statism

Original owner of Toronto ex-mayor’s alleged ‘crack’ video may have been killed

"Two separate sources said authorities interviewed a senior member of Ford’s staff regarding the possible link between the video and the killing of 21-year-old Anthony Smith, who is believed to appear in the video with Ford. Smith was shot dead in March. The video’s original owner was reportedly killed because of the potential value of its contents. Ford denied the existence of the video in a short statement on May 24, saying, 'I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine.' CBC then reported that Rob Ford’s press secretary and deputy press secretary have both resigned 'on principle,' four days after the mayor fired his chief of staff, Mark Towhey." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOriginal owner of Toronto ex-mayor’s alleged ‘crack’ video may have been killed

Illinois teacher in trouble for advising students about 5th Amendment before drug screening

"A high school teacher in Batavia, Illinois could be disciplined for informing his students of their Fifth Amendment rights before administering a survey school officials was intended to gauge their emotional needs. The Batavia Daily Herald reported on May 25 that social studies instructor John Dryden advised students of their right not to incriminate themselves before giving them a 'screener' survey on April 18 that had each student’s name printed on it. 'I made a judgment call,' Dryden told the Herald. 'There was no time to ask anyone.' Dryden could reportedly be issued a 'letter of remedy,' which would stay in his employment record." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIllinois teacher in trouble for advising students about 5th Amendment before drug screening

After IRS Targeting, Now The Gibson Guitar Raids Make Sense

"Interestingly, one of Gibson's leading competitors is C.F. Martin & Co. According to C.F. Martin's catalog, several of their guitars contain 'East Indian Rosewood,' which is the exact same wood in at least 10 of Gibson's guitars. So why were they not also raided and their inventory of foreign wood seized? Grossly underreported at the time was the fact that Gibson's chief executive, Henry Juszkiewicz, contributed to Republican politicians. Recent donations have included $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and $1,500 to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. By contrast, Chris Martin IV, the Martin & Co. CEO, is a long-time Democratic supporter." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter IRS Targeting, Now The Gibson Guitar Raids Make Sense

Political Savvy of Osama Bin Laden vs. US Foreign Policy Establishment

"In his 1963 book The Pure Theory of Politics, Bertrand de Jouvenal writes of terrorist strategy (p. 179) '... if the terrorist blows are dealt at random, it will almost inevitably happen that reactions [of authorities] will fly wide of the mark and affect the innocent. Goading the authorities into hurting innocent bystanders is essential to terrorist strategy. Its efficiency lies mainly in evoking blind anger and blundering retorts...' Who was more politically savvy on this matter, Osama bin Laden or George W. Bush? Or the neocons who influenced him? Or the U.S. Congress? Or Barack Hussein Obama for that matter?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolitical Savvy of Osama Bin Laden vs. US Foreign Policy Establishment

Honduran victims of US drug war still await justice

"In the increasingly militarised drug war, suspects are sometimes killed in the field; suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking warrants a death sentence. Government drug warriors on the scene play the role of judge, jury and executioner. This May 11 marked one year since the tragic killing of four indigenous villagers in Ahuas, in Honduras' Moskitia region. The victims, who included a pregnant woman and a 14-year-old boy, were killed in a joint US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)/Honduran police counter-narcotics operation. Three other villagers were shot and wounded." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHonduran victims of US drug war still await justice

Orwell Reigns Over Raw Milk Trial

"The trial of Vernon Hershberger for the crime of selling healthy, unprocessed milk to informed and willing customers is a sadly damning commentary on the times in which we currently live. This humble yet learned Amish farmer faces the ruin of his farm, his family, and jail time in a trial that highlights the utter depravity of the so-called authorities who claim the right to rule over the rest of us. Over and over thugs raided the peaceful Hershberger's farm, destroying his property and terrorizing his ten children. His crime was selling a product that has been consumed from time immemorial and which thousands upon thousands of families increasingly swear by." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOrwell Reigns Over Raw Milk Trial

California wants to ban campfires at the beach

"Since man first rubbed a pair of sticks together to make a fire, we’ve gathered around a campfire to cook food, enjoy good company and bask in the warmth of the glowing embers. Now, the South Coast Air Quality Management District will decide this summer whether to order the removal of 850 bonfire pits from Los Angeles and Orange county beaches on the pretense that fire is bad for the environment. To support its position, the agency concocted a study concluding that an evening beach fire creates as much particulate matter pollution as a diesel truck driving 564 miles." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia wants to ban campfires at the beach

Joe Biden Sees ‘No Legal Reason’ Not To Tax Violent Video Games

"The Vice President's declaration came in response to a suggestion made by Reverend Franklin Graham, who attended the meeting alongside 19 other religious leaders. According to Politico.com, attendees at the meeting said that Biden responded favourably to the Reverend's idea, going so far as to say there would be 'no restriction on the ability to do that, there’s no legal reason why they couldn't.' It was suggested by Graham that proceeds of the tax would go towards victims of gun violence and their families, according to the website's sources." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJoe Biden Sees ‘No Legal Reason’ Not To Tax Violent Video Games

Republican congressman fined $500 over sexual misconduct

"Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) was fined on Thursday in connection to inappropriate sexual affairs with his patients. Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners hit the pro-life Republican and doctor with a $500 fine and reprimand. The medical ethics board held DesJarlais violated Tennessee law by having affairs with at least two woman while serving as their physician more than a decade ago. Desjarlais was accused of pressuring one of the women into an abortion. The other woman said DesJarlais prescribed her unnecessary pain medication and smoked marijuana with her." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRepublican congressman fined $500 over sexual misconduct