A group of 138 individuals, including journalists, academics, technologists, celebrities, and thought leaders, have signed the Westminster Declaration, urging governments, tech companies, and the public to protect free speech and open discourse. Notable signatories include Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Tim Robbins, Oliver Stone, Glenn Greenwald, Jordan B. Peterson, John Cleese, Richard Dawkins, Jeffrey Sachs, and Steven Pinker.
The declaration expresses concern over the increasing international censorship that threatens democratic norms. It condemns labeling protected speech as “misinformation” or “disinformation.” Signatories who criticized official COVID-19 counternarratives include Jay Bhattacharya, Martin Kulldorff, Aaron Kheriaty, and Robert Malone.
The declaration points out that the misuse of terms like “misinformation” and “disinformation” has led to censorship, suppressing valid discussions on critical topics, undermining representative democracy’s principles, and violating free speech rights. It cites domestic and international laws, including the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and highlights instances where free speech has been threatened by public and private actors worldwide.
The Westminster Declaration identifies a “censorship-industrial complex,” involving public, private, and academic entities, which monitors and suppresses citizens’ voices. It mentions the role of agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and mainstream media fact-checkers. Legislation like the U.K.’s Online Safety Bill and Australia’s Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is criticized for potentially restricting expression.
The declaration argues that social media platforms, under the influence of this complex, use subtle methods like visibility filtering and labeling to silence lawful opinions, with the support of “disinformation experts” and “fact-checkers.” The EU’s Digital Services Act is mentioned as formalizing this relationship.
Signatories stress that free speech includes protecting offensive speech, as open discourse is essential for accountability, empowerment, and preventing tyranny. They believe robust debate is the best safeguard against misinformation and disinformation.
The declaration calls on governments and international organizations to uphold Article 19 of the UDHR, tech corporations to protect the digital public sphere and refrain from politically motivated censorship, and the public to join the fight for democratic rights.
The signatories emphasize the importance of building a culture of free speech, rejecting intolerance and embracing inquiry and debate. They assert that censorship in the name of preserving democracy is counterproductive and undermines the democratic process. The declaration highlights free speech as the foundation of equality and justice campaigns throughout history, advocating for the right to ask questions and open debate.
The modern primary system of choosing a presidential nominee developed to replace shady backroom deals among party insiders with a transparent, democratic process.
Unfortunately, the Democratic National Committee is trying to bring back the days of insider crony politics. But now you can do something about it! Our campaign is circulating a petition link to pressure the DNC into running a fair and free primary election.
We urge you to sign the petition and share it with friends – whether or not you are a Democrat, and whether or not they support Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Why? Because an undemocratic primary is bad for democracy.
Here are some of the things the DNC is doing to rig the primary:
The DNC has revoked New Hampshire’s century-old status as the first primary state. The new first state is South Carolina — which President Biden won, in contrast to losing New Hampshire and Iowa.
The DNC has drafted rules that if any candidate sets foot in New Hampshire, no votes cast for that candidate will count. Regardless of his margin of victory, Mr. Kennedy would receive zero delegates. The DNC is also demanding Iowa change its voting process or face similar sanctions.
The Georgia state Democratic organization has a rule allowing a candidate who campaigns in New Hampshire to be booted from the ballot in Georgia.
Ten states have failed to meet the DNC’s own rules for delegate selection. In some cases, they have not even announced a primary at all or made the necessary petition forms available.
The DNC has created a special class of superdelegates called PLEOs. Only Democratic Party officials and elected officials are eligible. Since none of these will dare provoke the wrath of the DNC, Mr. Kennedy won’t receive any of them. That means he could lose the nomination even if he wins 70% of the vote.
The DNC is just getting started. There is no telling what else they’ll cook up behind closed doors to throw the election toward their anointed candidate, President Biden.
Donate today to put a Kennedy back in the White House — Elect Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as President to unite America in 2024!
Obtaining a maximum justice verdict is possible in any case, from soft tissue injury or mental anguish only cases. The result will depend on the vibrational energy created during the trial which points to Love. Yes folks, take it from someone who thought the best trial lawyers were half crazed wolves looking to battle every second. 35 years later when I approach a case, I am feeling my way through the facts, legal principles, the cast of characters involved in the case and the judicial system that provides the opportunity to tell the human story of pain, struggle, and hope. I am trying to touch universal truths that resonate with love and compassion.
The court system in Connecticut, where I try cases, is understaffed, overwhelmed and short on patience. In a recent case involving a 19-year-old passenger of a car driven at a speed of up to 100mph, which slammed into a large shag bark hickory tree and went up in flames, the trial judge told us during jury selection we would be limited to 3 damages witnesses. We had ten ready to surround our client in a blanket of love by pitching in to tell different pieces of her story. It took time and patience to slowly convince The Judge to drop the wall he created. After two days of trial, The Judge recognized we had a “big case” as he described it, and we never heard another word about limiting damages witnesses.
