COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Friday, July 12, 2013

The return of the typewriter?




Kremlin security agency to buy typewriters 'to avoid leaks'

Russia's agency responsible for the Kremlin security is buying typewriters - a move reportedly prompted by recent leaks by WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden.
A 486,540-rouble (£9,860) order for electric typewriters has been placed by the FSO agency on the state procurement website.
The FSO has not commented on why it needs the old-fashioned devices.
But an agency source told Russia's Izvestiya newspaper the aim was to prevent leaks from computer hardware.
"After scandals with the distribution of secret documents by WikiLeaks, the exposes by Edward Snowden, reports about Dmitry Medvedev being bugged during his visit to the G20 London summit (in 2009), it has been decided to expand the practice of creating paper documents," the source said.
The source added that typewriters were already being used at Russia's defence and emergencies ministries for drafts and secret notes, and some reports had been prepared for President Vladimir Putin by typewriter.
Unlike printers, every typewriter had its own individual typing pattern which made it possible to link every document to a particular machine, Izvestiya said.
Mr Snowden, a former CIA contractor, has recently leaked thousands of classified US intelligence documents.
He is currently on the run from the US authorities, and is believed to be at Moscow's airport.
WikiLeaks grabbed world headlines in 2010 by releasing hundreds of thousands of US state department diplomatic cables, including secret files relating to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

83 comments:

  1. A new poll gives President Obama an overall approval rating of 44%, with 48% of respondents disapproving of his performance.

    In late May, the Quinnipiac University national poll gave Obama similar ratings -- 45% approval, 49% disapproval.

    "President Barack Obama is in a slump, under water for the last two surveys," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

    Obama does get a positive rating -- 52% approval to 43% disapproval -- for his handling of terrorism, and a 46%-45% split for his handling of Afghanistan, Quinnipiac reported.

    Others issues generate negative ratings for the president: Syria (33%-48%), immigration (41%-50%), and the economy (41%-55%).

    Also from Quinnipiac: "Voters say 50-44% that Obama is honest and trustworthy; 52-46% that he has strong leadership qualities and 52-45% that he cares about their needs."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. That the media has brainwashed millions of skulls full of mush, plus smaller numbers, but still millions of clinically insane people like Rufus II.

      Truth is:

      Anyone with a lick of common sense knows the sure sign of when BHO is lying:

      His lips begin to move.

      Delete
  3. DEAL ISLAND, Md.- A family of four clung to a capsized boat in the Tangier Sound, hanging on for their lives, as 46-year-old John Riggs, of Salisbury, swam five hours against strong waves in the middle of a storm for help.

    "It wasn't an option, it just had to be done because they had been out there all night," said Riggs. He told WBOC, he swam because the lives of his father, sister and young niece and nephew depended on it.

    "Just not knowing what's going on with them while I was gone," said Riggs. He added, "It was getting nasty and blowing harder. And not knowing if we [rescue crews and Riggs] would be able to find them when we got back out there."

    So he did what instinct told him to do, and didn't look back.

    "It's an amazing story," said Deal Island Fire Chief Donald Ford. "The man's a hero. He swam from Haines Point and ended up, when he came to shore, at Hall Point."

    Riggs fought "some of the worse tides in the Chesapeake Bay," according to Ford.

    After three miles, Riggs reached the shoreline and climbed rocks to get help at the first house he saw.

    "He said he sent up a little prayer and he said all of a sudden my feet hit the sandy bottom," said Carol Wood, of Chance, who says she woke up to her dog barking at one o'clock Wednesday morning.

    "I looked around the corner and there was a man standing on my deck," said Wood.

    She said Riggs stood soaking wet and barefoot.

    She said she knew something was wrong because, "he kept saying 'I just need to save my family. I just need to save my family.' "

    Riggs told Wood his family was adrift at sea and "holding on for their dear lives."

    "I said you have come to the right house because I know exactly who to call," said Wood. She called Ford, who couldn't believe what had happened.

    "It is a long swim for anybody in that kind of tide and that kind of wind," said Ford. "I don't know of too many people who survive Tangier Sound in a flood tide like that."

    Riggs can't explain how he did it, but did say his only thoughts were of saving his family.


