Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

‘No plans to leave Russia’: Snowden has job offer, awaits reunion with family, girlfriend

"An 'exhausted' Edward Snowden will have his own choice of accommodation, has no current plans to leave Russia, and still misses his girlfriend, according to his Russian lawyer. The US national has been issued a 12-month residence permit, which can be extended indefinitely. Snowden only has to register and then has the legal right to travel anywhere in Russia. Snowden is legally allowed to work in Russia, and has already had one job offer. In what may or may not be a serious proposal, the founder of Russia’s Facebook equivalent Vkontakte, the flamboyant Pavel Durov, has offered the computer specialist a seat on his 'all-star security team'." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘No plans to leave Russia’: Snowden has job offer, awaits reunion with family, girlfriend

Russian Orthodox Church: Snowden deals blow to ‘global electronic prison camp’

"Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin has praised Russian authorities for not caving in to pressure from abroad, saying granting Snowden asylum would help prevent the establishment of a ‘global electronic prison camp’. 'It is encouraging news that Russia is demonstrating its independence in this case as it has in many others, despite the pressure' said the head of the Holy Synod’s Department for Relations between the Church and Society. Vsevolod Chaplin added that the Snowden saga has been broadly discussed both on the domestic and international level, with Russia’s position potentially bolstering its image as a country upholding 'the true freedom of ideals.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRussian Orthodox Church: Snowden deals blow to ‘global electronic prison camp’

Uruguay House Barely Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

"The bill passed on a vote of 50-46 after nearly 12 hours of debate. Under the bill, the Uruguayan government would license producers, sellers, and consumers. Smokers would be limited to buying 40 grams a month. Unlicensed possession, cultivation, or sales would be criminal offenses, including prison time in some cases. Registered users would be able to grow up to six plants, join a marijuana-growing collective, or purchase marijuana at a dispensary or pharmacy. President Jose Mujica has been pushing the bill as a means of attacking black markets and organized crime by creating a legal, licensed marijuana marketplace." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUruguay House Barely Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

In Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting

"The number of people seeking permits to buy guns has surged in this town following the December massacre of schoolchildren by a local man, even as the parents of some victims had urged stricter weapons laws nationwide. Through July 24, more than 200 people in Newtown have received new local pistol permits, according to a review of local records, surpassing the 171 new permits issued for all of last year. Such permits are prerequisites for Connecticut permits that allow people to purchase and carry pistols as well as rifles or shotguns." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Newtown, Gun Permits Surge After Shooting

Alabama’s becomes ‘shall issue’ concealed carry state

"Starting tomorrow, Aug. 1, Alabama’s new comprehensive gun law takes effect, which among other things will make the Heart of Dixie a ‘shall issue’ state as opposed to a ‘may issue’ state with respect to concealed carry and will allow law-abiding gun owners to store firearms in their vehicles while they’re at work. However, there’s way more to it than that and given the fact that there has been so much uncertainty about the new law and how it impacts gun owners, businesses, colleges, universities and the non-gun owning public, below is arguably the best explanation of the new law on the Web." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAlabama’s becomes ‘shall issue’ concealed carry state

Illinois medical marijuana bill to be signed Thursday

"Gov. Pat Quinn will sign a bill into law Thursday legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes in Illinois at an event at the University of Chicago. For years, the measure had failed to gain traction at the Capitol, particularly in the House. But sponsoring Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, was able to cobble together a simple majority in the spring to send the bill to the Senate, where a similar but less restrictive bill had passed in previous years. One reason Quinn said he was giving legalized pot more thought was that he was impressed by an injured military veteran who maintained marijuana provided him relief from war wounds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIllinois medical marijuana bill to be signed Thursday

Concealed Guns Are Now Legal in Illinois (But Not Chicago)

"If you have a gun and want to carry it without being bothered by local law enforcement, you will have to travel a bit outside of metro Chicago. But not too far. Even though Illinois’ new concealed carry law is on the books, the actual state permitting process is not ready to go and won’t be for months. Regardless, the I-Team has identified 14 counties where authorities say you may not be arrested for carrying a gun. With this week’s override action by the General Assembly, Illinois was the 50th state to allow concealed carry." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingConcealed Guns Are Now Legal in Illinois (But Not Chicago)

German president, contra chancellor Merkel, says whistleblowers like Snowden merit respect

"Germany's president, who helped expose the workings of East Germany's dreaded Stasi secret police, said whistleblowers like U.S. fugitive Edward Snowden deserved respect for defending freedom. Weighing in on a debate that could influence September's federal election, President Joachim Gauck struck a very different tone from that of Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has assured Washington that Berlin would not shelter Snowden. Gauck, who has little power but great moral authority, said people who work for the state were entitled to act according to their conscience, as institutions sometimes depart from the law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman president, contra chancellor Merkel, says whistleblowers like Snowden merit respect

Glenn Greenwald: Major opinion shifts, in the US and Congress, on NSA surveillance and privacy

"Pew finds that 'a majority of Americans – 56% – say that federal courts fail to provide adequate limits on data the government is collecting as part of its anti-terrorism efforts.' And 'an even larger percentage (70%) believes that the government uses this data for purposes other than investigating terrorism.' Moreover, '63% think the government is also gathering information about the content of communications.' That demonstrates a decisive rejection of the US government's three primary defenses of its secret programs. Overall, 47% say their greater concern about government anti-terrorism policies is that they have gone too far." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: Major opinion shifts, in the US and Congress, on NSA surveillance and privacy

Saudi prince defects from royal family

"He said he thanked God that helped him understand the truth about Saudi regime through a 'direct horrible personal experience' so that he could have a taste of what people suffered from throughout the country. 'With pride, I announce my defection from Al Saudi family in Saudi Arabia,' he wrote in his statement. 'All that is said in Saudi Arabia about respecting law and religion rules are factitious so that they can lie and pretend that the regime obeys Islamic rules.' He criticized the royal family for considering the country as its own property while silencing all voices from inside and outside the government calling for any change and reforms." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSaudi prince defects from royal family