Watch Out, NSA - Here Comes the Snowden Phone‏; Edward Snowden and ACLU at SXSW

Take Action: https://www.aclu.org/immunity4snowden
More information: https://www.aclu.org/nsa-surveillance

Edward Snowden speaks about privacy and technology with the ACLU's Ben Wizner and Christopher Soghoian at SXSW Interactive.

Submitted by: 'Roger T.'

FreedomOutpost: Constitutional Sheriffs Are Liberty’s Brightest Light

Michael Peroutka

 If you are a lover of liberty in America today, you probably have gotten used to hearing and seeing “bad news.” 

I’m sure that you would agree that we live in an age of lawlessness and corruption. We have a central government that has become everything that our Founders feared. Indeed, Washington, D.C. has become a black hole of consolidated power that is bent on enslaving, impoverishing and destroying the very people it is duty bound, before the Almighty, to protect. 

Rather than defend our God-given rights, our government has become the abuser of those rights. 

 

Rather than upholding law, government uses the “color of law” to break the law. 

Our state and local governments, which are duty bound to interpose on our behalf and protect us from this lawbreaking, far too often assume the role of the tyrant’s local commissar. They inflict further evil upon us by trading our liberties and our property for grants and perks that are funded by our tax monies in the first place. In this way, the people are double victims. 

But there is some good news, and I would like to share it with you.
I recently attended a meeting of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. These sheriffs and peace officers might just be the brightest light that shines today for the cause of liberty and justice. 

Headed by former Sheriff Richard Mack, these officers are dedicated to the protection of the God-given liberties of the people they represent. They are a serious band of brothers, who recognize that they have taken an oath before God and that oath does not obligate them to obey courts or agencies that operate outside of the Constitution. Rather, they are committed to following the Constitution which is the Supreme Law of the Land. 

Moreover, they recognize that the rights they are duty bound to defend have a divine origin. They are part of God’s created order and are fixed and unchanging. They are not subject to the will and the whims of courts and bureaucrats. 

On January 24, 2014, the CSPOA published a resolution which declared, among other things, that “no agency established by the U.S. Congress can develop its own policies or regulations which supersede the Bill of Rights or the U.S. Constitution, nor does the executive branch have the power to make law, overturn law, or set aside law.”
The resolution also declares that certain abuses of the citizenry will not be tolerated including “arrest of citizens or seizure of persons or property without first notifying and obtaining the express consent of the local sheriff.” 

This resolution deserves the support of all lovers of liberty. These sheriffs and peace officers, having recognized their duty under God and the Constitution, are bravely stepping forward to do that duty and to defend your rights. They are deserving of your commendation and your support. I am asking you to give them your prayers, your encouragement and your financial support. 

You can do this by visiting their website at http://www.cspoa.org. 

You should also ask your local sheriff to join this effort. 

Learn more about your Constitution with Michael Anthony Peroutka and his “Institute on the Constitution”.

 http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/02/constitutional-sheriffs-libertys-brightest-light/



Submitted by: Todd Comber

If you are a lover of liberty in America today, you probably have gotten used to hearing and seeing "bad news."
I'm sure that you would agree that we live in an age of lawlessness and corruption. We have a central government that has become everything that our Founders feared. Indeed, Washington, D.C. has become a black hole of consolidated power that is bent on enslaving, impoverishing and destroying the very people it is duty bound, before the Almighty, to protect.

Rather than defend our God-given rights, our government has become the abuser of those rights.
Rather than upholding law, government uses the "color of law" to break the law.
Our state and local governments, which are duty bound to interpose on our behalf and protect us from this lawbreaking, far too often assume the role of the tyrant's local commissar. They inflict further evil upon us by trading our liberties and our property for grants and perks that are funded by our tax monies in the first place. In this way, the people are double victims.
But there is some good news, and I would like to share it with you.
I recently attended a meeting of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. These sheriffs and peace officers might just be the brightest light that shines today for the cause of liberty and justice.
Headed by former Sheriff Richard Mack, these officers are dedicated to the protection of the God-given liberties of the people they represent. They are a serious band of brothers, who recognize that they have taken an oath before God and that oath does not obligate them to obey courts or agencies that operate outside of the Constitution. Rather, they are committed to following the Constitution which is the Supreme Law of the Land.

Moreover, they recognize that the rights they are duty bound to defend have a divine origin. They are part of God's created order and are fixed and unchanging. They are not subject to the will and the whims of courts and bureaucrats.
On January 24, 2014, the CSPOA published a resolution which declared, among other things, that "no agency established by the U.S. Congress can develop its own policies or regulations which supersede the Bill of Rights or the U.S. Constitution, nor does the executive branch have the power to make law, overturn law, or set aside law."
The resolution also declares that certain abuses of the citizenry will not be tolerated including "arrest of citizens or seizure of persons or property without first notifying and obtaining the express consent of the local sheriff."
This resolution deserves the support of all lovers of liberty. These sheriffs and peace officers, having recognized their duty under God and the Constitution, are bravely stepping forward to do that duty and to defend your rights. They are deserving of your commendation and your support. I am asking you to give them your prayers, your encouragement and your financial support.
You can do this by visiting their website at http://www.cspoa.org.
You should also ask your local sheriff to join this effort.
Learn more about your Constitution with Michael Anthony Peroutka and his "Institute on the Constitution" and receive your free gift.

