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Hi, I'm Seth, resident intern at the November Coalition.
While Nora Callahan, executive director, is occupying Washington, D.C., I am learning web design and building this news section to keep everyone informed of Nora's travels, November Coalition members' reports, and other news important to you!
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Mexican Protesters Demand End to Drug War
Thousands of protestors throughout Mexico are taking to the streets to demand an end to the war on drugs and the violence that it creates.
Javier Sicilia, whose son was killed in drug war related violence, says "we have to make it clear to authorities that we don't want one more destroyed boy..."
Watch the AOL Video Report Here
Thousands of protestors throughout Mexico are taking to the streets to demand an end to the war on drugs and the violence that it creates.
Javier Sicilia, whose son was killed in drug war related violence, says "we have to make it clear to authorities that we don't want one more destroyed boy..."
Watch the AOL Video Report Here
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Studies Show Drug War Increases Violence and Wastes Federal Tax Funds
Two recent studies have added to the bulk of evidence against the war on drugs. A study conducted by Andrew Resignato of Florida State University concludes that the negative costs of U.S. drug policies may outweigh the benefits. According to the European Union's Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction annual report for 2010, although seizure rates were increased from 2003 to 2008, the prevalence of marijuana did not decline, and in some cases increased.
More and more reports describe the damaging affects and high financial toll to our communities perpetrated by drug war policies and funding. In an editorial by the Daily Iowan editorial board, published November 15th, it is reported "through December, the Iowa State Police are projected to spend nearly $4,500 per every pound of marijuana seized on Interstate 80." Having also proven costly, Iowa's stiff approach to drug law enforcement has also proven to weaken its communities.
Two recent studies have added to the bulk of evidence against the war on drugs. A study conducted by Andrew Resignato of Florida State University concludes that the negative costs of U.S. drug policies may outweigh the benefits. According to the European Union's Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction annual report for 2010, although seizure rates were increased from 2003 to 2008, the prevalence of marijuana did not decline, and in some cases increased.
More and more reports describe the damaging affects and high financial toll to our communities perpetrated by drug war policies and funding. In an editorial by the Daily Iowan editorial board, published November 15th, it is reported "through December, the Iowa State Police are projected to spend nearly $4,500 per every pound of marijuana seized on Interstate 80." Having also proven costly, Iowa's stiff approach to drug law enforcement has also proven to weaken its communities.
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Justice Department Criticizes Seattle Police Department
It was reported by the Seattle Times that the "Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has found routine and widespread use of excessive force by officers." They were warned Thursday night, December 15th, that they must address these civil rights concerns or find the Seattle Police Department facing a federal lawsuit.
U.S Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Jenny A. Durkan announced Friday, "The solution to the problems identified within the Seattle Police Department will require strong and consistent leadership along the chain of command, effective training and policies, and vigilant oversight."
This just confirms "what many, including myself, have believed for some time--our police department can do better," states City Councilman Tim Burgess, head of the Public Safety Committee and a former Police officer," reports CBSNews.
It was reported by the Seattle Times that the "Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has found routine and widespread use of excessive force by officers." They were warned Thursday night, December 15th, that they must address these civil rights concerns or find the Seattle Police Department facing a federal lawsuit.
U.S Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Jenny A. Durkan announced Friday, "The solution to the problems identified within the Seattle Police Department will require strong and consistent leadership along the chain of command, effective training and policies, and vigilant oversight."
This just confirms "what many, including myself, have believed for some time--our police department can do better," states City Councilman Tim Burgess, head of the Public Safety Committee and a former Police officer," reports CBSNews.
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From the New Yorker Magazine - January 30th, 2012
The Caging of America
Why do we lock up so many people?
A prison is a trap for catching time. Good reporting appears often about the inner life of the American prison, but the catch is that American prison life is mostly undramatic—the reported stories fail to grab us, because, for the most part, nothing happens. One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich is all you need to know about Ivan Denisovich, because the idea that anyone could live for a minute in such circumstances seems impossible; one day in the life of an American prison means much less, because the force of it is that one day typically stretches out for decades. It isn’t the horror of the time at hand but the unimaginable sameness of the time ahead that makes prisons unendurable for their inmates.
Read more
The Caging of America
Why do we lock up so many people?
A prison is a trap for catching time. Good reporting appears often about the inner life of the American prison, but the catch is that American prison life is mostly undramatic—the reported stories fail to grab us, because, for the most part, nothing happens. One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich is all you need to know about Ivan Denisovich, because the idea that anyone could live for a minute in such circumstances seems impossible; one day in the life of an American prison means much less, because the force of it is that one day typically stretches out for decades. It isn’t the horror of the time at hand but the unimaginable sameness of the time ahead that makes prisons unendurable for their inmates.
