Boxer Max Schmeling Dead at 99
(Berlin, Germany) Former world heavyweight boxing champion and legendary German sports icon Max Schmeling died Wednesday at his home in Hollenstedt. He was 99 and no cause of death was specified.
In 1936, he was the pride of Germany when he scored a knockout of Joe Louis in the 12th Round of a championship bout. Two years later, Louis flattened Schmeling in the 1st Round in a championship bout in Yankee Stadium. That put him on the outs with the Nazis and Schmeling was happier for it. He remained friends with Louis throughout his life.
Schmeling retired from boxing with a lifetime record of 56-10-4 with 39 knockouts.
Rest in peace.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Airliner Wreckage Found
The wreckage of the missing Afghan 737-200 has been found northeast of Kabul. There's no information on survivors yet. It's speculated that the plane may have run out of fuel.
The wreckage of the missing Afghan 737-200 has been found northeast of Kabul. There's no information on survivors yet. It's speculated that the plane may have run out of fuel.
New 'Talibanization' in Pakistan
(Peshawar, Pakistan) According to a report in the Frontier Post, the North-West Frontier Province Assembly has unanimously passed Women Photographs Prohibition Law, Amendment Bill 2005, which outlaws photographs of women in any notice, circular, or other document, displayed on any house, building, wall, signboard, or published in any newspaper or periodical.
Also included in the Amendment Bill 2005 is the Women Ownership Rights and Prohibition of Dance and Music Law which bans the use of women's photographs for any commercial or advertising purpose or in dance or music. It is considered derogatory to human dignity to use a woman's photograph for these purposes.
Opposing the bills, parliamentary leaders Bashir Bilour and Abdul Akbar Khan stated that "both the bills were indicating that the province was moving towards Talibanization." They fear that foreign investment will be affected if women are excluded from being shown on products and advertising.
The Taliban needs to be chased into the mountains, again. Women are voting in Afghanistan as the country moves forward with democracy and, meanwhile, Pakistan is going backwards with a resurgence of the Taliban. Sheesh! They're like athlete's foot. You can get rid of it but it always is lurking, ready to cause problems.
Companion post at The Jawa Report.
(Peshawar, Pakistan) According to a report in the Frontier Post, the North-West Frontier Province Assembly has unanimously passed Women Photographs Prohibition Law, Amendment Bill 2005, which outlaws photographs of women in any notice, circular, or other document, displayed on any house, building, wall, signboard, or published in any newspaper or periodical.
Also included in the Amendment Bill 2005 is the Women Ownership Rights and Prohibition of Dance and Music Law which bans the use of women's photographs for any commercial or advertising purpose or in dance or music. It is considered derogatory to human dignity to use a woman's photograph for these purposes.
Opposing the bills, parliamentary leaders Bashir Bilour and Abdul Akbar Khan stated that "both the bills were indicating that the province was moving towards Talibanization." They fear that foreign investment will be affected if women are excluded from being shown on products and advertising.
The Taliban needs to be chased into the mountains, again. Women are voting in Afghanistan as the country moves forward with democracy and, meanwhile, Pakistan is going backwards with a resurgence of the Taliban. Sheesh! They're like athlete's foot. You can get rid of it but it always is lurking, ready to cause problems.
Companion post at The Jawa Report.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Afghan 737 Missing With 96 Passengers
(Kabul, Afghanistan) According to an airline official, an Afghan plane with 96 or more passengers aboard was unable to land at Kabul due to a snowstorm and was turned away. It is now missing. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has stated that there is no evidence to indicate that the Afghan Kam Air flight from Herat to Kabul entered Pakistani airspace. The pilot of the plane contacted Peshawar airport in Pakistan after being turned away, but there has been no communication since.
[Update 0500 EST, 2/4/05]
According to the International Herald Tribune, the Boeing 737-200 disappeared from radar just a few miles east of Kabul and search and rescue operations have been initiated. Of the 96 passengers, seven are foreigners including three female American health workers from Management Sciences for Health, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, firm.. The eight-man crew is comprised of six Russians and two Afghans.
