Ray McGovern and the Sam Adams party have presented the Sam Adams award to Edward Snowden. I am delighted. This from Ray’s account of the event:
In brief remarks from his visitors, Snowden was reassured — first and foremost — that he need no longer be worried that nothing significant would happen as a result of his decision to risk his future by revealing documentary proof that the U.S. government was playing fast and loose with the Constitutional rights of Americans.
Even amid the government shutdown, Establishment Washington and the normally docile “mainstream media” have not been able to deflect attention from the intrusive eavesdropping that makes a mockery of the Fourth Amendment. Even Congress is showing signs of awaking from its torpor.
In the somnolent Senate, a few hardy souls have gone so far as to express displeasure at having been lied to by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and NSA Director Keith Alexander — Clapper having formally apologized for telling the Senate Intelligence Committee eavesdropping-related things that were, in his words, “clearly erroneous” and Alexander having told now-discredited whoppers about the effectiveness of NSA’s intrusive and unconstitutional methods in combating terrorism.
Coleen Rowley, the first winner of the Sam Adams Award (2002), cited some little-known history to remind Snowden that he is in good company as a whistleblower — and not only because of previous Sam Adams honorees. She noted that in 1773, Benjamin Franklin leaked confidential information by releasing letters written by then-Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Hutchinson to Thomas Whatley, an assistant to the British Prime Minister.
The letters suggested that it was impossible for the colonists to enjoy the same rights as subjects living in England and that “an abridgement of what are called English liberties” might be necessary. The content of the letters was so damaging to the British government that Benjamin Franklin was dismissed as colonial Postmaster General and had to endure an hour-long censure from British Solicitor General Alexander Wedderburn.
There has been a determined attempt by government to justify the need to intercept everybody’s communications, all the time. We have, yet again, had MI5 claim there are many thousand violent Islamic terrorists running around the UK, (yet somehow not managing to kill anybody). The cry of “paedophiles” is raised, as always. I can imagine them suggesting the entire population be shot dead, and justifying it as making sure they get the paedophiles. The tabloids would go with that.
There still had not been a single credible claim by the mainstream media that any named individual has died, despite that contingency being trotted out all the time as the reason Snowden and Manning should not have revealed state crimes and abuse of power. I am hopeful that, with the internet still largely free to the dissemination of information, out next massive whistleblower is only weeks away.
@ Mark Golding (12h43)
“The stark reality of tomorrow”
Well, the younger ones amoungst us will have to wait and see, won’t they?
I take it you disapprove of the scenario described and would perhaps prefer that the riots should continue unchecked; that would certainly get the petrol flowing again, wouldn’t it.
Nevermind has partly answered you (“..these ‘rethorical’ questions might not be designed to reflect reality in the future..” – the operative word being “designed”) but then proceeds to spoil things by opining that “they are preparatory brain washing for similar situations”.
Nevermind and others should perhaps consider the possibility that the question put to the scholarship candidates is designed to see whether they can put together a reasoned, well articulated and persuasive piece of writing. You know, the sort of thing one might reasonably be expected to produce when attending a good scholl or university. As for the words “necessary” and moral” – put into bold by Mr Golding rather than by the examiners, I suspect – I should see them as a little hint by the examiners as to the two principal angles to or aspects of the question on which the candidates would be well advised to focus.
Sorry to have such an unsuspicious and un-conspiratorial mind.
*************************
Always look on the bright side of life!
@ Nevermind (13h13) on the same topic (more or less):
“And finally is this the time for a modern Communist revival on the basis of crass inequality, poverty, a them and us system?”
I assume you meant to say “in reaction/opposition to” rather than “on the basis of” ??
Although the description you give could in fact well apply to the late, unlamented Communist régimes : “crass inequality, poverty and a them and us system”….
****************************$
Always look on the bright side of life!
I was looking to see the citation for Mr David Nott’s OBE and see he has a military title – RAuxAF WingCo.
It says he worked at the ‘royals’ hospital KEVII for 14 years so why all the detail about other hospitals in the biogs. He has certainly been a very busy man.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafleuchars/news/index.cfm?storyid=D3749AF0-5056-A318-A84753D96704DBDC
No mention of the military work here.
http://www.thelisterhospital.com/consultant-search/mr-david-m-nott/
‘You know, the sort of thing one might reasonably be expected to produce when attending a good scholl or university.’
priceless! Its a sheer elitist and isolatinist argument behind a moral context, a them and us scenario projected into young minds.
