Category Archives: U.S.

U.S.

And Justice for All, Bull Shit!: Investigation reveals massive Sentencing screwup in U.S. prisons!

15 May 2013 (01:08 UTC-07 Tango)/05 Rajab 1434/25 Ordibehest 1391/06 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

In the U.S. state of Colorado, it’s been revealed that hundreds, if not thousands, of prisoners have had their sentences screwed up for years, supposedly because of a lack of communication between the courts and the prisons!

Some prisoners got out early, while others are still languishing in prison for minor offenses.

According to the Denver Post, the sentencing errors were revealed when a prisoners who should not have been released was so, and then allegedly committed murder.

Governor John Hickenlooper ordered an audit (investigation).  Already massive amounts of improper sentencing has been found in 349 cases, another 8415 cases identified as needing review!

Judges are now scrambling to make corrections to the corrections facilities foul ups.  Court clerks are being blamed for not properly communicating the court sentences to the prison officials (how can you screw that up?).

For decades, in past jobs I’ve had, I had co-workers who were ex-convicts and they all talked about this kind of bullshit.  Most claiming to being treated as if they were murders when they committed minor crimes, like burglary.  They would claim that prison officials ignored their pleas to check their court sentences, most could not afford an attorney.  At first I though ‘yeah, typical ex-con’, but I’ve heard the same stories from California, to Arizona, to Idaho, and started to wounder why so many across several states had similar stories?

(when I was a local TV news producer in Arizona I would get calls from prisoners all the time asking for help because they were still in prison when they should have been released. But guess what folks, it’s an unwritten rule in U.S. TV journalism not to cover prisoner issues, that’s what my news director told me when I asked about investigating the prisoners’ claims!!!)

Now the state of Colorado admits to screwing up prisoners’ sentences.  What was that about the U.S. justice system being the fairest in the World?  Bull shit!

If you can’t trust the current justice system, how the hell can you trust Obama and the U.S. Congress (republicans & democrats) with their War on Terror, Gitmo, NDAA 2013, and virtual martial law?!

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 07 March 2013. California & Schools get hit hard, again! Thousands more laid off! God mad at U.S.A.

New York Post reported that J.C. Penney laid off 1500 people across the United States!  According to the Business Insider, even more layoffs are planned, as an inside source said that J.C. Penney store managers were shown a ‘secret’ video that told them to prepare to run the stores with even less employees!

In New York, Rapid-American bankrupt.  Company officials blame asbestos related personal injury lawsuits.  The Bruckner Bar and Grill shut down, owners blame damage from hurricane Sandy and a landlord that doesn’t want to abide by his own lease.  The Mahopac Falls Elementary School being closed: “The reason we are closing the building is not because of the budget, but because of the changing demographics.”-Raymond Cote, Board of Education President

Too Big to Jail Citadel Securities laid off 30 people in Illinois.  The IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union closed its Abingdon branch.  In Chicago, 80 to 129 schools are on the chopping block! The Commission on School Utilization actually questioned if that was logistically possible. It’s being blamed on Chicago Public School‘s $1 billion shortfall!

Another Christian school closed down.  Saint Raphael in Arkansas: “The reasons are many but the bottom line is I can’t justify going into huge debt for so few students and families when the overall needs of the parish are so great.”-Pastor John Connell

In California, the Windsor School District warned up to 50 employees of possible layoffs.  The school is short $2.8 million.  Officials blame cuts to state funding.  Too Big to Jail Bank of America laying off 57 people in Rancho Cordova.  In San Francisco, Tommy Toy’s Cuisine Chinoise restaurant shut down.  The owners blamed demographics and not being able to renew their lease.  In Chico, Wakefield and Sons Glass out-o-business.  Owners blamed the bad economy.  And medical imaging company, Digirad, announced an undisclosed number of layoffs, as part of their efforts to make the company “lean”.  The Ethan Allen home furnishings store in Strawberry, closed down.  The owner of the building said Ethan Allen officials decided not to renew the lease and gave no reason why.  Apparently they were the only furniture store in the area.  Beauty Store & More, in Petaluma, closed down.  After 24 years of operation the owners said they gave in to increased competition.

