Women With Troubles - September 2011

Reported in news stories during September 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) Abby Bundrick,
teacher - Accused of distributing obscene material to a minor,

(AR) Falisha Hutcherson, 23,
neighbor - Accused of setting boyfriend on fire,

(AZ) Cherish Arroyo, 35,
neighbor - Accused of sex with son's 16-year-old friend,

(AZ) Rosanna Brown, 49,
teacher - Gets 20 years prison for sex with minor,

(AZ) Jessica Callaway, 21,
neighbor - Arrested for child abuse,

(CA) Kathia Maria Davis, 44,
neighbor - Accused of sex with two boys under age 16,

(CA) Nadia Christine Diaz, 26,
teacher - Accused of sex with student, 14,

(CA) Diane Denise Fisher, 42,
teacher - Accused of identity theft,

(CA) Felecia (aka Felicia) Killings, 28,
teacher - Accused of unlawful sex with student, 16,

(CA) Dorothy Ramirez, 53,
teacher - Arrested for methamphetamine possession,

(CA) Rachel Ruth Schellenberg, 41,
neighbor - Gets year in jail for sex with boy, 14,

(CA) Lyralisa Stevens, 42,
prison inmate - Denied sex change surgery,

(CO) Stefanie Dickinson, 37,
neighbor - Accused of sexting a boy, 14,

(DE) Meagan R. Gordon, 22,
teacher - Accused of providing obscene material to a boy, 15,

(FL) Kristina Rhoden Hartless, 40,
teacher - Gets 13 months in prison for unlawful sex with a minor,

(FL) Debra Lafave aka Beasley, 31,
former teacher - Judge ends probation four years early,

(FL) Josephine Rebecca Smith, 22,
neighbor - Arrested for bloody vampire attack of wheelchair-bound man, 69,

(FL) Patricia Thompson, 50,
teacher - Accused of DUI, possession of drugs & fleeing police,

(FL) Christina Vavra, 31,
neighbor - Arrested for prostitution,

(GA) Tiffiny Keturah Robinson, 29,
school secretary - Guilty of child molestation,

(IA) Melissa B. Minarsich, 28,
neighbor - Accused of violent disturbance when refused sex,

(ID) Lisa Marie Rasho, 33,
neighbor - Gets 10 months federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender,

(IL) Jennifer Diane Bland, 25,
teacher - Gets 30 years prison for sex with male students,

(IL) Kelly K. Miller, 32,
teacher - Charged with sending inappropriate photos to boy, 15,

(IL) Lisa Miller, 42,
teacher - Gets five years in prison for sex with boy, 14,

(IL) Jennifer L. Wilson, 35,
neighbor - Caught in the act with boy, 15. Faces criminal sex charge,

(IN) Mindy J. Skeen, 34,
neighbor - Gets 12 years in prison for sex with boy, 14,

(KS) Michelle Preston, 27,
teacher - Accused of sex with three students,

(KY) Gail Coontz, 41,
neighbor - Gets life in prison for killing her two children,

(ME) Angel L. Crowley, 23,
teacher - Gets 90 days jail for sex with male student, 16,

(ME) Mandy Lynn Thibodeau, 34,
neighbor - Arrested for sex assault of boy, 13,

(MI) Michelle Lester, 42,
neighbor - Accused of molesting boy, 5, while babysitting,

(MO) Michelle Cheatham, 32,
neighbor - Arrested for drugs after son took meth to kindergarten,

(MO) Sandra Triebel, 46,
neighbor - Accused of involuntary manslaughter in death of girl, 16,

(NY) Nicole Cummings, 25,
neighbor - Accused of reckless endangerment for using cocaine while breastfeeding,

(NY) Teri K. Decker, 40,
teacher - Gets 15 days jail in student sex case,

(NY) Angie Jenkins, 35,
neighbor - Gets seven years prison for sex with boy, 15,

(OH) Kenya Gilliam, 27,
neighbor - Gets life in prison for raping child younger than 13,

(OH) Ashley N. Jessup, 24,
neighbor - Accused of raping baby, 10 months old,

(PA) Greta L. Irizarry, 40,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 15,

(SC) Susan Russell Hammond, 47,
neighbor - Accused of showing porn and liquoring up teenage boys,

(SC) Deanna Marie Robert, 44,
teacher - Gets year house arrest for sex with student,

(SC) Tamera Nicole Shoemaker, 26,
neighbor - Accused of sexually assaulting two boys, 11 and 14,

(TN) Sherri Baffa, 36,
teacher - Accused of sex with male juvenile, 16,

(TN) Sandra Justus, 45,
neighbor - Accused of oral sex with boy, 16,

(TN) Tonia Hennessee Martin, 38,
teacher's aide - Gets judicial diversion in aggravated rape of boy case,

(TN) Ashley Lynn Raines, 32,
teacher - Accused of raping girl, 17,

(TX) Lindsay Ann Correa, 29,
neighbor - Accused of sex with two teen boys,

(UT) Heidi Pobanz, 33,
neighbor - Accused of raping teenage girl,

(VA) Timothea Dzan, 53,
teacher - Accused of aiding teens escape juvenile detention,

(WA) Barbara Jeanne Anderson, 37,
teacher - Gets eight months in jail for sex with male student, 17,

(WI) Brittany Barcus, 24,
neighbor - Accused of sex assault of boy, 13,

(WI) Nadine N. Minglana, 42,
prison teacher - Accused of sex with inmate,

(WV) Jenee Afzal, 36,
neighbor - Gets probationary diversion in lieu of trial on incest charges,

(WV) Denise Fitch, 41,
school counselor - Guilty of sex with three male students,

(WV) Melissa Sigman, 31,
neighbor - Guilty of sexual activity with boy, 11.

Thanks to the tipsters.

Bill of Privileges?

To putatively counter cyberbullying, four Democrat New York state senators -- Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Carlucci and David Valesky -- have proposed that freedom of speech be redefined.

Proponents of a more refined First Amendment argue that this freedom should be treated not as a right but as a privilege — a special entitlement granted by the state on a conditional basis that can be revoked if it is ever abused or maltreated.

Therefore, it appears that the Bill of Rights to the Constitution will have to be retitled as the Bill of Privileges.

My question? What in the hell are these people thinking?

Lesbian Parents Force Sex Change Treatment on Boy

The 11-year-old boy is undergoing hormone-blocking treatment to stop the onset of puberty and the development of male characteristics. One lesbian explains:

“[S]he [sic] will stay as a pre-pubescent boy until she [sic] decides and we feel that she [sic] can make this decision about surgery [i.e., progress from chemical to surgical mutilation].”

In my opinion, this is wrong.

Official Language Revised

To wit:

The Society of Professional Journalists voted this week to support the recommendation that newsrooms abandon the terms “illegal immigrant” and “illegal alien.”

The action came after a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists told a story of the shame her family felt when hearing the media use those terms.

Update your Newspeak Dictionary accordingly.

Report: Ford Pulls Anti-Bailout Ad After Pressure From Obama Admin.

Must not criticize Obama:

"Remember that clever little Ford ad that showed an actual buyer being led into a surprise news conference and answering impromptu questions? You know, the one where the buyer says, “I wasn’t going to buy another car that was bailed out by the government. I was going to buy from a manufacturer that’s standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That’s what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta’ pick yourself up and go back to work.”

Well, the last time you saw it may have been the last time you saw it. What do I mean? According to a report from The Detroit News, the ad has now been pulled by Ford due to pressure from the Obama administration.

Columnist Daniel Howes explains:

[...] Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early ‘09 and again when the ad flap arose.

