Alternative News

Snowden Is No Traitor: 55% to 34%

"In a massive shift in attitudes, voters say 45 – 40 percent of the government’s anti-terrorism efforts go too far in restricting civil liberties, a reversal from a January 14, 2010 survey, when voters said 63 – 25 percent that such activities didn’t go far enough. Almost every party, gender, income, education, age and income group regards Snowden as a whistle-blower rather than a traitor. The lone exception is black voters, with 43 percent calling him a traitor and 42 percent calling him a whistle-blower. There is a gender gap on counter-terrorism efforts as men say 54 – 34 percent they have gone too far and women say 47 – 36 percent they have not gone far enough." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden Is No Traitor: 55% to 34%

On the Ground in Cyprus with Doug Casey

"Cyprus is perhaps the best most-recent example of the actions that a desperate government can take—and why you need to internationalize your savings, yourself, your income, and your digital presence. As you are no doubt aware, earlier this year on a seemingly ordinary Saturday morning (when most people would least suspect it), the government of Cyprus swiftly closed the banks, imposed capital controls, and announced a confiscation of customer deposits. While these actions came as a surprise to many, it should not have. The actions of a desperate government usually follow a predictable pattern and can happen in any country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOn the Ground in Cyprus with Doug Casey

Obama’s Auto Industry Bailouts in 2009: Taxpayers Lose, Big Time

"Despite surges in revenue and a catalog of new vehicles produced by the U.S. auto industry, taxpayers are still suffering from the 2009 bailouts, as General Motors (GM) would have to peddle their stock for $95.51 per share for taxpayers to break even, according to a government watchdog report published Wednesday. Even with a 25-percent spike in the price this year, that’s still well over twice what shares are selling for today, with the price currently lingering around $37 per share — meaning there’s little faith that taxpayers will break even on the nearly $50-billion GM bailout." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama’s Auto Industry Bailouts in 2009: Taxpayers Lose, Big Time

The “I Thought Bonds Were Safe” Fallacy…

"Now remember, Bernanke didn’t change rates, he just implied that rates may increase in the future. The market, however, took that rhetoric and ran. Accordingly, the bond market fell. For instance, from its high around May 1st the 30-year treasury market has fallen some 9%. Nine….freaking….percent. That’s a huge move for a seemingly steady and professional market like bonds. It’s also a devastating move to risk-averse bond investors (like my dad.) All said, safety seekers got burned. And you can thank the 'Ber-nank.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe “I Thought Bonds Were Safe” Fallacy…

China “offers sturdy floor” in gold: UBS

"In China – now the world's second-largest economy, and likely to overtake India as world No.1 gold consumer in 2013 – private household demand for gold bullion 'does hold the promise of a sturdy price floor' says a note from fellow Swiss investment bank and London market-maker UBS. Moreover, 'In China banks are setting up and/or growing gold accumulation plans offered to the public. Better and easier access to gold via banks' growing networks combined with strong appetite from retail customers have driven the tremendous appetite from China this year.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina “offers sturdy floor” in gold: UBS

Washington, D.C.’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens Blocks From Capitol

"Warren's purchase came 15 years after nearly 70 percent of residents of the nation's capital passed a ballot measure allowing the drug for prescription medical use. Congress repeatedly blocked implementation until 2009, and the city council moved forward with a unanimous vote to allow doctors to prescribe pot for certain chronically ill patients. Now, the city has licensed three dispensaries to sell pot and six cultivation centers to grow the plants. Capital City Care executives said they hoped D.C.'s strict regulations, allowing only patients with HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, severe muscle spasms and cancer to receive medical marijuana, will spare them from federal prosecution." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington, D.C.’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens Blocks From Capitol

Oakland to ban hammers, wrenches, tripods, walking canes, shields and other ‘tools of vandalism’ during ‘protests’

"The city of Oakland, California now wants to ban any object that could be used as a 'tool of vandalism,' including hammers, wrenches, slingshots, shields and presumably anything else with a blunt edge such as garden rakes or sticks. It's all part of Oakland's response to recent protests in which angry mobs of people caused significant damage to local businesses (because angry mobs tend to loot and burn their own neighborhoods first). The city claims these objects will be illegal to possess during a 'protest,' but there is no official definition of a 'protest,' meaning the police can invoke the ordinance any time they wish." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOakland to ban hammers, wrenches, tripods, walking canes, shields and other ‘tools of vandalism’ during ‘protests’

Free Barrett Brown – 321 Days In Detention Pending Trial

"Having previously been raided by the FBI on March 6, 2012 and not charged with any crime in relation to that incident, on September 12, 2012 Barrett Brown was again raided and this time arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation while he was online participating in a Tinychat session. He was subsequently denied bail and detained without charge and adequate medical treatment for over two weeks while in the custody of US Marshals. On December 4, 2012 Barrett was indicted by a federal grand jury on twelve additional counts related to data from the Stratfor breach. He faces these charges simply for allegedly pasting a hyperlink online." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFree Barrett Brown – 321 Days In Detention Pending Trial

Statement by Julian Assange on Verdict in Bradley Manning Court-Martial

"Today Bradley Manning, a whistleblower, was convicted by a military court at Fort Meade of 19 offences for supplying the press with information, including five counts of ’espionage’. He now faces a maximum sentence of 136 years. The ’aiding the enemy’ charge has fallen away. It was only included, it seems, to make calling journalism ’espionage’ seem reasonable. It is not. Bradley Manning’s alleged disclosures have exposed war crimes, sparked revolutions, and induced democratic reform. He is the quintessential whistleblower. This is the first ever espionage conviction against a whistleblower. It is a dangerous precedent." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStatement by Julian Assange on Verdict in Bradley Manning Court-Martial

One-Man Stand Against Police Checkpoints: Joe Draego

"The phrase 'Your papers, please' has no place in a free republic. Joe Draego of Charlottesville, Virginia is among the brave and principled people who have challenged the legitimacy of police checkpoints. In early July, Mr. Draego was stopped at a checkpoint set up near his home and refused to comply when a police officer demanded to see his ID. He joins us today to explain what happened next -- and why he took the stand that he did." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOne-Man Stand Against Police Checkpoints: Joe Draego