Wednesday, September 11, 2024
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The importance of sleep, even mild lack of sleep might cause problems

by Ben Fuchs

One of the key weapons in the so-called “War on Terrorism” is what the George W. Bush administration officials called Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. Featuring nebulous or mildly discomforting names like “waterboarding”, “the attention grab” and “long time standing”, that inspire confusing or perhaps mildly uncomfortable images, EITs are either lauded as wonderful tools for saving American lives or illegal government-sanctioned torture.

One of the most dramatic apparently is too severe to make the list of officially approved EITs. While no one officially owns up to it, according to at least one released prisoner, a British national, “one guard had told him that he was following orders by making as much noise as possible while detainees …tried to sleep.”

So what’s wrong with a little sleep deprivation? Can’t be that big a deal right? Wrong! Sleep deprivation is a big deal, a very big deal. Aside from the obvious grumpiness and irritability associated with a lack of shut eye, sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for overall health and wellness.

According to Professor Derk-Jam Dijk of the Surrey Sleep Research Center in the U.K., not getting enough sleep can lead to various health challenges including depression, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Even mild sleep deprivation, such as is caused by sleeplessness or insomnia can cause problems. In a University of Surrey (UK) study, researchers found that simply getting less than 6 hours of sleep (which, according to WebMD, is the case for 1 out of 5 Americans) can cause substantial changes in genetic activities that support immunity, metabolism and healthy responses to stress.

The human body is deigned to grow, repair, renew and thrive under conditions of rest. During periods of rest and generous time spent in sleep, growth hormone secretion increases, anabolic biochemicals arise and the body’s defense (immune) system restores itself to maximize its ability to fight microbes and environmental toxins.

And, as shown in research by the doctors at the Cleveland University Hospitals Case Medical Center, now we know it is not just biochemistry that benefits from sleep, its beauty too! Scientists studying the skin showed that lack of sleep increased signs of cutaneous defects and diminished the tissues ability to recover from sun exposure. In the published research the skin of pooped participants also showed increased signs of skin aging, including fine lines, uneven pigmentation, reduced elasticity and a lower self-perception of their attractiveness and facial appearance. Apparently, it’s not called “beauty sleep” for nothing!

There are nearly 100 sleep disorders recognized by health professionals, but the most common cause of lack of sleep is stress and tension. Relaxation techniques such as slow deep breathing and progressively contracting and relaxing muscles from the toes to the forehead and scalp can be very helpful. There are also stress-soothing nutritional supplements that can be helpful for improving sleep time. GABA is wonderfully relaxing. Try taking 500mg at bedtime. A one or two hundred milligram dose of 5HTP can help. And taking 3-6 mg of Melatonin at bedtime (I like the sublingual, under the tongue form) can not only induce sleepiness it can also give you some great dreams. Other potentially beneficial nutrients include Magnesium (1000-2000mg), Inositol (500-1000mg) and Lithium Orate (5-10mg).

The human body is an incredible self-healing and renewing biological system, but its regenerating powers depend on rest. We need our zzzz’s! If we’re tired enough we will do anything to get some sleep, even it’s only a 30 second catnap. While many of us don’t recognize it’s vital nature, the requirement for sleep is a physiological imperative; it’s a biological must, it’s involuntary, and there is a severe price to pay for overriding it whether it’s via your conscious will, or anyone else’s.

New transit lanes have Mission residents seeing red

by Josh Wolf

A red strip of paint running down one of San Francisco’s most well-known streets has ignited a controversy that has divided the city over transit, parking, bicyclists, and local businesses.

In February, initial changes to Mission Street that involved removing some bus stops began to draw some ire within the community. People struggling with mobility issues were suddenly burdened by a longer walk to get to the bus stop, and at least one business was displaced by the changes.

It soon became clear that these changes were part of a larger new initiative to reduce travel time on the 14-line, which bisects the city and carries thousands of passengers between the Mission District and Downtown each day. While the news of these changes generated some complaints, the community frustration would grow into a noisy chorus soon after the work was completed.

By the middle of April, a wide strip of red paint covered the Southbound outer lane of Mission Street all the way from Cesar Chavez Street to South Van Ness. From Cesar Chavez Street to Randall Street, the city painted one lane in both directions red. These red lanes are now reserved solely for busses and taxis, and regular vehicle traffic is now being diverted from Mission Street with forced right turns into quite neighborhood streets.

These changes have created both frustration and confusion among drivers and left cyclists with no clear indicators how to traverse Mission Street. On the morning of Monday, April 25, a car rolled over onto its side in an accident at Mission and 23rd Street after drivers became confused by the turns, said witnesses.

