In your face Murdoch

[sadaist]

Man, that guy is living the life. I find it a little weird how some of the wealthiest people on the Earth are Muslims, yet true Muslims are extremely charitable to their fellow man and do not flaunt wealth. Hell, they even fast as Mohammed did and while doing so think and pray for their brothers who are not eating because they are poor. You don't become worth $20 BILLION by being a good charitable guy. Sad, but it just doesn't happen.

[FORD]

The prince also owns a big chunk of Citibank, and considering their interest rates on credit cards, "charitable" ain't a word I'd use to describe him.

And much like the Bible, the Quran has several verses regarding usury, so he can't exactly claim to be doing Allah's work either......

Those who charge usury are in the same position as those controlled by the devil's influence. This is because they claim that usury is the same as commerce. However, God permits commerce, and prohibits usury. Thus, whoever heeds this commandment from his Lord, and refrains from usury, he may keep his past earnings, and his judgment rests with God. As for those who persist in usury, they incur Hell, wherein they abide forever (Al-Baqarah 2:275)

God condemns usury, and blesses charities.God dislikes every disbeliever, guilty. Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. O you who believe, you shall observe God and refrain from all kinds of usury, if you are believers. If you do not, then expect a war from God and His messenger. But if you repent, you may keep your capitals, without inflicting injustice, or incurring injustice. If the debtor is unable to pay, wait for a better time. If you give up the loan as a charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew. (Al-Baqarah 2:276-280)

O you who believe, you shall not take usury, compounded over and over. Observe God, that you may succeed. (Al-'Imran 3:130)

And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution. (Al-Nisa 4:161)

The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at God. But if people give to charity, seeking God's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward many fold. (Ar-Rum 30:39)

[Nitro Express]

Muslims are just like Mormons. They both claim to be the true religion and say their mission is to fill the earth. They both have lots of strict rules regarding almost every aspect of life. The thing is, money and human nature is still the strongest force. The middle east is full of porn shops and they drink alcohol. Everything is done in secret just like Utah while they tow the religious line in public. When they go on vacation to western countries it's booze and ass and then they go home and act all spiritual and obedient. Some of the most materialistic people I have ever met are very religious people.

[Nitro Express]

The oligarchs and robber barons are back. Their puppet politicians have changed the regulation laws in their favor. What we need is a modern Teddy Roosevelt to put these assholes back in their place. Of course it's multinational now and none of these multinational corporations are loyal to any country. Corporations are becoming more powerful than nations. Pretty damn scary. Feudalism is coming back.

[chefcraig]

Brooks arrested in hacking scandal

By Mohammed Abbas | Reuters

LONDON - Rebekah Brooks, the former head of Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper business, was arrested on Sunday in the latest twist of a phone-hacking scandal that has tainted British police and politicians and shaken the tycoon's global media empire.

Several sources familiar with the situation said Brooks, 43, was being questioned as part of an investigation into allegations of illegal voicemail interception and police bribery at the News of the World tabloid she once edited.

Brooks quit as head of News International, the British unit of Murdoch's News Corp, on Friday, but has denied she knew of the alleged hacking of thousands of phones, including that of a murdered schoolgirl.

The revelations have shocked the public and raised concerns not only about unethical media practices but about the influence Murdoch has wielded over successive British leaders and allegations of cozy relationships between some of his journalists and the police.

With politicians from Australia to the United States demanding to know if similar abuses occurred elsewhere in Murdoch's global media business, the 80-year-old has been forced on the defensive and the position of his son James as heir-apparent has been called into question.

In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron has come under fire for his friendship with Brooks and for employing another former News of the World editor, Andy Coulson, as his press secretary even after Coulson had quit the paper in 2007 following the jailing of a reporter for phone-hacking.

"The waters are very definitely lapping around the Murdochs' own ankles," Chris Bryant, a member of parliament for Britain's opposition Labor Party who has campaigned for years against press malpractice, told Reuters.

Tim Bale, politics professor at the University of Sussex, told Reuters: "I think this was pretty uncomfortable for Cameron already and it will get more uncomfortable now over the next week.

"It brings the whole thing closer to him. If one believes all the talk of a Chipping Norton set, it reinforces this impression of a cozy elite at the top of the media/political complex," he added, referring to a town in Cameron's affluent countryside constituency where Brooks also has a home.

Brooks and Rupert and James Murdoch are due to be questioned in Britain's parliament on Tuesday, including over reports that News International misled parliament during earlier hearings.

But Brooks' spokesman said her arrest may cast doubt on whether she could appear before politicians.

"I think there will clearly be some discussions between her lawyers and the select committee on whether it is still sensible for her to appear," David Wilson told Reuters, adding she was "shocked" by the arrest.

"Anything that will be said at the select committee hearing could have implications for the police inquiry."

