markpkessinger
markpkessinger's JournalI am outraged, disgusted . . . really, there are no words . . .
. . . I want to throw up.
On the issue of "stolen" documents . . .
The rightful owners of all information possessed by the government are the people that elected that government. The government holds a proxy ownership of the information. While it is legitimate, in some instances, for a government to classify certain information in the interest of public safety, when an agency of the federal government is caught lying to the elected body charged with overseeing that agency, when questioned directly by that elected body, then any claim to proxy ownership by that agency has been rendered illegitimate (even if not technically illegal). So claims about Snowden "stealing" documents are seriously overblown. Just my opinion, of course.
Intellectual Dishonesty 101: "We can't tell the U.K. what to do"
We know -- the White House has confirmed -- that the Administration had advance notice of the U.K.'s planned detention of Miranda. Had the administration raised an objection, the U.K., our closest ally, would surely have honored such an objection. To suggest otherwise is the absolute height of intellectual dishonesty. And that was the point Rachel was making.
Rachel: "Letting our closest allies do it while we stand silent is the same thing as us doing it"
Watch full segment: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#52797608
Oh, and move over kids: we gotta make room for Rachel under this bus!
Rachel: "Journalism Is Not Terrorism"
Rachel excoriates BOTH the U.S. and British governments for detaining Glenn Greenwald's partner!
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rachel-maddow/52797608#52797608
Freedom of the Press Foundation: "Bradley Manning Did Not Hurt the United States"
[font size=2 color="dark gray"]August 15, 2013
By Rainey Reitman [/font]
< . . . >
Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has admitted the leaks caused no serious damage, telling Congress that the reactions to the leaks were "significantly overwrought." He went on to say: “Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is it awkward? Yes. Consequences for U.S. foreign policy? I think fairly modest.’’
At the same time, Reuters reported that other officials were admitting in private that they were exaggerating the damage that resulted from the leaks in order to bolster the legal efforts against WikiLeaks and Manning.
This has born out in Manning’s trial and sentencing hearing. It’s why the government fought so hard to keep its official WikiLeaks “damage assessments” from being revealed in court. It’s why, despite all the government’s overwrought pronouncements early on of “blood on the hands” of those responsible, a U.S. official was forced to admit under oath in Manning’s sentencing hearing that not a single person died as a result of the releases.
The truth is, the public has benefited tremendously as a result of Manning’s disclosures to WikiLeaks. Over the least three years, the disclosures have helped shape an international discussion about America's foreign policy. They showed Americans the true face of our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- from accurate body counts in Iraq to journalists killed by American soldiers to the government blocking investigations of CIA extraordinary rendition to U.S. turning a blind eye to torture in violation of the Geneva conventions. They’ve exposed corruption and lawbreaking in dozens of countries around the world. They contributed to democratic movements in the Middle East, and helped spur a movement in defense of free speech online. One State Department cable was even instrumental in helping precipitate the end to the Iraq war.
< . . . . >
If Snowden had been Russian or Chinese . . .
. . . and it had been the Russian or Chinese government, respectively, whose conduct he had exposed. pols of both parties would be falling all over themselves to grant him permanent asylum. And we would be collectively congratulating ourselves for standing up for "human rights." Tells you something.
Mother Kills Piano
I wasn't sure what to expect when I clicked "play" on this video, but DAMN the lady's got chops!
https://socialcam.com/v/xUixJOqs?ogmetatype=0
State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham Will Marry Same-Sex Couples
NOTE: It sure is nice to see some good news -- and news unrelated to Penn State, Joe Paterno or Sandusky -- coming out of State College, PA. As a young, not-yet-out gay man living in neighboring Clinton County, State College was my refuge. The town is an oasis in the midst of a cultural desert.Since State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham was elected in 2009, she hasn’t been able to marry any same-sex couples because it’s against Pennsylvania law. While she still doesn’t have the power to issue marriage licenses, she will marry same-sex couples if they have a license.
According to WJAC-TV, Goreham would have no problem conducting a same-sex wedding,
“If you have a license, I will marry you,” she said.
The interview comes a few weeks after the Register of Wills in Montgomery County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Those licenses will be honored by Goreham.
< . . . >
Anyone know of a source for good stats on the number of police officers killed in the line of duty .
... versus the numbers of civilians who are erroneously killed by police?
Look, I respect that police officers are sometimes asked to put their lives on the line, but I'm getting a little tired of that argument being used as justification for whitewashing police misconduct. I'd be really interested to know what story the numbers tell. Can anybody direct me to any reliable sources for this kind of information?
Profile Information
Member since: Sat May 15, 2010, 04:48 PMNumber of posts: 8,401
