I don’t have a lot to say today. Yesterday was boring, but I’ve got a whole bunch of yummy links for you. Enjoy.
- Yesterday was the start of the appeals process in Gilmore v. Ashcroft. Good luck, John. [boing boing]
- The “Fair Witness” Wearable Escrow Video system looks awfully interesting. Basically a wearable camera that beams whatever it’s seeing to a server somewhere, so you can retrieve the video later. Afraid you’re about to be thumped by the police? Turn on the witness. Meeting a whole slew of new people and afraid you won’t remember them? Turn on the witness. Doing something jackass-a-rific and want a record? Turn on the witness. Sounds like a cool product, if only someone would build it. [doc]
- In preparation for the Republican Convention in New York City, the FBI puts pressure on political protesters, by questioning those they suspect of having illegal plans. [strib]
- The Police Chief’s proposed Copter crime fix won’t fly. I’ve always found the idea of helicopter patrols like that very chilling. I’d rather see additional foot patrols by city cops, but then I’m starting to wonder about Chief McManus anyhow. In spite of his promise to investigate the Art-a-Whirl beatings, I’ve heard nothing back and suppose it’s time to call in and find out what’s up.
- Reason Magazine has an interview with John Perry Barlow 2.0: The Thomas Jefferson of cyberspace reinvents his body -- and his politics. It’s a good read for libertarians of all stripes. [endwar]
- Are you ready for CAPPS 3? The government is still trying to trade-off Privacy vs. safety in screening travelers, and the results aren’t going to be any better this time around. [claire]
- Monica, Bill, and Russell have all linked to Captain Bligh’s Revenge by L. Neil Smith, so I guess I should point to it, too. There are a couple things I think I should point out. Mainly that while the British government is disarming the Pitcairners for their own protection and arresting men for sleeping with underage gals (there aren’t many options when the total population is 45), the folks who inhabit Pitcairn Island have been massively subsidized by the British Crown. As with any government subsidy, there’s a price you’ll end up paying, and I’m not surprised in the least. I wouldn’t be especially happy about it, but once again, I’m not surprised. [endwar]
- Reason also has an article on John Kerry’s Monstrous Record on Civil Liberties. Turns out that he was more eager to stomp on civil liberties than John Ashcroft was back in the early 90s. Kerry was one of the people who sponsored a bill to classify all encryption as munitions, was for asset forfeiture by people charged of drug crimes, whether guilty or not, and thought Know Your Customer didn’t go far enough, so he authored the money-laundering portions of USA-PATRIOT that have been used to bust strip clubs in Las Vegas. [instapundit]