Sean Smith, Assistant Secretary of DHS for Public Affairs, stated today in an interview on the Roger Hedgecock show that the DHS "extremist" report has been sent to all of the nation's law enforcement agencies.
Blog Smith is inspired by the myth of Hephaestus in the creation of blacksmith-like, forged materials: ideas. This blog analyzes topics that interest me: IT, politics, technology, history, education, music, and the history of religions.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
All the Nation's Cops Received the DHS "Extremist" Report
Obamabow $2.7M Income in 2008
Obamabow's 2008 Tax Return is available for viewing. The Obama's only made $2.7 million last year while the U.S. median household income is about $50,000; in 2007, they made $4.2 million.
World Agenda: Nicolas Sarkozy puts Barack Obama in the doghouse
Two sides of the same coin? Personally, I think Sarko is a right-wing, Republican, extremist. Otherwise, he would not be criticizing The Obamabow.
The Nuke Kids on the Block
Hmm…it really didn’t kick in ’till I finished my Neighborhood Apology Tour. Could it be a kind of multicultural standing ovation?
Tax Day: Party Like Its 1773
On CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, co-host Joe Kernen asked Rick Santelli what he thought of being a “cultural phenomenon.” That was the same show Santelli called out Obamabow for the unfairness of his housing bailout proposal on Feb. 19.
“A lot of articles about these tea parties,” Kernen said. “They all have your name in them, like you caused it. Are you actually attending any or are you just sort of got the idea going initially? What do you think? I mean, you’re like a cultural phenomenon at this point.”
Santelli called the rallies American and said he was proud of what he inspired.
“I don’t know about cultural phenomenon, but I’ll tell you what,” Santelli said. “I think that this tea party phenomenon is steeped in American culture and steeped in American notion to get involved with what’s going on with our government. I haven’t organized. I’m going to have to work to pay my taxes, so I’m not going to be able to get away today. But, I have to tell you – I’m pretty proud of this.
He also said despite the claims from others in the media, including people at CNBC’s sister network MSNBC, calling the movement “Astroturf,” Santelli declared it a grassroots movement.
“I think from a grassroots standpoint, I’m sure some of the media out there is not going to peg it that way, but isn’t it about as American as it gets – for people to roll their strollers and make their signs and go voice their opinion about the direction of the country?” Santelli said. “Good, bad or indifferent – that’s a great thing. There’s not a lot of countries, of course, that afford their people that, that type of right. It’s a great thing.”
Kernen warned some may try to capitalize off the phenomenon he inspired.
“Just be careful, you may have some self-righteous type go off on a populist rant about your populist rant,” Kernen added.
However, Santelli told Kernen inciting mobs and pitchforks wasn’t part of his playbook.
“Well, you know, populist rant – mobs, pitchforks, that’s the vocabulary I’m certainly not using,” Santelli responded. “But, I’m sure it’ll be out there nonetheless.”
A robot is seen on the sidewalk in front of the north gate of the White House in Washington on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, after tax protesters threw what appeared to be a box of tea bags over the White House fence onto the North Lawn. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Event organizers said they speculated the package was thrown by person or persons not affiliated with the demonstration.
A flustered CNN reporter tries to argue with a real person and without a teleprompter, and a canned answer, she does not know what to do but insult another TV network.
CNN correspondent Susan Roesgen could barely get through her live shot at the Chicago tea party this afternoon. Over shouts of, "You're not a reporter," Roesgen quickly wrapped up an interview with an attendee, then said, "I think you get the general tenor of this. It's anti-government, anti-CNN since this is highly promoted by the right-wing conservative network Fox."
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Spinning the Bow More and More
WH Press Briefing Transcript
LOTHIAN: When the President met with King Abdullah, there was something that took place which I believe the White House explained was just the president being taller than the king. We took a look at the video, and it does appear that the president actually bowed to King Abdullah. Did he bow or didn’t he?
GIBBS: No, I think he bent over with both, to shake — with both hands to shake his hand, so I don’t–
LOTHIAN: — one hand —
GIBBS: Well I... [laughter]
LOTHIAN: Did he bow or didn’t he?
GIBBS: No. But I think this meeting was like a week ago, right?
