Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
San Jose may halt impound of vehicles for unlicensed drivers | abc7news.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Starting next week, the city of San Jose will change its controversial policy of impounding the cars of unlicensed drivers for 30 days. For years, Latino groups have claimed the policy unfairly targeted undocumented residents.
Latino advocacy groups say the problem is it's often harder for undocumented immigrants to get licenses. They've long protested that the vehicle seizures unfairly target them, causing this working class community much more economic hardship. But now San Jose is joining a host of other Bay Area cities, including San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley in changing its impound policy.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, police statistics show about 80 cars a week are towed from unlicensed drivers and held for a mandated month long period. Many owners abandon these cars because they're worth less than the nearly $3,000 it costs to get the car out after 30 days of storage, tickets and city fees.
As early as next week, San Jose police say the department will end its 30 day impound policy, when unlicensed drivers get caught for minor traffic violations. Instead, officers will offer alternatives, like letting a licensed driver pick up the car, or if it's towed, a licensed driver can pay any fees and pick it up without having to wait 30 days.
Some don't agree with the change, saying that unlicensed drivers are a threat to public safety. But immigrant community groups in San Jose are calling this policy reversal a path toward rebuilding trust between their community and law enforcement. Some faith and activist groups have even called for a celebration gathering next week in east San Jose.
Campaign For Liberty — "More Than Half of Americans Want Fed Reined In or Abolished"
| Posted by Matt Hawes on 12/09/10 2:49 PM Last updated 12/09/10 2:42 PM   [Older: Ron Paul Interview] |
Fresh on the heels of the game-changing news that Ron Paul will take over the House Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy in the 112th Congress comes a Bloomberg article reporting that the number of people who think the Fed should be reined in or completely abolished is growing.
Americans across the political spectrum say the Fed shouldn't retain its current structure of independence. Asked if the central bank should be more accountable to Congress, left independent or abolished entirely, 39 percent said it should be held more accountable and 16 percent that it should be abolished. Only 37 percent favor the status quo....
In an October poll, 8% supported eliminating the Fed. Double the support in only two months! Of course, as the article acknowledges, this has a lot to do with the Fed's power grabs in that time, including their move to buy $600 billion worth of government securities.
Even just two years ago, the progress we've already seen was unimaginable. Thanks to Campaign for Liberty members, cracking down on the Fed is now a mainstream topic of conversation, and Congressman Paul will be in a better position than ever before to push his thorough audit legislation. If we continue on with the same passion and dedication we've given this effort so far, we can add more Americans to our ranks and win this fight. The momentum is ours!
Woman fired for refusing flu shot
Judge Rejects Suit Filed To Prevent Forced Vaccinations
POSTED: 2:40 pm EST December 9, 2010
UPDATED: 6:15 pm EST December 9, 2010
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 ANMED FLU SHOT REQUIREMENT |
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German police find pot plant adorned as Xmas tree
Thursday, December 9, 2010; 10:26 AM
BERLIN -- German police say an "old hippy" is facing possible prosecution for his version of the, ahem, highest Christmas tree - a festively decorated two-meter- (two-yard-) tall marijuana plant.
Koblenz police spokesman Ralf Schomisch says officers raided the apartment of the 58-year-old man following a tip Monday and uncovered a cache of 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of marijuana.
Then in the living room they discovered the tree - a pot plant adorned with Christmas lights. The suspect, whose name was not released, said he had planned to decorate it further and putting presents under it at Christmas.
But it was not to be. Schomisch said Thursday that authorities "had to destroy this pre-Christmas dream" and seize the plant as evidence.
Visa becomes next target for WikiLeaks backers
Both MasterCard and Visa said that cardholders' accounts were not at risk and that people could continue using their credit cards throughout the day.
Supporters of the WikiLeaks, which has released thousands of classified government documents in recent weeks, said they would attack companies and groups hostile to the site and its founder. An Internet group operating under the label "Operation Payback" claimed responsibility for the MasterCard and Visa problems in messages on Twitter and elsewhere.