News that isn't News

Number one on that list would be John Sleazy Edwards finally admitting he is the father of Miss Hunter's child.

Another item that isn't really news is the President claiming that anger at George Bush is why a Republican was elected to Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat with just a hind that there may be some unhappiness from the past year,

The last item I'll mention is a survey that says Wii Fit is an item one should not buy because studies show it doesn't help one get into shape. I have reported that my wife has lost 12 pounds and dropped a dress size while I have lost 10 pounds and now fit into smaller jeans--all in just six weeks of using Wii fit and during a time of year that I have always gained weight.

What role is China, Great Britian, Russia, and the Muslim masses playing in the disaster in Haiti to bring about relief and recovery?

bad english

"The aftershock came as the U.S. military announced that is sending additional ships to help with earthquake recovery in Haiti, including one that could remove debris blocking the main port, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday."

The sentence above from an Associated Press story is becoming typical of writing in these modern times. It seems that at least one article I read every day has a wrong word used, the wrong tense, or a word just not there that should be there. Is it bad proofreading, bad writing, or just a bad typist?

Slate was the worst but now it is becoming much more common.

Animals

Took a stroll through the zoo yesterday. I'm sharing some zoo pictures and some from my back yard.

Say what?

I was listenting to the radio yesterday and a lady was describing her life's work. Whe works with the homeless in Greensboro and was telling about her enteractions with one particular man. She said when she first met him he was half drunk and spent his time sitting on a milk crate outside the little neighborhood convenience/grocery type store.

After gainning his trust she got him to move into the back of a van and then eventually into an apartment. Now, she said, he is half sober.

So exactly what is the differemce between half drunk and half sober? I don't get it?

Another thing I don't understand is why the younger generation seems to be getting more and more carefree about their litter. I work in one of the premiere shopping centers in the nation and shoppers there tend to be families with money and yet they don't seem to be any more respectful of God's green earth than the common working man. The poor homeless guy pushing the shopping cart spends his day picking up stuff that the good citizens throw out of their cars.

A healtier Asheboro

It strikes me as funny that a town that just went from dry to wet is now concerned about the health of its citizens. It also strikes me as pathetic that the home of the NC Zoo claims it has no place for people to go to to walk. I know, it isn't free, and joggers and walkers don't want to pay. They want the city to build them a nice place.

Another thing that strikes me as funny is that the computer and TV get the blame for Americans being in the shape (round) that we are in but actually that is just another example of us transferring blame for our own actions, or in actions in this case, to someone or something else. We can choose to use the TV and/or computer for our benefit.

I have a Wii and have been working out daily on it for about six weeks and I have been getting comments from people about how much weight I have lost. The truth is, I haven't lost but just a couple of pounds but I have slimmed down considerably. It's not boring, nor am I affected by the weather, nor do I need friends to keep me motivated and I am not out in public exposing myself to the dangers posed by thieves and other dregs of society and crazy drivers who seem to be getting more and more aggressive.

I'm not a saleman for Wii and I'm sure that most people would rather play games that work-out with it. All I am saying is that it is a great way to take responsibility for yourself and stop having to depend on others to motivate you or shame you into taking a positive step.

I find the desire of the city to be a healtier place to live commendasble but I am still suspicious of the motives behind it. It is the same people who pushed for the town becoming wet and appointed one of their own to run the ABC store, a lucritive position with little responisbility, now want to convince you that the town now needs to take the lead in encouraging you to get healtier. Guilty conscience or profit-motive?

Tracing links

It is fun to check out what people read on my blog. One certainly can't go by comments because pnce in a while I'll write something that bloggers in Greensboro find controversial enough to comment on but most often a comment or two is left by one particular blogger, a friend, who, I suppose, is being nice.

Still, there are certain blogs that seem to draw a lot of attention. I have had quite a number of hits on cyberstalking, some on why my wife drives me crazy sometimes, and a few on the pediatrician who was arrested. A good number of people will look uo my book reference to see what it is about and I even had a visit from Soutgate College in England.

Important local News

Update: Oak Ridge parent says man tried to take child; sheriff's office investigating
Friday, January 15, 2010 (Updated 5:06 pm)
By Ryan Seals
Staff Writer
Map data ©2009 Google - Terms of UseMap
MapSatelliteHybrid
Possible abduction attempt , 6400 Peppermill Drive , Oak Ridge , NC
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OAK RIDGE – The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible child abduction attempt Sunday in an Oak Ridge neighborhood.

About 4:30 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the area of Peppermill Drive and Ashton Park Drive to a report of suspicious activity.

A parent had called to report her daughter had been walking in the area when she was approached by a man in a black pickup truck - who told her to get inside.

