CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 22, 2015) – A bill introduced in the New Hampshire House for the 2016 session would prohibit a federal-local surveillance collaboration that the NSA’s former chief technical director called the “biggest threat since the civil war.” Rep. Neal Kurk prefiled House Bill 1494 (HB1494). The legislation would prohibit government agencies from acquiring, collecting, retaining…
"The state-owned Bank of China has been ordered by an American court to hand over customer information to the US. The bank has refused to comply, as to do so would violate China’s privacy law. The US court has subsequently ordered the Bank of China to pay a fine of $50,000 per day. China is a sovereign nation, halfway around the globe from the US, yet the US seems to feel that it’s somehow entitled to set the rules for China. All over the world, those who live outside the US are increasingly observing that the US has become so drunk with power that they’re threatening both friend and foe with fines, trade restrictions, monetary sanctions, warfare, and invasions." Continue reading →
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 21, 2015) – A new law now on the books in Tennessee effectively nullifies a federal ban on killing black vultures. Sen. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Rep. Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown) sponsored legislation that repealed a state law prohibiting the killing of these federally protected birds. Black vultures remain protected under federal…
"Last week, without taking any care to reduce the size of its balance sheet, the Federal Reserve instantly changed the monetary environment to one that is observationally equivalent to the one that prevailed in 2009. By raising interest rates artificially (through interest payments on reserves and reverse repurchases) and applying those payments to everything but currency in circulation, the Fed has neutralized the misguided speculative prop it created through 6 years of policy distortion, and it did so in one fell swoop. From the standpoint of investors, the overall effect is just as if the Fed had suddenly reversed every dollar of quantitative easing since 2009 ($1.7 trillion)." Continue reading →
You will never solve America’s problems through Washington D.C. Washington D.C. is the problem.
Federal militarization of state and local police has gone beyond armored vehicles and combat grade weapons, and now encompasses the latest surveillance technology. Not only are state and local cops secretly obtaining high-tech spy gear, non-disclosure agreements signed by law enforcement agencies essentially give the FBI complete control over how your local cops gather evidence.…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2015) – A proposed resolution introduced in the Florida legislature for the 2016 legislative session rejects federal involvement in the state’s educational system and would create a foundation for the general assembly to take further action in the future. Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R-Vero Beach) prefiled House Memorial 983 (HM983) on Dec.…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 20, 2015) – A proposed amendment to the Missouri state constitution would create a process for Missouri voters to nullify in effect any federal law or regulation. Rep. Jeff Pogue (R-143) prefiled House Joint Resolution 62 (HJR62) on Dec. 16. If the resolution passes by a majority in both houses of…
South Carolina H4522 would completely ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the Palmetto State, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state. It must pass through the House Judiciary Committee before the bill…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 20, 2015) – Two bills prefiled in the Arizona legislature would effectively nullify federal marijuana prohibition in practice, one by fully legalizing marijuana for recreational usage and the other by decriminalizing the plant. House Bill 2006 (HB2006) and House Bill 2007 (HB2007) were prefiled by Rep. Mark Cardenas (D-Phoenix) this month for…