With President Barack Obama tuning his re-election campaign amid dismal economic conditions and simmering antipathy toward his stimulus spending and associated bailouts, the Ford ad carried the makings of a political liability when Team Obama can least afford yet another one. Can’t have that.

Michelle Malkin has been corresponding with representatives from Ford and the White House via Twitter. Both have denied any pressure. [But they would, of course]

Source

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Anwar al-Awlaki Killed in Yemen



Anwar al-Awlaki
Breaking News!

The US-born radical Islamist cleric and suspected al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki has been killed in Yemen, the country's defence ministry has said.

A statement said only that he died "along with some of his companions".

Reportedly, al-Awlaki was killed by Yemeni forces.

[Update 0523 EDT] From Yemen Observer:

Tribal sources said that Awlaki was killed along with other fighters in an airstrike targeted two cars carrying al-Awlaki and some other al-Qaeda fighters in Shabwah province.

Responsibility for the airstrike hasn't been reported.

[Update 0600 EDT] According to tribal sources, the airstrike was likely carried out by Americans. It hit two vehicles in Marib Province, an al-Qaeda stronghold in eastern Yemen.

However, Fox News reports that Yemeni government officials are saying they conducted the airstrike, not the U.S.

Companion post at the Jawa Report.

France Threatens Iran



French warplanes
(New York City) During a panel discussion Tuesday at United Nations headquarters on Iran's nuclear program, French Ambassador Gerard Araud said:

"If we don't succeed today to reach a negotiation with the Iranians, there is a strong risk of military action."[…]

The strike, he said, "would be a very complicated operation. It would have disastrous consequences in the region… all the Arab countries are extremely worried about what is happening."

Interestingly, although the threat came from a French official, it wasn't a threat that the French would actually take military action. It was merely a Frenchman saying that someone would take military action.

Heh.

Alabama Teacher Indicted for Racy Texts

(Russell County, Alabama) A Russell County High School English teacher and cheerleading coach, Abby Bundrick, has been accused of distributing obscene material to a minor.

She was indicted after a four-month investigation.

Sheriff Heath Taylor says his office got a tip from the school system at the end of last school year.

"The situation in this case involved a cell phone so we had to send that cell phone off for forensic recovery of whatever evidence could have been on the phone and that takes some time," Taylor said.

After spending the last few months reviewing evidence, the Grand Jury indicted Bundrick last week. She turned herself in and is out on a $5,000 bond.

A court appearance has been scheduled for November.

Florida Teacher Gets Prison in Sex Case - Updated

(Jacksonville, Florida) Former 5th-grade teacher at Beauclerc Elementary School, Kristina Rhoden Hartless, 40, pleaded guilty earlier today to one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

As a result, Hartless was sentenced to 13 months in state prison.

As part of her punishment, Circuit Judge Thomas Beverly also sentenced Hartless to five years of probation following her release.

She will have to undergo counseling and pay for the victim's counseling. She won't be able to work or volunteer where children gather, won't be able to use the Internet, and isn't allowed to contact the victim.

The age of the victim isn't available.

* * * * *
Florida Teacher Accused of Sex with Boy - Updated
[Previous 3/30/11 post]
(Jacksonville, Florida) A cache of text messages between 39-year-old fifth-grade teacher Kristina Rhoden Hartless and her alleged boy lover has been released by the state attorney's office.

Secret texts and Facebook chats reportedly transpired for several months between the two.

Here's an example of a typical conversation.

Teen: "I love you."
Hartless: "I love you too!! Soooo much. I'm so glad we had some time together tonight. We needed that!!"
Teen: "We really did."
Hartless: "I can't wait until we have some real alone time ;)."
Teen: "I know, me too."

Both Hartless and the boy reportedly admitted to the sexual relationship.

* * * * *
Florida Teacher Accused of Sex with Child
[Previous 12/11/10 post bumped]
(Jacksonville, Florida) A 39-year-old fifth-grade teacher at Beauclerc Elementary School, Kristina Rhoden Hartless, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sex with a boy. Hartless reportedly counseled the boy at church.

Hartless faces charges of capital sexual battery on a child older than 12.

According to a police report, the investigation began when the victim's mother told police that she was concerned her son had an inappropriate relationship with his youth counselor at church.

When police met with the victim he told them that they kissed and texted about having sex, but never had sexual intercourse.

When police questioned Hartless, she admitted to having sex with him.

Hartless was booked into custody, presumably at the Duval County Jail.

U.K. Schools Ban Witches’ Black Hats for Promoting…Racism Among Children?

It seems nothing — from the traditional dress of age-old children’s storybook characters to the very sheet of paper those stories are written on — is above the scrutiny and condemnation of those seeking to push a politically correct agenda and tie even the most seemingly innocent of things to an assault on racial “equality.”

That’s correct, according to diversity and equality “experts,” the Wicked Witch of the West (or at least witches in general), promotes racism among children simply because she dons a black hat. Likewise, the pale, glistening colors typically worn by “fairies” — those ethereal creatures of middle earth so often portrayed in sweetness and light — are merely calculated, cynical wardrobe choices intended to dupe children into believing that all things light, or white, in color are inherently “good.”

Now, to combat that perceived threat, primary school teachers in Britain are allegedly being encouraged by equality advocates to censor fictional children’s characters, eliminating witches’ black pointed hats in favor of white ones, while dressing fairies in dark colors. Proponents of this technique claim the method will eliminate “racism” in children as young as two.

But that’s not all. Even white writing paper has come under fire. The Telegraph reports:

Another staple of the classroom – white paper – has also been questioned by Anne O’Connor, an early years consultant who advises local authorities on equality and diversity.

Children should be provided with paper other than white to draw on and paints and crayons should come in “the full range of flesh tones”, reflecting the diversity of the human race, according to the former teacher.

These rather drastic-sounding measures to ensure racial equality among children are reportedly outlined in a series of guides in “Nursery World” magazine.

Without providing any scientific proof to support the assertion, the guides posit that young children could possess the inclination to express racist views — and that it is therefore the obligation of nursery school teachers to help the children “unlearn” these undesirable traits.

Eerily, the term “unlearn” conjures images of uninstalling software programs on your laptop — or, perhaps more pointedly — the reconditioning sequence made famous in the movie A Clockwork Orange, in which the protagonist’s mind is wiped “clean” of thoughts deemed socially unacceptable, thereby erasing his free will.

One of the alleged goals of the program is to form positive association with dark colors. The Telegraph reports that this “anti-bias” method was developed in the U.S. as part of special interest group’s multiculturalism agenda.

That method, promising to challenge racism, sexism and ageism, has now traveled across the pond, infiltrating at least a portion of the British school system. O‘Connor has reportedly developed material for Lancashire council’s childcare service:

“This is an incredibly complex subject that can easily become simplified and inaccurately portrayed,” she said.

“There is a tendency in education to say ‘here are normal people and here are different people and we have to be kind to those different people’, whether it’s race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or faith.

“People who are feeling defensive can say ‘well there’s nothing wrong with white paper’, but in reality there could be if you don’t see yourself reflected in the things around you. “As an early years teacher, the minute you start thinking, ‘well actually, if I give everyone green paper, what happens’, you have a teaching potential.

“People might criticise this as political correctness gone mad. But it is because of political correctness we have moved on enormously. If you think that we now take it for granted that our buildings and public highways are adapted so people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs can move around. Years ago if you were in a wheelchair, then tough luck. We have completely moved and we wouldn’t have done that without the equality movement.”

