Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Capricorn Personality
When it comes to professionalism and traditional values, Capricorn wins hands-down. This practical sign loves to tackle life in the most conventional of ways, leaving no stone unturned. Considered the most serious-minded of the signs, the Capricorn possesses an independence that allows for considerable progress both personally and on the job
Strengths:
Responsible, good managers, disciplined, self-control, dark sense of humor. Weaknesses:
Know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst. Charismatic marks:
Medium build, can get in shape with effort but tends to be a bit soft. Likes:
Family, tradition, quality craftsmanship, understated status, music. Dislikes:
Almost everything at some point. Best environment:
Positive work situation, urban environments with culture and style, anyplace to be in charge.
Strengths:
Responsible, good managers, disciplined, self-control, dark sense of humor. Weaknesses:
Know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst. Charismatic marks:
Medium build, can get in shape with effort but tends to be a bit soft. Likes:
Family, tradition, quality craftsmanship, understated status, music. Dislikes:
Almost everything at some point. Best environment:
Positive work situation, urban environments with culture and style, anyplace to be in charge.
Li- Ning shoes hit the U.S.
Chinese athletic shoemaker Li-Ning knew it couldn't "out-Nike" Nike, especially in the sporting giant's own backyard. So the company is going low-budget edgy in its expansion to the U.S, using an irreverent YouTube video to play up its heritage while taking a lighthearted dig at the company name shared with its high-profile founder.
Li-Ning is among the first Chinese consumer product brands trying to build a following in the U.S., seeking to grab a slice of its saturated but highly coveted market. As China's economic might increases — it last year overtook Japan as the second-biggest economy after the U.S. — its companies are increasingly confident about expansion overseas. But corporate China has yet to produce a brand with the global name recognition of the likes of Apple, Sony or Google.
"It's a process of finding out — while staying true to our heritage, our brand — what side of our DNA is going to resonate with the American consumer," said Jay Li, general manager for Li-Ning International. "We're still searching, to be perfectly honest with you. And we're not in a hurry."
Americans might remember Li Ning (pronounced lee-NING) as the final torchbearer during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — the former gymnastics gold medalist who "ran" along the opening in the stadium roof while suspended by wires.
His namesake company is a top domestic brand in China's lucrative athletic shoe and apparel industry, with more than 7,900 stores across the country. Though it has forecast slumping sales and a one percentage point decline in gross profit margin in 2011, CEO Zhang Zhiyong recently told the Wall Street Journal that Li-Ning plans to invest $10 million in U.S. operations this year.
"Our founder Mr. Li Ning has always said his vision was never about building China's Nike, it's about building the world's Li-Ning," Li said. "You can't be global without having a legitimate claim of market share in the most mature sporting goods market."
There are significant hurdles to overcome: Americans are still smarting from the recession and spending less. Chinese goods are widely regarded as shoddily made, knockoffs or even dangerous. Li-Ning's logo recently underwent a redesign, but many consumers may still see a strong resemblance with the Nike "swoosh."
"The way to fight the perception is to continue rolling out your own world-class products and that perception will go away," Li said.
He would not provide sales figures for the U.S., where Li-Ning products are sold online and through a few select retailers, but said international operations made up only 2 percent of the company's total revenue.
Expansion into the U.S. is "important for them because if they show they have retail presence in the U.S. it helps them not only sell there but it helps them sell in their home market in China and wherever else they go," said Ben Cavender, associate principal at Shanghai-based China Market Research Group which has studied Li-Ning. "They can say, 'Look, we really are an international brand.'"
The U.S. expansion began in earnest in 2007 with the opening of a R&D center and design studio in the Portland, Oregon, area, heart of the U.S. athletic shoe industry where Nike is headquartered and Adidas has a regional office.
Li-Ning's U.S. staff includes about 30 people, veterans of companies like Nike, Adidas, Converse and Columbia. In comparison, more than 6,000 work at Nike's headquarters just outside town.
Products sold in the U.S. include equipment and apparel for Asian-dominated sports like pingpong and badminton, niche areas where Li-Ning is an established leader. Its running shoes have debuted in specialty shops, with the aim of attracting avid runners who are concerned more about performance than brand name.