Companion post at Our Life.
(Kabul, Afghanistan) According to an airline official, an Afghan plane with 96 or more passengers aboard was unable to land at Kabul due to a snowstorm and was turned away. It is now missing. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has stated that there is no evidence to indicate that the Afghan Kam Air flight from Herat to Kabul entered Pakistani airspace. The pilot of the plane contacted Peshawar airport in Pakistan after being turned away, but there has been no communication since.
[Update 0500 EST, 2/4/05]
According to the International Herald Tribune, the Boeing 737-200 disappeared from radar just a few miles east of Kabul and search and rescue operations have been initiated. Of the 96 passengers, seven are foreigners including three female American health workers from Management Sciences for Health, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, firm.. The eight-man crew is comprised of six Russians and two Afghans.
Companion post at Our Life.
Troops' Skin Infection (Leishmaniasis) Treatment Delayed
(Arlington, Virginia) A single-celled protozoan parasite transmitted by sand fly bites is causing skin infections among American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The disease is called leishmaniasis (also called kala-azar) and the vector is a tiny 2 to 3 millimeter-long insect, the phlebotomine sandfly. When the female sandfly feeds on the blood of a human or mammal, the parasite is injected which normally produces skin ulcers, called cutaneous leishmaniasis, on the exposed body parts such as the face, arms and legs. The lesions are painful and leave scars. According to Dr. Alan McGill, infectious disease specialist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, about 750 cases of leishmaniasis were diagnosed among troops in the first rotations of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Principal medications for treating leishmaniasis are antimony-containing compounds and cure rates are high. In a small percentage of cases, the parasite invades mucus membranes or the viscera. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis can cause disfigurement which may require plastic surgery. Visceral leishmaniasis, involving the internal organs, may be life-threatening.
The current problem with leishmaniasis among military units in combat areas is that doctors are foregoing routine treatment of the disease on the basis that travel to a medical facility could be life-threatening to the troops. In other words, if delaying treatment is preferable to driving through a dangerous war zone, then treatment is delayed. "Doctors in the field are making some hard choices, because any movement in Iraq places your life in jeopardy," says Dr. McGill, who is the military's leading expert on leishmaniasis. As a result of delaying treatment, doctors are preparing to see a surge of leishmaniasis cases when troops rotate out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
For the sake of comparison, although 750 troops were infected in the first rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's estimated that 12 million people in the world's tropics and subtropics are infected with leishmaniasis with 1.5 to 2 million new cases yearly. To date, within the second rotation of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, only about 20 cases of leishmaniasis have been confirmed. And, of all cases of leishmaniasis in American troops, only four have been visceral, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Of note is that leishmaniasis has been suggested by some physicians as the root cause of Gulf War Syndrome.
In summary, doctors are expecting to treat a rash of leishmaniasis infections when troops rotate out of war zones because it's safer than trying to treat them in war zones. By the way, the unit believed to have the most infections is the 1st Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, the Army's "Stryker Brigade."
[Update 12/25/05]
As expected, troops are returning from tours of duty with leishmaniasis, now nicknamed "Baghdad Boil." Reports of infections now indicate that more than 800 U.S. service members have contracted the disease since the Iraq War began in early 2003. Recently, 13 members of the same small unit were medevac'd to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for treatment with a drug called Pentostam. Notably, the drug is approved for experimental use only.
