Really? The apparent revelation that the NSA is data mining reams of public communications data is a surprise? If so, it should not be, and you need to read James Bamford’s The Shadow Factory-NSA, 9/11 & Eavesdropping America which provides a wonderful view into the NSA and what they do—and how well they do it. Any attempts by the press or politicians to invent yet another POTUS scandal is simply absurd. Seriously! What after all did you think they were doing with an annual $10 Billion budget? What do you think “chatter” means?

As for the so-called whistleblower Mr. Snowden, there are a number of flaws with his thinking. First, what makes him believe that he has a personal and righteous obligation to thwart Congressional action? Snowden has not been elected to anything and does not represent anyone but himself. He is not privy to ALL the facts that lead to this Congressional action.

Second, if a terrorist attack was later found that could have easily been prevented with these programs–but we chose not to implement them–everyone (especially the GOP) would be screaming for Obama’s head! You can’t have it both ways. These are tough decisions based on evaluating and balancing risk versus intrusion, and Snowden is no one’s choice to make that decision. He has violated the law, increased danger for everyone, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

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• Obama weighs in on NSA surveillance programs
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• Exclusive: Top NSA Whistleblower Spills the Beans on the Real Scope of the Spying Program
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Ten years after the Iraq war, some extremely disturbing information is now coming to light. Presented in great detail by this outstanding documentary by the Guardian UK, I feel extreme shame at our Government’s conduct in IRAQ. Some specific accusations in the documentary:

Iraq Defense Minister Abdul Qadir presents a gift to U.S. Army General David Petraeus during a farewell ceremony in Baghdad on September 15, 2008. Petraeus served in three command positions in Iraq since 2003. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• The U.S. funded the Iraq Police Militias that became Shia death squads
• General David Petraeus oversaw the formation of the Police Militias and was close to James Steele, who advised the militias in brutal techniques
• The U.S. institutionalized torture as routine counter-insurgency conduct
• An Oregon National Guard unit stumbled upon a torture center in Samarra and attempted to help the detainees by giving them food, they were subsequently told to leave immediately, stand down, and that what they had seen never happened. To their credit they went to the press.

Moreover, much of the information to support the documentary was made available via Wikileaks and the Bradley Manning submission. It appears Bradley Manning was a whistleblower,  similar to the Oregon National Guard unit, and should be commended for his willingness to do the right thing and expose the grotesque human rights violations. He certainly should not be prosecuted, and he absolutely should not be mistreated while he remains in military custody.

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• What has the Last Decade Been Like in Iraq?
• You: Iraq 10 years on: the legacy of war – video
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• Israel’s new government sworn in
• UNHRC set to debate West Bank settlement report – Jerusalem Post
• UN experts demand immediate end to Israeli settlements
• U.N. report slams Israeli settlements
• | Dear President Obama … I hope you won’t remain silent!
• Israelis must leave settlements now: UN HR expert
• Israel Arresting Children To Prevent Third Intifada
• Arguing Zionism, settlements, and threats to the peace process
• POTUS Barack Hussein Obama Prepares To Visit Israel.
• Israel decides to seize more 45 dunums of Palestinian land east J’lem

Print it out, pass it on. (Photo credit: slw606)

These numbers are incontrovertible, and they strongly support President Obama’s balanced approach to the economy.  All this noise about “class warfare” is pure HOGWASH! Don’t the Tea Party people realize that they are being manipulated and USED by the top 1%?  It’s time for the Tea Party to wake up and face the real facts about wealth distribution in America.  If President Obama is attempting to redistribute a small portion of this wealth, then 99% of us should be all for it.  

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As time passes 9/11 is becoming a foggy memory for many, but to an increasing number of professional architects, engineers, physicists and other scientists—9/11 remains a troubling cover-up of the controlled demolition of WTC Building 7.  I am typically laughed off if I even bring this topic up, but I challenge everyone to watch the Architects & Engineers 9/11 Truth video, and then draw your own conclusion.  Some of the most troubling facts:

Please watch the videos and share your thoughts.

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The 8th Amendment of United States Constitution reads, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”  There is no argument that “shall not be” applies to all three clauses.  If only we could be so clear about what punishments approach or exceed this standard.  In 1962, Robinson v. California, 370 U.S. 660, SCOTUS extended the 8th Amendment to the States through the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause. 

