Following Entry Posted 3/31/2008 11:59:00 PM

Women With Troubles - March 2008

Reported in the news during March 2008, here is the compilation of women with troubles. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying details.

For a more comprehensive listing, check the Women With Troubles category link.

(AL) Elizabeth Brooks, 43,
teacher - Arrested for meth charges,

(AR) Melissa G. Monroe, 32,
teacher - Terminated by school district for alleged sex with student,

(AZ) Angela Csader, 25,
teacher - Pleads guilty to sex crimes. Sentencing in April,

(AZ) Jennifer Mally, 26,
teacher - Guilty of sex with male student, 16. Sentencing in May,

(CA) Kristen Rene Santoya, 37,
teacher - Gets 180 days jail for stealing student's lunch money,

(CA) Sheila Marie Sikat, 28,
neighbor - Sentenced to 50 years in prison for child molestation,

(CO) Shawna Nelson, 36,
neighbor - Gets life in prison for love triangle murder,

(CO) Yvette Starzyk, 26,
teacher - Accused of engaging in sex with male student, 15,

(CT) Heidi Keller, 37,
pregnant mom, 3 kids - Arrested for narcotics,

(FL) Florida Woman, 40,
neighbor - Accused of abusing girl, 6, with chili peppers,

(FL) Jill Goldsmith, 31,
neighbor - Arrested for sex with boy, 15,

(FL) Lisa Robyn Marinelli, 40,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student,

(FL) Stephanie Marie Ragusa, 28
teacher - Arrested for sex with boy, 14,

(FL) Mary Jo Spack, 45,
teacher - Arrested for alleged orgy with male students,

(GA) Lakeisha Davis, 18,
neighbor - Gets life for cold-blooded murder,

(GA) Alison Diane Ivey, 28,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student,

(IL) Tabitha A. Cosat, 24,
neighbor - Arrested for sex with boy, 13,

(IL) Laura Sieradzki, 34,
teacher - Gets probation for sex with male student and piercing girls' bodies in an inappropriate area,

(IN) Janelle McComas, 20,
neighbor mom - Arrested for reckless driving, drugs with baby in her car,

(IN) Michelle VanMeter, 35,
teacher - Sentenced to 30 years prison for child molestation,

(KS) Katherine J. Harder, 31,
teacher - Caught having sex with male student, 17,

(KY) Shirley Ann Hardin, 38,
neighbor - Indicted for causing a minor to engage in homosexual sexual performance,

(KY) Crystal Wells, 33,
teacher - Guilty of rape, sentencing in April,

(LA) Christine (aka Christina) Marye Araiza, 44,
teacher - Arrested on drug charges,

(MO) Teresa Engelbach, 22,
teacher - Guilty of rape of 14-year-old boy. Sentencing in April,

(NC) Sharelle LaShae Chambers, 25,
neighbor - Arrested for rape of boy, 15,

(NH) Ashley K. Dwyer, 19,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 15,

(NY) Maria Commins, 39,
teacher - Arrested for alleged sex with boy, 15,

(NY) Jennifer Dempsey, 28,
teacher - Accused of intimacy with male student, 16,

(NY) Christel Gravlin, 33,
teacher, beauty queen - Guilty of rape of male student, sentencing in May,

(NY) Dena Greene, 37,
neighbor - Gets six months in jail for sex with boy,

(NY) Heather Kennedy, 25,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student, 16,

(NY) Gloria A. Shovah, 50,
alleged wrinkly old pervert - Arrested for sexual abuse of girl, 12,

(OH) Tabatha Fidler, 27,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, 16,

(OH) Becky Jo Tatum, 41,
neighbor mom - Arrested for unlawful sex with a minor,

(OK) Tracy Boshers and Jennifer Cowart,
teachers - Accused of inappropriate behavior with students,

(PA) Shannon Elizabeth Bozel, 22,
neighbor mom - Arrested for drugs and child endangerment,

(PA) Monique Reed, 38,
hairstylist - Arrested for shooting a complaining customer in the buttocks,

(PA) Abbiejane Swogger, 34,
teacher - Accused of a raft of charges related to organizing drugs, sex parties with students,

(TX) Nancy Torres, 29,
teacher - Indicted for sex with male student, 14,

(TX) Kathy Denise White, 42,
teacher - Gets probation for sex with student, 17,

(UT) Cris Lyn Morris, 29,
teacher - Guilty of sex with male student. Sentencing in May,

(WI) Brenda Baillargeon, 39
teacher - Pleaded no contest to sex with student. Sentencing TBD,

(WI) Kelly D. Oiler, 27,
neighbor - Sentenced to six months jail for sex with boy, 14,

(WI) Kelly M. Sweet, 26,
teacher - Arrested for sex with boy, 14,

(WV) Rachel Dawn Watkins, 31,
neighbor - Arrested for sex assault of boy, 14.


****************************
(AU) Valerie Paige Parashumti, 19, and Jessica Ellen Stasinowsky, 21,,
lesbian vampires - Both sentenced to life in prison for murder,

(CA) Lori-Lee Simard,
teacher - Professional conduct under review for relationship with student who killed himself.

Thanks to the tipsters.

Labels: Women With Troubles

|

       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2008 09:01:00 PM

Wisconsin Woman Gets Jail in Sex Case

(Sheboygan, Wisconsin) In February 2008, a 27-year-old local mother-of-three, Kelly D. Oiler, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. Apparently, Oiler entertained 14-year-old boys in her apartment and on one occasion, in July 2007, it led to sex.

Today, Oiler was sentenced by Judge Timothy Van Akkeren to six months in jail after pleading no contest to a felony sexual assault charge.

Oiler, who cried throughout the hearing, said in a statement read by her attorney, June Spoerl, that she is racked by guilt from the offense.

"The guilt eats at me," Oiler, a mother of three, said in the statement. "I beg you to please be merciful, my kids need me. ... I promise you will never see me in your courtroom again."

Spoerl said Oiler has psychological problems and no criminal record, but Van Akkeren said that does not excuse her behavior.

"The nature of what you did in this particular instance is not so much something I can simply tie to depression or anxiety," the judge said. "Because of the seriousness of what you have done, there needs to be some aspect of punishment."

As part of the sentence, which begins May 27, Oiler will be released from jail during the day to care for her children. She must also register as a sex offender.

Six months is a gift when compared to the possible 25 years she could have received. Oiler should put Judge Van Akkeren on her Christmas list.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2008 08:58:00 AM

No privacy for role-playing games?


We read:

"The president of the body governing world motor racing - the son of a notorious wartime fascist - has allegedly been caught on video cavorting with prostitutes in a Nazi role-play sex game. Max Mosley - the son of British Union of Fascists party founder Oswald Mosley - was reported by the News of the World to have taken part in the sleazy scene at a London apartment.

A video on the News of the World's website shows a man identified as Mosley arriving at an apartment. The man is then greeted by a woman playing the role of a prison guard, checking his hair to see if he has been kept clean "at the other facility". Later, another woman in a prisoner's uniform enters the video and the man said to be Mosley is heard speaking German.

Source

I have no idea what kinky sex is all about. I must have been born without that gene. Nonetheless, a liking for it seems to be very common -- particularly in Britain. And strange garb and stranger games are apparently a common part of it. And according to a now generally accepted defence of homosexuality, what you do between consenting adults in the privacy of your own bedroom is no business of anybody else. So how did this guy go wrong? Why is he being called on to resign?

Incidentally, Sir Oswald Mosley remained a British patriot both before and during WWII. Leftists generally were patriotic once. Sir Oswald left the British Labour party and founded the British Union of Fascists because the Labour party was not socialist enough for him.

I can't resist mentioning another little titbit about Sir Oswald: He had enormous social acceptance in prewar Britain. The King even came to his wedding! Beat that! Elite Leftism goes back a long way.

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/31/2008 05:59:00 AM

Persian Gulf Beauty Contest

(Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) If one considers that all of the Persian Gulf nations are Muslim-dominated with obsessions about keeping women covered, it doesn't make too much sense for them to stage a beauty contest. That is except in the case where the beauties being judged are camels.

Camels from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will strut their stuff before a panel of expert judges who will decide which owners should be awarded prize money totalling around 9.5 million dollars.

The Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival will be held from April 2nd to the 10th. The camels participating are required to be purebred, free from disease and unmarried.

Okay, I made the last requirement up.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2008 04:57:00 PM

Earth People Fun During Earth Hour

Yesterday's Earth Hour, defined as lights out between 8 and 9 PM local time, was reportedly observed in "hundreds" of cities and, according to a report out of Toronto, the Earth people know how to enjoy themselves when the lights go out.

Environmentalist Matthew McKenzie invited some friends to his house to celebrate.

"We're Earth-friendly people, so we thought: What better way to celebrate Earth Hour?" said McKenzie, whose household has well-sealed windows, energy-efficient lightbulbs and produces only half a bag of garbage every other week.

Blindfolded tree hugging would be first up.

"Basically, everyone's going in my front yard, we're going to put a green bag over their head, spin them around, and it'll be a race who can find the tree in my front yard the fastest," he said.

The winner was to get a small potted plant.

Uh -- okay, but I must be missing something. I don't mean to disparage the games McKenzie and his friends find entertaining but bumping into trees blindfolded sounds stupid. And I don't see the relationship between bumping into trees and supposedly saving the planet.

I'd suggest that these people were bumping into trees before they became environmentalists. It would help explain the photo accompanying the article which shows McKenzie's crowd huddled around a roaring fire during Earth Hour. I would wager that the fire added more hydrocarbons to the environment than was presumably prevented from entering the environment by turning the lights off.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2008 02:43:00 PM

MS-13 Stabbing

(Prince William County, Virginia) A 25-year-old El Salvadoran MS-13 gang member, Milton Calderon-Melendez, has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to commit attempted murder in Montgomery County, Maryland.

An illegal immigrant accused of stabbing a man in Maryland while free on bond from a prior assault charge has been arrested in Prince William County, Virginia, but it's not clear how soon he can be extradited.

Unlike Montgomery County, Prince William routinely checks the immigration status of criminal suspects and the county police have informed federal immigration officials of the man's illegal status.

Hey, the message here is that illegals should prefer Maryland over Virginia.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/30/2008 08:52:00 AM

Fitna lives


Post below recycled from Powerline

Death threats by proponents of the religion of peace have led to the removal of the Geert Wilders film "Fitna" from LiveLeak's servers that we linked to yesterday. In a kind of "I am Spartacus" response, numerous sites have reposted the video. Victor Trombettas, for example, has posted it here on his blog's YouTube account; Pat Dollard has posted it here on his site with the vow that he "will NEVER bow to your ******** yappity yapping"; Michelle Malkin has posted it here; Hot Air has posted it here; Rusty Shackleford has posted it here. As of this moment, it is still posted on Google here. Download your own copy here

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 02:36:00 PM

Ohio Teacher Indicted for Student Sex

(Williams County, Ohio) A 27-year-old health and physical education teacher at Gorham Fayette High School, Tabatha Fidler, was indicted this week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy.

The indictment covers one alleged criminal offense at Fidler's home in June 2007. Fidler faces one count of felony sexual battery.

A court appearance has been scheduled for April 10. Fidler is on administrative leave from her teaching position.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 11:28:00 AM

Mom Jailed on Drug, Child Endangerment Charges

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) A 22-year-old local married mother, Shannon Elizabeth Bozel, was arrested this week on alleged drug and child endangerment offenses.

Reportedly, Bozel left her 14-month-old baby in the car with the engine running as she negotiated a deal for heroin for her husband who is on house arrest.

Bozel was charged with possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child and driving with a suspended license.

Shannon Elizabeth Bozel left her child in her car in Northview Heights while she purchased some heroin in the 200 block of Essen Street. Shortly after returning to her car and driving away, she struck another vehicle, police and emergency dispatchers said. The owners of the other vehicle called 911, dispatchers said.

Police found three stamp bags of heroin in her car.

Bozel was booked into custody at the Allegheny County Jail with bond set at $25,000. The baby is with a grandmother.

"Boy, it's a bummer being on house arrest. I gotta use the old lady to get some smack, but she goes and wrecks the car, gets pinched and I end up with no smack, a wrecked car and an old lady in the joint. Damn!" [Husband's remarks, telepathically captured.]

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 09:56:00 AM

Two OK Female Teachers Investigated for No-Nos with Students

(Vian, Oklahoma) Two female teachers at Vian High School, Tracy Boshers and Jennifer Cowart, have been suspended with pay while an investigation of inappropriate behavior with students is conducted by the Vian Police and the school system.

Police Chief Danny Hoover would not reveal the age, gender or number of possible victims but says some are still attending the school while others are out of school.

Hoover did say that one of the male students involved has come forward. Others are reluctant.

According to Vian Public School’s Superintendent Lawrence Barnes, Boshers and Cowart have pre-termination hearings scheduled for April 14th and 22nd, respectively.

"When it’s personnel stuff we really can’t say a lot," Barnes said. "After the hearings, everything will come out."

Neither teacher has been arrested, Hoover said, but a warrant on a complaint of sexual battery for one of the teachers was taken to the district attorney's office this week, he said.

He would not say for which teacher the warrant was delivered.

Another warrant may be filed with the district attorney next week, he said.

Boshers has taught Spanish at the high school and middle school for more than 10 years. Cowart has been a math teacher at Vian High School for at least the last six years said Superintendent Barnes.

Boshers is represented by attorney Rex Earl Starr. Attorney Frank Sullivan Jr. has been retained by Cowart. Reached for comment, Sullivan stated that "any so-called evidence is conflicting and not credible."

One thing is certain, though, the scandal has changed the normally polite conversations in Vian to bouts of innuendo, rumor and accusation. And with a population of less than 2,000 people, everyone in Vian is affected.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 08:52:00 AM

Anti-Muslim film deleted


Summary below excerpted from Mark Steyn. There is now no free speech about Muslims

Geert Wilders' film is a hit - over 1.5 million views in English, over 2.5 million in Dutch last time I checked - but it's nevertheless been yanked by LiveLeak, with the following statement:

"Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers. This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else.

Indeed. The Internet will keep Fitna alive in odd corners hither and yon, but only to those who actively seek it out. In the wider world, it goes without saying that such a film is unacceptable, and that this time round the pre-emptive rage (as Diana West calls it) was so successful the next Fitna will have an even harder time: no movie theaters or broadcast networks or obscure cable channels would even consider showing it, and Google and YouTube and the other Internet biggies have grown increasingly comfortable with political speech-policing, and now one more small net operation has learned that, unless you want to be a 24/7 crusader on this issue, it's not a business worth being in. In effect, the Islamobullies have been rewarded yet again for threatening physical violence.

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 07:14:00 AM

Mrs. Sarkozy Naked

I'll confess that I was a bit curious. The new French President, Nikolas Sarkozy, has just seemed so -- uh, well -- ebullient since he married super-model and singer Carla Bruni.

Shown is a head shot from a frontal nude photograph of Bruni taken 15 years ago. The whole pic is here.

Apparently, the nude photo was recently announced to be up for auction next month at Christie's in New York. It's expected to command around $4,000.

Sacre bleu! Mrs. Sarkozy is not amused.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 07:00:00 AM

Connecticut - Dirty Driving Schools

(Waterbury, Connecticut) The owner of Diaz' Classic Driving School, Fernando Diaz, and the owner of Express Driving School, Henry Kruszewski, have been arrested for providing forged documents to assist illegal aliens in obtaining drivers' licenses. Each faces charges of forgery and racketeering.

State police detectives executed a search warrant at Diaz' Classic Driving School on March 20, the same day Henry Kruszewski, the owner of the Stratford school and Diaz' former business partner, was arrested on similar charges, police said.

Kruszewski is free on $500,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Bridge port on April 3.

The investigation started in August of 2007 when DMV officials received an anonymous tip that two undocumented immigrants from New Jersey had obtained Connecticut driver's licenses through Express Driving School.

State police conducted searches of Kruszewski's property and found considerable evidence.

At his home they found pre-stamped, blank immigration documents; immigration stamps; and blank, pre-stamped and sealed Polish birth certificates, according to DMV documents.

At the offices they found blank or partially completed immigration documents, Social Security documents, more immigration stamps and more original Polish birth certificates.

Heh. Kind of makes me wonder if there are examples of Hispanics using Polish birth certificates.

Also: Diggers Realm
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/29/2008 06:20:00 AM

Teacher Arrested for 2004 Sex with Boy

(Aurora, Colorado) A 26-year-old former teacher and girls athletic trainer at Hinkley High School, Yvette Starzyk, was arrested today for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old male student.

Starzyk faces felony charges of sexual abuse of a child and sexual assault of a child by one in a position of trust.

The arrest was a result of offenses which allegedly occurred in 2004 between Starzyk and the now 18-year-old former student.

The investigation, which began last week, showed that Starzyk allegedly had an ongoing sexual affair with a former student who was 15 at the time, police said. The sexual encounters took place at several locations away from the school.

Police did not say what happened to open the investigation four years later.

Starzyk was booked into custody at the Aurora Detention Center with bond set at $20,000.

By the way, authorities suspect that there may be more victims.


[Update 12/23/08]

Starzyk sentenced to probation.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2008 08:55:00 AM

Obama in brief

Interesting point from Arlene Peck about Obama's Muslim origins: "I put it to you that Obama never converted to Christianity. Such a conversion would have been marked by baptism. Had he been baptized, he would have made mention of it when referring to the baptism of his children."


More Obama deception: "In his autobiographical book "Dreams from My Father," Barack Obama paints a heroic picture of his father as having emerged from a poor Kenyan village, where he was nothing more than a simple goat herder, to become a Harvard-educated economist, destined to return to Africa to fulfill his promise. Unfortunately, the reality is much bleaker than the tale Obama tells in his book. In truth, Barack Obama senior, Obama's father, was a polygamist who had already abandoned one wife and child in Africa when he met Obama's mother in Hawaii. After being educated at Harvard, Obama senior returned to Africa, abandoning Obama and his mother, to live the life of a chronic alcoholic who ultimately killed himself in his second drink-induced car accident, while driving drunk on the streets of Nairobi."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2008 07:12:00 AM

Seven Kids Hospitalized by Muslim Bomb

(Yala, Thailand) In Thailand's Muslim-dominated southern provinces, over 2,000 people have been killed by "Islamic militants" since 2004. Yesterday, seven children and one soldier were injured when a motorbike-bomb exploded.

The blast happened as the children had gathered to watch television in a nearby house.

Two men parked the motorbike in front of the house, ostensibly to target a group of soldiers who were expected to patrol the area, police said. The bomb, detonated by remote control, injured one soldier who was on patrol, and seven children aged under ten who were watching television inside the house. All of them were admitted to a Yala hospital.

Yala Governor Theera Minthrasak condemned the attackers, saying that if they were Islamic militants, the act against innocent children absolutely violated Islamic principles.

"Islamic doctrine says killing a single innocent person is equal to killing every human being in the whole world," he said, "We should not forgive them for this action and I condemn them."

The Yala Governor appears to cite an Islamic doctrine of notable obscurity. Empirical evidence would support the contention that Muslim killers don't care one whit who they are killing. They kill infidels, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, other Muslims, family members, the elderly, the mentally-challenged, children and babies.

