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Sam Knight - page 28

Sam Knight has 859 articles published.

Congressional Investigation Affirms Reporting on ISIL War Intelligence Manipulation

A report issued on Thursday by a Republican congressional task force confirmed that military leaders doctored intelligence analyses in order to paint a rosier picture of the war on the Islamic State (ISIL). The investigation confirms Daily Beast reporting first published last year on the integrity of those intelligence reports, which originated from US Central Command (CENTCOM)—the arm of the Pentagon that oversees operations in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), one of the task force’s members, noted that… Keep Reading

DOJ Report Recognizes Racist, Authoritarian Policing in Baltimore

The Justice Department confirmed that the Baltimore Police Department engages in racist practices and routinely violates the civil rights of those that their officers have ostensibly signed up to protect and serve. In a report published on Wednesday, the department said BPD operated in systematic violation of the First and Fourth Amendment, infringing upon residents’ rights to free speech, privacy and their due process. The Justice Department also noted that this was being done, disproportionately, to the black residents of Baltimore. The investigation also found… Keep Reading

For Saudis’ Brutal War in Yemen, U.S. Reports 61 Percent Increase In Refueling Missions

The US Air Force in recent months has significantly increased its support of Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen—one that has led to atrocities that have drawn widespread international condemnation US Air Force officials reported having upped the number of refueling missions conducted in support of the Saudi-led campaign by 61 percent since February, according to The Air Force Times. “[W]e’ve flown 1,144 aerial refueling sorties totaling approximately 9,793 flying hours and providing 40,535,200 pounds of fuel to 5,525 receiving aircraft,” Air Force spokeswoman Kiley Dougherty told the paper.… Keep Reading

G.O.P. “Never Trumpers” Get Their Spoiler Candidate: An Ex-Goldman Banker and Former CIA Spook

A former congressional wonk, covert CIA agent and Goldman Sachs investment banker has emerged as an eleventh hour Republican challenger to Donald Trump. Evan McMullin announced Monday that he would run as an independent conservative candidate for President. Until revealing his campaign, he was a senior policy staffer for House Republicans. A virtually-unknown figure that has already missed his chance to even vie for an electoral college majority, McMullin, at this point, can only play the role of a spoiler. He appears intent on it.… Keep Reading

Wash. Post: Clinton Promised Upstate N.Y. Jobs, Ended Up With Patrons

A Washington Post examination of Hillary Clinton’s Senate record revealed little net employment gains for Upstate New York during her eight years in the legislature, despite initial campaign promises of mass job creation for the region. The Post also noted that while her upstate initiatives failed to stem last decade’s tide of manufacturing job losses, Sen. Clinton did eventually see those behind “pet economic projects” become patrons of the Clinton Foundation and clients on her lucrative speaking circuit. “Clinton’s self-styled role as economic promoter….showcases an… Keep Reading

U.S. Tax Judge Widens Scope of IRS Whistleblower Relief

The judicial body overseeing federal tax disputes has issued a ruling that expands what whistleblowers can claim as a reward when they help the government crack down on evasion. US Tax Court on Wednesday awarded $17.8 million to undisclosed informants—likely those who helped bring about the prosecution of a now-defunct Swiss bank called Wegelin & Co, according to The Wall Street Journal. The firm shuttered in 2013 after pleading guilty to conspiring with American taxpayers to obscure their assets from the Internal Revenue Service. The… Keep Reading

U.S. Government Approves First-Ever Corporate Moon Landing

It’s one small step for a company, and one giant leap for the privatization of outer space. The Federal Aviation Administration granted approval on Wednesday to the first-ever corporate moon-landing. A company called Moon Express received permission to travel to the moon, for a mission being driven by a $30 million Google-funded prize. The go-ahead was given by the FAA after consultation with the White House, NASA, and the State Department, according to the LA Times. The launch is planned for late next year. “Only three… Keep Reading

After Libya Strikes, Barbara Lee Renews Call for War Oversight

The only lawmaker to have voted against the broad legislation that launched the War on Terror criticized its continued use on Monday, immediately after the Pentagon cited it when carrying out airstrikes in Libya against the Islamic State (ISIL). Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) expressed discomfort at the lack of congressional oversight in the global counter-ISIL campaign, noting in a statement: “The US military continues to become engaged in the Middle East, despite the lack of a Congressional debate or a specific authorization.” “I have called… Keep Reading

Conglomerates’ Attack on Net Neutrality Reaches Next Step

Telecoms industry groups late last week launched their challenge of a major ruling that upheld President Obama’s 2015 Net Neutrality initiative. The trade organizations, led by the US Telecom Association (USTA), asked the federal appeals court in Washington to reconsider their case “en banc”–with every judge on the circuit weighing in. Federal appellate cases are litigated first before three-judge panels. In June, one of those panels ruled 2-1, in favor of Net Neutrality rules passed in Feb. 2015 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In a… Keep Reading

Lying, Aggressive Debt Collection Agencies Targeted by New CFPB Rules

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is rolling out a set of rules designed to clampdown on aggressive and reckless debt collection agencies. Third party debt collectors would be barred from attempting to contact alleged delinquents more than six times per week, the bureau said. The initiative would also require collection agencies to verify that the person they’re contacting actually owes money to the entity that contracted their services in the first place. Rules would also place a 30-day waiting period after a person’s death,… Keep Reading

Despite Clinton Endorsement, Bernie Lays Foundation to Carry On “Revolution”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) may have officially endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, after losing to the centrist in a bitterly-contested primary, but the senator is hoping to keep his “political revolution” alive. Sanders has started a “social welfare” 501(c)(4) advocacy organization, to support progressive groups seeking to coach and vet those who want to run for office. He touted the group, called “Our Revolution,” in an email sent to supporters earlier this week. “The goal of this organization will be no different from… Keep Reading

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