Freedom Lawyers of America

North American Muslims issue anti-terror fatwaTaipei Times [Taiwan]"Muslim scholars in the US and Canada were planning to release a fatwa(judicial ruling) yesterday saying that Islam condemns terrorism,religious extremism and any violence against civilians, includingsuicide bombings. They said that the fatwa is a response to thebombings this month in London and Egypt, and that they wanted themessage to reach both non-Muslims who believe that Islam supportsterrorism, as well as Muslims in North America and elsewhere,especially youths who could be susceptible to Islamic extremism. ...The fatwa cites the Koran and other Islamic texts, and says thattargeting innocent people is forbidden -- haram -- and that those whocommit such violence are 'criminals' and not 'martyrs,' as supportersof suicide bombers have often claimed." (07/29/05)http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/07/29/2003265518

Army: Mental ills worsen after troops returnCNN"A survey of troops returning from the Iraq war found 30 percent haddeveloped mental health problems three to four months after cominghome, the Army's surgeon general said Thursday. The problems includeanxiety, depression, nightmares, anger and an inability toconcentrate, according to Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley and other militarymedical officials. A smaller group, usually with more severe cases ofthese symptoms, is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, orPTSD." (07/28/05)http://tinyurl.com/7cwno


Sheldon (Shelly) Waxman, J.D. http://www.thelawyer.infoIC Specialist http://www.independentcontractor.info NewPulp Literary Productions-- http://www.newpulp.net

THE ONE THAT IS MOST PRO-GOVERNMENT WILL WIN. HAVEN'T YOU FIGURED OUT THE GAME YET? MAKES ME MADDDDDD. WHAT A LOCK THEY HAVE ON ALL OF US.

Subject: French Brandy.

Following is the official explanation of the Difference between Cognac. which is a kind of run of the mill brandy, with what I consider the king of brandies -- Armagnac. If I were writing about good brandy the first name that would come to my mind would be Armagnac. A pity they are both only produced in France. Armagnac claims a longer history than Cognac, probably produced by the Moors in the 12th century, and certainly from the 15th century onwards. Isolated from efficient transport links, it remained very much a locally consumed product until the middle of the 18th century. Production contrasts significantly with the much more industrial methods employed in Cognac. There remains a mood of experimentation in Armagnac: they freely use more fragrant grape varieties, along with a variety of distillation methods. It is slightly more rustic in style than Cognac, softer and rounder, with a fuller flavour on both nose and palate. The family-owned house of Nismes-Declou can trace its origins back to 1832. It produces Armagnacs of extraordinary intensity and finesse, allied with the capacity of ageing effortlessly for up to a century, and sometimes even longer.

What is the difference between Cognac and brandy?Brandy is named after the Dutch term 'brandjiwin': It defines a spirit distilled from wine or fermented juice and aged for at least six months in oak casks.Technically, therefore, all Cognacs are brandies. But while the brandy may be made anywhere in the world, Cognac can only be produced in the Cognac region. A decree passed in 1909 delimits the boundaries of the Cognac production area; later decrees define the laws to follow in order to merit the controlled appellation: Other laws cover topics including the two stage distillation, the maturing in oak casks in warehouses called "jaune d'or" (or golden yellow), reserved specifically for Cognac, the minimum period of aging of approximately 30 months.

Sheldon (Shelly) Waxman, J.D. http://www.thelawyer.infoIC Specialist http://www.independentcontractor.info NewPulp Literary Productions-- http://www.newpulp.net

California: DHS freezes medical marijuana IDs San Francisco Chronicle"The California Department of Health Services has formally suspended the issuance of state identification cards for patients for whom medical marijuana is recommended, pending a review by Attorney General Bill Lockyer. State Health Director Sandra Shewry wants Lockyer to assess whether the new ID program would 'aid and abet' people committing a federal crime, or whether federal agents might seize information from the program to prosecute such patients. The suspension was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court decision June 6 allowing federal prosecution of medical pot users, even in states that permit doctors to recommend marijuana. Only 123 ID cards have been issued in Mendocino, Amador and Del Norte counties since the state began the program in May. A plan to expand it statewide this summer is now on hold." [editor's note: The "unintended" consequences continue - SAT] (07/09/05)
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N E W S R E L E A S E
State Rep. Joshua D. ShapiroD-Montgomerywww.pahouse.com/shapiro
CONTACT: Paul ReschHouse Democratic Communications OfficePhone: 717-787-7895Fax: 717-783-6839Email: presch@pahouse.net


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shapiro legislation to ban nitrous oxide in street cars and improve roadway safety passes House

HARRISBURG, June 30 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Josh Shapiro and passed by the House today would prohibit the use of nitrous oxide systems to boost power in vehicles traveling on public roads.

Shapiro, D-Montgomery, introduced the legislation after a fatal car accident in his district in which the vehicle was equipped with a nitrous oxide tank. The accident claimed the life of a 16-year-old Huntingdon Valley resident.

Shapiro said nitrous oxide systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger drivers, because of their ability to provide an inexpensive horsepower boost. Nitrous oxide can be injected into the combustion chambers of an engine to increase power output. It is used to provide exceptional acceleration in short bursts. Most vehicles are not designed to perform beyond the manufacturer’s intent and, Shapiro said, the results can be tragic.

“When nitrous oxide systems are used in cars on our roadways, the result is excessive speeding that has the potential to take lives,” Shapiro said. “One of my missions in the House is to ensure the security of Pennsylvanians and this measure will go a long way toward improving the safety and security of our roadways.”

The measure, which passed as an amendment to another bill, would not apply to the use of nitrous systems in racing or race cars.

Last December, Greg Salmon, a high school junior, was killed when the driver of a vehicle he was riding in lost control and struck two trees. A nitrous oxide tank was mounted to the trunk floor, but police were unable to determine if an arming switch for the nitrous oxide was on or off. After the accident, local law enforcement authorities from the Abington Township Police Department asked Shapiro to introduce legislation to ban nitrous oxide’s use in street cars. The legislation was strongly supported by the state police.

“This legislation not only addresses the tragedy that occurred in our community, but will address the issue on a statewide basis so that we can prevent other injuries and fatalities from occurring,” Shapiro said.

Violations would carry a $25 fine plus additional fines for speeding. Motorists would also face a $250 fine for exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph to 30 mph. Those who exceed the speed limit by 31 mph or more would face a $500 fine.

The legislation would include an exception for vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide systems in which the canisters are removed or when the vehicle is in route to a track and the lines are disconnected.

“We are going to penalize people for using nitrous oxide on our roadways in an attempt to try and keep our roadways safe,” Shapiro said.

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We also want to alert you to a change in travel requirements. As of December 2005, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda and Panama will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This means people going on a cruise to the Caribbean will HAVE TO HAVE A PASSPORT as of December 2005. This new restriction includes the Bahamas. No longer will a birth certificate and drivers license suffice for travel documentation.
Travelers to Mexico and Canada face this requirement as of December 2006. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement. To get more information about getting a passport go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html