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.
“It’s the spies, not the leaks, that threaten our security”
‘The NSA-GCHQ machine is about global power, not protecting its citizens. US and British intelligence still fuel the terror threat’
Seumas Milne
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/23/spies-not-leaks-threaten-security
and
“EU parliament votes to suspend US from financial databank to avoid spying”
http://rt.com/news/eu-us-data-spying-640/
“If you don’t have an open mind, you’re in a mental prison”
(a ninety year old person I met in a hospital today)
“Well, I’m not responsible to you, specifically, and feel no need to confess, Monsignor.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He’s not offering you confession, Ben, just asking you to stop writing lazy nonsense.
If anyone has doubted what I have been saying about the NHS being privatised, see this.
The plan is coming to fruition. ‘Demoralize, destabilize, destroy.’ Next – private health insurance and credit cards at the ready.
23 October 2013 Last updated at 22:01
US health chief becomes new NHS boss
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News
A senior executive at a private US health firm has been appointed to lead NHS England – the most powerful body in the health service.
Simon Stevens, who has worked as an NHS manager and acted as a health adviser to Labour, will take over from Sir David Nicholson in April.
Mr Stevens is currently working for United Healthcare as its global health president.
His appointment comes at a challenging time for the health service.
While the NHS budget has been protected – it is rising 0.1% each year at the moment – the settlement still represents the biggest squeeze on its funding in its history.
This is happening at a time when there is growing demands for care.
/..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24635890
Just popping in having been away the last few days – I wish I hadn’t bothered. Please be assured I will be responding to Clark about what is happening in Syria – those accusing me of running away from true questions just don’t know me – but it is likely to be a few days as I am very busy out in the real world at present
As for Macky I note that he has totally failed to answer the question I raised and has just come up with the usual steaming pile of ordure and bluster – to which he will get an appropriate response in due course. He should also perhaps note that I used a bit of discretion and did not post the contents of the offending Stormfront post on this site and was quite happy for Jon to nobble the link so it didn’t feed through directly. I was also happy to accept the “true” Mary’s statement that she had nothing to do with the thing.
Dreoilin
“EU parliament votes to suspend US from financial databank to avoid spying”
This vote is purely declaratory and has no legislative (and therefore practical) effect.
Sheheit wants an end to lazy nonsense.
pot/kettle
The reasons stated here don’t go far enough…
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101133131
“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.”
Mary.
Blogs are a lot like pubs. There are some pubs where there is a dress code and the landlord runs a pretty tight ship, they tend to attract the more respectable clientèle. There are others where the customers can do pretty much as they please, these tend to attract lowlifes, sailors and ladies of ill repute.
This blog, having no moderation whatsoever, tends to resemble the latter, I’m fine with that, anyone wants to step out onto the car park I’ll be happy to oblige. I don’t expect a blog without moderation to be troll free. The trolls have to go somewhere and they have been banned from everywhere else.
Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone just learned how to live with them, honestly, there’s not a blind thing you can do about them, tearing the hair out just makes you bald and they enjoy it.
You can have freedom and trolls or censorship and a nice cosy little troll free environment. I suggest everyone takes their pick. The internet is a big place and there are lots more blogs to choose from. Decide what you want then accept it for what it is because AFAICS both sides are turning the place into a battle ground.
“This vote is purely declaratory and has no legislative (and therefore practical) effect.”
dammit. Thanks Habbabkuk.
“However, the parliament’s vote is symbolic, not binding, and rather reflects EU wide public anger at the NSA spying allegations. The European Commission and the various EU governments will still need to approve a suspension of US access to SWIFT.”
One assumes that’d all be hobbled.
The USA marches loudly and carries a bit stick …
Think I’ve had enough for today. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz
Fred; That was my take on it, as well, but something has changed. I used to just scroll past Hab, but he would still wave his wanker at me trying to get a rise, so the remedy you suggest is flaccid, and the Viagra of no moderation (announced publicly) has made some stiff alliances even more bold.
With respect, I see no positivism in ignoring the team effort.
Jon: “@Mary, I don’t think we’ll ever find out who posted the SF post”
Yet you managed to use your magical proxy defeating crystal ball to confirm that a particularly offensive post was definitely not posted by the person it appeared to be posted by, so perhaps you can use your same magical crystal ball to reveal the real SF Poster ?;
http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2013/08/30358/#comment-426413
Ben
I know Hababkuk, I’ve met loads like him in cyberspace and loads like him in meatspace, I wouldn’t give him the time of day in either.
