Bill Designates Sept. 11 As ‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’
The National Day of Service and Remembrance is included in the Senate’s ServeAmerica Act. That bill and its House companion, the GIVE Act, are now on their way to a conference committee, where any differences will be reconciled. President Obama has said he is eager to sign the final legislation into law.
US and Iran open Afghanistan peace talks
IRANIAN and American officials have held their first talks about ending the war in Afghanistan amid signs that President Barack Obama’s efforts to thaw relations with Tehran are paying off.
Spanish court considers trying former US officials
A Spanish court has agreed to consider opening a criminal case against six former Bush administration officials, including former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, over allegations they gave legal cover for torture at Guantanamo Bay, a lawyer in the case said Saturday.
Congress eyes tax on health-care benefits to fund expansion of coverage
Faced with mounting budget deficits and the enormous cost of reforming the nation's health-care system, Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are expressing increasing openness to an idea that once seemed unthinkable taxing some health-care benefits.
The Modern Tyranny Movement SMIAC Report
Loyal readers, the disdain for the Constitution and attempt to link my support of Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) to the likes of abortion clinic bomber, Eric Rudolph angered me greatly. Thus I offer for your review “The Smoking Argus Daily Information Analysis Center” report entitled “The Modern Tyranny Movement”.
Bank of America May Raise Investment Banker Salaries
Bank of America Corp. plans to increase some investment bankers’ salaries by as much as 70 percent following the takeover earlier this year of Merrill Lynch & Co., people familiar with the proposal said.
Seven hours to save the world
As economies fracture across the globe, the capital's greatest gathering of leaders since 1946 has less than a day to agree a rescue plan.
Vast Electronic Spying Operation Discovered
"Researchers in Toronto have discovered a huge international electronic spying operation that they are calling 'GhostNet.' So far it has infiltrated government and corporate offices in 103 countries, including the office of the Dalai Lama (who originally went to the researchers for help analyzing a suspected infiltration).
Ruth Madoff took $2m from London office before collapse
The Serious Fraud Office in the UK yesterday characterised Madoff's London operation as "a cog in the giant washing machine", as it set out new details of how the former Nasdaq chairman ran his $65bn Ponzi scheme.
Barack Obama offers new strategy to tame Pakistan
More than seven years after America declared war on the Taleban, Afghanistan still stands on the brink of disaster, President Obama declared yesterday as he unveiled a new regional strategy to win the war in South Asia. An additional 21,000 US troops will be sent to Afghanistan and civilian aid to neighbouring Pakistan will be trebled, Mr Obama said in a speech that showed his desire to take full US ownership of the deepening conflict.
5 Ways To Scam The New Bailout
Overpay for trash assets, after getting a secret agreement from the bank that the bank will make it worth their while. The hedge funds mmediately write the assets down, destroying their equity and the taxpayer. Then they sell them back for peanuts to the banks, but the bank pays the hedge fund a "fee" that would compensate for the lost equity. (It wouldn't be explicit, of course. But given the amount of money that flows back and forth between the big banks and hedge funds, it won't be hard to hide.) The hedge fund profits. The bank profits and the taxpayer is scammed.
U.S. Ranked 36th Freest Press in the World
It is not economic prosperity but peace that guarantees press freedom. That is the main lesson to be drawn from the world press freedom index that Reporters Without Borders compiles every year and from the 2008 edition.
States rebel against Washington
The state sovereignty movement is by no means frivolous and could have significant political firepower.
Double-digit unemployment hits 7 states
Seven states posted unemployment rates above 10 percent in February, as Georgia is inched toward the double digits, according to seasonally adjusted figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Will U.S. financial woes lead to new world order? Is the U.S. about to lose its status as the dominant global superpower? Will the dollar collapse? If so, what would become the new global reserve currency and what would replace U.S. hegemony in a new world order?
Torture inquiry reveals 15 new cases
MI5 and MI6 have identified at least 15 cases of possible complicity by British officers in the torture or mistreatment of terror suspects following the case of the Guantánamo detainee Binyam Mohamed.
Pakistan spies under heat in new US strategy
The United States has vowed to put the heat on Pakistan's spies in its new regional strategy, with top officials openly accusing elements in powerful intelligence agency of abetting Al-Qaeda.
Goldman Sachs Bails Out Two More Execs
Goldman Sachs (GS) has been forced to bail out several of its executives who borrowed heavily against their shares to make risky private equity and hedge fund investments. As Goldman Sachs (GS) stock dropped, and these investments went into the toilet, several have been forced to borrow against future earnings to avoid going broke.
Is there any gold inside Fort Knox, the world's most secure vault?
It is said to be the most impregnable vault on Earth: built out of granite, sealed behind a 22-tonne door, located on a US military base and watched over day and night by army units with tanks, heavy artillery and Apache helicopter gunships at their disposal.
Thousands Sign Up for Virtual Border Patrol
This week, the eyes of the federal government are firmly fixed on America’s largely unguarded 2,000-mile border with Mexico — but a group of Texas sheriffs wants your eyes there, too.
