TheDC Morning

TheDC Morning: Lives vs Liberty

Jamie Weinstein Senior Writer
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1.) Lives vs Liberty — Revelations that there is a government program collecting phone data from American users of Verizon has caused concern and even outrage among many on the Hill. But one Hill Republican attests that lives have been saved because of the program. TheDC’s Alexis Levinson reports:

“Rep. Mike Rogers, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said Thursday that the National Security Agency’s monitoring of Verizon users’ phone records had helped to successfully prevent a ‘significant domestic terrorist attack.’ The Washington Post reported Rogers’ comments at a press conference on Capitol Hill. The attempted attack, Rogers said, had been ‘within the last few years.’ He declined to speak further about the attack, saying the information was classified, but said efforts were underway to declassify the information.”

Perhaps the most fundamental conflict in governance is how much freedom we are willing to give up to gain more security. Has the government gone to far? The debate goes on.

2.) Chris Hayes revamps show — In another satirical scoop, TheDC’s Jamie Weinstein and Will Rahn have obtained secret emails between Chris Hayes and MSNBC President Phil Griffin. In the faux emails, Hayes complains about the lack of bicycle security at MSNBC and proposes some changes to his show. Hayes fictionally writes:

“For instance, Faux News does something called a “Body Language” segment in which Bill O’Liely brings on a body language expert to dissect the news. We’re planning a somewhat similar — though not wholly analogous — segment in which we bring on gender studies scholars to analyze gender stereotypes that permeate the news. To ease any concern you may have about fairness, the scholars will subject my own show to the same scrutiny they do others. Also, on Fridays, I want to do more international news, including a segment in which we investigate how colonialism has adversely effected the development of various countries. Our analysis will not be limited to the overt colonialism of the past, but will also incorporate the current brand of stealth colonialism we know as American hegemony.”

See the whole exchange. If you so choose, laugh intermittently while doing so.

3.) Albanian antics — President Obama has admirers in Albania — and one of them was willing to do a lot to get a picture with him. TheDC’s Patrick Howley reports:

“An Albanian politician under investigation for corruption arranged a $10,000 contribution to President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in order to set up a photo opportunity between Obama and the leader of the Socialist Party of Albania. Edi Rama, the Socialist party candidate for prime minister in Albanian elections later this month, was photographed with the president at an October 2012 fundraiser. Rama has been heavily promoting this appearance with the U.S. leader in the apparent hope that it will help the Socialists gain power in the election. What Rama doesn’t mention is that the photo was arranged with the help of  a $10,000 Obama campaign contribution made by an Albanian resident of New Jersey.”

4.) Knife auction — A special knife is being auctioned for a good cause.  TheDC’s Mike Piccione reports:

“Ten days before famed Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle was killed he sat down with knife-maker Ernest Emerson to design a knife. It was a perfect match, bringing together the right men to make a warrior’s blade. Instead of creating a knife designed by Kyle, Emerson has created a knife as a memorial to him that will be auctioned off, with the proceeds being donated to Chris’s family. …The auction will close on June 8, 2013. To view the knife or participate in the auction please click here.

5.) Tweet of Yesterday — Albert Brooks: Dear N.S.A.-I only googled “bomb” because I wanted to see what time After Earth was playing.

6.) Today in North Korean News — BREAKING: “Greetings to King of Sweden”

VIDEO: Watch this Chris Christie aide conduct a mic check like a total bro

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Jamie Weinstein