Thursday, December 6, 2012

VICE GETS THE SCOOP ON JOHN MCAFFEE'S CAPTURE


I have been following VICE on Youtube because they bring up to the minute breaking coverage of the stories you never get to see on mainstream U.S. Media. Here is a great video of John McAffee as is taken into custody by INTERPOL.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

AMERICANS RESPONSIBLE FOR ATROCITIES IN GAZA

I often hear my American friends criticizing Israel for the recent attacks on Gaza. One thing I would like to point out is that responsibility for the bombing of Gaza is shared be every taxpaying United States citizen.

The United States sends billions of dollars to Israel every year in support of their expansionist policies toward the Palestinian people. The weapons the Israelis are using are American-made--could the attack on Gaza actually be part of a field experiment for testing America's new drone technology?

One thing is sure. The People of Gaza have no way of defending themselves; they are like the proverbial fish in a barrel and only we can save them from the brutality of the Israeli government. I encourage you to write a letter or send an email to your representatives in Congress and let them know you do not support the use of United States tax revenue for arming and supporting expansionist nations.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

ROBAMNEY VIDEO


This one had me falling of my chair in hysterical laughter!


While people may joke, it is true that there is not much of a difference between the Democrats and Republicans. May I suggest an alternative?





Monday, October 22, 2012

M.A.D.D. A DANGER TO CIVIL LIBERTIES?

David Settino Scott
The Cowgirl BBQ in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently was ordered not to sell alcohol for four days because two of its patrons left the bar intoxicated and subsequently were involved in an automobile accident in which one of them died. In addition to complying with the courts order, the restaurant is voluntarily donating 50% of its food sales for those four days to Mothers Against Drunk Driving ("MADD").

I heard the details of what happened that night from the Cowgirl's doorman, a close friend of mine who has since passed away. He was extremely upset after he heard of the deaths and wanted to blame himself for what had happened. From what he told me, other than physically restraining the patrons from leaving there was nothing he could have done to prevent them from driving. He offered to get them a cab and told them he would call the police if they left in their vehicle. I believe that my friend and The Cowgirl BBQ were innocent of any wrongdoing.

In my opinion, it is unfair to place liability upon servers and the establishments that serve alcohol for the behavior of their patrons. First, servers are trying to make a living and generally live day-to-day, on the tips they earn. They are usually so busy when they are working that to ask them to monitor the level of intoxication of their customers us completely unrealistic and counter to their general interest of maximizing sales to please their employers and make good tips. Second, bars and restaurants also have a general interest in maximizing their sales and client satisfaction. To ask them to monitor their customers’ level of intoxication and make judgments related to their ability to drive is not only against their primary purpose, it is unrealistic. For one thing, they have no way of knowing whether their patrons may be under the influence of other drugs; how much they have had to eat; or what their personal resistance to alcohol might be. I am sure there are other factors which influence a person’s safety while drinking, such as their emotional health, etc.

While I applaud The Cowgirl BBQ for reaching out to MADD's constituency. I do not support MADD. In my opinion, the campaign against DUI has been used as a weapon against civil rights in general. To prosecute people for DUI before any actual destruction of person or property is unconstitutional and counter to the ideals that should be emulated by a free society. Ok, ok, the Declaration of Independence then, and why shouldn't it be binding? What wasn't clear about "...the freedom of the pursuit of happiness."? When balancing public safety against personal freedom, we must be very careful. The creation of a police-state and the erosion of civil liberties happens gradually.

I quote Benjamin Franklin, "Those who would sacrifice freedom for security, deserve neither."

I think people should start to take more responsibility for their own actions. When we drink in public we are always taking a chance. Bars can be dangerous places: you can be assaulted by a drunk; trip and crack your head open; contract a virulent STD; lose your wallet; get arrested; there is no end to the list of all the terrible things that may happen. But, isn’t that life? How much fun would it be to go out to a bar if it was completely safe? Not nearly as much, I think.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

TWO PARTY DICTATORSHIP




Americans need more choices than the two-party system offers us in political elections.

Many feel that the Democrats and Republicans no longer represent the people. More and more it appears that they are looking out more for the interests multi-national corporations. The failure to include the Libertarian and Green Party Candidates in the recent presidential debates shows the fear that both parties have of being forced to discuss America's ruinous foreign policy, which has been embraced by both of their parties.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

An Inside Look at the NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk Po...

This young man was tired of being harassed by the police, so he decided to do something about it. He began wearing a recording device and recorded an abusive and illegal stop-and frisk encounter with the NYPD.



