Texas Governor Rick Perry has endorsed the idea of decriminalizing marijuana. Note that this is not Colorado/Washington-style legalization (which would give Texas access to a flood of tax-dollars from a legal industry), rather, it's decriminalization, which means that you will get a ticket if you get caught with small amounts of pot. That deprives the state of tax revenue, but saves the state some money on the prison system, and allows police the all-important discretion to disproportionately hassle brown people and anyone they find suspicious. (via Reddit)
Texas governor Rick Perry moots pot decriminalization
Federal court frees man arrested for publicizing Jury Nullification outside court
Jury Nullification is when jurors refuse to apply the law, typically by acquitting a defendant they know is guilty. The reasons are many, countering just and unjust laws alike, but you can't have a credible jury without giving it this power, so nullification is an inherent feature of the system. It's held to have checked… READ THE REST
Only 60 days jail for teacher who "continuously abused" 13-year-old student
After systematically abusing her victim for three years, 32-year-old Marka Bodine pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 14. Prosecutors asked for a 20-year sentence. Judge Greg Glass sentenced her to 60 days, and she won't have to serve her time for a year. The student reported Bodine to authorities, prompting the… READ THE REST
Alex Jones must pay at least $4.1m to Sandy Hook parents for defamation, with punitive damages still to be decided
Alex Jones, who falsely claimed that parents of children shot dead at Sandy Hook elementary school hoaxed the massacre, must pay $4.1m in damages for defaming them. The Texas jury is yet to determine punitive damanges, reports NBC News. Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin, whose son Jesse died alongside 19 of his classmates and six… READ THE REST
Get creative whenever the mood strikes with this smart digital pen and pad
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. While you do almost everything on your phone today, from buying groceries to finding out what that ex-buddy from high school is doing these days, there's nothing quite like putting pen to paper. Psychology… READ THE REST
This American Sign Language training is price-dropped again. This time, it's for a charitable cause!
With around a million people using American Sign Language in the U.S. these days, there's a chance you'll encounter someone who uses this way of communication, even if you don't personally know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing. That's why more folks are becoming interested in learning ASL, understanding the importance of being able… READ THE REST
Channel your inner rock god and help a worthy cause with this guitar accessory
Whether it's Jimmy Page, Slash, or Jimi Hendrix, watching your favorite rocker can make those fantastic guitar riffs sound easy. But if you've ever picked up a guitar before, you know that acquiring those skills is easier said than done. It takes a lot of practice, a few calluses, and serious dedication to sound the way… READ THE REST
