Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 11:52:00 PM

Women With Troubles - June 2011

Reported in news stories during June 2011, here is a 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. Links to month-by-month compilations are displayed on the navigation bar at left.

(AL) Kimberly Bynum, 29,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, 17,

(AL) Amy Kathleen Caudle, 31,
teacher - Gets three years prison for rape/sodomy of middle school students,

(AL) Tamara Rowell, 34,
neighbor - Arrested for sex with boy, starting at age 11,

(AZ) Rachel Katherine Brock, 22,
neighbor - Gets one year in jail for child sex abuse,

(AZ) Melonee Jane Duval, 32,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 16,

(AZ) Christie Elliott, 26,
teacher - Gets no jail for sex with boy, 15,

(CA) Nancy Jean Hildebrand, 56,
teacher - Arrested for hosting booze party for at least 100 teens,

(CA) Anita and Mark Kaczmarczyk, 45 & 59,
daycare owners - Get six and eight years respectively in prison for molesting kids,

(CA) Carmen Montenegro, 51,
neighbor - Arrested with trash can full of human remains,

(CA) Colette Phelps, 28,
teacher - Accused of lewd acts against a child,

(CA) Holly Polson, 35,
teacher's aide - Accused of lewd acts with boy, 13,

(CT) Amy Schneider, 25,
teacher - Gets no jail for inappropriate relationship with male student,

(FL) Susan Keppers, 29,
teacher - Caught in student's bed,

(FL) Keila De Oliveira Leite, 21,
neighbor - Accused of driving drunk and topless,

(FL) Melissa Millard, 35,
neighbor - Arrested for flashing breasts during traffic stop,

(FL) Erika Nogueras aka Ms. Rivera,
teacher - Accused of helping students cheat,

(FL) Berea Lonise Standifer, 32,
neighbor - Accused of extended-term sex with male teen,

(FL) Amy Marie Varnam, 24,
neighbor - Accused of sex assault of male teen,

(GA) Dorothy Dixon, 29,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, 15,

(GA) Rene Frank, 27,
teacher - Accused of sex with student which allegedly resulted in pregnancy,

(GA) Eileen Dawn June Garguilo, 19,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 13,

(GA) Gina Leigh Sabin, 41,
teacher - Sentenced to no jail for oral sex with boy,

(IL) Eliza Martinelli, 34,
teacher - Accused of sexually assaulting four children,

(IL) Lisa Miller, 42,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, 14,

(IN) Mary Rowlett, 32,
tutor - Accused of sex with boy, 15,

(IN) Mindy Skeen, 34,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 14,

(KY) Mary Dennis, 38,
neighbor - Accused of hosting teen sex parties,

(KY) Carrie M. Shafer, 38,
teacher - Gets no jail after being caught half-naked with male student,

(MI) April Patzkowsky, 32,
teacher's aide - Accused of sexually assaulting student,

(MI) Andrea Ziza, 28,
neighbor - Guilty of offering daughter, 4, for sex. Sentencing 7/6/11,

(MN) Samira Abdalla Salim, 35,
neighbor - Accused of stabbing two outside library while preaching Islam,

(MN) Jessica Ann Ybarra, 31,
neighbor - Accused of sexting boy, 14,

(NC) Megan Mantooth, 26,
teacher - Accused of cyberstalking male student, 13,

(NH) Manuella St. Germain, 46,
school paraprofessional - Gets 90 days jail for sex with two boys,

(NJ) Lindsay Massaro, 26,
student teacher - Gets three years prison for sex with 8th-grade boy,

(NJ) Monique Ucelli, 37,
teacher - Gets no jail for sex with male student, 17,

(NY) Melissa A. Canough, 28,
youth center employee - Accused of sex with resident boy, 16,

(NY) Teri Decker, 40,
teacher - Accused of relations with boy, 16,

(NY) Danielle Johnsen, 29,
teacher - Accused of relations with girl, 16, at all-girls school,

(OH) Stephanie Robinette, 30,
teacher - Arrested in breast-milk attack of officers,

(PA) Cheryl B. Bremble, 40,
teacher - Accused of sending sexual messages to female student,

(PA) Theresa Kasznicki, 43,
neighbor - Gets 42 to 84 months prison for sex with boy, 14,

(PA) Gabrielle Suzanne Marvelli, 38,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, 17,

(PA) Hattie Nichols, 56,
teacher - Gets 6 to 12 months prison for sex with student, 16,

(PA) Jennifer Sowa Smith, 29,
teacher - Accused of sexting five male students,

(SC) Abby Kate McElhenny, 23,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student, reportedly 16 or 17,

(TN) Ashley Forehand, 23,
neighbor - Accused of raping girl, 14, in motel,

(TN) Mariah Shaffer, 28,
neighbor - Gets no jail for fondling boy, 14,

(TX) Heather Renea Brannon, 22,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 13,

(TX) Katrina Childress, 33,
neighbor - Gets five years prison for sex with boy, 16,

(TX) Lynne Ellen Field, 48,
teacher - Gets 60-day jail deal in burglary, arson case,

(TX) Wendy Diane Fox, 30,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student,

(TX) Brandi Fuller, 30,
neighbor - Accused of raping boy, 12,

(TX) Heather Jackson, 37,
teacher - Accused of relations with male student, 16,

(TX) Mariane Kieffer, 29,
teacher - Gets deferred adjudication in sex with 14-year-old boy case,

(TX) Laura Lorena Lozano, 34,
teacher - Accused of sex with male student,

(TX) Nora Lynn Martinez, 30,
teacher - Gets 10 years in prison for relations with boy, 13,

(TX) Cristina McCann aka Christina McCann, 39,
teacher - Accused of improper relations with male student, 18,

(TX) Anne Lynn Montgomery, 35,
teacher - Accused of long-term sex with male student,

(TX) Julianna Christine Sauls, 40,
teacher - Accused of violating sex offender probation,

(TX) Randi Lynn Bratcher Savage, 31,
teacher - Accused of sexual contact with male student, 13,

(TX) Amy Schilling, 33,
teacher - Accused of sex assault of male student,

(TX) Kimme Woolf, 29,
teacher - Accused of oral sex with two male students,

(UT) Suni Andersen, 36,
personal trainer - Accused of sex with boy, 14,

(UT) Kimberly Rusgrove, 35,
neighbor - Gets prison for forcible sodomy and sex abuse of girl, 15,

(VA) Barbara Renee Case, 39,
neighbor - Gets 30 months federal prison for sex with boy, 15,

(VA) Laura Ann Collins, 43,
teacher - Accused of being drunk at school.

Thanks to the tipsters.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 07:43:00 PM

Assault-Rape Data in Norway

Muslim immigrants reportedly are responsible for all assault-rapes committed in Norway during 2010.

Defenders of Islam call it a "religion of peace" but many Norwegian women are learning that Islam is the religion of rape. According to an amazing police report released there this month, every single solved case of assault-rape in the country in 2010 was carried out by a Muslim immigrant.

The report was cited by an official Norwegian television station, which interviewed a victim who said that her rapist explained to her that his religion permits him to rape her.

Typically tolerant Norwegians are becoming concerned.

Tip: TJR
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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 06:19:00 PM

Krokodil Rots Flesh




There's a new illegal drug threat on the street.

Krokodil (or "crocodile") is desomorphine, a synthetic opiate first brewed up here in the US of A. in 1932, and a scourge that's currently ravaging Russia.

Essentially, desomorphine is a sedative and analgesic that acts much faster than morphine. But this stuff is nasty: "to produce krokodil ... addicts mix it with ingredients including gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, iodine and red phosphorous, which they scrape from the striking pads on matchboxes," Time tells us.

The poisons cause the flesh to turn scaly -- hence, "crocodile" -- and should a user miss the vein, they are marked with swells, blisters and boils. The Independent reports:

"Photographs of late-stage krokodil addicts are disturbing in the extreme. Flesh goes grey and peels away to leave bones exposed. People literally rot to death."

