Bill Maher Puts Things in Perspective

There are so many reasons we should have not gone to Iraq, even if we want to protect ourselves against terrorists. Here is another.

Click on the title to go to YouTube to see this clip.

U.S. Government Policy for Seizing Laptops at Borders

Amazing. The U.S. government has published its policy: they can take your laptop anywhere they want, for as long as they want, and share the information with anyone they want.

This needs to be squashed and fast.  The U.S. does have a Constitution, though it seems to be ignored more and more.  And part of the Constitution prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.  By ANY reading of that provision, the seizure of a person's laptop is prohibited.

A laptop becomes an extension of the person and the person's mind.  This is the equivalent of taking a portion of a person's brain for government inspection.

Here's the actual policy:

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Library confrontation points up privacy dilemma

AP - Children's librarian Judith Flint was getting ready for the monthly book discussion group for 8- and 9-year-olds on "Love That Dog" when police showed up.  Her courageous stand needs to be cheered by all who cherish our basic rights.  The police, however, were eventually able to gain access to the library's computers.  Which still leaves the questions about what information did they gather and what did they do with it.  We must demand transparency of our government officials.  There must be procedures in place which allow overseers to monitor what our police do with the information they are gathering on us.

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Australia May Outlaw Laser Pointers

Doesn't the legislature in Australia have anything more important to deal with these days?

They were used against planes last week. I'm sure criminals also used cars in Australia last week. Will the country ban them next? On the other hand, I'm sick and tired of laser pointers myself. On the third hand, the cats of Australia will be terribly disappointed....

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Cubans savor new freedoms

In the last week, new President Raul Castro has legalized cell phone use for ordinary Cubans; granted Cubans access to previously off-limits tourist hotels; and legalized the sale within Cuba of microwaves, DVD players and personal computers. Cubans are welcoming the change, even if the costs are out of their reach.

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