Also: Jawa Report
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2008 06:54:00 AM

Saudis Behead Condemned Man

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) A Saudi man, Mohammed bin Duhaim al-Dossari, was beheaded by sword yesterday in Wadi al-Dawasser in the Riyadh region, bring to 37 the number of lopectomies in Saudi Arabia this year.

Duhaim had been convicted of killing Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Muaili following an argument.

Last year, a record number of 153 heads rolled in Saudi Arabia.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2008 06:50:00 AM

South Korea Discloses Plans to Attack North Korean Nukes

(Seoul, South Korea) It's news when a country mentions its "pre-emptive strike" plans regarding a neighboring country.

The South Korean military is prepared to launch a pre-emptive attack on North Korea’s nuclear installations if they become a military threat, Gen. Kim Tae-young, the newly designated chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a hearing yesterday.

Now, the North Koreans will have to say or do something in response. Oh, wait a minute! They did.

North Korea on Friday fired several short-range missiles off its west coast, Yonhap news agency reported.

The South Korean agency, quoting a government source, said the missiles were fired at 10.30 am (0130 GMT) into the Yellow Sea. It said South Korean military authorities are closely watching the North’s military movements.

So, the South is talking about tossing missiles around while the North is tossing missiles around. Just lovely.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/28/2008 05:42:00 AM

Zimbabwe Presidential Election, Mugabe Favored

(Harare, Zimbabwe) According to a survey conducted by the University of Zimbabwe, 84-year-old President Robert Mugabe, arguably the continent's most vile thug dictator, is predicted to win tomorrow's presidential election with at least 56 percent of the vote.

THE WORLD'S EYES ARE ON Zimbabwe this weekend as the country plunges into a historic election. For the first time in its history, the southern African country is conducting presidential, parliamentary and civic polls at once, thanks to a constitutional amendment of October 2007.

Zimbabwe has acquired a special place in this part of the world over the last decade or so. With a strongly anti-West leader who has made it his pastime to kick white Zimbabweans around, Zimbabwe is a powder-cage in the literal sense.

The inflation rate is more than 100,000 per cent, and over 4.5 million Zimbabweans (out of a total population of 12.3 million) are in economic and political exile all over the world. The majority vow never to step in Zimbabwe as long as Robert Mugabe remains president.

What intrigues many observers is the ease with which Mugabe, the country's leader since independence from Britain in 1980, gets away with impunity.

The chances of losing the election are slim since Mugabe has had plenty of time to rig the process and he has been out buying votes. He recently gave out 450 cars to senior and middle-level doctors and 300 flat screen televisions to hospitals.

Nevertheless, no one actually believes that Mugabe would relinquish power even if he lost the election. He would just use his military to declare the election invalid and carry on as usual. If the citizenry crowds the streets in protest, Mugabe would likely order a violent response and mass arrests.

Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) contends that the election is being rigged by President Robert Mugabe to perpetuate rule by his ZANU-PF government. Professor Rowly Brucken is the American country spokesman on Zimbabwe for Amnesty International. He says that a recent suggestion by Zimbabwe police that any other outcome to tomorrow's vote will not be tolerated should be taken as a serious threat.

"We have heard statements from the head of the Zimbabwe Republic Police that he would not respect any government that was not one led by Robert Mugabe. Robert Mugabe has issued troubling statements that he would not let the MDC take power while he is alive."

Not while he is alive, eh? Frankly, that's not an insurmountable hurdle.


Media Blackout

Most foreign media have been barred from reporting on this weekend's elections.

International journalists have condemned the Zimbabwean government's denial of accreditation to almost every major news organisation outside the country to cover weekend polls.

Major news organisations such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN) and the New York Times were all denied the right to cover the general elections.

According to Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, "Non-accreditated media houses like the BBC and CNN have set up broadcasting facilities at secret locations ... not for professional reporting but for fuelling negative stories to fulfill their prophesy of doom on their regime change agenda."

Heh.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 08:22:00 PM

Fitna the Movie

Despite death threats to the Dutchman, Geert Wilders' film about the Quran (English) is posted on the Internet.

The message is clear. "Radical elements of Islam" are not at war with civilization. Islam, as defined in the Quran, is at war with civilization.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 08:56:00 AM

Hillary gets it right!

Or is that "Wright"? She cries "Hate Speech" on a black man! I thought that was impossible (according to liberals) -- unless a black insults homosexuals, of course. And even that unforgiveable crime gets a pass most of the time where blacks are concerned.

"After weeks of silence and a lot of questions answered with "you'll have to ask Senator Obama about that" Hillary Clinton has decided to speak up on the Rev Wright controversy - telling the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "He would not have been my pastor."

In a wide ranging interview, Clinton told the paper's editors "You don't choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend." She called anti-American remarks by Sen Barack Obama's pastor "hate speech," saying "I just think you have to speak out against that. You certainly have to do that, if not explicitly, then implicitly by getting up and moving."

Source

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 08:06:00 AM

First Karaoke, Now Afrec

The latest innovation in entertainment from Japan, it's like karaoke but with more people participating.

The machine -- called "afrec!" in an abbreviation of "after recording" -- shows a 30-second scene cut from well-known Japanese animation or "anime" programmes involving two characters.

Two participants read their parts at the bottom of the screen after hearing the performance by professional voice actors and actresses. Recordings are made automatically and played back instantly.

Everybody at the party can enjoy at once.

Afrec! and cocktails -- sounds like a party.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 07:47:00 AM

Moscow's Street Cats

From Moscow Times:

Gusts of wind lifted a pack of street cats into the air for several minutes in central Moscow, Interfax reported Wednesday

The cats meowed wildly as the wind carried them along late Tuesday night on Gruzinsky Val, near the Belorussky Station in central Moscow, Interfax reported.

In the morning, the cats all appeared to be unharmed, the report said.

Heh.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 05:46:00 AM

It's Official, The Left Coast Is Going to Hell!

The San Diego City Council has passed a resolution "commending the American Civil Liberties Union of the San Diego and Imperial Counties for its continuous advocacy for the rights and freedoms of all San Diego."

Undoubtedly, with spread-eagled useful idiots on the San Diego City Kommissariat Council, expect the ACLU to be even more demanding in southern California. All of the customs and institutions that have made America great are at further risk of ACLU attacks.

March 13th has been proclaimed as ACLU Day in the city of San Diego. Celebrants will be expected to complain about America. Other festivities may include flag-burning, public readings of Karl Marx and "How To Be Offended" teach-ins.

And, yet, some people wonder why it's a struggle to find a U-Haul in California.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/27/2008 12:07:00 AM

Georgia Teen Girl Gets Life for Murders

(Dublin, Georgia) In August 2005, two teen females, Lakeisha Davis, 15, and Lesha Ross, 14, were arrested for the alleged cold-blooded murders of Reante' Antwan Stanley, 26, and Fredrick Rodricus Williams, 25.

According to police, Davis and her friend flagged down a car carrying Williams and Stanley and they proceeded to make plans for the evening after Davis assured the men that both girls were 18.

Finally reaching the Irish Motel on North Jefferson Street, the two men checked into separate rooms.

The investigation reportedly showed Davis shot one of the victims execution style in the chest and head, then went to the other room and told her friend to exit. There she is said to have repeated the execution shooting of the second victim.

After the shootings, the other female teen reportedly told investigators that she declined a portion of the $200 gained in the robbery and homicides, however she eventually accepted some of the money because Davis threatened her if she did not. Davis then took the weapon, wrapped it in a bloody dress, and stashed it by a pole near her home.

Once clear of Davis, the other teen told her family what had transpired. Police were soon notified and they found the bodies of Williams and Stanley by 11 a.m. the next day. The girls were arrested the following day at their homes.

Ross ultimately pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced in juvenile court. Davis faced a jury trial in adult court on two counts of malice murder and armed robbery. This week, however, Davis pleaded guilty just before the scheduled start of her trial.

Lakeisha Davis, now 18, was sentenced Tuesday in Laurens County Superior Court to three concurrent life terms in prison. She won't be eligible for parole for 30 years.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2008 09:27:00 PM

Al-Jazeera Staffers Quit English Service

(Doha, Qatar) According to this report, al-Jazeera English is burping disharmony.

Al-Jazeera English, the global news channel launched as a sibling to the Arab-language service, has suffered its most high profile defections yet amid growing unease among staff about its future.

Steve Clark, a former senior executive at ITN and Sky News and a driving force behind the launch of al-Jazeera English, resigned at the end of last week while David Marash, a former CBS Nightline presenter who was the senior anchor in Washington, has also quit.

Insiders say more than 15 staff have quit or resigned in recent months amid complaints of a lack of clarity over its direction, contractual disputes and speculation over a relaunch later this year.

It seems to be that managers cannot agree on what direction al-Jazeera should take. And there have been rumors of sex, race and religious discrimination. Hmmm -- imagine that.

Also: Jawa Report
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2008 02:20:00 PM

United States Passports Outsourced

This can't be a good idea. In fact, at first glance, it seems to be absolutely ludicrous.

The United States has outsourced the manufacturing of its electronic passports to overseas companies - including one in Thailand that was victimized by Chinese espionage - raising concerns that cost savings are being put ahead of national security.

Let me guess. Next we are going to outsource U.S. currency to North Korea?
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2008 09:12:00 AM

Refugees Struggle to Prove Their Homosexuality

According to a recent report, a gay Iranian, Mehdi Kazemi, was refused asylum by Britain because he could not provide authorities with actual proof that homosexuals are being persecuted in Iran. Fortunately, due to an outcry via the media, Kazemi's case is being re-evaluated. More on this later.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, gay asylum-seekers are confronted with a somewhat similar problem in proceedings before the Canadian Refugee Board. The Refugee Board doesn't want proof that homosexuals are persecuted in the asylum-seekers' home country, the board wants proof that the asylum-seekers are, in fact, homosexuals.

However, being homosexual is a lot easier than proving your homosexuality in public in a civilized manner. As a result, refugees are often relegated to simply pleading before the board "I'm gay! I'm gay! Can't you see I'm gay?" because no genuine, verifiable proof is available. What's needed is a sexual orientation test -- or something.

Last week MP Thomas Mulcair exploded at hecklers in the Commons and later shed tears at a news conference after Immigration Minister Diane Finley refused to allow Canada's latest gay refugee claimant Kulenthiran Amirthalingam stay in the country on compassionate grounds.

Reportedly gay Nicaraguan Alvaro Orozco, 22, is another asylum-seeker who was rejected. The adjudicator accused him of lying about his sexual orientation just to stay in Canada. Orozco is presently hiding out in Toronto.


Alvaro Orozco
All the while, the Refugee Board makes decisions in the context of a burdensome, politically correct environment that won't tolerate any hint of stereotyping or profiling of gay individuals. Therefore, all persons seeking asylum in Canada by claiming to be gay must make sure that their homosexuality is supported by evidence of some nature.

The Canadians are determined to prevent heterosexuals, masked as homosexuals, from entering the country as refugees.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2008 08:45:00 AM

Obama update


Conservatives' Hate-Based Campaign Against Obama

The heading above comes from an article by Paul Waldman in the Leftist American Prospect magazine. The article begins as follows:

"The right-wing smear campaign against Barack Obama has already begun. Conservatives intend, as they have so many times before, to appeal to Americans' ugliest prejudices and most craven fears

The article that follows is full of hate -- towards conservatives -- and is just one long accusatory diatribe about race. So who is the hater and who is obsessed by race?

As far as one can make out, the "campaign" Waldman refers to is the publicity about Obama's crackpot black racist Pastor. So objecting to black racism makes you a racist, apparently. That probably makes sense in the weird world of the Left. What is in no doubt, however, is that Waldman himself is filled with hate. Just read his article if you do doubt it.

For instance, he says that the GOP will "wage a campaign appealing to the ugliest prejudices, the most craven fears, the most vile hatreds". If that's not hate, I'd like to see him get wound up!

*******************



For those who are interested, Obama has been having a lovely vacation in the Virgin Islands, in his usual (crackpot) sort of company. More here

Shocker: NYT Uses Dreaded L-Word To Describe Obama: "At the core of Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is a promise that he can transcend the starkly red-and-blue politics of the last 15 years, end the partisan and ideological wars and build a new governing majority. To achieve the change the country wants, he says, "we need a leader who can finally move beyond the divisive politics of Washington and bring Democrats, independents and Republicans together to get things done." But this promise leads, inevitably, to a question: Can such a majority be built and led by Mr. Obama, whose voting record was, by one ranking, the most liberal in the Senate last year?

Posted by John Ray. Don't forget your summary of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/26/2008 12:08:00 AM

Kentucky Woman Indicted in Sex Case

(Bloomfield, Kentucky) A 38-year-old local woman, Shirley Ann Hardin, has been indicted for allegedly causing a minor to engage in homosexual sexual performance.

Police said two weeks ago, she bought alcohol for an 18-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, and then coerced the minor to engage in a sexual act.

"Once the alcohol was purchased, she drank with the juvenile. The juvenile became intoxicated. She told one juvenile to do certain things to an 18-year-old male, which eventually led to the male committing sodomy against a 15-year-old minor," said Nelson County Sheriff's Department Detective Ed Mattingly.

Brad McIntire, the 18-year-old, was later indicted on the charge of sodomy and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

A grand jury indicted Hardin for the use of a minor in a sexual performance and unlawful transaction with a minor.

Apparently, Hardin is known around the town of Bloomfield (pop. less than 1,000) as a troublemaker.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2008 09:38:00 AM

Court Okays Assaulting Cops

(Toronto, Canada) Here's a bit of depressing lunacy from an activist judge in the Great White North.

Ontario Justice Carol Brewer this week handed down her written ruling and dismissed criminal charges against a citizen by the name of Fitzroy Osbourne who was charged last year for causing a disturbance and for striking a female police officer who had stopped to talk to Mr. Osbourne.

It seems that Officer Judy Grant, of the Toronto Police Services, was subjected to an obscenity laced tirade from Osbourne and attempted to detain him to explain his erratic actions. In the confrontation that followed, Osbourne struck the offending officer with a punch to the female officer’s chest.

Justice Brewer ruled that the accused was within his rights to do so to the officer who he claimed unjustifiably detained him and in doing so opened a Pandora’s Box that will effectively put handcuffs not on the deserving scumbag criminals but on the wrists of the police that have to bravely combat open warfare crime on the streets.

Brewer is a poster person for everything that is wrong in this once safe and beautiful city of ours. Can you imagine what long term implications her misguided ruling may affect policing in this city with the ever growing crime statistics? May I be the first to apologize to Officer Grant and tell her not to be offended by such a disgusting ruling by another member of an entrenched left wing judicial system whose actions not only negatively interfere with the polices ability to handle crime, but puts every officer in even more danger in the pursuit and apprehension of such scumbag potential criminals.

Utterly ridiculous, I'd say.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2008 08:56:00 AM

Britain: Girls' computer game condemned


Shoot-em-up games are OK but encouraging weight loss is bad??

"A website that encourages girls as young as 9 to embrace plastic surgery and extreme dieting in the search for the perfect figure was condemned as lethal by parents' groups and healthcare experts yesterday. The Miss Bimbo internet game has attracted prepubescent girls who are told to buy their virtual characters breast enlargement surgery and to keep them "waif thin" with diet pills.

Healthcare professionals, a parents' group and an organisation representing people suffering anorexia and bulimia criticised the website for sending a dangerous message to impressionable children.

In the month since it opened the site, which is aimed at girls aged from 9 to 16, has attracted 200,000 members. Players keep a constant watch on the weight, wardrobe, wealth and happiness of their character to create "the coolest, richest and most famous bimbo in the world". Competing against other children they earn "bimbo dollars" to buy plastic surgery, diet pills, facelifts, lingerie and fashionable nightclub outfits. The website sparked controversy when it was introduced in France, where it attracted 1.2 million players.

Source

And all the government propaganda attacking "obesity" is OK? Somebody is deeply confused here.

Anorexia is mainly an hereditary mental illness anyway, nothing to do with looking at slim actresses etc. It's a type of OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder).

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2008 08:20:00 AM

Hugo Chavez Meddling in Peru

(Lima, Peru) Given the ambitions of Hugo Chavez, the New World's premier socialist thug, this report should be less than surprising.

Hugo Chavez has been accused of using Venezuela's oil riches to meddle in Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia and Nicaragua. Now, Peru's president says the Venezuelan leader may be doing it here by funding militants and anti-poverty centers that preach populist revolution.

In recent weeks, Peruvian police have arrested nine people the government alleges are militants bankrolled by Venezuela. And the head of a Congressional investigatory committee accused Venezuela of supplying funds to outreach centers he says agitate against the government.

As long as he has oil revenue coming in, you can count on Chavez being politically adventurous.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2008 07:36:00 AM

Muslim Grudge Match - Bakri v. Khan

Radical, hate-filled Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, 49, created a large measure of outrage yesterday by calling British boxing icon Amir Khan, 21, an "ignorant deviant."

Bakri, the fanatical supporter of suicide bombers who was exiled from Britain to Lebanon, made his slurs toward Amir Khan on an Internet forum.

He said that Khan was a bad role model since he wrapped himself in the Union Jack. Bakri called it a sin to wear the flag of Britain.

"Well, Crikey!"

In retaliation, Tory MP Andrew Rosindell called for a grudge match between Amir and Bakri in the ring.

"I'd love to see the two of them slugging it out.

"I’ll be cheering for Amir. What Bakri said is appalling."

Mr Rosindell added: "A sportsman represents his country. He is British first and Muslim second -- and can be both. Amir is a positive role model to the young. Bakri is an unsavoury character whose words should be discounted."

A friend of the boxer did say that the words of the cleric will sting Amir since he is a proud Muslim who tries to do what is right.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/25/2008 12:06:00 AM

NHS Pain Care Deemed Inadequate

The Scottish National Health Service (NHS) is being criticized for not providing adequate care for over 200,000 Scots suffering from chronic pain. As with all socialized medicine schemes, which promise everything to everybody for free but are funded by finite resources, units of health care ultimately must be rationed. One area being denied is pain management.

Thousands of patients living with incurable pain are being let down by the Scottish NHS, according to a hard-hitting report by the health service's own watchdog.

Despite four official investigations in the past 14 years highlighting worrying gaps in care, the research reveals there has been very little improvement.

Specialist support for people who suffer chronic pain is patchy and inadequate, patients are confused and clinicians are frustrated, say the authors.

To emphasize, the NHS's own watchdog is doing the criticizing.

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, which monitors standards in the health service, has published the latest report.

It notes the Scottish Office first described services as patchy in 1994 and further documents published by very experienced people in 2000, 2002 and 2004 raised the same issues.

"Despite all of this, very little progress has been made. Access to specialist services is poor."

NHS QIS found not one health board could accurately describe the services they did offer.

So, there you go. The Scottish NHS has repeatedly been attacked for uncorrected deficiencies over the years and it's as bad now as it's ever been. Not only that, but the quality improvement people couldn't find anyone in the Scottish NHS who knew what the NHS provides.

Coming soon to America, government-run health care.

Companion post at SocGlory.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2008 10:53:00 AM

Wish I'd Said It

Comedian Jackie Mason weighs in on Hillary Clinton's claims of executive experience.

"If a guy is a pilot and suddenly he's not there to make the dangerous landing, of course everybody says right away: "Quick, where's the wife?"

