Woman Indicted for Sex with Boy

(Toledo, Ohio) A 33-year-old woman, Dawn M. Fisher, has been indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on one count of unlawful sex with a minor. Fisher is charged with having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy which resulted in pregnancy and the birth of a daughter.

The parents of the boy expressed concerns regarding their son's behavior which led to an investigation. According to Lori Olender, assistant county prosecutor, DNA testing confirmed that the sex had occurred since the boy fathered Fisher's child.

From ToledoBlade.com:

When confronted about the relationship, the boy initially denied having sex with the woman. But he later confessed after another juvenile told authorities he witnessed sexual conduct between them, Ms. Olender said.

Ms. Olender said the woman told sheriff's detectives her husband was the biological father of the child and she denied having a relationship with the boy.

According to court affidavits filed in April to obtain DNA evidence, the boy disclosed to authorities that he had sexual intercourse with Ms. Fisher on "numerous occasions" in her home and he believed he was the father.

A warrant for Fisher's arrest will be issued. If convicted of the charges against her, Fisher faces a possible five years in prison.


[Update 07/01/06]

An arrest warrant for Fisher was issued and police went to her house in Swanton to find nobody home. Fisher, her husband and now three children are apparently in hiding. Photo added. Tipped by Don Morgenstern.


[Update 07/26/07]

After being convicted and sentenced, Fisher violates probation.

Teaching Asst. Arrested for Sexual Contact with Boy

(Stockton, California) A 50-year-old sign-language teaching assistant with the Stockton Unified School District, Vickie L. Kerby, was arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a 15-year-old boy.

It's reported that a security guard at a railroad yard caught Kerby and the boy steaming up the windows of an SUV and notified authorities. The 15-year-old is reportedly not one of Kerby's students. She has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school system.

Kerby was arraigned Monday on charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a child. She was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail and held in lieu of $225,000 bail.

Tip: Jason Cann


[Update 10/18/06]

Kerby sentenced.

Female Teacher to Get 60 Days for Rape, Sodomy

(Boone County, Kentucky) Last September, 29-year-old teacher at Boone County High School, Michelle Kush, was arrested and charged with two counts of rape and one count of sodomy for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy on multiple occasions. After Kush was arrested, her husband filed for divorce.

On Wednesday, the now 30-year-old divorced mother of two pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory rape, a count of statutory sodomy, and four counts of unlawful transaction with a minor. Kush admitted that she engaged in sex with the boy on at least three occasions and also provided him and his friends with alcohol.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors are calling for Kush to serve 60 days in jail and another six days under home incarceration. She will also be required to register as a sex offender for life and forfeit her teaching credentials.

Kush will be sentenced on August 9 by Boone Circuit Judge Tony Frohlich.

Whoa! Sixty days for rape and sodomy! Ouch!

I'm guessing, of course, but there's probably a long list of pedophiles who would be willing to make that trade several times every year.


[Update 08/09/06]

Kush sentenced.

Proposed Smoking Ban in Cars with Kids

Lawmakers in California are close to making it against the law to smoke in a car if a child under six is strapped in a safety seat. Smokers will be guilty even if the car is parked, on private property, or a convertible. The specific wording of the proposed law would apply to violators who smoke a "lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette containing tobacco or any other plant."

First offense would be a warning. Second offense would carry a $100 fine.

One has to logically wonder when the prohibition will be extended to smoking in private homes with children.

Homeless Disappear When Booze Banned

(Tacoma, Washington) The city of Tacoma banned the sale of alcohol by grocery stores in the Hilltop neighborhood in 2002 and the homeless moved out. The area, now rejuvenated, had previously been plagued by crime, drug-dealing and drunken derelicts. Subsequently, the problems associated with homeless encampments migrated to the east side of Tacoma.

Seattle city leaders took notice of the success achieved in Tacoma and are proposing to designate six square miles of the city as a mandatory "alcohol-impact area" (AIA).

From The Seattle Times:

Within the AIA boundaries -- including downtown, Belltown, Capitol Hill, the Chinatown International District, Central Area and University District -- grocers would be prohibited from selling 34 brands of beer, malt liquor and fortified wines, from Olde English 800 and Pabst Ice to Night Train Express.

Later today, a public meeting is scheduled to discuss Seattle's proposal.

Interestingly, I haven't heard a peep out of homeless advocates about the rights of drunken vagrants being violated. Maybe they are in consultation meetings with their legal advisors.

Teacher's Aides Arrested for Sex with Male Students

(Booneville, Arkansas) Two 32-year-old teacher's aides with the Magazine School District, Misty Dawn Siddons and Angela Dawn Ryan, were each arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student. Each was charged in Logan County Circuit Court with one count of first-degree sexual assault. Each is free on $5,000 bond.

Magazine School Superintendent Jared Cleveland became aware of the alleged sexual relations from the mother of another student who had worked with Siddons and Ryan. Cleveland then alerted the Logan County Sheriff's office.

From Paris-Express.com:

In initial interviews with law enforcement officers, the women and one of the males denied any sexual contact took place, according to documents. However, one of the males said the allegations about the incident were true.

In a second interview with one of the boys the following day, he also allegedly confirmed the allegations, documents state. According to the file, Siddons and Ryan allegedly confirmed the allegations in a second interview with Logan County Undersheriff Joe Patterson.

According to written statements in the file from the women, the women and the 17-year-olds drove together from a Booneville convenience store to Jack Creek where they drank beer before returning to Booneville. According to written statements in the file, the four later went to Siddons' home in Magazine to watch a movie. According to written statements, the women and males went into separate bedrooms and had sex.

A July 24 arraignment date has been scheduled. If convicted of the charges against them, Siddons and Ryan each faces up to 30 years in prison and $15,000 fine.

Female Teacher Arrested for Raping Male Student

(Little Falls, New York) A 30-year-old eighth-grade English teacher at Jarvis Junior-Senior High School, Lauren (Cashman) Long, was arrested and charged with raping a 15-year-old male student. Long faces two counts of third-degree rape, one count of third-degree sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child.

It's reported that the alleged sexual encounters have been ongoing since February and occurred mostly at Long's residence in Little Falls. According to Little Falls Assistant Police Chief Michael Masi, none of the sex is believed to have occurred on school property.

Long was booked in to the Herkimer County Jail last Friday and subsequently released on bail.

Are You A Big Boy?

If you are a big boy, enter the contest and possibly win $500 and a four-foot Big Boy statue. Just send in a picture with your poofy pompadour and help the restaurant chain celebrate 70 years in business. Details here.

From my perspective, if there is a look-alike for the Big Boy, he deserves not only compensation but also some sympathy. He's got to be one goofy-looking cuss.

Transgenderism

For the sake of keeping my readers informed of the latest in politics, a group called TransJustice organized the second annual Trans Day of Action for Social and Economic Justice this past weekend in New York. For those who are unfamiliar, TransJustice is comprised of "Trans and Gender Non-conforming [TGNC] People of Color" who have demands.

From Workers World:

The TransJustice call said: "The specific issues that TGNC people of color face mirror those faced by broader communities of color in New York City: police brutality and harassment; racist and xenophobic immigration policies; lack of access to living wage employment, adequate affordable housing, quality education, and basic health care; and the impact of U.S. imperialism and the so-called U.S. war on terrorism being waged against people at home and abroad. These issues are compounded for TGNC people of color by the fact that homophobia and transphobia are so pervasive in society. As a result, our community is disproportionately represented in homeless shelters, in foster care agencies, in jails and prisons."

Despite sounding like a young socialists organizing speech, the TransJustice boo-hoos of victimhood found a path into the bleeding hearts of some city bureaucrats and achieved results.

D'Angelo Johnson of TransJustice and Jay Toole of Queers for Economic Justice celebrated two recent victories. As a result of struggle, a separate "gay and trans" housing unit at Rikers Island, a New York City jail, slated for closing, will be kept open as a measure to minimize danger to detainees at risk of rape and assault. A struggle also changed a Department of Homeless Services policy used to force transgender people into shelters based on birth sex, rather than assigning housing appropriate to gender expression.

