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May 22, 2011
A Few Links And Open Thread

Patent Application: A secure 1,000 mSv/h radiation protection barrier


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Nir Rosen: Western media fraud in the Middle East
"Too many journalists report official narratives of the powerful, missing the stories of working class people"

Greg Palast: Strauss-Kahn Screws Africa

Matt Taibbi: The People vs. Goldman Sachs (<- a week old but a must read)

Corp Orwell: In its submission to the Federal Court in Oakland, California, Apple’s legal team stated that:

Apple denies that, based on their common meaning, the words ‘app store’ together denote a store for apps.

Posted by b on May 22, 2011 at 18:26 UTC | Permalink
Comments

Great reads all, for a Sunday. In this day and age, reading around is critical.

Posted by: ben | May 22 2011 23:26 utc | 1

One of the few statements, Rand Paul, a Tea Party Senator, has ever made, that makes sense:
“In a contentious interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, freshman Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) expressed frustration at the slow pace of the U.S. Senate, saying that given how little the deliberative body actually accomplishes, he feels sometimes, “like I should return my check”.
“We go up week to week, and there’s no debate in Congress, no debate in the Senate. We sit idly by,” he said.
Paul’s frustration stems from the lack of support by Democratic and Republican colleagues for his resolution claiming that U.S. intervention in Libya is “unconstitutional”. The Senator has struggled to even bring the resolution to the floor, where it was tabled in a 90-10 vote.
The son of presidential hopeful Ron Paul is invoking the 1973 War Powers Act, which states that the President of the United States must get Congressional authorization within 60 days of taking any military action. If the Congress rules against the action, then it must stop within 30 days.”
President Obama notified Congress of the Libyan intervention by letter on March 21, meaning that the 60-day wait expired on Friday.
Paul is facing resistance from members of both parties, who are currently drawing up a bipartisan resolution in the Senate affirming Congressional support for the Libya mission.”
Debating, and ending the Libyan fiasco, is too much to hope for.
As the bastards shred our constitution, at least they could debate it.

Posted by: ben | May 22 2011 23:43 utc | 2

Tolonews (currently overloaded and offline) says Mullah Omar is dead – unconfirmed

Posted by: b | May 23 2011 5:54 utc | 3

Bin Laden Death Script & the Needed Trigger for Next Step-Pakistan by Sibel Edmonds
Don’t miss the Pakistan-papers

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 23 2011 6:51 utc | 4

Addendeum : Wikileaks cable reveals Saudis, Emiratis (and NOT Al Qaeda or Taliban) were funding extremists and militants in Pakistan
Meanwhile, missives on the war at home…
Thomas Drake is a former NSA whistleblower who is being prosecuted under the Espionage Act for retaining, not leaking, classified information in conjunction with a Department of Defense investigation into massive NSA fraud, waste, abuse and illegality.
Thomas Drake: NSA Whistleblower

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 23 2011 7:05 utc | 5

Activists Confront Condoleeza Rice at Stanford University
This calls for ROUND OF DRINKS, on my tab (and might make you smile)
Can anyone put me in contact w/ this brave code-pink woman? I’d marry her… 😉

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 23 2011 7:14 utc | 6

A full “Tahrir” square in Spain. The country domino continues …

Posted by: b | May 23 2011 11:16 utc | 7

b, you’ll be delighted to know that the BMW made it.

Posted by: Cloned Poster | May 23 2011 16:57 utc | 8

this is the Power, and de Coverup of the Empire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKym-Zi3mOQ&feature=player_embedded
(dedicated to UncleSam)

Posted by: an idiot | May 23 2011 18:14 utc | 9

idiot, posted just above you

Posted by: Cloned Poster | May 23 2011 18:19 utc | 10

Sorry Clone poster.
I was with outwords.

Posted by: an idiot | May 23 2011 18:26 utc | 11

no worries

Posted by: Cloned Poster | May 23 2011 18:46 utc | 12

you’ll be delighted to know that the BMW made it.
Well, there are cars with a real suspension and there are trucks with rigid axles. Obama chose the truck.

