Mainstream News

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 →

Continue ReadingU.S. drone strikes intensify in Yemen

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

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

In Legal Showdown Over Marijuana, Oakland Dispensary Takes Leading Role

"In California, the battle between federal and state authorities over legal marijuana is coming to a head in a high-profile legal challenge. Our report comes from special correspondent Jake Schoneker of Media Enterprise Alliance, a PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Lab based in Oakland, Calif." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Legal Showdown Over Marijuana, Oakland Dispensary Takes Leading Role

The Next Seven States To Legalize Pot

"The Berlin Wall of pot prohibition seems to be crumbling before our eyes. By fully legalizing marijuana through direct democracy, Colorado and Washington have fundamentally changed the national conversation about cannabis. As many as 58 percent of Americans now believe marijuana should be legal. And our political establishment is catching on. Encouraged by the example of Colorado and Oregon, states across the country are debating the merits of treating marijuana less like crystal meth and more like Jim Beam. Here are the next seven states most likely to legalize it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Next Seven States To Legalize Pot

Legalise ganja to treat HIV, cancer, doctors tell gov’t

"Director of the Caribbean Drug and Alcohol Research Institute Dr Marcus Day believes the time has come for regional governments to legalise marijuana to counteract the spread of HIV. 'Cannabis actually keeps viral progression down in a body. If you are HIV positive and you are not on medication, smoking cannabis is actually therapeutic, and that's science, not people's opinion,' he said. Day believes HIV patients — especially those not on anti-retroviral drugs — should be allowed to ingest marijuana as a tea or in pastry such as brownies. Statistics show that approximately 30% of those living with HIV in the Caribbean are not on any type of treatment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLegalise ganja to treat HIV, cancer, doctors tell gov’t

A look inside the federal civil forfeiture process

"Cave Junction grower Jedadiah Wissler, who allegedly supplied marijuana that was seized in 2010 in Texas while it was enroute to Florida, settled in a July agreement with federal prosecutors. Wissler dropped his claim to $44,542 seized from his residence along with some growing equipment, which included an automated marijuana-trimming device called a 'Twister.' He also dropped his claim for a pistol and an AK-47 WAGR-10 rifle with scope and bayonet. In turn, Wissler got to keep a seized pickup truck and unspecified assets in a local bank account, court records show." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA look inside the federal civil forfeiture process

TSA detains sick girl because she tested positive for explosives, mother says

"A 12-year-old girl who uses a wheelchair was detained for nearly an hour at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport by Transportation Security Administration agents who said they detected traces of bomb residue on her hands, according to her mother. Shelbi Walser, who suffers from a genetic bone disorder, was traveling with her mother from Texas to Florida for medical treatment Dec. 8 when she was prevented from proceeding through a security checkpoint. After nearly an hour, Daniels said agents suddenly told them they were free to leave, offering no explanation for the detention." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTSA detains sick girl because she tested positive for explosives, mother says

Couple files civil lawsuit against former cop who stole their medication

"Former Vernal police Officer Ben M. Murray allegedly looked up information about them, including medical history and other private data, in the state’s prescription drug database. He was able to learn when they filled prescriptions, for what drugs and in what quantities. Murray, wearing his police uniform and driving his police vehicle, then visited their home at least 30 times between January and July 2011 to conduct what he called a 'pill check.' Murray discussed their medical conditions and other personal business and required them to produce their medications so he could count the pills. During that process, he would distract them and pocket pills." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCouple files civil lawsuit against former cop who stole their medication