From earlier today.
It remains unclear who owned the jet. Reports of a ceasefire appear to be inaccurate.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Purim
On Saturday night, March 19th, religious Jews around the world will behave in a way that violates common stereotypes of people of faith. We will wear silly, colorful costumes, consume a great deal of alcohol, exchange gift baskets and listen to raucous public readings of the one book of the Bible that never mentions God.
The holiday of Purim celebrates the deliverance from danger described in the book of Esther, and even though divine intervention is never specifically described, the complicated events clearly show the hidden hand of Providence. “Esther,” not coincidentally, comes from the Hebrew word for “hidden,” and the costumes also emphasize that the Almighty sometimes disguises his plans. Just as he used the ancient Persian Jew-hater, Haman, for a higher purpose, we can hope that God also intends a benign purpose in dealing with the latter day Persian Jew-hater, Ahmadinijad.
SOURCE
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
On Saturday night, March 19th, religious Jews around the world will behave in a way that violates common stereotypes of people of faith. We will wear silly, colorful costumes, consume a great deal of alcohol, exchange gift baskets and listen to raucous public readings of the one book of the Bible that never mentions God.
The holiday of Purim celebrates the deliverance from danger described in the book of Esther, and even though divine intervention is never specifically described, the complicated events clearly show the hidden hand of Providence. “Esther,” not coincidentally, comes from the Hebrew word for “hidden,” and the costumes also emphasize that the Almighty sometimes disguises his plans. Just as he used the ancient Persian Jew-hater, Haman, for a higher purpose, we can hope that God also intends a benign purpose in dealing with the latter day Persian Jew-hater, Ahmadinijad.
SOURCE
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
Airport protester sues over detention
We read:
He seems to have a pretty good case to me. The 4th amendment bans unreasonable searches and seizures.
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
We read:
"A 21-year-old Virginia man who wrote an abbreviated version of the Fourth Amendment on his body and stripped to his shorts at an airport security screening area is demanding $250,000 in damages for being detained on a disorderly conduct charge. ...
Among other things, the federal lawsuit claims wrongful detention and a breach of the First Amendment and Fourth Amendment."
Source
He seems to have a pretty good case to me. The 4th amendment bans unreasonable searches and seizures.
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
Texas Teacher Faces Drug Charges
(La Vernia, Texas) Last week, a 32-year-old seventh-grade English teacher at La Vernia Junior High School, Holly Marsh, was arrested on drug and other charges.
Marsh faces counts of possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant.
(La Vernia, Texas) Last week, a 32-year-old seventh-grade English teacher at La Vernia Junior High School, Holly Marsh, was arrested on drug and other charges.Marsh faces counts of possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant.
A check with the Texas Education Agency shows Marsh is a certified teacher in Texas, but the allegations against her have not made it to, SBEC, the board that investigates alleged teacher misconduct.Marsh was booked into custody at the Wilson County Jail with bond set at $40,000.
NC Teacher Commits Suicide
(Winston-Salem, North Carolina) On Tuesday, a 45-year-old teacher at Reagan High School, Chuck Warren, was suspended with pay from his position after allegations of improper conduct with a student came to light.
Five hours later on Tuesday night, Chuck Warren was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
(Winston-Salem, North Carolina) On Tuesday, a 45-year-old teacher at Reagan High School, Chuck Warren, was suspended with pay from his position after allegations of improper conduct with a student came to light.
Five hours later on Tuesday night, Chuck Warren was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Perseverance Defined
(UK) Did you hear about the 26-year-old British woman who recently failed the written portion of her driving test for the 90th time? It's a record!
Hard to believe, eh?
Tip: slwlion
(UK) Did you hear about the 26-year-old British woman who recently failed the written portion of her driving test for the 90th time? It's a record!
The driving theory test cost £31 to sit and is a multiple choice exam in which a wannabe driver has to get 43 or more questions out of 50 correct within 57 minutes before taking to the road for their practical test.The cost of taking the exam 90 times is £2,790 ($4,524).
Hard to believe, eh?
