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"ICE, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has the power to seize web domains engaged in infringing activity under the same forfeiture laws used to

"ICE, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has the power to seize web domains engaged in infringing activity under the same forfeiture laws used to seize property like houses, cars and boats allegedly tied to illegal activity such as drug running or gambling. But seizing a domain name raises First Amendment concerns — though nothing in the court records show that the government or the court was concerned about the prolonged seizure of the site that is akin to an online printing press." Yeah, who cares about property rights? Wired seems to think that's unimportant. Freedom of speech is more worthy. The fact is that "innocent til proven guilty" is being violated when seizures are allowed before a case is proven. And the police go shopping under these forfeiture laws. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/exclusive%3A-state-police-caught-on-tape-during-drug-raid http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/exclu...

nirvana 15y ago
Regarding the shopping, the conflict of interest is astounding. Go after the guy with the money, because if you can make something stick, you get to steal the money, and keep it for yourself. Judges are incentivized to sign these asset forfeiture warrants because doing so helps keep them in the good graces of the police who have a union that is very politically powerful when it comes to election time. I know of one case where a judge did so even after having proven to him that no crime was being committed. It's extremely corrosive, and seems intrinsically corrupt.
rsingel 15y ago
As the editor of the piece, I'll completely agree with your assessment. Free speech rights are more important than property rights. The founders thought so too. But the implication that property rights don't matter at all to Wired because free speech rights are more important than them is logically flawed.
- stretchwithme 15y ago
  Does the article state any concern about property rights?

nirvana 15y ago

Regarding the shopping, the conflict of interest is astounding. Go after the guy with the money, because if you can make something stick, you get to steal the money, and keep it for yourself. Judges are incentivized to sign these asset forfeiture warrants because doing so helps keep them in the good graces of the police who have a union that is very politically powerful when it comes to election time. I know of one case where a judge did so even after having proven to him that no crime was being committed. It's extremely corrosive, and seems intrinsically corrupt.

rsingel 15y ago

As the editor of the piece, I'll completely agree with your assessment. Free speech rights are more important than property rights. The founders thought so too. But the implication that property rights don't matter at all to Wired because free speech rights are more important than them is logically flawed.

stretchwithme 15y ago
Does the article state any concern about property rights?