Heartless Jerks

The leadership at this company in Copenhagen is certainly embarrased by the actions of their employees:

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A Danish security firm said Tuesday it had fired three of its guards for stealing toys and DVDs from critically ill children at Copenhagen's main hospital.

The guards were caught on video tape after managers became suspicious when toys intended for the children -- many of whom have cancer or need heart transplants -- started to disappear.

What heartless jerks.

Smells French to Me...

Breaking news from Orlando, FL...

A Disney employee claims she was raped by four co-workers.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said it's investigating.

The alleged victim told authorities that she was walking home late Saturday when four men grabbed her and carried her into an apartment.

The alleged rape took place in an apartment where Disney houses employees from their international programs.

Hmmm....and does one have to wonder who may have been at the heart of this diabolical scheme (emphasis mine, of course)?

Charges haven't been filed against the four French suspects who are employees of Disney's International Program. Authorities said the four are cooperating with investigators and aren't considered a flight risk.

Oui.

Don't Lynch Me, It's a Free Country, Right?

All over the news we're hearing about the anniversary of John Lennon's murder.  Forgive me, but it drives me crazy.  Do I think it is sad that someone was murdered?  Sure I do.  Is it worth a story every single year in the news? No. 

He was a singer, and while some people think there was no one better, I'm not really a fan...sorry.  The anniversay of his death gets more air time than the anniversary of Mother Theresa's death and she did a hell of a lot more for this world than John Lennon ever did. 

There I said it.  And I feel better.  And that is all.

Teens Had Weblogs

I'm sure you've all heard the news about the 18-year-old, David Ludwig, who allegedly killed his girlfriend's parents because of an argument about curfew.  Both he and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Kara Beth Borden, were captured after a police chase and authorities are attemting to determine the role she may have played, if any, in the slaying of her parents.

Kara's 13-year-old sister, Katelyn, told investigators her father and mother were shot after they argued with Ludwig for about an hour, according to a police affidavit filed in court.

"As they got near the front door, Katelyn Borden saw David Ludwig with a handgun pointed toward her father and Katelyn saw David Ludwig pull the trigger, heard a gunshot, and then she ran into the bathroom," the affidavit said.

She heard a second shot — presumably the one that killed her mother — while hiding in the bathroom, it said. Ludwig then ran through the house calling for Kara, she told investigators.

Michael and Cathryn Borden, both 50, were found shot to death shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, after the couple's 9-year-old son ran to the home of neighbors, who called 911. An older daughter also escaped, police said.

I find it incredibly sad that the siblings were witness to this act and now they will be subject to all that comes with it since their parents are deceased.  Authorities are suspecting that this was premeditated, which carries a life sentence if Ludwig is convicted.  Ludwig is virtually a kid himself.  How could such anger be in someone who is barely an adult?

The interesting spin on this is that CBS reports that both of these teens apparently had blogs.  The blogs themselves aren't interesting per se.  They appear to be the usual "teen" types of blogs - listed hobbies/interests, pictures, emoticons.  Truly nothing that seems out of the ordinary and nothing that would lead you to believe that the next action would be the murdering of the girl's parents.  I just sense that because some criminals reportedly have maintained blogs that could be "a window to their minds," each and every time there is a heinous criminal act I picture reporters frantically searching Google or Yahoo! to find the blog the criminal wrote so they can report on their "state of mind."  It's just compelling to me, and I see it as evidence that could be used in the investigation and/or the trial on both sides (defense and prosecution).

The children impacted by this act are in my thoughts in prayers.  My heart goes out to them.   

Halloween Could Bring Out Real Ghouls - Watch Your Kids!

I remember when I was a kid, we had to start looking at the candy we got after Trick-or-Treating, just to ensure there were no razor blades in apples or pins in candy bars after some idiots decided it would be entertaining to do such stupid things to kids. 

Now that I have my own children, worrying about pedophiles and child molesters is on the list of "safety tips" for Halloween.  I truly believe that as a parent, I am the number one protector of my children - no one can do it better.  Either my husband or I will go out with the kids as they trick-or-treat, ensuring they are safe from traffic, other kids out to cause trouble, or adults who would enjoy inviting kids in for an inappropriate visit.

