US 'licence to snoop' on British air travellers -- By David Millward, Transport Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:02am GMT 02/01/2007
'Britons flying to America could have their credit card and email accounts inspected by the United States authorities following a deal struck by Brussels and Washington.
'By using a credit card to book a flight, passengers face having other transactions on the card inspected by the American authorities. Providing an email address to an airline could also lead to scrutiny of other messages sent or received on that account.'
'. . . Initially, such material could be inspected for seven days but a reduced number of US officials could view it for three and a half years. Should any record be inspected during this period, the file could remain open for eight years.'
See here for the complete text.
*_*_*
Now the US is demanding the records, including email addresses and religious dietary requirements of people seeking entry into this country from Europe whether for business or pleasure. A number of the identifying elements our government is requiring go against EU law and result in severe fines and penalties if revealed to outside parties.
So, the airlines find themselves between a rock and a hard place. The US is working with the EU to change the EU's policies.
In order to refute such disclosures, a British citizen would have to appear in American court.
January 8, 2007
Corruption: It's Not Just In Washington
Having worked with government agencies, I can attest that the total lack of oversight invites corruption.
Many government jobs start with a low wage then include such responsibilities as staff meetings, record keeping, etc. as required-but-unpaid-for activities. As a result, some people begin resenting their jobs. From there it is a small step to seeing just what they can get away with.
As I've alluded to in previous posts, I've worked with some folks who've run afoul of the law in this and other ways.
Now, the FBI is focusing more and more on people who illegally dip into the till. Good luck to them. Given the numbers of government employees in this country, they've got their work cut out for them.
*_*_*
Here is the entire article.
*_*_*
Interestingly, a Senator [and a Democrat, at that] is calling on the FBI to redirect its energies toward violent crime rather than focusing on corruption. I disagree. Both are serious and need to be addressed.
Many government jobs start with a low wage then include such responsibilities as staff meetings, record keeping, etc. as required-but-unpaid-for activities. As a result, some people begin resenting their jobs. From there it is a small step to seeing just what they can get away with.
As I've alluded to in previous posts, I've worked with some folks who've run afoul of the law in this and other ways.
Now, the FBI is focusing more and more on people who illegally dip into the till. Good luck to them. Given the numbers of government employees in this country, they've got their work cut out for them.
*_*_*
Here is the entire article.
*_*_*
Interestingly, a Senator [and a Democrat, at that] is calling on the FBI to redirect its energies toward violent crime rather than focusing on corruption. I disagree. Both are serious and need to be addressed.
How Dare He???
From the Borowitz Report:
[A]n FBI spokesman said that the agency has arrested a man for secretly wiretapping Oprah Winfrey, adding, “If anybody’s going to be eavesdropping on innocent American citizens, it should be us.”
[A]n FBI spokesman said that the agency has arrested a man for secretly wiretapping Oprah Winfrey, adding, “If anybody’s going to be eavesdropping on innocent American citizens, it should be us.”
January 7, 2007
Child Abuse by Congress—Again
I don’t perceive the fact that a candidate has gonads as a reason to vote for him or her.
A few years ago, I promised myself that I would not vote for politicians who parade their minor children before the cameras. Their kids don’t care who wins a seat in Congress or a governorship or the presidency. In fact, given the choice, the children probably prefer their parents lose—so they will come home and spend time with them.
So, what did Pelosi do? The same thing every Speaker since the advent of television has done. She showed up with an infant-in-arms. Puhleeze.
If Congress would actually take those chilren's needs and their futures into account when making policy, that would be a Good Thing. But, history strongly suggests they will not.
Using children as props is despicable.
A few years ago, I promised myself that I would not vote for politicians who parade their minor children before the cameras. Their kids don’t care who wins a seat in Congress or a governorship or the presidency. In fact, given the choice, the children probably prefer their parents lose—so they will come home and spend time with them.
So, what did Pelosi do? The same thing every Speaker since the advent of television has done. She showed up with an infant-in-arms. Puhleeze.
If Congress would actually take those chilren's needs and their futures into account when making policy, that would be a Good Thing. But, history strongly suggests they will not.
Using children as props is despicable.
Sauce for the Goose
During the Clinton Administration, Secret Service logs were used to track such visitors to the White House as Monica Lewinski and Clinton campaign donor Denise Rich, the wife of fugitive financier Marc Rich, who Clinton pardoned at the end of his administration. The logs were used by the Republicans and the Courts in their attempts to show wrongdoing.
