Main Entry: im·pu·ni·ty
Pronunciation: \im-ˈpyü-nə-tē\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French impunité, from Latin impunitat-, impunitas, from impune without punishment, from in- + poena punishment — more at pain
Date: 1532
: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Impunity means "exemption from punishment or loss". In the international law of human rights, it refers to the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice and, as such, itself constitutes a denial of the victims' right to justice and redress. Impunity is especially common in countries that lack a tradition of the rule of law, suffer from corruption or that have entrenched systems of patronage, or where the judiciary is weak or members of the security forces are protected by special jurisdictions or immunities.
The Central Intelligence Agency withheld information about a secret counterterrorism program from Congress for eight years on direct orders from former Vice President Dick Cheney, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, has told the Senate and House intelligence committees, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday.Remember, the CIA is required by law to brief certain members of Congress.
The disclosure about Mr. Cheney’s role in the unidentified C.I.A. program comes a day after an inspector general’s report underscored the central role of the former vice president’s office in restricting to a small circle of officials knowledge of the National Security Agency’s program of eavesdropping without warrants, a degree of secrecy that the report concluded hurt the effectiveness of the counterterrorism surveillance effort.He's a criminal on practically every level, professionally corrupt, guilty of war crimes, actively subversive of the United States Constitution, and a traitor.
“Mrs. Ashcroft, we know your husband is near death, but before he dies, we need him to help us cover our asses…”
A month ago, I argued that the CIA was deploying a waterboarding "shiny object" strategy in its attempt to hide the details of the torture program that they otherwise eliminated by destroying the torture tapes--particularly, that torture started before OLC approved it, and that Abu Zubaydah had cooperated without torture, meaning their entire premise for torture was false.The gummint submitted a filing yesterday. Marcy sees it as deflective. (Shiny object!)
As a gentle reminder, this litigation is about whether the CIA should be held in contempt because they destroyed the videos showing these activities!! Destruction that a Special Counsel has spent 18 months, thus far, investigating.
But, nonetheless, the CIA insists that there's no bit of evidence that the CIA is trying to hide a crime.
This whole argument is falling apart, and that's even before ACLU picks it apart in their response brief (due in a couple of weeks).
I realize it has been a long time since I have posted much about warrantless wiretapping (or torture). Neither has had as much press of late though both remain very much on the radar.There were several things going on at once (see this post for more detail). There was some debate about the AUMF--but that got signed on September 18. There were initial discussions about the PATRIOT Act--including how FISA should be altered in it. There was a briefing of HPSCI on October 1 that--Nancy Pelosi understood--was part of expanded NSA authorities. And--according to Barton Gellman--the warrantless wiretap program was approved on October 4, 2001, and it began on October 6, 2001.[Emphasis mine]
In other words, the program was formally approved on the 16th day after the AUMF.
But at least according to Nancy Pelosi, Congress was briefed on ongoing underlying activities as early as October 1.
Meaning, the Bush Administration was already using those expanded authorities--but they were doing so by exploiting the 15-day exemption written into FISA!
So Yoo's analysis is not just dead wrong because FISA clearly contemplates its application even during wartime. But it's even worse because during this particular wartime situation, the Administration had already used that 15-day exemption period as it debated what and how to implement its warrantless wiretap program.
The Administration showed, by its actions, that it knew the AUMF didn't trump FISA. But then it proceeded to base its entire wiretap program on that very assumption.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.--the BB
The breeze sweeping the F. Valley that day caused the pennons of D. to flap and flutter at full extension, the golden roses dancing on the violet cloth as if to taunt M. who viewed the scene from below with narrowed eyes. Other cities had sworn not to oppose him and he had passed them by. D. was in open defiance and too close to [the capital] to permit its populace to attack him from the rear. At his order the trebuchets began to hurl boulders against D’s walls. Their impact spread through the massive stone and shook the earth below the feet of the trapped populace, rising up their bodies and touching their hearts. Dread, perhaps the greatest weapon of war, was doing its work.I do not look forward to writing the battle scenes. My preference is scenes describing physical settings or portraying emotional undertones.
Now let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at war. But for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.
These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities - of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st Century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division.
Warriors of S., on seeing their fallen lord, redoubled their efforts, hoping to retrieve his body and avenge him. Noble and common blood ran together in dark pools troubled by the continued wind and splashed about by hoof, by foot, and by falling warriors. The earth patiently drank the blood, the tears, the sweat, the piss, and the shattered hopes poured forth in such obscene profusion while crows waited on the edge of the battlefield, hungry and eager.You cannot expect me to recount the tale of a war that is not from an anti-war perspective now, can you?
K. reminded the princess that they had come to make things better for all of F., not to surrender to sorrow this early.Old sorceresses have no shortage of wisdom we are not ready to hear.
From David@Montreal:dear and beloved Giants of Faith & PracticeFor my friend Lolly who had surgery on July 6.
the very top of this list has to be the delegates meeting for General Convention 2009 in Anaheim. you notice i put the delegates before the episcopate, and that it because i truly believe that with several radiant exceptions, the episcopacy is the biggest hurdle the Holy Spirit is facing in this wondrous call to transformation of the American Church. Many of these delegates are known & precious to our hearts and i truly believe the role of the laity and clergy is a prophetic one in these meetings.
i would also ask your prayers for ++Katherine, our dear brothers Gene and Mark, Elizabeth, Katie, Susan & Louise, Mark, Terry, Margaret, +Jon, +Marc, +Tom among others, all in Anaheim.
the Integrity Eucharist is tomorrow night at &:30 p,m, Pacific time. I will be sitting in prayer and practice in solidarity with these radiant brothers and sisters and I would encourage you to do so if you are able. Gene will be celebrating, saint Barabara Harris will be preaching, an both Elizabeth, Margaret & Susan will be distributing the Blessed Sacrament. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you can be THERE through your prayer and practice so I'd urge you to give it some thought.
on other fronts:
continued prayers for my cousin Frank please who is still awaiting the outcome of his gene therapy for lukemia, and who has been hospitalized again as treatments have failed to work for c-difficile. please remember Frank's dear wife Carol too.
for Dorian whose MS. appears to have spread to the left side: numbness in both thighs now, and in the last days it's spreading to her left hand
for Crystal and Patrick, each severely wounded young adults at presently real risk (Montreal & Tenessee respectively)
for Roseanne once again fighting for her life
for beloved Ms. C suffering serious knee damage and hobbling around on crutches in New Jersey
for Sister Ellie, suffering ecclesiastical bullying and the possible loss of her livelihood
for Robert my neighbor who is facing the very real pospect of losing his spleen in a desperate attempt to hold off another attack of lukemia
for Jane R's intensive editorial challenge
for Chistopher in limbo over the outcome of his job
for Barbi's on-going discernment process and for the awesome project she has taken on
for all those staring down the incredible challenges of finding gainful employment in these tough times and the prospect of losing their homes. no news on that front here yet, but i persist
please pray for the safety of all those travelling to and from Anaheim, including our cherished June
I had a joyous & tearful telephone conversation from Patrick the other night. A former Roman Catholic priest, who left both his church and the USA for Canada out of serious pain and disillusionment with the Curia and the Bush mis-administration. Easter Even, Patrick was received into the Anglican Church; will be leaving Toronto for Halifax and will be poceeding to ordination in our Church. I have been working for several months with Patrick by telephone, and with audible tears he told me. for the first time in his life he feels truly alive as a son of God... 'This is home,' he told me. 'I've arrived- at last!' So there's the good news also m'dears
with love and profound gratitude for each of you
It is almost 26 minutes long but this is a stunning background piece by Al-Jazeera on the Iranian protests. You will get more of a feel for what happened here than on American television.
Thousands of protesters streamed down avenues of the capital Thursday, chanting "death to the dictator" and defying security forces who fired tear gas and charged with batons, witnesses said. The first opposition foray into the streets in 11 days aimed to revive mass demonstrations that were crushed in Iran's postelection turmoil.
Photos from news.gooya.com (via Nico)...that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.--the BB
I am in Chapter 48 now, trying my best with spreadsheets and maps to keep track of which army is where, who is alive and who already dead. There are five major contingents of warriors moving across the countryside. It is dizzying. Like many forms of storytelling, this intercuts among different locations and characters, and sometimes back and forth in time, to keep threads interrelated and maintain suspense and interest. Too much of that and everyone is lost, including the author. I try to go by instinct and hope I gauge it right.
Had you come ... as utter strangers, I would fight you to the death.
I am now having problems with blood clots. I couldn't do dialysis today because of blood clots in my catheter. At least they sent me home from the hospital as there is nothing they can do and I'm more comfortable at home.and
Thanks everyone. Your prayers and kind words mean so much to me. I just don't know what is going to happen but I guess none of us ever do. It is so hard to want to live when I am this sick. I broke down and cried yesterday. I want my mommy, I want to feel good, I want to walk in the grocery store instead of ride the go-cart thing. I want to whine and cry and pitch a fit because that always makes things better, right?
Thanks for listening to me and praying for me. When I get well I'll have a big bar-b-q and you're all invited.
**UPDATE** It is with great sadness that I read about Samantha's passing upon awaking today. May this angel rest in peace. I can't imagine what Bill and Justine are going through at this time. Please, please pray for them.** While I am married to my old college boyfriend, I did have other college boyfriends. Well one other one really.. Anyway, he and I have connected on FB and shared many a laugh. This is not a time for a laugh as his 12 year old daughter Samantha has a terrible illness and it is not getting better. Please pray for Samantha, Bill and Justine. From what I just read, Samantha may have only hours to live.Prayers for one and all.
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in Anaheim for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Two who rode with her stood out. Of all [those from her ancestral land] present, K. was not a warmaiden, though she was present with all the ferocity of ten warriors. She made no effort to conceal who and what she was. Whenever Č. glimpsed her indirectly a white glow seemed to surround the ancient [sorceress]. K’s aura was the color of death and the princess was glad that K. was on her side.Not much by way of news or commentary from me today. Work was very busy and I have been very tired of late. Took a one-and-a-half-hour nap shortly after getting home this evening and about to crash now.
The second unusual fighter present was there by the deliberate concession of [Duke V.]. H. of U., the eldest hostage, having sworn allegiance to Č., was allowed to fight for her. The others remained in T. amid great protestation. H. wore a tunic of green and red, divided vertically with a wavy line. Over all were two golden otters. Like the princess, he was cadenced by golden flaunches to show he was the third child of [Baron] B., the late Marshall of F.. The tunic had been made by his mother’s ladies in waiting and sent to him with her blessing a few years ago. Č. thought he looked a few inches taller wearing the arms of his family and riding into freedom after four long years.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. --And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.People in Iran are pledging to each other their Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred Honor. They may not be publishing a declaration but they are, literally, puttin their lives on the line to insist on a legitimate, elected government.
07/02/09
If you're not having fun at church, something's wrong.
Mother Sandra is our founding vicar, having
Father Daniel preached today.
Dale and his daughter Keira.
