Video: Glenn Beck Calls Michelle Obama a “Monster”

Wingnuts like Beck have a special hatred for the First Lady
Wingnuts • Views: 24,069

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Right wingers have a special animus toward Michelle Obama (as we’ve documented many times), and it erupted again today on raving freakazoid Glenn Beck’s radio show.

Discussing Michelle Obama’s confrontation with a GetEqual protester on his show today, Glenn Beck referred to the First Lady as a “monster,” “Lady MacBeth” and “a frightening woman.” He even claimed that the First Lady, Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett and Eric Holder’s wife Sharon Malone, whose name he didn’t seem to know but like Obama and Jarrett is also African American, are the real powers behind the Obama administration. “I’ll tell you something, I really truly believe, Valerie Jarrett, Michelle and Mrs. Eric Holder, that’s where the information is going, the wives are talking,” Beck said.

Via Right Wing Watch.

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279 comments
1 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:25:11pm

Don’t anyone dare suggest that racism might be underneath the insane right wing hatred of Michelle Obama, though. Oh no, that would be wrong.

2 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:26:14pm

Well, you know the saying: “Behind every good man, is a good woman.”

Of course, behind every BAD man (like Beck), there’s a line of good women. With pointy toed shoes.

3 erik_t  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:26:19pm

I have no doubt that Glenn is telling the truth here: he is frightened by Michelle Obama.

4 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:26:27pm

I’m sure it’s purely coincidence that all three of the women he names in this clip are black.

5 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:27:47pm

the web is full today of wingnuts outraged at ‘the surveillance state’ and pretending that “liberals” never raised a peep about the “patriot” act, which apparently was put forward by obama when he was president in 2001

6 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:27:58pm

re: #4 Charles Johnson

I’m sure it’s purely coincidence that all three of the women he names in this clip are black.

Expect the usual about “I’m not a racist, but…”

7 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:29:34pm

More GOP rebranding. Wheee!

8 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:31:45pm

re: #1 Charles Johnson

Don’t anyone dare suggest that racism might be underneath the insane right wing hatred of Michelle Obama, though. Oh no, that would be wrong.

I’m Shocked, Just shocked that you would suggest racism had anything to do with this.

re: #4 Charles Johnson

I’m sure it’s purely coincidence that all three of the women he names in this clip are black.

Now you are implyng he’s misogynistic as well.

I’m shocked, shocked I tell you.

///////// do I?

9 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:32:13pm

If Glenn Beck ever finds out that Grace Jones exists, he’ll terror-shit himself to death.

10 blueraven  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:34:14pm

re: #4 Charles Johnson

I’m sure it’s purely coincidence that all three of the women he names in this clip are black.

Had Sarah Palin done the exact same thing as Michelle Obama, Glenn Beck and the Right Wing would be cheering in the streets hailing her as a hero.

11 celticdragon  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:34:46pm

My parents are elderly, white Fox News viewers…and they have loathed Michelle Obama since her husband took the office. I have been horrified at the things my mother has said.

12 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:37:40pm

re: #11 celticdragon

My parents are elderly, white Fox News viewers…and they have loathed Michelle Obama since her husband took the office. I have been horrified at the things my mother has said.

My parents are the same way. If my dad ever utters the word “Wookiee” in my presence, I will punch him.

13 Sionainn  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:39:08pm

re: #3 erik_t

I have no doubt that Glenn is telling the truth here: he is frightened by Michelle Obama.

Probably because he knows she could easily kick his ass.

14 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:40:02pm

re: #10 blueraven

Had Sarah Palin done the exact same thing as Michelle Obama, Glenn Beck and the Right Wing would be cheering in the streets hailing her as a hero.

Yes indeed. Since when do RWNJs concern themselves with lefty activists? Had this been a Palin rally, these same RWNJs would be disappointed if the heckler left with bones intact.

15 Sionainn  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:40:13pm

re: #5 engineer cat

the web is full today of wingnuts outraged at ‘the surveillance state’ and pretending that “liberals” never raised a peep about the “patriot” act, which apparently was put forward by obama when he was president in 2001

These are the same nuts who said, “If you haven’t done anything wrong, why would you be worried,” in answer to concerns raised by liberals.

16 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:40:23pm

re: #11 celticdragon

My parents are elderly, white Fox News viewers…and they have loathed Michelle Obama since her husband took the office. I have been horrified at the things my mother has said.

I get some of that from my Dad. I’m like “hey you and mom taught me better than that WTF happened?”

17 Sionainn  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:41:29pm

re: #11 celticdragon

My parents are elderly, white Fox News viewers…and they have loathed Michelle Obama since her husband took the office. I have been horrified at the things my mother has said.

I’m so lucky my dad is a liberal.

18 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:42:15pm

re: #17 Sionainn

I’m so lucky my dad is a liberal.

Me too. My parents saw through the right wing BS earlier than I did.

19 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:43:39pm

Damned uppity niCLANGs. How dare she get upset at a white ho-mo-sex-u-al?

20 Slap  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:45:16pm

re: #10 blueraven

Had Sarah Palin done the exact same thing as Michelle Obama, Glenn Beck and the Right Wing would be cheering in the streets hailing her as a hero.

THIS seems to come up a lot. I see no outrage on that side when idiots show active disrespect to our current Prez and spouse (remember when Mrs. O and Mrs. Biden were actually BOOED at a nascar event?) in public forums — but by golly, they’re sure still pissed at Natalie Maines for voicing an opinion on stage about dubya. Because, you know, patriots.

My disgust, let me show it to you.

21 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:45:43pm

lady macbeth

only a couple of years now until the attack on the apparently terrifying hillary starts up again

skeery wimmens haz skeery majik bitch powers thet shrink yer weenie up

22 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:46:16pm

My mom has been a liberal since she cast her first vote for Harry Truman in ‘48. She rolled her eyes all through my wingnut phase, saying “I knew that you’d eventually come to your senses!”

23 blueraven  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:46:43pm

re: #14 EPR-radar

Yes indeed. Since when do RWNJs concern themselves with lefty activists? Had this been a Palin rally, these same RWNJs would be disappointed if the heckler left with bones intact.

Assertive black progressive woman = uppity monster, who the hell does she think she is?

Assertive white conservative woman = grizzly mama…don’t mess around with her you libtards!

24 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:50:22pm

Wingnuts have this weird conspiracy theory involving Valerie Jarrett.

25 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:50:52pm

sumbody oughtta institute an annual ‘father coughlin’ award

we certainly have enough candidates

26 A Mom Anon  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:53:39pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

Now where have I heard that “if you’re not for us, you’re against us” before….it sounds familiar…

And did Valerie Jarrett actually say this?

27 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:54:51pm

re: #26 A Mom Anon

Now where have I heard that “if you’re not for us, you’re against us” before….it sounds familiar…

And did Valerie Jarrett actually say this?

Probably not. Wingnuts luvs ‘em a bunch of Fake Quotes.

28 DO WINGNUT WORDS SHOW THEY EVOLVED BRAINS?11!!  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:56:09pm

Well it makes sense when you realize everything in wingnutopolis is the opposite of reality.

29 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 2:57:41pm

re: #26 A Mom Anon

Now where have I heard that “if you’re not for us, you’re against us” before….it sounds familiar…

And did Valerie Jarrett actually say this?

iz teh bogus:

rightwingwatch.org

30 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:00:19pm

“Prudence” is the source of a whole bunch of Fake Quotes on Twitter. I am so totally BLOCKED by Prudence.

31 calochortus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:00:37pm

re: #29 engineer cat

beat me to it.

32 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:01:19pm

heh, the only time Glenn Beck ever made me smile was when he responded to a suggestion of a Palin-Beck presidential ticket for 2012:

No, no I’m just saying — Beck-Palin, I’ll consider. But Palin-Beck — can you imagine, can you imagine what an administration with the two of us would be like? What? Come on! She’d be yapping or something, and I’d say, “I’m sorry, why am I hearing your voice? I’m not in the kitchen.”

