statism

United Nations says changing U.S. marijuana laws violate international drug conventions

"Cannabis decriminalisation measures across the United States, including the medical use of marijuana in California, have been sharply criticised by the United Nations, which has warned Washington they violate the international drug conventions. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which polices the drug treaties, has also warned about the growing public health threat from the 'unprecedented surge' in 'legal highs' and called for concerted global action to curb the growing trade." Continue reading →

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Behind the Scenes With The Trans-National Elite

"In the hallowed halls of the transnational elite, falling down drunkenness is viewed as just another day at the office. United Nations unelected senior level employees living off the labor of others are routinely voting thumbs up or down on another bloody 'humanitarian intervention' whilst incapable of exercising even basic motor skills. One wonders the state of the unelected rulers of the universe when matters such as the destruction of Libya are being put up for a vote. No wonder the United Nations was not able to see through the blatant lies of the NGOs advocating for a NATO-led invasion of Libya: they could not see beyond their own booze-filled snouts." Continue reading →

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How to buy EU citizenship

"The touts were easy to spot, having practically set up stall outside government ministries and the Romanian consulate. They wore pouches around the waist and carried business cards in their hands. At the gates of official buildings they huddled together, drinking coffee or speaking intently into mobile phones. For €700, all the essential citizenship documents could be arranged within 15 months. Payment of €1,000 guaranteed the documents within 10 months. Meanwhile in Chisinau, several Moldovans said they had used their new nationality to take jobs in the EU. All said they had migrated in order to support families struggling in dire poverty." Continue reading →

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The Criminology of Firearms

"In 2004, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed 253 journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications and some empirical research of its own about guns. The Academy could not identify any gun restriction that had reduced violent crime, suicide or gun accidents. Why don’t gun bans work? Because they rely on voluntary compliance by gun-using criminals. Actual research results—as opposed to unsupported opinions—pose a question embarrassed gun prohibitionists invariably try to evade: why ban guns to ordinary owners, i.e., people who never commit gun crimes?" Continue reading →

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China’s Property Bubble – Why Is ’60 Minutes’ Telling the Tale?

"Western Money Power doesn't have the same control in China. China has a Western system but ultimately the ChiComs are the ones that run it. And maybe they have run it into the ground. Either it was planned or it was not. Or a combination of both. But we wrote that when the property bubble burst, if it did burst (as all bubbles must) then the Chinese Communist Party itself would be in trouble. So listen to this video snippet, excerpted above: the part where one of the largest builders of homes in China (and thus the world) is interviewed. He seems paralyzed by fear, and says a housing bust would be a disaster. He even predicts regime change." Continue reading →

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Former Greek defense minister gets eight years and €500,000 fine over €100,000 in asset non-declarations

"This has scary parallels with FATCA and FBAR requirements. The United States debt situation is Greece on steroids. I won’t defend Mr. Tsochatzopoulos. However, the fine for hiding 100,000 Euro in assets (aggregated over three years!) of € 500,000 Euro, is clearly exorbitant. But then to also sentence him to eight years in prison without possibility of appeal shows that the Greek courts are seething with froth at their mouths that shows that this cradle of civilization has gone back to barbaric times when petty rulers could simply seize the property of any citizens only because his thugs were powerful." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Greek defense minister gets eight years and €500,000 fine over €100,000 in asset non-declarations

Americans – Like Nazi Germans – Don’t Notice that All of Our Rights Are Slipping Away

"More and more commonly, the government prosecutes cases based upon 'secret evidence' that they don’t show to the defendant … or sometimes even the judge hearing the case. The government uses 'secret evidence' to spy on Americans, prosecute leaking or terrorism charges (even against U.S. soldiers) and even assassinate people. And see this and this. Secret witnesses are being used in some cases. And sometimes lawyers are not even allowed to read their own briefs. Indeed, even the laws themselves are now starting to be kept secret. And it’s about to get a lot worse." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans – Like Nazi Germans – Don’t Notice that All of Our Rights Are Slipping Away

British vigilantes fighting revenue-driven traffic enforcement

"Meet the NoTo Mob, a group dedicated to fighting what they see as unfair parking tickets and charges. During the week they're normal blokes (and the odd woman). But on Saturdays they come together for a common cause. They follow council CCTV cars, or 'spy cars', then stand nearby holding signs to warn drivers about the presence of a CCTV vehicle and potential fine if they break the rules. It's opposed to what it sees an unfair parking enforcement. The group targets 'honey pots' – high-ticket areas with confusing road markings or unclear signs where the CCTV cars are most likely to operate." Continue reading →

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More Redflex Executives Fall Over Red Light Camera Bribery Scandal

"According to the inquiry conducted by the law firm Sidley Austin, a consultant was paid $2 million between 2003 and 2012 for his work in landing the nation's most lucrative photo ticketing contract. Redflex sent a city contracting official on 17 different trips between 2003 and 2010, paying for everything including hotels, flights, car rentals, golfing, meals and a computer worth a total of $20,000. So far, the company has also spent $1.2 million in legal fees related to the Chicago scandal. When Chicago's red light camera contract expires, Redflex will lose another 13.6 percent of its income. The company also warns of the possibility of bribery revelations in other cities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Redflex Executives Fall Over Red Light Camera Bribery Scandal

Wendy McElroy: Only Places Have Rights?

"The queue of 'rights that depend on geography' is growing. Texting while walking has become the new social sin. Portland, Oregon just made it illegal for a man to whistle on public streets unless he keeps walking and, so, distributes the noise pollution. Bloomberg's ban on donations of food to homeless shelters because the city could not guarantee the salt, fat and fiber content. Bureaucrats want to yank rights out from under individuals and make them a matter of place, not people. All you need to do is be in the wrong place, and you have no rights. Speak out, drink a large soda, hand out literature, walk your dog, or whistle too long in one place…crime is everywhere." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWendy McElroy: Only Places Have Rights?