Women With Troubles - December 2006

Happy New Year!

Here's the compilation of women with troubles reported in the news during December 2006. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying detailed information.

(AR) Donna Sue Mars (aka Donna Sue Turner), 42,
HIV-positive neighbor - Sentenced to 16 years prison for rape and exposing boy, 13, to HIV,

(AR) Laura Ann Pryor, 41,
neighbor - Sentenced to 2 years prison for sexually assaulting boy, 14,

(CA) Elizabeth Anne Dawson, 19,
babysitter - Sentenced to one year in prison for molesting a 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome,

(CA) Lynne Marie Filippini, 48,
kindergarten teacher - Arrested again on drug charges after previous conviction in May 2006,

(CA) Ana Monique Magdaleno, 37,
neighbor - Charged with oral copulation/intimidation of witness regarding sex with boy, 16,

(CA) Franca and Antonia Munoz-Juvera, 26-year-old twins,
teachers - Arrested in connection with alleged sex acts with an underage female student,

(CO) Darcie Esson, 32,
teacher, divorced mother of two - Arrested for engaging in sex with male student, 17,

(CO) Carrie McCandless, 29,
teacher, principal's wife, cheerleading coach - Alleged romantic relationship with male student, 17,

(CT) Danielle Grasso, 26,
special ed. teacher's aide - Arrested for sexual assault of 18-year-old student,

(FL) Rebecca Abernathy, 44, and Michael Jones, 50,
neighbors - Arrested for sex crimes and child pornography with a 14-year-old girl,

(FL) Deborah Ann Reeder, 45,
teacher, mother - Arrested for unlawful sex with boy, 17,

(GA) Frances Cook, 42,
teacher - Charged with sexual battery and aggravated child molestation of 15-year-old boy,

(GA) Tiffany Pierce, 21,
neighbor - Arrested for engaging in sex with boy under 16,

(IN) Lisa Fish, 33,
neighbor, married mother of three - Convicted by jury of sex with boy, 15. Sentencing on Jan.23,

(IN) Johnna Marie Kalinowicz, 31,
neighbor - Alleged sex with boy, 14,

(IN) Margaret A. Wiley, 27,
juvenile corrections officer - Charged with sexual misconduct with male inmate, 16,

(KY) Tericka Dye, 34,
teacher - Fired from teaching for starring in porn films under the name Rikki Andersin. Seeks reinstatement.

(LA) Stephanie Giambelluca, 24,
teacher - Arrested for molestation of boy, 12, which was videotaped by friend, Ryan Mapes,

(LA) Mary Shannon Hansche, 22, and Christopher Wayne Hansche, 26,
neighbors - Charged with desertion for letting puppy gnaw baby's toes off,

(ME) Amy Bramhall, 33,
teacher - Sentenced to one year in prison for 200 episodes of sex with boy, 15,

(MI) Dawn Marie Richards, 41,
neighbor, mother of two - Arrested for sex with boy, 14,

(MN) Julia Ozirski Lund, 28,
teacher, married - Charged for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old male student,

(MO) Judith Zweifel, 38,
neighbor, married mother of two - Sentenced to 14 years in prison for 30 sex crimes against boy, 11,

(NH) Jennifer Malone, 32,
teacher's aide, married mother of two - Convicted of kidnapping boy, 16,

(NJ) Pamela Balogh, 39,
teacher, coach - Arrested for sexual assault of female student, 15,

(NY) Lauren Maggi, 35,
traveler - Charged with harassment for spitting in a soldier's face at the airport,

(OH) Vickie Todd, 35,
neighbor - Charged with felony sex with boy under 16,

(PA) Felicia C. Morehart, 19,
neighbor - Sentenced to 5-10 years in prison for forcing boy, 7, to perform oral sex on her,

(PA) Jennifer Marie Villacrusis, 35,
guidance counselor - Charged with corruption and interference with the custody of a boy, 16,

(SC) Patricia Louise Hartwell, 46,
neighbor - Held alcohol/drug/sex parties for HS kids. Sentenced to probation for contributing to delinquency,

(TX) Brandy Lynn Gonzales, 27,
elementary school teacher - Arrested for sexual conduct with at least five 5th-grade boys, ages 11 to 13,

(UT) Amber Childs, 30,
neighbor - Walks after sex crimes against boy, 5, reduced to misdemeanors,

(WI) Norma Giannini, 78,
nun, former school principal - Alleged sex with two schoolboys, aged 13, about 40 years ago.

Thanks to the tipsters.

Swinging Saddam Video

Saddam Hussein's execution video is posted at The Jawa Report. Reportedly, it displays footage that the mainstream media is holding back.

Wanna Party?

This will put a dent in the entertainment budget.

A half-mil will buy you an "Entourage" New Year, which will indulge four friends in a nonstop 24-hour party, flying them from anywhere in the United States on a personal jet to Van Nuys, Calif. The package includes lunch at Koi, personal shopping at Barneys, the penthouse suite of the Roosevelt Hotel, white-gold watches from Cartier and an all-night private lounge at West Hollywood's Pearl.

Woo-hoo! Four friends, Van Nuys, West Hollywood! All for $500,000! It's a blow-out!

More reasonably priced is dinner, dancing and breakfast with the best view in the city at the Rainbow Room. It's economy priced at $1,600 per person. It's black tie. Don't forget.

But that's hoity-toity New York. Here in the dialup frontier, I expect to greet the New Year for under ten bucks.

Illegal Accused of Killing Three

(Salt Lake City, Utah) A 24-year-old illegal alien, Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, is in custody, arrested for driving drunk and killing three members of a family in an automobile accident.

Last Sunday, Prieto allegedly ran a stop light and struck the car carrying the Ceran family. Cheryl Ceran and her son Ian, 15, and daughter Julianna, 7, died from injuries.

Prieto has been charged with automobile homicide, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury, and driving without a license. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail with bail set at $500,000 and a no-bail immigration detainer.

Sadly, because the southern border of the U.S. is mostly imaginary, an American family is devastated. But that's not all because even if Prieto is convicted, sentenced and deported, he'll likely return to Utah someday and again toss down too many, get in a car, and run another red light.

Florida Pantsjacker

(Boynton Beach, Florida) Since October, there have been four pants robberies at gunpoint in south Florida. In the latest, a car was seen speeding from the area and followed by police. After he crashed his car, suspected pants robber Adam Balam was chased on foot and apprehended.

The pants robbing may seem somewhat humorous but it isn't. In November, a victim received several gunshot wounds during a robbery.

Woman Pinched for Molestation

(Dalton, Georgia) A 21-year-old woman, Tiffany Pierce, was arrested yesterday for engaging in sex with a boy under 16. Pierce has been charged with child molestation. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

THUNK!

(Gallows, Iraq) Just after 10 pm EST last night (6 am Baghdad Time), brutal former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged by the neck and died almost instantly.

Expect no paucity of punditry.

Teacher Hires Kobe Bryant's Lawyer

(Glenwood Springs, Colorado) On Dec. 18, 32-year-old English teacher at Elizabeth High School, Darcie Esson, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student who is on the school football team.

She was charged with felony sexual assault on a child by a person in position of trust and released on $25,000 bail.

In preparation for court, Esson has retained high-profile attorney Pamela Mackey for legal counsel. Mackey previously represented Los Angeles Laker basketball star Kobe Bryant in a 2003 alleged rape case in which charges were ultimately dismissed.

Does anyone else question how a teacher, on a teacher's salary, is able to afford such expensive legal help?


[Update 05/18/07]

Esson faces more charges.


[Update 06/20/07]

Esson pleads guilty.

Filipino Terror Group Names New Leader

(Manila, Philippines) According to Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Patikul, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) informants have confirmed that terror chief Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani died from a gunshot wound to the neck in September. Abu Sayyaf (Arabic for "bearer of the sword") is an Islamist terror group linked to al-Qaeda and known for bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and extortion.

