The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Don’t Know Where This Is, But The Feeling Is National

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

Category: Barack Obama

Douchebag Lawyer Defends Denial of Service (DDOS) Attacks as ‘Free Speech’

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | 12 Comments

At what point do those in the legal community who defend criminals — guaranteeing them their due-process rights, giving them “their day in court” — cross a line into advocating, endorsing or excusing the crimes committed by their clients?

Not a moot question, given how Jay Leiderman speaks of the actions of the “Anonymous” hackers he represents:

Take PayPal for example, just like Woolworth’s, people went to PayPal and said, I want to give a donation to WikiLeaks. In Woolworth’s they said, all I want to do is buy lunch, pay for my lunch, and then I’ll leave. People said I want to give a donation to WikiLeaks, I’ll take up my bandwidth to do that, then I’ll leave, you’ll make money, I’ll feel fulfilled, everyone’s fulfilled. PayPal will take donations for the Ku Klux Klan, other racists and questionable organizations, but they won’t process donations for WikiLeaks. All the PayPal protesters did was take up some bandwidth. In that sense, DDoS is absolutely speech, it should absolutely be recognized as such, protected as such, and the law should be changed. . . .
The government and people who write about tech tend to call it a “DDoS attack” but in certain circumstances it’s not a DDoS attack, but a DDoS protest. So the law should be narrowly drawn and what needs to be excised from that are the legitimate protests.

Let’s be clear about this: What “Anonymous” was engaged in was extortion and thuggery, not “protest.”

You can’t just say to a business, “Here, I’m holding up this hoop — jump through it, immediately, or I’ll shut down your business.”

Let’s also be clear about something else: It’s the Left who believes these thug tactics are legitimate, just like when they sent mobs to camp out in the front yards of bank executives, or to harass people attending last year’s AFP summit.

You will probably not be surprised to learn that Jay Leiderman has a highly selective sensibility as regards free speech. Leiderman is defending former “Anonymous” spokesman Barrett Brown — asserting, we suppose, Brown’s constitutional right to threaten FBI agents — and also representing Nadia Naffe against Patterico, who evidently doesn’t have a constitutional right to reproduce court documents relating to Naffe’s lawsuit against the Republican Party.

This is a legal manifestation 0f Herbert Marcuse’s “repressive tolerance” — only the Left has any “rights” worth defending.

UPDATE: Guess this is as good a place as any to quote an article Taylor Amerding wrote about Barrett Brown’s arrest:

Very few in the security community would comment on the arrest for the record, most saying they did not want the headache of becoming a target of Anonymous.
One of the few who did was Robert Stacy McCain, who wrote on his website, The Other McCain, that “a lot of the Anonymous people never trusted Barrett Brown, regarding him as an untrustworthy egomaniacal fame-seeker trying to cash in.”
“He did a TV interview with Michael Isikoff of NBC and announced a book deal with Gregg Housh, and did all of this while promoting himself as the official spokesman for Anonymous, whose members are … well, anonymous, and with good reason, because the cops would very much like to put a lot of them in prison,” McCain wrote.
McCain wrote that after the FBI raided Brown in March, but did not arrest him, other members of Anonymous suspected he might be cooperating with the agency. Of the latest video, he wrote: “Being a paranoid conspiracy theorist is not illegal, and Brown’s tinfoil-hat rantings about (various enemies) were just so much noise. But his threats to ‘destroy’ FBI agent Robert Smith? Yeah, the feds don’t take that kind of talk lightly.”

What stuns me is the timidity of “the security community” Amerding alleges here. Are people really afraid to comment on Brown’s arrest for fear of “becoming a target of Anonymous”?

This assumes that the members of Anonymous are so stupid they can’t see Barrett Brown for the reckless fool he is. Brown’s laughable foolishness is sufficiently self-evident that I have a hard time believing anyone could ever take him seriously, and I’ve never had any fear of reprisal for pointing it out.

Meanwhile, by way of playing catch-up with the Barrett Brown saga, his friends have published Brown’s letter from prison in which he vehemently denies having ever been a “spokesman” or “leader” of Anonymous, while continuing to rant about HB Gary, Aaron Barr, Jennifer Emick, and other such persons whom he accuses of involvement in a sinister conspiracy.

 

Category: Barrett Brown, Computers, Crime, Terrorism

What Hath Daily Caller Wrought?

