(Boston) Winston Churchill famously noted that few things in life are quite as exhilarating as being shot at without result. In that vein many Coloradoans felt a similar adrenaline rush upon hearing that the State Supreme Court had narrowly overturned the grotesque trial verdict in the Lobato education finance case.
The philosophy of the “surveillance state:” people versus patterns
With the recent leaks of government spying under the NSA, the political debate of the “surveillance state” has revived itself from its former Patriotic Act life. Continue reading
The right tactics in the wrong hands
A couple of weeks ago, President Barack Obama effectively declared the war on terror was over. Now, he wasn’t entirely clear about what matrix was used to arrive at that determination. It was not that the enemy had surrendered, signed an armistice, called for a cease fire or just gave up the fight. It appears the president simply up and decided one day that, yes sir, indeed, the war is over. Continue reading
Is privacy going poof?
President Barack Obama is more right than wrong in his embrace of massive data collection to help prevent terrorist attacks, but watch out, fellow Americans.
Privacy in our land is going poof, this particular program has potential for grave abuse, and here is an administration that too often wanders off the ranch as ideology urges it forward and incompetence says OK.
Eight centuries of the magnificent Magna Carta
(’76 Contributor) June 15 commemorates the affirmation, 798 years ago, of our fundamental rights. Magna Carta, the Great Charter, confirmed “for us and our heirs in perpetuity” that the government, even the king himself, must honor citizens’ rights and operate within law and custom.
Despite the fashion to demean Magna Carta, the Great Charter clearly acknowledges the rights of “all free men.” Here are a few of the 63 clauses. Continue reading
Big brother really is watching
The outrage is palpable and the sudden realization by the average American that they really, truly are now living in an Orwellian surveillance state has been an eye-opening experience for many across the fruited plain. The once mocked conspiracy theory of the all-knowing Big Brother state has shown itself to be far more of an ugly reality than a silly fantasy. He who has called the War on Terror basically over has now been forced to admit that his administration has vastly expanded the concept of the security state in the name of ‘public safety.’ Continue reading
Hickenlooper: the governor that might have been
John Hickenlooper had a chance to bring a breath of fresh air to the governor’s office.
Imminently likable and with a charmed political career, he could have been the rare maverick moderate Democrat – strong enough and bold enough to be a governor for all Colorado. He could have been the adult in the room when liberal legislators ran amok on the lunatic fringe. Continue reading
Not a joking matter
In his 1980s comedy routine, Yakov Smirnoff celebrated America’s free society and equality before the law, joking, “In America, you can always find a party. In Russia, party always finds you! In America, you break law. In Soviet Russia, law breaks you!”
In the wake of scandals involving the abuse of governmental power, Americans must Think Again about Smirnoff’s ironic wordplays. As we’re learning, the ruling party can find and break you — despite constitutional protections. Continue reading
What if we can’t trust the government?
(’76 Contributor) President Obama made a revealing statement in a June 7 press conference regarding the National Security Agency’s surveillance of cell phone and Internet records.
“That’s not to suggest that you just say, ‘Trust me, we’re doing the right thing, Continue reading
How to run against Hickenlooper
(Denver Post, June 2) “Colorado can do better.” Four words, scarcely a sound bite. But if you start hearing them in reference to Gov. John Hickenlooper as 2014 approaches, you’ll know the election is not a walkover for him after all. Because when it comes to policy results from the state’s chief executive, those words are true. Continue reading