Sex, Spice, and Small-Town Texas Justice: The Purple Zone Raid
On the morning of May 7, 2014, a law enforcement team headed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) broke down the door of The Purple Zone, a smoke shop in the small rural community of Alpine, Texas, owned by a 29-year-old named Ilana Lipsen. With their weapons drawn, the agents turned the security cameras against the wall and tore the store to pieces. Lipsen’s sister, Arielle, who happened to be on the premises at the time of the raid, was (according to Arielle and several witnesses) pinned to the ground by the butt of an agent's rife, tearing the skin on her neck.
The agency says the raid was just one of a series of nationwide enforcement actions carried out that day, with the goal of taking down purveyors of synthetic drugs who funnel their proceeds to Middle Eastern terrorists—and that Lipsen was a prime suspect. As a Jew and avid Israel supporter, however, she hardly fits the profile of an Islamic terrorism financier.
Lipsen suspects the real reason for the raid stems from when she ended a brief sexual involvement with Brewster County District Attorney Rod Ponton, who has been carrying out a personal crusade against her for the past few years, prompting federal law enforcement agents to pursue a fruitless and expensive crusade against her smoke shop—turning life for Lipsen and her family into a living hell. (Rod Ponton declined to be interviewed by reason.)
Ponton was elected Brewster County District Attorney (which includes Alpine) in 2012 and started using state resources to go after Lipsen for allegedly selling “spice,” or synthetic cannabanoids. He accused her of “singular incorrigibility” and “poisoning the youth of the town. In 2014, he convinced the DEA to include the Purple Zone in its day of raids, even though the 2012 raid had already turned up no evidence that she was selling illegal drugs.
Following the botched 2014 raid, the DEA immediately attempted a cover up. At the behest of the U.S. Attorney's office, a judge strong-armed Lipsen into signing a letter absolving the agency from any wrongdoing by asserting that she and her sister had attacked the DEA officers first. For his part, Ponton strong-armed the local paper for writing a balanced take on the raid because he thought the Lipsens were not credible witnesses.
The Purple Zone was first raided in 2012, when police seized “spice” packets, which Lipsen sold as potpourri in the store's incense section. “You can buy these products online or in any gas station or smoke shop in Texas,” says Lipsen. Though lab tests revealed no banned substances, Ponton moved to indict on the grounds that the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986 makes it illegal to sell and possess substances that are “similar to controlled substances.” The basis of the indictment was the finding of 3 chemicals not banned in Texas at the time they were seized, but banned by the federal government a year later.
Lipsen agreed to a plea deal in September in exchange for serving no jail time. To date, she's lost over $100,000 on legal bills and seized property, and wants to get on with her life. I never wanted to aggravate anybody, says Lipsen. I don’t do this for fun. This isn’t a hobby, this is how I support myself. This is how I live.” Of her relationship with the town of Alpine, “I love it here, but it’s become toxic.”
Reason TV contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Bureau, the Alpine Police Department, the Brewster County Sheriff's Department, and the National Border Patrol Council Local 2509 for comment. In each case, calls and emails went unreturned. Management at the Alpine Avalanche offered no comment.
About 10 minutes.
Written and Produced by Anthony L. Fisher. Camera by Todd Kranin. Additional camera by Fisher. Additional graphics by Meredith Bragg.
Music: Wet Socks by Jahzzar (
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Border Patrol catches illegals in Alpine, Texas. (birds eye view)
Apparently border patrol caught 3 illegals in Alpine, Texas this afternoon (10-19-18). Happened pretty quick, saw border patrol chasing 3 guys on foot but by the time i got in the air, they were leading the 3 guys back.
Holland Hotel Alpine Tx 06.11.11 2.avi
This is from an investigation we did at the
Holland Hotel in Alpine Tx. Let me know
what you hear. You might need headphones
with this one.
MOVE TO TEXAS #5 — Taylor, Texas [Inside a Texas Bar]
In this episode, we venture inside a Texas bar in the city of Taylor.