One has to admire this young man's courage as the officers threaten to break his arm, punch him in the face, and arrest him for no reason. Their appears to be some racial discrimination going on here as well, because we hear the officer say he will arrest the young man for being a "mutt".

In my opinion, if more people would record their encounters with police officers abusing their power, the world would be a better and safer place. I applaud this young man for his service to his fellow humans in protecting the rights of all of us. He put himself in serious danger to get this recording and should be well rewarded for his selflessness.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Iraq wants Exxon out, Russia in

Kinda makes me wonder what strange forces are driving the World's economy....

Thursday, September 20, 2012

JILL STEIN FOR PRESIDENT

The Devils Advocate hereby officially announces its support for Jill Stein, the Green Party Candidate for president.

For some reason, many people stubbornly refuse to see that the Democrats are equally responsible for the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. With Obama now poised to strike Iran, the anti-war demonstrators who were so vocal during the Bush administration are dead silent. Even though Obama has raised military spending, sought expanded domestic, warrant-less wiretapping powers, and raised the level of overseas troops, his staunch supporters refuse to acknowledge that he has only expanded on former President Bush's policies. The Democrats haven't done enough to stand up against the Republicans and their evil domestic policies, either!

The Green Party offers an alternative to the criminal behavior of the Democrats and Republicans.

Below is a letter I received from Jill Stein asking for my support. Although I am unfortunately rather short of funds and cannot make a donation at this time, I urge every one of you who reads this to make a donation using the links contained in the letter, or send a check to the address below. Thank you.

David Settino Scott, The Devil's Advocate





Dear David,

I am writing you to say thank you for your very generous support of Cheri and me in our campaign, and also to give you some exciting updates.

We’ve been on a roll – qualifying for federal matching funds, getting on 85% of the ballots, raising nearly $500,000 (please donate to build on that!), winning unprecedented media coverage, and receiving a hero’s welcome on the campaign trail: walking the picket lines in Chicago; addressing Occupy Wall Street’s 1st anniversary celebration; Cornel West and Tavis Smiley’s Poverty Tour 2.0;
speeches before the Veterans for Peace Convention and at Fighting Bob Fest, and much more.


For the first ten months of our campaign, we poured the vast majority of our campaign resources into the fight to get on the ballot. We worked tirelessly to defend your right to vote for the candidate of your choice.

But now, in our eleventh month, we can say with pride that 85% of voters will see my name on the ballot. And now --right now-- is the time to this opportunity we've all created and to run an all out campaign to raise the spirits and win the voters of Americans.

We are already showing up in the polls, rising 2.1% in the last couple weeks - that's 2.5 million voters! Imagine how these numbers will rise when we are in full swing, reaching out to the tens of millions of students, workers, occupiers, unemployed, uninsured, immigrants, and advocates for peace, climate, civil liberties and racial justice who are looking for a real choice in this election that’s not bought and paid for by Wall Street.


Nearly half of eligible voters are predicted to sit out the election this year because they don’t support either Obama or Romney. That’s because they haven’t heard about us yet.

Please help us raise our voices by making a contribution to our general election campaign. I am asking everyone who has yet to donate to make a first-time donation of up to $100 right now. If you do that, we’ll have the resources needed to get the word out, and harness the winds of this perfect storm for political transformation.

Here’s an added incentive. We qualified for matching funds in the primary. But during the general election, there is an even bigger, indirect match that kicks in if we boost our vote on November 6th to at least 5% of the total. Winning 5% of the vote in November will unleash a $20,000,000 grant from the public treasury for the next presidential election.

If we can raise as much in the next seven weeks as we did in the primary, about $450,000, that will allow us to run the full-fledged campaign that has a shot at 5% of the vote. If we raise $450,000, we can hire the staff to organize our thousands of volunteers to get the word out, we can resume our TV ad campaign, we can mobilize the vast networks waiting to hear about our campaign, and we can build the grass roots organization for the Green Party politics of integrity for the long haul.

Think about it. Raising another $450,000 now could mean getting 40 times as much money for the next general election. That is a 40:1 return on every dollar of your contribution!

By making a generous contribution now – at this time of urgent need and breath-taking possibility – you help fulfill the potential of this campaign and the Green Party to transform our future.

Please help turn this breaking point into a tipping point to take back the promise of democracy and the peaceful just green future we deserve. Go to JillStein.org to contribute, or send a check made out to Jill Stein for President to P.O. Box 260217, Madison, WI 53726-0217. Thank you for standing up for people, peace and the planet! ~ Dr. Jill Stein

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENDED BY NDAA?