Heh.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2008 08:29:00 AM

Brief Hillary updates

Sinbad Was Right-- Hero Hillary Lied About Bosnia (Video Proof): "There was a saying around the White House that if a place was too small, too poor, or too dangerous, the president couldn't go, so send the First Lady. That's where we went. I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base..." It was all a lie. Every single word was a lie except for the fact that she was in a plane and it landed. Here is more proof that the Clinton's will do anything- and SAY ANYTHING- to get back into the White House."


Hillary opposes law enforcement: "Hillary Clinton's endlessly recalibrated position on providing driver's licenses for illegal aliens captures her career in miniature. After arguing that a New York proposal to give illegals driver's licenses "makes a lot of sense," she promptly denied having said such a thing, gave an incomprehensible and classically Clintonian non-answer to the question at the Democratic debate in Philadelphia, and now offers this gem of an explanation: "I do not think it is appropriate to give a driver's license to someone who is here undocumented, putting them frankly at risk, because that is clear evidence that they are not here legally." To repeat: Clinton opposes licenses for illegals because such documents might provide evidence for American law-enforcement agencies. As first lady, she garnered valuable experience in hiding evidence of wrongdoing, but we never expected she'd make a policy proposal out of doing so."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2008 07:40:00 AM

Sexual Harassment in Saudi Arabia

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Although women and men are now able to work in unison in retail establishments, no formal legal policies and protocols have been developed which define how they are supposed to behave toward each other. As a result, sexual harassment complaints are not being resolved.

Two young girls were buying lingerie from a man in a lingerie shop. He told one of them that the item she had chosen wasn't suitable for her but would be for her friend because her breast size was larger. Both of them were embarrassed and left the shop immediately.

What the salesman committed was verbal harassment. If he had known that there were laws to punish him for what he said while doing his job, he might have thought twice before saying what he did. He should have been punished for his callous remark.

WTF?

I give up. What did he say that was callous?

"I'm sorry miss. You don't have the bosom to wear that article of clothing. But your friend does."

Apparently, the callousness is criminal. So, they want to enact a law which would punish the person making that comment. I hesitate to think of what punishment would be appropriate.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/24/2008 06:46:00 AM

Big Meat Pounded in Arkansas

(Booneville, Arkansas) A large, out-of-control fire yesterday afternoon completely burned down the Cargill Beef Packing Plant in Logan County.

About 200 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. No injuries have been reported as the blaze was allowed to burn itself out.

The fire possibly started from lack of awareness during some welding activities by contracted help.

The plant employed about 800 people who have been notified to not come to work. A decision to rebuild the plant, Booneville's largest employer, has not yet been made.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 11:54:00 PM

Feces in "Hot Pot"

(Watertown, New York) Read about one exceedingly stupid young man, Christian Bulifant. The 16-year-old was originally arrested for violating a protective order but, since then, has committed several more serious crimes.

An inmate at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building is accused of putting human feces in a "hot pot" that supplies 32 inmates with a continuous supply of hot water for their consumption, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

Christian M.G. Bulifant, 16, of 313 S. Rutland St., was charged Saturday afternoon with aggravated harassment of an employee by an inmate, a felony, second-degree reckless endangerment, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and criminal nuisance.

Deputies said Mr. Bulifant "shat" in the "hot pot" on March 2.

It wouldn't surprise me if Bulifant spends many years in prison. The guy just doesn't seem to have the smarts to comprehend the concept of rules or to know that when you're in a hole, quit digging.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 11:50:00 PM

Asbestos Inspector Arrested

There are scams and there are asbestos scams.

AMAGASAKI, Hyogo -- A member of the Nishinomiya Municipal Assembly has been arrested for fondling a schoolgirl's breasts after she let him into her home because he told her he wanted to check for asbestos, police said.

Twenty-seven-year old Seiji Sakano was arrested on a charge of indecent assault.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 11:31:00 PM

Doctor Accused of Sex with Kids

(Portland, Oregon) A 39-year-old local doctor, Thomas Lee, was indicted on Friday by a Washington County grand jury on charges related to sexually abusing two young children.

Dr. Lee faces four counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and seven counts of first-degree sex abuse. The sexual abuse allegedly occurred at Dr. Lee's home.

Dr. Lee was booked into custody with bail set at $2.25 million.

Lee is a neonatologist with the Northwest Perinatal Center in Portland.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 09:04:00 PM

Teachers Want to Nationalize Private Schools

(Manchester, England) Imagine for a moment, dear readers, that you are given a proposal to evaluate.

You are confronted with a bushel basket of rotting apples surrounded by a large number of individual, crisp and nutritious apples. Now, the proposal is to place the crisp and nutritious apples into the bushel basket with the stated reason of seeing "some urgent improvements" in the condition of all the apples.

Good idea or not? You make the call.

Okay, now change the apples to public and private schools, respectively, and I contend that the proposal is an example of unfathomably irrational thinking and it comes from, not surprisingly, a teachers union. Using their logic, we could sardine a bunch of healthy folks into a tuberculosis ward and overall health would improve.

The new head of Britain's biggest teaching union has called for the private education system to be nationalised.

Bill Greenshields, incoming president of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said such a move would improve state education and make it fairer.

The NUT, the most left-wing of the teaching unions, has long been hostile to independent education and to Labour’s programme of setting up academies with private-sector sponsors to replace failing schools.

But Greenshields's comments to the union's annual conference in Manchester yesterday went one step further.

"Let's consider our own direction of travel -- from private to public, towards bringing all schools into the state sector," he said. "Then we would soon see some urgent improvements in our state system."

And this guy was chosen as president of the organization! It's hard to picture what the more extreme members of the NUTs have on their minds. By the way, you have to give the group credit for coming up with a most apropos acronym.

Companioned at Education Watch.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 08:36:00 AM

Cellphone hell

"Raised voices, disputes over money, abrupt hang-ups. Asad Baig has experienced all the hallmarks of a stormy relationship with his cell phone company-actually five different ones over the last four years. Once, he fought with his carrier over charges for text messages that resulted in a $400 monthly bill despite signing up for an unlimited texting package. Another time, he got socked with an unexpected phone upgrade fee.

Baig said he has encountered customer service representatives ranging from friendly to incompetent to openly hostile. "The most discouraging thing is that in order to get anything accomplished, I have to get angry," said Baig, 25, a law student at the University of Illinois. "It's such a waste of energy and time."

Consumer discontent with wireless service has been brewing for years, resulting in lawsuits across the country and requests for government intervention. Now there's movement at the federal level to address long-standing concerns such as mandatory contract extensions, early termination fees and confusing billing."

More here

[If ever there's a good cellphone company, it will get a rush of customers. I have yet to find one. See here]

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 08:31:00 AM

Burqa-Wearing Robbers

(United Kingdom) If a masked man walks into a jewelry store, the owner will call the police immediately -- right? Uh, well, not in Britain.

Police are hunting a 6ft 6in man wearing a burqa who led an armed robbery at a jewellers in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Wednesday, escaping with about £200,000 worth of gems.

A man similarly dressed tried to rob a Securicor guard at a shopping centre in Birmingham six days earlier.

It would, of course, be intolerant if a masked, burqa-wearing customer or thief were denied access to establishments open to the public.

Assuming that it's the same guy in both robberies, it shouldn't be too difficult to find him since less than one percent of the population is six-foot-six.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/23/2008 06:17:00 AM

Global Warming Has Stalled

From The Australian:

CATASTROPHIC predictions of global warming usually conjure with the notion of a tipping point, a point of no return.

Last Monday - on ABC Radio National, of all places - there was a tipping point of a different kind in the debate on climate change. It was a remarkable interview involving the co-host of Counterpoint, Michael Duffy and Jennifer Marohasy, a biologist and senior fellow of Melbourne-based think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. Anyone in public life who takes a position on the greenhouse gas hypothesis will ignore it at their peril.

Duffy asked Marohasy: "Is the Earth still warming?"

She replied: "No, actually, there has been cooling, if you take 1998 as your point of reference. If you take 2002 as your point of reference, then temperatures have plateaued. This is certainly not what you'd expect if carbon dioxide is driving temperature because carbon dioxide levels have been increasing but temperatures have actually been coming down over the last 10 years."

Duffy: "Is this a matter of any controversy?"

Marohasy: "Actually, no. The head of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has actually acknowledged it. He talks about the apparent plateau in temperatures so far this century. So he recognises that in this century, over the past eight years, temperatures have plateaued ... This is not what you'd expect, as I said, because if carbon dioxide is driving temperature then you'd expect that, given carbon dioxide levels have been continuing to increase, temperatures should be going up ... So (it's) very unexpected, not something that's being discussed. It should be being discussed, though, because it's very significant."

The fact that the Earth isn't warming has prompted the global warming devotees (i.e. mainstream media) to start using the term "climate change." Watch for the switch in terminology.

Tip: slwlion
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2008 09:39:00 PM

Medical Mistake: New Anus Instead of Knee Repair

(Munchberg, Germany) Eine 78-jahr-alt frau haben der Clinic zu visiten fur fixin' das Knee Joint. Die frau macht gesleepen mit der guten Narcotische Injection. Zwei Doctoren kommt die Operation mit zee Paperien.

Doctor No. 1 - "Haben zee Papers?"

Doctor No.2 - "Ja. Vee haff zee Papers! Wir machen Poopenschaft."

"Poopenschaft machen? Ach du lieber!"

"Ja. Es ist eine Poopenschaft."

Doctors 1 and 2 singing - "Das ist eine Poopenschaft!"
"Ja, est is eine Poopenschaft."
"Poopenschaft, Poopenschaft!"

"Poopenschaft! HMO! Poopenschaft! HMO!"
"Es ist eine Poopenschaft."

"Geben sie mir eine Beer. Wir machen eine Poopenschaft."

Levity aside, the clinic made a mistake and gave the woman an artificial anus instead of repairing her knee. Apparently, they had one in stock.

I find this all very interesting since I didn't know there was such a thing as an artificial anus. However, I'm not ignorant to the need -- having met a number of individuals who were so full ot it that an alternative waste outlet would be an improvement.

Nevertheless, it's unknown how someone confused a knee and an anus. It also seems somewhat imprudent to subject a 78-year-old woman to major surgery -- mistaken or otherwise. And, I would definitely call reaming somebody a new a**hole major surgery.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2008 10:21:00 AM

Surging Dutch Rats

(The Netherlands) The black rat (Rattus rattus), notorious as a carrier of bubonic plaque and the hanta virus, is making a resurgence in Holland.

The number of hanta virus infections more than tripled between 2006 and 2007.

Heh.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2008 10:06:00 AM

Muslims Want Geert Wilders' Film Banned Before Viewing

(The Netherlands) The Netherlands Islamic Federation has asked a court in The Hague to authorize a group of censors to find a reason to ban a film which is critical of Islam and the Koran. Sounds like a fishing expedition, eh?

Right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders plans to release the film before April 1st.

Wilders said in November that the 15-minute film would show the Koran was a 'fascist book', a claim which has already drawn complaints from several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan.

Dutch officials have unsuccessfully urged him to drop the project, fearing a repeat of the violent protests that erupted in many countries when European newspapers printed cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.

The Muslims have a problem with getting the film banned since the government cannot legally censor it before it has been shown.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2008 08:41:00 AM

Free speech... even for Marines


We read:

"A U.S. Marine Corps reservist won't be charged for ignoring police requests and wading into a protest to rescue an American Flag. Ray Adam Modisette, 20, said he was reacting to a war protester who was stuffing an American flag down her pants.

Modisette of Shawnee was arrested Friday afternoon on a complaint of interfering with official police process. Modisette was leaving Tinker Air Force Base in his car Friday when he saw the protester with the flag. He said he turned around and headed for the crowd to get the flag. He was handcuffed after ignoring several requests by officers to move away from the small group of demonstrators from Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan.

If desecrating Old Glory is protected speech, then so is rescuing it.

Source

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/22/2008 12:07:00 AM

Texas Teacher Indicted in Sex Case

(Frisco, Texas) In November 2006, a 29-year-old teacher's aide at Staley Middle School, Nancy Torres, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a months-long sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student.

The boy's mother alerted authorities to the relationship which occurred in Frisco, The Colony, Lewisville and Houston.

Torres was arrested and charged with two second-degree felonies in November 2006, but the indictment did not happen until last week because the victim’s family moved out of state and lost contact with the Frisco Police Department.

"The family of the victim moved away and we didn’t have a way to contact them," Frisco Police Sgt. Gerald Meadors said. "We had to wait for them to contact us."

Meadors said that the case is able to move forward now that the department has reconnected with the victim’s family.

Torres is scheduled to make her first appearance in court on April 1. According to an affidavit, Torres and the victim had allegedly been involved in a relationship that included oral sex and intercourse between May and November 2006. None of the incidents occurred on school property or during school events.

If convicted, Torres faces a possible 20 years in prison on each charge.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 08:01:00 PM

Georgia Teacher and Male Student, 17

(Milledgeville, Georgia) A 28-year-old marketing teacher at Baldwin High School, Alison Diane Ivey, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

Ivey has been charged with one count of sexual assault.

Ivey allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old male student at least once, according to Tom Davis, special agent in charge of the GBI [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] in Milledgeville.

"I really can't go into what we have as far as evidence in this case, but we feel like we have a very strong case against her," Davis said.

Notably, Alison Ivey's mother, Judy Ivey, is a member of the Baldwin County Board of Education. Boy, she must be embarrassed.

Alison Ivey was booked into the Baldwin County Jail and released on $25,000 bond. She has been placed on paid leave from her teaching position.


[Update 10/16/08]

Ivey, now 29, has been indicted on five counts of sexual assault for having sexual intercourse with two male students during the 2007-2008 school year.

Ivey is accused of performing oral sex on a then 17-year-old student and having sexual intercourse with him twice, said Fred Bright, district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit.

She also is accused of having sexual intercourse with a then 18-year-old student, Bright said.

Although both students were over Georgia's age of consent, which is 16, the sexual contact was against the law, Bright said.

If convicted, Ivey faces a possible 30 years in prison for each of the five counts, Bright said.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 04:05:00 PM

Wisconsin Teacher and Boy,14

(St. Francis, Wisconsin) A 26-year-old eighth-grade teacher at Deer Creek Intermediate School, Kelly M. Sweet, has been charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy.

Yesterday, Sweet pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault of a child.

According to a criminal complaint, the boy was sitting on a sofa watching a movie at Sweet's apartment March 9 while Sweet, who was lying on the sofa, rested her head on his lap. She began kissing him and initiated sexual contact, the complaint says.

The boy told investigators that he knew Sweet, but it was not clear from the complaint whether he was her student.

Sweet was booked into custody at the Milwaukee County Jail.


[Update 8/26/08]

Kelly Sweet sentenced.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 12:05:00 PM

Arab Murder Suspect Flees to Yemen

(London, England) The student son of a wealthy Yemeni businessman, 21-year-old Farouk Abdulhak, is being sought by British authorities for questioning in the death of Norwegian socialite, Martine Vik Magnussen, 23.

Farouk fled Britain last Saturday, smuggled out on a private jet, to Athens and then to Yemen which, by the way, has a no-extradition clause in its Constitution.

Farouk's father, Shaher Abdulhak, is a politically-savvy billionaire in Yemen, known as the "King of Sugar."

A Western diplomatic source said of Mr Abdulhak's case: "If the father decides his son will not be touched, he will not be touched. He will be completely protected."

Magnussen was last seen alive with Farouk as they left an exclusive Mayfair nightclub. Two days later and the day after Farouk left Britain, her partially-clothed body was found hidden in a basement of Farouk's apartment building.

Dr Abu Bakr al-Qurbi, Yemen's foreign minister, said: "It is with regret that we have read about the incident in the newspapers.

"We are prepared to co-operate with British authorities, but for the time being we are awaiting more information about the subject matter."

I'm not convinced that "prepared to co-operate" means anything, especially since Farouk's father has already hired a London-based international extradition expert law firm.

Also not to be discounted is the fact that the Yemenis are still mad at the Brits for not handing over the hook-handed Muslim hate preacher Abu Hamza. Instead, Hamza was extradited to the U.S. to face terrorism charges.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 10:12:00 AM

Suicide Robot

(Queensland, Australia) It's reported that he was old and unhappy.

An elderly man has killed himself by programming a robot to shoot him in the head after building the machine from plans downloaded from the internet.

Francis Tovey, 81, who lived alone in Burleigh Heads on the Australian Gold Coast, was found dead in his driveway. [ ... ]

Notes left by Mr Tovey -- who was born in England -- revealed that he had scoured the internet for plans before constructing his complex machine, which involved a jigsaw power tool and was connected to a .22 semi-automatic pistol loaded with four bullets. It could fire multiple shots once triggered remotely.

Personally, I fail to see the difference between a suicide robot and a mechanical soldier.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 09:01:00 AM

OK to ask for English to be spoken



We read:

"This is America: WHEN ORDERING `PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.' And this is also America: If I want to ask customers to order in English, I can.

2 1/2 years after Joe Vento posted his order-in-English signs at his cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia, the city's Commission on Human Relations panel finally got around to saying that's OK. It's his shop.

And it is not like he is saying English only. He's making a simple request. I never, ever got how anyone could be offended. The sign is in English. If you can read the sign, you should be able to order in English. The guy makes cheesesteaks. He likely doesn't have a lot of time trying to decipher orders in 20 different languages.

The AP story said: "The case went to a public hearing, where an attorney for the commission argued that the sign was about intimidation, not political speech. Intimidation? It is a sign. Guess what? There are plenty of other cheesesteak joints in town. It's Philadelphia.

Source

See also here. Previous story from 2006 here


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/21/2008 12:06:00 AM

Easter Health Warning

(Manila, Philippines) The government has issued health warnings to worshippers for Easter weekend regarding crucifixions.

Please use clean whips and nails. A tetanus shot is also recommended.

Tourists and spectators are encouraged to carry their own food to avoid getting diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid from food provided by street vendors.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 08:54:00 PM

Superwoman, 66, Captures Robber

Some stories just make you feel good.

CAMAS, Wash. -- A 66-year-old woman wrestled a robber to the ground Wednesday, giving police time to arrive at the scene and take him into custody, police said.

Mary Chamberlain, of Camas, chased down Joshua Crowley, 22, of Washougal, after a Kentucky Fried Chicken clerk described the suspect after being robbed at knifepoint, said Mitch Lackey of the Camas Police Department.

Chamberlain, an American woman, was driving by when she saw Crowley running. She jumped out of her car, ran and caught Crowley and wrestled him to the ground.

Sixty-six years old and she takes down a 22-year-old thief -- absolutely splendid!

Tip: slwlion
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 07:11:00 PM

Teacher Accused of Orgy with Students

(Tampa, Florida) A 45-year-old Honors English teacher at Freedom High School, Mary Jo Spack, has been arrested for allegedly engaging in sexual activity involving a group of high school boys in what has been described as an orgy situation.

She was not their teacher, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

On March 14, she met the students and took them to a liquor store, a police release states. Then she drove them to a Howard Johnson Motel on Fowler Avenue, where they drank alcohol together.

"Those kids were texting some friends that they were going to have a party at this motel," McElroy said.

Three other students from the school joined them in the motel room, according to the release.

Spack has been charged with unlawful sex with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

It's odd that Spack would allow this type incident to occur. Logically, she should be very sensitive to any allegations of inappropriate behavior since the entire Tampa-St.Pete area has seen its share of high-profile teacher-student sex stories.

