Interview With A Diebold Insider

Were you one to laugh at conspiracy theorists who thought that Diebold would plan to steal elections at the touch of a button? Perhaps you were confused when all the polls indicated that Max Cleland would beat challenger Saxby Chambliss in 2002 only to see the results flipped around in the end? Well if you are wondering what is going on in Georgia today, you might want to listen to a guy who worked for them back then and consider what they are up to today.

Authorities Continue To Waste Resources Spying On Peaceniks

In this day and age, you would think law enforcement officials would have the wherewithal to know that those that wish to do us harm are not advocates of peace. Terrorists believe in violence to achieve their ends (kinda like George Bush). So even after embarrassing stories in the past documenting police officials infiltrating peace groups to obtain information, they continue to do so. Oddly, the Washington Times has the story here.

From The Washington Times:

Undercover Maryland state troopers infiltrated three groups advocating peace and protesting the death penalty — attending meetings and sending reports on their activities to U.S. intelligence and military agencies, according to documents released Thursday.

The documents show the activities occurred from at least March 2005 to May 2006 and that officers used false names, which the documents referred to as "covert identities" - to open e-mail accounts to receive messages from the groups.

Also included in the 46 pages of documents, obtained by the Maryland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, is an account of an activist's name being entered into a federally funded database designed to share information among state, local and federal law-enforcement agencies on terrorist and drug trafficking suspects.

ACLU attorney David Rocah said state police violated federal laws prohibiting departments that receive federal funds from maintaining databases with information about political activities and affiliations.

The activist was identified as Max Obuszewski. His "primary crime" was entered into the database as "terrorism - anti govern(ment)." His "secondary crime" was listed as "terrorism - anti-war protestors." The database is known as the Washington-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, or HIDTA.

Americans that believe in peace group together to air grievances amongst each other and debate on how to have a more peaceful society, both here and with our foreign policy. On the flip side, we have cops that are breaking the law to try and exert more control over these citizens. As Rocah states, this is a symbol of "Kafka-esque insanity." There is no excuse for this behavior and it must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Peace activists have no intention on breaking the law, authorities such as the Maryland State Troopers should be held to the same laws as those they wish to illegally infiltrate

An Edwards I Can Still Support

John may be out of the Presidential race, but Donna Edwards has a primary fight a week from Tuesday down in Maryland.

Maryland Jury Finds Against Crazy Phelps And His Westboro Church

These people make me sick, I'm glad to see someone hit them where it hurts the most for these so-called "godly" people. So much for love thy neighbor, instead they destroy the safety and sanctity of over a hundred families that have lost someone in Iraq.

America 2007: Arrested For Free Speech

Free speech is a cherished right in this country. It is supposedly one of the freedoms that George Bush has us fighting for in Iraq so that we aren't attacked here. Of course the President is full of shit and we all know this (at least 75% of us that is). Decrying the diminished freedoms in our country on a national level is important so that the ship is at least sending out an S.O.S. as we go down, but it is important to highlight the small cracks in the ship. One example can be found in Kensington, MD. where a man selling "Impeach Him" buttons was arrested in a public space.

From KEYE-TV:

(CBS News) KENSINGTON, Md. A 74-year-old retired mathematician who sells anti-Bush buttons at a Maryland farmers' market has become a symbol of free speech to some people. Others say Alan McConnell is a nuisance.

McConnell was at the market in Kensington as usual yesterday, selling buttons that say "Impeach Him" He has sold the $1 buttons for months; he told The Washington Post he uses the money earned to pay for "Impeach Them Both" yard signs.

(snip)

McConnell showed up this weekend, when police arrested him and forcibly carried him to a squad car. A crowd of about 40 McConnell supporters booed the arrest, chanting "Free speech!"

Chanting for what we want is nice, but Mr. McConnell is now facing fines and a possible prison sentence of a few months. With all of the impeachment talk gaining ground around the nation, arresting a man for selling buttons about it is abhorrent, even if he was the only one advocating it.