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.
Marcy is looking at Clapper’s denial, AA.
http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/10/23/james-too-cute-by-half-clappers-denial/
Be very careful about making such allegations, Macky.
Other people write it that way too.
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2011/11/gould-werritty-plot-finally-mainstream/#comment-331312
(I’d quite possibly write it that way myself, if I didn’t check first.)
——————————–
“It is interesting that the Irish visitor knew that the Stormfront hoaxer used my acronym at the time which was ‘Flaming June’.”
Yes, fascinating, isn’t it. I went to Stormfront on the day the link was posted here and looked at it. Imagine!!! The nerve of it!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/richard-cohen-edward-snowden-is-no-traitor/2013/10/21/f9d2ae5a-3a74-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html?hpid=z3
Cohen, along with others is starting to see the Snowden effect. Along with others, he has called him a traitor, but he’s taking another look.
‘Slowly, he turns…step by step….’
Mary: “Breaking in Macky to say thank you for going to the trouble of finding that link”
More than welcomed Mary ! After the comical Inspector Clouseau tag-team deciding it was me, I decided to have a proper look at that Post. So we should really thank them !
Seeing how outraged they were when they thought it was me, it will be interesting to see how they react to it being their lying Angry Hate Filled Aussie pal Jemand, ditto a certain Irish Poster & certain others.
Dreoilin: “Other people write it that way too”
Sure, it really makes sense that Jives would want to frame Mary !
Dreoilin: “I’d quite possibly write it that way myself”
Now that makes more sense.
“I am also not responding to the earlier post from across the Irish Sea.” — Mary
Very wise of you.
“The person is beneath contempt for the lies and the ad hominem content in the post and is in danger of becoming a troll for repeating their script. The post is a testament to someone who cannot see a troll for looking. Pity that the person is befriending them and communicating with them.”
So that’s “not responding” is it?
LMAO!
I’m beginning to think you’re off your trolley, like your fanboi friends. Not quite the full shilling, you know. A little unbalanced.
Macky says,
“Sure, it really makes sense that Jives would want to frame Mary!”
I wasn’t pointing a finger at Jives. I don’t have time to search all the archives looking for instances of the wrong spelling of harassment, but I’m sure more could be found. And FYI I knew nothing of the existence of ‘Stormfront’ until the Flaming June reference was posted here.
And I’m not indulging you further Macky. You can run amok with your silly allegations, all you like. (And so can Mary, with her “hint hint”.)
Macky isn’t it interesting that the same zioufuckwits who are excusing the slaughter of the innocent Palestinians, are the same fuckwits posing as the anti-semi….. and posting in the crap total (stormfront. Francis Joseph Cohen) only to resurrect ye olde enmities, in an environment that Muslims are the subject of hatred and not the Jews.
Also note worthy is the shift change, out have gone villageCtechinC (perhaps there is a shopping trip afoot) and in comes dreo. Although the fight is the same fight.
Fedup: “are the same fuckwits posing as the anti-semi”
We saw that here when Jon caught the Habbu-Clown Troll sock-puppeting as a vile anti-Semite. Remember, “By way of deception thou shalt do war”.
Dreoilin: “but I’m sure more could be found”
For sure, but when all relevant factors are weighed on each, the verdict of “beyond reasonable doubt”, will only fit person.
Typo edit;
Dreoilin: “but I’m sure more could be found”
For sure, but when all relevant factors are weighed on each, the verdict of “beyond reasonable doubt”, will only fit ONE person.
Just popping in to wish all well. I did a software upgrade earlier, seems no-one has noticed (that’s a good thing).
@ESLO, @Jemand – allow me to say that you are both very able commentators, and are more than able to deploy reason and logic in your contributions. It is for this reason that I’m sad to see you both attacking other people as “politically immature”, “juvenile”, “teenage”, “irrational”, “untrustworthy” etc etc. Why insult someone you wish to debate? Or have you given up, and just wish to hurt your targets? Even if you think these assessments are true of someone here, are they not best withheld?
I read something on this board, I forget who it was from, but I thought it was rather good. Paraphrased, it was: “don’t retaliate. You can stop this, but maybe the other person can’t”.
