Whistleblower who revealed CIA torture sentenced to prison

Former CIA agent John Kiriakou pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to crimes related to blowing the whistle on the US government’s torture of suspected terrorists and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Kiriakou, 48, agreed to admit to one count of disclosing information identifying a covert agent early Tuesday, just hours after his attorney entered a change of plea in an Alexandria, Virginia courtroom outside of Washington, DC.

Kiriakou was originally charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 after he went public with the Central Intelligence Agency’s use of waterboarding on captured insurgents in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. On Monday morning, though, legal counsel for the accused former CIA agent informed the court that Kiriakou was willing to plead guilty to a lesser crime.

Initially, Kiriakou pleaded not guilty to the charge that he had outted two intelligence agents directly tied to the drowning-simulation method by going to the press with their identities.

As RT reported last week, defense attorneys had hoped that the government would be tasked with having to prove that Kiriakou had intent to harm America when he went to the media. Instead, however, prosecutors were told they’d only need to prove that the former government employee was aware that his consequences had the potential to put the country in danger.

Had Kiriakou been convicted under the initial charges filed in court, he could have been sentenced to upwards of five decades behind bars.

“Let’s be clear, there is one reason, and one reason only, that John Kiriakou is taking this plea: for the certainty that he’ll be out of jail in 2 1/2 years to see his five children grow up,” Jesselyn Raddack, a former Justice Department official who blew the whistle on Bush administration’s mishandling in the case of “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh, wrote Tuesday.

Kiriakou, Raddack wrote, was all but certain to enter the Alexandria courthouse on Tuesday and plead guilty to the lesser charge of violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act (IIPA), explaining, “there are no reported cases interpreting it because it’s nearly impossible to prove–for “outing” a torturer.”

“’Outing’ is in quotes because the charge is not that Kiriakou’s actions resulted in a public disclosure of the name, but that through a Kevin Bacon-style chain of causation, GITMO torture victims learned the name of one of their possible torturers,” Raddack wrote. “Regardless, how does outing a torturer hurt the national security of the U.S.? It’s like arguing that outing a Nazi guarding a concentration camp would hurt the national security of Germany.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a former government official told Firedoglake recently that the CIA was “totally ticked at Kiriakou for acknowledging the use of torture as state policy” and allegedly outing the identity of a covert CIA official “responsible for ensuring the execution” of the water-boarding program.

Kiriakou “outted” to the reporters the identities of the CIA’s “prime torturer” under its Bush-era interrogations, Firedoglake wrote. “For that, the CIA is counting on the Justice Department to, at minimum, convict Kiriakou on the charge of leaking an agent’s identity to not only send a message to other agents but also to continue to protect one of their own.”

Former National Security Agency staffer Thomas Drake suffered a similar fate in recent years after the government went after him for blowing the whistle on the NSA’s poorly handled collection of public intelligence. A grand jury indicted Drake on five counts tied to 1917’s Espionage Act as well as other crimes, but prosecutors eventually agreed to let him off with a misdemeanor computer violation that warranted zero jail time.

Together, Drake and Kirakou are two of six persons charged under the Espionage Act during the administration of US President Barack Obama. The current White House has indicted more people under the antiquated World War 1-era legislation than all previous presidents combined.

Gardasil Fingerprints Found in Post-Mortem Samples

I am vehemently opposed to Gardasil and Cervarix. I feel that Merck produced these compounds to make money and not in the interest of human health care and well-being. Visit sanevax.org and study their statistics on the number of deaths and negative experiences with Gardasil — it’s not worth it!

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Breaking News: Gardasil Fingerprints Found in Post-Mortem Samples
October 23, 2012

By Norma Erickson, President

For the first time in history, a biologically plausible mechanism of action has been discovered linking a vaccine to a serious adverse event. Gardasil has left behind its genetic fingerprint in post-mortem central nervous system samples of two girls who took this vaccine.

Two teenage girls from opposite ends of the world – both dead before their time have two additional things in common. They both took Gardasil to try and prevent cervical cancer and fragments of the HPV-16-L1 antigen used in Gardasil have been found in blood vessels within their brains.

The HPV-16-L1 protein is one of the antigens used in both Gardasil and Cervarix. An antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance that induces an immune response in the body. Theoretically, these antigens are not supposed to cross the blood brain barrier. However, according to a recently concluded case study this may not be the case.

Using a new immunohistochemical (IHC) protocol they developed, Drs. Chris Shaw and Lucija Tomljenovic examined post-mortem samples taken from the cerebellum, hippocampus, choroid plexus and watershed cortex of a 19 year-old girl; as well as post-mortem samples of the cerebellum, hippocampus, choroid plexus, portions of the brainstem (medulla, midbrain, pons), right basal ganglia, right parietal and left frontal lobes of a 14 year-old girl. They tested for the presence of two of the specific antigens used in both Gardasil and Cervarix: HPV-16-L1 and HPV-18-L1.

