By William R. Toler

Police in Wisconsin went against two constitutional amendments on our nation’s birthday, taking down and seizing an American Flag which was displayed upside down.

Vito Congine Jr. says police trespassed and stole his property before a Fourth of July parade in the village of Crivitz, according to the Associated Press. The flag was removed by police following advice by the District Attorney and returned the next day.

Congine, an Iraq war veteran, was flying his flag upside down in protest of the town refusing to grant him a liquor license for his Italian supper club.  “It is pretty bad when I go and fight a tyrannical government somewhere else,” Congine said, “and then I come home to find it right here at my front door.”

The American Civil Liberties Union is now considering action against the town for the violation of Congine’s rights.

Displaying the flag upside down is permitted by code in times of distress. However it has become a symbol of free speech in protest against the U.S. government by those who consider themselves real patriots.

Congine said his distress is that after spending $200,000 to buy and rennovate the building for his supper club, it will now probably never open due to the refusal of the liquor license and drive him into bankruptcy.

I, for one, have a U.S. flag lapel pin that I wear upside down for that very reason. An acquaintance of mine has a t-shirt which pictures an upside down flag with the words “Free Speech” written underneath.

Sheriff Jim Kanikula told the A.P. that while it isn’t illegal to fly a flag upside down, “It is illegal to cause a disuption,” and that people were upset.

Again, just like with Bill Harper, we see the “strong arm of the law” overstepping it’s bounds and violating constitutionally protected rights. Under the First Amendment, Cogine had the right to fly his flag upside down. Police also violated the Fourth Amendment by coming onto Congine’s property and sezing his property. The story doesn’t mention a warrant being issued.

By William R. Toler

A recently arrested man is back on the streets thanks to an incompetent jailer in Craven County.

Newschannel 12’s Aisha Howard reports that while Sheriff Jerry Monette was holding a press conference lauding the arrest of Jonathan Staton and two other men in a drug bust…Staton was walking out.

According to Monette, Staton offered fellow inmate Ricky Bryant $5000 for his release papers. Staton was under a $2 million bond…Bryant’s was unsecured. When the jailer called for Bryant, Staton stepped up and stepped out.

The jailer has been suspended pending an internal investigation. As for Bryant, he’s still in jail and out five grand.

I’m not sure what the process is for checking people out of jail…but you would think that there would be some kind of proof of identification to keep something like this from happening.

It’s nice to see this level of law enforcement from the president of the N.C. Sheriff’s Association.

By William R. Toler

In an assertion of the Fourth Amendment, the high court ruled 8-1 Thursday that school officials violated the privacy rights of Savana Redding when she was strip searched for ibuprofen.

The search took place in 2003 after a fellow student caught with ibuprofen claimed she got the pills from Redding. The assistant princpal had Redding’s bag searched before ordering a school nurse to conduct the strip search, which included Redding shaking out her bra and pulling her underwear out.

Redding was represented in this case by the American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU lawyer Adam Wolf said students can now breathe a sigh of relief. “Today’s ruling affirms that schools are not constitutional dead zones,” he said. ”While we are disappointed with the Court’s conclusion that the law was not clear before today and therefore school officials were not found liable, at least other students will not have to go through what Savana experienced.”

In the opinion of the Court, Justice David Souter wrote:

“Because there were no reasons to suspect the drugs presented a danger or were concealed in her underwear, we hold that the search did violate the Constitution, but because there is reason to question the clarity with which the right was established, the official who ordered the unconstitutional search is entitled to qualified immunity from liability.”

In a suprising vote, Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenter writing:

“…the Court has undercut student safety and undermined the authority of school administrators and local officials. Even more troubling, it has done so in a case in which the underlying response by school administrators was reasonable and justified.”

While I do agree with some arguments made by Justice Thomas, I disagree with his decision and part of the decision by the majority of the Court.

I believe that if a strip search is to be performed on a minor student, a parent should be notified and present, as well as law enforcement personel. It should not be at the sole discretion of overzealous school adminstrators. I also belive the adminstrators should be held responsible for their violation of the Fourth Amendment.

By William R. Toler

A Duplin County man is being investigated for a creative political statement.

Lacy Phipps, an elderly Faison man, has local, state and federal authorities up in arms for building a gallows setup featuring officials associated with the justice department.

