Media on Trial for Islamic Jokes

(Casablanca, Morocco) Consistent with the diversity and tolerance demonstrated by followers of the religion of peace during the Danish cartoon episode, two journalists go on trial today in Morocco for publishing an article on popular jokes.

From ADNKI.com:

The trial of the editor in chief of Moroccan weekly Nichane and a journalist working for the publication is scheduled to begin in Casablanca on Monday. Driss Ksikes and Sanaa al-Aji face charges of 'denigrating Islam and morality' in connection with the publication of an article last month on 'How Moroccans laugh at religion, sex and politics.' They risk up to five years in jail and heavy fines if they are convicted in a trial which rights groups say is a serious blow to media freedom.

The authorities in Morocco closed the magazine after the publication of its 6 December issue and withdrew all copies of it from newsstands.

The article for which the two defendants face trial examined popular jokes on religion, sex and politics.

The journalists apologized and stated they were simply reporting on Moroccan society by analyzing its jokes. Tuffo-wuffo said the tolerant, diverse and peaceful Islamic prosecutors. In fact, the Moroccan government considers an attack on Islam to be one of the most serious crimes a journalist can commit.

My take? Islam and media freedom are incompatible, therefore, the usual suspects were rounded up. The trial is a logical consequence. Like cartoons, jokes also insult Islam. Frankly, it's hard to figure out what doesn't insult Islam.


[Update]

On December 20, 2006, Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou banned the weekly magazine Nichane for publishing provocative jokes about Islam.

Morocco has carried out a programme of liberal reforms since King Mohammed came to power in 1999.

Foreign observers say its media is now one of the freest in the Arab world.

Several independent titles regularly test the limits of that freedom in articles criticising government policy and attacking corruption and nepotism.

Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders said the Nichane ban was politically motivated.

"These measures ... arise from an electoral calculation ahead of polls which could be marked by a strong rise by the Islamist movement," said the group in a statement.

Consequently, it's easy to conclude, with regard to this case at least, that the degree of press freedom is inversely proportional to the degree of Islamist influence.


[Update 01/15/07]

Ksikes and al-Aji convicted and fined.

Rats in the Toilet

(Tucson, Arizona) Imagine sitting on the toilet in your home and having a rat crawl up through the sewer pipe into your bowl. I'd prefer not to. Even so, that's exactly what's happening in Tucson.

From KOLD.com:

Residents in one Tucson neighborhood are learning to look before they sit.

For the past ten years, small white rats have been swimming their way up into toilets in the Blenman-Elm Neighborhood just east of the University of Arizona.

Laura Hagen Fairbanks with Pima county's Wastewater Management Department says the rodents are of the white lab-rat variety.

Frankly, does it matter what color the rat is? Does it make it less horrifying that your cajones are being nibbled on by a white rodent? I think not.

Also, where rats go, snakes usually follow. Should we soon expect snakes in the bowl?

Cruelty to Rats

(Petaluma, California) It appears to me that this incident sets some sort of precedent.

From DailyBreeze.com:

A man found living with more than 1,300 rats last year faces new charges after 37 rats and six cats were seized from the filthy cabin of his sailboat, animal control officers said.

Roger Dier of Petaluma was cited for cruelty to animals and confining animals in too small of a space following the discovery of the animals Thursday in the boat anchored on the Petaluma River.

Now, I can understand the need for animal cruelty laws but I don't understand how those laws could be rationally applied to treatment of vermin. It's inconceivable to me how filthy, disease-carrying vermin can be treated cruelly. Hell, they're at home in the sewer. Of course, California is a different universe. Don't be surprised if the California cockroach is someday granted protected status.

Counselor Accused of Sex with Boy

(Fargo, North Dakota) A 28-year-old teen counselor, Kimberly Nack, has been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with a 16-year-old boy she met at the Luther Hall Treatment Center in Fargo. Nack was also employed as a truant officer for the Morehead School District in Minnesota.

From BismarckTribune.com:

Investigators found the youth at Nack's apartment on Dec. 23, court documents show. Nack told authorities that she let him use her apartment because he had been kicked out of his home.

Investigators said Nack acknowledged kissing the boy and allowing him to fondle her when the two of them were watching movies at the apartment.

Nack has been charged with felony sexual assault and harboring a runaway minor.

Tipped by Don Morgenstern and Jason Cann.


[Update 05/03/07]

Nack pleads guilty to corruption of minor.


[Update 09/12/07]

Nack sentenced.

Israel Plans Iran Strike

Here's some fresh news but it's hardly surprising. Rarely does Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speak and not promise to nuke the Jews. Diplomacy hasn't worked. The UN and the EU have been ineffective in defusing the situation. Meanwhile, the Israelis are in no position to hesitate or waffle with regard to real threats of annihilation from Iran.

Flight crews have trained and routes have been plotted. Furthermore, discussions have been held regarding the necessity of deploying nuclear-tipped bunker buster bombs on enrichment facilities buried beneath 70 feet of concrete and rock.

Ominously, I sense that something calamitous is going to happen in the near future.

Nurse Nabbed for Naughty with Boys

(Lake Havasu City, Arizona) A 26-year-old licensed nurse, Norma Mae Evans, was arrested by Lake Havasu City Police for engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy. Evans has been charged with felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 15 and sexual abuse.

According to Police Lt. Rich Sloma, a tip via the Silent Witness program led them to suspect Evans of unlawful sexual activities.

Detectives served a search warrant at the address occupied by Evans and recovered numerous items of evidence, including a videotape depicting sexual contact between the suspect and a 13-year-old male victim, said Sloma. The video allegedly was taped by a 15-year-old male who also is listed as a victim in this case.

Videotape, eh? Boy, let's hope they keep it under wraps. We sure wouldn't want to see it on the Internet. Furthermore, with sex, boys and videotape, it will be hard for Evans to maintain deniability.

Evans was booked with bond set at $100,000.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

"Right to Housing" for Homeless

(Paris, France) With an economy sporting a chronic 10 percent unemployment rate and advancing at garden slug speed, France is toying with a new way to piss away taxpayer euros -- legislating a right to housing.

Hey, Chirac, listen up. You want to reduce homelessness, make it a less attractive lifestyle. Then vagrants will at least have some motivation to change their situations. If you make homelessness more attractive, guess what happens.

Hopefully, the "right to housing" won't get past the toy stage. Either that or be prepared to legislate the "right to a refrigerator."

Woman Gets No Jail for Sex Abuse

(Urbana, Illinois) In November 2006, a 20-year-old woman, Kristen Buffington, was found guilty of aggravated criminal sexual abuse by a seven-woman, five-man jury. The case involved an incident in September 2005 when Buffington picked up two young boys, took them to her home and had sex with one of them, a 13-year-old.

Yesterday, Champaign County Judge Jeff Ford sentenced Buffington to probation.

He also ordered her to engage in therapy for survivors of sexual assault -- the woman testified at trial that she had been raped previously. She also must be evaluated for depression and get appropriate treatment, stay employed and not use any drugs or alcohol. He also ordered her to initiate proceedings with the appropriate government agency to get child support for her 4-year-old child.

"It appears that any time something bad has happened in your life, it's because of alcohol or drugs," Ford told Buffington.

He applauded her for already obtaining Family Life Skills counseling even though it wasn't court-ordered. He also noted that the sex offender evaluation of Buffington showed that she was at "low risk" to reoffend.

Consequently, given that she was depressed, used alcohol and drugs and was ostensibly raped at some point in the past, Judge Ford ruled leniently. Hopefully, the judge didn't exhaust his Kleenex budget when contemplating Buffington's case.

As a saving grace, however, Judge Ford ordered Buffington to register as a sex offender.

By the way, I predicted this outcome in my previous post. Just for drill, I would also speculate that if the 13-year-old had to appear before Judge Ford regarding this case, that little bastard would be sent to juvey lockup until the age of 21 for taking advantage [sniff, sniff] of a depressed, drug-using alky who had been supposedly raped sometime in the past.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Weather Channel Politics

Worth a few minutes is this report. Melanie Morgan opens the doors to the boardroom of The Weather Channel, casting light on the personalities and purposes of its management. Launched to analyze and predict climate conditions, The Weather Channel has metamorphosed into a political propaganda medium, dedicated to scaring the pants off the public about global warming.

