As we all know, The Patriot Act is the only thing keeping us from being brutally murdered in our sleep by our own countrymen. Warrantless wiretapping, "sneak and peek" warrants (OMG cutest sounding provision EVER) that allow law enforcement to kick first/ask questions later, and everyone's favorite: the library provision that lets authorities giggle at how many old Archie comics you've checked out. Obama extended all of these wonderful, terror-fighting things today for another four years. But he did it like most of us agree to the 98245234th update of iTunes' Terms and Conditions: with an electronic signature. Who reads that stuff anyway? more ›

After Sunday's news that a green laser was pointed inside the cockpit of a JetBlue plane coming in for landing at JFK Airport, now it turns out that other pilots have also been bothered by green laser beams. WABC 7 reports that the FBI is investigating the incidents; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Richard Kolko said, "Interfering with a flight crew is a federal crime, interfering with aviation. So, the FBI has looked into many of these laser incidents over the last several years. We've located some of them, arrested some and several have been prosecuted." more ›

At last night's ABC News/Facebook debate in New Hampshire, both parties' candidates held debates. After the Thursday's Iowa results presented Barack Obama as a winner and Hillary Clinton as a disappointing (to her campaign) third place, some interesting things transpired during the Democratic debate. Obama and Iowa runner-up John Edwards apppeared to team up against Clinton. The NY Times called it an "allegiance of convenience" and noted that the defining moment was when Clinton tried to call out Obama's leadership:

As Mrs. Clinton attacked Mr. Obama as waffling on the Patriot Act and Iraq war funding, she sought to make an ally out of Mr. Edwards. She suggested that Mr. Obama had hypocritically tried to paint Mr. Edwards as inconsistent on the issues. All eyes turned to Mr. Edwards, and he delivered a coup de grace — siding dramatically with Mr. Obama instead of Mrs. Clinton. more ›

People planning weddings - or people wondering why they've seen so many weddings outside lately: Theres a nice article about the trend towards weddings in parks and other public spaces in the city in today's NY Times Style section. With parks - complete with dazzling views - getting cleaner and safer, couples are getting married in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn and Gantry Plaza in Queens. The most important thing to investigate is the kind of permit or permits you may need (depending on the size of your party, whether you have music, chairs, photographers with tripods, etc.). Here's the Parks Department FAQ about events, including weddings in parks. If you're not having a complicated affair (small, no music, no chairs), it's just a $25 permit. more ›

It had to happen sometime: Democrats are busting former mayor Rudy Giuliani's chops over comments he made yesterday during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. The Politico's Roger Simon reports:

“I listen a little to the Democrats and if one of them gets elected, we are going on defense,” Giuliani continued. “We will wave the white flag on Iraq. We will cut back on the Patriot Act, electronic surveillance, interrogation and we will be back to our pre-Sept. 11 attitude of defense.” more ›

I saw Zach Galifianakis(Comedy Central Presents, Comedians of Comedy, Dog Bites Man) at the UCB theater a few months ago and he was going some crowd work. Some lady said something, I don't remember what, but Zach's response was, "Don't get me farted." From that, you can gather two things: Zach Galifianakis is a comedic genius and you should definitely see him at Irving Plaza on the 24th of February. more ›

Note to everyone tempted to go wild with a laser pointer: Don't - unless it's in a meeting or the privacy of your own living room. A Brooklyn teenager was arrested after shining a laser at a NYPD helicopter last night. And the pilot was momentarily blinded. The police chased Anthony Pepe through Dyker Park and finally caught up with the 19 year old, who was with some friends. Pepe was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, as the police want to remind people lasers are dangerous. In January 2005, a NJ man was charged under the Patriot Act for lasering a plane and helicopter in December 2004. more ›

George Saunders, Writer more ›

Udi Ofer,
Director,
NYCLU's Bill of Rights Defense Campaign more ›

Sylka and John, Flag Makers more ›

We were stoked to read in Playbill that Academy Award-winning actress Holly Hunter (. more ›