About Brenda Poland

Brenda Poland [send her email] is the state chapter coordinator for the New Jersey Tenth Amendment Center.

Author Archive | Brenda Poland

Bill to Nullify Drone Spying Introduced in New Jersey

By on March 22, 2013 in Uncategorized

Add New Jersey to the long list of states opposing drone operations within their borders.  Drone surveillance activity using unmanned aerial vehicles or “UAVs”  has become an urgent issue threatening the right to privacy, recognized by the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.

Anti-drone legislation recently introduced by Assemblywoman Quijano (D)  and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Handlin (R),  A3929  begins its journey with bi-partisan support.

The bill prohibits the use  drones in New Jersey with a few exceptions.

No State, local, or interstate law enforcement agency or officer shall utilize an unmanned aerial vehicle to conduct surveillance or to gather any evidence or engage in any other law enforcement activity within this State.

The legislation does allow for drone use if the Department of Homeland Security determines it “is necessary to counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization,” or for reconnaissance during a natural disaster or declared emergency.

A3929 prohibits prosecutors from using evidence collected by drone surveillance in court and allows a person victimized by drone spying to seek damages in Superior Court.

Tenth Amendment Center executive director Micheal Boldin called the bill extremely strong, noting that even with the exceptions, the law would eliminate most drone use in New Jersey skies.

“Police are totally banned from using drones entirely, except in those specified, very limited situations, which are rare and already the status quo. Most states considering limits on drones  are considering lesser bills that allow drone use on warrants issued under any situation,” he said. “Consider this: at a recent hearing on a bill in another state, a major drone lobbyist told the committee that ‘with these requirements for warrants and reporting, there won’t be any drones…’ He then proceeded to explain how not having a drone ‘parked over your children’s school’  would leave them open to dangerous attack by possible mass murderers wandering the streets. Ridiculous. These limits will work and they are needed.

A3929 was introduced on March 14 and referred to the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Contact Committee members. If you live in New Jersey, contact members of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee  and ask them to pass A3939 on to the full Assembly for consideration. You can find committee contact information HERE.

2. Contact your assemblyperson: Contact your own representative and urge them to limit the use of drones in New Jersey. You can find Assembly member contact information HERE.

3.  Encourage your local community to take action as well. Using model legislation from the Tenth Amendment Center, you can introduce legislation to nullify Drones in your city, town, and county with the Privacy Protection Act .

Model legislation here: http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/legislation/privacy-protection-act/

4.  Share this information widely.  Please pass this along to your friends and family.  Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state.  Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

While the bill only limits drone use by state and local government, it will have some serious impact on intended results being pushed by the federal government. At this stage in the ‘drone game,’ the feds are working hard behind the scenes to get states to operate the drones for them.

In fact, the primary engine behind the expansion of drone surveillance being carried out by states and local communities is the Federal government itself. Department of Homeland Security issues large grants to local governments so that those agencies can purchase drones. Those grants, in and of themselves, are an unconstitutional expansion of power.

The goal? Fund a network of drones around the country and put the operational burden on the states. Once the create a web over the whole country, DHS steps in with requests for ‘information sharing.’ “Bills like these put a dent in this kind of long-term strategy. Without the states and local communities operating the drones today, it’s going to be nearly impossible for DHS plans to – take off.”

 

 

 

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Don’t Comply, Nullify!

By on October 15, 2012 in Uncategorized

How do you know when the government is out of control?  When you are controlled by the government.   Easy right?

I  saw an image recently with the words  “Caution: Tyranny Ahead!”   I thought, that must be an old one because it’s already here.  It’s all around us.  The people submit to despicable TSA violations and are now stopping dead in their tracks when ordered to “Freeze” by TSA agents.  Yes, it is a sick game of obedience training.  Unfortunately, people today are very easy to train.  The government doesn’t need to reward the people with a treat like dog trainers do.  The “fear factor” has worked wonders for the police state.  Those among us who don’t comply or who speak out for liberty are harassed, threatened and detained by the ‘authorities’.

