MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'elections'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:05:10 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062223&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0lOqIPCKq-k%2F The New Republic has an interesting article explaining “How Campaign Finance Laws Made the British Press so Powerful.” Basically, only British newspapers are free of regulations that suppress political speech. The author suggests adding more controls (including content restrictions) on the British newspapers to enforce “impartial” coverage. In other words, the media should be just as repressed as everyone else, and political leaders should be free of criticism. Like many others, I have long thought that U.S. newspapers editorialize in favor of campaign finance restrictions to control competing speech and thereby become more powerful. After Citizens United, other organizations now enjoy the same First Amendment protections as media corporations like The New York Time... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062223 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:23:23 +0100 5062223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893412&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhYNofFwwjrM%2F By George Scoville Few GOP presidential candidates have proposed specific budget cuts. “Peace is in the interest of Taiwan, China, and the U.S. … But the U.S. should view continuing arms sales to Taipei as perhaps the best means to maintain stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait.” Market liberalization has transformed newly independent states that formerly comprised Yugoslavia. President Obama is simply the new standard-bearer for the bipartisan contempt for constitutional limits on power. Cato chairman Robert A. Levy makes the libertarian case for marriage equality: Thursday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893412 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:08:11 +0100 4893412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4847943&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FP-3JYByf26g%2F By George Scoville How to identify as a leftist totalitarian. How to reinforce the status quo in the Middle East peace process. How to learn and understand the Founders’ intent for the United States. How to save billions of dollars annually and reduce the deficit: Friday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4847943 Fri, 20 May 2011 17:02:17 +0100 4847943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803033&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu7BycjmwbJI%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: Given President Obama’s speech today in El Paso, Texas, is immigration a winning issue for Democrats? My response: Immigration will be a winning issue for Democrats only if Republicans allow it, which they’re quite capable of doing. Where’s the anti-immigrant part of the Republican base going to go — to the Democrats? Hardly. With so much else at stake, will they sit out the 2012 elections, over this one issue? Please. If Republicans play it right, this can be a winner. No one seriously believes that the estimated 10 to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country, most working, can or should be sent back to their countries of origin. So the main issues are paving the way to legalization, better securing the borders, and provid... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803033 Tue, 10 May 2011 13:10:42 +0100 4803033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768038&cid=t_181479_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fcurrent-science-news-2.html Uranium hard drive – A new uranium-containing compound maintains its magnetic behaviour at low temperatures. The discovery could take us a step closer to magnetic memory devices with capacities thousands of times denser than current high-end hard drives. Clouds from both sides – Atmospheric and climate models may have overlooked the fact that exactly how clouds appear to reduce the amount of sunlight available for warming the surface of the earth depends on the wavelength being measured across the spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet. The finding could now help researchers improve climate models by factoring in the effects of cloud cover more precisely. Soap story – It is perhaps no real surprise to any chemist who has unblocked a drain clogged with white lardy deposits,... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768038 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:19:59 +0100 4768038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762750&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoAmWM9B0Sjo%2F By George Scoville Gary Johnson: the anti-Trump. Interventionists to the left. Interventionists to the right. There ain’t no such thing as free… parking. Vermont has a new universal health care proposal on the table. Michael Cannon joined WAMU’s The Diane Rehm Show (Washington, DC) yesterday to discuss the plan with a panel of other experts: Thursday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762750 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:18:33 +0100 4762750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600519&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Faqdp9R6m8WQ%2F By David BoazIn the Washington Post, Dana Milbank rounds up a lot of bills introduced into state legislatures by conservatives, some of them a bit odd, and blames them all on "the Tea Party." "Tea Party" has sort of replaced "neoconservative" as an all-purpose pejorative for liberals. Meanwhile, a tiny AP story down in the small type among the nail fungus ads reported some real Tea Party-style news. The Miami Herald covered it in more detail: Voters swept Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez out of office by a stunning margin Tuesday [88 percent], capping a dramatic collapse for a politician who was given increased authority by voters four years ago to clean up much-maligned county government but was ushered out in the largest recall of a local politician in U.S. history. The spectacular fall f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600519 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:41:01 +0100 4600519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522091&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FY3HgFcLujvQ%2F By David BoazYou know you're really wrong when Mike Huckabee can call you out. But that's the situation Mitt Romney finds himself in, as Michael Cannon points out below.  Huckabee says Romney's government-run health care plan with an individual mandate is a bad idea, Romney says he's still proud of his plan, which is totally different from President Obama's government-run health care plan with an individual mandate. But really, what can he do? In 17 years of seeking high political office, he is known for two things: changing his position on a surprisingly large number of issues, and his Massachusetts health care program. Which was of course the forerunner of Obamacare, as Michael Cannon and I pointed out in the video that Michael linked. So Romney is still defending a position I think we'... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522091 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:23:03 +0100 4522091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445776&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPrWigUj_7XQ%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: At his press conference this afternoon, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs distanced the Obama administration from former Egypt envoy Frank Wisner's suggestion over the weekend that Hosni Mubarak should stay in power as Egypt transitions to a new government. Was Wisner, a former U.S. ambassador to Egypt, right about that and about the potential for a power vacuum? My response: Wisner was half right, but on the Mubarak half he was almost certainly wrong. Transitions are messy -- at best. Ask the French about theirs two centuries and more ago. Occasionally they're done pursuant to existing constitutions. Ours from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution wasn't, despite which it wasn't all that messy. We were lucky. We had a relatively... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445776 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:08:51 +0100 4445776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382753&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXLjjuuNZ2XY%2F By Roger PilonToday POLITICO Arena asks: Would the House plan to vote next week on a proposal to end the system of financing presidential candidates and national conventions with federal funds wisely put to rest a public financing scheme that never worked well, or would it eliminate a bulwark against political corruption by forcing candidates to rely entirely on private money? My response: The decades long effort by the Left to finance presidential candidates and national conventions with federal funds — part of the Left’s more ambitious effort to finance all political campaigns with public funds — never worked as proponents hoped it would, with taxpayer participation through check-offs declining from 28.7 percent in 1980 to 7.3 percent in 2009 — and for good r... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382753 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:45:52 +0100 4382753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4352708&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9en5DQpYzpw%2F By David BoazIn the wake of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s abdication in Tunisia on Friday, both President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stressed the need for quick elections in a country that has never known democracy, freedom of the press, or the rule of law: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton . . .  reacted Friday to Ben Ali’s departure with a statement condemning government violence against protesters and calling for free elections. “We look to the Tunisian government to build a stronger foundation for Tunisia’s future with economic, social and political reforms,” she said. . . . President Obama condemned the use of violence against the protesters and urged the government to hold elections that “reflect the true wil... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4352708 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:25:20 +0100 4352708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281300&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEndHZeya-Tg%2F By Jim HarperIs there something special about December? Perhaps it’s the spirit of giving that had the Federal Communications Commission voting yesterday to regulate Internet service. At the beginning of the month—December 1st—the Federal Trade Commission issued a report signaling its willingness to regulate online businesses. No, it’s not the fact that it’s December. It’s the fact that it’s after November. November—that’s the month when we had the mid-term election. The FCC and FTC appear to have held off coming out with their regulatory proposals ahead of the elections because the Obama administration couldn’t afford any more evidence that it heavily favors government control of the economy and society. There was already plen... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281300 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:29:57 +0100 4281300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151681&cid=t_181479_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F08%2Fobos-round-up-elections-pelvic-exams-breast-cancer-pinkification-and-more%2F Some of my recent posts at Our Bodies Our Blog are highlighted below. Don’t forget the upcoming 40th anniversary of the landmark book; a new edition will come out next year to celebrate the milestone! In the meantime, catch up with health news and commentary over at http://www.ourbodiesourblog.org Election-Related Repro Rights Round-Up – a collection of commentary from reproductive rights advocates on what the recent election may mean for women. NPR Takes on Pink Ribbon Fatigue: Views from Komen, Breast Cancer Action – NPR talked to a representative of Breast Cancer Action, which has criticized pink ribbon campaigns for breast cancer, and a representative of Komen, which kind of thrives on them. Meeting Dispatch: Resources from the CUE/Cochrane/Campbell Colloquium &#821... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151681 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:37:44 +0100 4151681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133677&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F46XbEB_1zfg%2F By Daniel J. MitchellLast week, I highlighted nine ballot initiatives that were worth watching because of their policy implications and/or their role is showing whether voters wanted more or less freedom. The results, by and large, are very encouraging. Let’s take a look at the results of those nine votes, as well as a few additional key initiatives. 1. The big spenders wanted to impose an income tax in the state of Washington, and they even had support from too-rich-to-care Bill Gates. The good news is that this initiative got slaughtered by a nearly two-to-one margin.  I was worried about this initiative since crazy  Oregon voters approved higher tax rates earlier this year. In a further bit of good news, Washington voters also approved a supermajority requirement for tax incre... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133677 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:58:40 +0100 4133677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4065352&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXc2vkaE5WlA%2F By John SamplesThe Obama administration’s attacks on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce look a lot like a three day story on its final day. The national media had its doubts, and even Democratic operatives decried the gambit. Why did the administration go after the Chamber? The politics are not hard to figure out. The actions of the Obama administration mobilized the Republican base. At the same time, the President and his party have been losing the support of independents for a year or so. Their only hope of limiting the electoral damage was to rally the Democratic base who are discouraged and divided. But the Democratic base might agree about what they don’t like and fear: business, money in politics, and foreigners or at least, foreigners spending money on politics. The attack on ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4065352 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:41:48 +0100 4065352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060573&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGgDSOLDkyeU%2F By John SamplesThe New York Times has an odd story today on campaign finance on its front page. The story argues that organizations which do not have to identify their donors are sponsoring ads that criticize candidates for office. Complaints about secrecy notwithstanding, the third paragraph of the story discloses one of the major contributors to a group and reveals his putative interests in becoming involved. It also goes into great detail about the donor, his political associates, and even meetings his associates attended and what decisions were made therein. Later parts of the story recount the already disclosed names of supporters of Karl Rove’s efforts in this cycle. True, the story does not reveal everything the reporters believe should be disclosed about donors. But the group... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060573 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:19:38 +0100 4060573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4001715&cid=t_181479_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F26%2Fthe-captured-situation-of-justice%2F Michael S. Kang and Joanna Shepherd recently posted the important paper “The Partisan Price of Justice: An Empirical Analysis of Campaign Contributions and Judicial Decisions” on  SSRN.  Here’s the abstract. * * * Do campaign contributions affect judicial decisions by elected judges in favor of their contributors’ interests? Although the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. relies on this intuition for its logic, it has been until now largely a proposition that has gone empirically untested. No longer. Using a dataset of every state supreme court case in all fifty states over a four-year period, we find that elected judges are more likely to decide in favor of business interests as the amount of campaign contributions that they have r... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4001715 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 04:01:32 +0100 4001715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980814&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_Ka9_i5F_44%2F By Ilya ShapiroIn 1998, after years of scandals ranging from governors being indicted to legislators taking bribes, Arizona passed the Citizens Clean Elections Act. This law was intended to “clean up” state politics by creating a system for publicly funding campaigns. Participation in the public funding is not mandatory, however, and those who do not participate are subject to rules that match their “excess” private funds with disbursals to their opponent from the public fund. In short, if a privately funded candidate spends more than his publicly funded opponent, then the publicly funded candidate receives public “matching funds.” Whatever the motivations behind the law, the effects have been to significantly chill political speech. Indeed, ample eviden... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980814 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:49:35 +0100 3980814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3914982&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8AfgdULLE5k%2F By Roger PilonToday Politico Arena asks: Should national party organizations stay out of primaries? My response: Political parties are, strictly speaking, private entities. Therefore, they’re free to insinuate themselves into primary contests, or not. But as they do, so they will be judged. Haley Barbour was absolutely right, therefore, to say that national party organizations shouldn’t endorse (ordinarily, incumbents) in primaries — much less assist one candidate over others. To the extent they do, they confirm the view of many Americans that the political class is more interested in preserving power — its own — than in governing for the common good under constitutional principle. Do we need any better evidence than the way Republicans ran from the term lim... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3914982 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:44:46 +0100 3914982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3914922&cid=t_181479_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F29%2Fan-election-update-pro-choice-candidates-can-almost-win-in-tennessee%2F In July, I wrote about why I planned to vote for Tennessee state senate candidate Jeff Yarbro – because of his explicitly pro-choice position, a rarity around here – over long-time incumbent Doug Henry in the Democratic primary. I did, and others did too, as Yarbro very nearly won. On election night, Yarbo was behind by two(!) votes. And there were two provisional ballots left to count. Those two votes went to Yarbo, but then absentee ballots were recounted, puttin Henry back up by 13 votes. And then there was a recount, and Henry was declared the winner by 17 votes. The point is, it was close. It wasn’t a blow-out in which the incumbent who is more Republican-y on choice easily walked away with it. I know, I know – it’s a small sample in one district and it&... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3914922 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:19:08 +0100 3914922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885332&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyJGSdDLReOg%2F Several of today’s front pages feature iconic images of U.S. troops marching onto troop transports and into the sunset in Iraq. Today’s story by Ernesto Londoño in the Washington Post, features Lt. Col. Mark Bieger of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division,  “This is a historic mission!” Beiger bellows as his troops prepared to depart Baghdad for the last time, ”A truly historic end to seven years of war.” No disrespect to Col. Bieger and his troops, but the war isn’t over, and it won’t be so long as there are significant number of U.S. troops in Iraq at risk of being caught in the cross-fire of a sectarian civil war. The Iraqi government, more than five months after nationwide elections, remains in limbo. Talks over a power shari... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885332 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:40:04 +0100 3885332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827054&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOOs_v2bAWXU%2F By Neal McCluskeySending billions of federal taxpayer dollars to teachers and other public school employees is the bailout that just won’t die. It’s been sliced, shot up in a firefight between Democrats, and even had a battle with food stamps, but it just can’t be killed! Now, let’s be clear: This is not some wonderful crusade all about helping ”the children.” It is pure political evil, a naked ploy to appease teachers’ unions and other public school employees that Democrats need motivated for the mid-term elections. It has to be, because the data are crystal clear: We’ve been adding staff by the truckload for decades without improving achievement one bit. Since 1970 (see the charts below) public school employment has increased 10 times f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827054 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:47:12 +0100 3827054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3822905&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiiGhoihLX-U%2F By John SamplesThe Jack Conway for Senator campaign has run an attack ad on The New Republic website disguised as an article about Rand Paul by one of the magazine’s interns.  The tipoff is the word “radical” which appears five times in a short article along with eccentric, unconventional and similar words. (Doesn’t TNR bother to edit the web-only stuff?) Yeah, yeah, you’re saying by the end of the article, I get it: Paul is a radical, weirdo libertarian. The evidence so far suggests that the Conway for Senate campaign seeks to paint Paul as an extremist while Jack, of course, is a moderate who will provide plenty of pork and don’t worry about the debt. Like most Democrats, Conway is facing a tough electorate this year, and he is responding by the party... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3822905 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:25:53 +0100 3822905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742232&cid=t_181479_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F10%2Fwhy-jeff-yarbro-is-likely-to-get-my-vote-a-tennessee-democrate-on-reproductive-freedom%2F Yesterday, I received a mailer from Tennessee State Senate candidate Jeff Yarbro, who is running against incumbent Sen. Doug Henry in the Democratic primary in District 21 – my district. The campaign piece is notable for a Democrat in a state where the TN Democratic Party praises a candidate for his “pro-life” stance in party communications. One side of Yarbro’s mailer clearly states: “Jeff trusts women to make decisions about choice – not government.” (presented as a quote from his wife) Hey, that sounds a lot like what I’ve argued here. And here. And here. On the back side, the mailer includes language that “…Yarbro supports a woman’s right to choose” and that the candidate opposes SJR127 “or any other attempt... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742232 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:10:05 +0100 3742232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730033&cid=t_181479_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fbuy-democrat-i-mean-invest-in-democracy.html The Washington Post says that the US financial sector is divesting itself of investments in Democratic futures.A revolt among big donors on Wall Street is hurting fundraising for the Democrats' two congressional campaign committees, with contributions from the world's financial capital down 65 percent from two years ago.Donations to Democratic Candidates have fallen precipitously, making this a watershed moment for those with a venture capital approach to democracy.The opportunity now exists for Centre-left coalitions to step in and replace this money. I'm talking to everyone here. This is a potential game-changer. Large chunks of reliable cash are vital to maintaining a Democratic majority, and in order to maintain that cash flow... well, there's an old saying I remember from wa... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730033 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:02:00 +0100 3730033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662652&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fkm5Tcq7om8w%2F By John SamplesDemocratic House leaders apparently have reached a compromise that may bring the DISCLOSE Act to a vote. The National Rifle Association, a group that enjoys some support from House Democrats, objected to the bill’s disclosure provisions. DISCLOSE’s authors have now agreed to exempt “organizations that have more than 1 million members, have been in existence for more than 10 years, have members in all 50 states, and raise 15 percent or less of their funds from corporations.” The National Rifle Association qualifies for the exemption. But you knew that. I wonder what principle of campaign finance regulation justifies this exemption? Earlier the authors of DISCLOSE said the American people deserve to know who is trying to influence elections. Now it woul... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662652 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:40:43 +0100 3662652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644750&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9-SXdHb4rZc%2F By Roger PilonWhen taxpayers underwrite the campaign expenses of candidates for public office, serious questions arise: Not least, why should taxpayers subsidize candidates or ideas they oppose? But when taxpayers subsidize only one side in a campaign, there should be outrage. Perhaps there was at the Supreme Court this morning, when the Court blocked an appalling opinion out of, not surprisingly, the oft-overturned Ninth Circuit. In McComish v. Bennett the Goldwater Institute is challenging Arizona’s Clean Elections Act, under which “candidates who run with public campaign subsidies receive an almost dollar-for-dollar match each time a privately funded opponent raises money above a certain amount,” the Goldwater press release states, “and additional matches when independent expend... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644750 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:12:45 +0100 3644750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3568040&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F15%2Fbixi-rocks%2F Bixi Originally uploaded by Kenn Chaplin        Bixi is the name of the outfit which rents bicycles at highly visible stands throughout Montréal.  By buying any of a variety of memberships, residents and tourists alike can pick up a bike within a short distance of almost anywhere and drop it off at another such [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3568040 Sun, 16 May 2010 03:02:25 +0100 3568040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542571&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuhzDuJBH_9Y%2F By David BoazSarah Palin has endorsed Carly Fiorina for U.S. Senate in California, showing commendable charity toward a woman who gave her one of her many Bad Headline Days in September 2008 by telling an interviewer that Palin wouldn’t be qualified to run a major company. (Fiorina did add, “But you know what? That’s not what she’s running for.”) Palin is way off base, though, when she writes: I support Carly as she fights through a tough primary against a liberal member of the GOP who seems to bear almost no difference to Boxer, one of the most leftwing members of the Senate. Ignoring conservative Chuck DeVore, who probably has the support of a lot of Palin fans, Palin is taking aim at frontrunning former congressman Tom Campbell. But if her aim was that far ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542571 Fri, 07 May 2010 15:42:41 +0100 3542571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3483080&cid=t_181479_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F04%2F19%2Fnasa-obama-and-the-angry-red-voters%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on AOL’s Politics Daily. NASA, Obama and the Angry Red Voters. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: chaos theory, deficit, democrats, midterm elections, nasa, national debt, obama, political cartoon, space program (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3483080 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:25:30 +0100 3483080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382801&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F9982If77svc%2F By John SamplesLawrence Lessig has proposed a constitutional amendment in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United.  It reads: “Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to restrict the power to limit, though not to ban, campaign expenditures of non-citizens of the United States during the last 60 days before an election.” In Citizens United, the Court said that the First Amendment concerns speech rather than speakers. Congress has no power to discriminate against speakers; hence, a source of speech – people organized as a corporation – could not be prohibited from speaking (or funding speech). Professor Lessig hopes to introduce a discrimination among speakers into the First Amendment. His proposed discrimination will not ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382801 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:31:47 +0100 3382801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287718&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fv2JEn-4TfLY%2F By Daniel IkensonRon Kirk hasn’t exactly been burning the candles at both ends as U.S. Trade Representative.  And I don’t expect he’ll be racking up the frequent flier miles anytime soon, given his recent assessment of the trade policy scene.  Here’s what he had to say, as reported by Jerry Hagstrom of Congress Daily: Speaking at the USDA Annual Outlook Forum, Kirk said members of Congress “are more open and receptive” to the idea of creating a trans-Pacific agreement because it could be written from scratch. The Trans-Pacific Partnership comes “without any of the biases of the three [agreements] under consideration,” he said. Kirk added members of Congress also like it because it would take 18 to 24 months to develop and would not come up ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287718 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:57:54 +0100 3287718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231459&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUINy8eVRBo8%2F By Jim HarperI was pleased when I learned that Harvard professor Lawrence Lessig had asked to come speak to us at Cato. Julian Sanchez has done a terrific job of capturing some of the subjects highlighted by his visit last week. Lessig is very keen on public financing of elections. In the end, however, Lessig’s visit reminded me of a birthday party I attended many years ago — something had been wrong with the cream sauce on the tortellini. The day after Professor Lessig spoke to a small group of us at lunch, a friend forwarded me an email he had sent to his followers describing his visit to our “prominent conservative think tank.” His email, PowerPoint presentation, and talk were all framed as if we are on “the right,” which doesn’t sit well ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231459 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:18:04 +0100 3231459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231460&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNl1UEnSqIGc%2F By Richard A. EpsteinThis past week Professor Lawrence Lessig of the Harvard Law School dropped into the Cato Institute to give his stump speech on his new passion: the corruption in government. There is no question that he has picked a subject large enough to test his own ambitions, for the ever expanding size of government opens up new avenues for political intrigue that leave the defenders of small government like myself in tears, no matter which party is in power. Lessig and I, it seems, share a common bond on the identification of the disease. But his presentation to the Cato Institute did not reflect the chasm on the question of remedy. Lessig is a one-dimensional man. Once he thinks that public funding of elections is the cure for the political disease, he mounts his crusade. I... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231460 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:15:38 +0100 3231460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208342&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0Oxeqqp1HgI%2F By John SamplesYou might have heard that the Citizens United decision will allow foreign corporations to become involved in American campaigns. You might have heard that from the President, in fact, whose speech decrying the decision said foreign corporations “may now get into the act” of pursuing their “special interests” in American politics. Not true. Justice Kennedy explicitly says the Court did not decide whether Congress has the power to prevent “foreign individuals or associations from influencing our Nation’s political process.” Nothing in Citizens United prevents Congress from prohibiting such political spending by foreign corporations. The Supreme Court might uphold such a law or it might strike it down. The upholding or the striking down... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208342 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:20:11 +0100 3208342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3205071&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F25%2Fchris-tindal-my-choice-to-succeed-kyle-rae-in-torontos-ward-27%2F Matthew, over at Not an Official Green Party Canada Site, has done an excellent job outlining the reasons why Chris Tindal would make a fantastic member of Toronto City Council for Ward 27 – a race sans incumbent with Kyle Rae’s decision not to run again and, therefore, one race to really watch leading up [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3205071 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:13:50 +0100 3205071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197612&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIHjWO80UZx8%2F By Roger PilonAt Politico Arena, today’s focus is on the Court and campaign finance. My comment: The ink is barely dry on today’s Citizens United opinion, and the hysteria has already begun.  Set aside the misunderstandings we’re seeing in some of the comments here at the Arena — corporations still cannot, for example, contribute directly to campaigns — even some of those who understand the law and this decision would have us believe that the world as we know it is coming to an end.  Thus, the inimitable Rick Hasen, whose knowledge of these issues is second to none, tells us that “today’s Supreme Court opinion marks a very bad day for American democracy.”  And attorneys at NYU’s Brennan Center, which made its reputation promoting... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197612 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:40:03 +0100 3197612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197613&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoUBxLSn8xTQ%2F By John SamplesThe Citizens United decision is barely out, and incumbent members of Congress are vowing to restore restrictions on political speech. Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) said: “In the coming weeks, I will work with my colleagues to pass legislation restoring as many of the critical restraints on corporate control of our elections as possible.” In the House of Representatives, Robert Brady, Chairman of the House Administration Committee – the panel responsible for campaign finance regulations – sent out an email that said: “I will be working directly with my colleagues, the Leadership and the White House to study the Court’s decision and to put together a timeline for legislative action that ensures the Court’s decision will not define the ways election... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197613 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:27:56 +0100 3197613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193699&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsqDVlmlp3sU%2F By Chris MoodyIn this new video, Cato’s David Boaz and John Samples evaluate what Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts means for Democrats and Republicans in the near and far term. Samples and Boaz contend that Tuesday’s election sent a message to Democrats that they have clearly overreached, but Republicans need to be careful and realize that they’re still not very popular either. Watch: John Samples is the author of the forthcoming book, The Struggle to Limit Government, available soon at the Cato store. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193699 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:50:34 +0100 3193699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167091&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQeZ2wnw7yrk%2F By Tad DeHavenThe board game Monopoly first took off during the Great Depression. A different game has become popular during today’s Great Recession. In this game, politicians race against high unemployment to create jobs in order to save their own. The players (politicians) have unlimited tax and borrowing authority, and can call upon friendly economists to help them maneuver. The players even get to keep score, although the media can penalize shoddy scorekeeping. Ultimately, voters will decide which players win and lose in the fall elections. Okay, I’m being facetious. But as politicians continue to throw trillions of dollars at the economy in a vain effort to create jobs, and the media continues to go along with it by obsessing over meaningless job counts, the entire spectacle has b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167091 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:50:01 +0100 3167091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3124517&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIDxEvKmTmwA%2F By Ilya ShapiroThe point of our internship program is, of course, to spread the ideas of liberty in all the various realms of human endeavor these young people go on to pursue.  Well, it seems that one former Cato intern has gotten himself hired as the policy director to a congressional candidate who’s talking a good game with respect to limited government, bringing fiscal conservatism to the Republican Party, etc.  Adam Kwasman, who went on to study economics and law at George Mason University, worked for my boss, Roger Pilon, at our Center for Constitutional Studies several years ago, before I came to Cato.  I’ve gotten to know Adam socially and was intrigued to hear that he’s now working for Jesse Kelly, a young (thirty-something) Marine combat veteran and busine... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3124517 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:20:45 +0100 3124517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056619&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4HstzyfpOnc%2F Today’s Politico Arena asks: The WH Jobs Summit: “A little less conversation? A little more action? ( please)” My response: Today’s White House “jobs summit” reflects little more, doubtless, than growing administration panic over the political implications of the unemployment picture.  With the 2010 election season looming just ahead, and little prospect that unemployment numbers will soon improve, Democrats feel compelled to “do something” — reflecting their general belief that for nearly every problem there’s a government solution.  Thus, this summit is heavily stacked with proponents of government action.  This morning’s Wall Street Journal tells us, for example, that “AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is prop... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056619 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:15:37 +0100 3056619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977521&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1997 chers— this is the second publication of this letter, which originally went to rocky degadillo, the LA city attorney at the time (march 4, 2009). in it, i itemize the many problems with a “cultivation only” type ordinance for people who are sick & dying, an ordinance such as the current city attorney, carmen trutanich, has currently proposed, an ordinance whose intent is to shut down medical cannabis in los angeles by making the regulations unreasonable, contrary to the intent of voters and the LA city council. i will be offering a copy of it to mr. trutanich at the lgbt community forum tonight. he is a big supporter of same-sex marriage, and rode in gay pride in councilmember dennis zine’s motorcycle brigade. what’s the problem with medical cannabis? his... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977521 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:31:01 +0100 2977521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974160&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1980 Drug Policy Changes Under New Director Talk of the Nation The Department of Justice will no longer prosecute medical marijuana users who comply with state laws. Some reform advocates hope the move means decriminalization of pot may be in the works. Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske talks about the direction of U.S. drug policy. REBECCA ROBERTS, host please click here to kisten to audio recording of Kerlikowske’s interview on the NPR site This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Rebecca Roberts in Washington. Last month, medical marijuana advocates cheered when Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice will de-prioritize cases against medical marijuana users and dispensaries, as long as they comply with state laws. But Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of N... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974160 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:52:54 +0100 2974160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974161&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1978 text transcribed from jpeg follows jump LGBT forum with los angeles city attorney carmen trutanich an evening of discussion on how the los angeles city attorney’s office may address issues concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities tuesday, november 10, 2009 the village at ed gould plaza, renberg theatre 1125 n. mccadden place los angeles, ca 90038 reception 6pm refreshments will be served community forum 7-8pm presented by asian pacific islander pride council la gay & lesbian center jordan/rustin coalition log cabin republicans stonewall democratic club 2009 LA Pride Parade held in West Hollywood, California Los Angeles City Attorney Elect Carmen Trutanich rides in the 2009 LA Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California on June 14, 2009. (UPI Photo/Phil Mc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974161 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:10:52 +0100 2974161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963281&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1961 World AIDS Day Federal Conference Call Tuesday, November 17, 2009: 2:30pm - 4:00pm (EST) AIDS.gov is hosting a World AIDS Day Conference Call for Federal staff and grantees. The call will provide a brief update on the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and a brief overview of the global epidemic. Participants will have a chance to ask these representatives about Federal HIV/AIDS programs: Dr. Howard Koh, HHS Mr. Christopher Bates, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy Ambassador Eric Goosby, PEPFAR Dr. Kevin Fenton, CDC Mr. David Vos, HUD Dr. Deborah Parham Hopson, HRSA Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, NIH/NIAID Ms. Beverly Watts Davis, SAMHSA Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, VA To participate, register here by November 15. Conference call capacity is limited to the first 3500 callers. If you have logistical... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963281 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:50:06 +0100 2963281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948450&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmpegmedia.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Faudio%2Ftwt%2F200910%2F20091030-twt-6-marijuana-tussle.mp3 US vows crackdown on medical marijuana By Kim Landers for The World Today, ABC news australia Fri Oct 30, 2009 Audio: LA officials to clean up the joint(The World Today) Officials in the United States are vowing to crack down on medical marijuana facilities even as the Obama administration signals a new hands-off policy on the drug. Los Angeles officials have been agonising for two years over a move to introduce what they call sensible guidelines to help regulate the booming industry. In the US, 14 states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana, but no state has gone further than California and no city has gone further than LA, where there are more marijuana dispensaries than public schools. Brian Berens is the owner of Green Oasis, a medical marijuana dispensary in LA. “Da... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948450 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:29:14 +0100 2948450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947090&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1946 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act Signed into Law REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT SIGNING OF THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT OF 2009a Diplomatic Reception Room 11:58 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. AUDIENCE: Good morning. THE PRESIDENT: We often speak about AIDS as if it’s going on somewhere else. And for good reason — this is a virus that has touched lives and decimated communities around the world, particularly in Africa. But often overlooked is the fact that we face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic of our own — right here in Washington, D.C., and right here in the United States of America. And today, we are taking two important steps forward in the fight that we face here at home. It has been nearly three decades since this virus first... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947090 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:40:17 +0100 2947090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944018&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1936 Obama to sign Ryan White reauthorization Friday Measure would provide funds for an additional four years By CHRIS JOHNSON Oct 29 2009 President Obama plans to sign into law on Friday a reauthorization of funds under the Ryan White Care Act, according to Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 would provide funding for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS for an additional four years. First enacted in 1990, the Ryan White Care Act is the nation’s largest federally funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS and is designed to assist low-income patients who are underinsured or who have no insurance. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944018 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:47:52 +0100 2944018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944020&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1923 Farr Introduces Medical Marijuana Fair Trial Bill Wed. October 28, 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr on Tuesday introduced legislation that would allow individuals accused of violating federal marijuana laws to offer evidence in federal court that their use of medical marijuana followed state medical marijuana laws. Rep. Farr introduced the bill, called the Truth in Trials Act, in the wake of a recent directive from the Justice Department telling federal prosecutors not to prosecute individuals who are following state medical marijuana laws. The bill would codify legal protections for defendants caught between state and federal laws, ensuring that state medical marijuana laws remain a defense in federal trials even if a future administration overturns the recent guidelines. &#... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944020 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:50:58 +0100 2944020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944021&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1921 One City’s Insane Fight Against Obama’s Sane New Pot Policy The administration has officially put a stop to crackdowns on the medical-marijuana business, but to hear the dispensers tell it, nothing’s stopping Los Angeles from finding every last ridiculous loophole By John H. Richardson October 27, 2009 Two years ago, in the throes of a Bush administration that disregarded states’ rights whenever it felt like getting high on itself, there were fewer than two hundred medical-marijuana outlets in Los Angeles. Today, even the most conservative estimates say that number has quadrupled. On one stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard alone, four thriving pot shops estimate their tax payments at $4 million a year. Got an emergency radiation treatment and can’t find the n... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944021 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:22:49 +0100 2944021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944022&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1915 POT GROUP: BANNING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES WOULD COST L.A. MILLIONS Story Published: Oct 25, 2009 Los Angeles’ proposed medical marijuana ordinance, which would outlaw the sale of pot at dispensaries, would cost the city $36 million to $74 million in lost sales taxes, a marijuana advocacy group asserted Sunday. Under the proposed ordinance, only nonprofit medical marijuana collectives — groups of qualified patients and their primary caregivers — would be allowed to cultivate the drug to relieve pain from serious illnesses. According to the California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the proposed ordinance would “effectively shut down the city’s medical marijuana distribution system by banning all sales of marijuana... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944022 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:46:34 +0100 2944022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944023&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1913 Los Angeles could act on medical pot in early November A proposal to ban all sales of medical marijuana in the city is unlikely to be taken up next week. Aides to Councilman Smith say he supports it and believes it would force most dispensaries to close. By John Hoeffel October 23, 2009 The Los Angeles City Council moved Thursday to consider a controversial medical marijuana ordinance in early November, as a poll released by a national organization that supports marijuana legalization found that more than three-quarters of voters in the county want dispensaries regulated, not prosecuted and closed. FOR THE RECORD: Medical marijuana: An article in Friday’s Section A on medical marijuana misattributed a quote to Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti. It was Councilman Gre... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944023 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:23:33 +0100 2944023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927521&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1905 chers— eight posts on HIV/AIDS & H1N1 at http://HAVVACC.wordpress.com (the HIV/AIDS volunteer virtual assisted care community) weho news: free flu shots tuesday by cedars (056) cdc recommendations for HIVers (full text) (055) about.com — difference between  seasonal & swine flus (054) AIDS-meds no evidence HIV worsens H1N1 severity (053) natap-sickest H1N1 patients have comorbidities (052) weho news – michael mooney on vaccine drawbacks (051) wikipedia: 1918 flu epidemic (050) cdc swine flu social media toolkit (049) namaste —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927521 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:32:34 +0100 2927521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920435&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1900 City of Angles L.A. Medical Marijuana Scene in Tumult By Brian Doherty October 22, 2009 8:57 AM The medical marijuana scene in Los Angeles gets more uncertain, with judges knocking down the existing moratorium, the city attorney threatening a severe crackdown, and the city council ready to act on a new wave of restrictions. First on the court action, from the L.A. Times account: A Superior Court judge concluded today that Los Angeles’ moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid and granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ban sought by a dispensary that had sued the city. Judge James C. Chalfant determined that the city failed to follow state law when it extended its initial moratorium. “The city cannot rely on an expired ordinance,” he ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920435 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:57:42 +0100 2920435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920436&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1898 LAnow Medical marijuana poll: Most L.A. voters support dispensaries by John Hoeffel October 22, 2009 | 10:00 am More than three-quarters of the voters in Los Angeles County want to see medical marijuana dispensaries regulated, rather than prosecuted and forced to close, according to a poll released today by a national organization that supports marijuana legalization. The poll, completed Monday and Tuesday, also found that 74% support the state’s medical marijuana law, while 54% want to see marijuana legalized, regulated and taxed. The Marijuana Policy Project, based in Washington, D.C., commissioned the poll by an independent firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, after Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley threatened all dispensaries in the county with prosecution. Cool... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920436 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:44:25 +0100 2920436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916386&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1893 Los Angeles City Council to rush vote on medical pot law The draft ordinance currently being urged would severely restrict the operations of medical marijuana dispensaries, which have exploded across the city in the absence of permanent regulation. By John Hoeffel October 20, 2009 | 10:25 p.m With its moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries declared unlawful, the Los Angeles City Council is now poised to act quickly on a strict ordinance that it has struggled with fitfully for more than two years. On Tuesday, the city attorney’s office delivered a draft that some members want the council to take up within a week. The sudden acceleration stems from a Superior Court ruling Monday that left the city unable to enforce its ban and derailed its four-month-old drive to shut down ne... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916386 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:09:07 +0100 2916386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916387&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1890 Medical Pot Is Bringing L.A. Together In the increasingly acrimonious pot wars, all sides agree City Hall is incompetent By PATRICK RANGE MCDONALD AND JILL STEWART Published on October 21, 2009 at 5:04pm When Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant ruled on October 19 that the Los Angeles City Council’s two-year moratorium on medical-marijuana dispensaries was illegal, invalidating the ban, few legal experts seemed surprised — including City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, whose aide promptly admitted that the City Council had indeed been in the wrong. The judge issued an injunction banning L.A. from enforcing its moratorium against Green Oasis, a popular pot shop in Playa Vista. That decision is widely expected to prevent City Hall from enforcing its ban throughout Los Angeles.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916387 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:36:16 +0100 2916387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916388&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1888 Rally Thursday!! What: LA Rally & Protest - and Statewide Day of Action When: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Where: Los Angeles City Hall - N. Main St. entrance (between Temple and 1st St.) LA is going to pass regulations that will close our dispensaries.  The raids have already started.  It’s time for ALL of us to take a stand. Call all your friends and gather at City Hall today. Stay safe and be well. Sincerely, Degé Coutee Education & Advocacy Director Patient Advocacy Network www.CannabisSavesLives.com (323) 334-5282 (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916388 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:24:58 +0100 2916388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916390&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1882 Medical pot advocates say law still a purple haze By MARCUS WOHLSEN and LISA LEFF Associated Press Writers Tuesday, October 20, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO — A new Obama administration policy loosening guidelines on federal prosecution of medical marijuana on Monday signaled to users that they had less to fear from federal agents but still left their suppliers to contend with a tangled mesh of state laws and regulations. The Justice Department told federal prosecutors that targeting people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws was not a good use of their time. Marijuana advocates and patients called the memo an encouraging step forward from the strict anti-pot policies of the Bush administration. But many worried that the web of laws in the 14 states that allow... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916390 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:09:46 +0100 2916390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916391&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1879 Judge rules L.A.’s ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid The Superior Court judge’s decision undermines the city’s 4-month-old drive to shut down hundreds of the stores. By John Hoeffel October 20, 2009 Los Angeles’ ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid, a Superior Court judge said Monday in a decision that undermines the city’s 4-month-old drive to shut down hundreds of the stores. The judge issued an injunction banning enforcement of the moratorium against Green Oasis, a dispensary in Playa Vista that had challenged the ban. But city officials acknowledged the ruling would effectively block current efforts to enforce the ban against other dispensaries. The decision came on the day the Obama administration issued guidelines that ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916391 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:37:51 +0100 2916391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916392&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1874 .LA NOW . Judge grants injunction against city’s medical marijuana dispensary ban by John Hoeffel at L.A. Superior Court October 19, 2009 | 11:13 am A Superior Court judge concluded today that Los Angeles’ moratorium on new medical marijuana dispen-saries is invalid and granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ban sought by a dispensary that had sued the city. Judge James C. Chalfant determined that the city failed to follow state law when it extended its initial moratorium. “The city cannot rely on an expired ordinance,” he said. Green Oasis and a number of other medical marijuana collectives sued the city last month, challenging its efforts to control the dispensaries. The lawsuit argued that the City Council violated state law when it extended... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916392 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:21:06 +0100 2916392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916393&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1871 MEMORANDUM FOR SELECTED UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS October 19,2009 FROM: David W. Ogden - Deputy Attorney General SUBJECT: Investigations and Prosecutions in States Authorizing the Medical Use of Marijuana This memorandum provides clarification and guidance to federal prosecutors in States that have enacted laws authorizing the medical use of marijuana. These laws vary in their substantive provisions and in the extent of state regulatory oversight, both among the enacting States and among local jurisdictions within those States. Rather than developing different guidelines for every possible variant of state and local law, this memorandum provides uniform guidance to focus federal investigations and prosecutions in these States on core federal enforcement priorities. The Department of Just... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916393 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:36:00 +0100 2916393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916394&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1868 Pelosi Applauds House Passage of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in support of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 408 to 9. The Senate passed the bill earlier this week so the bill now goes to President Obama for his signature into law. “As everyone knows, San Francisco was hit early and hard by the devastation of AIDS. But San Franciscans responded to the needs of our neighbors by developing a system of community-based care that became the model for the Ryan White CARE Act when it was first enacted in 1990. “Today, Ryan White-funded initiatives are a fundamental component of the systems of care upon which low-income individua... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916394 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:43:11 +0100 2916394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916395&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1864 STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY S. 1793 — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Sen. Harkin, D-Iowa) The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The Ryan White program provides critical health care and related services to uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the program for the next four years. The Administration is committed to strengthening access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The legislation reauthorizes all parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and supports continued funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, the goal of which is to address the disproportionate impact of the disease on racial and ethnic minorities. When ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916395 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:19:24 +0100 2916395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908568&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOX92-z34s3o%2F The Department of Justice just invalidated a move by the residents of Kinston, North Carolina, to have non-partisan local elections. Rationale? The Justice Department’s ruling, which affects races for City Council and mayor, went so far as to say partisan elections are needed so that black voters can elect their “candidates of choice” – identified by the department as those who are Democrats and almost exclusively black. The department ruled that white voters in Kinston will vote for blacks only if they are Democrats and that therefore the city cannot get rid of party affiliations for local elections because that would violate black voters’ right to elect the candidates they want. This, coming from the same Department of Justice officials that wouldn’t know ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908568 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:15:34 +0100 2908568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862700&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1850 Discussions: ONAP will hold a series of fourteen forums from late summer through the end of 2009 in various regions of the country with diverse communities impacted by HIV/AIDS. These forums will provide opportunities for individual citizens to provide White House staff and other policy makers with their recommendations for achieving the President’s three goals for the NHAS.Locations for the planned forums include (in alphabetical order): Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Juan, Puerto Rico; the Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. [chers---cut & pasted from another location: ---rk] Location Date Minneapolis, MN October 2 Albuquerque, NM ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862700 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:01:26 +0100 2862700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855794&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1844 “]”]Remarks at Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Eric Goosby Global AIDS Coordinator and Ambassador-at-Large Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State Eric Goosby, M.D., Global AIDS Coordinator Ben Franklin Room Washington, DC September 17, 2009 [Transcript of Ambassador Goosby’s remarks provided by the Office of the U.S. Coordinator for Global AIDS] [link to 22-min video which cannot be embedded here] SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Well, this is such a wonderful occasion, and I am especially grateful that you were all so understanding to change the time for this event. I learned at the last minute yesterday that I had to be at the White House for a meeting with the President. And I actually did say, well, I’m sorry I have to swear-in. (Laughter.) And the answer came back sayin... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855794 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:17:25 +0100 2855794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2852010&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1840 Ryan White funding extended for 30 days Senate committee passes measure to renew HIV program for four years By LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN Sep 30 2009 The U.S. Senate voted 62-38 late Wednesday to approve legislation that will extend funding to the U.S. government for 30 days after the Sept. 30 end of the current fiscal year. Included is a measure to maintain HIV/AIDS programs funded by the Ryan White CARE Act for the next month. The U.S. House passed the measure Sept. 25. The legislation buys time for Ryan White, but does not permanently renew funding for the programs. At stake is at least $2.1 billion in funding that props up HIV services around the country, including $72 million that goes to programs in Georgia. Although the Ryan White Act has bipartisan support in Congress, the legislation, l... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2852010 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:44:36 +0100 2852010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834435&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1821 Delay in LA by Don Duncan about medical marijuana September 23rd, 2009 Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine told a standing room only crowd at Tuesday’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee hearing that an ordinance that does not recognize sales of medical cannabis would not work for Los Angeles, but he is worried about creating a policy that violates state law. The Councilmember’s ambivalence is part of the confusion that dominated yesterday’s marathon committee meeting. The PLUM committee voted to continue the debate on the regulations, Zine’s motion for more study into relevant case law, and a progress report from the planning department for another week to allow committee members more time to review the material. Part of what the committee is reviewing is a ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834435 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:51:18 +0100 2834435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834438&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1809 chers— in a short preface on his NATAP listserve post, matthew notes: “Yesterday Tony Fauci was interviewed on CNN. [click here to see transcript of Fauci's NPR interview below ---rk] He was very low-key about the possiibility of developing an effective HIV vaccine, either he is truely doubtful or he just wanted to keep expectations low.” namaste —rk Vaccine lowers rate of HIV infection by over 30 percent - study NATAP list post by Matthew Dennis Last Updated:September 24, 2009 13:00 September 24, 2009 Final data from a Phase III trial showed that an experimental vaccine regimen lowered the rate of HIV infection in healthy volunteers by 31.2 percent compared to placebo, the US Army said Thursday. Eric Schoomaker, surgeon general of the US Army, which sponsored the s... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834438 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:57:15 +0100 2834438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832364&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1801 chers— the kokomo, indiana perspective is ryan white’s hometown newspape: a sentimental choice for you a week before the ryan white CARE act sundowns namaste —rk Bayh calls for extension of Ryan White Act Senator Evan Bayh urged the leaders of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act before the law expires at the end of the month. Originally passed in 1990, the landmark legislation was named for Kokomo native Ryan White and provides life-saving medical treatment and support services to Americans living with HIV/AIDS. “Many Americans still suffer from inadequate medical treatment for this disease,” Bayh said. “Ryan White’s brave battle helped change atti... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832364 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:40:08 +0100 2832364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828425&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1797 Today in Congress FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 Committee events of note: 10am, Senate HELP Committee:Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 Witness: Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary, US Department of the Treasury 10am, House Education and Labor Committee: Hearing on HR 3017, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 10am, Senate HELP Committee:Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment … (from wikipedia: Timothy Franz Geithner (pronounced /ˈɡaɪtnər/; born August 18, 1961), is the 75th and current United States Secretary of the Treasury, serving under President Barack Obama. He was previously the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Geithner’s position includes a large role in directing the Federal Government’s economic response to the fi... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828425 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:08:40 +0100 2828425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820537&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1788 [what you can do] by Lindy, still fruity september 20, 2009 I know that most of you have been wondering what you can do to help make sure that the Ryan White CARE Act is re-authorized. God love you, all of you. The best thing you can do is let your elected representatives know that this is something that you care about. A handwritten note, a very short note, is best. But, you know what? If you don’t have time for that, just call them up. Here’s all you need to know… Here’s the address and phone number for your president: President Barak Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 The telephone number for the comment line is 202 456 1111. If you know who you want to talk to, and do not use this line to try to talk to the president, but if y... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820537 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:21:22 +0100 2820537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820538&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1786 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding Due to Expire Oct. 1 by Jim Chud Volume 28 Issue 10 In December 2006, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 (RWTMA) became law. The Act replaced the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act that had been initially signed into law in 1990, and subsequently “reauthorized” (renewed) in 1996 and 2000. The CARE Act was the country’s largest federally funded non-entitlement program for people living with HIV/AIDS and forms the core of the local HIV/AIDS care and treatment response in most local jurisdictions. The act sought funding to improve availability of care for low-income uninsured and under-insured victims of AIDS and their families. The RWTMA included a sunset clause that entails the end of the legislation on O... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820538 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:00:38 +0100 2820538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804168&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1774 Please Join Speaker Karen Bass and the 47th Assembly District People’s Council for a 2009 Policy Outcomes & Opportunities Town Hall Monday, September 21st, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Junior Blind of America 5300 Angeles Vista Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 To R.S.V.P. please call 323-937-4747 or email amanda.martin@asm.ca.gov R.S.V.P. Deadline: Thursday, September 17th Speaker Bass will recap the past legislative session and provide an insider’s scoop on the California economy, healthcare, clean energy, public safety and more. It has been an unprecedented year with more action to come! Join us to discuss what we can all do to ensure our communities have a strong voice within the ongoing debates. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804168 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:53:27 +0100 2804168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800642&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1739 chers— this is a special report on last wednesday’s raids of 14 medical cannabis clinics and 6 residences in the san diego area. raids were conducted by a team of federal & county & city law enforcement officials (no representation from the state of california, according to the district attorney’s press release). District attorney Bonnie Dumanis held a news conference the next day, thursday, attempting to justify not only the SWAT-style tactics but also the political timing of the raids, which took place the day after the san diego city council voted 6-1 to create dispensary regulations by early next year. pay particular attention to the channel 10 news video showing law officers tossing a man out of his wheelchair into the back of a squad care, while fellow cops unsucces... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800642 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:06:30 +0100 2800642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800643&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1735 Drug Policy Alliance www.drugpolicy.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2009 Margaret Dooley-Sammuli (213) 291-4190 Contact: Dion Markgraaf (619) 518-0776 SWAT-Style Raids on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in San Diego Come Day After City Council Acts to Regulate Dispensaries Patients Condemn Tactics, Express Concern for Safe Access SAN DIEGO – Several medical marijuana dispensaries were raided in San Diego today, after the City Council yesterday voted 6-1 to establish a taskforce to create dispensary regulations by early next year. Medical marijuana patients and advocates criticized the raids’ timing and tactics. “These raids are unnecessary and unacceptable. Yesterday the City Council agreed to create local regulations for dispensaries. We could have those rules as early as Janu... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800643 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:16:13 +0100 2800643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800644&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1729 The 2009 911 Reign of Terror by J. Craig Canada September 13, 3:01 PM Santa Cruz County Drug Policy Examiner Reports continue to come in of federal raids of medical marijuana dispensaries up and down the West Coast. San Diego has been hardest hit.  In the midst of the trial of the Operation Green RX defendents, on the heels of the decision by City Council to create yet another task force on medical marijuana, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis went on a rampage. In San Diego 14 dispensaries were robbed and vandalized and 31 people kidnapped, tortured, and held for ransom.  The terrorists, led by San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, claim they stole $70,000, 6 guns, and an undisclosed quantity of marijuana.  In justification of the robberies, Dumanis states that a single dispensar... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800644 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:30:13 +0100 2800644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800645&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1726 Bonnie Dumanis From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bonnie M. Dumanis (born December 16, 1951, in Brockton, Massachusetts) is currently the District Attorney of San Diego County. Dumanis has been the District Attorney since 2003, when she defeated incumbent Paul Pfingst.[1] Dumanis received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and her Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 1976[2]. Following graduation, she served as a Deputy District Attorney from 1978 to 1990. In 1994, she was elected to the Municipal Court where she would serve for four years. In 1998, Dumanis was elected to the San Diego Superior Court.[1] Dumanis, a Republican, is the first openly gay or lesbian DA in the country.[3] She is also the first Jewish woma... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800645 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:23:43 +0100 2800645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800646&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1722 DA, DEA, US Attorney, IRS, Sheriff, SDPD Serve Warrants at Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries Number of Dispensaries Increasing along with Citizen Complaints San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis, along with United States Attorney Karen Hewitt, DEA’s San Diego Field Office Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge William Sherman, IRS San Diego Field Office Special Agent-in-Charge Tami Steine, San Diego Sheriff William Gore, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, San Diego Narcotics Task Force, San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond and Vista City Attorney Darrold Pieper announced today that 14 search warrants were served at 14 marijuana dispensaries and six associated residences in San Diego, the North County and South Bay The warrants are a result of a four-month undercover investigation ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800646 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:45:39 +0100 2800646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796716&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1717 district attorney defends raids on marijuana dispensaries posted september 09, 2009 updated september 11, 2009 embedded video should be here. if not, please click on link. The district attorney is defending this week’s raid on medical dispensaries throughout the county, saying they were simply drug dealers out to make a fast buck. Authorities say 31 people were arrested in a sting that targeted medical marijuana distributors in San Diego County. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Thursday that she supports marijuana use for medical purposes - as allowed under California law - but that the distributors may have been operating stores to sell drugs illegally. No charges have been filed. Prosecutors say possible charges include sale and possession of marijuana and firearms offenses.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796716 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:17:27 +0100 2796716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796717&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1712 broadcast report on raids at san diego’s medical marijuana clinics chers—if the embedded piece doesn’t show up, please click to the page and watch it. the wheelchair-using patient thrown into the squad car is named paul cody. —rk from the top down 1. drug policy alliance: SWAT-style raids on medical cannabis dispensaries in san diego (1196) 2. j. craig canada, examiner.com: the 2009 911 reign of terror (1195) 3. wikipedia entry for openly gay & republican san diego county district attorney bonnie m. dumanis (1194) 4. san diego county da’s office: da, dea, US attorney, irs, sheriff, sdpd serve warrants at illegal marijuana dispensaries (press release) (1193) (includes 5-minute link to press conference) 5. kfmb-tv channel 8, san diego: district attorney defen... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796717 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:35:30 +0100 2796717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796718&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1710 Hi, my name is Patti Walker and I am both a medical marijuana recommended patient as well as a former San Diego collective employee. I was involved in the raids yesterday and my collective was hit pretty bad. I worked at Beneficial Care Collective in downtown San Diego at about 1:30 pm I walked into the office and heard pounding and saw police task force every where. I had no idea what was going on and then an officer pointed a shotgun at my face and told me to sit down, and there I sat. Myself and everyone else who worked there was then handcuffed and put in a room, they told me it was just procedure and I wasn’t in any trouble just caught up in something really. About 30 min later they told me and the other employees were being arrested and charged with felony sale of marijuana. T... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796718 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:04:42 +0100 2796718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796719&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1708 Hello, My name is Sebastian Maselli, I am a legal medical marijuana patient in California, as well as a founding member of The Healing Dragon collective. I am also an Iraq war veteran that has honorably and voluntarily served our country in the United States Marine Corps for over seven years. I know the meaning of sacrifice. I understand struggles. Most importantly I have witnessed first-hand how the war on terrorism has affected our military members. I have seen what happens to my brothers and sisters in the military medical system, Marines, sailors, and soldiers get pumped full of prescription medications. One med is for this, the other is for that, and the other seven meds help to counteract the side-effects of the first few drugs. This is not to say that they are not getting the care t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796719 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:43:12 +0100 2796719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2796720&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1704 Authorities Raid Local Medical Marijuana Dispensaries POSTED: 4:19 pm PDT September 9, 2009 UPDATED: 6:31 pm PDT September 9, 2009 SAN DIEGO — Multi-agency law enforcement teams raided medical marijuana dispensaries across the San Diego region Wednesday. Personnel from federal, state and local departments served warrants at an undisclosed number of cannabis-dispensing storefronts in various locales in the county, according to Monica Munoz, a spokeswoman for the San Diego Police Department. Authorities refused to release details — including the reason for the raids and the number of related arrests, if any — about the operation, which apparently began around midday and targeted dispensaries in several San Diego beach communities, among other areas. Amy Roderick, an inform... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2796720 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:01:35 +0100 2796720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774879&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1670 Discussion Draft Legislation Hearings — Subcommittee on Health The Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled, “‘Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2009′ Discussion Draft Legislation” on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will examine a discussion draft of legislation to extend the Ryan White Program for three additional years. INVITED WITNESSES: • Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., Administrator, Office of the Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration • Marcia Crosse, Ph.D., Health Care Director, Government Accountability Office • Julie Scofield, Executive Director, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors • Donna Elaine Sweet, M.D., M.A.C.P., A.A.H.I.V.S., Professor, De... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774879 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:44:26 +0100 2774879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2770224&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1655 Bill Moyers Special Comment to Obama - “Mr. President. We need a fighter.” chers— i suppose it never hurts to ask. namaste —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2770224 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:45:09 +0100 2770224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2761851&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTEVTJ-UCQEc%2F Convicted pedophile in the United Kingdom given taxpayer-funded Viagra through the National Health Service. Cato senior fellow Tom Palmer filing a lawsuit to legally carry firearms in Washington D.C. How it all came crashing down: The causes of the financial crisis. A few things you should know to better understand the elections in Afghanistan. Podcast: How some on the right-wing are doing everything they can to defend torture. Let’s just call them “enhanced justification techniques.” (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2761851 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:00:10 +0100 2761851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719676&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcBp9VMgLhY8%2F According to a recent Washington Post-ABC Poll, the majority of Americans say the war in Afghanistan is not worth fighting. Usually, I don’t take kindly to polling data; they are ephemeral snapshots of public opinion that fluctuate with the prevailing political winds. But I will say (as I’ve said before) that Central Asia holds little intrinsic strategic value to the United States. In that respect, I can understand why Americans are growing skeptical of continuing what’s become an “aimless absurdity.” America’s flagging support for the war comes as millions of Afghans head to the polls to elect their next president. Hamid Karzai, the incumbent, is the front-runner, but if he is unable to secure more than 50% of the vote there will be a run-off scheduled for early October. Given... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719676 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:52:41 +0100 2719676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511028&cid=t_181479_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F21%2Fthe-situation-of-pollworkers-and-voting-booths-abstract%2F This article addresses how unconscious bias may play a role in the interaction between pollworkers and prospective voters and discusses some ways in which the potential for unconscious bias to operate in America’s polling places may be mitigated. * * * For a sample of related Situationist posts, see “The Racial Situation of Voting,” “Why Race May Influence Us Even When We “Know” It Doesn’t,” “The Interior Situation of Undecided Voters,” “On Being a Mindful Voter,” “Implicit Associations in the 2008 Presidential Election,” “The Situation of Political Animals,” and “Your Brain on Politics.” To review all of the previous Situationist posts discussing implicit associations click on the “Implicit Associations” category in the ri... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511028 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:01:01 +0100 2511028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473191&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FF1ksRi3xT3Q%2F Europe just held elections for the European parliament.  The British National Party — an essentially fascist, all-white grouping — won two seats.  And access to potentially a lot of money. It isn’t literally public campaign financing, but once elected, parties in the European parliament often can get their hands on a lot of public funding.  