Category Archives: Fail!

TeaParty weirdness in Mississippi – 3 McDaniel Allies Were Hanging Out In a Locked Mississippi Courthouse with Some Ballots – The Wire

McDaniel faced off against incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran in the Republican primary election on Tuesday, where neither won enough voted to avoid a runoff later this month. But after the results were announced, Janis Lane (president of the Central Mississippi Tea Party), Scott Brewster (McDaniel’s coalition director), and another man were in the building from around 2 a.m. until 3:45 a.m. early Wednesday morning.

The sheriff’s department spokesman, Othor Cain, told The Clarion-Ledger that the investigation is looking into how the three entered the building, which would be easier if their stories lined up. “There are conflicting stories from the three of them, which began to raise the red flag, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it,” Cain said. “No official charges have been filed at this point, but we don’t know where the investigation will lead us.”

Brewster’s involvement is interesting considering his connection to the Clayton Thomas Kelly fiasco, when the pro-McDaniel blogger illegally video tapped Cochran’s wife in her nursing home. McDaniel and most of his campaign officials denied knowing anything about the video, but Brewster said he remembered when the video came out and “think(s) people made some calls” to have it removed.

But even without that connection the story is very weird. The county’s Republican executive chairman, Pete Perry, told the Clarion-Ledger he had a “concern with someone being in the courthouse with all the election material down there.” The ballots were secure but some of the precinct information was not.

via 3 McDaniel Allies Were Hanging Out In a Locked Mississippi Courthouse with Some Ballots – The Wire.

Britain’s first secret trial: this way lies trouble | Owen Jones | Comment is free | theguardian.com

Two men, known only as AB and CD, have been charged with terrorism; journalists were forbidden from disclosing even this simple fact until newspapers overturned a gagging order. But for the first time in centuries – and in a direct challenge to the Magna Carta of 1215 – the entire trial will be held in secrecy.

A basic principle that democrats of all hues should surely champion is that justice is done, and is seen to be done. As Liberty’s Shami Chakrabarti has put it: “Transparency isn’t an optional luxury in the justice system – it’s key to ensuring fairness and protecting the rule of law.” But it is the precedent that should disturb us. It isn’t one of the authoritarian anti-terror laws passed by New Labour or the coalition responsible for this assault on justice, it is being justified with provisions under common law. Yet once this precedent is established and a centuries-old tradition of justice broken, it will be much easier to hold trials in total secrecy in future.

Indeed, this government’s Justice and Security Act, passed last year, allows for the extension of secret courts, or “closed material procedures” to use the proper legal jargon. Instead of judges, ministers will be given powers over evidence in court, risking the principle of a fair trial. Liberty has suggested it could be used to keep “dirty state secrets” away from victims and the public, and 700 legal experts signed a letter condemning it as “dangerous and unnecessary”. Sadly, to no avail.

via Britain’s first secret trial: this way lies trouble | Owen Jones | Comment is free | theguardian.com.

After Bribery Scandal, High-Level Departures at Walmart – NYTimes.com

{When the smoke clears and the Feds let Walmart off the hook, how long do you think it will be before they start cheating again?}

While the circumstances surrounding each executive’s departure are unclear, a pattern has emerged. At least eight of Walmart’s most senior executives in Mexico, India and Bentonville, Ark., have left the company since the latter part of 2011, when Walmart learned of The Times’s investigation. In the same two years, the company has revamped its global compliance program. In a move that swims against the current of Walmart’s corporate culture, the company has increased its compliance staff by more than 30 percent, to 2,000 people, in that short time.

Other changes the company has made — including mandating that any potential foreign corruption violations be reported to corporate headquarters and the board — may make it more difficult for senior executives to plead ignorance in the future.

It is in Walmart’s interest, particularly as it negotiates with federal prosecutors, to show how it has strengthened its compliance efforts.

“The more proactive you can be in terms of setting up good compliance program, the more favorably the Department of Justice will look on it when you’re sitting across the table,” said David Schertler, a criminal defense lawyer. “One thing you can be pretty much assured of is that they’re letting the Department of Justice know, even if they’re not making it public.”

via After Bribery Scandal, High-Level Departures at Walmart – NYTimes.com.

