Civil liberties headlines for October 20, 2008

October 20, 7:29 AMCivil Liberties ExaminerJ.D. Tuccille

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From free speech to gun rights, below are news headlines involving outrages, developments and occasional victories that may be of interest to people who care about personal liberty, all gathered in one place.

Challenge to Florida State Law Charges Violation of Free Speech Rights
The Institute for Justice (IFJ) has filed a lawsuit challenging a Florida state law that they charge violates free speech rights by forcing groups that mention political issues or candidates to register with the state.

WA coroner's call to kill free speech
Western Australia's deputy coroner says police should be given powers to suppress news reports that may compromise their investigations. But media experts have attacked the proposal as an affront to free speech that would put WA in danger of becoming a police state.

FEC Complaint Filed Against Group That Ran Ayers Ad
In an attempt to muzzle criticism of a political candidate, Fred Wertheimer of the group Democracy 21 has filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service against the group that launched the first television ad linking Barack Obama to William Ayers.

Content with concealed carry
The Arkansas Traveler editorializes against open carry -- and in favor of concealed carry.

Ball State group wants gun rights on campus
A small group of students at Ball State University says students should have the right to carry concealed weapons on campus to protect themselves in case of an attack.

Poll: Fla. gay marriage ban lacks support
A Sun Sentinel and Florida Times-Union poll reveals 53 percent of 600 likely voters said they supported a proposed ban on gay marriage, far short of the 60 percent approval required for the constitutional amendment.

Same-sex marriage debate flares up in Silicon Valley
Michael Giluso stood with about 15 friends on a busy corner in Campbell waving a sign high in the air to save his marriage. But just a few miles up the road, nearly a thousand people gathered on a muddy field in Cupertino to say that Giluso's marriage, and others like his, is wrong and should be nullified.

Strong beliefs backed by big money drive debate over same-sex marriages
Two formidable forces -- the gay rights movement and conservative churches -- are colliding in a $50 million ballot measure battle over same-sex marriage, an explosive issue that straddles the line between faith and politics.

DAs fight bid to ease penalty for marijuana
Prosecutors who admit that they themselves have smoked grass, and who would be ineligible for their jobs had they been caught, are now among the leading opponents of a proposition on the Massachusetts ballot that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Big Island to vote on marijuana use
Police would have to back off from their pursuit of marijuana users and small growers under a Hawaii measure on the ballot Nov. 4.

Smoking ban not being enforced
Smoke 'em if you got 'em - and go ahead and light up with copies of the smoking bans passed by city, county and state authorities, which aren't being enforced in Sangamon County.

Woman will defy law, wear button to polls
A Valley Township woman vowed to risk arrest by wearing a political button into a polling place. 

Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com