Just yesterday I was writing about the risk of online medical databases (like the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) being hacked, as happened in Virginia in 2009.

Today, a Denver non-profit medical group announced its database had been hacked and patient data compromised.

The group believes hackers may have accessed patient names, phone numbers, and medical conditions. It’s not believed that hackers were able to access billing information like credit cards.

Computer safety experts are warning other consumers to beware of hackers targeting medical data as it’s proving to be a valuable gateway for other consumer data. “It's incredibly valuable especially when it's medical information because it's tied to virtually everything," said John Sileo of ThinkLikeaspy.com, a identity theft protection agency.

How often do breaches of medical data occur? More than you'd think. [More...]

Donald Trump has announced he will disclose his preference for the Republican candidate for President tomorrow at 12:30 pm. If his candidate wins the nomination, he won't run as a third party candidate. Otherwise, who knows. But even if he decides to run, he reminds everyone he can't begin campaigning until May, when the newest Celebrity Apprentice finishes airing.

Update: Shaun White makes the history books. On his third run, when he already had the Gold, he steps up his game and gets the first ever perfect score of 100 from the Judges. Really amazing runs, and considering two days ago he was hobbled by an ankle injury, truly a feat. He is just incredible.

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Shaun White hurt his ankle Thursday but still qualified in first place and will compete tonight in the Men's SuperPipe finals at the X Games in Aspen. He's great, no question, but I'm rooting for Louie Vito. Big changes for Louie this year, no drinking and he's signed with Red Bull. Here are the finalists. You can watch live at 9pm ET on ESPN, TV or online. [More..]

Starting at 6:00 am this morning, the DEA and other agencies began raiding 25 residences in Denver and nearby cities for marijuana. It's part of Operation Sweet Leaf. So far, more than 1,000 plants have been seized. A dozen people have been arrested, and 7 children have been turned over to Social Services. More arrests are expected.

Authorities say this has nothing to do with medical marijuana.

Investigators say the raids were on a single organization growing marijuana in Colorado and then shipping it to as many as eight other states. The DEA, U.S. Postal Service and IRS are all involved in the investigation as well. The investigation does not involved marijuana grown for alleged medicinal uses.

Update: The cases are being brought in state, not federal court. Charges include racketeering, money laundering and drugs.

Agencies involved:

The joint investigation included the North Metro Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Agency, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Service, South Metro Drug Task Force, Boulder County Drug Task Force, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Denver Police Department Narcotics Unit and Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

The details aren't pretty. While Gingrich was clamoring for Bill Clinton's ouster due to Monica Lewinsky, here's what his ex-wife Marianne says he was doing: Asking for her permission to continue his 6 year affair with his present wife Calista. [More...]

One of my favorite of Dr. King's quotes:

That old law about "an eye for an eye" leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. (He was quoting Mahatma Gandhi who said, "An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

and

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

Among my favorite long pieces: Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam and Letters From Birmingham City Jail.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

[More...]

For those of you not interested in Joran van der Sloot's sentencing, and with BTD out for a few more days, here's an open thread. All topics welcome.

Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh has been busy filling in names to his latest form letter, warning 23 Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries to shut down within 45 days or face forfeiture of their businesses and any financial proceeds generated, as well as enhanced criminal charges.

The reason: The dispensaries are operating within 1,000 feet of a school, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 860(a). The letter is here. The press release is here. Similar letters were also sent to the landlords of the businesses and property owners. Landlords were warned about 21 USC 856(a).

The most significant line in the letter:

"The Department of Justice has the authority to enforce the federal law even when such activities may be permitted under state law."

What about the Odgen Memo? Walsh insists his letters are in compliance with it: [More...]

Open Thread.

More than 159,000 signatures were delivered to the Colorado Secretary of State today for the statewide legalization of marijuana initiative. Only 86,500 signatures are needed to get the initiative on the 2012 ballot.

The initiative is the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012, available here.

In a nutshell,

The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 makes the adult use of marijuana legal, establishes a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, and allows for the cultivation of industrial hemp.

If enacted, Colorado will be the first state to legalize adult marijuana use and possession. For more, go to Regulate Marijuana.

The tradition of making Christmas as pleasant as possible for the inmates at the Pitkin County jail continues. Deputy Sheriff and jail administrator Don Bird says the inmates will not only get their special Christmas day meals, but also wake up to little presents outside their cell door.

[P]roviding good food and a couple of small gifts for those who are incarcerated goes a long way toward helping morale at what can be an exceptionally hard time of the year.

“Nobody’s getting anything pricey,” Bird said. “It’s just something that somebody can get on Christmas so [when] they get up in the morning, there’s something outside their door.”

[More...]

Wait, what?

If Tebow wins the Super Bowl, against all odds, it will buoy his faithful, and emboldened faithful can do insane things, like burning mosques, bashing gays and indiscriminately banishing immigrants. While America has become more inclusive since Jerry Falwell’s first political forays, a Tebow triumph could set those efforts back considerably.

The rabbi, Josh Hammerman of Temple Beth El in Stamford, appears to claim to be a progressive. I claim he is an idiot.

Speaking for me only

Former Illinois Governor will get a chance to speak to the Judge before sentence is pronounced today. After so many years of legal travails, he's got to be running on empty.

I'm hoping the judge will decide on less than 10 years. If he gives him 84 months, it sends a message, is big punishment, will still wreak havoc on his family, but at least, with good time, allow him to return home in time for his younger daughter's high school graduation. I think 5 would be a fairer sentence, but I don't see the judge getting to that level after his comments today.

One last Jackson Browne song: Lives in the Balance.

Aspen has not been kind to Charlie Sheen's wife Brooke Mueller. She was arrested late last night at Escobar and charged with misdemeanor assault and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute . A woman claims Mueller assaulted her at the Belly Up around 11:30 pm. (Via Pitkin County Press Release)

Denver's federal money for the homeless has dried up, as has grant money. In 2005, then Mayor John Hickenlooper introduced Denver's Road Home project, to help the homeless find shelter and programs addressing drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness, believed to contribute to homelessness.

But we have more homeless than ever -- more than 11,000 in downtown Denver. Many like to sleep on the 16th st Mall where it's well-lit and police are usually nearby. There's no law preventing sleeping on the street.

Now, with the increased numbers of homeless persons. the shelters are full, the temporary house is full, and the social programs have waiting lists.