November 1, 2017
By Jonathan V. Last
The cache of documents, released today for the first time by the CIA, are an amazing stockpile of information that has never before been public....
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
For those that care to, the bin Laden documents are being declassified by the CIA. All I need to know is that he is dead.
He is an arrogant ass.
He isn't a Scalia. Not by a long shot. He's another Trump. He loves to hear himself talk.
October 3, 2017
By Jeffery Toobin
Toward the end of the Supreme Court’s argument (click here) in Gill v. Whitford, about the future of partisan gerrymandering, there was a revealing moment about the place of the newest Justice in the esteem of at least one of his peers. In less than a year, Neil Gorsuch has dominated oral arguments, lectured his colleagues, and given dubiously appropriate public speeches. Questioning Paul Smith, the lawyer challenging Wisconsin’s contorted district lines, Gorsuch made another pedantic gesture....
...Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is bent with age, can sometimes look disengaged or even sleepy during arguments, and she had that droopy look today as well. But, in this moment, she heard Gorsuch very clearly, and she didn’t even raise her head before offering a brisk and convincing dismissal. In her still Brooklyn-flecked drawl, she grumbled, “Where did ‘one person, one vote’ come from?” There might have been an audible woo that echoed through the courtroom. (Ginsburg’s comment seemed to silence Gorsuch for the rest of the arguments.)...
Justice Ginsburg got tired of the disrespect. Disrespect for her wisdom, disrespect for the US Constitution and disrespect for the American citizen. Gorsuch is a jerk besides lacking constitutional intellect.
If I recall, Justices Scalia and Ginsburg were dear friends. I doubt Gorsuch will ever say the same.
Thank you, Mr. Toobin.
October 3, 2017
By Jeffery Toobin
Toward the end of the Supreme Court’s argument (click here) in Gill v. Whitford, about the future of partisan gerrymandering, there was a revealing moment about the place of the newest Justice in the esteem of at least one of his peers. In less than a year, Neil Gorsuch has dominated oral arguments, lectured his colleagues, and given dubiously appropriate public speeches. Questioning Paul Smith, the lawyer challenging Wisconsin’s contorted district lines, Gorsuch made another pedantic gesture....
...Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is bent with age, can sometimes look disengaged or even sleepy during arguments, and she had that droopy look today as well. But, in this moment, she heard Gorsuch very clearly, and she didn’t even raise her head before offering a brisk and convincing dismissal. In her still Brooklyn-flecked drawl, she grumbled, “Where did ‘one person, one vote’ come from?” There might have been an audible woo that echoed through the courtroom. (Ginsburg’s comment seemed to silence Gorsuch for the rest of the arguments.)...
Justice Ginsburg got tired of the disrespect. Disrespect for her wisdom, disrespect for the US Constitution and disrespect for the American citizen. Gorsuch is a jerk besides lacking constitutional intellect.
If I recall, Justices Scalia and Ginsburg were dear friends. I doubt Gorsuch will ever say the same.
Thank you, Mr. Toobin.
Senator Graham has good intentions, but, I think there should be great caution in turning the USA Homeland into a battlefield. I think it is a mistake to admit some Who-Ha made his way into the USA and was successful in killing Americans on a battlefield.
New York didn't see their soil as a battlefield. The people of New York stated they needed to address their infrastructure to prevent the use of trucks, even large trucks, from causing injuries and death within their city.
I think the New York Governor and New York City's Mayor should have a great deal of input in determining if the city is a battlefield.
I remind it is highly unconstitutional for any military movement within the borders of the USA. To consider an immigrant an enemy combatant is a huge mistake. I don't want any part of my country to be considered a battlefield. That elevates the terrorist and provides a platform they should never enjoy. Such a status of a terrorist striking within the USA would give more poison to the charismatic movement within Daesh.
Senator Graham was an honorable member of the US Air Force in the capacity of a lawyer. He tends to reach into his experience in the USA military to find solutions. The US Constitution is specific about the power of the military within the borders of this country. It is imprudent to place an overlay of a battlefield to the peaceful lives of Americans.
New York didn't see their soil as a battlefield. The people of New York stated they needed to address their infrastructure to prevent the use of trucks, even large trucks, from causing injuries and death within their city.
