This Week in the World Affairs Brief:
DAMAGING EVIDENCE AT END OF UNDERWEAR BOMBER TRIAL
The following testimony by attorney Kurt Haskell was not allowed during the trial even though he was called as the only defense witness. When you read it, you will see why. But he was allowed to read this dramatic statement of the facts at the formal hearing for “victims of the crime.” Haskell was on the flight from Amsterdam to Detroit where the underwear bomber attempted to light his defective bomb with a match (which cannot produce an explosion) and thus was a potential victim. In order to qualify he had to emphasize the emotional stress he suffered, but it appears his real purpose was to get out the truth about how the US government planned and executed this phony terror attack in order to justify more TSA millimeter wave surveillance at airports. You can request a one-time free sample of the briefs by sending an email to editor@worldaffairsbrief.com.
Also:
- Freedom to Choose Food of Choice Gone
- More War Hidden in the Budget
- Will Syria’s Move to Democracy Save her from Attack?
Daily News
Why Homeschooling Is a Boon to a Liberal Society
posted by askousen - Wednesday, February 22 2012
She goes on:
Although the national school-reform debate is fixated on standardized testing and "teacher quality"--indeed, the uptick in secular homeschooling may be, in part, a backlash against this narrow education agenda--a growing body of research suggests "peer effects" have a large impact on student achievement. Low-income kids earn higher test scores when they attend school alongside middle-class kids, while the test scores of privileged children are impervious to the influence of less-privileged peers. So when college-educated parents pull their kids out of public schools, whether for private school or homeschooling, they make it harder for less-advantaged children to thrive.
If all we know about integrated high schools is that their graduates are more committed to diversity and better able to bridge cultural differences - good things, to be sure - can we really conclude that these graduates are "better grown-ups" than graduates of less diverse high schools? Hypothetically, what if a less diverse private school produced graduates who were more academically prepared, more committed to gender equality, and more adept at problem solving that brought about social improvements? What if a homeschool collective meanwhile produced graduates who were more inclined to forgive their enemies, more likely to give to charity, and more likely to volunteer abroad? Judging what schools produce "better grownups" is thorny. Doing so by citing three diversity metrics in a vacuum is absurd. — Conor Friedersdorf/The Atlantic
Iran nuclear talks a failure, says IAEA
posted by askousen - Wednesday, February 22 2012
The UN nuclear agency has declared its latest inspection visit to Iran a failure, with the regime blocking access to a key site suspected of hosting covert nuclear weapon research and no agreement reached on how to resolve other unanswered questions.
The statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency was issued shortly after an Iranian general warned of a pre-emptive strike against any nation that threatens Iran.
"We engaged in a constructive spirit but no agreement was reached," the statement quoted IAEA chief Yukiya Amano as saying.
The communique said that Iran did not grant requests by the IAEA mission to visit Parchin, a military site thought to be used for explosives testing related to triggering a nuclear weapon. Amano called this decision "disappointing". No agreement was reached on how to begin "clarification of unresolved issues in connection with Iran's nuclear programme, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions", the statement said. — UK Guardian
US Troops May Now Be Coping with Fast and Furious Fallout
posted by askousen - Wednesday, February 22 2012
Plumlee says the deployment is likely part of an ongoing joint Mexican and US military task-force operation that has been active since at least 2009. Narco News reported on some of the activities of that joint op in mid-2010, including the fact that small teams of US special operations soldiers were active on the Mexican side of the border, imbedded with the Mexican military.
However, neither Plumlee, nor The El Paso Times report, shed any definitive light on the precise nature of the recent US troop deployment along the border, specifically in the Columbus area. Plumlee has told Narco News previously, though, that there have been numerous reports of suspected weapons stashes concealed in the desolate moon-like landscape surrounding Columbus and Palomas - near landmarks such as Guzman Lookout Mountain and Coyote Hill to the east of Columbus. — narcosphere.com
Audit Reveals 84% of San Francisco Foreclosures Violated Law
posted by askousen - Wednesday, February 22 2012
City officials requested the audit that examined 382 randomly chosen foreclosures that occurred from January 2009 through October 2011. The findings revealed that 84% of the files involved "what appear to be one or more clear violations of law." The violations included not giving homeowners warning that they were in default on their loans (6%), not giving homeowners adequate legal warning their property was being sold (10%), backdating of documents (59%) and transfers of loans by entities that had no business doing so (45%). — All Gov
Supreme Court will hear case on affirmative action at colleges
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
The decision could either limit the use of affirmative action or broadly forbid using race as an admissions factor.
