bill of rights

The NSA Has All Non-Gun Show Sales in Its Files.

"On June 27, 26 United States Senators sent a letter to James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence. The letter called attention to the fact that domestic spying by the United States government on American citizens includes the collection of information on firearms sales. The letter said the following: 'And the bulk collection authority could potentially supersede bans on maintaining gun owner databases. . . .' How comprehensive has this collection process been? It appears to have been comprehensive to the extreme." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe NSA Has All Non-Gun Show Sales in Its Files.

Government’s Spirit-Crushing Hatred Of Lemonade

"Traditional civil liberties such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion ultimately rest on an individual's ability to exercise the right of economic ownership over his or her own body. To attack economic rights is to attack civil liberties. And it is not funny when police with guns close down a 4-year-old's lemonade stand. It is damned frightening." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGovernment’s Spirit-Crushing Hatred Of Lemonade

Colorado Gun Owners Display Blatant Defiance Of New Law

"Stores across Colorado are pulling high-capacity magazines off their shelves. A new law that took effect Monday limits magazines to 15 rounds and some people are already deliberately breaking the law. The law requires background checks on all gun sales, including private ones. 'We want to, today, to test how this law functions; demonstrate that it is not enforceable,' a demonstrator told the crowd. The new laws prompted about two dozen opponents of increased gun control to gather at the state Capitol on Monday at midday in protest. Many swapped and sold high-capacity magazines in plain view of police officers, daring them to make an arrest." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado Gun Owners Display Blatant Defiance Of New Law

Pittsburgh police relations meeting ends with white officer arresting black teacher

"Officer Gromek handcuffed Henderson and an associate, freelance photographer Rossano Stewart, and forced them to sit on the ground. By that time, others attending the Community Empowerment Association meeting had come outside to witness the confrontation. Gromek then decided that the growing number of people posed a danger to his safety and called for backup. 'It was threatening to us, 15 police cars, four dogs, hands on the mace, hands on the guns,' Community Empowerment Association CEO Rashad Byrdsong told KDKA. 'We were the ones in fear of our life, not them.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPittsburgh police relations meeting ends with white officer arresting black teacher

150 People Arrested In NAACP Protest Against NC Republicans

"Police estimated that roughly 1,000 people attended a rally late Monday afternoon behind the Legislative Building on Halifax Mall. Hundreds then entered the building. Upwards of 150 people were arrested outside the doors to the state Senate chambers, where demonstrators chanted, sang and delivered speeches decrying what they called a regressive agenda that neglects the poor. The NAACP has been holding weekly protests in Raleigh since mid-April, and what started with 17 arrests and tens of supporters back then has grown every week, bringing the total number of arrests to nearly 300 after five weeks of protests." Continue reading →

Continue Reading150 People Arrested In NAACP Protest Against NC Republicans

Texas Troopers forcibly arrest 72-year-old woman during Wendy Davis filibuster

"A 72-year-old woman who appeared to be doing nothing more than observing Texas Senate proceedings following state Sen. Wendy Davis’ (D) filibuster of an abortion bill was forcibly arrested and charged with assaulting an officer early Wednesday morning. Video captured by 23-year-old Austin resident Elizabeth Willmann shows two troopers surrounding Martha Northington as she sits in the gallery. One of the officers approaches from behind and yanks Northington’s arm to bring her to her feet. Arrest records published online showed that Northington was charged with 'assault by contact' and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $4,000." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas Troopers forcibly arrest 72-year-old woman during Wendy Davis filibuster

Snowden Is Not the Story

"Deep Throat was not the story in 1972, and Edward Snowden is not the story today. The abuse of America’s intelligence agencies is. And yet, we are not having an open discussion. We are instead seeing a media circus. The messenger, Edward Snowden, has been made 'the story.' Keeping under safe political cover, President Obama is deferring to the Justice Department—the same Justice Department which seized the Associated Press’ phone records and criminalized Fox News reporter James Rosen to pursue a leak investigation into a former State Department contractor." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSnowden Is Not the Story

Activist found not guilty of vandalism for writing with chalk outside Bank of America

"An anti-bank activist who faced more than a decade behind bars for using chalk to voice his protests against Bank of America was found not guilty of vandalism on Monday. A jury found Jeff Olson, 40, not guilty on all charges, according to NBC San Diego. Olson was charged with 13 counts of vandalism by San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith for writing statements such as 'No thanks, big banks' and 'Shame on Bank of America' in front of Bank of America branches last year. Mayor Bob Filner had described the prosecution of Olson as a waste of resources and 'a stupid case.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingActivist found not guilty of vandalism for writing with chalk outside Bank of America

Protesters rally in support of anti-bank chalk activist facing 13 years

"Demonstrators gathered outside the Hall of Justice in San Diego, California on Sunday to chalk their support for a local man facing up to 13 years in jail for using washable chalk to voice his protests against Bank of America. 'All I am permitted to say is, I disagree,' the defendant, Jeff Olson, told KGTV-TV as he joined the rally on his behalf before slapping a piece of tape across his mouth with the words 'Gag order' written on it to comply with Judge Howard Shore’s order for him not to comment on the case. Olson attracted the attention of the office of City Attorney Jan Goldsmith at the behest of bank officials, who asked for him to be prosecuted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingProtesters rally in support of anti-bank chalk activist facing 13 years

Bush says ‘civil liberties were guaranteed’ under his NSA Internet surveillance

"Former President George W. Bush is insisting that a NSA Internet surveillance program started during his administration 'guaranteed' civil liberties, and that Edward Snowden 'damaged the country' by leaking details about it. In an interview with CNN, Bush was confident that 'the Obama administration will deal' with Snowden and the fallout from his leaks. 'I think he damaged the security of the country,' he explained. 'I put the program in place to protect the country, and one of the certainties is civil liberties were guaranteed.' The former president added that his program had found 'the proper balance' between privacy and security." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBush says ‘civil liberties were guaranteed’ under his NSA Internet surveillance