But it's with street culture-influenced basketball shoes that Li-Ning may be able to score its breakthrough. Endorsement deals with NBA players like Shaquille O'Neal, Baron Davis and Evan Turner have so far been key to building awareness among image-conscious consumers.
Li-Ning has a quality product but "we need to bring in the cool factor, the street legitimacy, the street cred. Bring all these elements together and fuse them into the product. It's a systemic project and we are working on it," Li said.
That's the thinking behind the YouTube video, featuring a Chinese Li-Ning import agent who has to convince two suspicious U.S. customs officials that the new F2 sneaker is a real shoe. It is a humorous take on real events involving a shipment of F2s that got stuck in U.S. customs because of questions over how to declare the components of a shoe made almost entirely of rubber-like foam material.
The YouTube import agent protests, "They're shoes! Li-Ning!" prompting one officer to snarl, "I'm Li-Ning toward kicking your ass!"
Created by L.A. ad agency Zambezi, the video has received about 40,000 views since December and is a way of getting some attention with limited resources.
There probably won't be a sequel — the Portland customs office called to complain about being in the video and Li's office pledged not to revisit the topic again.
For now, Li-Ning's baby steps are showing encouraging results. Cavender pointed out that one industry insider has found some Li-Ning products to be better quality than Adidas products. And the colorful, sometimes cartoon-like designs are turning heads, even if they haven't yet translated into massive sales.
"People are actively asking about it every time they walk in and see it," said Frank Pacifio, manager of a Champs Sports shoe store in Wayne, New Jersey, which sells two to 10 pairs of Li-Nings a week. In that time the store sells 10 to 25 pairs of its most popular shoe, the Nike Air Max 2010.
"A lot of people try the (Li-Ning) shoe on to see how it feels but people are just accustomed to the Nikes, the Jordans," Pacifio said. "People are so used to what they've had, you never want to take the leap to the other side."
Li remains confident, pointing to the mainstream acceptance of other Asian companies in the U.S.
"A few brands are attempting it, but no one has come out as a dominant Chinese brand in any industry yet," he said. "I always optimistically look back on the Japanese brands in the '50s and '60s and the Korean brands in the '80s and '90s. It's our turn. We'll get there."
Li-Ning is among the first Chinese consumer product brands trying to build a following in the U.S., seeking to grab a slice of its saturated but highly coveted market. As China's economic might increases — it last year overtook Japan as the second-biggest economy after the U.S. — its companies are increasingly confident about expansion overseas. But corporate China has yet to produce a brand with the global name recognition of the likes of Apple, Sony or Google.
"It's a process of finding out — while staying true to our heritage, our brand — what side of our DNA is going to resonate with the American consumer," said Jay Li, general manager for Li-Ning International. "We're still searching, to be perfectly honest with you. And we're not in a hurry."
Americans might remember Li Ning (pronounced lee-NING) as the final torchbearer during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — the former gymnastics gold medalist who "ran" along the opening in the stadium roof while suspended by wires.
His namesake company is a top domestic brand in China's lucrative athletic shoe and apparel industry, with more than 7,900 stores across the country. Though it has forecast slumping sales and a one percentage point decline in gross profit margin in 2011, CEO Zhang Zhiyong recently told the Wall Street Journal that Li-Ning plans to invest $10 million in U.S. operations this year.
"Our founder Mr. Li Ning has always said his vision was never about building China's Nike, it's about building the world's Li-Ning," Li said. "You can't be global without having a legitimate claim of market share in the most mature sporting goods market."
There are significant hurdles to overcome: Americans are still smarting from the recession and spending less. Chinese goods are widely regarded as shoddily made, knockoffs or even dangerous. Li-Ning's logo recently underwent a redesign, but many consumers may still see a strong resemblance with the Nike "swoosh."
"The way to fight the perception is to continue rolling out your own world-class products and that perception will go away," Li said.
He would not provide sales figures for the U.S., where Li-Ning products are sold online and through a few select retailers, but said international operations made up only 2 percent of the company's total revenue.
Expansion into the U.S. is "important for them because if they show they have retail presence in the U.S. it helps them not only sell there but it helps them sell in their home market in China and wherever else they go," said Ben Cavender, associate principal at Shanghai-based China Market Research Group which has studied Li-Ning. "They can say, 'Look, we really are an international brand.'"