There is a fear that some people may acquire the parasite and not know it since it may take months for symptoms to appear. As a precaution, health officials announced that troops who served in Iraq would be barred from giving blood for a year after returning home. (Source)
(Arlington, Virginia) A single-celled protozoan parasite transmitted by sand fly bites is causing skin infections among American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The disease is called leishmaniasis (also called kala-azar) and the vector is a tiny 2 to 3 millimeter-long insect, the phlebotomine sandfly. When the female sandfly feeds on the blood of a human or mammal, the parasite is injected which normally produces skin ulcers, called cutaneous leishmaniasis, on the exposed body parts such as the face, arms and legs. The lesions are painful and leave scars. According to Dr. Alan McGill, infectious disease specialist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, about 750 cases of leishmaniasis were diagnosed among troops in the first rotations of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Principal medications for treating leishmaniasis are antimony-containing compounds and cure rates are high. In a small percentage of cases, the parasite invades mucus membranes or the viscera. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis can cause disfigurement which may require plastic surgery. Visceral leishmaniasis, involving the internal organs, may be life-threatening.
The current problem with leishmaniasis among military units in combat areas is that doctors are foregoing routine treatment of the disease on the basis that travel to a medical facility could be life-threatening to the troops. In other words, if delaying treatment is preferable to driving through a dangerous war zone, then treatment is delayed. "Doctors in the field are making some hard choices, because any movement in Iraq places your life in jeopardy," says Dr. McGill, who is the military's leading expert on leishmaniasis. As a result of delaying treatment, doctors are preparing to see a surge of leishmaniasis cases when troops rotate out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
For the sake of comparison, although 750 troops were infected in the first rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's estimated that 12 million people in the world's tropics and subtropics are infected with leishmaniasis with 1.5 to 2 million new cases yearly. To date, within the second rotation of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, only about 20 cases of leishmaniasis have been confirmed. And, of all cases of leishmaniasis in American troops, only four have been visceral, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Of note is that leishmaniasis has been suggested by some physicians as the root cause of Gulf War Syndrome.
In summary, doctors are expecting to treat a rash of leishmaniasis infections when troops rotate out of war zones because it's safer than trying to treat them in war zones. By the way, the unit believed to have the most infections is the 1st Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, the Army's "Stryker Brigade."
[Update 12/25/05]
As expected, troops are returning from tours of duty with leishmaniasis, now nicknamed "Baghdad Boil." Reports of infections now indicate that more than 800 U.S. service members have contracted the disease since the Iraq War began in early 2003. Recently, 13 members of the same small unit were medevac'd to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for treatment with a drug called Pentostam. Notably, the drug is approved for experimental use only.
There is a fear that some people may acquire the parasite and not know it since it may take months for symptoms to appear. As a precaution, health officials announced that troops who served in Iraq would be barred from giving blood for a year after returning home. (Source)
Sharon Reed & Catherine Bosley
(Cleveland, Ohio) Well, it's time for the February sweeps and Channel 19 Action News will surely prompt a number of viewers to tune in tonight at 11PM when Sharon Reed interviews Catherine Bosley.
Sharon Reed
For those that don't know, Sharon Reed is a broadcaster for WOIO-TV who disrobed with a few thousand others to be part of a mass nude photo taken in Cleveland last summer by art photographer Spencer Tunick. More photos of Sharon Reed prancing in the bare can be found here.
Catherine Bosley Gets Wet
Maybe it was the excitement of the Key West nightclub, coupled with the music, friends, and possibly a glass of wine, but whatever it was, it was bad luck for Catherine Bosley. The WKBN-TV anchorwoman mistakenly thought nobody would be taking pictures as she stripped for the appreciative crowd. She was wrong. Pix were taken, they ended up on the Internet, and she ultimately resigned her high-profile and well-paying job. More pix are here.
I'm going to watch the broadcast tonight and expect it to be primarily a boo-hoo session. Catherine Bosley's career apparently has fallen off the edge of the earth and I think tonight's program is an attempt to winch it back. The program is titled, Shattered Lives, Second Chances.
(Cleveland, Ohio) Well, it's time for the February sweeps and Channel 19 Action News will surely prompt a number of viewers to tune in tonight at 11PM when Sharon Reed interviews Catherine Bosley.
