News
number 115 08.12.07
Petulant President Peruses Persian Gulf for Place in History
President Bush attacked the leadership
of Iran last week saying that the country
is a “destabilizing influence” and telling
Americans that they “ought to be very
concerned about Iran.” The rhetoric
was a continuation of allegations made
by administration officials and military
commanders suggesting that Iran
supports the training and arming of Iraqi
resistance fighters within its borders.
Bush said that weaponry is “being
smuggled into Iraq from Iran and placed
in the hands of extremists.” Saying that
Iran is a “very troubled nation right
now,” Bush indicated that administration
emissaries have conveyed a stern
message to the Iranian leadership
of Iran last week saying that the country
is a “destabilizing influence” and telling
Americans that they “ought to be very
concerned about Iran.” The rhetoric
was a continuation of allegations made
by administration officials and military
commanders suggesting that Iran
supports the training and arming of Iraqi
resistance fighters within its borders.
Bush said that weaponry is “being
smuggled into Iraq from Iran and placed
in the hands of extremists.” Saying that
Iran is a “very troubled nation right
now,” Bush indicated that administration
emissaries have conveyed a stern
message to the Iranian leadership
threatening unspecified retaliation should
the US discover more evidence of
Iranian support of the Iraqi insurgency.
In comments that recalled statements
that Bush made to the people of Iraq
just prior to the US invasion, Bush made
a point of speaking directly to the
people of Iran seeming to encourage
them to reject their current leaders.
“You don’t have to be isolated, you
don’t have to be in a position where you
can’t realize your full economic
potential,” Bush told the citizens of Iran.
The president’s comments came after
recent reports from US military
commanders who suggest that Iraqi
insurgents who receive support from
the US discover more evidence of
Iranian support of the Iraqi insurgency.
In comments that recalled statements
that Bush made to the people of Iraq
just prior to the US invasion, Bush made
a point of speaking directly to the
people of Iran seeming to encourage
them to reject their current leaders.
“You don’t have to be isolated, you
don’t have to be in a position where you
can’t realize your full economic
potential,” Bush told the citizens of Iran.
The president’s comments came after
recent reports from US military
commanders who suggest that Iraqi
insurgents who receive support from
Iranian backers have killed American
troops. A military spokesperson said
that there was evidence that fighters
in Iraq had received training in Iran.
Although some in the administration
support diplomatic rapprochement
and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki just
returned from a three-day visit to
Iran, Vice President Cheney opposes
negotiating with Iran. Sources in the
administration say that Cheney
recently called for US air strikes
inside Iran aimed at suspected
training camps. The vice president’s
spokesperson said the, “vice
president is right where the president
is” on Iran policy. it's all true
troops. A military spokesperson said
that there was evidence that fighters
in Iraq had received training in Iran.
Although some in the administration
support diplomatic rapprochement
and Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki just
returned from a three-day visit to
Iran, Vice President Cheney opposes
negotiating with Iran. Sources in the
administration say that Cheney
recently called for US air strikes
inside Iran aimed at suspected
training camps. The vice president’s
spokesperson said the, “vice
president is right where the president
is” on Iran policy. it's all true
| interpreting the constitution crowd control spread of the red one nation, under surveillance fun d' mental in bed with the red red state rebate verbatim |
crowd control
interpreting the constitution
Leaky Legislative Leadership Sinks to Loose Lips Lapses
Citizens Welcome
Space Invaders
Space Invaders
The last-minute push by Congressional
Republicans to force action on the Bush
administration’s revisions to the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act, which
expand executive branch prerogatives
while limiting review by the secret FISA
court, included a concerted effort to
portray Democratic opposition to the
changes as an impediment to
antiterrorism operations. The
atmosphere of heightened tensions led
to some unusual and ultimately
controversial political maneuvering as
two senior Republican representatives
leaked classified information to the
press, for apparently partisan purposes,
in separate incidents just over a week
apart.
House Minority Leader John Boehner of
Ohio, in an interview with Fox News,
openly referred to a previously
Republicans to force action on the Bush
administration’s revisions to the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act, which
expand executive branch prerogatives
while limiting review by the secret FISA
court, included a concerted effort to
portray Democratic opposition to the
changes as an impediment to
antiterrorism operations. The
atmosphere of heightened tensions led
to some unusual and ultimately
controversial political maneuvering as
two senior Republican representatives
leaked classified information to the
press, for apparently partisan purposes,
in separate incidents just over a week
apart.
