King of Morocco

Dick Cheney

Prime Minister Slovenia

President South Korea
President Kazakhstan
Prime Minister India
Vladimir Putin
President Obama...

NEW VIDEO of the Obama bow here: at hotairpundit
I FEEL IT IS GREEDY AND SELFISH FOR A COMPANY TO POST THIS MANY ADVERTISEMENTS ON A BLOG SITE. IT IS A RUNAWAY HORSE AND WILL AS WE HAVE WARNED CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. I WOULD NOT PERSONALY EVER BUY A WEDDING DRESS ON LINE. BUT I WOULDNT PERSONALLY TRY TO TAKE OVER A BLOG SITE EITHER.THIS IS GREEDY AND ANNOYING AND IN MY OPINION DOWN RIGHT WRONG! i WILL TELL PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHERE TO GO GET A GREAT AND INEXPENSIVE WEDDING DRESS,AND IN THESE HARD TIMES YOU WILL AT LEAST KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.jUST MY OPINION!
The average for usual 30 year fixed mortgage rate carry on to get below 5%. For almost a full month we’ve seen mortgage refinance rates of interest which are near or below 5%. The psychosomatic level has been the discussed of much conversation as a move in any trend over or above this is going to continue a long way in making a decision the long term way of mortgage rates. Lately we observe that fixed mortgage for 30 year can lower your rate up to 4.7%. At times while mortgage rates have gotten this low we’ve seen an instant bounce back.
This rebound back has occurred numerous times however it looks as if this go below 5% could be just what it gets to keep us under the psychological level. President Obama set up a new home mortgage refinance plan that is intended at keeping mortgage rates low. The Federal Reserve Bank on goes to get mortgage backed securities that is an additional reason we’ve seen mortgage rates lower. The Fed lately proclaims that they are going to expand this program throughout March of 2010. Through the Fed lengthening the program it is possible that we’re going to go on to see low mortgage rates until the program end. There would be ups and downs all along the way however as long as billions of dollars are available into mortgage backed securities it is bit tough to see a way that refinance mortgage rates are going to move much higher.
If you’re considering regarding refinancing or availing your first mortgage now may be as good of a time as still. You could always get the opportunity and attempt to time the bottom however very few home owners would get lucky enough to perform this. Availing a refinance home loan rate under 5% is somewhat that number of home owners might do almost something for. Don’t let go this chance; there’re lot of lenders proportioning with low rates so get it and lock in at a low rate today! No matter what goes as long as there’re no obscenities or straight insults to additional posters.
Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying unprecedented popularity with today’s fashion conscious public. You know how beautiful sterling silver jewelry is and how brilliantly it shines. Now here is the rest of the story.
Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnishes and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was “in”; we are going through such a vogue today.
Silver is the commonest of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.
The current fashioned trend toward black clothing has made 925 silver jewelry wholesale more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today’s fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.
Contact Information
Company;yiwu dushang jewelry co,ltd
Website: http://www.925-silver-wholesale.com
Phone:86.579-85597585
Fax:86.579-85320753
Adress:3f,No.13-15,Building 4,A zone, Futian jewelry street,yiwu city,zhejiang,china

Have you been looking for a great new business? Commerce in jewelry may be your answer. You can easily find reasonably priced wholesale designer cheap jewelry to help you on your way to prosperity with a retail jewelry enterprise.
Are you getting tired of all the empty promises from the so-called web gurus? You don’t require to keep paying fees to the self-serving and self-proclaimed web pundits who provide little or no return on your investment. If they are doing so great with their web businesses, why do they require you to send them your money? Could it be that perhaps they had a lovely business two times, but with increased competition from ever more savvy entrepreneurs their web business interests are suffering?
Have you considered the possibility that the only way web “tycoons” can make ends meet is if you provide them with the means to close those ends around you by roping you in? Don’t be a major contributor to someone else’s personal banking account. Of course, some web leaders are making a descent living, but chances are that they aren’t the ones begging you for your money. The only leadership plenty of them give is that of leading you to ruin with stale web sales tactics that no longer work well in today’s market.
