Yearly Archives: 2013

US Attorney files dismissal of Swartz’s case, refuses to comment on his death

"Despite Swartz’s family literally placing the blame for his death on the state, and both MIT and JSTOR releasing public statements that were largely positive in how they portrayed him, a spokesperson for Ortiz told the Los Angeles Times, 'We want to respect the privacy of the family and do not feel it is appropriate to comment on the case at this time.' After a year and a half of state harassment, the threat of over 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine hanging over Swartz’s head, after both JSTOR and MIT dropped their criminal charges, the government went after Swartz like a rabid dog – and got a kill." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Attorney files dismissal of Swartz’s case, refuses to comment on his death

“Gun Control for the Children?” Sorry, No Sale.

"It’s not difficult to see why politicians support 'gun control,' which is more accurately described as 'victim disarmament.' What predator wouldn’t prefer that its prey lack teeth or claws? In Barack Obama’s world, events like the Newtown massacre are a small price to pay for the uncontested ability to do wholesale what Adam Lanza did retail. What’s hard to understand is why we’ve put up with the predator for so long. In the 20th century alone, governments murdered in excess of 260 million people, and that’s an extremely low-end estimate." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“Gun Control for the Children?” Sorry, No Sale.

Former Chicago cop gets 19 years in Latin Kings case

"A former veteran Chicago police officer was sentenced to 19 years in prison Friday for stealing drugs, cash and guns for the Latin Kings street gang often while on-duty. Guerrero pleaded guilty in August to taking part in seven robberies or burglaries of Latin King rivals between 2004 and 2006 with Officer Antonio C. Martinez Jr. in Hammond, East Chicago and Highland. Martinez also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Chicago cop gets 19 years in Latin Kings case

Chicago committee to consider settling cop misconduct cases for nearly $33M

"The settlement in the Eilman case would avert a trial detailing the events of May 2006, when the then-21-year-old California woman was arrested at Midway Airport in the midst of a bipolar breakdown. She was held overnight and then released at sundown the next day without assistance several miles away in one of the city's highest-crime neighborhoods. Alone and bewildered by her surroundings, the former UCLA student was abducted and sexually assaulted before plummeting from a seventh-floor window. She survived but suffered a severe and permanent brain injury, a shattered pelvis, and numerous other broken bones and injuries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChicago committee to consider settling cop misconduct cases for nearly $33M

Study: Democracy in decline around the world

"Democracy around the world was in decline in 2012 for the seventh year in a row as the Arab Spring led nervous autocratic leaders to clamp down on any stirrings of dissent, a study said Wednesday. The annual report by the Freedom House non-governmental organization found 90 countries now enjoyed full freedom, up from 87 nations in 2011, but 27 places saw new restrictions on rights of assembly, expression, and the media." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudy: Democracy in decline around the world

Oregon sheriff writes Biden to say he won’t enforce new gun laws

"An Oregon sheriff wrote Vice President Joe Biden announcing his refusal to enforce any new gun safety legislation placing restriction on semi-automatic weaponry, saying they would 'infringe upon the liberties of responsible citizens who have broken no laws.' According to KOIN-TV, Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller said he is unsure Biden will actually read the letter, in which he accuses lawmakers of 'attempting to exploit the deaths of innocent victims by advocating for laws that would prevent honest, law abiding Americans from possessing certain firearms and ammunition magazines.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOregon sheriff writes Biden to say he won’t enforce new gun laws

Here’s The List of 23 Anti-Gun Executive Actions President Obama Announced Today

"Gun Violence Reduction Executive Actions. Today, the President is announcing that he and the Administration will: 1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system. 2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system..." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s The List of 23 Anti-Gun Executive Actions President Obama Announced Today

The Case for the Bitcoin Cryptocurrency

"Bitcoin takes the basic theorem that anything that be done with a trusted authority can be done without a trusted authority and applies the theorem to the combined fields of cryptography and currency, which is now known as cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency that exists today. Bitcoin is a free open source peer-to-peer electronic cash system that is completely decentralized, without the need for a central server or trusted parties. Users hold the crypto keys to their own money and transact directly with each other, with the help of a P2P network to check for double-spending." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Case for the Bitcoin Cryptocurrency

Vatican Goes ‘Cash Only’ Because of Lack of Money-Laundering Controls

"Museums and businesses in the Holy See have been declining credit card and debit card purchases following a decision by the Bank of Italy that is reportedly linked to concerns over inadequate money-laundering controls. Cash machines have also been shut down after the Italian central bank refused authorization for Deutsche Bank’s Italian unit to continue operating services it provided within the Vatican’s walls. The banking freeze, which has prompted the move to cash-only transactions, has prompted speculation in the Italian press that a fresh scandal is about to erupt involving the ministate’s still-shadowy finances." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVatican Goes ‘Cash Only’ Because of Lack of Money-Laundering Controls