There are many communities who are focused on how to protect kids from sexual predators who may be "tempted" by children parading up to their homes - and I applaud their efforts!  There are various approaches to this, ranging from increased in-home visitations to the homes of sex offenders on Halloween night to proposed laws banning sex offenders from participating in Halloween altogether.  Here's a glimpse:

About 45 registered Level 2 and 3 sex offenders who live in Westchester County, just north of New York City, will receive special invitations to attend an educational program between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Oct. 31, under an initiative spearheaded by Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano. Those who don't attend will receive a personal visit from probation officers and police. Level 1 sex offenders and those on probation who have committed crimes of a sexual nature will also receive a home visit, according to a statement released by Spano's office.

"We've done home visits on Halloween nights in the past, but this is the first year that we've asked sex offenders on probation to come in to our offices," said Victoria Hochman, assistant communications director for the county executive.

Hochman said kids present the same temptation to sex offenders that alcohol presents to alcoholics. Rather than have sex offenders at home and in the position to be tempted by parades of children coming to their doors, Hochman said, the county will offer probationers something constructive and hopefully put parents at ease.

The Halloween initiative does not come in response to a spike in molestations or abductions on the holiday, however. "We have never had an incident on Halloween night," Hochman said. But highly publicized cases of brutal child abductions in recent years have heightened citizen activism and put pressure on local authorities to monitor sex offenders more closely. Westchester County was also the first in the state to use active Global Positioning System bracelets on sex offenders under the supervision of its probation department.

"Given the high recidivism rates with this type of crime, people are very concerned. This could provide some relief for people," Hochman said.

I like this idea, and in my mind it seems as though this would be the best approach.  Removing any high risk offender from the situation all together seems to make the most sense with follow-up for those who don't attend the activity.

Here are what a few more communities are doing:

• New Jersey's state parole board is putting a curfew on some 2,200 sex offenders it supervises.  Sex offenders need to be indoors by 7pm on Halloween and can't answer their doors.  They can't attend parties where children are present as well and can't take children - including their own - out to trick-or-treat.

• In Parker County, TX (west of Forth Worth), 42 registered sex offenders on probation will have to spend the evening at county offices.  They state, again, that this is proactive, in order to prevent any issues as well as "protect" the sex offenders from any false accusations.  Eh, the latter isn't as important to me, but it may temper the heat the ACLU may attempt to throw their way. 

• Lastly, a Michigan state lawmaker wants to ban sex offenders from Halloween. State representative Fran Amos of Waterford introduced a bill that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from handing out candy and could be passed in time for Halloween.  This most recent action has ruffled the feathers of the ever criminal protective ACLU, who states this is unconstitutional.  I say let's invite said sex offenders over to the house of the ACLU's Shelli Weisberg on Halloween - she can entertain them.  Oh, and let's hope she doesn't have young children.

Again, the best thing we can do is be good parents - get out with your kids to ensure their safety.  And if you're like us, maybe you can "trick-or-beer" at the same time!

========

Punta del Cappello to Jay and Ace of Spades 

Evacuees With Recent Felonies Don't Qualify for Public Housing

No one can convince me that the media is innocent in letting their bias seep through their reporting.  Here is how a recent article about Hurricane Katrina evacuees started out:

OMAHA, Neb. -- The CEO of Omaha's Open Door Mission is frustrated that the mission is helping evacuees who have been turned away by the Omaha Housing Authority.

Reading that first paragraph made me wonder why evacuees were being turned away - it actually angered me (my first thought was - how dare red tape get in the way of getting these people homes!).  Here's more concern, a la Open Door Mission's CEO:

Many who have been turned away by OHA have headed to the Open Door Mission, which is already crowded.

"We've had about 50 over the last two to three weeks," said the Open Door Mission's Candace Gregory. "It's frustrating that we have all of this housing available, that's public housing. I wish it was available to everyone."

Of course it is frustrating.  How DARE the OHA turn people away?!?!?  Oh, but then the truth comes out:

OHA Executive Director Brad Ashford said those failures relate primarily to criminal history.

