Could the “kangaroo courts that are Canada’s ‘human rights tribunals'” become reality in the United States? The link within this blog was filmed more than a year ago, but a hate crimes bill was just approved by Congress last week and now goes to the Senate. Legislating penalties for hate crimes is an exercise in thought control and a move toward restriction of free speech; isn’t all crime blatantly disrespectful to its victims?
Also under the Paperweight last week:
Barry Ritholtz is pleased to be counted with 14 ‘prophets of doom’ (financially speaking) who criticize current U.S. economic policy;
A field poll quoted in LA Now and NC Media Watch shows the California budget propositions failing at the polls;
Glenn Greenwald analyzes Senator Dick Durbin’s comments on the financial sector’s influence in Congress; and
Talking Points Memo cites ‘amazing numbers’ of people across the country now identifying their political affiliation as ‘independent’ and links to the Pew Research Study that shows leveling or decreases in democratic as well as republican party affiliation.