Yearly Archives: 2013

Federal food stamp recruiters operate on monthly quota system

"She curled her hair and painted her nails fluorescent pink. 'A happy, it’s-all-good look,' she said, checking her reflection in the rearview mirror. Then she drove along the Florida coast to sign people up for food stamps. It is Nerios’s job to enroll at least 150 seniors for food stamps each month. The job also has a second and more controversial purpose for cash-strapped Florida, where increasing food-stamp enrollment has become a means of economic growth, bringing almost $6 billion each year into the state. The money helps to sustain communities, grocery stores and food producers. It also adds to rising federal entitlement spending and the U.S. debt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFederal food stamp recruiters operate on monthly quota system

Ron Paul: If You Like The Surveillance State, You’ll Love E-Verify

"The mandatory E-Verify system requires Americans to carry a 'tamper-proof' social security card. Before they can legally begin a job, American citizens will have to show the card to their prospective employer, who will then have to verify their identity and eligibility to hold a job in the US by running the information through the newly-created federal E-Verify database. The database will contain photographs taken from passport files and state driver’s licenses. The law gives federal bureaucrats broad discretion in adding other 'biometric' identifiers to the database and broad authority to determine what features the 'tamper proof' card should contain." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: If You Like The Surveillance State, You’ll Love E-Verify

Feds, truckers clash over new safety rules expected to increase shipping costs

"The federal safety administration counters that nearly 4,000 truck crashes a year is still too many. The new rules, it maintains, will prevent about 1,400 crashes and 560 injuries, and save 19 lives each year, according to its analysis. The rules also come with a cost to the trucking industry. More breaks and time off the road means it will take more drivers—and more trucks to move the same volume of goods. That cost impact won't be felt right away because shipping volumes tend to slacken in the summer months and pick up again in the fall. So don't be surprised if you end up paying a little more for shipping when you do your holiday shopping online this year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds, truckers clash over new safety rules expected to increase shipping costs

Electronic Updatable License Plates Could Flash “STOLEN” Or “UNINSURED”

"A small company in South Carolina is attempting to introduce electronic license plate's for the state's cars and trucks. The plates are fairly simple: an electrophoretic display that can display certain bold words when necessary, like 'STOLEN' or 'UNINSURED.' The benefits of an electronic license plate are interesting. If a driver is doing something wrong, something other drivers should know about, the DMV can beam a sort of scarlet letter message to the license plate over an included wireless connection, like your smartphone has. But there are a few issues; for one, who knows how secure this system is?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingElectronic Updatable License Plates Could Flash “STOLEN” Or “UNINSURED”

Protesters in Egypt attack ruling party Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters after deadly clashes

"The headquarters of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood was overrun by youths who ransacked the building after those inside were evacuated on Monday following a night of violence that killed eight people. By far the bloodiest incident of Sunday’s mammoth and mostly peaceful protests against the Brotherhood and President Mohamed Mursi, it began after dark and continued for hours, with guards inside firing on youths hurling fire bombs and rocks. Medical sources said more than 100 people were wounded. A security source put the total number of dead across the country since Sunday at 17, with 781 injured." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingProtesters in Egypt attack ruling party Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters after deadly clashes

Kerry renews $1.3 billion aid package for Egypt

"Secretary of State John Kerry last month approved $1.3 billion in annual US military aid to Egypt, despite concerns over democratic progress by the country’s new government. On May 10, Kerry quietly approved the transfer of the annual aid, notifying the US Congress of his decision. Morsi’s opponents accuse him of governing in the interests of the Muslim Brotherhood, the party on whose ticket he ran in the presidential election. Psaki defended Kerry’s approval of aid for the fiscal year 2013 saying it was in US national security interests and helped such things as 'maintaining access to the Suez Canal and the interdiction of weapons smuggling.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKerry renews $1.3 billion aid package for Egypt

Kerry downplays new reports of NSA spying on allies

"Nearly all national governments, not just the United States, use 'lots of activities' to safeguard their interests and security, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday, responding for the first time to allegations that Washington spied on the European Union and other allies. The EU has strongly demanded that the United States explain a report in a German magazine that Washington is spying on the group, saying that, if true, the alleged surveillance was 'shocking'. The Guardian newspaper said that the United States had also targeted non-European allies including Japan, South Korea and India." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKerry downplays new reports of NSA spying on allies

Kerry: Snowden’s actions ‘despicable’

“Traveling in India, Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with NBC’s Catherine Chomiak.   Kerry said Edward Snowden’s actions are ‘beyond description’ and said he hopes Snowden is apprehended and faces the full weight of the U.S. legal system.” http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/52300721

Continue ReadingKerry: Snowden’s actions ‘despicable’

New Jersey Just Banned Trash Talking in High School Sports

"Starting this fall, high school students in New Jersey who taunt each other during games will be subject to investigation not only by the state's athletic association, but the state's government. Thanks to collaboration between NJSIAA, the New Jersey Attorney General, and the New Jersey Civil Rights Division, 'discriminatory conduct will also be reported to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and may result in further investigation.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Jersey Just Banned Trash Talking in High School Sports