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unhappycamper
unhappycamper's Journal
unhappycamper's Journal
October 31, 2013
If A Tree Falls in the Forest: Another 'Oil Field Incident,' Again By Koch, Goes Mostly Unreported
by Abby Zimet
10.30.13 - 1:39 PM
Amidst new revelations that some 750 pipeline spills, many in remote areas in North Dakota, have gone largely unreported within the last year comes news of Tuesday's spill of 17,000 gallons of crude from a Koch-owned pipeline near Austin, Texas. Alarmingly brief Texas reports say it was discovered during a "routine aerial inspection," the cleanup has begun, the cause is unknown, as is the timeline for fixing it, and Koch Pipeline Co. - which has already paid the largest fines ever for over 300 spills in six states affecting many thousands of people - has "notified the appropriate federal and state regulators." So not to worry, even if Congress is currently debating speeding up and otherwise easing requirements for getting approval for such pipelines. Question: If a pipeline built by conscience-free, profit-driven mega-corporations starts oozing toxic oil in the boonies and nobody sees, hears or notices it for some time - and calls aforementioned corporation on their sins - what will become of us?
If A Tree Falls in the Forest: Another 'Oil Field Incident,' Again By Koch, Goes Mostly Unreported
http://www.commondreams.org/further/2013/10/30-3If A Tree Falls in the Forest: Another 'Oil Field Incident,' Again By Koch, Goes Mostly Unreported
by Abby Zimet
10.30.13 - 1:39 PM
Amidst new revelations that some 750 pipeline spills, many in remote areas in North Dakota, have gone largely unreported within the last year comes news of Tuesday's spill of 17,000 gallons of crude from a Koch-owned pipeline near Austin, Texas. Alarmingly brief Texas reports say it was discovered during a "routine aerial inspection," the cleanup has begun, the cause is unknown, as is the timeline for fixing it, and Koch Pipeline Co. - which has already paid the largest fines ever for over 300 spills in six states affecting many thousands of people - has "notified the appropriate federal and state regulators." So not to worry, even if Congress is currently debating speeding up and otherwise easing requirements for getting approval for such pipelines. Question: If a pipeline built by conscience-free, profit-driven mega-corporations starts oozing toxic oil in the boonies and nobody sees, hears or notices it for some time - and calls aforementioned corporation on their sins - what will become of us?
October 31, 2013
The Empire, Polarization and Espionage
La Jornada, Mexico
By Adolfo Sánchez Rebolledo
Translated By Maria Tartaglia
24 October 2013
Edited by Keith Armstrong
The world’s inability to protect itself against the United States’ espionage confirms that the old empire does not change its nature, nor does it change any of its favorite methods. Those who thought that the extinction of Soviet socialism would become sort of like the end of a tale, the advent of an era of universal understanding under the paradigms of democracy and the market, were completely wrong, not only because the contradictions underlying capitalist societies remain unsolved, but also because more contradictions that had been hidden were added when they erupted with globalization.
In the disputed adjustment process and renovation of the institutions of the Cold War (which does not mean the creation of a new international order) the death of national states is sung as a warning whose boundaries fall with the expansion of trade, capital and human rivers of migrants in search of any job, but in this scheme, the United States reserves for itself the privilege of being the hegemonic power, a super-national state whose international responsibilities are decided as a function of its domestic issues. Although this ensures that it is bringing itself into an era of decadence, the truth is that its leaders (of either party) do not hesitate to identify their own ideology, their own national interests with the interests of humanity as a whole, even though imperial design is increasingly questioned every day.
When the latest crisis broke out, following the war-like adventurism of Bush, American society pushed for a change in course and cut through the shackles of racial prejudice by electing the first black president, armed with a liberal program that approached the ideas of the old New Deal. Shortly after, named Nobel laureate, he awoke among the losers of the neoliberal revolution’s hope of finally realizing the big reform for global capitalism. The situation, however, drifted off course from the predicted optimistic path of those days.
