bill of rights

Bradley Manning’s Letter To President Obama Requesting Pardon

"The decisions that I made in 2010 were made out of a concern for my country and the world that we live in. Since the tragic events of 9/11, our country has been at war. We’ve been at war with an enemy that chooses not to meet us on any traditional battlefield, and due to this fact we’ve had to alter our methods of combating the risks posed to us and our way of life. I initially agreed with these methods and chose to volunteer to help defend my country. It was not until I was in Iraq and reading secret military reports on a daily basis that I started to question the morality of what we were doing." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBradley Manning’s Letter To President Obama Requesting Pardon

What Was Bradley Manning’s Sin?

"What was Bradley Manning’s sin that warrants a sentence of 35 years? It was a sin manufactured by the State against the State’s version of righteousness. A righteous person, according to the State, is a State co-conspirator who is required to keep silent when observing crimes of the State. There is a conspiracy of silence and secrecy, like the Mafia’s omerta. Manning joined the conspiracy and then broke the rule of silence. He failed to place his conscience on hold or abeyance while serving the State. Now he must pay for his 'sin', the State claims. What sin? There is no real sin here on his part, and no real crime. There is only a power play." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhat Was Bradley Manning’s Sin?

Obama heckled over sentencing of Chelsea Manning

"President Barack Obama was interrupted by protesters on Thursday night amid a speech on college affordability. While Obama was speaking in Syracuse, New York, two woman began shouting at him. One of the women held up a giant 'Free Bradley Manning' sign. Both women were escorted out of the event. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Wednesday for leaking thousands of secret U.S. documents to WikiLeaks. Her supporters have called on Obama to pardon Manning, arguing she is a whistle-blower who acted on behalf of the public." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama heckled over sentencing of Chelsea Manning

AT&T paid for access to 4 billion call records a day for federal, local drug investigations

"US law enforcement officers working on anti-drugs operations have had access to a vast database of call records dating back to 1987, supplied by the phone company AT&T. The project, known as Hemisphere, gives federal and local officers working on drug cases access to a database of phone metadata populated by more than four billion new call records each day. Unlike the controversial call record accesses obtained by the NSA, the data is stored by AT&T, not the government, but officials can access individual’s phone records within an hour of an administrative subpoena. AT&T receives payment from the government in order to sit its employees alongside drug units to aid with access to the data." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAT&T paid for access to 4 billion call records a day for federal, local drug investigations

Labor Day ‘Mackinac Bridge Walk’ will feature warrantless bag searches

"An annual tradition since 1958, the Labor Day walk/run across the Mackinac Bridge creates the kind of family memories that last a lifetime. New for this year, families and friends will have the demeaning experience of police performing warrantless bag searches to add to their priceless memories and timeless photographs. For the 56th annual event, the Michigan State Police (MSP) will conduct searches of bags, purses, and backpacks for all attendees wanting to make the walk across the bridge — all without probable cause of a crime." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLabor Day ‘Mackinac Bridge Walk’ will feature warrantless bag searches

Anti-War Protesters to Cop: We Don’t Need A Permit, We Have The Constitution

"A group of activists gathered on the side of the road to waves signs in Spartanburg, S.C. in protest of Obamas intentions to strike Syria with missiles in response to an alleged gas attack by the Syrian government against it’sown citizens. A police officer approached the activists and told them they would need to have a permit to assemble in the future but the activists were not having it. Citing that the constitution is the national permit for peaceable assembly, these protestors stood strong for the rights of all Americans today." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnti-War Protesters to Cop: We Don’t Need A Permit, We Have The Constitution

Gun ownership gets easier in Texas starting Sunday

"Texas is taking steps to be even cozier for concealed handgun license holders. Texas passed its concealed handgun license law in 1995, and since then has required applicants to undergo 10 to 15 hours training minimum. That standard included classroom and shooting range instruction. But instructors said they really don’t need that much time, and lawmakers cut the training requirements in half. Other changes taking effect Sunday will allow license holders to renew online and provide easier access to obtaining fingerprints for applications. Also, license holders will be certified to carry a revolver or semi-automatic pistol, regardless of what type of gun they used in class." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGun ownership gets easier in Texas starting Sunday

ABA Attempts To Claim Copyright On Bank Routing Numbers

"It appears there's been a followup to our earlier story on the American Bankers Association claiming that bank routing numbers are covered by copyright, and threatening a website that had created a useful way to look up those routing numbers. The website, run by Greg Thatcher, was doing a public service, getting such info from the Federal Reserve's website, and making it much easier for people to find the numbers. Thatcher is now being represented, pro bono, by Andrew Delaney of Martin & Associates, and his response letter to Nigel Howard, the ABA's lawyer who sent the threat letter, is one of the most beautiful responses to a bogus threat letter you'll ever see." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingABA Attempts To Claim Copyright On Bank Routing Numbers

Interview with British ‘straight pride’ group removed by copyright takedown notice

"WordPress has removed an interview with the 'homophobic' campaign Straight Pride UK after the group used US copyright law to issue a takedown notice. In an interview posted on his WordPress blog, student Oliver Hotham published an interview with the group, in which they stated that they 'admire President Vladimir Putin of Russia for his stance and support of his country’s traditional values'. Hotham did not take down the post, and WordPress then proceeded with a DMCA takedown notice on 3 August. The DMCA contains a provision mandating any company to instantly remove material if they are informed it breaches copyright." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingInterview with British ‘straight pride’ group removed by copyright takedown notice