Are Police Tracking You Through Your Cell Phone?

March 15th, 2010

When you carry a cell phone with you, you’re constantly broadcasting your whereabouts. That’s OK when it’s your cell phone provider and you’re receiving a call. But it’s not OK when it’s law enforcement tracking you without a warrant.

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58-Year-Old Barre Woman Tased

March 11th, 2010

If you’re going to Barre, look out. You could get Tased for questioning an officer’s reason for arresting you — even if you just cross your arms over your chest and say, “Give me a thrill.”

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Senate Laptop Ban Lifted

March 9th, 2010

It used to be lobbyists, advocates, and members of the public couldn’t use laptops while observing the Vermont Senate from the public galleries. That’s changed.

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Obama Flipping On Military Tribunals

March 5th, 2010

The Obama administration is apparently set to cave in to critics and bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military tribunal rather than have him tried in federal criminal court, as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has wanted.

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If You Thought The Patriot Act Was Gone….

March 1st, 2010

You might have thought the USA Patriot Act was a Bush-era law passed in the wake of fear and insecurity surrounding the events of Sept. 9, 2001, and that a change in administration would mean a change in the law.

Think again.

The USA Patriot Act has just been renewed and re-signed into law by President Obama.

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UVM Donor Anonymity Exemption — Necessary?

February 24th, 2010

Legislative committees have been considering yet another exemption to the state’s public records law — this time to guarantee donors to the University of Vermont (as well as to the Vermont State Colleges and the Vermont Student Assistance Corp.) — that their names won’t be disclosed if they request anonymity.

We think UVM’s request for an exemption is unnecessary.

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Civil Liberties Over Lunch In Middlebury

February 15th, 2010

Want to talk about civil liberties as you munch your lunch?

The Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury and the ACLU-VT have teamed up to sponsor a four-part reading and discussion series that looks at what happens when challenges to liberties arise and how the liberties are protected. The discussion series begins Feb. 17 and runs through May 19.

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Campaign Finance Reform Is Back

February 11th, 2010

The Legislature is moving to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. On Thursday the Senate Judiciary Committee took up a campaign finance bill passed its way after a quick read Wednesday in the Senate Government Operations Committee.

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Senate Won’t Take Up Fetal Bills

February 9th, 2010

A lack of consensus around fetal issues means the Vermont Senate won’t take up bills this year that could prompt reproductive freedom debates.

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Great Response To Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad

February 4th, 2010

Lots of talk about the anti-choice ad that’s scheduled to air during this Sunday’s Super Bowl. For the pro-choice perspective, see the great response sponsored by Planned Parenthood on YouTube. Former college and professional football player Sean James and Olympic gold medalist Al Joyner are featured.