The Old Blog in the Desert

The House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have brought forth an interim staff report titled “Financial Surveillance in the United States: How Federal Law Enforcement Commandeered Financial Institutions to Spy on Americans.”

The findings are deeply concerning, shedding light on federal law enforcement and its expansive financial surveillance practices, delving into the private transactions of American citizens without specific evidence of criminal activity, and ignoring constitutionally protected freedoms. Federal entities, like the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the FBI, are implicated in facilitating covert discussions with major financial institutions.

Institutions involved include Barclays, U.S. Bank, Charles Schwab, HSBC, Bank of America, PayPal, and others. The methods employed included the use of keyword filtering to flag transactions containing terms such as “MAGA” and “TRUMP,” as well as purchases related to books, religious texts, firearms, and recreational activities from stores like Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, and Dicks Sporting Goods.

Such surveillance, far-reaching and indiscriminate, appears to target millions of Americans with conservative inclinations or interests in Second Amendment rights, irrespective of any criminal suspicions. Moreover, the report exposes the existence of a web portal administered by the Domestic Security Alliance Council (DSAC), a collaborative effort involving the FBI’s Office of Private Sector and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

The platform purportedly facilitated the dissemination of intelligence products to financial institutions, aiding in the identification of individuals labeled as “domestic violent extremists” or criminals, often based on their conservative political affiliations or other constitutionally protected activities. Federal authorities leveraged these reports and shared materials to gain unfettered access to financial databases, conducting broad searches on individuals without criminal allegations and absent judicial oversight or warrants.

The implications of such pervasive financial surveillance are deeply troubling, casting doubts on the commitment of federal law enforcement and financial institutions to uphold the privacy rights and fundamental civil liberties of American citizens.

The Heartland Institute undertook a comprehensive study to assess the potential impact of fraudulent mail-in ballots on the outcome of the 2020 election, drawing from data obtained through a survey conducted jointly by Heartland and Rasmussen Reports.

The survey revealed that approximately 20 percent of mail-in voters acknowledged engaging in actions during the election that could be potentially fraudulent, with mail-in ballots having a substantial impact.

They estimated that over 28.2 percent of respondents who voted by mail admitted to engaging in behaviors that, under normal circumstances, would be deemed illegal and constitute voter fraud. This revelation raises serious concerns that more than one in four mail-in ballots cast in 2020 may have been fraudulent and not counted.

Delving further into the implications of their findings, researchers examined the electoral outcomes in six key swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Under various scenarios reflecting different levels of fraudulent ballots, they recalculated the vote totals to assess the potential impact on the election results.

The analysis indicated that President Trump would have emerged victorious in all but three scenarios, showing the profound significance of mail-in ballot fraud in shaping the election outcome. Even where both candidates ended up with the same number of Electoral College votes, Trump would have likely secured victory due to the Republican control of more state delegations.

Despite criticism of the survey methodology and question clarity, Heartland researchers stand by their findings, saying there is an urgent need for state legislatures to implement measures to safeguard the integrity of future elections.

My Cousin Elmo says, “I’m confused. If it’s called Daylight Savings Time, how is it we lost an hour?”

Misconduct allegations are shaking the Washoe County School District (WCSD), prompting accusations of a politically motivated conspiracy.

Trustee Jeff Church, a vocal advocate for reform within the district, finds himself at the center of a controversy that has ignited a firestorm of accusations and counterclaims. Church alleges that his fellow board members are targeting him to undermine his credibility and derail his reelection bid.

At the heart of the matter are allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Church by two female district employees. The accusations, which Church vehemently denies, supposedly occurred in a parking lot following a board meeting. However, video evidence exonerates him, placing him elsewhere at the time of the alleged incident.

Furthermore, Church contends that the board’s leadership, particularly Board President Beth Smith and Trustee Diane Nicolet, have attempted to silence him and tarnish his reputation. He claims that efforts to initiate an independent investigation continue to be refused, leading him to file a Writ of Mandamus to compel compliance with Nevada law and district policies.

The controversy escalated with the district demanding $500,000 in funds to defend against potential legal action initiated by Church. The development has raised eyebrows, with Church and his supporters decrying what they perceive as an attempt to cover up a purported conspiracy within the highest echelons of the district.

The drama has drawn attention to broader concerns about governance and transparency within WCSD. The district’s handling of the allegations and reluctance to pursue an impartial investigation are in question.