Posted by: b | May 23 2011 19:20 utc | 13

Nir Rosen’s piece elaborates on the easy and stereotypical symbolism of the white man’s rape of the black man, or in this case, woman, and that is enough about that, it has become some kind of popular meme.
DSK was a typical centrist politician. Totally in the mainstream and subservient to higher interests, fitting in, doing his job as he saw it in a system which many on this board reject. In that way, he was no different from an endless number of figures in politics, the financial world. Although some saw him as on the side of the righteous, others see IMF Rapine – very contrasted opinions were expressed right on this board.
He was hired with the explicit mandate of reforming the IMF and getting it back on stage to play a more consequent, visible role. In that he succeeded, somewhat. As a ‘socialist’ he was well fitted in that slot.
So? Nothing special. BAU.
His sexual proclivities belong to his private life, except when the line of the law is crossed, as in assault, as in the case at present. He – as a persona – might have been a gambler, a desperate alcoholic, a closet homosexual, a secret cross dresser, fill it in.
None of such ‘profiles’ could have anything to do with his job at the IMF.
Turning what happens at the IMF and the actions it implements or refrains from doing as attached to the personality and sexuality of its director or staff is a distraction. Glib metaphors that don’t move us forward. Once again, a narrative that is centered on personalities, ethnicities, identities, etc. and melds them into world politics, it does nothing but obscure, through focus on the individuals involved.
A salient point in this story is that DSK was accused by someone who did not know who he was. To the complainant, he was simply an elderly man, a hotel guest, to be treated according to laid down work-rules. To DSK, she was not a person either, but inhabited, or personified, a living body in a fantasy role – the subservient servant, the maid in uniform, etc. They collided and he fell because of the stereotypical and non-personal roles they occupied.
Nobody who knew him, who he was, his power, dared accuse. That is maybe more significant…

Posted by: Noirette | May 24 2011 15:26 utc | 14

Extended interview with Fatima Bhutto

SBS presenter Anton Enus speaks with writer and poet Fatima Bhutto about the recent death of Osama Bin Laden and the implications of his death for Pakistan.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 24 2011 23:36 utc | 15

thanks for that link, Uncle. i made good use of it at my local dive.

Posted by: lizard | May 25 2011 4:46 utc | 16

A civil war was launched in Yemen on Monday – Gregory Johnson explains the quite complicate situation and relations of both sides: Three Days in Yemeni History

Posted by: b | May 25 2011 10:01 utc | 17

You may remember the film The Power of Nightmares by Adam Curtis. It described how the neocons and al-Qaeda developed out similar strands of thought.
A new BBC film by Adam Curtis is out:

The film tells the story of two perfect worlds. One is the small group of disciples around the novelist Ayn Rand in the 1950s. They saw themselves as a prototype for a future society where everyone could follow their own selfish desires. The other is the global utopia that digital entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley set out to create in the 1990s. Many of them were also disciples of Ayn Rand. They believed that the new computer networks would allow the creation of a society where everyone could follow their own desires, yet there would not be anarchy. They were joined by Alan Greenspan who had also been a disciple of Ayn Rand. He became convinced that the computers were creating a new kind of stable capitalism – “Like a New Planet”, he said. But the dream of stability in both worlds would be torn apart by the two dynamic human forces – love and power.

Here is a youtube playlist for watching it.
Recommended!

Posted by: b | May 25 2011 13:57 utc | 18

Regarding Adam Curtis…
May God us keep From Single vision & Newtons sleep.~W. Blake
oh, and
there’s approx 900 seeds on thebox.bz
registrations are open
Bonus:

Obama Ramping Up Internet Response Team
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has created and staffed a new position tucked inside their communications shop for helping coordinate rapid response to unfavorable stories and fostering and improving relations with the progressive online community.
“This week, Jesse Lee will move from the new media department into a role in the communications department as Director of Progressive Media & Online Response,” read an internal memo from Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer, provided to The Huffington Post. “For the last two years, Jesse has often worn two hats working in new media and serving as the White House’s liaison with the progressive media and online community. Starting this week, Jesse will take on the second role full time working on outreach, strategy and response.”
The post is a new one for this White House. Rapid response has been the purview of the Democratic National Committee (and will continue to be). Lee’s hire, however, suggests that a portion of it will now be handled from within the administration. It also signals that the White House will be adopting a more aggressive engagement in the online world in the months ahead.
Lee has played that role in the past, including writing a semi-infamous White House blog post that said Fox News’ Glenn Beck was lying about the administration on his show. His new gig comes with its own Twitter account, precisely for the purposes of disseminating push back.
An equally telling requirement of Lee’s new job, however, is that of crafting strategy for outreach to the progressive community. Lee has been tasked with that responsibility in his previous incarnations, both as a member of the DNC online team during the ’08 election and as a senior new media adviser with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
His new post may require even more delicate hand-holding. Instead of managing the administration’s web presence, he will be pressing to make the administration more popular on the web. In that respect, his Twitter account could also become an interesting window into the status of the always emotional, occasional testy dance between progressives and the president.
Lee enjoys good relationships with much of the online community, but as a member of the administration for the past two years he has also had his moments of friction.

