What Adam Curry is reading

U.S. Embassy in Syria Closes as Violence Flares - NYTimes.com
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  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:30
  BEIRUT, Lebanon '-- The United States closed its embassy in Syria on Monday and withdrew its staff in the face of escalating mayhem for which American officials blamed the Syrian government's unbridled repression of an 11-month-old uprising.
  The move was another dramatic moment in a week full of them, as the confrontation in Syria turned even more violent and more unpredictable. Diplomatic efforts have largely collapsed, save for a Russian delegation visiting Damascus on Tuesday, and both the Syrian government and its opposition have signaled that each believes that the grinding conflict will be resolved only through force of arms.
  For weeks, Western embassies have reduced their staffs, and on Monday Britain also recalled its ambassador for consultations. Echoing a cascade of diplomatic invective, the British foreign secretary, William Hague, described the mounting violence as yet more evidence that President Bashar al-Assad must surrender power.
  ''This is a doomed regime as well as a murdering regime,'' he told the House of Commons. ''There is no way it can recover its credibility internationally.''
  A member of the Free Syrian Army stood guard over a demonstration by opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's government in Idlib on Monday.
  Associated Press
  Though the government has pressed forward with a crackdown in the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and in a rugged northern region around the town of Idlib, the city of Homs has witnessed the most pronounced violence. Opposition groups said government forces again shelled the city, despite international condemnations of a similar attack on Friday and Saturday that they said killed more than 200 people.
  Another grim toll was reported Monday in the city, Syria's third largest. The Local Coordination Committees, an opposition group that seeks to document the violence, said government forces killed 47 people in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, especially Baba Amr and Khalidya. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number at 43. There was no way to independently confirm either number.
  ''The situation is so miserable,'' said a 40-year-old man who gave his name as Ahmed. ''Gunfire is falling like rain, and all the stores are closed. We keep hearing unbelievably loud explosions that shake the windows every half-hour.''
  Explosions could be heard over the phone when speaking with residents in Homs. Videos smuggled out showed a chaotic scene at a clinic, as people rushed past doctors and staff members, shouting ''Oh God!'' In one video, said to document the scene, blood smeared the sidewalk. Another showed bloodied corpses.
  The Khalidya neighborhood in Homs is one of the hardest-hit areas in Syria.
  Reuters
  The government has flatly denied the tolls quoted by opposition groups. On Saturday, it said Homs was quiet. State-run news media placed blame for the violence Monday on ''armed terrorist groups'' firing mortars within Homs. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said that it was seeking ''to restore security and stability to Homs,'' and that six members of the security forces and ''scores of terrorists'' had been killed.
  Clearly laying the blame on Syria's president, the State Department said in a statement that the United States had ''suspended operations of our embassy in Damascus,'' and that Ambassador Robert S. Ford and all American personnel had left the country. It said the closing reflected ''serious concerns that our embassy is not protected from armed attack.''
  ''The deteriorating security situation that led to the suspension of our diplomatic operations makes clear once more the dangerous path Assad has chosen and the regime's inability to fully control Syria,'' said a spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland. American officials said the embassy staff had relocated temporarily to neighboring Jordan.
  The announcement said Ambassador Ford would ''continue his work and engagement with the Syrian people as head of our Syria team in Washington.''
  Syrians living in Turkey protested against the Assad regime outside the Syrian consulate in Istanbul on Monday.
  Associated Press
  It stopped short of a formal break in diplomatic relations with Syria, but was considered a strong signal that Obama administration officials believe there is nothing left to talk about with Mr. Assad. Though more isolated than at any time in the four decades since Mr. Assad's family took power, the government was emboldened by the vetoes of Russia and China on Saturday of a United Nations Security Council resolution backed by Western and Arab states supporting a plan to end the bloodshed. The vetoes appeared to end, for the moment, any concerted diplomatic efforts.
  Instead, countries traded barbs. Mr. Hague called the vetoes ''a betrayal of the Syrian people.'' Russia's foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, was scornful of the criticism, saying it was ''perhaps on the verge of hysterical.'' In China, a commentary in the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily argued that the chaos that followed the toppling of governments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya proved that forced leadership changes only made matters worse. ''Simply backing one side and beating down the other, seemingly helpful, will in fact only sow seeds of future disasters,'' said the article, signed Zhong Sheng, an often-used pseudonym that can be read to mean ''China's voice.''
  Throughout the uprising, Homs, near the Lebanese border in western Syria, has served as a barometer of the shifting dynamics. Demonstrations erupted there in the beginning last March, forging a vibrant culture of protest that has taken hold across the country. It has also seen mounting sectarian strife '-- pitting a Sunni Muslim majority against minority Alawites, a heterodox sect that provides much of the leadership of Mr. Assad's government. Lawlessness has mounted, as have vendettas in a city strewn with trash and suffering shortages of food and electricity.
  Defectors and their armed allies control some neighborhoods, and the army has resorted to shelling that residents call indiscriminate. Many residents have lamented the violence and hardship, though the opposition to Mr. Assad seems to have broad support among the city's Sunnis.
  The American embassy building in Damascus in January, 2011.
  Bassem Tellawi / Associated Press
  ''We are not hiding in shelters, we are home,'' said a resident of the neighborhood of Inshaat who gave his name as Omar. ''My friends share lots of these feelings, I guess. They stay in rooms far from the street, and they sleep in living rooms and kitchens.''
  He predicted more bloodshed.
  ''What is going to happen is more killing and more brutality, this I am sure of. He will not leave unless we kick him out by force,'' he said of Mr. Assad. ''Protests are necessary but not enough. I see no other choice. Negotiation, sharing, politics are useless with such a regime. He came to power by force and won't leave it in any other way.''
  While peaceful protests continue, the sense of a gathering armed confrontation is growing, even in citadels of the regime's support, like Damascus and Aleppo, the country's second-largest city. As with the capital's suburbs, fighting has mounted in Aleppo, near the Turkish border.
  Video | TimesCast | U.S. Closes Syrian Embassy February 6, 2012 '-- Responding to escalating violence, the United States shutters its Syrian embassy.
  ''All the young guys are getting armed, even university students,'' said Ammar, a 21-year-old university student there, reached by phone. ''I told them don't, but they said, 'There is no free army to protect us, so we need to protect ourselves on our own.' ''
  Government forces have kept up a campaign to retake Damascus' suburbs and the northern region around Idlib. The state-run news agency said gunmen had killed three officers and captured others at a checkpoint in Jabal al-Zawiyah, near Idlib, a rugged region also near the Turkish border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that insurgents had killed 3 officers and 19 soldiers.
  Reporting was contributed by Steven Lee Myers from Washington, Hwaida Saad and an employee of The New York Times from Beirut, John F. Burns from London, Michael Schwirtz from Moscow, Michael Wines from Beijing, and Rick Gladstone from New York.
Friendly visit': Russian warships dock in Cuba
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  Archived Version
  Source: Dprogram.net
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:28
  August 4th, 2013
  (RussiaToday) '' A surface combatant squadron of the Russian Navy arrived in Cuba on Saturday for the first time in four years. The Cuban government announced the fleet was there for a ''friendly visit.''
  The unit consists of the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, missile cruiser 'Moscow', the large anti-submarine ship 'Vice Admiral Kulakov' of the Northern Fleet and a number of supply and service ships. The squadron visited the port of Havana to replenish supplies.
  The ships were greeted by an artillery salute, a naval band and a few hundred onlookers as they arrived in the Bay of Havana.
  Russian diplomats and the foreign military attach(C) accredited in Havana paid a visit to the 'Moscow' missile cruiser. Tourists will also be able to visit the cruiser on Monday, Cuba's government announced.
  Source: Russia Today
  Tags: dock in cuba, friendly visit, russian warshipsThis entry was posted on Sunday, August 4th, 2013 at 6:06 am and is filed under Dictatorship, Education/Mind Control, Fascism, NWO, Russia, War/Draft, World War III. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Berlusconi-kamp waarschuwt voor 'burgeroorlog' in Itali
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  Archived Version
  Source: VK: Home
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:16
  Bewerkt door: redactie '' 04/08/13, 14:17 '' bron: ANP
  (C) epa. De Italiaanse ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi.
  De centrumrechtse partij Volk van de Vrijheid (PDL) heeft voor zondagavond opgeroepen tot een betoging in Rome tegen de veroordeling van haar leider Silvio Berlusconi. De ex-premier van Itali was donderdag door de Hoge Raad definitief veroordeeld tot 4 jaar cel wegens belastingfraude.
  De PDL oefende sindsdien druk uit op president Giorgio Napolitano om Berlusconi gratie te verlenen. De hoogbejaarde oud-communist wil daar echter niet van weten. PDL-co¶rdinator Sandro Bondi waarschuwde daarop zaterdag voor een 'burgeroorlog' in Itali. Het staatshoofd stelde daarop in een verklaring dat dit soort uitlatingen 'onverantwoord' zijn.
  Premier Enrico Letta schoot Napolitano te hulp: centrumrechts moet het staatshoofd niet op een 'ongepaste en afperserige manier' betrekken bij de justitile problemen van Berlusconi. Volgens Italiaanse media proberen Letta en Napolitano echter de spanningen niet al te hoog op te laten lopen. Beiden hechten in het belang van de politieke stabiliteit van het land aan de voortzetting van de brede coalitie, waarin PDL en Letta's centrumlinkse PD de belangrijkste partijen zijn. Die werd na de verkiezingen in februari met veel moeite geformeerd.
  Itali gaat gebukt onder een zware economische crisis. Napolitano zit daarom niet te wachten op een situatie waarin hij vervroegde verkiezingen moet uitschrijven.
Busted
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  Archived Version
  Source: Zero Hedge
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:15
  - The Post Office has to come up with $5.6Bn by September 30 to pay for its share of health and retirement benefits. There's not a chance in hell that this will happen. The PO has just 4 days of operating cash flow left in the till and has no borrowing authority left.
  The relevant statement from the PO:
  This low level of available cash means that we will be unable to make the $5.6 billion legally mandated prefunding of retiree health benefits due by September 30, 2013.
  Add to the $5.6Bn the $11.1 Bn that the PO has already defaulted on in 2011/12 and you get an important institution that is totally bankrupt. The PO has a plan to ''fix'' the problem '' it wants to set up its own health insurance system:
  A vital component of the Plan is the requirement that we sponsor our own health care program, independent of the federal health insurance programs.
  And I thought Obamacare was going to fix all these problems'....
  - The President has been touring the country trying to sell his plan for infrastructure investment. O's plan is to lower corporate tax rates and use a one time gain from companies repatriating cash back home to fund the needed investment. This may sound good to some folks as it's clear that the country needs new ports, bridges etc., but there is zero chance that O's plan will be adopted by Congress.
  Rather than creating some new infrastructure bank, the President should focus his efforts on fixing what is in place today for infrastructure. Consider the status of the Highway and Surface Transportation Trust Funds. From the CBO:
  The current trajectory of the Highway Trust Fund is unsustainable. Starting in fiscal year 2015 (October 2014), the trust fund will have insufficient resources to meet all of its obligations, resulting in steadily accumulating shortfalls.
  This is nothing new. The Highway Trust Fund has been broke since 2008. It has avoided a default by Congress providing a total of $51Bn of transfers from the General Fund of the Treasury. The Highway Trust Fund is living on borrowed time. There are only 14 months before the situation goes critical. There is next to no chance for a fix before the bi-elections.
  - The Disability Trust Fund is running out of money. This is a big deal. 11 million people get monthly checks. Those on DI face a 25% cut in benefits as of October 2014. There is no plan at all to deal with this problem. To keep DI alive D.C. will have to rob the coffers of the much larger Social Security Trust Fund. More band aids from DC.
  - The Federal Budget is due on 10/1. As of today this deadline will be met with another continuing resolution to keep the government going. The US will go into its fifth year without a budget.
  - Sometime in mid-October the debt ceiling will have been breached. I don't expect that this will result in a showdown or a crisis. Washington will gloss this over. A new debt ceiling will be established to keep the music going.
  None of the issues I've highlighted have to be a crisis. All of them could be ''fixed'' if only the Administration and Congress get down to the job that they were elected for. But that will not happen. I do wonder where all of this bad leadership will end. I have to assume that the rating agencies are looking at America's inability to deal with its problems and will respond at some point. S&P downgraded the USA in 2011 on the basis that America had lost its ability to govern and confront problems:
  the downgrade reflects our view that the effectiveness, stability, and predictability of American policymaking and political institutions have weakened at a time of ongoing fiscal and economic challenges
  Nothing has changed since 2011. If S&P had any guts it would lower the US another notch. While the economy has stabilized somewhat thanks to cheap money from the Fed, the real issue of America's inability to confront problems and creating kick-the-can solutions remains the same.
  On Infrastructure
  I went looking for some evidence that D.C. was actually doing something to promote infrastructure investment. I'm pleased to tell you that I did find one good example. A much-needed expansion of electricity capacity has gotten the financial backing from D.C. The commitment to finance a portion of the project will go a long way to insure that this project is completed, and many jobs will be created as a result. Fred Hochberg (newly appointed by Obama) had this to say about the project and the willingness of Washington to provide the necessary loot:
  The US would lend as much as allowed under the rules
  The tag for the infrastructure investment will come to $10Bn. Hochberg has said he would put up half of the money. This is the kind of ''can do'' attitude that is required to get the much-needed investment completed. Hurray for Fred! Finally, a guy in D.C. that is getting something done. Right?
  Well, actually, that's not the case at all. Good old Fred is the boss at the EXIM bank. The $5bn commitment he's made has nothing to do with infrastructure in America. The $5bn of taxpayer money is going to the Czech Republic. The money will be used to expand the Temelin nuclear power plant.
  WTF?
  Average:Your rating: None
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Libya and UNSCR 2095
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  Archived Version
  Source: Federal Register Latest Entries
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 12:50
  The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the defense trade policy regarding Libya to reflect resolution 2095 adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
  This rule is effective August 5, 2013.
  Ms. Sarah J. Heidema, Acting Director, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, U.S. Department of State, telephone (202) 663-2809, or email DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov. ATTN: Regulatory Change, Libya.
  On March 14, 2013, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2095 (''UNSCR 2095''), which further modified the arms embargo against Libya put in place by the adoption in February and March of 2011 of resolutions 1970 and 1973, respectively, and modified by resolutions 2009 and 2016, adopted in September and October of 2011, respectively (for previous ITAR amendments regarding Libya defense trade policy, see''Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Libya,'' RIN 1400-AC83, 76 FR 30001, and ''Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Libya and UNSCR 2009,'' RIN 1400-AC97, 76 FR 68313).
  UNSCR 2095 removed the requirement for member states to notify the Committee of the Security Council concerning Libya (''the Committee'') of exports of non-lethal military equipment, and the provision of any technical assistance or training, intended solely for security or disarmament assistance to the Libyan government. It also removed the requirement to seek the approval of the Committee for exports of non-lethal military equipment, and related technical assistance or training, for humanitarian and protective use. The Department of State is amending ITAR § 126.1(k) accordingly.
  Administrative Procedure ActThe Department of State is of the opinion that controlling the import and export of defense articles and services is a foreign affairs function of the United States Government and that rules implementing this function are exempt from sections 553 (rulemaking) and 554 (adjudications) of the Administrative Procedure Act. Since the Department is of the opinion that this rule is exempt from 5 U.S.C. 553, it is the view of the Department that the provisions of section 553(d) do not apply to this rulemaking. Therefore, this rule is effective upon publication. The Department also finds that, given the national security issues surrounding U.S. policy towards Libya, notice and public procedure on this rule would be impracticable or unnecessary; for this reason also, this rule is effective upon publication.
  Regulatory Flexibility ActSince the Department is of the opinion that this rule is exempt from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, there is no requirement for an analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995This rulemaking does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
  Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996This rulemaking has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
  Executive Orders 12372 and 13132This rulemaking will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this rulemaking.
  Executive Orders 12866 and 13563Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributed impacts, and equity). These executive orders stress the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has been designated a ''significant regulatory action,'' although not economically significant, under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
  Executive Order 12988The Department of State has reviewed this rulemaking in light of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.
  Executive Order 13175The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to this rulemaking.
  Paperwork Reduction ActThis rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
  Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, part 126 is amended as follows:
  begin regulatory text
  1. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:
  Authority:Secs. 2, 38, 40, 42, and 71, 90, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791, and 2797); 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205; 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 899; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375; Sec. 7089, Pub. L. 111-117; Pub. L. 111-266; Sections 7045 and 7046, Pub. L. 112-74; E.O. 13637,78 FR 16129.
  2.Section 126.1 is amended by revising paragraph (k) to read as follows:
  * * * * *
  (k) Libya. It is the policy of the United States to deny licenses or other approvals for exports or imports of defense articles and defense services destined for or originating in Libya, except that a license or other approval may be issued, on a case-by-case basis, for:
  (1) Arms and related materiel intended solely for security or disarmament assistance to the Libyan government, notified to the Committee of the Security Council concerning Libya in advance and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee within five working days of such a notification;
  (2) Non-lethal military equipment when intended solely for security or disarmament assistance to the Libyan government;
  (3) The provision of any technical assistance or training when intended solely for security or disarmament assistance to the Libyan government;
  (4) Small arms, light weapons, and related materiel temporarily exported to Libya for the sole use of United Nations personnel, representatives of the media, and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel, notified to the Committee of the Security Council concerning Libya in advance and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee within five working days of such a notification;
  (5) Non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training; or
  (6) Other sales or supply of arms and related materiel, or provision of assistance or personnel, as approved in advance by the Committee of the Security Council concerning Libya.
  * * * * *
  end regulatory text
  Rose E. Gottemoeller,
  Acting Under Secretary, Arms Control and International Security, Department of State.
  [FR Doc. 2013-18940 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
  BILLING CODE 4710-25-P
Moniz attempts to credit Obama Administration with supporting nuclear energy - Atomic Insights
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  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 13:00
  The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy held a hearing on July 31, 2013 titled Oversight of DOE's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste. It has taken me a couple of days of intermittent watching to work my way through the archived video of the hearing, but the last interaction between the Secretary and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) made me happy that I powered my way through all 2 hours and 12 minutes.
  Rep. Whitfield states that he does not envy Moniz's assigned task of attempting to explain the basis for the Administration's unilateral decision to halt all work on the Yucca Mountain geologic repository in clear violation of the 1987 amendment to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
  I liked the way that he clearly assigns the blame to the three individuals that defied the law '-- Senator Harry Reid, former NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko (a former Reid staffer), and President Barack Obama. I also liked the way that he described how those three people have betrayed the Americans that have been dutifully paying the fees as imposed by the federal government.
  I wish that someone during the course of the hearing had pointed out that before 1982, there was a much more productive plan for used nuclear fuel. Soon after his 1976 election, Jimmy Carter invalidated the plan to recycle valuable used fuel that nuclear technologists had developed during a thirty-year long research and development program.Carter's action was as unilateral as the one taken 32 years later by President Obama; he made permanent a temporary Executive Order initially issued by President Gerald Ford. That order stated that the US was not going to recycle used nuclear fuel. That order made the hundreds of millions of dollars invested by private industry into the Barnwell, SC recycling facility essentially worthless. The West Valley, NY facility had already been effectively regulated out of business by ever escalating seismic requirements and the Morris, Il facility had been declared inoperable based on an inability to meet excessively stringent requirements.
  Aside: If my characterization of the requirements as being excessively stringent conflicts with what you might have heard about the history of the Midwest Fuel Recovery Plant (MFRP), you might be interested in watching this video. Galen Winsor, one of the key plant designers, provides his interpretation of the circumstances of the decision to use the plant as an interim storage facility without operating it to recycle fuel. http://youtu.be/8VvGw1tkT1Q?t=17m45sEnd Aside.
  Secretary Moniz might be excused for being a little tired after more than two hours of pointed questioning, but I was amused when he stated that the Administration has already decided on an SMR license '' that is not within their authority. Besides, I work on the project that he is referring to; our scheduled filing date is still more than a year in the future AND the minimum review time for that application is being discussed as 30 months from the time it is docketed. I expect there will not be an SMR license issued in the US for at least four more years.
  I take issue with Moniz's attempt to give the Obama Administration credit for enabling nuclear energy with a loan guarantee. There has not been a single dime provided by the federal government to support the Vogtle project.
  On February 16, 2010, with much fanfare, President Obama held a press conference announcing that the Department of Energy had selected Southern Company's Vogtle project as the recipient of a conditional $8.3 billion loan guarantee.
  It is now August 3, 2013, more than three years since the selection was announced. The DOE and Southern Company are still in negotiation over the conditions of that loan; I do not expect that they will ever reach an agreement. So far, the deadline for reaching an agreement has been extended two or three times. I hope I am wrong.
  It is also worth remembering that it has now been 8 years since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized $18 billion for new nuclear power plants. The $8.3 billion conditional loan that is still being negotiated is the only indication of any movement to make that money available for enabling the restoration of the ability to construct new nuclear power plants in the United States.
  To be fair, President Bush took no action for the first three years after the Energy Policy Act authorized the loan guarantee program. There has been a bipartisan lack of support for new nuclear energy facilities in the United States for at least four decades.
  PS '' For the record, I am not a fan of Yucca Mountain. I think moving used nuclear fuel from its current location is a wasteful expenditure unless it is being moved directly to a recycling facility. Since we don't have one of those yet, I am perfectly content with letting the material wait patiently in the location where it was used.
Other Agencies Clamor for Data N.S.A. Compiles - NYTimes.com
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 12:33
  WASHINGTON '-- The National Security Agency's dominant role as the nation's spy warehouse has spurred frequent tensions and turf fights with other federal intelligence agencies that want to use its surveillance tools for their own investigations, officials say.
  Agencies working to curb drug trafficking, cyberattacks, money laundering, counterfeiting and even copyright infringement complain that their attempts to exploit the security agency's vast resources have often been turned down because their own investigations are not considered a high enough priority, current and former government officials say.
  Intelligence officials say they have been careful to limit the use of the security agency's troves of data and eavesdropping spyware for fear they could be misused in ways that violate Americans' privacy rights.
  The recent disclosures of agency activities by its former contractor Edward J. Snowden have led to widespread criticism that its surveillance operations go too far and have prompted lawmakers in Washington to talk of reining them in. But out of public view, the intelligence community has been agitated in recent years for the opposite reason: frustrated officials outside the security agency say the spy tools are not used widely enough.
  ''It's a very common complaint about N.S.A.,'' said Timothy H. Edgar, a former senior intelligence official at the White House and at the office of the director of national intelligence. ''They collect all this information, but it's difficult for the other agencies to get access to what they want.''
  ''The other agencies feel they should be bigger players,'' said Mr. Edgar, who heard many of the disputes before leaving government this year to become a visiting fellow at Brown University. ''They view the N.S.A. '-- incorrectly, I think '-- as this big pot of data that they could go get if they were just able to pry it out of them.''
  Smaller intelligence units within the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Secret Service, the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security have sometimes been given access to the security agency's surveillance tools for particular cases, intelligence officials say.
  But more often, their requests have been rejected because the links to terrorism or foreign intelligence, usually required by law or policy, are considered tenuous. Officials at some agencies see another motive '-- protecting the security agency's turf '-- and have grown resentful over what they see as a second-tier status that has undermined their own investigations into security matters.
  At the drug agency, for example, officials complained that they were blocked from using the security agency's surveillance tools for several drug-trafficking cases in Latin America, which they said might be connected to financing terrorist groups in the Middle East and elsewhere.
  At the Homeland Security Department, officials have repeatedly sought to use the security agency's Internet and telephone databases and other resources to trace cyberattacks on American targets that are believed to have stemmed from China, Russia and Eastern Europe, according to officials. They have often been rebuffed.
  Officials at the other agencies, speaking only on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the tensions, say the National Security Agency's reluctance to allow access to data has been particularly frustrating because of post-Sept. 11 measures that were intended to encourage information-sharing among federal agencies.
  In fact, a change made in 2008 in the executive order governing intelligence was intended to make it easier for the security agency to share surveillance information with other agencies if it was considered ''relevant'' to their own investigations. It has often been left to the national intelligence director's office to referee the frequent disputes over how and when the security agency's spy tools can be used. The director's office declined to comment for this article.
  Typically, the agencies request that the N.S.A. target individuals or groups for surveillance, search its databases for information about them, or share raw intelligence, rather than edited summaries, with them. If those under scrutiny are Americans, approval from the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is required.
  The security agency, whose mission is to spy overseas, and the F.B.I., its main partner in surveillance operations, dominate the process as the Justice Department's main ''customers'' in seeking warrants from the intelligence court, with nearly 1,800 approved by the court last year.
  In a statement, the security agency said that it ''works closely with all intelligence community partners, and embeds liaison officers and other personnel at those agencies for the express purpose of ensuring N.S.A. is meeting their requirements and providing support to their missions.''
  The security agency's spy tools are attractive to other agencies for many reasons. Unlike traditional, narrowly tailored search warrants, those granted by the intelligence court often allow searches through records and data that are vast in scope. The standard of evidence needed to acquire them may be lower than in other courts, and the government may not be required to disclose for years, if ever, that someone was the focus of secret surveillance operations.
  Decisions on using the security agency's powers rest on many complicated variables, including a link to terrorism or ''foreign intelligence,'' the type of surveillance or data collection that is being conducted, the involvement of American targets, and the priority of the issue.
  ''Every agency wants to think that their mission has to be the highest priority,'' said a former senior White House intelligence official involved in recent turf issues.
  Other intelligence shops usually have quick access to N.S.A. tools and data on pressing matters of national security, like investigating a terrorism threat, planning battlefield operations or providing security for a presidential trip, officials say. But the conflicts arise during longer-term investigations with unclear foreign connections.
  In pressing for greater access, a number of smaller agencies maintain that their cases involve legitimate national security threats and could be helped significantly by the N.S.A.'s ability to trace e-mails and Internet activity or other tools.
  Drug agency officials, for instance, have sought a higher place for global drug trafficking on the intelligence community's classified list of surveillance priorities, according to two officials.
  Dawn Dearden, a drug agency spokeswoman, said it was comfortable allowing the N.S.A. and the F.B.I. to take the lead in seeking surveillance warrants. ''We don't have the authority, and we don't want it, and that comes from the top down,'' she said.
  But privately, intelligence officials at the drug agency and elsewhere have complained that they feel shut out of the process by the N.S.A. and the F.B.I. from start to finish, with little input on what groups are targeted with surveillance and only sporadic access to the classified material that is ultimately collected.
  Sometimes, security agency and bureau officials accuse the smaller agencies of exaggerating links to national security threats in their own cases when pushing for access to the security agency's surveillance capabilities. Officials from the other agencies say that if a link to national security is considered legitimate, the F.B.I. will at times simply take over the case itself and work it with the N.S.A.
  In one such case, the bureau took control of a Secret Service investigation after a hacker was linked to a foreign government, one law enforcement official said. Similarly, the bureau became more interested in investigating smuggled cigarettes as a means of financing terrorist groups after the case was developed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
  Mr. Edgar said officials in the national intelligence director's office occasionally allow other agencies a role in identifying surveillance targets and seeing the results when it is relevant to their own inquiries. But more often, he acknowledged, the office has come down on the side of keeping the process held to an ''exclusive club'' at the N.S.A., the F.B.I. and the Justice Department, with help from the Central Intelligence Agency on foreign issues.
  Officials in the national intelligence director's office worry about opening the surveillance too widely beyond the security agency and the F.B.I. for fear of abuse, Mr. Edgar said. The two intelligence giants have been ''burned'' by past wiretapping controversies and know the political consequences if they venture too far afield, he added.
  ''I would have been very uncomfortable if we had let these other agencies get access to the raw N.S.A. data,'' he said.
  As furious as the public criticism of the security agency's programs has been in the two months since Mr. Snowden's disclosures, ''it could have been much, much worse, if we had let these other agencies loose and we had real abuses,'' Mr. Edgar said. ''That was the nightmare scenario we were worried about, and that hasn't happened.''
  Eric Schmitt contributed reporting.
'–¶ The Sun is Not What we We Have Been Told.... Eric Dollard reveals 3 secrets about the Sun - YouTube
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 12:32
New Studies: 'Conspiracy theorists' are Sane '' Government Dupes are Crazy and Hostile >> Banoosh
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 12:00
  Recent studies by psychologists and social scientists in the US and UK suggest that contrary to mainstream media stereotypes, those labeled ''conspiracy theorists'' appear to be saner than those who accept the official versions of contested events.
  The most recent study was published on July 8th by psychologists Michael J. Wood and Karen M. Douglas of the University of Kent (UK). Entitled ''What about Building 7? A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories,'' the study compared ''conspiracist'' (pro-conspiracy theory) and ''conventionalist'' (anti-conspiracy) comments at news websites.
  The authors were surprised to discover that it is now more conventional to leave so-called conspiracist comments than conventionalist ones: ''Of the 2174 comments collected, 1459 were coded as conspiracist and 715 as conventionalist.'' In other words, among people who comment on news articles, those who disbelieve government accounts of such events as 9/11 and the JFK assassination outnumber believers by more than two to one. That means it is the pro-conspiracy commenters who are expressing what is now the conventional wisdom, while the anti-conspiracy commenters are becoming a small, beleaguered minority.
  Perhaps because their supposedly mainstream views no longer represent the majority, the anti-conspiracy commenters often displayed anger and hostility: ''The research'... showed that people who favoured the official account of 9/11 were generally more hostile when trying to persuade their rivals.''
  Additionally, it turned out that the anti-conspiracy people were not only hostile, but fanatically attached to their own conspiracy theories as well. According to them, their own theory of 9/11 '' a conspiracy theory holding that 19 Arabs, none of whom could fly planes with any proficiency, pulled off the crime of the century under the direction of a guy on dialysis in a cave in Afghanistan '' was indisputably true. The so-called conspiracists, on the other hand, did not pretend to have a theory that completely explained the events of 9/11: ''For people who think 9/11 was a government conspiracy, the focus is not on promoting a specific rival theory, but in trying to debunk the official account.''
  In short, the new study by Wood and Douglas suggests that the negative stereotype of the conspiracy theorist '' a hostile fanatic wedded to the truth of his own fringe theory '' accurately describes the people who defend the official account of 9/11, not those who dispute it.
  Additionally, the study found that so-called conspiracists discuss historical context (such as viewing the JFK assassination as a precedent for 9/11) more than anti-conspiracists. It also found that the so-called conspiracists to not like to be called ''conspiracists'' or ''conspiracy theorists.''
  Both of these findings are amplified in the new book Conspiracy Theory in America by political scientist Lance deHaven-Smith, published earlier this year by the University of Texas Press. Professor deHaven-Smith explains why people don't like being called ''conspiracy theorists'': The term was invented and put into wide circulation by the CIA to smear and defame people questioning the JFK assassination! ''The CIA's campaign to popularize the term 'conspiracy theory' and make conspiracy belief a target of ridicule and hostility must be credited, unfortunately, with being one of the most successful propaganda initiatives of all time.''