The Defense bar is a step slow and lagging behind in trying to tell its story in a human way that points to love, and we hope to stay just out of their reach as we put things back in balance, one compelling human story of pain, loss, and hope, at a time.
What does it mean to sue your own insurance carrier? We all know in basic terms what it means, namely to bring a lawsuit against your insurance carrier, but what is the significance of it? There is a lot of apprehension surrounding this notion… including “Will my carrier drop me?” “Will they raise my rates?” The bottom line is you pay for insurance each year providing the insurance carrier with hundreds if not often thousands of your own dollars that they hold onto for the “in case” situation. They collect it, saying it is for “your benefit” but then punish you if you want to use it? Doesn’t it make sense to take some of that back? Especially when you are injured due to no fault of your own and need it? It is no different than paying for health insurance and then not using it when you go to the doctor/hospital. No one would do that! We should not be afraid to use motor vehicle insurance in the same way.
Ferrylaw is a firm that is not afraid to go after the big corporations to see that you get something back for the insurance policies you have paid into for all of these years. When these corporations continue to hold onto your money without paying what you are owed, this can be considered bad faith on their part. What is bad faith? In the context of an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim – either where the driver who is responsible for the accident does not have insurance (uninsured) or is not adequately insured (underinsured), your carrier has a duty of good faith and fair dealing. What is that? It means they owe you an obligation to review your claim in a timely and effective manner and pay you what is justly owed to you. It is a greater duty than what they would owe if you were merely someone bringing a claim against one of their drivers. When you are insured by these big insurance companies, they must treat you “special” and when they fail to do so, this can be considered bad faith.
Insurance companies holding onto your money
We recently handled a case against one of the largest insurance carriers out there, Geico, and took the claim all the way to trial where our client was given a verdict of $2.2 million dollars – over 25 times the carrier’s last offer at $79,000.00. It took Geico over two years to offer our client $79,000.00 only to be told by a sensible group of people (a jury of her peers) that her harms and losses were worth more than 25 times this amount. Given this fact and Geico’s failure to offer a reasonable amount, we brought a bad faith claim that is now up on appeal. Insurance companies should not and cannot be allowed to hold onto our money to their benefit and our detriment. Our client was forced to endure the long and painstaking journey of going all the way to and through a trial only to be told what we knew all along, that her claim was worth well in excess of what Geico was willing to pay her (their own insured). Now that is bad faith at its finest. Imagine if our client was too afraid to go after her own carrier or tried to handle it on her own. She would be left a fraction of what she was entitled to. Unfortunately, her policy was capped at the $79,000 which Geico finally offered at trial. However, without taking them all the way to the courthouse steps, she would not have obtained anywhere close to that. Their last offer prior to trial was less than half the policy limits. It is important to hold these companies accountable, particularly where it is your own carrier committing these bad acts.
Trucks Laws in CT – Are truck drivers following the rules?
Trucking regulations in Connecticut are rules and requirements specific to the Constitution state that govern the operation of trucks on its roads. These regulations are designed to ensure safety, protect the environment, and maintain the quality of Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure. Here are some key points about trucking regulations in Connecticut:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Similar to the nationwide requirement, truck drivers in Connecticut must obtain a CDL to operate commercial vehicles. This license ensures that drivers have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely drive large trucks.
Weight and Size Limits: Connecticut has specific weight and size restrictions for trucks to protect its roads and bridges. These limits determine the maximum weight a truck can carry and the dimensions it must adhere to. Violations can result in fines and penalties.
Hours of Service (HOS): Connecticut follows the federal HOS regulations that limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on duty and driving. These rules are in place to prevent driver fatigue and maintain road safety. Drivers must take regular breaks and have mandatory rest periods.
Special Permits: Oversized or overweight trucks may require special permits to operate in Connecticut. These permits are issued for loads that exceed the standard weight or size limits. They ensure that the transportation of these loads is done safely and without causing damage to infrastructure.
Vehicle Inspections: Trucks in Connecticut undergo regular inspections to ensure they meet safety standards. Inspections cover areas such as brakes, tires, lights, and cargo securement. Violations can lead to fines or the truck being taken out of service until the issues are addressed.
Environmental Regulations: Connecticut has environmental regulations in place to reduce truck emissions and promote cleaner transportation. These regulations include requirements for emission control systems and the use of cleaner fuels to minimize air pollution.
Hazardous Materials: The transportation of hazardous materials in Connecticut is subject to specific regulations to ensure the safety of the public and the environment. These regulations govern the handling, labeling, and transportation of dangerous substances.
It’s important for truck drivers and trucking companies operating in Connecticut to be aware of and comply with these regulations. Failing to do so could result in severe injuries and death. These regulations help maintain safety on the roads, protect the environment, and ensure the efficient movement of goods throughout the state.