As a consequence of Janjalani's reported death, Abu Sayyaf sub-commanders met and named Radulan Sahiron, aka Sajirun and Sahirun, as the new leader of the terrorist group. Sahiron has been a key leader of ASG and is responsible for brutal acts of terrorism involving bombings of civilians and kidnappings of U.S. and foreign nationals. Rewards for his capture total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In any event, final confirmation of Janjalani's death awaits the results of DNA testing being conducted by Filipino and U.S. authorities.

Women's Shelters in Turkey

From Zaman.com:

The Ministry for Women and Family has decided to open three new women's shelters in southeastern Turkey, where abuse is prevalent, and two in other parts of the country.

The total number of shelters in Turkey will increase from 17 to 22.

The government is trying to do something to address the abuse of women and frequent "honor killings." Frankly, I think they should also be more aggressive from a law enforcement perspective.

Nonetheless, Turkish authorities are attacking centuries-old customs and traditions which is more than some other nations are doing.

Guns, Knives Protect Herbs and Thistles

(Suisun Marsh, California) Using 12-gauge shotguns and 10-inch knives, hunters have been mobilized to eliminate non-natives in the Suisun Marsh, the largest brackish-water marsh on the West Coast. Herbs and thistles are seriously threatened by the non-natives which are descendants of European pigs.

Thus far, there has been no comparable action on the recommendation to mobilize law enforcers to use 12-gauge shotguns and 10-inch knives to eradicate the flood of non-natives in towns and cities. Hospital emergency rooms and public school systems are seriously threatened by the non-natives who are descendants of Mexican and Central American patriarchs.

Filipino Terror Chief Possibly Dead

(Manila, Philippines) According to authorities, terrorism chief Khaddafy Janjalani, aka Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani, may have died in a firefight several months ago.

As the leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, Janjalani is the most-wanted terrorist in the Philippines and even has a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head for the kidnapping and murder of an American in 2002.

Captured Abu Sayyaf members led officials to Janjalani's suspected grave. The FBI is assisting in forensic examination of the remains and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Although it's probably spiritually incorrect, I believe that decomposing terrorist scumbags make for a happy holiday season.


[Update 01/25/07]

Janjalani confirmed dead.

Teen Drug News

Parent worries about teen getting high from camel toads.

Haj Pilgrimage Begins Tomorrow

(Mecca, Saudi Arabia) One of the five pillars of Islam, the annual Haj begins tomorrow and ends Monday. An estimated 2 million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world are expected to visit Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest places.

From KhaleejTimes.com:

The Haj will begin on Thursday, with the faithful assembling at Mina.

At dawn on Friday, they will begin moving towards Mount Arafat where they will spend the day praying and asking for God's forgiveness at the summit, in a symbolic waiting for the last judgment.

The pilgrims then return to Mina to sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, for Eid Al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, on Saturday.

They will spend another two days there for the stoning ceremony that symbolises a willingness to renounce evil.

The stonings have been problematic by causing stampedes. However, increased security and civil defense forces have been mobilized to prevent stampedes and enhance safety.

Last year, 364 people died in a stampede which occurred during a stone-throwing ritual. The year before, 251 people died in a stoning stampede. For medical emergencies, 21 field hospitals have been set up with 9,600 staffers.

I assume that many more than one sheep will need to be sacrificed for 2 million people. Otherwise, it would be slim pickings at the barbecue.

Inheritance Laws Shaft Saudi Women

Here's an interesting little glimpse of life in a Muslim country courtesy of the Arab News. It appears that Saudi Arabian women are entitled to only one-half the amount of inheritance given to Saudi men. Check this example of a man dying with six surviving daughters and one surviving son.

[T]he property would be divided between the one son and the six surviving daughters. It should be divided into eight shares, giving one share to each of the six daughters and two shares to the son.

As a result, the surviving son receives one-quarter of the total inheritance despite the fact that he was only one-seventh of the number of survivors.

Women's rights groups should probably protest. Of course, it's possible that Muslim women are satisfied with the unequal treatment under Sharia Law since they receive extra measures of peace. Or something.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Former Gitmo Prisoners Set Free

(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) The Saudi Interior Ministry released 18 former Gitmo prisoners from custody yesterday. Their release piggybacks the release of 11 former Gitmo prisoners last week. They were largely captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban.

Notably, charges against the 18 were simply dismissed whereas the 11 prisoners previously released had "completed prison sentences for various charges."

The authorities must have concluded that all debts to society have been paid. Oddly, Saudi Arabia is frequently criticized for harsh punishment of prisoners which includes the severing of body parts and stoning. Apparently, sweeping leniency is the preferred practice regarding Islamic soldiers fighting against the U.S.

Frankly, I have solid confidence that we'll see the former Gitmo denizens on a battlefield again. I don't believe in terrorist rehab.

Saddam to Hang Within 30 Days

That is what is being reported. The decision came from the appeals court and it must be ratified by Iraqi President Talabani and two vice presidents.

Ominously, Baath Party officials previously stated that the execution of Saddam Hussein would prompt them to retaliate by reinforcing their siege against the Baghdad Green Zone. Of course, threats from armed Middle Eastern Muslims are like spam since so many are issued. Nevertheless, all have to be taken seriously even though only a minor percentage come to fruition.

Regarding Saddam's execution, hopefully the Iraqi justice system will implement the death sentence in a more timely manner than is regularly demonstrated in the U.S. The last I checked, there was an average 14-year duration between the scheduled execution date and the actual execution.

Don't Sweat Car's DUI Interlock

(Seattle, Washington) It's ridiculous to pass a law and hope that the public will comply. File this story under "Laws Not Being Enforced."

From Seattle Times:

Some 28,000 Washington drivers, all convicted of driving under the influence, aren't supposed to start their cars without first breathing into an alcohol-detection device.

Yet just over 4,400 ignition-interlock devices have been installed on cars in the state, said Brad Benfield, state Department of Licensing (DOL) spokesman.

The gap illustrates a frustrating hole in the system: No public agency confirms the device is installed once the court or DOL orders it. In addition, when the devices are installed, drivers find ways to cheat them, officials say.

While it is possible many offenders ordered to use the devices stopped driving, many simply ignore the order, state and local officials say.

Scofflaws are presumably only able to be caught during traffic stops and it's a misdemeanor.

No Accounting at DHS

An auditing firm has found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has lax financial controls and inadequate management oversight. In other words, they're pissing away money worse than a drunken sailor.

So, what else is new? No prudent intellect should be surprised that the government wastes billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars.

Muj TV Is Not A Duck

Bill Roggio of The Fourth Rail, on location in Iraq, reports details about the satellite television station al-Zawraa, stating that it has been tagged as a propaganda and front organization for al-Qaeda. Al-Zawraa, known by the Iraqis as Muj TV, is operated by Mishan al-Jabouri who, predictably, has issues with Roggio's assertions.

In an email to Bill, al-Jabouri vehemently refutes the contention that Muj TV has anything to do with al-Qaeda. He then describes the purpose of the station in glowing patriotic terms using phraseology that could have easily been gleaned from the al-Qaeda tactical media manual.

We can assure you that Alzawraa TV has no relations whatsoever with Al-Qaeda as you claimed but it respects those Mujahideen who devoted and sacrifice themselves to defend Sunnis who are targeted by both American army and Sectarian militias encouraged by the sectarian Government of Al- Maliky and other slaughterers...

In summary, Bill Roggio says Muj TV is cozy with al-Qaeda. Al-Jabouri says Muj TV is not cozy with al-Qaeda. Al-Jabouri then describes the purposes of Muj TV while apparently failing to recognize that his description could also be used by al-Qaeda to define its purposes.

Simplistically, Bill says it's a duck. Jabouri says it's not a duck, rather, it's something that quacks, has a bill, webbed feet and feathers. But it's not a duck.