Of course, if you already know how to design and generate your own cheap wholeslae jewelry, you have a step up on the competition. Nevertheless if you are like most jewelry dealers, you will require to find superior products from other sources. Make sure you locate fine wholesale cheap jewelry, however. Don’t get stuck with products that won’t move. There's plenty of sources for wholesale jewelry, but if the products you sell are of inferior quality, your business will float like smoke up the chimney.
Instead of financing others, use your money to generate your own successful business. Put your earnings where they belong—in your pocket. Working with jewelry wholesalers may be your answer for financial fulfillment.
A reliable source for quality wholesale cubic zirconia jewelry is necessary. For example, newlyweds oft times opt for cubic zirconia jewelry wedding ring sets. It can be difficult for young folks to justify putting themselves hundreds or thousands of dollars into debt for diamond engagement and wedding rings, when a ring that may cost less than $100 can look as lovely, and provide less financial stress.
Return customers are necessary for any successful business. Customers must be pleased with the quality of your merchandise or they won’t return. You also won’t get essential word-of-mouth referrals. You also require to be affordable. The great thing about wholesale items, like wholesale sterling silver jewelry, is that it is much more affordable than gold. It’s great for people on a budget. Even if the quality of your jewelry is lovely, your products should be matchless. You don’t require the same products sold by everyone else. If they aren’t matchless, you may have trouble finding and keeping loyal customers.
The same is true for wholesale cheap fashion jewelry and wholesale silver bracelets. Find the right wholesale outlets before you set up your new business. To get started in the jewelry business, you must know your market. Do you require to sell on the net? In a storefront? By mailings? Map out your business designs before you get started. It will multiply your returns several times over and keep you from becoming mired in the muck of trial and error.
If you do your home work, you may be able to find a jewelry wholesaler which will do drop shipping for you. That way you don’t have to keep any unnecessary inventory on hand, which can save you even more in the long run.
Contact Information
Company;yiwu dushang jewelry co,ltd
Website: http://www.chinacheapwholesalejewelry.com
Phone:86.579-85597585
Fax:86.579-85320753
Adress:3f,No.13-15,Building 4,A zone, Futian jewelry street,yiwu city,zhejiang,china
I am fascinated by women who can wear Gucci high heels. I have never been able to do this, and with age, my learning curve is falling. All the women wear high heels from the well, but for those of us who wear it do not grasp the fact, is not pleasing appearance. No one looking forward to their best, they just fall on their docking unit.
Who am I elite group of women who have big feet. I have a very good hard to find the right shoes and more difficult to find a good Gucci high heels. I did run in my daily life for a long time, I appeal to rely on flat shoes. Although I understand the appearance of high heels and its women who wear their legs not, I almost gave up their own wear.
Wearing Gucci high heels make your legs look longer, leaner, more color. They also make you look better, your butt look perkier. High-heeled shoes is a great invention, in addition to fashion, but we have seen a woman crashing while wearing them. We can even see the professionals - Model - go crashing down.
A type of Gucci high heels, has become popular in the past few years, toes pointed varieties, let me crazy. They always remind sharp shoes I wore in the Wizard of Oz witch's house, her head. Maybe my feet and shoes great way to increase the enormousness of this makes me hate high heels, pointed toes. All I am sure is that I hate their enthusiasm and hope to leave as soon as possible.
I day dream of business casual is the T-shirt and some running shoes. I like my running shoes and tennis Gucci shoes kind of any unit, because they are the world's most comfortable shoes. I think the more comfortable running shoes slippers, I wear them all day every day if I could. I happen to tennis shoes in the office several times, but unfortunately can not become a regular thing. Perhaps I should work uniforms for different types of inspections, including a huge pair of Adidas sports shoes to.




I moved to azalea park about a month ago. Besides telling the leasing office about issues in my apartment multiple times, the worst happened to me the day before yesterday.