Youtube Video

33 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:04:56pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

well, gee and golly, didn’t Queen Ann say it was the Romneys’ turn?

34 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:04:56pm

re: #32 Backwoods_Sleuth

heh, the only time Glenn Beck ever made me smile was when he responded to a suggestion of a Palin-Beck presidential ticket for 2012:

[Embedded content]

i’m sure glen beck puts his foot down and makes sure his wife knows just who it is who wears the straight jacket in his family

35 DO WINGNUT WORDS SHOW THEY EVOLVED BRAINS?11!!  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:05:57pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

Sometimes I imagine David Koch, sitting at his computer wearing nothing but a Batman mask, dirty wife beater and no pants, in the secret bat cave he had child slaves build deep underground, clicking away and coming up with all these crazy, ridiculous and amateur looking graphics and wingnut memes we see all over the Internet.

36 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:07:51pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

ALL CAPS MAKE IT TRUE!!!

37 DO WINGNUT WORDS SHOW THEY EVOLVED BRAINS?11!!  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:09:24pm

re: #36 jaunte

Caps also help you “REMEMBER WHAT SHE SAID!!!1!!!111”

38 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:10:46pm

Grrrrr.

39 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:12:22pm

re: #38 Gus

Grrrrr.

ATE!

40 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:13:18pm

Imagine Glenn Beck offering a heckler the use of his microphone.

41 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:15:41pm

re: #40 jaunte

Imagine Glenn Beck offering a heckler the use of his microphone.

Is it vibrator shaped?

42 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:17:02pm

re: #39 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

ATE!

Today is another reminder as to why I will never identify myself as a progressive. Ever!

43 blueraven  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:19:40pm

re: #42 Gus

Today is another reminder as to why I will never identify myself as a progressive. Ever!

Greenwald?

44 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:21:48pm

re: #43 blueraven

Greenwald?

Yes. All of it. It’s not just him now. I give up and am resorting to some outbursts on Twitter.

45 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:22:48pm

re: #30 Vicious Babushka

“Prudence” is the source of a whole bunch of Fake Quotes on Twitter. I am so totally BLOCKED by Prudence.

I’ve been restrained by Wisdom, but never blocked by Prudence.

46 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:24:48pm

re: #44 Gus

Yes. All of it. It’s not just him now. I give up and am resorting to some outbursts on Twitter.

He doesn’t speak for all progressives.

47 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:25:03pm

re: #45 Decatur Deb

I’m mostly limited by Capability.

48 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:26:34pm

re: #47 jaunte

I’m mostly limited by Capability.

I’m held up by Suspenders

49 SidewaysQuark  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:27:44pm

re: #24 Vicious Babushka

Wingnuts have this weird conspiracy theory involving Valerie Jarrett everything.

I took the liberty of accurately expanding your statement.

50 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:27:45pm

re: #48 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

I’m held up by Suspenders

In European Lit I was held down by the Mann.

51 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:28:27pm

re: #47 jaunte

I’m mostly limited by Capability.

Indolence is a permanent house-guest of mine.

52 aagcobb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:29:00pm

Its been a big day for the GOP rebranding effort; I imagine after the House vote to deport children and Beck’s remarks, african-americans, hispanics and women will be flocking to register Republican! Its apparent the House GOP and wingnut media only care about pandering to their base and don’t give a damn about the future of the GOP.

53 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:29:37pm

re: #52 aagcobb

Its been a big day for the GOP rebranding effort; I imagine after the House vote to deport children and Beck’s remarks, arican-americans, hispanics and women will be flocking to register Republican! Its apparent the House GOP and wingnut media only care about pandering to their base and don’t give a damn about the future of the GOP.

Good.

54 Kid A  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:31:02pm

Let there be no doubt; no question; no second guessing whatsoever that if Obama was white, the venom would not be anywhere near the level it is today. No. Doubt. At. All. Glenn Beck is NOT an American. He’s a dog whistling pimp of the lowest order. I spit on him.

55 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:34:19pm

re: #52 aagcobb

Its been a big day for the GOP rebranding effort; I imagine after the House vote to deport children and Beck’s remarks, african-americans, hispanics and women will be flocking to register Republican! Its apparent the House GOP and wingnut media only care about pandering to their base and don’t give a damn about the future of the GOP.

That’s exactly what the GOP is up to; frankly, they don’t have anything left except pander to their base.

56 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:34:50pm

re: #54 Kid A

Let there be no doubt; no question; no second guessing whatsoever that if Obama was white, the venom would not be anywhere near the level it is today. No. Doubt. At. All. Glenn Beck is NOT an American. He’s a dog whistling pimp of the lowest order. I spit on him.

He and his audience are the baseline we have to work from. Suck it up.

57 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:38:05pm

re: #52 aagcobb

Its been a big day for the GOP rebranding effort; I imagine after the House vote to deport children and Beck’s remarks, african-americans, hispanics and women will be flocking to register Republican! Its apparent the House GOP and wingnut media only care about pandering to their base and don’t give a damn about the future of the GOP.

Good. May it die an inglorious death.

58 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:38:33pm

Glenn Beck told me that if you say “Michelle Obama” while looking in a mirror in a room with no lights on, Aunt Jemima comes and steals your penis.

59 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:40:55pm

re: #58 The Ghost of a Flea

Glenn Beck told me that if you say “Michelle Obama” while looking in a mirror in a room with no lights on, Aunt Jemima comes and steals your penis.

But she’ll bake you pancakes if you spin around and click your heels three times!

60 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:43:28pm

Wingnuts really have this thing about Valerie Jarrett

61 BigPapa  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:43:51pm

re: #1 Charles Johnson

Don’t anyone dare suggest that racism might be underneath the insane right wing hatred of Michelle Obama, though. Oh no, that would be wrong.

You’re racist for saying as much: wingnut.

The childishly antagonistic ploy to accuse the accuser of the fault is their only respite. But use it they will, over and over and over again.

62 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:45:08pm

re: #61 BigPapa

You’re racist for saying as much: wingnut.

The childishly antagonistic ploy to accuse the accuser of the fault is their only respite. But use it they will, over and over and over again.

U PLAYED TEH RACE CARD1!!! LIBRULZ IS TEH REAL RACISTS!!! KKK FOUNDED BY DEMS!!!!11

63 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:46:30pm

Ladies and gents, the modern right wing:

64 BigPapa  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:47:29pm

re: #62 Vicious Babushka

(vapid wingnutese)

Uh huh. I guess black and brown people are racist because they ‘cry’ racism.

65 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:48:24pm

re: #63 Lidane

Ladies and gents, the modern right wing:

So the new boss is same as the old boss, and the old boss is Henry Ford?

66 bratwurst  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:50:29pm

re: #61 BigPapa

The childishly antagonistic ploy to accuse the accuser of the fault is their only respite. But use it they will, over and over and over again.

It’s actually a legal citation…you remember the case of Rubber v. Glue, right?

67 allegro  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:52:45pm

re: #47 jaunte

I’m mostly limited by Capability.

Now that I’m retired, I’m only limited by the fact that I can’t buy rum on Sundays.

68 Mattand  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:55:04pm

re: #16 Political Atheist

I get some of that from my Dad. I’m like “hey you and mom taught me better than that WTF happened?”

Good luck with that. I still have to have those conversations, and I’m mid-40’s. I still get the old “You just don’t understand” response.

69 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:55:39pm

re: #66 bratwurst

It’s actually a legal citation…you remember the case of Rubber v. Glue, right?

Hm. I think the precedent invoked is Boot vs. Face being stamped Forever.

70 Mattand  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:57:50pm

re: #30 Vicious Babushka

“Prudence” is the source of a whole bunch of Fake Quotes on Twitter. I am so totally BLOCKED by Prudence.

Allow me to help out:

71 Mattand  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 3:59:37pm

I know people weren’t wild about Nancy Reagan, but were they this vicious about her?

The only other FLOTUS I’ve heard of being slagged this badly is Eleanor Roosevelt.

