Terrorist', noun: 1. Someone my government tells me is a terrorist; 2. Someone my President decides to kill.

[I]f you want instant, reflexive support for the US government's police and military powers, MSNBC is the place to turn these days.

Even as considering African-Americans, immigrants and other groups who may be marginalized in different ways, American Muslims are still one of the most marginalized groups. Overt prejudice is probably more acceptable toward American Muslims than any other single group in the U.S. There is still a lot of policies in place that are incredibly effective that don't show any signs of eroding. So, I don't want to overstate the optimism but I think things are headed gradually in the right direction. Just because of the distance between us and 9/11.

It's so much easier to debate people when you can pretend that they hold moronic position that they don't actually believe.

All of the evidence highlights the implicit bargain that is offered to citizens: pose no challenge and you have nothing to worry about. Mind your own business, and support or at least tolerate what we do, and you'll be fine. Put differently, you must refrain from provoking the authority that wields surveillance powers if you wish to be deemed free of wrongdoing. This is a deal that invites passivity, obedience, and conformity. The safest course, the way to ensure being “left alone,” is to remain quiet, unthreatening, and compliant.

Many of the most important stories in the history of modern journalism have come from sources who have taken information without authorization.

The same president who has insisted that core moralism drives him has brought America to its lowest moral standing in history.