Teacher Lina Sinha - Nasty in Manhattan

(New York City) The convoluted story of Lina Sinha, Manhattan Montessori school teacher and director, was exposed last October when she was charged with sodomy and rape of a student.

Sinha was accused of having a long-term sexual relationship with a student, starting when the boy was 13 years old and lasting until he was 17. She was arraigned and freed on her own recognizance, however, she was instructed to surrender her passport to prevent flight to India where she has relatives.

Since that last court appearance, more trouble has visited Sinha. Yesterday, additional charges were filed.

From NYPost.com:

The female director of an East Side Montessori school was a little-boy-crazy "predator," Manhattan prosecutors charged yesterday, as they accused her of bedding two of the school's students - often on school property, and starting when they were only 12 and 13 years old.

The disgraced administrator, Lina Sinha, 40, who has worked for almost 20 years at the East 55th Street school founded and still owned by her parents, was also charged with trying to cover her tracks through lies and bribes of sneakers, cellphones and cash.

In all, Sinha faces 81 charges of rape, sodomy, bribing a witness and tampering with a witness and evidence.

"It is the people's position that this defendant is a predator," lead prosecutor Florence Chapin told a judge in Manhattan Supreme Court, after Sinha pleaded not guilty.

The most serious charges in the shocking indictment are for first-degree rape - for allegedly having sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old for a year, beginning in February 2001.

Whoa! Hose her down!

Two boys and 81 criminal counts related to illegal sexual behavior at a school -- for years! -- and nobody noticed? Come on! I don't believe it. Many people associated with the school had to be looking the other way, intentionally.

In the meantime, Sinha allegedly has been impeding investigators while trying to frame the first victim, who is now an adult and an NYPD officer, with fabricated assertions that he was a rapist.

Sinha's bail was set at $50,000 by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Carol Berkman and it was promptly posted. The next court appearance is scheduled for August 16. If convicted of the rape and sodomy charges, Sinha faces a possible 25 years in prison.

Companion post at The Jawa Report. Trackback to Basil's Picnic and Wizbang COTT.


[Update 09/06/06]

Sinha offered plea deal.


[Update 10/20/06]

Sinha rejects offer, going to trial.


[Update 02/27/07]

Sinha trial underway.


[Update 03/30/07]

Lina Sinha convicted. Sentencing scheduled for April 19th.


[Update 04/19/07]

Sinha sentenced to prison.

How Do I Love Thee?

Ooh-baby, ooh-baby, let me show you my love. Ooh-baby, it hurts so bad.

From SFGate.com:

A man who apparently severed his penis in an attempt to convince his wife that he was faithful to her was recovering after surgery to reattach the organ at a northern Malaysian hospital, a news report said Tuesday.

The 41-year-old man, who was not identified, got into an argument last Friday with his wife, who found a text message on his mobile phone from another woman. The man was heard by his son shouting that he wanted to prove he was not having an affair, the New Straits Times reported.

Loud screams and lots of blood are reported to have resulted.

Frankly, he would have been smarter to buy her some jewelry. Sure, cutting off his pleasure wand will assure that he doesn't stray to the arms of another woman, but it also means his lady at home likely won't experience any magic moments. Idiot.

New Terror Group Member Trained by Al Qaeda

(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) As a followup to the previous post reporting that a new terror group is operating in Southeast Asia, Malaysian investigators found that at least one member is al-Qaeda-trained.

From TheStar.com.my:

One of the 12 members of the new terror group Darul Islam arrested by the Malaysian police was trained by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda movement in Afghanistan, investigations revealed.

The Indonesian, who was trained to handle arms and make bombs, is said to have conducted similar training for members of the group in Indonesia and in the southern Philippines.

Regional intelligence sources, who described the radical group as dangerous, said the man had been a strong source of influence on the rest of the other Darul Islam members.

They said the regional intelligence agencies had been keeping tabs on the group, particularly its link with the Abu Sayyaf, a small violent Muslim terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines.

Several of its leaders had reportedly fought in Afghanistan during the Soviet war and were students and proponents of radical Islamic teaching.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has instructed Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Bakri Omar, to issue a full report on the arrest and investigation of the 12 Darul Islam members.

The fact that al-Qaeda is involved, even minimally so, with Darul Islam should come as no surprise to prudent observers. All the terrorist groups seem to work together in a shadowy web of brotherly support.

Illegal Allegedly Impregnates 10-Year-Old Half-Sister

(Pharr, Texas) A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 21-year-old illegal alien, Pedro Guzman Munoz, for the alleged rape of his 10-year-old half-sister who is now three months pregnant.

From Team4News.com:

"He had sexual relations with one of his relatives who's ten years old, and as a result of that, she's three months pregnant," said Lt. Lupe Salinas, a spokesman for Pharr Police.

[ ... ]

"Possibly since she was 9 years old," Salinas said.

More shocking is that the parents may have known and did nothing about it. In fact investigators only found out when a doctor at a San Juan clinic reported the crime.

Now the parents could also be in trouble.

"CPS (Child Protective Services) is looking into the fact that if there was any type of negligence or if they knew that this was going on they can take some sort of action."

Munoz is believed to have fled to Mexico, his home.

Companion post at Diggers Realm.

Lewd Teacher Gets No Jail

(Hudson Falls, New York) A little over a year ago, a 31-year-old teacher's aide at Hudson Falls High School, Karlie Hall, was arrested and charged with child endangerment and public lewdness for exchanging sexually explicit emails with a 14-year-old student. She also exposed herself to him and bought cigarettes for him. Subsequently, Hall was released on $2,000 bail.

Today, in Hudson Falls Village Court, Hall pleaded guilty to misdemeanors of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child. She was sentenced to three years probation and instructed to have no contact with the victim.

In a related development, the mother of the victim, Kristine M. Fernandez, filed a $500,000 lawsuit last Friday on behalf of her (now) 15-year-old son. It's not clear what injury is to be claimed. Nonetheless, Fernandez and son seek damages from the school district, Hudson Falls Senior High School, and Karlie M. Hall on the grounds that no adequate background check was conducted prior to hiring Hall.

Teacher, 25, Rubby Rubby, Student, 18

(Las Vegas, Nevada) A 25-year-old teacher at Cheyenne High School, Heidi Tolman, has been suspended with pay while the school district investigates an allegation that she engaged in sex with an 18-year-old male student.

Tolman's lawyer, Vincent Consul, stated that no crime is involved since the student was not a minor. According to the school district, however, a teacher may be fired for having sex with a student despite the student's age.

I see Tolman's situation as a case of ethics rather than legalities.

Barry Bonds' Home Run Ball

Andrew Morbitzer, the guy who caught Barry Bonds' 715th home run ball (which broke Babe Ruth's record), was just interviewed on the FoxNews Channel.

Interestingly, Morbitzer pointed out that the ball has already been authenticated by Major League Baseball officials. It seems that there is some type of secret coding protocol on each ball and the officials verified that Morbitzer's ball was the one Bonds hit. Okay, fine.

However, does anyone else think it's ironic that the U.S. can keep track of individual baseballs but has no clue on tens of millions of illegal aliens? And, the same question could be asked regarding the millions of cows being tracked in order to intercept those infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow).

Illegal baseballs and infected cows can be found in the U.S. with ease while illegal aliens, in everyday plain view, can hide with impunity.

What a country!

New Terror Group Busted

(Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia) The Darul Islam is being characterized as a new terrorist organization when, in reality, the group was suppressed for decades and just recently became re-energized.

From TheStar.com.my:

A new terrorist group suspected of planning attacks on several neighbouring countries has been uncovered following the arrest of 12 men.

The recent capture of members of the Indonesian radical group, Darul Islam, was the Malaysian police's biggest success against terrorism since their crackdown five years ago on Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM) which had links with the Jemaah Islamiah terror network.

The Darul Islam group, comprising mainly Indonesians, had at least two locals.

