Domestic Terrorism

Torture and Murder in Florida

This entry was posted in Anarchism Domestic Terrorism Government Law Law Enforcement Libertarianism on by

If this is true, if these six to eight thugs are guilty of this behavior, then more than an investigation is required:

Two state lawmakers, Sen. Gus Barreiro, R-Miami Beach, and Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, who viewed a videotape of the incident, said that six to eight officers at times kicked, punched and choked the boy in their efforts to get him to perform exercises. A nurse apparently stood by without rendering assistance, Rep. Gelber said.

How is this different from torture? A complete housecleaning is in order.
First, there can be no excuse for apparently having a policy in place that allows physical assault and battery, torture, as a persuasive tool. Not in the United States, not anywhere.
Second, this incident probably only became an issue because of the death. How many other have been kicked, punched, choked and more? Each incident deserves to be brought to light and the perpetrators brought to justice.
Third, Those who approved these policies should not be relieved of responsibility. Are there sheriffs, mayors, even governors that need to be brought to trial.

Last, but not least: the victims and their families deserve restitution. Something more than just jail time for the perpetrators, high and low. For the family of the dead 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson the perpetrators owe at minimum the equivalent of 60-70 years income.

It Could Be Worse

This entry was posted in Constitution Domestic Terrorism Government Libertarianism on by

I’ve done my share of griping about king george and the erosion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness driven by the bushies, congress, state legislatures, your nearest city council and, yes, your fellow voters.
It could be worse!
In the US, even though you don’t get to see the caskets coming home, you can still see these images.
As Clara points out: if you live in China you will see these pictures instead of these.

Via Jonathon Wilde.

Update (1/30): Via Brad DeLong is this post which finds that spelling can make a big difference at google.cn. So, anyone care to speculate as to how long it will take the chinese masters to get this fixed?

How Soon In The States?

This entry was posted in bush Constitution Domestic Terrorism Federal Government Journalism Law Enforcement Libertarianism on by

Are these guys practicing for their return home?

American troops in Baghdad yesterday blasted their way into the home of an Iraqi journalist working for the Guardian and Channel 4, firing bullets into the bedroom where he was sleeping with his wife and children.

Ali Fadhil, who two months ago won the Foreign Press Association young journalist of the year award, was hooded and taken for questioning. He was released hours later.

Dr Fadhil is working with Guardian Films on an investigation for Channel 4’s Dispatches programme into claims that tens of millions of dollars worth of Iraqi funds held by the Americans and British have been misused or misappropriated.

Jeanne says:

If that isn’t an attempt to intimidate a journalist asking dangerous questions, I can’t imagine what it is. But American journalists ought to demand some answers.

Yes, definitely intimidation.  And,yes, American journalists ought to demand some answers but will they be intimidated? Will they, especially if based in Iraq, be willing to ask dangerous questions?

Will abramoff rollover?

This entry was posted in Campaign Finance Constitution Democracy Democrats Domestic Terrorism Economics Federal Government Government on by

There appears to be a good chance that abramoff will rollover on his former associates:

Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist under criminal investigation, has been discussing with prosecutors a deal that would grant him a reduced sentence in exchange for testimony against former political and business associates, people with detailed knowledge of the case say.
Mr. Abramoff is believed to have extensive knowledge of what prosecutors suspect is a wider pattern of corruption among lawmakers and Congressional staff members. One participant in the case who insisted on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations described him as a “unique resource.”
Other people involved in the case or who have been officially briefed on it said the talks had reached a tense phase, with each side mindful of the date Jan. 9, when Mr. Abramoff is scheduled to stand trial in Miami in a separate prosecution.
What began as a limited inquiry into $82 million of Indian casino lobbying by Mr. Abramoff and his closest partner, Michael Scanlon, has broadened into a far-reaching corruption investigation of mainly Republican lawmakers and aides suspected of accepting favors in exchange for legislative work.

It would be a good thing if this snares some dems as well. Perhaps people will begin understanding the kind of culture that evolves when you create a mob wealth transfer machine the size of the us federal government and that the smaller wealth transfer operations at the city, county and state level are simply breeding grounds for the scumsects at the federal level.
Via Raw Story.