72 dragonath  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:03:33pm

re: #71 Mattand

And Hillary, of course.

73 allegro  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:03:37pm

re: #71 Mattand

I know people weren’t wild about Nancy Reagan, but were they this vicious about her?

The only other FLOTUS I’ve heard of being slagged this badly is Eleanor Roosevelt.

As I recall, in my circles at least, Nancy took some heat. The astrology thing first comes to mind - on the left that was quite a source of hilarity (with a creepiness factor). Then there was that second wife/other woman thing that seemed to keep a lot of righties from entirely trusting her.

74 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:03:51pm

re: #71 Mattand

I know people weren’t wild about Nancy Reagan, but were they this vicious about her?

I don’t think so, but I was 7 when Reagan got elected in 1980, so I can’t say for sure. I remember that she was made fun of for having a White House astrologer, and for the painfully naive Just Say No campaign, but the rest is hazy.

The only other FLOTUS I’ve heard of being slagged this badly is Eleanor Roosevelt.

Two words: Hillary Clinton.

75 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:07:22pm

Why attack Michelle Obama?

Because they don’t have one other fucking thing they can actually attack with.

76 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:08:08pm

Is it just me or does the movie “The Purge” just sound incredibly stupid?

77 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:09:23pm
78 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:10:37pm

re: #76 Kragar

Is it just me or does the movie “The Purge” just sound incredibly stupid?

Is it about bulimia?

79 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:11:07pm

And now, the misinformation starts getting exposed:

80 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:11:08pm

re: #75 Kragar

Why attack Michelle Obama?

Because they don’t have one other fucking thing they can actually attack with.

Sometimes, a hater boner wants what a hate boner wants.

Also, a bunch of complicated stuff about existing racist, sexist tropes about black women being portrayed as “masculine” and thus unattractive and dangerous. With a side order of insulting the President by characterizing him as a man dominated by women, because that’s how patriarchy rolls.

81 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:11:37pm

re: #78 wrenchwench

Is it about bulimia?

Seems like more violence porn with a paper thing plot wrapper

82 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:12:40pm

re: #81 Kragar

Seems like more violence porn with a paper thing plot wrapper

Then yes, incredibly stupid.

83 dragonath  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:13:23pm

The only other people who hated Eleanor in her era were real, honest to goodness, actual Nazis.

That helps put things in perspective.

84 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:13:49pm

re: #79 Charles Johnson

And now, the misinformation starts getting exposed:

That’s what THEY want you to think!!

85 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:14:33pm

Google is also denying the reports that they participate in PRISM.

86 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:15:49pm

There is just something absolutely hilarious about the wingnuts and the media both expressing shock, horror, and outrage at the recent “revelations” concerning FISA, the NSA, and the Patriot Act.

87 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:16:38pm

re: #82 wrenchwench

Then yes, incredibly stupid.

“From the Producers of Paranormal Activity….”

and we’re done here.

88 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:17:23pm

re: #86 Targetpractice

There is just something absolutely hilarious about the wingnuts and the media both expressing shock, horror, and outrage at the recent “revelations” concerning FISA, the NSA, and the Patriot Act.

Civil liberties in the US were significantly compromised by blind panic after 9/11. This is supposed to be news in 2013?

89 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:18:09pm

re: #86 Targetpractice

There is just something absolutely hilarious about the wingnuts and the media both expressing shock, horror, and outrage at the recent “revelations” concerning FISA, the NSA, and the Patriot Act.

Some of them seem to dimly realize that there’s a slight contradiction in their outrage levels, and are trying to divert the discussion into more fruitful areas:

90 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:18:18pm

re: #88 EPR-radar

Civil liberties in the US were significantly compromised by blind panic after 9/11. This is supposed to be news in 2013?

2001: “If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got no reason to be afraid!”
2013: “How dare the NSA go snooping through my call history?!”

91 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:18:42pm

Also, too:

92 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:19:37pm

re: #89 Charles Johnson

Some of them seem to dimly realize that there’s a slight contradiction in their outrage levels, and are trying to divert the discussion into more fruitful areas:

You know, she might have a point. Let’s call bin Laden and see if he wants to comment on this story.

///

93 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:19:44pm

So basically, Obama’s critics want him to do everything possible to protect America from terrorism, as long as it doesn’t involve military action, drones, surveillance, intelligence-gathering, or outreach programs.

Apart from that he can do anything to protect us.

94 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:21:06pm

Oh brother. What a fucking clusterfuck is right.

95 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:21:35pm

re: #93 Charles Johnson

So basically, Obama’s critics want him to do everything possible to protect America from terrorism, as long as it doesn’t involve military action, drones, surveillance, intelligence-gathering, or outreach programs.

Apart from that he can do anything to protect us.

To secure America, Obama must impeach himself at once.
/

96 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:21:48pm

re: #86 Targetpractice

There is just something absolutely hilarious about the wingnuts and the media both expressing shock, horror, and outrage at the recent “revelations” concerning FISA, the NSA, and the Patriot Act.

i’m shocked to find out that the patriot act doesn’t specify that only terrorist looking people can have their phones tapped

who knew?

97 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:23:12pm

re: #94 Gus

Oh brother. What a fucking clusterfuck is right.

Interviewing Ron Paul? What, was John McCain too shy to get in front of the cameras?

98 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:24:08pm

re: #86 Targetpractice

There is just something absolutely hilarious about the wingnuts and the media both expressing shock, horror, and outrage at the recent “revelations” concerning FISA, the NSA, and the Patriot Act.

We’re talking about the same media that was nothing more than the White House steno pool in the days and years after 9/11. The Patriot Act, the rush to invade Iraq, WMD, etc.— they failed at every turn.

Gee. You mean expanding government surveillance via a broad, vaguely defined pile of emotional crap like the Patriot Act might be a problem? Pfft. Only a librul or a commie terrorist sympathizer would believe that.

////

99 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:24:10pm
100 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:24:13pm
101 engineer cat  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:25:24pm

re: #93 Charles Johnson

So basically, Obama’s critics want him to do everything possible to protect America from terrorism, as long as it doesn’t involve military action, drones, surveillance, intelligence-gathering, or outreach programs.

Apart from that he can do anything to protect us.

everybody knows the best way to keep america secure is to act tough and talk smack

oh, and buy very expensive weapons systems. make sure you do that

102 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:26:55pm

re: #101 engineer cat

everybody knows the best way to keep america secure is to act tough and talk smack

oh, and buy very expensive weapons systems. make sure you do that

Why not? It worked for Reagan. =P

103 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:27:02pm

re: #96 engineer cat

i’m shocked to find out that the patriot act doesn’t specify that only terrorist looking people can have their phones tapped

who knew?

re: #96 engineer cat

i’m shocked to find out that the patriot act doesn’t specify that only terrorist looking people can have their phones tapped

who knew?

The fact that the Patriot Act does not specify that only Muslims are to lose civil liberties is still more evidence that Bush II was really a RINO, and may even have been an Islamist sympathizer.

104 darthstar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:28:40pm

I wonder if their clients will be seeking refunds…

Two ‘life-coach’ radio hosts commit suicide together.

Two life coaches who hosted a radio show called “The Pursuit of Happiness” apparently committed suicide together in their Brooklyn apartment, police said.
Motivational speaker John Littig, 48, and his common-law psychotherapist wife, Lynne Rosen, 46, were found with plastic bags over their heads and a tube attached to a canister of helium, according to police.

Helium? Their last words must have been audible only to dogs.

105 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:31:10pm

re: #100 Charles Johnson

Tell Anderson I’ve got a potted plant that might provide more cogent insight, and has less skeevy connections to Lew Rockwell.

106 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:32:02pm

re: #104 darthstar

I wonder if their clients will be seeking refunds…

Two ‘life-coach’ radio hosts commit suicide together.

Helium? Their last words must have been audible only to dogs.

They were on WBAI. Only a few hard-of-hearing old Lefties ever listened.

