*Yawn*
- Ever since the creation of democratic nations – where public opinion somewhat matters – the political class is faced with a dilemma: War is needed to gain power, riches, and control, but the general public has a tendency to be against it. What to do? The answer was found decades ago and is still used successfully today: Create an enemy so terrifying that the masses will beg their government to go to war.
This is why ISIS exists. This is why the beheading videos are so “well-produced” and publicized worldwide through mainstream media. This is why news sources regularly come up with alarmist headlines about ISIS. They are used to serve the best interests of the world elite. The current objectives are: Sway public opinion to favor the invasion of countries in the Middle East, provide a pretext for “coalition” intervention across the world, and manufacture a domestic threat that will be used to take away rights and increase surveillance. In short, ISIS is yet another instance of the age-old tactic of creating a terrifying enemy to scare the masses.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Man in New York beheads mother, kicks severed head across road, then jumps in front of train
(straitstimes.com) - A 35-year-old man beheaded his mother and kicked her head across the road, before jumping in front of a train in New York on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning Singapore time).
Derek Ward allegedly decapitated his 66-year-old mother, Patricia Ward at her apartment building in Long Island, and dragged her out into the street where he kicked her severed head, reported the New York Post.
Police said that her body was discovered outside the building at about 8pm on Tuesday, with her head 6m away across the road. The victim, a professor who taught language arts at Farmingdale State College, was wearing only a bra and a pair of pants.
Derek Ward, who was psychologically disturbed and lived with his mother, later killed himself by jumping in front of a Long Island Rail Road train. His body was found about 1.6km from the murder scene.
Detective Lieutenant John Azzata from Nassau County police told the New York Post that he had a psychiatric history dating back about 10 years. He also had a criminal record that included gun charges.
Neighbour Nick Gordon told the Daily News that there was also blood within the apartment building.
"When I came out the door, I saw the blood on the tile. It was all over, as if someone could've been pulling a body. You could see the smears going down the stairs," he said.
Some neighbours initially thought that the gruesome scene was hoax for Halloween, which falls on Friday.
- See more: HERE
Derek Ward allegedly decapitated his 66-year-old mother, Patricia Ward at her apartment building in Long Island, and dragged her out into the street where he kicked her severed head, reported the New York Post.
Police said that her body was discovered outside the building at about 8pm on Tuesday, with her head 6m away across the road. The victim, a professor who taught language arts at Farmingdale State College, was wearing only a bra and a pair of pants.
Derek Ward, who was psychologically disturbed and lived with his mother, later killed himself by jumping in front of a Long Island Rail Road train. His body was found about 1.6km from the murder scene.
Detective Lieutenant John Azzata from Nassau County police told the New York Post that he had a psychiatric history dating back about 10 years. He also had a criminal record that included gun charges.
Neighbour Nick Gordon told the Daily News that there was also blood within the apartment building.
"When I came out the door, I saw the blood on the tile. It was all over, as if someone could've been pulling a body. You could see the smears going down the stairs," he said.
Some neighbours initially thought that the gruesome scene was hoax for Halloween, which falls on Friday.
- See more: HERE
Overweight crash test dummies being developed in response to US obesity trends
(abcnews) - One company is taking note of America's obesity issue by manufacturing "overweight" crash test dummies.
Humanetics is a Plymouth, Michigan-based company that has been developing crash test dummies since the 1950s. But the image and model of a crash test dummy hasn't changed much throughout those decades, so now Humanetics is developing a heftier crash test dummy to better represent growing obesity trends in the U.S.
"Obese people are 78 percent more likely to die in a crash," Humanetics CEO Chris O' Connor told CNN. "The reason is the way we get fat. We get fat in our middle range. And we get out of position in a typical seat."
Humanetics' obese dummy will weigh in at 273 pounds with a body mass index of 35. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute classifies obesity as those with a body mass index of 30. According to the CDC, over one-third of Americans are obese.
Full Story
Humanetics is a Plymouth, Michigan-based company that has been developing crash test dummies since the 1950s. But the image and model of a crash test dummy hasn't changed much throughout those decades, so now Humanetics is developing a heftier crash test dummy to better represent growing obesity trends in the U.S.