Tyranny is slipping through every door and window of our home.  I could take up the rest of the day listing each instrument, so here’s just a few:  Obamacare, UN Agenda 21, the Federal Reserve, TSA, FDA, EPA, ATF, FBI, NSA, DHS, Patriot Act, NDAA, gun control measures, militarization of the police, etc, etc.  For now I’d like to focus on just two:  Obamacare and the NDAA.

First, we should not expect the solution to come from Washington, DC.   All three branches of the federal government are engaged in destroying the US Constitution, and have been for a long time.   Regardless of  who wins the presidential election (from the 2 party system) the same liberty destroying policies will continue.

We are the solution.  The only way to take control back from a tyrannical government is nullification on state and local levels. Continue Reading →

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Supreme Nonsense

By on July 5, 2012 in Uncategorized

The US Supreme Court has proven once again that it has no interest in upholding the US Constitution.

PPACA is absolutely and completely unconstitutional and should have been struck down in its entirety.   Chief Justice Roberts went out of his way to save it by accepting the government’s argument that the mandate could be viewed as a tax.  In essence, this “law” was rewritten by the court to ensure its survival.

This tax/penalty applies to a certain class of people who by choice go without health insurance. It is enforced by the IRS, and don’t worry, it’s not really a large amount of money anyway.  Gee, thanks.  Roberts’ opinion (p. 32 of the Court document) states, “The question is not whether that is the most natural interpretation of the mandate, but only whether it is a ‘fairly possible’ one… As we have explained, ‘every reasonable construction must be resorted to, in order to save a statute from unconstitutionality’.”

Those who put their hopes in the federal supreme court to rescue them from the federal government are probably still in shock, but should have expected this outcome by now.  The biggest mistake today is the assumption that the US Supreme Court has the final say on what’s constitutional, and the states must just sit there and take it.  Not so. Continue Reading →

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New Jersey: Steps to Oppose Foreign Policy Blowback

By on May 23, 2012 in Uncategorized

Introduced on May 14, 2012,  AJR66  “respectfully urges the President and the Secretary of Defense to withdraw all New Jersey National Guard personnel from Afghanistan.”

The resolution includes statements on the cost and continuation of Operation Enduring Freedom, the sacrifice of multiple tours and the continued  ”deployment may leave the citizens of the State of New Jersey vulnerable in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack as the New Jersey National Guard may not have the personnel or equipment to adequately respond to an emergency.”

The absence of Vermont’s National Guard helicopters after Hurricane Irene might have served as  a wake up call.  All of Vermont’s urgently needed Black Hawk choppers were in Iraq.

This statement in the resolution seems to address  ”blow back” – the CIA’s term for unintended consequences: Continue Reading →

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ACTION ALERT: Health Care Nullification Bill in New Jersey!

By on March 22, 2012 in Uncategorized

New Jersey A861 would render the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”  null and void in the state.  Sponsored by Assemblywoman Alison L. McHose, this bill not only voids the insurance mandate,  it declares the entire act null and void within the state.

“This bill renders the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” Pub.L.111-148, as amended by the federal “Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,” Pub.L.111-152, and any federal rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, null and void and of no force and effect in the State of New Jersey.”

A861 currently sits in the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. Your help is needed to get it moving towards a floor vote (action steps below)

BASIS FOR THE BILL

The bill itself provides the rational for nullification, based on the Tenth Amendment: Continue Reading →

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New Jersey Tenth Amendment resolution on the table

By on January 23, 2012 in Uncategorized

By: Brenda Poland

The New Jersey Assembly will consider a Tenth Amendment Resolution during the 2012 legislative session.

ACR50  claims state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted by Constitution to federal government. While this resolution does not carry the force of law, it includes forceful language to strengthen the foundation for further state measures designed to nullify federal usurpation.

WHEREAS, Federalism is the constitutional division of powers between the national and state governments; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson called for “the support of the State governments in all their rights, as the most competent administrations for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies;” and

WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people;” and Continue Reading →

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New Jersey bill would decriminalize small amounts of pot

By on January 17, 2012 in Uncategorized

Legislation has been introduced in New Jersey that will decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, making it a minor offense basically on par with a speeding ticket.