The life expectancy of a full-blown, hardcore krokodil addict is one year.

Check out some graphic images of the effects of using krokodil. Warning, they are nasty pictures.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 01:04:00 PM

Teacher Gets No Jail for Misdemeanor Sex - Updated

(East Lyme, Connecticut) In accordance with a plea agreement, former music teacher Amy Schneider has pleaded guilty to engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a male student, now an 18-year-old.

As a result, Schneider was sentenced to one year of probation.

Victim advocate John Adriano says the victim had no objection to a plea deal that allowed Schneider to plead guilty to fourth-degree sexual assault, a misdemeanor, which allows her to avoid having to register as a sex offender.

Schneider is also prohibited from applying for teaching credentials for five years.

* * * * *
Connecticut Teacher Accused of Sex Assault
[Previous 3/26/11 post]
(East Lyme, Connecticut) A 25-year-old music teacher at East Lyme Middle School, Amy Schneider, has been accused of sexually assaulting someone.

Arrest warrants in the case have been sealed so the victim of the assault is currently undisclosed.

Schneider faces three counts of second-degree sexual assault.

In Connecticut, Second-degree sexual assault includes sex with a victim between the ages of 13 and 16, or if the suspect is a school employee and the victim is a student.

Schneider was booked and released on $10,000 bond. Arraignment is scheduled for April 7.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 08:41:00 AM

Israelis must not speak the truth?

We read:

"The Israeli prime minister's 19-year-old son posted disparaging and obscene comments about Arabs and Muslims on his Facebook page, an Israeli paper reported today.

Earlier this year, Yair Netanyahu posted that Muslims 'celebrate hate and death,' the Haaretz daily reported.

After Palestinian assailants entered a West Bank settlement and stabbed five members of an Israeli family to death, he wrote that 'terror has a religion and it is Islam.'

Yair Netanyahu, the eldest of the prime minister's two sons, is currently a soldier in the Israeli military's media liaison unit.

But a lawyer for the Netanyahu family, David Shimron, defended teh soldier, insisting in a statement that the comments were those of a 'teenager' and were 'taken out of context in an attempt to defame the prime minister and his family.'

In another comment, he wrote that there had never been a Palestinian state and that he hoped 'there would never be one.'

Source

I am sure I would feel similarly in his situation

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 08:18:00 AM

Teacher Gets No Jail for Oral Sex with Boy - Updated

(Cartersville, Georgia) Former Cloverleaf Elementary School teacher and middle school cheerleader, Gina Leigh Sabin, 41, has pleaded guilty to two counts of felony sexual battery stemming from sex acts committed on a boy under 16 years old.

Bartow County Sheriff's Office investigators had alleged Sabin twice performed oral sex on the minor in June 2009, but school officials have said the acts did not take place on school grounds.

Superior Court Judge Carey Nelson sentenced Sabin to 5 years, but she is allowed to serve the time on probation. Sabin also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Sabin was ordered to surrender her teaching credentials and to comply with some sort of modified (to be determined) sex offender conditions.

The exact age of the boy Sabin was servicing remains unreported and it's unclear how Sabin's conviction affects her family situation. Presumably, her two daughters and her husband, Woodland High School Principal Paul Sabin, are humiliated.

* * * * *
Georgia Teacher Accused of Child Molestation
[Previous 8/25/09 post]
(Bartow County, Georgia) A 39-year-old 5th-grade teacher at Cloverleaf Elementary School in Cartersville, Gina Leigh Sabin, has been arrested for alleged child molestation. Sabin faces two counts of aggravated child molestation.

According to Bartow County Sheriff Clark Millsap, the investigation is ongoing.

Sabin was booked into custody at the Bartow County Jail with bail to be determined at a hearing today.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/30/2011 01:55:00 AM

No Jail in Sex Case - Updated

(Tucson, Arizona) Christie Elliott, 26, was sentenced yesterday to three years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

* * * * *
Arizona Teacher Guilty in Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 5/24/11 post]
(Tucson, Arizona) Former Empire High School English teacher and cheerleading coach Christie Elliot, 26, pleaded guilty yesterday to aggravated sexual assault of a minor in accordance with a plea deal. Sentencing is scheduled for June 29th.

* * * * *
Teacher Accused of Attempted Witness Tampering - Updated
[Previous 6/12/10 post]
(Tucson, Arizona) Cheerleading coach and English teacher Christie Elliot (aka Elliott) was released from detention with the condition that she not communicate with her alleged victim.

Unfortunately, she seems to have ignored the condition and was arrested.

Officers say 25-year-old Christie Elliott was taken into custody Thursday and booked into the Pima County Jail on one count of influencing a witness.

Police say Elliott allegedly tried to communicate with the 15-year-old victim via a third party, which is a violation of the conditions of her jail release. They say Elliott allegedly was trying to offer the teenager money in exchange for changing his testimony against her in an upcoming hearing.

I'd suggest that attempting to influence a witness would seem to be at least a partial admission of guilt.

* * * * *
Arizona Teacher Booked on Sex Charges
[Previous 5/18/10 post]
(Tucson, Arizona) A 25-year-old English teacher and cheerleading coach at Empire High School, Christie Elliot, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old male student.

Elliot has been charged with one count each of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor.

Police began investigating April 19 at the behest of the Vail School District after a parent told the Empire High principal that Elliot had been exchanging inappropriate text messages with his son via his iPod Touch. Some of the messages referred to kissing and the "need to be more careful," according to court documents filed by police.

During the district's initial investigation, laptop computers issued by the school to staffers and students were confiscated from Elliot and the student, court documents state. Elliot's computer was found to contain topless pictures of the teacher. It is undetermined whether she sent those photos to students, according to court documents.

Elliot was booked into custody at the Pima County Jail.

Interestingly, she had topless pictures of herself on her school computer. Heh. I don't have any topless pictures of myself on my computer and have no idea why someone would do that. Maybe she liked to look at herself? Yeah, that's probably it.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/29/2011 09:34:00 AM

Woman Gets No Jail in Fondling Case - Updated

(Bristol, Tennessee) This week, 28-year-old local woman, Mariah Shaffer, pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault stemming from the alleged fondling of a 14-year-old boy at her home.

Shaffer was originally charged with sexual battery by an authority figure.

She pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of simple assault and was granted supervised probation in lieu of 11 months and 29 days in jail Monday morning in Sullivan County Circuit Court.

As a condition of her probation, Shaffer is to have no contact with her victim.

* * * * *
Woman Accused of Fondling Boy
[Previous 2/25/10 post]
(Kingsport, Tennessee) In October 2009, a 27-year-old married woman, Mariah Shaffer, was arrested for alleged sexual battery and fondling of a 14-year-old boy to whom she was the primary guardian.

According to court records, the teen said he was on Shaffer’s bed watching TV on Nov. 14, 2008, when Shaffer walked out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. He alleged that she removed the towel, exposed her body to him, got on top of him, and fondled him over his clothes.

The boy said he told her to stop, and then Shaffer’s husband arrived home. The boy said he believed Shaffer only stopped because she’d heard her husband’s truck pull into the driveway.

There's a lot of admissions and denials and he-said-she-said in the case which was bound over to the grand jury this week. Meanwhile, Shaffer is free on $15,000 bond. A court appearance is scheduled for April 16.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/29/2011 07:08:00 AM

How an Australian Leftist government looks after blacks

A Leftist State government is abandoning poor children who have vision and hearing problems

There has been only passing mention of this in the media so I thought I might flesh it out a little.

Ever since 1911 Queensland has had specially trained nurses going around all the schools testing children's vision and hearing and keeping an eye out for any other health problems that they might detect.

This has been especially important in lower socio-economic areas where parents are often not alert to such problems in their children or do not have the confidence to do anything about problems that they are aware of. In such communities the nurse can often galvanize action on a child's vision or hearing loss at an early age and thus remove very large roadblocks to the child's educational progress.