107 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:32:34pm

re: #104 darthstar

I wonder if their clients will be seeking refunds…

Two ‘life-coach’ radio hosts commit suicide together.

Helium? Their last words must have been audible only to dogs.

I’m thinking autoerotic asphyxiation gone wrong.

108 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:33:39pm

re: #107 Kragar

I’m thinking autoerotic asphyxiation gone wrong.

Uh-uh. Elaborate helium suicide systems are in vogue.

109 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:34:27pm

re: #96 engineer cat

i’m shocked to find out that the patriot act doesn’t specify that only terrorist looking people can have their phones tapped

who knew?

maybe they have an audio filter for brown people…

110 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:35:07pm

re: #108 Decatur Deb

Uh-uh. Elaborate helium suicide systems are in vogue.

Nope, its porn related until confirmed otherwise.

111 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:35:31pm

re: #97 Targetpractice

Interviewing Ron Paul? What, was John McCain too shy to get in front of the cameras?

McCain is off to another country looking to start a war…

112 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:36:33pm

I’ve known about PRISM for years. This isn’t news.

But I have to say I don’t blame anyone for being a little freaked out by the scale of this program, because it really is massive. And it does raise issues of government intrusion, absolutely.

Issues that should have been fucking considered before Congress gave the federal government what amounts to a blank check for the “War on Terrorism,” in an emotion-based piece of legislation that went way too far.

This stinky old turd of a story is becoming an issue now because of the media pile-on effect. They’re in scandal-hunting mode and will hype just about any story that bubbles up from any source.

113 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:37:42pm


Generated a lot of push-back, and poster says it was just a joke.

114 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:39:52pm

re: #112 Charles Johnson

I’ve known about PRISM for years. This isn’t news.

But I have to say I don’t blame anyone for being a little freaked out by the scale of this program, because it really is massive. And it does raise issues of government intrusion, absolutely.

Issues that should have been fucking considered before Congress gave the federal government what amounts to blank check for the “War on Terrorism,” in an emotion-based piece of legislation that went way too far.

This stinky old turd of a story is becoming an issue now because of the media pile-on effect. They’re in scandal-hunting mode and will hype just about any story that bubbles up from any source.

Shit’s been going on since the days of the Zimmerman Telegram. The only limit on scale is technology. Memory is fast and cheap now.

115 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:40:05pm
116 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:41:24pm

re: #115 Gus

Wow. Apparently those slides published by the Guardian were full of shit.

117 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:42:17pm

Glenn Greenwald may have really blown it this time. Looks like somebody fed him bad information.

118 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:42:19pm

re: #116 Charles Johnson

Wow. Apparently those slides published by the Guardian were full of shit.

Hope so!

119 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:43:06pm
120 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:43:48pm

re: #119 Gus

“Direct” is a very small word.

121 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:45:03pm

Google, Facebook, Apple have all issued denials now. And not squishy denials - they’re all saying the story is totally false.

122 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:45:13pm

re: #117 Charles Johnson

Glenn Greenwald may have really blown it this time. Looks like somebody fed him bad information.

Good. I watched him on Maher and wanted to slap him.

123 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:45:44pm

re: #120 Decatur Deb

“Direct” is a very small word.

It’s the first line of Greenwald’s story: NSA Has Direct Access to Tech Giants’ Systems for User Data, Secret Files Reveal | World News | the Guardian

The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian.

124 Bubblehead II  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:46:12pm

Sleep Lizards

125 bratwurst  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:46:14pm

re: #117 Charles Johnson

Glenn Greenwald may have really blown it this time. Looks like somebody fed him bad information.

Somebody warn him before his dislocates his shoulder patting himself on the back!

126 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:47:43pm

re: #124 Bubblehead II

Sleep Lizards

You can’t hypnotize me yo..

127 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:47:43pm

re: #104 darthstar

I wonder if their clients will be seeking refunds…

Two ‘life-coach’ radio hosts commit suicide together.

Helium? Their last words must have been audible only to dogs.

Omg laughing. Shouldn’t. But am.

128 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:48:06pm

re: #123 Charles Johnson

It’s the first line of Greenwald’s story: NSA Has Direct Access to Tech Giants’ Systems for User Data, Secret Files Reveal | World News | the Guardian

Don’t know Greenwald from Adam, but if NSA has access, it doesn’t necessarily mean the tech corps know it.

The Truth Is Out There.
You will never know it.

129 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:49:13pm

re: #128 Decatur Deb

Don’t know Greenwald from Adam, but if NSA has access, it doesn’t necessarily mean the tech corps know it.

The Truth Is Out There.
You will never know it.

Right - but the story claims that these companies are willingly allowing the government direct access to their servers.

130 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:50:18pm

re: #129 Charles Johnson

Right - but the story claims that these companies are willingly allowing the government direct access to their servers.

Why!! That would mean someone in Intelligence is lying!!

131 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:50:50pm
132 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:51:28pm
133 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:52:36pm

re: #123 Charles Johnson

It’s the first line of Greenwald’s story: NSA Has Direct Access to Tech Giants’ Systems for User Data, Secret Files Reveal | World News | the Guardian

Nice graphics! //

134 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:53:16pm

re: #128 Decatur Deb

Unless the NSA actually have quantum computers, which is pretty wildly unlikely, then it’s even more wildly unlikely they could hack tech giants without them knowing.

It’s like, me getting married to Carrot Top unlikely.

135 darthstar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:55:47pm

I guess stand your ground now extends to services not rendered.

gawker.com

136 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:57:15pm

re: #134 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Unless the NSA actually have quantum computers, which is pretty wildly unlikely, then it’s even more wildly unlikely they could hack tech giants without them knowing.

It’s like, me getting married to Carrot Top unlikely.

Even if NSA had quantum computers, hacking directly into tech giant servers without being caught is most unlikely.

The two likely possibilities seem be be: 1) someone fed the Guardian et al. a pack of lies, or 2) the tech giants are lying.

137 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:57:44pm

re: #134 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Unless the NSA actually have quantum computers, which is pretty wildly unlikely, then it’s even more wildly unlikely they could hack tech giants without them knowing.

It’s like, me getting married to Carrot Top unlikely.

I have no idea of NSA’s capability. Neither does anyone else who has ever claimed to.

138 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:57:46pm

re: #112 Charles Johnson

I’ve known about PRISM for years. This isn’t news.

But I have to say I don’t blame anyone for being a little freaked out by the scale of this program, because it really is massive. And it does raise issues of government intrusion, absolutely.

Issues that should have been fucking considered before Congress gave the federal government what amounts to a blank check for the “War on Terrorism,” in an emotion-based piece of legislation that went way too far.

This stinky old turd of a story is becoming an issue now because of the media pile-on effect. They’re in scandal-hunting mode and will hype just about any story that bubbles up from any source.

One point lost is the mentality and reality of possibly more severe attacks in the months and early years past 9/11. Then the weight of our military and intel service actions diminished the risk as years passed. It is simply unfair to treat today as 10/11. That’s why there was a sunset clause. Well the sun ain’t setting anytime soon. So the question arises-Why the hell not? Has a decade of war had so little tangible success we can’t reverse these laws? IIRC it used to be about the offshore threat. Now it’s all about at home. I do not think we need the patriot act to deal with skinhead and redneck militias. What we have is a spy industry that has all the same risks as the military industrial complex as Eisenhower saw it. Self justifying, subject to rules it makes itself and god help an ISP that says NO.

The fact the media is on a scandal hunt describes how late they are to a valid concern. I’m not pissed they are into it, I’m pissed it took so long. This is bigger than party politics.

139 darthstar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 4:58:17pm

So the NSA is reading our blogs now, are they?

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140 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:00:02pm

re: #139 darthstar

So the NSA is reading our blogs now, are they?

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No, but you’re going to be getting some great pop-up ads.

141 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:00:09pm

Must miss TV:

142 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:01:31pm

re: #137 Decatur Deb

Quantum computing is in the future. But the NSA could have capacity we can’t really anticipate. They have black program tech from a big black budget. Who could have understood the SR-71 when it first flew? Only the builders and users.

