Tag: government
The recent history of botched SWAT raids
Obama to announce plans to cut government waste
Obama to announce plans today to cut government waste.
Though I applaud any effort to reduce the federal government’s out-of-control spending, to me this paragraph suggested strongly how symbolic and superficial this announcement by Obama will be:
One of the campaign’s first steps will be targeting waste and duplication among federal websites. The administration will halt the creation of new websites, as well as shut down or consolidate one-fourth of the 2,000 government websites in the next few months.
For one thing, having an employee launch an extra website is hardly very costly, as you are already paying that employee’s salary. Will they be laying off these workers as well? I doubt it.
For another, shutting down websites is hardly a demonstration of transparency in government.
Obama to announce plans today to cut government waste.
Though I applaud any effort to reduce the federal government’s out-of-control spending, to me this paragraph suggested strongly how symbolic and superficial this announcement by Obama will be:
One of the campaign’s first steps will be targeting waste and duplication among federal websites. The administration will halt the creation of new websites, as well as shut down or consolidate one-fourth of the 2,000 government websites in the next few months.
For one thing, having an employee launch an extra website is hardly very costly, as you are already paying that employee’s salary. Will they be laying off these workers as well? I doubt it.
For another, shutting down websites is hardly a demonstration of transparency in government.
In North Carolina, government jobs untouched by the great recession
In North Carolina, government jobs untouched by the Great Recession.
In North Carolina, government jobs untouched by the Great Recession.
Special Needs Son Harassed by TSA at Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Don’t you feel safer? TSA agents confiscate toy hammer.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen? Drew’s mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
Don’t you feel safer? TSA agents confiscate toy hammer.
The TSA took away one toy hammer, but they were still able to take another toy hammer on board the airplane. How did that happen? Drew’s mother, always prepared, had another one in her backpack and that backpack passed through security with no problem.
How a Teachers’ Rally Made Me Anti-Education
Ohio restaurant referenced by Obama is closing
The ironies are endless: An Ohio restaurant referenced by President Obama last week as a beneficiary of the auto bailout is going out of business this week due to the bad economy and increased regulation.
The ironies are endless: An Ohio restaurant referenced by President Obama last week as a beneficiary of the auto bailout is going out of business this week due to the bad economy and increased regulation.
Dept. of Education SWAT team breaks down man’s door
The abuse of power: The U.S. Department of Education used a SWAT team to break down a man’s door and hold him and his three children, aged 3, 7, and 11, for six hours, all because his wife had defaulted on her student loans.
The abuse of power: The U.S. Department of Education used a SWAT team to break down a man’s door and hold him and his three children, aged 3, 7, and 11, for six hours, all because his wife had defaulted on her student loans.
Newark TSA Supervisor Sentenced for Bribery and aiding thefts from passengers
A Newark TSA supervisor has been sentenced to prison for bribery and aiding the theft of passengers.
So how is his action any different than what Congress does?
A Newark TSA supervisor has been sentenced to prison for bribery and aiding the theft of passengers.
So how is his action any different than what Congress does?
Obamacare waivers weren’t in original law
Repeal it! The right to issue waivers to Obamacare by the Health and Human Services administration (HHS) appears to be illegal.
Language granting HHS that power was never in the original law. Instead, through new rules and regulations, HHS gave itself the power last summer using a broad interpretation of certain parts of the law.
Repeal it! The right to issue waivers to Obamacare by the Health and Human Services administration (HHS) appears to be illegal.
Language granting HHS that power was never in the original law. Instead, through new rules and regulations, HHS gave itself the power last summer using a broad interpretation of certain parts of the law.
Cruise passengers tell of seven-hour security ‘revenge’ nightmare
The abuse of power: Cruise passengers tell of seven-hour security “revenge” nightmare, forced on them by U.S. immigration officials.
But when a handful of them questioned whether the lengthy security checks at the port were strictly necessary for a group of largely elderly travellers officials were not amused. Although they had already been given advance clearance for multiple entries to the country during their trip, all 2,000 passengers were made to go through full security checks in a process which took seven hours to complete.
The abuse of power: Cruise passengers tell of seven-hour security “revenge” nightmare, forced on them by U.S. immigration officials.
But when a handful of them questioned whether the lengthy security checks at the port were strictly necessary for a group of largely elderly travellers officials were not amused. Although they had already been given advance clearance for multiple entries to the country during their trip, all 2,000 passengers were made to go through full security checks in a process which took seven hours to complete.
The federal government’s total unfunded financial obligations now exceed $60 trillion.
The day of reckoning beckons: The federal government’s total unfunded financial obligations now exceed $60 trillion.