Beyond the discussions about Obama’s tactics for overcoming the negative effects of the crisis, it has been made clear that American society was crossed by an ideological fracture capable of putting the viability of necessary reforms at risk. The enormity of the attacks against presidential reform, the contempt for rationality and the extremism of their positions proved that the hegemonic power is sick as a consequence of the old evil, incubated through its own history of seeing itself in the mirror as the only free country. This crusade, as the president has called it, is the largest act of conservative resistance every realized (discounting, of course, the offensive of Fascist totalitarianism in the 1930s). It is, apparently, one of the greatest concerns for society as a whole. Despite Obama’s recent victory over the Republicans, the persistence of racism, religious intolerance and, in general, belief in the saving mission of that country which bodes future storms charged with hate is alarming.
The Empire, Polarization and Espionage
http://watchingamerica.com/News/224874/the-empire-polarization-and-espionage/The Empire, Polarization and Espionage
La Jornada, Mexico
By Adolfo Sánchez Rebolledo
Translated By Maria Tartaglia
24 October 2013
Edited by Keith Armstrong
The world’s inability to protect itself against the United States’ espionage confirms that the old empire does not change its nature, nor does it change any of its favorite methods. Those who thought that the extinction of Soviet socialism would become sort of like the end of a tale, the advent of an era of universal understanding under the paradigms of democracy and the market, were completely wrong, not only because the contradictions underlying capitalist societies remain unsolved, but also because more contradictions that had been hidden were added when they erupted with globalization.
In the disputed adjustment process and renovation of the institutions of the Cold War (which does not mean the creation of a new international order) the death of national states is sung as a warning whose boundaries fall with the expansion of trade, capital and human rivers of migrants in search of any job, but in this scheme, the United States reserves for itself the privilege of being the hegemonic power, a super-national state whose international responsibilities are decided as a function of its domestic issues. Although this ensures that it is bringing itself into an era of decadence, the truth is that its leaders (of either party) do not hesitate to identify their own ideology, their own national interests with the interests of humanity as a whole, even though imperial design is increasingly questioned every day.
When the latest crisis broke out, following the war-like adventurism of Bush, American society pushed for a change in course and cut through the shackles of racial prejudice by electing the first black president, armed with a liberal program that approached the ideas of the old New Deal. Shortly after, named Nobel laureate, he awoke among the losers of the neoliberal revolution’s hope of finally realizing the big reform for global capitalism. The situation, however, drifted off course from the predicted optimistic path of those days.
Beyond the discussions about Obama’s tactics for overcoming the negative effects of the crisis, it has been made clear that American society was crossed by an ideological fracture capable of putting the viability of necessary reforms at risk. The enormity of the attacks against presidential reform, the contempt for rationality and the extremism of their positions proved that the hegemonic power is sick as a consequence of the old evil, incubated through its own history of seeing itself in the mirror as the only free country. This crusade, as the president has called it, is the largest act of conservative resistance every realized (discounting, of course, the offensive of Fascist totalitarianism in the 1930s). It is, apparently, one of the greatest concerns for society as a whole. Despite Obama’s recent victory over the Republicans, the persistence of racism, religious intolerance and, in general, belief in the saving mission of that country which bodes future storms charged with hate is alarming.
October 31, 2013
The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize.
The US Owes the World an Apology
Renming Bao, China
By Wang XinJun
Translated By Diana Xin
26 October 2013
Edited by Gillian Palmer
In recent days, the ugly scandal of America’s surveillance program has continued to ferment: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s personal cell phone has long since been a target of U.S. surveillance, and she may be just one among many other multinational dignitaries. Not only has this angered the German public, but it has caused an uproar throughout all of Europe. "We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew," Merkel has stated directly to U.S. President Barack Obama. Leaders across Europe have demanded that the U.S. offer an explanation, but Obama and White House spokespersons have either declined to comment or given evasive replies. The U.S. may have a difficult time pacifying its dissatisfied allies and friends.
