Mainstream News

Firefighter handcuffed and threatened with taser for waving at police while black

"Evansville firefighter George Madison Jr. has filed a formal complaint about an Evansville Police Department officer who he said stopped him during a bicycle ride Tuesday afternoon, threatened him with a stun gun and handcuffed him. The father of four said he feared for his safety during the stop by two officers on South Weinbach Avenue. 'I remember looking down the barrel of a Taser, because (the officer) was gritting his teeth and saying, ‘Don’t make me pull this trigger,’' Madison said Wednesday afternoon. Evansville Police Chief Bolin told Madison the department would 'look into it.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFirefighter handcuffed and threatened with taser for waving at police while black

White House rejects petition calling for ‘Gun Free Zone’ around Obama, Biden

"President Obama needs armed security because he faces 'serious, persistent and credible threats on a daily basis,' the White House said in response to a petition meant to undercut his push for new gun controls. The petition garnered more than 40,000 signatures. The White House dismissed the call to disarm the president's security detail, noting that Congress mandated full-time protection of the president after the third assassination of a sitting president in 1901. 'Those who are the subject of ongoing threats must receive the necessary and appropriate protection,' the White House wrote in its response." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House rejects petition calling for ‘Gun Free Zone’ around Obama, Biden

Here’s What It’s Like To Buy Drugs On Three Anonymous Online Black Markets

"The hardest part of scoring drugs in the age of the digital black market? Choosing among all the consumer-friendly websites ready to sell them. Our results were mixed, and far from scientific, since we made only one buy per site, and each site hosts dozens or hundreds of vendors. (The sites’ third-party seller model is more akin to eBay and Etsy than Amazon or Zappos.) We also couldn’t test the quality of the products–Our lawyer insisted we destroy them. (See video below.) But this much is clear: the age of narcotics e-commerce has arrived." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s What It’s Like To Buy Drugs On Three Anonymous Online Black Markets

As haze clears, are American opinions on marijuana reaching tipping point?

"When Washington and Colorado legalized pot -- with strict controls by established state agencies and a coherent tax structure -- opponents weren't able to raise the money to fight the initiatives. John Kane, a federal judge in Colorado, said in December he sees marijuana following the same path as alcohol in the 1930s. Toward the end of Prohibition, Kane explained, judges routinely dismissed violations or levied fines so trivial that prosecutors quit filing cases. 'The law is simply going to die before it's repealed. It will just go into disuse,' Kane said. 'It's a cultural force, and you simply cannot legislate against a cultural force.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAs haze clears, are American opinions on marijuana reaching tipping point?

Security video shows Iowa cops beating mother in front of infant daughter

"In the video, obtained by Chicago-based watchdog group the Better Government Association, Redell is sitting in a chair exchanging words with the cops when an officer identified as Scott Crow pounces on her and appears to punch her several times in the head with both fists. The other officer, who has not been identified, doesn't strike her, but has his hands on her legs and waist. Meanwhile, Redell's infant daughter sits in a stroller just a few feet away. Redell eventually ends up on the floor with her hands cuffed behind her back. In his report, Crow claimed that he pounced on Redell because her 'hands were clenched' and she appeared 'willing to fight.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecurity video shows Iowa cops beating mother in front of infant daughter

Former Tulsa cop convicted of robbing Hispanic drivers while on duty

"A former Tulsa police officer was found guilty of 5 counts of armed robbery Thursday afternoon. Marvin Blades, Jr. was accused of pulling over Hispanic drivers and taking their money while on duty. Blades was convicted of stealing a total of $1,873 from drivers and $600 from an undercover Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs agent." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Tulsa cop convicted of robbing Hispanic drivers while on duty

Egypt closes Gaza border crossing indefinitely

"Egyptian authorities have closed the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip 'indefinitely' for security reasons after a day of deadly violence nationwide, a security official told AFP on Thursday. Hundreds of Palestinian travellers were left stranded on both sides of the crossing, the only gateway into the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory that bypasses Israel, witnesses said. The measure follows widespread unrest in Egypt on Wednesday after a bloody crackdown by security forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt closes Gaza border crossing indefinitely

Sky News cameraman Mick Deane killed in Cairo violence

"Mick Deane, 61, had worked for Sky for 15 years, based in Washington and then Jerusalem, the channel said. He previously worked for CNN, based in London and Rome. A Sky News team member told CNN that Deane was shot inside the Rabaa al-Adawiya camp, where security forces have been trying Wednesday to clear supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy. 'Michael was about to lift the camera on his shoulder (when) a sniper from the other side opened fired and killed him instantly,' he said. 'The moment he lifted the camera he was shot dead by a sniper.' A Reuters photojournalist, Asmaa Waguih, was shot and wounded." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSky News cameraman Mick Deane killed in Cairo violence

Tiny Colorado city busy repealing laws during a ‘Year of Freedom’

"After a busy state legislative session, Glendale, Colo. — a one square-mile enclave of libertarianism surrounded by the city and county of Denver — has decided to focus on repealing laws rather than passing new ones. During what Mayor Mike Dunafon has called the 'Year of Freedom,' Glendale is revoking one vague, arcane or redundant law a month for 12 months. The first law stricken from the books on June 4 criminalized the sale, transfer or possession of an 'assault weapon,' which was vaguely defined in city code. The latest to land on the chopping block is one making it illtegal for minors to be in the same building as for-profit pool tables." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTiny Colorado city busy repealing laws during a ‘Year of Freedom’

Meet The Man Behind Booming Black Market Drug Website Silk Road

"Anyone can download and run Tor, exchange some dollars or euros for the digital currency Bitcoin and go shopping on Silk Road for drugs that are vacuum-sealed and discreetly mailed via the U.S. Postal Service. By one measure, Roberts’ eBay-like service was grossing $1.2 million a month in the first half of 2012. Since then the site has doubled its product listings, and revenue now hits an annual run-rate of $30 million to $45 million by FORBES’ estimate. One analysis found that Silk Road received around 60,000 visits a day, mostly users seeking to buy or sell drugs, along with other illicit items including unregulated cigarettes and forged documents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMeet The Man Behind Booming Black Market Drug Website Silk Road