The Other IRS Scandal: Outright War Against Marijuana Dispensaries

Clarence Walker | Drug War Chronicle | AlterNet | May 17, 2013

Dispensaries providing marijuana to doctor-approved patients operate in a number of states, but they are under assault by the federal government. SWAT-style raids by the DEA and finger-wagging press conferences by grim-faced federal prosecutors may garner greater attention, but the assault on medical marijuana providers extends to other branches of the government as well, and moves by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to eliminate dispensaries’ ability to take standard business deduction are another very painful arrow in the federal quiver.

The IRS employs Section 280E, a 1982 addition to the tax code that was a response to a drug dealer’s successful effort to claim his yacht, weapons purchases, and even illicit bribes as business expenses. Under 280E, individuals involved in the illicit sale of controlled substances — including marijuana, even medical marijuana in states where it is legal — cannot claim standard business expenses on their federal taxes.

“The 280E provision which requires certain businesses to pay taxes on their gross income, as opposed to their net income, is aimed at shutting down illicit drug operations, not state-legal medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Kris Hermes, spokesman for the medical marijuana defense group  Americans for Safe Access.” Nonetheless, the Obama Administration is using Section 280E to push these local and state licensed facilities out of business.”

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Poll shows most Britons want gay marriages and straight civil partnership

Rakshita Patel | Gay Star News | May 20, 2013

Most Britons back same-sex marriage legislation with only a third against.

That’s the result of a new poll by YouGov.

It indicated ongoing support for the legislation going through the UK Parliament for the change in England and Wales. Separate legislation is being developed in Scotland.

The survey found 54% of Britons support same sex marriage legislation, with 36% opposed. Among Conservatives, more people oppose the measures than support them but the margin is narrow (48% to 45%).

And 64% of Britons support opening up civil partnerships to straight couples. Heterosexuals in a relationship were the most likely to back the change (73% supportive).

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Church of Scotland to debate gay ministers

Joe Morgan | Gay Star News | May 20, 2013

Church of Scotland’s General Assembly is to debate gay ministers in same-sex relationships today (20 May).

The institution’s governing body will consider whether to allow people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, four years after the first openly gay minister was ordained.

They will be discussing a 94-page report by the Theological Commission, which sets out arguments on both sides.

But while there is no guarantee of a final decision, it looks likely the General Assembly will say whether they will side with the liberals in favor of gay ministers and traditionalists who are not.

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Ugandan government raids close down Red Pepper and Daily Monitor

Melanie Nathan | Oblogdeeoblogda | May 20, 2013.

The Ugandan authorities are searching a variety of media outlets looking for an original press release, purportedly evidence in a crime, which seems to relate to the recent military controversy involving a Ugandan general.  A Police statement on Monday indicated that they were searching  tabloid, Red Pepper and the Daily Monitor. This could result in the daily newspapers being inoperative for some time. Police have sealed off both.

“Uganda Police shall continue to occupy and search the two premises until the said documents are retrieved to assist with ongoing investigations,” said the police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba on Monday.

Red Pepper offices have been sealed off with “crime scene” yellow tape, according to one of the Directors, Patrick Mugumya. Heavily armed anti-riot, plain-clothes police personnel are stationed in and outside the newspaper headquarters. All staff have been directed to leave their offices.

In addition the authorities have silenced  the newspaper’s sister radio stations, Ddembe Fm and KFM which have now been taken off air. Several activists have condemned the raids and warned of the resumption of abuse of freedoms of press.

Sharp rifts in Uganda’s political and military establishment emerged last week with the sensational publication in the Daily Monitor of an internal memo the coordinator of intelligence services General David Sejusa (formerly Tinyefuza), apparently wrote to the director general of the Internal Security Organization.

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Revealed: Republicans knew about IRS investigations of tea party groups last July

Stephen C. Webster | Raw Story | May 20, 2013

Republicans in Congress have known that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) asked additional questions of some tea party groups seeking tax exempt status since last July, only recently raising the issue as a matter of controversy according to documents released by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The questionnaires were revealed after the IRS inspector general explained last week that agents in the Cincinnati office asked for more information of groups applying for tax exempt status if they had the words “tea party” and “patriot” in their title, apparently singling them out over liberal groups seeking similar classification.

“We would be happy to provide a status update to the Subcommittee staff and provide a copy of our interim and final reports on the matter when they are issued,” IRS inspector general J. Russell George wrote (PDF) to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) last July, according to ABC News.

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Report: More than 85,000 veterans treated for injuries involving sexual abuse

Arturo Garcia | Raw Story | May 20, 2013

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates more than 85,000 veterans were treated last year for injuries or sickness related to sexual abuse, the Associated Press reported on Monday.

The VA also said in figures released to the AP that 1 in 5 female veterans and 1 in 100 male veterans reported suffering sexual trauma during their service careers. The department defines military sexual trauma as “any sexual activity where you are involved against your will.”

The findings were released following the arrests of three military officers in charge of sexual assault prevention programs in May 2013, which has prompted Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to order new training for recruiters and officers heading similar efforts. A group of lawmakers said on May 16 that they are considering introducing legislation granting civilian courts jurisdiction over sexual assault cases involving service members.

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Official L.A. Condom Hits the Streets in 40 Foot Long Condom Mobile Game On!