The 12 detained were nabbed off the coasts of Sandakan and Tawau following months of police surveillance.

The police had learnt that several members of the group would be in "transit" in Malaysia while on their way to neighbouring countries, sources said.

There are several potential target countries which border the South China Sea and I believe that all the major terror groups in the region work with each other in creating havoc. In addition to Darul Islam, there's also al Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf, and Jemaah Islamiah.

Police are investigating if Darul Islam had links with the Abu Sayyaf terror group based in the southern Philippines and the al-Qaeda movement led by Osama bin Laden who orchestrated the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Star learnt that at least 11 members of Darul Islam are being held at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak. They have been issued two-year detention orders under the Internal Security Act.

Police seized several weapons and documents, including bomb-making instructions from the Darul Islam members who likely operate out of the Malaysian state of Sabah, on Borneo island and centrally located between Indonesia, the Philippines, and mainland Malaysia.

One final thought. Since the Darul Islam was dormant for a number of years and recently became operational again, it's probably safe to assume that it had an infusion of resources. I'd guess that it was al Qaeda sending Darul Islam a few key people and money.

Companion post at In The Bullpen.


[Update 05/31/06]

I was at least partially correct. Another report indicates that one member of Darul Islam was trained at a bin Laden al Qaeda facility in Afghanistan.

Zarqawi Aide Captured by Iraqis

(Baghdad) Labeled as one of Iraq's most-wanted al-Qaeda terrorists, Kassim al-Ani was captured by Iraqi army security forces in Baghdad Sunday night. Kassim al-Ani, a/k/a Qasim Al-Aani, is a senior aide to the Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

From KUNA.net.kw:

Chief of the 3rd Brigades in the Iraqi Army Jawad Roomi Al-Daini told KUNA Al-Aani is a leader of an insurgent group and is behind many attacks in several Iraqi districts.

He said Al-Aani was involved in the assassination of the son of Chief Justice of Iraqi Supreme Court, Judge Madhat Al-Mahmoud, pointing out that the killer's brother, who is a member in the terrorist group, was also arrested.

In total, three al Qaeda terrorists were grabbed, senior aide Al-Aani, his brother and one other unnamed individual.

Notably, two weeks ago it was reported that Salah Hussain Abdul Razak (a/k/a Salah Hussein Abdelrazzaq), also a senior aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was captured in Ramadi.

From AINA.org:

The relevant Interior Ministry statement said "terrorist Salah Hussein Abdelrazzaq was arrested Sunday evening" in Al-Ramadi and had in his possession a mobile telephone storing photos showing him and Al-Zarqawi.

But wait, there's more. About one week ago, it was reported that another senior al Qaeda in Iraq member was captured by Jordanian Intelligence. Iraqi citizen Ziad Khalaf Raja al-Karbouly (a/k/a Ziad al-Karbouli and Abu Houthiyfah) was arrested after being lured into Jordan. Al-Karbouly (right) worked as a customs agent on the Iraq-Jordan border.

On Jordanian state-run television, al-Karbouly described the kidnapping and killing of a Jordanian driver in Iraq. He also seized two Moroccans who worked at their country's embassy and admitted to killing Iraqis.

Taken all together, I'd say that al Qaeda in Iraq seems to have had a miserable two weeks. In total, three senior aides to Zarqawi have been captured in three separate operations. And I seem to recall others from earlier. In fact, over the last year, it's likely that Zarqawi lost at least a dozen senior aides. So, what's up? Just how many senior aides can a guy have? And how many can he lose and still be effective?


[Update 05/31/06]

Rusty Shackleford reports that another senior al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist, Ahmed Hussein Dabash Samir al-Batawi, has been captured. Al-Batawi was notorious for beheading "hundreds of innocent Iraqis."

Keep on nabbing, guys.

Memorial Day 2006


Celebrate Those Who Fought


Remember the Fallen
Take a moment today to honor the Forces of Freedom.

British MI5 Swamped with 20 Terror Investigations

Attesting to 20 Islamist terror plots, surely MI5 has its hands full. Nonetheless, victims of the London bombings want security forces to be diverted toward public inquiries.

From TimesOnline.co.uk:

Twenty "major conspiracies" by Islamist terrorists in Britain have been uncovered by the security services, John Reid, the home secretary, has disclosed.

Reid said that the existence of so many plots means that the police and MI5 are fully stretched and cannot divert their precious counter-terrorism resources to a lengthy public inquiry into last year's London suicide bombings.

Reid revealed the existence of the plots -- far more than have previously been reported -- at a meeting with some of the victims' relatives and survivors of the attacks last week.

He failed to give further details but the claim appears to fit in with briefings by MI5 which suggest that as many as 1,200 potential terrorist suspects may now be in the UK.

The revelation of the work load of MI5 came in a meeting where the victims of the London suicide bombings were seeking investigative help in bolstering their cases for compensation. Reid did not appear to be complaining, rather, he seemed to just matter-of-factly say that MI5 already has a full plate and could not afford to devote resources to any endeavor other than chasing terrorists. In summary, MI5 is handling a full work load and they won't farm out resources to shore up victims' compensation claims.

Personally, I'd be interested in knowing the quantity of terror plots the FBI is chasing. No details, mind you, just a general ballpark idea. I'd speculate that hundreds of people, or maybe more, are under surveillance.

CBS Crew Bombed in Iraq

(Baghdad) A roadside improvised explosive device exploded today and killed two crew members and injured a correspondent who were in a convoy on patrol with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

From WAPO:

A cameraman and soundman for CBS were killed and a CBS correspondent was seriously injured Monday after their convoy was struck by a roadside bomb, the network said.

Veteran cameraman Paul Douglas, 48, and soundman James Brolan, 42, were killed, CBS reported on its Web site. Correspondent Kimberly Dozier, 39, was in critical condition at a U.S. military hospital in Baghdad after undergoing surgery.

Condolences to the families.

Bloggers Get Sunday Times to Retract Story

A hoax has been exposed. Check out the whole episode at The Jawa Report.

This proves once again that there are jobs that Americans not only will do but must do.

Woman Jailed for Molesting Children

Here's another alleged female molester. They seem to be everywhere.

From AltoonaMirror.com:

(Everett, Pennsylvania) An Everett woman has confessed to sexually assaulting two boys and a girl at their great-grandmother's home, her attorney said.

Leasa Ann Fleming, 36, was charged this week with one count each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault and three counts of corruption of minors for molesting the siblings in November 2004, state police said.

And, here's a slightly different report from Post-Gazette.com:

A Bedford County woman was being held in jail on charges that she molested an 8-year-old girl and offered to perform a sex act on a 13-year-old boy, state police said.

Leasa A. Fleming, 37, of East Providence, is charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Although these two reports differ, I believe they discuss the same woman, Leasa Fleming. She is presumably in jail with bail set at $25,000 or $170,000, depending on which report you read.


[Update 10/17/06]

Fleming guilty.

Teacher Jailed for Sex Assault of Boy

(Canon City, Colorado) A 33-year-old sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, Jennie Overstreet, was arrested after surrendering to Canon City Police Friday for alleged sexual assault of a boy.

Overstreet has been charged with sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust, pattern of sexual abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and enticement of a child.

In a search of Overstreet's home, meaningful evidence was found, including notes, pornographic materials and drug paraphernalia. Canon City Police continue to investigate and more charges may be filed. Note that Overstreet is accused of sexual assault of an elementary school boy, probably no more than 12-years-old. It's also hinted that there may be more victims.

Overstreet was jailed with bond set at $50,000.

Tipped by Don Morgenstern.


[Update 06/08/06]

New victims identified in Overstreet case.

Forget About Privacy in Japan

The Japanese are primed to start fingerprinting and photographing all foreigners entering the country beginning in November 2007. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says he is just modeling the new program after the United States in its war on terrorism. I think he's fibbing.

Meanwhile, check out this development from those rising sons of brassy arrogance.

