Law | Australia - Assault On Right to Free Association & On Privacy

SOURCE http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/comanchero-bikies-insurance-invalidated-after-canberra-brothel-fire-20150903-gjec6y.html Comanchero bikie's insurance invalidated after Canberra brothel fire Date September 3, 2015 - 6:19PM 486 reading now Fidel Tukel, manager of a brothel in the north of Canberra. Photo: Facebook Life just got tougher for outlaw motorcycle gang members. They will now struggle to get insurance. A company that owned a brothel in Canberra which burned to the ground on New Year's Day 2012 has been refused a $770,000 insurance payout because it failed to disclose that its sole director was the sargent-at-arms in the Comancheros motorcycle gang. In a landmark ruling that will have implications for bikies and organised crime figures, the NSW Supreme Court has ruled that failure to disclose such links invalidates insurance - even insurance taken out over legitimate businesses. The suspicious fire at the Gentlemen's Club in Canberra in 2012 The suspicious fire at the Gentlemen's Club in Canberra in 2012 Photo: Marina Neil Mr Baris Tukel, was the sole director of Stealth Enterprises which owned the Gentleman's Club in Mitchell, a charmless industrial area in the north of Canberra. His brother, Fidel Tukel, well known in boxing circles, was the manager of the brothel. But it was the brothers' connections with the Comancheros which have proved fatal to their insurance claim, which they pursued through the NSW Supreme Court, after it was refused by their insurer Calliden. "What was in issue included whether a reasonable person in Stealth Enterprises' position could be expected to know that their involvement with the Comancheros was relevant to Calliden's decision to accept the risk of insuring the brothel," Justice Monika Schmidt said. The brothers filed affidavits but declined to give evidence in person. The insurer called evidence from a Mr Macken, an intelligence analyst at NSW Police, who said such outlaw motorcycle gangs have been linked to serious crimes such as homicide; drug manufacture, cultivation and distribution; organised property theft and fraud; extortion; and firearm related offences. He also described how outlaw motorcycle gangs distinguished themselves from social motorcycle gangs, including by the use of cloth patches known as "Colours" worn on the rear of vests, which display the name of the gang and the country or state of origin. Photographs in evidence showed Mr Fidel and Mr Baris Tukel wearing Comancheros patches. Stealth Enterprises' argued that the court could not accept the insurer's argument: namely that "if you belong to a bikie gang, you can't get any type of insurance" . It also argued that given Calliden was prepared to insure brothels, a reasonable person in the community wouldn't realise that membership of a bikie gang was a relevant matter to be disclosed to an insurer such as Calliden. Those arguments were rejected by the court. Justice Schmidt said she was satisfied that if the brothers had disclosed their bikie connections when they applied for insurance in 2010 or when it was renewed in 2011, they would have been refused insurance. SOURCE http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/comanchero-bikies-insurance-invalidated-after-canberra-brothel-fire-20150903-gjec6y.html ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT This decision struck me as utter bullsh*t.  Photos in evidence showed bikie patches being worn.  No!  What is this, the 1950s? Why would any reasonable person consider disclosing membership in a motorcycle club as 'relevant' to an insurer, or to anybody else? "Justice Schmidt said she was satisfied that if the brothers had disclosed their bikie connections ... they would have been refused insurance." How is that even relevant?  Who cares what insurers might have done? The insurers took their money, like they take everybody else's, and it's time to pay up. It sounds like one of those ridiculous Mickey Mouse US courts that always uphold the agenda of corrupt law enforcement, government, and corporations, no matter how ridiculous the decision. I consider this an abuse of human rights.  This is outrageous.  It's an assault on the freedom of association, as well as the right to privacy. Why should insurers - companies who are making bets that an event will not happen (and collecting large profits because of rare occurrence and loss) - be granted any special privileges or rights to know anything and be given the go-ahead to discriminate against any sector of the community that is collectively enriching these companies? What 'would have', 'could have', 'might have' happened is irrelevant. Why isn't a court of law dealing with what actually happened:  the insurer took money to insure & it's time to pay up. ꕤ

