Liberals attribute Bristol Palin’s "Dancing" success to a Tea Party Conspiracy!

Tea Party conspiracy? So what? Bristol Palin has been interviewed countless times during her surprisingly successful run on "Dancing with the Stars" about a number of topics that have kept America buzzing since her mom, Sarah Palin, hit the national scene. It wasn't enough that we have been bombarded with rumors about her on again-off again relationship with baby daddy Levi, alleged love life with dancing partner Mark Ballas, and the state of any battles between her and mama bear Sarah Palin... now we are being subjected to the alleged organized faction of pro-Bristol block of political voters who are helping her to take home the mirror-ball trophy.

Here's what she had to say…

Bristol is pleased as punch that she made it all the way to the finale of the hit reality show. "I work my butt off," she said, dismissing any notions of a Tea Party conspiracy keeping her dancing. Aside from the fact that... for every voter that would vote for her because she's her mother's daughter... there's another who... quite frankly... wouldn't. Think about the droves of people who cannot STAND Sarah Palin.

And to put the relationship rumors to rest... while Bristol and Mark have been putting in double duty at the rehearsal hall... both claim that they are keeping their relationship purely professional. "Nothing with Mark," Bristol claims, "He's like a friend." Like a friend? Hmmmmmm....

As for any other potential dates, Bristol said she had "no time" for dating at the moment. And that she understands the difficulty of her mother's position in the spotlight a bit more after her own 15 minutes. "I see how rumors get made up," she said. Going forward she plans to keep her publicity appearances to the occasional episode of her mom's new reality show: Sarah Palin's Alaska while she works towards her long term goals. In 10 years, her plans include being "married with more kids." How ambitious...

I was wrong! Our elected officials DO look out for us!

And just when I thought our esteemed Senators left us hanging and took off for their recess without doing anything for us common folk... after all... the recess to go home and campaign for their jobs is certainly more important than any "people's business" that I can think of... I find out they ARE focused on our needs by passing some of the most important legislation EVER: Turning down the volume on television commercials! The Senate unanimously passed the most controversial of bills last Wednesday that requires television stations and cable companies to keep commercials at the same volume as the programs they interrupt.

Thank Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. for his hard work in the Senate that requires the FCC to adopt the recommendations as regulations within the next year and to enforce them a year after that. Send your emails to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., the driving force behind the bill in the House before it's too late. After all, it's past time to stop using loud commercial volume to startle us all into paying attention. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO WATCH OUT FAVORITE PROGRAMS WITHOUT FEAR OF LOSING OUR HEARING WHEN A SHOW GOES TO COMMERCIAL by god!!! After all, lifting the remote to turn down the volume is much too much work for the likes of me after a hard day's typing in my home office.

Forget health care! Forget the economy! Forget the balanced budget! Federal deficit? National Security? Pffffffffft! It's about time someone went out on a limb, took a stand and addressed these kinds of important issues! Let's all take a moment and thank those selfless brave men and women who take the time to look out for us this way. I sure hope this didn't bump their annual raise from the docket? Now THAT would be a shame!

Posted via email from momsdaword's posterous

Is it Illegal to Legalize Marijuana?

This may sound like your basic bubble-headed blonde type question... but marijuana reform opponents have maintained for years that federal law prevents states from enacting their own marijuana legislation. I ran across an interesting post today that examines how the feds might handle marijuana use should Proposition 19 pass in California's November election.

To summarize, federal authorities might have the right to interfere with the distribution of marijuana, but recreational and medical marijuana users would be within their rights as citizens of the state of California. The fact that Proposition 19 also allows for personal grow spaces would mean that the number and size of these personal spaces would be impossible to target under federal law. Recreational and medical marijuana users could circumvent the inability to purchase during a "dry spell" by growing their own supply.

Interesting stuff... I am waiting to see how other states react should California's voters pass Proposition 19. And how marijuana's tax revenues will impact the growing California deficit.

