Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

Is the South ready to say howdy to hemp?

"The Framers of the Constitution were big into hemp, and, after 56 years of prohibition, America is on the cusp of ending a hemp ban as part of a push to help farmers. As medical marijuana and pot legalization movements gain ground in Western and Northern states, the South, starting with Kentucky, may be moving ahead on pot's cousin, hemp, a flax-like fiber that proponents say has uses in 25,000 products and is already commercially farmed across a globe where marijuana is still largely outlawed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs the South ready to say howdy to hemp?

Czech Republic Legalizes Medical Marijuana Use

"Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed into law legislation that makes it legal in the Czech Republic to use marijuana for medical treatment. Klaus gave his approval on Friday, after the law had been approved by both houses of Parliament. It allows marijuana to be imported and later grown locally by registered firms licensed for such activity, which is currently illegal. Medical marijuana use is legal in a number of European countries and parts of the United States. The drug is commonly used to relieve conditions such as chronic pain and cancer." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCzech Republic Legalizes Medical Marijuana Use

US State Representative adopts Bitcoin donation system

"US State Representative Mark Warden has added a Bitcoin donation system to his campaign Website, marking the first use of the decentralised virtual currency system by a sitting incumbent politician. He says Bitcoin will allow online transactions that are not 'subject to the inflationary whims of the Federal Reserve or other central banks'. 'This is a cutting-edge technology that is market based, voluntary, and extremely innovative,' counters Warden. 'I have constituents and vendors who prefer this medium of exchange, so it's natural to want to respond to the marketplace.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS State Representative adopts Bitcoin donation system

Seattle Mayor Orders Police to Dismantle Its Drone Program After Protests

"In an amazing victory for privacy advocates and drone activists, yesterday, Seattle’s mayor ordered the city's police agency to cease trying use surveillance drones and dismantle its drone program. The police will return the two drones they previously purchased with a Department of Homeland Security grant to the manufacturer. In May of last year, we urged concerned citizens to take their complaints to their local governments, given Congress has been slow to act on any privacy legislation. The events of Seattle proves this strategy can work and should serve as a blueprint for local activism across the country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeattle Mayor Orders Police to Dismantle Its Drone Program After Protests

Crowd packs heat; Oak Harbor, WA backs down

"It's been three weeks since an Oak Harbor city councilmember started a national controversy by trying to kick out a wounded Army veteran who was legally carrying a weapon during a council meeting. Councilmember Rick Almberg then walked out. The council was met by 160 people Tuesday night, many who were packing heat. The city council eventually voted to overturn the ban, which the interim city attorney had told the members was unconstitutional. The council did not call for the resignation of fellow member Almberg, which a few people had called for." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCrowd packs heat; Oak Harbor, WA backs down

Washington state prepares to take on TSA

"HB 1454, The Washington State Freedom Of Travel Act, uses clear and commonsense language to point out the illegal activities which the TSA is already carrying out on a regular basis and sets penalties for violations within the state. The bill goes on to mention the illegality of groping and removing children from parental custody without permission, important sections in light of the TSA's apparent policy of hiring criminals, including a former Catholic priest who was defrocked for sexually abusing young girls." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington state prepares to take on TSA

Food Freedom vs. Regulatory Busybodies

"Cottage food laws, state laws permitting people to sell some foods prepared in the home, are one such development. In California, the state’s new cottage food law (which I wrote about previously here) appears to be a huge hit just a month into its existence. The law has already helped formerly illicit sellers to enter the legal food market. State laws permitting cottage foods are quickly catching up with the demand for looser regulations. Nearly three-dozen states now have cottage food laws in place. And advocates in other states—including Minnesota and Alabama—are pushing to add their states to the growing list." Continue reading →

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Bus Station Erupts With Heckling At Argentine Finance Minister And His Family

"Things are looking bad for Argentina's economy — central bank reserves are at 2007 lows due to capital flight, inflation is heading up, and the IMF is ready to punish the country for manipulating economic statistics. This is not the time when, as a Minister of the Economy, you want to get caught coming back from vacation in Uruguay with your family. But that's just what happened to Vice Finance Minister Axel Kicillof, a young father, and his wife as they were taking the Buquebus shuttle home from beach spot Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, La Nacion reports." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBus Station Erupts With Heckling At Argentine Finance Minister And His Family

Charlottesville, Virginia Becomes First City to Pass Anti-Drone Legislation

"Charlottesville, Va., has become the first city in the United States to formally pass an anti-drone resolution. The resolution passed by a 3-2 vote and was brought to the city council by activist David Swanson and the Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group based in the city. The measure also endorses a proposed two-year moratorium on drones in Virginia. Councilmember Dede Smith, who voted in favor of the bill, says that drones are 'pretty clearly a threat to our constitutional right to privacy'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCharlottesville, Virginia Becomes First City to Pass Anti-Drone Legislation

Rick Perry urges Californians to relocate to Texas

"In a new radio ad, the Republican governor urges California businesses to relocate to Texas to avoid high tax rates and regulations. The ad will air in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Inland Empire and San Diego. 'Building a business is tough, but I hear building a business in California is next to impossible,' Perry says in the ad. 'This is Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and I have a message for California businesses: come check out Texas. There are plenty of reasons Texas has been named the best state for doing business for eight years running.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRick Perry urges Californians to relocate to Texas