artistdogboy

America Needs To Get Rid Of Its Corrupt Government Leaders To End Terrorism

2015-11-14T14:24:00.001-08:00

It amazes me how Americans always seem to look at these terror attacks without much or any context. As horrific, shocking and wrong as the ISIL attacks in Paris were, or the nearly unknown attack in Beirut the day before, or in Baghdad the day before that, one should surely realize that this isn't happening in a vacuum.

There is a cause and effect at play. Ask yourself, what motivates the terrorists to kill so indiscriminately and brutally knowing it will mean their own death in doing so? How could anyone become motivated to hate so much? Hint, it's not because of jealousy over our freedoms. But the prevalent reaction from most westerners seems to be, "We are just sitting here minding our own business, why would anyone have a reason to attack or want to kill us?"

A good place to start is with the fact that America has been killing and bombing people all over the middle east for over a decade pretty much non stop.

The truth is our so called political leaders in our name or their proxies have been killing and bombing lots of innocent people in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, to mention only a few places, for years. The U.S. and it despotic allies from religious hate spreading Saudi Arabia, or our war profiteering and mongering Zionist allies in Israel have been blowing up people, in fact whole families, and their relatives for as long as one wishes to go back in recent history.

Over 1 million civilians were killed during the illegal U.S. invasion of Iraq alone. So if it's going to be a 'tit for tat' you can easily see the terrorists have a ways to go to catch up, using this brand of revenge killing sprees and terror attacks. I recommend you look at bombs as seeds; you drop them on people and more terrorists always seem to sprout up.

What would you feel like if it were your family member, or child, or relative who turned out to be the one being vaporized by a US smart bomb or drone? Talk about the brutality of beheading. What do you think happens to people when you drop high tech bombs on a house? The collateral destruction caused by these smart weapons is unimaginable for most Americans.

More importantly the question must be asked. Would it make you want to take revenge for what you see as a grave injustice or even murder?

I'm not advocating revenge as acceptable ever. I’m just asking the question. Are the lives of the people who happened to be born or live in the Middle East less valuable than yours? Add to this the US and it's allies destruction through war of what once represented civil society or and economy in these countries. There is no plausible way now that remains to make a living or feed, and house your family. You find yourself living in fear, in a hopeless war torn country led by incompetent US installed sectarian puppet leaders or some authoritarian despot.

You experience only, fear, hate, war, hopelessness and more brutality as a way of daily life.

The innocent people killed or injured in Paris, Beirut or Baghdad are only the latest to reap this whirlwind. Americans needs to realize that there is a direct cause and effect and there will be blow back to our propensity as a nation to try and bomb anyone that the Neocons, the Security State or Obama, disagrees with or thinks needs to be extra judicially kill that given day, in an undeclared war.

Not much is likely to change until Americans find a way to rid themselves of the military industrial complex driven war profiteers and war making lobbies that now directly control the U.S. government.

Peace comes through diplomacy, empathy, love, and a desire to truly help people, no matter what their circumstances. Not through militarism, war making, jingoism and hate.

#EndWarCulture #EndWarProfiteering #RefugeesWelcome

Excellent Panel Discussion On Bradley Manning's Prosecution From London

2013-05-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Chaired by Richard Gizbert, presenter of The Listening Post on Al Jazeera English.

The panel: Naomi Colvin is a London-based writer and activist. In late 2010 she founded UK Friends of Bradley Manning, which successfully lobbied the UK government to recognise Bradley Manning's dual citizenship status.

Professor David Leigh was the Guardian's investigations editor until 2013 and is a professor of journalism at City University. He is one of Britain's leading investigative journalists, and winner of the 2007 Paul Foot Award for Campaigning Journalism. He is co-author of WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy.

Chase Madar is a human rights attorney in New York, where he specializes in youth law, LGBT law and disability law. He reports and reviews for the London Review of Books, Le Monde diplomatique, CounterPunch, Al Jazeera, and the TLS. He is author of The Passion of Bradley Manning: The Story Behind the Wikileaks Whistleblower.

via www.frontlineclub.com/

Bradley Manning: A whistleblowing hero?

