My Budget 360

What does it say about our economy that at the same time the Dow Jones hits a peak, we have the highest percentage of Americans on food stamps?

It is a dichotomy that speaks to the current state of our economy.  Food stamp usage has peaked at the very same time that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is setting new highs.  Of course, the Dow is setting new nominal highs but still has a way to go to catch up to the eroding effects of inflation.   Continue reading “An economy of peak food stamp usage, peak Dow, and peak Debt”

Mashable – by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai

For the first time, NSA chief and head of the U.S. Cyber Command Gen. Keith Alexander admitted America is ready to attack in cyberspace. Never before has a U.S. official acknowledged that the U.S. government is working on or is in possession of malware capable of attacking a foreign nation in a cyber conflict, despite the fact that at least one attack — the famous Stuxnext worm — has been attributed to the U.S.   Continue reading “NSA Chief Says America Is Ready to Cyberattack”

Annie Dhookan (right), a former Massachusetts crime lab chemist, is accused of falsifying evidence in more than 30,000 cases. The state's criminal justice system is now reeling as former defendants are challenging their convictions and hundreds have already been released.NPR – by Tovia Smith

A scandal in a Massachusetts crime lab continues to reverberate throughout the state’s legal system. Several months ago, Annie Dookhan, a former chemist in a state crime lab, told police that she messed up big time. Dookhan now stands accused of falsifying test results in as many as 34,000 cases.

As a result, lawyers, prosecutors and judges used to operating in a world of “beyond a reasonable doubt” now have nothing but doubt.   Continue reading “Crime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil”

Deal Book NY Times – by JESSICA SILVER-GREENBERG AND BEN PROTESS

JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s biggest bank, ignored internal controls and manipulated documents as it racked up trading losses last year, while its influential chief executive, Jamie Dimon, briefly withheld some information from regulators, a new Senate report says.

The findings by the Congressional investigators shed new light on the multibillion-dollar trading blunder, which has claimed the jobs of several top executives and prompted an inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   Continue reading “JPMorgan Faulted on Controls and Disclosure in Trading Loss”

A Syrian fuel tanker which was set on fire late Thursday by anti-Syrian regime protesters, lies in ruins in the northern port city of Tripoli, Lebanon, earlier today.Newser – by Mark Russell

With Syrian militants crossing back and forth across the northern Lebanon border, the Syrian foreign ministry has told Lebanon to put a stop to it or else face military strikes, reports Reuters via the Christian Science Monitor. “Syrian forces have so far exercised restraint from striking at armed gangs inside Lebanese territory,” says the Syrian diplomatic cable, adding that “patience is not unlimited.” The Syrian war has driven about a million Syrians seeking shelter into Lebanon, a country of 4 million people.   Continue reading “Syria Warns It May Strike Lebanon”

article-0-18662F21000005DC-310_634x414Freedom Outpost – by Tim Brown

Iron County, Utah is making a preemptive strike against the Federal government’s attempts to infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of its citizens. According to a press release, “Laws that violate 2nd Amendment are null and void and have no effect in Iron County, Utah.”

Today in Southwest Utah, the Iron County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in passing an Iron County Second Amendment Protection Resolution. This is the second Resolution passed in the county, the first being the Cedar City Second Amendment Resolution passed by the City Council.   Continue reading “Iron County Utah Tells Feds – Don’t Try to Enforce Gun Laws Here”

Reuters / Miyako City OfficeRT News

Researchers say a massive earthquake and tsunami could soon strike the Northwest US coast, killing more than 10,000 people, flooding entire towns, and causing economic damages totaling $32 billion.

An alarming report published by the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission warns about the dire effects of the quake and claims that it is imminent and could strike anytime. The report, which was compiled by a group of more than 150 volunteer experts, was requested by the Oregon legislature in order to adequately prepare for the looming disaster.   Continue reading “Scientists predict thousands will die from eartquake expected anytime on US West Coast”

The Russian warship Varyag (photo credit: CC BY randychiu, Flickr)The Times of Israel

Three Russian warships anchored in Beirut en route to the port of Tartus in Syria, Sky News reported Friday.

According to the report, the ships carry hundreds of Russian soldiers as well as advanced missile systems.

The reports have given no information so far regarding the ships’ intent.   Continue reading “Three Russian warships headed for Syrian port”

From the Fraternal order of police Sergeant Mourad Mourad, a seven-year veteran of the NYPD, was honored today with the 2011 Assistant Chief Patrick D. Brennan Award for Patrol Borough Brooklyn South – Last September 23 (2011) while assigned to the 67th Precinct anti-crime unit, Sergeant Mourad, along with Police Officer Dennis Steele, attempted to stop an individual suspected of carrying a firearm at East 49th Street and Linden Boulevard. During the stop, the individual removed a gun from his waistband and fired several rounds at Sergeant Mourad, and several responding officers requested by Sergeant Mourad, who returned fire and gave pursuit as the suspect fled to the rear of a residential building. The perpetrator was ultimately apprehended and no other members of the public or service were harmed. A firearm and a bullet resistant vest were recovered. Sergeant Mourad immigrated with his family from Egypt to Staten Island in 1994 and served as a police cadet before becoming a police officer. The Assistant Chief Patrick D. Brennan award is bestowed in honor of Chief Brennan, who served the NYPD for 32 years in numerous commands including Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South. Chief Brennan was an active member of the Police Department’s Holy Name Society, Emerald Society and Honor Legion. He passed in May 1999.NY Daily News – by JOHN MARZULLI

The NYPD sergeant and cop involved in the fatal shooting of Brooklyn 16-year-old Kimani Gray have been named in five federal lawsuits — which cost the city a total of $215,000 in settlements, court records show.

