Drake and others, this issue of being "outed" online is primarily a US/UK issue (and a few other English-speaking countries); in the EU and other countries, the people despise such policies and many governments refuse to capitulate to police-like authorities, especially in the US and UK, that practice these and other privacy-invading/destroying practices. I mean, only HERE have I found that every rinky dink company wants private data to do business with us. And, they're collecting it either because the feds require them to or because they want to sell it the feds. Revealing the individual behind blog posts, etc., is the next logical step in that process.

NOW, that said, folks, listen, free speech ain't free. For one thing, too many of our young folks are dying overseas so you can be free to say what you want to say. For another, freedom of any kind comes with responsibility. Yes, you're free to say whatever you'd like about me in any venue choose but, um, I'M free to respond how I wish based on what you say. If you defame or libel me or terrorize or stalk me online, I'm FREE to pursue legal action against you and the courts will take a very dim view on what you've said and sanction or punish you! Don't take it for granted you can say whatever you want online and anonymously and, in doing so, harm someone else (or threaten government officials!) with no consequences and, for the most part, you won't be outed! NO amount of privacy protection can (or should) protect irresponsibility.

Mike, here's what we did to make certain I had a right to my Dad's house after he died or if something happened to him. Keep in mind that you're talking about combining asset protection and privacy when dealing with real property. That's very difficult to do, though it's doable but, it requires some legal understanding or professional help and clever but legal planning. First, we created a "Real Estate Power of Attorney". While you don't have to, we DID file this with the county where his home is located but I don't live there so I really don't care. (That I don't live there is, in part, why we did this; it was a judgment call.) Moreover, this county doesn't have its records online so, bon chance to those looking for the document to locate me. And, even if you do find the document with my name on it, the document contains a ghost address in a faraway state and no phone number. Second, we did a will BUT wrapped that in a trust, which will be registered in a DAPT state under a name other than my father's and where his legal rights will be protected. (These trusts, "Domestic Asset Protection Trusts", is, again, more about asset protection than privacy but can achieve both, done correctly. That means this isn't a "will kit" will and trust. (The trust, alone is a nearly 50 page document, in fact). The state where we're registering the trust specializes in this kind of trust. Done right, even a statutory trust can protect privacy BUT the trust documents are like any other trust--only a court of competent jurisdiction can force open the trust, revealing its terms. And, I wish anyone going up against us and our attorneys some serious luck because they're gonna need that and much more money. Third, we created a few "internal" documents that are notarized (by notaries within our own close circle of private friends) that give me right and title to that house and which are NOT filed with any state agency. This last tactic will work for you and your wife because such documents, correctly drafted, are Constitutionally and legally valid and will hold up in court. MAKE SURE you have your Health Care Directives and Powers-of-Attorney documents in order, along with the will and trust (which does NOT have to filed with any state agency; we're only doing it because of my Dad's asset situation; it's smart for us but not necessary for most people)If you do these things and keep them up to date, something too many people fail to do and find they are not as legally sound as when they were drafted because the laws have changed but their documents haven't, you'll be fine.

Dan, here's where I disagree with JJL, at least partially. He's right, DON'T do it--on U.S. shores. If you really feel called to say whatever it is you're going to, just say "no" to U.S. datacenters for your webservers. I'll use my family as an example: We have a very unique family history that has been known to cause controversy among those who experience serious discomfort with the idea that people who "look" like us could be related to certain historical figures. We have lots of certified proof, though, going back hundreds of years and for reasons I can only attribute to God, many of us still uncannily resemble those ancestors. But, lots of folks hate us for who we are. (And, no, I won't say who we are.)

To complement a book a distant cousin of ours "across the pond" wrote nearly a decade ago about our family history (and BOY was he hated for that book, most of which was proven true), I'd like to write about our history/launch a website about our family and debunk a ton of historical myths about folks who are held in very high esteem but are thought to 'be' or 'have been' other than who they actually were. (Those of more recent vintage--those who've lived in the last 200-300 years--have been romanticized/'heroized'; those who lived before that who had mere feet of clay, deified--few were viewed realistically.) We'll be truthful and, because we're not angry with them or anything, aren't going to engage in historical revisionism--except to revise some revisionism that's already occurred--honoring and respectful. These are, after all, truly our loved ones. We come from these people so to 'hate' them would be to 'hate' ourselves. We ARE, however, going to be honest because we think it's important. This will go over like a lead balloon hovering over a 4th of July concert and some folks will seek to silence us. Our solution has been to take our servers offshore, completely, AFTER researching which countries will ACTUALLY be able and willing to protect our right to free speech.

