Big Lie

Peter Schiff: Cyprus Lifts the Curtain

"The decision to inflict pain on both large and small depositors was almost universally described as a historic blunder. But the mistake was to do so in a manner that was not camouflaged by financial smoke and mirrors. In truth, rank and file depositors have been paying, and will continue to pay, for all manner of bailouts and stimulus. Whether it's through lower interest payments on deposits, inflation, higher taxes, higher borrowing costs, or the accumulation of unsustainable sovereign debt, Cypriots will bear the burden of past profligacy. But the new plan for Cyprus was far too transparent, simple, and direct to survive in a world dependent on deceit and obfuscation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPeter Schiff: Cyprus Lifts the Curtain

Federal judge: ‘Clipping’ news articles violates copyright law

"A US federal judge has ruled that the online news 'clipping' service Meltwater violates copyright law by using excerpts from Associated Press articles, the parties said Thursday. 'Investigating and writing about newsworthy events occurring around the globe is an expensive undertaking and enforcement of the copyright laws permits AP to earn the revenue that underwrites that work,' the judge said in a 91-page opinion. 'Permitting Meltwater to take the fruit of AP’s labor for its own profit, without compensating AP, injures AP’s ability to perform this essential function of democracy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFederal judge: ‘Clipping’ news articles violates copyright law

Will Grigg: “Ominous Threats” and Murderous Zeal

"That description was not applied to the masked, armor-clad Berserkers who kick down doors in the early morning or late at night and terrorize families over non-violent 'offenses.' Nor was it offered in reference to the militants who have purchased more than 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition -- much of it hollow-point rounds unsuitable for military use -- while distributing armored vehicles and other military hardware to their adherents in practically every city nation-wide. The Times didn't direct that rhetorical salvo at the people who are openly discussing plans to fill America's skies with robot planes that can -- and will -- be used as weapons platforms." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWill Grigg: “Ominous Threats” and Murderous Zeal

Oakland Cops’ Violent Past to Be Kept from Jury

"Oakland residents have filed scores of misconduct complaints against the two police officers who shot and killed Derrick Jones, a 37-year-old barber, in 2011. The two cops, Omar Daza-Quiroz and Eriberto Perez-Angeles, had previously been involved in the killing of another man. In addition, records show that there have been 74 use-of-force complaints lodged against Daza-Quiroz alone. Nonetheless, a federal judge ruled last weekend that jurors in a civil trial involving the Jones shooting must not learn about the officers' troubled histories or know of the department's failure to correct their behavior." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOakland Cops’ Violent Past to Be Kept from Jury

Is Illinois a bigger default risk than Iraq?

"In a well-publicized move, Illinois decided earlier this week to forgo a $500 million bond offering after the interest rate it had to pay wary investors to buy the bonds rose too high. Illinois must already pay 1.4 percentage points more than states with a AAA rating to attract investors to its debt, thanks to a recent downgrade of the state's financial status by Standard & Poor's, which noted among other things the state's failure to fix its poorly funded pension system. How wary are investors of the state's debt?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs Illinois a bigger default risk than Iraq?

Illinois Lies

"Illinois, which has the worst-funded state pension system in the United States, agreed on Monday to settle federal civil securities fraud charges alleging it repeatedly misled municipal bond investors about the underfunding of its pensions, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The settlement of charges that Illinois failed from 2005 to early 2009 to fully tell investors the risks of buying $2.2 billion worth of its municipal bonds is the latest blow to the state's reputation as fiscally troubled and crippled by a pension shortfall of $98.6 billion." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIllinois Lies

Bradley Manning and Freedom of the Press

"Reading from a prepared statement, Manning said he was not pressured by WikiLeaks to release the information and that he wanted to give the documents to The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Reuters, but they did not want what he had to offer. He also said the leaked information had 'upset' or 'disturbed' him, but did not contain anything he thought would harm the United States if it became public. Regarding the Collateral Murder video, Manning said the 'most alarming part to me was the seemingly delightful blood-lust' and that those in the video 'seemed to not value human life by referring to them as ‘dead bastards.’'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBradley Manning and Freedom of the Press

Ten years after war, Iraq emerges as a major arms buyer

"Ten years after the invasion that smashed Iraq’s military, the country has become a major buyer of military equipment, spending billions to rebuild its armed forces. In doing so, Iraq has become a customer of some of the same companies that supplied the weapons used to attack Baghdad’s troops in 2003. Some 54 companies from 13 countries participated in the show, advertising equipment ranging from jet aircraft, drones, missiles and shells to gas masks, uniforms and boots. With a security and defence budget of about $16.4 billion for 2013 and a commitment to rebuilding its forces, Iraq offers significant opportunities for defence and security firms." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTen years after war, Iraq emerges as a major arms buyer

Ten years after war, Iraq emerges as a major arms buyer

"Ten years after the invasion that smashed Iraq’s military, the country has become a major buyer of military equipment, spending billions to rebuild its armed forces. In doing so, Iraq has become a customer of some of the same companies that supplied the weapons used to attack Baghdad’s troops in 2003. Some 54 companies from 13 countries participated in the show, advertising equipment ranging from jet aircraft, drones, missiles and shells to gas masks, uniforms and boots. With a security and defence budget of about $16.4 billion for 2013 and a commitment to rebuilding its forces, Iraq offers significant opportunities for defence and security firms." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTen years after war, Iraq emerges as a major arms buyer

Costly Iraq war left U.S. no stronger in Middle East

"The US-led invasion of Iraq overthrew a dictator, but 10 years on the war is seen to have destabilized the Middle East, exposed the limits of military power and left America no stronger than before. With US forces having withdrawn after the deaths of almost 4,500 American troops and an estimated $1 trillion outlay, there is little soul-searching in Washington today about a war that has faded from public consciousness. And 10 years after the 'shock and awe' that launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, removing Saddam Hussein from power, most analysts and diplomats agree the Iraq war did nothing to improve the US position in the Middle East." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCostly Iraq war left U.S. no stronger in Middle East