The Groundtruth from a combat veteran, backed up by independent research and historical study. Information beneficial to the Troops. And a touch of objective politics, as it relates to the subjects at hand.
This site is unabashedly Pro-American and Pro-Military however none of the views expressed here are to be considered as endorsed, proposed, or supported by the Department of Defense or any other Agency, government, public, or private. http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/
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Children's Books
Ages 7 and up
Marjorie Haun relates the stories of Vietnamese children, and their escape from the invading Communist forces of the North, including the heroism of Fathers and Troops.
These books can be read to children by parents, teachers, or other role models and there are more to come in the series.
Beanies For Baghdad Putting Smiles on Faces of Soldiers by putting smiles on the faces of Iraqi & Afghani children and hence the faces of their parents.
Inside Gitmo: The True Story Behind the Myths of G
Guantanamo Bay - Montgomery Granger
Review by Ms Marti: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2010/11/saving-grace-at-guantanamo-bay-by-montgomery-j-granger.html
The Facts about what has happened at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and who is detained there. More here: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2009/02/the-unvarnished-truth-about-gitmo-long-overdue.html
Hitler's Panzers
WWII scholar, Professor of History, Colorado College, uses Soldier interviews, archives & other information to demonstrate effectiveness of Armored Warfare as developed by Nazi Germany and pertinent to future warfare.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 29, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces detained three insurgents during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 28.
Khowst Province Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents during an engagement in Khowst District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved a five-year extension of a law allowing the government to conduct wiretapping on foreign citizens without a warrant.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year, cleared the Senate Friday by a 73-23 margin with broad bipartisan support. The legislation now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The law, first passed after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, also allows intelligence gathering on Americans when they communicate abroad with foreigners designated by security agencies as potential terrorist suspects [with approval of a FISA court].
The legislation covers telephone calls, emails and other types of electronic communications.
Critics, including privacy advocates, argue the law allows for government abuse because investigators do not need [open] judicial approval to conduct surveillance.
Ahead of Friday's vote, lawmakers rejected proposed amendments, including one that would have compelled the National Security Agency to estimate how many U.S. citizens have been monitored under the law. VoA.
France's highest court has overturned the Socialist government's 75-percent income tax rate for the wealthy.
The Constitutional Council ruled Saturday that the upper tax rate on incomes above $1.32 million, set to go into effect next year, is unconstitutional because it represents a “breech of equality of taxes.”+
The decision is a huge blow to President Francois Hollande, who had made the 75 percent rate his flagship tax measure. However, the top tax rate would have been largely symbolic, affecting an estimated 1,500 people, and would have done little to reduce the budget deficit.
Earlier this month, renowned French actor Gerard Depardieu announced he would move to Belgium to seek tax exile status. The move confirmed opposition fears that the higher tax rate would trigger a mass exodus of the wealthy to other countries. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 28, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained two and cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 27.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces detained one insurgent during an engagement in Andar District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
Khowst Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Khowst District.
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Bak District.
Nuristan Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces killed two insurgents and detained one during an engagement in Kamdesh District. The detained insurgent was transferred to a base for questioning.
The United States has temporarily shut down its embassy in the Central African Republic and evacuated the staff, because of a rebel threat to topple the government.
A State Department spokesman Thursday said Washington is urging all parties to begin peace talks to offer a new vision of security for the country. He said U.S. diplomatic relations with the C.A.R. are not affected.
The United Nations already has evacuated non-essential staff from the country because of the threat of violence.
Rebel fighters are about 300 kilometers from the capital, Bangui. They have said they have no plans to seize the city, but say they will not wait around if government forces make any moves against them.
The rebel coalition called Seleka has captured 10 towns since launching its offensive two weeks ago. It has threatened to overthrow President Francois Bozize, accusing him of failing to implement a 2007 peace accord that ended an earlier rebellion.
The C.A.R. gained independence from France in 1960. About 250 French troops are in the country as part of a peacekeeping mission. Some in the C.A.R. want France to do more to counter the rebel threat.
French President Francois Hollande says France is in the C.A.R. to protect its interests and nationals, not to intervene in the country's business. VoA.
Retired Army General Norman Schwarzkopf, born 22 AUG 1934, who commanded the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991, has died. He was 78.
Schwarzkopf died Thursday, 27 DEC 2012, from complications from pneumonia in Tampa, Florida.
