Most Americans back NSA, prioritize surveillance over privacy

"A large majority of Americans say the federal government should focus on investigating possible terrorist threats even if personal privacy is compromised, and most support the blanket tracking of telephone records in an effort to uncover terrorist activity, according to a new Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll. Fully 45 percent of all Americans say the government should be able to go further than it is, saying that it should be able to monitor everyone’s online activity if doing so would prevent terrorist attacks. A slender majority, 52 percent, say no such broad-based monitoring should occur." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMost Americans back NSA, prioritize surveillance over privacy

US lawmakers call for review of Patriot Act after NSA surveillance revelations

"In unbroadcast elements of a transcript issued by NBC, the director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, said he had responded in the 'least untruthful manner' possible when denying that the NSA collected data on millions of Americans during congressional hearings. Clapper also confirmed that senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the intelligence committee, had asked for a review to 'refine these NSA processes and limit the exposure to Americans' private communications' and report back 'in about a month'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingUS lawmakers call for review of Patriot Act after NSA surveillance revelations

Bill O’Reilly suddenly opposed to NSA surveillance he supported under Bush

"The conservative host described the NSA’s surveillance programs as a 'massive intrusion.' O’Reilly warned that 'corrupt government officials' could leak sensitive data to hurt their political opponents. He said that keeping actual content of private conversations on file was 'flat out unconstitutional.' O’Reilly’s tune was far different under the Bush administration. At the time, he voiced strong support for the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program, which collected the telephone records of millions of Americans. In 2006, after a judge ruled the program was unconstitutional, O’Reilly speculated that she didn’t care if Americans were killed by terrorists." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBill O’Reilly suddenly opposed to NSA surveillance he supported under Bush

Julian Assange praises Edward Snowden for exposing ‘mass surveillance state’

"Edward Snowden is a 'hero' who has exposed 'one of the most serious events of the decade – the creeping formulation of a mass surveillance state', Julian Assange said on Monday. The WikiLeaks founder said the question of surveillance abuses by states and tech companies was 'something that I and many other journalists and civil libertarians have been campaigning about for a long time. It is very pleasing to see such clear and concrete proof presented to the public.' Assange told Sky News that Snowden was 'in a very, very serious position, because we can see the kind of rhetoric that occurred against me and Bradley Manning back in 2010, 2011, applied to Snowden'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingJulian Assange praises Edward Snowden for exposing ‘mass surveillance state’

Southwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat

"A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Texas from Los Angeles with 143 passengers aboard was forced to land in Phoenix on Monday after a telephoned bomb threat and U.S. fighter jets were diverted to monitor the situation, authorities said. All passengers on board were taken off without incident, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Southwest said. Phoenix police interviewed the passengers and bomb squad officers and dogs swept the aircraft. Police spokesman Sergeant Steve Martos later Tweeted that the search found 'nothing of concern.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingSouthwest flight diverted to Phoenix due to bomb threat

State-wide Grassroots Activists Open Letter to Governor Snyder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 11, 2013 CONTACT Joan Fabiano   517- Jen Kuznicki   989-   State-wide Grassroots Activists Open Letter to Governor Snyder   Lansing – With the announcement of Governor Snyder’s intent to call in Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Kathleen Sebelius to help further expand Medicaid in Michigan despite overwhelming opposition from the …

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Continue ReadingState-wide Grassroots Activists Open Letter to Governor Snyder

Not Really Adjourned: NE Legislature, Medicaid Expansion, ObamaCare

“No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” ~ Gideon J. Tucker, 1866 Wednesday, June 5, was the final day of the 103rd Unicameral, 1st Session. I wish I could say: “At ease Nebraskans, the Legislature is out of session!” Unfortunately, I can’t. I […]

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Anger at US drone war continues in Yemen

"Four drone strikes in total, a few minutes apart, violently tore Salem, Walid and the three visitors to shreds. Amidst the pandemonium, villagers cowering inside the mosque ran out for safety between strikes, believing they would die inside. 'You cannot imagine what we found,' said Faisal, drawing a slow, deep breath as he described the nighttime chaos that followed. 'We found body parts scattered everywhere. We tried to collect them all, and brought them to the mosque to wrap in white cloth.' The repercussions were devastating. The villagers marched the next day, chanting: 'Obama, why do you spill our blood?'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingAnger at US drone war continues in Yemen

German drone nearly hits 100-passenger Airbus jet – leaked video

"The classified drone camera footage drew public attention after the German defense ministry scrapped a drone program for its lack of anti-collision technology. After the encounter, the drone was caught in the plane’s wake turbulence, lost control, and crashed over the Afghan capital Kabul, Der Spiegel reported. The video was leaked a week after German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière decided to scrap the $652 million EuroHawk program – meant to be a replacement for existing reconnaissance aircraft – including the Luna drones." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGerman drone nearly hits 100-passenger Airbus jet – leaked video