Hillary's National Security Alliance for Quivering Over Bank Prosecutions
Fresh off being caught lying about rolling her eyes in response to calls for Palestinian rights, Neera Tanden has rolled out something called the National Security Leadership Alliance. Best as I can tell, it exists mainly on paper right now…
The Theory of Business Enterprises Part 7: Cultural Changes
In the early chapters of the book, Thorstein Veblen describes industrial productive methods and the changes they require of workers. In Chapter 9, he describes the effect of those changes on the workers and on businessmen who own the factories.…
Facebook's Flip-Flop: Is It a Law Enforcement Thing?
Kash Hill has a fascinating story about a Facebook flip-flop over a story she reported yesterday.
It started when -- as increasingly happens in her work -- someone came to her with a scary problem. Facebook recommended he friend someone he…
Ron Wyden: Obtaining ECTRs without a Warrant Is Almost Like Spying on Someone's Thoughts
As a number of outlets have reported, Ron Wyden has placed a hold on the Intelligence Authorization in an attempt to thwart FBI's quest to be able to obtain Electronic Communication Transaction Records with just a National Security Letter.
But…
Monday: Fierce Dog
Hunger and fear are the only realities in dog life: an empty stomach makes a fierce dog.
-- excerpt, personal journal of Capt. Robert Falcon Scott
This short film by Aaron Dunleavy was inspired by his childhood in Blackburn, Lancashire…
NATO and Brexit
For the record, I think it quite likely that UK's Tories will never trigger Article 50, which would mean the two year process of leaving the EU will never start much less finish. If that happens, we will face an increasing game of chicken between…
The Jordanian Arms Theft Story
The NYT has a blockbuster story reporting that Jordanian officers have been stealing weapons "shipped into Jordan" by CIA, and selling them on the black market. Some of these weapons were used to kill two American contractors at a training…
Friday: There's Always The Second Line
After the shock, denial, horror, anger, and grief of death, there's always the second line. Seems fitting today in the wake of Brexit to observe the passing of an ideal -- a United Kingdom, in harmony with its European neighbors and allies --…
Democracy Has Always Been Post-Factual
In my earlier post on Brexit, I pointed to this comment, which has gotten a lot of attention. I agree with what the comment said about swapping elites (its first point) and the impact on the young (its second). But I don't agree with the third:
Thirdly…
Brexit: Unicorn-Sniffing Naifs Deprived of Their Future
As you surely know, Britain voted to Brexit the European Union yesterday, confounding predictions and setting off a great deal of uncertainty.
One detail people are focusing most closely on is the age differential shown in a YouGov exit…
There's No [Easy] Exit
Not an European scholar or sage. Have tried to pay attention to the Brexit question across the pond, but unsure how well I have done so. Generally, however, it has struck me that, given real problems either way for the Brits, the best choice…
An Economics For The Left
What would an economics for the left look like? It seems to me that it requires two things. First, it needs an economic theory derived from a close observation of the way the US economy actually behaves, and which creates a framework in…
Thursday: Rough Beast
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
-- excerpt, The Second Coming…
Wednesday: Get Bach
Summer bug laid me up. I'm indulging in the audio equivalent of tea with honey, lemon, and a shot of something to scare away the bug. A little cello playing by Yo-Yo Ma never fails to make me feel better.
This sweet video is enlightening,…
Senate Narrowly Avoids Voting Themselves to Become "Typos"
The McCain (Cornyn) amendment to the Judiciary Appropriations bill that would let them get Electronic Communication Transaction Records with a National Security Letter just narrowly failed to get cloture, with Dan Sullivan flipping his vote…
Key Details about the Mitch McConnell Bid to Expand FBI Surveillance
As I noted, one of the two poison pills that stalled (if not killed) ECPA reform in the Senate Judiciary Committee a few weeks back was a John Cornyn amendment that would give the FBI authority to obtain Electronic Communication Transaction…
Discrepancies between Past Versions of Mateen's Calls and the "Transcript"
As promised, DOJ has censored the transcript of Omar Mateen's calls with authorities the night of his attack. There is a discrepancy between Jim Comey's earlier version of the calls and what appears in today's "transcript." Here's what Comey…
Monday: Buckle up, Buttercup
After my Go-Team-Yay-Space post yesterday, it's time for a Monday morning reality check. Going to Mars will not be a panacea to our ills, as this darkly humorous animated short, Fired on Mars by Nick and Nate, shows. On the other hand, SpaceX's…
DOJ Thinks Releasing Omar Mateen's ISIS Allegiance Claims It Released Last Week Will Revictimize the Victims
Yesterday, NPR reported that people investigating the Orlando mass shootings increasingly believe his attack may have had nothing to do with ISIS.
In fact, intelligence officials and investigators say they're "becoming increasingly convinced…
Other Priorities: Another Launch Today - Blue Origin Reusable Rocket
Hurry, we're less than three minutes from launch, all systems go. I'll add more remarks in a moment.
11:20 a.m. EDT -- Wow. What a picture-perfect launch and landing. This is the most excitement out of West Texas since some lousy bird hunter…