New York Times Calls for “Shrill” Critics to Stop “Vilifying” Edward Snowden

Leave Edward Snowden alone!
Media • Views: 19,403

The editors of the New York Times are demanding that the “shrill brigade” of Edward Snowden’s critics stop “vilifying” him, and learn to love it when libertarians recklessly steal hundreds of thousands of secret intelligence documents: Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower.

You can probably tell what I think of this hyper-emotional editorial from that introduction. President Obama should “give [Snowden] an incentive to return home?” Are they serious?

But I have to wonder how the New York Times thinks our allies would react if the US decided that every libertarian dudebro system administrator has the right to decide what’s secret and what’s not, and steal as many documents as they like?

At the Washington Post, Ruth Marcus provides a much-needed counter-balance to this ludicrous NYT editorial: Snowden, the Insufferable Whistleblower.

My scale weighs against Snowden. He launched an important, overdue debate and reassessment of collection practices. Perhaps that would not have happened otherwise. The intelligence community is reaping the bitter rewards of its combined aversion to transparency and its addiction to employing available technology to maximum potential.

Yet the existing oversight, while flawed, is not as feckless as Snowden portrays it, and the degree of intrusion on Americans’ privacy, while troubling, is not nearly as menacing as he sees it. In the government’s massive database is information about who I called and who they called in turn. Perhaps the government shouldn’t have it; surely, there should be more controls over when they can search it. But my metadata almost certainly hasn’t been scrutinized; even if it has, the content of the calls remains off-limits.

If the scope of Snowden’s theft and subsequent disclosures had been as limited, my scale might balance in the opposite direction. But the theft was massive. The injury to intelligence-gathering is of equal magnitude. “I am still working for the NSA right now,” Snowden announced. “They are the only ones who don’t realize it.”

Orwell might have called that double-think.

Nice to see a sign of common sense in the Village media, a commodity in very short supply when it comes to the Snowden story.

And by the way, Glenn Greenwald has amazingly found the courage to go on the same program with Marcus today:

I’ll be watching; and I predict Greenwald will try to slime Marcus, a centrist liberal columnist, because she’s married to Democrat Jon Leibowitz.

Jump to bottom

366 comments
1 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:26:48am

A guy who took advantage of his position, stole government secrets, fled the country, and gave the materials to who the fuck knows.

Yeah, pretty much a villain.

2 EmmaAnne  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:29:27am

Whistle blowers bring their concerns to the U.S. media. They don’t defect to Russia.

3 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:32:12am

Snowden reminds me much more of a sniveling techie henchman than a supervillain.

He’s like the guy who always gets killed near the end of the movie just BEFORE the main villain does.

4 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:34:15am

He did one useful thing in revealing the extent of NSA surveillance, but the indiscriminate way he went about it tends to mitigate anything positive one could say about him.

6 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:38:04am

Snowden and his defenders keep saying that his actions in stealing documents and defecting were his only course of action to get the public focused on the 4th Amendment issues with the NSA collecting metadata.

I’ve had difficulty accepting this “it was the only way” excuse since the story broke.

Jonathan Capehart’s latest WaPo column includes another potential course not taken:

“…With all the political enemies arrayed on Capitol Hill against President Obama, why didn’t Snowden take his ample concerns to Republican lawmakers? Lord knows, they are always casting about (unsuccessfully) for the latest “-gate” they believe will bring down the Obama administration.”
No clemency from Snowden’s self-importance

7 Ryan King  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:39:31am

Hard to eat popcorn wearing my Guy Fawkes mask.

8 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:39:50am

It wasn’t all that long ago when Greenwald was complaining about the NYT not taking his position.

Now, an editorial comes out, which attacks those who attack Greenwald. Greenwald cheers?

There’s so much whiplash in how both the Times and Greenwald are “covering” the story.

Greenwald sees this as validation of his brand (IOW - himself).
The NYT sees this as a way to expand their brand, it’s an editorial after all, so it’s the knuckleheads in the editorial department who sat around and decided that they shouldn’t be shut out of the Snowden document dump, so they have signaled a change in their policy in the hopes that they might get some of Snowden’s scraps.

But all this obscures facts that are undeniable:

1) Snowden purposefully broke federal laws by stealing classified documents, means, and materials and transferring them to third parties who were not authorized to have them.
2) Snowden fled to Hong Kong and then to Russia to avoid the US criminal justice system, which would have charged Snowden with espionage and other related crimes.
3) He is not entitled to any kind of clemency at this point in time - he’s still got to face the justice system to adjudicate his actions. After he’s judged on his actions, someone like Greenwald and the DudeBros might then agitate for the President to grant clemency or reduce his sentence - but not before he comes back to the US to face the justice system. That puts the cart before the horse.

What kind of service has Snowden provided? A glimpse into the secretive world of the NSA, which can and does serve a legitimate purpose for US national security. Exposing means and methods has undermined US relations with its allies (who can and do spy on the US for the same reasons and purposes that the US does on its allies). Those are costs to Snowden’s actions.

Revealing means and methods may allow terrorists and those who wish to do the US harm to find ways to avoid detection by NSA methods and techniques. Letting Russia, China and others know what the NSA does is not improving US national security in the slightest. It is revealing US national security details to those who may wish to do the US harm (or undermine US interests domestically and abroad by means available to them that include propaganda hits and undermining US economic interests).

What else have we learned about the NSA from the Snowden documents? That the NSA is following federal law and that there are checks and balances to their actions, including the collection of data and metadata. This is hardly an agency run amok as Snowden and Greenwald have repeatedly claimed, but that’s besides the point they’re trying to make. They want to see the NSA’s data collection systems eliminated - and that ignores real-world threats and national security along the way.

9 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:40:37am

re: #3 Eclectic Cyborg

Youtube Video

10 SteveMcGazi  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:41:35am

This is more like the New York Times I used to know.

11 SteveMcGazi  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:44:34am

I would think it’s fair to assume that Russia and China and any country with functioning security service to know what the NSA was doing. It doesn’t excuse Snowden, however.

12 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:46:08am

What makes it even dumber: they talked about the editorial for weeks.

Andrew Rosenthal, The Times’s editorial page editor, told me Thursday that the editorial had been under discussion by the editorial board for weeks. The Times has written strong editorials about Mr. Snowden ever since the former contractor for the National Security Agency emerged into the national consciousness last spring. In general, The Times’s editorial page has supported Mr. Snowden, calling him a whistle-blower who has done a public service for American citizens by revealing vast - and unconstitutional - government surveillance.

But the moment for something larger arrived more recently, Mr. Rosenthal said.
publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com

13 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:51:52am

re: #1 Kragar

A guy who took advantage of his position, stole government secrets, fled the country, and gave the materials to who the fuck knows.

Yeah, pretty much a villain.

He’s a patriot and American hero that is sacrificing his life for all of us! We should be grateful that Snowden stole millions of government secrets and fled the country! He would’ve been sent to Gitmo here!

/////////////////////

14 Mattand  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:53:56am

re: #8 lawhawk

What else have we learned about the NSA from the Snowden documents? That the NSA is following federal law and that there are checks and balances to their actions, including the collection of data and metadata. This is hardly an agency run amok as Snowden and Greenwald have repeatedly claimed, but that’s besides the point they’re trying to make. They want to see the NSA’s data collection systems eliminated - and that ignores real-world threats and national security along the way.

This, for me, is what sets my teeth grinding when Ars Technica or This Week in Tech start hailing Snowden as a hero.* As Charles and others have pointed out, even Glenn Fucking Greenwald reports that warrants and other checks and balances are in place.

What’s also angering is how the Snowden worshipers completely ignore the fact that it wasn’t just the NSA docs he stole, and then essentially turned over to Russian and China. Shit, if it was just the NSA stuff, I might be on his side.


*Not an exaggeration in TWiT’s case.

15 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:54:20am

re: #11 SteveMcGazi

I would think it’s fair to assume that Russia and China and any country with functioning security service to know what the NSA was doing. It doesn’t excuse Snowden, however.

My thought is that the exposing of the exact means / technology / scope and practices is the problem. Yes, any country with a functioning intel. operation would be aware THAT it was being done, but Snowden reveled a lot of HOW it was being done.

I’m not impressed with the position of the Times on this. If he had gone to the GOP or better yet TP people this info could have come out without the very real possibility (which I consider a certainity) of it falling directly into the hands of foreign intelligence operations.

Yes, let’s bring him back to the country, and welcome him with handcuffs and a federal marshall as he steps off the plane.

RBS

16 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:54:52am
17 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:55:08am

When I see Conor Friedersdorf’s byline pop up on Twitter, I know I’m about to read something really absurd.

Clemency for Edward Snowden Would Not Set a Dangerous Precedent.

This guy is a joke. This is where libertarianism leads - total knuckle-headed idiocy.

Ugh. The whole US media is pushing for Snowden to be pardoned.

18 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:55:59am

re: #9 lawhawk

Beautiful. He was actually the first character I thought of when I made that comment.

19 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:56:48am

right wing shills are panicking

Don’t believe HHS’s claim that 2.1 million people have enrolled in Obamacare health plans. There is still a lot that HHS is not revealing about that number. And, as John Hinderaker demonstrates, there is absolutely no way that Obamacare has turned the corner and is now heading toward success.

don’t believe it!!!!

20 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:57:57am

re: #9 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

Nothing would make me happier.

21 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:58:17am

re: #17 Charles Johnson

Ugh. The whole US media is pushing for Snowden to be pardoned.

Doesn’t being pardoned usually require being charged with and convicted of a crime first?

22 BusyMonster  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 11:59:48am
This is where libertarianism leads - total knuckle-headed idiocy.

Libertarianism starts with total knuckle-headed idiocy. One cannot have civilization without a requirement to be civilized towards others.

It rather goes downhill from there.

23 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:00:18pm
24 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:00:24pm

re: #14 Mattand

Greenwald, Snowden, and their compatriots have repeatedly selectively read and disseminated documents that purport to show the agency out of control, but further reading indicates that the NSA is actually well regulated.

It has to go to FISC on a regular basis, and has had its requests denied, modified, or otherwise adjusted to conform to federal law.

It’s had programs terminated or ruled unconstitutional by the same FISC because it’s overstepped its bounds.

But Snowden and Greenwald continue to make it seem as though it’s an out-of-control intelligence apparatus that is wreaking havoc on personal freedoms. Note too that they’re more than willing to conflate rights of Americans (who have constitutional protections) with those who aren’t American citizens and therefore deserve no such protections when it comes to surveillance overseas. In other words, they’re quick to confer US rights on foreign entities, terrorists, and citizens of foreign countries to deny the US the right to gather intel that might expose threats to the US, all while ignoring that every country engages in spycraft to learn what their adversaries and allies are up to. It’s just that no one wants anyone else to know the extent of that spycraft or that their own counter-intelligence methods aren’t sufficient.

25 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:00:41pm
26 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:00:51pm

re: #21 Lidane

Doesn’t being pardoned usually require being charged with and convicted of a crime first?

Exactly. What they’re really asking for is immunity.

27 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:04:06pm
28 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:04:30pm

re: #23 Kragar

No man can be trusted with political power who is not a creationist:

First Amenmentm Article 6: “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

29 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:04:40pm

And lest we forget:

Snowden has also leaked details of U.S. intelligence collection that deal solely with U.S. spying of foreign targets such as eavesdropping on the phone of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. Snowden in June also revealed the specific computers and dates of attacks on computer systems in China to the South China Morning Post, an English-language newspaper based in Hong Kong.

In October, 60 Minutes broadcasted an interview with former deputy CIA director, Mike Morell where he said the most damaging Snowden leak was disclosing the intelligence community’s black budget. Morell said the black budget leak was very helpful to U.S. adversaries because America’s adversaries “could focus their counterintelligence efforts on those places where we’re being successful. And not have to worry as much about those places where we’re not being successful.”
thedailybeast.com

30 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:04:58pm
31 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:05:47pm

You know. Last time I saw Bill Nye debate someone he let Marc Morano run right over him. Just saying.