In Florida, Biovest International bankrupt.  The drug company is trying to get rid of $44 million USD in debt.  The Kmart in Bonita springs closed down, 67 people out-o-work.  The Pasco County School District was put on notice by the state, because of poor performing schools.  Teachers and school administrators were told they would have to reapply for their jobs.  Apparently the school district is not a good place to teach: “We know that the characteristics of the school, the high poverty, the high minority and it’s location have made it hard for us to maintain staff there. There’s been an almost 50 percent turnover in staff.”-Tammy Rabon, Supervisor for teachers and learning

Too Big to Jail Chase Home Mortgage laid off 550 people in Florence, South Carolina!  That’s on top of the 330 jobs cut since last year.  And in more ironic news, the Department of Employment and Workforce laid off more employees, for the third time in the past six months!

In Monett, Missouri, Dairy Farmers of America is closing their milk operation by September, and will layoff 86 people.  They blame declining sales.

Kae Robin & Company, in Maryland, closed because the owner wanted to retire.  Constellation Books shut down, the owner said it’s painfully clear the U.S. economy is not going to recover soon enough for her.

In Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Hospital will close its endoscopy center by fall. At least 20 employees to be laid off.  You can blame Obama/Romney Care for reduced reimbursements for services rendered.  The not for profit Westboro Gallery closed down.  The operators said people just stopped buying art.  And Panera Bread, in Arlington Heights,  closed down.  Company officials did not want to renew the lease.

In New Jersey, the New Milford Jewish Center shut down.  Officials blamed it on the increasing number of Americans turning away from the Judeo/Christian God: “We’re like every other church and synagogue in New Jersey. It’s a common disease.”-Ralph Gerber, Congregation Beth Tikvah

Too Big to Jail PNC Financial Services Group announced they will close 200 offices across the U.S.  Possibly thousands of people will be laid off!

In Hawaii, real estate investment company 1250 Oceanside Partners now bankrupt.  They are $500 million in debt.  And Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab restaurant shut down. The parent company, Good Eats, did not want to renew the lease.  50 people out-o-work.

So much for recovery in the automotive industry, General Motors eliminates 3rd shift at a factory in Flint, Michigan.   104 people out-o-work!  Meekhof Lumber shutting down in June.  If there’s any recovery to the home construction market, the owners of the 56 years old company are not seeing it.

In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Gibble’s Food grocery store announced they will be laying off employees.  Company officials did not give a number.  Railroad products manufacturer McConway & Torley, closed down their Kutztown factory, and laid off 130 people!

The Alaska Railroad laid off 54 employees, due to crashing revenue since 2011.  Company officials say their biggest drop in revenue comes from declining freight shipments. The railroad was also hit by a stupid Federal Transit Administration clerical error, which cost them millions of dollars.

In Louisiana, the state stopped bridge toll operations at the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans, ending 31 jobs.

After 20 years in business, the Godfather’s Pizza on East 10th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, closed down.

Technology, U.S.

World War 3, Gun Control Front: Elitist Techies admit they want to ban guns! No more mobile purchases of guns!

14 May 2013 (21:59 UTC-07 Tango 13 May 2013)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

“By creating a Square Account, you also confirm that you will not accept payments in connection with the following businesses or business activities:…..(23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition;  or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury….”-Square

Quietly, about a week ago a mobile payment service called Square decided to ban all gun/weapon purchases.

Previously their gun/weapon purchase ban was in regards to internet purchases, now it applies anywhere.

Jack Dorsey, a co-founder of Twitter, swears it has nothing to do with the anti-gun/anti-Constitution policies of President Obama and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.

However, Dorsey admits he loves New York mayor Bloomberg and would like to follow in his anti-Constitutional footsteps: “I think that Mayor Bloomberg has done an amazing job, and I and a lot of Silicon Valley look to him as a guiding light because he’s completely rethought what it means to be mayor.”

 

U.S.

World War 3, Gun Control Front: DoJ & CDC Data proves Anti-Gun False Flaggers are full of shit!!!

14 May 2013 (21:39 UTC-07 Tango 13 May 2013)/04 Rajab 1434/24 Ordibehest 1391/05 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711

Going by the U.S. main streamer news media, and our exalted ‘elected’ leaders, you’d think the United States was being hit with record increased levels of gun violence.  Not so, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In fact, the DoJ and CDC says the U.S. is experiencing record low levels of gun violence!!!

