The Noose Tightens

In its response to Edward Snowden’s revelations about the nature and extent of NSA spying on Americans, the Obama administration has by this time gone through all the stages of grief: denial, reluctant acknowledgment, and – finally – acceptance of the reality that the jig is up. Initially, we were told that this is really … Continue reading “The Noose Tightens”

Hating On Russia

Russia is the Anglo-American media’s favorite bogeyman these days, and, no, it has little to do with the vicious anti-gay laws they’ve passed, or their reluctance to cooperate with our meddling in Syria: after all, Qatar, with whom we’re cooperating in sending aid to the Syrian "rebels," executes gays, as does Saudi Arabia, and you … Continue reading “Hating On Russia”

America’s Emerging Police State: A Brief History

As Congress and the American people grapple with the fallout from Edward Snowden’s stunning revelations – which continue to come in, thanks to Glenn Greenwald and the Guardian – we are hearing a kind of defense coming from the authoritarians in our midst: none of this is new, they argue, so what’s all the fuss … Continue reading “America’s Emerging Police State: A Brief History”

We Cannot Lose This Fight: Defeat the NSA

For years libertarians have been saying that the encroachment of government on the lives and liberties of Americans is reaching a point of no return, and for this we have been disdained as alarmists, "conspiracy theorists," tin-foil hat-wearers of the worst sort. Tyranny in America? Impossible! cried smug liberals and equally complacent conservatives (and a … Continue reading “We Cannot Lose This Fight: Defeat the NSA”

Surprise! You’ve Been XKeyscored!

The news that Edward Snowden has – finally – been granted political asylum in Russia has provoked the Usual Suspects into bloviating the Usual Nonsense: Gee, how come Snowden didn’t go to a “free” country, you know, just like America? Instead, he’s gone to Russia, where the secret police are watching you 24/7 and the … Continue reading “Surprise! You’ve Been XKeyscored!”

‘King of Bacon’ Attacks Libertarians

Asked about the national debate unleashed by the Snowden revelations, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared war on libertarians: “As a former prosecutor who was appointed by President George W. Bush on Sept. 10, 2001, I just want us to be really cautious, because this strain of libertarianism that’s going through both parties right now … Continue reading “‘King of Bacon’ Attacks Libertarians”

Who Really Started the Korean War?

The sixtieth anniversary of the "end" of the Korean war saw President Obama attempt to rescue that classic example of interventionist failure from history’s dustbin. Addressing veterans of that conflict, he declared: “That war was no tie. Korea was a victory. When 50 million South Koreans live in freedom, a vibrant democracy…a stark contrast to … Continue reading “Who Really Started the Korean War?”

The Battle for the Amash Amendment: Victory in Defeat

In the aftermath of the Amash Rebellion, there are two new parties in Congress: the authoritarians and the Americans. The vote on Rep. Justin Amash’s LIBERT-E Act, which would have gutted the National Security Agency’s phone records dragnet, drew a clear line of demarcation that will only widen in the coming months as civil libertarians … Continue reading “The Battle for the Amash Amendment: Victory in Defeat”

Libertarians Leading the Fight Against the NSA

Edward Snowden’s sacrifice was not in vain – because many thousands in the United States are rising to take up the battle he started. And they mean to win. At the head of the libertarian army that’s storming the gates of the Leviathan: Rep. Justin Amash (R-Michigan), a Ron Paul Republican who won his congressional … Continue reading “Libertarians Leading the Fight Against the NSA”

Why They Hate Rand Paul

The rise of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) as an alternative to Bush era GOP dead-enders has the two principal anti-libertarian factions in American politics snarling and spitting in fury – and real fear. The progressives – in the drivers’ seat at the moment – are especially miffed that this upstart ophthalmologist, and son of Ron … Continue reading “Why They Hate Rand Paul”