Mainstream News

McCain calls Paul, Cruz, Amash ‘wacko birds’ after CIA director filibuster

"Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is continuing to criticize his fellow Republicans for their filibuster of incoming CIA Director John O. Brennan over drone policy. In an interview with the Huffington Post, McCain referred to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) as 'wackos.' McCain and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) took strong exception to the filibuster, saying they support the possible use of drones to prevent terrorist attacks anywhere in the world. Some Republicans have privately worried that the high-profile stand, while garnering a lot of positive attention, will ultimately be bad for the party." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMcCain calls Paul, Cruz, Amash ‘wacko birds’ after CIA director filibuster

Massachusetts cops reinstated with back pay after testing positive for cocaine

"Officers Ronnie Jones, George Downing, Shawn Harris, Richard Beckers, Jacqueline McGowan and Walter Washington each had very different explanations as to why there might have been cocaine detected in their hair follicles, yet all were summarily fired in the last decade. The board’s ruling reinstates them to their jobs with back pay dating to October 2010. Reasons for the presence of cocaine given by officers included a recent prescription of lidocaine, living near a crackhead, keeping drug evidence in the same pocket as food and accidental physical contact after mistaking the drug for powder from a doughnut." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMassachusetts cops reinstated with back pay after testing positive for cocaine

Milwaukee police officer convicted of stealing money while responding to burglary

"A Milwaukee police officer has been fired after his conviction for stealing cash from a convenience store where he had responded to investigate a burglary. According to the criminal complaint, the owner of Hopkins Food Mart at N. 46th St. and Hopkins Ave. had reported a burglary, and Howell came to take a report. The owner showed Howell a drawer with cash that was not taken during the burglary, and Howell later went back to the drawer and took some of the money. His actions were recorded on store surveillance video. Upon his arrest, Howell admitted taking about $200 and said he did so because he was behind on his rent." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMilwaukee police officer convicted of stealing money while responding to burglary

Charges Dropped Against Innocent Man: Video Evidence Shows Officers Planted Drugs On Him

"A man who claims a police officer planted drugs on him will have the charges dismissed one day before his case was set to go to trial. But the DeKalb County Solicitor General’s Office said the dismissal has nothing to do with a surveillance video Alphonzo Eleby said proves the officer set him up. His attorney said surveillance video from the location shows the officer call the officer guarding Eleby over to the SUV he had been searching. As she searches the vehicle, Zenobia Waters said the video shows the officer circle back to her client and toss marijuana next to him. She said the officer then picks the drugs up and repositions them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCharges Dropped Against Innocent Man: Video Evidence Shows Officers Planted Drugs On Him

Judge: Bozeman police intentionally erased audio in excessive force case

"A judge has found Bozeman police intentionally erased a portion of an audio recording made during a welfare check on a man who claims officers used excessive force against him. Soheil Jesse Verdi claims the officers caused him to fall and injure his skull when they used a stun gun against him in 2007. One of the officers was wearing a microphone. Attorneys for Verdi said there is a missing audio segment. U.S. District Judge Richard Anderson agreed with Verdi in a ruling last month the segment was intentionally erased." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge: Bozeman police intentionally erased audio in excessive force case

President Obama and his secret executive friends

"'Secret friends' is essentially the arrangement that the president has kept with several corporate executives. Clearly, the president likes them: they include American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault and Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, as well as, on a more fitful basis, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt. But before the executives even have time to source Washington DC real estate, their names are taken out of the running. The administration rejects being associated with them, in favor of long-serving veterans who are already in the White House cool kids' club." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPresident Obama and his secret executive friends

Obama won’t push Middle East peace initiative in Israel trip

"President Barack Obama on Thursday signaled there would be no big Middle East peace initiative on the table when he arrives in Israel later this month for his first visit as US leader. Officials have styled the trip as an effort to reconnect with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he had a delicate relationship during his first term and to coordinate on key issues like Iran and Syria. 'The President reiterated America’s unshakeable support for Israel and thanked the leaders for role they play in strengthening ties between the two nations,' the official said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama won’t push Middle East peace initiative in Israel trip

Officials: 80 Percent Of Recent NYC High School Graduates Cannot Read

"When they graduated from city high schools, students in a special remedial program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College couldn’t make the grade. They had to re-learn basic skills — reading, writing and math — first before they could begin college courses. They are part of a disturbing statistic. Officials told CBS 2′s Kramer that nearly 80 percent of those who graduate from city high schools arrived at City University’s community college system without having mastered the skills to do college-level work." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOfficials: 80 Percent Of Recent NYC High School Graduates Cannot Read

At BoE, Mark Carney could be handed powers to spur economy

"Last month, the Treasury set up a unit to explore changes to the Bank's remit amid mounting political pressure for action to boost economic growth. Options include giving the Monetary Policy Committee greater time to bring inflation back to the 2pc target, handing the Bank a dual mandate to target both employment and inflation – similar to that of the Federal Reserve in America – or targeting spending in the economy rather than inflation. The Canadian central banker, who replaces Sir Mervyn King in July, has said that 'considerable monetary policy' is required to take up the slack in the British economy." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAt BoE, Mark Carney could be handed powers to spur economy