Japan's public television arm has called on the United States to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center. The panel said the U.S. should "cease to detain any person at Guantanamo Bay and close this detention facility, permit access by the detainees to the judicial process or release them as soon as possible." This from a a country that still will not allow the Red Cross to inspect their inquisition-style prisons and is now consuming human liberties faster than salmon at an all-you-can eat sushi bar.

My foreign language consultant tells me that the appropriate Japanese response to the panel's recommendation is "kuso wo tabete." It means something like "We'll take it under advisement."

Of course, my language consultant is a student so the translation might not be exact.

Marching Gays Corked in Moscow

(Moscow, Russia) In 1993, homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia but it was still considered to be a mental illness as late as 1999. As such, anti-homosexual feelings remain deeply buried throughout the citizenry.

Nevertheless, activists applied for a permit to hold a gay pride parade in Moscow, the only major world capital not to have one. Mayor Yuri Luzhkov denied the permit.

From MOSNEWS.com:

In denying the parade permit Luzhkov said he was concerned about potential violence. But on Russian Radio on Friday he cited moral reasons for the ban. "I believe that such a parade is inadmissible in our country above all for moral considerations. People should not make public their deviations," he said.

Luzhkov also said that there would be no gay parades as long as he was mayor. Others joined in opposition.

Conservatives and Russian Orthodox and Moslem leaders have led a pressure campaign against the march. Russian Patriarch Alexy II has denounced the planned festival and parade, and the leader of Russia's Muslims has called for a "violent mass protest" if gay leaders go ahead with pride celebrations.

By ignoring the ban, the activists got results as promised, chaotic and violent, with more than 1,000 police officers put on full alert.

From WAPO:

Riot police broke up an attempt by gays and lesbians to stage Moscow's first gay pride parade Saturday. Gay activists who attempted to lay flowers near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin wall and then assemble across from city hall were heckled and assaulted by skinheads, Orthodox Christians and radical nationalists.

Police said they had arrested about 120 people, both supporters and opponents of the parade. Gay activists were dragged away by riot police when they began speaking to reporters, but opponents of the parade, including a nationalist member of parliament, were allowed to speak and chant, "Moscow is not Sodom."

Taken into custody was the leader of the march, 26-year-old Nikolai Alexeyev, who exuberantly claimed the event "an absolute victory."

If Alexeyev is referring to media coverage, yes, the parade was a success. Scores of major media outlets worldwide are carrying the story. However, I'd speculate that the event has pissed off many not-so-law-abiding citizens eager to be sparked into aggressively demonstrating their visceral opposition to homosexuality. This is in an environment where police reportedly look the other way. An absolute victory? Maybe not.

Another thing worth mentioning is the disparity among media outlets on reporting who comprised the opposition to the march. Check this out.

MOSNEWS.com - Conservatives, Russian Orthodox, Moslem leaders

WAPO - skinheads, Orthodox Christians, radical nationalists

CTV - Russian police, neo-fascists, Orthodox Christians

LATimes - right-wing protesters

GayNZ - skinheads and militant Orthodox Christians

San Francisco Chronicle - neo-fascist protesters, skinheads, Russian nationalists, Orthodox Christian fundamentalists

PinkNews.co.uk - fascist thugs and religious fanatics (note: eyewitness account)

Radio Free Europe - Police, Russian Orthodox believers, ultra-nationalists

Now, I would have imagined that somebody actually documented precisely who was there (i.e. Observed were 20 skinheads, 30 Orthodox Christians, etc.), but apparently not.

Notably, one report indicated that Muslims called for a "violent mass protest," yet there is no mention of Muslims protesting. Also notable is that the LATimes simply painted everyone in opposition as "right-wing protesters" when there doesn't seem to be evidence to support that blanket assertion. In fact, it's contrary to the statement that "anti-gay feelings still run deep in the country" which, presumably, would indicate that the opposition includes people other than right-wingers.

My best estimate of the total numbers of people involved is that there were about 50 homosexuals attempting to march, or maybe a few more, and probably no more than 200 protesters of all stripes. I suspect that the media people gathered yesterday in Moscow to cover the spectacle outnumbered the gays and lesbians.

In summary, the banned Moscow gay parade resulted in some skirmishes in the streets involving a few hundred people. Reports vary but it appears that about 100 people, homosexuals and protesters alike, were detained by police and most were later let go. Only minor injuries have been reported. In scale, the whole episode pales when compared to the all-too-frequent soccer riots reported from Europe. Nonetheless, the media is playing it up.

Big Win for Online Journalism

Remember when Apple Computer got its shorts in a wad after some employees leaked insider information and it showed up on the Internet? Well, blah, blah, blah and, finally, the issue went before the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. Apple lost the case. BizzyBlog has a good write-up on the story and here's an abridged version of the court's decision (PDF file).

Apple Computer brought this action alleging that persons unknown caused the wrongful publication on the Internet of Apple's secret plans to release a device that would facilitate the creation of digital live sound recordings on Apple computers.

In an effort to identify the source of the disclosures, Apple sought and obtained authority to issue civil subpoenas to the publishers of the Web sites where the information appeared and to the email service provider for one of the publishers. The publishers moved for a protective order to prevent any such discovery.

The trial court denied the motion on the ground that the publishers had involved themselves in the unlawful misappropriation of a trade secret. We hold that this was error because (1) the subpoena to the email service provider cannot be enforced consistent with the plain terms of the federal Stored Communications Act; (2) any subpoenas seeking unpublished information from petitioners would be unenforceable through contempt proceedings in light of the California reporter's shield; and (3) discovery of petitioners' sources is also barred on this record by the conditional constitutional privilege against compulsory disclosure of confidential sources.

Accordingly, we will issue a writ of mandate directing the trial court to grant the motion for a protective order.

Simply put, online journalists, including us lowly bloggers, can protect their sources. Obviously, Apple isn't thrilled and may opt to have the California Supremes look at the ruling. The decision, however, is loaded with logic and should pass muster.

Interestingly, all the buzz I've heard of Apple indicates the company prides itself as being a conclave of free-spirited, liberal entrepreneurial nonconformists and, apparently, at least one of them was too free-spirited. Therefore, Apple, in a sort of 21st-Century way, hoisted itself on its own petard! Meanwhile, the court case followed out of a desire to force journalistic sources to disclose private information so Apple could find the leaker and administer the ax.

Obviously, this is good news for bloggers and I'm going to get a piece of apple pie and celebrate.

Ahmadinejad's Addiction

It's reasonable to assume that there are always backchannel methods of communicating and negotiating with the enemy. In the case of Iran and the U.S., this report says it's Greece.

Iran has turned to Greece to convey messages to the United States regarding its contentious nuclear program and other disputes, officials said Friday.

[ ... ]

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack on Wednesday confirmed the existence of "ad-hoc channels ... going back over the past year" that allow Washington and Teheran to speak through third parties. He did not go into specifics.

That's all fine but, frankly, what's there to talk about? Iran is developing a nuclear weapon and threatening to destroy the U.S. and Israel. The only rational response is to take the threat seriously and just say no. Now, for exercise and appearances, the parties can always go back and forth. So, Mahmoud says:

"We will wipe you off the map!"

"No, you won't."

"We will bomb your cities."

"No, you won't."

"We will unleash the power of Allah and slit the throats of all the women and children!"

"No, you won't do that either."

"We will behead all the men!"

"Not a chance, Mahmoud. As President of Iran, you need to get a clue."

In a nutshell, I've covered all the dialogue, communications, and negotiations that are reasonably achievable. Unless Iran comes off its belligerent position, there's really nothing to talk about.

The current regime in Iran isn't rational. They are promising a conflagration resulting in the annihilation of the U.S. and Israel. It's not going to happen. Agreed, Iran could make a major mess globally but, ultimately, its destruction is guaranteed. Think about it, Mahmoud. Iran may be a big country geographically but it's not nearly as big as the former Soviet Union. And the Soviets failed to match the U.S.