32 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:08:28pm

re: #31 Gus

You know. Last time I saw Bill Nye debate someone he let Marc Morano run right over him. Just saying.

I know. Bill Nye’s not a good debater at all - he’s unfocused.

Scientists have refused to debate creationists for years, and I think that’s the best way to handle them. You can’t really “debate” someone who’s not intellectually honest, and it just ends up making them look credible.

33 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:09:10pm

re: #32 Charles Johnson

you cannot argue with these people, just try to limit the amount of damage they can do

34 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:09:33pm

Update: Mystery Deepens Around Diplomat’s Explosive Death

… an embassy spokesperson has since told Radio Prague and Reuters that the safe was “opened and closed almost every day,” and hadn’t been fitted with any explosive devices. That, NPR explains, suggests “that something more sinister may have happened.”

But that’s not all. Czech police investigating the incident also found a cache of unregistered weapons in the Palestinian embassy, so police are now investigating the incident as a case of negligence and possession of illegal armaments, the AP reports. One Czech website reported that there were enough guns to outfit a 10-member squad, including a sub-machine gun.

35 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:09:45pm

I am amused, while at the same time frightened, about the level of lawlessness that is advocated by Greenwald, Poitras, Snowden & Co.

The NSA is acting under the laws of the United States; the others are acting out of their own sense of self-importance, fame, money, whatever. When we don’t like a law, there is a process we take in changing it or overturning it. We don’t commit a criminal act to draw attention to ourselves. We’ve suspected and known to some degree for years, since the passage of The Patriot Act, that there was some overreach in what the govt was doing in collecting information in order to prevent another terrorist attack like 9/11. We simply did not know the extent of it, how it was collected, or how it affected the average person, and we really still don’t, in spite of the dribbling of documents by GPS & Co.

I still ask: If these people didn’t really understand that what they are doing is criminal (although I think they did), then why do they remain in and reside in foreign countries? I think they understand exactly what they have done. They’re simply trying to frame the entire debate and sway an uninformed public through social media. Yes, the internet. This could not have happened 20 yrs ago, or maybe even 10. It is a prime example of how the internet can be used to frame and push a cause célèbre. The problem lies in the fact that the majority of people know very little about the NSA, so it’s a very easy thing to obscure facts and color the debate.

At some point, GPS & Co’s excuse that it’s all about “constitutional rights” and the rest of it is going to wear thin, and they won’t have a defense for their actions.

36 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:10:13pm

re: #32 Charles Johnson

Some positions aren’t debatable. A belief versus a scientific theory is one.

Not all positions are valid or worthy of debate.

It’s like debating someone with a conspiracy theory about 9/11, JFK, etc. Debating in public only elevates the crank, especially if the person willing to debate isn’t particularly well versed in debating techniques.

37 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:12:25pm

BF gets his secessionism on.

38 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:12:45pm

He didn’t blow any fucking whistles. Anyone who hasn’t been asleep for the last ten years knew all this shit was going on.

39 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:14:11pm

re: #38 Amory Blaine

He didn’t blow any fucking whistles. Anyone who hasn’t been asleep for the last ten years knew all this shit was going on.

Anyone who was alive during the Cold War knew this shit was going on. 9/11 only intensified what we were already doing. So did the advancement of the internet.

40 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:14:38pm

re: #35 Justanotherhuman

If these people didn’t really understand that what they are doing is criminal (although I think they did)

Snowden and friends might even have a slight shot at bluffing their way into having most people accept their version of the story, if it weren’t for all the foreign espionage secrets (unrelated to 4th Amendment concerns) that he’s already given away.

41 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:15:16pm

re: #37 Kragar

BF gets his secessionism on.

I think that Bryan is planning to go the Full Martyr: threaten violence to the point that he prompts a (justified and measured) respnse from Authorities and then use that response as proof that the Authorities are cracking down on the Godly.

42 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:15:23pm

re: #37 Kragar

He’s got two options, but they’re not the ones he’s thinking of.

I’m thinking he ought to consider taking 40 years to walk in the wilderness and reflect on what it means to be a responsible actor in society where not everyone shares your myopic view on the universe. Walk in someone else’s shoes and ponder what the hate that he spews on a daily basis does to others.

And proposing violence and bloodshed if he doesn’t get his way? Yeah, that goes over like a lead balloon.

43 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:17:27pm

re: #23 Kragar

[Embedded content]

lolwhut? So Bryan would be cool with Harun Yahya in charge of things?

LOLOLOLOL

44 bratwurst  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:17:54pm

I am shaking my head here at the concept that people who disagree with Glenn Greenwald could be considered “shrill”.

45 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:18:20pm

re: #42 lawhawk

“There are some Americans who want government to tell you what to do and there are some Americans who believer in freedom and liberty.”

Says the guy who wants a national ban on Same Sex Marriage, get rid of birth control, forced prayers in school, etc etc.

Guess which kind of American he thinks he is.

46 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:18:28pm

re: #38 Amory Blaine

He didn’t blow any fucking whistles. Anyone who hasn’t been asleep for the last ten years knew all this shit was going on.

Some of Greenwald’s “exclusives” turned out to be things we already knew were going on - like SWIFT (for financial transactions) and that the feds were monitoring overseas communications.

Heck, the federal law and regulations organizing the NSA say that its mission is to gather intel by all means at its disposal. The NSA website:

The NSA/CSS core missions are to protect U.S. national security systems and to produce foreign signals intelligence information.

That means spying.

And we’re hardly alone in that department.

47 Slap  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:19:39pm

re: #38 Amory Blaine

10 years?

Try 30:
amazon.com

Or, for grins, how about 100 years:
en.wikipedia.org

I know — picky, picky, picky…./

48 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:20:33pm

re: #46 lawhawk

Some of Greenwald’s “exclusives” turned out to be things we already knew were going on - like SWIFT (for financial transactions) and that the feds were monitoring overseas communications.

Heck, the federal law and regulations organizing the NSA say that its mission is to gather intel by all means at its disposal. The NSA website:

That means spying.

And we’re hardly alone in that department.

As soon as we get binding guarantees from foreign nations that they will not spy on us (and the ability to independently monitor their intelligence-gathering activities) then we can stop spying on them.

And I want a PALE BLUE unicorn!!!

49 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:21:22pm

re: #48 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

What color is the sky in your universe? /

50 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:24:39pm

re: #49 lawhawk

What color is the sky in your universe? /

Tell me of your homeworld Usul.

51 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:27:22pm

re: #12 jaunte

What makes it even dumber: they talked about the editorial for weeks.

From there, quoting Andrew Rosenthal:

“We did say that the idea of political asylum,” advanced by some, “is bizarre.” And, he noted, that Mr. Snowden “seems to have violated his security clearance.”

OK, so they noted two things that make the editorial an exercise in stupidity, yet they went ahead with the editorial. How brave! How jumping upon the band wagon before it picks up too much speed!

“It felt like there was a real critical mass,” he said … “With all of that, and year ending, it seemed like a great moment to say it,”

edited to quote the right post

52 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:28:01pm
53 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:28:17pm

re: #50 Kragar

The spice. It’s changing me. I just had a waking dream. And I’m going to drink the Water of Life and fulfill my destiny as the Kwisatz Haderach.

55 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:29:34pm

re: #53 lawhawk

Are you in Colorado?

//

56 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:30:01pm

re: #53 lawhawk

The spice. It’s changing me. I just had a waking dream. And I’m going to drink the Water of Life and fulfill my destiny as the Kwisatz Haderach.

And then pass the legacy onto your son, who will shit all over it to make a few bucks.

57 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:30:08pm

re: #52 Kragar

Tired of these morons who say they hate the government, then turn around and want their religion turned into law.

They do not want SECULAR government, to them (their interpretation of) Divine Law has precedence over man-made law.

58 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:30:59pm

re: #53 lawhawk

The spice. It’s changing me. I just had a waking dream. And I’m going to drink the Water of Life and fulfill my destiny as the Kwisatz Haderach.

Kwisatz Haderach, give the dog a bone…

59 BongCrodny  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:32:41pm

re: #58 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

Kwisatz Haderach, give the dog a bone…

That’s so awful you get an upding.

60 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:33:43pm

re: #58 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

Kwisatz Haderach, give the dog a bone…

Image: 1172899235949.jpg

61 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:34:29pm

re: #54 Amory Blaine

Some Guy Posted His Hospital Bill Online. You’ll See Why Everyone’s Talking About It.

Jesushchrist, almost $5K for “room and board” for one day? He could have stayed at a top resort for a week for that. With meals and drinks provided.

62 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:35:40pm

They’ve been milking their customers for a long time.

63 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:38:55pm
64 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:39:16pm

re: #62 Amory Blaine

They’ve been milking their customers for a long time.

Because it’s not an actual market system. Otherwise, the hospital would have the deed to an uninsured’s house before starting the anaesthesia. A small community hospital near here started the new year with a surprise—it closed due to losses.

65 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:40:48pm
66 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:43:07pm

re: #64 Decatur Deb

Because it’s not an actual market system. Otherwise, the hospital would have the deed to an uninsured’s house before starting the anaesthesia. A small community hospital near here started the new year with a surprise—it closed due to losses.

Because people come in for expensive emergency treatment and operations - ones that often could have been avoided by simple preventive care.

Which a lot of uninsured people cannot afford…a vicious cycle, one that ACA is trying to break and one that a lot of idiots want to maintain in the name of some idiot ideology.

67 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:43:28pm
I’ll be watching; and I predict Greenwald will try to slime Marcus, a centrist liberal columnist, because she’s married to Democrat Jon Leibowitz.

Just because he’s a Dem, or because of Leibowitz’s work related to privacy issues?

Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, said on Thursday that he would resign effective mid-February. His departure will end a four-year tenure in which he pushed for online privacy protections and sought to restrain unfair competition, but stumbled in an attempt to rein in the Internet search practices of Google.

Jon Leibowitz has headed the Federal Trade Commission since March 2009 and was a commissioner since 2004.

Mr. Leibowitz, 54, said in an interview that he intended to move to the private sector and was likely to focus on competition policy and privacy.

[…]

Under Mr. Leibowitz, who was a commissioner for more than four years before being appointed chairman in 2009, the commission also worked to expand the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and brought an enforcement action against Intel for unfair competitive practices in the microprocessor market.

[…]

68 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:46:12pm

re: #66 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

Because people come in for expensive emergency operations - ones that could have been avoided by simple preventive care. Which a lot of uninsured people cannot afford…a vicious cycle, one that ACA is trying to break and one that a lot of idiots want to maintain in the name of some idiot ideology.

Yup. The problem will get worse in states like ours that turned down the cursed Yankee ACA dollars. The law also cuts the Fed reimbursement of emergency room losses for indigent care, because everybody is supposed to get insurance.

69 makeitstop  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:46:16pm

re: #65 Lidane

Peter King calls NYT “apologists for terrorists”

Stopped clock or blind squirrel? We report, you decide.

70 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:48:37pm

re: #69 makeitstop

Stopped clock or blind squirrel? We report, you decide.

Hilarious when you consider King’s fundraisers for the IRA.

71 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:49:42pm

re: #69 makeitstop

Stopped clock or blind squirrel? We report, you decide.

In King’s case: Stopped Squirrel.

72 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:50:11pm

re: #69 makeitstop

Stopped clock or blind squirrel? We report, you decide.

King has pretty much from day one been a cheerleader for the NSA programs. He’s taken to task anybody that has criticized them.

