activistpost--2020-10-01--Rising Homicides This Year May Be Yet Another Side Effect of Covid Lockdowns

During Tuesday ’ s presidential debate , former vice-president Biden attempted to paint Donald Trump as the bad-on-crime candidate when he claimed that crime had gone done down during the Obama administration , but increased during Trump ’ s term .
Whether or not this is a plausible claim depends on how one looks at the data .
And given that law enforcement and criminal prosecutions for street crime are generally a state and local matter , it ’ s unclear why any president ought to be awarded blame or plaudits for short-term trends that occur during his administration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like homicides—which tend to be a good indicator of crime trends over all—are indeed rising this year .
While many factors are likely at play , we may be seeing yet another side effect of the stay-at-home orders and resulting social fragmentation that have come to be part of the landscape of 2020 .
As workplaces were closed down , joblessness rose , and community organizations were shuttered , city and state governments may have been paving the way for more social conflict and crime .
In assessing the larger context , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new report released by the FBI on 2019 ’ s crime and homicides , and we have partial data from 2020 as well .
There is no doubt that 2019 ’ s homicides were up slightly from where they were six years earlier .
Back in 2014 , homicides in the United States hit a 51-year low , falling to 4.4 victims per 100,000 residents .
That is , homicides that year fell to the lowest rate seen since the post-war days when homicides were exceptionally low , and at some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , homicide rates have risen , but have remained well below the high rates the nation experienced from the 1970s into the 1990s .
Nationwide , from 2018 to 2019 , the homicide rate remained unchanged at 5.0 victims per 100,000 population .
( That ’ s only about half the size of the homicide rates we saw during the late seventies and early nineties when homicides hovered around 10 per 100,000 . )
But homicides have certainly not been evenly distributed .
Total homicides in recent years were largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small number of big cities like Baltimore , Memphis , and Chicago .
Nonetheless , homicide rates did increase from 2018 to 2019 in 24 states .
Statewide homicide rates were unchanged in 7 states , and rates fell in 19 states .
As we ’ ve seen in similar analyses in the past , New England , the Pacific Northwest , and northern parts of the Midwest tend to report the lowest homicide rates .
In 2019 , the lowest homicide rates were found in Maine , Vermont , South Dakota , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in Louisiana , Mississippi , and Alaska .
What Is the Trend in 2020 ?
When we begin to look at what data we have for 2020 , it looks like the trend is upward .
According to the Wall Street Journal the nation ’ s largest cities are seeing a lot more homicide in 2020 than in recent years : A sharp rise in homicides this year is hitting large U.S. cities across the country , signaling a new public-safety risk unleashed during the coronavirus pandemic , and amid recession and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Wall Street Journal analysis of crime statistics among the nation ’ s 50 largest cities found that reported homicides were up 24 % so far this year , to 3,612 .
Shootings and gun violence also rose , even though many other violent crimes such as robbery fell .
Some cities with long-running crime problems saw their numbers rise , including Philadelphia , Detroit and Memphis , Tenn. Chicago , the worst-hit , has tallied more than one of every eight homicides .
Less-violent places have been struck as well , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In all , 36 of the 50 cities studied saw homicide rise at double-digit rates , representing all regions of the country .
Among these cities , perhaps the most discussed is Chicago which has indeed shown a sizable increase in 2020 over the previous year .
According to The Atlantic , a look at recent homicide data “ shows this year ’ s rate ( the red line ) rising above the five-year baseline ( the gray line and shading ) at several points throughout the year.
” Note that homicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdowns , but before the riots and protests .
Trends similar to Chicago ’ s don ’ t show up in all other cities .
But the general trend in big cities is clear .
But what is the cause ?
When it comes to homicide trends , it ’ s nearly impossible to prove any one thing is responsible .
Criminologists and historians have been debating what drives homicide trends for more than a century .
But given that 2019 was so relatively uneventful in terms of homicide growth , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , business closures , and church closures have played no role at all in rising homicides .
Yes , other factors are also at work .
The unemployment resulting from business closures—not wholly attributable to forced lockdowns—is likely a factor .
It is also likely that the civil unrest connected to anti-police protests and riots have played a part .
As suggested in the research of criminologist Randolph Roth , homicides tend to increase as perceptions of the state ’ s legitimacy go into decline .
However , as the Wall Street Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe have been destabilized by lockdown and protests against police .
Lockdowns and recession also mean tensions are running high and streets have been emptied of eyes and ears on their communities .
Some attribute the rise to an increase in gang violence .
Homicides … are up because violent criminals have been emboldened by the sidelining of police , courts , schools , churches and an array of other social institutions by the reckoning with police and the pandemic , say analysts and law-enforcement officials in several cities .
Schools let out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and after-school activities largely stopped .
Churches and other social institutions were restrained for the sake of social distancing .
“ Gangs are built around structure and lack thereof , ” said Jeff La Blue , a spokesman for the Fresno police department .
“ With schools being closed and a lot of different businesses being closed , the people that normally would have been involved in positive structures in their lives aren ’ t there.
” The Atlantic also suggests a role for the pandemic response among other proposed causes such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When it comes to lockdowns as a source of conflict , the problem lies in the fact that governments have forced the closure of the very institutions which do much to defuse violence within communities .
Indeed , the connection between these social institutions and violence has been suggested for decades by sociologists .
Known as “ third places , ” these institutions play a key told in encouraging peaceful human interactions .
As noted by researchers at the Brookings Institutions : Without these institutions , people living on the edges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lacking in community support of any kind .
Violence often follows .
During the worst of the lockdowns , city residents faced closed schools , closed churches , and closed businesses .
As the Journal notes , under these conditions , violent gangs may offer a much-needed refuge from government-imposed isolation .
Even with stay-at-home orders lifted , governments continue to impose restrictions on social institutions like churches and other meeting places and threaten them with police harassment in case of non-compliance .
Yet , these third places can not simply be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential for greater conflict and antisocial behavior .
It is likely folly to try to pin rising homicides in 2020 on any single cause , but we should not be shocked that a rising homicide rate is accompanying the so-called “ new normal.
” After all , the government-imposed shutdowns have done far more than shut down community organizations .
They have thrown millions of Americans out of work—with more than ten million former workers currently collecting unemployment benefits—and have set the stage for a rising tide of evictions and bankruptcies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessarily come with rising crime .
But unemployment rarely helps matters .
Ryan McMaken ( @ ryanmcmaken ) is a senior editor at the Mises Institute .
Send him your article submissions for the Mises Wire and The Austrian , but read article guidelines first .
Ryan has degrees in economics and political science from the University of Colorado and was a housing economist for the State of Colorado .
He is the author of Commie Cowboys : The Bourgeoisie and the Nation-State in the Western Genre .
Subscribe to Activist Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Ryan McMaken
During Tuesday’s presidential debate, former vice-president Biden attempted to paint Donald Trump as the bad-on-crime candidate when he claimed that crime had gone done down during the Obama administration, but increased during Trump’s term.
Whether or not this is a plausible claim depends on how one looks at the data. And given that law enforcement and criminal prosecutions for street crime are generally a state and local matter, it’s unclear why any president ought to be awarded blame or plaudits for short-term trends that occur during his administration.
Overall, however, it does look like homicides—which tend to be a good indicator of crime trends over all—are indeed rising this year. While many factors are likely at play, we may be seeing yet another side effect of the stay-at-home orders and resulting social fragmentation that have come to be part of the landscape of 2020. As workplaces were closed down, joblessness rose, and community organizations were shuttered, city and state governments may have been paving the way for more social conflict and crime.
Homicide in 2019
In assessing the larger context, we can turn to this week’s new report released by the FBI on 2019’s crime and homicides, and we have partial data from 2020 as well.
There is no doubt that 2019’s homicides were up slightly from where they were six years earlier. Back in 2014, homicides in the United States hit a 51-year low, falling to 4.4 victims per 100,000 residents. That is, homicides that year fell to the lowest rate seen since the post-war days when homicides were exceptionally low, and at some of the lowest rates seen since the eighteenth century.
Since then, homicide rates have risen, but have remained well below the high rates the nation experienced from the 1970s into the 1990s.
Nationwide, from 2018 to 2019, the homicide rate remained unchanged at 5.0 victims per 100,000 population. (That’s only about half the size of the homicide rates we saw during the late seventies and early nineties when homicides hovered around 10 per 100,000.)
But homicides have certainly not been evenly distributed. Total homicides in recent years were largely driven by high levels in a relatively small number of big cities like Baltimore, Memphis, and Chicago.
Nonetheless, homicide rates did increase from 2018 to 2019 in 24 states. Statewide homicide rates were unchanged in 7 states, and rates fell in 19 states.
As we’ve seen in similar analyses in the past, New England, the Pacific Northwest, and northern parts of the Midwest tend to report the lowest homicide rates. In 2019, the lowest homicide rates were found in Maine, Vermont, South Dakota, and Iowa. The highest rates were found in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alaska.
What Is the Trend in 2020?
When we begin to look at what data we have for 2020, it looks like the trend is upward. According to the Wall Street Journal the nation’s largest cities are seeing a lot more homicide in 2020 than in recent years:
A sharp rise in homicides this year is hitting large U.S. cities across the country, signaling a new public-safety risk unleashed during the coronavirus pandemic , and amid recession and a national backlash against police tactics. A Wall Street Journal analysis of crime statistics among the nation’s 50 largest cities found that reported homicides were up 24% so far this year, to 3,612. Shootings and gun violence also rose, even though many other violent crimes such as robbery fell. Some cities with long-running crime problems saw their numbers rise, including Philadelphia, Detroit and Memphis, Tenn. Chicago, the worst-hit, has tallied more than one of every eight homicides. Less-violent places have been struck as well, such as Omaha, Neb., and Phoenix. In all, 36 of the 50 cities studied saw homicide rise at double-digit rates, representing all regions of the country.
Among these cities, perhaps the most discussed is Chicago which has indeed shown a sizable increase in 2020 over the previous year. According to The Atlantic, a look at recent homicide data “shows this year’s rate (the red line) rising above the five-year baseline (the gray line and shading) at several points throughout the year.”
Note that homicides began to rise in the wake of the lockdowns, but before the riots and protests. Trends similar to Chicago’s don’t show up in all other cities. But the general trend in big cities is clear.
But what is the cause? When it comes to homicide trends, it’s nearly impossible to prove any one thing is responsible. Criminologists and historians have been debating what drives homicide trends for more than a century.
But given that 2019 was so relatively uneventful in terms of homicide growth, it does appear unlikely that government-imposed stay-at-home orders, business closures, and church closures have played no role at all in rising homicides. Yes, other factors are also at work. The unemployment resulting from business closures—not wholly attributable to forced lockdowns—is likely a factor. It is also likely that the civil unrest connected to anti-police protests and riots have played a part. As suggested in the research of criminologist Randolph Roth, homicides tend to increase as perceptions of the state’s legitimacy go into decline.
However, as the Wall Street Journal notes:
Institutions that keep city communities safe have been destabilized by lockdown and protests against police. Lockdowns and recession also mean tensions are running high and streets have been emptied of eyes and ears on their communities. Some attribute the rise to an increase in gang violence. Homicides … are up because violent criminals have been emboldened by the sidelining of police, courts, schools, churches and an array of other social institutions by the reckoning with police and the pandemic, say analysts and law-enforcement officials in several cities. Schools let out young adults in March because of the pandemic and after-school activities largely stopped. Churches and other social institutions were restrained for the sake of social distancing. “Gangs are built around structure and lack thereof,” said Jeff La Blue, a spokesman for the Fresno police department. “With schools being closed and a lot of different businesses being closed, the people that normally would have been involved in positive structures in their lives aren’t there.”
The Atlantic also suggests a role for the pandemic response among other proposed causes such as rising gun sales and rising unemployment.
A Side Effect of Lockdowns?
When it comes to lockdowns as a source of conflict, the problem lies in the fact that governments have forced the closure of the very institutions which do much to defuse violence within communities. Indeed, the connection between these social institutions and violence has been suggested for decades by sociologists.
Known as “third places,” these institutions play a key told in encouraging peaceful human interactions. As noted by researchers at the Brookings Institutions:
Third places have a number of important community-building attributes. Depending on their location, social classes and backgrounds can be “leveled-out” in ways that are unfortunately rare these days, with people feeling they are treated as social equals. Informal conversation is the main activity and most important linking function. One commentator refers to third places as the “living room” of society.
Without these institutions, people living on the edges of criminality are more likely to feel alienated and lacking in community support of any kind. Violence often follows. During the worst of the lockdowns, city residents faced closed schools, closed churches, and closed businesses. As the Journal notes, under these conditions, violent gangs may offer a much-needed refuge from government-imposed isolation. Even with stay-at-home orders lifted, governments continue to impose restrictions on social institutions like churches and other meeting places and threaten them with police harassment in case of non-compliance. Yet, these third places cannot simply be shut down—or their services drastically reduced—without creating the potential for greater conflict and antisocial behavior.
It is likely folly to try to pin rising homicides in 2020 on any single cause, but we should not be shocked that a rising homicide rate is accompanying the so-called “new normal.” After all, the government-imposed shutdowns have done far more than shut down community organizations. They have thrown millions of Americans out of work—with more than ten million former workers currently collecting unemployment benefits—and have set the stage for a rising tide of evictions and bankruptcies. History has shown that economic malaise does not necessarily come with rising crime. But unemployment rarely helps matters.
Source: Mises.org
Ryan McMaken (@ryanmcmaken) is a senior editor at the Mises Institute. Send him your article submissions for the Mises Wire and The Austrian, but read article guidelines first. Ryan has degrees in economics and political science from the University of Colorado and was a housing economist for the State of Colorado. He is the author of Commie Cowboys: The Bourgeoisie and the Nation-State in the Western Genre.
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-01--The Online Content Policy Modernization Act Is an Unconstitutional Mess

