This new Flex Your Rights video explores an argument I’ve seen over and over throughout the internet. Asserting your rights is all candy and dandelions when it works, but in the real world it isn’t necessarily a straight-forward scenario. And honestly, this is not a perfect video, but certainly worth a watch. A major point I’d like to note, however, that could cause some potential confusion – when a police officer calls in a K9 unit, they will have a maximum detention time that they can wait for it. It’s usually a pretty long while – 25 minutes or so – but you aren’t just free to go if they don’t have PC. And unfortunately you’ll likely be handcuffed on the side of an uncomfortable highway. Yay!

(more…)

You may have seen the video of the Massachusetts man who refused to open his door for police. The cops were called on a report of domestic violence, which they are required to respond to. They are not, however, required to physically enter the home for such a call. They insisted that they be allowed in this man’s house, despite his and his wife’s assertion that there was no violence or argument taking place. Just some overbearing neighbors. If you watch to the end of the video, you’ll see an officer “politely” telling them of why the police expect to have doors opened for them.

Their story doesn’t end there. That “polite” cop – the one that everyone uses as a justification for cops being ‘the good guys’ – filed for an arrest warrant on both the man and the woman. The charges? “Maintaining a noisy and disorderly house.” Now, was this a legitimate complaint that needed attention, or police retaliation from some disgruntled officers who felt their authority was threatened? The penalty for first-time offenders of that law is $150. Did these citizens warrant an arrest over $150? It’s such an absurd assertion I can hardly wrap my mind around it. Imagine being pulled over for an illegal lane change and then immediately taken to jail.

This type of obscure, catch-all law is being used with more and more frequency as an excuse for police to circumvent common human decency and civil liberty. To avoid landing yourself in this situation, do not give the police any indication that you’re present at all. Just stay quiet, stay away from the door, and try to wait ‘em out. They’ll give up eventually.

http://www.pixiq.com/article/man-who-refused-to-open-door-for-cops-receives-arrest-warrant

No, it’s not a delicious fried pastry, it’s the product of American politicians doing what they do best: pandering to overfunded lobbyists and being malicious douche bags. Needless to say, Stoner Culture would most likely not exist at all if SOPA (House Bill 3261) or PIPA were to pass. You can also say goodbye to all your other favorite drug resources as well! Erowid, Bluelight, TCC, DMT Nexus, Opiophile, etc etc. I don’t think a single one of them would exist.

If either SOPA or PIPA pass, dark times will lie ahead for the drug enthusiasts of America. We will no longer have access to the resources that have helped make us responsible and safety-conscious drug users.

Us stoners have a reputation of being so-called “slacktivists” – only complaining about problems without taking any action or offering up solutions. So let’s change that image! Go here: http://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and tell your representative to vote against SOPA and PIPA as hard as they can. Remind them that as their constituent, they are working for you, more than they’re working for any lobby group or PAC.

Update: It looks like something happened! Google has reported 4.5 million signatures on their petition to stop SOPA/PIPA, and millions of others have signed at Avaaz, Fight for the Future, and the White House petition sites. An impressive number of websites blacked out their content, or publicly protested yesterday. Wikipedia, Craigslist, Mozilla Firefox, Reddit, Wired, Cracked, Ars Technica and Google (and a long list of 10,000 less prominent sites) went completely black yesterday, or joined the virtual rebellion by posting up messages and selectively censoring their sites.

In the most satisfying news, it would also appear that at least 10 senators have withdrawn support for SOPA. Three House Reps who initially co-sponsored the bill have backed out, weakening support at the very base. Politicians from all walks of life, including republicans from the deep South, withdrew their support. It may have taken the entire internet rising up, but it proves that – if nothing else – they aren’t completely bought out just yet.

Lotus

Never open the door for police. These guys made a great decision and served a wonderful example for Americans everywhere. There is absolutely no reason for the police to need to enter this home, but for some reason they are adamant about getting inside. Remember, the police have absolutely no right to enter your home with two exceptions: 1) they have a search warrant and 2) they hear a crime being committed, also known as exigent circumstance.

Whoever that officer was clearly just wanted to jerk off his dick of power, since the citizen had the “upper hand” by having the door closed. By gaining entry, the cop was able to exercise his power as an authority figure, and the citizen opened himself up to a world of potential trouble. Fortunately the officer meant no ill in this instance, but the moral stands: never open the door for the cops.

“It has nothing to do with being a man, it has to do with being a citizen.” Absolutely goddamn right.