Monthly Archives: July 2013

Abuse at Ecuadorian ‘gay conversion’ drug rehabs shocks authorities

"The country of 15.8 million people has at least 80 unlicensed drug and alcohol rehab clinics, many that are also used for anti-gay conversion therapy, Health Minister Carina Vance, who is openly gay, said. Two people died last year at the clandestine centers, she told foreign reporters. Authorities say the inhumane practice is a wide-ranging problem that has ensnared even government officials — such as the health ministry official who was recently the subject of a criminal complaint after it emerged she owned a clandestine clinic offering therapy against homosexuality. Ecuadoran law authorizes forced treatment for addicts with approval from a judge." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAbuse at Ecuadorian ‘gay conversion’ drug rehabs shocks authorities

Refugees detail widespread abuse at Australian asylum camp

"Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke described as 'horrific' explosive claims that asylum-seekers at one of its processing camps in Papua New Guinea are being raped and tortured. A former senior official at the Manus Island facility also detailed 'almost daily' self-harm and attempted suicides while warning weapons were being accumulated in readiness for a break-out attempt. The allegations come just days after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that the facility would be massively expanded to accommodate 3,000 people, from the original 600, as part of a new hardline plan to send all asylum-seeker arrivals to Papua New Guinea." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRefugees detail widespread abuse at Australian asylum camp

After 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

"A couple weeks ago, the SEC issued its ruling on Title II of the JOBS Act – the first of two provisions needed before crowdfunding can go mainstream. Simply put, the SEC eliminated the ban on 'general solicitation.' For decades, this mandate forced startups, hedge funds and venture capitalists (VCs) to rely on word of mouth and other forms of private communication to raise funds. Starting this September, though, companies will be free to tell everyone about their businesses and solicit funding for them. Companies will still be limited to taking money from accredited investors and these investors will have to take extra steps to verify their accredited status." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

US Files Criminal Charges Against SAC For the Non-Crime Of Insider Trading

"US prosecutors brought criminal charges against SAC Capital, the hedge fund run by billionaire Steve Cohen, alleging the $15 billion fund engaged in 'systemic insider trading' for 11 years, reports FT. SAC was charged with one count of wire fraud and four counts of securities fraud. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of hundreds of millions of dollars in allegedly illegal profits. The fraud was 'substantial, pervasive and on a scale without known precedent in the hedge fund industry,' the government said in the indictment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Files Criminal Charges Against SAC For the Non-Crime Of Insider Trading

A Nation of Rules: The US Justice System

"Edward Lamar Young knew he should not be committing crimes of burglary, especially after he already had served time in Tennessee prison more than 15 years earlier for the same thing. He had promised to 'go straight' after his 1996 release and had done so until 2011, when he 'fell off the wagon' and stole some items from cars and a business warehouse. However, he sits in federal prison for 15 years and never was prosecuted for burglary. Why? He had some shotgun shells in his possession (he did not have a shotgun in which to use them) and according to federal law, a person with any criminal conviction cannot own either firearms or ammunition." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Nation of Rules: The US Justice System

The American Surveillance State Is Here. Can It Be Evaded?

"On any given day, the average American going about his daily business will be monitored, surveilled, spied on and tracked in more than 20 different ways, by both government and corporate eyes and ears. Whether you’re walking through a store, driving your car, checking email, or talking to friends and family on the phone, you can be sure that some government agency, whether the NSA or some other entity, is listening in and tracking your behavior. Erected in secret, without any public input, these surveillance programs amount to an electronic concentration camp which houses every single person in the United States today." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe American Surveillance State Is Here. Can It Be Evaded?

European Court Backs Journalist Harassed Over Speed Camera Criticism

"Ilze Nagla's prime-time Sunday television news program infuriated the Ministry of the Interior with coverage of the bungled photo enforcement procurement that became a national scandal. The government wanted details of the contract to operate 160 speed cameras to be kept secret. The deal was handed to the German firm Vitronic, which would take a 35 percent cut of the tickets. At 9:30pm on May 11, 2010, Nagla's home was ransacked by a plain-clothes police officer who pushed his way through her door. Two other officers joined in the search of her residence, taking her laptop, hard drives, memory cards and flash drives." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean Court Backs Journalist Harassed Over Speed Camera Criticism

8 arrested in Huntington Beach as surfing crowd trashes porta-potties after event

"Eight people were arrested Sunday night in Huntington Beach, California after a rash of mob violence following the conclusion of a surfing competition, KABC-TV reported. Local police told KABC the unrest began around 7:15 p.m. local time, about two hours after the end of the annual U.S. Open of Surfing event, when large fights broke out among the crowd of spectators, with the disturbances moving into the city’s downtown area as police moved in to disperse the revelers. Departments from nearby cities were called in for assistance, forcing streets to be closed down until the crowd was cleared out around 10 p.m." Continue reading →

Continue Reading8 arrested in Huntington Beach as surfing crowd trashes porta-potties after event

Hundreds of fast food workers strike in New York for a ‘living wage’

"Hundreds of workers at McDonald’s and other fast food outlets across New York went on strike Monday for higher wages in a movement organizers hope will spread nationwide. Sporadic walkouts left managers to serve customers at flagship McDonald’s outlets on Times Square and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Organizers said the strike had hit around 60 restaurants operated by McDonald’s, Wendy’s, KFC and Burger King across the New York area. The striking workers are demanding the introduction of a standard wage of $15/hour, more than twice the $7.25 minimum wage that many fast food employees earn here." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHundreds of fast food workers strike in New York for a ‘living wage’

Shield Mutual: Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund Update

"As regular readers of the Shield Mutual blog know, Adam Kokesh is a customer of ours. We acted in his defense upon his instructions after his 18 May 2013 arrest, very briefly after his 8 June 2013 arrest and again recently after his 9 July 2013 arrest. Adam Kokesh is a valued customer of Shield Mutual. Here is a rundown of the legal defense fund we created, promoted and administered for Adam. Money is a sensitive topic and Shield Mutual is committed to operating with transparency and integrity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShield Mutual: Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund Update