Friday, February 28, 2014

Noam Chomsky


"I think what we ought to do is to try to understand the truth about the world. And the truth about the world is usually quite unpleasant. My own concern is primarily the terror and violence carried out by my own state, for two reasons. For one thing, because it happens to be the larger component of international violence. But also for a much more important reason than that; namely, I can do something about it. So even if the U.S. was responsible for 2 percent of the violence in the world instead of the majority of it, it would be that 2 percent I would be primarily responsible for. And that is a simple ethical judgment. That is, the ethical value of one's actions depends on their anticipated and predictable consequences. It is very easy to denounce the atrocities of someone else. That has about as much ethical value as denouncing atrocities that took place in the 18th century."  -Noam Chomsky 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

UK court rules against David Miranda -- another blow to civil liberties

As and is if by magic, the latest news confirms the "Fascism" post I put up just an hour ago. From the Guardian:

High court rules against David Miranda over Heathrow detention – live coverage


The UK is just as bad as the US. Gee, why am I not suprised?

Both countries have been inexorably morphing more and more into fascist states since 9/11. Actually, since the so-called war on drugs. But it's heated up since 2001. "Terrorism" is the new bogeyman du jour, just as "Communism" was during the Cold War. Empire is never happy unless it has an enemy on the horizon. Much easier to control people that way. And guess what? Millions of those people are happy to fall into line.

Fascism


Sunday, February 16, 2014

Same old same old: TSA harasses, punishes man in Hawaii


Nico Melendez is a spokesman for the TSA. Meaning he's a professional liar.

We have the latest example of his gift for lying in a story from Hawaii.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Jean Paul Gaultier and Joel Rosenthal

I was in New York a few weeks ago and had a chance to see two stunning exhibitions that are still going on, one until February 23rd and the other until March 9th. They’re completely different from each other and completely captivating, each in its own way. Warning, though, that the crowds can be a turn-off, a problem with blockbuster shows in general. So if you can swing it, better to go during a weekday, particularly early in the day.

How Does a Bill Work?


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

TSA strip-searches another victim


In the on-going sordid history of TSA agents bullying, harassing, robbing, and sexually assaulting people, we have a new story, this time about a cancer survivor.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

TSA's latest rule change: STEBs to the rescue!


As I so often say, you can't make this stuff up. Reality is so absurd, so surreal, that anything you could come up with in fiction would pale in comparison.

The TSA's latest brilliant innovation (not incuding protecting us from Terrorist Toothpaste and Terrorist Hairspray and Terrorist Baby Powder, that is) comes in the form of a plastic bag.

Friday, February 7, 2014

United States of Paranoia Lives and Thrives

As I wrote two days ago, our DHS overlords were fretting about Terroristy Toothpaste Bombs. Well, now their paranoia is complete: along with their bumbling handmaiden, the TSA, they've banned all -- all, mind you -- toothpaste, deodorant, hairspray, baby powder, and whatever other liquid, aerosol, powder, gel personal grooming substances you can think of, from carry-on luggage for flights headed to the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. (And let's not forget those terrorist cupcakes!)

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Truth


No criminal charges pursued in Denver TSA assault

Predictably, the Denver District Attorney has decided not to press charges against the TSA agent who assaulted Jamelynn Steenhoek.
We first reported on Steenhoek’s case here. We lauded the fact that the local police seemed to be taking her seriously, though without hope that anything would come of it.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Brief History of Corporate Whining


As ever, click to enlarge.

DHS, TSA, FBI, VIPR in love match with NFL


In their continual quest to invade all aspects of our lives, our alphabet-soup security agencies will be on the prowl today at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. For the gladiatorial combat known as the Super Bowl will be taking place there, and our overlords don't want the players on the field to be the only ones showing some muscle.