UK–US Extradition Treaty of 2003 - Laurie Love Extradition to US - Preliminary Hearing Oct 2015

2007 - Ambassador Tuttle and Baroness Scotland ratifing the bilateral extradition treaty between the U.S. and the UK [source:  here] COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

Home › News › Lauri Love discusses why he fears US extradition Lauri Love discusses why he fears US extradition After being re-arrested by British authorities, Lauri Love has spoken to the BBC about why he wants to be tried in the UK rather than be extradited to the US: I would say my prospects of due process in America are essentially zero, and the prospect of extradition is tantamount to a punishment worse than any punishment from the UK justice system. The BBC includes a brief video of Love talking about the toll his case has taken thus far, “My parents and me are quite stressed. I have had time to acclimatise. My dad has had a heart condition and my mum is a natural worrier.” Love has not been charged with a crime in the UK, even though that’s where the alleged offences occurred. “The charges should be heard here… where 12 of my peers should be found to try me,” Love said. See our extradition page to see why “the UK-USA extradition treaty, ratified by the US Senate in 2006 and implemented in 2007, is fundamentally skewed towards misuse by the US Department of Justice. Love has a preliminary hearing in October before the proper extradition hearing in December. Support his legal defence fund here. See the BBC’s full story here. SOURCE https://freelauri.com/2015/08/16/lauri-love-discusses-why-he-fears-us-extradition/ Support Laurie Love The Courage Foundation https://freelauri.com/donate ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- FURTHER US Persecution of Whistleblowers, Activists, Journalists Persecuted US whistleblowers, activists and journalists Jeremy Hammond Barrett Brown Aaron Swartz Chelsea Manning USA:  Over-Prosecution / Extremely Harsh Sentences US government: aggressively over-prosecuted  threatening extremely long prison sentences (producing intense pressure for deals and pleas) ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- SOLITARY CONFINEMENT / TORTURE extensive use of solitary confinement as punishment prolonged use of solitary confinement: deemed torture by every major human rights group USA solitary confinement / torture = routine form of punishment for even the smallest infractions without concern for prisoners’ mental health ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- UK-USA extradition treaty ratified by US Senate 2006 (implemented in 2007) fundamentally skewed towards misuse by the US Dept of Justice. designed for terrorism suspects allows the US to extradite British citizens for breaking US laws, even if the offence committed in the UK Reverse does not apply:  Britain may not extradite US citizens. ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- Low Burden of Proof *Therefore US extradition readily obtained, without sufficient proof to warrant extradition. Zero successful extraditions of American citizens committing a crime while on US soil (since 2007) versus 77 British citizens extradited to the US without the right to contest evidence without any legal aid to assist with trial in America ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- NOTE:  multiple areas of judicial imbalance ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- UK Home Affairs Select Committee = report calling for significant reform (2012) Conservative-led govt failed to respond "Lauri Love must be allowed to contest the allegations against him in the United Kingdom. To properly defend himself in court, he needs substantial support for his legal defense fund." SOURCE https://freelauri.com/fighting-extradition/ ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- UK–US extradition treaty of 2003 *Opposition* Link (historical) - here ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- EXTRACT Press Release UK/U.S. Extradition Treaty Ratified 26 April 2007 The United Kingdom and United States have today ratified a bilateral extradition treaty to ensure more effective arrangements to bring offenders from either state to justice.  [ lol .. it's skewed] SOURCE:  http://london.usembassy.gov/ukpapress48.html UK–US extradition treaty of 2003 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK%E2%80%93US_extradition_treaty_of_2003 ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- Other Please support journalist, Julian Assange Under Siege Ecuador embassy, London (3 Years) Detained 5 Years No Charge FAQ & Support https://justice4assange.com/  ꕤ