The U.S. expansion began in earnest in 2007 with the opening of a R&D center and design studio in the Portland, Oregon, area, heart of the U.S. athletic shoe industry where Nike is headquartered and Adidas has a regional office.
Li-Ning's U.S. staff includes about 30 people, veterans of companies like Nike, Adidas, Converse and Columbia. In comparison, more than 6,000 work at Nike's headquarters just outside town.
Products sold in the U.S. include equipment and apparel for Asian-dominated sports like pingpong and badminton, niche areas where Li-Ning is an established leader. Its running shoes have debuted in specialty shops, with the aim of attracting avid runners who are concerned more about performance than brand name.
But it's with street culture-influenced basketball shoes that Li-Ning may be able to score its breakthrough. Endorsement deals with NBA players like Shaquille O'Neal, Baron Davis and Evan Turner have so far been key to building awareness among image-conscious consumers.
Li-Ning has a quality product but "we need to bring in the cool factor, the street legitimacy, the street cred. Bring all these elements together and fuse them into the product. It's a systemic project and we are working on it," Li said.
That's the thinking behind the YouTube video, featuring a Chinese Li-Ning import agent who has to convince two suspicious U.S. customs officials that the new F2 sneaker is a real shoe. It is a humorous take on real events involving a shipment of F2s that got stuck in U.S. customs because of questions over how to declare the components of a shoe made almost entirely of rubber-like foam material.
The YouTube import agent protests, "They're shoes! Li-Ning!" prompting one officer to snarl, "I'm Li-Ning toward kicking your ass!"
Created by L.A. ad agency Zambezi, the video has received about 40,000 views since December and is a way of getting some attention with limited resources.
There probably won't be a sequel — the Portland customs office called to complain about being in the video and Li's office pledged not to revisit the topic again.
For now, Li-Ning's baby steps are showing encouraging results. Cavender pointed out that one industry insider has found some Li-Ning products to be better quality than Adidas products. And the colorful, sometimes cartoon-like designs are turning heads, even if they haven't yet translated into massive sales.
"People are actively asking about it every time they walk in and see it," said Frank Pacifio, manager of a Champs Sports shoe store in Wayne, New Jersey, which sells two to 10 pairs of Li-Nings a week. In that time the store sells 10 to 25 pairs of its most popular shoe, the Nike Air Max 2010.
"A lot of people try the (Li-Ning) shoe on to see how it feels but people are just accustomed to the Nikes, the Jordans," Pacifio said. "People are so used to what they've had, you never want to take the leap to the other side."
Li remains confident, pointing to the mainstream acceptance of other Asian companies in the U.S.
"A few brands are attempting it, but no one has come out as a dominant Chinese brand in any industry yet," he said. "I always optimistically look back on the Japanese brands in the '50s and '60s and the Korean brands in the '80s and '90s. It's our turn. We'll get there."
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
City Stops Homeless Outreach
Bobby and Amanda Herring spent more than a year providing food to homeless people in downtown Houston every day. They fed them, left behind no trash and doled out warm meals peacefully without a single crime being committed, Bobby Herring said.
That ended two weeks ago when the city shut down their "Feed a Friend" effort for lack of a permit. And city officials say the couple most likely will not be able to obtain one.
"We don't really know what they want, we just think that they don't want us down there feeding people," said Bobby Herring, a Christian rapper who goes by the stage name Tre9.
Anyone serving food for public consumption, whether for the homeless or for sale, must have a permit, said Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services Department. To get that permit, the food must be prepared in a certified kitchen with a certified food manager.
The regulations are all the more essential in the case of the homeless, Barton said, because "poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care."
Bobby Herring said those rules would preclude them from continuing to feed the 60 to 120 people they assisted nightly for more than a year. The food had been donated from area businesses and prepared in various kitchens by volunteers or by his wife.
He and his wife became involved in the effort several years ago, when she would take leftover food from work to the homeless downtown. From there, it expanded into a full-time effort for her working through Eyes on Me, the Herrings' nonprofit organization that focuses on Christian-themed youth outreach efforts.
Nearly every day last year, they distributed food prepared or donated by volunteers or local stores at 6 p.m. at the corner of Commerce and San Jacinto, near the Harris County Jail, Bobby Herring said.
