Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

Israel and Iran: A love story?

"When war between Israel and Iran seemed imminent, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry shared a poster on Facebook of himself and his daughter with a bold message: 'Iranians ... we [heart] you.' Other Israelis quickly created their own posters with the same message -- and Iranians responded in kind. The simple act of communication inspired surprising Facebook communities like 'Israel loves Iran,' 'Iran loves Israel' and even 'Palestine loves Israel.'" Continue reading →

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North Korea Enlists German Help to Prepare Economic Opening

"Pyongyang may be preparing to open up its economy. A report in a prominent newspaper claims the regime has enlisted the aid of German economic and legal experts to lay the groundwork for foreign investment in North Korean companies. The move could be made as soon as this year. Still, even as there are many in the country's leadership who are in favor of opening up the country to investments from Japanese, South Korean and Western companies, the professor the paper cites notes that it is far from a done deal. 'The military in North Korea,' he told the paper, 'will not want to give up power.'" Continue reading →

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Palm Beach County teachers seeking gun training, permits in wake of Sandy Hook shooting

"Following last month’s fatal shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, gun ranges throughout Palm Beach County — and the country — are reporting an increase in teachers coming in for gun training and concealed weapons permits. Some may see it as an unorthodox response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, given that Florida law still bars teachers and others from carrying firearms on school grounds. But local gun shops say the uptick is a natural response." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalm Beach County teachers seeking gun training, permits in wake of Sandy Hook shooting

Idaho Adopts Khan’s Free Online Academy

"The state of Idaho’s educational bureaucracy next year will allow public school students in two dozen schools to take Khan Academy’s free courses for full credit. This is a test. This is a huge breakthrough for liberty. It means that a state has tentatively accepted the idea that online education that is provided by a legally independent third party who is not in any way under control of the state’s educational establishment may be as good as classroom education." Continue reading →

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Rocky Mountain high: Pot a $200M industry in Colorado

"Vigorous regulation of a thriving medical-marijuana industry in Colorado offers the best glimpse of what is coming to Washington when it launches its voter-approved social-use market. With continuous surveillance, bar-coded plants and strict financial background checks, Colorado's rules allowed capitalism to be unleased, creating an instant $200 million industry." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRocky Mountain high: Pot a $200M industry in Colorado

Flipping Off Police Officers Constitutional, Federal Court Affirms

"A police officer can't pull you over and arrest you just because you gave him the finger, a federal appeals court declared Thursday. In a 14-page opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled that the 'ancient gesture of insult is not the basis for a reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or impending criminal activity.' John Swartz and his wife Judy Mayton-Swartz had sued two police officers who arrested Swartz in May 2006 after he flipped off an officer who was using a radar device at an intersection in St. Johnsville, N.Y." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlipping Off Police Officers Constitutional, Federal Court Affirms

Poland bans genetically modified maize and potatoes

"Poland on Wednesday imposed new bans on the cultivation of certain genetically modified strains of maize and potatoes, a day after an EU required green light for GM crops took effect. The centre-right government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk imposed farming bans on German BASF’s Amflora strain of potato and US firm Monsanto’s MON 810 maize or corn, according to a government statement Wednesday. The ban on specific strains essentially uses a legal loophole to circumvent the EU’s acceptance of such products." Continue reading →

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Court Gives a Christmas Victory to Atlanta Street Vendors

"In 2009, Atlanta handed over all vending on public property to General Growth Properties—the first time any American city has set up such a centralized scheme for vending. As the monopolist has moved into areas of the city, Atlanta officials have revoked the existing vendors’ permits and forced them to leave. The first phase of the program eliminated approximately 16 vibrant vending businesses along with dozens of self-supporting private-sector jobs. Thankfully today’s ruling halted the second phase of the program—which included the area around Turner Field, where Plaintiffs Larry Miller and Stanley Hambrick’s vending businesses operate." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCourt Gives a Christmas Victory to Atlanta Street Vendors

Washington DC’s first medical marijuana grow sites win approval

"Some 15 years after voters said yes to medical marijuana, regulators in Washington, D.C. have finally approved the first two grow sites in the district’s history. It’s taken so long mainly because Congress placed repeated delays on the program and denied it any funding, but city officials got the ball rolling again in 2010 when they unanimously votes to move forward with implementation. D.C. will eventually allow up to 10 dispensaries, and patients will be able to obtain up to two ounces of the plant per month from specially licensed doctors. Grow sites like the two approved by regulators will be limited to just 95 plants apiece." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWashington DC’s first medical marijuana grow sites win approval

California’s Lt. Gov. comes out in favor of legalizing marijuana

"California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) came out in favor of fully legalizing marijuana and regulating the drug like alcohol, even though he opposed legalization in 2010. The story went on to describe how many Californians think of marijuana like a cocktail, and how many affluent professionals even offer it to guests at dinner parties as part of local custom. It concludes with one final quote from the man widely expected to top the ticket of Democratic challengers to Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014: 'These laws just don’t make sense anymore. It’s time for politicians to come out of the closet on this.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia’s Lt. Gov. comes out in favor of legalizing marijuana