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Medical Marijuana Legal in Washington DC

A democratic Congress did not overrule the Washington, D.C. Council bill allowing the district to establish up to eight medical marijuana dispensaries where patients can purchase the drug. Congress had 30 legislative session days to review the bill that was approved by the D.C. Council in May of 2010. Now that the bill has cleared Congress, patients will likely have to wait several months for Mayor Adrian M Fenty and the D.C. Department of Health to establish marijuana dispensary licensing regulations.

The law passed by the District of Columbia allows allows patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other chronic ailments to possess up to four ounces of the drug. Patients will not be allowed to grow their own marijuana for medical use. Medical marijuana will need to be purchased from licensed companies once a patient has obtained a doctor's permission. Patients who prove financial need will be eligible to purchase medical marijuana at reduced cost, or receive it free of charge.

Medical marijuana sales are also subject to the district's 6 per cent sales tax.

Washington, D.C. residents voted to allow medical marijuana use in a 1998 referendum. Until last year, Congress blocked the city from enacting that referendum.

This announcement comes just a few days after the startling news from the Department of Veterans Affairs that will formally allow veterans being treated at its hospitals and clinics in states that have legalized use of medical marijuana to use it. The directive, expected to take place during the week of July 26, 2010, is designed to clarify conflicts between federal laws outlawing use of marijuana and the 14 states that currently allow medicinal use of the drug. The new policy will not permit VA doctors to prescribe marijuana, but alleviates the concerns of VA patients who use the drug and are concerned about losing access to all prescription pain medications if caught.

Doctors may still modify a treatment plans if a veteran is using marijuana, or opt to discontinue other pain medicine if there is a risk of interactions, but the decisions will now be made on an individual basis. Veterans have fought for this change for many years, citing marijuana's positive effects on physical and psychological pain, as well as its role in diminishing side effects of specific medical treatments.

North Korea Threatens War

On June 15, North Korea issued a statement denying to the United Nations community that it sank the South Korean ship, and warning that this dispute could lead to a full-scale war with South Korea. At the UN Security Council meeting, North Korean Ambassador Sin Son Ho accused South Korea of "fabricating" the results of the investigation into the sinking of the Cheonan and the resulting loss of 46 South Korean sailors. North Korea's Sin Son Ho closed their presentation with statements that "A war may break out any time," stating that "If the Security Council releases any documents against us, condemning or pressuring us ... then myself as diplomat, I can do nothing. ... The follow-up measures will be carried out by our military forces." The UN is rightly concerned about the impact of the March 26, 2010 sinking of the Cheonan on "peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."

The Japanese UN ambassador backed up South Korea's claims, stating that "there is no other explanation" than that the South Korean ship was sunk by a North Korean torpedo.

North Korea, I admit, is a touchy subject with me, as my brother, CWO David Hilemon, was shot down while on a routine training mission in his OH-58 scout helicopter on 10:02 A.M., December 17, 1994. The eratic personality of their leader has definitely set the tone for the behavior of their government and military as a whole. So while more attention is paid to the tensions in the Middle East, I always have one eye on North Korea.

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Iran Gets a Little Help from North Korea

On Saturday, state media reported that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the official version of the Sept. 11 attacks a "big lie" used by the U.S. as an excuse for the war on terror while addressing the Intelligence Ministry staff. "September 11 was a big lie and a pretext for the war on terror and a prelude to invading Afghanistan," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by state TV. He called the attacks a "complicated intelligence scenario and act." He has also questioned the resulting death toll of around 3,000, claiming the Americans never published the victims' names when the names of 2,750 victims killed in New York are routinely read aloud during annual memorial ceremonies.

The official Korean Central News Agency, KCNA of North Korea, then announced on Sunday that it would no longer move forward with nuclear disarmament in response to a planned U.S.-South Korean joint military exercise. "The maneuvers clearly indicate once again that the U.S. and the South Korean authorities are the harassers of peace and warmongers keen to bring a war to this land," the statement said. North Korea also announced it would no longer abide by the armistice that brought a truce to the Korean War, saying that South Korea violated the agreement by participating in the military cooperation with the United States. "The process for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula will naturally come to a standstill and (North Korea) will bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense," the statement said.

