bill of rights

Let Us Go A-Wassell-ing

"Mr. Wassell has become rapidly and widely known as 'The First Victim' of Guano's-sorry, Cuomo's unconstitutional SAFE Act. I was pleased to read in the Buffalo News that friends of freedom and of the Wassells 'crowded' the courtroom. We have historical precedence for such a tactic. In 1786 and 1787, patriots sick of the State's depredations and tyranny surrounded courthouses in Massachusetts to prevent courts from sitting since each time they did, more poor farmers lost their land to rich and corrupt rulers. That same tactic can work today." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLet Us Go A-Wassell-ing

CIA’s big data mission: ‘Collect everything and hang onto it forever’

"'It is really very nearly within our grasp to be able to compute on all human generated information,' he added, explaining that nearly all mobile phones now contain a camera, a microphone, a light sensor, an accelerometer and GPS, among other sensors. The prevalence of sensors has led to a whole new world of biometric information, Hunt said, listing off a variety of ways the sensors in a mobile device can be used to identify the person carrying it. He pinpointed the most effective method as gait analysis, or watching the way a person walks and creating a complex data profile based upon their movements." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCIA’s big data mission: ‘Collect everything and hang onto it forever’

US plan calls for more scanning of private Web traffic, email

"The U.S. government is expanding a cybersecurity program that scans Internet traffic headed into and out of defense contractors to include far more of the country's private, civilian-run infrastructure. As a result, more private sector employees than ever before, including those at big banks, utilities and key transportation companies, will have their emails and Web surfing scanned as a precaution against cyber attacks. The Department of Homeland Security will gather the secret data and pass it to a small group of telecommunication companies and cyber security providers that have employees holding security clearances, government and industry officials said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS plan calls for more scanning of private Web traffic, email

Now the CIA Wants Unlimited Access To Your Financial Records

"According to a new plan unveiled by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Obama administration is now seeking authorization to provide all U.S. spy agencies with unlimited access to a massive database containing financial data on virtually every American citizen who uses the banking system. Access to this sensitive financial data has been available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation since the tragic events of 9/11. Now, the Obama administration wants to provide access to this vast database with even more U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNow the CIA Wants Unlimited Access To Your Financial Records

Crime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

"A scandal in a Massachusetts crime lab continues to reverberate throughout the state's legal system. Several months ago, Annie Dookhan, a former chemist in a state crime lab, told police that she messed up big time. Dookhan now stands accused of falsifying test results in as many as 34,000 cases. As a result, lawyers, prosecutors and judges used to operating in a world of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' now have nothing but doubt. Already, hundreds of convicts and defendants have been released because of the scandal. Now, the state's highest court may weigh in on how these cases should be handled." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCrime Lab Scandal Leaves Mass. Legal System In Turmoil

Bipartisan bill would require a warrant for police to search emails

"A bill introduced Tuesday by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) would require police obtain a warrant before scouring a suspect’s email accounts. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act (PDF), which was also introduced in the last Congress, returns right as the Obama administration has signaled readiness to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) of 1986 by applying the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable search and seizure to some emails stored on cloud services. Good news for Leahy and Lee: It appears the Obama administration agrees, at least in principle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBipartisan bill would require a warrant for police to search emails

Washington cops working to ‘desensitize’ drug dogs to marijuana smell

"Police in Washington state are working to retrain their drug-sniffing dogs so that they’re less likely to alert when they smell marijuana. The retraining is part of the state’s law enforcement reforms following November’s voter-backed legalization measure, which will ultimately require police to notify judges as to whether a drug dog used to obtain probable cause for a search has been trained to comply with state law. While most departments are going along with the change, including the Washington State Patrol, the Tacoma Police Department is refusing to comply." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington cops working to ‘desensitize’ drug dogs to marijuana smell

Disarm Subjects and Make them Spy on Each Other: New York State’s Totalitarian Formula

"Benjamin M. Wassell of Silver Creek, New York, a wounded Iraq war veteran, is the first resident of that state to be arrested and face prosecution under its draconian new firearms law. He was arrested during an undercover operation by state police in which he sold an AR-15 rifle and six large-capacity clips on January 24. Wassell has been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor. If they have their way, New York police officials will be doing a brisk business in incarcerating innocent gun owners. The State of New York has established an anonymous tip line encouraging people to report suspected 'illegal gun owners' for a $500 reward." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDisarm Subjects and Make them Spy on Each Other: New York State’s Totalitarian Formula

South Carolina Introduces Anti-NDAA Legislation

"South Carolina Senator Tom Davis has sponsored the Liberty Preservation Act to nullify the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill addresses the fact that 'Section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 purports to assert the President’s authority to not only arrest suspected terrorists, but also to determine whether a trial, including the type of trial, will be held for those arrested;' and that 'Section 1022 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 requires detention without trial by the military for a certain class of terrorist and authorizes, but does not require, the same for citizens of the United States.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSouth Carolina Introduces Anti-NDAA Legislation

340 Sheriffs Refuse To Enforce Unconstitutional Gun Control Laws

"Including Sheriff John Cooke of Weld County, Colorado, 340 sheriffs have publicly stated they will not enforce gun laws they believe are unconstitutional. In response to the passage of two new gun control bills in Colorado last week, Sheriff John Cooke told the Greeley Tribune that he 'won't bother enforcing the laws.' Cooke is part of a growing list of sheriffs that have vowed to uphold the Constitution against gun control measures. At the time of this post, there are 15 sheriffs associations, 340 sheriffs, one police chief and one deputy sheriff who have stated they will not enforce any new gun laws." Continue reading →

Continue Reading340 Sheriffs Refuse To Enforce Unconstitutional Gun Control Laws