My kitchen in my apartment blew up in flames. I was the only one in the house. I ran over to my neighbors apartment and he put the flame out with his extingisher.
Of course before you move in, the apartments are to make sure that the unit should have an extinguisher placed close enough to the kitchen area.
When I first moved into my apartment, I must say they did tell me about the renters insurance. My dad told me that he would put me underneathe his plan and I would be fine. He somehow forgot.
By the looks of it I may be responsible for the damage.
Why should i be if there was no extinguisher in my apartment. They decided to give me an extinguisher after the fire department left the scene.
Went I went to the leasing office to argue the fact, The assistant manager and the maintenance supervisor was there.
My step mother asked him" why was the extinguisher placed after the fire?" he responded. "Did the extinguisher start the fire?"
Being smart. Why would you ask that.
But my main issue is i have two young kids living with me, I have a 1 1/2 year old and a three year old.Every single night that goes by they are coughing Me and my youngest daughter we both have pumps and are starting to wheeze.
They never came by to help me clean the debree and dust my, whole entire apartment is infested with smoke debree and extinguisher residue. I tried turning on the heat last night and the dust is coming from the vents causing everyone to choke. So my kids have to be cold at night and early morning due to no heat and window leaks.
If im not mistaken, stating that we're sleeping in the house with a burned up falling apart burned cupboards.
How long will my kids have to suffer? Until the coughs become deadly or when my whole kitchen falls down on me? Oh will they come and help me when my kids are sick from contamination.
They're making it seem like since the fire was in my apartment, I should suffer the consequences, BUT IF THE STOVE WASN'T 10 YEARS OLD AND YOU CAME AND GAVE ME AN EXTINGUISHER WHEN I ASKED FOR ONE, the damage wouldnt be so bad.
Here this thought other people are complaining about faulty stoves... A lady was in the leasing office twenty minutes ago compaining about the same issue and she said she's been living there for eight years and she recently burned herself from the sparking of the stove. They told her that they were going to fix it . After speaking with her she said that they have been fixing it but it's always happening.
What do we have to do to feel safe in these apartments.
http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/GA-Atlanta-Azalea-Park.html
copy and paste that link and see what I mean.. There is nothing good about these apartments.
or go to youtube.com and put in azalea park and you will see what I mean.
My brother in St.Louis posted this there today:
*** I posted the following blog 7 months ago, and it remains appropriate today, excluding the location of the speech:
''Made a serious effort this morning to watch and listen carefully to Obama's speech in Strassbourg, France. Wanted to give the guy a break, even though I was not one of his supporters, and not at all interested in 'charismatic' talent. But it was very disappointing. The honeymoon with world-wide admirers will likely end after the normal lag between here and there, leaving everyone in an unknown territory. I now wonder even more than before if he is extremely naive, very stupid, or purposely leading this country into a radically idealogical hole. I hope I am wrong and that he fully succeeds in realistically guiding us out of our difficulties. But my doubts are growing stronger with each passing day.''
We have heard enough times now that he 'inherited' all these problems from the Bush administration. Only partially true, the war in Iraq being the only major issue. The financial bubble began and reached it's peak during the Clinton administration, with Democrats such as Frank and Dodd leading the way, notwithstanding the Republicans part of that phony 'great' economy then and during the following eight years. But consider the degree of damage to the economy and to personal freedoms, and then, if you can be honest with yourself, please explain who is hurting us most.
Partisan politics is no longer the answer. Removal of the arrogant elite from office is a beginning to the best answer. And to the one that said ''There is no intelligent life beyond the beltway'', I have a message. This country has survived more than 200 years inspite of Washington, D.C., not because of it.***
There are few words left to describe what Obama and his administration have done and are trying to do. His constant appearances are themselves a form of indoctrination. I'm flabbergasted that his popularity ratings are still so high. What a nightmare ! Stephen King, are you getting all this ?
Is this any better?