According to the Pew Research Center 56% of people living in the U.S. think gun violence is at an all time high.

According to the CDC and the DoJ, across the board gun violence is way down from the peak in 1993.   And the CDC data shows current gun violence rates are even lower than gun violence in 1981.  That includes intentional criminal violence and unintentional accidents!

Depending on which report you look at, the percent of murders by gun dropped 39-49% from 1993 to 2011!

Percent of criminal gun injuries dropped 69%!

And for those anti-gunners who want to go after individual sales at gun shows (like they’ve done in California) the stats prove their arguments fallacious.  Less than 2% of convicted gun using criminals acquired their gun at a gun show, and 40% got their guns from already illegal sources!!!

And for those anti-gunners who want to get rid of military type weapons (which is actually what the 2nd Amendment guarantees our right of access to) the DoJ data (Firearm Violence, 1993-2011) proves them full of shit.   Up to 90% of gun violence is done with a pistola!  Only 2% of state convicts, and 3% of federal convicts used military style weapons!

What’s also amazing is that many anti-gunners have been demanding the CDC study gun violence, well dummies, the CDC (16 states under the National Violent Death Reporting System, and WISQARS) has been studying gun violence!  It’s long been assumed by pro-gunners that the CDC was anti-gun and would skew any data they collected, but surprise, surprise, surprise.  The CDC data actually proves gun violence has been dropping!

The DoJ and CDC refuse to explain why gun violence has dropped. Could it have something to do with the ever increasing (and seemingly corresponding) gun ownership of Constitutional abiding U.S. citizens?

 

Business/Economics, U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 06 March 2013. No more Wendys? Teachers laid off & property taxes raised!

In New Mexico, Murray Hotel bankrupt.  The company owns the Silver City Murray Hotel, which was opened in 1938.  Company officials blame debt.

In Hawaii, Marriott is selling its Waikoloa Beach resort, affecting 315 employees!

In Nebraska, the Great Platte River Road Archway now bankrupt.  The history museum blames dwindling attendance on the bad economy.   However, many people say the Archway is difficult to get to, and critics say it’s more a theme park than museum.

T-Mobile lays off more than 100 people at its Bellevue, Washington,  headquarters!  The layoffs are a result of the merger with MetroPCS.  In 2012 T-Mobile cut 4200 jobs!

It was revealed that Greensboro College, in North Carolina, will layoff six employees.  Officials said the layoffs will help them end the school year in the black.

In New York, the Ramapo Central School District laying off 33 people, and ending summer school, field trips and the family resource center.

In New Jersey, the Bloomfield Board of Education introduced a budget that would see 86 teachers laid off. Class size will be increased by 40 students per one teacher.  The budget also increases the average homeowner’s property tax by $278 per year!  Also, BAE (a United Kingdom based government contractor) lays off an undisclosed amount of people at their Wayne operation.   BAE claims it has nothing to due with government spending cuts.

Managers of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri, are asking an undisclosed number of the 2600 employees to volunteer for layoffs.  Company officials say mandatory layoffs could also be upcoming.  They insist the layoffs are not connected to government spending cuts.

In Oregon, the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility laying off 117 employees!  It’s claimed all the chemical weapons at the facility have been destroyed.

In California, Circor Aerospace is closing its Sylmar operation, laying off 51 people.  Officials say it’s part of its consolidation plans.

IBM moving hundreds of Minnesota jobs to Mexico.

Tooele County, Utah, lays off 23 employees from the Parks and Recreation and Building Maintenance divisions.  It’s being blamed on the Deseret Peak Complex, which opened in 1999, and has been subsidized with taxpayer funds to the tune of $1.5 million USD every year.  Apparently it was hoped the entertainment/recreational Complex would become self supporting.

In Clarksville, Tennessee, Too Big to Jail Bank of America closing its 215 Legion Street office on 17 May. That’s according to local media who were notified by bank employees, however BofA officials refused to comment.

In Georgia, Comcast cable closing its Augusta call center.  68 to 78 people out-o-work.  Company officials said it was part of their plans to “….provide more specialized customer support.”  In Thomaston, Clearwater Paper shutting down its tissue converting and distribution facility. 150 people out-o-work! It’s part of their consolidation plans. In Covington, Wain & Co. Hair Design closed after 30 years in operation.