Sharon Reed
For those that don't know, Sharon Reed is a broadcaster for WOIO-TV who disrobed with a few thousand others to be part of a mass nude photo taken in Cleveland last summer by art photographer Spencer Tunick. More photos of Sharon Reed prancing in the bare can be found here.
Catherine Bosley Gets Wet
Maybe it was the excitement of the Key West nightclub, coupled with the music, friends, and possibly a glass of wine, but whatever it was, it was bad luck for Catherine Bosley. The WKBN-TV anchorwoman mistakenly thought nobody would be taking pictures as she stripped for the appreciative crowd. She was wrong. Pix were taken, they ended up on the Internet, and she ultimately resigned her high-profile and well-paying job. More pix are here.
I'm going to watch the broadcast tonight and expect it to be primarily a boo-hoo session. Catherine Bosley's career apparently has fallen off the edge of the earth and I think tonight's program is an attempt to winch it back. The program is titled, Shattered Lives, Second Chances.
Clam Poacher Gets 14 Years in Prison
(Seattle, Washington) Last year, Doug Tobin was sentenced to 14 years in the state penitentiary for a sophisticated Puget Sound clam poaching operation. Interestingly, Tobin went into the illegal geoduck business after learning all the tricks of the trade as an undercover federal agent. Ultimately, he was caught and found guilty of poaching nearly 100 tons of lucrative geoduck clams for distribution by Clear Bay Fisheries, a Canadian company. Now the state of Washington is going after Clear Bay, contending the company financed Tobin's illegal harvesting of geoducks and even helped him buy a boat, knowing full well that he was breaking the law. According to the Washington Attorney General's office, the state is seeking millions of dollars in civil damages and the boat, valued at $400,000.
Tobin's clam-poaching ring was estimated to be worth about $1.5 million and he got 14 years in the big house. By comparison, Michael Milken fraudulently netted hundreds of millions of dollars in his junk bond operation and got two years in the big house. Obviously, Tobin should have stolen dollars instead of clams.
(Seattle, Washington) Last year, Doug Tobin was sentenced to 14 years in the state penitentiary for a sophisticated Puget Sound clam poaching operation. Interestingly, Tobin went into the illegal geoduck business after learning all the tricks of the trade as an undercover federal agent. Ultimately, he was caught and found guilty of poaching nearly 100 tons of lucrative geoduck clams for distribution by Clear Bay Fisheries, a Canadian company. Now the state of Washington is going after Clear Bay, contending the company financed Tobin's illegal harvesting of geoducks and even helped him buy a boat, knowing full well that he was breaking the law. According to the Washington Attorney General's office, the state is seeking millions of dollars in civil damages and the boat, valued at $400,000.
Tobin's clam-poaching ring was estimated to be worth about $1.5 million and he got 14 years in the big house. By comparison, Michael Milken fraudulently netted hundreds of millions of dollars in his junk bond operation and got two years in the big house. Obviously, Tobin should have stolen dollars instead of clams.
Killer Claude Dallas Set For Release From Prison
Remember Claude Dallas? I do. Claude Dallas brutally murdered Bill Pogue and Conley Elms, Idaho Fish and Game Department officers, in 1981 after they accused him of poaching. For the crimes, Dallas was sentenced to 30 years in prison and, with time off for good behavior, now he's getting released. Expect Dallas to be on the streets February 6.
Some people believe that Dallas was not punished commensurate with his crimes. He shot the officers and then retrieved another weapon and shot them again, execution-style. Afterward, Dallas showed no remorse for his victims. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to 30 years. So, Bill Pogue and Conley Elms lost their lives while simply doing their jobs, leaving behind grieving and broken families. Claude Dallas, at the age of 55, gets to restart his life as a free man.
My take is that the sentence was lenient. Dallas killed two people in 1981 and 24 years later he is released from prison. That's only 12 years per killing. It's not nearly enough. I also think there's a strong likelihood that he'll kill again.
Companion post at Our Life.
