Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

New Jersey Governor Imposes Red Light Camera Freeze

"Chris Christie has gone from red light camera proponent to active photo ticketing opponent in a matter of months. On Thursday, the state Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced there will be no new red light cameras installed in the Garden State with the notice specifically mentioning it was the political decision of the 'Christie Administration.' Less than nine months ago, Christie had backed red light cameras. Data from the first year of camera use show a spike in the number of injury-causing and severe accidents. The results ran counter to the promise that photo ticketing reduces 'more dangerous' angle collisions." Continue reading →

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$2 Trillion Underground Economy May Be Recovery’s Savior

"The shadow economy is a system composed of those who can't find a full-time or regular job. Workers turn to anything that pays them under the table, with no income reported and no taxes paid. Shadow economies are usually associated with illegal activity, such as drug dealing. But anecdotal evidence indicates that off-the-books work in today's job market includes personal and domestic workers, such as housekeepers and nannies. It also includes firms that hire hourly or day construction labor, information technology specialists and Web designers. Many who have a job that doesn't pay enough take another one that pays under the table." Continue reading →

Continue Reading$2 Trillion Underground Economy May Be Recovery’s Savior

Shedding New Light On Basement Marijuana Technology

"I've known GGL for years, and I knew that even when it was illegal, he used marijuana for medical reasons. The whole grow-your-own was a new thing for him -- and me. Gardening is generally pretty low-tech. Growing plants in one's basement in order to maximize output while minimizing input is not, and it satisfies GGL's inner tech geek in ways that just cultivating plants would not. He gets the same way about brewing beer, about hunting for razor clams, and about re-engineering instruments for RockBand. GGL is a man after PopSci's geeky heart and brain if there ever was one." Continue reading →

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Community Charge (UK) – 1990 Opposition

"As the amount of the Community Charge began to rise and the inefficiency of local councils in collection of the tax became apparent, large numbers of people refused to pay. Local councils tried to respond with enforcement measures, but these were largely ineffective against such huge numbers of non-payers - up to 30% of former ratepayers in some areas refused to pay. In November 1990, South Yorkshire police said they were planning to refuse to arrest Community Charge defaulters even when instructed to by the courts because it would be 'physically impossible for the police because of the large number of defaulters.'" Continue reading →

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Rick Steves: Well Traveled

"What started out as a small European tour outfit has, over the years, grown into an enterprise of some 80 employees organizing tours, writing guidebooks, and producing the public television series and radio programs that make Rick Steves a welcome guest in millions of American homes. Having just gotten back from another day at the office, the author of Travel as a Political Act carefully considers the ounce of marijuana procured for this photo shoot as he plays selections from Les Miserables on the baby grand he’s owned since the days when he made his living as a piano teacher." Continue reading →

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Rick Steves: Well Traveled

"What started out as a small European tour outfit has, over the years, grown into an enterprise of some 80 employees organizing tours, writing guidebooks, and producing the public television series and radio programs that make Rick Steves a welcome guest in millions of American homes. Having just gotten back from another day at the office, the author of Travel as a Political Act carefully considers the ounce of marijuana procured for this photo shoot as he plays selections from Les Miserables on the baby grand he’s owned since the days when he made his living as a piano teacher." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRick Steves: Well Traveled

Rick Steves: Well Traveled

"What started out as a small European tour outfit has, over the years, grown into an enterprise of some 80 employees organizing tours, writing guidebooks, and producing the public television series and radio programs that make Rick Steves a welcome guest in millions of American homes. Having just gotten back from another day at the office, the author of Travel as a Political Act carefully considers the ounce of marijuana procured for this photo shoot as he plays selections from Les Miserables on the baby grand he’s owned since the days when he made his living as a piano teacher." Continue reading →

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Marijuana Stocks Are Extremely Dangerous Investments

"At this stage I do not believe there is a single reputable marijuana stock on the market. Having previously investigated several marijuana stocks, and having observed the price action and news of the major marijuana stocks over the past few months, I believe that the only people set to make a lot of money from these stocks are the company insiders and smart day-traders. Why Do Investors In Marijuana Stocks Face Enormous Risk? Because the fundamentals of the primary marijuana stocks being traded are horrible, they have extremely limited histories, and there are numerous skeletons in the closet." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarijuana Stocks Are Extremely Dangerous Investments

Portugal’s elder statesman calls for ‘Argentine-style’ default

"Portugal's leading elder statesman has called on the country to copy Argentina and default on its debt to avert economic collapse, a move that would lead to near certain ejection from the euro. Mario Soares, who steered the country to democracy after the Salazar dictatorship, said all political forces should unite to 'bring down the government' and repudiate the austerity policies of the EU-IMF Troika. 'Portugal will never be able to pay its debts, however much it impoverishes itself. If you can’t pay, the only solution is not to pay. When Argentina was in crisis it didn’t pay. Did anything happen? No, nothing happened,' he told Antena 1." Continue reading →

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Colorado Sheriffs Suing Their Own State Over New Gun Laws

"Exposing the disconnect between Colorado politicians and the law enforcement officers charged with upholding the law, more than half of the sheriffs in the state are planning to file a lawsuit against recent gun control laws passed by Democrats. While politicians may pass the laws, law-enforcement officials are the ones who have to deal with the real-world implications of putting the new laws into effect. Because of this, 37 of the state’s 62 sheriffs have announced their plans to file a lawsuit against the new laws, saying they are unconstitutional and unenforceable." Continue reading →

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