Police State

On Target Pressure Points: The Electronic Concentration Camp

"In conjunction with the upcoming release of his new book, A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, John W. Whitehead sits down to discuss several 'pressure points' that are threatening the Bill of Rights and undermining our essential freedoms. In part four of this special series, Whitehead examines the collusion between corporations and government officials in erecting a system of mass surveillance aimed at all Americans." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOn Target Pressure Points: The Electronic Concentration Camp

Couple handcuffed for passing out End the Fed literature near Liberty Bell

"A video recently posted on YouTube features a man and woman sitting on the ground near Independence Hall handcuffed for at least 10 minutes. The reason for their detainment: passing out fliers. What’s that sound? I think it’s Benjamin Franklin rolling over in his grave. According to the description for the video, Mark Passio and his wife Barb were passing out End the Fed fliers to folks standing in the line near the Liberty Bell, which Mark says he’s done nearly 20 times." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCouple handcuffed for passing out End the Fed literature near Liberty Bell

Cops Taser Then Shoot Man to Death After Family Calls 911 for Help for His Depression

"A California sheriff's deputy needlessly Tasered and then shot a man to death after his father called 911 seeking help for his son's depression, the family claims in court. Parents and two brothers of the late George I. Ramirez sued Stanislaus County, its sheriff's department, Sheriff Adam Christianson, and Deputy Art Parra Jr. in Federal Court. George Ramirez, the father, says he called 911 on April 16, 2012, seeking help for his son. Ramirez says in the complaint that he told the 911 operator that his son was depressed, but never said that the family was in danger or that a crime was in progress." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Taser Then Shoot Man to Death After Family Calls 911 for Help for His Depression

Nigerian 14-Year Jail Terms for Same-Sex Marriages Passes Legislature

"The bill sets 14-year jail terms for people who enter into same-sex marriages or civil unions and 10 years for those who witness, aid or abet such unions as well as those who operate gay clubs and societies, Victor Ogene, a lower-house spokesman, said by phone from the capital, Abuja. Same-sex public displays of affection would be punishable by as many as 10 years behind bars. The Senate passed a similar bill in November 2011. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer and most-populous country with more than 160 million people almost evenly split between a mainly Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNigerian 14-Year Jail Terms for Same-Sex Marriages Passes Legislature

Iran amends stoning-for-adultery law to allow judges discretion on type of execution

"Iran has amended its internationally condemned law on stoning convicted adulterers to death to allow judges to impose a different form of execution. Under Iran’s interpretation of Islamic Sharia law in force since its 1979 revolution, adultery is punished by the stoning of convicted adulterers. Women are buried up to the their shoulders, but men only up to their waists. They are spared if they manage to free themselves before dying. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking are also punishable by death in Iran, which has one of the highest annual execution counts in the world, alongside China, Saudi Arabia and the United States." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran amends stoning-for-adultery law to allow judges discretion on type of execution

Culpeper Cop Who Shot and Killed Patricia Cook Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

"Daniel Harmon-Wright, the police officer in Culpeper, Virginia, who shot and killed former Sunday school teacher Patricia Cook in February 2012, has been sentenced to three years in prison. The first two rounds, fired at point-blank range, tore into Cook’s face and arm. Another round, fired as Cook was driving away from the shooter, entered her brain. A fourth round severed her spine and veered into her heart, killing her. Soon after Harmon-Wright was arrested, it was revealed that he had a tarnished military record, a drinking problem, and a history of harassing Culpeper residents. The first two problems nearly kept him from getting the job." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCulpeper Cop Who Shot and Killed Patricia Cook Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Father Of Florida Man Connected To Tsarnaev: FBI Killed My Son ‘Execution-Style’

"The father of a Chechen immigrant killed while being interrogated by the FBI about his ties to a Boston Marathon bombings suspect says agents killed his son 'execution style,' reports AP. There was even a shot to the back of the head. At a press conference Thursday in Moscow, Abdul-Baki Todashev showed journalists 16 photographs he said were of his son, Ibragim, in a Florida morgue. He said his son had six gunshot wounds to his torso and one to the back of his head and the pictures were taken by his son’s friend, Khusen Taramov. WESH-TV is reporting that unidentified FBI sources now say that Todashev was unarmed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFather Of Florida Man Connected To Tsarnaev: FBI Killed My Son ‘Execution-Style’

Boy, 6, gets detention for Lego gun on bus

"A Massachusetts kindergartener has been given detention and could be suspended from the bus after bringing a Lego-sized gun to school last week. A 6-year-old had the toy gun, which is slightly larger than a quarter, on the bus and it was seen by another student, who alerted the bus driver. The boy's mother, Mieke Crane, said her son had to write a letter of apology to the driver, was given detention and could be temporarily suspended from the bus. The school sent home a letter to parents explaining what happened. '(The driver) said he caused quite a disturbance on the bus and that the children were traumatized,' Crane told WGGB." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBoy, 6, gets detention for Lego gun on bus

Mother takes son’s police shooting case to UN Human Rights Committee

"Tyler Cassidy was armed with knives, intoxicated and in a distressed state when he confronted four police officers in a deserted Melbourne skate park in December 2008 and was shot dead in little more than a minute. The police, who between them emptied two cans of capsicum spray and fired 10 bullets at the teen, were cleared of blame in 2011 by a coroner who ruled that they acted within the limits of their training. But Tyler’s mother, Shani Cassidy, has taken the case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee alleging Australia breached its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMother takes son’s police shooting case to UN Human Rights Committee

High Bail for Marijuana Raid Arrests Sparks Questions

"Three of four people arrested are still behind bars with bail at roughly half-a-million dollars each. Questions are arising about why their bail is so high in comparison to others. 'Bail will remain set $550,000' said Judge Tim Barnack. After he announced his decision, supporters of Lori and Leland Duckworth as well as David Bond made their discontent known in the courtroom. Comparing their bail to others on the Jackson County Jail inmate list, bail is $250,000 dollars for an individual accused of encouraging child sex abuse. Another person, charged with 3rd degree robbery, misdemeanor strangulation and 4th degree assault has bail set at $80,000." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHigh Bail for Marijuana Raid Arrests Sparks Questions