kpete
kpete's JournalJohn Wayne gives his 2 cents to Zimmerman
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/30/1227818/-More-of-cartoons-recently-published
US Uses Espionage Act To Convict Manning Using Words Added In 1990: "with a computer"
DEVASTATING
Bradley Manning Espionage Act Conviction a Blow to Both Whistleblowers and Journalists
July 30, 2013
By Trevor Timm Follow @TrevorTimm
In the most important trial affecting whistleblower rights in years, Bradley Manning—the admitted source to the WikiLeaks disclosures—has been convicted on nineteen counts, including multiple Espionage Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act charges. He faces over 100 years in jail. While the most pernicious charge, “aiding the enemy,” was thankfully rejected by the military judge, this decision is a terrible blow to both investigative journalists and the sources they rely on to inform the public.
Manning is now the most high profile conviction under President Obama’s crackdown on leakers. As has been well documented, his administration has prosecuted more leakers under the Espionage Act that all other administration’s combined, and has cast a distinct chill over investigative journalism.
The Espionage Act, a draconian statute written in 1917 as a way to punish non-violent opponents of World War I, has unfortunately been used in recent years to equate leakers and whistleblowers with spies and traitors. Facilitating that warped view in Manning's trial, the judge ruled early on that the defense was not allowed to put forth evidence of Manning’s sole intent to inform the American public, or evidence showing that none of the information materially harmed national security.
Today's ruling also opens up a new avenue for charging leakers and whistleblowers—section (a)(1) of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which until now, has never led to a conviction. It’s was crafted in the 1990s by using some of the worst parts of the Espionage Act and adding the phrase [font color=red]“with a computer.”[/font]
more:
https://pressfreedomfoundation.org/blog/2013/07/bradley-manning-espionage-act-conviction-blow-both-whistleblowers-and-journalists
Video of the Day: Journalist Jeremy Scahill appeared on “Democracy Now!” on Tuesday, where he responded to the Bradley Manning trial verdict by excoriating the “corporate news media” for its “shameful” coverage of the case. “When you look at how CNN and MSNBC and Fox News covered the Jodi Arias trial—where all of cable news was turned into one big ‘Nancy Grace Christmas’—and then you look at the utter lack of coverage,” Scahill said. He continued: “There has been more coverage of the indictment of that ‘Real Housewives’ lady and her husband than there has been of Bradley Manning.” A military judge found Manning not guilty Tuesday of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy, but guilty of numerous others. He faces more than 100 years in prison.
pretty amazing
I know some of you have already heard this - if you have not, take a listen:
VIDEO & MORE:
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/obamas_new_grand_bargain_scahills_reaction_to_manning_verdict_and_more_2013/
***************
Jeremy Scahill, reporter for The Nation and author of the book “Dirty Wars,” joined Democracy Now host Amy Goodman on Tuesday where he reacted to the verdict of a military court which found Pfc. Bradley Manning guilty of a number of charges relating to the release of classified national security documents. Scahill lambasted the news media for largely ignoring what he called one of the most important cases in national history. He argued that the “corporate news media” is generally supportive of U.S. military operations and has avoided covering this case in order to protect the government.
“The corporate media coverage of this trial, which is arguably one of the most important cases in modern American history, has been utterly shameful,” Scahill began.
“When you look at how CNN, and MSNBC, and Fox News covered the Jodi Arias trial – where all of cable news was turned into one big Nancy Grace Christmas – and then you look at the utter lack of coverage,” Scahill continued. He said that independent journalists who covered the Manning case from arrest to conviction had put the rest of the news media to shame.
“There has been more coverage of the indictment of that Real Housewives lady and her husband than there has been of Bradley Manning,” Scahill observed. “This is the state of media in this country right now, and it is just devastating that we don’t have a media culture that says this should have been gavel-to-gavel coverage.”
http://www.mediaite.com/online/jeremy-scahill-shameful-media-that-turned-jodi-arias-into-nancy-grace-christmas-ignored-bradley-manning/
*************
SECRET AUDIOTAPE REVEALS: Groundswell Group Stoked Scandals with Help From GOP Leaders
A secret audio tape of one of Groundswell's weekly meetings shows that prominent members of the group pressed House Speaker John Boehner and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the chair of the House oversight committee, to expand the Benghazi investigation and make this supposed scandal a top-priority for congressional Republicans. This recording indicates Groundswell's mission extends beyond message coordination to scandal-stoking.
MORE:
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/07/groundswell-secret-tape-boehner-issa-benghazi
July 30, 2013 07:00 AM
Groundswell Group Stoked Scandals with Help From GOP Leaders
By karoli
When David Corn broke the Groundswell story last week, the general reaction among the politerati was a shrug and a giggle. Even influential NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen called it "no big deal."
