Aaron Swartz files reveal how FBI tracked internet activist

Source:

A blogger has published once-classified FBI files that show how the agency tracked and collected information on internet activist Aaron Swartz.

Swartz, who killed himself in January aged 26, had previously requested his files and posted them on his blog, but some new documents and redactions are included in the files published by Firedoglake blogger Daniel Wright.

Wright was given 21 of 23 declassified documents, thanks to a rule that declassifies FBI files on the deceased. Wright said that he was told the other two pages of documents were not provided because of freedom of information subsections concerning privacy, "sources and methods," and that can "put someone's life in danger."

Fox News' Herman Cain Belittles 51 Percent Of Americans As Having "A Severe Ignorance Problem" For Reelecting Obama

Fox News' Herman Cain Belittles 51 Percent Of Americans As Having "A Severe Ignorance Problem" For Reelecting Obama | Video | Media Matters for America

How One 75-Year-Old Soybean Farmer Could Deal A Blow To Monsanto’s Empire Today

Source: ThinkProgress:

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a 75-year-old soybean farmer’s appeal against biotech giant Monsanto, in a case that could permanently reshape the genetically modified (GM) crop industry. Victor “Hugh” Bowman has been battling the corporation since 2007, when Monsanto sued him for violating their patent protection by purchasing second-generation GM seeds from a grain elevator. An appeals court ruled in favor of Monsanto, and despite the Obama administration’s urging to let the decision stand, the nine justices will hear Bowman make his case today.

Monsanto is notorious among farmers for the company’s aggressive investigations and pursuit of farmers they believe have infringed on Monsanto’s patents. In the past 13 years, Monsanto has sued 410 farmers and 56 small farm businesses, almost always settling out of court (the few farmers that can afford to go to trial are always defeated). These farmers were usually sued for saving second-generation seeds for the next harvest — a basic farming practice rendered illegal because seeds generated by GM crops contain Monsanto’s patented genes.

Remember when President Obama supported the sequester cuts?

This is typical of Washington politicians, and of Obama. They take completely opposite positions on issues even within a year or two:

President Obama on the sequester cuts
November 21, 2011:

Already, some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple:  No.  I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending.  There will be no easy off ramps on this one.