News and Current Events - 2012

[Marge_Innavera]

In the meantime, it appears that Obama's abilities to multi-task are limited:

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Meanwhile, I keep seeing Romney ads at the bottom of this thread lately,
urging me to "Believe in America" and "Fight for the America We Love."

I think some of the fine print below his slogans needs magnifying, though:

BELIEVE IN AMERICA:  But keep your money in the Cayman's.

ROMNEY:  CAYMAN'S FOR ME, K-MART FOR YOU.

And Ann Romney's a winner, too.  In a speech she gave last week she remarked:
"I love the fact that there are women out there who don't have a choice and they
must go to work and they still have to raise the kids."  Such empathy and understanding.

http://www.dk.com/story/1085982/-Ann-Romney/

[Tony_]

 That blind Chinese dissident is sure getting around the police state over there, happily chattering away.  He's calling CNN, NBC, congressional committees in session, and, I suppose, will eventually get through to Jimmy Fallon. 
 Meanwhile Daniel Chong, arrested for being at a party with drugs, in California, was left with no food or water for five days by the DEA.  And suing, of course.

 But the question is there, why isn't the media focused on that, and demanding investigations instead of accepting the "it was just a mistake" type of explanation?  Really? For five days?
So, who has the better police state abuse is the further question.  Chong never got to call CNN.
 But there's probably progress.  Bradley Manning is most likely not still naked.

[brokebacktom]

Each party disappoints its most ardent followers. Personally, I am disappointed in both parties. I wish there was a welcome in the Republican party for gay persons. I wish there was a welcome in the Democratic party for pro-life persons. I wish the Republicans would stick to their message of smaller government and keeping government out of our lives (including our marriages and bedrooms). I wish the Democratic party actually stood up for it's core beliefs instead of pandering to conservative moderates and the Religious Right. I wish both parties really wanted to make America a great place for all persons to live.

[Tony_]

 Well, here we go....wheee.....the first American arrested with the assistance of a predator drone.

  New technology has legitimate promise for law-enforcement, and am not condemning progress.  The problem is not progress, it's the massive slurp of money to any and all "Homeland Defense" projects with, apparently, no oversight as to the direction we are heading towards: abuse.

 So, what was the first arrest and why?  Well, it wasn't about monitoring a high crime area, or containing illegal immigration.  No, the first arrest was a Mr. Rodney Brossart, a farmer in North Dakota, over some dispute over who owned some cows upon his land.  Republicans are always winning those states and warning of too much federal power. Not a peep from the red-state conservatives over this proof that hi-tech is a direct and immediate threat.....to them.
  Oh, yeah, there was something in the report about May 15th being the roll-out date for many more drones (google the name to get the stories).  Think you're safe on a farm or out in the boonies, or in small towns?  Think again.  The oink & slurp fund is there for everyone.

[AZ.bbm]

Rupert Murdoch described as "not a fit person to run a News Corp" by parliamentary commitee.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029

-Not only that, but according to Scotland Yard, Rupert Murdoch's journalists at The Sun  have been bribing police and other public officials to "look the other way" or keep quiet... This corruption came to light in the separate ongoing probe - 'Operation Elveden' - which Yours Truly is following very closely,   "unrelated to the phone-hacking investigation"... 

So far, in the 'Elveden' probe, there have been over 27 arrests of Sun journalists for conspiracy, and at least one police officer arrested.


A while back I made note that, just prior to the London Riots, US right-wing radio host/activist Alex Jones posted a number of tweets on his overheated blog, which were culled from street thugs from outside London who claim they were 'offered cash by "journalists"' to go into the City and riot.


Recall, I originally thought that the infamous London police stand-down was a political ploy by the Met, itself...

But now, in light of the 'Elveden' probe, the questions I have for The Yard are: 1) How successful were Mr. Murdoch's Sun   journalists in organizing some/any portion of the riots?, and 2) Was Murdoch, or were his people at The Sun in any way instrumental in fomenting the stand down that left London in the hands of rioters, looters and arsonists for almost two days?

[doodler]

MY question would have to do with the statement:
according to Scotland Yard, Rupert Murdoch's journalists at The Sun  have been bribing police and other public officials to "look the other way" or keep quiet...

and the following statement:
So far, in the 'Elveden' probe, there have been over 27 arrests of Sun journalists for conspiracy, and at least one police officer arrested.

and the question is...
if it's such a conspiracy why are only journalists getting arrested? They're conspiring with each other? Duh.

[janjo]

I don't think they are, Doodler, or at least they are not the only ones suffering repercussions. A number of senior police have been forced to resign too, as well as appearing before the Leveson Inquiry.
It is all absolutely riveting, and I suspect that the tentacles of corruption spread into the highest levels of all governments over the last 20 or so years.

[AZ.bbm]

Yes, the journalists have been alleged to conspire* with each other (*any agreement between 2 or more people to commit an illegal act) as well as conspiring with police and high-level public officials.



Fourteen of the 27 arrestees were journalists; we are waiting with bated breath to learn just who the other arrestees are.  

Like Jess indicated above, this is big time. Even Paul David Cameron has been implicated and he himself is pursuing defensive legal options.

Cameron accused of assisting Murdoch's takeover of British satellite firm in exchange for political backing

[Cally]

Yes, the journalists have been alleged to conspire* with each other (*any agreement between 2 or more people to commit an illegal act) as well as conspiring with police and high-level public officials.



Fourteen of the 27 arrestees were journalists; we are waiting with bated breath to learn just who the other arrestees are. 

Like Jess indicated above, this is big time. Even Paul Cameron has been implicated and he himself is pursuing defensive legal options.

David?

[AZ.bbm]

Thanks, Sara!

+"Paul" Cameron was a sex researcher who campaigned against gay rights and claimed homosexuality led to child abuse..

No relation to the current Prime Minister. 

[Cally]

Well, at least nobody's accusing him of that!

[janjo]

Although the poor man is being accused of practically every thing else.................and I'm not a supporter!

My favourite, " a posh boy who doesn't know the price of milk!"

[doodler]

Related to Romney?

My point is the journalists are being arrested. The cops... and probably other "officials"... are resigning. Business as usual world wide.

[Marge_Innavera]

Business as usual on the Boycott of the Week front.  Not sure if the reaction to this will rise to the level of the Starbucks "buycott".

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic league, is calling for a boycott of Kellogg's, a sponsor of  the Daily Show, over Jon Stewart's admittedly weird "vagina manger scene" bit:

"We will now send the indefensible picture to their senior management and board, as well as to community leaders, religious and secular, throughout Battle Creek, Michigan. We are also calling for a national boycott of all Kellogg’s cereals. Moreover, I will notify the public via TV, radio and our website about their collapse of decency. This is just for starters. We have the time, money, and the determination to give Kellogg’s some free advertisement."

Read Kellogg's response to Donohue's complaint here.  Some of it is comprised of standard statements about diversity; but as an equality supporter and lifetime cereal junkie, I enjoyed reading it nevertheless.

(also posted at "Media Coverage: How Are We Seen?")