False Sense Of Security

Phoenix Police “Help” a Man to Death

"There are circumstances in which people might be tempted to seek the help of police officers. If they do so, they should understand that police are neither trained to help, nor are they expected to. They are trained, equipped, and prepared to employ aggressive violence against anybody who doesn’t submit to them immediately and without reservation — including the people whom they are supposedly there to 'help.' This was memorably illustrated by the murder of Michael Ruiz, an emotionally disturbed father of two from Phoenix, Arizona, by the police who had arrived on the scene to 'help' him." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPhoenix Police “Help” a Man to Death

The Gulf is Still Struggling, But BP’s Done Paying

"Three and a half years after an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig dumped 205 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean, leaving 11 workers dead and damaging hundreds of miles of shoreline, the Gulf Coast is still recovering. The company has spent or earmarked $42.4 billion so far for cleanup, compensation payments and environmental fines. Its profits have suffered, and it has sold $38 billion in assets to help cover the cost. BP filed suit last week against the U.S. government for a ban on awarding the company federal contracts. BP already has $1.34 billion in contracts in place to supply fuel to the government, including the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Gulf is Still Struggling, But BP’s Done Paying

Report Finds “Probably Carcinogenic” Chemicals in All Municipal Water Samples Tested

"Chlorine and other water treatment chemicals, in addition to being somewhat toxic in and of themselves, react with ordinary organic particles in the water ( manure from livestock, dead animals, fallen leaves, etc.) to create hundreds of extremely toxic byproducts, which aren’t monitored or regulated at all. These toxic byproducts have been labeled 'disinfection byproducts,' or 'DBPs,' and there are 600 we know about and probably hundreds more that we don’t. Shockingly, raising concerns about the quality of your local drinking water without verifiable evidence of your claims may now be considered 'an act of terrorism.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReport Finds “Probably Carcinogenic” Chemicals in All Municipal Water Samples Tested

8 Chinese police officers fired for skinny dipping at tourist destination

"Eight Chinese policemen were sacked Monday after their naked swim at a tourist venue made waves online, state media said. The auxiliary police officers were dismissed for 'causing a negative impact on the image of the police', Xinhua news agency quoted the public security bureau of Lushan county in the central province of Henan as saying. It said the dismissals came after photos circulated online showing the eight skinny-dipping or standing on the shore, with their uniforms on the bank. Two police vehicles were parked nearby." Continue reading →

Continue Reading8 Chinese police officers fired for skinny dipping at tourist destination

Secret Service nabs Oklahoma driver’s license equipment burglars

"Two men are accused of committing multiple felony burglaries at metro area tag agencies. They were after the equipment and supplies needed to make Oklahoma driver’s licenses and ID cards. 591 customers had their personal information stolen along with the equipment. We keep piling on security feature like biometrics to our state driver’s license but the weakest link is the local DMV or tag agencies. This sort of crime is happening all over the country. All the personal data and high tech security features in the world will not make the card secure. Instead what it does is make the document a hot commodity for crooks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecret Service nabs Oklahoma driver’s license equipment burglars

UK: Fire chief told policeman to leave ‘drowning’ man in 3ft deep lake [2012]

"The father of a man who drowned in 3ft of water after emergency crews were ordered not to rescue him has hit out at health and safety rules that ‘hinder’ the 999 services. David Burgess, whose son Simon lay floating face down in a lake for more than half an hour while firemen, police and paramedics watched, said it was impossible to ‘eliminate all risk’ for the emergency services. A fire crew claimed safety rules stopped them from going more than ‘ankle-deep’ into the water [..] And a policeman and a paramedic who both volunteered to jump in were given orders not to do so by a fire station watch manager." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUK: Fire chief told policeman to leave ‘drowning’ man in 3ft deep lake [2012]

Second British man jailed for selling fake bomb detectors to governments

"The boxes cost less than £5 ($7.85, 5.85 euros) to make, but Gary Bolton claimed they could detect explosives, narcotics, tobacco, ivory and even cash. They were sold for between £2,500 and £10,000 in bulk or up to £15,000 if bought individually. The court heard Bolton’s company, Global Technology, had a turnover of almost £3 million. In May, British businessman James McCormick was sentenced to 10 years in jail for selling fake bomb detectors to the Iraqi government and other countries. McCormick, 57, made an estimated £50 million from selling the devices, which prosecutors said were based on a novelty golf ball finder." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecond British man jailed for selling fake bomb detectors to governments

‘Guardian’ editor: Destroying hard drives allowed us to continue NSA coverage

"Alan Rusbridger, the Guardian editor-in-chief, has said that the destruction of computer hard drives containing information provided by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden allowed the paper to continue reporting on the revelations instead of surrendering the material to UK courts. Rusbridger told BBC Radio 4′s The World at One on Tuesday that he agreed to the 'slightly pointless' task of destroying the devices – which was overseen by two GCHQ officials at the Guardian’s headquarters in London – because the newspaper is in possession of digital copies outside Britain." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Guardian’ editor: Destroying hard drives allowed us to continue NSA coverage

Farming Experts Predict Food Safety Laws Will Destroy Local Foods Trend

"The most wonderful aspect of going local with your diet, is the opportunity to meet pioneers of organic, sustainable agriculture. There is tremendous work being done by farmers like Mike Tabor. Yet, a gross lack of understanding by public interest groups on what really constitutes food safety has led to increasing federal control over our food supply. Now, the FDA is dictating farming practices, packaging and sterilization steps that threaten to choke out small producers. Here is what two farmers have to say about these food safety laws and this ominous regulatory trend." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFarming Experts Predict Food Safety Laws Will Destroy Local Foods Trend

FDA launches inquiry about Merck drug Zilmax in cattle feed

"The USDA had no comment and referred questions to the FDA, which does not typically reveal its investigations. Merck said on Friday it was temporarily suspending sales of Zilmax in the United States and Canada, following concerns about the drug, which is given to cattle to increase their weight before slaughter. Last week, Tyson Foods Inc said it would stop accepting beef from Zilmax-fed cattle after it observed animals arriving at its slaughter facilities with signs that they had difficulty walking or moving. Merck on Tuesday revealed a new program to retrain and certify beef producers in administering Zilmax, which had sales of $159 million last year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFDA launches inquiry about Merck drug Zilmax in cattle feed