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PBC News & Comment Tuesday, July 17

Electronic Frontier Foundation report outlines use of aerial drones in the US;  cuts in federal spending coupled with increased costs will leave states in an economic slump after national recovery    See the EFF report here.

Also:

--Drug War's failure is more evident than ever, prescription drug abuse much greater than cocaine or heroin

--most drug convictions come from plea bargains, and the deals often include waivers of appeal rights;  NY Times blasts this as "railroading"

--Boy Scouts USA extend ban on gay scout leaders as they cover up thousands of child sex crimes committed by (presumably) straight scout leaders

--Obama legal team fights hard to maintain lawless zone at Bagram prison, Parwan, a report shows at least 50 prisoners are from outside Afghanistan

--in Bradley Manning court martial, motions are being heard this week

--Shell Oil hits major snags in its quest to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean

--in Tokyo, large protest against restarting nuke power plants