Reason Morning Links: A Slower Slowdown, a New Guantanamo, and Some Cheeky Canadians

Jesse Walker | August 3, 2009

• The economy isn't growing yet, but it's not contracting as quickly as before.

• Federal officials float a new plan for replacing the prison camp at Guantanamo.

• The government is still spying on antiwar groups.

• Stupid lobbying tricks: forging letters from other pressure groups.

• Washington and Zurich prepare to sand down the secrecy of Swiss banks.

• Canadian butts resist American surveillance.

Comments

|8.3.09 @ 10:16AM|#

Administration officials said any system of indefinite detention will include legal safeguards such as periodic reviews by judges and congressional oversight. But human rights and civil liberties groups such as Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union oppose detention without trial.

As we all know, Human Rights Watch and the ACLU hate America.

Fluffy|8.3.09 @ 10:28AM|#

Of course, even when military officials admit that they spent Pentagon resources to spy on US citizens and legal political associations domestically, there will not be any repercussions because military, police and intelligence officials are allowed to break the law at will in this country.

|8.3.09 @ 10:38AM|#

The economy isn't growing yet, but it's not contracting as quickly as before.

Since the last quarter's numbers came out in tandem with a "revision" of last year's number claiming that the economy had contracted a lot more last year than we thought, I see no reason to put much confidence in last quarter's numbers. As some point down the road, I expect them to be quietly revised downward as well.

This administration is finding itself in a desperate search for credibility as it tries to pass its crypto-single-payer health care plan. About the only major program that it milk for credibility is the stimulus, and then only if the economy is "improving". Ergo . . . .

T|8.3.09 @ 10:41AM|#

Of course, even when military officials admit that they spent Pentagon resources to spy on US citizens and legal political associations domestically, there will not be any repercussions because military, police and intelligence officials are allowed to break the law at will in this country.

Only if it's for the children, Fluffy.

|8.3.09 @ 10:49AM|#

Cash for Clunkers is a rampaging sucess.

Centex and Kaufman and Broad (home builders) have doubled their share prices since last spring.

We're saved!

*Cue music: Happy Days Are Here Again!*

The Spirit of Freddie Mercury|8.3.09 @ 10:51AM|#

"The recession looks to have largely bottomed in the spring"

Flat-bottomed recessions you make the rockin world go round.

Purported Minority Group|8.3.09 @ 11:03AM|#

"A Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist forged five letters purportedly from minority groups and sent them to Virginia freshman Congressman Tom Perriello, urging him to vote against the House energy and climate bill in June."

We urge H&R reasders to ignore this falsehood.

|8.3.09 @ 11:15AM|#

Federal officials float a new plan for replacing the prison camp at Guantanamo.

Nobody claimed the Dodgers and the Giants were closed when they relocated to Californis. I suspect many Obamatons will claim that "closing Gitmo" is somehow different.

|8.3.09 @ 11:22AM|#

I say we send them to the ISS.

|8.3.09 @ 11:27AM|#

Maybe some nice retired couple in Texas would like to sponsor a few of them.

hmm|8.3.09 @ 11:28AM|#

Coming soon to China, or the Middle East. Off shore banking. Hell anyone outside the US with only marginal ties to US federal money would be smart to start making laws against disclosure. There's a lot of people who will be looking to hide money.

|8.3.09 @ 11:44AM|#

Nobody claimed the Dodgers and the Giants were closed when they relocated to California.

So to make up for it, move the Gitmo prisoners to Brooklyn.

Mike M.|8.3.09 @ 11:51AM|#

Put them up in the White House. They can help look after Sasha and Malia when grandma Robinson is out doing something.

|8.3.09 @ 12:02PM|#

So to make up for it, move the Gitmo prisoners to Brooklyn.

I'm supporting the Michigan option. We could use the jobs. ;-)

|8.3.09 @ 12:12PM|#

Since the last quarter's numbers came out in tandem with a "revision" of last year's number claiming that the economy had contracted a lot more last year than we thought, I see no reason to put much confidence in last quarter's numbers. As some point down the road, I expect them to be quietly revised downward as well.


They must have Winston Smith working overtime.

Winston Smith|8.3.09 @ 12:29PM|#

Calculating with every finger I see.

Meta4|8.3.09 @ 12:44PM|#

Uncovered Video: Obama Explains How His Health Care Plan Will 'Eliminate' Private Insurance:

http://www.breitbart.tv/uncovered-video-obama-explains-how-his-health-care-plan-will-eliminate-private-insurance/

T|8.3.09 @ 12:44PM|#

Coming soon to China, or the Middle East. Off shore banking. Hell anyone outside the US with only marginal ties to US federal money would be smart to start making laws against disclosure. There's a lot of people who will be looking to hide money.

The Caribbean is still the smart choice right now as I understand it. Just a short plane flight out of Miami to the Caymans, who as far as I know have yet to give up anybody to the IRS.

hmm|8.3.09 @ 1:48PM|#

It costs a fortune to harbor money there. That's why the Swiss were so attractive. They had the volume and the lack of a crony government to keep the over all cost down and relative risk low. China and the Middle East are in the same boat as the Swiss. Someone will take advantage of it sooner or later. Sooner as the Swiss start giving up people.