They? A wonderful word. And who are they? They’re the nameless ones who kill people for the great whatsit. Does it exist? Who cares? Everyone everywhere is so involved in the fruitless search for what?

Michael Rennie’s closing speech to the world’s assembled scientists just before he leaves in his flying saucer at the end of The Day the Earth Stood Still:

I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly…… It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.

The Declassification Policy Forum has been an unprecedented opportunity for the public to provide recommendations for revisions to Executive Order 12958, as amended, “Classified National Security Information.” We welcome your comments on all four topics (Declassification Policy, Creating a National Declassification Center, Classification Policy, and Technology Challenges and Opportunities) until Sunday, July 19, 2009. The Public Interest Declassification Board will use your comments in formulating their recommendations to the National Security Advisor the week of July 20, 2009. This letter will be made available on the Declassification Policy Forum.

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So over at the white house web site they are talking “declassify”, but recent DOJ filings say otherwise.

only the President has the power to decide what is done with classified information

That would seem very ironic, when many, myself included, seriously doubt whether the current occupant of the office could ever have qualified for a “secret”, much less a “top secret” clearance. But now he’s “The Decider” (now where did I hear that phrase before?)

Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation et al.v. Obama, et al.

Neither statute, however, can place any limits on the President’s determinations as to any terrorist threat, the amount of military force to be used in response, or the method, timing, and nature of the response. These decisions, under our Constitution, are for the President alone to make.

According to Obama, only the President has the power to decide what is done with classified information, and neither courts nor Congress have any power at all to do anything but politely request that the President change his mind

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the Obama administration’s approach to civil liberties, constitutional protections and the reining in of executive power abuses has been absolutely abysmal. Greenwald.

William Kennard is expected to be nominated for the diplomatic post within the next several weeks, Bloomberg News reports. Kennard joined the private equity giant eight years ago to focus on telecommunications and media; he is expected to resign from the post after his nomination, which requires Senate approval, is publicly announced.

Kennard, a lawyer, headed the Federal Communications Commission under former President Bill Clinton. He sits on the board of Sprint Nextel as an aside.

“Never get involved in a land war in Asia.”

“Never go against a Scilian when death is on the line.”

“I do not think it means what you think it means.”

And that is why, when we sing “America,” it is “of Thee we sing.”