The concept of "homeless housing appropriate to gender expression" is beyond my ability to understand. And, I continue to be flummoxed by the lack of specificity regarding transgender people. I mean, just what are they? Males or females?

If a man dresses and acts like a female and is sent to jail for a crime, why should the taxpayer have to pay for special treatment? The man made the choices. The man should suffer the consequences. My advice? If a man presents himself as a female, avoid jail at all costs. Similarly, if a person wants to act as the opposite sex, fine, but do so while maintaining a home so the taxpayer isn't asked to pay for a special shelter.

In total, it appears that transgender (?) people are ignoring the norms of society and all of human history by creating a new gender which, although not clearly defined, is separate from males and females. And they want this new gender to be recognized as normal in society. Uh -- good luck.

Tamara Hoover on Fox

(Austin, Texas) Here's more on the story that refuses to die. Suspended art teacher at Austin High School, Tamara Hoover, was interviewed on this afternoon's M & J program on the Fox channel.

Hoover's main points:

1) The nude pictures were not "prominently" displayed on the web. In other words, they were not easy to find.

2) She believes that she did nothing wrong because her nude pics are artistic expression protected by the First Amendment.

3) She contends that she isn't the Internet police and parents should be responsible for monitoring children's Internet use.

4) There is no moral turpitude question since the pics were art.

5) Lastly, when the pictures were taken, Hoover did not know they would be posted on the Internet and had not even a passing thought of the consequences of doing so.

Consequently, Hoover believes the Austin School Board is wrong in trying to terminate her employment.

My take is that Hoover is bucking heads with all the parents who believe that their children's teachers should be squeaky clean in character. It's become a political issue.

Previous posts:

06/13/06 - Female Teacher Topless
06/17/06 - Teacher Tamara Hoover Goes Topless
06/23/06 - Tamara Hoover Update

[Update 08/17/06]

Tamara Hoover resigns.

Pregnant Woman Accused of Sex Assault of Boy

(Sheboygan, Wisconsin) A 20-year-old Sheboygan woman, Nicole M. Boje, has been charged with felony second-degree sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy.

From Sheboygan-Press.com:

The boy, who turned 16 in April, told police about the incident May 30 when he was taken into custody for an alleged theft from ShopKo, police said. The youth said he stole items from the store because "he had a baby on the way," the complaint said.

Boje told police June 5 that she was five months pregnant and that the boy was the father, prosecutors said.

Boje is expected to deliver in October. A court appearance is scheduled for Monday. If convicted of the charge against her, Boje faces a up to 25 years in prison.

Fat chance. I'll bet she gets sentenced to time served and probation.

Female Teacher Gets No Jail for Sex with Female Student

(Akron, Ohio) Last March, 22-year-old former teacher and basketball coach at Firestone High School, Quanette Vales, was arrested for having sex with a 15-year-old female student. Vales was initially charged with sexual battery and sexual conduct with a minor.

Yesterday, just days before her trial was to start, Vales pleaded guilty to sexual battery and was sentenced to two years community control and forfeiture of her teaching license.


[Update]

Vales' sentence also includes 10 years registration as a sex offender. It's worth noting that, after her sentencing, Vales had a few words for the media.

From Ohio.com:

Vales said in a phone interview that she is innocent. She said she entered the guilty pleas only to avoid a possible prison sentence and separation from her family.

Vales said she did not have sexual relations with the teen. She said the girl is lying about the relationship.

"I was railroaded by the media, the newspaper and everything for something I didn't do," Vales said.

Frankly, I don't know how to take this case. Vales claims innocence after she pleads guilty. It doesn't make much sense. One thing seems certain, though. Vales is walking away from the entire experience apparently without learning a whit nor feeling any sense of contrition. According to Vales, the whole episode is somebody else's fault.

Maybe a couple years of private, personal meditation time behind bars would have been a more appropriate sentence than letting her walk. It appears that Vales is not thinking clearly.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Raping Boy

(Albion, New York) A 30-year-old Medina woman, Linda Christopher, was arrested for engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy. She was arraigned on May 1st and has been held in Orleans County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, later reduced to $5,000. On Monday of this week, Christopher pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court to third-degree rape.

From Journal-Register.com:

According to court records, the investigation began when the victim, now 17, went to the Medina Police station with his mother, who had a letter written by Christopher to the victim. District Attorney Joseph Cardone previously said he could not say how Christopher and the victim knew each other because of the boy's age and the nature of the case.

Christopher is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18th. With the guilty plea, she faces up to four years in state prison and registration as a sex offender.


[Update 09/22/06]

Christopher gets 30 days in jail.

White House Should Withdraw NYT Press Pass

Regarding the New York Times, there's no hemming and hawing from the editors of the National Review.

The administration should withdraw the newspaper's White House press credentials because this privilege has been so egregiously abused, and an aggressive investigation should be undertaken to identify and prosecute, at a minimum, the government officials who have leaked national-defense information.

The question that requires an answer is: When will the public finally cease tolerating blatant anti-American propaganda from the U.S. media and call for action? Only when the public says "enough is enough" will the media be pressured to change. America cannot rely upon the New York Times, nor its acolytes, to realize that they are sh*tting in their own messkits.

Woman Gets Two Years for Sex with Boy

(West Chester, Ohio) In July 2005, it was reported that 35-year-old Jodie Lyn Drake was accused of engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. Drake allegedly had sex with the boy at least 50 times.

Last month, Drake was convicted of unlawful sex with a minor and yesterday she was sentenced to two years in prison by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage.

From DaytonDailyNews.com:

According to a psychiatric evaluation conducted in the case, Drake meets the criteria for being an alcoholic and having anti-social and borderline personality disorders -- all of which categorize her as "a moderate to high risk of committing future sexually-oriented offenses."

Consequently, Judge Sage ruled that Drake is a sexual predator who will be required to register with the Sheriff's Department for life. She was also ordered to undergo HIV testing.

Acidman Passed Away

Rob Smith was found early this morning slumped over on his couch. No news yet on the cause of death.

Oh, man! Gut Rumbles was one of the first blogs I frequented on the web and it has entertained me and many other people with plain old common sense and slap-across-the-chops honesty. Rob worked hard, played hard and loved hard. He'll be missed.

Condolences to his boys, family and friends. Rest in peace.

Teacher Christine Scarlett Charged with Sexual Battery

(Strongsville, Ohio) Former Strongsville High School teacher Christine Scarlett, 39, was arraigned last week on 18 counts of sexual battery resulting from an intimate relationship with a 17-year-old student, Steven Bradigan. Scarlett's bond was set at $10,000. The schedule for followup court proceedings has not been announced.

Readers may recall from an earlier post that the relationship between Scarlett and Bradigan resulted in the birth of a son. Last month, an agreement to share custody of the boy ended a legal battle.

Regarding the adjudication of Scarlett's case, I'll confidently predict that she will get probation and possibly community service. The trend in sentencing of female sexual abusers is insulting leniency and I see no reason why the disposition of her case would be any different.


[Update 05/13/07]

Scarlett pleads guilty to avoid trial. Sentencing in June.

Casket Found Without Body

(Tucson, Arizona) Paintball enthusiasts found an empty casket near Interstate-10 on the south side of Tucson. Pima County Sheriff's Deputies determined that the casket had recently contained a body, likely that of a military man. The casket is silver and has a U.S. Army insignia attached. DNA sampling has been performed by forensic specialists.

Odd, eh?

Health Care in Cuba

A scathing report on the health care system in Cuba has been smuggled out of the country and published on a Norwegian website. The report was written by distinguished Dr. Hilda Molina, formerly of the Cuban National Assembly, and it describes a system of apartheid where foreign medical tourists receive quality care that is denied to Cubans.

