From the Trenches World Report
Enforce our Bill of Rights
A small team of US Marines was deployed to Uganda on Tuesday to prepare for more evacuations of Americans from the escalating turmoil in South Sudan.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steven Warren said a “platoon-sized” team of Marines and a C-130 aircraft would be detached from a deployment in Djibouti to travel to Entebbe, Uganda, AFP reported. Continue reading “US sends Marines to Uganda to aid South Sudan evacuations”
Even after months of stories exposing the breadth and depth of National Security Agency (NSA) spying on Americans’ communications, the Obama administration insists federal courts should stop hearing cases challenging the agency’s warrantless surveillance on grounds that they might expose the existence of this spying.
Last week, federal lawyers asked a judge, Jeffrey S. White, in Northern California to dismiss cases that could lead to a ruling on the constitutionality of warrantless surveillance programs authorized during the George W. Bush administration. Continue reading “Obama Administration Tries to Stop Courts from Ruling on Constitutionality of Warrantless Spying”
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a movement permit to S. Claus to “allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 6 PM December 24, 2013 and 6 AM December 25, 2013, through or over any northern border port.”
Since this is a government agency, things are not quite that simple: Continue reading “USDA allows Santa’s reindeer to enter the country”
The Book of Calling – by Gary Bertnick
A walk through the many fields of this life
Beauty easily seen woven into such mystery
Flowers and butterflies
Men and women and children, ourselves,
A hummingbird sips on a backyard feeder one cold and frosty morning. Continue reading “Merry Christmas – A Gift”
As South Sudan’s army signaled Monday that it was poised for a major offensive against rebel forces, the leaders of both sides said they were ready to talk.
President Salva Kiir told US special envoy Donald Booth that he was ready for talks with rival Riek Machar “without preconditions.” Continue reading “South Sudan president and rebel leader signal willingness to talk”
(CNN) — A compounding pharmacy at the center of a fungal meningitis outbreak last year has agreed to a preliminary settlement that would create a $100 million fund for victims.
The fund will also be used to pay off creditors of the bankrupt New England Compounding Center, attorneys in the case said. A judge will have to approve the plan before it goes into effect. Continue reading “Pharmacy owners agree to $100 million settlement after meningitis outbreak”
The Motley Fool – by Bob Ciura
The United States becoming a net exporter of natural gas is an idea that seemed virtually impossible just a few years ago. The increase in domestic natural gas production has been dramatic, thanks to technological developments that have made previously untapped resources suddenly viable. Due to new ‘fracking’ technologies, the vast ocean of natural gas the United States is currently sitting on may hold the keys to our national energy independence. Continue reading “Natural Gas Storage Tanks are Drying Up With Exports on the Horizon”
Yahoo News – by JOSEF FEDERMAN
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s state archives has published a 50-year-old letter from the Mossad spy agency claiming it unknowingly offered paramilitary training to a young Nelson Mandela, along with documents illustrating the Jewish state’s sympathy for the anti-apartheid struggle in the 1960s.
The release of the documents on the archives’ website in the wake of Mandela’s death appear to be aimed at blunting criticism of the close alliance Israel later developed with South Africa’s apartheid rulers. Continue reading “Document: Israeli Mossad trained Mandela”
Last Friday, Mississippi joined forty other states and announced it would comply with the REAL ID Act, according to the U.S.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Coalition For A Secure Driver License(CSDL). Forty-one states and territories are fully or partially compliant withREAL ID – of which twenty states are fully compliant.
The Examiner reports that the deadline for other states to adopt the measure has been postponed until 2016. Continue reading “Mississippi to comply with REAL ID”
President Obama wants you to know that he’s just like you! He signed up for health insurance, just like he’s forcing you to do. The only difference that while the little people are stuck getting error messages on the Obamacare website or getting the runaround by a navigator on the phone, Obama is on vacation while his staffers work to enroll him in a “symbolic” plan that he won’t even use. Continue reading “Privilege: Obama vacations as staffers bypass Obamacare site to enroll him in “symbolic” insurance”
CNN – by Marie-Louise Gumuchian. Barbara Starr and Antonia Mortensen
(CNN) — About 150 U.S. Marines are poised to enter turbulent South Sudan to help evacuate Americans and provide security for the U.S. Embassy, two U.S. military officials said Monday.
The troops are moving from Spain to Africa, probably to the nation of Djibouti, the officials told CNN’s Barbara Starr on Monday. Continue reading “U.S. Marines poised to enter South Sudan”
The inventor of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died at the age of 94. His ingenuity earned him widespread admiration, but his legacy became more controversial when his weapons were used in some of the world’s bloodiest conflicts.
“Mikhail Kalashnikov’s entire life is a shining example of dedication to serving your country,” said a statement from Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. Continue reading “Inventor of AK-47 rifle Mikhail Kalashnikov dies at 94”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday criticized U.S. spying on Israel; he’s the latest world leader to take aim at the National Security Agency’s surveillance activities.
Documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden to The Guardian and others on Friday showed that the NSA and Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters had targeted an email address for then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2009, as well as the Israeli defense minister. Continue reading “Netanyahu: NSA spying on Israel ‘not acceptable’”
Daily Herald – by Associated Press
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is traveling to China to promote trade with Chicago and city tourism.
He’s set deliver remarks at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Monday morning and later at a Choose Chicago luncheon. He’s also scheduled to address the minister of commerce, vice mayors and leaders of several major Chinese cities to sign an agreement related to trade with Chicago. Continue reading “Emanuel Travels To China To Promote Chicago”
Opposing Views – by Sarah Fruchtnicht
A recent college graduate in Washington says he wants an apology after deputies in Spokane County mistakenly raided his home, with guns drawn, giving him the scare of his life.
Conner Guerrero says he noticed somebody sneaking around his yard at night and assumed it was burglars.
“Just trying to enjoy my evening. All the sudden, I see a flashlight shining through my doors…” said Guerrero. “I’m thinking this could be a dangerous situation for me.” Continue reading “Cop Who Raided The Wrong House Tells Homeowner ‘You’re Lucky I Didn’t F–King Shoot You’”
RT News 
All Gov – by Noel Brinkerhoff
Observation Deck IO9 
Global Post
CNN – by Holly Yan
Poor Richard’s News
RT News 
The Hill – by Jeremy Herb