Subscribe for advice on moving your business to Texas:
This bar, Texas Beer Company, has some of the best beer in Taylor, Texas. If you’re looking for a cheap place to buy property in America, Taylor, Texas is a cheap city to buy a house in the United States. This city has a lot of potential to take entrepreneurs to the USA and can be considered one of Texas’ up and coming places to live.
What does Texas look like? In this new video series on moving your business to the USA, Mount Bonnell Advisors meets with entrepreneurs who offer advice on doing business in the US. If you are looking to move to Texas in 2019 or move your business to the United States, this video series is for you.
Starting a business in the US is a HUGE step for you as an entrepreneur. The US is the world’s most important economy. Whether you’re a startup or planning to enter the US with an existing company, the business opportunities and opportunities for entrepreneurs are abundant. We help European entrepreneurs move their business and teach them how to achieve the American Dream.
When starting to plan for expanding into the USA, you will find that there are many complex questions about US tax and company law that you can’t find satisfactory answers for on the Internet. Moving from Europe to America can be complicated, but we are here to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Are you a foreigner who wants to open a business in the USA? What are you waiting for?
Book a consultation TODAY:
▬▬ MOVE TO TEXAS Episode Guide ▬▬
Trailer — Where We Take Entrepreneurs to the USA:
#1 — Georgetown [A Tour Through Austin Texas]:
#2 — Rainey Street, Austin, Texas:
#3 — South Congress, Texas:
#4 — Taylor, Texas [Cheap City to Buy a House In The United States]:
#5 — Taylor, Texas [Inside a Texas Bar]:
#6 — Taylor, Texas [Gun Shop in Texas]:
#7 — Exploring A Haunted Movie Theater:
#8 — Painted Churches of Texas:
#9 — Scholz Garten:
▬▬ LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! ▬▬
Move Your Business to the United States:
Listen on iTunes:
▬▬ ABOUT MOUNT BONNELL ADVISORS ▬▬
Turning dreams into reality, for years Mount Bonnell Advisors has been helping European entrepreneurs move their business to the US. From business set up, ongoing tax or legal services, Visa strategies, practical issues like moving house, or bigger ideas around sourcing capital – we have it and you covered. Let us help YOU become a business owner in America.
▬▬ CONTACT ▬▬
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Call Us: +1 (512) 598-4474
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♫ MUSIC ♫ Credits:
All music composed, arranged by the Youtube Audio Library
Alpine Texas Tornado
A quick Look at Alpine, Texas through the eyes of a Drone.
Holland Hotel Alpine Tx 06.11.11 5.avi
This is from an investigation we did at the
Holland Hotel in Alpine Tx. Let me know
what you hear. You might need headphones
with this one.
Holland Hotel Alpine Tx 06.11.11 3.avi
This is from an investigation we did at the
Holland Hotel in Alpine Tx. Let me know
what you hear. You might need headphones
with this one.
Jokers Icehouse Killeen texas
How to make a commercial. This is a fun project done for a local bar in central Texas using premiere pro and after effects. This commercial was filmed by the company called Anti factory. The music was from youtube music library. All rights have bes reserved.
Bar footage, look closely.
Found this, what do you think it is?
Pony Express Yellow Brick Road Trip
Between April of 1860 and November of 1861, the Pony Express, maintained communications between the east coast and the west coast of America by carrying official mail between Missouri and California. To carry the U.S. mail over 1,800 miles of wilderness, Pony Express riders changed horses about every 12-15 miles. Discover the 139 miles that ran through Kansas as well as other stops along the way.
United States - Wiki
The United States of America m r k USA commonly known as the United States U S or America is a constitutional federal republic composed of states a federal district five major self governing territ...
Creative Commons 2.0 Wikipedia.com
Beta Test
United States - Wiki
The United States of America USA commonly known as the United States U S or America is a constitutional federal republic composed of states a federal district five major self governing territories ...
