Just in case you were wondering — you know, for future use and all — at least two publications have recently weighed in on the best places to seek asylum from the U.S. government. Business Insider has a list. But then, they would. They’re a bit (a bit!) sensationalistic and love to come up with pictorial twists on things in the news. Really surprised me, though when the staid old National Geographic came up with such a list. Some crossover, some differences, in their choices. Did you ever think you’d see the day when seeking asylum or “defecting” from the…
Author: Claire
This is Mercy, formerly named Trouble. I wasn’t going to foster again, but I armtwisted myself into this one. Although two rescue groups, furrydoc, and her staff have already gone several extra miles for her in the last couple of weeks, she’s a little hard case who needs all the help she can get. How to count her disadvantages? * Pitbull * About 10 years old * Overbred * Deaf (or nearly so) * Not housebroken * Suffering antibiotic-resistant skin sores (though fortunately furrydoc, who’s very good at such things, persuaded a local pharmacy to donate meds that appear to…
We must ban those deadly stiletto assault heels NOW! Well, that’s a different look at Snowden and the NSA … Medical marijuana. For our pets. (H/T. L) Hm. This is the first thing I’ve heard that makes me think a smartphone could be a great idea. (I’m sure there are other things; just none that grabbed me.) Double hm. What exactly is Governor Sandoval of Nevada up to? Might be worth the 15 seconds it takes, especially if it ticks off Bloomberg. While I disagree with her lumping us with “we,” whistleblower Sibel Edmonds has a point. (Heard on NPR…
He has had “a very comfortable life” that included a salary of roughly $200,000, a girlfriend with whom he shared a home in Hawaii, a stable career, and a family he loves. “I’m willing to sacrifice all of that because I can’t in good conscience allow the US government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they’re secretly building.” Twenty-nine. Prosperous. Successful. Living in paradise. And willing to risk it all for freedom. Willing to risk it all for an act that (dare I use the term?) is intensely…
Twenty open tabs in three browsers on two computers. I read and think about last week’s shocking-but-utterly-unsurprising revelations about NSA snoopery. A thousand thoughts run through my head but not a single word makes its way into electrons. No, it’s no surprise at all that a government agency that was created in secret and is still called “No Such Agency” now reigns so powerful — and will continue to dominate presidents and congresses, no matter who elects them or what letters they have after their names. It’s also no surprise that not a single MSM news source mentions the Fourth…
Um … Okay … Source for those who can’t see the embed. Weirdly well-done strange thing. Oldie but goodie. Fabulous sound track. H/T to DL.
“…and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” Somehow, “everybody who uses Verizon” just doesn’t seem all that “particularly described,” does it? Especially when you have to assume every other phone company is obeying similar secret orders.
… from Freedom Outlaw, who runs the only interesting page on Facebook.* * There may be a few other Facebook pages that are useful — dog rescue sites, fundraising sites for victims of the state & such. But Freedom Outlaw is the only one I ever visit just because it’s so darned cool.
… is becoming Turkey’s Tienanmen “tank man.” (Click for larger image. You may have to click twice. Or go here.) Who is she, this lady dressed for a garden party? Does anybody know? I imagine her tossing an irreverent comment at the riot cops. Obviously, that’s the only thing she could be tossing — words of disrespect for Authoritah. Or who knows? Maybe they just didn’t think she said, “Hello” or “Good day” with proper deference. The second (upper right) image is the one becoming an icon. But damn, it’s the fourth one (lower right) that gets me; the cop…
Anybody who grew up in a dysfunctional family knows one of the cardinal rules: The person who mentions a problem is the person who caused the problem. Let some low-on-the-family-totem-pole person raise a destructive issue that’s hidden in plain sight and all hell breaks loose. No, the family doesn’t suddenly wake up and say, “OMG, you’re right. We have to do something about that!” Instead, everyone within earshot rounds on the poor sap who dared mention the family secret and the bullying begins: “Why are you always such a troublemaker?” “If you’d just learn to keep your mouth shut, everything…