Remember Claude Dallas? I do. Claude Dallas brutally murdered Bill Pogue and Conley Elms, Idaho Fish and Game Department officers, in 1981 after they accused him of poaching. For the crimes, Dallas was sentenced to 30 years in prison and, with time off for good behavior, now he's getting released. Expect Dallas to be on the streets February 6.
Some people believe that Dallas was not punished commensurate with his crimes. He shot the officers and then retrieved another weapon and shot them again, execution-style. Afterward, Dallas showed no remorse for his victims. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to 30 years. So, Bill Pogue and Conley Elms lost their lives while simply doing their jobs, leaving behind grieving and broken families. Claude Dallas, at the age of 55, gets to restart his life as a free man.
My take is that the sentence was lenient. Dallas killed two people in 1981 and 24 years later he is released from prison. That's only 12 years per killing. It's not nearly enough. I also think there's a strong likelihood that he'll kill again.
Companion post at Our Life.
American Arrested in Pakistan
(Mingora, Pakistan) From a Daily Times report:
(Mingora, Pakistan) From a Daily Times report:
An American national was arrested here under Section 14 of the Foreign Act and a local court has sent her to judicial lock-up, a police official told Daily Times on Wednesday. He said the woman, named Catherine, was arrested in Mingora, about 60 kilometres northeast of Peshawar, in the last week of January, but declined to say where. Police also recovered a marriage certificate from her possession stating that she is married to a resident of Swabi district.Anybody know what's in Section 14 of the Foreign Act? I can't imagine she was arrested for being married.
Ukraine Sold Missiles to Iran and China
(Kiev, Ukraine) In a letter to Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, lawmaker Hrihory Omelchenko contends that, contrary to international non-proliferation treaties, the Ukraine sold up to 20 air-launched nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China. Designated Kh-55 and Kh-55M, the missiles were initially sent to Russia, but an investigation last year found they were rerouted to prohibited third countries. The missiles have a range of about 2,000 miles and are capable of carrying a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead. They are designed to be launched from Russian-made Tupolev long-range bombers.
Leonid Kuchma, President Yushchenko's predecessor who was in office for a decade, allegedly approved the transfer of the missiles to third countries in addition to the sales of high tech radar to Eritrea and, in 2002, to Saddam Hussein in contravention of UN sanctions. Ukraine governmental elements and foreign companies, including American, are alleged to have reaped hefty profits from the deals.
In summary, Omelchenko's assertions add to a growing list of known criminal and corrupt acts and practices which assures that President Yushchenko will be busy.
(Kiev, Ukraine) In a letter to Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, lawmaker Hrihory Omelchenko contends that, contrary to international non-proliferation treaties, the Ukraine sold up to 20 air-launched nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China. Designated Kh-55 and Kh-55M, the missiles were initially sent to Russia, but an investigation last year found they were rerouted to prohibited third countries. The missiles have a range of about 2,000 miles and are capable of carrying a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead. They are designed to be launched from Russian-made Tupolev long-range bombers.
Leonid Kuchma, President Yushchenko's predecessor who was in office for a decade, allegedly approved the transfer of the missiles to third countries in addition to the sales of high tech radar to Eritrea and, in 2002, to Saddam Hussein in contravention of UN sanctions. Ukraine governmental elements and foreign companies, including American, are alleged to have reaped hefty profits from the deals.
In summary, Omelchenko's assertions add to a growing list of known criminal and corrupt acts and practices which assures that President Yushchenko will be busy.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
BGSU Student Arrested With Hit List, Gun
(Bowling Green, Ohio) Aggravated menacing is expected to be the charge against Brent Arnold, 22, for having a gun, ammunition, and a hit list of five individuals he planned to whack. Police believe Arnold suffers from depression.
He sounds more like a homicidal sociopath than someone who is merely depressed. Many people get depressed, but they don't put together a hit list.