Chief agenda jockey is, Wonya Lucas, a CNN alum who, taught well, believes that her feelings and opinions trump knowledge and facts. Manning the point on the seek and indoctrinate mission is Dr. Heidi Cullen, a Near Eastern religions and history expert. Between them and probably unknowingly, they epitomize the folly of global warming hysteria -- leftist marionettes in the scientific laboratory.

Neither Lucas nor Cullen are scientists. They are political wolves in scientific clothing, global warming cultists making arrogant assertions about Earth's environment in 100 years. At the same time, they are iffy about next week.

Lucas and Cullen don't trumpet their inconvenient mindset. It's tom-tommed in a low droning cadence, more than subliminal but easily overlooked. Viewers of The Weather Channel, beware.


[Update 01/18/07]

Cullen urges suppression of dissenting opinion.

Saddam Statue Planned

(Tripoli, Libya) For those who think that Muammar Khaddafi became less of a dictatorial nutjob in the recent past, think again. He's got Libya building a statue to honor Saddam Hussein.

From UPI.com:

The official Libyan news agency, JANA, said Thursday the revolutionary councils will build the statue of the former Iraqi leader standing next to the gallows and will be placed next to a similar model of Libya's historic revolutionary leader Omar al-Mukhtar.

Al-Mukhtar was hanged by the Italian colonization forces in 1931 after leading a fierce rebellion against the foreign occupation. A statue of him standing by the gallows is raised in the capital, Tripoli, and Saddam's statue will stand next to it.

Frankly, I suspect that Khaddafi feels he is not getting enough attention.

Woman Jailed for Rape of Child

(Newton, North Carolina) A 29-year-old woman from adjacent Lincoln County, Betty Jo Herman, is in jail in Catawba County for allegedly engaging in sex with a young boy.

The boy's mother notified the police after learning of the sexual contact. Herman is said to be a friend of the family of the boy.

Herman is charged with first-degree rape of a child and is in custody with bond set at $50,000.

Teacher Resigns in Student Sex Case

(Lorain, Ohio) A 35-year-old preschool teacher, Christina Futchko, resigned her position with the Lorain School District amid allegations that she had a romantic relationship with a 17-year-old student.

The boy's parents found incriminating emails between Futchko and the student and notified school officials. Futchko was then placed on paid leave pending the results of an investigation.

Since the age of consent in Ohio is 16, Futchko's alleged actions with a 17-year-old would not be criminal. However, they would be contrary to established school district policy which prohibits a teacher in a position of authority from engaging in sexual conduct with a student.

With Futchko's resignation, the school district closed its investigation.

Wax On, Wax Off

Apparently, there's a right way and a less-than-right way to perform a bikini wax. I know this from reading, not experience. Frankly, I think a boxer wax would be objectionable -- and unnecessary.

However, for those who are inclined or possess an academic interest, Gawker has a how-to description of the right way to perform a bikini wax. Thankfully not included in the description are the words "itching" and "ingrown."

When we arrived, we were whisked into a waxing room, where the cheerful Maya instructed us to undress, and left the room. Being somewhat prudish, we left our underwear on, which Maya tsk-tsked when she returned. We sheepishly removed. She then asked how much we wanted taken off. We indicated we wanted a small strip left, whose width she asked us to indicate with our fingers. Next thing we knew, she was going at it.

We've got to hand it to her--bitch was fast. We barely had time to blink, let alone tear up, before large sections of our nether regions were being removed with alacrity. She was also reassuring, telling us that it wouldn't be much longer now. (Rrrrip!)

Now, I must wonder why the writer refers to "we" in describing the episode. Is it possible that bikini waxing is something that couples do together? Maybe it's a big city, date-type activity, replacing the traditional dinner and a movie?

In any event, there's more.

Woman Arrested for Rape, Sodomy

(Salt Lake City, Utah) A 54-year-old woman, Kathy English, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex acts with two 16-year-old male friends of her daughter.

English allegedly gave the boys drugs and initiated sex without their consent during two incidents occurring between November 2005 and February 2006.

English has been charged with felony counts of rape and forcible sodomy.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 04/03/07]

Charges dismissed.

A judge on Monday dismissed the case against a Sandy woman accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a friend of her daughter after the alleged victim admitted he fabricated the story.

On a motion by prosecutors, 3rd District Judge Royal Hansen threw out first-degree felony charges of rape and forcible sodomy against Kathy English. The 54-year-old had been charged based on allegations by the friend, who claimed he was assaulted in November 2005 when he was 16 and later witnessed English engaged in sexual activity with another teen.

Defense attorney Mark Moffat said the accuser came to his office after English was arraigned and admitted it was all a lie to stop her from moving to Florida with her daughter, whom he was interested in romantically.

Whoever it was that accused her should be prosecuted.

Worse News for Maytag Repairmen

In nine months since it acquired the Maytag Corporation, Whirlpool Corp. has sold manufacturing facilities in Galesburg and Herrin, Illinois; Searcy, Arkansas; Ranson, West Virginia; and Florence, South Carolina.

Yesterday, Whirlpool announced that it has also gutted Maytag's former headquarters in Newton, Iowa.

Presumably, the always-idle Maytag repairman, an advertising theme for decades which grew into a cultural cliche, is now a faded soldier -- something that will have to be explained to the grandchildren.

Just Not With It

Without disappointment, today I learned that two television shows that I've never seen have been canceled. Fox's "OC" and NBC Universal's "The Megan Mullally Show" have been more cellar than stellar so they were axed.

Although I haven't seen the programs, their cancellations do not make me a coal mine canary for television ratings. I don't watch pro wrestling programs and, as I understand, they top the charts.

Teacher Guilty of Selling Class Credit

(Walnut Hill, Florida) A 39-year-old teacher at Ernest Ward Middle School, Tamara B. Tootle, was sentenced to three years probation for extorting cash from students.

She charged students $1 per day to skip physical education and still get credit for participating. Tootle must also surrender her teaching credentials and perform community service.

Heh.

Woman Caged for Boy's Rape

(Lebanon, Pennsylvania) In March 2006, a 39-year-old woman, Jody Blessing, was accused of sex crimes against an 11-year-old boy which occurred in 1999. She faced rape, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related charges. Her husband, Ammon Blessing, faced comparable charges.

In October, Blessing pleaded guilty and, yesterday, she was sentenced to six and one-half to 20 years in state prison. Lebanon County Judge Brad Charles gave Blessing the sentence for convictions on rape and endangering the welfare charges.

Ammon Blessing was convicted during a trial in November and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14.

Teacher Offs Self

(San Antonio, Texas) Thine own executioner?

From MySanAntonio.com:

An English teacher committed suicide days after he resigned from his job at Clark High School amid allegations of sexual impropriety with a student, a district official said.

The body of Tommy Ford, 60, was discovered Sunday in a duplex in the 7000 block of Glen Mist. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Bexar County medical examiner's office.

Ford was accused of mixing it up with a 17-year-old male student and was being investigated. Authorities have not commented on whether the suicide is linked to the accusations. Hey, guys, here's a hint. Duh!

Suicides following allegations of deviant sex are not rare.

Teacher Fingered for Fondling

(Nashville, Tennessee) A 32-year-old former substitute teacher at Gra-Mar Middle School, Erica Kentoya Bell, has been charged with engaging in unlawful sexual contact with a 13-year-old boy and his 15-year-old sister on separate occasions.

Bell faces two counts of sexual battery and four counts of official misconduct stemming from alleged fondling incidents that occurred at Gra-Mar Middle School in December 2005 and January 2006. She resigned her position with the school last January.

Bell was indicted last month after a year-long investigation and arrested. She was booked and released on $50,000 bond.

