Sarah Stillman in The New Yorker gives a chilling account of how civil forfeiture laws are being abused by local police. If you care about civil liberties and the safety of your own property, you will want to read this story. Her lead example takes place 176 miles east of here, outside of Longview, in the little town of Tenaha, Texas.
Every candidate for governor and attorney general — currently parading up and down the state pandering to the base about abortion and the defense of marriage at Republican town hall meetings — ought to be required to answer sharp questions about the collapse of liberty in this supposed liberty-loving state. Yes, I’m looking at you, Dan Branch.
