Alternative News

Is the Constitution Bailing Out the Banks?

"Scarcely touched by the nation’s housing recovery, Richmond is about to become the first city in the nation to try eminent domain as a way to stop foreclosures. The city plans to use eminent domain to buy both current and delinquent loans, with the city writing down the debt to allow homeowners to refinance at a new, lower amount through a government program. Naturally, the original lenders have warned that such a move will bring a host of lawsuits and halt mortgage lending in any city that adopts such an unconstitutional scheme. What promises to follow is a mess of epic proportions." Continue reading →

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Bailout Buffett: The Sage of Solar

"Buffett sees the light (no pun intended). He's decided to risk his own capital to help save us from the climate. Except, in this case, 'risk' is for suckers. California utilities are under legislative mandate to get 33% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Twenty-nine other states also have similar mandates. What can be better than circumventing the market, and having the law say that people must use your good or service? It's like having your own printing press! It gets even better for Buffett. Utilities are already signing contracts for the renewable energy. And guess what? The cost is way higher than current market prices." Continue reading →

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Texas deputy accused of raping mother in front of her children resigns

"A deputy in Texas accused of raping a woman in front of her children has resigned, according to KHOU 11 News. Lisa Rodriguez of of East Harris County told local media outlets earlier this week that the deputy came to her home to question her about harassing phone calls. During the questioning, the deputy allegedly sexually assaulted her in her own home. Rodriguez said the deputy, who has not been named, told her they should talk in a bedroom upstairs. She said the deputy then grabbed her hands and put them on his crotch. Rodriguez said the deputy told her if she resisted he would take her to jail." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas deputy accused of raping mother in front of her children resigns

Louisiana Deputies Bust Gays with Unconstitutional Sodomy Law

"Baton Rouge, Louisiana suffers from the eighth highest murder rate in the nation, and yet local law enforcement apparently considers it a top priority to conduct sting operations on gay men seeking consensual sex. According to an investigation by The Advocate, deputies have been going undercover and busting gay men using an anti-sodomy law the Supreme Court had declared unconstitutional ten years ago. (Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says he hadn't heard about the Supreme Court decision.) Meanwhile, the local murder rate has jumped 40 percent over the past decade." Continue reading →

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New “451″ Error Message Would Tell Users When Governments Block Websites

"If you don't think book burning is a fair analogy for blocked websites, may I remind you that the British Library's wi-fi filter recently blocked users from accessing Hamlet due to its 'violent' content. Over the years there's been a steady stream of reports of innocent websites getting swept up in overzealous copyright crackdowns, and free expression activists fear the same will happen under British Prime Minister David Cameron's controversial 'pornwall.' A UK consumer rights organization wants to create a new error message, called '451 unavailable,' to specify that a webpage wasn’t simply not there, it was ordered to be blocked." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew “451″ Error Message Would Tell Users When Governments Block Websites

Huge majority wants Clapper prosecuted for perjury

"In the Democratic states of California and Hawaii, 54 percent and 58 percent of voters, respectively, want him prosecuted. In middle-of-the-road Iowa, it’s 65 percent. And in Republican Texas and Kentucky, it is 68 percent and 69 percent, respectively. These are particularly striking numbers because the 'not sure' numbers are relatively small. in this case, the polls show relatively few voters expressing such a sentiment. That suggests not only that the NSA story has seeped into the national consciousness, but also that people are specifically aware of — and disgusted by — the rampant lying by the Obama administration." Continue reading →

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ACLU Coordinating Ed Snowden’s Defense

"While much in the press is focusing on the supposed squabble between Ed Snowden, his father and his father's lawyer, Glenn Greenwald points out the actual important news hidden as a random aside in some of the news reports: the ACLU is now coordinating Ed Snowden's legal defense in the US. The full WSJ article is behind a paywall, but it states: 'The elder Mr. Snowden participated in the chat from the Washington, D.C., office of his attorney, Bruce Fein, and was connected to his son with the help of Ben Wizner, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who is involved in coordinating Mr. Snowden's legal defense in the U.S.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingACLU Coordinating Ed Snowden’s Defense

ACLU Coordinating Ed Snowden’s Defense

"While much in the press is focusing on the supposed squabble between Ed Snowden, his father and his father's lawyer, Glenn Greenwald points out the actual important news hidden as a random aside in some of the news reports: the ACLU is now coordinating Ed Snowden's legal defense in the US. The full WSJ article is behind a paywall, but it states: 'The elder Mr. Snowden participated in the chat from the Washington, D.C., office of his attorney, Bruce Fein, and was connected to his son with the help of Ben Wizner, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, who is involved in coordinating Mr. Snowden's legal defense in the U.S.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingACLU Coordinating Ed Snowden’s Defense

Egyptian military vows lethal response ahead of nationwide ‘March of Anger’

"Egyptian authorities cited the need to protect state property and ensure people’s security as the reason for authorizing the use of lethal force against protesters. Earlier, US President Barack Obama canceled joint military exercises with Egypt in a sign of displeasure with the Cairo government’s crackdown. However, he made no moves to end or suspend annual US military aid of $1.3 billion to the country. According to the latest figures from the Egyptian Health Ministry, at least 638 people were killed and 3,994 injured after authorities destroyed pro-Morsi protest camps on Wednesday. At least 43 of those killed were security personnel." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgyptian military vows lethal response ahead of nationwide ‘March of Anger’