Alternative News

U.S. Removed Mubarak Over Refusal To Allow Permanent Military, Spy Installations?

"Why did the US support both Mubarak and the opposition (April 6 Movement, Kifaya, etc.)? It is not as uncommon as it might seem. Aging and ailing Mubarak's rule was coming to an end anyway, Egypt's population was young and frustrated, and though the US did not necessarily wish to spoil its relationship with the Egyptian dictator it did seek maximum influence on the coming succession struggles. Additionally, as Mubarak explains in an interview this month, he was proving an irritation to the US over his refusal to allow permanent US military installations in Egypt and his refusal to allow the US to 'help' with establishing a communications network in Egypt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Removed Mubarak Over Refusal To Allow Permanent Military, Spy Installations?

Syrian Christians: ‘Why Is America at War with Us?’

"Syrian Christians are asking why the United States supports extremists who want to turn Syria into an Islamic state. That testimony came during a congressional hearing on Syria's religious minorities Tuesday. Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, testified that Islamic insurgents are targeting Christians for 'ethno-religious cleansing.' Christian Solidarity International CEO Dr. John Eibner said displaced Christians are asking him, 'Why is the U.S. at war against us?' Eibner said the United States should work with Russia to negotiate a peace rather than help Sunni Muslims turn the country into an Islamic state." Continue reading →

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Rampant Injustice in a Tullahoma “Terrorist” Case

"I have received an e-mail alerting me to the conviction of a black man from Tullahoma, Tennessee for making a threat, and he could receive 12-20 years in prison for doing so. Sentencing is in August. Lawmakers have literally created the crime of terrorism for possibly or allegedly ill-considered and/or extreme remarks made in a variety of emotional or mental states that include haste, anger, sarcasm, habit, ignorance, being under pressure, stress, the desire to fight back somehow, frustration, displacement, being under the influence of alcohol, or simply lack of restraint and bad judgment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRampant Injustice in a Tullahoma “Terrorist” Case

Another Black Man up on “Terrorist” Charges

"Michael C. Lewis, 25, is charged with discharging a firearm into a car and building. The result? He's charged with 'one count of going armed with intent and two counts of terrorism.' People sometimes go off, sometimes they commit crimes, sometimes they are career criminals, sometimes not. Justice requires making distinctions. But in no case should people be thrown into prison for 10 years or 20 years or 50 years, the possible terrorism penalty in this case, as a terrorism 'add-on' to all the other possible conventional crimes. Terrorism statutes with such penalties applied in such lax ways are in and of themselves cruel and unusual punishment." Continue reading →

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Audit Findings: State Lab Lies About Blood Alcohol Levels

"A recent audit of the state lab that conducts alcohol blood tests found that the laboratory skews test results in favor of prosecutors. So while drunk-driving laws are already utterly arbitrary and damaging for people don't even damage any person or property, it turns out that being sober by the state's standards won't even save you. The state will simply fudge the science or outright lie to favor itself." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAudit Findings: State Lab Lies About Blood Alcohol Levels

Dentists vs. Smiles

"Everyone wants an attractive smile, which is why teeth whitening is a rapidly growing industry. But thanks to lobbying by licensed dentists, Alabama—like a growing number of states—has made it a crime to sell teeth-whitening products, even if customers apply those products to their own teeth. Alabama is not the only state to shut down non-dentist teeth whiteners. In 2011, the Connecticut State Dental Commission outlawed the practice. In fact, at least 30 states have tried to shut down teeth-whitening entrepreneurs either through new statutes and regulations or through new interpretations of existing statutes." Continue reading →

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The Obamacare Problem Isn’t Messaging, It’s Statism

"The Obama administration and its health-law allies are gearing up this summer to slice through three years of confusion and opposition to Obamacare. They’ve got their work cut out for them. Obamacare won’t have a shot at success unless millions of people sign up for insurance — the healthy as well as the sick. …Organizing for Action, spun off from Obama’s campaign operation, went up with a seven-figure TV ad buy in June, touting the new benefits and promising to offer 'the truth' about the law. Enroll America, a nonprofit group with ties to the White House, wants to leverage the grass roots across the country and engage big-name celebrities for the cause." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Obamacare Problem Isn’t Messaging, It’s Statism

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 →

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Social Security: Muffling the Warning Bells

"It had to 'cover benefit payments, forcing the agency to tap its $2.7 trillion trust fund sooner than some had expected.' But how did it tap this Trust Fund? By selling assets. What assets? IOUs from the Treasury. Where did the Treasury get the money to pay the S.S.A.? From the general fund. Where did the general fund get this money? By borrowing it. Where will the Treasury get the money to pay this interest? From the general fund. Where will the general fund get it? Borrowing. When the agency says 'shortages of tax revenue,' it refers to FICA tax revenue. But there is also a shortage of tax revenues in the general fund. That is why there is an annual deficit." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSocial Security: Muffling the Warning Bells