Reuters – Spike In Law Enforcement Requests For Customer Data Deluge Cell Phone Carriers

Big Brother is watching your every move. They are watching what you are downloading over BitTorrent at home via your ISP and they are watching what you are doing (and even where you’ve been) via your cell phone company. It’s a “brave” new world of 24/7 surveillance. George Orwell might have gotten the year wrong but when it comes to everything else… Stay tuned.

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Congressional Record: Lack Of Separation Between Church And State

I thought I’d share an example of the wall of separation between church and state, or the lack thereof. Below is from the Congressional Record for Friday, June 29, 2012. I am sure this opening prayer is nothing new, but I wonder if congress allows opening prayers by clergy of all religions? I think I already know the answer to that question.

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The Irony And Deceit Of Constitutional ‘Original Intent’ Arguments

E.J. Dionne has a great piece in the Washington Post: The Founders’ true spirit. In it he writes, “Differences over policy are often disguised as differences over whether a preferred choice is constitutional or not. When we should be addressing pragmatic questions — Will this approach work? Will it solve the problem it’s designed to solve? Is this a problem government should do something about? — we instead fall back on rather abstract discussions of whether a given idea violates the Constitution.”

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PA Voter ID Law Will “Allow Governor Romney To Win The State” According To Mike Turzai

Liberals and progressives already know voter suppression is the goal of the strict new voter ID laws passed by Republicans in many states. Republicans say the laws are needed because of voter fraud. This is of course bullshit because there is no voter fraud problem. No, the real goal is voter suppression. Republicans don’t care to win over minorities, instead they will do their best to make sure minorities (who overwhelming support Democrats) are unable to vote this November. Old, white Republicans see the writing is on the wall. They know how the demographics are shifting in this country. Instead of embracing change and trying to gain support of minorities, especially African-Americans, Republicans are instead doubling down on racism, bigotry and well, just plain old being an asshole.

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Greed: It’s Why We Need Strong Financial Regulations To Avoid Another Meltdown

I think it’s safe to say that all but the most extreme (and potentially selfish) anti-government libertarians would be for regulations when it comes to aviation including the safety of the airplane that takes you to see Aunt Betty in St. Louis. I think most would be hesitant to trust a for-profit company to regulate itself when it comes to the flight-worthiness of an aircraft. Sure, a company that neglects maintenance and has many fatal accidents is likely to go out of business quickly but nobody is willing to allow that market to work itself out because it means putting your life on the line when you board an airplane.

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