Big Brother in ENC

By William R. Toler
It’s amazing to think about the liberties we give up to make ourselves feel safe. Not really amazing…more like apalling.
Newschannel 12 reported last week on a 52-camera system set up by the Greenville Police Dept. Authorities say that it helps with crime prevention but failed to give any specific examples.
The new system [...]

Hair-brained school makes student shave ‘gang symbol’ design

By William R. Toler
ELIZABETH CITY–Jay Cowell was told by school officals to get another haircut because they said he had gang symbols etched into his head.
Cowell, an eighth-grader at River Road Middle school, had a moon and star design shaved into his head, but was forced to change it before returning to school.
Natasha Cowell, the [...]

Buy the mile?

By William R. Toler
North Carolinians could face a draconian driving tax if the politicians have their way.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the state of North Carolina is considering implementing a tax on every mile driven to make up for sinking gas tax revenues. This is in addition to the 29.9 cents per gallon the state [...]

Government takes aim at ammo

By William R. Toler
The popular pro-gun phrase “You can have my gun…bullets first” may be the first step to severely dismantling the Second Amendment.
The Ammunition Accountabiltity Act is being introduced in 18 states, including North Carolina neighbors South Carolina and Tennessee.
On the surface, especially to those not passionate about the Second Amendment, the Ammuntion Accountabilty Act [...]

Police brutality, false arrest at Wal-Mart

By Corey Friedman
Wal-Mart surveillance video will show an Illinois man violently wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by a store security guard after he refused to hand over his receipt for a door search.
Michael J. Phelan, a town alderman from Berwyn, Ill., was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly scuffling with an off-duty Chicago police [...]

Cow farts cause fuss

By William R. Toler
Farmers could face an extra tax for flautulence. Not theirs of course…but that of their animals.
The Associated Press reported last month that farm groups across the nation are worried that the government will levy a tax on livestock  based on a 2007 Supreme Court ruling animals are emitting greenhouse gasses that are [...]

Cussing at cop was free speech

By Corey Friedman
The thin blue line provides no protection from a blue streak.
The South Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that a man’s vulgar tirade against a Brookings, S.D. police officer was protected speech under the First Amendment. The man was charged with disorderly conduct after he shouted profanities at a passing patrol car.
Justices found that [...]