for life and liberty

U.S. drone strikes intensify in Yemen

"Yemen saw a drastic increase in the clandestine attacks, with strikes against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants rising from 18 in 2011 to 53 in 2012. This 'drone war' is officially classified, and the US does not provide any information on the strikes. President Barack Obama only incidentally recognized their existence at the end of January in an online exchange. In Yemen, between 397 and 539 militants were killed by drone strikes, according to the New America Foundation, which did not specify the number of civilian victims. The drones used there are operated both by the CIA and by the Joint Special Operations Command." Continue reading →

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Bahrain, a Brutal U.S. Ally

"The United States speaks about supporting human rights and democracy, but while the Saudis send troops to aid the Khalifa government, America is sending arms. The United States is doing itself a huge disservice by displaying such an obvious double standard toward human rights violations in the Middle East. Washington condemns the violence of the Syrian government but turns a blind eye to blatant human rights abuses committed by its ally Bahrain. This double standard is costing America its credibility across the region; and the message being understood is that if you are an ally of America, then you can get away with abusing human rights." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBahrain, a Brutal U.S. Ally

Human Rights Watch: Kuwait using ‘excessive force’ against protesters

"During large demonstrations staged by the opposition since October 15, police frequently used tear gas and stun grenades and beat up protesters, leading to the injury of dozens and the arrest of many more, said HRW. The Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition, angry over an amended electoral law, has been staging protests almost every night since December 1 polls to demand the parliament’s dissolution and scrapping of the amendment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHuman Rights Watch: Kuwait using ‘excessive force’ against protesters

‘Liberator Of Kuwait’: ‘Stormin Norman’ Schwarzkopf dead at 78

"Norman Schwarzkopf, the US general who led 1991 Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, has died at the age of 78, a US official said Thursday. Schwarzkopf, an American hero known popularly as 'Stormin Norman,' died in Tampa, where he retired after his last military posting as commander-in-chief of US Central Command. Former president George H. W. Bush, himself sick in intensive care in Texas, was first to issue a statement mourning the loss of the man he chose to lead the war that came to define both of their careers." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Liberator Of Kuwait’: ‘Stormin Norman’ Schwarzkopf dead at 78

Prohibitionists Respond to Repeal: Bootlegging, Racketeering, and Kidnapping Will Go Up Now!

"Seventy-nine years ago today, Utah, of all states, delivered the killing blow that brought the national prohibition of alcohol to an end. In honor of Repeal Day -- and with an eye on what may be the early stages of an end to the war on marijuana -- here's a flashback to December 1933, as prohibitionists watched their achievement crumble." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingProhibitionists Respond to Repeal: Bootlegging, Racketeering, and Kidnapping Will Go Up Now!

Candy Cigs Banned. Industrial Food Encouraged.

"A small shop in St. Paul received a visit from a bureaucrat after some nervous nellie saw the candy cigarettes being sold in the store and proceeded to contact the authorities. A city inspector showed up and ordered the items to be removed from the retail floor, and the shop owner was threatened with further fines if there were further complaints. Indeed, we live in a land where baby milk formula is loaded with genetically modified soy, corn syrup, sugars, vegetable oil, corn maltodextrin, soybean oil, and other toxins produced by the industrial system. But those fake Camels with little pink tips that children play with so they can make fun of adults are the problem." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCandy Cigs Banned. Industrial Food Encouraged.

Nation’s Largest Raw Milk Dairy Sues FDA Over Interstate Ban

"Organic Pastures, the nation’s largest raw milk dairy, has launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for allegedly turning its back on the dairy’s request for the agency to change its current law banning sales of raw milk across state lines. The dairy’s owner Mark McAfee is concerned it’s high time for the feds to stop dragging their bureaucratic heels on this issue. McAfee said he would like the current ban against interstate sales of raw milk for human consumption, which was adopted in 1987, to be changed so that raw milk that is produced legally in one state can be shipped across state lines to another state that also allows sales of raw milk." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNation’s Largest Raw Milk Dairy Sues FDA Over Interstate Ban

California’s Lt. Gov. comes out in favor of legalizing marijuana

"California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) came out in favor of fully legalizing marijuana and regulating the drug like alcohol, even though he opposed legalization in 2010. The story went on to describe how many Californians think of marijuana like a cocktail, and how many affluent professionals even offer it to guests at dinner parties as part of local custom. It concludes with one final quote from the man widely expected to top the ticket of Democratic challengers to Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014: 'These laws just don’t make sense anymore. It’s time for politicians to come out of the closet on this.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia’s Lt. Gov. comes out in favor of legalizing marijuana

Colorado county bans commercial marijuana operations

"While the state of Colorado recently voted in favor of the ballot initiative Amendment 64, which legalized marijuana, a few counties don’t want the resulting plant growing operations in their backyards. Douglas County, where a majority of residents voted against Amendment 64, passed a ban on commercial marijuana growing operations to take effect Dec. 27, although private citizens can still have a few plants themselves. Another county, Weld, will likely have the same ban in place in January. 'That’s a revenue source that we’re not interested in having here,' Wendy Holmes, a spokesperson for Douglas County, told the paper." Continue reading →

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On ‘Intellectual Property’ and Pot

"Lawyers for Oakland pointed out in a court filing Tuesday that, while marijuana is regarded by federal law as a controlled substance with no medicinal value, the U.S. government’s own patents and research claim otherwise. One 2009 patent application, for instance, extols the pain-relieving and 'healing properties' of marijuana. The government’s own 2003 patent discusses the usefulness of 'cannabinoids' in treating 'ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases' as well as 'Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia.' In July, the National Institutes of Health licensed the rights of the latter patent." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOn ‘Intellectual Property’ and Pot