ACLU sues U.S. for information on targeted killing program
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the ACLU filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act to demand that the government release basic — and accurate — information about the government’s targeted killing program.The government’s deliberate and premeditated killing of American terrorism suspects raises profound questions that ought to be...
U.S. “No Fly” list doubles in just a year
February 1st, 20120 As the U.S. prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan, domestically the government feels that threats are increasing. Despite taking down no fewer than three key al-Qaeda members in the last year, the U.S. has doubled the size of its notorious no-fly list. Government figures provided to The Associated Press this week reveal that the no-fly...
Legislation introduced against NDAA indefinite detentions
January 26th, 20120 Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also took a break from campaigning last week to speak on the House floor about the highly controversial National Defense Authorization Act, and to introduce legislation to strike down a key provision in the bill authorizing discretionary detention of citizens. The NDAA was signed into law on New Year's Day by...
Iraqi outrage as U.S. marine walks free for massacre
January 26th, 20120 A U.S. military court judge ruled that Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich will serve no time in jail for a 2005 massacre that killed 24 Iraqi civilians in Haditha, enraging local Iraqis who condemned the verdict as an "assault on the blood of Iraqis." U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich leaves the courtroom after his sentencing at Camp...
Obama brags about bin Laden killing, renews commitment to Israel and pledges to prevent nuclear Iran
January 26th, 20120 Obama brags about bin Laden killing, renews commitment to Israel and pledges to prevent nuclear Iran U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with congressional pages following his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 24, 2012. REUTERS/Jason ReedWASHINGTON – U.S. President...Obama sued over indefinite detention and torture of Americans act
In the past, journalist Chris Hedges has worked for NPR, The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. In his latest endeavor, however, he is teaming up with an unlikely pair: a couple of attorneys that will help him take on the president. U.S. President Barack Obama is the target of a suit filed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Hedges,...
“Largest online protest in history” held against Internet censorship bills nets favorable results
January 20th, 20120 A massive online protest extending from various social media platforms into some of the web's most popular sites against the pending Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261), and the Protect IP Act (SB 968) bills is being called the largest such protest in history and has reportedly caused numerous Congresspeople to rethink or change their...
NYPD and Pentagon to place mobile scanners on NYC streets
January 20th, 20120 New York City’s war on freedom could be adding a new weapon to its arsenal, especially if NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has his say. The head of the New York Police Department is working with the Pentagon to secure body scanners to be used throughout the Big Apple. Terahertz Imagining Detection scanners can measure the energy that is...
‘Occupy AIPAC’ preparing large counter-protest to policy convention
January 13th, 20120 Following a successful protest in 2011 titled ‘Move Over AIPAC,’ over 100 groups across the country are preparing to launch another protest against the Israeli lobbying organization in March in a plan to capitalize on the momentum of the ‘Occupy’ movement across the United States. scenes from last year’s ‘Move Over...Pending bill would strip U.S. citizenship of anyone “engaging in hostilities”
WASHINGTON — The recently-introduced “Enemy Expatriation Act,” HR 3166, brought about by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA), is the latest in a line of bills that have caused great concern among civil rights and constitutional advocates. The bill, introduced on October 12, 2011 but devoid of media...
‘Marines urinating on Taliban’ video scandal sparks outrage
January 12th, 20120 WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Thursday was investigating a "disgusting" online video purportedly showing Marines urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, a Pentagon spokesman said. The video shows what appears to be four servicemen, dressed in U.S. military uniform, relieving themselves onto three bloodied...Civil rights leader Gordon Hirabayashi honored after recent passing
HirabayashiSAN FRANCISCO — Civil Rights hero Gordon Hirabayashi was honored by the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education along with various other Asian American organizations on January 3 after his passing on the previous day in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the age of 93. Hirabayashi's former wife, Esther,...
Obama signs indefinite detentions bill on New Year’s Eve as rights watchdogs plan counter-actions
January 8th, 20120 Rights advocates decry decision, work to restore liberties WASHINGTON — On December 31, 2011, while most Americans where preparing for dinner with friends or getting ready to celebrate the New Year, President Barack Obama signed the highly controversial National Defense Authorization Act into law despite an earlier White House threat...