Not everyone is in agreement with color-mania, however. Margaret Morrissey, a spokeswoman for the advocacy group Parents Outloud told the Telegraph, “I’m sure these early years experts know their field but they seem to be obsessed about colour and determined to make everyone else obsessed about it too.”

“Not allowing toy witches to wear black seems to me nonsense and in the same vein as those people who have a problem with ‘Bar Bar Black Sheep’ or ‘The Three Little Pigs’. Children just see a sheep in a field, whether it be black, grey, white or beige. I have worked with children for 41 years and I don’t believe I have ever met a two year old who was in any way racist or prejudiced.”

Meanwhile, it might be worth pointing out that, at least in Technicolor, the most infamous witch of all was in fact the color green.

SOURCE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

VJ Day

Here's a recently found video of the spontaneous World War II victory celebration along Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu after Japan surrendered.

It's a folksy, warm and sentimental look at the Greatest Generation -- stuff that puts tears in your grandparents' eyes.



Honolulu, Hawaii, 8/14/45

With thanks to Richard Sullivan. Tip from C&S.

Drag Queens Face Theft Charges




(Orlando, Florida) Three drag queens have been accused of stealing thousands of dollars in fabric, sequins, feather boas, butt pads, and eyelashes from local fabric stores.

Demitri Marsh, 19, Renford Patterson, 18, and Antonio Webb, 22, face charges of felony retail theft of merchandise greater than $300 in value from a Jo-Ann Fabrics store last week.

Dressed like women with wigs and makeup, the drag queen gang was carrying quite the haul.

Amongst the stolen items were four packs of red lace gloves, five bra pads, three handbags, three pairs of costume glasses and ten bandanas, according to the paper.

The merchandise was stuffed into the handbag of "a man wearing a tank top and multi-color tights."

Demitri Marsh may also face an assault charge for threatening to cut a store clerk.

Tip: slwlion

Delaware Teacher Faces Obscenity Charge

(Georgetown, Delaware) A 22-year-old substitute teacher at Technical High School, Meagan R. Gordon, has been accused of providing unclothed images of herself to a 15-year-old boy.

Gordon faces a charge of providing obscene material to a person under the age of 18.

State Police say the Sussex Technical High School student got hold of substitute teacher Megan Gordon's cell phone during a lunch period back in May, went into a bathroom and browsed through nude pictures of Gordon that were stored on the phone.

The boy gave the phone back to Gordon, and following a class, Gordon let him see the pictures again, and exchanged phone numbers with him.

Gordon was booked and released on $1,500 bail.

Breast Slapping Treatment

Apparently, slapping women around tones the skin and makes them look and feel younger. In addition, the women seem to like it.




From Mr. Slappy here.

Rock & Roll Welfare




A mildly chuckle-worthy column suggests that the rock and roll music industry should provide for the welfare of players past their prime and whose lives became desperate. Here's an excerpt.

Recently it came out that inductee and soul/funk legend Sly Stone is living in a van (not down by the river, but worse, in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles). Why not put him literally in the Hall of Fame?

Give him a bed and a nice television set, and perhaps all the cocaine he needs and let the viewing public watch him live and occasionally shake his hand. It’s the least the Hall can do for all the great songs he produced and all the great gigs he was late to.

Similarly, why should Phil Spector be wasting taxpayer money in jail, when as yet another inductee he could serve his life sentence in Cleveland? Give him a cell right next to one of Elvis’s old jumpsuits, I’d pay to see that.

Heh.

However, beyond the facetiousness of the idea, the statement that a convicted murderer could "serve his life sentence in Cleveland" is insulting. The city doesn't deserve the comparison to a prison cell.

TN: Vanderbilt Prof. says Christian student groups oppressed

This is an issue that has repeatedly arisen at other universities but Vanderbilt is a private university so is not bound by the 1st Amendment -- and may therefore be able to maintain its absurd policy. The real agenda, of course, is to force acceptance of homosexuals onto Christian groups.

"Is Vanderbilt University flirting with the suppression of religion? Yes, according to Carol Swain, a professor at Vanderbilt’s Law School.

Specifically, Swain is referring to four Christian student groups being placed on 'provisional status' after a university review found them to be in non-compliance with the school’s nondiscrimination policy.

Vanderbilt says the student organizations cannot require that leaders share the group’s beliefs, goals and values."

Carol Swain is CLS’s faculty advisor. She insists the university has gone way beyond political correctness with its actions and demands. “It seems reasonable”, she told me, “to require that leaders share the beliefs of the organizations that they seek to lead.” She sees this as part of a larger problem at liberal-leaning universities across the nation. She says, “I see it as part of a larger attack on religious freedom that’s taking place across the country – particularly when it comes to conservative groups.”

Vanderbilt officials refused to be interviewed, and instead released a statement saying in part "We are committed to making our campus a welcoming environment for all of our students."

Source

A welcome for all students except Christian ones, apparently

The simple solution would of course be for Christian groups to meet off-campus. Any nearby church would probably oblige with a room for meetings.

That would put the university administration's nose out of joint too. A university with no Christian groups on campus would look odd and that might hamper their recruitment of students. It would certainly make their assertions about being "welcoming" look hollow. Putting up posters and placards at appropriate times saying: "Vanderbilt U does not welcome Christians" would really drive that nail home.

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Prostitution Sting Nets Octogenarian

(Daytona Beach, Florida) Last Friday, an 83-year-old man, John P. Miller Jr., was arrested in a prostitution sting.

According to an arrest affidavit, Miller asked the undercover officer if she was looking for a date and he was arrested after agreeing to pay $25 for oral sex.

Miller's car was impounded and he faces mandatory revocation of his driver's license if convicted, police said.

It's not clear why he might lose his driver's license. At his age, he's probably lucky to have one.

Tip: slwlion

Iowa Woman Accused of Assault After Sex Refused

(Iowa City, Iowa) A 28-year-old local woman, Melissa B. Minarsich, has been accused of creating a violent disturbance and striking her boyfriend after he refused to engage in sex with her.

Minarsich faces a charge of domestic abuse assault.

Officers were called to the residence for a report of a female out of control. Minarsich’s boyfriend, with whom she has an 8-month-old son, said she became upset when he refused to have sex with her, according to police reports.

Minarsich, who smelled strongly of alcohol and had slurred speech, admitted to police this was the case.

“All I want is a piece of a**, is that too much to ask for?” Minarsich asked the police.

Minarsich was booked into custody at the Johnson County Jail.

DIY Sex Change

Even for the extreme hobbyist, this report comes with no recommendation.

A father almost bled to death after he tried to slice off his penis during a DIY sex change.

Kirsty Cass, formerly known as Andy, was so unhappy living as a man that he took a Stanley knife to his genitals and tried to sever the organ.

Miss Cass, from Crawley, West Sussex, was unable to stop the bleeding and had to call an ambulance. She was taken to Royal Surrey Hospital where doctors saved her life by reattaching the penis.

Note the report says he took a knife to his genitals and then she was taken to the hospital where doctors saved her life by reattaching the junk.

I'd suggest that virtually everyone is confused about which pronoun to use with transgender people. He, she, him, her? Nobody seems to agree.

Coke on the Beach

(Brevard County, Florida) In 2006, over a million dollars worth of cocaine washed up on the beaches of Brevard County and now there's another load.

Authorities said bundles of cocaine washed ashore at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Monday. Brevard County deputies said they started combing the beaches after the shocking discovery.

The drugs washed ashore Monday morning on the beach belonging to the Air Force station.