@Mary, I don’t think we’ll ever find out who posted the SF post, and frankly I think it’s best forgotten about. But if you wish to ignore someone, I implore you, please do it completely. Announcing that you are “not responding to the earlier post from X” is not ignoring someone – it is responding to them, and fuels that conflict. You’ll have noticed that I was frequently attacked whilst I was a moderator, and unless it involved a moderation decision I felt compelled to reply to, I ignored it. Completely. May I request that you do the same? It’s difficult at first, as there is a strong human need to put the record straight – but it gets easier. And it really works, I promise!
Anyhoo… I should smack my wrist for going back into psuedo-mod mode! Old habits die hard, I suppose.
@All, Craig replied to me last week, and has been extremely busy with a number of things, which explains his absence from the blog. Anyway, am off again, be nice to each other.
Morning droppings are still fresh enough to squish with a shoe. Give me a minute to stick-clean the waffle.
Jon, the examples you picked of ESLO and Jemand, were they truly the best-of-choice insults you could gather? If so, unreal.
At any rate, I did ferret out my message posted a bit late after your announcement, in case you haven’t seen it, its here:
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2013/10/edward-snowden-gets-sam-adams-award/comment-page-5/#comment-434092
You sound good — stay well!
Sorry Jon but I will NOT be traduced. One csn turn the other cheek too often and one ends up being walked over.
Hope you’re well.
Dreoilin and Mary, I request that you both make a special effort to make up. I remember when the comment section of this blog was a lovely place to visit, because the friendliness far outweighed any animosity. I hope that it can be like that again.
I’m pretty sure that I know how it goes wrong, as I’ve noticed the problem in myself. When I found myself criticised by various other contributors, I tended to forget who said what, and I just lumped the various critical contributors in together – “X Y and Z are all against me” – emotion doesn’t work at the level of logical thought, the bad feeling becomes all-pervading, a “gang” seems to exist when in fact there probably isn’t any such thing. A small offence can become associated with much larger ones, in a great sea of emotion.
(Isn’t this how a small group of armed thugs can completely destabilise an entire country? And once a society has become divided against itself, it is much easier to conquer…)
So we need to keep “pushing the reset button” – turn the other cheek – forgive, forgive, forgive…
I know it’s hard to do, but the alternatives are all worse.
Best wishes to both of you.
Best wishes to all.
“Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief is vowing that the kingdom will make a ‘major shift’ in relations with the United States to protest perceived American inaction over Syria’s civil war as well as recent U.S. overtures to Iran, a source close to Saudi policy said on Tuesday.
Prince Bandar bin Sultan told European diplomats that the United States had failed to act effectively against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was growing closer to Tehran, and had failed to back Saudi support for Bahrain when it crushed an anti-government revolt in 2011, the source said.”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2472680/Saudi-Arabia-severs-diplomatic-ties-US-response-conflict-Syria.html#ixzz2iZrdOzFp
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
So, the evil alliance has reached an impasse. BRICS baby !
RIP Petrodollar. If I seem exultant, I apologize. The consequences, World wide, will be devastating. The economies of entire continents will dig a hole half-way to China.
Oct 29th will be the 84th anniversary of the 1929 crash.
Jon, thanks for your continuing work.
@ Jemad,
Try this The disappearance of Palestine
Would anyone be kind enough to confirm whether the link on my previous reply, a bit up [as I don’t have any trouble to get to it] does or doesn’t function for you.
Thank you.
We [the West] have let many people down and betrayed equal numbers around the globe, because of our insistence to have no problems dealing with murderous dictators the world over, as long as they’re our ‘buddies.’ In many cases we’ve even instigated regime change [Persia, Chili and on and on and on], so ‘our’ puppet could run the show for us.
I have to admire China in her way of doing business. While ‘we’ are so busy trying to ‘guide’ this place, China just takes the lead and laughs all the way to the bank [and back].
Clark, no problem. Apologies I didn’t get back to your earlier kind comments after my departure note – a combination of being busy and, perhaps, feeling that I need a blog-holiday!
I agree with your analysis above, but in my view it’s more related your point on an previous page – anonymity can trick people into believing that ordinary social niceties are optional in online environments. One can construct rationalisations to say that “X is objectionable and deserved it” (and they are frequently deployed here) and whilst that may sometimes be independently true, it is precisely how a conflagration starts.
