Author: The Freedom Watch Staff

This author has written 11091 articles

Kim Dotcom wants to encrypt half of the Internet to end government surveillance

"The United States government says that Kim Dotcom, a German millionaire formerly known as Kim Schmitz, masterminded a vast criminal conspiracy by operating the file-storage site Megaupload. Dotcom, on the other hand, begs to differ. One year after the high-profile raid of his home and the shut-down of one of the most popular sites on the Web, Dotcom hosted a launch party for his latest endeavor, simply called Mega. On the anniversary of the end of Megaupload, Dotcom discusses the year since his arrest and what the future holds in regards to both his court case and the Internet alike." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKim Dotcom wants to encrypt half of the Internet to end government surveillance

Unlocking Cellphones Becomes Illegal Saturday

"In October 2012, the Librarian of Congress, who determines exemptions to a strict anti-hacking law called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), decided that unlocking mobile phones would no longer be allowed. Unlocking a phone frees it from restrictions that keep the device from working on more than one carrier's network, allowing it run on other networks that use the same wireless standard. This can be useful to international travellers who need their phones to work on different networks. Other people just like the freedom of being able to switch carriers as they please." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnlocking Cellphones Becomes Illegal Saturday

Major ISPs set to implement ‘six strikes’ online piracy program

"A new voluntary system aimed at rooting out online copyright piracy using a controversial 'six strikes' system is set to be implemented by US Internet providers soon, with the impact unclear. The program was created with the music and film industry and the largest Internet firms, with some prodding by US government. Participating in the program are the five largest broadband Internet providers — Comcast, Time Warner Cable, AT&T, Cablevision and Verizon — covering some 85 percent of US residential customers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMajor ISPs set to implement ‘six strikes’ online piracy program

Feinstein Gun Control Bill to Exempt Government Officials

"Not everyone will have to abide by Senator Dianne Feinstein's gun control bill. If the proposed legislation becomes law, government officials and others will be exempt. 'Mrs. Feinstein's measure would exempt more than 2,200 types of hunting and sporting rifles; guns manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action; and weapons used by government officials, law enforcement and retired law enforcement personnel,' the Washington Times reports." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeinstein Gun Control Bill to Exempt Government Officials

Idaho may be next state for lands fight with feds

"Language in statehood documents dating back to the 1800s contain a constitutional provision that the federal government intended to relinquish control of the land it held in each state. But for some states, especially those in the West, the federal government reneged, Utah state Rep. Ken Ivory says. In Idaho, more than 64 percent of the state's 53 million acres is under federal control. Both Idaho and North Dakota became states nine months apart and, Ivory claims, did so under identical statehood language. Yet, federally managed land in North Dakota accounts for less than 5 percent of the state's overall acreage." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIdaho may be next state for lands fight with feds

“FEMA Won’t Let Us Rebuild Our Home”

"The Taylor family lives in the Natomas community in Sacramento, California. On August 24, 2012, Brad and Jennifer were driving home with their two young children when they saw smoke in their neighborhood. As they got closer to home, they realized that their house was on fire. Though shaken, both Brad and Jennifer were relieved that no one had been hurt. 'It's just a fire,' Brad said. 'It can all be replaced.' Little did they know that, thanks to regulations created by the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in the wake of Hurricane Katrina -- which hit land thousands of miles away from Sacramento -- their rebuilding nightmare was just beginning." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“FEMA Won’t Let Us Rebuild Our Home”

Oregon Democrat proposing making cigarettes a prescription-only drug

"A lawmaker in Oregon has proposed making nicotine a Schedule III controlled substance in the state, placing it in the same category as many prescription tranquilizers and stimulants. The bill, introduced by Democratic Rep. Mitch Greenlick, would require anyone who wished to smoke a cigarette to first obtain a prescription from a doctor. Nicotine-containing products would only be available from pharmacies. Those caught using nicotine without a prescription could face up to one year in prison and a $6,250 fine under the proposed law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOregon Democrat proposing making cigarettes a prescription-only drug

The Shocking List of Firearms That Would Be Banned Under the Feinstein Bill

"Flanked by gun grabbing lawmakers, including New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Diane Feinstein announced the introduction of the 'Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 Bill.' It would make gun grabbers such as Mao, Stalin and Hitler proud. The legislation being pushed by Feinstein would prohibit the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of certain firearms, including many rifles, pistols and shotguns. Here's the list." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Shocking List of Firearms That Would Be Banned Under the Feinstein Bill

MO Lawmaker Proposes Bill Requiring Parents To Inform Schools If They Own A Gun

"A Missouri lawmaker has proposed a bill that would require parents to inform their children’s school if they possess a firearm. Not only that, it would criminalize parents that '[fail] to stop the possession [of a firearm] or report it to law enforcement' for children in the house under the age of 18. The American Thinker relates the three main components of the bill, via the Missouri Senate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMO Lawmaker Proposes Bill Requiring Parents To Inform Schools If They Own A Gun

Olga from Greece Has a Lithuanian Soulmate Mooching in the United Kingdom

"Natalija Belova, 33, told The Sun how she spurns full-time work — yet can afford foreign holidays and buys designer clothes. The Lithuanian said: 'British benefits give me and my daughter a good life.' She has milked soft-touch Britain for £50,000 in benefits and yesterday said: 'I simply take what is given to me.' And what is given to her? Quite a lot. The graduate, who became a single mum after she arrived here, rakes in more than £1,000 a month in handouts — £14,508 a year — to fund her love of designer clothes, jaunts to the Spanish sun and nightclubbing. Natalija vowed: 'I am not going to work like a dog on minimum wage.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOlga from Greece Has a Lithuanian Soulmate Mooching in the United Kingdom