Another review of Clinton book

New book by Clinton

relevant to Thursday debate on AJA

FBI Accused of Using GPS to Illegally Track U.S. Citizens

I stumbled across this article while at work today and I thought it raises a lot of interesting questions about constitutional rights and the FBI's role in crime-fighting. We are all reading Puppetmaster right now but the era of suspect FBI wiretaps and illegal tracking seems to have not ended with FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. As American citizens we are all entitled to basic political and social rights that protect us from unwarranted searches and to a relatively secure right to privacy. Personally I find the circumstances surrounding this particular individual to be an affront to our justice system and constitutional rights. I agree that sometimes it is necessary for the FBI to track suspected criminals, foreign and domestic, in order to protect the average American citizen. But I think in recent years it has become far too easy for the FBI to take justice into their own hands and illegally track anyone they suspect of being even remotely involved with terrorist organizations or drug cartels.

Often times, as appears to be the case with the individual interviewed for this article, the FBI follows an innocent person while subsequently trampling all over their constitutional rights to privacy, and freedom from illegal searches and seizures. I think there is a way to mainstream fast-action from the Justice Department to LEGALLY search/track suspected criminals (terrorist or otherwise) but for an investigative unit like the FBI to take matters into their own hands is simply unAmerican. The criminal underground is a high-tech fast paced world and our Justice Department/investigative units need to reflect this truth. But there needs to be a legal way to go about investigating suspected criminals without infringing upon citizen's rights. We cannot sacrifice our constitutional rights for the sake of a responsive police state that is both judge and juror.

Casino Jack speaks....

and pitches his new book.

Cain Again?

But seriously, I think we need to begin questioning the motivations behind the actions of his accusers. Why do they come out after so many years? I don't think your motive is to get true justice. But well, that could be it. Idk.

The cost of DOMA

With the Senate Judiciary Committee looking to vote on the "Respect for Marriage Act" this week, a group of 70 large corporations, trade organizations, and non profits including Google, Starbucks, Nike and Time Warner have spoken up about the real economic cost of the Defense of Marriage Act's policies and have recommended it's repeal. Ironically, their position is founded in a common piece of conservative thought, that regulation is not cheap.

Meanwhile, Speaker Boehner is continuing to use taxpayer's money to support DOMA through a private attorney. If this is a new era of curtting big government spending, how does the speaker justify bankrolling such a discriminating policy as DOMA? Especially when it seems the policy is further detrimental to the economy?

Occupy DC

Things are looking up!

Unemployment is down

The Economy is recovering

The next part of the Jobs Bill will help unemployed veterans

Consensus is growing the GOP's "jobs" plan would not help at all 

Coincidentally, Obama's approval ratings are up

Looking good!

Race for gavel picks up speed!!

Will this be the next closest election in American history??!

Movie Review: J. Edgar

This review is not favorable. The critic believes the movie cannot decide what to focus on: Hoover's accomplishments or his personal traits. In addition, the movie bounces back and forth throughout time, making it more confusing. The critic questions, "who would want to see this movie?" I, however, am still looking forward to seeing it.

Hydrofracking Shakes Things Up

Disclaimer: correlation is not causation
However, consider the implications if it turns out to be that case. Stay tuned for further study.
Should Hamilton begin developing emergency procedures for the event of an Earthquake?

Visitors guide to SCOTUS oral arguments

Best reporting yet from OWS

CIA Agents-Turned-Vengeful Librarians

An Associated Press Intelligence Writer confirmed CIA's analysis of social media as effective tools for predicting possible uprisings, or other important occurences worldwide, no matter what language is used. Most citizens are aware that facebook and twitter posts are studied, but this article provides the extent at which the CIA uses these outlets to foretell the future. Also these sites provide great resources for updates on riots, including detailed images.

Mitt Romney's America

Powerful new negative ad from the Obama campaign.  Although I'm not even slightly surprised to see that "there are lots of reasons not to elect me" line of his showing up.

Nate Silver handicaps 2012

Long analysis related to our recent debate.

The case against AJA

The case for AJA

Tea Party vs. OWS

Since there have been lots of comparisons drawn between the two movements, I thought it would be good to once again show their differences.

Since this chart is created by a Tea Party site, it is a bit biased, but many of its points are completely valid.

One that stood out to me was the fact that OWS has begun getting arrested for violent behavior, while the Tea Party has only been accused of violent rhetoric.

If you can't read the chart I uploaded, you can follow the link to a larger version, which will expand

Meeting at AFL-CIO

Today was the last day of meetings for the delegations in DC before they went on to Connecticut, Kentucky, and New Jersey to continue their election study program. We all went to the headquarters for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to discuss some of the challenges unions in this country face when it comes to organizing, and also their influence in politics. Here are some of the pictures.