More importantly, Roggio relates that U.S. military and intelligence authorities are allowing the continued operation of Muj TV since the intelligence gleaned from its operation is more valuable than the benefit to be derived by shutting it down. Consequently, Muj TV will continue to recruit and propagandize for insurgent and al-Qaeda forces.

Woman Gets No Jail on Reduced Charges

(Provo, Utah) In 2002, Amber Childs was charged with aggravated sex abuse of a child, sodomy on a child, and tampering with a witness or juror in connection with alleged sex crimes against a 5-year-old boy. After significant delays for mental competency reviews and changing attorneys, Childs' case went before the 4th District Court in October and, in accordance with a plea deal, she pleaded no contest to three misdemeanors.

On Monday last week, 30-year-old Childs was sentenced to no jail. Childs' sentence was contingent on her promising to be good and not do drugs.

Heh.


[Update 12/05/07]

Childs in court on possible probation violations.


[Update 12/18/07]

Childs gets 30 days for probation violation.

Seattle's Shiny New Homeless Program

The political geniuses of the Pacific Northwest have vowed to forge the most elusive of all creations -- a community without vagrants. Ending homelessness within 10 years is the plan. Hear that? Ten years! The man behind the plan is Bill Block, Chairman of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County.

Block estimates the project will cost $80 million per year which "is substantially more than what is being spent now." No information is reported as to the actual source of all the funds, however, Block said that the city of Seattle and King County would contribute a portion. One is left to assume that about $70 million will come from the federal government.

Let's see. The total for the project is $800 million dollars ($80 million for ten years) and the estimated number of homeless in Seattle is 8,000. Through the magic of arithmetic, one finds the theoretical allotment for each homeless person is $100,000.

Let's pretend. On a yearly basis, the city could give every homeless person $10,000 to leave town. With a little negotiating, the number could be reduced to, maybe, a few thousand dollars. That amount and a plane ticket to the other side of the continent would end homelessness in Seattle, one by one. Any other method of ending homelessness is a dream since some people have chosen it as a lifestyle. Face it, there are adults who prefer never working or being responsible for anything and are as happy as clams living in a cardboard box. Others don't want an address, preferring to remain hidden within a societal underclass. As a result, homelessness is an attractive lifestyle option for some.

Worth mentioning is the fact that the number of homeless people in a given location is determined by the quality and quantity of benefits available in the location. When more goodies are provided, more homeless people show up. Key West is an example. The island built temporary housing and provided food, showers and free laundry. Predictably, more and more homeless people showed up for the cozy benefits. Oddly, liberal do-gooders who try to help the homeless seem to ignore this simple fact.

Interestingly, if the liberal politicians applied their grandiose solutions for ending homelessness to ending bear attacks in national parks, there would be an explosion of bear attacks. Park visitors are warned "Don't Feed The Bears" to keep them away. If citizens want the homeless to stay away, benefits shouldn't be provided.

Getting back to Seattle, the ten-year plan to end homelessness is an ambitious idea of Bill Block and I'll go on record as stating that it won't work, it won't come close to working and the best that can be hoped for is that the total cost doesn't exceed $800 million. I'll also predict that the number of homeless will at least triple when huge wads of money start being spent.

I'll also assess Bill Block's dedication to the project as considerably less than complete. He's stated that he will only work four or five years on the ten-year project. Presumably, that will leave him time to work on another liberal snow job. Just guessing but the Pacific Northwest might be ready for a $100 million Bill Block earthquake eradication program.

Hoot! Man!

It's being reported that the Scottish Army is running low on kilts and, consequently, the soldiers are having to share. Apparently, there are only 320 total kilts for the whole army of more than 5,000. Eewww!

And, according to an accompanying photo, the Scots donna wear anything under their kilts. They are now thinking seriously about underwear.

There's more at the link.

Man Sets Self on Fire to Protest Xmas/Easter

(Kern County, California) What an idiot!

From SacBee.com:

A man used flammable liquid to light himself on fire, apparently to protest a San Joaquin Valley school district's decision to change the names of winter and spring breaks to Christmas and Easter vacation.

The man, who was not immediately identified, on Friday also set fire to a Christmas tree, an American flag and a revolutionary flag replica, said Fire Captain Garth Milam.

I wish him a full recovery but don't really think it's appropriate to mitigate his pain. He deserves, and likely desires, a full, throbbing and excruciating reward for his courageous dedication.

I hope they decide to publish his name so I can help give him the recognition he deserves.

More details at Diggers Realm.

Reuters Propaganda on Soldier Suicides

The Dread Pundit Bluto exposes the Reuters naked bias in reporting the suicide rate among U.S. soldiers.

Of course, the rate is higher than anyone would prefer but it's also lower than the rate for civilians of similar age and gender. Consequently, young men and women are at lower risk of suicide if they join the military. That important tidbit of information is buried deep in the Reuters report.

More at the link.

Female Substitute Arrested for Sex with Boy

(Coral Springs, Florida) A 45-year-old substitute teacher at Country Hills Elementary School, Deborah Ann Reeder, was arrested Thursday by Coral Springs Police for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old boy. Yesterday, Reeder was charged with four counts of unlawful sex with an underage youth.

According to Coral Springs Police Capt. Rich Nicorvo, the boy was not one of Reeder's students, rather he was a friend of one of her children.

Reeder was released from custody on Friday afternoon on $20,000 bail.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 11/28/07]

Reeder sentenced.

Snow in Des Moines

Blogger and anti-porn investigator, Brent, has an interesting post about capturing cocaine dealers in Des Moines. Go visit.

Babysitter Gets Year for Molesting Boy, 6

(San Luis Obispo, California) In April 2006, 19-year-old babysitter, Elizabeth Anne Dawson, was caught on a hidden video camera molesting a 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome. The boy's mother set up the nanny-cam to monitor Dawson's performance which resulted in her being arrested for masturbating on top of the boy and fondling him.

Yesterday in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Dawson pleaded no contest to committing a lewd act on a child and was sentenced by Judge Ginger Garrett to the maximum allowable by law, one year in jail and eight years of probation. Dawson will also have to register as a sex offender.

Notably, the Dawson case was particularly disgusting to all parties involved.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Kucinich in 2008?

Yes, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has announced he is running for the presidency again. This time, though, he is planning a different strategy.

Instead of the failed 21st Century radical leftist campaign he ran in 2004, Kucinich is now planning on resurrecting the ghosts of the Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern campaigns in a rebirth of the "Make Love , Not War" theme of the 1960s.

Presumably, Kucinich's campaign will incorporate the words "Make Peace, Not War" as a clarion call to relive the Vietnam experience.

From a personal perspective, I'm glad Kucinich is in the mix of Dems running for Prez. He's somewhat of an embarrassment to the prudent political players in the party who must pretend to take him seriously. However, at the same time, he's the most reliable of all the accidental comedians the public will be forced to see, day in and day out.

Woman Convicted of Sex with Boy

(Monticello, Indiana) On Wednesday, a 33-year-old married mother of three, Lisa Fish, was convicted of Class B felony sexual misconduct by a jury in White County Superior Court. Fish was found guilty of engaging in an episode of sex with a 15-year-old boy in April 2005.

This case was odd. The defense attorney, Bob Little, attempted to create sympathy for Fish by portraying her as a special education student who had graduated from high school but couldn't read nor recall dates and times. Little additionally characterized Fish as a simple-minded blow-up doll who was used by both the 15-year-old and her husband, who wasn't charged but did participate in the sexual episode. Little's tactic failed to sway the jury.

Judge Robert Mrzlack is scheduled to sentence Fish on January 23.


[Update 02/10/07]

Fish sentenced.