  In other words, people who use the terms ''conspiracy theory'' and ''conspiracy theorist'' as an insult are doing so as the result of a well-documented, undisputed, historically-real conspiracy by the CIA to cover up the JFK assassination. That campaign, by the way, was completely illegal, and the CIA officers involved were criminals; the CIA is barred from all domestic activities, yet routinely breaks the law to conduct domestic operations ranging from propaganda to assassinations.
  DeHaven-Smith also explains why those who doubt official explanations of high crimes are eager to discuss historical context. He points out that a very large number of conspiracy claims have turned out to be true, and that there appear to be strong relationships between many as-yet-unsolved ''state crimes against democracy.'' An obvious example is the link between the JFK and RFK assassinations, which both paved the way for presidencies that continued the Vietnam War. According to DeHaven-Smith, we should always discuss the ''Kennedy assassinations'' in the plural, because the two killings appear to have been aspects of the same larger crime.
  Psychologist Laurie Manwell of the University of Guelph agrees that the CIA-designed ''conspiracy theory'' label impedes cognitive function. She points out, in an article published in American Behavioral Scientist (2010), that anti-conspiracy people are unable to think clearly about such apparent state crimes against democracy as 9/11 due to their inability to process information that conflicts with pre-existing belief.
  In the same issue of ABS, University of Buffalo professor Steven Hoffman adds that anti-conspiracy people are typically prey to strong ''confirmation bias'' '' that is, they seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs, while using irrational mechanisms (such as the ''conspiracy theory'' label) to avoid conflicting information.
  The extreme irrationality of those who attack ''conspiracy theories'' has been ably exposed by Communications professors Ginna Husting and Martin Orr of Boise State University. In a 2007 peer-reviewed article entitled ''Dangerous Machinery: 'Conspiracy Theorist' as a Transpersonal Strategy of Exclusion,'' they wrote:
  ''If I call you a conspiracy theorist, it matters little whether you have actually claimed that a conspiracy exists or whether you have simply raised an issue that I would rather avoid'... By labeling you, I strategically exclude you from the sphere where public speech, debate, and conflict occur.''
  But now, thanks to the internet, people who doubt official stories are no longer excluded from public conversation; the CIA's 44-year-old campaign to stifle debate using the ''conspiracy theory'' smear is nearly worn-out. In academic studies, as in comments on news articles, pro-conspiracy voices are now more numerous '' and more rational '' than anti-conspiracy ones.
  No wonder the anti-conspiracy people are sounding more and more like a bunch of hostile, paranoid cranks.
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  New Studies: 'Conspiracy theorists' are Sane '' Government Dupes are Crazy and Hostile, 10.0 out of 10 based on 2 ratings
How low-paid workers at 'click farms' create appearance of online popularity - Business Insider
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 11:53
  How much do you like courgettes, the green vegetable Americans call zucchini? According to one Facebook page devoted to them, hundreds of people find them delightful enough to click the "like" button '' even with dozens of other pages about courgettes to choose from.There's just one problem: the liking was fake, done by a team of low-paid workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, whose boss demanded just $15 per thousand "likes" at his "click farm". Workers punching the keys might be on a three-shift system, and be paid as little as $120 a year.
  The ease with which a humble vegetable could win approval calls into question the basis on which many modern companies measure success online '' through Facebook likes, YouTube video views and Twitter followers.
  Channel 4's Dispatches programme will on Monday reveal the extent to which click farms risk eroding user confidence in what had looked like an objective measure of social online approval.
  The disclosures could hurt Facebook as it tries to persuade firms away from advertising on Google and to use its own targeted advertising, and to chase likes as a measure of approval.
  That particular Facebook page on courgettes was set up by the programme makers to demonstrate how click farms can give web properties spurious popularity.
  "There's a real desire amongst many companies to boost their profile on social media, and find other customers as well as a result," said Graham Cluley, an independent security consultant.
  The importance of likes is considerable with consumers: 31% will check ratings and reviews, including likes and Twitter followers, before they choose to buy something, research suggests. That means click farms could play a significant role in potentially misleading consumers.
  Dispatches found one boss in Bangladesh who boasted of being "king of Facebook" for his ability to create accounts and then use them to create hundreds or thousands of fake likes.
  Click farms have become a growing challenge for companies which rely on social media measurements '' meant to indicate approval by real users '' to estimate the popularity of their products.
  For the workers, though, it is miserable work, sitting at screens in dingy rooms facing a blank wall, with windows covered by bars, and sometimes working through the night. For that, they could have to generate 1,000 likes or follow 1,000 people on Twitter to earn a single US dollar.
  Sam DeSilva, a lawyer specializing in IT and outsourcing law at Manches LLP in Oxford, says of the fake clicks: "Potentially, a number of laws are being breached '' the consumer protection and unfair trading regulations. Effectively it's misleading the individual consumers."
  Dispatches discovered an online casino which had sub licensed the Monopoly brand from its owner, the games company Hasbro, and to which fake likes had been added on its Facebook page.
  When contacted, Hasbro contacted Facebook and the page was taken down. In a statement, Hasbro said it was "appalled to hear of what had occurred" and was unaware of the page.
  Dhaka-registered Shareyt.com, meanwhile, claims to act as a middleman to connect companies seeking to boost their profile on Facebook, Twitter, Google +1, LinkedIn and YouTube.
  "We made it as simple as mouse-clicking," the front page of the site says, claiming that it is "a crowd-sourcing platform to help you improve social media presence and search engine ranking FREE".
  It adds: "Whenever and wherever you need massive workforce to complete petty tasks, call for Shareyt and get it done like magic! You can't imagine the potentials [sic] until you explore!" It claims to have generated 1.4m Facebook likes and to have 83,000 registered users.
  The implication is that the site "crowdsources" clicks '' that lots of people around the world mutually help each other to promote each others' work.
  But Sharaf al-Nomani, Shareyt's owner, told Dispatches in an undercover meeting that "around 30% or 40% of the clicks will come from Bangladesh" '' which implies about 25,000 people in Dhaka using computers laboriously and repetitively for hours on end to boost the visibility of specific products to order.
  Some companies have used shareyt.com in the course of standard marketing.
  Sir Billi, a British cartoon film voiced by Sir Sean Connery, has more than 65,000 Facebook likes '' more than some Hollywood films.
  Although it has so far only been released in South Korea, Facebook data suggests the city of Dhaka is the source of the third-largest number of likes. (The Egyptian capital, Cairo, is presently the source of the highest number.)
  Tessa Hartmann of Billi Productions, which made the film, said they had been promoting it since 2006, and paid £271.40 to advertise it on shareyt.com in August 2012 for six months as a "very small" part of their marketing campaign. At the time, she says, it already had 40,000 Facebook likes. Her company stopped using the site in February.
  A link also appeared on shareyt.com to Coca-Cola's 2010 Super Bowl advertisement "Hard Times", showing the Simpsons' Mr Burns learning to get by on less (but with Coke).
  The video's presence on the site is likely to have helped its nearly 6m views. Coke said in a statement that it "did not approve of fake fans"; the video was made private soon afterwards.
  Shareyt.com has now seen Facebook and Twitter prevent links to the site being posted on their networks. Twitter bans "fake followers" or the buying of followers.
  Faked internet use has been a bugbear of the burgeoning advertising industry ever since the web went commercial in the mid-1990s and the first banner ad was rolled out in 1996.
  The rise of advertising networks and "pay-per-click" advertising '' where an advertiser pays the network when someone clicks on an advert, whether or not it leads to a sale '' also saw a rise in faked clicks which benefited unscrupulous networks.
  And it is still a problem. In February, Microsoft and Symantec shut down a "botnet" of up to 1.8m PCs that were being used to create an average of 3m clicks per day, raking in $1m per year since 2009.
  But click farms exploit a different sort of computing power altogether: the rise of cheap labour paired with low-cost connectivity to the internet.
  "Russell", the manager of the click farm identified by Dispatches, said some of the methods he used were legitimate; he blamed those who commissioned the work if it was seen as immoral.
  Dispatches: Celebs, Brands and Fake Fans on Channel 4 at 8pm on Monday
  This article originally appeared on guardian.co.uk
VIDEO-Use cyber security as insurance against software bugs in medical devices OSCON 2011: Karen Sandler - YouTube
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 11:25
VIDEO-Source: Major Terror Plot Underway, Team to Carry It Out 'In Place' | Video | TheBlaze.com
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 11:09
  A major terror plot is underway and a team to carry it out ''has been selected and is in place,'' according to CBS News senior correspondent John Miller's sources.
  While there is no other information'--date, time, location'--Miller reports that it's the most specific, credible threat data in years.
  Which helps explain the State Department's decision Friday to issue a broad global travel alert for U.S. citizens for the entire month of August, as well as the order to close 21 embassies across the Muslim world beginning Sunday because of an unspecified threat.
  (Credit: CBS News)
  CBS News reports that officials have noted Yemen as a potential target, as it's the home base for al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula, a.k.a. AQAP, widely considered the most dangerous in the world.
  President Obama was briefed Saturday morning on the potential terrorist threat before departing for Camp David, according to CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues.
  August has been an active month for terrorism, CBS News says: 15 years ago this week the U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania took more than 200 lives and injured more than 4,000.
  CBS News adds that next month is the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.
  ''Current information suggests that al-Qa'ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August,'' the alert posted on the State Department's website stated.
  The alert warned of the ''potential for terrorist attacks'' particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and also possibly in the Arabian Peninsula.
  ''Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests,'' the alert said. ''U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling.''
  Check out the report from CBS News:
  (H/T: Drudge)
  ''
Newsweek's New Owners Say They Bought "A Lot Of Cachet"
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 10:51
  Less than a year after announcing that it would cease publishing in print, the remaining assets of Newsweek have been sold to IBT Media, publishers of the International Business Times.
  The deal, announced Saturday afternoon, brings an end to the joint venture media mogul Barry Diller established in 2010 for Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Diller, a longtime movie and TV executive whose IAC owns a portfolio of assets ranging from dating site Match.com and search engine Ask to production companies College Humor and Electus, has regretted buying Newsweek pretty much since day one. In April, he told Bloomberg that running the magazine was a ''fool's errand'' and that buying it was a ''mistake.''
  Last week a report in the New York Post suggested that Penske Media, which owns Variety and Deadline.com, had emerged as a contender to buy Newsweek, but sources told Buzzfeed that information was inaccurate.
  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
  IBT, a digital-only media company established in 2006, reaches more than 7 million readers in the U.S. and 13 million people globally through a network of news sites that operate in 10 countries and 7 different languages. Despite that reach, the company is largely unknown, and outside of the International Business Times has kept a low profile.
  In an interview with Buzzfeed, IBT co-founders Etienne Uzac and Johnathan Davis said they had been thinking about acquiring Newsweek over the last two years, pretty much right after the company ironically moved into the magazine's offices at 7 Hanover Street in New York's financial district after Newsweek moved into the lavish, Frank Gehry-designed IAC building. The deal gives the company control of the Newsweek brand and its online operations, not including The Daily Beast, which Tina Brown will continue to lead for Diller's IAC. The transaction is expected to close in the coming days, after which IAC will continue to operate the property for a transition period of up to 60 days. Foreign license agreements to publish Newsweek in international markets will remain in place. The Newsweek.com website, which was folded as part of the merger with The Daily Beast, will go live again under IBT.
  In an internal memo circulated Saturday, Newsweek Daily Beast Company interim-CEO Rhona Murphey said that IBT will be talking to staff ''about potential job opportunities,'' which implies that some layoffs will occur as part of the deal. Uzac and Davis would not comment on that possibility, except to say that it was ''too early to tell'' and that they had to ''see where synergies are'' and ''evaluate staff.'' The pair said they believed the Newsweek brand still had ''a lot of cachet'' and that they planned to invest in the property to grow out its editorial operations. Newsweek, they said, would operate as a standalone product with a separate team from IBT's other publications.
  After almost 80 years in print '-- Newsweek's first issue came out in 1933 and its last was dated Dec. 31, 2012 '-- and 49 years under the control of The Washington Post Co., Newsweek has experienced a extremely turbulent 3 years.
  Some of that is owed to macro issues faced by the magazine industry as a result of the shift to digital consumption of media, particularly on mobile devices, which has eroded advertising and circulation revenue for print titles. Weeklies in general, and news weeklies specifically, have been among the hardest hit categories as the pace in which news moves has quickened thanks to services like Twitter and 24-hour cable news networks.
  But some of Newsweek's troubles were self-inflicted as well, such as an ill-conceived rebranding to commentary and opinion that fell flat with readers.
  Taken together, Newsweek has transformed from a magazine that earned $30 million in 2007 to one that was losing the same amount by 2009.
  It was three years ago this month that billionaire Sidney Harman bought Newsweek from the Washington Post Co. for $1 plus the assumption of the magazine's roughly $50 million in liabilities at the time as, in his words, a philanthropic rather than business endeavor. Just three months later, in November of 2010, Diller and Harman announced that they planned to merge Newsweek with The Daily Beast in an effort to combine audiences and cross-sell advertising at both publications.
  That idea didn't go as planned, with the combined company still falling under the category of unprofitable, though IAC sources said the venture's losses have been cut significantly. Harman, who made his fortune as the founder of audio equipment giant Harman International Industries, died in 2011 at the age of 92. Last July, his estate stopping investing in the joint venture and IAC took over majority control.
  Not unlike the magazine itself, Newsweek's new owners come with some baggage. Reports have suggested that IBT has ties to controversial Southeast Asian preacher David Jang, who reportedly leads a group that encourages the belief that he is the second coming of Christ. An article in Christianity Today from September 2012, in which Davis is quoted in, suggests that IBT is owned Jang.
  Both Uzac and Davis denied to Buzzfeed that Jang has any ownership or financial stake in IBT, however, and said that the Christianity Today implication was inaccurate. They said that they owner IBT outright and that the company had no other financial backers.
  They conceded that they had a working relationship with Olivet University, which was founded by Jang. The relationship involves such things are placing students in internships, using the school's servers, and getting design assistance.
  ''That's as far as it goes,'' said Davis, who likened the arrangement to how Stanford funnels students to Silicon Valley companies like Google.
  Uzac said he has been to Olivet several times and has met and knows Jang. He added that IBT has had a ''great working relationship with'' Olivet so far and would continue to explore opportunities with the University just as it would with other organizations.
Seattle bans words 'citizen' and 'brown bag' - Telegraph
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 10:47
  A memo which was circulated within local government in Washington state, before being leaked to local TV station KOMO News, advised state workers that they should refrain from using such phrases in official business.
  According to the memo, the word 'citizen' is offensive to those Seattlelites who are residents in the city, but not US citizens.
  The phrase 'brown bag' is offensive for its having been used as a verb during racial segregation in the United States. When deciding whether or not a black person was light-skinned enough to enter a private residence, servants would 'brown bag' them: using a paper grocery bag to gauge their skin tone.
  The memo's author Elliott Bronstein, who works in the city's Office for Civil Rights, wrote: "Luckily we've got options. For 'citizens', how about 'residents'?''.
  ''To replace 'brown bag''', he continued, tackling the offensive phrase that employees use to describe their packed lunches, ''we can go with 'lunch-and-learn' or 'sack lunch'''.
  The news has gone viral in the United States, receiving more than 5,000 shares on Facebook and as many related tweets. One Twitter user described the news as ''unreal'', while another points out that ''our constitution uses the word 'citizen' 17 times''.
  The political correctness debate polarises Americans, a recent example being the 2011 editing of Mark Twain's classic novel 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' to remove a racist term from the text. The ensuing debate caused the novel that Ernest Hemingway described as the ''basis of all modern American literature'' to be removed from many schools' curricula.
  Closer to home, the Duchess of Cornwall in 2011 spoke out against political correctness, calling it ''as severe a form of censorship as any''.
VIDEO- Eisenhower Farewell Address (Full) - YouTube
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  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 10:39
Boston Globe sells for $70 million. Not much compared to...
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  Source: Dave Winer
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:55
  The NYT sold the Boston Globe to the owner of the Boston Red Sox for $70 million.
  1. Manny Ramirez had an 8-year contract worth $160 million with the Boston Red Sox.
  2. The highest paid actor in 2013 is Robert Downey Jr who earned $75 million.
  3. HootSuite, a Twitter and Facebook utility, raised $165 million in its Series B round.
  4. RockMelt, widely viewed as a failed software company, sold to Yahoo for between $60 and $70 million.
  $70 million was an incredibly good price for the Globe. Media properties are worth a lot. For example, according to Forbes, the Red Sox are worth $1.3 billion.
VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: Cecilia Mu±oz Discusses the President's Economic Vision for the Middle Class
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  Source: White House.gov Press Office Feed
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:54
  THE WHITE HOUSE
  Office of the Press Secretary
  ______________________________________________________________________________
  EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, August 3, 2013
  VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: Cecilia Mu±oz Discusses the President's Economic Vision for the Middle Class
  In this week's message, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Mu±oz discussed the President's vision for rebuilding an economy that puts the middle class and those fighting to join it as a top priority. This week during a speech in Tennessee, the President laid out new ideas to create American jobs and help the middle class. The President will continue to deliver speeches across the country to talk about the progress we've made together on jobs and the economy, the challenges that remain, and the path forward. To learn more about the President's plan, click HERE.
  The audio of the address and video of the message is available online HERE.
  Remarks byCecilia Munoz
  Message from the White House
  August 3, 2013
  Hi, everybody. This week, the President went down to an Amazon warehouse in Tennessee to talk more about what the Administration will do to secure a better bargain for the middle class '' to make sure that anyone who works hard can get ahead.
  Over the past four and a half years, we've fought our way back from the worst recession of our lifetimes and begun to lay a foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth. Today, our businesses have created 7.3 million new jobs over the last 41 months. Latinos will continue to drive the growth of the labor force in the coming decades and so how the Hispanic community recovers from this recession is of great importance to our economy.
  But as any middle-class family will tell you, we're not where we need to be yet. Reversing this trend must be Washington's highest priority. But too often over the past two years, Washington has taken its eye off the ball.
  That's why the President's laid out his ideas for how we can build on the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class in America. A good education. A home of your own. Health care when you get sick. The Affordable Care Act will provide 10.2 million uninsured Latinos the opportunity to get affordable health insurance coverage. A secure retirement. And the most important cornerstone of all: a good job.
  When it comes to creating more good jobs that pay decent wages, the problem is not a lack of ideas. Plenty of independent economists, business owners and people from both parties agree on what we have to do. The President has already proposed many of these ideas and has put forward a strategy for breaking through the Washington gridlock '' a ''grand bargain'' for the middle class.
  The President will continue to lay out his ideas to give the middle class a better shot in the 21st century. Reversing the long erosion of middle-class security in this country won't be easy. But if Washington is willing to set aside politics and focus on what really matters '' we can grow our economy and give the middle class a better bargain. And the President and the Administration will work tirelessly to make this country a place where everyone who works hard can get ahead.
  Thanks, and have a great weekend.
  ###
Unmasking the embassy threat
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  Archived Version
  Source: Northeast Intelligence Network
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:35
  Image courtesy of Canada Free Press
  By Douglas J. Hagmann
  Please comment on this article at Canada Free Press
  3 August 2013: There is one thing certain about the publicized threat to our embassies; it is not what it is presented to be. To accept the official explanation of a nebulous threat from al Qaeda as the reason for closing our embassies across the Middle East and North Africa is being dangerously naive and simplistic. This is much more serious than what we are being told, but not for the reasons we are being given.
  We are seeing the consequences of a long running ''Cold War'' on two major fronts of political conflict that could escalate into military engagement with proxy nations of world super powers. The world, and life as we know it, could change in an instant should we awaken one morning to the news of bombs flying across the Middle East. That is a very real possibility, as we are now in a heightened proxy war environment. We are standing in a thick forest of dry tinder, and the smallest of sparks could ignite a conflagration the likes of which we have never before seen.
  How we arrived here
  ''The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.'' This quote attributed to Winston Churchill is applicable to our current situation as it is a consequence of our policies and actions in the Middle East and north Africa.
  First, it is important to understand that the so-called Arab Spring did not start on December 18, 2010 as a spontaneous revolutionary wave of demonstrations by people to rid themselves from the shackles of governmental oppression. It was planned many years ago by the globalist power brokers, with the latest incarnations perhaps sketched out in the bowels of a Saudi mansion or an estate owned by a cabal of central bankers, partly to change the geopolitical power structure of the Middle East, and partly as a ''jobs program'' for the military-industrial complex.
  This was confirmed by a 1300 word e-mail dated June 8, 2008, sent by former British Ambassador to Libya Sir Vincent Fean to Tony Blair, just shy of a year after Blair stepped down as prime minister. The e-mail consisted of a briefing on the state of relations between Great Britain and Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in advance of a visit by Blair to see Gaddafi. His June 10, 2008 visit with Gaddafi would be one of six made by Blair after leaving office and just three years before Gaddafi was deposed by the U.S. and UK led interests and ultimately murdered.
  Exactly what was the purpose of this meeting as well as the others made by Tony Blair on behalf of the Crown? According to the confidential information obtained by The Telegraph, it was about a prisoner transfer agreement that would be signed once Libya agreed to purchase an air defense system to the tune of about £400 million. The prisoner? Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. Who would provide the air defense system? MBDA, a missile developer and manufacturer with operations in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States. They provide products and services for over 90 militaries worldwide. They are a world leader in missiles and missile systems, and employ about 10,000 people in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and the United States, and produced about 3,000 missiles and missile systems last year alone.
  It is not merely the military-industrial jobs program alone, however. According to the confidential memo, a key objective of Great Britain was to force Libya to invest its £80? billion sovereign wealth fund through the City of London. Additionally, the Department for International Development was also eyeing another Libyan wealth fund worth £130 million ''to pay for various schemes in Sierra Leone and other poverty-stricken countries.''
  Concurrent with the machinations of the UK, former French minister for Foreign Affairs Roland Dumas shed additional light on plans relating to Libya and Syria in an interview with the French TV station LCP:
  ''I'm going to tell you something. I was in England two years before the violence in Syria on other business. I met with top British officials, who confessed to me that they were preparing something in Syria. This was in Britain not in America. Britain was organizing an invasion of rebels into Syria. They even asked me, although I was no longer minister for foreign affairs, if I would like to participate. Naturally, I refused, I said I'm French, that doesn't interest me.'' [emphasis by this author]
  Dumas added: ''The only thing I know [about French Leaders] is that they have gone crazy. President Sarkozy hosted Gaddafi a few months ago at the ‰lys(C)e Palace, with a red carpet and all the grandiose honors. Two months later, Sarkozy is leading a crusader war, at the head of NATO, which has become a pawn serving international politics. This has been going on for a long time.'' He further stated that ''I regret to see my country, to which I belong with spirit, blood, and life, leading an instrument such as NATO to come and destroy an entire people and attack its leaders.'' [emphasis by this author]
  Due to the role of Mr. Dumas in the French government, he could not reveal France's role in the British plan as he would be exposing himself to prosecution for revealing state secrets, thus explaining his statement ''I'm French, that doesn't interest me.''
  It should be clear that the Arab Spring, including the NATO action taken against Gaddafi's Libya followed by the rebels attacks against Assad, is part of a globalist agenda rather than a spontaneous uprising that has become the official historical narrative for the naive.
  Benghazi exposed
  It was shortly after the September 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi that I wrote in explicit detail the actual reason for that attack. Thanks to a highly placed source in the intelligence venue, readers learned the truth ten months before the corporate media finally acknowledged that the compound in Benghazi was the operations center for a large CIA weapons smuggling operation where Libya was being used as a weapons storage depot to arm the anti-Assad ''rebels.''
  The attack at Benghazi was described by this administration and the Clinton State Department as a spontaneous protest over an internet video, although that narrative was proven to be a lie. It was a lie they continued to stick with to hide the fact that the U.S., in conjunction with other NATO allies, were actually doing the work of Saudi Arabia. But why '' who benefits? To understand the answer to that question, we must look at what Saudi Arabia is and how the Saudi royals came to power. Much like the U.S., the nation of Saudi Arabia itself is a captured operation, established by a cabal of globalists for the sake of oil. It would be helpful to understand the role Aramco and other oil interests played in the establishment of the Saudi power structure.
  As the Obama regime continued forward to advance this Saudi-globalist agenda, Russia's Putin warned the U.S. that the insanity of destabilizing Syria was not in their best interests, and certainly not in ours. When the warnings were not heeded, proxy groups for Russia, Syria and Iran, in the form of Ansar al Sharia and AQIM launched a deadly assault on the CIA operations center in Benghazi.
  The continued pressure of possibly exposing the true nature of the activities in Benghazi, from the illegal arms trafficking in violation of international law to the attack itself, became a serious annoyance to the globalist planners and the Obama subjects to the Saudi royals. The assistance to the anti-Assad rebels was interrupted, albeit temporarily, by this exposure. Consequently, the plans for Syria did not go off as intended, and the timetable had to be extended. Now the anti-Assad rebels are ''on the ropes,'' and they are being beaten with every passing day, having lost much of the covert assistance of the CIA.
  This is the reason the true account of Benghazi has yet to be told to the American people, and the reason that the official accounts are continually being pushed in place of the truth.
  Today
  If you have understood how we arrived here by the short summary provided, then you will see that we are standing on the brink of not just a regional war, but a global war. Those in power do not want you to know their plans until there is nothing anyone can do to stop them.
  It is vital to understand that the embassy closures are a signal of the rapidly escalated intervention in the region by the US. It is a modern day equivalent to the Bay of Pigs, except Barack Hussein Obama is no John F. Kennedy. Those old enough might recall that the CIA trained and inserted a group of ''freedom fighters'' into Cuba to oust Castro. Exactly like the rebels in Syria, those fighters could never overthrow Castro without direct U.S. military intervention and assistance. The situation is exactly the same in Syria today.
  The difference is that Kennedy saw the plan for exactly what it was '' a globalist plan not to defeat communism, but to engage us in a larger war to the benefit of the globalists and the military-industrial complex. He refused to take the bait and in so doing, bought the world time by avoiding World War III.
  Unlike Kennedy who became his own man while in office, Obama continues the globalist agenda by supporting the CIA trained and backed anti-Assad rebels, and is now leading us to the brink of World War III.
  To say that the threat to our embassies is from some nebulous threat by al Qaeda is like saying that the group at the Bay of Pigs were just a bunch of Cuban locals. Nothing that we are being told even remotely approaches the truth, yet few seem to grasp the seriousness of what is unfolding before our very eyes.
  Our involvement in the Middle East and North Africa is so large that it would be difficult not to telegraph our actions in advance. Therefore, is it possible that the unspecified al Qaeda threat is actually a cover story for some anticipated action in the region?
  We are watching brinkmanship at multiple levels on a global chess board. We have done much to destabilize whatever relative peace might have existed in the Middle East through our actions at the hands of our globalist power brokers. Russia, Iran, Syria and China are not amused, and are not looking the other way. The time clock for the anti-Assad rebels is quickly running out. This administration and every elected official who has signed on to do the work of the Saudis and their handlers have painted us into a corner from which there is little hope for escape. We cannot trust anything we are being told, and nothing we are being told even remotely approaches the truth.
  We are seeing the beginnings of the transformation from a cold war to a hot war at the nation-state level. We are about to see a trigger event, after which nothing will be the same.
  Click here to save this article in PDF format
Weekly Address: Securing a Better Bargain for the Middle Class
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: White House.gov Press Office Feed
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:35
  The White House
  Office of the Press Secretary
  For Immediate Release
  August 03, 2013
  WASHINGTON, DC'-- In this week's address, President Obama told the American people that his plan for creating a better bargain for the middle class builds on the progress we've made, fighting our way back from the worst economic recession of our lifetimes. The President underscored the need for Congress to end the logjam in Washington and act on his plan that strengthens the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class in America: a good job, a home that is your own, affordable health care, and a secure retirement.
  The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, August 3, 2013.
  Remarks of President Barack ObamaWeekly AddressThe White HouseAugust 3, 2013
  Hi, everybody. This week, I went down to an Amazon warehouse in Tennessee to talk more about what we need to do to secure a better bargain for the middle class '' to make sure that anyone who works hard can get ahead in the 21st century economy.
  Over the past four and a half years, we've fought our way back from the worst recession of our lifetimes and begun to lay a foundation for stronger, more durable economic growth. Today, our businesses have created 7.3 million new jobs over the last 41 months. We now sell more products made in America to the rest of the world than ever before. Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in 50 years, and our deficits are falling at the fastest rate in 60 years.
  But as any middle-class family will tell you, we're not where we need to be yet. Even before the crisis hit, we were living through a decade where a few at the top were doing better and better, while most families were working harder and harder just to get by.
  Reversing this trend must be Washington's highest priority. It's certainly mine. But too often over the past two years, Washington has taken its eye off the ball. They've allowed an endless parade of political posturing and phony scandals to distract from growing our economy and strengthening the middle class.
  That's why I'm laying out my ideas for how we can build on the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class in America. A good education. A home of your own. Health care when you get sick. A secure retirement even if you're not rich. And the most important cornerstone of all: a good job in a durable, growing industry.
  When it comes to creating more good jobs that pay decent wages, the problem is not a lack of ideas. Plenty of independent economists, business owners and people from both parties agree on what we have to do. I proposed many of these ideas two years ago in the American Jobs Act. And this week, I put forward common-sense proposals for how we can create more jobs in manufacturing; in wind, solar and natural gas; and by rebuilding America's infrastructure.
  What we're lacking is action from Washington. And that's why, in addition to proposing ideas that we know will grow our economy, I've also put forward a strategy for breaking through the Washington logjam '' a ''grand bargain'' for the middle class.
  I'm willing to work with Republicans to simplify our tax code for businesses large and small, but only if we take the money we save by transitioning to a simpler tax system and make a significant investment in creating good, middle-class jobs. We can put construction workers back on the job rebuilding our infrastructure. We can boost manufacturing, so more American companies can sell their products around the world. And we can help our community colleges arm our workers with the skills they need in a global economy '' all without adding a dime to the deficit.
  I'll keep laying out my ideas to give the middle class a better shot in the 21st century, and I'll keep reaching out to Republicans for theirs. But gutting critical investments in our future and threatening national default on the bills that Congress has already racked up '' that's not an economic plan. Denying health care to millions of Americans, or shutting down the government just because I'm for keeping it open '' that won't help the middle class.
  The truth is, there are no gimmicks when it comes to creating jobs. There are no tricks to grow the economy. Reversing the long erosion of middle-class security in this country won't be easy. But if we work together and take a few bold steps '' and if Washington is willing to set aside politics and focus on what really matters '' we can grow our economy and give the middle class a better bargain. And together, we can make this country a place where everyone who works hard can get ahead.
  Thanks, and have a great weekend.