Looking for new solution
On Nov. 8, they were approached by Houston police officers and asked to provide food at another location under an overpass at Commerce and Travis streets adjacent to Buffalo Bayou, he recalled.
They were happy to move to the new location and continued to provide food there until Dec. 30, when a park ranger and two police officers told them they would have to stop until they could obtain a permit.
Because the new area to which they had moved is on city park land, they need permission and permits from both the parks department and health department.
Because city ordinances would prevent them from obtaining the needed permit, Bobby Herring said he is hoping to find a new solution, perhaps working through a church with a permit or finding a downtown location that would allow them to continue to help the homeless.
Amanda Herring said she was frustrated at the city's sudden stance.
"I'm just really sad," she said. "I can't believe for a year we were right out in the open and never had anybody tell us to leave, to stop, to tell us it was wrong. I'm blindsided with it."
'Designed to protect'
Connie Boyd, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, applauded the Herrings' efforts but defended the city's stance.
"We absolutely need more people like them who care about this vulnerable population," Boyd said. "Even though their intentions are good, they ran into ordinances that are designed to protect the public. There are good reasons why they're in place."
Boyd said the Herrings, or any like-minded individuals, could use her organization to connect with more than 200 groups and agencies that provide aid to the homeless and possibly stake out a partnership.
Barton said city officials in the past had considered passing a "public feeding" ordinance that would make it easier for people like the Herrings to comply with rules designed to protect people's health and well being. The ordinance could involve easier and cheaper permitting processes, she said, although there had not been discussion of the matter for some time.
That ended two weeks ago when the city shut down their "Feed a Friend" effort for lack of a permit. And city officials say the couple most likely will not be able to obtain one.
"We don't really know what they want, we just think that they don't want us down there feeding people," said Bobby Herring, a Christian rapper who goes by the stage name Tre9.
Anyone serving food for public consumption, whether for the homeless or for sale, must have a permit, said Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services Department. To get that permit, the food must be prepared in a certified kitchen with a certified food manager.
The regulations are all the more essential in the case of the homeless, Barton said, because "poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care."
Bobby Herring said those rules would preclude them from continuing to feed the 60 to 120 people they assisted nightly for more than a year. The food had been donated from area businesses and prepared in various kitchens by volunteers or by his wife.
He and his wife became involved in the effort several years ago, when she would take leftover food from work to the homeless downtown. From there, it expanded into a full-time effort for her working through Eyes on Me, the Herrings' nonprofit organization that focuses on Christian-themed youth outreach efforts.
Nearly every day last year, they distributed food prepared or donated by volunteers or local stores at 6 p.m. at the corner of Commerce and San Jacinto, near the Harris County Jail, Bobby Herring said.
Looking for new solution
On Nov. 8, they were approached by Houston police officers and asked to provide food at another location under an overpass at Commerce and Travis streets adjacent to Buffalo Bayou, he recalled.
They were happy to move to the new location and continued to provide food there until Dec. 30, when a park ranger and two police officers told them they would have to stop until they could obtain a permit.
Because the new area to which they had moved is on city park land, they need permission and permits from both the parks department and health department.
Because city ordinances would prevent them from obtaining the needed permit, Bobby Herring said he is hoping to find a new solution, perhaps working through a church with a permit or finding a downtown location that would allow them to continue to help the homeless.
Amanda Herring said she was frustrated at the city's sudden stance.
"I'm just really sad," she said. "I can't believe for a year we were right out in the open and never had anybody tell us to leave, to stop, to tell us it was wrong. I'm blindsided with it."
'Designed to protect'
Connie Boyd, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, applauded the Herrings' efforts but defended the city's stance.
"We absolutely need more people like them who care about this vulnerable population," Boyd said. "Even though their intentions are good, they ran into ordinances that are designed to protect the public. There are good reasons why they're in place."
Boyd said the Herrings, or any like-minded individuals, could use her organization to connect with more than 200 groups and agencies that provide aid to the homeless and possibly stake out a partnership.
Barton said city officials in the past had considered passing a "public feeding" ordinance that would make it easier for people like the Herrings to comply with rules designed to protect people's health and well being. The ordinance could involve easier and cheaper permitting processes, she said, although there had not been discussion of the matter for some time.