LOTHIAN: That’s right but this is something a lot of people are talking about today.
GIBBS: I can only imagine it is of great cause and concern for many people struggling with the economy.
(4-9) CNN Transcript
BLITZER: All right. Clearly trying to play down the issue. The “Pittsburgh Tribune Review“ editorial said this, Donna, “In the least, it was an embarrassing protocol faux paus. Mr. Obama is not the king’s subject but his equal. But the bow,” in quotes, “actually was worst than that, it’s a troubling metaphor for a deferential presidency.” He’s getting a lot of criticism from the right.
Not just the right. And what does it say of the left that they are not criticizing him too?
BRAZILE: Well, you know, they criticized Michelle Obama, the first lady, for supposedly touching the Queen, so I don’t know if it was a bow, [What?] a nod or that was his way of saying — you know (speaking foreign language), I don’t know what the greeting was, but look, the fact is that he was just showing his friendship and his kindness to a country that we hope remains a strong ally in the Middle East.
BLITZER: Big deal or little deal? [He has to ask?]
PERINO: I think it’s a little deal if they would have let it be a little deal but I think that they have perpetuated this story for several days because if you look at the tape, just from the plain face of it people can look at it and go, oh gosh, that kind of looks like a bow. But I think they could have handled it differently. Look, when President Bush did the cultural and customary thing of grabbing the king of Saudi Arabia’s hand, we saw the Democrats play that card over and over again.
BLITZER: He went further. Take a look at — turn around, you can see the video we have. If you turn around, Dana, right behind you. But he went further, he actually gave him a kiss.
PERINO: Well, that’s the customary thing to do. And you get your State Department memo, you left that protocol and you want to do the right thing.
BLITZER: But you can imagine if President Obama…
PERINO: But no American bows to anybody else.
BLITZER: … would have kissed King Abdullah…
PERINO: But America — our whole country is based on the fact that we’re not the subject of anybody else and we’re not supposed to bow. That’s probably why this is a controversy. I think the White House probably could have blown this off earlier if they would have just said thought that that was the protocol, trying to be kind. You know, move on. Instead, now it’s like four days later and we’re still talking about it and you’re showing the videotape.
BLITZER: All right.
BRAZILE: Look, I just think he was just trying to show just some — just show mutual respect.
The spin is not convincing at all.
Rasmussen Reports Obamabow at Lowest Approval Rating to Date
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 34% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Obamabow is performing his role as President. Thirty-two percent (32%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obamabow a Presidential Approval Index rating of +2. That matches his lowest total to date.
U.S. Will Build Nukes in Nation of Human Rights Violations
The U.S. State Department in its own human rights report criticizes the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for censorship of the media, trials without juries, arrests of homosexuals, flogging of prisoners who violate Islamic rules, and religious sermons drafted by a government agency, among other concerns. Yet, the State Department forged a nuclear cooperation including, as it states, an “exchange of scientific and technical information and documentation” between the United States and UAE; an “exchange and training of personnel;” “provisions relevant to technical assistance,” and the transfer of “material, equipment and components.” A key concern for members of Congress has been that the country has a record as a transshipment post to Iran.
2009 Pig Book Released
The 2009 Pig Book has been released. The Book is published each year by the Citizen's Against Public Waste.
The 341 projects, totaling $4.2 billion, in this year’s Congressional Pig Book Summary symbolize the most egregious and blatant examples of pork. As in previous years, all of the items in the Congressional Pig Book Summary meet at least one of CAGW’s seven criteria, but most satisfy at least two:
* Requested by only one chamber of Congress;
* Not specifically authorized;
* Not competitively awarded;
* Not requested by the President;
* Greatly exceeds the President’s budget request or the previous year’s funding;
* Not the subject of congressional hearings; or
* Serves only a local or special interest.
Monday, April 13, 2009
New Study Shows Bailout Encourages Out-of-Control Spending
Rich States Poor States is a new study from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that offers a road map to recovery based on economic performance trends from states over the last 10 years. The federal bailout of the states may simply encourage out-of-control spending by states, which is up 124% over the last 10 years, without requiring them to make the tough decisions needed to bring about financial stability.
