Showing posts with label RT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RT. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

NEWS BRIEFS: NOVEMBER 4, 2014


Current Events And Commentaries

Western Journalism
Informing And Equipping Americans Who Love Freedom

Joel Osteen: Not The Pastor America Needs,
But The Pastor We Deserve

Osteen isn’t preaching the Gospel. He’s preaching quicksand.

Steve Deace, Western Journalism —
Let’s begin with a pop quiz. If I told you a well-known public figure did the following:
• Repeatedly denies the main focus of the Gospel.
• Consistently watered down and distorted Biblical teaching.
• Believes the purpose of human life is to glorify yourself and not God.
Which side would you say such a person is on?
1. Heaven
2. Hell
The “person” in question here is none other than Joel Osteen, otherwise known as “America’s Pastor.”

Pastor of what exactly is open to interpretation, depending on the prevailing winds of pop culture and what helps pad the bank account at the time.

It’s been said the greatest trick the devil ever pulled is convincing the world he doesn’t exist. Satan doesn’t usually show up in a bright red suit and a pitchfork. No, the devil knows we are visually and sensually driven creatures. So Satan is usually glamorous, titillating, and smiling with a bright double-decker of pearly whites. Never forget the most poisonous serpents are often the prettiest.

We fall for it because we judge based on what’s on the outside; and from the outside, Joel Osteen has it going on. He lives in a $10 million mansion with his movie-star gorgeous wife. He’s the rare 51-year old man with six-pack abs. His publicity tours generate so much demand that scalpers can ask for up to $850 per ticket. He renovated an NBA team’s old arena for $105 million to house the nation’s largest “church” there. His estimated net worth is at least $40 million.

From the outside, Joel Osteen lives a life the world covets. There’s just one problem with that. I can’t think of a single truly great figure in the 2,000-year history of Christianity who didn’t pay some kind of worldly price for defending the faith—beginning with Christ himself at the Cross. On the other hand, it seems as if the world is paying Osteen quite handsomely for the self-esteem gospel according to Joel.

By the way, while the Cross where Christ died for the sins of the world is the most recognized symbol in history, you won’t find one of those at Osteen’s “church.” You won’t find too much talk about suffering, sin, and salvation, either. Instead, you’ll find a lot of shiny, happy people. Just like Joel Osteen. A team always takes on the characteristics of its (life) coach. After being beaten, imprisoned, ship-wrecked, and beheaded for his beliefs, the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, would be unrecognizable to Osteen’s adherents.

Happiness draws a crowd. We all want to be happy. The problem is what often makes us happy are the instruments of our destruction. For example, we do drugs to be happy, which is why we call it “getting high” and not “getting low.”

But God sees what’s on the inside. And what He sees is that something is very wrong with the inside of us. We’re spiteful, greedy, selfish, dishonest, lustful, prideful, and at times capable of unspeakable evil.

Despite what the progressives claim, we’re not getting any better, either. Nowadays, parents sue for “wrongful birth” because they didn’t get the chance to kill their own kids before they were born; and moms publicly boast about “wishing everyday” they could kill their children. The 20th century was the most technologically advanced, prosperous, and educated century in human history—and also the bloodiest.

Thankfully, Joel Osteen is right about one thing. God is good, and He does want what’s best for us. That’s why He sent His Son into the world. Not to condemn the world, but so that through Him, the world may be saved from its own (our) wickedness. Unfortunately, this is not the message preached in any of Osteen’s sermons, books, or DVDs.

Meanwhile, in Osteen’s hometown of Houston, the lesbian mayor he prayed a blessing over when she took office has been busy trying to intimidate the church into silencing its public witness. While his peers were being threatened with persecution, Osteen was silent. But cut Osteen some slack–he’s got “A Night of Hope” events booked all over the country. He’s a little preoccupied at the moment, and paying customers get their hope first. It says so right there in the contract.

So why wasn’t “America’s Pastor” singled out for standing up to his pagan mayor’s attempt to redefine morality in his city? When you learn the answer to that question, you’ll know why Osteen is so popular. A culture drowning in its own selfishness, arrogance, and materialism can’t get enough of the forked-tongue philosophy he’s peddling.

Osteen isn’t preaching the Gospel. He’s preaching quicksand.