What's rather ironic to us is, we're noticing a NUMBER of both US government and large multinationals that are US-based taking THEIR servers offshore, too! Why? Because they don't want to be beholden to US anti-privacy (and pro silly litigation) laws anymore than we do. Legally, there's nothing wrong with doing this unless you ignore what I stated in my first paragraph OR unless you go offshore specifically to commit acts illegal in the US while your "body" remains physically located here. (Non-US citizens have been busted when getting off planes on US shores after committing internet crimes with US citizens or using US servers.) So, if "controversial" really means "illegal" or "grey-area", JJL is right. Forget it because they won't fly anyplace on the planet. If it's a truly legitimate (legal, non-defamatory/libelous content) issue, and you REALLY must say whatever it is you intend to say, take it offshore.

But, do your research first and get your privacy issues on US shores straight before you go offshore. Lease your own servers; don't use a web-hosting company. Receive and send ALL of your email (personal and business) from those servers and use as many non-US (non UK) service-providers for any other communications services you need. Also, a Linux-based server is better than Windows because open-source is legally safer than proprietary software--and most of it is free.

Make sure what you're doing/saying is legal in the jurisdiction where the server is located and make sure NONE of your DNS servers (nameservers) terminate on US (or even UK/Canadian) shores. Write under the name of a pseudonym ("pen name") AND conduct business in the name of a nominee formed entity and learn which kind of entity is acceptable where you want to do business but that won't get you flagged on US soil.

Finally, if you want to do this thing right--staying within both US and offshore jurisdictional laws and maintaining your privacy--expect it to take MONTHS to get your project up online. It can be done but it's getting harder and harder to do so, like everything else privacy related, do it now while you still can. If you're truly called to say what you want to say, this is the way to honor that calling.

We are required to update our Post Office Box records. The office of HOMELAND SECURITY has mandated that all post office boxes have current records on all box holders. We started to do this BEFORE the mandate. Some of you may have been asked to provide ID. If you are being asked again,it is because we are also required to have used a more recent application form. We apologize profusely for your inconvenience. We are on a deadline , so please stop within 10 days of this notice or we will be forced to hold your mail at the counter until the necessary information & signatures are obtained.

I checked the homeland security site & couldn't find out much, but think this is something to do with the real id trying to make national.Have you heard of this anyplace else ? I know they are going to want to see my driver's license & other form of Id for every person receiving mail at box & you have to bring a piece utility bill with the mailing address ^ can't be p.o. box , but physical address. Can you address this issue please& any laws that may be on it. I'm going to ask to see the homeland security laws that require this. Kay

If you wish to document the marriage, then get a lawyer to draft a private contract of marriage which you both sign, and you can have it notarized, or you can file a copy with the County Clerk somewhere.

Filing a document with a county clerk or recorder does not get into the county searchable databases per se as a "marriage license," particularly if you title it something like "Domestic habitation contract."

It will be public record, but the chances of someone finding it is small unless they know the specific clerk's office to query. Your names may end up in the recordation database, so someone specifically looking for you could find this clerk's office and search for your name and ultimately find the contract.

But if you want to "be married" and have it completely confidential, but still legal and provable if necessary, just go to a common law state, eschew the license (which is NOT required) and sign a private contract that you have notarized during the ceremony (in duplicate or triplicate) and just keep the contract in your safe deposit box.

If it ever occurs that you have to prove marriage (which is infrequent to nonexistent these days) the contract is sufficient proof.

...

Note to Mike from JJL:

In my ever-so-humble opinion, I think you will be happier with a 100 percent legal marriage. If this can be done in Canada, that would be the best.

Second choice would be to get married in some state far from Ohio, such as Alaska, and use a local one-time ghost address there. (Not sure if you can get by with just first and last names.)

Your names will be on record that way, but so what? Your real address will not.

Also (as Jack said), contact the media. Tell them that you were placed under false arrest in your own home on a bogus charge, that the officer violated your 4th Amendment rights by entering your house without a warrant and clearly despite your objections.

