He Sold $190 In Marijuana. So The Gov’t Seized Grandma’s $54,000 House.

He Sold $190 In Marijuana. So The Gov’t Seized Grandma’s $54,000 House. is available on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court struck a major blow against forfeiture last week when justices ruled unanimously that it was illegal for Philadelphia authorities to seize Elizabeth Young’s house because someone in her home – her son — had less than an ounce of marijuana.

“This is one of the most important civil forfeiture decisions issued by a court and the most important ever issued in Pennsylvania,” said attorney Jason Leckerman. “The court has set forth a comprehensive constitutional framework for analyzing forfeiture claims that should substantially curb forfeiture proceedings in Pennsylvania and is likely to influence other state courts considering these issues.”

The court found that the seizure of the grandmother’s house and car because of $190 worth of marijuana was a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s ban on excessive fines, Institute for Justice attorney Nick Sabilla wrote in a Forbes article. The marijuana was sold by her adult son, Donald Graham.

Graham was sentenced to just 23 months of house arrest and never fined, but the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office decided to seize his 72-year-old mother’s house and minivan. Young’s attorneys sued, claiming the seizure of the $54,000 home was grossly disproportionate.

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“Civil forfeiture punishes property owners for someone else’s wrongs,” Young’s attorney, Jessica Anthony, told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “That means individuals can lose their homes because a family member, friend, or even a stranger has been accused of using, storing or selling drugs in their home, even if no one gets convicted for the crime. The loss of one’s home . . . is a harsh punishment.”

Victory for Property Rights

Civil forfeiture takes place in civil court, where the defendant has a lower probability of winning such a case. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court may have changed that in Commonwealth v. Young by ruling that courts and prosecutors must follow U.S. Supreme Court precedence. The U.S. Supreme Court had earlier ruled that it “‘would be grossly disproportional to the offense’ to force a man to forfeit $357,144 when he pled guilty to a crime that triggered a maximum $5,000 fine,” Forbes reported.

The case only applies in Pennsylvania, but other courts might borrow from its logic, Sabilla wrote.

“I am glad that this has come to some kind of conclusion,” Young told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I am glad that I will be here to see this thing cleared up. I never did anything wrong and I have been out of my house long enough.”

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DIY Projects Made from Matchsticks

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Creating art is always subjective and most of the times simple. This is the case with DIY projects. As you can see from the beautiful pieces featured here. They are the work of artist Pei-San Ng and display words of inspiration or encouragement. But what exactly are they? Wall art made with matches! Yes, you read that correctly, the artist transformed ordinary matches you use in the kitchen into pieces of art. A whole lot of matches were arranged neatly next to each other in order to form the desired word. The process is so easy that even a kid could do it. This sort of DIY project is awesome because you can decorate your own home with it or simply gift it to a person you care about.

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4 New Pistols That Turned Heads At The SHOT Show

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Colt Government Model 32

This year’s SHOT Show featured tons of new guns and products – too many for one person to see. But a few models and manufacturers kept popping up in conversations. Below are a few of those pistols that attracted many admirers all week. I was fortunate to handle most of them and even to shoot a few.

S&W M&P M2.0

S&W M&P M2.0

This pistol comes in 9mm (17 +1), 40 S&W (15+1) and 45 ACP (10+1). Barrel lengths vary, from 4.25 inches in the 9mm and 40, while the 45 sports a 4.6-inch barrel. The barrel, frame, grip and finish all have been upgraded. I especially like the aggressive grip texture (called cat’s tongue) and Armornite corrosion-resistant finish. The M&P M2.0 pistol can be purchased with or without a thumb safety and comes in matte black or flat dark earth. It also comes standard with two magazines and four interchangeable palm swell grip inserts. A low bore axis makes this pistol comfortable to shoot and reduces muzzle rise. MSRP is $599.

KAHR CT9 and CW380 (carbon fiber finish)

Kahr Arms has always been a name worth considering for your pistol needs. A black carbon fiber finish on some of Kahr’s most desirable carry guns is new for this year. I handled this pistol and I like the feel of it. The carbon fiber grip is appealing; the textured weave provides a realistic 3D appearance as well as allowing for more grip stability in your hand.

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KAHR CT9

The carbon fiber finish is new for 2017 in the CT9 and the CW380. It was available in 2016 in the CW9. With the Kahr 9mm and 380 being some of the slimmest handguns available, I dare say these three pistols with the carbon fiber finish will be in high demand in the concealed carry market. The carbon fiber Kahr pistols ship with one magazine, a polymer frame, and a drift-adjustable white-bar dot sight configuration. MSRP for the carbon fiber finish pistols range from $419 to $495.