Learn more about your Constitution with Steve Deace and the Institute on the Constitution and receive your free gift....

The views expressed in this opinion article are solely those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by WesternJournalism.com.

Obama ‘Using Federal Law To Target Christians’
Purpose ‘is to discriminate against religious organizations
that oppose abortion’
By Bob Unruh, WND —
Obamacare has been the subject of litigation since it was launched, and there have been numerous accusations – that it is unconstitutional, that it violates religious rights, that it invades privacy, that it goes beyond government authority by ordering consumers to purchase a product, and more.

Now a new lawsuit has been filed arguing that the Obama administration is using the law to attack groups of faith that do not support the White House agenda of contraception and abortion for all....

Is There Really A Separation Of Church And State?
We must not allow the government to enforce or mandate
any religious doctrines or tell us how or what to believe.
By Leigh H Bravo, WJ —
Is there really a separation of church and state? And has the current administration honored it? Have Democrats around the country been stepping on our rights of Religious freedom?

In February, President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast and said: “It’s also clear that around the world, freedom of religion is under threat…..No society can truly succeed unless it guarantees the rights of all its people, including religious minorities.” But is that being practiced here in the United States? Are our religious freedoms being taken from us one day at a time? We continue to see case after case where this “separation” has been challenged....

Election Day: Could It Be A Sweep?

Dick Morris TV - ‘Lunch Alert!’

‘Something Fishy’: Dems ‘Offer Door Prizes For Votes’
Republicans seek probe of possible violation of law
By Gina Loudon, WND —
Claims of vote-buying in Illinois apparently aren’t limited to Chicago, according to accusations by Republicans a few hundred miles away. In Pike County, GOP leaders charge the Democratic Party held an Oct. 25 event that advertised “free drinks, food and door prizes” to entice Democrats to vote early.

A copy of an mailer promoting the “Democrat Voting Rally” was initially brought to the attention of Pike County Republican Chairman Robert Browning. He told WND: “I knew there was something fishy right away when they were promising free food and prizes to come out and early vote.” The event was held next door to an early voting location, GOP officials said....

Andrew Klavan: Is Obamacare Working,
Or Are We All Going to Die?
By Andrew Klavan, Ben Shapiro’s Truth Revolt —
Is Obamacare working, or are the death panels that the administration swears don't exist already heading to our houses to "cut costs" even as we speak?

Democrats are saying that the Affordable Care Act will not be a major issue in upcoming elections, so it’s safe to say that the Affordable Care Act is going to be a major issue in upcoming elections. The Affordable Care Act — sometimes nicknamed Obamacare to denote its oppressive incompetence — is the law designed to increase health insurance coverage by allowing you to sign into a computer program so frustrating it’ll give you a heart attack and kill you, making the whole issue moot....

NewsBusted: NOVEMBER 4, 2014
The Green Light For Conservative Laughter!

Topics for this Edition of NewsBusted
• Marine Sergeant Tahmooressi Released
• Halloween Candy
• CNN’s Carol Costello
• President Obama and Mike Michaud
• ISIS Chemical Weapons
• Pee Wee Football
• Jay Leno’s New Show

Muslims Capture Christians, Take Them To Slaughterhouses, Dissect Them While They Are Still Alive, Rip Their Organs Out, Kill Them, And Then Sell Their Organs To Turkey And Saudi Arabia
By Theodore Shoebat, Shoebat Foundation —
Muslim Albanians in Kosovo are capturing Christians, dissecting them alive, tearing out their organs, killing the victims, and then selling the organs to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the two major nations of the Antichrist. We learned this from a local Serbian Christian and veteran Special Forces officer in Serbia’s military, named Lazar. We interviewed him and this is the information he conveyed to us. He said “They also kill people and sell their organs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.” He then said, They abduct people in Kosovo, Serbian people — in some cases Albanian people — and they take their organs… they torture the people and take their organs while they are still live.

He added that the victims are mostly “Christians serbs, young women, and men, and also children.” Here is the interview in which he explained this to us...