In addition, SCOTUS  has also provided some clarification to the standard by adding four principles to determine whether a particular punishment is cruel and unusual, Furman v. Georgia, 408 U.S. 238 (1972):

• The “essential predicate” is “that a punishment must not by its severity be degrading to human dignity,” especially torture.
• “A severe punishment that is obviously inflicted in wholly arbitrary fashion.”
• “A severe punishment that is clearly and totally rejected throughout society.”
• “A severe punishment that is patently unnecessary.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that criminal sentences that are inhuman, outrageous, or shocking to the social conscience are cruel and unusual. Although the Court has never provided meaningful definitions for these characteristics, the pertinent cases speak for themselves. For example, the Georgia Supreme Court explained that the Eighth Amendment was intended to prohibit barbarous punishments such as castration, burning at the stake, and quartering (Whitten v. Georgia, 47 Ga. 297 [1872]). Similarly, the U.S. Supreme Court wrote that the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause prohibits crucifixion, breaking on the wheel, and other punishments that involve a lingering death (In re Kemmler, 136 U.S. 436, 10 S. Ct. 930, 34 L. Ed. 519 [1890]). 

 

…In Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 112 S. Ct. 995, 117 L. Ed. 2d 156 (1992), the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a case in which a prisoner had been handcuffed by two Louisiana corrections officers and beaten to the point where his teeth were loosened and his dental plate was cracked. Seven U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled that the prisoner had suffered cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, disagreed. Legal Dictionary – 8th Amendment

So there you have it, aside from grotesque mutilations and a slow death, we currently have a perfectly ambiguous and subjective standard that continues to be abused by the U.S. Government. First, I am motivated to address this issue after reading this morning about P.F.C. Bradley Manning, and his 1,000 days of military detention, for much of the time in brutal conditions.

Bradley Manning’s 1,000th Day in Jail – The Guardian UK.  Second, I am sickened anytime I read anything about an American super-max prison, and felt it was time to put my thoughts to writing. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to include the  extraordinary rendition and enhanced interrogation techniques of the George W. Bush administration.

Human rights groups charge that extraordinary rendition is a violation of Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), because suspects are taken to countries where torture during interrogation remains common, thus circumventing the protections the captives would enjoy in the United States or other nations who abide by the terms of UNCAT. Its legality remains highly controversial, as the United States outlaws the use of torture, and the U.S. Constitution guarantees due process. Rendered suspects are denied due process because they are arrested without charges, deprived of legal counsel, and illegally transferred to a third world country with the intent and purpose of facilitating torture and other interrogation measures which would be illegal in the USA. Extraordinary Rendition (Wikipedia)

In summary, in super-max prisons (44 State / 1 Federal) prisoners are held in solitary confinement indefinitely for 23 hours a day, with almost zero human communication or contact.  An extraordinary rendition is essentially a secret and extra-judicial kidnapping where the accused (or should I say victim) is secretly transported to a foreign country.  And we are all now familiar with enhanced interrogation techniques in various forms, but most notably water-boarding.

Growing up in the United States, for the first twelve years of my public education, the first thing we did every morning was recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  At every sporting event, from Little League to the Superbowl, we always begin with a singing of the National Anthem.  Together with the The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of The United States, we have some of the most significant and memorable language burnt into our memory from a very young age. Some of the more memorable language that sticks with me:

• The land of the free
• Home of the brave
• One nation under god
• Liberty and justice for all
• A country that holds these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
• We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

(Click image to enlarge)

SOURCE: Criminal Justice Program

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I am always amazed any time I hear about Crop Circles on the Internet, TV, or even the Newspaper. What I believe is the obvious cause of the mystery is never discussed. Why? Is this intentional?

As everyone knows, Crop Circles are geometric designs that appear in farmers’ wheat fields, often overnight. Initially restricted to the English countryside, Crop Circles are now found around the world. A couple of British gentleman admitted to hoaxing Crop Circles in the late 70s, using a foot board and a few feet of rope, but the complexity is increasing. The general questions are: Why? How? And by whom?

As a contributor to GravitySailor, I am committed to reason and common sense. So I see an obvious but often overlooked  answer. First, Crop Circles must be made from somewhere above the field; whether it be a tall ladder or scaffolding, helicopter, balloon, blimp, or airplane. Or, if you think as a GravitySailor, why not from space? Because of the complexities and geometric precision of the current designs, I believe a single answer is reasonable—they are man-made and projected from a satellite. A satellite provides the perfect platform with the required downward view, stability, and precision while remaining out of sight.

