Say what you like about search engine giant Google, at least in this case they are on the side of we mere citizens as they stand up against US federal government warrantless demands for user information. Using a law that is almost definitely unconstitutional, the FBI regularly demands ISPs and other internet companies hand over user information without a warrant using … [Read more...]
The Solution to Intellectual Property Piracy on the Internet is… legalizing computer virii?
A group in the United States that calls itself the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property released a massive tome on internet piracy on May 22, 2013. Their report proves just how disconnected from reality these folks are. It’s mind-boggling, even from a “progressive” standpoint! First Hollywood tried claiming copyright for a film they neither created nor … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Farmer acquitted of “illegally” producing milk while Canada continues prosecuting farmers
It’s the ultimate property right to produce a product on your own land using your own hard work. Then government legislators wade in and decide what you will be “permitted” to do on the land you own and work with your own two hands. Wisconsin farmer Vernon Hershberger was charged with the heinous crime of producing and selling milk to willing and happy customers without a … [Read more...]
Canadian Human Rights Act Section 13 Must Be Repealed [video]
“Smart Guns” – A Bad Idea Whose Time Should Never Come
I’m reluctant to even write about this because as that old advertising maxim goes, any public mention of a product is a good thing. This gained wider notoriety when moronic Congressman John F. Tierney introduced a bill to Congress after watching the latest James Bond film. He actually said this is where he got the idea for his bill from... which doesn’t say much for his … [Read more...]
Texas Protects Privacy of Texans’ Email from the prying eyes of the State
The Texas State Legislature sent HB 2268 to Governor Rick Perry’s desk on Tuesday, May 28, 2012. The bill is designed to protect citizens Right to Privacy by requiring all state law enforcement agencies to get a warrant for all emails, no matter how old those emails are. That’s a big difference from current US federal legislation. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act … [Read more...]
Horrifying Headline proves just how screwed up our priorities are
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is under fire (again) for being everything a liberal despises. Saving Toronto taxpayers over a BILLION dollars is meaningless. Ford is a jerk and there is no low too low when it comes to attacking him in the press. For the “crime” of being a conservative and doing exactly what he said he would do if elected Mayor of Toronto, the mindless lemmings of … [Read more...]
Lillooet, BC, Takes SLAPPing “Mere Citizens” to an All-New Level
Just down the road from me is the town of Lillooet. It’s a nice enough place to live except, that is, for the local politicians. They’re a nightmare; control freaks of the highest order. Back in 2010 Lillooet Mayor Dennis Bontron wanted to ban what he called “unauthorized meetings” in an effort to curb vandalism. The penalties proposed for holding an "unauthorized meeting" … [Read more...]
Nelson, Georgia, sued by the Perennial Gun-Haters at the Brady Center
On April 3, 2013 I wrote an article titled Why Government Despises Liberty… Thoughts on Bastiat’s classic “The Law” in which I discussed the principles Frederik Bastiat wrote about at length. I started off here: "Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused … [Read more...]
Is Every Phone Call You Make Recorded Without Your Knowledge or Consent?
Constitutions, Charters of Rights and Freedoms, and Bills of Rights mean something under one and only one condition: when those in power choose to follow them. There is not a government in the world that actually respects the documents created by those who founded those nations. Here in Canada, the ink wasn't dry on the Trudeaupian Nightmare, our Charter of Rights and … [Read more...]
Hollywood’s “Anti-Piracy” Hypocrisy
It’s one thing for a Hollywood film producer to do what it can to prevent its own commercial works from being “pirated” on the internet. It’s entirely another to prevent an independent filmmaker from producing a film and intentionally sharing his work on the internet for free, yet that is exactly what Hollywood film companies Viacom, Paramount, Fox and Lionsgate are doing … [Read more...]
US Department of Justice: We don’t need no stinking warrants
US Department of Justice says, “We don’t need no stinking warrants.” It’s always reassuring when the minions of the state do precisely the opposite of what they ought. Instead of protecting and defending the rights of we “mere citizens” they violate those rights instead. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) obtained a copy of an FBI investigation manual which The … [Read more...]
US State Department Gets Knickers In a Twist over 3D Printable Handgun
Earlier this week Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed, made history by creating a single-shot firearm using a 3D printer and then firing it. Personally, I find this absolutely fascinating and a marvel of human ingenuity. Wilson, often referred to in the press as “the radical libertarian and anarchist founder of Defense Distributed” successfully designed a .380 … [Read more...]
Australian Town Gets Lesson in Privacy Rights
It’s astounding to see the Australian town of Nowra’s network of CCTV cameras shut off because they violated the privacy rights of its citizens. Shoalhaven City Council violated several parts of the Privacy and Personal Information Act and as a result, they were ordered to shut down their CCTV network. Oddly, all it took was a single complaint from a citizen to spark the … [Read more...]
Aurora City Council Issues Formal Apology to Bloggers
In a truly astounding gesture, Aurora City Council formally voted to apologize for its role in the SLAPP lawsuit filed by former Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris. I’ve written about this case many times before, so I was thrilled to see this announcement land in my mailbox this week. A Resounding SLAPP in the face for Politicians Wishing to Stifle our Freedom of Speech Former … [Read more...]
Arthur Topham’s Legal Woes Continue for Daring to use his Right to Freedom of Speech
From the beginning Arthur Topham’s case puzzled me. Charging Mr. Topham with “wilfully promoting hatred” under Section 319(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada seemed excessive given he already faces charges under Section 13(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act. What makes Arthur Topham so scary? In today’s world, where we value “hurt feelings” over our Charter Rights and … [Read more...]
Canadian Constitution Foundation comes to Montague Family’s aid
The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) will take on Bruce & Donna Montague’s case after Doug Christie’s death left them without counsel to fight property forfeiture under Ontario's Civil Forfeiture Law. The Canadian Constitution Foundation (http://www.theccf.ca) announced today that it would provide legal counsel to Bruce and Donna Montague of Dryden, Ontario in … [Read more...]
CCLA Applies for Intervener Status in Marc Lemire’s Constitutional Challenge of Sec. 13 Internet Censorship
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has filed an intervention application at the Federal Court of Appeals. They are seeking to rid Canada of Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which is Canada’s shameful Internet censorship legislation. The CCLA recently described their intervention in the Lemire case thus: “The CCLA will be intervening to support the … [Read more...]
Even the Rich and Famous must suffer the Fools of Airport Security
In the realm of human stupidity it's hard to do worse than the intrepid fools who inhabit the ranks of airport security. There common sense is verboten and the ability to think rationally... well, let's just say it's not welcome there either. The latest entry into the stupidest airport security blunder ever this week goes to the Swiss... a prize that actually surprised me. … [Read more...]
Facebook – The Best Friend Minions of the State Ever Had
Everyone loves Facebook, but nobody loves Facebook more than governments and police agencies. It’s made their job so much easier. And, should actual criminals be too hard to catch, a few hours trolling Facebook photos is sure to net dozens of possibilities. Case in point: Certified Firearms Instructor Shawn Moore. New Jersey Police and the Department of Child and Family … [Read more...]