143 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:01:55pm

re: #139 darthstar

So the NSA is reading our blogs now, are they?

Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis!

You’re doing the MechaPenis summoning ritual?

144 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:02:54pm

re: #141 wrenchwench

At least Glenn Greenwald is consistent on civil liberties, being just as bothered by these issues with the Obama administration as with the Bush administration.

There aren’t many politicians and pundits who can claim the same.

145 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:03:06pm

re: #139 darthstar

So the NSA is reading our blogs now, are they?

Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Tacos! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis! Penis!

146 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:03:26pm

re: #137 Decatur Deb

I have no idea of NSA’s capability. Neither does anyone else who has ever claimed to.

Well, we have some idea. We know that they recruit a lot of bright kids but not anywhere close to the majority of them. We also know a lot of their defense against crypto is trying to prevent it being allowed on the market. They also fund a ton of great math research, all of which is published openly.

My friend used to work for them and now he’s in a mental hospital, of his own volition. A really fancy one.

147 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:04:00pm

BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO PUT GPS IMPLANTS IN OUR PIZZAS AND HAVE THE NSA TRACK US! SOON HE’LL CALL FOR MARTIAL LAW!! IMPEACH HIM NOW AND REPLACE HIM WITH DENNIS KUCINICH!!

148 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:04:29pm

re: #141 wrenchwench

Must miss TV:

Yes. Must miss including all three of those dorks.

149 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:05:17pm

re: #144 EPR-radar

At least Glenn Greenwald is consistent on civil liberties, being just as bothered by these issues with the Obama administration as with the Bush administration.

There aren’t many politicians and pundits who can claim the same.

The words ‘At least xyz is consistent…’ do not ever cause any kind of good reaction from me.

150 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:05:49pm

re: #142 Political Atheist

Quantum computing is in the future. But the NSA could have capacity we can’t really anticipate. They have black program tech from a big black budget. Who could have understood the SR-71 when it first flew? Only the builders and users.

A federal procurement agency used to joke “We have four Directorates: Stateside, Industrial, and International”.

151 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:06:04pm

Obviously, what we really need to do is LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION!

152 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:06:40pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Obviously, what we really need to do is LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION!

…what is this, I don’t even…?

153 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:08:07pm

re: #147 Gus

BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO PUT GPS IMPLANTS IN OUR PIZZAS AND HAVE THE NSA TRACK US! SOON HE’LL CALL FOR MARTIAL LAW!! IMPEACH HIM NOW AND REPLACE HIM WITH DENIS KUCINICH!!

I hear if you say PRISM while looking in the mirror in an unlit room, Eric Holder sneaks into your house and rearranges the contents of your spice cabinet.

Then he gives you a vasectomy.

154 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:08:09pm

re: #149 wrenchwench

The words ‘At least xyz is consistent…’ do not ever cause any kind of good reaction from me.

Fair point, since cranks are often consistent about their pet peeves. However, if basic civil liberties become just another partisan football in the US, the rot really has gone deep.

155 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:08:10pm

Not to sound like all Alex Jones-y here, but to be honest, if Apple, Google, Yahoo!, YouTube, etc., really were cooperating with the NSA and allowing them direct access to their respective servers, I’d sort of expect them to deny it.

Because TOP SECRET project related to national security.

156 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:08:12pm

re: #152 Targetpractice

…what is this, I don’t even…?

Bad signage again—she meant “Supersize the Constitution”.

157 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:08:34pm

re: #137 Decatur Deb

I have no idea of NSA’s capability. Neither does anyone else who has ever claimed to.

Sometimes movies are just movies.

158 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:09:17pm

re: #142 Political Atheist

Quantum computing is in the future. But the NSA could have capacity we can’t really anticipate. They have black program tech from a big black budget. Who could have understood the SR-71 when it first flew? Only the builders and users.

Russian radar tech actually advanced faster than our stealth tech. Detection is an easier problem to solve, especially when you can just layer resources on it the way the Soviets could.

The idea of radar-defeating objects was pretty old, too. That started back with the Ho 229. Someone did a really cool recreation of it and actually tested and confirmed it.

159 Kragar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:09:31pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Obviously, what we really need to do is LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION!

Youtube Video

160 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:10:16pm

re: #155 Dr Lizardo

It just… the number of people involved in the conspiracy would have to be huge, because traffic is really impossible to disguise on a network.

161 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:10:24pm

re: #157 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Sometimes movies are just movies.

Sometimes movies and TV shows are the basis for national policy.

162 Beauzeaux  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:10:25pm

To add a bit o balance — I was just in Nevada with my 79-year-old aunt and 89-year-old uncle. They are big Obama supporters, knew the invasion of Iraq was a put-up job BEFORE it happened, and admire the First Lady greatly.
They are white, working class and my aunt recently apologized to me for not understanding my opposition to the Vietnam war back when it was going on. I’m 71 myself. So I point to us as proof that not all old farts are in fact, old farts.

163 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:11:14pm

re: #155 Dr Lizardo

Not to sound like all Alex Jones-y here, but to be honest, if Apple, Google, Yahoo!, YouTube, etc., really were cooperating with the NSA and allowing them direct access to their respective servers, I’d sort of expect them to deny it.

Because TOP SECRET project related to national security.

Agreed. IMO, it is premature to jump to any conclusions here, but the corporate denials do not close the case.

164 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:11:27pm

My dad was complaining that the neighbors across the street before they sold their house were obnoxious.

Before I go farther, I should mention that my grandfather mentioned that my Dad does tend to be bigoted against Muslims, and according to my grandfather, is concealing it because his son (me) became one. He tends to act like a WASP from the turn of the century

Well, the new neighbors across the street who bought the house? Muslim.

I never knew how much joy I could get out of a bigot’s discomfort until now.

165 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:11:42pm

re: #162 Beauzeaux

To add a bit o balance — I was just in Nevada with my 79-year-old aunt and 89-year-old uncle. They are big Obama supporters, knew the invasion of Iraq was a put-up job BEFORE it happened, and admire the First Lady greatly.
They are white, working class and my aunt recently apologized to me for not understanding my opposition to the Vietnam war back when it was going on. I’m 71 myself. So I point to us as proof that not all old farts are in fact, old farts.

Bless them—where do you think we learned it?

166 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:11:49pm

I’d like to see Obama square today’s news with this campaign quote.

There should be no contradiction between keeping America secure and respecting our constitution.

Youtube Video

167 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:13:05pm

re: #164 ProTARDISLiberal

My dad was complaining that the neighbors across the street before they sol their house were obnoxious.

Before I go farther, I should mention that my grandfather mentioned that my Dad does tend to be bigoted against Muslims, and according to my grandfather, is concealing it because his son (me) became one. He tends to act like a WASP from the turn of the century

Well, the new neighbors across the street. Muslim.

I never knew how much joy I could get out of a bigot’s discomfort until now.

Sweet, sweet schadenfreude.

168 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:13:38pm

re: #166 Political Atheist

I’d like to see Obama square today’s news with this campaign quote.

[Embedded content]

When the DoJ and USSC are done, whatever happened will be found to have been arguably constitutional.

169 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:14:23pm

re: #168 Decatur Deb

When the DoJ and USSC are done, whatever happened will be found to have been arguably constitutional.

Tame courts, like the FISC, are helpful for this.

170 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:15:21pm

re: #154 EPR-radar

Fair point, since cranks are often consistent about their pet peeves. However, if basic civil liberties become just another partisan football in the US, the rot really has gone deep.

Basic civil liberties have always been a partisan football unless you were a white man. Now it may have become an issue for them as well.

171 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:15:25pm

re: #163 EPR-radar

Agreed. IMO, it is premature to jump to any conclusions here, but the corporate denials do not close the case.

It could be:

-a whole lotta nothing

-a whole lotta bullshit

-a story with very serious implications regarding Constitutional matters (not to mention one hell of a scoop)

Time will tell.