They discovered the presence of HPV-16-L1 particles within the blood vessels in the brain (cerebral vasculature) with some of these particles adhering to the blood vessel walls. For the average medical consumer, this is the equivalent of a Gardasil fingerprint and it should not be in brain tissues.

Does the presence of HPV-16-L1 particles inside these girls’ cerebral vasculature provide evidence of a “Trojan Horse” mechanism by which these particles adsorbed to aluminum adjuvant gain access to human brain tissue? Remember, both Gardasil and Cervarix contain HPV-16-L1 virus-like particles (VLP’s) of the recombinant major capsid (L1) protein adsorbed onto aluminum adjuvants.

Tomljenovic and Shaw also discovered that the antibodies against HPV-16-L1, which were used to detect the presence of HPV-16-L1 particles, were also binding to the wall of cerebral blood vessels in the brain samples.

Their IHC analysis also showed increased T-cell signaling and marked activation of the classical antibody-dependent complement pathway in cerebral vascular tissues from both cases. This pattern of complement activation, in the absence of an active brain infection, indicates an abnormal triggering of the immune response in which the immune attack is directed towards the blood vessels of the brain, thus triggering an autoimmune cerebral vasculitis.

Cerebral vasculitis is a serious disease which typically results in fatal outcomes when undiagnosed and left untreated. The fact that many of the symptoms reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following HPV vaccination are indicative of cerebral vasculitis, but are unrecognized as such (i.e. intense persistent migraines, syncope, seizures, tremors and tingling, myalgia, locomotor abnormalities, psychotic symptoms and cognitive deficits) is a serious concern in light of Tomljenovic and Shaw’s findings.

Finally, there was clear evidence of brain hemorrhages in both cases which further demonstrated that a serious injury to the cerebral vasculature occurred.

For the average medical consumer, this evidence suggests that the antibodies produced in response to vaccination with the HPV-16-L1 may cause one’s immune system to attack its own blood vessels. HPV vaccines containing HPV-16-L1 antigens could therefore pose an inherent risk for triggering potentially fatal autoimmune vasculopathies.

There is little doubt that HPV vaccines are unsafe for some individuals. Who those individuals are and why they are more susceptible to serious adverse reactions than others remains unknown. More studies must be conducted to answer these questions.

The article by Drs. Chris Shaw and Lucija Tomljenovic entitled Death after qHPV vaccination: causal or coincidental, published in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs today provides evidence of a biologically plausible mechanism of action linking a particular vaccine to serious adverse outcomes, perhaps for the first time in history. Although this study may not conclusively ‘prove’ causality, it seriously demonstrates the need for additional investigation. (Access entire article here.)

When reading this case study, one must understand the findings should be viewed with caution. This is a small sample size and there were no control samples available. However, the marked resemblance between the two cases strongly supports the present conclusions.

It is important to note that activation of the antibody-dependent complement pathway, as shown in Tomljenovic and Shaw’s analysis, typically occurs in neurodegenerative diseases which have an underlying immune trigger. This process is not a feature of a normal young brain.

Given that the autopsy in both cases revealed no major abnormality (anatomically, microbiologically or toxicologically) that might have been regarded as a potential cause of death; it appears plausible that the antigenic component of the HPV vaccine (HPV-16-L1) was indeed responsible for the fatal inflammation of the blood vessels.

Medical consumers need to know:

Vasculitis has long been recognized as a possible severe adverse reaction to vaccination.
Molecular mimicry (whereby the vaccine antigen resembles a host antigen) is generally accepted among medical professionals and scientists as a mechanism by which vaccines can trigger autoimmune diseases.
Tomljenovic & Shaw’s search of the VAERS database revealed numerous reports of post-HPV vaccination–associated vasculitis.
An analysis of these reports showed that post-HPV vaccination vasculitis-related symptoms most typically manifest within the first three to four months after vaccination, as was also reported in the two cases analyzed by Shaw and Tomljenovic.
Tomljenovic and Shaw also noted a striking similarity between the vasculitis-related symptoms reported to VAERS and those experienced by the two cases they examined.

Every vaccine carries some risk of adverse effects. Unlike most medications, vaccines are normally administered to healthy individuals. Therefore, it is all the more critical to identify those individuals who are at risk for serious adverse events after vaccines.

We consider ourselves a civilized society. The time has come to stop sacrificing the life and future of anyone for the greater good. The time has come to admit vaccine injuries occur, find out why and cure those already affected. Anything less is neither responsible, nor ethical.

Glenn Greenwald on Obama’s Permanent “War on Terror”

Obama Moves to make the “War on Terror” Permanent

Complete with a newly coined, creepy Orwellian euphemism – ‘disposition matrix’ – the administration institutionalizes the most extremist powers a government can claim

King Kong vs Godzilla

King Kong vs Godzilla (キングコング対ゴジラ) 1962

I finally located a copy of the Japanese version of this movie. It makes slightly more sense but not enough to redeem it. It’s a romp, not at all serious. Apparently this is the Godzilla movie that’s most popular amongst regular people. I never cared for this movie. I have grown to appreciate it, but the dumb subplots bother me. And King Kong seemed ancient and sleazy by the 1960s when this movie was made.

Some fun special effects, such as they are, great music. Don’t expect too much and you won’t be too disappointed.

Top 15 Richest Members of Congress

15.) Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D.

Mr. Berg’s reported minimum net worth: $23.78 million

To be fair here, a majority of Berg’s wealth comes from his real estate investments. He owns dozens of apartment units and commercial properties that added up to a contributed net worth of $23.78 million in 2011.

14.) Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn

Ms. Black’s reported minimum net worth: $24.79 million

13.) Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Ms. Pelosi’s reported minimum net worth: $26.43 million

12.) Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine

Ms. Pingree’s reported minimum net worth: $28.58 million.

11.) Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.

Mr. Buchanan’s reported minimum net worth: $36.49 million

10.) Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio

Mr. Reacci’s reported minimum net worth: $36.67 million

9.) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Ms. Feinstein’s reported minimum net worth: $41.78 million

8.) Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Mr. Lautenberg’s eported minimum net worth: $56.8 million

7.) Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.

Reported minimum net worth: $72.09 million

6.) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Mr. Blumenthal’s reported minimum net worth: $79.11 million

5.) Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Mr. Rockefeller’s reported minimum net worth: $83.08 million

4.) Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

Mr. Warner’s reported minimum net worth: $85.81 million

3.) Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

Mr. Issa’s reported minimum net worth: $140.55 million

Poor Issa lost about $80 million of his net worth from 2010 to 2011; costing him him the #1 and #2 positon.

2.) Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Mr. Kerry’s reported minimum net worth: $198.65 million

Kerry has maintained a spot on this elite list for 15-years straight! Looks like the recession hasn’t even touched him…

1.) Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas

Mr. McCaul’s reported minimum net worth: $305.46 million

Scientist that discovered GMO health hazards immediately fired, team dismantled

Scientist that discovered GMO health hazards immediately fired, team dismantled
by Jonathan Benson, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Though it barely received any media attention at the time, a renowned British biochemist who back in 1998 exposed the shocking truth about how genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) cause organ damage, reproductive failure, digestive dysfunction, impaired immunity, and cancer, among many other conditions, was immediately fired from his job, and the team of researchers who assisted him dismissed from their post within 24 hours from the time when the findings went public.

Arpad Pusztai, who is considered to be one of the world’s most respected and well-learned biochemists, had for three years led a team of researchers from Scotland’s prestigious Rowett Research Institute (RRI) in studying the health effects of a novel GM potato with built-in Bt toxin. Much to the surprise of many, the team discovered that, contrary to industry rhetoric, Bt potato was responsible for causing severe health damage in test rats, a fact that was quickly relayed to the media out of concern for public health.

But rather than be praised for their honest assessment into this genetically-tampered potato, Pusztai and his colleagues were chastised by industry-backed government authorities, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose office was discovered to have secretly contacted RRI just hours after Pusztai and his team announced the results of their study on television. For speaking the truth, Pusztai was immediately fired from his position, and his team dismissed from their positions at the school.

Research out of Egypt finds similar results – GMOs cause severe, long-term health damage
As reported recently in Egypt Independent, similar research by Hussein Kaoud from Cairo University’s Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene also made some fascinating, though politically incorrect, discoveries about the effects of GMOs on the body. After feeding nine groups of rats varying combinations of GM soy, corn, wheat, and canola, Kaoud and his team observed that these genetic poisons clearly obstructed the normal function of the animals, affirming Pusztai’s research.

“I recorded the alteration of different organs, shrinkage of kidneys, change in the liver and spleen, appearance of malignant parts in the tissues, (and) kidney failure and hemorrhages in the intestine,” said Kaoud about the effects of GMOs as observed in the test rats. “The brain functions were touched as well, and the rats’ learning and memory abilities were seriously altered.”

In Kaoud’s case, his groundbreaking findings will soon be published in the respected journals Neurotoxicology and Ecotoxicology. But it remains to be seen whether or not the scientific community at large, which is heavily influenced by biotechnology interests, and the political structures that control it will accept the results as valid, or pull a similar character assassination on Kaoud and his team as punishment for defying the status quo.

