HOMELAND SECURITY NSA reportedly collects 5 billion cell phone location records a day

"The NSA collects nearly 5 billion records a day on the locations of cell phones overseas to create a huge database that stores information from hundreds of millions of devices, including those belonging to some Americans abroad, the Washington Post reported Wednesday."

Read more here: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/04/nsa-reportedly-collects-5-billion-cell-phone-location-records-day/


It's definitely happening, so watch out who you're contacting and what you're texting others about.

Also:

"The database and projects designed to analyze it have created a mass surveillance tool for the NSA, allowing it to monitor individuals in a way never seen before.

NSA analysts can look at the data and track an individual’s movements throughout the world. They can then map out the person's relationships with others and expose previously unknown correspondence."

That's creepy...they know where you are! They know all about you!

Somali Parliament Votes to Remove Prime Minister

December 2, 2013:

"MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Parliament voted the prime minister out of office on Monday in a no-confidence motion, with 184 of 249 lawmakers in favor, after what was termed a “constitutional dispute” between the president and the prime minister, Somali officials said.

More than 100 members of Parliament filed the motion on Saturday against the prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon, accusing him of “ineffectiveness.” Debate on the motion started on Sunday as security in and around Parliament was tightened."

Read more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/world/africa/somali-parliament-votes-to-remove-prime-minister.html


My first thought: how often does this happen?

Also:

"The dispute between the president and the prime minister had largely been kept secret until the prime minister’s office issued a statement on Nov. 12 saying “that a dispute between me and the president arose and that dispute is not based on politics but on the Constitution.” The statement added, “I request from the Somali people to be confident with their leadership and the Somali Parliament in finding a solution for the problem.” The statement did not mention the nature of the dispute.

The prime minister took office in October 2012, and his administration has been repeatedly accused of corruption and unauthorized transactions, with many analysts saying they believed that this might have seriously affected the international community’s willingness to support the Somali government."

Ohio superintendent, coaches charged in teen rape case

November 25, 2013:

"Four Ohio school officials were indicted Monday morning for obstructing an investigation of student athletes in the rape of a 16-year-old girl last year.

"'What you have here is an attempt to protect an institution or protect someone when what should have happened is the person doing that should have been worrying about the actual victim," he said. "People were not worried about the victim.'"

Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/25/ohio-ag-plans-announcement-about-rape-case-inquiry/3697199/

So sad. Lesson here - always report abuse. Always always always. Especially abuse of a minor. 

White House petition to opt in for porn follows UK's lead

November 14, 2013:

"WASHINGTON, D.C. — A movement to require Internet subscribers to opt in to be able to view porn is gaining some traction with a petition on whitehouse.gov.
The petition aims to make porn something people have to choose to unblock instead of being a "standard feature." The move follows the United Kingdom's recent decision to block porn unless people opt in with their Internet providers."

Read more here: http://m.ksl.com/index/story/sid/27631200?mobile_direct=y

I'm really hoping this is actually happening and not some fake scam, because this is fantastic! This is probably the best article I've come across in a long time. The effects of porn in America is astonishing. The number of innocent people who stumble across porn while innocently surfing the internet is outrageous as well. I'm mostly concerned and interested in protecting young children, which this article is aimed at. If this has already taken place in the U.K., what's stopping us from making this happen here in the U.S.? Let's sign that petition so we can make this a reality!

Update 11/25/13:

Of course as soon as I get all excited about this and post it for the world to see, I read more on the subject and realize this idea is crap and will never work. It's just too complicated. This just shows - do your research before you jump into something.

Preah Vihear temple grounds belong to Cambodia, U.N. court rules

Monday, November 11, 2013:

"Border land around the cherished Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia and Thailand's police and security forces must leave the territory, the United Nation's highest court ruled Monday in a decades-old dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors."

Read more here: 
http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-cambodia-thailand-preah-vihear-dispute-icj-20131111,0,5261897.story#axzz2kO37W97n


Wow...super interesting article.  Learning about International Law is becoming increasingly interesting to me as well as important.  It's keeping me somewhat up to date with world news and helping me learn and understand the business that takes place daily in other countries. I live such a sheltered life; it's good to learn about what's taking place around the world.

COURT CONSIDERS WHAT'S 'ON THE CLOCK'

Monday, November 4th 2013:

"A group of steel workers want to be paid for for the time they spend putting on and taking off protective clothing each day. But the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn't require employers to pay employees for time spent 'changing clothes.' Justices are now being asked define exactly what 'changing clothes' means."

