The water crisis in Flint gets some attention this week & a possible cyber attack against the Super Bowl, which we have all the details on. But a few other major stories this week did not receive the attention they deserve & we focus on these critical issues.

We explain why McConnell’s new ISIS war powers bill in the Senate is a massive expansion of the president’s powers & the steady drumbeat of propaganda that’s brought us to this point.

Plus the Oregon standoff may be coming to a deadly conclusion, a Putin murder mystery, the big upset that may be driving oil prices further down & much more!

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Show Notes:

— Episode Links —

• Oregon militia leaders and FBI begin negotiations to end standoff | US news | The Guardian
• AT&T Helped U.S. Spy on Internet on a Vast Scale – The New York Times
• FBI ran website sharing thousands of child porn images
• Child Porn Sting Goes Global: FBI Hacked Computers in Denmark, Greece, Chile | Motherboard
• As regulators take on medical pot, Everett eyes a moratorium | HeraldNet.com – Local News
• NPR One
• Clintons’s $200,000 an Hour Pay From Goldman Sachs is Nothing to Laugh At
• U.S. government blocks release of new CIA torture details | Reuters
• Iowa student slips up, denies CNN planted his question for Hillary Clinton (Video) — RT USA
• It is essentially a declaration of international martial law: Sen. Chris Murphy – YouTube
• McConnell Introduces New ISIS AUMF in Senate – Lawfare
• Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its Associated Forces (S.J.Res. 29) – GovTrack.us
• News from The Associated Press
• Authorities urge remaining Oregon occupiers to quit after killing – Yahoo News
• Government poster put out to residents of Flint Mi. – Imgur
• FBI Arrests Milwaukee Man Planning Temple Attack – NBC News
• Why Lower Gasoline Prices Are Not Stimulating The Economy | Zero Hedge

The post Make Flint Unleaded | Unfilter 173 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

NSA Metadata collection provisions of the Patriot Act were suspended this weekend, followed by a nasty political battle. We examine where things stand now, the new powers granted to the NSA, who came down on which side & more!

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• The Internet Knew About the Government’s Spy Planes Two Years Ago
• Someone Is Pretending to Be an FBI Shell Company | Motherboard
• More than 10,000 Isis fighters killed since start of coalition assault, US claims | World news | The Guardian
• How The USA Freedom Act is Actually Reducing Freedom in America | The Fifth Column
• Declassified Pentagon Report Proves US Helped Create ISIS

The post Unpatriotic Act | Unfilter 146 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

We give a high level overview of the midterm elections in the US & the blood bath the Democrats just suffered. Then after discussing some of the news headlines of the week, we dig further into ISIS oil funding & the steady drumbeat of Lone Wolf fear porn that keeps getting louder.

Plus we go after the media’s coverage of the elections, discuss Obama’s short term challenges & much more!

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— Show Notes —

News

Disciplined nuclear officers tops 16

The Air Force has fired or disciplined at least 16 nuclear missile commanders or senior officers for misconduct and other failings over the past year and a half, reflecting turmoil in arguably the military’s most sensitive mission.

Another who quit of his own accord lamented upon leaving, “We let the American people down on my watch.”

The latest to be dismissed this week: a colonel accused of “cruelty and maltreatment” of a subordinate and a missile squadron commander found to have illegally discriminated against women under his command. In addition to those actions Monday, another senior officer was administratively disciplined but not removed from command.

This string of leadership lapses has beset a force that remains central to American defense strategy but in some respects has been neglected. The force of 450 Minuteman 3 nuclear missiles is primed to unleash nuclear devastation on a moment’s notice.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is expected soon to announce the results of an independent review of problems in the nuclear force.

Snowden documents reveal British climate espionage – Copenhagen climate summit targeted | Information

Against the backdrop of UN delegates gathering at the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting this week in Copenhagen, Dagbladet Information today documents systematic intelligence operations against international climate negotiations by the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). Among others, the intelligence service targeted the most recent major UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the COP15, held in December 2009.

NSA Chief Bet Money on AT&T as It Spied on You – The Daily Beast

The former head of the world’s biggest spy agency didn’t just oversee the collection of billions of AT&T records. He also tried to make money off its customers.

US ends ban on ‘domestic propaganda’ — RT USA

The Smith-Mundt Act has ensured for decades that government-made media intended for foreign audiences doesn’t end up on radio networks broadcast within the US. An amendment tagged onto the National Defense Authorization Act removed that prohibition this year

The longstanding federal law made it illegal for the US Department of State to share domestically the internally-authored news stories sent to American-operated
outlets broadcasting around the globe. All of that changed effective July 2, when the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) was given permission to let US households tune-in to hear the
type of programming that has previously only been allowed in outside nations.

ISIS / ISIL

COLD WAR

• Saudi Arabia’s Oil Politics on Syria

But business concerns may not be the main driver of this Saudi oil policy. Instead, the Saudis may be flexing their muscular dominance of the world’s oil markets to advance geopolitical interests, from helping the energy-dependent military government of Egypt — a Saudi ally — to undermining the adversarial regimes in Syria and Iran as well as Russia, which has emerged as a key ally for those two embattled governments.

