North Korea severing all ties with South Korea
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Reader input: California cops who support marijuana legalization
Dave,
Thanks so much for your interesting piece about possible implications of the California marijuana legalization initiative (As It Stands: Why Humboldt County will survive legalization) on November's ballot.
I hope you'll keep watching and covering this issue as the campaign heats up, and I thought you might be interested in hearing about a group of police, prosecutors and judges who are pushing in favor of legalization.
These members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) fought on the front lines of the war on drugs, witnessing how prohibition only serves to make substance abuse and market violence problems worse. Now, they are actively working to change the debate on drug policy issues so that more voters understand that continuing to keep marijuana illegal harms public safety, not protects it.
Just to give you an idea of some of the perspectives our speakers bring to the debate in California:
* There's Judge James Gray, who retired last year from the Superior Court in Orange County and has been calling for legalization for more than a decade now. One of the main reasons he wants to end prohibition is so we can better keep marijuana away from young people by enacting age limits, which illegal drug dealers definitely don't do. Judge Gray was profiled in the LA Times at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez29-2009mar29,0,88438.column and he can be seen debating legalization on Fox Business News at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6lzFoNaXQg
* We've got Norm Stamper, who was a police officer in San Diego for 28 years before being hired as chief of police in Seattle, WA. With a 34-year policing career, he's seen how prohibition can corrupt and endanger law enforcement from top to bottom. Chief Stamper was featured in this Nicholas D. Kristof column in NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/opinion/14kristof.html
* Just one more example would be Joe McNamara, who served as San Jose's chief of police for 15 of his 35 years in law enforcement. Currently a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institute, Joe knows that legalizing marijuana in California will deal a strong blow to the cartels and gangs that currently control its distribution through violent illegal networks.
We've also got prosecutors, narcotics detectives and corrections officials, and we're actively recruiting more criminal justice professionals across the state who agree that it's time to legalize marijuana. Beyond California, we have a robust network of pro-legalization law enforcers active across the globe.
Please let me know if you see a role for any of these provocative voices in any future pieces you are putting together about this issue.
Many thanks,
Tom
--
Tom Angell, Media Relations Director
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com
Washington, D.C.
phone: (202) 557-4979 // e-mail: tom@leap.cc
AIM: ThisIsTomAngell // GChat: tomangell
Videos of LEAP cops: http://YouTube.com/CopsSayLegalizeDrugs
LEAP on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CopsSayLegalize
LEAP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CopsSayLegalizeDrugs
Despite moratorium, drilling projects continue
This news is simply unbelievable. While Obama publicly talked tough to BP - his people were granting permits and waivers for gulf drilling projects!
Records show at least 7 new permits for drilling, and 5 environmental waivers.
I’m appalled at he gall it takes to continue on, as if nothing happened. This just tells you what a stranglehold Big Oil has on our government.
The records also indicate that since the April 20 explosion on the rig, federal regulators have granted at least 19 environmental waivers for gulf drilling projects and at least 17 drilling permits, most of which were for types of work like that on the Deepwater Horizon shortly before it exploded, pouring a ceaseless current of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
As It Stands: Why Humboldt County will survive marijuana legalization
By Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard
Posted: 05/23/2010 01:30:10 AM PDT
I doubt the first pot pioneers in Humboldt County, referred to as “back-to-the-landers” during the late 1960s, realized they might someday sow the seeds for an industry which could financially bail out the state of California.
In a delightful, ironic twist, those intrepid pioneers who fled the establishment to seek a simpler way of life must now re-establish contact with the “man” if they want to survive legalization and maintain their way of life.
Most fear legalization. They worry their profit margin will shrink so badly -- from taxes and competition -- they won't be able to make a living. Some ask if growing for medical marijuana dispensaries will be enough to keep them in business.
The good news is that growers, law enforcement officials, nonprofits and city governments are already holding public meetings to work out what happens here after legalization. One of the first meetings, held in Garberville (Southern Humboldt) in March, was covered nationwide.
What's After Pot (WAP) founder Anna Hamilton spoke during the Garberville meeting about the need to save the pot economy and prepare for legalization. She's attempting to bring local growers together so they can adapt to paying taxes and becoming part of the system they ran away from 40 years ago.
