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.
Nevermind, Yes — none of the above! I have often thought ballot papers should have that options. All you gotta do is set up a party called None of the Above…
I remember speaking to a candidate for the Scottish Socialist Party about the forthcoming election and, even though he was standing he said “Change can’t come through the Parliamentary process, it’ll only come on the streets.”
And you’re right about China. The US is a giant that’s starting to topple. It’s happening in stages, but the rest of the world knows that the dollar system is on the way out. How long before we see oil denominated in Euros everywhere, just like Saddam and Gaddafi tried to do?
My worry now is that Bibi and Co know they’re running out of friends, so they might just be crazy enough to go for Iran by themselves. Perhaps one last false flag before then, just so the MSM fall into line…
I wonder, when Craig puts up his next post, if we could have a (temporary) ban on all comments relating to Israel. Just for the duration of that thread. It would be a relief.
(Unless Craig posts about Israel/Palestine, of course)
Mark Golding – Children of Conflict (18 Oct, 2013 – 3:11 pm)
Sure as eggs is eggs. The trial run in Cyprus went well and conditioned us to expect and accept such a previously unheard of rip-off. Then they created a new European law to legalise it. The stage is set. Withdraw your savings and buy metal, any metal, copper pipe, lead flashing, and bury it in the garden.
http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/global-looting-the-new-eu-bailin-law-was-passed-8-days-ago-did-you-notice/
“I wonder, when Craig puts up his next post, if we could have a (temporary) ban on all comments relating to Nazi Germany. Just for the duration of that thread. It would be a relief.
(Unless Craig posts about Nazi Germany, of course)”
Apologies Dreoilin, I hope you know what I’m driving at with the above. The gadflies are starting to swarm around this blog, having said that, so maybe we should hide the syrup for a while…
The blow hards are coming out of the woodwork to support the cute cuddly misunderstood zionistan, that is at a loss to find a solution in the face of the “subhuman tsunami” of the “sand niggers” baying to shove the lot of them “into the sea”!
Well all I needed was for some lame preacher to enter and tell me my experiences count for naught and best to give up all my faculties and listen to them, cuz?
Ah yeah, cuz if not then I am a bible clasping, hate monger ….. (tiring none sense) …. etc.
Well I am sold as they say, and no longer believe if it quacks, and if it waddles, the old way before the sermon for the benefit of my education, and now I understand it must be a peacock, well that is that then!
Mad, and rabid dogs ought to be cuddled and smothered in luv, and given rump steaks, and provided with a good dental plan to keep their teeth sharp. After all the misunderstood creators are really luvly and only show affection the only way they know how, bite chunks out of ye!
Where do I send the donations for keeping mad dogs well fed, watered and pampered? I would hate to let anyone think I am a hateful person, and wish to keep mad dogs myself really!
“I wonder, when Craig puts up his next post, if we could have a (temporary) ban on all comments relating to Israel. Just for the duration of that thread. It would be a relief.”
You should resign in shame as a so called Palestinian Supporter. Whetever we like it or not, the I/P issue is a poison that permenates, influences, & corrupts almost everything political thing that happens, especially in the West, and this is a “Political Blog” afterall.
Passerby
I believe in courts and the rule of law. Not the law of the jungle.
If you had ever bothered to look at the archives, I have spent my time here since 2005 criticising Israel’s behaviour and supporting Palestinians.
You do talk the most ridiculous tommy rot.
Good points, Dreoilin, but I would prefer a comparison with rabid Islamophobic sites, where if our trolls were to swap the words “Jews”, “goy”, and “hasbara” with “Muslims”, “dhimmi” and “taqiyya”, they would find themselves right at home! No difference between the two extremes imo.
“I wonder, when Craig puts up his next post, if we could have a (temporary) ban on all comments relating to Israel. Just for the duration of that thread. It would be a relief.”
Hasbara agent! Zionist shill! Paid agent of the Israel!
Hi Mike, good to hear from you, have you had snow yet?
