From the Trenches World Report

The New American – by Raven Clabough

A number of states are exploring new fees for hybrid and electric car owners in order to compensate for the loss of revenue in gas taxes on fuel-efficient vehicles. The proposal is opposed by those who view the new fees as antithetical to one of the touted benefits of owning a hybrid: savings.

Boosting taxes “for people who want to use less gas is at odds with policies that are trying to make it easier for people who want to adopt clean and efficient technologies,” asserted Genevieve Cullen, vice president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, a Washington-based industry group.    Continue reading “States Propose Fees on Hybrids to Cover Gas Tax Losses”

Jon Rappoport

Al used to be a funny guy. Now, he’s not.

Make no mistake about it, if Bush were president at the moment, Little Al would be attacking him mercilessly.

But with Obama in the White House, Al sings a different tune.

The NSA spying is A-OK. No problem.   Continue reading “Senator Al Franken: from SNL spoofer to State surveillance hawk”

How to Survive It – by Jeremy Knauff

Between folklore and television, there is so much false survival information floating around today that most people will probably not make it through a true survival situation. I place a large portion of the blame for this on “couch commandos.” These are the guys (and gals) who own every survival book in existence, but have never applied the techniques in the real world, so their only experience is what “should” work, which they mindlessly repeat to anyone willing to listen. This continues over and over until falsehoods become accepted as gospel, so it’s time to dispel some of these myths.   Continue reading “7 Survival Myths That Will Get You Killed”

Time World – by Simon Shuster

n Thursday evening, the Russian public got the news of President Vladimir Putin’s divorce the same way they have gotten every fact about his private life — spoon-fed to them in tiny, measured and rather tasteless doses.   Continue reading “From Russia, Without Love: Vladimir Putin Divorces Wife Lyudmila”

CNS News – by Elizabeth Harrington

The IRS, currently in the midst of scandals involving the targeting of conservative groups and lavish taxpayer-funded conferences, is ordering surveillance equipment that includes hidden cameras in coffee trays, plants and clock radios.

The IRS wants to secure the surveillance equipment quickly – it posted a solicitation on June 6 and is looking to close the deal by Monday, June 10.  The agency already has a company lined up for the order but is not commenting on the details.   Continue reading “IRS Buying Spying Equipment: Covert Cameras in Coffee Trays, Plants”

Capitalism Institute

Rand Paul has been at the very front lines in the defense of liberty and our constitutional rights for the last couple of years. He’s taken on leadership of both parties, with an emphasis on stopping the president’s constant onslaught of unconstitutional policies.

Now, Rand Paul is saying that he’s going to likely sue the federal government over the Obama-sanctioned theft of our emails, Facebook messages, search histories, credit card information, and more. His goal is to unite internet companies, individuals, and organizations in one massive class-action lawsuit against the feds with millions of Americans standing up.   Continue reading “Rand Paul: Time for Millions of Americans to Sue the Government”

Huffington Post – by MATT APUZZO and ADAM GOLDMAN

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration declassified a handful of details Tuesday that credited its PRISM Internet spying program with intercepting a key email that unraveled a 2009 terrorist plot in New York.

The details, declassified by the director of national intelligence, were circulated on Capitol Hill as part of government efforts to tamp down criticism of two recently revealed National Security Agency surveillance programs.   Continue reading “NYC Bomb Plot Details Settle Little In NSA Debate”

The Independent – by SHAUN WALKER

Russia’s parliament will debate a controversial law on Tuesday that could see people arrested for behaviour that is deemed to promote homosexuality.

Biz Journals – by James Jeffrey

A Senate bill to provide economic development incentives for Texas firearm manufacturers failed to pass, despite Gov. Rick Perry throwing his weight behind Texas becoming a refuge for such businesses affected by gun-control efforts in other states.

Senate Bill 1467, authored by State Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, would have also provided incentives to firearms accessories and ammunition manufacturers.    Continue reading “Gun manufacturer bill fires a blank”

The Economic Collapse – by Michael

Would you be willing to give up what Edward Snowden has given up?  He has given up his high paying job, his home, his girlfriend, his family, his future and his freedom just to expose the monolithic spy machinery that the U.S. government has been secretly building to the world.  He says that he does not want to live in a world where there isn’t any privacy.  He says that he does not want to live in a world where everything that he says and does is recorded.    Continue reading “27 Edward Snowden Quotes About U.S. Government Spying That Should Send A Chill Up Your Spine”

Biz Journals – by James Jeffrey

Hotels will have to adequately notify guests of gun restrictions or face penalties if a bill becomes law.

House Bill 333, authored by State Rep.Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, requires hotels that restrict the possession, storage or transporting of firearms to notify guests of such policies on their websites or when confirming reservations. Failure to comply will be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100.   Continue reading “Hotels may have to inform guests of gun-restriction policies”

After being appointed by President Bush as head of the DHS, Tom Ridge formally resigned as Pennsylvania’s governor on October 5, 2001.

Tom Ridge began his duties as DHS director on October 8, 2001.

The Department of Homeland Security was not established until November 25, 2002, by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.   Continue reading “Nationwide Rail Projects”

NBC DFW – by Stefan Gorman

North Texas resident and “Star Wars” Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew had a dust-up with Transportation Security Administration agents in Denver when they attempted to confiscate his light saber-shaped cane.

Mayhew was returning to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from an appearance at Denver ComicCon when TSA agents refused to let Chewie board his plane with his one-of-a-kind cane.   Continue reading “Chewbacca Actor Battles TSA Over Light Saber Cane”