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | 25 Comments

Slept late today because I figure I’ll be up late writing about tonight’s debate, and I didn’t participate in the Drudge-induced hype over yesterday’s Daily Caller/Sean Hannity release of a 2007 video, e.g., Allahpundit:

It’s the talk of Twitter and of our comment threads, so here’s a dedicated post to let your imaginations run wild.

Really? I was working on other things and didn’t much notice the hype, but Ace got gripped by it, really completely gripped by it — I mean, totally enthralled by it, madly obsessed with it — and so after sleeping late today, maybe I should say something about the EXCLUSIVE VIDEO which apparently was expected to shock the entire English-speaking world yesterday.

Meh.

 

 

A source informs me that some Romney campaign staffers actually got swept up in the speculation that this video was the silver bullet which would magically slay the Obama werewolf. And as usual in such matters, the event didn’t live up to the hype.

Let me here insert a bit of background — historical context, as it were — that might explain why I didn’t get too excited about the revelation of a 2007 video in which Obama gave a shout-out to Rev. Jeremiah Wright and otherwise said controversial things: I remember the 1990s.

During Bill Clinton’s first term, enormous efforts were expended by certain people to dig up The Real Truth about what went down in Arkansas during Clinton’s governorship.

The worst of it was the Mena Airport conspiracy theory: Allegedly, in order to protect a drug-smuggling operation based out of this small airport in rural Arkansas, several people had been murdered and, according to the conspiracy theorists, Clinton and his cronies were up to their necks in this massive corruption and cover-up.

Somebody produced a video about this, and the video became a sort of cult classic, particularly in Christian conservative circles. It appealed to a fairly widespread sentiment that Americans didn’t know everything they needed to know about the Clintons. After the suicide of Vince Foster, especially, there was a sense that all kinds of clandestine shenanigans were being covered up and ignored by the mainstream media. The Internet was still in its infancy back then, but even then there were sites devoted to “exposing” this Mena Airport scandal.

Was there ever anything to it? I don’t know, and it doesn’t really matter, because that’s not the point.

THIS IS THE POINT: Whatever happened at Mena Airport happened before Clinton was president, you see, and once a guy gets elected president, you’re never going to take him down based on some previously unknown thing that happened before he was president.

Trust me when I say that there are plenty of people out there trying to contact reporters with The Real Truth About Barack Obama. At one point this past summer, I was prepared to fly to Chicago to meet with sources who had something serious that seemed to deserve checking out. Scheduling conflicts and other unexpected hassles prevented that trip from happening, which I sincerely regret — not only did I miss a chance to get paid for a lengthy print article, but I believe the article could have added significantly to public understanding of the corrupt environment in which Obama’s early political career was nutured.

Still, I never believed it was a “silver bullet” story, because you’re just not going to get that kind of story based on stuff that happened before Obama became president. Sean Hannity and others are correct in saying that Obama was never properly “vetted” by the media in 2008, but you cannot defeat Obama for re-election by attempting to “vet” him retroactively.

Public perception of presidents simply doesn’t work that way, and so this 2007 video was never going to be a “silver bullet,” no matter how much promotion Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity or Matt Drudge put behind it. Tucker went on Fox & Friends today to explain why the video matters:

Daily Caller editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson said on Fox and Friends this morning that the “very revealing” clip is an example of Obama using racially-charged rhetoric. . . .
Carlson explained that in his view, “Obama is telling a majority-black audience that the federal government doesn’t like them because they’re black. He is whipping up fear, and paranoia, and hatred.”

Right. Tell us something we didn’t already know. Ed Morrissey:

The larger point here is that the media has a double standard on race, and a double standard for Republicans.

Again: Tell us something we didn’t already know. I’m not discounting either the reality or the importance of this, but I hate seeing people buy into false hope that this EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!! — how do you spell “eleventy”? — or anything else like it could ever be the “silver bullet” that magically defeats Obama.

Here’s a SHOCKING REVELATION for you: The economy sucks.

Let’s see if we can’t win with that simple message, OK?

Category: Ace of Spades, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Conspiracy Theories, Election 2012, Racism, Scandal

How to Deal With Biased Media Liars (and Other Such Worthless Scalawags)

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | 33 Comments

“My God, Scarlett O’Hara! When I start out to cut somebody up, you don’t think I’d be satisfied with scratching him with the blunt side of my knife, do you? No, by God, I cut him to ribbons.”
— Tony Calvert, in Gone With the Wind

Well, that’s merely an analogy — a colorful literary allusion — and my concern for the First Amendment requires that I condemn anyone who might contemplate dealing with even the most dishonestly biased journalist in the manner by which hot-tempered young Calvert dispatched his villainous hellbound foe.