Debra Lafave immediately comes to mind and, just last week, Hillsborough County middle school teacher Stephanie Ragusa was arrested for mixing it up with a boy. Mary Jo Spack had to know all this when she was driving the boys to the motel. I suspect that she wanted to get caught.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 08:50:00 AM

A HUGE double standard


As Taranto and others are pointing out, Don Imus was fired just for using ordinary black vocabulary but the HUGE hate speech emanating from Obama's pastor is being given a pass by the Left.

This must be the most colossal double standard ever. That Obama was one of those calling for the firing of Imus shows that Obama is a man of no principles at all. How can he soak in a bath of hate while condemning it in others?

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 06:06:00 AM

Outsourcing Food Production to China

(Seoul, South Korea) Recently, a Korean woman was surprised to find a rat's head in her bag of shrimp snacks.

Manufacturer Nongshim issued a public apology and recalled the snacks. They inspected a factory in South Korea and will go to China to visit another factory involved in the production of the shrimp snack.

The Korean media is sounding the alarm over the outsourcing of food production to China. Coming on the heels of last month's pesticide-tainted gyoza scare, which hospitalized ten people in Japan, this can't be good news for China's food export industry.

The hard, oily rat head had burnt hair and it had the remains of eyes and a nose. It measured 1.6 centimeters long.

Although there is insufficient reason to harbor a blanket distrust of products from China, there has been a recent history of problems which warrant an elevated level of awareness. To simplify, stuff from China deserves a second look.

More here and here.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 05:36:00 AM

Ashley Alexandra Dupre Video

It's from her Girls Gone Wild appearance when she was 18 years old.

The video is probably only interesting to those engaged in serious journalistic and historical research. And, of course, pervs.

Link
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 12:24:00 AM

Louisiana Teacher Jailed for Drugs

(Rapides Parish, Louisiana) A 44-year-old special education teacher at Glenmora High School, Christine (aka Christina) Marye Araiza, was arrested this week for alleged drug charges.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office narcotics unit was alerted by a tipster to possible drug possession by Araiza. It's suspected that Araiza used drugs with at least one student.

According to Sheriff's Assistant Chief Herman Walters, the narcotics unit took its drug dog, Max, to school.

Max alerted onto Araiza's desk, Walters said. No drugs were found in her desk, although Walters said the K-9's alert meant that drugs had once been there or on Araiza near the desk.

Officers then searched Araiza's car but didn't find any illegal drugs. The search continued to her Ashmore Road home, where they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia, he said.

Araiza was charged with obstruction of justice because she sent a text message to her 16-year-old daughter telling her to destroy evidence of the drugs at the home because officers were on their way there, Walters said.

Agents found residual amounts of marijuana in the toilet and suspect there was much more there before they arrived but was disposed of.

Yesterday, Araiza resigned her teaching position.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/20/2008 12:08:00 AM

Mom Puts Ecstasy in Love Tunnel

(Torrington, Connecticut) A 37-year-old pregnant mother-of-three, Heidi Keller, was arrested last Saturday night for allegedly selling Ecstasy pills on the side of the road.

Police were alerted to the alleged offense by a tipster and found Keller in possession of crack-smoking paraphernalia and a kitchen knife.

Police said officers noticed Keller putting her hands down inside her crotch area shortly after being handcuffed, and that they suspected she was hiding drugs.

Keller repeatedly denied hiding drugs, according to Torrington officers. Police were granted permission for a female officer to perform a strip search on Keller, during which they said an open plastic bag with 14 Ecstasy pills was found inside her vagina.

Keller was arraigned on Monday on numerous charges, including narcotics and evidence tampering and risk of injury.

Keller was booked into custody with bond set at $50,000.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2008 05:40:00 PM

Hot Potato with Gay Iranian

A gay Iranian, Mehdi Kazemi, applied for asylum in the United Kingdom and was rejected, setting in motion the wheels to have him sent back to Iran. Before that could happen, though, Kazemi skipped to the Netherlands.

Britain denied the asylum request because authorities had no actual proof that homosexuals are being persecuted in Iran. In fact, President Ahmadinejad said there are no homosexuals in Iran, therefore, none could be persecuted.

Nonetheless, the Dutch authorities don't want to send Kazemi back to Britain because they would send him to Iran. Meanwhile, the Dutch are unable to offer asylum since EU rules specify that only one asylum application in one European country is allowed. As a consequence, the Dutch have asked the British authorities to reconsider Kazemi's case.

So, it's hot potato with the gay Iranian. Britain rejected him, the Dutch want him but can't grant asylum due to EU rules. And, keeping gay Iranians in the lurch will be the norm until verifiable information is available that Iran is, in fact, executing gay people for their homosexuality.

In an update to the story, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced that 19-year-old Kazemi's case will be reconsidered.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2008 04:26:00 PM

Confirmed: Lynndie England Is An Idiot

Abu Ghraib's poster girl Lynndie England blames the media for exposing her inappropriate behavior to the world. It's as though she feels her right to privacy during war was violated. And then there's this:

"I'm saying that what we did happens in war. It just isn't documented," she was quoted as saying. "If it had been broken by the news without the pictures it wouldn't have been that big."

She told the magazine that there are other photographs that have not been released that contain more graphic images than those that were seen on television, in newspapers and on the Internet.

"You see the dogs biting the prisoners. Or you see bite marks from the dogs. You can see MPs (military police) holding down a prisoner so a medic can give him a shot," she said. "If those had been made public at the time, then the whole world would have looked at those and not at mine."

Good grief!

Now we're going to have everyone with a laptop and a checkbook looking for those pictures. Get ready for another round of stories about the torture at Abu Ghraib.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2008 08:35:00 AM

Some wimmin news



A nasty gold-digger: "While Sir Paul McCartney expressed himself moderately throughout his divorce hearing, his estranged wife was inaccurate, inconsistent and less than candid, a judge said in a ruling the former model did not want the world to see. The full judgment of the divorce battle between Ms Mills and Sir Paul was released today after her attempt to appeal against Mr Justice Bennett's decision to release it failed at the Court of Appeal. The judge described Sir Paul's evidence as "balanced".


Woman owes $60,000 in traffic fines: "For three years Kylie Denton collected unpaid fines the way Imelda Marcos collected shoes. Yesterday, the 26-year-old fronted Geelong Magistrates' Court where she pleaded guilty to racking up a whopping $60,000 in unpaid fines. Magistrate Michael Coghlan described the pile of unpaid fines before him as the biggest he had ever seen. "These include warrants for unpaid parking and tollway fines as well as those relating to driving an unregistered car on a tollway," Mr Coghlan said... "These are for fines she has incurred over a long period of time, during which she has decided to drive through toll zones without paying, park wherever she liked and not pay the fines." Mr Coghlan said he could either sentence Denton to a reduced term of imprisonment or she could start paying off the $60,000. Mr Streager said Denton could arrange to pay $5000 immediately and then pay a significant amount each month. Mr Coghlan adjourned the matter for a further hearing on April 29."


Female writers reject feminist prize: "The all-women Orange literature prize is still needed, despite women winning prizes in fair competition with men, the organisers have said. The Orange prize longlist, published yesterday, includes Anne Enright's The Gathering, which won the unisex Booker a few weeks ago. In the past two years, women have won both the Booker and Costa literary awards. The novelist A. S. Byatt told The Times that the Orange was a sexist prize, saying that she was so critical of what it stands for that she forbids her publishers to submit her novels for consideration. "Such a prize was never needed," she said, noting that many works of literature were by women. John Sutherland, the academic, said that ghettoising women writers did them more harm them good. Anita Brookner, a Booker winner, has dismissed positive discrimination and is also believed to have declined having her novels entered for the Orange."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/19/2008 08:32:00 AM

Supreme Court to review harsh new FCC rules


We read:

"The justices agreed to give the Federal Communications Commission a chance to defend its decision to start punishing broadcasters for the isolated and fleeting on-air use of expletives, an abrupt change in the commission policy that a federal appeals court last year found procedurally improper.

It has been almost exactly 30 years since the Supreme Court ruled in the "seven dirty words" case that the First Amendment did not bar the government from regulating the broadcasting of speech that, while "indecent," was not actually obscene. The broadcast at issue then was a 12-minute monologue by the comedian George Carlin, titled "Filthy Words," that deliberately challenged federal regulators by highlighting "the words you couldn't say" on the public airwaves.

For years after that ruling, despite its victory, the F.C.C. exercised its power with a light hand, disclaiming the authority to punish fleeting words that did not reflect "deliberate and repetitive use in a patently offensive manner," as the commission said in a public notice in 1987.

The approach changed soon after that, when the NBC broadcast of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards drew complaints for the expletive that the singer Bono used as an adjective to express his delight at receiving an award for best original song.

A coalition of broadcasters challenged the new policy in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New York, raising constitutional and statutory objections. In a 2-to-1 ruling last June, the appeals court did not address the First Amendment challenge directly. Rather, it held that the commission had violated ordinary principles of administrative law by making "a dramatic change in agency policy without adequate explanation." The appeals court vacated the commission's order, instructing the F.C.C. to "articulate a reasoned basis for this change in policy."

At the same time, the appeals court majority made it clear that any explanation would face a high hurdle. "We are skeptical" that any explanation "would pass constitutional muster," the court said in an opinion by Judge Rosemary Pooler.

Noting that all the words at issue were "fully protected by the First Amendment," Judge Pooler continued, "We are sympathetic to the networks' contention that the F.C.C.'s indecency test is undefined, indiscernible, inconsistent and, consequently, unconstitutionally vague."

Source

Why not just shield kids from life and be done with it?

It does seem that the FCC has gone too far and that the court will not support it. By fining broadcasters huge amounts the FCC set themselves up for a court challenge.


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2008 06:50:00 PM

Syria - Sex Trafficking Central

(Damascus, Syria) Today, in a United Nations humanitarian news article, Syria is being highlighted as a teeming pit of human/sex traffickers. Verifiable data are not provided, however, there are estimates and anecdotes. Here's an example:

In 2003 Hiba (not her real name), then aged 11, was forced to marry her cousin. The following day she was driven from Baghdad to the border with Syria and sold to traffickers. In Damascus she was forced to dance in night clubs or private homes. Four years later, pregnant and abandoned by her handlers, she was imprisoned by the Syrian authorities on charges of prostitution.

When the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) found her, Hiba was on the point of being deported to Iraq. Instead, the UNHCR - to whom Hiba told her story - arranged for the teenager to be resettled in Canada earlier this month, where she recently gave birth to a baby boy named Zaman (Arabic: time).

"He's named after the time I never had," she said.

Hiba's case is far from unique. Though there are no reliable figures, agencies and activists say hundreds of people from different parts of the world are trafficked to Syria each year for prostitution, domestic work, and even for the sale of body parts. The influx to Syria of over 1.5 million Iraqi refugees since 2003 has exacerbated the problem.

Apparently, the purpose of the article is to not only describe the situation in Syria but to also announce that the government in Damascus is going through the motions of doing something about it.

Current law doesn't adequately address the seriousness of sex tafficking resulting in women being prosecuted more harshly than the men who force them into it. A draft law has been prepared and submitted to the prime minister's office, blah, blah, blah. I'm obviously skeptical ... at least in the short run. I don't see how a centuries-old habit of treating woman as property is going to change because of some piece of paper in Damascus.

Nonetheless, it's a step in the right direction.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2008 08:48:00 AM

Assorted Peccadilloes

Seeing Mike is pretty much out of action and unable to post his usual flow of news about wicked women, I thought I might put up a few news items about assorted bad behavior

Germany needs Eliot Spitzer: "The oldest bordello in Hamburg's red-light district is shutting down for lack of business, according to newspaper reports published Friday. The family-run Hotel Luxor, established in 1948, is being sold to an investor and will close down for good next month, madam Waltraud Mehrer said, according to the Hamburg Morgenpost and Bild newspapers. She blamed the decline in business on easily available Internet porn, the rise of call-girl services, and "noisy discos and dance clubs" on the same street as her business, the newspapers reported. "You can't make any big money selling sex in St. Pauli any more," she was quoted as saying, referring to the area that includes the red-light district."




Postman nicked in knickers: "A postman who was suspected of stealing a package of racy women's lingerie from the mail was strip-searched - and caught wearing it. British postal worker Matthew Furness, 35, was in a g-string from the $120 Bravissimo undies set. Suspicious bosses had put the underwear in his van after an opened package was found in it. Furness, of Weymouth, Dorset, will be sentenced in April after admitting theft before the town's magistrates."


This is sure to offend the goat lovers: "The ban was two years in the making, but the Dutch parliament has finally decided to outlaw bestiality and animal pornography. The Dutch parliament voted unanimously Thursday to ban sex with animals and pornography depicting bestiality. Anyone breaking the law now risks being sent to jail for up to six months. Until now, Dutch law had only forbidden bestiality in cases where animal suffering was involved. By passing the ban, the Netherlands joins the ranks of 80 countries where animal pornography is explicity forbidden, Harm Evert Waalkens, the member of parliament who proposed the law, told the Associated Press. "The Netherlands has been a magnet for perversities -- and we want to stop that," Waalkens said, adding that pornographers had lobbied fiercely against a ban."


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/18/2008 08:40:00 AM

Media tries to bury Pastorgate

Excerpt below: Compare this with what happened when GWB gave JUST ONE SPEECH at Bob Jones university

The broadcast network evening show blackout, of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's 2001 charge that the U.S. earned the 9/11 attacks, continued Monday night as neither CBS nor NBC touched the Wright issue and ABC ran a full story which included Wright's "U.S. of K-K-K-A" hate speech and how Obama has been close to Wright for 20 years, but concluded with how "many African-Americans do not understand" the controversy since the "kind of fiery language Wright uses is not uncommon in black churches."

The race-based, white-bashing rants may not be so uncommon, but is anti-American shouting -- about how "we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye" and so "America's chickens are coming home to roost" -- so common?

Anchor Charles Gibson set up the story from Jake Tapper by asserting Obama "is being dogged by his pastor's provocative comments." After the "U.S. of K-K-K-A" soundbite, Tapper pointed out how "Wright has played an important role in Obama's life for 20 years." Viewers then saw a clip of Obama from June of 2007 giving "a special shout out to my pastor" who's "a friend. And a great leader." Following some quotes illustrating Obama's awareness a year ago of how Wright's views could prove embarrassing, Tapper ended with how such language is not unusual in black churches.

Not a word on Monday's CBS Evening News (anchored by Russ Mitchell) of Wright/Obama and, on Monday's NBC Nightly News, merely one cryptic "by the way" line from anchor Brian Williams....

In a sermon the Sunday after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Wright suggested America spurred and deserved the attacks:

We bombed Hiroshima! We bombed Nagasaki! And we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye....We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back into our own front yard. America's chickens are coming home to roost.

No part of that far-left, Blame America First language has made it onto the ABC, CBS or NBC evening newscasts since the video became public last Thursday.

More here


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2008 07:50:00 PM

Injury Blogging

Last week, I mentioned that I was sick blogging due to a mishap I experienced during the March Storm of '08. In actuality, it would have been more correct to say I was injury blogging since my body was twisted like a pretzel during a fall.

Imagine me, although to a much lesser extent, in the opening segment of ABC's old Wide World of Sports program where a guy loses control on the ski jump and tumbles over and over just as the voice-over announces "AND the agony of defeat."

Yes, for the past week, I have been immobile due to hyper-extension of both knee joints and pulled upper and lower leg muscles. My left wrist was broken so, effectively, three out of four of my primary appendages have been out of commission ... for a week ... and counting. Needless to emphasize, blogging has been low on the priority list.

Improvement has been slow. For example, I can now move from one room to another ... very slowly. And, I do mean very slowly. It will be at least a couple more weeks before I'm reasonably functional just walking around.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2008 08:44:00 AM

The parasites' Party

"The Democratic Party has become the Lawyers' Party. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are lawyers. Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama are lawyers. John Edwards, the other former Democrat candidate for president, is a lawyer and so is his wife Elizabeth. Every Democrat nominee since 1984 went to law school (although Gore did not graduate.) Every Democrat vice presidential nominee since 1976, except for Lloyd Benson, went to law school. Look at the Democrat Party in Congress: the Majority Leader in each house is a lawyer.

The Republican Party is different. President Bush and Vice President Cheney were not lawyers, but businessmen. The leaders of the Republican Revolution were not lawyers. Newt Gingrich was a history professor; Tom Delay was an exterminator; and Dick Armey was an economist. House Minority Leader Boehner was a plastic manufacturer, not a lawyer. The former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is a heart surgeon."

More here

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/17/2008 05:50:00 AM

Chechen Fighters in Afghanistan

Buried in a report from last week is the following paragraph.

In Zabul province, Afghan security forces and NATO troops launched an operation Wednesday against Chechen fighters meeting in Daychopan district, said district chief Fazel Bari. The ensuing two-hour gun battle left three Chechens dead and six wounded, he said.

Am I the only person wondering what a platoon of Chechen fighters is doing in Afghanistan?

Tip: Garduneh Mehr
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2008 08:51:00 AM

Some REAL hate speech




Newly released video of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Democrat presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama's controversial pastor, shows the preacher telling his congregation the United States knew of the attack on Pearl Harbor before the Japanese struck, the U.S. would plant weapons of mass destruction in Iraq "just like the LAPD," and those committing black-on-black crime are "fighting the wrong enemy." ... Here are excerpts from Wright's sermons revealed by Fox News:

"The government lied about Pearl Harbor. They knew the Japanese were going to attack. Government's lied."

"We've got a paranoid group of patriots in power that now, in the interest of homeland stupidity - I mean homeland security ..."

"The government lied about the Tuskegee experiment. They purposely infected African-American men with syphilis ..."

"Fighting for peace is like raping for virginity."

"... what's going on in white America, U.S. of KKKA ..."

"Black men turning on black men - that is fighting the wrong enemy. You both are the primary targets in an oppressive society that sees both of you as a dangerous threat."

"We cannot see how what we are doing is the same thing al-Qaida is doing under a different color flag ... And guess what else. If they don't find them some weapons of mass destruction, they going to do just like the LAPD and plant them some weapons of mass destruction."

"God damn America - that's in the Bible - for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating us citizens as less than human. God damn America ..."

Source

The curious thing is that the venomous pastor is not himself very black. He could pass for white, maybe Italian. Perhaps venom substitutes for skin color. Very strange.

I suspect that he is just a hustler parasitizing blacks. I would be surprised if he even knew what the doctrine of the trinity says -- even though his church is named after it.

What Wright says about the Tuskegee study is as wrong as it is hateful. See here

Posted by John Ray. For a daily critique of Leftist activities, see DISSECTING LEFTISM. For a daily survey of Australian politics, see AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Also, don't forget your handy-dandy summary of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/16/2008 06:36:00 AM

Deportation - Cosmetic Line for Illegals

(Urbana, Illinois) Sadly, a 30-year-old illegal alien, Fernando Delgado-Cruz (aka Fernando Lopez), was arraigned this week on a federal charge of unlawful reentry of a removed alien. Delgado-Cruz faces possible prison plus deportation. It will be his third deportation.

Delgado-Cruz was most recently arrested on February 20 during a sweep targeting convicted illegal aliens.

