Grapevine: Spy guy gets spied on
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...
Regime Change?
Iran has sentenced four Christians to 80 lashes for drinking communion wine.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FoxNews.com reports they were charged with consuming alcohol in violation of the theocracy's strict laws.
A new UN human rights report finds such persecution is common despite the pledge of Iran's new president said to be a moderate.
More than 300 Christians have been arrested since 2010.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The State Department says there are about 370,000 Christians in Iran.
Pay to Park
Seattle is forcing a 103-year-old woman to sell her parking lot near the waterfront to make way for -- wait for it -- a parking lot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox affiliate KCPQ reports the city had $30 million in state money to clear up parking issues related to a construction project.
Spokane resident Myrtle Woldson did not want to sell, but the city council voted unanimously to use the power of eminent domain -- to seize the land -- after paying Woldson what it calls fair market value.
Spy Guy
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Finally, the former head of the NSA and CIA gets a lesson in eavesdropping.
General Michael Hayden was talking on his cell phone aboard an Amtrak train Thursday.
A few seats away Tom Matzzie the former Washington director of MoveOn.org.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}For a brief period -- Matzzie tweeted furiously -- suggesting Hayden was giving reporters disparaging quotes about the Obama administration.
One of the tweets reads -- quote -- "On Acela listening to former NSA spy boss Michael Hayden give 'off record' interviews. I feel like I'm in the NSA. Except I'm in public."
Someone eventually tipped off Hayden -- who finished his call -- walked over to Matzzie and offered him a real interview.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}They reportedly spoke for a few minutes about the Fourth Amendment and NSA surveillance.
Hayden later told the Washington Post he was not criticizing the president and dismissed the tweets as the story of a liberal activist hearing snatches of conversation.