So Gay Marriage won in every state where it was a ballot question (I mentioned that yesterday, I’ll just say its making the slow crawl to a national convention…what more states need to do is not only push Gay Marriage laws, but also push Marriage certificate reciprocity. Here in New England that’s been VERY successful, its less threatening to the old guard that still pulls some votes, and gives all the benefits. ie You can’t get married if you’re a gay couple in Connecticut or Rhode Island, BUT if you say pop over to Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and soon Maine, you can get married, and your certificate will be recognized back home. My wife and I got married in Maine, when we both were living in Massachusetts, I don’t see why others can’t enjoy the same thing)
Still some more interesting referendums. Here in Mass we’re going to get “Medical Marijuana”. I supported this referendum, but I really hate these laws for reasons we’ve discussed here, while legalizing drugs is a freedom I support, and the issues with the black market drug trade, and law enforcement abuses are far worse than any problems with addiction (which happen right now despite the prohibition…my wife’s cousin is in jail right now for drug issues, sorry the laws didn’t “save” him, and they won’t “save” anybody else).
Still claiming a wild-growing weed that is most often ingested by smoking is “Medicine” is nothing short of stone-age, and given that since its not really Medicine, the treatment plans are frequently just recreational drug use anyway. Why not just be honest? Sorry I’m better than the gun banners, do we REALLY need to lie about an issue to make it legal?
Colorado and Washington legalized it for recreational use!
The Colorado measure has sparked a national debate about marijuana policy, with supporters pushing for the federal government to end marijuana prohibition nationwide. The Colorado measure states adults over 21 can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, or six marijuana plants, for personal use. Opponents have said it will make the state a haven for drug tourists.
The measure in Washington State, Initiative 502, will legalize and regulate the production, possession and distribution of marijuana for residents age 21 and older.
Yeah its still FEDERALLY illegal, but fuck it, if the President (who himself was an unabashed illegal pot user) wants to continue his stupid raids, let them. The local police will save a ton of time, money, and resources, and the public will see how much money the feds waste on rousting stoners.
Over in California, they had two interesting laws passed. First is this crap (via Bubblehead Less)
Los Angeles County voters chose safety Tuesday night when they approved a requirement that all porn actors wear condoms — a move that adult film workers complain will put a massive dent into a booming industry.
With 100 percent of the county’s precincts reporting, “Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry Act” — or Measure B — passed 56 percent to 44 percent.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which sponsored the initiative, said the measure will help safeguard public health as well as porn workers’ health.
Now first this law is stupid, as A) Porn workers are RIGOROUSLY tested, and there really hasn’t been any STI issues in Porn since the days of John Holmes that there were STI related deaths in Porn. (Also I’ll point out that Johnny Wadd did both gay and straight porn, and was an IV Drug user, and was a black market prostitute) but B) Not only will this law be in effect, but it will need to be enforced, adding more cost and strain to the Porn industry.
Porn is HUGE business in California, you think these people will comply, or move? Another reason why California is broke.
Also on California they attempted to ban (AGAIN) the Death Penalty, and it lost!
The death penalty is a farce in this country. Many condemned prisoners die in prison of OLD AGE! Those who ARE executed die DECADES after their crime, meaning that the public has essentially forgotten about the crime. If we pulled it more like Tim McVey’s execution we’d probably see some positive effects. He committed a horrible crime, we convicted him, we executed him in a humane fashion, and gave him a decent burial. Crime, punishment, cause and effect!
Interesting times!
