I was honored to be invited to speak at a very small panel at the largest and most prestigious gathering of experts in the fields of drugs and drug policy – the drug policy alliance biennial conference. I spoke about the free software movement’s view of cognitive liberty, and why the drug policy reform movement is a natural ally for free and open source software.

….now before you jump on me about the “order of magnitude” comment with encryption – I fully realize that with increasing strength that decryption becomes several orders of magnitude more difficult, but as this was not a technology conference, I didn’t want to belabor the point.

Here’s a video from the University of Pittsburgh, which became, in every way a reasonable person can suppose, a police state / martial law zone during the recent G20 gathering.

I’ve been staying out of the folly of video posts about the Pittsburgh G20, but this video is worth a watch.  This is by no means the worst thing that happened or was recorded, but the videographer in this case is really outstanding.

I teach a class on recording police, including encounters in which the journalist is or is not involved.  This journalist did everything correctly.  I wonder if he / she was looking exclusively through the viewfinder?  That is my surmise.

Great job.  I’m sure the cops will not be held accountable for this assault.

In the past few days, my video of declining to show ID to a police officer who “pulled me over” as I was inline skating in Port Dickinson, NY, has become my #1 post.  I’m happy that people are learning about the limitations that agents of certain governments, in this case New York State, must operate under.

There are a number of places with commentary, if you want to join the discussion:

• The comments section of the post itself is the best discussion, and the one I’d prefer to house the archive.
• My Vimeo page for the video has quite a few comments as well.
• Also, there is a hilariously childish discussion on a third-rate yuku site called “The Rant.” I don’t know whether to laugh at these people or feel bad for them – if nothing else, the site seems to serve as a place to vent.  I didn’t expect my post to cause these kind of tantrums, but perhaps it’s therapeutic for the participants.

UPDATE:

Now a forum has started here at a website I’ve never heard of called bcvoice.com.  It’s somewhat similar to the yuku site, but with a modicum of maturity.  One thing I love is that people – quite a lot of people at this point – will sit and waste their time at their keyboard wondering aloud why this <insert fairly random disparaging adjective> “kid” would waste his time asserting his basic rights in his own community.

A while ago, I blogged about the story of the Hempstead 15 and Nick Morgan, an Iraq war veteran who had his face smashed by a horse-mounted riot cop.

Well, it seems that the outrageous charges against them have now been dismissed, clearing the way for them to proceed with their civil rights lawsuit.  Here’s an exerpt from a facebook message I got on the matter this rmorning:

What happened at Hofstra will forever remain with all in attendance and those who suffered most. May it be burned into America’s conscience as well, but let it be a turning point. A moment in time from where clear divergence emerged.

Police and veterans from across this Nation have contacted us with their support and ultimately the same message: “We’re tired of this!”

So it is with great determination and much momentum we move forward, Nick and several into a civil case, and myself into a fight with the Army.

Shortly after our action at Hofstra, I was sent notice by the Army that I would be prosecuted for my refusal to reactivate and deploy to Iraq last summer. The Army wants to separate me on grounds of misconduct which I vowed to fight in May and continue to stand by firmly. I’ll know more on my exact hearing date soon, but with a good amount of support, I believe we can win this thing and prove once and for all that servicemembers have a right to refuse participation in the occupation of Iraq.

The message also encourages readers to join a Facebook group, “I support Matthis Chiroux’s decision not to go to Iraq.”