Philadelphia Saves $2 Million By Not Prosecuting Pot Smokers

Philadelphia Saves $2 Million By Not Prosecuting Pot Smokers: "

Just over a year ago, the powers that be in Philadelphia effectively decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana by offering offenders the chance to enroll in a three-hour class that would expunge the offense from their records. Not only did this give Philadelphia police more time and energy to focus on more serious crimes, it has also saved the city a pretty sizable Ziploc bag of green stuff.

'We were spending thousands of dollars for when someone possessed $10 or $15 worth of weed,' District Attorney Seth Williams tells the Philadelphia Daily News. 'It just didn't make any sense.'

Under the program, being caught with up to 30 grams of marijuana is no longer a misdemeanor but a summary offense. By simply paying $200 to attend the three-hour class on the ills of drug use and abuse, the arrestee's record is wiped clean of the offense.

Before this change, offenders faced up to $500 in fines and possible, though unlikely jail time. If the suspect fought the charges, this meant expenses for the city -- prosecutors, judges, lab tests, public defenders, etc. By all but decriminalizing pot, Williams estimates that the city has saved $2 million in the last 12 months.

Additionally, police tell the News that there has been no noticeable impact on the quality of life in Philadelphia since the program went into effect.

Looking at the bigger picture, DA Williams says the current way most U.S. authorities treat drug possession is shortsighted.

'I can put someone in jail for 90 days because they possess crack. But if we don't get them the help they need for their addiction, when they get out of jail, they're just going to be a 90-day-older crack addict,' he explains. 'We have to treat drug addiction as a public-health problem, not just a criminal-justice problem.'

D.A.: Philly's new pot policy just makes sense ... and saves dollars [Philadelphia Daily News]

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Why Text Messages Cost Cellular Companies Virtually Nothing

Why Text Messages Cost Cellular Companies Virtually Nothing: "

Whether you calculate it at 4,900%, 6,500% or 7,314%, the markup on text messages is huge. But maybe the number is really closer to infinity percent markup, as William Poundstone writes in his book Priceless: The Myth of Fair Value.

'Unlike e-mail, Internet, and voice data, text messages are piggybacked onto the cellular network,' Poundstone writes. 'They occupy otherwise unused space in a control channel used for network maintenance.'

This is why he calls text messages 'possibly the greatest ongoing con job of American capitalism.'

Rebutting such claims, a spokesman for Candian wireless company Telus told CBC in 2009 that the calculations leave out the costs of running the secure data centers the cellphone companies need for data storage.

Either way, in this case, fair market value is determined by what the market will bear. But with all the major carriers pricing similarly and with the barriers to entry into the market so high and with consumers locked into long-term contracts that are difficult to leave, the market has little choice but to grin and bear it.
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TSA Screener Accused Of Stealing $50K In Electronics From Travelers

TSA Screener Accused Of Stealing $50K In Electronics From Travelers: "

As if worrying about having your private parts groped -- or being scrutinized and mocked -- by TSA screeners wasn't enough, yet another airport security staffer has been arrested and accused of using his position to pilfer thousands of dollars worth of travelers' treasures.

This time it's a TSA screener at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida who stands accused of stealing around $50,000 in electronics in just the last six months.

According to CBS Miami, the screener wasn't just quick-fingered, he was also speedy about getting his purloined goods available for sale online. It's alleged that some stuff was stolen, advertised and sold all before he got off work for the day.

The man, who had been with the TSA for more than 2.5 years, was arrested after a Continental Airlines staffer claimed to have spotted him stealing an iPad from a suitcase and then stuffing it down his pants... A fact we're guessing he didn't advertise when he tried to sell his goods online.

A rep for the TSA tells CBS Miami:

The Transportation Security Administration has a zero tolerance for theft and we move swiftly to terminate the employment of anyone who violates the public's trust working closely with our law enforcement partners. The action of this former employee should not reflect on the outstanding job our more than 48,000 officers do every day to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

Earlier this year, TSA employees at JFK admitted to stealing at least $160,000 worth of passengers' property. And last fall, a screener in Newark, NJ, was arrested for allegedly stealing cash out of carry-on bags while his supervisor turned a blind eye.

TSA Agent Caught Stealing Electronics [CBSlocal.com]

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Facebook Fights Dirty – Uses Underhanded Techniques to Attack Google+ [Video]

Facebook Fights Dirty – Uses Underhanded Techniques to Attack Google+ [Video]: "

Looks like Google+ may have Facebook running scared but just how worried is the social networking giant? Well, if their latest attempt at a smear campaign is any indication, they may be getting desperate.

Christopher Soghoian is security and privacy blogger and it’s because of this area of expertise that Facebook’s PR firm, Burson-Marsteller, singled him out to write up a story attacking Google+ and their “Circles” feature. The PR firm even went as far as telling Soghoian that if he was “too busy” to write up the story, they would do him the favor of writing one for him, all he would have to do is sign his name on the by line.

The PR firm also approached 3 other privacy researchers promising them front page stories in high profile news venues like The Washington Post but even then, they couldn’t find anyone to bite. Soghoian, who was worried someone would eventually take them up on their offer, published the emails on his blog and appeared on Bloomberg West so that no one would be able to discredit him.

It’s also worth mentioning that although Burson-Marstellar wouldn’t disclose who exactly was funding them, but apparently the owner of The Washington Post just so happens to be on the board of Facebook. That should be enough to make you scratch your chin.

I can tell you that we get emails all the time by PR agencies asking us to review or cover their product but nothing along these lines. What do you guys think? Is all fair in love and social networking? Or will this latest stunt have you immediately deleting your Facebook profile and heading for Google+’s greener pastures?

[Via Bloomberg]

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Tequila-Spiked Smoothies Served To Trio Of Children At Chili's

Tequila-Spiked Smoothies Served To Trio Of Children At Chili's: "

Someone at a Chili's in Colorado made a big oopsy over the holiday weekend by serving up three fruit smoothies loaded with tequila to a trio of youngsters.

The kids' mom noticed something was amiss when her 8-year-old daughter began singing a medley of David Allan Coe songs complaining of dizziness. Mom took a sip of the smoothie, which she tells the local NBC affiliate was 'loaded full of tequila.... If I would have had one then I know that would have been strong for me, and I can't imagine how strong that was for them.'

She notified restaurant management and EMTs were called. Thankfully, nobody had to go to the hospital, though mom says her daughter did pass out during the fireworks show later that evening.

From 9news.com:

According to police, the drinks were poured into kid's cups, so police believe there could be a level of negligence there. Police also mentioned that the server should have noticed the mistake, seeing as it was during peak hours at the business. No one has been officially charged.

In a statement to the TV station, Chili's HQ says it is taking this situation 'very seriously'

and that it is conducting its own investigation.

For its part, the family says it hasn't decided whether or not they will press charges against Chili's.

Regardless, considering the number of stories in recent months about kids being served spiked drinks at family restaurants, mom and dad might want to steal a sip of their kids' drinks first. Who knows, maybe you'll score a free margarita out of the deal.

Restaurant serves 3 children alcoholic drinks [9news.com]

Thanks to Miss Dev for the tip!

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