How Can Samir Khan Be "Collateral Damage" If OLC Memo Restricted Civilian Death?
Here's the 32nd of 33 paragraphs in a Charlie Savage story describing the state secrets-protected explanation that justifies the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki.
The memorandum did assert that other limitations on the use of force under the laws…
Yet Another "Lady Gaga" Exposure Forces DOD to Wipe Drone Control Computers
On Friday, Wired broke the news that the DOD suffered yet another breach because they continue to leave computers exposed to outside storage systems. (h/t WO) In this case, the Ground Control Stations they use to control drones got infected…
Ray Kelly Vs. Minimal Oversight
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In the AP's first report on the NYPD's CIA-on-the-Hudson, they quoted City Councilmen Peter Vallone reassuring that his private conversations with Ray Kelly were adequate oversight.
"Ray Kelly briefs me privately…
Pakistan Asks for Update On Raymond Davis Investigation; OBL Immunization Doctor Accused of Treason
On Tuesday, noting the felony charge Raymond Davis faces in Colorado over a parking lot fight, I asked what happened to the investigation the US promised regarding Davis killing two Pakistanis in Lahore earlier this year. It turns out I'm…
Why Is Thomas Perrelli Negotiating a Settlement If the Banksters Didn't Commit Fraudulent Actions?
In his press conference today, Obama said,
Well, first, on the issue of — on the issue of prosecutions on Wall Street, one of the biggest problems about the collapse of Lehman’s and the subsequent financial crisis and the whole subprime…
If the Legal Case for Killing Awlaki Is So Sound, Then Why Maintain Presidential Plausible Deniability?
Glenn Greenwald has another worthwhile post on Democrats' silence about the Anwar al-Awlaki assassination. But i wanted to push back against one thing he said. After quoting from this Mark Hosenball story on the kill list approval process, Glenn…
SuperCongress Transparency: Dave Camp Staffer Lies to Avoid Talking to Citizens
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After the Take Back the American Dream conference yesterday, we had a rally for Jobs and then lobbied SuperCongress to make sure their plans supported jobs, not just cuts.
As Nicole Sandler notes, the staffers…
GITMO: The Same Old New Opaque Transparency
Last week we wondered what the appointment of the "new and improved" Gitmo Commander, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, would mean for the military commission system and upcoming big terror trials for the likes of al-Nashiri and KSM, and what it…
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…