Canik TP9 SF Elite

Canik has been leaving a mark on the striker-fired pistol market in the last couple of years. Now the company has come out with a mid-size carry pistol, the TP9SF Elite. Canik has been known for pistols running tens of thousands of rounds without a hiccup. The Elite has a barrel length of 4.19 inches and a magazine capacity of 15+1. I personally own the TP9 SF and have had zero problems — it runs! The Elite comes standard with two 15-round magazines, Warren Tactical fiber optic sights, a poly holster with paddle attachment and interchangeable backstraps. The Canik Elite will be available in a Tungsten Gray finish in the USA. MSRP is $459.99.

Colt Government Model 32

If you are interested in classic designs from the past, you may want to take a look at the Colt Model 1903 General Officer’s Model in 32 ACP. The gun is part of Colt’s classic remake program and is an exact remake of the classic John Browning design of over 100 years ago. Although this pistol was introduced at SHOT 2015, it was still a hit among visitors to Colt’s booth at the 2017 show. Colt joined forces with US Armament to produce this classic design. The pistol is made in both parkerized and standard blued finish and is marked “U.S. PROPERTY.” If you are a traditionalist and always wanted to own a classic gun, this pistol could be for you. You may want to hurry, however; there is a limited availability on these reproduction models. MSRP is $1,100.

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Learn About Survival and Preparedness Experiential Wisdom

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Survival training and application is almost always focused on gear selection. Certainly, gear pieces can help us out of a mess. Real world examples of survival in practice tell us however that developing your mindset, skills, tactics, and gear is the way to go. In this video, Craig Caudill from Nature Reliance School shows us how to develop each piece of survival and preparedness knowledge, as well as some of the most common pitfalls that people fall victim to in training and in real life.

Survival and Preparedness Through Experiential Wisdom

A lot of people ask survival experts what they should do to make sure that they don’t get injured, hurt or have a fatal incident during a wilderness survival situation. Some people think that skill is enough to get them through a life or death condition. Others may say that all it takes is the mindset and the will to live.

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Before you all put your thoughts and experiences into any efforts, Craig Caudill gives us four practical approaches on survival:

1. Mindset Development

Prepare yourself now for the eventuality that you will be in a survival situation. Learn how to still yourself. Get a stronger gut reaction to being outside, so that you can be more prepared mentally. This will help you:

• • Control your ego
  • Be more aware of your surroundings
  • Learn how to deal with stress
  • Calm yourself
  • Aid in making more appropriate decisions
  • Do what needs to be done in a wilderness situation, so that you can stay safe

2. Practice Your Skills Under Stress

The problem with focusing solely on skills once we have them is that we can’t replicate the conditions people find themselves in a wilderness survival scenario. Even with decent skill sets, small things may happen unexpectedly and cause stress which can lead to poor decisions. This, in turn, leads to a snowball effect and ends in tragedy.

Overcome that effect by practicing your skills under stress. Put yourself under certain weather conditions or stressful situations. Practice using the ferro rod, or maybe set up survival shelters, with the use of only one arm or one leg – then do it with minimal or no light. Creating a simulated drill under stress are just some of the ways to sharpen your skills.

3. Employ Tactics

What happens when you have to involve your family in a real world disaster or survival situation? Make a strategy or plan and work that plan so you can survive; regularly get together with the people that surround you; make sure you engage your family or whoever it is you live with; work with people that live around you. With these previous experiences under your belt, you’ll know that you have the ability to work with others.

4. Don’t Depend On Your Gear Too Much

It sure makes your life a lot easier, but the downside is we can become dependent on the gear. In this case, we run the risk of not being able to function at 100% – or at all – without it. There’s always a risk of losing your gear. It could also break or get lost. Study and learn about how the indigenous cultures survived without gear. With this, your chance of survival is still high even without any gear.

Additional Pointers For Survival:

Death By GPS

This is when GPS takes you off in a wrong turn and you can’t get back to where you’re trying to go because you relied too much on it, rather than your senses. Always remember to stay with the vehicle and be sure to rely on your own survival and preparedness skills over your technology.

Let Somebody Be In The Know

Make sure you inform someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. If something happens to you, and you don’t return at the prescribed time, somebody can get help to you sooner rather than later.

Overall, you have to practice your survival and preparedness skills through various realistic scenarios. This way, you get to stock up on your wisdom through experience, which will increase your chances of getting out alive.

Do you have any ideas on survival and preparedness you might want to add? Add them in the comments below!

Here are some six basic wilderness survival skills you might want to learn about!

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Keeping Bully Birds at Bay And Protecting Your Garden

Keeping Bully Birds at Bay And Protecting Your Garden was originally published on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Birds can be particularly tricky pests to monitor; they can be loud early in the morning which disrupts your sound sleep. Birds such as pigeons and doves are known for scavenging and tearing the grass out of flat surfaces and nibbling on plants, which could very well be your own personal garden. Finding a feeder that can keep birds occupied and off your lawn, as well as designing some homemade barriers that will keep these birds at bay, is certainly an achievable goal! Read on for some pro tips that will ensure your gardens are protected from all types of bully birds.