UN Sex Crimes Tour - Sudan 2007

After its memorable engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004 and 2005, the United Nations Sex Crimes Tour has landed in Sudan for an extended peacekeeping stay.

As readers may recall, the Congo engagement was quite newsworthy, widely-reported and critically reviewed. It included the molestation and rape of countless Congolese girls and male translators, the launching and operation of an Internet pedophile ring, and hundreds of underage girls having babies by UN peacekeepers.

For 2007, the UN Sex Crimes Tour has established Sudan as a base of operations and reviews indicate that previous accomplishments in the Congo may be surpassed. There are already dozens of reports of UN soldiers having peacekeeping sex with children as young as 12 years old.

Additionally, for the enduring pleasure of peacekeeping enthusiasts, the Sudanese government has been collecting video footage of UN soldiers administering forceful sessions of peacekeeping to children.

In conclusion, initial reports suggest that a remarkable presence in southern Sudan has already been achieved by the UN and it's easy to speculate that 2007 will be another banner year for peacekeeping soldiers deployed on the UN Sex Crimes Tour.

Future tour dates and locations have not been announced.

Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex with Student

(Pierce County, Washington) In June 2006, 24-year-old former physical education teacher at White River High School, Rebekah M. Todd, was arraigned on a charge of first-degree sexual misconduct for allegedly performing oral sex on a 17-year-old male student.

According to prosecutors, investigative evidence collected starting in February 2006 led to the charges. In March, Todd was fired from her teaching position.

Yesterday, Rebekah Todd, now 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in accordance with a plea deal. In exchange, she will be sentenced to 30 days home confinement and revocation of her teaching credentials. Defense attorney Tyler Firkins stated that Todd took the deal to avoid a possible jail sentence and being tagged as a sexual offender.

Todd will be sentenced on January 26.


[Update 03/11/07]

Todd sentenced to jail.

MTV Arabiya Soon to Launch

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates) This news broke last week but hasn't received much attention.

From AAWSAT.com:

The Arabian Television Network (ATN) has announced that it will partner with MTV Networks International, a unit of Viacom Networks Europe Inc, to launch the highly anticipated MTV Arabiya in 2007.

ATN is a subsidiary of the newly launched Arabian Broadcasting Network.

Abdullatif Al Sayegh, CEO, Chairman, Arabian Broadcasting Network said:

"Our partnership with MTV is a significant step in our long term strategic vision to offer an international channel dedicated to Arab music and culture. All of us in the team are excited about MTV Arabiya's forthcoming launch, and look forward to developing additional growth opportunities in the region."

Now, it's beyond me to envision MTV Arabiya being a replication of regular MTV or, for that matter, even having shared programming between the two. Presumably, viewers will see videos of the Muslim hit parade. It's also possible that knockoffs of the "Jackass" and "Real World" programs would be produced. Recent incidents indicate that there is plenty of material (see here and here) to work with in Muslim society.

Nevertheless, it seems ironic that, amid the ongoing friction between the Islamic and Western worlds, there is such an easy willingness to embrace MTV, arguably a most hedonistic, vulgar and sacrilegious product of the infidels. Obviously, there is a contest between Allah and the dollah.

Jami Lee Knox Gets Slammer for Sex Crimes

(Farmington Hills, Michigan) In July 2006, 41-year-old Jami Lee Knox was charged with engaging in a months-long sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy, her son's friend. In November, Knox pleaded no contest in accordance with a plea deal to three counts of criminal sexual conduct and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime.

Today, Knox was sentenced. Under sentencing guidelines, Knox faced between three and 15 years in prison and she received the minimum of three years.

"I'm truly, sincerely sorry for the pain and destruction I caused," a tearful Jami Lee Knox told Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Rae Lee Chabot during her sentencing Tuesday. The boy's parents were in the courtroom for the sentencing, as was Knox's husband, Michael, who has attended all of her hearings.

The case has generated considerable attention locally and not everyone is satisfied with the perceived fairness of the process. Based on comments on this blog and others, the general consensus has been that Knox wouldn't be treated with reasonable severity by the court. That was before today.

I'm anxious to see the reaction to a three-year prison term. I think it's fairly safe to say that Jami Lee Knox has ignited strong emotions in the community.

Bali Bombers in Philippines

While authorities are examining the suspected remains of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Khadaffy Janjalani, his homicidal buddies are still plotting harm in the jungles of the Philippines.

From The Australian:

AT least five members of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist group, including two Bali bombers, are hiding with Muslim extremists in the southern Philippines, a military official said today.

"There may be more than five but so far, we have identified five of them," Brigadier General Juancho Sabban said, adding they were being sheltered by the Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo, a southern Philippine island.

"The Abu Sayyaf is protecting them because they cannot operate on their own in the Philippines," Mr Sabban said.

He said his troops had been hunting the Abu Sayyaf band in the jungles of Jolo since August last year, and military intelligence confirmed the presence of the five JI members in Jolo but the only ones whose names were released were Indonesians - Dulmatin and Patek - wanted for assembling and detonating bombs in nightclubs in the Indonesian island resort of Bali in 2002, killing more than 200 including 88 Australians.

From another source, it's reported that "aside from Umar Patek and Dulmatin, six more JI members -- five Indonesian and a Malaysian -- were scattered in the provinces, fighting side-by-side with local bandits."

Meanwhile, the military said Friday it is deploying an extra 1,500 soldiers in Jolo Island to speed up the hunt for two Bali bombing suspects hiding there.

The three battalions will start arriving on the island from other areas of the country Saturday to augment some 6,000 soldiers already there, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces chief, told reporters.

The US government has offered bounties totaling $11 million for fugitive JI operatives Dulmatin and Patek.

Up to $1 million reward is offered for Umar Patek, aka Umar Kecil and others. He's 36 years old, 5-foot, 5-inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds. Runtish yet deadly.

Up to $10 million reward is offered for Dulmatin, aka Amar Usman and others. He's in his mid to late 30s, just under 5-foot, 8-inches tall and weighs 154 pounds. Not a giant either.

Obviously, JI and Abu Sayyaf are closely tied to al-Qaeda and all are simply thug Muslim terrorists despite what they call themselves. They need eradication. Let's hope the Filipino authorities fulfill their needs.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Muslim Sacrifices Himself

(New Delhi, India) A 45-year-old Muslim man, Moharrum Ali, slit his throat and died as part of the celebration of Eid-ul-Zuha. Given that religious fanaticism regularly causes individuals to take their own lives, this incident is not surprising. Nonetheless, the note he left is worthy of comment.

"I was sacrificing my life as I once dreamt Allah asking me to offer myself for sacrifice."

In fairness, I had a similar experience. In my dream, Davy Crockett asked me to join him in defending the Alamo because the Mexican Army was going to attack. Of course, I knew it was all fiction. It was a dream, for crying out loud! I was nine years old but still knew the difference.

To be serious, though, it's reported that Moharrum Ali had tried the human sacrifice stunt once before and failed. Therefore, I'll chalk him up as a suicidal nutcase as opposed to an Islamic zealot commanded by any specific teachings of Mohammad. Of course, I haven't read the Qu'ran and Moharrum Ali had to get the idea from somewhere.

Bulgaria, Romania Join EU

(Sofia/Bucharest) Millions of new EU citizens broke out party hats and noisemakers yesterday as Bulgaria and Romania became members of the European Union. Thirty million new citizens were added to the EU's bloc of 460 million.

Unfortunately, both countries are very poor with gross domestic product figures only a third of the rest of the European bloc so their inclusion adds only slightly to the industrial engine of the EU. However, with many barriers to trade and economic expansion lifted, significant growth in the former-Soviet satellites is foreseen.

Interestingly, other EU nations, particularly Britain, are preparing for an influx of Bulgarian and Romania migrants. By the same token, some citizens from Old Europe will be traveling to the two new EU states, some staying as property owners. Cheap Bulgarian and Romanian land prices are drawing buyers.

Notably, there will be an increase of one million new Muslim EU citizens, taking Europe's Muslim population to 16 million, about 3.25 percent of the EU's total population.