  ###
Samsung wins import ban ruling
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:26
  AP
  A handful of older Apple devices have been banned from being imported to the US for violating Samsung patents.According to the International Trade Commission (ITC), the import ban affects the AT&T versions of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 3G, and iPad 2 3G.
  The ITC says says the Apple devices infringe on Samsung's patents.
  Here's the PDF of the ITC's ruling. Since iPhones are made overseas, the ITC has authority to block them from being imported to the US.
  Apple said in a statement to AllThingsD that it will fight to have the ITC's import ban overturned.
Obama iPhone ban veto
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 09:00
  President Barack Obamavetoed an International Trade Commission (ITC) banon some models of the iPhone and iPad today.The ban started in June and only affected older models like the iPhone 4 and the iPad 2 with cellular data connection. At the time, the ITC said those devices violated patents from Samsung.
  Since iPhones and iPads are made overseas, the ITC was able to block them from being imported to the U.S. Obama's veto today means Apple will be able to ship those devices without worry.
Hacked Bluetooth toilets
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sun, 04 Aug 2013 08:56
  Trustwave SpiderLabs Security Advisory TWSL2013-020: Hard-Coded Bluetooth PIN Vulnerability in LIXIL Satis Toilet Published: 08/01/13 Version: 1.0 Vendor: LIXIL Corporation Product: Satis Version affected: Unknown Product description: The Satis is a "smart" toilet. It is controlled using LIXIL's "My Satis" Android application, which communicates with the toilet using Bluetooth. Finding 1: Hard-Coded Bluetooth PIN *****Credit: Daniel Crowley of Trustwave SpiderLabs CVE: CVE-2013-4866 CWE: CWE-259 The "My Satis" Android application has a hard-coded Bluetooth PIN of "0000" as can be seen in the following line of decompiled code from the application: BluetoothDevice localBluetoothDevice = BluetoothManager.getInstance().execPairing(paramString, "0000") As such, any person using the "My Satis" application can control any Satis toilet. An attacker could simply download the "My Satis" application and use it to cause the toilet to repeatedly flush, raising the water usage and therefore utility cost to its owner. Attackers could cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to user. Vendor Response: No response received. Remediation Steps: No patch currently exists for this issue. Revision History: 06/14/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 07/10/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 07/12/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 08/01/13 - Advisory published References 1. http://www.lixil.co.jp/lineup/toiletroom/shower/satis/ About Trustwave: Trustwave is the leading provider of on-demand and subscription-based information security and payment card industry compliance management solutions to businesses and government entities throughout the world. For organizations faced with today's challenging data security and compliance environment, Trustwave provides a unique approach with comprehensive solutions that include its flagship TrustKeeper compliance management software and other proprietary security solutions. Trustwave has helped thousands of organizations--ranging from Fortune 500 businesses and large financial institutions to small and medium-sized retailers--manage compliance and secure their network infrastructure, data communications and critical information assets. Trustwave is headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, China and Australia. For more information, visit https://www.trustwave.com About Trustwave SpiderLabs: SpiderLabs(R) is the advanced security team at Trustwave focused on application security, incident response, penetration testing, physical security and security research. The team has performed over a thousand incident investigations, thousands of penetration tests and hundreds of application security tests globally. In addition, the SpiderLabs Research team provides intelligence through bleeding-edge research and proof of concept tool development to enhance Trustwave's products and services. https://www.trustwave.com/spiderlabs Disclaimer: The information provided in this advisory is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Trustwave disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Trustwave or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Trustwave or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
  Trustwave SpiderLabs Security Advisory TWSL2013-020: Hard-Coded Bluetooth PIN Vulnerability in LIXIL Satis Toilet Published: 08/01/13 Version: 1.0 Vendor: LIXIL Corporation Product: Satis Version affected: Unknown Product description: The Satis is a "smart" toilet. It is controlled using LIXIL's "My Satis" Android application, which communicates with the toilet using Bluetooth. Finding 1: Hard-Coded Bluetooth PIN *****Credit: Daniel Crowley of Trustwave SpiderLabs CVE: CVE-2013-4866 CWE: CWE-259 The "My Satis" Android application has a hard-coded Bluetooth PIN of "0000" as can be seen in the following line of decompiled code from the application: BluetoothDevice localBluetoothDevice = BluetoothManager.getInstance().execPairing(paramString, "0000") As such, any person using the "My Satis" application can control any Satis toilet. An attacker could simply download the "My Satis" application and use it to cause the toilet to repeatedly flush, raising the water usage and therefore utility cost to its owner. Attackers could cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to user. Vendor Response: No response received. Remediation Steps: No patch currently exists for this issue. Revision History: 06/14/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 07/10/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 07/12/13 - Attempt to contact to vendor 08/01/13 - Advisory published References 1. http://www.lixil.co.jp/lineup/toiletroom/shower/satis/ About Trustwave: Trustwave is the leading provider of on-demand and subscription-based information security and payment card industry compliance management solutions to businesses and government entities throughout the world. For organizations faced with today's challenging data security and compliance environment, Trustwave provides a unique approach with comprehensive solutions that include its flagship TrustKeeper compliance management software and other proprietary security solutions. Trustwave has helped thousands of organizations--ranging from Fortune 500 businesses and large financial institutions to small and medium-sized retailers--manage compliance and secure their network infrastructure, data communications and critical information assets. Trustwave is headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, China and Australia. For more information, visit https://www.trustwave.com About Trustwave SpiderLabs: SpiderLabs(R) is the advanced security team at Trustwave focused on application security, incident response, penetration testing, physical security and security research. The team has performed over a thousand incident investigations, thousands of penetration tests and hundreds of application security tests globally. In addition, the SpiderLabs Research team provides intelligence through bleeding-edge research and proof of concept tool development to enhance Trustwave's products and services. https://www.trustwave.com/spiderlabs Disclaimer: The information provided in this advisory is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Trustwave disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Trustwave or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Trustwave or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
Al-Zawahiri: 'VS zit achter afzetting Morsi'
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: VK: Home
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 08:49
  Bewerkt door: redactie '' 03/08/13, 09:18 '' bron: Belga
  (C) epa. Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2011.
  De leider van terreurorganisatie al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, zegt dat de Verenigde Staten samen met het Egyptische leger een 'complot' heeft gesmeed om de Egyptische president Mohammed Morsi af te zetten. Dat zei al-Zawahiri in een audioboodschap die op jihadistische fora is verspreid.
  'De kruisvaarders, de leken en het veramerikaniseerde leger van Egypte hebben samengewerkt. Dankzij het geld uit de Golfstaten en een complot met de Amerikanen zijn ze erin geslaagd de regering-Mursi omver te werpen', aldus al-Zawahiri.
  Hij is zelf Egyptenaar en sinds mei 2011 leider van al-Qaida, in opvolging van de vermoorde Osama bin Laden.
Exclusive: Putin to visit Cairo this week
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: DEBKAFile
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 08:48
  Exclusive: Putin to visit Cairo this weekDEBKAfileAugust 3, 2013, 10:29 AM (GMT+02:00)
  President Vladimir Putin is set to visit to Cairo '' possibly next Wednesday Aug. 7 '' after Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan told him King Abdullah was in favor of the trip, DEBKAfile reports exclusively. Bandar did not rule out the signing of a large Russian arms sale to Egypt, bankrolled by Riyadh.
De meest opvallende bootjes van de Canal Parade 2013
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: VK: Home
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 08:46
  Bewerkt door: redactie '' 03/08/13, 10:26 '' bron: AD, BuzzE, Gay Pride
  (C) anp.
  Hoogtepunt van de Gay Pride die op 27 juli van start ging is de botenparade. Vanmiddag zullen 80 bootjes met voornamelijk homo's, bi's, lesbiennes en transgenders door de Amsterdamse grachten varen. Ieder jaar zijn er schuitjes die iets meer in het oog springen dan de rest. Zo voer vorig jaar voor het eerst een Turkse boot mee. Hieronder een overzicht van de opvallendste boten van de Canal Parade 2013.
  KNVB-bootEen van de meest voyante boten is die van de KNVB. Heteroseksuele ex-topvoetballers zoals Louis van Gaal, Patrick Kluivert, Ronald de Boer en Pierre van Hooijdonk zijn de feestmakers op de voetbalboot.
  Voetbalfan Michiel Roesink juicht het initiatief toe. 'Toch fantastisch dat deze gasten hun nek uitsteken?! Het gaat om de boodschap: dat ook homo's zich thuis moeten kunnen voelen op het voetbalveld. Dat lukt alleen als hetero's hun negatieve houding tegenover homo's wijzigen', zegt hij in het AD.
  Bondscoach Louis van Gaal vaart mee op de KNVB-boot omdat hij het belangrijk vindt dat iedereen binnen het voetbal, van amateur- tot eredivisie-speler, 'zichzelf kan zijn'. En dat laatste heeft volgens Van Gaal ook zijn weerslag op iemands spel: 'Als iemand zichzelf is, merk je dat aan elke pass'.
  Leer- en fetisjzaak Mister B.Al jaren een van de opvallendste boten tijdens de Gay Pride is het vaartuig van leer- en fetisjmerk Mister B. Het bedrijf begon 20 jaar geleden met een klein winkeltje in de Warmoesstraat, maar heeft zich inmiddels uitgebreid tot een internationale onderneming met 15 vestigingen in onder meer Parijs en Berlijn. Mister B. lanceert dit jaar op de botenparade zijn nieuwe campagne.
  Slimme homo's en lesbo'sIn het rijtje van noemenswaardige bootjes hoort ook de hoogbegaafdenboot. Aan boord stappen lesbo's, gays, bi's en transgenders (lgbt's) die zijn verenigd in GAYniaal. Dit is een onderdeel van de Vereniging Mensa Nederland, een internationale club die zich richt op mensen met een zeer hoge algemene intelligentie. GAYniaal en Mensa willen door mee te doen aan de Canal Parade aandacht vragen voor hoge intelligentie in het algemeen, maar ook voor de combinatie van lgbt's en hoogbegaafdheid. Voor deze groep is er te weinig aandacht, vindt GAYniaal. 'Om dit uit te dragen gaan we lekker opvallend de grachten op: met een boot gekleurd in geel en roze, met big brains aan boord en een zeer divers gezelschap', aldus GAYniaal.
  DefensiebootEn dan nog een primeur. Voor het eerst vaart de minister van Defensie, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, mee tijdens de botenparade door de grachten van de hoofdstad. Een absolute mijlpaal noemt de Stichting Homosexualiteit en Krijgsmacht (SHK) dit. De organisatie strijdt al een kwart eeuw voor acceptatie van homoseksuelen, lesbiennes en transgenders binnen alle Defensie-geledingen.
  'Dit is een heel belangrijk signaal aan de hele samenleving', vindt woordvoerder Peter Kees Hamstra van SHK. 'Defensie staat voor een veilige land en een veilige wereld. Maar dat moet natuurlijk ook gelden voor homoseksueel personeel. Minister Hennis draagt hiermee openlijk uit dat homo's zich bij haar ministerie veilig moeten voelen.'
BBC News - Judge orders arrest of Brazil Google president
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 08:46
  25 September 2012Last updated at18:19 ETA regional judge has ordered the arrest of Google's president in Brazil, Fabio Jose Silva Coelho, after the company failed to take down YouTube videos.
  Authorities say the videos are slanderous towards a candidate running in a city's election for mayor.
  The judge ordered the removal of the videos last week, but Google has refused to remove them and says it is appealing.
  It says it is not responsible for the content posted on its site.
  According to Brazilian media, the videos in question suggest Alcides Bernal - a mayoral candidate in the city of Campo Grande - is guilty of committing crimes.
  Judge Flavio Peren, who sits at a regional electoral court in Mato Grosso do Sul state, ruled the videos violated local election laws.
  But his order for the videos to be removed was ignored and on Monday he ordered the arrest of Mr Coelho.
  For its part, Google says it is appealing against the ruling, according to a company spokesman quoted by Reuters news agency.
  It has previously argued that the internet should be a space for voters freely to express their opinions about candidates for political office.
  But Google's responsibility for the content it disseminates has recently come into question in other contexts, such as the case of the anti-Islam video that sparked protests around the Muslim world, say correspondents.
Huma Puff Piece in New York Post Actually Very Damning
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Patterico's Pontifications
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:35
  The this New York Post attempts to do a puff piece for Huma Abedin '-- but it ends up showing how cynical and power-hungry she actually is. Just pay close attention to the timing:
  The worst moments included a Hamptons vacation 12 months ago when she suffered from painful isolation that put even more stress on their marriage.
  ''All the parties they had once been invited to, Huma was now invited but Anthony wasn't,'' a family member said. ''It was a difficult time.''
  Then it got worse. A month later, according to the couple, Weiner confessed to her that he had continued to text lewd pictures of himself. He said he also told her that he had frequent phone sex with one woman, 22-year-old Sydney Leathers, and sexting sessions with two others under the pseudonym Carlos Danger.
  So he confessed to the Sydney Leathers stuff 11 (12 minus 1) months ago. That would be around September 2, 2012. Let's plug that into the timeline I gave you the other day:
  July 12, 2012: Weiner starts talking to ''Sydney Leathers'', according to this timeline from the site that broke the latest story. Quoting the girl:
  Anthony Weiner And I First started talking July 12, 2012.
  July 18, 2012:People Magazine puff piece appears:
  ''It took a lot of work to get to where are are today, but I want people to know we're a normal family,'' says Abedin, 37.
  ''Anthony has spent every day since [the scandal] trying to be the best dad and husband he can be,'' she says of her husband, who does all the laundry. ''I'm proud to be married to him.''
  If the timeline is accurate, then Huma was praising Weiner days after he admitted to her that he was still sexting.
  Now. Let's just assume that the timing is a little off and Weiner confessed to her in late July or August rather than early July. We still have the rest of the timeline:
  July 19, 2012: One day after the People Magazine puff piece appears, Weiner finds Sydney Leathers on Formspring.
  July 19, 2012 '' November 2012: Anthony Weiner engages in intense sexual discussions with Sydney Leathers. From the timeline:
  Things were very intense by August 2012/already talks of the Chicago sex condo and having sexual conversations. We would send naked images to each other and have phone sex. Anthony Weiner would send me penis pictures from his Carlos Danger yahoo email to my Gmail.
  And now, we have:
  September 2, 2012 or thereabouts:: Weiner confesses to Huma. And then keeps texting for another couple of months:
  November 2012: Carlos Danger and Sydney Leathers's relationship ''began to fizzle out,'' according to Leathers.
  Today is August 2, 2013. There's no way ''one month'' after their trip 12 months ago is December 2012. And he was sexting clear through November.
  So basically, he must have told her: ''Heads up, honey. I'm still sending my pics around and having phone sex and talking dirty to this 22-year-old. I'll be continuing to do so for the next couple months at least, just so's you're aware.''
  And after all that, we have this:
  April 10, 2013: Puff piece appears online in the New York Times that portrays Weiner's supposed coming clean and being totally honest in June 2011. The article also has Weiner and Abedin portraying their new son as having totally changed Weiner's perspective:
  ''But in the confines of our home and our relationship and our parenting this child and our love for each other '-- she said she wanted to get through it, she wanted not to conflate the giant international news story with the two people who were involved in it. And a lot of women couldn't do that. And Jordan has given us a lot of perspective. We have to deal with this a lot. It's not behind us. It kind of bubbles around and comes up in different ways. But she's, um. . . .'' Here, he paused and took a deep breath and started to cry. ''She's given. . . .'' He stopped again, could barely get the words out. ''She's given me another chance. And I am very grateful for that. And I'm trying to make sure I get it right.''
  Abedin fully participated in that charade. And he wasn't even done, as he went back to Leathers the very next day:
  Immediately after April 10, 2013 New York Times puff piece: After the appearance of the New York Times puff piece, Weiner reactivates his Facebook account and asks Sydney Leathers what she thought of it:
  We only spoke once in December 2012, and then I didn't hear from Anthony Weiner again until April 11, 2013 when a NYT article about him was released. He reactivated his Facebook and asked me what I thought of it.
  So Weiner tells Huma all this. And, for the good of her SON:
  May 2013: Weiner enters mayor's race.
  And she agrees to it.
  She is a disgusting careerist and this article does NOT help her image. As long as you pay attention.
  Thanks to JVW for the link.
Al Qaeda leader tells Mursi supporters democracy not the way
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Reuters: World News
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:33
  Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans and hold up posters during a rally marching back towards Rabaa al-Adawiya Square where they are camping, in Cairo August 2, 2013. The poster reads, ''Yes to legitimacy, no to the coup.''
  Credit: Reuters/Asmaa Waguih
Alarmists: Climate Change Increases Violent Behavior in Humans
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: WTF RLY REPORT
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:32
  Occupy Corporatismby Susanne Posel
  Marshall Burke, professor at the University of California at Berkley (UCB) led a team of scientists in a study that found climate change is linked to violence across the globe.
  According to the study, even minor changes in global temperatures are connected to the rise in assaults, rapes and murders; as well as conflicts and wars.
  Burke said: ''This is a relationship we observe across time and across all major continents around the world. The relationship we find between these climate variables and conflict outcomes are often very large.''
  After analyzing 60 previous studies from various nations and data that reflect hundreds of years, the team at UCB concluded that there is a ''substantial'' correlation between global warming and conflicts.
  Researchers pointed out that this is evidenced by domestic violence in India coinciding with droughts; while assaults, rapes and murders are measureable during heat waves in the US.
  Burke offers this disclaimer: ''We want to be careful, you don't want to attribute any single event to climate in particular, but there are some really interesting results.''
  Causation to these relationships is founded by the researchers because ''one of the main mechanisms that seem to be at play is changes in economic conditions. We know that climate affects economic conditions around the world, particularly agrarian parts of the world. And there is lots of evidence that changes in economic conditions affect people's decisions about whether or not to join a rebellion, for example.''
  Solomon Hslang, economist at Princeton University remarked: ''When the weather gets bad we tend to be more willing to hurt other people.''
  Global averages are projected to have risen to an estimated 3.5 degrees within the next century.
  By this estimation, wars in Africa would increase by 40 to 50% with or without global warming.
  In fact, another study points out that climate change cannot be blamed for African civil wars.
  Hslang asserts that all analyzed data shows clear correlations between climate change and conflicts.
  One claim regarded how police officers were more likely to shoot a person if the temperature of the room were elevated.
  Climate change has been linked to global food security as the risk of shortened supplies may be palatable. As a variable, climate change is said to ''exacerbate food insecurity in areas currently vulnerable to hunger and under nutrition.''
  Hslang insists: ''This study shows that the value of reducing [greenhouse gas] emissions is actually higher than we previously thought.''
  Alarmists have not taken into account that researchers have made a startling correlation between the rise and fall of solar activity and the human consciousness.
  Professor Raymond Wheeler of the University of Kansas has come to the same conclusions that Russian scientist Alexander Chizhevsky discovered in 1915.Solar storms directly cause conflict, wars and even death among humans on Earth.
  The sun's activity, as it interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, effect extensive changes in human being's perspectives, moods, emotions and behavioral patterns.
  During solar minimums and maximums the geomagnetic fields begin to intensify. The magnetic fields interact with human electrochemically within the brain. It affects psychological mechanisms creating anomalous hormonal swings and significantly mutated brain-wave activity.
  Wheeler expanded on Chishevsky's work by studying violence during 1913; measuring the time between battles and severity. These findings were compared with the sun's 11 year sunspot cycle.
  The results showed that as the sun cycle peaked, there was a rise in human unrest, uprisings, rebellions, revolutions, and wars between nations. As the magnetic fields intensified, the reaction within the human brain was a mixture of deadly emotional tantrums and unadulterated killing sprees.
  As Wheeler further compared his findings with human history, he found a startling pattern that could be traced back 2,500 years.
  In solar cycle 22, at the sun's maximum we experienced Iraq invading Kuwait and the US entering the first battle against Saddam Hussein.
  Just eleven years later, as the sun became active again, 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq ensued.
  In the latter half of 2010, the sun reached another peak that affected the Earth's magnetic field; we witnessed dissent in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen. Those global uprisings spread to Syria, Libya, Iran and China as riots continued across the European landscape.
  This civil unrest has now reached its influence across the modernized world and even into Middle Eastern countries, Africa and Asia.
  It is projected, based on Wheeler's research, as the sun's activity increases, so will the violence on Earth.
  We are now entering the 24th solar cycle.
  A surge in solar activity by 50 times more than previously recorded is anticipated. NASA and other space agencies have been warning of this fact.Through 2011 and onto 2012, the X-flares are expected to endure toward their maximum. As this incredible activity is being witnessed, we are assured that more wars, toppling countries and populations will be displaced.
  In 2012 we are seeing these events coming to pass; with only more intensification to come.
  Wheeler's predecessor was a man named Dr. Robert Becker. Becker was an author, expert in biological electricity and a professor with State University.In 1963, Becker, along with his colleague, Dr. Freedman, discovered that there was a marked correlation between solar activity and psychotic outbreaks of mass insanity on Earth.
  Becker and Freedman made their most dire predictions of incredible violence to culminate in the years 2012 and 2013.
  So far, history has proven them correct.
  Via Occupy Corporatism
Obamacare Full Frontal: Of 953,000 Jobs Created In 2013, 77%, Or 731,000 Are Part-Time
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: WTF RLY REPORT
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:32
  ZeroHedgeby Tyler Durden
  When the payroll report was released last month, the world finally noticed what we had been saying for nearly three years: that the US was slowly being converted to a part-time worker society. This slow conversion accelerated drastically in the last few months, and especially in June, when part time jobs exploded higher by 360K while full time jobs dropped by 240K. In July we are sad to report that America's conversation to a part-time worker society is not ''tapering'': according to the Household Survey, of the 266K jobs created (note this number differs from the establishment survey), only 35% of jobs, or 92K, were full time. The rest were'... not.
  What is worse, however, is when one looks at job creation broken down by ''quality'' in all of 2013. The chart below does the bottom line some justice:
  But what really shows what is going on in America at least in 2013, is the following summary: of the 953K jobs ''created'' so far in 2013, only 23%, or 222K, were full-time. Part-time jobs? 731K of the 953K total.
  Source: Part-Time and Full-Time and BLS
  Via ZeroHedge
Payrolls Miss 162K vs 185K Expected, June Revised Lower To 188K; Unemployment Rate 7.4%
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: WTF RLY REPORT
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:31
  Zero Hedge
  So much for the trends of beats: July nonfarm payrolls +162K missing expectations of 185K; June was revised lower to 188K and the unemployment rate dips from 7.5% to 7.4%. The rate dropped because the civilian labor force declined from 155,835 to 155,798 or 37K, driven by an increase of people not in labor force to 89,957 '' just shy of the all time high. This also means that the labor force participation rate once again ticked down to 63.4% from 63.5%.
  Read more
McNumbersGame
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Second City Cop
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:29
  Did anyone notice how the Department came out with some press release about how murders are down by 40 over the same period last year?
  Did anyone notice that this is the first month that they haven't touted the "Month A 2012" vs "Month A 2013" comparison?
  That would probably because July of 2013 showed an increase in murders when compared to July of 2012. So Garry and the rest of the New York boys only do month-to-month comparisons when it benefits their narrative and switch comparisons when something untoward manages to show up - say....like the downward trend reversing itself. That would be embarrassing, especially as we just had the coolest end-of-July period in recorded history.
  Just another game.
  Labels: stats
Text of H.R. 2685: Smart Grid Advancement Act of 2013 (Introduced version) - GovTrack.us
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:08
  HR 2685 IH
  To incorporate smart grid capability into the Energy Star Program, to reduce peak electric demand, to reauthorize a energy efficiency public information program to include Smart Grid information, and for other purposes.
  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  July 11, 2013
  Mr. MCNERNEY (for himself and Mr. CARTWRIGHT) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
  To incorporate smart grid capability into the Energy Star Program, to reduce peak electric demand, to reauthorize a energy efficiency public information program to include Smart Grid information, and for other purposes.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
  SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.This Act may be cited as the 'Smart Grid Advancement Act of 2013'.
  SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.In this Act:
  (1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
  (2) APPLICABLE BASELINE- The term 'applicable baseline' means the average of the highest three annual peak demands a load-serving entity has experienced during the 5 years immediately prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
  (3) COMMISSION- The term 'Commission' means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  (4) LOAD-SERVING ENTITY- The term 'load-serving entity' means an entity that provides electricity directly to retail consumers with the responsibility to assure power quality and reliability, including such entities that are investor-owned, publicly owned, owned by rural electric cooperatives, or other entities.
  (5) PEAK DEMAND- The term 'peak demand' means the highest point of electricity demand, net of any distributed electricity generation or storage from sources on the load-serving entity's customers' premises, during any hour on the system of a load-serving entity during a calendar year, expressed in megawatts (MW), or more than one such high point as a function of seasonal demand changes.
  (6) PEAK DEMAND REDUCTION- The term 'peak demand reduction' means the reduction in annual peak demand as compared to a previous baseline year or period, expressed in megawatts (MW), whether accomplished by--
  (A) diminishing the end-use requirements for electricity;
  (B) use of locally stored energy or generated electricity to meet those requirements from distributed resources on the load-serving entity's customers' premises and without use of high-voltage transmission; or
  (C) energy savings from efficient operation of the distribution grid resulting from the use of a Smart Grid.
  (7) PEAK DEMAND REDUCTION PLAN- The term 'peak demand reduction plan' means a plan developed by or for a load-serving entity that it will implement to meet its peak demand reduction goals.
  (8) PEAK PERIOD- The term 'peak period' means the time period on the system of a load-serving entity relative to peak demand that may warrant special measures or electricity resources to maintain system reliability while meeting peak demand.
  (9) SECRETARY- The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Energy.
  (10) SMART GRID- The term 'Smart Grid' has the meaning provided by section 1301 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381).
  SEC. 3. ASSESSMENT OF SMART GRID COST EFFECTIVENESS IN PRODUCTS.(a) Assessment- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator shall each assess the potential for cost-effective integration of Smart Grid technologies and capabilities in all products that are reviewed by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, respectively, for potential designation as Energy Star products.
  (b) Analysis- (1) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator shall each prepare an analysis of the potential energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and electricity cost savings that could accrue for each of the products identified by the assessment in subsection (a) in the following optimal circumstances:
  (A) The products possessed Smart Grid capability and interoperability that is tested and proven reliable.
  (B) The products were utilized in an electricity utility service area which had Smart Grid capability and offered customers rate or program incentives to use the products.
  (C) The utility's rates reflected national average costs, including average peak and valley seasonal and daily electricity costs.
  (D) Consumers using such products took full advantage of such capability.
  (E) The utility avoided incremental investments and rate increases related to such savings.
  (2) The analysis under paragraph (1) shall be considered the 'best case' Smart Grid analysis. On the basis of such an analysis for each product, the Secretary and the Administrator shall determine whether the installation of Smart Grid capability for such a product would be cost effective. For purposes of this paragraph, the term 'cost effective' means that the cumulative savings from using the product under the best case Smart Grid circumstances for a period of one-half of the product's expected useful life will be greater than the incremental cost of the Smart Grid features included in the product.
  (3) To the extent that including Smart Grid capability in any products analyzed under paragraph (2) is found to be cost effective in the best case, the Secretary and the Administrator shall, not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act take each of the following actions:
  (A) Inform the manufacturer of such product of such finding of cost effectiveness.
  (B) Assess the potential contributions the development and use of products with Smart Grid technologies bring to reducing peak demand and promoting grid stability.
  (C) Assess the potential national energy savings and electricity cost savings that could be realized if Smart Grid potential were installed in the relevant products reviewed by the Energy Star program.
  (D) Assess and identify options for providing consumers information on products with Smart Grid capabilities, including the necessary conditions for cost-effective savings.
  (E) Submit a report to Congress summarizing the results of the assessment for each class of products, and presenting the potential energy and greenhouse gas savings that could result if Smart Grid capability were installed and utilized on such products.
  SEC. 4. INCLUSIONS OF SMART GRID CAPABILITY ON APPLIANCE ENERGY GUIDE LABELS.Section 324(a)(2) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(2)) is amended by adding the following at the end:
  '(J)(i) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Federal Trade Commission shall initiate a rulemaking to consider making a special note in a prominent manner on any ENERGY GUIDE label for any product actually including Smart Grid capability that--
  '(I) Smart Grid capability is a feature of that product;
  '(II) the use and value of that feature depended on the Smart Grid capability of the utility system in which the product was installed and the active utilization of that feature by the customer; and
  '(III) on a utility system with Smart Grid capability, the use of the product's Smart Grid capability could reduce the customer's cost of the product's annual operation by an estimated dollar amount range representing the result of incremental energy and electricity cost savings that would result from the customer taking full advantage of such Smart Grid capability.
  '(ii) Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Commission shall complete the rulemaking initiated under clause (i).'.
  SEC. 5. SMART GRID PEAK DEMAND REDUCTION GOALS.(a) Goals- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, each load-serving entity, or, at the option of the State, each State with respect to load-serving entities that the State regulates, shall determine and publish peak demand reduction goals for any load-serving entities that have an applicable baseline in excess of 250 megawatts.
  (b) Baselines- (1) The Commission, in consultation with the Secretary and the Administrator, shall develop and publish, after an opportunity for public comment, but not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, a methodology to provide for adjustments or normalization to a load-serving entity's applicable baseline over time to reflect changes in the number of customers served, weather conditions, general economic conditions, and any other appropriate factors external to peak demand management, as determined by the Commission.
  (2) The Commission shall support load-serving entities (including any load-serving entities with an applicable baseline of less than 250 megawatts that volunteer to participate) in determining their applicable baselines and in developing their peak demand reduction goals.
  (3) The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, the Administrator, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, shall develop a system and rules for measurement and verification of demand reductions.
  (c) Peak Demand Reduction Goals- (1) Peak demand reduction goals may be established for an individual load-serving entity, or, at the determination of a State, tribal, or regional entity, by that State, tribal, or regional entity for a larger region that shares a common system peak demand and for which peak demand reduction measures would offer regional benefit.
  (2) A State or regional entity establishing peak demand reduction goals shall cooperate, as necessary and appropriate, with the Commission, the Secretary, State regulatory commissions, State energy offices, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and other relevant authorities.
  (3) In determining the applicable peak demand reduction goals--
  (A) States and other jurisdictional entities may utilize the results of the 2009 National Assessment of Demand Response Potential, as authorized by section 571 of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8279); and
  (B) the relative economics of peak demand reduction and generation required to meet peak demand shall be evaluated in a neutral and objective manner.
  (4) The applicable peak demand reduction goals shall provide that--
  (A) load-serving entities will reduce or mitigate peak demand by a minimum percentage amount from the applicable baseline to a lower peak demand during calendar year 2015;
  (B) load-serving entities will reduce or mitigate peak demand by a minimum percentage greater amount from the applicable baseline to a lower peak demand during calendar year 2018; and
  (C) the minimum percentage reductions established as peak demand reduction goals shall be the maximum reductions that are realistically achievable with an aggressive effort to deploy Smart Grid and peak demand reduction technologies and methods, including those listed in subsection (d).
