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Thursday, February 26, 2009
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Time For Marijuana Legalization?Andrew Cohen: Economic Crisis Spurring Politicians To Talk About Legalizing PotComments Comments 84Feb. 25, 2009 | by Andrew CohenSend this story via emailE-Mail StoryPrint this storyPrint StoryRead related blogs & articles about this storySphereShareText Size: A A A (DEA)RelatedSubstance Abuse In AmericaInteractiveSubstance Abuse In AmericaGet the facts on a national problem. Find out where to get help, learn how drugs affect the body and compare state drunk-driving laws.Stories * Border Patrol Expands Role In North * Cop: No Pot Charge For Phelps After PhotoAnswers.com(CBS) Attorney Andrew Cohen analyzes legal issues for CBS News and CBSNews.com.Apparently, it was nothing personal after all. Apparently, it was strictly business all along.After generations of defending capital punishment and marijuana possession laws on moral, ethical and religious grounds, after years of declaring that the death penalty acted as a deterrent against violent crime and that pot smokers were more dangerous to society than, say, alcohol consumers, all of a sudden thanks to our economic crisis more and more mainstream powerbrokers are considering dramatic changes to our criminal justice system.The New York Times today has a late-arriving piece by Ian Urbina which posits that lawmakers in several states are considering abandoning the death penalty because it’s just too expensive and cuts into other law enforcement priorities. State officials are beginning to acknowledge that they can more productively spend their budget funds on cracking unsolved cases or ensuring better police protection than on keeping pot smokers in prison or fighting for decades with capital defendants. This, Urbina writes, is forcing a sea-change around the nation: “Last year, in an effort to cut costs, probation and parole agencies in Arizona, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey and Vermont reduced or dropped prison time for thousands of offenders who violated conditions of their release. In some states, probation and parole violators account for up to two-thirds of prison admissions each year; typical violations are failing drug tests or missing meetings with parole officers. As prison crowding has become acute, lawsuits have followed in states like California, and politicians find themselves having to choose among politically unattractive options: spend scarce tax dollars on expanding prisons, loosen laws to stem the flow of incarcerations, or release some nonviolent offenders.”This trend toward releasing non-violent offenders naturally begs the question: what about legalizing marijuana possession and lowering the drinking age? A California lawmaker Monday introduced legislation that would legalize (and tax) pot there. In Colorado, as seen this past Sunday on 60 Minutes, the police chief in Boulder (which houses a raucous University of Colorado) made a compelling case for saving money by reducing the drinking age from 21. Better to have police officers tracking violent crime, the argument goes, than writing tickets for college kids who are going to drink no matter what.These declarations, from the political and legal arena, are not just isolated voices shouting into the wilderness. Consider the late, great Milton Friedman, the Nobel Laureate, former Reagan advisor, and esteemed scholar associated with the very conservative Hoover Institution. He was among hundreds of important economists who argue that pot should be legalized and taxed - and that the income from such taxation could generate billions in new revenues and billions more in enforcement savings. If you live in California, what would you rather have? Pot smokers whose cases are tying up the legal system? Or better health care and roads thanks to a marijuana tax. I’m just asking the question-and others are too.Friedman and his colleagues first made these arguments years ago - before the economy tanked. Is it time to take his view more seriously with states facing huge budget shortfalls that threaten to curtail vital projects and policies? It is such a great leap from releasing prisoners from prison early to save money and not sending them there at all to save more? I would suspect a survey of police officials and prosecutors, and a survey of state budget officials, would indicate that the matter is being taken more seriously today than it ever has been.It’s not my place to advocate anything - so please don’t write and accuse me of being Cheech or Chong. All I am saying is that the economic case for legalizing marijuana, and for lower the drinking rate, is as compelling as it has ever been and that, in a time of great changes in the interaction between government and the governed, it would not be the worst thing in the world to have a serious national debate on the topic. If we are going to lower state and federal budgets for criminal justice, if we are going to be emptying our prisons anyway to save costs, let’s make sure we do it in a way that maximizes the opportunities available to us.