Deputies said the cocaine is worth about a half-million dollars.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Brevard County Sheriff's Office were called out to see if there were any more bricks of cocaine floating off the coast or along the beaches.

Heh.

Arizona Teacher Gets 20 Years in Sex Case - Updated

(Phoenix, Arizona) In 2009, a 49-year-old English teacher at Ed Pastor Elementary School, Rosanna Brown, was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student.

Brown faced three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Detectives say Brown had been text messaging the boy and lured him to a Tempe hotel by portraying herself as a sexually active teenager.

After the assault, the boy called his mother and told her what happened. She then showed up at the hotel and confronted Brown before calling police.

Brown was booked into custody.

[Update]
Today, it's reported that Brown pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a minor and attempted molestation of a child in exchange for a 20-year prison sentence.

Illinois Momma, 35, and Boy, 15

(Belleville, Illinois) A 35-year-old local woman, Jennifer L. Wilson, was arrested last Friday night after being caught by police engaged in flagrante delicto with a 15-year-old boy in the back seat of her car.

Wilson faces a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

An officer found the pair together at about 9:45 p.m. Friday in a vehicle parked at North High and East B streets.

The officer had detained two juveniles for underage drinking, and when they were asked where their parents were, one of the juveniles said her mother was in a vehicle in which Wilson and the boy were found "engaged in a sexual encounter," according to police.

Wilson was booked into custody at the St. Clair County Jail with bail set at $75,000.

Prison for Failing to Register as Sex Offender - Updated

(Boise, Idaho) Child sex abuser Lisa Marie Rasho, 33, was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Sadly, Rasho is seemingly not too bright.

Rasho did not register when she moved to Traverse City, Mich., last year. She was arrested in Michigan.

In July, she pleaded guilty to a violation of the federal Sex Offender Notification and Registration Act Tuesday in U.S. District Court. She faced up to 10 years in prison.

However, demonstrating leniency comparable to Rasho's original trial court, the U.S. District Court sentenced her to 10 months in prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

* * * * *
Idaho Woman Gets Probation for Sex with Boy - Updated
[Previous 1/26/10 post]
(Meridian, Idaho) In July 2009 after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse, Lisa Marie Rasho was ordered into six month's of treatment under a retained jurisdiction program, called a rider, at a Department of Correction facility.

Yesterday, Rasho returned to court and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.

Fourth District Judge Deborah Bail decided Monday to place Rasho on felony probation, instead of sending her back to prison, based on the information gathered during the rider process.

Rasho, who pleaded guilty to a charge of sex abuse of a child under the age of 16 in June, has to register as a sex offender and continue to undergo treatment as part of her 10-year probation, according to court records.

Treatment and probation for a months-long sexual relationship with a 14-year-old is arguably on the lenient side of the punishment spectrum. A guy would likely receive a few years behind bars.

* * * * *
Idaho Woman Guilty of Sex with Boy
[Previous 6/4/09 post]
(Meridian, Idaho) In February 2009, a 30-year-old local woman, Lisa Marie Rasho, was arrested for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old boy. A family member of the victim alerted police.

Rasho allegedly had a relationship with the boy beginning in September 2008.

On Monday of this week, Rasho pleaded guilty to felony sex abuse of a child under the age of 16 in accordance with an agreement with the prosecutors. In exchange, the prosecution dropped four counts of lewd conduct.

Rasho faces a possible maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on July 20.

Numbskull "Chief Scientist"

He has never heard of of Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants, has never heard of when Greenland was green, has never heard of the days of the dinosaurs and has never heard of vegetation growing in the Antarctic

All of the events above show that the earth has been warmer in the past than it is today. On the last point see here. Yet below is a statement recently made on the record at an official enquiry by Australia's chief scientist, Professor Ian Chubb:

"With respect to this cooling stuff, I have seen the claim, but the evidence that I have seen is that the last decade has been the warmest decade that we have ever had on this planet"

Such profound ignorance as his cannot be mere ignorance, it has to be outright crookedness.

Via HERE

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Florida Teacher Arrested on Multiple Charges

(Hillsborough County, Florida) A 50-year-old English teacher at Newsome High School, Patricia Thompson, has been arrested on multiple charges including driving under the influence, fleeing from police and possession of drugs.

Deputies say they attempted to pull over Thompson in the Bloomingdale area but she refused to stop and, instead, fled from deputies. When they were finally able to pull her over, she refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Deputies then searched Thompson's car and said they found drug paraphernalia and crack cocaine inside.

Thompson was booked in to custody at the Hillsborough County Jail with bond set at $5,000.

Political Shakeup in Germany

(Berlin, Germany) With campaign promises to legislate free Internet, free public transportation and a lowering of the voting age to 14, the youth-centered Pirate Party won nine percent of the vote in yesterday's regional parliamentary election.



Nine percent of the vote translates into a mere 15 seats in the Berlin-area 130-seat parliament but even so the results have been trumpeted as sensational, placing the obscure Pirate Party and its leader in headlines.

According to the leader of the Pirate Party, 33-year-old Andreas Baum, who incidentally was chosen by a process similar to drawing straws, "We're going to get to work ... people will hear from us, of that you can be sure."

Arguably, the Pirate Party platform is flawed. There is no such entity as a free lunch since someone has to pay for it. And giving suffrage to adolescents is dangerously shortsighted.

In any event, congratulations are in order. Good luck to the Pirate Party.

Victory for Bloggers: Illinois Blog Wins Lawsuit

Excerpt from a post by Warner Todd Huston:

In a good sign for blogger free speech, a lawsuit against a high profile conservative blog in Illinois has just been tossed out. A political contributor brought the lawsuit over a story about property tax reassessments and political contributions. This is a victory for free political speech as well as a victory for the status of blogs in the world of "journalism."

The lawsuit meant to silence the blog was a convoluted one, to be sure. Illinois Review had posted a story that revealed that former Ill. State Rep. Paul Froehlich (D, Schaumburg) had sought campaign contributions from property owners who had won property tax relief claims that the Representative had assisted in getting settled. But after the story went live, due to the notoriety the county assessors office reversed those tax relief decisions.

One of the property owners mentioned in the original story was Satkar Hospitality. Illinois Review reported the facts of the case, noted that Satkar got a favorable property tax reassessment, and speculated that Satkar made "in-kind contributions" to Rep. Froehlich.

Satkar sued the Illinois Review for defamation -- naming Fox News and others as coconspirators.

Fortunately, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew F. Kennelly dismissed the suit because Satkar "failed to show" that its claims against the blog were legitimate. Judge Kennelly also ruled that the bloggers have the right to seek reasonable attorney's fees and costs from Satkar.

In his decision, Judge Kennelly also affirmed that the blog was expressing its right to the "furtherance of their right of free speech." This means we have yet one more precedent that we bloggers can be protected in our rights to freely publish our political opinions without fear of being sued over our blog posts (legitimate slander laws aside).

More here

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Yellowcake, Chem Weapons Found in Libya

(Tripoli, Libya) Not a big surprise here.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday (September 23rd) confirmed the existence of a stockpile of uranium concentrate ("yellowcake") near Sabha, a desert town 660km south of Tripoli reclaimed earlier this week by rebel fighters, AFP reported.

Chemical weapons were also found near Moamer Kadhafi's hometown of Sirte. They are being safeguarded by National Transitional Council (NTC) forces, AP quoted rebel fighters as saying in a statement from Misrata on Thursday.

"We are looking for a peaceful country and we don't want these kinds of weapons to stay in it," the statement said. The NTC forces said they were waiting for the arrival of a UN team to oversee the weapons' safe transfer.