The girl said "no" and took off running and told her parents, who then alerted the sheriff’s office.

Sgt. B.W. Hall said the suspect was described as being a white man with a dark complexion and a narrow mustache. He is believed to be in his mid-40s. He was wearing a black stocking cap with flames on the side and dark sunglasses.

The vehicle is described as a black pickup truck with an extended cab and a toolbox in its bed. Hall said it was possibly a newer model Chevrolet S10.

Right now, the case has only been classified as a suspicious incident and not an attempted abduction.

"We want to notify the community but don't want people to panic," Hall said.

"Parents should talk to their kids about how to handle these types of situations. This kid did what her parents trained her to do and the suspect drove away without incident."

Hall said deputies have been patrolling the area more frequently in light of the incident.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Dist. 1 office at 643-2300.

Any similar incidents should be reported to 911 immediately.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com
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How cold was it?

It sure has been cold on the Eastern seaboard the last few weeks. How cold has it been?

So cold the Democrats had their hands in their own pockets.

How cold was it?

How cold was it?

Wash the foot first

That idiot preacher has inserted his foot in his mouth again. I've written him several times and he used to respond but he ignores me now. He has not said anything newsworthy in several years now but his idiocy could not be kept underwraps for long.

He sure does make it hard for a person to hold their head up while claiming to be a Christian. He has to be an embarrassment to believers everywhere.

If you do not know what preacher I am talking about, good, because the less people who hear what he said the better off the world is. If you agree with what the man said, stop and leave my blog as I only want intelligent people reading here.

Conan O'Brian

I saw his show live once. Before the show went on the air, he entertained the audience with unscripted and unrehearsed material that was suggested from audience questions and comments. The man was double-over and laugh until your side hurt funny. But once the actual show began, he was like a different person and nothing was funny, entertaining, or interesting. He was only slightly better than Chey Chase but not by much.

Seriously folks

Howie mandell taking over for David Hassellhoff on America's Got Talent and Ellen Degenarate, uh, Degeneras on America Idol. maybe the producers think these shows are so successful that the judges make no difference, but seriously, Ellen and Howie?

Internet shopping

I love the internet. I need some test strips and I checked at a local pharmacy and the price was $69.99 for 50 strips. Ouch!

I checked a few other places and all were the same price so I decided it might be best to buy a meter with cheaper strips. But first, I decided to check the internet. I found one place selling the box of fifty strips for $39.00 and alsmost sent an order but decided to continue checking.

Believe it or not, I found one site that sold a kit that included a meter, 100 test strips, and 100 lancets for $17.50 plus free shipping.

All that and I am still in my pj's on this cold morning.

Sometimes the convenience of shopping on the internet is negated by the cost of shipping but it is a great way to compare products and prices and find local suppliers if shipping costs are prohibitive. Overall, shopping on the internet has been a great time saver as well as money saver and has resulted in making better buying decisions.

Quoted

Dr. Mary Johnson said...
Dale didn't like it either:

I just read that comment from Dr. J and I must say that it is the best compliment I have ever been paid.

Why Seniors Really Should Fear Swine Flu

I don't like getting flu shots and have always refused to get a regular flu shot. My doctor insisted that I get the H1N1 flu shot. She said I was in a high risk category. The CDS said I was not.

I'm glad I trusted my doctor.

It seems the report is out that the CDS report that children were more likely to die than seniors is they contacted the H1N1 flu and that somehow seniors seemed to have an immunity turns out not to be true. It seems that while children are twice as likely as adults to catch the flu, seniors are twice as likely to die from it as children are.

Don't you just hate mistakes that put your life at risk?

We got it wrong?

In the song, Twelve Days of Christmas, the golden rings are not jewelry.

Fitness and Weight Loss

My wife wanted a Wii for Christmas. To be honest, we are both overweight. Wait, that's not absolutely correct. We were labeled obese by weight measurements-just slightly but obese just the same. I had already lost 35 pounds but had gotten stuck at a certain wight and seemed that my eating habits would not allow me to go below that number.

My health had improved. When I started all my numbers indicated I was a walking dead man but with a change in diet the numbers came down and except for borderline blood sugar and slightly elevated blood pressure, my other numbers were perfect. But I still had work to do.

In the warmer months I am in the yard working almost everyday and I did the occasionally walk. It was enough to keep me from gaining weight but bad weather days and months were really hard on me. Every year over the holidays, I would pack on the pounds and spend the next spring and summer working the weight off.

My wife's argument for the Wii was that we could exercise indoors. I let her win this argument and I am glad I did. We exercise via the Wii on a daily basis. She is now only overweight and I am only two pounds away from reaching that new low.

