Posting Towards Gomorrah

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
What about motorists being arrested just because they're black?

We don't know enough of the facts to know whether it was a throw-away comment or issued threateningly. And it wouldn't surprise me if it was the former. And I'm all for more liberal requirements for wrongful arrest. But I'm not sure this one deserves a whole lot more attention than any of the other ones. Is the harm somehow greater here?

As I tried to suggest with my subject line, I think there's a political-speech angle here that makes this incident different from most wrongful-arrest cases. So, yes.

[SlaveNoMore]

A death pool might be fun. Can we add TV execs to the mix?

ABC RELEASED TRANSCRIPT OF CHAT BETWEEN FOLEY AND A MAN WHO WAS 18 AT THE TIME OF THE INSTANT MESSAGE EXCHANGE.... NETWORK GAVE IMPRESSION MESSAGE WAS TO 'UNDER AGE' TEEN... DEVELOPING

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
A death pool might be fun. Can we add TV execs to the mix?

ABC RELEASED TRANSCRIPT OF CHAT BETWEEN FOLEY AND A MAN WHO WAS 18 AT THE TIME OF THE INSTANT MESSAGE EXCHANGE.... NETWORK GAVE IMPRESSION MESSAGE WAS TO 'UNDER AGE' TEEN... DEVELOPING

Does this mean penske can unretire?

[SlaveNoMore]

Roger L. Simon:

"Meanwhile, does anyone think it is ironic that so-called progressives who excoriated eavesdropping on terrorists are feasting on the publication of supposedly confidential email and IMs? You can forget about privacy. It no longer exists, if it ever did.

The Patriot Act, if you think about it, is on some levels a joke, the Constitution a sideshow.

The craven and rapacious stalk the corridors of power egged on by a loathesome media as hypocrisy rules and child abuse rears its ugly head with the age of consent debated by people whose only interest is their own ambitions.

Meanwhile, lost in the shadows, an enemy whose "Messenger" married a nine -year old watches and waits"

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Roger L. Simon:

"Meanwhile, does anyone think it is ironic that so-called progressives who excoriated eavesdropping on terrorists are feasting on the publication of supposedly confidential email and IMs? You can forget about privacy. It no longer exists, if it ever did."

How do you think ABC got the e-mail and wiretaps? FISA warrants and wiretaps, or one of the parties to the communications handed them over? When letters were being written on papyrus, that shit happened.

You're looking too hard for a silver lining or just a glimmer of irony.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Oh, Slave -- that's gotta hurt:

• The source who in July gave news media Rep. Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) suspect e-mails to a former House page says the documents came to him from a House GOP aide.
  
  That aide has been a registered Republican since becoming eligible to vote, said the source, who showed The Hill public records supporting his claim.
  
  The same source, who acted as an intermediary between the aide-turned-whistleblower and several news outlets, says the person who shared the documents is no longer employed in the House.
  
  But the whistleblower was a paid GOP staffer when the documents were first given to the media.

[SlaveNoMore]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
Oh, Slave -- that's gotta hurt:

Actually Ty, what's gonna hurt is the fifth word in the next sentence:

[list]The source who in July gave news media Rep. Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) suspect e-mails to a former House page says the documents came to him from a House GOP aide.

July?????

And have the stones to suggest this wasn't an orchestrated hatchet job timed exactly one month before Election Day?

[Spanky]

[Spanky]

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Actually Ty, what's gonna hurt is the fifth word in the next sentence:

July?????

And have the stones to suggest this wasn't an orchestrated hatchet job timed exactly one month before Election Day?

I've already seen an explanation from Florida newspapers of why they didn't run the story earlier. That was days ago. Because they sat on it, they got scooped.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I've already seen an explanation from Florida newspapers of why they didn't run the story earlier. That was days ago. Because they sat on it, they got scooped.

I know several people are intellectually dishonest here, it's part of their schtick. I always thought you weren't one of them. But lately I developed a theory that you aren't serious here most times. are you? You can't think the above is responsive to Slave....do you think it is?