Imagine a sports analogy, Mahmoud. You've challenged the championship team to a winner-take-all contest. Mahmoud's All Stars are no serious match for the professional, experienced, highly-trained, technologically-advanced champions. You shout insults. You throw eggs. You put stink bombs in the champion's locker room. The sports writers (MSM) eat this stuff up and show a strong bias for the underdog. Mahmoud's All Stars become fortified. And it's all for naught because your team can't match the capabilities of the championship team. You will lose on the field of play.

Mahmoud, you have an addiction. It's an addiction to a radical belief system that the world will be ruled by Islam and all non-Muslims will become converts or be killed. So, you plant your hopes that a thousand-year-old carcass will emerge from a well and do something. In the process, everybody dies except for you and Allah's warriors (or something like that). Forget it. It will never happen.

There are over six billion people on Earth and the overwhelming majority are not on your side despite what the mainstream media would like you and everyone else to believe. The majority of humanity has heard of the concepts of freedom and equality and free speech. The bell has been rung and populations around the globe like the sound. Therefore, despite the trouble you start, Mahmoud, you won't finish it. Your enemies are not the United States nor Israel. Your enemies are freedom and equality and free speech. Those elements of mankind won't be killed by you or anyone else. The bell has been rung and it can't be unrung.

Here's another cliche for you, Mahmoud. Your addiction is leading you into a gunfight with a knife. A sure loser at the get-go. However, there is hope. A twelve-step program is needed to cure your addiction. Start by reciting the following:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Mr. President, your addiction blinds you to the fact that you cannot change the lure of liberty. That's your real enemy and it will endure despite what you and the nation of Iran do.

By the way, Mahmoud, I'm not naive enough to think that you're pulling the strings. Anyone with a pissant's mentality knows that the ayatollahs control your playpen. You're just their mouthpiece, an addict that can be manipulated. The ayatollahs also have an addiction but it's not radical Islam. They are addicted to power, in my opinion, and they seek absolute power. Like Hitler, they will fail.

Robber Shot and Killed in Stick Up

(Falfurrias, Texas) A convenience store owner shoots and kills a 20-year-old man attempting to rob his store. "Alfredo Sanchez was shot while trying to rob the Saddle Horn Market Saturday night. Police said the owner of the store shot Sanchez after he pulled a gun on the sales clerk."

Sanchez ran from the store. His body was found Sunday morning in a field across the street from the store.

No charges have been filed nor, in my opinion, should they even be considered. The shooting was in self defense, a legal and appropriate use of a firearm.

ACLU Proposes Code of Silence

Everybody has seen The Godfather, the movie, or read the book by Mario Puzo. Therefore, it's safe to assume everybody knows that the mafia only functions when its members observe Omerta, the Sicilian code of honor which forbids members from informing about the activities of the family. When the code of silence is broken, the wrongdoings of the organization are exposed.

With all that in mind, how should one view this proposed mandate from the ACLU?

"Where an individual director disagrees with a board position on matters of civil liberties policy, the director should refrain from publicly highlighting the fact of such disagreement."

Apparently, there ain't no sunshine in the ACLU. Granted, they're polite, but their message is a strong STFU about the ACLU. It's not omerta, per se, but it's suppression of dissent. And this is from an organization that ostensibly wants to make public every single iota of sensitive U.S. national security information.

There are many organizations that operate with a wrapper of secrecy but, even so, it surely is odd that the American Civil Liberties Union, putative proponents of free and open speech, desires to be one of them. Logically, one must wonder what the ACLU is doing behind the scenes that needs to be kept secret.

This is a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join, please email Jay@stoptheaclu.com or GribbitR@gmail.com. You will be added to the mailing list and blogroll. Over 200 blogs are already on-board.

Sara Carter Wins Award for Immigration Reporting

The Center for Immigration Studies has named Sara Carter of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in Ontario, Calif., as the recipient of this year's Eugene Katz Award For Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration.

From CIS.org:

Traveling frequently from California to Arizona and Texas and Mexico, Ms. Carter broke story after story related to the dangerous conditions all along America's southern border. Rare has been the week in the past six months that Ms. Carter hasn't appeared on a cable news program discussing her latest scoop.

It was Ms. Carter who broke the story that our government was alerting Mexico City to the locations and membership and other details of the Minuteman Project civilian border-watch group.

She also first brought word of bounties being placed on the heads of sheriffs' deputies along the Texas border by Mexican cartels.

The body of her reporting over the past year is an important example of how the public interest can be served when even a relatively small media outlet devotes appropriate resources to coverage of our nation's immigration crisis.

I've followed Sara Carter's finger-on-the-pulse reporting and she deserves the recognition.

Congratulations!

Companion post at Diggers Realm.

LGF Death Threat via Reuters

A jihadi posted a death threat to Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs and, through some research, it was found to have originated in London using a Reuters account hosted in Sweden. The prime suspect, who signed as zionistpig@hotmail.com, is believed to be Inayat Bunglawala, media secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain.

The story continues to develop and is a bit confusing. So far, it's been determined that media secretary Bunglawala displays the attitude of a Muslim fanatic and, as such, it's not clear how anyone could apply much credibility to the Muslim Council of Britain. Bunglawala also apparently doesn't know very much about how the Internet works. And, for some unknown reason, it appears that the Muslim Council of Britain has use of Reuters email accounts. Just how closely tied to Islamic fanaticism is Reuters?

I expect there will be more on this story. Follow the link.

Woman - Sex - Boy - Videotape

(Kansas City, Missouri) A 22-year-old former Jackson County Family Court worker, Nichole L. Webb, was arrested for engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy. Police say the sex was recorded on videotape and both were aware that they were being taped.

Webb was arraigned in Jackson County Court and was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and second-degree statutory rape. It's believed Webb met the boy when he was in the custody of the Family Court.

It has also been reported that Webb may be linked to the death of a 14-year-old boy who was shot in the neck on May 9. The videotape of Webb and the 16-year-old having sex was allegedly taped in the same apartment where the 14-year-old was shot.

Duck Eats Alien

(Cordelia, California) Looking closely, one can see the alien peeking from the duck. It's an alien-peeking duck.

From MercuryNews.com:

An X-ray of the stomach of a wounded duck that died at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia contains the uncanny image of an alien's face.

So, obviously the duck ate an alien. Right? Well, part of an alien anyway. In fact, it looks like the duck just bit off the alien's head and swallowed it whole. And then the duck "died quickly, quietly and peacefully after the X-rays were taken." My question? Where's the rest of the alien?

Interestingly, the staff noted that the International Bird Rescue Research Center is located near an area where crop circles have been found and wondered if the alien came to communicate with the people on Earth before being eaten by the duck. It was also noted that the alien was possibly a juvenile and it "has an intense grimace as if it were in anguish after being eaten."

Demonstrating true entrepreneurial spirit, the research center plans on auctioning the image on eBay. Bidding begins at 3pm on Sunday. As I recall, the Madonna on a grilled cheese sandwich sold for over $20,000 so I'm sure that the alien-in-a-duck image will get some bids. I don't expect the bidding to be as high, though. With the Madonna, the winner got a sandwich. The alien image is for sale without the duck.

Trackback to Wizbang COTT.

Foster Home Mom Arrested for Sex Abuse, Drugs

(Manitowoc, Wisconsin) A 25-year-old foster home mentor, Stacy Klein, was arrested and charged with repeated felony sexual assault of a child, delivery of cocaine and delivery of marijuana. Klein allegedly raped a 15-year-old boy on multiple occasions and supplied him with drugs at her home and at The Moorings, a foster care facility for delinquent boys placed by court order.

The Moorings is run by Milwaukee-based New Beginnings. After the allegations became known, Manitowoc County Human Services Department Director Tom Stanton terminated the contract with New Beginnings and The Moorings was closed. Other residents have been relocated to other facilities. Klein was fired from her position.