Massive Investigation Uncovers White Supremacist Criminal Network in Oregon | Hatewatch

A massive investigation in Oregon shows evidence of a criminal web – involving guns, drugs, stolen property, identity theft and violence – linking white supremacists and outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“Operation White Christmas,” as the year-old investigation is code-named, so far has resulted in the arrests of 54 individuals, mostly in the Portland area, leading to 11 criminal cases in state court and another 43 in federal court.

As for its scope, the investigation based in Portland and Multnomah County rivals the prosecutions of members of another violent gang, the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.

The Oregon suspects variously are affiliated with at least five known street and prison white supremacist gangs – European Kindred (EK); Rude Crude Brood; All Ona Bitch (AOB); Fat Bitch Killers (FBK) and Insane Peckerwood Syndicate (IPS), authorities say.

Josh Sparks

Others arrested, investigators say, are associates of the Gypsy Jokers outlaw motorcycle gang whose members were believed to be involved in firearms and drug trafficking with the white supremacist gangs.

via Massive Investigation Uncovers White Supremacist Criminal Network in Oregon | Hatewatch.

Ohio healthcare provider throws 400 seniors under the bus – no profits? TriHealth ending senior program; 100 jobs affected | www.journal-news.com

The program serves about 400 adults ages 55 and older in Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties through home care and inpatient services, including physical therapy, nutritional counseling, transportation and meals.

via TriHealth ending senior program; 100 jobs affected | www.journal-news.com.

No respect, no shame, “we can do whatever we want!” Israeli Occupation Forces raid al-Aqsa mosque compound

Settlers accompanied the Israeli Occupation Police are raiding the al Aqsa mosque compound. The Israeli Occupation Forces laid siege to the Palestinians at al-Aqsa Mosque compound gates.

Palestinian sources informed PNN that around 60 Israeli Settlers raided the compound this morning with the purpose of performing Talmudic prayers. Following the raid, Israeli Police Forces prevented Palestinians from praying, in order to protect the settlers who were still in the compound.

The sources added that the department of Awqaf in Jerusalem is attempting to open the compound gates and evacuate the settlers.

The Palestinian Organizations in Jerusalem are afraid that these raids may activate the Israelis’ plan to divide the compound.

via Israeli Occupation Forces raid al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Photo: Craft Beer Craze Continues With Day of the Dead Beer

If it is mass produced, how can you call it a “craft” beer? Under a million bottles a year and still craft beer?

Drinks Americas, the exclusive United States broker for leading premium authentic Mexican beers currently present in over 34 states, is excited to announce that California distributor, Classic Distributing & Beverage Group, Inc. has added the company’s increasingly popular authentic Mexican Day of the Dead Craft Beer to its offering.

via Photo: Craft Beer Craze Continues With Day of the Dead Beer.

Pimping for Coal and Air to Poison Us All – A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the regulation of emissions of carbon dioxide from new or existing power plants under certain circumstances. (S. 2414) – GovTrack.us

Super Mitch – the fool – McConnell – S. 2414: A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the regulation of emissions of carbon dioxide from new or existing power plants

via A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the regulation of emissions of carbon dioxide from new or existing power plants under certain circumstances. (S. 2414) – GovTrack.us.

Photos: Cyclist Hit By Cab Driver In Hell’s Kitchen: Gothamist

Here is today’s disturbing reminder to always be very, very careful when riding your bike, driving your car, or walking your legs, particularly in Midtown. A cyclist was hit by the driver of a cab on 57th Street and 9th Avenue around 4 p.m. yesterday, sending him to the hospital.

According to FDNY, the victim was taken to New York Hospital in stable condition. Officials were unable to provide additional details on the events that led to the crash, but the cab’s smashed windshield suggests the cyclist was hit with enough force to have been flung onto the hood of the vehicle. The driver remained on the scene.

via Photos: Cyclist Hit By Cab Driver In Hell’s Kitchen: Gothamist.