military industrial complex

Obama approved F-16 fighter jets as gift to Egypt

"Despite instability due to the new Islamic government in Egypt, the US is sending more than 20 F-16 fighter jets to Egypt as part of a $1 billion foreign aid package. The first four Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets are set to arrive in Egypt on Jan. 22, an unnamed source told Fox News. The new Islamic president, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, has recently made political moves that have fueled anger and criticism both in the West and among secular Egyptians. Mass demonstrations are currently taking place in Cairo and several other Egyptian cities against Morsi’s decision to hold a referendum on a pro-Islamist constitution." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama approved F-16 fighter jets as gift to Egypt

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

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

Anti-drone protesters knocked off course by broad restraining order

"Adams said that he has repeatedly been arrested as he attempted to deliver a letter to the base commander, Colonel Greg Semmel, and others accusing the government of war crimes. The order of protection, issued by Donald Benack, a judge in the Dewitt town court, Onondaga, New York, on 25 October, forbids the 17 activists from contacting Colonel Earl A. Evans. The activists, Adams said, had asked if the order meant they had to stay away from the weekly permitted protest across the road from the base. The response from law enforcement officers: if Evans found it 'irritating' then it did." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnti-drone protesters knocked off course by broad restraining order

Afghan Children Legitimate Targets, Says U.S. Lt. Col., As They Might Have “Hostile Intent”

"When the war gets to this level--whether or not we believe the Army's assertions that the kids it's killing in Afghanistan deserved it--it's time to rethink whether you are winning hearts and minds, nation rebuilding, or just involved in an endless insane game of blowing shit up and making people so mad they give you what you think is a legitimate excuse to keep blowing shit up." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfghan Children Legitimate Targets, Says U.S. Lt. Col., As They Might Have “Hostile Intent”

Online sales tax to be added to National Defense Authorization Act

"This may be the last Christmas of online shopping without paying sales tax. A proposed online sales tax has been offered as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, much to the ire of opponents. The Marketplace Fairness Act, and its House counterpart the Marketplace Equity Act, seek to clarify, and arguably overturn, a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that requires retailers to have a physical presence in a state in order to collect sales tax on goods." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOnline sales tax to be added to National Defense Authorization Act

The U.S. Plot to Nuke the Moon

"Shortly after the Soviets lunched the Sputnik satellite in 1957, the U.S. government seriously considered a nuclear strike against the Moon in order to intimidate Russia. A missile carrying an atom bomb would have been launched from an undisclosed location and then detonated on impact. Preparations were made for a missile launch in 1959, but the program was quietly scrapped. What is truly strange is that the plan to nuke the moon was supposedly inspired by the need to catch up with the Soviets in the space race. Yet there’s evidence that Washington actually spotted Moscow a lead by allowing the Russians to launch the first satellite." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe U.S. Plot to Nuke the Moon

Alaskan town home to airport with no planes and harbor with no road

"Remember Alaska's infamous bridge to nowhere? Well, another town in 'Seward's Icebox' has upped the ante after building an unused $75.5 million airport and a $29 million harbor with no roads connecting to the town. The Aleutians community of Akutan is home to just over 1,000 seasonal workers and 75 full-time residents, though only about five boats. The Army Corps of Engineers, using $29 million in federal stimulus money, built the harbor." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlaskan town home to airport with no planes and harbor with no road

Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes says province looking to tap U.S. military personnel to help develop oilsands

"Hughes said there are a half-million unemployed or underemployed younger military veterans in the U.S. Forecasts conducted on the labour needs of Alberta’s energy sector range greatly, with one study stating the province could be short 130,000 workers within seven years. Concerns over the welfare of U.S. military personnel returning from overseas — particularly the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — have been growing in the U.S. Among the challenges they face are homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder and unemployment in a country still struggling with an unemployment rate of around 8%." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes says province looking to tap U.S. military personnel to help develop oilsands

Rand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill

"Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is holding up consideration of the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill over an amendment he plans to offer that would require a jury trial for Americans detained in terrorism investigations. Paul’s demand for a vote comes as Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the panel, are working behind the scenes to limit debate on the sprawling policy measure (S 3254) to ensure it receives floor time during the lame-duck session." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill