Typical Government Waste

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This one crosses democratic and republican administrations:

The financial costs to the U.S. military for discharging and replacing gay service members under the nation’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy are nearly twice what the government estimated last year, with taxpayers covering at least $364 million in associated funds over the policy’s first decade, according to a University of California report scheduled for release today.

Its a stupid, wasteful policy. But then that’s what governments do.

Via The Carpetbagger report via Norwegianity.

The dems Dig Their Own Grave

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It would be great if these responses to Hackett’s announcement from Ohio are but the start of a tidal wave.
The only thing better for the US than the dissolution of the political parties would be the dissolution of the federal governement. As long as we are burdened by it we might as well move ahead to a time when our congressional critters represent the people who elect them and not a state party clique or crooked national level fund raisers.

Independent or not at all!

cheney’s Kind of World

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Let’s just kill stuff or warming up for this past weekend’s hunting.
Don’t you all feel so much safer now!

Via Pharyngula

Update: Via Fergie I see that

Feb. 13, 2006 – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today that his department would immediately implement a “Cheney Alert” system to warn Americans if an attack by the vice president is imminent.

And, to ensure that the alert system will not be needed bush has sent cheney far away.

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.