Klein waived her right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty in Manitowoc County Circuit Court to all charges. She is free on $10,000 bond and instructed not to have contact with anyone under 18, except for her own child. Klein's next court appearance is a June 21 scheduling conference. (H/T Don Morgenstern)

Free Canadian Health Care

(Toronto) Here's the case of Tom Garrett, an 18-year-old leukemia patient, who must fly from Toronto to Calgary every 16 days to receive photoimmune therapy not available in Ontario. This is so despite the fact that at least one hospital in Ontario has the medical equipment necessary to provide treatment.

From TheStar.com:

It costs the Ontario government $1,600 for each photopheresis treatment for Garrett in Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre, and he's had about 30 so far. And in 2004-05, the Ontario health ministry spent more than $1.6 million to send eight people to the United States for the same treatment at an average cost of $201,715 per patient.

Meanwhile, at Princess Margaret Hospital sits a machine about the size of a photocopier built by a Johnson & Johnson company called Therakos Inc. for the express purpose of providing photopheresis, a machine the manufacturer donated to the hospital five years ago.

Unfortunately, the health care system in Ontario says it doesn't have enough money to operate it. Authorities are reviewing proposals and recommendations for using the equipment, however, nobody is willing to discuss the details.

As a result, patients from around Canada have to travel to Calgary for the specialized treatment and, sadly, all costs for travel, accommodations and expenses must be paid by the families. One doesn't need a calculator to figure that the cost of socialized Canadian health care is not the same for everyone. In the case of photopheresis treatment, it depends on how far away one lives from equipment that works.

Hey, but not to worry. Just as they do with the post office, government bureaucrats are working diligently to improve health care.


[Update 06/01/06]

How fortuitous. The Ontario Health mucky-mucks have announced their decision to buy more equipment.

From TheStar.com:

Ontario patients suffering from a rare immune disease will no longer have to travel out of the province or to the United States for lifesaving therapy, said Health Minister George Smitherman.

The province will buy two brand-new photopheresis machines and create a two-year evaluation program at Princess Margaret Hospital at a cost of $5.15 million, Smitherman said yesterday.

What are the odds? Just as the media is reporting a deficiency in the Canadian socialized health scheme, the utopians announce a solution to the problem. Imagine that.

Saddam's Nephew Arrested

(Beirut, Lebanon) Good news! Another member of the ousted Saddam Hussein regime is apprehended.

From DailyStar.com:

Police in Lebanon have arrested the son of Saddam Hussein's half-brother on an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol. According to sources close to the security forces, Bashar Sabawi Ibrahim al-Tikriti, identified by the international policing organization as a "dangerous wanted terrorist," was nabbed at the Malibu Bay Hotel in the Jounieh neighborhood of Maameltein.

Tikriti had been planning to board a flight from the Lebanese capital to Brazil later in the day.

Police were tipped off when members of the hotel's staff suspected that Takriti's passport had been tampered with to alter his name.

The sources added that the wanted Iraqi had originally entered Lebanon through Syria after escaping Iraq. An international warrant for Tikriti's arrest on terrorism charges, including leading a group to fight US forces in Iraq, was later discovered once authorities realized who they had in custody.

Bashar Sabawi is the son of Saddam's half-brother, Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hasan al-Tikriti, who was a former presidential assistant and the six of diamonds (No. 36) on the deck of 55 most-wanted Saddam loyalists. It's evident that Basher was quite close to the seat of power in the government of Saddam and I'd speculate not much different in character from Uday and Qusay. Good riddance.

On a different note, it would be nice to know what connection Basher Sabawi Ibrahim al-Tikriti has with Brazil. Business or pleasure? Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if there were an expatriate group of exiled Baathists in Brazil. After all, the country is comfortably socialist.

If You Sit, You Parent

I'd have to conclude that someone speaks stork language.

From Ananova.com:

Four gay storks have proved they are as capable of raising a family as their heterosexual counterparts.

Staff at the zoo in Overloon, near Eindhoven, were unsure if the gay and lesbian storks would still have the same natural urge to raise offspring.

But after giving one egg to a pair of gay males to sit on, and another two eggs to a pair of lesbian storks, they say the gay storks took to parenthood straight away.

Somebody tell me. What's the difference between homosexual and heterosexual storks? My neighbor had a dog that liked to hump people's legs, sometimes mine. I doubt that dog could be called homosexual and he had a bigger brain than any stork, therefore, much more capable of making an alternative sexual lifestyle choice. So, gay and lesbian storks sounds like somebody is making stuff up.

But I could be mistaken and somewhere there's scientific data associated with studies on gay and lesbian storks. Ludicrous? Yes. Even so, I'd question it. I don't question, however, that the zoo seems to be appropriately named. If your entertainment isn't loony enough, visit Overloon.

Yacht Used to Smuggle Mexicans

(Corpus Christie, Texas) Federal agents and the Coast Guard caught a charter boat captain smuggling illegal aliens along the Texas Gulf Coast on a yacht named Poco Mas. Authorities believe it wasn't the first time. Arrested were six Mexicans, deck hand Baldemar Valadez Jr., and the captain, Mark Daniel Bryant.

From MSNBC.com:

A charter boat captain has been caught smuggling illegal immigrants up the Intracoastal Waterway. Federal agents learned of the scheme Sunday which began in South Padre Island and ended in Corpus Christi. A total of eight men are now in custody.

The six illegals not only didn't make it to freedom, they're also out $1,500 each according to immigrations officials. The owner of the boat, he could be out close to $400,000 which is the value of the boat he could soon lose, because it was used in the alleged crime.

Authorities said the six illegals first crossed the border near McAllen, then made their way to South Padre Island where they boarded the "Poca Mas" fishing yacht.

Notably, the six Mexicans were already in the U.S. after having crossed the border in McAllen. Their purpose in boarding the yacht at South Padre Island for a ride to Corpus Christie was to avoid inland Border Patrol checkpoints about 60 miles north of the border. I take this as an indication that the Border Patrol checkpoints are, to some degree, effective and more are likely needed.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the Mexicans were willing to place their fate in the hands of a smuggler at sea. Alonzo Pena of the San Antonio Immigration and Customs Enforcement office calls this an act of desperation since "Alien smugglers routinely demonstrate how little regard they have for their human cargo."

Teacher Indicted for Improper Sexual Contact

(Marble Falls, Texas) A 32-year-old teacher at R.J. Richey Middle School, Danya Jean Elsasser, was indicted by a Burnet County grand jury last March for an improper relationship between educator and student.

Elsasser allegedly engaged in improper kissing and sexual touching of an 18-year-old male high school student. The student stated he had sexual contact with Elsasser from last November until January. After being booked into the Burnet County Jail, Elsasser was released on $10,000 bond.

Interestingly, the 18-year-old alleged victim is an adult but, under a new Texas law, it's a felony for a teacher to engage in sexual behavior with a student, regardless of age. One could say that a 32-year-old with an 18-year-old is marginally less offensive than if the student were a minor, although the age difference is still troubling. It's also noteworthy to mention that Elsasser's husband, Richard, is the principal at R.J. Richey Middle School.

The Burnet Police Department continues its investigation. If convicted of the charges against her, Elsasser faces a possible 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Licker Surprises Woman

Here's proof that people should never assume that they have seen everything.

From Local6.com:

Police in Tulsa, Okla., are searching for a man who hid under a woman's car at a Wal-Mart parking lot and then licked her toes as she loaded groceries into the vehicle, according to a report.

The perpetrator is described as Hispanic or Indian, about 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. If caught, he'll be charged with outraging public decency or battery.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Teacher in Molestation Case

(Orange County, Florida) An arrest warrant has been issued for 35-year-old Ashley Stennett, a former teacher at Howard Middle School, for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old student. It's believed she is somewhere in Central or South Florida. (H/T Don Morgenstern)

Teacher Arrested for Field Trip Sex with Boy

(Raleigh, NC) A 44-year-old history teacher, Janet Klatt, was arrested and charged in Wake County for having sex with a 16-year-old male student. Although Klatt taught at the Cannon School, a private institution outside Charlotte, the alleged sex occurred on an overnight field trip in a Raleigh hotel room.