"Its enemies are no longer afraid of it, and its friends are no longer respects it." [sic]
The new commander of al Qaeda's paramilitary forces that operate in Pakistan and Afghanistan laid out al Qaeda and the Taliban's strategy to defeat the Coalition and Afghan government. Abdullah Sa'id, the commander of the Lashkar al Zil, or the Shadow Army, released the statement. Sa'id is aware of the lack of will on the part of Obamabow and the basic strategy is sound. AQ will wear out the West as they lose resolve in the region. You can consider how Obamabow was unable to secure any more combat troops and has failed miserably as a leader of Coalition forces. The trick for the U.S. will be to endure Obamabow and to support American troops which as the pirate fiasco showed, the leadership was found wanting but the troops, the training, and the U.S. military demonstrated courage and leadership.
Counter-terrorism Expert to Tour Country Against Sharia
Dave Gaubatz walking with Iraqi child.
Dave Gaubatz, a U.S. State Department-trained Arabic linguist and counter-terrorism specialist, has more than two decades of experience in the Middle East, including time in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. He was deployed to Nasiriyah, Iraq, in 2003, where he collected intelligence on weapons of mass destruction and espionage. The Middle Eastern expert and former Air Force special agent is set to launch a "counter-terrorism tour" across America in which he plans to visit a mosque in each state in 50 days to assess their threat to the nation's security. He has formerly planned the Mapping Sharia project.
Spain Study Shows Job Loss When "Green"
Dr. Gabriel Calzada, an economics professor at Juan Carlos University in Madrid, has published a study demonstrating that every “green job” created with government money in Spain over the last eight years came at the cost of 2.2 regular jobs, and only one in 10 of the newly created green jobs became a permanent job. Spain has often been cited as a model for Obamabow's energy initiative.
4 Teens Ground Obambow to a Halt
Once you consider the time line, and the pirates involved, you realize that four teens ground Obamabow to a halt. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the four pirates were between 17 and 19 years old. Yet, Obamabow waited 48 hours before considering the use of force initially. Then, upon the urging of the Pentagon, force was applied after a second consideration.
Jo Becker, a D.C.-based advocate for Human Rights Watch, said if the pirate suspect is in fact 16 or 17 years old, "he would certainly be entitled to protections under international law that allow for lower culpability of juveniles involved in crimes."
Becker says international law recognizes that people under 18 are "less developed, less mature, and more easily manipulated by adults."
Ideally, Becker said, an underage suspect would be tried in a juvenile court, with special protections given his age. "He would need to have access to family members. Throughout the whole process, there needs to be a special view to his rehabilitation," she added.
The U.S. government was stymied, and now that the immediate crisis is over, considerations and protections kick in the suspect's defense.
The American people, and our reputation, is the worse for it.
David Kilcullen Advises Pakistan May Fall
David Kilcullen, who is a major theorist behind Petraus' successful counter-insurgency ideas, has advised that Pakistan may be months away from collapsing.
Dr. Alan Keyes, Keynote Speech at the Pittsburgh Tea Party
Dr. Alan Keyes' keynote speech at the Pittsburgh Tea Party:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
"Rightwing Extremism?"
Roger Hedgecock posted an unclassified report, also posted on Defend Our Freedoms about a Department of Homeland Security study identifying a threat from right-wing extremism. The odd thing about the report is that they pick a few isolated cases, reported over several years, to conclude that right-wingers are threatening the homeland. The study makes no sense since it is based on flimsy evidence to conclude that the right is threatening. I believe it is a blueprint to move against liberties. The report even identifies military veterans as disgruntled and a threat. The government itself is out of touch with the people.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Obamabow Slumming for Easter
Obamabow finally went slumming today on Easter Sunday to attend a church service for the first time since taking office at St. John's Episcopal Church, nicknamed the “church of the presidents” for its proximity to the White House and the same church Bush, in fact every president since James Madison has attended. No word if he genuflected to the good Reverend Luis Leon, the rector. At least he attended Easter services, last year Obamabow and his family escaped to the tropics as a furor raged over his Chicago church's pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., and where Obamabow was photographed on the beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Ordinary: American Heroes
Graphic source: U.S. Navy, Capt. Richard Phillips, right, stands with U.S. Navy Cmdr. Frank Castellano.
It is comforting to realize that America still produces heroes. The heroes are the ordinary Americans that our elites such as Obamabow do not appreciate. While Obamabow and others frittered away, the American heroes of the sea, both commercial and military, went about their business in a deliberate, courageous, and systematic manner. Since we have a dearth of leadership emerging from Washington, the ordinary procedures of military operations, and American bravery, remain firmly in place. I celebrate the American heroes, and the gift of Easter to America. If only Washington, D.C. had half the intelligence, courage, and level headed leadership displayed by our Navy Seal heroes and Captain Richard Phillips we would have our country back again.
Poll: 1 in 10 Believes Obama Is a Muslim
Not surprisingly, following Obamabow's Spring Apology Tour, the same number of Americans believe Obamabow is a Muslim as they did when he was campaigning. He certainly does little to dissuade anyone of his real intentions. It has taken him a year to attend church following the Reverend Wright fiasco, if anyone was interested in moral development for children, since he has two offspring; moral development is particularly crucial for young people and a year without religious instruction is critically telling. Apparently he has scrambled to attend an Easter service and find a church.
Blogger becomes casualty of Iran cyber-wars
A blogger in Iran became the first casualty in a cyber-war against the government; if the repressive measures against the Internet are successful in the U.S. Congress, we could be faced with the same possibility. Governments naturally have much to fear with citizen's expressing their opposition to the ruling regime. Governments worldwide are aware of the dangers of free expression.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ASU Backs Down After All
Arizona State backed down from an earlier report that Obamabow would not visit the campus.
Ginsburg Advocates Foreign Law
The problem with foreign law should be obvious. A foreign advocate should not rule on what our Constitution means, and in addition these judges are not accountable to the people. At least Chief Justice Roberts made these points in opposition to Ginsburg's lunacy.
Obamabow's Bro in Attempted Sex Attack
Obamabow's half brother Samson was refused a visa to enter the UK after being accused of an attempted sex attack on a 13 year old girl in Berkshire.
"My Muslim Faith" Tape Takes on a New Significance
Obamabow is probably the best at hiding in plain sight. His statement about "his Muslim faith" is about as transparent as it gets. You can not say he has not told us what he is really about but the admission takes on a greater significance in light of his bowing to the Saudis and lack of will power to act. Internationally, Americans travel at the behest of international law and at the whim of foreign actors.
What Did You Expect? From a Luo. . .
In Dreams From My Father Obamabow accuses the British of torturing his Grandad although Obama's grandpappy was a Luo, a tribe which is sworn enemies with the Kikuyu, Meru, and Embu tribes, members of which were involved in the Mau Mau uprising. Interestingly the Luo do not regard themselves as a sub Saharan African tribe but as Arabs, despite clearly being genetically a branch of the African race. In bowing to a Saudi, Obamabow may just be recognizing his roots.
Congressman Introduces Enumerated Powers Act
Well-intentioned but Constitutionally flawed is the standard operating procedure in Washington these days but a new bill seeks to address this flaw. The Enumerated Powers Act seeks to find a constitutionally mandated reason for every bill that Congress passes. These rascals ought to be following the Constitution on their own but if not this bill might focus their attention.
Friday, April 10, 2009
ASU States: No Degree for Obamabow
Arizona State University decided not to award Obamabow an honorary degree when he addresses graduates next month. The university says that Obama's achievements have yet to rate the honor, and is directing reporters to use a statement given to the Associated Press. "His body of work is yet to come. That's why we're not recognizing him with a degree at the beginning of his presidency," stated Media Relations Director Sharon Keller.
If only Notre Dame had as much insight.
Another Tough Day at the Office
Graphic source: Dayo Olopade/TheRoot.com
Obamabow and Clinton, despite the swirling spate of world crises, relax. I wonder if there is any way to get Obamabow engaged in his work.
"Barack Obama vs. The Law" Released
NMA TV's new film, “Barack Obama vs. The Law" is available. In the film, Attorneys Dr. Orly Taitz, Mario Apuzzo, and New York City’s WOR talk show host Steve Malzberg make the case questioning Barack Obama and his constitutional eligibility for the presidency of the United States. Following the preview you will be prompted to pay $1.99 to watch the complete film.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
French Say No to Cutting Off Internet
The international copyright bill that is proposed was curtailed, at least in France. If the Americans could wake up they would realize the danger to their liberty that this misguided notion poses.
