Usually the death of a relative brings sadness to a family but it was my evil aunt that passed away. She was so mean that she was kicked out of three nursing homes in less than a year and the fourth was pressuring the family to remove her from their facility.
She once tried to force me into servitude to her by emontional backmail and financial control and attempted to destroy any and all relationships I had with others.
I'll leave any specifics to a later time. I will say that my mother is more of a saint than my aunt thought ever thought about being and she believed she was one. Mom forgave her for what she did and she hurt Mom beyond what one sister should ever do to another.
I don't hate my aunt and never have. I dont know how I feel. At least she was smart enough not to have a funeral but to donate her body to science. I'm not sure even her kids would have come to her funeral except maybe just to make sure she was really gone. That's the saddest part.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Novel idea
Many years ago while sitting in a bar just opened in Huntington. WVA. by a pitcher for the Pirates and wishing I could get some one's attention so I could place a drink order I had an idea. The concept is simple and yet, as far as I know, it has not been adopted by anyone yet.
Most menu's have numbers for the menu item's so all a customer has to do is tell the waitress "Number 3 please". What if bars had all their drinks and other stuff on a menu numbered? Easy enough, right?. At each table there would be a key pad and all one has to do is key in the number for the item/items one wants order. An order is placed complete with time and table number so one's order would be filled timely and in order, not by the cuteness/cool factor.
Most menu's have numbers for the menu item's so all a customer has to do is tell the waitress "Number 3 please". What if bars had all their drinks and other stuff on a menu numbered? Easy enough, right?. At each table there would be a key pad and all one has to do is key in the number for the item/items one wants order. An order is placed complete with time and table number so one's order would be filled timely and in order, not by the cuteness/cool factor.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Chinese execute 2 in milk scandal
If this had been in the USA, the two convicts might have received a big fine, time sered and probation.
Three people died. That is murder. Punishment was swift. Here many die of natural causes before their sentence can be carried out.
Three people died. That is murder. Punishment was swift. Here many die of natural causes before their sentence can be carried out.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
To this extent
"Galligan said Hasan has no feeling from the chest down and has limited movement in his arms. Hasan has been told his paralysis is permanent, his attorney said."
Hasan, the Ft. Hood murderer, has permanent paralysis from the chest down with limited use of his arms. Maybe rats can gnaw off his toes and fingers and he won't be able to notice.
Gosh, would I love to have a few years alone with this guy. The liberal left would finally learn what cruel and unusual punishment actually means.
Hasan, the Ft. Hood murderer, has permanent paralysis from the chest down with limited use of his arms. Maybe rats can gnaw off his toes and fingers and he won't be able to notice.
Gosh, would I love to have a few years alone with this guy. The liberal left would finally learn what cruel and unusual punishment actually means.
My wife drives me crazy sometimes
My wife and I ordered a special item which ships in two boxes. Our order arrived yesterday but one box had the correct name, the other did not. Mu contention is that since we received everything we were supposed to receive and nothing more, nothing less then there is no harm, no foul and we should just forget about it.
She says she is going to take the errant package back in an attempt to retrieve the one with her name on it. "What if the other order had three or four boxes with it?"
For the life of me, I can't understand what difference how mnay packages the other person's order was supposed to have because they may have ordered several items while we only ordered one. If we received what we were supposed too and they received what they were supposed too, why complicate things and run the risk of the shipper screwing things up the second time.
If she takes the mis shipped package back and the other lady doesn't, then she ends up with extra parts and we end up with half a system.
I say it is better to leave things alone but she just can't see my point of view--at least not until we get screwed and what should have been a good thing will always remind us of how we just don't see eye to eye on some things.
One of her boys just never seems to be able to get things together. He once told her if he had just $800.00 he could get his life straight. I said she could loan him the money and she did and said he agreed to repay her $100.00 a month. I said that was unacceptable. "Maybe fifty a month at most." No, he assured her he could swing the $100.00 a month with no problem.
I told my wife that was the boys problem. "He is unrealistic about money, and life, and doesn't think things through. I'd rather him aggree to pay $20.00 a month than to pay $100.00."
Still, he insisted he could repay $100.00 a month.
It's been almost two years and we haven't received the first penny yet.
Now she wants to go to Iowa to visit him and her other son. Last time she went (before we were married) she ended up doing their laundry and baby sitting their kids and taking them out. She wants to either use our tax refund, cash in some of her retirement, or borrow money on her credit card for the trip and says that I can use my bonus check for some medical expenses.
My position is that if she wants to go, she needs to save for the trip, budgeting so much per week until she has the money. Everthing extra I buy comes from my weekly allowance and my bonus checks. I don't borrow or spend future income on todays wants.
Other than that, I've married a gem.
She says she is going to take the errant package back in an attempt to retrieve the one with her name on it. "What if the other order had three or four boxes with it?"
For the life of me, I can't understand what difference how mnay packages the other person's order was supposed to have because they may have ordered several items while we only ordered one. If we received what we were supposed too and they received what they were supposed too, why complicate things and run the risk of the shipper screwing things up the second time.
If she takes the mis shipped package back and the other lady doesn't, then she ends up with extra parts and we end up with half a system.
I say it is better to leave things alone but she just can't see my point of view--at least not until we get screwed and what should have been a good thing will always remind us of how we just don't see eye to eye on some things.
One of her boys just never seems to be able to get things together. He once told her if he had just $800.00 he could get his life straight. I said she could loan him the money and she did and said he agreed to repay her $100.00 a month. I said that was unacceptable. "Maybe fifty a month at most." No, he assured her he could swing the $100.00 a month with no problem.
I told my wife that was the boys problem. "He is unrealistic about money, and life, and doesn't think things through. I'd rather him aggree to pay $20.00 a month than to pay $100.00."
Still, he insisted he could repay $100.00 a month.
It's been almost two years and we haven't received the first penny yet.
Now she wants to go to Iowa to visit him and her other son. Last time she went (before we were married) she ended up doing their laundry and baby sitting their kids and taking them out. She wants to either use our tax refund, cash in some of her retirement, or borrow money on her credit card for the trip and says that I can use my bonus check for some medical expenses.
My position is that if she wants to go, she needs to save for the trip, budgeting so much per week until she has the money. Everthing extra I buy comes from my weekly allowance and my bonus checks. I don't borrow or spend future income on todays wants.
Other than that, I've married a gem.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Escort and the hitman
A former escort met a client at his office in October 2008, married him 4 months later. Six weeks after that $100,000 of his money intended as repayment to victims of a scheme disappeared. More money disappeared over time, equalling $240,000.00 If that wasn't trouble enough, the husband was stopped and searched several times for drug possession while he was at a location know only to him and his wife.
The final straw came when police notified him that she had been arrested for solicitation of a hitman to have him killed.
My question is: How do men as stupid as this make all that money?
Pick a side
Two bloggers, one a small town doctor who doesn't practice in the town in which she resides. and a big city blogger, who has a job and a wife who runs some kind of retail shop, and goes by a blogger name of the smell of the results of some bodily function usually done in private, have had a history of disagreement.
The small town doctor is a passionate person, strong-willed and determined, not afraid of controversy but not seeking it either, but willing to fight for what she believes is truth, justice, and what is morality and ethically correct. It seems that about eleven years ago she was allegedly done wrong by her employers and the two entities ended up in court where, alleges the doctor, her ex-employers violated the law. State representatives of the law (District Attorneys, for those who can't figure that out) have refused to pursue the case, because, alleges the doctor, it is a small town and the good-ole-boy syndrome still lives on.
Some people believe it is best to forget the past, make the best of a bad situation, and move on. Others believe the doctor has a personality or mental disorder and should seek professional care for her problems. There are others who are supportive of her and then there are a few who have researched her claims and believe they have merit.