Suite yourself, do as you will, one day you will look back and see I was right. As you are now so once was I, I didn’t let anyone dissuade me either.
Resident Dissident: “I used a bit of discretion”
Coming from the crazed Anti-Semitic Witch Finder General, that quite funny !
You may be right, Fred. If only there truly were some ‘meat’ in those comments, as so many (huh?) seem to believe. I think liberals are at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with nazguls.
We tend to think kindness and understanding will appeal to them, as though a civilized atmosphere can survive. If only we could be more patient. I once worked with a guy who was raised in a third-world country and he would say to me ‘give me a cigarette’. I thought that somewhat rude, but it was a survival instinct. When I thought about it, I asked him ‘Sly, why is you don’t ask for a cigarette? Is it because it makes you seem weak? ‘Yes’ was his reply. In a brutal (conservative) world, I suppose some degree of this mindset applies. Villager, and others seem caught up in this liberal guilt thing to their own demise. Sometimes you just have to kick some asses, when the mind isn’t paying attention.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
Fred; I know you’re in, but ANode, Exexpat, AA, Jon, Clark and anyone else. Shall we enter a pact?
No Respondez sil vou plais? I’ll sign, but there has to be agreement.
Ben
No sides, no cliques, no cabals, just people.
Fred; No. I, like you sit and endure the back-and-forth because some can’t control themselves.
Of course you know the violators enjoy our discussion. Let’s keep it brief.
Who agrees that they will ignore? Without that. I’m out.
End of the Petrodollar? You be the judge…http://www.activistpost.com/2013/10/end-of-petrodollar.html
Drudge is saying no. Drudge is a tool of the 1%
Russell Brand talking revolution on newsnight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YR4CseY9pk
“The burden of proof is on those in power” More Russell Brand Please.
Technicolour: “If you don’t have an open mind, you’re in a mental prison”
And if your mind is too open, your brain keeps falling out.
I’ve been rather semi-conscious of Russell Brand, but who better to understand the human condition than comedians? Typically, they enter comedy because of the pain of existence. Humor is a bottomless refuge for those in despair. Gallows humor comes to mind.
Truly impressive and thanks for the impression, Phil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH_DJXoufNY
Ben: “who better to understand the human condition than comedians?”
From ancient Greek playwrights, to medieval Court Jesters, to Bill Hicks & George Carlin
Macky; Thanks for that. Allow me to ask if you will sign the petition? IOW “resist the temptation to engage when provoked”
I think that narrows the protocols enough to be both clear and concise. Do you agree?
Spinning back to earlier posts let me assure those interested parties i’m not in the business of framing anyone-Mary or whoever.
Not my way at all.
Cheers.
I’m sure we will all put our differences aside very soon, and come together to sniffle and wipe our eyes about Camelot. They put a CIA puke in charge of the National Archives to keep the shredding going past the notional 50-year mark. Everybody knows Dulles’ shop blew JFK’s brains out but, Wasn’t it so touching how John-John saluted with his widdle hand?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/jfk-assassination-marked-the-end-of-the-american-republic/5346419
They got through the clown show of the Sirhan trial, they got through King Family v. Jowers, hell, they pulled off that comically empty impact crater in PA – they’ll get through this. Really, Whatta ya gonna do about it?
Sorry Ben, much as I like the idea, I don’t think it will work; new posters & irregular posters, will continue to engage with them, as will certain other not too bright posters who couldn’t recognize a troll if their lives depended on it; other simply cannot resist teaming-up with trolls & siding with them simply in order to attack another Poster that they just don’t like. Trolls will even be most happy just talking shit to each other & turning the comments section of this Blog into a Zionist friendly wasteland. No, I’ve always preferred the whack-a-troll mole approach, it’s quite rewarding watching them squirm or run, and like shooting fish in a barrel as they lose every argument & debate, because by definition trolls are handicapped by always having to defend their indefensible positions.
Jon Banks – good post.
From your link:
“In January 1967, shortly after Jim Garrison in New Orleans had started his prosecution of the CIA backgrounds of the murder, the CIA published a memo to all its stations, suggesting the use of the term “conspiracy theorists” for everyone criticizing the Warren Report findings. Until then the press and the public mostly used the term “assassination theories” when it came to alternative views of the “lone nut” Lee Harvey Oswald. But with this memo this changed and very soon “conspiracy theories” became what it is until today: a term to smear, denounce and defame anyone who dares to speak about any crime committed by the state, military or intelligence services. Before Edward Snowden anyone claiming a kind of total surveillance of internet and phone traffic would have been named a conspiracy nut; today everyone knows better.”