Seven Year Old in Nashville Mosque Describes Husband, Beatings
Audio from the Al-Farooq mosque in Nashville, TN is from a first-hand undercover investigation. The audio features a seven year old who describes her husband and how they are beaten during shariah class. The undercover person inside needed to hide the camera. The girl states how kids are beaten as she begins to cry.
"The teachers, they hit the children," is stated.
The seven year old refers to her "husband."
Dave Gaubatz, currently the Director of the Mapping Sharia Project and the Owner of DG Counter-terrorism Publishing (dgaubatz.blogspot.com), originally describes the activities at the mosque.
Turks in Blackface Insult
I did not want to post this until I could get a translation since I do not know Turkish; according to ScoopThis.org, a rough translation of the original is: “Welcome, Mr. Obama. You took our hearts with your hospitality. We appreciate your kindness. We will do whatever America asks of us, as friends. Now, we ask the same of you.”
The commentator speaks for quite a bit longer than this excerpt appears so he must have said more but this is apparently the gist of what was said.
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Jonathan Turley: How Obamabow Exceeds Bush's Assault on Liberty
Professor Jonathan Turley describes how Obamabow has exceeded Bush's assault on American liberty.
Dick Morris Describes the Passing of the Declaration and Popular Sovereignty of the U.S.
Former Clinton adviser, Dick Morris, describes the new international board to intervene in decisions about U.S. companies. The popular sovereignty of the U.S., as well as the Declaration of Independence, are overridden with the formation of this transnational board.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Curious Timing for Cybercrimes to Surface
No one can deny that the government has dropped the ball on cyber-warfare. Many Internet experts have pointed out for years that security has been a chronic government issue. Now, however, the timing is really odd in that the Federal government is highlighting cyber-issues and how insecure we are. It is not just a coincidence that these stories are surfacing currently since bills have been introduced to shut down the Internet. This is naked ploy to control and censor the one free medium that ordinary people have access to: the Internet. Companies have moved to secure their networks and they have a profit motive to keep them active and involved. Individuals have constitutional rights that require protection. If anyone is at fault in the cyber-warfare sphere, it is the laxity of the Federal government and the failure to implement sound standards to protect the U.S. Nonetheless, the government is infringing of constitutional rights with this misguided and unnecessary legislation.
Arab Muslim Praise for Obamabow
I agree with the Saudi columnist in at least one respect when he states: "law is not always the absolute with regards to the American presidency." We are not recognized in the world for our adherence to the rule of law. In this endeavor, Obamabow has accomplished his Muslim agenda well.
The myopic columnist hailed King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz for his call to inter-religious dialogue. He is hardly the first to ask for religious discussion nor would many expect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to compromise much of anything in concert with other world religious leaders.
Americans On Their Own
The American naval vessel that was attacked and fought back seems indicative of the direction that Americans are increasingly in. We are on our own, both as individuals and to conduct business. The U.S. government is either unwilling or unable to protect us.
Saudis Oppose Stimulus
The Saudi Arabian Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the Kingdom does not intend to participate in stimulating world economy program by supporting the International Monetary Fund financially. In addition, the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Muhammad Al-Jasser told “alwatan newspaper” that the kingdom would “keep the money under our eyes we will put them only in place to serve the country." Countries such as Saudi Arabia are only doing things that are in their interest or what will assist their own country. It is only the Obamabow's who are harming their own nation for the sake of others.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Obamabow's Meekness
Yussuf al-Kuwailit, a senior editor of the Saudi daily Al-Riyadh, stated that Obamabow's bowing to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah at the G20 summit last week "showed extreme modesty... without undermining his position as the president of the biggest world power." Obamabow was touring the Middle East apologizing for American actions.
Translation: the Arab world views us as weak.
Translation: the Arab world views us as weak.
Pentagon spends $100 million to fix cyber attacks
This story seems to highlight how the government will shut down the Internet since our security is in such disarray.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Iran criticizes Obama, calls on U.S. to scrap nuclear arms
Does this mean the Iranians don't want to visit for Nowruz?