(Bowling Green, Ohio) Aggravated menacing is expected to be the charge against Brent Arnold, 22, for having a gun, ammunition, and a hit list of five individuals he planned to whack. Police believe Arnold suffers from depression.
He sounds more like a homicidal sociopath than someone who is merely depressed. Many people get depressed, but they don't put together a hit list.
Largemouth Bass Banned in Japan
On Monday, the Japanese Environment Ministry took action to prevent damage to the ecosystem by officially listing the largemouth bass as a banned foreign species. Also listed are the smallmouth bass, scorpions, former pet raccoons, and Javanese mongooses.
On Monday, the Japanese Environment Ministry took action to prevent damage to the ecosystem by officially listing the largemouth bass as a banned foreign species. Also listed are the smallmouth bass, scorpions, former pet raccoons, and Javanese mongooses.
Massive Gun Heist
(Westfield, Pennsylvania) Sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, thieves broke into Ackley and Sons Sporting Goods Store in Westfield and removed
I don't think it's possible to overstate the seriousness of this heist. It potentially puts a lot of weapons into the hands of a lot of bad people. Anyone with information is asked to call the Westfield Police Department at (814)-367-2769.
(Westfield, Pennsylvania) Sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, thieves broke into Ackley and Sons Sporting Goods Store in Westfield and removed
"100 to 200 handguns, assault rifles and an undisclosed amount of cash from the business. Thieves climbed a utility pole and cut a phone line tied to the store's burglary alarm system, rendering it useless. They also destroyed two keypads in the store to activate and de-activate the burglary alarm. Once inside, they looted five cash registers, overturned but could not break into the business's safe, and smashed display cases. Handguns ranged from .17 caliber to .45 caliber and the rifles included civilian versions of the AK-47 and the M-16, known as an AR-15."The FBI and the ATF are working the case with state and local law enforcement. According to Westfield Police Chief Ron Adams, more than one burglar is suspected, however, they are currently searching for leads in the case. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to a conviction.
I don't think it's possible to overstate the seriousness of this heist. It potentially puts a lot of weapons into the hands of a lot of bad people. Anyone with information is asked to call the Westfield Police Department at (814)-367-2769.
Girl, 15, Dances Nude at Strip Joint
(Mayfield, Pennsylvania) Police have charged Antonio Dangio, 38, manager of the Superdads Gentleman's Club, with corruption of a minor for allowing a 15-year-old girl to take off all of her clothes and participate in an amateur dance contest. The 15-year-old entered the club without being checked for identification. She was with a friend, 18-year-old Jennifer Bojarsky, and both stripped for the contest. The jig was up when a neighbor of the 15-year-old spotted her on stage and alerted the police.
The incident occurred last September, however, the corruption charges are to be presented in court this week. It seems they take their sweet time in Mayfield before conducting a preliminary hearing. For the record, the naked 15-year-old dancing tenderoni had the club members howling, winning the contest and $200.
(Mayfield, Pennsylvania) Police have charged Antonio Dangio, 38, manager of the Superdads Gentleman's Club, with corruption of a minor for allowing a 15-year-old girl to take off all of her clothes and participate in an amateur dance contest. The 15-year-old entered the club without being checked for identification. She was with a friend, 18-year-old Jennifer Bojarsky, and both stripped for the contest. The jig was up when a neighbor of the 15-year-old spotted her on stage and alerted the police.
The incident occurred last September, however, the corruption charges are to be presented in court this week. It seems they take their sweet time in Mayfield before conducting a preliminary hearing. For the record, the naked 15-year-old dancing tenderoni had the club members howling, winning the contest and $200.
Ohio Supreme Pinched For DWI
(Columbus, Ohio) State Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick was pulled over by the Ohio Highway Patrol after being tipped by several motorists that she was all over the road. She was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
The whole incident was routine except for the fact that Resnick is a Supreme Court Justice AND, now get this, she refused to take the blood-alcohol content test. Of course, refusal to take the test means automatic suspension of her license, but what does this tell the rest of us? If a top lawyer, a Supreme Court Justice no less, refuses to take the test, why in the world would a normal everyday citizen be inclined to take the test? It seems to me that, by her actions, Resnick is giving unintended free legal advice to all who find themselves in similar circumstances.