2013-03-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

via Aljazerra English

Press Coverage Of Bradley Manning Prosecution Speaks To Corruption Of Main Stream Media

2012-12-15T16:09:00.000-08:00

Via Al Jazeera English’s program, “The Listening Post,”

David Coombs Defense Attorney for Bradley Manning Discusses The Case In Public For The First Time

2012-12-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

For the first time Bradley Manning's Attorney David Coombs discussed the case in public in Washington, DC on December 3rd.

Hillbillies In States Who Want To Sucede From Union Should Probably Find Out Where Federal Taxes Are Raised And Spent

2012-11-12T14:43:00.001-08:00

A redneck nation full of 'sour grapes'. This reminds me of the graffiti I saw scrawled on a wall in Amsterdam in 1980, "USA out of north America".

Most of the people behind these petitions to the White House requesting they be allowed to sucede from the union probably don't realize that their state could loose a massive amount of federal tax dollars and infrastructure support if they became independent nations.

What would supposedly happen to the social security and medicare of residents of these states? Funny, it could be a great way to balance the federal budget if we just let them go. The end result of their succession would probably be a massive tax increase for them and a dramatic shredding of the social contract as they have known it. Never the less they are being 'egged on' by FoxNews and right wing internet blogs who love to continue to harp the mantra of bullshit in their conservative bubble of right wing misinformation.

Listed below are the twenty state so far who apparently want to sucede with a color indication of how they voted in the Presidential election. Seven of the states actually paid more in federal taxes then they got back versus 13 that did not. Next to each state is the amount in billions of dollars that each state received or paid in federal revenue for the period 1990 to 2009.

Alabama received 290.6
Arkansas paid 17
Colorado paid 100.7
Florida received 298.7
Georgia paid 99.5
Indiana received 10.2
Kentucky received 207.5
Louisiana received 203.5
Michigan paid 196.8
Mississippi received 239.9
Missouri received 70.8
Montana received 64.5
New Jersey paid 705.7
New York paid 956.2
North Carolina received 17.8
North Dakota received 48.7
Oregon paid 11.8
South Carolina received 198.4
Texas paid 398.8
Tennessee received 81.3

Data via Census Bureau, IRS and The Economist Magazine

Everything You Want To Know About Bradley Manning And WikiLeaks | An Interview With Alexa O'Brien

2012-11-10T12:32:00.003-08:00

Alexa O'Brien, an activist and independent journalist, is quickly becoming one of the foremost authorities on WikiLeaks and the proceedings and prosecution of PFC Bradley Manning by the US Government. She has spend countless hours documenting information on the case, attending court proceedings and created a timeline about the prosecution of Manning.

The case of Bradley Manning is the largest criminal proceedings against an American whistleblower in history, yet it gets little or no coverage in the mainstream media. O'Brien has taken on the task of creating a public record of the case. She is also an activist who was the founder of one of the organizations, US Day Of Rage, that help created the Occupy Wall Street Movement. As if that were not enough she is one of the 'freedom 7' plaintiffs in the lawsuit to have certain provisions of the NDAA that allows the government to arrest and unlimitedly detain US Citizens with out hearing or trial declared unconstitutional.

The interview is from Manhattan Public Access Station show 'let them talk' of November 6th.

Hero's Of 2012 | The 'Stay In Line' Folks | The 47% Film Person | The Occupy Wall Street Movement | The #stopNDAA Freedom 7 Lawsuit People

2012-11-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

The 'stay in line' voters who became determined to not let voter suppression tactics rob them of their right to vote in the 2012 election. Fuck you to ALEC, fuck you 'prick' Secretary of State in Ohio, fuck you Governor Scott in Florida, fuck you Carl Rove and fuck you to a whole host of other assholes and idéologues who would dare to violate the voting rights of citizens. Your little plans backfired.

