China's internet vigilantes and the 'human flesh search engine'

Last month a Chinese official in charge of internet surveillance gave notice that mobs of web users who turn on individuals and make their lives a misery will not be tolerated. In China it happens often and on a massive scale, earning the phenomenon the title of the "human flesh search engine".

On Thursday 21 March 2013, the world changed for Yin Feng, a self-described "average guy" who worked as a part-time taxi driver in the western Chinese city of Urumqi.

Just after 14:00 his mobile phone began ringing off the hook. The callers all berated the bewildered Yin, screaming obscenities and accusing him of acting like an animal.

It took a while for Yin to uncover why the strangers phoning him were so upset.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25913472

San Jose police could tap into volunteer residents' private security cameras under new proposal

Police would be able to tap into private video camera recordings from San Jose residents who agree to provide access to authorities under a new proposal that would expand investigators' watchful eye over the city but already is raising big brother-type privacy concerns.

Councilman Sam Liccardo's proposal, unveiled Thursday and set to be discussed by a City Council committee next week, would allow property owners voluntarily to register their security cameras for a new San Jose Police Department database. Officers then would be able to access the footage quickly after a nearby crime has occurred.

It is the latest effort designed to shore up public safety in a city that has seen its reputation as one of the safest big cities in America take a hit in recent years as crime rates have surged and officers have left in droves. The issue is taking center stage heading into the June primary to replace outgoing Mayor Chuck Reed as five local leaders jockey for position as tough-on-crime candidates.

Liccardo, among several council members running for mayor, unveiled the proposal in response to the string of arson fires that terrorized his downtown-area district this month. Police used surveillance videos provided voluntarily by nearby property owners as key evidence in identifying a suspect they arrested on suspicion of burning about a dozen buildings.

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_24979753/san-jose-police-would-tap-into-residents-private

Michael Grimm Threatens Reporter During Interview

Source: NY Observer

Congressman Michael Grimm, reportedly under federal investigation after allegations of illegal campaign fund-raising, blew up and physically threatened a reporter tonight after the president’s State of the Union speech, according to NY1.

During an interview with Mr. Grimm, a television reporter attempted to pivot from the speech to the allegations. But Mr. Grimm, who wanted to focus on the evening, visibly stormed off and then came back to confront the reporter.

According to an NY1 transcript of the exchange, Mr. Grimm told the reporter he would “break you in half”:

Read more: http://politicker.com/2014/01/michael-grimm-threatens-reporter-during-interview/

I didn't realize America was so corrupt..

A board member from the worlds largest money launderer HSBC becomes the head of the FBI?

How could one reconcile that a member of a business that worked with the murderous sinaloa cartel could then credibly lead the FBI?



Former Deputy AG Jim Comey Joins HSBC Board, to Help Right the Ship

Who is new FBI director James Comey?

The swamp needs to be drained.

The hypersexualization of American tween culture: Has it gone too far?

A provocative, borderline alarmist Newsweek story on the hyper-sexualization of American youth culture paints a disturbing picture of Ugg boot–wearing, Taylor Swift–listening girls who are social media obsessed but too young to sign up for Facebook—in other words, tweens.

Tweens range in age from 10 to 12. The term originally referred to those female preadolescents who were too young for toys and too old for boys. But the girls described in this story are all about boys.

The lengthy story titled “Sex and the Single Tween” opens with a shocking conversation between a group of girls, ages 11 and 12, who talk about boobs, boyfriends and oral sex. It’s the sort of conversation that you might remember being a part of as a college student living in a dorm. But 11-year-olds talking about blow jobs? That’s what tween culture has come to according to the story’s author Abigail Jones. Has Jones accurately captured the essence of American girl culture? Let’s hope she’s off the mark.

Jones presents a rather convincing case that the current generation of tweens is far more advanced than girls from past eras. These Juicy Couture girls sport shorter skirts and are more boy-obsessed. They know more about sex and wear more makeup.

http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2014/01/28/the-hypersexualization-of-american-tween-culture-has-it-gone-too-far/

Google Autocomplete - Why is [country] so

Industrial hemp in Oregon: Farm Bill includes provision allowing states and universities to grow hem

Source: Oregon Live

The U.S. Senate and House conference committee on the Farm Bill tonight released its report, which includes an amendment allowing colleges, universities and state agriculture departments to grow hemp for research purposes.