Hanging from the gallows are life-sized mannequins representing District Attorney Dewey Hudson, Sheriff Blake Wallace and former Attorney General (and governor) Mike Easley along with judges, according to the Sampson Independent.

Phipps created the display because he recieved no justice for the death of his son in 1995.

Hudson calls the display “very troubling and disturbing.”

I call it creative and hillarious.

To try and force Phipps to take it down, authorities would be in violation of his rights guaranteed by the First and Fourth Amendments.

But that hasn’t stopped them before. Last November, former county commissioner Bill Harper had a casket confiscated from a local polling station by the Craven County Sheriff’s Department.

We will continue to update this story.

By William R. Toler

The city of Kinston was named as one of the top-ten All American cities last week along with Statesville.

But some citizens in Lenoir County would beg to differ with that decision.

Earlier this month, city leaders voted 3-2 to annex the neighborhood of Crestview and other communites along Hwy 258, although there had been protests and threats of law suits, according the Kinston Free Press.

North Carolina is one of two states in which involuntary annexation is legal. Nebraska is the other.

Mayor “Buddy Rich” made a statment during one interview saying that if people didn’t want to live in the city, then they shouldn’t have moved to an area that would be annexed. What a pompus thing to say.

When most of those people moved into their neighborhood, it was probably inconceivable to think they would be snatched up by the city in a strong-arm power grab.

A grassroots movement, headed up by Stephen LaRoque, will be putting up billboards (like the one seen above) to further protest the city’s actions. One reads:

Kingston, N.C.:
Serving King George III Since 1762
Taxation Without Representation

Kinston was originally called “Kingston” in honor of King George III of England.

Just because involuntary annexation is legal, doesn’t mean cities should take advantage of it…especially when there is large amount of opposition.

If this is an example of an All American City, what does that mean for America?

By William R. Toler

Last week on Coast to Coast A.M., host George Noory informed the audience that Art Bell’s wife Airyn was granted her permanent visa.

While broadcasting from Manila, Bell, creator of the overnight radio show, had told listeners of his plight and encouraged them to flood President Barack Obama with emails to try and fix the debacle. He had also written a letter to Sen. Harry Reid for assistance, before being informed that his bride’s visa application had been terminated.

Bell’s problem caught the attention of millions of listeners and the alternative press, including the Independent Register.

Congratulations Art and Airyn. I hope to hear your broadcast again from the high desert.

By Richard C. Evey
Libertarian/Patriot

I have often wondered and people have asked me: When will the government stop the over taxation, over spending, abuse of our freedom, the unconstitutional laws, endless wars, abuse of power and when will the American people say ENOUGH??

When will the American people take a stand and tell the government to return government back to government by and for the people and not by and for the elected officials and the wealthy?

What will it take: another WACO, RUBY RIDGE?

IF it happened, would the American people see and listen to the real truth or to what main stream media and the government tells them and would the American people step up to the plate and defend the people being abused. Would the American people take that stand and fight the government, not just with words but meeting force with force?

Those of us who remember Waco and the government lies that lead up to the murder of 80 plus people, we know that the government is totally evil. Search for and watch the movie “Waco: The Rules of Engagement” for the real truth. Read the real story of Ruby Ridge and the murder of two innocent people at the hands of the government Gestapo.

What would have happened if the American people stood up for those at Waco and took on the federal Gestapo?

If the American people did take a stand and took on the government, these people would have to make a very tough decision. Am I willing to die for these people, who I do not know and for what our founding fathers died for. Am I willing to take the chance that I may never see family, friends, never be able to see the sun rise or set ever again? Am I willing to die for the freedom and liberty of others that come along later, am I going to die and nothing will change?  Our founding fathers went to war, no doubt, with the same thoughts. Would you be willing to make that choice and that sacrifice? Ever Watch the Movie “The Patriot”?

Our founding fathers put their lives on the line for the American people and only three percent took the stand with them. Ten percent helped and the rest of the people stood by and waited to see what the final outcome was.

As one of our founders said “If we do not hang together, we will certainly hang separately.”

When our founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their death warrant if the revolution failed. I ask any of you: could you, would you, should you do the same??