Klatt was released after posting $5,000 bond on Monday. She was instructed to have no contact with the victim and to surrender her passport. If convicted of the sex offense, Klatt faces a possible four years in prison. Klatt is scheduled to appear for a probable cause hearing in Wake County District Court on June 13.

Cannon School administrators indicate that Klatt was fired from her teaching position.


[Update 05/30/06]

It appears that Janet Klatt has some additional difficulties.

From Charlotte.com:

Concord police arrested a former Cannon School teacher today in connection with a second incident involving a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old male student.

Janet Klatt, 44, of Charlotte, was charged with sex offense with a student and was taken to the Cabarrus County Jail under $5,000 secured bond.

Two boys. Two counties. Not good.


[Update 01/17/07]

Klatt sentenced to probation in Cabarrus County.


[Update 02/09/07]

Klatt sentenced to probation in Wake County.

Teacher Arrested for Sexually Touching Boy

(Bakersfield, California) A 27-year-old math teacher at Highland High School, Ann Elizabeth Miller, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex acts with a 15-year-old male high school student. Detective Ryan Paslay of the Bakersfield Police said there was "sexually related touching" between Miller and the boy.

According to police, Miller was booked into jail for one count of lewd acts with a child 14 or 15 years of age and 10 years younger than the suspect. Miller posted bond and was released. Additionally, she has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from her teaching position.


[Update 08/08/06]

Miller pleads no contest.

Patient, 88, Left Lying on Hospital Floor

This story is hard to stomach.

From Scotsman.com:

Politicians yesterday called for an inquiry after an 88-year-old pensioner was left lying on a hospital floor for four hours because staff were not allowed to move him.

Mitchell Cabel, a retired builder, was injured when he fell from a chair while a patient at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen. He was wrapped in blankets, given drugs and left on the cold floor of a ward while hospital staff waited for paramedics.

[ ... ]

Nanette Milne, the Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman, said: "It sounds like bureaucracy took precedence over humanity."

"I hope the health board will look at this forthwith and make sure it doesn't happen again."

A spokeswoman for the health authority said: "NHS Grampian has apologised to the family of the late Mitchell Cabel for any distress caused."

Blame it on the bureaucracy and apologize. Typical. But hold on, here's the gold nugget quote.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Had this gentleman not been in a hospital he would have received a very much faster response."

Translation -- if you want to live, avoid the hospital.

Americans, Nigerians, South Africans Arrested in Congo

(Kinshasa, Congo) In the run up to the July 30 national elections, the Democratic Republic of Congo has arrested 32 foreigners, including 10 Nigerians, three Americans and 12 South Africans, in a suspected coup plot. No names have been disclosed.

From Reuters.co.uk:

"About 30 people claiming to work for a security company have been arrested. They say they were working for the company but our information suggests they had other intentions," government spokesman Henri Mova Sakanyi told Reuters.

"They wanted to destabilise the institutions of the country, that means a coup attempt."

Sakanyi said the group had been arrested a few days ago but did not give any details other than that they worked for security firm.

Apparently, the foreigners are considered mercenaries "as they have all come back from Iraq." It doesn't make sense to me, but authorities appear to believe that anyone coming from Iraq is a mercenary. As a consequence, Sakanyi said they would be tried in court.

From another source, ANDNetwork.com:

According to the South African diplomatic mission in the DRC, 19 of the 32 mercenary suspects arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo hold South African passports. Sixteen of the suspects work for the Omega Security Company, while three work for a mining company as interpreters.

There is a discrepancy in reporting of the number of South Africans which remains to be resolved. One report says 12, another says 19.

From WaPo:

The United Nations said it could not confirm Congo's allegations.

"We are not concerned about this, it appears to be a case of political manipulation by Congo's government," said Jean-Tobias Okala, U.N. spokesman in Kinshasa. "We have almost 18,000 troops here to achieve our goal of peaceful and transparent elections."

The upcoming elections are hoped to be the end of internal strife which has endured since 1998 and resulted in the deaths of four million people in a humanitarian crisis. Oddly, the tragedy in the Congo happened concurrent with the presence of UN peacekeepers. A prudent observer could logically conclude that the UN hasn't been very effective.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Suspects Arrested in UK Anti-Terror Sweep

Police forces from five metropolitan areas and MI5 ( British equivalent of the FBI) conducted anti-terror raids in northwest Britain resulting in the arrests of at least eight individuals suspected of plotting and facilitating attacks overseas.

At least 16 homes were raided in the sweep which began today around 3am local time. The Greater Manchester Police anti-terrorist unit and MI5 jointly led the operations which are expected to last all day. Five hundred police officers from Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Cleveland, Metropolitan Police and Merseyside participated.

The suspects were arrested under the UK Terrorism Act and they can be detained for 14 days before charging them.

President Vicente Fox Visits Utah

(Salt Lake City) Mexican President Vicente Fox arrived in Utah earlier today on the first day of a three-day, three-state tour of the United States. Fox was greeted by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman and local leaders. A dinner is planned for Fox at the governor's mansion this evening.

Fox's itinerary also includes visits to the states of Washington and California.

Tomorrow, Fox is scheduled to address the Utah Legislature prior to a noon departure. It is speculated that Fox will direct the lawmakers to implement measures which facilitate a timely Mexican takeover of the entire western United States.

Or, maybe he'll talk about something else.

Dem Sen. Dodd Pines Prez Run

(Hartford, Connecticut) Like a Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell, Senator Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., has indicated that he needs his kettle filled to achieve his goal of becoming President of the United States. Well, metaphorically anyway.

Dodd yesterday announced in an interview that he has "decided to do all the things that are necessary to prepare to seek the presidency in 2008." In other words, 'Can I find enough supporters to stream the cash necessary to pay for a presidential campaign?'

It remains to be seen and Dodd said a decision won't come until next year. Dodd is now among about ten other Dems seeking the top job. Consequently, all will soon begin entertaining the public by saying nasty things about each other.

Israel Captures Hamas Military Leader

Using an army bulldozer to break down the walls of his hideout, the Israelis captured Ibrahim Hamed, the most-wanted Hamas terrorist leader on the West Bank.

From Haaretz.com:

After an eight-year manhunt, Israeli security forces early Tuesday seized the Ramallah-area commander of Hamas' military wing, Israel's most wanted man in the West Bank.

Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, 41, has been wanted since 1998 for terror attacks that claimed the lives of 78 of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Hamed was arrested at a hideout in the al-Balua neighborhood of Ramallah, surrendering to a combined force of Israel Defense Forces Dukefat troops, the Shin Bet security service, and the police anti-terror unit.

Apparently, Hamed decided to surrender, alone and unarmed, when the walls started collapsing. An Israeli military spokesman stated that the capture will significantly impede Hamas' capabilities since Hamed will be hard to replace. He was known to be a creative bomber who allegedly masterminded attacks resulting in the deaths of scores of people.

From the BBC, check out this astonishing statement.

BBC correspondent Caroline Hawley in Jerusalem says it is not clear why the army moved against Hamad.

Excuse me! I'd suggest that the BBC hire a new correspondent to report from Jerusalem.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Wal-Mart Leaving South Korea

The world's largest retailer has decided to sell its interest in South Korea to the country's leading discount chain, Shinsegae Co. Wal-Mart Korea will receive about $882 million for 16 stores when approval is obtained from government regulators.

Since the launching of Wal-Mart Korea in 1998, its performance has been less than stellar. According to Mike Duke, vice-chairman of Wal-Mart, "It became increasingly clear that in South Korea's current environment it would be difficult for us to reach the scale we desired."

Wal-Mart is the second global retailer to abandon doing business in Korea in recent weeks. In late April, the French retail giant Carrefour sold its 32 South Korean stores to local fashion retailer E-Land.

