Imperial Hubris

Montana House Votes 97-1 to approve anti-NDAA bill

"In a huge win for the Bill of Rights, the Montana House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to ban indefinite detention in Montana by a vote of 97 to 1. Introduced by state Rep. Nicholas Schwaderer, HB 522 would also 'prohibit state cooperation with federal officials' who try to enforce the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The lone no vote was cast by Democrat Bob Mehlhoff. HB 522 previously passed the House Judiciary Committeeunanimously. The bill now heads to the state senate for approval." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontana House Votes 97-1 to approve anti-NDAA bill

The Drone War Doctrine We Still Know Nothing About

"In these attacks, known as 'signature strikes,' drone operators fire on people whose identities they do not know based on evidence of suspicious behavior or other 'signatures.' According to anonymously sourced media reports, such attacks on unidentified targets account for many, or even most, drone strikes. Despite that, the administration has never publicly spoken about signature strikes. What is the legal justification for signature strikes? What qualifies as a 'signature' that would prompt a deadly strike? Do those being targeted have to pose a threat to the United States? And how many civilians have been killed in such strikes?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Drone War Doctrine We Still Know Nothing About

Banks Fear Court Ruling in Argentina Bond Debt

"A fierce battle between the government of Argentina and investors led by a group of hedge funds has already led to the seizure of a naval ship and dragged in the United States Treasury. Now a federal appeals court is hearing the dispute, and how it rules could have a major impact on world debt markets. The investors — including the hedge fund tycoon Paul E. Singer — sued Argentina seeking payment for $1.3 billion relating to bonds that the country defaulted on in 2001. On Wednesday, the case comes before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which has already sided with the hedge funds on their main arguments." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBanks Fear Court Ruling in Argentina Bond Debt

FATCA: Probably the Worst Law Americans Don’t Know About

"Earlier this month, the Obama administration began preparing new legislation to force U.S. banks to disclose more information on foreign investors to those investors’ home governments. Could this because the IRS has only an empty hand to offer when it comes to reciprocity? However, the Obama administration has an uphill battle in convincing Congress to enact such coercive legislation. Many in Congress fear that foreign investors could pull trillions of dollars out of U.S. banks if the proposal becomes law. That could dramatically reduce foreign purchases of U.S. Treasury debt and crush the U.S. dollar. More blowback." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFATCA: Probably the Worst Law Americans Don’t Know About

Cuba part three, Cuban-U.S. relations: end the embargo now

"Although the Castro brothers have not renounced their communist ideals, the reality is that Cuba is shedding many collectivist policies. The economy is being freed up, from small business, to lifting of travel restrictions, to free market agricultural co-ops, etc. In other words, while the spirit of the Revolution is virtually everywhere, the reality is that the Cuban government is shedding the easiest depredations of collectivism. Cuba has no income tax, no sales tax, and very few, if any, real estate taxes. No doubt, Cuba’s civil liberties record should and must be improved. And it will. More interaction with freedom loving Americans will ensure that." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCuba part three, Cuban-U.S. relations: end the embargo now

U.S. Government: The Truth Is Too Complicated and Dangerous to Disclose to the Public

"Secretive, unaccountable agencies are making life and death decisions which effect our most basic rights. They provide 'secret evidence' to courts which cannot be checked … and often withhold any such 'evidence' even from the judges. The government uses 'secret evidence' to spy on Americans, prosecute leaking or terrorism charges (even against U.S. soldiers) and even assassinate people. All of this happened in Germany – as in America today – because the governments whipped up so much fear of attack by demonizing the enemy and declaring an open-ended war that people became complacent and stopped thinking for themselves." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. Government: The Truth Is Too Complicated and Dangerous to Disclose to the Public

Imagining a Legal Basis for Obama’s Overseas Assassinations

"Thanks to someone who has reservations about Obama's murders and leaked it, we have a copy of a secret legal opinion that is supposed to lay out the conditions under which such presidentially-directed murders are legal. This heretofore secret document imagines a legal basis for Obama's overseas assassinations. Imagine is not quite the right word. It fantasizes such a basis. It makes it up by stringing together words that are supposed to make a plausible case. On inspection, however, this case collapses. It is rather like setting a wall on what is supposed to be concrete, but actually is pudding." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingImagining a Legal Basis for Obama’s Overseas Assassinations

Washington Hypocrisy Skyrockets, Credibility Plummets

"Obama supports a UN treaty on what a US official terms 'illicit arms trafficking and proliferation'. At the same time, the US and ally Saudi Arabia are sending heavier arms into Syria. These shipments and their past interference in Syria violate the UN charter to which they solemnly pledged to adhere. The US is not alone in these and other violations in Syria and other countries. If Washington routinely violates its own Constitution, it is to be expected that it can and will violate any agreement it makes. Hypocrites cannot lead on any issues, not when they have no credibility. They can exercise power, but they cannot lead." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington Hypocrisy Skyrockets, Credibility Plummets

Defense industry consultants advise Arab nations on crowd control products

"Defence experts who say many lives could have been saved during Arab uprisings if states used proper crowd control measures sought to tap into a growing market at an Abu Dhabi arms fair. Anti-riot vehicles with sophisticated acoustic repellents have boldly taken their place alongside the likes of Eurofighter’s Typhoon warplane and the bristling firepower of rocket launchers at the arms industry’s biennial quest for petrodollars in the Gulf emirate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDefense industry consultants advise Arab nations on crowd control products

Afghan president: U.S. special forces creating ‘insecurity and instability’

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded Sunday the withdrawal of US special forces from Wardak within two weeks, accusing them of fuelling 'insecurity and instability' in the volatile province neighbouring the capital Kabul. 'In today’s national security council meeting… President Karzai ordered the ministry of defence to kick out the US special forces from Wardak province within two weeks,' said presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi. 'The US special forces and illegal armed groups created by them are causing insecurity, instability, and harass local people in this province,' he told a press conference." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfghan president: U.S. special forces creating ‘insecurity and instability’