Sgt. Mourad Mourad racked up three suits while he was a plainclothes cop on Staten Island, and Officer Jovaniel Cordova racked up two at Brooklyn’s 70th Precinct — all alleging various civil rights violations including illegal stop and search and false arrest.

Prosecutors later dismissed all but one of the arrests against the six plaintiffs, and the criminal cases were sealed.   Continue reading “Both cops involved in shooting death of Kimani Gray, 16, in East Flatbush named in federal lawsuits”

Stand Up America – by Scott W. Winchell

In light of the seemingly unending saber-rattling coming from North Korea, the US military is starting to make moves to prevent the rogue regime from launching anything toward America.

The DPRK (North Korea) has threatened a preemptive nuclear strike on the US and everyone is taking things a lot more seriously since the young successor Kim Jong Un is yet to be fully understood if that is possible:   Continue reading “Russian – NK Nuke was a Plutonium device, US changes Military stance”

swordZen Garner – by Techzombie

WARNING: This knowledge is for elite truth warriors only. If you can’t handle being wrong and value your ego more than science then stop reading now. If you believe in the absolute truth, if you believe in science then read on and champion the truth as Tesla would have wanted us to.

The Work of Nikola Tesla is now more suppressed than ever before.   Continue reading “Avenge Tesla And End Suppression Once And For All”

Woman Files Suit Alleging She Was Arrested for Criticizing 'Stop and Frisk'The Atlantic – by SARAH GOODYEAR

One night last July, Kaylan Pedine was standing outside the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan talking to a friend. According to her attorney, Mark Taylor, here’s what happened next: Two New York Police Department officers walked by, and after they passed, Pedine said to her friend, “I wish they would stop stop-and-frisk.” Taylor says the officers overheard what she said about the controversial NYPD tactic, “and in response handcuffed and arrested Ms. Pedine.”  Continue reading “Woman Files Suit Alleging She Was Arrested for Criticizing ‘Stop and Frisk’”

New York Times – by J. DAVID GOODMAN

The anger in East Flatbush is local. But the unrest that has gripped the Brooklyn neighborhood, including clashes with the police after officers fatally shot a 16-year-old, has been encouraged and incited by people coming from outside, community leaders said on Thursday.

The leaders appealed for calm a day after a vigil for the teenager, Kimani Gray, turned chaotic around Church Avenue late Wednesday night. Dozens of marchers were arrested and two officers were hurt, the police said. The crowds on the street swelled with local teenagers and seasoned organizers, including some members of the Occupy Wall Street movement.  Continue reading “Outsiders Faulted for Unrest in Brooklyn”

In These Times- by DAVID SIROTA

The notion of alcohol consumers piously demanding that others stop using pot probably makes you think of the beer-swilling World War II generation berating weed-smoking hippies during the 1960s. Now, thanks to the United Nations, that caricature gets an update—and the hypocrisy is at once amusing and depressing.   Continue reading “The U.N.‘s Hypocritical War on Pot”

Oscar winning Press TV – by Dr. Kevin Barrett

These questions may soon be answered in court. Well-known French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre has met with Iranian officials planning a lawsuit against the makers and distributors of the controversial film.

Mohammad Lesani, General Secretary of Monday’s Hoax of Hollywood conference in Tehran, announced, “Argo is made by three film-producing companies in Hollywood…the Islamic Republic of Iran is going to sue all those who have been active in the anti-Iran domain, including directors and producers.”    Continue reading “Ben Affleck could be hanged for war crimes: US intelligence expert”

Before It’s News – by Alton Parish

Historical review provides lessons for the control of the plague

Archaeologists unearthed a ‘Black Death’ grave in London, containing more than a dozen skeletons of people suspected to have died from the plague. The victims are thought to have died during the 14th century and archaeologists anticipate finding many more as they excavate the site.   Continue reading “Black Death Returns; Outbreak Of The Plague Possible Warn Scientists”

Before It’s News – by Mort Amsel

Justin Thomas and his colleagues at the GRASP Lab have produced an “avian-inspired” claw drone that mimics the way an eagle uses its talons to grab a fish out of the ocean.

A video clip of the drone shows the UAV swooping down at high speed to snatch an object using its 3D printed mechanical claw. By mimicking how a bald eagle sweeps its legs and claws backwards to aerodynamically close in on its prey without the need to slow down, the drone is able to grasp a stationary object with precise efficiency.   Continue reading “DARPA Death Bots: UAV Could Snatch Humans Right Off The Streets”

CBS News – by Stephanie Slifer

(CBS) NEW YORK – Steven M. Katz, a New York State assemblyman who has publicly condemned the use of drugs, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession during a traffic stop on Thursday, police said, according to The New York Times.

A case of a pot-smoking lawmaker calling the kettle black?   Continue reading “Anti-drug NY assemblyman Steven Katz arrested for marijuana possession, report says”

Some 60,000 Customs and Border Protection agents and other employees will be furloughed for up to 14 days, according to notices dated Thursday. The furloughs could begin April 21 and last through the end to the fiscal year in September.Federal Times – by SEAN REILLY 

Some 60,000 Customs and Border Protection agents and other employees will be furloughed for up to 14 days, according to notices dated Thursday. The furloughs could begin April 21 and last through the end to the fiscal year in September, according to the notice, which attributes the move to across-the-board budget cuts that began taking effect March 1.   Continue reading “60,000 Customs, Border Patrol agents face furloughs”