Clueless

Hundreds of inmates released early in Colorado prison sentencing mess

"Colorado Department of Corrections officials are contacting state judges alerting them that an audit of the state’s prison system has revealed errors in the sentencing of more than 8,000 inmates, including hundreds who were released from prison early. According to the Denver Post, judges are currently reviewing the case files in an attempt to determine what individuals need to be returned to jail, and who among the individuals facing imminent release needs to have their sentence extended. The audit is still in its early stages. Some 8,415 people’s sentences need to be reviewed in all with an estimated 2,500 requiring intensive study and revision." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHundreds of inmates released early in Colorado prison sentencing mess

Internet giant Amazon hit by first strike in Germany

"German employees of Amazon staged their first-ever walkouts on Tuesday as the US Internet retail giant was hit by a dispute over pay. Employees at two logistics centres in Bad Hersfeld and Leipzig launched a strike with the start of the early shift at 6:00 am (0400 GMT), the giant services sector union Verdi said. In Bad Hersfeld, strikers planned to march to a rally in the city centre at around 11:00 am (0900 GMT), while employees in Leipzig rallied in front of the warehouse. Verdi is demanding that Amazon’s 9,000 employees in Germany be paid according to a sector-wide wage deal for the retail and mail-order industries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingInternet giant Amazon hit by first strike in Germany

Fast-food worker wage protests spread to Detroit and St. Louis

"On Friday in Detroit organisers were expecting at least 400 workers from at least 60 stores to come out and protest. The action comes a day after two days of similar protest in St Louis, Missouri, which saw 100 workers walk off their jobs at chains like Wendy’s, Domino’s and Jimmy John’s. It also follows similar actions in Chicago and New York earlier this year in what labour experts call the largest such disputes to ever hit the industry. The demonstrations are aimed at highlighting a demand for a $15-an-hour wage and the right to form a union without fear of employer intimidation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFast-food worker wage protests spread to Detroit and St. Louis

Building superintendent mistakes tomato plants for pot, and so did cops he called

"Experts don’t know how the cops could have confused the two. Cops eventually got hip to the difference and closed the investigation, leaving the tomatoes alone. The unidentified owner of the tomato stash won’t have to deal with the cops but he will have to deal with his super, who said he’d lock the door to the roof. 'No one’s supposed to be there anyway,' Delarosa said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBuilding superintendent mistakes tomato plants for pot, and so did cops he called

More Botched Police Work Cheered

"John Baiata of NBC News reports with regard to the discovery of the women who were kidnapped in Cleveland and held captive for approximately 10 years. Cleveland police responded twice to the address where the 3 Ohio women were held - in 2000 and in 2004. Yet, as in Boston following the discovery of the Boston bomber by a citizen after a botched police search, the crowds cheered the police. From Reuters on the Ohio kidnap case: 'Cheers from the crowd erupted periodically as police cars entered the area.' My guess is that police states always come with cheering fans, until the police come for you." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Botched Police Work Cheered

Humiliating Viral YouTube Interview To Cost Job Of Argentina’s Economy Minister?

"Argentine Economy Minister Hernan Lorenzino’s appearance on Greek television in which he abruptly ended an interview and refused to speak about inflation in Argentina has spurred speculation he may quit, Clarin newspaper reported, without citing its sources. President Fernandez met with Lorenzino to express her concern that he lost credibility among voters after he told an aide at the interview that he wanted 'to go' after the reporter asked what he planned to do if the IMF sanctioned the country for not improving its inflation index, Clarin said. Deputy Eco. Minister Kicillof would replace Lorenzino, Clarin said, without citing anyone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHumiliating Viral YouTube Interview To Cost Job Of Argentina’s Economy Minister?

Bulletproof whiteboards installed in Minnesota school district

"A Minnesota school district where two students were killed in a 2003 shooting unveiled a new device Tuesday aimed at adding a last-ditch layer of safety for teachers and students: bulletproof whiteboards. The Rocori School District has acquired nearly 200 of the whiteboards, made of a material touted by its manufacturer as stronger than that in police-issue bulletproof vests. The 18-by-20-inch whiteboards can be used by teachers for instruction and used as a shield in an emergency. Police Chief Phil Jones demonstrated the whiteboards Tuesday in a school gym by leveling a karate kick at one, whacking it with a police baton and stabbing it with a knife." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBulletproof whiteboards installed in Minnesota school district

Civil Libertarians Appalled by Tsarnaev Manhunt, Boston Residents Thrilled

"Boston-based civil liberties attorney Harvey Silverglate told Reason.com he is very troubled by the measures taken by law enforcement officials during the manhunt for alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. His views contrasted greatly with what this reporter came across during dozens of man-on-the-street interviews conducted across the greater Boston area last week, where residents voiced overwhelming support for the actions of local, state, and federal officials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCivil Libertarians Appalled by Tsarnaev Manhunt, Boston Residents Thrilled

Sen. Chambliss: ‘We can’t just leave event security to communities’

"Chambliss did say that security around the country would have to change for large public events, including greater involvement by the federal government. 'This was a soft target. It was not a target that was able to be totally protected,' he said. 'This particular incident is going to cause the administration and Congress to evaluate our overall security programs around the country, particularly for major events. We can't leave it just to the communities that host these events to provide the security.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSen. Chambliss: ‘We can’t just leave event security to communities’

World landmarks go dark for Earth Hour

"The Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and the Kremlin—along with a slew of other landmarks around the world—went dark to draw attention to climate change. In a symbolic show of support for the planet, people across the continents switched off their lights for 60 minutes—all at 8:30 pm local time—to make 'Earth Hour.' In bustling New York, that's exactly what happened when the Empire State Building pulled the plug on its nighttime brilliance. In Paris, the city of light, the Eiffel Tower turned off its illumination—but only for five minutes due to security reasons." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWorld landmarks go dark for Earth Hour