Time For Marijuana Legalization? - CBS News
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The "birth control" pill...and so much morepartner * by Dr. Kate, The Daily Bedpost, on Tue Apr 1, 2008 9:07am PDT * 128 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report Abuse[Ed. note -- Matters of contraception make for - ahem - big and long-lasting conversation here on Shine. Right now, we can't stop talking about the many ways The Pill works in our body and the many reasons, even outside of birth control, we use it. Add your opinion to the mix!]My new patient J. came into my office with her mother last week to discuss her awful periods. She's 13, and has been to the emergency room several times (and missed over a week of school this year) because of heavy bleeding and disabling pain. I was excited about offering J. the birth control pill--I don't often have the chance to greatly improve someone's life with a simple prescription. But her mother resisted, because when she was young, "only bad girls went on the Pill that young." Forty-five minutes of conversation later, J.'s mother promised to think about it.This encounter was a reminder that the birth control pill has a bad name. Sure, its contraceptive power is fantastic (97 percent effective when used perfectly). But it's so much more than that: * The anti-anemia pill. You'll bleed less heavily and for fewer days each month. * The anti-cramp pill. You'll need less ibuprofen...and maybe none at all. * The pro-clear-skin pill. Dermatologists recommend the pill to help control acne. * The anti-hair-in-the-wrong-places pill. Meaning less hair growth on your face. * The cyst-reduction pill. You'll reduce the chances of benign ovarian and breast cysts. * The cancer prevention pill. Reduce your risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer by 50-80 percent. * The mood stabilizer pill. The pill can work wonders in some women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). * The bone strengthening pill. Studies indicate that use of the pill can help ward off osteoporosis. * The pro-fertility pill. The pill provides some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a major cause of infertility.Do any of you take the "birth control" pill for non-birth-control reasons?
The "birth control" pill...and so much more - Healthy Living on Shine
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Your oddest body quirks explainedpartner * by Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief, PREVENTION, on Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:13pm PST * 14 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report AbuseGoose bumps. Popping joints. Laughing till’ you cry. These little body quirks are certainly familiar, but it doesn’t make them any less mysterious. Here is what’s behind a few of your body’s stranger habits, plus why a less-than-desirable physical trait could actually be healthy: 1. WHY DOES CHOPPING ONIONS MAKE YOU TEAR UP?When you cut into an onion, you rupture its cells, releasing enzymes that produce a gas called propanethial sulfoxide. Once that gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with tears to produce a mild sulfuric acid. And that hurts. The brain then signals the eyes’ tear glands to produce more liquid to flush the stuff out. The more you chop, the more irritating gas you produce and the more tears you shed. “The onion’s chemical reaction is a defense mechanism that evolved to repel pests,” explains University of Wisconsin–Madison horticultural professor Irwin Goldman, PhD. Keep the stinging and crying to a minimum by chilling an onion in the freezer before cutting it cold temperatures slow release of the enzymes. The highest concentration of enzymes is at the bottom of the onion, so cut it last to postpone the weeping (and the irritation) for as long as possible. If you don’t like cooking with onions, check out our recipe finder for more great onion-free dishes.2. IS IT TRUE THAT YOUR EARS GROW THROUGHOUT LIFE?Yes, the outer ears do. Starting at birth, the ears are, proportionally, the body’s largest feature, with a Spock-like prominence. They grow rapidly until about age 10, then slow to the languid pace of about 0.22 millimeter per year, according to a study by Britain’s Royal College of General Practitioners. Other studies show that the earlobe itself also lengthens throughout life (men have longer lobes than women). However, the size of the ear canal, which is formed by bone and cartilage, does not increase with age. Don’t love the size of your ears? Find other ways to look and feel great. 3. WHY DO YOUR JOINTS CRACK?The most common type of joint in the human body is the diarthrodial joint — knuckles and shoulders are examples — in which two bones come together in a capsule. Inside that joint capsule is a lubricant called synovial fluid, which contains dissolved gases. When you stretch the joint, you’re actually compressing it and the fluid within, forcing those nitrogen-rich gases to escape the synovial solution. The release of “air” within the joint capsule is what you hear as a “pop.” Once the gas is released, the joint is a bit more flexible (enabling you to go a little further in a yoga pose, for example). But you’ve probably noticed that you can’t immediately crack the same joint again. That’s because the gases released in a pop must first reabsorb into the fluid, a process that takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you habitually crack your knuckles to relieve tension, try concentrating on your breath for 30 seconds instead. Knuckle cracking doesn’t lead to arthritis, but it can lead to decreased grip strength. Click here to find out how to break other bad habits. 4. WHAT CAUSES THE FEELING OF “PINS AND NEEDLES”?Called paresthesia, pins and needles are caused by blocked blood flow to a pressed nerve. If you sit too long in an awkward position — or even just with your legs crossed — you may press hard enough on a nerve to interrupt its signaling to the brain, causing your feet, for example, to “fall asleep,” or go numb. This is not the same as a pinched nerve, a longer-lasting condition that occurs when a part of the body, swollen because of injury or misalignment, applies steady pressure on a nerve. Paresthesia is usually felt in the extremities — hands, feet, and ankles. That crazy-making prickly sensation is the resumption of pain messages to the brain. Simply changing your position is almost always enough to allow the nerve to resume communication. But prickly feelings more rarely can be symptoms of diseases as diverse and serious as diabetes, lupus, and MS. If your pins and needles don’t resolve quickly with a change of body position, see a doctor. Avoid pins and needs and keep your body moving with this yoga DVD. 5. CAN “CANKLES” ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR YOU?Maybe. Scientists haven’t studied the significance of ankle shape, but other research on fat distribution may point to an answer. Ankles that have lost a bit of definition and appear to merge with the calf (hence the hybrid word) might actually improve your health, as long as you’re not seriously overweight. Fat stored in the intra-abdominal region — in and around the organs — can indicate a risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes; fat in the legs is least linked with these maladies, possibly because women with more leg fat often have less fat around their middle. Avoid cankles and other body fat with these delicious Flat Belly Cookbook meals. 6. WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING REALLY FUNNY, WHY DO YOU SOMETIMES “LAUGH TILL YOU CRY”?Experts don’t really know. One thing to consider: Laughing and crying are similar psychological reactions. “Both occur during states of high emotional arousal, involve lingering effects, and don’t cleanly turn on and off,” says Robert R. Provine, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Maryland , and author of Laughter: A Scientific Investigation. We associate crying with sadness, but tearing up is an even more complex human response. Tears are triggered by a variety of emotions — “by pain, sadness, and in some cases even extreme mirth. It’s just the way we’ve evolved,” says Lee Duffner, MD, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. As it turns out, that’s good, because both laughter and crying can ease a stressful experience, probably by counteracting the effects of cortisol and adrenaline. So if you ever find yourself laughing until you cry, count yourself lucky. Click here to find out why these women are happy.
Your oddest body quirks explained - Healthy Living on Shine
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Menstrual Pain vs Ovulation Painuser * by taleayahjohnson, on Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:17pm PDT * 2 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report AbuseAs women, at some point in time we have all experienced the monthly cramping, bloating, headaches, and changing moods associated with our menstrual cycle. This uncomfortable time of the month has transcended through biblical times to modern times, and undoubtedly will forever remain with man-kind. It is something that women endure and unfortunately there is little to nothing we can do about it. However, consider if you had a similar pain 14 days after your menstrual cycle but without “Aunt Flow”. This is called Mittelschmerz, which is a medical term used to describe mid-cycle pain or ovulation pain. Ovulation pain! When did ovulating become painful? Well, there are a few of us who experience this every month or intermittently. The pain is often intense, sharp, and lasts for hours. Eventually, it does subside and reduce to a dull nagging pain in your side where your ovaries are located. Personally, I thought I was dying, but that’s just my hypochondriac personality. Interestingly, I had never heard of such a pain from my mother, aunts, friends or anyone for that matter. However, I have always had the pain for as long as I can remember. Some months are more intense than others, while some months I do not have it at all. It was something that I could not describe as a young teen or perhaps I was not as in tune with my body as I am today to accurately describe. It was something that I could not immediately go see a doctor about, because generally by the time I got an appointment and examined, the pain was gone. So, I suffered for years in silence.I am ringing the alarm for the other 20% of women and young women who may also suffer from ovulation pain. Talk to your doctor, and describe the pain as accurately as possible. He or she will be able to better assess your issue and determine whether it is mittelschmerz or something more or less severe. For more information: http://women.webmd.com/mittelschmerz
Menstrual Pain vs Ovulation Pain - Healthy Living on Shine
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Long Lasting Painuser * by djgreetings.com, on Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:31am PST * 400 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report AbuseGreetings !!! Long Lasting PainGround combat in the 1991 Persian Gulf War lasted just 100 hours, but it's meant 17 years of pain and anguish for hundreds of thousands of veterans who went. Recently, though, many of the sufferers have been... moreHere's a quote from Senator John Kerry:History will judge the invasion of Iraq one of the greatest foreign policy misadventures of all time.”full articleWhat are your comments?
