Libertarianism

Voting for Pot

This entry was posted in Capitalism Constitution Democracy Domestic Terrorism Drug Laws Law Enforcement Libertarianism Regulation on by

Alaskans will vote next fall:

Registered voters will get a chance to decide next year whether to legalize private use of marijuana for Alaskans 21 and older.

In one sense it is a good thing that this is on the ballot. The good citizens of Alaska may thumb their noses at their elected representatives.
However, this is not something that should ever end up on the ballot. Nor, in the first place, should legislatures or congresses or parliaments be ruling one way or another on this or similar issues.
Via Via the Media Awareness Project.

Almanac Users Beware

This entry was posted in Constitution Democracy Domestic Terrorism Information Libertarianism Patriot Act on by

Let’s see: you are standing on the Golden Gate Bridge, map in hand pointing out across the bay:

The FBI noted that use of almanacs or maps may be innocent, “the product of legitimate recreational or commercial activities.” But it warned that when combined with suspicious behavior — such as apparent surveillance — a person with an almanac “may point to possible terrorist planning.”

Terrorist or recreationist?
How long before almanacs, maps, etc., disappear from stores, libraries and the web?
Via Atrios.

Overworked Prosecutors

This entry was posted in Capitalism Constitution Democracy Domestic Terrorism Drug Laws Economics Law Enforcement Libertarianism on by

In Central Alabama drug related cases keep prosecutors busy:

Giddens estimates that about half of the criminal cases set to go to trial every month are pure drug cases, either possession of marijuana or other controlled substances, distribution, trafficking, manufacturing and others.

The percentage is much higher when drug related cases are added to the ‘pure’ cases.
This makes me think there might be a pretty easy way to find some money to divert to ‘important’ government services.
Via the Media Awareness Project.

Felon Disenfranchisement

This entry was posted in Constitution Democracy Election 2004 Libertarianism on by

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals takes a step in the right direction:

“We conclude that an original discriminatory purpose behind Florida’s felon disenfranchisement provision establishes an equal protection violation that persists with the provision unless it is subsequently reenacted on the basis of an independent, nondiscriminatory purpose,” Judge Rosemary Barkett wrote for the majority.

This likely will not be resolved soon enough to make things right in Florida in November 2004.
I am still looking for good reasons why someone, once they have completed their sentence, should be barred from voting or, for that matter, from any other activity.
Via Law.com.

Is the draft back?

This entry was posted in bush Constitution Democracy Libertarianism US Foreign Policy on by

Not exactly what we might think of as the draft but the US is does not have an all volunteer army:

To many of the soldiers whose retirements and departures are on ice, however, stop-loss is an inconvenience, a hardship and, in some cases, a personal disaster. Some are resigned to fulfilling what they consider their patriotic duty. Others are livid, insisting they have fallen victim to a policy that amounts to an unannounced, unheralded draft.

Congress should immediately repeal their mistake:

Congress approved the authority for what became known as stop-loss orders after the Vietnam War, responding to concerns that the military had been hamstrung by the out-rotations of seasoned combat soldiers in Indochina.

In a country based on freedom, on the concepts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness slavery must not be allowed to exist.
Via Talkleft.
Update (12/29): Craig Cheslog has a good post on this. I disagree, though, with one point he makes: While the government has the right to treat our soldiers this way,… Nope, we should not grant the government any such right. The government is our servant not our master.