BIG Bad Bob
I've been blogging for a little while now, and it occurred to me that not one of my blogs has focused on music...... So if you're interested, or even if you're not interested, here's the first of my music blogs..... Even though I spent most of my life in music, those rumors that were circulating that I once jammed with John Phillip Sousa were bogus....I haven't been around quite that long....But he did have a back-stage pass! I've played Jazz, (small group and big band) and have overcome the snobbery that went with that.....R&B...Rock, and every type of ethnic music you can imagine..... I went from tuxes and suits to jeans and the fuzzy-do you see in my photo....Yes folks I was a six foot one brunette dandelion..... Now, however, to cut down on wind resistance on the treadmill, I shaved it all off!! So while people are combing, primping and blow drying their hair...I simply take out a can of Old English, and polish my head!
The reason that I even bring this up is that some people tended to judge your music by what you were wearing instead of what you were playing. I never got that memo, so when I wore a tank top while drumming, I wasn't trying to be sexy, I was trying not to be stinky!! I didn't want the sea-gulls circling while I drummed!!! (If ya get my drift!) I was being called enough names....didn't want to add "STINKY BOBBY" to the mix!! With me it was always about the music! Either the music was good..or it was bad.. Also it was a matter of taste... and I don't cling to the past, my clothes do....But that's another story. Wow there's SO much great new music out there and great new artists, we should at the very least give them a shot! Clinging to the past makes you go backwards. Me I like forward motion.... Keeps ya young!!! If you'd like to view some of my musical history go to www.freeflowingsalt.com ..it's a TRIP!!
Qualify for mortgage loan modification and prevent foreclosure now!
RefinanceITT can help you stop foreclosure.
The good news is that now you would find number of lenders and credit groups, which would work specially with bad credit, and which offers special plans and settlements for individuals who are going through this issues. With a quick search online, you would notice that it’s not a tough task to search those professional agents, which are willing to offer you the assistance your condition requires.There are many times when you would love to know who's on the other end of the phone. It could be because your spouse is continuously walking out of the room when the phone rings or it could be a prank phone call that continues to wake you up in the middle of the night. No matter what the situation is, the ability to be a private investigator from the comfort of your own home is something new that technology is now allowing us to do. A new service that is called a reverse phone lookup now allows you to be able to find out multiple pieces of information about who exactly is calling. For the longest time cheaters and criminals were allowed to keep anonymous because of the fact cell phones were not able to be traced. Due to the recent rise in identity theft, you can no longer just call up your operator and find out who was on the other end of the phone. Couple that with the fact that cell phone information was not stored in large databases like land lines are and you can see how easy it is for criminals to hide behind them. Now with this reverse phone lookup service, all you have to do is enter the phone number you have questions about into the space provided on the website and click go. Give it just a couple of seconds and you will be given information such as first and last name, address, cell phone provider and even place of employment. Just a few of the ways you can use this service to your advantage would be to keep track of who your children are talking to you, make sure your spouse is not carrying on an affair behind your back just to bust that annoying prank caller who continues to call you in the middle of the night. These are just a handful of ways you can use this service to your advantage. I'm sure if you give it a little bit of thought, you can come up with quite a few reasons of their own it would be beneficial for you.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=115923
The duo went on to claim the 2008 presidential elections had racist undertones.
Unrepentant radicals charge 2008 elections had 'racist' undertone
JERUSALEM – Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign for the Democrat nomination deliberately appealed to white supremacy, fear and anxiety, charged longtime Barack Obama colleague and Weatherman terrorist William Ayers and wife, Bernardine Dohrn.
In a co-authored article in the socialist Monthly Review magazine, the two radicals argued last year's national elections had "racist" undertones and that President Obama's ascent to power can be used to "build a new society."
"[Hillary] Clinton flagrantly appealed to white voters' identity as 'workers' or 'women' – offering white people any reason to vote against Obama without saying he's black – and followed the ancient and dismal road of racial discourse that appeals to white supremacy, fear and anxiety," wrote Ayers and Dohrn.
