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Revisiting the ‘Crack Babies’ Epidemic That Was Not

"Scientific studies in the 1980s led to predictions that a generation of children would be damaged for life. Those predictions turned out to be wrong. This supposed epidemic — one television reporter talks of a 500 percent increase in damaged babies — was kicked off by a study of just 23 infants that the lead researcher now says was blown out of proportion. And the shocking symptoms — like tremors and low birth weight — are not particular to cocaine-exposed babies, pediatric researchers say; they can be seen in many premature newborns. A much more serious problem, it turns out, is infants who are born with fetal alcohol syndrome." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRevisiting the ‘Crack Babies’ Epidemic That Was Not
Read more about the article U.S. drug czar: Marijuana is drug most often linked to crime

U.S. drug czar: Marijuana is drug most often linked to crime

"Kerlikowske, a former Seattle police chief, has consistently opposed legalization since he became President Barack Obama’s top drug policy adviser in 2009. His position puts him at odds with two states, Washington and Colorado, that voted in November to legalize marijuana, a controlled substance that remains illegal under federal law. With the Obama administration doing nothing so far to try to stop them, both states are proceeding with plans to begin selling marijuana for recreational use next year. A third state, Alaska, might follow soon, with legalization supporters aiming to get the measure on the state’s primary ballot in August of next year." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. drug czar: Marijuana is drug most often linked to crime

Orwell Reigns Over Raw Milk Trial

"The trial of Vernon Hershberger for the crime of selling healthy, unprocessed milk to informed and willing customers is a sadly damning commentary on the times in which we currently live. This humble yet learned Amish farmer faces the ruin of his farm, his family, and jail time in a trial that highlights the utter depravity of the so-called authorities who claim the right to rule over the rest of us. Over and over thugs raided the peaceful Hershberger's farm, destroying his property and terrorizing his ten children. His crime was selling a product that has been consumed from time immemorial and which thousands upon thousands of families increasingly swear by." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOrwell Reigns Over Raw Milk Trial

California wants to ban campfires at the beach

"Since man first rubbed a pair of sticks together to make a fire, we’ve gathered around a campfire to cook food, enjoy good company and bask in the warmth of the glowing embers. Now, the South Coast Air Quality Management District will decide this summer whether to order the removal of 850 bonfire pits from Los Angeles and Orange county beaches on the pretense that fire is bad for the environment. To support its position, the agency concocted a study concluding that an evening beach fire creates as much particulate matter pollution as a diesel truck driving 564 miles." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia wants to ban campfires at the beach

Joe Biden Sees ‘No Legal Reason’ Not To Tax Violent Video Games

"The Vice President's declaration came in response to a suggestion made by Reverend Franklin Graham, who attended the meeting alongside 19 other religious leaders. According to Politico.com, attendees at the meeting said that Biden responded favourably to the Reverend's idea, going so far as to say there would be 'no restriction on the ability to do that, there’s no legal reason why they couldn't.' It was suggested by Graham that proceeds of the tax would go towards victims of gun violence and their families, according to the website's sources." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJoe Biden Sees ‘No Legal Reason’ Not To Tax Violent Video Games

The Age of Authoritarianism: Government of the Politicians, by the Military, for the Corporations

"President Obama’s declaration that 'America is at a crossroads' in the fight against terror, a fight that is increasingly turning inwards, setting its sights on homegrown extremists, should give every American pause. We have indeed reached a crossroads. History may show that from this point forward, we will have left behind any semblance of constitutional government and entered into a militaristic state where all citizens are suspects and security trumps freedom. Certainly, this is a time when government officials operate off their own inscrutable, self-serving playbook with little in the way of checks and balances." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Age of Authoritarianism: Government of the Politicians, by the Military, for the Corporations

Nonviolent activist tasered at DOJ while protesting for Wall Street prosecutions

"A woman who became an activist after JPMorgan Chase foreclosed on her home in 2011 was shocked with a Taser and arrested while protesting outside the Department of Justice on Tuesday. In video obtained by Occupy Our Homes Atlanta, large men with assault rifles can be seen surrounding Carmen Pittman before one of the agents shocks her with a stun gun and she falls to the ground. Pittman seems to writhe in agony on the ground for a few moments before a man in a yellow police shirt picks her up. As he restrains her, other officers place her in handcuffs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNonviolent activist tasered at DOJ while protesting for Wall Street prosecutions

100MPH Police Chase of Pot Car Ends in Fatal Crash, Injured Workers

"A Nevada man died Monday afternoon after his marijuana-laden car crashed during a high speed police pursuit on Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The as yet unnamed man becomes the 13th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year. According to KCRA TV, the California Highway Patrol began pursuing a BMW near Big Bend, and the chase lasted 20 minutes at speeds exceeding 100mph before the BMW driver lost control, his car went airborne, and containers and jars of marijuana went flying." Continue reading →

Continue Reading100MPH Police Chase of Pot Car Ends in Fatal Crash, Injured Workers

Cops Go Undercover at High School to Bust Special-Needs Kid for Pot

"Californians Doug and Catherine Snodgrass are suing their son’s high school for allowing undercover police officers to set up the 17-year-old special-needs student for a drug arrest. They were 'thrilled' when their son -- who has Asperger's and other disabilities and struggled to make friends -- appeared to have instantly made a friend named Daniel. 'Daniel,' however, was an undercover cop with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department who 'hounded' the teenager to sell him his prescription medication. When he refused, the undercover cop gave him $20 to buy him weed, and he complied -- not realizing the guy he wanted to befriend wanted him behind bars." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Go Undercover at High School to Bust Special-Needs Kid for Pot

84-year-old woman with oxygen tank arrested for drugs

"An 84-year-old woman in Albuquerque has been arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, tampering with evidence and possession of drugs. Court documents showed that Lillie Smith, who uses a oxygen tank, was not arrested in 2011 when her son was busted for dealing drugs. As Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputies were serving a warrant on her son, Nathan Jones, officers said that they observed Smith trying to stash marijuana and cocaine. Neighbors insisted that Smith had only allowed her son to deal drugs out of the apartment where they both lived because she needed someone to take care of her." Continue reading →

Continue Reading84-year-old woman with oxygen tank arrested for drugs