Can the government violate the rights of Americans, at the border

An American named Bradley Jardis came back to the U.S., after a very short trip across the border into Mexico. When asked, he declined to answer how he was planning to use shot glasses, he bought in Mexico, to celebrate. Frankly, this question seems kind of silly and...

Why did police ignore 4th Amendment rights of students?

This is an amazing case out of Greene County, Missouri. High school students at Central High School were ordered to leave their possessions in their classrooms, be it notebooks, purses, backpacks etc for sheriff's deputies to search, really ransack, at will. No reasonable...

State of Alabama might kill an innocent man, and it doesn't care

Death row inmate Thomas Arthur might be innocent, but it does not matter to the state of Alabama. They are going to kill him anyway. His defense is willing to pay for a DNA test to prove his innocence, after his conviction 30 years ago. So, there is no cost to the state of...

Your chance to turn anti-gay Mormons, gay, in an afterlife

The Mormon church often baptizes non-Mormons, after their death. They did it to the father in law of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney's father in law, Edward Davies, was an atheist. He had called organized faith, "hogwash". Some Mormons also did it to...

Atheist attacked by religious zealot, judge lets attacker off

The local director of an atheist organization in the state of Pennsylvania dressed up as a character he created called Zombie Mohammad, while participating in a parade in that state. It was a satire and criticism of Islam. He was attacked by a Muslim man. Video of this attack...

Why doesn't the accused get a right to a jury in all situations?

Why doesn't the Sixth Amendment to our Constitution guarantee a right to trial to citizens of felonies of under a year, or misdemeanors? After all, this is what the Amendment states:     "In all all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a...

Should you be excluded from an area of a city, if not convicted?

Those areas being, those considered with higher than normal crime rates. In Cincinnati it was illegal,before a court ruling, to be in certain areas of the city even if only arrested. Even if the arrest did not meet the standards of probable cause, which is required for an...

Mayors for marriage equality and urge Obama to support equality

 "History is going to judge us" are the words of the Mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders. No, he is not a Democrat. He is a Republican, and like more and more Republicans, he is embracing gay rights and marriage equality. He is exactly right, those who...

Don't students have a right against illegal searches, as adults?

Does a right against unreasonable search and seizures exist in public schools? Don't minors enjoy the same rights as adults? After all, there are no exceptions made under our Constitution towards those who aren't adults.  Of all our rights that deal with civil...

Youth will lead the way to same sex marriage equality

Same sex marriage bans were overturned in California. Good! It's only a matter of time before the last bands of discrimination are lifted in the U.S. That includes yes, states such as Mississippi and Alabama. This column by Leonard Pitts Jr, from last month, takes...

You can be charged with a prostitution offense for not much

In the city of San Francisco you can be arrested for intent to solicit a prostitute. This is something of a thought crime. If the government believes you intended enough to do an action, though you never agreed to do that action, than it is a crime. For example, if you make...