aFlickringLight

Prospectus

In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, an initiative that became known as the Patriot Act saw its creation. Spearheaded by President George W. Bush, the Patriot Act enabled government agencies and agents much looser means of obtaining information and carrying out missions. The FISA courts, clad with concrete walls and windowless rooms deep within guarded government buildings, became the outlet for these actions. Agencies received approval for warrants and ...

Telecoms and the U.S. Intelligence Community

Bare with me as this is a long one. Take it in pieces, take it in strides. What it tells you is of a government program, unethical in nature, that is for the most part, not even followed. The issues at hand are not primarily regarding the FISA courts nor the warrants that they issue for wiretaps. The issue today revolves around one thing - Carnivores. A system implemented by the FBI, Carnivore is designed to - monitor email and electronic communications. It used a customizable packet sniffer...

A New Chapter

January 20th marked the beginning of a new chapter in American history as we moved away from the partisan and war-minded administration of George W. Bush to the more modern and hopeful Barack H. Obama. And, he's the first African American President elected to office, a detail retired General Colin Powell noted following the inaugural address. A southpaw from Illinois, President Obama has already signed Executive Orders and begun the undoings of the last eight years. First to go was the steadf...

MC Yogi says It’s a Brighter Day

"We have chosen Hope." ~President Barack Hussein Obama Change has come to America as former Senator Barack Hussein Obama (D-IL) was sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts just past noon eastern standard time. Festivities filled and packed with supporters and hopefuls, Capitol Hill became the stage for this historic inauguration. The 44th President of the United States Barack Obama represents more than hope, more than change. He is the nation's first African American President. He calls out to the ...

Live as History Happens

CNN’s PhotoSynth

CNN is getting its viewers involved in cataloging a historic moment in American History. On January 20th, viewers will be able to email photos to CNN, which will in turn will import those photos to Microsoft's PhotoSynth application, to render (hopefully) a true to life 3D model of Washington DC as the festivities unfold. At 12pm EST, the Moment will happen. President-Elect Barack Obama will shed the 'elect' from his name as he places his hand on the Bible and takes the presidential oath of offi...

Relief at the Pumps

Some months ago, two reporters for MarketWatch reported on the way in which oil and gasoline was traded on the open market. Upon investigation, four energy analysts reported back in June of this year to the House Energy and Commerce Committee that the price of retail gasoline could fall by half, to around $2 a gallon, within 30 days of the passage of a law that would limit speculation in energy-futures markets. Fadel Gheit of Oppenheimer & Co. testified that - “Record oil prices are infl...

The Cabinet in a Nutshell

News continues to trickle out of the Obama Transition Team’s office in Illinois regarding officially and unofficially announced Cabinet positions for the Obama administration. Let’s take a look at a breakdown - It is widely expected that President-Elect Barack Obama will formally ask Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) to accept the role of Secretary of State. Clinton, Obama’s chief rival during the Democratic Primaries for Democratic presidential nomination, brings a lot to the table for the...

The Future of the GOP

Much talk has been generated after the results of the 2008 Presidential election as to the fate of the GOP after it suffered a fatal blow. Losing the White House by a wide margin, the Republicans are also in danger of a fillibuster-free Senate as Democrats inch closer to a majority presence. This election proved many things. This country was tired of the current administration and the past eight years of missteps and wrongdoings. This country, and for that matter, the world, is becoming increas...

Prop 8 Will See It’s Day In Court

Making the news rounds today is a brief coming out of San Francisco, California, where the Supreme Court of California announced they will hear the case of those against Proposition 8 and its prohibition of same-sex marriages. The court did state that, in accordance with the passage of the proposition, until any decision is made in the opposition of Prop 8, the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses will be suspended. This echoes the Governors words for opponents of the proposition to fight on....