Mainstream News

Costco’s Dividend Tax Epiphany

"When President Obama needed a business executive to come to his campaign defense, Jim Sinegal was there. The Costco co-founder, director and former CEO even made a prime-time speech at the Democratic Party convention in Charlotte. But now these people at the very top of the top 1% who preach about tax fairness voting to write themselves a huge dividend check to avoid the Obama tax increase they claim it is a public service to impose on middle-class Americans who work for 30 years and finally make $250,000 for a brief window in time." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCostco’s Dividend Tax Epiphany

Despite Tax Increase, California State Revenues in Freefall

"California State Controller John Chiang has announced that total state revenue for the month of November 2012 fell $806.8 million, or 10.8%, below budget. Voters thought they could hammer 'the rich' by passing Proposition 30 to create the highest state income tax in the nation. But it now appears that high income earners have already 'voted with their feet' by moving themselves and their businesses out of state, resulting in over $1 billion shortfall in corporate and income taxes last month and the beginning of a new financial crisis." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDespite Tax Increase, California State Revenues in Freefall

Pentagon to expand intelligence gathering to rival CIA

"The Pentagon, in a major expansion of its intelligence gathering activities, plans to assemble an espionage network rivaling the Central Intelligence Agency in size. Citing unnamed US officials, the Washington Post said that as part of the project, US military officials will send hundreds of additional spies overseas. They also plan to overhaul the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) which has focused primarily during the past decade on activities related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the expansion is complete, the DIA is expected to have as many as 1,600 intelligence 'collectors' around the world." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPentagon to expand intelligence gathering to rival CIA

Poll: Feds should back off when states legalize pot

"Americans are divided over whether marijuana should be decriminalized — 50% say no, 48% say yes — but they overwhelmingly agree on this: When states vote to legalize pot, the feds should look the other way. In a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, those surveyed say by almost 2-1, 63%-34%, that the federal government shouldn't take steps to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that legalize pot." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPoll: Feds should back off when states legalize pot

Tehran residents urged to flee ‘dangerous’ pollution

"Efforts by Tehran officials to boost public transport, including extending the subway lines and establishing lanes for buses only, have barely dented the problem because of the ever-growing number of cars, many of which are inefficient and old. Western sanctions on fuel imports to Iran have also forced the country to rely on its own production of petrol — of a lower grade, and therefore more polluting, than in many other countries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTehran residents urged to flee ‘dangerous’ pollution

Tehran residents urged to flee ‘dangerous’ pollution

"Efforts by Tehran officials to boost public transport, including extending the subway lines and establishing lanes for buses only, have barely dented the problem because of the ever-growing number of cars, many of which are inefficient and old. Western sanctions on fuel imports to Iran have also forced the country to rely on its own production of petrol — of a lower grade, and therefore more polluting, than in many other countries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTehran residents urged to flee ‘dangerous’ pollution

Behind Google’s mission to map the world

"Eight years ago, Google bought a cool little graphics business called Keyhole, which had been working on 3D maps. Along with the acquisition came Brian McClendon, aka 'Bam', a tall and serious Kansan who in a previous incarnation had supplied high-end graphics software that Hollywood used in films including Jurassic Park and Terminator 2. It turned out to be a very smart move. Today McClendon is Google’s Mr Maps – presiding over one of the fastest-growing areas in the search giant’s business, one that has recently left arch-rival Apple red-faced and threatens to make Google the most powerful company in mapping the world has ever seen." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBehind Google’s mission to map the world

Obama’s inauguration committee to accept corporate cash

"President Obama’s inauguration in January will be funded in part by corporate cash, a reversal from 2008 when he declined corporate donations and capped individual donations to $50,000. Donations from both corporate donors and individuals to the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee will not have an upper limit, although the committee will not take funds from PACs or lobbyists. President of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, told the Post, 'It’s not a bribe' but 'they’re going to expect access and the ability to have their views heard more favorably than they otherwise would be. And that’s not how the system should work.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama’s inauguration committee to accept corporate cash

Obama gives 83% of export loan guarantees to Boeing

"The Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im)’s primary way of subsidizing exports is through loan guarantees: a private bank lends money to a foreign buyer (such as a foreign company or government) who is buying an American good. Ex-Im guarantees the loan, meaning that if the foreign buyer defaults, U.S. taxpayers foot the bill. In fiscal year 2012, Ex-Im issued $14.7 billion in loan guarantees. $12.2 billion of that money subsidized Boeing sales. That’s right: 82.7% of all of Ex-Im’s taxpayer-backed loan guarantees benefitted one corporation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama gives 83% of export loan guarantees to Boeing

10-Year Veteran TSA Screener Busted for Stealing iPads at JFK

"A Transportation Security Administration screener has been arrested on charges he swiped iPads and other electronic devices from passengers' luggage at John F. Kennedy Airport. Port Authority spokesman Steven Coleman said Wednesday that 32-year-old Sean Henry, of Brooklyn, was nabbed in a sting operation using decoy bags in cooperation with the TSA. Coleman says Henry was arrested after leaving work carrying in his backpack two planted iPads and other electronic devices. He says stolen items were also found in Henry's home." Continue reading →

Continue Reading10-Year Veteran TSA Screener Busted for Stealing iPads at JFK