severe mental illness or a restraining order that would disqualify them from owning guns.
Ammo shops would check the name on buyers’ driver’s licenses against a state list of qualified purchasers.
The goal of the bill is “to ensure that criminals and other dangerous individuals cannot purchase ammunition in the state of California,” said Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles), author of SB 53.
The vote was 22-14, with a few Democrats joining the Republican minority in opposition.
Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) said, “We are criminalizing legal, historic behavior in the state of California and putting onerous burdens and regulations and requirements on law-abiding citizens.”
The Senate also OK’d a bill that would outlaw the sale, purchase and manufacture in California of semiautomatic rifles that can accommodate detachable magazines. The measure, SB 374 by Steinberg, also would require those who own such weapons to register them with the state.
The Assembly joined the action on guns by passing a measure to require the state Department of Justice to notify local law enforcement agencies when someone buys more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. The bill would also ban kits that convert magazines to carry more than 10 rounds and would extend a ban on gun ownership for anyone who conveys a serious threat of violence to a licensed psychotherapist.
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