Funny, I tried for several minutes to find corroborating news of this, besides huff po.. (which I don’t fully trust) and there was none…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 25 2011 17:25 utc | 19

India pledges $5bn to help African states meet the MDGs
: Welcome to the NWO WW3 for resources

Posted by: Cloned Poster | May 25 2011 17:51 utc | 20

Solicitation Number: SAQMMA11R0010

The health care support mission will transition from the U. S. Department of Defense to the U. S. Department of State over a period of time as denoted in Attachment B. Transition Timeline, beginning on or about June 2011 with transfer completed by December 2011. After the U.S. military forces withdraw from Iraq, the U.S. Embassy and constituent posts and sites will be comprised of approximately 14,000 to 17,000 personnel under the U.S. Ambassador

Posted by: b | May 26 2011 12:00 utc | 21

Good to see that the revolutionaries in Egypt and Tunisia understand what is coming: Obama, hands off our spring

The first wave of Arab revolutions is entering its second phase: dismantling the structures of political despotism, and embarking on the arduous journey towards genuine change and democratisation. The US, at first confused by the loss of key allies, is now determined to dictate the course and outcome of this ongoing revolution.
What had been a challenge to US power is now a “historic opportunity”, as Barack Obama put it in his Middle East speech last week. But he does not mean an opportunity for the people who have risen up; it is a chance for Washington to fashion the region’s present and future, just as it did its past. When Obama talks of his desire “to pursue the world as it should be” he does not mean according to the yearnings of its people, but according to US interests.
…

Posted by: b | May 26 2011 17:11 utc | 22

There’s a Secret Patriot Act, Senator Says .. You may think you understand how the Patriot Act allows the government to spy on its citizens. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) says it’s worse than you’ve heard.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 27 2011 6:01 utc | 23

Patriot Act Extension – H.R. 514 – Voting Record
FBI Using Anti-Terrorism Resources on Activists Citizens

According to the FBI, people scrawling with sidewalk chalk and even those attending documentary screenings of controversial films can pose a threat to Homeland Security. Chicano activist Carlos Montes says this new widespread attack targeted against peace advocates and immigration rights activists is only the newest wave in the federal government’s attempt at silencing the outspoken.

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 27 2011 6:29 utc | 24

Video of the Pima County SWAT Raid
Helmet Cam Video: SWAT Raid that killed Iraq Vet with 60 rounds. Almost no warning. Vet did not fire. No pot found.
—-
The government can read your emails, or gain access to any data that you have stored online for more than 180 days on sites such as Yahoo! Google Docs, it can do so without a search warrant.
In a matter of just 3 years, we have gone from a Republican president invoking “national security” to criticize Democrat Senators for arguing against the “Patriot” Act, to a Democrat president invoking “national security” to criticize Republican Senators for arguing against the “Patriot” Act.
Is this a open society?

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 27 2011 14:54 utc | 25

Police beat unarmed peaceful protesters in Spain
No Wonder Seattle Cops Think They Can Get Away With ANYTHING!
Government Orders You Tube To Censor Protest Videos
It’s not just Seattle ; State thugs the world over…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 27 2011 22:21 utc | 26

Anti Authority Photography Outlawed

The Texas Senate approved legislation Tuesday banning the release of police officers’ photos in most cases, a bill open government advocates opposed.
House Bill 2006, by Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, next heads to Gov. Rick Perry.
It specifies that an officer’s photo can be released by a police department if the officer has been charged with a crime, if the photo is evidence in a court case and in a few other instances.
The Houston Police Department pushed hard for the bill, saying releasing officers’ photos to the public would endanger undercover officers or those targeted by gangs. Under current law they can keep police officers’ photos out of public view, but an officer must sign an affidavit. Police officials said that can be an administrative nightmare.
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and other open government advocates said there are already exceptions under current law to adequately protect officers. The groups said an officer photo should be available for public view if an officer dies in the line of duty or is involved in a high-speed chase that’s under investigation, among other circumstances.

Taking Photos In Public Places Is Not A Crime: Analysis Too many officials think taking photos is a crime. Here’s why they’re wrong
We’re seeing increasing amounts of this… cept in this case it seems to do an end run around the, “its legal to video/photograph an authority figure in public doing there job” bit.~elfismiles
It’s getting worse… at some point the masses, will push back. Or not…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 27 2011 22:49 utc | 27

so mongolia is where the action is now…..
we know who’re the scumbags behind this
+Residents have told Reuters parts of Inner Mongolia have been placed under martial law, and the New-York-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Centre says people have been injured in clashes with police.+
http://tinyurl.com/3aqznw6

Posted by: denk | May 28 2011 5:34 utc | 28

Gil Scott Heron has died.