Beginning in 1989, the entire Cuban health care system was directed to established mechanisms to turn the medical system into a profit-making enterprise for the government. Cuban government representatives traveled worldwide marketing "health tourism" to attract foreign currency. For motivation, a kickback system of payments was developed for foreign associates, recruited to steer patients to Cuba. Hospitals were urged to accept foreign patients with payments going to the government.

From Civita:

There are several significant flaws in this new Cuban medical system. Foreign patients are routinely inadequately or falsely informed about their medical conditions to increase their medical bills or to hide the fact that Cuba often advertises medical services it is unable to provide. Patients are often forced to pay intermediaries fees in excess of the 10 to 20 percent benchmark established by the Cuban government. There is also a deficiency of medical attention for both foreign patients and Cubans.

The lack of adequate professional qualifications, the absence of medical ethics, and the drive toward financial enrichment also characterize Cuba's medical system and often yield unfortunate results.

At present, all the medical institutions that government leaders believe are minimally equipped to treat foreign patients have been informed that the government will no longer provide financial support. Instead, they are expected to support themselves by selling their services.

A priority system was established to define who gets treated and how. The highest priority rests with foreigners, followed by government officials/military, athletes with good performance records, dancers, and lastly, ordinary Cuban citizens.

Even with high priority, though, foreigners may actually have their health jeopardized by the system. They are frequently pressured to have unnecessary treatments or operations, often by doctors without prerequisite qualifications. Foreign patients are also forced into paying for overpriced and frequently unnecessary Cuban-made pharmaceuticals, many of indeterminate, sometimes even hazardous, value.

Dr. Molina's moderately-long report can be seen at the link above. Not marred by hysteria or revenge, I believe the report is an honest assessment which belies intimate knowledge of Cuba, communism, and how the health care system has been turned into a fraudulent, albeit appealing, postcard designed specifically to attract foreigners and their currency.

Palestinians Announce Biological, Chemical Weapons

If the claim is true, the Palestinians are preparing to launch "at least 20 different types of biological and chemical weapons" into Israel. I suggest that it would be a bad idea. It's goodbye if you do, fellas.

Ace has the story.

This Week's Caption Contest

Over at Howie's Moisture Farm, Osama is displayed expressing the joy of reading the New York Times. He's probably thinking he can disband the entire al Qaeda intelligence network and save money for more Islamikazi belts.

It's worth seeing and/or participating. Go visit.

Muslim Newspaper Prints Pro-Bush Piece

Check out this conservative opinion piece in the Arab News. It's an attack of the liberal media by Steve Darnell, an American Navy veteran who writes a weekly column for the Russian newspaper Pravda. Here's an excerpt.

Liberals whine, cry and make up lies about the US military destroying the environment, killing innocent Iraqis and anything else they can think of to harm the Bush administration. But now, when faced with real evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, they suddenly lose their voices. I think it is time for them to throw partisanship to the wind and admit that we were justified to invade Iraq. But somehow I know this won’t happen and politics will continue as normal. What are my predictions of what will happen in the next few weeks?

The liberal media will cover the story for a few days and come to the conclusion that Karl Rove invented the whole thing. The artillery shells were actually filled with camel dung from Saddam’s private camel herd.

The piece is pro-Bush and pro-Iraq War while it soundly slams the liberal media and the environmentalists. Astonishingly, it appears in Saudi Arabia's Wahabbist house organ, The Arab News. I admit. My jaw dropped. Strange things do happen.

Couple Convicted of Molesting Foster Children

(Wakefield, England) Two homosexual men, Ian Wathey, 41, and his partner Craig Faunch, 32, were sentenced to prison last Friday after being convicted of molesting young boys placed in their foster care.


Ian Wathey and Craig Faunch
Soon after the men were approved as foster care providers by the Wakefield council, they began using the boys, ages eight through 14, for sexual gratification.

From Telegraph.co.uk:

Faunch abused four boys and Wathey targeted one victim. Judge Sally Cahill, QC, said neither of the pair had shown "empathy, remorse or any responsibility for their actions."

Wathey was jailed for five years after being convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child and one offence of causing a child to watch sexual activity.

Faunch received a six-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of five charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child and two of taking indecent photographs of a child.

Interestingly, the Wakefield council social service director, Kitty Ferris, stated that proper procedures were followed in placing the children with the homosexual couple, however, an internal review will be conducted to determine lessons that should be learned.


[Update 09/08/07]

Report issued. Blames molestation on political correctness.

Female Teacher Charged with Sex Assault of Male Student

(Normal, Illinois) A 25-year-old Spanish teacher at University High School, Sarah Elizabeth Dickerson, turned herself in to police on Friday to face charges that she engaged in a sexual relationship with a male student. She has been charged with five counts of criminal sexual assault. Dickerson resigned her position with the school last month.

Dickerson was booked into the McLean County Jail and released on $5,000 bail.


[Update 06/27/06]

According to this report, Dickerson was the junior class sponsor and girl's tennis coach in addition to being the Spanish teacher. She had sex with the 17-year-old student at her apartment at least five times in April. The report also indicates that bail was set at $50,000. Added photo. Tip: Don Morgenstern.


[Update 07/15/06]

Dickerson formally charged with five counts of criminal sexual assault.


[Update 02/09/07]

Dickerson sentenced.

Toronto Homeless Survey

Toronto's first-ever homeless census has been completed. The results are an interesting set of numbers.

From TheStar.com:

The survey, which cost almost $90,000, does manage to settle one controversial issue: the actual number of homeless in Toronto.

It estimates that on the night of April 19, when the study was done, there were at least 5,052 homeless people in Toronto — 3,649 in 66 homeless shelters (72 per cent), 818 (16.2 per cent) on the streets, and others staying in such facilities as correctional centres, hospitals and abused women's shelters.

The survey actually counted 566 homeless staying outdoors that night, but that number was adjusted to 818 to account for those people likely missed.

Fifty-one per cent of the homeless on the street that night responded to the survey, while it was answered by 43 per cent of the overall homeless population. The survey was conducted by 750 volunteers and 336 team leaders who were divided up into groups.

Therefore, 1,086 survey workers found 566 homeless people on the streets and 3,649 at shelters in a city of 2.5 million. Understandably, due to the transient nature of homeless populations, the survey included a certain amount of guesswork or extrapolation. Nonetheless, the data will be useful when coupled with the results of future surveys.

Woman Goes on Trial for Sex with Boy

(McHenry County, Illinois) A 25-year-old Lake County, Illinois, woman, Tania A. Gerken, goes on trial next week in McHenry County Court to face charges related to engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. Gerken faces two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It's alleged that Gerken got the boy liquored up and smoked pot with him and then had sex.

If convicted, Gerken could be sentenced to seven years in prison.

Female Teacher Loses Job for Appearing in Porn Video

(Paducah, Kentucky) A science teacher at Reidland High School, Tericka Dye, appeared in a porn movie in 1995 and, as a result, was suspended from teaching last month and told that her contract would not be renewed. Dye emphatically says that she regrets doing the movie.

Attorney Mark Blankenship, representing Dye, stated that McCracken County Schools Superintendent Tim Heller's decision to terminate Dye may be challenged. It might be a tough sell since there are indications that she appeared in at least a dozen titles under the name Rikki Andersin. One could conclude that her adult film stint was extended-term rather than a simple one-time lapse of judgment.

Nonetheless, Dye contends that she has changed from being the poor decision-maker of the past to a person who loves teaching and has learned from her mistakes.

My take? I think teachers should be squeaky clean, at least in grades K-12, in their records and overall character. They should adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards and, under no circumstances, should they bring about disrespect to the institutions they represent. Being a professional fornicator probably wouldn't fit with those criteria.

Of course, I'm kinda' old fashioned.


[Update 07/30/06]

Mark Blankenship, Dye's attorney, has filed a lawsuit seeking her reinstatement.

