Yesterday the Mises Institute published a brilliant article titled “End the Shutdown,” making the point that continuing the “house arrest” of Americans and the shutdown of the economy will have much worse consequences than the coronavirus itself. With the infection to fatality ratio at about the rate of the seasonal flu (as per a new Lancet study), is the continued destruction of American economic and social life worth it? Watch today’s Liberty Report: 

Keep your eye on Pompeo! President Trump is understandably distracted by the coronavirus outbreak in the US but in the “never let a good crisis go to waste” mode, the neocons in his Administration – led by Pompeo – are launching their war plots without the normal scrutiny. Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Russia – the long knives are coming out. Trump has been able to put the kibbosh on Pompeo’s plans before, but a distracted Trump is in danger of losing control of his foreign policy. Launching a foolish war in the midst of the current crisis would surely spell disaster for the president. Watch today’s Liberty Report:

Throughout the country, bureaucrats and politicians are clamping down on the Constitution in the name of fighting a virus that thus far has not shown itself more deadly than the seasonal flu. Those numbers can change and it can be a serious disease, but as after 9/11 we are being told we must sacrifice our liberties in the name of security. Government did not deliver then and it will not deliver now. Liberty stolen will not be returned. Is there a better way? Watch today’s Liberty Report:

The controversial speech of Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., on the floor of the House of Representatives shows how members can fuel rather than fight hysteria and panic. The incredible scene was played out as the very task force members who she referenced are trying to rebut some alarmist predictions and estimates. Much of the nation is sheltering in place. We get it. However, Rep. Stevens seems intent on elevating not the discussion but the volume of the national discourse.

What was most notable is that Stevens was not saying anything particularly new . . . just saying it louder. Indeed, the Democratic Majority Whip was trying to give her the added 30 seconds that she had asked, but she was yelling over his voice.

Everyone is supporting our health care workers and “taking the disease seriously.” As for “you will see darkness,” we could all use a bit more light from our elected officials. Once the yelling ended, Grandpa Abe Simpson seemed to have more a hold of himself in his prophesy scene.

The chair spoke for the entire nation in saying “The gentle lady from Michigan is out of order.”

Reprinted with permission from JonathanTurley.org. 

As governments all over the world enact and enforce unprecedented policies to deal with the pandemic, where do our rights stand? Are we abandoning our rights for security? Ron Paul Institute Director Daniel McAdams and Constitutional lawyer Robert Barnes join RT’s Crosstalk to debate:

The assault on our civil liberties is in overdrive. Habeas corpus is thrown out the window and the government is asking to be able to indefinitely detain Americans without charge or trial. Constitutional law attorney John Whitehead, President of the Rutherford Institute, joins today’s Liberty Report to discuss these threats…and to let us know what we can do about them! Watch today’s Liberty Report:

Now that the coronavirus scare has much of the country fearful and sheltered-in-place, there are more than a few special interests that are profiting massively from the “Emergency State” that has emerged. Crony capitalists, corporate criminals, Keynesians, big brother government advocates, previously unknown minor county officials…there is plenty of profit to go around. Don’t miss today’s Liberty Report:

While major military exercises have been cancelled in Europe due to coronavirus fears, the US has decided to continue with war games in the Middle East aimed at making war on Iran. On the home front, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is using the virus to fight a hybrid war on Iran and other US ‘enemies.’ Will kicking them while they’re down really work to our advantage? More sanctions on suffering countries? Watch today’s Liberty Report:

With nearly one-third of all Americans on government-enforced lockdown and the National Guard pouring into the streets, it’s a good time to take stock of the coronavirus scare and the real nature of the threat. What is our most important investment as the markets crash? Watch today’s Liberty Report:

As with everything else, the government is making the coronavirus outbreak much worse. Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the few original thinkers in the US House believes government should step out of the way and let the free market address demands for things like testing kits. Plus, Massie briefs the Liberty Report on the ongoing threat to our civil liberties posed by the PATRIOT Act as it has been temporarily renewed. Don’t miss today’s Liberty Report!

Neocons never like to allow a good crisis to go to waste. While Americans are increasingly threatened by authoritarian politicians if they dare leave their homes to protect against the spread of a virus that may end up being less deadly than the flu, the neocons are hard at work stirring up war on Iran. More sanctions, bombing “Iran-backed” militias in Iraq. And more. Panic is good for the war business. Don’t miss today’s Liberty Report:

After lowering the interest rate to zero and pumping trillions into the market, the Fed is finding that it has no tools to address the inevitable bursting of the bubble. They may try to blame the economic tsunami on coronavirus, but this crash has been in the works for some time. Mises Institute President Jeff Deist joins today’s Liberty Report: