Month: January 2015

Tech Dirt – by Mike Masnick

We’ve written plenty about Stingrays and other “IMSI Catcher” devices that allow law enforcement to set up what are effectively fake cell phone towers, designed to intercept calls and locate certain individuals. These devices are deployed in near total secrecy, often by law enforcement who got them from the federal government. There is little to no oversight over how these are used (and abused). The attempts to keep the details a total secret represent really egregious behavior from all involved. As we’ve covered, police have claimed that non-disclosure agreements with the manufacturers (such as Harris Corp.) prevent them from getting a warrant to use the devices. The DOJ, somewhat famously, had a whole plan for how to mislead judges about the use of these devices, with official documentation telling DOJ officials to be “less than explicit” and “less than forthright” to judges about how the tech was being used. In some cases, the US Marshals have stepped in and seized documents from local police forces to block them from being released in response to FOIA requests.   Continue reading “Senators Leahy & Grassley Quiz DOJ & DHS About Secret Fake Phone Towers Intercepting Calls”

Ars Technica – by David Kravets

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is taking the position that court warrants are not required when deploying cell-site simulators in public places. Nicknamed “stingrays,” the devices are decoy cell towers that capture locations and identities of mobile phone users and can intercept calls and texts.

The FBI made its position known during private briefings with staff members of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). In response, the two lawmakers wrote Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, maintaining they were “concerned about whether the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have adequately considered the privacy interests” of Americans.   Continue reading “FBI says search warrants not needed to use “stingrays” in public places”

Reuters – by Ellen Wulfhorst

The son of a hedge fund founder was arrested on Monday and charged with the murder of his father, who was discovered shot to death in his New York apartment over the weekend, police said.

Thomas Gilbert, 70, founder of the Wainscott Capital Partners Fund, was found shot once in the head Sunday afternoon in the bedroom of his Manhattan apartment, police said.   Continue reading “N.Y. police arrest son in murder of hedge fund founder”

ABC News – by Bradley Klapper

The Obama administration said Monday it was reviewing its annual $440 million aid package to the Palestinians because of their effort to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.

At the same time, however, the U.S. criticized Israel for withholding tens of millions in tax revenues to the Palestinians, saying such a step “raises tensions.” Taken together, the statements reflected Washington trying to come to grips with a Palestinian move it has spent years trying to avert and a peace process that offers no hope for an immediate breakthrough.   Continue reading “US Weighs Cutting Aid to Palestinians Over ICC Move”

The Independent Institute – by Vicki Alger

Last year wasn’t a good year for Common Core, and the myth-makers are already hard at work publishing some new spin, but first let’s review what we’ve learned over the past five years. Common Core national standards are:

• Costly (here, here, and here)
• Weak (here and here)
• Intrusive (here)
• Politicized (here)
• Anything but “voluntary” (here, here, here, here, here, andhere)
• Unconstitutional (here, here, here, here, and here)

Continue reading “Common Core Boosters Trying to Scare States into Keeping National Standards”

Eyewitness News 7

BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) — Police are looking for two suspects in the shooting of two police officers in the Fordham section of the Bronx Monday night.

Around 10:30 p.m. at East 184th Street and Tiebout Avenue, the officers, who are part of a five-member plain clothes anti-crime team, were searching for suspects wanted in an armed robbery.    Continue reading “Two Police Officers Shot In Fordham Section Of The Bronx”

Wouldn’t it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes, come out wrinkle-free and three sizes smaller?

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven’t met yet…

I don’t trip over things, I do random gravity checks!   Continue reading “Random thoughts”

Yahoo News – by Christopher Weber

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bess Myerson, the first Jewish Miss America and a New York political force until a series of scandals dubbed the “Bess Mess” forced her into obscurity, has died. She was 90.

Myerson died Dec. 14 at her home in Santa Monica, California, according to the Los Angeles coroner’s office and Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. Her death was first reported by The New York Times.   Continue reading “Bess Myerson, the 1st Jewish Miss America, dies at 90”

Star Telegram – by ANNA M. TINSLEY

State lawmakers hope to send a clear message to the federal government this year: Don’t mess with Texas.

Already, more than a dozen bills have been filed to push back against what their sponsors say is a continued federal overreach.

Touching on issues from guns to the 10th Amendment, state lawmakers are calling on the federal government to do everything from repaying the costs Texas incurred for dealing with people illegally in the country to abolishing the income tax system.   Continue reading “Texas lawmakers to feds: Leave us alone”

Last Minute Survival – by Guiles Hendrik

First, let me open by saying I hope all of my readers have enjoyed a nice holiday.  I am happy to be back after a working vacation in the mountains and have a ton to discuss since my last articles.  Much has transpired domestically as well as globally and I will be discussing these critical events in the coming weeks so please sign up for email alerts and check back regularly to Last Minute Survival.  You won’t want to miss the latest intelligence, reviews, and alerts we have lined up.  Finally, thank you again for your support.  The network we have built at LMS would not be possible without our highly active subscribers.   Continue reading “Why are Virginia police going door to door to “inform” businesses about open carry of firearms?”

Last Minute Survival – by Guiles Hendrik

Think you are still free to make choices in your life?  Do you think the government will allow you to live independent of their utility monopolies?  If you think so, try opting for renewable non-grid tied power and utilize environmentally friendly composting toilets and your own self-sufficient water supply.  Today, those life choices could land you in jail if you live in South Florida.  Take the case of Robin Speronis.   Continue reading “Florida Outlaws Off-the-Grid Living”

CNN – by Alexandra Jaffe

“I’ve got conflicting reports,” Duke told CNN’s Michael Smerconish. “One person said that he was a no-show, that he was scheduled to come — one person said that he did come. I just don’t know what the truth is.”   Continue reading “David Duke threatens to ‘name names’”