Tuesday, June 3, 2014


News Clips For The Day


http://rt.com/news/163072-reset-net-privacy-nsa/

‘Reset the Net!’ Reddit, Greenpeace, Amnesty unite in anti-NSA hit campaign
Published time: June 02, 2014

Opponents of mass government surveillance are braced for the June-5 campaign for a free and secure internet, led by some of the world’s largest websites. A massive electronic ‘Thunderclap’ is planned for the first anniversary of Snowden’s revelations.

Some 200 websites have joined the #ResetTheNet campaign, urging internet users, developers and content providers to use “NSA-resistant” software, and tools to protect the global net against intrusive government surveillance.

The sites, which vary from individual pages to internet giants like Reddit, Imgur and Boing Boing, various rights groups, including Amnesty International and Greenpeace will place an internet “splash screen” on Thursday in support of the campaign.

The screen will give tips on ensuring web privacy, and simply by submitting an email on the campaign’s website, users can download a “privacy pack of free software tools that make end-to-end encryption easy.”

At the same time, Fight for the Future, which launched the project, is calling for supporters to reach out to millions of people on social media in a giant June-5 ‘Thunderclap’.

“Don’t ask for your privacy. Take it back. Today we #ResetTheNet to stop mass spying. Encrypt everything! Learn how: http://thndr.it/1euOUIl " will be the message posted simultaneously by thousands of social media users in a web-delivered ‘Thunderclap’ that will bag an estimated social reach of about 3.7 million people, and counting.

According to the project’s page, the choice of the June-5 date was deliberate. It will be a year to the day when the first revelations of the US National Security Agency’s (NSA) warrantless and huge-scale web surveillance were published by the Guardian.

It soon turned out that the report was based on leaked classified data obtained from CIA employee and NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who left for Hong Kong to escape persecution. The whistleblower was eventually trapped in a Moscow airport, in transit to South America, after the US revoked his passport. RT extensively covered the dramatic story that unfolded and culminated in Snowden receiving temporary asylum in Russia.

The ‘Reset the Net’ project comes slap-bang in the middle of the ongoing campaign for net neutrality under the hashtag #SaveTheInternet. For those still unfamiliar with the issue, the latest episode of Juice Rap News ingeniously sums it all up. What is Fight For The Future? See Fight For The Future, a non-profit working to expand the Internet's power for good at website http://www.fightforthefuture.org/.





When the NSA is scooping the Net and comes across this article, I hope they won't put me on a no-fly list or worse. The people behind Reset The Net include Amnesty International and Greenpeace, both of which I respect highly, so I am going to help publicize Reset on Facebook. A number of people from my high school graduating class will hate it, because they are Tea Partiers. Hopefully, however, if I have to read their Republican comments they can stand to read mine. Yesterday's article that I posted about Facial Recognition software is involved with scooping pictures and information off the Net from “social media,” unnamed specifically, but it sounds like Facebook and email accounts. I really don't want the freedom and openness of the Internet to be abused by the NSA's spying on citizens. I will look for more articles about this subject.




Obama Arrives in Europe, Urges Congress to Back 'European Reassurance Initiative' – NBC
- Cassandra Vinograd
First published June 3rd 2014

WARSAW - President Barack Obama is urging Congress to support a $1 billion initiative to boost U.S. military activity in Europe, the White House said Tuesday, as the president kicked off a four-day trip to the continent.

The White House added that the U.S. is reviewing its military presence in Europe as a result of Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

The announcement came as Obama arrived in Warsaw Tuesday morning, where he was met by President Bronislaw Komorowski of Poland.

After a brief greeting with Polish and American troops and a tour of F-16 fighter jets, Obama and his Polish host spoke briefly about their security cooperation and the pall that events in Ukraine have cast on the region.

"As friends and allies we stand united together and forever," Komorowski said.

Obama said he was starting his visit in Warsaw because America's commitment to the security of Poland and its allies "is sacrosanct," alluding to additional measures to increase the U.S. commitment to Poland's security.

The White House said Obama will call on Congress to support a "European Reassurance Initiative" of up to $1 billion to increase U.S. military rotations on the continent, plus boost exercises, training and the responsiveness of U.S. forces to reinforce NATO.

"These efforts will not come at the expense of other defense priorities, such as our commitment to the Asia Pacific rebalance," the statement said.

The effort would involve increased participation by the U.S. Navy in NATO naval force deployments, including "more persistent deployments" to the Black and Baltic seas, the White House added.





“Obama and his Polish host spoke briefly about their security cooperation and the pall that events in Ukraine have cast on the region.” The White House has announced promotion of a $1 billion to increase US military activities in Europe and to reinforce NATO. The president said that this will not cause a lessening of support to Asian Pacific countries. It will include “increased participation by the U.S. Navy in NATO naval force deployments, including 'more persistent deployments' to the Black and Baltic seas.” I think this is a very good move. Russia doesn't really want to go to war with the US. They just want to push the envelope with the goal of regaining power over those countries that are now freed from their control. A firm opposition to their moves needs to be maintained, and it is important to the US interests as well as those of Europe. I hope Congress will back Obama's proposal.





Attorney General Eric Holder Revives Domestic Terror Task Force – NBC
— Erin McClam
First published June 3rd 2014

Attorney General Eric Holder, citing an “escalating danger from self-radicalized individuals within our own borders,” said Tuesday that the Justice Department will revive a domestic terrorism task force.

The task force was established after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 to share information about domestic threats. It was set to meet the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, after which the country turned its focus to terror overseas.

“But now, as the nature of the threat we face evolves to including the possibility of individual radicalization via the Internet, it is critical that we return our focus to potential extremists here at home,” Holder said in a weekly video.

The attorney general cited no specific domestic threat. But he said that the deadly shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and the Boston Marathon bombings demonstrate the danger of homegrown terror.

The task force will comprise the Justice Department, the FBI and federal prosecutors, and will coordinate with law enforcement across the country to make sure information is shared, Holder said.

The FBI and prosecutors have broken up homegrown terror plots in recent years, he said, including “plans by ‘lone wolf’-style actors” trying to provide support to terror networks in Syria and elsewhere abroad.





“Justice Department will revive a domestic terrorism task force.... The task force was established after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 to share information about domestic threats. It was set to meet the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, after which the country turned its focus to terror overseas.” It seems obvious to me that people who are against the US government here at home should not be ignored just because there is a larger threat overseas. In some cases they are influenced by foreign groups, either by actual contact or on the Internet.

The Neo-Nazis, “Patriot” militia organizations, and other racist groups and separatist movements are still active here and committing minor or major crimes. But most importantly, they are a source of highly radical individuals who want to commit a severe crime and get attention for their “cause.” They are the only excuse that I can think of for listing every telephone number in the US and tracing all calls. These hostile US groups don't tend to have any international connections, but they do poison the atmosphere in our democracy, so they are definitely dangerous.





Taliban Celebrates Release of Top Commanders in Bowe Bergdahl Swap – NBC
BY MUSHTAQ YUSUFZAI
— with Fazul Rahim in Kabul
First published June 2nd 2014

PESHAWAR — The Afghan Taliban are celebrating the release of their five top commanders — who were swapped in exchange for American Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after being held in Guantanamo Bay for 12 years — serving their guests with sweets and goats cooked in rice.

“This is a historic moment for us. Today our enemy (for the) first time officially recognized our status. I can’t explain how our people are happy and excited over this unbelievable achievement. Today we reached our destination,” a senior member of the Afghan Taliban told NBC News exclusively from a hideout in Afghanistan.

The Taliban claimed Qatar’s government played a decisive role in the deal between them and the United States that led to an exchange of high-profile prisoners on Saturday, most notably U.S. Army Sgt. Bergdahl.

The commander said he was not allowed by the Taliban shura, or council, to talk to the media about the exchange of prisoners, therefore, he should not be quoted by name.

He said the release of the top five commanders was great news that spread like wildfire among their fighters.