Last spring, during the Abramoff scandals, Bush quietly signed a statement making such logs his property--not ours.
Now, that same agreement is being used in an attempt to keep the Washington Post from obtaining the records of visitors to the office of Vice President Dick Cheney.
A Federal judge ordered the production of the Secret Service logs and the White House is disputing the order citing the agreement Bush signed last spring.
***
Click here for the article.
***
The same documents the Repulicans asserted were public domain and used against Clinton are now deemed off limits to the American people and belonging solely to Bush.
If THIS doesn't remind those of us who were around back then of the agonies of Watergate, I don't know what will.
Last spring, during the Abramoff scandals, Bush quietly signed a statement making such logs his property--not ours.
Now, that same agreement is being used in an attempt to keep the Washington Post from obtaining the records of visitors to the office of Vice President Dick Cheney.
A Federal judge ordered the production of the Secret Service logs and the White House is disputing the order citing the agreement Bush signed last spring.
***
Click here for the article.
***
The same documents the Repulicans asserted were public domain and used against Clinton are now deemed off limits to the American people and belonging solely to Bush.
If THIS doesn't remind those of us who were around back then of the agonies of Watergate, I don't know what will.
Dusting McCain Off My Hands
In response to McCain's call to send 20,000 more troops to Iraq, The Today Show's Matt Lauer asked him: “Is this a number’s game? Will 20,000 do the job in your opinion?” McCain responded, “I’m not sure."
***
My next question is, 'Then why send them?'
Last year McCain had my respect.
Though I lean pretty far to the left, I'm not a knee-jerk Democrat.
If McCain had maintained his integrity-- if he had not gone into a back room and consulted a dictionary to decide what 'torture' is; if he had not worked with a committee to decide 'how much torture is too much'; and if he were not now urging an increase in troops when he himself is 'not sure' the number of troops he is calling for will be enough; I would have given him a long, hard look in 2008.
Now, my consolation is that he seems to be the best the Republicans have to offer.
His lack of integrity allows me to turn my attention strictly to the Democrats -- OK folks, show me what YOU'VE got.'
***
My next question is, 'Then why send them?'
Last year McCain had my respect.
Though I lean pretty far to the left, I'm not a knee-jerk Democrat.
If McCain had maintained his integrity-- if he had not gone into a back room and consulted a dictionary to decide what 'torture' is; if he had not worked with a committee to decide 'how much torture is too much'; and if he were not now urging an increase in troops when he himself is 'not sure' the number of troops he is calling for will be enough; I would have given him a long, hard look in 2008.
Now, my consolation is that he seems to be the best the Republicans have to offer.
His lack of integrity allows me to turn my attention strictly to the Democrats -- OK folks, show me what YOU'VE got.'
How To Gut A Government Agency
Here is yet another story that has flown completely under the radar. At least, I know I hadn't been aware of it till now.
How do these things get past us?
***
It seems that, last winter, Bush slashed funding for the EPA--requiring it to close its libraries. Meanwhile, he ordered it to research topics such as nanotechnology, air pollution and drinking water system security as part of his “American Competitive Initiative."
See here for the complete text.
***
Maybe he's smarter than he looks. [OK, I guess he would have to be, wouldn't he?]
But, if he ties the agency's hands by cutting funding to the libraries while, at the same time, ordering it to research these topics, he can then label it a do-nothing waste of taxpayers' money and shut it down completely.
Paranoid thinking? Maybe. But you know the old adage: 'Even paranoids have real enemies.'
How do these things get past us?
***
It seems that, last winter, Bush slashed funding for the EPA--requiring it to close its libraries. Meanwhile, he ordered it to research topics such as nanotechnology, air pollution and drinking water system security as part of his “American Competitive Initiative."
See here for the complete text.
***
Maybe he's smarter than he looks. [OK, I guess he would have to be, wouldn't he?]
But, if he ties the agency's hands by cutting funding to the libraries while, at the same time, ordering it to research these topics, he can then label it a do-nothing waste of taxpayers' money and shut it down completely.
Paranoid thinking? Maybe. But you know the old adage: 'Even paranoids have real enemies.'
January 6, 2007
Terror's Trivial When It's Not Muslims And It's Not Here
Madrid Airport bombing receives scant attention by Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet January 4, 2007
"How many people . . . know that Madrid Airport was bombed on Saturday [12/30/06]? Relatively few I would venture, and that's because major western governments . . . don't hype terror unless Muslims are behind it.