EFF is standing with a huge coalition of organizations to urge Congress to oppose the Online Content Policy Modernization Act ( OCPMA , S. 4632 ) .
Introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) , the OCPMA is yet another of this year ’ s flood of misguided attacks on Internet speech ( read bill [ pdf ] ) .
The bill would make it harder for online platforms to take common-sense moderation measures like removing spam or correcting disinformation , including disinformation about the upcoming election .
But it doesn ’ t stop there : the bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , subjecting ordinary Internet users to up to $ 30,000 in fines for everyday activities like sharing photos and writing online , without even the benefit of a judge and jury .
The OCPMA combines two previous bills .
The first—the Online Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act ( S. 4534 ) —undermines Section 230 , the most important law protecting free speech online .
Section 230 enshrines the common-sense principle that if you say something unlawful online , you should be the one held responsible , not the website or platform where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it clear that platforms have liability protections for the decisions they make to moderate or remove online speech : platforms are free to decide their own moderation policies however they see fit .
The OCPMA would flip that second protection on its head , shielding only platforms that agree to confine their moderation policies to a narrowly tailored set of rules .
As EFF and a coalition of legal experts explained to the Senate Judiciary Committee : This narrowing would create a strong disincentive for companies to take action against a whole host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where and how to vote , content that aims to intimidate or discourage people from casting a ballot , or misleading information about the integrity of our election systems .
S.4632 would also create a new risk of liability for services that “ editorialize ” alongside user-generated content .
In other words , sites that direct users to voter-registration pages , that label false information with fact-checks , or that provide accurate information about mail-in voting , would face lawsuits over the user-generated content they were intending to correct .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section 230 provisions in this bill , but they simply don ’ t hold up to scrutiny .
This bill is based on the flawed premise that social media platforms ’ moderation practices are rampant with bias against conservative views ; while a popular meme in some right-wing circles , this view doesn ’ t hold water .
There are serious problems with platforms ’ moderation practices , but the problem isn ’ t the liberal silencing the conservative ; the problem is the powerful silencing the powerless .
Besides , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would somehow be improved by putting such severe limits on how platforms moderate ; the Internet is a better place when multiple moderation philosophies can coexist , some more restrictive and some more freeform .
The government forcing platforms to adopt a specific approach to moderation is not just a bad idea ; in fact ; it ’ s unconstitutional .
As EFF explained in its own letter to the Judiciary Committee : Sen. Graham has also used the OCPMA as his vehicle to bring back the CASE Act , a 2019 bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hearing “ small ” ( $ 30,000 ! )
copyright disputes , putting everyday Internet users at risk of losing everything simply for sharing copyrighted images or text online .
This tribunal would exist within the Copyright Office , not the judicial branch , and it would lack important protections like the right to a jury trial and registration requirements .
As we explained last year , the CASE Act would usher in a new era of copyright trolling , with copyright owners or their agents sending notices en masse to users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Congress was debating the CASE Act last year , its proponents laughed off concerns that the bill would put everyday Internet users at risk , clearly not understanding what a $ 30,000 fee would mean to the average family .
As EFF and a host of other copyright experts explained to the Judiciary Committee : The copyright small claims dispute provisions in S. 4632 are based upon S. 1273 , the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 ( “ CASE Act ” ) , which could potentially bankrupt millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , libraries and religious institutions at a time when more of our lives are taking place online than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Laws that would subject any American organization or individual — from small businesses to religious institutions to nonprofits to our grandparents and children — to up to $ 30,000 in damages for something as simple as posting a photo on social media , reposting a meme , or using a photo to promote their nonprofit online are not based on sound policy .
The Senate Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This bill is far too much of a mess to be saved by amendments .
We urge the Committee to reject it .

