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...

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...

Cheney's Endorsement a Final Detriment?

Dick Cheney came out this last Saturday to publicly endorse Senator John McCain’s quest to reach the oval office as Commander in Chief of the United States. But is this really what the McCain campaign needed? An endorsement from the man who has sat with George W. Bush for the last eight years, a man who has gone quail hunting and shot his own friend my mistake. Much like the comedic endorsement from George W. Bush on Saturday Night Live a couple weeks ago (portrayed by Will Ferrell), producer...

Where’s Joe?

With only days remaining until American’s go to the polls in what are expected to be record breaking numbers, both candidates are stepping up their game. Barack Obama has certainly used his campaign funds effectively, making his cause known, and his resolutions within reach. Carrying a significant lead into the final week of campaigning, Barack Obama has seen recent success in key battleground states. Colorado and Nevada are now both expected to award their electoral votes to Democratic Presiden...

Who's Left?

With the Presidential race coming to a close and elections nearing, where do major corporations, institutions, and news organizations place their allegiances? The majority, both conservative and liberal, have by in large endorsed Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat, but more importantly, a figure of hope, change, and a brighter future. A President for the people, for the country, Obama plans to put “Country First,” a slogan of John McCain, but an actual reality with Obama. The future is becoming cl...

Joe the Plumber

Average old Joe. A plumber, a business man, and a recent media phenomenon. Joe Wurzelbacher, better known to the American media as “Joe the Plumber” was, like many Americans, attempting to become politically involved and informed. With an election ballot creeping up on us faster than ever that will determine which direction this country is heading, it is important to stay politically affluent. Attending a site where Barack Obama spoke, “Joe the Plumber” was lucky enough to get some face to face ...

Endorsement

Top news article of the day, perhaps of the weekend, is the endorsement of Senator Barack Obama by General Colin Powell. More to follow when I wake up in the morning, for now, the video feed from MSNBC: Continued... General Colin Powell’s (retired) endorsement of Barack Obama came just as expected over the weekend, a detrimental setback to the McCain campaign. In the seven minute long interview with NBC’s Tom Brokaw, Powell dissects the reasoning that went into his decision, a clearly...

894th

Way to go John, you managed to avoid finishing last in your class in the Academy. 894th out of 899, congratulations. Your goofball, hellish attitude and fiery temperament towards your superiors should have left you with more insubordination demerits than acceptable to graduate, but you had your daddy and grandaddy there to bail you out, financially and politically. Let’s face it, you are no more competent than the W in office right now, and that is not saying anything to begin with. Do us all a ...