statism

Beijing spends a billion to get China’s music industry rocking

"From the top of a hillside in Pinggu village, an hour’s drive from central Beijing, the future of China’s music industry doesn’t look like much – just a vista of Mao-era farmhouses and parched cabbage fields. Yet Beijing officials have announced plans to spend more than 10 years and £1.4bn turning the area into the 'China Music Valley', a sprawling compound that will be home to recording studios, instrument makers, music schools, five-star hotels and an arena in the shape of a peach." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBeijing spends a billion to get China’s music industry rocking

Emerging China, Brazil and India agree to increased United Nations dues

"China, Brazil, India and other emerging powers agreed to major increases in their United Nations payments as the global body hammered out a new budget deal this week to avoid its own fiscal cliff. The boom countries will pay more as economic crisis allows European nations, such as Britain, Germany and France and Japan to cut their contributions. UN contributions are worked out according to a country’s share of global gross national income (GNI). China will pay an extra 61 percent in UN fees, taking its share of the budget from 3.2 to 5.1 percent. It will overtake Canada and Italy to become the sixth biggest UN contributor." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEmerging China, Brazil and India agree to increased United Nations dues

Egypt fears run on its banks as it imposes limit on amount people can withdraw

"Egypt has imposed a limit on the amount of money people can take out of the country, amid fears of an impending run on the banks. The move to ban leaving with more than £6,000 came as thousands of Egyptians withdrew savings from banks to hoard cash at home. Anxiety about a deepening political and economic crisis has gripped the country in past weeks, with many people rushing to buy dollars and take out their savings from banks. The panic came as the country’s new president, Mohammed Morsi, called for ‘unity’ after a referendum approved a controversial constitution which gave him and islamist allies more powers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt fears run on its banks as it imposes limit on amount people can withdraw

Santa Monica residents push city council to rein in outdoors fitness classes

"The city is considering a proposal that would require fitness trainers running their classes on city grounds pay a $100 fee and 15 percent of their gross revenues. Classes may also be limited to no more than two students per trainer, unless instructors working in larger venues provide proof of insurance on top of paying the fees. But some trainers have responded that while they don’t pay rent for teaching outdoors, they already pay the city for the proper permits and licensing to operate their businesses, on top of their own insurance and CPR certification fees." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSanta Monica residents push city council to rein in outdoors fitness classes

Brain scans reveal fructose link to overeating

"People who consume fructose instead of sugar derived from cane or other natural sources feel less satisfied by their food and tend to consume more, according to research published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Stacked next to brain scans of individuals who consumed glucose, the results showed a clear divergence in areas of the brain regulating appetite and reward processing. It is the first scientific literature to directly link fructose consumption to obesity-causing behaviors. Similar research published in November found that use of high fructose corn syrup correlates to significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrain scans reveal fructose link to overeating

MontCo school suspends 6-year-old for pretend gunshot

"The 6-year-old, who attends Roscoe R. Nix Elementary School in Silver Spring, made a gun with his hands, pointed it at another student and said 'pow,' according to Robin Ficker, the boy's attorney. He was given a one-day suspension, with a conference on the matter planned for Jan. 2, the day students return to school from winter break. According to a letter sent by Assistant Principal Renee Garraway to the child's parents, this was not the first time something like this had happened. 'Your son ... was involved in a serious incident,' Garraway wrote. '[He] threatened to shoot a student. He was spoken to earlier today about a similar incident.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontCo school suspends 6-year-old for pretend gunshot

ProPublica: Govt Now Runs the US Mortgage Marketplace

"The American home mortgage market has, for all practical purposes, become nationalized since the 2008 financial meltdown, according to an analysis by ProPublica, the non-profit investigative journalism project. The takeover, without which the housing market could barely function, has occurred against a backdrop of little planning or public discussion. In fact, nine out of every 10 new mortgages are now backed by the U.S. taxpayer, up from three in 10 in 2006. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the taxpayer-supported housing giants, alone guaranteed 69 percent of new mortgages in the first nine months of 2012." Continue reading →

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Charles Burris: American Statolatry

"Statolatry has become the principal form of worship in contemporary America. People erroneously talk about 'separation of Church and State' when 'the State' has replaced 'the Church' as the idolatrous venue for worship. As the Church had its calendar of Holy Days of Obligation and sacraments, so too the State has its own sacred holidays, icons, protocols and rituals. Each day in rote, millions of captive children in government schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance, their solemn oath to this sacred creed, without giving it cursory reflection or thought." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCharles Burris: American Statolatry

The Evolution of Government

"Over the past few years, I’ve shared a handful of images that capture the essence of government. Now I have something new to add to the list – an image showing the evolution of government. The clear message throughout is that government means coercion. And that coercion doesn’t become legitimate merely because 51 percent of the population decides to plunder 49 percent of the population. Which is perfectly shown by the final image, which accurately portrays today’s system of government and the IRS." Continue reading →

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Thousands of new laws take effect on New Year’s Day

"Starting Tuesday, California hunters better not get caught using their dog to chase a bear or bobcat. Kentuckians should think twice about releasing a feral hog, and New Yorkers can get slapped with a $1,000 fine for selling even electronic cigarettes to minors. While much attention has been paid to the federal legislation poised to kick in Jan. 1 – the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes collectively known as the 'fiscal cliff' – thousands of new state laws took effect more quietly at the start of 2013." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThousands of new laws take effect on New Year’s Day