Creative Commons 2.0 Wikipedia.com
Beta Test
Welcome to Tennessee crossing the border from Virginia
Welcome to Tennessee crossing the border from Virginia
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States of America.
Tennessee known as the Volunteer State, has many symbols.
The tulip poplar was designated as the official state tree of Tennessee
Tennessee has two state flowers. The Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is the state's wildflower and the iris is the state's cultivated flower.
Tennessee has played a critical role in the development of many forms of American popular music, including rock and roll, blues, country music, and rockabilly.
Tennessee has nine official state songs
1. My Homeland, Tennessee, by Nell Grayson Taylor (words) and Roy Lamont Smith (music)
2. When It's Iris Time in Tennessee, by Willa Waid Newman
3. My Tennessee, by Frances Hannah Tranum, is the state's official public school song
4. Tennessee Waltz, by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King
5. Rocky Top, by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
6. Tennessee, by Vivian Rorie
7. The Pride of Tennessee, by Fred Congdon, Thomas Vaughn and Carol Elliot
8. Smoky Mountain Rain, a song written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan that became a hit for Ronnie Milsap, was added to the list of state songs
9. Tennessee, written by John R. Bean of Knoxville
Tennessee trip info:
In the morning our tour continues to Tennessee with a trip through the Great Smoky Mountains. After a stop in Gatlinburg, TN, we will continue on to Pigeon Forge, TN to see the Dixie Stampede Western show, which was created by the great Dolly Parton. During the Christma (Dec. 27th), guests will also have chance to appreciate the exclusive Christmas Special Shows and a brief but exciting The Epiphany of Our Lord Chris performance. We will spend the night in Chattanooga, TN.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range rising along the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern United States. The range is sometimes called the Smoky Mountains and the name is commonly shortened to the Smokies.
Great Smoky Mountains Park This 520,000-acre park on the eastern border of Tennessee is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage. It is the most-visited national park in the United States, and is renown for the beauty of its landscapes.
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway The Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski resort boasts many rides and attractions, but perhaps none are quite as scenic and beautiful as the Aerial Tramway. The cable car brings riders 2.1 miles up the Great Smoky Mountains.
Pigeon Forge, TN Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. Pigeon Forge is primarily a tourist destination. The city's attractions include Dollywood, numerous outlet malls, and music theaters.
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede In 1988, the first Dixie Stampede opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just outside of Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park. The show is still going strong today, and has expanded to two other locations in the American South.
Chattanooga
We will spend the day exploring Chattanooga, TN and the surrounding area. Our day includes heading to Rock City and seeing the Ruby Falls.
Chattanooga, TN Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. A unique distinction for Chattanooga is the fact that the city has its own typeface, Chatype, which was launched in August 2012.
Ruby Falls The famous Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall, are a natural phenomenon, and are fed by rainwater and underground springs. The water from the falls flows out of the caverns and eventually joins up with the Tennessee River.
Rock City is as famous for its aggressive mid-19th-century marketing campaigns as for its views and gardens. Still, Rock City does offer a lot to visitors: panoramic views, botanical gardens, and amazing rock formations are all features.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway This tram has been running almost continually since 1895, and with the exception of an engine update in 1911, it hasn't changed that much. The ride stretches about one mile up the mountain and reaches a grade of 72.7%.
4-Day Tennessee Bus Tour from New York/New JerseyTour Code: 955-2742
Take Tours bus trip
Visit nine states:
New York - drive through with tour guide
New Jersey - drive through with tour guide
Pennsylvania - Welcome Center visit
Delaware - drive through with tour guide
Maryland - drive through with tour guide
West Virginia - Welcome Center visit
Virginia - USA
Tennessee - USA
Georgia - USA
Hashtag metadata tag
#Tennessee #Ten #Tenn #Tennessean #Chattanooga #Nashville #Memphis #South #Southern #TheSouth #TheSouthHasRisen #Country #Music #CountryMusic #VolunteerState #USState #state #states #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesofAmerica #America #American
HD Video
Tennessee state, USA The United States of America country, North America continent
April 24th 2015
5 Minute Review of Butcher Board Restaurant in Mckinney, TX
I visited Butcher Board Restaurant in downtown McKinney to see what the food was like. Watch my 5 Minute Review to see what I thought!