Government Should Compel Consumers to Use Alternative Energy, Congressman Says
Government policy should be crafted to raise the price of carbon-emitting energy sources so consumers are compelled to choose alternative energy, House Democratic Conference Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) told CNSNews.com on Thursday.
An Unholy Alliance
This 1996 documentary examines the CIA's connection to the global drug trade, with a focus on opium and heroin.
CIA: Secret Operations, Drug Money
In Afghanistan, U.S./NATO have put the blame on Taliban for poppy cultivation to finance their resistance to allied forces. Ironically, it was only in Taliban era when the world had seen a sharp decline in opium crop in Afghanistan.
Geithner’s Toxic-Asset Plan on Slow Track as Values Deteriorate
The Obama administration’s plan to remove distressed assets from bank balance sheets may take three months to begin operating, risking further deterioration in the value of the securities and driving up rescue costs.
Spokane residents smuggle suds over green brands
The quest for squeaky-clean dishes has turned some law-abiding people in Spokane into dishwater-detergent smugglers. They are bringing Cascade or Electrasol in from out of state because the eco-friendly varieties required under Washington state law don't work as well.
Omni National Bank in Georgia Shut, 21st US Failure
Omni National Bank of Atlanta was closed Friday by regulators and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The seizure follows last week's move by the FDIC to close three banks and put two large corporate credit unions into conservatorship. The failure of Omni National brings the number of bank failures so far this year to 21.
Obama's Latest No Banker Left Behind Scheme
By Stephen Lendman
On Wall Street, that is. So hyped by advance fanfare, Timothy Geithner unveiled his Public-Private Investment Program (PPIP) on March 23, the latest in a growing alphabet soup of handouts topping $12.5 trillion and counting - so much in so many forms, in "gov-speak" language, with so many changing and moving parts, it's hard for experts to keep up let alone the public, except to sense something is very wrong.
Can Uncle Sam Ever Let Go?
By Patrick J. Buchanan
“In 1877, Lord Salisbury, commenting on Great Britain’s policy on the Eastern Question, noted that ‘the commonest error in politics is sticking to the carcass of dead policies.’
Judges’ Kickback Scheme Thrived Despite Red Flags
Things were different in the Luzerne County juvenile courtroom, and everyone knew it. Proceedings on average took less than two minutes. Detention center workers were told in advance how many juveniles to expect at the end of each day even before hearings to determine their innocence or guilt. Lawyers told families not to bother hiring them. They would not be allowed to speak anyway.
One Nation Under Siege
9/11 was only the tip of the iceberg! From documentary filmmaker William Lewis comes a bone chilling documentary on the spying, tracking and control of the American public.
Bank CEOs Tell Obama They Are Working Toward Recovery
“We’re all in this together,” John Stumpf, the CEO of Wells Fargo & Co., told reporters outside the White House after meeting with Obama today. “We’re trying to do the right thing for America.” Trust the Wall Street Bankers after what they have done? No Thanks!
Bankers told keep low profile as public anger rises
Leave the flash car at home, spend the night in a hotel, hire a bodyguard. This is the kind of advice security experts are giving bank executives who fear attacks from people angered by the financial crisis.
Professor suspended over 'hanging bankers' remarks
A university professor who is organising a protest at next week's G20 summit was suspended from his job after warning bankers could be "hanging from lampposts", a spokesman said Friday.
Israel accused of bombing Sudanese convoy
A Sudanese official said Thursday that hundreds of people were killed early this year when foreign warplanes bombed three convoys smuggling African migrants through Sudan along with weapons that apparently were destined for the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
DHS Inspector General: Real ID, What a Waste
The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security issued a report earlier this week entitled "DHS Unable to Figure Out What It’s Doing on Real ID; Unable to Provide Guidance to States."
Proposal to Track Uninsured With Red-Light Cameras Has Cities Seeing Big Money
Under a proposal by Chicago Alderman Edward Burke, cameras at 132 city intersections that currently enforce $100 red light violations would also be used to nab motorists whose cars are uninsured. Washington, DC officials told FOXNews.com it is willing to consider a similiar program.
Researchers can ID anonymous Twitterers
Web sites that strip personally identifiable information about their users and then share that data may be compromising their users' privacy, according to researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.
Workers release manager held at 3M plant in France
Workers at a factory operated by the U.S. company 3M released on Thursday the French manager they had held hostage for more than 24 hours after a deal was reached on terms for employees who will be laid off.
Congresswoman: Don’t Replace The Dollar
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann has introduced a resolution in the House “that would bar the dollar from being replaced by any foreign currency.”
Will U.S. financial woes lead to new world order?
Is the U.S. about to lose its status as the dominant global superpower? Will the dollar collapse? If so, what would become the new global reserve currency and what would replace U.S. hegemony in a new world order?