Long Lasting Pain - Healthy Living on Shine
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STARS ON THE WATER by J MONTANAuser * by J Montana, on Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:51pm PST * 1141 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report AbuseEveryone has a friend or loved one in the military that is either on active duty or hasRetired. I want to take the time to remember the heroes of today, as well as our fallenSoldiers that we have lost as a result of the war. I have a few friends here on ShineThat have Husbands that are on active duty. Please leave your prayers for them.These are our Heroes. If you have a friend or family member that has past on or isOn active duty please leave them your prayers and well wishes here. My wish is toHave all of our soldiers come home safely. These soldiers fight for a freedom thatWe take for granted. We need to come together and remember
who has foughtThe good fight for us. It was not I. I can not even fathom the thought of going intoBattle just so our children can feel safe at night. Remember the fallen soldiers.My father was my hero. He was not in the military. I still miss him. I recently readA post that reminded me of daddy. I did not get to say good by to him before hePassed away. Even if you do not have a friend or loved one in the military.Tell us who your Hero is. It can be a school teacher that you remember from yearsAgo, your brother, your husband or a friend. Who is your Hero? Our heroes areOur Shining Stars.As I look at the Sun setting in the sky I feel forsaken. Why have you left me.I will remember you. It is dark now. The night is pitch black the Sun is lost.I only see the Stars on the Water.A hero (from Greek ἥρως hērōs[1]), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originallya demigod[2], the offspring of a mortal and a deity,[3] their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion.Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters (fictional orhistorical) that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness,display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for somegreater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence and a lifesaver. ~ Wikipedia
STARS ON THE WATER by J MONTANA on Shine
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Kutter's Bar and Grilluser * by Kutter, on Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:39am PST * 1789 Comments * Post a Comment * Read More from This Author » * Report AbuseSo, you think that your day was tough? Well, join the club. Whenever you enter this establishment upset, you will leave with a smile on your face. We are here to drown your sorrows, and make you feel better. So what are you having? You may have noticed that there are no clocks on the walls. We did this for a reason. Time may fix your problems, but a few drinks are going help you along the way. Tell me what is going on. The good and the bad. The pretty and the ugly. The ups and the downs. It doesn't matter if you are a QuietThinker or as loud as a rock concert. Whatever! Enough of the examples. I’m here to make you your drinks. I’m here to make a paycheck. I’m here to make you smile, but please follow the ToS rules. If you annoy me too much then I will be forced to call in my bouncers. Our security is run by BJ, and she owns over 200 guns, so please be smart about your decisions. You don’t want any Harley riders telling you where to go. You could get your feelings hurt. You might be looking up at the Sky and notice that Sunshine is not smiling at you. We also have a builder named Bob that knows how to “plant” a two by four. If you get by Bob then you will be dealing with Big Ron, and he has a habit of loving you to death. On the other hand, Lady Jane will escort you through our establishment if you set an appointment. Also, don’t mess with the lawn guy because Blade has been known to Kut you In The Flesh. We only try to run a nice Traezy establishment. Kim is the main level waitress, but do not take your drinks off of her ass. She will serve you in an, out of the oven, hot Biscuit type of manner. There is a guy named Defiant that shows up every now and again, and he claims to be Valiant, and he has some great stories. He’ll tell you a joke anytime that you are willing listen. He works in a hospital with DocNewYork and Nurse Di. She believes that Zombies are very witty. I have to agree with the “witty” part. Be very careful though, Satan does have angels. We do have a person that Chex this. Christie and Mandi will be around to offer Jello shots, but please remember that you will have to go home eventually. Betty will be the one to administer those shots, but no more than 29. If you enjoy snakes then please visit our Viper display in the northwest corner. A lot of people