‘Völker, hört die Signale! Auf zum letzten Gefecht! Die Internationale: erkämpft das Menschenrecht.’
@ Mary (13h56)
“No mention of the military work here.”
Could his experience in military hospitals have anything to do with the fact that he was able to talk with some authority about the snipers and the types of wounds they caused? And perhaaps expalin why he has done volontary MSF work in places of military conflict?
Just a thought!
BTW Mary – good to be able to engage with you again. I hope you’ll keep it polite, though, and address the facts and arguments rather than the commenter. I certainly shall!
*********************
Always look on the bright side of life!
@ Nevermind (14h01)
“‘You know, the sort of thing one might reasonably be expected to produce when attending a good school or university.’”
Absolutely! As I said, the sort of “reasoned, well articulated and persuasive piece of writing” which someone wishing to enter a good school or university should be able to produce.
But perhaps it was different in your time and place, Du alter Esel?
******************
Always look on the bright side of life!
Priceless the kooky tosser is back, and this time without the flower pot on its head. Why would anyone eve consider responding to this zioufuckwit is a question that ought to be asked. Although must admit, I am enjoying the fact that humiliation of getting kicked out, in the superior quarters is not any hindrance to the reappearance in the same blog!
I wonder what would Wassamadda say about this sort of behaviour?
Desperate to earn some dough as in any other self sustaining troll?
Oh, and by the way, “Welcome back, Habbabkuk!”
I say this not to those who were kind enough to protest at my banning and call for my speedy return, but rather to those who may have disapproved vaguely but thought it more prudent (or perhaps didn’t have the balls not) to keep silent. Anyway, both sets know whom I mean.. 🙂
@ Fedup
Now then, do try and make an effort not to use the expressions “ziofuckwit” and “troll”, won’t you? And no “fucking”s either, if you can manage it (my advice would be ‘don’t shout it, just do it’).
Others have appealed to you along the same lines, so let’s try to keep this blog a ‘fuck-and-troll-free’ zone, shall we?
*******************
Always look on the bright side of life!
It has obviously not read his brothers Grimm properly, otherwise he would realise what old donkeys do, that they are the salt of the earth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_Musicians_of_Bremen
O look a link to go with my guist, what an innovative extra to one’s words, I pity its attention to this blog because it so obviously has beeter things to do.
another niggle, every time it says anything, I picture young Rees Moog speaking, another spineless creature with a silver spoon up their backside.
Wacht auf, Verdammte dieser Erde,
die stets man noch zum Hungern zwingt!
Das Recht wie Glut im Kraterherde
nun mit Macht zum Durchbruch dringt.
Reinen Tisch macht mit dem Bedränger!
Heer der Sklaven, wache auf!
Ein Nichts zu sein, tragt es nicht länger
Alles zu werden, strömt zuhauf!
|: Völker, hört die Signale!
Auf zum letzten Gefecht!
Die Internationale
erkämpft das Menschenrecht. 😐
One of the many reports on the ITV website
http://www.itv.com/news/story/2013-10-16/syria-doctor-claims-bored-snipers-play-brutal-games/#images-reveal-syria-snipers-targeting-unborn-babies_275173
quote Mr Nott working for a British charity Syria Relief.
http://www.syriarelief.org.uk/02-about-us
Charity No.1143797 –
SYRIA RELIEF
NEWLY REGISTERED
Accounts and Annual Return not required yet
Activities !NO INFORMATION RECORDED !
Where it operates ! NO INFORMATION RECORDED !
Financial history ! NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Compliance history NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
!
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Contact !
MR BASIL HATAHET
Website: http://www.syriarelief.org.uk
Trustees !
MR TAMIM ESTWANI
MR BASIL HATAHET
MR MOUNIR HAKIMI
MR TAMIM ESTWANI is also a trustee of: 1073862 MANCHESTER ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL TRUST LTD
The exclamation marks refer to the Charity Commission’s key and I have deleted Mr Hatatet’s address, phone no and e-mail address.
Charitable objects ! THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE:
3.3.1 THE RELIEF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AMONG PEOPLE IN SYRIA, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT, BY PROVIDING SUCH PERSONS WITH GOODS/SERVICES WHICH THEY COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD THROUGH LACK OF MEANS.
3.3.2 THE RELIEF OF SICKNESS AND THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH AMONG PEOPLE IN SYRIA, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT.
