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May 15, 2013
17:50 • 2 days ago
September 4, 2012
19:02 • 8 months ago
“No Easy Day” for Pentagon: The Pentagon wasn’t quite ready for an unauthorized biography written by an anonymous Navy SEAL. “Sensitive and classified information is contained in the book,” says Pentagon spokesperson George Little. The book, “No Easy Day,” describes the fateful mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden last year. The author wrote the book under an anonymous guise, but Fox News revealed his identity last month. The man’s lawyer says the Pentagon “invites but by no means requires” publication review, though Little suggests the author violated a non-disclosure agreement. (photo by Peter Foley/EPA)

“No Easy Day” for Pentagon: The Pentagon wasn’t quite ready for an unauthorized biography written by an anonymous Navy SEAL. “Sensitive and classified information is contained in the book,” says Pentagon spokesperson George Little. The book, “No Easy Day,” describes the fateful mission that led to the death of Osama bin Laden last year. The author wrote the book under an anonymous guise, but Fox News revealed his identity last month. The man’s lawyer says the Pentagon “invites but by no means requires” publication review, though Little suggests the author violated a non-disclosure agreement. (photo by Peter Foley/EPA)

July 10, 2012
14:40 • 10 months ago
Bachmann says Muslim Brotherhood embedded in U.S. government
In letters sent to several top-level government agencies, Representative Michele Bachmann claims that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated multiple branches of the United States government. Bachmann goes on to claim that the organization has successfully placed individuals in high-ranking Obama Administration positions, and lists Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin as one such example. She also claims that the group has infiltrated the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and “potentially even in the National Intelligence Agency.” (Photos via Gage Skidmore, zennie62) source
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In letters sent to several top-level government agencies, Representative Michele Bachmann claims that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated multiple branches of the United States government. Bachmann goes on to claim that the organization has successfully placed individuals in high-ranking Obama Administration positions, and lists Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin as one such example. She also claims that the group has infiltrated the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and “potentially even in the National Intelligence Agency.” (Photos via Gage Skidmore, zennie62) source

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February 28, 2012
21:59 • 1 year ago

  • then On the last day of 2011, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act which, amongst other things, allowed for the indefinite detention of US citizens suspected of terrorism.
  • now Obama signed a policy directive today that exempts US citizens from that provision in the bill (Section 1022, if you’re keeping track). Here’s the fact sheet released by the White House. source

» Some nuance: Although the language in the bill as signed did permit for US citizens to be indefinitely detained, it did not mandate this. Obama actually said at the time that he wouldn’t implement the law such that US citizens would face this possibility, so his signing today of this directive is in line with what he’d pledged. Our take: While this development will surely please Obama’s base, we’re scratching our heads as to why the White House announced it on the day of what’s become the most important primary in the Republican nominating contest so far (Michigan). It’ll likely get completely lost in the news cycle amidst all the primary coverage, which would seem to blunt its political utility. Color us baffled.

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December 14, 2011
16:24 • 1 year ago
While we remain concerned about the uncertainty that this law will create for our counter-terrorism professionals, the most recent changes give the President additional discretion in determining how the law will be implemented, consistent with our values and the rule of law, which are at the heart of our country’s strength.
White House spokesman Jay Carney • Regarding the White House’s decision not to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, which they changed their tune on after changes that make it so detainees would be allowed to go through civilian court. Carney emphasizes, however, that the broader bill is very important: ”This legislation authorizes critical funding for military personnel overseas,” he says, “and its passage sends an important signal that Congress supports our efforts as we end the war in Iraq and transition to Afghan lead while ensuring that our military can meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
November 22, 2011
20:00 • 1 year ago
The aforementioned ”colossal dork” Wolf Blitzer warming up the crowd. Seconds from the kickoff of tonight’s CNN GOP presidential debate!

The aforementioned ”colossal dork” Wolf Blitzer warming up the crowd. Seconds from the kickoff of tonight’s CNN GOP presidential debate!