"There are 23 people who have failed the background check, so we can't place them in public housing," Ashford said. "Certainly, any type of drug offense or a violent felony, or any felony really, if it's committed within three years."

Ashford said OHA cannot make exceptions for evacuees for the safety of the residents who are already there.

So, because of their criminal behaviors in the past, it has become a challenge to find housing for the evacuees.  It is NOT because the OHA is being negligent or unfair and it certainly isn't because they are evacuees.  It is because they committed criminal offenses.  Even if New Orleans had never been damaged by Hurricane Katrina, these evacuees would have been limited in their abilities to obtain certain jobs, get qualified for certain public assistance.  All because they CHOSE to commit a felony - a number quite violent or dangerous in nature (drug charges, violent felonies - would you want these folks living in your apartment complex or your back yard?). 

And the kicker - all but one of these 50 people have been found housing through other means.  Which leads me to wonder why this woman is complaining to start with. 

Call me cold-hearted, call me ruthless.  Or don't.  Bottom line, we should do everything we can to help the victims of this disaster - WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF COMMON SENSE.  If the OHA had placed these felons into public housing, the media would have reported on the horrific choices of the OHA to put others in harm's way and the law suits would have been flying regarding preferential treatment so this is by far a better solution. 

The media is so focused on finding "the story" that they seem to make a big deal out of events that aren't such a big deal.  Why can't the media report on the valiant volunteer efforts, the happy endings, the efforts to rebuild and reclaim life as it was? 

New Meth Law Could Fill Nebraska Prisons

Legislative Bill 117 was passed in Nebraska, and brings with it harsher penalties for those convicted of methamphetamine related crimes. 

The meth crackdown comes from the passage and signing of Legislative Bill 117, which included store display and age restrictions for the purchase and sale of products containing pseudoephedrine, a key component of meth. The law goes into effect in September.

The Corrections Department says the tougher meth law could put into prison most of the roughly 400 offenders who otherwise might have entered treatment programs.

The department also says LB 117 could help double prison ranks by 2025.

And even without LB 117, as soon as next year the prison population could reach 140 percent of capacity.

Have you ever seen a person who is an abuser of meth?  This is the progression, in this woman's case, over 10 years:

Have you ever seen a meth lab?  Here's a rather clean one:

I grew up in a small town in Nebraska, which now carries the reputation of "Meth Capital of Nebraska."  There have been meth labs built in homes, such as the one above, or in the trunks of cars.  There have been cases where meth labs are set up on an unsuspecting farm owner's property, only to be discovered when the foul smell creeps up to the farmhouse, putting the family living there in danger.  There are even cases where houses once containing meth labs are sold to new owners, who have become sick once they move in due to the lingering toxic chemicals. 

I think the lawmakers are doing the right thing passing this law.  I've heard of too many people dying due to meth, seen parents put their children at risk due to meth use, seen people threatened, assaulted and almost murdered because of what this drug does to people.  There have been a couple of incidents that have touched me personally and I've seen what the drug can do to a person's life.  I honestly don't find anything wrong with putting most of the offenders in prison versus rehab.  This isn't pot, people.  This drug is bad and it changes people in a bad way and they cause harm.

Our nice little local newspaper, the Omaha World Herald, notes that it is possible that the governor could parole inmates if the capacity percentage gets too high.  Please note the COULD portion of that sentence.  Methinks the OWH writer could be a bit biased and perhaps not happy with the passing of this law, perhaps even overreacting a bit.  Not that I *ever* thought that nice little paper could ever be biased outside their opinion page [intentional sarcasm here].

Nebraska prisons are sitting at 134 percent capacity, according to Steve King, Corrections Department spokesman. 

"The philosophy of incarceration being a significant solution to the problem is obviously contrary to community corrections being a solution," said John Icenogle, district court judge for Buffalo and Hall Counties. "But the Legislature has said this problem is so severe they don't trust it to community corrections, and we have to accept that."

That's right, John, accept it.  I think they are right.  I also believe that because prosecutors will still have discretion on charges, the alarm being sounded is somewhat premature.  The affect on the prison population was also a consideration when reviewing the bill says Aaron Sanderford, spokesman for Gov. Dave Heineman.