This has been particularly so where Aboriginals (native blacks) are concerned as hearing loss is something of an epidemic among Aboriginal children and the parents are usually far too timid to do anything about it.

So what is the latest from Queensland Health on the centenary of this invaluable service? They are cancelling it. As a substitute they have agreed to pay local GPs a small sum to carry out such testing on anyone who comes in for it

So for a start they have just lost the Aborigines. Many Aborigines won't be alert to the problems concerned and in any case will rarely have the confidence to approach local GPs about such problems. The people who need the assistance of school nurses the most are now having it taken away from them.

And few GPs have the experience and equipment to do a job as good as the job that the specialized nurses do.

And it will just lengthen the already long waits to see a doctor in lower socio-economic areas. In such areas it can take a couple of weeks to get an appointment with a GP. So Queensland Health is just putting a new burden onto already overstretched GPs and stretching out waiting times for appointments even further.

So why is Queensland Health doing this dastardly deed to the poor families of Queensland? Budget cuts. They have spent hundreds of millions on getting their botched payroll system working and the money has got to come from somewhere.

But why take it away from frontline services? 20 years ago the school nurses had only a couple of employees in addition to the nurses themselves. Now there is a great bureaucracy that is more numerous than the nurses. If there have to be cuts, why not cut back the bureaucracy to what it was 20 years ago? The sevice ran perfectly well for many decades without a huge bureaucracy on top of it and could easily do so again.

But Leftist goverments regard their bureaucracies as sacred for some inscrutable reason so that is the last thing they will consider. I guess it gives them a feeling of power to have so many people dependant on them. Pity about the poor, though.

The Minister for Health in the Queensland State government is Hon. Geoff Wilson MP

You can email him here

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/29/2011 12:41:00 AM

Saudi King Pardons 325 Indonesians

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has pardoned more than 325 Indonesian inmates, including housemaids, said an Indonesian official in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The decision to set free the workers followed talks between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Saudi Ambassador Abdulrahman M. Amen Al-Khayyat in Jakarta Tuesday.

“The list of names covered by royal clemency has been sent to us by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and covers mainly violators of local rules and those who committed petty crimes, as well as some detainees involved in illegal sex,” said Hendrar Pramutyo, an official of the citizen protection wing at the Indonesian Embassy.

Note that imported workers are often jailed for simply violating local rules or committing petty crimes, arguably misdemeanor offenses.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/28/2011 07:31:00 PM

Russia Cuts Power to Belarus




(Moscow, Russia) Effective a mere couple hours ago,

Russia cut off electricity supplies to Belarus at midnight on Wednesday until Belarus fully repays its 1.2-billion ruble ($43 million) debt, Russia's electricity export monopoly Inter RAO said.

Russia has prolonged until Tuesday evening the deadline for Belarus to pay off its electricity debt for April and May, threatening to cut off supplies if it does not, but no payment has been made.

"As of 10.00 p.m. Moscow time (18:00 GMT) no payment for electricity was made...We confirm that from June 29, at 00:00 Moscow time (June 28, 20:00 GMT) we completely cut electricity supplies to Belarus. We are waiting for Belarus to make the next payment in the next few days," an Inter RAO official told RIA Novosti.

Russian authorities say there's no politics involved. I'm sure.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/28/2011 10:18:00 AM

Woman Arrested After Showing Boobs to Officer

(Collier County, Florida) A 35-year-old Sarasota woman, Melissa Millard, was arrested after showing her breasts to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper during a traffic stop.

The trooper said she unzipped her jacket showing her chest.

The trooper said when he tried to close her jacket, she lunged forward and began fighting.

Millard was booked into custody on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/28/2011 09:10:00 AM

Pennsylvania Teacher Gets Prison in Sex Case

(Erie, Pennsylvania) A 56-year-old teacher formerly with Harborcreek Youth Services, the Girl Scouts and the Special Olympics, Hattie Nichols, has pleaded no contest to a charge of corruption of minors in accordance with an agreement where charges of sex assault and contraband were dropped.

Nichols had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. As a result, Nichols was sentenced by Judge Michael E. Dunlavey to serve six to 12 months in prison.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/28/2011 06:56:00 AM

Texas Teacher Accused of Improper Relations

(Wichita Falls, Texas) A 30-year-old substitute teacher at Iowa Park High School, Wendy Diane Fox, has been arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a male student.

Fox faces a charge of improper relationship between an educator and a student.

Fox's husband, Steven, told officers Fox was having sexual intercourse with a male student while employed by Iowa Park High School. Steven Fox also claimed his wife brought the student to their home.

Fox was interviewed at the Iowa Park Police Department and admitted to having intercourse with the victim four times. She claimed the first time was in May after the victim asked her to come to his house.

Fox was booked into custody with bond set at $15,000.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/28/2011 03:42:00 AM

Mark Steyn on free speech

James Paterson writes from Australia's Institute for Public Affairs with news that Andrew Bolt, Australia's most prominent conservative columnist, is currently being prosecuted under appallingly restrictive racial tolerance laws. Mark Steyn recorded this special message for an event held by the IPA in Australia to defend free speech.

Mark Steyn on Free Speech at the IPA from Institute of Public Affairs on Vimeo.

Andrew Bolt comments: "Of all that was said on the night and sent, Mark Steyn's contribution was the one that brought down the house. I confess to being in awe of it -- not just because I appreciate the compliment of having it come from probably the most brilliant columnist in the English-speaking world, but because it's such a tremendous piece of writing.

Source

I covered the beginning of the hate speech trial concerned on April 17

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/27/2011 06:43:00 PM

Crossed Legs Strike

(Baracoas, Colombia)

More than 250 women from a small town in rural Colombia are going on a sex strike in a bid to get a dangerous road fixed.

The women of Barbacoas believe if they carry on with the "Crossed Legs Strike", which started on Thursday, their sex-starved partners will be driven to lobby the government to fix the road that leads from their town of 40,000 people to the rest of the country.

Heh.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/27/2011 11:26:00 AM

Terrorist Bombings in Nigeria



(Maiduguri, Nigeria) Two alleged Islamists on motorcycles threw bombs into three beer gardens yesterday in this northeastern Nigerian city, killing at least 25 and injuring 12.

The authorities have attributed the bombings to the Boko Haram group, who recently claimed responsibility for another attack that killed at least 22 people at the police headquarters in the country's capital, Abuja.

Boko Haram, whose name in the northern Hausa language translates as "western education is sacrilege" is seeking to impose sharia law in the north of the country.

Borno is one of 12 states to have taken on shariah law and, although hidden from view, outdoor beer gardens are still popular haunts.

Founded in 2002, the Boko Haram group is believed to receive training outside Nigeria. I'd guess al-Shabaab in Somalia is its ally.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/27/2011 06:19:00 AM

China trusts the Euro more than the Greenback!

Given the crisis in the Eurozone, what on earth could motivate China to buy Euro-denominated bonds? It isn't for love of Europe, you can be sure. It's all just a comment on the Greenback. As troubled as the Euro is, China sees it as having a better future than the inflated dollar. What a comedown that is for the Greenback! The Mediterranean end of the EU might be in financial trouble but -- thanks to the dummy in the White House -- the WHOLE of America is in financial trouble

Europeans were of course both surprised and pleased to hear that China has declared its intention to buy more Euro-denominated bonds. And what will it be buying those bonds with? Any greenbacks it has. It is trying to get rid of greenbacks any way it can -- while they are still worth something.

China has vowed to increase its support of the eurozone after pledging to spend billions of pounds propping up the single currency. Premier Wen Jiabao said it will keep buying government bonds – the debts of stricken European nations.

In a boost for Greece ahead of a pivotal vote on greater austerity cuts tomorrow, Mr Wen said Europe could count on his ‘unremitting’ support.

However, according to billionaire speculator George Soros, the debt crisis has pushed the eurozone to the ‘verge of an economic collapse’. It was all but ‘inevitable’ that at least one stricken member will have to exit the euro because of massive debts, the hedge fund tycoon warned.