EFF is standing with a huge coalition of organizations to urge Congress to oppose the Online Content Policy Modernization Act (OCPMA, S. 4632). Introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the OCPMA is yet another of this year’s flood of misguided attacks on Internet speech (read bill [pdf]). The bill would make it harder for online platforms to take common-sense moderation measures like removing spam or correcting disinformation, including disinformation about the upcoming election. But it doesn’t stop there: the bill would also upend longstanding balances in copyright law, subjecting ordinary Internet users to up to $30,000 in fines for everyday activities like sharing photos and writing online, without even the benefit of a judge and jury.
The OCPMA combines two previous bills. The first—the Online Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act (S. 4534)—undermines Section 230, the most important law protecting free speech online. Section 230 enshrines the common-sense principle that if you say something unlawful online, you should be the one held responsible, not the website or platform where you said it. Section 230 also makes it clear that platforms have liability protections for the decisions they make to moderate or remove online speech: platforms are free to decide their own moderation policies however they see fit. The OCPMA would flip that second protection on its head, shielding only platforms that agree to confine their moderation policies to a narrowly tailored set of rules. As EFF and a coalition of legal experts explained to the Senate Judiciary Committee:
This narrowing would create a strong disincentive for companies to take action against a whole host of disinformation, including inaccurate information about where and how to vote, content that aims to intimidate or discourage people from casting a ballot, or misleading information about the integrity of our election systems. S.4632 would also create a new risk of liability for services that “editorialize” alongside user-generated content. In other words, sites that direct users to voter-registration pages, that label false information with fact-checks, or that provide accurate information about mail-in voting, would face lawsuits over the user-generated content they were intending to correct.
It’s easy to see the motivations behind the Section 230 provisions in this bill, but they simply don’t hold up to scrutiny. This bill is based on the flawed premise that social media platforms’ moderation practices are rampant with bias against conservative views; while a popular meme in some right-wing circles, this view doesn’t hold water. There are serious problems with platforms’ moderation practices, but the problem isn’t the liberal silencing the conservative; the problem is the powerful silencing the powerless. Besides, it’s absurd to suggest that the situation would somehow be improved by putting such severe limits on how platforms moderate; the Internet is a better place when multiple moderation philosophies can coexist, some more restrictive and some more freeform.
The government forcing platforms to adopt a specific approach to moderation is not just a bad idea; in fact; it’s unconstitutional. As EFF explained in its own letter to the Judiciary Committee:
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from directly interfering with intermediaries’ decisions regarding what user-generated content they host and how they moderate that content. The OCPM Act seeks to coerce the same result by punishing services that exercise their rights. This is an unconstitutional condition. The government cannot condition Section 230’s immunity on interfering with intermediaries’ First Amendment rights.
Sen. Graham has also used the OCPMA as his vehicle to bring back the CASE Act, a 2019 bill that would have created a new tribunal for hearing “small” ($30,000!) copyright disputes, putting everyday Internet users at risk of losing everything simply for sharing copyrighted images or text online. This tribunal would exist within the Copyright Office, not the judicial branch, and it would lack important protections like the right to a jury trial and registration requirements. As we explained last year, the CASE Act would usher in a new era of copyright trolling, with copyright owners or their agents sending notices en masse to users for sharing memes and transformative works. When Congress was debating the CASE Act last year, its proponents laughed off concerns that the bill would put everyday Internet users at risk, clearly not understanding what a $30,000 fee would mean to the average family. As EFF and a host of other copyright experts explained to the Judiciary Committee:
The copyright small claims dispute provisions in S. 4632 are based upon S. 1273, the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019 (“CASE Act”), which could potentially bankrupt millions of Americans, and be used to target schools, libraries and religious institutions at a time when more of our lives are taking place online than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Laws that would subject any American organization or individual — from small businesses to religious institutions to nonprofits to our grandparents and children — to up to $30,000 in damages for something as simple as posting a photo on social media, reposting a meme, or using a photo to promote their nonprofit online are not based on sound policy.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to consider the OCPMA soon. This bill is far too much of a mess to be saved by amendments. We urge the Committee to reject it.


activistpost--2020-10-01--Global Food Shortages Are Becoming Very Real; U.S. Grocery Store Chains Are Preparing For Worst Case

Global Food Shortages Are Becoming Very Real; U.S. Grocery Store Chains Are Preparing For Worst Case Scenarios