However, because the court's calendar is filled through the spring, the court will not hear arguments in the case until October, weeks before the presidential election.
The Obama administration could choose to weigh in on the issue, but it need not do so. The court's intervention nonetheless is an ominous sign for defenders of affirmative action. Justice Elena Kagan also announced she will not take part in the decision. — LA Times
Dow Pierces 13000
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
U.S. stocks rose in a choppy session, briefly sending the Dow above the 13000 level.
Stocks rose as the market opened as investors responded to news that a bailout deal has been reached for Greece, fell into negative territory and then began a steady march to the 13000 mark. It was the first time the Dow reached the 13000 level on an intraday basis since May 20, 2008. The last time the Dow closed above that level was May 19, 2008.
Shares pulled back a bit in late morning. The Dow was up 46 points, or 0.4%, at 12996. — WSJ
Post office: $18B loss without cuts, rate increase
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
Mired in red ink, the U.S. Postal Service is warning it will lose as much as $18.2 billion a year by 2015 unless Congress grants it new leeway to eliminate Saturday delivery, slow first-class mail by one day and raise the price of a postage stamp by as much as 5 cents.
In a letter to Congress, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe described an updated five-year cost-cutting plan put together in coordination with Wall Street adviser Evercore Partners Inc. It reiterates many of the mail agency's proposals to switch to a five-day delivery schedule, raise stamp prices and up to 252 mail-processing centers and 3,700 local post offices.
The Postal Service has already asked Congress for permission to make service cuts and reduce annual payments of about $5.5 billion to prefund retiree health benefits. But in recent weeks, the Senate and House have stalled as lawmakers differ widely on costs, the level of financial oversight and the prospect of widespread postal closures. — Federal News Radio
Oil prices at nine month high after Iran dispute
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
Brent crude was up 1.52 at 121.10 dollars a barrel in London.
Iran's oil ministry said yesterday it stopped crude shipments to British and French companies in an apparent pre-emptive blow against the European Union after the bloc imposed sanctions on Iran's crucial fuel exports. They included a freeze of the country's central bank assets and an oil embargo set to begin in July.
Iran's oil minister Rostam Qassemi had warned earlier this month that Tehran could cut off oil exports to "hostile" European nations. The 27-nation EU accounts for about 18% of Iran's oil exports.
The EU sanctions along with other punitive measures imposed by the US are part of Western efforts to derail Iran's disputed nuclear program, which the West fears is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Iran denies the charges, and says its programme is for peaceful purposes. — UK Independent
Anti-Americanism key to Putin's presidential campaign
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
"The current campaign is laden with anti-Americanism," said Sergei Oznobishchev, head of the Institute of Strategic Assessments, a Moscow think tank. "It's like clothing they dust off and put on for certain occasions, currently for electoral purposes."
Putin has frequently criticized the United States throughout his 12-year rule, first as president and then as prime minister, accusing Washington of seeking to secure global domination. After a period of relative warmth thanks to the reset, relations have worsened again over US missile defense plans and Moscow's support for the Syrian government despite its violent crackdown on protests.
With the election approaching and pro-democracy protests gaining momentum, anti-American rhetoric on state TV channels has risen dramatically in pitch. — Arab News
Putin Proposes Vast Rearmament, Military Reform
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has outlined plans for military reform and rearmament that would see the Russian government spending 23 trillion rubles (some $770 billion) over a 10-year period.
Putin, who will almost certainly win the March 4 presidential election, made the pledges in a lengthy article in the "Rossiiskaya Gazeta" newspaper.
In the article, titled "Being Strong Is a Guarantee of Russia's National Security," Putin wrote, "It's obvious we cannot strengthen our international position, develop the economy and democratic institutions if we are not able to defend Russia." — Radio Free Europe
Patrick Cockburn: Greece sells its independence to escape the burden of debt
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
Greeks expect to agree a deal with the Eurozone leaders tomorrow that will cede much of their country's independence. Greece will become an economic - and to a large extent a political - colony of Germany and its allies. Berlin will have a say in everything from the choice of prime minister to the types of medicines dispensed by pharmacies.
