Archive for the 'Dictatorship' Category
The Surveillance Catalog
November 24th, 2011Via: Wall Street Journal: Documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal open a rare window into a new global market for the off-the-shelf surveillance technology that has arisen in the decade since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The techniques described in the trove of 200-plus marketing documents include hacking tools that enable governments […]
Egypt: Three American College Students Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Firebombs at Security Forces During Protests
November 23rd, 2011Fascinating. Via: AP / New Zealand Herald: Three American college students have been arrested in the Cairo protests at Tahrir Square. Luke Gates, 21, Gregory Porter, 19, and Derrick Sweeney, 21, were arrested on the roof of a university building where they were allegedly throwing firebombs at security forces fighting with protesters near Tahrir Square. […]
Goldman Sachs Conquers Europe
November 21st, 2011Via: Independent: The ascension of Mario Monti to the Italian prime ministership is remarkable for more reasons than it is possible to count. By replacing the scandal-surfing Silvio Berlusconi, Italy has dislodged the undislodgeable. By imposing rule by unelected technocrats, it has suspended the normal rules of democracy, and maybe democracy itself. And by putting […]
New Currency Controls in U.S. at Currency Online; Capital Flight and Forced Repatriation in Europe
November 21st, 2011Via: Global Economic Analysis: A securities analyst sent a note this morning “I just received this today from a company I have used for 3 years.” He was referring to a memo from Currency Online regarding Restriction of our service to USA based clients Regrettably I write to inform you that, due to changes in […]
Egypt: Tahrir Square Riots
November 21st, 2011AP: Egypt Morgue Official: 35 Dead in Clashes — WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE. Via: Russia Today / YouTube: Egyptian army and police has launched a major crackdown on protesters at Tahrir square. Tens of thousands have been protesting since Friday at a lack of reform comes before crucial elections, and could carry the potential to paralyse […]
Congress Fears Chinese Telecom Gear May Phone Home
November 21st, 2011Like U.S. made gear? Via: Wired: Are telecommuniations deals with China good business — or a trojan horse for espionage? Some of Congress’ top intelligence officials are worried it’s the latter. And they’re launching an investigation to find out. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), and the […]
As Egyptians Return to Tahrir Square, the Obama Administration Sides with the Military
November 21st, 2011Via: Salon: In the nine months since Hosni Mubarak stepped aside, the Egyptian military has monopolized political decision-making. The SCAF has broken its promise to lift or modify the Emergency Laws, which have been in place since 1981 and give the state sweeping powers to detain citizens and restrict free speech, even though repeal of […]
Judge Declares Law Governing Warrantless Cellphone Tracking Unconstitutional
November 19th, 2011The NSA smiles at the part in bold below. Via: Wall Street Journal: In a succinct one-page ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Lynn N. Hughes of the Southern District of Texas declared that the law authorizing the government to obtain cellphone records without a search warrant was unconstitutional. “The records would show the date, time, […]
Is the U.S. Getting Domestic Indefinite Military Detention for Thanksgiving?
November 17th, 2011Via: Mother Jones: A bipartisan group of senators is poised to force through dramatic changes to how the US government handles suspected terrorists—over the objections of the White House and Senate Democratic leadership. Legislative language that emerged from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday afternoon would mandate the automatic, indefinite military detention of noncitizens […]
Government Motors: U.S. Boosts Estimate of Auto Bailout Losses to $23.6 Billion
November 17th, 2011Via: Detroit News: The Treasury Department dramatically boosted its estimate of losses from its $85 billion auto industry bailout by more than $9 billion in the face of General Motors Co.’s steep stock decline. In its monthly report to Congress, the Treasury Department now says it expects to lose $23.6 billion, up from its previous […]
