Clipmarks | Intelligence Clips

WWIII?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:19:07 GMT

clipped by: JackieDel

October 12, 2008

Warning signs of an Israeli strike on Iran

David Owen

David Owen was foreign secretary from 1977 to 1979

Some key decision makers in Israel fear that unless they attack Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities in the next few months, while George W Bush is still president, there will not be another period when they can rely on the United States as being anywhere near as supportive in the aftermath of a unilateral attack.

In the past 40 years there have been few occasions when I have been more concerned about a specific conflict escalating to involve, economically, the whole world. We are watching a disinformation exercise involving a number of intelligence services. Reality is becoming ever harder to disentangle.

Tags: usa, foreign policy, war, israel, iran

Robogirl - the 'most human-like robot ever created'

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:38:58 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Unveiled: Robogirl - the 'most human-like robot ever created'

Last updated at 4:36 PM on 08th October 2008

Japanese researchers have created a life-like robot, based on a five-year-old girl.

The robogirl, Repliee R-1, looks, moves and interacts like a human, and has silicone skin that feels almost human to the touch.

The robot can blink, look around and even nod its head. It has pigtails, which have inspired comparisons with the boy robot David in Steven Spielberg's 2001 hit Artificial Intelligence.

The team at Osaka University's robotics department, which created Repliee R-1, claim it is the most human-like robot suit ever created.

They hope that the life-like features will put people at ease, and make them more likely to interact with a robot.

[Video]

Tags: tech

Angry Pakistani tribesmen attack Taliban after bombing

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:38:31 GMT

clipped by: tommy2balmy
clipper's remarks: Militants have unleashed a new wave of violence in Pakistan in recent months after the military launched major offensives against them in the rugged northwest including Bajaur and Swat regions.

The mounting militant threat prompted the government to convene a closed joint session of the two-chambered parliament for a briefing by intelligence officials on internal security.

The parliamentarians are due to begin debate on the situation after Pakistan's newly appointed intelligence chief briefed them this week on the militant threat.

The growing violence comes amidst a stepped-up campaign by the United States against militant targets inside Pakistan

Clip Source: www.khaleejtimes.com

Pakistan tribes raze Taliban houses after bombing

KOHAT, Pakistan - Angry Pakistani tribesmen traded fire with Taliban militants and demolished their houses in a northwestern tribal region after a car suicide attack killed at least 30 people, residents said on Saturday.

Television channels put the death toll at as high as 70.

The bomber drove his explosive-laden car into the middle of a tribal council meeting in Orakzai tribal region on Friday where hundreds of tribesmen were discussing a government-backed plan to raise a lashkar or tribal militia to force militants out of the region.

"Everyone is angry and upset here. The tribesmen attacked houses of the Taliban in Khadizai after the bombing. Two houses have been demolished," Noorzad Orakzai, a resident of the Khadizai area where attack took place, told Reuters by telephone.

The attack in Orakzai came a day after a suicide blast inside the heavily guarded police headquarters in the capital Islamabad in which eight policemen were wounded.

Tags: afganistan, war on terror, pakistan, taliban, bombing

America Must Plumb Olmert's 'Depths of Reality'

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:37:12 GMT

clipped by: Seosamh Dalzell

Clip Source: mwcnews.net

Israel did not fight in the first Gulf War, neither did its soldiers die in Afghanistan or Iraq—a war its cooked intelligence helped to bring about. This year our “strongest ally” pushed the Bush administration to the brink of war with Iran—a war whose catastrophic reverberations would have been on a par with the current global economic meltdown.

Israel’s regional aggression and its repressive—often brutal— domestic policies regarding the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank inflames its Arab neighbors and cinches tight the explosive vest to the chests of Arab youths.

Predictably, the United States’ irrational and unconditional support of Israel makes it equally culpable and equally target-worthy in the eyes of Arabs and Persians in the Middle East and Muslims worldwide. An ally that causes more insecurity than succor can hardly be considered the strongest ally in the world—unless that ally is also the only way to the White House.