FBI allowed to add GPS device to cars without warrants
January 7th, 20120 The Supreme Court will soon weigh in on whether law enforcement agencies can monitor your every move without you knowing — and without a warrant. In Missouri, however, one judge isn’t waiting to find out their word. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Noce ruled last week in favor of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and determined that...
National news: 2011 Year in review
January 7th, 20120 • FBI documents show billions have been spent spying on Americans post 9/11• Indiana law makers met with strong disapproval for proposed “Shari’a law” bill.• Society of Professional Journalism Committee discusses removing Helen Thomas Award; Claiming they don't stand for “Anti-Semitic” remarks• Civil rights groups......
The contradictions of Obama’s outreach to American Muslims
December 25th, 20110 On the same day that Rep. Peter King held the fourth "homegrown terrorism" hearing focused exclusively on Muslims, the White House released its Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States. Despite the White House's seemingly benign approach to counterterrorism, its...
A man in Tunisia, a movement on Wall Street, and the soldier who ignited the fuse
December 25th, 20110 One year ago on December 17th, Mohamed Bouazizi, a man who had a simple produce stand in Tunisia, set himself on fire to protest his government's repression. His singular sacrifice ignited a revolution that toppled Tunisia's dictator and launched revolts in regimes across the Middle East.Three months ago on December 17th, Occupy Wall......
Half of all Americans are officially poor
December 24th, 20110 WASHINGTON — While it's no surprise that nearly 50 million Americans live below the poverty line, new statistics from the U.S. Census show that almost 100 million others are counted as low-income citizens, making half of the population of America officially poor. The latest figures out of the U.S. Census Bureau show that in addition...
U.S. forces lower flag in Iraq as America ends one of its ‘dumb wars’
December 16th, 20110 Withdrawal will end costly war that left tens of thousands of Iraqis, nearly 4,500 American soldiers dead. BAGHDAD— U.S. forces held a formal ceremony to lower the flag in Iraq on Thursday, ahead of their withdrawal from the country nearly nine years after the controversial invasion to topple Saddam Hussein. U.S. soldiers carry an...
Indefinite military detention measure passes on Bill Of Rights Day
December 16th, 20110 Obama backs off veto plans, expected to sign massive defense bill soon WASHINGTON - The Senate passed a defense bill Thursday that authorizes indefinite detentions of American terrorism suspects, coincidentally acting on the controversial measure on the 220th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights.The bill, the...Levin, Stabenow issue statements on highly controversial National Defense Authorization Act, rights groups urge opposition
WASHINGTON — Michigan's two senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, were among those who helped pass the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1867) in the Senate last week. The bill contains two provisions, 1031 and 1032, which many civil rights advocates fear would allow U.S. citizens to be detained......
Michigan Hutaree militia member pleads guilty; first conviction for U.S. in terror case
Blissfield Township, MI — The U.S. government secured its first guilty plea in the Hutaree case, in which nine accused militia members were charged with plotting a violent overthrow of the government.Defendant Joshua John Clough, 29, formerly of Blissfield Township, pleaded guilty to the use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a...Occupy L.A. raid results in almost 300 arrests, protesters vow return
LOS ANGELES – About 175 protesters returned to City Hall at 6 p.m. holding up signs saying, “It’s not over” following a raid on “Occupy LA” demonstrations overnight that netted 292 arrests. Protesters were planning their next moves after police had cleared out their long-time encampment downtown. ON Wednesday......
Senate bill passes, paves the way for indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - Senators compromised Thursday on a bill that attempts to spell out the military's right to detain Americans indefinitely, killing a bid to bar the practice but passing an amendment that says current laws on the matter stand. The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act aimed to codify a string of court cases and...
Drones cleared for domestic use across U.S.
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - According to the Los Angeles Times in an article published Tuesday, new unmanned drone planes could be used domestically soon for both law enforcement and agricultural sector officials, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The drones are currently used to fire missiles by the American military in......