Swedish Justice: Assange vs Hockey Players

ASSANGE "We have been told that they may testify via Skype" Published December 23, 2014 15:12 Now it is clear to date in the assault case against Rögle player Alen Bibic. The main hearing collides with rogles away game against Timra January 15, but Angelholm club need not spare any player. - We have been told that they may testify via Skype says rogles sports director Anders Carlsson. It was in April this year that Rögle player Alen Bibic was involved in a brawl on the dance floor at a hotel in Salen. Bibic was reported to the police for assault after being awarded two slap in the face of a 21-year-old who, among other things, a fractured nasal bone and a tooth injury. Alen Bibic has always maintained that he acted in self-defense. On January 15, the main hearing in Mora District Court happen, where the battered 21-year-old insists 51400 crowns in compensation of Rögle player. In addition Alen Bibic is Rögle players Christopher Liljewall and Niklas Hansson called as witnesses, as before teammate Kevin Lindskoug who was also there that night. Testifying via Skype The same date also plays Rögle away game against Timra the Hockey Allsvenskan. But the players can participate in spite of everything, according to the club's sporting director Anders "mask" Carlsson. - We have been told that they may testify via Skype. But even if the players do not need to be present in Mora, so does the crash then that the three players may be required to follow and participate in the trial when teammates simultaneously charging and heats for the match. Are you preparing a special way before the negotiation date? - No, we're working on as usual, and then gain it run its course. It is not going to dwell on this every single day. Once it gets there then we deal with it then. Do you go and dwell on it every day it will be probably quite a hassle, says Anders Carlsson. What do you expect the outcome? - We rely on the Swedish legal system, then we take it that becomes says Anders Carlsson. Is there a plan How do you handle it if it becomes a conviction? - We must take when it happens. Is there anything I said if he can play left or not in Rögle on conviction? - Yes, there is. By that he firmly asserts that it is self-defense, I do not see any reason why he should not be able to do it. How do you think this affects the image of Rögle? - I do not know, but I think most people would defend themselves if they were attacked. Surely you and me too. Have Alen asked for extra support? - He talks to me and their loved ones. He is quite safe and calm as a person, so I think he handles it pretty well. Anders Carlsson expect a quick process. - It is well clear 15 (January) I hope. "I am innocent" Evening Post has been in contact with Alen Bibic which refers to its previous comments in the case. - I beat him to protect me. It's all about I want to Friday me. The dance floor is very crowded and I have no way to escape the situation and get out of there, 'said Alen Bibic told Aftonbladet in November. - I maintain that I am innocent. I acted in self-defense, self-defense. This guy reported only my brother, indicating poor grasp of the situation, continues Bibic. Kvällsposten also searched rogles coach Magnus Bogren for comment. http://www.expressen.se/kvp/sport/vi-har-fatt-besked-att-de-far-vittna-via-skype/ COMMENT Thought I'd post this, although it's a rather poor Google translation. A Swedish hockey player -- Alen Bibic -- was accused of a fairly serious assault. Bibic, and several players who were witnesses. were permitted to testify via Skype  ... so as not to disrupt their hockey game. Meanwhile, after 4 years of detention, Julian Assange has not been questioned by Sweden's prosecutor: Last month a Swedish appeals court upheld the detention order on Assange, dismissing a challenge by the WikiLeaks founder. Confirming a ruling by a lower court, the Svea appeals court said there is no reason to lift the detention order just because it cannot be enforced at the moment. The court also criticised the prosecutors, who have declined Assange's offer to be questioned in London, for not considering 'alternative avenues' to move the investigation forward. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2865992/John-Cusack-visits-Wikileaks-founder-Assange-Ecuadorian-Embassy.html The siege of Julian Assange is a farce - a special investigation The Swedish prosecutor, Marianne Ny, has refused to come to London to question Assange about allegations of sexual misconduct in Stockholm in 2010 - even though Swedish law allows for it and the procedure is routine for Sweden and the UK.  http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-siege-of-julian-assange-is-a-farce-a-special-investigation COST TO DATE  ECUADOR EMBASSY SURVEILLANCE & DETENTION OF ASSANGE (NO CHARGE)

