statism

Armed EPA raid in Alaska sheds light on 70 fed agencies with armed divisions

"The recent uproar over armed EPA agents descending on a tiny Alaska mining town is shedding light on the fact that 40 federal agencies – including nearly a dozen typically not associated with law enforcement -- have armed divisions. The agencies employ about 120,000 full-time officers authorized to carry guns and make arrests, according to a June 2012 Justice Department report. Though most Americans know agents within the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Prisons carry guns, agencies such as the Library of Congress and Federal Reserve Board employing armed officers might come as a surprise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArmed EPA raid in Alaska sheds light on 70 fed agencies with armed divisions

Virginia City Hides Data Showing Increased Red Light Camera Injuries

"After holding out for more than three years, officials in Virginia Beach, Virginia finally released accident data that raise serious questions about whether the use of red light cameras has improved traffic safety in the city. The number of injury accidents went down 12 percent throughout the city. At the twelve intersections where red light camera tickets are issued, however, injury accidents went up 5 percent over the same period. After finally releasing the information, city officials dismissed the relevance of the climbing injury rate. As of January, the cameras had issued 199,463 citations worth $10 million. $7.3 million worth of tickets have been issued solely to vehicles making rolling right turns on red." Continue reading →

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Vermont: Federal Lawsuit Challenges Bogus Traffic Stop, Lying Cop

"Rod MacIver filed a suit in the US District Court for the District of Vermont on Thursday over the December 9, 2012 traffic stop. Officer Jason P. Lawton pulled over MacIver's truck and accused him of running a red light, even though a dashcam video of the incident confirms that did not happen (view video). When MacIver began arguing with Officer Lawton, he was slapped with a $214 ticket and two points against his driver's license. Lawton then filed a complaint about the rookie officer with the Shelburne Police Department, and Sergeant Allen Fortin emailed Lawton back claiming that he had reviewed the video and it showed a violation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVermont: Federal Lawsuit Challenges Bogus Traffic Stop, Lying Cop

Florida Police Jail Man For Petitioning Against Red Light Cameras

"'As I was approaching him, I read 'BAN CAMS' on the sign he was wearing,' Officer Campbell wrote. 'He was holding a large stack of papers... I asked him if he had a permit to protest the red light cameras, and he said no.' At this point, Officer Campbell asked for Schmidter's identification. Since he was not driving, the man explained he was not carrying any. The officer then asked for his name and date of birth. Schmidter declined to do so unless the officer could show him what law he had violated. Officer Campbell said he did not have to do that. After asking one more time he grabbed Schmidter's wrist, handcuffed him, and placed him under arrest." Continue reading →

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Licensed to Kill: Growing Phenomenon of Police Shooting Unarmed Citizens

"This mindset that any challenge to police authority is a threat that needs to be 'neutralized' is a dangerous one that is part of a greater nationwide trend that sets law enforcement officers beyond the reach of the Fourth Amendment. Equally problematic is the trend in the courts that acquits officers involved in such shootings, letting them off with barely a slap to the wrists. What exactly are we teaching these young officers in the police academy when the slightest thing, whether it be a hand in a pocket, a man running towards them, a flashlight on a keychain, or a dehumanizing stare can ignite a strong enough 'fear for their safety' to justify firing on an unarmed person?" Continue reading →

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Insane 9/11 Homework Assignment Highlights Trauma-based Education

"A homework assignment on the anniversary of 9/11 is the source of controversy in Texas after the instructions asked 7th grade students to write a farewell letter as if they were about to die in the attack. A language arts teacher at Fairview Junior High in Alvin, Texas asked students to pretend they were trapped in one of the towers or planes, then asking who they would write a letter to if they knew they were going to die. Parents of the students were outraged when they found out about the assignment. The school district released an apology to the families." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingInsane 9/11 Homework Assignment Highlights Trauma-based Education

Rahm Emanuel’s Gun Free Zones

"Chicago is the nation's death-by-gunshot capital. The mayor of Chicago's solution to the problem is to create more 'gun-free zones.' To even the casual observer the commonality among all the tragedies described above is clear ---'gun-free zones.' It seems the only place we see people getting shot up is in 'gun-free zones', so Mr. Mayor please explain, why in the world would we want more of them? There is one mass-shooting incident not appearing on this list, however. That's because it never occurred. On December 9, 2007 at approximately 1:00pm Matt Murray walked into New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado heavily armed and ready to kill as many as he possibly could." Continue reading →

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Is It Time to Feel Sorry for the President and other Obamacare Supporters?

"It must not be fun having to explain to people that their private financial and medical information will now be in the hands of some of the least competent people in America. Or imagine what it must be like when some of your biggest allies start complaining about the law. Such as union bosses. Or government bureaucrats. And what about stories about cost overruns. And how about all the bad news about limited choice in the infamous Obamacare exchanges. Or rising insurance costs. Our privacy will be compromised, our choices will be limited, our costs will increase, and the government will squander more of our money. All for a law that even left-wing groups are learning to despise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs It Time to Feel Sorry for the President and other Obamacare Supporters?

Boston bomb victims who cash survivor checks lose state health insurance

"Months after the Boston Marathon bombing, J.P. Norden is still recovering from losing his leg, but he can’t cash a $1.2 million check provided to survivors because he would lose his state health insurance for the poor. Norden, and his brother Paul, both had legs amputated and received identical checks as part of the $60 million being distributed by One Fund charity. They told The Washington Post that they are very aware they would quickly use up the $1.2 million with their ongoing medical expenses." Continue reading →

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Government tax advisor quits after tape reveals him giving tips on avoidance

"A tax advisor to the British government was forced to resign after he was secretly filmed giving advice on how to avoid paying tax, officials said on Saturday. David Heaton was recorded by undercover BBC reporters at a London conference explaining to companies how to keep their money out of finance minister George Osborne’s 'grubby mitts'. Two months later, he started work on a panel advising the revenue ministry, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), on how to tackle abuse of the tax rules, according to the BBC. A spokeswoman for HMRC confirmed that Heaton had resigned to preserve the integrity of the panel." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGovernment tax advisor quits after tape reveals him giving tips on avoidance