Ferry Law is thoroughly trained in investigating and analyzing whether the truck driver and the companies they are driving for were following these regulations after a wreck. We work with the nation’s top experts in the field to forensically evaluate each truck crash case we handle. Frequently we find evidence and involved parties that even the Police miss. Understanding the regulations that apply to commercial drivers and the companies they drive for can better inform victims of what went wrong and what decisions were made to put that truck on the road if they or a loved one get hurt in a wreck involving a truck.
Contact us today if you have been involved in a truck wreck or truck-related accident.
Watch as Dr. Bush presents the well known dangers of glyphosate to humans and life on our planet.
At Ferry Law, we have organic gardens at our office to help educate our clients and get them in touch with the soil. Every mass extinction in the history of this planet occurred because the soils were choked out. Glyphosate is killing our soil and leading us toward extinction.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this deadly poison, contact Ferry Law today.
Attorney Sam Martin, Attorney Monique Foley and Attorney Kevin Ferry attended a 4-day workshop at the Buddhist Temple of Toledo. We attended daily 6 a.m. meditation and workshops on sharpening trial skills and centering and calming clients and ourselves. The three teachers were one of America’s very best Truck Accident Lawyers, Michael Leizerman; the Temple Abbot, Jay Rinseh Weik Roshi; and author and creative dramatic arts consultant, Joshua Karton.
Trial lawyers deepen compassion for all humans
This was an experience like no other we have attended for honoring our skills as trial lawyers. The focus of the workshop was compassion for all humans and relieving suffering by bringing maximum justice for our clients. It was a life affirming and career affirming experience for all three of us. Lawyers who take the time to do the practice required to remain calm, centered, and compassionate for all are obtaining the best outcomes for injury victims and by doing so are raising the boat for all. We are lighting the way for more complete justice for our clients and Ferry Law is committed to this path for the benefit on all beings.
May all be happy May all be safe May all find peace May all have enough food to eat May all know the love that lives inside of us
Ferry Law’s own Wellness Coordinator, Leslie Gordon, just returned from Costa Rica where she led participants in a week-long yoga and wellness retreat. In addition to yoga and meditation, the group took part in a variety of excursions including zip-lining, scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, a horse therapy experience and some relaxing time on the beach bathing in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The private retreat center also offered massage and other related wellness therapies. Vegetarian and vegan cuisine nurtured body and spirit. Ferry Law is proud to offer a full-time wellness coordinator to help you start or enrich your wellness journey. For more information on wellness options at Ferry Law, contact Leslie at leslie@ferrylaw.com.
On Wednesday, Aug. 17, without warning, Facebook informed Children’s Health Defense (CHD) that their page was deplatformed (unpublished). Simultaneously, their Instagram account was deplatformed (suspended). Each of these platforms had hundreds of thousands of followers. Collectively, more than half a million followers have been denied access to truthful information. They received the following notifications from both platforms:
Fighting Big Tech + Big Pharma
Despite not posting content on Facebook for the past 21 days due to an existing 30-day ban, and constantly self-censoring their content in an attempt to avoid continual shadow-banning and censorship, both pages were abruptly deplatformed. Removing CHD accounts is evidence of a clearly orchestrated attempt to stop the impact they have during a time of heightened criticism of our public health institutions.
Deplatforming by the tech giants came days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quietly walked back many of their previous COVID-19 policies that CHD has criticized since the beginning of the pandemic. Within hours of CHD deplatforming, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky shared her plans for overhauling how the agency works while admitting to a flawed response to the COVID-19 and pandemic missteps.
There’s no clear indication of why Facebook and Instagram chose to deplatform the CHD at this time, but the timing dovetails with our ongoing censorship lawsuit against Facebook. CHD filed a lawsuit against Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, in August, 2020. Recently, in its Ninth Circuit Court appeal filed on July 29, CHD provided the court with CDC-produced documents the agency shared with Facebook. These documents, provided to Facebook on a regular basis, contained what the CDC considered misinformation. Titled “COVID Vaccine Misinformation: Hot Topics,” the CDC documents asked tech giants to “be on the lookout” (BOLO) for various topics they consider to be misinformation including: COVID-19 vaccine shedding, VAERS reports, spike protein data and more. The CHD case is currently pending in a Ninth Circuit decision.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said:
“Facebook is acting here as a surrogate for the Federal government’s crusade to silence all criticism of draconian government policies. Our constitutional framers recognized this peril of government censorship. We don’t need a First Amendment to protect popular or government approved speech. They incorporated the First Amendment specifically to protect free expression of dissenting opinions. They understood that a government that can silence its critics has license for every atrocity.”
Roger Teich, CHD legal counsel for the Meta lawsuit, added, “Censorship is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American.”
Big Tech Wants the CHD Silenced … Don’t Let Them Stop Them!
Despite attempts to censor CHD, they will continue their important mission. Many people only followed them on these large social media platforms so it is important to let them know they have been deplatformed. Please share all or parts of this email with your friends and family so they can sign up for the free newsletter, “the Defender,” and watch the censorship-free shows streaming live daily on CHD.TV. Right now, email is the most reliable way to stay in touch.