"Obese people are 78 percent more likely to die in a crash," Humanetics CEO Chris O' Connor told CNN. "The reason is the way we get fat. We get fat in our middle range. And we get out of position in a typical seat."
Humanetics' obese dummy will weigh in at 273 pounds with a body mass index of 35. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute classifies obesity as those with a body mass index of 30. According to the CDC, over one-third of Americans are obese.
Costco: Employees 'deserve' Thanksgiving off
Because nobody should have to work on American Thanksgiving..
(cnnmoney) - At Costco, the Black Friday deals won't begin until, well, Friday.
The warehouse retail chain will again stay closed on Thanksgiving this year, bucking the trend of retailers opening their doors earlier and earlier.
"Our employees work especially hard during the holiday season and we simply believe that they deserve the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families," a Costco(COST) spokesman told the website Think Progress.
"Nothing more complicated than that," the spokesman added.
It said the same thing last year.
(cnnmoney) - At Costco, the Black Friday deals won't begin until, well, Friday.
The warehouse retail chain will again stay closed on Thanksgiving this year, bucking the trend of retailers opening their doors earlier and earlier.
"Our employees work especially hard during the holiday season and we simply believe that they deserve the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families," a Costco(COST) spokesman told the website Think Progress.
"Nothing more complicated than that," the spokesman added.
It said the same thing last year.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Michigan: Gov. Rick Snyder signs 'anti-Tesla' bill into law
(mlive.com) DETROIT, MI - Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed a bill his office described as bipartisan legislation that simply strengthens existing law as it pertains to automobile dealership sales in Michigan.
But electric car maker Tesla Motors says the legislation is a direct effort at shutting the California company and its unique, direct-to-consumer sales model out of Michigan.
HB 5606 was approved 38-0 in the Senate and 106-1 in the House of Representatives after being presented to state legislators as aimed at prohibiting car dealerships in the state from dictating fees they charge customers. With the legislation, dealerships can decide whether or not to charge certain transaction fees.
"This bill does not, as some have claimed, prevent auto manufacturers from selling automobiles directly to consumers at retail in Michigan – because this is already prohibited under Michigan law," Snyder said in a letter to lawmakers that accompanies the signed bill.
Todd Maron, general counsel for Tesla, said that not only does it further ensure that company cannot sell directly to consumers in the state, it goes so far as to prohibit Tesla from displaying its cars to and communicating with potential customers in Michigan.
"These changes were put in at the last minute with nobody vetting them," Maron said, adding, "It looks like what they were trying to do is completely shut us out of Michigan."
In a blog on the company's website, Tesla derides the legislation as "A Raw Deal in Michigan."
Officials want South Florida to break off into its own state
Why not a country?
(orlandosentinel.com) Officials in the City of South Miami have passed a resolution in favor of splitting the state in half so South Florida would become the 51st state.
Vice Mayor Walter Harris proposed the resolution and it passed with a 3-2 vote at the city commission meeting on Oct. 7.
Harris told the commission that Tallahassee isn't providing South Florida with proper representation or addressing its concerns when it comes to sea-level rising.
"We have to be able to deal directly with this environmental concern and we can’t really get it done in Tallahassee," Harris said. "I don’t care what people think -- it’s not a matter of electing the right people."
Mayor Philip Stoddard agreed with Harris' reasoning, saying he's advocated for secession for the past 15 years but never penned a resolution.
“It’s very apparent that the attitude of the northern part of the state is that they would just love to saw the state in half and just let us float off into the Caribbean," Stoddard said. "They’ve made that abundantly clear every possible opportunity and I would love to give them the opportunity to do that.”
(orlandosentinel.com) Officials in the City of South Miami have passed a resolution in favor of splitting the state in half so South Florida would become the 51st state.
Vice Mayor Walter Harris proposed the resolution and it passed with a 3-2 vote at the city commission meeting on Oct. 7.
Harris told the commission that Tallahassee isn't providing South Florida with proper representation or addressing its concerns when it comes to sea-level rising.
Mayor Philip Stoddard agreed with Harris' reasoning, saying he's advocated for secession for the past 15 years but never penned a resolution.
“It’s very apparent that the attitude of the northern part of the state is that they would just love to saw the state in half and just let us float off into the Caribbean," Stoddard said. "They’ve made that abundantly clear every possible opportunity and I would love to give them the opportunity to do that.”
