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Pot legalization efforts forge ahead in key states

Efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational use are gaining momentum in Washington state and Colorado, despite fierce opposition from the federal government and a decades-long cultural battle over America’s most commonly used illicit drug.

Officials in Washington state on Friday said an initiative to legalize pot has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in November. In Colorado, officials are likely this week to make a similar determination about an initiative there.

Supporters are prepared to possibly spend millions of dollars ahead of the November ballot, when they hope a strong voter turnout, particularly among youth, for the U.S. presidential election will aid their cause.

“Whether it’s make or break depends on what public opinion does after 2012, but in terms of voter turnout this is the best year to do it,” said Alison Holcomb, director of New Approach Washington, the initiative’s sponsor.

While 16 states, including Washington and Colorado, along with the nation’s capital, now allow marijuana use for medical purposes, cannabis remains an illegal narcotic under U.S. law – and public opinion is sharply divided on the merits of full legalization.

California voters turned back a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2010, in part because of concerns about how production and sale of the drug would be regulated.

Undeterred, supporters of the Washington state initiative say it represents the “grown-up” approach to legalization.

Sales would only be allowed to adults 21 and older through marijuana-only stores licensed by the state Liquor Control Board, which would also oversee production and processing of the drug. Laws on drunken driving would be amended to include maximum blood content thresholds for THC, the main psychoactive element in pot plants.

Colorado already has a robust regulatory system for medical marijuana that includes a registry of over 80,000 card-carrying patients and rules governing how physicians and distributors operate. Here, too, legalization advocates are stressing a rational regulatory approach.

“Voters aren’t being asked to imagine as much as they are in other states, they have seen that marijuana can be regulated and it doesn’t result in significant problems,” said Mason Tvert, co-director of the Colorado-based Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

Organizers of the Washington effort have collected over $1.1 million in campaign funds, with $250,000 of that coming from Progressive Insurance chairman Peter Lewis, public disclosure records show.

Loren Collingwood, senior researcher for the nonpartisan Washington Poll run by the University of Washington, said the initiative could pass, but that backers must spend between $2 million and $4 million to run a competitive campaign.

A poll done by the university in October found 48 percent of Washington residents support the idea of pot legalization, but that was not tied to any particular initiative.

“If young voters turn out in droves like they did in 2008 or even start to approach those numbers … then I think this will pass, but they very well may not,” Collingwood said.

Pot legalization supporters have argued for decades that prohibition has failed to curb pot use, and that the policy enriches drug cartels, hurts casual users and deprives governments of a potentially lucrative source of tax revenue.

 

Coast Guard told captain: go back aboard

Do you hear me? the Coast Guard officer shouted as the captain of the grounded. Costa Concordia sat safe in a life raft and frantic passengers struggled to escape after the ship rammed into a reef off the Tuscan coast. The dramatic recording made public Tuesday shows Capt. Francesco Schettino resisted orders to return to his ship to direct the evacuation, saying it was too dark and the ship was tipping perilously. The exchange came to light as the death toll nearly doubled to 11 after divers pulled the bodies of four men and a woman, all wearing life vests, from the wreckage. The Costa Concordia had more than 4,200 passengers and crew on board when it slammed into the reef Friday off the tiny island of Giglio after Schettino made an unauthorized maneuver from the ship’s programmed course — apparently to show off the luxury liner to the island’s residents. [...] the recording of his conversation with Italian Coast Guard Capt. Gregorio De Falco makes clear he fled before all passengers were off — and then defied De Falco’s repeated orders to go back. The audio, first made available on the website of the Corriere della Sera newspaper and authenticated by the Coast Guard, was broadcast throughout the day on Italian television to a stunned nation. The five bodies discovered Tuesday were adults in their 50s or 60s, each wearing the orange vests that passengers use, indicating they were not crew members, said a Coast Guard spokesman, Cmdr. Filippo Marini. Navy spokesman Alessandro Busonero told Sky TV 24 the holes would help divers enter the wreck more easily. Mediterranean waters in the area were relatively calm Tuesday with waves just a foot high, but they were expected to reach nearly 6 feet (1.8 meters) Wednesday, according to meteorological forecasts. The safe removal of the fuel has become a priority second only to finding the missing, as the wreckage site lies in a maritime sanctuary for dolphins, porpoises and whales. Smit’s operations manager, Kees van Essen, said the company was confident the fuel could safely be extracted using pumps and valves to vacuum the oil out to waiting tanks.