House Minority Leader John Boehner of
Ohio, in an interview with Fox News,
openly referred to a previously
undisclosed decision by a FISA court
judge regarding classified NSA
surveillance activities. Although aides to
Boehner immediately denied that the
congressman had leaked any information,
news outlets corroborated the story
citing anonymous administration sources
who confirmed that details of the judge’s
ruling were indeed classified.
Government watchdog group Citizens
for Responsibility and Ethics in
Washington has filed a complaint with
the Justice Department, calling for an
investigation of the incident.
Days later, the ranking Republican on the
House Intelligence Committee, Rep.
Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, revealed
elements of the highly classified
intelligence budget in an op-ed in the
New York Post, writing “the 2008
Intelligence Authorization bill cut human
judge regarding classified NSA
surveillance activities. Although aides to
Boehner immediately denied that the
congressman had leaked any information,
news outlets corroborated the story
citing anonymous administration sources
who confirmed that details of the judge’s
ruling were indeed classified.
Government watchdog group Citizens
for Responsibility and Ethics in
Washington has filed a complaint with
the Justice Department, calling for an
investigation of the incident.
Days later, the ranking Republican on the
House Intelligence Committee, Rep.
Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, revealed
elements of the highly classified
intelligence budget in an op-ed in the
New York Post, writing “the 2008
Intelligence Authorization bill cut human
intelligence programs.” Hoekstra, a
frequent and scathing critic of media
leaks, disclosed the budget data at a
time when his House Republican
colleagues were legislating to keep
such information secret. Spokesmen
for Hoekstra rejected charges that
the article constituted a leak of
classified information, accusing
Democrats of creating the
controversy for political reasons.
Democrats who voted against the
White House proposal accused
Republicans of resorting to “fear
mongering” with suggestions of an
increased risk of a terrorist attack
during the summer recess. Sen. Russ
Feingold (D-WI) told the New York
Times, “There was an intentional
manipulation of the facts to get this
legislation through.” it's all true
frequent and scathing critic of media
leaks, disclosed the budget data at a
time when his House Republican
colleagues were legislating to keep
such information secret. Spokesmen
for Hoekstra rejected charges that
the article constituted a leak of
classified information, accusing
Democrats of creating the
controversy for political reasons.
Democrats who voted against the
White House proposal accused
Republicans of resorting to “fear
mongering” with suggestions of an
increased risk of a terrorist attack
during the summer recess. Sen. Russ
Feingold (D-WI) told the New York
Times, “There was an intentional
manipulation of the facts to get this
legislation through.” it's all true
Americans overwhelmingly feel
that the potential advantages of
municipal security cameras
outweigh any privacy issues raised
by the increasingly sophisticated
networks, according to the
results of a recent survey. The
ABC News-Washington Post
poll found that 71 percent
favored an expansion of
surveillance camera networks
operated by law enforcement
agencies, with only 25 percent
opposed. Such networks are
becoming common in major
urban areas, and grants from the
Department of Homeland
Security have made them available
to hundreds of smaller cities and
towns.
Among US cities, New York,
Chicago and Baltimore have the
most ambitious plans to develop
video surveillance networks.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
has proposed a centrally
controlled system combining
more than 2000 municipal and
private security cameras that will
be augmented by mobile
surveillance units in specially
equipped vans. New York is on
track to have 3000 cameras in
place by 2010. The Boston
Globe recently reported that the
DHS has awarded more than $23
billion in security grants to local
government authorities since
2003, expanding pricey video
surveillance programs to many
municipalities that could not
otherwise have afforded to
consider them.
Experts note a lack of evidence
that cameras have a deterrent
effect on crime. it's all true
that the potential advantages of
municipal security cameras
outweigh any privacy issues raised
by the increasingly sophisticated
networks, according to the
results of a recent survey. The
ABC News-Washington Post
poll found that 71 percent
favored an expansion of
surveillance camera networks
operated by law enforcement
agencies, with only 25 percent
opposed. Such networks are
becoming common in major
urban areas, and grants from the
Department of Homeland
Security have made them available
to hundreds of smaller cities and
towns.
Among US cities, New York,
Chicago and Baltimore have the
most ambitious plans to develop
video surveillance networks.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
has proposed a centrally
controlled system combining
more than 2000 municipal and
private security cameras that will
be augmented by mobile
surveillance units in specially
equipped vans. New York is on
track to have 3000 cameras in
place by 2010. The Boston
Globe recently reported that the
DHS has awarded more than $23
billion in security grants to local
government authorities since
2003, expanding pricey video
surveillance programs to many
municipalities that could not
otherwise have afforded to
consider them.
