The escalation of policing: Slave patrols, privatization, and predator d...

As police use private surveillance companies to track protesters and universities hire private forces, there's a danger that public records of police abuse could disappear.

2,407 views

•Sep 28, 2020

Ask the Experts Ep. 5: Was your state financially prepared for COVID-19?

Live: Attorney for Breonna Taylor grand jury member to speak

SURPRISE!

Kevin Glogower, attorney for Breonna Taylor case Grand Jury member, speaks to media. Attorney General Daniel Cameron said he’s complying with a judge’s order and releasing a recording of the grand jury proceedings in the Breonna Taylor case.

7,968 views

•Streamed live 45 minutes ago

No More Guessing On Trump's Tax Filings

Just in time something easy-to-understand from Forbes [Getty Image]

The Ordinary Taxpayer’s Guide To The Extraordinary Story Of Trump’s Tax Returns

Kelly Phillips Erb

Senior  Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.Taxes

Forbes | 2020-09-28

"I haven’t seen President Trump’s tax returns. I’m going to start there. No matter how many times I’ve been asked today to offer my “take” on the returns, I can’t give a more honest answer than, “I haven’t seen the returns.”

I have, however, read the very detailed article from the New York Times , which can be found here. I’m not inclined to summarize it for you - you can read it on your own - . . . if Trump wanted to release his tax returns - even in the middle of an audit - he could.

> One of the flaws of reviewing tax returns on their own is that they are not a reliable measure of a person’s net worth.

> Okay. Let’s talk tax specifics. First, what is depreciation, really? . .

This is why the Times noted that “Depreciation, though, is not a magic wand…” It doesn’t simply create losses out of thin air. You can read more about depreciation here.

Okay, got it. Now, how does cancellation of debt income work?

According to the Times, Trump failed to pay back at least $287 million since 2010. Normally, a failure to pay back that kind of debt would result in a taxable event.

> Is it a crime for the New York Times to have the returns? . . .The Times separately posted an Editor’s Note confirming that the returns were obtained legally. You can read it here.)

The Times raises some valid questions that shouldn’t be ignored. As I read through the article - and your questions - I’m reminded of something that departing IRS-CI Chief Don Fort used to stress: voluntary compliance is the basis of our tax system, and no one is above the law. "

POST SCRIP:

Trump’s Taxes Are Finally Leaked—What’s Next?

Kelly Anne SmithForbes StaffAdvisorContributor GroupOpinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.Personal Finance

Forbes | 2020-09-28

The Times investigation also showed that Trump is under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for a $72.9 million tax refund he claimed in 2010. 

In a White House press conference on Sunday evening, Trump refuted the Times article, saying he had “paid a lot,” including payment of New York state income taxes. Regarding the ongoing audit, Trump commented that the IRS “does not treat me well. They treat me very badly.” 

 

Palantir > From Sci-Fi Fantasy > VC Unicorn Startup > Data Mining Empire Controversial IPO

Palantir Technologies is a private American software company that specializes in big data analytics. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, it was founded by Peter Thiel, Nathan Gettings, Joe Lonsdale, Stephen Cohen, and Alex Karp.
> Over time, it expanded throughout the commercial business world while building a data analytics platform called Foundry, which organizations of all types use to analyze their own data.

 

 

RELATED CONTENT ON THIS BLOG:

19 July 2019

Palantir: It's More Than "Souped-Up" Surveillance Software >

Sooner or later, thanks to two reports years apart, we now know that Peter Thiel's Palantier (from the same dude that created 'Pay Pal) helped the National Security Agency spy on the entire world, is also used Law Enforcement Agencies and The Department of Homeland Security.
No doubt about it Now
Whatever data can be collected is collected.

Public Records Request Nets User's Manual For Palantir's Souped-Up Surveillance Software

Fri, Jul 19th 2019 10:44am— Tim Cushing

Techdirt.                        |

"Palantir is the 800-pound gorilla of data analytics.

It has created a massive surveillance apparatus that pulls info from multiple sources to give law enforcement convenient places to dip into the data stream. Law enforcement databases may focus on criminals, but Palantir's efforts focus on everyone.

Whatever can be collected is collected.

________________________________________________________________ 

Palantir provides both the data and the front end, making it easy for government agencies to not only track criminal suspects, but everyone they've ever associated with.

Palantir is big. But being the biggest player in the market doesn't exactly encourage quality work or accountability.