Publishing company, RR Donnelley & Sons going out of business in Ohio.  170 employees jobless!  Company officials blame the “changing market” and bad economy.

In Pennsylvania, historic Benkovitz Seafood shut down without notice or explanation.

In Arizona, the Bamboo Club Asian Bistro closed down because they could not renew their lease.

Wendys burger officials say because of the bad economy they will close 130 restaurants!  This despite the apparent success of their restaurant remodeling program. Officials claim that the restaurants that were remodeled have seen sales increase an average of 25%.  Perhaps that’s not enough?

 

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, Technology, U.S.

Capitalist Commodity Markets to blame for Pocatello’s Hoku Polysilicon near abandonment!

08 May 2013 (09:49 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1391/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The massive, and expensive (to local tax payers), Hoku Materials polysilicon factory sits idle and unfinished in Pocatello, Idaho.

Red Neck right wingers like to point the finger at President Obama, saying ‘I told you so’ concerning ‘clean energy’ projects, but the reason for the demise of many solar power companies is actually the capitalist commodity market system and government interference.

Polysilicon prices have crashed and burned since construction started on the 50 American football fields long factory.  It just isn’t worth it to produce the stuff used in solar power panels.  In 2008 polysilicon was worth $400 per kilogram, it’s now crashed to a paltry $20.50!

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

Hoku Materials ghost town factory, Pocatello, Idaho. 50 football fields long at a cost of at least $400 million.

The ‘experts’ got everything wrong.  They thought the high petroleum prices would drive societies into the arms of clean energy companies, but the problem is that so many clean energy companies started production that soon there was a glut of polysilicon on the market, even before the construction of Pocatello Hoku plant was close to being finished.

Then add to that the trade wars between China, the U.S. and European Union.  Eventually, the Obama administration jacked up tariffs so high on Chinese polysilicon companies that it wasn’t worth it to do business in the U.S.  By then Hoku Corporation (the parent of Hoku Materials) had become Chinese owned, due to financial problems (including Hoku Materials not being able to pay its construction contractor, JH Kelly, or pay its Idaho utility bills, so many times that both threatened to seize the property).

By the middle of 2012 the unfinished $400 million USD Pocatello polysilicon factory was moth balled, staffing reduced to just 30 people, with rumors of liquidation in bankruptcy court.  By the end of 2012, the Chinese company that bought into Hoku (Tianwei) was getting blasted in the Chinese media for buying a pig in a poke.  According to former Hoku Corporation CEO, Scott Paul, Tianwei invested “….more than $129 million of its own capital in Hoku, and they have provided for another $244 million in debt financing from banks in China.”

Now back to the ‘experts’.  In February 2013, ‘experts’ predicted that polysilicon prices had bottomed out.  They were wrong!  Prices had hit $21 per kilogram, and polysilicon producers said there was no reason to produce anymore until the price went up over $25.

In March 2013, British media reported that prices had crashed 50% compared to the same time last year.

In April 2013, another report said that polysilicon prices could continue to crash because of the anti-free market tariffs imposed by the major players; China, South Korea, European Union and United States.  And, the ‘experts’ again said prices had bottomed out.  The average price at the end of April 2013 was $20.50.

So where does that leave Hoku Corporation’s Hoku Materials factory in Pocatello?  Optimistic officials with the Bannock Development Corporation (a County level organization that worked hard to bring Hoku to Pocatello, including huge local tax breaks) think that anytime now Hoku will start production: “It’s a wait and see thing, depending on the market……Basically, [Hoku Corp.] needs to fire up the plant when it’s ready to go.”-John Regetz, Bannock Development

Sounds like the local development folks aren’t communicating with Hoku.  The latest statement from the company indicates that bankruptcy and liquidation is the only option being considered: “….exploration of potential restructuring at Hoku Materials and Hoku Corporation is ongoing, with no formal update at this time.”-Hoku Corporation statement

“Restructuring” is code for bankruptcy/liquidation.  So no Mister Regetz, it sounds like Hoku is not planning to “fire up the plant”.

Green/clean energy just doesn’t make big enough profits for the crony capitalist system.  Another case in point is the recent announcement by BP (British Petroleum) that it will abandon it’s wind power operations near Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as its wind and solar projects across the United States.