Adrian Sanders, a Liberal Democrat politician who sits on the parliamentary media committee, questioned the timing of the arrest and said he hoped it would not scuttle the hearing.

"If this is designed to take the spotlight off the police, at the same time as in a sense giving a shield to Rebekah Brooks, that's a very serious matter indeed," he told BBC television news.

TOUGHNESS AND CHARM

The flame-haired Brooks became the focus of widespread anger over the phone-hacking scandal but was initially protected by Murdoch, who guided her rise through the male-dominated world of UK tabloid journalism to become editor of the News of the World in 2000 and the Sun's first female editor in 2003.

Flying into London a week ago to take charge of the crisis, Murdoch appeared before journalists with his arm around her. Asked what was his first priority, he gestured at her and replied: "This one."

Known for her networking skills, Brooks rose quickly through the ranks of tabloid journalists, combining a tough demeanor that could intimidate hardened 'hacks' with an ability to charm largely male editors.

But her initial refusal to quit, and a faltering speech she delivered when she closed the News of the World and ended the careers of dozens of colleagues, prompted some journalists to say she was out of touch.

The News of the World, which published its final edition a week ago, is alleged to have hacked up to 4,000 phones including that of murdered 13-year-old Milly Dowler, sparking a furor that forced Murdoch to close the paper and drop a $12 billion plan to buy all of highly profitable broadcaster BSkyB.

Murdoch, who some media commentators say at first misjudged the strength of public anger, published apologies in several British newspapers at the weekend.

He lost another loyal executive on Friday when Les Hinton, another former head of his UK newspaper business, resigned as chief executive of Murdoch's Dow Jones & Co which publishes The Wall Street Journal.

"There are no excuses and should be no place to hide ... We will continue to cooperate fully and actively with the Metropolitan Police Service," News International said in an announcement on Sunday.

Leading British politicians renewed calls for greater media plurality and press regulation -- a direct threat to Murdoch's empire, which includes The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times broadsheets, and 39 percent of BSkyB.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that members of the board of BSkyB, where James Murdoch serves as chairman, are due to meet in a special session on July 28 to discuss his future.

If James were to be felled by the scandal, British media speculated that his sister Elisabeth could secure the eventual succession to their father.

The scandal has also embroiled Britain's police, who are accused of being too close to News Corp, of accepting cash from the now defunct News of the World and other newspapers, and of not doing enough to investigate the phone-hacking allegations that surfaced as far as back as 2005.

In 2003 Brooks admitted that the News of the World had made payments to police in the past but could not remember any specific examples.

[Seshmeister]

Good stuff, the net tightens...

[chefcraig]

Jesus, talk about a bloody Sunday. Heads continue to roll...

Top British police chief resigns over phone hacking

By Mohammed Abbas | Reuters

LONDON - Britain's senior police chief Paul Stephenson, London's police commissioner, resigned on Sunday over allegations about the police's handling of phone hacking investigations.

In a statement he read to TV news channels, Stephenson said he had no knowledge of the extent of phone hacking allegations at the now defunct News of the World newspaper, owned by News International, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media empire.

Britain's police have been criticized over allegations of accepting money from News of the World and other newspapers and of not doing enough to investigate phone hacking allegations.

Stephenson said he did not want criticism of his conduct to detract from ensuring security at the Olympic Games, which are due to be held in London next year.

[FORD]

Looks like Keith Olbermann is going back to his sportscaster roots, and doing the "play by play coverage" of Murdoch's testimony before Parliament......

Current TV
‘Countdown’ Breaks Out of Primetime to Cover Murdoch Testimony
By Alex Weprin on July 16, 2011 7:55 PM

For the first time since re-launching his show on Current TV, Keith Olbermann will be breaking free of primetime. On Tuesday morning, Olbermann will host special live coverage of News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch‘s testimony before Parliament.

“Time of our live Murdoch Parliament coverage next Tuesday AM is TBD but 9:30 ET is a good guess (just leave TV on @Current all day: win/win)” Olbermann tweeted Friday.

Olbermann has already dedicated a number of segments to the scandal, including this one questioning whether it would spread to the U.S.:

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The move shows that Current is clearly giving Olbermann some flexibility in terms of news coverage. Presumable Olbermann will be able to break into other dayparts as well, provided that the news warrants it.

link

And since most of us probably don't have access to Current TV on cable during the daytime (if at all) it can be streamed here.

[Nitro Express]

All these media outlets are propaganda outfits. Unbiased news is a thing of the past. It's all what the oligarchs want us to hear and they profit and benefit from playing both sides.

[Nickdfresh]

The oligarchs and robber barons are back. Their puppet politicians...

Don't kid yourself, they've always been there. But the newfangled "teaparty" pseudo-libertarian ideology only enables them far more-so than in the past....

[FORD]

.....and now, the Murdoch mob has added murder to their list of crimes. "Not suspicious", my ass!

