Can you think of anything in your life that isn’t very good at its job, has lots of irritating quirks, and costs you a lot of money and hassle? Normally, wouldn’t you replace it with something cheaper or better, or stop buying it, if you could? Last week, it was reported that 95% of “red…
Another Proud Moment For Liberty In America
Here’s Verne Troyer, an actor famous for his Mini-Me role in the Austin Powers movies among others, suffering the indignity of a TSA pat down. Another day another flight. #TSAstruggles pic.twitter.com/tXgePibDsc — Verne Troyer (@VerneTroyer) June 15, 2014 Of course, we’re all aware the TSA is doing this. We’ve all heard the jokes. Most of…
Some Things Are Scarier Than Terrorism
The news that the NSA is monitoring pretty much every phone call in America, and accessing our electronic communications as well, is scary stuff. There may be no more certain evidence of how disconcerting the American public is finding these revelations than the fact that George Orwell’s classic novel about a future, dystopian surveillance state…
Obama Calls NSA Scandal A "Modest Encroachment On Privacy"
I never thought I’d say this, but these days President Obama is sounding a lot like Dick Cheney. Because right before calling the NSA’s enormous, data-mining program a “modest encroachment” on the privacy of American citizens he basically acknowledges that Bush was right about this stuff. The President was skeptical of these sort of programs…
Schafer Column: Don't Be Afraid Of Pocketknives On Airplanes
I sure am curious as to why people are so frightened about the FAA allowing a small pocket knife on airliners. The new rules will allow me to carry a small knife with up to a 2.3 inch blade. I am excited to be able to carry my small Swiss Army knife that has a…
Shocker: Sequester Hasn't Resulted In Air Travel Apocalypse
The Obama administration has been working long and hard to make the sequester spending reductions, which are really quite modest and only slow the rate of federal spending growth rather than cutting it, as painful as possible. Because President Obama and Democrats just can’t let the public catch on to the idea that there might…
Interview: Rep. Kevin Cramer Talks Drone Privacy And Airport Security
Earlier today I wrote about comments from Rep. Kevin Cramer which were dismissive of concerns over a drone privacy bill being considered by North Dakota’s legislature. The legislation, introduced by state Rep. Rick Becker, would require that law enforcement obtain a warrant before using a drone as a part of a criminal investigations with specific…
Is Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients An Unconstitutional Violation Of Privacy?
During today’s hearing over HB1385 to require drug testing for welfare recipients, the state’s welfare bureaucrats claimed that requiring such testing might be an unconstitutional violation of the 4th amendment: States enacting such legislation have been “susceptible to constitutional challenges,” said Carol Cartledge, public assistance director for the state Department of Human Services. “Drug testing…
TSA Is Removing Nudie Scanners From Airports
After insisting to the public that the Rapiscan – or “rape scan” as critics called them – machines could be used without violating the privacy of travelers, and after millions of travelers were subjected to them, the TSA is removing them from airports because – surprise! – they can’t really be modified to protect our…