From the Trenches World Report

Christian Mercenary

Some of the greatest political events in America, perhaps the world, were initiated by Christians. When Christians fled Britain to gain freedom from the dictates of the Church of England, they went to America; populating a far-off land under dangerous, even deadly circumstances. They established religious freedom and infused the New World with the concept of liberty.

Once in America, Christians developed the earliest educational and humanitarian organizations, most of which survive today, though many have shed their religious cloak and have taken up the task of destroying religious endeavor.   Continue reading “A World of Destitution”

Online Paralegal Programs

Knowing Your Rights

Amendment IV – The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.   Continue reading “You Have the Right to Stay Out of Jail”

Mail.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Sometime this year, Florida will surpass New York in population, becoming the nation’s third-most populous state, and sun-seeking seniors are not driving the growth.

The milestone is validation of the increasing influence of the Sunshine State as it approaches being home to 20 million residents. Once Florida passes New York, only California and Texas will have more people.   Continue reading “Florida to pass New York State’s population”

Activist Post

A new bill in Michigan could curb a controversial police practice. Under civil forfeiture, someone does not have to be convicted of or even charged with a crime to permanently lose his cash, car or home to law enforcement.

Sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Irwin, the bill, HB 5213, would require a criminal conviction to forfeit property worth less than $50,000, related to the sale or possession of controlled substances. In addition, police officers and other government officials who participate in forfeitures that violate the bill would be “guilty of misfeasance in office.”   Continue reading “Michigan Bill Would Take on “Policing for Profit””

Mail.com

BAGHDAD (AP) — Two Iraqi cities that were strongholds of Sunni insurgents during the U.S. war in the country are battlegrounds once more after al-Qaida militants largely took them over, fending off government forces that have been besieging them for days.

The overrunning of the cities this week by al-Qaida’s Iraqi branch in the Sunni heartland of western Anbar provinces is a blow to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Malik. His government has been struggling to contain discontent among the Sunni minority over Shiite political domination that has flared into increased violence for the past year.   Continue reading “Al-Qaida sweep in Iraq cities revives battleground”

Yahoo News – by Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodian military police opened fire with assault rifles on Friday to quell a protest by stone-throwing garment factory workers demanding higher pay in a crackdown a human rights group said killed four people.

Chaos during nationwide strikes erupted for a second day as security forces were deployed to halt a demonstration by thousands of workers, who refused to move and threw bottles, stones and petrol bombs at an industrial zone in Phnom Penh.   Continue reading “Cambodian forces open fire as factory strikes turn violent”

Mail.com

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho will take over the operation of its largest prison from one of the nation’s biggest corrections contractors, abruptly ending an experiment with privatization at a facility that has been plagued by understaffing, multiple lawsuits and allegations of contract fraud.

The state is expected to begin running the 2,080-bed Idaho Correctional Center, located just outside Boise, over the next several months, as its $29 million-a-year contract with the Corrections Corporation of America expires on June 30. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter made the announcement Friday, saying he is advising the state Board of Correction to shift focus from finding a new contractor to assuming control of the facility.   Continue reading “Idaho to take over troubled privately-run prison”

Mail.com

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The weather warnings are dire: Life threatening wind chills. Historic cold outbreak.

Winter is normally cold, but starting Sunday tundra-like temperatures are poised to deliver a rare and potentially dangerous sledgehammer blow to much of the Midwest, driving temperatures so far below zero that records will shatter.   Continue reading “‘Polar vortex’ to blast frigid air over much of US”

The Guardian – by Spencer Ackerman

A US senator has bluntly asked the National Security Agency if it spies on Congress, raising the stakes for the surveillance agency’s legislative fight to preserve its broad surveillance powers.

Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent and socialist, asked army general Keith Alexander, the NSA’s outgoing director, if the NSA “has spied, or is the NSA currently spying, on members of Congress or other American elected officials”.   Continue reading “Senator presses NSA to reveal whether it spies on members of Congress”

http://standeyo.com/NEWS/14_Pics_of_Day/140103.pic.of.day.b.html

Western Journalism – by Steve Baldwin

Most Americans don’t realize we have elected a president whom we know very little about.

Researchers have discovered that Obama’s autobiographical books are little more than PR stunts, as they have little to do with the actual events of his life. The fact is we know less about President Obama than perhaps any other president in American history and much of this is due to actual efforts to hide his record. This should concern all Americans.   Continue reading “The Mystery of Barack Obama Continues”

The LA Times – by Randy Lewis

Phil Everly, who with his brother, Don, made up the most revered vocal duo of the rock-music era, their exquisite harmonies profoundly influencing the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Byrds and countless younger-generation rock, folk and country singers, died Friday in Burbank of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife, Patti Everly, told The Times. He was 74.

“We are absolutely heartbroken,” she said, noting that the disease was the result of a lifetime of cigarette smoking. “He fought long and hard.”   Continue reading “Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers dies at 74”

Huffington Post – by Emily Thomas

Hercules, the first gripping winter storm of 2014, barreled across 22 states Thursday night, affecting approximately one-third of the nation and killing at least nine. New England was among the strongest hit regions, with some cities in the area receiving over a foot of snowfall, prompting both New York and New Jersey to issue states of emergency.

Those in the path of the storm faced dangerous road conditions and extreme temperatures. For the thousands of homeless people living in these states, seeking shelter was an urgent necessity.   Continue reading “Winter Storm Hercules: Homeless People In NYC, Northeast Face Grueling Weather”

Bloomberg – by David Brin

As if you didn’t already have enough to be nervous about, here’s something creepy to ponder as the new year opens.

This what-if isn’t technological, social, political or even science-fictional. Rather, it’s a bit of wholly unscientific, superstitious pattern-recognition. The last two centuries (and possibly more) didn’t “start” at their official point, the turning of a calendar from 00 to 01. That wasn’t when they began in essence, nor when they first bent the arc of history.   Continue reading “What If the 21st Century Begins in 2014?”