His warning came just days after Bank of England’s Governor, Mervyn King, branded European attempts to shore up Greece as a ‘mess’.

Huge demonstrations are once again expected in Athens as the government there makes a final attempt to approve almost £25billion of cuts which are a condition of the latest bailout. If the Greek parliament does not pass the austerity budget tomorrow, the nation will receive no more support and is likely to run out of money by the middle of next month.

But the turmoil engulfing the region has not diminished China’s desire to buy up more European debt. China has foreign reserves of around £2trillion and is the largest creditor to the United States.

At the start of a three-day visit to Britain yesterday, Mr Wen said: ‘China is a long-term investor in Europe’s sovereign debt market. In recent years, we have increased by quite a big margin our holdings of government bonds. We will consistently continue to support Europe and the euro.’

More HERE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/26/2011 05:36:00 PM

NYC Teacher Fired for Facebook Entry

(Brooklyn, New York) A 38-year-old teacher at PS 203, Christine Rubino, has been fired after posting inappropriate comments on Facebook.

An arbitrator found Rubino guilty of conduct unbecoming a teacher for suggesting in a Facebook entry that she would be glad if her students drowned.

Rubino posted the comment on June 23, 2010, the day after a 12-year-old Harlem girl, Nicole Suriel, drowned on a Long Island school trip.

"After today, I'm thinking the beach sounds like a wonderful idea for my 5th graders. I HATE THEIR GUTS! They are all the devils spawn!" fumed the 38-year-old teacher at PS 203 in Flatlands.

Rubino filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education claiming her dismissal was excessive punishment.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/26/2011 01:19:00 PM

Alaska PrideFest Parade Cancelled

(Anchorage, Alaska) To commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City which protested the arrest of homosexuals, the Alaska PrideFest Parade (route - pdf) was scheduled for yesterday in downtown Anchorage.

The PrideFest Grand Marshal Doug Frank, a veteran LGBQT activist, was riding in a convertible driven by 70-year-old Edith Bailey of Eagle River. Walking out front was Mr. James Crump, a registered nurse employed by the city.

As minutes ticked toward the 11 AM official start of the PrideFest parade, the convertible carrying the Grand Marshal lurched forward, knocking Mr. Crump to the pavement.




Then the convertible kept going, running over and killing Mr. Crump.

"It was awful. The man didn't say a word or make a sound. Hopefully it was fast and painless," Frank said.

Efforts to revive Mr. Crump failed.

As a result of Mr. Crump's death, the PrideFest parade was cancelled by event organizers, Myrna's DJ and drag queen Miss Daphne DoAll LaChores.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/26/2011 06:53:00 AM

Liberals' Frankenstein Monster Runs Amok in Chicago

Civilization is coming unraveled in the city that gave us Barack Hussein Obama and much of his crew. But don't be racist by noticing:

Pardon the unintentional rhyme, but Chicago is under attack by packs of wild Blacks. (Paul Kersey is all over this.) They're storming buses 15 at a time, beating White people with bottles and robbing them (NBC Chicago, June 8). Gangs of 15 or 20 are ambushing White pedestrians and bicyclists (CBS Chicago, June 5 and June 6; Chicago Tribune, June 6). Smaller packs are using pepper spray to disable their White victims (CBS Chicago, June 3 and June 5). …

Until recently, the hopelessly biased mainstream media were content merely to ignore, to suppress, to censor the race of these savages — that's race, not races. But censorship wasn't enough. It couldn't stop readers from seeing the photos. It couldn't stop them from watching the videos. It couldn't stop them from looking out their windows at the dark-skinned mobs rampaging outside. And it couldn't stop the White victims from telling everyone they knew.

So the readers noticed, and pretty soon they cracked the secret code: if a story omits the race of the perpetrators, it's not because the reporter doesn't know what race they were. It's because they were all Black.

That's when readers started to complain.

The Chicago Tribune responded to the complaints by denouncing its own readers and by shoveling out the usual politically correct pabulum about how awful it is to acknowledge facts liberals deem to be racist (see here and here and here and here).

Meanwhile, Chicago's government is blaming the mayhem on Sarah Palin, the Constitution, and of course racism. Chief of Police Garry McCarthy serves up the moonbattery:

The pervasion of illegal guns in America's black and Latino communities is a result of "government-sponsored racism," akin to "slavery, segregation, black codes [and] Jim Crow," Rahm Emanuel's new police chief, Garry McCarthy, told parishioners at St. Sabina's Church earlier this month.

St. Sabina's Church is where unhinged Obama crony Michael Phleger, the Emimem of Black Liberation Theology, spews maniacal diatribes denouncing Caucasians. Back to McCarthy:

"Let's see if we can make a connection here. Slavery. Segregation. Black codes. Jim Crow. What, what did they all have in common? Anybody getting scared? Government sponsored racism."

"Now I want you to connect one more dot on that chain of the African American history in this country, and tell me if I'm crazy: Federal gun laws that facilitate the flow of illegal firearms, into our urban centers across this country, that are killing our black and brown children," he said.

McCarthy blasted the NRA, telling parishioners that their communities have paid the price while the gun manufacturers are getting "rich and living in gated communities."

And he told an anecdote of just one night with the New York Police Department. After returning home from investigating a pair of shootings, he said he flipped on the television to relax, only to find "Sarah Palin's Alaska" being broadcast.

"She was caribou hunting, and talking about the right to bear arms," he said. "Why wasn't she at the crime scene with me?"

Whether out of idiocy or out of sheer evil, liberals have created a monster in the form of millions of perpetually aggrieved blacks whose culture was reduced to savagery when welfare destroyed the two-parent family. As their monster runs amok, the Dr Frankensteins of the governmedia blame its victims.

SOURCE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 01:48:00 PM

Texas Teacher Accused of Improper Relations

(Carrollton, Texas) A 33-year-old biology teacher at R.L. Turner High School, Amy Schilling, has been accused of engaging in an improper relationship with a male student.

Schilling was arrested yesterday and faces a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Booked into custody at the Carrollton Municipal Jail, Schilling's bond amount hasn't been reported.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 01:28:00 PM

Peter Falk b.1927 - d.2011



Peter Falk

Peter Falk died June 23, 2011, at the age of 83.

R.I.P.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 01:02:00 PM

Pennsylvania Woman Gets Prison in Sex Case - Updated

(Nazareth, Pennsylvania) Theresa Kasznicki pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual assault, statutory sex assault and endangering the welfare of children and was sentenced yesterday by Northampton County Judge Stephen Baratta to 42 to 84 months in state prison.

* * * * *
Pennsylvania Woman to Plead in Boy Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 8/25/10 post]
(Nazareth, Pennsylvania) The defense attorney for Theresa Kasznicki, 42, says that his client will give up her right to a preliminary hearing and that she will plead guilty to reduced charges in accordance with a plea agreement.

Dwight Danser said Kasznicki will plead guilty to endangering the welfare of a child, statutory sexual assault and criminal solicitation and the remaining charges will be dismissed.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius agreed that a plea agreement is in place and also requested Kasznicki's bail be modified to straight bail of $75,000.

District Judge John Capobianco kept the bail as it was, 10 percent of $75,000.

A court date wasn't reported.

* * * * *
Woman, 42, Arrested for Sex with Boy, 14
[Previous 7/27/10 post]
(Bath, Pennsylvania) A 42-year-old local woman, Theresa E. Kasznicki, has been arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy and corrupting three of his friends.

The alleged offenses became known after Kasznicki bragged of her experiences to a co-worker at her place of employment.

Kasznicki, who listed her address as Hope House psychiatric clinic in Bethlehem, now faces charges that include statutory sexual assault, indecent assault, criminal solicitation, corrupting a minor and endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records.

On June 25, Kasznicki gave the boy marijuana and the anti-anxiety drug Ativan, then stripped him naked and had sex with him at her former apartment at 277 E. Main St., police said.