I think the New York Governor and New York City's Mayor should have a great deal of input in determining if the city is a battlefield.
I remind it is highly unconstitutional for any military movement within the borders of the USA. To consider an immigrant an enemy combatant is a huge mistake. I don't want any part of my country to be considered a battlefield. That elevates the terrorist and provides a platform they should never enjoy. Such a status of a terrorist striking within the USA would give more poison to the charismatic movement within Daesh.
Senator Graham was an honorable member of the US Air Force in the capacity of a lawyer. He tends to reach into his experience in the USA military to find solutions. The US Constitution is specific about the power of the military within the borders of this country. It is imprudent to place an overlay of a battlefield to the peaceful lives of Americans.
A President of the USA has to know the pulse of the country and if he can't he will continually cause sincere problems with domestic peace.
May 22, 2017
By Nina Burleigh
Donald Trump’s election (click here) has led to such a steep rise in fundamentalist Christian evangelizing and religious bigotry in the U.S. armed forces that the matter is reaching the level of a “national security threat,” according to information shared exclusively with Newsweek by an organization that represents and advocates for secular and minority religious views in the military.
The number of complaints from servicemen and -women in the Army, Air Force, Marines and other service branches to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has doubled in number since November 2016, according to lawyer Michael “Mikey” Weinstein, a former Air Force officer who founded the organization.
Many of the recent charges are coming from members of minority religions, including Roman Catholics, Jews and Muslims, and from atheists. Among the complaints: military family and marital therapy programs are being infused with Protestant Christianity, which would violate the U.S. Constitution; open anti-Semitism; anti-LGBT statements, posters, symbols and bullying; openly anti-Muslim teachers and Islamophobic attacks; a rise in on-base evangelizing; and increased pressure on recruits or lower-level personnel and service members to convert to fundamentalist Christianity.
“With the advent of Trump as the commander in chief of our armed forces, MRFF has experienced a massive influx of new military and civilian personnel complaints of religion-based prejudice and bigotry, most of them coming from non-fundamentalist Christians being persecuted by their military superiors for not being ‘Christian enough,’” Weinstein tells Newsweek....
By Nina Burleigh
Donald Trump’s election (click here) has led to such a steep rise in fundamentalist Christian evangelizing and religious bigotry in the U.S. armed forces that the matter is reaching the level of a “national security threat,” according to information shared exclusively with Newsweek by an organization that represents and advocates for secular and minority religious views in the military.
The number of complaints from servicemen and -women in the Army, Air Force, Marines and other service branches to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) has doubled in number since November 2016, according to lawyer Michael “Mikey” Weinstein, a former Air Force officer who founded the organization.
Many of the recent charges are coming from members of minority religions, including Roman Catholics, Jews and Muslims, and from atheists. Among the complaints: military family and marital therapy programs are being infused with Protestant Christianity, which would violate the U.S. Constitution; open anti-Semitism; anti-LGBT statements, posters, symbols and bullying; openly anti-Muslim teachers and Islamophobic attacks; a rise in on-base evangelizing; and increased pressure on recruits or lower-level personnel and service members to convert to fundamentalist Christianity.
“With the advent of Trump as the commander in chief of our armed forces, MRFF has experienced a massive influx of new military and civilian personnel complaints of religion-based prejudice and bigotry, most of them coming from non-fundamentalist Christians being persecuted by their military superiors for not being ‘Christian enough,’” Weinstein tells Newsweek....
There should be no surprise White Supremacist ideologues are in the military.
I watched the interview on FOX News which was the first show for what's her name? I was appalled. The first half I was in denial it was profound hate I was hearing, but, the longer the interview went on the more I realized, the USA military has problems. Real problems and they are deployed in areas where war never seems to end.
November 1, 2017
By Zeke Miller
Washington — In his three months on the job, (click here) John Kelly has been credited with bringing order to a chaotic West Wing, but don’t call him a moderate.
President Donald Trump’s chief of staff was the enforcer of Trump’s controversial immigration policies, has frequently criticized the president’s enemies, and this week echoed his boss’ defense of Confederate monuments.
