California Court Of Appeal Expands Warrantless Motorist Blood Draws

"California's second highest court on Thursday made it easier for police to forcibly draw blood from motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). In coming to this conclusion, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in seven Alameda County cases brought before the Superior Court's Appellate Division where drivers had their blood taken at a jail facility. The Court of Appeal stepped in to set a precedent restoring the state's ability to perform warrantless blood draws in a wider variety of circumstances." Continue reading

Continue ReadingCalifornia Court Of Appeal Expands Warrantless Motorist Blood Draws

Plainclothes NH State Police officer gets warrant to rob reporter of his camera

"The trooper was circling Garret's home in an unmarked vehicle that morning and waited until Garret was out of earshot of his roomates, away from his home before initiating the shakedown. DiRusso was investigating a bogus claim of 'wiretapping', the alleged videorecording of a public official while they were working on taxpayers' dime. Despite zero probable cause or physical evidence suggesting that the alleged wiretapping ever took place, corrupt district court judge Edward Burke signed the baseless warrant authorizing the legal theft." Continue reading

Continue ReadingPlainclothes NH State Police officer gets warrant to rob reporter of his camera

PBS: Do Innocent Citizens Risk Police Seizure of Their Property?

"Property seizure is a profitable practice for local law enforcement agencies, long used to deprive mobsters and drug kingpins. But the police can also take personal goods away from citizens who haven't been proven guilty of a crime. Ray Suarez talks to Sarah Stillman who investigated civil forfeiture for The New Yorker." Continue reading

Continue ReadingPBS: Do Innocent Citizens Risk Police Seizure of Their Property?

Bieber and entourage searched by sniffer dogs at Florida airport after drug ‘tip’

"Plain clothes officers and a dog squad swooped on the singer and his crew's luggage as they unloaded on the curb of the airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. TMZ reports law enforcement did not decide to randomly search the luggage but were instead responding to a tip off. According to the site: 'The reason cops searched the bags is because they received an anonymous tip someone in Justin's party had drugs in their luggage. 'Justin's bags, along with the bags of his entourage, were searched. Cops found nothing.' This is not the first time police have searched Justin and his crew." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBieber and entourage searched by sniffer dogs at Florida airport after drug ‘tip’

The Drug War Murders a Toddler

"Joshua Hill didn’t know that his July 25 visit with his daughter Alexandria would be the last he would enjoy. Four days later the two-year-old child was killed by the state-licensed foster mother who had been given custody after Joshua’s daughter was seized by the Texas Child Protective Service. Why was this child taken away from loving and capable parents? Last November, the state confiscated the infant from her home because the parents admitted to using marijuana on occasion. This was described as 'neglectful supervision,' a charge that permitted the child-snatchers to deliver the infant into the hands of an aggressively abusive individual." Continue reading

Continue ReadingThe Drug War Murders a Toddler

Should Cops Enforce Internet Etiquette?

"Joseph Grabko of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was briefly employed at a pizza restaurant called The Wild Tomato before quitting over issues of hygiene and finding drug paraphernalia on the premises. Grabko posted a critical review of the restaurant in the Yelp social network site. When it was deleted, he reposted it. The owner of the restaurant threatened Grabko with a 'harassment' charge if he didn’t take down the reviews within 24 hours. Shortly thereafter Grabko received a call from Officer Hallie Miller of the Lower Paxton Township Police Department, who told him that his online opinions 'can be construed as harassment.'" Continue reading

Continue ReadingShould Cops Enforce Internet Etiquette?

Andrew Sullivan Change Of Heart: ‘Cameron Proves Greenwald Right’

"I can say this to David Cameron. Thank you for clearing the air on these matters of surveillance. You have now demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that these anti-terror provisions are capable of rank abuse. Unless some other facts emerge, there is really no difference in kind between you and Vladimir Putin. You have used police powers granted for anti-terrorism and deployed them to target and intimidate journalists deemed enemies of the state. You have proven that these laws can be hideously abused. Which means they must be repealed. You have broken the trust that enables any such legislation to survive in a democracy." Continue reading

Continue ReadingAndrew Sullivan Change Of Heart: ‘Cameron Proves Greenwald Right’

Illinois governor Pat Quinn signs new ‘background checks’ law

"Private gun sales in Illinois must now be approved by state police under a law signed by Gov. Pat Quinn (D) on Sunday. WGN-TV reported that as of January 1, 2014, the law will require gun sellers to contact a police hotline to confirm that the buyer holds a valid state firearm owners’ identification card (FOID), Authorities vowed to expand their services to meet the demand for the new background checks. Another provision in the law requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to authorities within 72 hours takes effect immediately, making Illinois the eighth state to adopt such a provision." Continue reading

Continue ReadingIllinois governor Pat Quinn signs new ‘background checks’ law

Government works to make federal agencies appear as protagonists on TV

"Many agencies, including U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), actually staff an 'entertainment and multimedia liaison' in order to coordinate the agencies starring roles. Brandon A. Montgomery is such a liaison for ICE. In a news release from his agency, he is described as 'actively working to generate an agency presence in film and TV.' 'It’s important to get (ICE) on TV because it ensures we are on the top of the mind to the American public and our stakeholders,' Montgomery said, noting that it was 10 times as effective as putting an agency in a news blurb. Montgomery touts his influence at acquiring ICE features in TV shows." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGovernment works to make federal agencies appear as protagonists on TV