But audio of a May Groundswell meeting obtained by C&L from a source who wishes to remain anonymous reveals Groundswellers met with top Congressional leaders to lobby for a select committee endowed with subpoena power to investigate the White House. Lobbying may be too mild a term, since they really are plotting with those same leaders to invent very real scandals with very real investigations in order to sink the country into a mire of inaction and sabotage the remaining years of President Obama's term.
Messaging is a part of their activity, but there is also an entire set of marching orders and demands made by this group and granted by Congressional leadership. It isn't limited to the Benghazi 'scandal', and it may not be limited to Congress.
AUDIO TAPE & WAY MORE:
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/groundswell-group-plotted-scandals-congress
and HERE:
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/07/groundswell-secret-tape-boehner-issa-benghazi
TPM: Senate Dems Signal That Summers To Fed Is A No-Go
Senate Dems Signal That Summers To Fed Is A No-Go
07.30.2013 — 02:07 PM
Larry Summers? Fuggedaboutit
A Democratic leadership aide in the Senate tells TPM: “Given the level of opposition to Larry Summers within our caucus, confirming him would be a huge challenge and probably a pretty ugly process.”
http://editors.talkingpointsmemo.com/?ref=fpblg
Wyden Statement on Voting Present on the Nomination of James Comey to be FBI Director
Wyden Statement on Voting Present on the Nomination of James Comey to be FBI Director
Monday, July 29, 2013
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding his decision to vote “present” on the confirmation of James Comey to be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation:
After reviewing the record of Mr. Comey’s confirmation hearing and meeting with him in person, his views on surveillance policy and law remain unclear to me. I sent Mr. Comey a letter asking for written responses to several important questions on surveillance, including whether he believes warrantless wire tapping is legal, and whether he would commit to explain how much evidence the FBI needs to track Americans using their cell phone location data. Mr. Comey could have answered most or all of these questions without disclosing any properly classified information, but the Justice Department informed me today that he will not be responding to any of them. I hope that Mr. Comey will turn out to be a wise and appropriate choice to head the FBI but without more information about his views on these important questions, I cannot vote to approve his nomination at this time.”
http://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-voting-present-on-the-nomination-of-james-comey-to-be-fbi-director
Manning family issue statement
Manning family issue statementThe family of Bradley Manning has issued a statement to the Guardian giving their reaction to today’s verdict. The statement is written by Manning’s US-based aunt, who has asked to remain anonymous, speaking on behalf of the soldier’s family:
While we are obviously disappointed in today’s verdicts, we are happy that Judge Lind agreed with us that Brad never intended to help America’s enemies in any way. Brad loves his country and was proud to wear its uniform.
We want to express our deep thanks to David Coombs, who has dedicated three years of his life to serving as lead counsel in Brad’s case. We also want to thank Brad’s Army defense team, Major Thomas Hurley and Captain Joshua Tooman, for their tireless efforts on Brad’s behalf, and Brad’s first defense counsel, Captain Paul Bouchard, who was so helpful to all of us in those early confusing days and first suggested David Coombs as Brad’s counsel. Most of all, we would like to thank the thousands of people who rallied to Brad’s cause, providing financial and emotional support throughout this long and difficult time, especially Jeff Paterson and Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network. Their support has allowed a young Army private to defend himself against the full might of not only the US Army but also the US Government.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/bradley-manning-trial-verdict-live
Justice Department to declassify key Yahoo surveillance orders
Source: Guardian
Justice Department to declassify key Yahoo surveillance orders
Obama administration to complete declassification review of Yahoo orders by 12 September, setting stage for public release
The Obama administration has agreed to a review that could lead to the declassification of key surveillance orders in response to a lawsuit brought by Yahoo, potentially providing one of clearest views yet into the legal mechanics of the National Security Agency.
As required by judge Reggie Walton of the secret Fisa court, which oversees surveillance orders, the Justice Department will complete a declassification review of binding surveillance orders on Yahoo by 12 September, potentially setting the stage for their public release.
The key document at issue, an opinion from the court from 25 April 2008, mandating Yahoo's compliance with a bulk surveillance order, will have a declassification review completed in 45 days, the Justice Department told the court in a brief letter released Tuesday morning.
An additional declassification review of "briefs and materials" related to the April 2008 ruling will be complete "by Friday, September 27, 2013, 60 days from today," acting assistant attorney general for national security John Carlin told Walton in the letter, with "the other briefs and materials that the Government has identified as potentially relevant to the court's memorandum of opinion (see appendix A) on a rolling basis thereafter."
It is possible the Justice Department review will not result in the declassification of the documents. If not, however, it risks the ire of a key surveillance partner, the presiding judge of the surveillance court, and powerful legislators who urge transparency.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/justice-department-declassify-yahoo-surveillance-orders
BREAKING: Bradley Manning acquitted of aiding the enemy charge (guilty of 15 lesser charges)
Source: UPI
US Army PFC Bradley Manning was acquitted Tuesday of aiding the enemy, the most serious charge he faced in disclosing classified documents to Wikileaks.