If You Followed CHD on Facebook and Instagram, You Can Find CHD’s Same Great Content on Other Social Media Channels
Don’t miss this critical information and content! Children’s Health Defense can also be found on Twitter, Telegram, Rumble, MeWe, Parler, Gab, Gettr, Reddit, Bitchute, TikTok and Sovren. Follow them on these platforms and spread the word with others to do the same.
($2,900.00 to $25,000) and ($20,000.00 to over $2 million)
Only a jury has the power to set the price for the value of human life or the things taken from a life of health and happiness. The jury decides how much a human should be paid for the terrible job of being in pain and having our joyful activities taken from us. If the value of human life were set by corporations, who often use computers to evaluate claims, we would all be devalued substantially.
A client with musculoskeletal pain following a motor vehicle accident was initially offered $2,900.00 to settle her case. Ferry Law filed suit and the offer was increased to $6,500.00. A year later, the offer went to $10,000.00. When we approached the trial date (inside 90 days) Ferry Law demanded the insurance company question the client in a deposition or the matter would go to trial without regard for the $25,000.00 insurance policy limit carried by the at-fault driver. Once the deposition concluded with the insurance adjuster watching, Ferry Law told the insurance company to pay the $25,000.00 policy or the matter would be put to the jury. The release for $25,000.00 settling the case was delivered the next day. $2900.00 to $25,000.00 because the insurance company knew that a jury would care about the woman’s injuries far more than it did.
A more dramatic account of how corporations dismiss pain and loss of life’s enjoyment is our recent New Britain verdict in Bouazza v. Geico. The Insurance company filed an official offer to settle for $20,000.00. The jury who heard about the women’s pain, anxiety, inability to sleep, loss of ability to pursue her gifts in life decided the value of what had been taken from our client was $2,262,000.00. This is our 3rd verdict since 2016 over 1 million in The New Britain Superior Court and still the judges tell us that New Britain juries do not provide fair verdicts. We will keep doing our part to prove the judges wrong.
The jury system is the last stand against corporate domination and control! We the people have the right to the pursuit of happiness and the inviolate right to a trial by a jury of our peers!
Attorney Ferry has expanded his training for trial work by certifying in a mindfulness program that increases focus and attention and creates clear thinking all while acting as a shield to stress brought on by the conflict inherently involved in pursuing litigation against an opponent. The WHM is a powerful tool to combat stress and inflammation in the body and brain caused by stress and clients at Ferry Law are exposed to and offered mindfulness teachings as part of Ferry Law’s commitment to help our clients heal faster from their injuries and feel better.
Attorney Samuel Martin and Kevin Ferry have joined the American Trucking Attorneys Academy, ATAA. Membership is for those willing to become visionaries and to work at this craft to bring justice to those who have had a dangerous truck take away life or good health.
Truck Accident Litigation
Truck Accident Litigation is Ferry Law’s focus and we will win record verdicts by telling our clients stories. Attorney Martin just litigated his first case and won a verdict in excess of 2 millions dollars with the help of the amazing paralegal and legal assistant team. Attorney Ferry cross examined a Johns Hopkins-educated paid, opinion witness hired by the insurance company to belittle our client’s severe injuries and exposed that doctor for his greed and apathy towards the client’s very real and debilitating pain.
Mindfulness in the Courtroom
Attorney Ferry also brought his mindfulness and advanced breath work practice to the courtroom. He delivered a passionate closing argument that inspired the jury to recognize the deep connections that exist between all human beings and the importance of their duty to fully return what had been taken away in the way how health and quality of life from the client.
Ferry Law is turning up the heat on dangerous trucks and carriers. For any Connecticut Truck accident, contact 833 Ferry Law or email us at Kevin@ferrylaw.com. We want to keep ‘em trucking safely! Anyone involved in hauling a dangerous load should be fully responsible! There is too much to risk to have it any other way. We are honing our expertise in Truck Accident law to see that happen like never before!
My wife, Jill used to work at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for the research unit called CRES (The Center for Research on Endangered Species) in the late 1980s. She did primary behavior research on mother-infant dyads, both as an intern and later as an employee. In particular, she was involved in behavioral studies involving Lion-tailed macaques, which are an endangered species of monkey from India. The purpose of the research was to find ways to increase the emotional well being of the animals, as some of these monkeys have significant issues breeding in captivity.
There was one mother named Polly and her infant daughter Dewa which were particularly interesting. Polly would let her infant girl nurse for a while and when she was tired of it, she would pull her off her nipple and literally hold Dewa’s head to the concrete floor for about 30 seconds. Dewa would scream and chitter – with her little arms and legs flaying around. Then Polly would suddenly let her go and the infant would run screaming away from her. It was horrifying to watch.
Jill observed this pair through infancy. She continued to observe as Dewa grew up and had an infant son of her own. One day, when the little boy monkey was quite small, Dewa got tired of the baby nursing. She literally pulled him off and held him firmly to the ground as he squirmed and screamed- just as her mother had done to her.
The effects of abuse, neglect and harms done to children can and will pass through generations. Often, these long-term effects on the person are unknown until the person is grown up and has children of their own.
Our children are our future. They must be protected from heavy handed, ineffective policies that marginally protect adults over the well being of our more precious asset. Our children. Let me write it again for emphasis… our children are our future.
I have written and spoken out about vaccine mandates for children and why they are wrong. Children are rarely at risk of severe disease from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 and almost all deaths of children have been those with co-morbidities. The vaccines have a high adverse event profile in children that has not been fully analyzed. This is reason enough to not allow mandates, even State government or regional school board mandates. But I have not written as much about masks, school closures, and the selfishness of teacher’s unions, who are more interested in protecting themselves than children.
Children are at very little risk from COVID-19 severe disease. Most kids in the USA now have natural immunity, many have been vaccinated, and Omicron is nothing more than a cold for the vast majority of children and adults. Even during Delta, children rarely develop severe COVID-19 disease. They have strong, healthy immune systems. This disease is stratified by age and co-morbidities. We all know this by now. Furthermore, neither masks nor vaccines prevent infection, replication or transmission of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2.
There is no reason to mask children in schools. There is no reason to mask children in shops, restaurants, parks, after school program, etc. There is no reason for children to have plexiglass shields around them in the class room. There is no reason why we need to deny children exercise programs, sports, after school care and physical education. It is time to end social distancing programs and let kids be kids. Children are social beings. Having normal social interactions with other people, with other children is critical to growing up in a healthy environment. Social isolation of children is not ok. Sports, after school program, childcare, recreational activities and extracurricular activities need to return to normalcy.
One important way children learn is by mimicry. Facial expressions of friends, teachers, mentors, parents not only are important for speech development, they are important for children to learn emotional norms and behaviors. We do not know what damage we are doing by masking. At this point, long term effects are unknown.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 unvaccinated children must be treated no differently than any other child. It is not anyone’s business other than the parent’s whether a child is vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. American’s have a fundamental right to privacy and there is no exclusionary clause for people younger than a certain age. Unvaccinated children or unmasked children should not be segregated, shamed or put in special rooms. They should not be excluded from the playground or sports activities. Society, our government, is doing an unprecedented and known amount of damage to the healthy development of our children. This has to stop.
COVID-19 testing of our school children needs to end. Not only is it a medical procedure that is being forced upon children, often without their permission, it is not needed. It is uncomfortable and more than that, it is a violation of their bodies. This is particularly true when schools and other social institutions are forcing this test upon children because of their vaccination status.
As the Biden administration doubles down on masks, testing and vaccines for children, people are waking up. The democrats are creating an army of new republicans and independent families, who are currently and will be voting in the future at the midterms.
That’s a 14-percentage point swing from a nine-point Democratic advantage to a five-point GOP edge, and among the largest advantages the GOP has ever held in Gallup polling.
As we travel around the country, speaking a conferences, churches, summits and rallies, we hear from parents over and over again phrases like this.
“I used to be a democrat, but now I don’t think I will ever be able to vote for a democrat again.”
“ I don’t know what I am anymore.”
“I am questioning everything I use to believe about the democratic party”
The science is very clear on our children. The data is clear. Children need to be allowed to have normal childhoods. Our parents who are paying attention know this.
The powerful entities who control the media are afraid of one thing. People coming together. The Defeat the Mandates protest in D.C. was a coming together that has these folks concerned. The efforts to divide and conquer are so blatant now that even Government is publicly calling for censorship. The acting United States Surgeon General has called for Joe Rogan’s podcast to be censored. Rogan interviews some of the brave doctors and scientist who have been analyzing data and peer reviewed articles from around the world and disseminating the painful failures of government health policies. With 11 million registered to listen to Joe Rogan disseminate scientifically valid information, more than double the numbers watching CNN, the reason couldn’t be clearer. This call for shutting down speech should be frightening the hell out of the group that have the most fire power, the lawyers. Regardless of who you believe, this should frighten all of us and catapult us into action. Immediate, peaceful action.
Democracy is under attack. With no due process, a million businesses were shut down when the pandemic first arrived. With no due process or legislative action or amendment to our constitution our right to assemble, right to our religious freedom, and guaranteed right to jury trial have been subverted. This may be the biggest test of our Democratic way of life and the strength of our Constitution our Country has every encountered. The amount of fear being peddled by the media narrative dictating by Corporate and Governmental interest, is causing confusion, poor decision making and assaulting our populations already tenuous state of mental and physical well-being. Insurance industry statistics reveal an unexplained 40% increase in all mortality deaths since the pandemic in working aged people. Our children are suffering up to a 20 point decrease in Intelligence Quotient testing because of isolation and mask wearing and fear. Worse, young children are committing suicide and turning to intoxicants. The long-term consequences of any policy driven by fear is beyond comprehension for most.
