Monthly Archives: September 2013

John Yoo’s Anti-Constitution Beliefs

"I have yet to read anything by law professor John Yoo that I do not strongly contest. This would not be worthy of mention except that he has occupied high and influential positions in the U.S. Department of Justice. His positions on torture, enemy combatants (Guantanamo), surveillance and presidential powers to make war, even if they have come under strong attack, had a lot of influence. Basically, if he had his way, the president would be an elected dictator who would not have to pay any attention to important parts of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." Continue reading →

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NSA chief Clapper: Data spying debate ‘probably needed to happen’

"'As loathe as I am to give any credit for what’s happened here, which is egregious…' said National Intelligence Director James Clapper, 'I think it’s clear that some of the conversations that this has generated, some of the debate… actually probably needed to happen.' Clapper, speaking at a conference in Washington, said the public discussion examining the balance between spying powers and privacy rights 'perhaps' should have taken place earlier. 'So if there’s a good side to this, maybe that’s it,' he said of the Snowden media leaks. His comments were the first time a senior US intelligence figure had portrayed the leaks as sparking a useful debate." Continue reading →

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Senator on journalists who publish leaks: ‘Historically, spies have been shot’

"In a contentious Senate panel hearing about what protections should be available to journalists who receive government secrets, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) said that 'historically, spies have been shot for revealing information,' and that the thinking on a shield law for journalists should proceed forth from that point. Earlier this year, journalists and editors working for the Associated Press found out that the Department of Justice had tapped and recorded their phone calls for more than two months. The Justice Department also used warrants to obtain the emails of reporter James Rosen. In each case, the government maintained that it was attempting to police its internal workings for leakers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator on journalists who publish leaks: ‘Historically, spies have been shot’

“Privacy” Held Hostage By “Security” – Public Unimpressed

"Since Sept. 11, our government has acted as if security and privacy were an either/or proposition. In other words, an increase in one causes a decrease in the other. Like a seesaw, if one side goes up, the other side must go down. As federal security consultant Ed Giorgio stated several years ago in a widely quoted New Yorker article, 'Privacy and security are a zero-sum game.' Apparently, in order to be more 'secure,' we must accept less 'privacy.' That includes allowing increased warrantless surveillance and scrutiny by the government. So is the government’s argument sound?" Continue reading →

Continue Reading“Privacy” Held Hostage By “Security” – Public Unimpressed

Win for Chicago gun owners: City Council rewrites gun laws

"The National Rifle Association is claiming victory today after the Chicago City Council tentatively approved a rewrite of the city’s onerous gun laws that were passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the McDonald v. Chicago case (2010), which effectively overturned Chi-Town’s ban on handguns. While the full City Council will officially vote on the changes on Wednesday, it’s believed that they’ll stick because of the state’s recently passed concealed carry law, a 'shall-issue' statue that allows law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms in public provided they pass a background check, pay a $150 fee and take a 16-hour firearms training course." Continue reading →

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New Jersey Suddenly Begins Enforcing Air Rifle Ban

"In New Jersey, it is illegal to own an air rifle if it in any way reduces noise. That would make it a weapon with a silencer. Such weapons are illegal in New Jersey. The police did not bother with this in the past, but now they do. The idea that criminals are going to threaten victims with air rifles equipped with silencers is bizarre. But in the world of bureaucracy, North’s law of bureaucracy reigns supreme: 'In any bureaucracy, some bureaucrat will eventually enforce the letter of the law to the point of absurdity.' I don’t know how gun owners are supposed to comply. Must they sell their guns to New Yorkers? How are they to transport their guns across the state’s border?" Continue reading →

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Two Huge Victories in Colorado for the Second Amendment

"Even though there had never been a successful recall in Colorado history, and even though advocates of gun rights were targeting Senators in two districts that voted overwhelmingly for Obama, and even though the statists had a huge money advantage, what mattered most was that voters did not want their gun rights eroded by politicians. Polling data shows the American people would engage in massive civil disobedience if politicians tried to ban guns. But it’s also comforting that voters also are willing to overcome heavy odds to knock off politicians who push for any type of gun control." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwo Huge Victories in Colorado for the Second Amendment

Two Colorado lawmakers lose recall elections over support for gun laws

"Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs and Sen. Angela Giron of Pueblo lost their jobs as lawmakers in an election seen as a national measure of popular support for gun legislation. They were replaced by two gun-rights Republicans. Angered by new limits on ammunition magazines and expanded background checks, gun rights activists filed enough voter signatures for the recall elections - the first for state legislators since Colorado adopted the procedure in 1912. The recalls prevailed despite some $3 million in contributions for the incumbents. The recalls were the latest chapter in the national debate over guns - and, for some, a warning to lawmakers in swing states." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwo Colorado lawmakers lose recall elections over support for gun laws

Jordan lawmaker fires Kalashnikov assault rifle at colleague

"A Jordanian MP was arrested after firing a Kalashnikov assault rifle in parliament at a colleague on Tuesday, without causing injuries, judicial and parliamentary sources said. The source said the shooting came after an argument broke out in parliament on Sunday between Damissi and another member, Yahia al-Saud. Video footage emerged showing Damissi removing his shoes and Saud his belt during the dispute, which flared due to differences over parliamentary procedure, before they were separated. In July 2012, a live television debate on domestic issues between two deputies also degenerated into fisticuffs before one of them pulled out a gun and was overpowered." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJordan lawmaker fires Kalashnikov assault rifle at colleague

NAA Mini Revolvers: Five rounds of ‘Get off me!’

"Guns come in all shapes and sizes from behemoth Dirty Harry hog legs down to pipsqueak pinfires. On the small end of things is the North American Arms Mini Revolver, but don’t let its size fool you into thinking it’s unloved. These minis are plenty popular, plenty powerful and plenty useful. Fifth pocket carry or even shirt pocket carry is possible with the Lilliputian lead-slinger. No matter how much you try, you just cannot fit an LCP or Bobcat comfortably into the change pocket of a pair of blue jeans. This factor leaves a steady market for these guns as ‘get off me’ pieces for when something larger just won’t work." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNAA Mini Revolvers: Five rounds of ‘Get off me!’