Paul Craig Roberts: Why Disinformation Works

"Have you ever wondered how the government’s misinformation gains traction? What I have noticed is that whenever a stunning episode occurs, such as 9/11 or the Boston Marathon bombing, most everyone whether on the right or left goes along with the government’s explanation, because they can hook their agenda to the government’s account." Continue reading

Continue ReadingPaul Craig Roberts: Why Disinformation Works

Schoolboys told to imagine themselves as future prime minister justifying martial law

"A question on a paper sat by 12-year-old pupils in 2011 gives a telling glimpse into how Eton fosters ambition in its students from an early age, by asking them to imagine they are running the country. It appeared on the 2011 King's Scholarship Examination paper, which can be viewed on the school's website, and asked students to consider whether 'it is better to be loved than feared'. 'You are the Prime Minister,' the paper says, before instructing the young Etonians to draft the script for a speech to be broadcast to the nation explaining why deploying the Army was 'both necessary and moral'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingSchoolboys told to imagine themselves as future prime minister justifying martial law

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

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

Medical Marijuana Patient Jerry Duval’s Prison Term Could Cost Taxpayers More Than $1.2 Million

"American taxpayers could spend upwards of $1.2 million over the next decade imprisoning Jerry Duval, a Michigan medical marijuana patient who was convicted of distributing the drug. Duval has a kidney and pancreas transplant, as well as glaucoma and neuropathy. His family grew marijuana on his Michigan farm in part to treat his ailments. But when the Department of Justice prosecuted him in federal court, Duval was barred from presenting evidence of his compliance with Michigan's medical marijuana law. He will report to prison on June 11." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMedical Marijuana Patient Jerry Duval’s Prison Term Could Cost Taxpayers More Than $1.2 Million

Woman Handing Out Samples at Va. Costco Shot Dead by Police

"A Sterling, Va., Costco has resumed normal business hours Thursday, less than a day after sheriff's deputies fatally shot a woman who came at officers with scissors and a knife. The melee began at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, when store employees noticed the woman acting oddly while handing out pizza samples, said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. Deputies were called to the store to handle the disturbance. One officer tried to use a stun gun on Scott, but Chapman said the stun gun 'did not work,' and one of the deputies fatally shot her. A sheriff's deputy also was wounded in the leg, possibly by a ricochet. The only shots fired were by one of the deputies." Continue reading

Continue ReadingWoman Handing Out Samples at Va. Costco Shot Dead by Police

Man who knew Boston bombing suspect was unarmed when killed by FBI during questioning

"A Chechen man who was fatally shot by an FBI agent last week during an interview about one of the Boston bombing suspects was unarmed, law enforcement officials said Wednesday. An air of mystery has surrounded the FBI shooting of Ibragim Todashev, 27, since it occurred in Todashev’s apartment early on the morning of May 22. The FBI said in a news release that day that Todashev, a former Boston resident who knew bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed during an interview with several law enforcement officers. The FBI has provided few other details, saying that the matter is being investigated by an FBI review team." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMan who knew Boston bombing suspect was unarmed when killed by FBI during questioning

Welfare Case Manager Accused Of Offering Benefits For Sex

"A state welfare worker is facing charges after allegedly offering benefits in exchange for sex. The District Attorney’s office says the Department of Public Welfare case manager John Geary told a woman he would give her extra cash and extra benefits if she engaged in sexual acts with him. According to the police criminal complaint, Geary also repeatedly asked the woman to smoke crack with him on the weekends when his wife was working and his children were asleep in their North Versailles home." Continue reading

Continue ReadingWelfare Case Manager Accused Of Offering Benefits For Sex