Thursday, 4 February 2010

Amanda's Bill Away - Liberty Be Damned!

When I heard about Amanda's Bill I thought cool they want to find a way to help women with domestic problems. Then I read what they wanted to do and warning bells went off in my head. They wanted to use tracking systems on those under an EPO. Wait a second. These people have not been charged with any criminal activity. Why are we wanting to track innocent people? The government has no business tracking people who have not been charged with a crime. I don't care what they might do. It only matters what they have done. I don't want the government tracking my location because they think I might some day in the future break a law. That is a precedent that would lead us down a very dangerous path!

Apparently, District judges have the same concern. It was part of the issues they raised about Amanda's Bill.

There are at least 18 other states that have passed similar legislation but it appears that tracking devices are used only in criminal cases in most of those states. Emergency protection orders and domestic violence orders are civil matters, the judges said.
Some judges said they would favor using the device after there has been a violation of a domestic violence order, which is a criminal offense.

Bingo! These are civil proceedings and the government has no business tracking people who have done nothing wrong. Destroying personal liberties doesn't even phase Stumbo.

Stumbo has said that he believes restriction of movement in a civil case is constitutional.
After Thursday’s hearing, Stumbo said he believes that the judge’s concerns will not derail the bill.

This is the same legal genius who has argued that slots are a form of lottery. What blows me away is his utter disregard for the opinions of judges who are best suited to understand the legality of what they propose. I am all for protecting women in violent relationships, but this bill does little to protect women while taking away too many liberties from law abiding citizens.