Where the rub has come in is that she had hoped that by writing about her situation, she would garner the interest of some influential bloggers and they would lend their support and voices thereby calling public attention to the matter and forcing, as it were, the DA to rethink his refusal to file charges in her complaint.
Now all one has to do is read her story and decide if it has merit or not. One can follow the leads, as I had done, and draw their own conclusion. If one believed she was an impassioned crack pot, then one need only not read her blog and not comment about her on theirs. But some people just can't leave well enough alone.
It's bad enough to have lost a lucrative career and then been cheated out of fair compensation through perjury, but then to have others call you derogatory names, question your sanity, and dismiss your passion as some form of metal disease is enough to fan the flames of rage in anyone.
Some people just believe that they are right and if you don't agree with them, then there is something wrong with you. The problem is, they just can't accept the fact that you are sick and leave the cure to the professionals. No, they just think they are so smart that they just have to convert you to their way of thinking or convince you that you really are sick.
The stinky one may just have stepped over the line in this controversy. It would have been much better and much easier to either support the lady in her cause or to have walked away. He is looking for a drawn. He ain't gonna get one. After all, her passion, strong-will, and determination is what drew the stinky one to her in the first place. One should never mess with a hornet's nest and not expect to get stung. Believe me, once that has happened no apology will be accepted by the hornets nor can that sting ever be unstung.
The small town doctor is a passionate person, strong-willed and determined, not afraid of controversy but not seeking it either, but willing to fight for what she believes is truth, justice, and what is morality and ethically correct. It seems that about eleven years ago she was allegedly done wrong by her employers and the two entities ended up in court where, alleges the doctor, her ex-employers violated the law. State representatives of the law (District Attorneys, for those who can't figure that out) have refused to pursue the case, because, alleges the doctor, it is a small town and the good-ole-boy syndrome still lives on.
Some people believe it is best to forget the past, make the best of a bad situation, and move on. Others believe the doctor has a personality or mental disorder and should seek professional care for her problems. There are others who are supportive of her and then there are a few who have researched her claims and believe they have merit.
Where the rub has come in is that she had hoped that by writing about her situation, she would garner the interest of some influential bloggers and they would lend their support and voices thereby calling public attention to the matter and forcing, as it were, the DA to rethink his refusal to file charges in her complaint.
Now all one has to do is read her story and decide if it has merit or not. One can follow the leads, as I had done, and draw their own conclusion. If one believed she was an impassioned crack pot, then one need only not read her blog and not comment about her on theirs. But some people just can't leave well enough alone.
It's bad enough to have lost a lucrative career and then been cheated out of fair compensation through perjury, but then to have others call you derogatory names, question your sanity, and dismiss your passion as some form of metal disease is enough to fan the flames of rage in anyone.
Some people just believe that they are right and if you don't agree with them, then there is something wrong with you. The problem is, they just can't accept the fact that you are sick and leave the cure to the professionals. No, they just think they are so smart that they just have to convert you to their way of thinking or convince you that you really are sick.
The stinky one may just have stepped over the line in this controversy. It would have been much better and much easier to either support the lady in her cause or to have walked away. He is looking for a drawn. He ain't gonna get one. After all, her passion, strong-will, and determination is what drew the stinky one to her in the first place. One should never mess with a hornet's nest and not expect to get stung. Believe me, once that has happened no apology will be accepted by the hornets nor can that sting ever be unstung.
Freedom versus privilege
"Witnesses told authorities that Ellis cut in front of waiting customers at the Walmart, shoved merchandise already placed on a conveyor belt out of the way, and became belligerent when confronted.
Ellis maintained she was merely joining her cousin, whose checkout line was moving more quickly. She claimed in a written complaint to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that she was then pushed by a white customer, hassled by store employees, called racial slurs and physically mistreated by Kennett police officers."
I've seen similar scenario's play out many times. One person will get in line while their "friend, cousin, or whomever" will continue to shop. When the person in line is next, the one shopping will push their way through the line and add stuff to what the first person had. Irritating, for sure, bad manners, definitely, but worth getting upset over: probable not. To be honest, most of us have done something similar. Husband and wife shopping and pickup the wrong size of something, or suddenly remembered and item forgotten, or noticed a defect in an item and want to make a quick exchange, One person, usually the husband, runs off to make things right while the other waits her turn in line.
We understand this and make allowances for it. What happened in this story is slightly different. People don't might being nice and helping out but no one likes to be taken advantaged of.
One day I was in a pet store and stopped to look at a display. A woman and her child approached me and although there was plenty of room to have either walked in front of me, which should have required a polite "excuse me" or to have walked behind me, the woman instead choose to stand there at my side and say "excuuuuse me" the kind that reeks of bad attitude. I refused to move and the woman finally had to walk around me, as she should have done in the first place.
The same attitude is on display in this Walmart story. Had the woman said a polite "excuse me" as she approach I would have stepped forward without a thought. Had the shopper in Wal-mart asked politely if she could join her friend in line ahead of them, most customers would not have hesitated in giving permission.
Respect is the key to good relationships and building trust among people and between the races and cultures.
Going on tirades like the president of Virginia's NAACP did over Norfolk's animal shelter's decision to discount adoption fees for black cats and dogs doesn't solve anything. Such reactions only make one look reactionary, unreasonable, foolish,
and ill tempered.
Ellis maintained she was merely joining her cousin, whose checkout line was moving more quickly. She claimed in a written complaint to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that she was then pushed by a white customer, hassled by store employees, called racial slurs and physically mistreated by Kennett police officers."
I've seen similar scenario's play out many times. One person will get in line while their "friend, cousin, or whomever" will continue to shop. When the person in line is next, the one shopping will push their way through the line and add stuff to what the first person had. Irritating, for sure, bad manners, definitely, but worth getting upset over: probable not. To be honest, most of us have done something similar. Husband and wife shopping and pickup the wrong size of something, or suddenly remembered and item forgotten, or noticed a defect in an item and want to make a quick exchange, One person, usually the husband, runs off to make things right while the other waits her turn in line.
We understand this and make allowances for it. What happened in this story is slightly different. People don't might being nice and helping out but no one likes to be taken advantaged of.
One day I was in a pet store and stopped to look at a display. A woman and her child approached me and although there was plenty of room to have either walked in front of me, which should have required a polite "excuse me" or to have walked behind me, the woman instead choose to stand there at my side and say "excuuuuse me" the kind that reeks of bad attitude. I refused to move and the woman finally had to walk around me, as she should have done in the first place.
The same attitude is on display in this Walmart story. Had the woman said a polite "excuse me" as she approach I would have stepped forward without a thought. Had the shopper in Wal-mart asked politely if she could join her friend in line ahead of them, most customers would not have hesitated in giving permission.
Respect is the key to good relationships and building trust among people and between the races and cultures.
Going on tirades like the president of Virginia's NAACP did over Norfolk's animal shelter's decision to discount adoption fees for black cats and dogs doesn't solve anything. Such reactions only make one look reactionary, unreasonable, foolish,
and ill tempered.
Friday, November 20, 2009
2012
The world is truly coming to an end in 2012. O made is official: she is giving up her show in 2011. With her on TV what is the point of living?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
North Carolina Cyber Stalking law
Cyberstalking Laws
)
North Carolina
S 14-196.3
Cyberstalking
The following definitions apply in this section:
Electronic communication. - Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature, transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.
Electronic mail. - The transmission of information or communication by the use of the Internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or other electronic means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.
It is unlawful for a person to:
Use in electronic mail or electronic communication any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to that person's child, sibling, spouse, or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person's family or household with the intent to abuse, annoy, threaten, terrify, harass, or embarrass.