Maybe we are implicating a space weapon or  low power laser device—but most likely a maser (molecular amplification by stimulated emission radiation). A maser uses Microwaves together with an added slice of the electromagnetic spectrum, but a directed microwave beam is enough for conceptualization. electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light, and the satellite would be somewhere in Low Earth Orbit (300-1200 miles), so it would take a few minutes to generate the most complex design.

How did I arrive at this conclusion?  Simple, by applying reason to eliminate the other options. First, the supernatural, spiritual or so-called extra-dimensional plane,  has no place in fact-based science. The “Mowing Devil” may be similarly discarded, although this myth may have provided the original impetus to create crop circles. Perhaps Aliens draw crop circles, but if they posses the technology to travel light years to visit us, I doubt their communications limit them to drawing cryptic geometric designs in the grass. As for the ground-based man-made option, groups have attempted this, but it takes too long and is too difficult to create a super complex design overnight, especially with the current precision. Witnesses would see any air-based approach, unless the hoaxers possessed a Klingon “cloaking device” that makes them invisible.  This analysis leaves only one reasonable answer, a spaced based device—a satellite!

Now imagine you were a member of the scientific or military team designing and testing a satellite-based maser projection platform.  First, it would be fun to run tests and calibrate your maser by drawing complex geometric shapes in wheat fields.  Second, the designs could easily be created on any laptop, and you would likely see a picture of your creation in the Press the next day. These engineers enjoy creating a mystery while hiding behind the old crop circle myth, and this approach provides a great tool for measuring the effectiveness, precision, and accuracy of the maser. Someone recently drew a pixelated face of an Alien, which I interpret as a clear jab at the conspiracy theorists. The engineers are simply having a little fun at the public’s expense, while content to hide behind a myth.  This is the most rational explanation. 

Please scroll down to share your thoughts in the comments.  

Sincerely,

Admiral Rudolph Horseprancer 

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While I and many others have become extremely frustrated with the Tea Party’s intransigence and lack of reason, to retain my claim to open-mindedness, I felt an obligation to finally educate myself on exactly what the Tea Party is all about, and exactly what they want, beyond the common generalities we always hear and read about.

Well, little did I know, but this is not an easy question to answer, and for a disgraceful reason–they don’t even know themselves!  They just know that the must reject President Obama on all things, repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at all costs, reject all climate change science, and never ever compromise on anything.  After some basic research, it is painfully clear that all this Tea Party whining is nothing but that…whining.  The movement is decentralized so there are many flavors, but here is a list of some common views:

I must admit, there are a few items on this list that sound good and are good; however, reality must play a part in the execution of any initiatives no matter the soundness of policy. In Lindsey Graham‘s own words, the fine Republican Senator from South Carolina,

OK, so now we must get to the Koch brothers, 4 fabulously wealthy, extremely intelligent gentleman that fund a great many civic and charitable organizations through their philanthropic efforts.   Their father Fred (1900-1967) invented a new way to refine oil into gasoline, and he founded Koch Industries.  David and Charles Koch bought out their two brothers Fred and William in 1983,  and now run Koch Industries, the 2nd largest privately held company in the U.S.–after Cargill.  They own refineries in Texas, Alaska, and Minnesota;  and they also own the well know brands of Brawny paper towels, Invista (“Stainmaster” Carpet and Lyrca), as well as Georgia Pacific and very large Cattle Ranch operations, Nitrogen Fertilizer production, and other chemicals–just to name a few!  Koch Industries is estimated to produce revenues of $100 Billion per year, and both David and Charles Koch have a net worth exceeding $30 Billion, putting them in the top 10 of richest Americans.

These guys are certainly successful, and what is wrong with that?  They give away a ton of money and fund charities too numerous to list.  The problem most have with the Kochs, is that now that Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has opened the floodgates for corporate political spending, there is really no limit to their influence if they choose to participate in politics.  Is this really what our country is supposed to be about, the richest decide whats best for the rest of us?  Politicians must bend to their wills or have their funding removed?  The U.S. government should not be able to be bought, but it certainly appears that many are trying–and the Kochs are having some success.

