Annular solar eclipse dazzles New Mexico onlookers

Posted by Michael Swickard on Sunday, May 20, 2012
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From KOB-TV.com - By: Marissa Torres, KOB Eyewitness News 4 - The annular solar eclipse was everything Albuquerque expected and more. Thousands of people showed up to the Hard Rock Pavilion at Mesa del Sol to see the spectacular event. Solar eclipse glasses were passed out to the first 2,000 people, but if you didn't have it, professional astronomers and cosmic junkies set up their own telescopes for anyone to take a look. The eclipse started at 6:28 p.m., when experts predicted, and continued to pass over the sun for the next hour. Experts say the next annular solar eclipse will be in 11 years. Read more

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The Dept of Justice gets it right on the War on Cameras

Posted by Michael Swickard
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Courtesy: Reason Magazine
From Capitol Report New Mexico - The Department of Justice has come under a lot of criticism during Eric Holder’s tenure as secretary but you have to give credit when credit is due as earlier this week an official from DOJ came out in defense of citizens recording public events in the public square. We’ ve written numerous times about this “War On Cameras” and how too many public servants freak out when somebody pulls out a FlipCam to show (horrors!) what transpires on public property. On Monday (May 14), Jonathan Smith of the Special Litigation Section of DOJ sent a letter to city officials in Baltimore after police there were slapped with a lawsuit after allegedly grabbing the cellphone and deleting the video of a man who was recording the cops forcibly arresting a friend of his. Smith’s 11-page letter says the Baltimore Police Department should “prohibit officers from destroying recording devices or cameras and deleting recordings or photographs under any circumstances.” Furthermore, “officers should be advised not to threaten, intimidate, or otherwise discourage” people from using cameras or recording devices and reiterates court decisions defending citizens who record from their private property. Read more

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