Obama’s Unpopularity Might Cause
Record Losses For Democrats In Midterms
RT —
If President Barack Obama were on the ballots on Tuesday, he would not fare very well, as a near-record-high number of Americans view him unfavorably. And his unpopularity could negatively affect Democrats’ chances in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Half of Americans have an unfavorable impression of the president, with 44 percent viewing him favorably, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll. His unpopularity is even worse ‒ 53 percent ‒ among likely voters. Last November, Obama’s unfavorables hit a record-high 52 percent among Americans. And the six-point difference between those who see him favorably versus unfavorably is the worst the president has ever faced....

The Savage Nation
“America’s Most Exciting Radio Talk Show”
HOME OF BORDERS LANGUAGE CULTURE

Thanks for listening on this Blue Monday. Great show today.
If you haven’t voted yet, you had better hold your nose and
VOTE (R) NOVEMBER 4 (TODAY).

Warning! ‘The Savage Nation’ Contains Adult Language, Adult
Content, Psychological Nudity. Listener Discretion Is Advised.

About Michael Savage
DR. MICHAEL SAVAGE is a multimedia icon in the conservative movement, heard by 10 million listeners a week on “The Michael Savage Show” and syndicated across the U.S. in more than 300 markets. He is also the author of 25 books, including four New York Times best-sellers. In 2007, his media presence and profile earned him the coveted “Freedom of Speech Award” from Talkers Magazine.

His passion to unearth the truth about liberalism, borders, language and culture, and his unparalleled stand for America’s families, has made him the most important figure in the fight for free speech and ideals in America today. » Read More...

» The Daily Savage | Videos
» The Daily Savage | Website
» Michael Savage | Official Site
» The Savage Nation Radio Show | Weekdays 3:00-6:00 PM EST

‘Her Highness’ Michelle Obama Gives Black People ‘Permission’ to Eat Something After Voting and You Won’t Believe What It Is
By Jennifer Burke, TPNN —
During an interview on Roland Martin’s program on TV One, a station that targets black viewers, Michelle Obama made a statement that many media outlets are discussing. She said that no matter who is on the ticket, ‘our community,’ i.e. black people, should always vote Democratic. She also said black youth need to be taught to always vote for the Democrat, no matter who it is, what they’ve said, or what they’ve done.

As if that isn’t bad enough, she made another highly questionable and racially charged statement. In fact, had Sarah Palin, Michelle Malkin, Marsha Blackburn, or, heck, even Mia Love or Tim Scott had made this statement, by virtue of the fact that they are Republicans, the Left would have a field day with their racist accusations and demands for apology.

But their Michelle “Antoinette” said it, therefore, the Democrat Media Complex is silent. Here is what she said. (transcript courtesy of the Gateway Pundit, transcribed by Kristinn Taylor)
Martin: So can we, if we go out to the polls, can we say, we have ‘souls to the polls’ on Sunday, can we do ‘soul food after we vote’?

Obama: Absolutely, I give everyone full permission to eat some fried chicken after they vote only after—if you haven’t voted…(laughter.)

Martin: Just checking!

Obama: You make a good point because I am, I do talk about health. But I think that a good victory for Democrats on Tuesday, you know, should be rewarded with some fried chicken.
That’s right, black folks. The benevolent Michelle Obama has given you permission to break her healthy food guidelines and eat some fried chicken if, and only if, you vote.

No, you can’t have a hamburger, pizza, or buffalo wings. I suppose that treat is reserved for white folks.

I’m surprised she didn’t encourage black people to wash it down with some red soda and have a side of watermelon....

Our Enemies Are On The Ballot Today As Well And Remember,
They Have A Vote
By Allen West —
Today is the critical 2014 midterm Election Day and I won’t beleaguer you with many posts today, but here’s something about which we need be aware.

As President Obama touted, his policies are on the ballot today – but I haven’t heard any candidates or incumbents discussing his foreign policies at length.

Obama’s solution to the ISIS crisis was to arm the Free Syrian Army — we have written often about how that is a flawed strategy. As former Commandant of the Marine Corps General James T. Conway stated, it didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding — and it only took three months, from August 8th, for that prediction to come to fruition.

[See full article link below for entire story]...

The Guardian says, “Kobani has become a defining struggle between ISIS and the U.S., as much as it is between the jihadis and the Kurds who, with U.S. help, beat back an advance on Irbil in August. If ISIS was able to take Kobani it could boast a significant victory. A victory over the secular Kurds would help advance its hardline interpretation of Islam, which has seen it rule areas it controls along strict medieval precepts that are rooted in an uncompromising understanding of Islamic teachings.”