While falling oil prices certainly do hurt Saudi Arabia, the Saudis with their vast financial reserves are well-positioned to withstand the economic pain. That is less the case with Russia and Iran, both heavily invested in the defense of Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime. In other words, the Saudis may see the precipitous drop in oil prices as a weapon in the broader regional Shiite-Sunni proxy war, with Saudi Arabia leading the Sunni side versus Shiite-ruled Iran.

The depressed oil prices also dovetail with the Obama administration’s geopolitical interests by putting the squeeze on Russia and Iran as the West seeks to consolidate its control over Ukraine and tries to force Iran to capitulate in talks over its nuclear program.

But the Saudi geopolitical calculation to sustain record production above 9.5 million barrels per day is probably most directed at Syria where the Saudis have financed the Sunni-led campaign to overthrow Assad, who largely represents Alawite, Shiite, Christian and other minorities. By toppling Assad and replacing him with a Sunni-dominated government, Saudi Arabia would deal a severe blow to Iran and the region’s Shiites.

Thus, Saudi Arabia is willing to resist pressure from its partners in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in order to advance what the Saudis see as their broader regional interests. For Riyadh, the self-inflicted economic pain is acceptable as long as it contributes to the broader imperative of inflicting pain on Assad and his backers.

High Note

Where America landed on marijuana

Voters legalize recreational pot in Oregon

Oregon becomes the third U.S. state to legalize recreational pot. With two-thirds of precincts reporting, legal pot lead the race by eight percentage points, 54 to 46.

Polls showed Measure 91 was extremely close heading into Election Day.

Opinions on the measure varied by age. The measure had support from 56 percent of voters under age 35, but only 30 percent support from voters older than 65, polls showed.

“It’s always an uphill battle to win a marijuana legalization initiative in a year like this, when young people are so much less likely to vote, which makes today’s victory all the sweeter,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “The pace of reform is accelerating, other states are sure to follow, and even Congress is poised to wake from its slumber.”

Under the measure, Oregonians 21 and older will be able to possess and smoke marijuana starting July 1 of 2015.

New highs: Marijuana now legal in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, DC | The Verge

Voters in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use Tuesday, following in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington, which legalized the drug in 2012. A ballot measure to legalize marijuana for medical purposes failed in Florida, the Associated Press reports, where voters failed to meet the 60 percent threshold needed to pass a constitutional amendment.

The post Democrat Midterm Disaster | Unfilter 121 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.

The United States of America is licking her wounds from another self-inflicted crisis. While lawmakers pretend to save the day with a last minute deal, we’ll discuss the big picture and ask if real long term damage has been done.

Then: 7 High Ranking Military Officers have been Fired By Obama, a first in US History. One thing they all have in common is their combat roles. We’ll dig into the conspiracy bacon exploding all over the net.

Plus our follow up, your feedback, and much much more.

On this week’s Unfilter.

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— Show Notes —

NSA is CRAZY

• WikiLeaks releases video of Snowden in Moscow – YouTube

Video of NSA leaker Edward Snowden surfaced late Friday. Snowden was last seen on video back in June, when he appears on camera for The Guardian discussing the reasons for releasing the details of the NSA’s surveillance programs. Since then, Snowden received asylum in Russia and just recently was awarded the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence award.

• NSA Collects Email Contact Lists, Instant Messaging Chat Buddy Lists From Overseas With No Oversight At All | Techdirt

The Washington Post is out with the latest revelations from the Snowden leaks and it shows that the NSA relies on foreign telcos and “allied” intelligence agencies to scoop up data on email contact lists and instant messaging buddy lists to help build its giant database of connections.

And here’s the big problem: because all of this information is collected overseas, rather than at home, it’s not subject to “oversight” (and I use that term loosely) by the FISA court or Congress. Those two only cover oversight for domestic intelligence. The fact that the NSA can scoop up all this data overseas is just a bonus.

• Even Senate Intelligence Committee Admits That NSA Oversight Is Often A Game Of 20 Questions | Techdirt

The latest revelations about the NSA’s collection of buddy lists and email address books pointed out that those issues weren’t covered by Congressional oversight, since they happened overseas. When the Washington Post questions Feinstein’s office about this, a senior staffer seemed unconcerned, mentioning that perhaps they should be asking questions about it

• Snowden leaks: David Cameron urges committee to investigate Guardian | World news | theguardian.com

David Cameron has encouraged a Commons select committee to investigate whether the Guardian has broken the law or damaged national security by publishing secrets leaked by the National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden.

• Glenn Greenwald Leaves the Guardian To Start His Own Site

“Glenn Greenwald, the thorn in the proverbial back of NSA and its colonial cousin GCHQ is leaving the Guardian to start his own news organization. Greenwald said ‘My partnership with the Guardian has been extremely fruitful and fulfilling: I have high regard for the editors and journalists with whom I worked and am incredibly proud of what we achieved. The decision to leave was not an easy one, but I was presented with a once-in-a-career dream journalistic opportunity that no journalist could possibly decline. Because this news leaked before we were prepared to announce it, I’m not yet able to provide any details of this momentous new venture, but it will be unveiled very shortly.’”