UPDATES: 25 Web sites carrying this column:
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The end of an era: Spaceships get day in the sun
Silhouettes of the shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station pass over
the sun's disk in a May 16 picture captured by astrophotographer Thierry Legault.
Go to Legault's website, Astrophoto.fr. to get a better view.
Go here to read the whole story.
To get an idea of what will happen to Atlantis after it lands, check out this must-see video on the Air & Space website.
The space shuttle Atlantis' final mission is hitting new heights for fantastic pictures - in part because every flight brings improvements in NASA's capability to capture imagery, and in part because photographers are taking extra care to document the end of the shuttle era. For us earthbound spectators, it's the next best thing to being there.
DMV says woman’s from ‘Eat Ass’ Florida – where’s that?
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Apparently someone at the DMV office has a warped sense of humor, and changed Ashlee Lineberger’s city of residence from Englewood to Eat Ass!
When she and her husband took the license back to be corrected, they were greeted with laughter and told they’d have to pay another $48 to get it fixed!
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See what happened next here.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Big business bets on GOP with campaign cash
The swing in money from corporate PACs is unusual
“The change comes as top Republicans lawmakers appeal more directly to business leaders, putting them on notice that the GOP is keeping track of the corporate donations ledger and will remember who stood by the party. As part of an effort dubbed "Sell the Fight," House Republican leaders have met privately with corporate executives and lobbyists to argue that their giving has tilted too far toward Democrats and that they need to steer more money to industry-friendly GOP candidates in key races in 2010.” Image source
Salmonella triggers nationwide sprout recall
Alfalfa sprouts were sold in at least 18 states; 23 sickened so far
Salmonella poisoning has triggered a nationwide recall of alfalfa sprouts, the Oregon TV station KMTR has reported.
The sprouts were sold in at least 18 states and 23 people, including a baby, in 10 states has been sickened, according to KMTR.
The sprouts were produced by the California company Caldwell Fresh Foods and were sold under various names at stores including Walmart, Trader Joe's and other locations.
With an ugly mug like mine I could be arrested!
Like many Americans, I’m not photogenic and my facial features are not fine enough to be considered handsome.
I’ve read numerous studies about “pretty people” having all kinds of advantages in life.
Now, it turns out having an ugly mug makes you more 22 percent more likely to be convicted of a crime, according to a Cornell University study.
And to make it even worse, convicted blockaways (you know, the ones who look better a block away) are more likely to get hit with a longer, harsher sentence than the average-looking defendants of the world.
Jersey! Since when did New Jersey get it’s own flag?
A reader with no address, and the word Jersey, stopped by a half hour ago. The viewer’s only form of ID was this flag and the word – Jersey. Jersey what? New Jersey?
Is there a country called Jersey? Maybe an island?
This is driving me crazy! I’ve had two cups of coffee so far this morning and I feel alert, but am I missing something? Do you recognize this flag? If so, please share with me where it’s from. I‘d sure appreciate it.
Rand Paul: Obama BP criticism 'un-American'
Even clinging to his Dad’s (Congressman Ron Paul’s) coat-tails won’t save Rand Paul when he makes stupid remarks like “accidents happen” regarding the Mexican Gulf oil spill. Or, when he spouts off that criticizing BP is “un-American”
His feelings about Big Oil is apparent. He’s defending a private company (and not even an American one) so the oil drilling crowd will coronate him as it’s next public defender. That should get a lot of votes from the “Drill, baby, drill” contingent, but it’ll be bad news for our environment.
I admit that I like the idea that he’s not a career politician, but clueless is clueless. The more you hear him talk about civil rights and other controversial subjects like immigration, the more you realize this guy is riding in the Tea Party bus to a fantasyland where only radicals live.
Instead of actually having good, constructive ideas for our country, this guy is riding the wave of hatred towards the government and incumbent office holders. He’s no visionary. He’s a reactionary with no plans but to “take back the country” (a catch phrase extreme Conservatives love to use).
Where does he stand on hot-button issues? Paul, 47 is an eye surgeon with a political vision about as clear as mud when it comes to what he’ll actually do in office if elected. You can pretty much assume he’s following Daddy’s footsteps, with a brief detour through Tea Partyland for political expediency.
