Yearly Archives: 2017

Trump bans CDC from using words like “transgender” and “fetus”

"The Trump administration’s foray into linguistic decrees is not a new phenomenon among the American Right. One recent comparable instance of state-decreed censorship: John Ashcroft, a Christian fundamentalist and the first attorney general under George W. Bush, insisted on covering the breasts of a marble statue of the 'Spirit of Justice' that stood in the main Justice building. This act of modesty reportedly cost $8,000 of taxpayer money."

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New US visa-free travel policy exports Homeland Security abroad

"The Trump administration put new requirements in place on Friday for the 38 countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, including that they use U.S. counterterrorism data to screen travelers, officials said. The United States will also start assessing VWP countries on their safeguards against 'insider threats' at their airports, especially those with direct flights to the United States, officials said."

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South Carolina Bill Would Create Process to Review Constitutionality of Federal Acts

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 19, 2017) –  A bill prefiled in the South Carolina House would create a joint legislative committee to evaluate the constitutionality of federal laws, setting the stage to take further action to nullify unconstitutional federal acts in effect. Rep. Gary Smith (R-Greenville) prefiled House Bill 4453 (H.4453) for introduction in the 2018…

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New York Bill Would Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

ALBANY, NY. (Dec. 19, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New York Senate would decriminalize marijuana possession. Passage into law would take another step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Introduced by Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx), Senate Bill 7013 (S7013) would “ensure that laws are enforced equally and fairly and…

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Texas Cop Could Get Away with Murder Thanks to Federal Law Enforcement Partnership

The state of Texas wants to prosecute a former Austin Police Department detective for using excessive force and killing a man, but the officer has so far avoided prosecution by claiming federal immunity because he was working on a task force organized by the FBI. Austin P.D. Detective Charles Kleinert was investigating another case at…

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New Hampshire Bill Would Require Feds to Get Warrant for Medical Marijuana Registry Information

CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 18, 2017) – A bill prefiled for the 2018 session in the New Hampshire House would prohibit the release of any information from the state’s medical marijuana registry to the federal government without a warrant. Passage of the legislation would take another small step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect. A…

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New Hampshire Bill Would Take on Federal Regulation of Locally-Produced Food

CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 17, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the New Hampshire House would set the stage to prohibit the federal government from regulating food produced and sold wholly within the state as long as it is labeled “Made in New Hampshire.”  A coalition of four Republican representatives prefiled House Bill 1669 (HB1669) in November.…

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