Reports the Independent: Both men will be entitled to about £310,000 in annual funding, including an £80,443 salary, a staff budget of up to £182,000 and £40,000 for office expenses. But the British National Party (BNP) could also unlock a share of the £22.8m allowance that is given to parliamentary groups if it can find at least 25 fellow MEPs from seven member states willing to form a bloc within the European Parliament. Being part o... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473191 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:06:52 +0100 2473191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405390&cid=t_181479_109_f&fid=35044&url=http%3A%2F%2Fadultaddstrengths.com%2F2009%2F05%2F12%2Fbc-liberal-party-is-violating-bc-election-act%2F Post from: Adult ADD Strengths BC Liberal Party Is Violating BC Election Act Sec 223 on Election Day by Online Advertising Update3 The Vancouver Sun today Wed may 13th 09 has linked to this post and covered the story on page A11.  Also The Victoria Times Colonist is also linking to this post on their story in todays paper on page B7. The penalty for breaking the law could include up to a $10,000 fine and a year in jail. “The penalties are up to the chief electoral officer’s discretion,” said Ken Faris ( Elections B.C. spokesman). “Since the B.C. Liberals responded to our request (to take the offending tweets down), we’re not going to pursue the issue any further.” Liberal spokesman Chad Pederson said the party removed the items after being contacted by Elections B.C. “We thi... Adult ADD Strengths blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405390 Thu, 14 May 2009 06:17:26 +0100 2405390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306875&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6639 In the run up to the “Buy Elections” I came across something our neighbours in the north are resorting to. Apparently some politicians there are dishing out the little blue pill to elderly male voters as a dastardly way to garner more votes. These misguided idiots think that it will help their flagging election chances when really, they are meant for flagging erections. from the Malaysian Medical Resources Pssst, BN. The little blue pill may help too. (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306875 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2306875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2233072&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1541 [february 13, 2009] good morning president garcetti, distinguished council members. i have given the clerk a copy of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a 57-year-old gay AIDS activist & long-term survivor, a medical cannabis patient & advocate, a poet & journalist. i am here this morning with three specific suggestions to move along the medical cannabis ordinance process. but first i want to take us on a quick metaphoric foray into pop culture i don’t know if you’re aware of this, but marvel comics put out a special inauguration day edition of the amazing spider-man with mr. obama on the cover in it, a shapeshifting supervillain named chamelion disguises himself as the real obama & hopes to be sworn in as president by mistake. even the comic book obama... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2233072 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:08:06 +0100 2233072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2115900&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1495 [tuesday, jan 13, 2009] good morning (& congratulations!) president garcetti, distinguished council membersi have given the clerk a copy of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a medical cannabis patient & advocate & a 57-year-old gay AIDS activist & long-term survivor — a PWA — a person with AIDS in the middle of the night, i’m one of those “light a candle rather than curse the darkness” poets. it gets me in trouble, but then, poetry is trouble. so, who needs rick warren? we are perfectly capable of invoking the presence of spirit for ourselves. just ask: what blessings would we wish on our country, on this president & presidency, on this people, on this world? here are mine: invocation of a person with aids & medical pot patient do no... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2115900 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:06:42 +0100 2115900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107794&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1473 chers— so. here i am, hovering over a mess of wires and components, and somewhere in there, soapbubblelike, is my internet contact. every time it goes down it takes about an hour to reboot. i hate having to be patient. started a new HAART cocktail last month with isentress, a new class of anti-AIDS drugs. my body responded with heavy-duty diarrhea (have been wearing diapers & needed them) and headaches — actually, it felt like one big headache of migrainish proportions that started and never really went away, it just got worse and less worse. my doc (dale) said go off your meds for a week (oh boy oh boy, a treatment interruption! all the other stuff will clear up to, the rashes, the sores, the gas, the burping, the flagging appetite, & i hope the fatigue). i did & t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107794 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:12:54 +0100 2107794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107795&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1471 PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA’S INAUGURAL CELEBRATION, A WEST COAST “CELEBRATION OF CHANGE.” Los Angeles, CA, January 6, 2009 The Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, Arts District Healing Center and Freedom Gallery commemorates the inaugural celebration of President-Elect Barack Obama with a special press conference and fundraising event to promote politicians supporting medical marijuana patients and to promote the Union of Medical Marijuana Patients and California’s First Hemp Festival. Come out and learn what’s happening in the medical marijuana community and which politicians and journalists speak out on behalf of medical marijuana patients. Date: January 20, 2009 Time: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Location: Freedom Gallery - 618 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90012 Honored Gue... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107795 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:13:10 +0100 2107795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107796&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1469 Gay Man is Cover Artist for Obama’s Spider-Man Debut President-elect Barack Obama is to be featured in five pages of a special inauguration issue of Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man, USA Today reports: “The White House transition team did not respond to a question about the extent of Obama’s comic-book geekiness, but Obama did mention Spider-Man during the campaign, primarily at children-oriented events. And during an Entertainment Weekly pop culture survey, Obama said Batman and Spider-Man were his top superheroes because of their ‘inner turmoil.’” Towleroad hears that the cover art was done by gay artist and NYC resident Phil Jimenez. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107796 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:11:42 +0100 2107796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107797&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1467 Obama-Spidey #583 Update Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #583 will has President-Elect Obama joining forces with the Wallcrawler in the issue’s Spidey Meets the President bonus story. To meet expected demand for this momentous issue, Marvel has now announced it’s heading back to press to offer the Amazing Spider-Man #583 Obama Second Printing Variant, featuring a re-colored version of the original Obama variant cover drawn by Phil Jimenez. The 2nd Printing will be on sale NEXT WEEK, January 21 for $3.99 The previously mentioned Spidey Meets the President story is written by Zeb Wells and drawn by Todd Nauck & Frank D’Armata and takes place in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day, as one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes attempts to thwart the swearing in ceremony of the 44th Pr... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107797 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:56:05 +0100 2107797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074373&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1464 Protest DOMA [defense of marriage act] National Rally - 1/10/09 (Promo) Promotional Video for the Protest DOMA National Rally to be held at city halls everywhere in the United States at 1:30pm EST/10:30am PST. The LGBT community is protesting the Defense of Marriage Act and urges President-Elect Barack Obama to repeal this act. Video: Sean Chapin Take a STAND on January 10th Across the country in hundreds of cities, we came together on December 20th in vigil. This was a protest in the spirit of the holiday season, and one that helped us reach 1 Million people with our message of equality. While we didn’t change the hearts and minds of all 1 Million, we did change the lives of many. This highly successful event grew our base, and that growth will show with our next goal: 1 Million Signa... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074373 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:23:28 +0100 2074373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074378&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1445 chers— i hope this thing fits itself on the page. click on the image below, which is linked to the original in all its glory. namasté —rk http://www.ilga.org/map/LGBTI_rights.jpg (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074378 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:15:01 +0100 2074378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067694&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1413 Christophobia? Rick Warren controversy ‘getting weirder’ chers— this should work. take a look. nearly 9 mins. namasté —rk Rachel Maddow believes that the uproar over Barack Obama’s selection of Pastor Rick Warren to deliver his inaugural invocation might have been subsiding by now, except that Warren himself — very much like Reverend Jeremiah Wright last spring — has stirred things up again with a video address in which he accuses his critics of being “Christophobes.” “Not only it is getting worse,” commented Maddow, “it’s getting weirder.” In the 22 minute message to his congregation placed on his website last Sunday, Warren first denied ever “equating gay partnership with incest and pedophilia&#8... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067694 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:39:10 +0100 2067694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065394&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1406 chers— the embedding code doesn’t work at aids-write. please go to msnbc: The wrong choice? Dec. 23: Pastor Rick Warren released a 22 minute web video addressing the uproar over his invitation to President-elect Obama’s inauguration. Should Obama rescind his invitation? Rachel Maddow is joined by The Nation’s Katha Pollitt. or towleroad: “He has snatched the possibility of open-mindedness from the jaws of possibility.” Rachel Maddow takes apart the latest Rick Warren developments namasté —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065394 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:17:17 +0100 2065394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065396&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1393 Shepard Fairey’s Obama Time Magazine Cover December 19th, 2008 Starting today, you’ll be able to pick up Shepard Fairey’s newest Barack Obama illustration on almost every newsstand in the world. He has created the image for the cover of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue. Here is what he had to say about his involvement with the project: “Tomorrow my illustration for Time Magazine’s “Person of The Year” hits the newsstands. While I’m very honored to be validated by a periodical that is nothing short of an American institution, the moment is bittersweet because I’m very disappointed by Obama’s appointment of Rick Warren to deliver his invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065396 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:18:52 +0100 2065396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065397&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1390 Peter’s POZ Blog Join the (Diminishing) Impact Momentum is a bitch. It’s probably the hardest thing to maintain in any activist movement. Join The Impact, the new web-based group that organized the remarkable nationwide anti-Prop 8 rallies on November 15th, is learning this hard truth pretty quickly. Their three actions since then – a postcard campaign, “Day Without A Gay”, and Saturday night’s nationwide “Light Up The Night” demos – failed to live up to this group’s early promise, or its justifiably glowing press coverage (see their New York Times profile). This is not meant to be a dig. I’m in love with this group’s energy, youthfulness, and commitment. I haven’t felt this inspired by gay activism since the days of ACT UP. But I’m also a big believer in l... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065397 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:54:23 +0100 2065397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065400&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1381 This report provides new information on GLB adoption and foster care from the U.S. Census 2000, the National Survey of Family Growth (2002), and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (2004). Currently half a million children live in foster care in the United States and more than 100,000 foster children await adoption. States must recruit parents who are interested and able to foster and adopt children. Three states currently restrict GLB individuals or couples from adopting. Several states have or are considering policies that would restrict GLB people from fostering. Recent government surveys demonstrate that many lesbians and gay men are already raising children, and many more GLB people would like to have children at some point. We estimate that two million GLB peop... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065400 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:36:20 +0100 2065400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046946&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1362 Leaked Obama Transcript Explains Rick Warren Decision John Aravosis Posted December 17, 2008 | 07:26 PM (EST) The following conversation may, or may not, have occurred between President-elect Barack Obama and the chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, US Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA): BARACK OBAMA: So who we gonna have do the invocation at my inaugural? DIANNE FEINSTEIN: Oh my God, you’re gonna love this, B. BO: Okay Di, hit me. DIFI: Ready? Rick Warren. BO: You mean conservative evangelical Christian leader Rick Warren? DIFI: Yup. BO: Rick Warren who wants to ban all abortions and basically said that I support a holocaust? DIFI: Uh huh. BO: The guy who compared gay marriage to pedophilia and incest, and helped lead the fight for Prop 8 in California? ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046946 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:19:38 +0100 2046946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046947&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1360 AIDS TREATMENT NEWS Organizes Highly Accurate Search Engine for AIDS Treatment, Research, Access to Care, Policy, and More Posted: 15 Dec 2008 09:33 AM CST Get credible, AIDS-relevant, recent results from a Google search of 125 Web sites selected by AIDS Treatment News — and skip the webjunk. Use the special search box at www.aidsnews.org (top of page), or at www.aidsnews.org/m (faster for mobile devices). This searches over 400,000 trusted Web pages for almost anything AIDS-related that you are looking for — all free of course. We deliberately biased the AIDS Treatment News Search Engine toward recent information, 2008 and later, since this is what most readers want. Therefore we do not recommend it for historical research. This search engine also works with a mobile phone or... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046947 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:02:19 +0100 2046947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046948&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1356 chers— 1100 posts! send money. video posts soon! namasté —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046948 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:46:51 +0100 2046948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046949&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1352 Rep. Stark: No health reform vote in early ’09 By Jeffrey Young Posted: 12/17/08 03:05 PM [ET] Votes on legislation to enact comprehensive national health reform might have to wait until early 2010, the Democratic chairman of a powerful House subcommittee said Wednesday. Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.), who chairs the Ways and Means Committee’s health subcommittee, said Congress is likely to take a slower approach on healthcare reform. He said lawmakers have too many pressing priorities on the economy and other smaller-scale healthcare issues to move quickly on a large healthcare bill next year, as reform activists have advocated. “I don’t think we’ll do it in the first 100 days,” Stark said during a conference call with reporters, which was hosted by the Institute for America’s ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046949 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:28:48 +0100 2046949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046951&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1347 12 things to throw at Bush A shoe? Not bad. But surely we can do better By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets Monday to demand the release of a reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush, as Arabs across many parts of the Middle East hailed the journalist as a hero and praised his insult as a proper send-off to the unpopular U.S. president. - Associated Press A shoe is an honest choice. Civilized. Convenient. Sends a simple “you’re an artless jackass, and everyone knows it” kind of message. What’s more, a hurled shoe is a timeless bit of wisecrackery, sort of like a pie in the face or standing up and hurling your drink at your two-faced lover in a restaurant. Classic. But this is Dubya w... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046951 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:38:00 +0100 2046951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027246&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1321 Our Mutual Joy Opponents of gay marriage often cite Scripture. But what the Bible teaches about love argues for the other side. by Lisa Miller NEWSWEEK cover story From the magazine issue dated Dec 15, 2008 Let’s try for a minute to take the religious conservatives at their word and define marriage as the Bible does. Shall we look to Abraham, the great patriarch, who slept with his servant when he discovered his beloved wife Sarah was infertile? Or to Jacob, who fathered children with four different women (two sisters and their servants)? Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon and the kings of Judah and Israel—all these fathers and heroes were polygamists. The New Testament model of marriage is hardly better. Jesus himself was single and preached an indifference to earthly attachments—e... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027246 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:05:28 +0100 2027246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027247&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1318 Guess Who Else Isn’t On Board With the U.N. Resolution to Decriminalize Homosexuality Jim Burroway December 5th, 2008 Mark, at Slapped Upside the Head, has a good take on yesterday’s news that the Vatican is opposing a U.N. resolution calling on member states to rescind laws outlawing homosexuality — which in some countries includes the death penalty. We discussed the Vatican’s intrinsically disordered logic here. Mark has his own take here. There are a lot of countries which have already signed on to the declaration, including: Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Those last three ar... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027247 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:23:37 +0100 2027247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027248&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1316 UK Catholic Bishops Instruct Priests Not To Offend Gays Jim Burroway November 29th, 2008 New instructions from UK Roman Catholic Biships: Roman Catholic priests have been banned from using ‘heterosexist’ language in their churches in case they offend gay worshipers. They have been told by their bishops not to assume that every churchgoer is a heterosexual and to reflect this ‘in language and conversation’. ‘Remember that homophobic jokes and asides can be cruel and hurtful - a careless word can mean another experience of rejection and pain,’ say the bishops in a leaflet advising priests and worshippers how to be more welcoming to gay people. I think maybe they need to address these instructions to some of the guys at the top. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027248 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:08:36 +0100 2027248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027249&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1312 A Patronizing “Pastoral Message” Timothy Kincaid December 6th, 2008 Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles, has issued A pastoral message to homosexual Catholics in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles assuring gay Catholics that they “are cherished members of the Catholic Church, and that we value you as equal and active members of the Body of Christ”. I know what the Cardinal is trying to say. He just wants gay Catholics to know that this very personal action that he encouraged to harm their life wasn’t personal. It’s not out of some desire to hurt them, you see, it’s just out of Mahony’s absolute certainty about how things should be. And that while he actively seeks to eliminate any measure of equality for same-sex attracted persons either in society or in the Ch... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027249 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:54:09 +0100 2027249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027250&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1309 Hundreds Protest Vatican’s Opposition to Decriminalization of Homosexuality Jim Burroway December 8th, 2008 According to AFP, about 250 people protested in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday over the Vatican’s opposition to a U.N. resolution calling for member nations to decriminalize homosexuality. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi exhibited more of the Vatican’s intrinsically disordered logic by saying the Church opposed “all forms of violent or discriminatory penal law regarding homosexuals…. No one obviously wants to defend the death penalty for homosexuals.” Some 80 countries have laws against homosexuality, with some including the death penalty or long terms of up to life imprisonment. And yet the Vatican claims to oppose all “discriminatory penal law regarding homosex... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027250 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:43:20 +0100 2027250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011217&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1245 Odetta sings God’s Gonna Cut You Down (acapella) odetta - Water Boy Odetta - Hit Or Miss Odetta Live in concert 2005, “House of the Rising Sun” You Don’t Know My Mind / Odetta photo by Nancy Siesel/The New York Times: Odetta at Radio City Music Hall in New York for a “Salute to the Blues” benefit concert in 2003. Odetta, Voice of Civil Rights Movement, Dies at 77 By Tim Weiner Published: December 3, 2008 Odetta, the singer whose deep voice wove together the strongest songs of American folk music and the civil rights movement, died on Tuesday at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. She was 77. [check out the link ---rk] The cause was heart disease, said her manager, Doug Yeager. He added that she had been hoping to sing at Barack Obama’s inaugurat... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011217 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:42:28 +0100 2011217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964202&cid=t_181479_85_f&fid=36194&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftesstermulo.com%2F2008%2F11%2F16%2Fthe-final-vacation-a-request-for-help-a-magical-night-and-a-forum-because-we-deserve-better-elections%2F Well, actually, it’s my final 2-weeks vacation (doing nothing but surf, play games, and go malling) before residency starts and it may be another year before I could get a chance at another vacation.  So I’m really going to savor the next few days, sleep all I want and do the stuff I may not be able to do when I start my new hospital duties.  Also, I’ll have to make sure I’ve got all the requirements ready so there won’t be a hassle in getting my meager monthly salary. A lot of things have been happening in the blogosphere, as I read through the plurks.  I guess, I’ll just list them down: Somebody needs your help!  Donate Blood! I got wind of this through Benj’s blog and then surfed into Couchsurfing: My friend, Sheng Tienza, is in the Intensiv... Prudence and Madness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964202 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:32:10 +0100 1964202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964159&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1188 EXCLUSIVE: Shepard Fairey ‘Defend Equality’ Art for Marriage Equality Shepard Fairey, the graphic designer and illustrator who created the iconic images for Obama’s campaign, has turned his focus to the current fight for equality in the gay and lesbian community, designing a poster intended specifically for use at this weekend’s rallies in California and elsewhere. The image is inspired by the art of a young man named Aaron Harvey. Thanks to the donations of two print sources, posters will be donated for the rally this Saturday at City Hall, which is part of the larger nationwide action called Join the Impact. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964159 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:40:13 +0100 1964159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1948053&cid=t_181479_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fobama-campaign-in-photos.html The Obama Campaign in Photos: Callie Shell - Obama (The Digital Journalist)Thanks to Berci Mesko from scienceroll.com for sharing the link on FriendFeed.Thanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1948053 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:03:00 +0100 1948053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1943431&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1178 i wept when i voted today i wept i wept when i voted no on eight & i punched it repeatedly for the ghosts i love & every other proposition every other no was no on eight & even o was no on eight when i went back to make sure i fought to keep my tears from falling on the machine to keep myself from being heard a mistake. a habit still from years of living in secret love & loss & sorrow & unvisibility no more no longer sharp comes my heartsail’s tug now is the time to speak to ask to answer to be heard what does it take to be alive? how might life make me free? —-rk chers— a season of decision has swept through us, stormcrested by a remarkable election. but today i tap the keys & thumb the spacebar to tell you about a non-election decision i’ve mad... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943431 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:53:54 +0100 1943431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933392&cid=t_181479_93_f&fid=36697&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjeffreyleow.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F05%2Fobamas-christianity%2F what i say next may not strike a chord with you. i would first like to admit that i am neither perfect, nor know-it-all. i give my views as a young Christian, non-American citizen, but as one who is concerned about the faith of the next US president. i thought whoever wrote obama’s victory speech was brilliant. hopefully it was him who did it himself. he made the speech very well, with the charisma that a rightful US president should have. george bush wouldn’t have pulled that off. however, as a Christian, i am surprised that he never thanked or mentioned God at all, in his victory speech. i would have at least acknowledged God for sustaining me throughout the long campaign, giving me strength, thanked God for protection, answered prayers, etc. the only mention of God in his s... monash medical student blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933392 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:15:33 +0100 1933392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933356&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1176 Exactly what to look for and video on Election Night… (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933356 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:12:02 +0100 1933356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933357&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1174 Making it Count: How to Protect Your Vote & Spot Dirty Tricks From: BarackObamadotcom Added: November 01, 2008 The story of voter suppression efforts in 2008 — and how you can fight back. Get started by making sure you have the correct info about where to vote: http://www.VoteForChange.com (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933357 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:04:32 +0100 1933357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933358&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1171 How to Protect Your Vote Groups across the country are taking steps to prevent vote problems from marring the vote next Tuesday. Every year, both sides of the aisle let fly with allegations of voter fraud, voting machine problems, and improperly purged voters. Because of technological developments, voters seeking to publicize problems and groups seeking to address them can do so quicker than ever before. Crying foul in elections is an American tradition. Instances from recent presidential elections are obvious — belief that Katherine Harris stole Florida in 2000 and Diebold stole Ohio in 2004 persist to this day — but allegations of malfeasance can be found in gubernatorial, Senate, and other downticket races. This election season, like any other, has seen its share of vote-based accu... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933358 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:56:51 +0100 1933358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930317&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1158 Daft the Vote John Aravosis (DC) • 11/02/2008 09:10:00 AM ET I hired Andy Cobb and friends to produce this latest get-out-the-vote video. I think it’s brilliant. It’s a take-off of this video, that has 25m views on YouTube, and here’s a second take-off. You can watch Andy’s video below and here. If you like it, vote for it, favorite it and send it to some friends via this link. And here’s the lyrics: Seems like lately weve been lazy Seems like lately weve been slow Seems like lately its got crazy Seems like weve lost a step, you know? USA been moving backwards USA things dont look so good USA looks on her ass Would we change it if we could? I wish there was someplace to go To change around the way things go Get up Stand up Raise your game Above the norm ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930317 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:14:07 +0100 1930317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930318&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1156 The Mormons are Coming John Aravosis (DC) • 11/02/2008 two comments #1 I’ve been griping to the No on 8 people that they needed to kick the Mormons in the balls with a TV ad because if there’s something evangelicals hate and fear more than gays, it’s Mormons. They should have been using this fear all along. Is it nice? Hell no. But neither is what the Mormons are trying to do. They already have a state built in their own image. It’s nice to see someone finally kick them in the balls. #2 Actually I think it’s time to create a new word: Mormonized. Meaning: To lie like a Mormon. Usage: “Man, my wife totally mormonized me when she told me she was a virgin.” “Don’t mormonize me, tell me the truth” “When I went to Utah, the... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930318 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:49:29 +0100 1930318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930319&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1153 This article is really disgusting. • FOR THE PERSON THAT SAYS “EWWW OLD PEOPLE DOING IT.” KEEP SAYING GOOD MORNING. • ewww, old people doing it. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930319 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:34:40 +0100 1930319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933153&cid=t_181479_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F11%2F03%2Fvoting-its-not-just-about-mccain-or-obama%2F So, after months and months of endless campaign coverage, the end is in sight. Tomorrow America votes and a new president will be elected. But tomorrow’s election is not just about whether McCain or Obama wins. There are also a number of important health initiatives on various State ballots. Here’s just a few of them… Washington has Measure 1000, also known as The Washington Death with Dignity Act, on the ballot. It’s an initiative that asks whether to allow dying patients to get a prescription for medicine to commit suicide. Arizona has Proposition 101 which looks at freedom of choice in health care. This initiative, if passed, would block the state from enacting a universal health-insurance plan. Michigan has two health-related issues on it’s ballot. First, ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933153 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:51:10 +0100 1933153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927865&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1147 . . . when i first started publishing aids-write.org 3+ years ago, as a person with AIDS (PWA) over 50, i represented 10% of the national HIV-infected population. today i represent a quarter to a third of that population. in 5 years i will represent 60% of HIVers in the united states . . . —richard kearns chers— major article from the SAGE (services & advocacy for GLBT elders) site. photos too. coming up: how does HIV/AIDS affect the elderly in developing countries? stay tuned. namaste —rk http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gbmzVvRgA33htx6YKPcbkfvQzTywD93JPUI00 One of the most significant articles about SAGE ever has been released by the Associated Press and is already being picked up by several media sources, especially ABCnews.com and The New York Times. You can ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927865 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:15:23 +0100 1927865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927866&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1140 chers— art is sweet on obama — though it’s been rough and cruelling to everyone else for the last 8 years. art for obama — particularly street art — has created a unique “look & feel” to this presidential campaign. in addition to shepard fairy’s signature HOPE and PROGRESS designs, i particularly liked super-o, pasted on a traffic light control box close to where i live. photos in this post include: • shepard fairy art, 3 photos and latimes feature spread (4 shots total, including photo above) • super-o (2 shots total) • kicking the bucket (near where i live) (1 shot) • obama on a street corner in chicago (1 shot) • yes we can obama from gorgeous boys (1 shot & banner) enjoy! send me more! namasté —rk from grafitti news: A New graff... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927866 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:11:50 +0100 1927866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1926568&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1138 LDS mothers of gay children plan anti-Prop 8 vigil The Salt Lake Tribune Article Launched: 10/31/2008 02:08:50 PM MDT Mormon mothers of gay children are staging a candlelight vigil in Salt Lake City to oppose the LDS [latter day saints ---rk] Church’s support of California’s proposed gay-marriage ban. Co-hosted by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center, the Inclusion Center, Affirmation and the Human Rights Campaign, the event will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. at Library Square, 210 E. 400 South. In a news release, organizers invited all allies and members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community - Mormon and non-Mormon - to join the vigil to support civil rights. On Tuesday, Californians will vote on Pro... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1926568 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:54:23 +0100 1926568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1926569&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1134 While same-sex marriage is not expected to play a major role in this election, passions remain high for voters on both sides. photo by Darryl Bush/Associated Press If Elected . . . Hopefuls Differ as They Reject Gay Marriage By PATRICK HEALY Published: October 31, 2008 Several gay friends and wealthy gay donors to Senator Barack Obama have asked him over the years why, as a matter of logic and fairness, he opposes same-sex marriage even though he has condemned old miscegenation laws that would have barred his black father from marrying his white mother. The difference, Mr. Obama has told them, is religion. As a Christian — he is a member of the United Church of Christ [my bolding --- see below ---rk] — Mr. Obama believes that marriage is a sacred union, a blessing from God, and one t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1926569 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:29:39 +0100 1926569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1926571&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1130 thanks to the university of oklahoma police notebook—time change When we change our clocks… Daylight Saving Time begins for most of the United States at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March. Time reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time. Twice a year, when Daylight Savings Time begins or ends, make it a habit to not only change your clocks, but do a few other semi-annual tasks that will improve safety in your home… Do these things every 6 months when you reset your clocks: Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Replace any smoke alarms older than ten years. Replace any CO alarms older than five years. Prepare a disaster supply kit for your ho... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1926571 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:12:01 +0100 1926571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924554&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1117 Conclusion In the world of HIV prevention, persons over the age of 50 have been called the invisible population. Few prevention campaigns have focused their messages on older adults and their concerns. Moreover, few clinical trials of drug efficacy and safety have included older persons, and persons aged 50 and older have been excluded from most sexually transmitted disease risk-reduction trials [18]. Because more persons are living longer in good health, those over the age of 50 could benefit from HIV prevention efforts. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924554 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:24:25 +0100 1924554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924555&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1115 Prop 5 would impact LGBTs [to the editor:] There’s another initiative on the ballot besides Prop 8 that would have an impact on the LGBT community - Proposition 5, the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act. It will provide drug treatment for youth, improve and expand treatment for nonviolent offenders, and offer common-sense solutions to California’s grave prison overcrowding crisis. Prop 5 will divert nonviolent offenders into treatment and other services based on their needs, such as education, vocational training, family counseling, housing assistance, and mental health treatment. These services will continue after a person is released from prison to help their transition back to society. Lastly, Prop 5 will reduce the penalties for simple marijuana possession from a misdem... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924555 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:49:11 +0100 1924555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924557&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1111 Care homes could face closure By Nicholas Timmins and John O’Doherty Published: October 30 2008 02:10 The credit crunch could force care homes [in great britain] to close unless local authorities can pay bigger fees or the government helps the sector find capital, a leading healthcare practitioner warned on Wednesday. Chai Patel, a former health adviser to the government and former chief executive of the Priory Group and Westminster Health Care, said the string of highly leveraged care home deals in recent years were likely to come unstuck as companies struggled to refinance them. “There is a chance of the social care sector actually tipping over” into a wave of closures, he said. With demand for places rising, that would have big effects on the NHS, which relies on the private sect... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924557 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:21:51 +0100 1924557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924559&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1106 Global banking reshaped This multimedia snapshot brings together coverage of the mounting crisis and its impact on the markets through links to in depth packages, interactive maps, audio, video and blogs. The rising defaults on subprime mortgages in the US triggered a global crisis for the money markets. Many of the world’s leading investment banks have collapsed as a result and the US government has proposed a massive bail-out. The crisis has become one of the most radical reshapings of the global banking sector, as governments and the private sector battle to shore up the financial system following the disappearance of Lehman and Merrill as independent entities and the $85bn government rescue of AIG. writeDate( 1223887607000, 'Grey', 'Oct 13 2008', 9999999999999); - Oct 13 2008 attach... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924559 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:55:40 +0100 1924559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924560&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1104 20,000 Register To Vote In One Day Event Thursday, October 30, 2008 –West Hollywood West Hollywood, California (Thursday, October 30, 2008) - Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan announced that his office received nearly 20,000 voter registration transactions on Monday, October 20th – the final registration date for the November 4, 2008 Presidential General Election. The registration forms were collected in conjunction with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s (RR/CC) Close of Registration event. “Partnering with the community and the League of Women Voters, we staffed 14 registration sites [including west hollywood city hall ---rk] throughout the County and most were open until 12 midnight,” Logan said. “As a result, literally thousands of eligible Los Angeles ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924560 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:29:29 +0100 1924560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921047&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1093 CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS….This is a special post for California readers. The rest of you may safely go about your Sunday business normally. This year we have 12 initiatives on the California ballot. As longtime readers know, my default position is to very strongly oppose all initiatives. My reasons are here, but the nickel version is that (a) most initiatives these days are funded by corporate interests, not the grassroots, and corporate interests don’t really need yet another avenue to work their will on the public, (b) generally speaking, laws should be laws, not constitutional amendments or initiative statutes, where they’re essentially etched in stone forever, and (c) ballot box budgeting is a curse. At the request of my wife, I’ll add one other thing: I’ve... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921047 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:52:54 +0100 1921047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921048&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1089 chers— looking around mojo after the special kevin drum california post, i noticed this and the links below. am entertained by the photo. it says tons, laughing & weeping. namasté —rk Obama’s Play for Indian Country By Nick Baumann October 27, 2008 Barack Obama has vowed to expand the electoral map for the Dems. Turning out the politically neglected Native American vote may be the key to doing so. Washington Dispatch: Barack Obama has vowed to expand the electoral map for the Dems. Turning out the politically neglected Native American vote may be the key to doing so. If Barack Obama wins New Mexico on November 4, he may want to thank Wizipan Garriott, the vote director of what the Obama campaign calls its “First Americans” voter outreach program. The eff... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921048 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:38:24 +0100 1921048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921049&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1087 annenberg radio mast chers— linked with the mojo article, this is on the annenberg radio site. five videos of navajo opinion. take a look. namaste —rk Voices of Navajo Nation Rebecca M. Ford Navajos express their viewpoints on the upcoming presidential election, and their hopes for the future of the reservation. Rebecca M. Ford Rebecca M. Ford was born in the sunny city of Santa Monica, but moved up to the San Francisco area at the age of six. She was an avid ice skater through high school. She attended UC Santa Barbara, and received a B.A. in visual communication from Hawaii Pacific University in 2006. She received her M.A. in print journalism from the USC Annenberg School of Journalism on May 16, 2008. Before News 21, Rebecca has lived and worked in Santa Barbara, Hawaii and... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921049 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:21:17 +0100 1921049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911401&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1085 A Mormon’s Lament: Church Is On the Wrong Side of History Again With Proposition 8 joe vogel, huffington post posted October 27, 2008 In late 2002, as President George W. Bush began building his case for preemptive war in Iraq, a remarkable thing happened. In contrast to the general timidity of American churches in response to the conflict in Vietnam, leaders of faith were speaking out. Observed the Reverend Jim Wallis at the time: Opposition to war with Iraq has come from a wide spectrum of the churches - Roman Catholic, Protestant denominations, Evangelical, Pentecostal, black churches, Orthodox. All of the statements, letters, and resolutions from church leaders and bodies take the threat posed by Saddam Hussein seriously, but they refuse war as the best response. Importantly, the... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911401 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:14:10 +0100 1911401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911726&cid=t_181479_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomablog.com%2F2008%2F10%2F27%2Fabout-being-registered-to-vote-in-more-than-one-state%2F There have been some questions lately, especially among college students, about whether it’s ok to be registered to vote in two states.  The answer to that question is NO.  It’s not ok to be registered to vote in two states.  When you move from one state to another, it’s YOUR responsibility to notify the old state that you have moved. According to our local board of elections, it can be considered a felony to maintain voter registration in more than one state.  If you have voted in a state in which you are not a resident, you have committed a crime.  You will want to choose ONE state in which to maintain voter registration, and notify all others.  Contact the board of elections in your area to find out how to do that.  Please do not find yourself in a situation in ... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911726 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:17:54 +0100 1911726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911402&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1083 Special session set on $10 billion state budget shortfall By Jim Sanders jsanders@sacbee.com Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he will call a special legislative session Nov. 5 to wrestle with a projected shortfall that is “much worse” than the $3 billion previously projected. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata later said the budget gap has stretched to $10 billion. Schwarzenegger disclosed plans for next month’s special session after an hourlong meeting with legislative leaders, who stood beside him as he made the announcement. The session will cover numerous topics, including bridging the budget gap, economic stimulation, job creation, easing the mortgage crisis and bolstering the state’s unemployment insurance fund. Though Sc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911402 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:45:08 +0100 1911402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911403&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1081 Maria Shriver opposes Proposition 8 By Aurelio Rojas arojas@sacbee.com Published: Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 California First Lady, Maria Shriver at the State of the State Address in January California’s First Lady Maria Shriver said she will vote against a ballot measure on the Nov. 4 ballot that would end same-sex marriage in the state. “I’m voting NO on Prop 8,” Shriver said in an interview broadcast Sunday on Los Angeles television station KNBC’s “Channel 4 News Conference,” a public service program. “I believe in a people’s right to choose a partner that they love.” Her husband, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been largely silent on the proposed constitutional amendment since he announced in April that “I will always be th... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911403 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:21:43 +0100 1911403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911405&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1077 blogad for americablog chers— AMERICAblog.com — where gay writers take on gay issues as part of the political mix at the national level — is one of the new voices in the progressive political blogosphere, which, in turn, has influenced the tone and direction of this presidential election. there is also an intersect between the progressive blogosphere and the HIV/AIDS advocacy blogosphere, when it comes to matters of national AIDS policy. for instance, obama supports the call for a national AIDS strategy, a largely internet-driven presence in both the progressive and AIDS blogospheres. so there has been a sort of shift in power in the fourth estate, the press, with this election too. (of course it could just be diversification and my tunnel vision.) effective use of the in... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911405 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:48:38 +0100 1911405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1911406&cid=t_181479_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1075 chers— tomorrow, i will be reading a poem to the los angeles city council and asking them to reconvene the working group so we can assist shepherding the will of the people of california into a complete ordinance. i think it’s the smartest way to get the process unstalled. let’s see if we can move this along a bit. please join me — the more the merrier namaste —rk 310-488-1328 10:00am (sign-in 9:30) John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340, City Hall at 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 phone, cm rosendahl’s office (213)-473-7011 link to metro net trip planner http://www.metro.net/default.asp In November 2005, the City of Los Angeles began providing residents with an opportunity to address City Council via remote video testimony called “Los Angeles... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1911406 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:44:02 +0100 1911406