Click here to view this media The San Francisco Chronicle captured video of an Iowa fairgoer last week confronting Todd Palin. “We’re from Alaska,” the woman told him. “We were sick when she quit.” “What would you recommend doing when you got $600,000, $700,000 of debt hanging over your head, and you still have all these people filing complaints against you?” Todd Palin asked. “What would you do?” “Well, you go for the money obviously. That’s what she did. Everybody in Alaska thinks she sold out,” the woman replied. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. You got all this debt going to be there,” Todd Palin insisted. “It’s not there anymore is it? You got quite the deal,” the woman charged, adding that Todd Palin was also a “sellout” as he walked away.
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As the news agenda goes into warp speed, it becomes ever more difficult for authors writing about current events to keep their books timely and relevant. Seismic events race by at almost weekly intervals: phone hacking gives way to the Norwegian terror atrocity, which is replaced by stories about the London riots and the world in economic meltdown. The hyper acceleration of news is a result of the digital age in which we now live. No sooner will an author begin a book then the story will begin to mutate before her very eyes. This happened to me while I was working on “The Revolution Will Be Digitised,” which will be published in the UK on August 18th. When I began my research for this book in February 2010, few had heard of WikiLeaks or Julian Assange. The speed with which WikiLeaks went from niche interest to global prominence was a real-time example of the revolutionizing power of the digital age in which information can spread instantly across the globe through networked individuals. But how can an author of current affairs keep up with such a fast-changing landscape? Traditional publishers require an author to submit a manuscript six months in advance, and if pressed, no later than two or three. In these months, everything can change. To try and get on top of the news agenda, publishers can pull forward the publication date but they still require at least six weeks from the date the book comes off the presses to the date it is in book shops. In only a few exceptional circumstances can this time be reduced. The digitization of information has revolutionized all sorts of industries from music and movies to shopping and finance. It has fundamentally changed the media landscape, so why not publishing? It seemed appropriate that as the author of a book about the digital revolution, I should look into publishing in new digital formats, so when RosettaBooks’ CEO Arthur Klebanoff pitched the idea of a Kindle Single, I was intrigued. He wanted to take the narrative section of the book and edit it into a 24,000-word, stand-alone piece. Unlike traditional publishing where the author is advanced funds from prospective royalties, digital deals are done without an advance but with a higher percentage of royalties going to the writer. We agreed to try out this new digital experiment. The real surprise was the speed with which it all happened. In less than two weeks from the time Mr. Klebanoff and I spoke, “Assange Agonistes” was proofed, laid out and available to download on Kindle. Of course, the timely work of writing and editing had taken place with the help of a traditional publisher but for a timely news story, I can’t see how a writer of current affairs could beat the efficiency of e-publishing. It will certainly be my first port of call for future investigations. The book trade may be in transition, but it is far from dead. Digitization is certainly challenging the old ways of doing things whether that’s in publishing or politics. But it’s not the end. In many ways, it is just the beginning.
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As the news agenda goes into warp speed, it becomes ever more difficult for authors writing about current events to keep their books timely and relevant. Seismic events race by at almost weekly intervals: phone hacking gives way to the Norwegian terror atrocity, which is replaced by stories about the London riots and the world in economic meltdown. The hyper acceleration of news is a result of the digital age in which we now live. No sooner will an author begin a book then the story will begin to mutate before her very eyes. This happened to me while I was working on “The Revolution Will Be Digitised,” which will be published in the UK on August 18th. When I began my research for this book in February 2010, few had heard of WikiLeaks or Julian Assange. The speed with which WikiLeaks went from niche interest to global prominence was a real-time example of the revolutionizing power of the digital age in which information can spread instantly across the globe through networked individuals. But how can an author of current affairs keep up with such a fast-changing landscape? Traditional publishers require an author to submit a manuscript six months in advance, and if pressed, no later than two or three. In these months, everything can change. To try and get on top of the news agenda, publishers can pull forward the publication date but they still require at least six weeks from the date the book comes off the presses to the date it is in book shops. In only a few exceptional circumstances can this time be reduced. The digitization of information has revolutionized all sorts of industries from music and movies to shopping and finance. It has fundamentally changed the media landscape, so why not publishing? It seemed appropriate that as the author of a book about the digital revolution, I should look into publishing in new digital formats, so when RosettaBooks’ CEO Arthur Klebanoff pitched the idea of a Kindle Single, I was intrigued. He wanted to take the narrative section of the book and edit it into a 24,000-word, stand-alone piece. Unlike traditional publishing where the author is advanced funds from prospective royalties, digital deals are done without an advance but with a higher percentage of royalties going to the writer. We agreed to try out this new digital experiment. The real surprise was the speed with which it all happened. In less than two weeks from the time Mr. Klebanoff and I spoke, “Assange Agonistes” was proofed, laid out and available to download on Kindle. Of course, the timely work of writing and editing had taken place with the help of a traditional publisher but for a timely news story, I can’t see how a writer of current affairs could beat the efficiency of e-publishing. It will certainly be my first port of call for future investigations. The book trade may be in transition, but it is far from dead. Digitization is certainly challenging the old ways of doing things whether that’s in publishing or politics. But it’s not the end. In many ways, it is just the beginning.
