Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Owner of Snowden’s Email Service on Why He Closed Lavabit Rather Than Comply With Govt
Lavabit, an encrypted email service believed to have been used by National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, has abruptly shut down. The move came amidst a legal fight that appeared to involve U.S. government attempts to win access to customer information. In a Democracy Now! broadcast exclusive, we are joined by Lavabit owner Ladar Levison…
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Why Won’t They Tell Us the Truth About NSA Spying?
In 2001, the Patriot Act opened the door to US government monitoring of Americans without a warrant. It was unconstitutional, but most in Congress over my strong objection were so determined to do something after the attacks of 9/11 that they did not seem to give it too much thought. Civil liberties groups were concerned,…
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A House Divided Over NSA Spying on Americans
Last week’s House debate on the Defense Appropriations bill for 2014 produced a bit more drama than usual. After hearing that House leadership would do away with the traditional “open rule” allowing for debate on any funding limitation amendment, it was surprising to see that Rep. Justin Amash’s (R-MI) amendment was allowed on the Floor.…
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Why They Hate Rand Paul
By Justin Raimondo The rise of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) as an alternative to Bush era GOP dead-enders has the two principal anti-libertarian factions in American politics snarling and spitting in fury – and real fear. The progressives – in the drivers’ seat at the moment – are especially miffed that this upstart ophthalmologist, and…
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Let Market Forces Solve Organ Transplant Crisis
Ten-year old cystic fibrosis patient Sarah Murnaghan captured the nation’s attention when federal bureaucrats imposed a de facto death sentence on her by refusing to modify the rules governing organ transplants. The rules in question forbid children under 12 from receiving transplants of adult organs. Even though Sarah’s own physician said she was an excellent…
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Ron Paul on Veteran’s Suicide
I am reading the heartbreaking suicide note of Daniel Somers, a US combat veteran who spent several years fighting in Iraq. Mr. Somers was only 30 years old when he took his own life, after being tormented by the horrific memories of what he experienced in Iraq. He wrote: “The simple truth is this: During…
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Ron Paul: Let’s Call This What It Is—An Internet Tax Mandate
Last week, during a series of Senate votes on the budget resolution, a majority of senators voted for an amendment endorsing the so-called “Marketplace Fairness Act.” The underlying Act has nothing to do with fairness and everything to do with enriching large companies and bloated state governments, while harming small businesses, taxpayers, and consumers. Ron…
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Sell Raw Milk? Go to Jail!
While I oppose most gun control proposals, there is one group of Americans I do believe should be disarmed: federal agents. The use of force by federal agents to enforce unjust and unconstitutional laws is one of the major, albeit overlooked, threats to liberty. Too often Americans are victimized by government force simply for engaging…
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Newtown School Shooting: The Hidden Cause
by Anonymous At the end of any war, the defeated are told to lay down their weapons. To hand in their guns. They have lost. They have been defeated and no longer have a will to defend themselves or attack the enemy. Part of any war is propaganda and psychological warfare. It is used to…
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