Another Asset Forfeiture Crime By The Government

This article is part of a series in the Greenville News, Greenville SC, that delves into the techniques and consequences of asset forfeiture in that area.

Asset forfeiture is what occurs when law enforcement ostensibly confiscates assets, cash, automobiles, real estate, etc. that are the fruits of crime. However, no crime needs to be charged and it's very unlikely that the individual that forfeits the asset will ever see it returned. The funds realized by the agency that confiscates the asset become part of its budget. A police department that grabs that cash can use it to purchase whatever it wishes.

German Brandenburger Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist wrote a historical novella, Michael Kohlhaas, in 1810 that describes a famous incident in 15th century Germany where a powerful baron confiscates two of a passing trader's horses and the trader's reaction to this crime results in extensive rebellion. 

In the Twin City metropolitan area, a co-operative effort between various police departments called the Metro Gang Strike Force was found to have grabbed cash and property for their own personal use. While the investigation resulted in the disbanding of the agency and cash awards to the victims, no law enforcement officers involved were fired, censured or charged.

Of course, all Americans are familiar with some of the reasons for the American Revolution, much of which involved disgust with the United Kingdom's financial depradations. The fact that the established government is the predator doesn't necessarily remove it from the consequences of its behavior. In fact, in a country that is supposedly the land of the free and the home of the brave, the citizens are duty-bound to oppose such policies.  It might be time for all presidential candidates to express their opinion on asset forfeiture.

Dog Is Hero In Raid On ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

US President Donald Trump has identified "Conan", a Belgian Malinois Military Working Dog as a key member of the team that caused the death of the wanted terrorist leader. The dog is said to have been injured in raid, apparently by an  electrical shock.

The dog is being returned to the US where it will visit the White House and receive honors from the POTUS.

Maybe it's time to step back for a moment and take stock of this event. Wonderful as dogs might be, man's best friend and all, they don't have the power of abstract thought that humans do. They're not capable of actually volunteering for military service. 

Furthermore, since they're trained for military and law enforcement work, they really don't have the option of refusing to enter a cave or dark building in search of an armed suspect. They are given such tasks because of their natural sensory gifts and powerful bite and, more importantly, because the humans involved don't wish to be injured or killed. A dog doesn't search for bad guys or contraband because it's concerned. It does so because it knows that it will receive a food treat. That isn't an act of heroism.

If people had a genuine love and respect for canines they wouldn't expose them to dangers that they can't understand.

 

The Living Dead

In what was no doubt a simple little mistake, a Texas woman was declared dead by the Social Security Administration. But she wasn't. The living lady's bank account and credit cards were cancelled, she was no longer eligible for Medicare.

OK, there was some kind of an accounting screw-up, these things happen. In fact, Social Security says that somewhat less than 1000 people are erroneously declared dead monthly.

But what if in the future this sort of thing isn't accidental but instead used as a form of social control, as is now being done in China.  Chinese that don't toe the line, that don't pay their bills, that are social misfits, can't get travel documents. hotel rooms, maybe even jobs.

Normal American would think "that couldn't happen here". But, in fact, that same American has no idea who will be running the purple mountain majesty in the years to come. The records of the government and big business, the "big data" that plays a bigger and bigger role in US society will be accessible to and used by whomever takes over. It's certainly possible that Adam Schiff and his co-conspirators, successful in their coup, could use government data to punish who they wish, even as they are doing now.  Government record-keeping is a bad deal for even the most patriot and true.

KTRK The Social Security Administration declared Sherry Ellis of Magnolia, Texas, dead.

One Third of Farm Income

According to this article, more than a third of U.S. farm income in 2019 will come from the U.S. government in the form of the trade war bailout, crop insurance payouts and other federal assistance. This seems like a big deal until we realize that the total US farm income is only $88 billion. At the same time, US grocery sales are roughly $800 billion. The US medical complex generates over $3 trillion in economic activity. In 2014 US auto sales totaled $1.1 trillion. The New York Federal Reserve bank has added $115.14 billion in short term liquidity to US financial markets. Even though everyone has to eat daily, and what they eat originates in the earth, food itself is a minor part of the national economy.

People Killed by U.S. Police in 2018

Super-spy Maria Butina Back In Russia

Maria Butina, the Siberian Mata Hari that infiltrated the US National Rifle Association and influenced naive Americans, has returned to Russia after being deported from the USA.


The world's greatest democracy literally dodged a bullet by wrangling a guilty plea from the femme fatale over her attempts to brain wash innocent American gun owners. Her transgressions earned her an 18 month prison sentence and deportation to hell on earth.
Miss Butina's legal experience was described by the US media as a "conviction" while the reality was that she was given a plea bargain where she admitted guilt to being an unregistered foreign agent. Of course, US authorities have an unlimited amount of funds to prosecute cases of even the most dubious merit. Eventually their quarry becomes insolvent and is forced to admit to something or go to jail for a long time.

The lady's first interview with RT upon her return to Russia is here.

1953 Mark Rothko Could Sell For More Than $25 Million

Southeby's intends to auction the above Rothko canvas at its  contemporary art auction in New York on Nov. 14. Is a painting from 1953 actually contemporary in 2019? How can a work of art that's 66 years old be contemporary? Or, for that matter be worth as much as well-cared for F-15 Eagle fighter jet?

The painting is 163.8 x 89.5 cm or 64 1/2 x 35 1/4".  If it's sold for as much as expected it will go for $11,000 per square inch.



Rothko himself, when still alive. He hung up his spray gun in 1970.

 
This Rothko was auctioned off at the May 13 Christie's sale for $5,382,500.