Author: The Freedom Watch Staff

This author has written 11091 articles

Rand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill

"Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is holding up consideration of the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill over an amendment he plans to offer that would require a jury trial for Americans detained in terrorism investigations. Paul’s demand for a vote comes as Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the panel, are working behind the scenes to limit debate on the sprawling policy measure (S 3254) to ensure it receives floor time during the lame-duck session." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill

Public Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

"A public health proposal suggests that tobacco smokers should be required to apply and pay for a 'smoker’s license' in order to continue buying cigarettes, writing that it could discourage young people from picking up the habit. In a controversial move, the smartcard would allow the government to limit how many cigarettes a smoker could buy. Professor Chapman suggests 50 per day averaged over two weeks to accommodate heavy smokers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPublic Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

Maker of Airport Body Scanners Suspected of Falsifying Software Tests

"A company that supplies controversial passenger-screening machines for U.S. airports is under suspicion for possibly manipulating tests on privacy software designed to prevent the machines from producing graphic body images. The TSA sent a letter Nov. 9 to the parent company of Rapiscan, the maker of backscatter machines, requesting information about the testing of the software to determine if there was malfeasance. The company previously had problems with a 'calculation error' in safety tests that showed the machines were emitting radiation levels that were 10 times higher than expected." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMaker of Airport Body Scanners Suspected of Falsifying Software Tests

Puerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results

"The territory question had two parts. The first part asked voters if they favored their current status as a U.S. territory. About 54 percent of voters said no. From there, everyone could answer a second question that gave three options: statehood, sovereign free association or independence. Sovereign free association is not the same as the current status. Only about 1.3 million voters answered the second question. Of those, 61 percent chose statehood, 33 percent chose the semi-autonomous choice and 6 percent chose independence. Nearly 500,000 people left the question blank. The population of Puerto Rico is nearly 4 million people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPuerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results

Ron Paul: Secession Is ‘Very American’

"Paul's comments resurfaced as a petition for Texas secession on the White House's website received over 81,000 signatures, far surpassing the threshold for the Obama administration to respond. Petitions for other states, including Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, have racked upwards of 20,000 supporters. Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose 2009 comment on secession was the impetus for Paul's video, clarified Tuesday that he does not stand behind the petition." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Secession Is ‘Very American’

Google report reveals world government requests for private data rising sharply

"Government surveillance of their citizens’ online lives is rising sharply around the world, according to Google’s latest report. The US accounted for the most requests, as it has consistently since the report was launched. US authorities asked for private details of Google users on 7,969 occasions, up from 6,321 in the last reporting period. The number is more than a third of the 20,938 requests for users’ details worldwide. Google fully or partially complied with 90% of those requests. Over the six months, Google was asked to remove seven YouTube videos criticising local and state agencies, police and other public officials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle report reveals world government requests for private data rising sharply

WordPress.com criticizes PayPal, credit card firms for restrictions, now lets you pay with Bitcoin

"To justify the additional payment method, the company noted that PayPal alone blocks access from over 60 countries, and many credit card companies have similar restrictions, for political reasons, financial reasons, and/or due to higher fraud rates. If you’re already using Bitcoin, Automattic says you’ll find this payment method even easier than paying by credit card. You’ll see the amount due in BTC and the address of a wallet created just for your transaction. As soon as the company receives notification of the transaction, your purchase is complete." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWordPress.com criticizes PayPal, credit card firms for restrictions, now lets you pay with Bitcoin

Emboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

"Rhode Island Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, said Thursday that the passage of legalization referendums in the two Western states are the latest indication that American attitudes toward marijuana are softening. She said the regulated sale of marijuana would eliminate the black market while raising an estimated $10 million in revenue for government coffers. Maine Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she also will propose legislation to legalize marijuana in her state, and estimated that sales taxes on its purchase there would raise $8 million." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEmboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

3 Myths About Secession

"The latest secession petition phenomenon sure has a lot of people talking about secession, which shows that the idea of it remains an important part of the American political consciousness. But, in response, most of the comments coming from political hacks display a deep, deep ignorance of the history of secession and the Constitutional realities behind it. In response, I thought I'd list some retorts to the basic myths which most of the anti-secession screeds are intent on perpetuating." Continue reading →

Continue Reading3 Myths About Secession