There's irony here that future generations may enjoy but which makes learning about this almost too much to bear. A government program established by Congress post-Watergate "as a check against wiretapping abuses by the government" is being used to expand the government's ability to spy on its citizens. The program, of course, is FISA - the Foreign Intelligence Service Act - … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Must Read: FISA Expands NSA Powers In Deep Secret
Obama Reviews Situation in Egypt
According to the American Forces Press Service (AFPS), President Obama is staying in touch with the situation in Egypt by conferring with his National Security Council, the president's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters. Here is the text of the White House release: President Obama convened a secure conference call with the … [Read more...] about Obama Reviews Situation in Egypt
Asiana jet crash lands at San Francisco airport (AFP detailed report)
Asiana jet crash lands at San Francisco airport (via AFP) An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 jet with more than 300 people on board clipped a seawall short of the runway at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday, snapping off its tail and bursting into flames. Media reports said at least two people who… … [Read more...] about Asiana jet crash lands at San Francisco airport (AFP detailed report)
Do Asylum Invitations from Venezuela and Nicaragua Matter If Edward Snowden Stuck in Moscow Airport?
Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia are reportedly prepared to grant fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden asylum, but can he ever get there? ABC News: "The accused NSA leaker has been stuck in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremedevo International Airport for nearly two weeks, with no way to enter Russia, no valid U.S. passport to travel on because the United States revoked it, … [Read more...] about Do Asylum Invitations from Venezuela and Nicaragua Matter If Edward Snowden Stuck in Moscow Airport?
(Video) How English sounds to non-English speakers
How does English sound to non-English speakers? First, let's back track: I worked at learning three languages during my life. The first, was as a schoolkid at Davis Street School in New Haven, CT in the late 1950s. But failed miserably at fourth grade French. The second, was trying to learn Spanish in high school and college. I did OK but mostly retained parts of dialogues … [Read more...] about (Video) How English sounds to non-English speakers
All About Edward Snowden (Updates)
Update: The Wall Street Journal this evening provides additional insight and reaction to Venezuelan president Maduro’s offer to give asylum to Edward Snowden: In public comments, Venezuela's Mr. Maduro has spoken of Mr. Snowden as a valiant rebel who deserves to be "protected by humanity" and has praised the former security analyst for unmasking U.S. espionage efforts … [Read more...] about All About Edward Snowden (Updates)
Jumbo Jet Crash At San Francisco Airport
A 777 jumbo jet has crashed at San Francisco International Airport. The jet was reportedly inbound from South Korea and latest reports indicate two fatalities. The new media world was seen in this incident with passengers tweeting photos from the scene. Based on the TV coverage it appears the tail of the plane struck an embankment at the beginning of the runway. … [Read more...] about Jumbo Jet Crash At San Francisco Airport
How Trustworthy Are Our ‘Secrets Keepers’?
Some believe that we have too much secrecy -- “too many secrets.” Perhaps. Some believe that too many individuals or organizations have the authority to classify material. Perhaps. Some believe that too many people have security clearances -- as of 2012, more than 4.9 million government workers. Perhaps. Some believe that we cannot or should not always trust those -- … [Read more...] about How Trustworthy Are Our ‘Secrets Keepers’?
