Congressman Who Gets Millions In Farm Subsidies Denounces Food Stamps As Stealing ‘Other People’s Money’

Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) agitated against food aid for poor Americans included in the Farm Bill during last week’s House Agricultural Committee debate, accusing the government of stealing “other people’s money.” Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has already beendecimated in both the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill, cutting off nearly 2 million working families, children, and seniors from food assistance.

Fincher invoked the Bible in his defense of the devastating cuts, quoting, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” …

The Official Shield Mutual Action and Information Center for the Campaign to Free Adam Kokesh

The Collapse of Journalism, and the Journalism of Collapse

For those who believe that a robust public-affairs journalism is essential for a society striving to be democratic, the 21st century has been characterized by bad news that keeps getting worse.

Whatever one’s evaluation of traditional advertising-supported news media (and I have been among its critics; more on that later), the unraveling of that business model has left us with fewer professional journalists who are being paid a living wage to do original reporting. It’s unrealistic to imagine that journalism can flourish without journalists who have the time and resources to do journalism.

For those who care about a robust human presence on the planet, the 21st century has been characterized by really bad news that keeps getting really, really worse. …

Moore, Oklahoma, Needs Your Support

Dear C4SS Readers and Supporters,

Yesterday, May 20th, many communities, especially Moore, OK, were devastated by an EF4 tornado estimated to be more than 2 miles wide.

As many of you may not realize, Oklahoma is the home of many of the writers and volunteers with C4SS.

With more storms on their way, the families of Oklahoma could use all the support and aid they can receive. Every little bit of aid is important. This is where $5 from everyone makes an impact that can change lives. Anarchist activist scott crow summarizes the situation well, ”Note to people doing decentralized relief. Just because the state tells you to leave or you can’t do it doesn’t mean you have to listen. Don’t be confrontational. Be creative. The need is great and the state will fail on many levels.” …

U.S. seizes operator accounts of major Japanese Bitcoin exchange

US authorities seized the accounts of a Bitcoin digital currency exchange operator, claiming it was functioning as an “unlicensed money service business,” court documents showed Friday.

A warrant revealed by the Department of Homeland Security showed a judge signed the seizure order Tuesday for the accounts of Mutum Sigillum LCC, a subsidiary of Japan-based Mt. Gox, the world’s biggest Bitcoin exchange.

The warrant said the account based on the electronic payments platform Dwolla and held at Veridian Credit Union “was used to move money” as “part of an unlicensed money service” in violation of US law. …

The following is taken from a transcript of a special event featuring Jeremy Scahill and Noam Chomsky with Amy Goodman hosted by the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the American Friends Service Committee of Massachusetts, the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Community Church of Boston that was broadcast by  Democracy Now!. The event covered the subjects explored in Scahill’s new book,  Dirty Wars. The transcript starts with a speech by Scahill, who is later joined in a discussion with Goodman and Chomsky. …