But better than that, I now wear a size smaller pants, my double shin in now a shin and a half, I sleep better and have more energy. I has only been 30 days (yea, it was an early Christmas present)

We play the games occasionally but mostly do the Wii fitness. She is able to stick to a set routine but I have to work around my crazy work schedule. It is paying off. Even though the weight loss has not been dramatic-nothing like twelve pounds in 7 days with "right-sized smoothies" or "you can lose twenty pounds by Christmas" headlines in November issue magazines, but the physical changes are noticeable and occuring at a steady rate.

It was a one time investment, we don't have to get out into the weather to go to the gym or brave the elemnts to walk around the neighborhood. One great thing is, once results have been noticed, motivation to keep at it sets in.

Stupid lawsuits

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34743864/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts

I exercise and sometimes a new exercise is one I cannot do and i know that I can't do it so I don't. i may do a version of it or I may just skip it, waiting for one I can.

However, the lady in this lawsuit was taking an exercise class and she informed her instructor that she could not do the next exercise. Instead of doing the logical thing and sitting it out, she attempted it anyway and when she hurt herself, she decided the injury was someone else's fault and sued.

When are people going to start taking responsibility for their own actions?

She would have had grounds for a lawsuit if the equipment was faulty or the instructor had failed to give all of the instructions, or had physically or mentally conercised her into doing something that was unsafe for her but to knowingly attempt to do something that one has already voiced an objection to because one knew it was unsafe for them to try, is crying fowl because they couldn't do it.

Grow up people.

Socialite Casey Johnson has died at age 30.

Casey Johnson may not be as familar to people as say Paris Hilton but she was the heir apparent to a fortune: the Johnson and Johnon fortune.

Not to speculate but I recently (like last week) saw her picture posted along with other dumb people on a crime library photo array of rich people who do dumb things. I believe her dumb thing had to do with illegal drugs.

I was sorted right. Here is the link: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/photogallery/heirs-under-arrest.html



Casey Johnson
Dec. 1, 2009: Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, was arrested for grand theft after allegedly stealing clothing, jewelry and a 600-page legal document from her former friend--and according to tabloids, lover--supermodel Jasmine Lennard. The 30-year-old heiress, who supposed friends say has a drug problem, also reportedly left a used vibrator on Lennard's bed and some wet towels on the floor.

Vapid Sun

Why do writers need to use such language? I know some words that are not of common usage help to more narrowly define the exact meaning a writer wants to convey but honestly, can the sun really be vapid? In reading a true murder story, which is more important: the dead body of a nude man that has just been discovered lying on the doorsteps of his home clutching a chain saw or the mood of the sun?

Has anyone ever used the word vapid in a real sentence?

Old Fort, NC

My dad loved the mountains and so wanted a piece of land with a mountain stream running across it so he purchase an acre of land in Old Fort, NC. Unfortunately, he died before he could finish what he had started on the land. I'm glad he got to enjoy it some though.

The taxes on it were cheap, only $50.00 or so a year but more than Mom should have to pay on property she can never use so I made an agreement to buy the land from her. I had hoped to cleam it up and maybe build something on it but there are no jobs for me in the area so I finally decided to buy a home here.

I did however want to take care of the land and maybe grow some vegatables and flowers and maybe raise some pond plants up there so I made an agreement with a man to clear the land in exchange for the trees. He took what trees he wanted, cut the rest and left them piled up on the property in such a manner that I can't use the property for growing anything unless I pay to have it cleared and that would coat several thousand dollars, which I don't have.

Now if I were planning to build on the land the epense would not be any greater than it would have been otherwise since the property would have to be graded anyway.

I relunctantly decided my best option was to sell the property but that hasn't worked out. The first agent I hired didn't move the property because the government decided to close off access to the main road so they could remodel bridges. The second contract also failed because the economy tanked.

The property was valued at $14000 and has a tax based on $10,800.00 (less than $57.00 a year) I want to clear $10000 on the sale so I had it listed for $12800.00 but I no longer have a contract.

The address is 140 Violet Lane Old Fort NC. To reach the land one needs to take Bat Cove out of Old Fort.

Identical twins born in 2 separate decades

maybe. Technically no. Purist will argue that the calendar began with year one making the year 100 the last year of a century, not year 99. When we count to ten, we start with the number one, making ten the last number in a decade. Counting forward, 2009 is the nineth year of this decade and 2010 the tenth, or last year. So a child born on 12-31-2009 and his twin born a few minutes later on 1-1-2010 were not born in two different decades.

Even so, it is unusual for twins to be born in different years. congrats to the parents.