From WDCMedia.com:

"She grew up in a very poor family [and had] an alcoholic father; she was abused sexually by an uncle when she was from six to thirteen. I mean, she got off to such a horrible start in life and then made something of herself," Blankenship notes. "And now, a public school system, which is really part of our government, sort of throws her away."

A circuit court will hear the case next month.


[Update 12/08/06]

Tericka Dye appears on afternoon television.

Female Teacher Accused of Sexually Abusing Girl

(Salt Lake City, Utah) A 39-year-old teacher at Northwest Junior High School, Sherry Acor, turned herself in to the police today to face charges of sexually abusing a 13-year-old female student more than 10 years ago.

The victim told police that Acor touched her "genitals and other body parts on a nearly weekly basis from Aug. 1, 1994, through May 31, 1995." Acor is charged with three counts of second-degree felony sexual abuse of a child.

Interestingly, Acor resigned her teaching position several months ago and it was reported that she had obtained a passport and was planning on fleeing to New Zealand. Apparently, she changed her mind and decided to face the charges against her.


[Update 05/12/07]

Shelly Acor, now 40, was found not guilty by a jury on all counts following a three-day trial in 3rd District Court.

ACLU Goes Fishing

Check out this report from Stop The ACLU. It describes the latest ACLU fishing expedition, a Freedom of Information Act request on the Haditha incident which appears to be focused on doing nothing else but attacking America and the U.S. military.

The ACLU's FOIA request seeks information about an incident in which U.S. Marines are said to have killed 24 Iraqi civilians, including women and children, in retaliation for the killing of another Marine by a roadside bomb. The request seeks information about the Haditha incident, about the alleged cover-up of that incident by senior officers, and about other incidents involving the killing of civilians by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The request also seeks to ascertain whether military officers attempted to suppress information about these deaths.

Specifically, the request seeks the release of all records relating to the killing of civilians by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan since January 1, 2005, including death certificates, autopsy reports, investigative files, documents related to criminal and administrative proceedings, witness interviews, statistics, policy documents (including "rules of engagement"), paperwork for compensatory payments to relatives of victims, photographs, and videos.

The ACLU could have just asked for "every possible document" and be done with it. Ostensibly, by hook or by crook, the ACLU lusts to prosecute the United States Marine Corps for something.

In my estimation, the most salient question needing to be answered is, "What, if anything, does all this have to do with American civil liberties?"

Wal-Mart Tax Fizzles in New York

Many people surely recall the union-backed, Democrat initiative passed into law in Maryland which placed a health insurance tax specifically on Wal-Mart. Legitimately, it was nothing more than a big government scheme designed to pressure Wal-Mart for the sake of labor unions.

Well, the same scheme is being floated elsewhere. Legislators in the state of New York recently tried to pass a bill, called the Fair Share for Health Care, to attach a $3 per hour per employee tax on Wal-Mart for not providing workers with health insurance. Unfortunately for the unions and big government advocates, the measure failed to go anywhere this past week in the Assembly or Senate and, according to Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, it won't be acted upon this year.

Good. Besides being a generally lousy idea, it's a political attack against Wal-Mart prompted by a special interest group.

Meat

(The Netherlands) The Dutch have experimented with pig stem cells to make laboratory meat. Now, Professor of Meat Science, Henk Haagsman, at Utrecht University says he and his meat buddies are working on mass-producing artificial meat.

One has to wonder what the animal rights crowd has to say about this. One also has to wonder if Henk ever uses 'Professor of Meat' as a pickup line in a singles bar.

Tamara Hoover Update

(Austin, Texas) There has been a flood of media and public interest in the case of Austin High School art teacher Tamara Hoover. As previously reported here and here, Hoover is being fired from her position with the school district because her nude photos, taken by her girlfriend Celesta Danger, were found to be published on the Internet and available for viewing by her students. It's now been disclosed how the issue became public.

From AustinChronicle.com:

Danger posted a dozen or so nude photos of Hoover on her photography Web site, where they sat among thousands of portraits of friends and fellow hipsters (Danger is a photographer for the Texas Rollergirls).

[ ... ]

The photos, however, took on a very different context when they were viewed in a high school classroom. That happened in mid-May, after Hoover and fellow Austin High art teacher Gayle Andrews got into a spat over a shared kiln. Shortly afterward, a student told Andrews about a way to get Hoover in trouble and brought up the Web site. The news reached the administration and Hoover was escorted off campus. The district soon began the process of firing her.

So, it all started with a "spat over a shared kiln," or two women being catty. Seems stupid, eh? Nevertheless, Hoover has vowed to fight for her job.

Hoover is requesting a hearing, which will give her the chance to argue her case in front of an independent hearing examiner. Her lawyer, Jay Brim, says the district's vague justifications about "standards of professional conduct" give it some wiggle room.

It appears to me that the issue has become political in nature, largely due to media coverage, and it will be decided in favor of the side with the most muscle. My bets are on the school board.


[Update 06/28/06]

Tamara Hoover interviewed on Fox.


[Update 08/17/06]

Tamara Hoover resigns.

MySpace Troubles

It is so easy for pedophiles to cull victims from the MySpace subscribers that legal problems are arising.

From AdAge.com:

A 14-year-old girl is presently suing the site for $30 million, claiming she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old man she met on MySpace.

Previously, two men were apprehended for using MySpace to meet girls under the age of 14. Consequently, one can assume that MySpace is turning into the proverbial candy store for child molesters. Or, maybe, it already is.

To allay concerns, problems, and possible lawsuits, MySpace has implemented the bold move of "introducing restrictions on adult/teen interaction."

The new rules prohibit members 18 and older from asking to join a 14- or 15-year-old's group of friends -- unless they already know the younger members' e-mail address or full name. Members can also request not to be contacted by anyone outside of their age group. Additionally, all members can now display either full or partial profiles, whereas previously the full profiles of anyone over 18 were available to all members. MySpace has always only allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to display full profiles to their friends.

Therefore, if a 35-year-old man wants to cruise through the profiles of 14-year-old girls, all he has to do is indicate that he is 14 on his profile. After all, people can indicate whatever age they desire on MySpace.

In summary, MySpace is implementing restrictions that appear meaningless because they're unenforceable. And, to be fair, MySpace would seem to have little control other than to issue frequent warnings and precautionary notices regarding potential pedophiles. Actually, the youngsters' parents must be responsible for overseeing their children's activities to the extent necessary to prevent harm.

Seven Men Arrested in Terror Plot Targeting Sears Tower

Breaking news! FBI raid in Miami nets African-Americans and a Caribbean believed to be followers of the religion of peace.

From CNN.com:

Seven people are in custody after the FBI and state and local law enforcement agents carried out raids in Miami, Florida, connected with an alleged plot to attack landmark U.S. buildings, officials told CNN on Thursday.

Officials said no weapons or bomb-making materials had been found in the searches so far. The Miami area is under no imminent threat, according to the FBI.

Law enforcement sources told CNN that the arrests disrupted the early stages of a domestic terrorist plot to attack the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois, the FBI building in Miami, and possibly other targets.

Thus far, no links to al-Qaeda or other foreign terrorist organizations have been found. Those arrested were all suspected homegrown terrorists. Five are American citizens, one is a permanent legal resident, and one is a Haitian illegally in the U.S. on a visa overstay.

From ABC News:

The group has been under surveillance for some time and was infiltrated by a government informant who allegedly led them to believe he was an Islamic radical. The suspects are described as African Americans and at least one man of Caribbean descent.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will hold a press conference tomorrow at 10:30 am EDT.

Tip: Wizbang.

New Nuke Plants Announced for Texas

(Wadsworth, Texas) A letter of intent to submit an application to build and operate two new advanced boiling water nuclear power plants has already been submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

From TheFacts.com:

The president of NRG Energy, a company that owns and operates power-generating facilities in Texas, announced Wednesday plans to build two additional nuclear power units at the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station near Wadsworth in Matagorda County.

The planned units will be built next to two existing nuclear reactors at the 12,220-acre power plant site.

