Free Republic

It used to be a lot easier for people in power like Al Gore to control peoples opinions. Not too long ago you if you said something stupid on national TV it was no big deal, just a phone call to a couple of big newspapers and the story went nowhere. But now if you say anything wrong at all, like the earth's core is several million degrees instead of several thousand degrees, all the little bloggers with no credentials jump all over it and make a big deal about it. Or when Senator John Kerry, in explaining the need...

SNIPPET: "Prosecutors allege that Mehanna, 27, and a second man, Ahmad Abousamra, 28, formerly of Mansfield, tried to join a terrorist training camp overseas, but were rejected, then plotted to shoot shoppers at a suburban mall, but scrapped the plan because they could not get automatic weapons. They are also accused of plotting to kill two unidentified government officials. Mehanna also allegedly incited violence by translating pro-jihad materials from Arabic to English and posting them on the Web."

SNIPPET: "ONTARIO, Calif. -- State lawmakers are holding a hearing today in Ontario to discuss the rise in the number of criminal gangs using networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Officials say the hearing entitled "Gangs 2.0: The Emerging Threat of Cyberthugs" will explore the use of social networking tools in gang recruitment and gang-related crime. Assembly majority leader Alberto Torrico, and attorney general candidate, says gang members both in and out of prison are making more use of technology."

SNIPPET: "RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Increasing numbers of English-language Web sites are spreading al-Qaida's message to Muslims in the West. They translate writings and sermons once largely out of reach of English readers and often feature charismatic clerics like Anwar al-Awlaki, who exchanged dozens of e-mails with the Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood shootings. The U.S.-born al-Awlaki has been an inspiration to several militants arrested in the United States and Canada in recent years, with his Web-based sermons often turning up on their computers."

People who unlawfully download copyrighted material could be disconnected from their internet accounts as part of the Digital Economy Bill, a major overhaul to the UK's technology legislation. The bill, unveiled on Friday, will oblige ISPs to send notifications to customers who are suspected of infringing copyright. ISPs will also be forced to record the number of notifications a user has received and send this data to rights holders, such as record companies, so they can apply for a court order for the user's name and address. The rights holder can then launch civil proceedings against the infringer. The minister...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Increasing numbers of English-language Web sites are spreading al Qaeda’s message to Muslims in the West. They translate writings and sermons once largely out of reach of English readers and often feature charismatic clerics like Anwar al-Awlaki, who exchanged dozens of e-mails with the Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood shootings. The U.S.-born al-Awlaki has been an inspiration to several militants arrested in the United States and Canada in recent years, with his Web-based sermons often turning up on their computers.

SNIPPET - Quote: Jihadi Cyber Wars: 'Watchdog Brigades,' 'Electronic Mujahideen Forum' Trade Accusations over Fath Al-Islam Ties On November 13, 2009, the jihadist counter-espionage group Kata'ib Al-Rasid ("The Watchdog Brigades") issued a warning that the well-known jihadist forum Shabakat Al-Mujahideen Al-Iliktroniyya ("Electronic Mujahideen Forum") was suspect and should be avoided.

Note: PHOTOS included. Jundullah Studios released a photo shoot of their guys traipsing around the desert looking tough. They seem to be all the rage on AQ forums these days. How could I not poke a bit -

The FCC, in proposing to change the definition of an “open Internet” from competition-driven to government-driven is setting a very dangerous precedent; that it is acceptable for countries to preemptively regulate the Internet for what might happen in the future, even if they lack the legitimacy of constitutional or legal authority to do so, or even if there is thinnest of justification or evidence to support it.

Chinese censors block Obama's call to free the Web11/17/2009 | 07:53 AM BEIJING – President Barack Obama prodded China about Internet censorship and free speech, but the message was not widely heard in China where his words were blocked online and shown on only one regional television channel. **SNIP** Only local Shanghai TV carried the event live. It was streamed on two popular Internet portals and on the White House's Web site, which is not censored, though both the video and audio feeds were choppy and delayed inside China. The People's Daily online briefly summarized Obama as telling the crowd...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It was an Internet romance and it led to an attempted murder and a suicide in Orlando. Police say a woman, scorned by a man she thought was her online lover, showed up at his Middlebrook Pines Apartment (see map) late Sunday night with a handgun. The man survived the shooting, but then the shooter killed herself. Paula Harris, 30, drove all the way from the Atlanta, Georgia area, according to investigators, and checked into the Holiday Inn at Universal Boulevard and Sand Lake Road (see map), just over four miles from 44-year-old Andre Barboza's Orlando apartment....