In return for 230bn, made up of 130bn in fresh loans and 100bn in write-downs on privately held Greek government bonds, Greece is relieved from its immediate debt burden. But the money does not go to the Greek government, still less to the Greek people. It simply leaves them to live off the money they earn. — UK Independent
F-35 makes first test flights with external weapons
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
The F-35, the military's next-generation fighter jet, has begun its first flight tests carrying external missiles at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.
The stealthy, supersonic fighter, built byLockheed Martin Corp., has been undergoing tests since its first flight in late 2006.
The F-35, known as the Joint Strike Fighter, will be used by the Navy, Marines and Air Force. Three versions of the F-35 are being built - one that can operate off aircraft carriers, one capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, and a conventional fighter jet. — LA Times
Obama Fights to Retain Warrantless Wiretapping
posted by askousen - Tuesday, February 21 2012
Despite being propelled to victory by progressive supporters critical of the Bush administration's record on civil liberties, President Barack Obama has directed the Justice Department to defend many of the policies of George W. Bush, including warrantless wiretapping. Last week, the Justice Department filed papers asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling that allowed the continuation of an ACLU lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 2008 law giving the government unprecedented authority to monitor Americans' international emails and phone calls.
That monitoring has its origins in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when, a few years later, President Bush instructed the National Security Agency (NSA) to intercept Americans' telephone calls without warrants, which were required by the Constitution and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). FISA, a post-Watergate statute meant to rein in domestic surveillance, created a special court, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), to approve or reject requests for domestic surveillance. — All Gov
H.R. 1981: SOPA Author Lamar Smith's New Internet Surveillance Bill Intensifies Threats to Online Pr
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
Following the massive world-wide protests over the Internet in January, the infamous SOPA and PIPA are mostly dead with the author Lamar Smith saying he won't take the bill up in committee until a "wider agreement on a solution" is reached.
While people have been celebrating the victory over SOPA and PIPA, here's what has managed to slip by relatively unobserved, until now.
A bill, titled H.R. 1981, "Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011," is being sponsored by Lamar Smith and is considered to be a wide-ranging Internet surveillance bill with many other domineering attempts by the government to invade privacy and control the Internet.
According to David Seaman, a prominent new media advocate, the bill has been named thus "so that politicians in the House and Senate are strong-armed into voting for it, even though it contains utterly insane 1984-style Big Brother surveillance provisions."
A report in Venture Beat said H.R. 1981 would "alter U.S. code Chapter 18 section 2703 'Required Disclosure of Customer Communications or Records' so that all Internet service providers would need to store your IP address for at least 12 months, along with any highly sensitive personal information such as credit card data." — IB times
Peter Thiel Emerges As Ron Paul's Biggest Super PAC Backer; Bill Gross Next?
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
While it has been well-documented by now, that even as the campaign of Mitt Romney continues to be funded exclusively [8]by Wall Street legacy firms, that of Ron Paul is largely in the hands of the US military [9]. Yet when it comes to the recently infamous SuperPAC, things have changed. Because as Politico reports, of the roughly $3.4 million total in cash raised by the pro-Paul group Endorse Liberty since its founding on December 20, none other than PayPal cofounder and Clarium Capital chief Peter Thiel has donated $2.6 million. So as the renegade financier, whose opinion on Ben Bernanke and the gold standard is well-known to Zero Hedge regulars emerges as a primary backer of all that is wrong with the status quo, and the Ben Bernanke way of monetary suicide, we wonder who is next? Actually, scratch that: Bill Gross has already made his opinion well known vis-a-vis Ron Paul's candidacy. Isn't it about time the Newport Beach multibillionaire reached into his back pocket and put his money where his mouth is, especially following his tongue in cheek endorsement of Ron Paul for president? — Tyler Durden/zero hedge
Ron Paul wins Maine country caucus
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
Paul received 163 votes in Saturday's Washington County caucus, where Republicans from more than two dozen towns gathered to cast their votes. Romney received 80 votes. Rick Santorum got 57 votes and Newt Gingrich received four votes. — CBS
Ron Paul Frontrunner in Washington
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
His mostly volunteer campaign workers have a larger presence in Washington than any other Presidential candidate. They have been out doing nuts and bolts politics by identifying Ron Paul supporters, teaching them how to participate in the caucus process and encouraging them to get out on March 3. In this process, they have been reaching out to independent voters who previously have not thought of themselves as Republicans. The Ron Paul campaign is growing the Republican Party in the state of Washington.
