When did having a personal opinion become a crime

This Florida teacher is currently facing possible termination from a PUBLIC high school for comments he made regarding his belief that gay marriage is an abomination....When did it become it a crime to have an opinion?

This teacher is a teacher-of-the-year winner and have a 100% clean record. His opinion has not been uttered in the classroom, he made a comment on HIS Facebook page. Just because someone doesn't agree with this teachers opinion (myself) doesn't mean that his First Amendment rights can be violated.

It seems like people are forgetting that the First Amendment covers all speech, regardless of what people think of the statements. It amazes me that this is even a possibility, the school system has no right to fire him. This is a publicly funded institution and for them to take a stand against freedom of thought is absolutely appalling.

Whats next? I believe in owning a gun so I get fired? I don't like polygamist so I get fired? I believe in God I get fired? People need to see how dangerous this way of thinking is. This is not a question of whether or not his opinion is correct, its an issue of the government being able to DECIDE what is right. Unreal

College campuses and gun owners

Today I read this opinion article on Boston.com. I really wanted to right a response to it, so here I go.

The idea that fully licensed gun owners cannot conceal and carry on campuses is completely ridiculous. This is the same argument pro and anti gun people have had since the begining. How is a rule like people cannot carry a weapon on campus going to stop those that are willing to shoot people? It's not because they do not care. If someone is willing to shoot another person for no reason they certainly don't care about breaking this rule.

As for those kids who drink too much and then go waving a weapon around then that's a problem. However there is already a precedent for that, arrest them, charge them and remove their permit to carry. I mean the rule is already in place to deal with that issue. Gun owners do not want their permit to be removed and will not go waving it around like crazies.

This guy is saying lets just prevent those who are licensed from carrying, how does that teach you anything? When you get a permit you accept certain rules, you mess that up you go to jail,I do not see the issue.

The bigger problem in this whole thing is getting people to follow the rules, that's easy just enforce the already standing laws. If a person waves a gun, gun and person go downtown. This is why you have all these crazy things happening at colleges, apparently they operate outside the law. The college campuses have a responsibility to enforce the rules.

I don't understand why its different if you are under 21 and get caught drinking on campus vs off campus. Sure the campus has rules and they should be followed, but if a kid break the law report him/her thats pretty easy.

Many people will say this is a black and white outlook, well yes it is its called the law. Kids will continue to drink, I certainly did despite being at a military school where I would get demerits and extra duty. But if they are dumb/unlucky enough to get caught well thats the way the cookie crumbles.

Gun owners aren't the issue, law breakers are. Proceed accordingly.

Damn you Patriot Act

I found this map while on the Cato Institute website. The Cato Institute is " a public policy research organization — a think tank — dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues." In other words a libertarian think tank.

Check out this map right after 2001 and look at the spike in questionable and constitutionally appalling police activity. We have laws for a reason, but the USA PATRIOT ACT makes it seem like the ends justify the means. They don't!

This map really blew my mind!

Breaking news!!

Breaking news! Congressional leaders have agreed to a four year extension of the USA PATRIOT ACT

NO GOOD AT ALL! This piece of legislation has ZERO regard for private liberties in the United States!

Please call/write your senators and tell them to repeal this legislation!!!

Hard alcohol at a Red Sox game!? I am in!

While reading boston.com today I ran across this article on the Red Sox wanting to expand hard alcohol availability at Fenway. The story itself is rather tame, with the usual things happening. The Red Sox saying yes, the police saying it would be a threat to safety. I understand both stand points on this, although I doubt there would be any visible difference at Fenway if they served hard alcohol. It's not like they limit the amount of beer you drink or anything. To me this would be great because it means I would actually have something to drink at the Sox game.

The thing that really got to me was the comments. There are so many that talk about the fact that hard alochol gives you a different kind of buzz and how it would turn Fenway into less of a family friendly environment. First off alcohol is alcohol, if you drink enough of it you will still get drunk...case closed. Second of all have these people been to Fenway in the last 10 years? It's been quite a long time since Fenway was a family friendly environment. There are always nasty drunks, slobbery drunks, slutty drunk, clueless drunk and every other kind of drunk at the game. So why not make a little bit more money and let those who can't or don't drink beer partake. I mean the Garden has bars that serve hard alcohol, where is the problem.