As far as the DWI affecting her job as judge, the only thing I've heard so far is that she might have trouble being reelected. Frankly, I'm interested in knowing whether she'll recuse herself on DWI-related cases before the Supreme Court. By the way, Resnick is a Democrat, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Companion post at Our Life.
(Columbus, Ohio) State Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick was pulled over by the Ohio Highway Patrol after being tipped by several motorists that she was all over the road. She was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
The whole incident was routine except for the fact that Resnick is a Supreme Court Justice AND, now get this, she refused to take the blood-alcohol content test. Of course, refusal to take the test means automatic suspension of her license, but what does this tell the rest of us? If a top lawyer, a Supreme Court Justice no less, refuses to take the test, why in the world would a normal everyday citizen be inclined to take the test? It seems to me that, by her actions, Resnick is giving unintended free legal advice to all who find themselves in similar circumstances.
As far as the DWI affecting her job as judge, the only thing I've heard so far is that she might have trouble being reelected. Frankly, I'm interested in knowing whether she'll recuse herself on DWI-related cases before the Supreme Court. By the way, Resnick is a Democrat, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Companion post at Our Life.
Goat Meat News
(Cleveland, Ohio) Just a few days after the announcement that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease was found in a goat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that demand for goat meat in the U.S. is exploding. Immigrant populations from the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Asia are consuming more than is produced in the U.S. prompting significant goat meat imports from abroad, primarily Australia. According to one importer, Ameen Hammad of Cleveland, "We bring goat meat in, and it's gone. There's a big shortage."
For those interested, the American Meat Goat Association (AMGA) has compiled a calendar for holidays where goat meat is part of the traditional holiday feast. From a personal perspective, I have no experience with goat meat, however, when I was a kid, I saw a goat eat a shoe. Strangest thing.
(Cleveland, Ohio) Just a few days after the announcement that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease was found in a goat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that demand for goat meat in the U.S. is exploding. Immigrant populations from the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Asia are consuming more than is produced in the U.S. prompting significant goat meat imports from abroad, primarily Australia. According to one importer, Ameen Hammad of Cleveland, "We bring goat meat in, and it's gone. There's a big shortage."
For those interested, the American Meat Goat Association (AMGA) has compiled a calendar for holidays where goat meat is part of the traditional holiday feast. From a personal perspective, I have no experience with goat meat, however, when I was a kid, I saw a goat eat a shoe. Strangest thing.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief
(Houston, Texas) Last night at the Toyota Center, over $500,000 was donated during a celebrity charity tennis event on behalf of the Bush-Clinton Fund for Tsunami Relief. Celebs donating their time included Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Clyde Drexler, Andy Roddick, TV Psychologist Dr. Phil, and Anna Kournikova among others.
Dr. Phil shows Anna Kournikova the "well-being tennis grip"
(James Nielsen/Chronicle Photo)
Over 8.000 spectators attended the event.
(Houston, Texas) Last night at the Toyota Center, over $500,000 was donated during a celebrity charity tennis event on behalf of the Bush-Clinton Fund for Tsunami Relief. Celebs donating their time included Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Clyde Drexler, Andy Roddick, TV Psychologist Dr. Phil, and Anna Kournikova among others.
Dr. Phil shows Anna Kournikova the "well-being tennis grip"
(James Nielsen/Chronicle Photo)
Over 8.000 spectators attended the event.