Cokehead Teacher Arrested Again

(Riverside County, California) In November 2005, kindergarten teacher Lynne Marie Filippini, 48, was arrested on drug use and possession charges. Filippini's erratic classroom behavior and frequent nosebleeds prompted a coworker to contact the authorities who conducted a search leading to the arrest. A drug test found that she had a potentially lethal amount of cocaine in her system.

In May 2006, Filippini pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor child endangerment, driving while under the influence, being under the influence of cocaine and felony cocaine possession.

The following month, Judge Harold W. Hopp sentenced Filippini to three years probation and 180 days' weekend lockup in county jail. Quite lenient, I'd say.

Prosecutor Brad Snell stated that Filippini's chances for rehabilitation were slim since it rarely happens with someone who has had a near-lethal dose of drugs in his/her system. Nevertheless, Filippini was given probation with the hope that she would be rehabilitated.

In the latest development, Filippini has been arrested again in the community of Murrieta. According to Murrieta Police Sgt. Sandra O'Donnell, Filippini side-swiped a vehicle while turning with her car.

From NCTimes.com:

After Filippini displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance other than alcohol, the sergeant said officers found that she was in possession of two types of pills known for their anti-anxiety effects, but did not have a prescription for them.

Before being booked at Southwest Justice Center in French Valley, she was taken to a local hospital to be checked out after the crash, O'Donnell said.

There, the sergeant added, Filippini proceeded to "become combative" with an officer, reportedly kicking him several times in the arms, chest, hands and legs.

Subsequently, she was transferred to Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. It's not clear what new charges Filippini will face since she is still on probation from her June sentencing.

Fortunately, Filippini's teaching credentials were revoked so she's no longer employed by the school district. And, since she's in trouble again, the state may want to consider revoking her probation and give her employment making license plates. The rehab idea obviously fizzled.

Recognizing Conservatives

Seeking more than the daily emails announcing you've won a laptop, Apple iPod, cell phone and PS3? You want to be more than TIME magazine's "Person of the Year?" Then throw your entry into the ROTR Awards - 2006 competition. Nomination period ends Dec. 26.

HP Temperature Problems

Yes, apparently HP is getting users steamed.

It seems that an HP service rep got a call from a customer who wanted a 250 foot power cord for his instrument and couldn't find a part number in the catalog. The rep called the parts department to get a part number. The parts dept. said they didn't stock a 250-ft power cord but they could get him the stuff to put one together.

As an afterthought, they asked why the customer wanted a 250-ft power cord anyway. I don't know, the rep said, I'll ask him. The rep called the customer back and explained that he would have to put one together for him. OK, the customer said. Then the rep asked why he wanted a 250-ft power cord anyway. "Because I'm on the 5th floor of this university building," the customer said, "and I'm about to push this s. o. b. out the window; and I want it to still be running when it hits the ground!"

And, some users explode.

Hewlett-Packard needs to listen to its critics.

Night-Hunting Legal for Indians

(Vancouver, British Columbia) Native Indians took heap big treaty to supreme white man's council and spoke of night-hunting of elusive deer for many moons.

From Reuters:

The court overturned the convictions of two members of British Columbia's Tsartlip Indian Band, who were arrested after they shot a fake deer set up by wildlife officers seeking to catch illegal night hunters.

The men had argued their right to hunt at night using lights was protected by a treaty signed in 1852 between the Indian band and the governor of the then-British colony of Vancouver Island on Canada's Pacific Coast.

A lower court ruled that although the Tsartlip people had historically used illumination during night hunts, the practice was not protected by a treaty right because it was "inherently unsafe."

Hunters use spotlights to blind or "freeze" an animal and make it an easier target, but the night-time darkness makes it difficult for hunters to see other people or houses that might be hit by accident.

The Supreme Court, in a four-to-three ruling, said it accepted evidence that the Tsartlip had never had a serious accident in generations of hunting at night using illumination.

Well, since it's safe, blast away.

Muslims Murder 61st Teacher in Thailand

(Bangkok) Since January 2004, more than 1,950 people have been killed in the three Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in Thailand. Yesterday, a female Bhuddist teacher, 34-year-old Chutima Rattanasamnieng, was shot in the head and later died at the hospital.

From People's Daily Online:

Chutima has become the 61st teacher killed by the southern insurgents, according to official statistics.

An unidentified gunman early Thursday opened fire on a group of seven teachers who were traveling by motorcycles to Baan Takae school in Pattani's Yaring district, wounding Chutima and her fellow teacher, Rungnapa Khongsuwan, both of them riding the same motorbike, which Chutima was driving.

Rungnapa, less seriously wounded than her colleague, is now in stable condition.

It's not surprising that many schools have difficulty remaining open as Muslim death squads terrorize and kill educators with regularity. And, don't be fooled by politically-correct reporting from the region which identifies the perpetrators as "insurgents" or "militants" or "unidentified gunmen." They are fundamentalist Muslims who view education as a threat.

Ominously, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned that there could be more violence during the New Year Holiday season.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Teacher Goes Wild on Videotape

(Gretna, Louisiana) A 24-year-old teacher at J.D. Meisler Middle School, Stephanie Giambelluca, has been arrested for molesting a 12-year-old student. Giambelluca allegedly behaved indecently with the boy and it was videotaped by a friend, 18-year-old Ryan Mapes.

From NOLA.com:

According to Mapes' arrest report, the 12-year-old was in his care Dec. 14 at the boy's house. Mapes allegedly allowed the teacher to come to the home, according to the report. Before she arrived, Mapes set up a video camera in the living room. Once the teacher got there, she and the 12-year-old went into another room, the report said. It was not known Wednesday whether anything occurred in the room.

When they returned, Mapes gave the boy one Xanax, a prescription anxiety medication that he took from the teacher's purse, the report said. The woman then took off all of her clothing except for her underwear and performed a sexually suggestive dance for the boy. Then the woman performed oral sex on Mapes in front of the boy, who talked to both of them during the act, the report said.

It was not known who reported the incident to the Sheriff's Office, but detectives have the videotape, the report said.

Giambelluca was booked for molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Mapes was booked for molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, possessing sexually explicit images involving a juvenile and distributing drugs to a person younger than 18. Both are in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.

MySpace pic from TDKOM

Companion post at Conservative Thinking

Ceremony in Iraq

It is customary to herald significant events with formal and traditional ceremonies. The Iraqis are rather unique in this regard.

From Reuters.com:

Iraqi soldiers bit the heads off frogs and ate the heart of a rabbit as signs of courage on Wednesday at a ceremony to transfer Najaf province, home to one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest shrines, from U.S. to Iraqi control.

Sheesh! I remember that when I bought my first car I went to the A & W and had a root beer float.

New Beer for the Allergic

(St. Louis, Missouri) The Anheuser-Busch company announced that a new beer, called Redbridge, has been introduced for sale to an under-served segment of the population, Americans diagnosed with celiac disease. The disease is an intestinal disorder caused by consuming gluten, a constituent in wheat, barley and rye. Redbridge is made from sorghum.

In related news, there are some thoughts that Anheuser-Busch may have concluded all research on its no tears beer, provisionally called Be Happy Bud. Collaboration with experts at Johnson & Johnson "No More Tears" lab, creators of baby shampoo, have failed to produce a viable combination of ingredients that tastes great while inhibiting crying. Even an attempt to infuse nano-particles of pulverized Bobby McFerrin vinyl records was unsuccessful. Test subjects stated that Be Happy Bud did, in fact, stop the inclination for them to cry in their beer, but it tasted like soap and made them foam at the mouth.

Prison for Female Molester

(Williamsport, Pennsylvania) In September, 19-year-old Felicia C. Morehart pleaded guilty to deviate sexual intercourse for forcing a 7-year-old boy into performing oral sex on her. Morehart also pleaded guilty to corruption of minors for allowing three boys, ages 9, 11, and 13, to witness the oral sex.