It all suggests that “The Chief,” as he is known among aides, may have instilled order, but he is more ideologically aligned with Trump than many believed.
Much has been made of the imagery of Kelly silently lurking on the sidelines of presidential addresses, seeming to cringe when Trump gets out of line. But it may be wishful thinking by Trump’s critics to believe that he’s tugging the president in another direction.
White House officials and Kelly allies say he is not so much partisan as he is ideological, holding hawkish views on issues like immigration and national security....
November 1, 2017
By Zeke Miller
Washington — In his three months on the job, (click here) John Kelly has been credited with bringing order to a chaotic West Wing, but don’t call him a moderate.
President Donald Trump’s chief of staff was the enforcer of Trump’s controversial immigration policies, has frequently criticized the president’s enemies, and this week echoed his boss’ defense of Confederate monuments.
It all suggests that “The Chief,” as he is known among aides, may have instilled order, but he is more ideologically aligned with Trump than many believed.
Much has been made of the imagery of Kelly silently lurking on the sidelines of presidential addresses, seeming to cringe when Trump gets out of line. But it may be wishful thinking by Trump’s critics to believe that he’s tugging the president in another direction.
White House officials and Kelly allies say he is not so much partisan as he is ideological, holding hawkish views on issues like immigration and national security....
Trump crude and rude behavior is now systemic.
Oh, good.
Sarah Sanders does identify hateful speech.
Knock off the extreme vetting mess. The Oval Office FIRST needs to learn some manners.
There is every reason to believe the attack stance of President Trump has contributed to the agitation of those so inclined. Trump doesn't have a sterile office whereby his employees are the only people willing to kiss the ring. He is supposed to be a leader that recognizes all the people within the borders of the USA as important people. When he attacks minority religions by banning arrivals of their members after standard security clearance, there will be repercussions.
The violence within the borders of the USA has escalated this year and this is just another one. The attacker yesterday in New York City isn't very different than the Las Vegas killer, they wanted to kill people. I might add the police in both instances shut down the killers within a very short period of time. The police are as good as they come. Now, it is time for Trump to support them by maintaining domestic peace without fomenting hate.
May 1, 2017
By Michael Gerson
For those who claim that Donald Trump (click here) has been pasteurized and homogenized by the presidency, his sour, 100th-day speech in Harrisburg, Pa., was inconvenient.
Trump used his high office to pursue divisive grudges (Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer is a “bad leader”), to attack the media (composed of “incompetent, dishonest people”) and to savage congressional Democrats (“they don’t mind drugs pouring in”). Most of all, Trump used his bully pulpit quite literally, devoting about half his speech to the dehumanization of migrants and refugees as criminals, infiltrators and terrorists. Trump gained a kind of perverse energy from the rolling waves of hatred, culminating in the reading of racist song lyrics comparing his targets to vermin. It was a speech with all the logic, elevation and public purpose of a stink bomb....
Sarah Sanders does identify hateful speech.
Knock off the extreme vetting mess. The Oval Office FIRST needs to learn some manners.
There is every reason to believe the attack stance of President Trump has contributed to the agitation of those so inclined. Trump doesn't have a sterile office whereby his employees are the only people willing to kiss the ring. He is supposed to be a leader that recognizes all the people within the borders of the USA as important people. When he attacks minority religions by banning arrivals of their members after standard security clearance, there will be repercussions.
The violence within the borders of the USA has escalated this year and this is just another one. The attacker yesterday in New York City isn't very different than the Las Vegas killer, they wanted to kill people. I might add the police in both instances shut down the killers within a very short period of time. The police are as good as they come. Now, it is time for Trump to support them by maintaining domestic peace without fomenting hate.
May 1, 2017
By Michael Gerson
For those who claim that Donald Trump (click here) has been pasteurized and homogenized by the presidency, his sour, 100th-day speech in Harrisburg, Pa., was inconvenient.