Obamabow Praises Islam
"We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better, including my own country."
Obamabow noted he has "lived in a Muslim-majority country. I know, because I am one of them."
The Islamic agenda continues as Obamabow was in Turkey for his submission speech there. He stated that Islam has done so much for the better in his country.
I have only one question.
Which country is his?
Was he speaking of Kenya or Indonesia?
Priorities
$900 million for the Palestinian Authority: 50,000 dollars in emergency aid to Italy after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 100 people. I take it this is the priority. Muslims first, and then we will support disaster victims much less.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Most Divisive President: Obama Job Approval Widest in Modern Era
Graphic source: Pew Research Center
Obama To Control the Internet
A pair of bills introduced in the U.S. Senate would grant the White House sweeping new powers to access private online data, regulate the cybersecurity industry, and even shut down Internet traffic during a declared "cyber emergency."
Senator John "Jay" Rockefeller, D-W.V., introduced Senate bills No. 773 and 778, are both part of what's being called the Cybersecurity Act of 2009, which would create a new Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor, reportable directly to the president and charged with defending the country from cyber attack.
A working draft of the legislation obtained by an Internet privacy group also spells out plans to grant the Secretary of Commerce access to all privately owned information networks deemed to be critical to the nation's infrastructure "without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access."
Privacy advocates and Internet experts have been quick to sound the alarm over the act's broadly drawn government powers.
"The cybersecurity threat is real," says Leslie Harris, president of the Center for Democracy and Technology, "but such a drastic federal intervention in private communications technology and networks could harm both security and privacy."
Larry Seltzer in eWeek, an Internet and print news source on technology issues, stated: "I definitely don't like the idea of politicizing this authority by putting it in the direct control of the president."
Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who is co-sponsoring the bill, added, "If we fail to take swift action, we, regrettably, risk a cyber-Katrina."
Critics, however, have pointed to three actions Rockefeller and Snowe propose that may violate both privacy concerns and even constitutional bounds:
First, the White House, through the national cybersecurity advisor, shall have the authority to disconnect "critical infrastructure" networks from the Internet – including private citizens' banks and health records, if Rockefeller's examples are accurate – if they are found to be at risk of cyber attack. The working copy of the bill, however, does not define what constitutes a cybersecurity emergency, and apparently leaves the question to the discretion of the president.
Second, the bill establishes the Department of Commerce as "the clearinghouse of cybersecurity threat and vulnerability information," including the monitoring of private information networks deemed a part of the "critical infrastructure."
Third, the legislation proposes implementation of a professional licensing program for certifying who can serve as a cybersecurity professional.
And while the critics concede the need for increased security, they object to what is perceived as a dangerous and intrusive expansion of government power.
"It's an incredibly broad authority," CDT senior counsel Greg Nojeim told the Mother Jones news website, troubled that existing privacy laws "could fall to this authority."
Jennifer Granick, civil liberties director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Mother Jones the bill is "contrary to what the Constitution promises us."
According to Granick, granting the Department of Commerce oversight of the "critical" networks, such as banking records, would grant the government access to potentially incriminating information obtained without cause or warrant, a violation of the Constitution's prohibition against unlawful search and seizure.
"What are the critical infrastructure networks? The examples provided are 'banking, utilities, air/rail/auto traffic control, telecommunications.' Let's think about this," writes Seltzer. "I'm especially curious as to how you take the telecommunications networks off of the Internet when they are, in large part, what the Internet is comprised of. And if my bank were taken offline, I would think about going into my branch and asking for all of my deposits in cash."
S. 778, which would establish the Office of the National Security Advisor, and S. 773, which provides for developing a cadre of governmental cybersecurity specialists and procedures, have both been read twice and referred to committee in the Senate.
Senator John "Jay" Rockefeller, D-W.V., introduced Senate bills No. 773 and 778, are both part of what's being called the Cybersecurity Act of 2009, which would create a new Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor, reportable directly to the president and charged with defending the country from cyber attack.
A working draft of the legislation obtained by an Internet privacy group also spells out plans to grant the Secretary of Commerce access to all privately owned information networks deemed to be critical to the nation's infrastructure "without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access."