RBS

73 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:50:12pm

So, expect whatever monetary amount is awarded will, I assume, be sucked up by the Schiavo crowd.

Children’s Hospital, Jahi McMath family ordered to meet Friday

abclocal.go.com

Someone with some sense needs to get through to those parents.

74 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:52:07pm

Rocket Raccoon time!

Image: 68d8233e-a550-405b-b768-e5455073a2d8_guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg

75 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:52:53pm

re: #74 Kragar

Rocket Raccoon time!

Image: 68d8233e-a550-405b-b768-e5455073a2d8_guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg

And he’s going to be voiced by Bradley Cooper. That should be interesting.

76 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:53:11pm

Gee, ya think?

77 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:55:01pm

re: #67 wrenchwench

Just because he’s a Dem, or because of Leibowitz’s work related to privacy issues?

Oh, I’m pretty sure just the fact that Leibowitz is a former chairman of the FTC is enough for Greenwald to categorize him as a drooling shill for the surveillance state.

I hope Ruth Marcus is prepared for Greenwald, because he’s going to try to talk all over her.

I shouldn’t even look forward to this - it’s CNN and Jake Tapper. Pretty much guaranteed nothing of any real substance will be discussed before the mandatory commercial breaks.

78 freetoken  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:57:36pm

I’m afraid that Bill Nye is just publicity starved, after his brief stint on DWTS.

79 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:58:12pm

re: #77 Charles Johnson

Oh, I’m pretty sure just the fact that Leibowitz is a former chairman of the FTC is enough for Greenwald to categorize him as a drooling shill for the surveillance state.

I hope Ruth Marcus is prepared for Greenwald, because he’s going to try to talk all over her.

I shouldn’t even look forward to this - it’s CNN and Jake Tapper. Pretty much guaranteed nothing of any real substance will be discussed before the mandatory commercial breaks.

For your own preparation, maybe you should visit the Pie-onist Overlord’s mom.

80 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:58:33pm
81 freetoken  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 12:59:27pm

Speaking of publicity cravings, while I can understand the head of the ACLU writing that very one sided defense of Snowden, given the ACLU wants to represent him and probably his associates, I can’t understand why the NYT editorial board would do likewise, other than they feel some deep need to prove they can’t be out “progressed” by the Dudebros.

82 freetoken  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:01:04pm

This all seems so left over from the Vietnam war era, where to prove one is a good liberal one had to be an ardent anti-war demonstrator.

Note to NYT: you can be very forward looking in one’s view of social justice, economic opportunity, and international relations without being a Dudebro.

83 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:01:25pm

Dammit.

Trump actually said something reasonable.

84 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:02:09pm

re: #83 Kragar

Dammit.

Trump actually said something reasonable.

[Embedded content]

Can we be sure that’s Trump? Or maybe he’s drunk-Tweeting or something.

85 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:02:11pm

re: #81 freetoken

Speaking of publicity cravings, while I can understand the head of the ACLU writing that very one sided defense of Snowden, given the ACLU wants to represent him and probably his associates, I can’t understand why the NYT editorial board would do likewise, other than they feel some deep need to prove they can’t be out “progressed” by the Dudebros.

If Snowwald is the journalism of the future, maybe they are concerned about being cut out of the loop.

86 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:02:32pm

re: #83 Kragar

Exhibit A in the “blind squirrel” category, and I’m not talking about his hair.

87 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:02:50pm

Greenwald is really trying to mainstream this BS by Skyping on CNN and whoever else will have him, but I don’t think he’s going to get the results he thinks he will. Or the conversation, which will just occur in the GPS & Co echo chamber.

88 BusyMonster  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:03:17pm

re: #38 Amory Blaine

He didn’t blow any fucking whistles. Anyone who hasn’t been asleep for the last ten years knew all this shit was going on.

That has been my rather irritated response to the glorification of dudebro Snowden. I already knew all this shit. I knew about AT&T’s little secret room, we ALL FUCKING KNEW about warrantless wiretaps and so on … the rush to elevate Snowden to some kind of tortured visionary is horseshit. There were plenty of credible, sane, not-self-important prima-donna voices crying foul over the surveillance state in the early 2000’s.

All Snowden has done is focus all this attention on himself, for his own selfish purposes, which I believe he was probably led into by some clever foreign agent who now has a big fat tick mark on his belt for bagging Snowden’s intel.

In other words, I deny not only his Dudebro Prophet catchet, but I believe he has earned far more of a Useful Idiot dunce cap for life, and I think coming months will make this obvious. He was just a fucking tool, and now that his usefulness is over with the only discussion is how the tool will be dispensed of.

89 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:04:09pm

Tapper’s going to let GG Gish gallop till a neck vein pops.

90 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:04:18pm

will wonders never cease?! jonah goldberg says something intelligent…

Meanwhile, lots of my friends on the right often seem to take it for granted that there’s a vast silent majority of Americans pitted against a small cabal of elitist pinheads and would-be social engineers. As a conservative, I believe there are a lot of pinhead social engineers (see, Bloomberg, Michael). But I also understand that there are millions of Americans who see these people as leaders who speak for them and address their needs.

91 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:06:11pm

Weather “reporters” shouldn’t wear white on TV. It looks like underwear.

92 erik_t  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:07:00pm

I might even consider immunity for Snowjob if he admitted and testified to what many here seem to suspect: that Greenbeck et al reached out to him before he took the NSA job and engaged in a conspiracy to steal Secret information and promulgate it widely.

Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

93 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:07:16pm
94 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:07:21pm

I just realized that since this is 2014, we are only a few months away from the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Wow.

95 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:08:13pm

Tapper just announced Greenwald but didn’t mention Ruth Marcus. Wonder if she bailed.

96 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:08:36pm

re: #92 erik_t

I might even consider immunity for Snowjob if he admitted and testified to what many here seem to suspect: that Greenbeck et al reached out to him before he took the NSA job and engaged in a conspiracy to steal Secret information and promulgate it widely.

Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

If I were in his position, I wouldn’t hesitate to give them up if it would get me out of Russia. : )

97 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:09:00pm

re: #95 Charles Johnson

Tapper just announced Greenwald but didn’t mention Ruth Marcus. Wonder if she bailed.

No, he’s just more “important” than who?

98 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:11:06pm

re: #38 Amory Blaine

fucking whistles

where can i get one of these ‘fucking whistles’??

99 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:11:29pm

re: #92 erik_t

I might even consider immunity for Snowjob if he admitted and testified to what many here seem to suspect: that Greenbeck et al reached out to him before he took the NSA job and engaged in a conspiracy to steal Secret information and promulgate it widely.

Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

I would laugh my ass off if that coward Snowden sold Greenwald and his fellow dudebros out in order to escape prison. If he detailed a conspiracy where he was encouraged to take the Booz Allen job in order to steal NSA docs then flee the country, that would be funny as shit.

100 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:11:40pm

re: #98 dog philosopher

Skymall.

Youtube Video

Jesus, won’t you fucking whistle..

101 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:11:53pm

Tapper starts out with, “If you were Edward Snowden, would you come back to the US?”

102 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:12:03pm

re: #98 dog philosopher

where can i get one of these ‘fucking whistles’??

Vivid entertainment?

103 b.d.  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:12:47pm

All I want now is for TIME magazine to come out in support of Snowden.

104 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:12:51pm

Fuck you, Glenn.

105 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:12:53pm
106 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:13:42pm

There goes Greenwald.

107 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:13:57pm

Of course, GG launches an ad hominem attack against Marcus.

108 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:14:37pm

re: #105 Lidane

[Embedded content]

Youtube Video

109 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:14:54pm

re: #106 Charles Johnson

There goes Greenwald.

Where? Off a cliff? Off the deep end? Into the Woods? Out of Africa? Into the Heart of Darkness? /semi literate joking

110 Bridgeghazi: Never Forget!!11!!!!11  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:15:38pm

re: #54 Amory Blaine

Health care Insurance in this country has been criminal for too many years.

111 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:15:53pm

re: #107 Justanotherhuman

Of course, GG launches an ad hominem attack against Marcus.

“When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero

112 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:16:46pm

Obviously, Greenwald loves to bob and weave without saying anything about the subject—Snowden. Diversion seems to be his only tactic. He must have excelled at Subterfuge 101.

113 Bridgeghazi: Never Forget!!11!!!!11  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:16:59pm

re: #105 Lidane

That pic scared the hell out of me.

114 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:19:54pm

re: #105 Lidane

Looks lifted right out of Bioshock Infinity.

115 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:20:41pm

Good for Marcus—she’s not backing down.

116 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:21:31pm

re: #115 Justanotherhuman

Good for Marcus—she’s not backing down.

llllllllllllllet’s get ready to rubmleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

117 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:22:07pm

What a disgusting human being.

118 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:23:12pm

Hmmm, what actor would make a good Glenn Greenwald?

119 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:23:48pm

Marcus did pretty well against that insufferable asshole.

120 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:24:45pm
121 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:24:58pm

Yeah, GG thought he was going to walk all over Marcus. Wrong again, GG.

122 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:25:48pm

re: #118 Eclectic Cyborg

Adam Sandler.

123 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:26:07pm

re: #120 Kragar

Oh, that’s getting saved for future reference.

124 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:26:22pm

re: #118 Eclectic Cyborg

Hmmm, what actor would make a good Glenn Greenwald?

Robert Carradine.

125 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:26:42pm

re: #111 Kragar

“When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Or at least make a pun on his name:

“Varrus (broom) made a clean sweep when he was running the finances of Sicily.”

126 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:28:07pm
127 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:31:49pm
128 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:31:56pm

re: #112 Justanotherhuman

Obviously, Greenwald loves to bob and weave without saying anything about the subject—Snowden. Diversion seems to be his only tactic. He must have excelled at Subterfuge 101.

What Snowden? What are you talking about?

129 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:33:52pm

re: #120 Kragar

[Embedded content]

Deleted and rereleased as this:

Edited to add:

Always good to remove the rape joke, sometimes better to remove the whole thing.

130 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:38:56pm

re: #124 Kragar

Tom Cruise

131 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:39:56pm
132 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:40:50pm

re: #118 Eclectic Cyborg

Hmmm, what actor would make a good Glenn Greenwald?

Shelley Duvall.

133 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:42:46pm

re: #132 wrenchwench

Shelley Duvall.

Paul Giamatti

134 Just never mind.  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:42:50pm

re: #8 lawhawk

It wasn’t all that long ago when Greenwald was complaining about the NYT not taking his position.

Now, an editorial comes out, which attacks those who attack Greenwald. Greenwald cheers?

There’s so much whiplash in how both the Times and Greenwald are “covering” the story.

Greenwald sees this as validation of his brand (IOW - himself).
The NYT sees this as a way to expand their brand, it’s an editorial after all, so it’s the knuckleheads in the editorial department who sat around and decided that they shouldn’t be shut out of the Snowden document dump, so they have signaled a change in their policy in the hopes that they might get some of Snowden’s scraps.

But all this obscures facts that are undeniable:

1) Snowden purposefully broke federal laws by stealing classified documents, means, and materials and transferring them to third parties who were not authorized to have them.
2) Snowden fled to Hong Kong and then to Russia to avoid the US criminal justice system, which would have charged Snowden with espionage and other related crimes.
3) He is not entitled to any kind of clemency at this point in time - he’s still got to face the justice system to adjudicate his actions. After he’s judged on his actions, someone like Greenwald and the DudeBros might then agitate for the President to grant clemency or reduce his sentence - but not before he comes back to the US to face the justice system. That puts the cart before the horse.

What kind of service has Snowden provided? A glimpse into the secretive world of the NSA, which can and does serve a legitimate purpose for US national security. Exposing means and methods has undermined US relations with its allies (who can and do spy on the US for the same reasons and purposes that the US does on its allies). Those are costs to Snowden’s actions.