Read More at: http://news4sanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/court-considers-whats-clock-5395.shtml#.Ungw3LK9KK0


I know these posts are supposed to require some effort, but I'm really not feeling it today, so this is as good as it's gonna get here on this blog today. I do find this article interesting and a bit funny. Why hasn't this been brought up before? If the court sides with the steel workers in this case, it could bring up all sorts of issues, which makes me think the court won't side in favor of the steel workers at all. What do you think?

3 members of Chinese advocacy group stand trial

October 28, 2013:

"XINYU, China (AP) — China on Monday put on trial three activists from a group that used protest banners and dinner parties to urge citizens to embrace their constitutional rights, underscoring the Communist Party's intolerance of any semblance of organized political challenge."

More here: http://m.thegardenisland.com/news/world/members-of-chinese-advocacy-group-stand-trial/article_4d0bf044-9339-57fc-8333-18daba4b1d3a.html?mode=jqm

I found this paragraph particularly interesting - I feel it and this article relates to a lot of what we're learning in class this semester: 

"'The United States urges the Chinese government to respect internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression and assembly,' said Daniel Delk, the U.S. Embassy's political officer."

REFILE-Oil kingdom Brunei to introduce sharia criminal law

Tuesday, October 22nd:

"Oil-rich Brunei will enforce sharia criminal law next year, the Islamic kingdom's sultan announced on Tuesday, with possible punishments including stoning to death for adultery and flogging for drinking alcohol.

The law would be enforced from April, said the 67-year-old sovereign, Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's wealthiest people, who has presided over a shift to more conservative Islam and anti-sedition laws in recent years."

More here: http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/10/22/brunei-sharia-idINL1N0IC07U20131022

I find this article super interesting. Earlier this year I learned that if you are charged with a crime in another country - one in which you're not a citizen of or live in, you become subject to punishments enforced in that country. I'm not exactly sure if that's true, because I heard it from word of mouth while having a conversation with a friend, but it relates to this article, so that leads me to believe it is true. 

Libyan Al Qaeda suspect expected in US court on terrorism charges

October 15, 2013:

"A suspected terrorist who was being held aboard a U.S. warship after being caught in Libya is now in New York and will appear in court on Tuesday.

The Al Qaeda suspect, known as Abu Anas al-Libi, has been under federal indictment in New York for more than a decade."

More here: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/14/libyan-al-qaeda-suspect-brought-to-us-soil/

I'm questioning jurisdiction in this case. Possibly venue as well. Why is he being tried here in the US? I understand he is being charged for crimes committed over a decade ago, but those crimes occurred in Africa - although they were US embassies. Interesting...

UK armed man pleads guilty after trying to enter Buckingham Palace;wanted to see queen

October 15, 2013:

"LONDON — Prosecutors say a man armed with a 6-inch kitchen knife was hoping to see Queen Elizabeth II when he tried to rush through a Buckingham Palace gate.

David Belmar pleaded guilty on Tuesday to trespassing and possession of a bladed article for the incident a day earlier, when the 44-year-old was tackled after jumping over a vehicle barrier outside Buckingham Palace."

More here: http://m.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/uk-armed-man-pleads-guilty-after-trying-to-enter-buckingham-palace-wanted-to-see-queen/2013/10/15/d860ae64-35a8-11e3-89db-8002ba99b894_story.html

Yet another story about a "crazy". I guess I should put it nicely and say mentally disabled. This poor individual. To me, it's just sad. It's not really entirely his fault that he acted in this manner, but I guess that's partially why we have law enforcement. I hope he can get the care and treatment he needs.

Beijing bomber Ji Zhongxing jailed for six years

October 16, 2013:

"A Chinese court yesterday found wheelchair-bound Ji Zhongxing guilty of detonating the small explosive device in the arrivals hall of the international airport in July.

Ji - who has been in hospital under police arrest since the incident - has spent 10 years demanding compensation for an attack that left him disabled."

More here: http://m.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/beijing-bomber-ji-zhongxing-jailed-for-six-years/story-e6frg6so-1226740515896

I personally question whether this man is disabled in more ways than one...if you know what I mean... Although he may have supposably been wronged, his behavior in setting off the bomb is no excuse for how he was treated in the past. If his family claims he didn't mean to set off the explosive/didn't set off the explosive, then who did and why?

Bo Xilai Found Guilty, Sentenced to Life in Prison

"BEIJING—A Chinese court sentenced Bo Xilai to life in prison on Sunday after finding the once powerful Communist Party insider guilty of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.

The outcome of China's most politically charged trial in more than three decades was announced by the Intermediate People's Court in the eastern city of Jinan on its official microblog account after a brief hearing on Sunday morning.

Party insiders said the harsh sentence is certain to have been decided by China's leadership in an attempt to bring an end to the scandal surrounding Mr. Bo, whose wife was convicted last year in the 2011 murder of a British businessman."