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  4. In answer to Doug, who, apparently is as dumb as a box of rocks:

    I stated, "Federal Nutrition Programs comprise, roughly, one-half of One percent of National GDP.

    To arrive at that number I divided $85 Billion by $16.5 Trillion (National GDP.)

    That comes out to 0.00515151 (or, one half of one percent.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The figures I cited are a lot more meaningful:

      Percetage of the Federal Government.

      Most everything looks pretty small compared to the GDP.

      ...and expanding benefits for the "poor" (morbidly obese, flat screen owners sporting cellphones, etc etc) results in the kind of economic results you refer to in the next comment.

      Not to mention the downsizing and part-timing of the workforce that has occurred in anticipation of your cherished OBAMACARE.

      Add to that the most massive transfer of Wealth from Main Street in our lifetimes, and this shitcake is baked.

      Delete
    2. "percentage"

      "Add to that the most massive transfer of Wealth from Main Street TO WALL STREET in our lifetimes, and this shitcake is baked."

      Delete
    3. No. You're back-asswards. The fact is: you just can't read.

      And, the "down-sizing/part-timing of the workforce" started a LOOOooooong time before "Obamacare."

      The fact is, you're just drowning in Republican, Tea-Party/Rushbo Koolaid, and letting your irrational hatred of the man in the White House completely, and totally consume your rational responses to reality.

      Delete
    4. The Recovery That Isn't has nothing to do with Obama:

      ...in your deranged, dishonest, "mind"

      Delete
    5. The biggest dampening effect on employment is dirt cheap capital. The fed with under-market interest rates is making it easy to decide to go with capital good over employees. Obamacare puts the icing on the cake.

      Delete
  5. What does Congress' 9% approval rating mean? Probably the same thing as the President's 44% approval rating.

    The Question is: How high would you expect their approval rating to be in an era of rapidly falling Median Household Income?

    How high would you expect the President, and Congress' approval to be after sliding from one of the wealthiest peoples in the world to 27th on the list of Median Household Wealth? (approx. 1/5th that of Australia, 1/2 that of Canada)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So why do you constantly praise and defend him and his policies?

      Delete
    2. First, explain why you called me a "liar" on the last thread.

      Delete
    3. In 2008, I supported Romney, over McCain, because I thought Romneycare was a positive step in the right direction.

      In 2012, I voted for Obama, because of his passage of the Affordable Care Act, and, also, his support of Renewable Energy (among other things.)

      We are, now, in a prolonged semi-depression. Democratic policies are almost always better than GOP policies in such a situation. I support POLICIES, much more than "people."

      Delete
    4. Sorry, see my comments above:

      On that score I retract "liar" and replace it with clinically insane.

      ...like repeating FDR's policies on Steroids and expecting different results.

      Your taking issue with those realities confirms your insanity.
      (probly Ethanol-Related Dementia)

      Delete
    5. "We are, now, in a prolonged semi-depression."

      Go ahead:

      Argue against the realities of Obama's policies putting the brakes on growth that I cited in response to your previous comment in order to cement the reality of your mental condition in our minds.

      Delete
    6. Obama's policies "put the brakes on growth?"

      He inherited an economy that was Contracting at the rate of 9%/yr, for crissakes!

      Delete
    7. FDR policies, such as Social Security, TVA, and the Minimum Wage?

      Delete
    8. Obama

      Saved the auto industry in the United States,

      kept the banks solvent,

      pushed the Renewable Energy Industry (the largest job-creator since the beginning of the Recession,) and

      protected the "Safety Net" for the Millions of Americans slammed by the Bush/Cheney Crash,

      while extracting us from the bush/cheney debacle in Iraq.

      And, provided an opportunity for healthcare for Millions of Americans.

      Yeah, he's been a regular clusterfuck.

      Delete
    9. You forgot to mention, Rufus, that Hero has won the necessary war, the important war, the one in Afghanistan.

      And that he alone 'got bin Laden.

      'The Bush/Cheney Crash' - hardehar

      Bush warned us 8 times running about Fannie and Freddie.

      Your list is idiotic.