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November 9, 2011
14:07 • 1 year ago
October 11, 2011
16:04 • 1 year ago

Iranian bombing plot stymied by FBI: American officials reported today that the FBI infiltrated and derailed a terrorist plot backed by Iran. The plan involved paid collusion from an elite Iranian security force to the Zeta drug cartel of Mexico (unbeknownst to the Iranians, the contact they believed to be with the Zetas was cooperating with the FBI). The intended outcome was a bomb going off at a Washington D.C. restaurant, which would have killed Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States. This is big news, as a publicly disseminated example of Iran as a state supporter of terrorism; it has been viewed as such by the U.S. State Department since 1984. source

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May 22, 2011
11:28 • 1 year ago

Herman Cain doesn’t want to talk national security. At least not until after he’s elected. “The right approach is that the day I’m elected, I would start on that plan. I think it is disingenuous to tell the American people what I would do,” he told Fox News Sunday this morning. OK … so, we understand that he might not be privy to the documents that Obama has at his disposal, but seriously? National security isn’t something you, as a presidential candidate, are allowed to ignore. This is one of the reasons people will want to vote for you. Waiting to explain your national security plan until after people have put you into office — forcing people to go in blind on one of the key things a president does — is a dangerous stance that will not fly with mainstream voters, Herman. source

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May 9, 2011
22:38 • 2 years ago
If you’ve ever wondered what Obama’s National Security team would look like as superheroes, you’re in luck
We like that they didn’t go with the obvious choice of making President Obama Superman. We also like the visual of Joe Biden dressed as the Flash, as he looks reluctant to even stand up and stretch, let alone go somewhere quickly. source
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We like that they didn’t go with the obvious choice of making President Obama Superman. We also like the visual of Joe Biden dressed as the Flash, as he looks reluctant to even stand up and stretch, let alone go somewhere quickly. source

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Recent posts and stuff we dig:
February 14, 2011
20:13 • 2 years ago

  • last week It appeared a far-right uprising had sidelined the PATRIOT Act’s renewal in the House, with the bill falling short of the two-thirds total it needed to succeed.
  • this week By passing the bill with rules that only required a simple majority, the extension will go over to the Senate. The vote totals were nearly the same as last week. source

February 8, 2011
21:07 • 2 years ago

  • renewal The House is going to vote on whether or not to permanently extend the PATRIOT Act, that uber-controversial privacy-exploiting leftover from the Bush era.
  • denial Unfortunately for the GOPers pushing the bill’s renewal, this isn’t the same Congress that passed the bill, and the party’s Tea Party backers may not support it. source

December 5, 2010
11:59 • 2 years ago
Engaging in these activities would call into question your ability to deal with confidential information, which is part of most positions with the federal government.
A message from Columbia University’s Office of Career Services • Offering a word of advice to its School of International and Public Affairs that reading the Wikileaks data dump and talking about it could endanger their chances of ever working with the State Department. The recommendation was forwarded to them by an alumnus now working at the State Department. Meanwhile, the State Department itself claims it hasn’t made an official statement on anything like this. But by us posting about this, we’ve hurt our future job chances. Damn. source (viafollow)
October 29, 2010
12:04 • 2 years ago
The idea that you can continue to keep human beings in detention offshore is an insult to us as a civil society and everything we stand for. I think the same thing can be said about the clandestine renditions. We need to shine a light on all of that and let it lead us where it may.
Former U.S. diplomat (and husband of Valerie Plame) Joe Wilson • Ripping on the Obama administration for not doing enough to stop Bush-era methods of security, including closing the base at Guantanamo Bay. Some of this is, of course, personal: Wilson’s wife was outed as a spy by members of the Bush Administration after Wilson publicly doubted the administration’s reasons for starting the Iraq war. Still interesting, though, that they’re ripping on Obama for this, too. In other news, the couple is about to get the Hollywood treatment – “Fair Game,” starring Naomi Watts and SEAN FREAKING PENN, sounds like an awards-season racehorse. source (via)

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