Barak Obama has issued a response to those criticizing his position on the new FISA bill, which can be read here.
A few points:
Obama claims that the exclusivity provision included in the new bill will prevent future abuses. But the FISA already had such a provision, as indicated in yesterday's ruling by Judge Vaughn Walker (a ruling that rejected the administration's claims that the President has the authority to violate FISA. Glenn Greenwald has more on this ruling). The key point is that FISA was already the exclusive means for conducting electronic surveillance, and Bush violated it. So this "new" provision is worth exactly dick. Obama is either clueless in this matter, or he is distorting the truth.
Obama writes: "As I've said many times, an independent monitor must watch the watchers to prevent abuses and to protect the civil liberties of the American people. This compromise law assures that the FISA court has that responsibility." But the FISA court, under the new bill, would not have the authority to evaluate individual cases. All the FISA court has the authority to do is to evaluate the overall program, and they are required to certify the program if they believe that it doesn't, for the most part, target the communications of American citizens. So to say that this bill empowers monitors to "prevent abuses and protect the civil liberties of the American people" is overselling it substantially. Assuming that Obama has read the thing, he must realize this.
He writes: "I'm persuaded that it is necessary to keep the American people safe -- particularly since certain electronic surveillance orders will begin to expire later this summer." These are, as Greenwald noted yesterday, orders that originated under the PAA, which Obama did not vote for, and thus, it stands to reason, didn't think were vital to national security. But Obama now claims that these surveillance orders are so vital that he will support "imperfect" legislation if that is required to keep them active.
Obama ends the letter with the following: "But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction." Certainly the economy, foreign policy, and the Supreme Court are important issues. But do they outweigh issues such as the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, and the civil liberties of the American people? Should Obama supporters be willing to trade the latter for a President who (according to him) agrees with them on the former?
I am sure that most of Obama's supporters will not be influenced by his FISA decision. They will vote for him because they perceive McCain as a worse choice (which he may be). But this is not merely some pet issue with which he disagrees with a segment of his base. This is a question of holding lawbreakers responsible for their crimes, of discovering the extent of Bush's lawbreaking, of setting a precedent which causes future Presidents to think twice before violating the law, and of securing the rights that are supposed to distinguish the citizens of the United States from the rest of the world.
Update: Obama's fans are furiously masturbating to this letter over on The Huffington Post. The responses include "Not to worry, Sen. Obama, we are still with you and knew you had a plan", "Well, I really would have loved this explanation sooner, but better late than never... my friends and I will unleash the cash again", "Obama 's focus is protecting the people of this country first and foremost", "That said, Obamas [SIC] FISA vote doesn't do much to change my vote. Obama is still 100,000,000,000,000 times better than the competition." Pathetic swine. -JRH
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Obama responds to FISA critics
Administration condoned Kurdish oil-deal despite official policy
Hunt Oil struck a deal with the Kurdish Regional Government despite the Administration's official stance. The State Department discouraged such dealings in an attempt to foster an Iraqi National Oil agreement which would hopefully help unite the regions of Iraq. Nevertheless, members of the Bush administration privately supported this move, going so for as to offer assistance if there was any trouble.
Ray L. Hunt, CEO Hunt Oil, is a major contributor to George W. Bush, and is a member of the latter's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
The President said that he knew nothing of the deal.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Some inspiration
So Dr. Bolte Taylor is a bit effusive, but I think her credentials and experience put her on solid ground. It's not just a first person description of her stroke; you have to watch the whole thing to get to the point of her, "idea worth spreading." Go on - it'll make ya feel good.
REAL TIME MACHINE
Seriously...this guy made a time machine, not in the traditional sense...but it is a time machine. Amazing.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING I HAVE EVER SEEN
holy shit make sure you watch this holy shit
I think he Can Dance - Watch more free videos
ps oh yeah watch till the end cause it gets kinda weird with the judge and him
Friday, June 27, 2008
Remember...
how Obama decided to support the FISA "compromise" in an effort to avoid Republican criticism? How well is that working out for you, smart guy?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
War Crimes
Maj. Gen. Taguba: "...the Commander-in-Chief and those under him authorized a systematic regime of torture."