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Walmart Is Planning To Abandon The Minimum Wage
(HuffingtonPost) - The latest sign that the tide is turning in favour of better pay for low-wage workers: Walmart's CEO on Wednesday announced the company's intention eventually to abandon the minimum wage.
Walmart chief executive Douglas McMillon told reporters after an investor conference that the company plans to pay all of its workers at a rate higher than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. He did not say how much more.
"It is our intention over time that we will be in a situation where we don't pay minimum wage at all," McMillon said, according to multiple sources. The move to pay all Walmart employees more than the minimum wage would be largely symbolic: McMillon said less than 1 percent of Walmart's U.S. employees currently make the minimum wage.
Such an intention is particularly notable coming from the CEO of Walmart, which is the union's largest private employer, and one that is often accused of paying its workers low wages.
Walmart has disputed such claims, saying its average hourly pay is $12.92, which is significantly higher than the federal minimum. That calculation, however, does not include the wages of its part-time workers.
The announcement came as hundreds of Walmart workers and other low-wage retail and fast-food employees protested on Wednesday and Thursday in four cities, demanding full-time jobs and a minimum wage of $15 an hour. Full Story
Walmart chief executive Douglas McMillon told reporters after an investor conference that the company plans to pay all of its workers at a rate higher than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. He did not say how much more.
"It is our intention over time that we will be in a situation where we don't pay minimum wage at all," McMillon said, according to multiple sources. The move to pay all Walmart employees more than the minimum wage would be largely symbolic: McMillon said less than 1 percent of Walmart's U.S. employees currently make the minimum wage.
Such an intention is particularly notable coming from the CEO of Walmart, which is the union's largest private employer, and one that is often accused of paying its workers low wages.
Walmart has disputed such claims, saying its average hourly pay is $12.92, which is significantly higher than the federal minimum. That calculation, however, does not include the wages of its part-time workers.
The announcement came as hundreds of Walmart workers and other low-wage retail and fast-food employees protested on Wednesday and Thursday in four cities, demanding full-time jobs and a minimum wage of $15 an hour. Full Story
US: Seattle Socialist Party Wants $20 Per Hour Minimum Wage, Offers $13 Per Hour For Website Manager.
However, The Daily Caller never dreamed it would come to this: A socialist party that wants to raise the federal minimum wage to $20 per hour is currently advertising a job for an experienced web developer paying $13 per hour.
The party is the Freedom Socialist Party, which, impressively, owns the rights to the domain name Socialism.com.
This month, the Freedom Socialist Party placed an ad on both Indeed.com andCraigslist seeking a part-time web content manager in Seattle. The job pays $13 per hour (or more, maybe, if you are really good).
In 2012, the Freedom Socialist Party’s national platform championed “full employment” — not part-time — and an increase in the minimum wage “to $20 an hour” for all employees in all jobs.
* * * *
The US desperately needs a workers revolution..
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Michigan: Students might face felony charges for.. sexting
DetroitFreePress:
It could be a few weeks before more than 30 Rochester Community Schools students learn whether they'll face felony charges for sending and sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves or other minors.
It's one of two sexting cases that have hit the news recently. A defense attorney says her client is among about 6-10 students in Romeo being investigated for sexting.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Department has been investigating the case involving the Rochester students since first receiving a report in mid-September.
"Our computer crimes unit is doing ... a forensic examination," said Capt. Mike Johnson of the sheriff's department.
The case involves 30 students at Rochester Adams High School and one student at nearby Van Hoosen Middle School, Johnson said. Shannon Smith, a Bloomfield Hills attorney who specializes in sex crimes cases, is representing one of the Rochester students and one of the Romeo students. Full Story
It could be a few weeks before more than 30 Rochester Community Schools students learn whether they'll face felony charges for sending and sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves or other minors.
It's one of two sexting cases that have hit the news recently. A defense attorney says her client is among about 6-10 students in Romeo being investigated for sexting.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Department has been investigating the case involving the Rochester students since first receiving a report in mid-September.
"Our computer crimes unit is doing ... a forensic examination," said Capt. Mike Johnson of the sheriff's department.
