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The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters

Month: December 2005

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My Review of 2005 and My Prayer for 2006

B. John 282 Views

We human beings have created this concept of time. We like to have beginnings and endings, and we American’s seem especially prone to the shorter increments of time. We celebrate almost all of our important holidays annually. We acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries every year. We note seconds (nano-seconds sometimes), hours, days, the months, the annual cycle of the seasons, and especially the years. It?s pretty traditional, as the we close one calendar and open another, to evaluate the year just past, and contemplate the year to come. So as 2005 fades, I?ll follow tradition and offer up my review of 2005.

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War Society Crime Corruption Technology Politics Congress Constitution Presidency Courts 

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

B. John 282 Views

As the old saying goes, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” There is no clearer example of this than the Bu$h Administration’s lack of concern for laws and the Constitution. We have seen, over and over again, in the past how government agencies, authorized to snoop, always overstep. Now we begin to learn that the NSA has been spying on its own people, journalists, and even Congressmen. So, it’s no wonder Bu$h gets his way, Karly Rove probably has a dossier on most members of Congress and the Government.

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A Christmas Wish For You

B. John 313 Views

?We have heard a lot about “saving Christmas” during the last couple of Decembers. With people whipped into a frenzy by right wing pundits, it has become all the rage among certain branches of Christianity to protest by boycotting any retailer who makes mention of “Happy Holidays” or to sue local governments who balk at manger scenes on the town square. All this is apparently done for the purpose of reminding America of the “true meaning” of Christmas. But boycotts and lawsuits are hardly the substance of the Christmas season, as anyone with only a passing familiarity with the Gospels will no doubt attest.?

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Corruption Politics Constitution Presidency Courts War 

NSA Director Says Retroactive Warrants Not Sought Because They Required Paperwork

B. John 296 Views

“The whole key here is agility,” he said at a White House briefing before Bush’s news conference. According to Hayden, most warrantless surveillance conducted under Bush’s authorization lasts just days or weeks, and requires only the approval of a shift supervisor. Hayden said getting retroactive court approval is inefficient because it “involves marshaling arguments” and “looping paperwork around.”

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