[Hank Chinaski]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/a...ssy/article.do

• Met chief orders inquiry into Muslim PC embassy row
  
  Sir Ian Blair has ordered an 'urgent inquiry' after a Muslim police officer was excused from guarding London's Israeli Embassy after he objected to the duty on 'moral grounds'.
  
  Sir Ian said: "Having learned of this issue I have asked for an urgent review of the situation and a full report into the circumstances."
  
  PC Alexander Omar Basha - a member of the Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group - refused to be posted there because he objected to Israeli bombings in Lebanon and the resulting civilian casualties of fellow Muslims.
  
  In a move which has caused widespread astonishment at Scotland Yard, senior officers in the DPG agreed that that PC Basha should be given an alternative posting.
  
  The officer, who carries a gun, is now thought to be guarding another embassy.
  
  Critics accused Met chiefs of bowing to political correctness, saying the decision set a dangerous precedent.
  
  A senior source in the Metropolitan Police Federation said: 'We are expected to serve people without fear or favour. You treat them according to their needs whether you agree with their political or religious views or not.
  
  "Officers should not be allowed to pick and choose where they work in this way."
  
  Richard Barnes, a Tory member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, accused senior officers of lacking tact.
  
  He said: "I think it was crass management in the first place. They should have recognised there could have been a problem and not suggested this officer be posted at this embassy.
  
  "The Met keep banging on about diversity, but this case shows they have learned very little at all."
  
  The Israeli embassy in Kensington, West London, is one of the most secure diplomatic buildings in the capital. Officers are on patrol around the clock amid fears it could be targeted by terrorists.
  
  Last night senior Scotland Yard sources stressed the decision not to post PC Basha to the Israeli embassy was taken by 'locally' senior officers in the DPG.
  
  They stressed Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, who has been dubbed Britain's most politically correct police chief, had "absolutely no involvement in the case".
  
  But Met insiders blame Sir Ian for creating a culture of political correctness since taking over as head of the force in February last year.
  
  One of the first initiatives taken by Sir Ian after taking up the post was to change the Met's log from a handwritten style to a bland type in capitals because it discriminated against short-sighted people.
  
  Next he approved the hiring of 24 'diversity advisors' to give advice on race and gay issues to police investigating major crimes.
  
  Last year he was found 'guilty' of 'hanging three white detectives out to dry' to prove his anti-racist credentials.
  
  An employment tribunal said while deputy head of the force, Sir Ian prejudiced discipline proceedings against the men because he wanted to make an example of them.
  
  The three said they were 'treated like criminals' after an Asian woman colleague complained that one of the mispronounced the word 'shi'ites' as 'shitties'. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that PC Basha had objected to being posted to the Israeil Embassy.
  
  He added: "On occasions and for a variety of reasons, an officer may ask to be moved, whatever role they perform. Every case is managed separately.
  
  "At the end of the day the needs of the Metropolitan Police Service take precedence and the Commissioner reserves the right to post an officer where he sees fit."
  
  PC Nadeem Malik, an executive committee member of the Association of Muslim Police, said: "There are around 300 Muslim staff working in the Met and a number of Muslim police working in the diplomatic protection group who do not have problem covering the Israeli Embassy.
  
  "These officers are Londoners, and Met police officers first and foremost."
  
  PC Basha - in his late twenties and with a neatly-trimmed beard - is understood he has recently taken part in recent anti-war protests.
  
  The Israeli Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens is a top terror target. The building was attacked in 1994 by Palestinian fanatics when a 50lb car bomb exploded, injuring nine and causing millions of pounds' damage.
  
  Ex-Met Flying Squad commander John O'Connor, said: "This is the beginning of the end for British policing.
  
  "If they can allow this, surely they'll have to accept a Jewish officer not wanting to work at an Islamic national embassy? Will Catholic cops be let off working at Protestant churches? Where will it end? This decision is going to allow officers to act in a discriminating and racist way.
  
  "When you join the police, you do so to provide a service to the public. If you cannot perform those duties, you leave.
  
  "The Metropolitan Police are setting a precedent they will come to bitterly regret. Top brass granted his wish as they were probably frightened of being accused of racism. But what they've done is an insult to the Jewish community."
  
