Yearly Archives: 2017

Feds searching passenger cell phones at San Francisco airport

"U.S. Customs & Border Protection is becoming more adamant about examining the cell phones of some arriving travelers – including U.S. citizens – and now the American Civil Liberties Union is challenging that practice. The ACLU has taken up the case of a U.S. artist named Aaron Gach, who returned to the U.S. at San Francisco International from an exhibition in Europe, and was pulled aside by CBP officers and ordered to unlock his iPhone for a search of its contents. Gach resisted, but finally gave in when he was told that if he didn’t, CBP would keep his phone for an indefinite period." Continue reading →

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Trump’s Electronics Ban Is Ineffective, Says International Air Transport Association Chief

"Speaking to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, Alexandre de Juniac, director general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), questioned the efficacy of the ban, which prohibits electronics larger than a cellphone on direct flights to the United States from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa. The regulations, prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices in electronic gadgets, require that electronics larger than a cellphone, including laptops and tablets, must be stowed with checked baggage on U.S.-bound passenger flights." Continue reading →

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Trump plans laptop, electronics ban on all flights from Europe

"The rule is reportedly prompted by the difficulty of distinguishing plastic explosives from other components in electronic devices using an X-ray machine. But this explanation is baffling: a plastic explosive is every bit as dangerous in the hold of an airplane as it is in the cabin. What's more, placing a plastic-explosive charge in a hardsided case densely packed with lithium-battery-equipped devices seems an especially dangerous measure. Travelers to and from affected airports will now face the risk of having their laptops and tablets stolen, having their confidential data leaked, and having their devices broken." Continue reading →

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Trump on Collision Course With South Korean Leader on Dealing With North

"Mr. Moon’s strategy is the opposite: to offer an outstretched hand to the North Koreans first, in the hope of reducing tensions with the promise of economic integration. Just because that effort failed the last time it was tried, he argued during a hard-fought campaign, does not mean it will fail again as he deals with an erratic, 33-year-old leader in Pyongyang whose main interest is remaining in power." Continue reading →

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Colorado Committee Kills Bill to Bar State Agents from Assisting Federal Police

DENVER, Colo. (May 11, 2017) – A Colorado Senate committee killed a bill that would have barred the state from assisting in the enforcement of federal laws that prohibit actions protected by the state constitution. Rep. Steve Lebsock (D) and Sen. Tim Neville (R) sponsored House Bill 1331 (HB1331). The legislation would have prohibited a…

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Maine Committee Passes Bill to Expand Health Freedom

AUGUSTA, Maine (May 11, 2017) – On Tuesday, an important Maine committee passed a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state. Sen. Rod Whittemore (R-Somerset) introduced Senate Bill 1385 (LD1385)  on April 11. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing…

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Missouri Committee Approves Bill to Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (May 10, 2017) – Today, a final Missouri House committee passed a bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in the Show Me State, but would…

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To the Governor: Vermont Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (May 10, 2017) – Today, the Vermont House gave final approval to a bill that would legalize possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. If signed by Gov. Phil Scott the legislation would help further nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in the state. Senate Bill 22 (S,22) originally set up a…

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This Kid Was Suspended for 10 Days Because He ‘Liked’ a Picture of a Gun on Instagram

"Middle-school student Zachary Bowlin didn't bring a gun to school. He didn't say the word gun. He didn't do anything wrong, or dangerous, to merit a 10-day suspension from Edgewood Middle School in Trenton, Ohio. Bowlin 'liked' a picture of a gun on Instagram. That's it. He didn't do this during school hours, with school resources, or on school property." Continue reading →

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