Monthly Archives: April 2013

Colorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

"The bill grants members of the Secret Service arrest powers by considering them to be a peace officer, putting them on a par with state law-enforcement officials. The legislation does not only apply to agents guarding the president or other government officials but also to special agents, uniformed division officers, physical security technicians, physical security specialists and special officers of the United States Secret Service. The idea actually aligns with an Obama agenda to create vast new restrictions and regulations on guns. Hundreds of sheriffs nationwide have said they cannot enforce federal restrictions that would violate the Second Amendment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

Former heart surgeon sues Jackson County, sheriff over false arrest, land seizure

"A former Pascagoula heart surgeon, whose 2009 charges of growing marijuana at his farm were dismissed, has filed a federal lawsuit against Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County alleging civil, constitutional and human rights violations. Filed in U.S. District Court in Gulfport, the lawsuit says David Bruce Allen was the victim of false arrest, false imprisonment for more than a year, slander and libel, assault and battery, emotional distress and irreparable loss of his property and reputation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer heart surgeon sues Jackson County, sheriff over false arrest, land seizure

An Idaho “Gun Violence” Story for the Huffington Post

"The Sheriff staged a SWAT-style raid in which the supposed victim was assaulted by a Deputy (Detective Rich Perecz, who has a previous violent offense in his criminal record), Bear was handcuffed, and an illegal search of the home was made in the hope of finding narcotics evidence that could be used as an excuse to forfeit (that is, steal) the property. Why were Bear and Marcella singled out for such abusive treatment? According to recorded radio traffic among the deputies, the paramilitary raid was carried out because Bear had been politically profiled as a 'Constitutionalist' – which meant that in the interests of 'officer safety,' SWAT tactics would be employed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAn Idaho “Gun Violence” Story for the Huffington Post

State seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

"All of their children, from several months old to age five, have been put up for adoption. The last three children were seized shortly after birth at hospital. 'It’s a heartbreaking experience,' the father told the Citizen. 'They come in and take your baby. It’s like they are stripping your life away.' The father said it was wrong for a court to punish him for future crimes a judge said he was likely to commit. He pleaded guilty for sex crimes against children when he was 12. 'I was a kid. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I pleaded guilty. But there was no sex, it was experimenting as a 12-year-old boy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

Pipelines and Legislators: Partners in Plunder

While the crony capitalism prevalent in Texas made national news headlines during the 2012 presidential campaign, the practice has not been curtailed.  One need only look to the ongoing saga between private property owners and pipelines in Texas to see that the politically influential continue to script law that grants them special privilege. The ability of legislators to convince the public of their commitment to the rule of law, private property rights and free markets … Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPipelines and Legislators: Partners in Plunder

After ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

"Under the new law, youth age 17 and older must have a parent or guardian present for an initial consultation with a tanning salon. It also bans children under 14 from getting spray tans in tanning salons. Governor Chris Christie said that while he does not favor government regulation of small business, the new law was important for protecting the safety of minors. Patricia Krentcil, who became known in tabloid stories as the "Tan Mom," denied exposing her daughter to a tanning session, and a grand jury opted not to indict her on charges of endangering the welfare of a child." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

"The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is being sued by a woman who says that officers violated her civil rights when they pepper-sprayed her entire family — including a 2-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby. Marilyn Taylor accuses Officers Maripily Clase, Suranjit Dey and Jermaine Hodge of overacting when they saw her pushing the stroller through a service entrance instead of going through the subway turnstile. 'The pepper-spray caused the children to scream out and choked the two-year old, who went into fits of vomiting,' the lawsuit says. 'Ms. Taylor was then placed in handcuffs as the minor children cried in fear and pain.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

Twice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked

"A Transportation Security Authority baggage-checking manager has got his job back a second time after he was unfairly fired twice. Raymond Ware and 35 other TSA employees were let go from Honolulu International Airport in 2011 after an investigation revealed that for several months, some officers failed to hand-screen checked baggage for explosives. But Ware challenged the dismissal, and has become the fourth TSA manager to win a settlement or successfully challenge his firing after the baggage-checking scandal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked

Student given probation, loses scholarships and internship after semen breath mint prank

"Jordan T. Drake, 18, pleaded guilty in January to adulterating a food item in May 2012, when he put semen into a bottle of 'Ice Drops' breath mint drops as a senior prank. Drake was a high achiever at Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy before the incident, winning science fair and quiz bowl awards, but was suspended after an internal investigation. He had enough units to graduate, but was not allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies,. He also lost a scholarship at Michigan State University and an internship at Dow Chemical Company. Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek sentenced Drake to 18 months probation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudent given probation, loses scholarships and internship after semen breath mint prank