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PNN #238
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Water Producing Billboard
http://isupportorganic.blogspot.com/2013/10/billboard-in-peru-produces-water-out-of.html
The Dalai Lama Likes Pot
Homeless Programmer Released
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/10/update-homeless-journeyman-hacker.html
Friday, October 18th 2013. 1 ounce of silver is 22 dollars. 1 Bitcoin is 143 dollars. Peace News Now is brought to you by Bitcoin and Silver from friends of http://WeUseCoins.com and http://SunsOfLibertyMint.com. Trade value for value with “Fine Silver Quarters” from the Suns of Liberty Mint. That’s suns, with a “u”. The most divisible, usable silver on the planet. Order some today, that’s suns with a “u” http://SunsOfLibertyMint.com .
Engineers in Peru have invented a billboard that captures and filters moisture from the air, turning it into drinking water for any passers-by. The billboard is 50-feet tall and can produce 100 liters of water out of thin air every day. One billboard is capable of providing drinking water for hundreds of families per month. It was designed by Lima’s University of Engineering and Technology as an advertisement for enrollment. The billboard’s resourceful design takes advantage of atmospheric humidity to overcome the lack of transportable water in the coastal desert. Can you imagine these billboards in your city?
The Dalai Lama recently endorsed cannabis, and said it should be legal to use as medicine. The spiritual leader made the comments in the middle of a debate as Mexico City considers legalizing cannabis. He came to the event hosted by former president Vicente Fox, who supports legalization because it cuts off revenue for the drug cartels.
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As reported by Peace News Now this week, a homeless man named Leo, also called “The Journeyman Hacker,” was arrested after midnight for sleeping on a New York City Park bench. The out of work engineer’s crime was “trespassing.” He made headlines earlier this year when partnering with Patrick McConlongue to receive programming lessons.
Heather Callaghan at the Activist Post wrote an awesome article about this incident that I’d like to share with you.
Patrick had provided Leo with a laptop at his expense, and free software, books, Wi-Fi, and one hour lessons each day starting in August. Leo was set to go on The Today Show on Wednesday morning until police arrested him and confiscated his laptop and a new phone gifted to him. Patrick fought to have him released and push the hearing up so Leo could do his interview.
Patrick made this update Tuesday: Quote,
Leo was released early this morning, in an incredible turn around time. He was taken to the hospital in the middle of the night for throwing up (sounds like stress) but the hearing after went quickly. Leo said, “The Police were doing their job, the officer who arrested me was just following orders and was very polite.” The laptop and prototype phone were not returned but after walking back to the 10th precinct this morning, we were told some paperwork needed to be changed for it to be released and to return at 12:00AM to talk with the arresting officer.
Business Insider reported that Patrick went to the precinct but was unable to retrieve Leo’s personal belongings, including the Samsung computer Patrick purchased himself. Police refused to return the computer because Patrick could not provide a serial number, though he did show a receipt for the computer.
The two implored respect for the police and drew different kinds of jeers for their emphatic defense of the cops who arrested Leo. It almost sounded like a PSA to comply with the NYPD. They expressed sentiments for NYPD such as comparing them to 9/11 heroes and: “have faith in NYPD,” “they did nothing wrong,” “just doing their jobs,” “just following orders…” Whose orders?
If they did nothing wrong to arrest Leo, then why get him out – he would be a law breaker; and if NYPD acted rightly, that would mean they were justified in enforcing that law. Leo harmed no one – should he have been locked up and his few possessions taken and kept? It’s one thing to peacefully accept the crapstorm and find a solution; but it’s wholly another to eagerly defend unacceptable infringements. That complicity keeps bad behavior going.
Patrick made a point about the police action being part of an imperfect system. Meaning, it’s not their faults. Yet, how do broken systems continue? By its many enforcers who push empathy aside to “follow orders.” They did have a choice in the situation and they CAN give back Leo’s belongings.
Do You work in a bureaucracy? Remember that you are not just a cog in a machine. Your actions matter. The Milgram experiment proved the world is filled with people who will harm and even kill strangers when ordered by an authority. Be the exception. Think for yourself, and choose to do what is right.
Peace News Now is on the Next News Network and is brought to you by friends of http://WeUseCoins.com and http://SunsOfLibertyMint.com . Share this episode with your friends, and if you enjoyed it, send some bitcoin to http://Donate.PeaceNewsNow.com/. I’m Derrick J, reminding you that Peace is the way!