Parts of the encounter were witnessed by three other teens, all 16, who were at the home and who Kasznicki is also accused of providing drugs, police said.

Kasznicki was booked into custody at the Northampton County Prison with bail set at $75,000.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 12:32:00 PM

Hoosier Tutor Accused of Sex with Student, 15

(Auburn, Indiana) A 32-year-old local tutor, Mary Rowlett, has been arrested for an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.

She faces two felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

An anonymous tip alerted Auburn Police to the alleged offenses.

While detectives were speaking with the teen and his family Thursday evening, Rowlett sent a sexually based text to the victim.

They continued to respond to Rowlett posing as the teen. She eventually agreed to go the victim’s home to have another sexual encounter thinking his family was not at home.

Detectives waited for Rowlett inside the home and when she came in shortly after 8 p.m., they took her into custody….

Rowlett was booked into custody at the DeKalb County Jail and subsequently released on $20,000 bond.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 11:58:00 AM

Texas Woman Accused of Sex with Boy, 13

(Graham, Texas) A 22-year-old local-area woman, Heather Renea Brannon, has been arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy.

The boy's mother alerted authorities about the alleged relationship.

According to Young County Sheriff's Capt. Tim Bay, Brannon faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony.

Investigators interviewed the teen male who at first denied the relationship.

“He admitted it to another deputy,” Bay said.

Brannon also denied the relationship when first questioned before admitting the two had been intimate.

Bay said the two claimed the relationship was consensual and that they were in love.

Despite that, Bay said an adult cannot have sex with a 13-year-old.

Brannon was booked into custody with bond set at $15,000.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 11:28:00 AM

Moving Blankets Carry Bed Bugs




To those who may be moving in the near future:

iMoveGREEN, an agent for Bekins Van Lines and a premier green moving company in the United States, has recently discovered the main carrier of Bed Bugs: moving blankets!

While Bed Bugs continue to be a pandemic across the United States, most moving companies still do not take preventative measures to aid against Bed Bug infestation.

Moving blankets especially, are often neglected and left un-cleaned between moves, leaving your belongings susceptible.

Heh.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 10:05:00 AM

Sugar Mommas vs. Prostitutes

In case someone is wondering about the difference between prostitutes and young women compensated by older guys with expensive jewelry, cars, exotic vacations, etc., industry insider Noel Biderman of Avid Life Media explains that there is an important distinction.

"Prostitution is about sex for money and women who rely on these interactions to support themselves - this is their profession," he said.

"Sugar daddy relationships are real women who are interested in being with men who are willing to spend their disposable income on the lifestyle - clothes, jewelry, trips, dining - that match up with their desires," Biderman added.

I hope that clears up any confusion.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 08:30:00 AM

NY: Atheists protest “Heaven” sign honoring 9/11 victims



Atheists making themselves obnoxious again:

A group of New York City atheists is demanding that the city remove a street sign honoring seven firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks because they say the sign violates the separation of church and state.

The street, “Seven in Heaven Way,” was officially dedicated last weekend in Brooklyn outside the firehouse where the firefighters once served. The ceremony was attended by dozens of firefighters, city leaders and widows of the fallen men.

“There should be no signage or displays of religious nature in the public domain,” said Ken Bronstein, president of New York City Atheists. “It’s really insulting to us.” Bronstein told Fox News Radio that his organization was especially concerned with the use of the word “heaven.” “We’ve concluded as atheists there is no heaven and there’s no hell,” he said.

Source

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 07:20:00 AM

Online Prostitution Story - Updated

(Albuquerque, New Mexico) The multi-state online prostitution story now includes another academic, former University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia.

Police said Garcia, 71, and Fairleigh Dickinson professor David Flory, 68, were among seven members of the top echelon of the ring. Six have been arrested, and warrants have been issued for one more, said Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz.[...]

"At this point it looks purely coincidental" that two of the top members were academics, said police Lt. William Roseman.

Schultz emphasized that the investigation had just started and that human trafficking and racketeering charges were possible.

Members of the site paid from $200 for a sex act to $1,000 for a full hour of time, Roseman said. The prostitutes were paid in cash by the clients, not through the site, police said.

Garcia was part of the "hunt club," whose job was to look for new prostitutes for the site known as Southwest Companions, said police. Police declined to release an age range for the women.

Developing….(h/t slwlion)

* * * * *
College Prof Busted for Prostitution Website
[Previous 6/21/11 post]
(Albuquerque, New Mexico) A 60-ish physics professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, David Flory, has been arrested for allegedly running an online prostitution ring in New Mexico.

Reportedly, Flory's website managed 200 women who provided prostitution services to more than 1,200 male customers.

Flory holds a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from Yeshiva University.

He had a vacation home in Santa Fe, but ran a website called Southwest Companions from his home in New York, his vacation home in Santa Fe, and even from a school computer, reports say.

Flory told police he did not make any money off the website and saw it as more of a "hobby."

A hobby, eh? I bet. Flory was booked into custody with bail set at $100,000.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/25/2011 04:07:00 AM

Woman Gets Prison in Girl Sex Case

(Provo, Utah) Last month, a 35-year-old Oregon woman, Kimberly Rusgrove, pleaded guilty in accordance with a plea agreement to charges of attempted forcible sodomy and forcible sex abuse of a 15-year-old girl she had met online.

Rusgrove reportedly came to Utah, picked up the girl then left the state. Rusgrove was apprehended in Nevada and the girl was returned to her home.

During the sentencing, defense attorney Anthony Howell said that Rusgrove was sorry for what she had done and asked the court to impose probation rather than send her to prison.

This week, Rusgrove was sentenced by Judge Steven Hansen to three years to life for the sodomy charge and one to 15 years in prison on the sex abuse charge.

The sentences are to run concurrently. Based on how things are run in Utah, Rusgrove will be eligible for parole in three years.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/24/2011 09:03:00 PM

Florida Teacher Caught in Student's Bed

(Palm Beach, Florida) A 29-year-old reading teacher at Palm Beach Central High School, Susan Keppers, has resigned her position after being accused of engaging in sex with an 18-year-old student.

According to an investigative report, the mother of the 11th grade student complained to school officials after she found Keppers in her son's bed one day.

The student told investigators he met Keppers through his 21-year-old brother. He said they went to clubs together and played video games.

Reportedly, no sexual contact occurred at school.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/24/2011 10:02:00 AM

Carolina Teacher Accused of Cyberstalking Boy, 13

(Burgaw, North Carolina) A 26-year-old 8th-grade teacher at Burgaw Middle School, Megan Mantooth, has been accused of cyberstalking a 13-year-old male student.

In an interview, the boy’s mother said the teacher sent hundreds of text messages to her son beginning earlier this month.

She described some of the communications as provocative.

“She told him, ‘I want you to wrap your arms around me and throw me on your lap,’” said the mother, whose name is being withheld to protect the juvenile’s identity.

Mantooth, married and the mother of a three-year-old, has been suspended from her teaching position and reportedly arrested.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/24/2011 08:30:00 AM

Sen. McCain Getting Bum Rap from Media

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) mentioned that wildfires along the Arizona-Mexico border are probably caused by illegal aliens or drug smugglers. As a result, the elite media has been claiming that Sen. McCain has been misleading the public with baseless racist remarks.

Yet there is mounting evidence both the Monument Fire and the Murphy Fire were in fact started by someone crossing the border.

The video from the Murphy Fire showing a mule train of drug smugglers and the fire breaking out is stunning.

It seems that Sen. McCain is likely correct in his assertions.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/24/2011 06:24:00 AM

Boob-Based Hiring of Female Workers

(Sheffield, England) A female sales executive for a marine supply company has filed a sex discrimination complaint against her company because hiring is based on bra size.

A sales manager who chased a female colleague around the office before putting her across his knee and spanking her also hired female workers based on their bra size rather than their abilities, an employment tribunal heard.

The allegations came to light at a Sheffield hearing against Chesterfield-based Cathelco Ltd following claims by former sales executive Angelina Ashby for constructive dismissal and sex and pay discrimination.