Merchants say the changes have decimated business along Mission Street. Some of the loading zones that businesses relied upon to keep their inventory stocked and there are now fewer parking spots available along Mission Street for shoppers.

“Local businesses have reported a 50 percent drop in income, seniors are walking twice as far to get the bus stop, not to mention our kids are walking twice as much to get on the bus. The mayhem is overflowing side streets and confusing drivers, endangering the lives of pedestrians,” said Iswari Espana, a community activist who is running for City Supervisor in District 9, where most of the street modifications are located.

“Our local government once more fails to address issues that affect our community. We, the residents and business owners were not asked for our input. I find this unacceptable. I think that the construction of these lanes have made the transit system exclusionary to the residents in the area, placing our children, disabled, seniors, drivers and cyclist in harm’s way.”

David Campos, the current supervisor for District 9, has also spoken out against the changes. In a message posted on Facebook he called on the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency to make “a radical shift in the program.”

“While I understand the intention was to enhance the commute of 65,000 transit riders, the changes look better on paper than in practice,” said Campos. “Most people working by, living on and driving down Mission Street will tell you that the new transit-only red carpet lanes are anything but glamorous.”

Joshua Arce, a candidate in District 9, points to Campos as one of the causes of the quagmire.

“The way that the current Supervisor and his staff have approached the issue of the red lanes displays a lack of leadership,” said Arce. “Rather than getting involved after the red lanes were introduced, our leaders should have engaged local businesses around their needs and concerns before their introduction…. We need to promote sustainable modes of transportation for our communities, but because of this lack of leadership a lot more work is now required.”

Some transit activists are worried that the city is poised to roll back the progress made to prioritize public transit and suggest that the changes will work fine once people get used to them.

“The paint has hardly dried. Yet the transit only lanes on Mission Street may go away soon,” said The San Francisco Transit Riders Union in an e-mail blast to its members. “It is a betrayal of the 65,000 riders who are served by the 14, 14R and 49 buses, as well as a betrayal of the Transit First charter of this city.”

One of the strongest criticisms against the transformation is that the community wasn’t properly notified about the street changes.

“I think there could have been more outreach to small business owners and street vendors,” said Darcel Jackson, another candidate for District 9 Supervisor. “I think the money could have been used to give low or no interest loans to business owners to improve store front facades to attract more people to the Mission.”

Many residents have suggested that the new lanes would have been more manageable had the buses been relegated to the center lane instead of the one along the curb. Since the outer lane is reserved for buses alone, it is no longer legal for anyone but taxis to pick up or drop off people along Mission Street. This is a significant challenge for people using ride-share services like Lyft or Uber, but it is also a problem for residents to shuttle their loved ones from the nearest bus stop.

“After all the promises, the red bus lanes have saved a whole two minutes on the commute, and at what cost? Our small mom-and-pop shops on Mission Street that bring so much life to our neighborhood have seen foot traffic disappear,” said District 9 Supervisor candidate Melissa San Miguel.

“It’s already a lot of hard work to run a business, and our city shouldn’t make it harder for these small business owners to survive. Many of these shops have been in this neighborhood for a long time and they are all working hard to make a living for their family, for their kids and their grandkids. We need a fix to our system that truly works for everyone – our transit riders, pedestrians, residents, and business owners – and not another failed plan from a bureaucracy.”

Americans pay more in taxes than food, clothing and housing combined

It now takes 46 days for Americans to pay federal, state, and local individual income taxes

by Kurt Nimmo
Analysis

The Tax Foundation has released a report ahead of the annual federal income tax deadline next week and the results are startling.

In total Americans will fork over $3.3 trillion to the federal government this year. When state and local taxes are added to this figure, the amount is nearly $5.0 trillion, or more than a third of the nation’s income.

Remarkably, the average American will pay more in taxes than he or she spends on food, clothing and housing combined.

According to the report, it now takes 46 days for Americans to pay federal, state, and local individual income taxes. The tax imposed on payrolls adds 26 days and sales and excise taxes 15 days. Property taxes add 11 days on average and corporate income taxes nine days. The figure is rounded out by inheritance taxes, customs duties, and other taxes that require an additional seven days to pay.

Prior to the War of 1812 Americans paid taxes on distilled spirits, carriages, refined sugar, tobacco and snuff, property sold at auction, and corporate bonds. During the war the government imposed a sales tax on gold, silverware, jewelry and watches. In 1817, the government did away with the tax and returned to collecting revenue through tariffs on imported goods. Prior to the Civil War, “Congress could afford to run the federal government on tariffs alone because federal responsibilities did not include welfare programs, agricultural subsidies, or social insurance programs like Social Security or Medicare,” writes Thomas R. Eddlem.