Interestingly, NTC fighters report that they are postponing offensive actions due to a shortage of ammunition.

Women to Vote in Saudi Arabia




(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) This is a monumental change.

Women in Saudi Arabia are to be given the right to vote and run in future municipal elections, King Abdullah has announced.

He said they would also have the right to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.

The move was welcomed by activists who have called for greater rights for women in the kingdom, which enforces a strict version of Sunni Islamic law.

The changes will occur after municipal polls on Thursday, the king said.

Heh.

Parents Not Told the Sex of Unborn

Sex selective abortion has emerged as a problem in Britain and apparently throughout Europe.

The Council of Europe is due to consider a draft resolution in October which recommends that all its 47 member states - including Britain - instruct hospitals to "withold information about the sex of the foetus" from parents.

The move is a bid to prevent the practice of selective abortion, which they say has reached worrying proportions in some former Soviet states.

Some maternity units in Britain have already launched the new policy.

Spectator throws banana peel at black sportsman; observers claim racism

This was an incident in Canada at an ice-hockey game. I am not entirely clear why a banana peel is racist. "Banana" as a racial slur is usually used against Asians. I guess the image is of monkeys eating bananas. In that case it seems to me that the racism is lodged in the heads of the moaners.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings played in a neutral site exhibition game Thursday night in London, Ontario. While the 4-3 win for the Red Wings was the result, the story was an apparent racist incident during the shootout.

Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds was in the middle of his shootout attempt when a fan inside the Labatt Centre threw a banana peel in his path. Simmonds, of African-Canadian decent, wasn't shaken by it and beat Red Wings goaltender Jordan Pearce.

Source

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Racial Pricing of Pastry

(Berkeley, California) Claims of hatred emerge at Berkeley.

A Facebook post announcing plans by a UC Berkeley Republican group to sell baked goods priced according to race, gender and ethnicity - "White/Caucasian" pastries for $2 and "Black/African American" pastries for 75 cents, for example - has drawn outrage on campus.

"I'm ashamed to know that I go to the same school with people who would say stuff like this," responded student Skyler Hogan-Van Sickle on Facebook. "I'm really trying to figure out how someone can be this hateful."

The campus Republicans, who expect to go forward with their "Increase Diversity Bake Sale" on Tuesday, say the event is meant to mock an effort by the student government to drum up support for SB185, a bill to let the University of California and the California State University consider ethnicity in student admissions. It's awaiting approval or veto by Gov. Jerry Brown.

"Our bake sale will be at the same time and location of a phone bank which will be making calls to urge Gov. Brown to sign the bill," posted six students who created the Facebook page. The purpose "is to offer another view to this policy of considering race in university admissions. The pricing structure of the baked goods is meant to be satirical."

There are five levels of pricing with the lowest being "Native American." Females get automatic 25-cent discounts. Heh.

Tightrope Across Niagara Falls




(Albany, New York) Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has given the approval for Nik Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas to walk a two-inch tightrope across Niagara Falls. Approval from Canada is still required.

The legislation, approved overwhelmingly in June by the Senate and Assembly, directs the state parks department to let Wallenda use Goat Island as his departure point for the walk he wants to make just in front of Horseshoe Falls to a terrace outside the visitors center on the Canadian side.

Wallenda will pay all costs, such as security, and will hold the state legally harmless if he falls, the legislation states.

The Niagara Parks Commission in Niagara Falls, Ont., has said Wallenda has not yet formally applied for the walk, and officials in recent months have noted agency's long history of discouraging such stunts over the falls.

Wallenda promised to call Gov. Cuomo on a cell phone from half-way across during the walk.

High School Punishes Student for Saying Homosexuality is Wrong

The Fascist instinct to punish speech they dislike is never far beneath the surface among the Leftists who infest the education system:

Dakota Ary, an honors student at Western Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas, was in for a surprise after being sent to the principal’s office and punished for sharing his opinion. After telling another student that he believes homosexuality is wrong, Dakota was reprimanded and given in-school suspension.

Following the incident his mother, Holly Pope, received a call from an assistant principal at the school informing her of the punishment. In an interview with Fox News Radio, she says was “absolutely stunned“: "Dakota is a very well-grounded 14-year-old. He’s been in church his whole life and he’s been taught to stand up for what he believes. He was stating an opinion. He has a right to do that. They punished him for it.”

After hearing the student’s explanation, the assistant principal reduced the punishment from two days to one, but Dakota and his mother aren’t satisfied, as they believe his free speech has been infringed upon.

While the district isn’t speaking out about the incident, on Wednesday, Dakota, his mother and attorney Matt Krause met with the school’s principal. Pope hopes that the school will remove the disciplinary blemish from the child’s record, while pledging that there won’t be any further retaliation.

Source

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Woman Accused of Breastfeeding During Coke Use

(Watertown, New York) A 25-year-old local mother, Nicole Cummings, faces charges after State Police investigators allegedly caught her using cocaine while breastfeeding.

Cummings has been charged with reckless endangerment in the second-degree and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to police, 25-year-old Nicole Cummings of 619 Bronson St., was using the drug throughout May and June while she breastfed the child, putting its health at risk.

Cummings was issued a ticket to appear in the Town of Rutland Court.

Tennessee Woman, 45, and Boy, 16

(Sevier County, Tennessee) A 45-year-old Sevierville resident and former substitute teacher, Sandra Justus, has been accused of engaging in an oral sex act with a 16-year-old boy.

Justus faces a charge of aggravated statutory rape.

Sevier County deputies arrested Justus on March 16. Justus later waived her preliminary hearing.

A grand jury charged Justus with one count of aggravated statutory rape on Sept. 19.

Justus is free on $50,000 bond.

Carolina Teacher Gets House Arrest in Sex Case - Updated

(Walhalla, South Carolina) Former science teacher at Tamassee-Salem Middle and High School, Deanna Marie Robert, 44, pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of sexual battery of a student.

As a result, Robert was sentenced by Judge Cordell Maddox to one year on house arrest and five years of probation.

Testimony heard at Thursday’s plea included text messages between Robert and the boy.

Robert said she was sorry for her actions, adding that she did not initiate the relationship, which began with her tutoring the boy after school.

Robert wasn't required to register as a sex offender.

* * * * *
SC Teacher Faces Sex Charges
[Previous 2/7/11 post]
(Seneca, South Carolina) A 43-year-old teacher formerly at Tamassee-Salem Middle/High School, Deanna Marie Robert, was arrested last Friday for allegedly engaging in sex with a student.

Robert faces two counts of sexual battery with a student.

The case is still under investigation.

A spokesperson for the Oconee County school district says Deanna Robert is no longer an employee with the school district.

Robert was booked into custody at the Oconee County Detention Center with bond set at $15,000.

Spotting Terrorists



Suspicious?

(New York City) The New York Police Department has issued an updated guide to help nightclubs identify crooks and terrorists. Here's a synopsis on how to identify terrorists.

- Visible wires or tape;

- Two or more people communicating and trying not to be observed;

- Suspect whose presence or behavior is inconsistent with the time or place;

- Individuals who are obviously disguised;

- Individuals with obvious signs of extreme stress or nervousness, such as bulging veins in the neck, profuse sweating, shaking hands, touching the face continuously, involuntary motions, apathy, distant stare or unfocused gazing, feeling the body continuously; and

- Individuals whose speech includes stuttering, mumbling or chanting, or are hesitant or unresponsive.

From here and here.

Blackface Obama Billboard Prompts Outrage




(Berlin, Germany) Arguably tasteless German comic Martin Sonneborn has put up a satirical political billboard displaying President Obama in blackface makeup and people are not amused.

