There are two primary types of electronic surveillance – Title III and FISA.Continue Reading
Hard Truths – Gun Control, Leftists & Some Facts
As a result of the shooting deaths at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the debate over gun control has been reignited.
In near-hysterical fashion.
But first, some facts.Continue Reading
An Article Compilation
This post is the result of requests I’ve received from readers to compile articles by category along with a description of each article.
This should prove helpful to those wanting to look into the unfolding FBI/DOJ/Obama Administration scandal surrounding illegal surveillance and collusion.Continue Reading
Our Great Mistake – The 17th Amendment
It is not by the consolidation, or concentration, of powers, but by their distribution, that good government is effected. – Thomas Jefferson
Separation of Power is one of the most fundamental tenets of our great Constitution.
When power is consolidated in the hands of the few, the needs of the many are ignored. Our Founding Fathers recognized this great trap and sought to put in place lasting safeguards against the natural tendency of national government to gain undue political power.
Safeguards that sought the preservation of individual and state rights against the natural process of power consolidation at the federal level.
Diffusion of power is good.Continue Reading
A Constitutional Republic
There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. – John Adams
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government. – U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 4
Our Founding Fathers were acutely aware of the dangers inherent in a Pure Democracy.
Thankfully for us, they found an appropriate solution.
A Democracy is Rule by the Majority – this is the singular defining feature. Stated another way it is Majority over Man.
In a Democracy, “We the People” are viewed as a group. The purpose of a Democratic Constitution is to empower the majority of the people to rule.
At it’s core, a Democracy is a Dictatorship by the Majority.Continue Reading
A Republic to be Thankful For
Sometimes we need to pause for a moment. To allow ourselves to be reminded of all that is good in our lives.
There’s always much to be thankful for.
I’m deeply grateful for my family and loved ones.
I’m grateful for the ability to wonder, to question, to grow and explore. I’m grateful for the ability to speak my mind and engage in debate. I’m grateful for the gift of critical thinking.
I’m grateful for this country that helped make these things possible for so many people.
I am grateful for the freedom given to me by others.Continue Reading
Negative Rights, Healthcare & Dream Homes
The Constitution is a charter of negative rather than positive liberties – Judge Richard Posner
One of my favorite childhood sayings comes to me from my father:
Liberalism is like baby fat. It melts away as you grow older.
Sadly, I don’t find that statement to be as true as it once was. Shifting demographics play a part. Our failing schools are deserving of greater blame.
Most adults fail to understand that our Constitution is a Charter of Negative Rights – and the crucial role Negative Rights play in our lives.Continue Reading
Tragedy, Politics & Gun Control
You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before – Rahm Emanuel
It only took a matter of hours – after the worse mass shooting in our nation’s history – for the Left’s politicization of the tragedy to begin. Hysterical clamoring for Gun Control coupled with blame for the NRA was sadly predictable – and seemed to take precedent over the horrors of the actual event. Outrage over the issue of silencers was a bit more unusual – but politically timely due to a bill before Congress.Continue Reading
Civil Asset Forfeiture, Equitable Sharing & Adoption
Attorney General Jeff Sessions released policy directive 17-1 yesterday in which he announced a new Civil Asset Forfeiture program. What Sessions really did was reinstate the old Asset Forfeiture program that had been in place under AG Eric Holder. Allow me to explain.
Civil asset forfeiture – or civil seizure – occurs when law enforcement agencies seize property they suspect has been used in – or originates from – criminal activity. The item being seized is itself suspected of having been involved in a crime. It is literally a civil action against the property. Criminal charges against the owner of the property are not required – nor is an actual conviction.
In order to get the property back, the property owner must initiate a lawsuit, providing proof that the property was not used in – or acquired by – illegal means. Unlike a criminal trial, where “beyond a reasonable doubt” is the legal threshold – in a civil case, the “preponderance of evidence” standard applies. All the government need do is present enough evidence that makes the claim of illegality more likely than not.Continue Reading
CNN, Free Speech & Reddit – A Self-Destruction in Real-Time
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The First Amendment of the Constitution is surprisingly short. It also applies only to restrictions against government actions. “Congress shall make no law…”
Over the years, courts have expanded the Free Speech interpretation of the First Amendment to apply against state and local governments in addition to the federal level. BUT – the First Amendment does not apply against companies, organizations or individuals.
In other words, CNN political analyst Kirsten Powers was correct when she noted that, “News organizations cannot violate a person’s First Amendment Rights”.Continue Reading