The first income tax was imposed in 1862 during the Civil War. Compared to today’s rate, Lincoln’s income tax burden was light—an individual earning from $600 to $10,000 per year paid tax at the rate of 3% while incomes in excess of $10,000 paid a higher rate. Sales and excise taxes were added and a so-called “inheritance” tax imposed. The office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue was established in 1862. It had the authority to assess, levy, and collect taxes through seizure of property and income and through prosecution, much like the IRS today.

Following the war, the income tax was rolled back and taxes were collected primarily on tobacco and distilled spirits. In 1894, the government attempted to revive the income tax, but the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional because it was not apportioned among the states as spelled out in the Constitution.
The income tax became a permanent fixture in 1913 (along with the Federal Reserve) when the 16th Amendment was adopted. At the close of the First World War in 1918, internal revenue collections passed the billion dollar mark for the first time. The figure was $7.3 billion at the start of the Second World War. In 1943, a withholding tax on wages was imposed and it increased the number of taxpayers to 60 million. Tax collections went up to $43 billion by 1945.

By 2015, the federal government collected a record $3.25 trillion in revenue, according to the Treasury Department. The receipts included tax revenue from individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, social insurance and retirement taxes, unemployment insurance taxes, excise taxes, estate and gift taxes, customs duties, and other miscellaneous items, notes Ali Meyer. Most of the revenue came from individual income taxes. Despite this huge amount of expropriated money, the federal government spent around $3.69 trillion, creating a deficit of approximately $438 billion.

Aware of the burden imposed on average Americans presidential candidate Donald Trump has proposed a revised taxation scheme that allows Americans to keep $10.4 trillion to $11.98 trillion of their money over the next decade, while Ted Cruz promises to slash $8.6 trillion from mandatory federal taxes.

Socialist turned Democrat Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, would radically increase the tax burden on Americans. He proposes a top tax rate of 73.5 percent and increased taxes on Americans across the board. The Sanders tax plan would result in 10.56 percent lower after-tax income for all taxpayers and 17.91 percent lower after-tax income for the top 1 percent. When accounting for reduced GDP, after-tax incomes of all taxpayers would fall by at least 12.84 percent.

Hillary Clinton claims she will force the wealthiest to pay more taxes and has vowed to shut down corporate loopholes. “On a static basis, the tax plan would lead to 0.7 percent lower after-tax income for the top 10 percent of taxpayers and 1.7 percent lower income for the top 1 percent. When accounting for reduced GDP, after-tax incomes of all taxpayers would fall by at least 0.9 percent,” explains the Tax Foundation.

Ecuador: National Morning declared, death tall rises

by the El Reportero’s wire services

The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, declared on Sunday, April 24, eight days of national mourning in honor of the victims of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country last April 16.

The earthquake affected the whole country, especially, the province of Manabi and the southern region of Esmeraldas.

The death toll from the quake rose in the last hours to 654.

According to a report, until 18:30 on Saturday the number of missing people was 68, the number of injured people reached 16.601 and 25.640 people are staying in shelters. The text adds that 113 people were rescued alive.

The powerful earthquake destroyed or affected 9.730 buildings in Manta, Portoviejo, Pedernales, Canoeing, Jama, Bahia de Caraquez, Muisne and other cities in the provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas.

According to the Ecuadorian authorities, once the stage of search and rescue of survivors is completed, the government will focus on providing temporary shelters for the victims, and then will start the reconstruction phase.

The national government sympathizes with the families of the victims and will provide all the support required, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Correa expressed his eternal gratitude to the international community and to the general public for the many expressions of solidarity due to what he called the worst tragedy suffered by Ecuador in almost 70 years.

MALDEF wins court order blocking Texas immigrant harboring law

HB 11 provision targeted homeless shelters and landlords

SAN ANTONIO, TX – A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on April 14, blocking the immigrant harboring provision of HB11, which was enacted in the 2015 Texas Legislative Session. Judge Ezra, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, ruled that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claim that the Texas immigrant harboring law is preempted by federal law: “Congress created a federal statutory scheme regarding the harboring and transporting of undocumented aliens so pervasive that it left no room in this area for the state of Texas to supplement it.” Slip Op. at 39.

Judge Ezra also concluded that the Texas immigrant harboring law conflicted with federal harboring law in key respects and thus was likely preempted. Slip Op. at 41-49.