A police "S.WA.T." vehicle in Santa Fe, NM (2012)
No one can say that I have been a big supporter of President Obama. I feel his foreign policies too closely reflect the foreign policies of the last Bush administration, and that he has, in fact, expanded on former President Bush's general war on civil rights. However, I want to take some time here to set the record straight on recent alarmist claims that the president has "suspended habeas corpus".

President Obama did and does seek expanded authority for domestic surveillance, but he has not suspended or eliminated habeas corpus through the National Defense Authorization Act ("NDAA"). Rather, The Writ of Habeas Corpus may be suspended if the United States is invaded or in the throws of rebellion. The President and the military find the authority to detain and imprison United States citizens under the Authorization for Use of Military Force, 50 USC 1541 note ("AUMF"), which was enacted shortly after the World Trade Centers fell; it provides in part that "...the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons..." 

That part of the NDAA which relates to habeas corpus is found under TITLE X--GENERAL PROVISIONS, Subtitle D--Counterterrorism, SECTION 1032--FINDINGS REGARDING HABEAS CORPUS RIGHTS; it appears to put limits on, or clarify the vague and totalitarian language found in the AUMF and reaffirm the Writ of Habeas Corpus as a fundamental principle of American democracy. It also expands those eligible for detention under AUMF to include "...a person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces." 

Pasted below is the latest version of Subtitle D of H.R. 4310: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 as enacted by the 112th Congress, 2011–2012 Text as of Jun 19, 2012 (Referred to Senate Committee). Relevant parts are highlighted. Please note however, that the text of the Bill may be changed in committee or through the amendment process. 
________________________________________________________________________
Subtitle D--Counterterrorism

SEC. 1031. FINDINGS ON DETENTION PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE ENACTED IN 2001.

Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2001, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘AUMF’), which authorized the President to ‘use all necessary and appropriate force’ against those responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001, and those who harbored them ‘in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States’. 

(2) In 2004, the Supreme Court held in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld that the AUMF authorized the President to detain individuals, including a United States citizen captured in Afghanistan and later detained in the United States, legitimately determined to be ‘engaged in armed conflict against the United States’ until the end of hostilities, noting that ‘[W]e understand Congress’ grant of authority for the use of ‘necessary and appropriate force’ to include the authority to detain for the duration of the relevant conflict, and our understanding is based on longstanding law-of-war principles’. 

(3) The Court reaffirmed the long-standing principle of American law that a United States citizen may not be detained in the United States pursuant to the AUMF without due process of law, stating the following: 

(A) ‘Striking the proper constitutional balance here is of great importance to the Nation during this period of ongoing combat. But it is equally vital that our calculus not give short shrift to the values that this country holds dear or to the privilege that is American citizenship.’. 

(B) ‘It is during our most challenging and uncertain moments that our Nation’s commitment to due process is most severely tested; and it is in those times that we must preserve our commitment at home to the principles for which we fight abroad.’. 

(C) ‘[A] state of war is not a blank check for the President when it comes to the rights of the Nation’s citizens.’. 

(D) ‘[A]bsent suspension, the writ of habeas corpus remains available to every individual detained within the United States.’. 

(E) ‘All agree suspension of the writ has not occurred here.’. 

(F) ‘[A]n enemy combatant must receive notice of the factual basis for his classification, and a fair opportunity to rebut the Government’s factual assertions before a neutral decisionmaker.’. 

(G) ‘Whatever power the United States Constitution envisions for the Executive in its exchanges with other nations or with enemy organizations in times of conflict, it most assuredly envisions a role for all three branches when individual liberties are at stake.’. 

(H) ‘[U]nless Congress acts to suspend it, the Great Writ of habeas corpus allows the Judicial Branch to play a necessary role in maintaining this delicate balance of governance, serving as an important judicial check on the Executive’s discretion in the realm of detentions.’. 

(I) ‘We reaffirm today the fundamental nature of a citizen’s right to be free from involuntary confinement by his own government without due process of law, and we weigh the opposing governmental interests against the curtailment of liberty that such confinement entails.’. 

(4) In 2008, in Boumediene v. Bush, the Supreme Court also extended the constitutional right to habeas corpus to the foreign detainees held pursuant to the AUMF at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

(5) Chapter 47A of title 10, United States Code, as originally enacted by the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-366), only allows for prosecution of foreign terrorists by military commission. 

(6) In 2011, with the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81), Congress and the President affirmed the authority of the Armed Forces of the United States to detain pursuant to the AUMF a person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for those attacks, or a person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces. 

(7) The interpretation of the detention authority provided by the AUMF under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 is the same as the interpretation used by the Obama administration in its legal filings in Federal court and is nearly identical to the interpretation used by the Bush administration. This interpretation has also been upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

(8) Such Act also requires the Secretary of Defense to regularly brief Congress regarding the application of the detention authority provided by the AUMF. 