With the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania, the European Union now has 27 member states and also now borders the Black Sea on the east. Europe's leaders foresee eventual membership for Turkey, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia but no timetable has been established.

Boy, 9, Hangs "Like Saddam"

Television and parental neglect are being blamed. The "Don't Try This At Home" warning haunts.

From News24.com:

(Multan, Pakistan) A young boy who tried to copy hanging scenes from the execution video of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein died in central Pakistan, said police on Monday.

Mubashar Ali, 9, hanged himself, while re-enacting Hussein's hanging with the help of elder sister, 10, after tying a rope to a ceiling fan and his neck in his home in Rahim Yar Khan district on Sunday, said a local police official.

The father of the deceased boy said that his children had been watching the video of Saddam Hussein's execution on television and attempted to imitate the hanging as other family members thought they were playing in another room.

Police called the death accidental. I'd call it idiocy - trying to reenact an execution while expecting a different outcome.

Slovenia Adopts Euros

(Ljubljana, Slovenia) Attention! Turn in your tolars.

Effective today, Slovenia becomes the first former-communist nation to adopt the euro. It joined the European Union in 2004.

The current exchange rate is about 240 tolars to one euro.

The currency changeover will permit tolars and euros to circulate only for two weeks. Banks and post offices will exchange tolars for euros until the end of February. Afterward, only the central bank will exchange tolars.

Housework for Breast Cancer Protection

(London) Cancer Research UK studied more than 200,000 women in nine European countries and found that housework reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Cooking, washing, dusting, mopping and vacuuming for 16 to 17 hours a week are believed to produce hormonal and metabolic changes which reduce breast cancer risk by 20 to 30 percent. The research results are published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.

"Honey, it's for your own good. Now, get out in the kitchen and rattle those pots and pans."

Women With Troubles - December 2006

Happy New Year!

Here's the compilation of women with troubles reported in the news during December 2006. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying detailed information.

(AR) Donna Sue Mars (aka Donna Sue Turner), 42,
HIV-positive neighbor - Sentenced to 16 years prison for rape and exposing boy, 13, to HIV,

(AR) Laura Ann Pryor, 41,
neighbor - Sentenced to 2 years prison for sexually assaulting boy, 14,

(CA) Elizabeth Anne Dawson, 19,
babysitter - Sentenced to one year in prison for molesting a 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome,

(CA) Lynne Marie Filippini, 48,
kindergarten teacher - Arrested again on drug charges after previous conviction in May 2006,

(CA) Ana Monique Magdaleno, 37,
neighbor - Charged with oral copulation/intimidation of witness regarding sex with boy, 16,

(CA) Franca and Antonia Munoz-Juvera, 26-year-old twins,
teachers - Arrested in connection with alleged sex acts with an underage female student,

(CO) Darcie Esson, 32,
teacher, divorced mother of two - Arrested for engaging in sex with male student, 17,

(CO) Carrie McCandless, 29,
teacher, principal's wife, cheerleading coach - Alleged romantic relationship with male student, 17,

(CT) Danielle Grasso, 26,
special ed. teacher's aide - Arrested for sexual assault of 18-year-old student,

(FL) Rebecca Abernathy, 44, and Michael Jones, 50,
neighbors - Arrested for sex crimes and child pornography with a 14-year-old girl,

(FL) Deborah Ann Reeder, 45,
teacher, mother - Arrested for unlawful sex with boy, 17,

(GA) Frances Cook, 42,
teacher - Charged with sexual battery and aggravated child molestation of 15-year-old boy,

(GA) Tiffany Pierce, 21,
neighbor - Arrested for engaging in sex with boy under 16,

(IN) Lisa Fish, 33,
neighbor, married mother of three - Convicted by jury of sex with boy, 15. Sentencing on Jan.23,

(IN) Johnna Marie Kalinowicz, 31,
neighbor - Alleged sex with boy, 14,

(IN) Margaret A. Wiley, 27,
juvenile corrections officer - Charged with sexual misconduct with male inmate, 16,

(KY) Tericka Dye, 34,
teacher - Fired from teaching for starring in porn films under the name Rikki Andersin. Seeks reinstatement.

(LA) Stephanie Giambelluca, 24,
teacher - Arrested for molestation of boy, 12, which was videotaped by friend, Ryan Mapes,

(LA) Mary Shannon Hansche, 22, and Christopher Wayne Hansche, 26,
neighbors - Charged with desertion for letting puppy gnaw baby's toes off,

(ME) Amy Bramhall, 33,
teacher - Sentenced to one year in prison for 200 episodes of sex with boy, 15,

(MI) Dawn Marie Richards, 41,
neighbor, mother of two - Arrested for sex with boy, 14,

(MN) Julia Ozirski Lund, 28,
teacher, married - Charged for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old male student,

(MO) Judith Zweifel, 38,
neighbor, married mother of two - Sentenced to 14 years in prison for 30 sex crimes against boy, 11,

(NH) Jennifer Malone, 32,
teacher's aide, married mother of two - Convicted of kidnapping boy, 16,

(NJ) Pamela Balogh, 39,
teacher, coach - Arrested for sexual assault of female student, 15,

(NY) Lauren Maggi, 35,
traveler - Charged with harassment for spitting in a soldier's face at the airport,

(OH) Vickie Todd, 35,
neighbor - Charged with felony sex with boy under 16,

(PA) Felicia C. Morehart, 19,
neighbor - Sentenced to 5-10 years in prison for forcing boy, 7, to perform oral sex on her,

(PA) Jennifer Marie Villacrusis, 35,
guidance counselor - Charged with corruption and interference with the custody of a boy, 16,

(SC) Patricia Louise Hartwell, 46,
neighbor - Held alcohol/drug/sex parties for HS kids. Sentenced to probation for contributing to delinquency,

(TX) Brandy Lynn Gonzales, 27,
elementary school teacher - Arrested for sexual conduct with at least five 5th-grade boys, ages 11 to 13,

(UT) Amber Childs, 30,
neighbor - Walks after sex crimes against boy, 5, reduced to misdemeanors,

(WI) Norma Giannini, 78,
nun, former school principal - Alleged sex with two schoolboys, aged 13, about 40 years ago.

Thanks to the tipsters.

Swinging Saddam Video

Saddam Hussein's execution video is posted at The Jawa Report. Reportedly, it displays footage that the mainstream media is holding back.

Wanna Party?

This will put a dent in the entertainment budget.

A half-mil will buy you an "Entourage" New Year, which will indulge four friends in a nonstop 24-hour party, flying them from anywhere in the United States on a personal jet to Van Nuys, Calif. The package includes lunch at Koi, personal shopping at Barneys, the penthouse suite of the Roosevelt Hotel, white-gold watches from Cartier and an all-night private lounge at West Hollywood's Pearl.

Woo-hoo! Four friends, Van Nuys, West Hollywood! All for $500,000! It's a blow-out!

More reasonably priced is dinner, dancing and breakfast with the best view in the city at the Rainbow Room. It's economy priced at $1,600 per person. It's black tie. Don't forget.

But that's hoity-toity New York. Here in the dialup frontier, I expect to greet the New Year for under ten bucks.

Illegal Accused of Killing Three

(Salt Lake City, Utah) A 24-year-old illegal alien, Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, is in custody, arrested for driving drunk and killing three members of a family in an automobile accident.

Last Sunday, Prieto allegedly ran a stop light and struck the car carrying the Ceran family. Cheryl Ceran and her son Ian, 15, and daughter Julianna, 7, died from injuries.

Prieto has been charged with automobile homicide, driving under the influence and causing bodily injury, and driving without a license. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail with bail set at $500,000 and a no-bail immigration detainer.

Sadly, because the southern border of the U.S. is mostly imaginary, an American family is devastated. But that's not all because even if Prieto is convicted, sentenced and deported, he'll likely return to Utah someday and again toss down too many, get in a car, and run another red light.