The head of the UN World Food Program repeatedly warned us that we would soon be facing “ famines of biblical proportions ” , and his predictions are now starting to become a reality .
We have already seen food riots in some parts of Africa , and it isn ’ t too much of a surprise that certain portions of Asia are really hurting right now .
But I have to admit that I was kind of shocked when I came across an article about the “ hunger crisis ” that has erupted in Latin America .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is bringing a vicious wave of hunger in a region that was supposed to have mostly eradicated that kind of malnutrition decades ago ” .
We are being told that food shortages are becoming acute from Mexico City all the way down to the southern tip of South America , and those that are the poorest are being hit the hardest .
Let me ask you a question .
What would you do if you didn ’ t have any food to feed your family ?
Fortunately , for the vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question .
But for many families in Latin America , the unthinkable is now actually happening… I once had a friend that is a hardcore prepper tell me that his worst nightmare would be for his daughter to tell him that she was hungry and he didn ’ t have anything to give her .
Many of us can ’ t even imagine being in Matilde Alonso ’ s shoes .
Sadly , this is going to be happening to even more families soon , because the UN World Food Program is projecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe food insecurity ” in Latin American and Caribbean nations will rise by a whopping 270 percent in the months ahead .
Thankfully , for the moment the United States is in far better shape .
But there have been serious shortages of certain items throughout this pandemic , and many grocery stores have had a very difficult time trying to keep their shelves full .
For example , during my most recent trip to my local grocery store I noticed more empty shelves than I had ever seen before , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being told that grocery stores all over the country are attempting to stockpile goods in an attempt “ to avoid shortages during a second wave of coronavirus ” … When even CNN starts admitting that more shortages are coming , that is a sign that it is very late in the game .
And The Wall Street Journal is reporting that some chains are actually putting together “ pandemic pallets ” in anticipation of more shortages… Most of these grocery chains believe that another wave of COVID-19 is the worst case scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly , that isn ’ t even close to the truth .
We have entered a time when global food supplies are going to become increasingly stressed , and it is going to be absolutely critical to keep U.S. food production at the highest levels possible .
Unfortunately , U.S. farmers have been going bankrupt in staggering numbers during this downturn , and the federal assistance that was supposed to help them survive has mostly gone to “ large , industrialized farms ” … Five months into the pandemic , farmers say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them afloat , as these favor large , industrialized farms over smaller family farms .
In fact , initial payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – which provided $ 16 billion in direct support and $ 3 billion in purchases – revealed an uneven distribution of financial aid .
An NBC News analysis of the first 700,000 payments showed how corporate farms and foreign-owned operations received over $ 1.2 billion in coronavirus relief – or over 20 percent of the money – with average payments of almost $ 95,000 .
Smaller farms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around $ 300 .
The figures did not take into account other struggling farmers who are ineligible for assistance .
Reading those numbers greatly frustrated me , because family farms have always been so critical to our success as a nation .
U.S. farm bankruptcies hit an eight-year high last year , and they are on pace to go even higher this year .
This should deeply alarm all of us , because we are going to need as much food production as possible during the years to come .
In 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after another all over the world , and many of these disasters have directly affected global food production .
For example , in my previous articles I haven ’ t even mentioned the historic flooding that has been going on in China for months that is wiping out crops on a massive scale… On my news headlines website , I am going to start posting stories like this on a daily basis so that people can keep up with what is really going on out there .
We really are facing a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people without sufficient food is only going to grow as the months roll along .
For now , most Americans still have plenty of food , and we should be very thankful for that .
But everyone should be able to see that global conditions are rapidly changing , and we should all be using this window of opportunity to prepare , because very , very challenging times are ahead of us .
***Michael ’ s new book entitled “ Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America ” is now available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon.com .
*** About the Author : My name is Michael Snyder and my brand new book entitled “ Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America ” is now available on Amazon.com .
By purchasing the book you help to support the work that my wife and I are doing , and by giving it to others you help to multiply the impact that we are having on people all over the globe .
I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog , End Of The American Dream and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe .
I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites , but I also ask that they include this “ About the Author ” section with each article .
In addition to my new book , I have written four others that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End , Get Prepared Now , and Living A Life That Really Matters .
( # CommissionsEarned ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for general information purposes only , and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal , business , financial or health decisions .
I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter , and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help .
During these very challenging times , people will need hope more than ever before , and it is our goal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we possibly can .
Subscribe to Activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Michael Snyder
The head of the UN World Food Program repeatedly warned us that we would soon be facing “famines of biblical proportions”, and his predictions are now starting to become a reality. We have already seen food riots in some parts of Africa, and it isn’t too much of a surprise that certain portions of Asia are really hurting right now. But I have to admit that I was kind of shocked when I came across an article about the “hunger crisis” that has erupted in Latin America.
According to Bloomberg, “a resurgence of poverty is bringing a vicious wave of hunger in a region that was supposed to have mostly eradicated that kind of malnutrition decades ago”. We are being told that food shortages are becoming acute from Mexico City all the way down to the southern tip of South America, and those that are the poorest are being hit the hardest.
Let me ask you a question.
What would you do if you didn’t have any food to feed your family?
Fortunately, for the vast majority of my readers that is just a hypothetical question. But for many families in Latin America, the unthinkable is now actually happening…
He couldn’t feed his family. Matilde Alonso knew it was true but couldn’t believe it. The pandemic had just hit Guatemala in full force and Alonso, a 34-year-old construction worker, was suddenly jobless. He sat up all alone till late that night, his mind racing, and fought back tears. He had six mouths to feed, no income and no hope of receiving anything beyond the most meager of crisis-support checks — some $130 — from the cash-strapped government.
I once had a friend that is a hardcore prepper tell me that his worst nightmare would be for his daughter to tell him that she was hungry and he didn’t have anything to give her.
Many of us can’t even imagine being in Matilde Alonso’s shoes. Sadly, this is going to be happening to even more families soon, because the UN World Food Program is projecting that the number of people facing “severe food insecurity” in Latin American and Caribbean nations will rise by a whopping 270 percent in the months ahead.
Thankfully, for the moment the United States is in far better shape. But there have been serious shortages of certain items throughout this pandemic, and many grocery stores have had a very difficult time trying to keep their shelves full.
For example, during my most recent trip to my local grocery store I noticed more empty shelves than I had ever seen before, and that greatly alarmed me.
And now we are being told that grocery stores all over the country are attempting to stockpile goods in an attempt “to avoid shortages during a second wave of coronavirus”…
Grocery stores across the United States are stocking up on products to avoid shortages during a second wave of coronavirus. Household products — including paper towels and Clorox wipes — have been difficult to find at times during the pandemic, and if grocery stores aren’t stocked up and prepared for second wave this winter, runs on products and shortages could happen again.
When even CNN starts admitting that more shortages are coming, that is a sign that it is very late in the game.
And The Wall Street Journal is reporting that some chains are actually putting together “pandemic pallets” in anticipation of more shortages…
According to the Wall Street Journal, Associated Food Stores has recently started building “pandemic pallets” to ensure cleaning and sanitizing products are readily available in its warehouses to prepare for high demand through the end of the year. “We will never again operate our business as unprepared for something like this,” Darin Peirce, vice president of retail operations for the cooperative of more than 400 stores told the outlet. If grocery stores sense something is coming and are preparing for another “wave” of this scamdemic, it may be something worth taking note of.
Most of these grocery chains believe that another wave of COVID-19 is the worst case scenario that they could possibly be facing. Sadly, that isn’t even close to the truth.
We have entered a time when global food supplies are going to become increasingly stressed, and it is going to be absolutely critical to keep U.S. food production at the highest levels possible.
Unfortunately, U.S. farmers have been going bankrupt in staggering numbers during this downturn, and the federal assistance that was supposed to help them survive has mostly gone to “large, industrialized farms”…
Five months into the pandemic, farmers say the federal payments have done little to keep them afloat, as these favor large, industrialized farms over smaller family farms. In fact, initial payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – which provided $16 billion in direct support and $3 billion in purchases – revealed an uneven distribution of financial aid. An NBC News analysis of the first 700,000 payments showed how corporate farms and foreign-owned operations received over $1.2 billion in coronavirus relief – or over 20 percent of the money – with average payments of almost $95,000. Smaller farms, meanwhile, had average payments of around $300. The figures did not take into account other struggling farmers who are ineligible for assistance.
Reading those numbers greatly frustrated me, because family farms have always been so critical to our success as a nation.
U.S. farm bankruptcies hit an eight-year high last year, and they are on pace to go even higher this year.
This should deeply alarm all of us, because we are going to need as much food production as possible during the years to come.
In 2020, we have just seen one major disaster after another all over the world, and many of these disasters have directly affected global food production. For example, in my previous articles I haven’t even mentioned the historic flooding that has been going on in China for months that is wiping out crops on a massive scale…
Experts from the global financial services group Nomura said that although the flooding is among the worst that China has experienced since 1998, it could still get worse in the weeks to come, with the nation poised to lose $1.7 billion in agricultural production. However, since the start of the monsoon season, the area of flooded croplands have almost doubled. Nomura’s estimates also do not include the potential loss of wheat, corn and other major crops. Therefore, China could be facing a far greater economic loss than current projections.
On my news headlines website, I am going to start posting stories like this on a daily basis so that people can keep up with what is really going on out there.
We really are facing a very serious global food crisis, and the number of people without sufficient food is only going to grow as the months roll along.
For now, most Americans still have plenty of food, and we should be very thankful for that.
But everyone should be able to see that global conditions are rapidly changing, and we should all be using this window of opportunity to prepare, because very, very challenging times are ahead of us.
***Michael’s new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.***
About the Author: My name is Michael Snyder and my brand new book entitled “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America” is now available on Amazon.com. By purchasing the book you help to support the work that my wife and I are doing, and by giving it to others you help to multiply the impact that we are having on people all over the globe. I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article. In addition to my new book, I have written four others that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help. During these very challenging times, people will need hope more than ever before, and it is our goal to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as we possibly can.
Image: Pixabay
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--COVID Test Nasal Swab Punctured Woman’s Brain Lining and Caused Brain Fluid to Leak from Her Nose