The ideology must be defeated foremost. The enemy must then be destroyed in detail. The failed policy of doing neither is on the ballot today.

It is a time for choosing....

End The Lawlessness, Destruction & Madness
VOTE TODAY!
It’s Your Right And Reasonable Duty As A U.S. Citizen

» Cartoonist: Steve Breen is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for the San Diego Union-Tribune. His provocative political cartoons that have captured the attention of some of the nation’s premier publications.

Jesus Privately Briefing His Inner Circle of Disciples
Regarding The Last Days
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” ~ Matthew 24:3-14

Thursday, December 19, 2013

OBAMA-BACKED SYRIAN REBELS BEHEADING AND BURNING CHRISTIANS IN OVENS





‘Slaughtered Like Sheep’


“People put in ovens, entire families kidnapped, Christians and Alawites executed - these horrifying reports come from the town of Adra north of the Syrian capital, which has been occupied by Islamist rebel groups. At least hundred people are said to have been massacred by the rebels - but as the Syrian army continues to liberate the city, that number is expected to rise.”

Related Article/RT:
» ‘Slaughtered Like Sheep’: Eyewitnesses Recount Massacre In Adra, Syria


About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

» RT | Official Site
» RT America | RT On Air
» RT | YouTube

Monday, November 25, 2013

KERRY ASSURES ISRAEL IS ‘SAFER’ AFTER IRAN’S NUCLEAR DEAL



 photo 112513RT.jpg

PM Netanyahu: Deal An “Historic Mistake”
The World Has Become “A More Dangerous Place”

Russia Today — US Secretary of State Kerry assured Israel will be safer over the next six months due to the agreement reached in Geneva concerning Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment plan.

Though “Israel is threatened by what has been going on in Iran”, the deal brokered on Saturday will keep the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program under supervision and control, said John Kerry.

"But I believe that from this day - for the next six months - Israel is in fact safer than it was yesterday because we now have a mechanism by which we are going to expand the amount of time in which they (the Iranians) can break out (toward making a nuclear bomb),” he told CNN.

The remark comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had slammed the international deal over Iran's nuclear program as a “historic mistake.” He said that after this agreement was reached, the world has become “a more dangerous place.”

In an attempt to reduce tension Kerry assured that from this day there will be “insights” into the program “that we didn’t have before.”

The much-anticipated agreement reached in Geneva gives Iran initial relief from sanctions in exchange for halting its enrichment of uranium to above 5 per cent for six months.

However Kerry stressed that “there's very little sanctions relief here - that the basic architecture of the sanctions stays in place."

The Obama administration pointed out that it has no illusions about the risks that the Islamic state might not follow through but the US entered the deal with eyes "absolutely wide open."

The US and Iran secretly engaged in a series of high-level talks over the past year, according to an AP report. The negotiations were allegedly hidden even from America’s key ally in the region, Israel.

The talks were held in the Middle Eastern nation of Oman and were personally authorized by President Barack Obama, the report claims. It says that since March top US officials - Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and Jake Sullivan, Vice-President Joe Biden’s foreign policy adviser - have met at least five times with Iranian diplomats. The last four meetings were held after Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani was inaugurated in August and were very productive, three senior administration officials told AP on condition of anonymity.

The Iranian deal with P5+1 world powers caused a stir in the US Senate with many criticizing the decision of the Obama administration. Key Senate Democrat, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez said that the US government body is likely to consider legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran, if it breaches the interim agreement.

Expert in US-Iran relations Soraya Sepahpour Ulrich believes that lobby groups and congressional members at the moment are far more powerful than President Obama and there are various forces in the US which may want to derail the diplomatic process. “It’s taken 34 years to demonize Iran; it will not go away overnight. The US lobby groups, the media, the think tanks, they are not on board yet,” she told RT. » Full Article

About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

» RT | Official Site
» RT America | RT On Air
» RT | YouTube


Last Days Prophecy
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

“IRAN’S ROUHANI IS WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING”



PM Netanyahu UN General Assembly Speech

» Video missing? Watch full screen here

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on its last day.”