January Planet Overview
January Planet Overview:
The new year begins with a jolt when a January 4 Solar Eclipse highlights the importance of holding your position, whether in career, a significant partnership, or more importantly, financial wheeling and dealing. Venus rules love and money, and there could be a sudden change in either on the day of this lunation. On January 19, the Full Moon in Cancer, the sign of worldly goods, ushers in a time of innovation. Putting finances or romance into a livable comfort zone is on the minds of all. Icy Saturn turns retrograde on January 26, freezing the day's emotions for months to come, but you're already prepared
The new year begins with a jolt when a January 4 Solar Eclipse highlights the importance of holding your position, whether in career, a significant partnership, or more importantly, financial wheeling and dealing. Venus rules love and money, and there could be a sudden change in either on the day of this lunation. On January 19, the Full Moon in Cancer, the sign of worldly goods, ushers in a time of innovation. Putting finances or romance into a livable comfort zone is on the minds of all. Icy Saturn turns retrograde on January 26, freezing the day's emotions for months to come, but you're already prepared
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Top 10 Marijuana Victories in 2010
Top 10 Marijuana Victories in 2010 (in no particular order)
1. NEW JERSEY LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
2010 started with a bang when New Jersey's outgoing Democratic governor signed a bill that made New Jersey the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana. (Unfortunately, the new Republican governor has conspired with his state health department to delay and subvert the new law from taking effect and -- now one year later -- patients still do not have legal access to medical marijuana.)
2. WASHINGTON, D.C. LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Voters in our nation's capital passed a medical marijuana initiative with 69% of the vote in November 1998. After Congress blocked that law from taking effect 11 years in a row, Congress finally removed the federal ban in the fall of 2009, and in 2010 the D.C. City Council passed legislation to implement the local law. While the D.C. law is more restrictive than we'd like, five medical marijuana dispensaries will be opening up within a short cab ride of Capitol Hill by the middle of 2011.
3. ARIZONA LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
By a mere 50.13% to 49.87% margin, Arizona voters passed MPP's medical marijuana initiative in November, making Arizona the 15th state to legalize medical marijuana. As a result, approximately 125 dispensaries will open up around the state by mid-2011. This campaign was successful despite severely limited resources, with MPP spending only $0.10 for each Arizona resident.
4. CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE DEMONSTRATES RECORD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION
While Prop. 19 failed at the polls on Election Day, this ballot initiative still represents significant progress for our movement. First, the initiative received the highest level of support (46.54%) of any of the eight legalization initiatives ever to be placed on a statewide ballot. Second, the initiative received support from mainstream political institutions, such as the California affiliates of the NAACP and SEIU, the Latino Voters League, the National Latino Officers Association, and the National Black Police Association. Third, the initiative generated gobs of in-state and national news coverage, making marijuana legalization a respectable topic of political debate. Fourth, the campaign inspired the local governments and voters of three cities to pass laws that will automatically tax marijuana sales once they are legal under state law.
5. MARIJUANA-FRIENDLY GOVERNORS ELECTED IN THREE STATES
For the first time in memory, three gubernatorial candidates who are well known to be supportive of decriminalizing marijuana and legalizing medical marijuana were elected on the same day -- Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Dan Malloy (D-CT), and Peter Shumlin (D-VT). As a result, all three states are likely to pass favorable legislation in 2011.
6. THREE STATES REGULATE/EXPAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS
While state governments sometimes tweak their existing medical marijuana laws, Colorado's government did much more than that in 2010 when it passed a new law for issuing approximately 2,000 licenses to medical marijuana retailers, growers, and kitchens; as a result, medical marijuana businesses are now scattered around the state like pharmacies. Also, Maine's health department issued regulations to establish eight medical marijuana dispensaries, building on the MPP-authored ballot initiative that Mainers passed with nearly 59% of the vote in November 2009. And, to close out 2010, New Mexico's health department increased the number of dispensaries in the state to 25.
7. LOCAL INITIATIVE VICTORIES IN FOUR STATES
In Massachusetts, voters in nine legislative districts passed initiatives recommending that medical marijuana be legalized on the state level; in another nine legislative districts, Massachusetts voters recommended that marijuana be legalized entirely. In Wisconsin, voters in two local jurisdictions urged their state legislature to legalize medical marijuana. In California, voters in two cities blocked dispensaries from being banned. And in Colorado, voters in 8 cities and counties voted to allow dispensaries (this overt support is significant, even though voters in another 34 Colorado municipalities decided to ban dispensaries).
