Toking for Taxes

Pro-marijuana TV ads push legalizing and taxing pot as California budget fix

This image taken from a television commercial and provided Wednesday, July 8, 2009, by the Marijuana Policy Project shows Nadene Herndon of Fair Oaks, California.

Full Story

Ad Campaign Seeks to Fix Calif.'s Budget Mess with Marijuana Taxation, Regulation

California already has a medical marijuana law in place, which of course has run afoul of federal regulations in the past. Recently, though, AG Eric Holder said that federal agents wouldn't pursue those who were abiding by state regulations. Now the Marijuana Policy Project has launched an ad campaign advocating regulation and taxation of marijuana as a way out of California's budget crisis.

Full Story

Wing Nuts Attacks Health Care Reform by Saying "Next They'll Want Food"

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. in 1948, states the following:

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Obviously, Wing Nuts do not agree with Human Rights!

Full Story

Spanish man gored to death at running of the bulls

A charging bull gored a young Spanish man to death today at Pamplona's San Fermin festival, the first such fatality in nearly 15 years.

Full Story

Nudists Attempt Skinny Dipping World Record

Thousands of people will try to set a skinny dipping world record across the country Saturday at noon, including a nudist resort near Phoenix. (as well as Whispering Pines near Ocean Isle, NC)

The Shangri La Ranch will host 500 people partaking in the event in its two giant pools.

"It's about enjoying nature as nature intended," said Patty Faber, a guest at the ranch speaking about being a nudist. "The way you came out. No clothes on. Nothing but the sun and wind kissing your skin."

Higher minimum wage coming soon

The federal minimum wage will go up this month, affecting 29 states.

Higher minimum wage

Also:

• How to land a government job now
• Find states with lowest cost of living

Video clears up Obama photo

Play Video

This photograph caused a major stir — but things weren't what they seemed.

Video clears up Obama photo

Also:

• Who's the girl?
• Funny presidential moments

'World's worst tourists' named in survey

Surprise! It's not Americans

One country's citizens are called arrogant, impolite, and tight-fisted in a global survey.

'World's worst tourists'

Also:

• Poll: Speedos bad beach behavior
• Find info on 'The Ugly American'

AIG is still at it, folks

American International Group is preparing to pay millions of dollars more in bonuses to several dozen top corporate executives after an earlier round of payments four months ago set off a national furor.

The troubled insurance giant has been pressing the federal government to bless the payments in hopes of shielding itself from renewed public outrage.

Read More Here

Won't work - we're still outraged from the last time, buckos!

GM emerges from bankruptcy

The beleaguered automaker pulls out of Chapter 11 with huge changes and an expected 4,000 job cuts.

GM bankruptcy

Also:

• Cars benefiting from recession
• Where's all the stimulus money?

Vatican breaks tradition for Obama meeting

Frank talks are expected between Obama and the pope, who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and stem cell research.

Breaking tradition

Also:

• First Lady mum on Burlosconi scandal
• Why next stop is Ghana, not Kenya
• 
  

Top-rated drugstore shampoos

You can get healthy and clean hair without paying salon prices.

Shampoos

Also:

• 8 hair myths busted
• Find summer hair tips

Rare baby white rhino born

White rhinos became extinct in Uganda during the civil unrest of the 1970's and 1980's but now they're making a comeback: the newest addition to the white rhino family will pay tribute to a very famous first couple.

Rare baby white rhino born

'Brady Bunch' star holding grudge over joke?

Jan Brady was always jealous of big sister Marcia.

Has the bitterness crossed over into real life?

Brady Bunch

Also:

• Find more on Maureen McCormick
• Search: Eve Plumb

And I Quote

Mankind censure injustice fearing that they may be the victims of it, and not because they shrink from committing it.

~ Plato

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is Clerihew Day

as well as

Don't Step on a Bee Day!

The second I get - it makes sense ... not stepping on a bee can be a good thing, after all.
But the first one? Ya got me!

Daily Almanac

Today is Friday, July 10, the 191st day of 2009.

There are 174 days left in the year.

Today In History July 10, 2009

Fractured Fairy Tales

The Pied Piper

El Niño weather phenomenon returns

The effects can make for wild weather around the world, say experts.

El Niño

Also:

• Extreme temps may be ahead
• Endangered vacation spots

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

London, England, United Kingdom
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Seoul, Seoul-T'ukpyolsi, Korea
Katowice, Slaskie, Poland
Luton, England, United Kingdom
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

as well as Scotland, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

A loved one has been trying to talk you into making a great big change, and doing it suddenly.
You're not fond of that sort of thing, especially if you're not calling the shots -- but now, with this particular person behind you 200 percent, you're not thinking of reasons why you shouldn't act.
You're ready, and it's time.
Talk about a winning combination.

I like winning.