The day of reckoning beckons: The federal government’s total unfunded financial obligations now exceed $60 trillion.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd challenging a ban on dancing inside the monument.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd protesting the arrest of five people last week for dancing inside the monument.
One man took to the microphone to demand that all intrusive government policies be overturned, specifically mentioning the need to repeal “Obamacare.” Medea Benjamin [of Code Pink] clarified that some participants also wanted a single-payer system, but that all agreed on the right to dance at the memorial.
On some issues we all agree.
Police yesterday shut the Jefferson Memorial to clear out a crowd protesting the arrest of five people last week for dancing inside the monument.
One man took to the microphone to demand that all intrusive government policies be overturned, specifically mentioning the need to repeal “Obamacare.” Medea Benjamin [of Code Pink] clarified that some participants also wanted a single-payer system, but that all agreed on the right to dance at the memorial.
On some issues we all agree.
All new cars starting in June will have a mandatory black box
Big brother arrives: Starting in June all new cars will have a mandatory black box.
The installation and use of these black boxes can have infinite possibilities for local, state, and federal governments to monitor and record data for a number of other revenue programs that are currently under consideration. In March, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a proposal to institute a tax on mileage to help pay for the federal budget deficit. Additionally, local cities and counties can download information from these black boxes, and they can be used to issue driving citations after the fact in the case of speeding or not wearing a seat belt.
I think the value of my old used Subaru Forester has just gone up!
Big brother arrives: Starting in June all new cars will have a mandatory black box.
The installation and use of these black boxes can have infinite possibilities for local, state, and federal governments to monitor and record data for a number of other revenue programs that are currently under consideration. In March, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a proposal to institute a tax on mileage to help pay for the federal budget deficit. Additionally, local cities and counties can download information from these black boxes, and they can be used to issue driving citations after the fact in the case of speeding or not wearing a seat belt.
I think the value of my old used Subaru Forester has just gone up!
A federal appeals court has lifted a ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation
A federal appeals court has lifted the ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation.
Good thing too, as any attempt by the court or the police to tried to stop someone from praying would have backfired very badly.
A federal appeals court has lifted the ban on public prayer at a Texas high school graduation.
Good thing too, as any attempt by the court or the police to tried to stop someone from praying would have backfired very badly.
House Trims Homeland Security Science Spending
It’s a start: The House has trimmed the budget for the Homeland Security Agency by $1.1 billion, including a cut of about 75% from the Obama administration’s request for the agency’s science budget, ($398 million versus $1.2 billion requested). And of course, we don’t have to wait long to hear the pigs squeal:
DHS officials say the decrease in the directorate’s budget will wipe out dozens of programs, stalling the development of technologies for border protection, detection of bio-hazards, and cargo screening.
My heart bleeds.
It’s a start: The House has trimmed the budget for the Homeland Security Agency by $1.1 billion, including a cut of about 75% from the Obama administration’s request for the agency’s science budget, ($398 million versus $1.2 billion requested). And of course, we don’t have to wait long to hear the pigs squeal:
DHS officials say the decrease in the directorate’s budget will wipe out dozens of programs, stalling the development of technologies for border protection, detection of bio-hazards, and cargo screening.
My heart bleeds.
Texas TSA pat down ban may be back
What if every state did this? The Texas law to ban any TSA full body pat downs, shelved last week, may still be passed.
And in more TSA news, video of a woman screaming for help while accusing a TSA agent of molesting her. Her son meanwhile is threatened with arrest and the confiscation of his luggage for videotaping the event.
What if every state did this? The Texas law to ban any TSA full body pat downs, shelved last week, may still be passed.
And in more TSA news, video of a woman screaming for help while accusing a TSA agent of molesting her. Her son meanwhile is threatened with arrest and the confiscation of his luggage for videotaping the event.
Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony
A federal judge has prohibited prayer at a Texas graduation ceremony.
So how does this fit into anyone’s idea of freedom of religion or speech?
A federal judge has prohibited prayer at a Texas graduation ceremony.
So how does this fit into anyone’s idea of freedom of religion or speech?
Obama solicitor general says if you don’t like the Obamacare mandate, you can earn less money
I’m so glad they are thinking of my best interests: Obama solicitor general tells court if you don’t like the Obamacare mandate, you can simply earn less money.
I’m so glad they are thinking of my best interests: Obama solicitor general tells court if you don’t like the Obamacare mandate, you can simply earn less money.
TSA testing non-contact system to detect terrorists before they act
And this is good? The TSA is testing a sensor system for detecting terrorists before they act.
The Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST) security programme is designed to spot people who are planning to commit a terrorist act. The U.S. government system can ‘sense’ when you are planning and measures physiological factors such as heart rates and eye movements.