Experts note a lack of evidence
that cameras have a deterrent
effect on crime. it's all true
spread of the red
| redstat |
VA Computer Equipment Missing in Action
A government audit of information
technology resources at four Veterans
Affairs facilities found that more than
2,400 inventory items valued at $6.4
million could not be located by
investigators, according to a recently
released report. The audit, which was
conducted by the Government
Accountability Office, reviewed IT
operations at three VA medical centers—
in San Diego, Indianapolis, and
Washington—in addition to the
administration headquarters. Among the
items that could not be found or
accounted for were at least 53
computers, and hard drives containing
personal details and medical information
on millions of veterans.
The GAO reported that up to 28
percent of IT resources at the
Washington medical facility was lost,
technology resources at four Veterans
Affairs facilities found that more than
2,400 inventory items valued at $6.4
million could not be located by
investigators, according to a recently
released report. The audit, which was
conducted by the Government
Accountability Office, reviewed IT
operations at three VA medical centers—
in San Diego, Indianapolis, and
Washington—in addition to the
administration headquarters. Among the
items that could not be found or
accounted for were at least 53
computers, and hard drives containing
personal details and medical information
on millions of veterans.
The GAO reported that up to 28
percent of IT resources at the
Washington medical facility was lost,
temporarily misplaced, or destroyed
without proper documentation. VA
headquarters could not locate 11
percent of its equipment inventory; San
Diego, 10 percent; and Indianapolis, six
percent. Investigators also found that
hard drives containing sensitive data
were routinely stored in unsecured
locations in all four of the audited
facilities.
VA officials downplayed the risk that the
missing hardware and data had been
stolen. VA assistant secretary for
information and technology Robert
Howard told the Federal Times, “With
all of the problems we’ve had, I have not
encountered any case to my knowledge
of identity theft as a result of these
instances. Will information be exposed
to the wrong people? Yes, we do have
knowledge of that.” it's all true
without proper documentation. VA
headquarters could not locate 11
percent of its equipment inventory; San
Diego, 10 percent; and Indianapolis, six
percent. Investigators also found that
hard drives containing sensitive data
were routinely stored in unsecured
locations in all four of the audited
facilities.
VA officials downplayed the risk that the
missing hardware and data had been
stolen. VA assistant secretary for
information and technology Robert
Howard told the Federal Times, “With
all of the problems we’ve had, I have not
encountered any case to my knowledge
of identity theft as a result of these
instances. Will information be exposed
to the wrong people? Yes, we do have
knowledge of that.” it's all true
one nation, under surveillance
News
Intel Budget Sunshine Law Eclipsed by Terror Fears
Iraq 'Suiciders'
Are Outsiders
Are Outsiders
President Bush enacted a law last week
that requires the public disclosure of the
national intelligence budget. The last
time the amount appropriated for
intelligence operations was disclosed to
the American public was in 1998. Since
that time executives, both Republican
and Democrat, have refused to disclose
the yearly budget for intelligence
agencies. The next day, Rep. Darrell Issa
(R-CA) proposed an amendment that
would require that the budget for
intelligence operations be kept secret.
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) accepted the
amendment without debate.
The budget disclosure requirement was
contained in a bill that the president
signed that enacted the
recommendations of the 9/11
commission. The provision mandates
that the Director of National
Intelligence “disclose to the public the
aggregate amount of funds” appropriated
for intelligence agencies each fiscal year.
The provision marks the first time that
public disclosure of the classified budget
for intelligence collection, such as
warrantless wire-tapping, and covert
operations, such as extraordinary
renditions, would be required by law.
The 9/11 commission called for the
disclosure of the annual intelligence
budget saying that reporting the budget
that requires the public disclosure of the
national intelligence budget. The last
time the amount appropriated for
intelligence operations was disclosed to
the American public was in 1998. Since
that time executives, both Republican
and Democrat, have refused to disclose
the yearly budget for intelligence
agencies. The next day, Rep. Darrell Issa
(R-CA) proposed an amendment that
would require that the budget for
intelligence operations be kept secret.
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) accepted the
amendment without debate.
The budget disclosure requirement was
contained in a bill that the president
signed that enacted the
recommendations of the 9/11
commission. The provision mandates
that the Director of National
Intelligence “disclose to the public the
aggregate amount of funds” appropriated
for intelligence agencies each fiscal year.
The provision marks the first time that
public disclosure of the classified budget
for intelligence collection, such as
warrantless wire-tapping, and covert
operations, such as extraordinary
renditions, would be required by law.
The 9/11 commission called for the
disclosure of the annual intelligence
budget saying that reporting the budget
would give Congress the opportunity to
debate the costs associated with spying
and help “combat the secrecy and
complexity” that characterized the
intelligence community and contributed
to some of the failures of 9/11.