At the Museum of Science and Technology Monday afternoon, President Obama took questions from a docile audience of more than 400 Chinese university students handpicked by officials of eight different Chinese universities. The town hall meeting was one of the few unscripted moments on the president's trip. It was supposed to be carried live on Chinese state television but at the last moment, the Chinese government changed its mind and only local stations in Shanghai, and the White House Web site, carried it live. **SNIP** **SNIP** FULL LIES MIXED WITH AUDACITY-Quote of the day! "The White House said it wanted...

I want to know how to get on the net with a P3.

SNIPPET: "Search at Grundy County plant called part of ongoing probe" SNIPPET: "But a source said the owner of the plant, which processes lamb and goat, was taken into custody at his home in Chicago. Documents and records were taken from the plant and from a Chicago travel agency on West Devon Avenue, also owned by the same person, the source said."

SNIPPET: "TERROR mastermind Rashid Rauf has been linked to a fresh Al Qaida plot to launch attacks on the US. The Birmingham-born extremist has been named by witnesses due to testify against Najibullah Zazi, who was arrested for plotting suicide bombings in New York. MI6 officers have linked the plot to a complex terror network said to be directed from Pakistan by Rauf and fellow jihadists. Zazi, 24, was identified through an intercepted communication, and was further implicated by US national Bryant Neal Vinas, who was captured in Pakistan last November. Vinas, 26, allegedly admits meeting Rauf and receiving training...

SNIPPET: "Well, here’s where it gets good. By posting a link to my website, he ensured that readers of Ansarnet would be able to come see the magic. However, it also gave me the ability to see who used that link off Ansarnet to pay me a visit. Here’s where all my new friends, who visited my website by way of this link through Ansarnet, are logging in from and the networks that they are using to log in with. Some very curious results:

SNIPPET: "An Irish jihadist living in Pakistan’s Swat valley says he is preparing to wage war against British and allied troops in Afghanistan. Khalid Kelly, a former altar boy from the Liberties area of Dublin who used to be known as Terry, told The Sunday Times he is undergoing weapons training in Pakistan’s mountainous tribal region in order to fight jihad against the enemies of Islam. His dream is to face a British soldier in combat, although he would “settle” for an American, he said. “I’m already on the path to jihad. I’ve already picked up a gun and done...

Where people go on Msn.com: * 19.6% runonce.msn.com * 19.1% msn.com * 5.8% fr.msn.com * 5.1% jp.msn.com * 4.6% search.msn.com * 4.1% br.msn.com * 3.5% prodigy.msn.com * 3.0% msnbc.msn.com

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has deployed a special police unit to sweep Web sites for political material and prosecute those deemed to be spreading lies, Iranian media reported Saturday, in a step clearly aimed at choking off the embattled opposition's last real means of keeping its campaign alive.

INTERNET WARNING: If you get an email titled "Nude photo of Nancy Pelosi," don't open it.... It contains a nude photo of Nancy Pelosi.

Note: The following text is a quote: Hasan Charged with 13 Counts of Murder By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2009 – Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan has been charged with 13 specifications of premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 attack at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan has been charged under Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, meaning the case will be heard in the military system. “These are initial charges, and additional charges may be preferred in the future, subject to the ongoing criminal investigation,” said Chris Grey, spokesman for U.S. Army Criminal...

THE INTERNET IS NOT A VIRTUAL SAFE HAVEN... ...but Malaysia is. Witness, for example, the current set of Taliban sites operating in Malaysia:

People who knew and studied Maj. Nidal Hasan say he was a loner who had no luck finding a wife, and a criminal profiler said the Fort Hood shooting suspect fits the profile of a mass murderer better than that of a terrorist. Investigators are searching for any missed "red flags" that might have prevented last week's fatal shooting, which left 12 soldiers and one civilian dead and 40 other people wounded. However, the FBI has said its investigations indicate the "alleged gunman acted alone and was not part of a broader terrorist plot." "A lot of people are jumping...

Remember when Janet Napolitano's Department of Homeland Security was advising police officers all over the country to watch out for "right-wing extremists" sporting Ron Paul bumper stickers, waving the flag, declaring the Constitution, of all things, as the law of the land and especially those returning war veterans? Continues...================================================================ Liberals name "Stress" as chief Ft. Hood suspect; peaceful Jihadi cleared On the basis of a million clues, the mass murder at Fort Hood was perpetrated by a Muslim as an act of Jihad with the goal of racking up the highest 'infidel' body count possible. In light of the obvious,...