The case involves 30 students at Rochester Adams High School and one student at nearby Van Hoosen Middle School, Johnson said. Shannon Smith, a Bloomfield Hills attorney who specializes in sex crimes cases, is representing one of the Rochester students and one of the Romeo students. Full Story
St. Lucia: No visitors from Ebola stricken nations
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- The leader of the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia issued an order Wednesday to immediately bar entry to travelers coming from three West African nations overwhelmed with Ebola epidemics.
The Colombian government in South America later announced it would bar entry by anyone who has traveled to five African nations within the preceding four weeks.
St. Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said all visitors from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were prohibited from entering his country until the Ebola outbreak is brought under control, saying the ban will minimize chances for the deadly disease to be introduced by an infected traveler.
St. Lucia is a poor, small nation that does not have the capacity "to manage any crisis that lands on our doorstep, any crisis of that kind," Anthony said.
He said an outbreak of the virus would be devastating for the country of 200,000 people, where tourism accounts for more than 60 percent of gross domestic product.
The Colombian government in South America later announced it would bar entry by anyone who has traveled to five African nations within the preceding four weeks.
St. Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said all visitors from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were prohibited from entering his country until the Ebola outbreak is brought under control, saying the ban will minimize chances for the deadly disease to be introduced by an infected traveler.
St. Lucia is a poor, small nation that does not have the capacity "to manage any crisis that lands on our doorstep, any crisis of that kind," Anthony said.
He said an outbreak of the virus would be devastating for the country of 200,000 people, where tourism accounts for more than 60 percent of gross domestic product.
Discount Chain ALCO Files Chapter 11, With Plans to Liquidate or Sell
I blame the Jews..
Via: WallStreetJournal
Alco Stores Inc. ALCS +9.04% filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with plans to liquidate or sell the 113-year-old retail operation.
The filing on Sunday came after the board of directors was replaced following a proxy fight in which shareholders clamored for improved results at Alco, which operates 198 discount general merchandise stores in 23 states.
A company official declined to comment on Monday.
In court papers Sunday, Alco cited the effects of the “lingering economic slowdown” on its customers, many of whom are living on fixed or low incomes in rural areas.
While it has positioned its stores to avoid head-to-head competition with larger discount chains, Alco said it couldn’t escape the effects of economic distress in the U.S.
Founded in 1901 as a general-merchandising operation in Abilene, Kan., the company still services its stores from a major distribution center there. Executive offices are located in Coppell, Texas. Full Story
Via: WallStreetJournal
Alco Stores Inc. ALCS +9.04% filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with plans to liquidate or sell the 113-year-old retail operation.
The filing on Sunday came after the board of directors was replaced following a proxy fight in which shareholders clamored for improved results at Alco, which operates 198 discount general merchandise stores in 23 states.
A company official declined to comment on Monday.
In court papers Sunday, Alco cited the effects of the “lingering economic slowdown” on its customers, many of whom are living on fixed or low incomes in rural areas.
While it has positioned its stores to avoid head-to-head competition with larger discount chains, Alco said it couldn’t escape the effects of economic distress in the U.S.
Founded in 1901 as a general-merchandising operation in Abilene, Kan., the company still services its stores from a major distribution center there. Executive offices are located in Coppell, Texas. Full Story
Monday, October 13, 2014
Spain's Catalonia to seek alternatives to independence referendum
here we go again..
(Reuters) - The leader of Spain's Catalonia region will call off a referendum on independence from Spain planned for Nov. 9 and look for alternative ways to consult Catalans, a key regional political party said on Monday.
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, a pro-independence party that backs the regional government of Artur Mas said the Catalan leader had told it and other political forces during talks on Monday that he would not organize the referendum as planned.
Mas will instead offer to hold a "consultation of citizens," an ERC spokesman told Reuters.
The referendum was suspended last month by Spain's constitutional court, but the regional government of Catalonia had not announced a decision to abandon the planned vote. Full Story
(Reuters) - The leader of Spain's Catalonia region will call off a referendum on independence from Spain planned for Nov. 9 and look for alternative ways to consult Catalans, a key regional political party said on Monday.
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, a pro-independence party that backs the regional government of Artur Mas said the Catalan leader had told it and other political forces during talks on Monday that he would not organize the referendum as planned.
Mas will instead offer to hold a "consultation of citizens," an ERC spokesman told Reuters.
