John Kass breaks this shocking story about life in the city that banned foie gras: Window washer Sam Hardison has been charged by City Hall with another crime of the century: Falling asleep on a CTA train, with a cookbook in his lap. So the poor guy may have to pay City Hall a fine of up to $300 for sleeping dangerously. That's a lot of windows to wash for a nap on the CTA, … [Read more...] about Fight! For Your Right! To sleep.
Creeping Totalitarianism
The Slow Death of Law in Valkenvania
Starting July 1, Virginia will have "traffic tickets that come with assessments of up to $3000 in addition to an annual point tax that tops out at $700 a year for as long as the points remain." Driving as little as 15 MPH over the limit on an interstate highway now brings six license demerit points, a fine of up to $2500, up to one year in jail, and a new mandatory $1050 … [Read more...] about The Slow Death of Law in Valkenvania
Watching the Detectives
Radley Balko on videotaping the police: There's been a rash of arrests of late for videotaping police, and it's a disturbing development... ... As noted, police are public servants, paid with taxpayer dollars. Not only that, but they're given extraordinary power and authority we don't give to other public servants: They're armed; they can make arrests; they're allowed to … [Read more...] about Watching the Detectives
Will the VT Massacre Spawn Another War on Privacy?
A few days ago Kip Esquire posted a terrific article about the likely responses to the Virginia Tech massacre from our politicians, and the dangers we face from that. Damned if you do, damned if you don't? Sounds like job for — politicians! Seriously, think back to September 11. The first knee-jerk reactions were "Never again!" and "We must do everything possible to prevent … [Read more...] about Will the VT Massacre Spawn Another War on Privacy?
A Few Words from an NSL Recipient
The Washington Post has a fascinating anonymous op-ed by someone who received a national security letter (NSL). These letters are demands for information by the FBI (or other agencies, I presume) that have not been approved by any court and which come with a gag order prohibiting their disclosure to anyone. According to a report by the Justice department's inspector general, … [Read more...] about A Few Words from an NSL Recipient