Church has called for public scrutiny and accountability, urging community members to attend the upcoming board meeting on March 12th. He contends that the allegations against him are part of a concerted effort to undermine his position and stifle his efforts to advocate for meaningful reform within the district.

The tumultuous situation within WCSD comes against a backdrop of persistently low proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, raising serious concerns about the quality of education. With several board members, including Church, up for reelection in November 2024, the controversy adds uncertainty to an already fraught electoral landscape.

As Nevada’s geothermal wonders go, Steamboat Hot Springs south of Reno holds a storied place in Comstock history, with bubbling mineral-rich waters and once-majestic geysers. Yet, in recent decades, this natural spectacle largely faded into obscurity — until now.

In an unexpected turn reminiscent of its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a small geyser has reemerged, captivating locals and scientists alike. The resurgence, unseen since the early 1900s, has puzzled experts, including renowned nuclear physicist Taylor Wilson, who views the phenomenon as a captivating enigma.

Indeed, the sudden reappearance of geothermal activity has left him scratching his head.

“Really it’s a mystery,” Wilson told KRNV. “We don’t quite know yet why this activity after 60 years has decided to reemerge.”

Despite the allure, the area remains off-limits to the public due to the hazardous nature of the scalding water. During a recent visit, Wilson measured temperatures reaching 208 degrees Fahrenheit.

The significance of Steamboat Hot Springs extends beyond its geological marvels; it once attracted Virginia City’s literary giant Mark Twain, who famously likened the bubbling springs to the sounds of a steamboat.

In 1863, Twain wrote of the area, “From one spring the boiling water is ejected a foot or more by the infernal force at work below, and in the vicinity of all of them one can hear a constant rumbling and surging, somewhat resembling the noises peculiar to a steamboat in motion.”

In the decades following, surface activity waned, but the therapeutic benefits of the mineral-infused waters persisted. Today, the site hosts the Steamboat Hot Springs healing center and spa.

The recent resurgence, however, has sparked curiosity and speculation.

“There’s an active earthquake swarm centered not much more than a mile (away)…,” Wilson said of the more than 100 tremblors the area has felt since the beginning of 2024.

Additionally, the operation of the geothermal power plant in the vicinity may also influence the revival.

As scientists delve deeper into this geological mystery, one thing remains clear: the revival of geyser activity at Steamboat Hot Springs is a remarkable chapter in Nevada’s natural history. For Wilson and others, it represents an opportunity to unravel the secrets of the Earth’s underground forces, one steamy eruption at a time.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been cataloging U.S. citizens’ mail and sharing the data with federal law enforcement without a warrant since 2017 under the Mail Isolation Control and Tracking (MICT) program, wholly separate from its post-9/11 responsibility to look at and collect private and corporate email.

MICT doesn’t read the content of the mail but records and stores data on thousands of letters, packages, and parcels that pass through USPS facilities. Critics compare the program to the FBI Department of Justice or National Security Agency surveillance of phone and internet records, warrantlessly searched under the Patriot Act, and using a loose standard of proof.

Because MICT only looks at the outside of letters, which are publicly viewable, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has used similar reasoning to explain why the police can go through your trash set out on the curb without a warrant or probable cause.

Alarmingly, there is no external oversight by the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Congress.

There is an external component to the MICT program where the USPS takes a photograph of the mail and texts it to subscribers to their ‘free’ service, called “Informed Consent,” which sounds a bit Orwellian.

In response to growing concerns over tax reporting loopholes, Congress changed the reporting requirements for gig economy workers and independent contractors, with those changes delayed multiple times due to apprehensions raised by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The changes and delays have affected many in Storey and Lyon Counties who work a second or third job to make ends meet.

Previously, gig workers were only required to report gross annual earnings exceeding $20,000 involving more than 200 transactions in a calendar year on Form 1099-K. It created a loophole allowing individuals to earn up to $20,000 without reporting their income.

In 2021, Congress responded to the IRS’s request and lowered the reporting threshold to $600, intending to close this loophole. However, in 2023 and 2024, the IRS postponed implementation because of concerns over potential errors and an influx of more agency paperwork within the agency.

The IRS fears the sudden influx of up to 44 million new 1099-K forms might overwhelm its systems and lead to the issuing of incorrect notices.