Is There A Skeleton In John McCain's POW closet?

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:06:08 GMT

clipped by: thinkingblue
clipper's remarks: Excerpted From The Rolling Stone Magazine:

In its broad strokes, McCain's life story is oddly similar to that of the current occupant of the White House. John Sidney McCain III and George Walker Bush both represent the third generation of American dynasties. Both were born into positions of privilege against which they rebelled into mediocrity. Both developed an uncanny social intelligence that allowed them to skate by with a minimum of mental exertion. Both struggled with booze and loutish behavior. At each step, with the aid of their fathers' powerful friends, both failed upward. And both shed their skins as Episcopalian members of the Washington elite to build political careers as self-styled, ranch-inhabiting Westerners who pray to Jesus in their wives' evangelical churches.
Rolling Stone Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

Also On: http://www.thethinkingblue.com/MCPAIN.html

Clip Source: thinkingblue.blogspot.com

Is there a skeleton in John McCain's POW closet?

The Rolling Stone has an article called "Make-Believe Maverick"

23/6 commented on this article, and also referenced John McCain's sensitivity to his shortness. (Huh?)

The shortness part, isn't why I am blogging this. Because I could care less if McCain is touchy about his lack of tallness. What I did find interesting was in the comment section, at the bottom of the webpage. A comment made by an ex-Air Force officer, who remarked about John McCain's POW HERO status and lack there of. Now I don't know if this ex-Air Force officer knew John McCain or not. But never-the-less, it raises a lot of suspicion about Maverick McCain's Hero Rank. I can't help but wonder, why the Obama Camp doesn't seem interested in using it, the same way the NASTY ONES, on the other side of the political arena would... (THE RED SIDE)

I'm glad it's finally coming out that this man is NO hero!

Holy, "SOP", Batman! If only one third of this is true... it's explosive.

Tags: mccain, rolling stone, obama, elections, politics

Afghanistan Conflict Rapidly Worsening

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:00:55 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: What a mess.

Nato troops given new mandate to attack heroin drug barons in Afghanistan

NATO accused of sheltering Afghan heroin trade

Karzai's brother denies links to drug trade

Nato happy to ignore explosion in Afghan opium output, says Russia

Clip Source: www.spacewar.com

US report says Afghanistan conflict rapidly worsening

Concern over Afghanistan's downward spiral rose another notch Thursday, amid reports of a draft US intelligence assessment detailing its slide into corruption, drugs and insurgent violence.

The New York Times said the draft National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) casts doubts on the ability of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to stem the resurgence of the Taliban.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said

"I would just cite that Afghanistan is a difficult place. It has made progress since 2001.

we are doing a review to see what more we can do,"

So far, the administration has promised one combat brigade by February, citing constraints imposed by the war in Iraq.

the breakdown in central authority in Afghanistan has been accelerated by rampant corruption within the Karzai government and by increasingly sophisticated insurgent attacks from safe havens in Pakistan

heroin trade by some estimates accounts for 50 percent of Afghanistan's economy

America's Israeli-Occupied Media

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:21:30 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: During the Six-Day War, Israel attacked and nearly sank the USS Liberty belonging to its closest ally, the USA. Thirty-four American servicemen were killed in the two-hour assault by Israeli warplanes and torpedo boats. Israel claimed that the whole affair had been a tragic accident based on mistaken identification of the ship. The American government accepted the explanation.

Dead In The Water - The Sinking of the USS Liberty - 69 min

Documentary 'The Israel lobby - The influence of AIPAC on US Foreign Policy' - 51 min

Clip Source: mwcnews.net

There should be little doubt that the Israeli government is making every effort to jump-start a war against Iran

A flurry of visits to Israel

have made clear that there is considerable opposition at the Pentagon and in intelligence circles to starting a third war at this time.