This got me thinking and I think I have isolated the problem. Any guesses? Thats right its responsibilities. When you actually read what people are saying its all about the fact that the populace can't be trusted with hard alcohol. Somehow its the alcohols fault? I mean look this is basic personal responsibility. Do you think that people are going to get more drunk because they can buy hard alcohol, they will just buy 5 more beers because they are cheaper and reach the same affect. But that's ok because hard liquor is evil, beer is only kinda bad. Stupid bastards.

Last WW1 vet dies....

Last US World War I vet dies....In itself this is a sad statement, but when you think of it from higher up its kind of crazy.

That means there are 0 veterans from the US side of WWI. No one to remember and retell anything of the things that happened then. Then it gets me thinking that WW2 wasn't that much after WW1. WW2 was my generations grandparents, many of whom are still around and kicking today. However it won't be long before we are mourning the passing of the "Great generation". Just kind of makes you think

Really South Dakota...really?!

Are you serious?

The above article is about a bill about to go through the South Dakota house that would make it legal for a family member to kill a doctor who performs an abortion. And they are going to include that in the mercy killing law??

I am not arguing the merits of pro life vs. pro choice in this post (that one can be later). This is a matter of a state trying to make something illegal that they do not have a constitutional right to make legal.

I have two major problems with this legislation (and a host of other problems)

First off Abortion is legal. Under federal mandate, and upheld time and again by the US Supreme Court, abortion is legal. I don't give a damn what your opinion on abortion is, at this moment abortion is legal. It's not a new law, its a law that has been in effect for a while now. As a state South Dakota doesn't have the legal right to make abortion a crime. I mean South Dakota isn't a country, its a state that must follow federal law.

Second off you are going to include this in a mercy killing law? You are going to lump murdering innocent doctors that are doing a legal procedure on adult woman in with someone that kills a gunman in a crowd to protect the public? It's not like abortion doctors ride into town and give all the woman abortions. This is a LEGAL procedure that a woman must seek out and elects to do.

Who the hell do you think you are South Dakota? Let me remind you who you are, you are one of the states in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! I am all for states rights, but this is not a matter of states rights. You are trying to put people in danger by authorizing state run killings of abortion doctors. I'm sorry I thought this was America, not some crazy system where the state thinks they have the rights to kill us citizens that pose no threat to public health or safety. ]

This isn't even addressing all of the other issues that were mentioned in the article, the reading of a pro-life script before anyone is eligible for an abortion, or the fact that planned parenthood has to fly in doctors to one clinic in all of South Dakota. This is just the law point of view.

Washington needs to get off its ass now and slap South Dakota in the head. You don't have the right South Dakota. Your state has twice voted down banning abortion and you are just trying to find a way to discourage abortion. One you are going against the people the voted for you and two you are authorizing hits on law abiding citizens. Instead of worrying about all this foreign shit and Egypt and other countries issues this is what Washington needs to look at. The rights of the US citizen and South Dakota 's police state move to put out hits on US Citizens.

Go fuck yourself South Dakota.

I am sorry Arnold....but fuck California

Alright I am getting really fucken sick of San Francisco. Stop trying to protect people from themselves. You have no right to do it! San Fransisco has so far tried to ban toys from Happy Meals and now some people in the city want to ban the right of a parent to get a circumcision

Now this post is not to debate the pros and cons of circumcision. Nor is it to debate McDonald's corporate responsibility (although dude it has to do with parents buying McDonald's not them offering toys). This is about the rights of a people. Your a fucken town San Fransisco! Stay out of private citizens lives! If people want to have a toy with their happy meal you have zero right to deny them that! Stop trying to protect people from themselves and start trying to balance the budget and make sure children are getting the proper education. Stop wasting peoples time!

A better blog post is to follow, this just got me going

what do you want...a cookie?

Dear facebook/twitter/foursquare/friends-

I feel we must talk. First off I am very happy that we live in a land where you can vote and politicians are not chosen for us by the goverment. Let's get that straight right off. However I am getting a bit sick of being told by people to vote. Whether I (or anyone else) votes is not the concern of the public. Voting is a right, not a requirement. In fact I would be so bold as to say if you don't have an opinion, or if you like none of those running, not voting is a perfectly acceptable thing to do.

I am not sure where this push to have everyone in the country vote came from. I know that my mom and grandmother would always say you need to vote! Here is my question to all, why do I need to vote? Thats part of what makes America amazing, the fact that you do not need to vote to have a part/opinion/bitch about the government.

Now I am also not saying that I don't like to vote. I really and truly love to vote if I am informed on the issues being voted on. Nor am I saying whether or not I voted last night, I don't feel its really anyones business. All I am saying is that it seems to me we should encourage discussion and interest in political issues and activities instead of just saying go vote.