  Last night Met chief Sir Ian Blair ordered an urgent review of the decision not to post the Muslim officer to the Israeli embassy.
  
  In a hurriedly-composed statement, he said: "Having learned of this issue, I have asked for a review of the situation and a full report into the circumstances."
  
  Met sources said the Commissioner was 'furious' that such a decision had been taken by his senior officers.
  
  One said: "He had no knowledge about this case until very late tonight. It sends out the wrong messages and he wants it sorted out as soon as possible."
  
  It is understood the head of the Diplomatic Protection Group, Chief Supt Jamie Stephen, approved PC Basha's request.
  
  His boss, Commander Peter Loughborough, was "consulted" about the case and agreed with his decision.
  
  Commander Loughborough - an artisocrat who is also in overall charge of Royalty Protection - is no stranger to controversy.
  
  He was strongly tipped to lose his job after an intruder dressed up as Osama Bin Laden gatecrashed Prince William's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle, and kissed him on both cheeks.
  
  However he kept his job after senior royals made it clear to the Met's top brass they had faith in him.

Wow. I kept looking to limit this to an excerpt, but it's all pretty important stuff.

[Hank Chinaski]

• Appeal on school's lesson in Muslim culture is rejected
  
  The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday by evangelical Christian students and their parents who said a Contra Costa County school district engaged in unconstitutional religious indoctrination when it taught students about Islam by having them recite language from prayers.
  
  The court, without comment, left intact a ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco last November in favor of the Byron Union School District in eastern Contra Costa.
  
  The suit challenged the content of a seventh-grade history course at Excelsior Middle School in Byron in the fall of 2001. The teacher, using an instructional guide, told students they would adopt roles as Muslims for three weeks to help them learn what Muslims believe.
  
  She encouraged them to use Muslim names, recited prayers in class, had them memorize and recite a passage from the Quran and made them give up something for a day, such as television or candy, to simulate fasting during the month of Ramadan. The final exam asked students for a critique of elements of Muslim culture.
  
  The students and parents who sued argued that the class activities had crossed the line from education into an official endorsement of a religious practice. A federal judge and the appeals court disagreed, saying the class had an instructional purpose and the students had engaged in no actual religious exercises.
  
  Linda Lye, a lawyer for the school district, said the same instructional material remains available for classes, though it is not required.
  
  "I'm delighted that the Byron Union School District can put this case finally behind it and get on with educating children and exposing them to the world's great cultures and religions in an appropriate way,'' Lye said.
  
  Edward White of the Thomas More Law Center, an attorney who represented the plaintiffs, said the Supreme Court's rejection surprised him. The case "presents significant issues of national importance with regard to public school education and religious indoctrination of children,'' he said.
  
  The case is Eklund vs. Byron Union School District, 05-1539.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...NG4ILH1201.DTL

How is the ACLU not in on this one?

If you had read this:

• "get on with educating children and exposing them to .......religions "

Would you have bet ACLU would have been on board? Is Byron Union near any of you guys? Is there any explaination?

[soup sandwich]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Actually Ty, what's gonna hurt is the fifth word in the next sentence:



July?????

And have the stones to suggest this wasn't an orchestrated hatchet job timed exactly one month before Election Day?

Of course the release was timed to increase damage to the Rs in the next election (they can't say this so instead it will be "because of the sensitive nature of these allegations, we had to be abosolutely sure of the facts"). I think you know this already but are just looking for a D to admit it. Well I freely admit it. The politicians may have to make up pretenses for thsi stuff, but I don't see why we must do it on this board.

But it still seems that the Rs had the information first and could have controlled how it was released. The Rs fucked up and the Ds took advantage. We'll see how it affects the elections.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by soup sandwich
Of course the release was timed to increase damage to the Rs in the next election (they can't say this so instead it will be "because of the sensitive nature of these allegations, we had to be abosolutely sure of the facts"). I think you know this already but are just looking for a D to admit it. Well I freely admit it. The politicians may have to make up pretenses for thsi stuff, but I don't see why we must do it on this board.