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SIDEBAR: 

Something is not right with this Captain, something smells funny. Was he paid a large amount of money to do this and walk away, like a mafia hit. Or was he drinking or drugs on the job and didn’t give a damn. Or is he a heartless SOB and everyone for themselves so to speak. He should definitely be held accountable for all those innocent lives, that thought they where traveling in safety, and security.

OL777O

VODKA CARAMEL FRIED CHICKEN – whoo-hoo!

Very simple to prepare, and afterwards will make you slap yo Mama, lol lol

Vodka Caramel Fried Chicken

ingredients:  1. Cut up chicken,   2. 1  1/2 cups of Milk,   3. 1  2/3 cups of Vodka Caramel,    4. 1 tsp of Sea Salt,   5.  1 tsp of sugar,    6.  2 eggs beaten,   7.  1 tsp of Black Pepper.

Ok here we go, such fun

Place cut up chicken is a plastic container that we will cover later.  Mix all the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl.  Pour liquid over chicken in plastic container and cover.  Put in fridge for 3 hrs.

Ok, now we are ready to cook this fantastic chicken.

Make sure each piece of chicken is covered in flour, place in a skillet of 2 cups of Olive Oil and 1 stick of butter.  Cook over a med-high temperature until golden brown.  Now don’t start snacking until all is done, you won’t want to eat the rest of your meal.   Feeds 4 folks.

Added attraction – Add spinach, carrots, or corn, or a fresh salad to compliment your meal.

(recipe by Lennis)

 

                               

Uhmnnnnnn I like that………

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Evelyn Lauder Dies At 75 – “The Estee Lauder”

The beauty mogul sadly passed away this weekend.

Evelyn died at her Manhattan home on Saturday.

The Estee Lauder senior corporate vice president and founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has been an inspiration to women worldwide.

In her time working at Estee Lauder, founded by her mother-in-law, Evelyn has helped to develop countless lines in skincare, make-up and fragrance, receiving the Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

As well as her good business sense, Evelyn is remembered for her warmth, generosity and unrelenting work as a philanthropist.

She was “an American icon”, Tommy Hilfiger has said of his former colleague.

In 1992 she founded the pink ribbon breast cancer campaign alongside friend and fashion editor Alexandra Penney, dishing out the bows at Lauder counters with self-examination charts.

Later the same year she also launched the Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to raise funds, and the following year the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Nearly 20 years on the ribbon has become a ubiquitous symbol of breast cancer awareness and over 65 million have been distributed. Funds raised have helped to open the Evelyn H Lauder Breast Centre in New York.

REMEMBERANCE DAY – Canada

Rapper and Actor Heavy D Has Died

 

 

We don’t have all the details, but he was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon today and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1 PM.

He was 44 years old.

Heavy recently performed at the BET Awards in October

real name: Dwight Meyers

 
Global stocks, euro slide on EU bailout, Greece vote doubts

Global stocks and the euro fell on Friday as new doubts about Europe’s bailout package and worries over the outcome of a key vote in Greece overshadowed signs of improvement in the U.S. labor market.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou faces a vote of confidence, with the fate of the nation’s deal on a euro zone debt bailout and the global economy in the balance.

Analysts declared the outcome too tight to forecast, but had a hunch Papandreou might survive the vote, which is expected as late as midnight in Athens (2200 GMT).

 

The bid for safe-haven assets rose, with government debt on both sides of the Atlantic gaining after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said few countries in the Group of 20 leading economies had committed to providing more resources for a euro zone rescue fund.

Merkel’s comment eclipsed relief over the decision by Greece on Thursday to ditch controversial plans to hold a referendum on its bailout, a development that initially had calmed fears of an imminent sovereign debt default.

Merkel’s comment highlighted the fragility of the deal reached to rescue Greece. At the heart of the deal is a plan to increase the euro zone’s rescue fund to give it firepower of 1.0 trillion euros.

