TransCanada, which is currently constructing a tar sands oil pipeline that runs through Texas, reached a settlement with activists who have been protesting the pipeline. The settlement was the result of a lawsuit the multinational corporation brought to censor, intimidate and silence activists protesting construction by burdening them with a lawsuit where they would be preoccupied with defending themselves in court.

Today four Northern California animal rights activists await Federal criminal trial for ghastly crimes including passing out leaflets, chalking slogans on pavement, and chanting. Oh, and using the internet to locate the indivduals they were protesting. Yes, the world’s only superpower can’t be bothered to defend us against banksters’ ursury or death from want of health care, but when it comes to leaflets, chalked slogans, and Google searches, they’re here for us. To shut us up.