Brits are among the ugliest people in the world... according to an exclusive website which only allows 'beautiful' people to join. Less than one in eight UK men (12 per cent) and just three in 20 women (15 per cent) who have applied to BeautifulPeople.com have been accepted as members. Existing members of the website rate how attractive potential members are over a 48-hour provisional period, when applicants upload a recent photograph and a short personal profile. They are rated by members of the opposite sex, who have four options to describe how attractive they think the hopeful is -...

In just 24 hours Palin's Twitter account has mushroomed proving, along with her Facebook account, that she - not "The One" is the most savvy Internet Politician out there.

Media experts will join bishops from across Europe to tell them how best to communicate the Catholic Church's message in the 21st century.Steeped in history, the Church often struggles to explain its outlook and Pope Benedict XVI has in recent months been mired in controversy over remarks about the role condoms can play in halting the spread of Aids and his decision to rehabilitate a Holocaust-denying British bishop.During a four-day conference which starts on Thursday, representatives from the social network Facebook, the search engine Google, the YouTube video sharing website and the online encyclopedia Wikipedia will explain the importance of...

All telecoms companies and internet service providers will be required by law to keep a record of every customer’s personal communications, showing who they have contacted, when and where, as well as the websites they have visited. Despite widespread opposition to the increasing amount of surveillance in Britain, 653 public bodies will be given access to the information, including police, local councils, the Financial Services Authority, the ambulance service, fire authorities and even prison governors. They will not require the permission of a judge or a magistrate to obtain the information, but simply the authorisation of a senior police officer...

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...

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...

Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of child pornography. Heinous pictures and videos can be deposited on computers by viruses — the malicious programs better known for swiping your credit card numbers. In this twist, it's your reputation that's stolen. Pedophiles can exploit virus-infected PCs to remotely store and view their stash without fear they'll get caught. Pranksters or someone trying to frame you can tap viruses to make it appear that you surf illegal Web sites. Whatever the motivation, you get child porn on...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says she's back on Twitter. Palin took to the social networking site earlier this year, tweeting about state government, national politics and everything in between. When she quit as Alaska's governor in July, she promised to keep her fans updated through tweets. But that didn't happen, and Palin instead posted regular updates on her Facebook page, which has nearly 1 million followers. In a Facebook posting Monday announcing more dates on her book tour, Palin said she'll provide Twitter updates from the tour. Her Twitter feed is SarahPalinUSA.(continued)

A federal judge has taken the rare step of ordering self-described anti-terrorism investigator Paul David Gaubatz to remove from his Web site some of the 12,000 documents that his son allegedly stole from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly also ordered Gaubatz to return documents used in his book, "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That's Seeking to Islamize America," which was co-authored by Paul Sperry and portrays the council as a subversive organization that's allied with international terrorists. The 15-year-old nonprofit civil rights and advocacy organization says its goals are to "enhance understanding of Islam"...

All telecoms companies and internet service providers will be required by law to keep a record of every customer's personal communications, showing who they are contacting, when, where and which websites they are visiting. Despite widespread opposition over Britain's growing surveillance society, 653 public bodies will be given access to the confidential information, including police, local councils, the Financial Services Authority, the Ambulance Service, fire authorities and even prison governors. They will not require the permission of a judge or a magistrate to access the information, but simply the authorisation of a senior police officer or the equivalent of a...

Had a virus alert yesterday from AVAST. As usually, it allowed me to abort connection and proceed. Cyber Security popups came up on my sceen and thinking it was AVAST prompting me, I ran a program. Turns out it was a fake site trying to get info and now it's embedded in my system. CAN ANYONE HELP? It's trying to block FR as a malicious website.

"[Wikipedia Authors] are 80 percent male, more than 65 percent single, more than 85 percent without children, and around 70 percent of them are under the age of 30."

"Muslim radicals call Hasan 'Officer and a Gentleman' 13 deaths were 'pre-emptive attack;' 'We do NOT denounce his actions'" Posted: November 06, 2009 10:20 pm Eastern By Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily A website run by radical Muslims today honored Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the man accused of killing 13 people at Ford Hood in Texas, as an "Officer and a Gentleman," saying his actions should not be denounced. The massacre yesterday, which also left more than two dozen injured, was called a "pre-emptive attack" by supporters of the Revolution Muslim website. Hasan, a Muslim psychiatrist who reportedly had been...

Note: Audio included at link. SEATTLE -- As the second trial of Jewish Federation shooter Naveed Haq continued, jurors heard Haq describe the violent rampage in a series of phone calls. In court Wednesday, jurors listened to 10 different recorded calls Haq made from jail to his parents in the Tri-cities in the days after the shootings. During the calls, Haq bragged of being a celebrity and said he was motivated by a desire to be a Muslim martyr, something that seemed to surprise his parents. Mother: I'm just afraid to tell you, you are not feeling well -- your...