» RT | Official Site
» RT America | RT On Air
» RT | YouTube

About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

SYRIAN REBELS BEHEAD AND KILL CHILDREN IN HISTORIC CHRISTIAN VILLAGE



EITHER YOU CONVERT TO ISLAM
OR YOU WILL BE BEHEADED



“Where Is President Obama
To See What Befallen On Us?”

» Video missing? Watch full screen here

“AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Syrian rebels led by al-Qaida-linked fighters seized control of a predominantly Christian village northeast of Damascus, sweeping into the mountainside sanctuary in heavy fighting overnight and forcing hundreds of residents to flee, activists and locals said Sunday.

The battle over Maaloula, an ancient village that is home to two of the oldest surviving monasteries in Syria, has thrown a spotlight on the deep-seated fears that many of Syria's religious minorities harbor about the growing role of Islamic extremists on the rebel side in the civil war against President Bashar Assad's regime. [...]

"Where is President Obama to see what befallen on us?" asked the man, who fled the village on Sunday. He declined to give his name out of fear for his safety.

Another resident who escaped earlier in the day said Assad's forces were deployed on the outskirts of the village, while gunmen inside refused to allow anybody in. He said that one of the churches, called Demyanos, had been torched and that gunmen stormed into two other churches and robbed them.

A third resident reached by phone said he saw militants forcing some Christian residents to convert to Islam.

"I saw the militants grabbing five villagers Wednesday and threatening them: `Either you convert to Islam or you will be beheaded,'" he said.

The two other residents said they heard rumors about such conversions but did not see them. The reports could not be independently verified. All three residents spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation.”

» RT | Official Site
» RT America | RT On Air
» RT | YouTube

Related Articles:
» Nun Reveals Rebel Atrocities In Syria
“There is even a video that shows a girl being dismembered alive!”

About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

ATHEISTS REJECT RELIGIOUS TAX BREAKS



Government Lawyers Claims
Atheist Leaders To Be “Ministers”

» Video missing? Watch full screen here

“The US government has approved tax breaks for leading atheist groups in the country, but atheists claim they are not a religion and don't have churches. Currently, ministers of the gospel are entitled to take tax breaks for housing, but the government argues that atheist leaders could be considered ministers too. Jamila Bey, host of The Sex, Politics and Religion Hour and a board member of The American Atheists, sounds off on the issue.”

» RT | Official Site
» RT America | RT On Air
» RT | YouTube

About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT (FISA) COURT RENEWS NSA SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM





Russia Today — The Obama administration has renewed the authority for the National Security Agency to regularly collect the phone records of millions of Americas as allowed under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The United States government has reportedly asked the FISA court every 90 days since 2006 to renew an order that compels the nation’s telecommunication providers to hand over telephony metadata pertaining to millions of US citizens. The program has been conducted in near total secrecy, however, until NSA leaker Edward Snowden released top-secret documentation to the Guardian newspaper which caused an international backlash upon being published last month.

In that Guardian article, the paper showed that the NSA could collect metadata for 90 days up until July 19, at which point that power would expire if a reauthorization was not resubmitted. Just moments before the 5 p.m. deadline on Friday, though, the Officer of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that the FISA court has reaffirmed that authority.

“On June 6, 2013, the Director of National Intelligence declassified certain information about this telephony metadata collection program in order to provide the public with a more thorough and balanced understanding of the program,” the statement reads in part. “Consistent with his prior declassification decision and in light of the significant and continuing public interest in the telephony metadata collection program, the DNI has decided to declassify and disclose publicly that the Government filed an application with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court seeking renewal of the authority to collect telephony metadata in bulk, and that the Court renewed that authority.”



"The Administration is undertaking a careful and thorough review of whether and to what extent additional information or documents pertaining to this program may be declassified, consistent with the protection of national security,” it concludes.

The news comes only one day after Guardian journalist Spencer Ackerman reported that neither the White House, Justice Department, NSA, DNI or FISA Court would respond to whether or not the authority would be sought again in the wake of a scandal that’s spawned an international manhunt for Snowden, who has since been indicted in the US on counts of espionage.

A week earlier, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) told the New York Times, “I have a feeling that the administration is getting concerned about the bulk phone records collection, and that they are thinking about whether to move administratively to stop it.”

