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Snakes in Suits

Some of the most obnoxious things rich people have done recently

Evan McMurry
AlterNet
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 00:00 UTC
Image
© Unknown
Lloyd Blankfein and the scowl that says it all.

Millionaires and billionaires have resumed their ostentatious and tin-eared ways.

After the dust cleared from the economic implosion of 2007-2008, being rich became briefly unpopular. Investment firm CEOs, Wall Street bankers and craven house flippers had crashed the economy, and as details of their Gatsby-esqe lifestyle surfaced—Lehman Brothers CEO Dick Fuld, for instance, took a helicopter to work before his century-old firm collapsed—their conspicuous consumption turned insult to injury.

That didn't last long. Bank and corporate profits rebounded quickly, and with all but one banker getting off the legal hook, hardly anybody suffered any consequences for ruining the economy. Sure enough, millionaires and billionaires resumed their profligate, ostentatious and tin-eared ways, but whereas before the bubble burst these were badges of a surging economy, now they came off as self-parody. From arguing for a $2 wage to buying $150 million sculptures, here are the worst of the rich from the past seven years.

Comment: Noteworthy but unsurprising insights into the minds and values of some of the very rich. Is it any wonder that so much is screwed up? But alas, many of these cretins are in for a rude awakening.

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Hearts

75-year-old Texas woman receives ridiculous arrest warrant for tall grass; four children come to the rescue

Bethania Palma Markus
Raw Story
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 19:53 UTC
Image
© Screengrab/KWTX
Had it not been for the help of four young brothers, a 75-year-old Texas woman could have ended up in handcuffs already. Why? Because the grass in her field was overgrown.

After seeing a news report that the city of Riesel had issued an arrest warrant for Gerry Suttle because she never received a court summons for her grass, missed her hearing and got a bench warrant, Blaine Reynolds and his brothers leaped into action in an effort to keep her out of jail.

"It's a summer day, we don't have season passes yet to Hawaiian Falls," Blaine Reynolds, one of the boys, told local station KWTX on Wednesday. What else could we do but go out and help some people."

The station reports that the boys' good deed inspired neighbors to step in and help mow Suttle's lawn. But even the neighborhood effort couldn't keep the city off the elderly woman's back.

On Thursday, she received another summons to appear before a judge concerning her lawn, the station reports.

"Just leave me alone," Suttle told KWTX. "I've lived here 59 years. I don't know how much longer I've got to live here."

She's due in court June 16.

"It is very heartbreaking to see that someone that I didn't even know came out and spent two hours in the sun doing what we thought the city wanted done and then them turn around and say 'no,'" Suttle told CBS News.

But keeping Suttle out of the grips of city officials has now become a community effort.
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Smoking

Absurd ordinance would ban smoking in downtown Providence, Rhode Island

R. J. Helm
turnto10.com
Sun, 14 Jun 2015 17:39 UTC
Image
© Jeff Nickerson/Wikimedia Commons
Burnside Park
You can already get a ticket if you smoke in Burnside Park or any other city park in Providence. That ordinance was passed six months ago. Next up -- if it passes -- all downtown public spaces.

Businessman and former Mayor Joe Paolino walks the street that rings the south end of Kennedy Plaza, pointing out the discarded cigarette butts that litter the area. In fairness, the ashtrays were removed he says to discourage smoking. But more importantly, it's the secondhand smoke.

"I don't think that the secondhand smoke is healthy for anybody that has to breathe that smoke. And I think we can clean up our city at the same time," Paolino said.

Some agree. Even some smokers. Mark Brier was smoking in Kennedy Plaza when I asked where he would go to smoke if he couldn't smoke outside downtown.

"I'd go to another city. They're getting too expensive anyway," he said.

Frank LaTorre of Riverside would like to see the ordinance passed by saying, "Does someone have a right to put that kind of carcinogen into the air?" I asked him, "What about car exhaust?" He said, "It's a problem too. We're trying to deal with that as well. But you can't do everything. But I think in terms of secondhand smoke, that it's an incredible health hazard."

Some do not agree, like Kelly Masterson of North Providence.

"Just because it's Kennedy Plaza that's where people (smoke)," said said.

Comment: More anti-smoking measures reminiscent of Hitler's vision of the perfect race:

Adolph Hitler: Vegetarian, teetotaler, anti-smoking campaigner

Worth reading: Anti-tobacco movement in Nazi Germany

And if you really think that the government implements these anti-smoking measures for your health, read:

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Heart - Black

Racist Walmart throws four black men out of store for 'walking too slow,' one arrested

Dylan Hock
Addicting News
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 16:24 UTC
walmaet
Since the advent of smartphones, America has become a laundromat - all its unmentionables are showing and people are beginning to talk now that all the cotton and lace is visible. Much the way smartphones have allowed the common practice of police brutality to be witnessed nationally and thereby condemned, so we are able to do the same with racism.