FBI records show Fernando Delgado-Cruz was convicted in Lake County on April 25, 2000, for a felony burglary. He was deported on June 30, 2000, according to the affidavit.

Records also show Delgado-Cruz was arrested near Eagle Pass, Texas, on Jan. 17, 2003, and convicted of entry by fraud. He was sentenced to 120 days incarceration. After the completion of that sentence, Delgado-Cruz was again deported.

However, all is not bad news for Delgado-Cruz. Notably, his third deportation means automatic membership in the elite Jumpmaster Circle of Honor, symbolized by the nifty silver "Unshaken Boots" keychain.

Jumpmaster members also qualify for a generous $500,000 line of credit with several American banks and they gain immunity from all motor vehicle violations. As an added bonus from the federal government, the special Nudge-Nudge, Wink-Wink immigration enforcement policy now applies to Delgado-Cruz as with all bona fide Jumpmasters.

The Jumpmaster membership and keychain will be awarded to Delgado-Cruz at an as yet to be scheduled honorary dinner at Honest Juan's Catering, Backpacks and Used Cars, located on the east side of the Chihuahua highway about 20 miles south of Juarez.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2008 08:45:00 AM

Some global warming summaries

THE KYOTO PROTOCOL AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION

By Per G. Fredriksson et al.

Abstract

Does environmental lobbying affect the probability of environmental treaty ratification? Does the level of government corruption play a role for the success of such lobbying? In this paper, we propose that a more corruptible government may be more responsive to the demands of the environmental lobby.We use several stratified hazard models and panel data from 170 countries on the timing of Kyoto Protocol ratification to test this hypothesis. We find that increased environmental lobby group activity raises the probability of ratification, and the effect rises with the degree of corruption.

FULL PAPER at Public Choice (2007) 133: 231-251 (PDF)




ENVIRONMENTALISM AND THE COUNTER-ENLIGHTENMENT

Environmentalism is, among other things, an attack on science. This is not the first concerted campaign against science and reason. From the mid-18th to the early 19th century a social movement explicitly attacking science and reason dominated the intellectual culture of the European Continent. The Continental Counter-Enlightenment was forged during a ferocious Republican-Royalist conflict. This social movement was a reaction by the aristocracy to modernization. Their attack on science and reason was an effort to thwart any common-sense empirical policy discussion about feudalism, monarchism and clericalism which they admitted were irrational institutions. In the Continental Counter-Enlightenment's clear and profound legacy one finds the roots of Fascism and Environmentalism.

Much more here





NOAA: COOLEST WINTER SINCE 2001 FOR U.S. and GLOBE

The average temperature across both the contiguous U.S. and the globe during climatological winter (December 2007-February 2008) was the coolest since 2001, according to scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. In terms of winter precipitation, Pacific storms, bringing heavy precipitation to large parts of the West, produced high snowpack that will provide welcome runoff this spring.

A complete analysis is available online here





GLOBAL WARMING: THE SACRIFICIAL TEMPTATION

By Serge Galam

Abstract

The claimed unanimity of the scientific community about the human culpability for global warming is questioned. Up today there exists no scientific proof of human culpability. It is not the number of authors of a paper, which validates its scientific content. The use of probability to assert the degree of certainty with respect the global warming problem is shown to be misleading. The debate about global warming has taken on emotional tones driven by passion and irrationality while it should be a scientific debate. The degree of hostility used to mull any dissonance voice demonstrates that the current debate has acquired a quasi-religious nature. Scientists are behaving as priests in their will "to save the planet". We are facing a dangerous social phenomenon, which must be addressed from the social point of view. The current unanimity of citizens, scientists, journalists, intellectuals and politicians is intrinsically worrying. The calls to sacrifice our way of life to calm down the upset nature is an emotional ancestral reminiscence of archaic fears, which should be analyzed as such.

FULL PAPER here

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/15/2008 05:45:00 AM

Texas Teacher Gets Probation in Student Sex Case

(Lumberton, Texas) In February 2005, a 39-year-old former resource teacher at Lumberton High School, Kathy Denise White, was indicted by a Hardin County grand jury for felony improper relationship with a 17-year-old male student.

White was accused of engaging in sex with the youngster at her home and at Lumberton High School. She was also accused of threatening the student about his grades in order to maintain the relationship.

After more than two years, news broke that there was progress in the Kathy White case. At the time, it was thought the case would go to trial.

However, eight months hence we learn that a plea deal has been struck between White's attorney, David Barlow, and the Hardin County District Attorney's Office.

Judge Britt Plunk sentenced Kathy White to ten years deferred probation and a $2,000 fine on one count of Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student. A second count was dismissed. White could have faced up to 20 years in prison on each charge.

Despite what she could have received, now 42-year-old White walks with deferred probation, just as I predicted.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 08:52:00 PM

Teacher Who "Touched by Her Tenderness" Guilty of Sex with Boy

(Phoenix, Arizona) In May 2007, English teacher and cheerleading coach at Paradise Valley High School, Jennifer Mally, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 16-year-old male student. Mally was charged with multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Earlier today, Jennifer Mally, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual conduct with a minor in accordance with a plea agreement. In exchange for her guilty plea, the prosecution dropped 14 counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

But as part of the plea agreement, Mally gave up her teaching certificate permanently. She will have to register as a sex offender. She also is required to pay $1,650 restitution for the victim's counseling costs.

"She is pleading guilty because she is guilty," [defense attorney] McDonald told the judge.

He said he would have several students in the courtroom in May speaking on her behalf.

"These are people she has touched," he said. "Everyplace she goes, people are touched by her tenderness, love and caring."

Mally's plea agreement was accepted by Judge Andrew Klein who scheduled sentencing for May 9. She faces a maximum of two years in prison on each count.

I'll speculate that Mally gets no more than 60 days in the county jail.

Tip: SE


[Update 05/10/08]

Mally sentenced.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 08:39:00 AM

The Inequality Myth

Excerpt:

Class warfare is once again a campaign theme. The Democratic candidates are railing against the "tax cuts for the rich," lamenting the stagnation of middle-class incomes, and decrying the deepening woes of the poor. In her January response to President Bush's State of the Union address, Hillary Clinton cited "seven years of stagnant wages, declining incomes and increasing inequality." Barack Obama echoes this theme by referring repeatedly to the "middle-class squeeze."

First, we can easily dismiss the notion that the poor are getting poorer. All the Census Bureau tells us is that the share of the pie consumed by the poor has been shrinking (to 3.4% in 2006 from 4.1% in 1970). But the "pie" has grown enormously. This year's real GDP of $14 trillion is three times that of 1970. So the absolute size of the slice received by the bottom 20% has increased to $476 billion from $181 billion. Allowing for population growth shows that the average income of people at the bottom of the income distribution has risen 36%. They're not rich, but they're certainly not poorer. In reality, economic growth has raised incomes across the board.

Since 1970 there has been a dramatic rise in divorced, never-married and single-person households. Back in 1970, the married Ozzie and Harriet family was the norm: 71% of all U.S. households were two-parent families. Now the ratio is only 51%. In the process of this social revolution, the average household size has shrunk to 2.57 persons from 3.14 -- a drop of 18%. The meaning? Even a "stagnant" average household income implies a higher standard of living for the average household member. Last year, the Census Bureau published a new set of income statistics that adjusted for changing household size and composition. In a single year (2006), this "equivalence-adjusted" computation increased the income share of the poor by 8% and reduced the standard measure of inequality (Gini coefficient) by 4%. Such "equivalency" adjustments would mute unadjusted inequality trends even more.

The supposed decline of the poor and middle class is exaggerated even more by the dynamics of population growth. When people look at the "poor" in any two years, they think they're looking at the same people. That's rarely true, especially over longer periods of time. Since 1998, the U.S. population has increased by over 20 million. Nearly half of that growth has come from immigration, legal and illegal. Overwhelmingly, these immigrants enter at the lowest rungs on the income ladder. Statistically, this immigrant surge not only reduces the income of the "average" household, but also changes the occupants of the lowest income classes.

To understand what's happening here, envision a line of people queued up for March Madness tickets. Individuals move up the line as tickets are purchased. But new people keep coming. So the line never gets shorter, even though individuals are advancing. Something similar happens with the distribution of income. People keep entering the distribution line from the bottom. Even though individuals are moving up the line, the middle of the line never seems to move. Hence, an unchanged -- or even receding -- median marker could co-exist with individual advancement. The people who were at the middle marker before have moved up the distribution line. This is the kind of income mobility that has long characterized U.S. income dynamics.

When you look at the really big picture, it's apparent that living standards are rising across the entire spectrum of incomes. Just since 2000, GDP has risen by 18% while the population has grown by 6%. So per capita incomes have clearly been rising. The growth of per capita income since 1980 or 1970 has simply been spectacular.

Some people would have you believe that all of this added income was funneled to the rich. But the math doesn't work out. The increase in nominal GDP since 2000 amounts to over $4 trillion annually. If you assume that all that money went to the wealthiest 10% of U.S. households, that bonanza would come to a whopping $350,000 per household. Yet according to the Census Bureau, the top 10% of households has an average income of $200,000 or so. The implied bonanza is so absurd that the notion that only the rich have gained from the economic growth can be dismissed out of hand.

More here

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 06:09:00 AM

NY Woman Jailed for Sexually Abusing Girl, 12

(Fort Ann, New York) Earlier this month, a 50-year-old Whitehall woman, Gloria A. Shovah, was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl.

It's reported that Shovah sexually abused the girl for a period of six months, however, it's not known how the alleged offenses became known to the authorities.

Shovah was booked into custody at the Washington County Jail with bail set at $100,000.

Tip: SE
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 05:33:00 AM

Florida Teacher and Middle School Boy

(Tampa, Florida) A 28-year-old Hillsborough County middle school teacher, Stephanie Marie Ragusa, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old middle school student.

An investigation showed that Ragusa had sex with a student five times while working as a teacher at Davidsen Middle School. Deputies say the incidents began when the student was 14-years-old and continued until after his 15th birthday.

Officials say the victim was never a student of Ragusa and had met her while on the school campus.

Ragusa was charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious battery and booked into custody at the Orient Road Jail without bail. A bond hearing is scheduled for today.


[Update 5 PM]

Stephanie Ragusa was denied bond.

Also, Ragusa reportedly had five sexual encounters with the boy -- one in her own apartment.


[Update 04/16/08]

Stephanie Ragusa was arrested again yesterday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a second male student, 15. Ragusa faces new counts of sex with a minor and lewd and lascivious battery

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter, the second victim was identified from text messages on Ragusa's cell phone.

Ragusa and the teen's relationship started Feb. 15, 2007, when they had sex at Ragusa's former home on Fox Terrier Court in Tampa, investigators said.

From then until March 10 this year — three days before Ragusa's first arrest — she and the teen had sex more than 20 times, Carter said.

Ragusa also is accused of buying the teen alcohol during their relationship, investigators said.

The teen identified Ragusa by describing her tattoos, which could only be seen if she was undressed, Carter said.

Ragusa was released from custody on $22,500 bail. She has been suspended from her teaching position.


[Update 04/28/08]

For the third time in six weeks, Stephanie Ragusa has been arrested for engaging in sex with a male student.

Detectives say Ragusa was arrested again today on two new charges, after she was caught having sex with one of the same former students early this afternoon. They believe she also had sex with the student back on April 5th.

“I can assure you that we are doing everything we can do right now to make sure that she not out at liberty to do this again,” said Lt. Fred Asteasuainzarra, a detective with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Ragusa was all smiles as deputies brought her out of the Criminal Investigations Bureau for transport to the Orient Road Jail. Investigators say she refused to answer questions about the case.

It would probably be prudent to keep her in jail until trial.


[Update 05/08/08]

Judge released a transcript of a March 12 telephone conversation between Ragusa and a 14-year-old boy when she told him to keep quiet and compared herself to Debra Lafave.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 12:50:00 AM

Muslim Terror Plot on Chinese Plane

(Beijing, China) Chinese authorities prevented a 19-year-old Muslim woman from blowing up an airline flight to Beijing by foiling her plan to ignite soda drink cans of gasoline.

As a result, tighter airport security measures, such as increased hand baggage checks and a no-liquids-allowed policy, will be implemented.

The woman intended to explode the petrol bombs in the toilet of a China Southern Airlines flight from Urumqi city in the country's far northwestern region of Xinjiang, Chinese state press reports said.

Chinese authorities have refused to disclose details about the alleged terrorist threat, leading to questions from rights groups about whether there really was a major attack planned.

Some rights groups have alleged that authorities are trying to raise alarm about terrorist attacks from its Muslim-populated Xinjiang region so they have an excuse to silence all forms of dissent against Chinese rule.

Frankly, I don't believe the ChiComs are very concerned about having an excuse to stifle dissent.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 12:14:00 AM

California Woman and Boy

(Vacaville, California) A 37-year-old local woman, Janice Marie Niccoli, was arrested this past week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy.

Niccoli reportedly met the boy while working as a "team mother" for a private athletic club basketball team. Authorities began investigating after patrol officers received a tip regarding the relationship.

She faces two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than 10 years younger.

Niccoli was booked into custody at the Solano County Jail.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy


[Update 03/29/08]

From TheReporter.com:

On Friday, the DA's Office filed a notice of intention not to prosecute in the case of 37-year-old Janice Marie Niccoli of Vacaville during a brief hearing before Solano County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara James.

The action does not constitute an outright dismissal, and charges could be refiled at a later date if subsequent investigation reveals possible criminal conduct.

Your guess is as good as mine. The DA probably lacked sufficient evidence. Or maybe it was a case of preemptive legal maneuvering, letting Niccoli know that she was engaging in too cozy of a relationship with the boy.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/14/2008 12:06:00 AM

Gitmo Detainee Claims Torture

(Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba) At a hearing before tribunal judge Col. Ralph Kohlmann, USMC, terrorist suspect Mohammed Jawad protested the proceedings as unfair and illegal while loudly claiming he has been tortured.

"I am innocent, I want justice and fairness," said Jawad, who spoke through a Pashto translator and asked the judge whether journalists could hear his statements. "Since I was arrested I've been treated unfairly. I have been tortured. I am a human being."

The only specifics he offered were that he's had a "bleeding lip" for more than a year and he said he suffers from constant headaches from the bright lights in his prison cell.

Well, boo-freakin'-hoo!

Jawad is accused of tossing a grenade into a vehicle and wounding two U.S. soldiers. He is charged with attempted murder and faces life in prison, if convicted.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2008 11:55:00 PM

Nicaragua - Iran's Central American Foothold

(Managua, Nicaragua) Nicaraguan Energy Minister Emilio Rappaccioli announced today that Iran will build a $230 million hydroelectric dam and power plant on the Tuma River in northern Nicaragua. The project will be financed by the Export Development Bank of Iran.

The dam is one of many joint Iranian-Nicaraguan projects to result from agreements between President Daniel Ortega and Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian last year.

Under the Iran-Nicaragua pact, Iran will fund a farm equipment assembly plant, 4,000 tractors, four hydroelectric plants, five milk-processing plants, a health clinic, 10,000 houses and two piers in the western port of Corinto. In exchange Nicaragua will export coffee, meat and bananas to Iran.

It's worth noting that Nicaragua is also known as an illegal drugs and arms transshipment country. Iran's interest in those attributes wasn't disclosed.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2008 08:49:00 AM

Iran's Eliot Spitzer

"Tehran's police chief, Reza Zarei, has been arrested after he was found nude in a local brothel with six naked prostitutes, according to report on the Iranian Farda News. Farda News is a website said to be close to the mayor of Tehran and former chief of the police forces, Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf.

Following the raid, Zarei stepped down from his post as police chief. The news of his arrest however was not reported by any official Iranian news agency. According to a popular Iranian website Gooya, the order to raid the brothel was given directly by Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, chief of the judicial authorities. Before he was arrested, Zarei was in charge of the programme for the 'moralisation of the city'."


More here:

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2008 06:07:00 AM

Teacher Accused of Naughtiness with Boy Who Killed Self

(Edmonton, Alberta) A married, drama and French teacher at Georges P. Vanier High School in Donnelly, Alta., Lori-Lee Simard, faces multiple charges in an internal Alberta Teachers' Association hearing related to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a male student who later killed himself.

The alleged relationship with valedictorian candidate Riley Aubin occurred between September 2005 and April 2006. Aubin died on April 9, 2006, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Simard was suspended from her teaching position in July 2006.

This week, Simard's lawyer Brad Minuk entered pleas on her behalf to charges filed under the Teaching Profession Act. Apparently Simard was unavailable due to a prior commitment. One guilty plea and five not guilty pleas were entered.

The three-member Teacher's Association professional conduct committee may revoke Simard's teaching certification. It's not known if criminal charges are being considered.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy


[Update 03/17/08]

From Canada.com:

Lori-Lee Simard, who is in her late 30s, has pleaded not guilty to five charges under the Teaching Profession Act.

The charges allege she was romantically and sexually involved with 18-year-old Riley Aubin, that she let him sleep at her home without parental permission, and that she directed a student to lie about his involvement with her.

After testimony Friday from Riley Aubin's mother, Simard and her husband Alain spoke briefly to reporters.

"I deeply, I deeply, regret what has happened and my heart goes out to the Aubin family," Simard said.

It doesn't appear that Lori-Lee accepts any responsibility for the circumstances that led to the death of young Riley Aubin.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/13/2008 12:22:00 AM

Eco-Terrorists Indicted for MSU Arson

(East Lansing, Michigan) Four people tied to the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) have been charged for alleged domestic terrorism in the December 1999 million-dollar arson of Agriculture Hall at Michigan State University.


MSU Agriculture Hall
Marie Jeanette Mason, 46, Frank Brian Ambrose, 33, Aren Bernard Burthwick, 27, and Stephanie Lynne Fultz, 27, were all indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit arson, punishable by five to 20 years in prison. Mason and Ambrose also face two additional arson charges carrying a possible 40-year prison term.

MSU police and the FBI traveled "to more than 10 states and from coast to coast in the United States," to solve the case, MSU Police Chief James Dunlap said. However, authorities declined to say what happened recently that led to the arrests.

According to court documents, Mason and Ambrose attacked Agriculture Hall on December 31, 1999, one day after the four environmentalists met and plotted.

The two opened file cabinets, dousing papers with gasoline. They also poured gas on computers, files and the floor. Mason used black spray paint to write "No GMO" on the wall, short for "No Genetically Modified Organisms," according to the indictment.

Ambrose lit a crude fuse, which ignited gasoline fumes -- and Mason's hair. The two fled the building as it began to burn.

As fire crews from three jurisdictions battled the blaze, the pair drove back to Empire, where they met up with Burthwick and Fultz. Fultz, whose maiden name at the time was Dzagulones, cut Mason's shoulder-length hair.

The next day, the four defendants, along with an unidentified accomplice, drove to Mesick, where they torched a John Deere Hydro-Ax Shear and a commercial flatbed trailer on the side of the road, according to the indictment.

Using black spray paint, Dzagulones painted the letters "ELF" and the words "Log in Hell" and "Go Log in Hell" on the flat-bed trailer, authorities allege. That fire caused nearly $18,000 in damage.

ELF claimed responsibility for the MSU attack and said it was because of research on genetically engineered crops.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2008 04:08:00 PM

Appropriate?