Growing energy demand is cited as the reason for the new facilities. The project is expected to be completed by 2014 while creating 6,000 jobs during the peak construction period and 1,000 new permanent staff positions.

Makes sense to me. Nuclear power plants have proven to be safe, clean, and reliable providers of electricity. Rationally, there shouldn't be any objection to the project. Irrationally, I'm certain the environmentalists will voice their opposition.

Woman Gets No Jail for Sex Crime with Boy

(Henderson, North Carolina) A 33-year-old Vance County woman, Stephanie Ann Ayscue, was arrested for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy after plying him with alcohol and marijuana. Ayscue was charged with statutory rape, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and obstructing justice. The obstructing justice charge resulted from paying the boy $100 to recant his testimony against her.

Yesterday, Ayscue entered an Alford plea, admitting that the evidence against her was overwhelming but not formally admitting guilt. Nonetheless, an Alford plea is viewed by the court as a guilty plea. She was sentenced to three years of probation for taking indecent liberties with a child.

Therefore, despite serious charges and loud outrage by the victim's mother, Ayscue gets no jail from Superior Court Judge R. Allen Baddour Jr. Ayscue will, however, have to endure treatment and register as a sex offender. She'll also be fined $300.

Okay, let's speculate. What would the punishment be if a 33-year-old man liquored up and smoked pot with a 15-year-old girl to have sex with her? Probation? I don't think so.

Woman Arrested for Giving Sex, Alcohol to Teens

(Portsmouth, New Hampshire) A 30-year-old mother of two, Peggy Bick, was arrested for throwing an alcohol party for some teenagers and having sex with two adolescents. Bick faces felony sex assault charges and charges related to the alleged underage drinking party. The boys involved are reported to be under 16.

Notably, Bick was awaiting trial on similar charges when she was most recently arrested.

Tipped by Don Morgenstern.


[Update 05/25/07]

Bick acquitted.

Teacher Gets Jail for Showing Sex Photos to Student

(Tacoma, Washington) A 39-year-old teacher at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, Mary Irene Smiley, was sentenced yesterday to four months in jail for showing sexual photos of herself to a 17-year-old boy. Smiley was convicted by a Pierce County District Court jury of communication with a minor for immoral purposes. Her sentence includes registration as a sex offender.

ACLU Sues to Keep Communist Propaganda in School

(Miami, Florida) I'm certain that the ACLU would disagree with the title of this post but, when one analyzes the the entire situation, the conclusion has to be that the ACLU is adamant about inculcating 1st- and 2nd-graders to the beauty of communism. The controversy surrounds a book heralding the joy of communist life by showing smiling faces of children at a Cuban youth camp.

From Miami.com:

The American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday asked a federal judge to stop the Miami-Dade County school district from removing a series of children's books from its libraries, including one on Cuba, arguing the removal violates students' rights to free press.

The Miami-Dade County Student Government Association joined the ACLU in the suit filed in U.S. District Court in downtown Miami. They argue the books are appropriate for their target group, children ages 5 to 7, and that the board should add materials with alternate viewpoints rather than remove books that could be offensive.

"Alternate viewpoints!" What on the Earth is the matter with the ACLU? The kids are ages 5 through 7. The only 'alternate viewpoint' they should be concerned with is punishment for not doing what they are told. And, there's more to this lunacy.

Last week, the board voted 6-3 to remove "Vamos a Cuba" and its English-language version, "A Visit to Cuba" from 33 schools, stating the books were inappropriate for young readers because of inaccuracies and omissions about life in the communist nation.

The suit alleged the books were removed without due process, violating students' Fourteenth Amendment rights.

It's not clear how the Fourteenth Amendment is tied into the issue but it appears that due process was followed. After all, the school board made the decision which is presumably within its authority.

What's most troubling is the ACLU's continuous support for anti-American initiatives, particularly socialist and communist. Anyone with a modicum of education should know that communism is the antithesis to freedom. To subject young children to communist propaganda is ludicrous. The 20th Century demonstrated that communism guarantees genocide, police state imprisonment, and evenly distributed poverty. Putting perfume on the ideology and shoving it into young impressionable minds won't change its evil nature.

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.

Woman Arrested for Sex with Boy

(Jacksonville, Florida) A 44-year-old woman, Donna DeBoard, has been arrested for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy.

According to the boy, DeBoard performed oral sex and engaged in intercourse with him on several occasions. Police became aware of the situation while investigating a burglary in the neighborhood.

DeBoard was booked into the Duval County Jail.

Akron Panhandler Law

(Akron, Ohio) Expect heated debate regarding a proposed city ordinance to control panhandling in Akron. The proposed law would require that beggars be registered and wear badges. It would also limit the locations where panhandling would be tolerated. Specifically, no begging will be allowed "within 20 feet of ATMs, banks, street cafes, Canal Park, Lock 3 and the Civic Theatre."

Business owners, city leaders, police officers and citizens support the idea as necessary to increase visitor traffic and public safety.

Vagrancy advocates from Food Not Bombs and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless have voiced opposition to the proposed measure as a form of branding. They contend that panhandling is a protected form of free speech.

Interestingly, at an Akron City Council meeting yesterday, one police officer, Edward Latchaw, stated that the people doing the panhandling are known to him and none are homeless. Latchaw also indicated that "none of them go hungry."

Jeez! What's a guy to think? The cop on patrol says none of the panhandlers are homeless while the homeless advocates seem to think they are. I'll guess. Maybe the homeless advocates are mistaken and the panhandling is practiced by people who have homes but are too lazy to get real jobs.

Notably, Dayton and Cincinnati have already implemented measures to control begging in their downtown areas with positive results. Cincinnati's law is being challenged in federal court.

Counterfeit Document Ringleader Arrested

(Monterrey, Mexico) Last weekend, Mexican authorities arrested counterfeit document ringleader, Pedro Castorena-Ibarra, in Guadalajara. Castorena-Ibarra distributed bogus Social Security cards, driver's licenses, and resident alien cards throughout several states, including California, Illinois, and Georgia.

Department of Homeland Security officials believe "the arrest deals a serious blow to one of the largest fraudulent document organizations in the U.S." Immigration and Customs Enforcement classified Castorena-Ibarra as a most-wanted fugitive who was sought on a July 2005 money laundering indictment.

Pedro Castorena-Ibarra awaits extradition to the U.S.

Food Police Action - Marshmallow Fluff Banned

(Boston, Massachusetts) State Sen. Jarred Barrios has attached an amendment to a school nutrition funding bill which bans Marshmallow Fluff from school cafeterias.

From TheBostonChannel.com:

"My son came home the other day and we had a debate because he wanted a Fluffernutter. I said no, and he said he could get it every day at school," Sen. Jarred Barrios said.

I guess that Massachusetts politicians quite loosely define what constitutes a debate.

"The real issue is what we are doing in our schools to promote healthy eating," Barrios said.

Obviously, the kid now is going to make all his schoolmates suffer because he decided to "debate" his dad. He'll probably get beat up.

Nevertheless, before lawmakers even vote on the issue, the Cambridge School System has taken proactive action and announced that the dangerous substance will no longer be on the menu.

Robin Hood's House

(Sheffield, England) Apparently, researchers and archeologists have been going around Robin Hood's barn for so long they found his house.

From Ananova:

Archaeologists claim they have found the remains of Robin Hood's house - in Sheffield.

The outlaw is usually associated with Nottingham but researchers believe he came from the South Yorkshire village of Bolsterstone.

Experts from Sheffield University have started a preliminary dig at the site of an 11th century castle in the village.

I suspect there will be plenty of interest in this presumed find. By stealing from the rich to give to the poor, socialists, communists, and American Democrats ostensibly are the modern-day equivalent of Robin Hood and his ilk. Effectively, Robin Hood is their patron forefather.

Hopefully, before Robin Hood's house is designated as a world heritage site, everybody will reflect upon the fact that the myth of Robin Hood trumpets simple theft. Sure, he gave to the poor but it's undeniable that he was a thief before he was a charitable giver. In fact, it's not uncommon for criminals to give to the poor. Al Capone did it.