The two referenced a New York Times opinion piece by feminist activist Gloria Steinem, "Women are Never Front-Runners," written on the eve of the New Hampshire primary. Steinem argued the gender barrier had not yet been broken and asked, "Why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one?"
Ayers and Dohrn charged Steinem had asserted a "superior victim status on the part of white, powerful women."
"The invisible race talk was about 'blue collar' or 'working class' or 'mainstream' or 'small town' or 'hockey mom' or 'Joe the plumber,' but we were meant to think 'white,'" they wrote.
Continued Ayers and Dohrn: "All the talk of Senator Barack Obama's exotic background, all the references to him as 'unknown, 'untested,' a 'stranger,' or a 'symbolic candidate,' or 'alien,' a 'wildcard,"'or an 'elitist.' ... The discourse was all about race, us and them, understood by everyone in the United States even when the words African American, black or white are not spoken."
The couple, however, took pride in Obama's win.
They said Obama's presidency "calls for us to have to agitate for democracy and egalitarianism, press harder for human rights, link the demands that animate us, and learn to build a new society through our collective self-transformations and our limited everyday struggles.
"We must seek ways to live sustainably; to stop the addiction to consumption and development and military power; to become real actors and authentic subjects in our own history," they wrote.
The two added, "Now their experience can be put to use mobilizing those same people to insist on the changes they imagined."
Ayers became a name in last year's presidential campaign when it was disclosed the radical worked closely with Obama for years.
Ayers, and his wife, Dohrn, were two of the main founders of the Weather Underground, which bombed the New York City Police headquarters in 1970, the Capitol in 1971 and the Pentagon in 1972. The group was responsible for some 30 bombings aimed at destroying the defense and security infrastructures of the U.S.
Characterizing Weathermen as "an American Red Army," Ayers summed up the organization's ideology: "Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, Kill your parents."
"Everything was absolutely ideal on the day I bombed the Pentagon," Ayers recalled in his 2001 memoir, "Fugitive Days." "The sky was blue. The birds were singing. And the bastards were finally going to get what was coming to them."
Ayers brandished his unrepentant radicalism for years to come, as evidenced by his now notorious 2001 interview with the New York Times, published one day after the 9/11 attacks, in which he stated, "I don't regret setting bombs. I feel we didn't do enough."
Ayers posed for a photograph accompanying the New York Times piece that showed him stepping on an American flag. He said of the U.S.: "What a country. It makes me want to puke."
Ayers and Dohrn helped launch Obama's political career with a fundraiser in their home. WND columnist Jack Cashill has produced a series of persuasive arguments that it was Ayers who ghost-wrote Obama's award-winning autobiography, "Dreams from My Father."
The Federal Government along with President Obama have formed the "Making Home Affordable" plan which will permit millions of struggling homeowners the possibility to refinance their presented loan into a new fixed rate 2% home mortgage. refinance with the Governments help will save the average homeowner hundreds all month. Here is how:
See If You Qualify.......For This Plan!
This plan which was just in progress last month, immediately made and expected 9 million homeowners qualified to refinance their home with a government backed fixed rate 2% mortgage. Things that were usually required in order to obtain approved for a refinance or loan modification, such as 20% stake equity in your home, are no longer needed under the guidelines of this refinance stimulus plan. The aim of this plan is to get mortgage lenders and banks to approve as many homeowners as probable and help them save their home from foreclosure. This stimulus refinancing plan has over $75 billion dollars put aside and most of it will be old to give cash incentives to mortgage lenders and banks that approve homeowners who are at risk of behind their homes. This means that the lending companies are more expected to approve you due to their risks being minimized. Homeowners who want to apply this plan to their benefit and refinance their home will observe enormous savings in their monthly mortgage payments due to the reduced interest. It is also potential to save your home from foreclosure, even if the process had already begun, using this incredible home mortgage refinance or modification stimulus package.