Last weekend in Washington D.C., approximately 20 to 30 thousand people gathered peacefully at the steps of the Lincoln memorial to protest the mandates and to protest the corporatization of medicine. Doctors from all over the country spoke about the stifling impact of corporate dictates that prevent Doctors from being Doctors. Jew, Christians and Muslim, Doctors, Firefighters, and professional athlete speakers united on the steps to speak of the harms occasioned to their people. Many recounted the remarkable work of Martin Luther King who stood where they stood to denounce the prevailing laws of the day. The media, who were perched high above on a platform atop thirty feet of scaffolding were met with chants, “Do your job, do your job”. Unfortunately, what most of the media did was to ridicule and demonize the event. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. gave a passionate speech and paid a heavy price for using an analogy that offended many and led his own family and wife to denounce that part of his speech.
I met many people who traveled from the Midwest and further to attend this one-day event. People from all walks of life and differing political beliefs and affiliation. One engaging person told me that a peaceful protest is more than twice as likely to succeed than a violent one. She also said something I had never heard and found encouraging. It takes just 3.5% of a population to bring about change. With just a small fraction of the people in a society actively participating in protest and activism, serious political change is ensured.
The disinformation in our media and the Oligarchy that has become our “main stream” media has been delivering Napalm bombs on public discourse, and the exchange any idea that does not swim with the stream. I have always been amazed and humbled by the power of salmon. We have all seen the journey salmon make to swim up stream to get to the breeding pools where they die after struggling to bring the next generation to life. It seems to me we are in such a struggle. One we owe our children and one we must make to honor our ancestors who traveled across continents on foot, lived outdoors and hunted for food that was also hunting for them. We have become so soft and so scared that we are easy to manipulate and divide. The disinformation and wrong information contained in the very powerful stream washing over us constantly is not designed to preserve our culture, or better it. It is not intended to bring the people together. It is not a stream of information that has any real compassion or love in it. Impeccably credentialed scientist and doctors who are caring, hones and risking their careers to swim against the stream are being attacked with smear campaigns. Oppressor opinions rarely resort to the “science” that proves these people wrong, but instead discredit with innuendo or outright hate speech. Many are too afraid to realize what is happening and go with the narrative without critical thinking and debate. They are attached to their version of an island of safety in those beliefs. I have realized that you cannot tell someone in the steam that it is toxic, you just must show them you care for them and will love them no matter what. You can point out that there is information available that reveals the dangers in the stream but let them come to that information without explaining it or telling them what it says. If we loose friendships, distance ourselves from family or are unable to consider all opinions, the oppressor wins every time. Hate is a sure looser.
The powerful entities who control the media are afraid of one thing. People coming together. The Defeat the Mandates protest in D.C. was a coming together that has these folks concerned. The efforts to divide and conquer are so blatant now that even Government is publicly calling for censorship. The acting United States Surgeon General has called for Joe Rogan’s podcast to be censored. Rogan interviews some of the brave doctors and scientist who have been analyzing data and peer reviewed articles from around the world and disseminating the painful failures of government health policies. With 11 million registered to listen to Joe Rogan disseminate scientifically valid information, more than double the numbers watching CNN, the reason couldn’t be clearer. This call for shutting down speech should be frightening the hell out of the group that have the most fire power, the lawyers. Regardless of who you believe, this should frighten all of us and catapult us into action. Immediate, peaceful action.
Many of you have heard of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay-teacher), a Zen Buddhist Monk who died last week at age 95 at his root temple in Vietnam. He became a monk at age 13 and has been a peace activist his entire life. Yesterday, at one of the Monasteries he established in the United States, Blue Cliff, I sat in a chair in the cafeteria, facing a wall. Directly in front of me was a photo of Thich Nhat Hanh and Martin Luther King taken in 1966. The two spoke out against the Viet Nam war and King nominated Thay for the Noble Peace Prize. For those interested, King’s letter can be found on the Plum Village web page. www.plumvillage.org. As I reflected on the picture and the fact that I had just been to Washington where King’s legacy revealed its might, it occurred to me that no matter your good intentions and desire for change, action is required. This letter is one of my actions. Thay taught interbeing, the concept that the idea that there is an “individual self” is an illusion. We are made up of non-human substances. Water, Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium and phosphorous primarily. We are made of the stars and the sun and the elements on earth. The same applies to anything. A flower is made of non-flower things.