Tip: slwlion
Texas Educator Tampered with Student Transcripts
(New Braunfels, Texas) In accordance with a plea deal, a former administrator for the New Braunfels ISD, Elisa Racanelli, pleaded guilty to tampering with the transcripts of two female high school students who were applying to the University of Texas.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered to be completed before the official sentencing date, approximately 45 days from now.
(New Braunfels, Texas) In accordance with a plea deal, a former administrator for the New Braunfels ISD, Elisa Racanelli, pleaded guilty to tampering with the transcripts of two female high school students who were applying to the University of Texas.Racanelli forged the registrar’s signature on each of those documents, changing the class rankings of those students, ensuring them automatic admission to the public university.The plea agreement specifies deferred adjudication, community service, fines and court costs.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered to be completed before the official sentencing date, approximately 45 days from now.
USN Rescue/Recovery Support in Japan
From the Stars and Stripes, here's an overview of U.S. Navy support operations responding to the tsunami disaster in Japan.
From the Stars and Stripes, here's an overview of U.S. Navy support operations responding to the tsunami disaster in Japan.
USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), and USS Germantown (LSD-42) with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are in the Sea of Japan and were to arrive Friday morning off Akita prefecture to await tasking.The USN is also supplying food, water, firefighting equipment and high-pressure water pumps.
Marines of the 31st MEU have established a Forward Control Element in Matsushima.
The west coast of Honshu affords greater access to undamaged ports and roads, fewer navigational hazards, and prevailing winds that are upwind of the Fukushima power plant.
The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) Carrier Strike Group to include the cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), the destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88), and the combat support ship USNS Bridge (AOE-10) along with the guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), USS McCampbell (DDG-85), USS Mustin (DDG-89) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) continue relief operations off the east coast of Iwate.
Snow and poor visibility continue to limit helicopter operations; however, helicopters from the Reagan strike group and Carrier Airwing Five (CVW-5) in Atsugi conducted 10 sorties on Thursday, delivering 10 tons of food and water to relief sites.
Aircraft and surface ships also continued to conduct coastal search and rescue operations at sea and along the Miyagi and Iwate coasts.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), flagship for the United States 7th Fleet, remained near Okinawa on Friday, continuing north.
All 7th Fleet ships, including USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Lassen (DDG-82) which are conducting maintenance in Yokosuka, are preparing for tasks. This includes the recall of personnel and the cancellation of leave.
CVW-5 on Thursday began the relocation of more than 50 tactical fixed-wing aircraft normally assigned to the George Washington from NAF Atsugi to bases in Okinawa and Guam in order to free up more ramp space at Atsugi that might be need to support ongoing operations.
Helicopters from CVW-5 not currently on ships will be moved from Atsugi to Misawa Air Base in northern Honshu to better position them for humanitarian missions. [Note: Hull designations added by ed.]
‘No Speak English, No Service’: Restaurant Owner Removes Controversial Sign After Bombarded With Threats
The owner of the diner didn't threaten anyone. His staff just didn't understand Spanish. It took the Fascist Left to threaten violence.
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
The owner of the diner didn't threaten anyone. His staff just didn't understand Spanish. It took the Fascist Left to threaten violence.
"For Greg Simons, the owner of the Reedy Creek Family Diner on US 150 in Davidson County, North Carolina, language barriers affect his bottom line. So after some Spanish-speaking customers visited his diner about a month ago, and then left after an uncomfortable situation with the wait staff, Simons decided to put an end to such miscommunications once and for all.
He posted a sign in his restaurant which read, “No Speak English, No Service.” But just yesterday, he was forced to take the sign down after he was bombarded with complaints and threats. Someone even threw a brick through his window, according to The Dispatch, a Davidson County newspaper. “We started getting threatening phone calls and people using colorful language if you will,” Simons said.
The bottom of the sign read, “We only speak and understand American.” In addition to being translated into Spanish, the phrase “No Speak English, No Service” appeared on the sign in German, French, and Russian. Some have criticized Simons’ sign as discriminatory and racist. But Simons waved that criticism aside, saying that everyone’s money is green.
“It doesn’t really make any sense to me. Why would I want to alienate any customers?” he asked. Simons told The Dispatch, “Nobody here is bilingual. If you can’t tell me what you want, I can’t give you what you need. It’s nothing about race; it’s a language barrier. We don’t speak any Spanish.”