A1465  would establish various degrees of fines for possession of small amounts of cannabis, while removing the severe criminal penalties under the current N.J. law.

Members of the Assembly sponsoring this bill include: REED GUSCIORA, MICHAEL PATRICK CARROLL, BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, L. GRACE SPENCER, and PETER J. BARNES, III.

This bill also has 13 co-sponsors.

This bill would decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana. A person who is found to possess 15 grams or less of marijuana would be subject to a $150 fine for a first violation, a $200 fine for a second violation, and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent violation.

A person who possesses drug paraphernalia for the personal use of 15 grams or less of marijuana would no longer have committed a criminal violation but would be subject to a $100 civil penalty.

Additionally, this bill would establish that it is no longer a disorderly persons offense to be under the influence of marijuana or to fail to voluntarily deliver 15 grams or less of marijuana to the nearest law enforcement officer. This bill would also eliminate the requirement that a person who operates a motor vehicle while in possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana must pay a $50 fine and forfeit the right to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two years.

This bill would not apply to persons who are in compliance with the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,”

The federal government bans the use and cultivation of marijuana throughout the U.S., even for medicinal purposes. An honest reading of the Constitution with an original understanding of the Founders’ and Ratifiers’ intent makes it quite clear that the federal government has no constitutional authority to override state laws on marijuana.

To visit the Tenth Amendment Center’s Legislative Tracking Page on state efforts to stand up to the federal government on this issue click HERE.

 

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NJ Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

By on November 16, 2011 in Uncategorized

On the heels of our state’s medical marijuana program, essentially nullifying the federal Controlled Substances Act, legislation has now been introduced in New Jersey that will decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.   A4252 establishes various degrees of fines for possession, while removing the criminal penalties under the current NJ law.

“An honest reading of the Constitution with an original understanding of the Founders and Ratifiers makes it quite clear that the federal government has no constitutional authority to override state laws on marijuana.”

-excerpt from the legislative tracking page:  http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/nullification/marijuana/   where you’ll find information on many states’ efforts to stand up to the federal government on this issue.

Introduced on Nov. 10, 2011,  this bill has 4 Sponsors and 15 Co-Sponsors.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A4500/4252_I1.HTM

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Patriots Watch Interviews Michael Boldin

By on August 30, 2011 in Uncategorized

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Billy Baer and Dan Haggerty of Repatriot Radio’s “Patriot’s Watch” interview Michael Boldin, founder and executive director of the Tenth Amendment Center. Many topics are discussed in this hour-long episode.

Patriot’s Watch is broadcast every Wednesday at 3PM to 4PM on WNJC 1360AM.

“Going to the federal government to fix problems created by the federal government doesn’t work!”

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Nullification Movie Trailer

By on August 11, 2011 in Uncategorized

“…That the several states who formed that instrument, [the Constitution] being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and, That a nullification, by those sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts done under color of that instrument, is the rightful remedy…” Thomas Jefferson

A documentary film about an idea whose time has come…..

What do we do when the Federal Government steps outside of it’s constitutional boundaries? Do we ask federal bureaucrats in black robes to enforce the limits of it’s own power? Thomas Jefferson and James Madison didn’t think so, and neither do we. The rightful remedy to federal tyranny rests in the hands of the people and the several States. It’s called “nullification” or “interposition.” It’s an idea whose time has come.

This yet to be released documentary from the Foundation for a Free Society and the Tenth Amendment Center features Thomas Woods, Michael Boldin, Debra Medina, Stewart Rhodes, Sheriff Richard Mack, Charles Goyette, Kevin Gutzman, Robert Scott Bell, Mike Maharrey, and others. In it we explore the history of state nullification, the constitutional legitimacy of the idea, and how nullification can be used today to push back against the encroachment of federal power.

The above excerpt is from:
http://nullificationmovie.com/ (visit this site for more information)

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