THE GROSS REPORT
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
An Open Letter to Maria Bartiromo
Dear Ms Bartiromo,
This is to congratulate your courage and dedication to viewers during your May 16, 2006 interview with US Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. Gonzales tried to obfuscate critical constitutional issues regarding NSA surveillance by citing a Supreme Court ruling that business records are not protected by a 4th amendment right to privacy. This wobbly argument implies that if the NSA were to access records of our private telephone calls, same would be legitimate since they were in fact the unprotected business records of the telephone company (a third party). I was astonished and delighted by your reply:
“I understand sir but when you're talking about business records of let's say a Verizon for simplicity's sake, at the end of the day, you’re calling them business records, but whose records really are they? (chuckle) They’re consumer records right? So you’re telling me that they’re business records, but they are really consumer records that are being held by a (fingers simulating quotation marks) business .”
What moxie Maria! The only thing more outrageous than this administration’s actions is the huburis of it's officials in their straight-faced attempts to rationalize them with arguments that wouldn't pass an elementary school student's sense of logic. Now more than ever our very way of life is dependant upon the bravest members of the fourth estate. Clearly you are among the elite few.
Sincerely,
JG
Click here for the cnbc video of said interview (then scroll down half way to the picture of Gonzales)
¶ 5:53 PM 0 comments 
Dear Ms Bartiromo,This is to congratulate your courage and dedication to viewers during your May 16, 2006 interview with US Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. Gonzales tried to obfuscate critical constitutional issues regarding NSA surveillance by citing a Supreme Court ruling that business records are not protected by a 4th amendment right to privacy. This wobbly argument implies that if the NSA were to access records of our private telephone calls, same would be legitimate since they were in fact the unprotected business records of the telephone company (a third party). I was astonished and delighted by your reply:
“I understand sir but when you're talking about business records of let's say a Verizon for simplicity's sake, at the end of the day, you’re calling them business records, but whose records really are they? (chuckle) They’re consumer records right? So you’re telling me that they’re business records, but they are really consumer records that are being held by a (fingers simulating quotation marks) business .”
What moxie Maria! The only thing more outrageous than this administration’s actions is the huburis of it's officials in their straight-faced attempts to rationalize them with arguments that wouldn't pass an elementary school student's sense of logic. Now more than ever our very way of life is dependant upon the bravest members of the fourth estate. Clearly you are among the elite few.
Sincerely,
JG
Click here for the cnbc video of said interview (then scroll down half way to the picture of Gonzales)
Sunday, May 14, 2006
What is a patriot?
"
These days it is constantly implied that a 'patriot" is somebody who supports the actions of the government. We are also lead to believe that a "patriot" is somebody who supports the War in Iraq. Using the flag, as well as ideological constructs of 'good v. evil' we are ever so (mis)lead to believe that a 'patriot' is somebody who supports the status quo of America, and beyond that, that the status quo in America is on the side of good, morally righteous, and just.
Bill Mahr, American Patriot 2005
"In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. 
"
Mark Twain, American Patriot, 1904
"I believed then, just as I believe now, that the best way to support the troops is to oppose a course that squanders their lives, dishonors their sacrifice, and disserves our people and our principles. "
Senator John F. Kerry (D. Massachuesetts) ,American Patriot
Apr 22, 2006 ¶ 1:52 PM 0 comments
These days it is constantly implied that a 'patriot" is somebody who supports the actions of the government. We are also lead to believe that a "patriot" is somebody who supports the War in Iraq. Using the flag, as well as ideological constructs of 'good v. evil' we are ever so (mis)lead to believe that a 'patriot' is somebody who supports the status quo of America, and beyond that, that the status quo in America is on the side of good, morally righteous, and just.Bill Mahr, American Patriot 2005
"In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. 
"Mark Twain, American Patriot, 1904
"I believed then, just as I believe now, that the best way to support the troops is to oppose a course that squanders their lives, dishonors their sacrifice, and disserves our people and our principles. "
Senator John F. Kerry (D. Massachuesetts) ,American Patriot
Apr 22, 2006 ¶ 1:52 PM 0 comments