Pacific Northwest | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Pacific Northwest
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through
audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio
while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
In case you don't find one that you were looking for, put a comment.
This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
The Pacific Northwest (PNW), sometimes referred to as Cascadia, is a geographic region in western North America bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and (loosely) by the Cascade Mountain Range on the east. Though no official boundary exists, the most common conception includes the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Broader conceptions reach north into Southeast Alaska and Yukon, south into northern California, and east of the Continental Divide to include Western Montana and parts of Wyoming. Narrower conceptions may be limited to the northwestern US, or to the coastal areas west of the Cascade and Coast mountains. The variety of definitions can be attributed to partially overlapping commonalities of the region's history, culture, geography, society, and other factors.
The Northwest Coast is the coastal region of the Pacific Northwest, and the Northwest Plateau (also commonly known as the Interior in British Columbia and the Inland Empire in the United States) is the inland region. The term Pacific Northwest should not be confused with the Northwest Territory (also known as the Great Northwest, a historical term in the United States) or the Northwest Territories of Canada.
The region's largest metropolitan areas are Greater Seattle, Washington, with 3.8 million people; Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, with 2.5 million people; and Greater Portland, Oregon, with 2.4 million people.A key aspect of the Pacific Northwest is the US–Canada international border, which the United States and the United Kingdom established at a time when the region's inhabitants were composed mostly of indigenous peoples. The border—in two sections, along the 49th parallel south of British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle west of northern British Columbia—has had a powerful effect on the region. According to Canadian historian Ken Coates, the border has not merely influenced the Pacific Northwest—rather, the region's history and character have been determined by the boundary.
(Updated: 3-21-2017) Texas VFW | Photos of our Members in Our Armed Forces
Texas VFW | Photos of our Members in Our Armed Forces
Spinosaurus fishes for prey | Planet Dinosaur | BBC
Check out BBC Earth on BBC online -
John Hurts tells the stories of the biggest, deadliest and weirdest Dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth. Massive carnivorous hunter Spinosaurus hunts the giant fresh water fish Onchopristis.
Planet Dinosaur tells the stories of the biggest, deadliest and weirdest creatures ever to walk the Earth, using the latest fossil evidence and immersive computer graphics. Narrated by John Hurt.
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Pacific Northwest | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Pacific Northwest
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
You can upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Pacific Northwest (PNW), sometimes referred to as Cascadia, is a geographic region in western North America bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and (loosely) by the Cascade Mountain Range on the east. Though no official boundary exists, the most common conception includes the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Broader conceptions reach north into Southeast Alaska and Yukon, south into northern California, and east of the Continental Divide to include Western Montana and parts of Wyoming. Narrower conceptions may be limited to the northwestern US, or to the coastal areas west of the Cascade and Coast mountains. The variety of definitions can be attributed to partially overlapping commonalities of the region's history, culture, geography, society, and other factors.
The Northwest Coast is the coastal region of the Pacific Northwest, and the Northwest Plateau (also commonly known as the Interior in British Columbia and the Inland Empire in the United States) is the inland region. The term Pacific Northwest should not be confused with the Northwest Territory (also known as the Great Northwest, a historical term in the United States) or the Northwest Territories of Canada.
The region's largest metropolitan areas are Greater Seattle, Washington, with 3.8 million people; Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, with 2.5 million people; and Greater Portland, Oregon, with 2.4 million people.A key aspect of the Pacific Northwest is the US–Canada international border, which the United States and the United Kingdom established at a time when the region's inhabitants were composed mostly of indigenous peoples. The border—in two sections, along the 49th parallel south of British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle west of northern British Columbia—has had a powerful effect on the region. According to Canadian historian Ken Coates, the border has not merely influenced the Pacific Northwest—rather, the region's history and character have been determined by the boundary.