Knowingly permit an electronic communication device under the person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
Any offense under this section committed by the use of electronic mail or electronic communication may be deemed to have been committed where the electronic mail or electronic communication was originally sent, originally received in this State, or first viewed by any person in this State.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This section does not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others. This section shall not be construed to impair any constitutionally protected activity, including speech, protest, or assembly. (2000-125, s. 1; 2000-140, s. 91.)
)
North Carolina
S 14-196.3
Cyberstalking
The following definitions apply in this section:
Electronic communication. - Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature, transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.
Electronic mail. - The transmission of information or communication by the use of the Internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or other electronic means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.
It is unlawful for a person to:
Use in electronic mail or electronic communication any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to that person's child, sibling, spouse, or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, annoying, threatening, terrifying, harassing, or embarrassing any person.
Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person's family or household with the intent to abuse, annoy, threaten, terrify, harass, or embarrass.
Knowingly permit an electronic communication device under the person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section.
Any offense under this section committed by the use of electronic mail or electronic communication may be deemed to have been committed where the electronic mail or electronic communication was originally sent, originally received in this State, or first viewed by any person in this State.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This section does not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others. This section shall not be construed to impair any constitutionally protected activity, including speech, protest, or assembly. (2000-125, s. 1; 2000-140, s. 91.)
Cyber Stalking
CyberStalking
What Is Cyberstalking?
From the U.S. Department of Justice
Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used in this report to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person. Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.
Nature and Extent of Cyberstalking
Although online harassment and threats can take many forms, cyberstalking shares important characteristics with offline stalking. Many stalkers - online or off - are motivated by a desire to exert control over their victims and engage in similar types of behavior to accomplish this end. As with offline stalking, the available evidence (which is largely anecdotal) suggests that the majority of cyberstalkers are men and the majority of their victims are women, although there have been reported cases of women cyberstalking men and of same-sex cyberstalking. In many cases, the cyberstalker and the victim had a prior relationship, and the cyberstalking begins when the victim attempts to break off the relationship. However, there also have been many instances of cyberstalking by strangers. Given the enormous amount of personal information available through the Internet, a cyberstalker can easily locate private information about a potential victim with a few mouse clicks or key strokes.
The fact that cyberstalking does not involve physical contact may create the misperception that it is more benign than physical stalking. This is not necessarily true. As the Internet becomes an ever more integral part of our personal and professional lives, stalkers can take advantage of the ease of communications as well as increased access to personal information. In addition, the ease of use and non-confrontational, impersonal, and sometimes anonymous nature of Internet communications may remove disincentives to cyberstalking. Put another way, whereas a potential stalker may be unwilling or unable to confront a victim in person or on the telephone, he or she may have little hesitation sending harassing or threatening electronic communications to a victim. Finally, as with physical stalking, online harassment and threats may be a prelude to more serious behavior, including physical violence.
While there are many similarities between offline and online stalking, the Internet and other communications technologies provide new avenues for stalkers to pursue their victims.
A cyberstalker may send repeated, threatening, or harassing messages by the simple push of a button; more sophisticated cyberstalkers use programs to send messages at regular or random intervals without being physically present at the computer terminal. California law enforcement authorities say they have encountered situations where a victim repeatedly receives the message "187" on their pagers - the section of the California Penal Code for murder. In addition, a cyberstalker can dupe other Internet users into harassing or threatening a victim by utilizing Internet bulletin boards or chat rooms. For example, a stalker may post a controversial or enticing message on the board under the name, phone number, or e-mail address of the victim, resulting in subsequent responses being sent to the victim. Each message -- whether from the actual cyberstalker or others -- will have the intended effect on the victim, but the cyberstalker's effort is minimal and the lack of direct contact between the cyberstalker and the victim can make it difficult for law enforcement to identify, locate, and arrest the offender.
Law enforcement response: specialized units show promise in combating cyberstalking
A growing number of law enforcement agencies are recognizing the serious nature and extent of cyberstalking and taking aggressive action to respond. Some larger metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and New York, have seen numerous incidents of cyberstalking and have specialized units available to investigate and prosecute these cases. For example, Los Angeles has developed the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. This team combines special sections of the police department and district attorney's office to ensure properly trained investigators and prosecutors are available when cyberstalking cases arise. In addition, this specialized unit is given proper resources, such as adequate computer hardware and advanced training, which is essential in investigating and prosecuting these technical cases. Similarly, the New York City Police Department created the Computer Investigation and Technology Unit. This unit provides regular training for police officers and prosecutors regarding the intricacies of cyberstalking investigations and prosecutions. The training includes understanding how chat rooms operate, how to obtain and preserve electronic evidence, and how to draft search warrants and subpoenas.
The programs in New York and Los Angeles both ensure that enforcement personnel receive proper training and have adequate resources to combat cyberstalking. Other jurisdictions are also taking steps to combat cyberstalking. One of the critical steps is learning how to trace communications sent over computers and the Internet. Traditional law enforcement techniques for surveillance, investigation, and evidence gathering require modification for use on computer networks and often require the use of unfamiliar legal processes. Law enforcement at all levels must be properly trained to use network investigative techniques and legal process while protecting the privacy of legitimate users of the Internet. These techniques are similar to those used in investigating other types of computer crime. Just as a burglar might leave fingerprints at the scene of a crime, a cyberstalker can leave an "electronic trail" on the web that properly trained law enforcement can follow back to the source. Thus, technological proficiency among both investigators and prosecutors is essential.
At present, there are numerous efforts at the federal and state levels that focus solely on high technology crimes. These units do not focus on cyberstalking alone, but they have the necessary expertise in computers and the Internet to assist in the investigation of cyberstalking when it arises. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has Computer Crime Squads throughout the country, as well as the National Infrastructure Protection Center in Washington, to ensure cybercrimes are properly investigated. Additionally, they have Computer Analysis and Response Teams to conduct forensics examinations on seized magnetic media. Similarly, in 1996 the Justice Department established the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section within the Criminal Division. These units have highly trained personnel who remain on the cutting edge of new technology and investigative techniques. In addition, each U.S. Attorney's office contains experienced computer crime prosecutors. These individuals -- Computer and Telecommunications Coordinators -- assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of computer crimes, including cyberstalking. In addition, at the state level, several attorneys general have established special divisions that focus on computer crimes.
Although high-tech expertise is essential, police and prosecutors have developed other strategies for helping victims of cyberstalking. An Assistant U.S. Attorney reported that in two recent cases of e-mail harassment, he asked an FBI agent to confront the would-be harasser. The agent advised that such behavior might constitute a criminal offense. In both instances, the harassment stopped. Such strategies, however, are no substitute for prosecution under federal or state law in the appropriate circumstances.
A critical step in combating cyberstalking is understanding stalking in general. In many instances, cyberstalking is simply another phase in an overall stalking pattern, or it is regular stalking behavior using new, high-technology tools. Thus, strategies and techniques that have been developed to combat stalking in general often can be adapted to cyberstalking situations. Fortunately, many state and local law enforcement agencies have begun to focus on stalking, and some have developed special task forces to deal with this problem. In addition, the Attorney General submits an annual report to Congress entitled "Stalking and Domestic Violence." This report compiles valuable information about what the Department of Justice has learned about stalking and stalkers and is a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies and others.
Cyberstalking is expected to increase as computers and the Internet become more popular. Accordingly, law enforcement at all levels must become more sensitive to cyberstalking complaints and devote the necessary training and resources to allow proper investigation and prosecution. By becoming technologically proficient and understanding stalking in general, agencies will be better prepared to respond to cyberstalking incidents in their jurisdictions. In addition, state and local agencies can turn to their local FBI or U.S. Attorney's office for additional technical assistance. Also, computer crime units and domestic violence units should share information and expertise, since many cyberstalking cases will include elements of both computer crime and domestic violence. Finally, law enforcement must become more sensitive to the fear and frustration experienced by cyberstalking victims. Proper training should help in this regard, but law enforcement at all levels should take the next step and place special emphasis on this problem. Computers and the Internet are becoming indispensable parts of America's culture, and cyberstalking is a growing threat. Responding to a victim's complaint by saying "just turn off your computer" is not acceptable.