There have been a number of reports about COVID-19 tests being inaccurate ( see 1 , 2 ) .
This may be the first ( and hopefully the last ) of a nasal swab puncturing someone ’ s brain lining .
A woman has suffered a brain fluid leak after doctors punctured the lining during a coronavirus test .
The woman , aged in her 40s , had an undiagnosed rare condition and the test she received may have been carried out improperly , according to the study published in the JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery .
She underwent testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms including “ metallic taste , headache , neck stiffness , and photophobia ” .
Dr Jarrett Walsh , from the University of Iowa Hospital , senior author of the paper , told the AFP the woman had undergone two swabs .
He said she had undergone the swab ahead of an elective hernia surgery but noticed clear fluid coming out of one side of her nose .
Obviously , this woman ’ s pre-existing condition contributed to this situation .
Regardless , nasal swab tests aren ’ t the only way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns continue to increase , many types of invasive technology are also rapidly being introduced in the U.S. and worldwide in an effort to detect illness and prevent its spread .
This includes wearables worn by U.S. military personnel , employees ( see 1 , 2 ) , school children and staff .
Expensive temperature scanning technology has also been installed at schools and universities which at least one epidemiologist says is a bad idea for a variety of reasons .
What seems to be overlooked is that this also exposes people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduces their immunity to viruses and other illnesses as well as • causes rashes and other skin irritations • and MORE ( see 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) So there ’ s that too .
Activist Post reports regularly about invasive and unsafe technology .
For more information visit our archives and the following websites : Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By B.N. Frank
There have been a number of reports about COVID-19 tests being inaccurate (see 1, 2). This may be the first (and hopefully the last) of a nasal swab puncturing someone’s brain lining.
From Yahoo:
Woman’s brain ‘leaks’ during coronavirus test A woman has suffered a brain fluid leak after doctors punctured the lining during a coronavirus test. The woman, aged in her 40s, had an undiagnosed rare condition and the test she received may have been carried out improperly, according to the study published in the JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. She underwent testing in March before presenting to doctors with symptoms including “metallic taste, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia”. Dr Jarrett Walsh, from the University of Iowa Hospital, senior author of the paper, told the AFP the woman had undergone two swabs. He said she had undergone the swab ahead of an elective hernia surgery but noticed clear fluid coming out of one side of her nose. Read full article
Obviously, this woman’s pre-existing condition contributed to this situation. Regardless, nasal swab tests aren’t the only way to test for this virus.
As COVID-19 concerns continue to increase, many types of invasive technology are also rapidly being introduced in the U.S. and worldwide in an effort to detect illness and prevent its spread. This includes wearables worn by U.S. military personnel, employees (see 1, 2), school children and staff. Expensive temperature scanning technology has also been installed at schools and universities which at least one epidemiologist says is a bad idea for a variety of reasons.
What seems to be overlooked is that this also exposes people of all ages to harmful electromagnetic radiation which reduces their immunity to viruses and other illnesses as well as
So there’s that too.
Activist Post reports regularly about invasive and unsafe technology. For more information visit our archives and the following websites:
Top image: Pixabay
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--Urgent: EARN IT Act Introduced in House of Representatives

The dangerous EARN IT Act passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last month , and now it ’ s been introduced in the House of Representatives .
TAKE ACTION Tell Congress to Reject the Earn It Act We need your help to stop this anti-speech , anti-security bill .
Email your elected officials in both chambers of Congress today and ask them to publicly oppose the EARN IT Act .
The EARN IT Act would allow all 50 state legislatures , as well as U.S. territories and Washington D.C. , to pass laws that would regulate the Internet .
By breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the EARN IT bill would allow small website owners to be sued or prosecuted under state laws , as long as the prosecution or lawsuit somehow related to crimes against children .
We know how websites will react to this .
Once they face prosecution or lawsuits based on other peoples ’ speech , they ’ ll monitor their users , and censor or shut down discussion forums .
The bill also creates an advisory commission on Internet “ best practices ” that will be dominated by Attorney General William Barr and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view on Internet “ best practices ” is well known—he wants to break encryption and let police read every message sent online .
Public outcry has already forced amendments into the EARN IT Act that purport to defend encryption—but they ’ re full of loopholes .
That window dressing doesn ’ t fix the bill ’ s many flaws .
TAKE ACTION Tell Congress to Reject the Earn It Act Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Joe Mullin
The dangerous EARN IT Act passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, and now it’s been introduced in the House of Representatives.
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress to Reject the Earn It Act
We need your help to stop this anti-speech, anti-security bill. Email your elected officials in both chambers of Congress today and ask them to publicly oppose the EARN IT Act.
The EARN IT Act would allow all 50 state legislatures, as well as U.S. territories and Washington D.C., to pass laws that would regulate the Internet. By breaking Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the EARN IT bill would allow small website owners to be sued or prosecuted under state laws, as long as the prosecution or lawsuit somehow related to crimes against children.
We know how websites will react to this. Once they face prosecution or lawsuits based on other peoples’ speech, they’ll monitor their users, and censor or shut down discussion forums.
The bill also creates an advisory commission on Internet “best practices” that will be dominated by Attorney General William Barr and law enforcement agencies. Barr’s view on Internet “best practices” is well known—he wants to break encryption and let police read every message sent online.
Public outcry has already forced amendments into the EARN IT Act that purport to defend encryption—but they’re full of loopholes. That window dressing doesn’t fix the bill’s many flaws.
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress to Reject the Earn It Act
Source: EFF.org
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--Cop Fired, Not for Killing a Sleeping Man on Video But for Endangering Fellow Cops When He Did It