Please consider finding your Buddha nature and take that into the world. Martin and Thay showed us the way. It takes courage to speak out with opinions that frighten others or may be unpopular. If the lawyers, the magician archetype, with our magic language and understanding of the documents that our freedoms rest upon don’t speak up, who will? Should we speak out against Corporate medical policies that prevent Doctors from being Doctors? Would it be right to question the shut down of Court’s and lack of will power to quadruple efforts to make up for what the injured and oppressed have lost in the last two years? Should we think deeply about mandates and what penalties and restrictions not yet designed or implemented may restrict our freedoms in the future. Would it be wise to consider the right of every person to have the ability to be fully informed and provide consent before agreeing to a foreign substance in their body?
Whatever you believe, it seems prudent to consider how Buddhism speaks about two levels of truth: the level of labels and appearances, often called “conventional truth”, and the deeper level of reality known as “ultimate truth.” “If we are going to help our society and the planet, we need to wake up to what is going on at both levels of truth” Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, 2021. If we learn to do this and teach others, we will find that the only fact check we will ever need is what comes from ultimate truth. The exact form of knowing that our ancestors used long before any newspaper, radio, tel-a-vision or internet, and the ultimate truth they used to cross the continents on foot, survive outside and hunt for animals that were hunting for them too. A knowing that rests in interbeing and the courage to put that into action, will change the world.
Attorney Ferry was in Washington D.C. this weekend with 30,000 other Americans to speak out against Tyranny. Over the last two years, mandates of all kinds that shut down our schools, closed businesses, took away the constitutional right to a jury trial, forbade the right to assemble and the right to pray were unconstitutional infringements on Liberty. Specifically, most of these mandates violate the First Amendment. Mandates are not laws. A law is issued after public comment and deliberation and vote by Congress and the Senate.
The founding fathers of this country knew that none of the other rights contained in the Bill of Rights meant a thing without the rights given by the First Amendment. “A funny thing happened to the First Amendment on its way to the public forum. According to the Supreme Court, money is now speech and corporations are now people. But when real people without money assemble to express their dissatisfaction with the political consequences of this, they’re treated as public nuisances and evicted.” Robert Reich. A vaccine mandate is pure fascism. That mandate is used to prevent you from working, from traveling, from eating and from meeting your friends at shows, restaurants or wherever they decide to shut you out. They have even talked about denying you medical care if you do not comply! This is sick. They will continue to burden us until we demand our freedom. I will defend our constitution as I represent my clients, with all my might. You cannot back down to Tyranny. Even if you think it will all just go away if you accede to some small demands.
Thanks to all our sponsors and golfers, we were able to raise $24,000 this year at our golf tournament this year. Thanks also to Timberlin Golf Course and Marc Bayrum, the pro there, for all his help and support. All of the money goes directly to Dog Star Rescue to help pups find their furever homes!!
Ferry Law believes in providing a path to wellness for all of our clients. Our attorneys recognize that special attention must be paid to finding that path for victims of sexual violence. Sexual Abuse victims have often locked away the abuse and are forced to suppress the shame, guilt, fear and anger. Emotions are what color our world. When we are happy and feel safe, the world appears one way, when we are fearful, it appears another.
In Raja Yoga, it is taught that if you walk to streets worried about the money in your pocket, everyone you see will appear as a pick pocket. Conversely, if we see everyone as your teacher or guide, all become our welcoming friend. Sexual abuse of a minor continues to ravage the lives of people in outwardly visible and often inwardly and invisible ways. The path to freedom involves accepting and letting go but that can never be done until the stuck emotions are fully recognized and nurtured. Mental health professionals are helpful as is introspection using techniques like meditation, yoga, tai chi and pranayama (conscious breathing).
Ferry Law wants to help you become the best version of you possible and the money damages we recover for our clients is only one part of that. We want to make it right and help you find your inner light. Ferry Law has a wellness program available for all of our clients and wants to help you learn more about the practices that empower people to understand that happiness, health and strength involves learning how to maintain your awareness of the present moment.
Nothing happens in the past and nothing happens in the future. It happens in the now and now is the time for healing and recovery using ancient proven methods and techniques that empower the individual to find peace and healing from within.
Ferry Law has recently installed a Little Free Library in the garden in front of the office. This library is just one of many little libraries that are popping up all over the world and one of three in New Britain. Check it out here: www.littlefreelibrary.org. We hope that this will be a fun place for folks to stop before or after their walks in the park. The books are free and part of our Wellness Program at Ferry Law.
Visitors to the library are also welcome to share books they might like to pass along to others. There are books for adults and children in the library, so stop by and visit us! We will have a Grand Opening for our little library on Tuesday, September 14, 9:30-11 a.m. All of the attorneys and staff at the office will be available for a “meet and greet” that morning as well. Refreshments will be served. Come and get to know us!
FerryLaw: Auto / Car Accident Attorneys in New Britain, Hartford, Waterbury CT
What is UM/UIM?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides benefits to policy holders for bodily injury caused by another driver who left the scene of the accident, has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to adequately cover your losses.