The person who filmed the 47% video. Probably some minimum wage 'wait person' who had enough insight to see that the American people maybe really interested in what Romney really says to other 'rich pricks' behind close doors.

The Occupy Wall Street movement, who don't ever seem to get the love they deserve, for the way they literally changed the political narrative in this country in midstream from austerity, debt reduction, taxes are too high and the 'takers' to equity for the middle class, the corruption of Wall Street and the corporate oligarchy's control of our political system. Even more compelling is they were willing to lay there bodies on the line for it.. and did just that.

Stop NDAA, the journalists, activists, and intellectuals who are suing the President and others to stop arrest and indefinite intention provisions of the NDAA. Also known as the 'Freedom' 7', these individuals took on the risk an sacrifice in the name of the rights of all citizens by initiating this effort to stop a draconian violation of a our constitutional rights by our own government.

Modern Police State America Where Activists Can Quickly Become Terrorists

2012-11-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Abby Martin of RT America 'Breaking The Set' interviews journalist and author of 'Green is the New Red,' Will Potter, about the federal crackdown on dissent with laws like the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA). The segment also centers on the arrest of Leah-Lynn Plante and other Northwest activists and anarchists who had their homes raided by government agents looking for information surrounding protest that took place in Seattle on May Day. The activists and Lynn were subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury and were subsequently jailed for contempt for refusing to testify about their activities.

Julian Assange's Lawyer Updates Us On The State Of The Assange and Bradley Manning Cases

2012-10-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Luke Rudkowsk of WeAreChange.org ran into and got the chance to talk to Michael Ratner, the President of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Michael currently is the attorney for Julian Assange in the U.S and gave WeAreChange an update on the case.

New York #EnemyOfTheState Teach-in Features High Profile Civil Liberties Journalists and Activists

2012-10-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today protesters, journalists, activists, legal council and supporters gathered on the steps of the Public Library at Bryant Park in New York City for a teach-in about the state of affairs we find ourselves in as a nation and the ramification of that on individuals like PFC Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the defendants known as the 'Pay Pal 14'.

The teach-in speakers also addressed the work of 'anonymous' and individuals and groups throughout the world who are being persecuted by governments and law enforcement for whistle-blowing about the corruption and criminal behavior of governments.

The teach-in was facilitated by #enemyofthestate and featured Alexa O'Brien, journalist and NDAA lawsuit plaintiff, Chase Madar, author of The Passion of Bradley Manning, attorney and journalist and Stanley Cohen, Attorney and Political Activist. Here are some highlights of the teach-in captured via live-steaming video. Please excuse the commercial interruptions.

Video features Chase Madar, Stanley Cohen and a performance by the street theater group 'Bradass47'.

Video streaming by Ustream
Video features Alexa O'Brien (Her official remarks begins at approximately 17:50)

Video streaming by Ustream

Are Voters Today As Manipulated Demoralized And Confused As They Were In 1972?

2012-10-22T12:17:00.002-07:00

Chesar Chevez Meets With McGovern During Hunger Strike in May 1972

George MCGovern Died Sunday at the age of 90.

In 1972 I was 25 years old working as an organizer for a labor union. I appeared on local TV during the presidential campaign in a town hall meeting in Seattle with McGovern and worked on his campaign in Washington State. In many ways McGovern defined what a politician with integrity acted like and in retrospect history has shown that on almost all the issues he championed he was 100% right on.

Of course all but one state (MA) voted for "I'm not a crook" Nixon, in the 72 election and Nixon eventually was forced to resign in disgrace over Watergate. I guess all this proves Americans were as easily manipulated, demoralized and confused then as they apparently are today.

Historic Picture Of The Day Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein Addresses Occupy Wall Street Protesters

2012-09-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Jill Stein Green Party Candidate for President speaks to Zuccotti Park protesters on first anniversary of the birth of the #Occupy Wall Street Movement on September 17th, 2011.

