Tuesday, June 16, 2015

A funny thing happens when drugs are legalized: Violence and crime happen a lot less




Don't have time to watch the whole thing? Here's a quick breakdown.

"Let's be real: Legal or not, people do drugs." And what the video says is true. 33% of adults have taken an illegal drug.




20% of people 16 to 24 years old have admitted taking drugs in the last year. That's 1 in 5.



So how can we safely regulate drugs? (Since keeping everything illegal hasn't accomplished much except imprisoning a lot of people...)

All governments together have spent several trillion dollars on the international war on drugs in the last 20 years. What has it accomplished? Black-market violence, public health crises, massive imprisonment of people...if this were an actual war, guess who would be on the losing side? Yep...the people. As in taxpayers and citizens. Us.

But there are bright spots.


Portugal decriminalized small amounts of drugs for personal use. The result? Fewer drug crimes and fewer people dying.


In the United States, 20 states have decriminalized marijuana, and many more will over the next five years.

Those states and the states that have fully legalized it have seen increased tax revenue from crops and regulation of the industry. And it's generating millions of dollars for those who work and invest in the production and distribution of it. Capitalism much?


Switzerland in the 1990s had one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Europe when it came up with the brilliant idea of giving out heroin prescriptions in community- based treatment programs. It worked. 

Heroin use went down, and new HIV infections declined by 87%. Yes, 87%. That's pretty huge.


A lot of countries have been a little afraid of trying new approaches. At the time, the United Nations wrongly accused Switzerland of encouraging criminals by attempting this experiment, which of course is not the case, given the data.

We should hold up the countries that are doing it right (or are starting to...right, USA?) as shining examples of how to deal with drug use by citizens.


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

What This Woman Was Able To Accomplish At The Age Of 92 Left Me Speechless

Running a marathon is a huge accomplishment. Not only does it test your body, but your mental fortitude as well. Between the sore legs, burning lungs, and emotional strain, it becomes a prety arduous task.

Not for this woman, though. She is a 92-year-old cancer survivor, and she just completed a marathon. It seems like nothing can slow her down.



So, what's your excuse? A 92-year-old just ran a marathon. And you just completed watching all of Frasier on Netflix. Maybe we should all take a page from Harriette Thompson's book.

QUIZ: How Much Does Raising a Child Really Cost?


24 Reasons Why Two Pets Are Way Better (And Much More Adorable!) Than One



Sometimes, having someone to just sit and watch TV with you is all you need to brighten your day. Even if you're not exchanging words with your pal, it's nice to know they're by your side. This applies to kitty TV, too, aka watching birds through the window. Cats and pups enjoy the company of cute companions just as much as people do, and they deserve to have someone to hang out with!

These guys are proof that two is definitely better than one.


1. When they roll in their own poo...at least they're cute when they take a bath together!



2. Puppy playtime is always better with two babes.



3. Two wrinkly lumps of fur are definitely better        than one.



4. Not sure if that's a look of love or mania...but either way, they make each other's lives interesting!



5. One in sepia, and one in black and white , no need to filter this photo.



6. Four giant puppy paws trotting on the hardwood floors just isn't enough.



7. For that one spot she can never seem to reach on her own.



8. Bird watching is much more fun with a buddy!



9. "The last time you used this, it smelled for days, mom."



10. Nope, you're not seeing double.



11. Separating these two would be un-American.



12. "You take her, too, or I'm staying."



13. "You wanna go pee on mom's bed?" "Sure, why not?"



14. Every king needs a queen!



15. Age means nothing to these two.



16. A puppy pillow is much better than any other pillow.



17. People aren't the only ones who like to spoon!



18. However, butt to butt is good, too.



19. "I just wanna eat you right up, bro!"



20. Who wouldn't want to wake up to this love fest every morning?



21. ...Or this?!



22. Road trips are better with an "I spy" bud!



23. "We were just talking, I swear!"



24. Puppy kisses are epically better.

Who could ever separate these cuddle babies? They'd be heartbroken if they ever had to leave their brother or sister. If you're thinking of adopting, consider looking for two buddies to take home together...If you're going to care for one pet, you may as well have two! They'll keep each other busy!