She attested that the “boys’ club” culture at the marine supplies company resulted in sales manager Pete Smith sitting female staff members on his knee and stroking their hair while encouraging others to grab his genitals.

He also looked at blow-up dolls and sex toys on the internet and chased a sales executive Laura Holland around the office before putting her over his knee and spanking her, it was claimed.

A second former employee Alina Taylor, speaking on Ashby’s behalf yesterday, likewise accused Smith and his deputy Kevin Ward of hiring female workers based on their bra size and discussing candidates’ curves in front of the sales team before offering them jobs.

The company has denied all allegations.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 11:33:00 PM

Texas Teacher Gets 10 Years Prison - Updated

(San Antonio, Texas) Former 8th-grade math teacher Nora Lynn Martinez pleaded guilty Wednesday to online solicitation of a minor and indecency with a child by contact.

Martinez was arrested in January for the indecency charge after the student, then 13, lent her cell phone to her father.

On the phone, the father told police, he found text messages from Martinez stating she loved the girl and that she wanted them to run away together and get married.

“Probably in early December we started holding hands and our hugs started lasting longer,” the student told police in a handwritten statement. “Kissing began in mid-December.”

As a result, Martinez was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Upon her release, she will be required to register as a sex offender.

* * * * *
Texas Teacher Accused of Molesting Student
[Previous 1/25/11 post]
(San Antonio, Texas) A 30-year-old math teacher at Stevenson Middle School, Nora Martinez, has been accused of molesting a 13-year-old female student.

Martinez faces charges of indecency with a child and improper relationship between an educator and student.

The alleged victim is not her student but did attend the school.

The 13-year-old girl's father reportedly found out about the alleged relationship through text messages sent to the child from Martinez.

Martinez was booked into custody with bond set at $60,000.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 01:11:00 PM

Texas Teacher Violates Probation - Updated

(Weatherford, Texas) Former private school teacher and convicted sex offender Julianna Christine Sauls is back in the news.

Reportedly, 40-year-old Sauls completed her period of incarceration and was in the process of serving her specified probation when she was found in violation.

The Parker District Attorney’s Office filed a request last week to revoke community supervision for a former Parker County teacher convicted of having a sexual relationship with her students after she reportedly engaged in sexual activity with probationers while serving community service hours.

According to court documents, Julianna Christine Sauls, 40, of Arlington, was kicked out of the required community service sex offender counseling program earlier this month when she admitted to having sex five times with four men at the Fort Worth Police Department horse stables while fulfilling the required 200 hours of community service time.

Presumably, Sauls will be re-sentenced or be required to serve the remainder of the 10-year term she received in her initial trial. I'm speculating, of course. Right now it's not really clear what will happen to her.

* * * * *
Texas Teacher Gets Prison in Sex Case - Updated
[Previous 6/9/09 post]
(Parker County, Texas) Former private school teacher Julianna Christine Sauls, 38, pleaded guilty last week to charges of improper relationship between an educator and a student. Notably, the improper sex involved two male students.

As a result, she was sentenced by 43rd District Judge Don Chrestman to 10 years in prison with the understanding that she will be eligible for shock probation after serving six months.

As part of her plea, Sauls was required to permanently relinquish her teaching certification. She also must pay $4,000 in fines, perform 400 hours of community service, attend sex offender counseling, and stay away from all junior high and high school-aged youths, including her victims, Swain said.

Four days before her Parker County plea, Sauls was sentenced to five years’ probation on a Tarrant County charge involving one of the victims in the Parker County cases. As part of that plea, state District Judge Sharen Wilson ordered her to serve six months in jail after her release from prison. Wilson ordered her to perform 240 hours of community service and have a mental health evaluation.

I confess confusion. It appears that Sauls may be out of prison in six months and then serve six months in the Tarrant County Jail. Nevertheless, I won't be surprised if her name pops up in the news again sometime in the future.

* * * * *
Texas Teacher Faces New Sex Charges - Updated
[Previous 12/4/08 post]
(Parker County, Texas) Teacher Julianna Sauls has now been charged in Parker County.

Julianna Christine Sauls, 38, turned herself in to Parker County authorities Wednesday afternoon on two warrants for improper relationship between educator and student, a second-degree felony, said Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler. [...]

While police were interviewing other students about the teacher, a 17-year-old student disclosed that Sauls had also had sexual contact with him in recent months outside his residence in unincorporated Parker County, Azle authorities have said.

Fowler said the contact with the 17-year-old involved oral sex.

Sauls was booked into custody and released hours later on $60,000 bond.

* * * * *
Texas Teacher Accused of Sex Assault, Student Narrowly Escapes
[Previous 11/13/08 post]
(Azle, Texas) A 38-year-old algebra teacher at Azle Christian Academy, Julianna Sauls, was arrested yesterday for the alleged sexual assault of an 18-year-old student. Sauls reportedly made repeated sexual overtures toward the student before authorities were alerted.

Sauls faces charge of sexual assault and improper relationship between teacher and student.

Police say Sauls and the student exchanged e-mails, text messages, and even went to Fort Worth where they received tribal tattoos together.

While the 18-year-old claims Sauls made sexual advances, he says their relationship was never sexual.

Information in police warrants says Sauls and the student agreed to meet in a parking lot near the Azle High School football stadium. The boy claims he agreed to the meeting as long as the teacher promised that it wasn't to do anything sexual.

At that meeting the student claims that Sauls began saying how sexually frustrated she was, then pulled down his shorts and tried to perform oral sex on him.

After the advances, the boy claims he attempted to jump into his car to leave and Sauls told him to trust her, because "the other boys do." That alleged statement is what leads police to believe there are other underage victims.

Sauls was booked into custody and released on $50,000 bond.

Interestingly, according to Sheriff Larry Fowler, Sauls is a suspect in a similar investigation in Parker County.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 08:43:00 AM

ATF Celebrates LGBT

From a news release yesterday:

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today sponsored its first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month program at its headquarters, with Acting Director Kenneth Melson providing remarks and Rep. Barney Frank serving as the keynote speaker.

The celebration was in recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans to ATF and the nation, and to promote awareness of the LGBT culture.

Heh.

Tip: Good Richard

Companion post at GunWatch.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 08:12:00 AM

Obama gives America its second Vietnam

Vietnam was lost in Washington DC. Looks the same for Afghanistan. In Vietnam's case they talked about handing over to local forces too

US President Barack Obama used a prime-time address to the nation from the White House today to confirm the withdrawal of about 10,000 troops from Afghanistan this year. Mr Obama said a further 23,000 troops would be brought back to America by mid-2012 - ending the US military "surge" in the war-torn nation.

"After this initial reduction, our troops will continue coming home at a steady pace as Afghan Security forces move into the lead. Our mission will change from combat to support," he said. "By 2014, this process of transition will be complete, and the Afghan people will be responsible for their own security.

"We are starting this drawdown from a position of strength. Al-Qaeda is under more pressure than at any time since 9/11."

The US currently has about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan, so even after all of the surge troops leave, the military will still have nearly 70,000 forces in the country.

Responding to Mr Obama's address, House Speaker John Boehner said he was pleased the president recognised that success in Afghanistan was paramount.

However, he cautioned, "It is my hope that the president will continue to listen to our commanders on the ground as we move forward. Congress will hold the administration accountable for ensuring that the pace and scope of the drawdown does not undermine the progress we've made thus far".

General David Petraeus and top Pentagon officials had asked for a slower drawdown through the (northern) summer of 2012 to allow them to solidify gains in southern Afghanistan and to mount counter-insurgency operations in eastern districts.

Senator John McCain said Mr Obama's decision, communicated to senior national security officials yesterday represented an "unnecessary risk" and said Gen Petraeus and Defence Secretary Robert Gates had recommended a "more modest withdrawal".

More HERE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 07:01:00 AM

Geert Wilders NOT Guilty

Breaking news!

