DL Open Thread Monday, Feb. 19, 2024
It’s Presidents Day, so let’s start with the formerly anodyne holiday exercise of Historians Rankiing the Presidents. Let’s see here: Top 5 is Lincoln, FDR, Washington, Teddy, TJeff. Obama No. 7, Biden No. 14, I’m sure Trump is in here somewhere, scrolling, scrolling, scrolling … Here he is, No. 45. Last place. But that’s not how Fox News reported it.
Actions speak louder than words, rumor has it, so what should we make of it when Biden preaches restraint while the arms flow to Israel? I’ll let you puzzle that one out.
The death of dissident Alexei Navalny prompted public protests in Russia, which of course prompted a wave of arrests. When all you have are prisons, everyone looks like a prisoner. Tributes to Navalny’s bravery abound, but this eulogy by a former Obama-era diplomat talks about him as a friend. You might want to chop some onions while you read it.
As a UN aid worker lamented to the CBC, it seems world attention can only be focused on two humanitarian disasters at a time, so while Gaza and Ukraine dominate headlines, the situation in the Sudan continues to deteriorate. More people have been displaced by that country’s ethic-fueled civil war than in any of the more publicized conflicts, with equally deadly results, but charity efforts elsewhere have drawn money and attention away from Africa. We are the world, just not all at once.
There’s an ugly and widespread right-wing militia movement in the U.S. and has been for years. Maybe the FBI would be busting them if they hadn’t been too busy surveilling Native pipeline protesters. Maybe they’ll crack down on Ammon Bundy if we convince them he’s bad for the oil industry.
In entertainment news, talk show host John Oliver offered Clarence Thomas $1 million a year plus a $2.4 million motor coach to resign from the Supreme Court. “We have spoken to experts who all told us the best they could tell this is somehow legal,” Oliver said. “Which seems crazy to me, because it really feels like it shouldn’t be.” Perhaps someone should start a GoFundMe.
Also, George Santos has found another way to stay in the news. He’s suing Jimmy Kimmel for mocking him by hiring him to say outrageous things for money. This raises the question, what did he think he was signing up for?
The floor’s yours.
NCCPD and DSP have been quietly building an expansive surveillance network over the past 5 years. This has occurred with the knowledge and approval of various so-called progressives including Matt Meyer, Madinah Wilson-Anton, Sarah McBride, along with former past Rep John Kowalko.
Over the past year they have installed well over a hundred automated plate readers across the NCCO, all of which feed into the NCCPD fusion center. They are currently experimented with a new facial recognition platform that is specially designed to be implemented in large crowd scenarios (protests) and integrate with the RING doorbelI programs . I have encountered some internal policy documents which are being used to gin up traffic stops based on a person’s movement patterns, as interpreted by their surveillance algorithm
Oh, really?
Some, what’s the word I’m looking for, PROOF, would be appreciated.
You know why? Because there’s no way in hell that Madinah, Sarah or John Kowalko would ever sit still for something like this.
They aren’t raising a stink about it now because it’s on their hands. Of course they didn’t vote for the “mass surveillance bill” but they did vote in the affirmative to fund it. Any budget bill that included a carve out for unspecified “public safety programs” was intended to support these initiatives. I can’t find a single record of any of these legislators registering any opposition to these programs or posing questions as to how the money was to be used. Madinah was definitely aware of the programs, because she was in a civic group meeting last year related to public safety concerns in glasgow park and mentioned use of the plate reader network.
Can you point out just exactly it was that they funded?
Could be an interesting topic for the new NCCo PD citizen oversight board to investigate
Yep.
Have the members to that oversight board been named yet?
They will at least be getting notified of the decision tomorrow. Not sure if it’ll be made public at the same time.
They’ve been named and all members have been notified.
They will be sworn in tomorrow at the Boards and Commissions subcommittee.
https://newcastlecode.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1899/overview
Thanks, guys. Great information.
Is this the whole board? I thought there were 20 slots.
Hey Tech-guy I’d like to register you in the “full of shit” department. Rep. John Kowalko
With all due respect John, I don’t remember you raising your voice when the city of Newark installed their plate readers back in the late 00s (they were one of the first in the state-everyone could see the chunky fixture hanging over the Main Street intersection with Chapel). Obviously that was a city council decision, but I know you kept your ear to the ground on local issues and would have spoken out if it troubled you.
With all due respect, your trashing of three progressives is bullshit. The issue is real, but your target is…off-target.
You create the false narrative that these are the people who should be castigated. Never mind the fact that implementation of these readers predates Madinah’s and Sarah’s time in the General Assembly.
Can I share a Dropbox link today or tomorrow? Pursuant to this and your question above
The point is that you went after three progressives who had nothing to do with creating this policy. Only you can explain why.
The policy likely needs to be addressed. I plan to share the article from the Brennan Center with my state rep and senator, and to find out more about how it’s being used in Delaware.
But you chose to target people who might be part of a solution rather than fixing your sights on the people who pushed for this in the first place. Your agenda is and was to go after progressives for no earthly reason.
The issue interests me. Your motives do not.
With all due respect (you’ve earned none so far) if I tried to pay attention to all the City of Newarks missteps and poor decisions I wouldn’t have had time to fulfill my duties as a State Rep. The pro-developer, pro university, anti-resident people that have served on city council have continued to earn their own disrespect. Excessive water rates, electric rates and property taxes have remained a hallmark of the city. I’ve fought tooth and nail (sometimes successfully) against these unfair burdens on residents. Against an unnecessary Power Plant in the middle of town, against an enormous increase in water rates, against the deliberate destruction of historical landmarks, against the 6 and 8 story buildings courtesy of Lange and friends, against the privatization of trash and yard waste removal, against the University’s destruction of student housing and the city’s willingness to place those students in our neighborhoods. I could go on and on but “with all due respect” I don’t owe you or anyone else an accounting or justification of my progressive credentials. Rep. John Kowalko
Here’s an article about license plate readers in Harrington, paid for out of the Transportation funds available to the local legislator:
https://baytobaynews.com/stories/license-plate-readers-boost-safety-in-harrington-and-beyond,117187
Note the non-critical, I mean, positive, way the story was reported.
Here’s an article about civil liberties concerns regarding license plate readers:
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/automatic-license-plate-readers-legal-status-and-policy-recommendations
Well said Rep. John Kowalko!
Thank you for understanding the complexities.,
I don’t mind the use of plate readers to catch someone who has an outstanding capias, for example. The other surveillance stuff is way over the line.
Everybody better Uber to the next big protest.
Today’s email from the BHL campaign includes pic of her with our PAL Val and Kathy J. (as well as one with Kamala). Looks like she’s trying to insulate herself against any charges for campaign finance violations.
And shame on Jennings for agreeing to pose with her.
Just…wow.
Can you post a link?