Peter Schiff Announces Senate Candidacy

It's official. Economist Peter Schiff has announced that he will be running against Connecticut incumbent Chris Dodd for a seat in the United States Senate. Schiff made the announcement this morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe show.

You can check out Schiff's campaign web site here.

"Book Her, Danno!"

Here's a story right out of an episode of Seinfeld. From the Des Moines Register:

An overdue library book called "The Freedom Writers Diary" briefly cost an Independence woman her freedom Thursday.

Jesup police arrested Shelly Koontz, 39, on a fifth-degree theft charge because she allegedly failed to return the collection of essays about the struggles of inner-city Long Beach, Calif., high school students.

The book's retail price is $13.95.

"Theft is theft," said Jesup Police Sgt. Chris Boos, "whether it's a 50-cent candy bar, a $13 library book or a $200 TV."

Koontz is free after posting a $250 bond at the Buchanan County Jail. Efforts to reach her by telephone Friday were unsuccessful.

Tom McGlaughlin, president of the Jesup library board, said pursuing criminal charges against a patron for an overdue book is unusual, but the circumstances were also out of the ordinary. He declined to elaborate.

I'm not sure what surprises me more, the fact that such a big stink was made over one book, or that Iowans really take their reading seriously.

Killer Cop Resigns

The cop who shot a prone man in cold blood has resigned from the force. The San Francisco Chronicle has the story:

The BART police officer who shot an unarmed man to death on a station platform early on New Year's Day quit the force Wednesday, avoiding an interview with police internal affairs investigators trying to get to the bottom of an incident that has prompted broad outrage.

Officer Johannes Mehserle, 27, was supposed to make a statement Wednesday about why he shot 22-year-old Oscar Grant as the supermarket worker lay face-down at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland, BART said.

Video recordings made by at least two BART passengers and shown repeatedly on TV news programs have prompted speculation that Mehserle fired without provocation or by accident after Grant and several friends were detained around 2 a.m. in the aftermath of a fight on a train.

Mehserle, however, did not show up for the scheduled interview at 11 a.m. - the same time the funeral for Grant began in his hometown of Hayward. Instead, the officer's attorney and the president of BART's police union appeared and handed over a short resignation letter, BART spokesman Linton Johnson said.

President Bush a Shoe-in for Man of the Year in Iraq

Full story here.

Hillary Still in the Race?

Get your popcorn ready. Things are about to get interesting:

Senator Hillary Clinton will have her name included in a roll-call vote at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, a concession aimed at soothing her supporters and bringing peace to the party in the lead-up to the general election.

The planned vote was announced by presumptive nominee Barack Obama's campaign Thursday in a joint statement with Ms. Clinton, and reportedly came after weeks of negotiations between the two camps.

Translation: It ain't over, folks.

The Revolution Is Still Growing

The latest news from the Star Tribune:

Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul have ramped up plans for a local counterweight to the GOP's national convention in September.

Not content with a planned rally at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena on Sept. 2, the Paul forces now plan a three-day "Rally for the Republic" that will climax in a 10-hour extravaganza at Target Center in Minneapolis.

Podcasting for Liberty

Lew Rockwell now has a daily podcast. Check it out here.

Hey, It Could Happen!

More here.

New Web Site Format

Welcome to the updated EverVigilant.net!

To make better use of my time and resources, I have decided to switch over to a blog format. You may have also noticed that the link to my old PaleoBlog has been redirected. That's because the content from that blog has migrated over to this site and is now being published here.

I was reluctant at first, but I think this should make the site more interesting and versatile in the long run. If not, well, it certainly makes things easier to manage.

Let me know what you think, and thanks for reading!

And Now for This Important Message...

I received this via e-mail this afternoon:

Hello,

My name is Gary Franchi, the National Director of Aaron Russo's RestoreTheRepublic.com. Formerly known as the AFTF Network, Restore the Republic is the organization dedicated to educating and activating the people of this great republic with the message of Aaron's film, America: Freedom to Fascism. I am mailing you today to let you know of some developments in this great grassroots organization.