* * *
"There have been just 2,929 terror induced deaths since 9/11 according to the Bush administration's own numbers and more people every year die in swimming pool accidents - hardly the mega threat to western society that many have portrayed."
here is the complete text.
*_*_*
Put in this context, I think it becomes obvious--we have all been enthralled by Bush's shell game.
Like the shell game practiced in the Old West, this one is played for profit. In this case Halliburton, et al are getting the money, Bush gets the power. The suckers who keep playing, hoping to recoup their losses, lose their savings or, in this case, the rights the soldiers who went before us fought and died to secure and defend.
Pogo was right: 'We have met the enemy and he is us.'
Prison Planet January 4, 2007
"How many people . . . know that Madrid Airport was bombed on Saturday [12/30/06]? Relatively few I would venture, and that's because major western governments . . . don't hype terror unless Muslims are behind it.
* * *
"There have been just 2,929 terror induced deaths since 9/11 according to the Bush administration's own numbers and more people every year die in swimming pool accidents - hardly the mega threat to western society that many have portrayed."
here is the complete text.
*_*_*
Put in this context, I think it becomes obvious--we have all been enthralled by Bush's shell game.
Like the shell game practiced in the Old West, this one is played for profit. In this case Halliburton, et al are getting the money, Bush gets the power. The suckers who keep playing, hoping to recoup their losses, lose their savings or, in this case, the rights the soldiers who went before us fought and died to secure and defend.
Pogo was right: 'We have met the enemy and he is us.'
The First 100 Hours
Liberals Seek Bolder Approach to War, Spying -- By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer -- 1/4/06
Democratic leaders set to take control of Congress tomorrow are facing mounting pressure from liberal activists to chart a more confrontational course on Iraq and the issues of human rights and civil liberties, with some even calling for the impeachment of President Bush.
The carefully calibrated legislative blitz that Democrats have devised for the first 100 hours of power has left some activists worried the passion that swept the party to power in November is already dissipating. A cluster of protesters will greet the new congressional leaders at the Capitol tomorrow. They will not be disgruntled conservatives wary of Democratic control, but liberals demanding a ban on torture, an end to warrantless domestic spying and a restoration of curbed civil liberties.
***
see here.
***
Here's hoping the Democrats remember how they came to power in the first place.
Do not desert us, Democrats! Remember, that CAN work two ways!
Washington Post Staff Writer -- 1/4/06
Democratic leaders set to take control of Congress tomorrow are facing mounting pressure from liberal activists to chart a more confrontational course on Iraq and the issues of human rights and civil liberties, with some even calling for the impeachment of President Bush.
The carefully calibrated legislative blitz that Democrats have devised for the first 100 hours of power has left some activists worried the passion that swept the party to power in November is already dissipating. A cluster of protesters will greet the new congressional leaders at the Capitol tomorrow. They will not be disgruntled conservatives wary of Democratic control, but liberals demanding a ban on torture, an end to warrantless domestic spying and a restoration of curbed civil liberties.
***
see here.
***
Here's hoping the Democrats remember how they came to power in the first place.
Do not desert us, Democrats! Remember, that CAN work two ways!
‘Vulnerable To Infiltration’
Judd posted on Think Progress:
Goode: Ellison’s Election Shows We Are ‘Vulnerable To Infiltration’ By Those Who Want Another 9/11
In a letter to constituents, Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) blasted Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim elected to Congress, for using a Koran in a private, unofficial swearing in ceremony. Goode wrote, “I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States . . . .
"[W]e are at risk of “infiltration” by Islamic extremists who want another 9/11."
Goode’s remarks have been widely criticized as bigoted. But he’s not backing down.
[See here for an exerpt of the letter by Rep. Virgil Goode [R-Va.]]
***
Oh, puhleeze!
Goode is Badde for our country!
Remember when we were proud of our diversity?
Goode: Ellison’s Election Shows We Are ‘Vulnerable To Infiltration’ By Those Who Want Another 9/11
In a letter to constituents, Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) blasted Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim elected to Congress, for using a Koran in a private, unofficial swearing in ceremony. Goode wrote, “I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States . . . .
"[W]e are at risk of “infiltration” by Islamic extremists who want another 9/11."
Goode’s remarks have been widely criticized as bigoted. But he’s not backing down.
[See here for an exerpt of the letter by Rep. Virgil Goode [R-Va.]]
***
Oh, puhleeze!
Goode is Badde for our country!
Remember when we were proud of our diversity?
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