Source
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
Strikes Against Libya "Within Hours"
- Last night, the United Nations Security Council voted for military intervention in Libya. Current speculation is that action will commence within hours but it's presently not clear what it will entail.
- Gaddafi has promised top take the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and cleanse it of dissidents. However, the U.S. is expected to implement a protective "no-fly" shield around the city.
- France, Britain, Canada, Australia, Norway and the U.S. are contributing forces for the Libyan intervention.
- Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam says Libya is unfazed by UN resolution and forces will be sent into Benghazi to "disarm" rebels. Meanwhile, in western Libya Gaddafi's military is pounding the town of Misrata.
[0526 EDT, 3/18/11] Breaking! Libya has closed it's air space to all traffic.
[0530 EDT] From French spokesman Francois Baroin:
- Last night, the United Nations Security Council voted for military intervention in Libya. Current speculation is that action will commence within hours but it's presently not clear what it will entail.
- Gaddafi has promised top take the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and cleanse it of dissidents. However, the U.S. is expected to implement a protective "no-fly" shield around the city.
- France, Britain, Canada, Australia, Norway and the U.S. are contributing forces for the Libyan intervention.
- Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam says Libya is unfazed by UN resolution and forces will be sent into Benghazi to "disarm" rebels. Meanwhile, in western Libya Gaddafi's military is pounding the town of Misrata.
[0526 EDT, 3/18/11] Breaking! Libya has closed it's air space to all traffic.
[0530 EDT] From French spokesman Francois Baroin:
The military action "is not an occupation of Libyan territory" but seeks to "protect the Libyan people and to allow them to go all the way in their drive for freedom, which means bringing down the Kadhafi regime," he said on RTL radio.Meanwhile, the imminent military strikes against Libya have prompted trading in oil futures to jump above $103/bbl.
Baroin declined to say "when, how, on which targets, in what form," the strikes will come. "The French who were at the vanguard of this call (for intervention) will naturally be part of the military intervention."
Michigan Educator Accused of Sex with Student
(Onaway, Michigan) A 31-year-old student success worker contracted to Onaway Public Schools, Debra Russ, has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.
The relationship was exposed during police investigation of a burglary in which guns were stolen. One of the suspects in the gun theft was identified as the alleged victim of a sex crime.
(Onaway, Michigan) A 31-year-old student success worker contracted to Onaway Public Schools, Debra Russ, has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.The relationship was exposed during police investigation of a burglary in which guns were stolen. One of the suspects in the gun theft was identified as the alleged victim of a sex crime.
Debra Russ of Millersburg was a contracted student success worker under the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, or NEMCSA.Russ was booked into custody on a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
She was working in the Onaway Public Schools and at Presque Isle Academy and met one of the 17-year-olds. While supervising, she also acquired guardianship and power of attorney over the teen.
"Michigan Law specifies that it's unlawful for any teacher or employee of the school district to have any sexual relationship with any student," said Hahn.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Maine Mom Gets 20 Years for Child Porn
(Bangor, Maine) In February 2010, a 33-year-old local mother-of-four, Julie M. Carr, pleaded guilty in federal court to producing child pornography.
Carr admitted that she videotaped the performance of sex acts on her toddler daughter and sent them to a man in England, Nicholas J. Wilde.
On Monday of this week, Carr was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Woodcock to 20 years in federal prison.
(Bangor, Maine) In February 2010, a 33-year-old local mother-of-four, Julie M. Carr, pleaded guilty in federal court to producing child pornography. Carr admitted that she videotaped the performance of sex acts on her toddler daughter and sent them to a man in England, Nicholas J. Wilde.
On Monday of this week, Carr was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Woodcock to 20 years in federal prison.
“What you have done, Ms. Carr, is violate the most basic bond of society — the bond between a mother and her child, the bond between a mother and her daughter,” U.S. District Judge John Woodcock told her just before imposing the sentence.Wilde was sentenced in England to four and one-half years in prison for his part in distributing child pornography.
“I feel it is incumbent upon me to protect … the people who can’t protect themselves,” he added.