Signs of some improvement in the U.S. labor market failed to lift the market. Labor Department data showed U.S. hiring slowed in October, but the unemployment rate hit a six-month low and job gains in the prior two months were stronger than previously thought, pointing to some improvement in the still-weak labor market.

Trading has been volatile on quickly changing news from Europe. The U.S. S&P 500 has registered daily swings of more than 1.5 percent this week. The benchmark index, which posted its best month in 20 years in October, was on track to post its first down week in five.

“There’s too much uncertainty going on. What Greece has taught us this week is that just when you think things are certain, they’re actually not,” said Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist, at Scotia Capital in Toronto.

World stocks measured by the MSCI all-country world index pared losses to trade near break-even on strength in emerging markets. EPFR Global reported $3.5 billion flowed into emerging market equity funds in the week ended Wednesday, the second-largest inflow this year.

In Europe, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top regional shares slid 1.0 percent to 980.01, erasing early gains. The index posted its first weekly loss in six weeks.

Italian banks UniCredit and Intesa SanPaolo, heavily exposed to Italy’s sovereign debt, fell 6.6 and 4.8 percent, respectively.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is facing pressure to step down, turned down an offer of funding from the International Monetary Fund, which has placed the country under supervision as it struggles with its debt mountain.

2011 November Horoscopes – “Talk 2 ME”

ARIES
UNEXPECTED: Know your worth, stop cutting yourself short for what it is you need in your life.
Sometimes Aries you can be stubborn and don’t want to listen to what is right. Stop going back and forth in your decisions, you know what is right so damn it do it!
FINANCES: Slow improvement, bills are still lagging, pay what you can, after all you can’t get blood from a turnip (old folks saying).
ROMANCE: Solid as a rock, as the song goes.
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TAURUS
UNEXPECTED: Hard head makes a soft azz, feel me Taurus. Sometime you can be tooooo stubborn for your own good. Learn to relax and let life unfold in all it’s miraculous details.
FINANCES: Tax man is near, so take care and shore up all business details. You do not want your businesses to suffer because you didn’t pay your taxes do you? Stop loaning money out that you don’t half, your a soft sale sometimes, amidst your stubbornness.
ROMANCE: Time to take that trip in the winter months home. The family will enjoy the winter break and so will you immensely, so go for it. Romance, love, and laughter to be enjoyed by all.
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GEMINI
UNEXPECTED: Well here we go again, wearing your heart on your sleeve. If you have a lot of love to give and share, but not your finances. How did I end up broke you say? By being a unexpected “sucker”, so stop it.
FINANCES: Well the for-mention you inform you well about your finances. There is a raise coming after the first of the year. Also before the Christmas holidays you may end up selling a big ticket item out of your home for finance reasons. Just to clear up some debt. To give you a peace of mind.
ROMANCE: To be in love and love is a wonderful inflection if you understanding. Gemini never become desperate for love, it is not a good on your. Go with the flow, unless you are already in a stable relationship. Don’t laugh I heard that (what is stable). Gotta love ya Gemini!
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CANCER
UNEXPECTED: You actually have a little extra money in your pockets or purse this month, thank God! Things may not always seem that bad if you understand how to negotiate your money to yourself.
FINANCES: Life is starting to look a little better for you Cancer. Everything does happen for the good even if don’t understand what the fuck is going on!!! Continue to put your best foot forward, and continue to seek out better ways of generating money, legally that is.
ROMANCE: Love is in the air, to your discretion. If you are married or in a relationship this a good month for the two of you to enjoy the holidays. If single, someone out of your past will show up to help you celebrate.
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LEO
UNEXPECTED: Leo be careful, could be another child on the way. This seems to be a fertile period for you. Men and women please use some protections if you are not ready for a child or children(possible twins). Know the relationship you are in!
FINANCES: Good improvement in finances this month Leo. Loans repaid, bills on point, actually some extra money to enjoy. Treat yourself or love one to something nice.
ROMANCE: Well Mr./Ms attention getter. They are still trying to figure out your Halloween costume from last month. You mystery devil you, lol lol. Enjoy the new spice in your life just be careful. And Leo know when to say no, this is not me!
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VIRGO
UNEXPECTED: The light of your life is going to surprise you with something. If you are not in a relationship at this time, unexpected happenings will occur on the good side of love. You may hear how you have become quite interesting to the opposite sex. Work will be more busy than normal.