NDAA 'Indefinite Detention' Provision Struck Down In Historic Court Decision

2012-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

"[New York, NY] Judge Katherine Forrest ruled yesterday that the so-called “indefinite detention” provision (subsection 1021) of the fiscal 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) violates the Constitution and issued a permanent injunction against its application."

“This is a tremendous victory for the rule of law and the right of all U.S. citizens, regardless of their ideological persuasions, to be afforded due process. It restores the two century ban on the use of the military by the state for domestic policing. Judge Katherine Forrest, in an era when federal judges often seem to issue rulings about why they cannot implement the law, has with this injunction restored one of our most cherished Constitutional rights. The Obama administration will not doubt appeal this decision. We will continue to fight back. It is not over yet. But I, and I hope all Americans, can sleep a little more easily tonight,” said Chris Hedges this morning when asked about the Judge Forrest’s ruling.

Complete story here via the sparrow project

9/11 My Pet Goat's Criminal Incompetence On Display

2012-09-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

What would the world be like if 9/11 could of been prevented?

Proof of George W's criminal incompétence surrounding 9/11 stack up. News reports show that during Bush-Cheney and Condi Rice's watch their apparent fixation on Iraq and Saddam left America unprotected on 9/11. They repeatedly ignored warnings of a pending attack. Ironically, many of the same neocons who advised Bush are now advising Mitt Romney.

'Bread Or Revolution' The Early History Of Labor Day Gatherings And Parades In Photos

2012-09-03T12:45:00.001-07:00

click on photos for sideshow

1908 New York City Labor Leader John C. O'Brien astride a horse

Chorus Girls Union, New York 1908

Theatrical Union, New York 1908

Bakers carrying float made from a loaf of bread, NY May Day early 1900's

Russian Labor Association New York Early 1900's

Child Labor Participants early 1900's New York

Suffragettes - Labor Day 1913 New York

Labor Day Parade 1910

Firemen Labor Day parade, 1929 Washington, DC

Labor Day Toronto 1916

Miners Labor Day Parade Roslyn, WA early 1900's

Labor Parade New York 1908

I.W.W. Man with hat card "Bread or Revolution" 1908

Presentation of U.S. flag Labor Day. Red Granite WI 1908

Labor Day Red Granite, WI 1908

Meat-cutters early 1900's Buffalo, NY

Labor Day Parade Buffalo, NY 1908

Ford workers Labor Day parade Detroit, MI 1944

Women carrying banners Detroit Labor Day parade 1940

Detroit, MI Marchers in the Labor Day parade 1942

Labor Day Celebration Eldora, CO 1900

Labor Day Parade Chicago 1904

Labor Day parade 1908 Chicago

Labor Day Parade Chicago 1904

Labor Day Parade 1904 Chicago

Meat Cutters with checkered overcoats Chicago 1908

Amalgamated Clothing Workers Labor Day Chicago 1915

William Jennings Bryan Labor Day Lincoln Park Chicago 1915

Matt Taibbi's Much Watch Interview On Bain Capital And Romney

2012-09-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

via Democracy Now and RSN

Labor Day 2012 | Dear Mrs Roosevelt "The Money Changing Racket Boys" Are Now Running The Government

2012-09-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

Bust of FDR's located overlooking Lake Roosevelt behind the Grand Coulee Dam

Roosevelt gave workers the right and protection to organize unions with the passage of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935 and should be remembered as a true champion of the labor movement on Labor Day.