Vallejo , CA — In the land of the free , police can and will detain and extort you for improper bicycle lighting .
If you try to escape this extortion , you can be mowed down by a police cruiser , mauled by a police K9 , or , as the following incident illustrates , you may even die .
Because cops are never held accountable for their actions , the officer who killed Ronell Foster , 33 , over a bicycle light was not immediately fired and the taxpayers were held liable instead — to the tune of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two years , and another execution under his belt , before Vallejo police officer Ryan McMahon would be fired .
A year after McMahon executed Foster , he would execute Willie McCoy as he slept in a Taco Bell drive-thru .
It would then take another entire year before police finally realized that this officer is a threat , and fire him .
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams announced this week that he fired officer McMahon after an internal investigation .
McMahon was not fired for pursuing and killing a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired for carelessly firing into the car of a sleeping man and killing him .
He was fired for weapons safety violations because when he was killing Willie McCoy , he put other cops in danger .
Seriously .
“ The idea that they would discipline and ultimately terminate him for technical issues related to endangering another officer and not have terminated him for shooting an unarmed man in the back and shooting a sleeping person it ’ s just really outrageous and it ’ s fairly consistent with our ongoing belief that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discipline and supervise their employees , ” said McCoy family attorney Melissa Nold .
Sadly , this is par for the course and the details of the cases make that point perfectly .
On the evening of Feb. 13 , 2018 , Foster had harmed no one , was not committing a crime and was simply riding his bicycle in downtown Vallejo .
However , because he didn ’ t have the proper light on his bicycle , he was pursued by McMahon , who told investigators that he stopped Foster in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers that this person was creating for himself and the traffic on Sonoma Boulevard.
” This act of “ education ” turned out to actually be an act of execution .
Despite pursuing Foster for several blocks , McMahon did not activate his body camera until after he killed Foster .
However , the camera saves 30 seconds before the officer activates it so the shooting was captured on video .
As the body camera footage begins , Foster is lying on his back as McMahon shoots him at point blank range with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holster the taser and opts for his flashlight instead .
McMahon then seems to strike Foster several times with the flashlight .
Not wanting to die from being beaten to death by a cop ’ s flashlight over a bicycle infraction , Foster grabs the light .
At this point , McMahon claims that he feared for his life and had no other choice but to put a bullet in the back of Foster ’ s head for grabbing the flashlight , killing him .
Because no action was taken against McMahon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop , he was never fired , much less disciplined and went on to kill again the very next year .
This time , his victim , Willie McCoy , an aspiring young rapper , would be shot and killed in his sleep by McMahon and several other trigger happy cops .
McCoy was an aspiring 20-year-old rapper whose life was brought to a tragic end in February 2019 — nearly an exact year after McMahon killed Ronell — when six police officers decided to publicly execute him as he slept in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taco Bell .
After nearly six months , and body camera footage showing this execution , the city ruled the officers “ acted reasonably ” when they dumped 55 rounds into McCoy in 3.5 seconds .
Starting to see a pattern here ?
Sadly , the police did not and it would take more than a year to fire McMahon , only because his fellow officers didn ’ t like being shot at when he executed McCoy .
While killing these two people , McMahon was receiving nearly a quarter of a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a salary , he will now surely miss .
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA .
This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state .
Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world .
Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project .
Follow @ MattAgorist on Twitter , Steemit , and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Matt Agorist
Vallejo, CA — In the land of the free, police can and will detain and extort you for improper bicycle lighting. If you try to escape this extortion, you can be mowed down by a police cruiser, mauled by a police K9, or, as the following incident illustrates, you may even die. Because cops are never held accountable for their actions, the officer who killed Ronell Foster, 33, over a bicycle light was not immediately fired and the taxpayers were held liable instead — to the tune of $5.7 million.
It would take more than two years, and another execution under his belt, before Vallejo police officer Ryan McMahon would be fired. A year after McMahon executed Foster, he would execute Willie McCoy as he slept in a Taco Bell drive-thru. It would then take another entire year before police finally realized that this officer is a threat, and fire him.
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams announced this week that he fired officer McMahon after an internal investigation.
McMahon was not fired for pursuing and killing a man over a bicycle light nor was he fired for carelessly firing into the car of a sleeping man and killing him. He was fired for weapons safety violations because when he was killing Willie McCoy, he put other cops in danger. Seriously.
“The idea that they would discipline and ultimately terminate him for technical issues related to endangering another officer and not have terminated him for shooting an unarmed man in the back and shooting a sleeping person it’s just really outrageous and it’s fairly consistent with our ongoing belief that the city of Vallejo refuses to properly discipline and supervise their employees,” said McCoy family attorney Melissa Nold.
Sadly, this is par for the course and the details of the cases make that point perfectly.
On the evening of Feb. 13, 2018, Foster had harmed no one, was not committing a crime and was simply riding his bicycle in downtown Vallejo. However, because he didn’t have the proper light on his bicycle, he was pursued by McMahon, who told investigators that he stopped Foster in order to “educate the public on the dangers that this person was creating for himself and the traffic on Sonoma Boulevard.”
This act of “education” turned out to actually be an act of execution.
Despite pursuing Foster for several blocks, McMahon did not activate his body camera until after he killed Foster. However, the camera saves 30 seconds before the officer activates it so the shooting was captured on video.
As the body camera footage begins, Foster is lying on his back as McMahon shoots him at point blank range with his taser. He then appears to holster the taser and opts for his flashlight instead. McMahon then seems to strike Foster several times with the flashlight. Not wanting to die from being beaten to death by a cop’s flashlight over a bicycle infraction, Foster grabs the light.
At this point, McMahon claims that he feared for his life and had no other choice but to put a bullet in the back of Foster’s head for grabbing the flashlight, killing him.
Because no action was taken against McMahon for killing a man over a bicycle light stop, he was never fired, much less disciplined and went on to kill again the very next year. This time, his victim, Willie McCoy, an aspiring young rapper, would be shot and killed in his sleep by McMahon and several other trigger happy cops.
McCoy was an aspiring 20-year-old rapper whose life was brought to a tragic end in February 2019 — nearly an exact year after McMahon killed Ronell — when six police officers decided to publicly execute him as he slept in his car in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. After nearly six months, and body camera footage showing this execution, the city ruled the officers “acted reasonably” when they dumped 55 rounds into McCoy in 3.5 seconds.
Starting to see a pattern here?
Sadly, the police did not and it would take more than a year to fire McMahon, only because his fellow officers didn’t like being shot at when he executed McCoy.
While killing these two people, McMahon was receiving nearly a quarter of a million dollar annual salary ($219,433) — a salary, he will now surely miss.
Video
Source: The Free Thought Project
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--Pandemic Special: “Don’t Pay Rent Until 2021” For NYC Apartments

The number of empty rental apartments in Manhattan has tripled compared with last year , forcing some landlords to become increasingly desperate as they struggle to find tenants amid an urban exodus .
Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel ’ s August report showed the number of empty rental apartments in Manhattan surpassed 15,000 units in August , up from 5,600 a year ago .
Facing a glut of inventory , with demand quickly collapsing , landlords are becoming desperate – consider this : By the month , landlords are becoming more desperate to find tenants as an urban exodus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest , and remote working has collapsed demand .
There ’ s also a seasonal factor as colder weather blankets the region and makes it less likely that people would want to move .
Referring to the developing inventory glut crisis , Gary Malin , chief operating officer of brokerage Corcoran Group , which represents landlords , told Bloomberg , “ You can ’ t hide it anymore… Owners are saying to themselves , ‘ I ’ d rather be honest from the beginning , rather than play a game back and forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ” Malin said the glut gives renters incredible leverage over landlords , with the ability to find “ the best possible deal.
” “ Tenants are filling out four to five applications at the same time and negotiating one offer against the other , ” he said .
“ Owners want to lead with their best foot .
If you sit and try to hold on for every last penny , for every last dollar , tenants are just going to go somewhere else.
” Other properties in New York ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schemes , including Brookfield Properties ’ Gehry tower .
There ’ s also Equity Residential , who has deals at some of its luxury buildings , including Prism at Park Avenue South .
Ofer Yardeni , Chairman and CEO of Stonehenge NYC , said occupancy before the virus lockdown was about 99 % .
Shortly after , the figure fell to 85 % as some tenants returned home to live with their parents , while others moved to the suburbs .
He said remote working was also a significant factor in why people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on CMBS shorts from malls to hotels ; maybe it ’ s time to start looking at apartment buildings… The next housing crisis is here , and this time , it ’ s about rentals .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue @ @ @ @ @

By Tyler Durden
The number of empty rental apartments in Manhattan has tripled compared with last year, forcing some landlords to become increasingly desperate as they struggle to find tenants amid an urban exodus.
Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel’s August report showed the number of empty rental apartments in Manhattan surpassed 15,000 units in August, up from 5,600 a year ago.
Facing a glut of inventory, with demand quickly collapsing, landlords are becoming desperate – consider this:
“Don’t pay rent until 2021, select properties now offering up to three months complimentary rent,” read the message banner of a New York City apartment listing’s website, operated by Related Rentals Corporate.
By the month, landlords are becoming more desperate to find tenants as an urban exodus, triggered by the virus pandemic, social unrest, and remote working has collapsed demand. There’s also a seasonal factor as colder weather blankets the region and makes it less likely that people would want to move.
Referring to the developing inventory glut crisis, Gary Malin, chief operating officer of brokerage Corcoran Group, which represents landlords, told Bloomberg, “You can’t hide it anymore… Owners are saying to themselves, ‘I’d rather be honest from the beginning, rather than play a game back and forth, and otherwise lose a tenant.'”
Malin said the glut gives renters incredible leverage over landlords, with the ability to find “the best possible deal.”
“Tenants are filling out four to five applications at the same time and negotiating one offer against the other,” he said. “Owners want to lead with their best foot. If you sit and try to hold on for every last penny, for every last dollar, tenants are just going to go somewhere else.”
Other properties in New York’s downtown area are offering similar free rent schemes, including Brookfield Properties’ Gehry tower. There’s also Equity Residential, who has deals at some of its luxury buildings, including Prism at Park Avenue South.
Ofer Yardeni, Chairman and CEO of Stonehenge NYC, said occupancy before the virus lockdown was about 99%. Shortly after, the figure fell to 85% as some tenants returned home to live with their parents, while others moved to the suburbs. He said remote working was also a significant factor in why people left the city.
“I’ve been in the business for over 30 years and I’ve never seen the market this way,” Yardeni said. “It’s almost like a falling knife.”
We’ve focused on CMBS shorts from malls to hotels; maybe it’s time to start looking at apartment buildings…
The next housing crisis is here, and this time, it’s about rentals.
Source: Zerohedge
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--Finally! Colorado Grants Full, Unconditional Pardons to Thousands with Past Marijuana Convictions

Colorado — Those members of government who are willing to challenge the status quo and stand against injustice are few and far between .
Those members of government who not only stand against injustice but take action to reverse it are all but entirely mythical .
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is not very mythical ; however , he made a mythical move this week and signed an executive order Thursday which grants a full , unconditional pardon to everyone convicted of possession of an ounce or less of marijuana .
According to Executive Order C 2020 004 : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequities of the past by pardoning 2,732 convictions for Coloradans who simply had an ounce of marijuana or less .
It ’ s ridiculous how being written up for smoking a joint in the 1970 ’ s has followed some Coloradans throughout their lives and gotten in the way of their success , ” Polis said .
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano highlights the collateral consequences of a conviction , stating , “ Thousands of citizens unduly carry the undue burden and stigmatization of a past conviction for behavior that is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that officials move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.
” Unlike other initiatives in states like Vermont and California , this is a sweeping pardon , meaning people do not have to apply for it .
Those with state-level convictions as identified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are eligible for the pardon , and individuals do not need to submit an application in order to receive one .
The question most people are now asking is why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012 .
Why wasn ’ t this legislation passed then ?
Also , why stop at one ounce or less ?
Does possessing two ounces or more make you some kind of evil villain ?
Furthermore , why stop at marijuana ?
All drugs need to be legalized — now .
As states legalize marijuana at an ever-increasing rate , what was once illegal in many states is now legal .
However , many governors thus far have failed to advocate for releasing those who are currently incarcerated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been released .
The time to do this is now .
Unfortunately , the rational , logical , humane , cost-effective and peaceful solution to so many problems in the US today is to end the war on pot and all other drugs as well .
However , no one who you will see on any televised debate stage will express a desire to end the war on drugs , much less the war on pot .
The special interests who line the pockets of politicians who perpetuate the war on drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tens of thousands of non-violent drug offenders locked in steel cages across this country , many of them are in for possession alone .
The slow and rusty cogs of the bureaucratic leviathan can ’ t turn fast enough .
For every non-violent drug offender freed by a forward-thinking governor , five more are thrown in prison in other states .
Why ?
Locking up drug users has proven to be quite the profitable venture .
It is much easier to walk out on the street corner and shakedown a teenager who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pocket than it is to examine the evidence in a rape or murder case .
The so-called “ Private ” Prisons know this and have subsequently found their niche in this immoral war on drugs .
The term Private Prison is a farce from the get-go .
A truly Private prison would not be solely funded by taxpayer dollars .
These Private prisons are nothing more than a fascist mixture of state and corporate , completely dependent upon the extortion factor of the state , i.e.
, taxation , as a means of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison would have a negative incentive to boost its population for the simple fact that it is particularly expensive to house inmates .
On the contrary , these fascist , or more aptly corporatist , prisons contractually require occupancy rates of 95 % -100 % .
Become an Activist Post Patron for $ 1 per month at Patreon .
The requirement for a 95 % occupancy rate creates a de facto demand for criminals .
Think about that for a second ; a need or demand for people to commit crimes is created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with demanding people commit crimes are horrifying .
Creating a completely immoral demand for “ criminals ” leads to the situation in which we find ourselves today .
People , who are otherwise entirely innocent , are labeled as criminals for their personal choices and thrown in cages .
We are now witnessing a vicious cycle between law enforcement , who must create and arrest criminals , and the corporatist prison system that constantly demands more prisoners .
The police and prison corporations know that without the war on drugs , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses — ceases to exist .
As more and more states refuse to kidnap and cage marijuana users , the drug war will continue to implode .
We must be resilient in this fight .
If doing drugs bothers you , don ’ t do drugs .
When you transition from holding an opinion to using government violence to enforce your personal preference , you become the bad guy .
Don ’ t be the bad guy .
Only through a lesser ignorance and the spreading of information will those who continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tyrants they are .
The time is now for politicians and police to wake up and decide which side of history they want to be on — do they want to be remembered as the ones who courageously took a stand and refused to enforce immoral laws , or , do they want to be remembered as the ones who kidnapped , caged , and killed people for a plant that can help millions of people ?
It ’ s time to make a choice .
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operator directly tasked by the NSA .
This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state .
Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world .
Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project .
Follow @ MattAgorist on Twitter , Steemit , and now on Minds .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on SoMee , HIVE , Parler , Flote , Minds , and Twitter .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Matt Agorist
Colorado — Those members of government who are willing to challenge the status quo and stand against injustice are few and far between. Those members of government who not only stand against injustice but take action to reverse it are all but entirely mythical. Colorado Governor Jared Polis is not very mythical; however, he made a mythical move this week and signed an executive order Thursday which grants a full, unconditional pardon to everyone convicted of possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
According to Executive Order C 2020 004:
All individuals previously convicted in the State of Colorado of a petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony for possession of one (1) ounce or less of marijuana under the following provisions are hereby granted a full and unconditional pardon for that conviction. This Executive Order only applies to convictions of one (1) ounce or less of marijuana and no other charges or convictions are pardoned by this Executive Order.
“We are finally cleaning up some of the inequities of the past by pardoning 2,732 convictions for Coloradans who simply had an ounce of marijuana or less. It’s ridiculous how being written up for smoking a joint in the 1970’s has followed some Coloradans throughout their lives and gotten in the way of their success,” Polis said.
NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano highlights the collateral consequences of a conviction, stating, “Thousands of citizens unduly carry the undue burden and stigmatization of a past conviction for behavior that is no longer considered to be a crime. Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that officials move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.”
Unlike other initiatives in states like Vermont and California, this is a sweeping pardon, meaning people do not have to apply for it. Those with state-level convictions as identified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are eligible for the pardon, and individuals do not need to submit an application in order to receive one.
The question most people are now asking is why the hell did this take so long? Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012. Why wasn’t this legislation passed then? Also, why stop at one ounce or less? Does possessing two ounces or more make you some kind of evil villain? Furthermore, why stop at marijuana? All drugs need to be legalized — now.
As states legalize marijuana at an ever-increasing rate, what was once illegal in many states is now legal. However, many governors thus far have failed to advocate for releasing those who are currently incarcerated for the plant nor pardoning those who’ve been released. The time to do this is now.
Unfortunately, the rational, logical, humane, cost-effective and peaceful solution to so many problems in the US today is to end the war on pot and all other drugs as well. However, no one who you will see on any televised debate stage will express a desire to end the war on drugs, much less the war on pot.
The special interests who line the pockets of politicians who perpetuate the war on drugs have far too much power.
There are tens of thousands of non-violent drug offenders locked in steel cages across this country, many of them are in for possession alone. The slow and rusty cogs of the bureaucratic leviathan can’t turn fast enough. For every non-violent drug offender freed by a forward-thinking governor, five more are thrown in prison in other states. Why?
Locking up drug users has proven to be quite the profitable venture.
It is much easier to walk out on the street corner and shakedown a teenager who may have an illegal plant in his pocket than it is to examine the evidence in a rape or murder case. The so-called “Private” Prisons know this and have subsequently found their niche in this immoral war on drugs.
The term Private Prison is a farce from the get-go.
A truly Private prison would not be solely funded by taxpayer dollars. These Private prisons are nothing more than a fascist mixture of state and corporate, completely dependent upon the extortion factor of the state, i.e., taxation, as a means of their corporate sustenance.
A truly Private prison would have a negative incentive to boost its population for the simple fact that it is particularly expensive to house inmates. On the contrary, these fascist, or more aptly corporatist, prisons contractually require occupancy rates of 95%-100%.
Become an Activist Post Patron for $1 per month at Patreon.
The requirement for a 95% occupancy rate creates a de facto demand for criminals. Think about that for a second; a need or demand for people to commit crimes is created by this corporatist arrangement. The implications associated with demanding people commit crimes are horrifying.
Creating a completely immoral demand for “criminals” leads to the situation in which we find ourselves today. People, who are otherwise entirely innocent, are labeled as criminals for their personal choices and thrown in cages. We are now witnessing a vicious cycle between law enforcement, who must create and arrest criminals, and the corporatist prison system that constantly demands more prisoners.
The police and prison corporations know that without the war on drugs, this windfall of money, cars, and houses — ceases to exist.
As more and more states refuse to kidnap and cage marijuana users, the drug war will continue to implode. We must be resilient in this fight.
If doing drugs bothers you, don’t do drugs. When you transition from holding an opinion to using government violence to enforce your personal preference, you become the bad guy. Don’t be the bad guy.
Only through a lesser ignorance and the spreading of information will those who continue to enforce this immoral war be exposed as the tyrants they are. The time is now for politicians and police to wake up and decide which side of history they want to be on — do they want to be remembered as the ones who courageously took a stand and refused to enforce immoral laws, or, do they want to be remembered as the ones who kidnapped, caged, and killed people for a plant that can help millions of people? It’s time to make a choice.
Source: The Free Thought Project
Matt Agorist is an honorably discharged veteran of the USMC and former intelligence operator directly tasked by the NSA. This prior experience gives him unique insight into the world of government corruption and the American police state. Agorist has been an independent journalist for over a decade and has been featured on mainstream networks around the world. Agorist is also the Editor at Large at the Free Thought Project. Follow @MattAgorist on Twitter, Steemit, and now on Minds.
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