HYPOCRISY - WESTERN ELITES, OIL & CONTROL OF MIDDLE EAST

HYPOCRISY - WESTERN ELITES, OIL & CONTROL OF MIDDLE EAST Britain British Heir to Throne, Prince Charles Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 Whitehall’s King Abdullah half-mast flag tribute criticised by MPs Decision to mark Saudi royal’s death at parliament and Westminster Abbey called ‘extraordinary misjudgment’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/23/king-abdullah-half-mast-flag-tribute-mps Most fawning quotes about King Abdullah  http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/the-most-fawning-quotes-about-king-abdullah--ekPWXs_Hoe   Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 https://twitter.com/HansdeBoer18/status/559013408939704320/photo/1   Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 https://twitter.com/OnlyTheTruthNow/status/558951368795635712/photo/1 Australia Tweet containing photo of a lashed female back (as per topmost of the UK trio directly above, reportedly of a lashed rape victim in Saudi Arabia).   Tweet expressed disapproval that the Australian flag had been lowered: https://twitter.com/Ms_Mosman/status/558837274050183168/photo/1pic.twitter.com/QHuqfW2zxQ That tweet appears to have been blocked:  Tweet https://twitter.com/Ms_Mosman/status/558837274050183168/photo/1pic.twitter.com/QHuqfW2zxQ  re #SaudiArabia flogging & Aussie flag half mast  appears BLOCKED by @twitter  #TonyAbbott complain? #auspol  .............................. Australian rationale for flag lowering: Liberals following British protocol  http://www.smh.com.au/national/flags-at-halfmast-to-mark-death-of-saudi-arabias-king-abdullah-20150124-12xg8o.html  .............................. Checked internet to find out more about that flogged woman photo: Saudi Arabia: Moroccan Woman Flagellated Over Prostitution Charges Rabat -A Moroccan woman has been sentenced to flogging and imprisonment after she has allegedly been caught by Saudi Arabian police while offering sex services for money. http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2014/08/137434/saudi-arabia-moroccan-woman-flagellated-over-prostitution-charges/ From the Moroccan newspaper article, that photo on Twitter  isn't what it purports to be, which is very annoying (and which probably explains why the tweet/post may have been blocked or deleted). However, the flogging and imprisonment of individuals who offer sexual services isn't exactly a humane act and religious (or moral) police isn't really a democratic ideal.  .............................. Here's an example of a Saudi Arabia flogging, from DailyMail: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 Source:  Daily Mail Blogger sentenced to ten years in prison and 1,000 lashes set to be publicly flogged in Saudi Arabia for 'insulting 'Islam' A Saudi blogger will be publicly flogged tomorrow as part of his 10-year jail term for 'ridiculing Islamic religious figures'. Raif Badawi, who co-founded the Free Saudi Liberals website, was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and a decade in prison for insulting Islam on his online forum.  His corporal punishment will be carried out after Friday prayers, outside the Al-Juffali mosque in Jiddah, which has earned the grisly nickname 'Chop Chop Square' as the site of executions. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2902014/Saudi-blogger-publicly-flogged-insulting-Islam.html  .............................. There's also a photo of a recent public beheading of a woman in Saudi Arabia currently doing the rounds.  The leaked video was removed from YouTube, which I think is wrong.  Removing that type of content is taking part in whitewashing what is really taking place, and I think that's wrong & what becomes public should remain public and should be available to those that wish to witness it (however appalling the content).   Below is an article on the subject published in Daily Mail: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 Step-mother screams her innocence before being beheaded for murdering and sexually abusing six-year-old daughter in leaked footage that has outraged Saudi Arabia  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2916583/Step-mother-screams-innocence-beheaded-murdering-sexually-abusing-six-year-old-daughter-leaked-footage-outraged-Saudi-Arabia.html To an outsider who has encountered some of these beheading photos online, it looks as if the authorities just take people out to car parks or beaches or other public places and lop their heads off with swords. Find this really disturbing, so I haven't looked closely at the beheadings (which are quite a common occurrence).  ..............................   