Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 274

New Details on Boston Shootout

Not sure if new--I'm told most of this known a few days ago--but CNN just reported tonight that the cop shot in shootout with the Boston bombers in Watertown was hit by police bullet, police now admit.  Also, the suspects only had one gun and quickly ran out of bullets, perhaps explaining why older brother charged cops without firing.  Hundreds of rounds fired at the scene--almost all by police, in a "contagious," wild way.  CNN interviews man who had bullets enter home and nearly hit daughter and son.   Other shots hit at second floor level elsewhere. Experts say police don't get enough training.  Anderson Cooper then stresses that "we're not criticizing police." Huh?

Also state troopers in a separate incident, we're told, shot up a black SUV they thought was suspects' vehicle--but belonged to Boston police.  CNN calls this "scary."   Also: new report of younger brother leaving note in the boat explaining motivation for bombings.

Greg Mitchell, who writes daily for The Nation, has penned more than dozen books on current issues, political campaigns and historical controversies--see right rail of this blog or here. 

Wednesday Night Music Pick

Can only be, as IRS guy pushed out:  George Harrison, live with Clapton, "Taxman."

Drone 'Pilot': When a Kid Walks Into the Picture

Rare interview with droner at Huff Post,  gets into the step-by-step, emotional connections (but remember: still long-distance, cold, "psychic numbing" as my friend Robert Jay Lifton put it).  From "laze" to "splash."  He can get the missile fired and in the 30-40 seconds when it's on it's way can shift direction if a kid enters the picture...."">There are a number of cases where that happened and people lived because of that. Not only was it the right thing to do from a legal and moral and ethical standpoint, at the end of the day those are the kinds of actions that send a message to that country that this is not just indiscriminate targeting...."  If you say so.

Blow Me Up, Scotty!

A.O. Scott of NYT with review of new Star Trek, citing "disappointment" and "betrayal" and the militarism of space at the expense of "humanism."

After increasingly noisy and bloated starship battles, “Into Darkness” reaches a climax with the smashing of a North American city followed by a long fistfight on a flying metal platform. It’s uninspired hackwork, and the frequent appearance of blue lens flares does not make this movie any more of a personal statement. Mr. Abrams will never be Michael Bay, who can make kinetic poetry out of huge pieces of machinery smashing together. Why should he want to be?

How Strong Is This Strongbox?

Very interesting announcement today, via Amy Davidson at The New Yorker, that the magazine has launched its Strongbox as a site where you can leak documents and tips--developed by the late Aaron Swartz, no less, and Kevin Poulsen of Wired famed, who explains it here.   I am curious, however, about claiming offers only a "reasonable" amount of anonymity.   Davidson does say, "as it’s set up, even we won’t be able to figure out where files sent to us come from. If anyone asks us, we won’t be able to tell them."  Take that, DOJ.

Twenty Dead in the Basement

The NYT featuring a video today via its home page unusual (for them) in its grisly nature:  Showing 20 women and young kids slaughtered in a darkened basement in Syria.  Atrocities on both sides there as sectarian revenge killings make it hard to believe a true peace can be brokered.  Watch if you can, and some background.

Return of Darth Cheney

John Fugelsang on new game segment, re: Dick Cheney hitting Obama on Benghazi.

Assange Says No to Star

We've reported on the first major non-doc film on WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, and now The Fifth Estate star Benedict Cumberbatch reports that Julian would not meet with him to help with role.  Still, he thinks Assange is quite "gifted" and should be "celebrated."  He explains: "He didn't want to meet me because he feels the source materials we've based the movie on were poisonous to his account of the events. When he sees it I hope he feels that it's more balanced. I think he will. I hope he will."

More Alleged Sexual Abuse--from Army 'Prevent' Chief

First it was head of the Air Force anti-sexual abuse office, two weeks ago--charged with sexual battery.  Breaking tonight from AP:  "The Army says the coordinator of a sexual assault prevention program at Fort Hood, Texas, is under investigation for 'abusive sexual contact' and other alleged misconduct. He has been suspended from all duties."   More here.  NBC update adds this detail--the sergeant accused of pimping, forcing subordinate into prostitution.

Writer Shot in NOLA This Week

A shock to learn that well-known writer and author Mark Hertsgaard was one of those shot in the New Orleans rampage on Mother's Day that left 19 injured, including three critically.  He was in the second line parade and says--in this article for The Nation--he was just ten feet from the shooter--and owns a bullet in this leg for his troubles.  But like so many of us, loves NOLA and defends.

As news of yet another tragedy emanates from New Orleans, outsiders may feel tempted to write the city off, once again, as a hopeless, crime-infested, hurricane-vulnerable hell hole that should be left to its own devices. But the realities of New Orleans are more complex than that—and more compelling. The truth is, the United States as a nation, and many foreign countries as well, need New Orleans to be a city that works. And that is not an impossible dream.

A blogger the local Gambit was more seriously wounded--lost a kidney.