Where ‘we the people’ are the enemy. “If you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you.”—Sunil Dutta, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department for 17 years. Life in the American police state is an endless series of don’ts delivered at the end of a loaded gun: ... MORE
by Lenore Skenazy. A whopping 68 percent of Americans think there should be a law that prohibits kids 9 and under from playing at the park unsupervised, despite the fact that most of them no doubt grew up doing just that. What's more: 43 percent feel the same way about 12-year-olds. They would like to criminalize all pre-teenagers playing outside ... MORE
by Alejandro Chafuen. The free enterprise system within a rule of law is the best engine for
prosperity. Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973) is recognized by many as its
greatest advocate. His name was largely ignored for decades, today, however, more than 20 think tanks around the world are named after him. No other famous economist comes close. ... MORE
by Tyler Wells Lynch. The fruits of a high minimum wage. “Anything you can do I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” Forget Annie Oakley. That refrain may best apply to the robots that are gradually taking our jobs. The latest workers on the chopping block? Fast food line cooks. A San Francisco startup called Momentum Machines ... MORE
by Jake Laperruque. This week the California legislature passed a bill that requires all smartphones to include a “kill switch” that can remotely render the device inoperable. Although created to deter smartphone theft, this kill switch mandate could actually become a nefarious tool co-opted by government to suppress protests. ... MORE
Few things matter as much as philosophy. Next week, the new term begins and I’ll be teaching an undergraduate philosophy course called, “Technology, Privacy, and the Law.” The first order of business will be to explain why thinking critically about privacy—determining what it is, deciding when it should be protected, and pinpointing how it ... MORE
by Dave Benner. I have often heard friends and acquaintances complain when they are called to jury duty. It is easy to understand the common gripes made in response to this mandate. As a result of the obligation, people are often displaced from their jobs and other pursuits, often for long hours and for little compensation. What if a jury ... MORE
J.C. Tucille. To be owned by the man. "If you don't want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground," warns Officer Sunil Dutta of the Los Angeles Police Department, "just do what I tell you." The thing is, Officer Dutta (pictured) is also an Adjunct Professor of Homeland Security and Criminal Justice at ... MORE
by Christine M. Prokopick and Erin C. Dougherty. In a federal complaint filed on Monday, three Philadelphia homeowners whose homes have been targeted for state civil forfeiture have sued the city of Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter, the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney Seth Williams, and the Philadelphia District ... MORE
by Frank Parlato. Below is something that is not taught in public schools. It is history nonetheless and easy enough for anyone who is interested to verify. Jury ended the power of kings. In 1215, when the Barons of England compelled King John to sign the Magna Carta, trial by jury was established. The King now had to seek permission ... MORE
by Michael Volpe. Bad hiring practices have led to a culture of cronyism that is as at the center of a burgeoning number of scandals at the Overton-Brooks Veteran Administration (VA) Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shea Wilkes, who blew the whistle on the secret waiting list in the mental health department, told The Daily ... MORE