Though thankfully no one was killed in the video below now circulating social media, it is nonetheless disturbing and repulsive to witness thanks to those very same smartphones, not to mention the foresight of the fella to begin filming the incident in the first place. Somehow, coupled with the climate of endless murders of unarmed black folks by (typically) white cops, this video of a group of four black men being kicked out of a Pensacola, Florida, Walmart for "walking too slow" rounds out the reality and broader picture of systemic racism in the United States.

MTO SHOCK VIDEO: Walmart CALLS POLICE On Black Men Shopping . . One Man Was ARRESTED . . . Because Officer Says He 'Shopped Too Slowly'!! (This MUST Stop - #BlackLivesMatter#) - FULL STORY - bit.ly/1L2Epge
Posted by Mediatakeout on Friday, June 12, 2015
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Smoking

Smoking ban targeting bars, restaurants, workplaces, other public spaces considered in Waco, Texas

J. B. Smith
Waco Tribune
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 17:50 UTC
Image
© Waco Tribune/Jerry Larson
A comprehensive ban on smoking inside bars, restaurants and other public spaces and workplaces goes before the Waco City Council for a vote Tuesday.

The "smoke-free" ordinance proposed by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District board would erase exemptions that the current smoking ordinance has for bars and for businesses that have separately ventilated smoking sections. It would also prohibit smoking in public parks or within 25 feet of the door of a nonsmoking establishment.

It would preserve exemptions for smoke shops and cigar bars, as well as outdoor workplaces and some designated hotel rooms.

The council Tuesday will take the first of two votes required to pass the ordinance. The business meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center's Bosque Theatre, following a 3 p.m. work session.

Mayor Malcolm Duncan Jr., who sits on the health district board, said the proposed smoke-free ordinance would protect employees from secondhand smoke and mark a step forward for public health. He said he has been hearing more support than opposition to the ordinance from constituents.

"I think everybody believes not smoking leads to a healthier community," he said.

"If you look around the country, there has been a pretty consistent increase in the trend of cities to go no-smoking."

Comment: Here's the rub: Smoking is not bad for everyone. When have governments truly done anything that was in the best interest of the people? All of this legislation and effort to stamp out something that stimulates the immune system, helps you think better, protects against lung cancer and sparks creativity creates a nation of zombies.

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Whistle

Whistler-blower cop demoted, transferred and forced to undergo psychological evaluation after drowning death of young Iowa man

M. David and Jackson Marciana
Counter Current News
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 15:29 UTC
Image

Pictured left is Sgt Randy Henry, in the middle is Brandon Ellingson who was killed in May 2014
The Missouri Highway Patrol trooper who questioned the cops who killed Brandon Ellingson has just been slapped with a demotion. Sgt. Randy Henry refused to remain silent in the aftermath of Ellingson's death. He spoke out against the agency of the young Iowa man and has been disciplined for doing what everyone says "good cops" are supposed to do.

Now, Sgt. Randy Henry has been demoted to the status of corporal. He has further been moved from Lake of the Ozarks where he has been on patrol for almost thirty years. His superiors have transferred him away from the crime scene, to Truman Lake. Henry's attorney, Chet Pleban of St. Louis, referred to his client as a whistleblower.

In the days after Brandon Ellingson's death, Henry told investigators what Trooper Anthony Piercy told him the night a handcuffed Ellingson died. The college student was in Piercy's custody.

But Piercy's account later, as well as his testimony to a coroner's inquest, was different. Henry also testified in front of a legislative committee about minimal trooper training after the Water Patrol merged into the Highway Patrol in 2011.

"Randy Henry doesn't have a horse in the race," Pleban told The Star. "He's not on one side or the other. He has testimony to give that's material. The truth is the truth. He went to his superiors to say, 'This is wrong. This is what happened.' And they blew him off. So now here we are."


Comment: More details surrounding Brandon's death are available here.


Comment: Another soul lost needlessly to careless and corrupt policing practices. When asked to be accountable for their actions, the department attacks anyone who doesn't toe their line of lies. If you're upset about it, sign the petition and share the article.

RIP Brandon, you were lost to us too soon

Image


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Water

California drought has thieves stealing water


CBS News - San Francisco
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 23:00 UTC
Image
© Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images
Police are warning for businesses and residents to start locking up their taps. California's drought has gotten so bad, people are stealing water.

