An internet mystery: Where did Obama’s statement about H.R. 6304 come from?
June 21, 2008 — NijmaBy now everyone is talking about the big shocker. Senator Barack Obama has reversed his previous opposition to FISA from back in February and now supports the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. The Obama statement has echoed around and around the echo chamber that is the blogosphere and everyone is reprinting it along with expressions of shock and dismay. How could Obama support retroactive immunity for the telecoms, they say? How could Obama support warrantless wiretapping and searches of offices and homes?
Only one thing bothers me. Where did Obama say it? Was it part of a speech or a question and answer session? It sounds too formal and tightly written to be off the cuff. Was it an official press release? Then why can’t I find it posted on either the Obama election website or the Obama’s official senate website? The mainstream media isn’t reporting it, and there isn’t even one video out there. I’m on the Obama email listserve–nothing there, just another “contribute” button.
The first blogger to post the statement seems to be Glen Greenwald–most blogs point back to that one. But does Greenwald speak for Obama? Where did Greenwald get the information?

You gotta love the Jordanians’ use of diplomatic language.
Why shoot the oryx? Shrug. Aren’t they protected by law? If the Jordanian government comes around and tries to stop us, they will get killed too. They know not to mess with us. But they’re almost extinct. Don’t you want to save them? Shrug. Is oryx good to eat? Slowly came the answer. Yes. But I bet that particular oryx wasn’t eaten; it was killed for sport. How do you convince someone from another culture of the value of preserving an entire species? What about tourists? If you have oryx here, won’t more tourists come and you will make more money showing them around in your landrover? No answer. Hmmm.
Faith. What is central and right for your life.
That’s the philosophy of photojournalist John H White, who never takes his finger off of life’s shutter button. He’s always ready to experience that moment he knows has been created especially for him–and 





