Month: January 2010

Latin America rejects old U.S. approach in drugs war

From Reuters: “Convinced that the four-decade-old, U.S.-led war on drugs has failed, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and other countries are relaxing penalties for possession and personal use of small amounts of narcotics. “Critics warn drug abuse and violence will rise if the small-scale consumption of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs is tolerated, but policy […]

Does US plan war with Venezuela?

The U.S. continues to use the drug war in South America as a tool of American Empire. The U.S. has been adding to its military in Colombia (which borders Venezuela) and now entered into an agreement with Holland for military bases off the coast of Venezuela claiming it was to fight the drug war. Over […]

SUNDAY NEWS

“Want to be rich? Don’t act like it” makes the point “Eighty-six percent of all prestige or luxury makes of motor vehicles are driven by people who are not millionaires….In the U. S., there are nearly three times more millionaires living in homes with a market value of under $300,000 than there are living in […]

How to Reform Our Financial System

New York Times by Op-Ed contributor Paul Volcker concludes: “….I am well aware that there are interested parties that long to return to ‘business as usual,’ even while retaining the comfort of remaining within the confines of the official safety net. They will argue that they themselves and intelligent regulators and supervisors, armed with recent […]

Mel Gibson confronts an “Edge of Darkness”

Five minutes into the new Mel Gibson vehicle, “Edge of Darkness,” you understand why the world is in thrall to American filmmaking. The movies’ sheer craft lulls you into willing submission. That its problems pile up like cars on an icy highway is almost aside from the point. Meticulous production and technical credits go a ways to glossing over the large narrative problems the script struggles to contain.

EDITORIAL: Drug Testing harms our youth

In recognition of the Sunday News commendable article “Drug tests in schools pass/fail?”, we are reprinting the below text from a public service advertisement by Common Sense for Drug Policy (CSDP.org) that appeared in a half dozen magazines of political opinion a couple of years ago:

SUNDAY NEWS

“Drug tests in schools pass/fail?” is a lengthily and almost heroically researched first of a three part series based on local experiences. It is sub-headed “In public schools, only 36 positive readings out of more than 3,000. A deterrent? Or are pupils wise and alcohol is substance of choice?” WATCHDOG: Two wags of the tail. […]

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

“What governmental body has swung so far in the wrong direction that the momentum of its burdensome, self-serving bulk seemingly can’t be reversed? The Pennsylvania Legislature. “A part-time body that paid members $7,200 and employed a staff of 532 in the late 1960s, the General Assembly now is the nation’s biggest, full-time legislature, paying members […]

Specter’s campaign cash tops Sestak’s, Toomey’s

From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Sen. Arlen Specter raised $1.15 million for his reelection during the last three months of 2009 and ended the year with nearly $8.7 million in the bank, his campaign announced yesterday. The campaign for his challenger in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary May 18, Rep. Joe Sestak, said Sestak would report raising about […]

Severance tax on Marcellus Shale drillers

From Central Pennsylvania News: “Gov. Ed Rendell is slated to introduce a state budget proposal Feb. 9, and he has said he will renew efforts to pass a tax. “ExxonMobil announced Dec. 14 that it would buy XTO Energy for $31 billion. XTO holds more than 30 well-drilling permits in the state’s Marcellus region. The […]

Proposed bill would shield people reporting overdoses

From the New York Times: “As a former heroin user, Kathleen Kane-Willis said she remembered being afraid when she called 911 to report a drug overdose because she thought she might be arrested.  Now a drug policy researcher at Roosevelt University, Ms.  Kane-Willis is pushing to resurrect legislation that would help shield callers from prosecution […]

GOP Adopts Platform Test for Candidates

From Newsmax.com: “The Republican National Committee, pressed to find a way to more clearly distinguish itself from Democrats, on Friday adopted a rule that will prod GOP leaders to provide financial support to only those candidates who support the party’s platform… “‘No more Scozzafavas, please. No more Specters, please. No more Chafees, please,’ [RNC member […]

Homeless services work against greater challenges

The state of homelessness in Lancaster County is not faring well in these first months of 2010: The effects of a sluggish national economy have swiftly trickled down to society’s lowest income brackets; a local shelter (Crispus Attucks) has recently closed its doors, pulling about 20 beds from our social safety net; and a cold, blustery winter relentlessly bears down on both rich and poor. Fortunately, Lancaster’s homeless services are rising to the challenge…

INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

An editorial “The correct call” goes on to say “James E. Andersok executive director of the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, told the commission that, at the very least, juveniles should consult with an attorney before waiving the right to counsel.…