Congressmen Pete Stark - Jared Polis - and Barney Frank introduced a serious of bills that protect medical marijuana entrepreneurs. The legislation classifies medical marijuana dispensaries as legitimate small businesses and thus able to take advantage of federal tax deductions just like any other small business. It also gives immunity from federal prosecution to any person or business in the medical marijuana industry as long as they are operating in compliance with state and local laws. Thom Hartmann speaks with David Selig, Conservative commentator and Allen St. Pierre, NORML

That Texas independent streak is showing itself again as the Texas state legislature is considering a bill that allows state police to arrest TSA screeners and throw them in jail for up to one year for their intrusive pat-downs with Texas State Rep. David Simpson (R-TX, 7th House District)

Fox is running segments named "Entitlement Nation: Makers versus Takers." They say there's a war going on in America - a war that pits the rich - or the makers - against the poor - the takers. And Republicans accuse Democrats of playing class warfare??

Wall Street regulators are finally holding oil speculators accountable for their role in the 2008 surge in oil and gas prices. Two speculators - James Dyer and Nicholas Wildgoose - are facing charges by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for manipulating the oil market and jacking up prices for the rest of us. These guys made off with about $50 million thanks to their scheme and now the CFTC is considering a $150 million fine - one of the largest fines in the history of the CFTC. But is a fine REALLY the appropriate punishment? If you robbed a 7/11 - and ruined the lives of its employees - and made off with $50, do you think the police would "settle" the matter with you for a $150 fine? No - these guys should be in jail. There's a bigger picture here when it comes to speculation and the Republican Party's crusade to deregulate Wall Street...and in the process leave our entire economy to the whims of corrupt banksters.