Ohio Sex Offender Law Not Enforced
According to an analysis conducted by the Toledo Blade, one-fourth of the registered sex offenders in Lucas County live within 1,000 feet of a school. This is contrary to state law but, unfortunately, nothing is being done about it since the law has no provisions for enforcement. There's no mechanism preventing sex offenders from moving into a residence adjacent to a school and, once they're situated, the only method to remove them from the vicinity is to file suit in court and have a judge issue an order. So, if one calls the sheriff and says there's a convicted child rapist living next to the school, the sheriff will advise to contact a lawyer.
All is not lost, though. Ohio House Bill 473, signed Friday by Gov. Bob Taft, allows a county prosecutor or city law director to seek injunctive relief in court to remove an offender living within 1,000 feet of a school. We'll just have to wait and see how it works out.
What troubles me somewhat more than where the sex offenders live is the sheer volume of sex offenders roaming around in society. It also seems that the bulk of sex crimes broadcast in the news media are committed by previously convicted sex offenders. I can't shake the gut feeling that many of these perverts should be left to lounge in prison. At least then we wouldn't worry about them living too close to a school.
Companion post at Our Life.
According to an analysis conducted by the Toledo Blade, one-fourth of the registered sex offenders in Lucas County live within 1,000 feet of a school. This is contrary to state law but, unfortunately, nothing is being done about it since the law has no provisions for enforcement. There's no mechanism preventing sex offenders from moving into a residence adjacent to a school and, once they're situated, the only method to remove them from the vicinity is to file suit in court and have a judge issue an order. So, if one calls the sheriff and says there's a convicted child rapist living next to the school, the sheriff will advise to contact a lawyer.
All is not lost, though. Ohio House Bill 473, signed Friday by Gov. Bob Taft, allows a county prosecutor or city law director to seek injunctive relief in court to remove an offender living within 1,000 feet of a school. We'll just have to wait and see how it works out.
What troubles me somewhat more than where the sex offenders live is the sheer volume of sex offenders roaming around in society. It also seems that the bulk of sex crimes broadcast in the news media are committed by previously convicted sex offenders. I can't shake the gut feeling that many of these perverts should be left to lounge in prison. At least then we wouldn't worry about them living too close to a school.
Companion post at Our Life.
Health Care Problems
Recently, there have been reports about socialized health care systems having problems with continuously providing adequate health services. Notably, a hospital in Britain told emergency room patients to stay away because it had no vacancies, hospitals in Canada are preparing to close their operating rooms to reduce patient waiting times, and hospitals in Australia shut down for six weeks over Christmas to give everybody a vacation.
Of course, to be fair and balanced, the U.S. health care system also has problems. I haven't heard of any hospitals shutting down for vacation or telling people to stay away but it has been reported that parking is a particularly irksome problem. Some health care facilities, such as the Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York, have even had to resort to valet parking.
Recently, there have been reports about socialized health care systems having problems with continuously providing adequate health services. Notably, a hospital in Britain told emergency room patients to stay away because it had no vacancies, hospitals in Canada are preparing to close their operating rooms to reduce patient waiting times, and hospitals in Australia shut down for six weeks over Christmas to give everybody a vacation.
Of course, to be fair and balanced, the U.S. health care system also has problems. I haven't heard of any hospitals shutting down for vacation or telling people to stay away but it has been reported that parking is a particularly irksome problem. Some health care facilities, such as the Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York, have even had to resort to valet parking.
Hillary Passes Out
(Buffalo, New York) While giving a speech on Social Security, Senator Hillary Clinton collapsed. According to Colleen DiPirro, president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the Senator was weak and had a stomach virus.
Rest assured that there is scant cause for alarm since, historically, it's quite common for ladies in the upper social strata of society to occasionally get the "vapors." My stars! I think it's even in the handbook. (via Wizbang)
(Buffalo, New York) While giving a speech on Social Security, Senator Hillary Clinton collapsed. According to Colleen DiPirro, president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the Senator was weak and had a stomach virus.
Rest assured that there is scant cause for alarm since, historically, it's quite common for ladies in the upper social strata of society to occasionally get the "vapors." My stars! I think it's even in the handbook. (via Wizbang)
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