Apparently, the current business climate in South Korea is not very friendly to foreign retailers.

Muslims Attack Teachers in Thailand

(Bangkok) For the fourth time this year, Muslims have attacked Buddhist teachers in far south Thailand.

From TheStar.com.my:

More than 100 government schools in Thailand's rebellious Muslim far south were closed on Monday after villagers abducted and beat two women Buddhist teachers, leaving one in a coma, officials said. The attack prompted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to call another urgent meeting with top security officials on how to protect teachers, a prime target in a two-year separatist insurgency in which more than 1,300 people have been killed.

Although Thailand is primarily Buddhist, the three far-southern provinces adjacent to Malaysia are largely Muslim.

"They are doing everything they can to drive minority Buddhists out," said Tawat Sae-ham, head of a teachers' union in neighbouring Narathiwat province, where an angry mob took two Buddhist teachers from a school on Friday.

The teachers were dragged from the school and held hostage by masked men.

The attackers demanded the release of two Muslim men being held on suspicion of murder. When authorities refused to release the men, the teachers were beaten, leaving one, newly graduated Juling Ponggunmul, in a coma.

Teachers and witnesses said it took police and troops three hours to reach the village to help the teachers, but security personnel said they got there as fast as they could on roads on which spikes had been scattered.

The latest attacks are part of the ongoing campaign of violence as Muslims attempt to separate themselves from Buddist Thailand. The government claims to be making progress on improving security, however, Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch says the continued high level of violence indicates otherwise. In fact, it's believed that unchecked abuses by government security forces have increased fear and alienation in the region.

Ban Iranian Team from World Cup

Here's an idea.

From SeattleTimes.com:

Republican Senate candidate Mike McGavick has a plan to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions: Bar its national team from the soccer field.

McGavick, who is challenging Sen. Maria Cantwell in November, wants the international soccer federation to disinvite Iran from the wildly popular World Cup soccer tournament.

Iran, one of 32 teams to make the cut, is slated to play its opening match in Nuremberg, Germany, on June 11.

The initial reaction to McGavick's proposal among some politicians, local blogs and Iranian students in views posted on the Web ranged from laughter to outrage.

"This is not a trivial matter," McGavick said in an interview. "The world needs to use all the tools at its disposal against Iran. It needs to see that it's an outlaw state."

Playing in Nuremberg has a symbolic element since it's where the WWII war crimes trials were held. War crimes involved with the attempted annihilation of all Jews, something the current leadership of Iran is espousing. As such, I'm not adverse to McGavrick's proposal if, for no other reason, than to make Mahmoud Ahmadinejad an unhappy tyrant.

Conventional Muslim Thought on Raping Prisoners

In a question and answer column in the Arab News, the subject of having sex with prisoners of war is discussed. One reader relates that elderly Muslim men have spoken enthusiastically of sex with prisoners of war. Here's an excerpt of the scholarly answer.

The reader raises the possibility of reciprocal treatment, and asks how would Muslims react to American soldiers practicing this ghastly crime in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, American soldiers have been practicing terrible atrocities in both countries, as well as at Guantanamo and in many other countries, while the American president refused to endorse the creation of an international court to try those who are accused of committing war crimes. His reason is that under the treaty, American soldiers might have to face such trials.

He wants those guilty of war atrocities to remain immune. The photos that were published about the treatment of Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq show more than rape.

It appears that the conventional thinking among Muslims is that Americans are regularly having sex with prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan and committing "other atrocities," whatever that means. However, thanks to the mainstream media, I have repeatedly seen photos of the exceedingly dumb and irresponsible practices employed at Abu Ghraib, including the use of dogs, mock executions, and humiliation but I don't recall any evidence of sex with prisoners nor "other atrocities."

I also recall that the military has investigated the incidents and prosecuted offenders. To my knowledge, no one has been granted immunity. With regard to "other atrocities," I know of no instances of eyes being gouged out, hands being lopped off, nor beheadings.

Nonetheless, the generally-accepted beliefs of the followers of the religion of peace are considerably distorted from what the actual evidence has shown regarding Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. And, the MSM should get most of the credit for fostering the misconceptions. After all, the MSM have Muslims believing that a Koran can be flushed down the toilet. My experience has been that a large wad of toilet paper has trouble being flushed. Of course, I've never seen a magic toilet.

In a nutshell, not only have the MSM been able to get Muslims to believe in magic toilets, they have also enabled them to adopt the erroneous belief that the American military regularly rapes prisoners of war.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

No Fishing Guide Needed to Catch Illegals

(El Paso, Texas) That's right. When it comes to catching illegal aliens, you don't need a guide or a secret spot. Just set up a checkpoint and wait. Like fish jumping into the boat, the illegals will materialize.

From KFOXTV.com:

The Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office intercepts 54 illegal immigrants just 90 miles east of El Paso, and among the group are two former Mexican soldiers.

The arrests were part of Operation Linebacker. Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West said it shows how local law enforcement can be another line of defense along the border.

The immigrants were caught on Highway 62/180, near the Guadalupe Mountains. That's where Hudspeth County deputies set up a checkpoint and within a matter of hours intercepted three trucks and one van loaded with illegal immigrants, totaling 54 people, including two children and six women.

Three trucks and a van -- loaded with illegals! Like I mentioned, just sit, wait a while and catch your daily limit. On any day, it seems.

The last time Hudspeth deputies set up a checkpoint was in March, and within a 28-hour period, deputies apprehended 75 illegal immigrants -- in comparison to Friday's staggering 54 people within a matter of hours.

And, let us not forget about the Mexican soldiers. They've got to be trophy catches.

The most alarming part, West said, was that two men were carrying Mexican military IDs.

"Two of the aliens that were mixed in with the crowd were either ex- or former military. One of them had been deported just two weeks ago," West said.

West said one of the men admitted to having a fake Social Security card and identification card showing he resides in Clifton, Texas.

It only took two weeks after being deported for the former Mexican soldier to sneak back into the U.S. I imagine he had to wait for his laughing spasms to die down. Even though American citizens see border security as a tragic failure, illegal aliens likely see a comedic speed bump. Well, at least the smugglers do.

All kidding aside, one thing is certain. The flood of illegal aliens paints border security as a myth. And, fortifying a myth just makes it a fairy tale.

Jack the Ripper Had Female DNA

It seems entirely possible. Anyone can be a murderer.

From SMH.com.au:

In a bid to crack the identity of one of the greatest murder mysteries of all time, technology developed in Australia has tested 118-year-old DNA the notorious serial killer may have left behind and built a partial female profile.

Scientist Ian Findlay said the partial profile had been created from saliva possibly from the Ripper on the back of stamps on the envelopes of letters sent to London police.

I imagine the feminist crowd is rooting for confirmation that Jack was really a Jill. It would bolster the equality argument.

Uh ... I'll probably get static for that.

Cocaine in Breast Milk Allegedly Kills Baby

(West Branch, Michigan) A 23-year-old woman, Sara Shelby, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the death of her 5-month-old baby. Prosecutors say Shelby fed the baby breast milk contaminated with cocaine.

From The Bay City Times:

A medical expert for the prosecution has concluded that the baby died from ingesting cocaine. Prosecutors allege that Shelby used cocaine during the time she was breast-feeding and the drug was passed on through her breast milk.

Shelby also faces abuse and neglect charges regarding a 2-year-old child. A trial date of July 11 has been scheduled in that case.

If convicted of the involuntary manslaughter charge, Shelby faces a possible 15 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 25. In the meantime, Shelby is free on bond.

New Government in Iraq

(Baghdad) After three years of turmoil following the ouster of Saddam Hussein, a new Iraqi government has been sworn in before a special session of parliament.

From MyWay.com:

The session began more than two hours late because of last-minute haggling, finally opening with readings from the Quran.