Revealing means and methods may allow terrorists and those who wish to do the US harm to find ways to avoid detection by NSA methods and techniques. Letting Russia, China and others know what the NSA does is not improving US national security in the slightest. It is revealing US national security details to those who may wish to do the US harm (or undermine US interests domestically and abroad by means available to them that include propaganda hits and undermining US economic interests).

What else have we learned about the NSA from the Snowden documents? That the NSA is following federal law and that there are checks and balances to their actions, including the collection of data and metadata. This is hardly an agency run amok as Snowden and Greenwald have repeatedly claimed, but that’s besides the point they’re trying to make. They want to see the NSA’s data collection systems eliminated - and that ignores real-world threats and national security along the way.

Quoted for truth!

135 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:44:25pm
136 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:47:08pm

re: #129 wrenchwench

Deleted and rereleased as this:

[Embedded content]

Edited to add:

Always good to remove the rape joke, sometimes better to remove the whole thing.

Edited, and then I found they DID remove the whole thing. It’s been re-deleted.

137 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:49:58pm

re: #133 Kragar

You win.

138 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:52:28pm
139 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:52:47pm

re: #136 wrenchwench

That’s not the first time “Science Porn” has posted something questionable, btw. I actually unfollowed that one a while back.

140 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:54:10pm

re: #139 Charles Johnson

That’s not the first time “Science Porn” has posted something questionable, btw. I actually unfollowed that one a while back.

There’s another feed called “I F***ing love science” that posts some interesting stuff.

141 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:55:26pm

re: #31 Gus

You know. Last time I saw Bill Nye debate someone he let Marc Morano run right over him. Just saying.

From downstairs:

Bill doesn’t have the aggressiveness to handle Ham and his GG. Quite a few knowledgeable people have gone against the GG and had problems because they aren’t used to thinking in short soundbites. To explain why points of the GG are wrong can take a fair bit of science knowledge that many science people feel compelled to review.

That allows the creationists to rack up points faster than the answers can rebut them.

142 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:55:28pm

re: #140 Eclectic Cyborg

There’s another feed called “I F***ing love science” that posts some interesting stuff.

I follow them on Facebook. There’s some neat stuff posted on there.

143 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:55:49pm

re: #139 Charles Johnson

That’s not the first time “Science Porn” has posted something questionable, btw. I actually unfollowed that one a while back.

They were getting flak on the second one for pulling the first one. Maybe they can’t recognize when it’s a bad idea to post something, but they can recognize when they’re in trouble again. It would be nice if they could learn why.

144 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:56:35pm

*headdesk*

145 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:56:48pm

re: #143 wrenchwench

They were getting flak on the second one for pulling the first one. Maybe they can’t recognize when it’s a bad idea to post something, but they can recognize when they’re in trouble again. It would be nice if they could learn why.

The first one could have worked if they’d retooled the final joke.

146 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:57:20pm

re: #144 Lidane

*headdesk*

[Embedded content]

The laws of nature are in the Constitution?

WHAT?!?!

147 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:57:58pm

re: #144 Lidane

*headdesk*

[Embedded content]

Moron.

148 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 1:58:08pm

Is it safe?

149 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:00:22pm

re: #17 Charles Johnson

When I see Conor Friedersdorf’s byline pop up on Twitter, I know I’m about to read something really absurd.

Clemency for Edward Snowden Would Not Set a Dangerous Precedent.

This guy is a joke. This is where libertarianism leads - total knuckle-headed idiocy.

Ugh. The whole US media is pushing for Snowden to be pardoned.

Not the whole US media, but enough to be worrisome. It’ll be interesting to see what effect this media barrage has on Congress.

150 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:00:57pm

What’s the tl;dr debate synopsis?

151 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:01:42pm

re: #149 Dark_Falcon

Not the whole US media, but enough to be worrisome. It’ll be interesting to see what effect this media barrage has on Congress.

It would’ve had more of an effect on Congress if Snowden had taken what he’d found to a sympathetic Congressman. There is no shortage of jabbering imbeciles on Capitol Hill who would’ve loved the free publicity of creating a scandal aimed at POTUS.

152 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:03:02pm

re: #148 Gus

Is it safe?

Not with you around.

153 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:03:29pm

Gay marriage is constitutional because get a life and mind your own fucking business and stop telling consenting adults how to lead their life.

154 Jack Burton  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:03:42pm

re: #140 Eclectic Cyborg

There’s another feed called “I F***ing love science” that posts some interesting stuff.

I followed that on Facebook for awhile but now I agree with Maddox’s view on that page.

(Which is basically: “No you don’t f*cking love science. You love pictures with pretty, flashy ‘sciencey stuff’ in them.”)

155 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:04:37pm

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

Not with you around.

Had to log off of Twitter. Too much squabbling today. Started around Xmas though. I thing think log cabin fever has set in and people are getting short.

156 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:05:06pm

Yep, that’s what I thing. //

157 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:05:28pm

re: #151 Lidane

It would’ve had more of an effect on Congress if Snowden had taken what he’d found to a sympathetic Congressman. There is no shortage of jabbering imbeciles on Capitol Hill who would’ve loved the free publicity of creating a scandal aimed at POTUS.

Concur. Of course had this gone to Congress then the critical hearings would have been closed to the public, as is normally the case when dealing with intelligence matters.

158 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:06:56pm

re: #144 Lidane

*headdesk*

[Embedded content]

Which law of nature might that be?

159 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:07:45pm

re: #155 Gus

Had to log off of Twitter. Too much squabbling today. Started around Xmas though. I think log cabin has set in and people are getting short.

Cabin fever’s a bit of an issue for much of the country today due to bad weather. It’s been snowing all day in Chicago, with yesterday’s storm being followed by the wind shifting to the east and dumping several inches of lake-effect snow.

160 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:08:20pm

re: #158 b_sharp

Which law of nature might that be?

Except for all the species which engage in same sex relationships, nothing in nature engages in same sex relationships.

161 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:08:44pm

re: #159 Dark_Falcon

Cabin fever’s a bit of an issue for much of the country today due to bad weather. It’s been snowing all day in Chicago, with yesterday’s storm being followed by the wind shifting to the east and dumping several inches of lake-effect snow.

Wait. So Chicago is having an average Chicago winter day today? //

162 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:09:30pm

re: #160 Kragar

Except for all the species which engage in same sex relationships, nothing in nature engages in same sex relationships.

I thought it might be: Thou shalt not enjoy anal sex.

163 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:09:30pm

re: #158 b_sharp

Which law of nature might that be?

“Though Shalt Not Put Thy Penis in an Asshole. It Is to Enter the Vagina Only.”

164 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:09:49pm

re: #161 Gus

Wait. So Chicago is having an average Chicago winter day today? //

SMACK!

165 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:09:53pm
166 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:09:54pm
167 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:10:40pm

re: #163 Dark_Falcon

Unless you’re trying to maintain your purity ring pledge and still get laid.

////////////////

168 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:11:23pm

re: #162 b_sharp

I thought it might be: Thou shalt not enjoy anal sex.

You know. First time I heard of that it involved a heterosexual couple. Might have been reading Penthouse. Gasp!

169 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:11:29pm

re: #158 b_sharp

Which law of nature might that be?

Because shut up, that’s why.

170 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:12:16pm

re: #162 b_sharp

I thought it might be: Thou shalt not enjoy anal sex.

Spoilsports

171 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:12:22pm

I’m tempted to pay some guy named Jesus to troll Erick Erickson.

172 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:12:52pm

re: #160 Kragar

Except for all the species which engage in same sex relationships, nothing in nature engages in same sex relationships.

And there are worms that are both sexes and both do the male and female part of the act at the same time. It’s nature, so it must be the rule.

173 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:12:55pm

They seem to strive on instilling guilt in people for merely having homosexual THOUGHTS, let alone acting on them.

174 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:13:18pm

Heterosexual couples do all sorts of crazy stuff. Who knew. /

175 jaunte  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:13:21pm

re: #166 Kragar

That sentence-like set of words Erickson put together doesn’t make any grammatical sense.

176 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:13:24pm

re: #172 wrenchwench

And there are worms that are both sexes and both do the male and female part of the act at the same time. It’s nature, so it must be the rule.

Sounds kinky.

177 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:13:27pm

re: #171 Eclectic Cyborg

I’m tempted to pay some guy named Jesus to troll Erick Erickson.

That would just set him off on an anti-immigration tirade.

178 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:14:14pm

re: #174 Gus

Heterosexual couples do all sorts of crazy stuff. Who knew. /

Perverted bunch of assholes we are.

179 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:14:34pm

re: #174 Gus

Heterosexual couples do all sorts of crazy stuff. Who knew. /

Erotic is using a feather.

Kinky is using the whole chicken.

180 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:14:47pm

re: #178 b_sharp

Perverted bunch of assholes we are.

Humans see a valve and they get inventive. //

181 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:14:48pm

re: #153 Gus

Gay marriage is constitutional because get a life and mind your own fucking business and stop telling consenting adults how to lead their life.

“mind your own business” should have been the 11th amendment in the bill of rights

182 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:14:54pm
183 Just never mind.  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:16:16pm

re: #171 Eclectic Cyborg

I’m tempted to pay some guy named Jesus to troll Erick Erickson.

You might ask our very own SpaceJesus, but he’s not cheap or easy!

184 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:16:37pm

The Greenwaldian position seems to be that unless they see absolute proof (in some undefined way) that these leaks of secret NSA programs are damaging national security, they are free to assume that there’s no harm whatsoever and disclose whatever they feel like.

Does this sound like a sane way to approach national security issues to anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

185 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:17:18pm

This vid goes out to Ruth Marcus, for standing firm and holding the line against Glenn Greenwald’s onslaught of DERP. For a lady who won’t back down:

Youtube Video

186 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:19:06pm

I don’t sit around thinking about Fidel Castro having sex. //

187 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:19:22pm

re: #184 Charles Johnson

So basically, the dudebros want unrestricted security clearances and total immunity from prosecution if they release anything they see.

I’d like to win the Powerball. That’s not going to happen either.

188 Amory Blaine  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:19:44pm

re: #179 Kragar

Erotic is using a feather.

Kinky is using the whole chicken.

It would be wasteful not to use the whole chicken.

189 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:20:23pm

re: #187 Lidane

So basically, the dudebros want unrestricted security clearances and total immunity from prosecution if they release anything they see.

I’d like to win the Powerball. That’s not going to happen either.

“Information wants to be free!”

No it doesn’t. It kind of just sits there doing nothing if you leave it alone.

190 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:20:56pm

Tomorrow is my 37th wedding anniversary.

That’s a long time.

A long, long time.

And yet it isn’t.

191 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:23:19pm

If you think about it, oral sex is kind of odd too. Not in the bible either. :D

192 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:23:56pm

re: #191 Gus

If you think about it, oral sex is kind of odd too. Not in the bible either. :D

also i believe the bible was written centuries before the discovery of the clitoris

193 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:24:29pm

re: #191 Gus

If you think about it, oral sex is kind of odd too. Not in the bible either. :D

Lesbians aren’t mentioned either IIRC.

194 Internet Tough Guy  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:24:46pm

re: #189 Kragar

Information wants to be free, but dudebros want to be paid.

195 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:26:58pm

re: #192 dog philosopher

also i believe the bible was written centuries before the discovery of the clitoris

Modern Evangelicals don’t even bother looking for it.

196 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:27:33pm

re: #195 Kragar

Modern Evangelicals don’t even bother looking for it.

Are you talking about evangelical men AND women?

197 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:28:42pm

re: #195 Kragar

Modern Evangelicals don’t even bother looking for it.

I’m sure they’ve seen Clitoris Leachman before. //

Oops, maybe not.

198 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:28:52pm

re: #196 Eclectic Cyborg

Are you talking about evangelical men AND women?