No, not even Chris Matthews.

“When I start out to cut somebody up,” therefore, I’m limited to such damage as can be done by words, but I’m pretty handy with a rhetorical knife. With that in mind — and thinking what might possibly pain the conscience of even the most shameless liberal hack — please read my latest column at The American Spectator.

And be sure to read it all the way to the end.

Category: American Spectator, Barack Obama, Debates, Election 2012, Media Bias, Mitt Romney

MA-4: Has Obama Taught Us About Electing Buffoons? NO To Joe Kennedy III, YES To Sean Bielat

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | 4 Comments

by Smitty

Via Not Another Kennedy:

Sean Bielat, despite his impressive 2010 showing that drove the odious Barney Frank into retirement, faces an uphill battle this November to represent MA-4. Lesser Americans might melt; Marines thrive on the challenge.

In stark contrast to Sean’s leadership and managerial skills, Little Joe brings. . .name recognition. Also, an equestrian distaste for being asked questions by his subjectsconstituents.
Boston.com, reviewing the first of three debates to which Kennedy has condescended:

Bielat, 37, said his experience in private business and the military qualified him for the seat.
Kennedy, 31, strongly defended his qualifications, pointing to his record as a prosecutor in the Middlesex and Cape & Islands district attorney’s offices and before that as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic.

Peace Corps. Really. Read the whole thing.

Sean Bielat for Congress, MA-4?

It’s not true that the Peace Corps is filled with dope smoking Commies. But why chance letting one into Congress, MA-4?

Category: Massachusetts, Sean Bielat

LIVE AT FIVE: 10.03.12

Posted on | October 3, 2012 | Comments Off on LIVE AT FIVE: 10.03.12

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
GOP Accuses Obama Of Ignoring Libya Warnings

Libyan security officer stands in front of security office attacked by civilian mobs

Issa, Chaffetz say Administration ignored pleas by diplomats in Libya to increase security
Related: Demonstrations in Tripoli demand militia disbandment

Senate Panel Rips DHS Fusion Centers
Billions wasted to gather intel on innocent Americans, no useful intel on terrorists produced

Ann Romney Takes Larger Role In Campaign
Pushing back against the defeatists



POLITICS
Border Patrol Agent Slain, Partner Wounded On Arizona Border

Border Patrol agents look over the fence into Mexico

Unknown gunmen sought by US, Mexican police forces

Warren Maintains Narrow Lead In WBUR Poll

Joe Biden: Middle Class Buried Under Obama (Video)

Was Obama’s Other Race Speech Ignored?

Pennsylvania Voter ID Law Suspended For 2012


NJ To Order Spending Cuts In Newark As City Begins Tenth Month Without Budget

Obama Outspending Romney On TV

Outside Money Fills Airwaves In Tight Senate Races

Over Half Of California’s Asian-Americans Either Independents Or Nonpartisan



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Prices Drift Lower On Light, Choppy Trading: NYMEX $91.89, Brent $111.57
The ECB’s Plan For Spain May Not Be Enough
US Manufacturing Sector Expands In September
ADB Lowers India’s Growth Outlook To 5.6%
Lenovo To Start First US Production Line
Soy, Grains Fall On Higher Harvest Estimates
LinkedIn Gets Serious About Content, Adds “Follow” And Blogging Features
Intel Spreads $40 Million Investment Love To Ten Companies
Logitech Harmoney Touch: Say Goodbye To Buttons
Samsung Claims Jury Foreman Lied About Past To Get On Apple v. Samsung Jury
T-Mobile In Talks To Buy MetroPCS



SPORTS
Dodgers Eliminated As Comeback Falls Short

Dodgers watch from dugout as playoff hopes evaporate

4-3 loss to Giants seals fate

O’s Survive Rays, Yanks Top Sox

A’s Tie Rangers For AL West Lead

Cardinals Clinch Playoff Slot Despite Loss To Reds

Tigers’ Cabrera Won’t Sit Out Triple Crown Race

Cubs Fall To Astros In Matchup Of 100-Loss Teams

Rays Waste 15 K’s From Shields, Fall To O’s 1-0

Adam Greenberg Returns For His Moonlight Graham Moment With Marlins

NHL Estimates Preseason Losses At $100 Million

LaRoche Hits 33rd Homer, 100th RBI As Nats Beat Phillies 4-2



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Not Chunky But Curvy: Lady Gaga Rocks Versace Dress In Milan

Lady Gaga in Milan

Weight gain controversy? What weight gain?