Rahael Ray's Sexy Photos

I was surprised by those words when I loaded my home page. She kinda cute, I guess but seems a little chunky to me. I just didn't think she could shut up long enough for someone to take her picture.

I didn't look at the pictures. I find her an irratating little mouse.

Fair enough. I doubt she would look at my revealing photos either. (Even if I had some).

Secret admirer

Having someone wishing to quote a line from something I wrote is perhaps flattering. I have been quoted often but have always known who and what for. I have quoted others and sometime I have had to pay for the privilege but I have always had to get permission which entailed filing out a request form with the exact words I was going to use and in what context, if from copyrighted work and always giving full credit if from work in the public domain.

I suppose my blogs would fall under public domain but I'm not schooled on that enough to know how the law works on that issue.

A blogger named Anonymous said she was going to use sometime I said or an idea I expressed in a college report. Being without a real identity, I cannot say for sure if this unknown person is the same unknown person from the other blog. But someone or someones wishing to use me in their college work, even if it is in a derogatory way, is kind of like having a secret admirer-or a stalker. One never knows when an unknown person's attention may change from flattery to scary. That is why this person interests me. If the two request from Anonymous came from the same person, then I know Anonymous is a black female college student with a less than average grasp of proper grammar.

I hope she does well on the paper she is writing. I would rather be quoted in an A paper than one that receives a lesser grade.

Cops stop attack on Mohammad cartoonist

I have a stupid question.

If it is offensive to Muslims to have the image of mohammad recreated, how does anyone know what he looks like?

I remember when this controvery was fresh the question was asked why Christians don't get upset when Jesus or God the Father are depicted in unflattering psoses. Christians are taught not to worship idols or graven images.

If someone does succeed in killing the cartoonist, will it further the causes of the religion?

Maybe I had two stupid questions to ask.

I'm Innocent

Sometimes mistakes are made and innocent people are convicted and sometimes it is murder that one is convicted of and the penalty given is death. It is a horrible thought that one should be put to death when they had done no crime.

I have done some research into death row inmates who have faced their final punishment who claimed until the end that they were innocent.

Some would have to say the cry of innocence was the cry of insanity. An example would be the man who told friends and family that he had money problems and he was going to rob an old lady who ran a business by herself.

The old shopkeeper was found murdered. Her wedding ring was sold at a pawn shop and two checks from her business was cashed. The police found the person who sold the wedding ring from the fact that he gave his driver's license as ID when the transaction was made. At the time of his questioning, he confessed and then led police to a garage where her car was hidden with her body inside.

At his execution he pleaded innocence.


It is possible that some people convicted were not the ones who actually committed the killing. Four men do a home invasion in which the victim is killed. Two months earlier another victim was found who was killed in like manner (strangled with a coat hanger).

I agree that it is almost impossible to say which of the four committed the actual murder and if the one who killed the first victim also killed the second but at least one of the four is a murderer.

Two men stop at a farmhouse owned by an elderly couple. The couple is murdered by gunshot and their bodies burned. The son of their neighbors and one of his friends were arrested. The son of their neighbor was convicted of murder but claimed it was his friend who was the real killer. Maybe.

In neither of the last two cases to I believe in the innocence of the men convicted any more than I buy into the story of a man whose step sons body was found in a freezer located on this carport. Even though the other children claim they saw and heard the murder and thier parents told them conflicting stories of what happened, the man claims that a stranger took the boy, murdered him and placed the childs body in his freezer.

This is not meant to be an indorsement of the death penalty. I do have a comment about that though. The constitution says "cruel and unusual" not cruel or unusual. While lethal injection is less cruel than hanging or the firing squad it is unusual in the fact that it is only a recent method. Hanging and the firing squad have been used for hundreds of years and while cruel are not at all unusual.

I agree with the opponents of capital punishment that the death penalty does not prevent a person from commiting murder but not executed person had ever killed after their death. On the other hand, numberous people who have been given prison time have gone on to be repeat offenders.

Yemen

Back in the day I was young and naive about the world. I was sitting at my MSD position in Sabana Saka, Puerto Rico when I received a message that had originated in South Yemen. It was definitely anti-American but I had no idea of the significance of that message. I received an accommodation for intercepting that communique. It seems it was the first message that had been copied from that area in many years. It gave this country a location and frequency of a possible source for uswful intelligence.

Vile people, even back then. I know countries go to war from time to time and some countries have a deep distrust of each other but I have never heard expressions of hatred for others, even in war time, I I heard from these people towards Americans. This hate was directd at us not because of anything we did or didn't do but just because we were.

I still don't understand that point of view.

