No longer will fliers passing through California’s Los Angeles International Airport be forced to endure harassment by panhandlers.

Wednesday marked the declaration by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals clearing the way for airport law enforcement to prohibit groups from soliciting and receiving money in the terminals, parking areas, and sidewalks of the airport. In fact, those who choose to continue panhandling will face a penalty of up to six months in jail or even a fine of $1,000.

“This is a huge step forward in ensuring the comfort and safety of the traveling public at LAX,” said Los Angeles World Airports’ Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey in a public statement.

“From now on the traveling public will not have to worry about solicitors asking for money.”

13 years after the International Society of Krishna Consciousness of California sued Los Angles for banning groups of solicitors and violating First Amendment rights, the decision was finally upheld. Arguments against the ordinance cite that seizing of aggressive soliciting tactics 25 years ago and subsequent lower numbers of complaints shows that panhandling is harming no party in a direct fashion.

“If somebody says no, devotees leave them alone and move on to the next person,” said Amarendra Dasa, a longtime lawyer for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

“We don’t approach people in ticket lines or security lines, we don’t bother them while they’re getting their baggage or while they’re in the food court; and of course, we’re always offering something of value, our spiritual books.”

An injunction prevented the city from enforcing the ordinance since then, but earlier this year, the California Supreme Court upheld the ordinance. Organizations are welcome to hand out literature and ask for donations via official avenues, but direct exchange of currency is no longer welcome in the LAX airport.

7-year old Hong Kong-based Wicked Lasers faces legal action if not willing to cease and desist producing the new and high-powered laser that resembles “Star Wars” light saber sword fabrication a little too much.

In a letter to Wicked Lasers last month, Lucas claims that “it is apparent from the design of the Pro Artic Laser that it was intended to resemble the hilts of our light saber swords, which are protected by copyright,” and insists on a change in the laser’s design or a complete halt to its production.

The letter calls the company’s newest laser “a highly dangerous product with the potential to cause blindness, burns and other damage to people and/or property.”

Steve Liu, CEO of Wicked Lasers, responded to the threat of legal action by pointing out that the company previously sold similar lasers for the past seven years without a single reference to the fabricated weapon wielded by “Star Wars” characters.

The company claims that the gadget running $199 is just that, a gadget. The design of the new laser is fairly typical for any handheld laser and the company insists that it is not a copy of the light saber.

While marketing of the laser is aimed primarily at industrial, military, and research customers with no comparison to the term ‘light saber,’ tech blogs aimed at domestic consumers have frequently made such a comparison with one called Gizmodo calling it “a real life light saber,” and the Daily Tech blog calling it “perhaps the first consumer laser weapon.” This has only served to fuel Lucasfilm Ltd.’s accusatory stance against the laser.

“These references make it clear that the public is being led to believe that the Pro Arctic Laser is an official light saber device and/or copied from our design,” the Lucasfilm letter said.

Despite the threat of legal action from Lucasfilms, Wicked has not stopped selling the laser or taken any steps towards changing the design of the laser. The letter asked for written assurance of changes within five business days or threatened “the initiation of legal proceedings without further notice to you.”

Liu remains optimistic, hoping that it doesn’t come to that conclusion.

“Personally, they’re some of my favorite movies,” he said.

Associates of the American Civil Liberties Union are issuing travel alerts for anyone heading to Arizona for this coming fourth of July holiday weekend. This is the most recent effort made by this group to denounce the state’s new immigration law.

Under the condition of the law police are allowed to inquire any person that is a suspect for a crime.

“Although the law is not scheduled to go into effect until July 29, the ACLU is concerned that some law enforcement officers are already beginning to act on provisions of the law,” is posted on the ACLU website.

“We hope the alerts provide people with some measure of protection from illegal harassment from law enforcement and inform them of their rights should they encounter it.”

The warning that is being broadcasted by ACLU associates from distances as far as Alaska and New York alert people of their merits if questioned by police in Arizona.
Commentators on this new law feel that it will lead to racial profiling by police which will cause police to distrust Latinos in Arizona. There have been large groups that have shown their opposition to this law by having protests and boycotts targeting Arizona.

Because of the increasing number of people illegally crossing the border from Mexico, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and other state officials feel that the law is necessary. According to Brewer the law is not preying on any persons particular background.

“It wouldn’t matter if you are Latino or Hispanic or Norwegian,” she said last month. “If you didn’t have proof of citizenship and the police officer had reasonable suspicion, he would ask and verify your citizenship. I mean, that’s the way that it is. That’s what the federal law says. And that’s what the law in Arizona says”.

On a poll conducted by CNN/Opinion Research Corp in late may it was concluded that 57 percent of people surveyed were in favor of Arizona’s new law, while 37 percent were against it.

In that same poll it was concluded that six out of 10 respondents felt that the federal government should be more pro-active on preventing illegal aliens from crossing in the U.S. border. They also felt that those already here should be deported. 

Amazon Digital Services has released a large screen Kindle DX electronic reader. The new version of the black and white reader was introduced on Thursday morning with a price reduction from $489 to $379.

The new Kindle DX boasts of a 9.7 inch screen enclosed in a dark graphite frame. A company spokesman stated that the gadget utilizes an electronic ink screen which makes a major improvement in text and image clarity. Its performance is more than half times the previous versions.

The DX which was initially meant for reading newspaper and text books did not perform as expected. The newer version can read a broad range of materials like graphic books and PDFs. The battery fully charged can last up to one week without recharging with wireless on but if wireless is off, the power can go up to two weeks.

Its price is seen to be high compared to other readers. Critics say its cost is almost that of an Apple iPad which has a lot of functions. However, the company defended the pricing stating that it can hold up to 3,500 books, periodicals and documents. Synchronization is done by Whilspersync technology which saves user library and last page read.

For social network lovers, the device allows one to share reading passion on face book or twitter and to enjoy 3G wireless coverage locally and internationally. The most amazing feature is the read-to-me feature. This allows the device to read aloud newspapers, magazine, blogs and books.

Amazon.com has made it clear that it will be serving even clients who are outside the United States.

The oil spill on the Gulf Coast has states and visitors bureaus in a frenzy trying to reassure the public and potential temporary beach bum tourists. Here’s the latest scoop on the effects of the oil spill on Gulf Coast traveling destinations.

Northwest Florida

Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key beaches have been deemed affected by the oil spill, with photos from the area showing patches of dark and sticky oil tainting the white sand. However, the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau assures the public that the situation is getting better.  After two successive clean high-tide cycles, the health advisory issued this week for a stretch of beach in the western end of the county has been lifted. Panama City Beach remains open and safe to swim; however, small tar balls and scattered oil patches do remain, according to the visitor’s bureau.

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Oil seems to affect the coast of Louisiana from the mouth of the Mississippi extending to the east; however, most of the Louisiana Gulf Coast remains unaffected by the spill, allowing visitors the benefits of recreational fishing and swimming. But the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention bureau claims that Grand Isle has closed its public beach.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

All of the Gulf Islands National Seashore sites, which are in Florida and Mississippi, are open, according to the National Park’s website; however, there are still many spots affected by the spill, and a health advisory is in effect because significant quantities of oil have been observed along the shoreline.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

Alabama seems to have been hit hard with a significant oil presence according to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The beaches are open and visitors are still welcome to sunbathe and walk the beach, but we strongly suggest they swim in a pool or enjoy our many off-beach activities.”
The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued an advisory against swimming in waters off Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, and in bay waters close to Fort Morgan, Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou and Old River.