bill of rights

Florida pot grower busted for manufacturing ‘high-end assault rifles’

"Police in Port St. Lucie, Florida announced on Wednesday that they had arrested a couple on charges related to a 'weapons manufacturing warehouse' and a marijuana growing operations, according to TCPalm. WPTV reported that a traffic stop made by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office earlier in the week led to a marijuana grow house, which then led to a warehouse facility where 'high-end' weapons were being manufactured. At a warehouse on Northwest Settle Avenue, investigators found about 150 marijuana plants and ten guns, including an AK-47 military-style assault rifle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida pot grower busted for manufacturing ‘high-end assault rifles’

‘Boston Strong’: Marching in Lockstep with the Police State

"Tsarnaev’s case may prove to be the game-changer. Yet as journalist Emily Bazelon points out for Slate: 'Why should I care that no one’s reading Dzhokhar Tsarnaev his Miranda rights? When the law gets bent out of shape for him, it’s easier to bend out of shape for the rest of us.' This continual undermining of the rules that protect civil liberties, not to mention the incessant rush to judgment by politicians, members of the media and the public, will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on a populace that not only remains ignorant about their rights but is inclined to sacrifice their liberties for phantom promises of safety." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Boston Strong’: Marching in Lockstep with the Police State

‘Boston Strong’: Marching in Lockstep with the Police State

"Tsarnaev’s case may prove to be the game-changer. Yet as journalist Emily Bazelon points out for Slate: 'Why should I care that no one’s reading Dzhokhar Tsarnaev his Miranda rights? When the law gets bent out of shape for him, it’s easier to bend out of shape for the rest of us.' This continual undermining of the rules that protect civil liberties, not to mention the incessant rush to judgment by politicians, members of the media and the public, will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on a populace that not only remains ignorant about their rights but is inclined to sacrifice their liberties for phantom promises of safety." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Boston Strong’: Marching in Lockstep with the Police State

Disaster in Watertown

"Back in the Clinton days, people who lived in crime-ridden apartment complexes in Chicago and other places wanted the police to conduct warrantless sweeps or searches. This kind of ignorance like that from those who applaud the Watertown search is a compelling argument against being forced into a society whose rules one must obey or whose guns one must obey when its people decide to tear up the rules. The authorities are supposed to know the rules and follow them and to protect against intrusions against them. Of course, this is a pipe dream when fewer and fewer people, in and out of office, either know their rights or feel them in their hearts." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDisaster in Watertown

Civil Libertarians Appalled by Tsarnaev Manhunt, Boston Residents Thrilled

"Boston-based civil liberties attorney Harvey Silverglate told Reason.com he is very troubled by the measures taken by law enforcement officials during the manhunt for alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. His views contrasted greatly with what this reporter came across during dozens of man-on-the-street interviews conducted across the greater Boston area last week, where residents voiced overwhelming support for the actions of local, state, and federal officials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCivil Libertarians Appalled by Tsarnaev Manhunt, Boston Residents Thrilled

Second-Grade Teacher Suspended for Showing Children Garden Tools

"Yes, my friends, a 17-year teaching veteran did it. He showed garden tools to his class. It’s incredible. He actually showed them tools. That’s right. He got out a box of tools. There was a pair of pliers. There was a screwdriver. But the school’s authorities knew this was a cover. He showed the children a pocket knife. What kind of tool is that? What can a knife do that a pair of hedge clippers can’t do a lot better? So, he was suspended for four days without pay. The public schools are determined to protect children. They should not be shown a knife at age 7. Condoms, yes. That’s different. But not knives." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecond-Grade Teacher Suspended for Showing Children Garden Tools

Republican trio push to militarize U.S. response to domestic terrorism

"Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (SC), John McCain (AZ), and Kelly Ayotte (NH) lashed out at liberals and libertarians on Tuesday, claiming it was dangerous to oppose the notion the United States was a 'battlefield.' Speaking on the Senate floor, the three Republicans said the government should expand the definition of an enemy combatant to include any domestic terrorists inspired by 'radical Islam.' They said Tsarnaev should be interrogated as an enemy combatant before being transferred to the civilian justice system, despite the fact he is an American citizen." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRepublican trio push to militarize U.S. response to domestic terrorism

“Progressive” Hypocrisy on House-to-House Searches

"In the U.S. Supreme Court case known as Griswold vs. Connecticut, the justices discovered a 'right to marital privacy' in the Constitution. The same right-to-privacy argument has long been used to justify legalized abortion. Griswold vs. Connecticut cited the Third Amendment to say that in today's world, that Amendment means that 'individual homes should be free from agents of the state.' So when all those New England 'progressives' cheer the cops, SWAT teams, and military thugs who broke into their homes, pushed them around, ordered them out, and trampled all over them, they are repudiating what defines one as a 'progressive'." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“Progressive” Hypocrisy on House-to-House Searches

Rand Paul: Use Drones To Search Neighboorhoods For Murder Suspects

"Sen. Paul also apparently would not object to using drones domestically in critical police actions: 'If there is a killer on the loose in a neighborhood, I’m not against drones being used to search them.' Paul also said in the Salon article: 'Here’s the distinction, I have never argued against any technology being used against having an imminent threat an act of crime going on…' 'Imminent threats' have a way of breeding like lemmings…." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul: Use Drones To Search Neighboorhoods For Murder Suspects

Rand Paul’s reversal: I don’t care if a drone kills a liquor store robber with $50 in cash

"Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who filibustered for 13 hours in March 2013 against the idea of using military drone technology against U.S. citizens, said he supported them being used against criminal suspects in an interview with Fox Business Channel on Monday. 'I have never argued against any technology being used against having an imminent threat, [or] an act of crime going on,' Paul said, referring to Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. 'If someone comes out of a liquor store with a weapon and 50 dollars in cash I don’t care if a Drone kills him or a policeman kills him.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul’s reversal: I don’t care if a drone kills a liquor store robber with $50 in cash