McClatchy's investigation into the US Detention System can be found here.
Rant: You Ruined Mike Myers, Love Guru Is Your Fault
"Hey! Come in here! Yes, you and your sister. Pause Entourage and come in here for a minute. We need to talk. No, it can’t wait. We have Tivo for a reason. Just hit the pause button and sit down. Your mother and I are concerned about your behavior lately. Yes, we did find the condoms in your old cell phone drawer and your thug life brother’s little cache of marijuana behind his old skateboards. You don’t need to explain. Whoring yourself out to the popular older boys is an integral part of being a sophomore in high school and experimenting with marginally harmful, mood-altering plants is how one finds himself before college. That’s not the problem. "
Click the link for the full article
Friday, June 20, 2008
Democrats Cave
The Steyn Hoyer FISA bill just passed the house 293-129. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it will be passed sometime next week, in all likelihood.
This is what we get for bringing the Democrats back into power in '06?
Update: Obama supports the House FISA bil, will vote for it even if the immunity provision remains.
Update II: The ACLU lists the salient points of the bill that your leaders have given you.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Stop FISA Compromise
House Democrats are in the process of forming a "compromise" FISA bill which would, in essence, give the proponents of Telecom Immunity exactly what they want. Read more about it here. A massive effort is underway to prevent this from happening; a grassroots movement, made up of progressive bloggers and their readers, the ACLU, and members of the Ron Paul Revolution, have joined forces and raised over $200,000 in two days.
If you have a few extra dollars to spare, click here. The funds will be used to run ads in the districts of the Democratic proponents of this bill: Rep. Hoyer (D-Md), Rep. Carney (D-Pa.), and Rep. Barrow (D-Ga).
Otherwise, do your part and give Sen. Obama a call and ask that he use his position as de-facto party head to quash this abomination. Ask that he voice his opposition to this and any other bill which provides immunity to the telecoms.
(866) 675-2008 ext. 6
Gene Simmons you retarded bitch.
Gene Simmons is bitching about how Radiohead is hurting the music industry. What a D-bag. Just die already.
Most Complex Crop Circle Ever?
Supposedly, The circle is a coded representation of pi to the 10th significant figure
The formation, measuring 150ft in diameter, is apparently a coded image representing the first 10 digits, 3.141592654, of pi.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Shama-lama-ding-dong's new movie The Happening sucks
Christopher Orr of The New Republic decides that rather than giving a typical review of this cinematic abortion, he will highlight 18 of the most retarded moments for you.
Spoilers inside.
FOLLOW ME AROUND DOCUMENTARY ONLINE
"Back in 2002, Samuel Dietz and Nazaré Costa made a documentary about the Radiohead tour through Portugal and Spain... The band played new material, which would later end up on their 2003 album ‘Hail To The Thief’. The fan made film was approved by Radiohead and is now out on YouTube in seven parts."
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Renewable Oil
Scientists have genetically modified yeast and E. Coli to produce single-celled organisms which consume organic products and excrete crude oil.
Friday, June 13, 2008
What if all the hype came true?
Put down your Dreamcast and crack open a crystal pepsi for this one!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Feds charge S.C. trooper in taped car ramming
white cop + black suspect + South Carolina = stereotype
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Just plain fuckin awesome
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Wave of the future
Thought I would throw a little medical tech at ya'll. This is the guy who founded my department in the 1940s. Quite a quack, but his research with deep brain stimulators opened the door for some amazing things we're doing now.
Johns Hopkins has some cool videos showing the differences with the stimulators off and on. Also an animated video showing the procedure.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
D-Day + 1
To the Joint Expeditionary Forces of the Cocks:
According to my calculation, based solely on the counter present to your right, we are now less than 90 days from kickoff. We are about to embark on an undertaking that has never before been attempted by mankind. Some of our brothers and sisters may not return, but we shall fight on.