Serving to stop the growing number foreclosures will do a set to restore consumer assurance in the housing market. As a result of this the prices of homes will slowly start to rise to the prior "Housing Crisis" prices. A foreclosed home can lower the prices of surrounding homes by as much as 9% so stopping foreclosures is a must and this plan delivers.
Apply Here.......For this home affordibility plan...!
Here is some eligibility necessities for homeowners who desire to use this home refinance or home loan modification stimulus plan:
Loansstore also provide the best services for bad credit mortgage refinance if you have a bad crdit. poor credit or even no credit and also learn about how to get second mortgage loan .
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?? - #1
How come as a man gets older, his hair never seems to make it to the top of his head…
Instead it shoots out in tufts from his ears, eyebrows and nose??!!
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??
How come when you buy a “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” shirt, you can barely fit two people in it??
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??
How come tree sap turns your hands into FLY PAPER??
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??
What about the ever popular ten hot dogs, eight hot dog buns…or vice versa??
Apparently, the guy who came up with that idea flunked math?
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??
What’s up with LOUD people in LOUD shirts??
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??
And what about people who keep asking “
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT??”
I’m sure all of you out there have had you own ‘WHAT’S UP WITH THAT” moments, so here’s your chance to share them with the rest of us!!
Come on guys….I showed you mine…NOW SHOW ME YOURS!!
BOB
For a long time, We have fight for many times against how to choose your favorite gowns and your bridesmaids can come and view your favorite gowns to help you choose, or you can choose the discount wedding dresses and let them choose the ones they want to wear on your day. With a few clicks of a button or a phone call, we can do everything from wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses to your veil/headpiece and wedding invitations. This start the time for the same time for the discount wedding dress they are only a few hundred. If you wanna buy a favor wedding dress, that would be save more time in this way. Brides have been in awe over the prices and selection that they have found in our online store. Wherever you have your wedding, whether it is in Hawaii, London, Las Vegas, New York, on the beach, or in a wedding chapel, we want the day to be the best day of your life and a day that you will always remember.
And the import roles in the wedding include the bride, groom and the mother of the bride also import for the bride’s mother to plan for daughter’s wedding. Meantime, I have longed for long time about the flower girl dresses for those little girls. Also, I wanna know the starting time about the dress making time.Cause; this is my custom-made first time. And meantime I decide to make mother of the bride dresses in this way
Waist is an important part of your cheap wedding dresses, every bride wants to make herself seems in smaller size than they actually be, and how to determine the most flattering shape for your waist?
Short Waist
Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.
Dress Dos: A Princess-line silhouette -- fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt -- elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a portrait or halter neckline. Slightly dropped-waist modest wedding gowns will also lengthen your torso.
Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.
Thick Waist
Same as above, but instead of a short waist, yours is undefined: The line from your shoulders to your hips is straight.
Keep in mind that while your weight may fluctuate between the times you buy your inexperience bridal gown and the day of your wedding, your actual body type will remain the same. So even if you’re planning to drop 20 pounds before exchanging vows choose the right plus size wedding dress that fits your body type today.
Dress Dos: An Empire-waist gown will deemphasize your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
Dress Don'ts: A Princess-line or Basque waist will draw too much attention to your middle.
Having found the best one for you? Choosing the exact cheap wedding gowns not only will you be more comfortable on your wedding day, you'll also look and feel more beautiful than you ever expected.
*Another bully tactic from the White House....idiots!
In a case that raises questions about online journalism and privacy rights, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a formal request to an independent news site ordering it to provide details of all reader visits on a certain day.
The grand jury subpoena also required the Philadelphia-based Indymedia.us Web site "not to disclose the existence of this request" unless authorized by the Justice Department, a gag order that presents an unusual quandary for any news organization.
Kristina Clair, a 34-year old Linux administrator living in Philadelphia who provides free server space for Indymedia.us, said she was shocked to receive the Justice Department's subpoena. (The Independent Media Center is a left-of-center amalgamation of journalists and advocates that – according to their principles of unity and mission statement – work toward "promoting social and economic justice" and "social change.")