The amendment was authored by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Portland, and U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado. All three represents states where industrial hemp production is allowed under state law.

Blumenauer late Monday called the inclusion of the industrial hemp amendment in the Farm Bill, which the U.S. House and Senate are expected to vote on Wednesday, a "bright spot in an otherwise disappointing bill." The bill cuts about $8 billion from the food stamp program over the next decade.

"Oregonians have made it clear that they believe industrial hemp should be treated as an agricultural commodity, not a drug," Blumenauer said in an email to The Oregonian. "By including language easing restrictions on industrial hemp in states where it is legal, Congress sends an important message that we are ready to examine hemp in a more appropriate way."


Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/industrial_hemp_in_oregon_farm.html

Destiny Hoffman served 154 days for a 48-hour sentence

Charges against a Jeffersonville woman who spent five months in jail for a 48-hour sentence are expected to dropped while she moves ahead with filing a civil lawsuit against Clark County for her lengthy incarceration.

Destiny Hoffman, 34, was released from the Michael L. Becher Adult Correctional Complex on Thursday, a day after Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Michaelia Gilbert discovered her status as an inmate while reviewing old case files.

Hoffman was a participant in the Clark County Drug Court Treatment Program, and her 154-day incarceration resulted from Clark County Circuit Court No. 2 Judge Jerry Jacobi, who oversees the drug court, issuing a two-day sanction and never notifying jail staff to release her from the facility.

“All charges will be dismissed against Ms. Hoffman. She will have no further requirements to attend drug court or probation. Her cases are, basically, finished,” said Nathan Masingo, Hoffman’s public defender.

Masingo said he expects Hoffman will file a civil complaint that could result in Clark County taxpayers paying for the blunder that kept her behind bars from Aug. 22 to Jan. 23.

“She met with an attorney today,” Masingo said Monday. “She will be suing the [Clark] county civilly for violation of her constitutional rights.”

http://www.newsandtribune.com/local/x1724068185/Charges-to-be-dropped-in-Clark-County-jail-case-lawsuit-moving-forward

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr team for Beatles tribute

Nothing in pop culture has matched the pure adrenaline rush and seismic jolt of The Beatles' arrival on U.S. shores nearly 50 years ago.

In marking that watershed moment, famous admirers gathered Monday night to celebrate the band and its songbook during an all-star salute taped at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

And nothing they served up matched the sheer thrill of seeing and hearing the two surviving Beatles rekindle their magical heyday.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr closed their own tribute show, first in short separate sets, then in a joyous collaboration. The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles will air Feb. 9 (CBS, 8 p.m. ET/PT), exactly 50 years after the band's debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, an appearance that drew a record-setting 73 million viewers.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/01/28/paul-mccartney-ringo-starr-team-on-beatles-tribute-finale/4956881/

Deport Bieber petition nears success

The White House petition to deport Justin Bieber is more than halfway to success, surging beyond 70,000 signatures as of noon Tuesday and putting it well on pace to reach the 100,000 needed to earn an official response.

At noon, the petition had 70,702 signatures, and there are more than three weeks to go until the Feb. 22 deadline, making it almost certain the petition will be successful in earning the right to have the White House
respond.

Experts have debated back and forth whether Mr. Bieber, a Canadian pop music singer, could have his visa revoked after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in a drag race last week.

Some Americans wanted to get an answer straight from the White House, so they filed an official petition with President Obama’s “We the People” project.

“We the people of the United States feel that we are being wrongly represented in the world of pop culture,” the petition says.

(https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/deport-justin-bieber-and-revoke-his-green-card/ST1yqHJL)

“We would like to see the dangerous, reckless, destructive, and drug abusing, Justin Bieber deported and his green card revoked. He is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nations youth. We the people would like to remove Justin Bieber from our society.”

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/28/deport-bieber-petition-nears-success/