Archive for February, 2013
China Eclipses U.S. as Biggest Trading Nation Measured in Goods
February 11th, 2013Via: Bloomberg: China surpassed the U.S. to become the world’s biggest trading nation last year as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods, official figures from both countries show. U.S. exports and imports of goods last year totaled $3.82 trillion, the U.S. Commerce Department said last week. China’s customs administration reported last […]
Putin Likes The Shiny
February 11th, 2013If you’re a fan of the Putin, Action Man photos, you’ll find a keeper if you click through. Via: Bloomberg: When Vladimir Putin says the U.S. is endangering the global economy by abusing its dollar monopoly, he’s not just talking. He’s betting on it. Not only has Putin made Russia the world’s largest oil producer, […]
DHS May Seize Electronic Devices from Americans Up to 100 Miles Inland from U.S. Borders
February 9th, 2013Via: Wired: The Department of Homeland Security’s civil rights watchdog has concluded that travelers along the nation’s borders may have their electronics seized and the contents of those devices examined for any reason whatsoever — all in the name of national security. The DHS, which secures the nation’s border, in 2009 announced that it would […]
Americans Are Tapping Into Home Equity Again
February 8th, 2013Via: CNBC: Nearly 11 million borrowers are underwater on their mortgages, owing more than their homes are worth, according to CoreLogic, and yet home equity lines of credit are suddenly on the rise again. During the housing boom of the last decade Americans withdrew over $1 trillion in home equity. They did it through cash-out […]
Cops Nab 5-Year-Old for Wearing Wrong Color Shoes to School
February 8th, 2013Via: Take Part: In Mississippi, if kindergarteners violate the dress code or act out in class, they may end up in the back of a police car. A story about one five-year-old particularly stands out. The little boy was required to wear black shoes to school. Because he didn’t have black shoes, his mom used […]
Christopher Dorner
February 7th, 2013Dorner Apparently Barricaded Himself in Cabin, Cops Burned It Down Via: YouTube: — Seven Police Officers Opened Fire on Mother, Daughter Via: Los Angeles Times: In their pursuit of a fugitive ex-cop, at least seven officers opened fire on what turned out to be a mother and daughter delivering newspapers on a quiet residential street, […]
Former Pilot and ‘9/11 Conspiracy Theorist’ Shoots and Kills Two Teen Children, Then Himself
February 7th, 2013Via: BoingBoing: Phillip (alternately, “Philip”) Marshall, 54, a career airline pilot who claimed to have once served as a contract pilot for the CIA and DEA during the Iran-Contra affair, shot and killed his two teenage children, and the family dog, then killed himself. The apparent murder-suicide was discovered at the family home in an […]
Postal Service to Cut Saturday Mail to Trim Costs
February 6th, 2013Via: AP: The U.S. Postal Service will stop delivering mail on Saturdays but continue to deliver packages six days a week under a plan aimed at saving about $2 billion annually, the financially struggling agency says. In an announcement scheduled for later Wednesday, the service is expected to say the Saturday mail cutback would begin […]
Germany: ‘Game’ to Destroy CCTV Cameras
February 6th, 2013Hide your face but then upload video of your crimes to a website? *chortle* I’d be astonished if this wasn’t a counterintelligence operation. As I was reading the piece, I was wondering if there were any upcoming protests in Berlin, because this activity would be a good way to come up with a list of […]
Miami Police Officer Luis Hernandez Held Without Bond on Armed Sexual Battery, Kidnapping Charges
February 6th, 2013Via: NBC: The Miami Police officer arrested for allegedly kidnapping and sexually battering a woman while on duty is being held without bond, a Miami-Dade judge said Thursday. Luis Hernandez, 27, made his initial court appearance on charges of armed sexual battery by a law enforcement officer and armed kidnapping. Internal affairs detectives arrested Hernandez […]