      Only your last sentence is true.

      bob

      Delete
    10. Bush had control of both the House, and the Senate, through much of his tenure, but he DID NOTHING about Fannie, and Freddie.

      Delete
    11. And, btw, I like a Lot of what Bush did. He got Renewable Energy started in this country. He tried to do something with education. Medicare Part D has worked out a lot better than most thought it would. He pushed for "free trade" pacts, especially with Central/South America.

      Delete
    12. .

      Pure delusion from the Kool-Aid drinking left. Still blaming Bush five years into the Obama administration. I guess you could call that trickle down spin.

      Blame Bush yet fail to recognize

      the auto bailout was started under Bush though finalized a month after Obama took office,

      as for the banks, TARP was initiated under Bush,

      as for Iraq, Obama merely followed the official timeline spelled out in the Status of Forces Agreement signed by Bush and the Iraqi government, a legal requirement.

      Typical spin used by both right and left, kind of like starting to measure net progress from the overall low point. Makes it look better even if still piss poor.

      .

      Delete
    13. Well, the Republicans have been beating Obama up over the Auto Bail-out, and TARP ever since. They, also, can't have it "both ways."

      As for "Iraq," the Republicans whined, and bitched for two years because Obama didn't "fight" to keep fifteen, or twenty thousand troops in Iraq.

      Delete
  6. Meanwhile, I read an article sometime back that claimed to show the old secretary and typewriter way was more efficient and a lot cheaper than this modern computer way. They didn't mention security from the NSA though. They had no reason then to think of that.

    bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An added benefit of the return of the typewriter will be the return of the seductive sexual spy.

      The old ways are clearly much better and a lot more interesting and exciting for all involved.

      bob

      Delete
  7. .

    My wife wouldn't let me dump that old Brother typewriter.

    I guess she was prescient.

    (As well as precious).

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My wife, son and I had a project of buying and collecting old typewriters at yard sales for awhile.

      Fun to try and fix them up, clean them up, make them work well. We have a bunch of them.

      bob

      Delete
  8. The Show Trial Judge A Life Long Dem....drudge


    Well who could have guessed?


    SHE would never do the bidding of an Obama.


    bob

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'll be glad when they convict that asshole of Manslaughter, and get it off our television screens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's because you are so rock headed that getting your head smashed into concrete would do you no damage. Other people have brain tissue about which to be concerned.

      bob

      Delete
  10. I'll be glad when he's acquitted and signs a movie deal and makes $10 million describing justify killing of a thug

    After all the story really is all about how a street bug picked the wrong victim and ended up dead.

    ReplyDelete
  11. .

    Rick Santelli mentioned, 'QE has the shelf-life of a Twinkie'.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  12. The elevating of Martin into a angel from the scum that he came from is typical in our upside down world today

    The more we learn about Martin the more we understand that he was a violent Thug with a criminal record who simply chose to attack the wrong white ass cracker

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The odd thing is, we sitting here know more about TM's past than the jury, since so much of it was ruled by the judge to be inadmissible.

      bob

      Delete
  13. I’m not sure I understand the metaphor.

    QE seems to have the shelf life of a Christmas fruitcake after you have exhausted all possibilities of re-gifting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Good.

      But you must admit Santelli's is more succinct.

      :)

      .

      Delete
    2. Don't worry, Deuce, you are going to get your depression/super-recession. Bernanke is just putting it off for awhile.

      Delete
  14. Against the wishes of the police dispatcher, he got out of his truck, Jacked a round into the chamber of his weapon, followed, and killed an unarmed teenager, who was talking to his girlfriend on this cellphone, and taking a bag of skittles home to a young relative.

    "Acquittal" is, most likely, not in his immediate future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      The way the law is written, it's hard to say. However, there is no doubt Zimmeman was the reason the shooting took place.

      .

      Delete
    2. If Z hadn't been there no shooting by Z would have occurred.

      Likewise if TM had been home studying no shooting would have occurred and he would still be studying.

      from The Wisdom of Quirk

      bob

      Delete
    3. Rufus, you haven't followed the trial at all.

      bob

      Delete
    4. I don't have to "follow" a trial to know that the guy that jacks a round into the chamber, and goes looking for trouble, is going down when someone dies.

      Delete
    5. .