Yesterday, County Court Judge Dudley N. Anderson sentenced Morehart to 5-10 years in state prison followed by five years probation. She will also have to register as a sex offender for life.

Teacher Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

(Rockland, Maine) In January 2006, 33-year-old married teacher, Amy Bramhall, was arrested and charged with sexual abuse for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 15-year-old student.

Court documents indicate that the relationship with the boy, which lasted for nearly a year, involved 200 episodes of sex. Bramhall was booked and released on $200 bail.

In the latest development, Bramhall pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday.

A former Rockland High School teacher's aide was sentenced Wednesday for sexually abusing a minor. Amy Bramhall, who was 33 at the time of her arrest back in January, ended up pleading guilty to the charge.

Bramhall was caught after police set up a sting in which her accuser, a teenage boy, recorded several phone conversations with her.

It's not known what is on the tape of her conversation, but it was sufficient to produce a quick conviction. Bramhall was sentenced to three and one-half years in prison with all but a year suspended. Afterward, she'll serve four years probation.

No information has been reported regarding whether Bramhall will keep her teaching credentials or be required to register as a sex offender.

Blogoversary at Mein BlogoVault

Congratulations to the Good Lt. at Mein BlogoVault on its second anniversary. Go visit and wish him the best.

Based upon time in grade, I'd suggest that the Good Lt. deserves a promotion to the Good Lt. Cmdr.

Florida Utility Buys Wisconsin Nukes

Florida Power and Light is taking over the country.

From Miami.com:

FPL Group, owner of Florida's biggest utility, agreed to buy the Point Beach nuclear power plant in Wisconsin from Wisconsin Energy Corp. for about $998 million to almost double its generating capacity in the Midwest.

Wisconsin Energy will buy all of the output from the plant, located about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, through at least 2030 under a long-term agreement, Juno Beach-based FPL said today in a statement. The plant's two reactors can generate 1,033 megawatts, enough to supply about 826,000 average U.S. homes.

In a separate statement, Wisconsin Energy said the per- kilowatt cost of buying power from FPL will be lower than if its Wisconsin Electric Power Co. utility continued to own and operate the plant, its only nuclear station.

FPL has been expanding its wholesale power generation business outside Florida, buying nuclear plants and building wind-powered generators. FPL has 660 megawatts of generating capacity from wind turbines in Wisconsin and five other Midwest states and it bought a majority stake in Iowa's Duane Arnold nuclear plant last year.

So, the folks in Wisconsin have to get hired guns from Florida to run their plants. Of course, when it comes to heavily-regulated industries, it's all about the bean counting.

Boy, 5, Accused of Sexual Harassment

(Hagerstown, Maryland) A kindergartener pinched a girl's buttocks on December 8 in a hallway at Lincolnshire Elementary School south of Hagerstown. According to Washington County Public Schools spokeswoman Carol Mowen, the boy is officially accused of "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and/or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others."


Kindergarten Court
The boy's father, Charles Vance, is surprised, stating that his son doesn't know anything about sex.

Nevertheless, the accusation will remain on the boy's record until he moves to middle school. It's worth mentioning that 28 Maryland kindergarten students were suspended for sex offenses during the 2005-2006 school year.

It's not known whether the boy will be required to complete rehab or sensitivity training.

Notably, Maryland isn't the only state with bone-headed educators. Last month, a four-year-old was suspended from the La Vega Primary School in Waco, Texas, for hugging his teacher. According to the principal, the boy demonstrated "inappropriate physical behavior interpreted as sexual contact and/or sexual harassment."

It's bad enough that the education establishment is overreacting, but I figure it's even worse that politically correct idiots are teaching America's next generation.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Woman Indicted for Sex with Boy

(Norwalk, Ohio) A 35-year-old woman, Vickie Todd, was indicted by a Huron County grand jury on one charge of felony sexual battery. Todd allegedly engaged in a sexual episode with a teen boy in October.

According to Huron County assistant prosecutor Richard Woodruff, the boy was less than 16 years old.

Baby Zapped at LAX

(Los Angeles) Authorities believe it was an accident when a grandmother put her one-month-old grandson through the airport X-ray machine at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday.

Doctors checked the baby and determined that he was okay. The grandmother, however, was diagnosed as incurably stupid and in need of adult supervision in all activities other than drooling.

Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student

(Glenwood Springs, Colorado) A 32-year-old English teacher at Elizabeth High School, Darcie Esson, was arrested Monday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student who is on the school football team.

Esson was booked on a felony charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. Her bond was set at $25,000.

The sex allegedly occurred in a hotel room in Glenwood Springs where the boy was to play in a high school football playoff game. Along in the hotel room with Esson, who is going through a divorce, were her two children, 4 and 8, and a babysitter. The three kids were believed to be asleep when the student entered the room in the early morning hours to have sex with Esson.

It is alleged, however, that the babysitter saw the boy enter the room and that she also found a used condom on the floor of the bathroom the following morning.

Authorities were alerted when the 17-year-old student bragged about his relationship. After data were gathered from the boy's calls and text messages to Esson indicating he had contacted her at least 120 times, the boy confessed to the relationship.

Elizabeth School District Superintendent Bob Neel believes there is sufficient evidence to fire Esson but the decision will have to be made by Principal James Trevino.

A court date has been scheduled for December 29 in Glenwood Springs District Court.

Tips: Jason Cann and Don Morgenstern


[Update 12/29/06]

Esson retains high-profile lawyer.


[Update 05/18/07]

Esson faces more charges.


[Update 06/20/07]

Esson pleads guilty.

Convicted Molester Gets More Leniency

(Tulare, California) As reported in November 2005, first-year Tulare Western High School English teacher Elizabeth Stow, now 28, was convicted of seven counts of having sex with a minor and five counts of oral copulation with a minor for incidents with three underage students between September and December of 2004.

Encapsulating Stow's malfeasance, she graduated from college, started teaching at Tulare High School and, before the first mid-term, began having sexual relations with three students. To compound her troubles, Stow was on probation from a drunken driving conviction when she was arrested for having sex with students.

At sentencing, Judge Walter Gorelick gave Stow one year in the county jail with the option of serving it under house arrest. Additionally, Stow was ordered to undergo counseling, surrender her teaching credentials, and register as a sex offender. At the time, the prosecution expressed concern that Stow's lenient sentence would send the wrong message about sex between teachers and students. I concurred.

In the latest development, Judge Walter Gorelick yesterday dropped the sex registration requirement for Elizabeth Stow. Therefore, the exceedingly lenient sentence Stow received last year for multiple sex crimes with underage students was made more lenient this year. This trend is troubling. In a few years, the court may very well give Stow an award with a cash prize.

Teacher on Trial for Kidnapping Boy

(Nashua, New Hampshire) Last June, 32-year-old married mother of two sons, Jennifer Malone, disappeared from her home in Canterbury along with her 8-year-old son and a 16-year-old boy she met at a school where she worked as a counselor. Jennifer's husband, Rodney Malone, discovered that his wife and one son were missing on June 16 and that the family bank account was drained.

Subsequently, a nation-wide search found Malone and the boys in Florida. Ultimately, all three were returned to New Hampshire. In August, Malone was indicted on a kidnapping charge with bail set at $50,000. Her parents made bail and she was released. In September, Malone was arrested again for violating her bail conditions by trying to contact the boy.

Today, Jennifer Malone's kidnapping trial got underway.

From SeacoastOnline.com:

Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Justin Shepard acknowledged it wasn't a typical kidnapping case, but said Jennifer Malone took advantage of a vulnerable teen she should have been supervising.

"This case is about a 32-year-old woman enticing, befriending and seducing a 16-year-old boy," said Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Justin Shephard. "But for the sex, he wouldn't have gone to Florida."

Malone is charged with kidnapping Christopher Cole, of Nashua, whom she met while working as a teacher's assistant at Mount Prospect Academy in Plymouth. She also took her 8-year-old son Brennan when they ran away.