More on beheadings in Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia steps up beheadings; some see political message Saudi Arabia beheaded 26 people in August, more than in the first seven months of the year combined. The total for the year now stands at 59, compared to 69 for all of last year, according to Human Rights Watch. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/20/us-saudi-execution-idUSKCN0I91G220141020 The figures referred to in the Reuters article (above) are figures for 2014, to publishing date:  20 October 2014.  Think the grand total for 2014 is in the high 80s.  Yep.  Saudi Arabia "executed 87 people in 2014" (Breitbart News-17 Jan 2015) OTHER [via @beyndfunds] All the garbage about #KingAbddullah being a reformer should read about what he did to his own daughters http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/24/reformer-late-king-abdullah-may-have-been-keeping-four-daughters-captive-for-talking-about-womens-rights … [via @lhbroch] The ‘jailed’ princesses of #SaudiArabia: The late King Abdullah allegedly kept four of his daughters in captivity. http://wpo.st/AZ820   .............................. 'They are hanging to life' - Saudi king's ex-wife speaks out Exclusive: in her first television interview, the former wife of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia claims her four daughters have suffered years trapped in the royal compound in Jeddah. http://www.channel4.com/news/saudi-arabia-king-abdullah-alanoud-al-fayez-daughters-jeddah   .............................. #FreeThe4 Protest for Imprisoned Saudi Princesses to be Staged at Saudi Embassy in London http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/freethe4-protest-imprisoned-saudi-princesses-be-staged-saudi-embassy-london-1461520   .............................. King Abdullah, a feminist? Don’t make me laugh Christine Lagarde has praised the Saudi despot’s contribution to women’s rights. But his record was dismal and the more we shout about it, the better  Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the IMF, has paid tribute to the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. He was a strong advocate of women, she said. This is almost certainly not what she thinks. She even hedged her remarks about with qualifiers like “discreet” and “appropriate”.  [ . . . ]  Abdullah led a country that abuses women’s rights, and indeed all human rights, in a way that places it beyond normal diplomacy. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/23/king-abdullah-feminist-christine-lagarde-saudi-arabia-women  .............................. State Department reveals Hillary Clinton received $500K worth of jewelry from Saudi king Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was given a half-million bucks worth of diamond and ruby jewelry by Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and received $58,000 worth of bling from Brunei. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/state-department-reveals-political-swag-article-1.1441301   .............................. Hillary Clinton Photo:  Associated Press, Source:  DailyMail Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 Foreign leaders gave lavish gifts to a number of U.S. officials last year, including the Saudi Arabian king, who gave Hillary Clinton diamond-and-ruby-encrusted jewels worth half a million dollars. Clinton's gifts from King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz - which included a necklace, bracelet, earrings and a ring - were by far the most expensive items among the hundreds of gifts given to U.S. officials in 2012. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2406099/The-lavish-gifts-given-President-Obama-Hillary-Clinton-foreign-dignitaries.html COMMENT The West has some disturbing social issues of its own: Death Penalty - USA  According to a Sputnik article on the cruelty of lethal injections and US Supreme Court case on whether execution by lethal injection violates the US Constitution: The death penalty is authorized in a total of 38 US States. The death penalty is barbaric, whether carried out in America or in Saudi Arabia.  .............................. Ireland's lack of action on blasphemy law disappoints atheists and secularists Irish atheists and secularists have accused their government of breaking a promise to call a referendum over the Republic’s controversial blasphemy laws in the lifetime of the current coalition. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/30/ireland-blasphemy-law-inaction-disappoints-atheists For a civilised and presumably secular Western nation to retain a medieval blasphemy law is ridiculous beyond belief.  .............................. Last ditch bid to ban creationism in Scottish classrooms Last year, the Scottish Secularist Society (SSS) petitioned MSPs to urge the Scottish Government to bar the "presentation" of young earth doctrines as viable alternatives to the established science of evolution in the classroom. The SSS believes schools are being subjected to what they describe as an "attack" on established scientific theories from imported US doctrines known as creation science and intelligent design. However, School Leaders' Scotland (SLS), which represents secondary headteachers, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the country's largest teaching union, and the Scottish Government all wrote to the committee outlining their objections. These organisations backed the long-standing principle that protection from extremist views in Scottish education relies on the professionalism of teaching staff and the regulatory role of bodies such as local authorities, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the schools inspectorate. However, in a new submission to the public petitions committee the SSS said sufficient safeguards were not in place and creationism was "institutionalised". EXTRACT ONLY - FULL @ SOURCE  http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/last-ditch-bid-to-ban-creationism-in-scottish-classrooms.116556313  .............................. School chaplaincy program funding revised following High Court decision  The Federal Government has announced changes to its school chaplaincy program to get around a recent adverse High Court decision. In June, the court upheld a challenge to the National School Chaplaincy Program, saying providing funding directly to chaplaincy organisations was constitutionally invalid. The main question examined in the case was whether the executive government had the power to fund such programs directly through local organisations. As a result, the Government has now decided to ask state and territory governments to administer the program using Commonwealth funds. If they agree, the $250 million program - to run over four years - will remain open to chaplains of any faith as long as they do not attempt to convert students. EXTRACT ONLY - FULL @ SOURCE http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-27/chaplaincy-program-revised-after-high-court-ruling/5701390  .............................. And religion is to be promoted in secular Australian schools, why? Being of the view that religion and the State (including services of the State, such as education etc) should be completely separated (and, in an ideal world, religiosity of any kind would be actively discouraged by government), the swing towards forcing religion in Western schools is disturbing.  .............................. Stop the Government paying for religion with your taxes! End the National Schools Chaplaincy Program now! That the Liberal government in Australia has bypassed the High Court and the Australian Constitution to sneak in religious mumbo jumbo while cutting funding for secular services should be a real cause for concern. This program should be opposed as direct government funding of religion bad public policy. Taxpayers' money spent in education should employ the best people available to help students, not just the religious.The preferencing of the religious, over the non-religious, for no reason other than their religiousness, is unacceptable in Government policy, particularly at a Commonwealth level. At the very least all schools should to given the choice employ non-religious counsellors or welfare workers under this program, not just those that cannot find a chaplain. The NSCP breaches the spirit of the Australian Constitution. It undermines the separation of church and state. EXTRACT ONLY - FULL @ SOURCE - http://www.stopthenscp.org/  .............................. Going through the above articles, one comes to the conclusion that Western ruling elites exhibit hypocrisy and a disregard for national symbols, which they cynically exploit without regard for public opinion or sentiment, to further corporate-imperialist and strategic aims in the Middle East, and it's a win-win for corporations and politicians in a corporate-political alliance that sees both players profiting handsomely. Meanwhile, if left to the devices of politicians, what freedoms we have in the West will be eroded by unscrupulous politicians, passing legislation to further the agendas of whoever has propped them up in politics. That the Liberal party in Australia has sidestepped a High Court ruling, and that it is willing to disregard the Australian Constitution by finding a by-pass that enables them to pursue the Liberal (and backer) agenda, should be of grave concern to the Australian public. There's probably a whole lot more that could be said, but I'm not much of a thinker or a blogger. This is just my overall opinion on current events, given my particular focus.   .............................. PS   Canada's Blasphemy Law - post.