Read more at http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/02/constitutional-sheriffs-libertys-brightest-light/#G2qRlTI0KhtKbRpX.99

New this week from the Columbus Free Press February 8th‏

Some important news stories you may have missed this week from the Columbus Free Press:
How the Columbus Dispatch and so-called progressive democrats united to eliminate two citizen initiatives from the local Columbus Ballot.  You can't Vote for these
Read about how government intelligence services and private security firms placed the hacktivist group Anonymous under attack. Screenshots of actual CIA-developed software show the corporate spies targeting activists for caring for the homeless.
Harvey Wasserman gives us another 50 reasons to fear the worst from Fukishima.
And a  movie review of Fear Not the Path of Truth from Robert Koehler

ARTICLE 19 and GFMD on the importance of access to information and independent media in the Post-2015 development agenda

Dear all,

Thank you for signing the joint statement coordinated by ARTICLE 19 and GFMD on the importance of access to information and independent media in the Post-2015 development agenda.

STATEMENT
I can confirm that we received over 170 signatures from over 70 countries, from all five continents.

Attached you will find copies of the statement, in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian, with the full list of organisations.

Please note that the statement will be released on MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY.

It is therefore embargoed until Mon 3 Feb. Please do not post, release or share the statement more widely until Monday.

PRESS RELEASE
Attached is a copy of a Press Release which you can use to promote the statement and your involvement in the statement to local, regional and international media. Currently the press release is only in English but I will circulate translated press releases in French and Spanish (and possibly Portuguese) on Monday.

SOCIAL MEDIA
The statement is timed to coincide with the start of the 8th Open Working Group for the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore it would be great if you could consider using social media to promote the statement.

Hashtags which we particularly recommend using are:
#OWG8
#Post2015
#SDGs

If you use twitter, you might want to consider using some of these tweets to promote the statement, linking it to your website, or ARTICLE 19’s or GFMD’s:

We join @article19org & @mediagfmd to call for the #UN to recognise importance of media freedom & access to info in #Post2015 #OWG8 #SDGs

Media freedom & access to info = crucial for global development & must be part of #Post2015 #SDGs ahead of #OWG8

Access to info & media freedom = essential for development. We support @article19org & @mediagfmd joint statement for strong governance goal in #Post2015 #SDGs #OWG8

CIRCULATING STATEMENT AT UN OPEN WORKING GROUP (3-7 Feb)
ARTICLE 19 will be in New York and we will be circulating copies of the statement as part of our advocacy. If you or any colleagues will also be at the OWG meeting, please get in touch with me (in English, French or Spanish) so that perhaps we could discuss how we might be able to work together for more coordinated advocacy.

Charlotte Gill
Campaigner


    


ARTICLE 19
     Defending freedom of expression and information

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     Sign up to receive our newsletter here<http://article19.us2.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=de9f45d125dffa47919a18815&id=c3bf82663f>.

 

   Post-2015 Joint A19 &amp; GFMD Statement 03.02.14 Post-2015 Access to Info &amp; Independent Media Joint St...

MAINE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SCORES LOW ON THE 2013 LIBERTY INDEX

The Maine congressional delegation scored low on the 2013 Liberty Index compiled by a panel of libertarian scholars headed by Dr. Clifford F. Thies, Elden R. Lindsey Chair of Free Enterprise and Professor of Economics and Finance at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. The Index was released Monday by the national Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC), of which Thies is former National Chair.

House and Senate members were rated on a scale of zero to 100 on a series of 2013 roll call votes involving economic liberty issues and rate on the same scale on a series of roll call votes on personal liberty issues. The average of the two scores produced the Liberty Index.

“I was disturbed when I read the scores and learned how out of touch our Maine congressional delegation is with the will of the American people when it comes to free enterprise, smaller government, lower taxes and personal liberty without government intrusions. And it crossed party lines with disappointing scores whether Republican, Democrat or independent,” said Maine RLC State Chair Vic Berardelli.

Republican Senator Susan Collins scored 40 on economic liberty and 50 on personal liberty for a Liberty Index of 45. The average Senate Republican scores were 86 and 81 for an average Liberty Index of 83 for Senate Republicans.

Independent Senator Angus King scored 5 on economic liberty and 11 on personal liberty for a Liberty Index of 8, giving him one of the lowest scores in the Senate but placing him close to the average Senate Democrat scores of 6 and 14 for an average Liberty index of 10 for Senate Democrats.

The highest scores in the Senate, all Republicans, were Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both of Idaho and scoring 100; Mike Lee of Utah 98; Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Jerry Moran of Kansas, all at 95. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky scored 90.

