GCHQ and the NSA between them employ tens of thousands of people. I am bemused by the shock at the “revelation” they have been spying. What on Earth did journalists think that spies do all day? That includes electronics spies.
Since Katherine Gun revealed that we spy on other delegations – and the secretariat – within the UN building, it is hardly a shock that we spy on other governments at summits in the UK. For once, the government cannot pretend that the object is to save us all from terrorism, which is the usual catch all excuse. Nor in the real world is any of the G20 nations a military threat to the UK. The real truth of the matter is that our spies – GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 – are themselves a large and highly influential interest block within the state. Lots of people make a great deal of money out of the security state, and this kind of activity is actually simply an excuse for taking money from taxpayers – which is from everyone who has ever bought anything – and giving that money to the “security industry”.
I do not view spying on other governments as quite as despicable as spying on ordinary citizens, which is an unspeakable betrayal of the purpose of government. Spying on other governments is a game they all play to extort money each to their own security elites. But I will say that spying on the South African government seems pretty low. Why?
Interception of diplomatic communications is plainly a gross breach of the Vienna Conventions, even if the forms of communication have changed since they were drafted. I have never studied the particulars of international law as they relate to spying, but it seems to me an area that in the modern world needs regulation. There must be room here for the UN to be involved in preparing a Convention to outlaw the interception of international communications, with recourse to the International Court of Justice for those victim of it.
There is more work for the UN on Syria. We should all be grateful that Russia is holding out against the very dubious western claims that the Syrian government has deployed chemical weapons. But while Obama can declare all the red lines he wishes, they do not give any country a right to take action on Syrian soil without UN authority. That needs to be restated, strongly. There is no basis at all for the continued and massive Israeli attacks on Syria – they are absolutely illegal. Israeli strikes have definitely killed more people than the alleged deaths from chemical weapons. Can someone explain to me why that is not a red line?
The UN Secretary General should be speaking out, and the UN Security Council should be meeting, to discuss the Israeli attacks on Syria. The system of international law has broken down irretrievably.
Dreoilin
19 Jun, 2013 – 6:57 pm
“Jeezus, Ben, you think he was killed?”
Many years ago I was doing some work at the home of a top-notch and, I believe, compassionate and committed journalist. Lunch times became an inclusive affair during which were mulled over the world and how power works.
I clearly remember asking him what he thought about a journalist who had committed suicide in Brazil while researching a story regarding a well known british arms manufacturer.
The gist of his contribution to that conversation was that he wouldn’t touch such a story for fear of “suicide.”
I’ve noticed over the subsequent years that this method of departure seems to be popular with a good many in that profession.
Some are so thorough that, like Gary Webb, they shoot themselves in the head, twice!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=314_1324653205
Rather a long list here. Clearly many, if not most, will be the real thing. Interesting though just how many seemed to be at the
top of their game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Journalists_who_committed_suicide
Regarding Michael Hastings dying in a single car crash, I think all we can do is look at the story and guess the odds.
Sorry, rather grim.
The cracks keep opening up. “limited’ use of drones in domestic application. Mueller must sense the hounds will sniff it out anyway.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/306503-mueller-fbi-uses-drones-in-us-for-limited-surveillance
Can an automobile be remotely controlled, like say, a drone?
If it were an op, and i was a principal, I would certainly be paranoid about my survival.
I remember the two FBI triggermen in Boston, who died while rappelling off a chopper, falling 70 feet into the ocean.
Triggermen are the first to follow the target into the next life.
I’ve said enough about this for now.
Had a dream last night, and Jorg Haider said it could happen to a souped up, armored Volksvagen coupe, so I guess Benz mechanics could do it too.
Liked the photo of my SS pin-up boy too. Would suggest, though, that the tailors take it in a bit – makes him look too insignificant.
Kibo Noh,
I take your points. Indeed. And Ben.
The people who might want to see Michael Hastings dead would most likely be gung-ho military types who remained loyal to McChrystal, no? I haven’t read everything that Hastings wrote (which includes at least two books), but I don’t know (for now) any reason that the Obama admin might be after him.
I know nothing about remotely controlled anything, but I assume that if they can do it with planes, they can do it with cars …
God love him. Only 33. And so badly burned that I don’t think he’s been officially identified yet. RIP.
Michael Hastings RIP.
Acording to eyewitnesses the car jacknifed,exploded and hit a tree.
Which is pretty rare in a car..about as rare as outing a 4 Star General who gets sacked due to the article…
Remote controlled cars Ben?
Anything mechanical can be remote controlled.Been this way for decades.
Cars,planes,drones…people too (MK-Ultra).
Dreoilin,
I think it far more likely a vengeful McChrystal and some of his invisible black op private army goons might be likelier candidates than Obama’s crew for such a job.
Just sayin’…
Most of the criminal bastards are getting sprung with the help of legal aid. These rascals get free smart arse solicitors who can turn the juries against the prosecution and spring their criminal clients. No legal aid, no solicitors and no solicitors more convictions, that is if the said criminal is not a bankster, because as we all know banksters are “honourable chaps” and a quiet word in their ears over an expensive dinner in a posh restaurant would suffice .
What is wrong with convicting the bastards and putting them into prison?
BTW has anyone noticed how difficult it is to find a solicitor who will pick a civil case these days?
