Far From Home

The Worst.

...but not that surprising.  Still the worst.  Gah.

A government watchdog says federal officials weren't entirely honest with the public about the health of the first 9 financial firms that got federal bailouts, according to a report released Monday.

Bailout special inspector general Neil Barofsky says in an audit that Treasury Department officials painted an overly rosy picture, creating "unrealistic expectations," when they called the first bailout banks "healthy" institutions that would be able to lend more with government help.

...read more on CNN.com

I found this user's comment to be worth including...

Jeff Tessier7:25 am

This article does not do a good job of explaining that the false assesments duscussed in this story took place last year, 14 October 2008. This was after Bush requested just enough bailout money to try to hold over the banks until the election. Then 2 weeks before the election they lied and said the banks were fine now. This is a classic example of how the Bush administration had officials lie to the American people in order to try to sway their opinions and vote based on these lies.

Gun-Toting Loonies

Anyone who has watched the news lately has seen the coverage of people bringing their guns (for which they have licences to carry) into Presidential town-hall meetings.  There's been a debate over whether this should be allowed, and of course, the interpretation of the second amendment of the Constitution is the focal point of the argument.

I thought I'd throw up a poll here to see what people think about this issue, partially because I felt like trying out polldaddy, but also because I'm curious.  That said, I'm not sure I even have the reader-base at this point, thanks to my hiatus, that will generate a decent turnout. Regardless, it's all in good fun anyhow.

Personally, I think it's lunacy for these people to be permitted near the president with their sidearms, second amendment or not.  As pointed out by many, people who feel the need to exercise their right to bear firearms at town-hall meetings that are obviously going to focus on health care might be a little batty...  All it takes is one well-timed and well-aimed shot by one of these crazies and boom-- assassination.  And given the barbaric atmosphere of some of these town halls as of late, I wouldn't put it completely out of the realm of possibility.  Not by a long shot.

But, what these people are doing is legal.  Retarded, but legal.  I have no problem with people carrying weapons, honestly.  I'm not for aggressive gun control, as I recognize that in the vast majority of cases, it is the guns that are not legally registered that we need to worry about, and this freedom, just like any other that we appreciate having in this country, should be protected.

Seriously though, you can't take a gun on a plane... but you can take one within feet of the president?  Something is a bit backwards here.

Brad Pitt to Run for Mayor of New Orleans?

Probably not.  In fact, there's a lot of skepticism around whether he actually has ever had any intentions of running, or whether a combination of jokingly made comments on his part, a general fondness for him of New Orleans residents, and a lot of skewage by media and netizens has led to rumors of grand proportion.

Personally, my interest in this subject is not the fact that it is heartthrob Brad Pitt running for mayor, but rather the platform that he has stated he intends to run on (again, jokingly, it seems).  I've always had the impression that Pitt was a pretty cool guy, but his political keystone issues might just give a reason to girls and boys alike to be "ga-ga" over Brad Pitt.  ...words I thought I'd never type, or say, or even think...

Anyhow, were Mr. Pitt to run, he has stated that his intended platform would be based on the following:

• Gay Marriage
• No Religion
• Legalization and Taxation of Marijuana

In his own words, "I don't have a chance."  Probably true, but you still kick ass, Brad.

links:

Brad Pitt 1-on-1 Interview with Anne Curry (video) [buzzfeed.com]

Brad Pitt for Mayor! [thecelebritycafe.com]

Baby Steps Toward Marijuana Legalization

Since my last post on the subject, a even greater tempest of media coverage is swirling and picking up speed.  I'll go out on a limb and say that Obama seems to be waiting for "the people" to make enough of a stand on the matter so it doesn't have to be "his idea".  But seriously -- Obama can't truly be opposed to pot legalization on a personal level.. that just isn't believable, if you ask me.  I can understand, that said, the tactical avoidance of any bold moves in this already incredibly intense political climate. 

Anyhow, here are some links to keep you up to speed on the latest progress, segmented logically.  This is a merely a tiny subset of the vast sea of media coverage.  It is quite remarkable.

General / Perspective

• America's New Marijuana Zeitgeist (thehill.com)
• Let's Tell The Truth About Marijuana (Reality Catcher)  
• Marijuana Legalization Gaining Steam Across the US (thinkingfluidly.com)
• Mr. President, It's Time To Talk About Marijuana (eyesonobama.com)

Political / Policy Related

• Is Marijuana Legalization Politically Risky Anymore? Not Really.. (stopthedrugwar.com)
• Medicinal Marijuana is Legal in Michigan (mapinc.org)
• Michigan Accepts First Application for Medicinal Marijuana (detnews.com)

Studies / Scientific Findings

• Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows (sciencedaily.com)  

"The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University. Researchers do not know why THC inhibits tumor growth, they say the substance could be activating molecules that arrest the cell cycle." (sciencedaily.com)

• Possibility of Marijuana as Cancer Treatment (cancermarijuana.com)

This blog (cancermarijuana.com) has fascinating discoveries to speak about, offered in easily-consumed, weil-written articles.  Highly recommended reading material, even if it does lack the scientific references to truly be considered "unbiased reporting." :)

Celebrities / Cultural 

•   Drew Carey Responds to Obama about Marijuana (jimboland.com)
•   Carlos Santana Tells Obama to Legalize Marijuana (huffingtonpost.com)

Official: No More DEA Raids on Medical Marijuana!

More good news every day on this front.

Speaking at a press conference on Feb 25 with DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, and reiterating a position made by the White House following DEA raids in California on February 4, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters that ending federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries "is now American policy."  

Some new links: 

• Kellogg's Stock Takes Big Hit After Phelps Bong Controversy (nice!)
• Opposing the drug laws they enforce
• Attorney General on Youtube
• Time For Marijuana Legalization?  

