Pat Robertson Supports Marijuana Legalization
The infamous right-wing Christian Pat Robertson, who has blamed natural disasters on gay people, supports marijuana legalization, according to a Raw Story report. Robertson recently explained his views on drug law reform on his “700 Club” television show. “I’m … I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe that criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of a few ounces of pot, that kinda thing it’s just, it’s costing us a fortune and it’s ruining young people,” Roberson said. “Young people go into prisons, they go in as youths and come out as hardened criminals. That’s not a good thing.” Robertson reportedly showed support for faith-driven initiatives aimed at drug offenders and conservative drug law reform groups.
No Lame Duck for Christmas
President Obama won considerable victories in Congress during the latest session, according to The Hill. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was recently repealed; the Senate ratified the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia to control nuclear weapons; and Obama struck a historic deal with Republicans that led to the passage of a tax-cut compromise bill that extended unemployment benefits and tax cuts for all Americans. Obama may escape the “lame duck” label after all.
EPA Intervenes in Texas
Tensions between the state of Texas and the federal government hit a boiling point this week in a feud over greenhouse gas emissions, according to The New York Times. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that Texas in not properly regulating emissions from power plants and refineries, and on January 2 the agency will step in to regulated emissions based on new mandates issued to Texas. The state’s authorities are challenging the mandates in court.
Activist Protesting Gaza Wall Could Serve Time
Israeli activist Jonathan Pollack could be sent to prison for three to six months for participating in a Critical Mass bike ride in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians on the Gaza strip, according to activist’s reports. About 30 people participated in the bicycle protest in Tel Aviv against the “siege” of Gaza. Police reportedly picked out Pollack as an organizer, and his arrest was not based on a particular behavior. Pollack could be sent to prison on December 27 for supporting an unlawful assembly.
We’re not backing down in the face of Trump’s threats.
As Donald Trump is inaugurated a second time, independent media organizations are faced with urgent mandates: Tell the truth more loudly than ever before. Do that work even as our standard modes of distribution (such as social media platforms) are being manipulated and curtailed by forces of fascist repression and ruthless capitalism. Do that work even as journalism and journalists face targeted attacks, including from the government itself. And do that work in community, never forgetting that we’re not shouting into a faceless void – we’re reaching out to real people amid a life-threatening political climate.
Our task is formidable, and it requires us to ground ourselves in our principles, remind ourselves of our utility, dig in and commit.
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