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Association of UK Private Schools and Colleges will ask high court to review Theresa May’s plan to fix ‘broken’ system Private colleges were given the go-ahead on Monday to mount a legal challenge against a government clampdown on “bogus” foreign students. A judge gave the Association of UK Private Schools and Colleges permission to ask the high court to review plans to cut student visas. The home secretary Theresa May announced the proposals earlier this year and said ministers wanted to restore “sanity” to the student visa system. She said the “radical” clampdown would close fake colleges, block entry for those who could not speak good English and make it tougher for non-EU students to stay after courses finish. But private colleges say the plans are “disproportionate”, “arbitrary” and “severe”. Deputy high court judge Charles George, QC, said that the association could seek a high court ruling. At a preliminary high court hearing in London, he said the association had an “arguable” case for a review. But he thought college bosses would face an “uphill task” in persuading a judge that May had acted unreasonably. May said in March that the government wanted to attract the “brightest and best” to the UK but said the visa system had become “broken” under the previous Labour administration. “This package will stop the bogus students, studying meaningless courses at fake colleges,” she said. “It will protect our world-class institutions. It will stop the abuse that became all too common under Labour. And it will restore some sanity to our student visa system.” She said she expected the measures would reduce the number of student visas issued by 70,000-80,000 annually – equivalent to a 25% fall. Students Further education Immigration and asylum Theresa May guardian.co.uk
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Association of UK Private Schools and Colleges will ask high court to review Theresa May’s plan to fix ‘broken’ system Private colleges were given the go-ahead on Monday to mount a legal challenge against a government clampdown on “bogus” foreign students. A judge gave the Association of UK Private Schools and Colleges permission to ask the high court to review plans to cut student visas. The home secretary Theresa May announced the proposals earlier this year and said ministers wanted to restore “sanity” to the student visa system. She said the “radical” clampdown would close fake colleges, block entry for those who could not speak good English and make it tougher for non-EU students to stay after courses finish. But private colleges say the plans are “disproportionate”, “arbitrary” and “severe”. Deputy high court judge Charles George, QC, said that the association could seek a high court ruling. At a preliminary high court hearing in London, he said the association had an “arguable” case for a review. But he thought college bosses would face an “uphill task” in persuading a judge that May had acted unreasonably. May said in March that the government wanted to attract the “brightest and best” to the UK but said the visa system had become “broken” under the previous Labour administration. “This package will stop the bogus students, studying meaningless courses at fake colleges,” she said. “It will protect our world-class institutions. It will stop the abuse that became all too common under Labour. And it will restore some sanity to our student visa system.” She said she expected the measures would reduce the number of student visas issued by 70,000-80,000 annually – equivalent to a 25% fall. Students Further education Immigration and asylum Theresa May guardian.co.uk
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Palestinian refugees in Syria flee attack by Assad gunboats and soldiers on their camp in port city of Latakia More than 5,000 Palestinian refugees have fled a camp in Latakia, Syria, after President Bashar al-Assad’s forces attacked the port city in the latest military crackdown on dissent, the UN said on Monday. UNRWA , the UN agency that aids Palestinian refugees, said the camp’s residents fled after Latakia came under fire from gunboats and ground troops over the weekend. It was not immediately clear where the refugees were seeking shelter. “We are calling for access to the camp to find out what is going on,” said UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness. “There were 10,000 refugees in the camp and we need to find out what is happening to them.” Assad has dramatically escalated the crackdown on the five-month-old uprising since the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Despite international outrage, the regime is trying to re-establish firm control in rebellious areas by unleashing tanks, snipers and – in a new tactic – gunships. On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on Syria to end the bloodshed immediately and threatened unspecified “steps” if it fails to do so. “If the operations do not end, there would be nothing more to discuss about steps that would be taken,” Davutoglu said, without elaborating. Turkey, a former close ally of Syria, has been increasingly frustrated with the brutal crackdown by Damascus. Nearly 30 people, and possibly more, have been killed in the city since the assault on Latakia began on Saturday, activists say. The regime has banned foreign media and restricted local coverage, making it difficult to verify accounts on the ground. The attacks in Latakiaare the latest wave of a brutal offensive that shows Assad has no intention of relaxing his grip despite international outrage and new US and European sanctions. As the gunships blasted waterfront districts on Sunday, ground troops and security forces backed by tanks and armored vehicles stormed several neighborhoods, sending terrified women and children fleeing. The Observatory said troops opened fire Monday as a group of fleeing residents approached a checkpoint in the Ein Tamra district of Latakia. One person was shot dead and five wounded. A Latakia resident confirmed the account, saying troops fired as scores of people, many of them women and children, were fleeing. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. The Local Coordination Committees , an activist group that helps organize protests in Syria, also confirmed troops fired at fleeing families. It said random gunfire erupted Monday in addition to a campaign of raids and house-to-house arrests. Troops later entered small neighborhoods in the al-Ramel Palestinian refugee camp, warning people to leave or risk their houses being destroyed, the LCC said. A witness said security forces were rounding up young men in the area and detaining them in a sports stadium nearby. Amateur videos posted online by activists showed smoke rising from al-Ramel, the crackle of heavy gunfire and people shouting, “God is Great!” Monday also saw soldiers storm the area of Houla in the central Syrian city of Homs, which has seen massive protests in recent months. A sniper killed an elderly man, according to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists on the ground in Syria. The group said more than 700 people have been arrested in and around Homs since the beginning of August. Syria Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Bashar Al-Assad guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Palestinian refugees in Syria flee attack by Assad gunboats and soldiers on their camp in port city of Latakia More than 5,000 Palestinian refugees have fled a camp in Latakia, Syria, after President Bashar al-Assad’s forces attacked the port city in the latest military crackdown on dissent, the UN said on Monday. UNRWA , the UN agency that aids Palestinian refugees, said the camp’s residents fled after Latakia came under fire from gunboats and ground troops over the weekend. It was not immediately clear where the refugees were seeking shelter. “We are calling for access to the camp to find out what is going on,” said UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness. “There were 10,000 refugees in the camp and we need to find out what is happening to them.” Assad has dramatically escalated the crackdown on the five-month-old uprising since the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Despite international outrage, the regime is trying to re-establish firm control in rebellious areas by unleashing tanks, snipers and – in a new tactic – gunships. On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on Syria to end the bloodshed immediately and threatened unspecified “steps” if it fails to do so. “If the operations do not end, there would be nothing more to discuss about steps that would be taken,” Davutoglu said, without elaborating. Turkey, a former close ally of Syria, has been increasingly frustrated with the brutal crackdown by Damascus. Nearly 30 people, and possibly more, have been killed in the city since the assault on Latakia began on Saturday, activists say. The regime has banned foreign media and restricted local coverage, making it difficult to verify accounts on the ground. The attacks in Latakiaare the latest wave of a brutal offensive that shows Assad has no intention of relaxing his grip despite international outrage and new US and European sanctions. As the gunships blasted waterfront districts on Sunday, ground troops and security forces backed by tanks and armored vehicles stormed several neighborhoods, sending terrified women and children fleeing. The Observatory said troops opened fire Monday as a group of fleeing residents approached a checkpoint in the Ein Tamra district of Latakia. One person was shot dead and five wounded. A Latakia resident confirmed the account, saying troops fired as scores of people, many of them women and children, were fleeing. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. The Local Coordination Committees , an activist group that helps organize protests in Syria, also confirmed troops fired at fleeing families. It said random gunfire erupted Monday in addition to a campaign of raids and house-to-house arrests. Troops later entered small neighborhoods in the al-Ramel Palestinian refugee camp, warning people to leave or risk their houses being destroyed, the LCC said. A witness said security forces were rounding up young men in the area and detaining them in a sports stadium nearby. Amateur videos posted online by activists showed smoke rising from al-Ramel, the crackle of heavy gunfire and people shouting, “God is Great!” Monday also saw soldiers storm the area of Houla in the central Syrian city of Homs, which has seen massive protests in recent months. A sniper killed an elderly man, according to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists on the ground in Syria. The group said more than 700 people have been arrested in and around Homs since the beginning of August. Syria Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Bashar Al-Assad guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The FBI has expanded its investigation into News Corp beyond just claims that News of the World journalists hacked into the phones of 9/11 victims . It’s now looking into past claims of misconduct by the media giant, reports the Independent . Specifically, investigators are revisiting a lawsuit filed against News Corp…
