Alternative News

How Prohibition Made Pot More Potent: Q&A with Auburn University’s Mark Thornton

"'The plant hasn't changed, the consumers haven't changed,' says Auburn University's Mark Thornton, 'it's prohibition and the difficulties and risks of getting it from the growing stage to the consumer.' Thornton, author of The Economics of Prohibtion, sat down with ReasonTV's Tracy Oppenheimer to discuss how prohibition distorts the market for marijuana, and why potency levels are on the rise. He says that the potency of other illegal drugs has also increased and that this even included alcohol during prohibition. 'It's a phenomenon that exists anytime government tries to prevent the consumption of something.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow Prohibition Made Pot More Potent: Q&A with Auburn University’s Mark Thornton

Singapore opens world’s first physical precious metals exchange

"In yet another attempt to encourage gold trading in the country, Singapore's SGPMX, (Singapore Precious Metals Exchange) on Wednesday launched the world's first physical precious metals exchange with peer-to-peer bullion trading capabilities integrated into the trading platform. As part of the launch, SGPMX also announces the entry into an MOU with Certis CISCO which will act as the custodian for bullion storage. The platform which will operate 24/7 will allow investors and traders to buy and sell physical gold for as little as $1,000. After they have bought it, the exchange will also provide facilities to store the gold with Certis Cisco Singapore." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSingapore opens world’s first physical precious metals exchange

Gold smuggling rampant in India

"Gold smuggling has gone up several notches in India. According to customs officials, after banks stopped selling gold coins and following the hike in import duty, there has been a spurt in demand for the metal prompting people to smuggle. Officials pointed out that smugglers and buyers of smuggled gold tend to save on import duty as well as other taxes like value added tax and income tax. Given the severe curbs on gold buying and selling, other sources are trying to pitch in and take advantage of the situation, by selling gold through illegal means, they added." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold smuggling rampant in India

Ascension of Central Banker Carney Continues to Instruct Us

"We've been chronicling the arrival of the 'most powerful' central banker of his era, the new head of the Bank of England, Mark Carney. The grand chambers in which they meet, the relentless coverage of even the most insignificant remark, the fawning photo-ops ... all contribute to an air of inevitability and 'business as usual' when it comes to the modern monetary process. What have we learned of late? That Carney took the 'tube' to work on his first day on the job and that he was an hour early. And now we learn that one of Mark Carney's very first acts is to figure out how to place an additional woman's likeness on a British bank note." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAscension of Central Banker Carney Continues to Instruct Us

Historical Opportunity for 21st Century Economics

"Who are people turning to nowadays for business advice? Celebrity economists. Big-name experts on the economy like Paul Krugman, Joseph Stiglitz, Michael Porter, Robert Reich and Muhammad Yunus feature prominently in a new ranking of influential business thinkers compiled for The Wall Street Journal. The findings – based on Google hits, media mentions and academic citations – show just how much the business-guru landscape has changed since 2008, when a previous ranking was conducted using similar methodology. Author and consultant Gary Hamel ranked No. 1 at the time, a spot now occupied by Krugman." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHistorical Opportunity for 21st Century Economics

Activists converge on Rahm Emanuel’s home for Fourth of July protest

"As of Thursday afternoon, over 400 people had indicated on a Facebook event page that they would be attending the 'Block Party to Fight Austerity at Rahm’s House.' 'Let’s gather at Chase Park (Ashland and Leland) at noon, then march over to Rahm Emanuel’s house for a street dance party to celebrate citywide resistance to budget cuts and other austerity measures that hurt poor and working people in order to make the super-rich even richer,' the organizers wrote. 'At a time when working people are already struggling to make ends meet, Mayor Emanuel is eliminating thousands of jobs across the city every year,' organizer Greg Goodman explained to the station." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingActivists converge on Rahm Emanuel’s home for Fourth of July protest

More Texas women sue police over ‘unconstitutional’ roadside body cavity search

"The Houston Chronicle reported that the suit names Trooper Nathaniel Turner, who claimed he smelled marijuana in the car and called a female trooper even though a 'search and seizure was highly unreasonable.' The suit also names the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, responding officer Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Kindred and the Brazoria County sheriff. In dashcam footage, Hamilton can be heard saying 'Do you know how violated I feel?' to Trooper Jennie Bui as she was searched. Randle said that the she only had one glove that was used to search both of them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMore Texas women sue police over ‘unconstitutional’ roadside body cavity search

France and Germany eat their words on US trade talks

"France and Germany have backed down on threats to suspend US trade talks, after the US offered to set up more 'working groups' on data protection. EU leaders meeting in Berlin on Wednesday (3 July) for a summit on youth unemployment said the US trade negotiations will start next week as planned. French President Francois Hollande's spokesman had said on Wednesday morning the talks should be put on hold until the US fully clarifies if it is snooping on EU citizens and bugging EU offices in Brussels, New York and Washington. But on Wednesday evening Hollande said the US offer on extra working groups is good enough." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFrance and Germany eat their words on US trade talks

Senator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

"'Our law is clear: U.S. aid is cut off when a democratically elected government is deposed by military coup or decree,' Leahy added. 'As we work on the new budget, my committee also will review future aid to the Egyptian government as we wait for a clearer picture. As the world’s oldest democracy, this is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the principle that transfers of power should be by the ballot, not by force of arms.' He cited the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department And Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, which prohibits the U.S. from sending funds to the government of a country whose democratically-elected leader has been deposed by the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Patrick Leahy: ‘Our law is clear,’ U.S. must cut off aid to Egypt

Mentally Ill Prisoner Left To Die On Prison Floor In Oklahoma

"Prison workers refused to treat Williams, saying he was faking paralysis. He remained immobile as workers picked up his body and placed him in a shower cell. He was left there by workers for two hours. Throughout the next three days, Williams remained immobile on his cell floor. He could not reach food or water placed in his cell by prison officials, who still believed he was faking his paralysis. Vomit, saliva, and feces surrounded Williams after days on his cell floor. Prison medical staff checked on Williams and found him almost entirely unresponsive. They returned three hours later to give him CPR. Williams' was pronounced dead shortly after." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMentally Ill Prisoner Left To Die On Prison Floor In Oklahoma