"The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it." General H. Norman Scwarzkopf
Schwarzkopf lived in Tehran, while his father Major General Schwarzkopf was stationed there, when he was a teenager.
A highly-decorated combat soldier in Vietnam, Schwarzkopf was known popularly as “Stormin' Norman.'' In 1990-91, he led Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which protected Saudi Arabia from invasion and then liberated Kuwait from Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's forces.
"As far as Saddam Hussein being a great military strategist, he is neither a strategist, nor is he schooled in the operational arts, nor is he a tactician, nor is he a general, nor is he a soldier. Other than that, he's a great military man, I want you to know that." General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
General Schwarzkopf had a reputation for fiercely fighting for his men, and taking risks to ensure their survival.
Schwarzkopf lived in Tampa, where he served in his last military assignment as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Central Command, the headquarters responsible for U.S. military and security concerns in nearly 20 countries from the eastern Mediterranean and Africa to Pakistan.
Schwarzkopf retired from active service in late 1991. Following Desert Storm, many pressed the General to run for political office, but he preferred to stay out of the limelight.
The White House said of Schwarzkopf's passing that the general's “legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service.”
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (Dec. 21, 2012) – Key coalition leaders arrived at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, for the first commander’s conference under Regimental Combat Team 7, Dec. 19, to discuss the future of Helmand province.
With RCT-7 overseeing an integral part in the drawdown of coalition forces in Afghanistan, Col. Austin Renforth, commanding officer, RCT-7, brought leaders from 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment; the Georgian Army, and U.S. and United Kingdom advisor teams, among others to discuss the future of the regiment’s area of operations.
“We brought everyone here today to understand where we are right now and where we are going,” said Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, commanding general, Task Force Leatherneck.
During the conference, the leadership discussed their focus on advising, developing and supporting the Afghan forces, supporting the advancement of the provincial and local governments, and evolving with the progress to enable a sustainable security and stability for the future of Afghanistan.
“Enabling (the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) governance and development,” said Renforth. “At the end of the day, that is what we want and is our intent. How we do it is all these things right here.”
One of the things Renforth was referring to were the advisor teams. The advisor teams work closely with Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan government. They embed at all levels, from the district police to the provincial government and each Afghan National Army Brigade with the 215th Corps.
“The number one priority for the RCT is support for the (Security Force Advisor Team),” said Renforth.
The SFATs will continue to play a key role as the ANSF assume more responsibility while coalition forces drawdown.
“(SFATs) are the connecting file between our force and the force we are developing,” said Maj. Gen. Berger. “We should be trying to do everything we can to support the connecting file in whatever jobs we are in.”
The conference also gave a chance to set up coalition forces for success during the transition to Afghan forces. Every section had time to discuss their objectives, update the other units on progress and field any questions.
“We are talking about the next three months,” said Renforth “This is really where we set the conditions for the fighting season.”
The meeting covered everything from past operations, future operations as forces prepare for the summer fighting season and years into the future of Afghanistan.
This will not be the last commander’s conference. With more responsibility being transferred from coalition forces to ANSF, meetings like this will help leave the Afghan people in control of their own destiny.
Pakistani government officials say Islamists have killed two paramilitary troops and kidnapped at least 22 others in an attack on posts in the country's northwest.
Authorities say dozens of heavily-armed Islamists stormed at least two paramilitary checkpoints near Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, early Thursday.
Local administration official Naveed Akbar told news agencies that at least 22 paramilitary soldiers were reported missing after the attack.
There is no immediate claim of responsibility but the province borders Pakistan's tribal agencies, a known hub for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked terrorists. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 27, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed five insurgents, detained seven, located one weapons cache and cleared nine improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 26.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Security Forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Dehyak District.
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dehyak District. The cache contained grenades and multiple artillery rounds.
Khowst Province Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents during an engagement in Terezayi District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Khowst District.
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Sabari District.
Nangarhar Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces killed five insurgents during an engagement in Heserak District.
Afghan National Security Forcess and coalition forces detained one insurgent during an engagement in Lal Pur District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
Paktika Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces detained an insurgent while investigating three IEDs in Bermal District. The IEDs were safely cleared and the detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces detained two insurgents while investigating an IED in Dzadran District. The IED was safely cleared and the detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Enrique Mondragon, 23, of The Colony, Texas, died Dec. 24, in Baraki Barak, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when his unit was attacked by small arms fire while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.
"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.
A suicide car bomber has detonated explosives near a U.S.-run military base in eastern Afghanistan.
