Orwellian

After IRS Targeting, Now The Gibson Guitar Raids Make Sense

"Interestingly, one of Gibson's leading competitors is C.F. Martin & Co. According to C.F. Martin's catalog, several of their guitars contain 'East Indian Rosewood,' which is the exact same wood in at least 10 of Gibson's guitars. So why were they not also raided and their inventory of foreign wood seized? Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson's chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians. Recent donations have included $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and $1,500 to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. By contrast, Chris Martin IV, the Martin & Co. CEO, is a long-time Democratic supporter." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter IRS Targeting, Now The Gibson Guitar Raids Make Sense

The Age of Authoritarianism: Government of the Politicians, by the Military, for the Corporations

"President Obama’s declaration that 'America is at a crossroads' in the fight against terror, a fight that is increasingly turning inwards, setting its sights on homegrown extremists, should give every American pause. We have indeed reached a crossroads. History may show that from this point forward, we will have left behind any semblance of constitutional government and entered into a militaristic state where all citizens are suspects and security trumps freedom. Certainly, this is a time when government officials operate off their own inscrutable, self-serving playbook with little in the way of checks and balances." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Age of Authoritarianism: Government of the Politicians, by the Military, for the Corporations

Lawsuit filed over veteran’s psychiatric detention over Facebook posts

"A civil liberties group filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of an ex-Marine who was detained in a psychiatric facility after posting anti-government messages on Facebook, using the case to criticize a program that looks for veterans who may have become extremists. Attorneys for The Rutherford Institute filed suit in Richmond over the weeklong detention last August of Brandon J. Raub, a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Attorneys for Raub claimed his detention came under a federal program called 'Operation Vigilant Eagle' involving surveillance of veterans who express views critical of the government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLawsuit filed over veteran’s psychiatric detention over Facebook posts

NYPD detective allegedly hacked 40 email accounts to spy on ex-girlfriend

"An NYPD detective was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly spying on more than 40 email accounts, including 21 of his fellow officers. According to a FBI press release, Vargas allegedly paid an e-mail hacking service more than $4,000 to obtain the log-in credentials of at least 43 personal email accounts and one cellular phone belonging to at least 30 different individuals. Of those 30 individuals, 19 were current NYPD officers, one was a retired NYPD officer, and one was on the NYPD’s administrative staff. Vargas was also accused of accessing a federal crime database to obtain information about two NYPD officers without authorization. He has been suspended with pay." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD detective allegedly hacked 40 email accounts to spy on ex-girlfriend

NYPD detective allegedly hacked 40 email accounts to spy on ex-girlfriend

"An NYPD detective was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly spying on more than 40 email accounts, including 21 of his fellow officers. According to a FBI press release, Vargas allegedly paid an e-mail hacking service more than $4,000 to obtain the log-in credentials of at least 43 personal email accounts and one cellular phone belonging to at least 30 different individuals. Of those 30 individuals, 19 were current NYPD officers, one was a retired NYPD officer, and one was on the NYPD’s administrative staff. Vargas was also accused of accessing a federal crime database to obtain information about two NYPD officers without authorization. He has been suspended with pay." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNYPD detective allegedly hacked 40 email accounts to spy on ex-girlfriend

Cops Being Trained That Cell Phones Could Be Guns

"As a result of the numerous legal cases that have proven recording police officers is not a crime, authorities are getting more creative in attempting to stop abuse by law enforcement offices ending up as a viral video on YouTube. In the clip above, Detective Shannon Todd of the Newark Police Gang Unit approaches a man who is recording a police stop on his cell phone, ordering him to, 'put your phone down, put it in your pocket.' Despite acknowledging that the device is a phone, when the man refuses to follow the unlawful order, Todd remarks, 'I need to hold on to it,' before stating, 'May I look at it and inspect it to ensure it’s not a firearm.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Being Trained That Cell Phones Could Be Guns

Cops Being Trained That Cell Phones Could Be Guns

"As a result of the numerous legal cases that have proven recording police officers is not a crime, authorities are getting more creative in attempting to stop abuse by law enforcement offices ending up as a viral video on YouTube. In the clip above, Detective Shannon Todd of the Newark Police Gang Unit approaches a man who is recording a police stop on his cell phone, ordering him to, 'put your phone down, put it in your pocket.' Despite acknowledging that the device is a phone, when the man refuses to follow the unlawful order, Todd remarks, 'I need to hold on to it,' before stating, 'May I look at it and inspect it to ensure it’s not a firearm.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Being Trained That Cell Phones Could Be Guns

‘The Rendition Project’ sheds new light on U.S. global kidnap and secret detention program

"A groundbreaking research project has mapped the US government’s global kidnap and secret detention programme, shedding unprecedented light on one of the most controversial secret operations of recent years. The interactive online project – by two British universities and a legal charity – has uncovered new details of the way in which the so-called extraordinary rendition programme operated for years in the wake of the September 11 attacks, and the techniques used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to avoid detection in the face of growing public concern." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘The Rendition Project’ sheds new light on U.S. global kidnap and secret detention program

Antiwar.com Lost Major Donors After News of FBI Monitoring Broke

"Yesterday the ACLU filed a lawsuit on our behalf against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, demanding the receipt of records in their possession regarding surveillance of Antiwar.com, and key editorial personnel. We know they possess such records because of documents received as a result of a third party Freedom of Information Act request, subsequently published online. A memo from FBI headquarters in Washington speculates Antiwar.com and its principals are possibly 'a threat to national security' engaging in a conspiracy 'on behalf of a foreign power' and recommends a more thorough investigation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAntiwar.com Lost Major Donors After News of FBI Monitoring Broke

West Point sergeant accused of filming naked female cadets without their consent

"A West Point sergeant in charge of teaching cadets has been accused of videotaping a dozen female officers without their consent, including times when they were in the shower, according to military officials. The Army confirmed reports Wednesday it had filed charges against Sgt. 1st Class Michael McClendon under four articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for cruelty and maltreatment, indecent acts, dereliction in the performance of duty and actions prejudicial to good order and discipline. The charges, filed May 14, come at a time when the U.S. military has come under intense scrutiny for the way it handles sexual harassment and abuse cases." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWest Point sergeant accused of filming naked female cadets without their consent