Florida Pantsjacker

(Boynton Beach, Florida) Since October, there have been four pants robberies at gunpoint in south Florida. In the latest, a car was seen speeding from the area and followed by police. After he crashed his car, suspected pants robber Adam Balam was chased on foot and apprehended.

The pants robbing may seem somewhat humorous but it isn't. In November, a victim received several gunshot wounds during a robbery.

Woman Pinched for Molestation

(Dalton, Georgia) A 21-year-old woman, Tiffany Pierce, was arrested yesterday for engaging in sex with a boy under 16. Pierce has been charged with child molestation. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

THUNK!

(Gallows, Iraq) Just after 10 pm EST last night (6 am Baghdad Time), brutal former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged by the neck and died almost instantly.

Expect no paucity of punditry.

Teacher Hires Kobe Bryant's Lawyer

(Glenwood Springs, Colorado) On Dec. 18, 32-year-old English teacher at Elizabeth High School, Darcie Esson, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student who is on the school football team.

She was charged with felony sexual assault on a child by a person in position of trust and released on $25,000 bail.

In preparation for court, Esson has retained high-profile attorney Pamela Mackey for legal counsel. Mackey previously represented Los Angeles Laker basketball star Kobe Bryant in a 2003 alleged rape case in which charges were ultimately dismissed.

Does anyone else question how a teacher, on a teacher's salary, is able to afford such expensive legal help?


[Update 05/18/07]

Esson faces more charges.


[Update 06/20/07]

Esson pleads guilty.

Filipino Terror Group Names New Leader

(Manila, Philippines) According to Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Patikul, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) informants have confirmed that terror chief Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani died from a gunshot wound to the neck in September. Abu Sayyaf (Arabic for "bearer of the sword") is an Islamist terror group linked to al-Qaeda and known for bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and extortion.

As a consequence of Janjalani's reported death, Abu Sayyaf sub-commanders met and named Radulan Sahiron, aka Sajirun and Sahirun, as the new leader of the terrorist group. Sahiron has been a key leader of ASG and is responsible for brutal acts of terrorism involving bombings of civilians and kidnappings of U.S. and foreign nationals. Rewards for his capture total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In any event, final confirmation of Janjalani's death awaits the results of DNA testing being conducted by Filipino and U.S. authorities.

Women's Shelters in Turkey

From Zaman.com:

The Ministry for Women and Family has decided to open three new women's shelters in southeastern Turkey, where abuse is prevalent, and two in other parts of the country.

The total number of shelters in Turkey will increase from 17 to 22.

The government is trying to do something to address the abuse of women and frequent "honor killings." Frankly, I think they should also be more aggressive from a law enforcement perspective.

Nonetheless, Turkish authorities are attacking centuries-old customs and traditions which is more than some other nations are doing.

Guns, Knives Protect Herbs and Thistles

(Suisun Marsh, California) Using 12-gauge shotguns and 10-inch knives, hunters have been mobilized to eliminate non-natives in the Suisun Marsh, the largest brackish-water marsh on the West Coast. Herbs and thistles are seriously threatened by the non-natives which are descendants of European pigs.

Thus far, there has been no comparable action on the recommendation to mobilize law enforcers to use 12-gauge shotguns and 10-inch knives to eradicate the flood of non-natives in towns and cities. Hospital emergency rooms and public school systems are seriously threatened by the non-natives who are descendants of Mexican and Central American patriarchs.

Filipino Terror Chief Possibly Dead

(Manila, Philippines) According to authorities, terrorism chief Khaddafy Janjalani, aka Khadafi Abubakar Janjalani, may have died in a firefight several months ago.

As the leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, Janjalani is the most-wanted terrorist in the Philippines and even has a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head for the kidnapping and murder of an American in 2002.

Captured Abu Sayyaf members led officials to Janjalani's suspected grave. The FBI is assisting in forensic examination of the remains and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Although it's probably spiritually incorrect, I believe that decomposing terrorist scumbags make for a happy holiday season.


[Update 01/25/07]

Janjalani confirmed dead.

Teen Drug News

Parent worries about teen getting high from camel toads.

Haj Pilgrimage Begins Tomorrow

(Mecca, Saudi Arabia) One of the five pillars of Islam, the annual Haj begins tomorrow and ends Monday. An estimated 2 million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world are expected to visit Mecca and Medina, Islam's two holiest places.

From KhaleejTimes.com:

The Haj will begin on Thursday, with the faithful assembling at Mina.

At dawn on Friday, they will begin moving towards Mount Arafat where they will spend the day praying and asking for God's forgiveness at the summit, in a symbolic waiting for the last judgment.

The pilgrims then return to Mina to sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, for Eid Al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, on Saturday.

They will spend another two days there for the stoning ceremony that symbolises a willingness to renounce evil.

The stonings have been problematic by causing stampedes. However, increased security and civil defense forces have been mobilized to prevent stampedes and enhance safety.

Last year, 364 people died in a stampede which occurred during a stone-throwing ritual. The year before, 251 people died in a stoning stampede. For medical emergencies, 21 field hospitals have been set up with 9,600 staffers.

I assume that many more than one sheep will need to be sacrificed for 2 million people. Otherwise, it would be slim pickings at the barbecue.

Inheritance Laws Shaft Saudi Women

Here's an interesting little glimpse of life in a Muslim country courtesy of the Arab News. It appears that Saudi Arabian women are entitled to only one-half the amount of inheritance given to Saudi men. Check this example of a man dying with six surviving daughters and one surviving son.

[T]he property would be divided between the one son and the six surviving daughters. It should be divided into eight shares, giving one share to each of the six daughters and two shares to the son.

As a result, the surviving son receives one-quarter of the total inheritance despite the fact that he was only one-seventh of the number of survivors.

Women's rights groups should probably protest. Of course, it's possible that Muslim women are satisfied with the unequal treatment under Sharia Law since they receive extra measures of peace. Or something.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Former Gitmo Prisoners Set Free

(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) The Saudi Interior Ministry released 18 former Gitmo prisoners from custody yesterday. Their release piggybacks the release of 11 former Gitmo prisoners last week. They were largely captured on the battlefields of Afghanistan fighting for the Taliban.

Notably, charges against the 18 were simply dismissed whereas the 11 prisoners previously released had "completed prison sentences for various charges."

The authorities must have concluded that all debts to society have been paid. Oddly, Saudi Arabia is frequently criticized for harsh punishment of prisoners which includes the severing of body parts and stoning. Apparently, sweeping leniency is the preferred practice regarding Islamic soldiers fighting against the U.S.

Frankly, I have solid confidence that we'll see the former Gitmo denizens on a battlefield again. I don't believe in terrorist rehab.

Saddam to Hang Within 30 Days

That is what is being reported. The decision came from the appeals court and it must be ratified by Iraqi President Talabani and two vice presidents.

Ominously, Baath Party officials previously stated that the execution of Saddam Hussein would prompt them to retaliate by reinforcing their siege against the Baghdad Green Zone. Of course, threats from armed Middle Eastern Muslims are like spam since so many are issued. Nevertheless, all have to be taken seriously even though only a minor percentage come to fruition.

Regarding Saddam's execution, hopefully the Iraqi justice system will implement the death sentence in a more timely manner than is regularly demonstrated in the U.S. The last I checked, there was an average 14-year duration between the scheduled execution date and the actual execution.

Don't Sweat Car's DUI Interlock

(Seattle, Washington) It's ridiculous to pass a law and hope that the public will comply. File this story under "Laws Not Being Enforced."

From Seattle Times:

Some 28,000 Washington drivers, all convicted of driving under the influence, aren't supposed to start their cars without first breathing into an alcohol-detection device.

Yet just over 4,400 ignition-interlock devices have been installed on cars in the state, said Brad Benfield, state Department of Licensing (DOL) spokesman.

The gap illustrates a frustrating hole in the system: No public agency confirms the device is installed once the court or DOL orders it. In addition, when the devices are installed, drivers find ways to cheat them, officials say.