Cybersecurity, Techie & Other

CYBERSECURITY, TECHIE & Other US 'SECRET STATE' #US national security state w/in a state = 6 million classified persons (larger than Norway, NZ or Scotland pop)! >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aMYqzGwwoF8 … -----------------------------------------------------  CYBERSECURITY #cybersecurity - Dropbox, Google & Open Technology World - lending support 2 Simply Secure 2 devel. easy-use sec. http://goo.gl/09sw4B -----------------------------------------------------  DIGITAL CURRENCY / BITCOIN Have notes & coins have had their day? Kenneth Rogoff, of Harvard University, reckons they have. http://goo.gl/4y6Ewo  / #Bitcoin ? -----------------------------------------------------  WHISTLEBLOWERS http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/144776/switzerland-prepares-to-tighten-screws-on-whistleblowers #Switzerland's parliament proposed bill Monday - weakening protection 4 whistleblowers - http://goo.gl/JcBXM9  Julius Baer / #WikiLeaks / The Swiss law is another bit of gagging legislation going around various govts. What's with that lately? It's 4 cover-ups #Switzerland clamping down on whistleblowers but offers #Snowden asylum. If I were Snowden, I'd politely decline ... LOL -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT Loads of interesting information here.  The bit about the US 'state within a state' is rather spooky.   Might have to cross-reference that one with the other US info.

AUSTRALIA - Great Barrier Reef - UN Reclassification Dodge & Civil Liberties (Anti-Terror Laws)

AUSTRALIA Environment #Auspol >>To pre-empt UN from reclassifying GBR as “in danger”, Australia announced a 35-year plan 2 manage Great Barrier Reef >>Economist Civil Liberties #auspol >> there go civil liberties >> RT " #Australia to tighten anti-terror laws http://shar.es/1aswLs  " [Press TV News] Wednesday:  proposed legislation to go before Parliament. -----------------------------------------------------  COMMENT The Great Barrier Reef move is a sneaky move (is this the Slippery Government?). Appears the government may be aiming to serve the needs of corporations instead of protection of the environment. Anti-terror legislation interests me in terms of the threat to overall civil liberties.  Not big on any legislation that widens the powers of government or government agencies.

USA: It's On Us | VAWA (1994) + MVRA

U.S.A. USA - VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT – MANDATORY VICTIMS RESTITUTION ACT – FEDERAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN It's On Us So much comedic material in the US - Celebrities urge young men to protect female friends by making sure they get home safely. >> Now women in US are 'crippled' second-class citizens who are appointed a patriarchal figure to spirit them home? Advert: "It's on us to stop sexual assault" ... "To get in the way before it happens."/Joe Biden + ors feature in WH campaign The Coalface Clemson University #USA Clemson Uni suspended mandatory online course that asked students & faculty about their sex lives & drinking habits following backlash! >> US is INSANE: "Q. supposed to serve the purpose of educating students on gender equality to prevent sexual violence" !! >Q's such as: "How many times have you had sex?" & "With how many different people have you had sex?" raised privacy concerns. - schools across country R experimenting w/ new approaches 2 sexual harass/prevent/ & ed Federal law. VAWA (1994) + MVRA VAWA (1994) encouraged states to adopt mandatory arrest policies that allowed DV cases to move forward without the cooperation of victims. A lucrative DV industry in US - $1.6 billion>> "One of greatest successes of VAWA is emphasis on a coordinated comm/response" >Involves mandatory 'restitution' > this is fine? .. assume it is to State (?) - 2007 $50 billion outstanding Fed. crim debt! >> Nope. It's money to 'make victims whole' .. US is warped. >> Looks like fair few civil liberties issues assoc. w/ the Act. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_Against_Women_Act … > Reauthorisation of Act signed by Obama March 2013: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s47/text … >> 2009 Review ... but info prob. still good >> http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1112&context=californialawreview  Out of $50 bill uncollected restitution - $10 bill is govt $$ MVRA /Mand.Vict.Rest.Act - mandate that judges order FULL restitution irrespective of MEANS ...[blood out of stone?] COMMENT This struck me as some very interesting information.