Lions of Liberty

Felony Friday: Texas Bill Would Punish Businesses That DO NOT Discriminate

Morning Roar: Obama Trying to Use Executive Action To Ban Popular “AR” Bullets

Net Neutrality – All Hail The New Public Utility

The State of Sentencing 2014: Prison Progress in the USA

Lions of Liberty Podcast Ep. 83: Libertarians in Living Rooms Drinking Liquor – Hard Liquor and Guns Edition!

‹ ›

Felony Friday: Texas Bill Would Punish Businesses That DO NOT Discriminate

Posted on February 27, 2015 by John Odermatt Posted in Liberty & Law, Philosophy of Liberty Leave a comment

For some reason, a state representative in Texas believes that they the right to dictate who business owners allow to use the bathrooms on their property. State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R) has introduced two bills that would criminalize the use of bathrooms by transgender people and seek to punish businesses who allow transgender individuals to use their facilities. The first piece of legislation, H.B. 1747, would amend existing laws in Texas on disorderly conduct by adding a provision for when

Morning Roar: Obama Trying to Use Executive Action To Ban Popular “AR” Bullets

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Brian McWilliams Posted in Second Amendment Leave a comment

It seems like I can’t get through a week without referencing President Obama’s constant use and abuse of Executive Action to try to force his will onto the people of this country and circumvent Congress. Most recently, his efforts to pass his own dictatorial version of amnesty for illegals was challenged by a PA judge who provided the opinion that the action was unconstitutional, opening it up for more legal challenges and halting the momentum. Now, after his failed attempts

Net Neutrality – All Hail The New Public Utility

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Brian McWilliams Posted in Markets & Regulation Leave a comment

There isn’t much to be said that’s new on Net Neutrality – the threat of it becoming a public utility was announced under “Title II” provisions and despite outcry from educated communities, the government has officially claimed the internet. The vote to take control of the industry, Venezuela-style, broke on party lines 3-2, with Democrats voting unanimously for expanded government control. While I can appreciate the argument that this protects the 1st Amendment rights to free speech by “opening” up

The State of Sentencing 2014: Prison Progress in the USA

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Brian McWilliams Posted in Liberty & Law, War on Drugs Leave a comment

One of the most read articles Lions of Liberty has ever published centers on privately owned prisons (the majority) suing states over dropping incarceration rates, which – by contract – had to hover between 70-100% depending on the agreement. States were actually incentivized to keep prisons full by any means possible to avoid being sued or paying penalties incurred by lower prison populations. If you haven’t already read the piece, make it a point to do so, as it’s a

Lions of Liberty Podcast Ep. 83: Libertarians in Living Rooms Drinking Liquor – Hard Liquor and Guns Edition!

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Marc Clair Posted in Philosophy of Liberty, Podcast, Politics, Second Amendment Leave a comment

In this episode of the Lions of Liberty Podcast, host Marc Clair convenes another session of our wildly popular feature, “Libertarians in Living Rooms Drinking Liquor” (LILDL.) Marc welcomes back Brian McWilliams, John Odermatt and J.B. Lubin to discuss current events over a few adult beverages. After the gang gets acquainted and discusses their drinks of choice for the evening, the we react to some recently acclaimed films such as “Citizen Four” and “American Sniper.” Marc and Brian wage a battle over

Morning Roar: Cory Booker Decries the War on Drugs, But What About the War on Guns?

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Marc Clair Posted in Philosophy of Liberty, Second Amendment Leave a comment

Earlier this week, progressive dreamboat Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey appeared on “HuffPost Live” and made some strong – dare I say liberty-leaning – statements concerning the ongoing, disastrous affront to humanity known as the “War on Drugs.” Booker decried the drug war, stating that it makes life difficult for law enforcement and diverts attention from other crimes. Booker stated: “You shouldn’t be letting this bureaucracy grow so big,” Booker said. “It’s chewing up taxpayer dollars, squeezing out money. Would

2nd Amendment Watch: OH Supreme Court Says Gun Law Doesn’t Apply to Cops

Posted on February 25, 2015 by John Odermatt Posted in Second Amendment Leave a comment

Last week the Ohio Supreme Court essentially ruled that current gun laws should not be enforced equally across the population. The decision reinforced a common belief that police officers should not be held to the same standard as the rest of society. The ruling made by the Ohio Supreme Court held that a specification in a law, which provides stiffer penalties for individuals using guns in the commission of a crime, cannot be applied to a cop convicted of a

Morning Roar: Chicago PD’s “Black Site” For Illegal Detention, Abuse & Even Murder

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Brian McWilliams Posted in Liberty & Law, Police State, The Constitution Leave a comment

The War on Terror has created the opportunity for military and police forces in America to circumvent the rights and liberties of Americans (and others) in the name of safety and security. The most notorious aggressor is the still-open Guantanamo Bay facility where those labeled as terrorists go to disappear without trial, but domestic facilities exist as well, rife with terror and torture at the hands of the so-called “elite” of law enforcement and national security. While we’d like to

Lions of Liberty Podcast Ep. 82: Dr. Keith Smith of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Marc Clair Posted in Health Freedom, Podcast 2 Comments

In this episode of the Lions of Liberty Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Keith Smith, co-founder of and practicing surgeon at the Surgery Center of Oklahoma. Dr. Smith explains why he first went into the field of medicine, and details the problems he saw in the industry that led him to form the free market oriented Surgery Center of Oklahoma. Keith and I discuss how the medical industry in the United States is influenced by cronyism, and how this

Morning Roar: Populist Obama Wants to “Protect” Your Retirement Savings

Posted on February 24, 2015 by John Odermatt Posted in Current Events, Monetary Policy Leave a comment

On Monday, President Barack Obama continued his second term push to turn the tide of his failing presidency. His latest populist move involves backing a new measure the White House claims will protect middle-class Americans’ retirement plans. The new rules, drafted by the Labor Department, would impact financial advisers who make recommendations to people as they roll over their 401K account into an IRA. This routinely occurs when an individual leaves their job or retires. As Americans age, more and