News & Commentary

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In his very first week on the job, President Obama signed an executive order banning the use of torture, as well as other “coercive interrogation methods.” (He also signed an executive order directing Guantanamo Bay to be closed within a year, but we’ll leave that for another blog post.)At the time of signing he even invited 16 retired military leaders who had spoken out against torture to come to the ceremony, talking of the “extraordinary impression” their pleas had on him. Two and a half years later, the ACLU is joined by many of the country’s leading civil liberties and human rights groups in calling on President Obama to not just talk about the immorality of torture, but to formally honor those who stood up against it during the Bush Administration. The New York Times has endorsed this idea, accurately describing it as a “small gesture” to honor our “unsung heroes.” We’ve given out civilian and military awards to thousands of deserving Americans and it would be a very meaningful gesture to extend similar honors to both the soldiers and public servants who spoke out against torture. Tell President Obama he should show his commitment to ending such immoral practices by honoring the brave people who stood up against them at a time when it wasn’t easy to do so.

On Monday, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown accused several of Murdoch's papers of far-reaching invasions of his privacy, including access to tax, bank, and medical records of Brown and his family. Brown told the BBC, if I, with all the protection and all the defenses and all the security that a chancellor of the Exchequer or a prime minister has, am so vulnerable to unscrupulous tactics, unlawful tactics, methods that have been used in the way we have found, what about the ordinary citizen? One detail that has emerged in the scandal is that reporters allegedly obtained cellphone tracking data to pinpoint the location of subjects of

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As I’m sure you’ve heard, the Secretary of State’s office gave us the “green light” earlier this week and we are ready to hit the streets with petitions in hand. Over the next month thousands of Mainers will be heading out to fairs, malls, festivals, and neighborhoods to gather the needed signatures to put this question on the ballot:

“Do you want to reject the section of Chapter 399 of the Public Laws of 2011 that requires new voters to register to vote at least two business days prior to an election?”


Did the CIA find a DVD of The Dark Night in Sana'a?  The latest news to keep you scared would make the Joker proud. 

There is still much to be done. It’s time to end the unjust, un-American and unsuccessful war on drugs. Go here to learn more about the fight for a responsible drug policy in America or here to view materials on federal cocaine offenses and sentencing.  And because laughter is the best antidote to despair, check out this video from Elon James White. Enjoy!  

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