What all this clearly illustrates, of course, is that modern science can hardly be considered the independent, truth-seeking, “gold standard” of interpreting and understanding reality that many people mistakenly think it is. The truth about GMOs, as uncovered by mounds of independent research, is that they are inadequately safety tested, at best, and deadly at worst. But this fact remains shrouded in deception, thanks to the corporatized, pro-GMO culture of mainstream science.

Sources for this article include:

Main

http://www.naturalnews.com

GMO Dangers

Mars Attacks! Topps trading cards from 1962

I’d never heard of these until the other day. I don’t like the Mars Attacks! movie any better after learning of these. But these are rather interesting trading cards, especially for 1962. Apparently Wallace Wood, the original artist (did the designs but not the final art) was a rather dark character, taking his own life in the early 1980s at the age of 54.

Mars Attacks!

Mars Attacks! 1986

Ugly, mean-spirited movie. Polluted with guest stars. Mocking 1950s science fiction movies. Violent, stupid… unpleasant.

July 15, 1997: Guerrero Negro

Other VW buses reflected in one of my hubcaps the morning after the highway breakdown.

Camped here the previous night, watched bats fly into the very tall antenna Robert Hoover had on his bus. Tuned Brian’s bus, drank beer, watched out for the blister wasps. Retired to my bus, read QWK packets of e-mail, smashed bugs that got through the screens.

From here we drove south. Very hot. Very desolate. Eventually it was determined that Robert the Younger would tow Brian’s wayward VW bus using a spare tire as a buffer since we had no tow chain/rope.

Great shot. We’re spread out and communicating via CB radio. Heading towards a junction with a large gas station and maybe a mechanic. And a junkyard. Not a lot of company in July in Baja.

No one home, but those overhead slabs did produce some deep shade. Which you learn to appreciate in a hot environment.

Doing some banking.

It being July, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Took a shower. One of the all-time great showers. It felt so good to get cleaned up. Nice little town.

July 13, 1997: Catavina

We arrived at Catavina, having spent the night of July 12 in Ensenada. Apparently July 12th is a some kind of noisy holiday in Mexico. I was dead tired and fell asleep early. Everyone described all kinds of fireworks and firecrackers being set off. I slept through all of it.

South of Ensenada the Transpeninsular Highway contracts to two lanes and it’s about all there is — a ribbon of asphalt running the length of Baja California. I was excited just to be on vacation, and even more excited to be going somewhere I’d never been before. We rolled through agricultural areas, small towns and desert, finally entering a national park near the northern end of the boulder field — apparently long ago an earthquake had tipped one of three huge lakes, which then drained into the next one and so on, depositing an enormous number of huge boulders. A marvel to behold. We kept our eyes peeled for Boojum trees, which look like they’re straight out of Dr. Suess.

This campground had EXCELLENT food, some of the best I’d ever tasted. We feasted!

Note the foil-bubble-wrap sun protectors on my Campmobile — bungeed to the OUTSIDE of the vehicle. Keep the sun and heat out as much as possible.

Our party consisted of Robert Hoover and his wife June, driving a 1965 VW Bus; their son Robert, driving a Chevy truck; The Canadian couple whose names escape me at the moment (this is 2012, the trip was in 1997… took me a while to get around to writing it up), driving a 1973 VW Bus, Jack and his teenage half-brother (what was his name?) driving another 1973 VW Bus; and finally myself driving my 1976 VW Campmobile.

Here we seen Brian (that’s the name of the male Canadian and of Jacks’ brother!) and his bus broken down not too far south of where we’d stayed Sunday night, Catavina (lovely place). This is the desert in July and it was hot. We should have had their bus towed back to the US at this point. Brian’s ongoing mechanical troubles was a negative event during our trip. His bus had a dual carb setup, which was never sold in Mexico, so expecting to find parts or service was unlikely. At this juncture, Jack tuned the dual carbs by ear, which was good enough for us to move down the road to a highway construction staging area, flat with gravel. There we waited for the engine to cool down so that we could reset Brian’s valves, see if that helped. When in doubt, begin with a basic tune-up.

During the time we were sitting by the side of the road, I parked my bus in a kind of v-shape next to Jack’s bus and then put a silver deep-shade tarp over the roofs, made a reasonably comfortable spot.

We did not encounter the “Green Angels” that day. The guy in the green car was selling popsicles. He climbed over Robert Hoover to get at Brian’s engine… he used a spark plug with a car battery to make a weld. His fix worked. You just cannot make stuff like this up.

The Younger Robert scouted a place to camp for the night a few kilometers south.