8. VETERANS AFFAIRS RECOGNIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
For the first time since 1978, a federal agency recognized marijuana's therapeutic value when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new policy in 2010, stating that veterans who use medical marijuana legally under state law would no longer be denied other prescription medications or treatments.
9. TWO GOOD COURT DECISIONS IN CALIFORNIA
In the "Anaheim" case, a California appellate court found that federal law doesn't prevent cities and counties from licensing medical marijuana dispensaries. And in a separate case, a California superior court blocked an L.A. City Council ordinance that would have wiped out most dispensaries in the second largest city in the U.S. (Neither case has reached its final conclusion yet, however.)
10. CALIFORNIA IMPROVES EXISTING DECRIMINALIZATION LAW
In 1975, California decriminalized marijuana, meaning that people who were apprehended with up to an ounce of marijuana could not face jail time. In 2010, the California government improved this law by changing marijuana possession from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction, meaning that -- in addition to not facing jail time -- small-time marijuana offenders will no longer have to appear before a judge, pay court costs or hire a lawyer, or get stuck with a criminal record.
1. NEW JERSEY LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
2010 started with a bang when New Jersey's outgoing Democratic governor signed a bill that made New Jersey the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana. (Unfortunately, the new Republican governor has conspired with his state health department to delay and subvert the new law from taking effect and -- now one year later -- patients still do not have legal access to medical marijuana.)
2. WASHINGTON, D.C. LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Voters in our nation's capital passed a medical marijuana initiative with 69% of the vote in November 1998. After Congress blocked that law from taking effect 11 years in a row, Congress finally removed the federal ban in the fall of 2009, and in 2010 the D.C. City Council passed legislation to implement the local law. While the D.C. law is more restrictive than we'd like, five medical marijuana dispensaries will be opening up within a short cab ride of Capitol Hill by the middle of 2011.
3. ARIZONA LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
By a mere 50.13% to 49.87% margin, Arizona voters passed MPP's medical marijuana initiative in November, making Arizona the 15th state to legalize medical marijuana. As a result, approximately 125 dispensaries will open up around the state by mid-2011. This campaign was successful despite severely limited resources, with MPP spending only $0.10 for each Arizona resident.
4. CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE DEMONSTRATES RECORD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION
While Prop. 19 failed at the polls on Election Day, this ballot initiative still represents significant progress for our movement. First, the initiative received the highest level of support (46.54%) of any of the eight legalization initiatives ever to be placed on a statewide ballot. Second, the initiative received support from mainstream political institutions, such as the California affiliates of the NAACP and SEIU, the Latino Voters League, the National Latino Officers Association, and the National Black Police Association. Third, the initiative generated gobs of in-state and national news coverage, making marijuana legalization a respectable topic of political debate. Fourth, the campaign inspired the local governments and voters of three cities to pass laws that will automatically tax marijuana sales once they are legal under state law.
5. MARIJUANA-FRIENDLY GOVERNORS ELECTED IN THREE STATES
For the first time in memory, three gubernatorial candidates who are well known to be supportive of decriminalizing marijuana and legalizing medical marijuana were elected on the same day -- Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Dan Malloy (D-CT), and Peter Shumlin (D-VT). As a result, all three states are likely to pass favorable legislation in 2011.
6. THREE STATES REGULATE/EXPAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS
While state governments sometimes tweak their existing medical marijuana laws, Colorado's government did much more than that in 2010 when it passed a new law for issuing approximately 2,000 licenses to medical marijuana retailers, growers, and kitchens; as a result, medical marijuana businesses are now scattered around the state like pharmacies. Also, Maine's health department issued regulations to establish eight medical marijuana dispensaries, building on the MPP-authored ballot initiative that Mainers passed with nearly 59% of the vote in November 2009. And, to close out 2010, New Mexico's health department increased the number of dispensaries in the state to 25.
