Imagine if cops had to wear cameras where the video is streamed to a public database. How would they act with an unblinking and unbiased witness forever leaving them open to the people’s scrutiny?
Here’s my prediction: there would be less abuse of power. Police misconduct happens when they know they can get away with it. But under and ever-present eye to watch them, they’ll find it much harder to abuse the authority they’ve been entrusted with. (more…)
Anonymous & Wikileaks have unveiled yet another tasty morsel from the treasure trove of confidential goodies known as the Global Intelligence Files. This one: a Homeland Security analysis of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, circa Oct 2011.
The 5 page document details the rise and proliferation of the Occupy uprising, noting how the movement “has drawn inspiration from recent protests in Europe and the Middle East, specifically citing the Egyptian Tahrir Square uprising and recent demonstrations in Spain. ”
More telling is a point made in the summary, (more…)
Today a great blow was dealt to the establishment, thanks to a strong dose of tech-enable transparency.
As promised, digital activist group Anonymous, with the help of Wikileaks, released over 5 million confidential emails from the intelligence & security company Stratfor. While much of it has yet to be parsed, some amazing tidbits have already surfaced from the handful of emails released: (more…)
US pro-war propaganda reached new heights this weekend as Act of Valor hit the silver screens across America. Unlike other war movies, this one was backed by none other than the US war machine itself.
So how has the glorified recruitment tape fared with the critics? (more…)
Canadians can breathe a sigh of relief, albeit a temporary one. Bill C-30 – the legislation to give police unwarranted access to every Canadian’s online activity – has been shelved!
Don’t, however, take this as a reason to become complacent. The forces trying to cram C-30 down our throats will not rest, so neither can we. It is up to us to stay vigilant against the encroachment of the police state and further erosion of our freedoms.
On the bright side, at least now we know that our voices will still be heard, as long as we speak up together.
Bloody and senseless are two ways to describe the ongoing civil war in Syria.
What good will come from this fighting and death? Not enough to make it okay.
How can they get out of this mess without even further violence? It seems both sides are locked into battle mode. More lives will be tragically lost before this conflict is resolved.
So what’s the lesson? (more…)
SOPA has been squashed, ACTA might be on its final act, and Bill C-30 is now under close surveillance, but the battle for an uncensored Internet rages on.
Enter the Free Internet Act, designed to “promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation by preventing the restriction of liberty and preventing the means of censorship.”
Take it from us, the war on drugs has been a “costly failure.” This stark warning comes from a high-profile group of current and former U.S. law enforcement officials in a letter pleading with the Harper government to reconsider their tough stance on drugs.
“We are … extremely concerned that Canada is implementing mandatory minimum sentencing legislation for minor marijuana-related offences similar to those that have been such costly failures in the United States,” the letter reads. “These policies have bankrupted state budgets as limited tax dollars pay to imprison non-violent drug offenders at record rates instead of programs that can actually improve community safety.” (more…)
Channeling collective anger into political clout works! Just ask the people of Iceland.
When their economy collapsed, a big chunk of the Icelandic population had their voices heard. And what they were saying was ‘No!’ to the further debt being offered by the global bankers. (more…)
Kudos to the magnificent mob of engaged Spaniards who took to the streets today. Government goes to whoever shows up.
These mass demonstration are an effective way to counterbalance the influence that corporations and big money can have on politics. We may not have million dollar lobbyists, but when there’s enough of us, our voice is loud enough to be heard. (more…)
