War: What is it good for?

By William R. Toler

As we reflect on this Memorial Day, as everyone breaks out the stars and bars to wave around in a temporary sense “Yay America,” I cringe at the thought of a tired cliche:

They fought and died for our freedoms.

To that I say (to use a word from those we rebelled against more than 200 years ago), “Bullocks.”

Sure, there have been brave men and women who have donned the uniform of one of the brances of the armed services and lost a limb, their life or themselves. I hold respect for them. They’ve seen and experienced Hell, and for that they are to be commended.

Fighting for the Fourth

By William R. Toler

I was originally going to write this post about the recent events of continuing tyranny in this once-great nation of ours. But because of recent events, I decided to discuss the freedom fighters that you won’t see on the news.

In an effort to hold off a vote on the four-year extension of three provisions of the Patriot Act, recently elected Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) stalled the senate floor Wednesday. A day before, Paul held a 7-hour filibuster and vowed to use up the maximum time allowed for debate.

Like his father, Texas congressman Ron Paul, the freshman senator is a critic of the civil liberty violations of the bill passed after the tradgedy of Sept. 11, 2001. The current provisions expire after midnight.

According to The Hill:

The Patriot Act renewal legislation would extend the ability of U.S. intelligence authorities to conduct roving wiretaps, gain access to business records and survey “lone-wolf” operators, non-U.S citizens believed to be acting alone to commit terrorist acts.

“I think it was a mistake,” Paul said regarding the passing of the original Patirot Act, when it was rushed through without reading, “and I think we should have an intelligent and rational discussion over this.”

Open letter to AAA

The following is an open letter sent to the American Automobile Association by former IR contributor and former libertarian candidate Richard C. Evey. He makes a plea to the national orgaization to stand up for the rights of Americans that have been violated in the wake of the tradgedy of Sept. 11, 2001. Several spelling corrections were made to the original.

6 MAY 2011

AAA
Charlotte, NC

Sir:

You have not responded to my last two letters, so I do not expect a response on this one.
But it is now time for the American Automobile Association to speak out for the American people because the US government might listen to you.

I have been a member of your organization since 1974.

This once great country, the US of A, has become a police state and you and other organizations that deal in travel have done nothing to either stop it nor have you and others made an issue of it.

The subjects are: the no fly list, the terrorist watch list and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

I have been informed that I am on the no fly list and a possibility that I am on the terrorist watch list. I have done nothing to be on these lists other than voice my opinion, under the First Amendment to the US Constitution, about how the US of A has become a police state, the US government took down the World Trade Center, they listens to our phone calls, reads our e-mails, spy on us without the courts permission, arrest American citizens and put them in prison without charges.

Photography is not a crime

By William R. Toler

Shutterbugs across the country noticed a disturbing trend and some have even found themselves behind bars for doing their job or passion: photography.

Carlos Miller, a “multimedia journalist,” maintains a blog featuring stories of people arrested for photography. Dozens of photo-activists have been incarcirated for videotaping police officers, usually to catch abuse of authority. According to Miller’s website, he has been arrested twice for photographing cops and beaten both charges.

One case that’s been getting a lot of attention from the liberty movement involves John Kurtz, a real estate agent and photo-activist. Kurtz, founder of Orlando Copwatch, was arrested Jan. 1 after police say he interrupted an investigation and shoved an officer, the Orlando Sentinel reports. He faces a maximum of six years for “resisting without violence, battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, obstruction of a police officer.”

Here are the facts according to Orlando Copwatch:

Fourth Amendment flushed in court decisions

By William R. Toler

“I’d like to get some sleep before I travel. But if you’ve got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in.”

The late Jerry Garcia would be disappointed–as are many civil libertarians–that his line from “Truckin'” is no longer relevant thanks to several recent court rulings.

Last week, the Indiana Supreme Court rendered two decisions that invalidate the protections of the Fourth Amendment. First, the court ruled that police did not have to knock before entering a home to serve a warrant, according to nwitimes.com. Then a few days later, the court decided 3-2 that individuals have “no right” to resist police entering your home without a warrant.

The ruling stems from a case in which a police had been called to investigate a couple arguing outside their home. As the couple went back in, the husband told police there was no need for them. When the officers tried to enter anyway, the husband pushed one of them against the wall. The other officer then subdued him with a stun gun and arrested him.

In a prime example of Orwellian Doublespeak, Justice Steven David wrote in the opinion, “We believe … a right to resist an unlawful police entry into a home is against public policy and is incompatible with modern Fourth Amendment jurisprudence…We also find that allowing resistance unnecessarily escalates the level of violence and therefore the risk of injuries to all parties involved without preventing the arrest.”

Let’s analyze that for a moment, shall we?

First Amendment vs. Second Amendment

By William R. Toler

Similar bills in several states could have civil libertarians scratching their heads, trying to decide what side to stand on.

Three southern states, including North Carolina, currently have legislation in the works that would prohibit doctors from inquiring about gun ownership, according to USA Today.

Gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association, say that by health care officials questioning patients– or for the kiddies, their parents–about the status of a firearm in the home, is a violation of the Second Amendment.

Doctors counter that by arguing that keeping them from asking violates their First Amendment Rights.

Florida recently passed the bill in both legislative houses and the governor is expected to sign it into law.

Opponents of the bill say doctors aren’t concerned with the politics of gun control, but of saftey…especially that of children.

Republican debate Round 1: And the winner is…

By James White

Last night was the first of many Republican debates, and it was worth mentioning for several reasons.

  Only five candidates showed for the event.  Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and Gary Johnson were the ones that made the trip to Greenville, South Carolina, and most of these contenders aren’t really considered to be the “heavyweights” of the Republican party.  Most notable by their absences were Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Michelle Bachman (whose performance I was especially looking forward to!).  Another aspect of the contest was that it was hosted by Fox News, which I’m sure is a surprise to everyone that they hosted the first Republican debate.  The best feature of this debate was that it gave the opportunity for candidates to be heard that would otherwise be drowned out during other debates and news cycles. 

Usama inconsistencies

By William R. Toler

The more we learn about the alleged incident with Usama bin Laden, the less we know.

The official story coming from the White House and the mainstream media has more holes then bin Laden…if that was him and if he’s really dead.

First, we were told that there was a violent firefight between bin Laden and the special operations team that was sent in to get him. Once the team was inside the compound and confronted the “world’s most wanted terrorist”, he used his wife as a human shield and was shot in the head.

But the story has changed as many times, if not more, than I’ve changed underwear since Sunday night.

Mission finally accomplished?

By William R. Toler

Newspaper headlines this morning all across the country heralded the same basic message: “WE GOT THE BASTARD.”

News outlets began reporting on the assasination of America’s arch nemisis “Osama” bin Laden late Sunday night, with special breaking news reports and a speech by President Barack Obama. A special operations team had found the leader of al Qaeda in a compound in northern Pakistan and taken him out. (His name is spelled “Usama” not “Osama.”)

Americans began gathering outside the White House, in Times Square and Ground Zero in New York to celebrate the death of the man “responsible” for the attacks on our soil on Sept. 11, 2001 in a display of fake patriotism similar to that right after the attacks.

As soon as I heard the news from Eric Voliva, former sports editor of the Independent Register, my “conspiratorial” mind went into overdrive. I started thinking about the timing of the event and as reports continously come in, I get contiously suspicious. To quote a good friend, “Im not quite ready to baptize myself in red, white, and blue confetti just yet.”