Trump used his high office to pursue divisive grudges (Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer is a “bad leader”), to attack the media (composed of “incompetent, dishonest people”) and to savage congressional Democrats (“they don’t mind drugs pouring in”). Most of all, Trump used his bully pulpit quite literally, devoting about half his speech to the dehumanization of migrants and refugees as criminals, infiltrators and terrorists. Trump gained a kind of perverse energy from the rolling waves of hatred, culminating in the reading of racist song lyrics comparing his targets to vermin. It was a speech with all the logic, elevation and public purpose of a stink bomb....
Well, she won't get pregnant. Someone convinced Saudi Arabia there was a place for AI in the world.
By
A robot (click here) with an uncannily human-like appearance recently advanced one step closer to human status, when it was granted citizenship to Saudi Arabia at the tech summit Future Investment Initiative (FII).
Named "Sophia," the robot, created by Hanson Robotics (HR), has a pale-skinned face with features that are capable of being highly mobile and expressive and displaying a range of emotions. The company's "latest and most advanced robot," according to a statement on the HR website took to the stage at FII on Oct. 25 to address hundreds of attendees in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia, and to announce her recently acquired citizenship — the first to be given to a robot, the BBC reported.
"I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction," Sophia said during her onstage appearance, which was shared on YouTube by Arab News. "This is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship," the robot said....
Bush did the same thing. He diverted security money. Trump should realize this attack occurred under his watch.
They want to victimize New York even further by eliminating the State and Local Tax deduction. New York has financial stability and it's unions have no problems with their pensions. Every Republican envious of the stability of New York sees any spending there as a mistake.
The problems of New York don't show because of a compassionate people and excellent governance. Every city and state should have such quality of life. But, it means good paying jobs and a people paying taxes and following regulations.
June 4, 2017
By Sarah Trefethen
The latest terror attack in London (click here) should convince President Trump to nix his proposed cuts to anti-terror funding for New York and other US cities, US Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Sunday.
“I can’t figure out why they proposed cutting anti-terrorism funds in the budget, but I certainly hope that the horrible incident that occurred last night and in recent months in Europe will get the president to reverse his decision,” Schumer told reporters, referring to a plan to cut 25 percent from funding for the NYPD and FBI for anti-terrorism training, security and intelligence.
The Trump budget proposal would reduce anti-terrorism funding to New York City by $150 million, according to the senator....
The problems of New York don't show because of a compassionate people and excellent governance. Every city and state should have such quality of life. But, it means good paying jobs and a people paying taxes and following regulations.
June 4, 2017
By Sarah Trefethen
The latest terror attack in London (click here) should convince President Trump to nix his proposed cuts to anti-terror funding for New York and other US cities, US Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Sunday.
“I can’t figure out why they proposed cutting anti-terrorism funds in the budget, but I certainly hope that the horrible incident that occurred last night and in recent months in Europe will get the president to reverse his decision,” Schumer told reporters, referring to a plan to cut 25 percent from funding for the NYPD and FBI for anti-terrorism training, security and intelligence.
The Trump budget proposal would reduce anti-terrorism funding to New York City by $150 million, according to the senator....
Uber is racking them up. This is the second mass killer affiliated with Uber in the US.
I suppose working for a computer dispatcher is estranging to reality. I'll take a medallion.
November 1, 2017
Uber (click here) has confirmed that suspected truck terrorist attacker Sayfullo Saipov previously worked for the company as a driver.
The popular company issued a statement late Tuesday night about 29-year-old Saipov, who they said passed a background check to work for the ride-hailing service, according to Daily Mail.
"We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victims and their families," the statement reads.
"We have reached out to law enforcement to provide our full assistance."...
November 1, 2017
Uber (click here) has confirmed that suspected truck terrorist attacker Sayfullo Saipov previously worked for the company as a driver.
The popular company issued a statement late Tuesday night about 29-year-old Saipov, who they said passed a background check to work for the ride-hailing service, according to Daily Mail.
"We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victims and their families," the statement reads.
"We have reached out to law enforcement to provide our full assistance."...
The Beslan School Seige is known as a Chechen action, but, my recollection is that there was at least one, but, I believe it was two Uzbecks involved. There were a lot of changes in the politics and government after that. The region has become better when realizing the violence has diminished, but, there is still perceived oppression. There probably is, but, the violence is less.