The subpoena (PDF) from U.S. Attorney Tim Morrison in Indianapolis demanded "all IP traffic to and from http://www.indymedia.us" on June 25, 2008. It instructed Clair to "include IP addresses, times, and any other identifying information," including e-mail addresses, physical addresses, registered accounts, and Indymedia readers' Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and so on.
"I didn't think anything we were doing was worthy of any (federal) attention," Clair said in a telephone interview with CBSNews.com on Monday. After talking to other Indymedia volunteers, Clair ended up calling the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco, which represented her at no cost.
Under long-standing Justice Department guidelines, subpoenas to members of the news media are supposed to receive special treatment. One portion of the guidelines, for instance, says that "no subpoena may be issued to any member of the news media" without "the express authorization of the attorney general" – that would be current attorney general Eric Holder – and subpoenas should be "directed at material information regarding a limited subject matter."
Still unclear is what criminal investigation U.S. Attorney Morrison was pursuing. Last Friday, a spokeswoman initially promised a response, but Morrison sent e-mail on Monday evening saying: "We have no comment." The Justice Department in Washington, D.C. also declined to respond.
Kevin Bankston, a senior staff attorney at the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, replied to the Justice Department on behalf of his client in a February 2009 letter (PDF) outlining what he described as a series of problems with the subpoena, including that it was not personally served, that a judge-issued court order would be required for the full logs, and that Indymedia did not store logs in the first place.
Morrison replied in a one-sentence letter saying the subpoena had been withdrawn. Around the same time, according to the EFF, the group had a series of discussions with assistant U.S. attorneys in Morrison's office who threatened Clair with possible prosecution for obstruction of justice if she disclosed the existence of the already-withdrawn subpoena -- claiming it "may endanger someone's health" and would have a "human cost."
Lucy Dalglish, the executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of The Press, said a gag order to a news organization wouldn't stand up in court: "If you get a subpoena and you're a journalist, they can't gag you."
Dalglish said that a subpoena being issued and withdrawn is not unprecedented. "I have seen any number of these things withdrawn when counsel for someone who is claiming a reporter's privilege says, 'Can you tell me the date you got approval from the attorney general's office'... I'm willing to chalk this up to bad lawyering on the part of the DOJ, or just not thinking."
Making this investigation more mysterious is that Indymedia.us is an aggregation site, meaning articles that appear on it were published somewhere else first, and there's no hint about what sparked the criminal probe. Clair, the system administrator, says that no IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are recorded for Indymedia.us, and non-IP address logs are kept for a few weeks and then discarded.
EFF's Bankston wrote a second letter to the government saying that, if it needed to muzzle Indymedia, it should apply for a gag order under the section of federal law that clearly permits such an order to be issued. Bankston's plan: To challenge that law on First Amendment grounds.
But the Justice Department never replied. "This is the first time we've seen them try to get the IP address of everyone who visited a particular site," Bankston said. "That it was a news organization was an additional troubling fact that implicates First Amendment rights."
This is not, however, the first time that the Feds have focused on Indymedia -- a Web site whose authors sometimes blur the line between journalism, advocacy, and on-the-streets activism. In 2004, the Justice Department sent a grand jury subpoena asking for information about who posted lists of Republican delegates while urging they be given an unwelcome reception at the party's convention in New York City that year. A Indymedia hosting service in Texas once received a subpoena asking for server logs in relation to an investigation of an attempted murder in Italy.
Bankston has written a longer description of the exchange of letters with the Justice Department, which he hopes will raise awareness of how others should respond to similar legal demands for Web logs, customer records, and compulsory silence. "Our fear is that this kind of bogus gag order is much more common than one would hope, considering they're legally baseless," Bankston says. "We're telling this story in hopes that more providers will press back and go public when the government demands their silence."
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/09/taking_liberties/entry5595506.shtml?tag=mncol;txt