Now They're Spying from Overhead

Photo from source, Washington Post

A while back, on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, the big guy himself went through a copy of the US Constitution's Bill of Rights, crossing out the ones made irrelevant by the Bush Administration. There was only one left when he was finished.

Now, of course, if George W. Bush institutes a policy that violates the Bill of Rights, and simply declares that it is now the law of the land, that doesn't automatically make it Constitutional. The big question is, will anybody ever challenge this stuff? Is there any reason, any justification for spying on Americans without a warrant? Just askin'. . .

[Excerpt]

Administration Set to Use New Spy Program in U.S.

The Bush administration said yesterday that it plans to start using the nation's most advanced spy technology for domestic purposes soon, rebuffing challenges by House Democrats over the idea's legal authority.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said his department will activate his department's new domestic satellite surveillance office in stages, starting as soon as possible with traditional scientific and homeland security activities -- such as tracking hurricane damage, monitoring climate change and creating terrain maps. . .

Read more at: Washington Post

Imminent Threat: Zombie Computers?

Photo of Lucifer Michael Chertoff from source, Wired

Oh my God! Zombie computers?!? Are they the old-style George Romero slow-moving Night of the Living Dead zombies, or the modern lightning-fast 28 Days Later zombies? Either way, they want to eat our brains! OK, the main reason I wanted to post is is for the fantastic photo of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Now do you believe me when I say that the Bush Administration is infested with--if not zombies--demons? Yikes!

[Excerpt]

Zombie Computers Decried As Imminent National Threat

Gangs of thousands of zombie home computers grinding out spam, committing fraud and overpowering websites are the most vexing net threat today, according to law enforcement and security professionals. . .

Read more at: Wired

Bush, Chertoff Raise Terror Alert Over Vegas Ricin

Photo from source, Unconfirmed Sources

It's either that, or they're at a gay pride event (oh come on, that color-coded dealie looks just like a rainbow flag!). Is it just me, or does Michael Chertoff have a future in horror movies? Yikes.

[Excerpt]

Bush Elevates Homeland Security Risk over Las Vegas Ricin, Chastens Democrats

President Bush, appearing with Homeland security Director Michael Chertoff early this morning at a White House press conference, officially elevated the national terror alert system to the color code Orange, representing a high probability for terrorist activities. The elevation came in response to the presumed discovery of the highly toxic chemical ricin at a Las Vegas motel late yesterday [Feb. 29] . . .

Read more at: Unconfirmed Sources

Bush Wants to Cut Anti-terror Grants?

Photo of Michael Chertoff from source, USA Today

The excuse made for why the 110th Congress has consistently capitulated to the whims of this unpopular President, is that they're terrified that they will be branded "unpatriotic" or that they don't support the troops. Strange, of course since those things and worse are said about Democrats every single day on talk radio and FOX "News." But I wonder what that bunch of bozos would have to say about this?

Somehow, President Bush himself can blatantly disregard or disrespect the troops, and can make policy decisions that seem to undermine the "global war on terror," yet get a pass from the Limbaughs and Hannitys of the world. How odd. It's almost like they have a double-standard or something. . .

[Excerpt]

Bush seeks cuts in anti-terror grants

The Bush administration intends to slash counterterrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments across the country by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press. . .

Read more at: USA Today

Musical Chairs on the Titanic: Chertoff and Johnson

I reported yesterday (before the news of Alberto Gonzales' resignation) that DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff was being floated as a possible replacement. There have now been rumors that Bush crony Clay Johnson may replace Chertoff at DHS. There is much scuttlebutt that these names are only being floated to make the ultimate choices seem better by comparison. We can only hope.

[Excerpt]

CNN: Bush Plans To Install Inexperienced, Bush Loyalist Clay Johnson At Homeland Security

This morning, CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux reported that “very senior level sources” inside the administration are telling her that Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff will replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Additionally, these sources say Chertoff will be replaced at Homeland Security by Clay Johnson III, the Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget. . .

Read the rest, and watch the clip at: ThinkProgress.org

Swapping Gonzales with Chertoff?

Chertoff, everybody's favorite Bush lackey, is rumored to be replacing Alberto Gonzales. Will we notice a difference?

[Entire article--it's short]

Maybe Trading Up Soon at Justice
August 24, 2007 06:02 PM ET

The buzz among top Bushies is that beleaguered Attorney General Alberto Gonzales finally plans to depart and will be replaced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Why Chertoff? Officials say he's got fans on Capitol Hill, is untouched by the Justice prosecutor scandal, and has more experience than Gonzales did, having served as a federal judge and assistant attorney general.

Source: US News and World Report

Chertoff: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Excuse me for feeling skeptical. This plot may very well have been as nasty and as ready-to-go as Michael Chertoff says, but how can we know? Time after time, we hear some huge terrorist plot has been--barely--thwarted; only to find out later (with much less fanfare) that it was pretty much a load of hooey. So, just like the boy who cried wolf, when the crisis is real, will anybody believe it?

[Excerpt]

'Plot Would Have Killed Thousands'

Terrorists who had planned to detonate gel-based explosives on U.S.-bound flights from London last August would have achieved mass devastation, according to new information from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in an exclusive interview with ABC News.

"I think that the plot, in terms of its intent, was looking at devastation on a scale that would have rivaled 9/11," Chertoff told ABC's Pierre Thomas. "If they had succeeded in bringing liquid explosives on seven or eight aircraft, there could have been thousands of lives lost and an enormous economic impact with devastating consequences for international air travel."

Read on at: ABCNews.GO.com

Keith Olbermann Takes on Homeland Security

While not quite the thing of beauty his previous special comment was, it is nonetheless worth a viewing, and (as usual) right on the money.