~snip~
Another key problem is that, even today, the U.S. has yet to demonstrate any signs of introspection or reflection. Since the NSA surveillance scandal unfolded five months ago, this country that claims to have unrivaled mechanisms for self-correction and self-improvement has shown no intention of changing its methods. Not only has it failed to question its own actions, but it has even expressed “dissatisfaction” on multiple occasions with countries that have been targets of its surveillance. This is simply too ironic.
If you don’t want people to know of your dirty deeds, the only solution is to stop doing them. Since this scandal has fermented, the U.S. has owed an explanation to China, to Germany, to the world — and it also owes an apology. Moral debts obviously do not have the same weight of law as financial debts, yet moral debts can erode an entire country’s prestige and influence. America’s reputation and influence are bleeding. The America of today seems to have long since lost its former sense of courage and willingness to take on new burdens and responsibilities. The consequences of this are predictable and obvious — even allies that once had extremely close ties are now demanding that the U.S. sign a “no spying” agreement. This is akin to two good buddies who must sign a contract not to harm or betray the other. What kind of trust is there to be spoken of between friends like these?
No matter who it is in this world, unbridled arrogance inevitably carries a heavy price. Once the U.S. loses Europe’s vigorous support and assistance, its only remaining influence might be its military strength, which is often unwelcome. America’s decline may come sooner than predicted. The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize. A famous American politician once said that a country’s power must be caged. This sentence holds deep meaning for the U.S. today.
The US Owes the World an Apology
http://watchingamerica.com/News/224935/the-us-owes-the-world-an-apology/The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize.
The US Owes the World an Apology
Renming Bao, China
By Wang XinJun
Translated By Diana Xin
26 October 2013
Edited by Gillian Palmer
In recent days, the ugly scandal of America’s surveillance program has continued to ferment: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s personal cell phone has long since been a target of U.S. surveillance, and she may be just one among many other multinational dignitaries. Not only has this angered the German public, but it has caused an uproar throughout all of Europe. "We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew," Merkel has stated directly to U.S. President Barack Obama. Leaders across Europe have demanded that the U.S. offer an explanation, but Obama and White House spokespersons have either declined to comment or given evasive replies. The U.S. may have a difficult time pacifying its dissatisfied allies and friends.
~snip~
Another key problem is that, even today, the U.S. has yet to demonstrate any signs of introspection or reflection. Since the NSA surveillance scandal unfolded five months ago, this country that claims to have unrivaled mechanisms for self-correction and self-improvement has shown no intention of changing its methods. Not only has it failed to question its own actions, but it has even expressed “dissatisfaction” on multiple occasions with countries that have been targets of its surveillance. This is simply too ironic.
If you don’t want people to know of your dirty deeds, the only solution is to stop doing them. Since this scandal has fermented, the U.S. has owed an explanation to China, to Germany, to the world — and it also owes an apology. Moral debts obviously do not have the same weight of law as financial debts, yet moral debts can erode an entire country’s prestige and influence. America’s reputation and influence are bleeding. The America of today seems to have long since lost its former sense of courage and willingness to take on new burdens and responsibilities. The consequences of this are predictable and obvious — even allies that once had extremely close ties are now demanding that the U.S. sign a “no spying” agreement. This is akin to two good buddies who must sign a contract not to harm or betray the other. What kind of trust is there to be spoken of between friends like these?
No matter who it is in this world, unbridled arrogance inevitably carries a heavy price. Once the U.S. loses Europe’s vigorous support and assistance, its only remaining influence might be its military strength, which is often unwelcome. America’s decline may come sooner than predicted. The U.S. needs to reflect on its actions, and it needs to apologize. A famous American politician once said that a country’s power must be caged. This sentence holds deep meaning for the U.S. today.