The video chats that contained the sexual abuse occurred between June 9 and June 11, 2009, and were sent to a man in West Midlands, England, who recorded them.
Nicholas J. Wilde, now 20, was being investigated in another child pornography case when law enforcement officers in his country found the video webcast recordings that were traced to Carr in Mars Hill.
Tennessee Teacher Accused of Raping Student
(Gibson County, Tennessee) A 36-year-old health sciences teacher at Gibson County High School, Bethany Dyer, has been accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a student.
Dyer faces charges of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure.
(Gibson County, Tennessee) A 36-year-old health sciences teacher at Gibson County High School, Bethany Dyer, has been accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a student. Dyer faces charges of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure.
According to the warrants, Dyer, who lives in Rutherford, is accused of having sexual intercourse with a teenage male student three times between May 2009 and October 2010.Reportedly, Dyer has checked herself into a medical treatment facility. Warrants for her arrest will be exercised upon her release from treatment.
Dyer used her position of trust and authority as a teacher to entice the student to have sex with her, according to the warrant.
Woman Accused of Raping Babysitter
(Albuquerque, New Mexico) A 31-year-old local woman, Suzy Chavez, has been accused of repeatedly engaging in sex with her 14-year-old male babysitter.
Chavez has been charged with rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
(Albuquerque, New Mexico) A 31-year-old local woman, Suzy Chavez, has been accused of repeatedly engaging in sex with her 14-year-old male babysitter. Chavez has been charged with rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
They say Chavez gave the boy drugs, lap dances and the two had sex 15 times. Investigators said the boy told them they never used condoms because Chavez "did not believe in them."Chavez was booked into custody with bond set at $3,500.
The boy also said Chavez's 9-year-old son walked in on them once while they were having sex.
Investigators said the sexual relationship went on for about a month.
Della Sarracino, the boy’s aunt, said Chavez manipulated the boy to the point he didn’t want to leave her.
UCLA Girl on Asians in the Library
I might have passed over this story except that the foolish woman concerned is now getting death threats. The story is basically about culture clash but there is very little comment to that effect in the coverage of the matter.
UCLA has a large number of Asian students, mostly Han Chinese. And although I myself think very highly of the Han, it is true that they come from a different culture with a different conception of manners. The differences are probably traceable to the more crowded situation in which they normally live in China.
And the UCLA girl (Alexandra Wallace) not only noticed these differences but complained about them on YouTube! Basically, her complaint was that the Chinese were too loud in the library and thus distracted her from her reading and study. She was probably making an accurate observation but you are not of course allowed to say anything derogatory about any ethnic group in an American university!
So now the sensitive and humane Left are making death threats against her! So who are the thugs now? The KKK always were Leftists and it is those making the death threats who are the lineal descendants of the KKK now, not the foolishly outspoken woman.
It is my observation that the Han try quite hard not to cause any offense to the majority culture in which they live, so it is regrettable that ethnic criticism is censored. It would in general be a help to Han people to know of ways in which they were unwittingly offending.
The video of Ms Wallace and details of the story here. I have also reposted the video below.
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
I might have passed over this story except that the foolish woman concerned is now getting death threats. The story is basically about culture clash but there is very little comment to that effect in the coverage of the matter.
UCLA has a large number of Asian students, mostly Han Chinese. And although I myself think very highly of the Han, it is true that they come from a different culture with a different conception of manners. The differences are probably traceable to the more crowded situation in which they normally live in China.
And the UCLA girl (Alexandra Wallace) not only noticed these differences but complained about them on YouTube! Basically, her complaint was that the Chinese were too loud in the library and thus distracted her from her reading and study. She was probably making an accurate observation but you are not of course allowed to say anything derogatory about any ethnic group in an American university!
So now the sensitive and humane Left are making death threats against her! So who are the thugs now? The KKK always were Leftists and it is those making the death threats who are the lineal descendants of the KKK now, not the foolishly outspoken woman.
It is my observation that the Han try quite hard not to cause any offense to the majority culture in which they live, so it is regrettable that ethnic criticism is censored. It would in general be a help to Han people to know of ways in which they were unwittingly offending.
The video of Ms Wallace and details of the story here. I have also reposted the video below.
Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
NYPD Plans Anti-Terror Patrol Boat
VROOM! VROOM!
VROOM! VROOM!
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly disclosed yesterday that the Police Department plans to buy the specialized, 72-foot craft so it will be able to move more quickly if terrorists try to create havoc from the water as they did in Mumbai in 2008, when 164 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks.The craft is estimated to cost $5 million, reportedly to be paid for by the feds.
The new boat will be the largest in the police Harbor Unit, has jet propulsion instead of propellers and is capable of riding the waves at a swift 40 knots (47 mph) with 25 to 30 fully equipped members of the Emergency Service Unit aboard.
New Hampshire Teacher Accused of Assault
(Merrimack, New Hampshire) A 28-year-old first-grade teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, Cassandra Beauchesne, has been accused of multiple assault charges stemming from an incident last Friday in which she allegedly choked a family member.
For the latest incident, Beauchesne was booked and released on $2,500 bond. A court appearance is scheduled for April 4.
(Merrimack, New Hampshire) A 28-year-old first-grade teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, Cassandra Beauchesne, has been accused of multiple assault charges stemming from an incident last Friday in which she allegedly choked a family member.Officers, responding about 4 p.m. to the home at 292 Baboosic Lake Road, found the family member with cuts to his neck and red markings from Beauchesne’s fingernails, according to court documents.Note that last December Beauchesne was involved in a similar assault incident. The prosecutor planned to drop those charges if she stayed out of trouble.
Beauchesne was charged with one count of simple assault and two counts of second-degree assault for the alleged choking.
“(Beauchesne) knowingly engaged in strangulation … by wrapping her right arm around his neck and applying pressure,” Merrimack police officer Stephen Wallin wrote in his initial report.
For the latest incident, Beauchesne was booked and released on $2,500 bond. A court appearance is scheduled for April 4.
Trial of Silvio Berlusconi
(Rome, Italy) Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is scheduled to go on trial on April 6 for allegedly paying for sex with a Moroccan-born underage prostitute, 18-year-old Karima El Mahroug.
In any event, the prosecution alleges that Berlusconi participated in 13 "sexual acts" with Ruby the Heart Stealer. It's not clear whether that means 13 sexual acts total or 13 different sexual acts. I'm flummoxed if it's 13 different sexual acts. Is there a brochure?
In his defense, Berlusconi recently said that he's too old to be guilty of all the sex he's accused of.
(Rome, Italy) Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is scheduled to go on trial on April 6 for allegedly paying for sex with a Moroccan-born underage prostitute, 18-year-old Karima El Mahroug.In a report by prosecutors, who ended their investigation yesterday, it is alleged that Mr Berlusconi's parties began with dinner and ended with the Italian prime minister selecting a sex partner, or partners.Frankly, I'd suggest that Miss Ruby Heart Stealer would say and do just about anything for 7,000 euros.
Mr Berlusconi, 74, is accused of having sex with Miss El Mahroug, a Moroccan belly-dancer known as Ruby the Heart Stealer, when she was aged 17.[...]
The teenager denies she ever had sexual relations with Mr Berlusconi but said he gave her 7,000 euros as a gift because he felt sorry for her.
In any event, the prosecution alleges that Berlusconi participated in 13 "sexual acts" with Ruby the Heart Stealer. It's not clear whether that means 13 sexual acts total or 13 different sexual acts. I'm flummoxed if it's 13 different sexual acts. Is there a brochure?
In his defense, Berlusconi recently said that he's too old to be guilty of all the sex he's accused of.
Oregon Woman Gets Jail for Rape of Boy
(Astoria, Oregon) A 35-year-old local woman, Julie Diane Green, pleaded no contest last Friday to rape and endangering the welfare of a minor stemming from her involvement with a 14-year-old boy.
Green was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation for each conviction.
(Astoria, Oregon) A 35-year-old local woman, Julie Diane Green, pleaded no contest last Friday to rape and endangering the welfare of a minor stemming from her involvement with a 14-year-old boy.Green was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation for each conviction.
Prosecutors said Green held a party for her children and their friends last August, allowed several minors to drink alcohol and then had sex with one of the visiting 14-year-olds.Green was also order to register as a sex offender.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