Hit a tree THEN exploded and it’s not that rare. One third of all fatal car crashes in the US, that’s about 12,000 a year, involve just one vehicle.
Never let facts stand in the way of a conspiracy theory eh?
If you are serious about an assassination, I would start with another general, General David Petraeus, who Hastings tore apart on CNN.
And remember that Petraeus had been totally compromised by that Mossad woman, Paula what’s-her-name.
Has Pardo just shown that he is a worthy successor to Meir Degan, and if one assassination proves most successful, don’t forget to try it again.
Certainly Israel had no use for Hastings.
“Hit a tree THEN exploded”
No. Exploded then hit a tree. Please pay attention.
And remember, Kempe, that every car is not a Ford Pinto, and even some of them would only explode if they were hit from the back.
Conspiracies happen all the time, and one should not allow their political preferences or religious predilections get in the way of any facts.
I happen to have the benefit of local news and a they showed video of the tree (palm) which as still standing and had but a few scorings (minor) on the low trunk.
Secondary collision?
“I think it far more likely a vengeful McChrystal and some of his invisible black op private army goons might be likelier candidates than Obama’s crew for such a job”
If it is a job, that would be my guess, Jives. That’s why I’m asking about how many Craft employees (former mils) are on the public payroll in the US.
Michael Hastings certainly did not hold back.
His output on BuzzFeed
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mhastings
and a tribute.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/missing-michael-hastings
RIP.
@ Habbabkuk
‘I wonder why the riots in Brazil – unlike the riots on Turkey, for example – have attracted next to no comment from the Excellences of this blog?’
Maybe they see no point in posting that the sky is blue.
Ben,
Craft..yes….nice Freemasonic name.
Interestingly,although they were all over the Boston bombings not one mention of them in the MSM.
They have a nice line in fashion too…lotsa patches and logos of bleeding skulls etc…very junior high school imagery really but gung ho boyzzz like their adolescent iconography i guess…
So who are Craft one must wonder…a private army?mercenaries? extra-judicail police force?..or just a psy-op gig to spook the public?
Are they legal? Do they exist? Do they pay tax? Is there an audit trail?
All very shadowy…but it’s a growth indu$try no doubt.
I must correct my earlier post about an eyewitness account.
Accordingly the car jacknifed,hit a tree THEN exploded.
Apologies,mea culpa.
It doesnt change my suspicions though.
I’d imagine hell hath no fury like 4 Star Generals outed,sacked and denied at place at the top table.
Im sure Hastings made some serious enemies with precisely the means and motivation for such a hit.
It also serves to send a most timely reminder to whistleblowers and investigative journalists.
Kempe,never miss a chance to follow the Govt/Official narrative though.
It’s not like these things ever happen is it?
http://www.thecraft.com/AboutUs.html
The Craft website…all looks very gung-ho and spunky,manly.
Chris Kyle,he of American Sniper fame,was President of the company.
You may recall earlier this year he and a friend were killed by a marine on a shooting range in Texas.
Motive “unclear”.
These types terrify me.
Boyzzzz and their toyzzzz.
The eyewitness has been unclear. He said it was out of control and may have exploded before it hit the tree.
And to your point, Craft/Academi is a more politically palatable name than Blackwater. The baggage required a name-change.
“The solo-vehicle crash happened near the intersection of Highland and Melrose avenues around 4:15 a.m., according to the LAPD.
Hastings’ Mercedes-Benz slammed into a tree and caught fire.
“I was just coming northbound on Highland and I seen a car going really fast, and all of a sudden I seen it jackknife,” said Luis Cortez, who witnessed the wreck.
“I just seen parts fly everywhere and I slammed on my brakes and stopped and tried to call 911,” Cortez added.
The engine of the vehicle was found in a yard about 100 feet away.
Read more: http://ktla.com/2013/06/19/driver-killed-in-fiery-car-crash-in-hollywood/#ixzz2WhYn2Qgc
I could swear there was more to this witness account earlier. How does a car ‘jackknife” I thought that happened when you were towing a trailer. The video (car burning) showed the front-end of car facing the tree.
Ben,
They couldn’t have come up with a more “conspiratorial” name to wind up the anti-NWO/Illuminati crew.
Seems a deliberately confrontational name…
The guy spoke in broken English and may have been at a loss of words to describe what he saw. I’m sure we can rely on the media to get these details.
OK. Here’s the video. Interview at about 3:03 What do you hear. He’s almost incomprehensible.
Note the beer bottle (nice) on the ground at about 4:20.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LSY3wVuASg
http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7309
Feinstein seems to know exactly who pass all the tapped info to..
Dual citizenship expats and US citizens please sign petition on Jives post on Feinstein
Off topic, but just saw a tweet from Oliver Kamm:
“BBC ruthlessly suppresses voice of the very important Craig Murray by inviting him for live interview on national TV.”
His other tweets include inviting John Rentoul to discuss ‘whether Blair’s tenure was a success’, and mocking conspiracy ‘cranks’ whose comments regarding Mr Hastings were deleted on CiF. Olive Kamm: the voice of Radio Free Complacency. Craig should debate him.
Get a load of this….DARPA…..hmmmm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6jxBDy8k8&feature=youtu.be