Who cares what Georgia law is, this is a FEDERAL matter because they entered your home, which is the most constitutionally protected area according to the U.S. Supreme Court. Regardless of what state law says, police are not exempt from federal law.

Perhaps the attorneys didn't return your call because you didn't get the right type. What you need is a civil rights attorney. If this happened to me, I would have these guys all over the news, and I wouldn't be settling for a cold beer with Obama either! Cops have been fired and suspended for less serious stuff and if what you tell me is true, this is very serious.

Time will pass and people who watch the news most likely won't remember your name, but they'll definitely remember the names of these officers who harassed you when they are brought into court and sued along with the city.

I think you also made a mistake of giving them your driver's license. If it were me, I would have given them my passport. They don't need to see my driver's license unless I'm operating a motor vehicle at the time.

I recently purchased a house in georgia (atlanta metro area). The house needs a new driveway. Before putting the driveway in, I needed to remove a large dead oak tree that's next to the driveway. I contracted with a tree service to remove it. They cut a few few limbs and neatly piled them on the side of the road (not blocking the road at all) and had to leave to get the chipper from another job.

In about 20 minutes the neighbor came over to complain, I told her that they would soon return , to chip the branches, she said she was going to call the city, I said go ahead.( I wasn't nasty or no profanity was used) She called the police instead.

At that point I was in the basement talking to a friend when there was a knock on the door, my friend, thinking it was the neighbor, went to answer the door, and saw the police running around the side of the house, where the officer asked for my ID. When I asked what they were doing on my property, they just laughed, and would say nothing . I told the officer my ID was upstairs, she then followed me upstairs, and as I closed the door, the cop was trying to force her way into the house!

I was immediately terrified and through sheer instinctive impulses to protect life and property I succeeded in closing and latching the door and slid to the floor with my heart pounding and my left leg asleep from the waist down (due to spinal deformities for which I've been under a doctor's care for four years). When sensation returned to my leg and I was able to stand (sometimes minutes, sometimes hours pass before standing is possible), I got my license from the cabinet but was not sure what to do. (After I had collapsed against the door, I pulled myself out of the way because I thought she might try to kick in the door.)

For what seemed like an eternity, I was standing in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do. I went to the window next to the door that I had locked to see if she was standing there. When I saw she was not there, I opened the door and walked down the stairs to the back yard. She was talking to my friend and I handed her my license. She then walked me around to the front of the house and handcuffed me in front of the neighbor. I finally knew why she had come to my house. I could feel her pushing on the door to get it. I locked the door got my ID and went back outside where I was promptly arrested. I later learned That I was charged with obstructing an officer.

I still dont know what I did wrong except that I did not let the police in my house. I contacted 4 lawyers and only one has returned my call, He acted like the whole thing was my fault.

Please any help ?? I feel like my rights have been violated. I'd like to fix up my house, but looks like I wont be able to with this neigbor

... Well, Robert, I wish you were just renting (so you could move), but it appears you own the house. I know that some PIs, law officers, and attorneys follow this forum. Might one of you men or women be able to offer Robert some advice?

If this had happened to me, and the facts were as you state them, I would contact newspaper and TV reporters. They're always looking for a good story!

Can anyone out there give their opinion as to which coin is the best to purchase? There are American Eagles, Canadian Maples, Austrian Philharmonics, etc. I would imagine that in a long term barter scenario, we could eventually see a rise of fake silver coins or bars, which could cause certain coins to be preferred more than others.

From what I have seen, the vast majority of people are purchasing American Eagles, so I could easily see that particular coin becoming a preferred barter currency.

I know that Gold American Eagles have traditionally been more popular (and have thus sold for a little more) with purchasers because they are 22K gold, which is little more durable than 24K Canadian Maples. With silver, that isn't an issue.

Any thoughts???

From what I am gathering most things that are considered legal only after filing with the appropriate government channels such as property with the county auditor and marriage with the clerk of courts, CAN still be recognized as legal if an attorney drafts the proper legal documents. Is this right? Has anybody out there had any success or difficulty achiiving and maintaining these layers of privacy?

A question is whether one can rent an apartment (without having a credit check run) in one's own name and have that info dissemenated. The simple act of a credit check itself doesn't communicate that you actually decided to accept the lease (make sure the apartment complex did not put a record of your lease on your credit reports). This might help you eliminate the apartment as the leak and direct you to look at the electricity.