Regarding Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation, I mentioned to my teenage son that the governor of New York is now a blind, black man. Not missing a beat, he asked, "Does he sing the blues?"
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/12/2008 08:55:00 AM

More spitting on Spitzer

Yet Another Reason For Outrage Over Spitzer

Post below lifted from Riehl World. See the original for links

So, I'm thinking, how could a guy frequenting high end call girls allegedly for years lead the prosecution of the very same type of service as recently as 2004? It turns out it wasn't the same at all. From the New York Times circa 2004:

In most instances, customers paid $250 for sex, sometimes using credit cards. The transactions, officials said, were processed through merchant accounts held by escort services or limousine companies, and in one instance a company that hired musical bands for weddings.

Two-hundred and fifty bucks couldn't get you a drink with one of Spitzer's gals - the least expensive of which appears to have been somewhere around a grand an hour. So much for Democrats looking after the middle class. You might say in Spitzer's case, he had no regard for the working stiff at all.

***************************


A thought from a reader: "My wife is a former director of a hospital. She came up with an interesting diagnosis about Spitzer's conduct. It is possible he has lost his inibitions because of brain disease. One possibility is a brain tumor another is Pick's disease. Pick's disease affect the frontal lobe in the brain, the area thart keeps you well behaved. She knows of a fellow who squandered a large fortune on prostitutes before he died of Pick's. I'm not justifying Spitzer's behavior but maybe he needs his brain scanned"


Spitzer had to pay heaps for sex: "With pressure mounting on New York Governor Eliot Spitzer to resign over a call-girl scandal, investigators said he was clearly a repeat customer who spent tens of thousands of dollars with the high-priced prostitution service over an extended period of time. Yesterday, when the scandal broke, prosecutors said in court papers that Spitzer, who was known by the call-girl service as "Client Nine", had been caught on a wiretap spending $US4300 with the Emperors Club VIP call-girl service, with some of the money going toward a night with a prostitute named Kristen, and the rest as credit toward future trysts. The papers also suggested that Spitzer had done this before. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a law enforcement official said that Spitzer, in fact, had spent tens of thousands of dollars with the Emperors Club. Another official said the amount could be as high as $US80,000 ($A86,000), but it was not clear over what period of time that was spent."


Spitzer acted in character: "Many in the media refer to Eliot Spitzer as some moral hero who fell from grace. Spitzer was never a moral hero. He was an unscrupulous prosecutor who threw his power around to ruin people, even when he didn't have any case with which to convict them of anything. Because he was using his overbearing power against businesses, the anti-business left idolized him, just as they idolized Ralph Nader before him as some sort of secular saint because he attacked General Motors. What Eliot Spitzer did was not out of character. It was completely in character for someone with the hubris that comes with the ability to misuse his power to make or break innocent people."


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2008 06:55:00 PM

Teacher Accused of Sexually Abusing and Piercing Students - Updated

[Scroll for update]

[4/23/06 entry]
(McHenry, Illinois) A 32-year-old special education teacher at McHenry West High School, Laura Sieradzki, has been accused of having sex with a 17-year-old male student and piercing two female students' bodies in an "inappropriate area." I'm guessing it wasn't the cafeteria.

According to McHenry County Sheriff's Lt. Don Carlson, the investigation of Sieradzki was launched after a review of suspicious emails on the school's computer. Sieradzki faces specific charges of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual assault, two counts of piercing the body of a minor, and three counts of providing alcohol to a minor.

Sieradzki has been placed on administrative leave from her teaching position.


[Update 03/11/08]

In some sort of convoluted ruling, 34-year-old Laura Sieradzki has been sentenced.

Laura Sieradzki, 34, was sentenced to two years of probation in exchange for her guilty plea to criminal sexual abuse in a deal her attorney called "a reasonable resolution balancing the facts."

The former teacher also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for piercing another female student in what police called an inappropriate area about two weeks prior to the party. Her sentence on that case coincides with her sentence on the sex-abuse charge.

As part of the plea agreement, Judge Sharon Prather also imposed a 180-day jail sentence on Sieradzki, which she will have to serve only if she violates her probation. Sieradzki also was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, make a $200 donation to the Child Advocacy Center and a $100 donation to CrimeStoppers.

The former special education teacher was arrested in April 2006, about a month after she had sexual contact in a car with a 17-year-old student who was days away from his 18th birthday. The victim was a student at Sieradzki's school but not a student in her classroom.

"The victim was four days away from his 18th birthday, which would have made it not a crime," said Sieradzki's attorney, Mary Cay Marubio.

The age of 17 is typically the age of consent in Illinois, but Sieradzki was still charged with abusing a 17-year-old because she was in a position of authority as a teacher.

So, Sieradzki gets reduced charges and no jail but must pay fines. However, she will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and loses her teaching license for 50 years. In any event, nowhere is it mentioned what is meant by piercing in an "inappropriate area" nor how Sieradzki had access to the area.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2008 05:53:00 PM

Virginia Bill Says French-Kissing Kids Illegal

(Richmond, Virginia) This seems odd.

Virginia state lawmakers have passed a bill that would require any adult who French kisses a child younger than 13 to register as a sex offender.

The measure would make tongue-kissing a child a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

While believing that tongue-kissing of children is a form of sexual assault, I question the need for a specific law. Is French-kissing of children occurring with wide-ranging frequency? If so, I haven't read those specific reports.

I'd guess that enforcement of the law would be in association with some other offense unless there are adult-child kissing sessions to be monitored by French-kissing police.

From another perspective, isn't it interesting that a former President of the United States argued that oral sex is not sex, an idea that has unfortunately resonated with youngsters, and now Virginia lawmakers are arguing that French-kissing is sex, and illegal sex if done with a child?

All the while, some people wonder why kids are confused.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2008 04:33:00 PM

Housekeeping

As the owner of Interested-Participant, I must make it clear that ad hominem attacks against me or my contributors will not be allowed in comments. Be it known that if you desire to say vicious personal remarks, Interested-Participant is not your venue.

Comments regarding the opinions expressed on Interested-Participant are encouraged as are disputes concerning facts cited. But the first whiff of "your mother wears combat boots" comments directed toward me, Chad Evans or John Ray will result in deletion of the comments.

By the way, if commenters have a personal complaint against this blog's writers and desire to "play the dozens," by all means, create your own blog to document your hatred.

One other thing, it's difficult to even consider any argument you may possess when you continually post comments as "anonymous."
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2008 02:26:00 PM

Twisted Honor

(Israel) A young Israeli Arab man was arrested for attempting to murder his sister to preserve family honor.

According to the 24-year-old attacker's own testimony, proudly given to police and rescue personnel that he himself called, he shot his sister twice in the head and then repeatedly kicked all parts of her body. Believing the girl to be dead, the young man went to report the deed to his family, which warmly congratulated him for preserving their honor in the context of Islamic law.

Meanwhile, the girl was rushed to an area hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She remains in unstable and serious condition.

The girl's crime, according to her brother and would-be killer, was that she had "befriended" other men following her divorce.

So, the family celebrated because they thought she was dead. I'd guess that they'll try again. Heh.

Another source indicates that the 24-year-old, Rashad Abu-Ganem, reached a plea deal in the attempted murder of his sister. Punishment wasn't disclosed.

In the past six years, eight women from the Abu-Ganem family were murdered, all in the context of 'honor killings.'

Sick.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/11/2008 08:54:00 AM

Spit on Spitzer



Another Leftist hypocrite: "For years, he was the scourge of the Masters of the Universe and the Sheriff of Wall Street. Now he's a joke. Legions of Wall Street's bankers, traders and investors relished the dark clouds enveloping New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been tied to a prostitution ring, The New York Times reported. The Times reported that Spitzer was caught on a federal wire-tap arranging to meet a $US1000-an-hour prostitute at a Washington hotel last month. Spitzer, a Democrat, rose to political stardom while state attorney-general through high-profile investigations into improper business practices by major Wall Street firms. Though his signature issue was pursuing Wall Street's misdeeds, as attorney-general Spitzer also prosecuted at least two prostitution rings when he ran the state's organised crime task force, The New York Times said. The paper said Spitzer "spoke with revulsion and anger" in 2004 after announcing the arrest of 16 people for running what the paper termed a high-end prostitution ring in Staten Island. Spitzer, who is the father of three children, was extolled for his virtues and unyielding focus on corporate malfeasance." [Betsy Newmark has some acerbic comments]

A nasty guy gets his deserts: "One might call it Shakespearian if there were a shred of nobleness in the story of Eliot Spitzer's fall. There is none. Governor Spitzer, who made his career by specializing in not just the prosecution, but the ruin, of other men, is himself almost certainly ruined."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2008 01:05:00 PM

Gunshot to Caboose for Hair Complaint

(Washington, Pennsylvania) A 38-year-old hairstylist, Monique Reed, has been arrested for allegedly shooting a customer in the butt for complaining about her haircut.

Reed was charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment for shooting 28-year-old Lauren Newton in the "small of her back, near her buttocks."

Police say Reed went to a bedroom, got a gun, and fired a shot into the ceiling. Officers say Reed then shot Newton, who was trying to flee with her sister. Police say Newton is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Now, let's face it, there's good and bad here. Despite the possibility of experiencing the absolute joy of shooting complainers in the ass, as a business philosophy it would tend to affect the number of repeat customers.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2008 10:29:00 AM

Sick Blogging

Hello, readers. I'm blogging from my sick bed after a mishap during the "Big Storm." I'll do what I can.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/10/2008 08:46:00 AM

Reply to Brayton

I don't have any strong objections to Brayton's recent attack on my writings. He presents a set of fairly reasonable excerpts from my various notes about the similarities between Obama and the Fascists of the 1930s. I am glad that he has exposed my contentions to his Leftist audience. Some intelligent Clintonista (if there is one) might note them and use them! I am pretty sure no Clintonistas read this blog!

Brayton thinks it is self-evident that my comparison is absurd -- and he would not be alone in that: Fascists are nasty and evil and Obama is nice. Sadly, the Leftist control of the education system has almost completely blanked out how Hitler was seen in his time. I guess it is hard for a survivor of a modern education to accept but Hitler too was seen as "nice" in his day -- as a caring father figure for all Germans in fact. He was even seen as devoted to peace! I include some documentation of that in my monograph on Hitler.

And Obama and the Fascists have lots of policy in common too -- government control of just about everything, in fact. And I pointed out recently on my Obama blog that Obama is not at all averse to military adventures abroad.

And the public adulation Obama receives is eerily reminiscent of how Hitler was received by vast numbers of Germans. But you have to know history to realize that.

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/09/2008 08:47:00 AM

An interesting piece of research

The academic authors of the research managed to twist something derogatory to conservatives out of it but see what you think:

Dr Wilson and Dr Storm restricted their study to white, Protestant teenagers, in order to eliminate confounding variables. However, their volunteers came from two different traditions-Pentecostal, which tends to the conservative, and Episcopalian, which tends to the liberal. The researchers conducted the study by giving each volunteer a beeper that went off every two hours or so. When it beeped, the volunteer answered a questionnaire about what he was doing at that moment, and how he felt about it.

Dr Wilson and Dr Storm found several unexpected differences between the groups. Liberal teenagers always felt more stress than conservatives, but were particularly stressed if they could not decide for themselves whom they spent time with. Such choice, or the lack of it, did not change conservative stress levels. Liberals were also loners, spending a quarter of their time on their own. Conservatives were alone for a sixth of the time. That may have been related to the fact that liberals were equally bored by their own company and that of others. Conservatives were far less bored when with other people. They also preferred the company of relatives to non-relatives. Liberals were indifferent. Perhaps most intriguingly, the more religious a liberal teenager claimed to be, the more he was willing to confront his parents with dissenting beliefs. The opposite was true for conservatives.

More here

Conservatives are happier: Check. Conservatives like people more: Check. Leftists are misfits: Check. Conservatives are more family-oriented: Check. Leftists are more disagreeable: Check

As Marginal Revolution notes, one of the authors above blogs on the Puffington Host. And does he huff and puff! It's marvellous what you can see in your data when you want to.

As far as I can ascertain, the research concerned has not been published in the academic journals and is based on an M.A. dissertation only. Quality stuff!


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2008 09:03:00 PM

Killer Vampire Lesbians Get Life in Prison

(Perth, Australia) Two young lesbians, Valerie Paige Parashumti, 19, and Jessica Ellen Stasinowsky, 21, pleaded guilty to the December 2006 murder of 16-year-old runaway Stacey Mitchell and were sentenced in the West Australian Supreme Court to life in prison.

Parashumti and Stasinowsky reportedly believe in vampires and they become sexually aroused by violence and bloodshed.


Parashumti -- Stasinowsky
Mitchell allegedly sparked the violence when Stasinowsky became jealous of the attention given to Parashumti.

Feeling the need to prove that Stacey meant nothing to her, Parashumti devised the murder plot, with Stasinowsky her partner.

On the day of her death Stacey joined in a drinking session with the lesbians. But her glass had been spiked with a sleeping tablet.

As Bach's St John's Passion was playing throughout the house, Parashumti began raining blows on the teenager. When Parashumti complained she was taking too long to die, Stasinowsky wrapped a chain around her neck to strangle her.

Much of the incident was captured on a mobile phone video in which the lovers could be heard mocking Stacey's English accent.

The lesbians spent 45 minutes raining blows with a concrete block and strangling with a chain before Mitchell died. After celebrating with a kiss, Mitchell's dead body was dumped upside down into a garbage bin. The body was found by police several days later.

During their trial, Parashumti and Stasinowsky laughed and smirked as the ugly details of the case were presented, prompting Justice Peter Blaxell to remark:

"You have each had more than a year in custody to reflect upon the evilness of your crime, yet you still lack remorse and obviously place no value on the sanctity of human life.

"There is also the added problem that you each enjoy being sexually aroused by the infliction of violence."

Defense lawyers indicated that the two lesbians had an association with the vampire sub-culture that enjoys drinking their own and other people's blood.

Tip: slwlion

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2008 09:04:00 AM

Ohio Snowstorm - Northeast Report

[From Cleveland, Akron, Ashtabula broadcast media]

9:00 AM - Being called the "Big Snow Storm" and the March Snowstorm '08.

Snow continues to fall. Winter storm warning in effect until 4AM Sunday. The storm front on radar generally follows the Ohio-Penn state line from north to south. East of the front is sleet and rain.

Hopkins Airport is open. Many flights delayed or canceled due to problems at other airports.

Scores of snowplows on the roads. Major roads being cleared by "ganged" plows of as many as five. Blowing snow causing poor visibility. Authorities telling everyone to stay off the roads.

Northeast Ohio is largely shut down. Virtually all schools, many churches, libraries, fitness & dance centers, museums and community events closed or canceled. Euclid Hunger Center closed. Lodi Outlets in Medina County closed. Thistledown closed. Northeast Ohio E-Check centers closed. American Red Cross - Cleveland is closed. Any establishment that is open or operating is delayed or slow.

Reported overnight snowfall totals range from 10" to 15" with more in Eastern snowbelt areas. An additional 5" to 10" is expected. Winds reported from 12 to 22 MPH, gusting higher. Temperatures reported in the 20s. Forecast high 26 degrees.

Ashtabula still has an estimated 3,000 people without power due to downed lines and transformer problems from last Tuesday's ice storm.

Parking bans issued throughout region.

Anecdotally, cheerleaders from Warren traveled for two hours in a Hummer to get to a scheduled competition at the Cleveland Convention Center. Cleveland Cavs game at Quicken Arena still on for today. Don't forget to spring forward your clocks tonight.

I'll update as necessary.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2008 08:51:00 AM

WV Woman Pinched for Sex with Boy

(Fairmont, West Virginia) A 31-year-old woman, Rachel Dawn Watkins, was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's deputies on Wednesday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. Watkins has been charged with third-degree sexual assault.

Reportedly, Watkins admitted to having sex with the boy on two occasions in January.

Watkins was booked into custody and released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond set by Marion County Magistrate Cathy Reed-Vanata.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/08/2008 07:39:00 AM

WHY THERE'S A HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR

"The deliberate murder of eight and the wounding of nine Israeli rabbinical students in Jerusalem only highlights the fact that Hamas is at war with Israel. It is, from Hamas's view, a war that will never end until Israel is exterminated and its citizens killed or expelled. No other analysis is accurate or can explain what is happening.

First, the fact that it is a war must be understood. The Gaza Strip is technically not a state, yet is functioning as one. The Gaza government of the radical Islamist Hamas has declared war on Israel. The war's purpose is not to free Gaza from occupation, nor is it a defensive war in response to Israeli attacks. The goal--openly and daily declared by Hamas in media and speeches, teaching in schools and sermons in mosques--is a long-term campaign to wipe Israel off the map and to kill or expel most of its citizens.

There's a word for this: genocide."

More here

Posted by John Ray. Also, don't forget your handy-dandy summary of Obama news and commentary at OBAMA WATCH
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2008 09:28:00 PM

Florida Woman, Girl, & Chili Peppers

(Melbourne, Florida) A woman, 40, is accused of sexually abusing a girl, 16, with yellow chili peppers.

Heh. I'm guessing it's some sort of deviant form of stimulation practiced by kinky vegetarians.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2008 01:33:00 PM

Educator Steals Student's Lunch Money, Gets Jail

(Oxnard, California) A 37-year-old special education assistant at Camarillo High School, Kristen Rene Santoya, was sentenced this week to 180 days in jail for stealing an autistic 13-year-old female student's lunch money a total of 57 times.

The girl suffers from severe autism and cannot speak so she could not complain, however, her mother, Shawn Spitzer, noticed that the 13-year-old was unusually hungry everyday after school. Spitzer expressed her concerns to school officials who launched an investigation. As a consequence, between September and November 2007, Santoya was caught by surveillance cameras on repeated occasions lifting $5 from the girl's lunch box.

In January, Santoya pleaded guilty to felony petty theft and misdemeanor child cruelty. Ventura County Superior Court Judge James P. Cloninger gave Santoya six months in jail, three years' probation and an order of restitution.

Furthermore, Santoya worked for 12 years as an employee for the Oxnard Unified School District before resigning in November. And, unbeknownst to school officials, she was convicted of grand theft in 2001 which typically would prompt a review of her employment suitability. It didn't happen.

On a different note, it's worthwhile to mention that Santoya's sentence for stealing a child's lunch money (180 days) is arguably harsher than the sentence imposed on Mary Winkler who killed her husband with a shotgun blast to the back while he was sleeping. Since I refer back to it regularly, it should be obvious that the disposition of the Winkler case continues to bother me.

Like a box of chocolates, you just don't know what you're going to get out of the U.S. justice system.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2008 12:01:00 PM

California Molestation Case Concludes

(Orange County, California) In December 2007, a 28-year-old woman, Sheila Marie Sikat, was found guilty by a jury on 55 child molestation charges in a case resulting from the discovery of a trunk full of child pornography movies filmed by Sikat.

Over 200 videotapes taken by Sikat showed her husband, David Hwang, repeatedly molesting several young girls, including Sikat's 4-year-old niece.

Yesterday, Sikat was sentenced to 50 years in prison. David Shoutyh Hwang, 36, was sentenced in October 2007 to 50 years in prison on 60 child molestation charges.

Sikat and Hwang were arrested in 2003 after a housekeeper discovered some of the videotapes while the Rancho Santa Margarita couple were honeymooning. Investigators found a locked wooden trunk they dubbed a "little chest of horrors" in the couple's bedroom closet; it contained 212 videotapes.