7. LOCAL INITIATIVE VICTORIES IN FOUR STATES
In Massachusetts, voters in nine legislative districts passed initiatives recommending that medical marijuana be legalized on the state level; in another nine legislative districts, Massachusetts voters recommended that marijuana be legalized entirely. In Wisconsin, voters in two local jurisdictions urged their state legislature to legalize medical marijuana. In California, voters in two cities blocked dispensaries from being banned. And in Colorado, voters in 8 cities and counties voted to allow dispensaries (this overt support is significant, even though voters in another 34 Colorado municipalities decided to ban dispensaries).
8. VETERANS AFFAIRS RECOGNIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA
For the first time since 1978, a federal agency recognized marijuana's therapeutic value when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new policy in 2010, stating that veterans who use medical marijuana legally under state law would no longer be denied other prescription medications or treatments.
9. TWO GOOD COURT DECISIONS IN CALIFORNIA
In the "Anaheim" case, a California appellate court found that federal law doesn't prevent cities and counties from licensing medical marijuana dispensaries. And in a separate case, a California superior court blocked an L.A. City Council ordinance that would have wiped out most dispensaries in the second largest city in the U.S. (Neither case has reached its final conclusion yet, however.)
10. CALIFORNIA IMPROVES EXISTING DECRIMINALIZATION LAW
In 1975, California decriminalized marijuana, meaning that people who were apprehended with up to an ounce of marijuana could not face jail time. In 2010, the California government improved this law by changing marijuana possession from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction, meaning that -- in addition to not facing jail time -- small-time marijuana offenders will no longer have to appear before a judge, pay court costs or hire a lawyer, or get stuck with a criminal record.
Suns should trade Nash
After a trip to the conference finals last season, the prospects in Phoenix Suns land have changed from scorching-hot to bitter-cold in seemingly no time.
Currently sporting a 14-18 record, the Suns are losers of nine of their past 12 games, with the latest defeat coming at the hands of the Sacramento Kings -- the team with the worst record in the NBA. To make matters worse, Phoenix is slated to play a winning team in five of its next seven games, beginning with the Lakers at home Wednesday night 1/5/10.
In a desperate move to shake things up and fortify the defense, the Suns executed a blockbuster December trade with the similarly underachieving Orlando Magic, netting Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat and Vince Carter in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu, Earl Clark and Jason Richardson. The deal was supposed to revive the Suns' playoff hopes. But Phoenix has gone 1-4 with its new pieces.
Then there's Steve Nash, who's standing on the bow of a sinking ship. The former MVP continues to play brilliantly at the point guard position, averaging 17.2 points and 10.6 assists while ranking sixth leaguewide in player efficiency rating (24.1). This despite being a month from celebrating his 37th birthday and playing innocent bystander through the organization's painful overhaul.
So what to do with Nash? Here are the variety of options the Suns face
Currently sporting a 14-18 record, the Suns are losers of nine of their past 12 games, with the latest defeat coming at the hands of the Sacramento Kings -- the team with the worst record in the NBA. To make matters worse, Phoenix is slated to play a winning team in five of its next seven games, beginning with the Lakers at home Wednesday night 1/5/10.
In a desperate move to shake things up and fortify the defense, the Suns executed a blockbuster December trade with the similarly underachieving Orlando Magic, netting Mickael Pietrus, Marcin Gortat and Vince Carter in exchange for Hedo Turkoglu, Earl Clark and Jason Richardson. The deal was supposed to revive the Suns' playoff hopes. But Phoenix has gone 1-4 with its new pieces.
Then there's Steve Nash, who's standing on the bow of a sinking ship. The former MVP continues to play brilliantly at the point guard position, averaging 17.2 points and 10.6 assists while ranking sixth leaguewide in player efficiency rating (24.1). This despite being a month from celebrating his 37th birthday and playing innocent bystander through the organization's painful overhaul.