Although the court dismissed two other claims put forward by the plaintiffs, the court held that because the Texas immigrant harboring provision was likely unconstitutional, it should be blocked.
The Texas immigrant harboring provision in HB 11 created a new state felony offense under which individuals could be arrested and prosecuted for providing shelter or renting a home to undocumented immigrants.

“Residents and taxpayers are ill-served by elected officials who continue to legislate in service of short-term political opportunism, rather than in answer to critical needs of residents,” said Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF President and General Counsel. “Texas should respond to this court order by reorienting its lawmaking away from anti-immigrant posturing.”

The plaintiffs in the case are two landlords who do not ask tenants for proof of immigration status as a condition of renting property, the Executive Director of RAICES, an organization that provides shelter and legal services to undocumented immigrants, and the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a homeless shelter in Brownsville, Texas.

“The Texas immigrant harboring law placed everyday businesses and charities at risk of criminal prosecution,” stated Nina Perales, MALDEF Vice President of Litigation and lead counsel in the case. “Texas now has the dubious distinction of having joined all the other states whose attempts to regulate immigration have been struck down by the federal courts,” continued Perales. (By MAlDEF).

Taking Alcatraz by Native Americans

Compiled by the El Reportero’s staff

On November 20,1969 a group of Native Americans landed on Alcatraz Island and claimed it as their own. They stayed for 19 months. While the media reported every move and the government fought to stop them, families moved in, thousands of supporters visited or sent supplies, and drums beat far into the night.

After centuries of seeing their land stolen from them, Native Americans seized the rocky island and held on to it. Alcatraz became a symbol of hope, inspiration and change for Indian people everywhere.

On Saturday, April 9, at 1:30 p.m., at Playhouse Theater, 40 Main Street, Tiburon. To buy tickets click here: http://tiburonfilmfestival.ticketleap.com/

Absolute beginning Taiko workshop with Bruce Ghent

Learn the ancient art of Japanese Taiko drumming with Sensei Bruce ‘Mui’ Ghent. The Introductory Taiko class will cover basic fundamental skills and history which will prepare students to advance to the next level of classes.

Beginners ages 12-adult, with little or no music experience are welcome. Taiko drumming is a rigorous physical activity. Bring water and wear clothes to exercise. Class is taught with traditional martial arts etiquette and discipline as outlined in the student handbook supplied.

For more information, contact Bruce “Mui” Ghent at bruceghent@gmail.com or visit www.maikazedaiko.com.

Through April 10: Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Dance Mission Theater. To register call 415-826-4441 or email dancemissiontheater@yahoo.com.

Also at the Dance Mission Theather:

Learn straight from this Legend in House Dance Culture!

Caleaf is one of the original pioneers to come out of New York’s dance movement in the late 80’s. He is a member of the famed Moptop Unit and Dance Fusion. Caleaf mixes Hip-Hop and House to create his own unique dance style.

Caleaf tours the world teaching the art of House dancing. His goal is to share the culture of the dance through performances and by teaching movement foundation, technique and history from an originator point of view. He is committed to keeping the culture alive for future generations of dancers.

Oblivion Season – Iran cinema

An ex-prostitute starts a new life by marrying her loved one but leaving the shadow of her dark past is not as easy as it seemed before. Now she is the prisoner of her loved one and to earn her freedom she should fight with the masculine society… On Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 8 p.m. To buy tickets click here: http://tiburonfilmfestival.ticketleap.com/

Oakland Public Library programs show the way to a better financial future

April is Financial Literacy Month, which makes it the perfect time to meet expert financial counselors who can help you manage money and achieve your goals. The Oakland Public Library is offering a series of workshops to ensure everyone has the skills to build a better financial future.

Presented in partnership with Balance Pro of San Francisco with generous support from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the Oakland Public Library’s Financial Empowerment series will address a variety of subjects such as identity theft, buying a home, financing higher education, credit, money management, and recovering from a financial crises. Most programs will be offered in English, but some will be available in Spanish or Cantonese.
Workshops run at different dates and hours: from April 16 to 26. For more info and details, please call Amy Sonnie, Librarian II, at asonnie@oaklandlibrary.org or (510) 238-6931, or visit www.oaklandlibrary.org.

Possible concert of Raphael in Cuba hits the headlines

by the El Reportero’s news services

The announcement of a possible concert in Cuba by Spanish singer Raphael on next Oct. 20 hit the headlines in both domestic and foreign digital media.
Although the Cuban Institute of Music has not confirmed the news, it is estimated that the interpreter of the popular songs Yo soy aquel and Cierro mis ojos will arrive in Havana with the support of the Malaga company Galas Metropolitanas.