Kristi Dance Oakes Pleads Guilty

(Sevierville, Tennessee) The enduring case of former biology teacher at Seymour High School, Kristi Dance Oakes, 33, charged with statutory rape of a 16-year-old boy, is finally nearing conclusion. Oakes was arrested early last year for performing oral sex on the youth inside her car near Douglas Dam in 2004.

Oakes pleaded guilty today to statutory rape before Sevier County Circuit Court Judge Richard Vance. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 24th.


[Update 07/28/06]

Oakes sentenced.

Huge American-Australian Military Bases Announced

(Canberra, Australia) Two giant United States-Australia military training and forward expeditionary bases are to be built in northwestern Australia, according to senior government sources.

From Xinhuanet.com:

A new base at Bradshaw in the Northern Territory will be equipped with a landing strip for giant C-17 military transport aircraft and accommodation for some 750 troops, or a U.S. marine expeditionary battalion.

[ ... ]

The area is reported to be outside civil air traffic radar coverage and this will enable military planes with heavy equipment and larger numbers of troops to come and go unnoticed, the report said.

Plans are under way for another base at Yampi Sound, on the north-western Kimberley coast of Western Australia, for joint U.S.-Australian training in amphibious seaborne landing techniques.

Also being discussed as available to the U.S. military is the facility at Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton. Furthermore, Prime Minister John Howard has restated the government's position that the U.S. is welcome to establish "a more permanent presence in Australia."

I expect that anti-American, anti-war, anti-military, and other anti-civilization groups are organizing to protest.

Jawa Report Attacked

Some people may have noticed that The Jawa Report has not been available for the last two days. It seems that it came under a denial of service attack which has been traced to Turkey. Readers are being told to sit tight for a while.

Apparently, the attack resulted from extreme reactions by a few religion of peaceniks who were offended by a post containing a picture of the Koran in a toilet. The picture illustrated that it's literally impossible to flush a book.

Howie has posted the pic. Go visit.

Teacher Tamara Hoover Goes Topless

As reported in an earlier post, Austin High School art teacher Tamara Hoover allowed semi-nude pictures of herself to be published on the Internet and the school system disapproved. On Tuesday, The Austin School Board recommended that Hoover's employment be terminated. Hoover has vowed to fight to keep her job.

From Chron.com:

The school district said the photos were inappropriate and violate the "higher moral standard" expected of public school teachers. As a result, she's become an ineffective teacher, she was told as she was escorted out of class last month.

The photos came to light as a result of a feud over ceramics equipment with another art teacher, according to sworn affidavits. Students who had seen the pictures showed the teacher, who then notified school officials.

The consequences of the situation have been a flood of interest and controversy that appears to be heating up. On Hoover's side are those who cite First Amendment freedom. Opposing are those who believe teacher's should set high moral standards.

Notably, the pictures posted on Flickr have been removed. More here. Also worth mentioning is that, according to reader's comments, Tamara Hoover is not married and engaged in a same-sex relationship. I don't know if those assertions are opinion or fact.

Companion post at Conservative Thinking.

Trackback to Wizbang COTT.


[Update 06/23/06]

Tamara Hoover update.


[Update 06/28/06]

Tamara Hoover interviewed on Fox.


[Update 08/17/06]

Tamara Hoover resigns.

Border Fence Vandalized

(Tucson, Arizona) On the Arizona-Mexico border, Minutemen project volunteers last month erected three miles of fence on the private property of rancher Jack Ladd. This week, it was destroyed by unknown vandals.

From KOLD.com:

An 800-foot section of the three mile barbed wire fence was cut.

"Cut so cleverly that it could not be repaired, it has to be restrung because it's cut right here at the post," says Carmen Mercer of the Minuteman Project.

Security by the Minutemen has been increased and the Cochise County Sheriff's Department has been notified.

Tipped by Diggers Realm.

Babysitter Accused of Sex with 4-Year-Old Boy

(Evansville, Indiana) I report on this type of story regularly and it never gets less disgusting.

From FortWayne.com:

A woman who authorities say tried to have sex with a 4-year-old boy four years ago is charged with felony child molesting.

The boy, who is now 8, told authorities that LaShawnda Gullatt, 24, of Evansville, molested him in 2002 while she was baby-sitting.

Gullatt, who also uses the last names Baker and Cooper, told investigators that the boy's allegation was true and agreed to take a lie detector test, said Evansville police detective Brian Turpin in a probable cause affidavit.

She told detectives the molesting happened after she had been drinking, the affidavit said.

"When I asked her why this happened, LaShawnda said that she just wanted sex," Turpin said in the affidavit. "LaShawnda said this has never happened before or since with any child."

Gullatt was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail with bond set at $25,000. She faces a possible 20 years in prison.

Female Teacher Accused of Oral Sex with Student

(Pierce County, Washington) A 24-year-old former physical education teacher at White River High School, Rebekah M. Todd, was arraigned in state Superior Court on first-degree sexual misconduct for allegedly performing oral sex on a 17-year-old male student.

From News-Miner.com:

Authorities launched an investigation in February after a student being questioned by a school official about a juvenile drinking party blurted out, "What are they going to do about Miss Todd? Everybody knows Miss Todd (performed oral sex on a student)."

Officials contacted the student, who confirmed the allegation, charging documents state.

The incident happened sometime in March of last year after Todd reportedly met the boy at his father's business, where he had been cleaning. The boy told authorities that Todd kissed him at a graduation party three months later. Buckley police detectives interviewed two other students who claimed to witness Todd and the youth kissing.

Todd was fired from her teaching position in March. Interestingly, Todd was previously reprimanded by the school district for reportedly drinking with students and showing racy movies in class.

A late August trial date has been set. If convicted, Todd faces up to a year in jail.


[Update 01/03/07]

Todd pleads guilty.


[Update 03/11/07]

Todd sentenced to jail.

Stick A Fork in Dan Rather

Dan Rather is done. He won't, however, admit that Rathergate was his undoing.

From USAToday.com:

Dan Rather, who stepped down as anchor of The CBS Evening News 15 months ago in the wake of the Memogate scandal, said Thursday that he'll soon leave the network after 44 years -- at the request of network executives.

"They wanted this resolution, and I'm willing to accept that and move on," said Rather, 74, whose contract expires in November.

It's not clear what Rather is moving on to. Maybe he can help O.J. find the killer of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.

Lesbian Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student

(Malvern, Arkansas) A 30-year-old science teacher at Malvern High School, Heather E. Carter, was arrested and charged with sexual assault for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

The relationship was exposed after witnesses found a suspicious letter from the student to Carter. Superintendent Ron Holt confronted the student and Carter and both ultimately admitted to the relationship. Carter subsequently resigned from her position with the school.

After booking, Carter was released on $3,000 bond. Arraignment has been scheduled for June 21st in Hot Springs County Circuit Court. If convicted of second-degree sexual assault, Carter faces a possible 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Tipped by Don Morgenstern.

Teacher Accused of Using Cocaine With Students

(Horry County, South Carolina) A social studies and science teacher at Faith Christian Academy, Kim Pike, was arrested for allegedly inviting students to her home to use cocaine. Two female students, a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, accepted the offer.

Subsequently, the 16-year-old told the principal, Sylvia Kenney, that Pike did drugs. Pike was then fired and the police were notified.

Pike was booked into the Rueben Long Detention Center in Conway. If convicted on the drug charges, Pike faces a possible 15 years in prison.

Tipped by Jeff Quinton.

Homemade Goodies Not Good Enough

(Forsyth County, Georgia) In another incremental, nanny-state step, the food police are going after Grandma's homemade treats.

From Ledger-Enquirer.com:

Students in Forsyth County may no longer be able to bring homemade cookies to share with their friends in school if the county school board votes to ban such goodies.

