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Credit: Wikimedia Commons The United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on the Defense of Marriage Act (Windsor v. United States) and California's Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry) in the next few days. There is a good possibility the decision on these two cases will be reserved for last. The Washington Post offers an easy to follow graphic on the potential rulings and what the implications would be for each decision. It also provides status for marriage rights in each state. Check

Source: Industrial Hemp Tasmania / Facebook A bipartisan amendment to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (FARM Bill) that would guarantee a state's right to make its own decision regarding the legalization of industrial hemp was approved by the House on Thursday. Introduced by Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the amendment passed with a narrow 225 to 200 vote. In states where industrial hemp is legal, lawmakers an

I got in trouble and was threatened with expulsion from high school  for doing something right, not something wrong; what I wrote was good, proper journalism (see preceding post). There were no legitimate grounds for a lawsuit; that was an attempt at intimidation, which is why it backfired on the franchise owner and the corporation, not just because I was a sympathetic figure. I did nothing illegal or unethical to get in trouble; I violated no school policy.  So it was both unfair and inappropri

There is little-to-no controversy that eating a nutritious diet is healthy. We have a healthcare crisis in this country that is getting worse—not better. So, why does the federal government give subsidies through the farm bill to corporations and farmers to grow food that is not the most nutrient dense? Isn’t the point to keep our populace healthy? Making matters worse, why is food that is probably not healthy being subsidized? Once the body has received all the nutrients it needs to produce

Credit: http://educationviews.org On Friday, the national delegation for the Boy Scouts of America approved a resolution to lift the ban on gay scouts with 60 percent of the vote. While openly gay youth are now allowed to participate in the organization, the ban on gay leaders has not been lifted. In April, the BSA announced it would consider taking up the proposal to lift the ban on gay youth members, but keep the ban on adult leaders in what can only be interpreted as the organization's atte

Credit: voiceofsandiego.org On Monday May 20, 2013, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner attended a pretrial hearing at the federal district courthouse in downtown San Diego to show his support for defendant Ronnie Chang. Chang faces over 60 federal counts for operating a medical marijuana collective. Although Mr. Chang argues that he was in compliance with California state law, marijuana production and distribution for medical or any other purpose is still illegal under federal law. While Mr. Chang’s t

Top Stories on IVN Follow the Money Act Draws Criticism by Alex Gauthier Announced last month by Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the Follow the Money Act was received with much acclaim from citizens and nonpartisan organizations. Foreign Aid and American Foreign Policy by Chris Estep The United States sends billions of dollars in aid to foreign countries leading some to question if United States foreign aid is justifed for US taxpayers. Bipartisan Group Introduces Teleph

Tatiana Popova / Shutterstock.com Announced last month by Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the Follow the Money Act was received with much acclaim from citizens and nonpartisan organizations. Groups like the League of Women Voters, the American Bar Association, and the Sunlight Foundation praised the proposed campaign finance reform package. Currently referred to the Senate Finance Committee, S. 791 proposes to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and the Tax Code

*CORRECTION: The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is not counsel in the suit of a constitutional challenge to the U.S. government's No Fly List procedures in the federal district court in Oregon. Updated 2/20/13. On September 11, 2001, it was clear that air-travel could be used to harm innocent people. Congress responded by creating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on November 19, 2001. As part of its duties, the TSA, along with the FBI, maintain and administer cert

California District 19 Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson / PHOTO: Sen. Jackson's Facebook A proposed California initiative would lower the voter preregistration age to 15. Under the bill put forward by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-CA), 15-year-olds could preregister when they get their learner's permit at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Pre-registrants would remain ineligible to vote until they turn 18. "I see this as an opportunity to encourage teens to make sure they register to vote," Jac