Laboratories Of Democracy

Missouri Republican Wants To Make It A Felony For His Fellow Lawmakers To Propose Gun Laws

"Missouri state Rep. Mike Leara (R) loves the Second Amendment so much he wants to make it a felony for state lawmakers to propose legislation he thinks would violate it. On Sunday, Leara offered up this addition to Missouri law: 'Any member of the general assembly who proposes a piece of legislation that further restricts the right of an individual to bear arms, as set forth under the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States, shall be guilty of a class D felony,' Leara’s bill reads in its entirety." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMissouri Republican Wants To Make It A Felony For His Fellow Lawmakers To Propose Gun Laws

Texas proposes one of nation’s “most sweeping” mobile privacy laws

"Privacy experts say that a pair of new mobile privacy bills recently introduced in Texas are among the 'most sweeping' ever seen. If passed, the new bills would establish a well-defined, probable-cause-driven warrant requirement for all location information. That's not just data from GPS, but potentially pen register, tap and trace, and tower location data as well. Such data would be disclosed to law enforcement 'if there is probable cause to believe the records disclosing location information will provide evidence in a criminal investigation.' Further, the bills would require an annual transparency report from mobile carriers to the public and to the state government." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas proposes one of nation’s “most sweeping” mobile privacy laws

More Sanctuaries for All You Ron Paulians, Vets, Pro-lifers and Anti-Leviathan Types

"Michigan’s Senate unanimously passed legislation to protect its citizens – and, we’ll presume, any American refugee who flees to the Mitten State – from Obummer’s 'legalized' kidnapping and 'indefinite detention,' a.k.a., the NDAA. 'No member of the Michigan national guard on active state service shall aid an agency of the armed forces of the United States in any investigation, prosecution, or detention of any person pursuant to section 1021 of the national defense authorization act for fiscal year 2012.' Obummer’s grab for such dictatorial power has suffered a slew of defeats lately in Montana, Indiana, Colorado and Arizona." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Sanctuaries for All You Ron Paulians, Vets, Pro-lifers and Anti-Leviathan Types

Four States Advance Legislation To Block NDAA Indefinite Detention

"In a stunning move last week, four states, Indiana, Colorado, Montana and Arizona, successfully advanced anti-NDAA legislation. The goal for each bill is to protect the people of that state from indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012. The 2012 NDAA applies broad detention power to U.S. soil, allowing the federal government to detain and even execute any person, including an American citizen, on U.S. soil. There has not been such backlash against a federal law since Congress attempted to enforce a mandatory national speed limit, as over 21 states have introduced legislation to counter the law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFour States Advance Legislation To Block NDAA Indefinite Detention

Montana House Votes 97-1 to approve anti-NDAA bill

"In a huge win for the Bill of Rights, the Montana House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to ban indefinite detention in Montana by a vote of 97 to 1. Introduced by state Rep. Nicholas Schwaderer, HB 522 would also 'prohibit state cooperation with federal officials' who try to enforce the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The lone no vote was cast by Democrat Bob Mehlhoff. HB 522 previously passed the House Judiciary Committeeunanimously. The bill now heads to the state senate for approval." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontana House Votes 97-1 to approve anti-NDAA bill

Always a One-Way Street–Er, Flight

"Kansas is treading ground Texas did in 2011, with 21 members of its legislature introducing a bill that would prohibit the TSA’s sexual assault at airports. And 'experts' once again predict problems arising from such courage, chief among them that 'the U.S. Constitution bars states from regulating the actions of the federal government.' Why do we never hear a peep from these 'experts' about the Fourth Amendment’s ban of unreasonable search and seizure?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlways a One-Way Street–Er, Flight

Drones patrolling U.S. borders spark controversy over privacy

"Intended to protect the borders from illegal crossings and the import of illegal drugs, ten drones flown by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have also sparked a controversy over privacy. The plane are piloted remotely and their images are reviewed in real time by agents at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The data is used to help direct agents on the ground or in a helicopter to make a bust. 'The fact we can turn the lights off, we are almost stealth,' said director of Air Operations Dave Gasho. And that, critics say, that is the problem." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDrones patrolling U.S. borders spark controversy over privacy

States step up fight against use of surveillance drones by law enforcement

"Lawmakers in at least 11 states are proposing various restrictions on the use of drones over their skies amid concerns the unmanned aerial vehicles could be exploited by local authorities to spy on Americans. Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday approved a two-year moratorium on the use of drones by police and government agencies. Proponents of the legislation say the unfettered use of drones could infringe on Virginians' privacy rights. In an attempt to address police concerns, legislators carved out exceptions for the use of drones in emergencies, or to search for missing children or seniors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStates step up fight against use of surveillance drones by law enforcement

Texas Proposal Would Make Local Police Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws A Crime

"Police officers could be charged with a crime for enforcing new federal gun control laws in Texas under a proposal by a lawmaker who acknowledges the measure likely would end up in the U.S. Supreme Court. Rep. Steve Toth, a newly elected Republican from the Woodlands, said his proposal would prevent officers from carrying out any future federal orders to confiscate assault rifles and ammunition magazines." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas Proposal Would Make Local Police Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws A Crime

Illegal Drugs: The great experiment

"Decriminalising consumption does nothing to break the grip of gangsters over the drug business. For that to happen, production and distribution also need to be legalised. That is why the experiment under way in the United States is so important. Colorado and Washington now have the chance to create a legal but regulated market in marijuana, similar to those for tobacco or alcohol. One immediate consequence is that the United States will be in breach of the UN Convention. Good. It should now join Latin American governments in an effort to reform that outdated document to allow signatories room to experiment. Imposing a failed policy on everybody benefits nobody." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIllegal Drugs: The great experiment