Media Contact: Calvin Fleming (213) 621-4007 calvin@goodpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Official L.A. Condom Hits the Streets in 40-Foot Long Condom Mobile Game On! Suit Up, LA: Gay Basketball, Football and Softball Leagues Featured in New Campaign to Help Distribute One Million and One Free Condoms May 20, 2013 – LOS ANGELES – In an effort to encourage condom use and safer sex practices, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health will begin distributing its official “L.A. Condom” in a 40-foot condom mobile that made its debut at Long Beach Pride. Condoms being distributed feature new wrappers designed by local residents as part of last summer’s “L.A. Condom” wrapper design contest. The goal of the campaign is to distribute one million and one (1,000,001) condoms by the end of 2013. To help distribute the condoms, the campaign also announced that it is partnering with local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) intramural sports leagues, including the Los Angeles Flag Football League, Lambda Basketball and The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association. Other sports and activity groups are also encouraged to sign up for the condom distribution program. Team members from the LA Flag Football League, Lambda Basketball and The Greater L.A. Softball Association also volunteered to be featured in the new campaign ads. “Gay athletes have always been in sports and we’re delighted some professional athletes have made steps to live their life honestly in the public’s eye. We’re hopeful that this recent attention can help Lambda Basketball shine a light on causes important to us,” said Garsten Bergquist, vice president, Lambda Basketball. “Health education and community service are a part of our mission, so we’re happy to help promote a healthy lifestyle – whether it’s staying active by playing in a team sport or by using condoms and getting tested regularly for HIV or STDs.” “Some of the guys I play with were not out of the closet when they first joined the LA Flag Football League. Our group is so diverse and inclusive that we even have straight guys that play football with us,” said Ralph Sansano of the gay Los Angeles Flag Football League. “We’re happy to break stereotypes of what it means to be gay, bisexual or even straight. And we’re also proud to be out in the community to help promote safer sex and condoms.” “Since 1978, we’ve been a safe place for the LGBT community to play competitive softball,” said Ken Scearce, commissioner of The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association. “HIV is still a reality in our community and condoms are still the most effective way to prevent it. So, we’re happy to spread the word and distribute some free condoms during Pride season and at our upcoming events.” Residents can find a full list of locations distributing free condoms year round in Los Angeles County at www.LAsexsymbol.com. If your organization, business, sports team or activity group is located in L.A. County and wants to help distribute free condoms, please email your name and contact information to condomprogram@lasexsymbol.com. Last June, L.A. County Public Health’s Division of HIV and STD Programs announced the winners of its first-ever condom contest to design an official Los Angeles branded condom wrapper. The contest received over 500 entries with more than 185,000 online votes cast. An estimated 2,000 new HIV infections occur annually in L.A. County.  In 2011, the Department of Public Health reported more than 47,500 new cases of chlamydia, more than 9,500 new cases of gonorrhea and nearly 1,800 new cases of syphilis.         The L.A. Sex Symbol program is funded by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This initiative is intended to increase condom use, drive awareness of HIV and STD prevention, and provide information about HIV/AIDS and STD treatment and care. ### Openly gay athletes featured in new LA Condom campaign. 40-ft L.A. Condom Mobile made its debut at the Long Beach Pride parade West Hollywood resident, Adam Lyons, designed the “official L.A. Condom” wrapper. Ten additional “L.A. Condom” wrapper designs from the contest are also being distributed. Editor’s Note: Additional photography available upon request. Contact calvin@goodpr.com.

The 18-year-old activist who organized a Gay Pride march in Changsha, China has been detained by police.

On Top Magazine | May 20, 2013

The 18-year-old activist who organized a Gay Pride march in Changsha, China has been detained by police.

According to the AP, the teen, identified only by his surname Xiang, was taken into custody following Friday’s protest.   He has been ordered to serve 12 days in a detention center.

Officials have charged the teen with organizing an illegal march.  Street demonstrations in China require a permit, but few are allowed to proceed.

Roughly 80 activists joined in the march, carrying a giant rainbow flag in support of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) along a riverfront park.  IDAHO marks the 1990 date homosexuality was removed from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classifications of Diseases.

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NE: Omaha Mayor-Elect Jean Stothert Backpedals On Pledge To Repeal Gay Rights Law

Carlos Santoscoy | On Top Magazine | May 20, 2013

Omaha Mayor-elect Jean Stothert has denied she ever pledged to repeal a recently enacted gay rights law.

On Tuesday, Stothert, a 59-year-old Republican with 2 adult children, became the first woman elected to the city’s top job.  She will take over the reigns on June 10.

The Omaha City Council last spring approved the law, which outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment and service providers such as restaurants, hotels and bars.

While religious organizations are exempt from the law, a failed effort to force a vote on the law was led by a coalition of local clergy and churches.

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Can there be a new politicized Johannesburg Pride

Melanie Nathan | Oblogdeeoblogda | May 20, 2013.

This Press Release passed our desk, in what seems to be a follow up to the very controversial events surrounding Johannesburg Pride over this past year and its subsequent cancellation:

New Committee to Organise People’s Pride Johannesburg on 5 Oct. 2013

Johannesburg, 20 May 2013

A meeting on 18 May of the recently formed organising committee of about 30 individuals decided on a broad programme of action for the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, and queer (LGBTIAQ) Pride in Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Pride 2013 will consist of public art installations, performances, exhibitions, direct action, workshops, and debates over the months leading up to a march on October 5.

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