So please stop letting me know you voted on Facebook, I really don't care. And please don't give me shit if I DECIDE not to vote, its my right.

Love

Chris

Ps. I love debate so feel free to leave a comment if you feel that voting is something that everyone should be doing in all elections. I am not saying mine way is the right way, just that it's what I like best.

God damn you freedom of information act Part II

Dude there was another Freedom of Information act request to the Maine department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife! That means once more my email (which shouldn't be public domain) is being released to a 3rd party. Why does Kittery Trading Post need my email that bad??

Fuck you Freedom of Information requests!

Since when is the Pentagon authorized to disagree with the Court?

Alright so usually I am very pro things that the military, as a whole, does. But where the hell does the Defense Department get off telling soldiers to remain quiet until pending appeals go through? This is America and the United States Court system has ruled that Don't Ask Don't Tell is unconstitutional. Fuck you DOD. You don't have the right to punish anyone who is following the law. Thats not how the United States of America operates. The law is ridiculous and unconstitutional in the first place, but you making a move to disagree with the court and not assure that the courts decision can be followed is unacceptable. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on D.O.D

Ps. A gay person can protect and serve just as well as a straight person. This is America home of the free, not America home of the free unless you are gay in which case you need to pretend you are straight or you may hurt your fellow soldiersfeelings. Your fellow soldiers don't like it then they should take a dishonorable discharge. They sign up to protect and serve the people and constitution of the United States, including people they dont agree with. If they don't want to carry out that charge then get the fuck out of the military you stupid cowards.

All the MMA kids will cringe at seeing this but it's the truth in this case.
" Mine is not to question why, mine is but to do or die" Do your jobs, I'm sorry your big macho-ness is offended by a gay person, just do your damn job

Want to go for a drive? Careful they are watching!

A recent news story caught my attention as an amazing affront to the US Constitution and freedom in general.

In 9 western states now law enforcement can place a gps tracking system on your car without a warrant or any type of court order. Say what? This is America, we have the clever thing called freedom. If I want to drive around in the desert where drugs are being grown (example from the news story) that is allowed! Driving past them, looking at the drugs, is not a crime. So why does the US Government have the right to track my car? Its not their business where I go. Nor is it there right to know.

Now I know the popular thing to say to things like this "Well if you haven't done anything wrong than you don't have to worry" That's not the way it works. I am a free citizen to go and do what I choose,so long as I am within the law. However if I just happen to have a friend who is a drug dealer or something that means that a GPS tracker could implicate me in drugs or something? No its up to the state to prove I am guilty, not up to me to prove I am innocent.

This, to me, seems like one of the worst decisions in legal history. Whats next? Tracking devices on phones, shoes, in our heads? Yes its a big jump from GPS in the car to GPS in our heads, but its not out of the realm of possibility. Are we going to have to carry around a little national ID card with a GPS chip in it "for our own protection"?

You know what give me my right to bear arms, my right to go where I want, and I will take care of myself. I don't need your help government, thanks for asking.

The R-word...what are you four?

The R-word

It seems ridiculous to me that we have to a point where we can't even mention the words that people find offensive. Now we have to say things like the C-word, N-word, and the R-word. Well I got a word for all of you, the F word. Fuck you guys

It sickens me that effectively words are being outlawed. Outlawed words, this is America for God sake! We have something called freedom of speech, remember that little amendment? I am not saying that you have to use a word if you don't like it, but if you can not even say that word ever then I have no respect for you. If Jennifer Aniston uses the word retarded then its her own choice. I think that I should able to call people cunt the same way others use dick. I don't because it offends people, I sicken even myself.

This is America and we have a law against totalitarian bull crap like outlawing words. No there isn't a law out there that outlaws them, but I am worried thats the next step. People need to mind their own business and live life, don't concern themselves with what others think. They can think whatever they want so the pressure that is exerted on people to think and say what society wants is just horrible.

MF and I have had this discussion before and I know that many don't consider this outlawing of a word. Which is true in the strictest sense, but it scares me that could be the next step, so I feel I need to put it out there now.

What is a libertarian?

What is a Libertarian? more to follow....