Farmers Lead a Bid to Create 2 Californias
“Those Hollywood types don’t have any idea what’s going on out here on the farms,” said Mr. Rogers, a retired dairyman from Visalia, the county seat in a Central Valley region where cows far outnumber people.
So it is that in recent weeks Mr. Rogers, whose previous political involvement amounted to little more than writing a check to a favored candidate — has suddenly become a leader in a secessionist movement bent on cleaving California in two.
Nader: Seven Steps the Obama Admin is NOT Taking to Fix the Banking Crash, Why Not?
Where are the resources for comprehensive law enforcement against the Wall Street crooks, swindlers and purveyors of costly deceptive practices? Isn't there a need to add two to three hundred million dollars for more FBI agents, prosecutors and corporate crime attorneys under the Justice Department to obtain the fines and disgorgements which will far exceed in dollars what is spent by the forces of law and order?
London Protesters Threaten Bankers, Evoke Executions
Mark Barrett, a professional tour guide, spent last Saturday painting Barack Obama’s election catchphrase “yes we can” on a banner that protesters will carry as they try to occupy London’s financial district April 1.
Barrett is helping organize a protest outside the Bank of England, one of several called to express anger against banks and bankers and mark the arrival in London of leaders of the Group of 20 nations -- including Obama, now president.
US general: American forces may not leave key Iraqi cities
The US withdrawal from Iraq is under way. Some troops are preparing to go home and others have pulled back from outposts to bases. But the planned pullback of American soldiers from all Iraqi cities by the end of June will probably not be fully met.
California May Ban Black Cars
The California legislature is considering regulating the color of cars and reflectivity of paint to reduce the energy requirements to cool them. A presentation on the proposed legislation by the California Air Resources Board is below.
Taking back the USA
By Jerry Mazza
I have a vision, as Martin Luther King once said. A vision of racial and economic equality, equal opportunity and civil rights for people of all colors. The question is how do I, we, go about realizing this vision?
Netanyahu 'plans to expand settlement'
Israeli prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has struck a secret deal with one of his coalition partners, pledging to expand settlements in a highly-contentious area of the West Bank, army radio said.
Big Brother Gov't Could Own the News
A new Senate bill that would give government funding to struggling newspapers could result in complete state control of the press, critics say.
UN panel touts new global currency reserve system
A UN panel of expert economists pressed Thursday for a new global currency reserve scheme to replace the volatile, dollar-based system and for coordinated steps by rich countries to stimulate their economies.
Plutocrats To Meet In Greece
Bilderberg will return to its 1993 crime scene when it attempts to meet secretly in Vouliagmeni, Greece, May 14-17. Bilderberg will return to the grounds of Nafsika Astir Palace hotels in Vouliagmeni, 20 miles outside Athens, and meet behind guards at the Westin Nafsika.
New Rule Would Allow Banks To Choose Values Of Their Assets
The Financial Accounting Standards Board quietly buckled to banking-industry pressure last week and proposed new accounting practices that would allow banks to value assets at a higher price than they could currently be sold for.
Freddie Mac's Duel With Regulator: Does It Report Government's Role in Its Losses?
Half a year after the government seized Freddie Mac, confusion about its role is stoking tensions between the company and its regulator, including a dispute this month over how much the mortgage giant should reveal to private investors about its financial troubles.
U.N. 'Climate Change' Plan Would Likely Shift Trillions to Form New World Economy
A United Nations document on "climate change" that will be distributed to a major environmental conclave next week envisions a huge reordering of the world economy, likely involving trillions of dollars in wealth transfer, millions of job losses and gains, new taxes, industrial relocations, new tariffs and subsidies, and complicated payments for greenhouse gas abatement schemes and carbon taxes — all under the supervision of the world body.
State retracts militia report
Gov. Jay Nixon's administration on Wednesday made an about-face on a controversial militia profiling report, retracting the document in the face of growing criticism.
Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent James F. Keathley ordered the Missouri Information Analysis Center to "permanently cease distribution" of the Feb. 20 report, which labels fundamentalist Christians, members of third-party political movements, strict followers of the U.S. Constitution and people who oppose taxes, abortion and illegal immigration as possible members of militias.
Mercury Found in High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup has taken our food shelves by storm. It is present in many different types of bread, cereals, breakfast bars, yogurts, soups and sugary beverages.
Who Is Arming the Mexican Drug Cartels?
By Michael Gaddy
The state, Mexican authorities and their US propaganda arm, known in most circles as the Mainstream Media, have recently embarked on a huge disinformation campaign to demonize the American gun owner as the supplier of weapons to the Mexican drug cartels. Everyone in the media, with the possible exception of Lou Dobbs, has joined in the campaign of lies.
Russian 'Arctic military' plan
Russia has announced plans to set up a military force to protect its interests in the Arctic.
Welcome to Pipelineistan
By Pepe Escobar
What happens on the immense battlefield for the control of Eurasia will provide the ultimate plot line in the tumultuous rush towards a new, polycentric world order, also known as the New Great Game.