Pres. Obama and his administration’s top intelligence officials have largely endorsed the surveillance program and credit it with assisting in the thwarting of attempted terror plots both on US soil and abroad. » Full Article

» RT Official Site

Saturday, March 2, 2013

NSA Whistleblower: Everyone in US Under Virtual Surveillance, All Info Stored, No Matter the Post



Privacy Invasion

U.S. Constitution Amendment 4 - Bill of Rights - Search and Seizure
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.



RT talks to William Binney, whistleblower and former NSA crypto-mathematician who served in the agency for decades. Virtual privacy in US, Petraeus affair and whistleblowers' odds in fight against the authorities are among key topics of this exclusive interview.

» RT YouTube
» RT Official Site

About the RT
RT is a global news channel broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. With a global reach of over 530 million people, or 25% of all cable subscribers worldwide, RT news covers the major issues of our time for viewers wishing to question more. Our team of young news professionals has made RT the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Senate Set to Approve FISA Spying Bill



Photo Credit: U.S. Senate. (Reuters / Jim Young) via RT


With less than a week until a powerful legislation expires that lets the government eavesdrop on the phone and email conversations of Americans, the Senate has convened in DC to discuss whether or not to renew the FISA Amendment Act.

RT — The 2008 FISA Amendment Act, an update to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of the 1970s, allows the government to wiretap any conversation involving US citizens, without obtaining a warrant, as long as investigators reasonably suspect those talks to involve at least one party located outside of the United States. Despite demands from members of Washington’s intelligence committee, though, very little information if any has been made available about how the government uses the FISA Amendment Act, or FAA, and whom they target.

“Everyone becomes suspect when big brother is listening,” Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) said recently while arguing against renewing the FAA in the House of Representatives.

Despite pleas from Rep. Kucinich and others, the House has agreed to support renewing the FAA, a decision that has met the approval of the Obama White House as well.

Earlier this month, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) even told his colleagues in the Senate that there was no need to debate the bill at all since it had already received the blessing of US President Barack Obama.

Had Sen. Chambliss had his way, the Senate was likely to have skipped debates altogether and approved a renewal of the FAA without any discussion. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) urged his peers to do otherwise, though, and insisted that talks be held in Washington immediately in order to tackle the FAA before it expires.

Should the Senate not re-new the FAA before December 31, the bill will expire and the warrantless wiretapping provisions will be erased. On Thursday, December 27, members of the Senate met in Washington to begin discussing the act. A vote was scheduled later in the afternoon, but then was moved to Friday. » Read More

» RT

U.S. Constitution Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Mozilla Rallies for Opposition Against Secret Internet Treaty





“The issue isn't whether our governments, the UN or even the ITU should play a role in shaping the Web. The problem is that they are trying to do it behind closed doors, in secret, without us.”

RT — Add another name to the list of critics concerned with attempts to rewrite the International Telecommunication Union to give governments control of the Internet: Silicon Valley’s Mozilla now officially opposes the ITU.

Mozilla, the makers of the highly successful Firefox Web browser for Macs, PCs and smart phones, have come out to condemn a top-secret meeting in Dubai this week that could lead to changes with how the world is wired to the Internet.

The details of the closed-door discussions being held between members of the United Nation’s World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) this week in the United Arab Emirates remains a secret, and that’s exactly why Mozilla is speaking up. In a plea posted on Mozilla.org, the developers write, “The issue isn't whether our governments, the UN or even the ITU should play a role in shaping the Web. The problem is that they are trying to do it behind closed doors, in secret, without us.”

“The Web lets us speak out, share and connect around the things that matter. It creates new opportunities, holds governments to account, breaks through barriers and makes cats famous. This isn't a coincidence. It's because the Web belongs to all of us,” insists Mozilla. “We all get a say in how it's built.”

Now in order to raise awareness of what the WCIT can do by rewriting the ITU, Mozilla has released an “Engagement Kit” in order to get people around the globe talking about what could happen to the Web without their input ever being considered.

Mozilla now joins a list of major Internet names opposed to the ITU talks, which in recent days has added both Vint Cerf and Sir Tim Berners-Lee, two computer scientists widely regarded as instrumental figures as far as getting the world online goes. » Read More

» RT