Category: Liberty

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Posted in Freedom, Government, Legal, Liberty, Technology

Freedom Of Speech Vs Freedom Of Association

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Scrolling through the locked vaults of Medium (aka member only content) I came across an article lamenting how businesses disassociating from Nazi’s was somehow censoring their freedom of speech.

The author was confusing freedom of speech with freedom of association (which are similar, yet different).

Legally companies & customers do not have to conduct business with other customers & companies whose ideals are an offense to their own.

We’re Meddlesome…

America’s Constitution prevents government from restricting, hindering or censoring the rights & speech of citizens  —  not businesses  —  even if their rhetoric is reprehensible.

The problem with progressives & conservatives is they want to promote their ideal culture at the expense of any opposing ideals & cultures (even if it violates constitutional law).

Forcing companies to associate with unsavory customers is not the answer, nor is forcing customers to embrace a corporation’s unsavory culture the answer.

Aim To Misbehave…

Bakeries can legally refuse to make Nazi cakes just like Christian/Muslim owned bakeries can refuse to make gay wedding cakes.

Alphabet/Google/YouTube can censor & hinder religious videos just as much as GodTube (yes, it’s a thing) can censor pro-LGBT videos.

There will always be online services willing to host offensive content (for a price), so no one’s digital voice will be silenced (no matter how offensive).

A World Without Sin‽

Attempting to build a better world — a world without offense (or sin) — is impossible in our current condition.

Only mass enlightenment or (God forbid) mass extinction will result in global peace & the only way to reach the former is via dialogue with folks expressing opposing views.

It will not be easy, enjoyable or quick but if we really desire to rescue those entrapped with vile viewpoints then we first have to take the uncomfortable step & “reach out.”

Note: All video clips are from the movie Serenity (my favorite film) & are legally owned by Universal Pictures.

Clips only used to illustrate points presented in article (but if you desire to see this awesome film you can purchase it on YouTube, Amazon or iTunes).

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Posted in Legal, Liberty, Politics, Trump

Good News For Bad Cops: Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe, Burns Constitution

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

Known best for making prisoners in the desert wear pink underwear, Sheriff Joe Arpaio was convicted of violating the civil rights of American citizens (specially Hispanics) in his zeal to combat illegal immigration.

Fortunately for (former) Sheriff Joe, he has friends in high places.

Although Trump’s pardon is legal, it sets a dangerous precedent for bad cops who flirt with the idea that ignoring constitutional laws is a good great idea.

Just in the last decade police officers have been caught illegally:

All of these were done in the name of keeping America safe.

Sheriff Joe violated constitutional law in order end illegal immigration in the great state of Arizona.

No one sane questions Sheriff Joe’s intent—it’s his method that is appalling.

If Cops are allowed to skirt around the constitution in the name of justice, then how are they better than any other vigilante that decides to take law in their own hands‽

Update: Trump was going to pardon Sheriff Joe all along‽

After talking with Sessions, Trump decided to let the case go to trial, and if Arpaio was convicted, he could grant clemency.

So the president waited, all the while planning to issue a pardon if Arpaio was found in contempt of court for defying a federal judge’s order to stop detaining people merely because he suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. Trump was, in the words of one associate, “gung-ho about it.” (Washington Post)

Talk about a political pardon based upon friendship! So much for the rule of law & Trump becoming a law & order president.

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Posted in Democrats, GOP, Liberty, Politics

Has @BradThor of #NeverTrump Fame Forgotten the Yoda Rule?

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

With less than 90 days until America’s doom to be determined, a prominent voice within the #NeverTrump brigade is having second thoughts regarding his to the death Spartan stance:

Currently, there are only two drugs available that promise a cure.

The first is a decades-old generic, lacking any potency whatsoever. Studies have shown that Drug #1 not only won’t cure the cancer, but that it will actually strengthen it and speed our death. Drug #1 offers no upside whatsoever.

Drug #2 is being offered out of a clinic in Mexico. It claims to be a surefire, can’t lose, 100% guaranteed treatment. The clinic, though, is run by pockmarked, gold-toothed, oily-haired- men in bad suits with absolutely no medical backgrounds. They ogle your wife and daughter incessantly anytime you drop by for more information, and are constantly trying to upsell you into an oceanfront timeshare. (Hot Air)

I know how you feel Brad! After all, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were on my politicians who I most loathe list due to their life long service in the art of corruption.

