Homeland Stupidity

10 Reasons The U.S. Is No Longer The Land Of The Free

"Even as we pass judgment on countries we consider unfree, Americans remain confident that any definition of a free nation must include their own — the land of free. Yet, the laws and practices of the land should shake that confidence. In the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, this country has comprehensively reduced civil liberties in the name of an expanded security state. While each new national security power Washington has embraced was controversial when enacted, they are often discussed in isolation. But they don’t operate in isolation. They form a mosaic of powers under which our country could be considered, at least in part, authoritarian." Continue reading →

Continue Reading10 Reasons The U.S. Is No Longer The Land Of The Free

Unite With Namecheap Against CISPA

"As many of you are aware, Namecheap has taken a stance against SOPA and related legislation. In 2012 and 2013, we donated over $100,000 to the Electronic Frontier Foundation to help ensure that the fight stays alive. CISPA, which emerged in 2012, has been rebirthed this week as an even bigger threat to online freedom. If CISPA is passed, the US government gains the power to ask your ISP about any/all of your online activities and personal information. Advocated under the premise of anti-terrorism legislation, this legislation is so broad that it threatens to endanger the privacy of every individual and ordinary and law abiding citizens." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnite With Namecheap Against CISPA

Bad cyber security bill CISPA heading back to the House

"Rumors of CISPA’s demise were apparently greatly exaggerated, according to various privacy rights advocates and organizations today. The recently 'deceased' bill is scheduled for a new vote. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) and fellow congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will reintroduce CISPA this Wednesday, which should bear a striking resemblance to last year’s bill and not the amended version that failed to gain even a senate vote of approval." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBad cyber security bill CISPA heading back to the House

Marines, sailors to ‘invade’ Jasper County for training mission

"About 150 Marines and sailors will hold 'realistic urban training' in Jasper County later this week as part of pre-deployment training. Times and exact locations for the training are not being announced. Residents will likely see and hear military vehicles and possibly see aircraft. The Marines and sailors likely will be stationed on ships, and the training is part of a certification for deployment to Mediterranean and African shores. Participants will be in uniform and carry weapons. Some exercises will take place at night. Residents might hear 'popping' sounds as Marines fire blanks. The training has been coordinated with local, county and state agencies and officials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarines, sailors to ‘invade’ Jasper County for training mission

Idaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

"Schools in Meridian, Idaho went into full 'prison mode' after a student who brought a folding shovel to Heritage Middle School in Meridian, Idaho prompted the school’s 'resource officer' to call for a full lockdown. On February 5, three schools in Yuma, Arizona were placed on lockdown as the result of what was later described as a 'rumor' of a gun on campus. Officers from two local law enforcement departments and two federal agencies – many of them kitted out in full combat attire – were mobilized for the operation. The students were held in custody for more than three hours before being released." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIdaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

Idaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

"Schools in Meridian, Idaho went into full 'prison mode' after a student who brought a folding shovel to Heritage Middle School in Meridian, Idaho prompted the school’s 'resource officer' to call for a full lockdown. On February 5, three schools in Yuma, Arizona were placed on lockdown as the result of what was later described as a 'rumor' of a gun on campus. Officers from two local law enforcement departments and two federal agencies – many of them kitted out in full combat attire – were mobilized for the operation. The students were held in custody for more than three hours before being released." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIdaho, Arizona Schools Go Into Full Prison Mode

The Barbaric Thieves and Sexual Assailants

"Shortly after 9/11, [renowned Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman’s Steinway] was confiscated at JFK Airport when he landed in New York to give a recital at Carnegie Hall. Thinking the glue smelled funny, the TSA decided to take no chances and destroyed the instrument.' Yes. A Steinway. Which Mr. Zimerman had modified himself. It has now broken 'a rare Heinrich Knopf bow belonging to [cellist] Alban Gerhardt … In what the cellist called ‘an act of brutal and careless behaviour’, the bow stick … was snapped in two, over the bridge of the cello, by air security staff at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, as they examined the case’s contents.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Barbaric Thieves and Sexual Assailants

The Barbaric Thieves and Sexual Assailants

"Shortly after 9/11, [renowned Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman’s Steinway] was confiscated at JFK Airport when he landed in New York to give a recital at Carnegie Hall. Thinking the glue smelled funny, the TSA decided to take no chances and destroyed the instrument.' Yes. A Steinway. Which Mr. Zimerman had modified himself. It has now broken 'a rare Heinrich Knopf bow belonging to [cellist] Alban Gerhardt … In what the cellist called ‘an act of brutal and careless behaviour’, the bow stick … was snapped in two, over the bridge of the cello, by air security staff at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, as they examined the case’s contents.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Barbaric Thieves and Sexual Assailants

Man Sues TSA For $5 Million Following Peanut Butter Arrest

"An Arizona man who was arrested at the behest of the TSA, following a wisecrack over a jar of peanut butter is suing the federal agency for $5 million. Frank Hannibal, 50, was detained and dragged from LaGuardia Airport recently by police after a run-in with TSA agents over the jar of gourmet sandwich spread. 'The liquid oil that separated from the peanut butter had them baffled,' Hannibal told the New York Daily News. Hannibal spent the next 24 hours in a cell, during which time he was fed a peanut butter sandwich by cops who later charged him with the felony of 'falsely reporting an incident'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan Sues TSA For $5 Million Following Peanut Butter Arrest

Armed cops storm house after owner posts picture of TOY weapon on Facebook

"Mr Driscoll's picture showed an Action Man plastic figure and in the background was a toy mortar gun, around six inches tall. The mortar gun was next to a TV remote control clearly showing its small size but someone who saw it contacted police. Five officers, including two armed with submachine guns, then arrived at his home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Mr Driscoll said: 'I was shocked and stunned. It was just mad. Five officers turned up in unmarked police cars. They flashed the search warrant in my face and said it was lucky I was in so they didn't have to break my door down.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArmed cops storm house after owner posts picture of TOY weapon on Facebook