Right-wing politician Geert Wilders was today cleared by a Dutch court of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims.

The court in Amsterdam ruled that Mr Wilders' anti-Islam statements, while offensive to many Muslims, fell within the bounds of legitimate political debate.

Presiding judge Marcel van Oosten said the politician's claims that Islam was violent by nature and his calls to halt Muslim immigration and ban the Koran must be seen in a wider context over immigration policy.

He also ruled that Mr Wilders' public statement could not be directly linked to increased discrimination against Dutch Muslims.

Mr Wilders did not react as the verdict was read out, but supporters in the public gallery hugged one another and clapped after his acquittal.

One of the most powerful and popular politicians in the Netherlands, Mr Wilders was accused of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims through numerous public statements and with insulting them by comparing Islam with Nazism.

He said outside court: 'I'm incredibly happy with this acquittal on all counts. 'It's not only an acquittal for me, but a victory for freedom of expression in the Netherlands.

It's the right outcome.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 05:00:00 AM

Arkansas Woman Accused of Sex with Girl, 14

(Memphis, Tennessee) A 23-year-old Swifton AR woman, Ashley Forehand, and a 25-year-old Southaven man, Benjamin Wruk, have been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in a Memphis motel.

The girl told police that she was in Swifton when the woman invited her to travel about 100 miles to Memphis to shop and visit the zoo, according to court affidavits.

Once at a Memphis hotel on Airways, the man arrived for the sexual encounter.

Forehand is behind bars in Shelby County’s Jail East on $25,000 bond. Wruk was booked and released on $50,000 bond.

Tip: Lame

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/23/2011 12:05:00 AM

Airplane Fashion Rules?

On June 9th, this guy boarded a US Airways flight without incident.



This Guy

Reportedly, several fellow passengers complained about this guy's apparel before boarding but flight attendants ignored the complaints. A US Airways spokesperson remarked that the carrier did not have a dress code policy and people are allowed to fly as long as their privates are covered.

Jump forward to June 15th when college student Deshon Marman was yanked from a US Airways flight for droopy drawers.



Deshon Marman
A US Airway's employee had asked Marman to pull his pants up to keep his underwear from showing. A kerfuffle commenced and Marman refused to comply with the pilot's orders and was detained on suspicion of trespassing, battery and resisting arrest.

Heh. The curious juxtaposition of two dumb stories has created controversy because US Airways seemingly treated a white guy differently than a black guy.

Tip: Charley Nestor
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       Following Entry Posted 6/22/2011 12:46:00 PM

Chinese Glass Bombs



Shanghai Skyscrapers
(Shanghai, China) Reportedly, high-rise building glass panes as large as three meters long are becoming dislodged from their moldings and falling to the street, creating personal injury and property damage risks.

Three separate incidents happened on the same day last month, causing the city to review regulations concerning high-rise glass maintenance. As it turns out, there are none.

Somehow so far the only victims have been cars, but this problem has the makings for a pretty gruesome headline.

Shanghai has an estimated 5,000 skyscrapers with glass-clad walls.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/22/2011 08:31:00 AM

Muslim coverup in Sweden

I reproduce below the whole of a news report from an English-language news site in Sweden. The "local youths" are of course Muslims -- but you are not supposed to mention that in Sweden

The police station in Malmö district Rosengård, in the south of Sweden, was fired upon early Saturday morning. "At 4:29 a.m. police on location alerted us about the gunshots," Hanna Berndtsson, Skåne police information officer, told the TT news agency.

No one was physically injured by the shooting. "There were police officers on the second floor of the building, but the shots were fired towards the first floor, so there were no injuries."

Security at the police station has now been tightened, and a forensic investigation squad is on location to find out what happened.

Thus far the forensic investigation has revealed that live ammunition was used in the shooting, and therefore an attempted murder probe has been initiated, according to the Malmö police force. At this moment the police have no information about the type of weapon used, or the reason for the shooting. "We don't know the origins of all this yet," said Hanna Berndtsson.

Rosengård, centrally located in Malmö, is an area commonly associated with social difficulties, and has been the place of several riots and clashes between local youths and authorities in recent years.

Source

See here for some videos about the matter that call a spade a spade

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/22/2011 06:47:00 AM

Put a Smile on Your Face

Quite entertaining. Enjoy with your morning coffee.




Thanks to TRKOF.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/22/2011 05:45:00 AM

Castle Doctrine in Pennsylvania

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) New law from state lawmakers.

Area lawmakers are applauding state Senate passage this week of legislation to expand the Castle Doctrine, protecting gun owners who act in self-defense from attackers from prosecution.

But opponents claim the bill merely expands the use of force in a society already rampant with gun violence.

The law, now awaiting the governor's signature, removes the duty to retreat clause when an individual is threatened by an attacker in his or her home or vehicle.

State Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, a supporter of the bill, said law-abiding citizens should not fear prosecution because they took action to protect themselves from perpetrators.

The "duty to retreat" clause in the law must have been written by a sniveling pussy non-confrontational pollyanna. Sure, there are times when stepping back and holding fire is necessary as a tactical maneuver, but I suggest it should never be a primary legislative mandate.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/22/2011 02:25:00 AM

Warmist journalist wants skeptics gassed

You can't make this stuff up. Do I need to mention whom her wishes align her with? You won't be surprised that she made her career with the ABC, Australia's main public broadcaster. And, needless to say, she pays zero attention to any of the science concerned. In effect she just says "Heil Klima" while her right arm edges upwards. In other words, she accepts the Warmist faith without question ("Klima" is the German word for climate)

Jill Singer

While Tony Abbott has previously lent support to schemes including an emissions trading scheme and a carbon tax, you wouldn't know it today. The only real scheme he and supporters are currently backing is political interference.

It's a dangerous game they're playing with our future, but you've got to hand it to them, they're ruddy good at it.

Cate Blanchett pops up her head to support a carbon tax and Abbott's band of climate sceptics quickly lops it off because she's richer than most.

But when Gina Rinehart pops hers up, Australia's richest woman is touted as some kind of working-class hero.

Then there's David Murray, chair of Australia's $71 billion Future Fund and recipient of a $28 million golden parachute from his time running the Commonwealth Bank. Murray states there's no link between global warming and carbon dioxide emissions because carbon dioxide is necessary for life, colourless and odourless - and therefore can't be considered a pollutant. It's a popularly held view.

Andy Semple of the Menzies Institute claims it's "refreshing" for someone with Murray's standing to take on the global warming "scam" by expressing such views.

Really? I'm prepared to keep an open mind and propose another stunt for climate sceptics - put your strong views to the test by exposing yourselves to high concentrations of either carbon dioxide or some other colourless, odourless gas - say, carbon monoxide.

You wouldn't see or smell anything. Nor would your anti-science nonsense be heard of again. How very refreshing.

More HERE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/21/2011 10:53:00 PM

Youth Center Woman Accused of Sex with Boy

(Hopewell, New York) A 28-year-old employee at the Ontario County Youth Care Facility, Melissa A. Canough, has been accused of engaging in sex with a 16-year-old boy. The boy is a resident at the facility.

Canough faces charges of third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act. Additional charges are possible.

Canough was booked into custody at the Ontario County Jail and released on bail shortly thereafter.

Tip: Chuck Simmins

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/21/2011 09:45:00 PM

NY Woman Accused of Drinking and Driving

(Greece, New York) A 24-year-old local woman, Chastity Lotta, was arrested last week for allegedly driving while intoxicated and attempting to bribe an officer during a traffic stop.

According to court papers, Lotta is accused of telling the officer who arrested her, "I give you $1,000 if you let me go."

Court paper indicate Lotta said this to the officer "approximately 15 times."

Court papers continue: "defendant did state to the police officer two times, 'I'll do anything you want if you let me go,' implying sexual favors from the defendant to the police officer."