Federal cyberstalking laws
Federal law provides a number of important tools that are available to combat cyberstalking. Under 18 U.S.C. 875(c), it is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) applies to any communication actually transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce - thus it includes threats transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce via the telephone, e-mail, beepers, or the Internet.
Although 18 U.S.C. 875 is an important tool, it is not an all-purpose anti-cyberstalking statute. First, it applies only to communications of actual threats. Thus, it would not apply in a situation where a cyberstalker engaged in a pattern of conduct intended to harass or annoy another (absent some threat). Also, it is not clear that it would apply to situations where a person harasses or terrorizes another by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person (as in the California case, discussed infra.).
Certain forms of cyberstalking also may be prosecuted under 47 U.S.C. 223. One provision of this statute makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to two years in prison, to use a telephone or telecommunications device to annoy, abuse, harass, or threaten any person at the called number. The statute also requires that the perpetrator not reveal his or her name. See 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(C). Although this statute is broader than 18 U.S.C. 875 -- in that it covers both threats and harassment -- Section 223 applies only to direct communications between the perpetrator and the victim. Thus, it would not reach a cyberstalking situation where a person harasses or terrorizes another person by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person. Moreover, Section 223 is only a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than two years in prison.
The Interstate Stalking Act, signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, makes it a crime for any person to travel across state lines with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course thereof, places that person or a member of that person's family in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. See 18 U.S.C. 2261A. Although a number of serious stalking cases have been prosecuted under Section 2261A, the requirement that the stalker physically travel across state lines makes it largely inapplicable to cyberstalking cases.
Finally, President Clinton signed a bill into law in October 1998 that protects children against online stalking. The statute, 18 U.S.C. 2425, makes it a federal crime to use any means of interstate or foreign commerce (such as a telephone line or the Internet) to knowingly communicate with any person with intent to solicit or entice a child into unlawful sexual activity. While this new statute provides important protections for children, it does not reach harassing phone calls to minors absent a showing of intent to entice or solicit the child for illicit sexual purposes.
Thus, although current statutes address some forms of cyberstalking, there are gaps in current federal and state law. As outlined in the Recommendations below, States should review their existing stalking and other statutes to determine whether they address cyberstalking and, if not, expeditiously enact laws that prohibit cyberstalking.
Federal legislation also is needed to fill the gaps in current law. While most cyberstalking cases will fall within the jurisdiction of state and local authorities, there are instances - such as serious cyberharassment directed at a victim in another state or involving communications intended to encourage third parties to engage in harassment or threats - where state law is inadequate or where state or local agencies do not have the expertise or the resources to investigate and/or prosecute a sophisticated cyberstalking case. Therefore, federal law should be amended to prohibit the transmission of any communication in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death or bodily injury to themselves or another person. Because of the increased vulnerability of children, the statute should provide for enhanced penalties where the victim is a minor. Such targeted, technology-neutral legislation would fill existing gaps in current federal law, without displacing the primary law enforcement role of state and local authorities and without infringing on First Amendment-protected speech.
How You Can Protect Against Cyberstalking - And What To Do If You Are A Victim
Prevention Tips
Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, nor give it to strangers, including in e-mail or chat rooms. Do not use your real name or nickname as your screen name or user ID. Pick a name that is gender- and age-neutral. And do not post personal information as part of any user profiles.
Be extremely cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend.
Make sure that your ISP and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network have an acceptable use policy that prohibits cyberstalking. And if your network fails to respond to your complaints, consider switching to a provider that is more responsive to user complaints.
If a situation online becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere. If a situation places you in fear, contact a local law enforcement agency.
What To Do If You Are Being Cyberstalked
If you are receiving unwanted contact, make clear to that person that you would like him or her not to contact you again.
Save all communications for evidence. Do not edit or alter them in any way. Also, keep a record of your contacts with Internet system administrators or law enforcement officials.
You may want to consider blocking or filtering messages from the harasser. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature, and software can be easily obtained that will automatically delete e-mails from a particular e-mail address or that contain offensive words. Chat room contact can be blocked as well. Although formats differ, a common chat room command to block someone would be to type: /ignore (without the brackets). However, in some circumstances (such as threats of violence), it may be more appropriate to save the information and contact law enforcement authorities.
If harassment continues after you have asked the person to stop, contact the harasser's Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most ISP's have clear policies prohibiting the use of their services to abuse another person. Often, an ISP can try to stop the conduct by direct contact with the stalker or by closing their account. If you receive abusive e-mails, identify the domain (after the "@" sign) and contact that ISP. Most ISP's have an e-mail address such as abuse@(domain name) or postmaster@(domain name) that can be used for complaints. If the ISP has a website, visit it for information on how to file a complaint.
Contact your local police department and inform them of the situation in as much detail as possible. In appropriate cases, they may refer the matter to state or federal authorities. If you are afraid of taking action, there are resources available to help you, Contact either: -The National Domestice Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (phone); 800-787-3224 (TDD) -A local women's shelter for advice and support.
Credit and reference: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/cyberstalking.htm
What Is Cyberstalking?
From the U.S. Department of Justice
Although there is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, the term is used in this report to refer to the use of the Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications devices to stalk another person. Stalking generally involves harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. Most stalking laws require that the perpetrator make a credible threat of violence against the victim; others include threats against the victim's immediate family; and still others require only that the alleged stalker's course of conduct constitute an implied threat. While some conduct involving annoying or menacing behavior might fall short of illegal stalking, such behavior may be a prelude to stalking and violence and should be treated seriously.
Nature and Extent of Cyberstalking
Although online harassment and threats can take many forms, cyberstalking shares important characteristics with offline stalking. Many stalkers - online or off - are motivated by a desire to exert control over their victims and engage in similar types of behavior to accomplish this end. As with offline stalking, the available evidence (which is largely anecdotal) suggests that the majority of cyberstalkers are men and the majority of their victims are women, although there have been reported cases of women cyberstalking men and of same-sex cyberstalking. In many cases, the cyberstalker and the victim had a prior relationship, and the cyberstalking begins when the victim attempts to break off the relationship. However, there also have been many instances of cyberstalking by strangers. Given the enormous amount of personal information available through the Internet, a cyberstalker can easily locate private information about a potential victim with a few mouse clicks or key strokes.
The fact that cyberstalking does not involve physical contact may create the misperception that it is more benign than physical stalking. This is not necessarily true. As the Internet becomes an ever more integral part of our personal and professional lives, stalkers can take advantage of the ease of communications as well as increased access to personal information. In addition, the ease of use and non-confrontational, impersonal, and sometimes anonymous nature of Internet communications may remove disincentives to cyberstalking. Put another way, whereas a potential stalker may be unwilling or unable to confront a victim in person or on the telephone, he or she may have little hesitation sending harassing or threatening electronic communications to a victim. Finally, as with physical stalking, online harassment and threats may be a prelude to more serious behavior, including physical violence.
While there are many similarities between offline and online stalking, the Internet and other communications technologies provide new avenues for stalkers to pursue their victims.
A cyberstalker may send repeated, threatening, or harassing messages by the simple push of a button; more sophisticated cyberstalkers use programs to send messages at regular or random intervals without being physically present at the computer terminal. California law enforcement authorities say they have encountered situations where a victim repeatedly receives the message "187" on their pagers - the section of the California Penal Code for murder. In addition, a cyberstalker can dupe other Internet users into harassing or threatening a victim by utilizing Internet bulletin boards or chat rooms. For example, a stalker may post a controversial or enticing message on the board under the name, phone number, or e-mail address of the victim, resulting in subsequent responses being sent to the victim. Each message -- whether from the actual cyberstalker or others -- will have the intended effect on the victim, but the cyberstalker's effort is minimal and the lack of direct contact between the cyberstalker and the victim can make it difficult for law enforcement to identify, locate, and arrest the offender.