Keeping Bully Birds at Bay

Typically, you will encounter this problem with larger birds rather than the smaller ones. Particular species to look out for include sparrows, pigeons, doves, and wood pigeons.

The first suggestion that experts will give is to invest in a hanging feeder. Hanging feeders will attract the larger birds that you are wanting to keep away from your plants and flowers, but you will need to make sure that you properly equip the feeder to deal with small little mishaps. One such mishap is that seeds will most likely fall to the ground if you have smaller birds eating from the same feeder (which is highly likely to occur).

To avoid having your larger, peskier birds migrating to the ground to feed, place a bucket or a similar object under the feeder to catch the falling seeds; you could also place some wire mesh under the bottom of the feeder so seeds can fall in and collect, but this will need to be strictly monitored and emptied before pigeons or other similar birds flock and potentially ruin the mesh and even the feeder.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get crafty with some household items that need to be put to use, consider these following options for protecting any seedlings or budding flora and fauna from big, bad bully birds:

• Place inverted crates or disposable cups with the bottoms cut out over vulnerable plants or upcoming seedlings. Feeling super creative? One farmer has constructed a cone out of window screen cloth to protect his tomato plants!
• Got any fishing lines? Birds have an aversion to wires, and fishing line looks just the same to a bully bird. Even black thread will do – weave any of these materials over some posts set up bordering your garden and you’ll be amazed at how it keeps bigger birds away!
• Old wives’ tales exist for a reason – they usually work, and this one is no exception! If you’re hoping to stave off crows, soak a few quarts of dried corn in whiskey and scatter them near in close (but not too close) approximation to your garden, and the crows will come flocking – to the corn, of course, and not your beautiful crops!

They might sing beautifully, but birds can truly be pests for a farmer or gardener. Give these simple and easy solutions a try, and you’ll be able to enjoy the songs without your gardens suffering!

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A Floating Paddleboard Hammock Island

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Summer is good for visiting new places and relaxing. If you are one of those people who like to explore as well as try new ideas and opportunities, take a look at this cool device. The Hammocraft can provide with hours of relaxation on water. This device is actually a sturdy metal frame designed to support up to 5 hammocks and be installed onto two paddleboards. Once you’re on the water, preferably a calm one, you can chill like a boss! If you don’t prefer the water, you could always use the device on the regular camping site. Just like in the photos. Do remember to bring your paddleboards, just in case. Now take that drink or lemonade in your hand and enjoy the summer!

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The U.S. Government’s Secret Plans To Survive A Nuclear War (While The Rest Of Us Die)

The U.S. Government’s Secret Plans To Survive A Nuclear War (While The Rest Of Us Die) Find more on: Total Survival

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WASHINGTON — America’s leaders have made elaborate preparations to survive a nuclear war while everyone else apparently dies.

The plans go back decades and only cover top government officials, according to a new book.

“In the early 1950s, the government really hoped and believed it would be able to save most Americans,” writer Garrett M. Graff told The Washington Post. But “plans and ambitions gradually shrunk until, realistically, the best they could hope to do is save the senior leadership.”

Graff describes the elaborate plan in the book “Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself – While the Rest of Us Die.”

Graff discovered that the federal government maintains several huge secret underground fortresses where officials, officers and politicians — but not average citizens — would survive nuclear war in relative luxury. One of them, Raven Rock near the Pennsylvania/Maryland state line, contains several freestanding multi-story buildings with 900,000 square feet of office space.

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Raven Rock is where government leaders and top brass from the Pentagon would flee in the case of an attack on Washington D.C., Graff revealed. Former Vice President Dick Cheney hid there briefly after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Declaration of Independence Would Be Stored, Too

Another underground complex, Mount Weather in Virginia, once was where the Supreme Court, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and paintings from the National Gallery of Art would be kept safe. That still might be the case, The Post reported.

The exact details of the bunkers and evacuation plans are unknown because they are classified. Graff was able to learn some details of the plans by sifting through declassified documents.

Graff became interested in the federal government’s survival plans when a coworker found a misplaced government ID and gave it to Graff.

“The back of the ID had these evacuation instructions on it,” Graff told The Post. “And so I got on Google Maps and followed the instructions and they led to a road that very clearly went into the side of a mountain, and you can see on the Google satellite view big concrete bunker doors.”

Some tidbits about those plans include:

• The government has a number of custom-built 747s that are “fully staffed with battle planners and war planners and meteorologists and anything else you might need to run a nuclear war,” Graff said.
• The flying war rooms are protected from electromagnetic pulse attacks with a fine wire mess. They can communicate with nuclear submarines via a five-mile-long wire.
• The federal government’s last major effort to help citizens survive nuclear war in the 1960s involved the distribution of 150 million pounds of wheat crackers and biscuits to fallout shelters across the country.

Uncle Sam, it seems, is a prepper.

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