This is a great definition of the way I view Libertarians
"Are Libertarians liberal or conservative?--Libertarians are neither. Unlike liberals or conservatives, Libertarians advocate a high degree of both personal and economic liberty. For example, Libertarians advocate freedom in economic matters, so we're in favor of lowering taxes, slashing bureaucratic regulation of business, and charitable -- rather than government -- welfare. But Libertarians are also socially tolerant. We won't demand laws or restrictions on other people who we may not agree because of personal actions or lifestyles."

illegal is illegal no mater your merits

I just read this news story about a Harvard student who was illegally in the country, but will nto be deported until his case is heard. How can that be allowed? You are here illegally, he knew he was here illegally because he was using a Mexican passport to board planes. You being someone who goes to school in Harvard doesn't give you the right to violate the laws of the United States of America. This is not a stand saying I think immigration is wrong, but if you break the law coming in then how can you be trusted not to break it again. You have already broken the law of the US pal, you are here illegally...key word illegal. Call it undocumented if you want, but if I have to follow the US laws then you do too.

This isn't about open borders either (although I personally think open borders is ridiculous) this is about violating law. The law is one the books and he violated that. He should have to pay the price just the same as any one else.

"Is a happy meal happy with out a toy?"

That is a fantastic question and was asked in this article

Apparently this group CSPI has decided that McDonalds (a private organization) having toys in their happy meals is making our children have bad eating habits. Its not that parents who bring their kids to McDonalds and pay for said happy meals. It's the 4 year old that wants the toy thats being influenced. Dude i don't care they are kids, just ignore them. Tell them no, its really that simple!

Best quote ever
""If you can't control a 3-year-old child for a toy, God save you when they get to be teenagers," Gage told the Los Angeles Times"

Gun control

I love this opinion piece
This is what I have thought so many times. Why is it that only guns fall under the category of if someone dies with it its the guns fault? What about knives? Or baseball bats? Or golf clubs? There is a comment at the bottom of the page that says that the reason guns are in this category are that they are made to kill things. Well how about knives? They were invented to kill people and animals, so why are they different. Anyone who wants to regulate the device itself is stupid. Its an object, it can't shoot by itself. Besides that criminals don't care about breaking laws like this. Its only the legit gun owners that are being punished. Imagine what would happen if they started limiting everything that could kill someone????

10-15 with the option of life

Really?

Look I hate rapists and child molesters just as much as the next guy. But you can't just keep adding time to their sentences. If this is an issue then make the original sentencing harsher. If you do the time that you were given then they should let you out. The power to extend someones sentence is ridiculous. I mean thats why we have laws, in order to assure that no one has that kind of power. If you want to give them indefinite life sentences for rape and child molestation then do it, but you cant just keep adding time, this is America we have laws ( This is a rather police state-ish move by the Supreme Court)

Immanent Domain

More on this later, but I wanted to get it down before it got lost in the day to day.
Immanent Domain

Ok so as promised lets talk a bit more about this article. Immanent domain has to be the stupidest idea I have ever heard! How is it legal for the government to take your land. I dont care how much they offer to pay for it they should require the owners permission. I mean the best way I can think of it is that it would be like them coming to me and saying that they needed my house in Maine to do something. Despite the fact that I wouldn't sell the place for any amount of money they would take it from us, the rightful owners. Despite the fact that place is on its third generation of people going up to it, they would take it. I mean can I take land from the government? Why are only they allowed to exercise this magical power of legally taking land from the rightful owners?? unreal

technology is overrated

So it's been a while, but lets get back into things.

The rain has stopped in MA so that's a huge plus and the current temperature in Beverly is 83 degress. Glorious.

Now onto technology. As some know MF and I have gotten rid of cable all together, a monumental step many have said. I say nay. I think its a great step. I was worried that I would miss it and that I would be bored and have nothing to do, while that isn't the case at all. One we still have netflix and the ability to watch movies, but also I think that your mind is forced to move onto something else when TV isn't there to occupy it. I have plans for this lack of TV (including an hour of guitar playing a day, more reading and more character development.)

This leads me to a thought I have probably 10 times a day. Why can't I just move into the woods and live. Well obviously there is the lack of knowledge enough to live in the woods. That could be learned though. The other thing is the idea that life would be worse. We wouldn't be able to enjoy any of the modern amenities such as lots of TV and things like that. We would have to get some sort of small job to support electricity as I am pretty sure MF would leave me if I said I wanted to live in a hovel in the woods with out electricity. But you could find a perfectly good house in Maine and live there and have minimal contact with all these fancy technologies. Cutting out technology all together would be bad, but keeping very to nature and only enjoying those technologies every once and a while would make me sooo happy.

I wanna go to the woods!!!