      In Bob-World, TM is not allowed to go to the store to pick up treats, he should spend all of his time home studying.

      Nitwit.

      .

      Delete
    6. Especially, when the "someone" is an unarmed teenager, on his way home from the store.

      Delete
    7. Responding to an old, confused, racist alfalfa farmer; I must be becoming demented, myself.

      Delete
    8. It was, what, 07:30 in the evening?

      It's the old, southern "be out of town by sunset" thing, I guess.

      Delete
    9. He was such a fine young man, expelled from school twice, sent packing by both mother and father......etcetc.


      QUIRK!

      You are becoming just like rat, twisting words, putting words in another's mouth.

      And by the way, one article I read said the 'kids' use Skittles to mix with drugs in some way.

      TM had drugs in his system, the autopsy report shows.

      Of course this was ruled inadmissible by the 'judge'.

      bob

      Delete
    10. Rufus IIFri Jul 12, 01:28:00 PM EDT
      I don't have to "follow" a trial to know that the guy that jacks a round into the chamber, and goes looking for trouble, is going down when someone dies.

      Simplicity Speaks

      Delete
    11. He was unarmed, walking home from the store, minding his own business. Zimmerman killed him. All that other stuff is irrelevant.

      You're letting your hatred of blacks cloud your mind. This is a no-brainer.

      Delete
    12. .

      You are becoming just like rat, twisting words, putting words in another's mouth.

      Lordy, you can't even understand what you wrote yourself.


      Likewise if TM had been home studying no shooting would have occurred and he would still be studying.


      Damn, Bob, you're supposed to be an English major. Quit embarrassing yourself.

      .

      Delete
    13. It is obviously a no-brainer for you.

      My whole argument has been there is not enough evidence to convict Z of anything, and the police and original prosecutor had it right.

      Then the political pressure came down.

      Where did Z get his wounds? From whom? Who attacked whom?

      For pointing out these things I am called a racist, which I am not, nor do I hate blacks.

      You are the only one here who has admitted to casting a racist vote.

      bob

      Delete
    14. Good God Quirk, the meaning is obvious. Have you been drinking with Rufus?

      bob

      Delete
    15. Using the old Skittles and drugs mixture today?

      What the hell is wrong with you?

      bob

      Delete
    16. Rufus would make a great member of a lynch mob. Ignorant, emotional, disregarding facts, unconcerned about lack of evidence.....

      Hang him!

      That's all I'm saying on the subject till the jury comes back. Even I, who am really interested in it, am getting a little tired of it.

      bob

      Delete
    17. .

      That's all I'm saying on the subject till the jury comes back.


      My job is done now.

      .

      Delete
    18. .

      My work is done here. I'm needed elsewhere now. I'm needed wherever outlaws rule the West, wherever innocent women and children are afraid to walk the streets, wherever a man cannot live in simple dignity, wherever a people cry out for justice.

      .

      Delete
    19. :)

      Heh

      OK

      Rufus is a racist and hates Hispanics.

      And, for that matter so is Quirk cause he hates Hispanics too.

      But of these two Gentlemen, let it be known, Quirk is slightly the brighter bulb.

      bob

      Delete
    20. And how do we know, Ladies and Gentlemen, that unca Rufie of the Budweiser Barrel and Quirk the sarcasm detector salesman, are both racists and hate Hispanics?

      Because they both are willing, nay, panting for, the judicial lynching of an Hispanic without sufficient evidence.

      Logic, rules of evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt to a moral certainty, none of these concepts mean a thing to these Gentlemen when it comes to lynching an Hispanic, though they would both be crying and demanding them for themselves were the tables turned and they were in the dock.

      bob

      Delete
    21. For instance, if unca Rufie were to off poor Quirk, Rufie would very quickly become enamored of the phase - guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, to a moral certainty.

      bob

      Delete
    22. You're bonkers. I could care less how that trial comes out; that's why I'm tired of hearing about it.

      All I know is, where I come from if you jack a round into the chamber, and start a deadly altercation, you'd better pray to Jesus that you only go up for manslaughter.

      Delete
    23. Who started the deadly confrontation?

      Now are you sure it was Zimmerman?

      How could you know that?

      How is it that the eyewitness says Z was on the bottom? TM on top?

      If Z started the confrontation why didn't he have his gun out then?

      Why would Z call the police before the altercation began?

      bob

      Delete
    24. The guy that got out of his truck, Chambered a round in his handgun, and proceeded to follow (chase down) the victim is, prima facie, the Instigator.

      Maybe he did have his handgun out when he instigated the altercation.

      Delete
    25. >>and proceeded to follow (chase down) the victim is, prima facie, the Instigator<<

      But that is not what the lawyers say. They say following someone is not illegal.

      Further, in earlier interviews, Z said he lost track of TM and was heading back to the truck.


      I just watched TM's mother interviewed on Fox by Bill O'Reilly. My heart goes out to her. She finally kicked TM out of her house. As did the father out of his house.

      Two of the jurors have lawyers in the family. One is married to a lawyer, the other has a son who is a lawyer. I am glad to hear this. I hope this means the deliberations will tend to the logical, and not the emotional.

      bob

      Delete
    26. Further, there had been multiple break-ins in that neighborhood by young black males. Further Z said in an earlier interview he had gone between houses and he had lost track of TM and was heading back to his truck when the altercation began.

      bob

      Delete
    27. If you don't know, you must acquit.

      bob

      Delete
    28. I don't know for certain what happened.

      But Rufus does, so he says.

      heh

      bob

      Delete
    29. .

      Because they both are willing, nay, panting for, the judicial lynching of an Hispanic without sufficient evidence.

      Lord, you are goofy. I posted the Florida law here and the standard jury instructions for both 2nd degree murder and manslaughter. When I did I indicated (without wasting my time watching the trial) that I didn't see how the jury could convict him of 2nd degree murder given the way the law is written. On the manslaughter, I said it would depend on what evidence was produced whether they could convict him.

      Like Rufus, I could give a shit whether the jury convicts this jerk or not. That being said there is no doubt this clown is an asshole. Likewise, there is no doubt that this incident wouldn't have occurred if this punk had done the job the way he was instructed to do, first by the neighborhood watch group, then by the police that came in and offered instructions to the neighborhood watch group, then by the 911 operator who instructed him not to follow TM.

      What would you do if you're taking a walk and you notice some guy following you, you question why he's doing it, and he asks, "What are you doing here?" My answer would be "Who the fuck are you asshole, and why do you want to know?"

      Zimmerman may not be guilty of murder or even manslaughter but he is sure guilty of being a dumb fuck.

      .

      Delete
  15. .

    Janet Napolitano leaving Homeland Security.

    Good news for the nation, bad news for California (though they will likely not notice).

    Washington — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who led the burgeoning Department of Homeland Security through a host of policy changes in the post 9/11 era, is resigning to head the University of California system.

    Napolitano, just the third person to lead the 10-year-old department, told her senior staff Friday she would be leaving for California. She will become the president of the University of California system, which includes UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley, among other campuses. The University of California also announced Napolitano’s nomination to be the 20th president of the statewide system.



    http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130712/POLITICS03/307120081#ixzz2Yqcjru9H

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Under her tenure, DHS implemented a wide-spread policy of using prosecutorial discretion when arrested immigrants in the country without permission, saying her department needed to focus its scarce resources on criminals and those who posed a threat to public safety and national security. She also helped establish a plan to provide temporary relief from deportation for thousands of young immigrants who arrived in the United State illegally and who don’t have legal status.

      http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130712/POLITICS03/307120081#ixzz2YqfwkTKj

      .

      Delete
  16. Jack Falstaff:

    To die is to be a counterfeit, for he is but the counterfeit of
    a man who hath not the life of a man; but to counterfeit dying,
    when a man thereby liveth, is to be no counterfeit, but the true
    and perfect image of life indeed. The better part of valor is
    discretion, in the which better part I have sav’d my life.


    ------

    US whistleblower Edward Snowden will seek temporary asylum in Russia, according to human rights groups that met him at Moscow airport where he has been holed up since June 23.

    Participants in the meeting with human rights groups at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport said on Friday that the former National Security Agency contractor, who has been on the run since disclosing details of US electronic surveillance programmes, would seek to travel on to Latin America.