I’m not fond of quoting Jesus, but yeah, turn the other cheek is precisely my advice also.
Anyway, got to dash – home made pizza and a DVD wanting to be watched. Hugs all ’round.
@ John Goss
“Nevertheless Ceausescu and the Communist regime spared the life of the king and even let him take his possessions with him.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The historical accuracy of that comment reminds me of your “The Zionists funded Stalin” moment.
Kind Michael of Romania was ousted (and it is true, allowed to depart) in 1947. Can you remind us how old Nicolae Ceausescu was in
1947?
THanks.
********************
Always look on the…accurate….side of life!
The sun disappeared over the rim of the caldera several hours ago and a buzz of excitement has been building ever since, aided by Umakpok whose earlier slow tapping on the Notalambeg has quietly built up to an intricate and urgent pulsing that has the Wakomi fronds quivering and the Okobo pool scattering the starlight into a million shimmering sparks.
The bable of voices is stilling, which means that any time now a glorious burst of gravelly genius will erupt into the night from Wassamadda’s on her sax, and the Bozo-bats will flapoff in annoyed chaos from their evening feasting among the bletted popok fruit.
Then the dancing will commence.
And it’s all in your honour Mackey. Patient work there (6 11pm), even if the evidence remains circumstantial. There’s still the matter of “beyond reasonable doubt” though.
The dancing will, no doubt go on all night, but the Luskus sisters are expecting to lead you away before you get too tired and bestow on you your just reward behalf of the whole clan. They have a large gourd of Gwarifig pulp prepared. Please don’t disappoint them.
…
As for for ERDO (6 07pm),
“…but your summary of the argument appears to be very one sided (i.e. yours)
Well blow me down, you’re right! You’ve caught me read handed there. It is mine!
A word of advice to you from the Shaman…… “ He who patronisingly insults the Mule-hog while running away is likely to get tooth-marks on the buttocks.”
@ everyone (incl. Ben Franklin)
““Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously.”
― Hunter S. Thompson”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmm…. life became so good that Hunter Thompson….killed himself.
Or perhaps he did take it seriously after all?
Palabras, palabras…..
*******************
Always look on the bright side of life (Habbabkuk against suicide)!
From Mary
“It is interesting that the Irish visitor knew that the Stormfront hoaxer used my acronym at the time which was ‘Flaming June’.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neither interesting nor surprising – the fact was pointed out at the time.
Go check.
************************
Always look on the bright side of life!
Jon and John your patience with the trolls is saintly.
Back on topic
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/23/us-monitored-angela-merkel-german
Life is good for Israelis, not so good for immigrants. They were refugees once, and frequent victims of terrorism.
In order to escape their tormentors, they had to become like them. The Zionists chose the Dark Side over the Force and now all must be tarred with that brush. As an American who wore blinders, I accept responsibility for my Country’s bad behavior.
Ben Franklin
“Morning droppings are still fresh enough to squish with a shoe. Give me a minute to stick-clean the waffle.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ever tried walking where the early-morning dog walkers don’t?
“The Zionists chose the Dark Side over the Force and now all must be tarred with that brush. As an American who wore blinders, I accept responsibility for my Country’s bad behavior.”
Easy to do hiding behind a pseudonym Ben — why don’t you stand up and be counted. And tell us specifically what you are doing to compensate. You really do write a lot of lazy rubbish.
Clark With respect, you speak of a time when this blog was almost troll free. The attack has been ongoing for almost a year and I am not just speaking from personal experience. Others get the same treatment too.
” You really do write a lot of lazy rubbish.”
Well, I’m not responsible to you, specifically, and feel no need to confess, Monsignor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24647808
“Power was reportedly cut after rebel artillery hit a gas pipeline.
Residents say the entire capital has been plunged into darkness, while officials have described the power cuts as countrywide.
Many parts of Syria have been struck by major power cuts since the start of the country’s civil war.
“A terrorist attack on a gas pipeline that feeds a power station in the south has led to a power outage in the provinces, and work to repair it is in progress,” Syria’s state news agency SANA quoted Electricity Minister Imad Khamis as saying.
President Bashar al-Assad calls his opponents foreign-backed “terrorists”.
He must be talking about the House of Sod. They pile it high.