Yet here we are, on the verge of being checkmated by those who have dedicated themselves to enriching their own pockets at the expense of everyone else.

So should we gamble with Trump who has a 50% chance of embracing some semblance of conservatism or accept Hillary and attempt to resist the continued erosion of personal liberty? (at least with guns and health care)

While you fret over your awful options, I will apply the Yoda rule:

For lovers of liberty, there is another option–or rather options–available to us via Darrell Castle, Gary Johnson, Evan McMullin, et al, who are actively running for President to preserve and defend our freedoms from those who would encroach upon them.

My vote is not a cheap commodity that should be wasted upon corrupt rulers (no matter how dire the circumstances might be!).

It is a precious gift that was given to me at the cost of millions before me–many who never had the opportunity to experience true freedom despite ancient promises from the founding fathers.

To squander my vote upon either Crooked Hillary or Psycho Trump would be an insult to my ancestors before me, who fought and died so that I could have the right to influence my government for the better.

Darrell_Castle

Image of Darrell Castle via Independent Political Report

Truth be told I am not expecting a massive awakening amongst the American people regarding our so-called poisonous political options right now.

But that does not remove the fact that I still have a choice for good in this election–even if my voice is drowned out by millions of others attempting to vote for the lesser of two evils.

Come what may in November, I will choose the greater good instead–knowing full well that fighting for liberty is not a biennial ritual but rather a daily routine that must be strived for constantly lest we forfeit our freedoms to wicked rulers unworthy of the title of Leader.

Discovered via: Leon Wolf of Red State

Posted in Government, Legal, Liberty

Why Is Texas Denying Birth Certificates To Kids Of Illegal Immigrants‽ 

Posted on by Darnell Clayton

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Yes, I know Texas has an “border problem” due to the willful incompetence of Democratic and Republican leaders (who in the age of terrorism have foolishly refused to secure the American borders). 

However this does not justify denying American citizens (even if they are minors) official paperwork proving their place of birth. 

Though children born in the United States are entitled by law to U.S. citizenship regardless of the immigration status of their parents, Texas authorities have been placing significant barriers to immigrants who have entered the country illegally and are seeking birth certificates for their U.S.-born children.

In his ruling denying an emergency order sought by families, Judge Robert L. Pitman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio said Texas officials can refuse to accept matricula consular cards, issued by Mexican consulates, as a form of identification to obtain birth certificates for U.S.-born children. (Los Angeles Times)

Fortunately this case will probably be overturned in a higher appellate court as anyone born on American soil is a United States citizen & access to their documents should be given to their legal guardian/parent if they are a minor (irregardless if they are a citizen or a foreigner). 

What Texas needs to do is give these children their birth certificates as well as deport the parents (along with the kids) back to the country they originated from (with the only exception being for those seeking political asylum from hostile nations).

Discovered Via: Deray McKesson

Image Via: Texas Department of State Health Services

Posted in Asia, China, Hong Kong, Liberty, Politics

Choose Your Poison Hong Kong

Posted on by Darnell Clayton
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Image: Hong Kong flag

Unless Hong Kong is willing to shed blood for their political freedom then there is little hope that they will experience the dream of open elections before the 2047 deadline.

China is willing to sacrifice Hong Kong’s economy if it means maintaining absolute political control over the region (a fact they have previously demonstrated upon the mainland).

If protesters continue their mass gatherings then either:

  • the economy will suffer (dividing the people of Hong Kong even further) or
  • escalate into a violent confrontation with police, therefore giving Beijing an excuse to send in the troops to “keep the peace.”

China’s offer of a Beijing litmus test for future leaders of Hong Kong is (to put it bluntly) a craptastic deal, but it’s better than the current (excuse my Caprican) fraktastic reality where leaders are selected in secret.

Sadly the international community will not come to Hong Kong’s aid as their attention is focused on the Ebola crisis, thwarting Russia’s attempt at rebuilding the USSR & eradicating Islamic State upon planet Earth.

Although Hong Kong citizens should not give up the dream of an unfiltered democracy in the future, they need to consider the cost of obtaining liberty sooner rather than later (as the price for immediate freedom will not be cheap).