| Subject: Re: press release |
| From: Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> |
| Date: 1/31/11, 20:23 |
| To: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> |
Okay. You get head start as usual.Press ReleaseFor Immediate DistributionAnonymous1/31/2011You are now breathing manually.Six months ago, various law enforcement bodies began an investigation into some of our participants, many of whom have been instrumental in Anonymous' nearly month-long campaign to assist North African activists in their struggle for liberty. That investigation led to the serving of some 40 search warrants and subpeonas. Unlike those among the powerful whose own alleged crimes are dealt with in a manner somewhat more accomodating, most of those who had their equipment seized and their presences demanded are without the resources necessary to acquire any adequate defense.The world and its media should make no mistake about it; this is a David and Goliath situation. Or, rather, it would be such a thing were it not for the fact that that Anonymous has assembled a team of legal advisors including representatives from the National Lawyers Guild, a certain private practice attorney whose hobbies include arguing on cable, and several other parties that will be named in the coming days; that this nascent network has been assembled in less than 24 hours and will soon be joined by many others of similar expertise; and that meanwhile we shall take the opportunity to turn this grand jury investigation into a media circus the likes of which the U.S. has not seen in days, if not four or five of them. We will recruit for the benefit of our North African operations; we will pepper news outlets with avant garde press releases and off-color insults directed at Robert Gibbs; we will rally outside of the most pretentious restaurants in New York in costumes that make no sense to anyone present; and we will otherwise assist the global law enforcement community in their apparent quest to bring Anonymous the notoriety it needs if we are to finish our work in time for Elder Scrolls V, which we understand is to be set in Skyrim.We look forward to charming members of our world's sexually attractive press corp at irc.anonops.ru, #reporter. Feds, meanwhile should report to #feds.Anonymous
On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 12:03 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks. Will have revised version of press release to you later today.
On Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 11:46 AM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
Will do, thanks Barrett. I hop into #reporter when I get some time after I finish my Monday Morning Grind.Thanks!Patrick Funch
On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 7:52 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Actually, hold off till tomorrow afternoon on running that if you're going to. Got to do something first and will have additions.
On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 9:49 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Let me know if you want to run this first; otherwise, will go ahead and send out.Press ReleaseFor Immediate DistributionAnonymous1/30/2011You are now breathing manually.Six months ago, various law enforcement bodies began an investigation into some of our participants, many ofof whom have been instrumental in Anonymous' nearly month-long campaign to assist North African activists in their struggle for liberty. That investigation led to the serving of some 40 search warrants and subpeonas. Unlike those among the powerful whose own alleged crimes are dealt with in a manner somewhat more accomodating, most of those who had their equipment seized and their presences demanded are without the resources necessary to acquire any adequate defense.The world and its media should make no mistake aboout it; this is a David and Goliath situation. Or, rather, it would be such a thing were it not for the fact that hat Anonymous has assembled a team of legal advisors that has already come to include representatives of the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for Constitutional Rights, a certain gentlemen whose hobbies include arguing with Sean Hannity and cutting centuries off sentences, and a few other jurisprudential types, and that this nascent network has been assembled in less than 24 hours and will be joined by many others of similar expertise over the next week. Meanwhile we shall take the opportunity to turn this grand jury investigation into a mediak circus of the likes that the U.S. has not seen in days, if not four or five of them. We will recruit for the benefit of our North African operations; we will pepper news outlets with avant garde press releases and off-color insults directed at Robert Gibbs; we will rally outside of the most pretentious restaurants in New York in costumes that make no sense to anyone present; and we will otherwise assist the assembled nations in their apparent quest to bring Anonymous the attention it needs if it is to become the global movement that it was inevitably going to be anyway.We look forward to charming you at irc.anonops.ru, #reporter. We act a lot like John McCain used to back when he still acted like John McCain.Anonymous
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 4:48 PM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks Barrett!
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 1:41 PM, barri2009 <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
I e-mailed him with info just now and offered to put him in touch with others. Thanks again.Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:37:09 -0800To: Barrett Brown<barriticus@gmail.com>Subject: Re: press releaseYes, if you haven't already. Sorry for the slow response, I was grabbing some lunch.All of that info would make for a great story.Thanks,Patrick
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 1:19 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Patrick-Certainly. I can give him a call in a moment and then put him in touch with Campbell Vertesi, our main technical guy at Project PM (distributed think tank that launched Operation Swift Assist in conjunction with OpTunisia), which is going to be developing that dark net and related mediums with the help of top Anons recruited for the purpose. Should I call him now?
