Land Of The Flea

Swiss banks face massive fines over Americans’ untaxed bank accounts

"Swiss banks holding US citizens’ funds that are not declared to American tax authorities are set to have to pay a massive fine, under a deal between Switzerland and Washington, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The Swiss daily Neue Zuercher Zeitung, quoting sources familiar with the talks, said that the fine could reach 40 percent of the funds in question. Swiss media have reported that under a compromise hammered out by negotiators, the 300 banks in Switzerland would be classed according to their level of alleged complicity in tax evasion. The dozen banks seen as the main perpetrators would reportedly be forced to make a case-by-case deal with the United States." Continue reading →

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Using a Gun to Save a Child’s Life in DC Will Get You a $1,000 Fine

"We have what at first seems like a feel-good story. A little boy is attacked by some vicious pit bulls. Other people in the neighborhood flee to protect themselves. But one man acts quickly and saves the child’s life. Mr. Srigley seems like a great guy. Or at least a guy who did something great. Surely he was rewarded, right? Did he get a commendation from the police department? A ceremonial key to the city from the Mayor? Don’t be silly. We’re talking about Washington, DC." Continue reading →

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Vicious Cycle: Thousands in Ohio too poor to pay fines, jailed with no trial

"The American Civil Liberties Union is warning the US public against being bogged down in too much debt. The group has revealed figures showing a rising number of people who fail to pay their debts and fines end up behind bars without a court verdict. The practice is being criticized as unconstitutional, but it's alive and kicking in the State of Ohio, as RT's Marina Portnaya explains." Continue reading →

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IRS Demands: “Turn Over Those Names!”

"In 2012, the IRS demanded that the Conservative Leadership Institute turn over the names of its student interns. It also demanded the names of interns in 2008. No other years were audited. Both were election years. The Leadership Institute refused to comply. It supplied none of this information. The IRS found nothing amiss, but it cost the Leadership Institute $50,000 in legal fees." Continue reading →

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AP: Sources Aren’t Talking To Us Out Of Fear Of US Government Spying

"Speaking on CBS's Face the Nation, Pruitt, AP's president and chief executive officer, said the government's seizure of the phone records was 'unconstitutional' and was already clearly harming the press's ability to do its job. 'We are already seeing some impact. Already officials that would normally talk to us and people we talk to in the normal course of newsgathering are already saying to us that they are a little reluctant to talk to us. They fear that they will be monitored by the government. We are already seeing that. It's not hypothetical,' said Pruitt." Continue reading →

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Deputies Watch Woman Die In Court, Refused To Give Her Asthma Medicine

"A woman died on a courthouse floor because Alabama sheriff’s deputies refused to give her her medicine – after arresting her for an old traffic ticket. Ayunna Johnae London sued St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles, jail administrators Austin Nash and Terry Marcrum, Southern Healthcare Partners, and its employee Jennifer Eisel, in Federal Court. London claims her mother, Dwana Voncia London-Richardson, died gasping for breath in court after callous and unconstitutional treatment from the defendants. Richardson suffered from asthma and other serious health problems, but the defendants refused to give her her medication, accused her of faking, and let her die in the courtroom." Continue reading →

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Chinese expat author decides to move back to China after receiving green card

"Living overseas expanded her vision of the world, enabling her to review her previous life in China from a different perspective. 'However, I finally came to realize that America will never be home for my spirit and career. Unlike the previous generations of immigrants to America, it is not a problem of language or the bread-and-butter things. The country is materially affluent, but sheer material well-being will not provide real happiness. Add to that the fact that China's rapid economic growth these past few years has made it unnecessary for me to stay in the U.S. just for a comfortable life. As a writer, I found my readers, my development and my roots lie in my motherland.'" Continue reading →

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Truck Driver Nearly Beaten to Death By Police For Not Signing Traffic Ticket

"Two officers, one of them a trained fist-boxer, beat Kozacenko on the side of the highway nearly to death. He suffered a crushed left orbital eye socket, multiple facial fractures, a broken left arm, broken ribs, a concussion, loss of consciousness, and possible neurological damage. His injuries caused a deprivation of oxygen for a prolonged period of time. Officers Andrew P. Murrill and Jim Sherman maintained that the force was not excessive. Both are still on the job a full 2 years after the incident. Olegs Kozacenko suffers long-term physical and emotional injuries and is no longer able to work." Continue reading →

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A Real Life Thelma and Louise: the US and the EU

"To be sure, there have been many warning signs along the road to indicate that to exit the car might have been a good idea, but, for whatever reasons, they did not. Now, it is becoming increasingly apparent to a larger number of people that the joy ride is soon to end, and end rather badly. As such, it would be understandable if we were to see the passengers in the back of the car request that they be let out. As Europe has some 740,000,000 inhabitants and the US has a further 310,000,000, even if only one percent chose to make an exit at some time in the next few years, this would mean an exodus which would be unprecedented in world history." Continue reading →

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