Mainstream News

Rand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill

"Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is holding up consideration of the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill over an amendment he plans to offer that would require a jury trial for Americans detained in terrorism investigations. Paul’s demand for a vote comes as Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the panel, are working behind the scenes to limit debate on the sprawling policy measure (S 3254) to ensure it receives floor time during the lame-duck session." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul Slaps Hold on ‘Defense’ Bill

Public Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

"A public health proposal suggests that tobacco smokers should be required to apply and pay for a 'smoker’s license' in order to continue buying cigarettes, writing that it could discourage young people from picking up the habit. In a controversial move, the smartcard would allow the government to limit how many cigarettes a smoker could buy. Professor Chapman suggests 50 per day averaged over two weeks to accommodate heavy smokers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPublic Health Proposal Considers Mandatory ‘Smokers License’

Puerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results

"The territory question had two parts. The first part asked voters if they favored their current status as a U.S. territory. About 54 percent of voters said no. From there, everyone could answer a second question that gave three options: statehood, sovereign free association or independence. Sovereign free association is not the same as the current status. Only about 1.3 million voters answered the second question. Of those, 61 percent chose statehood, 33 percent chose the semi-autonomous choice and 6 percent chose independence. Nearly 500,000 people left the question blank. The population of Puerto Rico is nearly 4 million people." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPuerto Rico Statehood Experts Challenge Results

Ron Paul: Secession Is ‘Very American’

"Paul's comments resurfaced as a petition for Texas secession on the White House's website received over 81,000 signatures, far surpassing the threshold for the Obama administration to respond. Petitions for other states, including Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, have racked upwards of 20,000 supporters. Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose 2009 comment on secession was the impetus for Paul's video, clarified Tuesday that he does not stand behind the petition." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Secession Is ‘Very American’

Emboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

"Rhode Island Rep. Edith Ajello, D-Providence, said Thursday that the passage of legalization referendums in the two Western states are the latest indication that American attitudes toward marijuana are softening. She said the regulated sale of marijuana would eliminate the black market while raising an estimated $10 million in revenue for government coffers. Maine Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she also will propose legislation to legalize marijuana in her state, and estimated that sales taxes on its purchase there would raise $8 million." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEmboldened Rhode Island, Maine lawmakers seek to legalize pot

Rooftop gardens growing in popularity in notoriously smoggy Mexico City

"A green revolution is sweeping across the car and concrete jungle of Mexico City, an infamously smoggy capital that was once dubbed 'Makesicko City' by novelist Carlos Fuentes. Residents are growing vegetables on rooftops, planting trees where buildings once stood, hopping on bicycles and riding in electric taxis, defying the urban landscape in this metropolis of 20 million people and four million cars. 'This is our vote for the environment,' said Elias Cattan, a 33-year-old bespectacled architect pointing to the lettuce, onions and chilies growing in a planting table and inside used tires on the balcony of his rooftop office." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRooftop gardens growing in popularity in notoriously smoggy Mexico City

That dog may cost you $100,000 a day

"Under the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board's draft rules, ordinary homeowners may face six years in prison and fines of $100,000 a day if they are deemed serial offenders of such new crimes as allowing sprinklers to hit the pavement, washing a car in the driveway, or, conceivably, failing to pick up dog poop promptly from their own backyards, let alone the sidewalk. Cities throughout San Diego, south Orange and southwest Riverside counties must enforce the law, and set up 24-hour hot lines for people to report violations by their neighbors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThat dog may cost you $100,000 a day

Homeless man jailed for charging phone in park

"A homeless man spent the night in jail Sunday after police arrested him for charging his cellphone in a public picnic shelter at Gillespie Park. Darren Kersey, 28, was charged with theft of utilities after Sarasota Police Sgt. Anthony Frangioni spotted him charging his phone at about 9:20 p.m. Sunday. Unable to come up with the $500 bail for the misdemeanor, Kersey had no choice but to stay in jail." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeless man jailed for charging phone in park

New York governor seeks $30 billion in aid after Sandy

"New York Governor Andrew Cuomo asked the US federal government for $30 billion in aid to help his state recover from the devastation left by superstorm Sandy. The requested funds will help rebuild the economy, infrastructure, housing, public buildings and small businesses, Cuomo told reporters in stressing the “cataclysmic” nature of the storm that killed more than 110 people. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power, and thus unable to heat the buildings during sometimes frigid temperatures in the city and its suburbs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York governor seeks $30 billion in aid after Sandy

Where FEMA Fell Short, Occupy Sandy Was There

"This stretch of the coast remained apocalyptic, with buildings burned like Dresden and ragged figures shuffling past the trash heaps. There was still no power, and parking lots were awash with ruined cars. On Wednesday morning, as the winds picked up and FEMA closed its office 'due to weather,' an enclave of Occupiers was huddled in a storefront amid the devastation, handing out supplies and trying to make sure that those bombarded by last month’s storm stayed safe and warm and dry this time." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhere FEMA Fell Short, Occupy Sandy Was There