As for ‘none of the above’ party, I take it in Scotland that would be called the ‘as it comes’ party…;)
Those still assembled in the Eastern Med. will ensure that a first strike by Israel nwill be diminished, Russia will not have teheran attacked nor will China, Iran is a partner in the new BRIC pact and their goals for a new world currency, we must not forget only when Iran asked to be paid in Euro’s, later changed to a basket of currencies did the US shift into sanctions mode.
Id now like to see BanKi Moon grow some balls and start reforming the UN to a more accountable body. Lobbying with money and contracts, also called bribing, countries to support one or other polciy should never happen again.
Valuable successful international diplomats, like Mauricio Bustani should never have been fired by a cabal of GWBushs freeloaders, ideally he should be reinstated asap.
Lobbying should be recorded as of normal, just they already logging their phgone conversations and emails.
“You should resign in shame as a so called Palestinian Supporter”
Really? You think I should eat, drink, and live I/P?
I don’t.
But then, Ireland’s relationship with Israel is not exactly the same as the UK’s. And a long long way from the U.S’s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland%E2%80%93Israel_relations
All good stuff, Nevermind. But the thing about the UK is that you have a 300-year-old political fudge that ensures that lines of power and influence are inaccessible and hidden to and from the great unhosed. The school tie, “I knew your father” kind of gig. My experience is pretty limited, but perhaps the secret state is “bigger and badder” in the UK than in any other capitalist power, although in the US they have done a pretty good job of building a secret state from scratch since Echelon.
Dreoilin retorted;
Then you would agree that the top echelon of the zionistan executive, and their political leadership, as well as their vigilante in uniform along with the settlers, ought to be sitting at the Hague and getting tried for crimes against humanity no doubt?
#
Dreoilin then kindly advised;
These sermons have no end, and on goes my education, that is a constant. Fact that now and again for the sake of appearances there has been a little slap on the back of the hands of the zioufckwits, ought to be sufficient liberal credentials, that qualify the “pro Palestinians” to wade in as and when the tide of indignation of the uneducated mass of bible clasping hatemongers accelerates and the hasbara efforts go wanting.
Yeah I sure cannot make my own mind up, and need some lame preacher to tell me what to think and what to say, boy life is so easy now ain’t it?
I am now going to order my mad dog too, and have it delivered to my home as soon as my cheque gets cashed.
“Really? You think I should eat, drink, and live I/P?”
Didn’t say that; but don’t try to dictate what can be discussed on a Political Blog; if you don’t want to participate in I/P discussions, then don’t; there are plenty other forums for discussing other subjects, perhaps even subjects trivial enough for your bored tastes.
Dre and all; Jeralyn Merrit of TalkLeft has the following policy on comments.
First and foremost, you may not post material that:
infringes upon or violates the copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights of any person
is libelous or defamatory
is obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit
violates a person’s right to privacy
violates any local, state, national, or international law
contains or advocates illegal or violent acts
degrades others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity,
national origin, religion, sexual preference, disability, or other classification
is predatory, hateful, or intended to intimidate or harass
contains advertising or solicitation of any kind
* misrepresents your identity or affiliation
impersonates others
========================
She’s a bit control-freaky, but as you can imagine, she runs a fairly tight ship
Oh, and there is dusting of snow on the summits, but nothing more than that. Solar Cycle 24 looks like it might deliver another perishing winter. It’s a bit early in the year for mulled wine, but hey ho!
Runner77 & Macky,
You, Runner, posted a link to the “Confessions of a Zionist paid troll”, Macky expressed his belief in it and upon being challenged all you can both say in your defence is that questioning its veracity somehow means I believe there is no paid-for support of Israel online, which is clearly a nonsense. It is tantamount to suggesting that if one questions the authenticity of the Protocols, then one must believe that Israel/zionists have done no evil, ever. I don’t see any point in continuing this discussion.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/israel-s-pm-vows-to-maintain-hard-line-stance-toward-peace-talks-1.1497251
You see?
