Rarely cited experiments from the 70s found that rats given plenty of space and things to do did not get addicted to morphine as rats in small cages do.

Experiments on rats don't prove anything about humans, but there are results about humans that suggest similar conclusions.

80 to 90% of those who use crack and methamphetamines do not get addicted, according to Prof Carl Hart who studies them. They regularly choose to go without the drug after the morning in exchange for money to be received weeks later. Every meth user in the study chose to do without the drug to get $20 later.

This suggests that the pressure and pain of being poor in modern society, made worse by the impoverishment of plutocratic rule, are a big factor in the heavy use of narcotics.

Everyone: send a message of support for the Greenpeace activists that have been captured by Russian troops.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation challenges the US government to promise it won't digitally search, subpoena or arrest journalists such as Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras if they return to the US.

Overfishing is reducing the numbers of sea bass; protection is urgent.

The sequester is mainly hurting non-rich Americans, and will continue to do so until it is eliminated.

The sequester was a bipartisan initiative. So much for the supposed virtue of bipartisanship.