Author: Paul

PR Watch – by Ruth Conniff

If you are not in the Chicago media market, you might not know much about Bruce Rauner, the Mitt Romney-like candidate for governor in Illinois, who is running ahead in the polls against Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.

If Rauner wins, Illinois will have a lot more in common with its neighbor, Wisconsin. Politically, Rauner resembles union-basher and school privatizer Scott Walker. Only Rauner is much, much richer.

In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times, Rauner talked about his career at GTCR, the Chicago-based private equity firm he founded.    Continue reading “Tax Dodger Running for Governor in Illinois”

Common Dreams – by Lauren McCauley

The United States’ renewed airstrikes in Iraq will likely be a “long term project,” President Barack Obama told reporters on Saturday.

In remarks made following his weekly address before leaving for a two-week vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, the President said, “I don’t think we’re going to solve this problem in weeks,” adding, “This is going to be a long-term project.”

The comments came one day after the Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. warplanes had dropped bombs on Iraq, targeting fighters affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) rebel group. According to reports, the U.S. military launched three rounds of airstrikes throughout the day on Friday.    Continue reading “Obama: U.S. strikes on Iraq will be ‘long-term project’”

Detroit Free Press – by  Gina Damron andKatrease Stafford

Guns Save Lives – by Dan Cannon

It looks like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is going after any pro-gun politician he possibly can. Bloomberg’s anti-gun political action committee just bought $150,000 in ads to target outspoken gun rights activist Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.

According to JSOnline,

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s political action committee, Independence USA, has purchased $150,833 in television ads in an effort to defeat Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. and support his opponent, Milwaukee police Lt. Chris Moews. Continue reading “Anti-Gun Bloomberg Group Going After Pro-Gun Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke”

Guns Save Lives – by Dan Cannon

A homeowner in Kansas City, Missouri used a firearm to stop a home invasion earlier this week. The incident occurred in the 400 block of Newton Avenue about 9:40 a.m.

The homeowner managed to shoot one of the suspects, striking him in the leg. The homeowner didn’t even need to open fire on the second suspect as they suffered a panic attack during the altercation with the homeowner.   Continue reading “Home Invader in Missouri Has Panic Attack After Encountering Armed Homeowner”

Navy Times – by Jeff Schogol

The U.S. has a massive force of ships and aircraft in the Persian Gulf for the air campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq.

The first airstrikes against the Islamic State were carried out by two aircraft from the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf along with the amphibious assault ship Bataan; the amphibious dock landing ship Gunston Hall; the cruiser Philippine Sea; and the destroyers Arleigh Burke, O’Kane and Roosevelt, according to the Defense Department. Continue reading “More than 100 aircraft, 8 ships ready for Iraq air campaign”

Police State USA

OAKLAND, CA — An officer who violently attacked a group of civilians — including an incapacitated man bleeding from a head injury and the people who tried to help him — has been reinstated to the department with back pay for the nearly 3 years of missed work.   Continue reading “Oakland officer reinstated with back pay after throwing grenade at unconscious man, bystanders”

Cop Block – by Pete Eyer

It’s occurred yet again – another instance of puppycide. This time, in Lancaster, PA, about 80-miles west of Philly.

Meredith Wilterdink, who works at a nearby eatery, described the scene:The dog’s owner said the use of deadly force was unwarranted. Multiple witnesses echoed that sentiment, including one many who physically tried to stand between the police employees and the dog.   Continue reading “Puppycide – the “Service” From A Still-Unnamed Lancaster PA Police Employee”

Contra Corner – by David Stockman

The late, great critic of the American Imperium, Chalmers Johnson, popularized the salient concept of “blowback”. That is, the notion that if you bomb, drone, invade, desecrate and slaughter—collaterally or otherwise— a people and their lands, they might find ways to return the favor.

But even Johnson could not have imagined the kind of blowback coming ferociously Washington’s way now. Namely, the mayhem being visited on much of Iraq by American tanks, armored personnel carriers, heavy artillery, anti-aircraft batteries and other advanced weaponry that has fallen into the hands of the very jihadist radicals that have been the ostensible target of Washington’s entire multi-trillion “war on terrorism”.   Continue reading “Washington Opened The Gates Of Hell In Iraq: Now Come The Furies”

Dark Reading – by Kelly Jackson Higgins

LAS VEGAS — Black Hat USA — A Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) system at airport security checkpoints contains default backdoor passwords, and one of the devices running at the San Francisco Airport was sitting on the public Internet.

Renowned security researcher Billy Rios, who is director of threat intelligence at Qualys, Wednesday here at Black Hat USA gave details on security weaknesses he discovered in both the Morpho Detection Itemiser 3 trace-explosives and residue detection system, and the Kronos 4500 time clock system used by TSA agents to clock in and out with their fingerprints, which could allow an attacker to easily gain user access to the devices.   Continue reading “TSA Checkpoint Systems Found Exposed On The Net”

Concealed Nation – by Maureen

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article about smaller restaurant chains welcoming gun owners into their businesses.  Although many larger national chains such as Chili’s Grill and Bar, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, and Sonic are prohibiting guns (or asking customers to leave them at home), many independent restaurants are particularly welcoming to armed patrons, whether in a concealed or open manner.  Some restaurants post signs saying that guns are welcome, while others even offer discounts to customers who arrive armed.   Continue reading “More And More Smaller Restaurant Chains Welcoming Gun Owners Into Their Businesses”

Concealed Nation – by Brandon

And some say that citizens aren’t responsible enough to own firearms in a safe way. Here is a bit of proof that illustrates that the 4 Rules of Gun Safety is to be followed by everyone at all times, regardless of your background with firearms.

The off-duty Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officer has been identified through our sources as Jon Gigantiello, and this incident is being called an accident A NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE. Before I even get into the specifics of this incident, let’s be perfectly clear that ‘accidental discharges’ do not ever happen. If a firearm goes off unintentionally, it is called a negligent discharge. There needs to be a stronger emphasis on this, as wording plays an important role in the public perception of firearms. You cannot be injured from a firearm going off by having an accident. You can however, be injured from a firearm if you are negligent.   Continue reading “Off-duty NY Cop Accidentally Shoots Himself And His 3-year-old Son While Unloading Firearm”

Guns Save Lives – by Dan Cannon

Rep. Mike Honda, a Democrat in the California state legislature, wants to ban body armor in the Golden State.

According to press release on Honda’s website,

Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA17) today introduced the Responsible Body Armor Possession Act of 2014, which allows law enforcement to respond to active shooters more effectively. It accomplishes this by prohibiting the sale, purchase, use, or possession of enhanced military-grade body armor by anyone who is not a member of law enforcement, active duty military, or other authorized users. Continue reading “California Rep. Wants to Ban Body Armor For Civilians”