Queen of Southgate Update

Some of you know that I wrote a book "Queen of Southgate" which is a true account of what happened in a fire that claimed the life of a young boy and my relationship with a woman involved in that fire who, it turns out, was, and is, a street prostitute in Greensboro, NC.

The book wasn't a success because the subject matter isn't of much interest to the average folk and is a problem most who rather not think about. From time to time I learn of things that happen to the women protrayed in the book. One lady, Lisa, who I referred to as pure evil, is now no longer a street prostitute but a married lady with a job.

One, who really wanted to change her life and re establish a relationship with her children dropped dead of a heart attack a week after ending her legal battles to retain her freedom. Another, Donna Brown, who had two children, the last was by the special police officer hired to police the grounds of the Lost Dimension strip club
and the grounds of the seedier motels, was murdered in Burlington.

A resent event made me realize that I had been given some facts wrong in my book. I knew that TJ's mother has given birth to two daughters when she was young and to TJ after she married a young man. TJ's sisters had children the same age as she was.

I had been under the impression that TJ's parents lived in Raleigh and that her mother died first and the the father. Apparently that wasn't the case. It seems that her parents argued a lot and spent most of their marriage separated. Her father lived in California when he died. I believe he passed away before his wife did.

But what I learned that both shocked and saddened me was to learn that TJ had a brother. The picture of her and her brother identified the two as being three years old but I don't know if that was accurate. It may have only been TJ who was three. The boy was larger and could have been a year or so older. I do know that he was given away. I would hope for adoption but that wasn't siclosed.

One would have the doubts that a little blonde haired green eyed peanut of a girl would have much of a change coming from such a back ground. She didn't.

When she saw her brother's picture, she shed a tear. It is good to know that after all she has been through there is a little part of her that can still care.

Christmas Spirit

I shopped from my computer for Christmas and except for a quick trip to Hallmark and Macy's of Randleman, I ventured into no retail outlets.

I did noticed that my employer did not play traditional Christmas music this year but the regular music that it plays every other day of the year. I was surprised to learn that my wife's employer didn't play Christmas music either.

Is this a phenom at major retailers or just an oversight this year?

Anonymous

Anonymous asked for permission to quote from one of my blogs and I said no. I do not know who Anonymous is or if the quote would be used for ligitimate purposes.

I seldom read other blogs and usually only when chasing a story that takes me to a someones blog and I have never read a blog written by Anonymous. I do, from time to time, come across a comment from Anonymous. Wanting to know a little bit more about this person other than the fact that their command of proper grammar is weak, I ventured into the blogosphere and found a few comments on Roach's blog.

On that blog Anonymous identified themselves as a black woman.

I found that interesting.

Pediatrician Arrested

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - A pediatrician charged with sexually abusing his patients likely attacked more than 100 children at an office he had decked out with a merry-go-round and a ferris wheel, a state official said Wednesday.

The volume of evidence seized from Dr. Earl Bradley's practice and home, including video tapes and computer files, makes it difficult to estimate the number of victims, said Alexis Slutsky, a deputy attorney general assigned to the state's Child Predator Task Force.

Best Health Care Plan

In spite of the best medical community in the world, Americans do not have the longest lifespan, due in great part to unhealthy lifestyle choices like drugs, smoking, over eating and stress.

Our current President has increased our national debt to an unbelievable high level, and with new costly proposals about to become law, America will be in debt for a long, long time. In order to pay off that debt, taxes will have to be raised and many small business owners cannot afford that and stay in business.

The end result is that eventual Americans will not be able to smoke, or to purchase drugs and eating to excess will be something that is only done in dreams. We will then began to live a healthier lifestyle thereby proving that Obama did, after all, know what he was doing in passing health care reform.

Most of us will one day fall into that 4% category that the new health care system doesn't cover but that is for the younger people to worry about.

News from Randleman

The city police had a large section of Stout Street blocked off around nine o'clock Tuesday, December 22, 2009. That is the street that my wife and I have to take to get to our home.

It seems the police have been busy this week in Randleman. Sunday night there were lots of blue lights on 220 between the Randleman exit and the US 311 exit. There were also plenty of blue lights and an ambulance on High Point Road (the street just in front of Wal-mart) as the street passes over 220. I wonder if the two sites were related?

Terry Fator

Terry Fator?

Never heard of him.

He won America's got Talent year before last. He is a ventriloguist. But..He is no ventriloguist like you have ever seen before.

He has his first CD out, "Terry Fator live in Vegas" which retails for about $15.00 (the CD, not Vegas).