On Thursday night, the school board is expected to ban homemade treats from school parties. Students would still be allowed to bring their own brownies and cupcakes for themselves, but any treats for the class would have to be bought in a store.

To my knowledge, this will be the first time the government has stuck its intrusive nose into the area of home-cooking. What's next? Maybe in our collective future will be the requirement to consult precinct commissars prior to preparing a meal at home.

Illegal Alien Sweep - More Headlines Than Substance

(Boston, Massachusetts) A nation-wide sweep called Operation Return to Sender began May 26 and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested nearly 2,100 illegal aliens. Officials stated that the raids focused on child molesters, gang members, violent criminals, and aliens who have been previously deported.

From CNN.com:

The operation has caught more than 140 immigrants with convictions for sexual offenses against children; 367 known gang members, including street soldiers in the deadly Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13; and about 640 people who had already been deported once, immigration officials said. The numbers include more than 720 arrests in California alone.

More than 800 people arrested already have been deported. [Ed. note: It's presumed that the 800 deported are part of the 2,100 apprehended since Operation Return to Sender began.]

These numbers sound good and will probably make rosy headlines, however, I hesitate to be too positive. Although 800 illegals have been deported as a result of the current sweep, 640 had to be arrested for sneaking into the country after previously being deported. So, there's no guarantee those 800 deportees won't be back in the U.S. tomorrow. Furthermore, it's not comforting to know that of 150 illegals apprehended in New England alone, 75 had been previously kicked out of the country.

Also, the 2,100 illegals arrested in the current sweep looks ridiculous when evaluated against the estimated 500,000 "fugitive aliens" who have been deported once or never left when ordered. Doing the math, Operation Return to Sender has resulted in the arrest of 0.42 % of the fugitive aliens on America's streets. For emphasis, less than one-half of one percent of the criminals were rounded up. And, since illegals can ping-pong themselves across U.S. borders at will, I'm confident that at least half of those deported will return to the U.S. quickly.

It's unknown precisely what duration an average deportee actually stays in his home country before returning to the U.S., but I would guess that the time spent is no more than two weeks. And why not? Far too often, it appears that deportation is to an illegal alien what a time-out is to a grade-schooler.


[Update 1530 EDT]

My contention that deportation is ineffective because the aliens simply turn around and re-cross the border is overshadowed by the greater concern that most illegals are not even deported after arrest. Debbie Schlussel explains.

Catch-and-release of these and other illegal aliens has not stopped. It has only ramped up to catch up with the ramped up PR arrests. ICE has not increased its number of beds to what is needed to hold and deport these illegals. And ICE continues to issue these people Notices to (Dis)Appear, turning them back into the great American abyss, many never to be found again.

It's disgusting. Most illegals don't get deported and those that do, come right back.

Keith Olbermann Report

MSNBC's Olbermann either told the truth or had a keyboard malfunction. In an email to a fan, he made the following remark about colleague Rita Cosby:

"Rita's nice but dumber than a suitcase of rocks."

In response, Cosby offered, "Keith got it all wrong. I'm not that nice."

Maybe they could mix it up on air. It definitely wouldn't hurt MSNBC's ratings. With regard to whether the comment was the truth or a malfunction, the readers can decide.

Non-Voluntary Euthanasia

This report demonstrates the result of having moral relativism infect the practice of medicine. Under serious consideration is the assertion that "there is no real distinction between 'the disease that does the dirty work' and the clinician's active decision to terminate life by euthanasia."

From BioEdge:

An ethical adviser to the British Medical Association has firmly backed non-voluntary euthanasia for patients who are too ill to ask for death. Professor Len Doyal, an emeritus professor of medical ethics and a member of the BMA's ethics committee, writes in the new Royal Society of Medicine journal Clinical Ethics that dignity in dying sometimes means that doctors should kill their patients.

I believe that Professor Doyal is confusing dignity with expediency. To wit:

The crux of Professor Doyal's argument is that withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment like food and water from unconscious patients is morally equivalent to active killing. Hence, to spare patients needless suffering, direct killing is preferable, presumably by a lethal injection. He contends that "regulated, intentional active killing can have a proper place in good medical practice."

Apparently, starving patients to death takes too damn long. So, let's just kill 'em and be done.

Of course, even incompetent patients would not suffer if they had adequate palliative care. But Professor Doyal points out that there is already a shortage of palliative care specialists for competent patients. "What would be the moral point," he asks, "in expending such valuable resources on severely incompetent patients whose best interests will be served by a quick and painless death?"

In a nutshell, Professor Doyal believes doctors should be able to kill their patients to conserve valuable resources. Consequently, hospice and palliative care funding could be redirected in the doctor's best interests which, of course, means the government's best interests under the socialized medical care scheme employed by Britain.

My personal judgment aside, it's worth mentioning that Doyal's proposal has proven to be quite effective. History relates the experience of Nazi Germany when the general citizenry was beguiled into accepting genocide through the incremental elimination of "incompetent" groups. First to go were the severely retarded and chronically ill. Later, Hitler's National Socialist Party determined that gypsies, homosexuals, and Jews should experience "dignity in dying." Ultimately, six million people were rationally killed.

Remember what's behind all this thinking. Adolf Hitler, along with evil Doktor Death of Auschwitz, Joseph Mengele, and other henchmen in Nazi Germany were socialists who believed the state needed to eliminate defined groups of people. For argument's sake, I could throw in the names of Stalin, Pol Pot, Castro and Kim Jong Il. Ostensibly, Professor Doyal has adopted the beliefs of those infamous figures by defining the first societal group that Britain should eliminate.

By the way, Professor Doyal is not a medical doctor. He's an ethicist. And, notably, the BMA used to be soundly opposed to non-voluntary euthanasia. Last year, it waffled away from an opposing stance to neutrality.

Marine Corps Builds Mosque in Pentagon

Simply unbelievable.

From FrontPageMag.com:

We are at war with militant Islam, but you wouldn't know it from the Pentagon, which is busy erecting a shrine to Islam just five short years after Islamic terrorists destroyed a good chunk of its own building and killed more than 100 of its occupants. Worse, it's consulting on the project with a Wahhabi-educated cleric posing as a moderate.

Last week, military brass -- along with representatives from the terror-tied Council on American-Islamic Relations -- dedicated the first Muslim prayer center for the Marines as a symbol of the military's "religious tolerance" and "respect" for the faith the enemy uses to attack us. Already, plans are in the works to build by 2009 a bigger mosque at the Marine base in Quantico so Muslim service members can have a "proper place" to worship, and one that "honors their religious heritage," officials say, not realizing that the mosque can also be used by the enemy to build a Fifth Column inside the Marines.

The idea for the center came from Navy Lt. Abuhena Mohammed Saifulislam, a young, smooth-talking Muslim chaplain, who wanted a permanent place of worship -- and "education" -- for the growing number of soldiers who are interested in -- and converting to -- Islam.

I'm in shock. Just what in the world is the U.S. military brass thinking? Political correctness has obviously gone too far.

There's more at the link.


[Update 06/15/06]

In response to my email, the author of the FrontPageMag.com article (Paul Sperry) provided clarification indicating that the title of this post is incorrect. The subject mosque is being built at Quantico, not the Pentagon.

My interpretation of Sperry's piece was mistaken and was based upon statements that a shrine to Islam (prayer center) was dedicated last week and that a "bigger mosque" is to be built at Quantico. If a "bigger" mosque is being constructed, I allowed myself to assume that a smaller mosque, dedicated last week, already existed in the Pentagon.

Apologies to the readers and thanks to Vinnie for noting the error.

NAWGLA?

Check out the organization that's the female counterpart to the North American Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA).

Sick. Very, very sick.

Interested-Participant Logo

I am proud to announce that Interested-Participant finally has a logo. Thanks to my son, Matthew, for creating the design. It's simple and eye-catching with a delicate, understated elegance. Them's artsy-fartsy words he told me to write so people will go to his website.

Nonetheless, I like it. Hopefully, readers will also.