“American Idol” Auditions Scratched After Sparks Fly Between Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey

George Clooney, Stacy Keibler Nearing A Split?

Britney Spears’ Cell Phone & Internet Use Heavily Monitored, Restricted

First Look At Esquire Cover Girl Cameron Diaz

Antoine Ashley (Better Known As Sahara Davenport) From “RuPaul’s Drag Race 2” Dies At 27

Chris Brown, Rihanna Caught Making Out At NYC Club

HBO Renews “Boardwalk Empire” For Fourth Season



FOREIGNERS
Libyans Say Few Questions Being Asked About Consulate Attack
Car Bombs Go Off In Loyalist-Held Sectors Of Aleppo, Dozens Killed
Georgia’s Saakashvili Concedes. Goes Peacefully Into Opposition
College Students Slaughtered In Nigeria Attack
Ahmadinejad Admits Rial’s Freefall Partly Due To Sanctions
Kiwis Cancel Tyson Visa For Rape Conviction
Novelist Murakami Criticizes “Hysteria” Over Senkaku Islands
Suu Kyi: Burma Must Develop Its Own Democracy
Ukraine Moves To Criminalize “Promotion Of Homosexuality”
Hezbollah Commander Reportedly Killed In Syria
Golden Temple Raid’s Commander Subject Of Attempted Murder In London
Vile Brit, Lifelong Apologist For Murderous Communist Regimes, Dies At 95
Further proof that only the good die young



BLOGS & STUFF
WyBlog: In Municipal Court, You’re Guilty Even If Proven Innocent
S.E. Cupp: Ask The Tough Questions, Mitt
Power Line: Obama’s Shout-Out to Reverend Wright
Protein Wisdom: Anti-America’s Chickens Coming Home To Roost
NRO Corner: Five Most Controversial Quotes From Obama’s Speech At Hampton U
Stanley Kurtz: The 2007 Obama Video
GayPatriot: Modest Mittmentum Heading Into Debate
Allahpundit: Hillary Tells Issa He Should Reserve Judgment On Embassy Attacks Until November
Lonely Conservative: White House Won’t Comment On Ignored Requests For More Security In Libya
Atlas Shrugs: Obama #EpicFail – US Embassy In Libya’s Request For Extra Security Denied
NewsBusters: Not A Parody – Politico Hypes Joe Biden As Sex Symbol
Jawa Report: Obama Campaign Reduces Women To “Lady Parts”
Robert Cost: Ringside With Romney
Weasel Zippers: Flying Pig Alert NYT Public Editor Says Paper Shouldn’t Ban Use Of “Illegal Immigrant”
Shot In The Dark: A Small Victory
John Fund: Pennsylvania Voter ID Ruling A Partial Victory
Jammie Wearing Fools: Obama Leads By 4 In Quinnipiac Poll With 24% GOP Sample


Did you blog something you think deserves more exposure? E-mail me.

Category: Live at Five

Above All Else, Remember: The Federal Reserve Has Gone Malignant

Posted on | October 2, 2012 | 42 Comments

by Smitty

The New York Sun:

“Bernanke warns congress to butt out of interest-rate policy discussions . . .” is the headline up on the Drudge Report following the speech today by the Federal Reserve’s chairman at Indiana. It sounds to us like the chairman is warning Congress against passing Congressman Ron Paul’s audit-the-Fed legislation and Congressman Kevin Brady’s Sound Dollar Act, both of which would open up Fed policies to inspection. The chairman’s speech marks another step in the Fed and the Congress moving into what might be called open, if polite, confrontation.
It’s an important story. The fear the Fed chairman is trying to instill is that by conducting an audit of the Fed that includes its interest rate policy discussions, the Congress would open the Fed up to political interference. It strikes us as an illogical reach. The Fed, after all, is running one of the most radical interest rate programs in the history of the central bank. It’s been many an election since we’ve seen the Fed so close to the center of the presidential campaign.

“Zimbabwe” Ben Bernanke is #2, after #OccupyResoluteDesk, on the list of people who Have. Got. To. Go. in my opinion.

And Ben himself may not be a bad guy; maybe it’s the office. But the Federal Reserve has been for too long the bi-partisan vehicle for funding federal irresponsibility. The madness will stop. The question is whether the sudden deceleration is going to snuff the economy with it.

Category: End The Fed

‘Demorrhoids’

Posted on | October 2, 2012 | 7 Comments

by Smitty

Category: PJTV
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