If you have fifteen dollars and need something to spend it on, I highly recommend this CD. Be forwarned though. Have yourself an extra pair of underware handly because it is so funny you will probably pee on yourself laughing.

Not only is it funny, this guy is so talented he will blow you away. Almost a guarentee you'll shed a tear or two before the tape is done.

While you are at the store, you just might want to pick up an extra copy or two. I know there will be someone you will want to share this with but just can't share your copy.

They will thank you.

You will thank me later.

Sherlock Holmes: the man

The movie Sherlock Holmes ad extolls Homes as the world's greatest mind. Yeah, right.

Sure he was intelligent and highly organized and he documented many things that aided him in his work as a detective, but what he is most famous for is his obsevation abilities and the ability to draw correct, or near correct, conclusions from simple things. From a pair of glasses, he was able to tell the sex, age, and looks of a suspect as well as how often she had been to see her optrometrist.

But even Sherlock admitted that his keen obsevation skills were no match for his brothers. "But the elder Homes was fat and lazy, and wealthy, and sat around the mens club and smoked cigars all day.

I draw the line at brilliant when a man indulges in tobacco (pipe and cigarette) as well as cocaine, which Holmes did. He wasn't a rich man and was probably middle class or a little below in income. He would have been much better off financially to have run a detective school or to have been a free-lance teacher of crime fighting techniques than to rely upon his skills for income.

I know that is a contridiction of the belief that those who can do, does that can't
teach. The best teachers are the ones who have already accomplished great things.

Holmes was observiant, intellignet, and accomplished but far from the worlds most brilliant mind.

Sherlock Holms: the movie

I have a complete collection of all the works of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and have watched several shows and movies based on that character but I will no being going to the theater to see Robert Downey Jr. in the newest Sherlock Holmes movie.

One reason is from viewing a trailer, there seems to be special effects embellishments and is not needed in a good Sherlock Holmes story and they second, and most compelling reason, is it stars Robert Downing Jr.

It seems that he once filmed himself having sex with a minor. I vowed then never to see anything with him in it and so far I have kept my promise to myself. I just cant bring myself to support some one who does something so wrong.

"Even so. even if I loved Robert Downey Jrs. work, I still would not see this film.

Did you know that Helm never said "Elementary, my dear Watson."

Watson wasn't a bumbling idiot as most people think. He didn't have the powers of observation that Sherlock had or the ability to link little things together but he was a valuable aid to Holmes on many occasions.

Holmes did say "it is elementary." on two occasions.

The closest thing to special effects in a Holmes mystery was the use of fluorescent paint in ""The Hounds of Baskerville."

customer service

I seldom eat at a fast food place and rarer still at a Mickey D's but there are always exceptions to the rule and variants from the norm. I stopped in the one at Friendly Center (I haven't been there since installment 37 of Black and White by Jerry Bledsoe) and was pleased at how quiet the workers were, how friendly, and efficient.

Posted near where I stood waiting for my order was the picture of the General Manager: she was young and pretty. Save for her and one young man, everyone else working there was latino.

Maybe that explains the improvement in customer service.

Christmas wants

The Asheboro paper features a different need each day for what a family or person needs but cant afford. An unemployed mother wants a computer to help her kids with schoolwork. Maybe she should be seeking a job.

I know for the elderly times are tough and being on a fixed income it is hard to afford extra things but most of what Ive read, if the person really needed the item then they would be willing to trade labor, or expertise, or sell off something they already have for it.

Me. I need a robo mower 1000. Any one who wants to give me one can or you can donate to my robomower fund. Otherwise I might be forced to save my money until I can afford it.

my 2 cents on woods

i grew tired of Tiger Woods years ago. If he won, it was front page news. If he was behind it was front page news. If he didnt play it was front page news. "
Talk about shoving something down peoples throats, the news media is too good at that.

Now that it has been shown that Tiger Woods is a first class jerk, the media is again shoving him down our throats.

"When the media finally decides that Woods is no longer news worthy, I can hear the cry of many "Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, Im free at ;ast."

Al Gore’s carbon tax idea gains momentum

Ed Cone Post

I have to admit that I visited an Ed Cone blog today (kind of like admitting I went into Wal-mart). I have to admit that he presented a good summary of Dr. Js problems she has been blogging about. I'll leave the clarification of any issues up to her but even I understand what it is she hopes to gain from the blogosphere.

During Vietnam there were riots in the streets in protest of the war. I still hear people talk with pride about the million man march and Ive read stories where international pressure has caused a country to back down on a policy it was following.

I'm sure that if enough people with blogs got behind an issue, that the powers that be would have to sit up and take notice.

