December 2009

By Alex Kharam at 6:21PM

Dec 31, 2009

Big Brother Cracks Down on Blogs

As the government reviews how an alleged terrorist was able to bring a bomb onto a U.S.-bound plane and try to blow it up on Christmas Day, the Transportation Security Administration is going after bloggers who wrote about a directive to increase security after the incident.

The article states that TSA will also make bloggers reveal their sources. Apperently Obama's administration believes that going after American bloggers and citizens is the best way to stop terrorism. Hopefully in 2010 Obama will make a pledge not to attack foreign countries -- thus preventing terrorism (reference the lap bomber and Yemen) and not taking away our civil liberties.

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By Bonnie Kristian at 2:54PM

Dec 31, 2009

Another Reason Not to Support Government Schools

This article is a few days old, but gross enough to still warrant posting:

In the past three years, the government has provided the nation's schools with millions of pounds of beef and chicken that wouldn't meet the quality or safety standards of many fast-food restaurants, from Jack in the Box and other burger places to chicken chains such as KFC, a USA TODAY investigation found...

That isn't always the case. McDonald's, Burger King and Costco, for instance, are far more rigorous in checking for bacteria and dangerous pathogens. They test the ground beef they buy five to 10 times more often than the USDA tests beef made for schools during a typical production day....For chicken, the USDA has supplied schools with thousands of tons of meat from old birds that might otherwise go to compost or pet food.

More here (eww).

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By Bonnie Kristian at 2:40PM

Dec 31, 2009

76 Reasons to Audit (or End) the Fed

From the Humble Libertarian:

1. The Federal Reserve System constantly inflates the value of our dollar by printing money out of thin air.

2. Graph: The value of a $1 Federal Reserve Note in 1913 dollars (the year the Fed was created).

3. The Fed even recognizes its inflationary activity. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston says: "When you or I write a check there must be sufficient funds in our account to cover the check, but when the Federal Reserve writes a check there is no bank deposit on which that check is drawn. When the Federal Reserve writes a check, it is creating money."

Read the other 73 here. (It's an impressively long list and definitely worth your while.)

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By Rachel Kania at 2:36PM

Dec 31, 2009

More Bailouts, More Government Takeover

The government already has a huge stake in our economy, but soon it will be even larger.

The Treasury announced Wednesday that they will be giving GMAC 3.8 billion dollars to help bailout of the company. The Wall Street Journal reports:

The additional aid brings the total U.S. investment in GMAC to $16.3 billion and raises the government's ownership interest to 56% from the current 35%. In exchange for committing more funds, the Treasury will appoint a total of four directors to the company's board instead of two as previously planned. The company will also continue to be subject to pay limits set by U.S. pay czar Kenneth Feinberg. The additional aid is expected to help the firm absorb additional losses associated with mortgages.

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By Preston Mui at 2:35PM

Dec 31, 2009

Shut Up and Do the Math.

From the same guy who put together "Balancing the Budget with a Gorilla" comes this gem:

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By Jihan Huq at 8:44AM

Dec 31, 2009

Taliban Calls 2009 "Successful"

That's right. Your eyes did not deceive you.

In an official written statement, the Taliban or "students" declare 2009 " a successful year for the mujahadeen."

The Taliban also claimed that it is working on driving the coalition forces out of Afghanistan by next year:

Last year the guerrilla warfare, frontline war, attacks and road mines against the invaders increased as the enemy began to cry out for reconciliation. The enemy does not have a constant policy. Sometimes they talk about sending more soldiers and other times they speak of an early withdrawal. Their thinking is irrational.

The Taliban also launched a new website with multiple languages, including English. It also included a 37 minute footage of a captured American soilder and mentioned the year's disastrous elections which had little voter turnout.

Top US arms sales go to Arab countries. Some supporters of Israel, huh?

AllGov reports:

Most of the leading buyers of American military hardware in 2008 had two characteristics in common: they speak Arabic and their governments are opposed to democracy and basic freedoms. Information compiled by the Congressional Research Service revealed that the biggest recipients of U.S. arms sales last year were (in order): the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Egypt. With the exception of the popularly-elected government in Baghdad, all of these American military partners are ruled by autocratic or theocratic regimes.

This is interesting in light of our government's persistent and harmful involvement in the Middle East on both its own and Israel's behalf. Politicians left and right often form a "strong constituency for never offending Israel." But does our involvement really help either side? No:

Remember that American tax dollars have been instrumental in the incredible militarization of the entire region. We give Israel about $3 billion each year, but we also give Egypt $2 billion.

Thank you, 00's.

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By Rachel Kania at 7:12PM

Dec 30, 2009

Police Force Being Questioned in California

Following an incident in Cornonado, California, where a police officer tased a man not wearing his seatbelt, a federal appeals court is questioning the use of Tasers. When is it appropriate to use the a Taser? Michael Gennaco, who has conducted internal reviews of Taser use for the LAPD, comments on the decision made in the 9th circuit ruling:

This decision talks about the need for an immediate threat. . . . Some departments allow Tasers in cases of passive resistance, such as protesters who won't move," he said. Tasering for "passive resistance is out the door now with this decision. Even resistance by tensing or bracing may not qualify.

Still, there is a need to question the use of Tasers all together. Can we trust the officer to use the Taser "appropriately" and only at a time when the person refuses to comply with the officer's orders? I don't believe so.