  (d) Plan- Each load-serving entity shall prepare a peak demand reduction plan that demonstrates its ability to meet each applicable goal by any or a combination of the following options:
  (1) Direct reduction in megawatts of peak demand through--
  (A) energy efficiency measures (including efficient transmission wire technologies which significantly reduce line loss compared to traditional wire technology) with reliable and continued application during peak demand periods; or
  (B) use of a Smart Grid.
  (2) Demonstration that an amount of megawatts equal to a stated portion of the applicable goal is contractually committed to be available for peak reduction through one or more of the following:
  (A) Megawatts enrolled in demand response programs.
  (B) Megawatts subject to the ability of a load-serving entity to call on demand response programs, smart appliances, smart electricity or energy storage devices, distributed generation resources on the entity's customers' premises, or other measures directly capable of actively, controllably, reliably, and dynamically reducing peak demand ('dynamic peak management control').
  (C) Megawatts available from distributed dynamic electricity or energy storage under agreement with the owner of that storage.
  (D) Megawatts committed from dispatchable distributed generation demonstrated to be reliable under peak period conditions and in compliance with air quality regulations.
  (E) Megawatts available from smart appliances and equipment with Smart Grid capability available for direct control by the utility through agreement with the customer owning the appliances or equipment or with a third party pursuant to such agreements.
  (F) Megawatts from a demonstrated and assured minimum of distributed solar electric generation capacity in instances where peak period and peak demand conditions are directly related to solar radiation and accompanying heat.
  (3) If any of the methods listed in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2) are relied upon to meet its peak demand reduction goals, the load-serving entity must demonstrate this capability by operating a test during the applicable calendar year.
  (4) Nothing in this section shall require the publication in peak demand reduction goals or in any peak demand reduction plan of any information that is confidential for competitive or other reasons or that identifies individual customers.
  (e) Existing Authority and Requirements- Nothing in this section diminishes or supersedes any authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to adopt or enforce any law or regulation respecting peak demand management, demand response, distributed energy storage, use of distributed generation, or the regulation of load-serving entities. The Commission, in consultation with States and Indian tribes having such peak demand management, demand response, and distributed energy storage programs, shall to the extent practicable, facilitate coordination between the Federal program and such State and tribal programs.
  (f) Relief- The Commission may, for good cause, grant relief to load-serving entities from the requirements of this section.
  (g) Other Laws- Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f), no law or regulation shall relieve any person of any requirement otherwise applicable under this section.
  (h) Compliance- (1) The Commission shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish a public Web site where the Commission shall provide information and data demonstrating compliance by States, Indian tribes, regional entities, and load-serving entities with this section, including the success of load-serving entities in meeting applicable peak demand reduction goals.
  (2) The Commission shall, by April 1 of each year beginning in 2015, provide a report to Congress on compliance with this section and success in meeting applicable peak demand reduction goals and, as appropriate, shall make recommendations as to how to increase peak demand reduction efforts.
  (3) The Commission shall note in each such report any State, political subdivision of a State, or load-serving entity that has failed to comply with this section, or is not a part of any region or group of load-serving entities serving a region that has complied with this section.
  (4) The Commission shall have and exercise the authority to take reasonable steps to modify the process of establishing peak demand reduction goals and to accept adjustments to them as appropriate when sought by load-serving entities.
  (i) Assistance and Funding-
  (1) ASSISTANCE- The Secretary may make grants to States and to other entities with responsibilities to be carried out under the Act to offset any documented costs of carrying out such responsibilities to the extent such costs are deemed burdensome or extraordinary by the Secretary.
  (2) FUNDING- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to the Commission, the Secretary, and the Administrator to carry out the provisions of this Act.
  SEC. 6. REAUTHORIZATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE SMART GRID INFORMATION.(a) In General- Section 134 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15832) is amended as follows:
  (1) By amending the section heading to read as follows: 'energy efficiency and smart grid public information initiative'.
  (2) In paragraph (1) of subsection (a), by striking 'reduce energy consumption during the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act' and inserting 'increase energy efficiency and to adopt Smart Grid technology and practices'.
  (3) In paragraph (2) of subsection (a), by striking 'benefits to consumers of reducing' and inserting 'economic and environmental benefits to consumers and the United States of optimizing'.
  (4) In subsection (a), by inserting at the beginning of paragraph (3) 'the effect of energy efficiency and Smart Grid capability in reducing energy and electricity prices throughout the economy, together with'.
  (5) In subsection (a)(4), by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E), by striking 'and' at the end of subparagraph (C), and by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
  '(D) purchasing and utilizing equipment that includes Smart Grid features and capability; and'.
  (6) In subsection (c), by striking 'Not later than July 1, 2009,' and inserting, 'For each year when appropriations pursuant to the authorization in this section exceed $10,000,000,'.
  (7) In subsection (d) by striking '2010' and inserting '2022'.
  (8) In subsection (e) by striking '2010' and inserting '2022'.
  (b) Table of Contents- The item relating to section 134 in the table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801 and following) is amended to read as follows:
  'Sec. 134. Energy efficiency and Smart Grid public information initiative.'.
  SEC. 7. INCLUSION OF SMART GRID FEATURES IN APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM.(a) Amendments- Section 124 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15821) is amended as follows:
  (1) By amending the section heading to read as follows: 'energy efficient and smart appliance rebate program.'.
  (2) By redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (a) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively, and inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
  '(4) SMART APPLIANCE- The term 'smart appliance' means a product that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Secretary of Energy has determined qualifies for such a designation in the Energy Star program pursuant to section 3 of the Smart Grid Advancement Act of 2013, or that the Secretary or the Administrator has separately determined includes the relevant Smart Grid capabilities listed in section 1301 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381).'.
  (3) In subsection (b)(1) by inserting 'and smart' after 'efficient' and by inserting after 'products' the first place it appears ', including products designated as being smart appliances'.
  (4) In subsection (b)(3), by inserting 'the administration of' after 'carry out'.
  (5) In subsection (d), by inserting 'the administration of' after 'carrying out' and by inserting ', and up to 100 percent of the value of the rebates provided pursuant to this section' before the period at the end.
  (6) In subsection (e)(3), by inserting ', with separate consideration as applicable if the product is also a smart appliance,' after 'Energy Star product' the first place it appears and by inserting 'or smart appliance' before the period at the end.
  (7) In subsection (f), by striking '$50,000,000' through the period at the end and inserting '$100,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2014 through 2019.'.
  (b) Table of Contents- The item relating to section 124 in the table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801 and following) is amended to read as follows:
  'Sec. 124. Energy efficient and smart appliance rebate program.'.
New bill aims to make 'smart' meters mandatory for entire nation
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: the tap
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:06
  The new bill, as stated in a recent press release posted on Rep. McNerney's website, would require virtually all energy utility companies nationwide to implement so-called "smart grid technologies," which in turn would require the installation of smart meters on customers' homes and businesses. Smart meters, as you may already be aware, contain wireless communication components that are not only a serious threat to human health, but also a monumental detriment to personal privacy.But crafty politicians like Rep. McNerney and Rep. Cartwright are couching the technology as a viable way to help save people money by lowering their electricity bills. This explanation, of course, is meant to divert attention away from the not-so-enticing fact that the technology is really nothing more than a massive, interconnected government spying and control apparatus.
FBI Director Robert Mueller Retirement Ceremony
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Uploads by MOXNEWSd0tC0M
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:05
Carrington Class: ''The World Escaped an EMP Catastrophe''
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: WTF RLY REPORT
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 06:04
  SHTFplanby Mac Slavo
  According to researchers at EMPact America, an organization dedicated to studying and preparing for the possibility of large-scale electro magnetic pulse threats that can destroy our modern day electrical infrastructure, the earth came dangerously close to a serious destabilization event. A couple of weeks ago the sun emitted a massive CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) that, had it been earth-directed, would likely have wiped out critical portions of the world's power grid and sent developed nations back to the stone age within a matter of seconds.
  'The world escaped an EMP catastrophe,' Henry Cooper, who now heads High Frontier, a group pushing for missile defence, told Washington Secrets.
  'There had been a near miss about two weeks ago, a Carrington-class coronal mass ejection crossed the orbit of the Earth and basically just missed us,' added Peter Vincent Pry, who served on the Congressional EMP Threat Commission.
  'Basically this is a Russian roulette thing,' he said. 'We narrowly escape from a Carrington-class disaster.'
  Washington Examiner
  It was a ''Carrington-Class'' event, named after the 1859 incident that left telegraphs around the world inoperable and reportedly even lit some of the equipment on fire because of the electric surge.
  Solar flares are measured in classes, and though ''Carrington'' is not an official classification on the scale, it refers to a solar emission so powerful that it would send Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights as they are often called, as far down as the equator (as was the case with the 1859 event). This means that the size of the solar flare would be massive, and the charged particles contained within it would be widespread, likely affecting every non-shielded electronic device on the planet.
  The original Carrington event is estimated to have been larger than an X10 Class flare '' a super solar flare. The measurements work similar to the earthquake Richter scale, where the next level up is 10 times more powerful than the one before it. An X1 flare, which is the lowest level of the X flares, is capable of disrupting electronic devices like satellites and even mobile communications. And X2 flare, would be ten times as powerful as the X1.
  A Carrington Event flare would exceed X10 Class, making it thousands of times more powerful than an X1, with the capability of disrupting, or even rendering inoperable, everything from electric grid transformers and water utility plants, to cell phones and vehicles.
  Though such powerful flares as the one that almost hit earth two weeks ago are rare, they happen more often than you may think. In November of 2003 an X28 Class solar flare '' the largest ever recorded '' narrowly missed earth.
  Were such a powerful electro magentic pulse to hit hit the earth and wipe out critical infrastructure elements like utilities, satellite positioning systems and transportation, civilization as we know it would devolve into chaos within a matter of hours. Estimates suggest that in such a scenario 90% of America's population would perish within one year's time due to lack of food, clean water, medicine and other critical services currently made possible by on-demand electrical infrastructure.
  Former Congressman Roscoe Bartlett has warned that every American should develop an emergency plan for exactly such a scenario:
  ''We don't really think of those today, because it's so convenient to go to the supermarket,'' he cautions. ''But you know, you're planning because the supermarket may not always be there.''
  The electrical grid could fail tomorrow, he frequently warns. Food would disappear from the shelves. Water would no longer flow from the pipes. Money might become worthless. People could turn on each other, and millions would die.
  '...
  The grid could be crippled at least four different ways, Bartlett says: terrorist assaults on power substations, a cyberattack, a massive solar storm and an electromagnetic pulse attack.
  Bartlett has for decades warned of the harm of an EMP attack '-- a nuclear detonation in the atmosphere that could fry computers and anything with an electric circuit '-- in his writings, in legislation and in late-night speeches on the House floor, though experts differ on the seriousness of the threat. Some agree the dangers are real, while others say such an attack is unlikely and the potential effects remain uncertain.
  '...
  ''Whatever level you're concentrating on, being as self-sufficient as you can, as quickly as you can, is going to be the right thing to do,'' he says.
  Bartlett has suggested that those with the ability to do so should move their families out of major cities and become as self sufficient as possible:
  A solar flare or man-made EMP (in the form of a Super EMP weapon) is an outlier.
  Two weeks ago, had the sun spot that emitted the Carrington-like flare been directed just a few degrees in our direction, we'd be living in a different world today. Likewise, ten years ago, the earth took a glancing blow.
  We have come close, and one day chances are an earth directed flare will take out our modern day electrical infrastructure.
  It could happen a month from now or 10 years from now during the next solar maximum cycle. What we know is that it has happened before, and it will happen again.
  It's not impossible to survive such an event. It starts with understanding that the threat is real and then making an effort to take steps that insulate yourself and your family as best as possible should it come to pass:
  There are a variety of civilization affecting threats that we face, so preparing for an EMP attack or solar flare will actually ready you for a whole host of other worst-case scenarios.
  If you haven't already started, take it upon yourself to begin preparing today, because those who aren't ready when disaster strikes will be destined to a fate of hardship and horrors.
  It's better to be prepared a day, a month or a year early, than to be one minute too late.
  Via SHTFplan
VIDEO-Obama WH Is Hiding Benghazi Survivors AND CHANGING T | The Gateway Pundit
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 05:54
  Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) was on with Greta Van Susteren Thursday to discuss the Obama scandals.
  This came after Jake Tapper at CNN broke the news that there were ''dozens'' of CIA operatives on the ground in Benghazi on 9-11 when the consulate came under attack and the agency is going to great lengths to make sure whatever it was doing, remains a secret.
  Gowdy told Greta the Obama Administration is hiding the survivors, dispersing them around the country, AND changing their names.
  ''Including changing names, creating aliases. Stop and think what things are most calculated to get at the truth? Talk to people with first-hand knowledge. What creates the appearance and perhaps the reality of a cover-up? Not letting us talk with people who have the most amount of information, dispersing them around the country and changing their names.''
  And, at the same time Obama is hiding the survivors around the country he's calling Benghazi a 'phony' scandal.Via Greta Van Susteren:This sounds a bit like criminal behavior, huh?
BitTorrent Sync the No Agenda Show | Gitmo Detox Press
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 05:44
  Distributed DistributionBitTorrent Sync (btsync) is an outstanding product in active development. Btsync works almost entirely 'out of the box' as a peer-to-peer, media distribution tool. Adequate support is available is available via Btsync's own User Guide and FAQ . I will herein clarify the specifications for joining The No Agenda Show's distributed distribution efforts so that YOU! too can help propagate the formula.
  Find the PackageSeek out BitTorrent Sync in your favorite search engine. Users of the Android operating system can seek out BitTorrent Sync for Android in Google's Play ''store''.
  Install the PackageRefer to the BitTorrent Sync's User Guide and/or FAQ. Hopefully you aren't beyond hope.
  Syncing The No Agenda ShowYour version of the btsync application and it's corresponding graphical user interface (gui) may be different than mine (Linux i386). My PC/Desktop gui is web-based and accessible via a web browser. I will not replicate Btsync's User Guide, which quite effectively explains the topic of ''Adding folders to sync'' and ''Staying synchronized''.Since the keys we are concerned with here are public, I will herein refer to them as Shared Keys. In addition to plugging in your chosen Shared Key, the application will ask you to pick a folder on your computer's hard drive (or any storage device) to store the files your receive via btsync. Our two publicly shared folders are known as No Agenda Show (aka latest) and No Agenda Show Archive.
  The No Agenda Show (aka Latest) shared folder is intended to always have one(1) episode in it '' the latest episode. When a new episode arrives in the folder, it will take the place of the previously most recent episode. This folder is initially seeded by the honorable podfather and exponentially trickles into a deluge.
  No Agenda Show (aka Latest) Shared Key:RMH37SO4ZAJQORGFO7Z3TAIXY2CQYODHE
  The No Agenda Show Archive shared folder, at the time of this writing, consists of 44 gigabytes initially seeded by Eric the Schill @ No Agenda Nation. Eric has been maintaining one of a few stable No Agenda Show Archives for some time now and his collection spans Episodes 1 '' 535.
  No Agenda Show Archive Shared Key:R5NSJBPWKW52OO5HCY27JUHKZSKOFAR2D
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CBS twc blackout
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Sat, 03 Aug 2013 05:31
  CBS Corporation, the owner of several TV networks and broadcast TV stations, has made outrageous demands for the right to continue delivering their programming to our customers. As a result, several CBS-owned channels have been removed from your lineup while we continue to negotiate for fair and reasonable terms.We deeply regret being forced into this position by CBS, but we're prepared to stand by our customers and do what it takes to fight these unreasonable demands.
  The affected channels are:
  CBS Owned-and-Operated TV stations in the following cities:Los Angeles: KCBS and KCAL-Ind.New York: WCBSDallas-Ft. Worth: KTVT-CBS and KTXA-Ind.Boston: WBZ-CBS and WSBK-Ind.Chicago: WBBM-CBSDenver: KCNC-CBSDetroit: WKBD-CWPittsburgh: KDKA-CBS and WPCW-CWShowtimeThe Movie ChannelFlixSmithsonian Channel If you currentlyreceive this channelHere's how your Time Warner Cable videoservice is impactedCBS from one of thecities listed above'Your CBS channel has been removed from your lineup; In NY, LA, and Dallas-Ft Worth only, in its place within 48 hours you will see temporary replacement programming from Starz Kids and Family.'CBS Primetime on Demand is now unavailable'StartOver and LookBack services on all your CBS-owned stations are unavailableFlixFlix is now unavailableThe Movie Channel*The Movie Channel and The Movie Channel on Demand are now unavailable. However, you now have courtesy access to Encore as replacement programming on a temporary basis'--look in your guide for channel numbers. (1)Showtime*Showtime, all its associated multiplex channels, and Showtime on Demand are now unavailable. However, you now have courtesy access to Starz as replacement programming on a temporary basis'--look in your guide for channel numbers.(1)Smithsonian ChannelSmithsonian and Smithsonian on Demand are now unavailable * For these premium channels only, if you are paying for these channels, you will be credited for any days they are blacked out; expect to see that credit on an upcoming bill. Also applies to Flix, in areas where Flix is carried as a premium channel.We thank you for your patience and support, and appreciate you being a Time Warner Cable Customer.
  Be sure to visit our website at www.TWCConversations.com/CBS for more information, to see frequently asked questions, or to leave a comment about these negotiations.
  (1) If you have set parental controls based on ratings, these will continue to work on these alternate channels. However, if you have set channel blocking, you'll need to add the Starz and/or Encore channels to your list of blocked channels.(C)2013 Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC. All Rights Reserved. Time Warner Cable and the Time Warner Cable logo are trademarks of Time Warner Inc. Used under license. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
  This message was sent to adam@curry.com. Parts of this message may contain promotional information about Time Warner Cable and its services. Please do not reply to this email. To change your personal settings please click here. If you do not wish to receive any further emails from Time Warner Cable, safely unsubscribe.
  Time Warner Cable, 60 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10023.
Coast to Coast ''pulls it'' after Dr. Kevin Barrrett query
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Veterans Today
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:39
  Coast to Coast cancels conspiracy show at the last minute after Dr. Kevin Barrrett requests fair time to respond
  By Martin HillLibertyFight.comAugust 2, 2013
  People who don't like ''conspiracy theories'' have hostile tendencies, according to the latest psychological research
  Coast to Coast AM, the internationally syndicated radio show and top late night ratings winner, has inexplicably ''pulled it''- they cancelled an announced and publicized scheduled radio interview with conspiracy skeptic Dr. Michael J. Wood after Dr. Kevin Barrett asked for a chance to respond. It's important to note that Dr. Wood, a defender of the establishment line, was specifically invited on the program to discuss Dr. Barrett's article, noted in the Coast to Coast announcement [screenshot below.]. The coast to coast announcement stated
  ''First Hour: A story by Kevin Barrett on PressTV.ir has interprted a study as showing that conspiracists are ''more sane'' than conventionalists. However, that's not correct according to one of the study's authors, Mike Wood, from the School of Psychology at the University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K., who joins George Knapp to discuss the findings of his research. Further guest info, TBA.''
  But when Dr. Barrett contacted Coast to Coast requesting an opportunity to respond, Coast to Coast scrapped the entire program and instead ran a segment on whales and dolphins at the last minute! It's also noteworthy that Coast to Coast, while referring to Barrett's article on their website, neglected to even link to it.
  On July 27, Barrett noted that Coast to Coast cancelled the scheduled show, which had been slated for July 28th:
  Conspiracy Theorists OK: Government Dupes Clueless, Humorless: ''Coast to Coast Radio just canceled its plans to broadcast a show tonight on my widely-read Press TV article on research suggesting that ''conspiracy theorists'' are saner than government dupes. Note that they did not even link my article!!! Apparently they had planned to give Michael Wood, the author of one of the studies I cited, a platform to attack my article '' while refusing to even link the article, much less invite me on the air to defend it. When I protested, and asked that they allow me to defend my article, Coast to Coast decided to pull the show. They replaced it with a show on cetaceans. You don't have to be a ''paranoid conspiracy theorist'' to wonder why Coast to Coast is so averse to giving me a fair hearing. Below is my new article rebutting Wood's attack on my Press TV piece. -KB''
  LibertyFight.com sent an inquiry to Dr. Michael Wood asking about this matter:''Dr. Wood, Do you have any comment on why Coast to Coast yanked your scheduled and announced interview at the last minute, only after Barrett requested a fair time to respond? Given the fact that this all started from Barrett's article, why do you think they refused his offer of response or direct debate with you? Any theories on why they refused to link to the actual article which is the point of discussion? Additionally, would you be willing to debate Barrett directly on an hour-long live radio program?''
  Dr. Wood responded:
  Dear Mr. Hill-Thanks for the inquiry. I don't think it's accurate to say that ''this all started from Barrett's article;'' it started with my research, which C2C happened to find out about through Barrett's article. When they first contacted me, they had read Barrett's article and assumed that it was an accurate representation of the study, and wanted to have me on to talk about my research. When I told them that the article was inaccurate they said that was interesting in itself and wanted to talk further about what we'd found and how it lined up with the way it was portrayed in the alternative media. Controversy sells, I suppose, which is probably why they included a reference to the whole business in the show description.When C2C called me to let me know that I'd been bumped in favour of the whale and dolphin show on the 29th, the producer said that they were just really excited to have the whale and dolphin people on ASAP so my interview had been pushed back a few weeks. They didn't say anything about Barrett, in fact until I read the article you linked I had no idea he'd contacted them at all.
  Anyway, any interview about the study in question would involve addressing some of the media misrepresentations of it '' it's part of publishing research that's in the public interest. It's not accurate to say that the show would be a ''platform to attack [Barrett's] article'' except in the sense that discussing the details of my own research is at odds with his own interpretation of it. What debate there was has been pretty much hashed out in our various blog posts and articles at this point, so I don't think a radio show debate would be necessary or constructive. Barrett's either a poor journalist, a troll, or both, and in any case he's not automatically entitled to a platform to debate everyone he misrepresents whenever they try to discuss their own work.
  Best,
  Michael Wood
  Barrett, a Ph.D. Arabist-Islamologist, author and radio host, once noted that he ''got witch-hunted out of the University of Wisconsin for researching and speaking out on controversial subjects like 9/11 and Palestine.'' He has been has been featured in the New York Times, FOX news and many other outlets. His website is truthjihad.com and he has a daily radio show. Archives can be found here. He also writes for Veterans Today.
  The recent controversy all started when Dr. Kevin Barrett published an article on Press TV titled New studies: 'Conspiracy theorists' sane; government dupes crazy, hostile. In it, Barrett stated, in part, ''But now, thanks to the internet, people who doubt official stories are no longer excluded from public conversation; the CIA's 44-year-old campaign to stifle debate using the 'conspiracy theory' smear is nearly worn-out. In academic studies, as in comments on news articles, pro-conspiracy voices are now more numerous '' and more rational '' than anti-conspiracy ones. No wonder the anti-conspiracy people are sounding more and more like a bunch of hostile, paranoid cranks.'' Barrett's article was referring to Woood's new study ''What about Building 7?'' A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories. Note that Dr. Wood's blog entry initially announcing and linking to his new study had only generated one single response, from a reader named John asking where the link for the report was. This testifies to the fact that mainstream apologists, whether they like it or not, do not generate the interest, publicity and discussion that the alternative media does. The only reason that this study got any attention at all is because Barrett made a issue out of it.
  Wood's blog dated July 10th where he made the announcement of his new study, along with the lone comment and Wood's reply, is here: [Excerpt]
  What does online discussion tell us about the psychology of conspiracy theories?http://conspiracypsych.com/2013/07/10/what-does-online-discussion-tell-us-about-the-psychology-of-conspiracy-theories/
  Posted on July 10, 2013 by Mike WoodI've just had a new paper published in Frontiers in Psychology along with Karen Douglas, my co-author and PhD supervisor. Frontiers is an open-access journal, meaning that anyone can read the full text for free, so if you're interested go ahead and check it out.''What about Building 7?'' A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories
  On July 13th Dr. Wood posted an update noting the publicity which his study garnered, thanks to Barrett, in which he rebutts Barrett's claims [Excerpts]:
  Setting the record straight on Wood & Douglas, 2013
  Posted on July 13, 2013 by Mike Wood'''...Our recently published Frontiers study on online communication, ''What about Building 7?'' A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories, has been the subject of some chatter on the Internet '' but not quite in the way I had hoped. A story by Kevin Barrett on PressTV.ir has interpreted the study as showing that conspiracists are ''more sane'' than conventionalists, and, given that this is an appealing headline for long-suffering conspiracists, has been copy-pasted around the Internet in a highly uncritical fashion.'''.....Anyway, the damage seems to have been done '' the PressTV article has been reprinted on a lot of different websites, forums, and social media thanks to its sensationalised headline and smug triumphalism. I'm ambivalent about this '' I like that my research is being recognised since I am inherently a media whore, but I'm less happy about the fact that it's only seeing wide exposure after having been twisted and misinterpreted by an extremely biased article on Iranian state-run media. Still, the http://spp.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/01/18/1948550611434786.abstract''>last article that we published was met with headlines like ''Psychologists prove conspiracy theorists are all crazy!'' (there's no room for nuance on the Internet, is there?) so I suppose it all balances out. I just hope that some people will read the paper itself rather than taking PressTV's word for what it says.''
  On July 28th Wood continues to write about his study and the Barrett controversy:
  The Wood & Douglas (2013) commission report: Whitewash or coverup?Posted on July 28, 2013 by Mike Wood
  ''As I write this the fuss about our Frontiers article, ''What about Building 7?'' A social psychological study of online discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories, has mostly died down, so now seems like a good time to do a bit of a postmortem and take a look at some of the issues that have come up since the whole ruckus kicked off with Kevin Barrett's awful PressTV article and its infinite copy-pastes around the blogspamosphere.''
  Wood noted that he had been interviewed on two radio shows regarding the matter: Google Hangouts interview with the Renegade Variety Hour, and Legalise Freedom [
  Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
  .] Wood then goes on to use the cynical demeaning ad hominem type smears regarding 'conspiracy theorists,' referring to ominous 3AM phone calls and blinking out Morse Code with his eyes:
  '''...Third, well, at least he's not claiming I got a 3AM call from George Soros demanding that I go back on my findings. There's no profit motive here, because any future employers would probably not take their cues from smear job articles on Iranian state media. I just don't like people abusing my work to spread self-serving misinformation'...'' '''...The one thing Barrett got mostly right, and which he's still going on about, was the hostility finding: we did find that conventionalist comments were more hostile on average than conspiracist comments. Some people have looked at this finding and concluded that it constitutes evidence that conspiracists really are more mentally well-adjusted than conventionalists, that the rest of Barrett's misrepresentations don't really matter, and, for good measure, that They Got To Me (if you look closely, during the Renegade Variety Hour interview you can see that I'm blinking out SOS in Morse Code with my eyes)'...''
  Apparently Dr. Wood has been a guest on Coast to Coast am previously, as they still have a guest bio page up for him here.
  Art Bell, longtime host of Coast to Coast, recently announced that he is going back on air soon. Bell, although he has a large fan base, is another shill and alleged pervert, who won't touch the truth about 9/11/01.
  -Martin Hill is a Catholic paleoconservative and civil rights advocate. His work has been featured in the Los Angeles Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, The Orange County Register, KNBC4 TV Los Angeles, The Press Enterprise, LewRockwell.com, WhatReallyHappened.com, Infowars.com, PrisonPlanet.com, Economic Policy Journal, FreedomsPhoenix, Haaretz, TMZ, Veterans Today, Jonathan Turley blog, The Dr. Katherine Albrecht Show, National Motorists Association, RomanCatholicReport.com, Republic Broadcasting Network, WorldNetDaily, OverdriveOnline.com, Educate-Yourself.org, Dr. Kevin Barrett's Truth Jihad radio show, Strike-The-Root.com, ActivistPost.com, Los Angeles Catholic Lay Mission Newspaper, KFI AM 640, IamtheWitness.com, Redlands Daily Facts, BlackBoxVoting, The Michael Badnarik Show, The Wayne Madsen Report, Devvy.com, Rense.com, The Contra Costa Times, Pasadena Star News, Silicon Valley Mercury News, Long Beach Press Telegram, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, L.A. Harbor Daily Breeze, CopBlock.org, DavidIcke.com, Whittier Daily News, KCLA FM Hollywood, The Fullerton Observer, Antiwar.com, From The Trenches World Report, and many others. Archives can be found at LibertyFight.com and DontWakeMeUp.Org.
  Related Posts:Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=262580
  The views expressed herein are the views of the author exclusively and not necessarily the views of VT or any other VT authors, affiliates, advertisers, sponsors or partners. Legal NoticePosted by Kevin Barrett on Aug 2 2013, With 0 Reads, Filed under 9/11. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
  To post, we ask that you login using Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, or Hotmail in the box below.Don't have a social network account? Register and Login direct with VT and post.Before you post, read our Comment Policy - Feedback
Telecom giants give GCHQ unlimited access to networks, develop own spyware '' Snowden leaks
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: End the Lie - Independent News
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:35
  Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham (Reuters / Crown Copyright / Handout)
  Major telecom companies have been assisting the UK intelligence agency GCHQ by granting access to all the traffic passing through their fiber-optic cables '' and by developing Trojan software for the agency, leaked papers obtained by German media reveal.
  The classified slides obtained by German news agencies S¼ddeutsche Zeitung and NDR list global telecommunication operators among the collaborators of the UK's Government Communications Headquarters, and reveal the spy agency's sophisticated tactics, involving the use of computer malware and network attacks. The documents are said to have been leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
  The 2009-dated GCHQ slides reportedly provide the names of the following companies, along with their agency's internal aliases: Verizon Business (code name: ''Dacron''), British Telecommunications (''Remedy''), Vodafone Cable (''Gerontic''), Global Crossing (''Pinnage''), Level 3 (''Little''), Viatel (''Vitreous'') and Interoute (''Streetcar'').
  The listed telecom giants have allegedly been passing on details of phone calls, emails and Facebook entries to the agency in line with the GCHQ's operation Tempora. Snowden earlier revealed that Tempora was part of the UK's data collection programs dubbed 'Mastering the Internet' and 'Global Telecoms Exploitation.'
  The seven companies named in the reports own tens of thousands of kilometers of fiber-optic networks, including the high-capacity undersea cables, and literally form the backbone of the internet's infrastructure. According to a Guardian intelligence source cited in June, all such firms had ''no choice'' but to engage in spying, compelled by the GCHQ warrants. Until now, the companies' names had been strictly kept secret by the agency for fear of ''high-level political fallout'' and major market losses.
  But the fresh leaks also claim to be showing another side of the secret deal, with telecom majors allegedly receiving rewards for developing the spying software for GCHQ on their own. Such software could come in a form of Trojan viruses installed on targeted computers, the reports say, stating that the companies' involvement in data collection is much larger and more complicated than previously thought.