While it is possible many offenders ordered to use the devices stopped driving, many simply ignore the order, state and local officials say.

Scofflaws are presumably only able to be caught during traffic stops and it's a misdemeanor.

No Accounting at DHS

An auditing firm has found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has lax financial controls and inadequate management oversight. In other words, they're pissing away money worse than a drunken sailor.

So, what else is new? No prudent intellect should be surprised that the government wastes billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars.

Muj TV Is Not A Duck

Bill Roggio of The Fourth Rail, on location in Iraq, reports details about the satellite television station al-Zawraa, stating that it has been tagged as a propaganda and front organization for al-Qaeda. Al-Zawraa, known by the Iraqis as Muj TV, is operated by Mishan al-Jabouri who, predictably, has issues with Roggio's assertions.

In an email to Bill, al-Jabouri vehemently refutes the contention that Muj TV has anything to do with al-Qaeda. He then describes the purpose of the station in glowing patriotic terms using phraseology that could have easily been gleaned from the al-Qaeda tactical media manual.

We can assure you that Alzawraa TV has no relations whatsoever with Al-Qaeda as you claimed but it respects those Mujahideen who devoted and sacrifice themselves to defend Sunnis who are targeted by both American army and Sectarian militias encouraged by the sectarian Government of Al- Maliky and other slaughterers...

In summary, Bill Roggio says Muj TV is cozy with al-Qaeda. Al-Jabouri says Muj TV is not cozy with al-Qaeda. Al-Jabouri then describes the purposes of Muj TV while apparently failing to recognize that his description could also be used by al-Qaeda to define its purposes.

Simplistically, Bill says it's a duck. Jabouri says it's not a duck, rather, it's something that quacks, has a bill, webbed feet and feathers. But it's not a duck.

More importantly, Roggio relates that U.S. military and intelligence authorities are allowing the continued operation of Muj TV since the intelligence gleaned from its operation is more valuable than the benefit to be derived by shutting it down. Consequently, Muj TV will continue to recruit and propagandize for insurgent and al-Qaeda forces.

Woman Gets No Jail on Reduced Charges

(Provo, Utah) In 2002, Amber Childs was charged with aggravated sex abuse of a child, sodomy on a child, and tampering with a witness or juror in connection with alleged sex crimes against a 5-year-old boy. After significant delays for mental competency reviews and changing attorneys, Childs' case went before the 4th District Court in October and, in accordance with a plea deal, she pleaded no contest to three misdemeanors.

On Monday last week, 30-year-old Childs was sentenced to no jail. Childs' sentence was contingent on her promising to be good and not do drugs.

Heh.


[Update 12/05/07]

Childs in court on possible probation violations.


[Update 12/18/07]

Childs gets 30 days for probation violation.

Seattle's Shiny New Homeless Program

The political geniuses of the Pacific Northwest have vowed to forge the most elusive of all creations -- a community without vagrants. Ending homelessness within 10 years is the plan. Hear that? Ten years! The man behind the plan is Bill Block, Chairman of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County.

Block estimates the project will cost $80 million per year which "is substantially more than what is being spent now." No information is reported as to the actual source of all the funds, however, Block said that the city of Seattle and King County would contribute a portion. One is left to assume that about $70 million will come from the federal government.

Let's see. The total for the project is $800 million dollars ($80 million for ten years) and the estimated number of homeless in Seattle is 8,000. Through the magic of arithmetic, one finds the theoretical allotment for each homeless person is $100,000.

Let's pretend. On a yearly basis, the city could give every homeless person $10,000 to leave town. With a little negotiating, the number could be reduced to, maybe, a few thousand dollars. That amount and a plane ticket to the other side of the continent would end homelessness in Seattle, one by one. Any other method of ending homelessness is a dream since some people have chosen it as a lifestyle. Face it, there are adults who prefer never working or being responsible for anything and are as happy as clams living in a cardboard box. Others don't want an address, preferring to remain hidden within a societal underclass. As a result, homelessness is an attractive lifestyle option for some.

Worth mentioning is the fact that the number of homeless people in a given location is determined by the quality and quantity of benefits available in the location. When more goodies are provided, more homeless people show up. Key West is an example. The island built temporary housing and provided food, showers and free laundry. Predictably, more and more homeless people showed up for the cozy benefits. Oddly, liberal do-gooders who try to help the homeless seem to ignore this simple fact.

Interestingly, if the liberal politicians applied their grandiose solutions for ending homelessness to ending bear attacks in national parks, there would be an explosion of bear attacks. Park visitors are warned "Don't Feed The Bears" to keep them away. If citizens want the homeless to stay away, benefits shouldn't be provided.

Getting back to Seattle, the ten-year plan to end homelessness is an ambitious idea of Bill Block and I'll go on record as stating that it won't work, it won't come close to working and the best that can be hoped for is that the total cost doesn't exceed $800 million. I'll also predict that the number of homeless will at least triple when huge wads of money start being spent.

I'll also assess Bill Block's dedication to the project as considerably less than complete. He's stated that he will only work four or five years on the ten-year project. Presumably, that will leave him time to work on another liberal snow job. Just guessing but the Pacific Northwest might be ready for a $100 million Bill Block earthquake eradication program.

Hoot! Man!

It's being reported that the Scottish Army is running low on kilts and, consequently, the soldiers are having to share. Apparently, there are only 320 total kilts for the whole army of more than 5,000. Eewww!

And, according to an accompanying photo, the Scots donna wear anything under their kilts. They are now thinking seriously about underwear.

There's more at the link.

Man Sets Self on Fire to Protest Xmas/Easter

(Kern County, California) What an idiot!

From SacBee.com:

A man used flammable liquid to light himself on fire, apparently to protest a San Joaquin Valley school district's decision to change the names of winter and spring breaks to Christmas and Easter vacation.

The man, who was not immediately identified, on Friday also set fire to a Christmas tree, an American flag and a revolutionary flag replica, said Fire Captain Garth Milam.

I wish him a full recovery but don't really think it's appropriate to mitigate his pain. He deserves, and likely desires, a full, throbbing and excruciating reward for his courageous dedication.

I hope they decide to publish his name so I can help give him the recognition he deserves.

More details at Diggers Realm.

Reuters Propaganda on Soldier Suicides

The Dread Pundit Bluto exposes the Reuters naked bias in reporting the suicide rate among U.S. soldiers.

Of course, the rate is higher than anyone would prefer but it's also lower than the rate for civilians of similar age and gender. Consequently, young men and women are at lower risk of suicide if they join the military. That important tidbit of information is buried deep in the Reuters report.

More at the link.

Female Substitute Arrested for Sex with Boy

(Coral Springs, Florida) A 45-year-old substitute teacher at Country Hills Elementary School, Deborah Ann Reeder, was arrested Thursday by Coral Springs Police for engaging in sex with a 17-year-old boy. Yesterday, Reeder was charged with four counts of unlawful sex with an underage youth.

According to Coral Springs Police Capt. Rich Nicorvo, the boy was not one of Reeder's students, rather he was a friend of one of her children.

Reeder was released from custody on Friday afternoon on $20,000 bail.

Tip: Don Morgenstern


[Update 11/28/07]

Reeder sentenced.

Snow in Des Moines

Blogger and anti-porn investigator, Brent, has an interesting post about capturing cocaine dealers in Des Moines. Go visit.

Babysitter Gets Year for Molesting Boy, 6

(San Luis Obispo, California) In April 2006, 19-year-old babysitter, Elizabeth Anne Dawson, was caught on a hidden video camera molesting a 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome. The boy's mother set up the nanny-cam to monitor Dawson's performance which resulted in her being arrested for masturbating on top of the boy and fondling him.

Yesterday in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Dawson pleaded no contest to committing a lewd act on a child and was sentenced by Judge Ginger Garrett to the maximum allowable by law, one year in jail and eight years of probation. Dawson will also have to register as a sex offender.

Notably, the Dawson case was particularly disgusting to all parties involved.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Kucinich in 2008?