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 2:54 PM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Barrett,I just talked to one of our main reporters and they're doing a big story tonight if you have any new developments or things/quotes you would like to add. He was really interested in the communication situation and your black net might be something to bring up if you want a lot of attention on it.The reporter/anchor in question is Dale Yurong, he's a good man and a smart guy.You can reach him at (559)490-3252 or Dale.E.Yurong@abc.com.They definitely want to talk to you if you're interested.Regards my friend,Patrick
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 2:14 AM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for getting this out for us; I'll distribute it elsewhere tomorrow, via that link when possible.
On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 3:47 AM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/national_world&id=7924826
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 6:40 PM, barri2009 <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks. We have some things in the works and will provide you early openings on all of it. My column for al-jazeera should be appearing tomorrow.Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
From: Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com>Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:42:26 -0800To: <barriticus@gmail.com>Subject: Re: press releaseWill do, thanks for the good read. You're an excellent writer. Exciting to know someone else who has the ability to make an influence cares.Regards,Patrick
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 6:35 PM, barri2009 <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Actually, sorry; use the first version with that paragraph included, please.Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:16:55 -0600To: Patrick Funch<mrfunch@gmail.com>Subject: Re: press releaseSounds good, let me know if you need anything else. Also, here's my Guardian op-ed from earlier today, done with input from other Anons, in case you need further background. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jan/27/anonymous-internet?showallcomments=true#end-of-comments
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks, I talked with our news manager and a news producer so there's something in the works now.
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 7:11 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
We're now sending out another version sans the longest paragraph in the middle in case you'd care to replace.Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
January 27, 2011
Hello, world.
You are now breathing manually.
Over the last few weeks, North Africans have expressed an ardent desire for liberty, democracy, and justice for both themselves, and for the world. While most in the West responded witha mild interest and cynicism for which our culture has become rightly reviled, Anonymous responded with action. Beginning with Tunisia and continuing on to Egypt, thousands of world citizens have dedicated their lives to securing the liberty of others, providing tools, expertise, and long-sought encouragement to those who have already earned their rights by virtue of fighting for them.
When Tunisians bristled in indignation at the chains that have bound them for far too long, the world was silent. Anonymous was not, and thus the online venues of state propaganda were taken down and in some cases replaced with our own clear message that those who want our help will get it.
When protests erupted upon the occasion of one fruit vendor's bravery, the media ignored it. Anonymous did not, and thus Tunisians were provided with the Guide to Protecting the North African Revolutions.
When Wikileaks confirmed the cruelty and corruption of the Ben Ali regime, Western governments did nothing. Anonymous organized hundreds of Tunisians directly and thousands more indirectly.
It was the Tunisian people themselves that overcame the tyranny to which they had been subjected. They did so in the context of the digital reformation, with unprecedented assistance provided over a mere few weeks. Others will follow. Some have already begun.
History has consistently taught us that the revolutionary potential of each individual is never to be underestimated. That Mohamed Bouazizi, a simple fruit vendor, could set the flame of democratic change alight throughout the Middle-East surely defied the expectations of those presumptuous enough to believe that they could predict the path of history. We should be both inspired and humbled by the massive potential and responsibility revealed to exist within all of us by the actions of this previously unremarkable man. If he is forgotten, it will merely be due to having been followed by so many others.
That the Egyptian regime has reacted to the yearning of its citizens by shutting down the nation's communications is the smoking gun that should tell the world that communications are the key to liberty. That we live in the communications age should, and has been, of great alarm to all who love their power more than their people, or who consider themselves to be the only ones capable of governing the world around them. That they have failed to provide any real security should remind all concerned that such people are not only unnecessary to true security, but a perpetual threat to same.Such issues will be explored soon enough. In the meantime, we demand that all normal communications be restored to the people of Egypt by January 29th, 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time. That we have ocasion to make such a demand in the first place should be enough to convince all good men that the world needs revolution. That we have made it in full view of all men should be enough to convince them that we now have the means to back it up - not just against this regime, but against any and all parties that continue to prop it up even after it has conceded that the truth is its enemy.