Law enforcement response: specialized units show promise in combating cyberstalking
A growing number of law enforcement agencies are recognizing the serious nature and extent of cyberstalking and taking aggressive action to respond. Some larger metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and New York, have seen numerous incidents of cyberstalking and have specialized units available to investigate and prosecute these cases. For example, Los Angeles has developed the Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. This team combines special sections of the police department and district attorney's office to ensure properly trained investigators and prosecutors are available when cyberstalking cases arise. In addition, this specialized unit is given proper resources, such as adequate computer hardware and advanced training, which is essential in investigating and prosecuting these technical cases. Similarly, the New York City Police Department created the Computer Investigation and Technology Unit. This unit provides regular training for police officers and prosecutors regarding the intricacies of cyberstalking investigations and prosecutions. The training includes understanding how chat rooms operate, how to obtain and preserve electronic evidence, and how to draft search warrants and subpoenas.
The programs in New York and Los Angeles both ensure that enforcement personnel receive proper training and have adequate resources to combat cyberstalking. Other jurisdictions are also taking steps to combat cyberstalking. One of the critical steps is learning how to trace communications sent over computers and the Internet. Traditional law enforcement techniques for surveillance, investigation, and evidence gathering require modification for use on computer networks and often require the use of unfamiliar legal processes. Law enforcement at all levels must be properly trained to use network investigative techniques and legal process while protecting the privacy of legitimate users of the Internet. These techniques are similar to those used in investigating other types of computer crime. Just as a burglar might leave fingerprints at the scene of a crime, a cyberstalker can leave an "electronic trail" on the web that properly trained law enforcement can follow back to the source. Thus, technological proficiency among both investigators and prosecutors is essential.
At present, there are numerous efforts at the federal and state levels that focus solely on high technology crimes. These units do not focus on cyberstalking alone, but they have the necessary expertise in computers and the Internet to assist in the investigation of cyberstalking when it arises. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has Computer Crime Squads throughout the country, as well as the National Infrastructure Protection Center in Washington, to ensure cybercrimes are properly investigated. Additionally, they have Computer Analysis and Response Teams to conduct forensics examinations on seized magnetic media. Similarly, in 1996 the Justice Department established the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section within the Criminal Division. These units have highly trained personnel who remain on the cutting edge of new technology and investigative techniques. In addition, each U.S. Attorney's office contains experienced computer crime prosecutors. These individuals -- Computer and Telecommunications Coordinators -- assist in the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of computer crimes, including cyberstalking. In addition, at the state level, several attorneys general have established special divisions that focus on computer crimes.
Although high-tech expertise is essential, police and prosecutors have developed other strategies for helping victims of cyberstalking. An Assistant U.S. Attorney reported that in two recent cases of e-mail harassment, he asked an FBI agent to confront the would-be harasser. The agent advised that such behavior might constitute a criminal offense. In both instances, the harassment stopped. Such strategies, however, are no substitute for prosecution under federal or state law in the appropriate circumstances.
A critical step in combating cyberstalking is understanding stalking in general. In many instances, cyberstalking is simply another phase in an overall stalking pattern, or it is regular stalking behavior using new, high-technology tools. Thus, strategies and techniques that have been developed to combat stalking in general often can be adapted to cyberstalking situations. Fortunately, many state and local law enforcement agencies have begun to focus on stalking, and some have developed special task forces to deal with this problem. In addition, the Attorney General submits an annual report to Congress entitled "Stalking and Domestic Violence." This report compiles valuable information about what the Department of Justice has learned about stalking and stalkers and is a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies and others.
Cyberstalking is expected to increase as computers and the Internet become more popular. Accordingly, law enforcement at all levels must become more sensitive to cyberstalking complaints and devote the necessary training and resources to allow proper investigation and prosecution. By becoming technologically proficient and understanding stalking in general, agencies will be better prepared to respond to cyberstalking incidents in their jurisdictions. In addition, state and local agencies can turn to their local FBI or U.S. Attorney's office for additional technical assistance. Also, computer crime units and domestic violence units should share information and expertise, since many cyberstalking cases will include elements of both computer crime and domestic violence. Finally, law enforcement must become more sensitive to the fear and frustration experienced by cyberstalking victims. Proper training should help in this regard, but law enforcement at all levels should take the next step and place special emphasis on this problem. Computers and the Internet are becoming indispensable parts of America's culture, and cyberstalking is a growing threat. Responding to a victim's complaint by saying "just turn off your computer" is not acceptable.
Federal cyberstalking laws
Federal law provides a number of important tools that are available to combat cyberstalking. Under 18 U.S.C. 875(c), it is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, to transmit any communication in interstate or foreign commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another. Section 875(c) applies to any communication actually transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce - thus it includes threats transmitted in interstate or foreign commerce via the telephone, e-mail, beepers, or the Internet.
Although 18 U.S.C. 875 is an important tool, it is not an all-purpose anti-cyberstalking statute. First, it applies only to communications of actual threats. Thus, it would not apply in a situation where a cyberstalker engaged in a pattern of conduct intended to harass or annoy another (absent some threat). Also, it is not clear that it would apply to situations where a person harasses or terrorizes another by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person (as in the California case, discussed infra.).
Certain forms of cyberstalking also may be prosecuted under 47 U.S.C. 223. One provision of this statute makes it a federal crime, punishable by up to two years in prison, to use a telephone or telecommunications device to annoy, abuse, harass, or threaten any person at the called number. The statute also requires that the perpetrator not reveal his or her name. See 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1)(C). Although this statute is broader than 18 U.S.C. 875 -- in that it covers both threats and harassment -- Section 223 applies only to direct communications between the perpetrator and the victim. Thus, it would not reach a cyberstalking situation where a person harasses or terrorizes another person by posting messages on a bulletin board or in a chat room encouraging others to harass or annoy another person. Moreover, Section 223 is only a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than two years in prison.
The Interstate Stalking Act, signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, makes it a crime for any person to travel across state lines with the intent to injure or harass another person and, in the course thereof, places that person or a member of that person's family in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. See 18 U.S.C. 2261A. Although a number of serious stalking cases have been prosecuted under Section 2261A, the requirement that the stalker physically travel across state lines makes it largely inapplicable to cyberstalking cases.
Finally, President Clinton signed a bill into law in October 1998 that protects children against online stalking. The statute, 18 U.S.C. 2425, makes it a federal crime to use any means of interstate or foreign commerce (such as a telephone line or the Internet) to knowingly communicate with any person with intent to solicit or entice a child into unlawful sexual activity. While this new statute provides important protections for children, it does not reach harassing phone calls to minors absent a showing of intent to entice or solicit the child for illicit sexual purposes.
Thus, although current statutes address some forms of cyberstalking, there are gaps in current federal and state law. As outlined in the Recommendations below, States should review their existing stalking and other statutes to determine whether they address cyberstalking and, if not, expeditiously enact laws that prohibit cyberstalking.
Federal legislation also is needed to fill the gaps in current law. While most cyberstalking cases will fall within the jurisdiction of state and local authorities, there are instances - such as serious cyberharassment directed at a victim in another state or involving communications intended to encourage third parties to engage in harassment or threats - where state law is inadequate or where state or local agencies do not have the expertise or the resources to investigate and/or prosecute a sophisticated cyberstalking case. Therefore, federal law should be amended to prohibit the transmission of any communication in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death or bodily injury to themselves or another person. Because of the increased vulnerability of children, the statute should provide for enhanced penalties where the victim is a minor. Such targeted, technology-neutral legislation would fill existing gaps in current federal law, without displacing the primary law enforcement role of state and local authorities and without infringing on First Amendment-protected speech.
