Yearly Archives: 2013

Sophisticated U.S. Arms Flowing to Jihadists

"Fox News is reporting a stunning theft of U.S. arms by jihadist salafists in Libya. This news item will be made much of by critics of Obama on the right. However, military and government blunders, cost overruns, unneeded weapons systems, and general mis-management are par for the course. Of more relevance is the light this sheds on the U.S. arms being shipped into Syria. There are no significant controls that prevent these arms from reaching the most terror-prone and jihadist elements among the Syrian rebels, whose numbers are large in proportion to all the rebels. This decision to ship arms was foolhardy from the get-go, and now it looks even more ill-conceived." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSophisticated U.S. Arms Flowing to Jihadists

Sophisticated U.S. Arms Flowing to Jihadists

"Fox News is reporting a stunning theft of U.S. arms by jihadist salafists in Libya. This news item will be made much of by critics of Obama on the right. However, military and government blunders, cost overruns, unneeded weapons systems, and general mis-management are par for the course. Of more relevance is the light this sheds on the U.S. arms being shipped into Syria. There are no significant controls that prevent these arms from reaching the most terror-prone and jihadist elements among the Syrian rebels, whose numbers are large in proportion to all the rebels. This decision to ship arms was foolhardy from the get-go, and now it looks even more ill-conceived." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSophisticated U.S. Arms Flowing to Jihadists

White House to Give Detroit $300 Million in Federal Aid

"Nearly $150 million of the proposed $300 million will go toward the demolition of Detroit’s many dilapidated and abandoned buildings. Another $140 million will go toward the city’s public transportation system, including renovations for buses (including more security cameras) and the city’s now-under construction light-rail system. Lastly, approximately $30 million will go toward hiring more firefighters to help the city deal with its arson problem and $3 million will go toward strengthening the city’s police force. But although the funds may come as a blessing, they won’t even come close to addressing the city’s $18 billion in liabilities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House to Give Detroit $300 Million in Federal Aid

White House to Give Detroit $300 Million in Federal Aid

"Nearly $150 million of the proposed $300 million will go toward the demolition of Detroit’s many dilapidated and abandoned buildings. Another $140 million will go toward the city’s public transportation system, including renovations for buses (including more security cameras) and the city’s now-under construction light-rail system. Lastly, approximately $30 million will go toward hiring more firefighters to help the city deal with its arson problem and $3 million will go toward strengthening the city’s police force. But although the funds may come as a blessing, they won’t even come close to addressing the city’s $18 billion in liabilities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House to Give Detroit $300 Million in Federal Aid

Private Probation Firm Illegally Extended Sentences, Judge Finds

"Last week, a Georgia county judge ruled that Sentinel Offender Service had illegally extended the sentence of Mantooth and potentially thousands of others who were required to pay the firm monthly probation fees, and was illegally ordering electronic monitoring for misdemeanor offenders — prohibited by state law — while charging probationers for their own monitoring. Other named plaintiffs in the pair of cases were hauled off to jail and/or subjected to electronic monitoring for alleged probation violations six years after their probation had ended for minor offenses like possession of marijuana and no proof of insurance." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrivate Probation Firm Illegally Extended Sentences, Judge Finds

Missouri cops now using 80,000-volt ‘stun cuffs’ on prisoners

"The Sheriff’s Department in Buchanan County, Missouri has begun using 80,000-volt enhanced handcuffs for prisoner transfers and some court appearances while dismissing potential safety concerns, KQTV-TV reported on Monday. The 'stun cuffs,' as they have been called, are tied around a prisoner’s arm or leg and can be operated via remote control from as far as 100 yards away. His department is currently using only two pairs, valued at $2,200 apiece, citing 'bugs and kinks' that need to be corrected before more are ordered. In one demonstration, an unidentified officer from another department was seen flailing on the ground after being shocked while wearing the device." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMissouri cops now using 80,000-volt ‘stun cuffs’ on prisoners

New trial for Florida mom serving 20-year term for shooting at wall

"The 1st District Court of Appeal ordered the retrial after ruling a judge had not properly instructed the jury that convicted Marissa Alexander. But the appeals court decided the judge properly blocked Alexander from using the state’s 'Stand Your Ground' law in her defense. The 33-year-old Jacksonville woman said she fired the bullet into a wall in 2010 to scare off her husband because he was threatening her. A jury rejected her self-defense claim and convicted Alexander of discharging a firearm, triggering the 20-year term under the state’s mandatory minimum guidelines for gun crimes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew trial for Florida mom serving 20-year term for shooting at wall

JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon negotiates fine amount with U.S.

"JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon held talks with the Department of Justice Thursday on a possible $11 billion deal to settle alleged violations, a source close to the matter said. Dimon and US Attorney General Eric Holder met in Washington amid intense negotiations to wrap up a slew of misbehavior allegations against JPMorgan, the biggest US bank by assets. Earlier this week reports said JPMorgan had offered $3 billion to the Justice Department to settle some or all of the charges it faces, against reported demands for $20 billion from the department. The talks focused on a number in the range of $11 billion, but the Justice Department has also reportedly insisted on the company admitting guilt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon negotiates fine amount with U.S.