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Nearly 1 in 3 Young People Will Be Arrested by Age 23

A recently released study claims that nearly 1 in 3 U.S. youths will be arrested for a non-traffic offense by age 23. Zero-tolerance policies and a broadened definition of alcohol offenses are the cause of the trend.

Youngsters in Iraq are being stoned to death for having haircuts and wearing clothes that emulate the ‘emo’ style popular among western teenagers.
At least 14 youths have been killed in the capital Baghdad in the past three weeks in what appears to be a campaign by Shia militants.
Militants in Shia neighbourhoods, where the stonings have taken place, circulated lists yesterday naming more youths targeted to be killed if they do not change the way they dress

People Arrested for Cannabis Law Offenses this Year 113,159

Police arrested an estimated 858,408 persons for cannabis violations in 2009. Of those charged with cannabis violations, approximately 89 percent were charged with possession only. An American is arrested for violating cannabis laws every 30 seconds.

Source: Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Do you think your police department has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol? Think again. Many suburban departments actually have clauses in their union contracts which prevent any kind of discipline for officers with substantial amounts of alcohol in their systems -- even those nearing the state definition of legally drunk, an investigation by the Better Government Association and NBC Chicago reveals.

After a teen jail suicide in the UK in 2005 a mother has finally got a manual used by Britain's prison service on what appear to be vicious and violent methods of restraint and punishment inflicted on young offenders released under "Freedom" of information laws. It makes some pretty grim reading.

Corporate Political Spending Report Could Signal New Trend

The Center for Political Accountability analyzed a study this month revealing a slight decrease in shareholder support for greater transparency regarding corporate political spending. Though support remains just below the all time high of 35 percent, the slight trend reversal could signal a shift in the near decade-long trend.

The GAO has released its conclusion on a study commissioned to study a Pentagon study on its own studies. The study's conclusion was that the study of studies was ineffective. The taxpayer-funded cost for the worthless studies was not released, however.

Americans armed themselves to the teeth and paid through the nose to have a smoke, according to a U.S. government report released on Wednesday. The U.S. federal government collected $20.6 billion in taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms and ammunition in fiscal year 2009, up 41 percent from the previous fiscal year, according to the annual report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. --- Remember, kids... "Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms" should be a convenience store, not a government agency.

The underlying question is, with what do they want to replace their current government? Sudan is not likely to become a modern voluntary society and the story does not say what is wanted.