The referendum was suspended last month by Spain's constitutional court, but the regional government of Catalonia had not announced a decision to abandon the planned vote. Full Story
Ebola now threatening chocolate supply
Via WND
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer of cacao, the raw ingredient in M&M’s, Butterfingers and Snickers Bars, has shut down its borders with Liberia and Guinea, putting a major crimp on the workforce needed to pick the beans that end up in chocolate bars and other treats just as the harvest season begins. The West African nation of about 20 million — also known as Côte D’Ivoire — has yet to experience a single case of Ebola, but the outbreak already could raise prices.
The world’s chocolate makers have taken notice.
The World Cocoa Foundation is working now to collect large donations from Nestlé, Mars and many of its 113 other members for its Coca Industry Response to Ebola Initiative.
1000-year old Viking treasure hoard found in Scotland
LONDON (Reuters) - A hoard of Viking gold and silver artifacts dating back over 1,000 years has been discovered by a treasure hunter with a metal detector in Scotland, in a find hailed by experts as one of the country's most significant.
Derek McLennan, a retired businessman, uncovered the 100 items in a field in Dumfriesshire, southwest Scotland, in September.
Amongst the objects is a solid silver cross thought to date from the 9th or 10th century, a silver pot of west European origin, which is likely to have already been 100 years old when it was buried and several gold objects.
"Experts have begun to examine the finds, but it is already clear that this is one of the most significant Viking hoards ever discovered in Scotland," Scotland's Treasure Trove unit said in a statement.
Derek McLennan, a retired businessman, uncovered the 100 items in a field in Dumfriesshire, southwest Scotland, in September.
Amongst the objects is a solid silver cross thought to date from the 9th or 10th century, a silver pot of west European origin, which is likely to have already been 100 years old when it was buried and several gold objects.
"Experts have begun to examine the finds, but it is already clear that this is one of the most significant Viking hoards ever discovered in Scotland," Scotland's Treasure Trove unit said in a statement.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
FYR Croatia Celebrates Independence Day
Yugoslavia formally dissolved in 2006.
- Croatian President Ivo Josipovic urged all Croatian citizens to unite and work together for a better Croatia when he congratulated them on the nation’s Independence Day, which is observed on 8 October with a state holiday.
Josipovic told all Croats to celebrate with pride and joy their Independence Day, reported website Tportal.
“National freedom and state independence are ideals for which every self-aware people strives, so Independence Day is the holiday when we express due gratitude to all who dedicated their work, skills and endeavours to those ideals throughout our history, notably to those who gave their lives for them during the Homeland Defence War. This binds us all to accept responsibility for Croatia’s present and future. First and foremost, we have the responsibility to build a society of peace, freedom, solidarity, justice, work and respect for human rights, with particular care for children, youth and families,” said Josipovic.
Croatian Independence was declared in May 1991 after a referendum, then by the Parliament on June 25, but a three-month moratorium was imposed as a result of the Brijuni Agreement, and on October 8 the ties with SFR Yugoslavia were formally severed
- Croatian President Ivo Josipovic urged all Croatian citizens to unite and work together for a better Croatia when he congratulated them on the nation’s Independence Day, which is observed on 8 October with a state holiday.
Josipovic told all Croats to celebrate with pride and joy their Independence Day, reported website Tportal.
“National freedom and state independence are ideals for which every self-aware people strives, so Independence Day is the holiday when we express due gratitude to all who dedicated their work, skills and endeavours to those ideals throughout our history, notably to those who gave their lives for them during the Homeland Defence War. This binds us all to accept responsibility for Croatia’s present and future. First and foremost, we have the responsibility to build a society of peace, freedom, solidarity, justice, work and respect for human rights, with particular care for children, youth and families,” said Josipovic.
Croatian Independence was declared in May 1991 after a referendum, then by the Parliament on June 25, but a three-month moratorium was imposed as a result of the Brijuni Agreement, and on October 8 the ties with SFR Yugoslavia were formally severed
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Wal-Mart to end healthcare benefits for some part-time workers
(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), the biggest private-sector employer in the United States, said on Tuesday it was ending healthcare coverage for tens of thousands of part-time workers to cut costs in a move that could prompt other companies to follow suit.