"Dear Mrs. Roosevelt" Words and Music by Woody Guthrie

Dear Mrs. Roosevelt, don't hang your head and cry;

His mortal clay is laid away, but his good work fills the sky;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He's born in a money family on that Hudson's rocky shore;

Outrun every kid a-growin' up 'round Hyde Park just for fun;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He went away to grade school and wrote back to his folks;

He drew such funny pictures and always pulling a joke;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He went on up towards Harvard, he read his books of law;

He loved his trees and horses, loved everything he saw;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He got struck down by fever and it settled in his leg;

He loved the folks that wished him well as everybody did;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He took his office on a crippled leg, he said to one and all:

"You money changin' racket boys have sure 'nuff got to fall;"

This world was lucky to see him born,

In senate walls and congress halls he used his gift of tongue

To get you thieves and liars told and put you on the run;

This world was lucky to see him born,

I voted for him for lots o' jobs, I'd vote his name again;

He tried to find an honest job for every idle man;

This world was lucky to see him born,

He helped to build my union hall, he learned me how to talk;

I could see he was a cripple but he learned my soul to walk;

This world was lucky to see him born.

You Nazis and you fascists tried to boss this world by hate;

He fought my war the union way and the hate gang all got beat;

This world was lucky to see him born.

I sent him 'cross that ocean to Yalta and to Tehran;

He didn't like Churchill very much and told him man to man;

This world was lucky to see him born.

He said he didn't like DeGaulle, nor no Chiang Kai Shek;

Shook hands with Joseph Stalin, says: "There's a man I like!"

This world was lucky to see him born.

I was torpedoed on my merchant ship the day he took command;

He was hated by my captain, but loved by all ships hands;

This world was lucky to see him born.

I was a Gl in my army camp that day he passed away,

And over my shoulder talkin' I could hear some soldier say:

"This world was lucky to see him born."

I guess this world was lucky just to see him born;

I know this world was lucky just to see him born;

This world was lucky to see him born.

Active Duty Military Extremists Militia leader Had Ties To Washington State

2012-08-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Seattle Times story on four soldiers charged with murder. The group had planned to 'overthrow the government and assassinate the president'. The video below is a plea confession by one of the soldiers who has turned state's evidence.

New Book Reveals Reagan Was Major FBI Snitch Collaborator And Operative

2012-08-24T10:48:00.001-07:00

In the 1960's and beyond Reagan acted as a 'Snitch' for the FBI, providing information on Hollywood's union activities, or 'dropping a dime' on the leaders, faculty and students at California's Universities. He also suggested names to the FBI for blacklisting prior to and while he was Governor of California.

Later the FBI returned the favor by providing him with restricted information on his detractors and opponents. Of course the 'Gipper' went on to become President where he is known for the policies that have brought on the destruction of the middle class in America.

via: Democracy Now

Mainstream Media Silent As Growth Of Violent Prone Hate And Militia Groups In US Skyrockets

2012-08-21T13:21:00.001-07:00

Above is an example of the world of one Sovereign Citizen. Why anyone would want to become a 'Sovereign' after listening to his gibberish filled description of the tenets of the group is beyond me. But the fact is that violent prone hate filled misfits are joining groups like the Sovereign Citizens in large numbers in this country. One example of the Sovereign Citizens at work is the news that they are behind a shootout that took place last week in Louisiana that ended with the death of two police officers.

Reporting on hate groups in America receives little or no coverage from the mainstream media. Many of these groups are race or gay hating based with a touch of religious fanaticism thrown in for good measure. A large number of the new recruits joining these groups are returning veterans coming to grips with the hypocrisy of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan in which they participated. An act that they saw as patriotic at the time and, like the Vietnam veterans before them, now see as their exploitation for use as collateral cannon-fodder. Just another hidden legacy of the war profiteering era of unending war and unpunished war criminals. Many of these veterans actually belonged to hate groups in the military which became prevalent when the Pentagon turned a blind eye and lowered recruiting standards because of a need for recruits to fight the Iraq and Afganistan wars.

Fast forward to the general failure of many of public institutions, widespread legitimate distrust of government and dishonest politicians, wall street criminality, racism, guns, the election of a black president, economic collapse, unemployment, xenophobia, homophopia, Islamophobia, religious fanatics, macho men and a tendency towards glorifying violence whenever possible in society and we have the toxic makings of a lethal cocktail. All whipped into a frenzy of hate filled conspiracies by right wing extremist elements not only on the fringe of our society but from within the 'mainstream' of the Republican Party.