So what to do with Nash? Here are the variety of options the Suns face
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2010 Close Calls
If my fucking list was not enough music for you shit breeders. This is a bunch of albums that could have made the list this year. However, they fucking did not get in this year. I am going to give you these for free all assholes can thank me later, because I just gave you all lot of gems that you fucks did not know about lets go bitch’s
Slang – life made me hardcore,
American cheese burger / Bukkake Boys Split
Pollution – R smut
Culo – military trend
Black Milk – 365
Nerveskade – LP
Crazy Spirit – Burning churches EP
Iron Lung – Reissue
Deathraid – all life ends LP
Hellkontrol – wanker war 10”
System Fucker/ d clone split 7”
Chaso Channel LP
Prosthetics – bad intentions
Big K.R.I.T – Mix tape
Curren$y - 'Pilot Talk II'
yU - 'Before Taxes'
CurT@!n$: Killer Tape
Nipsey Hu$$le: The Marathon
Hank IV- III
Chainsaw to the Face 7”
BloodType – EP
Nomos One sided 12 “ EP
THOU:
Baton Rouge, You Have Much to Answer for: 12" EP
SYSTEMATIC DEATH / SEE YOU IN HELL:
Split: EP
Wiz Khalifa Kush and Orange Juice
Slang – life made me hardcore,
American cheese burger / Bukkake Boys Split
Pollution – R smut
Culo – military trend
Black Milk – 365
Nerveskade – LP
Crazy Spirit – Burning churches EP
Iron Lung – Reissue
Deathraid – all life ends LP
Hellkontrol – wanker war 10”
System Fucker/ d clone split 7”
Chaso Channel LP
Prosthetics – bad intentions
Big K.R.I.T – Mix tape
Curren$y - 'Pilot Talk II'
yU - 'Before Taxes'
CurT@!n$: Killer Tape
Nipsey Hu$$le: The Marathon
Hank IV- III
Chainsaw to the Face 7”
BloodType – EP
Nomos One sided 12 “ EP
THOU:
Baton Rouge, You Have Much to Answer for: 12" EP
SYSTEMATIC DEATH / SEE YOU IN HELL:
Split: EP
Wiz Khalifa Kush and Orange Juice
Top Records of 2010
Holy fuck, it is time again the top records of the year. However this year I will be switching up the format. I will not give you info on all of the albums, this year is going to be a straight up fucking list so, I can give you dumb fucks more music. When it comes to the music there will be no bullshit like Lil Wayne, fake ass Rick Ross, Drake, no bullshit rock that is played on any gay radio station, always their will be nothing for the Hipsters. No let the fucking fun and games begin. (This will be a Total Mind fuck shit breeders.)
20. Darius Rucker - Charleston, SC 1966
19. The Alchemist + Oh No (Gangrene)
18. The Madlib/Strong Arm Steady - Stoney Jackson
17. Foreign Exchange - 'Authenticity
16. Nightgaun – Hopeful helpless EP
15. Sex Prisoner – Judgment EP
14. The Wankey / Lotus Fucker split EP
13. Get Rad – I can live
12. Tech N9ne – Bad Season
11. Capitalist Casualties/ Man is Bastard split reissue
10. Bastard Noise- A Culture of Monsters
09. Systematic Death – Systemania Vol 1, Vol 2
08. V/A Nagoya City Hardcore
07. Spazz – Crush Kill Destroy Reisusse
06. Sun Ra and his Arkestra – The sub dwellers and the other darkness
05. Cough – Ritual Abuse
04. Artificial Peace- Complete Session November 81
03. Vinnie Paz - 'Season Of the Assassin'
02. The Endless Blockade/ Bastard Noise – The Red list
01. Acephalix – Aporia
20. Darius Rucker - Charleston, SC 1966
19. The Alchemist + Oh No (Gangrene)
18. The Madlib/Strong Arm Steady - Stoney Jackson
17. Foreign Exchange - 'Authenticity
16. Nightgaun – Hopeful helpless EP
15. Sex Prisoner – Judgment EP
14. The Wankey / Lotus Fucker split EP
13. Get Rad – I can live
12. Tech N9ne – Bad Season
11. Capitalist Casualties/ Man is Bastard split reissue
10. Bastard Noise- A Culture of Monsters
09. Systematic Death – Systemania Vol 1, Vol 2
08. V/A Nagoya City Hardcore
07. Spazz – Crush Kill Destroy Reisusse
06. Sun Ra and his Arkestra – The sub dwellers and the other darkness
05. Cough – Ritual Abuse
04. Artificial Peace- Complete Session November 81
03. Vinnie Paz - 'Season Of the Assassin'
02. The Endless Blockade/ Bastard Noise – The Red list
01. Acephalix – Aporia
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