Earlier this year, the president registered
his disapproval of the provision saying
that disclosure of the cost to the nation
of intelligence operations “would
provide no meaningful information to
the public.” The president said that
“enemies and adversaries in a time of
war” would, however, be able to use the
budgeting information to “cause damage
to the national security interests of the
United States.”
Rep. Issa echoed the president’s
arguments saying, “The bad guys are
looking at what goes into our
intelligence.” When Issa submitted his
proposal to overturn the 9/11
commission’s recommendation he said
that “traditionally” the intelligence
budget was classified “for good reason.”
Issa said that the provision to disclose
the intelligence budget was a “problem”
and his amendment was the “fix”.
Although the amendment must pass
through a conference session with the
Senate, House democrats did not debate
or oppose the provision. it's all true
debate the costs associated with spying
and help “combat the secrecy and
complexity” that characterized the
intelligence community and contributed
to some of the failures of 9/11.
Earlier this year, the president registered
his disapproval of the provision saying
that disclosure of the cost to the nation
of intelligence operations “would
provide no meaningful information to
the public.” The president said that
“enemies and adversaries in a time of
war” would, however, be able to use the
budgeting information to “cause damage
to the national security interests of the
United States.”
Rep. Issa echoed the president’s
arguments saying, “The bad guys are
looking at what goes into our
intelligence.” When Issa submitted his
proposal to overturn the 9/11
commission’s recommendation he said
that “traditionally” the intelligence
budget was classified “for good reason.”
Issa said that the provision to disclose
the intelligence budget was a “problem”
and his amendment was the “fix”.
Although the amendment must pass
through a conference session with the
Senate, House democrats did not debate
or oppose the provision. it's all true
Two academic studies have found
that, in the vast majority of instances,
suicide bombers in Iraq come from
countries other than Iraq. The
studies found that the largest number
of bombers come from a US ally,
Saudi Arabia.
The author of one of the studies, a
professor teaching at the University
of Missouri, Mohammed Hafez, told
the McClatchy Newspapers that
the invasion of Iraq has “radicalized
the Muslim world to create this
concept of martyrs without borders.”
Hafez’s research found that over 40
percent of suicide bombers who
have carried out attacks in Iraq are
of Saudi origin.
The second study found that suicide
bombings have more than doubled
every year since the US invasion of
Iraq. There were no suicide
bombings in Iraq before the US
invasion. The author, University of
Chicago professor Robert Pape
found that the bombers who come
to Iraq are not part of a world-wide
movement but rather come almost
exclusively from the Arabian
Peninsula, and the majority came
from Saudi Arabia. it's all true
that, in the vast majority of instances,
suicide bombers in Iraq come from
countries other than Iraq. The
studies found that the largest number
of bombers come from a US ally,
Saudi Arabia.
The author of one of the studies, a
professor teaching at the University
of Missouri, Mohammed Hafez, told
the McClatchy Newspapers that
the invasion of Iraq has “radicalized
the Muslim world to create this
concept of martyrs without borders.”
Hafez’s research found that over 40
percent of suicide bombers who
have carried out attacks in Iraq are
of Saudi origin.
The second study found that suicide
bombings have more than doubled
every year since the US invasion of
Iraq. There were no suicide
bombings in Iraq before the US
invasion. The author, University of
Chicago professor Robert Pape
found that the bombers who come
to Iraq are not part of a world-wide
movement but rather come almost
exclusively from the Arabian
Peninsula, and the majority came
from Saudi Arabia. it's all true
redstateupdate.net
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| May Day March in Chicago |
verbatim number 22.5
"Al Gonzales -- implicit in your questions is that Al Gonzales
did something wrong. I haven't seen Congress say
did something wrong. I haven't seen Congress say
he's done anything wrong...I
mean, this is a man who has
testified, he's sent
thousands of papers up
there. There's no proof of
wrong. Why would I hold
somebody accountable who
has done nothing wrong...
mean, this is a man who has
testified, he's sent
thousands of papers up
there. There's no proof of
wrong. Why would I hold
somebody accountable who
has done nothing wrong...
…I mean, frankly, I think that's a
typical Washington, D.C. assumption
-not to be accusatory, I know you're
a kind, open-minded fellow, but you
suggested holding the Attorney
General accountable for something
he did wrong.”
Washington DC 08.09.07
typical Washington, D.C. assumption
-not to be accusatory, I know you're
a kind, open-minded fellow, but you
suggested holding the Attorney
General accountable for something
he did wrong.”
Washington DC 08.09.07
| Cinemas per 1000 citizens selected countries |
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source: UNESCO