FINANCES: My advice Virgo put some money back for that rainy day fund. The weather this year will be havoc on your finances. This could be do to transportation issues. Make sure you are covered darling to get from point “A” to point “B” in your travels.
ROMANCE: Someone from afar would like to become a lot, and I mean a lot closer to you. All things are possible to those that believe.
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LIBRA
UNEXPECTED: Is it time to move, are you truly happy where you are at. Sometimes energy of certain areas are not meant to live at, just to visit and move on. Unexpected blessing is coming your way, sometimes KARMA can be a good thing. What you get back can be good, and a welcome blessing!
FINANCES: What a road Libra have you travel this year. Up and down, sideways, OMG, I’m dizzy. Finally you can feel the worst is over and a new beginning is at hand, about damn time don’t ya think. You are the scales of balance, but sometimes it feels one-sided.
ROMANCE: For couple time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. If single look out world because you are available for fun and pleasure. Just don’t overdo, but do enjoy yourself Libra.
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SCORPIO
UNEXPECTED: Possible marriage proposal coming your way. If not marriage a solidify relationship is at hand. Yes he really cares about you woman! For the man know your place don’t push it, understand. More recognition is coming your way, hard work has definitely paid off, more than you know, and yes you have been noticed in a BIG WAY!
FINANCES: For those with children, pull out the checkbook, or credit cards. Darn those kids why do they have to keep growing, needing clothes, books, etc. ie, lol lol, and we love them with all our hearts!
Make sure you vehicle is running good, might need some minor repairs. Also check your foot for injuries, that may seem like nothing “not”, have that check out by your physician.
ROMANCE: I see a line of dancing Rockets all in a row. Everything is coming up roses whoo-hoo!
Enjoy your love life, for right now it is very good.
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SAGITTARIUS
UNEXPECTED: Time to let go and let God Sag. Where you going, where you been, these are life questions you need to be asking yourself. Unexpected family problems will come up this problem and not to happy either. Try to maintain balance in all relationships family or friends. Watch your words, they don’t return the same way you said them.
FINANCES: Time to make more money if you want to meet your needs Sag. Time to buckle down and take care of business. It’s been a shitty summer, and fall isn’t looking any better. You will have the money you need to meet your debt ratio, but what about enjoyment? Are we there ye?
ROMANCE: What are you looking for really? Are you happy, are you satisfy with your love life. Then why don’t the hell you change it, stop complaining about it, and do something already!
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CAPRICORN
UNEXPECTED: The joy of family or not, that is the question. Busy month Cappy between social engagements and business. News from afar will be a shock, but maybe not a total surprise.
FINANCES: Hold on to your money this month, because you are wanting to shop like no tomorrow for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Money will come in huge amounts, and start to slow down somewhat after Thanksgiving. So be careful with your spending, necessary purchases only.
ROMANCE: Well look hear, just folks coming from every direction possible. You love cupid you! lol lol
It would seem Cappy you are the flavor for the month. So capitalize on this and enjoy your love life.
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AQUARIUS
UNEXPECTED: Are you wearing your emotions close to the chest. So be benevolent and help someone out, you might just amaze yourself and feel good about it. You will enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving. But don’t get to relax, you may be call to work for emergency repairs.
FINANCES: All does look good, my suggestion sit down with an accountant before investing in anything.
ROMANCE: Someone from your past shows up at the front door, and knocks you off your feet. Very good surprise, shocked this person still remembers you, heh! heh! Take it with a grain of salt, nothing spectacular here, just enjoyment of two past lovers.
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PISCES
UNEXPECTED: It is time to clean house, mentally, spiritually, and yes physically (get your health in order). The holidays are approaching and what are you going to do? You will have unexpected guests arriving throughout the month. Enjoy your visits, with laughter and love.
FINANCES: This might be a tight money month for you Pisces. Hold on it will get better by December, just be patient for a little while longer. All will come together in the right time.
ROMANCE: No one is as clever as Pisces in the love arena. You have such a creative mind, maybe more than most other signs. Romance is good, think of those lovely ideas you also wanted to do and try them out. You might receive an amazing response.
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FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH READING – click on intuitive readings.
Thanks for reading and enjoying my monthly horoscopes.