“Our leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, after a long time, heard a very good news. He is so happy and anxiously waiting to see his senior commanders,” the Taliban commander said.

Omar on Sunday released a rare statement calling the prisoner exchange a "great victory"  for the Taliban.

According to the commander who spoke to NBC News, the release of Mulla Fazal Akhund, Noorullah Noori, Abdul Haq Waseeq, Khairullah Khairkhwa and Mohammad Nabi will boost the morale of their fighters.

“Once we confirmed the arrival of our five heroes back in Qatar, celebrations started everywhere in Afghanistan and the neighboring Pakistan. It’s nonstop. The guests were first served with sweets and green tea but now there are official celebrations on behalf of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (official name for the Afghan Taliban)," he said.

"Goats are being slaughtered and served with guests and in some places goats are being cooked in rice," the Taliban commander said.

The process to make the exchange happen was a lengthy one, according to the Taliban commander, but the governments in Pakistan and Afghanistan were specifically kept in the dark because of trust issues.

A 24-hour ceasefire was agreed upon between Taliban and U.S. forces when Bergdahl was brought to Afghanistan's Khost province to be handed over the Americans, Taliban sources told NBC News.

One Taliban source close to Bowe during his custody told NBC News that he initially didn't believe he was freed even when he saw U.S. officials and their helicopter.





“'This is a historic moment for us. Today our enemy (for the) first time officially recognized our status. I can’t explain how our people are happy and excited over this unbelievable achievement. Today we reached our destination,' a senior member of the Afghan Taliban told NBC News exclusively from a hideout in Afghanistan.... The process to make the exchange happen was a lengthy one, according to the Taliban commander, but the governments in Pakistan and Afghanistan were specifically kept in the dark because of trust issues.”

This is certainly going to be grist for the Republican mills, and one more black mark against Obama. I do hope it doesn't cause an increase in kidnappings of Westerners as some Republicans have said. The only other way to get Bergdahl free would have been to attack the site where he was held, which would have endangered his life. “Qatar’s government played a decisive role in the deal between them and the United States,” according to a Taliban spokesman. Qatar is a US ally in the Middle East. See the description from Wikipedia below.




Qatar–United States relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bilateral relations between the two countries [Qatar and the US] have expanded in since the opening of the U.S. embassy in Doha in March 1973.[1] The first resident U.S. ambassador arrived in July 1974. Qatar and the United States coordinate closely on Middle Eastern regional diplomatic initiatives to increase security in the Persian Gulf. The two countries also have extensive economic links, especially in the hydrocarbons sector.[2] Qatar has also developed international educational institutions in the region to cater to the Middle Eastern market. Qatar also hosts an American military facility.[3]





Dan Marino files concussion lawsuit against NFL
CBS/AP June 3, 2014

PHILADELPHIA - Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino is among the latest group of football players to file a concussion-related lawsuit against the National Football League.
The 52-year-old former Miami Dolphins quarterback, and frequent CBS News contributer, is one of 15 former players who filed a lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia last week.

Marino and the other 14 plaintiffs join more than 4,800 others who have alleged the NFL misled players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The NFL has denied those claims.

The lawsuit doesn't specify any medical problems suffered by the plaintiffs including Marino, who retired in 1999. It seeks unspecified damages and medical monitoring.

The NFL and the original group of players agreed on a $765 million settlementlast August. But the settlement was rejected by a federal judge in January, fearing it may not be enough to cover 20,000 retired players.

U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody asked for more financial analysis from the parties, a week after players' lawyers filed a detailed payout plan.

"I am primarily concerned that not all retired NFL football players who ultimately receive a qualifying diagnosis or their (families) ... will be paid," Brody wrote in a 12-page opinion issued Tuesday.

The proposed settlement, negotiated over several months, is designed to last at least 65 years.

The awards would vary based on an ex-player's age and diagnosis. A younger retiree with Lou Gehrig's disease would get $5 million, those with serious dementia cases would get $3 million and an 80-year-old with early dementia would get $25,000. Retirees without symptoms would get baseline screening, and follow-up care if needed.




