By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Independent voices from the TWT Communities

Second Amendment supporters beware: Cathy Lanier is talking tough — Annie Oakley tough.

The Washington Times took home 14 awards from the Virginia Press Association in reporting, photography, illustration and multimedia categories, including a best-in-show recognition for investigative reporting on the hiring practices of the District of Columbia government.

The city is experiencing lower homicide rates, as officials recently announced, and that is truly good news (and let's pray it continues). Gathering, disseminating and sharing accurate daily, weekly, monthly and yearly crime information equals credibility. As things stand now, the department is blocking the public's view.

Sparing the rod does more than spoil the child.

The loudest headlines in local news are often about shootings, stabbings and assorted mayhem, events that should routinely leave us questioning whether we even value life anymore.
D.C. fire chief never fully vetted; D.C. having budget 'kerfuffle'; Romney wins Virginia; P.G. police decide to charge council member Toles with reckless driving; Details emerge about Md. assembly's 'doomsday' budget; Maryland Democrats pose another smoking ban; 50th anniversary of deadly Ash Wednesday storm; Muth indicted for first-degree murder in death of Georgetown socialite; MoCo approves cameras on outside of school buses.
Virginia Democrats blocking budget; Speeding Prince George's lawmaker surrenders car; ACLU alarmed about D.C. police surveillance; O'Malley signing gay-marriage bill; Metro crime rate among highest in U.S.; D.C. votes to loosen handgun regulations; Registration begins for Easter Egg roll.
D.C. officials trying to unravel lottery contract; Testimony: Thomas used trust as 'check-on-demand' place; Prosecutors want Leslie Johnson to pay up; Dinged Virginia GOP now focusing on budget; Court dismisses suit on Virginia's congressional map; Virginia attorney general settles with questionable Salahi foundation; Maryland Democrats reconsidering so-called millionaire tax.
Maryland gay-marriage debate begins in undecided House; Johnson wants installment plan for his $100K fine; Huguely defense: Love died of suffocation; D.C. police to restore online crime map; Thomas whistle-blower among those vying for his Ward 5 seat; Funeral services today for Alexandria paramedic; Sentencing today for Ehrlich campaign manager.
Defense lawyers aim for manslaughter at Huguely murder trial; D.C. fire department spokesman put on leave over racism accusations; McDonnell's agenda takes hit in Virginia Senate; Va. considers special assembly session; Alexandria paramedic injured in fall from overpass; D.C. workers won't be prosecuted in fraud case; O'Malley, Franchot spar again.
D.C. Council repeals iGaming; Opening statements expected in Huguely trial; D.C. fire official scrubs Twitter account of racism charges; Franchot: Gas tax hike 'crushing'; D.C. mayor acknowledges missteps; Trump acquires Old Post Office Pavilion; Sharpton cuts video supporting Maryland gay marriage.
Murder trial begins for Virginia lacrosse player; Georgetown civic group wants to install surveillance cameras; McDonnell, O'Malley tangle on TV; Police raid OccupyD.C. camp; Many Virginians without nest egg; Maryland 'robocalls' trials continue; Sulaimon Brown goes to traffic court.
Feds to enforce overnight-camping ban at Occupy D.C.; Virginia considers drug testing for welfare recipients; Fire Chief Ellerbe feels the heat; Va. judge allows redistricting suit to continue; O'Malley seeks minority support for gay marriage; Federal law might halt nationalizing D.C. war memorial; Metro workers disciplined for 10-car train; D.C. cracks down on illegal taxi company.
Police-involved shootings on rise; D.C. to announce medical marijuana growers; McDonnell budget without Potomac funds; Md. lawmakers already filing General Assembly bills; D.C. Council sets I-gaming hearing; Va. General Assembly poised to scrap over K-12 funding; Wiz fans boo Kardashian's ex, Humphries; Md. financier pitching infrastructure plan to Congress.
Va. officials meet to discuss possible Silver Line overruns; Deadly night in D.C.; Gingrich to Richmond; Maryland GOP: New map protects powerful Democrats; Md. judge hears redistricting suit; D.C. wants to overhaul cabs; Judge hears update about Wilder-led bankrupt slavery museum.
Andrea Noble, ace public-safety reporter for The Washington Times, explained the anticipated standoff with armed demonstrators this way in a May 7 story:
SIMMONS: Showdown awaits — at high noon? — on Memorial Bridge →
Of course, we gun-rights supporters are a-hankerin' to see if, come Independence Day, the chief marks her own words: "If you're coming here to break the law, then we're going to take action," she said in an interview on News Channel 8. "There is a pretty good chance we'll meet them on the D.C. side of the bridge."
SIMMONS: Showdown awaits — at high noon? — on Memorial Bridge →