172 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:15:33pm

It’s simple. Let the sun set on the Patriot act. Failure to do so is an affront to our society. At some point just focusing on the partisan angle is a variant of heads in the sand. A way to ignore what we know are the longer term issues. longer than a president or a house majority.

173 compound_Idaho  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:17:46pm

I thought FISC stood for foreign intelligence surveillance court.

174 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:18:45pm
175 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:18:53pm

re: #170 wrenchwench

Basic civil liberties have always been a partisan football unless you were a white man. Now it may have become an issue for them as well.

White alone was never enough. Powerless whites get the same shitty cells.

176 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:19:52pm

re: #170 wrenchwench

Basic civil liberties have always been a partisan football unless you were a white man. Now it may have become an issue for them as well.

All the more reason to get after it. Shows we are late to the task. Very late.

177 bubba zanetti  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:20:35pm

re: #151 Charles Johnson

Obviously, what we really need to do is LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION!

Why can’t these wingnuts spell constitution? It’s like they’re so sexually repressed they realize they wrote TIT and their brains clam up for a second?

178 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:21:09pm

re: #173 compound_Idaho

I thought FISC stood for foreign intelligence surveillance court.

If you can just keep those furriners talking among themselves.

179 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:21:46pm

re: #154 EPR-radar

Fair point, since cranks are often consistent about their pet peeves. However, if basic civil liberties become just another partisan football in the US, the rot really has gone deep.

Alex Jones thinks the government creates gay people with chemicals. The guy is a straight up lunatic who only believes in civil liberties for some people.

Youtube Video

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

180 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:22:05pm


Now, go to the wingnut site on this link and read about the horrific election fraud that was committed: THEY COLLECTED BOGUS SIGNATURES ON A PETITION TO PUT OBAMA’S NAME ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT.

THAT. IS. ALL.

181 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:22:34pm

re: #175 Decatur Deb

White alone was never enough. Powerless whites just get the same shitty cells.

Absolutely so. ‘If you’re poor and white, you just ain’t right.’

182 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:23:43pm

re: #176 Political Atheist

All the more reason to get after it. Shows we are late to the task. Very late.

It doesn’t show that. That’s always been obvious. To some.

183 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:25:08pm

re: #158 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Russian radar tech actually advanced faster than our stealth tech. Detection is an easier problem to solve, especially when you can just layer resources on it the way the Soviets could.

The idea of radar-defeating objects was pretty old, too. That started back with the Ho 229. Someone did a really cool recreation of it and actually tested and confirmed it.

From what a pal that worked at Northrup in the model dept at the time told me, the design was all about aerodynamics, and the low radar cross section was not a motive that drove the design. “Nazi stealth plane” made more headline than sense.

184 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:26:08pm

re: #179 goddamnedfrank

Does anyone have the magic decoder ring that separates ‘foolish consistency’ from ‘principled convictions’?

My two main beefs with the Democrats since 2008 is that they have been close to useless on financial reform, and that the civil liberties issues under Bush magically became non-issues under Obama.

185 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:27:01pm
186 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:27:24pm

LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION I SAY!

187 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:28:43pm

re: #186 Charles Johnson

LEGALIZE THE CONSTITION I SAY!

How many of these signs are there?

188 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:28:48pm

re: #175 Decatur Deb

White alone was never enough. Powerless whites get the same shitty cells.

They don’t get looked at as often.

189 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:30:04pm

re: #183 Political Atheist

From what a pal that worked at Northrup in the model dept at the time told me, the design was all about aerodynamics, and the low radar cross section was not a motive that drove the design. “Nazi stealth plane” made more headline than sense.

Happenstance of design, sort of like how the wooden construction of the Mosquito reduced it’s radar cross-section, despite it’s design otherwise being totally conventional.

190 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:30:23pm

I Googled “Constition”

About 1,350,000 results (0.29 seconds)
Did you mean: constitution

191 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:30:41pm

re: #188 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

They don’t get looked at as often.

Tell Bradley Manning.

192 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:30:50pm

re: #167 Dr Lizardo

I must be everything my Dad hates incarnate.

You know what the best revenge will be for me against him for giving me emotional abuse for years?

Me being me.

193 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:31:21pm

re: #190 Vicious Babushka

I Googled “Constition”

About 1,350,000 results (0.29 seconds)
Did you mean: constitution

You have to force Google to find the misspelling. It really wants to help.

194 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:31:57pm

re: #188 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

They don’t get looked at as often.

Maybe not as often, but classism trumps racism almost every time.

195 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:33:08pm

re: #193 Charles Johnson

Speaking of which.

Two Easy

196 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:33:52pm

When did the Constition become illegal?

197 Feline Fearless Leader  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:34:21pm

Good evening Lizards.

Avoiding political reading for the rest of the day. Going to go read fiction while a pot of soup simmers.*

* - Black bean vegetable with sausage. Seeing how a smoked chorizo works for adding a bit of zest.

198 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:34:31pm

Also, Gummy Bear surgery.

199 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:34:36pm

re: #196 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

When did the Constition become illegal?

When liberals became fascists.

200 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:35:47pm

re: #199 Decatur Deb

When liberals became fascists.

Now THAT is Rebranding.

201 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:35:47pm

I’m out for a bit. This focus on the partisan side of the NSA scandal just IMHO just reeks. This is no false or fake issue. It’s as real as the facilities built to hold our data. Our formerly private data.

202 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:36:40pm

re: #184 EPR-radar

Does anyone have the magic decoder ring that separates ‘foolish consistency’ from ‘principled convictions’?

Yeah, you can tell by the scapegoating of unpopular minorities. The ACLU and SPLC seems to operate on principled convictions without sacrificing their integrity.

My two main beefs with the Democrats since 2008 is that they have been close to useless on financial reform, and that the civil liberties issues under Bush magically became non-issues under Obama.

Except that you see plenty of Democrats still making a big deal out of both issues. Sure many of them have rolled over and there’s been a lot of institutional paralysis , but it’s hard to make the case that had the Republican’s been in charge there’d be no difference.

203 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:36:48pm

re: #196 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

When did the Constition become illegal?

That’s the problem… IT WAS NEVER LEGALIZED!

We just need to fix this right away.

204 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:37:56pm

The steaks have never been higher!

205 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:37:56pm

re: #196 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

When did the Constition become illegal?

That’s where I’m at. Legalize it? Doesn’t make a bit of sense.

206 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:37:57pm

re: #201 Political Atheist

I’m out for a bit. This focus on the partisan side of the NSA scandal just IMHO just reeks. This is no false or fake issue. It’s as real as the facilities built to hold our data. Our formerly private data.

We have focus?

207 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:38:41pm

The NSA gathers intelligence. Who knew.

208 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:40:05pm

People, we’ve been sitting here with an un-legalized Constition for more than 200 years. I think it’s time — legalize it. Legalize the Constition.

209 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:40:21pm

ZOMG MOAR HORRIBLER THEN BENGHAZI!!!11!!!!

210 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:42:01pm

re: #207 Gus

The NSA gathers intelligence. Who knew.

We need someone or something to distribute intelligence.

211 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:42:32pm

re: #209 Vicious Babushka

ZOMG MOAR HORRIBLER THEN BENGHAZI!!!11!!!!

MOAR HORRIBLER THEN BENGHAZI??!! ITZ NOT POSSIBUL!!1!

212 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:43:19pm

re: #210 wrenchwench

We need someone or something to distribute intelligence.

As we used to say when I was a kid, “When they gave out smarts, he/she thought they said farts, and he/she didn’t want any of those!”

213 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:43:51pm

Remember when Card and Gonzales went to Ashcroft’s hospital room and tried to get him to override Comey to reauthorize bypassing the FISA courts entirely and much of the leadership at the Justice Department threatened to resign?

That was awesome.

Okay, so the FISA court turned out to be kind of a rubber stamp. Color me shocked that the government has my metadata. Maybe we should lean on our legislators to do something about it rather than act all surprised that a huge institutional bureaucracy acts like a huge institutional bureaucracy.