Iran is still far removed from having nuclear capability. Mullen went so far as to tell the Israelis flatly that Washington does not want another war. He even brought up the subject of the USS Liberty, a not-so subtle hint that Washington knows that Israel might try to engineer a Gulf of Tonkin-type surprise to force American involvement.

Mullen may have been implying that any incident in the Persian Gulf that might lead to armed conflict will be scrutinized carefully to determine if it is a false flag operation initiated by Tel Aviv.

the mainstream media

provides a bully pulpit for those who want war. The media

accepts the framework of the Iran "problem" as defined by Washington and Tel Aviv

New Anarchy Expected in Iraq - National Intel Estimate

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:48:10 GMT

clipped by: BartendingBear
clipper's remarks: Surge? HA!

Clip Source: blogs.cqpolitics.com

The draft of a new National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq says that the country is in danger of flying apart in a new spiral of violence provoked by unresolved conflicts between Sunnis, Shias, Kurds and other groups.

The findings seem to cast doubts on McCain's frequent assertions that the United States is "on a path to victory" in Iraq by underscoring the deep uncertainties of the situation despite the 30,000-strong U.S. troop surge for which he was the leading congressional advocate.

FBI Silences Agents On 9/11 Disclosures

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:40:48 GMT

clipped by: BartendingBear
clipper's remarks: CIA could be accused of withholding information if they spoke.

Clip Source: blogs.cqpolitics.com

The FBI has blocked two of its veteran counterterrorism agents from going public with accusations that the CIA deliberately withheld crucial intelligence before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

FBI Special Agents Mark Rossini and Douglas Miller have asked for permission to appear in an upcoming public television documentary, scheduled to air in January, on pre-9/11 rivalries between the CIA, FBI and National Security Agency.

The program is a spin-off from The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-Secret NSA from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America, by acclaimed investigative reporter James Bamford, due out in a matter of days.

Pre-9/11 intelligence mishaps have been generally attributed to bureaucratic screw-ups -- a "failure to connect the dots," exacerbated by spy agency rivalries.

Rossini and Miller

are prepared to say publicly that, under pressure from the CIA, they kept the full the truth from the Justice Department's Inspector Genera

There was pressure on people not to disclose what really happened

CITIZEN TERRORISTS

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:54:09 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: I wonder what other over zealous law enforcement officers are out there doing their job

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Citizen Terrorists Deleted

The homeland security mania has invited some startling abuses of police power, but we have yet to hear of any more knuckle-headed than one in Maryland. There, the State Police are sheepishly tracking down 53 innocent people to let them know they were entered as suspected terrorists on state and federal databases — for the Orwellian offense of engaging in peaceful protest.

The citizens had merely joined gatherings opposed to the Iraq war and capital punishment. Yet they were listed as terrorists three years ago on criminal intelligence rolls. “On the contrary, the groups were determined not to violate the law,” Stephen Sachs, the former Maryland attorney general, took pains to point out in a blistering report concluding that the runaway program violated constitutional rights and federal regulations.

a legitimate surveillance of “fringe people”

“those who wish to disrupt the government.”

American wonder what else

police programs.

Alife, i.e. artificial life ahead

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:19:53 GMT

clipped by: balthazarus
clipper's remarks: "Just as 19th-century engineers studied the flight of birds and dreamed of being airborne, he says, so today's computer engineers marvel at the intelligence in all forms of life and contemplate the potential of more efficient computation."
It may be sooner that expected, are we ready for it? does it matter?
I think it does. I think we as a human society much put more effort in thinking the future ahead of us.

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it

Artificial life, often referred to as alife, is a very diverse field of study, encompassing simulations, computer models, robotics and biochemistry.

It's also a very esoteric community, but their work has proven, despite much controversy, to have many practical applications.

"The key aspects are production of a self-sustaining metabolism, a membrane to separate this metabolic system from its environment and an informational system, such as DNA, to support replication and heredity."

"Although we are not yet at the stage of creating a totally self-producing, self-reproducing, autonomous living cell, considerable advances have been made on individual aspects."