The world's largest retailer said it will stop offering health benefits for employees who work less than 30 hours a week, a change that will affect 2 percent of its U.S. workforce of about 1.3 million, or some 26,000 people.
Coverage will be discontinued from Jan. 1, 2015. On that date the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, will require all companies employing 50 or more people to offer health insurance to those working at least 30 hours a week.
The world's largest retailer said it will stop offering health benefits for employees who work less than 30 hours a week, a change that will affect 2 percent of its U.S. workforce of about 1.3 million, or some 26,000 people.
Coverage will be discontinued from Jan. 1, 2015. On that date the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, will require all companies employing 50 or more people to offer health insurance to those working at least 30 hours a week.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Catalonia government to decide by October 15 whether to hold referendum
(Reuters) - The government of the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia will decide by October 15 whether to push ahead with a contested referendum on separation from the rest of Spain, a spokesman said on Monday.
Catalonia, with a population of 7.5 million people, its own language and accounting for a fifth of Spain's economy, has long sought independence and was buoyed by the close result of last month's referendum in Scotland.
But Spain's central government says the referendum called for November 9 is illegal and the country's Constitutional Court has suspended it while it deliberates on its legality, a process that could take months or years.
"We can't decide on this... on November 7 or 8," said Francesc Homs, spokesman for the Catalan government, in a radio interview.
Artur Mas, the leader of Catalonia, is under pressure from more radical pro-independence supporters to defy Madrid and the Constitutional Court and push ahead with the referendum.
Although his administration initially temporarily suspended campaigning for the referendum after the court ruling, it later changed its tone and said it would push on.
In a television advertisement on Saturday it said it had agreed "to take the legal, political and institutional initiative to guarantee the right to decide the political future of Catalonia".
Catalonia, with a population of 7.5 million people, its own language and accounting for a fifth of Spain's economy, has long sought independence and was buoyed by the close result of last month's referendum in Scotland.
But Spain's central government says the referendum called for November 9 is illegal and the country's Constitutional Court has suspended it while it deliberates on its legality, a process that could take months or years.
"We can't decide on this... on November 7 or 8," said Francesc Homs, spokesman for the Catalan government, in a radio interview.
Artur Mas, the leader of Catalonia, is under pressure from more radical pro-independence supporters to defy Madrid and the Constitutional Court and push ahead with the referendum.
Although his administration initially temporarily suspended campaigning for the referendum after the court ruling, it later changed its tone and said it would push on.
In a television advertisement on Saturday it said it had agreed "to take the legal, political and institutional initiative to guarantee the right to decide the political future of Catalonia".
Sunday, October 5, 2014
South Dakota: Teen allegedly forced to wear 'gaytard' label files discrimination complaint
(FoxNews.com) - A gay South Dakota teenager allegedly forced by his boss to wear a name tag that read "gaytard" filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week, claiming his former employer discriminated against him and violated his civil rights.
The Argus Leader reports the teen, identified as 16-year-old Tyler Brandt, was allegedly forced by a night manager at Taco John's International restaurant to wear a name tag that read "gaytard" during his June 23 shift.
Brandt reportedly complied, fearing he'd lose his job if he didn't wear the name tag. The teen, who is openly gay, claims he was mocked in front of restaurant customers when he asked to remove the tag. He resigned the next day, according to the newspaper.
Brandt filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, alleging the restaurant in Yankton, S.D., violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He also created a website hoping to bring attention to bullying in the workplace. Continue Reading
The Argus Leader reports the teen, identified as 16-year-old Tyler Brandt, was allegedly forced by a night manager at Taco John's International restaurant to wear a name tag that read "gaytard" during his June 23 shift.
Brandt reportedly complied, fearing he'd lose his job if he didn't wear the name tag. The teen, who is openly gay, claims he was mocked in front of restaurant customers when he asked to remove the tag. He resigned the next day, according to the newspaper.
Brandt filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, alleging the restaurant in Yankton, S.D., violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He also created a website hoping to bring attention to bullying in the workplace. Continue Reading
CDC director: Ebola outbreak unlikely in U.S.
Via WND
Dr. Tom Frieden said on “State of the Union” that the CDC is concerned about family members who had “very close contact” with the victim but that they were being monitored constantly.
“That’s how you stop it in its tracks. That’s why we’re confident we won’t see a large number of cases from this,” he told Candy Crowley.