After making the announcement about the concert in Marbella, the music producer responsible for the company, Julio Gutiérrez, said that the concert would be an important musical event and added that Julio Iglesias could be the next Spanish singer to perform in Cuba.

According to Gutierrez, this concert by Raphael would be as significant for Spaniards as the Rolling Stones concert was for Britons: we have been working five years for achieving this, he said.

Raphael has recorded duets with important international singers, like Tom Jones, Charles Aznavour and Paul Anka, among others.
Raphael is also an actor and has participated in more than 10 films, including Mi gran noche (2015), the film which opened the 33rd Miami International Film Festival, held from March 4 to 13.

Blockbuster of Batman vs Superman defies criticism

With the critics against it and favored by the inflation, the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice transcends today as a blockbuster raising 170.1 million during its first weekend in US movie theaters.

As a result of the alliance between the producer Warner Bros. and DC Comics opposed to Marvel Studios universes, Batman v Superman also became the best debut in March and, at the same time, set a new record for the best pre-summer debut, better than Hunger Games.

In the United States the film marked the best Warner Bros debut, by surpassing the 169.2 million USD earned by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, in 2011, and 160. of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

In the international arena the success was not less, the film directed by Zack Snyder exceeded 424 million USD to become the best box-office superhero film history at its premiere.

Starring Ben Affleck as Batman, and Henry Cavill as Superman, the film received strong critics from the press that highlighted aspects as its dark tone and lack of humor.

Such reaction became a bad omen for this production that cost around 250 million USD and 150 million more on marketing, but the unexpected response from the audience returned the breath to Warner Bros. and DC.

Rolling Stones concert in Cuba, unprecedented show

The Rolling Stones dazzled a crowd of over half a million persons in Havana, an unprecedented show in this country, that still today celebrates the free concert of the mythical British band.

The grounds of Sports City was too small for the multitude that overflowed to the near-by streets and even climbed to the roof of the houses to chorus themes like Jumping Jack flash, Midnight Rambler and Gimme Shelter.

“What a fantastic audience,” exclaimed Jagger and the crowd went wild. We are having a great time here in Havana, and the audience went into a frenzy.

“Thanks Cuba for all the music you have given the world,” expressed the band leader, who spoke an excellent Spanish during the whole concert.
Jagger also shared he had eaten rice and beans and he liked it, but the best part was having danced a Cuban rumba at the House of Music, he confessed.

The entire global economy now hinges on one thing

by James Corbett
TheInternationalForecaster.com

As I write these words we are now only hours away from The Most Important Event Ever to Happen in the History of the Global Economy. Investors are bracing themselves. Markets are anticipating. Journalists are spilling Olympic sized swimming pools of ink on writing headline after headline after headline after headline after headline after headline about this, the deciding economic event of our time.

If only this math actually added up.

No, the great event is not the announcement of the discovery of free energy. Or a major new technological breakthrough that will revolutionize industry and increase productivity. Or even an innovative new theory for how to pull us from the brink of the global derivative black hole collapse. It’s something entirely more ordinary: words.

That’s right, with just a few magic words uttered at today’s meeting of the Economic Club of New York, Fed chair Janet Yellen will cause entire markets to rise or fall. A single declarative sentence could strike down a small country. An effusive adjective could cause an entire industry to boom, a disparaging remark could cause that same industry to collapse. A rising intonation, an arched eyebrow, a significant pause, even a semi-colon could be the difference between rags and riches for millions of workers around the world.

Sound ridiculous? It is. Yet nevertheless this is the situation we’ve arrived at.

As I’ve noted before time and time again in this column, we have entered the “New Normal” where fundamentals do not matter at all, only perception. Do you believe the Fed has solved the market meltdown of ’08? Then they have solved it. Do you believe the skyrocketing debt and geyser of excess liquidity created in the last decade are not a problem? Then they are not a problem. Do you think Janet Yellen can speak rising stocks or a falling dollar into existence? Then she can.

The long story short: the MSM has been playing up the idea of a “Fed revolt” in recent weeks. Don’t get your hopes up. Sadly, this revolt has nothing to do with an angry public finally learning the truth about the Federal Reserve and running the banksters out of town.

Instead, it’s to do with Yellen’s much-scrutinized remarks at this month’s Federal Open Market Committee press conference. After the remarks were run through the usual round of tea leaf reading and innard scrying, it was decided that Yellen was telegraphing a slow down in the rate hikes that the Fed had been projected to engage in this year. In the last couple of weeks, four of the 17 FOMC members have spoken out of turn to say they disagree with this approach and will be voting for or advocating a quicker rate hike schedule, with the first one as early as next month.

