...but he does offer "advocacy consulting services" to "get specified results for clients who want action." Source: http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/

They add that "BR McCaffrey Associates LLC will not engage in activities that would require us to register as an agent of any foreign government." They don't rule out registering as lobbyists for US or non-governmental interests, but with a quick Google I don't see any reference to them doing so. (And presumably they wouldn't deny that McCaffrey is a lobbyist if he were registered as one.)

I was trying to make the same point Glenn just did in drawing a distinction of "trust" in the two different circumstances. I didn't want to inadvertantly dis Glenn, when dissing the silliness of NBC's trust (based strictly on charm and personability, apparently). Glenn doesn't get a pass of course--I don't believe anyone should--but he doesn't seem to ever need one either, which is the point to begin with.

Anyway, didn't mean to make such a big deal about it in the first place.

... can we make it official??

It's the person's self-interest and proximity to these documents which leads me to trust him/her for this limited purpose.

-- GlennGreenwald

Indeed, and I would say that the fact that whistle blowers, if we're to put this source in that category, generally work AGAINST their own self-interest, endangering their positions and treatment within their organizations, is why there is significantly more latitude in how much these sources can be trusted, in comparison to the punditry/on-air lobbyists.

~

You ever feel like you want to punch, or kick a donkey, or a mule in thee red nose?

NBC's-heaped "sycophantic" praise flattery in defense of retired General McCafferty?

... a "ethics and courage" and a nice guy? O, so is the law-pal lawyer Jan C. Scruggs?

I don't ever want to mention a Jan Scruggs/McCafferty scandal:`Vietnam Memorial Fund.

Jan Scruggs was the lawyer:`The Founder, and the Fund Raiser, of the Veteran Memorial.

Funds got lost? Millions? Missing? Who investigated? Grunts say:`O Polyester Undies pal?

One day I spoke with McCafferty. He ignored me. No shake greasy paws. O, I remember it.

Former PA's Gov., and a HomeLand Security Secretary, speak on Memorial's Remembrances.

Tom Ridge received, post-9-11 a 'brief packet'. Deliver by hand to Mr. commander-in-chief? Remember? Thank you very much, Tom Ridge. Cool Law Office you have in a Commonwealth.

President Bush was busy. He was at The Tomb at Arlington. The Sad Ceremonial Laying of the Wreath at the UNknown Soldier is a solemn moment. okay. No shake the greasy politico paws.

...is how much empty time is contained in any given "breaking news story"- which, often as not, consists of nothing more than print bulletins read periodically on-air by the people doing the "reporting" and the announcers- who then proceed to indulge in every possible speculation on what the words in the bulletin might have meant, hinted at, or omitted. Roughly as tedious and predictable as someone juggling one orange with their hands.

With a very few exceptions, there's your "immediacy of television."

Whenever I hear someone touting television for its "immediacy", I'm reminded of the "OJ Bronco chase"- which I didn't watch. Although I did get some glimpses of the transfixed audience at the local tavern, far gone into mass TV hypnosis while it was taking place.

All hands are summoned to an urgent meeting.

"Listen up! Someone in this room is a snitch," explains the CEO. "Now, we senior executives here at NBC take our commitments to ethical practices very seriously..."

(snickers in the background)

"Who did that? Who laughed?! Are you the snitch?"

"No, sir, I just had an, um... reflux."

"Hmmnn... OK. As I was saying, a news organization like ours cannot function without some degree of confidentially being assured to the sources we rely on. General Barry McCaffrey, a highly respected expert whose ..."

(more snickers)

"You again?!?"

"Sorry sir. Can I just ask, is it true what Glenn Greenwald wrote? We've all read it by now, you know."

"Listen, that's not the point..."

"But surely it is, sir? I mean, either we take our commitment to ethics seriously or we don't. Which is it?"

It's the you know who And their control of all media.

Ah, the Peruvians. I wish you'd just come out and say it. We have nothing to fear from the Inca (unless APPAC wields more influence than I've been led to believe).

The last point Glenn. A+ humour. Not to worry, I think they're grooming Luke for the job. (*This would also explain the delay in finding a suitable replacement.)

And then there is the matter of NBC vetting Glenn. For example, why are blogs bad? How well has the surge worked? ... What do you call your gun? etc.

***

Glenn >(re; emails) "from a very trustworthy source." Snort. Who ...if not me? How'bout a clue: inside/outside NBC? who? ... sysprog?(i think he might be the toobz.)...

In any case, since the duties and obligations of those who would determine news 'trustworthy' is no less binding upon the 'truth' than those who offer to provide it, I would have to admit 'trust' is a very important criteria in who I listen to for news. Ironic, don't you think Glenn. ;)

yours truly,

bah.

A few years ago a veteran named, Ray Keefer, from Maryland's Eastern Shore died from self-inflicted, unbearable GRIEFS?

It was a another suicide.

Ray K. had 5 x's wounds.

@ 1;27, and @ 1:30! Tell?

What is 3- Purple Hearts?

Officers get Hive Medals.

Hemorrhoid get purple?

Piles, and lies, and fouls.

Tell us, you fetch bones?

No try to lie to the grunt.

Were you a cook? Drum?

Lit 55- gal poop drums?

O that deserves ribbons.

Gimme truths. O Gimme!

Sorry Ray Keefer. Ya Rest.

Fish on a Chesapeake Bay.

PARIS – A French appeals court says Voodoo dolls of President Nicolas Sarkozy may remain on sale, but must carry a notice saying that pricking them harms the president's dignity.

Sarkozy's attorney had asked that the dolls be withdrawn from sale, saying the president like any French person owns the right to his own image.

The appeals court backed an earlier ruling allowing the dolls to stay on the market in the name of freedom of expression.

But it ordered the doll's marketer, publishing house K&B Editions, to add a warning that using the needles which come with the kits "constitutes an attack on the personal dignity of Mr. Sarkozy."

"Nicolas Sarkozy: The Voodoo Manual" costs euro12.95 ($16.50) and includes a handbook and 12 pins.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_sarkozy_voodoo_doll