Obama is expected to propose minor reforms to surveillance in speech, as strong majorities express distrust of government and Obama….Click here for free audiobook downlaod from Audible, and generate $15 to the PBC Podcast!
–Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), proposes 1-page bill called “Big Brother is Not Watching You Act”, requiring adoption of all 46 points of the Review Panel’s report
–Peter Baker’s interesting think piece in NY Times looks at Obama’s huge swing on civil liberties and spying, discloses previously unknown terrorist threat just before 2009 inauguration
–sneaky clauses in huge budget bill limit NSA phone records collection and use of “702″ authority
–other sneaky clauses in huge budget bill block the plan to center control of drones at Pentagon and return CIA to intelligence role
–drone-lover Sen. Dianne Feinstein tells the story of the drone that buzzed her house–probably from the Code Pink Air Force
–prepare to be shocked, as your humble host praises Feinstein for opposing the Senate bill to put even more sanctions on Iran
–UN begins sex crimes against children probe at Vatican, as Chicago bishop releases documents about pedophilia cases
–different UN probe says attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers have quadrupled
–3rd straight day of huge protests in Bangkok, we close with Murray Head’s “One Night in Bangkok”
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