I ask the question, I beg the question, what will it take to turn this once great country around and take it back to what our founders worked so very hard for and yes, a lot of them died for?

The electoral process is so corrupt, rigged and unfair. It is a recorded fact that less than 50% of those who can vote are registered and only 25% of those people actually vote. Sending letters to the many elected officials does little to change their minds. Hell, the American people are lucky if their elected official even reads the bills that the elected people vote on.

The people forming demonstrations do little to influence the elected people. But the main stream media have a great time: criticizing, bashing and talking about it for days on end. The government Gestapo gets in the middle and sends in their agents to start trouble and they act like the innocent victims and the government strikes back and gets all the good press. Then the demonstrators are viewed as the criminals and are labeled as unpatriotic.

What will it take to turn this country around? An armed revolt? But are there enough people willing to die for what they really believe in? Will we, those that believe in freedom and liberty, be the only ones to take a real stand and draw that line in the sand?

Would you be willing to take a stand and maybe die for what you believe in?

Will you be part of the THREE PERCENT, the TEN PERCENT or will you just sit back and wait for the final solution?

Does it have to come to that or even close to that? Does anyone really what that to happen?

Deep down we all want it to be better and safer with FREEDOM and LIBERTY FOR ALL.

We must save this REPUBLIC!

By William R. Toler

Radio host Art Bell may never return to the high desert.

The legendary host of  Coast to Coast A.M. told listeners of an ongoing battle with immigration officials while filling in for weekend host Ian Punnett June 6.

Outraged by a lack of cooperation or communication by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bell sent a letter to Sen. Harry Reid asking him to look into the matter.

In the letter, and on the air, Bell explained how he and his Phillipino wife Airyn had been following all of the rules and regulations regarding her Visa.  In October of 2008,the Bells sent in the required form, evidence of marriage and a fee of $545, the final step of a two-year process.

Three months later, they recieved a letter from the California service center requesting additional information. The Bells complied within a few days. According to postal reciepts, USCIS received the package of material on Jan. 15.

However, Bell says that in early March “we received a notice that USCIS had not received our additional evidence and moreover that there was NO appeal and it was case CLOSED!”

After that he called USCIS and was told to send in evidence that he had sent the materials in…which he did.

Then, he received a letter back saying that USCIS had sent the wrong form and he should send in $575. Not wanting to argue, although he had already sent in the original fee, Bell once again complied.

“They returned the check saying it was incomplete, but that was all they had asked for, most of the responses from USCIS seemed to refer to other cases, not ours, but I was tired of fighting,” Bell said.

Included in the “evidence” to USCIS were:

• Marriage License
• Daughter’s Birth Certif.
• JOINT bank accounts (2)
• Health insurance
• Joint car registration
• Art’s Last Will (With Wife and Daughter as receiving sole benefits)
• Social Security paperwork for all
• Pictures of trips taken
•  The (2) homes Art owns in Nevada, payed in full
•  (2) signed (Notarized) statements from friends attesting that the marriage is indeed in good faith
• Many additional documents proving it is a real Marriage entered to in good faith and still healthy

That same month, the Bells had to return to the Phillipines to take care of family matters. However, once back in Manilla, the Bells were informed that Airyn could not return to the U.S.

The following letter was a response following a letter from a congressional aide on the Bells’ behalf:

Thank you for contacting the Congressional Liaison Team within the California Service Center. Since the applicant is out of the country after the case was denied. The petitioner will need to start from filing the I-130 petition again for the beneficiary.

The reason for the denial was explained in the denial notice that your constituent received. The evidence was not received.

The applicant’s status has been terminated at this point, and she will not be able to return to the United States using the stamps in her passport.

Sincerely,

Yining Wu
Adjudication Officer
Congressional Unit
DHS/USCIS/CSC

“I think of myself as a good American” Art said,”however I do not feel as though I have been treated as one.”

Listeners called in with their own similar experiences with trying to do things the right way, instead of just slipping across the borders illegally like so many people do each day.

It would be nice to hear Art Bell once again broadcast from the high desert, but I don’t blame him for not wanting to return to a country that has placed such a burden on his life because of bone-headed bureaucrats hidden away in an office protected from the public and their own mistakes.