The defense is expected to counter the prosecution by arguing that the boy had his own reasons for leaving New Hampshire. Specifically, he was a juvenile offender on probation who had tested positive for drug use.

Malone's trial should conclude this week.


[Update 12/21/06]

After a mere 90 minutes of deliberation, a jury found Jennifer Malone, 33, guilty of kidnapping. Sentencing is expected within 30 days.


[Update 02/14/07]

Malone sentenced.

Blacks Protest Bus Seating

(Santa Clara, California) A discrimination controversy regarding the seating of black students on a school bus is threatening to flare up.

From MercuryNews.com:

When the driver began directing African-American students to the front of the bus -- for safety reasons, he reportedly said -- they quickly concluded that something was wrong.

Now, more than a month later, some Santa Clara High School students are still upset, the NAACP is asking questions and Santa Clara Unified School District officials are trying to determine exactly what happened.

It appears that two black students had gotten into a fight at the back of the bus so the bus driver subtly encouraged all the black students to temporarily sit in the front of the bus so they could easily be watched. The episode is all over now and bus seating is back to normal.

The issue, however, has not died. Students have demonstrated and made presentations to school officials. The NAACP is calling for action to improve conditions for African-American students and staff. The Santa Clara High School principal, Brad Syth, has cautioned against viewing the situation as racial when, in reality, it "may just be a bus situation."

Maybe so, but one thing seems certain. If black people are on a bus, they had better be allowed to sit anywhere they damn well please or somebody will likely have to answer to accusations of racial bias.

California Justice

Surely, Cleveland Indians fans recall Chuck Finley. The veteran pitcher spent a couple seasons calling Jacobs Field home. Finley's wife, now ex-wife, is also memorable as the temperamental actress Tawny Kitaen. And, she's making news.

From ContraCostaTimes.com:

Tawny Kitaen, who starred in the 1984 Tom Hanks comedy, "Bachelor Party," has entered a drug rehabilitation program after pleading guilty to possessing 15 grams of cocaine.

The 45-year-old actress will be allowed to change her plea to not guilty after completing the program, under terms of a plea agreement, officials said. The plea change will remove the conviction from her record.

Okay, let's recap. You plead guilty to a felony drug charge, get sentenced to rehab, complete rehab and return to court, plead not guilty and have your criminal record expunged. What a deal?!

Just think of all the sex offenders who could be helped by this criminal justice procedure. Go to rehab and refresh the record. Piece of cake, eh? How about Nick Nolte? And Mel Gibson? By now, they must have removed any reference to drunk driving from their records. Errant pencil scratch? Hey, rehab it. Got yourself a reckless driving ticket? Take the remedial driving course and rehab that ticket. Poof! Gone! Presto pure through rehab.

Don't you just love the creativity of California courts?

Mexican Kidnappers Release Texans

(Laredo, Texas) Late last month, Laredo businessman Librado Pina Junior, 49, and his 25-year-old son, Librado Pina III, were kidnapped by 30 to 40 armed men while on a hunting trip in Mexico.

Yesterday, 49-year-old Pina was released. His son was released last Friday. Nobody had comments on whether a ransom was paid. I'd make a guess that there was.

It's still unknown what happened to the other 60 Americans kidnapped around Laredo in the last two years.

Judith Zweifel Gets 14 Years for Child Sex

(Florissant, Missouri) In November, 38-year-old Judith Zweifel, a married mother of two, was convicted of 30 felony sex offenses for repeatedly engaging in sex with an 11-year-old boy.

The crimes occurred from December 2004 to August 2005 and involved a friend of her 9-year-old son.

Today, St. Louis County Circuit Judge John F. Kintz sentenced Zweifel to 14 years in prison.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Anti-Smoking Law Doesn't Cover Hookahs

... thinks the doctor.

From Cleveland.com:

Vip Garg, an ex-cigarette smoker and a doctor at MetroHealth Medical Center, said it didn't occur to him when he voted for November's anti-smoking measure that it would cover the water pipe.

Nevertheless, all the trendy Middle Eastern-styled hookah smoking establishments are in full pucker mode. Owners are developing every angle to support staying in business once the provisions of the anti-smoking law are fully implemented.

In the meantime, it's recommended that Dr. Garg avoid being quoted and that MetroHealth Medical Center provide training in diagnosing the obvious.

Ohio College Prep Plan Troubles Educators

Term-limited Ohio Gov. Bob Taft hopes to sign into law the Ohio Core Plan before his skanky tenure is over. The plan would require that a college preparatory curriculum be implemented in Ohio high schools consisting of more math, English and science courses.

Completion of the college prep curriculum would then be a prerequisite for acceptance to The Ohio State University and most other four-year, state-funded schools. Fortunately, students who don't complete the college prep coursework will still be able to attend three state schools; Youngstown State University, Shawnee State University in Portsmouth and Central State University in Wilberforce.

Unfortunately, educators are now concerned that students at the three schools not requiring college prep work will be stigmatized and looked upon as dummies.

Interestingly, there seems to be little concern about the fact that students who graduate from Ohio high schools must complete remedial work to acquire sufficient knowledge to succeed in college.

Lapse At Boeing

Check out some recent management performance indicators from the Boeing Co.

- In November 2005, a laptop computer containing personal information on 160,000 current and former Boeing employees was stolen.

- In April 2006, a laptop computer containing personal information on 3,600 Boeing employees and retirees was stolen.

- In December 2006, a laptop computer containing the names and Social Security numbers of 382,000 Boeing workers and retirees was stolen.

Obviously, there are entirely too many laps at Boeing.

Vermont Battles Kansas

(Montpelier, Vermont) Vermont Gov. James Douglas will oppose the construction of new coal-fired electric generating plants in Kansas because of global warming.

As a consequence, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be challenged to consider calls to classify Vermont maple syrup as a prohibited hazardous substance which causes obesity and high rates of diabetes.

Big Deal, I Won

I want to thank everyone who selected me to be TIME magazine's "Person of the Year for 2006" and, with no misgivings, I must decline the award. No less than the Publisher's Clearinghouse, TIME has made every person a winner.

Interestingly, I also was notified that I won the UK Lottery today and was fortunate enough to be selected to help a Nigerian princess retrieve millions of dollars from a Swiss bank. I also won an Apple iPod, a cell phone and a laptop computer.

I'm now going to make a note on my calendar indicating that 2006 was the year that TIME magazine turned the "Person of the Year" award into spam.

Little Boy Passes Meth Training

(Phoenix, Arizona) Congratulations to four-year-old Ethan Morris for successfully completing the MethSmart prevention program. Fairly soon, he'll continue his education by starting kindergarten.

UMass - Elitist, Liberal, Sophisticated

(Amherst, Massachusetts) After the University of Massachusetts football team was defeated by Appalachian State 28-17 in the NCAA Div. 1 title game, about 1,800 students reacted with a display of their elitist liberal sophistication and sportsmanship in the streets of Amherst. They rioted.

Scores of police officers responded and were attacked with bottles, cans, rocks, trash cans and bicycles. A number of fires were started and windows were smashed. Two officers were injured.

Ten students were arrested for disorderly conduct and failure to disperse. Michael Gargano, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life, said he was disappointed and he may discipline the offenders.

To some degree, drugs and alcohol are blamed. However, according to UMass spokesman Edward F. Blaguszewski, the rioting is really a national problem.

Show's over. Go home, folks. It's a national problem that UMass has idiots.

Teacher's Aide Arrested for Sex Assault

(Berlin, Connecticut) A 26-year-old special education teacher's aide, Danielle Grasso, was escorted from Berlin High School on Thursday and arrested for second-degree sexual assault.

Grasso allegedly was involved in a months-long relationship with an 18-year-old student. An investigation was initiated when a group of students were overheard gossiping about the relationship at a local restaurant.