Note that Lotta was arrested in a similar case back in February when she was caught speeding, appeared drunk and didn't have a required breathalyzer gizmo attached to her rental car.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/21/2011 08:27:00 AM

Oregon Man Urinates in Reservoir

(Portland, Oregon) A 21-year-old man was captured on video as he urinated in Portland's open-air reservoir. As a result, Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff decided to flush 7.8 million gallons of water.

Urine is pretty sterile chemically speaking, said Dave Stone, an assistant professor in toxicology at Oregon State University who specializes in chemical contaminants in water.

"It's inappropriate behavior. But how many animals are doing that or birds?" he said. "I don't want to second-guess the city, but I can't think of anything chemically that would have me be concerned."

But Chris Wanner, director of operations for the Water Bureau, said he was worried -- though less about the urine than about unknown items thrown into the water by a group of five people who hung around Mount Tabor early Wednesday.

Even so, Portland's five open reservoirs are susceptible to dead rodents, birds or bird poop. Water quality is tested, but reservoirs aren't drained because of dead animals.

"We look at that as part of the business of open reservoirs," Wanner said.

Draining the reservoir is estimated to take several days, costing in the tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue and disposal charges.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/21/2011 04:53:00 AM

Fat and happy Australians have long lives

The traditional Australian diet of meat pies, sausage rolls etc. could hardly be more "incorrect". It's full of fat. But Australian life expectancy is high anyway. Time for a redefinition of "healthy" food?

THE number of people dying early because of chronic health problems is falling, boosting the life expectancy of Australians, a new government report has found.

The report, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) today, has for the first time come up with 42 indicators linked to chronic illness.

It found the number of people aged under 75 dying from chronic illness - like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental illness - had dropped by almost 20 per cent in the decade-long study period ending in 2007.

This has contributed to gains in the life expectancy of Australians, with males born between 2006 and 2008 expected to live to 79.2 years - an increase of three-and-a-half years since about a decade earlier.

Females born between 2006 and 2008 would live for 83.7 years - an rise of 2.3 years since 10 years earlier, according to the report, entitled Key indicators of progress for chronic disease and associated determinants. [In Greece, home of the fabled "Mediterranean" diet, the life expectancy for males is 77.36 years and for females 82.65 --LOWER than Australia]

Chronic diseases are usually long-lasting, persistent and may be associated with disability, the AIHW says.

"The indicators were developed as a first step to consistent reporting, which will, over time, be able to provide information about progress with preventing and managing chronic disease in Australia," said Ilona Brockway of the AIHW's Population Health Unit.

Researchers reported a mixed bag of results when it came to risk factors associated with chronic disease, such as smoking, unhealthy diet and inactivity.

"On the positive side, daily smoking continues to decrease, with less than 18 per cent of Australian adults now smoking daily, compared with over 24 per cent in 1991," Mrs Brockway said.

"On the other hand, almost a quarter of Australian children are currently overweight or obese. "For adults, the figure is around 60 per cent, and the trend has been increasing. "Excess weight is associated with many chronic conditions, so the increase shown in these statistics is of concern."

SOURCE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/21/2011 04:45:00 AM

Stuck in the Airport

This vid hits home.




Been there, done that. Heh.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/20/2011 10:43:00 PM

Texas Teacher Disses Fox News

(Lumberton, Texas) Regarding an incident where a 6th-grade science teacher, Mrs. Karen Talbert, allegedly chastised a 12-year-old student for watching Fox News, the student's parent writes:

"We started to tell our daughter that this was not right of her teacher and that she should not listen to the teacher’s personal views. Our daughter then told us about the time that one of her classmates was talking to another classmate and she made the comment 'Fox News said that Obama was not making good decisions.' Our daughter then told us that Mrs. Talbert went up to this girl’s desk and put her hand down on the desk and started yelling at her about how Fox News doesn’t know what they are talking about and they never tell the whole story so if you want good news and the right news you need to watch CNN. Our daughter said the classmate looked like she was going to cry because the teacher was getting so upset. As a parent, I am not concerned what news station someone else watches. My concern is that a teacher should not be giving her personal political views to students. They get enough bad influences as it is and they don’t need it from teachers too.”

Although this report is anecdotal, I suspect its nature is not uncommon.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/20/2011 11:40:00 AM

Accused of Driving While Female

(Rochester, Minnesota) Three female limousine drivers were allegedly fired for being female.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, members of the Saudi royal family were in Rochester for appointments at the Mayo Clinic. The three women were among many drivers who were hired to help the family and their entourage get around.

But after the first drive the company terminated them from that job, saying the visitors from Saudi Arabia did not want women drivers.

The women have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

A nonprofit organization called Gender Justice staged an event Friday in south Minneapolis to protest the alleged firings and Saudi Arabia's law prohibiting women from driving in that country.

Fired drivers Gretchen Cooper, Barbara Herold and Lisa Boutelle voiced their complaints this week against three transportation companies and the Saudi royal family.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/20/2011 09:29:00 AM

Troubles for Tax Maven Roni Deutsch

(Sacramento, California) Roni Deutsch, the self-described "Tax Lady" frequently seen on television, faces legal and financial difficulties.

Deutch's firm, at one time a $25 million-a-year practice, crumbled in May under the weight of fraud and contempt-of-court allegations and a $34 million lawsuit filed in August 2010 by the state's attorney general.

She's accused, among other things, of doing little or no work on clients' behalf and crafting bogus billing statements to cheat them.

Imagine that. A tax lawyer accused of being a crook.

Labels: Women With Troubles

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       Following Entry Posted 6/20/2011 08:29:00 AM

This may be Pat Condell's best yet



Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
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       Following Entry Posted 6/20/2011 06:40:00 AM

Some People Are More Equal

Check this out.

Traditional organizations like the Boy Scouts of America have long been under siege by atheists and pro-gay lobbyists who insist they shouldn’t have the freedom of association to maintain their God-fearing identity. But you think that’s maddening? How about the ultimate cultural flip-flop of a gay softball league going to federal court to insist that bisexual or heterosexual players can’t play ball with them?

In Seattle, Reagan-appointed U.S. District Judge John Coughenour ruled that a group called the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance has a First Amendment right to limit the number of bisexual or heterosexual players.

“It would be difficult for NAGAAA to effectively emphasize a vision of the gay lifestyle rooted in athleticism, competition and sportsmanship if it were prohibited from maintaining a gay identity,” the judge wrote.

In other words, the gay left now can have it both ways. They can force “anti-discrimination” rules on everybody else, but they don’t have to follow them.

Heh.
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       Following Entry Posted 6/19/2011 05:56:00 AM

Greenpeace Attacking Barbie Dolls

Greenpeace has launched a campaign to seemingly turn young girls into environmental activists.

The campaign was drawn up in response to Barbie producer Mattel making Barbie’s packaging from Indonesian rainforests.

“Thousands and thousands of people have shared Barbie’s dirty secret on Facebook and Twitter.

The pressure is mounting and you can be part of the next activity to expose Barbie’s role in deforestation,” Greenpeace exhorts.

“Our investigation and testing of Barbie’s packaging revealed her boxes are made from Indonesia’s rainforests which are vital to the continued survival of endangered orangutans and Sumatran tigers and for keeping our climate on an even keel,” it said.

“Not content with the devastation in Indonesia, Barbie is now on the rampage in the UK. Hundreds of Chainsaw Barbie dolls, each brandishing a pink chainsaw, are hidden across the country and I’m relying on you to help track them down.

“It’s a treasure hunt, but you’ll be searching for Barbies instead of gold. Once you’ve captured one of your own, you’ll be a member of our Barbie Investigation Bureau. We’ll send you further special assignments to end the malevolent mannequin’s tyranny.”

According to the Greenpeace website, girls are supposed to find Barbie dolls and attach a pink chainsaw downloaded from the website.




After attaching the pink chainsaw to the Barbie doll with "thread or an elastic band," youngsters can join the Barbie Investigation Bureau by filling out a form. Special assignments are promised to come.

Offhand, I'd suggest this Greenpeace campaign is not much different from a stranger luring a young girl to help find a lost puppy.
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