On the cusp of California's landmark Proposition 19 marijuana vote, it's important to remember how a long-developing underground network of boutique weed farms across the state have set the stage for legalization. Both hobby breeders and small business-style mini-farms have not only diversified and strengthened the plant's strain, but their proliferation has brought down costs and boosted the economy.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 05:32

Paul Krugman and Digbyboth highlight a blog comment on a thread about the Irish economy that's making rounds today because of its insight into what exactly the hallowed financial "markets" entail--people in offices making decisions and speculations.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 05:25

With all the talk of the "mancession" since the '08 crash, it might be easy to forget that skyrocketing unemployment and shifting family dynamics have had a profound effect on women.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 04:48

The protracted war in Iraq has had copious vocal detractors in both America and the UK, but earlier this year, a 21-year-old British woman's discontent turned sanguine. In May, Roshonara Choudhry approached Labour MP Stephen Timms at a public appointment and stabbed him two times in the stomach "to get revenge for the people of Iraq," the Guardian reports.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 04:24

During a lively and live televised debate over California's ballot measure to legalize marijuana on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" actor and comedian Zach Galifanakis surprised the panel (and, apparently, the folks behind the camera) by whipping out what conservative commentator Margaret Hoover appeared to verify by the "smell test" as the real thing. Whatever happens with Proposition 19, another taboo about marijuana -- that it shouldn't be consumed on live national TV -- was broken.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 04:10

They've already spent millions of anonymously-donated dollars targeting the most progressive folks in congress this election cycle, but that's not enough for the rabidly conservative donor groups that have been unleashed by last year's Citizens United decision. 

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 03:56

This month, a panel will convene to discuss what constitutes "preventative health" for women under the new health care plan. And the hot topic will be whether birth control falls under that category.

Now of course, from a common-sense perspective, contraception is the very definition of preventative care. It prevents unwanted pregnancy, it prevents abortion, and proper use of condoms prevent disease. Indeed, that's the position of most public health experts and many liberal lawmakers who helped craft the policy.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 03:11

In addition to the horrifying possibility of wins by Tea Party candidates, there's another reason to be apprehensive about tomorrow night: notorious race-baiter and liar Andrew Breitbart has been confirmed as a guest on ABC News during the network's election night coverage.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 03:00

In terms of overall cost to individuals and society, alcohol is worse than heroin, crystal meth, and crack cocaine, and far worse than cannabis and psychedelics, a British professor has found.

Date: Mon, 11/01/2010 - 02:41

Date: Sun, 10/31/2010 - 19:52