Land Of The Flea

30,000 California inmates launch hunger strike against ‘state-sanctioned torture’

"At any one time, California holds about 12,000 inmates in extreme isolation, including some who have been in windowless boxes known as security housing units (SHUs) for decades. They are allowed out for an hour a day to exercise – some in a yard, others in a kennel-size cage. Supporters say the strike is a legitimate response to cruel and inhumane conditions. 'The use of prolonged solitary confinement is a form of torture,” said Laura Downton, director for US Policy and Program at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. California has an unusual policy of indefinitely putting suspected gang members in solitary until they identify fellow gang members." Continue reading →

Continue Reading30,000 California inmates launch hunger strike against ‘state-sanctioned torture’

Ex-IMF head Strauss-Kahn denounces treatment in U.S. rape case

"Disgraced ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the legal principle of being innocent until proven guilty was violated in the sex scandal that brought him down. Strauss-Kahn told CNN he was still angry with the US justice system over his treatment in 2011 when he was paraded before TV cameras in New York in handcuffs, on charges of rape that were later dropped. 'The problem is that it’s a moment where in all European, American society you are supposed to be innocent, you are supposed to be innocent until you are convicted,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEx-IMF head Strauss-Kahn denounces treatment in U.S. rape case

Another Maryland Town To Refund Illegal Speed Camera Tickets

"Greenbelt, Maryland admitted Monday that 664 illegally issued speed camera tickets would be refunded because the for-profit vendor Brekford failed to meet the certification requirements set by state law. The same calibration problem was revealed in the city of Hagerstown in May. Brekford imported its speed cameras from Sweden, where the radar manufacturer Sensys self-certified the equipment after it came off the assembly line. Brekford and the cities that allow the company to operate their speed camera programs face additional legal jeopardy because the law specifies an independent calibration lab, not the camera manufacturer, must certify the devices." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnother Maryland Town To Refund Illegal Speed Camera Tickets

Police serving search warrant at home of pro-gun activist Adam Kokesh

"FOX 5 has confirmed that U.S. Park Police along with Herndon Police are serving a search warrant at the home of Adam Kokesh, a pro-gun activist who was seen on a YouTube video posted on July 4th loading a shotgun in Freedom Plaza. Roads have been blocked off in the area of the 1500 block of Snow Flake Court in Herndon and residents have been told to stay indoors while police serve the warrant. Darryl Young, Kokesh's roommate and a political activist, defended Kokesh's actions. 'The point is we have the right to bear arms in all states,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice serving search warrant at home of pro-gun activist Adam Kokesh

Police Using ‘Seatbelt Checkpoints’ to Search Cars Without Warrants, Make Drug Arrests

"Police are increasingly using seatbelt checkpoints in Tennessee, Louisiana and New York as a way to search vehicles without a warrant. Mayfield Heights, Ohio police even set up a fake checkpoint along I-271, noted Cleveland.com. How are police allowed to do these types of warrantless searches? Many states do not consider a checkpoint an actual 'traffic stop' by police. The checkpoints are legal as long as the primary purpose is 'regulatory' instead of 'general criminal enforcement,' which is what police departments often claim in press releases, such as the one above." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Using ‘Seatbelt Checkpoints’ to Search Cars Without Warrants, Make Drug Arrests

Audited Virginia farmer faces more thuggery

"Martha's disputes brought her national attention because of her willingness to stand up to ridiculousness. She was cited and threatened with $5,000 fines for hosting a birthday party for eight 10-year-old girls without an 'events' permit from the county. A Fauquier County supervisor blabbed about her IRS audit two days after the notice was signed at the IRS and six days before Boneta received it. That shows collusion. Then in 2011 the county concocted an ordinance restricting farm sales that was enforced only against Boneta. She was cited for selling such things as emu-feather necklaces and homemade pies without a 'special administrative farm sales permit.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAudited Virginia farmer faces more thuggery

Walmart may cancel three planned D.C. stores over ‘livable wage’ act

"The District will have three fewer Walmart stores if the city's liveable wage act passes on Wednesday. The number has been cut from six to three, due to the District’s own doing. Councilwoman Yvette Alexander oversees Ward 7, where two of the three proposed Walmarts may no longer be built. Legislation that is supposed to pass on Wednesday requires big box stores like Walmart to start employee salaries at $12.50 – well above the District’s $8.25 minimum wage. Unfortunately, pulling the plug on these locations allegedly means pulling the plug on approximately 900 jobs as well." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWalmart may cancel three planned D.C. stores over ‘livable wage’ act

Senators push bill to replace Fannie, Freddie with national mortgage insurance

"The two firms, which back nearly half of all new U.S. home loans, were chartered by Congress to expand mortgage finance but operated as private, profit-making companies. Given the central role they played in the financial system, the government felt compelled to bail them out when they ran into trouble. The bill would require private entities to buy mortgages from lenders and issue them to investors as securities. Private equity would be required to absorb a 10 percent loss of the principal underlying those new mortgage-backed securities if the loans went bad. A new guarantor, called the Federal Mortgage Insurance Corp., would replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenators push bill to replace Fannie, Freddie with national mortgage insurance

Why did Charlie Chaplin renounce the America which made him world-famous?

"'It is not easy to uproot myself and my family from a country where I have lived for 40 years without a feeling of sadness. Since the end of the last world war, I have been the object of lies and vicious propaganda by powerful reactionary groups who by their influence and by the aid of America’s yellow press have created an unhealthy atmosphere in which liberal-minded individuals can be singled out and persecuted.' - Williamson Daily News – April 22, 1953" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy did Charlie Chaplin renounce the America which made him world-famous?

Oregon Supreme Court Allows Unticketed Drivers To Be Searched

"James Kenneth Watson had been driving through Myrtle Creek when Officer Kris Malek recognized him and decided to pull him over. Officer Malek claimed Watson's car briefly crossed over the yellow painted lane divider stripes. When pulled over, Officer Malek decided not to issue a ticket. He asked for license and registration and began questioning Watson while he waited for dispatch to confirm the license and check for arrest warrants. Deputy Clayton Ruble arrived on the scene and claimed he smelled a 'pretty strong' odor of marijuana that Officer Malek had not noticed. An officer with a drug dog was called to the scene to sniff Watson's car. The dog indicated." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOregon Supreme Court Allows Unticketed Drivers To Be Searched