Mainstream News

Trial set for Tulsa police officer accused of robbing Hispanic drivers

"A nonjury trial has been scheduled for Aug. 7 for a police officer who is accused of robbing Hispanic drivers during traffic stops. The robbery counts involve allegations that Blades - while driving his patrol car, dressed in a Tulsa police uniform and with a gun in his holster - pulled over Hispanic drivers on traffic stops outside his assigned patrol beat, ordered them to hand over their wallets and took money from them before returning the wallets. He was arrested during a sting operation in August 2012 after he pulled over an undercover law enforcement agent and stole $600 in documented bills that were later found on Blades, according to an arrest report." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTrial set for Tulsa police officer accused of robbing Hispanic drivers

German president, contra chancellor Merkel, says whistleblowers like Snowden merit respect

"Germany's president, who helped expose the workings of East Germany's dreaded Stasi secret police, said whistleblowers like U.S. fugitive Edward Snowden deserved respect for defending freedom. Weighing in on a debate that could influence September's federal election, President Joachim Gauck struck a very different tone from that of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has assured Washington that Berlin would not shelter Snowden. Gauck, who has little power but great moral authority, said people who work for the state were entitled to act according to their conscience, as institutions sometimes depart from the law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman president, contra chancellor Merkel, says whistleblowers like Snowden merit respect

Momentum Builds Against N.S.A. Surveillance

"The sudden reconsideration of post-Sept. 11 counterterrorism policy has taken much of Washington by surprise. As the revelations by Mr. Snowden, a former N.S.A. contractor, were gaining attention in the news media, the White House and leaders in both parties stood united behind the programs he had unmasked. They were focused mostly on bringing the leaker to justice. Backers of sweeping surveillance powers now say they recognize that changes are likely, and they are taking steps to make sure they maintain control over the extent of any revisions." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMomentum Builds Against N.S.A. Surveillance

Auditor Urges Safeguards as USDA Pays 6,336 Dead People

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture may have improperly paid as much as $36 million in aid to 6,336 dead people, according to government auditors who recommended stronger safeguards. Random sampling of USDA’s program rolls with the Social Security Administration’s master list of dead individuals found that 6,336 people got conservation aid, crop-insurance subsidies or disaster assistance more than one year after they had died from 2008 through 2012, the Government Accounting Office said today in a report. Payments to the dead 'may call into question whether these farm safety net programs are benefiting the agricultural sector as intended.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAuditor Urges Safeguards as USDA Pays 6,336 Dead People

More Coloradans than ever are packing heat

"More Coloradans than ever are carrying concealed weapons, according to data from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which processed 31,518 background checks for concealed carry permits in the first six months of the year. That’s more than in all of 2011 and just 1,300 fewer than in all of 2012, according to the Denver Post. County sheriffs are responsible for issuing concealed carry permits and 55 of the state’s 64 sheriffs are suing Colorado to overturn what they see as overly restrictive gun control laws. These include a law mandating universal background checks and one limiting the size of ammunition magazines." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Coloradans than ever are packing heat

Increasing use of costly military-style equipment by NH law enforcement questioned

"Concord is poised to accept $258,000 in federal funding to buy an armored vehicle that police say would provide protection during a terrorist attack, riot or shooting incident. In its grant application to DHS, the police department said New Hampshire's experience with terrorism 'slants primarily towards the domestic type,' and said 'the threat is real and here.' 'Groups such as the Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters and Occupy New Hampshire are active and present daily challenges,' the application stated. In addition to organized groups, it cited 'several homegrown clusters that are anti-government and pose problems for law enforcement agencies.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIncreasing use of costly military-style equipment by NH law enforcement questioned

European envoy meets with Egyptian ex-president Morsi

"Egypt’s rulers allowed an EU envoy to meet deposed President Mohamed Mursi, the first time an outsider was given access to him since the army overthrew him and jailed him a month ago, and she said she found him in good health. The White House, treading a fine line with a pivotal Arab ally that it funds with $1.3 billion a year in military aid, said on Monday it 'strongly condemns' Saturday’s bloodshed, and urged respect for the right to peaceful protest. 'Violence not only further sets back the process of reconciliation and democratization in Egypt, but it will negatively impact regional stability,' spokesman Josh Earnest said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean envoy meets with Egyptian ex-president Morsi

Mass jail break in Pakistan as Taliban gunmen storm prison to free 250 inmates

"The attack in the city of Dera Ismail Khan showed the ability of the al Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban to strike at the heart of Pakistan’s heavily guarded prison system and walk away with dozens of senior Taliban fighters and commanders. The overnight assault on the Central Prison took place despite reports that regional officials had received intelligence days, if not weeks, ago suggesting such an attack was imminent. Officials blamed a combination of negligence and lack of communication among Pakistan’s many security agencies, but some suggested there may have been a degree of insider help." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMass jail break in Pakistan as Taliban gunmen storm prison to free 250 inmates