All in the guise of fighting terrorism If you live outside of London and don't read a lot of "foreign" news, you'll probably not hear about the first half of this story. That's the bit about government officials demanding that a major newspaper destroy hard drives containing documents leaked by Edward Snowden. If you live outside of the NY-DC corridor and don't follow … [Read more...] about UK forces the Guardian to destroy computers, detains partner of journalist for nine hours
Deadly attack on police as Egypt escalates crackdown
Deadly attack on police as Egypt escalates crackdown (via AFP) Militants killed 25 policemen on Monday in the deadliest attack of its kind in years, as Egypt's army-installed rulers escalated a campaign to crush ousted president Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The assailants fired rocket-propelled grenades… … [Read more...] about Deadly attack on police as Egypt escalates crackdown
A New Member of the First Family
I write this not only because of my extreme weakness for dogs of all kinds but as what I think of as a gentle reminder that in spite of all the hatred aimed at President Obama and how many people agree mildly, vehemently and all the adverbs in between with his policies at the end of the day the Obamas are a family that share some characteristics with their fellow Americans, … [Read more...] about A New Member of the First Family
Greenwald says Britain will be “sorry” for detaining partner: vows to publish UK secrets
As the controversy grows over the detention at London's Heathrow airport for 9 hours of the partner of Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian reporter who did the interviews in which now-Russia-resident Anthony Snowden leaked secrets about the extent of NSA surveillance, Greenwald has now vowed to publish more secrets about the UK and says the UK will be "sorry." I believe this latest … [Read more...] about Greenwald says Britain will be “sorry” for detaining partner: vows to publish UK secrets
Now This is a Pie Chart….Sort Of
Derek Thompson over at The Atlantic appears in a video from their Economics in Plain English section that gives a freshly baked take on pie charts explaining economic inequality in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Now This is a Pie Chart….Sort Of
Christie’s debate phobia
WASHINGTON -- "We are not a debating society. We are a political operation that needs to win." Thus did Chris Christie offer one of the most pregnant statements yet in the ongoing Republican argument over the party's future. At the risk of sounding like one of those "professors" the New Jersey governor regularly condemns, I'd argue that these 15 words, spoken to a … [Read more...] about Christie’s debate phobia
Ed Schultz returning to MSNBC five days a week
At a time when a critical "war" is now going on between cable news networks, MSNBC is now moving Ed Schultz back to Monday through Friday shows -- the 5 pm EST slot currently occupied by the first of two hours of Hardball. It shows there are indeed third acts in American life. Five months ago, Schultz had been moved from his 8 p.m. EST slot and given an hour weekend show … [Read more...] about Ed Schultz returning to MSNBC five days a week
GOP Hypocrisy: Sen. Ted Cruz Holds Dual Citizenship in Canada, U.S., Obama Attacked Relentlessly for Kenyan Dad
GOP HYPOCRISY: The irony and racist of elements in the Republican Party came to bear this morning when the Dallas Morning News released a copy of Sen. Ted Cruz short-form birth certificate, showing he was born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father. Same scenario as President Obama, who was born to an American mother and a Kenyan father. One stark difference, … [Read more...] about GOP Hypocrisy: Sen. Ted Cruz Holds Dual Citizenship in Canada, U.S., Obama Attacked Relentlessly for Kenyan Dad
Furor grows over Guardian journalist Greenwald’s partner’s detention under Great Britain’s counterterrorism law
The furor is growing. News that David Miranda, partner of Glenn Greenwald, the journalist who did the series of interviews with whistleblower-leaker Edward Snowden, was held for 9 hours under Great Britain's terrorism act has set off an international and blogosphere firestorm. The questions started flowing immediately: was this payback for all the information Russia's newest … [Read more...] about Furor grows over Guardian journalist Greenwald’s partner’s detention under Great Britain’s counterterrorism law
More Movement On The NSA Leaks
Over the past few days we have learned of an internal audit of NSA programs that showed violations at a rate of 1000’s per year. Now we learn that Glen Greenwald’s partner was detained and questioned for nine hours at Heathrow Airport then being forced to leave without his electronic equipment which was confiscated by authorities. In response to the constant drip of … [Read more...] about More Movement On The NSA Leaks
This is a critical moment in the cable news war
Tsummer of an odd-numbered year may be a slow time for politics, but the same isn't true for the world of cable news. Indeed, each of the cable news giants seems to be re-imagining itself, changing personnel, and jockeying for position in the run-up to the ratings-gold 2016 campaign season. Critics think Fox News is inching toward the center. CNN is desperate to reinvent … [Read more...] about This is a critical moment in the cable news war
Testicle-biting Fish Found In Sweden
Testicle-biting Fish Found In Sweden (via Planetsave) A relative of the piranha, the pacu, was found in Swedish waters near Oresund Sound last week. It was about ten inches long, but this type of fish can grow to about four times that length. Why a South American fish would be in Swedish waters is not… … [Read more...] about Testicle-biting Fish Found In Sweden
Princess Diana Death Probe: British Media Reports Allegation That Royal’s Death Was No Accident
Princess Diana Death Probe: British Media Reports Allegation That Royal’s Death Was No Accident (via http://www.konknaijamedia.com) Breaking News |Celebrity News |More ABC News Videos Conspiracy theories are back surrounding the deaths of Princess Diana and her companion Dodi al Fayed, after British media reported allegations that the couple may have been murdered by … [Read more...] about Princess Diana Death Probe: British Media Reports Allegation That Royal’s Death Was No Accident
Will Biden run?
