CIA's "Vengeful Librarians" v. DiFi: Open Source Grudge Match
The AP's story on the CIA's social media monitoring project is an important article, if unsurprising.
At the agency's Open Source Center, a team known affectionately as the "vengeful librarians" also pores over Facebook, newspapers, TV news…
Columnist Endorses War Crimes Against al Qaeda Because They Murdered a Journalist
I had never heard of Alex Beam before today, but his column in today's Boston Globe crossed my email (h/t dakine01) and I am still fuming at his cavalier endorsement of war crimes. Perhaps even more infuriating, though, is that Beam's endorsement…
Is DOJ Trying to Hide Valerie Plame at the Sterling Trial?
While I was away in South Carolina, the government released the redacted copy of Leonie Brinkema's order on several issues relating to the Jeffrey Sterling case (the government immediately appealed aspects of this ruling).
There are several…
DOJ Admits It Has Been "Lying" for 24 Years; Journalists Applaud
I'm sort of mystified by yesterday's reporting on the DOJ letter to Chuck Grassley and Pat Leahy regarding FOIA. Basically, the letter announced that DOJ has been "lying" on FOIA responses for 24 years, and that DOJ will only change its approach…
DOJ Lies about Its FOIA Lies
Patrick Leahy just released a letter DOJ sent him and Chuck Grassley regarding DOJ's effort to formalize their practice of lying in response to some FOIA requests. Now, Leahy claims the government has withdrawn its proposed rule--which I think…
DOJ Will Neither Confirm Nor Deny They've Okayed the Assassination of US Citizens
On October 7, Charlie Savage FOIAed the OLC memo authorizing Anwar al-Awlaki's assassination which he described in detail in this article. DOJ has responded--with a Glomar response.
Pursuant to FOIA Exemptions One, Three and Five, 5 U.S.C.…
Predictions of Israeli Attack on Iran Hit Traditional Media--How We Got There
In late November of 2007, the world--and especially the progressive blogosphere--was shocked when the George W. Bush administration released a National Intelligence Estimate that came to the firm conclusion that Iran had suspended work on its…
War Gaming WikiLeaks--and the First Amendment
At least according to this short piece, the US and Europe are holding a war game today to "simulat[e] how they would in future stop a Wikileaks-type hack."
I find this to be a really troublesome development. After all, the way to stop a "Wikileaks-type…
The Army Teaches American Culture to Americans
Sorry for my absence over the last week. Mr. EW and I drove to South Carolina to visit his family. I had thought I'd get posting time. It didn't work out that way.
Profuse thanks to Jim White and bmaz for watching the shop while I was gone.
While…
Crackers and Castor Beans: FBI Busts Wannabe Ricin WMD "Terrorists" in Georgia
Almost as if in response to Marcy's noting less than two weeks ago that at least in Detroit the FBI overlooks white terrorists when profiling, the FBI yesterday announced the arrests of four individuals in Georgia accused of planning attacks…
Afghanistan Exit Strategy: "Fight, Talk, Build" Working (for Fight, Anyway)
As the US stumbles around, trying to find its way out of a country it has occupied for over ten years, the path "forward" remains as murky as ever. Just under two weeks ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was chosen as the point person…
Blind American Concern Troll Finds Nut
You may not be able to say this every day, but hats off to the Washington Post's Richard Cohen. In an op-ed for Tuesday's print edition that first hit the online version late Monday, Cohen analogizes the Masters of the Universe on Wall Street…
It's A Great Football Weekend Charlie Brown
The St. Louis Cardinals are your 2011 World Series Champs, and man game 7 sure was a big letdown after the scintillating game 6. But now it is on to football and Formula One, where the heart of this blog truly lies. And Charlie Brown has more…
JSOC Denial of Ignoring Torture in Afghan Prisons Not Credible--They Trained Afghan Military Police
Yesterday, the Washington Post finally caught up to where Marcy was over two weeks ago and discussed the UN report "Treatment of Conflict-Related Detainees in Afghan Custody" (pdf). I'd like to move beyond the primary findings of the report,…
The FBI: Now, with 48% More Domestic Surveillance ... but No Banksters
The FBI produced a self-congratulatory report of the changes they've made since 9/11. It describes the FBI's new intelligence focus. It boasts that it has a functional computer system (which for the FBI is an accomplishment) and 10,200 SCI work…
A Rancid Foreclosure Fraud Settlement Trial Balloon, Herbert Obamavilles, What Digby Said & The Import of the Occupy Movement
I do not usually just post simply to repeat what another somewhat similarly situated blogger has said. But late this afternoon/early this evening, I was struck by two things almost simultaneously. Right as I read Gretchen Morgenson's latest…
The Scandal Is that Jonathan Alter Doesn't See the Scandal
[Sorry for my unannounced absence. I'm on a road trip visiting Mr. EW's family. Thanks to Jim White and bmaz for guarding the likker cabinet! I know they'll keep it safe!]
I once got in trouble for mocking people who thought that blowjobs…
A Great World Series Arises From The Ashes
So, I fully apologize for letting one and all down in the heavy Tebow content department last weekend. It was inexcusable, and I do know how important it is to you all to get THE FULL TEBOW. Well, I am here to make amends. There is one hitch…
The Coordinated Leaky Drips In The White House
As I've noted previously, there has been a hue and cry against the critical and untenable use, and abuse, of secrecy by the United States government. There has always been some abuse of the government's classified evidence for political gain…
The "Good Faith" Dodge: Moving From Torture to Business?
One short phrase in an article bmaz alerted me to yesterday set my blood to boiling. I fumed about it off and on through the rest of the day and even found myself going back to thinking about it when I should have been drifting off to sleep.
The…