Bandit Gang Writ Large

Swiss court OKs Credit Suisse client data transfer to IRS

"Switzerland's highest court ruled on Friday that Swiss bank Credit Suisse was free to transfer data to US authorities concerning clients suspected of tax dodging, ending a long series of legal challenges. In its decision, the Alpine country's Federal Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Credit Suisse clients and gave its blessing to a request made in 2011 by Washington for data on clients suspected of evading US taxes. The federal court on Friday ruled that Washington's broad request 'was not a fishing expedition' even though the request did not specifically name the suspected clients." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwiss court OKs Credit Suisse client data transfer to IRS

Argentina Applies Law That Jails Hoarders as Bread Price Surges

'Interior Commerce Secretary Guillermo Moreno announced the measure in the official gazette today. The 1974 law allows authorities to freeze prices and obliges companies to maintain supply. Those in breach are subject to fines and imprisonment. 'If the law on supply is applied, the one who should go to jail is Moreno himself,' former Economy Minister Martin Lousteau said in an interview with Radio Mitre today. 'He’s to blame for the lack of wheat in Argentina.' Argentine wheat production has decreased since 2006, when President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s predecessor and late husband Nestor Kirchner set export quotas." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArgentina Applies Law That Jails Hoarders as Bread Price Surges

Texting while judging: Judge texted assistance to prosecutors during trial(s)

"Not only is the judge who texted advice to prosecutors still on the bench, the assistant prosecutor accused of passing on her texts has herself been elected state district judge! Further evidence that the mechanisms for holding prosecutors and judges accountable for misconduct in Texas simply aren't effective or functional. A report by a court observer from the DA's office found that this was 'not the first time' the judge had provided such ex parte assistance and the lead prosecutor said her second chair was 'in her ear all the time regarding information she believes to be given her by Judge Coker via text during trial,' not just in this case but in others." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexting while judging: Judge texted assistance to prosecutors during trial(s)

Hey, scofflaws! Police union cards available on eBay

"Buying a 'get out of jail free' card is just a mouse click away. Police union cards that cops hand out to friends and family free of charge are selling on eBay for as much as $100 a pop, even though the resale of the coveted plastic is strictly prohibited by the unions. The cards are often used to get out of minor jams like speeding tickets or parking violations — flashing one with your driver’s license is a way of suggesting you’re a member of law enforcement or at least related to someone who is. One eBay seller, 'anonymous1234567,' pointed out that some cards — like the 2013 LBA card he sold to The Post for $100 — work better than others." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHey, scofflaws! Police union cards available on eBay

Dissolve the Federal Government

"I cannot be comprehensive, but I can mention a few reasons why you'll be better off without the Federal Government (which is the U.S.A.). You won't pay any federal taxes. This includes the Social Security tax, the income tax, any tariffs, any excise taxes, any Medicare taxes, telephone taxes, gift taxes, inheritance taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, and others. You won't have to use fiat money. You won't have to support a bloated military/industrial complex, an agricultural complex, an education complex, a Wall Street complex, a banking complex, a scientific complex, or any federal crony capitalist complex. Your won't have to worry so much about foreign wars." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDissolve the Federal Government

Delay in Obamacare requirement puts onus on the honor system

"Delaying the 'employer mandate' already means the government is giving up potential revenue next year, as businesses whose employees buy subsidized coverage on an Obamacare exchange would be fined $3,000 per person. In addition, without the reporting requirements of the employer mandate in 2014, 'the exchanges and the IRS will not be able to verify whether someone’s coverage is unaffordable' and thus whether the person is eligible for subsidies, said law professor Timothy Jost of Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia. That leaves it up to individual consumers to be honest about what they do, or do not, qualify for." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDelay in Obamacare requirement puts onus on the honor system

Virginia: $10 Million Red Light Camera Caught With Short Yellow

"One of the most profitable red light camera intersections in Virginia Beach, Virginia has been pulling in millions based from faulty engineering. The automated ticketing machine at the corner of Great Neck Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard generated $10 million worth of red light camera tickets, only to see profits tumble 64 percent when the yellow signal timing was extended by half-a-second in January. The longer yellows provide only partial relief, as the city and its for-profit vendor Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia have issued 92 percent of the tickets to drivers turning right on red in a perfectly safe manner." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVirginia: $10 Million Red Light Camera Caught With Short Yellow

Senator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

"'Our law is clear: U.S. aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree,' Leahy added. 'As we work on the new budget, my committee also will review future aid to the Egyptian government as we wait for a clearer picture. As the world’s oldest democracy, this is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the principle that transfers of power should be by the ballot, not by force of arms.' He cited the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department And Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, which prohibits the U.S. from sending funds to the government of a country whose democratically-elected leader has been deposed by the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

Chief Justice Roberts Is Awesome Power Behind FISA Court

"Chief justice of the U.S. is a pretty big job. You lead the Supreme Court conferences where cases are discussed and voted on. You preside over oral arguments. When in the majority, you decide who writes the opinion. You get a cool robe that you can decorate with gold stripes. Oh, and one more thing: You have exclusive, unaccountable, lifetime power to shape the surveillance state. The 11 FISA judges, chosen from throughout the federal bench for seven-year terms, are all appointed by the chief justice. In fact, every FISA judge currently serving was appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who will continue making such appointments until he retires or dies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChief Justice Roberts Is Awesome Power Behind FISA Court