Yes, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has announced he is running for the presidency again. This time, though, he is planning a different strategy.

Instead of the failed 21st Century radical leftist campaign he ran in 2004, Kucinich is now planning on resurrecting the ghosts of the Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern campaigns in a rebirth of the "Make Love , Not War" theme of the 1960s.

Presumably, Kucinich's campaign will incorporate the words "Make Peace, Not War" as a clarion call to relive the Vietnam experience.

From a personal perspective, I'm glad Kucinich is in the mix of Dems running for Prez. He's somewhat of an embarrassment to the prudent political players in the party who must pretend to take him seriously. However, at the same time, he's the most reliable of all the accidental comedians the public will be forced to see, day in and day out.

Woman Convicted of Sex with Boy

(Monticello, Indiana) On Wednesday, a 33-year-old married mother of three, Lisa Fish, was convicted of Class B felony sexual misconduct by a jury in White County Superior Court. Fish was found guilty of engaging in an episode of sex with a 15-year-old boy in April 2005.

This case was odd. The defense attorney, Bob Little, attempted to create sympathy for Fish by portraying her as a special education student who had graduated from high school but couldn't read nor recall dates and times. Little additionally characterized Fish as a simple-minded blow-up doll who was used by both the 15-year-old and her husband, who wasn't charged but did participate in the sexual episode. Little's tactic failed to sway the jury.

Judge Robert Mrzlack is scheduled to sentence Fish on January 23.


[Update 02/10/07]

Fish sentenced.

Cokehead Teacher Arrested Again

(Riverside County, California) In November 2005, kindergarten teacher Lynne Marie Filippini, 48, was arrested on drug use and possession charges. Filippini's erratic classroom behavior and frequent nosebleeds prompted a coworker to contact the authorities who conducted a search leading to the arrest. A drug test found that she had a potentially lethal amount of cocaine in her system.

In May 2006, Filippini pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor child endangerment, driving while under the influence, being under the influence of cocaine and felony cocaine possession.

The following month, Judge Harold W. Hopp sentenced Filippini to three years probation and 180 days' weekend lockup in county jail. Quite lenient, I'd say.

Prosecutor Brad Snell stated that Filippini's chances for rehabilitation were slim since it rarely happens with someone who has had a near-lethal dose of drugs in his/her system. Nevertheless, Filippini was given probation with the hope that she would be rehabilitated.

In the latest development, Filippini has been arrested again in the community of Murrieta. According to Murrieta Police Sgt. Sandra O'Donnell, Filippini side-swiped a vehicle while turning with her car.

From NCTimes.com:

After Filippini displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance other than alcohol, the sergeant said officers found that she was in possession of two types of pills known for their anti-anxiety effects, but did not have a prescription for them.

Before being booked at Southwest Justice Center in French Valley, she was taken to a local hospital to be checked out after the crash, O'Donnell said.

There, the sergeant added, Filippini proceeded to "become combative" with an officer, reportedly kicking him several times in the arms, chest, hands and legs.

Subsequently, she was transferred to Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. It's not clear what new charges Filippini will face since she is still on probation from her June sentencing.

Fortunately, Filippini's teaching credentials were revoked so she's no longer employed by the school district. And, since she's in trouble again, the state may want to consider revoking her probation and give her employment making license plates. The rehab idea obviously fizzled.

Recognizing Conservatives

Seeking more than the daily emails announcing you've won a laptop, Apple iPod, cell phone and PS3? You want to be more than TIME magazine's "Person of the Year?" Then throw your entry into the ROTR Awards - 2006 competition. Nomination period ends Dec. 26.

HP Temperature Problems

Yes, apparently HP is getting users steamed.

It seems that an HP service rep got a call from a customer who wanted a 250 foot power cord for his instrument and couldn't find a part number in the catalog. The rep called the parts department to get a part number. The parts dept. said they didn't stock a 250-ft power cord but they could get him the stuff to put one together.

As an afterthought, they asked why the customer wanted a 250-ft power cord anyway. I don't know, the rep said, I'll ask him. The rep called the customer back and explained that he would have to put one together for him. OK, the customer said. Then the rep asked why he wanted a 250-ft power cord anyway. "Because I'm on the 5th floor of this university building," the customer said, "and I'm about to push this s. o. b. out the window; and I want it to still be running when it hits the ground!"

And, some users explode.

Hewlett-Packard needs to listen to its critics.

Night-Hunting Legal for Indians

(Vancouver, British Columbia) Native Indians took heap big treaty to supreme white man's council and spoke of night-hunting of elusive deer for many moons.

From Reuters:

The court overturned the convictions of two members of British Columbia's Tsartlip Indian Band, who were arrested after they shot a fake deer set up by wildlife officers seeking to catch illegal night hunters.

The men had argued their right to hunt at night using lights was protected by a treaty signed in 1852 between the Indian band and the governor of the then-British colony of Vancouver Island on Canada's Pacific Coast.

A lower court ruled that although the Tsartlip people had historically used illumination during night hunts, the practice was not protected by a treaty right because it was "inherently unsafe."

Hunters use spotlights to blind or "freeze" an animal and make it an easier target, but the night-time darkness makes it difficult for hunters to see other people or houses that might be hit by accident.

The Supreme Court, in a four-to-three ruling, said it accepted evidence that the Tsartlip had never had a serious accident in generations of hunting at night using illumination.

Well, since it's safe, blast away.

Muslims Murder 61st Teacher in Thailand

(Bangkok) Since January 2004, more than 1,950 people have been killed in the three Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in Thailand. Yesterday, a female Bhuddist teacher, 34-year-old Chutima Rattanasamnieng, was shot in the head and later died at the hospital.

From People's Daily Online:

Chutima has become the 61st teacher killed by the southern insurgents, according to official statistics.

An unidentified gunman early Thursday opened fire on a group of seven teachers who were traveling by motorcycles to Baan Takae school in Pattani's Yaring district, wounding Chutima and her fellow teacher, Rungnapa Khongsuwan, both of them riding the same motorbike, which Chutima was driving.

Rungnapa, less seriously wounded than her colleague, is now in stable condition.

It's not surprising that many schools have difficulty remaining open as Muslim death squads terrorize and kill educators with regularity. And, don't be fooled by politically-correct reporting from the region which identifies the perpetrators as "insurgents" or "militants" or "unidentified gunmen." They are fundamentalist Muslims who view education as a threat.

Ominously, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned that there could be more violence during the New Year Holiday season.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Teacher Goes Wild on Videotape

(Gretna, Louisiana) A 24-year-old teacher at J.D. Meisler Middle School, Stephanie Giambelluca, has been arrested for molesting a 12-year-old student. Giambelluca allegedly behaved indecently with the boy and it was videotaped by a friend, 18-year-old Ryan Mapes.

From NOLA.com:

According to Mapes' arrest report, the 12-year-old was in his care Dec. 14 at the boy's house. Mapes allegedly allowed the teacher to come to the home, according to the report. Before she arrived, Mapes set up a video camera in the living room. Once the teacher got there, she and the 12-year-old went into another room, the report said. It was not known Wednesday whether anything occurred in the room.

When they returned, Mapes gave the boy one Xanax, a prescription anxiety medication that he took from the teacher's purse, the report said. The woman then took off all of her clothing except for her underwear and performed a sexually suggestive dance for the boy. Then the woman performed oral sex on Mapes in front of the boy, who talked to both of them during the act, the report said.

It was not known who reported the incident to the Sheriff's Office, but detectives have the videotape, the report said.

Giambelluca was booked for molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Mapes was booked for molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, possessing sexually explicit images involving a juvenile and distributing drugs to a person younger than 18. Both are in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.

MySpace pic from TDKOM

Companion post at Conservative Thinking

Ceremony in Iraq

It is customary to herald significant events with formal and traditional ceremonies. The Iraqis are rather unique in this regard.

From Reuters.com:

Iraqi soldiers bit the heads off frogs and ate the heart of a rabbit as signs of courage on Wednesday at a ceremony to transfer Najaf province, home to one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest shrines, from U.S. to Iraqi control.