SNIPPET: "A certain Jihad forum was passing around links to some super kool videos posted on this page O death which is cunningly called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Obviously with a name like that one could easily stay under the radar. So that led me on a trip through Mr Emirate's friends. One of his good buddies, Taliban Mujahideen..."

Note: Video included. Peaceful preaching inside, violent message outside a New York mosque New York (CNN) -- SNIPPET: "Protected by the Constitution of the country they detest, radical Muslim converts like Yousef al-Khattab and Younes Abdullah Mohammed preach that the killing of U.S. troops overseas is justified. In their thinking, so were the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States -- and so are attacks on almost any American. "Americans will always be a target -- and a legitimate target -- until America changes its nature in the international arena," Mohammed said in an interview to air on tonight's...

Never let it be said that the folks in Hollywood aren't good at coming up with a totally fictional horror story. I just have a problem when they use it not to entertain, but to create a moral panic to push the government to pass laws in their favor. In discussing the recent 60 Minutes piece that was really nothing more than an MPAA scare tactic, some suggested that it was really just a first step in the process of getting the government to make sure net neutrality rules had a special Hollywood exception. So, it's interesting to note that...

Note: The following text is a quote: Hamilton Man Sentenced to 30 Months' Imprisonment for Threatening to Bomb Cincinnati Airport and Other Cincinnati-Area Landmarks CINCINNATI—Frederick D. Purvis, 43, of Hamilton, was sentenced in United States District Court here today to 30 months' imprisonment for a series of messages he sent in November, 2008 in which he threatened to blow up seven Cincinnati-area landmarks including the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. He was also sentenced to serve six years of supervised release after his prison term. Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, James A. Zerhusen, United...

There's nothing neutral about the Obama administration's push for net neutrality. Do you suppose that, periodically, an ad appears in the Washington Post that reads this way? Wanted. Congressional Legislation Naming Consultant (GS-9). Must be able to craft titles for legislation coming before the House and Senate. Must have a thorough understanding of the English language, and the ability to design titles counter-reflective of their intent. All applicants will be screened to assure no more than moderate recreational use of creative enhancement drugs. Preferential treatment will be given to those between 28-35 years of age who like comfort food. Comfort...

Note: The following text is a quote: West Coast Man Charged with Developing and Distributing Cable Network Hacking Tools BOSTON, MA—Charges were unsealed in federal court against an Oregon man and the company he founded, TCNISO, alleging that they developed and distributed products that allowed users to modify their cable modems and obtain internet access without paying for it. Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced today that RYAN HARRIS, age 26, of San Diego,...

Draw near, infidels, for these are dark days for the Knights of Hubbard. Do not despair entirely – the Church of Scientology remains insanely rich, has excellent and rapacious lawyers, and according to the International Scientology News, "every minute of every hour, someone reaches for L Ron Hubbard technology … simply because they know Tom Cruise is a Scientologist". So unless the world's supply of troubled fools is melting away quicker than the Arctic ice cap, they can probably hold off trying to lure disaffected Kabbalists into their cultish communion, after the fashion of Pope Benedict and the Anglicans. And...

mother-of-six who today admitted hiding an explosives manual in her burka wrote a note suggesting she was willing to blow up herself and her children, a police source said. Houria Chahed Chentouf, 41, from Manchester, was sentenced to two years in prison for the terror-related offence but walked free from court after serving her time on remand. Officers found the chilling note written by Moroccan-born Chentouf at her home in Holland.

On Thursday, November 5th, Representative Michele Bachman (MN) will stand on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. She will be joined by other Members of Congress and many Patriots from across this country. People will be traveling from coast to coast, to stand shoulder to shoulder with other Patriots in Washington this week. We know most of you can’t get to Washington again so soon….. So let’s join Representative Bachman and other Patriots by turning out at State Capitols and Congressional district offices across the country. Instead of yelling or protesting, let’s sing “God Bless America” at 12:30...

Call me crazy, but just in case Ogabe tries to shut down the Internet, how can we communicate? A friend suggested Freenet, but that still requires ISP's. Someone else mentioned that the Eagle Forum etc. used to use faxes and phone trees back in the 80's. Does anyone have any thoughts on where to put a phone number so I can get a call when if the unthinkable happens?

"ALLAHU AKBAR! THE AL-SHMOKH FORUM IS BACK ONLINE (FOR NOW) Complete with a banner ad announcing the blessed event:" SNIPPET: "If you want to separate the wheat from the chaff among jihadi forum users, here's a tip: look at the guys who address the site in question by the IP address (not to mention the guys who use the https:// connection instead of good old http://). Happy hunting!"