Category Archives: Uncategorized
In Defense Of ‘Jupiter Ascending’
To date, I’ve read at least two-dozen reviews of this movie–some before I saw it, some after. I think the Wachowski’s nailed it in an interview with CSM: “There’s directors like John Ford and Christopher Nolan who find a tone … Continue reading
Obama, The Prayer Breakfast And The Burden Of History
Moral introspection and critical self-examination are not exactly American strengths. The latest National Prayer Breakfast “controversy” over President Obama’s remarks about religiously-inspired violence have hightlighted, yet again, those national character flaws. The headlines tell the story in part: Obama Trolls … Continue reading
Intelligence Community Oversight: The “Reforming Congress” Angle
The Sunlight Foundation and dozens of other groups today issued a letter to House leadership and a proposal with dozens of suggested/needed reforms to how Congress conducts oversight of the Intelligence Community. The proposed reforms are thoughtful, eminently reasonable, well … Continue reading
The Dark Night Of The American Soul
It was inevitable. Polling on the Senate torture report, that is, in this case from Pew. Here’s the key graphic: Just a reminder to everyone: torture is a crime under U.S. law. No exceptions, period. Would have loved to see Pew … Continue reading
Surveillance Reform: House Mid-term Election Impact Update
While seven House races remain undecided, what we do know is that seven House members who voted for the Massie/Lofgren/Holt NSA surveillance reform amendment to the FY15 DoD appropriations bill were defeated on election night. They are Shea-Porter (NH-1), Garcia … Continue reading
A Change of Seasons and Careers
October 24th marks my final day as senior policy advisor to Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. When I joined his staff during the first week of August 2004, my first crisis as his communications director was … Continue reading
And The Hit Job On The Late Gary Webb Continues
The recent release of the Jeremy Renner vehicle Kill The Messenger has, predictably, led some of the papers who attacked Webb’s work on the Dark Alliance series to resurface to resume their attacks on the deceased investigative reporter. Jeff Leen’s … Continue reading
CNN, Anonymous Sources, And Fear Hyping
This is “breaking news” according to CNN: The U.S. government has warned airlines to pay particular attention to the possibility of terrorists attempting to hide explosives in shoes. The officials stressed there is no specific threat or known plot. Intelligence … Continue reading
NSA And “Turnkey Totalitarianism”
From the speech given at MIT yesterday by former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman: Mr. Snowden has brought home to us that, while we Americans do not yet live in a police state or tyranny, we are well … Continue reading
Jon Stewart on Obama and NSA
Priceless.
Long Strange Journey 