Very Informative piece.

I stupidly believed Judge Col. Denise Lind read so many documents aloud just to kindly share them with the courtroom audience. But now I understand that instead Col. Lind is simply helping the government (the prosecution) keep the sunlight out of her courtroom!

After sitting for parts of the Manning pre-trial hearing, his arraignment, and on this hearing on motions, I took away the impression that Coombs is smart and smooth. Up to now, all the snickers seem to have been aimed at the United States (sic) team. For example, having serious trouble with their emails from the proceedings. Which are only preludes to a trial with heavy internet involvement (see also Comment 47)! Coombs may not have won much so far, but he did not appear to screw up either.

Perhaps more importantly, there must be a Hippocratic oath in the law that says the well being of your client is more important than you demonstrating any political issues, or permitting any other distractions. Hence, the defense lawyer may not be playing the role we might hope. In my opinion, at this point in time Manning deserves all the personal regard and support that his defense or we can offer. He has done his duty.

It is frightening to imagine life if the 99% were to flaunt laws like the 1% do.

FWIW, I felt that today was the first time that the prosecution (the Government) stumbled around a bit. There were reports of lost emails, of the requirement for a delay of the trial, and a needless overwhelming of the defense by the Government with overly-long and ambiguous lists of evidence and seized items. Previously, it seemed like the Government and the Investigating Officer or judge were operating more tightly and smoothly.

In view of the breakdown of trust between #OccupyDC and the National Park Service Police yesterday, perhaps more care should be invested by both sides today by more _slowly_ working on improving communication and teaching respect for the First Amendment. If this delays the Inspection into this evening and the police miss the Super Bowl, that could be a graphic example to them of the importance of the First Amendment.

This VOCUS group seems like nothing more than today’s equivalent of the old newspaper clipping services. I sure am happy to hear that the USG is trying hard to learn how we really feel about what it is doing.

In the old days, if it were a paper item, its classification level would be marked conspicuously on the front and back covers. Or the item would be put in a container with obvious classification markings. But when taken out in public it would be carried around in something boring like a Safeway food sack.

I’ve been to that website. For now, I just want to get underfoot and add to the general commotion–to act shamed by our Democratic president….

For DC locals, is the Sunday morning get together at the White House also scheduled for 11 a.m.?

In the middle of this afternoon, I called Rep. Van Hollen’s Capitol Hill office and asked to speak to a staffer regarding budget, Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. The receptionist went to find someone, then came back and said he was asked to take my message. After explaining my position, I asked Rep. Van Hollen’s plans on tonight’s vote creating a Super Congress. The receptionist explained that the Representative does not want to balance the budget on the backs of the weakest in our society. I said, yes, but how does he plan to vote tonight? The reply was that Van Hollen had not decided yet.

Again, forgive me one more time, but this is just a test to teach me the system better!
blah boy go bling bang

Forgive me, but this is just a test to teach me the system better!
blah boy go bling bang

I think Cuts 2 will be the most effective.

The ad for Cuts1 cites only Social Security. Yet, the landing page mentions Medicare as well, so the combination of ad and landing page is presently inconsistent. It is a good ad in that it covers two groups of potential supporters, those who worry about Social Security and those concerned with Medicare. (We might reach three groups if we also mentioned Medicaid.)

Also, is there some simple way to identify Chained CPI in a phrase somewhere to remind people that is also a cut?

Unfortunately, Cuts5 and Cuts3 mention Congress rather than focus on the target, Obama.

I have not tried catfood yet, but I am game and I am in the DC area. Are there any Raging Grannies (@181) around here? I cannot think of a better use for us.

The country has never been in more dire straits than since Obama was inaugurated. We definitely were safer before the Democrats controlled the White House.

Manning is one tough Marine! The corps should be proud of him!

The revolution will be _streamed_–not televised!

Keep at it folks! Somebody’s got to do this….

Indeed, it might be interesting to try and identify a very specific battle where we can try to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Teabaggers to accomplish some common goal.

I insist on the opportunity to be brave and to travel in spite of terrorism. I want to be courageous and proud that my fellow passengers and I did not have to tolerate such abuses caused by terrorists.