Anonymous is a machine that harnesses the talent that other, lesser institutions often fail to acknowledge or incorporate. Man is a creature that builds institutions and thereafter loses his grip on them. Anonymous cures institutions that are dying and destroys institutions that ought to have died long ago.
All significant human activity is the result of human collaboration - including this very press release. And the means by which humans may collaborate has exploded - not expanded, not increased, but exploded - in such a way as to allow any man on earth to talk and work with any other man.
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 8:03 PM, Patrick Funch <mrfunch@gmail.com> wrote:
Will do, thanks. Editing now.
On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 6:02 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Do us a solid and correct the remaining spelling errors and we'll give your network a considerable head start. I'm exhausted froom writing propaganda all day.
Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
January 27, 2011
Hello, world.
You are now breathing manually.
Over the last few weeks, North Africans have expressed an ardent desire for liberty, democracy, and justice for both themselves, and for the world. While most in the West responded witha mild interest and cynicism for which our culture has become rightly reviled, Anonymous responded with action. Beginning with Tunisia and continuing on to Egypt, thousands of world citizens have dedicated their lives to securing the liberty of others, providing tools, expertise, and long-sought encouragement to those who have already earned their rights by virtue of fighting for them.
When Tunisians bristled in indignation at the chains that have bound them for far too long, the world was silent. Anonymous was not, and thus the online venues of state propaganda were taken down and in some cases replaced with our own clear message that those who want our help will get it.
When protests erupted upon the occasion of one fruit vendor's bravery, the media ignored it. Anonymous did not, and thus Tunisians were provided with the Guide to Protecting the North African Revolutions.
When Wikileaks confirmed the cruelty and corruption of the Ben Ali regime, Western governments did nothing. Anonymous organized hundreds of Tunisians directly and thousands more indirectly.
It was the Tunisian people themselves that overcame the tyranny to which they had been subjected. They did so in the context of the digital reformation, with unprecedented assistance provided over a mere few weeks. Others will follow. Some have already begun.
History has consistently taught us that the revolutionary potential of each individual is never to be underestimated. That Mohamed Bouazizi, a simple fruit vendor, could set the flame of democratic change alight throughout the Middle-East surely defied the expectations of those presumptuous enough to believe that they could predict the path of history. We should be both inspired and humbled by the massive potential and responsibility revealed to exist within all of us by the actions of this previously unremarkable man. If he is forgotten, it will merely be due to having been followed by so many others.
All protests such as the ones we have witnessed recently are inevitably wreathed with naysayers and cynics, but there should be no confusion about our intent. Some have described the actions of Anonymous as those of an "armchair revolutionary" sort. Such a description fails to take into account the massive power of communication technology in the modern age. It fails to recognise that the age of mass communication and information exchange has opened up a frontier of possibilities, for both those in authority and the people of the world. It inaccurately characterises the efforts of Anonymous as ineffectual and insinuates that the Egyptian people have gained nothing from our support. This is untrue, as Anonymous has been helping to spread information pertinent to the well-being of Egyptian protesters just as it has been attacking the administration's means of efficient communication. Both techniques are designed to increase the effectiveness of the protesters and decrease the ability of the Egyptian authority to stifle them.
That the Egyptian regime has reacted to the yearning of its citizens by shutting down the nation's communications is the smoking gun that should tell the world that communications are the key to liberty. That we live in the communications age should, and has been, of great alarm to all who love their power more than their people, or who consider themselves to be the only ones capable of governing the world around them. That they have failed to provide any real security should remind all concerned that such people are not only unnecessary to true security, but a perpetual threat to same.
Anonymous is a machine that harnesses the talent that other, lesser institutions often fail to acknowledge or incorporate. Man is a creature that builds institutions and thereafter loses his grip on them. Anonymous cures institutions that are dying and destroys institutions that ought to have died long ago.
All significant human activity is the result of human collaboration - including this very press release. And the means by which humans may collaborate has exploded - not expanded, not increased, but exploded - in such a way as to allow any man on earth to talk and work with any other man.
Such issues will be explored soon enough. In the meantime, we demand that all normal communications be restored to the people of Egypt by January 29th, 12:00 midnight, Eastern Standard Time. That we have ocassion to make such a demand in the first place should be enough to convince all good men that the world needs revolution. That we have made it in full view of all men should be enough to convince them that we now have the means to back it up - not just against this regime, but against any and all parties that continue to prop it up even after it has conceeded that the truth is its enemy.
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302