GOP Senate candidate is under fire for comments about civil rights law
“Paul, already facing a backlash over remarks earlier this week about civil rights legislation, criticized the Obama administration for declaring it will put its "boot heel on the throat of BP." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs used similar language shortly after the spill.”
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Stocks take biggest plunge in more than a year
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Growing fear that Europe’s debt crisis could spread around the world
Analysts said there was no big event to set off Thursday's selling. More investors seemed to be grasping the possibility that the U.S. recovery could be in jeopardy.
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Why would anyone need to lie about having been in Vietnam?
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“Of course, Blumenthal didn't get in trouble for confessing he had ducked Vietnam but for lying that he hadn't, for saying that he'd served there.
What demon haunts him and others like him? What inconsolable regret provoked these desperate lies?”
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Warning: Stop drinking your lotion, people!
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Here's a warning you probably thought you'd never need: The federal Food and Drug Administration is urging consumers not to swallow Benadryl Extra-Strength Itch-Stopping Gel after receiving reports of people chugging the lotion that’s meant to be used only on the skin. Duh…
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Notorious dinner crashers stopped near White House
![091207-Salahis-hmed-3a.h2[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vTTSB43DgB0vCDMVXqQz-bE_Sh8aqsTl6MMGacTavXoYeldgMBQciWQFT54fbkAVbyXf9voVvj6yW3VYpiYa-0A_mRr6pg78y5une86aESuscIGYiytbkiNkpje_04PBmuEwPpa1p0Yr/s1600-h/091207-Salahis-hmed-3a.h2%5B1%5D%5B7%5D.jpg "091207-Salahis-hmed-3a.h2[1]")
How about those wacky wealthy party crashers the Salahis?
They have nothing better to do than crash other people’s parties. Even though they caused a stir by sneaking into the first state dinner, they were apparently ready to crash the second one. They had camera men and were filming some reality show that the two privileged party crashers were involved with.
The Salahis have been under investigation for attending Obama's first state dinner last November even though they were not on a guest list. If these were two homeless people who dressed up and got past security with no invitation, they’d still be in jail. Ahhhh…the privileges of wealth in America today! Read this: Their limo driver was ticketed for running a red light
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Clowns Clash: Wall St. reform vote fails again in Senate
The Circus (our Senate) grinds to a halt as each party attempts to out-stupid the other. Democrats, GOP clowns continue to wrangle over amendments
Today’s Odd Byte: ‘Octomom’ paid $5K to tout pet birth control!
Really? To what depths will this woman go? For a mere $5,000. this time, she a strange, weird, and odd connection between humans and pets getting spayed or neutered! Remember that old phrase “Truth is stranger than fiction?”
Above: this sign will be in the front yard of octuplet mom’s home and it says, ‘Always spay or neuter’
Read more here.This image provided by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals shows a copy of a sign designed to be placed in Nadya Suleman's yard for a fee.
Reason 101 on why I’m glad to live in Humboldt
See this clown on the right? He, and like-minded Muslim wackaloons think New York City is the home of the Great Satan. So they gather in dirty little camps in places like Pakistan, where they plan to annihilate NYC. Why NYC?
Why not? It was the place of their greatest success; the cowardly 9/11 attack. These guys are hoping to duplicate (or outdo) 9/11. It’s old news, and these nut cases want to show the world they can committee mass murder in the name of Allah too.
Well, here’s the thing. I think people living in NYC are crazy. They must know by now that their home is a recruitment poster for every Muslim terrorist in the world. You notice this bonehead, Faisal Shahzad, only considered locations around New York City?
I guess New Yorkers like living on the edge. Me? I’m damn glad to be living behind the Redwood Curtain in Northern California, the last place in America a terrorist would attack. Right? They don’t have problems with Redwood trees. Right?
Official: Bomb suspect looked at other targets
Rockefeller Center, World Financial Center and Grand Central among sites
Lakers vs Suns tonight: Pau sports a black eye from Game 1
The Lakers clobbered the Suns (metaphorically) 128-107, but Pau Gasol of the Lakers was the one with a black eye. It was a rough game. Wait till tonight. The Suns know their season will set in the western playoff picture if they can’t win Game 2. I look for a competitive game. The Lakers have the edge in my opinion.
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The 'Apprentice' is Back: This Version is a Horror Show
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