Technocracy

States step up fight against use of surveillance drones by law enforcement

"Lawmakers in at least 11 states are proposing various restrictions on the use of drones over their skies amid concerns the unmanned aerial vehicles could be exploited by local authorities to spy on Americans. Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday approved a two-year moratorium on the use of drones by police and government agencies. Proponents of the legislation say the unfettered use of drones could infringe on Virginians' privacy rights. In an attempt to address police concerns, legislators carved out exceptions for the use of drones in emergencies, or to search for missing children or seniors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStates step up fight against use of surveillance drones by law enforcement

West Virginia Bill Would Drug Test Teens for Driver Licenses

"A bill introduced Tuesday in the West Virginia House of Delegates would require prospective teen drivers to pass three separate drug tests before receiving a full drivers' license. It's only the latest drug testing proposal to emerge at the statehouse in Charleston this year. Introduced by Del. Joe Ellington (R-Mercer), House Bill 2528 would require teens to 'pass a drug test designed to detect illegal consumption of controlled substances' before getting a learner's permit, before getting an intermediate license, and before getting a full license." Continue reading →

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Credit Suisse Says Governments Are Discouraging Gold Holdings – And What It Misses

"In a globalist, technocratic society, civil society arises as a kind of negotiation between the demands of the state and the desires of its citizens. But in reality this is an entirely unequal discussion, as the state intends to impose its demands by force. What Credit Suisse and other firms are missing, however, is that the current arrangement is an unstable one that arrogates more and more power over time to the state. If citizens in various repressive states are hoarding gold, it is because they don't trust government-run currencies. Perhaps they hoard gold as well because taxes are continually rising and because price inflation is out of control." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCredit Suisse Says Governments Are Discouraging Gold Holdings – And What It Misses

States join battle over drone flights

"The nascent drone industry is coming under threat from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures who are weighing restrictions on their use in the United States. Manufacturers of unmanned aerial systems say there is vast potential for police departments and law enforcement officials to use drones in their work. But eighteen states have considered bills that would limit the use of unmanned aerial systems, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and more are likely to follow suit. Several court cases have upheld law enforcement agencies’ rights to aerially surveil citizens, but privacy advocates say drone flights will reopen the debate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStates join battle over drone flights

UK Government and Isle of Man in deal to stop offshore tax evasion

"Under the agreement, a wide range of financial information on UK taxpayers with accounts in the Isle of Man will be passed automatically to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A disclosure facility will allow account-holders to come forward and settle their past affairs before the details are automatically passed on to HMRC. The Treasury said the deal with the Manx authorities closely followed an agreement struck with the United States to improve international tax compliance." Continue reading →

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Terrifying Video Demonstrates Bug-Sized Lethal Drones Being Developed By U.S. Air Force

"Yes, in a world with micro-drones, casualties of American drone strikes will likely decrease, given that we’d be directly killing targets rather than obliterating them and everything around them with a missile from the sky. But the possibility for such precisely targeted surveillance and assassination, at the hands of a virtually-untraceable little 'bug,' gives our government one more tool to easily evade supervision and accountability." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTerrifying Video Demonstrates Bug-Sized Lethal Drones Being Developed By U.S. Air Force

Ron Paul: The Drone Threat

"While touting the success of its overseas drone program, the US administration refuses to even admit publicly that the CIA has an overseas drone program. In response to a recent ACLU Freedom of Information request regarding the existence of the CIA's drone program, the Department of Justice responded, 'The very fact of the existence or nonexistence of such documents is itself classified.' How is that for government transparency? Recently, FAA stated that no armed drones would presently be permitted in US airspace. But what good are the promises of government officials when the Constitution, and especially the Fourth Amendment, has been gutted?" Continue reading →

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Why Is Mexico Asking The U.S. Government For A Registry Of U.S. Gun Owners?

"Mexican lawmakers will ask the U.S. Senate to create a registry of all commercialized firearms in border states, which includes California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Mexico says it will make it easier to trace guns used in violent attacks. The measure was reportedly approved on January 9 by Mexico’s Permanent Commission, a government entity that meets when Mexico’s Senate and the Chamber of Deputies is in recess. Gun owners in Arizona are calling the proposal 'foolish' and an 'invasion of privacy.' A number of the gun owners interviewed also referenced the Obama administration’s disastrous gun-running operation known as 'Fast and Furious.'" Continue reading →

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Drones not just for foreign attacks, will fill up the U.S. skies

"Suddenly drones are everywhere -- not in the skies over the United States, as they will be by the thousands in a few years, and not just hovering over foreign battlefields to strike terror in the heart of al-Qaida -- but as the focus of debate in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere. Inevitably, the U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to determine whether the use of extrajudicial lethal force against those marked as terrorists posing an imminent threat, including U.S. citizens, is constitutional. The court also will be asked to determine how intrusive drones can be when flown over domestic air space by government, law enforcement and private companies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDrones not just for foreign attacks, will fill up the U.S. skies

Renewing Your US Passport? BEWARE — – State Department Now Transmits Your SSN & Location to the IRS

"Traditionally, the functions of the US Treasury and the Department of State were completely separate. However, we are seeing a continued erosion of this distinction as troubling economic times continue. The US passport renewal form mandates that the applicant supply his Social Security Number (SSN) if he has one. A $500 penalty applies for failure of a passport applicant to provide the SSN, unless reasonable cause can be established. In addition, the statute mandates that the State Department must provide your SSN and foreign residence information to the Department of Treasury, and to notify the IRS if you refuse. So, you lose either way." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRenewing Your US Passport? BEWARE — – State Department Now Transmits Your SSN & Location to the IRS