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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (227875)	7/17/2013 2:22:07 AM
From: bentway	Respond to of 545228

Why the mafia is so excited about eco-friendly businesses By Josh Meyer @JoshMeyerDC July 16, 2013 qz.com Italy’s ambitious organized crime syndicates are still killing people and trafficking drugs and weapons, but their latest bet is eco-friendly businesses. The cash-heavy groups are tapping into corporate cost-cutting in Europe’s crisis-torn economy, including the often exorbitant expenses required to properly dispose of waste, according to a recent report by European law enforcement agency Europol. The Italian mafia is famous for its forays into waste management, but thanks to shrinking budgets and tightening environmental regulations in Europe, illegal dumping and waste trafficking are booming under the guise of eco-friendly trash disposal. They’re high-return low-risk endeavors that are rarely prosecuted, Europol says. The Italian mafia is exploiting other green markets, too. In 2010, Italian authorities seized $1.9 billion US from Vito Nicastri, known as Sicily’s “Lord of the Wind,” and his alleged mafia associates, saying they illegally profited from wind farms and other government-subsidized alternative energy companies. Since then, Italian officials have been investigating so many suspected “clean energy” rackets that experts fear the related tax evasion and corruption is undermining Italy’s economy. Similar illicit industries are cropping up in Scotland, where illegal landfills are booming thanks to tax hikes on trash. One unlicensed trash pit can fit enough waste for a company to avoid 1 million euros in taxes a month. Meanwhile, Australian authorities have been on the lookout for criminal exploitation of carbon tax initiatives. Europol stressed that these businesses are a “very real threat” to the European Union. Crime syndicates tend to squeeze out legitimate businesses by operating initially at a loss to corner the market. Also, Europol fears the groups will use their green acquisitions to launder illicit proceeds from other criminal enterprises like drug trafficking, counterfeiting of products and extortion. That would allow the groups to move further into the mainstream financial system, giving them more room to grow, and more avenues to evade the law.

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (227875)	7/17/2013 2:29:25 AM
From: bentway	Respond to of 545228

THE OY OF SEX The First Kosher Lube Is Here The Atlantic Wire Lust Because religious people have sex lives too.

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (227875)	7/17/2013 9:26:33 AM
From: epicure	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 545228

That was a great production. Many of our great historical figures had feet of clay when it came to slavery, or other issues we see with such clarity today. I've never thought it fair to judge historical figures harshly when it comes to their failure to have the sensibilities of today- most people are not capable of such liberalness. But I don't understand the obsession on the right to hide the beliefs of famous men, whether US famous men, or those from other countries. And I don't understand the left for throwing out the baby with the bath, when it comes to the good that famous men with feel of clay have done. We should all understand that even great men have flaws- sometimes horrible ones. A fantastic leader may beat his wife, enjoy sex with children, slaves or own slaves. People are multidimensional, not one dimensional cardboard cutouts, and I like history that accepts that.