Also, don’t forget the artificial reduction in demand created by all those government tariffs.

The answer is that clean energy projects need to be run like a non-profit co-op, but the problem is that crony capitalists don’t like that and will do everything they can to prevent that from happening (’cause contrary to their propaganda, they do not like competition, especially if it’s from a non-profit).

More on the demise of Hoku Materials:

Hoku deregisters with SEC

Hoku downward spiral

Hoku restructuring

Hoku to be finished off

U.S. tariffs nail in the coffin for Hoku

Good & bad news for Hoku

Hoku better get its rear in gear

Hoku beggars China

Hoku going under

Hoku begs

More trouble for Hoku

Hoku starts operations(?)

Hoku ended before it starts

Investigation puts the brakes on Hoku

Hoku ongoing delays

Hoku turning to China

U.S.

World War 3, False Flag Front: Unemployment; why the U.S. government & unAmerican Corporate America loves it!

07 May 2013 (10:57 UTC-07 Tango)/26 Jumada t-Tania 1434/17 Ordibehest 1391/28 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Long term unemployment is proving to be a benefit to the U.S. government.  It’s called reduced Social Security payments, or backdoor austerity policy.

First lets clear something up: You main streamer media deceivers need to stop calling Social Security (SS) a “benefit”!  We pay for it, gottdamn it!  A benefit is not something you pay for! SS is a government mandated retirement system that we are forced to pay for, therefore it is a true entitlement!

Here’s why the federalies love long term unemployment:  According to research by AARP/CNNMoney for every year you are unemployed, the amount you could have gotten through your SS retirement is reduced by 3%.

Now realize that for the first time in United States history there is a huge number of U.S. citizens who’ve been unemployed for more than six months (more than 4 million in April 2013).  For unemployed people 50 years of age or older, 44% are long term unemployed.

So all this unprecedented long term unemployment is allowing your elected officials to keep more of that SS money for themselves.  Is this some kind of False Flag op designed to ‘save’ the Social Security Administration by artificially reducing future retirement payments?

We already know our ‘elected’ federal officials rape Social Security funds all the time.

And it seems unAmerican corporate America is in on the False Flag game.   According to a study by Rand Ghayad of Northeastern University (and published in December 2012 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston), employers will not consider anyone who’s been unemployed for six months or more, regardless of their experience.  Ghayad discovered that employers would rather hire a buffoon who’s been unemployed for a week, than someone with years of relevant experience!

Ghayad also broke the lies that unAmerican corporate America was spreading; that they couldn’t find “qualified” applicants.  He proved that what they meant by “qualified” was how long you’ve been unemployed:  “It isn’t that firms aren’t finding the right workers, but that employers are screening out the long ​​term unemployed.”

Then you have another gimmick employers are using; credit reports.  If you have a bad credit score, which is included in the background check most big employers conduct, you will not be hired.  And guess what?  Most long term unemployed have bad credit (gee, I wounder why?)!

According to a Demos survey, one in four unemployed people were told their credit score would be considered for employment.

The Society for Human Resource Management says at least 47% of the employers they surveyed use credit checks to determine who they hire.

The evil irony is that the longer you’re unemployed the worse your credit report becomes, because you can’t pay your debts!   Another Demos survey found a direct correlation between worsening credit scores and repeat or prolonged unemployment.

Even the majority of people who find new jobs are being paid far less than their previous job, and that too reduces the amount of SS retirement they will get, and makes it harder to pay their debts thus jeopardizing any future employment opportunities.

Some conspiracy theorists believe this is part of a False Flag op to artificially reduce the cost of labor by creating an unprecedented number of indentured servants for unAmerican corporate America.  And to me, it’s also starting to look like a back door way to government austerity, by reducing your entitlements on the grounds that you’re unemployed or underemployed.

 

 

U.S.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Stupid taxpayers shell out nearly $1 million per prisoner at Gitmo!

04 May 2013 (16:06 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada t-Tania 1434/14 Ordibehest 1391/25 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

There are now 166 detainees at Gitmo, and according to the U.S. Department of Defense U.S. taxpayers are shelling out $900000 per detainee per year, just to maintain the Joint Detention Group at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay!