University of North Alabama | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
00:00:50 1 History
00:04:37 1.1 Florence Wesleyan University
00:05:49 1.2 The Civil War
00:06:32 1.3 State Normal School at Florence
00:07:54 1.4 Florence State Teachers College
00:08:36 1.5 Florence State College
00:09:18 1.6 Integration at Florence State College
00:10:34 1.7 Florence State University
00:11:37 1.8 The University of North Alabama
00:12:58 2 Campus
00:14:51 2.1 Mitchell Burford Science and Technology Building
00:15:57 2.2 Wendell W. Gunn University Commons
00:16:52 2.3 Mattielou and Olive Residence Halls
00:17:33 2.4 Laura Harrison Plaza
00:18:17 2.5 Wesleyan Hall and Bell
00:19:57 2.6 Rogers Hall (Courtview)
00:20:57 2.7 Bibb Graves Hall
00:22:00 2.8 Coby Hall
00:22:41 2.9 The Guillot University Center
00:23:35 2.10 Collier Library
00:24:51 2.11 The Memorial Amphitheater
00:25:29 2.12 Opler Clock
00:25:45 2.13 Keller Hall
00:26:31 2.14 Willingham Hall
00:27:07 2.15 The President's Home
00:27:39 2.16 East Campus
00:28:20 3 Academic organization
00:28:39 3.1 Classification and accreditation
00:29:09 3.2 Degrees conferred
00:29:53 3.3 Programs
00:32:16 3.4 Kilby School
00:32:45 3.5 Academic calendar
00:33:35 3.6 Libraries
00:34:25 3.7 International emphasis
00:35:41 4 Student body
00:36:35 5 Media
00:37:28 6 Athletics
00:38:32 7 Greek life
00:38:57 7.1 Fraternities
00:40:44 7.2 Sororities
00:41:43 7.3 Greek system today
00:42:26 7.4 Inter-Fraternity Council
00:43:14 7.5 Collegiate Panhellenic Council
00:43:42 7.6 National Pan-Hellenic Council
00:44:30 8 School Culture
00:44:39 8.1 School colors
00:45:28 8.2 UNA Fight Song
00:45:59 8.3 Lion Pride and Pride Rock
00:47:05 8.4 UNA's mascot
00:47:14 8.4.1 Leos I and II
00:48:08 8.4.2 Leo III and Una
00:48:57 8.5 Miss UNA Scholarship Pageant
00:50:00 8.6 Spirit Hill Tailgating and Lion Walk
00:50:52 8.7 UNA's Pride of Dixie Marching Band
00:52:02 8.8 Step Sing
00:52:28 9 UNA gallery
00:52:37 10 UNA people
00:53:00 11 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
Listen on Google Assistant through Extra Audio:
Other Wikipedia audio articles at:
Upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
Speaking Rate: 0.9063472023136714
Voice name: en-GB-Wavenet-B
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The University of North Alabama (UNA) is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama. It is the state's oldest four-year public university. Occupying a 130-acre (0.5 km2) campus in a residential section of Florence, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. The four cities compose a metropolitan area with a combined population of 140,000 people.The University of North Alabama was founded as LaGrange College in 1830. It was reestablished in 1872 as the first state-supported teachers college south of the Ohio River. A year later, it became one of the nation's first coeducational colleges.
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populous, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States. Nearly three-quarters of Nevada's people live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas--Paradise metropolitan area where the state's three largest incorporated cities are located. Nevada's capital is Carson City. Nevada is officially known as the Silver State due to the importance of silver to its history and economy. It is also known as the Battle Born State, because it achieved statehood during the Civil War; Sagebrush State, for the native eponymous plant; and Sage hen State.
This video targeted to blind users.
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Article text available under CC-BY-SA
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