The disparaging and viscious claims about Islam are taking their toll. The free exercise of religion in this country is under real threat. Demagogues are actually inciting violence. And now actual violence is happening: After a suspected arson and reports of gunshots at an Islamic center in Tennessee over the weekend, nearby mosques have hired [...]
Posts Tagged ‘civil liberties’
The impact of islamaphobia
Posted: 31st August 2010 by Brant in culture, politicsTags: Arson, bigotry, civil liberties, justice, Religion and Spirituality
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Ron Paul on the mosque “controversy”
Posted: 27th August 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, conservatism, First Amendment to the United States Constitution, Islam, Property, republicans, Ron Paul, war
Image via Wikipedia Ron Paul has his quirks. But his focus on fundamental rights and continued questioning about the necessity of the two wars in which we are mired deserves respect. Now he weighs in on the mosque controversy with clarity. I full agree with all of this. The debate should have provided the conservative [...]
Christianist quote of the day
Posted: 19th August 2010 by Brant in culture, politicsTags: civil liberties, justice, Ken Hutcherson, religion
Image via Wikipedia Legislators around the country are considering banning sugar and fatty foods in schools, removing salt and butter from restaurants and want to control what temperature you can have in your own homes, because they fear the potential of health problems. Perhaps they should consider banning the promotion of a lifestyle that the [...]
Another voice for free exercise of religion
Posted: 18th August 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, religion, republicans
Kathleen Parker, a conservative blogger, writing in the Washington Post: The idea that one should never have one’s feelings hurt — and the violent means to which some will resort in the protection of their own self-regard — has done harm rivaling evil. It isn’t a stretch to say that the greatest threat to free [...]
The President backpedals (updated)
Posted: 15th August 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, Islam, Obama, religion, republicans, wackos
Image via Wikipedia Compare these two statements from President Obama regarding the so-called mosque at ground zero: Friday: As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a [...]
FBI wants more warrantless data (updated x2)
Posted: 29th July 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, FBI, Obama, Obama administration, privacy
Chalk this up as another Obama breach of campaign promises. He claimed that he would rebalance civil liberties in national security matters, at least partially restoring traditional privacy rights of citizens. Instead, he is proposing a broadening of the information that the FBI can require ISPs to produce regarding individuals. And this production can be [...]
Film a cop, go to jail
Posted: 28th July 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, justice, police, wiretapping
A motorcyclist in Maryland, who happened to be wearing a helmut camera, was stopped by a police officer. The motorcyclist recorded the video of what happened next, including the cop drawing a gun. He posted the video on YouTube, and now faces a wiretap charge under Maryland law his efforts. Ridiculous. And the ACLU is [...]
Secret America
Posted: 26th July 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: bureauracy, civil liberties, secrecy, terror, waste
The Washington Post recently published a fascinating three part series describing the mind-blowing scale of secret intelligence and counter-terrorism operations in the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 attach. Did you know that 850,000 Americans have top secret clearance now? The series is fascinating reading. Even looking at a map identifying the number [...]
Torture quote of the day
Posted: 13th July 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: Bush, Bush administration, civil liberties, justice, terror, torture
They [George Bush and Dick Cheney] should have been indicted. They absolutely should have been indicted for torturing, for spying, for arresting without warrants. I’d like to say they should be indicted for lying but believe it or not, unless you’re under oath, lying is not a crime. At least not an indictable crime. It’s [...]
Political quote of the day
Posted: 3rd July 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, history, Jefferson, justice
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just. – Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia. Query xviii. Manners.
The “war on drugs”: epic fail
Posted: 30th June 2010 by Brant in culture, politicsTags: civil liberties, drugs, justice, politics
In a nutshell, a complete (and supremely expensive) failure. Alcohol prohibition didn’t work. And chemical prohibition won’t either. Legalize now. (via Andrew Sullivan)
God is a member of the NRA
Posted: 30th June 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, constitution, Grassley, guns, religion
If you don’t believe me, just listen to Senator Grassley question Elena Kagan yesterday. It seems that the second amendment more or less reflects God’s law. Surprising, in that firearms aren’t prominently featured in the Bible. I cannot imagine anything more tedious than sitting for days listening to a group of Senatorial blowhards pontificate in [...]
Looks like the protestors gave as good as they got in Toronto.
Obama = Bush Light, part 3
Posted: 17th June 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: Bush, civil liberties, Gitmo, Obama, Obama administration, terror
Jon Stewart sets out chapter and verse on the failure of President Obama to follow through on his campaign promises to restore the rule of law in the “war” on terror. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Respect My Authoritah www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party [...]
Obama = Bush Light, part 2
Posted: 10th June 2010 by Brant in politicsTags: civil liberties, DOJ, Obama, Obama administration, privacy, wiretapping
Once again, President Obama is adopting positions inconsistent with his campaign promises and consistent with his predecessor. His Department of Justice is taking a position that the US government is immune to all claims of warrantless wiretapping, a position even more damaging to privacy rights that Bush’s. The DOJ claims that the U.S. Government is [...]