News of the World phone-hacking whistleblower found dead

Death of Sean Hoare – who was first named journalist to allege Andy Coulson knew of hacking – not being treated as suspicious

Amelia Hill, James Robinson, Caroline Davies
guardian.co.uk, Monday 18 July 2011 18.04 BST


Sean Hoare, the former News of the World showbiz reporter who was the first named journalist to allege Andy Coulson was aware of phone hacking by his staff, has been found dead, the Guardian has learned.

Hoare, who worked on the Sun and the News of the World with Coulson before being dismissed for drink and drugs problems, is said to have been found dead at his Watford home.

Hertfordshire police would not confirm his identity, but the force said in a statement: "At 10.40am today [Monday 18 July] police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for the welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street. Upon police and ambulance arrival at a property, the body of a man was found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing."

Hoare first made his claims in a New York Times investigation into the phone-hacking allegations at the News of the World.

He told the newspaper that not only did Coulson know of the phone hacking, but that he actively encouraged his staff to intercept the phone calls of celebrities in the pursuit of exclusives.

In a subsequent interview with the BBC he alleged that he was personally asked by his then-editor, Coulson, to tap into phones. In an interview with the PM programme he said Coulson's insistence that he didn't know about the practice was "a lie, it is simply a lie".

At the time a Downing Street spokeswoman said Coulson totally and utterly denied the allegations and said he had "never condoned the use of phone hacking and nor do I have any recollection of incidences where phone hacking took place".

Sean Hoare, a one-time close friend of Coulson's, told the New York Times the two men first worked together at the Sun, where, Hoare said, he played tape recordings of hacked messages for Coulson. At the News of the World, Hoare said he continued to inform Coulson of his activities. Coulson "actively encouraged me to do it", Hoare said.

In September last year, he was interviewed under caution by police over his claims that the former Tory communications chief asked him to hack into phones when he was editor of the paper, but declined to make any comment.

Hoare returned to the spotlight last week, after he told the New York Times that reporters at the News of the World were able to use police technology to locate people using their mobile phone signals in exchange for payments to police officers.

He said journalists were able to use a technique called "pinging" which measured the distance between mobile handsets and a number of phone masts to pinpoint its location.

Hoare gave further details about the use of "pinging" to the Guardian last week. He described how reporters would ask a news desk executive to obtain the location of a target: "Within 15 to 30 minutes someone on the news desk would come back and say 'right that's where they are.'"

He said: "You'd just go to the news desk and they'd just come back to you. You don't ask any questions. You'd consider it a job done. The chain of command is one of absolute discipline and that's why I never bought into it, like with Andy saying he wasn't aware of it and all that. That's bollocks."

He said he would stand by everything he had told the New York Times about "pinging". "I don't know how often it happened. That would be wrong of me. But if I had access as a humble reporter … "

He admitted he had had problems with drink and drugs and had been in rehab. "But that's irrelevant," he said. "There's more to come. This is not going to go away."

Hoare named a private investigator who he said had links with the News of the World, adding: "He may want to talk now because I think what you'll find now is a lot of people are going to want to cover their arse."

Speaking to another Guardian journalist last week, Hoare repeatedly expressed the hope that the hacking scandal would lead to journalism in general being cleaned up and said he had decided to blow the whistle on the activities of some of his former News of the World colleagues with that aim in mind.

He also said he had been injured the previous weekend while taking down a marquee erected for a children's party. He said he had broken his nose and badly injured his foot when a relative accidentally struck him with a heavy pole from the marquee.

Hoare also emphasised that he was not making any money from telling his story. Hoare, who has been treated for drug and alcohol problems, reminisced about partying with former pop stars and said he missed the days when he was able to go out on the town.

[Seshmeister]

Hahah I heard someone say on the radio today that if this whole scandal was a plot on The Wire it would have been thrown out for being too unlikely and now it turns again.

With the police in the dirt too then everyone is going to be as suspicious as fuck about this death.

That said though to actually get sacked as a tabloid journalist for too much booze and drugs means he must have been totally out of control.

[Guitar Shark]

This is just a fascinating story all around. Every day it seems like a new wrinkle to the scandal emerges.

[Seshmeister]

The only possible downside to the Murdochs being taken down, is that FAUX and his other media companies might survive, and have this terrorist funding asshole in charge.....

Does the US not have a law about foreigners owning the media though?

Australia and the UK don't which is why Murdoch took US citizenship allowing him to own in all 3 countries.

[Seshmeister]

This is just a fascinating story all around. Every day it seems like a new wrinkle to the scandal emerges.

Tomorrow they get dragged in front of a parliamentary house committee. Murdoch getting cross examined for the first time ever I think.

Of course another wrinkle is the conspiracy about the police arresting his CEO Brooks the other day. By arresting her she now has the protection of being able to refuse to answer self incriminating questions from the committee. It was such a stupid schoolboy error to make people now wonder if someone pushed the cops to do it...