Resistance

Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Compares NSA Spying to Soviet Russia

"'When I was brought up my dad taught me, for example, [that when] other countries got prisoners in a war, they tortured them. But we, Americans, didn’t torture them. And now I find out it’s just the opposite. And all these things we talk about in the Constitution, that made us so good as a people, they all dissolved with the Patriot Act. I was taught that communist Russia were the ones that were going to kill us, and bomb our country. Communist Russia was so bad because they followed their people, they snooped on them, they arrested them, they put them in secret prisons, they disappeared them. Nowadays, we’re getting more and more like that.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingApple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Compares NSA Spying to Soviet Russia

Thousands Of Firms Trade Confidential Data With The US Government In Exchange For Classified Intelligence

"In other words, what is going on behind the scenes is nothing more than one vast, very selective, extremely secretive, symbiotic and perfectly 'legal' giant information exchange network, which allows corporations to profit off classified government information either in kind or in cash, and which allows the government to have all the information at its disposal, collected using public and private venues, in order to protect itself, to take out those it designates as targets, or simply said - to get ever bigger. The loser in all of this? You." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThousands Of Firms Trade Confidential Data With The US Government In Exchange For Classified Intelligence

US Treasury denies it is trying to torpedo Bitcoin

"Bitcoin itself is nearly impossible to regulate. And the government at least seems to understand this point. But that doesn’t mean they can’t spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt. In this short 4-page speech, the Director twice made a connection between Bitcoin and (you guessed it) terrorism. Twice more connected Bitcoin to those who would exploit children. And four times linked digital currency to ‘criminals’ in general. And, even though they cannot control Bitcoin, FinCEN is obviously laying the foundation to regulate every business that touches Bitcoin, from exchange houses to swap websites to digital wallet providers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Treasury denies it is trying to torpedo Bitcoin

Louisiana: Cops Used Red Light Cameras For Personal Profit

"Police officers in New Orleans, Louisiana filled their own pockets with red light camera cash by setting up a private company to 'review' photo citations off the official clock. The city's inspector general, E. R. Quatrevaux, on Friday released a report documenting how Edwin Hosli, the New Orleans Police Department's (NOPD) 8th District commander, formed his own limited liability company called Anytime Solutions to take advantage of the lucrative business opportunity. Hosli pulled down $7420 from the arrangement for himself. Hosli and several other officers overbilled ACS by $9075. Hosli's share of that was $2055, according to the documents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLouisiana: Cops Used Red Light Cameras For Personal Profit

No way out: Julian Assange marks one year inside Ecuadorian embassy in UK

"Julian Assange is still there, holed up inside Ecuador’s embassy in central London. And on Wednesday this week it’ll be a full year since he walked into the embassy claiming political asylum. Julian Assange knows that despite having been granted asylum by the Latin American nation in August 2012, if he steps outside the building he’ll be immediately arrested by UK police and likely extradited to Sweden to face questioning over two alleged sexual assaults in the country. The 41-year-old WikiLeaks founder denies any wrongdoing, but fears that being transferred to Sweden could ultimately result in him being handed over to the US authorities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNo way out: Julian Assange marks one year inside Ecuadorian embassy in UK

Rio police tear gas thousands at protest demanding health care and education

"Police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse around 3,000 protestors from outside Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium ahead of the Confederations Cup match between Italy and Mexico on Sunday. The demonstrators were attempting to enter the stadium in protest at the vast sums of money spent on the organisation of the tournament and next year’s World Cup, which Brazil is also hosting. 'I don’t care about the World Cup — I want health and education!' chanted protestors. The start of the competition has been marked by protests over the huge cost of preparations to host the World Cup, which is expected to reach $15 million (11 billion euros)." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRio police tear gas thousands at protest demanding health care and education

Putin questions why Western powers support Syrian rebels who ‘eat human organs’

"Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West against arming Syrian rebels on Sunday. In his first public comments since a decision by President Barack Obama’s administration to arm rebels trying to overthrow Assad, Putin said Russia wanted to create the conditions for settling the two-year conflict. 'I think you will not deny that one does not really need to support the people who not only kill their enemies, but open up their bodies, eat their intestines, in front of the public and cameras,' Putin said at a joint news conference in London. 'Are these the people you want to support? Is it them who you want to supply with weapons?'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPutin questions why Western powers support Syrian rebels who ‘eat human organs’

Bond bubble threatens financial system, Bank of England director warns

"A key Bank of England policymaker has warned of the risks to global financial stability when 'the biggest bond bubble in history' bursts. In a wide-ranging testimony to MPs, Andy Haldane, Bank of England director of financial stability, admitted the central bank's new financial policy committee is taking too long to force banks to hold more capital and appeared to criticise the bank's culture under outgoing governor Sir Mervyn King. Haldane told the Treasury select committee that the bursting of the bond bubble – created by central banks forcing down bond yields by pumping electronic money into the economy – was a risk 'I feel acutely right now'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBond bubble threatens financial system, Bank of England director warns

Egypt’s Islamist president cuts diplomatic ties with Syria, urges no-fly zone

"Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi, in severing ties with Damascus, aims to show solidarity with Western and fellow Arab states opposed to Syria’s regime and also boost his under-fire image at home, analysts said. Morsi, an Islamist from the Muslim Brotherhood, told supporters in a Cairo stadium for a 'Support for Syria' rally on Saturday that he was going to 'definitively' cut diplomatic relations with Syria. The Syrian government on Sunday slammed the decision, accusing Morsi of announcing the cut in ties to deflect attention from domestic crises. Morsi called on the international community to impose a 'no-fly zone' over Syria." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt’s Islamist president cuts diplomatic ties with Syria, urges no-fly zone

European defense contractors ask governments to launch drone programs

"Three top European defence firms called on Sunday on governments to launch a programme to manufacture drones that European countries are currently having to buy from Israel or the United States. France’s Dassault Aviation, European aerospace giant EADS and Italy’s Finmeccania argued such a joint programme would 'support the capability needs of European armed forces while optimising the difficult budgetary situation through pooling of research and development funding'. They said they were prepared to work together on the creation of a European drone which allows surveillance of vast areas over 24 hours." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEuropean defense contractors ask governments to launch drone programs