    "Snowden is serious about obtaining political asylum in the Russian Federation," said Vyacheslav Nikonov, a pro-Kremlin lawmaker who attended the meeting.

    The Kremlin told Snowden that he should refrain from criticising the United States if he wanted refuge in Russia.

    President Vladimir Putin's spokesman repeated earlier conditions that Snowden should stop harming the interests of the United States if he wanted asylum.

    "We need to check this information, but as far as we know, he considers himself a defender of human rights and a campaigner for democratic ideals," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters news agency.

    Those who attended the meeting included Sergei Nikitin, head of Amnesty International's Russia office, and Tatiana Lokshina, deputy head of the Russian office of Human Rights Watch.

    Also taken into the meeting room were Russia's presidential human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, prominent attorney Genri Reznik, and Nikonov.

    Unlawful campaign

    Al Jazeera's Peter Sharp, reporting from Moscow, pointing out that this is Snowden's second request for asylum in Russia, said that if he is granted the asylum he will have to comply with Putin's conditions.

    Snowden, 30, had not been seen in public since his arrival, and Russian officials have shown increasing impatience over his stay. But it has also become clear that Snowden has no clear route to a safe haven from Moscow.

    Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have offered Snowden asylum, but he has not revealed his plans.

    Washington, which seeks to arrest Snowden on charges of espionage in divulging details of US surveillance programmes, has revoked Snowden's passport and pressed nations not to take him in or help him travel.

    "In recent weeks we have witnessed an unlawful campaign by officials in the US Government to deny my right to seek and enjoy this asylum under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," Snowden wrote earlier to the rights groups.

    Meanwhile, leaders from Latin American bloc, Mercosur, meeting in Montevideo in Uruguay, are expected to send a tough message to Washington over allegations of US spying in the region and to defend their right to offer asylum to Snowden.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Will Putin “in-your-face-bitch” Obama?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will I pop a cold bud light, this afternoon? :)

      Delete
  18. Looks like it.

    Edward Snowden said Friday that he has no regrets over leaking details about U.S. electronic spying networks and is seeking temporary asylum in Russia until he can reach one of the Latin American countries that has offered to take him in.

    "That moral decision to tell the public about spying that affects all of us has been costly, but it was the right thing to do and I have no regrets," he told a group of human rights activists and other public officials at a meeting at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, where he has taken refuge since June 23.

    The 30-year-old former defense contractor, who fled first to Hong Kong then Russia, said he did what he believes was right to go public with information on the National Security Agency's surveillance and data-gathering networks in an effort to "correct this wrongdoing."

    "I did not seek to enrich myself. I did not seek to sell U.S. secrets," he said in a statement released through WikiLeaks. "I did not partner with any foreign government to guarantee my safety. Instead, I took what I knew to the public, so what affects all of us can be discussed by all of us in the light of day, and I asked the world for justice."

    Snowden, whose U.S. passport has been revoked, said he has formally accepted an offer of asylum from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as well as all others which have expressed support "and all others that may be offered in the future."

    The meeting included Vyacheslav Nikonov, chairman of the Russian state Duma, Sergei Nikitin, head of Amnesty International Russia, Vladimir Lukin, Russia's presidential human rights ombudsman, attorney Genri Reznik, and Tanya Lokshina, of Human Rights Watch.

    Snowden said he “does not intend to harm the U.S. in the future,” according to Nikonov.

    ReplyDelete
  19. By the way:

    Vyacheslav Nikonov

    Chairman of the Management Board of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, Russian State Duma Deputy, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, President of the Polity Foundation, Unity for Russia Foundation, Editor-in-Chief of Russia's Strategy, Dean of the Moscow State University School of Public Administration

    Vyacheslav Nikonov holds a doctoral degree in history and is a respected Russian political analyst, well known both inside the country and internationally.

    Born June 5, 1956, in Moscow, Nikonov is the grandson of Vyacheslav Molotov, the renowned Soviet politician and diplomat. In 1973, Vyacheslav Nikonov began his studies at the History Faculty of Moscow State University, specializing in modern and contemporary history. Following graduation, he began working for the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at MSU. In 1989 he became the youngest Doctor of History in the USSR.

