Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

New Orleans Police Department To Wear Cameras

"The 'body-worn cameras' are not mandated under a federal consent decree governing NOPD reforms that Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed last year with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Serpas said the body cameras are a major step that other police agencies across the country have embraced, both to protect the public and to forestall false complaints against officers. 'Imagine a day in the city of New Orleans, in the not too distant future, where every single time we pull over a car, we ask somebody who they are or what they’re doing, that that entire incident is audiotaped and videotaped,' Serpas said. 'We’re very excited about it. It’s coming.'" Continue reading →

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Marijuana Legalization Activists Target States For 2014

"Alaska and Oregon may become the next states to legalize marijuana for recreational use, as early as next year some proponents say. But the big battle over marijuana prohibition will come in 2016 with the next presidential election. Although a slim majority of Americans support legalization, younger voters may vote for change in higher numbers than older generations, Mason Tvert, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, says. That group, and others, plan to target state legislators in five states, including Rhode Island and Hawaii, to legalize the drug by 2017. UN drug control officials remain alarmed by challenges to marijuana prohibition in America, Germany, and Uruguay." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana Legalization Activists Target States For 2014

California: Two More Cities Chose To End Red Light Camera Use

"Though Redflex made $361,200 from operating the cameras in El Cajon, the city ended up losing $62,000 after ticket revenue was split with state and county governments. Money was not an issue in South Gate which also terminated its contract earlier this month. Officials predicted the program would make $75,763 in profit for the South Gate and $336,319 for Redflex out of the $5 million worth of tickets issued. After ten years, the city council decided to end the program based on public input. Cities have also recently been spooked by the Redflex bribery scandal in Chicago, Illinois that has already cut the Australian firm's profit in half." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia: Two More Cities Chose To End Red Light Camera Use

Separatists chant ‘Death to Belgium’ at country’s new royal couple

"Though several hundred people lined up to greet Philippe, who ascended to the throne in July after his father’s abdication, an equally big crowd of republican separatists massed nearby shouting 'Death to Belgium' and waving the Flemish flag. Antwerp, Europe’s second biggest port located in the northern region of Flanders, is home to the powerful Flemish separatist N-VA party whose leader Bart De Wever won election as city mayor last year. Philippe and Mathilde are currently visiting Belgium under a medieval tradition that calls for new sovereigns to make 'a joyous entry' into the country’s major towns, and Friday’s protest was the first of its kind so far." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeparatists chant ‘Death to Belgium’ at country’s new royal couple

Germany’s government and media are bolstering bitcoin popularity

"Last month, BaFin (the German ministry of finance) announced it does not consider bitcoin to be e-money or a functional currency. Instead, it referred to it as 'private money' and a 'financial instrument'. Just last week, Bitcoin.de received confirmation from BaFin that it has no objections to the exchange’s partnership with Fidor Bank. The partnership means customers will soon be able to trade on bitcoin.de in near real-time using a free FidorPay giro account. Elsewhere in the world, bitcoin companies have been facing problems when it comes to finding banking partners. For example, US company Tradehill recently had to cease bitcoin trading due to 'operational and regulatory issues'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGermany’s government and media are bolstering bitcoin popularity

Second California county joins push to form state of ‘Jefferson’

"A second county in rural northern California voted on Tuesday to explore the possibility of seceding and joining a new state. Modoc County’s board of supervisors voted 4-0 for the move, which was supported by the majority of the 40 attendees at the meeting, including a spokesperson for the Jefferson Declaration Committee, the group hoping to compel at least six counties in the area to sign on before asking state lawmakers for approval. If the state assembly approves Jefferson’s formation, it would then go to Congress for consideration. The board’s vote came 21 days after officials in neighboring Siskiyou County signaled their intention to break away in a 4-1 vote." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSecond California county joins push to form state of ‘Jefferson’

17% Would Vote to Secede and Form New State

"Some residents in Maryland, California, Michigan and Colorado are looking to secede from their respective states, and nearly one-out-of-five Americans think that's a good idea. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 17% of American Adults say they would vote for their section of their state to secede and form a new state. Seventy percent (70%) would vote to keep things the way they are, but another 13% are undecided. Just 22% believe sections of individual states have the right to secede and form a new state. Fifty-five percent (55%) disagree, but a sizable 23% are not sure. Only 17% of voters believe the federal government today has the consent of the governed." Continue reading →

Continue Reading17% Would Vote to Secede and Form New State

General Solicitation Ban Lifted Today – Three Things You Must Know

"It’s official- startups can now publicly advertise that they are seeking investments, but it does come with additional responsibilities of which all entrepreneurs must be aware. In nine out of ten conversations with startups on RockThePost (a startup investing marketplace I co-founded), entrepreneurs were not aware of what it means to generally solicit or the implications tied to doing so set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Among them, a potential consequence of failing to follow the regulations is being banned from fundraising for a year. Even if unintentional, acting against promulgated rules could lead to a death sentence for your startup." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGeneral Solicitation Ban Lifted Today – Three Things You Must Know

Cruz’ plan B for defunding Obamacare: ‘Shut down the military’

"Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Sunday warned Senate Republicans that refusing to filibuster a bill that defunds President Barack Obama’s health care reform law 'is a vote for Obamacare,' and he also advised House Republicans to 'shut down the military' if they had to. 'If Harry Reid kills the bill in the Senate, the House should hold its ground, and should begin passing smaller continuing resolutions, one department at a time,' Cruz explained. 'It should start with a continuing resolution focused on the military.' 'Send it over, see if Harry Reid is willing to shut down the military,' he quipped." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCruz’ plan B for defunding Obamacare: ‘Shut down the military’

With its leaders facing trial, Kenya quits International Criminal Court

"Yesterday Kenya’s parliament voted to pull out of the ICC – the first African country to do so. That decision comes shortly before the ICC starts trials of Kenya's president and vice president. So far both men have said they will appear at The Hague, but speculation has begun that the vote may be the first step toward cutting off cooperation. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto were indicted for mass violence and deaths after the 2007 elections. This summer ICC officials hinted that they might allow parts of Ruto’s trial to take place in Kenya or Tanzania. But today, less than 24 hours after Kenyan lawmakers in a raucous session voted to leave the ICC, the possibility was ended." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWith its leaders facing trial, Kenya quits International Criminal Court