Bandit Gang Writ Large

Jim Rogers: ‘I Suspect They’ll Take the Pension Plans Next; I’m Taking Preparations’

"I was able to reconnect for an interview with legendary Quantum Fund manager and commodities bull, Jim Rogers. This was an especially groundbreaking interview, as Jim shared thoughts on what governments around the world will be taking next, and what he’s doing right now to protect his personal bank accounts following the Cyprus collapse. With respect to which assets governments will likely be coming for next, Jim said, '401k plans, IRA’s, and pensions plans which the government knows about [may be next]…They’re rationale would be, ‘Well most people haven’t been doing well in their IRAs and pension plans for the past several years, so we’re going to help you.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJim Rogers: ‘I Suspect They’ll Take the Pension Plans Next; I’m Taking Preparations’

Can Police Read Text Messages Without A Warrant?

"In this case, police seized a cell phone during a drug investigation and monitored incoming messages. Officers responded to several texts, setting up meetings that resulted in two arrests, without first getting a warrant. Prosecutors have argued that no warrant was required because there should be no expectation of privacy in text messages, as anyone can pick up someone else’s phone and read what’s stored there. But in two related amicus briefs filed Monday, EFF argues that searching the phone for the texts without a warrant clearly violates the Constitution." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCan Police Read Text Messages Without A Warrant?

FDR Pulled a Cyprus on the American People 80 Years Ago This Week

"This week marks the 80th anniversary of FDR's decree, writes the Daily Bail. It remained the law of the land for more than four decades. Only on Dec. 31, 1974, was it finally repealed by Gerald Ford. Below is a full copy of the Executive Order." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFDR Pulled a Cyprus on the American People 80 Years Ago This Week

Maryland Gives Up On Traffic Camera Reform After $100,000 In Industry Contributions

"Nearly $100,000 in direct contributions to Maryland lawmakers from speed camera companies paid off with the state dropping a proposed reform bill. Maryland's General Assembly adjourned for the year on Monday with balloons and confetti showering delegates. Governor Martin O'Malley (D) made the rounds, congratulating lawmakers on for a job he considered well done. Photo enforcement firms also ended the day with a celebration after their investment paid off with the defeat of all legislation that might have imposed limits or quality checks on their ticketing operations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMaryland Gives Up On Traffic Camera Reform After $100,000 In Industry Contributions

FOIA documents suggest IRS may have ignored court ruling on email privacy

"The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), commonly thought of as accountants with the power to garnish wages and seize property, is also a law enforcement agency with the power to spy on communications, so it’s not totally surprising that it has typically followed Supreme Court precedent regarding law enforcement’s broad spying powers when it comes to emails more than 180 days old. However, in a ruling issued December 2010, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the IRS to always obtain a warrant before rifling through emails, no matter how old, contained on services like Gmail and Yahoo Mail, which otherwise have significantly less privacy protections." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFOIA documents suggest IRS may have ignored court ruling on email privacy

The ‘Rain Tax’

"In 2010 the EPA ordered Maryland to reduce stormwater runoff into the Chesapeake Bay so that nitrogen levels fall 22 percent and phosphorus falls 15 percent from current amounts. The price tag: $14.8 billion. And where do we get the $14.8 billion? By taxing so-called 'impervious surfaces,' anything that prevents rain water from seeping into the earth (roofs, driveways, patios, sidewalks, etc.) thereby causing stormwater run off. In other words, a rain tax. And who levies this new rain tax? Witness how taxation, like rain, trickles down through the various pervious levels of government until it reaches the impervious level — me and you." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe ‘Rain Tax’

Feds Seize Property; Tell Owner, “Prove It’s Yours!”

"Eight years ago this week, on a sunny, clear, but windy and hence cold day, near a wide spot in the road called Garryowen an hour north of the Wyoming border, vans full of armed, SWAT-geared federal agents sped down I-80. Garryowen is a private town owned by Christopher Kortlander that features, among other structures, a gas station, a convenience store, a fast-food outlet, an arts and crafts store ('The Trading Post'), and the Custer Battlefield Museum. The vans skidded to a stop before the museum and the agents leaped out as they drew weapons, surrounded and stormed into the museum, and held its employees at gun point." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds Seize Property; Tell Owner, “Prove It’s Yours!”

Sheriff’s ‘Provocative And Intimidating’ Tactics Draw Fire After Rubonia Tussle

"At first glance it looks like a bad rap video — a phalanx of officers walking through a neighborhood, residents yelling taunts and obscenities, while Ice-T’s 'F— the Police' is pumping out of a stereo at full volume. It shows the Manatee County Sheriff’s gang unit snapping pictures of residents with their cellphones — sometimes inches from their faces. It also shows two arrests. '“The video shows the officers standing with scowls, flexing their muscles in front of one group of eight or nine friends, who are standing on their own property,' Britt said. ' ‘Provocative’ is a word for it. It certainly is intimidating to say the least.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSheriff’s ‘Provocative And Intimidating’ Tactics Draw Fire After Rubonia Tussle

Sheriff’s ‘Provocative And Intimidating’ Tactics Draw Fire After Rubonia Tussle

"At first glance it looks like a bad rap video — a phalanx of officers walking through a neighborhood, residents yelling taunts and obscenities, while Ice-T’s 'F— the Police' is pumping out of a stereo at full volume. It shows the Manatee County Sheriff’s gang unit snapping pictures of residents with their cellphones — sometimes inches from their faces. It also shows two arrests. '“The video shows the officers standing with scowls, flexing their muscles in front of one group of eight or nine friends, who are standing on their own property,' Britt said. ' ‘Provocative’ is a word for it. It certainly is intimidating to say the least.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSheriff’s ‘Provocative And Intimidating’ Tactics Draw Fire After Rubonia Tussle