Sheesh! I remember that when I bought my first car I went to the A & W and had a root beer float.

New Beer for the Allergic

(St. Louis, Missouri) The Anheuser-Busch company announced that a new beer, called Redbridge, has been introduced for sale to an under-served segment of the population, Americans diagnosed with celiac disease. The disease is an intestinal disorder caused by consuming gluten, a constituent in wheat, barley and rye. Redbridge is made from sorghum.

In related news, there are some thoughts that Anheuser-Busch may have concluded all research on its no tears beer, provisionally called Be Happy Bud. Collaboration with experts at Johnson & Johnson "No More Tears" lab, creators of baby shampoo, have failed to produce a viable combination of ingredients that tastes great while inhibiting crying. Even an attempt to infuse nano-particles of pulverized Bobby McFerrin vinyl records was unsuccessful. Test subjects stated that Be Happy Bud did, in fact, stop the inclination for them to cry in their beer, but it tasted like soap and made them foam at the mouth.

Prison for Female Molester

(Williamsport, Pennsylvania) In September, 19-year-old Felicia C. Morehart pleaded guilty to deviate sexual intercourse for forcing a 7-year-old boy into performing oral sex on her. Morehart also pleaded guilty to corruption of minors for allowing three boys, ages 9, 11, and 13, to witness the oral sex.

Yesterday, County Court Judge Dudley N. Anderson sentenced Morehart to 5-10 years in state prison followed by five years probation. She will also have to register as a sex offender for life.

Teacher Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

(Rockland, Maine) In January 2006, 33-year-old married teacher, Amy Bramhall, was arrested and charged with sexual abuse for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 15-year-old student.

Court documents indicate that the relationship with the boy, which lasted for nearly a year, involved 200 episodes of sex. Bramhall was booked and released on $200 bail.

In the latest development, Bramhall pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday.

A former Rockland High School teacher's aide was sentenced Wednesday for sexually abusing a minor. Amy Bramhall, who was 33 at the time of her arrest back in January, ended up pleading guilty to the charge.

Bramhall was caught after police set up a sting in which her accuser, a teenage boy, recorded several phone conversations with her.

It's not known what is on the tape of her conversation, but it was sufficient to produce a quick conviction. Bramhall was sentenced to three and one-half years in prison with all but a year suspended. Afterward, she'll serve four years probation.

No information has been reported regarding whether Bramhall will keep her teaching credentials or be required to register as a sex offender.

Blogoversary at Mein BlogoVault

Congratulations to the Good Lt. at Mein BlogoVault on its second anniversary. Go visit and wish him the best.

Based upon time in grade, I'd suggest that the Good Lt. deserves a promotion to the Good Lt. Cmdr.

Florida Utility Buys Wisconsin Nukes

Florida Power and Light is taking over the country.

From Miami.com:

FPL Group, owner of Florida's biggest utility, agreed to buy the Point Beach nuclear power plant in Wisconsin from Wisconsin Energy Corp. for about $998 million to almost double its generating capacity in the Midwest.

Wisconsin Energy will buy all of the output from the plant, located about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, through at least 2030 under a long-term agreement, Juno Beach-based FPL said today in a statement. The plant's two reactors can generate 1,033 megawatts, enough to supply about 826,000 average U.S. homes.

In a separate statement, Wisconsin Energy said the per- kilowatt cost of buying power from FPL will be lower than if its Wisconsin Electric Power Co. utility continued to own and operate the plant, its only nuclear station.

FPL has been expanding its wholesale power generation business outside Florida, buying nuclear plants and building wind-powered generators. FPL has 660 megawatts of generating capacity from wind turbines in Wisconsin and five other Midwest states and it bought a majority stake in Iowa's Duane Arnold nuclear plant last year.

So, the folks in Wisconsin have to get hired guns from Florida to run their plants. Of course, when it comes to heavily-regulated industries, it's all about the bean counting.

Boy, 5, Accused of Sexual Harassment

(Hagerstown, Maryland) A kindergartener pinched a girl's buttocks on December 8 in a hallway at Lincolnshire Elementary School south of Hagerstown. According to Washington County Public Schools spokeswoman Carol Mowen, the boy is officially accused of "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and/or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others."


Kindergarten Court
The boy's father, Charles Vance, is surprised, stating that his son doesn't know anything about sex.

Nevertheless, the accusation will remain on the boy's record until he moves to middle school. It's worth mentioning that 28 Maryland kindergarten students were suspended for sex offenses during the 2005-2006 school year.

It's not known whether the boy will be required to complete rehab or sensitivity training.

Notably, Maryland isn't the only state with bone-headed educators. Last month, a four-year-old was suspended from the La Vega Primary School in Waco, Texas, for hugging his teacher. According to the principal, the boy demonstrated "inappropriate physical behavior interpreted as sexual contact and/or sexual harassment."

It's bad enough that the education establishment is overreacting, but I figure it's even worse that politically correct idiots are teaching America's next generation.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Woman Indicted for Sex with Boy

(Norwalk, Ohio) A 35-year-old woman, Vickie Todd, was indicted by a Huron County grand jury on one charge of felony sexual battery. Todd allegedly engaged in a sexual episode with a teen boy in October.

According to Huron County assistant prosecutor Richard Woodruff, the boy was less than 16 years old.

Baby Zapped at LAX

(Los Angeles) Authorities believe it was an accident when a grandmother put her one-month-old grandson through the airport X-ray machine at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday.

Doctors checked the baby and determined that he was okay. The grandmother, however, was diagnosed as incurably stupid and in need of adult supervision in all activities other than drooling.

Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student

(Glenwood Springs, Colorado) A 32-year-old English teacher at Elizabeth High School, Darcie Esson, was arrested Monday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 17-year-old student who is on the school football team.

Esson was booked on a felony charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. Her bond was set at $25,000.

The sex allegedly occurred in a hotel room in Glenwood Springs where the boy was to play in a high school football playoff game. Along in the hotel room with Esson, who is going through a divorce, were her two children, 4 and 8, and a babysitter. The three kids were believed to be asleep when the student entered the room in the early morning hours to have sex with Esson.

It is alleged, however, that the babysitter saw the boy enter the room and that she also found a used condom on the floor of the bathroom the following morning.

Authorities were alerted when the 17-year-old student bragged about his relationship. After data were gathered from the boy's calls and text messages to Esson indicating he had contacted her at least 120 times, the boy confessed to the relationship.

Elizabeth School District Superintendent Bob Neel believes there is sufficient evidence to fire Esson but the decision will have to be made by Principal James Trevino.

A court date has been scheduled for December 29 in Glenwood Springs District Court.

Tips: Jason Cann and Don Morgenstern


[Update 12/29/06]

Esson retains high-profile lawyer.


[Update 05/18/07]

Esson faces more charges.


[Update 06/20/07]

Esson pleads guilty.

Convicted Molester Gets More Leniency

(Tulare, California) As reported in November 2005, first-year Tulare Western High School English teacher Elizabeth Stow, now 28, was convicted of seven counts of having sex with a minor and five counts of oral copulation with a minor for incidents with three underage students between September and December of 2004.

Encapsulating Stow's malfeasance, she graduated from college, started teaching at Tulare High School and, before the first mid-term, began having sexual relations with three students. To compound her troubles, Stow was on probation from a drunken driving conviction when she was arrested for having sex with students.

At sentencing, Judge Walter Gorelick gave Stow one year in the county jail with the option of serving it under house arrest. Additionally, Stow was ordered to undergo counseling, surrender her teaching credentials, and register as a sex offender. At the time, the prosecution expressed concern that Stow's lenient sentence would send the wrong message about sex between teachers and students. I concurred.

In the latest development, Judge Walter Gorelick yesterday dropped the sex registration requirement for Elizabeth Stow. Therefore, the exceedingly lenient sentence Stow received last year for multiple sex crimes with underage students was made more lenient this year. This trend is troubling. In a few years, the court may very well give Stow an award with a cash prize.