The tapes show Hwang molesting girls, some with Sikat in Orange County, others in earlier years with a former girlfriend. Sikat's niece is seen in four of the tapes. She was molested five times at the couple's home in early 2001, producing the four-hour tape that became the primary piece of evidence against the couple.

Jurors continue to be haunted by the images in the videotapes.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/07/2008 07:46:00 AM

Louisiana logic: CUTTING prices is "price fixing"??

" A group of crawfish farmers says it will ask the state Attorney General's Office to investigate allegations that big seafood wholesalers are working together to keep down prices at the dock. Crawfish farmers are complaining of wholesale prices dropping from more than $2 per pound to $1 per pound in the past month.

The Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association voted at a meeting Tuesday to suspend fishing for two days a week in an effort to raise the price by limiting supply. Association Director Stephen Minvielle said Wednesday that he is gathering information on alleged illegal price fixing to submit to the state Attorney General's Office. He named no processors, but cites as evidence a series of price drops for crawfish that occurred across the state on the same day by the same amount."

More here:

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 11:36:00 PM

UC Davis Student Arrested on Explosives Charges

(Davis, California) Turned in by a fellow student, 19-year-old UC Davis freshman Mark Christopher Woods was arrested by campus police yesterday evening on charges of suspicion of making and possessing explosives.

According to UC Davis spokeswoman Lisa Lapin:

Campus police went to Woods' room on the third floor of Tercero Residence Halls about 9 p.m. Wednesday after a neighboring student reported that there might be explosives inside, Lapin said.

After investigators found the makings of at least two pipe bombs, she said, they took Woods into custody and evacuated 455 students from the dorm and six surrounding buildings on the west side of the main campus, near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Highway 113.

Overnight, investigators -- regional bomb squads and agents of the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- descended on the dorm room.

This morning, federal investigators said explosives could be removed from the room, and students were expected to be allowed back into the dorm later today, Lapin said.

Woods is an economics major who has been described as liking to experiment but with no intentions of injuring anyone. Uh, famous last words.

Mark Christopher Woods was booked into custody with preparations made for his transfer to the Yolo County Jail. He has been suspended from the school.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 10:14:00 PM

Filthy Iranian Trickery

From the theocratic, religion of peace government of Iran comes this disgusting stunt.

The Iranian government has presented an Iranian-American journalist working for an American-funded radio station with a choice between her 95-year-old mother and prison.

Over the weekend, a revolutionary court in Tehran sentenced the journalist Parnaz Azima to a year in prison for spreading "anti-state propaganda." If Ms. Azima, who is both an American and Iranian citizen, does not serve her sentence, the state will seize the home of her 95-year-old mother.

"This is a filthy trick they have done," Ms. Azima said in an interview by telephone from Prague, where she works for the Persian-language Radio Farda. "This is what they do with most people like me." She explained that the sentence meted out in absentia on March 1 was really a gambit to get her to quit her job with Radio Farda. She said similar tactics have been used against other intellectuals and journalists in Iran.

To be fair, using persecution of family members to leverage compliance from a targeted individual is employed regularly by authoritarian regimes. As such, it's not surprising. However, that doesn't make the tactic any less despicable.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 05:04:00 PM

Jabba the Hammerhead Caught

Imagine reeling this monster in.


From TampsBays10.com:

Palm Beach County, Florida - A hammerhead shark measuring more than 13 feet and weighing more than a thousand pounds was caught Wednesday off Singer Island, that's in Palm Beach County. The fisherman who caught the shark says when they tried to weigh it the scale stopped working at 1,038 pounds.

The man who caught the shark, Fritz Van Der Grift says he never intended to kill the shark, he says he just wanted to get a few pictures. But the creature was injured in the fight and became exhausted and drowned.

That's a trophy, for sure. Remind you of anybody?
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 01:21:00 PM

World's Smallest Revolver

From the SwissMiniGun Company comes the world's smallest revolver and rim fire ammunition. The pistol length is no more than 5.5 centimeters (2.17 inches) and it uses 2.34 mm (.09 caliber) ammunition.


SwissMiniGun
The weapon is made to order in steel or gold-plated and goes for more than $6,000 (6,500 Swiss Francs) to start. Basic package includes 24 live and 24 blank cartridges and a cleaning kit. Additional live cartridges available for about $10 each.

According to the company's website, the miniature revolver cannot be imported to the U.S., however, it can be imported to Canada because it's deemed a non-firearm. Bullet discharge velocity is less than 400 feet per second and it weighs less than two grains (about one-eighth gram).
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 07:37:00 AM

Some hope for Britain?

There's a brilliant British video HERE about Islam. There is still SOME straight talk left in Britain.


British grit still exists: "War hero Captain Bernie Bambury's leg was torn off in an 80mph toboggan crash - and he did not even realise it was missing. Bernie, 32, COMPLETED the famous Cresta Run, then asked: "Is my ankle broken?" He was told: "It's not broken, it's gone." The dashing Army officer survived six months in Iraq unscathed, only to suffer the horrific accident in St Moritz, Switzerland. Swiss microsurgeons sewed the limb back on. But after nine operations they told Bernie it would be two years before he could walk - and he might never regain full mobility. So the tough soldier from the 4th Battalion The Rifles ordered astonished medics: "Cut it off." Yesterday he was fitted with a false leg and hopes to be back leading his men within a year. He told The Sun: "Amputation gave the best prospects for the rest of my life and the swiftest return to duty." Bernie, based at Bulford, Wilts, tackled the fearsome Cresta Run - nearly a mile of solid ice - at an Army tobogganing event in January. His right foot hit a marker post and the leg, severed below the knee, was recovered hundreds of yards up the course after he crossed the finish."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 12:22:00 AM

Toledo Terror Trial Begins

(Toledo, Ohio) The trial of three Toledoans charged with planning attacks against U.S. military personnel is finally underway.

In February 2006, Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman El-Hindi, and Wassim I. Mazloum were accused of conspiring to kill or maim persons in and out of the United States, including U.S. Forces personnel.


Amawi, El-Hindi, Mazloum
Jury selection began on Tuesday. The trial is expected to last three months.

Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman El-Hindi and Wassim I. Mazloum have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to kill or maim people outside the United States.

Two Chicago-area cousins also are accused of taking part and are scheduled to face trial a year from now.

The five allegedly sought recruits and sites for training in firearms, hand-to-hand combat and the use of explosives, according to a federal indictment.

They also are accused of agreeing to raise funds for training and of downloading Internet information on improvised explosive devices.

The U.S. veteran, a Muslim identified in court documents only as "the trainer," taught the three others how to shoot guns and assemble explosives, the government says.

If convicted, they each face life in prison.

Also following:
Central Ohioans Against Terrorism
The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/06/2008 12:12:00 AM

Youths Kidnap and Torture Jewish Teen

(Suburban Paris, France) On February 22, French youths attacked and kidnapped 19-year-old Mathieu Roumi while the Jewish teen was walking through his neighborhood in Bagneux, a suburb of Paris.

Bagneux is noted as the site of the brutal murder of storekeeper Ilan Halimi in 2006 by a gang of youths who called themselves the "Barbarians."

Roumi was beaten and dragged into a dark basement.

For two hours the attackers tortured the young man. One shoved cigarette butts into his mouth, another took issue with Roumi's Jewish origin, grabbed correction fluid and scrawled "dirty Jew" on his forehead. The six men proceeded to scream at him and threaten that he would die the way Halimi did. [ ... ]

"We admire Youssouf Fofana!" they shouted at him, referring to the leader of the gang that murdered Halimi. Fofana and 29 other suspects are on trial for abduction, torture and murder. If convicted, they can expect a life sentence.

Roumi's life was spared because one of the assailants, who owned the basement space, had to leave and take the key with him. Roumi was set free and returned home, battered and broken. When he got to his parent's home, they sent him immediately for a medical examination.

The next day Roumi went to the police. In a matter of hours, the six assailants were arrested. Most are in their 20s, two come from Muslim homes, two are "fully" French, and another two are African and Portuguese immigrants.

With brutal and sometimes deadly attacks occurring in mixed immigrant neighborhoods, French Jews live in a perpetual state of fear. Virulent anti-Semitism is a fact of life in France.

Tip: Woman Honor Thyself
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 07:35:00 PM

Marijuana Mom with Baby Chased by Police

(Muncie, Indiana) A 20-year-old local mother, Janelle McComas, led Muncie police Officer Larry Robbins on a chase while she had her 18-month-old daughter in the car.

Police said the driver of that car, Janelle McComas (pictured), 20, sped up from 40 to 55 mph, prompting Robbins to turn on his lights and siren.

"He went to stop her and she drove on another five, six blocks before she actually stopped," said Muncie police Sgt. Linda Cook. "When she stopped ... she threw a bag of what later tested to be marijuana out the passenger window."

After stopping, McComas was arrested. According to Sgt. Cook, it appeared that McComas was more concerned about disposing the marijuana than the safety of her daughter. The child was subsequently placed with Child Protective Services.

McComas faces charges of child neglect, drug possession and reckless driving. She was booked into custody at the Delaware County Jail with bond set at $20,000.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 05:28:00 PM

Teresa Engelbach Sentenced

See update here.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 04:19:00 PM

Dear American Voter Campaign

The German website Deutsche Welle, in conjunction with LinkTV.org, is promoting a Dear American Voter campaign in which the German people can voice their opinions regarding the 2008 Presidential Election. The campaign seeks videos.

Dear American Voter

The upcoming U.S. election will affect people all over the world, but only Americans will get the chance to vote. Would you like to send American voters a message? Make a video that tells how you would vote, and why. Even better, don't just tell them, show them: How have U.S. policies already changed the place where you live? What about the lives of your friends and family? You may not have your say in the ballot box, but you can still be heard!

Apparently, it's important that American voters learn how the Germans would vote in the 2008 election, if they could.

Frankly, I'm somewhat apprehensive about listening to Germans regarding how to vote. After all, it was German voters that elected Adolph Hitler and we know how that turned out. Agreed, the U.S. has had some real lemons in the White House but none can compare to the genocidal Hitler.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 03:00:00 PM

Wood in Underwear

The environmental crowd must be proud of the recently announced innovation in eco-friendly clothing -- undergarments comprised of wood.

By Nature, which sells organic, recycled, Fair Trade and ethical products, has today announced it's added a new collection to its range -- so-called "sexy ethical lingerie" for men and women that's made from a fibre based on white pine tree clippings.

The novel products are created by French company g=9.8 (the name refers to the earth's acceleration due to gravity) using a textile called Lenpu, which is created by combining the clippings with enzymes. According to g=9.8 designer Sophie Young, the underwear has the "feel of cashmere and the coolness of linen."

I bet it catches fire real good too.

In all honesty, though, I don't think the idea is very new. My underwear has had wood and enzymes in it since I was about 12 years old.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 12:59:00 PM

Deportee Returns, Shoots at Police Officer

(Raleigh, North Carolina) Previously deported illegal alien Hector Hernandez returned to North Carolina and was apprehended for shooting at an off-duty Raleigh Police officer in 2007. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted in federal court.

Besides being a previously deported illegal alien and shooting (attempted murder?) at a police officer, Hernandez was found in possession of a .389 Taurus semi-automatic handgun.

Yesterday, it was announced that Hernandez has been sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan to 33 months in federal prison.

Obviously, I report these stories to demonstrate the futility of deportation when the U.S. border is imaginary.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 12:31:00 PM

Arizona Campus Police Getting Assault Rifles

(Phoenix, Arizona) When warranted, Arizona college campus officers are going to have the firepower needed to take down a heavily-armed perpetrator.

Police departments at Arizona's three universities plan to arm their officers with military-style assault rifles within the next year, officials said Tuesday.

The new rifles would give campus police officers long-range shooting capabilities, allowing them to hit targets at the end of long hallways or atop tall buildings, officials said.

Arizona State University will be the first of the three schools to use the weapons. Officers there will be trained to use the rifles in the next few months, said ASU police spokesman Cmdr. Jim Hardina.

The assault weapons are expected to be valuable in "active shooting" situations in which a SWAT team is unable to respond quickly enough.

On the street, one campus officer was overheard to welcome the new weapons by exclaiming, "Yee-ha! Now I can really blow apart one of them stinkin' college perverts."

Uh, not really. I made that last part up.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 11:22:00 AM

Blinding Lasers Target Cockpits

(Toronto, Canada) According to cases reported in British Columbia and the U.S., lasers targeted at pilots' eyes have caused irreparable damage to retinas. And in Toronto, laser incidents have been occurring with increased frequency.

At least five pilots attempting to land at airports in the GTA have complained to Transport Canada about someone on the ground shining a laser at their planes, penetrating the cockpit window and flashing the pilots in the eye.

Transport Canada's civil aviation reports indicate the incidents are occurring with an increasingly alarming frequency in the GTA and Ontario. Deborah Baxter, a spokesperson with Transport Canada, says there have been 11 incidents reported in Ontario since last March but expects many more have gone unreported.

An airline lobby group spokesman, Steve Lott, suggests that the lasers used are more powerful than the typical laser pointers used in classroom and boardroom presentations.

It's presumed that the authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the laser incidents are actually dry runs conducted by terrorists trying to determine the most deadly combination of device and location. Interestingly, to date there have been no reported prosecutions of individuals involved in the dangerous practice.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/05/2008 07:40:00 AM

Some good satire

Via Taranto



I agree with Kim Morrison that Barack Obama would be a great president. I have hope that he can provide free health insurance for everyone. I have hope that he can bring our soldiers home and make the world a safer place. I have hope that he can protect Americans from poverty by printing more money at the mint.

And, I have hope that he can make me a taller, more attractive, wealthier person, immune to all illnesses. The best part is that all of these will be accomplished at absolutely no cost to me.

Some skeptics would say that he can't do these things because he hasn't had enough leadership experience, foreign policy experience, or government experience. Some would say that Obama can't provide for all our needs without doubling taxes. And, some would say that he hasn't provided one piece of a specific plan to reach these goals.

Well, to those people I ask, "Where is your hope?" All these years I've been creating accomplishments and gathering experience to list on my resume. From now on, I'll just list my hopes and plans. All that work was so unnecessary.

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 04:58:00 PM

Maryland Lures Illegals

Picture this -- lawmakers in the state of Maryland lining up at the illegal alien kissing booth while kicking the state police out of its barracks. Effectively, that is what's happening.

All illegals who may chance upon this post should immediately make travel plans -- destination Maryland. The state wants you and will spend to have you. Tell your amigos. Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba!
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 03:58:00 PM

Once Deported Mexican Returns, Rapes 10-Year-Old

(Dayton, Ohio) Deported in August 2007, a 23-year-old Mexican, Adrian Garcia-Garcia, returned to Ohio a month later and raped a 10-year-old girl.

On February 11, Garcia-Garcia pleaded guilty to rape and importuning a child under 13.

Yesterday, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge A.J. Wagner sentenced Garcia-Garcia to life in prison.

So, would someone please tell me why I shouldn't just laugh when the government says that X thousands of illegal aliens were deported? Any number cited as deported is meaningless if they can just turn around and reenter the U.S.

Just think -- if the U.S. had a secure southern border, that little 10-year-old girl would not have been raped and the American taxpayer would not have to foot the bill to incarcerate Garcia-Garcia for Heaven knows how many years.

Companion post at Diggers Realm.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 12:36:00 PM

Wal-Mart Fixing Prices for Muslims

Say it isn't so. As a consumer with finite resources, I've always been a fan of Wal-Mart because of progenitor Sam's philosophy of keeping prices as low as reasonably achievable.

Reportedly, though, Wal-Mart has strayed from the path laid out by dearly-departed Sam Walton. In Dearborn, Michigan, it seems that the company has fixed prices per an agreement with local Muslim leaders.

Wal-Mart caters to local Islamic needs and desires in product selection and display which can be expected of a prudently-managed enterprise. But for Wal-Mart to bend over and fix prices at the behest of the local Muslim community should furrow the brows of all who believe in free trade. And, for the sake of the legal brain trusts in Bentonville who apparently approved of the agreement, fixing prices is illegal.

Hello, Wal-Mart stockholders! Your company is doing something quite troubling. You may want to convey your concerns to headquarters.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 11:20:00 AM

Blogging While Female

At Right Wing News, John Hawkins posts an engaging set of mini-profiles of several prominent women in the blogosphere.

During interviews, Hawkins prompted Pamela Geller, Michelle Malkin, Rachel Lucas, Amanda Carpenter, and Ericka Anderson to discuss their backgrounds, gender issues and thoughts on what it takes to be a successful blogger.

For bloggers, Hawkins' piece is a must read. For regular visitors to blogs, it's interesting. Take a look.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 07:36:00 AM

SOME CURRENT OBAMOLOGY

Must not mention middle names?

We read:

"Recently, conservative talk show host Bill Cunningham in Cincinnati was raked over the coals for using Barack Obama's middle name "Hussein" in a rally for John McCain. Even McCain himself publicly apologized for this act.

But last December, Maureen Dowd, in her New York Times column talking about Sen. Obama's visit to New York Times headquarters, reminded us that:

"In The Atlantic, Andrew Sullivan lays out what he sees as Obama's "indispensable" capacity to move the country past baby-boom feuds and the world past sectarian and racial divides. "It's November 2008," he imagines. "A young Pakistani Muslim is watching television and sees that this man - Barack Hussein Obama - is the new face of America. In one simple image, America's soft power has been ratcheted up not a notch, but a logarithm." '

Let me get this straight. When Andrew Sullivan and Maureen Dowd mention Sen. Obama's middle name, it is "kosher." When a conservatives mention it, it is slammed by liberal journalists.

But does that mean conservatives can turn the tables on and now call Maureen Down and Andrew Sullivan racists for mentioning his middle name?

Source

Just one Minute says: "Let's just call the Senator from Illinois "He Who Must Not Be Middle-Named".





Obama invents his own facts again

Post below lifted from Taranto. See the original for links

Obama criticized Clinton expressly for failing to read the classified National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's weapons capabilities, a report available at the time of her October 2002 vote authorizing the Iraq war. "She didn't give diplomacy a chance. And to this day, she won't even admit that her vote was a mistake--or even that it was a vote for war," Obama said.

"When it came time to make the most important foreign policy decision of our generation the decision to invade Iraq Senator Clinton got it wrong," Obama said.

He said that Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a fellow Democrat from neighboring West Virginia, had read the intelligence estimate as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and had voted against the war resolution.

Rockefeller, who is now chairman of that committee, endorsed Obama on Friday and campaigned with him on Saturday.

Just one problem: As blogress Clarice Feldman points out, and as the Senate roll-call confirms, Rockefeller voted for the war. We guess it was too good to check!


Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/04/2008 12:22:00 AM

Indiana Teacher Arrested Again for Molestation of Boy - BUMPED

Last Friday (2/29/08), Michelle VanMeter was sentenced. She had previously pleaded guilty in January to two counts of child molesting, one charge of sexual misconduct with a minor, and one charge of sexual battery in two cases involving the sexual assaults and molestation of the boys.

Calling VanMeter's actions intentional and calculated and not an isolated incident of poor judgment, Superior Court Judge Fran Gull sentenced her to 30 years in prison and five years probation upon release.

