August 02, 2004

Hard to believe July is over, and I'm still promoting these opinions which are not necessarily those of TPoL, FND, FMN, or anyone else! Give me your feedback, please (use form below). And for more news, click here.

1- Census Bureau gives data on Arab Americans to Homeland Security
Actually, as I recall, this same thing happened in WW1 (against German and Italian immigrants and their families) as well as Japanese immigrants and Nisei during WW2. Keep in mind that the constitution only requires a count of who is in the house, and all the other information (snooping) is NOT required nor authorized by the Constitution. As I recall, the liberty of the people has been jeopardize by Census-takers since either David or Solomon ordered one of Israel, expressly AGAINST God's commandments.

2- Homeland Security becomes Bill Gates' doormen
And some pigs are more equal than other pigs...

3- Government agencies not meeting security requirements
Keep in mind that Murphy's law says the info that the fed-gov buro-rats will let get away because of poor security will be nothing that harms them - it will be YOUR private data that "got away."

4- 9/11 commission challenges scope of executive privilege
It would ironic if this excuse for an investigation accidentally cracked one of the most abused privileges of the Imperial Presidency.

5- 'Sign czar' helped direct reaction to Kerry lines
Heaven forbid any spontaneity be allowed to escape in front of the cameras. But then, I doubt if there was anything said that really would have triggered any spontaneous emotions - since greed and lust for power seldom have visible manifestations.

6- DNC protesters try to break out of speech zone
I expect this to be used by NYC and the GOP to justify even more chainlink and barbed wire in New York. Perhaps having video or DVD showing of "Escape from New York" might prick some people's consciences.

7- Kerry skips past Vietnam protest days in speech
If Kerry is elected Great Leader, I suppose we can expect to see the history books rewritten to show his proper place in the Vietnam War, and how it was an early attempt to fight against the terrorists - no doubt Iraqi and Iranians were disguised as Russian or Chinese "volunteer advisors."

8- New US health care socialism stalling
Of course, since guvmint-initiated and caused price rises are galloping along, it won't make any difference anyway, will it?

9- Deficit swells, politics continues as usual
As I mentioned last time, it is very easy to ignore something like this, and get used to it - then someone bursts the bubble. Runaway government deficits DO catch up with us.

10- Clock ticking in free trade talks
These artificial deadlines promote a crisis mentality that produces barely workable and soon unworkable "agreements" which harm the world economy more and more - which means that our own US economy really takes a beating. Expect the same again with this one.

Mama's note: The thing we have to stress when we talk to people is that these "agreements" are the farthest thing from truly FREE trade. As with so many others, they have hijacked the words and they now mean something totally different than they used to. True free trade doesn't require any government interventions at all, ever.

11- Canadian security rules take wind out of tall ships' sails
And perhaps someone could explain exactly how a terrorist could take advantage of a wind powered ship? In Halifax? Perhaps it could sneak up on an aircraft carrier and block launches or landings with its rigging?

12- RI top cop says police did no wrong in wiretapping scandal
While I don't often hear myself say "there oughta be a law," surely there is something - say the Bill of Rights?- being broken here, and some way to punish these people. Certainly such a goofup would be grounds for dismissal from most small businesses.

Mama's note: Of course we don't need another "law", just the freedom to interact without the gestapo. As long as this government lasts, they will do whatever they want with little or no fear of punishment, no matter how many "laws" are broken. How many "laws" were broken at Waco? Do any of them care in the least? .

13- Federal appeals court rules commandments poster must go
The entire Ten Commandments controversy is the poster child of the absurdity of our judicial system, from our small town traffic courts to the SCOTUS. And it is serving as a key method of polarization, as well.

14- Washington state protesters try to get killer cop off the beat
We are seeing a nationwide surge in "killer cops" like this guy - is this because society itself is breaking down so rapidly as we sink deeper into the "Crazy Years" or is a result of training and selection of these police forces which are, in reality, a occupying army?

15- Supporters seek asylum for chess legend Fischer in Germany
You too can be singled out to face the joys of having broken a law that made no sense then, and certainly doesn't 12 years later: like being tried by West Germany in 1956 for breaking customs laws by leaving Germany without a passport in 1944.

Mama's note: Seems to me this is like the stray dog seeking asylum at the dog pound. Isn't there a better place for this guy to go?

16- UK Animal activists face crackdown
And who defines what is an "intimidating manner"? I get the feeling this law will be selectively enforced, based on whose home and whose office - not on the exact manner of the protesting. Of course, since the UK has no Bill of Rights, Commons can do whatever it wants.

17- Stop harassing Russian newsman, Moscow tells Belarus
Based on the way Russia treats its own newsmen, this is obviously more about the relationship between Kiev and Moscow than about freedom of the press. But I hope a lot of people will throw this in Putin's face.

18- Brazilian shrimpers reject U.S. shrimp protectionism
Funny, I didn't realize the shrimpers were that big a bloc of votes, for the Bush administration to give a clear-cut example of "non-free trade" against third-world countries. It is sad how few people understand that tariffs, as a rule, are more harm to consumers (which of course includes the domestic producers) than they are a help to those same producers.

19- Japanese gov puts lid on sensitive news
The Japanese government, since the '60's, has always been reluctant to bring up certain things, and this is part of that normal routine - dare I suggest that AP is short of news from Japan right now and seeking to make something of this normal procedure?

20- UK Scientists call for regulation of nanotechnology
I suppose we could just make molecules register or be outlawed? If molecules are outlawed, will only outlaws have molecules?

Mama's note: This is a bit like trying to legislate the tides or the phases of the moon - or the sale of drugs. All they will manage to do is drive it underground where only the worst of the possible applications will be found and used -- against all of us. Bet on it.

21- Norwegian hotel workers beg for porn ban
As is often the case with unions and so-called "adults," they appear to be putting the blame on the wrong thing - I dare say it is more the crude nature of the hotel "guests" rather than what fare is offered on the televisions that makes for the propositioning. Of course, few people will like the logical suggestion that the hotel workers be permitted their basic human right of self-defense and arm themselves - you don't often find an armed woman being propositioned unless she's made it very clear it is welcome!

22- Chinese official rattles saber toward Taiwan
And the most unwise thing about buying weapons from the US is that the US has this bad habit of stopping the sale of necessary spare parts, just when they are needed most. A lot of people give Taiwan no more than six to eight years to prepare for what they see as the inevitable attempt by China to take something that was never theirs.

For more News Reports click here!

These views are written by Nathan Barton, a bit frazzled but still game for promoting more liberty for everyone, starting with his family, friends, counties and land.

Hope you had a great weekend!

(Use feedback form below to contact Nathan. If you want an answer, please include an email address. Only serious questions and comments will be considered.)

Freedom headline news: Commentary 6/14

Libertarian Commentary
on Freedom News Daily
6/16

Commentary
6/21

Commentary
6/22

2 page special edition 7/05

(For the previous comments, look at the archives for the front page. Thanks!