Read the full story ›
Friday, October 3, 2014
Pig in Australia steals 18 beers from campers, gets drunk, fights cow
(Via BCF) - Forget crocodiles and snakes, the real animal threat in Australia is wild pigs. At least if you’re camping
At a campground in Western Australia over the weekend, a feral pig guzzled down 18 beers that had been left out improperly secured. And just like anyone 18 beers in at a rural dive bar, the pig got big-headed and decided to start a fight with a cow, resulting in the cow chasing the pig around a car.
“In the middle of the night these people camping opposite us heard a noise, so they got their torch out and shone it on the pig and there he was, scrunching away at their cans,” said a visitor.
The pig was later reported sleeping his hangover (and shame of trying to take down a cow?) off under a tree…
At a campground in Western Australia over the weekend, a feral pig guzzled down 18 beers that had been left out improperly secured. And just like anyone 18 beers in at a rural dive bar, the pig got big-headed and decided to start a fight with a cow, resulting in the cow chasing the pig around a car.
“In the middle of the night these people camping opposite us heard a noise, so they got their torch out and shone it on the pig and there he was, scrunching away at their cans,” said a visitor.
The pig was later reported sleeping his hangover (and shame of trying to take down a cow?) off under a tree…
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Spanish court suspends Catalan self-rule vote
(TheLocalSpain) - Spain's Constitutional Court on Monday (9/30) suspended an independence referendum called by Catalonia for November 9th, although leaders of the rich north-eastern region vowed to press ahead anyway with preparations for the vote.
The unanimous and expected decision by the court's 12 judges came just hours after Spain's central government asked it to declare the non-binding independence referendum illegal on the grounds that it breaches the country's constitution.
The court said in a statement that it had accepted the appeal and had suspended the referendum while it considers the central government's arguments. The court had up to five months to give its ruling although it can request an extension.
The head of the regional government of Catalonia, Artur Mas, signed a decree on Saturday calling for the referendum.
Since then a luminous clock on Barcelona's historic Sant Jaume square has been ticking down the seconds to November 9th and television and radio stations in the region have aired ads informing the public of the vote.
Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he "deeply" regretted Mas's move, saying it "divides Catalans, alienates them from Europe and the rest of Spain and seriously harms their welfare".
In a televised address to the nation following an emergency cabinet meeting, Rajoy said the right to decide a region's status belonged to "all the Spanish people" under the country's 1978 constitution -- the keystone of Spain's democracy after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco.
"There is nothing and no one, no power nor institution, that can break this principle of sole sovereignty," he added. Full Story
The unanimous and expected decision by the court's 12 judges came just hours after Spain's central government asked it to declare the non-binding independence referendum illegal on the grounds that it breaches the country's constitution.
The court said in a statement that it had accepted the appeal and had suspended the referendum while it considers the central government's arguments. The court had up to five months to give its ruling although it can request an extension.
The head of the regional government of Catalonia, Artur Mas, signed a decree on Saturday calling for the referendum.
Since then a luminous clock on Barcelona's historic Sant Jaume square has been ticking down the seconds to November 9th and television and radio stations in the region have aired ads informing the public of the vote.
Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he "deeply" regretted Mas's move, saying it "divides Catalans, alienates them from Europe and the rest of Spain and seriously harms their welfare".
In a televised address to the nation following an emergency cabinet meeting, Rajoy said the right to decide a region's status belonged to "all the Spanish people" under the country's 1978 constitution -- the keystone of Spain's democracy after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco.
"There is nothing and no one, no power nor institution, that can break this principle of sole sovereignty," he added. Full Story
US: American cameraman diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia
(Reuters) - An American freelance television cameraman working for NBC News in Liberia has tested positive for the Ebola virus and will be flown back to the United States for treatment, the network said on Thursday in an online report.
Diagnosis of the cameraman, who the network said came down with symptoms that included aches and fatigue on Wednesday, is believed to mark the first time an American journalist has been infected with the deadly virus since the current outbreak in West Africa.
The freelancer, who NBC said works as a writer as well as a cameraman, and whose name was not given by the network, is the fourth U.S. citizen overall to have contracted the disease in Liberia.
A Liberan man visiting relatives in Dallas recently became the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States.
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