Comments on: Constitution-Free Zone

by: M Evans

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:42:24 +0000

Have you all heard about the new law that outlaws muscovy ducks starting March 31, 2010?
Muscovies are a non-mallard derived duck a lot of people love. They are accepted in the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Excellence as a show duck. People appreciate their friendly nature and it is probably the best broody in the domestic duck world. The fact that it never quacks, only making soft cooing noises makes it particularly attractive to the new urban minifarms. Unfortunately some irresponsible people have let their muscovies loose and a feral population has survived, mostly in southern states as this duck is native to warmer climates. So the FWS has created this onerous legeslation that will basically wipe out the business of many breeders throughout the country who cater to the many lovers of this unique duck. The new law mandates that no one may posess for any reason a muscovy obtained in any way after March 31st unless they live in certain Texas counties or have a certain meat permit. Muscovys obtained before that date will be permitted. Wild muscovy populations are going to be “irradicated”. This law was written under the authority of the Migratory Bird Act in conjunction with treaties with several other countries. This is a huge ramping up of federal power over the property rights of individuals. There is a petition protesting this on the thepetitionsite.com called Do not outlaw the Muscovy Duck.

[This is quite complicated. See here for discussion on the BackYardChickens forum. -WJ]

by: Mary Zanoni

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:05:06 +0000

Walter, thank you for this very important information. Here in Northern NY the Border Patrol frequently sets up impromptu “check points” on major roads. Do they find any legitimate “immigration” problems through these checkpoints? No, those problems are usually found at the border itself. But the Border Patrol, unlike the state or local police, does technically have the right to, for example, search your car even without any concrete suspicion of wrongdoing. So these checkpoints are really nothing more than an illegitimate way to expand police authority in searching for low-level drug criminals. The occasional minor drug case is not worth the erosion of civil liberties.

We need a change in policy at the Federal level to stop this. Everyone should support the work of the ACLU in this regard, and also the work of other organizations defending privacy and constitutional rights, such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

by: Bob Constantine

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:27:40 +0000

“If you’re not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about.” Yeah sure. Watch how this activity grows into more stuff like this as “they” continue to get away with it. Clearly if things like this are unchallenged more of our rights will be taken. We are living in interesting times folks.

In the event anyone is stopped for “administrative” questioning, ask some questions of your own. Like
am I under arrest? Am I free to go? Is this stop permitted under the constitution…where?
If you have a passenger, have them film the interrogation and post it online.

Do not consent to any search of your person or your vehicle. Carry a pocket copy of the U.S. Constituion…read aloud from it while being “detained” remind the anonymous henchmen they took an oath to support it. You are guaranteed some dumb looks from them when you quiz them though about anything in the bill of rights. Do not get angry, simply assert calmly your rights.

by: yellowbird

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:48:40 +0000

I live in Oregon. The State congress folks both house & senate have had “town hall” meetings & have been blatently changing laws, claiming “new laws passed” in 2005, 2007, when in reality that is not the case at all. They got away with Clinton bringing $800,000 from Colombia folks wanting the trade agreement to go thru for Hillary’s campaign; when asked how that would play out as she was against it on Round Table they had no idea; within 2 weeks on C span a “political advisor” was claiming it had been passed by bipartisan agreement in 2006; just expired in 1 08; Congress had “extended” til 9/08; this is totally & completely false; the agreement was NEVER signed; so, a rash of these sort of things are going on including in the States. A water bill signed by McCall protecting all water in Oregon was said to have “expired” this year; (they are going to start shipping to Calif); so, I feel like I am in a “no law” law led by “lawless leaders”; watching a St Gov process this week there was indication a “measure 50″ horribly hurt the state; suddenly today on local news property taxes went up on measure 50 passed in 1997 “voted” on by the people????? not on constitution free by apparently free of any & all laws; or new ones; amended ones; and “old” ones suddenly becoming into effect;