Winning Hearts & Minds

Destroying the Switzerland of Central America

"Leave it to the U.S. national-security state to destroy another country, this one being Costa Rica, known as the 'Switzerland of Central America' and whose national slogan is 'pura vida'—'pure life.' How is the U.S. government now destroying Costa Rica? No, not with bombs or missiles—at least not yet—but with its much-vaunted drug war, which the Pentagon and the CIA are expanding in Latin America since that their adventures in Afghanistan and the Middle East might be winding down. Does anyone in Costa Rica really believe that the militarization of Costa Rican society is going to have any significant effect on the 40-year-old war on drugs?" Continue reading →

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Weed Warrior: Keith Stroup

"I do believe several additional states will fully legalize marijuana over the coming five to ten years, and all states will stop arresting people for private use. So we too should have an exciting next few years. It is difficult to know where the fight for personal freedom will next break through the public consciousness, but it may well involve the militarization of domestic law enforcement—including the use of unmanned drones to gather intelligence on our own citizens by local and state officials who are not worried about terrorism, but are rather seeking a new tool to use to enforce existing criminal laws, those against personal drug use." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWeed Warrior: Keith Stroup

Americans fall out of favour with Swiss banks

"Already battle-scarred from the hard lessons of recent years, Swiss banks are taking a very cautious approach when it comes to the introduction of FATCA. The US law requires banks around the world to report information on American account holders to Uncle Sam. There are also concerns that FATCA’s collateral damage could extend beyond the home front into the business world. If an American owns more than 10 percent of a company, it is reportable to the IRS. The worry is that this rule may make it harder for US entrepreneurs to find business and banking partners, shutting them out of attractive investment opportunities." Continue reading →

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Iran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

"Iranian graphic artist Ali Molavi asked 50 people in Tehran: 'What's your wish for today?' At first timid, they answered candidly, reflecting the passions, problems and politics in Iran today. Their wishes ranged from buying a motorcycle, being reborn, to finding a good job. One man wanted 'all the inflation and high prices to go away.' Another wished for Iran to 'move towards peace and understanding with other countries. One woman did not have any wishes. 'They have not left any room for us to dream anymore,' she said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

"The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is being sued by a woman who says that officers violated her civil rights when they pepper-sprayed her entire family — including a 2-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby. Marilyn Taylor accuses Officers Maripily Clase, Suranjit Dey and Jermaine Hodge of overacting when they saw her pushing the stroller through a service entrance instead of going through the subway turnstile. 'The pepper-spray caused the children to scream out and choked the two-year old, who went into fits of vomiting,' the lawsuit says. 'Ms. Taylor was then placed in handcuffs as the minor children cried in fear and pain.'" Continue reading →

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To protect restaurants, D.C. may curb food trucks

"Should D.C.'s food laws try to protect consumers and public safety? Or should they try to protect brick-and-mortar restaurants from competition? D.C.'s restaurant lobbyists, along with many local politicians and bureaucrats, seem to thi nk the government's job is to save the delis and diners, bistros and brasseries from the scourge of falafel trucks, barbecue buses and weenie wagons. Most of downtown D.C., according to the Food Truck Association of Metropolitan Washington, would be off-limits to food trucks under new regulations proposed by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs." Continue reading →

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Major supermarket chains promise not to sell genetically engineered salmon in the U.S.

"The US Food and Drug Administration is in the final stages of deciding whether to allow GM salmon onto the market. If approved, AquaBounty Technology’s salmon would be the first genetically engineered animal to enter the food supply. The GM salmon is the first in some 30 other species of transgendered fish under development, including tilapia. Researchers are also working to bring GM cows, chickens and pigs to market. However, those plans could be blocked by Wednesday’s commitment from national grocery chains, such as Trader Joe’s, Aldi and Whole Foods, as well as regional retailers, not to sell genetically engineered seafood." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMajor supermarket chains promise not to sell genetically engineered salmon in the U.S.

Florida bar forced to stop flying Irish flag after bureaucrats decide only American flag is allowed

"A popular Irish bar in Florida has been banned from flying the Irish flag just days before St Patrick's Day. The owners of Culhane's Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach, northeast Florida, have been told they are no longer allowed to fly the flag because of a local rule banning the commercial display of non-U.S. flags despite displaying it for eight years. The four sisters who own the bar said they would apply for a temporary permit to at least fly the green, white and orange flag on St. Patrick's Day but are shocked by the ruling." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida bar forced to stop flying Irish flag after bureaucrats decide only American flag is allowed

The UN’s Incompetence is its Only Saving Grace

"Over the past decade, thousands of Haitians have died from exposure to a rare and aggressive strain of cholera that had been imported by Nepalese troops participating in a UN 'peacekeeping' mission. Jonathan Katz, author of a new book on Haiti’s humanitarian disaster, reports that since the beginning out the outbreak UN officials 'chose to lie, dissemble, destroy evidence, persuade allies to change the topic, and cajole critics.' Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, responding to a civil action filed on behalf of 8,000 victims of the UN-abetted plague asserted total immunity from liability." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe UN’s Incompetence is its Only Saving Grace

Japanese man dies after being turned away from 25 hospitals

"A 75-year-old Japanese man died after 25 hospitals refused to admit him to their emergency rooms 36 times over two hours, citing lack of beds or doctors to treat him, an official said Tuesday. The man, who lived alone in a city north of Tokyo, called an ambulance after suffering breathing problems at his home in January. Paramedics rushed to his house but were told in turn by all 25 hospitals in the area that they could not accept the man because they did not have enough doctors or any free beds, a local city official said, adding some institutions were contacted more than once." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJapanese man dies after being turned away from 25 hospitals