"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." --Harry S. Truman
Too often, insurance companies refuse to pay fair and just claims to policyholders. When they do, the only way to hold them accountable is through the civil justice system. Many insurance companies refuse to pay just claims, employ hardball tactics against policyholders, reward executives with extravagant salaries, and raise premiums while hoarding excessive profits. At the same time, the insurance industry has enjoyed its highest yearly profits ever, all at the expense of consumers. AAJ has conducted extensive research to examine insurance company greed and how consumers can hold them accountable.
Cheney indicted in Texas prison scandal Submitted by WW4 Report on Thu, 11/20/2008 - 03:53. Its not The Hague, but its a start. From AFP, Nov. 19:
Texas jury indicts Cheney, Gonzalez in prison abuse case WASHINGTON — A Texas grand jury has issued indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former attorney general Alberto Gonzalez over abuse at privately run prisons, court documents showed.
The three-page indictment Tuesday alleges that Cheney profited from the abuse because he invested 85 million dollars in a mutual fund company which holds shares of for-profit prisons.
It said this is a "direct conflict of interest" because Cheney had influence over the federal contracts awarded to the prison companies.
The indictment also accused Cheney of committing "at least misdemeanor assaults" of inmates by allowing other inmates to assault them.
The indictment further alleges that Gonzalez "participated by further having used his position ... to stop the investigations as to the wrong doings which includes the assaults committed in the prison for profit in Willacy County, Texas."
Cheney and Gonzalez were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
Several other related indictments were brought against a host of public officials in what one lawyer called a circus act by a local prosecutor seeking revenge in his final weeks in office.
"We look forward to having the opportunity to have an independent, competent prosecutor review the facts, and are confident that once that happens these baseless charges will be dismissed," said Michael Cowen, who represents Texas state senator Eddie Lucio.
Cheney's spokeswoman declined to comment because his office had not yet received a copy of the indictment.
"I'm not going to speculate or forecast the vice president's legal options," Megan Mitchell told AFP.
"Let's wait and see if we even receive one."
Associated Content notes these "Also indicted":
GEO Group, Inc., formerly Wackenhut Corrections Corp., and David Forrest, a warden, for murder and manslaughter of an inmate in 2001.
District Clerk Gilbert Lozano for official abuse of official capacity and official oppression.
Special prosecutor Gustavo Garza for official abuse of official capacity and official oppression.
We've noted before Cheney's corporate ties to the domestic police state.
This blog is maintained by myself & my brother. We each lived in Europe for an extended period of time. He in Germany for 7+ years and I in The United Kingdom for 2+ years. We've both experienced Socialized Medicine and we can attest that there is NO RATIONING of health care. European countries have strong Labor/Workers Rights and experience a superior standard of living.The common worker start with 30 holiday per year not counting 'Bank Holidays' (vacation days/ National Holidays. There is no such thing as 'Dick Days'. If you're sick you simply stay home. You don't get fired for getting sick. The propaganda that our elected officials are putting out to the American public with tossing around terms such as 'Rationing, socialism etc' are scare tactics that will not work on people who've lived and prospered in Europe. These politicians are not working for the American People, they are working for Pharma, Insurance Co. and Big Corporations.
