100-Pound Snowden Bust Appears in NYC Park to Celebrate “Fight Against Modern-Day Tyrannies” [+video]

/0 Comments/in , /by

edward-snowden1By Sophia Rosenbaum and Reuven Fenton. Even a fake Edward Snowden can’t spend a day in NYC before getting carted away by authorities.

A 100-pound bronze bust of the infamous whistleblower was erected early Monday morning on top of Fort Greene Park’s Prison Ship Martyrs monument, which pays homage to Revolutionary War soldiers.

Two anonymous artists took it upon themselves to modernize the monument by sneaking into the park at 4 a.m. and adhering Snowden’s plaster head to the top of a pillar.

image.jpeg

“We have updated this monument to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies,” the artists wrote in a statement to ANIMAL New York.

“It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA’s 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light,” they added. “All too often, figures who strive to uphold these ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze.” (Read more from “100-Pound Snowden Bust Appears in NYC Park” HERE)

_________________________________________________________

John Oliver Meets with Edward Snowden: ‘They Are Still Collecting Everybody’s Information, Including Your D**k Pics’

By Eric Carriere. On this week’s episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the loveable Brit met with National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The entire clip wasn’t aimed at engaging in a massively intellectual conversation about data sharing and government surveillance, but rather, finding a way to make the issue palatable to the average American. How did Oliver achieve this you might ask? In layman terms, he simplified the issue of mass surveillance down to a case of the government being able to view your d**k pictures.

“Over the last couple of years, you’ve probably heard about strange-sounding programs, such as XKeyscore, Muscular, Prism, and Mystic, which are, coincidentally, also the names of some of Florida’s least popular strip clubs,” Oliver joked. “Welcome to XKeyscore — our dancers are fully unredacted and Tuesdays are wing nights.”

Oliver was focusing on the government’s debate over reauthorizing the Patriot Act on June 1 and section 215 of the act that provides the government with the ability to take “any tangible things, including books, records, papers, documents, and other items” from businesses. (Read more from this story HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Networks Ignore Major Story on Failure of Obama’s DOJ to Seek Contempt Charges for Lois Lerner

/4 Comments/in , /by

Lois LernerLast week, the Department of Justice announced it would not be seeking contempt charges against Lois Lerner for refusing to testify to Congress on the IRS targeting scandal.

The Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks, so far, have refused to report on this big development in the Obama IRS scandal that they apparently just don’t want to talk about any more.

On April 1 Politico’s John Breshnan and Rachal Bade reported the following:

“The Justice Department will not seek criminal contempt charges against former IRS official Lois Lerner, the central figure in a scandal that erupted over whether the tax agency improperly targeted conservative political groups. Ronald Machen, the former U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, told House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in a seven-page letter this week that he would not bring a criminal case to a grand jury over Lerner’s refusal to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in March 2014. The House approved a criminal contempt resolution against Lerner in May 2014, and Machen’s office has been reviewing the issue since then….Lerner cited her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself during congressional testimony on March 5, 2014, although then-Oversight Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said she had waived that right by giving an opening statement at a hearing 10 months earlier when she asserted her innocence. Issa wanted her charged by the Justice Department with criminal contempt of Congress for failing to answer questions about her role in the scandal.”

(See “Shocker! Obama’s DOJ Won’t Seek Contempt Charges for Lois Lerner, Networks Ignore”, originally posted HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Closing Argument: Prosecutor Claims Boston Bomber Wanted to Punish US for Wars in Muslim Countries

/0 Comments/in , /by

A courtroom sketch shows accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev during his trial at the federal courthouse in BostonAs he planted a backpack containing a bomb near a group of children, Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made a coldblooded decision aimed at punishing America for its wars in Muslim countries, a federal prosecutor told the jury during closing arguments Monday at Tsarnaev’s death penalty trial.

“This was a cold, calculated terrorist act. This was intentional. It was bloodthirsty. It was to make a point,” Aloke Chakravarty said. “It was to tell America that `We will not be terrorized by you anymore. We will terrorize you.’”

