It is rare that cameras actually capture law enforcement seizing someone’s money under the guise of “civil asset forfeiture.” In this case, the cameras show that the Nevada State police were hoping get the DEA to confiscate a man’s savings even though he had done nothing wrong and was never charged with a crime. The mere assertion based on the fact that a dog alerted to some sort of drug on the money was the basis for the seizure. (Before you say that the presence of drugs on money should be enough, as noted in the video, 90% of US money – especially $20’s, $50’s and $100’s dollar bills have drugs on them. That means the money you are carrying around in your wallet would have drugs on it.)
Stephen Lara did everything right. But, as subscribers of our YouTube channel know well, even innocent people aren’t safe from civil forfeiture. (more…)
Growing up, we can remember several things that shaped our sense of community while being kids. First, there were the block parties. Every once in a while the neighbors would get together and have a monster bash with all sorts of food and chatter. There was always a wiffle ball game played across many yards because, well, because that is the way it was done. Even when the party had ended, kids still played wiffle ball across the yards. Not a single neighbor said a thing in opposition.
In the fall, football would take to the streets. Kids and even some parents would play touch football in the middle of the streets with such complex plays a “go long” and “do a square-in at the Buick.”
And then there was snowfall. Living on a hill meant that when snow fell, kids would pull out their sleds and come barrelling down the hill and through an intersection. We always tried to have an adult at the intersection to warn cars that were cutting across the hill’s road. It was great at night with the street lights giving a soft glow to the snow. Parents stood around drinking hot chocolate and maybe even other “adult” beverages. Before we could head down the hill, a small army of kids and parents would always ascend on the four or five homes inhabited by the elderly or infirmed to shovel their sidewalks and steps.
Those gatherings in the streets taught us to do things together as a neighborhood and do things for others in that neighborhood. (more…)
Aug 6, 2021
Posted by AAfterwit on Aug 6, 2021 | Comments Off on We Wouldn’t Advertise This As A “Job Perk.”
Jennifer and Paul Snitko have never been in trouble with the law.
Jennifer is an entertainment lawyer, and Paul is a retired aerospace engineer who in his career, has held multiple levels of security clearances.
The Snitkos had valuables they wished to secure, including a will, backup copies of their home computer’s hard drive, and some family heirlooms including jewelry, a fancy watch, and a class ring. They found a company called U.S. Private Vaults, in Beverly Hills, which offered them more convenience and better hours than a local bank.
However, a grand jury indicted the company on counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs, launder money, and avoid mandatory deposit reporting requirements, none of which had anything to do with the Snitkos.
The FBI raided U.S. Private Vaults based on the indictment.
Taylor alleges that, for six full days in September 2013, correctional officers confined him in a pair of shockingly unsanitary cells. The first cell was covered, nearly floor to ceiling, in “‘massive amounts’ of feces”: all over the floor, the ceiling, the window, the walls, and even “‘packed inside the water faucet.’”
Fearing that his food and water would be contaminated, Taylor did not eat or drink for nearly four days. Correctional officers then moved Taylor to a second, frigidly cold cell, which was equipped with only a clogged drain in the floor to dispose of bodily wastes. (more…)
Isaiah Elliott is a 12 year old who attends Grand Mountain School (K-8) in Colorado.
Isaiah has been diagnosed with ADHD and other learning disabilities.
While attending a virtual art class, young Isaih picked up a toy gun and moved it from one side of the screen to the other.
Out of the blue, the Elliots were dealing with the police at their door.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, the seventh grader was attending on online art class when a teacher saw Isaiah flash a toy gun across his computer screen. The toy in question is a neon green and black handgun with an orange tip with the words “Zombie Hunter” printed on the side. (more…)
As the disgusting and unproductive rioting goes on across America, people are rightfully saying that we should support protests, but condemn the violence.
It is hard for people to hold a “conversation” that is wanted and or needed when their business is burned to the ground, damaged or looted.
The flip side of this is the “Back the Blue” “movement” that is out there in social media.
While we agree we should support and back law enforcement, the “Back the Blue” supporters fail to make the critical distinction of backing good cops, and not backing or supporting bad cops.
I think women are concerned too much with their clothes. Men don’t really care that much about women’s clothes. If they like a girl, chances are they’ll like her clothes.
