Orwellian

Rep. Peter King calls Rand Paul’s remarks on Snowden ‘absolutely disgraceful’

"'I think it is important for the American people to realize that this guy is a traitor, a defector, he’s not a hero,' the congressman added. 'And I heard Senator Rand Paul this morning actually compared Snowden to General Clapper. What’s happened to our country? This is a traitor, and for anyone to be comparing him to a U.S. military hero is absolutely disgraceful.' Speaking with CNN’s Candy Crowley, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said that National Intelligence director James Clapper 'lied in Congress in defiance of the law in the name of security,' while 'Snowden told the truth in the name of privacy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRep. Peter King calls Rand Paul’s remarks on Snowden ‘absolutely disgraceful’

Snowden’s Hasty Exit Started With Pizza Inside a Hong Kong Hideout

"Mr. Snowden wore a cap and sunglasses and insisted that the assembled lawyers hide their cellphones in the refrigerator of the home where he was staying, to block any eavesdropping. Then began a two-hour conversation during which Mr. Snowden was deeply dismayed to learn that he could spend years in prison without access to a computer during litigation over whether he would be granted asylum here or surrendered to the United States. Staying cooped up in the cramped Hong Kong home of a local supporter was less bothersome to Mr. Snowden than the prospect of losing his computer." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden’s Hasty Exit Started With Pizza Inside a Hong Kong Hideout

CIA rolls out ‘new and improved website’

"The CIA prides itself on secrecy but the spy agency unveiled a revamped website Monday that promises a user-friendly layout and a 'sleeker, more modern web experience.' 'The new and improved website reflects CIA’s strong commitment to educating and informing the American people about the Agency’s history, mission, and organization,' John Brennan, CIA director, said in a statement. 'I encourage the public to explore the website and learn more about an American institution dedicated to protecting our country’s security,' said Brennan, known as the mastermind behind secret drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCIA rolls out ‘new and improved website’

Snowden vs. the Soyuz

"Russian drones aren’t plying the skies above distant countries, raining death and terror on helpless neighborhoods. Putin the ex-KGB chief doesn’t have Tuesday meetings to authorize summary executions on the basis of a 'Kill List' compiled by anonymous and unaccountable functionaries. Moscow doesn’t provide arms, training, and support to terrorist groups in Syria, Iran, and elsewhere; that’s Washington’s gig. And since September 2001 it has Washington, not Moscow, that employs the services of KGB-trained secret police in countries like Uzbekistan and Syria." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden vs. the Soyuz

Our Rulers’ $1.5 Billion “Backup Hard Drive”

"The Feds have invested $ 1.5 billion of our money in a 'data farm' in Utah despite all their hype about 'sequestration.' But you may not realize that this boondoggle is even more offensively wasteful than you thought: it is 'essentially the world’s largest backup hard drive… It’ll be one of several data farms that make up the [NSA'a] digital backbone, but information kept there won’t be unique. … Utah’s center will house the most data but everything is networked and if the center goes down, [Lonny] Anderson[, the NSA’s chief information officer] says, no data will be lost.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOur Rulers’ $1.5 Billion “Backup Hard Drive”

Here’s What It Looks Like When Two Hacker FBI Informants Try To Inform On Each Other

"The chat log represents a conversation between two FBI informants, both of whom seem to be trying to lure the other into providing evidence they can turn over to their law enforcement handlers–or even into a meeting that could lead to the other’s arrest. Sabu, also known as Hector Xavier Monsegur, had agreed to work as an FBI mole within LulzSec months before his conversation with Thordarson. Thordarson, for his part, tells me he thought he was helping to deliver a 'notorious hacker' to the FBI, and didn’t know he was speaking to a fellow stool pigeon. Monsegur doesn’t show any signs of knowing either." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s What It Looks Like When Two Hacker FBI Informants Try To Inform On Each Other

Biden calls Ecuador’s president about NSA leaker Snowden

"Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa on Saturday said Vice President Joe Biden had called him to urge the South American country to deny an asylum request from National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, according to reports. Correa added that no decision would be made on the asylum request unless Snowden was on Ecuadorian territory and said that the admitted leaker would 'have to assume his own responsibilities' for his actions. Correa disclosed the phone call from Biden during a television interview in Ecuador. National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said Biden and Correa spoke on Friday, but would not provide more details." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBiden calls Ecuador’s president about NSA leaker Snowden

US army blocks access to Guardian website to preserve ‘network hygiene’

"The US army has admitted to blocking access to parts of the Guardian website for thousands of defence personnel across the country. A spokesman said the military was filtering out reports and content relating to government surveillance programs to preserve 'network hygiene' and prevent any classified material appearing on unclassified parts of its computer systems. A spokesman for the Army's Network Enterprise Technology Command (Netcom) in Arizona confirmed that this was a widespread policy, likely to be affecting hundreds of defence facilities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS army blocks access to Guardian website to preserve ‘network hygiene’

Records Obtained Detailing Obama Administration’s Warrantless Collection of Citizens’ Personal Financial Data

"Judicial Watch announced today that it has obtained records from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) revealing that the agency has spent millions of dollars for the warrantless collection and analysis of Americans’ financial transactions. The documents also reveal that CFPB contractors may be required to share the information with 'additional government entities.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRecords Obtained Detailing Obama Administration’s Warrantless Collection of Citizens’ Personal Financial Data