  The reports also list network attacks and deliberate disinformation as the tactics employed by the UK's intelligence agency in their task for 'dominating' the internet.
  Source: RT
  Help Spread Alternative News
UPS to Offer 3D Printing Services in Select Stores
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: MAKE
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:27
  UPS Stores announced Wednesday that it will start offering 3D printing services in a select number of its retail stores, making it the first national U.S. retailer to do so. The first store is in San Diego. The company plans to offer the service in a Washington D.C. store next week. There are plans to offer the service at four more stores, but those haven't been determined yet, says Brandon Olson, public relations supervisor for UPS Stores.
  The move by UPS is part of a test to see how the service is received by customers and what the right price points are. UPS's decision follows a survey it conducted of small business owners to gauge their interest in the service. Olson said the survey found a ''strong response and desire to use the service.''
  In a statement, Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and small business solutions at The UPS Store, said: ''Start-ups, entrepreneurs and small business owners may not have the capital to purchase a 3D printer on their own, but they may have a need to show prototypes to their current and potential customers. By offering 3D printing capabilities in-center, we're able to help further our small business customers' opportunities for success.''
  Here's a video UPS put up about the announcement:
  UPS is using the Stratasys uPrint SE Plus printer for the test. According to Stratasys, the uPrint SE Plus 3D printer prints in nine colors and uses fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology ''to build in real ABS plus thermoplastic, creating models and functional prototypes that are durable, stable and pinpoint accurate.'' The printer sells for $20,900.
  Olson said UPS will also offer design services to help customers translate ideas into printable design files.
  What do you think of the news? Have we entered the era of the corner 3D printing shop? How long until Kinko's gets into the act? If service grows, would it impact your decision to buy a 3D printer?
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Friday Humor: US Citizens 'Just' Want To Be Safe, Happy, Rich, Comfortable, & Entertained At All Times
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Zero Hedge
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:26
  Fact or Fiction: In a new report released Wednesday, Americans indicated that when it comes to what they expect from their country, all they really want is to be safe, happy, rich, comfortable, and entertained at absolutely all times.
  Nation Just Wants To Be Safe, Happy, Rich, Comfortable, Entertained At All Times
  Average:Your rating: NoneAverage: 3.8(8 votes)
Why Alex Jones Bashes the Nazis
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Veterans Today
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:08
  Anyone paying attention knows that Alex Jones has an obsession with attacking Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. He does so for one reason and one reason only, he is a disinformation specialist, he is demonizing National Socialism and will not say the name of the enemy or any reference that directly links the Jews and Zionists to the criminal network looting the nation. Alex Jones uses a slew of euphemisms to hide the enemy, he calls the Zionists the New World Order, Globalists, or Germanic Dealt Cults. Alex Jones is famous for calling the enemy everything except for what it actually is, thus Alex Jones is aiding and abetting the Zionist entity and is no patriot but a clever disinformation warrior.
  Germanic Death Cult Named as the Source of Zionism
  Alex Jones interviewed Maxwell Jordan and these two went off in an orgasmic frenzy naming the Germans as the source of Zionism. This, is of course, complete nonsense. The single source of Zionism is Judaism. Zionism is the outgrowth of a line of exclusionary thinking patterns, the Jews are god's chosen ones, the Jews were given the gentiles as their cattle (goyim). Supremacist Jews actually believe that they own you. You are a cow that is to be milked and killed according to wishes of these Jewish farmers. Recent Rabbinic statements prove this, one of the top Israeli state approved Rabbis still hold to these archaic ideas:
  ''Goyim were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world '' only to serve the People of Israel,'' '' Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
  It is no accident that the world is run the way it is, the world is being exploited based on Judaic thinking, Zionism is the political expression of Judaism. So the reader might ask why doesn't Alex Jones expose this obvious conspiracy, after all Alex Jones is a very smart man. Why does Alex Jones, instead, bash the Nazis? Why indeed? What do the Nazis have to do with anything in the world today, were they not defeated and outlawed? The answer is simple, he is a shill protecting the real power structure, he is leading the patriots and Christians exactly the wrong away by not naming the real perpetrators. He is substituting Nazis for Zionists, is he not demonizing the very group that needs to be studied and emulated in order to deal with Jewish supremacism? Alex Jones is demonizing the German solution of the Jewish problem, he is making the Nazis out as the ultimate evil to prevent you from realizing the obvious that we are the new Germans under the oppression of International Jewry.
  Alex Jones is waging an infowar on your mind, so that your mind is boxed in unable to consider the possibility of nationalism as a viable alternative to Bolshevik Communism or Fascist Capitalism, he is keeping your mind from examining the flow of historical events, that what is happening to America is directly linked to the past. History has come full circle, America is the new bankrupt Weimar Republic. The Republic is gone, just like Weimar Germany the American Constitutional Republic is history, so now how are you going to fight the enemy? Complaining to the school board? Voting for the two main political parties who are completely whored to AIPAC/Zionists/Necons/Jews? Praying to Jesus? LOL! What are you going to do to actually get your freedom and government back? YOU MUST FORM A POLITICAL PARTY OPPOSED TO INTERNATIONAL JEWRY, YOU MUST DO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT THE GERMANS DID IN THE 1920'²S AND 30'²S. What is Alex Jones' job? To prevent you from realizing the obvious solution, that supremacist Jews and their Zionist cohorts have subverted America just like Germany and that America has the same problem Hitler faced. Alex Jones, the great conspiracy theorist, is totally full of crap, he is not talking about the number one problem that America faces.
  Jonestown Koolaid, a Special Flavor of Bullshillvek Red just for Christians
  Alex Jones is serving up a big glass of poisoned punch and it could get a good many people killed. Alex Jones is draping an invisibility cloak over the Jews, this is deadly, by not exposing the enemy he is aiding the enemy. He's no patriot, he is working you over and getting wealthy in the process, he is selling you and your freedom down the river. When someone challenges Jonestown about his lack of integrity regarding Jewish nature of the conspiracy he flies off the handle, becomes enraged, his behavior is so schizoid that it has spurred a slew of handles that describe him such as Rabbi Jonestein, Alex Jewns, Jonestown, etc. I prefer ''Jonestown'' because it conjores up the image of the infamous Jonestown massacre, the Jim Jones koolaid drinking death cult.
  Think about it, what group do the ruling class of Supremacist Jews fear the most? Nazis. Why? The Third Reich was the first state in human history that named the Jews as the enemy of mankind. The Nazis took control of their nation-state and made it German again, they organized it against the International Jewry, specifically they started a national socialist political system and German bank not based on usury, put everyone to work and created an economic miracle. We are in the same sinking boat. Look at how the manufacturing jobs have been stripped from America, inflationary policies of the Jewish owned Federal Reserve have worn a devastating effect on American jobs, the nation is piling up debt that it is unable to pay and the good jobs are gone.
  If the world was under control of the Nazis, like Jonestein claims, then why is it that in Germany you not allowed to possess Mein Kampf or challenge the official Holocaust story? What a laugh Alex Jones is, he is the conspiracy king who never talks about the real conspiracy of supremacist Judaism. Alex Jones takes on every conspiracy imaginable except for the one that actually counts. He has never broached the Holocaust storyline and how it is used to extort money and weapons, like nuclear powered submarines gifted to Israel. Alex Jonestein is a kosher approved conspiracy theorist, he is herding the Christian patriots into a box canyon with no way out. Alex Jones Nazi bashing is a ploy that is without merit, Zion Crime Factory's essay about his pathological lying totally destroys Alex Jones' credibility:
  http://zioncrimefactory.com/patriotard-lies-about-hitler/
  ''First of all, Adolf Hitler was a patriotic German nationalist who endeavored to create a Germany for Germans alone; quite the opposite of a ''globalist NWO'' type. Secondly, Hitler and his National Socialist movement were staunchly anti-Marxist/Communist/Bolshevik and therefore anti-Internationalist and anti-Globalist. The sinister agenda of Communism, not National Socialism, was internationalism '-- the overthrow and vanquishment of all existing nation states in order to establish a despotic global communist super-state. The pathological criminal madness known as Communism was, from its inception, an international Jewish conspiracy for the destruction and subjugation of the Gentile world whereupon a tyrannical global Jewish imperium would be established. Communism was nothing more than an expression and manifestation of the hateful, supremacist doctrines of the Jewish Talmud, which states: ''Even the best of the Gentiles should be killed.'' (Minor Tractates. Soferim 15, Rule 10) Alex is deceptively projecting the evil and destructive legacy of Jewish Bolshevism onto Hitler and Nazi Germany. ''
  Alex Jones the Judas Goat
  A Judas Goat is an older goat trained to herd sheep and goats, to lead other goats to the slaughter house. Alex Jones is herding the Christian sheep into a box canyon. This is easy to do. Christians already live under a delusion of a Jewish based myth, they worship a Jewish deity, they believe the Jews are god's chosen people, thus it is easy to substitute faux enemies for the real one. Most Christians can not condemn Jews because they would be condemning their own faith, so Alex Jones has the simple task of substituting the identity of the enemy because it maintains their mythological illusion and believers denial of reality. How can the most insidious enemy of all time be the very people you base and trust your life upon? You can't criticize the Jews when you are hoping to spend eternity with a Jewish god.
  Unfortunately, because of the current severe crisis with how religion in America is being manipulated for the benefit of the elite, we must discuss the the God (of the Bible). God only exists in two places, in a book and in a human mind. There is no (Bible) god outside of those two places, the god idea resides in your brain. You can look in the clouds for god, you will not find him. You can look on mountain tops, he is not there. You can go to the nearby planets and you will find out that Jupiter, Mars, and Venus are not gods. You can build a really big space telescope and look back into time, 15 billions years into the past, at proto galaxies and you will not see god's hand. Nearly every phenomenon can be explained rationally because we live in a scientific age, we no longer believe that thunder and lightning are of an angry god. We no longer worship planets, the sun or stars as gods. Such beliefs have been overcome by a greater perception of reality, those gods have been transcended, in fact nearly all of the ten thousand previous gods have been discarded by the human mind except for a remaining few.
  The God of the Bible still stands because he is invisible and can't be disproven so easily like the earlier gods. The Bible God is still very real to millions, but in reality it is a mind virus, it is an idea that lives only in your mind. God is a meme, that must be transferred from mind to mind by witnessing and direct contact. If god was real then no one would have to explain it to others, for god would be self evident like air or water. An omnipotent god doesn't need your help, but the Bible god does and he wants your money. Isn't it funny how the Creator of the Universe, this all powerful Jewish deity, just happens to need Jewish usury money? Am I the only one that sees how blatantly obvious this con is? Maybe the Jews need you to believe in their god and for you to tithe so that they can rule over you. Maybe the desert tribe of wandering Gypsies are very good at the art of the god con job, they have conned you out of your money and freedom because they got you to believe in their god and made themselves the exclusive chosen ones of this god.
  This god of the Jews is patently not self evident, it must be learned from a book. The masses believe in god because of mass indoctrination, the god meme is pounded into their brains. In those areas where atheistic government rules, like China or North Korea, there is almost no belief in the Bible god. America is a nation with many Christians, a large part of Alex Jones' audience is in the Bible belt, he broadcasts out of Austin, Texas '' a Baptist stronghold. Virtually no Baptist believes 911 is an inside job, virtually no Baptist can intuit that Israel did 911 and you can bet your last shekel that Alex Jones will never tell them. Baptists form a large part of Christian Zionists and are completely blind to how the Jews are attacking America and destroying her. That is why the Bible God must be discussed as a memetic infection of the brain.
  The Amazing Survival Strategy of the God Parasite and the Tribe
  The Jews are a parasitic tribe, their success was their ability to infect other minds via their book. This book called the Holy Bible makes them the kings of humanity, so those who believe in this book are in effect making the authors their god. Some think the Federal Reserve is the greatest con, but the fiat money machine pales in comparison with this religion. The con works like this, I tell the easy marks I'm special, they give up something they worked to obtain if I get them to believe. If I tell someone that I am their god, they might laugh or even kill me. How am I to get their money, why would people give up their hard earned efforts unless they were sold on a good story? Have you noticed that the TV evangelists are slimy, disgusting snake oil salesman? They are being handsomely rewarded for pushing the god meme out the door, and they get tax free status to boot. The preacher is a salesman of Jewish supremacism, he is selling god and his chosenites and making himself rich. Many are slick con artists, it is questionable if they actually believe in what they are peddling. Just look at the hypocrisy of these vermin, their secret gay behavior.
  Once this parasitic lifestyle is learned, the parasite realizes it would be far easier if everyone believed in this special status. Therefore if the myth is written down and everyone learned to this special status then the tribe has only to lean back and rake in the dough. The Bible is a doctrinal guide of a tribe of thieves, who are justifying their actions, in other words when the tribe annihilates another culture they believe it to be god's will. It is critical to understand that supremacism is absolutely necessary in order for the parasite to justify its thieving existence. The parasite must be aggressive toward others, stealing is an act of aggression against another, a thief must dominate the host otherwise the host will kill it. When US-Israel bomb another state they must have a justification for their aggression, they must dominate that nation while they strip it of its resources, they must never allow the victim to retaliate.
  If you get rid of god then you also rid yourself of the Jews as the dominant tribe, this they know which is why every person of European lineage knows everything about Jewish history and none of their own. The Jewish god is installed into your brain by getting you to know the Jewish story of how they were chosen and persecuted (by all those non-believers of their right to rip off others, lol). Without that belief, a specific set of memes installed on your brain hard drive, the Jews can not be parasites. They can not rip you off unless you believe in them, you must learn about their history, not your own. It is not about god (even if there is a god), it is about them and their chosenite lifestyle. The way you can know this is true is that the Jewish ''god'' has been assigned a personality which just happens to exactly match a Jewish supremacist personality. Most have underestimated the superior cleverness of these Ice Age remnants, what they have pulled off as a survival strategy is truly remarkable. It is obvious that the god of the Bible is a creation of Jewish minds, this clever Neanderthal tribe has got you begging for them to rob you blind and send you to death in their wars of conquest. How many Christians can't wait to fight wars for god's glory? Think about that for awhile, they used memes to defeat your genetic impulse of self preservation!
  Adolf Hitler pointed this out in one of his first speeches. He was completely aware of the Jewish ways, only the Jews would complain about being thrown out of the Garden of Eden and made 'to work by the sweat of their brow'. The Germans loved to work and were tired of the middle men, the financiers, stripping the working class of their efforts. The Nazis blamed all Jews, they punished an entire group for the crimes of a few. There is a reason for this, all practicing Jews are psychically supporting the tribe so in a sense they are connected. The Germans saw this connection up close, German nationalists could see first hand in the cities that Jews did not assimilate into the German culture, they saw that Jews were undermining the German traditions, Jews wore traditional garb, they did not look German. Hitler and Goebbels lamented repeatedly in speeches and writings about Jewish subversion of their culture. This is happening again in America, now that America is in rapid decline many voices are pointing out Jewish subversion of American values. Jewish politicians are attacking home schooling, gun ownership, allowing tens of millions of immigrants to stream in unchecked that is subverting the base culture. It has happened again, the cause is from the same tribe because that is what they do.
  Any patriot not talking about Jewish subversion of the American culture is aiding and abetting the downfall of America. Anyone who defends the official 911 story or the official Holocaust story is a dupe or intentionally selling you out. Americans are willing participants in this game because they have been indoctrinated into the Jewish way of thinking. Americans are willing to die in Jewish wars of conquest because of Bible indoctrination. This a huge tragedy and I am tired of these media cons that refuse to talk about the real situation. Alex Jones has proven himself as a disinformationist and should not be trusted. It's not the Nazis Mr. Jones, it's the Zionists.
  Related Posts:Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=262084
  The views expressed herein are the views of the author exclusively and not necessarily the views of VT or any other VT authors, affiliates, advertisers, sponsors or partners. Legal NoticePosted by Yukon Jack on Aug 2 2013, With 0 Reads, Filed under Of Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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Russia home to text message fraud "cottage industry"
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:07
  Russia home to text message fraud "cottage industry"Javascript is currently disabled in your web browser. For full site functionality, it is necessary to enable Javascript. In order to enable it, please see these instructions.1 hour agoResearchers have discovered that bilking people by infecting Android mobile phones with viruses has become a cottage industry in Russia in a criminal model that could be replicated elsewhere. While the text-messaging malware industry appeared centered in Russia, the model could be duplicated in other countries where conditions allow, according to Lookout Mobile Security.
  Researchers have discovered that bilking people by infecting Android mobile phones with viruses has become a cottage industry in Russia in a criminal model that could be replicated elsewhere.
  Members of Lookout Mobile Security were at the infamous Def Con hacker gathering in Las Vegas on Friday to share what they uncovered about a text-messaging fraud operation they dubbed "Dragon Lady" in reference to Cold War-era US military reconnaissance aircrafts.
  "The mobile malware trade in Russia is highly organized and profitable," Lookout said, referring to malicious software designed to infect smartphones.
  "We recently investigated a veritable industry of malware businesses with startup-like behaviors."
  Businesses referred to as 'Malware HQs' accounted for more than half the overall mobile malware detections by Lookout during the first six months of this year, according to researcher Ryan Smith.
  Malware HQs openly recruit 'affiliates' that could be anyone and provide simple do-it-yourself tools to distribute viruses with tactics such as booby-trapped websites or Twitter posts.
  Once on smartphones, viruses fire off premium text messages behind the scenes, with HQs getting the money and sharing it with affiliates who hooked the victims.
  Lookout discovered that some HQs promote playful competition between affiliates with websites that show rankings and promise prizes for top performers.
  "We've seen evidence that these affiliate marketers have earned between $700 a month to $12,000 a month from these scams," Smith said in a report summarizing Lookout's findings.
  He estimated that there are thousands of individual distributors and potentially tens of thousands of affiliate websites promoting custom SMS malware.
  "Malware HQs handle the tough stuff like releasing new Android code and configurations every two weeks, malware hosting, shortcode registration, and marketing campaign management tools," Smith said in his summary.
  "Like any other large business, Malware HQ organizations provide customer support, post regular newsletters, report downtime or new features, and even run regular contests to keep their affiliates engaged and motivated."
  Those falling prey to the scam were typically Russian speaking Android phone users searching online for free games, applications, music, videos or pornography, according to Lookout.
  Pages rigged with malware are designed to reject visits from countries not targeted by the crooks, who prefer victims in places where fees for premium text messages are paid immediately instead of through billing by telecom service providers.
  While the text-messaging malware industry appeared centered in Russia, the model could be duplicated in other countries where conditions allow, according to Lookout. gc/rcw
  Explore further:Security firms see rise in smartphone cyber-attacks
  (C) 2013 AFP
  More from Physics Forums - General Engineering
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  Security firms see rise in smartphone cyber-attacks Sep 07, 2012
  Cyber-crooks are increasingly taking aim at smartphones, following their prey as lifestyles migrate to Internet-linked mobile devices, according to new reports by online security firms.
  Android rises to top'--in malware threats, survey shows Mar 07, 2013
  The Android operating system accounted for 79 percent of all malware infections on smartphones, and the threat is multiplying, a security firm said Thursday.
  Mobile malware explodes, hits corporate networks Jun 26, 2013
  Smartphone users have seen an explosion of malware in the past year, dominated by schemes targeting Google's Android operating system, a survey showed Wednesday.
  Lookout, Verizon team up for mobile protection Jul 20, 2011
  US mobile security firm Lookout is teaming up with US telecom giant Verizon Wireless to protect smartphone users from hackers and scammers.
  Staggering surge in Android gadget viruses: Juniper Nov 16, 2011
  The arsenal of malicious code aimed at Android-powered gadgets has grown exponentially, with criminals hiding viruses in applications people download to devices, according to Juniper Networks.
  'Phishing' scams explode worldwide, researchers shows Jun 21, 2013
  Those insidious email scams known as phishing, in which a hacker uses a disguised address to get an Internet user to install malware, rose 87 percent worldwide in the past year, a security firm said Friday.
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  Japanese companies develop quake damping pendulums for tall buildings(Phys.org) '--Two Japanese companies, Mitsui Fudosan and Kajima Corp, have announced plans to install quake damping pendulums atop the Shinjuku Mitsui Building in downtown Tokyo by 2015. The building, like ...
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  How to stop bleeding in the ER caused by warfarinProthrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are faster and more effective than fresh frozen plasma at reversing hemorrhage caused by the anti-coagulant warfarin, despite plasma being the most commonly used therapy. A literature ...
  Childhood abuse linked to later thyroid problems for women(HealthDay)'--Women who suffered physical abuse during childhood are at increased risk for thyroid problems, according to a new study.
  New coating turns ordinary glass into super glassA new transparent, bioinspired coating makes ordinary glass tough, self-cleaning and incredibly slippery, a team from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Harvard ...
  A cometary graveyardA team of astronomers from the University of Anitoquia, Medellin, Colombia, have discovered a graveyard of comets. The researchers, led by Anitoquia astronomer Prof. Ignacio Ferrin, describe how some of these ...
  Researchers find way to measure speed of spinning object using light's orbital angular momentum(Phys.org) '--Researchers in Scotland have devised a way to use the Doppler Effect to discern the spin speed of a rotating object where the object is directly facing the light source. In their paper published ...
  (C) Phys.org' 2003-2013
  Russia home to text message fraud "cottage industry"Javascript is currently disabled in your web browser. For full site functionality, it is necessary to enable Javascript. In order to enable it, please see these instructions.1 hour agoResearchers have discovered that bilking people by infecting Android mobile phones with viruses has become a cottage industry in Russia in a criminal model that could be replicated elsewhere. While the text-messaging malware industry appeared centered in Russia, the model could be duplicated in other countries where conditions allow, according to Lookout Mobile Security.
  Researchers have discovered that bilking people by infecting Android mobile phones with viruses has become a cottage industry in Russia in a criminal model that could be replicated elsewhere.
  Members of Lookout Mobile Security were at the infamous Def Con hacker gathering in Las Vegas on Friday to share what they uncovered about a text-messaging fraud operation they dubbed "Dragon Lady" in reference to Cold War-era US military reconnaissance aircrafts.
  "The mobile malware trade in Russia is highly organized and profitable," Lookout said, referring to malicious software designed to infect smartphones.
  "We recently investigated a veritable industry of malware businesses with startup-like behaviors."
  Businesses referred to as 'Malware HQs' accounted for more than half the overall mobile malware detections by Lookout during the first six months of this year, according to researcher Ryan Smith.
  Malware HQs openly recruit 'affiliates' that could be anyone and provide simple do-it-yourself tools to distribute viruses with tactics such as booby-trapped websites or Twitter posts.
  Once on smartphones, viruses fire off premium text messages behind the scenes, with HQs getting the money and sharing it with affiliates who hooked the victims.
  Lookout discovered that some HQs promote playful competition between affiliates with websites that show rankings and promise prizes for top performers.
  "We've seen evidence that these affiliate marketers have earned between $700 a month to $12,000 a month from these scams," Smith said in a report summarizing Lookout's findings.
  He estimated that there are thousands of individual distributors and potentially tens of thousands of affiliate websites promoting custom SMS malware.
  "Malware HQs handle the tough stuff like releasing new Android code and configurations every two weeks, malware hosting, shortcode registration, and marketing campaign management tools," Smith said in his summary.
  "Like any other large business, Malware HQ organizations provide customer support, post regular newsletters, report downtime or new features, and even run regular contests to keep their affiliates engaged and motivated."
  Those falling prey to the scam were typically Russian speaking Android phone users searching online for free games, applications, music, videos or pornography, according to Lookout.
  Pages rigged with malware are designed to reject visits from countries not targeted by the crooks, who prefer victims in places where fees for premium text messages are paid immediately instead of through billing by telecom service providers.
  While the text-messaging malware industry appeared centered in Russia, the model could be duplicated in other countries where conditions allow, according to Lookout. gc/rcw
  Explore further:Security firms see rise in smartphone cyber-attacks
  (C) 2013 AFP
  More from Physics Forums - General Engineering
  Related Stories
  Security firms see rise in smartphone cyber-attacks Sep 07, 2012
  Cyber-crooks are increasingly taking aim at smartphones, following their prey as lifestyles migrate to Internet-linked mobile devices, according to new reports by online security firms.
  Android rises to top'--in malware threats, survey shows Mar 07, 2013
  The Android operating system accounted for 79 percent of all malware infections on smartphones, and the threat is multiplying, a security firm said Thursday.
  Mobile malware explodes, hits corporate networks Jun 26, 2013
  Smartphone users have seen an explosion of malware in the past year, dominated by schemes targeting Google's Android operating system, a survey showed Wednesday.
  Lookout, Verizon team up for mobile protection Jul 20, 2011
  US mobile security firm Lookout is teaming up with US telecom giant Verizon Wireless to protect smartphone users from hackers and scammers.
  Staggering surge in Android gadget viruses: Juniper Nov 16, 2011
  The arsenal of malicious code aimed at Android-powered gadgets has grown exponentially, with criminals hiding viruses in applications people download to devices, according to Juniper Networks.
  'Phishing' scams explode worldwide, researchers shows Jun 21, 2013
  Those insidious email scams known as phishing, in which a hacker uses a disguised address to get an Internet user to install malware, rose 87 percent worldwide in the past year, a security firm said Friday.
  Recommended for you
  Russia home to text message fraud "cottage industry" 1 hour ago
  Researchers have discovered that bilking people by infecting Android mobile phones with viruses has become a cottage industry in Russia in a criminal model that could be replicated elsewhere.
  Yahoo buying binge continues with Rockmelt deal 1 hour ago
  Yahoo on Friday said it bought social web-browsing startup Rockmelt, extending a buying spree started shortly after Marissa Mayer became chief last year.
  Bed bugs, bad service begone, thanks to online reviews 3 hours ago
  Bed bugs, bad service and terrible food used to be inevitable risks when traveling, but a host of online review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor are helping savvy consumers pick the best hotels and eat ...
  E-books: US tells Apple to cut publishing ties 3 hours ago
  The US Department of Justice said Friday that tech giant Apple must cut ties with the five publishers with which it was found guilty of running an e-book price-fixing scheme.
  Bio-inspired design may lead to more energy efficient windows 3 hours ago
  University of Toronto Engineering professor Ben Hatton is turning to nature to find a way to cut down on the energy leaks from windows.
  TV seems impervious to Silicon Valley's advances 5 hours ago
  Google's unveiling last week of yet another device it hopes will change the way people watch TV highlights a stubborn truth: The revolution may be televised, but television itself has so far been impervious to a revolution.
  User comments : 0More news stories
  Yahoo buying binge continues with Rockmelt dealYahoo on Friday said it bought social web-browsing startup Rockmelt, extending a buying spree started shortly after Marissa Mayer became chief last year.
  Japanese companies develop quake damping pendulums for tall buildings(Phys.org) '--Two Japanese companies, Mitsui Fudosan and Kajima Corp, have announced plans to install quake damping pendulums atop the Shinjuku Mitsui Building in downtown Tokyo by 2015. The building, like ...
  Engineers discover unique fingerprint for cell phones(Phys.org) '--Law enforcement officials may soon have a new tool at their disposal'--a device that can distinguish between cell phones based on their digital signal. In the never ending game of cat-and-mouse ...
  Engineers develop new tests to cool turbine blades, improve engines(Phys.org) '--Engineers know that gas turbine engines for aircraft and power plants are more efficient and burn less fuel when they run at temperatures high enough to melt metal. But how to raise temperatures ...
  Bio-inspired design may lead to more energy efficient windowsUniversity of Toronto Engineering professor Ben Hatton is turning to nature to find a way to cut down on the energy leaks from windows.
  How to stop bleeding in the ER caused by warfarinProthrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are faster and more effective than fresh frozen plasma at reversing hemorrhage caused by the anti-coagulant warfarin, despite plasma being the most commonly used therapy. A literature ...
  Childhood abuse linked to later thyroid problems for women(HealthDay)'--Women who suffered physical abuse during childhood are at increased risk for thyroid problems, according to a new study.
  New coating turns ordinary glass into super glassA new transparent, bioinspired coating makes ordinary glass tough, self-cleaning and incredibly slippery, a team from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Harvard ...
  A cometary graveyardA team of astronomers from the University of Anitoquia, Medellin, Colombia, have discovered a graveyard of comets. The researchers, led by Anitoquia astronomer Prof. Ignacio Ferrin, describe how some of these ...
  Researchers find way to measure speed of spinning object using light's orbital angular momentum(Phys.org) '--Researchers in Scotland have devised a way to use the Doppler Effect to discern the spin speed of a rotating object where the object is directly facing the light source. In their paper published ...
  (C) Phys.org' 2003-2013
"Al Qaeda Is Perfectly Capable Of Of Terrorist Attacks INSIDE The United States!" CIA Agent Baer
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Uploads by MOXNEWSd0tC0M
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:04
Time Warner Cable Suspends Showtime Services Nationwide Despite Network's Offer to Continue Carriage
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: TVbytheNumbers
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 22:03
  via press release:
  TIME WARNER CABLE SUSPENDS SHOWTIME® SERVICES NATIONWIDEDESPITE NETWORK'S OFFER TO CONTINUE CARRIAGE
  For First Time In Network History, SHOWTIME Is Dropped
  NEW YORK, NY (August 2, 2013) '' Showtime Networks' customers nationwide have had their services disrupted by Time Warner Cable today, when for the first time in SHOWTIME history a distributor has chosen to remove the network's programming '' despite the network's authorization to allow carriage while negotiations continue. Our customers chose to subscribe to SHOWTIME, and Time Warner Cable in turn chose to pull our service from the subscribers we both serve. Attempts to reach an extension on negotiations were denied by Time Warner Cable, resulting in SHOWTIME going dark in major markets.
  The service interruption is not only completely unnecessary, but totally punitive to our subscribers, and will impact and inconvenience millions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers in major markets across the country. Major markets affected include New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, Tampa, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, San Diego, Columbus, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Austin and Detroit, among many others.
  SHOWTIME has been working in good faith with Time Warner Cable to work out a contract, and is deeply disappointed with Time Warner Cable's decision to pull SHOWTIME channels. Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers will be denied access to new episodes of the climactic eighth and final season of Dexter, and the most popular freshman series the network has ever had, RAY DONOVAN. Additionally, subscribers will also miss the opportunity to catch up on past seasons of Homeland before the series' fall debut, new episodes of WEB THERAPY and countless movies, specials and documentaries.
  SHOWTIME has successfully negotiated a number of deals with all of the other major distributors, including Comcast, DirecTV, Cox, DISH, Verizon FiOS, Cablevision and AT&T U-Verse, among others. Time Warner Cable has taken nearly 50 channels off the air in just the past five years in disputes such as the one involving CBS and SHOWTIME now.