214 wrenchwench  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:44:37pm

Shopping night. Later, lizards.

215 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:45:20pm

re: #210 wrenchwench

We need someone or something to distribute intelligence.

That would be the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Members:
Mike Rogers, Michigan, Chair
Mac Thornberry, Texas
Jeff Miller, Florida
Mike Conaway, Texas
Peter King, New York
Frank LoBiondo, New Jersey
Devin Nunes, California
Lynn Westmoreland, Georgia
Michele Bachmann, Minnesota
Tom Rooney, Florida
Joe Heck, Nevada
Mike Pompeo, Kansas
Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland, Ranking Member
Mike Thompson, California
Jan Schakowsky, Illinois
James Langevin, Rhode Island
Adam Schiff, California
Luis Gutiérrez, Illinois
Ed Pastor, Arizona
Jim Himes, Connecticut
Terri Sewell, Alabama

216 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:46:17pm

re: #209 Vicious Babushka

ZOMG MOAR HORRIBLER THEN BENGHAZI!!!11!!!!

J. Christian Adams, former Bush DOJ senior lawyer and the guy who made a name for himself alleging that the New Black Panther’s case showed the DOJ’s Civil Rights case division was biased against white people. Spent last year trying to get Virginia courts to allow Bachmann and other candidates onto the VA ballot after they’d failed to spend the time to scrape together enough signatures.

217 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:46:56pm

re: #214 wrenchwench

Shopping night. Later, lizards.

Huh?

218 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:47:06pm

re: #213 goddamnedfrank

Maybe we should lean on our legislators to do something about it rather than act all surprised that a huge institutional bureaucracy acts like a huge institutional bureaucracy.

There are two theatre performances for the American spectator this week:

(1) NSA is spying on us!

(2)

IRS!!!


What won’t we do to entertain ourselves.

219 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:47:53pm

If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend this book from 1983: The Puzzle Palace: Inside the National Security Agency, America’s Most Secret Intelligence Organization.

220 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:48:15pm

re: #213 goddamnedfrank

I used to get into arguments with Wingnuts about that. I explained, over and over and over, that the issue was the Bush Administration saying they had the authority to wiretap with no warrants and neither Congress nor the Courts could say anything about it. The Wingers said “You think Bush is spying on you!”

Then I’d explain it again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Later, Congress passed a law authorizing the President to set up a program of warrentless wiretapping. The Wingers said, “You must be pissed now that Congress said it’s okay.”

Then I’d explain it again. It was like talking to a wall.

221 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:48:34pm

re: #215 Decatur Deb

That Michele Bachmann is on this list is truly a travesty.

222 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:48:48pm

re: #218 freetoken

There are two theatre performances for the American spectator this week:

(1) NSA is spying on us!

(2)


What we won’t do to entertain ourselves.

The media’s trying to keep “Scandal-mania” alive so as to keep bullshitting people into believing in the media-created myth of the “Second Term Curse.”

223 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:49:44pm

Doctor Who Canon is deep.

224 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:50:30pm

re: #222 Targetpractice

The media’s trying to keep “Scandal-mania” alive so as to keep bullshitting people into believing in the media-created myth of the “Second Term Curse.”

Pretty much. This is how they keep people watching when it’s not an election year.

225 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:51:36pm

re: #222 Targetpractice

In one of my very rare adventures out in the automobile today, I turned on the radio to check out the talkers… and it never changes. Hedgecock was ranting about the evil of Obama’s IRS, Jon and Ken were making fun of some poor soul, and so on.

We have a real voyeurism problem. We get excited at other people’s mistakes/pains/failures/tragedies. And if we can’t find a new one today, we’ll make one up.

226 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:51:59pm

re: #224 Charles Johnson

Pretty much. This is how they keep people watching when it’s not an election year.

Or at least until later this summer, when we get to watch the GOP play brinkmanship again with the debt ceiling.

227 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:53:25pm

re: #208 Charles Johnson

People, we’ve been sitting here with an un-legalized Constition for more than 200 years. I think it’s time — legalize it. Legalize the Constition.

Is the Constition smokable?

228 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:54:47pm

re: #217 Stanghazi

Huh?

Weirdly, some people shop only once a week.

Go figure, eh?

229 Single-handed sailor  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:55:54pm

re: #227 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Is the Constition smokable?

it’s written on hemp…

230 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:55:58pm

It’s not so much who gathers information about us but what they do with that information.

231 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:56:23pm

Why, sure. That sounds reasonable.

232 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:56:28pm

re: #229 Single-handed sailor

it’s written on hemp…

Are you talking Constitution, or Constition?

233 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:56:38pm

re: #230 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Maybe the IRS/NSA could sell it to Facebook and help pay down the debt?

234 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 5:58:45pm

The NSA can probably read your smartphone screen from orbit.
Choosing the right one, that’s the challenge.

235 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:01:35pm
236 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:03:02pm

re: #234 jaunte

The NSA can probably read your smartphone screen from orbit.
Choosing the right one, that’s the challenge.

This is probably the NRO’s job. en.wikipedia.org

237 Lidane  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:05:20pm

re: #231 Charles Johnson

Can someone please get that man laid and stoned on weed already? Dude seriously needs to relax and take it down a few notches.

238 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:05:37pm

re: #235 jaunte

One year, during the time cellphones (telefonini) were coming into use in Italy, about 25% of divorce cases involved phone evidence. Since then they have adapted, exploiting throw-aways and totally sanitized devices.

239 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:06:16pm
240 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:06:25pm
241 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:06:28pm

Sounding like a broken record here, but I still think so much of these OUTRAGES! in our society has to do with what I keep labeling “worldview collapse”.

One of the topics the talkers are pushing is the acceptance of the BSA of gay members now, and how a major Baptist denomination is going to withdraw their support for the BSA because of it.

The old ways of thinking are not working very well in America in 2013 and some people really are afraid of that, and the fear is making them angry. The very religious concept of what life was supposed to be, that was so prevalent in this country for so long, is just not working anymore. Conservative Protestantism (which is ironic at it’s core) and all its many spin-offs in this country (e.g. Pentecostals, Mormons, etc.) really did dominate American life at one time, but not anymore.

And that really, really scares some people.

Those of us who are outside that circle may not be appreciating how radical is modernity (a la 2013) to these people.

242 bubba zanetti  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:06:42pm

re: #227 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Doan criticize it, mon

Youtube Video

243 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:08:26pm

re: #228 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Weirdly, some people shop only once a week.

Go figure, eh?

No, WW didn’t leave me with a funny. I count on her.

She must have been rushed.

244 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:08:34pm

re: #240 Gus

Don’t tell me. Show me. 85% of Patriot act derived evidence charges have nothing to do with terrorism.

245 jaunte  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:11:05pm
246 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:12:45pm

Breaking:

NSA Server Farms Brought to Their Knees by Fucking FaceBook Kittens.

247 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:13:58pm

re: #245 jaunte

But…but…but…2 people whom I haven’t worked with for 20 years just endorsed me for stuff I didn’t do when they knew me!

And now you say nobody cares?

//

248 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:14:16pm

re: #243 Stanghazi

No, WW didn’t leave me with a funny. I count on her.

She must have been rushed.

I thought you were in shock about having only one shopping day.

249 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:14:36pm

re: #237 Lidane

Can someone please get that man laid and stoned on weed already? Dude seriously needs to relax and take it down a few notches.

Bryan is the type of guy who would get paranoid if he got high.

250 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:15:46pm

re: #248 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

I thought you were in shock about having only one shopping day.

EVeryday is shopping day when you have two adult sons living at home, and the inability to think more than two days ahead!!