October 31, 2013
China to reap harvest of NSA scandals
By Brendan P O'Reilly
Oct 31, '13
A growing chorus of nations is decrying Washington's unrestrained cyber espionage. However, there is only one country with both the means and motivation for using mounting international resentment to challenge American hegemony. The NSA surveillance of America's allies has opened up two vital fronts in which China can erode American global dominance.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has claimed the rhetorical high ground, calling cyber security "a matter of sovereignty". She said Beijing is eager to address the issue through the framework of the United Nations, and to do so "China and Russia have submitted a draft plan, in an effort to help the world jointly tackle the problem." [1]
This joint Sino-Russian proposal to combat the NSA's electronic surveillance coincides with a parallel initiative launched by two allies of the United States.
Germany and Brazil are working together to create a UN resolution aimed at curtailing electronic spying. Both nations have been openly angry with Washington in the wake of revelations that the NSA has for years spied on the personal communications of both Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and German Chancellor Merkel.
China to reap harvest of NSA scandals
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/CHIN-01-311013.htmlChina to reap harvest of NSA scandals
By Brendan P O'Reilly
Oct 31, '13
A growing chorus of nations is decrying Washington's unrestrained cyber espionage. However, there is only one country with both the means and motivation for using mounting international resentment to challenge American hegemony. The NSA surveillance of America's allies has opened up two vital fronts in which China can erode American global dominance.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has claimed the rhetorical high ground, calling cyber security "a matter of sovereignty". She said Beijing is eager to address the issue through the framework of the United Nations, and to do so "China and Russia have submitted a draft plan, in an effort to help the world jointly tackle the problem." [1]
This joint Sino-Russian proposal to combat the NSA's electronic surveillance coincides with a parallel initiative launched by two allies of the United States.
Germany and Brazil are working together to create a UN resolution aimed at curtailing electronic spying. Both nations have been openly angry with Washington in the wake of revelations that the NSA has for years spied on the personal communications of both Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and German Chancellor Merkel.
October 31, 2013
NSA spied on the Vatican as cardinals elected Pope Francis
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:20 EDT
US secret services allegedly eavesdropped on cardinals before the conclave in March to elect a new pope, Italian weekly magazine Panorama claimed Wednesday.
“The National Security Agency wiretapped the pope,” the magazine said, accusing the United States of listening in to telephone calls to and from the Vatican, including the accommodation housing cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he was elected Pope Francis.
The allegations follow a report on surveillance website Cryptome which said the United States intercepted 46 million telephone calls in Italy in December 2012 and early January 2013.
~snip~
“It is feared that the great American ear continued to tap prelates’ conversations up to the eve of the conclave,” it said, adding that there were “suspicions that the conversations of the future pope may have been monitored”.
NSA spied on the Vatican as cardinals elected Pope Francis
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/nsa-spied-on-the-vatican-as-cardinals-elected-pope-francis/NSA spied on the Vatican as cardinals elected Pope Francis
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:20 EDT
US secret services allegedly eavesdropped on cardinals before the conclave in March to elect a new pope, Italian weekly magazine Panorama claimed Wednesday.
“The National Security Agency wiretapped the pope,” the magazine said, accusing the United States of listening in to telephone calls to and from the Vatican, including the accommodation housing cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he was elected Pope Francis.
The allegations follow a report on surveillance website Cryptome which said the United States intercepted 46 million telephone calls in Italy in December 2012 and early January 2013.
~snip~
“It is feared that the great American ear continued to tap prelates’ conversations up to the eve of the conclave,” it said, adding that there were “suspicions that the conversations of the future pope may have been monitored”.
October 31, 2013
Facebook wants to track where you’re hovering your cursor, right now, and for how long
By Travis Gettys
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 13:53 EDT
Facebook wants to know even more about you.
The social networking giant is testing technology that would allow it to collect data on where users hover their cursors on the screen, and for how long, and see whether a user’s newsfeed is visible at any given moment on their mobile phone, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Facebook’s analytics chief, Ken Rudin, said Tuesday the captured information would be stored by the company for a nearly endless range of purposes, including product development.