The reporting threshold was temporarily increased to $5,000 in 2024 before it reverts to $600 in 2025 to address the concern. Meanwhile, there is ongoing debate about whether this threshold is adequate, with some advocating for an increase to $10,000.

Furthermore, there is continued pushback by those who believe that the lowered threshold of $600 is an abuse by the federal government, which wants to control the number of hours gig workers and independent contractors can work and make. Still, others see the move as a way for the federal government to see what someone is purchasing or why they are receiving the money.

In addition to federal regulations, several states, including Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Virginia, have enacted reporting thresholds for Form 1099-K, further complicating tax reporting for gig workers. These thresholds range from $600 to $2,500 and can impact individuals working across state lines.

A cold case dating back to 1980 is finding new life towards a solution to the mystery surrounding the remains of an unknown homicide victim found in Nye County.

In October 1980, Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the remains of an unidentified adult male approximately one mile east of US-95, situated 60 miles south of Tonopah near a dirt road. They notified the Nevada State Police (NSP) to assist with the investigation following the discovery.

Subsequent forensic examinations revealed that the cause of death was homicide, resulting from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite extensive efforts over the years, including interviews, press releases, and DNA analysis, investigators struggled to make headway in identifying the victim or the perpetrator.

However, advancements in DNA technology offered a glimmer of hope as in March 2022, the FBI, NSP, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) sought the expertise of Othram, a forensic genealogy company, to conduct advanced DNA testing and a genealogy search.

The analysis conducted by Othram produced a genetic report and uncovered leads for detectives. With the collaboration of the FBI, Albert Matas of Commerce, Calif., was identified in December 2023. Further investigation revealed that Albert had lost contact with his family in September 1978.

Anyone with information about this case should contact the Nevada State Police Investigation Division at (775) 684-7456.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20 

Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant entangled in a high-profile bribery scandal implicating President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, found himself back in custody following an arrest at his attorney’s office in Las Vegas. This arrest comes just two days after U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts ordered Smirnov’s release, citing insufficient evidence to warrant his continued detention.

According to court documents filed by defense attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, Smirnov’s re-arrest came based on a warrant issued from California, the jurisdiction where the case originated. The defense team vehemently condemned the action, saying it infringed on Smirnov’s Sixth Amendment rights, and vowed to pursue legal avenues to secure his release once again.

Despite the situation, no immediate hearing has been scheduled in Nevada or California to address Smirnov’s detention status. Prosecutors dissatisfied with the initial release decision swiftly appealed, setting the stage for a renewed legal battle.

The circumstances surrounding Smirnov’s arrest have raised eyebrows, particularly as prosecutors allege that he misled authorities by fabricating claims regarding payments made by executives of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma to President Biden and Hunter Biden in 2015.

“Big Dan” Rodimer, a former Republican congressional candidate and ex-wrestler, surrendered to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on Wednesday, March 6, after officials issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the death of a man at a Las Vegas Strip hotel.

“Holy sh..!” Mindy Robinson wrote on X. “My former congressional opponent…the corrupt, wannabe wrestler/wife beater with a history of assault, who Kevin McCarthy gave half a million dollars to beat me in the primary knowing he’d lose in the general [election]…is wanted for murder.”

Endorsed by former President Donald Trump, he praised Rodimer as a fighter for lower taxes, better education, and law enforcement support. However, Rodimer’s loss in the 2020 election to Nevada District 3 Rep. Susie Lee by nearly 13,000 votes raised questions about the GOP’s candidate preferences.

Rodimer, 45, faced allegations of violence and domestic abuse during his campaign, with actress and America First influencer Mindy Robinson criticizing the GOP establishment, including Kevin McCarthy, for supporting him despite his troubled history. Robinson highlighted Rodimers track record of multiple assaults, involvement in shady deals, and allegations of running a Medicare scheme worth millions, which she uncovered during the campaign.

The arrest warrant alleges that Rodimer became enraged after the victim, Christopher Tapp, was accused of offering cocaine to Rodimers stepdaughter. Witnesses reported hearing Rodimer threaten Tapp before a violent altercation ensued.

Tapp, of Idaho, was previously charged in the 1996 rape and murder of an 18-year-old, despite being excluded by DNA evidence, according to the Innocence Project. He was convicted in 1998 on charges of first-degree murder, rape, and use of a deadly weapon and sentenced later that year to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 30 years for the murder conviction and ten years for the rape conviction.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, the court vacated his murder conviction.