“Ick bin ein Obama (I am an Obama),” reads the poster at Berlin’s central Ernst Reuter Platz square, in an apparent play on John F. Kennedy’s famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. On the poster, a "black" Sonneborn smiles as he raises his arm in the air.

The billboard is the latest in Sonneborn’s campaign for his satirical political party Die Partei ahead of state elections in Berlin this Sunday. It’s meant to make fun of the entire German political establishment and go up to the edge of propriety – another poster is entitled “MILFS against Merkel” and the campaign has also mocked the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party.

But the latest one is upsetting to some because of the racial connotations of blackface theatre, which was widespread in America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Based on ugly stereotypes, blackface consisted of white performers painting themselves black for degrading minstrel shows. It it quickly died out in the United States after the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

In an interview with The Local on Thursday, Sonneborn, staying in character as the leader of Die Partei, said his billboard wasn’t racist.

He said he was “Germany’s Obama” and added he was mocking the “hype” surrounding the US president. Sonneborn, formerly editor-in-chief of the German satire magazine Titanic, said he wasn’t aware of the history of blackface and didn’t care if anyone was upset.

“No, I didn’t know that,” he told The Local. “If Americans associate it with that, then I’m sorry, but I’m not going to take it down.”

But Tahir Della a spokesman for the Initiative for Black Germans (ISD), which tries to represent the interests of the black community in Germany, called the billboard "unbelievably hurtful."

Heh.

NORKS Jamming South Korea GPS

(Seoul, South Korea) The North Korean government has been jamming South Korean GPS signals and as a permanent solution is being sought, an interim fix of wrapping scores of GPS antennae with tin foil has helped. Imagine that.

Some antennae on top of buildings were moved down lower or behind buildings. Others were simply tilted to face the ground.

But experts say while these makeshift methods were able to avoid North Korean jamming signals, they may also have hindered normal GPS signals, cutting off phone calls or leading to errors in locating a user's position.

South Korea lacks the technology to block individual jamming signals.

California Woman Gets Prison for Sex with Teen

(Bakersfield, California) A 41-year-old Tehachapi woman, Rachel Ruth Schellenberg, has pleaded no contest to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old boy.

Schellenberg was initially investigated last May.

"One for lewd activities with a minor, one for the oral copulation, and one for the unlawful sex," Bear Valley Police Sgt. Dave Watts described the initial charges facing Schellenberg during a May 10 interview with Eyewitness News.

At that time, Watts would not say how the suspect and victim knew each other and wouldn't comment on where the incidents happened.

Earlier today, Schellenberg was sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation.

Prison Teacher Faces Sex Charge

(Sheboygan, Wisconsin) A 42-year-old special education teacher at Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute, Nadine N. Minglana, has been accused of engaging in sex with a 21-year-old inmate.

Minglana faces a charge of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff.

The two were alone together in Minglana’s classroom as part of his one-on-one educational instruction.

The inmate said they first kissed in the back of the classroom, and about a month later — around June — they kissed again, this time with sexual touching as well. Around the same time he said Minglana performed oral sex on him in the classroom.

If convicted, Minglana faces a possible 25 years in prison.

Inmate Request for Sex Change Denied

(San Francisco, California) A 42-year-old inmate at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, Lyralisa Stevens, requested the State of California pay for costly surgery to remove his junk.

With a feminized physique, Stevens claimed there was a constant threat of sexual assault in men's prison.

Stevens had argued that hormone therapy is no longer adequate to combat the emotional distress caused by her disorder, making surgery the medically necessary next step.

She also wanted her penis and testicles removed so corrections authorities, who decide prison placement according to an inmate's genitalia, would be compelled to transfer her to the relative safety of a women's lockup.

Yesterday, the 1st District Court of Appeals in San Francisco denied Stevens' request saying reasonable safety is achievable in a men's prison if Stevens has his own cell.

A small note on the Tuskegee Syphilis study of the 1930s


The Tuskegee Syphilis Study has been widely condemned as an example of American racism -- and Leftists love it for that reason. It enables them to be "holier than thou". THEY would never do such an evil thing! It is usually portrayed as the U.S. government infecting black men with syphilis.

The truth is nothing of the sort, of course. The key fact that nobody seems to notice is that the study lasted for 40 years. 40 years? Shouldn't the men have died long before that? Once you ask that question, the truth begins to come out. The men recruited for the study ALREADY HAD tertiary syphilis. And in the tertiary stage the disease has usually been naturally "beaten" in some way. In other words, most such patients are no longer ill and live on rather as if they had never been infected. THAT intriguing fact was what sparked the study. It was an attempt to get more information about the life history of tertiary syphilitics. Richard Shweder has all the details.

And the amusing thing is that the study was founded and carried out by "progressives". "Progressivism" was overwhelmingly dominant in pre-war America. And it wasn't even a government study initially. It was started by a private charity funded by the former chairman of Sears Roebuck, a Progressive Jew named Julius Rosenwald. A small excerpt from Wikipedia:

Julius Rosenwald, an American clothier, became part-owner ofSears, Roebuck and Company in 1895, and eventually served as its president from 1908 to 1922, and chairman of its Board of Directors until his death in 1932.He became interested in social issues, especially education for African Americans, and provided funding through Dr. Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute, a historically black college (HBCU), prior to founding the fund....

The Rosenwald Fund was also one of the original backers of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. With support from the Rosenwald Fund, an ambitious program had begun to improve the health of African Americans in US southern states in 1928. Emphasis was on treating people with syphilis, then found at a high rate in poor African-American communities.

I am pointing that out in the hope that it will take one of the Leftists' toys away from them. Where other facts fail to penetrate their prejudiced brains, perhaps the fact that the study was the work of a "progressive" Jewish philanthropist might cause them to lose their erections.

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Poverty Defined - Less Than 50 Cents Daily




(New Delhi, India) Although India boasts a burgeoning class of urban rich, it's estimated by the Planning Commission that 37 percent of the 1.2 billion population live below the poverty line -- defined as anyone who earns less than 50 cents per day, far below the World Bank’s figure of $1.25 a day.

Those with a daily income of 25 rupees (50 cents) in villages and 32 rupees (65 cents) in cities should be ineligible for subsidised food and other supplies, the Planning Commission told India’s Supreme Court.

Anyone earning above these levels would have enough funds for “food, education and health”, the commission said in a submission to the court lodged on Tuesday.

Not everyone agrees with the poverty level established by the Planning Commission.

“There is no way one person can feed and house himself on 32 rupees in a city for a day. This figure has no meaning for the common man,” Anupama Datta, deputy head of the National Slum Dwellers Federation, told AFP.

Heh.

Arizona Mom Accused of Sex with Male Student

(Maricopa County, Arizona) A 35-year-old local woman, Cherish Arroyo, has been accused of engaging in sex with her son's friend, a 16-year-old male. Arroyo's son and the alleged victim are teammates on the Copper Canyon High School football team.

Arroyo faces six counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Arroyo was arrested at her home where she lives with her husband and two children, each of whom attend Copper Canyon High School with the victim.

The home is also the scene of the alleged crime -- the MCSO says Arroyo and the boy had sex in the home that Arroyo shares with her children and husband.

Once in custody, Arroyo admitted to bedding the boy, saying she did so because she was "lonesome."

According to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, information from the victim indicates there might be other victims.

Arroyo was booked and released on bond.