In the back of my head, I can't help but wonder how often the "affect on the prison population" is considered and causes law makers and/or judges to not do the right thing by taking criminals off the street.  If laws don't have any teeth, i.e. prison time, how can a person who is considering the manufacture or delivery of meth be positively influenced?  If we saw a 50% increase in murders, would we just give them parole because of prison overpopulation?  Or set a pedophile free from prison to make room?  Maybe those criminals who were sentenced to death should actually have that penalty delivered versus spending their life in jail - those criminals seem to be taking up a good deal of prison space.  If need be, build another prison.  People know the law, and there should be consequences.  If we actually took criminals off the street, we may actually have safer parks and neighborhoods, and cities, and small towns - including the one this small-town girl was born and raised in.

I Have to be P.C., but I don't Have to Like It

Over the course of my work life, I have been in positions that I am responsible for people.  Their successes, their failures.  Whether I hire them or not.  Whether I keep them at the company or not.  I'm in - oh no - MANAGEMENT.  I've been told I'm a pretty nice person - heck, I even got 100% on my performance ratings from the people who report to me this year.  But underneath my work disguise, I am NOT politically correct.

In my work experience, I have had to "separate" a person, or "end their employment arrangement."  Nope, I can't fire them.  An employee can't suck at what they do, they are "underperforming."  I see it in the school system, too.  Remember the days of grades A, B, C, D and F?  The only "F" I see anymore is on "The Fairly Odd Parents" (dear ole Mr. Crocker).  My son brings home O, S, N and the like, and soon to come more "normal" grades such as 1-5 (finally, as he hits 3rd grade).  Teachers in the UK don't want to use the term "fail" and think they should use the term "deferred success" in order to reduce the risk of demoralizing the student.  Teachers here don't want to grade with red ink, as it hurts the student's self-worth or self-esteem - instead they want to grade in purple ink.  Next, they won't grade at all!  Perhaps the student should decide what grade they get - then they'll be "bought in."  You know the banter - I'm sure most of you have experienced it either in your own job, in your children's education or even reading the mainstream news. 

Everywhere, words have evolved into some homogenized version of what they used to be.  These changes have a direct and distinct impact on our society and how we perceive what is going on around us.  Here's just a few, across the spectrum, with some help from Wikipedia:

• Time Magazine’s “Man of the Yearâ€� became “Person of the Yearâ€�

• Chairman was replaced by chair (policeman or policewoman was replaced by police officer, so on and so forth)

• "Merry Christmas" is often replaced with "Happy Holidays".

• Blacks became Negroes, then became blacks again, then became Afro-Americans, then became African Americans

• The elderly became senior citizens.

• Foreign students became international students.

• “English as a Foreign Languageâ€� became “English as a Second Language," then "English for Speakers of Other Languages."

• The ghetto became the inner city.

• "Alms" evolved into "poor relief" and became "welfare," which in turn morphed into "public assistance."

• Genocide became ethnic cleansing.

• Terrorist has been replaced – via the MSM - with insurgent or bomber or protester or poor guy who is just misunderstood (okay, this one I embellished on a bit).

• Problem or conflict became issue

• "Hospital" became "Health care center."

• Doctor or nurse became health care provider.

• Backward became mentally retarded, which in turn became slow, then mentally handicapped, then mentally challenged.

• "Heart attack" became a "cardiovascular event."

• "juvenile delinquents" became "children at risk"

• The Department of Prisons became the Department of Corrections.

• The "War Department," together with the "Navy Department" became the "Defense Department."

• Illegal alien became Illegal immigrant (though many if not most illegals are not by definition "immigrants," or people who intend to relocate to the United States permanently), which has recently been replaced with the term undocumented worker.

It's hard to keep up with some of these changes.  Not that I necessarily disagree with some changes to the words we use to describe situations or people.  As a manager of people, telling someone that our employment arrangement needs to end versus "you are fired" makes it a bit easier on me.  But is it really appropriate to call a terrorist something by any other name? 

