Stink.
"Vt. House votes to decriminalize marijuana
The Vermont House has given final approval to a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. The bill passed Tuesday on a vote of 92 to 49, after being given preliminary approval Friday. Instead of a criminal penalty, those caught with up to an ounce of marijuana would face a civil fine, like a traffic ticket, of up to $300. It also seeks to reduce the chances that anyone caught with up to 2 ounces would have a permanent criminal record, and defines a new crime of driving while smoking marijuana. Possession on school property by someone 21 or older would still be a crime. The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Richard Sears, said he thinks the bill will get similar support in the Senate."
Also see: Vermont co-ops push for GMO labeling
Taking on Monsanto all by yourselves?
"6 Mass. women set for trial in nuclear protest" by Dave Gram | Associated press, November 23, 2012
MONTPELIER — Six Massachusetts women are scheduled to go on trial next week on trespassing charges stemming from a protest at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant two days after the state was hammered by Tropical Storm Irene.
The women, members of the Shut It Down Affinity Group, used a chain and padlock to lock the entrance gate in Vernon on Aug. 30, 2011, and tethered themselves to the fence, group members said.It was one of about 22 protests the group has mounted against the reactor’s continued operation in recent years. There have been five similar protests since the one that triggered the trespassing charges.
The six defendants were identified as Frances Crowe, 93, Nancy First, 82, and Patricia Wieland, 68, all of Northampton; Hattie Nestel, 73, of Athol; Ellen Graves, 69, of West Springfield; and Mary Kehler, also known as Betsey Corner, 64, of Colrain.
Not wanting to down the effort or anything, but where are the young people?
Neither Windham County State’s Attorney Tracy Kelly, nor her deputy, Steven Brown, would say why charges resulted from that protest and not any of the other roughly two dozen similar events in recent years.‘‘Historically, the Windham County state’s attorney’s office has not filed charges against Vermont Yankee protesters,’’ Shriver said.
Crowe and Nestel said there was nothing unusual about their behavior at the plant gate compared with other protests. But they said Vernon Police Chief Mary Beth Hebert expressed displeasure that they would hold a protest two days after Irene caused widespread flooding, leaving public safety personnel spread thin.
Calls to Hebert’s office Wednesday seeking comment were not immediately returned.
If convicted, the defendants each face up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.
Crowe said she was pleased her Vermont activities were drawing a tougher reaction from authorities. ‘‘We are very honored. They’re finally taking us seriously and they’re taking us to trial,’’ Crowe said.
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UPDATES (other things I drew in):
Shumlin plans trips to Florida, Italy
I suppose the saved ball funds will pay for the vacations, 'er, trips.
I suppose the saved ball funds will pay for the vacations, 'er, trips.
That was a long exhale.
