Pleading for the Fifth

Recently Democratic Assemblyman Pedro Nava sponsored a proposal where witnesses could be charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report violent attacks. Somebody should mention that in the USA there is something called the 5th Amendment. I don’t have to say anything about a violent attack anymore than I must provide an answer to the question, “Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?”

Another no-no by government is the City of Santa Barbara making it a requirement for operators of marijuana outlets within city limits to surrender their rights under the 4th Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. The City has done so by making it mandatory that Santa Barbara Police inspect the facilities once a year without a warrant.—Matt McLaughlin