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Intelligence agency asked to crack encrypted messages – especially on BlackBerry Messenger – to help police The security service MI5 and the electronic interception centre GCHQ have been asked by the government to join the hunt for people who organised last week’s riots, the Guardian has learned. The agencies, the bulk of whose work normally involves catching terrorists inspired by al-Qaida, are helping the effort to catch people who used social messaging, especially BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), to mobilise looters. A key difficulty for law enforcers last week was cracking the high level of encryption on the BBM system. BBM is a pin-protected instant message system that is only accessible to BlackBerry users. MI5 and GCHQ will also help the effort to try to get ahead of any further organisation of disturbances. The move represents a change as officially MI5 is tasked with ensuring the national security of the United Kingdom from terrorist threats, weapons of mass destruction, and espionage, with the police taking the lead on maintaining public order. However, they have a statutory right to target criminals or those suspected of being involved in crime, officials have said. Police struggled to access the BBM network last week, though some who were sent messages planning violence were so outraged they passed them on to law enforcement agencies. GCHQ’s computers and listening devices can pick up audio messages and BBM communications. MI5 and the police can identify the owners with the help of mobile companies and internet service providers. The agencies can intercept electronic and phone messages, identify where they have been sent from and their destination. That allows other investigations to take place and other efforts to develop intelligence. One source said: “The hope is this will boost the intelligence available. It always useful to get some boffins in.” In his speech on Monday David Cameron made no mention of his threatened clampdown on social media. Last week in the House of Commons emergency debate, he said: “There was an awful lot of hoaxes and false trails made on Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger and the rest of it. We need a major piece of work to make sure that the police have all the technological capabilities they need to hunt down and beat the criminals.” One of MI5′s functions under the 1989 Security Service Act is to support “the activities of police forces … and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and detection of serious crime”. MI5 intercepts communications though officially can only do so with warrants signed by ministers. It seeks technical help from GCHQ. GCHQ’s functions, according to the 1994 Intelligence Services Act, include “to monitor or interfere with electromagnetic, acoustic and other emissions and any equipment producing such emissions and to obtain and provide information derived from or related to such emissions or equipment … ” It can do so “in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime”. On its website, MI5 stresses such a distinction: “For the most part the activities of domestic extremists pose a threat to public order, but not to national security. They are generally investigated by the police, not the Security Service.” For law enforcement, the difficulty with BBM is that it boasts semi-private – and instant – access to a network of like-minded users. BlackBerry handsets are the smartphone of choice for the 37% of British teenagers, according to Ofcom. BBM allows users to send the same message to a network of contacts connected by “BBM pins”. For many teenagers, BBM has replaced text messaging because it is free and instant. Unlike Twitter or Facebook, many BBM messages are untraceable by the authorities. And unlike Facebook, friends are connected either by individual pin numbers or a registered email address. In short, BlackBerry Messenger is more secure than almost all other social networks. So-called “broadcasts” can be sent to hundreds of disparate users within minutes, away from the attention of law enforcement agencies. In the 12 years since it released the first BlackBerry, Research in Motion (RIM) has built a formidable reputation for the impenetrable security of its smartphones. RIM has always struggled to explain to the authorities that, unlike most other companies, it technically cannot access or read the majority of the messages sent by users over its network. One of the biggest problems for law enforcement in the digital age is the inability to get real-time access to messages sent by potential criminals. In England, RIM has said it will actively cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate those behind the unrest. Although it cannot hand to police the contents of rioters’ messages, it can disclose information that could assist any investigation. A clause in the Data Protection Act allows RIM to disclose the names, contacts and times of prominent BlackBerry Messenger users in a certain area and at a certain time. UK riots BlackBerry MI5 Mobile phones Social media Digital media Police Vikram Dodd Richard Norton-Taylor Josh Halliday guardian.co.uk
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Why? Because if “the unelectable one” were to become president, the financial kleptocratic, oligarchic status quo, which just so happens is the big legacy media’s biggest advertising base, would be wiped out overnight. Next up: big media becomes very small media. The clip below from CNN explains it all. As for the reason why Bachmann took first, one picture speak a thousand words: h/t John and Travis… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : zero hedge Discovery Date : 14/08/2011 21:42 Number of articles : 2
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