Why would a woman look for it unless she’s working with the DEVIL?

199 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:29:56pm

You gotta admire God’s sense of humor in giving WOMEN the only dedicated sexual organ

200 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:30:38pm

[DF glances through the string of sex-related comments that followed his joking remark]

I’ve created a Frankenstein.

201 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:31:29pm

re: #199 Eclectic Cyborg

You gotta admire God’s sense of humor in giving WOMEN the only dedicated sexual organ

Not sure if I fixt it……

being a atheist an a woman an stuff…..

202 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:31:33pm

re: #200 Dark_Falcon

[DF glances through the string of sex-related comments that followed his joking remark]

I’ve created a Frankenstein.

It self organized.

203 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:31:34pm

re: #200 Dark_Falcon

[DF glances through the string of sex-related comments that followed his joking remark]

I’ve created a Frankenstein.

It’s like the 70s in here. //

204 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:31:40pm

Any sane person understands that the core the principle of the Constitution is to guarantee that you have the right to do anything that does not infringe on the rights of others.

I can see nothing in homosexual activity between consenting adults that fits that category.

205 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:33:50pm

re: #203 Gus

It’s like the 70s in here. //

needz moar polyester in pastel tones

206 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:33:58pm

re: #204 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

Any sane person understands that the core the principle of the Constitution is to guarantee that you have the right to do anything that does not infringe on the rights of others.

I can see nothing in homosexual activity between consenting adults that fits that category.

“Does anyone have an objection?”
“ME!ME!ME!ME!ME!ME!ME!ME!”
“Is it based solely on your religious beliefs and your desire to impose them on others?”
“… Maybe.”
“Sit down. Any other objections?”

207 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:35:11pm

re: #200 Dark_Falcon

[DF glances through the string of sex-related comments that followed his joking remark]

I’ve created a Frankenstein.

It all makes sense now…

208 Jay in Oregon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:35:36pm

re: #184 Charles Johnson

The Dudebro Brigade are eminently qualified to make informed decisions regarding national security issues, because Wikipedia.

209 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:36:51pm

Conservatives keep saying how they hate big government telling people what to do, then demands Government tells people who they can marry, what kind of medical care they can get, and the government enshrine their beliefs as laws over everyone else.

210 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:36:55pm

This is something I kind of expected:

Youtube Video

211 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:37:44pm

re: #204 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

Any sane person understands that the core the principle of the Constitution is to guarantee that you have the right to do anything that does not infringe on the rights of others.

I can see nothing in homosexual activity between consenting adults that fits that category.

Yeah, that was the general understanding of the social contract. Sadly, it’s become a lost concept.

212 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:39:25pm

I wonder how much underground homosexual activity was going on during the Founders time?

Bear in mind that back then virtually all governments, corporations and social organizations were 100% male.

213 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:39:57pm

re: #209 Kragar

Conservatives keep saying how they hate big government telling people what to do, then demands Government tells people who they can marry, what kind of medical care they can get, and the government enshrine their beliefs as laws over everyone else.

They do not want SECULAR government telling us what they can and cannot do, they want a government based on (their particular interpretation of) Biblical Law telling us what we cannot do.

214 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:43:05pm

“Why do my tax dollars have to cover a woman’s birth control?”
“Why do my tax dollars have to buy surplus tanks that the Pentagon doesn’t even want?”
“WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?!”

215 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:44:10pm

BENEFITS OF BEING A GAY MAN
1) Find someone your own size and you immediately double your wardrobe
2) Toilet seat up, toilet seat down ,, WHO CARES !!!!
3) No lipstick stains on the good crystal or napkins
4) Someone else in the house knows how to hook up a stereo
5) (((your turn)))

216 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:45:16pm

re: #215 sattv4u2

BENEFITS OF BEING A GAY MAN
1) Find someone your own size and you immediately double your wardrobe
2) Toilet seat up, toilet seat down ,, WHO CARES !!!!
3) No lipstick stains on the good crystal or napkins
4) Someone else in the house knows how to hook up a stereo
5) (((your turn)))

No need to explain why you spent $100 on gaming stuff.

217 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:47:09pm
Neighbours, a popular Seattle, Washington gay bar packed with 750 patrons was partially soaked in gasoline then set on fire minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day. Thanks to a quick-thinking guest who reportedly grabbed and discharged a fire extinguisher, and staff who reportedly pulled the fire alarm, setting off sprinklers, there were no injuries.

The Capitol Hill Seattle blog reports that Seattle Police “released a preliminary report that calls the incident an ‘arson fire’ and documents that an unknown perpetrator is believed to have poured gasoline on a carpeted stairway leading to the club’s second level.”

I’ve been to neighbors, had a tranny coworker when I cooked in local restaurants and we used to go there to support her in drag shows. It also used to be a good low pressure place to dance with hot straight girls looking to avoid straight clubs, all of which understandably pissed off the gays … an awkward kind of acceptance mixed with a hefty dose of sexual gentrification.

Mainly, the scary thing is how the M.O. of this attack matches up with the 1973 UpStairs Lounge fire in New Orleans, where 32 people died. I hope they catch whoever did this.

218 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:47:29pm

re: #210 Dark_Falcon

This is something I kind of expected:

[Embedded content]

That’s right, there is now a Duck Commander line of firearms:

The family-owned business at the center of the hit TV show “Duck Dynasty” has launched its own line of guns.

The gunmaker Mossberg has teamed with Duck Commander, the company owned by “Duck Dynasty’s” Robertson clan, to release nine different shotguns, as well as two semiautomatic rifles and a semiautomatic pistol.

Mossberg has begun shipping some of the shotguns to distributors, according to spokeswoman Linda Powell. She declined to name specific retailers that will carry them.

Duck Commander was founded 40 years ago by Phil Robertson, the family patriarch who was recently suspended — and then reinstated — by A&E after making controversial remarks about gay people and African-Americans. He and his sons are featured prominently in four video ads for the new guns on Mossberg’s web site. Phil narrates one of the spots saying, “Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? To blow a mallard drake’s head smooth off.”

219 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:48:43pm

Damn snow sharks. They got the dogs.

I hate it when they get the dogs.

220 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:53:40pm
221 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:54:17pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

nine different shotguns, as well as two semiautomatic rifles and a semiautomatic pistol.

Mossberg has begun shipping some of the shotguns to distributors

The deal must have been in the works for some time now, signed sealed and delivered months ago if they are already shipping

222 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:55:58pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

She declined to name specific retailers that will carry them.

I can probably name two

Bass Pro Shops
WalMart

223 Slap  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:56:29pm

re: #132 wrenchwench

Nora Dunn.

224 Kragar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:57:57pm
225 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:58:03pm

re: #223 Slap

Nora Dunn.

David Schwimmer

226 BongCrodny  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:59:23pm

re: #225 Gus

David Schwimmer

Rob Schneider.

227 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 2:59:34pm

re: #88 BusyMonster

In other words, I deny not only his Dudebro Prophet catchet, but I believe he has earned far more of a Useful Idiot dunce cap for life, and I think coming months will make this obvious. He was just a fucking tool, and now that his usefulness is over with the only discussion is how the tool will be dispensed of.

It will probably be in the typical Russian manner. Transferred somewhere in Siberia, worked until he dies or is completely forgotten about, shot in the back of the head and shoved in the mineshaft that houses the Romanovs.

They’re never going to let Snowden go. If for no other reason than to keep hidden how they turned him.

228 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:01:38pm

re: #220 Kragar

[Embedded content]

BF is partially right in that some states do have religious qualifications, but yes, Mr Secessionist is for nullification of everything he does not like

229 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:02:13pm

re: #226 BongCrodny

Rob Schneider.

Pauly Shore

230 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:05:51pm

re: #226 BongCrodny

Rob Schneider.

re: #229 Gus

Pauly Shore

Nahhh

They’re both too cerebral for the part!!

231 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:07:21pm

OMG OMG OMG! NYC MIGHT GET 5 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW! THEY’RE ALL GONNA DIE! IT’S SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014!

232 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:08:41pm

re: #231 Gus

OMG OMG OMG! NYC MIGHT GET >5 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW! THEY’RE ALL GONNA DIE! IT’S SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014!

Nothernn suburb of Boston where a friend of mine lives already has 10 1/2 inches ,,, and it’s supposed to keep going all night!!!

(( hmmmmm,,,,there’s a porn joke in there somewhere!!!)))

233 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:11:52pm

re: #222 sattv4u2

She declined to name specific retailers that will carry them.

I can probably name two

Bass Pro Shops
WalMart

Concur. The WalMart’s around where I live don’t carry firearms, but the Bass Pro Shop in Gurnee will surely carry these.

234 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:12:22pm

re: #231 Gus

OMG OMG OMG! NYC MIGHT GET >5 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW! THEY’RE ALL GONNA DIE! IT’S SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014!

It freaking is, my girlfriend is supposed to be flying back from Philadelphia tomorrow and if she is delayed, I am likely to blow a gasket…

235 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:13:17pm

re: #234 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

It freaking is, my girlfriend is supposed to be flying back from Philadelphia tomorrow and if she is delayed, I am likely to blow a gasket...

(( hmmmmm,,,,there’s a porn joke in there somewhere!!!)))

236 BongCrodny  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:17:51pm

re: #218 Dark_Falcon

That’s right, there is now a Duck Commander line of firearms:

“Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? To blow a mallard drake’s head smooth off.”

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Setting fire to ants with a magnifying glass.

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Dousing cats with gasoline and setting them on fire.

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Putting a litter of puppies in a bag weighed down with rocks and throwing them into a river.

Sheesh.

Okay, look — I might be pretty far to the left, but I like to think I’m no squishy liberal. I get the concept of hunting; I’m from a hunting state. I eat meat, and I BUY IT AT THE FUCKING SUPERMARKET, so maybe I’m the worst kind of hypocrite.

I understand the concept of hunting for population control, and I even understand the concept of hunting for pleasure.

But damn — having a frigging orgasm while talking about blowing some defenseless critter’s head off is an idea I don’t even want to begin to understand.

237 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:19:42pm

re: #231 Gus

5-9 inches isn’t a lot; the area’s gotten a whole lot more than that. Blizzard conditions do pose some issues, as does the serious wind chill. That it’s happening overnight is a big relief (as is the fact that it’s coming during a holiday week when a lot of people are away/on vacation).

Getting home tonight wasn’t a big deal. Nothing out of the ordinary. That’s going to change over the next few hours as the snow and wind picks up.

Now, if we get 10-18 inches, that’s a different story.

If your blizzard conditions last more than three hours, seek medical attention. /

238 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:21:18pm

re: #236 BongCrodny

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Setting fire to ants with a magnifying glass.

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Dousing cats with gasoline and setting them on fire.

Do you know what makes me happy ladies and gentlemen? Putting a litter of puppies in a bag weighed down with rocks and throwing them into a river.

Sheesh.

Okay, look — I might be pretty far to the left, but I like to think I’m no squishy liberal. I get the concept of hunting; I’m from a hunting state. I eat meat, and I BUY IT AT THE FUCKING SUPERMARKET, so maybe I’m the worst kind of hypocrite.

I understand the concept of hunting for population control, and I even understand the concept of hunting for pleasure.

But damn — having a frigging orgasm while talking about blowing some defenseless critter’s head off is an idea I don’t even want to begin to understand.

Nor do I understand it. But I though it prudent to inform the group about this one. My posting the story should not be read as approving of it.

BBL

239 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:21:19pm

Conservative NY radio host Bob Grant dies at 84
Longtime conservative radio host Bob Grant, whose combative style became the template for broadcasters such as Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.

240 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:21:51pm

re: #227 Romantic Heretic

It will probably be in the typical Russian manner. Transferred somewhere in Siberia, worked until he dies or is completely forgotten about, shot in the back of the head and shoved in the mineshaft that houses the Romanovs.