“Marino and the other 14 plaintiffs join more than 4,800 others who have alleged the NFL misled players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The NFL has denied those claims.... The NFL and the original group of players agreed on a $765 million settlementlast August. But the settlement was rejected by a federal judge in January, fearing it may not be enough to cover 20,000 retired players.”

The players' claim that the NFL “mislead them” about the danger from concussions is a serious charge. True, professional football players get high salaries, but if they have to have constant home health care it would consume all their savings over a period of years. I particularly dislike the extremes that people in football will go to to win a game. It's like sports is a religion – or rather a cult – with complete separation from what is a moral set of beliefs. To me, winning at sports just isn't important enough to justify injuring a player.





NRA: Open-carry gun activists' behavior "downright weird"
By LINDSEY BOERMA CBS NEWS June 2, 2014

Gun-rights advocates who've recently stormed Texas businesses wielding assault rifles in a brazen show of support for the state's open-carry laws have "crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness," the National Rifle Association's lobbying arm said Friday in a statement - the upshot of a reality check that intimidation measures aren't likely to harvest much support for gun rights causes or pro-firearm candidates come November's midterm elections.

Last month, pro-gun rights demonstrators patronized Sonic and Chili's restaurants while toting AK-47s and other semi-automatics, prompting the establishments to request their customers conceal the weapons while inside; Saturday, pro-Second Amendment advocates rallied with their long guns in a Home Depot parking lot. Texas law permits unlicensed rifles, though not handguns, to be carried openly in public.

Though the NRA in its statement lauded the Lone Star State for being "second to none for its robust gun culture," the powerhouse organization added that it's "a rare sight to see someone sidled up next to you in line for lunch with a 7.62 rifle slug across his chest, much less a whole gaggle of folks descending on the same public venue with similar arms." To ostentatiously brandish a semi-automatic weapon in a public place is not only "rare," the group continued, "it's downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself."

"To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary," the statement said. "It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates."

Should the "attention-hungry few" gun owners continue their apparent campaign tactic of instilling fear to promote their beliefs, the consequences could be "lasting and consequential," the NRA cautioned, "such as turning an undecided voter into an antigun voter because of causing that person fear or offense. ...We owe it to each other to act as checks on our bad behavior before the legal system steps in and does it for us."

But the fairly extraordinary move by the strong-armed association is just a sign that it's gone weak, one of the groups herding the rifle-bearing protesters to mass demonstrations suggested Sunday: "The NRA has lost its relevance and sided with#guncontrolextremists and their lapdog media," members of "Open Carry Texas"wrote in a Tweet. Last month, the group's president said during a roundtable discussion that the NRA has been "basically coming down on us for standing up for our rights."




“Gun-rights advocates who've recently stormed Texas businesses wielding assault rifles in a brazen show of support for the state's open-carry laws have "crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness," the National Rifle Association's lobbying arm said Friday in a statement.... Last month, pro-gun rights demonstrators patronized Sonic and Chili's restaurants while toting AK-47s and other semi-automatics, prompting the establishments to request their customers conceal the weapons while inside; Saturday, pro-Second Amendment advocates rallied with their long guns in a Home Depot parking lot. Texas law permits unlicensed rifles, though not handguns, to be carried openly in public.... 'We owe it to each other to act as checks on our bad behavior before the legal system steps in and does it for us.'"

The organization in question is "Open Carry Texas"and they are complaining that the NRA has “gone weak” and is “coming down on them for standing up for their rights.” Given the description in this article of exactly what they were doing, they are in a group with separatists and racist organizations that I was talking about above which are a home for those who are dangerous individuals, and should be shadowed by the NSA if anybody is. I think this level of “enthusiasm” over something that is basically violent is a sign of insanity. The cases like the Dunn shooting in Jacksonville last year are not surprising, given this kind of mental outlook. I felt that Dunn probably was genuinely frightened that night, but if he hadn't had the gun with him he would simply have moved his car to avoid the “gang of thugs” beside him and held in his racial anger. It's not good, but it's better.