Grasso was booked with bond initially set at $50,000. At her arraignment yesterday, her bond was reduced to $25,000 and a court hearing was scheduled for January 17.

Female Teacher, 42, Boy, 15

(Whitfield County, Georgia) A 42-year-old math teacher at Whitfield County Career Academy, Frances Cook, was booked for molestation of a 15-year-old boy. Apparently, Cook was caught in a compromising position with the boy in a parked car behind the elementary school.

Cook faces charges of sexual battery and aggravated child molestation. She has resigned her teaching position.


[Update 03/14/07]

Cook sentenced.

Twin Teachers in Sex Jackpot

(Riverside County, California) Twin 26-year-old female teachers at Lakeside High School, Franca and Antonia Munoz-Juvera, were arrested in connection with alleged sex acts with an underage female student.


Franca Munoz-Juvera, Antonia Munoz-Juvera
Detectives arrested Franca for alleged "unlawful contact" with a female student. Antonio was arrested for failing to report the alleged "unlawful contact" as required by California law. A third woman, 18-year-old Eileen Valerio, was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The twins were placed on administrative leave by the Lake Elsinore Unified School District which is conducting its own investigation.

The three women were booked into the Southwest Detention Center with bond set at $50,000 each. A court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 4/27/08]

Franca and Antonia Munoz-Juvera and Eileen Valerio all plead guilty. Sentencing in June 2008.

Language Teacher Booked for Sex with Student

(Chaska, Minnesota) A 28-year-old language teacher at Chaska High School, Julia Ozirski Lund, has been charged for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old male student. Authorities became aware of the relationship when the student spilled the beans.

Lund faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct which involves sex with a victim older than 16 but younger than 18 by a person in authority. She was booked and released on bail.

No comments have been forthcoming from her husband.

Tip: Jason Cann


[Update 07/16/07]

Lund acquitted.

Child Porn with Girl, 14

(Hillsborough County, Florida) A 44-year-old woman, Rebecca Abernathy, and a 50-year-old man, Michael Jones, were arrested by county deputies for sex crimes and child pornography with a 14-year-old girl. Investigators discovered several videos of the two having sex with the girl.

Both Abernathy and Jones face charges of sexual battery, lewd conduct, lewd exhibition, possession of child pornography, failure to report child abuse and lewd molestation.

Female Teacher, Female Student

(Somerset County, New Jersey) A 39-year-old high school physical education teacher and coach, Pamela Balogh, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old female student.

From The Express Times:

Pamela Balogh, 39, of Bethlehem, taught and coached the female student, who was 15 years old when the alleged sexual assaults started in December 2004, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. The alleged assaults continued through September 2005 and mainly occurred in Balogh's office at Immaculata High School in Somerville, the prosecutor's office said.

Balogh has been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Balogh sports a stellar history in athletics. She was named basketball player of the year in high school and has been inducted into the halls of fame at North Hunterdon High School and at Temple University.

Balogh was booked into the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $100,000.

Tip: Jason Cann


[Update 03/23/07]

Pamela Balogh offered deal of 10 years in prison in return for guilty plea. Going to trial could net her 20 years in prison. Her lawyer, James Wronko of Somerville, still needs to discuss the deal with Balogh.


[Update 12/08/07]

Balogh convicted and sentenced.

Eco-Thuggery in Britain

(Derbyshire, UK) Intimidating phone calls put fear in the mind of a farmer who was cooperating with a trial of a genetically-modified (GM) potato crop. He withdrew his participation.

The GM potato crop being tested was designed to resist blight, the fungus that ruined Ireland's potato crop in the 1840s famine. The German plant science company BASF is pursuing another location for the GM trial. Meanwhile, scientists are concerned about the apparent return to the tactics used by protesters during the GM debacle of the 1990s.

The ecological warriors must have found something more devastating about GM potatoes than famine-causing blight. Or, maybe they're just idiots displaying cult behavior. You make the call.

Darfur: Another Mogadishu?

Don't tell me that you haven't seen the heart-wrenching media campaign to garner public support for President Bush to send American help to Sudan, specifically Darfur. Malnourished waifs with pleading expressions are pictured in barren desert refugee camps with overlays detailing the numbers who have died.

There is no doubt that the situation in Darfur is desperate, made so by Islamic fundamentalists who are working "hand-in-glove" with the government. Thug Islamist Janjaweed militias, trained and backed by al-Qaeda, have been on a rampage for several years to steal, kidnap, rape and murder black African villagers throughout the Darfur region. Atrocities against children seem to be their specialty.

Ostensibly, the Janjaweed are razing the countryside to fight off Sudanese rebel insurgencies. Nonetheless, black Africans are displaced to refugee camps where some help has been provided by international aide groups. But the camps too have been attacked by the Janjaweed, killing people and destroying donated foodstuffs. Even NGO aide workers and journalists have been targeted for kidnapping (for ransom) and murder.

The African Union (AU) sent forces to stabilize the region. They were ineffective for a variety of reasons with the most important being that they lacked the political will from member African Union nations. The Janjaweed plowed through the AU forces like loose loam on the farrow back forty.

The United Nations has been toying with the idea of doing something to help. SecGen Kofi Annan ordered a report to determine if genocide is occurring in Darfur and concluded that there is no genocide. That determination allowed the UN to do nothing, and they have done just that. Oh, I must mention that the UN issued statements of outrage and orders to stop the killing and blah, blah, blah. The UN talks and nothing happens.

However, calls for UN action did produce one result. It was a threat from the Sudanese government that UN troops would be attacked as invaders. So, the UN doesn't do anything and likely won't, however, if they do, Sudan will declare war against the "invading" UN troops.

To recap, neither the AU nor the UN has found a solution to the desperate situation in Darfur and it doesn't seem likely that they will. And, all the while, the Islamist Janjaweed keep killing black Africans.

Now, I see two issues here. First is the situation in Darfur. It's more than tragic and, since no other group has taken a leadership position on finding a solution, I'm not against U.S. involvement. I also believe that U.S. intervention will become necessary because Darfur is just a symptom of the larger malady, the murderous spread of Islamic fundamentalism. The inhabitants of Darfur have been systematically rousted from their homes because they are Africans and not Muslim.

The same type situation is happening in Somalia where the al-Qaeda-backed Islamic Courts Union (ICU) is finishing up a takeover of the nation. In fact, the ICU is so sassy in its success that war with Ethiopia was declared. Presumably, the war is necessary for the ICU to defend Somalian territory along an ill-defined border with Ethiopia. More logically, the ICU is simply enlarging the area under its control. It sure doesn't take a map expert to see that Ethiopia may be the next target for al-Qaeda. The Sudanese Janjaweed are pressuring the western border and the Somalian Islamic Courts Union is warring on the east. It's a firepot of growing al-Qaeda trouble in the region.

The second issue is a complaint. From a geopolitical standpoint, there is no reason for immediate American involvement in Darfur. From a humanitarian standpoint, however, immediate relief is needed. And the need should be addressed by all humanity, not just America. The African Union and the United Nations apparently can't get excited about Darfur. The European Union, Russia, China, the Indian subcontinent and South America have expressed little, if any, interest. Yet, I and other Americans have been bombarded by the media about the need for U.S. action in Darfur. And, it will continue until the first soldier is killed.

For example, I just saw actor George Clooney on television discussing his efforts in talking to the UN and to Kofi Annan about Darfur and the need for immediate action. I don't believe he expects the UN to do a damn thing. I suspect that Clooney is making news entirely for the sake of the American public, hoping to put pressure on Congress and the administration to take action. Now we, the American television viewers, can expect a compliant liberal media to show repeats of his appearance, over and over, as if it's America's job to stop the genocide.

