http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/for-nsa-chief-terrorist-threat-drives-passion-to-collect-it-all/2013/07/14/3d26ef80-ea49-11e2-a301-ea5a8116d211_story.html

A diverse coalition of individuals have allied for an anti-war rally at the Oklahoma state Capitol. Theme of the gathering and related activities, slated for this evening (Friday, July 12), is “Syria – Not Our War!”

Coordinating the event -- which begins with musical entertainment at 6 p.m. and continues with a “left-right” spectrum of orations at 7 p.m. -- is state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Oklahoma City. Nathaniel Batchelder, director of The Peace House in Oklahoma City is assisting with organization.

The odd couple said they are opposed to U.S. government plans to support rebels seeking to oust the government of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Wesselhoft and Batchelder joined forces with four others in a press conference this week, explaining their motivations to Capitol reporters.

Wesselhoft stressed, “I am not a pacifist, and not an isolationist.” A common theme among the speakers tonight will be to stress that the United States is already involved in the conflict – and that said involvement is a mistake.

A retired military chaplain, Wesselhoft points out that at least two of the groups in the rebel coalition opposing the Syrian strongman have close ties to al-Quaida, the terrorist organization that coordinated the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

http://capitolbeatok.com/reports/oklahoma-coalition-forms-to-declare-syria-not-our-war

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Official-SF-plane-crash-victim-may-have-been-run-4651323.php

I wrote this poem in a public toilet after my 6 month old baby fell asleep. I was in town on my own a lot with her and the first time I fed her someone commented that I should stay home. Baby's need breastfed every 2-3 hours often. It's impossible to run home. It's a stupid argument anyway. But I was embarrassed and for 6 months took her into toilets when I was alone without the support of boyfriend, friends, mum etc. I hate that I did that but I was nervous, tired and felt awkward. And now I find it weird that our TVs, media etc never show breastfeeding in soaps, cartoons, anything. That we and the US are so bloody scared of it. It's weird. I find our culture weird and even weirder, when people are so strapped for cash. It is costing parents a huge amount of money paying for something which most of us, those of us who are lucky enough for our bodies to do so, get for free. I have a lot of mates who complain they're broke but stop breastfeeding cos they feel awkward, and pay for formula. Why are we paying billionaire companies for something our bodies produce for FREE. It's really good marketing that we feel so wrong doing something like this I think. And it makes me sadder every day. Next we'll be buying sweat in bottles from Tescos and rubbing it on our skin paying for electronic books to read nighttime stories. Oh, wait...

Source: Jerusalem Post

Islamist gunmen staged multiple attacks on security forces in Egypt's troubled Sinai Peninsula early on Friday, two days after the army overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, security sources and state television reported.

Attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades at army checkpoints guarding El Arish airport, close to the border with the Gaza Strip and Israel, in the latest of a string of security incidents in the lawless region, the sources said.

Separately, a police station in Rafah on the border with Gaza came under rocket fire, causing an unknown number of injuries among soldiers, according to the sources. The police post is close to the local headquarters of military intelligence.

On Thursday night, Eilat residents reported hearing explosions in the area, sparking fears of a rocket attack, however police had not located any fallen projectiles.

Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Egyptian-state-TV-Islamist-gunmen-attack-Sinai-airport-318832

http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2013/07/03/berkeley-pushes-back-against-federal-medical-marijuana-crackdown/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/hemp-flag-to-fly-high-over-capitol-building/2013/07/02/ac69c120-e264-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_blog.html

Laser view at @1:10

Source: Denver Post

Marijuana buyers will have to show identification and perishable pot snacks will carry expiration dates when Colorado marijuana retailers open for business next year.

State officials released more than 60 pages of detailed rules Monday on how the sales of recreational marijuana and edible marijuana products will be licensed and regulated.

Recreational pot has been legal in Colorado since last year, but retail sales don't begin until January. The voter-approved marijuana legalization measure adopted last year required the department to release rules by July 1.

The Colorado Legislature set broad parameters for recreational pot sales earlier this year, but many nitty-gritty rules were left to the Department of Revenue.

The regulations are largely dry details that make pot seem more like a loaf of bread or an over-the-counter sinus remedy than a party drug.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_23575299/colo-announces-rules-recreational-pot-sales

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More: http://kdvr.com/2013/07/01/colorado-rolls-out-recreational-marijuana-rules/

Source: Reuters

Islamist rebels in Syria's northern city of Aleppo issued an order on Monday banning women from dressing in what it considered provocative styles, angering some locals who accuse the group of overstepping its powers.

The Islamic law council of Aleppo's Fardous neighbourhood issued a fatwa, or religious edict, banning all Muslim women from wearing "immodest" dress and announcing plans to apply such rules to all female inhabitants.

"Muslim women are banned from leaving the house in immodest dress, in tight clothing that shows off their bodies or wearing makeup on their face," the statement said. "It is incumbent on all our sisters to obey God and commit to Islamic etiquette".

Hardline Islamist groups have increasingly taken the lead in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Many units, some of which are linked to al Qaeda, have stretched their influence beyond the battleground and established police and administrative councils in some rebel-held areas.

Read more: http://www.trust.org/item/20130701172315-tnkby/?source%20=%20hpbreaking