But it still seems that the Rs had the information first and could have controlled how it was released. The Rs fucked up and the Ds took advantage. We'll see how it affects the elections.

I don't understand why so many wingers entertain nutjob conspiracy theories about the press worthy of Michael Moore. Here's a NYT story from three days ago about the issue:

• WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 — At least two news organizations were tipped off to e-mail messages sent by Representative Mark Foley long before the story of his sexually explicit remarks to teenage pages broke last week and forced him to resign.
  
  The St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald received copies of an e-mail exchange between Mr. Foley, Republican of Florida, and a teenager, but neither paper gathered enough solid material to publish a story, according to statements by the papers’ editors.
  
  It was not until the exchanges were published online last week, first by an anonymous blogger, then on the ABC News Web site, that the story gained momentum and grew more damaging as other teenagers came forward.
  
  The trickle of information about Mr. Foley’s messages, first made known to the news media almost a year ago, has raised questions not only for Congressional officials but also for news organizations about how to handle anonymous sources making explosive accusations in an election year.
  
  At the same time, the papers’ decisions not to report the accusations are being cited by Republican leaders as justification for why they themselves did not step forward earlier to try to stop Mr. Foley.
  
  “He deceived his in-state newspaper when they each questioned him,” Speaker J. Dennis Hastert said Tuesday. “He deceived me, too.”
  
  The St. Petersburg Times said that last November, it received copies of an e-mail exchange between Mr. Foley and a former page from Louisiana. The newspaper said the boy, who was under age, did not want his name used, and the paper said it did not want to publish accusations based on unnamed sources. The Miami Herald apparently received the same information, although it is not clear when it received it.
  
  Brian Ross of ABC News said he learned about the e-mail messages in August but was too busy with Hurricane Katrina and the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks to pursue them immediately. None of the organizations seemed to anticipate how big the story would become.
  
  “I never thought it would lead to his resignation,” Mr. Ross said.
  
  When The St. Petersburg Times received its first tip on the e-mail messages in late 2005, the editors decided it was “friendly chit-chat,” with nothing overtly sexual, but nonetheless assigned two reporters to find out more, according to an editor’s note.
  
  The reporters tracked down the teenager, but he refused to let them use his name in a story. They found a second page who had corresponded with Mr. Foley and was willing to let them use his name but said he did not have a problem with the messages, undercutting the premise.
  
  When the newspaper asked Mr. Foley about the messages, he “insisted he was merely trying to be friendly,” Scott Montgomery, the newspaper’s government and politics editor, wrote Saturday in a note to readers.
  
  The editor of The Herald, Tom Fiedler, said the initial messages did not seem to justify writing a story. “We determined after discussion among several senior editors, including myself, that the content of the messages was too ambiguous to lead to a news story,” Mr. Fiedler was quoted in his paper as saying.
  
  Then, in June, the reports resurfaced on Capitol Hill, where a neighborhood resident struck up a conversation in a bar with someone who had provided the e-mail messages. He said he passed them on to several news outlets. The resident, who said he was not affiliated with either party and was motivated by concern for the teenager, would talk only on condition of anonymity.
  
  No one acted on the information until last week, and even then, it was a Web site that first posted the exchange. It is not clear who maintains the Weblog, stopsexpredators.blogspot.com, which appears to be largely devoted to the Foley scandal.
  
  ABC News had its first account several days later on its Web site.
  
  Mr. Ross said he was surprised by how quickly the congressman’s office confirmed the authenticity of the e-mail messages, first when ABC reported them on Sept. 28, and again a day later when confronted with much more explicit exchanges.
  
  Mr. Ross dismissed suggestions by some Republicans that the news was disseminated as part of a smear campaign against Mr. Foley.
  
  “I hate to give up sources, but to the extent that I know the political parties of any of the people who helped us, it would be the same party,” Mr. Ross said, referring to Republicans.

ABC got the scoop, not the Florida newspapers. You can be sure they're not happy about that.

I'm still waiting for Slave's evidence that Democratic politicians knew about this stuff and sat on it for political reasons. But I'm not holding my breath.