The Department of Defense says it costs $150 million per year to operate the illegal torture camp.  If the detainees had been placed in federal stateside prisons it would have cost a fraction of what Gitmo costs.

 

U.S.

World War 3, North American Front: Flase Flag State of Emergency declared in Seattle, Washington?

02 May 2013 (21:56 UTC-07 Tango 01 May 2013)/21 Jumada t-Tania 1434/12 Ordibehest 1391/23 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

“Using the emergency powers of the mayor’s office, I’m issuing an order for the limited purpose of giving police the authority to confiscate items that can be used as weapons.”-Mike MGinn, mayor

You rarely hear about May Day labor demonstrations in the crony capitalist country of United States, but the 1st of May became a riot in Seattle, Washington!

The mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn, issued an order that gave cops “emergency powers”.  McGinn was Seattle’s police chief during the massive 1999 WTO riots,  which were ignored by the main streamer TV media.

Apparently the May Day riot was started by a group called Black Bloc when they held an unannounced protest. They were using flares, metal bars and even a flag pole as weapons of mass destruction against businesses (including some Too Big to Jail banks), vehicles, news reporters and eventually the cops!   Some cops said the Black Bloc members even made incendiary bombs out of toilet paper rolls!

A tourist from Canada said rioters attacked his car, and told him to go back to Canada.

Of course the Black Bloc May Day riot was only a fraction of the size of the 1999 WTO riots (again a massive riot that the main streamer TV media ignored), but it was enough to scare the crap out of the former police chief turned mayor, and basically he declared a state of emergency over it.

By the way there were peaceful May Day demonstrations in Seattle, but the crony capitalist main streamer U.S media never covers such commie activities.

 

U.S.

World War 3, North American Front: Ron Paul says War were declared on the ‘Merican People!

Forced lockdown of a city. Militarized police riding tanks in the streets. Door-to-door armed searches without warrant. Families thrown out of their homes at gunpoint to be searched without probable cause. Businesses forced to close. Transport shut down.

These were not the scenes from a military coup in a far off banana republic, but rather the scenes just over a week ago in Boston as the United States got a taste of martial law. The ostensible reason for the military-style takeover of parts of Boston was that the accused perpetrator of a horrific crime was on the loose. The Boston bombing provided the opportunity for the government to turn what should have been a police investigation into a military-style occupation of an American city. This unprecedented move should frighten us as much or more than the attack itself.

What has been sadly forgotten in all the celebration of the capture of one suspect and the killing of his older brother is that the police state tactics in Boston did absolutely nothing to catch them. While the media crowed that the apprehension of the suspects was a triumph of the new surveillance state – and, predictably, many talking heads and Members of Congress called for even more government cameras pointed at the rest of us – the fact is none of this caught the suspect. Actually, it very nearly gave the suspect a chance to make a getaway.

The “shelter in place” command imposed by the governor of Massachusetts was lifted before the suspect was caught. Only after this police state move was ended did the owner of the boat go outside to check on his property, and in so doing discover the suspect.

No, the suspect was not discovered by the paramilitary troops terrorizing the public. He was discovered by a private citizen, who then placed a call to the police. And he was identified not by government surveillance cameras, but by private citizens who willingly shared their photographs with the police.

As journalist Tim Carney wrote last week:

“Law enforcement in Boston used cameras to ID the bombing suspects, but not police cameras. Instead, authorities asked the public to submit all photos and videos of the finish-line area to the FBI, just in case any of them had relevant images. The surveillance videos the FBI posted online of the suspects came from private businesses that use surveillance to punish and deter crime on their property.”

Sadly, we have been conditioned to believe that the job of the government is to keep us safe, but in reality the job of the government is to protect our liberties. Once the government decides that its role is to keep us safe, whether economically or physically, they can only do so by taking away our liberties. That is what happened in Boston.

Three people were killed in Boston and that is tragic. But what of the fact that over 40 persons are killed in the United States each day, and sometimes ten persons can be killed in one city on any given weekend? These cities are not locked-down by paramilitary police riding in tanks and pointing automatic weapons at innocent citizens.

This is unprecedented and is very dangerous. We must educate ourselves and others about our precious civil to ensure that we never accept demands that we give up our Constitution so that the government can pretend to protect us.

Ron Paul