Websites these groups create promote Jesus is coming so prepare for the violent end times revolution and you should be sure to be armed to the teeth when it happens themes. Not to mention the underlaying or overt race and gay hating dog whistles propaganda they makeup. You are left with the distinct feeling that much of the rhetoric is the particular group's self fulfilling prophecy. Telling extraordinary lies over and over till they becomes the hate group's truth.

The problem is that nobody seems to want to talk about the problem of violent prone hate groups, militias and extremism or the threat it could be to the nation.

We don't hear much about the growth and popularity of these hate groups in the MSM or anywhere else because of a fear of a backlash from right wing politicians, right wing media or the hate groups themselves. The liberals play their part too, stifled and silenced by political correctness and fear. The wing-nut right likes to paint these groups as merely a bunch of patriotic good old boys who love their guns, hate creeping socialism and big government.

The prime example of surpression of information on hate groups was how former DHS Analyst Daryl Johnson was silenced for warning of far-right militants in U.S in a report he authored for the Department of Homeland Security in 2009.

"Under pressure from Republican lawmakers and popular talk show hosts, DHS ultimately repudiated Johnson’s paper. Johnson drew his conclusion on his 15 years of experience studying domestic terrorist groups — particularly white supremacists and neo-Nazis. "Leading up to this report … we received numerous accolades from law enforcement [and] intelligence officials, talking about the great work we were doing in the fight against domestic terrorism," Johnson says. "And then in lieu of the political backlash, the Department not only decided to stop all of our work, but they also disbanded the unit, reassigned us to other areas within the office, and then made life increasingly difficult for us."

Here's an interview with Johnson from a recent Democracy Now news segment talking about what happened after the report was published:

Much thanks should be given to the brave and important work of organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center whose mission is to track and disclose information on violence prone hate groups and militias that otherwise would not be available outside of law enforcement. The SPLC has been in the news lately over accusations from the gay bashing Family Research Council that somehow they are behind the shooting last week by a deranged individual at their offices in Washington, DC. An ongoing campaign continues by extremist groups and right wing politicians aimed at discrediting the historical and award winning work of the SPLC.

Note: August 27th more evidence of rightwing militia extremism in the news today including murder and plot to kill Obama and overthrow the government.

More Indignity For Indigenous People As Lakota Land At "Heart of Everything That Is" Set To Be Auctioned Off To Highest Bidder

2012-08-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

This made me weep.

Got a tweet this morning that simply said: "Help, SOS from Native America". It was from @wapi40 who was reaching out via her twitter to the account I manage for @USDayOfRage. Probably because of our organization's reputation for fighting NDAA or helping to start the Occupy Wall Street movement or the14, 800 followers we have on twitter. Perhaps USDayOfRage could reach some people and tell them about the auctioning off of spiritually sacred Lakota Sioux lands in South Dakota set to take place later this month.

So I have to do my part.

"The Great Sioux Nation is battling against the clock to save Pe’ Sla, one of its most sacred religious sites. Pe’ Sla, located in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota, is considered to be the heart of everything that is by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. It is due to be auctioned off the the highest bidder on August 25th."

Where is a benevolent rich person who can buy this land and deed it back to the Lakota Sioux? Where is Marlin Brando when we really need him, How about Bill Gates, Chris Hanson, Steve Balmer, or some other new money job creator.

If you'd like to contribute to the cause you can go to Indigogo and make a contribution. The goal is raise $100,000 to place a bid on the land at the auction. We've checked it out and it's all legitimate. Last Real Indians is working in conjunction the Rose Bud Sioux Tribal Council and other tribes to raise this money.

Watch this video.....

America Wins The Gold | Your Constitutional Rights Have Been Revoked | Real Journalism Dead

2012-08-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

We heard nary a peep from the main stream media about the NDAA and their silence should be a major story in itself. They remain mute in the face of this historic and unprecedented abuse of the constitutional rights of all citizens.