If these are not radical views what are?  Do away with Securities and Exchange Commission? We can barely prevent financial abuse now.  No EPA? Would they prefer we wreck the planet in the next 50 years? All for money?  Social Security? Really?  Of course the Koch brothers are entitled to their opinions, but they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 10 years supporting their Libertarian agenda, and many groups (like the Tea Party) are not even aware that they are being used to accomplish the Koch’s agenda.  It really is time that we shine some light on the Koch brothers and all their various funding, aside from their known support for the Tea Party through Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks.

New Documentary:

Sundance Film Festival – Citizen Koch – Carl Deal & Tia Lessin

Must Reads:

• http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer
• http://inspirationgreen.com/koch-brothers-products.html
• http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/exclusive-billionaires-secretly-fund-attacks-on-climate-science-8466312.html
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/us/politics/20koch.html?pagewanted=all
• http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/Peter-Fenn/2011/02/02/tea-party-funding-koch-brothers-emerge-from-anonymity
• http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/national-affairs/the-koch-brothers-exposed-20120420
• www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/Peter-Fenn/2011/02/02/tea-party-funding-koch-brothers-emerge-from-anonymity
• http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/peter-roff/2013/02/01/dems-blame-koch-brothers-for-virginias-electoral-college-plan
• http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/koch_brothers_hugo_chavez_and_the_xl_pipeline
• http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/02/koch-brothers-sponsorship-of-integrity-florida-report-forces-board-resignation.html
• http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/02/01/1526471/february-1-news-koch-brothers-keep-pouring-cash-into-think-tanks-george-mason-and-alec/?mobile=nc
• http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_22404632/citizen-koch-follows-money

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Lexington, MA. Sculpture : “Minuteman” by Henry Hudson Kitson (1863-1947), dedicated April 19, 1900. Erected 1899 : SIRIS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After the recent school shooting in Newtown CT, where 28 people were killed (20 young children) it appears U.S. society may be ready for some gun control.  From 1994-2004,  magazines were restricted to 10 rounds, but this Federal regulation expired with little notice.

However, despite all the noise surrounding the preservation of our 2nd Amendment rights, which neither President Obama nor Congress wish to eliminate, I have yet to hear a credible argument why any civilian requires more than 10 rounds of ammunition at the ready?

There may be a legitimate need for someone to have a magazine with 30 rounds; and if so, I would like to understand it.  So please share your thoughts on reasons why we should not restrict the amount of bullets legally stored within a magazine?

One could argue that as long as State’s militias are fully armed and regulated than that is sufficient protection from the Feds.  But as you likely know, SCOTUS ruled in 2008 ( District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570),  that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm, unconnected to service in a militia.  Not surprisingly, a 5-4 decision, and I bet you can guess who was in the majority and who dissented.

In my humble opinion, I disagree with SCOTUS majority and feel the framers clearly intended for State militia’s to protect against totalitarianism–a legitimate concern.

Scroll to bottom of page to share your thoughts.

Admiral Horseprancer

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Now that President Obama has won a second term, the GOP is suffering anguish and are searching their souls for a way forward; and immigration reform is correctly first on their list. Clearly, the National demographics have changed, as there are more Hispanic voters voting Democrat, and the number of old angry white males is declining. The GOP knows they must find a solution to immigration or—absent successful gerrymandering—they will likely never be able to win the Presidency again. What then?

The red “GOP” logo used for its website (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As strongly as I disagree with some of the GOP’s views, I do not disagree with all of them; and I for one believe we are all better off with a competitive, reasonable, and rational Republican Party. Our system of government requires at least two established parties to function, and more would be very welcome.

My question is, why are we only now noticing the dichotomy of the GOP? Yes, national demographics have recently reduced their voting power; however, why have we never addressed the fundamental contradiction within the GOP, and the Christian theme they use to hold it all together?

The Super Elites have ingeniously aligned closely with their hard right followers on religion (Christian), essentially creating a symbiotic alignment that serves only the Elites—even to the detriment of the RAFRs—yet somehow the RAFRs fail to recognize the deception. This Christian connection makes it impossible for the RAFRs to abandon their Elite brethren, shackling them to a political Party who does not begin to serve their interests outside of the Spiritual realm.  I would go so far to say the great majority of RAFRs are ideologically held hostage to their party and so caught up in the propaganda of hate and misrepresentation that they have forgotten to reason for themselves.  Religion alone is tying them to the Super Elites.

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