Free Talk Live - Published news - Regulation

Obama Signs Treaty Far Worse Than SOPA

lonelyhope — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:49:27 +0000

White House bypasses Senate to ink agreement that could allow Chinese companies to demand ISPs remove web content in US with no legal oversight

New Hampshire bill introduced to ban flouride from water supply

NHorBust2012 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:54:19 +0000

A bill introduced to ban fluoride and other harmful chemicals from the public water supply.

Indiana Bill wants to De-Regulate Cosmetology

snappytype — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:03:33 +0000

Indiana House bill 1006 is actually talking about attempting to de-regulate cosmetologists...and people are upset about it.

Italy to Kick Cash Habit as Monti Cracks Down on Tax Evaders

Cyphase — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Prime Minister Mario Monti, in office just over a month, wants landlords, plumbers, electricians and small businesses to stop conducting large transactions in cash, which critics say helps them evade taxes. The government on Dec. 4 reduced the maximum allowed cash payment to 1,000 euros from 2,500 euros. “If they force us to use credit cards, prices will go up,” said d’Andrea, noting that many retailers offer discounts to customers who pay in cash and don’t demand a receipt, in effect splitting with them the savings from evading the country’s 21 percent sales tax.

Walnuts Are Drugs, Says FDA

B-Nolfi — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:54:09 +0000

Seen any walnuts in your medicine cabinet lately? According to the Food and Drug Administration, that is precisely where you should find them. Because Diamond Foods made truthful claims about the health benefits of consuming walnuts that the FDA didn’t approve, it sent the company a letter declaring, “Your walnut products are drugs” — and “new drugs” at that — and, therefore, “they may not legally be marketed … in the United States without an approved new drug application.” The agency even threatened Diamond with “seizure” if it failed to comply.

Virginia drivers wrongly charged under insurance law

stefminus — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:16:56 +0000

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia motorists are being ticketed and convicted of a violation that is not a crime under state law: driving without proof of insurance.

WARNING: You are about to enter Massachusetts

phonon — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:16:47 +0000

Cross a state line and laws change. That's especially true between New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Laws relating to seat belts, guns, cellphones, motorcycle helmets, fireworks and knives are among those lawmakers want to warn people about. That's not to mention alcohol and tobacco prices and New Hampshire's tax-free shopping.

Six GOP lawmakers want the Department of Transportation to erect signs along every unmarked road leading from New Hampshire into Massachusetts, stating: "Warning: Massachusetts Border 500 Feet."

Living off the grid is illegal

jeffersonish — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Apparently living off the grid, off the land and without government assistance is now a crime that can land you in jail and cause you to lose your home.
Government officials across the country are forming so called “nuisance abatement teams” to intimidate people into giving up their land or conforming to the governments demands and hooking back into the grid. Counties across the country are actually jailing people for living the way they want to live.

DC Resident Fined Thousands For Not Recycling Cat Litter

Deslock Darkstar — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:34:12 +0000

It's the law in D.C. - recycle or face a fine from the Department of Public Works. But is enforcement of the law going too far?

Obese Third Grader Taken From Mom, Placed in Foster Care

Mattfree88 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:09:44 +0000

Obese Third Grader Taken From Mom, Placed in Foster Care

A Cleveland third grader who weighed more than 200 pounds was taken from his mother after officials reportedly said she did not do enough to help the boy, who suffered from a weight-related health issue, to lose weight.

“They are trying to make it seem like I am unfit, like I don’t love my child,” the boy’s mother, who was not identified, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “It’s a lifestyle change and they are trying to make it seem like I am not embracing that. It is very hard, but I am trying.”

Health Inspector orders food destroyed at farm to table party.

iamodd999 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:27:51 +0000

Power mad Health Inspector orders food destroyed at farm to table party.

Bill would make selling fake maple syrup a Federal felony

assawyer — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:08:08 +0000

Six senators introduced legislation that would make selling fake maple syrup a felony offense leading to fines and up to five years in prison.

City stops residents from being safe to back out of own driveway

pmfalcon — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:45:19 +0000

Glendale (CA) city officials are forcing residents to take down mirrors they’ve attached to trees in the public right-of-way so they can better see oncoming traffic while exiting their driveways. Residents say in the absence of any speed-reduction enhancements, such as speed humps, the round convex mirrors are one of the few safety measures they have. City officials, though, say it’s about more than tree damage. City codes don’t allow anything to be attached to city-owned trees or street-light poles. Also, nothing can be placed in the public right-of-way because of liability concerns.

Rand Paul stalls Senate education bill

bhouser — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:58:19 +0000

Republican Sen. Rand Paul may not have the clout in Congress to reach his goal of eliminating the Department of Education, but he can do a close second: shut down the Senate committee trying to pass sweeping new federal education legislation.

You have no right to grow or choose the food you eat.

ianCredible — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:43:33 +0000

That's right. A Judge in Wisconsin said so...
“no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to own and use a dairy cow or a dairy herd;”
“no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to consume the milk from their own cow;”
“no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of their choice”

11 Things You Won't Believe Governments Have Banned

knutars — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:53:19 +0000

A short list of forbidden items in different countries.
See also http://www.oddee.com/item_96828.aspx for a list of really senseless laws.

Town slams brakes on traffic tickets, accidents also drop.

stuntmantdave — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:03:55 +0000

A small city in Northern California has sharply reduced the number of citations, and the number of accidents there has dropped as well. Are tickets simply overused? (YES!)

OK State agencies sweep MidTown outdoor food market

okmike87 — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:40:33 +0000

The loving imperial government rolled in and shut down these horrible criminals daring to enter into contracts with willing customers who wished to purchase food and drink.

Gibson Guitar to Uncle Sam – “From my cold, dead hands”

Thrain — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:07:49 +0000

Are you a guitar owner? More important, do you own a guitar made by Gibson, one of the most well-known American guitar manufacturers? If so, listen up; you may be in Uncle Sam’s cross hairs – as a criminal.

DOJ Raids Gibson Guitars looking for Illegal Wood

stuntmantdave — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:12:11 +0000

"The Federal Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India. (If the same wood from the same tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal.) This action was taken without the support and consent of the government in India."