SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): We have seen this play before. It is reminiscent of Obamacare, yet another bill that we were told we’ve got to pass it to find out what’s in it. And, unfortunately, it seems, there are some republicans eager to go along with the democrats in the mad rush to pass this bill. In the 2007 immigration debate, close to 50 amendments were considered. In this debate, only nine have been debated. I introduced seven substantive amendments to improve this bill. Not a single one has been considered on the floor of the senate.

My point is very simple: what is the rush? Why are we proceeding gangbusters? And the only explanation that makes sense is there are many senators it seems in this body perhaps on both sides of the aisle that very much want a fig leaf. They want something that they can claim we are supporting border security when, in fact, this bill does not.

The first and most important difference is this amendment provides legalization first and then border security maybe at some time in the future. We have seen this before. In 1986 it was the same promise congress made, and we got the legalization, we got the amnesty and we never, ever, ever got border security. In contrast, the amendment I introduced reflects the will of the American people to have border security first and only then the possibility of legalization.  (read more)

Here’s the way you can help and the way we are going to approach this trial.

Unfortunately, because I’m in battle with Miami-Dade, the next few days look sketchy at best for me to review every moment of the trial. I’ve got to coordinate legal pressure on the Shadow Dwellers who are trying to keep a lid on the Trayvon Miami angle. The FOIAs (public records) will reveal the truth – but, as you know, they have a vested interest in waiting until after trial to release. Yes, the information is THAT explosive.

However, that said, after all the research, assembling the characters, and dozens of interviews with people specifically attached to the evidence and witnesses, I/we know hundreds of lies told by potential witnesses for the prosecution. Many of them are on record with claims, affidavits, and some sworn statements that are factually false.

They are not untruthful, they are not misstatements, they are lies.

There is a difference.

A lie is based on a false statement with a specific intention to mislead. (more…)

You mean President Obama and the administration officials lied?   Ya’ don’t say…

(Via The Guardian)  Top secret documents submitted to the court that oversees surveillance by US intelligence agencies show the judges have signed off on broad orders which allow the NSA to make use of information “inadvertently” collected from domestic US communications without a warrant.

The Guardian is publishing in full two documents submitted to the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (known as the Fisa court), signed by Attorney General Eric Holder and stamped 29 July 2009. They detail the procedures the NSA is required to follow to target “non-US persons” under its foreign intelligence powers and what the agency does to minimize data collected on US citizens and residents in the course of that surveillance.

The documents show that even under authorities governing the collection of foreign intelligence from foreign targets, US communications can still be collected, retained and used. (more…)

First it is important to watch this video (hat tip FDR in Hell):

Then read this report from yesterday (more…)

Senators: John McCain (AZ), Jeff Flake (AZ), Lindsey Graham (SC) and Marco Rubio (FL) voted against a border fence and structure of a biometric visa system prior to obtaining legal status.

Let that sink in…..

….  All four “supposed conservative” members voted against the fence and visa amendments.  This, despite the vast majority of Americans wanting a secure border, and improved immigration visa security, before continuing with amnesty.

WASHINGTON DC – The Senate Tuesday defeated two amendments aimed at strengthening border security in the Gang of Eight immigration reform bill, including a provision that would have required a double-layer fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The back-to-back defeat of the two provisions was a blow to critics of the immigration reform measure who say it lacks meaningful border security provisions. (more…)

WASHINGTON DC –   With a new poll showing falling support for the Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced an accelerated schedule in which the Senate would take a final, up-or-down vote on passing the bill by the end of next week. […]

Reid warned his fellow lawmakers that if they want to consider amendments to the Gang of Eight bill, they need to be prepared to work virtually nonstop between now and then. “This may not be one of our normal weekends,” Reid said. “We’ve got to move forward on this legislation.” (more…)

WASHINGTON DC – The National Security Agency has acknowledged in a new classified briefing that it does not need court authorization to listen to domestic phone calls.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, disclosed this week that during a secret briefing to members of Congress, he was told that the contents of a phone call could be accessed “simply based on an analyst deciding that.”

If the NSA wants “to listen to the phone,” an analyst’s decision is sufficient, without any other legal authorization required, Nadler said he learned. “I was rather startled,” said Nadler, an attorney and congressman who serves on the House Judiciary committee. (more…)

In response to the NSA leaks, and the bazillions of questions from concerned Americans about their privacy being snooped on by the government, the administration coordinated a Senate Classified Briefing to explain the details of the program.   The intent was to inform the elected Senators so they could answer questions from their state citizenry.

Less than half of them attended.

WASHINGTON DC – Less than half (47) of US Senators attended a classified briefing on Thursday afternoon, instead choosing to head home for the weekend.  The briefing was with “with James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, Keith Alexander, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA), and other officials.”

Wow. (more…)

Sometimes you’ve got to call the baby ugly.  

If things were not rapidly approaching a critical mass – this would not be needed.   Alas they are, and it is, and emotional obfuscations and insufferable detachments from reality need to be confronted:

Nettles:    In reading Robert Zimmerman’s book yesterday, I opined the characterization of Mr. O’Mara as a control freak was going to set off Diwataman and Sundance. Not sure if that is why the post today but it’s highly likely.

*yes, Correct.  THAT, and desperate plea(s) for immediate help – were the reasons for sharing the reality that is the O’Mara nightmare…./SD

Sundance is close-minded on the subject. He shut down my voice on it and many others. So with each posting those who disagree will shut-up or get banned. He’s entitled to his opinion as each of us are as well.  (link)

Pinecone (minpin) You guessed correctly Nettles. Yes, sundance has taken the O’mara said he was a control freak statement all the way in his latest trash piece. (more…)

Here’s an odd fact – Sarah Palin and the United Nations are both agreed on this point.  The U.S. should stay out of Syria.    The CIA is just about to deliver weapons to the al-Qaeda aligned Syrian “rebels” – a big mistake. 

3oo Marines have been staged in Jordan to facilitate our support; Driven by the false flag of the Assad regime using chemical weapons – they are not.  It’s the rebels using localized Serin Gas to create the appearance of Assad chemical weapon use and draw the U.S. toward intervention.  Same process the same Islamists used in Benghazi, Libya. 

(VIA THE HILL) Former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin told a Washington audience Saturday that the U.S. should not get involved in the Syrian civil war.

Palin argued that the U.S. should not intervene in any Middle East conflict as long as President Obama remains in office.

“Until we have a commander in chief who knows what he is doing….let Allah sort it out!” she told the Faith and Freedom Coalition.

(more…)