How You Can Protect Against Cyberstalking - And What To Do If You Are A Victim
Prevention Tips
Do not share personal information in public spaces anywhere online, nor give it to strangers, including in e-mail or chat rooms. Do not use your real name or nickname as your screen name or user ID. Pick a name that is gender- and age-neutral. And do not post personal information as part of any user profiles.
Be extremely cautious about meeting online acquaintances in person. If you choose to meet, do so in a public place and take along a friend.
Make sure that your ISP and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network have an acceptable use policy that prohibits cyberstalking. And if your network fails to respond to your complaints, consider switching to a provider that is more responsive to user complaints.
If a situation online becomes hostile, log off or surf elsewhere. If a situation places you in fear, contact a local law enforcement agency.
What To Do If You Are Being Cyberstalked
If you are receiving unwanted contact, make clear to that person that you would like him or her not to contact you again.
Save all communications for evidence. Do not edit or alter them in any way. Also, keep a record of your contacts with Internet system administrators or law enforcement officials.
You may want to consider blocking or filtering messages from the harasser. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature, and software can be easily obtained that will automatically delete e-mails from a particular e-mail address or that contain offensive words. Chat room contact can be blocked as well. Although formats differ, a common chat room command to block someone would be to type: /ignore
If harassment continues after you have asked the person to stop, contact the harasser's Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most ISP's have clear policies prohibiting the use of their services to abuse another person. Often, an ISP can try to stop the conduct by direct contact with the stalker or by closing their account. If you receive abusive e-mails, identify the domain (after the "@" sign) and contact that ISP. Most ISP's have an e-mail address such as abuse@(domain name) or postmaster@(domain name) that can be used for complaints. If the ISP has a website, visit it for information on how to file a complaint.
Contact your local police department and inform them of the situation in as much detail as possible. In appropriate cases, they may refer the matter to state or federal authorities. If you are afraid of taking action, there are resources available to help you, Contact either: -The National Domestice Violence Hotline, 800-799-SAFE (phone); 800-787-3224 (TDD) -A local women's shelter for advice and support.
Credit and reference: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/cyberstalking.htm
Embarrassed
Over the weekend President Obama declared himself the first Pacific president. I'm not sure if that was before or after he bowed to the Japanese emperor while trying to shake his hand at the same time. Unfortunately, that's not exactly how the Japanese perform their customary bow.
ABC's Jake Tapper reports that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior. A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, "The bow… did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms… The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."
Wasn't this president elected to restore our alliances and repair our images abroad? Now he's embarrassed the U.S. and one of our allies all at the same time. That takes real effort
ABC's Jake Tapper reports that at least one Japanese newspaper is not printing the picture of the president's mortifying bow because the Japanese are embarrassed by his behavior. A scholar of traditional Japan tells Mr. Tapper, "The bow… did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms… The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak-looking American president."
Wasn't this president elected to restore our alliances and repair our images abroad? Now he's embarrassed the U.S. and one of our allies all at the same time. That takes real effort
Marvin Reference
"The problem with that approach, he says — other than making players look like Marvin the Martian — is that heavier helmets would be more likely to cause neck injuries."
The only problem with this quote (Marvin is my favorite cartoon character) is that few people will actually know who the reference is about. There are actually very few cartoons with Marvin and I believe only three feature films. But I was happy to see that he was referenced by a writer and especially in an article about the NFL.
The only problem with this quote (Marvin is my favorite cartoon character) is that few people will actually know who the reference is about. There are actually very few cartoons with Marvin and I believe only three feature films. But I was happy to see that he was referenced by a writer and especially in an article about the NFL.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Great American Smokeout
At least as addictive as cocaine, the substance that turns good girls into prostitutes, good boys into street thugs, and poor farmers into pawns for our enemies, tobacco, especially in the form of a cigarette, is one of the worst things ever invented by man. Diseases abound from its use, clothes stink, money is wasted, property is destroyed, values of homes and cars are lowered, people are inconvenienced, and fires started that destroy forests, homes, and peoples lives.
Putting down those smokes and walking away is the hardest thing I have ever done and it is a daily battle, even after all this time. Like any addiction, pick up just one cigarette, smoke it, and one can be fully hooked again.
Putting down those smokes and walking away is the hardest thing I have ever done and it is a daily battle, even after all this time. Like any addiction, pick up just one cigarette, smoke it, and one can be fully hooked again.
Monday, November 16, 2009
10 events that changed history
A Newsweek article picked its 10 events that changed history. Some of them were Kerry picking Oabma to give a speech, Florida using the butterfly ballot, Jacobs changing parties.
No, those were history making events but no ever one will remember them for long and in the long scheme of history harder will makr a difference, Eve and Adam yieding to temptation, Christ dying on the cross, the shooting of that guy in Austria, and dropping a bomb on Nagasaki are, on my opinion, events that changed history.
I suppose the Newsweek author is a twenty something that can't remember anything muych past the elction (the second one ) of George Bush, or either considers anything else so last century, or so last millinium. I suppose will just forget about the first fire arm, or the first labor saving device.
One would assume the Newsweek writer never studied history. Maybe he was only talking about recent American political history. In that case, who gives a damn.
No, those were history making events but no ever one will remember them for long and in the long scheme of history harder will makr a difference, Eve and Adam yieding to temptation, Christ dying on the cross, the shooting of that guy in Austria, and dropping a bomb on Nagasaki are, on my opinion, events that changed history.
I suppose the Newsweek author is a twenty something that can't remember anything muych past the elction (the second one ) of George Bush, or either considers anything else so last century, or so last millinium. I suppose will just forget about the first fire arm, or the first labor saving device.
One would assume the Newsweek writer never studied history. Maybe he was only talking about recent American political history. In that case, who gives a damn.
Mom sells 5 year old daughter for prostitution
The body of the 5 year old NC year whose mother sold her into prostitution was found along side a roadway this morning.
Sob. Sob.
Sob. Sob.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Official: Obama rejects all Afghan war options
Official reason is he wants a clarification on goals of the war. The real reason is he couldn't figure out a stimulus package that would work. Can't gove the taliban money because they would buy weapons and plant poopies. Can't give the government money because they haven't a clue as to what to use it for, and can't give it to the troops because they can't fight any harder or more bravely.
Obama can't withdraw troops because it would piss off too many Republicans and soldiers who believe in the justification of us being there and he can't send in more troops because it will piss off everyone else.
Hwclaims he can't trust Karzi and can't understand what our objectives are for the war effort. He can't buy his way out or spent his way out and he hasn't a clue as what to do so he makes excuses so he can buy time.
The man has no back bone and no real leadership skills in a time of crisis and no trainning in the ways or warfare or foreigh relations, or diplomacy, or tough decisiuon making skills, or crisis management, and if it wasn't for a teleprompter he couldn't even speak well.
What we should have done there and in Iraq is what the first President Bush did. Blow the hell out of them and then walk away. When they regroup, blow them up again. We could do this forever with much cost or effort and finally they would all give uo or die. But to land therem try to rebuild their country, and fight a contracted war is foolish.
Where is the really wise leader this country needs? Not in the white house, that is for sure.
Obama can't withdraw troops because it would piss off too many Republicans and soldiers who believe in the justification of us being there and he can't send in more troops because it will piss off everyone else.
Hwclaims he can't trust Karzi and can't understand what our objectives are for the war effort. He can't buy his way out or spent his way out and he hasn't a clue as what to do so he makes excuses so he can buy time.