• Jeremy Scahill, Laura Poitras Teaming Up With Glenn Greenwald On New Media Venture

Journalists Jeremy Scahill and Laura Poitras will be working with Glenn Greenwald on a new media venture funded by billionaire eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, according to sources familiar with the matter.

• Pierre Omidyar – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. Established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam, the organization invests in and helps scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic, social, and political change. To date, Omidyar Network has committed more than $270 million to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple investment areas, including property rights, government transparency, and social media.

• U.S. eavesdropping agency chief, top deputy expected to depart soon | Reuters

Army General Keith Alexander’s eight-year tenure was rocked this year by revelations contained in documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden about the agency’s widespread scooping up of telephone, email and social-media data.

Alexander has formalized plans to leave by next March or April, while his civilian deputy, John “Chris” Inglis, is due to retire by year’s end, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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• Report: Pundits Who Urged Strikes on Syria Failed to Disclose Ties to Military Industry | Democracy Now!

The report identifies 22 commentators with industry ties that suggest a financial interest in war. While they appeared on television or were quoted as experts 111 times, their links to military firms were disclosed only 13 of those times.

• Conflicts of interest in the Syria debate | Public Accountability Initiative

The following report documents the industry ties of Hadley, 21 other media commentators, and seven think tanks that participated in the media debate around Syria. Like Hadley, these individuals and organizations have strong ties to defense contractors and other defense- and foreign policy-focused firms with a vested interest in the Syria debate, but they were presented to their audiences with a veneer of expertise and independence, as former military officials, retired diplomats, and independent think tanks.

Shutdown Showdown

• Senate Leaders’ Agreement Extends Debt Limit to Feb. 7 but House Fate Murky – ABC News

Senate leaders have reached an agreement on a compromise that would fund the government until Jan. 15 and extend the debt limit until Feb. 7.

• Sen. Cruz: Senate budget deal provides ‘no relief’ | Fox News Video

• Pete King calls for a Republican war on Ted Cruz

“I think it’s important for people in the Republican Party around the country not to just come in at the end and say, ‘Congress was dysfunctional,’ or ‘Congress screwed up.’ That’s too easy to do,” King said. “Say who it was. Because it wasn’t Congress. It was one person who was able to steamroll Congress and unless we target him for what he is, he’s going to do it again. So I’m hoping other Republicans will join me and start going after this guy, and say we’re not going to let it happen again.”

• John McCain: This Has Been ‘One of the More Shameful Chapters’ in the Senate’s History | Mediaite

John McCain is clearly glad to have this government shutdown mess behind him, going on the Senate floor today shortly after the bipartisan deal was announced to say the past few weeks have been “one of the more shameful chapters” of the Senate’s history.

• Ted Cruz’s Hometown Newspaper Regrets Endorsement – ABC News

Sen. Ted Cruz’ hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, wishes it could take back its endorsement.

The Chronicle’s editorial board, which endorsed Cruz, R-Texas, in his 2012 race, now says it misses his predecessor, former Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

“When we endorsed Ted Cruz in last November’s general election, we did so with many reservations and at least one specific recommendation – that he follow Hutchison’s example in his conduct as a senator,” The Chronicle said. "Obviously, he has not done so.

“Cruz has been part of the problem in specific situations where Hutchison would have been part of the solution,” the board added.

• ABC’s Jon Karl to Carney on Senate Deal: ‘Is There a Little Bit of Ransom Paid?’ | Mediaite

“Is there a little bit of ransom paid? I mean, there is a provision in here that requires verification for recipients of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.”

Obama’s Curious Purge Of The Military

• Top nuclear missile commanders fired – The Lead with Jake Tapper – CNN.com Blogs

But Major General Michael Carey and Vice Admiral Tim Giardina (fired amidst rumors of misbehavior involving alcohol and gambling) are just the latest in a recent rash of firings in the military’s top ranks.

• 7 High Ranking Military Officers Fired By Obama, 1st Time In US History; Are These the Ones That Wont Cooperate With The Impending Martial Law In The US?

Are these the men standing between us and martial law? They have been fired over various things ranging from sexual harassment to lack of trust. One thing they all have in common is their combat roles. They were all commanders of combat units.

• Obama’s Military Purge Continues With Sacking Of Two Nuclear Commanders

The firing of two nuclear commanders in a week adds to a body count that suggests we have either the most corrupt and incompetent general staff in history or our military is being reshaped for other purposes.

Oh no… GMO?

• State attorney general files suit against GMA for violation of disclosure law

SEATTLE — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that his office is filing a suit against the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) for violation of the state’s campaign disclosure law.

Ferguson alleges the GMA skirted the rules in its $7.2 million contribution to the "No on 522″ campaign and that the association illegally collected and spent the monies while shielding the identify of its contributors.

“When Washington state voters overwhelming approved Initiative 276 in 1972, they voiced their desire for transparency and openness in elections,” Ferguson said. “Truly fair elections demand all sides follow the rules by disclosing who their donors are and how much they are spending to advocate their views.”

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The post Kicking the Can | Unfilter 71 first appeared on Jupiter Broadcasting.