In 2008, Paul took 21% of the caucus vote in a four man race in the state of Washington. This year, the Paul campaign seems far more organized and to have far more supporters preparing for participation in the caucus process. In 2008, only 12,320 people participated in the caucus. If that many participate this year, given the turnout for these recent rallies, Ron Paul should win the state of Washington. — Tacoma Political Buzz Examiner
Germany, Greece Quietly Prepare For "Plan D"
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
For several weeks now we have been warning that while the conventional wisdom is that Europe will never let Greece slide into default, Germany has been quietly preparing for just that. This culminated on Friday when the schism between Merkel, who is of the persuasion that Greece should remain in the Eurozone, and her Finmin, Wolfgang "Dr. Strangle Schauble" Schauble, who isn't, made Goldman Sachs itself observe that there is: "Growing dissent between Chancellor Merkel and finance minister Schäuble regarding Greece." We now learn, courtesy of the Telegraph's Bruno Waterfield, that Germany is far deeper in Greece insolvency preparations than conventional wisdom thought possible (if not Zero Hedge, where we have been actively warning for over two weeks that Germany is perfectly eager and ready to roll the dice on a Greek default). Yet it is not only Germany that is getting ready for the inevitable. So is Greece. — zero hedge
German govt, opposition agree on new president
posted by askousen - Monday, February 20 2012
Germany's government and the two major opposition parties said Sunday they would jointly nominate former East German human rights activist Joachim Gauck to be the country's next president.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said her center-right coalition government, and the center-left opposition rallied behind the Gauck, who was initially proposed by the opposition Social Democrats and Greens.
Christian Wulff, 52, quit as president Friday after two months of allegations he received favors such as a favorable loan, and hotel stays from friends when he was state governor of Lower Saxony. He was Merkel's candidate when elected less than two years ago, triumphing at that time over Gauck, 72, in a messy election. — Seattle PI
Why Were The Trillions In Fake Bonds Held In Chicago Fed Crates?
posted by askousen - Sunday, February 19 2012
While there is precious little in terms of detail coming out of the latest and literally greatest "fake" bond story in history, the BBC has been kind enough to release the pictures of the boxes that the supposedly fake bonds were contained in. While we reserve judgment on the authenticity of the bonds, what we wonder is whether the boxes were also fake. Because while we can understand why someone would counterfeit the Treasury paper itself, what we don't get is why someone would go the extra effort to also create a "fake" compartment in which to store it. In this case a compartment that is property of the "CHICAGO FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM." Perhaps Fed uberdove and Chicago Fed President Charles Evans will be kind enough to explain why Versailles Treaty Chicago Fed crates are floating around in Europe (and filled with $6 trillion in supposedly fake bearer bonds)? — zerohedge.com
A Tsunami Of Court Challenges to ObamaCare
posted by askousen - Sunday, February 19 2012
When the Supreme Court hears arguments at the end of March about ObamaCare, the question of the rights of individuals and the states will be center stage. But if the court upholds all or parts of the law, this will just be the beginning of many years of legal challenges to this deeply unconstitutional law.
ObamaCare violates the Constitution down to its "very DNA," said Sen. Orrin Hatch in a speech on the Senate floor on February 9. "At its core, the law and its expansion of government are a threat to personal liberty…As the state controls more and more of our lives to further a political agenda, our freedom is put in greater and greater jeopardy."
The mega-controversy over ObamaCare's mandate for "free" preventive care is the most recent example.
