CLibertyC

France will no longer cut off Internet for illegal downloading

"The French Ministry of Culture announced Tuesday that people who illegally download copyrighted works off the Internet no longer have to fear being disconnected for a year under the nation’s controversial anti-piracy law, formally named the High Authority of Diffusion of the Art Works and Protection of the Rights on the Internet (HADOPI). The loss of HADOPI’s disconnection provision is more than just a victory for French socialists — it’s a defeat for U.S. industry groups, which fiercely lobbied prior French administrations to adopt harsh punitive measures against anyone who shares copyrighted content." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance will no longer cut off Internet for illegal downloading

Libertarian group joins fight against garage restrictions in Dearborn

"At a Planning Commission meeting Monday night in Dearborn, a leader with a libertarian group started by former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul raised questions about the city’s plan to tweak an ordinance that regulates the use of garages. In recent years, a growing number of residents — especially those in the Arab-American community — have transformed their garages into living spaces where they hang out, cook, smoke water pipes, and eat. Some have even installed sliding glass doors. City officials are concerned such activity is causing safety hazards, pointing to a fire in November that was started by a heater kept in a garage." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLibertarian group joins fight against garage restrictions in Dearborn

City of Berkeley fights U.S. civil action against marijuana dispensary

"In the latest strategy against federal attempts to shut down marijuana shops, the city contends the U.S. civil action would harm the city by depriving it of hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, paid over a period of years, according to Drug Policy Alliance, a nonprofit group whose attorneys are representing the city. In May, the U.S. government filed a complaint for forfeiture against a property leased by the retail marijuana store Berkeley Patients Group at 2366 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, according to court papers filed by U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCity of Berkeley fights U.S. civil action against marijuana dispensary

NY school board lawyer fired for calling parent a ‘fat c*nt’

"Parents in East Ramapo, New York celebrated the firing Monday night of their local school board’s attorney in the wake of a profanity-laced tirade caught on video, WNBC-TV reported. The decision followed a protest at school district headquarters demanding the removal of Christopher Kirby, an attorney with Minerva & D’Agostino, a Long Island-based firm. However, Kirby did not provide an apology for his actions. The video, shot after the board’s July 2 meeting by a local parent, Antonio Luciano, shows Kirby calling Peggy Hatton a 'fat c-nt,' as well as accusing Luciano of 'hiding behind his women' while filming." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNY school board lawyer fired for calling parent a ‘fat c*nt’

Berlin Wall to host exhibit on the world’s tensest borders

"'It’s always a problem — in November I hung a portrait of the US wall in Mexico here and an American came by and shouted at me, ‘You can’t compare this.’ But for me, it doesn’t matter if it’s a religious, national or economic conflict — the idea that you have a problem and you can solve it by building a wall has simply been obsolete since 1989.' Wiedenhoefer said the bleak, often heavily militarised ramparts against illegal immigration, like the US fence on the Mexican border and around the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in Morocco, or along religious lines such as in Baghdad and Belfast, were tragic testaments." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBerlin Wall to host exhibit on the world’s tensest borders

Teen Rots in Jail for Facebook Joke; Cop Who Talked About Killing Michelle Obama Gets Vacation

"Justin Carter, 19 was arrested for making an off-color joke to a friend about a MOBA* computer game they were playing. For this transgression, Carter was not just investigated, but arrested. He's been in jail for months now, held on $500,000 bail. Across the country, in Washington, D.C., a very similar situation has had a very different outcome. D.C. Police Officer Christopher Picciano, 'a 17-year veteran who was a member of the elite presidential motorcade detail,' will be suspended without pay for a little over a month after joking about killing the first lady, threatening to go on a shooting spree, and calling Pres. Obama a communist." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTeen Rots in Jail for Facebook Joke; Cop Who Talked About Killing Michelle Obama Gets Vacation

Cop Fatally Shot Unarmed And Mentally Ill Man, Forbade Family from Giving Him CPR

"Showing 'total lack of awareness,' a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy awoke a mentally ill man and then shot him to death in his own bedroom, the man’s family claims in court. Theodore and Karen Rose sued Sacramento County, its Sheriff Scott Jones, and Deputy David McEntire for the wrongful death of their son Johnathan Rose, in Federal Court. He says in the complaint that though he called 911, he did not overdramatize the situation or indicate that Johnathan was on a rampage. After Ted Rose’s 911 call, Johnathan calmed down enough to take his medication and fall asleep. More than an hour later, Deputy McEntire showed up at the Rose home." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop Fatally Shot Unarmed And Mentally Ill Man, Forbade Family from Giving Him CPR

Troopers remove woman from Texas Senate for berating Republicans

"A woman’s testimony against an extreme anti-abortion bill in Texas was cut short when state troopers escorted her out of the state Senate. The Senate committee was holding a hearing on legislation that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and enact strict regulations on abortion clinics. She mocked State Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) for framing herself as an expert on reproductive health even though she was an ophthalmologist. After this, Chairwoman Jane Nelson interrupted Slamen and told her not to disrespect the senators. As the two began to argue, state troopers grabbed Slamen and escorted her out of the room." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTroopers remove woman from Texas Senate for berating Republicans