Alternative News

After 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

"A couple weeks ago, the SEC issued its ruling on Title II of the JOBS Act – the first of two provisions needed before crowdfunding can go mainstream. Simply put, the SEC eliminated the ban on 'general solicitation.' For decades, this mandate forced startups, hedge funds and venture capitalists (VCs) to rely on word of mouth and other forms of private communication to raise funds. Starting this September, though, companies will be free to tell everyone about their businesses and solicit funding for them. Companies will still be limited to taking money from accredited investors and these investors will have to take extra steps to verify their accredited status." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter 237 Years, America is Finally “Free”

US Files Criminal Charges Against SAC For the Non-Crime Of Insider Trading

"US prosecutors brought criminal charges against SAC Capital, the hedge fund run by billionaire Steve Cohen, alleging the $15 billion fund engaged in 'systemic insider trading' for 11 years, reports FT. SAC was charged with one count of wire fraud and four counts of securities fraud. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of hundreds of millions of dollars in allegedly illegal profits. The fraud was 'substantial, pervasive and on a scale without known precedent in the hedge fund industry,' the government said in the indictment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Files Criminal Charges Against SAC For the Non-Crime Of Insider Trading

European Court Backs Journalist Harassed Over Speed Camera Criticism

"Ilze Nagla's prime-time Sunday television news program infuriated the Ministry of the Interior with coverage of the bungled photo enforcement procurement that became a national scandal. The government wanted details of the contract to operate 160 speed cameras to be kept secret. The deal was handed to the German firm Vitronic, which would take a 35 percent cut of the tickets. At 9:30pm on May 11, 2010, Nagla's home was ransacked by a plain-clothes police officer who pushed his way through her door. Two other officers joined in the search of her residence, taking her laptop, hard drives, memory cards and flash drives." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean Court Backs Journalist Harassed Over Speed Camera Criticism

8 arrested in Huntington Beach as surfing crowd trashes porta-potties after event

"Eight people were arrested Sunday night in Huntington Beach, California after a rash of mob violence following the conclusion of a surfing competition, KABC-TV reported. Local police told KABC the unrest began around 7:15 p.m. local time, about two hours after the end of the annual U.S. Open of Surfing event, when large fights broke out among the crowd of spectators, with the disturbances moving into the city’s downtown area as police moved in to disperse the revelers. Departments from nearby cities were called in for assistance, forcing streets to be closed down until the crowd was cleared out around 10 p.m." Continue reading →

Continue Reading8 arrested in Huntington Beach as surfing crowd trashes porta-potties after event

Shield Mutual: Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund Update

"As regular readers of the Shield Mutual blog know, Adam Kokesh is a customer of ours. We acted in his defense upon his instructions after his 18 May 2013 arrest, very briefly after his 8 June 2013 arrest and again recently after his 9 July 2013 arrest. Adam Kokesh is a valued customer of Shield Mutual. Here is a rundown of the legal defense fund we created, promoted and administered for Adam. Money is a sensitive topic and Shield Mutual is committed to operating with transparency and integrity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShield Mutual: Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund Update

Independent journalist Ben Swann now accepts Bitcoin for episode funding

"For two and half years I have heard day after day about media blackout, about corporations having too much control over media, about the need for honesty and truth. I have heard about how the American public is asleep and there is no one in MSM speaking about the issues of our disappearing liberties, no one to push back against the left/right paradigm. What I have done is stepped out in response to what millions of Americans from the Tea Party and Occupy movements, from independents to the fast growing Liberty movement have been crying out for. The opportunity is here… not MY opportunity, YOUR opportunity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIndependent journalist Ben Swann now accepts Bitcoin for episode funding

Ex-Obama Aide (Stupidly) Dismisses Glenn Greenwald as a Fake Journalist

"Steven Rattner, a former member of Barack Obama's Treasury Department, appeared on the news show Morning Joe on Monday offering an opinion about The Guardian's Glenn Greenwald, the journalist who broke the story about NSA spying. Rattner's opinion? Greenwald isn't a journalist. This is apparently because Rattner may not have seen how Greenwald's reporting has shifted public opinion and moved public policy. Rattner may actually be unaware of what journalists do. Perhaps this blind spot is because the journalists he hangs out with work for Morning Joe." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEx-Obama Aide (Stupidly) Dismisses Glenn Greenwald as a Fake Journalist

‘It was like a firing squad’: Deputies shoot Florida man in his own front yard

"Middleton told the News Journal that two deputies shot him early Saturday morning when he turned to face them while getting a cigarette out of his mother’s car, saying he was bent over inside the car when he was ordered to 'get your hands out where [the shooter] could see them.' The News Journal reported that a neighbor called authorities after seeing someone reaching into the car, prompting the unidentified deputies to respond to what they thought was a burglary in progress. The two deputies have been put on paid leave. Middleton told the News Journal the deputies did not check the license plate on the car or provide an explanation for their actions." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘It was like a firing squad’: Deputies shoot Florida man in his own front yard

A History of Cronyism and Capture in the Information Technology Sector

"Not only does it deny consumers more and better products and services, but they also may pay higher prices or higher taxes extracted by the corporate-government agreement. Moreover, economic growth slows as entrepreneurs pursue unproductive influence and capture activities rather than productive entrepreneurship. Cronyism also raises the specter of greater government control of the Internet and of the digital economy more generally. When policymakers dispense favors, they usually expect something in return. They may also become accustomed to having greater informal powers over the sector receiving favors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA History of Cronyism and Capture in the Information Technology Sector

Dr. Joseph Bonneau Wins NSA Award, Calls For NSA To Be Abolished

"Engineers and researchers like Bonneau have a unique and important role to play in fighting back against NSA oversteps. As Michael Hirsh noted in the Atlantic last month, tech companies have contributed enormously to wiring up Big Brother -- companies like Palantir Technologies, Eagle Alliance (of Computer Sciences Corp. and Northrup Grumman) and Booz Allen Hamilton. The only way the government gets to spy on everyone is when people who are intelligent and innovative enough to build scalable surveillance technologies decide to help them. Hopefully Bonneau’s example will inspire more cryptographers and security engineers to speak out." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDr. Joseph Bonneau Wins NSA Award, Calls For NSA To Be Abolished