The issue is being disguised as a fight over whether women should be guaranteed access to "free" sterilization procedures and contraceptives, including drugs that cause abortions. But the real question is over whether health plans and employers can be compelled to provide products and services that violate their religious beliefs. — Forbes.com
Feds Urge Court to Reject Laptop Decryption Appeal
posted by askousen - Sunday, February 19 2012
The government is urging a federal appeals court not to entertain an appeal from a bank-fraud defendant who has been ordered to decrypt her laptop so its contents can be used in her criminal case.
Colorado federal authorities seized the encrypted Toshiba laptop from defendant Ramona Fricosu in 2010 with valid court warrants while investigating alleged mortgage fraud, and demanded she decrypt it.
Ruling that the woman's Fifth Amendment rights against compelled self-incrimination would not be breached, U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn ordered the woman in January to decrypt the laptop by the end of February. The judge refused to stay his decision to allow Fricosu time to appeal. — wired.com
Google Busted With Hand in Safari-Browser Cookie Jar
posted by askousen - Sunday, February 19 2012
Google intentionally circumvented the default privacy settings of Apple's Safari browser, using a backdoor to set cookies on browsers set to reject them, in the latest privacy debacle for the search and advertising giant.
Google immediately disabled the practice after the Wall Street Journal disclosed the practice Thursday night, which was discovered by Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer and confirmed by security consultant Ashkan Soltani. — Wired.com
The Rise (and Fall) of Pasteurized Milk
posted by askousen - Sunday, February 19 2012
When most people think about the rise of pasteurized milk in America, they tend to think of people getting sick and dying from raw milk in such numbers that a rapid transition to the "safety" of processed milk occurred out of the sheer necessity of preserving the public health.
This is simply not so. — The Healthy Home Economist
N.J. governor vetoes same-sex marriage bill
posted by askousen - Saturday, February 18 2012
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Friday vetoed a bill that would allow same-sex couples to wed, setting up a confrontation with a Democrat-controlled legislature that has vowed to eventually get the bill into law.
The General Assembly on Thursday passed the measure, which the Senate had approved Monday.
Lawmakers have until the legislative session ends in January 2014 to override Christie's veto. They would need a two-thirds majority in both houses to succeed.
Christie, the subject of speculation as a possible GOP vice presidential candidate, has said the issue "should not be decided by 121 people in the statehouse in Trenton."
He has advocated putting the issue to a referendum.
Gov. Gregoire's passion for equality
"I continue to encourage the Legislature to trust the people of New Jersey and seek their input by allowing our citizens to vote on a question that represents a profoundly significant societal change," Christie said in a statement. — CNN
Maine Caucus Results Look Even Fishier
posted by askousen - Saturday, February 18 2012
While Paul campaign officials immediately balked about the Maine GOP Chairman's premature decision to award Romney the victory in advance of the Washington County caucuses, errors in the official vote totals have metastasized as more results have become known. "It's no longer just about Washington County," the Christian Science Monitor reported February 15. "There are towns whose votes went uncounted, and other towns whose caucus dates are yet to come. Plus - and here's the big finish - the Paul forces are now fully alerted, and if you've ever been on their wrong side, you know what that means. Their social media organizations are going to be focused on turning out more caucus attendees than the Washington County GOP has ever seen."
Local Maine newspapers have uncovered a number of errors in the official results that appeared to favor Romney over Paul. "While the state GOP says Paul got 37 votes to Romney's 30, Waldo County's spreadsheet shows Paul winning, 71-50," the Portland Press Herald reported February 15. The newspaper continued: — The New American
Mitt Romney gains votes in updated Maine count
posted by askousen - Saturday, February 18 2012
Good news for Mitt Romney: A recalculation of the Maine caucuses has left him with a slightly larger lead over Ron Paul than he had previously, lowering the odds that he will ultimately be stripped of his victory.
When Romney was announced as the winner of the lightly-attended, non-binding caucuses last Saturday, he led Paul by less than 200 votes. After acknowledging that it failed to count some caucuses, the Maine GOP released an updated count late Friday afternoon. The new count shows Romney with 2,269 votes to Paul's 2,030.
The party said it had made initial errors in its count, and that some of the original results went into an email spam folder.