251 HoosierHoops  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:16:05pm

Game 1..NBA finals..I’m ready to go! I love this time of the year..
Before tip-off let me point this out..If you were keeping a eye on things after 911 you would see by many reports that the Gov’t was buying a fucking shit load of storage space..Huge SAN’s systems..
This was our building up to the War on terror.. I am a total supporter to win the cyper-war space. USA Baby!
If anyone noticed purchasing by agency’s of the Gov’t..They have storage up the ass.. ( So to say )
I said here years ago that Big Brother could easily process every cellphone call daily with data mining software..I don’t have an issue with it at all..Once you release electromagnetic messages on the public airways..It is public.. Sorry about your luck!
Game started!
/I hate both teams..Dang it

252 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:17:44pm

TEH STUPID BURNSS! IT BURNSS PRECIOUS!!!!!

253 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:17:47pm

re: #237 Lidane

Can someone please get that man laid and stoned on weed already? Dude seriously needs to relax and take it down a few notches.

He’s a sailor; in New York. We get this guy laid, we won’t have any trouble!

254 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:18:56pm
Girl and the lung transplant: Sebelius shouldn’t be deciding this. But neither should a judge. Not government’s business.

If only there were some entity that our society had established to make and enforce rules…

255 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:20:53pm

re: #254 GeneJockey

If only there were some entity that our society had established to make and enforce rules…

Teh free Merkit !!ty

257 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:21:35pm

We here are a self-selected (except when Stinky does some extra selecting) group of almost all Americans (and a few Canadians), who on the whole are more educated - and by that I don’t mean just formally but also self-educated - than the average person.

That we read and write so much - literacy - itself is an indication. Furthermore most of us are news junkies, of one kind or another.

I’ve been spending my time in genealogy and consumer genetics forums and thus am reading quite a bit by our fellow Americans who are not part of the typical LGF profile.

There’s a lot of magical thinking out there, a lot of woo, and a lot of confusion even over basic science.

Our little hyper-rational corner of this big society picks apart about anything, right down to the bone. Yet there are masses out there who will buy just about anything.

Are we “smarter” than these others? Well, maybe, but I think that we must remember that our personality types drive us to want to interact not only intellectually but to also engage continual in a form of mental jousting. This sharpens us (and maybe makes us more skeptical of claims thrown at us everyday.)

The old proverb “iron sharpens iron” applies here, and to any little online community where people are willing to engage and banter about.

Yet I wonder, what % of our society are really trained/equipped/of-the-temperament to thrash the b.s. that is sold to us visually and aurally? How many gullible people out there are easy marks or are the naive?

Getting old can make one bitter and I hope I don’t end up that way, but I find being skeptical (and even cynical) to not be a bad thing.

258 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:22:11pm

re: #256 Vicious Babushka

MOAR STUPID:

Woman in Seattle is going to starve herself to death, live, on webcam.

That’ll take a while.

259 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:23:21pm

re: #239 Gus

re: #240 Gus

From the Guardian article on the Verizon court order:

The order, signed by Judge Roger Vinson, compels Verizon to produce to the NSA electronic copies of “all call detail records or ‘telephony metadata’ created by Verizon for communications between the United States and abroad” or “wholly within the United States, including local telephone calls”.

260 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:25:00pm

Evening again, Lizardim.

261 Targetpractice  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:25:35pm

I really need to stop watching Twitch gaming streams, because they keep tempting me into buying new games when I haven’t finished the games I already have.

262 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:26:11pm

You can’t beat Anonymous or the NSA. You can however make the bastards work for it.

Paged.

Big hassle though. Civil disobedience- Use the tech that is hardest to crack.

263 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:26:21pm

re: #260 thedopefishlives

Evening again, Lizardim.

Hey Fish,

Have Ice or Jimmah been around lately? I never see them.

264 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:26:47pm

re: #257 freetoken

There’s a lot of magical thinking out there, a lot of woo, and a lot of confusion even over basic science.

Tell me about it! The inability of so many to even know how to intelligently frame questions is depressing.

Getting old can make one bitter and I hope I don’t end up that way, but I find being skeptical (and even cynical) to not be a bad thing.

Skepticism is what they pay me for, so of course I think it’s a good thing.

Socrates supposedly said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I’d say the unexamined belief is not worth believing.

265 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:27:38pm

re: #263 Stanghazi

Hey Fish,

Have Ice or Jimmah been around lately? I never see them.

I haven’t seen them, and I’m usually not on at a time where I could, either.

266 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:27:59pm

re: #262 Political Atheist

You can’t beat Anonymous or the NSA. You can however make the bastards work for it.

Paged.

Big hassle though. Civil disobedience- Use the tech that is hardest to crack.

I like the commenter that says they hope they die of the mysterious rash soon.

267 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:28:17pm

re: #256 Vicious Babushka

MOAR STUPID:

Woman in Seattle is going to starve herself to death, live, on webcam.

Another follower of Deeprock Chokeya.

268 Gus  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:29:07pm

Yeah, Al Qaeda also has a right to privacy.

//

269 blueraven  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:29:35pm
270 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:30:43pm

re: #257 freetoken

Let me add that I think it’s not because we’re so fucking smart. It’s because so many others are so fucking dumb, and they seem to be so by choice.

They value belief above knowledge, certainty above truth. By choice or temperament, they have difficulty with anything less than the absolute, and the simple.

271 ProTARDISLiberal  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:30:59pm

re: #267 Gus

Another follower of Derprock Chokeya.

FTFY

272 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:32:12pm

re: #267 Gus

Another follower of Deeprock Chokeya.

In my house, we call him ‘Deepcrap Choker’.

273 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:33:13pm

re: #269 blueraven

Perhaps this official is talking about something other than the Verizon court order. That court order is not limited to non-US people outside the US. Instead it covers all Verizon call metadata between the US and foreign countries, or entirely within the US (including local calls).

274 freetoken  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:34:22pm

re: #270 GeneJockey

I really do think it is “iron sharpens iron”.

There has to be a level of emotional security to venture out and argue (intelligently) with someone. If one never does that and simply hides safely within the cocoon of one’s own beliefs then I doubt one can really learn to get rid of the false beliefs.

275 blueraven  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:36:00pm

re: #273 EPR-radar

Perhaps this official is talking about something other than the Verizon court order. That court order is not limited to non-US people outside the US. Instead it covers all Verizon call metadata between the US and foreign countries, or entirely within the US (including local calls).

It says right at the top…it is the PRISM statement

276 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 6:39:57pm

re: #274 freetoken

Yes. However, those of us here do not tend to have views that are all that different from each other. I USED TO hang out on a forum full of Conservatives - and Archery and Bowhunting site. There were a number of smart folks, who could argue well, and who had very different worldviews from mine. We had a great time arguing about things, and both side learned to respect the other’s position.

But those folks were gradually displaced by mindless Wingnut crazies, especially after Obama was elected.

So, yeah, iron sharpens iron, but you have to step outside whatever bubble you inhabit for it to work best.

277 jonhendry  Thu, Jun 6, 2013 10:44:53pm

re: #79 Charles Johnson

Note: they’re denying “direct access to servers”.

That just means the FBI/NSA tells them what they want, and Apple provides it.

Much easier that way: the FBI doesn’t have to deal with a bunch of logins for different companies, different companies’ database schemas, non-SQL data stores, etc.

Either that, or each company would have to provide an API or web service, of sorts, coalescing their data from various datastores and presenting it according to a government spec consistent across all companies of interest.

In any case, the amount of data that seems to be involved doesn’t really lend itself to someone at FBI ssh’ing into an Oracle server at Apple and running a few SELECT statements. It’d be far easier for someone at Apple (or Google, etc) who would know the schemas involved to collect the information, which could be quite larger, and sftp it to an FBI server.

(That’d even be easier if the FBI *was* interested in just one user’s data.)

278 Travis Bickle  Fri, Jun 7, 2013 2:20:39am

Of course Beck thinks all presidents are brainless figureheads like W and Ronnie.

279 Bulworth  Fri, Jun 7, 2013 3:26:40am
“I’ll tell you something, I really truly believe, Valerie Jarrett, Michelle and Mrs. Eric Holder, that’s where the information is going, the wives are talking,” Beck said.

What the hell does this even mean?


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