  We hope and believe this period of darkness will be short, and we can all get back to the business of providing award-winning original series, hit movies, specials, provocative documentaries, and our hard-hitting sports programming to the Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks customers we both serve. We know our subscribers value their SHOWTIME programming, so we encourage them to call Time Warner Cable directly at 1-888-TW-CABLE and Bright House Networks at 1-855-222-0102 to ask that they restore our services. Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks customers who wish to continue their SHOWTIME subscription, should go to www.SHO.com/TimeWarnerCable for a list of television providers that currently offer SHOWTIME. We assure our subscribers that we are doing everything we can to restore their SHOWTIME services.
Time Warner Cable Removes CBS in 3 Big Markets - NYTimes.com
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:59
  The war between CBS and Time Warner Cable intensified Friday afternoon when the cable company pulled the CBS stations in the New York, Los Angeles and Dallas markets.
  CBS suspended the service around 5 p.m. Eastern time. Both sides then issued statements blaming the other for being unreasonable in the negotiations, which were extended from Monday.
  The decision means that viewers in those cities that subscribe to Time Warner Cable will not be able to watch CBS programming until a deal is reached. In the past, subscribers have reacted with anger at such suspensions, but generally because they have missed specific programs. In this case, the summer programming roster does not contain many highly popular shows that may drive a settlement. CBS's biggest appeal this summer is from the show ''Under the Dome,'' which will not have a new episode until Monday.
  But the network does have the PGA golf championship coming in a week. Further down the road is the NFL season, which would surely stir outrage if viewers were denied access to the games.
  CBS called the action ''ill-advised'' and ''injurious not only to our many affected viewers, but also to Time Warner Cable itself.''
  Time Warner Cable followed with its own statement, saying, ''CBS has refused to have a productive discussion. It's become clear that no matter how much time we give them, they're not willing to come to reasonable terms.''
  CBS also used tough language in its statement, saying the cable company had ''conducted negotiations in a combative and nonproductive spirit, indulging in pointless brinkmanship and distorted public positioning.'' CBS labeled Time Warner Cable's charge that CBS was seeking a 600 percent fee increase as ''fictional and ridiculous.''
Former PC 'took pictures up skirts'
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: BBC News - Home
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:57
  2 August 2013Last updated at11:41 ETA former police constable filmed a naked teenage girl and took pictures up strangers' skirts, a court has heard.
  Robert Tedds, 58, who was previously with Warwickshire Police, admitted three charges of making an indecent image of a child.
  He also admitted five counts of outraging public decency and was given a three-year community order at Worcester Crown Court.
  Tedds had been working in a civilian role when the offences took place.
  He retired as an officer in 2011 and had been working with the force's firearms licensing unit when the offences took place, between May and June this year. He had also carried out some driving duties on a part-time basis for senior offices, Warwickshire Police said.
  'Financial difficulties'Prosecuting, William Rickarby said Tedds's offending came to light when a man spotted him taking a picture "up the skirt of one of the customers" at a petrol station in Leamington Spa, on 10 June.
  He reported it to staff and a later review of CCTV at the petrol station uncovered five separate occasions when he had taken such pictures, using a mobile phone.
  He was questioned and two mobile phones and a computer hard drive were seized.
  "On one of the phones, a number of similar images at different locations were found, some of them were also in the back of cars, or in an office environment, while some were on a train," Mr Rickarby said.
  An indecent video of the teenage girl, filmed in June and deleted on the same day, was found on the second phone.
  In mitigation, Michael Aspinall, said Tedds, of Grange Road, Leamington Spa, had an "exemplary record" of police service and now felt "absolute shame".
  All the still images on the phone were classified as the least serious, with no nudity, he said.
  He added, after leaving the force following the maximum 32 years' service, Tedds had financial and psychological difficulties and that was his only explanation.
  Tedds will have to sign the sex offenders register for five years and attend a community sexual offenders work group. Ten further matters of outraging public decency were taken into consideration.
Presidential Memorandum -- Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, as Amended
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: White House.gov Press Office Feed
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:55
  The White House
  Office of the Press Secretary
  For Immediate Release
  August 02, 2013
  MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
  SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority Pursuant to Section 404(c) of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, as Amended
  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority conferred upon the President by the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 (title IV, Public Law 110-457), as amended (the "Act"), to determine, consistent with section 404(c) of the Act, whether to waive the application to Somalia of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the Act and whether such waiver is in the national interest of the United States, for fiscal year 2013.
  You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
  BARACK OBAMA
U.S. Album Sales Hit Historic Lows
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: LIVE@LEEDS
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 16:39
  Ed Christman Billboard.com 08/02/13
  U.S. album sales have hit new historic lows over the last five weeks marking the longest consecutive stretch in the SoundScan era that the industry has gone without scanning more than 5 million units. And, over the last two weeks, album sales hit consecutive record lows. Which begs the question, is it all due to the summer doldrums, streaming's rise, dwindling catalog sales or all three?
  For the week ending July 28, U.S. album sales totaled 4.68 million the lowest weekly total since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan in May 1991. The previous record low was only the prior week when sales were 4.71 million units.
  The industry had been flirting with the under five million unit album sales weeks since 2010 when, for the week-ending May 30, it dipped beneath that floor for the first time with 4.98 million scans. In 2010, the industry had four weeks under 5 million units, while there were two weeks under that floor in 2011, and three weeks in 2012.
  This year already, there are nine weeks under the 5 million units album sales mark, with the last five weeks marking the longest consecutive period the industry has gone without scanning more than 5 million units.
  While album sales are down, streaming revenue is up, which begs the question the industry has been wrestling with for the last two years: is streaming is cannibalizing album sales? An issue, until recently, industry data analysts and top executives argued wasn't the case, and some attributed to declining catalog sales.
  Others blame the album sales drop on a lousy release schedule this time of year and the general summer months' doldrums. Sales in summer tend to decline because kids are out of school and they tend to spend more time outdoors. Consequently, the release schedule is also lighter because artist and their managers prefer to hold album releases for the fourth quarter, when there is more in-store traffic. The only other time of the year when sales are just as slow is in the first quarter, when releases schedules are weaker.
  More recently, some industry executives began changing their tune about the possibility of streaming cannibalization after they saw digital song sales decline more in the second quarter than in the first at the same time that digital album sales slowed (see our mid-year Nielsen SoundScan report). Analysts have not yet found a way to measure cannibalization and are looking for new ways to measure whether or not it is occurring. As one analyst put it, just because he couldn't prove cannibalization through analysis, he couldn't definitively say it's not happening.
  While analysts continue reviewing the data, the decline in album sales this year can be attributed at least partially to physical sales' downward trend.
  ''This is the year that CD sales bottom is falling out'' at Newbury Comics, says the retail chain's CEO Mike Dreese. So far this year, CD sales are down 14.1% to 88.8 million from the 103.3 million scanned in the same time period in the corresponding period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But digital album sales aren't faring too well lately either. In the first four weeks of the second quarter, the digital album growth slowed to a 1.9% increase after growing at a 10.4% pace in the first quarter. So far in the first four weeks of the third quarter, digital album sales are actually down 0.9%.
  While that decrease could be attributable to a slow release schedule, industry SoundScan analysts say the real weakness lies in catalog album sales, which year-to-date are down 8.8% to 79.7 million units. One industry label analyst said that if the bottom fell out of anything, it's the $5 CD. Albums at that price point are no longer performing like they did in 2011 and 2012. And there are only so many titles that can generate enough volume to make the lower pricing profitable. He claimed the majors have exhausted that supply of albums and when music fans are looking for that bargain price point at Walmart, Target or Best Buy, they are not finding an new titles they want.
  ''We haven't refreshed our offering in titles at that price point in months,'' the source says. ''While it's still a formidable amount of units sold, sales of the $5 CD will continue to fall.'' That executive said that at its peak, $5 CDs were accounting for up to 15% of weekly catalog unit sales.
  On the good news front, this executive added, at least steaming growth this year continues to be strong '-- all of which depends on your point of view.
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  This entry was posted on August 2, 2013 at 12:43 pm and is filed under sales. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
BBC News - Rise in violence 'linked to climate change'
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  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:44
  2 August 2013Last updated at03:18 ETBy Rebecca MorelleScience reporter, BBC World ServiceShifts in climate are strongly linked to increases in violence around the world, a study suggests.
  US scientists found that even small changes in temperature or rainfall correlated with a rise in assaults, rapes and murders, as well as group conflicts and war.
  The team says with the current projected levels of climate change, the world is likely to become a more violent place.
  The study is published in Science.
  Marshall Burke, from the University of California, Berkeley, said: "This is a relationship we observe across time and across all major continents around the world. The relationship we find between these climate variables and conflict outcomes are often very large."
  The researchers looked at 60 studies from around the world, with data spanning hundreds of years.
  They report a "substantial" correlation between climate and conflict.
  Their examples include an increase in domestic violence in India during recent droughts, and a spike in assaults, rapes and murders during heatwaves in the US.
  The report also suggests rising temperatures correlated with larger conflicts, including ethnic clashes in Europe and civil wars in Africa.
  Biological root?Mr Burke said: "We want to be careful, you don't want to attribute any single event to climate in particular, but there are some really interesting results."
  Continue reading the main storyIt is a major priority for future research to distinguish between what is going on in each particular situation''
  End QuoteMarshall BurkeUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe researchers say they are now trying to understand why this causal relationship exists.
  "The literature offers a couple of different hints," explained Mr Burke.
  "One of the main mechanisms that seems to be at play is changes in economic conditions. We know that climate affects economic conditions around the world, particularly agrarian parts of the world.
  "There is lots of evidence that changes in economic conditions affect people's decisions about whether or not to join a rebellion, for example."
  But he said there could also be a physiological basis, because some studies suggest that heat causes people to be prone to aggression.
  "It is a major priority for future research to distinguish between what is going on in each particular situation."
  The scientists say that with the current projected levels of climate change the world is likely to become a more violent place.
  They estimate that a 2C (3.6F) rise in global temperature could see personal crimes increase by about 15%, and group conflicts rise by more than 50% in some regions.
  Commenting on the research, Dr Stephan Harrison from the University of Exeter said it was a "timely study".
  "What they have found is entirely plausible... For example, we already know that hotter and drier weather causes an increase in urban violence. Likewise, during cooler and wetter weather people tend to stay indoors, and the threat diminishes."
  However, other researchers have questioned whether climate breeds conflict.
  Work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggested that this environmental factor was not to blame for civil war in Africa.
  Instead, Dr Halvard Buhaug, from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, Norway, concluded that the conflict was linked to other factors such as high infant mortality, proximity to international borders and high local population density.
  Commenting on the latest research, he said: "I disagree with the sweeping conclusion (the authors) draw and believe that their strong statement about a general causal link between climate and conflict is unwarranted by the empirical analysis that they provide.
  "I was surprised to see not a single reference to a real-world conflict that plausibly would not have occurred in the absence of observed climatic extremes. If the authors wish to claim a strong causal link, providing some form of case validation is critical."
NSA Presentation. Fear damit slave fear.
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: usfollowme
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 07:10
  https://media.blackhat.com/us-13/us-13-Alexander-keynote.pdf
Update: Now We Know Why Googling 'Pressure Cookers' Gets a Visit from Cops - Philip Bump - The Atlantic Wire
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  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 07:07
  Michele Catalano was looking for information online about pressure cookers. Her husband, in the same time frame, was Googling backpacks. Wednesday morning, six men from a joint terrorism task force showed up at their house to see if they were terrorists. Which prompts the question: How'd the government know what they were Googling?
  Update, 7:05 p.m.: Because the Googling happened at work.
  The Suffolk County Police Department released a statement this evening that answers the great mystery of the day.
  Suffolk County Criminal Intelligence Detectives received a tip from a Bay Shore based computer company regarding suspicious computer searches conducted by a recently released employee. The former employee's computer searches took place on this employee's workplace computer. On that computer, the employee searched the terms ''pressure cooker bombs'' and ''backpacks.''
  After interviewing the company representatives, Suffolk County Police Detectives visited the subject's home to ask about the suspicious internet searches. The incident was investigated by Suffolk County Police Department's Criminal Intelligence Detectives and was determined to be non-criminal in nature.
  Original article: Catalano (who is a professional writer) describes the tension of that visit.
  [T]hey were peppering my husband with questions. Where is he from? Where are his parents from? They asked about me, where was I, where do I work, where do my parents live. Do you have any bombs, they asked. Do you own a pressure cooker? My husband said no, but we have a rice cooker. Can you make a bomb with that? My husband said no, my wife uses it to make quinoa. What the hell is quinoa, they asked. ...
  Have you ever looked up how to make a pressure cooker bomb? My husband, ever the oppositional kind, asked them if they themselves weren't curious as to how a pressure cooker bomb works, if they ever looked it up. Two of them admitted they did.
  The men identified themselves as members of the "joint terrorism task force." The composition of such task forces depend on the region of the country, but, as we outlined after the Boston bombings, include a variety of federal agencies. (The photo above is from the door-to-door sweep in Watertown at that time.) Among those agencies: the FBI and Homeland Security.
  As of this afternoon, it was still not clear which agency knocked on Catalano's door. The Guardian reported that an FBI spokesperson said that Catalano "was visited by Nassau County police department '... working in conjunction with Suffolk County police department." (Catalano apparently lives on Long Island, most likely in Nassau County.)
  Detective Garcia of the Nassau County Police, however, told The Atlantic Wire by phone that his department was "not involved in any way." Similarly, FBI spokesperson Peter Donald confirmed with The Atlantic Wire that his agency wasn't involved in the visit. He also stated that he could not answer whether or not the agency provided information that led to the visit, as he didn't know.
  Local and state authorities work jointly with federal officials on terror investigations similar to the one Catalano describes. Both Suffolk and Nassau County's police departments are members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Donald confirmed. Suffolk County is also home to a "fusion center," a regionally located locus for terror investigations associated with the Department of Homeland Security. It wasn't the JTTF that led to the visit at Catalano's house, Donald told us. The task force deputizes local authorities as federal marshals, including some in Suffolk and Nassau, who can then act on its behalf. But, Donald said, "officers, agents, or other representatives of the JTTF did not visit that location.
  Ever since details of the NSA's surveillance infrastructure were leaked by Edward Snowden, the agency has been insistent on the boundaries of the information it collects. It is not, by law, allowed to spy on Americans '-- although there are exceptions of which it takes advantage. Its PRISM program, under which it collects internet content, does not include information from Americans unless those Americans are connected to terror suspects by no more than two other people. It collects metadata on phone calls made by Americans, but reportedly stopped collecting metadata on Americans' internet use in 2011. So how, then, would the government know what Catalano and her husband were searching for?
  It's possible that one of the two of them is tangentially linked to a foreign terror suspect, allowing the government to review their internet activity. After all, that "no more than two other people" ends up covering millions of people. Or perhaps the NSA, as part of its routine collection of as much internet traffic as it can, automatically flags things like Google searches for "pressure cooker" and "backpack" and passes on anything it finds to the FBI.
  Or maybe it was something else. On Wednesday, The Guardianreported on XKeyscore, a program eerily similar to Facebook search that could clearly allow an analyst to run a search that picked out people who'd done searches for those items from the same location. How those searches got into the government's database is a question worth asking; how the information got back out seems apparent.
  It is also possible that there were other factors that prompted the government's interest in Catalano and her husband. He travels to Asia, she notes in her article. Who knows. Which is largely Catalano's point.
  They mentioned that they do this about 100 times a week. And that 99 of those visits turn out to be nothing. I don't know what happens on the other 1% of visits and I'm not sure I want to know what my neighbors are up to.
  One hundred times a week, groups of six armed men drive to houses in three black SUVs, conducting consented-if-casual searches of the property perhaps in part because of things people looked up online.
  But the NSA doesn't collect data on Americans, so this certainly won't happen to you.
  You might also want to read our look at how to hide from the NSA, or a comparison of the NSA's recently revealed search toolwith Facebook's.
  Correction: After confirmation from the FBI that its agents weren't involved in the visit, the headline of this piece was changed to "Visit From the Cops" instead of "the Feds."
  Photo: Massachusetts police search a home after the Boston bombings.
Open Wireless Movement
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  Source: VENITISM
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:58
  By Adi Kamdar and Dan AuerbachIn addition to the vast number of open community wireless networks all over the world, there has been a recent uptick in business plans from start-ups and well-established companies that aim to increase wireless Internet access. The Open Wireless Movement encourages free, open, and unrestricted wireless access we welcome private sector participation alongside the work of communities, non-profits, governments, and dedicated individuals, in order to realize this vision.
  But not all business plans that promote wireless access are equal. Here are some guiding principles for those who are looking to build or grow solutions that promote wireless Internet access consistent with the Open Wireless Movement:
  No captive portals. Unfortunately, captive portals have become a common tool for doling out wireless access, especially in developed areas like San Francisco, where EFF's office is located. But captive portals hinder important security services that require an unfettered connection between the user and the remote origin. Moreover, captive portals are incompatible with browser-less embedded devices and non-browser client software, and are unnecessary for distributing Terms of Service agreements.No authentication required for users.Users should not have to authenticate in order to use the Internet. This factor is crucial to uphold user privacy and anonymity.No configuration required for users. Users should not have to go through a complicated configuration process or install additional software in order to make use of an open wireless access point.No cost barriers for users. We do not want to categorically insist that open wireless must be free of charge, but the important principle is that cost does not create a barrier for people who need to only make small use of an often abundant resource.Universal availability. Open wireless networks should be open to anyone in range with a wireless-capable device, not only to those who fall into a certain category, such as subscribers to a particular Internet service.Peaceful coexistence with existing open wireless networks. Open wireless solutions should not cannibalize other open networks, and users should ideally have a range of open wireless options available to them.In addition, we think open wireless networks of the future should provide meaningful security for users. We also think that the future ecosystem of open wireless networks needs to be sufficiently decentralized so that no single entity stands between a very large set of users and seamless access to the free Internet.With this rubric in mind, we thought we'd take stock of some of the not-quite-open wireless solutions out there that came across our radar to see how they stack up against our principles for truly open wireless. This list is not comprehensive, but it should give a flavor of the strengths and shortcomings of some of these alternative almost-open wireless solutions.
  ComcastFonKarmaRuckusNo captive portalFAILFAILFAILFAILNo authenticationFAILFAILFAIL (Facebook required!)?No configurationPASSPASS?PASSNo cost barriersPASSPASS1/2FAILUniversal availabilityFAILFAILPASSPASSPeaceful coexistence1/21/2PASSPASSSecureFAILFAILFAIL1/2
Spain's prime minister in defiant mood and refuses to step down.
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  Archived Version
  Source: euronews
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:56
  Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has made a defiant speech to lawmakers, affirming that he is not resigning and not calling elections.
  But he did apologise to MP's for mishandling a major corruption scandal, though denied he or his centre-right People's Party accepted illegal payments.
  Beyond parliament, investors shrugged of the scandal as it has not destabilised the government and on Thursday Spain sold debt more cheaply than two weeks ago.
  But the opposition are pursuing their quarry with intense criticism.
  ''You have not acted as a Prime Minister of a country in crisis. You have acted as chairman of a party that, according to our knowledge, has grown, has existed and has won elections supported by a system of illegal financing for over 20 years,'' said Alfredo P(C)rez Rubalcaba, the Socialist Party Secretary General
  Media outlets have published copies of an SMS message Rajoy sent to the People's Party ex-treasurer Luis Barcenas telling him to him to be strong. Barcenas is at the heart of the corruption scandal and has testified he ran a slush fund for the party hidden from the authorities.
  He is in jail pending trial on charges of bribery and tax evasion. Opposition parties had threatened to call a vote of no confidence before Rajoy agreed to make his appearance before lawmakers.
  More about:Mariano Rajoy, Political scandal, Spain, Spanish politicsCopyright (C) 2013 euronews
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Snowden set to look for work in Russia
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  Archived Version
  Source: euronews
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:56
  Edward Snowden, the man wanted by Washington for leaking secrets, is starting a new life in Russia after being granted temporary asylum.
  He furtively avoiding a posse of journalists as he left Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he has spent more than five weeks in the transit area.
  Snowden has pledged not to publish more information that could harm the US and is understood to be staying in the private home of American expatriates. Now he must look for work.
  ''I have received letters from people, from citizens who say they would hire him with pleasure. There's not going to be a problem here,'' said Anatoly Kucherena, Snowden's lawyer.
  ''He needs to work. He is not a rich person, and the money that he had he spent on food (in the transit zone). Of course he knows that going forward he has to work in order to live.
  ''Edward assured me that he is not planning to publish any documents that blacken the American government. But before that he said, he advised me himself, when he was in Hong Kong he gave a part of that material to journalists.''
  In the US, White House spokesman Jay Carney said they are considering whether a meeting between President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin should go ahead in September.
  More about:Edward Snowden, Espionage, Moscow, Russia, USA, WikiLeaksCopyright (C) 2013 euronews
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Mystery object falls from sky, area sealed off by military
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  Source: Hacker News
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:54
  Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Backup/Recovery
  Simply nobody will be giving any credence to officials in America who have stated that a mystery object which fell from the sky this week - after which the surrounding area was evacuated and sealed off for some time by police and military personnel - was just a "weather balloon".
  Reportedly, large numbers of government operatives from various agencies converged urgently on a residential neighbourhood in Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday night after an unidentified object fell from the sky there. News reports describe the object as "something odd", with some eyewitness accounts saying it resembled a balloon and others suggesting that the crashlanded artifact had a structure similar to "styrofoam". According to local TV news:
  One person told authorities it was making a strange noise.
  People living and working in the immediate area were rapidly evacuated and the district was sealed off by a combination of police and military personnel. The presence of operatives from shadowy federal agencies in overall charge of the incident was - of course - not mentioned by spokesmen briefing the media.
  However it was revealed that initial contact with the landed object was handled using a robot. Following this there was consultation with experts from NASA.
  Not long thereafter the mystery object from the sky was apparently loaded onto an unidentified government vehicle and removed from the scene. Subsequently local residents were permitted to return to their homes and the military and police contingents dispersed.
  An official spokesman, Battalion Chief Julian Williamson, then briefed reporters, saying that "investigators made contact with the package and determined it to be ... a weather balloon".
  He also urged anyone finding or seeing any other such objects or happenings:
  "Do not investigate on your own. Just call the authorities."
  The truth is out there here and here. ®
  Requirements Checklist for Choosing a Cloud Backup and Recovery Service Provider
ONE ''ESTABLISHMENT'' RULES U. S.
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  Archived Version
  Source: Northeast Intelligence Network
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:53
  Influence Co-Opts President, Congress, Courts
  Written by guest contributor: Wayne Jett
  The past 100 years have been phenomenally successful for a small, powerful circle often called ''the Establishment.'' In 1913, the Establishment got its long sought private bank (called the Federal Reserve) with the exclusive franchise to create and lend legal currency used by the U. S. government and the American people. The same year, 1913, they got a tax on all income earned by productive people, with rates graduated higher for more successful producers. The very next year, 1914, the Establishment commenced a landmark achievement: World War I.
  WWI was desired and brought on by the Establishment for two reasons. They wanted war to make human society more malleable '' more accepting of change. The change desired was, and is, back to the two-class society which existed through the 18th Century. Secondly, the Establishment wanted WWI to begin dealing practically with the worst of all evils (in their eyes), human population growth. Thus, the bigger and more destructive the war, the better the Establishment liked it.
  The war which began in 1914 fit the bill perfectly. WWI killed more young men in numerous single battles than the entire, horrendous American War of 1860-1865, in which more Americans died than in all other wars combined. The U. S. entered WWI in 1917, about the time Russia laid down its arms on the eve of victory and withdrew from the Allies' Eastern Front. At the time, one of the Establishment's major tax-exempt foundations in the U. S. (claiming dedication to ''international peace'') secretly wrote a letter urging President Woodrow Wilson to be sure the war did not end too soon.
  Read the rest: here.
  Click here to save this article in PDF format
Catherine Austin Fitts
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  Source: aangirfan
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:53
  Fitts"Fitts served as managing director and member of the board of directors of the Wall Street investment bank Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Federal Housing[1] Commissioner at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in the first Bush Administration, and was the president of Hamilton Securities Group, Inc., an investment bank and financial software developer."
  Does the video provide truth or disinformation?
Texas outdoor marijuana grow operation busted by smartphone app | Marijuana and Cannabis News | Toke of the Town
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  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 06:42
  A $125,000 marijuana grow south of Houston has been uprooted thanks to a tip from an anonymous narc citizen who used an app created by the sheriff's department that allows people to send in photos as well as coordinates to crimes - or things that citizens perceive to be crimes.All of the plants have been destroyed, but thankfully nobody has been arrested. We think the senseless destruction of such a healthy, natural and domestic garden should be punishment enough and the cops should hopefully just let the case die (they won't, but a marijuana writer can dream can't he?).
  The phone app is part of the "If You See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign started by the Department of Homeland Security in 2010 that basically asks citizens to spy on one another. It was the first of it's kind when it was put into operation in 2011. The program also has a 1-800 tipline and website, iWatchHarrisCounty.com.
  And while our colleagues at our Voice Media sister blog, The Houston Press (which broke the story), seem to think this new app is a neato new way for government to be "ahead of the curve," we think it's a sign of how lazy our police force has become and how nosy people are about other people's business.
  This grow bust is a prime example of that. It's just a few marijuana plants growing in a forest, and yet someone felt compelled to report it via the app. The really sad part is that this Johnny-do-gooder likely already had the app installed on his phone and probably uses it to play civilian vigilante more than just this one time.
  More links from around the web!
Colin Powell denies affair after emails are hacked by mysterious 'Guccifer' - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
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  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:10
  Colin Powell on Thursday denied having an extramarital affair with a Romanian diplomat after a hacker exposed personal emails between the two.
  ''When I was the secretary of State and she was an assistant to the president of Romania, we occasionally attended the same diplomatic and international meetings,'' Powell said in a statement to The Smoking Gun.
  ''This was a friendship that electronically became very personal and then back to normal,'' he continued. ''Over time the emails became of a very personal nature, but did not result in an affair. Those type of emails ended a few years ago. There was no affair then and there is not one now.''A hacker known as ''Guccifer'' broke into the former secretary of State's personal email account and posted a link to some of the correspondence on Powell's Facebook page.
  The correspondence between Powell and Corina Cretu, a Romanian diplomat, ''would leave most readers with the clear impression that the forlorn Cretu is writing about the twilight of a romance,'' according to The Smoking Gun.
  ''Cretu calls him the love of her life and describes a relationship that spanned more than a decade,'' The Smoking Gun said.
  In one of the emails, Powell told Cretu that his account had been breached, ''so best to delete all between us.''
  ''In light of what was happening it seems obvious to ask Ms. Cretu to delete emails," Powell said in the statement. ''She sent photos on a regular basis. Lots of family photos with her nieces, who she adores, family reunions, formal business sessions, her wedding and some bathing suit photos '... Never anything improper.''
  Powell has been married to his wife Alma for 50 years. Cretu just recently got married. Powell said the two ''remain friends and are in touch,'' but have only seen each other ''once or twice'' over the past eight years at ''group conferences'' in Washington, D.C.
  ''I am pleased that she is having a successful career,'' Powell said. ''I am pleased that she is recently and happily married.''
  Guccifer has become notorious for hacking into the personal email accounts of government officials and political figures. The hacker first brought to light former President George W. Bush's fondness for painting in emails released earlier this year.
VIDEO-The Lead with Jake Tapper
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:08
  CNN has uncovered exclusive new information about what is allegedly happening at the CIA, in the wake of the deadly Benghazi terror attack.
  Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed in the assault by armed militants last September 11 in eastern Libya.
  Sources now tell CNN dozens of people working for the CIA were on the ground that night, and that the agency is going to great lengths to make sure whatever it was doing, remains a secret.
  CNN has learned the CIA is involved in what one source calls an unprecedented attempt to keep the spy agency's Benghazi secrets from ever leaking out.Read: Analysis: CIA role in Benghazi underreported
  Since January, some CIA operatives involved in the agency's missions in Libya, have been subjected to frequent, even monthly polygraph examinations, according to a source with deep inside knowledge of the agency's workings.
  The goal of the questioning, according to sources, is to find out if anyone is talking to the media or Congress.
  It is being described as pure intimidation, with the threat that any unauthorized CIA employee who leaks information could face the end of his or her career.
  In exclusive communications obtained by CNN, one insider writes, "You don't jeopardize yourself, you jeopardize your family as well."
  Another says, "You have no idea the amount of pressure being brought to bear on anyone with knowledge of this operation."
  "Agency employees typically are polygraphed every three to four years. Never more than that," said former CIA operative and CNN analyst Robert Baer.
  In other words, the rate of the kind of polygraphs alleged by sources is rare.
  "If somebody is being polygraphed every month, or every two months it's called an issue polygraph, and that means that the polygraph division suspects something, or they're looking for something, or they're on a fishing expedition. But it's absolutely not routine at all to be polygraphed monthly, or bi-monthly," said Baer.
  CIA spokesman Dean Boyd asserted in a statement that the agency has been open with Congress.
  "The CIA has worked closely with its oversight committees to provide them with an extraordinary amount of information related to the attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi," the statement said.
  "CIA employees are always free to speak to Congress if they want," the statement continued. "The CIA enabled all officers involved in Benghazi the opportunity to meet with Congress. We are not aware of any CIA employee who has experienced retaliation, including any non-routine security procedures, or who has been prevented from sharing a concern with Congress about the Benghazi incident."
  Among the many secrets still yet to be told about the Benghazi mission, is just how many Americans were there the night of the attack.
  A source now tells CNN that number was 35, with as many as seven wounded, some seriously.
  While it is still not known how many of them were CIA, a source tells CNN that 21 Americans were working in the building known as the annex, believed to be run by the agency.
  The lack of information and pressure to silence CIA operatives is disturbing to U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, whose district includes CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
  "I think it is a form of a cover-up, and I think it's an attempt to push it under the rug, and I think the American people are feeling the same way," said the Republican.
  "We should have the people who were on the scene come in, testify under oath, do it publicly, and lay it out. And there really isn't any national security issue involved with regards to that," he said.
  Wolf has repeatedly gone to the House floor, asking for a select committee to be set-up, a Watergate-style probe involving several intelligence committee investigators assigned to get to the bottom of the failures that took place in Benghazi, and find out just what the State Department and CIA were doing there.
  More than 150 fellow Republican members of Congress have signed his request, and just this week eight Republicans sent a letter to the new head of the FBI, James Comey, asking that he brief Congress within 30 days.
  Read: White House releases 100 pages of Benghazi e-mails
  In the aftermath of the attack, Wolf said he was contacted by people closely tied with CIA operatives and contractors who wanted to talk.
  Then suddenly, there was silence.
  "Initially they were not afraid to come forward. They wanted the opportunity, and they wanted to be subpoenaed, because if you're subpoenaed, it sort of protects you, you're forced to come before Congress. Now that's all changed," said Wolf.
  Lawmakers also want to about know the weapons in Libya, and what happened to them.