I would have to agree that it might have been easier to have considered lending understanding and support to the good doctor if her approach had been a little less bitter and hyterical but I wonder too if as many people would have paid any attention if she had, say, a style similar to mine? No body reads my blog.

I wouldnt say having to drive to the east coast of the state each week is a full recovery financially versus maintaining a vialble practice in ones hometown. I can't see where her present financial statues is any justification for saying what happened 11 years ago is a non-issue. We didn't have a crytal ball then and still don't.

Questionable Wisdom

I was listening to a call-in talk show which was offering up the topics of global-warming and Obamas Nobel Peace Prize as topics for discussion. One caller was raving about the business savy of a former vice-president, Al Gore. In discussing the man business venture, the caller mentioned that it took a minimum investment of 3 million dollars to become part of the Gore business venture.

"If I had three million dollars to invest I would he exclaimed and in a few years I'd be a millionaire."

Uh, I think if he had three million dollars to invest, he would already be a millionaire--a multi-millionaire. If in a few years he would be a millionaire that would mean he had lost 2/3rds of his investment.

I believe I'll continue to get my investment advice from another source.

IT'S JUST STUPID

When police are putting a person who is handcuffed into the back of a crusier, they almost always say "Watch your head".

If one thinks about it, a person is unable to see their own head.

Isn't it stupid to tell someone to do something that is impossible?

(some comedians make a good living with weird observations like this0

lawsuit i should have filed

I was just twenty-five. I was hired by the Valdese Printing Company in Valdese, NC. I worked there for about a week when I was called into the owners office. He asked me if it was true I wanted to finish getting my college degree and when i said yes he said " You are fired."

What crosses the line?

Seems some bloggers want to advance the notion that "electronic communication intended to harass, etc." can be extended to any reply to a blog, or any statements within a blog.

Those types of communication falls under our rights to free speech. There are reasonable limits to free speech, like the proverbial yelling of fire in a crowded theater. Another type of speech that is prohibited is outlined in most restraining orders.

The statue on cyberstalking is not intended nor written to prevent the normal flow of communications, even that which we may find annoying, or even statements we totally disagree with.

Call up a stranger and say nothing. Just breath heavily into the phone for a few minutes, or as long as the other person refrains from hanging up on you. Do this repeatedly and see where you will eventually end up. Drive by your ex-spouces or ex-lovers house everyday, real slow, and see if you aren't charged with a crime.

That behaviour is not normal.

Cyber stalking is intended to curb behaviour on the internet that is comparable to unacceptable behaviour via telephone or in person and in no way will be interpreted to affect ever day communication as some bloggers have advanced.

I believe that in the case of a Greensboro blogger charged with cyberstalking a Randolph County blogger, the questioning of the scope and breath of the cyberstalking law is only being questioned because of the unpopularity of the alleged victim to some of the better known bloggers in Greensboro and has nothing to do with fear that the law will be applied outside of its original scope or may limit ordinary and common speech.

One blogger calls himself a satirist but I find him to just be a flippant smart-ass but that doesn't make him any more guilty of a crime than being an acid-tongued crusader make one not a victim. One must put our feelings of the litigants aside and judge the case solely on the merits of the evidence.

Amanda Knox found guilty

of course you don't need me to tell you this but I've followed the case from the beginning. If one reads the prosecution evidence, it seems apparent that she was guilty. If you read the defense view of the evidence, it is just as obvious she was innocent.

Shortly after the murdrs, Amanda Knox and her boyfriend were videotapped embracing and kissing. Depending on your point of view, the scene could have been one of passion or one of compassion.

Even the prosecutor in this case was suspect. In America, he would probable be in jail. At least, he would not have been allowed to prosecute the case.

She received a sentence of twenty-six years, a long time if she is truly innocent but not nearly long enough is she is truly guilty.

Anonymous said

Anonymous said...
What a cretin you are

12/04/2009 10:10:00 AM

When I served in the US Navy we had, from time to time, inspections at which we had to stand at attention while the Admiral or Captain, checked us out as to our dress. Now and then, the Admiral would ask one of the sailors if he had a comment.

It would have been a grave mistake to say something like "the chow sucks or stinks" even though it may well have. If, however, the sailor said "the chow stinks because
(insert reason why it stuck here) and this is what should be done to solve the problem, it would have done only been an acceptable comment, it would have been one that my have been acted upon to improve the situation.

Calling someone names with no reason for why one feels that way is immature. And to do so anonymously is cowardly. A good doctor's practice was taken from her and her livelyhood threatened wrongfully (that part was proved in court) but not all wrongs were righted, and all this person can say when the doctor seeks justice is that she is a cretin. Exactly, whose opinion do you think a reasonable person would pay attention too?