I truly believe this "dumbing down" of society as a whole will not serve us well in the future.  For example, isn't competition part of success?  If every little Janey or every little Johnny gets the same grade, or they are all told they are doing well, where is the competition?  If everything is sugar-coated, how do people know the truth?  I've seen the impact in the working world - there's a strong sense of entitlement from a higher percentage of people new to the workforce now than early in my career.  And I can't speak about it with them in a way that is straightforward without risk of someone filing some kind of claim (either via a law suit or a myriad of other avenues).  These are people that come in, do the bare minimum or less, but get pissed when their performance review is just average or below average when compared with their peers.  Growing up, they were TAUGHT that they were good, even if they are not.  They are not expecting this kind of news - I've even been told in the most egregious example of "underperformance" by an employee "well, there's *some* work in there."  What a rude awakening, this whole working world thing.   Oh, and I don't write my performance reviews in purple ink, either. 

Update:  tee bee over at Guide to Midwestern Culture has a response, a Merri response.   

Merri Must Rant

Okay, anyone reading my blog will know that I'm not a fan of the ACLU.  There just flat out is no need for an ACLU any more, particularly due to their extreme positions on the most basic things in life.  As a parent, and as a human being, I've just had it today.  My hubby pointed me to Little Green Footballs and three articles laden with ACLU bullshit.  You can read them here, here, and here.  I'm done, and the gloves are OFF.

I awoke today to yet another report of terrorist bombings in London.  I think everyone knows that it is very possible that similar acts of cowardice could take place here in the U.S. - it's only a matter of when.  So in an effort, undoubtedly, to deter such acts it is reasonable that security measures get stepped up.  The NYPD announced that they would do random searches of bags for those commuters on buses, railways and subways.  The ACLU is saying that this goes against the very basic principles of the constitution.  I have to wonder, what do the card-carrying members of the ACLU have to hide?  Are they worried that the NYPD might find their drug stash? (They've got to be high the way they act...that's the only thing that could explain it, right?)  I think that security measures will help lessen the threat of terrorist acts, even if it is only a little bit.  And just which side is the ACLU on anyway - the terrorists?

As the parent of a Cub Scout, I'm furious about the ACLU's fervored war against the Boy Scouts.  If the ACLU had their way, the Boy Scouts would 1) allow girls to join 2) would be ran, all the way down to the den leader level, by pedophiles 3) would not be able to teach the scouts morals, and would instead show child porn videos.  Yes, part of what a scout learns is related to "love of God," but look deeper into the lessons taught to these boys.  The difference between right and wrong, treating people with respect, doing your part in society - when did these lessons become dangerous?  Even a family who doesn't practice religion can find value here and these young boys grow into young men who can and do hold leadership roles in their communities.  Scouting has been well-established for years and years and no one has been harmed by allowing long standing relationships between the Scouts and military organizations (or other similar types of organizations).  The Jamboree has been held at Fort A.P. Hill for 25 years.  What the hell has happened in recent time that all of a sudden makes this relationship wrong, requiring the ACLU to sue to get it stopped?  Just because this event is sponsored there doesn't mean that the main reason they sponsor the event is because the Scouts have "God" in their oath.   

The ACLU's positions are extreme, they advocate the criminal far more than they advocate the victim.  They don't think an opinion or idea is "right" unless it is one they belive in.  They have managed to manipulate so many in order to realize their goals and objectives (if you even could call them that).  And when they start screwing with my son's organization, they've crossed the last proverbial line.  I realize we are in a country that affords us freedoms and these very freedoms allow this group to be in existance and have the agenda they do.  But when do *I* - normal, every day Amercian citizen Merri - get my voice heard?  I don't WANT child porn legalized, I don't WANT the ACLU to tell me what I can't do, or what my son can't do.  I don't want the ACLU telling others what is right for me and "representing" me.  They don't have a clue what is right for me - they haven't even bothered to ask me - and I'm not sure who they are representing, but it sure as hell *isn't* me.

I just had to get that off my chest.  And that is all.            

The Devil Made Him Do It - and Other Such B.S.

Three reasons why Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed BTK Killer will never take full responsiblity for his own actions, even though he "apologized":

He Says The Devil Made Him Do It

I just know it's a dark side of me. It kind of controls me. I personally think it's a — and I know it is not very Christian — but I actually think it's a demon that's within me. ... At some point and time it entered me when I was very young," said Rader, who was once president of his Lutheran church.

