Time to Curb Rise in Deadly Paramilitary Police Raids
From http://cato.org/homepage_item.php?id=317
The last 25 years have seen a 1,300% increase in the number of paramilitary raids on American homes. The vast majority of these are to serve routine drug warrants, including for offenses as trivial as marijuana possession. The groundbreaking study, "Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids in America," provides a legal, historical, and policy background explaining the trend. Cato scholar Radley Balko offers a critique of "no-knock" and "short-notice" raids, explains how such confrontational tactics cause violence rather than lessening risks, and offers recommendations for reform. Accompanying Balko's report, Cato is also releasing an interactive raid map that plots nearly 300 examples of mistaken raids since the mid-1980s, including 40 cases in which in innocent people have been killed, 20 cases in which offenders with no history of violence were killed, and 22 cases resulting in the needless death or injury of a police officer.
July 13, 2006
Vacancy on Chesterfield Board of Supervisors
From the Progress Index -
The remaining four board members met in a special session yesterday to officially accept Barber’s resignation and decide on a plan to appoint his interim replacement.They unanimously approved a schedule that will require applicants to submit a letter of intent, a resume and any letters of endorsement by July 17.
On July 20 during a special public meeting, each applicant will have five minutes to explain why they should be appointed to the board.
Supervisors will announce the candidate they’ve chosen at their July 26 regular meeting.
...
Each applicant must also undergo a national criminal background check as part of the selection process. Vice Chairman Kelly Miller was adamant at yesterday’s meeting that the checks be conducted. Each one would cost around $50.
If you are a Libertarian in the Midlothian district, now is your chance to get on the Board of Supervisors. Also there is some question to the legality of demanding the background check. Someone needs to step forward and challenge this.
Related Links: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1031784381246&c=MGArticle&cid=1149188989188&path=%21news%21localnews
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1031784381246&c=MGArticle&cid=1149189031568&path=%21news%21localnews
Voting Machines in the News Again
A report published late last month says that voting machines with wireless technology, such as those used in Fairfax County, should be banned.
http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=16909283&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506096&rfi=6
July 08, 2006
VOLUNTEER FOR THE GUN SHOW TABLE (JULY 8-9)
The next C&E Gunshow is July 8-9. As usual the LP will have an Info
table. We need volunteers to work the table.
Show Hours:
Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Standard shifts are 9:00-1:00 and 1:00-5:00 on Saturday
10:00-1:30 and 1:30-5:00 on Sunday
Partial shifts are ok too.
The gunshow is held at the Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike. in
Richmond, VA.
Directions: I-64 to Exit 192...go East on 360 (Mechanicsville
Turnpike) ...go 3/4 mile and The Showplace is on the left.
The address is 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike.
Parking is free. Anyone who works a whole shift gets into the show
for free!
To volunteer contact David Lively at gunshow@richmondliberty.org
July 06, 2006
LP National Convention
From http://www.lp.org/media/article_365.shtml
On the closing day of the recent Libertarian National Convention held in Portland, Oregon, William Redpath was elected to the Libertarian Party's top post, receiving 64% of votes of the attending delegates.
As most of you know Bill has been very active in the LPVA and ran for Governor as a Libertarian.
[Editor's Note: I'm still on my drive back from Portland. I will try to have a full report on what happened when I return.]
Barber to resign board seat
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
Edward B. Barber, Chesterfield County's embattled supervisor, is giving up his bid to keep his post after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery against his teenage stepdaughter.
More info at:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149188968409
New Gun Laws
From VA-ALERT (http://www.vcdl.org)
As of July 1, the following changes are in effect:1. For those of you who live in localities that require
fingerprinting to get a CHP, you are NOT to be fingerprinted for
renewals any more! If you are told you need to be fingerprinted,
contact me.2. You cannot be disarmed during an emergency or disaster, unless
you go to a shelter which has such a disarmament policy. WE NEED TO
FIX THAT NEXT YEAR!3. CHP denials based on statements from a chief of police,
Commonwealth Attorney, etc. must be based on a tighter definition of
'personal knowledge.'4. For military members on active-duty and deployed outside their
home area, their permit shall not be allowed to expire until 90 days
after their deployment ends.5. Permits become lifetime on July 1, **2007** contingent upon
funding appropriation. I have calls in to both Delegate Lingamfelter
(whose bill gave us this great provision) and Delegate Carrico (who
has been following the issue as well) to confirm funding is approved,
and will advise you when I hear back from them.6. CHP applications shall be redesigned to refer to the Virginia
Supreme Court web site for information on the use of deadly force.
Stop Federally-Sanctioned Eminent Domain Abuse
From the National Taxpayers Union:
More than one year after the United States Supreme Court struck a blow against property rights in the infamous Kelo v. New London decision, the Senate is still dragging its feet over passing legislation to stop federally-sanctioned eminent domain abuse. While the House passed a bill last November preventing states and localities from using federal funds to bankroll abusive development projects, the Senate hasn't even scheduled a committee hearing on this important taxpayer priority. The 109th session of Congress ends in just a few months, and we need your help in convincing the Senate to pass this vital legislation before the clock runs out on property owners.You can take action on this alert either via email (please see
directions below) or via the web at:
http://ga1.org/campaign/senate_eminent_domain/Please share this important alert with at least 3 friends or
neighbors!
http://ga1.org/campaign/senate_eminent_domain/forward/