And this is good? The TSA is testing a sensor system for detecting terrorists before they act.
The Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST) security programme is designed to spot people who are planning to commit a terrorist act. The U.S. government system can ‘sense’ when you are planning and measures physiological factors such as heart rates and eye movements.
California’s gold-mining environmental rules cost five times what they earn in fees
More government stupidity: Because California’s gold-mining environmental rules cost five times more than what they earn in fees, the state legislature can’t afford to fund the process. The result: an end to all gold-mining in California.
More government stupidity: Because California’s gold-mining environmental rules cost five times more than what they earn in fees, the state legislature can’t afford to fund the process. The result: an end to all gold-mining in California.
Five People Arrested in D.C. for Dancing At U.S. Monument
What would Jefferson say? Five people arrested this weekend in D.C. for dancing at the Jefferson memorial monument.
What would Jefferson say? Five people arrested this weekend in D.C. for dancing at the Jefferson memorial monument.
Court throws out Dearborn leaflet ban
A victory for freedom: The court has thrown out the ban on Christian leafleting in Dearborn, Michigan.
A victory for freedom: The court has thrown out the ban on Christian leafleting in Dearborn, Michigan.
GOP Senators to WH: Better start planning for a $2.6 trillion budget
GOP Senators to the White House: Better start planning for no debt ceiling increase and making do on a $2.6 trillion budget.
GOP Senators to the White House: Better start planning for no debt ceiling increase and making do on a $2.6 trillion budget.
Provincial official in Algeria orders churches to close
Tolerance in the Middle East: A provincial official in Algeria has ordered seven Christian churches to close.
In 2008 the government applied measures in accordance with Ordinance 06-03 to limit the activities of non-Muslim groups, ordering the closure of 26 churches in the Kabylie region because they were not registered. No churches had been closed down since then. [Protestant Church of Algeria] members argue, however, that the law is impossible to implement as officials refuse to register their churches despite efforts to comply. They said the authorities apply the law when they want to harass churches.
Tolerance in the Middle East: A provincial official in Algeria has ordered seven Christian churches to close.
In 2008 the government applied measures in accordance with Ordinance 06-03 to limit the activities of non-Muslim groups, ordering the closure of 26 churches in the Kabylie region because they were not registered. No churches had been closed down since then. [Protestant Church of Algeria] members argue, however, that the law is impossible to implement as officials refuse to register their churches despite efforts to comply. They said the authorities apply the law when they want to harass churches.
Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket
More evidence to me it will never fly: Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket.
More evidence to me it will never fly: Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket.
Rep. Ryan agrees that his plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win
Rep. Ryan agreed today that his budget plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win in New York yesterday.
If Ryan is right, we are in big trouble. His plan might not be the solution, but the Democrats refuse to offer any alternatives. And if it is this Democratic non-plan that the public is choosing, it means that the public remains unwilling to deal with the debt in any way at all.
Rep. Ryan agreed today that his budget plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win in New York yesterday.
If Ryan is right, we are in big trouble. His plan might not be the solution, but the Democrats refuse to offer any alternatives. And if it is this Democratic non-plan that the public is choosing, it means that the public remains unwilling to deal with the debt in any way at all.
Republicans propose cutting 12 percent of FDA’s budget
The next budget negotiations have started, and so has the squealing: Republicans propose cutting 12 percent of FDA’s budget.
Note that this would give the FDA a budget of $2.2 billion in 2012, about the same as its 2008 budget. Hardly painful if you ask me.
The next budget negotiations have started, and so has the squealing: Republicans propose cutting 12 percent of FDA’s budget.
Note that this would give the FDA a budget of $2.2 billion in 2012, about the same as its 2008 budget. Hardly painful if you ask me.
Gasoline Prices by County
There is a pattern here: Gasoline prices by county.
There is a pattern here: Gasoline prices by county.
No restrooms at 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Our government in action: No restrooms were included in the soon-to-open 9/11 memorial at ground zero.
The nonprofit foundation running the $508 million project is expecting millions of visitors from across the globe to flock to lower Manhattan when it opens this year on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. But there won’t be a single toilet available on the eight-acre green plaza — a planning oversight now raising concerns in closed-door meetings.
Our government in action: No restrooms were included in the soon-to-open 9/11 memorial at ground zero.
The nonprofit foundation running the $508 million project is expecting millions of visitors from across the globe to flock to lower Manhattan when it opens this year on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. But there won’t be a single toilet available on the eight-acre green plaza — a planning oversight now raising concerns in closed-door meetings.
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia.
Or to put it another way, the police have decided they can harass citizens who happen to be obeying the law.
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia.
Or to put it another way, the police have decided they can harass citizens who happen to be obeying the law.