The man has no back bone and no real leadership skills in a time of crisis and no trainning in the ways or warfare or foreigh relations, or diplomacy, or tough decisiuon making skills, or crisis management, and if it wasn't for a teleprompter he couldn't even speak well.
What we should have done there and in Iraq is what the first President Bush did. Blow the hell out of them and then walk away. When they regroup, blow them up again. We could do this forever with much cost or effort and finally they would all give uo or die. But to land therem try to rebuild their country, and fight a contracted war is foolish.
Where is the really wise leader this country needs? Not in the white house, that is for sure.
Dietary tips
Reading articles about healthy eating, portion control. super foods, foods to avoid, etc, there are always commenteries who say to follow healthy eating rules most of the time but an occasional pig out is okay. "you'll be fine" they all say.
My brother, a handsome devil in high school (drove the women wild) has tended to carry a little too much weight around the middle. Okay, I'll be honest. I cary a little to much weight around the middle. My brother carries a lot too much weight around the middle.
A few years ago, he decided to lose weight and went on a diet with strick rules of what he could eat and portion size and the whole nine yards of healthy eating. As a reward for following the dietary guidelines, he was allowed to have a cheat night: that's one meal a week in which he could eat what ever he wanted.
Apparently he cheated a lot because he has gaininned a tremendous amount of weight. At first the diet seemed to work he he did lose about thirty pounds but he has since gained those thirty plus at least another thirty to go with them.
Me? I opted not to follow a diet plan but to try for a lifestyle change. Eating stuff I like and eating in a way that is both healthy and satifying and a way I could continue forever.
I choose high fiber whole grain cereal in the morning with a piece of fruit. It could be raisins, a banana, or craisins, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cup of coffee for breakfast.
For lunch I tend to have a salad, or a sandwhich with a couple of slices of thin sliced meat and mustard with a piece of cheese and finish off my meal with a fuji apple. I drink either water or a diet soda.
For supper, I eat what ever my wife fixes which is usually a hearty stew, or thick soup. I'll have a salad two or three nights a week with itaian dressing--always italian, Our salads tend to be all vegatables-no cheeses or bacon or meat strips or eggs.
During the summer I grow a vegsatable garden and tend to eat almost strictly from it. During the winter alter my garden is gone, and when I get to fix for myself, I like to get dark beans like pintos or black beans, greens, sourkraut (without the winnies) slaw, and sald stuff. (This kind of food tends to fill one up without packing on calories).
My biggest weakness is I eat out of boredom so when I'm by myself, I eat constantly. I do eat a handfull of mixed nuts (deluxe daily) but I get things like fruit-grapes, banannas, strwberries, blueberries, apples, peaches on hand as well as a good bariety of vegatables like whole carrots and tomatoes to snack on.
The weight has come off slowly, I've developed by lifestyle change and I don't need a cheat night to satisfy myself.
Besides the weight loss (which is mainly for the viewing pleasure of other people) my health has improved dramactically (almost perfect scores).
Yes, I eat out occasionally and when I do, the restaraunt meal is usually in place of all meals of the day except breakfast, of course.
My brother, a handsome devil in high school (drove the women wild) has tended to carry a little too much weight around the middle. Okay, I'll be honest. I cary a little to much weight around the middle. My brother carries a lot too much weight around the middle.
A few years ago, he decided to lose weight and went on a diet with strick rules of what he could eat and portion size and the whole nine yards of healthy eating. As a reward for following the dietary guidelines, he was allowed to have a cheat night: that's one meal a week in which he could eat what ever he wanted.
Apparently he cheated a lot because he has gaininned a tremendous amount of weight. At first the diet seemed to work he he did lose about thirty pounds but he has since gained those thirty plus at least another thirty to go with them.
Me? I opted not to follow a diet plan but to try for a lifestyle change. Eating stuff I like and eating in a way that is both healthy and satifying and a way I could continue forever.
I choose high fiber whole grain cereal in the morning with a piece of fruit. It could be raisins, a banana, or craisins, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a cup of coffee for breakfast.
For lunch I tend to have a salad, or a sandwhich with a couple of slices of thin sliced meat and mustard with a piece of cheese and finish off my meal with a fuji apple. I drink either water or a diet soda.
For supper, I eat what ever my wife fixes which is usually a hearty stew, or thick soup. I'll have a salad two or three nights a week with itaian dressing--always italian, Our salads tend to be all vegatables-no cheeses or bacon or meat strips or eggs.
During the summer I grow a vegsatable garden and tend to eat almost strictly from it. During the winter alter my garden is gone, and when I get to fix for myself, I like to get dark beans like pintos or black beans, greens, sourkraut (without the winnies) slaw, and sald stuff. (This kind of food tends to fill one up without packing on calories).
My biggest weakness is I eat out of boredom so when I'm by myself, I eat constantly. I do eat a handfull of mixed nuts (deluxe daily) but I get things like fruit-grapes, banannas, strwberries, blueberries, apples, peaches on hand as well as a good bariety of vegatables like whole carrots and tomatoes to snack on.
The weight has come off slowly, I've developed by lifestyle change and I don't need a cheat night to satisfy myself.
Besides the weight loss (which is mainly for the viewing pleasure of other people) my health has improved dramactically (almost perfect scores).
Yes, I eat out occasionally and when I do, the restaraunt meal is usually in place of all meals of the day except breakfast, of course.
healthy foods
Almost every list of healthy foods begin with the sam item-almonds. That's fine except eating almonds is rough on teeth-my teeth anyway.
Where on any of these lists comes apple's-or marshmallows?
Where on any of these lists comes apple's-or marshmallows?
Proof mysoap box works
Is Saying Sorry Better than Prison?
Posted by: Andrew Price on October 29, 2009 at 3:06 pm
To deal with young criminals, Northern Ireland has been experimenting with something they call the “Youth Conference.” Instead of sending kids who commit assault, theft, or “motoring offences” to a prison, the government sends them to a meeting. There, the young troublemaker is asked to give an account of the offense, and the victim, who is usually present, is invited to ask questions and describe the effects of the crime. Then they decide, together, with the help of a professional coordinator, on a “plan” to make things right. This usually means doing unpaid restorative work and giving a face-to-face apology.
You might think this lets wayward teens off easy if all they have to do is apologize and do a little manual labor. But a new report (.pdf) on the effectiveness of these Youth Conferences just came out and the results are remarkable:
More than 5,500 meetings between victims and offenders have taken place in Northern Ireland since 2003…. Some 38% of 10 to 17 year olds participating in the scheme in Northern Ireland in 2006 re-offended within a year, compared to 71% of those given custodial terms. The percentage of those re-offending where restorative justice was used instead of a prosecution was 28%.
In a report, the PRT said many victims were found to prefer the experience of participating in a restorative justice meeting to attending court.
In Northern Ireland, this system has turned out to be better than prison in every way. It reduces recidivism, saves the public the expense of locking a kid up, and victims actually like it better. There’s now talk of expanding the system to England and Wales.
We should be adopting this approach in America—and expanding it to other kinds of crime as well. Our prison system is at a breaking point and revenge is overrated.
Posted by: Andrew Price on October 29, 2009 at 3:06 pm
To deal with young criminals, Northern Ireland has been experimenting with something they call the “Youth Conference.” Instead of sending kids who commit assault, theft, or “motoring offences” to a prison, the government sends them to a meeting. There, the young troublemaker is asked to give an account of the offense, and the victim, who is usually present, is invited to ask questions and describe the effects of the crime. Then they decide, together, with the help of a professional coordinator, on a “plan” to make things right. This usually means doing unpaid restorative work and giving a face-to-face apology.