So at today’s meeting of the Economic Club of New York, where Yellen will be giving an address, markets around the world are on the edge of their seat to see if Yellen will maintain her dovish stance on the Fed’s monetary approach this year or if she will adopt to the bear’s advanced schedule.

If you don’t believe me that this is a Big Deal that is Driving the Global Economy right now, just look at any of the major financial rags in the last 24 hours. They have explained rising European stocks and sliding futures and a strengthening dollar and easing gold and modestly lower American stocks and who knows what else on the mere anticipation of Yellen’s speech today.

Of course, Yellen is not the first person to have this seemingly infinite power over the global economy. Bernanke had it before her. And Greenspan before him. And presumably every Fed chair before him, too. There’s a reason they’re called the Gods of Money and Greenspan was referred to as a Wizard whose use of the words “irrational exuberance” popped the dotcom bubble.

In this system, central bankers conjure economic reality into existence merely by speaking the words. The very essence of magic. Now it’s Yellen’s turn to have the power to conjure.

If all of this seems insane to you, then congratulations. You’re right. It is insane. But in a system that has been constructed around the whims of the central bankers, this is the result: an economy where one bankster technocrat has the power to push the economy off a cliff or to keep the whole thing levitating simply by commanding it to do so.

For those looking for a solution to this situation, the answer is obvious. Run (don’t walk) away from the banksters’ rigged game. Every step toward disassocating yourself from the bankster system is a step away from this insanity. Alternative and complementary currencies, cryptocurrencies, credit unions, barter, P2P, community organizations, food independence. All of these things are vital steps to be taking if we ever hope to get off the craziness of the central bankster carnival ride otherwise known as the status quo.

Or you could just sit around waiting for Janet Yellen to set the world economy straight.

A special report on the National Emergency in the United States of America – Part 1 of two

A Special Report on the National Emergency in the United States of America – PART 1 OF TWO

Senate Report 93-549: War and Emergency Powers Acts, Executive Orders and the New World Order

From data available on the web

The Introduction to Senate Report 93-549 (93rd Congress, 1st Session, 1973) summarizes the situation that we face today – except it is far worse today than it was in 1973!

“A majority of the people of the United States have lived all of their lives under emergency rule. For 40 years [now 66 years], freedoms and governmental procedures guaranteed by the Constitution have, in varying degrees, been abridged by laws brought into force by states of national emergency. The problem of how a constitutional democracy reacts to great crises, however, far antedates the Great Depression. As a philosophical issue, its origins reach back to the Greek city-states and the Roman Republic. And, in the United States, actions taken by the Government in times of great crises have – from, at least, the Civil War – in important ways, shaped the present phenomenon of a permanent state of national emergency.”

The Foreword to the Report states in part:

“Since March 9, 1933, the United States has been in a state of declared national emergency. In fact, there are now in effect four presidentially proclaimed states of national emergency: In addition to the national emergency declared by President Roosevelt in 1933, there are also the national emergency proclaimed by President Truman on December 16, 1950, during the Korean conflict, and the states of national emergency declared by President Nixon on March 23, 1970, and August 15, 1971.

These proclamations give force to 470 provisions of Federal law [hundreds more since 1973, particularly in the Clinton administration since Jan 21, 1993]. These hundreds of statutes delegate to the President extraordinary powers, ordinarily exercised by the Congress, which affect the lives of American citizens in a host of all-encompassing manners. This vast range of powers, taken together, confer enough authority to rule the country without reference to normal Constitutional processes.

Under the powers delegated by these statutes, the President may: seize property; organize and control the means of production; seize commodities; assign military forces abroad; institute martial law; seize and control all transportation and communication; regulate the operation of private enterprise; restrict travel; and, in a plethora of particular ways, control the lives of all American citizens.”

When the Southern states walked out of Congress on March 27, 1861, the quorum to conduct business under the Constitution was lost. The only votes that Congress could lawfully take, under Parliamentary Law, were those to set the time to reconvene, take a vote to get a quorum, and vote to adjourn and set a date, time, and place to reconvene at a later time, but instead, Congress abandoned the House and Senate without setting a date to reconvene. Under the parliamentary law of Congress, when this happened, Congress became sine die (pronounced see-na dee-a; literally “without day”) and thus when Congress adjourned sine die, it ceased to exist as a lawful deliberative body, and the only lawful, constitutional power that could declare war was no longer lawful, or in session.

The Southern states, by virtue of their secession from the Union, also ceased to exist sine die, and some state legislatures in the Northern bloc also adjourned sine die, and thus, all the states which were parties to creating the Constitution ceased to exist. President Lincoln executed the first executive order written by any President on April 15, 1861,  Executive Order 1, and the nation has been ruled by the President under executive order ever since. When Congress eventually did reconvene, it was reconvened under the military authority of the Commander-in-Chief and not by Rules of Order for Parliamentary bodies or by Constitutional Law; placing the American people under martial rule ever since that national emergency declared by President Lincoln. The Constitution for the United States of America temporarily ceased to be the law of the land, and the President, Congress, and the Courts unlawfully presumed that they were free to remake the nation in their own image, whereas, lawfully, no constitutional provisions were in place which afforded power to any of the actions which were taken which presumed to place the nation under the new form of control.

President Lincoln knew that he had no authority to issue any executive order, and thus he commissioned General Orders No. 100 (April 24, 1863) as a special field code to govern his actions under martial law and which justified the seizure of power, which extended the laws of the District of Columbia, and which fictionally implemented the provisions of Article I, Section 8, Clauses 17-18 of the Constitution beyond the boundaries of Washington, D.C. and into the several states. General Orders No. 100, also called the Lieber Instructions and the Lieber Code, extended The Laws of War and International Law onto American soil, and the United States government became the presumed conqueror of the people and the land.

Hawaii considering decriminalization of all recreational drugs for personal use

by L.J. Devon

It’s a bold move, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in recent United States history: The state of Hawaii is on the cusp of decriminalizing ALL recreational drugs. If the resolution passes, Hawaii would become the first state to investigate alternative solutions for treating drug addiction other than just locking people up.

Instead of imprisoning drug users, Hawaii would look at the situation from a different angle. Drug users caught in a vicious cycle will be able to get professional help instead of fearing long-term imprisonment. Families, friends and support groups will be more empowered and able to create an environment of accountability that breaks the addiction and resets the priorities of drug users.

Hawaii lawmakers admit that incarceration isn’t working: “Despite a longstanding policy that enforces illicit drug prohibition and imposes some of the world’s harshest penalties for drug possession and sales, illicit drug use in the United States has been increasing,” states the resolution.

With drug use rising in the U.S., and with incarceration rates continuing to climb, the root of the problem isn’t really being dealt with.
Criminalizing drug use has perpetuated hard drug abuse while creating heightened fear and violence where it is unnecessary.

A shift in how we approach drug addiction

For so long, all drugs have been treated in the same way, as something for law enforcement to use as evidence against people to lock them up. This doesn’t solve addictions or help people strive to have better priorities. There’s now growing support for looking at each substance for what it is, and how best to approach the problem on an individual basis. Instead of locking people up for possessing the cannabis plant, for example, resources could be better used helping people who are dependent on methamphetamine. Distinctions have to be made, and better approaches have to be used, other than violence and control.

That’s why Hawaii is looking to set up a commission to study the benefits of drug decriminalization. If the measure passes both chambers of the legislature, the state’s Legislative Reference Bureau would be activated to, “conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of decriminalizing the illegal possession of drugs for personal use in Hawaii,” so that such conduct, “would constitute an administrative or civil violation rather than a criminal offense.” The state of Hawaii is officially recognizing that the force of the state only makes the root of the problem worsen.

Portugal has seen great results in crime reduction since the country decriminalized all drugs in 2001. Since then, the country has witnessed a drastic reduction in drug use and overdoses. “The positive results from Portugal’s drug decriminalization system provides a potential model for more effectively managing drug-related problems in the United States,” stated the Hawaii resolution.

U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murphy, is on board with the shift in public policy. In January he announced, “It’s time for us to have a conversation in this country that’s based on facts; A conversation that’s based on medicine and science.” The Surgeon General will be presenting the first-ever report in 2016 on how decriminalization of all drugs can reduce violence and injustices carried out by law enforcement.

Former secretary of the United Nations, General Kofi Annan, calls the war on drugs a war on people. “I believe that drugs have destroyed many lives, but wrong government policies have destroyed many more,” he recently stated. “We all want to protect our families from the potential harm of drugs. But if our children do develop a drug problem, surely we will want them cared for as patients in need of treatment and not branded as criminals…”

A positive shift is taking place, and Hawaii may be the first state to lead the Nation away from the bloodshed and failed police-state mentality of the war on drugs. (Natural News).