The NeoConfederate/Libertarian Connection
'The Treasonous Shame of Forbes Magazine' (June 28) has morphed into a more recognizable form. You might recall that Forbes published a "lost cause" economic screed by a fellow who claimed that the Civil War was actually all about tariffs and that this "freeing the slaves" nonsense was just scotch-taped to the evil usurpation by implication by Lincoln. OK. The article … [Read more...] about The NeoConfederate/Libertarian Connection
Edith Green Mother of Title IX And Abundance Of Higher Ed Firsts
"If he won a victory, he was disguised as the lady from Oregon." A Congressional colleague of Edith Green, after overhearing another member trying to take credit for helping to pass anti-poverty legislation. Title IX is a requirement that many are aware of today. It prohibits federally funded colleges from discriminating against women. but there is a great history behind … [Read more...] about Edith Green Mother of Title IX And Abundance Of Higher Ed Firsts
The Coming Fight Over Egypt’s Constitution
Get ready here it comes.. … [Read more...] about The Coming Fight Over Egypt’s Constitution
Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind (Guest Voice)
Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind by Richard Barry Who: The Mitch McConnell Senate campaign Where: Kentucky What's going on: Well, it's hard to know what's going on. This may be the dumbest political ad of all time. Okay, that's saying too much. Still, it is stupid. The piece uses that annoying computer generated music to make fun of McConnell's Democratic … [Read more...] about Behind the Ad: Mitch McConnell loses his mind (Guest Voice)
IRS targeting wasn’t political, not by half
The applications were flagged as "political" were a tiny percentage of all the targets. Two months of investigation by Congress and the I.R.S. has produced new documents that have clouded much of the controversy’s narrative. In the more complicated picture now emerging, many organizations other than conservative groups were singled out: “progressive” organizations, … [Read more...] about IRS targeting wasn’t political, not by half
Scientists create ‘human liver’ from stem cells
Scientists create 'human liver' from stem cells (via AFP) Scientists in Japan said they had grown human liver tissue from stem cells in a first that holds promise for alleviating the critical shortage of donor organs. Creating lab-grown tissue to replenish organs damaged by accident or disease is a Holy Grail… … [Read more...] about Scientists create ‘human liver’ from stem cells
Martha Griffiths:Mother of ERA and Title VII
Historic Quote:"All I want to be is human and American and have all the same rights and I will shut up." Martha Griffiths Many members of Congress are associated with attempted passage of the Equal Rights Amendment but one, Martha Griffiths of Michigan, was without question the mother of the movement in Congress. Griffiths may not have had the satisfaction of seeing ERA … [Read more...] about Martha Griffiths:Mother of ERA and Title VII
Herschel Loveless Revived Iowa Democratic Party
Historic Quote: "I don't care what kind of car I drive. Cadillacs are for Republicans." Iowa Governor Herschel Loveless (D), saying he would not accept additional funds the Legislature wanted to allocate for him to buy a nicer state car. Until the 1950?s, Iowa was a virtual one-party state. A Democratic Governor had only been elected three times since the Civil War and … [Read more...] about Herschel Loveless Revived Iowa Democratic Party
Venezuela offers ‘humanitarian asylum’ to Snowden
Venezuela offers 'humanitarian asylum' to Snowden (via AFP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered Friday to grant asylum to US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, giving a possible escape route to the fugitive whose revelations rocked the American government and security establishment. Moments earlier… … [Read more...] about Venezuela offers ‘humanitarian asylum’ to Snowden
We can handle the truth
WASHINGTON -- I don't believe government officials when they say the National Security Agency's surveillance programs do not invade our privacy. The record suggests that you shouldn't believe them, either. It pains me to sound like some Rand Paul acolyte. I promise I'm not wearing a tinfoil hat or scanning the leaden sky for black helicopters. I just wish our government … [Read more...] about We can handle the truth
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Plays Jewish Card: Claims Egypt’s Interim President is Jewish
You've heard of the "race card?" Egypt's ousted Muslim Brotherhood is now playing the Jewish card -- claiming Egypt's interim President is Jewish: The Muslim Brotherhood claimed in a post on its official website that Egypt's new interim president Adli Mansour is Jewish, The Washington Post reported on Friday. The article on IkhwanOnline was subsequently … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Plays Jewish Card: Claims Egypt’s Interim President is Jewish
Chris Christie’s gay marriage dilemma
Chris Christie's gay marriage dilemma (via NewsWorks) National Interest July 5, 2013 By Dick Polman New Jersey is ground zero for the next epic battle over gay marriage. It's happening in the state legislature, and it's happening in the state courts; two days ago, marriage-equality lawyers asked a… … [Read more...] about Chris Christie’s gay marriage dilemma