Multiple problems have already been noticed by the company's numerous law enforcement customers -- including the company's apparent inability to responsibly handle data -- but complaints from agencies tied into multi-year contracts are pretty easy to ignore. Palantir says it provides "actionable data." Sounds pretty cool, but in practice this means things like cops firing guns at innocent people because the software spat out faulty suspect/vehicle descriptions.

Agencies must see the value in Palantir's products because few seem willing to ditch these data analytics packages. The company does a fairly good job dropping a usable interface on top of its data haystacks. It sells well. And it's proprietary, which means Palantir can get into the policing business without actually having to engage in the accountability and openness expected of government agencies.

Fortunately for the public, government agencies still have to respond to public records requests -- even if the documents sought detail private vendors' offerings. Vice has obtained part of a user's manual for Palantir Gotham, which is used by a number of state and federal agencies.

This software appears to be used by "fusion centers," the DHS-created abominations that do serious damage to civil liberties but produce very little usable intelligence . . .

READ MORE > https://www.techdirt.com 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

From The Intercept:

How Peter Thiel’s Palantir Helped the NSA Spy

on the Whole World

Sam Biddle February 22 2017 4:06 a.m.

"Donald Trump has inherited the most powerful machine for spying ever devised. How this petty, vengeful man might wield and expand the sprawling American spy apparatus, already vulnerable to abuse, is disturbing enough on its own. But the outlook is even worse considering Trump’s vast preference for private sector expertise and new strategic friendship with Silicon Valley billionaire investor Peter Thiel, whose controversial (and opaque) company Palantir has long sought to sell governments an unmatched power to sift and exploit information of any kind. Thiel represents a perfect nexus of government clout with the kind of corporate swagger Trump loves.

The Intercept can now reveal that Palantir has worked for years to boost the global dragnet of the NSA and its international partners, and was in fact co-created with American spies

__________________________________________________________________

Controversial Data Company Palantir Goes Public Next Week: What You Need to Know

The Peter Thiel-backed company that serves spy agencies, among other customers, isn't taking the normal route to go public.

Lou Whiteman

(TMFeldoubleu)

Sep 19, 2020 at 10:49AM

Author Bio

Lou has followed the markets for more than two decades, developing extensive contacts including industry leaders, consultants, regulators, and labor representatives. He spends a lot of time these days focused on the industrials and financials. When not arguing on Twitter or writing about the markets, Lou spends his free time out in nature, complaining online about the Baltimore Orioles or Watford FC, or listening to early 1990s alt rock. Follow @louwhiteman

Follow @louwhiteman

Palantir Technologies, a Peter Thiel-backed data analytics company best known for working with government spy agencies, is preparing to trade on public markets for the first time on or around Sep. 23.

Palantir, though secretive, has attracted a lot of buzz through the years. And Thiel has a strong reputation as a co-founder of PayPal and an early investor in both Facebook and Microsoft's LinkedIn. Those investments have paid off handsomely for shareholders.

Should investors buy Palantir? Here's what you need to know before you do.

GET INTO MORE DETAILS >

This won't be a normal IPO

Palantir will not launch a traditional initial public offering, instead planning a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange. While an IPO typically involves the sale of a block of shares via underwriters, in a direct listing, existing holders including founders, venture firms, and vested employees sell shares on the exchange.

We don't really know what the company is worth...

When Palantir raised $880 million in 2015, it sold shares at a price that valued the business at an impressive $20.3 billion. Five years later, it is far from clear what the company is worth.

In its registration statement, Palantir said it has about 2.17 billion shares outstanding, including unvested options and restricted stock. It also details the prices those shares are trading at on private markets. More than 35 million shares traded in the current quarter through Sep. 1, at an average transaction price of $6.45 per share.

Image source: Getty Images.

The company was founded in 2003 by a group including computer scientist Stephen Cohen and Thiel, a sometimes controversial venture capitalist best known as a co-founder of PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) and an early investor in both Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) LinkedIn. Thiel does not have a day-to-day role at the Palantir, but is chairman of its board.

The company's work with the Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a number of defense agencies has made it a lightning rod for criticism over the years.

Palantir admits as much in its registration statement, warning that "our relationships with government customers and customers that are engaged in certain sensitive industries, including organizations whose products or activities are or are perceived to be harmful, have resulted in public criticism, including from political and social activists, and unfavorable coverage in the media."

At the same time, yielding to activists could be harmful to growth. . .

https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/08/25/controversial-data-company-palantir-bashes-silicon/  

 

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING Thu 09.24.2020. at 08:00 am > Agenda & Meeting Details

At a critical time now when we need confidence and trust in public employees hired to serve and to protect us, there were some prime issues of paramount concern raised last Thursday over job-related mental stress and stability and the impact of behavioral health on the performance of the Mesa Fire & Medical Department, as well as a lengthy presentation looking at the Mesa Police Department's Policies & Procedures that included performance recommendations and public outreach.

These issues are alarming to say the least when the quality of Public Safety is dependent on the qualifications and stability of public employees to handle "mental stress" when their reactions are harmful or present dangerous risks to the public that may involve excessive use-of-force or unjustified killings of civilians.

 

Council Committee Meeting Notice: To decrease COVID-19 exposure, the City Council Chambers is closed, but public participation will be available telephonically.   Members of the Council Committee will appear electronically for this meeting, via a video conferencing platform, and the audio of the live meeting will be accessible telephonically.    

Because of the current public health emergency, the City Council Chambers is closed for Committee meetings. However, the audio of the live meeting, including viewing any presentation materials, are available at: https://mesa11.zoom.us/j/5301232921 or, audio only of the live meeting is accessible by calling 888-788-0099 or 877-853-5247 (toll free) using meeting ID 5301232921 and following the prompts.     For any difficulties accessing this meeting, please call 480-644-2099.

Meeting Agenda - Final
Mesa Council Chambers 57 East First Street
David Luna - Chairperson Mark Freeman, Kevin Thompson
8:00 AMVirtual PlatformThursday, September 24, 2020
Roll Call
1 Presentations:

20-0979 Hear a presentation and discuss the State of the Court update.1-a As you can see there are no attachments provided or made available

File #:

20-0979

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Public Safety Committee

On agenda:

9/24/2020

Title:

Hear a presentation and discuss the State of the Court update.

20-0978 Hear a presentation and discuss an update on the Public Safety Peer Support Team's efforts relating to employee mental stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 1-b

File #:

20-0978

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Public Safety Committee

On agenda:

9/24/2020

Title:

Hear a presentation and discuss an update on the Public Safety Peer Support Team's efforts relating to employee mental stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Attachments:

1. Presentation

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT

IMPACT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
• Mental health conditions cost employers $100 billion and 217 million lost workdays each year

• COVID-19 impact: No timetable for ending. Recent study shows increase in signs and symptoms of Depression/Anxiety from 11% to 36% in year over year comparison.

FIRE AND MEDICAL DEPARTMENT UTILIZATION OF EAP
• From 2018 to 2019 total number of in person utilizers went from 74 to 142

• This is an increase from 14% of fire employees to 28%

• Excluding public safety, all other City of Mesa employees utilize EAP at 14%

• A similar increase as MFMD would result in approximately 500 employees receiving in person care

HOW DO WE DO THIS?
• Streamline the process: Accessing care can be difficult and frustrating when you are mentally struggling. • Supervisor education: Signs and symptoms of stress. How to initiate conversations about mental health

.Resources available.

• Proactive approach: Creating a template for Bereavement, injuries, and new employees.

• Designating a confidential “go-to” person to call for guidance and assistance. This person coordinates the above-mentioned programs.

CRISIS SITUATIONS
• Death or major injury to a co-worker

• MFMD has already responded to a number of these circumstances

• Create a policy for Supervisors to follow to streamline the process and shorten the response.

20-0980 Hear a presentation and discuss an update on the Police Department’s policies and procedures, including PERF recommendations and public outreach. 1-c

File #:

20-0980

Type:

Presentation

Status:

Agenda Ready

In control:

Public Safety Committee

On agenda:

9/24/2020

Title:

Hear a presentation and discuss an update on the Police Department’s policies and procedures, including PERF recommendations and public outreach.

Attachments:

1. Presentation

THE PRESENTATION 1S 29 PAGES/POWER POINT SLIDES

Mesa Police Department Public Safety CommitteePresentation

2 Adjournment.
City Councilmembers who are not members of this Committee may elect to attend this meeting for their own information. These Councilmembers will not take any legal action, nor will they participate in any deliberations or discussions regarding any item on this agenda.

Collapse Cycle Begins Across Society (1041)

Collapse dominoes are entering a feedback loop for our society, from 75% of hotels not able to remain in business for six more months to endless money printing, to a second lockdown and grocery retailers planning for guards in stores and limiting anyone stocking up to what you need weekly and no more. Good news is that 40% of Russian food production comes from small farms of 2-5 acres, that is indeed hopeful news.

32,451 views

•Premiered Sep 24, 2020