  Speculation on Capitol Hill has included the possibility the U.S. agencies operating in Benghazi were secretly helping to move surface-to-air missiles out of Libya, through Turkey, and into the hands of Syrian rebels.
  It is clear that two U.S. agencies were operating in Benghazi, one was the State Department, and the other was the CIA.
  The State Department told CNN in an e-mail that it was only helping the new Libyan government destroy weapons deemed "damaged, aged or too unsafe retain," and that it was not involved in any transfer of weapons to other countries.
  But the State Department also clearly told CNN, they "can't speak for any other agencies."
  The CIA would not comment on whether it was involved in the transfer of any weapons.
  Programming note: Was there a political cover up surrounding the Benghazi attack that killed four Americans? Watch a CNN special investigation '-- The Truth About Benghazi, Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Dozens of CIA operatives on the ground during Benghazi attack
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: BlackListedNews.com
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:06
  Source: CNN
  >>
  CNN has uncovered exclusive new information about what is allegedly happening at the CIA, in the wake of the deadly Benghazi terror attack.
  Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed in the assault by armed militants last September 11 in eastern Libya.
  Sources now tell CNN dozens of people working for the CIA were on the ground that night, and that the agency is going to great lengths to make sure whatever it was doing, remains a secret.
  CNN has learned the CIA is involved in what one source calls an unprecedented attempt to keep the spy agency's Benghazi secrets from ever leaking out.
  Since January, some CIA operatives involved in the agency's missions in Libya, have been subjected to frequent, even monthly polygraph examinations, according to a source with deep inside knowledge of the agency's workings.
  The goal of the questioning, according to sources, is to find out if anyone is talking to the media or Congress.
  It is being described as pure intimidation, with the threat that any unauthorized CIA employee who leaks information could face the end of his or her career.
  In exclusive communications obtained by CNN, one insider writes, ''You don't jeopardize yourself, you jeopardize your family as well.''
  Another says, ''You have no idea the amount of pressure being brought to bear on anyone with knowledge of this operation.''
  ''Agency employees typically are polygraphed every three to four years. Never more than that,'' said former CIA operative and CNN analyst Robert Baer.
  In other words, the rate of the kind of polygraphs alleged by sources is rare.
  Read More...Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
U.S. to close some embassies Sunday for security reasons
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Reuters: World News
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:05
  WASHINGTON | Thu Aug 1, 2013 10:56pm EDT
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. embassies that would normally be open this Sunday - including those in Abu Dhabi, Baghdad and Cairo - will be closed that day because of unspecified security concerns, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday.
  CBS News reported that the embassy closings were tied to U.S. intelligence about an al Qaeda plot against U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East and other Muslim countries. CBS said the intelligence did not mention a specific location.
  "The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4th," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters at her daily briefing. "Security considerations have led us to take this precautionary step."
  Harf declined to detail the "security considerations" or name the embassies and consulates that would be closed, but a senior State Department official told reporters later they were those that would normally have been open on Sunday.
  A quick search of the State Department website showed that those included several U.S. missions in the Muslim world, including the embassies in Abu Dhabi, Baghdad and Cairo.
  CBS News said U.S. embassies would also be closed in Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
  "The department has been apprised of information that, out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations ... indicates we should institute these precautionary steps," Harf said. "The department, when conditions warrant, takes steps like this to balance our continued operations with security and safety."
  (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Bill Trott and Peter Cooney)
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Scripts for writers
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:04
  Using the new scripting interface, here are a few utilities that can enhance Fargo as a writing platform:
  Mark as draft/published
  When I come across something I want to write about but don't have the time to do it right then, I'll click the "New post" icon, jot down the general idea, and flesh it out later.
  Using the isComment attribute keeps it hidden from Trex until it's ready, but there is still one issue.
  Clicking the icon sets the created attribute to the current timestamp. When the post is ready to be published, it will display that timestamp instead of when I published it.
  With that in mind, I created "Mark as draft" and "Mark as published" menu commands to handle both the created and isComment attributes:
  Mark as draft
  op.attributes.deleteOne ("created");
  op.makeComment ();
  Mark as published
  op.attributes.setOne ("created", clock.now ().toUTCString ());
  op.unComment ();
  op.attributes.deleteOne ("isComment");
  "Mark as draft" deletes the created attribute and comments the headline.
  "Mark as published" sets created to the current timestamp, uncomments the headline (removing the chevron icons) and finally deleting the isComment attribute altogether.
  Word count
  For easy copy-and-paste, you can find the code here. Just paste into your menubar file.
Expanded Spectrum Systems Contact Page
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:04
  HomeIt's a Freakin' Beacon!!!
  Freakin' = "Flexible Reliable Easy Accurate Keying In Notime"Beacon = "Beacons Every Amateur Can Own Now"
  The concept of placing a beacon on amateur radio frequencies is not new. However, many beacons presently in use are either completely home brew, or else they require some specialized skills or equipment to set up and program. There are amateurs who would like to set up a beacon for experimental use, for hidden transmitter hunts, or to announce their participation in some radio event, but who lack the time, experience, skills, or equipment to do so. Until now! The Freakin' Beacon controller was intended from day one to be as straight forward and as general purpose as possible. This no nonsense approach made the Freakin' Beacon easy for us to design and easy for you to program and use. No special skills or equipment are required. Just connect the Freakin' Beacon to any PC with a terminal emulator, turn it on, and type in your message. The unique command set uses capital letters as instructions to the beacon, and lower case letters, numbers, and punctuation as "sent" characters. That's it! Just type in the character string, which is stored in non-volatile EEPROM inside the PIC microcontroller on the Freakin' Beacon, and you are ready to go. Then plug the Freakin' Beacon into the key jack of your beacon transmitter and let 'er rip.
  The Freakin' Beacon comes in two models FB1 and FB2. FB1, the smaller of the two beacons, is for those of you that need a unit that is easily integrated into a small package for such things as Fox Hunts, hiking, or placing inside your beacon transmitter case. The serial interface cable is connected for programming and then removed. This makes FB1 a good choice where size is a consideration. FB2 is the larger of the two units. It has the DB9 on the board and connectors for keying and PTT. It is perfect for putting in the shack in whatever style case you choose. Plug in 9 to 15 volts, your serial cable, and you are ready to load your message. Just use the terminal emulator in your PC, such as HyperTerminal, and follow the easy to use instructions in the Freakin' Beacon manual. In a few short minutes you will be sending your beacon message the way you want it. Tired of the same message, need more or less information, just connect your serial cable, open your terminal program, and change it. It is just that simple. Using a beacon on the air is now simpler than ever. When you receive that first QSL card from the other side of the world from your 100 milliwatt beacon on ten meters, hear your own home beacon while mobile on vacation, or make the club members work a little harder to find your well hidden transmitter beacon you will appreciate the ease with which these beacons are built, programmed, and used.Take the Freakin' Beacon into the sky with your next balloon research experiment or rocket project. FB1 weighs in at 17 grams and is 2.2" x 1.75" nominal. For the station operation or where the larger unit better serves your purpose FB2 comes in at 43 grams and is 2" x 4" nominal.
  QRSS! You asked for it, you got it. Requests started coming in for a QRSS version of the Freakin' Beacon. It only took the challenge to get the QRSS mode working. Read the manual to get the information you need to put this beacon controller in the QRSS mode. It is as simple as typing in the instruction and speed and now it sends super slow.
  HERE IT IS, A GPS SYNCHRONIZED BEACON ! ! !
  The designer of the Freakin' Beacon, Bill - N4ES has made sure that your requests for GPS synchronized beacon will become a reality. For those of you with FB1/FB2 Freakin' Beacon controllers and access to PIC programmers, here is the code for GPS beacon sync operation. I've got the SB1 on the air on 28250 MHz now. Here is your chance to be one of the first to put the new SB1/SB2 GPS synchronized beacon on the air! See the below listed files. Use the HEX file to program your own PIC. Use the BAS file to look at the code with any text editor or make your own changes if you have PicBasic Pro. All unnecessary FB1/FB2 commands and characters were removed from from SB1/SB2 to fit the GPS menus and functions. Every byte of program memory in the PIC was used! I never said I was an efficient programmer.
  Setting up the SB1/SB2 is really easy. After the message entry, you drop to a table of GPS time slots, one every 5 seconds for even and odd minutes. The default is to trigger at 0 seconds for both even and odd minutes, with the default message of WvvvZ. The W command says "Wait for a GPS trigger." A 1 shows the slot as set and a 0 shows a slot cleared. Use the s (set) and c (clear) commands to set the desired time slots. Type s or c and your are prompted for the seconds (5 second steps only) to enter. For example, enter 15 to set the 15 second time slot for even minutes. Add 60 for odd, so enter 75 to set 15 seconds for odd minutes. The table displays again after each command so you can instantly see the settings. It is a lot easier to do than to explain.
  My prototype has been tested with my Magellan handheld GPS and with my $19.99 Axiom Sandpiper II from eBay. Any GPS that outputs the $GPRMC message at 4800 baud will work.
  Connect the FB1/FB2 (SB1/SB2) to the PC with the supplied connector or cable for setup. Then, connect the FB1/FB2 (SB1/SB2) to the GPS USING A NULL MODEM and gender changer, since both devices were designed to connect to a PC. You could also make a second cable for the FB1 (SB1) with the TX and RX reversed for use with the GPS.
  The Freakin' Beacon series just became a whole lot easier to use. Now it is just plain simple. Peter Jennings, VE3SUN, has written a small program to make getting your message into the Freakin' Beacon simple. Peter's application is located here on this site and his own VE3SUN site. A trip to Peter's site will give you a good visual and written explanation of his application. To download Peter's application, fbeacon11.zip, file from this site CLICK HERE
  If you would like to know more about the Freakin' Beacon then read the Freakin Beacon manual (408 KB). This is an Adobe Acrobat file. (Latest update 12/09/03)
  If you would like to know more about the Synchronized Freakin' Beacon then read the Synchronized Freakin' Beacon manual (453 KB). This is an Adobe Acrobat file. (Latest update 04/14/05)
  If you need the source code for this project then click on the appropriate one for your needs.Beacon6 PicBasic Pro Source Code,Beacon6 Assembler Source Code,Beacon6 Hex Code,
  Synchronized Beacon PicBasic Pro Source Code,Synchronized Beacon Assembler Source Code,Synchronized Beacon Hex Code.
  Prices and Order Form
  Contact Us
How Google Has Completely Botched Zagat
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Hacker News
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:57
  Since being acquired by Google (GOOG) in 2011 for $125 million, Zagat has been in turnaround. That changed Monday when Google reintroduced Zagat to the world as a free site and mobile app for Android and iOS. But today the world needs another restaurant app like it needs another 11-course tasting menu. I currently have six dining-related apps on my phone'--already more than I need. Do I really need another?
  It's a tough sell to begin with, and the Zagat app lost me at the welcome screen. It opens with tiles of dining stories like ''Post Exhibition Eats: Great Restaurants Near the Met'' and ''Behind the Top-Rated Sushi at Austin's Uchi.''
  There are two problems with this. First, why am I seeing news about an Austin (Tex.) restaurant? Maybe it's a bug? But maybe it isn't: Other stories seem just as out of place. ''Ros(C) for Every Mood: What to Bring to Any Summer Occasion'' is odd in an app about restaurants, no? This all falls under the ''New York City'' tab; it's not like I'm in some generic ''national'' category or anything.
  But the second, and bigger, problem is this: When I used to go to my old Zagat app, it was very clear I was there to find a place to eat. This new start page on Zagat presumes that I want to read some stories and listicles about restaurants instead. If this were the case on Zagat's website, I could be more forgiving; it's not uncommon today to see content on a site that's about a search or some other transaction'--just look at LinkedIn (LNKD).
  But this is a mobile app, for the love of Mike. Isn't it patently obvious that, if I'm firing up a mobile app about restaurants, I am probably looking for one? Even clicking on the little menu button in the upper left doesn't get you to any sort of sortable search feature like the old Zagat app. I tapped on ''Lists,'' thinking I'd find those ''Best Italian/Best Steakhouse/etc.'' lists that I used to consult from time to time in the back of an old Zagat book. Nope. Instead, I get ''Best Sushi Restaurants in 8 U.S. Cities.'' I'll remember that the next time I'm planning an eight-city sushi tour.
  There are other categories in the menu tab, such as ''Videos,'' which serves up offerings like ''Ace of Cake's Duff Goldman Talks Cronuts, Chocolate Gold and Breastmilk Lollipops.'' You could also just pump your stomach for the same effect. Is the Zagat app some elaborate weight-loss scheme to make us not eat?
  This would be merely funny if the rest of the restaurant-review app scene wasn't so robust. I regularly use OpenTable (OPEN) to not only reserve tables, but also jog my memory on where to eat. If I'm going out in New York, I may check out Immaculate Infatuation's app, which has clever-but-useful ''perfect for'' filters like ''Laughing at Euros in Crazy Outfits'' and ''Day Drinking.'' Locally or when I'm traveling, I'm a huge fan of Eater's new iOS and Android apps, which feature the site's ''38 Best Restaurants'' and ''Heatmaps'' franchises in dozens of cities.
  And I haven't even gotten to Yelp (YELP) or TripAdvisor, which in their native state are almost too big, but both let me integrate my Facebook (FB) friends in the mix, so I can see where people I know have eaten and reviewed. That also brings up Foursquare, which I don't use for social purposes at all (the idea of running into someone seems horrific to me), but I do like to know where my friends go, and I can do that with the app's ''explore'' feature.
  Or, after it's all said and done, I may just fire up Google Maps and see what's nearby. Which kind of obviates the need for Zagat, doesn't it? Unless breast-milk lollipops are your thing'--they've got that story on LOCK.
Glenn Dyer's TV ratings: viewers abandon reality TV
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Crikey
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:57
  News, soaps and even the cricket outrated Big Brother and Masterchef, writes Glenn Dyer.
  Nine won thanks to Big Brother '‰'--'‰which fell under a million metro viewers last night and averaged 1.317 million million national/ 984,000 metro/ 333,000 regional viewers'‰'--'‰and the third Ashes Test on Nine's Gem digital channel. Seven's female-skewed line up didn't fare all that well and the ABC beat Ten in all people, although Ten had better demographics (younger viewers). Nine also won
  All Crikey articles are unlocked for 21 daysA daily email edition direct to your inboxAccess to the best spin free, mogul-free journalism in the country
Heathrow Is Now Tracking How Late You Are - Gadling
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:56
  eGuide Travel, FlickrIs your flight in 30 minutes or 45? You don't have time to look at your boarding pass, so you hustle as fast as you can, awkwardly managing your oversized carry-on which you know that you are going to get scolded for. When you get to security, instead of being waved through you are turned right back around and sent off to the check-in gate. You won't be making your plane, and the pilot of your flight knows it.Creepy or helpful?
  While it might feel Big Brotherish, Heathrow Airport's new "positive boarding" initiative is intended to help not only keep flights on time, but also ensure that passengers have up to date information to know how much they need to hustle or not.
  When a passenger passes through a security checkpoint now, individual information about that passenger will pop up on the screen, showing which flight they are on and whether or not they are going to be able to make it. Passengers who are too late will be turned around, and the information will be passed along to the airline so that they can immediately begin removing the passenger's bag.Although Heathrow claims it's the first technology of its kind, tracking passengers is nothing new. In Italy, a couple of airports track Bluetooth signals, and SITA is a known service that provides real-time tracking software and line management.
  This all might sound like an excessive use of technology, but Heathrow claims that in the first week of using its new service, 35,000 passengers used the positive boarding technology as part of their trip. Data shows that of the airlines using the technology, 44% of the flights had passengers who could have delayed the final departure. 10 passengers who were running very late were turned around and told they didn't have the time to make it through security. Those 10 passengers probably weren't too happy, but I'm sure that the passengers on the flights that departed promptly were satisfied. All the more reason to give yourself ample time to get to the airport and board your plane.
  Tags:airport, airport lines, airport security, AirportLines, airports, AirportSecurity, Heathrow, mobile, passenger tracking, PassengerTracking, security, technology, tracking, tracking software, TrackingSoftware
The FBI Can Remotely Activate Microphones in Android Phones to Record Conversations
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: usfollowme
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:54
  http://gizmodo.com/the-fbi-can-remotely-activate-microphones-from-android-996086550
Tapping ANALGATE: Lame Cherry Proven Right by CNN now
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Lame Cherry
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:45
  As Mark Levin grapples with the CNN exclusive of reporting with Jake Tapper that the CIA had dozens of operates in Benghazi the night Chris Stevens was butt raped to death, and as Levin quotes "Capitol Hill" sources in the EXCLUSIVES BROKEN HERE in gun running, missiles from Libya to Turkey for Syria etc.... here once again are the matter anti matter you rich sons of bitches are not donating for.
  Do not expect me to be civil any more to people who come here and take information while I am suffering and in danger reporting it.
  Fortune (blog)'Ž- 1 hour agoCNN has uncovered exclusive new information about what is allegedly happening at the CIA, in the wake of the deadly Benghazi terror attack.The real story behind the CNN reports have to do with Jake Tapper being outed here scowling on election night when Obama stole the 2012 election and everyone else was getting off taunting Romney voters into thinking he might win. The fix was in and Tapper was disgusted by having to perform for this.He was subsequently forced out at ABC and ended up at CNN as pretty boy.
  There has been as has been reported here a MIC, Military Industrial Complex coup being enacted against Obama and now the Fang Jinn. That is what Edward Snowden was about and what this Jake Tapper story is about. This information has been known for some time........and if you rich people want the entire story, I will have you sponsor it at 6 figures PERIOD.As I eluded to earlier today in Limbaugh Walking Dead, if YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COLIN POWELL EMAIL HACK WAS ABOUT YOU WILL DONATE AND SPONSOR THE STORY.
  I will reveal that this Tapper story dovetails right into why Colin Powell was hacked.
  For the reality of this CIA mob in Benghazi, these operatves were NOT gun running or overseeing the missile deal repurchase which lured Chris Stevens to that al Qaeda stronghold.
  Ask yourself my babies why is it that AMERICAN CIA OPERATES WERE NOT BUTT STUCK FUCKED BY THESE AL QAEDA RAPISTS?Not like they were not sticking out like a sore gerbil now was it?
  The reality is as this blog has broken from DAY ONE IN THIS fissure of ANALGATE, and it is these dozens of operatives were on ground to shepherd the kidnapping of Chris Stevens, as was part of the Obama October Surprise.Obama wanted a "new" 9 11 to become George W. Bush. Obama wanted in this scripted event to do what Jimmy Carter would not do in Iran in 1980........Obama was going to kidnap an American Ambassador and then rescue him after much drama to trounce Mitt Romney so Obama would not have to steal the election.
  Look, Obama was in psychosis was never validated in stealing the 2008 election. He wanted to "win an election" for the first time in his life without Axelrod rigging things like he did in Ilinois agaist his Senate GOP opponent.
  There was allot shit going in that Birther brain and that is why a group of 5th column political minders inside the CIA were sent in to assist al Qaeda in the kidnapping of Chris Stevens. It is why they were flown in from Afghanistan via Egypt, and the Egyptians knew it and that is why Obama dumped 500 million dollars in bribes to Egypt to shut the Brotherhood up there after all this blew up.
  That is just a scent of feces penis in this exclusive again in what is going on behind the scenes in this with Jake Tapper as he is being used as an asset now as MIC, as things are happening in coordination as I have exclusively reported in all of this........but you have no idea of the extent until you begin to glean an understanding here.
  Nuff said and more will be said when some rich lurker ponies up the 6 figure donation, and then comes more of the details........until then stay in the dark and let Mark Levin let the blind lead the blind.
  agtG 229
President Obama Announces his Intent to Nominate John Koskinen as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: White House.gov Press Office Feed
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:44
  The White House
  Office of the Press Secretary
  For Immediate Release
  August 01, 2013
  WASHINGTON, DC '' Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate John Koskinen as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.
  President Obama said, ''John is an expert at turning around institutions in need of reform. With decades of experience, in both the private and public sectors, John knows how to lead in difficult times, whether that means ensuring new management or implementing new checks and balances. Every part of our government must operate with absolute integrity and that is especially true for the IRS. I am confident that John will do whatever it takes to restore the public's trust in the agency.''
  President Obama announced his intent to nominate John Koskinen as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service:
  John Koskinen, Nominee for Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service Department of Treasury
  John Koskinen served as Non-Executive Chairman of Freddie Mac from 2008 to 2011 and acting CEO in 2009. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Koskinen was the President of the United States Soccer Foundation. Prior to this, Mr. Koskinen was Deputy Mayor and City Administrator of Washington, D.C. from 2000 to 2003, Assistant to the President and Chair of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion from 1998 to 2000, and Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget from 1994 to 1997. Prior to entering government service, Mr. Koskinen worked for 21 years for the Palmieri Company in a number of leadership positions including, CEO and Chairman, President, and Vice President. Earlier in his career, he served as Administrative Assistant to Senator Abraham Ribicoff, Legislative Assistant to Mayor John Lindsey of New York City, and Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (the "Kerner Commission"). Mr. Koskinen practiced law with the firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher and clerked for Judge David Bazelon, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He serves on the boards of AES Corp. and American Capital, Ltd. Mr. Koskinen received a B.A. from Duke University and an L.L.B. and J.D. from Yale University School of Law.
John Koskinen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:44
  John A. Koskinen is the former Non-Executive Chairman of Freddie Mac from September, 2008 to December, 2011, retiring from the Board in February 2012. As of August 1, 2013, Koskien is the nominee for the position of IRS commissioner.
  Education[edit]Koskinen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in physics from Duke University in 1961, where he was a Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa; graduated with an LLB, cum laude, (JD) from Yale University School of Law in 1964; and did post graduate work in Cambridge University, Cambridge, England from 1964 to 1965.[2] John was later named a Significant Sig by the Sigma Chi Fraternity recognizing his remarkable professional contributions to society.
  Koskinen served as President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation from 2004-2008. He previously served as the Deputy Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, and Chair of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, the Year 2000 problem. He presently also serves on the boards of AES and American Capital, Ltd. On March 11, 2009, he was announced as the interim CEO at Freddie Mac. On April 23, 2009, he became the Principal Financial Officer after the death of Freddie Mac's acting CFO. In August, 2009, with the hiring of a new CEO, he returned to his position as non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Freddie Mac.
  Prior to entering government service, Koskinen worked for 21 years for the Palmieri Company as Vice President, President, CEO and Chairman, working on the turnaround of large, failed enterprises such as the Penn Central Transportation Company, Levitt and Sons, the Teamsters Pension Fund and Mutual Benefit. Earlier in his career, Koskinen served as Administrative Assistant to Senator Abraham Ribicoff (D-Conn.) from 1969-73, was Legislative Assistant to Mayor John Lindsey of New York City from 1968-69, served as Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (the "Kerner Commission") from 1967-68, practiced law with the firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher from 1966-67 and clerked for Judge David Bazelon, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, from 1965-66.[3]
  Koskinen also chaired the Washington, D.C. Host Committee for the 1994 World Cup and the Duke UniversityBoard of Trustees. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.[4]
  On August 1, 2013, the White House announced President Obama will nominate Koskinen as the next commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.[5]
  Personal[edit]Koskinen was born June 30, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio. He is married to Patricia Salz and has a daughter Cheryl and a son Jeffery.[6]
  References[edit]PersondataNameKoskinen, JohnAlternative namesShort descriptionDate of birthJune 30, 1939Place of birthCleveland, OhioDate of deathPlace of death
Season for Interop?
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: Dave Winer
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:40
  Every tech company, large or small, seems to be playing for world domination. That's okay I guess, if they have any hope of achieving it. But even the biggest most monster-like companies fall down when that's their goal, so what hope do you have? And what kind of adolescent dream is it that you would be the last man standing? What's wrong with playing nice with others?
  I mention it because it's one month after RSS was set free by the entity that did actually achieve world domination (only to realize they didn't want it), and I don't see any evidence that any of the vendors are doing anything but thinking about what they can do to better hold on to their users, and perhaps capture the other guys' users. Maybe this is the right thing to do in a stagnant market with no growth possible, but a much better approach, imho, for RSS in 2013, would be to put our heads together and figure out how, quickly, we could make RSS more competitive with its competition -- Twitter and Facebook. Grow the market, as quickly as possible. Strike while the iron is hot. Make hay while the sun shines. Etc.
  When you've chosen to be independent, not part of a big world-domination-bound entity, the Amazons, Apples, Googles, Intels, etc. then you have, it seems to me, bet your company on interop. You can't do it all. Your users will want to use your product with other peoples' products. They will appreciate it, if it's well-communicated, that you acted in the interest of their power and freedom, rather than in the interest of owning them.
  People have minds. They read the news, they're aware of how tech is letting them down, aligning with the government, using their love of technology to undermine their freedom. Maybe not everyone believes this, but I think if you're seriously paying attention, you do.
  So I choose to invest in user freedom. This leads me to interop and independence, not world domination. I want to have fun building hugely powerful communication systems, by working with others.
Executive Order -- Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security
  Link to Article
  Archived Version
  Source: White House.gov Press Office Feed
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:38
  The White House
  Office of the Press Secretary
  For Immediate Release
  August 01, 2013
  EXECUTIVE ORDER
  - - - - - - -
  IMPROVING CHEMICAL FACILITY SAFETY AND SECURITY
  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
  Section 1. Purpose. Chemicals, and the facilities where they are manufactured, stored, distributed, and used, are essential to today's economy. Past and recent tragedies have reminded us, however, that the handling and storage of chemicals are not without risk. The Federal Government has developed and implemented numerous programs aimed at reducing the safety risks and security risks associated with hazardous chemicals. However, additional measures can be taken by executive departments and agencies (agencies) with regulatory authority to further improve chemical facility safety and security in coordination with owners and operators.
  Sec. 2. Establishment of the Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group. (a) There is established a Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group (Working Group) co-chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Secretary of Labor or their designated representatives at the Assistant Secretary level or higher. In addition, the Working Group shall consist of the head of each of the following agencies or their designated representatives at the Assistant Secretary level or higher:
  (i) the Department of Justice;
  (ii) the Department of Agriculture; and
  (iii) the Department of Transportation.
  (b) In carrying out its responsibilities under this order, the Working Group shall consult with representatives from:
  (i) the Council on Environmental Quality;
  (ii) the National Security Staff;
  (iii) the Domestic Policy Council;
  (iv) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
  (v) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB);
  (vi) the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and
  (vii) such other agencies and offices as the President may designate.
  (c) The Working Group shall meet no less than quarterly to discuss the status of efforts to implement this order. The Working Group is encouraged to invite other affected agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to attend these meetings as appropriate. Additionally, the Working Group shall provide, within 270 days of the date of this order, a status report to the President through the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
  Sec. 3. Improving Operational Coordination with State, Local, and Tribal Partners. (a) Within 135 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall develop a plan to support and further enable efforts by State regulators, State, local, and tribal emergency responders, chemical facility owners and operators, and local and tribal communities to work together to improve chemical facility safety and security. In developing this plan, the Working Group shall:
  (i) identify ways to improve coordination among the Federal Government, first responders, and State, local, and tribal entities;
  (ii) take into account the capabilities, limitations, and needs of the first responder community;
  (iii) identify ways to ensure that State homeland security advisors, State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), Tribal Emergency Planning Committees (TEPCs), State regulators, and first responders have ready access to key information in a useable format, including by thoroughly reviewing categories of chemicals for which information is provided to first responders and the manner in which it is made available, so as to prevent, prepare for, and respond to chemical incidents;
  (iv) identify areas, in collaboration with State, local, and tribal governments and private sector partners, where joint collaborative programs can be developed or enhanced, including by better integrating existing authorities, jurisdictional responsibilities, and regulatory programs in order to achieve a more comprehensive engagement on chemical risk management;
  (v) identify opportunities and mechanisms to improve response procedures and to enhance information sharing and collaborative planning between chemical facility owners and operators, TEPCs, LEPCs, and first responders;
  (vi) working with the National Response Team (NRT) and Regional Response Teams (RRTs), identify means for Federal technical assistance to support developing, implementing, exercising, and revising State, local, and tribal emergency contingency plans, including improved training; and
  (vii) examine opportunities to improve public access to information about chemical facility risks consistent with national security needs and appropriate protection of confidential business information.
  (b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General, through the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), shall assess the feasibility of sharing data related to the storage of explosive materials with SERCs, TEPCs, and LEPCs.
  (c) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall assess the feasibility of sharing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) data with SERCs, TEPCs, and LEPCs on a categorical basis.
  Sec. 4. Enhanced Federal Coordination. In order to enhance Federal coordination regarding chemical facility safety and security:
  (a) Within 45 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall deploy a pilot program, involving the EPA, Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and any other appropriate agency, to validate best practices and to test innovative methods for Federal interagency collaboration regarding chemical facility safety and security. The pilot program shall operate in at least one region and shall integrate regional Federal, State, local, and tribal assets, where appropriate. The pilot program shall include innovative and effective methods of collecting, storing, and using facility information, stakeholder outreach, inspection planning, and, as appropriate, joint inspection efforts. The Working Group shall take into account the results of the pilot program in developing integrated standard operating procedures pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
  (b) Within 270 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall create comprehensive and integrated standard operating procedures for a unified Federal approach for identifying and responding to risks in chemical facilities (including during pre-inspection, inspection execution, post-inspection, and post-accident investigation activities), incident reporting and response procedures, enforcement, and collection, storage, and use of facility information. This effort shall reflect best practices and shall include agency-to-agency referrals and joint inspection procedures where possible and appropriate, as well as consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on post-accident response activities.
  (c) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall consult with the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) and determine what, if any, changes are required to existing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and processes between EPA and CSB, ATF and CSB, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and CSB for timely and full disclosure of information. To the extent appropriate, the Working Group may develop a single model MOU with CSB in lieu of existing agreements.
  Sec. 5. Enhanced Information Collection and Sharing. In order to enhance information collection by and sharing across agencies to support more informed decisionmaking, streamline reporting requirements, and reduce duplicative efforts:
  (a) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall develop an analysis, including recommendations, on the potential to improve information collection by and sharing between agencies to help identify chemical facilities which may not have provided all required information or may be non-compliant with Federal requirements to ensure chemical facility safety. This analysis should consider ongoing data-sharing efforts, other federally collected information, and chemical facility reporting among agencies (including information shared with State, local, and tribal governments).
  (b) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall produce a proposal for a coordinated, flexible data-sharing process which can be utilized to track data submitted to agencies for federally regulated chemical facilities, including locations, chemicals, regulated entities, previous infractions, and other relevant information. The proposal shall allow for the sharing of information with and by State, local, and tribal entities where possible, consistent with section 3 of this order, and shall address computer-based and non-computer-based means for improving the process in the short-term, if they exist.