*THEY* Should Have Figured Out I Was a Sick Bastard Long Ago

"Somewhere along the line, someone had to pick something up from me somewhere that there was a problem," he said. "They should have identified it."

Don't Make My Family My Final Victims

"I am going to pay for it with a life sentence. The final victims are my ... family," he said.

So this monster, a person who terrorized a community over the course of considerable years and taunted the media with vague clues about the cases (i.e. the last item a cereal box carefully staged to be found when *he* wanted it found), can't find it in himself to just say "I'm guilty...I did it." 

Yet again, society has another criminal who has to find blame with someone or something else.  Additionally, he brings in his family to this - they will be his last victims.  Mr. Rader, they were victims all along - you strung them along as you completed your morbid, disgusting crimes right under their noses.  You played everyone around you - meticulously taunting officials and covering up your sick games, putting on the face of a Christian, the face of a responsible adult, the face of a Boy Scout leader.  This is NO ONE's fault but your own and justice should be swift so the families of your victims can close this very painful chapter of their lives and move ahead.   

Where are the Children?

According the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC):

• 85% to 90% of the 876,213 persons reported missing to America’s law enforcement agencies in 2000 were juveniles (persons under 18 years of age). That means that 2,100 times per day parents or primary care givers felt the disappearance was serious enough to call law enforcement.
• 152,265 of the persons reported missing in 2000 were categorized as either endangered or involuntary.
• The number of missing persons reported to law enforcement has increased from 154,341 in 1982 to 876,213 in 2000. That is an increase of 468%.

These numbers are staggering.  In the event of disease affecting this many people in the population, the CDC would label it an epidemic and appropriate action would be taken to find a cure.  As a nation, we would also do our best to protect others from coming into contact with the disease.  But, hey, it's only our children affected, right?  These numbers are the norm, status quo.  We'll just have to live with them. 

That's hardly the sentiment for many parents, particularly those whose children are missing or have been harmed in any way.  Not only are the number of missing children on the rise, criminal activity harming our children is also increasing.  I cannot open any news source, locally or otherwise, without hearing about some non-parent abusing their child or some evil, vile person who decided that a child for a victim - whether it be pedophilia, child abuse, child neglect or child endangerment - would be right up their alley.

I think there are a number of challenges that make it difficult to protect our children from these criminals.  In most cases, children are kidnapped by their own family members.  Pedophiles tend to be the normal-looking bus driver, teacher or little league coach.  These types of criminals tend to blend in to society, only appearing once they are caught.  How many times have you read about the neighbor who "couldn't believe" that such-and-such could do such a thing. 

I also believe that another challenge we face is the "softening" of our society, primarily how issues, such as child abuse or pedophilia are discussed or written about.  There is a great article over at Schadenfreude that focuses on this very topic.  It's a matter of twisting a few words around to make it sound less harsh; however, in doing this, it makes it seem that the child could be to blame (emphasis mine).

The abusers of children, and let's call it what it is, have managed to defer the public impact of their hideous crimes by adopting a 'Madison Avenue' approach to soften their image. Vachss takes issue with the term "Child Prostitute", making it clear that these children do not benefit from the transactions either financially, or personally. He is right to state that the correct term is "Prostituted Child". The word itself implies a judgment of character, and a willing exchange. "The difference in calling them a "Child Prostitute" and a "Prostituted Child" is not purely semantic. It is more than the difference between a hard truth and a pernicious lie. It not only injures the victims; it actively gives aid and comfort to the enemy. By allowing the term "Child Prostitution" to gain a foothold in our language, we lose ground that can never be recovered."

This type of romanticism (for lack of a better word) absolutely pisses me off:

The courts allow testimony that colors the crimes in romanticized language. Children don't "lose their virginity", they are victims of rape. Children aren't "fondled" by pedophiles, they are molested. A judge, granting work release to a convicted sex-offender, declares that the 5-year-old victim was "Unusually Promiscuous"?

Unusually Promiscuous?  A 5-year-old?!?!?  C'mon, the child was MOLESTED!