The first thing you see on the floor when you walk into the building.

Here's an interesting shot of one of the many elevators in the building.

The amazing view of DC from the 8th floor.

A quick photo right before the meeting began.

Two of the Sri Lankan delegates joking around right before the meeting started.

Later on we also went to the State Department to discuss Palestinian-Israeli relations, but picture taking was prohibited :(

Life and Times of an Intern

U.S. cyber espionage report names China and Russia as main culprits

What would Hoover do?

Eagerly awaited footage of OWS

Cons of a Flat Tax System

Flat Tax Assessment

Les Miserables, the Spy Museum and American Art Museum

The National Spy Museum: So the spy museum doesn't allow any food or drink inside, but I managed to sneak in a large coffee. I had to get past multiple inspection points and I still managed to out-spy the SPY MUSEUM. #ImANinja


The Kennedy Center: Colin, Michael and were brought back to a time of Revolution, Love and War at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday. The show was uniquely done with a large projector used for many of the backgrounds, allowing for much creativity in set design and choreography. The Kennedy Center itself was also pretty cool. With multiple theatre halls, and super-over-priced concessions, its up there with the best of Performing arts centers.


Finally, the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum were pretty awesome, but part of me cringed on the inside to see some of the things that now qualify for art.

But hey, look on the bright side: If you can't get a job after graduation, you could always just do something like this and become an artist! :D

Visit to DOJ

Interesting discussion of antitrust law and job hunting in DC hosted by Ed Ajaeb '11.

Tax Reform Fantasies

Hold Obama to His Word!

Obama should be held to his word. He suggested that if the economy did not turn around during his administration that he would be held accountable by the American people. We have not seen significant economic "change" since he took office. Should we just allow him to slip by and say "oh I made a mistake" or "sorry I was wrong, please let me have another term and I'll see what I can do?" I don't think that in this economic environment we can afford to give people second chances such as this. With such a monumental failure to remedy the economy and at such a huge cost to the American debt/deficit I think electing Obama for a second term is fiscally dangerous. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, when Obama took office in January of 2009 the unemployment level that month was 7.8%. Since then the unemployment rate has never dropped below 8.2%, with that only happening once. During the majority of his time in office, the unemployment rate has been above 9%. Only in recent months have we seen it even out at around 9% consistently. This is still 1.2% greater than the unemployment rate in the country when Obama first took office.

I believe that we have not seen the "change" that Obama promised. With this in mind I don't see how it could be prudent for the American people to take another four year gamble to see if Obama can pull through.

Is the love affair over?

Evidence that animosity toward Congress in general may be spilling over to individual incumbents. Mr. Rusche is an expert on this subject.

Another East Wing Tour

So this week my internship (ACYPL) is hosting its largest program of the year made up of delegates from Israel, Palestine, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. We were able to go on an East Wing tour of the White House, and I managed to get some pics of the First Dog, Bo getting some fresh air.

Is high speed rail a good investment?

Topic for future debate?

The conservative case for Mitt Romney

An Argument Against the Flat Tax

"A flat tax would shift tax obligations from the rich to the poor, and especially the middle class, and eliminate desirable tax incentives for retirement savings, home ownership, and charitable contributions. Simple? Yes. Efficient and equitable? Not so much."

Brief Guide to Flat Tax

Flat tax proposals abolish special breaks for the well-connected elite and put an end to double taxation, a practice that has for years discouraged productive saving and investment behaviors. Under the flat tax plan, all taxpayers would be treated equally, save for a "family-friendly" loophole (the only loophole), which would excuse the poorest families from tax payments they truly cannot afford.

Debate topic for this week: Flat Tax

Preemption

Brief discussion of the doctrine of preemption. Issue cuts in complex ways. DOJ is arguing that preemption prohibits immigration laws such as those in AZ. On the other hand, business groups often favor preemption as a way of avoiding the complexities of being regulated by 50 different states.

Kurns v. Railroad Friction Products

The other case we will hear. Another preemption case.

National Meat Association v. Brown

One of the cases we will hear next week. Case raises the issue of "preemption."

TIL Michael Scanlon Went to My High School

Just for clarification (TIL for all you non-redditors means Today I Learned) and Michael Scanlon was Jack Abramoff's partner in crime (portrayed by Barry Pepper in Casino Jack).

Just thought it was an interesting tidbit to share with everyone. Michael Scanlon was class of 1989 at Walter Johnson High School where I went to school. A lot of infamous people attended my high school including the American Taliban (John Walker Lindh). Hopefully this doesn't become a pattern, especially with me...

P.S.: Yes I know wikipedia articles are taboo/unreliable (especially my high school's page) but I do not think anyone has sabotaged the alumni page recently.