Tell me, how is it that the liberals can demand that U.S. forces get out of Iraq, where we have a strong interest, while at the same time, they can call for American forces to go to Darfur, where we don't have a vested interest?

The last time the U.S. became engaged in an African humanitarian venture (by sending food to Somalia), it was media-driven and America took it in the shorts. That stunt cost the lives of 18 of the bravest and best-trained fighting men in the world. I personally blame Defense Secretary, Les Aspin, and President Clinton, who appointed him. Neither cared enough to give needed military support in Mogadishu and American soldiers died. The corpse of one Ranger was even dragged through the streets, an unforgettable humiliation.

And one man who didn't forget, Osama bin Laden, has been quoted as saying that the episode in Mogadishu proved that America can be defeated.

In a nutshell, the effort for humanitarian aid in Somalia was media-driven and no geopolitical U.S. interests were in play. Similarly, the effort for humanitarian aid in Darfur is media-driven (aimed at the U.S. exclusively, it seems) and no immediate geopolitical U.S. interests are in play.

The first case resulted in the deaths of American soldiers and emboldened Osama bin Laden to believe that al-Qaeda can win a war with America.

Readers can make the call on the second case.

New Teen Driving Law in Ohio

(Columbus, Ohio) By a vote of 29-3, the Ohio Senate approved a law which will limit the number of passengers a teen driver could carry in a vehicle. A driver under 17 will be allowed only one passenger who is not a relative. If the teen's parent or guardian is present, more passengers are allowed.

From Cleveland.com:

Brian Newbacher, spokesman for the AAA club covering most of Northeast Ohio, said the Senate's vote will save lives.

"This law will prevent approximately 20 percent of the fatalities that would have occurred," he said.

The law has been approved by the Ohio House and now goes to Gov. Bob Taft, who plans to sign it.

It also would block drivers under 17 from driving from midnight to 6 a.m. without a parent or guardian.

Drivers 17 to 18 couldn't be on the road between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. The only exception would be for driving to or from work, and the drivers would need documentation from employers.

The Ohio House previously passed the measure 90-3 in May. It takes effect in three months.

Violations will be misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $150. Law enforcers, however, will be barred from pulling over cars for only a excess passenger violation. Citations for violations of the new law may only be issued in conjunction with another violation.

Sen. Tim Johnson

(Washington) Everyone surely knows by now that Sen. Tim Johnson (D - SD) suffered brain bleeding from a condition called arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. Doctors performed a brain operation to stop the bleeding. His condition is described as critical and stable. His long-term prognosis, however, is indeterminate. Some experts believe he has a chance for a full recovery.

It's reported that he responded to stimuli when awakened after his brain operation. It's also reported that Sen. Johnson awoke to see Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Dick Durbin and former Sen. Tom Daschle in his room to provide moral support.

In all candor, if I just had a brain operation and awoke to see those three guys, I'd probably go into a series of seizures.

Sick humor aside, I hope for Sen. Johnson's full recovery.

Russia Stopped Assassinating Spies

(Berlin, Germany) A former Russian KGB agent, Valentin Velichko, stated in an interview that "Moscow abandoned its policy of assassinating enemies long ago."

Fine. Now if Moscow were to announce that all veteran spies have taken an oath of truthfulness, we'd be set.

Mars Gets 16 Years for Rape, HIV Exposure

Just yesterday, I wrote about Donna Sue Mars and her trial, anticipating that it would take a nominal amount of time. But no, it appears that the court and the jury didn't need a lot of time to convict and sentence her. Everything was wrapped up yesterday afternoon.

Mars received 10 years for rape and six years for exposing the boy to HIV. Judge Clinger ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

Tamara Hoover Back to School

(Austin, Texas) Art teacher Tamara Hoover lost her job with at Austin High School when it became known that her nude pictures were placed on the Internet. She walked away with several month's severance pay and, in August, announced plans to obtain credentials to teach at the university level.

In the latest development, Hoover stated on her MySpace website that she will be teaching continuing education courses in "Urban Art" at Austin Community College. "Urban Art" encompasses street art and skate art.

I confess ignorance since I've always thought street art was just graffiti. There must be more to it if it's being taught in school.

Grand Jury Subpoena for ACLU

Last October, the American Civil Liberties Union received an unsolicited, leaked government document. It's three and one-half pages long, marked "Secret" classification, and was issued in December 2005. The U.S. Attorney wants the document returned since it was released without authorization. A grand jury issued a subpoena to the ACLU for its return.

The ACLU is balking and has asked a federal judge to quash the subpoena. It's claimed that the government is trampling on First Amendment rights.

This is nuts. The ACLU has no automatic right to classified information that obviously was purloined. Freedom of speech doesn't give anyone the right to steal nor the right to receive stolen property.

More discussion and links at STACLU.

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Woman, 41, Arrested for Sex with Boy,14

(Ann Arbor, Michigan) A 41-year-old woman, Dawn Marie Richards, was arrested and charged for engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. The sex allegedly occurred this past weekend. Police were alerted by the boy's parents.

Richards, a mother of two children, faces counts of criminal sexual conduct and soliciting or accosting a minor for immoral purposes. She is in custody in the Washtenaw County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.


[Update 01/19/07]

Richards sentenced.

Mars Rape Trial

(Bentonville, Arkansas) A year ago, a 42-year-old HIV-positive woman, Donna Sue Mars (aka Donna Sue Turner), was charged with rape and with exposing another person to HIV for engaging in oral sex with a 13-year-old boy.

This week, the trial of Donna Sue Mars, now 43, got underway before an 11-man, one-woman jury in Benton County Circuit Court, Judge David Clinger presiding. In the first two days of testimony, the jurors got a glimpse of the mentality of Mars.

"How can you rape the willing?" was Donna Sue Mars' first question after learning she was being arrested in December 2005, accused of performing oral sex on a 13-year-old boy.

When an officer explained state law gives special protection to those younger than age 14, Mars said, "Sometimes, when you get drunk, you forget the age, right?"

Her statements were recorded on tape the night of her arrest. The boy and his mother also testified, leaving the impression that the episode with Mars made the boy frightful and traumatized.

If convicted, Mars could be sentenced to life in prison. More later.

Cleveland's Traffic Cameras

(Columbus, Ohio) The Ohio House yesterday passed proposed rules which would make traffic cameras valueless. The legislation would essentially require that all traffic camera locations to be manned by a police officer to verify who was actually driving offending vehicles and to issue tickets.

In full-pucker mode, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson expressed outrage and threatened a lawsuit to overturn the new law. Jackson asserted that the new legislation is contrary to the home rule provisions of the Ohio Constitution.

Legislative reform was drafted due to accusations that Cleveland's traffic cameras were a naked cash cow fleecing the public. City officials deny that the traffic cameras have anything to do with money and contend that the system is for public safety.

Of course, when someone says it's not about the money, everyone knows it's about the money.

The Ohio Senate and Gov. Taft will have to give their okey-dokeys for the proposal to become law.

Stranded Man Saved by BBQ Sauce

(Kobe, Japan) A 35-year-old man, Mitsutaka Uchikoshi, was stranded for 24 days on Mount Rokko and survived on a half bottle of barbecue sauce.

The brand wasn't disclosed but it's rumored to have long-lasting flavor.

People Leaving California

It's not a mass migration, rather a message of dissatisfaction. Some of the gilding of the Golden State is rubbing off.

From KSBY.com:

For the first time in almost a decade, more people moved out of California last year than moved in.

According to the California Department of Finance, the state recorded a net loss of about 29,000 people in 2005. The most common destinations for the newest ex-Californians were Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Washington and Oregon.

The high cost of housing is cited as the primary reason people leave. I'd suggest that high taxes and crime have also been factors prompting folks to vamoose.

Nevertheless, 29,000 is a minute number when compared to the 37 million or so residents of the state. Also, the numbers don't reflect the "undocumented" hordes of illegal aliens in the state.