WV Woman Pleads Guilty in Sex Case - Updated

(Charleston, West Virginia) In accordance with an agreement, Melissa Sigman, now 31, pleaded guilty this week to having an 11-year-old boy fondle her breasts. In exchange for the guilty plea, the prosecution dropped the sexual assault charge.

Sigman faces possible prison when sentenced.

* * * * *
WV Woman Accused of Sex with Boy, 11
[Previous 10/20/10 post]
(Charleston, West Virginia) A 30-year-old local woman, Melissa Sigman, has been accused of engaging in sexual activity with an 11-year-old boy.

Sigman was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree sexual assault.

Charleston Cpl. Chris Johnson was dispatched Saturday afternoon to an apartment in the 600 block of Grant Street to investigate after several neighbors reported that a child in the neighborhood had been sexually assaulted.

The victim's father called police after a couple told him the boy had been assaulted. They told police when they returned to their apartment late Friday night that the boy had been inside. He told them that he touched Sigman's genitals and that she performed oral sex on him, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

Sigman is a friend of the boy's mother's roommate and had been staying with them a few nights, police said.

Sigman was booked into custody at the South Central Regional Jail with bond set at $25,000.

Boy Brings Crack Pipe to Show-and-Tell

(Sweet Springs, Missouri) A 32-year-old local mother, Michelle Cheatham, has been arrested for drugs after her son took her crack pipe and several baggies of methamphetamine to kindergarten for show-and-tell.

Cheatham faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment.

Superintendent Donna Wright said, "He was very excited when he got to school. But I don't think he knew what he had."

However, the child's teacher realized what he had and didn't allow him to show or talk about it. Instead, the teacher notified authorities. Wright said, "It didn't ever get into the classroom. It was shocking. We're not experienced with dealing with this."

Cheatham was booked into custody and released on bail.

Microbes Eat More Sewage with Music




(Treuenbrietzen, Germany) Recent experience at a treatment plant south of Berlin suggests that microbes eat more sewage when serenaded by Mozart's Magic Flute.

According to plant manager Roland Meinusch, the microbes have been munching more feces with music than without music.

“After a year, we were left with 6,000 cubic metres of sludge, compared with the usual 7,000 cubic metres we produce in a year. That saved us about €10,000 which is quite a lot of money," Meinusch said.

Confirmation of the connection between microbe productivity and music is being sought from scientists and academia.

On the surface, the music connection seems to make sense. Most people are inclined to start moving when the music starts. Folks are prompted drum their fingers, dance or even play air guitar to music. Maybe a similar reaction occurs in microbes.

Headlight flashing faces test as free speech in Florida

We read:

"When Erich Campbell passed two Florida Highway Patrol cruisers parked in the median near Tampa International Airport in December 2009, he flashed his headlights to warn oncoming drivers of the radar patrol.

Then, to his surprise, one of the troopers pulled over his silver Toyota Tundra and ticketed him for improper flashing of high beams. "Literally within one minute, they had me stopped on the side of the road," recalled Campbell, 38, a former electrician and full-time student.

In August, the Land O'Lakes, Fla., resident filed a class-action lawsuit in Tallahassee against the highway patrol and other state traffic-enforcement agencies. He seeks an injunction barring law enforcement from issuing headlight-flash tickets, plus refunds and civil damages for previously cited motorists.

Campbell's lawyer, J. Marc Jones, claims his client's First Amendment right to free speech was violated. "The flashing of lights to communicate with another driver is clearly speech," he said.

"The First Amendment protects all sorts of non-verbal conduct; it protects more than the spoken or printed word," Hudson said. "Courts have found that a wide variety of actions — such as honking one's horn or flashing one's headlights — are forms of communication under the First Amendment."

Five days after the lawsuit was filed, Welch said patrols stopped citing motorists for flashing headlights until the case is resolved.

Source

I was once ticketed for doing the same thing in Australia but when I wrote a letter of complaint to a top official about it, I was told that no offence had been committed and the ticket was withdrawn. The Florida cops would have been wise to do the same with the guy above but they were obviously too pigheaded.

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

Cop Fools Hooker with Fake Tool

(Sarasota, Florida) A 31-year-old local woman, Christina Vavra, was arrested last week for prostitution after a detective coaxed her with a fake penis.

Undercover vice squad officers routinely come into contact with skeptical prostitutes wary that their prospective john may actually be a police officer.

So, before discussing business, a hooker will often ask the purported sex-seeker to first expose himself, since that is a no-no for a cop.

Anticipating this demand, a Florida detective “attempting to solicit prostitutes” last night hit the Sarasota streets with a “flaccid rubber replica of a penis” stuffed into his pants ….

Vavra was noncommittal until the cop whipped out the fake member. She chomped down on it and thereby confirmed that she was a working girl. Immediately afterward, backup cops were alerted and Vavra was taken into custody.

Vavra was booked at the Manatee County Jail with bond set at $120.

Tip: slwlion

Toyota Stalker-Themed Web Advertising

A woman recently clicked on a Toyota website and was pranked. Amber Duick unknowingly became involved in a Toyota advertising ploy which apparently started with agreeing to take part in a "digital experience."

Over the next five days, she got a series of emails, including photos and video, from someone going by the name of Sebastian Bowler, who told Duick that he was in trouble with the law and on his way to hide out at her residence. He confirmed that he knew her name, home address, and other personal information. Duick even received a bill for some damage Sebastian had caused at a hotel.

The series of electronic communications had Duick convinced that a dangerous person she didn't know (but who knew all kinds of things about her) was on his way to her home.

It turned out that Duick was being "punked" by Toyota as part of a viral marketing campaign for the new Toyota Matrix.

Creator of the campaign was ad firm Saatchi and Saatchi. Understandably, Duick was not amused. She filed lawsuit.

She sued Toyota and Saatchi & Saatchi and fifty individuals associated with the campaign for intentional infliction of emotional distress; unfair, unlawful, and deceptive trade practices; and negligent misrepresentation, among other things. She’s seeking $10 million in compensatory damages.

Heh. It will be interesting to see if she gets the $10 mil.

Arkansas Woman Accused of Setting Boyfriend on Fire

(Springdale, Arkansas) A 23-year-old local woman, Falisha Hutcherson, has been accused of setting her boyfriend Donnie Frazier on fire.

Frazier, 29, is being treated in the burn unit at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

Hutcherson faces charges of attempted murder and arson.

Frazier's mother, Sharlene Batson, told deputies that Frazier and Hutcherson began arguing between 6 and 7 p.m. on Friday. Frazier told deputies he locked Hutcherson out of a building near his house, but she called him and said she would burn down the building if he did not unlock the door. He told deputies that he heard dogs barking outside and went out to check on them.

When he went outside, he said Hutcherson had "poured Coleman fuel into a cup of some type," deputies said. Frazier told police that it was "similar to a Malatav (sic) cocktail but without the cloth hanging out. He said she lit it solely on fumes."

Hutcherson was booked into custody at the Washington County Jail. A bond amount wasn't reported.

Criminal Assault News

(Conway, Arkansas) An unknown assailant is being sought in the Arkansas toe-sucking case.

An elderly woman told Conway police that a man approached her while she was sitting outside her apartment and put her toes in his mouth.

Another woman said a man asked to suck her toes in a discount store.

A third woman reported something similar in a pet store.

Witnesses have identified the assailant as Hispanic, Asian or an older Caucasian.

WV Woman Gets No Jail in Incest Case - Updated

(Charleston, West Virginia) Although Jenee Afzal reportedly had incestuous sex with her teenage stepson "countless times" from age 16 through age 18, she won't go to trial on criminal charges.

Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr., allowed Jenee Afzal to spend two years in a probationary diversion program in lieu of standing trial on incest and first-degree sexual abuse charges.

Afzal, 35, may not have unsupervised contact with boys under the age of 18. If she breaks the law, or violates the terms of her probation, prosecutors will reinstate the charges. The victim's father agreed to the probationary period, and investigators found that Afzal was not at a high risk to reoffend, Kanawha County assistant prosecutor Jennifer Meadows said.

Heh. No trial, no jail, just diversion probation. Pretty good deal, eh?

* * * * *
West Virginia Woman Accused of Incest - Updated
[Previous 8/2/11 post]
(Charleston, West Virginia) One year after being indicted for alleged crimes from five years ago, Jenee Lynn Afzal has her case docketed for trial.

A woman accused of having sex with her teenaged stepson five years ago is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 19 before Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Paul Zakaib.

Jenee Lynn Afzal, 36, of Oakwood Road was indicted by a Kanawha Grand Jury in July 2010 and charged with incest and sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or custodian.

The delay in prosecuting the case hasn't been explained.

* * * * *
West Virginia Woman Arrested for Sex with Stepson
[Previous 3/25/09 post]
(Charleston, West Virginia) A 34-year-old local woman, Jenee Lynn Afzal, was arrested last night for allegedly engaging in sex with her 16-year-old stepson.

In the alleged incident, Afzal picked her then 16-year-old stepson up from school on March 4, 2006, and took him to their home, where she sexually abused him, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

Afzal took the teen back to school after that incident, but continued to have a sexual relationship with him for the following two years until the boy turned 18, police say.

While Afzal, who has been the boy's stepmother for the majority of his life, and the boy were involved, she sent him several e-mails containing erotic photographs and sexually explicit messages, according to the complaint.

Afzal told the teen she was in love with him and discouraged him from seeing other girls, the complaint said. Witnesses say Afzal also tried to intimidate girls who spoke to her stepson.

Afzal faces charges of felony sexual abuse by a parent and felony incest. She was booked into custody at the South Regional Jail with bond set at $10,000.

That feminist silence again

We all know that so-called feminists rarely whisper a word about the vast mistreatment of women in the Muslim world and in Africa -- so what I am about to relate should really be no surprise -- except that this concerns something that happened in the WESTERN world.

On 16th I put up on my POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WATCH blog a post headed as follows:

Feminists should like this one: Australian single mother sues slimy cop -- and wins

She represented herself in court against a range of top legal brains and beat them all

I have just Googled the phrase "single mother sues slimy cop" and found 98 links to the article. NOT ONE was from a feminist site. Only conservative sites took it up.

One would think that a story so encouraging to oppressed women would be greeted with gladness by feminists and seen as an inspiration to all women. But no such luck.

I have a confession, however: I put a landmine in the article. I included a picture of the plaintiff (Renee Eaves) in the article. Not to put too fine a point on it, Renee is a dream walking. She is a swimsuit model who has won many beauty contests.

So the boilersuit brigade would loathe her from deep in their bones, and praise for her would be anathema to them. But it does illustrate that feminism is not about women. It is just another tentacle of radical politics.

Renee's story is genuinely inspirational, however, so I am going to send a link to this story to Phyllis Chesler, the only sincere feminist I know. She may be able to circulate the story among women who could be encouraged by it.

Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).

China Shutters Solar Panel Plant

(Haining, Zhejiang Province, China) A solar panel manufacturing plant has been ordered closed after violent protesters broke into and ransacked the factory for three days on concerns over pollution.

The closure of the plant, owned by the US-listed company Jinko Solar, comes weeks after authorities in the northeastern city of Dalian shut down a chemical factory after some 12,000 residents took to the streets over pollution fears.

It demonstrates official concern over the growing public anger about pollution in China, where an emphasis on economic growth over the past three decades has led to widespread environmental degradation.

The protesters in Zhejiang’s Haining city were demanding an explanation for the death of large numbers of fish in a nearby river, China’s official Xinhua news agency said.

Haining’s city government said Monday tests had showed the plant in Zhejiang’s Haining city was emitting excessive levels of fluoride, which can be toxic in high doses, as it announced the plant’s closure.

The authorities are working to calm the public while concurrently going after social networking types who spread "rumours" on the Internet.

Carolina Woman Accused of Boy-Sucking

(Woodruff, South Carolina) A 26-year-old local woman, Tamera Nicole Shoemaker, has been accused of sexually assaulting two boys, ages 11 and 14.

Shoemaker faces two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor age 11-14, and disorderly conduct.

According to an incident report, a relative of one of the boys caught Shoemaker performing oral sex on a 14-year-old. Police also learned that Shoemaker had performed oral sex on an 11-year-old boy, the report stated.

Shoemaker was booked into custody at the Spartanburg County Detention Facility with bond set at $10,262.50.

Weak Demand for Redheaded Sperm




Cryos International, reportedly the world's largest sperm bank network, has too much redheaded sperm.

Ole Schou, Cryos's director, said that there had been a surge in donations in recent years, allowing the facility to become much more picky about its donors.

"There are too many redheads in relation to demand," he told told Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet. "I do not think you chose a redhead, unless the partner - for example, the sterile male - has red hair, or because the lone woman has a preference for redheads. And that's perhaps not so many, especially in the latter case."

Mr Schou said the only reliable demand for sperm from redheaded donors from Ireland, where he said it sold “like hot cakes”.

Cryos’s stores have now reached their peak capacity of 70 litres of semen, and Mr Schou has a waiting list of 600 donors.

Depressed economies with high unemployment have prompted many men to look for any type of job, any type of income, to pay the bills. With $500 paid for every donation, it's easy to picture 600 men lined up, ready for work.

Heh.

Upskirting With Cell Phones




(Denver, Colorado) According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, increased availability and use of cell phone cameras has resulted in a rash of instances where men are secretly taking pictures of women's intimate areas.

Local clinical therapist Erin Dolgan agrees.

"It's as serious as a felony rape or any other sexual offense or sexual assault," Dolgan said.

"They are able to do this secretively and because of that, we don't know all of the cases."

Dolgan also said upskirting is a gateway to more sex crimes.

The Hazard of Stealing Electricity

(Inglewood, California) It seems some people believe that electric bills can be avoided by simply climbing into a substation and using jumper cables to tap into high-voltage lines adjacent to a power transformer.

A father and his teenage daughter were in critical condition after receiving severe burns during an alleged attempt to steal electricity from high-voltage power lines in Inglewood, a police official said Saturday.

L.A. County Fire officials and police responding to an explosion at a power transformer late Friday found the 52-year-old man and his 17-year-old daughter with extensive electric burns, Inglewood Police Lt. Neal Cochran said.

The man had used tools to tap into a live wire, resulting in a chain reaction and causing the transformer to explode, Cochran said.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid locations posted with high voltage signs.

Tip: Charley Red Tag

Running of the Lambs




(Waipukurau, New Zealand) Thousands of people reportedly gathered to see the running of the lambs.

Ahead of the event, SPCA national chief executive Robyn Kippenberger told ONE News that organisers would be under close scrutiny to make sure they followed animal welfare laws.

They said they did not want a repeat of the Te Kuiti "running of the sheep" event two years ago when a group of ewes ran free, causing mayhem amongst the crowd.

"As far as the new law is concerned, they better have good procedures around what they are doing to make sure that the animals are ok," said Kippenberger.

Organiser Christine Shanahan said there had been an incredible amount of safety measures put in place to ensure the event was safe for viewers and the border-cross Romney sheep.

Heh.