Venter has recently managed to insert artificially constructed chromosomes into existing living cells

Mark Bedau

has manufactured artificial vesicles - in effect, artificial cell walls

"The alife community has always been a place where [scientific] outsiders could gather

Tags: life, technology, biology, philosophy

Big Brother Listening in on Personal Phone Calls

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:55:39 GMT

clipped by: spirithiker
clipper's remarks: If these allegations turn out to be true, it will only be further proof that this administration refuses to follow the letter of the law.

There are clear stipulations concerning when eavesdropping without a court order can be used and, of course, the NSA claims it operates in “strict accordance with U.S. laws and regulations”. What else are they going to say?

It is despicable that our government has turned itself into such a distrusting caretaker.

The flip side to this story is that the two individuals could have made this up for the purpose of having contributed to a book that author Jim Bamford is writing. This could also be a stunt to get his name in front of the public and increase sales.

See what we have become? It is now so easy to believe that everyone is capable of lying to satisfy some ulterior motive that no news item can be taken at face value.

This country is in serious need of an ethical makeover.

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

Congress is looking into allegations that National Security Agency linguists have been eavesdropping on Americans abroad.

The allegations were made by two former military intercept operators on a television news report Thursday evening.

A terrorist surveillance program instituted by the Bush administration allows the intelligence community to monitor phone calls between the United States and overseas without a court order -- as long as one party to the call is a terror suspect.

Adrienne Kinne, a former U.S. Army Reserves Arab linguist, told ABC News the NSA was listening to the phone calls of U.S. military officers, journalists and aid workers overseas who were talking about "personal, private things with Americans who are not in any way, shape or form associated with anything to do with terrorism."

when linguists complained to supervisors about eavesdropping on personal conversations, they were ordered to continue transcribing the calls.

Tags: nsa, surveillance, trust, ethics

Big Brother Bush is a Pervert! Violating the Constitution one Phone Call at a Time

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:51:43 GMT

clipped by: ratilfar
clipper's remarks: Read the article. The level of B.S. from the Administration is intolerable!

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

WASHINGTON -- U.S. intelligence analysts eavesdropped on personal calls between Americans overseas and their families back home and monitored the communications of workers with the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations, according to two military linguists involved in U.S. surveillance programs.

The accounts are the most detailed to date to challenge the assertions of President Bush, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden and other administration officials that the government's controversial overseas wiretapping activities have been carefully monitored to prevent abuse and invasion of U.S. citizens' privacy.

The linguists said that recordings of intimate conversations between citizens and their loved ones were sometimes passed around, out of prurient interest, among analysts at an electronic surveillance facility at Ft. Gordon, Ga.

Their claims were reported Thursday by ABC News.

Tags: spying, phone, communication, terror, big brother, bush, constitution, civil rights

For Their Own Enjoyment

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:11:24 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: OMG! Haven't they realized their own cyber could be much more fun than reading other's?

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Describing the allegations as "extremely disturbing," Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said the panel had launched an inquiry and requested records from the Bush administration.

"I observed people writing down, word for word, very embarrassing conversations," Faulk told The Times. "People would say, 'Hey, check this out, you're not going to believe what I heard.' "

Citizen Terrorists Deleted

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:03:37 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: "Promising reform to angry legislators, the Maryland police are scrambling not so much to apologize as to notify the 53 that they were falsely deemed terrorists and can inspect their files before the files are purged. The databases were originally intended for anti-drug intelligence, but were misused, officials explained, by zealous, “technologically challenged” commanders.

Constitutionally challenged, as well."

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The homeland security mania has invited some startling abuses of police power, but we have yet to hear of any more knuckle-headed than one in Maryland.

It should make any American wonder what else is out there in the way of misbegotten police programs.

The 300 hours of surveillance devoted to data-smearing outspoken citizens was aptly described in the report as “an instructive example of the abuses that can result when the mere invocation of ‘terrorism’ is understood to override constitutional protections.”