Syrian Civil War Turns 2

Friday marks the two year anniversary of what has become the Syrian civil war.

It began with mass protests against the Assad regime, but has since killed nearly seventy-five thousand people.

Originally contained to major cities, it has spread not just country wide, but into neighboring nations as well.

Rebel forces continue to slowly gain ground, taking over the country bit by bit.

A majority of the world recognizes an alliance of rebel groups as the actual government.

However, most countries have otherwise stayed out of the conflict, though a few are sending military aid to the regime.

The end is not yet in sight, and the conflict could easily go on for several more years.

Syria Threatens to Ignore Lebanese Border

Syria has warned Lebanon that it will begin firing into Lebanon, unless they start keeping Syrian rebels out of their country.

Rebel forces regularly cross the border, hiding in Lebanon, and coming out to strike against Syrian forces.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that if the Lebanese army does not begin enforcing the border, then the Syrian military will not pay it any attention.

Lebanon has already seen violence, due to the civil war, as many Syrian refugees come to the country, and brought their sectarian strife with them.

It has only served to fuel divisions already present in the country.

New Israeli Coalition Formed

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has succeeded in forming a coalition, and securing his government.

An agreement was made, within hours of the deadline, between his Likud-Yisrael Beitenu alliance, Yesh Atid, and Jewish Home.

Netanyahu had already had to seek a two week extension.

Had he not been successful another would've been offered the Prime Minister spot.

The new government will have only twenty-two ministers, making it one of the smallest Israel has seen.

It also marks the first time in over a decade that a coalition government will not include any of the Ultra Orthodox parties.

7 Killed in Cancun Shooting

Soldiers patrolling Cancun

Seven people were killed and five wounded when gunmen shot up a bar, in Cancun, Mexico.

Most of Thursday's victims were members of a taxi driver's union.

Mexico has already increased the amount of military patrols in the town, which is heavily frequented by tourists.

Tourist areas have mostly avoided the drug war violence that has plagued the rest of Mexico.

However, over the last few months, those areas have seen an increase in troubles, leaving nowhere safe.

Sri Lankan Seizing Indian Fishermen Violating Waters

Over the past couple days the Sri Lankan navy have seized nine boats and fifty-three fishermen who violated their waters.

Starting on Wednesday, six hundred and fifty-two boats have come from Rameswaram, India and tried to fish in Sri Lankan waters.

Wednesday evening, naval forces detained four boats and nineteen fishermen.

Thursday morning, five more boats and thirty-four fishermen were taken.

The fishermen were tried in court, and sentenced to two weeks in jail.

Rameswaram fishermen say they plan on going back to fish, on Saturday.

South Africa Bus Crash Kills 24

Twenty-four people were killed and forty-five injured when a double decker bus overturned in South Africa.

Friday's crash happened about ninety miles outside of Cape Town.

Rescuers had to cut away parts of the bus to try and rescue people.

Eventually, a crane was brought in, to lift the bus off of trapped passengers.

According to authorities, the driver was having trouble with his brakes and tried entering the sand off the road to slow down, but ending up losing control.

8 Arrested for Attacks on Israeli Vehicles

Eight Palestinians were arrested on Friday, for taking part in vehicle stonings.

On Thursday, a group of men attacked vehicles near Ariel, with stones, causing a serious accident.

A three year old suffered head injuries and several other people received minor injuries in the crash.

Israeli security forces arrested the eight, after someone turned gave police their names.

Alan Grayson Wants to Tax Donations at 500%

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL-9)
Photo Courtesy US House of Rep.
Public Domain

Alan Grayson introduced a bill proposing a five hundred percent excise tax on contributions to Non-Profits that conduct political activism.

This is the same Alan Grayson who slandered Representative Paul Ryan by stating Ryan's proposed budget plan meant Ryan wants poor people to die. This is the same Alan Grayson who supports violating the First Amendment by compelling religious institutions to violate their beliefs and provide abortions and birth control to employees.

The full bill text is not yet available. However, the title itself seems rather self explanatory: "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a five hundred percent excise tax on corporate contributions to political committees and on corporate expenditures on political advocacy campaigns."

This is most likely in reaction to the Supreme Court Decision regarding Citizens United. Grayson has also suggested other bills directed towards "restoring the rights the supreme court stole from citizens in the Citizens United decision". Ironically, that decision more insured citizens' rights than denying any.

The impact of this law, if passed and deemed constitutional, is that those donations may remain deductible from income taxes. However, they will be taxed at five dollars for each dollar donated in the form of an excise tax. That would mean if a citizen donated to GOProud, for example, a six dollar donation would grant six dollars to the NPO and five dollars to the IRS. The tax would not apply to donations given to Planned Parenthood, since they are allegedly an apolitical organization. Reality demonstrates, though, that Planned Parenthood engages in pro-abortion lobbying.

The bill, HR 1111, has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

This article was originally published at P-G Matuszak's Mental Aikido. Copyright 2013, reprinted with permission.

Honda and Acura Recalling 253,000 Vehicles Due to Braking Issue

Honda has announced a recall of two hundred and fifty-three thousand vehicles.

Over two hundred incidents have been recorded where the vehicles brake on their own and the steering locks.

When that occurs it takes control away from the driver and can cause the vehicle to veer.

No injuries or accidents have been reported, but it is a very dangerous issue.

In the US, the recall includes 2005-06 Acura MDXs, 2005 Acura RLs, and 2005 Honda Pilots.

2004-2006 Honda Odysseys in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Mexico are also under the recall.

New York Stand Off Ends With Shooter Dead

A stand off in upstate New York, ended Thursday morning with an FBI dog and the gunman dead.

It began Wednesday when sixty-four year old Kurt Myers lit his apartment building on fire, in Mohawk.

He then walked over to John's Barber Shop, shot four people, two of whom died.

Myers then drove to Gaffey's Car Wash, in Herkimer, and killed two more people.

With police closing in, he hid in the basement of an abandoned building in downtown Herkimer, leading to the standoff.

At 08:00 EDT, officials sent the FBI dog in to try and end things.

The gunman shot and killed the dog, at which point police rushed the basement, shooting and killing Myers.

Authorities are working to determine the motive for the shootings.