There has been little news coverage of the lawsuit filed by the 'freedom 7 plaintiffs' challenging the unconstitutional provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act. (NDAA). This controversial and unconstitutional law in effect allows the US military, US intelligence operatives or other members of the massive US security apparatus to deny habeas corpus to citizens by arresting them and indefinitely detaining them without hearing or trial.

The law allows anyone deemed to be a suspect who has "substantially supported al-Qaida, the Taliban or associated forces" subject to detention until, "the end of hostilities." in a newly defined and Orwellian sounding "Homeland Battlefield".

The question being who gets to decide who really is working with "associated forces', or the scope of what would constitutes "substantial support". Will it be some retired cop who now works for the Defense Department and needs to justify the need for his job? Or a TSA employee having a bad hair day?

The claim by constitutional law professor Obama upon signing the legislation into law that he would not use it inappropriately are empty and ludicrous. In fact the new provisions have already been applied to activists and journalists, and frankly who knows who else has already been locked up. A large part of the initial proceedings during the lawsuit dealt with the fact that the plaintiffs would first have to establish that the implementation of the NDAA actually effected their constitutional rights.

Judge Katherine Forrest found that in fact the plaintiffs did have standing to proceed with the lawsuit on the constitutional questions.

Then in May the Judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the provisions of the law that deal with the arrest and detention of US citizens after she ruled that the plaintiffs had standing. She indicated at that time, "there is a strong public interest in protecting rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, there is also a strong public interest in ensuring that due process rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment are protected by ensuring that ordinary citizens are able to understand the scope of conduct that could subject them to indefinite military detention."

"America is more free today than it was yesterday due to the courageous and righteous and very sound ruling by Judge Forrest,. I think this is a hugely significant development... I think it's also a testament to the courage of the plaintiffs here." Plaintiff's Attorney Carl Mayer

Judge Forrest went on to say, "This court is acutely aware that preliminarily enjoining an act of Congress must be done with great caution," she wrote. "However, it is the responsibility of our judicial system to protect the public from acts of Congress which infringe upon constitutional rights. As set forth above, this court has found that plaintiffs have shown a likelihood of success on the merits regarding their constitutional claim and it therefore has a responsibility to insure that the public's constitutional rights are protected."

On August 7th additional arguments were made by the government and the plaintiffs before Judge Forrest. The plaintiffs are requesting that her injunction be made permanent. The government, of course is arguing that the lawsuit be thrown out. Whatever the ruling, both parties have indicated they will appeal the case.

For a complete background on where the lawsuit is today, including interviews and discussion from the plaintiffs and their lawyers we offer this conference call produced by RevolutionTruth.

Full disclosure: Alexa O'Brien, a plaintiff in the NDAA lawsuit is my daughter.

The Not Daily Show Interview With NSA Whistle Blower Thomas Drake That Isn't So Funny

2012-08-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

Last night the Daily Show offered us a comical segment about the trials and tribulations of NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake. Below is the not so funny interview version that my daughter did with Drake in July during a break in the on going Bradley Manning Court-Martial that she has been covering for WLCentral at Fort Mead, Maryland.

Drake's experiences demonstrate just how out of control the massive U.S. self perpetuating security state apparatus has become since 9/11 under both the Bush/Cheney and Obama/Holder administrations and how it is now beyond question become a major threat to everyone's constitutional rights and civil liberties.

Which is not really funny at all.

It is ironic that the only way someone can get this type of 'news' is from a comedy show where the general tendency would be to not take it that seriously. It's also a further indication of the mainstream fourth estate's incompetence and how much they have been compromised by the powers to be working in collusion with their corporate masters.

Here's the Daily Show piece:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
A Leak of Their Own - License to Spill
www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

The Daily Show on Facebook

Terrible Shit About Your Country You Won't Hear About on MSNBC FOX Or CNN Probably Ever

2012-07-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

Not really surprising in a country where being a uninformed dumb shit redneck is actually seen as good thing.