Aaron's film has had rampant success in raising awareness and activating the people to the vital issues affecting America today. Ron Paul even credits much of the success of his presidential campaign to the film. In case you didn't know, the movie is now available for $1. That's right, $1! Available in bulks of 100. Jump directly to the DVD sales page and get your copies to continue helping spread the word (www.AFTFMovie.com).

On another note, I and other key people in the organization have launched a publication called Republic Magazine. It's dedicated to the ongoing campaign to wake the people with the message of America: Freedom to Fascism. Like the movie, it is available for $1 per copy in bulks of 25. This issue is featuring presidential hopeful Ron Paul. Republic Magazine is another excellent tool to spread the truth, You can order your copies at www.RepublicMagazines.com

We have also recently teamed up with www.VoteRonPaul.com, a new website run by filmmakers, artists and activists who are dedicated to promoting Ron Paul and his run for the White House, please check out their site for exclusive content and gear to promote Ron Paul.

There are many exciting developments to come and many battles to win in the historic effort to "Restore The Republic". We may have had some victories fighting the REAL ID, but it is not over yet by any stretch. Please remain vigilant for our Constitution and continue spreading the word about America: Freedom To Fascism, one of the greatest tools since Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. Your continued dedication to the Truth makes more victories possible.

Yours In Freedom and Truth,

Gary Franchi
RTR National Director
www.RestoreTheRepublic.com

If you haven't seen Russo's film, you definitely need to check it out and share it with your friends and family.

Libertarian Filmmaker Aaron Russo Passes Away

Aaron Russo, who produced such Hollywood hits as Trading Places and The Rose, passed away on Friday, August 24, after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

Over the last decade, Russo gained popularity as a political activist, candidate, and Ron Paul supporter. But those of us in conservative/libertarian circles will remember him for his most recent film, America: From Freedom to Fascism.

He will be missed.

You can view America: From Freedom to Fascism in its entirety on Google Video.

Bridge Collapses in Minneapolis During Rush Hour

Local and national news outlets are reporting the collapse of a section of the I-35 bridge near downtown Minneapolis. From WCCO News:

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of 35W are lying in the Mississippi River.

There are multiple cars in the river and a couple cars on fire. According to one witness, there was a school bus full of children on the bridge.

Cars are still on the bridge.

There was no immediate word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.

Tons of concrete have collapsed and people are injured. Survivors are being carried up the riverbank.

Some people are stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.

A tractor-trailer is on fire at the collapse scene.

Some cars are still precariously perched on the bridge. Sections of the bridge are mangled, some are pointing up in the air and some are in the river.

"My truck got completely torn in half," said Gary Bavanaugh, who was on the bridge when it collapsed. "The bridge started shaking and it went down fast."

Bavanaugh said he was headed northbound on I-35W when he heard a huge rumbling and he saw a huge cloud of white dust as the bridge collapsed. He had his seatbelt on and said if he hadn't, his head would have gone through the windshield.

Bavanaugh said a school bus full of children was ahead of him. He got on the bus and helped children, who he estimated to be 8-12 years old, off the bus and off the bridge.

"It is just horrific," said witness Marilyn Franzen, who saw the bridge collapse. Franzen said she saw a school bus that managed to stop before the going over the edge of the bridge that she said was carrying 20-30 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.

According to witnesses, cars are crushed and mangled under the bridge where it collapsed onto the shore of the river. Street signs also crushed cars.

The road has been under construction since the beginning of the summer.

Here's what the scene looked like shortly before this post:

I live in St. Paul, but drive on this section of highway all the time. It's one of the most heavily traveled in the Twin Cities.

** UPDATE **
The latest report this morning (Aug. 2) was 7 people confirmed dead, 60 injured, and 20 missing. Also, video from a security camera showing the bridge as it collapsed has been released: