All Sides Agree There Is Excessive Secrecy Surrounding Targeting Of US Citizens
The targeted execution of Anwar al-Awlaki struck different people along the political spectrum in the United States in many different ways, but it has been heartening most all have recognized it as a seminal moment worthy of dissection and contemplation.…
New Report on Zazi Investigation Reinforces NYPD's Miss
The Denver Post had a story detailing the superb work the FBI did to prevent Najibullah Zazi from launching his attack on the subways. As it describes, the FBI discovered an email he wrote discussing an upcoming "wedding," and in two weeks managed…
A Pity Republicans Didn't Fight the Abrams, Bloch Precedent
I'm actually sympathetic to the notion that if Eric Holder misled Congress about what he knew of the Fast and Furious debacle, he should pay a price for that (though it seems likely he was instead narrowly parsing).
House Republicans are calling…
Afghanistan Affects US-Pakistan Dance, Signing Agreement With India; US Met With Haqqani Network
The never-ending twists and turns in the relationship between the US and Pakistan continues, with Afghanistan now entering the picture by signing an agreement with Pakistan's chief rival India. Also, it is being reported that earlier this…
At About the Time He Subpoenaed Judy Miller, Patrick Fitzgerald Interviewed Cheney a SECOND Time
When I recover a bit more from having finished Dick Cheney's infernal tome, I will have more to say about it.
But I wanted to point to this piece of news in it that no one has yet noted:
I participated in two lengthy sessions with the special…
Raymond Davis Facing Felony Assault Charge; What Happened to Murder Investigation?
Raymond Davis is to make a second appearance in a Colorado courtroom today, as prosecutors have upgraded the assault charge against him from misdemeanor to felony level. The charge arises from an argument and fight over a parking space…
As NYPD Engages in New Civil Liberties Violations, Past Violations Under New Scrutiny
While supervisors from the NYPD are pepper-spraying peaceful political protestors, the Department is also coming under scrutiny for its past (and presumably ongoing) civil liberties abuse, the profiling of Muslim and Arab residents of NY.
As…
CNN Carries DOJ Water in Repeating Weak Amerithrax Accusations Against Ivins
In an article published on CNN.com on Saturday and a program aired Sunday evening, CNN does their best to lend credence to DOJ's shoddy work that resulted in the unsupported conclusion that Bruce Ivins acted alone in the anthrax attacks of 2001.…
The Gang of Four Doesn't Have Access to the Kill List
Particularly given the questions bmaz raised the other day, I wanted to point to something Dutch Ruppersberger, the Democratic Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, had to say the other day. As part of the assurance he offered…
Dick Cheney: Awlaki Killing Violated American Principles of Justice Just Like Torture Program Did
I can think of no stronger indictment of the process by which the Obama Administration killed Anwar al-Awlaki than for Dick Cheney to, first, confirm that the process by which Awlaki was targeted does not constitute due process, and then state…
Taking Back Wall Street Trash Talk
Well we are a little late getting started on the trash talk this weekend, I apologize about that. I have been fixated on the Anwar Awlaki scenario and, today, the Occupy Wall Street effort. In honor of the citizens trying to take back the Street…
Anwar al-Awlaki Assassination: Double Secret Illegitimacy
Frances Fragos Townsend is distraught that the media are not using the government's euphemism for the Anwar al-Awlaki assassination.
Awalaki op was NOT assassination; nor a targeted killing; nor a hit job as media keeps describing! Was a legal…
Why Blame the Failure of the 50-State Settlement Solely on Tom Miller?
Yesterday, CA Attorney General Kamala Harris announced she was withdrawing from the 50-state foreclosure fraud settlement.
California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris will no longer take part in a national foreclosure probe of some of the nation's…
What Is the Secret Item the Government Wants Withheld from Abdulmutallab?
As I tweeted earlier, I find the timing of the Anwar al-Awlaki assassination to be rather curious. The first time we might hear real evidence supporting the government's claim that Awlaki was operational, and not just producing propaganda, will…
Extrajudicial Execution of Samir Khan Arguably More Significant Than Awlaki
By this time in the day, the early morning report of the killing of Anwar Awlaki is old news. From ABC News:
Senior administration officials say that the U.S. has been targeting Awlaki for months, though in recent weeks officials were able…
Lots of Senior Officials Spilling State Secrets Today
Last year, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said the following:
I am asserting privilege over classified intelligence information, assessments, and analysis prepared, obtained, or under the control of any entity within the U.S.…
Let's See the Evidence on Al-Awlaki
Ding dong Awlaki's dead, says the government.
While everyone's talking about having "got" this latest bogeyman, I just wanted to remind folks the kind of language the Administration used to explain why it could kill an American citizen with…
DOJ Deems Plan to Attack Military Targets with a Drone, Terrorism
Last year, I tracked how TSA head (and former FBI Deputy Director) John Pistole used an FBI entrapment plot targeted at the Metro to justify increased TSA surveillance of the Metro.
Which is why I'm intrigued that the FBI's latest entrapment…
I Was that Trust-Fund Kid Working as a Supermarket Checker
I take that back. I wasn't really a trust fund kid. But my grandfather was an Ag Scientist who shared the royalties from an erosion control plant he developed with his grandkids, so I did get a modest quarterly "weed money" check while I was…
Is Democracy the Problem, or Money-Corrupted Governance?
I've been pondering this NYT story--which is presented as news yet which in fact is analysis attempting to provide a general explanation for protests in democracies--since it came out. Its general explanation for why so many people are protesting…