Now is the time to begin dusting off those old "All dirt roads lead to Clemson" and "I Plant Taters Avery Yare" bumperstickers - and my personal new favorite, "Fuck LSU." Training for hours on end of heavy drinking and yelling at television announcers begins now.
We will not submit. We will not quit until our mission is complete.
That is all.
Steve Spurrier
Supreme Commander, Allied Forces against the rest of the fucking assholes in the SEC
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
"Now it's on to Chicago and let's win there."
Forty years ago today, shortly after midnight and after claiming victory in the California Democratic Primary, Robert Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan. He died the next day and on June 8th was eulogized by his brother Edward before being transported by a slow-moving train to Arlington where he was buried not far from his older brother John.
Despite the difficulty of such a task, Newsweek's Evan Thomas attempts to envision what a Robert Kennedy presidency might have looked like.
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Telecom Immunity Update
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre (really, dude? -ed.) Reyes has claimed that he is willing to compromise with Republicans on telecom immunity, namely by allowing the secret FISA court to determine whether immunity ought to be granted. This is a similar proposal to the one offered by Diane Feinstein (D-CA) months ago, a proposal which, had it been accepted, would likely have made disclosure of the specifics of the surveillance program impossible.
As Digby notes, the 40 or so lawsuits against the the telecoms aren't that serious of a threat to the companies in terms of potential awards:
"There just isn't enough money at stake to explain this. Nobody's suing for the money, they are suing for the discovery. Something bad happened here and the Democrats are helping the Republicans cover it up."
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Unreleased Jimmy Page Guitar Riff To Be Retrieved From Secret Vault To Save Rock And Roll
Thank god - I was getting nervous.
Something we can all relate too
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
A-Team Remake (2009)
Three Names:
1. Bruce Willis
2. Woody Harrelson
3. Ice Cube
I don't know what to think.
This is all rumor right now.
Dickipedia: Antonin Scalia
Antonin Gregory Scalia (born March 11, 1936[1]) is an American jurist, Supreme Court Justice, and a dick.
He is the number two most senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and the number one dickiest, a not [insignificant] accomplishment considering the presence of Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and John Roberts.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
US accused of holding terror suspects on prison ships
I wonder if a ship of the USN counts as US territory?
What Happened to Ricky
In the '50s, disabled children often disappeared into state institutions. Now, one family seeks its lost son.
DUUURRRRHHHH!
A recent survey indicates that stimulus checks are being used to pay bills and buy gas, not purchase retail goods as hoped for by those honor-students we have in the legislature.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
McClatchy correspondants respond to McClellan's book...
While most of the media failed miserably in the run-up to war (as Scott McClellan has pointed out, among many, many others), McClatchy (then, as Knight-Ridder) engaged in rigorous coverage that should be an example to all news organizations.
At their Nukes & Spooks blog, two McClatchy correspondents bypass McClellan's book and give an account of how the Iraq war was conceived of and sold, providing links to their own coverage of events at the time.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Uncontacted Tribe Discovered in Brazil
The government of Brazil has located an isolated group of natives located somewhere near the border with Peru. A flyby has netted some interesting photographs.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
It's business time
The kids over at Crooks and Liars posted this last night, and one good turn deserves another.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Stupidity of Dignity
Stephen Pinker reviews the report by the President's Council on Bioethics entitled Human Dignity and Bioethics. It is a bit long, but very thoughtful, and among the better reads by Pinker that I have encountered.
via Metafilter.
House Judiciary Committee willing to arrest Rove to force compliance...
Debbie Wasserman of the House Judiciary Committee has stated that Rove will not be permitted to invoke executive privilege in an effort to avoid testifying about the fired US attorneys. If Rove doesn't comply with the Congressional subpoena, Wasserman claimed that the committee would be willing to have him arrested.