  (c) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Working Group shall identify and recommend possible changes to streamline and otherwise improve data collection to meet the needs of the public and Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies (including those charged with protecting workers and the public), consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act and other relevant authorities, including opportunities to lessen the reporting burden on regulated industries. To the extent feasible, efforts shall minimize the duplicative collection of information while ensuring that pertinent information is shared with all key entities.
  Sec. 6. Policy, Regulation, and Standards Modernization. (a) In order to enhance safety and security in chemical facilities by modernizing key policies, regulations, and standards, the Working Group shall:
  (i) within 90 days of the date of this order, develop options for improved chemical facility safety and security that identifies improvements to existing risk management practices through agency programs,
  (ii) within 90 days of developing the options described in subsection (a)(i) of this section, engage key stakeholders to discuss the options and other means to improve chemical risk management that may be available; and
  (iii) within 90 days of completing the outreach and consultation effort described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, develop a plan for implementing practical and effective improvements to chemical risk management identified pursuant to subsections (a)(i) and (ii) of this section.
  (b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a list of potential regulatory and legislative proposals to improve the safe and secure storage, handling, and sale of ammonium nitrate and identify ways in which ammonium nitrate safety and security can be enhanced under existing authorities.
  (c) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Administrator of EPA and the Secretary of Labor shall review the chemical hazards covered by the Risk Management Program (RMP) and the Process Safety Management Standard (PSM) and determine if the RMP or PSM can and should be expanded to address additional regulated substances and types of hazards. In addition, the EPA and the Department of Labor shall develop a plan, including a timeline and resource requirements, to expand, implement, and enforce the RMP and PSM in a manner that addresses the additional regulated substances and types of hazards.
  (d) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall identify a list of chemicals, including poisons and reactive substances, that should be considered for addition to the CFATS Chemicals of Interest list.
  (e) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall:
  (i) identify any changes that need to be made in the retail and commercial grade exemptions in the PSM Standard; and
  (ii) issue a Request for Information designed to identify issues related to modernization of the PSM Standard and related standards necessary to meet the goal of preventing major chemical accidents.
  Sec. 7. Identification of Best Practices. The Working Group shall convene stakeholders, including chemical producers, chemical storage companies, agricultural supply companies, State and local regulators, chemical critical infrastructure owners and operators, first responders, labor organizations representing affected workers, environmental and community groups, and consensus standards organizations, in order to identify and share successes to date and best practices to reduce safety risks and security risks in the production and storage of potentially harmful chemicals, including through the use of safer alternatives, adoption of best practices, and potential public-private partnerships.
  Sec.8. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law, including international trade obligations, and subject to the availability of appropriations.
  (b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
  (i) the authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof; or
  (ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
  (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
  BARACK OBAMA
  THE WHITE HOUSE,August 1, 2013.
Does Russia Hate Gays? | The Faster Times
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  Archived Version
  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:36
  Well, that might be an overstatement. But let's start with St. Petersburg, the country's intellectual capital.
  The local legislature in St. Petersburg is only one, largely formal reading away from passing a law that would outlaw ''homosexual propaganda.'' The fines for violators would reportedly cost up to $150 for individuals and $1,500 for organizations.
  But here's the thing: in Russia, it seems that ''propaganda'' is loosely defined. The bill's sponsor, a lawmaker from none other than the ruling United Russia party, argued back in November that, since a ''wave popularizing sexual perversion'' is washing over the city, children need to be protected from ''destructive information'' '' which, in his mind, spans the gamut from literature and events allegedly promoting homosexuality to the mere mention of it on social networks.
  Others, frighteningly, have gone even further. Another St. Petersburg lawmaker, from the inappropriately named Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (they're mostly harebrained nationalists), noted that the fines were too low, and rather impressively equated what might otherwise be consensual gay sex with pedophilia while also hinting at an international conspiracy: ''What is a 3,000 ruble fine to a pedophile when they're supported by the international community?'' asked lawmaker Elena Babich, Russian news agency Interfax reported after the bill's first reading in November.
  Naturally, rights' groups are up in arms. Yet this is far from the only battle they've had to wage, since St. Petersburg is not the first city to pull such a stunt. Last year, the legislature in the far northern city of Arkhangelsk passed a similar law to reportedly safeguard the moral and physical wellbeing of children (as well as to boost dwindling birthrates), as did the city of Ryazan, a two-hour drive south of Moscow. Not to mention that the capital city itself for nearly 20 years had a mayor who condemned homosexuality as ''satanic'' and regularly banned pride parades from its streets.
  But rather than a few, terrible isolated incidents, these moves reflect a broader trend in Russia today. After being illegal in the Soviet Union, homosexuality was decriminalized only in 1993, and much of the country remains firmly in a conservative state of mind. And it's not only the authorities who profess a strict social conservatism; besides the handful of urban centers, the majority of Russia is strung together by a patchwork of far-flung towns, villages and provincial centers '' where the quality of life is lower, educational opportunities are far less prevalent, and the social demographics are far more homogeneous (read: poor, old and dying).
  Given the growing protest trend in Moscow and other major Russian cities, though, one might be forgiven for thinking that, with its calls for democracy, rule of law and greater personal freedoms, the burgeoning anti-establishment movement may appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Russia's embattled gay population. But on second thought, things are likely less positive than they seem. The St. Petersburg bill passed its second reading nearly unanimously
  Dan Peleschuk is a Moscow-based journalist and staff writer at Russia Profile, a current affairs website covering politics, business and culture in Russia and former Soviet Union. He holds a B.A. from ...read more
Gay Pride Versus 'Gay Propaganda' | The Nation
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  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:22
  Russian police detain a gay rights activist during a rally outside the mayor's office in Moscow on May 25, 2013. (Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)'‚On the day that the Russian State Duma approved legislation banning the ''propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships among minors,'' Sasha got piss drunk. Speaking in a basement gay bar hidden within a flower shop in downtown Moscow, the 41-year-old gay man, who asked that his last name not be used, said he was distraught not for himself but for gay youth coming of age in an atmosphere of homophobia.
  About the AuthorAlec LuhnAlec Luhn is a journalist focusing on global issues of good governance, human rights and activism, especially in...
  Also by the AuthorThe anti-corruption activist's mayoral campaign in Moscow is dividing voters, while testing the country's diminished opposition party.
  Russian lawmakers claim it would curb US access to Russian Internet data. But the real goal, critics say, would be to enable greater Russian surveillance over online activist activity.
  ''I got drunk for our teenagers who were born gay. Now by law they are some kind of monsters,'' he said.
  Russia's lower house of parliament passed the bill on June 11 in a 436-0 vote with one abstention. Once signed into law as expected, it will impose a fine of up to 5,000 rubles ($150) on individuals for ''spreading information directed toward forming non-traditional sexual orientations among minors,'' as well as for promoting the ''social equivalence of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships.'' (Earlier versions of the legislation referred to ''homosexual propaganda.'') Discussing LGBT issues in the mass media or online will bring fines of up to 100,000 rubles for individuals and 1,000,000 rubles for organizations.
  Much of the Russian population appears ready to take the law at face value, as a way to protect minors from information that ''can harmfully impact their minds and instill distorted conceptions of the relationships between people,'' as Sergei Zheleznyak, one of the bill's authors, put it. But many in Russia's LGBT community fear the legislation will tacitly condone discrimination and violence against sexual minorities. LGBT activists are already regularly beaten here, and two men were gruesomely murdered in separate incidents in May, allegedly for being gay.
  ''These social consequences are a lot more dangerous than any fines for 5,000 rubles or a ban on public events or something like that, because they are connected with people's individual fates,'' said the well-known lawyer and gay-rights activist Nikolai Alekseyev.
  Russia's LGBT community, however, remains conflicted about how to respond to rising homophobia, and attempts to hold gay pride parades and ''kissing rallies'' have drawn criticism from both LGBT people and their opponents.
  The gay propaganda law is one of several pieces of recent legislation promoting conservative religious values, a major plank of President Vladimir Putin's political platform, which has come to increasingly resemble the tsarist-era doctrine of ''Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality.'' (The Russian Orthodox Church, whose leader has described homosexuality as a moral threat to Russia, supported the law.) On the same day the gay propaganda bill was passed, the Duma quietly approved a law drafted after the Pussy Riot trial that would punish public activities ''insulting the religious feelings of believers'' with up to three years in prison. One week later, the Duma passed a law banning the adoption of orphans by foreign gay couples and single parents from countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
  Meanwhile, LGBT groups have been among those heavily fined under a 2012 law requiring non-governmental organizations to register as ''foreign agents'''--a term for ''spy'' in Russian'--if they receive funding from abroad.
  To become law, the three recent bills must be approved by Russia's upper house of parliament and signed by Putin, but these steps are considered a formality. Putin has said that the gay propaganda legislation reflects ''the attitudes of Russian society as a whole,'' pointing to laws that were previously passed in ten Russian regions. Indeed, an April poll by the independent Center found that 45 percent of Russians believe that people ''most often become homosexual as a result of seduction or their own loose conduct,'' and a February Levada poll found that anti-gay sentiment has risen over the past decade.
  Yet many see the federal gay propaganda law as a callous attempt to win public support for a regime that has been shaken by last year's mass street protests over tainted elections. Polls have shown a steady worsening in the ruling United Russia party's image, and GDP growth has been falling for over a year, shrinking to 1.6 percent in the first quarter of 2013. As a result, several activists said, lawmakers have turned to gay-bashing to distract voters from looming problems.
  ''Gays have become the internal enemies of the new empire,'' said Yelena Kostychenko, a journalist at the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta who has become a leader of the LGBT movement. ''We are the perfect internal enemies because we are everywhere, and you can't tell us apart from ordinary people.''
  The new legislation casts a wide net over activity the government may find threatening. It lacks a definition of what exactly constitutes ''non-traditional sexual relationships,'' and Duma deputy Yelena Mizulina has even suggested this could also include oral sex. Furthermore, the phrase ''among minors'' has been interpreted under regional gay propaganda laws to apply to essentially any public space.
  Alekseyev said that regional gay propaganda laws have been used as tools of political repression, not as safeguards against corrupting children. The activist was himself fined in 2012 under St. Petersburg's law against gay propaganda among minors after he stood in front of city hall holding a sign with a quote from Soviet actress Faina Ranevskaya, ''Homosexuality is not perversion. Perversion is hockey on the grass and ballet on the ice.''
  The federal gay propaganda law will hit LGBT activists with stiffer fines, lead to even more arrests at street rallies and possibly exacerbate the beatings they already face at the hands of counter-protesters. For the past eight years, police have broken up annual attempts by Alekseyev and other activists to hold a gay pride parade in Moscow, including an attempt this May that resulted in more than thirty arrests. Most recently, at a June 11 action against the gay propaganda law outside the State Duma building, LGBT activists were pelted with eggs, bundles of nettles and condoms filled with excrement, and several were assaulted by gangs of teenage boys. At one rally, Kostyuchenko was beaten so severely she started to lose her hearing, although she has since recovered it almost entirely, she said.
  Even at Kostyuchenko's ''Day of Kisses'' rallies, where LGBT couples and supporters kiss in public, anti-gay protesters have thrown eggs and beaten those locking lips, and several LGBT activists have been arrested.
  ''Every time, you go out with a sign and wait to get beaten,'' Kostyuchenko said. ''I wanted to think up an action that would be nice to go to. But kisses turned out to be more dangerous than signs.''
  Despite the arrests and beatings, Alekseyev says parades and other street actions have raised the issue of LGBT rights in society, attracting support from journalists and opposition leaders and improving the media portrayal of gay people. ''If there weren't gay parades, then this topic wouldn't be talked about,'' he said.
  The LGBT community, however, is split over the tactic of holding parades and other high-visibility protests. During a call-in talk show on the Ekho Moskvy radio station in May, one caller named Andrei, who identified himself as gay, blamed protesters for provoking the wrath of mainstream society. ''Alekseyev and those like him have done much more for the discrediting of the LGBT movement than all the homophobes together,'' Andrei said.
  Speaking at Nashe Kafe, Sasha called gay pride parades a ''prank meant to annoy people'' and said that most ordinary homosexuals don't approve of Alekseyev and his methods. ''When there's a plague in the country, why do we need a parade? Here and now it's not needed,'' he said.
  According to Polina Andrianova, an activist with Coming Out, a St. Petersburg''based LGBT rights organization that was recently fined under the foreign agents law, the majority of Russians view gay pride parades negatively because they lack a clear message. ''It's not enough to just come out on the street and demand our rights,'' Andrianova said. ''They will just see it as we want to show off our sexuality.''
  Instead, her group seeks to educate people around specific talking points, she said. At Coming Out's rally for the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, about 150 LGBT activists and supporters tried to raise awareness of the fact that homosexuality is no longer classified as a mental illness.
  Meanwhile, Alekseyev is trying to drum up international political pressure on Russia over LGBT rights. He's brought about twenty-five lawsuits to the European Court of Human Rights against government measures that infringe on LGBT rights, and he plans to eventually file another one over the federal gay propaganda law, he said.
  Please support our journalism. Get a digital subscription for just $9.50!
  Ultimately, though, LGBT people in Russia must also challenge homophobia by ending their silence, whether by coming out to friends or joining street protests, Kostyuchenko said. In the February Levada poll, only 7 percent of respondents said they personally knew a gay person. Similar polls in the United States have found that number to be over 50 percent.
  ''People right now are very hateful, and with each new law they get more hateful,'' Kostyuchenko said.
  But if the LGBT community ''finally comes out of the closet'...it will be hard for the government to drive us back in,'' she said. ''It's hard to find something to scare gays and lesbians with now because we've been scared of everything already.''
  While Russia continues to criminalize LGBT advocacy, LGBT activists in the US consider what is next for the movement.
Russia's Crackdown On 'Gay Propaganda' And Popular Illiberalism - Forbes
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  Fri, 02 Aug 2013 03:17
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Fusion Centers and Joint Terrorism Task Forces | Homeland Security
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  Archived Version
  Thu, 01 Aug 2013 23:28
  State and major urban area fusion centers (fusion centers) and the Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) serve distinct, but complementary roles in securing the homeland. Fusion centers are owned and operated by state and local entities and are uniquely situated to empower front-line law enforcement, public safety, fire service, emergency response, public health, and private sector security personnel to lawfully gather and share threat-related information. The FBI created, coordinates, and manages JTTFs, which primarily focus on terrorism-related investigations. Both rely on expertise and information derived from all levels of government to support their efforts.
  Fusion Center OverviewAs described in the National Strategy for Information Sharing1, fusion centers serve as focal points within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information among federal and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners. They produce actionable intelligence for dissemination, which can aid other law enforcement organizations, including the JTTFs, in their investigative operations.
  Owned and operated by state and local entities, fusion centers serve the specific needs of their jurisdictions while supporting the broader homeland security enterprise. Fusion centers overlay national intelligence with local, state, and regional information, enhancing understanding of the threat environment across all levels of government. They augment the federal government's analytic capability and enhance situational awareness in order to protect the nation.
  Fusion centers leverage trusted relationships within the SLTT environment to assist law enforcement and homeland security partners in preventing, protecting against, and responding to crime and terrorism. They support the implementation of risk-based, information-driven prevention, response, and consequence management programs within their respective communities. Further, fusion centers across the nation form a National Network bridging jurisdictional boundaries to provide effective communication channels and collaborative opportunities.
  FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force OverviewJTTFs are multi-jurisdictional task forces established to conduct terrorism-related investigations. JTTFs focus primarily on terrorism-related issues, with specific regard to terrorism investigations with local, regional, national, and international implications. Investigations conducted by JTTFs are focused on known threat actors or identified individuals who meet the thresholds established in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations2 to initiate assessments or investigations. Using the information derived from FBI Field Office Field Intelligence Groups (FIGs)3 and JTTF operations, the FBI develops intelligence products on significant developments or trends related to terrorism. These intelligence products may be leveraged by SLTT and private sector partners to support their law enforcement and homeland security activities, such as intelligence-led policing efforts, implementing protective measures, or other target hardening initiatives.
  Fusion CentersJoint Terrorism Task ForcesManaged by state and local authorities, and include federal, SLTT, and private sector partners from multiple disciplines (including law enforcement, public safety, fire service, emergency response, public health, and critical infrastructure)
  Managed by FBI, and include federal and SLTT law enforcement partners
  Deal with criminal, public safety, and terrorism matters across multiple disciplines
  Deal primarily with terrorism matters and other criminal matters related to various aspects of the counterterrorism mission
  Share information across disparate disciplines on topics such as terrorism, criminal activity, and public safety
  Work with SLTT partners to share critical infrastructure information with the federal government
  Fusion centers add value to their jurisdictional customers by providing a state and local context to threat information and collaborate with the Federal Government to enhance the national threat picture
  104 JTTFs investigate terrorism cases across the FBI's 56 field offices and coordinate their efforts via the National Joint Terrorism Task Force, a fusion of local, state, and federal agencies acting as an integrated force to combat terrorism on a national and international scale
  Serve as centers of analytic excellence to assess local implications of threat information to (1) produce actionable intelligence for dissemination to law enforcement and homeland security agencies, and (2) perform services in response to customers' needs
  Primarily conduct terrorism investigations; however JTTFs share intelligence with law enforcement and homeland security agencies, as appropriate
  Collaborative Efforts of Fusion Centers and Joint Terrorism Task ForcesAs partners in the national homeland security enterprise, fusion centers and JTTFs collaborate to add value to their respective primary missions: fusion centers to analyze and share intelligence and JTTFs to conduct investigations. Fusion centers and JTTFs collaboratively leverage their analytic and investigative capabilities to safeguard our homeland and prevent criminal and terrorist activities.
  Fusion centers provide all terrorism-related tips and leads to JTTFs for investigation. An example was demonstrated after the attempted bombing of Times Square by Faisal Shahzad on May 1, 2010. Analysts at the Florida Fusion Center discovered Shahzad was associated with two subjects that had resided in their state and passed this information along to JTTFs to further pursue leads, conduct investigations, and support corroboration.
  While JTTFs get their information from a variety of sources, fusion centers also aid in the sharing of intelligence and assist the FBI by providing information gathered through combining the knowledge, expertise, and information resident within local law enforcement and homeland security agencies operating throughout the nation. Additionally, the FBI collaborates with fusion center personnel on analyses and recommendations for protective measures or preventive action. The FBI also leverages fusion center staff with appropriate clearances or skills to supplement analytic and/or investigative activities during periods of heightened threat.
  ---
  1National Strategy for Information Sharing, October 2007http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/infosharing/sectionIX.html
  2Attorney General Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations, Department of Justice, September 2008http://www.justice.gov/ag/readingroom/guidelines.pdf
  3FIGs perform intelligence functions through integrated teams of intelligence analysts, language analysts, physical surveillance specialists, and a dedicated number of special agents. FIGs coordinate, manage, and execute all of the functions of the intelligence cycle in the field in support of the FBI mission.http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/intelligence/field-intelligence-groups
pressure cookers, backpacks and quinoa, oh my! '-- writing out loud '-- Medium
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  Archived Version
  Thu, 01 Aug 2013 23:25
  It was a confluence of magnificent proportions that led six agents from the joint terrorism task force to knock on my door Wednesday morning. Little did we know our seemingly innocent, if curious to a fault, Googling of certain things was creating a perfect storm of terrorism profiling. Because somewhere out there, someone was watching. Someone whose job it is to piece together the things people do on the internet raised the red flag when they saw our search history.
  Most of it was innocent enough. I had researched pressure cookers. My husband was looking for a backpack. And maybe in another time those two things together would have seemed innocuous, but we are in ''these times'' now. And in these times, when things like the Boston bombing happen, you spend a lot of time on the internet reading about it and, if you are my exceedingly curious news junkie of a twenty-year-old son, you click a lot of links when you read the myriad of stories. You might just read a CNN piece about how bomb making instructions are readily available on the internet and you will in all probability, if you are that kid, click the link provided.
  Which might not raise any red flags. Because who wasn't reading those stories? Who wasn't clicking those links? But my son's reading habits combined with my search for a pressure cooker and my husband's search for a backpack set off an alarm of sorts at the joint terrorism task force headquarters.
  That's how I imagine it played out, anyhow. Lots of bells and whistles and a crowd of task force workers huddled around a computer screen looking at our Google history.
  This was weeks ago. I don't know what took them so long to get here. Maybe they were waiting for some other devious Google search to show up but ''what the hell do I do with quinoa'' and ''Is A-Rod suspended yet'' didn't fit into the equation so they just moved in based on those older searches.
  I was at work when it happened. My husband called me as soon as it was over, almost laughing about it but I wasn't joining in the laughter. His call left me shaken and anxious.
  What happened was this: At about 9:00 am, my husband, who happened to be home yesterday, was sitting in the living room with our two dogs when he heard a couple of cars pull up outside. He looked out the window and saw three black SUVs in front of our house; two at the curb in front and one pulled up behind my husband's Jeep in the driveway, as if to block him from leaving.
  Six gentleman in casual clothes emerged from the vehicles and spread out as they walked toward the house, two toward the backyard on one side, two on the other side, two toward the front door.
  A million things went through my husband's head. None of which were right. He walked outside and the men greeted him by flashing badges. He could see they all had guns holstered in their waistbands.
  ''Are you [name redacted]?'' one asked while glancing at a clipboard. He affirmed that was indeed him, and was asked if they could come in. Sure, he said.
  They asked if they could search the house, though it turned out to be just a cursory search. They walked around the living room, studied the books on the shelf (nope, no bomb making books, no Anarchist Cookbook), looked at all our pictures, glanced into our bedroom, pet our dogs. They asked if they could go in my son's bedroom but when my husband said my son was sleeping in there, they let it be.
  Meanwhile, they were peppering my husband with questions. Where is he from? Where are his parents from? They asked about me, where was I, where do I work, where do my parents live. Do you have any bombs, they asked. Do you own a pressure cooker? My husband said no, but we have a rice cooker. Can you make a bomb with that? My husband said no, my wife uses it to make quinoa. What the hell is quinoa, they asked.
  They searched the backyard. They walked around the garage, as much as one could walk around a garage strewn with yardworking equipment and various junk. They went back in the house and asked more questions.
  Have you ever looked up how to make a pressure cooker bomb? My husband, ever the oppositional kind, asked them if they themselves weren't curious as to how a pressure cooker bomb works, if they ever looked it up. Two of them admitted they did.
  By this point they had realized they were not dealing with terrorists. They asked my husband about his work, his visits to South Korea and China. The tone was conversational.
  They never asked to see the computers on which the searches were done. They never opened a drawer or a cabinet. They left two rooms unsearched. I guess we didn't fit the exact profile they were looking for so they were just going through the motions.
  They mentioned that they do this about 100 times a week. And that 99 of those visits turn out to be nothing. I don't know what happens on the other 1% of visits and I'm not sure I want to know what my neighbors are up to.
  45 minutes later, they shook my husband's hand and left. That's when he called me and relayed the story. That's when I felt a sense of creeping dread take over. What else had I looked up? What kind of searches did I do that alone seemed innocent enough but put together could make someone suspicious? Were they judging me because my house was a mess (Oh my god, the joint terrorism task force was in my house and there were dirty dishes in my sink!). Mostly I felt a great sense of anxiety. This is where we are at. Where you have no expectation of privacy. Where trying to learn how to cook some lentils could possibly land you on a watch list. Where you have to watch every little thing you do because someone else is watching every little thing you do.
  All I know is if I'm going to buy a pressure cooker in the near future, I'm not doing it online.
  I'm scared. And not of the right things.
New York writer claims she was visited by joint terrorism task force for googling pressure cookers - Boing Boing
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  Archived Version
  Thu, 01 Aug 2013 23:15
  What the hell, America? Periodic Boing Boing contributor Michelle Catalano claims she was internet-profiled and then "visited" at home by joint terrorism task force investigators who she says found her internet browsing history suspicious, not that anyone's been looking at the internet habits of innocent Americans recently, no, that's definitely not in the zeitgeist.
  Is this real? It's apparently not a hoax, though we can't yet verify that her internet search history triggered the authorities' visit. It sounds outrageous, but here's a snip from her account, which she says is absolutely no joke:
  It was a confluence of magnificent proportions that led six agents from the joint terrorism task force to knock on my door Wednesday morning. Little did we know our seemingly innocent, if curious to a fault, Googling of certain things was creating a perfect storm of terrorism profiling. Because somewhere out there, someone was watching. Someone whose job it is to piece together the things people do on the internet raised the red flag when they saw our search history. Most of it was innocent enough. I had researched pressure cookers. My husband was looking for a backpack. And maybe in another time those two things together would have seemed innocuous, but we are in ''these times'' now.
  Read her full account: "pressure cookers, backpacks and quinoa, oh my!" [Medium]
  The Guardian has an update:
  Members of what she described as a "joint terrorism task force" descended on Catalano's home on Wednesday. A spokesman for the FBI told to the Guardian on Thursday that its investigators were not involved in the visit, but that "she was visited by Nassau County police department '... They were working in conjunction with Suffolk County police department." The Guardian has contacted the Suffolk County and Nassau County police departments for comment.
  We're reaching out to the authorities to try and verify what happened, with whom, under whose order, and why. Was a visit in fact triggered by their internet use history?
  It should be noted that Joint Terrorism Task Force operations are by definition joint operations between various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, state, local, and federal--and who's tipping off whom and ordering what is not always readily apparent.
  More from Michelle on Twitter:
  .
Russia Gay Propaganda Ban: Speaking in Defense of Gay Rights Now a Crime in Putin's Russia
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  Archived Version
  Thu, 01 Aug 2013 22:27
  Russia Gay Propaganda Ban: Speaking in Defense of Gay Rights Now a Crime in Putin's Russia
  On Tuesday, Russia's parliament passed a discriminatory new law which bans the spread of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" amongst minors, essentially making it illegal to promote LGBT rights. The bill, which was given preliminary approval in January, passed by a massive 436 votes to 0 in the lower house, with just one abstention. The law would introduce fines for individuals, media organizations, and foreigners found guilty of breaking it. Although Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, many people still oppose the recognition of the LGBT rights and anti-gay sentiment remains strong.
  The bill must still pass the Russian senate and be signed by President Vladimir Putin before it becomes law. There is no indication, however, that it will not succeed given that the measure is part of an effort by the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church to "to promote traditional Russian values as opposed to Western liberalism," which they see as "corrupting Russian youth and contributing to the protests against President Vladimir Putin's rule."
  The wording of the bill originally read "homosexual propaganda," but was softened to read "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," which supporters of the measure reportedly defined as "relations not conducive to procreation." Despite the change in wording, however, the target of the law is still clear: anyone seeking to promote LGBT rights and equality. According to the law, 'propaganda' is defined as:
  "... spreading the information in order to form non-traditional sexual desires in children, describing such relations as attractive, promoting the distorted understanding of social equality of traditional and non-traditional relations and also unwanted solicitation of information that could provoke interest to such relations."
  The BBCreports that following the passing of the bill, there were violent clashes outside parliament between supporters of the ban and LGBT activists. According to police, around 20 people were detained.
  Video credit: BBC News
  If approved, the law would impose fines of up to 100,000 roubles on individuals who equate straight and homosexual relationships, distribute material on LGBT rights, and/or take part in LGBT pride parades. Media groups would face fines of up to 1 million roubles, and could be shut down for up to 90 days, while foreigners could be fined up to 100,000 roubles, and also be detained for up to 15 days and deported. Graeme Reid, the LGBT rights program director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), has criticized the law and the supposed justification for it, saying "Russia is trying very hard to make discrimination look respectable by calling it 'tradition,' but whatever term is used in the bill, it remains discrimination and a violation of the basic human rights of LGBT people."
  LGBT rights activists in Russia said that while the decision was expected, they will continue to fight for equal rights. This will be an uphill battle, however, with the BBCreporting that recent polls have shown that over half of Russians opposed equal rights for LGBT people, while Russia Todayreports that the overwhelming majority of Russians, 88%, support the ban passed on Tuesday.
  Coupled with the violent reaction to the recent legalization of same sex marriage in France and other protests against LGBT equality, the bill in Russia is further evidence that despite the progress that has been made in advancing LGBT rights around the world, there is still much to be done to change entrenched prejudice.
Russia says 'gay propaganda' ban stands for Sochi games
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  Archived Version
  Thu, 01 Aug 2013 22:25
  Russia says 'gay propaganda' ban stands for Sochi gamesTop News
  Russia says 'gay propaganda' ban stands for Sochi games
  Thu, Aug 01 14:48 PM EDT
  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Foreign competitors and spectators at next year's Sochi Winter Olympics will have to abide by a new Russian law banning "gay propaganda", the host nation's sports minister said on Thursday.
  Comments by Vitaly Mutko run against earlier talk that the Games could be exempted from the new rule, which provoked heavy criticism from the West and triggered a growing boycott of Russian vodka in the United States.
  "No one is forbidding an athlete with non-traditional sexual orientation from coming to Sochi, but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable," Mutko was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.
  Foreigners found to have broken the law can be deported from Russia, in addition to being fined up to 100,000 roubles ($3,000) or held for up to 15 days.
  The law, as well as a ban on adoptions of children by same-sex couples, are part of a more conservative course taken by President Vladimir Putin on social issues since his return to the Kremlin in May, 2012.
  Putin critics say the law is one in a string of repressive measures introduced by the former KGB spy during more than a year of his third presidential term to crack down on dissent.
  Putin, who denies clamping down on political opponents, has made Sochi a top priority for Russia to help its image abroad by propagating it as a modern state with top-notch infrastructure.
  But the latest controversy only adds to criticism over cost overruns and accusations of widespread corruption marring the February 7-23 games.
  (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Michael Roddy)
  Russia says 'gay propaganda' ban stands for Sochi gamesTop News
  Russia says 'gay propaganda' ban stands for Sochi games
  Thu, Aug 01 14:48 PM EDT
  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Foreign competitors and spectators at next year's Sochi Winter Olympics will have to abide by a new Russian law banning "gay propaganda", the host nation's sports minister said on Thursday.
  Comments by Vitaly Mutko run against earlier talk that the Games could be exempted from the new rule, which provoked heavy criticism from the West and triggered a growing boycott of Russian vodka in the United States.
  "No one is forbidding an athlete with non-traditional sexual orientation from coming to Sochi, but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable," Mutko was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.
  Foreigners found to have broken the law can be deported from Russia, in addition to being fined up to 100,000 roubles ($3,000) or held for up to 15 days.
  The law, as well as a ban on adoptions of children by same-sex couples, are part of a more conservative course taken by President Vladimir Putin on social issues since his return to the Kremlin in May, 2012.
  Putin critics say the law is one in a string of repressive measures introduced by the former KGB spy during more than a year of his third presidential term to crack down on dissent.
  Putin, who denies clamping down on political opponents, has made Sochi a top priority for Russia to help its image abroad by propagating it as a modern state with top-notch infrastructure.
  But the latest controversy only adds to criticism over cost overruns and accusations of widespread corruption marring the February 7-23 games.
  (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Michael Roddy)