Why freelancers need to get together

OAKLAND CA - 5MAY14 - Sign language interpreters strike against Purple Communications. Workers belong to the Pacific Mediaworkers Guild, CWA. Copyright David Bacon

by David Bacon
In first person

As freelancers, we know we do the work. Ad while the way we work is what defines us, it’s also the root of many of our problems.
We provide the content, but because we don’t have a traditional employer-employee relationship with the publications that run our articles or photos, we don’t get regular paychecks.

Some of us used to be staff writers or photographers or graphic artists. Maybe we took a buyout, or got downsized and laid off. Others of us are just beginning our careers as digital natives, and never had the chance to work on staff.

We’ve always had to sell what we produce, article by article, photo by photo, drawing by drawing. And at some publications, we have to ask to use our own words or images because we’re forced to surrender all copyright claims in order to work.

Many of us are also living without a parachute.

Freelancers in dangerous countries have to survive without the expense accounts and protections afforded to foreign correspondents and photojournalists on staff. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, freelancers comprised 17 percent of all journalists killed worldwide since 1992. In 2015, over 25 percent of all journalists imprisoned were freelancers, and at least six freelancers have “disappeared” since 2004.

For most of us, that lack of support is evident in many ways. No single employer takes responsibility for our healthcare, nor provides a consistent income that can pay the rent. It’s up to us to piece together enough work to survive on.

It’s like living on a roller coaster: our income swings wildly, and we constantly have to look for a new editor to buy our pictures or stories.

That gives the gatekeepers in our lives a lot of power. We survive on personal relationships, and if they go sour we’re in trouble. All of a sudden we’re too old, not the right color or gender, or just not friendly or humble enough – and the door closes. Off we go down the digital street looking for another buyer for our skills and product.

Since we’re dealing as individuals with the people who pay us, we really have no power in this situation. The proof is the rates we’re paid.
Dollars and cents.

In the pre-digital era, one print article might’ve paid $1,000 – a month’s rent in those days – and a photo assignment could’ve paid the same. Now print assignments are disappearing along with the print publications themselves. That leaves us with the web, and the rates there are just a fraction of what we used to make.

One or two hundred dollars for an article, or even less for a photo, pays about a day or two’s worth of a market-rate rental in San Francisco. That means squeezing three or four people into two-bedroom apartments, or having a partner with a good job. We ourselves take other jobs to survive.
The bottom line is that most of us can’t live on what we’re making.

So if this is due to our lack of power in economic relationships – bargaining as individuals with the media that use what we produce – the big question is: Can we get together? After all, even for staffers, it’s the same question.

Without the ability to act together, we can’t change anything.

But for freelancers especially, getting together means overcoming some serious obstacles. To begin with, even if we’re given a contract at all (and mostly we work on a handshake or verbal commitment) the first thing it says is that we’re independent contractors, not employees.

We believe that if we look at The Newspaper Guild’s history, we can see that it used to be like this for direct employees, too. That’s why they organized, at the risk of losing jobs or getting blacklisted. In those early days, publishers said reporters and photographers would never be able to get together, and even if they did, the big papers would never sit down and agree to change wages and conditions.

Today’s publishers are still saying it. That’s what our members heard at the Contra Costa Times, for instance, when they first joined the union. They persisted in spite of threats and dire predictions, and today they have a contract.

That we have a union today is proof our predecessors in the union were right and the publishers were wrong.

Greater than the sum

If we can find a way to get together as freelancers, no piece of paper that says we’re independent contractors, and no high priced lawyers saying we’re legally barred from bargaining, will be able to stop us. After all, the companies we work for need what we produce. They need our content to fill those blank pages, whether on paper or on the web.

What could we gain as a union that we couldn’t get otherwise?

We can raise rates. Many of us have been talking about trying to make $1-a-word a new standard for our industry. For a photo, it might be $100 for an image. These are just ideas – we need to talk about rates and agree on what we want to fight for.

We need a way to complain effectively about mistreatment or discrimination. This could mean help getting paid if we get stiffed, or support if we’re not treated fairly.

We’ve already been able to negotiate better dental and vision insurance than we could have gotten as individuals, through the Pacific Media Workers Guild. Freelance members also have access to press passes.

That’s a starting point.

If we could get collective agreements for freelancers, we could get publishers to take responsibility for better healthcare. And since we will all want to stop working at some point, we might even be able to negotiate a modest retirement plan.

Our union already provides training programs for journalism students, and free training courses to members.

We are often pitted against each other as freelancers. This creates an unhealthy atmosphere in which we look at each other as competition.
Instead, we need to see that we are all in this together.

Let’s find in each other the strength to make our lives better.

(Guild Freelancers, A Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, CWA Local 94521.)

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