Mother Jones obtains Syrian government hit list containing thousands of names

producermatthew:

From Mother Jones:

A 718-page digital document obtained by Mother Jones contains names, phone numbers, neighborhoods, and alleged activities of thousands of dissidents apparently targeted by the Syrian government. Three experts asked separately by Mother Jones to examine the document—essentially a massive spreadsheet, whose contents are in Arabic—say they believe that it is authentic. As Bashar Al-Assad’s military continues a deadly crackdown on dissent inside the country, the list appears to confirm in explicit detail the scale of the regime’s domestic surveillance and its methodical efforts to destroy widespread opposition.

Read more…

I’m just going to stay quiet and try and let this whole thing blow over. I appreciate you approaching me to tell my side of the story, but I think the statement on Facebook and our site says all that I could and would like to at this time.

Former managing editor of “Onward State” Devon Edwards, in an email sent to me moment ago. Edwards resigned as managing editor after the organization published a report on former coach Joe Paterno’s death that was used without attribution by CBS Sports. The report was later refuted by a Paterno family spokesperson. (via producermatthew)

Unusual objects prompt lock down of White House

producermatthew:

DEVELOPING: “Smoking objects” found nearby have prompted the lock down of the White House, an agent has told POLITICO.  [POLITICO]

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were not at the White House at the time of the security incident.

UPDATE 9:38 ET: WRC, the NBC affiliate in Washington, reports the object may have been a smoke bomb. One thousand protesters are gathered nearby, but it’s unclear if the security scare is related. [WRC]