Celebrated poet, musician and author Gil Scott-Heron passed away today at the age of 62 as a result of yet unknown causes. Scott-Heron’s death was reportedly confirmed by the legendary spoken word artist’s publisher Jamie Byng via Twitter with the tweet reading, “Just heard the very sad news that my dear friend and one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, the great Gil Scott-Heron, died today.”
Often regarded as one of the leaders and chief influences in the precursory stages of hip hop, Gil Scott-Heron helped to define a turbulent time for African-Americans and black militarism in the 1970s via his well-known works such as Pieces Of A Man and Winter In America. His politically charged poem and song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” is perhaps Scott-Heron’s most notable work as the 1971 single from Pieces Of A Man has been sampled by hip hop artists and often quoted by many.
As news of Scott-Heron’s passing rippled through cyberspace, rap artists who no doubt saw the poet as a hero offered touching words in his memory. Talib Kweli mentioned several references to his connection to Scott-Heron and offered a loving tribute in a series of tweets from his Twitter account. “Wow. The rest of my night I’m gonna listen to Gil Scot Heron. We love you brother. We will miss you. RIP.” Talib went on to add, “I met Gil Scot Heron at SOBs in 1993, I went to see him perform. He completely influenced me as an artist.” A quick glance at Kweli’s account will reveal other loving anecdotes from the rapper.
Slaughterhouse rapper Joell Ortiz also tweeted his memories of Gil Scott-Heron. “Seen Gil Scott Heron at Joe’s Pub when I was a kid. Prince was there,” remarked Ortiz. Producer Just Blaze could barely address the news via his Twitter account. “Terrible news to get while on stage. No one in my family died but gil scot was … ah forget it. Gonna finish this show,” said the beat maker. Public Enemy front man Chuck D added, “RIP GSH..and we do what we do and how we do because of you.And to those that don’t know tip your hat with a hand over your heart & recognize.” Chuck D also revealed via his Twitter account that he was to be featured on an upcoming project with Scott-Heron.
Gil Scott Heron’s 2010 album I’m New Here was released to critical acclaim and signaled a resurgence of art from the poet as his much publicized struggles with drug addiction and legal problems almost overshadowed his legacy. Scott-Heron leaves behind 15 studio albums, 11 compilation albums and 9 live recordings.
R.I.P. to the great Gil Scott-Heron. Your words will live on forever.

awww, goddamn that’s hard to hear, god bless, you soldier…
It’s still winter, brother…

Posted by: Uncle $cam | May 28 2011 6:19 utc | 29

U$–
Very sad news indeed!
May he rest in peace.

Posted by: DaveS | May 28 2011 12:02 utc | 30

ISI hit on ATOL Journo:
Journalist Saleem Shahzad goes missing

ISLAMABAD: Syed Saleem Shahzad, the Pakistan bureau chief of Asia Times Online, went missing Sunday evening, DawnNews reported.
Days before his disappearance, Shahzad had authored an article that alleged links between navy officials and al Qaeda.
Ali Imran, a Coordinator at the South Asia Free Media Association (Safma) in an email stated that Mr Shahbaz had left his house in Islamabad to participate in a television program but that he did not reach the TV station.
He did not contact his family and friends either, Mr Imran said, adding that Mr Shahzad’s mobile phone and car had not been traced yet.

The relevant piece that brought trouble for Syed: Al-Qaeda had warned of Pakistan strike – By Syed Saleem Shahzad

ISLAMABAD – Al-Qaeda carried out the brazen attack on PNS Mehran naval air station in Karachi on May 22 after talks failed between the navy and al-Qaeda over the release of naval officials arrested on suspicion of al-Qaeda links, an Asia Times Online investigation reveals.
…

Posted by: b | May 31 2011 3:34 utc | 31

here is a nice change to the way things usually go down. I personally would like to see a lot more of this. my hat is off to the sheriff.
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-06-03/Tables-Turn-Deputies-and-movers-show-up-at-bank-to-seize-property-for-homeowner-

Posted by: dan of steele | Jun 4 2011 15:45 utc | 32

I have often thought of New Zealand as the last bastion of humanity and have long desired to travel there to check it out. however after seeing this news story http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5101712/Law-aims-to-ban-patches-from-govt-property I fear it may already be too late.

Posted by: dan of steele | Jun 5 2011 8:45 utc | 33

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