3.3.3 THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF PEOPLE IN SYRIA, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT.
3.3.4 SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AS ARE EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF ENGLAND AND WALES AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DETERMINE. Classification !
What
• GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
• EDUCATION / TRAINING
• THE ADVANCEMENT OF HEALTH OR SAVING OF LIVES
• THE PREVENTION OR RELIEF OF POVERTY
Who
• THE GENERAL PUBLIC / MANKIND
How
• MAKES GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS
• MAKES GRANTS TO ORGANISATIONS
An unsuspicious and un-conspiratorial mind is the ‘belle ideal’ of a conditioned consciousness, a mind locked within the realm, domain or empire of tired, cosmetic, or limiting structures, rules, laws or practices. ‘I take it’ yields little understanding except ‘don’t rock the boat’ and itself must beget a ‘grin an bear it attitude’ wholly trapping the mental state.
Is there any particular reason why these children should be controlling, ‘beaurocratic’, governmental? My first paragraph provides the answer.
Can ceremony, catastrophe and triumphs of war expound and illuminate our thinking?
To many thankfully it cannot.
I, myself am inclined to beckon, allure and gesticulate to those amenable and willing to consider alternatives in society that recognises an earthly, global, universal and sentient reality completely opposing the ‘Eton’ mindset and rationality that aspires to a planet of infinite resources that returns a propensity and mania to climb over lesser, subordinate and mutilated carcasses to reach the top of a pecuniary elitist societal pyramid.
A corrupt corporate merciless, bloodthirsty Mandoff Ponzi scheme that superficially connects to its own with cries of La Vita È Bella!
Mary
I presume that you have now found the references to Mr Nott working in Gaza – which of course proves my point that he has done more good for that part of the world than you are ever likely to do as a keyboard warrior. But you have quietly discounted/ignored that as that does not fit with the new paradigm for the world and continued with your attempted dirt digging.
How would you feel is someone was to engage on a similar dirt digging operation on yourself or a friend?
Perhaps as you will continue your digging you will also find that Mr Nott operated on your old pal Osama bin Laden as well – but I am sure you will have some perverted explanation as to that as well.
BTW Habba welcome back – as you will see not much has changed in your absence.
“I, myself am inclined to beckon, allure and gesticulate to those amenable and willing to consider alternatives in society that recognises an earthly, global, universal and sentient reality completely opposing the ‘Eton’ mindset and rationality that aspires to a planet of infinite resources that returns a propensity and mania to climb over lesser, subordinate and mutilated carcasses to reach the top of a pecuniary elitist societal pyramid.”
And for us beleagured creatures with our conditioned conscsciousnesses etc. etc. perhaps you might wish to give us just a glimpse of the alternative paradigms to which we should aspire – nothing to do with the lion Assad, the eagle Putin or the sadly missed indefatigable one?
Mark
You perhaps should also remember that some of us ascribe Orwell’s position about those who political views are not expressed in good plain English.
@ Resident Dissident
Thank you for your welcome back, appreciated! I was of course following the thread and am interested to note that the last few pages certainly seem to show that my presence or absence was the very least of the factors that have brought the blog to the somewhat curious state it’s now in.
I second your comment about George Orwell’ comment and your reference to him actually reminded me of a thought I’ve had for some time : namely, my puzzlement that Orwell isn’t mentioned/quoted much more often on here. After all, you’d have thought that he was the free-thinking kind of left-winger who would appeal to the free-thinking left-wingers that various Eminences pretend to be. Perhaps the answer lies in Orwell’s rejection of all “smelly little orthodoxies” (to use his own words)?
I must really refresh my reading of him because I’m sure that he’ll be able to provide a couple of quotations relevant to the mindset of some of our ‘regulars’…
Mark; True, but sad. Reason and logic are sterile mechanisms without an open heart. The only true alliance is based upon love, not selfish interest.
Resodent Dissident,
How is life in Pseud’s Corner?
Habbabkuk,
Are you referring to the “smelly little orthodoxies” that,for example,a line manager might order his troops to parrot so bereft are they of original thought themselves?
Mary @ 12:47
That scenario will become more and more common as people seek very basic needs. The governments of the West have been anticipating unrest and are preparing to keep order.
I feel very sorry for anyone expecting a child, or nursing little ones.