Read more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303730704579090080547591654.html

Turkish warplane shoots down Syrian helicopter after airspace violation

"A Turkish fighter jet shot down a Syrian military helicopter on Monday after it entered Turkish airspace and ignored repeated warnings to leave, an official said.

The helicopter strayed two kilometres into Turkish airspace, but crashed inside Syria after being hit by missiles fired from the jet, Turkey’s deputy prime minister, Bulent Arinc, told reporters in Ankara."

Read more here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/warplanes-shoot-down-syrian-helicopter-after-it-violated-turkish-airspace/article14338333/

Obama says Russian Syria proposal could be a breakthrough

"President Obama said on Monday he would "run to ground" a proposal outlined by the Russians that would wrest control of chemical weapons from Syria and would potentially head off a U.S. military strike against the Bashar Assad regime."

Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/09/russia-syria/2785703/

France accuses Syria of 'massive use of chemical agents'

"PARIS — On Feb.14, 2003, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told members of the United Nations Security Council that taking part in the war in Iraq without absolute proof of weapons of mass destruction and without a UN endorsement was not an option for France.

But now, a decade later, France is the only major European U.S. ally likely to support military strikes against Syria, and French President Francois Hollande seems even more eager to go to war than President Obama."

Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/02/france-syria-strikes/2754931/

Can constitutional rights be suspended for lack of funding?

"Lyle Denniston looks at how the sequester could affect the ability of the accused to get justice in court if resources for public defenders are cut.

Nothing in the Constitution specifically commands Congress to provide the money when a federal court has created or enforced rights that depend upon available funding. A denial of such funds, though, would raise questions about the constitutional independence of the judiciary."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/constitution-check-constitutional-rights-suspended-lack-funding-102614081.html

Summary of Amendments 11 - 27

The 11th Amendment more clearly defines the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court concerning a suit brought against a state by a citizen of another state.

The 12th Amendment redefines how the President and Vice-President are chosen by the Electoral College, making the two positions cooperative, rather than first and second highest vote-getters. It also ensures that anyone who becomes Vice-President must be eligible to become President.

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the entire United States.

The 14th Amendment ensured that all citizens of all states enjoyed not only rights on the federal level, but on the state level, too. It removed the three-fifths counting of slaves in the census. It ensured that the United States would not pay the debts of rebellious states. It also had several measures designed to ensure the loyalty of legislators who participated on the Confederate side of the Civil War.

The 15th Amendment ensures that race cannot be used as a criteria for voting.

The 16th Amendment authorizes the United States to collect income tax without regard to the population of the states.

The 17th Amendment shifted the choosing of Senators from the state legislatures to the people of the states.

The 18th Amendment abolished the sale or manufacture of alcohol in the United States. This amendment was later repealed (erased).

The 19th Amendment ensures that gender cannot be used as a criteria for voting.

The 20th Amendment set new start dates for the terms of the Congress and the President, and clarifies how the deaths of Presidents before swearing-in would be handled.

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment.

The 22nd Amendment set a limit on the number of times a President could be elected - two four-year terms. It has one exception for a Vice-President who assumes the Presidency after the death or removal of the President, establishing the maximum term of any President to 10 years.

The 23rd Amendment grants the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) the right to three electors in Presidential elections.

The 24th Amendment ensured that no tax could be charged to vote for any federal office.

The 25th Amendment clarifies even further the line of succession to the Presidency, and establishes rules for a President who becomes unable to perform his duties while in office.

The 26th Amendment ensures that any person 18 or over may vote.

The 27th Amendment requires that any law that increased the pay of legislators may not take effect until after an election.

Florida teacher tells fourth-graders to give up constitutional rights

"A Florida father says he was shocked to find a note in his fourth-grade son's backpack suggesting that his teacher instructed students to write letters on their willingness to give up their constitutional rights."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/13/report-florida-teacher-tells-fourth-graders-to-give-up-constitutional-rights/#ixzz2QfdnBfrX

Supreme Court Declines Gun Rights Case

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130415/supreme-court-declines-potential-major-gun-rights-case

"The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a potential major gun-rights case testing whether the Second Amendment protects a right to carry handguns for self-defense outside the home.

The justices turned aside without comment a challenge to a New York law that requires residents who want to carry a concealed handgun in public to first demonstrate a need for self-protection beyond that of the general public."

New York's New Weapons Law

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323346304578425283236203580.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Key measures of New York's tough new gun law kicked in Monday, with owners of firearms now reclassified as assault weapons required to start registering the firearms and new limits on the number of bullets allowed in magazines.

The law violates the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens "to keep commonly possessed firearms" at home for self-defense and for other lawful purposes, the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association said in court papers. It is advising members to obey the law in the meantime."