Auditor Urges Safeguards as USDA Pays 6,336 Dead People

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture may have improperly paid as much as $36 million in aid to 6,336 dead people, according to government auditors who recommended stronger safeguards. Random sampling of USDA’s program rolls with the Social Security Administration’s master list of dead individuals found that 6,336 people got conservation aid, crop-insurance subsidies or disaster assistance more than one year after they had died from 2008 through 2012, the Government Accounting Office said today in a report. Payments to the dead 'may call into question whether these farm safety net programs are benefiting the agricultural sector as intended.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingAuditor Urges Safeguards as USDA Pays 6,336 Dead People

More Coloradans than ever are packing heat

"More Coloradans than ever are carrying concealed weapons, according to data from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which processed 31,518 background checks for concealed carry permits in the first six months of the year. That’s more than in all of 2011 and just 1,300 fewer than in all of 2012, according to the Denver Post. County sheriffs are responsible for issuing concealed carry permits and 55 of the state’s 64 sheriffs are suing Colorado to overturn what they see as overly restrictive gun control laws. These include a law mandating universal background checks and one limiting the size of ammunition magazines." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMore Coloradans than ever are packing heat

Increasing use of costly military-style equipment by NH law enforcement questioned

"Concord is poised to accept $258,000 in federal funding to buy an armored vehicle that police say would provide protection during a terrorist attack, riot or shooting incident. In its grant application to DHS, the police department said New Hampshire's experience with terrorism 'slants primarily towards the domestic type,' and said 'the threat is real and here.' 'Groups such as the Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters and Occupy New Hampshire are active and present daily challenges,' the application stated. In addition to organized groups, it cited 'several homegrown clusters that are anti-government and pose problems for law enforcement agencies.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingIncreasing use of costly military-style equipment by NH law enforcement questioned

How the Military Industrial Complex Targeted the Amash Amendment

"The NSA gave members of Congress private scare briefings. Former Attorney Generals and past 'spook agency' leaders signed an open letter of opposition. The Wall Street Journal attacked Amash as 'unqualified' to introduce such a bill. The Democratic Whip's office even suggested that the Amash amendment '...pertain[s] to persons who may be in communication with terrorist groups...' But the absolute worst tactic came from the House Republican leadership. They offered an amendment that would supposedly protect Americans from the PRISM system. Sounds good right? Well... It was a fraud designed to peel away support from Amash." Continue reading

Continue ReadingHow the Military Industrial Complex Targeted the Amash Amendment

New Hampshire Town Sues Over Meter Feeding

"A group of residents in Keene, New Hampshire thought the city was gaining a bad reputation for its predatory parking meter enforcement and decided to do something about it. The organized an effort to regularly feed coins into the meters so that other residents and visitors could avoid having an expensive ticket slapped on their windshield. Instead, they receive a card telling them that Robin Hood and the Merry Men have 'saved you from the king's tariff.' As a reward for their generosity, the city is suing the Robin Hooders for civil conspiracy to interfere with a contract. A hearing on the case is scheduled for August 12." Continue reading

Continue ReadingNew Hampshire Town Sues Over Meter Feeding

European envoy meets with Egyptian ex-president Morsi

"Egypt’s rulers allowed an EU envoy to meet deposed President Mohamed Mursi, the first time an outsider was given access to him since the army overthrew him and jailed him a month ago, and she said she found him in good health. The White House, treading a fine line with a pivotal Arab ally that it funds with $1.3 billion a year in military aid, said on Monday it 'strongly condemns' Saturday’s bloodshed, and urged respect for the right to peaceful protest. 'Violence not only further sets back the process of reconciliation and democratization in Egypt, but it will negatively impact regional stability,' spokesman Josh Earnest said." Continue reading

Continue ReadingEuropean envoy meets with Egyptian ex-president Morsi

Mass jail break in Pakistan as Taliban gunmen storm prison to free 250 inmates

"The attack in the city of Dera Ismail Khan showed the ability of the al Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban to strike at the heart of Pakistan’s heavily guarded prison system and walk away with dozens of senior Taliban fighters and commanders. The overnight assault on the Central Prison took place despite reports that regional officials had received intelligence days, if not weeks, ago suggesting such an attack was imminent. Officials blamed a combination of negligence and lack of communication among Pakistan’s many security agencies, but some suggested there may have been a degree of insider help." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMass jail break in Pakistan as Taliban gunmen storm prison to free 250 inmates

Bitcoin industry leaders launch DATA, a self-regulatory body for digital currencies

"The Committee for the Establishment of the Digital Asset Transfer Authority will 'work proactively with regulators and policymakers to adapt their requirements to our technologies and business models,' said the new group, in an announcement earlier today. The list of backers is a Who’s Who of players in bitcoin. Tony Gallipi, CEO of payment processor BitPay, Chris Larsen, CEO of Ripple and founder of OpenCoin, and Patrick Murck, general counsel for the Bitcoin Foundation, are on board. TradeHill CEO Jered Kenna, who has been negotiating licenses with individual states for his high-net worth bitcoin exchange, is also a member." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBitcoin industry leaders launch DATA, a self-regulatory body for digital currencies