By Richard C. Evey
Libertarian/Patriot

In May 1915, the S.S. Lusitania left New York headed for London with 2,000 passengers. A German U boat – that’s undersea boat – put one torpedo into the side of the fastest ship in the North Atlantic.

The Lusitania sank in 18 minutes, with a loss of 1,200 people. One hundred twenty-eight were American citizens. The ship sank between England and Ireland near County Cork, Ireland.

The British quickly accused the “Pirate Hun“ (Kaiser Wilhelm II) of the slaughter of innocent civilians, claiming that the Lusitania was solely a passenger vessel.

The sinking caused a rally for recruitment to fight the heartless Huns. Many recruitment posters were put up demanding vengeance, one very famous poster showed a young woman slipping below the waves with her baby. It bore a single word: “Enlist.”

The American people were told that German children were given the day off from school to celebrate the sinking of the Lusitania.

Two years later, the United States entered the war effort against the Germans. The conflict that was called “the war to end all wars.”

As he would say, “here is the rest of the story.”

Late last year, an Irish dive team found the Lusitania located in 300 feet of water. The cargo: tons of crates marked cheese, butter and oysters, located in unrefrigerated holds. The crates contained more than 4 million rounds of U.S.-manufactured Remington .303 ammunition, along with gunpowder and gun cotton.

This could be the reason why a large number of the 764 survivors said they reported a second explosion and could be the real reason why the ship sank in 18 minutes. These reports were not published in the press. This also goes along with the testimony by the U-boat commander and the log book of the U-boat stating that there was a second explosion after the torpedo hit the Lusitania.

Now you know the rest of the story.

It has been reported that the dive team will return to the wreck site in the summer of 2009 and do a complete survey, hoping to raise some of the cargo as solid proof to the lies that were told by those who profit from war.

By Corey Friedman

You can’t be a good Christian and a Democrat, a private evangelical university told its students when it refused to recognize a student club with ties to the national Democratic Party.

Liberty University, the Lynchburg, Va., school founded by the fundamentalist Rev. Jerry Falwell, derecognized the College Democrats because school officials consider Democratic policies that allow abortion and promote gay rights incongruous with the school’s Christian mission.

“While those who are members of the LU Democratic Club are well intentioned and honorable, the platform and policies of the national Democratic Party and the candidates supported by that party, and thus the student organization itself, are inconsistent with the mission of the University,” Jerry Fallwell Jr., the school’s president, said in a news release.

As a private religious institution, Liberty is not legally bound to allow free speech, expression and association like public, state-funded colleges.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education points out that Liberty makes no bones about its conservative Christian culture, and students and parents who even skimmed the school’s literature should have known exactly what they were signing up for.

While the university has no legal obligation to recognize the College Democrats, it does have moral, ethical and even Biblical obligations to do so.

To openly bash the Democratic Party and favor student Republican groups, Liberty is aligning itself with the political party responsible for the Iraq war, a pre-emptive invasion based on faulty intelligence that has claimed nearly 5,000 American lives.

The inhumane and barbaric treatment of prisoners of war and terrorist suspects, the semantic redefinition of torture and the abuse and humiliation of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay detainees all happened on the Republicans’ watch.

Would Jesus be a warmonger? Would the Nazarene carpenter who called himself the Prince of Peace approve of invading and occupying foreign countries against the will of their occupants?

Liberty seems to think so.

It’s equally important to recognize, as university leaders have failed to do, that protecting abortion rights is not tantamount to endorsing or promoting abortion.

Neither is allowing gay adults to cement their relationship with a legal pact the same thing as approving of homosexuality.

Both policies simply allow citizens the choice of their conscience. Is it the government’s place to forbid immoral behavior, or should free people have free will to decide, for good or ill, how they will live?

Paradoxically, the party that says it favors small govenment – the GOP – doesn’t trust Americans enough to let them make moral choices on their own.

Religious denominations, churches and Christian colleges should teach doctrine and dogma while explicitly recognizing the importance of free will. They also should refrain from favoring one political party over another and plotting to infiltrate American government with evangelicals in hopes of creating a “Christian nation.”

The separation of church and state, after all, is not even a secular idea. Wasn’t it Jesus himself who said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”?

Liberty should either change its policies or change its name. There is freedom in Christ, but there is no liberty on that Lynchburg campus.