Afghan officials say the attack occurred on Wednesday near a military facility and airport in Khost, a volatile city near the Pakistani border.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing, which also left several people wounded.
The attack comes two days after a female Afghan police officer shot and killed an American adviser in Kabul, an incident that once gain raised concerns about the ability of Afghan authorities to manage security after most foreign troops pull out in 2014.
Afghan authorities said the female shooter is an Iranian national. VoA.
Coalition and Afghan security measures evidently failed to identify her forged documents, despite reports that she 'did not act normal' by Afghan or Egyptian standards.
Egypt's upper house of parliament has convened for its first session since President Mohamed Morsi signed a decree putting the controversial new Islamist constitution into effect.
The Shura Council met on Wednesday to swear in 90 new members appointed by Mr. Morsi. The council is also expected to begin setting the framework for elections in the lower of house of parliament within the next two months.
Mr. Morsi signed the decree late Tuesday, after the election commission said almost 64 percent of voters had backed the constitution in this month's polling.
Liberal and secularist-led opposition groups have vowed to continue protests against the measure.
They note their interests were not represented when the draft constitution was formulated. They point out the document ignores the rights of women. VoA.
The Islamist constitution makes Egyptian law subservient to Sharia Law.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 26, 2012) - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one suspected insurgent during an operation in Now Zad district, Helmand province, Wednesday.
The arrested leader coordinated and executed multiple direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the province.
South:
In Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, Tuesday, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader who acquired and coordinated the distribution of weapons, ammunition and explosives for use in attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent as a result of the operation.
An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one suspected insurgent in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Tuesday. The arrested leader coordinated direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan government officials as well as Afghan and coalition forces.
EAST: Afghan and coalition forces detained three insurgents, located one weapons caches and cleared one improvised explosive device during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 25.
Khowst Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained three insurgents during an engagement in Terezayi District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
Logar Province Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared one 500 pound IED in Baraki Barak District.
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces also discovered a weapons cache in Baraki Barak District. The cache contained 1,300 pounds of homemade explosives.
Operations in RC-East are ongoing.
North:
An Afghan and coalition security force killed the Taliban leader, Qadir, and three other insurgents, during an operation in Baghlan-e Jadid district, Baghlan province, yesterday.
Qadir led a small group of insurgents who conducted improvised explosive device attacks in the district. He was also responsible for the movement of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials for insurgents in the province.
Capital
The Kabul Crisis Response Unit discovered a weapons and explosives cache during a coalition-supported operation in Surobi district, Kabul province, Saturday. This was the first mission planned and led by the CRU. The cache included 350 kilograms (772 pounds) of homemade explosives, a number of weapons and ammunition.
Gunmen in northeastern Nigeria killed at least six people early Tuesday when they opened fire at a church during a Christmas Eve service.
Officials and residents say the attack happened shortly after midnight in a village outside the city of Potiskum in Yobe state.
Yobe is next to Borno state, the home of Islamist group Boko Haram. Rights groups say the terrorists have killed well over 1,000 people in the past four years.
Boko Haram attacked churches at Christmas in both 2010 and 2011. Last year's attacks killed more than 40 people.
The group is fighting to impose Sharia law in northern Nigeria, where Muslims are the majority.
In his traditional Christmas message on Tuesday, Pope Benedict prayed for peace in Nigeria, where he said savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians. VoA.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 25, 2012) - Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent and cleared six improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 24.
Ghazni Province Afghan National Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Ghazni District.
Kunar Province Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Khas Kunar District.
Laghman Province Afghan National Army soldiers killed one insurgent during an engagement in Mehtar Lam District.
Logar Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared two IEDs in Pul-e Alam District.
Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Charkh District.
Nuristan Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Nurguram District.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan - During an operation in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, Sunday, an Afghan and coalition security force killed Obaidullah, one of the top Taliban leaders in the district.
Obaidullah, also known as Saifullah, directed the Oct. 12 indirect fire attack at Forward Operating Base Fenty. He was responsible for laundering money to fund Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces and facilitated the movement of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials throughout Nangarhar province.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
North
An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in Khanabad district, Kunduz province, Sunday. The leader was directly involved in the planning of improvised explosive device attacks on Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials, as well as Afghan and coalition security forces. He was also a financial facilitator who coordinated funding to support the insurgency.
South
A Taliban leader was detained by an Afghan and coalition security force in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today. The leader commanded a Taliban direct action cell within Nad ‘Ali district. He coordinated the execution of multiple improvised explosive device and direct action attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. During the operation, the security force also detained two suspected insurgents.