* * * * *
[Previous entry 11/30/07 bumped]
(Fort Wayne, Indiana) In September 2007, a 35-year-old former teacher at St. Jude Catholic School, Michelle VanMeter, was arrested for engaging in sex with three brothers, one of which is a mentally handicapped and deaf adult and the other two are ages 13 and 15.

Additionally, VanMeter gave birth in June to a child fathered by the 15-year-old, according to DNA testing. VanMeter had access to and sometimes cared for the boys through a close friendship with their mother.

Consequently, VanMeter was charged with three counts of child molesting, three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of sexual battery. Her case is scheduled for trial in February.

Meanwhile, VanMeter has been arrested again for a similar offense with a different child.

Michelle VanMeter, 35, formerly listed in court documents as living on the 2100 block of Vance Avenue but now living in South Bend, was arrested on two new charges of child molesting, one alleging she performed a sex act on a then-12-year-old boy between June 2006 and June 2007 and another charge accusing her of fondling the same boy during the same period.

VanMeter is due in court today.

If the new allegations are true, it means that VanMeter was molesting the 12-year-old boy when she was eight months pregnant. As an indicator of her self-restraint, she doesn't have any.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 06:31:00 PM

Help Needed - U.S. Companies Hosting Terror Supporters

From The Jawa Report:

The Jawa Report declares war on the jihad forum that recently brought you "Does this bomb vest make me look fat?" and "Beheading Suspected Supporters of the Afghan Government is fun". The forum is run by Taliban supporters in Pakistan, but it's membership is a mixed group of Salafi e-jihadis and infidel fellow travelers who support anyone willing to kill an American.

We call upon all able bodied patriots to complain to the American service providers that allow this forum to operate. Service providers should be e-mailed, called, or faxed until they agree to stop facilitating the enemies of the United States of America.

The forum features at least two videos which clearly violate the webhost's Terms of Service (TOS) and arguably U.S. and International Law. A gruesome "exclusive" Lee-Media Taliban beheading video, images from which are too graphic to post here but which can be referenced at: Lee-Media: Taliban Behead Three "Spies". A second graphic video which begins with a Taliban terrorist being outfitted with a suicide vest; not shown on the short clip posted is the Taliban homicide bomber blowing up a vehicle.

In addition, the site routinely encourages the murder of civilians and the killing of U.S., NATO, Coalition, & Russian troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, & Chechnya. It also distributes al Qaeda propaganda.

The full details of the forum are at Internet Haganah. Highlights:

Description: Dedicated to the distribution or re-distribution of high-quality jihadi recruiting videos, with a particular focus on subtitling videos to make them accessible to audiences of expatriate Muslims living in Western countries (for example from Urdu to English, or Arabic to Turkish). This network is notable for the considerable effort they have made from the very beginning to hide their existence. They obviously have not succeeded, but we give them an "A" for effort....

Membership: By invitation only, so there are no "innocent" members and no deniability for the administrators. Core members are known to scour other, better known sites for talent which they then recruit to the LEE Network.

More details here.

Another specialty of the group is uploading Taliban murder videos which are sold in Pakistan's tribal areas but not officially released on the internet. They have become the de facto distribution network for Taliban propaganda not officially produced by the group's central Shura Council.

Frames from the video can be found here and might be sent to webhosts as evidence of what happens behind Lee-Media's closed forum doors. This suicide vest video can also be used. Service providers can also be directed to the Internet Haganah's detailed analysis of Lee-Media here.

Please, we need your help on this one. Spread the word and encourage every one you know to complain to the service providers listed below. In any letter or conversation you have with these service providers please let them know that Lee-Media violates the TOS (terms of service), encourages acts of violence against U.S. troops, and encourages terrorism.

Several service providers for Lee Media, many of which are in Burlington, MA, and seem to be companies owned or operated by Endurance International Group.

leemedia.net = 65.254.250.106

Host/Registrar: Endurance International Group (Shared webhosting)
Burlington, MA
Contact: domains@yourhostingaccount.com
(866) 642-4678

Domain Admin: Powweb.com
Burlington, MA
Contact: support@powweb.com; domreg@powweb.com
(877) 476-9932

DNS/Registrar: Tucows, Inc.
Ontario, CA
Contact: domains@accountsupport.com
dnsadmin@tucows.com
Form contact.

Readers of Interested-Participant are asked to help, if possible. Thanks in advance.


[Update 03/05/08]

Lee Media has been shut down. Thanks to all who helped.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 05:58:00 PM

Infant Beheaded in Saudi Supermarket

(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) My guess is that this incident could have happened anywhere but one must not deny the fact that Middle Easterners are much more accustomed to beheadings than Westerners.

Early morning shoppers at a supermarket in Jeddah were left reeling yesterday, with some falling unconscious, after a well-built Syrian man clinched a knife and decapitated his 15-month-old nephew in front of his mother in the store's fruit and vegetable section.

Just freaking great! I'll have that horrible image in my brain forever.

In a brutal murder that has shocked the city, the 25-year-old man beheaded the boy, who was out shopping with his mother -- in full glare of shoppers and staff at Al-Marhaba supermarket on Sari Street around 9.30 a.m. The man, who is the boy's maternal uncle, apparently killed the boy following a dispute with his sister and brother-in-law.

Eyewitnesses said that the man picked up a knife from inside the store and severed the boy's head. The mother and a shopper standing close by fainted, while several other stood in shock and disbelief over what had happened.

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Arab News, "The murderer was in a dispute with the boy's mother and her husband. He chopped off the boy's head in front of the mother to get back at her."

It's unfathomable that a simple family dispute led to the heartless, public beheading of a baby.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 04:25:00 PM

Pole Hoovered

(London, England) A Polish construction worker has been fired for screwing around at work.

The building contractor claimed he was cleaning his underpants with Henry Hoover when he was found naked and on his knees in a hospital's staff canteen.

A stunned security guard stumbled onto the man in the middle of a compromising act with the cleaner, which has a large smiley face painted on its front and a hose protruding from its "nose". [ ... ]

The security guard, suitably horrified, told the man to "clean himself and the hoover" before asking him to leave and informing his bosses.

When later questioned by his employers, the man said he was vacuuming his underpants, which was "a common practice in Poland".

Common practice, eh?

From Short News.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 10:17:00 AM

Ho-Hum, Russia Pretends to Change Leaders

(Moscow, Russia) The scripted presidential election went off without a blemish. Dmitri A. Medvedev was elected by the Putin-prescribed landslide.

There was no meaningful opposition and foreign election observers bowed out since the outcome was predetermined.

It's a wonder why the Kremlin even bothers with the pretense of democracy.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 10:06:00 AM

Your Obama toons for the day



Posted by John Ray. Don't forget your handy-dandy summary of Obama news at OBAMOLOGY
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 09:42:00 AM

NC Woman and Boy, 15

(Gastonia, North Carolina) A 25-year-old local woman, Sharelle LaShae Chambers, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy.

The alleged sex occurred at Chambers' home during a two-week period in February.

Chambers has been charged with five counts of statutory rape of a child older than 6 and five counts of indecent liberties with a child.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/03/2008 07:51:00 AM

Some pesky science for the Greenies

A very recent academic Journal abstract below speaks for itself:

Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change

By: Timothy Searchinger et al.

Most prior studies have found that substituting biofuels for gasoline will reduce greenhouse gases because biofuels sequester carbon through the growth of the feedstock. These analyses have failed to count the carbon emissions that occur as farmers worldwide respond to higher prices and convert forest and grassland to new cropland to replace the grain (or cropland) diverted to biofuels. By using a worldwide agricultural model to estimate emissions from land-use change, we found that corn-based ethanol, instead of producing a 20% savings, nearly doubles greenhouse emissions over 30 years and increases greenhouse gases for 167 years. Biofuels from switchgrass, if grown on U.S. corn lands, increase emissions by 50%. This result raises concerns about large biofuel mandates and highlights the value of using waste products.

Science 29 February 2008: Vol. 319. no. 5867, pp. 1238 - 1240

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 07:38:00 PM

Long Island Teacher's Aide Caught with Boy

(Greenport, New York) A 39-year-old married mother-of-three and teacher's aide at Greenport Elementary School, Maria Commins, was arrested a week ago after allegedly being caught naked in a hotel room with a 15-year-old boy.

Commins told police that she and the boy are in love.

Police were tipped to her location by a private investigator hired by Maria's husband.

In her statement to Det. Robert Boden, Commins recounted buying beer from a Greenport supermarket Friday, visiting her gynecologist for birth control pills and stopping by a CVS in Wading River, where she bought the condom the teen used during sex.

Around 11 a.m., she picked up the 15-year-old - a friend of her son's - from his house in her Ford Taurus station wagon.

They went first to Friendly's in Riverhead to eat, and then on to the Holiday Inn, where Commins said she paid cash for room No. 205.

"We went inside the room and we both had a beer," Commins said, according to her statement. She said they then had sexual intercourse. Later, they heard a knock at the door from police officers.

"I asked the policeman to wait a minute so we could get dressed," Commins told the detective, her statement says.

Commins was booked and released on $500 bail.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 04:39:00 PM

Chavez Threatens War with Colombia

(Caracas, Venezuela) The New World's most prominent communist thug, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, ordered 10 tank battalions to the frontier with Colombia and mobilized the air force while breaking off diplomatic relations.

The Venezuelan embassy in Bogota was closed and the staff was recalled.

The moves were in response to Colombia's damaging air and ground attack on a FARC rebel camp in the Ecuadoran jungle which killed an important Marxist leader, Raul Reyes.

On Saturday, Mr Chavez warned Colombia against doing the same in Venezuela because he would interpret it as a "cause for war."

On Sunday, he said he would send Russian-made fighter jets into US ally Colombia if its troops struck in Venezuela.

The leftist, anti-US Mr Chavez has been in a diplomatic dispute with his ideological opposite, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, for months because of the Venezuelan's mediation with FARC rebels over their hostages. Mr Uribe has accused Mr Chavez of using the mediation to meddle in Colombian affairs.

On Sunday, Mr Chavez accused Mr Uribe of lying about the details of the operation that killed the rebel in Ecuador, where the leftist government of President Rafael Correa is a close Venezuelan ally. He called it a "cowardly assassination" of a "good revolutionary."

In a nutshell, Chavez has lost one of his Marxist allies and has reacted by beating the war drums. Ominously, Venezuela is getting close to invading another country.

On another note, it's clear that Hugo Chavez is working closely with communist rebel groups in other South American countries. His reaction to Reyes' death indicates they were much more than distant acquaintances.

Also worthy of contemplation, if Chavez starts a shooting war with Colombia, what will all his Hollywood buddies say?
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 07:36:00 AM

A few Obama updates




A Leftist grouch about Obama: "A senior foreign policy adviser to leading Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has told The Nation that if elected Obama will not 'rule out' using private security companies like Blackwater Worldwide in Iraq. The adviser also said that Obama does not plan to sign on to legislation that seeks to ban the use of these forces in US war zones by January 2009, when a new President will be sworn in. Obama's campaign says that instead he will focus on bringing accountability to these forces while increasing funding for the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the agency that employs Blackwater and other private security contractors."


Another Leftist grouch about Obama: "Hillary Clinton is right. She gets the first question more often than Obama, and usually the toughest ones. Then again, as everyone was very, very quick to point out after Tuesday's debate, she also jumps for it first when it's a toss-up. Of course they did the count right away. When it comes to Hillary Clinton, there's no doubt that, whether it's the first or second question, her response is likely to be subject to strict scrutiny, which, as we say in the law, tends to be strict in theory and fatal in fact, while her opponent gets judged by a sort of rational basis test that means if there's any conceivable version of what he's saying that makes sense, he gets a pass."


Vanderleun is thinking about what would happen if Obama were assassinated.


The NYT thinks Obama will have trouble winning the Jewish vote.


I have noted before that Obama has the quite crazy indifference to the truth that characterizes psychopaths. Here are another two examples of it.

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 05:23:00 AM

Naughty Nurses in British NHS

(United Kingdom) According to a survey published in the Nursing Times, almost 10 percent of Britain's National Health Service (NHS) nurses believe it's acceptable to have sexual relationships with patients they care for.

Professionally, nasty nurses engaging in sex with patients may face disciplinary measures, however, there doesn't seem to be a flood of complaints. As would be expected, though, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has expressed concern.

In any event, blog readers troubled by having to be hospitalized in Britain should, by all means, ask around. (Nudge, nudge -- wink, wink.) Check for the frisky nurses.

Pleasurable distractions from the customary hospital experience may be available.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 12:29:00 AM

Teacher Arrested for Gun Comment

(Plainfield, Connecticut) A 51-year-old veteran teacher at Plainfield High School, Duane Emmi, was arrested for commenting to some members of the school staff that he had a gun at home. That's it -- a comment. Sheesh!

Emmi was charged with breach of the peace and placed on administrative leave by the school, although he reportedly made no threats.

According to Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway:

Emmi is not allowed on school property and cannot attend any school functions on or off school grounds, Conway said. In a letter to school board members, Conway stated Emmi must receive a psychiatric evaluation and clearance before returning to the classroom.

Police said Emmi comments (sic) Tuesday were general. He said other members of the staff did not respect him and he had a gun at his residence. Emmi did not threaten any students or faculty members, police said.

Presumably, Emmi will go through psychological re-programming and then be considered for reinstatement. The school system will, of course, have to develop some confidence in Emmi's ability to safely own a gun in his home and not threaten anyone, even though it appears that is exactly what he has been doing.

Boy, it's a good thing he didn't comment on the gallons of explosive liquid he carries in his car. Think of the trouble that would have caused.

Companion post at EdWatch.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/02/2008 12:17:00 AM

Call for Bush, Cheney Arrests As War Criminals

(Kennebunkport, Maine) A independent political candidate for the U.S. Senate, Laurie Dobson, held a press conference on the steps of city hall and called for the Board of Selectmen to adopt an indictment ordinance which would allow the arrest of President Bush and Vice President Cheney on war crimes.

Dobson wants an ordinance drafted and ready to put on the ballot in June.

"Five years ago, I wrote the local paper and said that 'G.W. Bush is driving the world under the intoxicated influence of his power-mad buddies and their dreams of world empire,' " she told the assembled crowd. "Nothing has changed since then, except that we are now paying the price for his failures and we will be paying for a long time to come."

Noting that "alleged war criminals occasionally exist in our town," Dobson said she wanted the town to take steps to bring them to justice since federal officials, including members of Congress, have failed to do so thus far.

"Fifty-one percent of Americans support impeachment," Dobson said. If impeachment doesn't happen, though, she said arresting Bush and Cheney -- after they leave office -- would be the "patriotic" thing to do.

Chairman Lanigan of the Board of Selectmen said Dobson's matter would be taken under advisement but made it clear there would be no indictment. If the board doesn't act, however, Dobson promised a petition effort to gather enough signatures for a referendum on the ballot.

Frankly, it's virtually impossible to believe that the leftists have the best interests of the American people in mind when they come up with initiatives like town ordinances to arrest the President of the United States.

On the other hand, it's not only possible but swimmingly logical that leftists suffer from some sort of mental deficiency. Why else would the words of presumably rational American citizens sound like they were drafted in Tehran, Pyongyang, Venezuela or a cave in Pakistan?

Furthermore, it's worthy to note that Laurie Dobson, according to her website, is warm and chummy with the Code Pink crowd and she is quite close with Michigan Congressman John Conyers. And, surprising nobody, she spends her time fasting and camping outside the Bush family residence in Kennebunkport.

It will be interesting to see how many Maine voters cast ballots for Dobson to become a U.S. Senator. There won't be many if the CampaignMoney website is any indicator. Dobson has raised $0.00 for her 2008 campaign thus far.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 09:58:00 PM

Alabama Teacher Nabbed for Meth

(Lee County, Alabama) A 43-year-old teacher at a Phenix City elementary school, Elizabeth Brooks, has been arrested for allegedly manufacturing methamphetamine.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office and the U-S Postal Inspection Service has been investigating the teacher for two years after receiving information she was ordering numerous items that are used to make meth from Internet sites.

Brooks faces charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

From Opelika-Auburn News:

The investigation that led to Brooks’ arrest had been going on for approximately two years, according to Lee County Sheriff's Capt. Van Jackson.

"This isn't typical in what we see as far as the timetable for a drug investigation to take place," Jackson said. "However, with drug cases, the court requires extensive evidence to prove that the individual's involvement with drugs is criminal."

Among the items that sheriff's office personnel found at Brooks' residence were several drug smoking devices, glassware, plastic tubing, coffee filters and pseudoephedrine, according to the release.

During the course of law enforcement's investigation, it was discovered that Brooks obtained other items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine via the Internet - one of the patterns that Jackson says peaked postal worker's interest.

Phenix City Schools Superintendent Larry DiChiara said that Brooks' employment status will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 04:12:00 PM

Drugs and Stupidity

(Pasco, Washington) A 21-year-old local man, Daniel Kuch, didn't want to go to work and take a scheduled drug test so he asked a friend to shoot him. The friend, 24-year-old Kurtis Johnson, obliged.

Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies were subsequently dispatched to Lourdes Medical Center where Kuch claimed he was shot in a drive-by from a passing car on Pasco-Kahlotus Highway. After questioning, however, Kuch admitted to deputies that he was trying to get off work long enough to clear his system of anything that would show up on a drug test.

Heh, drugs and stupidity -- just like peas and carrots.

Kuch was arrested for making a false report. Johnson was arrested for reckless endangerment.

Tip: slwlion
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 03:12:00 PM

USAF Blocks Blogs

Apparently, the United States Air Force has decided that blogs are bad and has banned access to them on bases. Only officially recognized and reputable sources of information like the New York Times are authorized.

Mickey mouse horseflop like this is a reason I've been known to occasionally use well-chosen, salty language in times of stress and turmoil.

Sources are here and here.

Also at The Jawa Report.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 11:28:00 AM

Counterfeit Wal-Mart Receipts

(Mesa, Arizona) A man, Peter Chavarria, was arrested this week for allegedly counterfeiting Wal-Mart receipts and using them to acquire merchandise. It's estimated that Wal-Mart losses could be well over $100,000.

Chavarria was arrested on suspicion of forgery and fraud.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 07:54:00 AM

The military traditions of Britain's Royal family continue

A Royal soldier: "Prince Harry's exploits against the Taleban produced a mass of favourable comments about the Royal Family. "Well done that fine young representative of the Royal Family," one said. "And people wonder why we respect our Royal Family more than the Government," another wrote."

Prince Harry not spared: "Prince Harry's commanding officer has paid tribute to his grit on the front line, where he served at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delhi alongside the Gurkhas. The firebase near the town of Garmsir is the first stop for jihadis heading north into Helmand from the lawless Pakistani border region. It is one of the hottest FOBs. Lieutenant-Colonel Jonny Bourne, commanding officer of First Battalion, said: "FOB Delhi is probably the busiest place in Helmand, with attacks daily - rockets, mortars, small arms fire, that sort of thing."

Posted by John Ray.
|

       Following Entry Posted 3/01/2008 12:13:00 AM

Illinois Woman Accused of Sex with Boy, 13

(Kankakee, Illinois) A 24-year-old local woman, Tabitha A. Cosat, was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy.

Cosat has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse.


[Update 7/19/08]

After deliberating for about one hour, a jury acquitted Tabitha Cosat of all charges.
|