Even more frightening, Iran is said to have been constructing a new rocket launch facility that could later accommodate an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead with help from North Korea. The launcher was detected by commercial remote-sensing satellites in the Semnan province east of Teheran and is said to be halfway to completion. Both the platforms, and the new Simorgh space-launch vehicle that can transform into an intercontinental ballistic missile with the capability of containing a nuclear warhead, are said to resemble equipment and platforms at North Korea's new launch pad at Tongchang. It seems that despite the United States attempting to garner support for further sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, Teheran appears determined to continue developing its missile and rocket capabilities in the foreseeable future, and has found an ally to help them do it.

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Los Angeles Says No to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Legalization of marijuana in California began in 1976 with the passage of the Moscone Act, introducing the change of possession charges of less than one ounce to a misdemeanor, no jail time and a $100 fine. The Compassionate Use Act was later passed to allow for medical marijuana use and regulatory ID cards to verify one's qualifications. This legislation paved the way for collectives, non-profit dispensaries that cultivate and sell marijuana for medicinal purposes.

After more than 2 years of debate, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance that limits the total number of medical marijuana dispensaries within its city limits to 70. Formerly one of the most relaxed environments for medical marijuana use, the new ordinance implements restrictive zoning measures that will govern where the establishments can be located.

Zoning requirements will require that dispensaries operate at least 1,000 feet from schools, parks, libraries and other dispensaries. They will also be prohibited from turning a profit and be required to
maintain detailed records while submitting to independent audits on an annual basis.

Hundreds of dispensaries within Los Angeles will be forced to close due to their locations not meeting the new zoning requirements, leaving approximately 150 legal operations in business. Still well
over the 70 unit cap.

The new rules also limit hours of operation to between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Those running dispensaries can operate no more than one location. Patients and caregivers, meanwhile, can retain membership in only one marijuana collective.

To take effect, the measures must be signed into law by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Although a spokesperson for the Mayor declined to say if he plans to sign the 17-page ordinance, Villaraigosa has voiced his support for laws limiting the number of dispensaries as well the enforcement of “buffer zones.” Once the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Council will need to approve a fee for the dispensaries to cover expenses related to monitoring their activities and enforcing the new ordinance.

Medical marijuana advocates, including a number of those who operate dispensaries, have vowed to fight the new measures in court.

However, just to make the scenario a bit more interesting, the California Assembly for Public Safety Committee passed "Assembly Bill 390," which proposes that the legalization and regulation of marijuana be structured similar to governmental regulation of alcohol. If the bill passes the full state assembly, California will become the first state to fully legalize marijuana use.

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Medical Marijuana headed to the nation's capital?

Fourteen states have legalized medical marijuana in the 14 years since California became the first to do so; several more are working on legislation now. DC City Council Member has introduced Initiative 59 with the co-sponsorship of nine of 13 fellow council members. According to Catania, the evidence suggests a legitimate medical use for the stimulation of appetite and reduction of pain.

Policy details such as how many marijuana dispensaries to allow, whether the dispensaries will be nonprofit or private, which diseases prescription marijuana will cover, and where medical marijuana will be grown remain to be worked out. A DC city council spokesman says the bill is likely to get through the council by late spring, and is expected to be approved by Congress by the end of summer.

Studies have found medical cannabis to be effective in alleviating nausea, stimulating the appetite in AIDS and cancer patients and acting as a general pain reliever. The American Medical Association "calls for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients" in a policy statement that takes a cautious position on the issue.

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Where are they now? AI's Ayla Brown

Scott Brown, father of Season 5 ''American Idol'' Top 24 contestant, Ayla Brown just may take the senate seat once held by the late Ted Kennedy in today's special election in Massachusetts! Conventional wisdom held that the democratic candidate, current Attorney General Martha Coakley, would win in a landslide, but the race has turned out to be wayyyy tighter than expected! The seat is hotly contested and a pivotal vote in the upcoming health care legislation.
Conversely, Ayla, thought to be a shoo-in for the Top 12 in talent, was edged out by the "more likeable" Melissa McGee. Ayla currently plays basketball on scholarship for Boston College and has released two albums. She's also been a very articulate advocate for her dad's senate seat bid. Check out Ayla's ''Idol'' swan song. The gaucho pants might just have been her undoing! What do you think?