This orwellian menace was fettered through the Navy, he taught nuclear scientists in the art of media distortions, and he abused young boys, was attracted to their uniforms
He is exactly the sort of chap it would and has supported throughout his life, in ignorance and for not wanting to rock the boat. A good honest BBC presenter who would interview you about your school/university, work and the boys you teach.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/souter_trial_disgraced_former_bbc_radio_norfolk_presenter_who_was_found_guilty_of_series_of_child_sex_offences_had_twice_before_escaped_justice_1_2900555
He was employed by Norfolk county council and his involvement with the Scouts Association gave this single unmarried man all the victims he so desired. A sad and disturbing case of ignorance and denial.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/souter_trial_disgraced_former_bbc_radio_norfolk_presenter_who_was_found_guilty_of_series_of_child_sex_offences_had_twice_before_escaped_justice_1_2900555
As soon as his trial was over most of the articles written about him disappeared from the EDP’s website. The county rag has backed the wrong horse for years, quick lets erase him from our memory.
sorry for posting the link twice.
Nevermind; Same issue in the US, but the problem with CPS is too many caseloads for each worker, not that they don’t care. Whether it’s in Syria, the UK or US, it seems the children take the brunt of every adult sin, whether over budgets for social services, or who we fail to catch and control before more damage is done.
It’s been rough on Monsanto lately. Mexico, Kauai, Hawaii, and now Washington State giving gmo the finger.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/10/20-2
@ Jives
“Are you referring to the “smelly little orthodoxies” that,for example,a line manager might order his troops to parrot so bereft are they of original thought themselves?”
I’ll try to find where exactly Orwell referred to the “smelly little orthodoxies” and the context in which he referred to them. Might take a little while, but I’ll get back to you on this. Delighted to have found a fellow fan of Orwell on here!
***********************
Always look on the bright side of life!
Yes, you go do that.
Hubble team releases video discussing themselves and their Ison campaign.
http://squonk.tk/blog/2013/10/20/hubble-releases-new-comet-ison-observations/
Or direct links to media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeN3W3WfEn4
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2013/42
@Stormfront Mary,
You shouldn’t lie S.Mary, that’s not right. You have outed no one here for being “racist”, let alone me. You see, I am not a subscriber to the cult of “race” as you evidently are. Your obviously false claims of racism against me are naked attempts at hiding your own inexplicable antipathy for J3ws, which is splashed all over this blog for the world to see.
In relation to aslyum seekers, I am on record here as stating that I am sympathetic to any prospective migrant who might need to lie and cheat his way into another country under the false pretext of being an asylum seeker, in order to seek a better life. And I wouldn’t rat him out if I knew. But that doesn’t mean that I should support and encourage backdoor migration under false pretences as has been exposed many times with those journeying to Oz.
Just as you in Europe are now learning that people who migrate through the black-market immigration system are horribly exploited and exposed to unacceptable risks, such as drowning at sea, we in Oz have witnessed over 1000 people having died at sea as people are encouraged by the likes of Mary to make the perilous journey across dangerous waters. Stormfront Mary apparently thinks its ok for leaky-boat migration agents to ply their shabby trade outside of regulated migration channels. How does she justify her immoral position on this? Oh, that’s right .. she doesn’t.
Because Stormfront Mary mounted her high-hobby-horse on the subject of “racism”, we should ask her why she has such a negative obsession with J3ws. I think the subject of J3wish power (and abuse of such power) is certainly an interesting one and very worthy of critical analysis by intelligent, educated people who share their ideas in good faith. But we are not seeing that here, are we? What we are seeing is old-fashioned anti-J3wishness dressed up as humanitarian concern for Palestinians – a worthy cause, to be sure, but not a justification to be used as a cloak for racism against innocent parties in the Isr@eli/Palestinian struggle.
And for those who are fans of Mary, how do you reconcile your support for her with her happy association with this blog’s very own version of a rabid dog? Hi Fedup!
. . . .
This is Australia’s government funded “multicultural” broadcaster, SBS, revealing what a terrible country we have become in our mistreatment of asylum seekers. Worth noting that one of the asylum seekers returned to his homeland where he was free to discuss his disappointment in not finding asylum in Oz, .. and the loss of his wife and children who drowned at sea.
http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/601751/n/Village-of-Tears
Ben
20 Oct, 2013 – 4:31 pm
“Yes, you go do that.”
Ben, I didn’t think that you had been given a reason to be facetious. Maybe i missed something, am just catching up — would you like to clear it up or are you simply reacting to old, dead things that may have been said? Or even, perhaps you see Jives as on your ‘side’ and are trying to help him out?