    In 1991 he served as assistant to the Chief of Staff of the President of the USSR. Following August 1991 he was an assistant to the head of the State Security Committee (KGB) of the USSR. Starting in 1992, Nikonov served as an advisor to the International Foundation for Economic and Social Reform (Reforma Foundation). He also taught at the California Institute of Technology in the United States.

    In April 1993, together with a group of political consultants (G. Satarov, A. Migranyan and A. Salmin), he founded and headed the Polity Foundation. In May 1993 he became one of the initiators of Club – 93.

    From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Nikonov was a member of the State Duma, elected from the federal list of the Party of Russian Unity and Accord. He served as the chairman of the Subcommittee for International Security and Arms Control. In January 1995 he became Deputy Chairman of the State Duma committee charged with investigating the emergence of the crisis situation in the Republic of Chechnya.

    In 1996 he became the Deputy Chairman of President Yeltsin’s re-election campaign. In 1997-2001 Vyacheslav Nikonov was a member of the Presidential Political Advisory Council, the Presidential Human Rights Committee and the Presidential Expert Council on Political Extremism. From 2006 to 2009 he was a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation and headed that organization’s committee on international cooperation and public diplomacy.

    Vyacheslav Nikonov served as Executive Director of the Russkiy Mir Foundation from 2007 to 2012, when he was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of the Foundation. He is also Chairman of the Russian National Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific. Since 1993 Mr. Nikonov has served as President of the Polity Foundation and in 2003 he became President of the Unity for Russia Foundation. He is head of the History and Political Science Department of the International University in Moscow. He is a member of the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Academic Council of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    In February 2011 Vyacheslav Nikonov was appointed Dean of the School of Public Administration at Moscow State University.

    Vyacheslav Nikonov is active in many political and policy organizations. He is president of Club – 93; Deputy Chairman of the Editorial Board of Russia in Global Affairs, a member of the presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and member of the board of the Russian Public Policy Center. He is also editor-in-chief of Russia’s Strategy.

    He is the author of over 600 works on politics, government affairs and public policy, including 7 books.

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  20. Kerry must be still on the boat, otherwise this would have been fixed with the rest button.

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  21. .

    Senate argues over filibuster rules.

    http://www.sunjournal.com/news/nation/2013/07/12/senate-barrels-toward-filibuster-face/1392078

    I could care less what they do with the filibuster although my preference would be that they go back to the requiring a filibuster in the style of Jefferson Smith (and Rand Paul) where speakers had to actually speak and hold the floor. That along with the cloture vote would be fine with me.

    However, if Reid does end up gutting the current filibuster rules, it could be a short-term victory. While it is unlikely the Dems will take the House in 2014, there is a chance that the GOP could take the Senate.

    .

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  22. .

    French company says they have invented a 'Sarcasm Detector'. My first thoughts were what a great idea. We could use it around here.

    Then I saw the price (couple of thousand a month) and the following statement,

    Is this really necessary?

    Spotter's UK sales director Richard May defends the use of this seemingly useless, and expensive product. "One of our clients is Air France. If someone has a delayed flight, they will tweet, 'Thanks Air France for getting us into London two hours late' - obviously they are not actually thanking them" he said.

    For that, they're charging two thousand bucks?

    It seems companies looking for this service would do well to remember one of the oldest sarcastic comments on record that is free to all:

    "There's a sucker born every minute."




    Still, I truly believe that in most companies Customer Service departments you will find those who argue for getting this service.

    .

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    Replies
    1. .

      from

      http://www.bubblews.com/news/754974-french-invent-sarcasm-detector

      .

      Delete
    2. You'd make a truly great sarcasm detector salesman, Quirk.

      bob

      Delete
  23. Mark Levin criticizes the judge -

    http://nation.foxnews.com/2013/07/12/mark-levin-blasts-%E2%80%98obnoxious-and-pathetic%E2%80%99-judge-debra-nelson-%E2%80%98you%E2%80%99re-way-out-line%E2%80%99

    Mark Levin BLASTS ‘Obnoxious And Pathetic’ Judge Debra Nelson: ‘You’re Way Out Of Line!’

    bob

    ReplyDelete