UM/UIM motorist coverage provides benefits to policy holders & passengers for bodily injuries caused by another driver who either: (1) has no insurance; (2) does not have adequate insurance to cover your losses; or (3) left the scene (“hit & run”)
Connecticut law requires that all motor vehicles that operate on its highways have liability insurance of at least $25,000/$50,000 ($25K per person, $50K per accident). In addition, Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-336 requires that all liability insurers provide UM/UIM motorist coverage that is equal to the liability limits the insured purchased.
Who can UM/UIM potentially cover?
UM/UIM generally covers:
the policy holder who is the named insured;
passengers in the vehicle insured by the policy; and
relatives & spouses who lived with the named insured.
What is Underinsured Motorist Conversion Insurance?
Conversion coverage also provides for reimbursement in case you are injured by an underinsured driver. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance, or other payments, your underinsured motorist conversion coverage will be available for damages not paid. This optional coverage is not reduced by payments from any other source, including the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
Public Act 09-72 also requires an insurer issuing a new automobile policy to inform the policy holder of the availability of underinsured motorist conversion coverage, which can be purchased as additional underinsured motorist coverage. Unlike traditional UM/UIM coverage, this optional coverage will not be reduced by any other sources of payment like traditional underinsured motorist coverage.
What’s an example of UM/UIM and Conversion Coverage?
Example: You are involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver’s negligence and sustain $400,000 in personal injuries.
The driver only has a $200,000 policy. You have a $300,000 UM/UIM policy.
UM/UIM: You would be allowed to recover the $200,000 policy from the at-fault driver and $100,000 of your own UM/UIM policy, which would equal your $300,000 policy limit.
Conversion: If you had underinsured conversion coverage of $300,000, conversion coverage would allow you to recover the $200,000 from the at-fault driver AND $200,000 from your own insurance.
Why is UM/UIM Insurance Important?
A strong UM/UIM policy is critical to protect yourself and your family from under/uninsured motorists or hit & run situations, especially if you drive in highly populated areas with greater traffic. UM/UIM coverage can prevent you from being left in financial ruin if you are injured by another driver who either had no insurance or minimal insurance that’s inadequate to fairly compensate you for harms and losses.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident by an underinsured/uninsured motorist, contact Ferry Law as soon as possible.
Maintaining insurance in CT on your automobile is required by law.
See Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-213B. The CT state minimum requirements have increased to 25per person/50per accident. This means in an accident, the total amount available to collect is $50,000.00, with a maximum of $25,000.00 per person. For example, in a car accident where 4 people are injured, the total pot available is $50K, with $25K as the maximum any one person can collect.
Failure to maintain insurance can carry severe consequences, including, but not limited to criminal penalties, civil fines, as well as having your car impounded or repossessed.
The bottom line is it is the LAW! However, unfortunate as it is, not everyone follows the law. You cannot rely on other people to do what is right and follow the law. That is why it is important for you to maintain insurance on your vehicle. The impacts of not having insurance can be devastating if you or a loved one are involved in an accident and there is no insurance available to compensate you for your harms and losses.
People often have concerns that their insurance rates will go up if they bring a claim against their own insurance company. However, the impact, if any, on your rates increasing are generally outweighed by the benefit of having coverage available if and when you are injured. Plus, this is what you pay premiums year after year for. If you did a cost-benefits analysis, I just about guarantee that the amount of premiums you have paid into your policy (particularly for policies held 5+ years) far exceed any increase in premium you might see. Plus, most companies have “accident forgiveness” or some other form of vanishing deductible or refund on premiums the longer you go without an accident.
You could also be benefitting a member of your household by maintaining insurance. This is because of a term known as resident relative, where members of a household can take advantage of a policy in your name while residing in your home. We recently handled a case on behalf of a minor child who was able to collect on her parent’s auto insurance because she resided with them. The driver who struck her was not insured, so she would have been without any recovery had her parents not maintained their own auto insurance.
You should speak with an auto agent right away to determine the coverage that is best for you. Insurance coverage can be a complex area that is not a “one-size-fits-all” matter. There are also a lot of intricacies involved – ie. Having medical coverage on your policy; electing conversion where your coverages are doubled; or purchasing an umbrella policy.
Some things to keep in mind when purchasing insurance:
Maintain at least the state minimum limits (25/50) or higher if you own assets (home, boat, valuable assets), etc. and make sure you make your premium payments to avoid cancellation.
Make sure your license and registration are up to date! Failure to have a valid license or properly register your vehicle can lead to problems in obtaining insurance.
Make sure everyone listed in your household who may (or may not) drive is listed on your policy.
Always keep a copy of your insurance card in your vehicle. After your license and registration, it is the next document a police officer is going to want to see if he stops you and/or you are involved in an accident.
Always review your policy in full. It is a long lengthy document, but it is an important one that if not reviewed carefully, can lead to confusion and misconceptions down the road.
The CT Insurance Department located at https://portal.ct.gov/cid, can provide some useful information on coverage requirements and your obligations pursuant to law.