You might think this lets wayward teens off easy if all they have to do is apologize and do a little manual labor. But a new report (.pdf) on the effectiveness of these Youth Conferences just came out and the results are remarkable:
More than 5,500 meetings between victims and offenders have taken place in Northern Ireland since 2003…. Some 38% of 10 to 17 year olds participating in the scheme in Northern Ireland in 2006 re-offended within a year, compared to 71% of those given custodial terms. The percentage of those re-offending where restorative justice was used instead of a prosecution was 28%.
In a report, the PRT said many victims were found to prefer the experience of participating in a restorative justice meeting to attending court.
In Northern Ireland, this system has turned out to be better than prison in every way. It reduces recidivism, saves the public the expense of locking a kid up, and victims actually like it better. There’s now talk of expanding the system to England and Wales.
We should be adopting this approach in America—and expanding it to other kinds of crime as well. Our prison system is at a breaking point and revenge is overrated.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thumbs up or thumbs down
I just finish reading a blog that had two buttons at the end of the article, one for thumbs up and the other for thumbs down, which, I assumed, were so readers come rate the article based on apparently, whatever.
I would never put something like that on my blog because I don't care whether people like my blog, fine it helpful, or interesting. I once felt obligated to be interesting so my readership would grow and then I began to feel constrained by the need to be responsible and entertaining or informative, and respectful. That's not necessarily who I always am so I deleted my blog and started this one. It's for me.
If you leave a comment, I'm not notified and will never know unless I look at the actual blog page which I seldom do. I'm not a people person and I can be alone in a crowd and really like it that way. I'm not anti social by any means and have lots of friendly relationships at work and off work too. Just don't expect me to call. I'll e-mail you now and then but those are few and far between.
For the most part. I've found that if you let others get too close, they'll take advantage of you or talk about you behind your back or leave you high and dry when some one else or something different comes along and i nbo longer feel the need to let people hurt me like that any more.
I would never put something like that on my blog because I don't care whether people like my blog, fine it helpful, or interesting. I once felt obligated to be interesting so my readership would grow and then I began to feel constrained by the need to be responsible and entertaining or informative, and respectful. That's not necessarily who I always am so I deleted my blog and started this one. It's for me.
If you leave a comment, I'm not notified and will never know unless I look at the actual blog page which I seldom do. I'm not a people person and I can be alone in a crowd and really like it that way. I'm not anti social by any means and have lots of friendly relationships at work and off work too. Just don't expect me to call. I'll e-mail you now and then but those are few and far between.
For the most part. I've found that if you let others get too close, they'll take advantage of you or talk about you behind your back or leave you high and dry when some one else or something different comes along and i nbo longer feel the need to let people hurt me like that any more.
Monday, November 09, 2009
monotone nonalogue
Is there a required course for athletes is giving an interview after a ball game or sporting event? It seems that all of them, freshman in college, 30 years on the race track, and in any soprt, talk the same way, monotone without periods, comma, or semicolons, peppered with a few huhs and ahs, peppered with standard phrases, and making little or no sense at all.
I don't watch much sports and avoid sports interviews at all costs vbecause you heard one, you have listened to them all.
I don't watch much sports and avoid sports interviews at all costs vbecause you heard one, you have listened to them all.
Wal-Mart starts Black Friday early
Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving, so named because it is the season that puts most retailers into the black, a term used to signify when a business has finally turned a profit. I'm sorry, but the world doesn;t run on Wal-mart time. Again this year I'm not shopping Wal-Mart for Christmas or any other holiday.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Unlikely Heroes
A crazied gunman was shooting people on a military base. Two peo0le stepped forward, putting their lives on the line. Two women, one a civilian polish officer and the other a nutrionist, are unlikely heroes only because the setting was a military base staffed by soldiers, most of whom are men.
All women can look with pride at the female officer for she did what she didn't have to do, especially after being shot four times. The nutritionist was busy tring to save lives in spite of being shot herself. both women have my admiration.
All women can look with pride at the female officer for she did what she didn't have to do, especially after being shot four times. The nutritionist was busy tring to save lives in spite of being shot herself. both women have my admiration.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
There is a name for this
I just read an article about misleading headlines and headlines that one can take in several different ways. There is a namne for this but I can't recall it now. An examp0le is a recent headline
"Murder Suspect Aided By Patrick Accessory"
If taken the way one would normally read the headline would claim there is a actual person named Patrick Accessory. What the story says is that a person from Patrick County is an accessory because they aided a murder suspect by renting them a motel room.
There is an art to writing good headlines. The person writing this one hasn't seemed to master that art.
"Murder Suspect Aided By Patrick Accessory"
If taken the way one would normally read the headline would claim there is a actual person named Patrick Accessory. What the story says is that a person from Patrick County is an accessory because they aided a murder suspect by renting them a motel room.
There is an art to writing good headlines. The person writing this one hasn't seemed to master that art.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
My Dental Experience
I spent Friday night in extreme pain as the left side of my mouth throbbed to the point of causing me to experience insanity. Saturday, while at work, I contacted my dentist who agreed to see me immediately.
He took an ex ray or two, poked and prodded, and then gave me some antibiotics and a prescription for more plus one for pain pills. There was nothing he could do for me until the swelling subsided some. I floated for a while at work and seemed not to care that I could only see out of my right eye as my left one had swollen shut. The pain subsided Monday but the swelling did not but Bo at Amplifo, where I had a hearing appointment, was kind enough not to notice or to say anything if he did.
I was relieved that the puffiness had left me when I awoke Tuesday morning and I tried not to think of my dental appointment scheduled at the end of my work day. I was thirty minutes early and within ten minutes I was back in the dental chair. The dental assistant administered the numbing gel and a few minutes later the dentist administered what was supposed to be the numbing shot, except it wasn't--numbing that is. So he tried again. That didn't do it either so he tried the third time with a different numbing agent. It tasted bitter.
The dentist grabbed my tooth with the tooth pulling tool and asked "Does this hurt?"
My body stiffened, my back arched, and my head went back as nature would allow as I exclaimed "yes" as loudly and clearly as one could with only half a functioning face. He yanked the tooth out anyway.
He took an ex ray or two, poked and prodded, and then gave me some antibiotics and a prescription for more plus one for pain pills. There was nothing he could do for me until the swelling subsided some. I floated for a while at work and seemed not to care that I could only see out of my right eye as my left one had swollen shut. The pain subsided Monday but the swelling did not but Bo at Amplifo, where I had a hearing appointment, was kind enough not to notice or to say anything if he did.
I was relieved that the puffiness had left me when I awoke Tuesday morning and I tried not to think of my dental appointment scheduled at the end of my work day. I was thirty minutes early and within ten minutes I was back in the dental chair. The dental assistant administered the numbing gel and a few minutes later the dentist administered what was supposed to be the numbing shot, except it wasn't--numbing that is. So he tried again. That didn't do it either so he tried the third time with a different numbing agent. It tasted bitter.
The dentist grabbed my tooth with the tooth pulling tool and asked "Does this hurt?"
My body stiffened, my back arched, and my head went back as nature would allow as I exclaimed "yes" as loudly and clearly as one could with only half a functioning face. He yanked the tooth out anyway.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Ford reports surprise $1 billion profit
Maye Ford should hire a better accountant--say someone who once was a congressman.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Puffy Face
Two favorite cartoon characters, chip and dale, little chipmunks, have fat puffy cheeks. I only have one: caused by a abscessed tooth.
I visit my dentist twice a year for cleaning plus one or two other times a year for routine detal work. I brush, floss, gargle and do everything else I'm supposed to do and yet my teeth keep falling out or get sick and have to be pulled out.
Yuck.
I visit my dentist twice a year for cleaning plus one or two other times a year for routine detal work. I brush, floss, gargle and do everything else I'm supposed to do and yet my teeth keep falling out or get sick and have to be pulled out.
Yuck.
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