They’re never going to let Snowden go. If for no other reason than to keep hidden how they turned him.

That’s a very good point. There has been speculation from the beginning that Snowden was working with someone considerably higher placed in the security establishment. The Russians would pull out all the stops to protect such an asset. My guess on Snowden’s eventual fate would be a traffic accident. Unfamiliar and challenging road conditions and a subject with a reputation for recklessness would make it at least passably plausible. There are many ways to make it undetectable if you have the luxury of unfettered access to the wreckage afterward. The Russians could just shrug and claim the misfortune as evidence of the degree of freedom he was allowed in their country.

241 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:22:21pm

re: #237 lawhawk

5-9 inches isn’t a lot; the area’s gotten a whole lot more than that. Blizzard conditions do pose some issues, as does the serious wind chill. That it’s happening overnight is a big relief (as is the fact that it’s coming during a holiday week when a lot of people are away/on vacation).

Getting home tonight wasn’t a big deal. Nothing out of the ordinary. That’s going to change over the next few hours as the snow and wind picks up.

Now, if we get 10-18 inches, that’s a different story.

If your blizzard conditions last more than three hours, seek medical attention. /

NY and NJ just declared a state of emergency.

For 5 to 9 inches.

I quit.

242 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:24:00pm

re: #241 Gus

NY and NJ just declared a state of emergency.

For 5 to 9 inches.

I quit.

We do what we can with what we have.

243 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:24:53pm

Not to be outdone, Gellman writes this…”According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden”.

NSA seeks to build quantum computer that could crack most types of encryption

washingtonpost.com

“In room-size metal boxes, secure against electromagnetic leaks, the National Security Agency is racing to build a computer that could break nearly every kind of encryption used to protect banking, medical, business and government records around the world.

“According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the effort to build “a cryptologically useful quantum computer” — a machine exponentially faster than classical computers — is part of a $79.7 million research program titled, “Penetrating Hard Targets.” Much of the work is hosted under classified contracts at a laboratory in College Park.”

244 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:24:57pm

re: #235 sattv4u2

(( hmmmmm,,,,there’s a porn joke in there somewhere!!!)))

yes, that was an intentional double-entendre

245 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:26:50pm

re: #244 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)

yes, that was an intentional double-entendre

Unintentional….suuuuuure.

/

246 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:26:58pm

re: #242 b_sharp

We do what we can with what we have.

At this rate in 10 years they’ll be declaring a state of emergency for 0-5 inches of snow.

I’m just glad no politics and politicians involved here. //

247 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:27:39pm

re: #241 Gus

They’re doing it so that cars get off the roads so crews can stay ahead of the storm. I don’t think the snow by itself will be that bad. It’s about the wind.

In fact, I’m actually worried a bit about coastal flooding during high tides and onshore flow, including many of the places flooded during Sandy. Wont be nearly as bad as that, but some parts that have barely come back will see the potential for flooding.

But the real reason to declare the state of emergency - to look like you’re doing something and getting ahead of the storm. It shows that you’re acting responsibly. DeBlasio’s first tough decision comes overnight, when he has to decide whether to keep the schools open or not. Manhattan might not see a lot of snow from this, but Queens and Brooklyn could get hammered.

248 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:28:41pm

re: #246 Gus

At this rate in 10 years they’ll be declaring a state of emergency for 0-5 inches of snow.

I’m just glad no politics and politicians involved here. //

In that case, New Mexico is the future. They close the schools for half an inch.

249 Weet  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:29:02pm

Awwww Fuck Snowden.

250 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:29:04pm

re: #243 Justanotherhuman

And that too isn’t surprising given the NSA mission to get intel. That includes breaking codes and improving code for the US. A quantum computing system would potentially assist in both methods.

251 sattv4u2  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:29:48pm

re: #241 Gus

NY and NJ just declared a state of emergency.

For 5 to 9 inches.

I quit.

re: #242 b_sharp

We do what we can with what we have.

Bragards

252 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:29:55pm

re: #249 Weet

Awwww Fuck Snowden.

Oh, look! It’s a shrill brigade!

/

253 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:30:10pm

re: #240 Shiplord Kirel

Julian Assange’s vulnerability, on the other hand, is that he chose refuge with a more or less functionally democratic country. A change of administration in Ecuador might well see him tossed out the door of the London embassy, straight into the waiting arms of Scotland Yard and the Swedish police.

254 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:31:25pm

re: #247 lawhawk

They’re doing it so that cars get off the roads so crews can stay ahead of the storm. I don’t think the snow by itself will be that bad. It’s about the wind.

In fact, I’m actually worried a bit about coastal flooding during high tides and onshore flow, including many of the places flooded during Sandy. Wont be nearly as bad as that, but some parts that have barely come back will see the potential for flooding.

But the real reason to declare the state of emergency - to look like you’re doing something and getting ahead of the storm. It shows that you’re acting responsibly. DeBlasio’s first tough decision comes overnight, when he has to decide whether to keep the schools open or not. Manhattan might not see a lot of snow from this, but Queens and Brooklyn could get hammered.

Looks like regular school hours.

255 gwangung  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:31:57pm

re: #243 Justanotherhuman

Not to be outdone, Gellman writes this…”According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden”.

NSA seeks to build quantum computer that could crack most types of encryption

washingtonpost.com

“In room-size metal boxes, secure against electromagnetic leaks, the National Security Agency is racing to build a computer that could break nearly every kind of encryption used to protect banking, medical, business and government records around the world.

“According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the effort to build “a cryptologically useful quantum computer” — a machine exponentially faster than classical computers — is part of a $79.7 million research program titled, “Penetrating Hard Targets.” Much of the work is hosted under classified contracts at a laboratory in College Park.”

More sensationalist twaddle from Greenwald, trying to sit astride the tide of technological progress and yell “Stop!”

It’s going to be developed eventually. It’s going to be used by other governments and corporations. Greenwald (or, more accurately, his supporters) are crying for unilateral disarmament.

256 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:32:01pm

re: #248 wrenchwench

In that case, New Mexico is the future. They close the schools for half an inch.

Breaking News. Trace amount of rain water detected on LA freeways. Cars veer out of control. Millions dead. //

257 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:32:08pm

re: #248 wrenchwench

In that case, New Mexico is the future. They close the schools for half an inch.

I had no idea it got that cold down there.

258 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:32:39pm

re: #256 Gus

Breaking News. Trace amount of rain water detected on LA freeways. Cars veer out of control. Millions dead. //

Water? We don’t have to deal with that here.

/

259 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:32:43pm

re: #250 lawhawk

And that too isn’t surprising given the NSA mission to get intel. That includes breaking codes and improving code for the US. A quantum computing system would potentially assist in both methods.

Exactly. And it’s not as though other countries aren’t working on the same thing.

It’s a hoo-hum article. It’s just disturbing that Snowden was able to steal so much.

260 makeitstop  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:33:07pm

re: #239 lawhawk

Conservative NY radio host Bob Grant dies at 84
Longtime conservative radio host Bob Grant, whose combative style became the template for broadcasters such as Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.

Ah, yes, Bob Grant. Mr. ‘Get off my phone!’

Back in the early 90s, my sister and BiL visited me from Baltimore, and we went into NYC to just hang out. We went into a pizzeria on Thompson Street to grab a bite.

My BiL, who was in broadcasting, leaned over to me and whispered, ‘See who’s in front of you on line? It’s Bob Grant.’ I never agreed with a single thing the man said, but I figured I’d say hello. I tapped him on the shoulder and said ‘Excuse me, Mr. Grant…’ He spun around and I’ll never forget the look on his face.

It was a look of abject horror and fear. I figured that because of the nature of his show, he probably got a lot of NY liberals approaching him and blasting him for being such an asshole on the air.

But he was just a frail old man, even back then. I saw his moment of fear and figured it was his comeuppance for being so mean to people.

261 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:33:25pm

That’s one thing I miss about the North. We don’t get snow days ‘round here.

262 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:33:27pm

re: #257 b_sharp

I had no idea it got that cold down there.

6,000 ft. of altitude. I don’t know how many canadaunits that is.

263 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:33:52pm

re: #247 lawhawk

Yeah. I know. Pretty sure they’ll have the Sanitation Department chaplain on call too. //

264 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:34:01pm

re: #252 wrenchwench

Oh, look! It’s a shrill brigade!

/

I’m working on B minor. All together now…. /

265 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:36:25pm

re: #264 lawhawk

I’m working on B minor. All together now…. /

What happens when the b minor meets the b_sharp?!? :O

266 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:36:34pm

:D

267 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:36:47pm

re: #262 wrenchwench

6,000 ft. of altitude. I don’t know how many canadaunits that is.

High.

We’re at 500m. (1600 ft)

268 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:37:30pm

re: #267 b_sharp

High.

We’re at 500m. (1600 ft)

So, I’m looking down at you.

269 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:37:35pm

re: #265 wrenchwench

What happens when the b minor meets the b_sharp?!? :O

Cacophony.

270 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:37:49pm

Gunmaker Mossberg has announced a new line of Duck Commander guns, 11 in all. The total includes shotguns, 2 handguns, and a couple of AR variants. Most seem to have the ducky camouflage that is the latest rage among fashion conscious wingnuts.
The Blaze

Mossberg makes a good home defense shotgun at a reasonable price, but there are plenty of alternatives and competitors.

271 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:38:23pm

re: #268 wrenchwench

So, I’m looking down at you.

Doesn’t everybody?

272 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:38:25pm

Gov Cuomo has banned travel on the LIE, I-84 is closed to commercial traffic, and I-87 (the NYS Thruway) is closed from Albany to NYC effective Midnight.

Think that’s a bit of overkill, and a bit of CYA after there have been a series of storms on Long Island that resulted in massive traffic jams due to snowed-in roads, iced over roads and dozens of accidents.

273 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:39:18pm

re: #272 lawhawk

Gov Cuomo has banned travel on the LIE, I-84 is closed to commercial traffic, and I-87 (the NYS Thruway) is closed from Albany to NYC effective Midnight.

Think that’s a bit of overkill, and a bit of CYA after there have been a series of storms on Long Island that resulted in massive traffic jams due to snowed-in roads, iced over roads and dozens of accidents.

Was going to make a comment about that earlier.

274 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:40:30pm

Actually, I think Gellman, the editorial writers at the NYT, and of course Greenwald, are writing Snowden’s epitaph, not the NSA’s.

275 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:44:34pm

re: #266 Gus

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D), who has subpoenad Port Authority documents, has reported that he’s gone through more than 900 pages of emails and correspondence and found that the documents point to the “traffic study” being ordered from outside the agency. He’s not directly pointing a finger at Christie himself, but the insinuation is that the GWB shutdown was indeed politically motivated.

276 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:46:04pm

re: #256 Gus

Breaking News. Trace amount of rain water detected on LA freeways. Cars veer out of control. Millions dead. //

WORSE THAN GODZILLA!!!

277 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:48:32pm

re: #270 Shiplord Kirel

Gunmaker Mossberg has announced a new line of Duck Commander guns, 11 in all. The total includes shotguns, 2 handguns, and a couple of AR variants. Most seem to have the ducky camouflage that is the latest rage among fashion conscious wingnuts.
The Blaze

Mossberg makes a good home defense shotgun at a reasonable price, but there are plenty of alternatives and competitors.

Just the thought of blasting a bird on the wing with a shotgun is sickening to me. I’ve never eaten duck or geese or quail and never intend to. There’s a supermarket right down the street where I can get food.

I wouldn’t even harm the chickens and ducks that come over here on this property from the neighbor’s.

I remember my dad bringing home rabbit when I was about 6; I wouldn’t eat any. And my grandmother would buy a live chicken from a farm truck that came into town and ring its neck in the bathtub. I wouldn’t eat that, either.