Defense attorney Judy Clarke countered by arguing, as she did at the trial’s outset, that Tsarnaev took part in the attack but did so under the malevolent influence of his now-dead older brother, Tamerlan. Clarke repeatedly referred to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev – then 19 – as a “kid” and a “teenager” . . .

The jury is expected to begin deliberating Tuesday morning in the case against Tsarnaev, 21, almost two years after the twin bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killed three people and wounded more than 260. It was the nation’s deadliest terror attack since 9/11.

If Tsarnaev is convicted – and that is considered a near certainty, given his lawyer’s admission – the jury will then begin hearing evidence on whether he should get life in prison or a death sentence. (Read more from “Prosecutor: Boston Bomber Wanted to Punish US for Wars in Muslim Countries” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

This State Wants to BAN Soda and Chips … but There’s a Catch

/3 Comments/in , /by

chipshelf1_newsThe state of Missouri has been slacking as far as welfare reform is concerned, which is somewhat odd given the fact that it’s a heavily red state in any given election year — but that’s all about to change in a big way.

One Missouri lawmaker decided enough is enough and is attempting to push legislation that would limit the types of foods that welfare leeches can purchase using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program EBT cards, including “cookies, chips, energy drinks, soft drinks, seafood or steak.”

But liberals argue that seafood and steak are healthy and that the language could include low-grade cuts of beef and canned tuna. It’s difficult to officially know what welfare leeches are buying, as the Department of Agriculture, responsible for overseeing the welfare program, refuses to release bar code data that shows what’s being bought.

However, Brattin went on record to say he’s personally witnessed welfare abusers purchasing high-end seafood and beef with their SNAP cards.

“I have seen people purchasing filet mignons and crab legs with their EBT cards. When I can’t afford it on my pay, I don’t want people on the taxpayer’s dime to afford those kinds of foods either,” Brattin said. (Read more from “BREAKING: This State Wants to BAN Soda and Chips… but There’s a Catch” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Democratic Leader: Billion-Dollar Clinton Campaign Should ‘Frighten’ Americans

/9 Comments/in , /by

Gary HartGary Hart has serious reservations about a Hillary Clinton candidacy.

The prospect of a billion-dollar Clinton campaign “ought to frighten every American,” he said in an interview with POLITICO, and Democrats would be better served by a competitive primary that forced her to speak in more depth about the issues.

Hart, a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, offered his opinions in a phone interview Wednesday where he also expressed admiration of Elizabeth Warren and gave advice to prospective challenger Martin O’Malley, a former Hart campaign staffer.

“I like Hillary Clinton. I really appreciate what she and her husband have done, but we need new leaders,” said Hart, a former Colorado senator who rose from the bottom of the polls and nearly took down Walter Mondale in the 1984 primaries.

The post-Citizens United campaign finance environment has sullied the presidential process, he said, benefiting establishment politicians who cater to financial backers. He pointed to his own experience, noting that he and his wife mortgaged their home for between $50,000 and $75,000 — an amount that made a significant difference in his first campaign in 1984. (Read more from “Gary Hart: Billion-Dollar Clinton Campaign Should ‘Frighten’ Americans” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

CBS News: Iran’s DEATH TO AMERICA Chants Meaningless; Middle East Expert Strongly Disagrees [+video]

/2 Comments/in , , /by

barack-obama-wallpapersA televised report on CBS News Saturday morning included ludicrous pro-Obama administration spin by London-based correspondent Elizabeth Palmer on reaction to the nuclear framework deal with Iran that downplayed the continued chants by Iranians of “death to America.”

Palmer spoke over video footage of a large crowd at a Tehran mosque.

“At Friday prayers there was the usual chant of ‘death to America’, but more habit than conviction. The sermon by Senior Ayatollah Kashani made it clear that Iran’s leaders support this deal. “I congratulate those who led the talks,” he said. “Great job.”

[Listen to this Middle East expert tear apart the theory that Iran means the US no harm]

Palmer emphasized the phrase ‘more habit’ to make it sound more convincing.