activistpost--2020-10-02--Macau Gaming Revenues Remain Down 90% In September As Slump Continues

Casinos in the world ’ s biggest gambling hub Macau showed minimal signs of improvement in September , slumping for the sixth consecutive month , despite the easing of tourist visas for visitors from mainland China , reported Bloomberg .
Visitors from the mainland account for over 90 % of Macau ’ s tourist inflows but given recent visa curbs by China , and the resurgence of the virus , travel to the gaming hub remains dead .
September ’ s gross gaming revenue fell 90 % to $ 277 million from a year earlier , according to new data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , missed the average analyst expectation of an 85-86 % decline .
“ Fears China is broadening a crackdown on offshore gambling has sparked a rush to withdraw billions of dollars in Macau , threatening a recovery in the coronavirus-stricken economy , ” executives told Reuters .
Even though China relaxed travel restrictions to Macau on Sept. 23 , by granting visas to mainlanders , executives warned that more arrivals to the gaming hub would result in an exodus of more cash .
With travel restrictions eased in the last couple of weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict requirements to enter Macau from the mainland continue , such as virus testing , which has shifted many Chinese travelers to other destinations such as Hainan .
Linda Chen , vice chairman of Wynn Macau Ltd. , said revenue during China ’ s Golden Week ( begins Oct. 1 ) to be about 30 % -50 % of last year ’ s level .
Macau ’ s lackluster recovery has been widely hindered by slower visa processing , virus testing , the decline in overseas travel , the resurgence of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Beijing .
Shares of Wynn Macau trading on the HK stock exchange were around HKD 12.36 , or about 41 % below the mid-January high of HKD 20.8 .
• Macau Gaming Revenues Down 97 % As Travel Restrictions Take Toll The latest gambling revenues from Macau muddies the outlook for the world ’ s largest casino hub .
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth , peace , and freedom news .
Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE !
Follow us on SoMee , HIVE , Parler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Provide , Protect and Profit from what ’ s coming !
Get a free issue of Counter Markets today .

By Tyler Durden
Casinos in the world’s biggest gambling hub Macau showed minimal signs of improvement in September, slumping for the sixth consecutive month, despite the easing of tourist visas for visitors from mainland China, reported Bloomberg.
Visitors from the mainland account for over 90% of Macau’s tourist inflows but given recent visa curbs by China, and the resurgence of the virus, travel to the gaming hub remains dead.
September’s gross gaming revenue fell 90% to $277 million from a year earlier, according to new data from Macau’s government on Thursday, missed the average analyst expectation of an 85-86% decline.
“Fears China is broadening a crackdown on offshore gambling has sparked a rush to withdraw billions of dollars in Macau, threatening a recovery in the coronavirus-stricken economy,” executives told Reuters. Even though China relaxed travel restrictions to Macau on Sept. 23, by granting visas to mainlanders, executives warned that more arrivals to the gaming hub would result in an exodus of more cash.
With travel restrictions eased in the last couple of weeks, casino floors remain mostly empty as strict requirements to enter Macau from the mainland continue, such as virus testing, which has shifted many Chinese travelers to other destinations such as Hainan.
Linda Chen, vice chairman of Wynn Macau Ltd., said revenue during China’s Golden Week (begins Oct. 1) to be about 30%-50% of last year’s level.
Macau’s lackluster recovery has been widely hindered by slower visa processing, virus testing, the decline in overseas travel, the resurgence of the virus, and increased scrutiny on capital outflows by Beijing.
Shares of Wynn Macau trading on the HK stock exchange were around HKD 12.36, or about 41% below the mid-January high of HKD 20.8.
For past Macau gaming reports this year, read:
The latest gambling revenues from Macau muddies the outlook for the world’s largest casino hub.
Source: Zerohedge
Become a Patron!
Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Send resources to the front lines of peace and freedom HERE! Follow us on SoMee, HIVE, Parler, Flote, Minds, and Twitter.
Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.