One step under discussion by Biden backers is to form a political action committee he would use to funnel money to other Democratic candidates, which could build goodwill for a possible White House bid, people familiar with the talks said. Meanwhile, Mr. Biden is preparing to attend a Democratic event in Iowa, which traditionally holds the first nominating contest, and to raise … [Read more...] about Will Biden run?
Chris Christie: The GOP’s middle man: Editorial (Guest Editorial)
Chris Christie: The GOP's middle man: Editorial (via NJ.com) Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal Could Chris Christie broaden the appeal of the Republican Party in the way that Bill Clinton did for Democrats? After a string of losses in presidential elections, could Republicans be ready to move toward the middle… … [Read more...] about Chris Christie: The GOP’s middle man: Editorial (Guest Editorial)
Authentic “Carlos Danger Weiners” are now on the market
Tanking New York City mayoral candidate and former Rep. Anthony Weiner may be in hot water due to the sexting pictures of himself that gave him enough hubris to be sold at CostCo -- but Weiner's nightmare could be part of the American dream for Randall Richards of Orlando who has partnered with Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats in Illinois. They've now teamed up to market "Carlos … [Read more...] about Authentic “Carlos Danger Weiners” are now on the market
Rand Paul: shutting down the government is not a good idea
Once again Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is showing that he has an eye on a constituency bigger than hist existing base: he has come out against shutting down the government ty try and defund or halt Obamacare, the new-obsession with some GOPers: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday that Republicans should “stand up and fight” against ObamaCare, but warned that forcing a … [Read more...] about Rand Paul: shutting down the government is not a good idea
David Miranda, Partner of Guardian Journalist Glenn Greenwald, Detained at London Airport for Nine Hours
Guilt by association? Glenn Greenwald's partner, David Miranda, was detained for almost nine hours under the Terrorism Act of 2007, by UK authorities at London's Heathrow airport as he traveled home to Rio de Janeiro from Berlin. Miranda was released without charge, but officials confiscated electronic equipment including his cell phone, laptop, camera, memory sticks, DVDs and … [Read more...] about David Miranda, Partner of Guardian Journalist Glenn Greenwald, Detained at London Airport for Nine Hours
Egypt army chief vows to stand firm in face of violence
Egypt army chief vows to stand firm in face of violence (via AFP) Egypt's army chief vowed Sunday to stand firm in the face of violence by Islamists, in his first remarks since a deadly crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. "Whoever imagines violence will make the state and Egyptians kneel must… … [Read more...] about Egypt army chief vows to stand firm in face of violence
Time magazine reporter’s “shocking” Tweet about Wikileak’s Assange Sparks Mini-Firestorm
In this age of Twitter it's sometimes tempting to try and find the most jolting, attention getting one liner -- and then live to regret it. In this case, Time's Michael Grunwald did both. And you don't have to be a fan of Wikileak's Julian Assange to find it surprising or distasteful: A TIME magazine reporter caused ire on Twitter Saturday night when he said that he … [Read more...] about Time magazine reporter’s “shocking” Tweet about Wikileak’s Assange Sparks Mini-Firestorm