Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

Report: Homeschooling Growing Seven Times Faster than Public School Enrollment

"Any concerns about the quality of education children receive by their parents can be put to rest by the consistently high placement of homeschooled students on standardized assessment exams. Data demonstrates that those who are independently educated generally score between the 65th and 89th percentile on these measures, while those in traditional academic settings average at around the 50th percentile. In addition, achievement gaps between sexes, income levels, or ethnicity—all of which have plagued public schools around the country—do not exist in homeschooling environments." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReport: Homeschooling Growing Seven Times Faster than Public School Enrollment

Florida County Moves To Shut Down Red Light Cameras With Public Vote

"The board of commissioners in Hernando County, Florida has been trying for months to force the city of Brooksville to remove red light cameras from the county's right-of-way. So far, nothing has worked and the county commissioners agreed last week to use the ultimate political persuasion -- a vote of county residents -- to force the issue. Yellow light warning times at the camera intersections were also increased on Thursday." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida County Moves To Shut Down Red Light Cameras With Public Vote

Turkish court throws out Taksim redevelopment project that sparked mass protests

"A Turkish court has cancelled a project to redevelop Istanbul’s central Taksim square, a copy of the court’s decision showed, ruling in a dispute that triggered a nationwide wave of violent anti-government protests. The administrative court ruled in early June, at the height of the unrest, that a master plan to reshape the square violated preservation rules, the square’s identity and other regulations, according to a lawyer for the plaintiffs. The decision may jeopardize what many saw as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s personal quest to remake Taksim Square in the teeth of opposition that led to mass protests over his perceived authoritarian style of rule." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTurkish court throws out Taksim redevelopment project that sparked mass protests

Brazilian leader asks for referendum after worst unrest in 20 years

"The move, widely supported by the public, came after three weeks of protests over corruption and public spending which marred the Confederations Cup, a dress rehearsal for next year’s football World Cup, which will also be held in Brazil. On Tuesday night truck drivers blocked roads in at least 10 states to press for the elimination of tolls and fuel subsidies. Leftist leader Rousseff last week proposed a national pact with state governors to boost public services and guarantee a balanced budget. A Datafolha poll showed that 68 percent of Brazilians back Rousseff’s proposals." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBrazilian leader asks for referendum after worst unrest in 20 years

North and South Korea prepare to negotiate directly after years of mistrust

"North and South Korea will sit down to their first talks for years on Sunday, confronting decades of mutual distrust in an apparent search for some positive end to months of soaring military tensions. The working-level discussions in the border truce village of Panmunjom are intended to pave the way for ministerial-level talks in Seoul on Wednesday. The talks came about after an unexpected reversal on Thursday from North Korea which suddenly dropped its default tone of high-decibel belligerence and proposed opening a dialogue." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNorth and South Korea prepare to negotiate directly after years of mistrust

Credit card donations to WikiLeaks once again flowing through Iceland

"International credit card donations to WikiLeaks are flowing again after an Icelandic court ruling forced MasterCard’s and Visa’s local agent to process payments, the companies involved in processing the funds said. One of WikiLeaks’ most important sources of funding – donations made from Visa and MasterCard users around the globe – was cut off in 2010 when the firms stopped processing donations to WikiLeaks’ direct payment line in Iceland. Their move came after criticism by the United States of the anti-secrecy organization’s release of thousands of sensitive U.S. diplomatic cables, which embarrassed Washington." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCredit card donations to WikiLeaks once again flowing through Iceland

Treasury Delays Obamacare Implementation For Businesses Until 2015

"The Obama administration left it to a relatively low level Treasury official to announce the blockbuster news that the Obama administration will not begin enforcing employer mandates in the Obamacare law until 2015 - one year later than originally planned. Mark Mazur, the Assistant Treasury Secretary for Tax Policy, announced on the agency's blog that the administration 'will provide an additional year before the ... mandatory employer and insurer reporting requirements begin.' At this point the individual mandate remains, meaning individuals must obtain health insurance or face penalties." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTreasury Delays Obamacare Implementation For Businesses Until 2015

Marijuana’s March Towards Mainstream Confounds Feds

"It took 50 years for American attitudes about marijuana to zigzag from the paranoia of 'Reefer Madness' to the excesses of Woodstock back to the hard line of 'Just Say No.' The next 25 years took the nation from Bill Clinton, who famously 'didn't inhale,' to Barack Obama, who most emphatically did. Now, in just a few short years, public opinion has moved so dramatically toward general acceptance that even those who champion legalization are surprised at how quickly attitudes are changing and states are moving to approve the drug - for medical use and just for fun." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana’s March Towards Mainstream Confounds Feds

Vermont Marijuana Decriminalization Law Goes Into Effect

"Starting Monday, Vermonters will not be arrested for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. The decriminalization law, signed by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) last month, will remove criminal penalties on small amounts of cannabis and replace them with civil fines. According to the new measure, first-time offenders will not get more than a $200 fine for possession. The fine will increase for repeat offenders -- $300 for a second offense and $500 for every offense thereafter -- but, under the law, marijuana possession will no longer result in the creation of a criminal record." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVermont Marijuana Decriminalization Law Goes Into Effect

Activist found not guilty of vandalism for writing with chalk outside Bank of America

"An anti-bank activist who faced more than a decade behind bars for using chalk to voice his protests against Bank of America was found not guilty of vandalism on Monday. A jury found Jeff Olson, 40, not guilty on all charges, according to NBC San Diego. Olson was charged with 13 counts of vandalism by San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith for writing statements such as 'No thanks, big banks' and 'Shame on Bank of America' in front of Bank of America branches last year. Mayor Bob Filner had described the prosecution of Olson as a waste of resources and 'a stupid case.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingActivist found not guilty of vandalism for writing with chalk outside Bank of America