In Breaking News this morning it appears that, a gunman has opened fire at around 9am near the Empire State Building, at 34th street and 5th Avenue, right here in our beloved Manhattan. The information is as of yet inconclusive, but it appears that 2 people are confirmed dead, one of them was the gunman. It appears 8 people have been wounded. Details about the identity of the shooter nor wounded have not been released as of yet. The motive so far is also unclear. According to some report, the shooter was a disgruntled worker who just got fired from his job. Our thoughts go out to those who got caught up in yet another senseless crime, in a country and society where seemingly more and more people find themselves in a situation, where they have nothing to lose. Food for thought people, food for thought.
In other breaking news, it appears Lance Armstrong had enough of the USADA and has refused to fight the organizations’ allegations, that he used performance enhancing drugs, to help him win his record breaking seven Tour de France titles. As of yesterday he is officially being stripped of all seven titles, and is banned from competing in the Olympics and other elite sports events, for the rest of his life. Armstrong did not admit to taking drugs, it seems it is his being fed up with the USADA for treating him unfairly over the course of the investigation, that made him give up his defense. I thought athletes have to pass drug tests before races! And apparently Armstrong never failed one test! And then he survived cancer! I mean common cut the man some slack! Fact is, as innocent bystanders and fans, I don’t think we will ever know the truth. Only Lance Armstrong will know for sure, but if he passed those drug tests, shouldn’t the committee who carried out the tests be under scrutiny?
I am sure you all remember the heinous crime committed by Anders Behring Breivik, when he single handedly killed 77 innocent people in Norway and bombed central Oslo. Today he was found sane, by unanimous vote of the five judges trying his case. Breivik insisted, that he was sane and refused to plead guilty, justifying his attack by saying that it was necessary to stop the “Islamisation” of Norway. He was convicted of terrorism and premeditated murder, and given the maximum sentence of 21 years’ imprisonment. – What?! Only 21 years?? – Yes that is indeed the maximum sentence in Norway, but it can be prolonged, if Breivik is deemed to be a continued threat to society. – sigh of relief.thank god. Despite the horror of this attack, Breivik’s actions did ignite a debate in Norway, about the nature of tolerance and democracy in Norway.
Despite all the bad news today, don’t forget that there is always a silver lining somewhere on the horizon. Author Doug Fine is mesmerizing
us in his new book “Too High To Fail”, arguing that it is good old Ganja, that could ultimately save the US economy. Fine argues, that the war on drugs has been way too expensive and extremely counterproductive so far. The illegal marijuana market is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars each year, which is money that should be taxed and contributing to the legal economy, instead of benefiting criminals. You may have a point Mr. Fine. What do you guys think? Post your comments!
In Breaking News this morning it appears that, a gunman has opened fire at around 9am near the Empire State Building, at 34th street and 5th Avenue, right here in our beloved Manhattan. The information is as of yet inconclusive, but it appears that 2 people are confirmed dead, one of them was the gunman. It appears 8 people have been wounded. Details about the identity of the shooter nor wounded have not been released as of yet. The motive so far is also unclear. According to some report, the shooter was a disgruntled worker who just got fired from his job. Our thoughts go out to those who got caught up in yet another senseless crime, in a country and society where seemingly more and more people find themselves in a situation, where they have nothing to lose. Food for thought people, food for thought.
In other breaking news, it appears Lance Armstrong had enough of the USADA and has refused to fight the organizations’ allegations, that he used performance enhancing drugs, to help him win his record breaking seven Tour de France titles. As of yesterday he is officially being stripped of all seven titles, and is banned from competing in the Olympics and other elite sports events, for the rest of his life. Armstrong did not admit to taking drugs, it seems it is his being fed up with the USADA for treating him unfairly over the course of the investigation, that made him give up his defense. I thought athletes have to pass drug tests before races! And apparently Armstrong never failed one test! And then he survived cancer! I mean common cut the man some slack! Fact is, as innocent bystanders and fans, I don’t think we will ever know the truth. Only Lance Armstrong will know for sure, but if he passed those drug tests, shouldn’t the committee who carried out the tests be under scrutiny?
I am sure you all remember the heinous crime committed by Anders Behring Breivik, when he single handedly killed 77 innocent people in Norway and bombed central Oslo. Today he was found sane, by unanimous vote of the five judges trying his case. Breivik insisted, that he was sane and refused to plead guilty, justifying his attack by saying that it was necessary to stop the “Islamisation” of Norway. He was convicted of terrorism and premeditated murder, and given the maximum sentence of 21 years’ imprisonment. – What?! Only 21 years?? – Yes that is indeed the maximum sentence in Norway, but it can be prolonged, if Breivik is deemed to be a continued threat to society. – sigh of relief.thank god. Despite the horror of this attack, Breivik’s actions did ignite a debate in Norway, about the nature of tolerance and democracy in Norway.
Despite all the bad news today, don’t forget that there is always a silver lining somewhere on the horizon. Author Doug Fine is mesmerizing
us in his new book “Too High To Fail”, arguing that it is good old Ganja, that could ultimately save the US economy. Fine argues, that the war on drugs has been way too expensive and extremely counterproductive so far. The illegal marijuana market is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars each year, which is money that should be taxed and contributing to the legal economy, instead of benefiting criminals. You may have a point Mr. Fine. What do you guys think? Post your comments!