The lowest scores in the Senate, all Democrats, were Barbara Boxer of California, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and the late-Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, all scoring zero. Eight others scored 3. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada had a Liberty Index of 5.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, Democrat of Maine’s 1^st District, scored zero on economic liberty and 75 on personal liberty for a Liberty Index of 38.

Rep. Mike Michaud, Democrat of Maine’s 2^nd District scored 10 on economic liberty and 68 on personal liberty for a Liberty Index of 39.

For comparison, the average House Democrat scored 11 on economic liberty and 55 on personal liberty for an average Democrat Liberty Index of 33. The average House Republican scored 90 on economic liberty and 50 on personal liberty for an average GOP Liberty Index of 70.

The highest House scorers, all Republicans, were Mark Sanford of South Carolina 100; Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, Tom McClintock and Dana Rohrabacher, both of California, and Jim Huelskamp of Kansas, all at 95. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio was not scored because he did not cast enough votes. House Republican Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia had a Liberty Index of 61 based on average a 95 on economic liberty but only 26 on personal liberty.

The lowest House scorers, all Democrats, were Ed Markey of Massachusetts ZERO and five Democrats all at 18. House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi of California scored 20.

“This year, on the economics side, the index reflects votes on “hot issues” such as Health Care Overhaul, the Ryan budget, carbon taxes, the Keystone pipeline, hydraulic fracturing, TANF (welfare) work rules and SNAP (food stamp) eligibility. Some curious votes are also included, among these are price supports for Christmas Trees, declaring stones to be agricultural commodities (and, thus, eligible for price supports), and funding the Navy’s grossly-overpriced Z-class destroyer,” explained Dr. Thies.

Thies explained further, “On the personal liberties side, there was some difficulty assembling sets of roll call votes that reflect the breadth of libertarian concerns. The House roll calls over-sample the tension between personal liberty and national security (as neo-conservatives see things). The Senate roll calls over-sample Second Amendment issues. This is a not unusual problem in the history of the Liberty Index. There simply are years when one or the other chamber generates disproportionate numbers of personal liberties votes in certain areas. All that can be said is that, hopefully, over time, the vagaries of this component of the index are evened-out.”

Dr. Thies has published the Liberty Index annually for nearly 20 years, except for 2011 and 2012 while he served as President of the Faculty Senate at Shenandoah University.

   Liberty Index 2013

Happy New Year 2014 - Penguins: The Essence Of Freedom

Happy New Year 2014.
"Penguins are the essence of Freedom...
Let there be PEACE on EARTH in ２０１４."
My best wishes for an amazing year ahead:
May the sunshine of happiness always shine above you.
May the dove of peace rest over you and live in your home.
May the dense forest of love surround you all year round.
May you have a lovely New Year, Ine Braat
Website: http://www.ine-pps.nl/
http://www.facebook.com/ine.braat
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+IneBraat...
http://www.youtube.com/user/IneBraathttp://twitter.com/#!/IneBraat

 

Personal Liberty: What Do We Stand For?

What Do We Stand For?

September 3, 2013 by Brandon Smith 

Photos.com

                                                 

At the very edge of oblivion, some men reflect; others snivel and cry. I have spent many years now studying the societal strengths and failings of modern American culture, and I have to say that most citizens within our once grand Republic will do far less reflecting and much more crying when the bell tolls. This is not to say that I believe the fight is lost. Far from it. In fact, I would consider myself an optimist amongst many of my peers in the liberty movement as to our chances of defending Constitutional freedom today. There is a very strong core within our country that still embraces the ideals of individualism and independence. The problem is that those who are awake face each day surrounded by lunatics and the giggling blind. It’s difficult to find solace within the asylum of the “mainstream,” so we begin to assume we are alone.

Enduring Individualism

True Independence

Decentralization Of Power

Spiritual Freedom

 Noninterventionism

 Constitutional Liberty Before Political Party

Read the rest of the story with the above sub-paragraphs.
Click : http://personalliberty.com/2013/09/03/what-do-we-stand-for/

Quiz for Bright People‏

There are only nine questions. Answers at the bottom so don 't cheat and scroll down

This is a quiz for people who know more than most do!
I found out in a hurry that I don 't. These are not trick questions.
They are straight questions with straight answers..
1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?

3 Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons.

   All other vegetables must be replanted every year.

   What are the only two perennial vegetables?

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle.

   The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn 't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters 'dw ' and they are all common words. Name two of them.

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.

9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter 'S '.






Answers To Quiz:

1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends: Boxing.

2. North American landmark constantly moving backward: Niagara Falls .. The rim is worn down

    about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.
3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons: Asparagus and rhubarb.

4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside: Strawberry.

5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside the bottle. The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small,

and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season.

When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.
6. Three English words beginning with dw: Dwarf, dwell and dwindle...

7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar: Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe,

    question mark, exclamation point, quotation mark, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.
8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh:  Lettuce.

9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with 'S ': Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis,

skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts. 

 

 Submitted By: "Paul P."