Rand Paul Questions Homeland Security On Spying, Fourth Amendment Of The Constitution

According to Wikipedia, the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that “prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported…”

Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) grilled Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson over the government’s surveillance capabilities, particularly questioning him about whether the practices adhere to the Fourth Amendment.

According to MediaITE, Paul asked Johnson if he believes the Fourth Amendment “applies to third party records,” specifically those of telephone companies. Johnson said that question is “beyond my competence as secretary of homeland security” to answer intelligently.

“Here’s the problem, though, your agency is in charge of cooperating and being part of this,” Paul said. “And that’s the whole debate we have in our country is over whether we should do this.”

In his earlier testimony, Johnson complained that telephone companies are moving toward more encryption of data. Paul said they are doing that because they feel as if the government is taking records without a warrant.

The talk seemed meaningful.  Whether or not Rand Paul’s position on NSA phone and internet spying remains the same, though that remains to be seen.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/rand-paul-grills-dhs-secretary-on-surveillance-there-is-no-person-named-verizon/

Unfortunately, Paul’s position on drone strikes has shifted over time:

http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/23/ron-paul-fans-furious-over-rand-pauls-drone-flip-flop/

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/27/rand_paul_goes_full_strangelove_the_anti_drone_candidate_is_okay_with_droning_american_citizens/

Clinton Says She Supports Amendment To Get Money Out Of Politics

NPR claims that Hillary Clinton has said she supports the idea of a constitutional amendment to restrict or eliminate big money in politics.  But will she “walk the walk?”

The notion of amending the Constitution has been discussed for decades, but Clinton is joining a new, if small, chorus of prominent politicians who are mentioning it.

“We need to fix our dysfunctional political system and get unaccounted money out of it, once and for all, even if that takes a constitutional amendment,” she said at a roundtable discussion at Kirkwood Community College near Monticello, Iowa.

Campaign finance reform is one of four pillars, “four big fights,” of her campaign, she said, along with help for families and communities; a stronger, more balanced economy; and a strong national defense.

Campaign Finance Group Helps Pass Bill In Delaware Senate

TYT Network

Wolf PAC is an organization founded by TYT Network that attempts to stop campaign finance money from controlling our politicians (and our lives.) Wolf PAC has moved through several states already and recently helped pass a bill in the Delaware senate to create an Amendment to the Delaware constitution that would limit the money corporations can give to politicians.

Charges Against Rapper Tiny Doo Make No Sense

CNN

Is Rapper Brandon ‘Tiny Doo’ Duncan facing criminal charges for his rapping? And does the right to freedom of speech cover this?

‘Tiny Doo’ and his lawyer join “CNN Tonight” to discuss criminal charges stemming from the violent nature of his lyrics and music stylings. Tiny Doo is facing “gang conspiracy” charges because of his music lyrics about crimes.