More on the War on Dissent: COINTELPRO Redux

The Feds are spying on peaceful dissent groups, even in some cases trying to incite them toward violent behavior. Salon’s coverage continues in this first installment of two-part story. The scariest quote is from California anti-terrorism official Mike Van Winkle: “You can almost argue that a protest against that is a terrorist act.”

Think about that. Cops always want more power. Period. Their job is to catch bad guys, and they see anything that gets in their way as bad. Their job is not to defend our liberties; the Judicial branch is our real watchdog. Allowing cops to make policy on issues like this is a recipe for disaster.

Dept. of Rights-of-the-Accused

JB For years now, I’ve been ranting here about the gradual erosion of our civil liberties in the name of “security.” Now, though, it’s finally gone FAR TOO FAR.

As any fool can see, James Brown was clearly denied his right to ‘Do Process last month when he was arrested for spousal battery. If it can happen to JB, it can happen to YOU.

Thanks, I’m here all week. Try the veal.

Because we know how much Eric loves this song

On this day 45 years ago, a plane crashed, starting a trend that has claimed folks at the top of their game and those just treading water. Of course, there are those who say Misters Holly, Valens, and Bopper were just copying Mr. Miller, so there you go.

(Yes, I left out this guy on purpose, since he can’t even blame coked-up pilots and too much luggage or “faulty heaters” like some others I could name.)

What He Said

Slacktivist once again nails it, this time on the bizarre claims the administration is now making about how it was mislead on the Iraqi WMD issue by the CIA and the intelligence community. It’s been amply documented that in the rush to war, the White House disregarded any intelligence that suggested their cassus belli of choice was inaccurate; they cannot not credibly claim that the CIA is to blame for their own cherrypicking of only the most damning (and unverifiable) data.

Ah, the TSA

Agent Mohney points us to the libertarian publication Reason for this discussion of the efficacy and competency of the Transportation Safety Administration. Hint: it’s a sick joke, and we’re no safer for our loss of privacy and liberty when flying.

Jacksonian Boobocracy

Okay, when I made a snarky remark about how some people seemed up in arms about Janet’s bare breast, but were utterly untroubled by the other crass exploitation of sexuality surrounding the Super Bowl, I was making a joke.

From where I sit, this bit of exposure is only different in degree, not substance, from the countless scantily-clad dancers surrounding P. Diddy and Nelly, for example, not to mention the cheerleaders for teams themselves. It didn’t occur to me that anyone would actually think of this as materially different than these other exploitations of sexuality, or to even think that something like this (deliberate or not) wasn’t inevitable. Sex and titilation sell. The networks and the NFL trade on this very fact, and to pretend otherwise is simple mendacity.

I say all this now because the FCC is looking into whether or not there should be some sort of sanctions for this “classless, crass, and deplorable stunt” (as FCC chairman Michael Powell described it). He goes on to suggest that we as a nation “deserve better.” (Frankly, I thought the breast in question was perfectly nice, but maybe Whatever, Michael. Were you similarly scandalized by Nelly grabbing his crotch, or by the skimpy costumes the cheerleaders wore? I doubt it. Show a nipple, though, and these boobs freak right the hell out.

Heh-heh, heh-heh, boobs.

Apparently, that really was Janet Jackson’s boob (or, at least, her nipple jewelry) that Justin Timberlake exposed last night at the finale of their “flirtatious” duet. Timberlake, for his part, has apologized for the “wardrobe malfunction,” which is a phrase I hope makes it into the popular lexicon. The grouches at the NFL were not amused, though, and have stated that MTV will no longer be doing the halftime show, which strikes me as hilarious given the sexual aspects of virtually every beer ad shown during the broadcast. Bikini-clad girls selling beer with little left to the imagination: OK. Janet Jackson’s (pierced! (NSFW)) nipple: Horrors!

Why Zero Tolerance Sucks

Salon discusses the widespread nightmare that zero tolerance policies in schools create. Like mandatory sentencing minimums, zero tolerance policies ignore any extenuating circumstances, and remove all possibility of flexibility in response to infractions.

It’s happening already

California voters are already having trouble with their $12 million Diebold voting system. It seems some votes go to the wrong candidates sometimes. Diebold, of course, insists they’ll fix the problem, but won’t show anyone the code since it’s a trade secret.

Surely the conflicts involved here are obvious, right?

It’s an Airport Security Twofer

This, of course, surprises no one
The 9/11 panel finds that existing security measures should have caught at least some of the hijackers, something that’s been widely asserted in the 2 years since the attacks. Of course, this won’t stop the Feds from continuing their police-power-grab.
At least all those new security measures make airports safer, right?
A woman at LaGuardia got past security with a stun gun and a knife last week. Ooops.

Wes Clark, Michael Moore, George Bush, and Desertion

In the 2000 elections, one of the most amazing things to me was that the Democrats made NOTHING of Bush’s Vietnam reserve record, and that the press — whom you’d think would have been all over it — let the whole issue slide.

Now, with two solid records running for the Democratic nomination, the issue may get legs after all, especially since Clark has thus far refused to repudiate supporter Michael Moore’s claim that Bush was and is a deserter. Is he? Well, here’s a discussion and examination of precisely that claim and the coverage surrounding Moore’s statement.

Two facts, though, aren’t even in dispute:

  1. In the spring of 1972, Bush failed to get a flight physical in direct violation of orders.
  2. Bush performed no duties or drills of any kind between early May and late November of 1972.

Now, that’s not really desertion (technically), but it’s damn sure being AWOL, and it seems pretty clear that somebody without a super-connected family would have probably been discliplined. Since the “liberal media” had such a field day with Clinton being “draft dodger” back in ’92, I eagerly await their tenacious coverage of these charges.

Dept. of Useful Tips

Bad News Hughes breaks it all down for you.

The Renaissance Faire may not be the source of all your problems, but it sure as shit isnÕt helping any. If, while chugging a beer, the phrase, ÒI bet this is going to be the last coherent thought I have tonight,Ó runs through your head, get someone to take you home. Now. The cops never think itÕs as funny as you do.

Jim Anchowers of the world, take note.

Dept. of Closet Treasures

Today, we noticed we were running low on red wine glasses. They’re crystal, so we just accept a certain attrition rate. Of course, “crystal” also means “not cheap,” so we were momentarily vexed.

Fortunately, I remembered something. I went to the kitchen closet and pulled out my previously-forgotten, unopened “reserve” box of glasses. Said Erin, “Oh yeah, there was a New Economy there for a while, wasn’t there?”

Heh.