Police State

Former North Chicago police chief accused of stealing seized drug money

"Former Chief Michael Newsome was accused of using the money to buy a new car and do home repairs on his kitchen, among other personal expenditures, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Scheller said. Newsome, who left office in February amid a public uproar over alleged police brutality within the department, was charged with an ongoing theft of more than $140,000 from April of 2011 through March 31 of this year, Scheller said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer North Chicago police chief accused of stealing seized drug money

Member of U.S. Secret Service arrested for sexual abuse in Woodbridge

"Police say the victim was a 14-year-old girl and was sexually assaulted by her family member between August and October this year. U.S. Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary would not confirm any details about where Cuellar worked or his role. But Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul B. Ebert said that Cuellar has been part of President Obama’s detail." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMember of U.S. Secret Service arrested for sexual abuse in Woodbridge

TSA opens museum to inspire its mission

"In 2010, armed with a master's degree in history and experience working at several museums, Smith was hired for the newly created position of TSA historian. Since then he's been filming oral histories of current and past TSA employees, creating exhibits and organizing a growing cache of objects related to the agency's history. In 2011, to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the TSA gave the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History several artifacts relating to TSA history. Among those items are images, oral histories, internal planning documents, a uniform and other objects relating to the first airport to get TSA screeners." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTSA opens museum to inspire its mission

Police Shoot From Helicopter, Kill Two

"It is astonishing when police officers disregard the most serious rule governing their conduct–the use of deadly force. Even if the police were 100 percent certain the vehicle had a trunk full of marijuana and cocaine and that the vehicle was highly likely to elude capture by the police on the ground, that would not justify the use of deadly force. The story reminds me of one of the early scenes in the movie Black Hawk Down, where Delta snipers disable the engine of a vehicle from an Army helicopter in order to capture one of the occupants. This may be another example of military tactics spilling over to the civilian world of policing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice Shoot From Helicopter, Kill Two

Glenn Greenwald: Joe Klein’s sociopathic defense of drone killings of children

"Obama has led all sorts of progressives and other Democrats to be the most vocal supporters of unrestrained aggression, secret assassinations, and 'crippling' the Iranian people with sanctions. It is completely unsurprising that the most sociopathic defense of drones comes from one of the most committed Obama supporters, and that it's now left to a former GOP Congressman to raise objections. As much as anything, that is the Obama legacy. Those who cheer for the unchecked power to assassinate in secret because it's Obama who currently wields that power will be the ones fully responsible for future abuses." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: Joe Klein’s sociopathic defense of drone killings of children

Could Obama use NDAA To Arrest Militias?

"The Obama Administration never clarified what constitutes a (belligerent); or militant; or what belligerent activities (directly aligned with a militant) to order a belligerent’s arrest or indefinite detention; or what is against the good of America. Under vague provisions of NDAA, the President could accuse anyone of being (directly aligned with militants by way of any political or other association; activity, statement, writing or communication with an individual or group government deemed (militant) to arrest and indefinitely detain Americans." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCould Obama use NDAA To Arrest Militias?

State Legislatures Called To Protect Americans From Weaponized Police Spy Drones

"In the wake of the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, it is expected that at least 30,000 drones will occupy U.S. airspace by 2020. In alerting the state legislatures to the dangers posed by drones to citizens’ privacy and civil liberties, The Rutherford Institute has made model legislation available, titled 'Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act,' that would not only prohibit state governments from using data recorded via police spy drones in criminal prosecutions but would also prevent police agencies from utilizing drones outfitted with anti-personnel devices such as tasers and tear gas." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState Legislatures Called To Protect Americans From Weaponized Police Spy Drones

U.S. and Canada launch joint cybersecurity plan

"The action plan, under the auspices of the US Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety Canada, aims to better protect critical digital infrastructure and improve the response to cyber incidents. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the plan 'reinforces the robust relationship' between their two agencies. Through the plan, Washington and Ottawa hope to improve collaboration on managing cyber incidents between their respective cyber security operation centers, enhance information sharing and engagement with the private sector and pursue US-Canadian collaboration to promote cyber security awareness to the public." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. and Canada launch joint cybersecurity plan