278 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:48:56pm
279 Mattand  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:49:33pm

re: #275 lawhawk

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D), who has subpoenad Port Authority documents, has reported that he’s gone through more than 900 pages of emails and correspondence and found that the documents point to the “traffic study” being ordered from outside the agency. He’s not directly pointing a finger at Christie himself, but the insinuation is that the GWB shutdown was indeed politically motivated.

It sounded to me like Wisniewski was going down the “I’m not saying it was Christie, but it was Christie” route.

Saying the order came from outside the PA, at least for me, only conjures up a few people. And as much as I don’t like Christie, I can’t believe he’d do something that reckless.

280 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:50:40pm

re: #278 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Googled. It can get down to -200F in Mars.

281 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:51:22pm

Or -128.889C

282 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:51:27pm

re: #231 Gus

OMG OMG OMG! NYC MIGHT GET >5 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW! THEY’RE ALL GONNA DIE! IT’S SNOWPOCALYPSE 2014!

Gus, you’re making me sad.
This storm also has 40+ mph winds.
I haven’t seen my husband since December 22 because he’s been working 16-18 hour shifts restoring power to people in Michigan and now, with this new storm, I don’t know when he’s going to get home.

Sorry, I know huge snowfalls are no big deal in Colorado, but this really isn’t a joke.

283 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:52:05pm

re: #279 Mattand

Wildstein is political (well all top tier PA employees are political appointees by the respective governors of NY and NJ). But it’s not surprising that he was still in contact with political operatives in Trenton, and perhaps thought this was an appropriate use of his position.

284 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:54:18pm

re: #262 wrenchwench

6,000 ft. of altitude. I don’t know how many canadaunits that is.

About 1829 meters (Man, I miss the metric system!)

285 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:55:09pm

re: #282 Backwoods_Sleuth

Gus, you’re making me sad.
This storm also has 40+ mph winds.
I haven’t seen my husband since December 22 because he’s been working 16-18 hour shifts restoring power to people in Michigan and now, with this new storm, I don’t know when he’s going to get home.

Sorry, I know huge snowfalls are no big deal in Colorado, but this really isn’t a joke.

OK

286 Mattand  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:55:13pm

re: #283 lawhawk

Wildstein is political (well all top tier PA employees are political appointees by the respective governors of NY and NJ). But it’s not surprising that he was still in contact with political operatives in Trenton, and perhaps thought this was an appropriate use of his position.

Josh Marshall at TPM posted a comment from a reader in Livingston a few days back. The person said that when Wildstein was mayor of Livingston, he basically turned what had been a decent working relationship between opposition parties, into an absolute war. All-out combative jackass.

287 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:55:59pm

re: #282 Backwoods_Sleuth

Gus, you’re making me sad.
This storm also has 40+ mph winds.
I haven’t seen my husband since December 22 because he’s been working 16-18 hour shifts restoring power to people in Michigan and now, with this new storm, I don’t know when he’s going to get home.

Sorry, I know huge snowfalls are no big deal in Colorado, but this really isn’t a joke.

{{{Sleuth}}}

{{{Mr. Sleuth}}}

He should be rotated out and a whole ‘nother crew sent in!

288 dog philosopher  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:56:48pm

re: #262 wrenchwench

6,000 ft. of altitude. I don’t know how many canadaunits that is.

you need to reckon it in glasses of molson’s

289 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:56:58pm

re: #285 Gus

OK

Thanks.
{{hugs}}

And my power just blinked…dammit…

290 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:58:13pm

re: #289 Backwoods_Sleuth

Thanks.
{{hugs}}

And my power just blinked…dammit…

Stay warm and safe friend.

291 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:58:13pm

re: #284 Eclectic Cyborg

About 1829 meters (Man, I miss the metric system!)

Hey, it didn’t go anywhere! You can even use it in the US if you want everyone to know you’re foreign

292 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 3:59:00pm

re: #278 darthstar

[Embedded content]

That black dot showing Winnipeg is way too high.

293 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:00:15pm

re: #243 Justanotherhuman

Not to be outdone, Gellman writes this…”According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden”.

NSA seeks to build quantum computer that could crack most types of encryption

washingtonpost.com

What! The NSA is trying break encryption methods???

But seriously. What do people think the NSA does?

294 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:00:38pm

re: #291 wrenchwench

Hey, it didn’t go anywhere! You can even use it in the US if you want everyone to know you’re foreign

lol

I’m comfortable using imperial for height/weight and distance (feet/yards/miles) but I’ve had no luck making in the conversion in the kitchen. I know roughly how much liquid 500ml is but I’ll be damned if I can correctly pick out a container with 2 quarts of liquid in it (or 2 pints for that matter).

295 b_sharp  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:01:11pm

BBL

296 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:01:45pm

re: #292 b_sharp

That black dot showing Winnipeg is way too high.

Yeah I’d say that dot is a good few hours north of Winnipeg.

297 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:04:16pm

re: #296 Eclectic Cyborg

Yeah I’d say that dot is a good few hours north of Winnipeg.

Maybe 0.3 Decahours.

RBS

298 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:06:17pm

re: #294 Eclectic Cyborg

lol

I’m comfortable using imperial for height/weight and distance (feet/yards/miles) but I’ve had no luck making in the conversion in the kitchen. I know roughly how much liquid 500ml is but I’ll be damned if I can correctly pick out a container with 2 quarts of liquid in it (or 2 pints for that matter).

Proper baking should be done by weight, but I’d be in the kitchen for days converting recipes if I tried that.

In 1968 I was told that the US was switching over……

299 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:08:10pm

“I bring you Tree!”

300 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:08:58pm
301 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:10:37pm
302 Pie-onist Overlord  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:11:12pm

re: #3 Eclectic Cyborg

Snowden reminds me much more of a sniveling techie henchman than a supervillain.

He’s like the guy who always gets killed near the end of the movie just BEFORE the main villain does.

Elijah Wood hasn’t had a really good movie role since LOTR.

I think he should play Ed Snowden in the movie.

Who should play Greenwald?

303 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:12:32pm

re: #302 Pie-onist Overlord

Philip Seymour Hoffman?

304 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:13:03pm

re: #302 Pie-onist Overlord

Elijah Wood hasn’t had a really good movie role since LOTR.

I think he should play Ed Snowden in the movie.

Who should play Greenwald?

Just in terms of looks, Edward Norton.


RBS
Corrected misspelled name

305 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:13:20pm

re: #277 Justanotherhuman

Just the thought of blasting a bird on the wing with a shotgun is sickening to me. I’ve never eaten duck or geese or quail and never intend to. There’s a supermarket right down the street where I can get food.

I wouldn’t even harm the chickens and ducks that come over here on this property from the neighbor’s.

I remember my dad bringing home rabbit when I was about 6; I wouldn’t eat any. And my grandmother would buy a live chicken from a farm truck that came into town and ring its neck in the bathtub. I wouldn’t eat that, either.

I’m not much on hunting myself, though I make an exception for the accursed feral hogs who seem to have taken over a big chunk of habitat here in Texas. They are destructive and smart, having more in common with human enemies than with harmless creatures like deer or rabbits.
Bird shooting, otoh, reminds me too much of Victor Charlie shooting at my helicopter in Vietnam. Unlike the ducks, geese, and doves, though, we had the option of shooting back. Too bad we can’t somehow arm the game birds. Armed ducks might be a little too sporting for the “sportsmen” out there.
There is also this to think about: Passenger Pigeon. These once darkened the sky with their numbers but hunting and habitat destruction killed every last one of them by 1914.

306 Pie-onist Overlord  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:14:29pm

re: #304 RealityBasedSteve

Just in terms of looks, Edwin Norton.

RBS

John Cusack!

307 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:14:57pm

re: #302 Pie-onist Overlord

Who should play Greenwald?

Shelley Duvall.

308 blueraven  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:15:04pm

re: #302 Pie-onist Overlord

Elijah Wood hasn’t had a really good movie role since LOTR.

I think he should play Ed Snowden in the movie.

Who should play Greenwald?

Peewee Herman

309 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:15:34pm

Iran and Syria shipping new missile technology to Hezzbollah
Hezbollah Upgrades Missile Threat to Israel

U.S. officials believe members of Hezbollah, the militant group backed by Iran, are smuggling advanced, guided-missile systems into Lebanon from Syria piece by piece to evade a secretive Israeli air campaign designed to stop them.
….
Some components of a powerful antiship missile system have already been moved to Lebanon, according to previously undisclosed intelligence, while other systems that could target Israeli aircraft, ships and bases are being stored in expanded weapons depots under Hezbollah control in Syria, say current and former U.S. officials.

Such guided weapons would be a major step up from the “dumb” rockets and missiles Hezbollah now has stockpiled, and could sharply increase the group’s ability to deter Israel in any potential new battle, officials say.

The movements appear to serve two purposes.

Iran wants to upgrade Hezbollah’s arsenal to deter future Israeli strikes—either on Lebanon or on Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. and Israeli officials say. In addition, these officials said they believe the transfers were meant to induce Hezbollah to commit to protect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as well as supply lines used by both his regime and Hezbollah.

310 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:15:44pm

re: #308 blueraven

Peewee Herman

That I might watch.

311 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:16:33pm

I would support the appalling British tradition of the fox hunt only if they could provide the fox with its own pack of hounds and somehow teach it to ride a horse.

312 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:17:16pm

If you like nature and the people who work in it, there’s a nice little read at this link.

313 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:17:49pm

re: #302 Pie-onist Overlord

Elijah Wood hasn’t had a really good movie role since LOTR.

I think he should play Ed Snowden in the movie.

Who should play Greenwald?

Stephen Baldwin. He has the same arrogance.

314 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:18:04pm

re: #308 blueraven

Peewee Herman

Wow, he’d be great in the role. And there’s a definite resemblance.

315 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:18:11pm

re: #305 Shiplord Kirel

I’m not much on hunting myself, though I make an exception for the accursed feral hogs who seem to have taken over a big chunk of habitat here in Texas. They are destructive and smart, having more in common with human enemies than with harmless creatures like deer or rabbits.

We’ve got the same problem here in TN with feral hogs. Some are ones that escaped from farms, (apparently a hog reverts back pretty quick in the wild), some were brought in by hunting clubs to populate an area for game years ago. Now they are considered a ‘nuisance species’ and there is no bag limit or season on them.

RBS

316 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:18:26pm
317 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:18:28pm

GG references the 2008 (!) column of Ruth Marcus—which was about Mark Felt. What the fuckety fuck is he trying to say? There’s also a big difference in criticizing torture, like waterboarding, and the theft that Snowden committed. Snowden’s role in govt was that of a low level contractor who stole govt secrets, not as an FBI member who overstepped his bounds, or a member of the Executive branch of govt whose policies we disagree with.

Greenwald is comparing apples and oranges. Not surprising.

318 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:20:01pm

re: #303 Eclectic Cyborg

Philip Seymour Hoffman?

That would be a waste of Hoffman’s talent.

319 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:20:31pm

re: #308 blueraven

Alec Baldwin.

320 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:20:46pm

re: #318 Justanotherhuman

That would be a waste of Hoffman’s talent.

I agree, I was just trying to throw out a name of someone I thought could convincingly pull it off.

321 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:20:59pm

re: #316 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Hardman can always pay in cash.

322 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:22:06pm

re: #319 lawhawk

Alec Baldwin.

Haha, better yet, Stephen Baldwin.

323 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:23:28pm

Um, no. The NSA isn’t targeting your bank account. They’re trying to find ways to crack public-private key encryption methods, which are used in all kinds of places that need security.

