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International Data Privacy Day
by Stephen Lendman
It's commemorated annually on January 28. More on its significance below.
This year's DPA comes when revelations show unconstitutional NSA spying. Privacy no longer exists.
Other fundamental freedoms are eroding. They're disappearing in plain sight.
America was never a democracy. Today it's more police state than free society. Unconstitutional mass surveillance is official US policy.
What Bush began, Obama accelerated. He governs secretly. His administration is the least transparent in US history.
Unprecedented Inequality under Obama
by Stephen Lendman
It's unprecedented in modern memory. Obama declared war on social America. He's gone all out to destroy it altogether. More on this below.
On Tuesday, he'll deliver his annual State of the Union address. Expect empty promises. Expect duplicitous rhetoric.
Expect beginning-to-end demagogic boilerplate. Expect a litany of lies. Expect pledges without follow-through.
Expect business as usual to continue. Expect deepening poverty, unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, human suffering and deprivation.
Mass Surveillance Called Illegal
by Stephen Lendman
In 2004, Congress established the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). It did so to advise executive branch officials on these issues.
It was virtually moribund. It accomplished nothing under Bush. Nor during Obama's first term. In November 2013, it held its first meaningful hearing.
On January 23, it condemned mass surveillance. It called it illegal. It refuted administration claims. More on what it said below.
Pervasive spying is longstanding policy. It's worse than ever now. NSA watches everyone everywhere all the time.
Fake Syrian Peace Talks Continue
by Stephen Lendman
Talks were stillborn when announced. Syria is Obama's war. He launched it. He continues it. He wants regime change.
He wants Washington in charge of Syria's future. He wants Syrians having no say. He wants pro-Western stooge governance replacing Assad.
He wants what Syrians won't tolerate. The so-called Syrian National Coalition (SNC) is a US construct.
Its leaders and representatives are beholden to Washington. They have no legitimacy whatever. Most aren't Syrians. They live abroad.
Long Odds to Save Their Country The Syrian Team in Geneva
by FRANKLIN LAMB
Damascus.
As a new workweek begins here is Damascus many citizens across a fairly broad spectrum appear to be backing, and even exhibiting a kind of pride for their diplomatic team at the Geneva II conference. It might appear flippant for this observer to suggest that returning to Damascus after recent events in his neighborhood of Haret Hriek in Dahiyeh, South Beirut sort of feels like one has arrived in a peaceful holiday local rather stress free, but others have told me the same thing once they crossover from Lebanon. Damascus is currently the most quiet and ‘normal’ appearing that I have found this historic city for more than two years.
Damascenes to a person it appears, despite differing political views, are hoping for breakthroughs that just might bring an end to the carnage that has left virtually no one unaffected and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes, killed close to 140,000 and with more than 18,000 missing. These and many more tragedies creating a major humanitarian crisis both within Syria and among this birth place of civilization’s neighbors.
Stand In Support Of Women And Girls And Against Misogyny In All Its Forms
by Brian McAfee
There have been similar stories before but the one that came from India in December of 2012 of a 23 year old medical student who, after getting on a bus with her male friend, was attacked, raped and tortured by a gang of men on the bus. After their initial crimes the men threw her and her male companion, who had been beaten by the thugs, out of the bus and onto the road. The young woman died two weeks later from her injuries The rapist murderers were arrested, four received harsh sentences but one was given only three years in a juvenile prison, he is in his late teens.
Despite the obvious evil nature of this kind of conduct it appears to have had little impact in reducing the numbers or nature of attacks against women and girls. While the above mentioned attack outraged millions in India and around the world less than a month ago another took place with equally despicable, if not worse characteristics.
The Irony and the Hypocrisy, the U.S. Department of Defense Is Using Blackberry for Its Privacy
via chycho
The major selling point for BlackBerry has always been its security and privacy - the way it encrypted communication across its network was the only game in town - that is, until 2010, when governments threatened to “block encrypted BlackBerry corporate e-mail and messaging services” unless their security agencies were granted access to them.
This was the beginning of the demise of Blackberry. Because of The Surveillance State’s inability to spy on their own citizens, governments forced BlackBerry to change their business model, which in turn played a major role in the company’s collapse.
Ironic, considering the latest announcement from the U.S. Defense Department that approximately 98% of their smartphone purchases for their new network will be from BlackBerry because they offer the best option in the industry for secure communication.
New York's Zionist Mayor
by Stephen Lendman
On January 1, Michael Bloomberg was out. Bill de Blasio replaced him. Zionism remains empowered.
Imagine letting Israel influence NYC policy. Imagine giving AIPAC say.
Imagine Obama doing the same thing. Stanley Fischer is a Zionist zealot. Obama nominated him for Fed vice chairman.
He's rubber-stamp approval away from assuming his post. He'll let Israel influence US monetary policy.
On January 24, de Blasio delivered an unannounced address. He spoke in midtown Manhattan. He did so at a closed door AIPAC event.
Remembering Shulamit Aloni
by Stephen Lendman
On January 24, longtime Israeli MK, minister, human/civil/women's rights champion, and outspoken critic of Israeli apartheid passed. She was 86.
Her roots were Polish. Her parents were rabbinical family descendants. She was born in Tel Aviv.
She was a prominent peace advocate. She opposed occupation harshness. She championed Palestinian rights.
As a youth, she was a socialist Zionist Hashomer Hatzair (Youth Group) member. During the British Mandate period, she was a Palmach brigade member.
Its mandate was much more than military. It contributed significantly to Israeli culture, values, character and spirit.
Palestinians Against Fake Peace Talks
by Stephen Lendman
Palestinians want genuine peace. They want their fundamental rights respected. They want long denied liberation. Activists reject ongoing talks. More on this below.
Israel wants unchallenged control. It wants unconditional surrender.
It wants militarized occupation harshness continued. It wants Palestinians denied all rights.
Washington provides full support. Kerry is no honest peace broker. Nor Netanyahu. Nor longtime Israeli collaborators.
They represent Palestine illegitimately. They have no credibility whatever. They sold out before. They did so for special benefits they derived. Another surrender is likely.
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