  

  

Another Ten Years? Sure Doesn't Look Like It...

Now here is an interesting chart:

 

This chart accompanies this article and illustrates the width of the societal divide on the issue of legalizing marijuana over the years... and I dig the chart... but I actually have to go ahead and disagree with the analysis that accompanies it.  The author makes the case that pot legalization is coming, but probably not for another 10 years.  He notes that in order for legalization to occur, the number of people in support of it would have to be a supermajority, and currently is stil a minority at 40% of the population, with 46% opposed.
The perspective given by the author proposes that by following the upward, roughly linear trend established between 1990 and the present, a 60% majority for legalization is likely around 2022 or 2023.  Intepreting this data with a linear trendline is totally inappropriate, particularly given the social and political climate that we live in, and the widespread desperation bred by the still worsening financial crisis.  I look at the sudden curve between 2004 and today and I see what looks like the beginning of exponential growth.  
There is currently a 6% gap between those in favor of legalization and those who oppose it.  Simply a rough estimate by looking at the graph--but it seems that around 2006, this gap was roughly 30%.  So, over the past three years, we have a favorable increase of legalization to the tune of about 24%, or 8% per year.  If that rate was to remain consistent, there would be a majority in favor in less than two years, and a very significant majority in less than five.
But those numbers are STILL likely to be wrong.  The value of this data is found in the acceleration of the rate of changes in opinion. The magnitude of the recent jump in support for legalization is exceeds that of any other period of time shown.  Only in the early 70s, during the years following the Controlled Substances act of 1970, do we see anything similar.  And by comparison, recent years show an increase of even greater proportion.
Summarily, I'll make no prediction of my own on the timeframe, but when marijuana is finally legalized, in observance of the highly reactive nature of human society, it is almost certain to happen quite suddenly... And there is a very real possibility that we are living the prelude to that change today.

Marijuana Legalization on the Horizon

There's so much about this in the media that I'm not even going to attempt to summarize it myself.  Instead, I'm just going to provide you with a selection of links on the subject.

• Legalization of Marijuana Bill in California (sfweekly.com)
• Legalizing Marijuana More Popular than GOP Leaders (thinkprogress.org)
• US: 40% Say Marijuana Should Be Legalized (rasmussenreports.com)
• New Jersey votes today on bill to legalize medical marijuana (pressofatlanticcity.com)
• Cali. to legalize marijuana and produce 1 billion in taxes?? (drugscience.org)
• Republican Christian: What My Life Was Like Before Cannabis (timberjay.com)
• Zogby Poll: US Weed Legalization Support Grows (norml.org)  

Seriously, I could go on for pages.  This news is everywhere, so I'm sure most of my readers know to some extent... but hot damn!  Exciting prospect, to see common sense starting to pop up in American policy making!  Too bad it takes a crisis of such magnitude to affect this kind of change.  Hopefully we will be a more proactive nation in general after this mess is over.

Google Executives - Jail Time??

Four top Google executives face charges that could lead to jail time.  Why, you may ask?  

Simply put, someone in Italy uploaded a video to YouTube Italy that was deemed highly offensive.  The offensive video supposedly shows four young people teasing an individual with Down Syndrome-- content that sounds like it is certainly quite sad, and of distinct moral objection... but if anyone should face jail time, it should be the creators of the offensive video... and even that is debatable, having not seen the video.

Google quickly removed the video upon receiving complaints, but prosecutors claim that the video should never have been published.  

Obama Update

Obama Update-- Today's Obama Links:

• Barack Obama's Bulletproof Inaugural Suit
• The White House has a new Webmaster
• On Happy Day Stock Market is Still Down
• Search Inside Obama's Inaugural Speech 

Big surprise-- the malware community is already capitalizing on Obama's popularity:

• Fake Sites with Obama News Infect Users with Malware

And while we were distracted and watching the inauguration, it was cunningly revealed:

• 100 Million Credit Cards Compromised 

Inaugural Observations: The End of an Error?

It's 10:39am on the day of Barack Obama's inauguration, a day that will, without question, be regarded as a historic cornerstone for as long as humans walk this earth.  I've been glued to CNN for the most part this morning, but I did leave the house to get some breakfast and pick up a few copies of the Washington Post.  Excitement is in the air in a way that I'm not sure I've experienced in my entire lifetime.  

Now, don't get me wrong, there is no source of excitement for me greater than Obama's inauguration, but a very close second is experiencing the final day of the Bush Administration in power.  I won't tarnish this glorious day with too much focus on the negative events of the past eight years, that being said.  We are all familiar with the details, and now is not the time for a reminder, right?  

Or perhaps it is.  In celebrating this momentous occasion, it will do us all some good to remember why we need a leader of Obama's caliber in this day and age.  Any less might not be enough.  America has finally elected the best man for the job once more, illustrating that democracy can still work in this country.  Eight years ago, however, it failed miserably, and we have and will continue to pay dearly for that failure.  The true breadth of the corruption and self-serving agenda of government throughout the past two presidential terms remains to be seen, but few dispute the notion that the gross negligence of the Bush administration has placed this country and the livelihood of its citizens in jeopardy of unparalleled magnitude.

Yet we must remember--the mistakes of the Bush administration are our mistakes too.  In embracing our democracy, and the success that it brings us today, we must also recognize our failure as a people to properly leverage the freedoms and flexibilities that it affords us.  In the future, I sincerely hope that we need not repeat such incredible disaster to precipitate such success.

In all walks of life, proactive behavior yields better results than reactive behavior.  Let us remember this, going forward, and each do our part to perpetuate the sense of unity and triumph that we feel today in the days that follow, and throughout the challenges that they will hold.

But enough of that for now.  Barack Obama will be our president in 30 minutes.  Hurrah!