Deputy Booted for Bare Breasts

(Hot Springs, Arkansas) A 38-year-old sheriff's deputy, Dawn Rene Roberson, was fired and charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct for going topless at a campground.

From Local6.com:

According to incident reports, a marine patrol deputy and a park ranger told a topless Roberson to cover up in separate encounters Sunday.

Later, authorities received a complaint that a woman without a top was in view of children.

One report said a grandmother complained that the topless woman became "loud and disorderly" after she told the woman to cover up. Another camper told authorities the woman became belligerent when confronted.

Roberson must be eligible for some kind of an award which recognizes acute stupidity. Either that or she just didn't want to be a deputy any longer. Twice she was told to cover up and twice she refused. I'd suggest that old John Barleycorn was motivating her. Pretty dumb.

Roberson is due in court on July 18.

Female Teacher Topless

(Austin, Texas) The Austin School Board wants to fire 29-year-old art teacher at Austin High School, Tamara Hoover, for publishing her topless picture on the Internet.

From Tamara Hoover's web page on MySpace.com:

ARTIST AND ART Teacher (termination pending) at a high school in Austin, Texas . Looking for help with funding the gathering of evidence to defend myself against the Austin Independant School District. (both civil and criminal). They are firing me for pictures of me being on a website (celesta) and claiming the website is pornographic. The district isn't even asking to hear my side. At this time, I have been advised not to share too much information about my case. But as soon as I get the ok I will gladly share more of my story. PS: when you donate i will send you a one of a kind drawing/painting/little something something sweet ok? [sic all]

The Austin School Board voted last evening to commence the termination process for Mrs. Hoover. It's unknown what Mr. Hoover thinks about the situation.

Tipped by Jason Cann.


[Update 06/23/06]

Tamara Hoover updates (here and here).


[Update 06/28/06]

Tamara Hoover interviewed on Fox.


[Update 08/17/06]

Tamara Hoover resigns.

War on Soft Drinks

Clearly, liberals are dangerous. They announced their intention to declare war on soft drinks by proposing a fat tax.

From DailyMail.co.uk:

Doctors will this week declare war on America's soft drinks industry by calling for a 'fat tax' to combat the nation's obesity epidemic.

Delegates at the powerful American Medical Association's annual conference will demand a levy on the sweeteners put in sugary drinks to pay for a massive public health education campaign.

They will also call for the amount of salt added to burgers and processed foods to be halved.

I don't imagine the social engineers will stop at sugar and salt. Ultimately, their goal is to control society to the level where people are only allowed to eat products made out of grasses, nuts, roots and fruits. I'd guess that ice cream and chocolate are next to be attacked in the war on liberty and capitalism.

And, I don't buy the "public education" canard as a reason to create a new tax. The mainstream media has been bellowing and trumpeting the obesity alarm quite well, thank you. I also don't think a fat tax will reduce consumption unless it's so high that businesses have to close. The fat tax will just provide a new pile of money for government to grow. Lord, help us, we're on the road to serfdom.

Every time the liberals successfully impose a new regulation, a little slice of liberty is taken away from the American people. The ever-tightening grip of nanny-state policies is, in reality, a cage and we are all being locked in.

Castro Blacks Out U.S. Mission in Havana

Although the Cuban government has harassed the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana for years, the latest move is a troubling escalation.

From Miami.com:

The Cuban government has cut off electricity to the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana as part of a sharp increase in harassments that include holding up visas for American diplomats waiting to take up posts there and restricting gasoline supplies, the State Department said Monday.

The electricity to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana -- not quite an embassy because Cuba and the United States do not have formal diplomatic relations -- was cut off at 3 a.m. on June 5, said Ashley Morris, a State Department spokeswoman

Although electricity in Cuba is notoriously unreliable, Morris said no other buildings around the Interests Section on Havana's seaside Malecon boulevard have been affected, so U.S. officials believe the cutoff is deliberate.

Asked if the Cuban government had given any reason for the cutoff, Morris said, "you'll have to ask the Cubans. We'd like to know as well."

The mission has backup generators but lack gasoline. Restrictions have been imposed on the importation of equipment and supplies. I'd guess that all the harassment amounts to a campaign to force the Americans out of Cuba. Understandably, mission staff are destroying documents that are not essential.

One expert believes the lights were cut off in retaliation for the "electronic billboard that the U.S. mission hung on the side of its building earlier this year to show anti-Castro messages." Yeah, that might have tweaked old commie Castro to cut the lights. Fortunately, the water hasn't been cut off yet.

One-Second Advertising

They're called Blinks, one-second radio commercials developed by Clear Channel's Creative Services Group. Three-second Blinks are also being considered. Pricing for Blinks would be at a premium percentage over the cost of one-thirtieth of a 30-second spot.

Will Blinks work? There's some skepticism about whether a one-second ad could even identify the product being advertised. Well, maybe not if you're selling belches, farts, car horns, or cowbells. Of course, as opposed to advertising, the listener might consider the Blinks to be station editorials.

New Nukes for Ontario

The environmentalists and the not-in-my-back-yard liberals will surely protest this news. I'd suggest that the citizens of Ontario have left themselves with few options. Alternative energy sources won't come close to providing the anticipated 12,000+ megawatts of continuous capacity needed to meet demand over the next 20 years. It's either nuke plants or turn off the lights.

From TheStar.com:

The provincial government will announce tomorrow that Ontario is embracing more nuclear power plants, sources told the Toronto Star.

Premier Dalton McGuinty has privately spoken of his government's plans to confidants for days, insiders say.

In an off-the-record speech on Saturday night in Ottawa to the secretive Bilderberg group, McGuinty discussed the pros and cons of more nuclear plants.

While he did not divulge the government's plans to that audience of 160 business and political leaders, the premier privately admitted the public will officially learn of the plans tomorrow when his government announces its long-awaited response to the Ontario Power Authority's report on the province's energy supply mix.

The Sierra Club and Greenpeace have already weighed in with their disapproval. Nevertheless, it appears that $40 billion worth of new and refurbished nuclear generating capacity is now on the table as the primary focus of the Ontario Power Authority's next 20 years.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Shading Mount Rushmore

Check out this lunacy.

From AdAge.com:

Proshade, a 3-year-old consumer-eyewear company headquartered in Florida, offered to pay $4 million to adorn the presidential faces on the Mount Rushmore National Monument with larger-than-life Proshade visors.

The company said they wanted to draw attention to the need to preserve the monument and -- um -- well, yeah, and do a little advertising too. Yeah, that's it. It's for preservation. That's the ticket.

In saying no, Gerard Baker, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Monument, remarked, "I don't want to put anything on those to deviate from what they mean. I will not make it commercial." I'd also bet that some rules have been established regarding the care of national monuments which would preclude turning them into billboards.

California to Evacuate Livestock

(Sacramento, California) Leading the world in nanny state initiatives, California is planning for emergency evacuation of pets and livestock in the event of a natural calamity. Last I checked, though, emergency planners haven't mastered the task of evacuating people yet. Maybe cows will be easier.

Since pets and livestock are property, the California legislature has expanded the scope of emergency planners' responsibilities to include not only the lives of people but what they own. What's next? Evacuation plans for family heirlooms?

Frankly, I wonder how many trucks will be available to evacuate Farmer Smith's cattle and Rancher Jones' chickens? Where will the trucks be staged? How will they be maintained? And last but not least, where is the state going to shelter the cows and chickens and pigs during a, say, week-long flooding emergency? How will the livestock be fed? I believe the local high school and cafeteria won't be up to the task.

I'd recommend the California Statehouse be the designated livestock emergency evacuation shelter. The lawmakers could stack the steaming piles of manure adjacent to the odious reems of pending legislation. Of course, they would have to be extra careful to annotate each properly for fear of getting them accidentally interchanged.

Obviously, lawmakers in California believe that the public needs more taxes. Open your wallets, Golden Staters. The Assembly passed the proposed measure 79-1.

Companion post at Diggers Realm.