August 18, 2005

Iowa Judge Tries to Subvert Trial by Jury
By Iloilo Marguerite Jones

Fully Informed Jury Association Rushes to Defend Iowa Citizens’ Freedom of Speech and to Preserve True Trial by Jury

Helena, MT — When Judge Gregory Hulse of Adel, Iowa, threatened Iowa citizens with arrest because they were distributing jury informational pamphlets, he was subverting both the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution, according to Iloilo M. Jones, Executive Director of the Fully Informed Jury Association, of Helena, MT (FIJA).

“He should know better,” exclaimed Jones, when she learned that Judge Hulse had heatedly threatened Iowans Frank Brown and Dell Lawrence with arrest when he discovered them distributing jury information outside the Adel school which was serving as a temporary courthouse. (Read the rest here)

Virginia Politicians and Highway Pork
by Jacob G. Hornberger

For a good example of the moral perversity of the budget-busting, pork-barrel highway bill, consider what recently happened in Bristol, Virginia. While on his annual statewide “listening tour” across the state, Republican Sen. George Allen proudly told Bristol voters that their local officials were going to receive even more money from Congress than they had requested for the renovation of the local train station.

Rep. Rick Boucher, a Democrat, had requested only $400,000 for the project. Not to be outdone, Sen. John Warner, a Republican, had requested $1 million for the same project.

So what did Congress do? It simply combined the two numbers and awarded Bristol officials a grant of $1.4 million. Laughing about the situation, Allen said, “Congress works in mysterious ways. I’ll guarantee they will use this extra $400,000.” (Read the rest here)

Time to Streamline Burdensome Airport Security
By Ivan Eland

The federal government is thinking about revising excessive airport security measures in response to the air-traveling public’s growing resentment of security checks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the federal agency with jurisdiction over those oppressive and annoying airport inspections, hopes to improve its public image and survive politically.

In its reassessment of airport screening, the TSA is considering once again allowing passengers to carry scissors, razor blades, and knives less than five inches long and eliminating the requirement for most passengers to take their shoes off at the security checkpoint. Soon passengers may be able to again carry “dangerous” items, such as tweezers and fingernail clippers, when traveling. This government policy change would probably allow a better-groomed air traveler—at last free to reduce the build up of unsightly nose hair and curling fingernails—but could reduce gains made in the cleanliness of passengers’ socks. (Read the rest here)

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Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2005

Our Right to Defend Ourselves

IMB Renews Piracy Warning For Somali Coast After Rise In Attacks
Terra Daily
The International Maritime Board (IMB) on Monday renewed a warning to shipping to avoid the coast of lawless Somalia, citing a recent "alarming" surge in the number of attacks on vessels this year.

But that's okay, the UN wants to stop these attacks by taking weapons away from people even on the high seas: so there is no way to defend yourself.

Australian Police Probing Indian Call Centre Fraud Claim
Space War Daily
Australian police were called in Monday to investigate claims that workers in India-based call centres are selling personal information that put tens of thousands of people at risk of Internet fraud.

Just because they talk with a funny accent (to us) doesn't mean they can't do nasty things to your bank account or credit rating!

Mama's Note: Anyone who thinks a "secure" website will actually keep their credit information secure has rocks in their head. There is no such thing as truly "secure" if you use credit cards, especially on line. Only you can decide just how much risk you are prepared to take, of course, but it is certainly foolishness to trust personal and financial information to strangers you can't hold accountable - no matter where in the world they are. (Read the rest here)

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