Security and Self-Governance
The senseless and horrific killings last week at a movie theater in Colorado reminded Americans that life is fragile and beautiful, and we should not take family, friends, and loved ones for granted. Our prayers go out to the injured victims and the families of those killed. As a nation we should use this terrible
Unconstitutional Uses of Drones Must Stop
Last week I joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama requesting clarification of his criteria for the lethal use of drones overseas. Administration officials assure us that a “high degree of confidence” is required that the person targeted by a drone is a terrorist. However, press reports have suggested that
Do Americans Approve Mass Murder?
A majority of Americans, it seems, approve of drone strikes against terrorists, even if they kill innocent bystanders.
Yemen on the Brink: Implications for U.S. Policy
I am extremely concerned over current US policy toward Yemen, which I believe will backfire and leave the United States less safe and much poorer. Increasing US involvement in Yemen may be sold as a fight against terrorism, but in fact it is more about expanding US government control and influence over this strategically-placed nation
Poisoned jawbreakers: the next terrorist attack?
Town aldermen in Dover, N.J., worried that terrorists could attack the town’s children by poisoning gumballs in coin-operated gumball machines, have launched an inspection of every machine they can find.
Ron Paul gains support in second GOP debate
For those who doubted that Rep. Ron Paul was a serious contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, the debate Tuesday night in South Carolina put all doubts to rest. Paul stirred up a firestorm of controversy for suggesting that the Department of Homeland Security made national security even more inefficient after September 11
Supreme Court refuses Gilmore due process case
On Monday the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Ninth Circuit appeals court decision which found that Americans do not have a “right to travel by any particular form of transportation’ and do not have the right to know the laws and regulations they must obey.
Homeland Security contributed bad data to military intelligence database
If you disagree with the policies of the U.S. government, or are a member of a group or association which expresses disagreement with government policies, an agent of the federal government is likely reading your web site and subscribed to your mailing list. Undercover officers of the Federal Protective Service subscribed to the mailing lists
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
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
