As promised, FDA got DOJ to crackdown on shady, dangerous stem cell clinics
Source: Stem cell clinics that blinded women used smallpox vaccine go to war with feds | Ars Technica
Category: Ignorant or unreasonable
Cambridge Analytica dismantled for good? Nope: It just changed its name to Emerdata • The Register
The company formerly known as Cambridge Analytica shocked the media today when it announced an immediate shutdown and liquidation of its business.That “shutdown,” however, may be short-lived as official documents indicate those behind the controversial analytics company will be launching as a new firm with a less-toxic brand.
Source: Cambridge Analytica dismantled for good? Nope: It just changed its name to Emerdata • The Register
New Bipartisan Bill Could Give Any President the Power to Imprison U.S. Citizens in Military Detention Forever
A new Authorization to Use Military Force, supposedly aimed at restricting presidential power, could expand it in a terrifying way.
Two-Man Police Department Acquires $1 Million In Military Gear | Techdirt
An ultra-safe Michigan town of 6,800 has claimed more than $1 million in military equipment through the Defense Department’s 1033 program. The program allows law enforcement agencies to obtain anything from file cabinets to mine-resistant assault vehicles for next to nothing provided the agencies can show a need for the equipment. Most can “show” a “need,” since it’s pretty easy to type something up about existential terrorist/drug threats. Boilerplate can be adjusted as needed, but for the most part, requests are granted and oversight — either at the federal and local level — is almost nonexistent.This has come to a head in Thetford Township, the fourth-safest municipality in Michigan, and home to more than $1 million in military gear and two (2) police officers.
Source: Two-Man Police Department Acquires $1 Million In Military Gear | Techdirt
“We’re Gonna Take Everyone” — Border Patrol Targets Prominent Humanitarian Group as Criminal Organization
The prosecution of No More Deaths volunteers, who leave water in the desert for migrants, reveals the group is being targeted by the Border Patrol.
Suburban Express Sued By Illinois Attorney General For Behaving Like Suburban Express | Techdirt
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, seeks a restraining order against the company to stop it from publishing customers’ financial information, halt harassment and prevent the company from forcing riders to accept unfair contract terms. If the company does not change its practices, Madigan said, the attorney general wants the company out of business.The company’s actions, Madigan said, constitute “flagrant and numerous violations” of Illinois’ civil rights and consumer protection laws.“My lawsuit alleges that Suburban Express has long been engaged in illegal discrimination and harassment of college students in Illinois, particularly University of Illinois students and their families,” Madigan said at a morning news conference at the Thompson Center to announce the lawsuit.
Source: Suburban Express Sued By Illinois Attorney General For Behaving Like Suburban Express | Techdirt
Man who believes current air quality is ‘too clean’ named to US Environmental Protection Agency advisory board | The Independent
A man who once claimed that the air in America was “a little too clean for optimum health”, has been appointed to an advisory board of America’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Student Loan Lenders Created A Fake Person Whose Points Were Uncritically Repeated By Numerous News Outlets | Techdirt
The character of Drew Cloud ran a “independent, authoritative news outlet” named the The Student Loan Report, which was created after Cloud purportedly “had difficulty finding the most recent student loan news and information all in one place.” How nice. But like so many things in 2018 Cloud wasn’t real, something only confirmed with the company that created him after The Chronicle spent more than a week trying to verify Cloud’s existence.
State Trooper Facing Murder Charges After Tasing A Teen Riding An ATV | Techdirt
Grimes had been driving about 35 mph on an ATV when Bessner — a passenger in a moving patrol car — fired his stun gun at the teen during a chase on Detroit’s east side.Grimes slammed into the back of a parked truck and flew off his ATV. The impact of the crash ripped gashes into his forehead, both cheeks and upper lip and dislocated his skull. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival at St. John Hospital.
Bessner has a history of using excessive force and has been reprimanded before for using his Taser inappropriately, including using the device on handcuffed suspects. The investigation into Bessner’s conduct shows that over a four-year span ending in 2017, he had 40 use of force incidents, 17 pursuits and five car accidents.
Source: State Trooper Facing Murder Charges After Tasing A Teen Riding An ATV | Techdirt
Judge Agrees: Perfectly Fine For Google To Deny Ad Placement For ‘Honey Cures Cancer’ Claims | Techdirt
Abid, who goes by the first name “Shaq” on LinkedIn, claims to have developed “a divine cure for cancer” consisting of “only honey herb and spice.” Google, he insists, will not allow him to advertise the product through AdWords.He is seeking $10 billion for what he believes is a violation of his First Amendment speech and religious rights, for loss of business, and for pain and suffering. Also, he wants the opportunity to advertise on Google when people search for cancer cures.