I think someone owes the doctor an apology.

I know she will never get it.

If anonymous was mature enough to apologize for this wrong, they would have been grown-up enough not to have said what they did it the first place.

What is the one shoe women must own?

A question posted on my home page. I didn't read the article but I'm betting the results will be 50/50. Half for the right shoe and half for the left.

N & R Article

I read in the Wednesday edition of the Greensboro N & R an article on cyberstalking. It was especially interesting in that it was about a man who is proud to smell like body waste and Randolph County's own Dr. J., who is my cyber friend.

I have to admit that the first time I read her blog I thought she was an ill mannered, ill-tempered crackpot and about as much of a doctor as Doc Watson. She is just one of those writers that draws people to them so I kept reading, like so many folks from Greensboro do. But unlike the folks from Greensboro, I did something else. I ran her links, researched her claims. looked into her sources, and read related articles. Not only did she have a credible complaint, there is a strong likelihood that she is the victim she claims to be.

Knowing the truth and being able to prove it in court are two different things. I can understand the local DA's position in not wanting to get involved. If he takes on two of the most influential men in the county and loses, his career may well end up in the toilet where he will have to smell Dr. J's cyberstalker for the remainder of one of their lives. Better, thinks he, to offend the good doctor than to antagonize the men who can ruin his career.

That is not the proper choice but it is understandable. Then again, the choice could be one of pure economics. There is only so much time and money to work with so the responsible thing to do would be to concentrate on the more influential, vital, and winnable cases. After all, would wouldn't citizens rather have their DA prosecute four athletes based on the word of a stripper than save the career of a baby doctor? Just think about it, if Marcie Clark had won her big case she might have been governor.

I just don't understand how harassing someone can ever be for their own good and neither can I understand the apparent need someone has to bully other people. I don't use the word bully lightly either.

There is a certain blogger who lives (in my opinion) is a sugar coated fantasy world and she makes me ill ever time I've read her blog. I don't read her blog. If Greensboro bloggers think Dr. J is a crackpot, why give her the time of day? If no one paid attention, she would eventually go away, at least out of their way. No, they love to argue with her to prove she is wrong or that they are smarter or more important, or for what ever reason a bully baits people for.

I know. I'm the real unbalanced on in the blogosphere and I'm totally ignored. When I started gathering a local group of readers, I withdrew into my own little corner. Only one person cared enough to find me. That is a friend. I've never seen or talked to Dr. J and would not know her if we stood side by side. I know her well enough that I can be reading comments on a blog and I know within the first six words of a response that it was penned by Dr. J.

I'm sure there are many of you who may think Dr. J is wrong for charging a fellow bully blogger with cyberstalking. I might respect your opinon if you said it wasn't cyberstalking and can support your claims. But to said she is wrong to charge someone with the crime just because you don't like her is silly and immature.

Before Drugs

She will say whatever she believes you want to hear in order to get you to do what she wants you to do. "I am a manipulator and a liar" she says.

I was this way before I started using drugs.

Car Crash

Tiger Woods crashed his car and people wantr to know why. One supporter wrote

"First of all, the only thing I was concerned about was if Tiger Woods was okay after the crash. The reasons behind it and any family problems should be kept between he and his family. I feel sorry for people who have nothing better to do than to sit and speculate, in print no less, the reasons why things happen to celebrities. It perpetuates the gossip. It hurts innocent people. The fact they are a celebrity is second to the fact they are human beings first. How would YOU want to be treated?"


The sentiment sounds nice but it doesn't work that way. One must realize that driving is a priviledge and being able to do so is granted by the state for a temporary period of time and if we violate traffic laws the state has a right to know why. Other peoples lives and well being and property are placed at risk when one does not drive responsibily. Just because he is famous does no entitled Tiger Woods to violate the law by impeding a police investigation.

Kick a Ginger Day

The episode (of South Park) apparently inspired the 13-year-old to send his friends a Facebook message declaring "Kick a Ginger Day," Zimring said.

I suppose South Park is supposed to be a childrens cartoon. I viewed a few minutes of one episode many years ago and realized it was too far out for me. I hoped then that only adults would ever see such stuff but the kick a ginger episode which inspired these kids to hurt their redheaded classmates prove that stupidity and irresponsiblity are still alive ands well in show business.

Death in the family

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.)

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Obama warns North Korea

If N. Korea doesn't shape up Obama will come there instead of Bill Clinton.

Lawyer: Hasan paralyzed

Good. I hope he is in pain forever too.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ford reports surprise $1 billion profit

Maye Ford should hire a better accountant--say someone who once was a congressman.

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.