Here’s why people are spouting this nonsense: the first sentence of Gellman’s article:

In room-size metal boxes, secure against electromagnetic leaks, the National Security Agency is racing to build a computer that could break nearly every kind of encryption used to protect banking, medical, business and government records around the world.

Again we see a deliberately overheated hyperbolic statement that seems intended only to inflame emotions, giving people the impression the NSA is targeting all these private things, when the target is an encryption method, not your freaking bank account.

And none of this is actually happening now. Research on quantum computers is a LONG way from producing a machine that would actually be useable.

This is the kind of stupid distorted crap that’s been pissing me off about this story from the beginning. Argh. Woof.

324 Mattand  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:27:19pm

re: #323 Charles Johnson

You know who else tried to develop quantum computers for hacking?

325 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:27:27pm

re: #317 Justanotherhuman

GG references the 2008 (!) column of Ruth Marcus…

Greenwald is comparing apples and oranges. Not surprising.

I take it his debate with her didn’t go so well for him on TV? I guess he’ll continue to one-sided debate her on twitter for a while. Attitude vs. facts - facts win every time. Sorry Glenn.

326 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:27:41pm

re: #323 Charles Johnson

So they are wanting to breaking an encryption method so they can decode sensitive information WHEN THE SITUATION REQUIRES IT.

Am I understanding correctly?

327 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:28:59pm

re: #326 Eclectic Cyborg

So they are wanting to breaking an encryption method so they can decode sensitive information WHEN THE SITUATION REQUIRES IT.

Am I understanding correctly?

Exactly.

328 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:31:01pm

NSA is not the only agency that would like to use a quantum computer. The Department of Energy runs some labs that have been working on that project for physics research.

329 Wendell Zurkowitz (slave of the waffle light)  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:31:24pm

re: #326 Eclectic Cyborg

So they are wanting to breaking an encryption method so they can decode sensitive information WHEN THE SITUATION REQUIRES IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MONITOR AND CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES BECAUSE THEY ARE EVIL.

Am I understanding correctly?

330 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:31:32pm

OK. No more snow argle bargle from me.

Get off mah lawn!

Hungry.

331 Political Atheist  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:32:33pm

re: #327 Charles Johnson

Besides if there is any kind of business that already gives up any and all info on request, let alone a NSA letter or FISA warrant its the banks. Every transaction, all that data is already available.
 No quantum computer, no decryption required,

332 darthstar  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:32:49pm
333 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:33:25pm

re: #323 Charles Johnson

Um, no. The NSA isn’t targeting your bank account. They’re trying to find ways to crack public-private key encryption methods, which are used in all kinds of places that need security.

Here’s why people are spouting this nonsense: the first sentence of Gellman’s article:

Again we see a deliberately overheated hyperbolic statement that seems intended only to inflame emotions, giving people the impression the NSA is targeting all these private things, when the target is an encryption method, not your freaking bank account.

And none of this is actually happening now. Research on quantum computers is a LONG way from producing a machine that would actually be useable.

This is the kind of stupid distorted crap that’s been pissing me off about this story from the beginning. Argh. Woof.

…

In room-size metal boxes, secure against electromagnetic leaks, the National Security Agency is racing to build a computer that could break nearly every kind of encryption used to protect banking, medical, business and government records around the world.

That COULD. Could. C-o-u-l-d.

The Pentagon has weapons that COULD kill bazzilions of Americans. //

334 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:35:13pm

re: #323 Charles Johnson

What do these people think other nations do with their national security secrets? Hide them out in the open? Transmit them in the clear?

No.

They’re highly encrypted. Encrypted far more strongly than anything that banks or other entities would use.

Nations devote supercomputers to figuring out encryption/decryption techniques/methods. Why do these people think that the US shouldn’t be using these technological means to protect/defend ourselves against future/potential threats.

And quantum computing is an emerging area of research. Quantum computing is at a stage of development not much further along than the first computers decades ago. Room sized and uniquely suited for cryptography.

335 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:36:31pm

re: #325 darthstar

I take it his debate with her didn’t go so well for him on TV? I guess he’ll continue to one-sided debate her on twitter for a while. Attitude vs. facts - facts win every time. Sorry Glenn.

Yes, he also has the video on Youtube now. Of course.

His shame for all the world to see. Of course, he has none, but everyone else can judge for themselves. I see him as a very tiny person with an oversized ego, an opportunist out for what he can make of it and the hell with ethics.

Everyone has gripes against the govt from time to time, but to condemn it and your country of birth, the country that educated you, gave you opportunities—if not every single thing you want immediately—from the safety of another country and to make it look like the veritable bogeyman of children’s fables, w/o a real foundation, for it is the coward’s way.

336 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:37:31pm

re: #335 Justanotherhuman

Greenwald is surrounded by people who tell him what a genius he is when he acts like a total asshole.

337 Justanotherhuman  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:40:55pm

re: #336 Charles Johnson

Greenwald is surrounded by people who tell him what a genius he is when he acts like a total asshole.

I’d call them sycophants, but he’s not that important. Even though he has actual journalists kowtowing to him. They ought to be ashamed, too.

338 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:41:34pm

Fire departments can use their fire hoses and water to quash peaceful protests! Ban the fire departments!

339 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:42:39pm

Vikings ST coach Mike Priefer denies Chris Kluwe allegations

Most importantly for Priefer though, he has the support of Vikings kicker Blair Walsh. Several times during his piece, Kluwe referred to something that happened at a special teams meeting. Walsh would have presumably been at those special teams meetings.

Looks like the allegations may have been a hoax.

340 urbanmeemaw  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:43:23pm

re: #189 Kragar

Next Dudebro Crusade: Abolish Log-ins and Passwords because they are nothing more than drooling jack booted shills who conspire to block freedom loving libertarians from any and all information they have a right to see.

341 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:43:37pm

re: #199 Eclectic Cyborg

You gotta admire God’s sense of humor in giving WOMEN the only dedicated sexual organ

God’s also got an amazing sense of humor in giving men a way of achieving orgasm that can really only be accessed through anal stimulation.

342 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:44:16pm

Microphones and tape recorders now being purchased by the government can be used to spy on Americans!

343 lawhawk  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:44:48pm

The demolition of Sandy Hook elementary school is complete. The town had agreed to demolish and build anew following the deadly school attack.

Cost to demolish and rebuild? $50 million.

344 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:44:58pm

Cameras can be used by the government to track and record American citizens!

345 Shiplord Kirel  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:45:36pm

re: #338 Gus

Fire departments can use their fire hoses and water to quash peaceful protests! Ban the fire departments!

Dihydrogen monoxide is a chemical weapon!

346 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:45:53pm

I admit to enjoying the expected neo-Luddism from the fringe.

347 wrenchwench  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:46:25pm

re: #339 Killgore Trout

Vikings ST coach Mike Priefer denies Chris Kluwe allegations

Looks like the allegations may have been a hoax.

No matter what happened or what you think of it, ‘hoax’ is not the right word.

348 sagehen  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:46:44pm

re: #277 Justanotherhuman

Just the thought of blasting a bird on the wing with a shotgun is sickening to me. I’ve never eaten duck or geese or quail and never intend to. There’s a supermarket right down the street where I can get food.

I wouldn’t even harm the chickens and ducks that come over here on this property from the neighbor’s.

I remember my dad bringing home rabbit when I was about 6; I wouldn’t eat any. And my grandmother would buy a live chicken from a farm truck that came into town and ring its neck in the bathtub. I wouldn’t eat that, either.

I love duck. MuShu, or Peking, the Japanese restaurant does a duck medallions in orange sauce that’s really good, and the Thai place does a duck salad with nuts and lemongrass. It’s like chicken, but greasier so the skin crunches up better without drying out the interior.

I’ve never had to pick shotgun pellets out of it, I imagine that would diminish the enjoyment.

349 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:46:54pm

re: #345 Shiplord Kirel

Dihydrogen monoxide is a chemical weapon!

Note pads and note paper can be used by the government to record our citizens thoughts!

350 gwangung  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:47:23pm

re: #339 Killgore Trout

Vikings ST coach Mike Priefer denies Chris Kluwe allegations

Looks like the allegations may have been a hoax.

This statement makes it sound like you’re desperate not to believe Kluwe.

351 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:48:45pm

re: #339 Killgore Trout

Looks like the allegations may have been a hoax.

A difference of opinion =/= a hoax.

Despite your best efforts, you can’t MBF every fucking thing in the world.

352 SteveMcGazi  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:49:30pm

re: #350 gwangung

This statement makes it sound like you’re desperate not to believe Kluwe.

That’s quite a reach you got there.

353 Lidane  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:50:23pm

re: #350 gwangung

This statement makes it sound like you’re desperate not to believe Kluwe.

KT wants everything to be nice and neat and MBF’d.

A difference of opinion is now a hoax. A poll showing that Republicans are now a more creationist party is somehow anti-Republican and therefore evil. Etc.

354 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:52:09pm

Uh oh! Wait a second…

Kluwe is a civil libertarian and describes himself as “cheerfully agnostic.

Game changer man. Kluwe is a libertarian.

Libertarians are strange people.

:D

355 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:52:26pm
356 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:52:27pm

re: #350 gwangung

This statement makes it sound like you’re desperate not to believe Kluwe.

I’m not surprised by the coaches denials. But other team members who were at the meeting didn’t witness anything. The story might not be true.

357 Gus  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:52:39pm

Oops. Fixed. But yeah. He’s a libertarian.

358 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:53:15pm

re: #354 Gus

Uh oh! Wait a second…

Game changer man. Kluwe is a libertarian.

Libertarians are strange people.

:D

Outrage!

359 RealityBasedSteve  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 4:54:32pm

From Pearl Harbor to VJ day the armament industries in the US produced over 47 billion rounds, enough rounds to be capable of killing every man, woman and child on earth over 18 times each. The fact that something COULD happen isn’t WILL happen.

RBS

360 compound_Idaho  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 5:19:10pm

re: #356 Killgore Trout

I’m not surprised by the coaches denials. But other team members who were at the meeting didn’t witness anything. The story might not be true.

Professional sports are pretty much the ultimate merit based system. They will not cut you if you do your job well. (Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis, Sebastian Janikowski ……) oh and this years Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. No one cares what you think about gay marriage.

361 gwangung  Thu, Jan 2, 2014 5:22:01pm

re: #356 Killgore Trout

I’m not surprised by the coaches denials. But other team members who were at the meeting didn’t witness anything. The story might not be true.

Or the others may be homophobic. Or Kluwe is exaggerating what may be minor details. Or it may have been said where others didn’t hear.

I just think that immediately leaping to “hoax” is rather…desperate.

362 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Jan 3, 2014 8:12:51am

Charles Johnson,

Didn’t Greenwald block you, rather than deal with your criticism? How’s he going to handle a debate on live television? They’re not going to edit out any part that makes him look bad?

363 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Jan 3, 2014 8:26:10am

re: #220 Kragar

364 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Jan 3, 2014 8:29:20am

re: #278 darthstar

365 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Jan 3, 2014 8:34:39am

re: #37 Kragar

366 CriticalDragon1177  Fri, Jan 3, 2014 8:41:13am

This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
Or... you can just click this button to open the Pages posting window right away.
Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT LGF User's Guide RSS Feeds

Help support Little Green Footballs!

Subscribe now for ad-free access!Register and sign in to a free LGF account before subscribing, and your ad-free access will be automatically enabled.

Donate with
PayPal Cash.app
Recent PagesClick to refresh
The Good Liars at Miami Trump Rally [VIDEO] Jason and Davram talk with Trump supporters about art, Mike Lindell, who is really president and more! SUPPORT US: herohero.co SEE THE GOOD LIARS LIVE!LOS ANGELES, CA squadup.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AUDIO PODCAST:Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.comSpotify: open.spotify.comJoin this channel to ...
teleskiguy
2 weeks ago
Views: 560 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 0