Privacy advocates and Internet experts have been quick to sound the alarm over the act's broadly drawn government powers.
"The cybersecurity threat is real," says Leslie Harris, president of the Center for Democracy and Technology, "but such a drastic federal intervention in private communications technology and networks could harm both security and privacy."
Larry Seltzer in eWeek, an Internet and print news source on technology issues, stated: "I definitely don't like the idea of politicizing this authority by putting it in the direct control of the president."
Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who is co-sponsoring the bill, added, "If we fail to take swift action, we, regrettably, risk a cyber-Katrina."
Critics, however, have pointed to three actions Rockefeller and Snowe propose that may violate both privacy concerns and even constitutional bounds:
First, the White House, through the national cybersecurity advisor, shall have the authority to disconnect "critical infrastructure" networks from the Internet – including private citizens' banks and health records, if Rockefeller's examples are accurate – if they are found to be at risk of cyber attack. The working copy of the bill, however, does not define what constitutes a cybersecurity emergency, and apparently leaves the question to the discretion of the president.
Second, the bill establishes the Department of Commerce as "the clearinghouse of cybersecurity threat and vulnerability information," including the monitoring of private information networks deemed a part of the "critical infrastructure."
Third, the legislation proposes implementation of a professional licensing program for certifying who can serve as a cybersecurity professional.
And while the critics concede the need for increased security, they object to what is perceived as a dangerous and intrusive expansion of government power.
"It's an incredibly broad authority," CDT senior counsel Greg Nojeim told the Mother Jones news website, troubled that existing privacy laws "could fall to this authority."
Jennifer Granick, civil liberties director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Mother Jones the bill is "contrary to what the Constitution promises us."
According to Granick, granting the Department of Commerce oversight of the "critical" networks, such as banking records, would grant the government access to potentially incriminating information obtained without cause or warrant, a violation of the Constitution's prohibition against unlawful search and seizure.
"What are the critical infrastructure networks? The examples provided are 'banking, utilities, air/rail/auto traffic control, telecommunications.' Let's think about this," writes Seltzer. "I'm especially curious as to how you take the telecommunications networks off of the Internet when they are, in large part, what the Internet is comprised of. And if my bank were taken offline, I would think about going into my branch and asking for all of my deposits in cash."
S. 778, which would establish the Office of the National Security Advisor, and S. 773, which provides for developing a cadre of governmental cybersecurity specialists and procedures, have both been read twice and referred to committee in the Senate.
FBI InfraGard Releases Statement: Constitutional Crisis, Civil Unrest
Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D., Consultant at Behavioral Analysis and Threat Assessment, Vice President of Protective Services, and FBI InfraGard–Arizona, released a statement that:
Should it be discovered Mr. Obama is ineligible, a constitutional crisis would ensue attempting to determine which of his executive branch orders should be valid. If, however, this case continues and Mr. Obama fights revealing his documentation, there are growing concerns of civil unrest, or worse, being unleashed in the streets of our nation. The economic crisis coupled with this type of a constitutional crisis could prove to be a “flashpoint” that would test conventional law enforcement and elements of homeland security.
If Obamabow is ineligible, a constitutional crisis could result in civil unrest.
Obamabows Policies Same as Muslim Turkey
"Now we have identical policies with the Obama administration," said Ahmet Davutoglu, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chief foreign policy adviser, who called Obama's visit "historic."
"If you look at the agendas of the two countries, it is almost the same," he said. "Our experience in the region and their new approach are very compatible."
"If you look at the agendas of the two countries, it is almost the same," he said. "Our experience in the region and their new approach are very compatible."
It is historic for America to advance a Middle Eastern Muslim agenda and in that I agree with Davutoglu.
Black, Obamabow, Senior Regulator Claims Cover Up, Fraud, and Lack of American Outrage to Blame
William K. Black, the former senior regulator who cracked down on banks during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s, an Obamabow supporter, and now an Associate Professor of Economics and Law at the University of Missouri, explained to Bill Moyers why we are in such a financial fix. Black charges that Geithner is "covering up." There is massive fraud that Congress is not investigating, and the American people are not outraged.
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