Pledge of Allegiance – The Whitest Kids U’Know on IFC
"An elementary school class recite the pledge of allegiance, from The Whitest Kids U'Know season 5, episode 7." Continue reading →
Peace group says European Nobel prize is ‘unlawful’
"The Swedish industrialist and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896, said in his testament that the award should go to the 'person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.' The International Peace Bureau noted that the EU 'is not seeking to realise a demilitarisation of international relations', and that its members 'condone security based on military force and have waged wars rather than insisting on the need for alternative approaches.'" Continue reading →
Obama executive order expands Homeland Security reach into local law enforcement
"The executive order creates a White House Homeland Security Partnership Council and Steering Committee, aimed at fostering local partnerships between federal and private institutions 'to address homeland security challenges.' The council will be chaired by 'the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, or a designee from the National Security Staff.' The executive order comes weeks after a damning Senate report on Homeland Security’s 77 fusion centers, which the Washington Post called 'pools of ineptitude, waste and civil liberties intrusions.'" Continue reading →
The Dilemma of False Terrorism
"Anyone who challenges the authority of the state (and thus the money power that stands behind it and controls it) is at risk for being labeled a terrorist. This explains why US prosecutors can label von NotHaus a terrorist. The term is merely a convenient nomenclature. It has been purposefully 'evolved' so that an extracurricular judicial system can be brought into effect. Simply by redefining definitions over time − and manufacturing events to buttress the terminology − the elites have been able to bring into being a new class of felon (the terrorist) and a new and oppressive judicial system, as well. The purpose is intimidation." Continue reading →
‘Prison Architect’ online game challenges players to build and maintain maximum security prisons
"Think of computer game management simulations, and you usually think of aspirational jobs – or at least the things we dreamed of doing as kids. Theme parks, railroads, game development studios, farms – all have featured in this popular genre since it flourished in the ’90s. But right now, there is something very different out there, something intriguing enough to attract over 10,000 players into its paid online alpha test. Developed by UK studio Introversion, the game challenges players to build their own functioning jails, from a variety of components. Cells, canteen, exercise areas and even morgues all have to be constructed." Continue reading →
Court OKs warrantless use of hidden surveillance cameras
"U.S. District Judge William Griesbach ruled that it was reasonable for Drug Enforcement Administration agents to enter rural property without permission -- and without a warrant -- to install multiple 'covert digital surveillance cameras' in hopes of uncovering evidence that 30 to 40 marijuana plants were being grown. This is the latest case to highlight how advances in technology are causing the legal system to rethink how Americans' privacy rights are protected by law." Continue reading →
TSA opens museum to inspire its mission
"In 2010, armed with a master's degree in history and experience working at several museums, Smith was hired for the newly created position of TSA historian. Since then he's been filming oral histories of current and past TSA employees, creating exhibits and organizing a growing cache of objects related to the agency's history. In 2011, to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the TSA gave the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History several artifacts relating to TSA history. Among those items are images, oral histories, internal planning documents, a uniform and other objects relating to the first airport to get TSA screeners." Continue reading →
Glenn Greenwald: Joe Klein’s sociopathic defense of drone killings of children
"Obama has led all sorts of progressives and other Democrats to be the most vocal supporters of unrestrained aggression, secret assassinations, and 'crippling' the Iranian people with sanctions. It is completely unsurprising that the most sociopathic defense of drones comes from one of the most committed Obama supporters, and that it's now left to a former GOP Congressman to raise objections. As much as anything, that is the Obama legacy. Those who cheer for the unchecked power to assassinate in secret because it's Obama who currently wields that power will be the ones fully responsible for future abuses." Continue reading →
State Legislatures Called To Protect Americans From Weaponized Police Spy Drones
"In the wake of the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, it is expected that at least 30,000 drones will occupy U.S. airspace by 2020. In alerting the state legislatures to the dangers posed by drones to citizens’ privacy and civil liberties, The Rutherford Institute has made model legislation available, titled 'Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act,' that would not only prohibit state governments from using data recorded via police spy drones in criminal prosecutions but would also prevent police agencies from utilizing drones outfitted with anti-personnel devices such as tasers and tear gas." Continue reading →
UN Seeking Global Internet Surveillance for Terror, Propaganda
"The UN wants a planetary regime to force companies to spy on their customers, keep the data, and hand it over to authorities. The international organization noted approvingly that entities such as the European Union were already working to impose the measures. However, not all governments are on board yet, the report complained. Social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter were specifically highlighted as potential tools for 'terrorists' to spread 'propaganda' and 'extremist rhetoric.' The report also notes that search engines have made it easier to find 'terror propaganda' online." Continue reading →