He was found guilty of at least 15 lesser charges for illegal release of documents.
He could still face up to a maximum of more than 150 years in prison if the judge decides to compound the maximum sentences of the more minor charges.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Read more: http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/07/30/BREAKING-Bradley-Manning-acquitted-of-aiding-the-enemy-charge/6531375204190/#ixzz2aYAPErQ3
FORT MEADE, Md., July 25 (UPI) -- Prosecutors said Thursday Army Pfc. Bradley Manning "deliberately disclosed" classified documents to make information available to enemies of the United States.
During his closing argument at Manning's Fort Meade, Md., court-martial, Maj. Ashden Fein said Manning aided U.S. enemies by leaking information to WikiLeaks -- a charge the government had not previously pressed in a leak case -- The New York Times reported.
Fein said Manning's "wholesale and indiscriminate compromise of hundreds of thousands of classified documents" to WikiLeaks was no ordinary journalistic leak, the Times said.
Fein said it is criminal to leak classified information to "established journalistic enterprises" but said Manning's alleged crime is worse because Manning "deliberately disclosed classified information to WikiLeaks knowing WikiLeaks would disclose it to the world in exactly the form they would receive it."
Read more:
Read more: http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/07/30/BREAKING-Bradley-Manning-acquitted-of-aiding-the-enemy-charge/6531375204190/
3m ago Manning family issue statement
The family of Bradley Manning has issued a statement to the Guardian giving their reaction to today’s verdict. The statement is written by Manning’s US-based aunt, who has asked to remain anonymous, speaking on behalf of the soldier’s family:
We want to express our deep thanks to David Coombs, who has dedicated three years of his life to serving as lead counsel in Brad’s case. We also want to thank Brad’s Army defense team, Major Thomas Hurley and Captain Joshua Tooman, for their tireless efforts on Brad’s behalf, and Brad’s first defense counsel, Captain Paul Bouchard, who was so helpful to all of us in those early confusing days and first suggested David Coombs as Brad’s counsel. Most of all, we would like to thank the thousands of people who rallied to Brad’s cause, providing financial and emotional support throughout this long and difficult time, especially Jeff Paterson and Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network. Their support has allowed a young Army private to defend himself against the full might of not only the US Army but also the US Government.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/bradley-manning-trial-verdict-live
************
3m ago Summary
Bradley Manning has been found not guilty of aiding the enemy but still faces up to 130 years in prison after being found guilty on several counts of theft and espionage.
The military judge hearing the case, Army Col Denise Lind, gave her verdict at 1pm on Tuesday. The aiding the enemy charge was the most serious, as it carried a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
However Manning could still face an effective life sentence after being convicted on numerous other counts. He was found guilty of five charges of theft and five charges of espionage as well as other offenses. His convictions carry a maximum sentence of up to 130 years in prison.
Manning's sentencing hearing will begin tomorrow.
**************
14m ago What we know
Information is still filtering out of Fort Meade – we will have a full report from Ed Pilkington shortly – but for the moment, this is what we know:
• Bradley Manning has been found not guilty of aiding the enemy
• Manning has been found guilty of five espionage charges
• He has been found guilty of five theft charges
Live UPDATES:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/bradley-manning-trial-verdict-live
More here, from someone who is there:
https://twitter.com/carwinb
**************
Anti-Islam Activists Are Freaking Out About Crayons Now
A sample from Crayola's Ramadan coloring exercises. Courtesy of Crayola
Anti-Shariah activists have a new target in their sights: Crayola. Late last week the Pickens County (Ga.) Republican party posted a call to action on its website about a new promotion from the world's leading crayon manufacturer, which had begun offering free Islamic-themed coloring pages in honor of Ramadan. Zut alors! The images are pretty innocuous—one features a prayer rug; another features a young boy kneeling while reading from the Koran. But the Pickens GOP sees something more nefarious:
Christmas trees and bunnies abound but a search for the Bible returned zero results.
contact Crayola:@CrayolaListening to Consumers and CustomersConsumer AffairsCrayola LLC1100 Church LaneEaston, PA 18044-0431-or-Click here to contact us electronically.About Our Products – in the U.S. or Canada:For Crayola®, Silly Putty®, Portfolio Series and Pop Art Pixies products, call 1-800-272-9652 1-800-CRAYOLA.
Both the Pickens County GOP and another anti-Shariah website, the appropriately named "Creeping Sharia," both published the exact same text on the exact same day, so it's not clear who plagiarized whom. Crayola is in good company. Other American institutions that have fallen under the spell of Shariah (according to anti-Shariah activists) include David Petraeus, the grocery store Wegman's, and Nashville's Hutton Hotel.
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/07/anti-islam-activists-are-freaking-out-about-crayons-now
Profile Information
Member since: Fri Sep 17, 2004, 03:59 PMNumber of posts: 71,991