(9) Section 1021 of such Act states that ‘Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.’.

SEC. 1032. FINDINGS REGARDING HABEAS CORPUS RIGHTS.

Congress finds the following: 

(1) Article 1, section 9 of the Constitution states ‘The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.’.

(2) Regarding the Great Writ, the Supreme Court has noted ‘The writ of habeas corpus is the fundamental instrument for safeguarding individual freedom against arbitrary and lawless state action.’. 
SEC. 1033. RIGHTS UNAFFECTED.
(a) Rule of Construction- Nothing in the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) or the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81) shall be construed to deny the availability of the writ of habeas corpus or to deny any Constitutional rights in a court ordained or established by or under Article III of the Constitution for any person who is lawfully in the United States when detained pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) and who is otherwise entitled to the availability of such writ or such rights. 

(b) Notification of Detention of Persons Under Authorization for Use of Military Force- Not later than 48 hours after the date on which a person who is lawfully in the United States is detained pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note), the President shall notify Congress of the detention of such person. 

(c) Habeas Applications- A person who is lawfully in the United States when detained pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) shall be allowed to file an application for habeas corpus relief in an appropriate district court not later than 30 days after the date on which such person is placed in military custody.

*Nothing contained in this article is intended to be nor should be construed as legal advice.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

PETER JOSEPH SPEAKS ABOUT HIS RECENT TRIP TO ISREAL (VIDEO)

Peter Joseph, the writer and director of the epic documentary, ZEITGEIST. Speaks about his recent trip to Israel and the current global political climate in this interview from Russia Today.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

ANONYMOUS - MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

This video made history when it was released. The first time I saw it was on the national news...of course they didn't show the whole video, just a few frames and no sound at all. If it weren't for the internet you would probably would never have had a chance to get this information.

ANONYMOUS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

AMERICAN PROTESTERS LAUGHABLE? (video)



I love these videos from RAP NEWS! Here is a link to their Youtube Channel.

The video pokes fun at American Protesters, Glenn Beck, Middle Eastern bloggers,the military, and humanity in general.

Friday, February 10, 2012

ROMNEY TO STAR AS DARREN STEVENS IN NEW VERSION OF BEWITCHED

MITT ROMNEY


Yes, Republican front-runner for the next presidential election, Mitt Romney, has been selected to play Darren Stevens in the new full length feature film "Bewitched". Mr. Romney was unavailable for comment, but the producer of the film said the politician was selected more for his resemblance to Dick York, the actor who played the part in the original sixties television series, than for his acting ability.

DICK YORK

POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASH IN GREECE

I love watching people exercising their right to demonstrate. Those Europeans really know how to have a good riot. American demonstrators are so placid by comparison.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

UNITED STATES TO INVADE IRAN?

I found this image on Facebook recently. I can't vouch for its accuracy, but it does ask an interesting question.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TANKS ROLLING THROUGH SANTA CRUZ! (VIDEO)

Loudly beat the drums of war! After watching this video of tanks rolling through Santa Cruz, one must wonder if someone is planning an invasion. Of course, it may just be that someone is planning to sell arms instead...either way, I don't think this is a good sign.

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Monday, January 30, 2012

FORMER REPRESENTATIVE MIKE GRANVER SAYS HE IS EMBARRASSED BY US FOREIGN POLICY

The Devil's Advocate applauds former Senator, Mike Granver, for his courage and commitment to truth. In this interview the former Senator speaks out harshly against the Obama administration for continuing and expanding on former President Bush's foreign policy. He says that while Obama says he won't use corporate interests to fund his re-election, he has already raised a billion dollars doing just that! He says that if the United States attacks Iran, there is a strong possibility that it could touch off World War Three. He says that our government needs to be put back in the hands of the people.
If there were more politicians like this in Washington, I am sure we wouldn't be facing the problems we are today. Enjoy the interview:


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OBAMA RELEASES BUSH "TORTURE MEMOS"

President Obama has finally released the legal memorandum which the Bush Administration used to justify torture of detainees in the "War On Terror".
Although Obama's cabinet has turned down more requests under the Freedom Of Information Act than any other administration, they should be congratulated for this release. Only if the American People are fully informed can they make reasonable decisions with regard to foreign affairs.
Here is the Memo:
OLCMemo1



I asked AI if it has been used to influence the U.S. Presidential Election and the answer was disturbing.

Question: Has artificial intelligence been used to influence the U.S. presidential election? ChatGPT: There have been concerns and investig...