Secret law case sent to Supreme Court
One of the most fundamental, and sometimes annoying, principles of American law is described by the old adage, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.’ But the courts have held that in order for this to apply, and you to be responsible for a law, the government must provide “notice,’ for instance, publishing the law
The nice guys behind REAL ID
The REAL ID Act of 2005 sets up a de facto national identification card for American citizens. Almost nobody actually wants a national identification card, though. For many, it brings up still-fresh memories of Nazi Germany, which used national identification to control, and later slaughter, its population. For others, the national ID is the mark
The Dog Dialed 911
When the police arrived, they arrested the dog’s owner — not for allowing his dog to dial 911 on his cell phone, but for the 150 marijuana plants he had growing in the house. Despite the fact that he was doing absolutely nothing wrong by growing marijuana, that isn’t what this post is about. Instead,
Los Angeles police beating caught on video
A vicious street gang has been terrorizing the residents of Los Angeles, Calif., and shocking new video has surfaced of gang members brutally assaulting a Hollywood resident.
Social Security data used for criminal investigations
Wage and earnings data held at the Social Security Administration has been used in terrorism investigations since September 11, 2001. But few if any of those investigated have been brought up on terrorism charges. Federal prosecutors don’t actually bring terrorism charges if they can find any lesser charges which will result in a deportation and
The TSA Follies
Airport security is in good hands with the Transportation Security Administration . . . and monkeys might fly out of my butt. The TSA’s new motto is “Vigilant, Effective, Efficient.’ Let’s see about that. Here are four examples of how the TSA seems to be, well, a bad joke.
Supreme Court rules against government whistleblower
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that government employees who speak out aren’t always protected by the First Amendment. In the 5-4 decision in Garcetti et al. v. Ceballos, the Court ruled that government employees are not protected by the First Amendment when they speak about matters pertaining to their jobs.
Denver bus riders forced to show ID or risk arrest and prosecution
Deborah Davis was riding the bus to work in Denver one fateful morning last September, when security guards boarded the bus and demanded to see everyone’s ID. Davis refused and federal police boarded and arrested her. The Denver bus route that Davis used happens to cross the Denver Federal Center, and although Davis doesn’t get
Orange County, Calif. sheriff’s deputies continue assaults, battery
Deputies at the Orange County jail in California have a long history of assaulting and battering people brought into the jail for even the most minor offenses. And the corrupt city officials are doing nothing about it except settling out of court and paying off the inevitable lawsuits. The latest victim was Joshua Dominic Wilson,
New Orleans police steal cars, attack reporters
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into New Orleans, a new danger to human life and property has emerged: the New Orleans Police Department. New Orleans police allegedly stole some 200 cars from a dealership well before Katrina even made landfall. Doug Stead, president and general manager of the dealership, said
