eccentric relaxation

Here's a sample of things that interest me while I wander the planet, mostly in the US and from couch to couch.

[merollala-blog]

Hoooollyfucking shit this is so awesome I've been waiting for someone in the research community to stick their neck out and say this.

[merollala-blog]

No, Marissa Alexander is Not a "Reverse Trayvon Martin" in Florida

An examination of the facts in Marissa Alexander's case reveals why a judge rejected her "Stand Your Ground" defense and why a jury convicted her.

So, let's get this straight:   In Alexander’s case, she might have received a lesser sentence under Florida law if she had killed Gray and been convicted of manslaughter rather than shooting at him and missing. Alexander, or Zimmerman for that matter, would likely receive a lesser prison sentence for killing someone than Alexander received for an incident that was deemed aggravated assault with the discharge of a firearm.  Florida would rather you kill each other for 'protection' than take reasonable measures of thwarting off threats, and then provide you a softer sentence OR an acquittal.  Daily show was right.  

[merollala-blog]

CNBC Hosts Decide To Teach Senator Warren How Regulation Works. Probably Shouldn't Have Done That.

Clearly they didn't read her bio before inviting her on.

What a G. Warren G.  Deregulation 'doe'

[dkgjedbaksckfbrkskssb]

State power is readily captured and used by the powerful. It is strange to build normative theories on the implicit prediction that, if only state power is expanded, it will probably be used to redress and mitigate rather than entrench and aggravate the inequalities that have developed in the market and society.

Jacob Levy (via derrinyet) big words, big meaning.  

[merollala-blog]

Almost 30K CA. inmates enter day two of hunger strike

Almost 30,000 California inmates have entered day two of a hunger strike in support of prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison protesting conditions of solitary confinement there, which can last decades.

[merollala-blog]

Former Sen. Gravel: NSA Leaks Should Have Come From Senators

Edward Snowden didn't have to risk years in prison, senator who published Pentagon Papers says.

[merollala-blog]

America against democracy

REVELATIONS in the wake of Edward Snowden's civil disobedience continue to roll in. The New York Times reports that the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court, also...

[merollala-blog]

I love Aisha Tyler. Seriously

Have my babies.  Also check it out because she probably actually wrote most / all the book.

[merollala-blog]

On The Political Economy Of Permanent Stagnation

Some gloomy thoughts.

I feel like this relates to me somehow... in that I don't feel represented by anyone in power.

[merollala-blog]

Oooooooppssss

[ford-deactivated20170110]

[merollala-blog]

my thoughts exactly

[merollala-blog]

Put the NSA on trial

With potential perjury by top officials, and new questions about spying, let's stop assuming everything is legal

[liberalsarecool]

[merollala-blog]

Chyep

[merollala-blog]

Portugal drug law show results ten years on, experts say

LISBON — Health experts in Portugal said Friday that Portugal's decision 10 years ago to decriminalise drug use and treat addicts rather than punishing them is an experiment that has worked.

Sup

[merollala-blog]

Conservative Reps Say God Told Them To Spare Boehner From Coup

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) survived a potential coup from his own caucus in January due to what some conservative lawmakers are attributing to divine intervention. After Boehner's fiscal cliff negotiations rankled many Republicans in the House, talk turned to possibly replacing the Ohio Republican. But, according to a report published online Monday in the Washington Post, the effort…

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[merollala-blog]

Chris Christie Will Spend $25 Million Of Taxpayer Money To Avoid Cory Booker

"I don't know what the cost is, and quite frankly, I don't care."

Ooops

[think-progress]

Remembering Senator Frank Lautenberg’s progressive legacy (1924-2013)