“if you don’t want to participate in I/P discussions, then don’t; there are plenty other forums for discussing other subjects,”
Doesn’t that sum up the mindset we are dealing with here?
Hubble….did they replace with a dental mirror? No matter how close it gets, these crappy snapshots get released.
http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/hubble-confirms-comet-ison-is-holding-it-together-131017.htm
“but I would prefer a comparison with rabid Islamophobic sites, where if our trolls were to swap the words “Jews”, “goy”, and “hasbara” with “Muslims”, “dhimmi” and “taqiyya”, they would find themselves right at home! No difference between the two extremes imo.”
Yes, Anon, but that’s (partly) why I mentioned the Tea Party sites. Their hatred covers everyone who isn’t a middle aged or elderly white man — meaning Mexicans, Arabs, blacks, Muslims especially, and all immigrants. Despite them being descendents of immigrants themselves. I’m ashamed to say that some of them gaily claim Irish blood. (And Scottish.)
They’re terrified of course. Terrified of changing demographics and the idea that they won’t necessarily be calling the shots anymore.
I would bet that many of their fathers were KKK. They consider all of the hated groups above to be “sub human”.
—————-
“but don’t try to dictate what can be discussed on a Political Blog”
It was a suggestion. Are suggestions not to be allowed either?? Are you going to dictate what can be suggested and what can’t??
Today’s Suspicious Observers…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i3CjWqORYs&feature=c4-overview&list=UUTiL1q9YbrVam5nP2xzFTWQ
“She’s a bit control-freaky, but as you can imagine, she runs a fairly tight ship”
I read it quickly Ben, and it sounds good to me. I’ll have to go back and read it again. Some people here would object to it, I suspect (given the way they’re behaving …)
“I believe there is no paid-for support of Israel online, which is clearly a nonsense”
So you DO then believe that such a highly popular political Blog like this, might reasonably be expected to attract the attention of such paid-for supporters; if they are not targeting the 2nd or 3rd most popular UK political blog, then just where is this money being spent ?
Oh a bit of history now and the clock is turned back to 190doneky in the way back machine into the last century, before men knew they could dream about flying in jets, and television was a vision and Jules Verne was writing his vision of his trip to the moon. How long is it before we will have “spring time for Hitler” again?
Yeah the narrative really needs to be using such a worn out hook over and again, even in the age of the instant communication that anyone can read any kind of material even the “ghastly stuff” and make their own mind up. But Harken, the lesser “subhuman” human look alike interlopers and impostors, cannot think or make their own minds up. They need to be told what to think, and how they should think, who to luv, and whom to hate, dammit!
Gush I cannot wait for my mad dog to arrive! Anyone here wishing to pet it let me know, and I will bring it around your place!
“Doesn’t that sum up the mindset we are dealing with here?”
It’s called “freedom”, unless you really think that people should be compelled to participate in discussions they don’t want to participate in !!
(Take the mask off Hubba-Clown, your brand of irrationality sticks out a mile !)
Very selective quoting, Macky. You clearly can’t deal with the points I have made.
Craig’s blog is indeed widely read, but do I believe paid hasbara agents are descending on Page 5 of the comments thread? No, sorry.
http://www.talkleft.com/
Dre; I encourage everyone to register for comments. You will see how narrowly she defines ‘topic’
She deletes comments without comment, even brutally. Craig’s site is a free-for-all and the contrast is striking. There has to be some middle-ground
“It’s called freedom”
Not when you tell people to clear off if they don’t wish to discuss Israel/Palestine 24/7 it isn’t, especially as the blog owner hasn’t posted on that topic for some time.
An aside.
Just heard that Google shares have risen in value to $1,000 each.
These are the major shareholders who are holding fortunes.
Larry Page is a co-founder with Brin. Eric Schmidt is the chairman.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/mh?s=GOOG+Major+Holders
Having had his judgement called into question for most of the day, Macky now accuses me of being Habbabkuk. Paranoid or what? How can anyone take anything you say seriously?