Palmer made her report from CBS’ London bureau, not from Tehran. The idea that chants of ‘death to America’ aren’t to be taken seriously is Obama administration spin. (Read more from “CBS News: Iran’s Death to America Chants ‘more Habit, than Conviction’” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

IRS Deadline Extended for ObamaCare Customers Sent the Wrong Tax Form

/0 Comments/in , /by

0728_tax-you-owe-irs-lien_300x300ObamaCare customers who received the wrong tax form from the federal government this spring will not face penalties if they miss the April 15 deadline, officials announced Friday.

Anyone who have not yet been sent corrected tax forms and are “unable to file an accurate tax return” now have until Oct. 15 to file — as long as they request an extension.

The government did not say how many people will be given extra time, though officials said in late March that 80,000 people were still waiting on their corrected tax forms. A total of 800,000 people had mailed the wrong forms.

“If a taxpayer receives their Form 1095-A before April 15 and is able to file using the form before the deadline, they should do so,” according to a statement from the Treasury Department released late Friday.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS), which is overseeing the rollout of ObamaCare, has acknowledged that it has taken more time than expected to mail the proper forms. (Read more from “IRS Deadline Extended for ObamaCare Customers Sent the Wrong Tax Form” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Rand Paul Strays from Libertarian Roots as He Courts GOP Base

/0 Comments/in , /by

Rand PaulWhen the presidential buzz began building around Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) a couple of years ago, the expectation was that his libertarian ideas could make him the most unusual and intriguing voice among the major contenders in the 2016 field.

But now, as he prepares to make his formal announcement Tuesday, Paul is a candidate who has turned fuzzy, having trimmed his positions and rhetoric so much that it’s unclear what kind of Republican he will present himself as when he takes the stage.

“He’s going to get his moment in the sun,” said David Adams, who served as campaign chairman for Paul’s insurgent 2010 Senate campaign. “What he does with it from there will have bearing on the Republican Party.”

There are at least two areas where Paul has moved more in line with the conservative Republican base, somewhat to the consternation of the purists in the libertarian movement: adopting a more muscular posture on defense and foreign policy, and courting the religious right.

Where he once pledged to sharply cut the Pentagon’s budget, for instance, Paul late last month proposed a $190 billion increase over the next two years — albeit one that would be paid for by cutting foreign aid and other government programs. His tour following the announcement of his candidacy will include an event at Patriots Point in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor, with the World War II-era aircraft carrier USS Yorktown as a backdrop. (Read more from “Rand Paul Seems to Stray from Libertarian Roots as He Courts GOP Base” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

‘Role Players’ Solicited for Military’s Emergency-Prep Drill in Texas

/0 Comments/in , /by

Emergency Prep“Role Player’s (sic) Needed,” is the title of the ad, posted five days ago on the local Craigslist for Austin.

The ad is soliciting online applicants for a total of 60 paid “role players” to participate in a four day U.S. National Guard Training Exercise for Emergency Preparedness slated to begin April 22 in Govalle.

Only ten “role players” are needed for the final day of the drill. The pay is $10.10 per hour.

The ad explains, “Role players will simulate as ‘victims’ who are then ‘rescued’ as part of their training” . . .

The ad was placed by IIF Data Solutions, a private firm that specializes in domestic operations training and exercise development, logistics and facilities operations and role player support services, among other services. (Read more from “‘Role Players’ Solicited for Emergency-Prep Drill” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Brownback Signs Bill That Allows Permit-Free Concealed Carry of Guns in Kansas

/13 Comments/in , /by

BrownbackKansans soon can carry concealed weapons without permits or training under a bill signed by Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday.

The new law, which kicks in July 1, makes Kansas the sixth state to allow “constitutional carry.” It will allow Kansans 21 and older to carry concealed firearms regardless of whether they have obtained a permit.

Training still will be required for anyone who wants to carry a concealed gun in the 36 states that accept Kansas permits.

Brownback touted the importance of training, explaining that his youngest son took a hunter safety course this past week.

“It was an excellent course. He got a lot out of it. I got a lot out of it. And I want to urge people to take advantage of that,” said Brownback, who was flanked by Republican lawmakers and representatives from the National Rifle Association and Kansas State Rifle Association. (Read more from “Brownback Signs Bill That Allows Permit-Free Concealed Carry of Guns in Kansas” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.