Something to Know - 9 January

1.  It is time to get back to the Congress and the business of the people.   Wish that were true.  However, it makes sense to try.  The GeeOpie is trying to make some drama about how it is really bad to extend unemployment benefits to the jobless.  The NY TImes has something to say about that:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/opinion/republican-disdain-for-the-jobless.html?emc=eta1

2.  From the Albany/Berkeley news bureau, we have this SF Chronicle article on the residual shock of Edward Snowden's revelations of the NSA operations.  Sure, the government says he broke laws that are on the books, and should therefore be regarded as a treasonous criminal.  However, the government writes those laws to specifically scare and punish those would be so bold as to demonstrate the misdeeds of our leaders and institutions.   I am still in the camp that regards Snowden as one who snitched on just how bad we are.   The White House and the entrenched institutions are in deep fear of Snowden letting loose with more "alarming" news.   Snowden probably has a stash of flash drives in a hidden cigar box that our government would really prefer never to see the light of day.  However, do you notice all the tangos and two-steps that the NSA and security folks are doing to try and show that they really, really are doing things to keep us safe?"

http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/carroll/article/The-Snowden-Affair-no-second-act-yet-5122383.php?t=1823dd5057

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Juan

 
There should be at least one leak like the Pentagon Papers every year.
-- Daniel Ellsberg