There is always this ideology with radicals from that area of the world perfection means religious homogenizing of the entire human race. It defines their masculinity. It is crazy. The Middle East is like that, too. Extremists simply can't accept the fact diversity is a greater safety for all people.
Daesh is just the next excuse. There was no Daesh in Breslan, but, the killing happened anyway.
There is a socio-economic condition affiliated with the street warrior extremist. I suppose it could be said about any warrior including those in the USA military. They aren't a military of the aged.
US intelligence has significant information on "the religious extremist." A few of them have survived their attacks and are on trial. I would expect there were plenty of interrogations. I am sure that is a matter of intelligence profiles.
The problem with charismatic movements is that they don't have to have contact with the leader in order to be radicalized. They can be self-radicalized. That is why I believe the "Age of al Qaeda" is over. There is no charismatic leader except for what exists on websites and digital imaging. Those forms of hate can live forever if they aren't dismantled.
The USA intelligence center claims interception of phone communications are vital to preventing such attacks. I think that is less and less the case. I think Baghdadi is dead. At any rate, their capital is once again in the hands of civilization. The idea the self-radicalized extremists have contact with a specific leader is obsolete. The "Digital Kingdom" has to be dismantled so the future is more secure.
I think local intelligence is the best intelligence. The major cities have their own intelligence agents now as well as reports from the FBI. How much more can be done? It would seem as though some infrastructure needs to be addressed.
Sincere sympathy to Argentina and Belgium.
November 1, 2017
By Samuel Osborne
...Hours after the attack, (click here) the names of the first victims emerged as Argentina's foreign ministry said Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernan Ferruchi had died.
The group were marking three decades since their graduation from Polytechnic College in the city of Rosario in central Argentina.
A sixth Argentinian man with the group, Martin Ludovico Marro, was taken to the Presbyterian hospital in Manhattan.
According to La Capital newspaper, the group of 10 friends were exploring Manhattan on bicycles when the attack took place.
They had left Argentina for the US on Saturday, first visiting one of their friends in Boston before moving on to New York.
An unnamed Belgian woman was also among the dead, the country's deputy prime minister said....
There is always this ideology with radicals from that area of the world perfection means religious homogenizing of the entire human race. It defines their masculinity. It is crazy. The Middle East is like that, too. Extremists simply can't accept the fact diversity is a greater safety for all people.
Daesh is just the next excuse. There was no Daesh in Breslan, but, the killing happened anyway.
There is a socio-economic condition affiliated with the street warrior extremist. I suppose it could be said about any warrior including those in the USA military. They aren't a military of the aged.
US intelligence has significant information on "the religious extremist." A few of them have survived their attacks and are on trial. I would expect there were plenty of interrogations. I am sure that is a matter of intelligence profiles.
The problem with charismatic movements is that they don't have to have contact with the leader in order to be radicalized. They can be self-radicalized. That is why I believe the "Age of al Qaeda" is over. There is no charismatic leader except for what exists on websites and digital imaging. Those forms of hate can live forever if they aren't dismantled.
The USA intelligence center claims interception of phone communications are vital to preventing such attacks. I think that is less and less the case. I think Baghdadi is dead. At any rate, their capital is once again in the hands of civilization. The idea the self-radicalized extremists have contact with a specific leader is obsolete. The "Digital Kingdom" has to be dismantled so the future is more secure.
I think local intelligence is the best intelligence. The major cities have their own intelligence agents now as well as reports from the FBI. How much more can be done? It would seem as though some infrastructure needs to be addressed.
Sincere sympathy to Argentina and Belgium.
November 1, 2017
By Samuel Osborne
...Hours after the attack, (click here) the names of the first victims emerged as Argentina's foreign ministry said Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernan Ferruchi had died.
The group were marking three decades since their graduation from Polytechnic College in the city of Rosario in central Argentina.
A sixth Argentinian man with the group, Martin Ludovico Marro, was taken to the Presbyterian hospital in Manhattan.
According to La Capital newspaper, the group of 10 friends were exploring Manhattan on bicycles when the attack took place.
They had left Argentina for the US on Saturday, first visiting one of their friends in Boston before moving on to New York.
An unnamed Belgian woman was also among the dead, the country's deputy prime minister said....
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