The 37-member Cabinet is made up of members from all of Iraq's religious, sectarian and ethnic groups. It took months of negotiations to form after the Dec. 15 elections and is Iraq's first constitutional government since the U.S. invasion toppled Saddam.

"This is a historic day for Iraq and all its people," deputy parliament speaker Khalid al-Attiyah said in a nationally televised news conference before the session. "This government represents all Iraqis."

Two major cabinet posts remain to be filled, the interior minister and the defense minister.

Maybe it's just my ignorance, but it seems that the formation of a new government in Iraq is a milestone event worth trumpeting. Text books tell us that the colonies took considerably longer than three years to cast off the shackles of tyranny and establish the United States so, not only is the creation of a constitutional democracy in Iraq a major event in world history, it was accomplished in record time when compared to America. However, despite my beliefs, a search through the mainstream media reveals the story getting ho-hum mention and usually it's sandwiched between graphically reported segments showing violence in the streets.

Nonetheless, I congratulate the citizens of the nation of Iraq.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Woman, 44, Charms Boy, 13

(Winston-Salem, NC) A 44-year-old woman, Linda Ann McBride, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly engaging in a month-long sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy. The boy and his grandmother reportedly shared a domicile with McBride.

According to the police report, two white male juveniles reported being sexually assaulted by McBride between April 10 and May 17, 2006. As a result McBride has been charged with two counts statutory rape and one count of taking indecent liberties with a child. She was jailed in the Davidson County Detention Center on $50,000 bond.

Blogger Wins GOP Primary

(Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania) A 21-year-old blogger beat a five-term incumbent in Tuesday's Republican primary for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Mark Harris of Save The GOP garnered 45% of the Republican voters to Rep. Tom Stevenson's 36%.

From ThePittsburghChannel.com:

Stevenson said his late-night vote in favor of a legislative pay raise last July was the biggest campaign issue. He said the focus should have been on Harris' lack of experience but the majority of voters didn't agree.

Harris and Democrat Matthew Smith will match up in November.

Beheadings in Mexico

(Mexico City) One might call it arrogance. Others might say it's a total disregard for the law. If nothing else, placing a severed human head on a stick with a note demanding respect is clearly terrorism. And it's being done by drug lords in the country of law-abiding, hard-working people who do jobs that Americans won't do.

With regard to ignoring the law and beheading policemen, it's true. Americans won't do that. Digger has the details. Go visit.

Health Teacher Arrested for Molesting Boy

(Palm Beach County, Florida) A 50-year-old health teacher at Park Vista High School, Donna Lea Smith, has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and sexual battery for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy who is reportedly a relative.

From Sun-Sentinel.com:

From time to time, they would watch TV together in bed.

The 15-year-old boy would kiss her cheek. The woman, 50, would kiss his lips.

They would undress and have sex.

[ ... ]

Investigators following up on a tip to the Florida Abuse Hotline interviewed the unidentified boy, who told them he slept with Smith, of West Lake Worth, four or six times.

"He stated they had 'mixed emotions,'" investigators wrote in an arrest affidavit. "He stated the first time was at the end of seventh grade, when he was 14 years old."

The boy's last encounter with Smith was about six months ago, but he couldn't remember whether it was before or after his 15th birthday, court documents show.

Park Vista High School Principal, Nora Rosensweig, awaits the outcome of the criminal investigation and has reassigned Smith to job duties where she will not have contact with students. Smith will continue to collect her $60,507 salary.

Another source indicates that Smith was also charged with the incest-related crime of sexual assault by a custodian. It's not clear what family relationship exists between the boy and Smith. Reportedly, the sex occurred while Smith's husband, James, was asleep in an adjacent room.

In her defense, Smith told investigators that the boy assaulted her twice and she quietly cried both times.

"I told him often about control and that he would get arrested for rape if [it were] someone else," Smith told investigators. "After [Christmas], he kept getting nastier and nastier. I told him he violated me and I still wanted an apology."

Smith is behind bars in the Palm Beach County Jail without bond. I'm going to the sink and wash my hands. Unfortunately, it won't wash away the thoughts of a 50-year-old woman mixing it up with a 15-year-old boy.

BlogBurst, Newspapers and Bloggers

Received in an email.

Medgadget.com (usually a quiet place to learn about the latest medical technologies) has been investigating a new service from Pluck, called BlogBurst. We have learned and revealed a number of questionable practices by the company - from republishing entire contents of bloggers on newspaper sites to deeplinking images from bloggers and innocent bystander websites. The most outrageous thing is that some of the nations' leading newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, and the Austin American-Statesman, are engaged in the deeplinking and republishing for profit.

Please spread the message! It is time for us, bloggers, to say that we value and respect our work.

Examples of main newspapers deep linking images off bloggers and third parties. All references can be found here.

Sincerely,
Doctors-Editors at Medgadget.com

Notably, authorization to re-publish a blogger's content doesn't come with permission to use a blogger's bandwidth. That's what is happening. The newspapers are hot linking into a blogger's server space without an okey-dokey.

Scores of Taliban Killed in Heavy Fighting

(Kandahar, Afghanistan) In unusually heavy fighting yesterday in southeastern Afghanistan, the Taliban suffered appropriately heavy losses.

From ContraCostaTimes.com:

Some of the fiercest violence since the Taliban's ouster in 2001 erupted across southern Afghanistan, with militants battling U.S. and Canadian forces, detonating car bombs and attacking a small village. Up to 105 people were killed, officials said Thursday.

Much of the violence occurred in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, where thousands of extra NATO troops are scheduled to deploy this summer to counter an increasing number of attacks from a stubborn insurgency.

The Taliban death toll from fighting Wednesday night and Thursday ranged up to 87, U.S. and Afghan officials said. Also, 15 Afghan police officers, one American civilian, a Canadian soldier and an Afghan civilian were killed in the attacks.

The attacks are considered to be the largest by the Taliban since 2001 and, based upon media reports, I'd say the aggressors took it in the shorts.

Notably, the Afghan National Police (ANP) demonstrated its ability to make the Taliban flee during the attack on government headquarters in Musa Qala in Helmand province. According to British military spokesman, Capt. Drew Gibson, the British helped evacuate casualties and let the ANP forces do the fighting to prove their abilities. I'm happy to relate that their performance was assessed as admirable.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

ACLU and Mexico Protest Border Security

When the ACLU sides with the Mexican government to protest and initiate lawsuits against the United States government, one wonders whether the "A" in ACLU shouldn't be changed to "M" for Mexico.

From PostChronicle.com:

A representative from Mexican President Vicente Fox claims that if the U.S. National Guard troops detain illegal aliens crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, the Fox government will file a lawsuit against the Bush Administration in U.S. federal court.

It's believed that the American Civil Liberties Union is preparing to assist the Mexican government in such a lawsuit.

In fact, the ACLU sent a statement to the Mexican government regarding their stance on immigration enforcement.

As Congress moves forward to reform our nation's immigration laws, the ACLU said the U.S. must reject measures that threaten to increase the bloodshed on our borders. "Innocent peoples' lives and liberty should not be threatened by this dangerous deployment," said ACLU Director Anthony Romero.

I have no idea what he's talking about. Illegal people are not innocent. Illegal people are lawbreakers. They're criminals. And, what's this about their liberty? What liberties are granted to trespassers? They have no liberties. They're criminals trespassing in a foreign country.

The ACLU should go to Mexico and protect the liberties of Mexicans in Mexico if that's what they're doing. It is beyond obscene for the ACLU to get one nickle of U.S. taxpayer money for their anti-American antics.

As an advocate, the ACLU is certainly not watching out for the majority of Americans. However, when one extremist with a belligerent attitude gets offended, the ACLU will pony up grunches of money for busloads of liberal lawyers to find a new interpretation of the Constitution so one guy's feathers are de-ruffled.

This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join, please email Jay@stoptheaclu.com or GribbitR@gmail.com. You will be added to the mailing list and blogroll. Over 200 blogs are already on-board.