CLibertyC

If Syria Falls, Expect a Pop in Oil Prices

"If Syria does fall, the next logical target would be Iran, which would create chaos in the global oil markets. Today, Iran provides about 20% of China's daily imported oil – only Russia provides more. If Iranian oil stops flowing to China, the Chinese will be required to go to other sources to buy over 500,000 barrels of oil, which would instantly increase the spot price of oil. Just what is going on in Syria? Syria is the first salvo in a war that puts Iran, China, and Russia against the US and its allies. The American government has thrown its weight behind the Sunnis, whereas Iran, China, and Russia have been backing Bashar al-Assad, the Shi'a leader in Syria." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIf Syria Falls, Expect a Pop in Oil Prices

Americans troubled more by governmental abuse than terrorism

"In the dozen years since 9/11, frequent polling conducted by Fox has suggests that the majority of Americans have all the while said they’d give up their freedoms for the sake of security. Only with the latest inquiry though are those answers reversed: the last time a majority of Americans opposed giving up privacy for security was May 2001. Not only are Americans more opposed now to giving up personal freedoms for the sake of security than they were after 9/11, but other statistics show that distrust against the federal government continues to climb." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans troubled more by governmental abuse than terrorism

Public Approval of Supreme Court Falls to All-Time Low

"The U.S. Supreme Court finished its term with big decisions on voting rights, affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Following those rulings, public approval of the court has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded in more than nine years of polling. Just 28% believe the Supreme Court is doing a good or an excellent job. At the same time, 30% rate its performance as poor. That’s the highest-ever poor rating. It’s also the first time ever that the poor ratings have topped the positive assessments. These numbers are even weaker than the numbers recorded following the Supreme Court ruling upholding the president’s health care law last year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPublic Approval of Supreme Court Falls to All-Time Low

Colorado secede? Counties weigh exit plan to form state of ‘North Colorado’

"It’s an uphill climb that looks Rocky Mountain high, but a collection of independent-thinking counties may mount an effort to secede from the rest of Colorado and form their own new state. The idea is rooted in the political rift that many Coloradans – especially rural ones – feel with a Denver-based state legislature that has taken a liberal turn in recent years. A new state, if it formed, might be called North Colorado. Similar ideas have sprung up in other US states. But again, since 1863, secession to form a new state hasn’t actually happened." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado secede? Counties weigh exit plan to form state of ‘North Colorado’

A Message From Your Friendly ECHELON/Total Awareness/Boundless Informant Surveillance System

"J.Q., you don't know me but I know you. I am your friendly ECHELON/Total Awareness/Boundless Informant Surveillance System--actually, an automated response feature of the system. You may wonder why you are receiving this email, and you may attribute it to the email you sent an associate stating that the theater play you attended 'bombed.' Since enemies of America use code phrases rather than overt words like 'bombed,' that email was noted but not considered actionable. I'm not authorized to reveal what did attract my attention about your communications." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Message From Your Friendly ECHELON/Total Awareness/Boundless Informant Surveillance System

Going Postal

"Now we hear that the same USPS that cannot operate without massive financial losses -- even with a monopoly on first class mail delivery -- somehow has the resources to photograph the front and back of each piece of mail processed! They cannot deliver our mail properly, cannot operate at a profit, cannot provide anything resembling customer service beyond the 1950s East Europe model, yet somehow they have unlimited resources to play big brother with all our postal communications." Continue reading →

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19-Year-Old Commits Suicide After Sheriff Posts Bullying Facebook Message

"The Latah County Sheriff's Office in Idaho had posted a photo of 19-year-old Pullman, Wash., resident Andrew Cain alongside a message saying, 'We have decided that Andrew Cain is no longer the Wanted Person of the Week… he is the Wanted Person of the Month of June. Congratulations!.' A few days later, Cain took his own life. Whitman County Coroner Pete Martin said that Cain had suffered from depression 'and a number of problems.' The Latah County Sheriff's Office told HuffPost there were three warrants out for Cain: one for driving without privileges and one for possession of a controlled substance, while unable to say what the third warrant was for." Continue reading →

Continue Reading19-Year-Old Commits Suicide After Sheriff Posts Bullying Facebook Message

Women Win Lawsuit After Being Violated During Roadside Search

"State Trooper David Farrell claimed he smelled marijuana in the car and decided to do a search. He called female Trooper Kelly Helleson to do the search. Rather than sticking to a standard pat down search, she put on a pair of latex gloves and used her fingers to search the anuses and vaginas of both women. Helleson even used the same pair of gloves for both women. Helleson’s searches turned up nothing, but the women contacted attorney Scott Palmer and filed a lawsuit. The women won their lawsuit and were awarded $185,000. Helleson was fired and charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of official oppression." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWomen Win Lawsuit After Being Violated During Roadside Search

Marijuana’s March Towards Mainstream Confounds Feds

"It took 50 years for American attitudes about marijuana to zigzag from the paranoia of 'Reefer Madness' to the excesses of Woodstock back to the hard line of 'Just Say No.' The next 25 years took the nation from Bill Clinton, who famously 'didn't inhale,' to Barack Obama, who most emphatically did. Now, in just a few short years, public opinion has moved so dramatically toward general acceptance that even those who champion legalization are surprised at how quickly attitudes are changing and states are moving to approve the drug - for medical use and just for fun." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana’s March Towards Mainstream Confounds Feds

Pot Is Legal, but Some Towns Won’t Partake

"More than two dozen cities and towns have already prohibited marijuana retail stores, according to the Colorado Municipal League, a lobbying group for the state's cities. Others, like Aurora outside of Denver, decided to postpone a decision on whether to allow sales. In Denver, leaders want to allow pot sales, but have said they want to push back the starting date for new businesses other than medical-pot outlets. The opt-out clause included in the Colorado pot law doesn't exist in Washington, which also legalized recreational pot last November. But local officials are using licensing and zoning to keep pot shops at bay." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPot Is Legal, but Some Towns Won’t Partake