The company said in a statement late Wednesday the data would not be shared outside Facebook or used to target ads.
~snip~
The new data would allow Facebook to know how users interact with the social network site and its advertisers while they’re online.
Facebook wants to track where you’re hovering your cursor, right now, and for how long
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/facebook-wants-to-track-where-youre-hovering-your-cursor-right-now-and-for-how-long/Facebook wants to track where you’re hovering your cursor, right now, and for how long
By Travis Gettys
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 13:53 EDT
Facebook wants to know even more about you.
The social networking giant is testing technology that would allow it to collect data on where users hover their cursors on the screen, and for how long, and see whether a user’s newsfeed is visible at any given moment on their mobile phone, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Facebook’s analytics chief, Ken Rudin, said Tuesday the captured information would be stored by the company for a nearly endless range of purposes, including product development.
The company said in a statement late Wednesday the data would not be shared outside Facebook or used to target ads.
~snip~
The new data would allow Facebook to know how users interact with the social network site and its advertisers while they’re online.
October 31, 2013
NSA compromised Yahoo and Google data centers
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 14:09 EDT
The US National Security Agency has tapped into key communications links from Yahoo and Google data centers around the world, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The Post, citing documents obtained from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and interviews with officials, said the program can collect data at will from hundreds of millions of user accounts, including from Americans.
The report said the program dubbed MUSCULAR, operated jointly with NSA’s British counterpart GCHQ, indicated that the agencies can intercept data flows from the fiber-optic cables used by the US Internet giants.
The Post report suggests this is a secret program that is unlike PRISM, which relies on court orders to obtain data from technology firms.
MUSCULAR: NSA compromised Yahoo and Google data centers
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/nsa-compromised-yahoo-and-google-data-centers/NSA compromised Yahoo and Google data centers
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 14:09 EDT
The US National Security Agency has tapped into key communications links from Yahoo and Google data centers around the world, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The Post, citing documents obtained from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and interviews with officials, said the program can collect data at will from hundreds of millions of user accounts, including from Americans.
The report said the program dubbed MUSCULAR, operated jointly with NSA’s British counterpart GCHQ, indicated that the agencies can intercept data flows from the fiber-optic cables used by the US Internet giants.
The Post report suggests this is a secret program that is unlike PRISM, which relies on court orders to obtain data from technology firms.
October 31, 2013
Minnesota man sues NSA, DHS after they try to quash his parody merchandise
By Travis Gettys
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:02 EDT
A Minnesota man is suing for the right to continue selling merchandise online that parodies the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
Dan McCall sells T-shirts, hats, bumper stickers and other items that are printed by online retailer Zazzle.com and also sold on CafePress.com and his own website, LibertyManiacs.com.
Among other items, McCall sells a mug with the NSA seal above the words, “Spying On You Since 1952,” and a parodied NSA seal that reads “Peeping While You’re Sleeping” above the words, “The NSA: The only part of government that actually listens.”
The Sauk Rapids man filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court targeting cease-and-desist letters sent to Zazzle in 2011 by both federal security agencies saying that the merchandise violated the National Security Agency Act of 1959.
Minnesota man sues NSA, DHS after they try to quash his parody merchandise
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/minnesota-man-sues-nsa-dhs-after-they-try-to-quash-his-parody-merchandise/Minnesota man sues NSA, DHS after they try to quash his parody merchandise
By Travis Gettys
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:02 EDT
A Minnesota man is suing for the right to continue selling merchandise online that parodies the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
Dan McCall sells T-shirts, hats, bumper stickers and other items that are printed by online retailer Zazzle.com and also sold on CafePress.com and his own website, LibertyManiacs.com.