The big question now is what happens in the Washington County caucus tomorrow afternoon. — CBS News
BREAKING: Kurt Haskell Exposes Government False Flag Operation During Underwear Bomber Sentencing
posted by askousen - Friday, February 17 2012
I wish to thank the Court for allowing me these 5 minutes to make my statement. My references to the government in this statement refer to the Federal Government excluding this Court and the prosecution. On Christmas Day 2009, my wife and I were returning from an African safari and had a connecting flight through Amsterdam. As we waited for our flight, we sat on the floor next to the boarding gate. What I witnessed while sitting there and subsequent events have changed my life forever. While I sat there, I witnessed Umar dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt, being escorted around security by a man in a tan suit who spoke perfect American English and who aided Umar in boarding without a passport. The airline gate worker initially refused Umar boarding until the man in the tan suit intervened. The event meant nothing to me at the time. Little did I know that Umar would try to kill me a few hours later as our flight approached Detroit. The final 10 minutes of our flight after the attack were the worst minutes of my life. During those 10 minutes I sat paralyzed in fear. Unfortunately, what happened next has had an even greater impact on my life and has saddened me further.
When we landed, I was shocked that our plane taxied up to the gate. I was further shocked that we were forced to sit on the plane for 20 minutes with powder from the so called bomb all over the cabin. The officers that boarded the plane did nothing to ensure our safety and did not check for accomplices or other explosive devices. Several passengers trampled through parts of the bomb as they exited the plane. We were then taken into the terminal with our unchecked carry on bags. Again, there was no concern for our safety even though Umar told the officers that there was another bomb on board as he exited the plane. I wondered why nobody was concerned about our safety, accomplices or other bombs and the lack of concern worried me greatly. I immediately told the FBI my story in order to help catch the accomplice I had seen in Amsterdam. It soon became obvious that the FBI wasn’t interested in what I had to say, which upset me further. For one month the government refused to admit the existence of the man in the tan suit before changing course and admitting his existence in an ABC News article on January 22, 2010. That was the last time the government talked about this man. The video that would prove the truth of my account has never been released. I continue to be emotionally upset that the video has not been released. The Dutch police, meanwhile, in this article (show article), also confirmed that Umar did not show his passport in Amsterdam which also meant that he didn’t go through security as both are in the same line in Amsterdam. It upsets me that the government refuses to admit this fact. — infowars.com
LEFT-RIGHT PARADIGM IS A HOAX
posted by askousen - Friday, February 17 2012
There may have been a time when the words "conservative" and "liberal" meant something, but that time is no more. Today, "conservatives" in government are doing as much to promote Big Government, as are "liberals." In fact, if one were to honestly evaluate the twelve years of the George Herbert Walker Bush and G.W. Bush administrations, one could say that "conservatives" even eclipse "liberals" in promoting Big Government. Under the two Bushes, the federal government expanded (and even exploded) to levels that for-real liberal Democrats could only dream about.
Let's get realistic. Just because a politico says he or she is "pro-life," or "pro-family," or "pro-marriage," etc., does not mean that they are going to do anything to help save the country. Come on, folks; think! "Conservative" Republican administration appointments have dominated the US Supreme Court since the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions that effectively legalized abortion-on-demand. And we are no closer to overturning Roe and Doe after almost forty years of electing "pro-life conservatives" than we were the year after the Roe and Doe decisions were rendered. And for the first six years of the 21st Century, "conservative" Republicans dominated the entire federal government, and still the Roe and Doe decisions stand. — Chuck Baldwin/News With Views
DHS Stonewalls Congress On Social Media Spying
posted by askousen - Friday, February 17 2012
Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security speaking today at a Congressional hearing regarding the federal agency's monitoring of social media networks and news websites, including the Drudge Report, were evasive about who ordered them to look for reports or comments that "reflect adversely on the U.S. government and the DHS."
The hearing was prompted as a result of the Electronic Privacy Information Center obtaining 300 documents through a Freedom of Information Act request which detailed how DHS had hired an outside contractor, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, to monitor social media outlets along with a list of websites, on a "24/7/365 basis," in order to uncover "any media reports that reflect adversely on the U.S. Government and the Department of Homeland Security."
The list of websites the DHS requested be monitored for such content included the Drudge Report, Facebook, Twitter, Huffington Post, and GoogleBlogSearch, a service that allows millions of individual blogs to be searched for keywords. — Infowars.com