Tell me...
Is the heart situated in the center of the torso (horizontally) or to the left? These kids last night (including that guy Tommy who went camping with us) wanted to say that it was situated on the left side. If this is an accurate diagram, it seems that the heart is situated centrally. Clearly, the thing is not symmetrical, so that muddies things, but if you had to say where the heart was located, what would you say?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Big Fuckin' Suprise: The Japanese made it work.
This shouldn't really shock anyone, but it's good to know that it may be a possibility in our lifetimes thanks to those bad asses across the sea.
Yahtzee reviews GTA: IV
The Escapist's resident game reviewer Yatzee gives the new installment of GTA a fairly thorough (well, as thorough as you're gonna get in 4.5 minutes) going-over.
Friday, May 23, 2008
The FilmDrunk review of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
Probably exactly what you expected, unless you are some sort of retarded Pollyanna.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Rare DVD's of TV Shows/Movies/Etc.
This guy has lots of rare/hard to find DVD's. Thought you guys might want to have a look.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
RADIOHEAD
Atlanta, GA
Setlist
01 All I Need
02 There There
03 Lucky
04 15 Step
05 Where I End And You Begin
06 Nude
07 Pyramid Song
08 Optimistic
09 Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
10 The National Anthem
11 Idioteque
12 You and whose army
13 Reckoner
14 Everything in its right place
15 Bangers and Mash
16 Bodysnatchers
17 Videotape
encore 1
18 The Gloaming
19 Talk Show Host
20 Just
21 Faust Arp (Thom & Jonny on electric)
22 How To Disappear Completely
encore 2
23 Paranoid Android
24 House of Cards
Charlotte, NC
Setlist
01. All I Need
02. There There
03. Airbag
04. 15 Step
05. Nude
06. Sail to the Moon
07. Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi
08. Myxomatosis
09. Idioteque
10. Morning Bell
11. Videotape
12. Optimistic
13. Where I End and You Begin
14. You and Whose Army?
15. Everything In Its Right Place
16. Bangers and Mash (Thom: “I’m Spiderman, Jonny is Cat Woman”, Jonny ’scratches’ at him, Thom: “Tell me later.”)
17. Bodysnatchers
encore 1
18. Go Slowly
19. Talk Show Host
20. Exit Music (For A Film)
21. Planet Telex
22. House of Cards
encore 2
23. Paranoid Android (Thom before: “Everyone stay still so Colin can take a pic of the crowd.”)
24. Reckoner
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Uncle Sam just deposited 600 Dollars in my checking account
....of borrowed money from china. It almost makes me want to give it back. But nah, I think I'll keep it. As we continue to drive the value of our dollars into the tank, at least let me put some of this 1.7 trillion dollars of chinese investement to some practical use. I think I'm going to save up and buy an AT-AT imperial walker and settle this world domination issue once and for all. I bet I could do it for a lot cheaper than old Der-bya can. Throw me a bone every once in a while. Thanks a lot motherfucka.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Is there anything else we need for the camping trip?
I gots a stove, 2 1/2 propane containers, compass, Pisgah map, and my bullshit. Is there anything else we need to pick up?
Also this is for Treverculus Jones. Worth every second in the rain.
Dickipedia: China
"China is a dick country in East Asia, the third largest in dick area, and first in dick population.
It is important to note that not everyone who lives in China is a dick. However, even if the dick to non-dick ratio was a very conservative 1 in 1,000, that’s still a million dicks, which is a whole lot of dick. "
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Petition to Bernie Machen
As some of you have heard, the President of UF has decided to eliminate the PhD program in Philosophy. This will result in an exodus of faculty and grad students in this field, rendering UF's philosophy program ineffective. The above link is to a petition to President Machen, requesting that he reconsider his decision. If you have a moment, I would appreciate your support in this.
Update: Link Fixed at 6:42pm by JRH
