Being Safe / Not Being Abused

For John, BLUF:  Do you trust the Federal Government to not abuse its power too much?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

Over at USA Today Law Professor (and Blogger—InstaPundit) Glenn Reynolds gives us his view that "The common thread running through his [President Obama's] scandals is an abuse of power."

Key paragraph

The justification for giving the government a lot of snooping power hangs on two key arguments:  That snooping will make us safer and that the snooping power won't be abused.

Is this just "The Chicago Way" playing out at the National level?

I hope not.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Surveillance State State Explained

For John, BLUF:  The current Spying Fracus explained.

The ever excellent Reporter Carl Prine and his co-reporter, Andrew Conte, of the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, provide a fine overview of the issues in the current controversy over NSA surveillance of US Citizens—"NSA’s ‘anti-terrorism’ tactic appears to be blow to civil liberties, opponents say".

Regards  —  Cliff

Sam Rainsey Sees Civil War

For John, BLUF:  Political tensions in Cambodia.

This is not good news.  From The Cambodia Daily we have a report by Neou Vamnarin headlined "Rainsy Says Climate in Cambodia Is Ripe for Civil War".  That would be Sam Rainsey, of the Sam Rainsey Party, who has been to Lowell and who got support from the Lowell Republican City Committee, including contributions, based on his commitment to the principles of democracy.♠  Here is the lede and following paragraph.

Self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy has said the government’s decision to strip 27 lawmakers from the SRP and Human Rights Party (HRP) of their parliamentary status and salaries has created the necessary conditions in the country to bring about a renewed state of civil war.

Reacting to last week’s ruling by the National Assembly—which prevents candidates for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) from participating in parliamentary debates—Mr. Rainsy called on the international community to condemn Cambodia’s “totalitarian drift” by refusing to recognize any government resulting from the national election on July 28.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  And that would be in large part due to the efforts of then LRCC President Paul Hoar.

Overseas Adoption

For John, BLUF:  A diplomat does good.  Photo at link.

Feel Good photo from Niarobi, Kenya.  Life of a diplomat is not all striped trousers and tea parties.

Regards  —  Cliff

Paul Cellucci, RIP

Here is House Minority Leader Brad Jones on the passing of Former Governor Paul Cellucci.

Regards  —  Cliff

NSA Whistle Blower ID'd

For John, BLUF:  Why?

The NSA Whistle Blower Bows in.

Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former CIA employee, is the source behind the major intelligence leaks of the past week, according to the man who first reported on the the government's surveillance programs last week, the Guardian's Glenn Greenwald.§nbsp; Snowden's identity has been confirmed by The Washington Post.

In a story posted by the Guardian on Sunday afternoon, Greenwald and two other reports reveal Snowden, who currently works for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton but has contracted for years with the National Security Agency, as the source of his information.

The Guardian reports it is naming Snowden at his own request.  Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. had announced Saturday that the NSA launched a Justice Department investigation into who leaked the information.

Regards  —  Cliff

Hiring Smarter People

For John, BLUF:  There is stupid and then here is stupid in public.

"'4 Intelligence Officials' Allegedly Joke Of 'Disappearing' NSA Leaker, Reporter (UPDATED)".

I am hoping this is just a case of poor taste, and not a developing attitude on the part of mid-level officials who are frustrated by the Current state of the Global War on Terrorism.

Regards  —  Cliff