Thieves busted the locks on the spigots at a popular Asian shopping center on Barber Lane in Milpitas, just to get their hands on what has become liquid gold.

Palo Alto resident Jason Zhur said he's shocked it has come this far. "But water's becoming more expensive than gas," he said.

Police say the thieves waited until the businesses were closed and returned in the middle of the night to steal their water — and lots of it.

Witnesses saw 3 or 4 water bandits prying open the small boxes that house the spigots. Then they filled up large containers with hundreds of gallons of water.

The businesses discovered the theft after the property owner noticed a much higher water bill and told them.

"It's an easy target," said shopper Sara Tang, "because no one is here at night after they're closed."

Many businesses here have surveillance cameras, but apparently they weren't a deterrent.

"I imagine it's come to that point because water rates are going up, everything is going up, now," said Zhur.

On June 1, water districts across the state began enforcing mandatory cutbacks on water consumption. Residents who don't comply risk steep fines.

Comment: See also:


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Vader

Epidemic of U.S. police violence continues unabated as 500th victim killed this year

Tom Hall and Andre Damon
World Socialist Website
Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:00 UTC
police brutality
© unknown
The number of people killed by police so far this year topped 500 this week as the nationwide epidemic of police violence continued, with cops killing 20 people over the past seven days alone.

The US media largely has ignored the 500-victim milestone, with headlines this week dominated by the attempt to whip up law-and-order hysteria around the massive manhunt to recapture two inmates who recently escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in New York.

The 500th fatality of the year, according to one database of police killings, occurred Monday night when members of the Maricopa County SWAT team gunned down 69-year-old Richard Warolf, a suicidal man, during a courtesy call requested by his family in Sun City, a suburb of Phoenix.

The following night, a police officer in Des Moines, Iowa shot and killed unarmed 28-year-old Ryan Bollinger through the window of her squad car after a two-minute low-speed chase.

Comment: It has become abundantly clear that the entire system is corrupt and the message being sent is that police have been given a license to do everything necessary to instill fear and cow the populace into submission to the state.

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Mr. Potato

'Obama zombies': Americans sign prankster's petition to nuke Russia


RT
Tue, 09 Jun 2015 17:11 UTC
Image
© Still from YouTube video/Mark Dice
US journalist Mark Rice has asked the people of San Diego to sign President Barack Obama's "plan" to nuke Russia to "maintain America's superiority." The majority of beachgoers didn't appear to get the joke, and signed the fake petition.

The "experiment" was recorded on video, which Mark Ricethen shared on his Twitter, YouTube and Facebook accounts.

"We just need a couple more signatures to support President [Barack] Obama's new plan to deal with Russia," Dice tell a random man whom he stops. "We are going to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike."

The man, who does not seem to be much familiar with the issue, cuts off Dice in mid-sentence, and says: "I'll sign it for you."

Comment: This demonstrates how difficult it is to make any improvements to our slavery. In contrast, RT tried a similar experiment in Russia. The results were reassuringly lackluster:



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Quenelle

'Outraged' opposition mayors take control of Madrid & Barcelona


RT
Sun, 14 Jun 2015 00:18 UTC
Ada Colau's swearing-in ceremony
© REUTERS/Albert Gea
People watch Ada Colau's swearing-in ceremony as the new mayor of Barcelona, at Sant Jaume square in Barcelona, Spain, June 13, 2015.
Left wing party coalition leaders have been sworn in as mayors of Madrid and Barcelona, assuming control of the Spain's two largest cities. This is yet another case of parts of Spain showing their opposition to the country's conservative rule.

In the Spanish capital, a 71-year-old former judge, Manuela Carmena has put an end to the 24 years of conservative mayorship. She defeated her rival, 63-year-old Esperanza Aguirre from the People's Party, in what proved to be a very close race.


The new mayor managed to claim 20 seats in the city chamber during the May 24 vote against Aguirre's 21. However, Carmena managed to forge an alliance with the main opposition Socialist Party to secure victory. She was officially elected mayor by 29 of the 57 council representatives on Saturday morning.

Carmena, a former communist and rights activist, promised to improve the living conditions for the poor, who have been struggling since the 2008 financial crisis. She also echoed the calls of the massive Indignados (Outraged) protest movement that was formed in 2011 to fight corruption, government spending cuts and evictions.

"We are at the service of the citizens of Madrid. We want to govern by listening. We want them to call us by our first names," Carmena said after being voted in.

Among her chief promises to the electorate are the development of public transport and increased support for poor families. She has promised to slash her salary by more than half to €45,000 ($51,000).
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