find this display very Groovy. We also have a Theno Scorpio in there. You really shouldn’t mess with a Scorpio. If you want to play, then play with the Viper. Rockin’ will be handling all of the DJ music, and if you enjoy the Dolphin dance then please join in. If she is not here then please note that the jukebox is stuck on Neil Diamond’s song, sweet Caroline. If you decide to dance then please notice that there is a Rose on each table. Please respect the beauty and the time it takes to create each one of these. We do have another level, which we call the Montana room. Cherry blossoms are everywhere and Jack will be your server. It is very naughty but very nice. It is, shall we say, Mr. Clean up there. Nothing but the best attention will be served. We also have our own handyman Maguire to handle any odd jobs. We have a Wicked chocolate bar, which is hosted by Nestle, and it is absolutely Lucious. Kendra will be happy to deliver drinks to your area. The thoughtful and generous Tony D, will survey any actions on this level. The layout is nice and Cozy with a fireplace. We posted a sign above the fireplace, which reads, Hot Dangerous, so please be careful. Ladies if you’re looking for something exotic then head towards Fernando or Cody. They are always on this level, and you can pick them out by their pictures in the hallway. If you head back to the main level then you will find a regular on the west side of the bar. Her name is Angela. She is very educated and used to wear a catholic schoolgirls outfit. She is fun to banter with, but be careful. We have seen her slice and dice. She used to have a Sis that sat on the east side of the bar, but she had some house sitting accident. Her buddy is a Mac, and he is as loud as a diesel truck. Quite the pair they are, but very friendly if you are drinking what they are drinking. Some people have seen Angeleyes in them and they are said to be beautiful. Maybe it was the Southern Valentine that I had just consumed, but who knows. I’m going to have to send the Inspector to check that out. Brandy is always a very good choice to make you a Gratefulgirl or guy. Please be careful not to Odiem when you are around her. She is very strong and seductive, but ration yourself. One of our favorites has not been back for a while, and she is known as Nickie. She was very much a Diva. I think that we should send out a Conesu of people to find her. BUT, then again, we are all drinking. Maybe we should send out a Jellybean and see if that would attract her, or possibly Jules? I mean, every woman likes Jules, right? Her favorite beer was a Karina w/o the lime, and she loved to eat pulled pork sandwiches with a Habanero and a side of Yogurt. That was Simply her three favorites. She believed that combination would keep her Foreveryoung. We have a large screen TV on the east side of the room, which is made by JE. One of the Elle twins will change the channel if needed. Most people agree that the JDUSA channel is the best one to watch when it is late. Some of our patrons are catching Z’s at that hour, and are Gracious when the volume is on a lower level. If you need to use the restroom, look for the Starwars poster and head Straightforward. In Casy you get confused about which one is the females restroom, just look for the French portrait of La Abuelita. The men’s John has a picture of a Rebel on the door. After you are done with your Tinkerbell be sure to wash your hands and Pat off on one of our towels. We know that the lines can get pretty long, but Allswell that ends well. So, please be patient and you will be Luvinlife. Back by the front door, we have a Tassellady that always sells neat little braided things. She learned her trade in Harlem, and is quite the Craftlady. She also has a little helper, but he is kind of a Shydreamguy. She has a Baby Girl that is so cute, and her name is Cacybrook. She is quite the little Sparkingirl, and you can’t separate her from her Lilpiggy and she loves to be pushed around in her Baby Ridah. We all think that she is a great Momma. After consuming beverages for hours it might be best to become a Walker. However, be careful when heading across the street. There is an Aly and you might turn up as a Jane Doe. If it is Stormy out side and Raynie and Breezy, then we will call you a cab. If you are waiting for your cab, then please check out our Djgreetings card section located just inside the front doors. On a final note, if Brenda shows up then I suggest that everyone be on their best behavior. She manages this community, so give her the respect that she deserves. Now that you know everything about our bar, please have a seat and order some food and drinks.Here are our specials for this week:
Kutter's Bar and Grill on Shine
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