Among other items, McCall sells a mug with the NSA seal above the words, “Spying On You Since 1952,” and a parodied NSA seal that reads “Peeping While You’re Sleeping” above the words, “The NSA: The only part of government that actually listens.”
The Sauk Rapids man filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court targeting cease-and-desist letters sent to Zazzle in 2011 by both federal security agencies saying that the merchandise violated the National Security Agency Act of 1959.
October 31, 2013
Financial giant Barclays under investigation over foreign exchange trading
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 14:07 EDT
Barclays is among companies under investigation for possible manipulation of foreign exchange trading, the British bank said on Wednesday.
Barclays, which is still looking to repair its reputation following its role in the Libor interest rate-rigging scandal, said it was unable to predict the fallout of the latest worldwide probe into financial sector activity.
Deutsche Bank revealed on Tuesday that it too was being investigated over its foreign exchange trading, alongside Swiss bank UBS and Britain’s state-rescued Royal Bank of Scotland which have also come forward.
Barclays said it “has received enquiries from certain … authorities related to their particular investigations, is reviewing its foreign exchange trading covering a several year period through August 2013 and is cooperating with the relevant authorities in their investigations”.
Financial giant Barclays under investigation over foreign exchange trading
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/financial-giant-barclays-under-investigation-over-foreign-exchange-trading/Financial giant Barclays under investigation over foreign exchange trading
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 14:07 EDT
Barclays is among companies under investigation for possible manipulation of foreign exchange trading, the British bank said on Wednesday.
Barclays, which is still looking to repair its reputation following its role in the Libor interest rate-rigging scandal, said it was unable to predict the fallout of the latest worldwide probe into financial sector activity.
Deutsche Bank revealed on Tuesday that it too was being investigated over its foreign exchange trading, alongside Swiss bank UBS and Britain’s state-rescued Royal Bank of Scotland which have also come forward.
Barclays said it “has received enquiries from certain … authorities related to their particular investigations, is reviewing its foreign exchange trading covering a several year period through August 2013 and is cooperating with the relevant authorities in their investigations”.
October 31, 2013
Fund managers, CalSTRS and PGGM of the Netherlands to press for a vote against Oracle’s executive pay policies
Investors question pay deal for Oracle executives
By Jill Treanor, The Guardian
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 19:10 EDT
A big UK pension fund is among a number of investors preparing to protest against the pay polices of the California-based software company Oracle – whose chief executive Larry Ellison received $76m last year – at its shareholder meeting on Thursday.
Railpen has joined forces with other high-profile fund managers, CalSTRS of the US and PGGM of the Netherlands, to urge fellow shareholders to vote against all the directors standing for election to the board and in the vote on pay policies.
Deborah Gilshan, corporate governance counsel at Railpen, said it was very unusual for the pension fund to join in such an effort and to oppose the election of directors to the board. “This is a reflection of the serious of our governance concerns,” she said.
Advisory groups such as ISS are also recommending a vote against the pay policies and the re-election of some directors.
Investors question pay deal for Oracle executives
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/investors-question-pay-deal-for-oracle-executives/Fund managers, CalSTRS and PGGM of the Netherlands to press for a vote against Oracle’s executive pay policies
Investors question pay deal for Oracle executives
By Jill Treanor, The Guardian
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 19:10 EDT
A big UK pension fund is among a number of investors preparing to protest against the pay polices of the California-based software company Oracle – whose chief executive Larry Ellison received $76m last year – at its shareholder meeting on Thursday.
Railpen has joined forces with other high-profile fund managers, CalSTRS of the US and PGGM of the Netherlands, to urge fellow shareholders to vote against all the directors standing for election to the board and in the vote on pay policies.
Deborah Gilshan, corporate governance counsel at Railpen, said it was very unusual for the pension fund to join in such an effort and to oppose the election of directors to the board. “This is a reflection of the serious of our governance concerns,” she said.
Advisory groups such as ISS are also recommending a vote against the pay policies and the re-election of some directors.
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