Author: Ring of Fire Staff

In Pennsylvania and several other states, recently-proposed legislation would make it illegal to photograph, video, or audiotape activities on farms. The so-called “anti-whistleblower bills” have been cropping up around the country – some in states where there have been recent investigations of animal cruelty. The bills are being lobbied by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a powerful corporate-funded association whose sole purpose is to pass corporate-friendly legislation. According to Humane Society’s Matthew Dominguez, “It speaks volumes that this industry wants to make it a crime to merely take a photo of abusive, unsanitary or otherwise unethical activity.” But the bills,...

The Senate took a small and symbolic step toward eliminating the injustice of the “too big to jail” doctrine this week, demanding the Department of Justice more aggressively pursue prosecution of large financial institutions. Meanwhile, the House has chosen to perpetuate the industry’s heinous criminal acts by increasing taxpayer support for derivatives and creating new trading loopholes. Sen. Jeff Merkely (D-Ore.) introduced an amendment that would create a deficit-neutral reserve fund to facilitate the criminal prosecution of U.S. financial institutions that break the law, regardless of their size. It was part of more than 500 amendments in the Senate’s...

The Agricultural Department sent a budget to the White House last week, with orders from the meat industry and agricultural giant Monsanto on how Secretary Tom Vilsack should do his job. Monsanto, a company known for its controversial and potentially dangerous genetically engineered crop seeds, has been under fire for years for putting profit over consumer need and safety. The agricultural budget given to Vilsack outlined specific industry demands, one being that Vilsack should withdraw implemented regulations that protect chicken growers under contract with larger chicken processors. In addition, Vilsack was told how to respond should a court challenge...

Over the next two days, the Justices of the Supreme Court will hear arguments about high-profile cases against California’s two gay marriage bans. The Hollingsworth v. Perry case is seeking to void the California gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, while the United States v. Windsor challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA, which was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, defines marriage in federal law as a union between man and woman and has barred gay couples from numerous federal marital benefits. Clinton has since recanted his view on DOMA and wants the legislature overturned, claiming that...

In a brave move for the rights of Kentucky’s citizens, Gov. Steve Beshear (D) vetoed Kentucky House Bill 279, a controversial religious freedom bill that threatened anti-discrimination laws in the state. House Bill 279, or the “Religious Freedom Act,” allowed persons with “sincerely held” religious beliefs to discriminate against anyone on the basis of those beliefs. The bill had the potential to eliminate years of progress made fighting against the discrimination of minority groups, such as the LGBT community. “I value and cherish our rights to religious freedom and I appreciate the good intentions of House Bill 279 and...