Read more
Occupying the Mainstream
The Occupy movement is making headline news and taking out full-page ads. The California ABC News broadcaster, KGO-TV San Francisco, reported on December 6th that a California woman, Marti Roach, spent $8,500 to place a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle to support the Occupy movement and bring attention to its goals.
After being emailed a list of goals for cutting the federal deficit, Roach thought, "It's too bad the mainstream won't see this." So that's when she, and 99 friends and supporters, pooled their resources to place an ad outlining the Occupy solution to the federal budget. This effort also got the attention of the local television news broadcaster, ABC7 News, who helped spread the word to local occupiers and citizens alike.
Watch the KGO-TV News Report
The Occupy movement is making headline news and taking out full-page ads. The California ABC News broadcaster, KGO-TV San Francisco, reported on December 6th that a California woman, Marti Roach, spent $8,500 to place a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle to support the Occupy movement and bring attention to its goals.
After being emailed a list of goals for cutting the federal deficit, Roach thought, "It's too bad the mainstream won't see this." So that's when she, and 99 friends and supporters, pooled their resources to place an ad outlining the Occupy solution to the federal budget. This effort also got the attention of the local television news broadcaster, ABC7 News, who helped spread the word to local occupiers and citizens alike.
Watch the KGO-TV News Report
View the ad as a PDF
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The Occupy Super Committee Is Producing Results
While the Congressional Super Committee is being touted as a failure, the "99% Super Committee" is coming up with some promising results. After a hearing on November 9th, 2011, the Committee has produced a comprehensive and evidence-based report. That report resulted in the "99% Deficit Proposal," which has been provided to the Congressional Super Committee. One aide called it "the first actual proposal" received.
The 99% Deficit Proposal:
-Raises $600 billion in annual revenues, meeting deficit reduction goals within two years.
-Cuts hundreds of billions in annual spending by addressing military and corporate spending as well as pharmaceutical costs.
- Creates millions of jobs and stimulates the economy by easing student loan debt.
-Restores Social Security coverage to its intended 90% of all income and expands Medicare coverage to all US citizens.
-Presents steps to creating a democratized economy, the already developing new economy that will replace the failed finance, corporate capitalism.
Sign the Petition to have the 99% Deficit Proposal read aloud in both houses of Congress.
While the Congressional Super Committee is being touted as a failure, the "99% Super Committee" is coming up with some promising results. After a hearing on November 9th, 2011, the Committee has produced a comprehensive and evidence-based report. That report resulted in the "99% Deficit Proposal," which has been provided to the Congressional Super Committee. One aide called it "the first actual proposal" received.
The 99% Deficit Proposal:
-Raises $600 billion in annual revenues, meeting deficit reduction goals within two years.
-Cuts hundreds of billions in annual spending by addressing military and corporate spending as well as pharmaceutical costs.
- Creates millions of jobs and stimulates the economy by easing student loan debt.
-Restores Social Security coverage to its intended 90% of all income and expands Medicare coverage to all US citizens.
-Presents steps to creating a democratized economy, the already developing new economy that will replace the failed finance, corporate capitalism.
Sign the Petition to have the 99% Deficit Proposal read aloud in both houses of Congress.
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Governor Brewer Wants Federal Law to Preempt State Law
The East Valley Tribune reported that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) decided Wednesday,December 14th to ask U.S. District Court Judge Suzanne Bolten to rule that the federal Controlled Substance Act preempts some provisions of last years latest medical marijuana initiative.
Two days before that, Brewer was simply asking the court to make the decision for her, and bring clarity to the law. In response to that law suit, Judge Bolten threatened to throw it out if the state did not pick a side on the issue.
Well, it seems that Governor Brewer has picked a side: she has asked that the federal court rule in favor of federal law superseding the will of state voters.
Now, it is just a matter of Judge Bolten ruling in favor, or against, the will of the people of Arizona. These kinds of cases are worth noting because they set a precedent regarding how states rights are regarded in federal court.
Read More...
The East Valley Tribune reported that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) decided Wednesday,December 14th to ask U.S. District Court Judge Suzanne Bolten to rule that the federal Controlled Substance Act preempts some provisions of last years latest medical marijuana initiative.
Two days before that, Brewer was simply asking the court to make the decision for her, and bring clarity to the law. In response to that law suit, Judge Bolten threatened to throw it out if the state did not pick a side on the issue.
Well, it seems that Governor Brewer has picked a side: she has asked that the federal court rule in favor of federal law superseding the will of state voters.
Now, it is just a matter of Judge Bolten ruling in favor, or against, the will of the people of Arizona. These kinds of cases are worth noting because they set a precedent regarding how states rights are regarded in federal court.
Read More...
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