Mainstream News

White House denies claims of collusion with the Taliban

"The White House on Monday strongly rejected allegations from Afghan President Hamid Karzai that the United States was colluding with the Taliban to justify the presence of US troops in the country. 'That’s categorically false, and nobody believes it,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said when asked about Karzai’s remarks. Karzai had charged that Taliban bombings helped the United States argue for a long-term military presence and that Washington was holding 'daily' talks with the insurgents behind the backs of his government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House denies claims of collusion with the Taliban

How Americans were swindled by the hidden cost of the Iraq war

"When the US invaded Iraq in March 2003, the Bush administration estimated that it would cost $50-60bn to overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish a functioning government. This estimate was catastrophically wrong: the war in Iraq has cost $823.2bn between 2003 and 2011. Some estimates suggesting that it may eventually cost as much as $3.7tn when factoring in the long-term costs of caring for the wounded and the families of those killed. The most striking fact about the cost of the war in Iraq has been the extent to which it has been kept 'off the books' of the government’s ledgers and hidden from the American people. This was done by design." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow Americans were swindled by the hidden cost of the Iraq war

Pentagon to review controversial drone warfare medal

"The US military said Tuesday it halted production of a new medal for drone and cyber warfare, ordering a review after critics called the award an insult to combat veterans. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who received two Purple Hearts and other decorations as a soldier in the Vietnam War, made the decision to put a hold on the new Distinguished Warfare Medal after hearing complaints from veterans, his spokesman George Little told a news conference. Hagel asked the military’s top officer, General Martin Dempsey, to lead the review of the medal and to look at the ranking of the award compared to other military medals, he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPentagon to review controversial drone warfare medal

Unanimous juries for criminal convictions? Supreme Court declines case.

"Two states, Louisiana and Oregon, permit convictions on less-than-unanimous jury verdicts. In both states a defendant can be convicted by an 11-to-1 or 10-to-2 vote. All other states and the federal government require that jurors reach a verdict unanimously. The petitioning lawyers also charged that the system undercuts the reliability of jury verdicts. They note that Louisiana’s Jefferson Parish, where their case was tried, has the fourth highest rate of wrongful convictions in the country. Neighboring Orleans Parish has the highest rate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnanimous juries for criminal convictions? Supreme Court declines case.

GOP Mogul Behind Drug Rehab ‘Torture’ Centers Bankrolling Opposition to Pot Legalization

"Save Our Society from Drugs, a Florida-based nonprofit founded by Mel and Betty Sembler, has given Smart Colorado contributions totaling $151,497 through September, according to The Nation’s review of state finance disclosures. That’s 95 percent of the money raised by the group so far. Before they led Save Our Society from Drugs, and its sister nonprofit, the Drug Free America Foundation, the Semblers were at the helm of STRAIGHT, Inc., which operated drug abuse treatment centers, mostly for teenagers, from 1976 through 1993. Former clients of the rehab center recount episodes of brutal beatings, rape and systematic psychological abuse." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGOP Mogul Behind Drug Rehab ‘Torture’ Centers Bankrolling Opposition to Pot Legalization

Fine, probation, community service sought for former county executive

"Saying John R. Leopold committed 'an arrogant abuse of power' by ordering police and other government workers to perform personal and political chores for him, prosecutors are asking a judge to fine him $100,000 and sentence him to probation and community service. Leopold resigned after being found guilty in January on two of the five charges against him, relating to ordering police officers on his security detail and his scheduling assistant to drain his catheter bag repeatedly, and directing officers to do tasks for his 2010 re-election campaign, including picking up campaign contributions and creating files on political opponents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFine, probation, community service sought for former county executive

3 Chicago-suburb cops accused of robbing drug dealers, selling cocaine

"Three Chicago-area cops robbed drug dealers of their stash while executing search warrants, then turned around and sold the heroin, cocaine and marijuana, pocketing the cash, prosecutors said Thursday. Schaumburg police officers John Cichy, 30, Matthew Hudak, 29, and Terrance O’Brien, 47, 'did it all for the thrill' prosecutor Audriana Anderson told a court. Prosecutors say the men were caught on surveillance video and audio recordings robbing local dealers of drugs and cash as they executed search warrants on homes and cars." Continue reading →

Continue Reading3 Chicago-suburb cops accused of robbing drug dealers, selling cocaine

Suspected meth lab turns out to be sweet maple syrup

"A Union County family got the scare of their lives on Wednesday morning as drug agents swarmed onto their property. 'I heard the dogs barking. And I knew that meant somebody was outside the house,' said Laura Benson. 'And I looked out the windows and I seen a truck coming up the driveway fairly fast. And an Anna police car right behind it.' She says she couldn't believe her ears when she heard the drug agents say this. 'They had a report of a meth lab going on on our property. And they wanted to investigate it.' So the Benson's gladly showed the officers what they really were doing, which was making their own maple syrup." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSuspected meth lab turns out to be sweet maple syrup

Prison time for former cop trafficking in steroids

"A former Philadelphia police officer has been ordered to serve six months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state steroid distribution ring orchestrated by a former police colleague. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, McIntyre routinely bought steroids from former police Detective Keith Gidelson and redistributed the performance-enhancing drugs to his own customers. Gidelson obtained the steroids from overseas and had them shipped to Philadelphia directly or via contacts in California, authorities said. Both men were active duty cops at the time of the criminal activity but were later fired from the police force." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPrison time for former cop trafficking in steroids

Judge sets $10,000 bond for cop, former deputy and civilian accused in cocaine payoffs

"Three men, all from different backgrounds, sat in their orange prison jumpsuits waiting to hear the words from federal court Judge Alan Baverman, that their bonds would be granted. Baverman set conditions and gave each man a $10,000 bail. The men are former DeKalb County Sheriff's Deputy Monyette McLaurin, current DeKalb County police Officer Dorian Williams, and a civilian Gregory Lee Harvey. An indictment in federal court states that McLaurin and Harvey worked together to protect drug dealers during cocaine transactions. In return for their protection, the men were given thousands of dollars in payouts." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge sets $10,000 bond for cop, former deputy and civilian accused in cocaine payoffs