EAST: Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 23.
Khowst Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Bak District.
Afghan Border Police and coalition forces detained two insurgents during an engagement in Khowst District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
Kunar Province Afghan Uniformed Police found and safely cleared one IED in Chapah Darah District.
Paktya Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Zormat District.
Afghan and NATO officials say a female Afghan police officer has killed an American civilian adviser in the capital.
Authorities say the policewoman killed the U.S. Adviser Monday inside Kabul's heavily guarded police headquarters. Officials say she was arrested by Afghan forces after the incident.
Media reports say the suspect is a policewoman named Nargis who works in the Legal and Gender Equality Department at the Interior Ministry.
Officials say the shooting is another “insider attack” in which Afghan forces turn their weapons on a member of the Western coalition working with Afghan units. The suspect would be the first woman to carry out such an attack.
The shooting in the capital was one of several in Afghanistan Monday. NATO says another attack occurred in eastern Afghanistan. In northern Afghanistan, officials said an Afghan police officer shot five of his colleagues at a checkpoint in Jawzjan province. A Taliban spokesman told the BBC that the police officer had been a Taliban infiltrator for some time. VoA.
Islamist terrorists are tearing down more ancient mausoleums in the northern Malian city of Timbuktu.
Witnesses and tourism officials say rebels from the Ansar Dine group began destroying the mausoleums Sunday with pickaxes.
The militants destroyed several mausoleums in the city in July, after the U.N. cultural agency, UNESCO, put Timbuktu on its list of sites that are in danger.
UNESCO has listed Timbuktu as a World Heritage site for its ancient mosques and shrines, some of which date back to the 15th century.
The sites are revered by many Muslims but Ansar Dine considers them sacrilegious.
Ansar Dine is one of three terrorist groups that seized control of northern Mali earlier this year, after renegade soldiers overthrew the government.
The groups are trying to enforce a strict form of Islamic law across the territory. The U.N. and human rights groups have condemned the militants for abuses that include amputations and floggings of alleged criminals.
On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council authorized the deployment of foreign troops to Mali.
The Economic Community of West African States is has been making plans to send a force of between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers to retrain the Malian army for several months and help retake the north. VoA.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Cdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died Dec. 22 of a non-combat related injury while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Price was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit in Virginia Beach, Va.
This incident is currently under investigation.
"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.
Egypt's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood says voters have approved the country's new controversial constitution.
The Brotherhood said about 64 percent of the voters cast a “yes” ballot for the charter over two days of voting. The first round was held on December 15 and a second round took place Saturday. Voter turnout was reported to be only about 32 percent.
If the preliminary outcome is confirmed in the coming days, a parliamentary election is to take place in two months.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the party of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, supports the new constitution. However, members of Egypt's liberal, secular and Christian opposition note it will erode civil liberties, because it is based in Sharia law and has no mention of women's rights.
A largely Islamist committee approved the draft constitution last month after ignoring liberal and Christian members.
Late Saturday, Mr. Morsi is reported to have announced the names of 90 new members he has appointed to the upper house of parliament. The list is claimed to include liberals and other non-Islamists as a means to continue dialogue among the factions.
Violent protests and clashes led up the to referendum vote. Several people were killed and many others wounded in Cairo earlier this month.
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (Dec. 23, 2012) - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a local Taliban leader during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, today.
The leader was in direct contact with senior members of the Taliban in the province and coordinated and conducted numerous direct fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
During the operation, the security force discovered a weapons cache and seized a number of weapons and ammunition.
In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:
North
In Khanabad district, Kunduz province, today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader who planned and executed improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Additionally, he acquired IEDs and explosives that he then distributed to insurgents in Khanabad and Kunduz districts. During the operation, the security force also detained several suspected insurgents.
South
Afghan and coalition officials confirmed today that a Taliban leader was arrested during a security operation in Tarnek wa Jaldak district, Zabul province, Friday. The leader transported and delivered weapons and ammunition to Taliban insurgents operating in Tarnek wa Jaldak and Qalat districts.
EAST:
Afghan and coalition forces detained 15 insurgents, and located one weapons caches during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 22.
Logar Province Afghan National Security and coalition forces detained one insurgent during an engagement in Pul-e Alam District. The detained suspect was transferred to a base for questioning.
Paktya Province Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Dzadran District. The cache contained small arms ammunition, rockets, and heavy machine gun ammunition.
Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces detained 14 insurgents during an engagement in Gardez District. The detained suspects were transferred to a base for questioning.
In the practice of special counter-drug patrols, cars and semi-trucks are pulled over on excuses of small infractions. The targets have out of state license plates. They are then "asked" if they will allow a search of their vehicle. (Just say NO!) The police are looking for cash. The cash is then seized on the suspicion that it is drug profits. The driver is pushed to deny ownership to make the legal proceedings simpler. The cash is then kept by the law enforcement agencies involved in seizing it. If the Citizen wants his money back, the prosecutor's office requires them to fight for it, with lawyers, sometimes for years, at considerable cost.
While it was Tennessee's journalists that uncovered it here, these shakedowns are not just happening here. News Channel 5, WSMV, Nashville has been investigating the illegal seizures of property for two years, since the Institute for Justice came out with their report. What they found was an abuse of power, greed, and corruption. It is clear from the words of those in power, those stealing from The People, that it is a breach of the Constitution. The people of Tennessee are outraged over it, even though the police are targeting guests of our great state.
The Institute of Justice points out that this practice is happening elsewhere. It includes Michigan, Texas, and Georgia in its reports as being worse than Tennessee, and more than half the Nation gets graded at least as bad. It found that in 2008, more than $1 Billion had been seized from individual Citizens and was being held by the Department of Justice's Assets Forfeiture Fund.
Download Inst for Justice - Policing for Profit
I encourage you to watch the video series. The defense of the practice by prosecutors and police officers should enrage you. When a police officer says "he didn't prove it wasn't drug money," it demonstrates a practice of "guilty until proven innocent."
"It is illegal to have proceeds." [of criminal activity], District Attorney General Kim Helper. The "fact that no one ever claimed the money proves it was illegal."
"The doctrine of in rem forfeiture arose from Medieval ideas, rooted in the ancient law of “deodand.”Kings, for instance, could seize an instrument that caused the death of another in order to finance the deceased’s funeral mass.The idea arose from a superstitious belief that objects acted independently to cause death." Policing for Profit, Institute of Justice
There is nothing illegal about using and/or having cash. I understand that in today's world few people use cash, but short of gold and silver, paper currency is still the closest thing to real money.
Constitutionally, it is the burden of the prosecutor and police to prove guilt in a crime, not the accused to prove innocence. This fundamental premise must be upheld in law, in legislation, and in practice.
Constitutionally, you and your property cannot be searched without proof of cause. It cannot be seized without Warrant.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall NOT be violated.." 4th Amendment, Bill of Rights, US Constitution
".. nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." 5th Amendment, Bill of Rights, US Constitution
If you are pulled over and asked to forfeit your Rights, i.e., "Can we look in your vehicle?" Just say NO! It may be the practice, but it is un-Constitutional, for the government to presume you are guilty because you retain your rights.
What should happen now? The Governor and Legislature of Tennessee should act to remove the excuse for unlawful search and seizure. The Judges should clamp down on the practice and protect the Constitution they swore to uphold. And beginning with the DAG Kim Helper, and including every official uncovered in Channel 5's investigation, demonstrating the corrupt and un-Constitutional "justification" for these roadside shakedowns should be fired, and stripped of any chance of ever being in a position of authority again. Ms. Helper should be disbarred.
And Citizens of other States should press for their governments to do the same. I'm all for seizing the finances of criminal organizations, but that money is not guilty of anything. The owner of the money must be proven to have gained it through criminal activity, before it can be seized.
For a few bucks more you can get a signed copy from the author himself! http://www.deltabravosierra.us/2011/02/10/a-word-about-the-new-book/comment-page-1/#comment-3383
Get your copy of this legendary cartoon now (or wait a few days for the signed copy!)
The Man Who Declared War on America
A Comprehensive Work of OBL, his ties to Iran, Sudan, and the wide Islamist Terrorism networks, regardless of name.
SSgt Workman is featured in the Hall of Heroes and a book review on this from Marine Till Death that read it as it was written: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/shadow-of-the-sword-by-jeremiah-workman-w-john-bruning.html
http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/ssgt-jeremiah-workman-navy-cross-usmc-iraq-marion-oh.html and links to prior articles.
Go to War against the Nazis with SSG Smith of the 94th Infantry Division. Review: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2010/04/everymans-war-vet.html.html
Ace Of Spades: Why Language Matters In this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.
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