Critical Massholes: Recent Comments

Comment on Where were you when wood became a felony?

2009-12-03T22:50:08Z

You're absolutely right about it being on all levels of govt. Neighborhood covenants being one of my greatest pet peeves right next to soviets. Kind of the same thing though.

I think that is exactly the point of all the obscure laws. It gives the enforcement arm of govt the discretion to oppress should one become a nuissance.

The "wood" law would indeed fall under U.S. Fish and Wildlife but there would probably be some pissing contests with the USDA, Customs, etc. Therein lies the problem. How many fucking enforcement agencies do we as a society need? How many are even constitutional? Laws are so numerous, obscure, and openly worded that they don't even know who has proper jurisdiction. And in case you didn't know, each of these agencies has its own paramilitary s.w.a.t. corps within its own enforcement wing. No bullshit. Fish and Wildlife has a s.w.a.t. team.

One doesn't even have to break any U.S. laws to get jacked up. Specifically the "wood" law, the Environmental Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act subject hold U.S. citizens to the laws of EVERY other country. Im sure most of our laws say the same thing, but of these I am certain. What the Fuck?

As far as forestry regulations, i think there can be a balance of regulation and fair use. As a naturalist/conservationist I think there are plenty of ways to strike this balance without the draconian regulations that we have in place. In fact most of these regulations have a counterproductive effect. You end up with the kill/cover up phenomenon as one example. If a land developer discovers a nest of endangered dick-throated gargler thrushes, its an easy decision to shoot and bury them instead of having millions of dollars go down the drain with a shutdown of operations. I believe in conservation but I also err on the side of individual property rights. I could, however, give two shits about humanity in general. go figure. Those pictures from china are just wrong though.

Comment on A History Lesson

2009-12-03T22:12:47Z

In most supposedly grammatically correct writings here in the U.S. people use "an history." It pisses me off. It's usually journalistic types that want to appear as if they knew what the fuck they were talking about. Why don't you add in a superfluous "u" while you're at it as in the most distinguished and honourable prick from the the great state of dipshit. As for cockneyed brits, I can't even understand them anymore. I thought they invented English. Seems Americans and Canadians are the only ones who haven't allowed dialect to become completely disconjunctive with the language. Cajuns, deep southerners, and freaky New Englanders notwithstanding.

Comment on Where were you when wood became a felony?

2009-12-03T18:02:28Z

It's on all levels of government as well, even down to the private law level where an HOA can fine you for (if they so choose) for putting up a basketball hoop or painting your house the wrong shade of beige.

Prosecutors and police like to have the discretion (i.e. power) to decide to enforce the law against you. And the vast majority of these individuals exist at the state/local level. I don't worry much about harassment from the FBI, but mainly because I've never met an FBI agent. But I see cops all the time.

You see the same thing in sentancing. The embezzeling friend of the local mayor, the drug-dealing teenage son of a judge, they have all "succumbed to a moment of weakness" and are "people of good character" who deserve a second chance. The masses, however, are typically swine who need to locked up and then throw away the key. Unless, of course, they want you to snitch and then they'll give you a deal.

But on the committment of felonies, probably the most felonies you commit each day are based on copyright violations; the enforcement of which is usually left to the discretion of large media conglomerates.

The enforcement of the Wood law, specifically, seems to be left to the Fish & Wildlife comission. I'm not really worried about them. And if I bought some toothpicks made from endangered rain forest trees unwittingly, and a fish and wildlife officer tried to arrest and prosecute me, I'm sure the law would be declared unconstitutional.

On a more meta level, it raises the question of forestry regulations. Should governments have any right to regulate the harvest of trees?
If they do, and then trees are harvested illegally, what type of authority should government have as a remedy?
There are fisheries that have collapsed because of overfishing; should government have the ability to try and regulate fishing activity? If someone buys a fish that's almost extinct to feast upon as a delicacy, should the government be able to prosecute?
What is the proper role of government in creating order and pricing externalities for environmental issues?

But if you think they have no business dealing with "green" issues, take a look at these pictues, which are the evidence of a more relaxed governmental attitude:
http://business1001.posterous.com/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china-chinahush

The pictures are also pretty cool.

Comment on A History Lesson

2009-12-03T17:22:27Z

Well, that's one of the reasons why we fought.
So we wouldn't talk like a Cockney.
"I 'ave an 'istory lesson for ya' gov'nor"

Comment on Where were you when wood became a felony?

2009-12-01T19:27:52Z

Oh, my friend. There are MANY MANY more laws already on the books that do similar things. (Check out the USDA creep when taking farm subsidies for example...)

Comment on More from the "Just-Us" files

2009-11-25T22:22:46Z

I'm not sure if Judges in Arizona are elected or not, which can make a difference in their rulings. Sheriff Joe in Phoenix (head of Sheriff Dept.) seems like an asshole to me, but the voters like him.
But there are a lot of people who instinctively back the cops; who say that a person wouldn't be accused if he hadn't done something wrong or blame people for "being in the wrong neighborhood." And it's pretty tough to get a conviction against a police officer, jailer, or police department in court.
But there are plenty of times that justice doesn't get done even if a person isn't a cop. Check this story out:
http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/11/23/charles-diez-gets-120-days-for-shooting-cyclist-in-the-head/
Guy shoots someone in the back of the head in front of that person's child and only gets 120 days.
I think the actions of the deputy really just reflect on the leadership in that department (Joe Aripo) who never backs down or apologizes and always tries to humiliate both the accused and the convicted.
I don't think that the deputy will get away with it this time; even if it is appealed, this is a sheriff messing with lawyers in the Courtroom. Judges feel that is their sole perogoative. The deputy is supposed to follow their orders, not vice versa.
Structurally, we have a political system where if someone takes steps to protect the rights of the accused, they are pilloried for "coddling criminals" or being "soft on crime." So there isn't much of an incentive to help stregthen due process anymore, and the reforms of the Warren Court have all been gradually scaled back.

Comment on The Fearmongers

2009-07-04T23:29:20Z

Ryan,

This is an excellent article with great links. I cannot believe I missed this. The Threat Monger's Handbook is classic. It reminds me of the movie "Why We Fight" (Google it - it is available free and WELL worth the watch). Keep it up.

Comment on Happy Independence Day

2009-07-04T16:57:40Z

Hell, I can't figure it out. I'll try again later - links won't post. Anyway, here is the humor link:
http://www.retrocomedy.com/2009/07/15-creepiest-vintage-ads-of-all-time.html

Comment on Happy Independence Day

2009-07-04T16:46:55Z

Okay, sorry the links are busted. I am working to fix them...

Comment on Reforming Cops

2009-06-19T23:37:09Z

Indeed. I think all five points have been discussed either here at CMH or in private discussions that we have had. One of my big things is the community policing. The author is exactly right. Police tactics are increasingly if not totally reactive. Clandestine policing should be illegal. Unmarked cars do nothing to prevent crimes (the actual job of the police) they only serve to hide the cop so he can catch people breaking the law. Its just one symptom of the systemic pathology of the justice system. It all leads back to revenue generation for municipalities and perpetuating the fedgov handouts such as the grants mentioned. Dusting off the Constitution and Bill of Rights is long overdue. Removal of all malum prohibitum laws not specifically declared in the Constitution would solve almost all of these problems like one of those magic wands.