I yet again gaze through the various news sources at my fingertips only to find:

Shasta and Dylan Groene are still missing.  The FBI is offering $100,000, Dad is offering his $25,000 Harley Davidson and there are local rewards of ~$7,500.  These children have been missing for close to 4 weeks and in the same period of time, there have been no leads.

***

Tennessee - Haley Spicer is four years old and already a survivor. The Campbell County sheriff says the girl might make an appearance at the trial of the three people deputies say beat and burned her.  And just who are those three people?  Her "dad" (for lack of a better word), Tommy Owens, and his girlfriend, Charlotte Claiborne, are charged with the abuse and the sitter, Teresa Draughn, is accused of not reporting it.  Why do we have 4-year-old survivors?  Why would a 4-year-old need to be subjected to abuse like this?

Jury selection for these scum begins Monday and the town has had to add extra officers and security because these "poor little criminals" have had some death threats.  Of course they have - they don't deserve to live.

***

Kansas City, MO - A man who is set to stand trial in November after allegedly kidnapping his children told a newspaper that the children are with a "well-off family."

Daniel Porter has refused to tell police and his ex-wife the whereabouts of the two children since they disappeared in June 2004 when he picked them up for a weekend visit.

"The children are fine," Daniel Porter told The Kansas City Star in a telephone call from his jail cell.

Porter refused to say where the children are staying.

Porter was sentenced in May to 10 years in prison on an unrelated gun charge, a sentence that prosecutors hoped would persuade him to reveal the whereabouts of his children, Sam and Lindsey.

Since the children, then 7 and 8, disappeared, investigators have searched the Kansas City suburbs of Independence and Sugar Creek and searched the area around Porter's hometown of Trenton in northern Missouri.

The man's motivations for kidnapping his children and "hiding them" stem from his belief that their mom, his ex-wife, is a bad parent.  He claims they are alive and well and the couple who have them know that they could eventually be in more hot water than he is, legally.  Excuse me, but being in jail for a 10 year sentence makes you a "better" parent, Mr. Porter?

The problem with this is that the man previously told police he had strangled the children - his own children.  He said he made up that story because he didn't like being questioned by police.  The mother is concerned that he's now changed his story - stating the kids are safe - in order to raise her hopes that the kids are okay, only to dash them later.

"He is the only key to this," Green said. "He knows it, and I think he likes it. He's getting a power trip. It's his way of continuing to have power over Tina and probably the police."

Porter, 42, is charged by the state with two counts each of terroristic kidnapping and parental kidnapping, for which he faces up to 38 years in prison. He is scheduled for trial in November.

I hope and pray that Porter isn't just blowing smoke - I truly hope the kids are safe somewhere.  If he truly did kill his own children, I hope and pray justice's aim will be true.

***

Toronto - A convicted pedophile violates the conditions by which he was released.  Thank God it only took him a day and he's now back behind bars.

Toronto cops issued a warning, when 63-year-old Lawrence Samuel Sears was released from prison yesterday. He was deemed a high risk to re-offend, after serving 15 years in jail on charges such as sexual assault, and having sex with a girl under 14. Constable Christine Bacharach says many conditions were imposed on his release, including staying away from anyone under the age of 18.  Sears allegedly violated that condition yesterday, when he was found around people under 18 at a movie theatre in Toronto. He's being held pending a hearing.

***

I could go on and on.  Stories of people abusing children, children dying at the hands of their own parents, pedophiles, sex rings, NAMbLA, missing and exploited children...scenes from the nightmare of any real parent out there.  However, as horrifying as all of those situations are, I find it equally horrifying that more isn't being done to keep our children safe.  Why is it such a controversy for a town to want to keep sex offenders, particularly pedophiles, away from their parks, schools, churches and neighborhoods?  Why does an organization such as the ACLU go after people who just want their children to be safe, all because they believe the criminal needs to be treated "fairly?"  Why does the mainstream media dumb down their reporting in such a way readers don't get the real understanding of what happened?  Why do we require the CRIMINAL to report their whereabouts for a sex offender database - um, they are CRIMINALS, people.

We need to see this terrible trend reversed.  It's time for a change, and change begins with me and it begins with you - without raising our voices, the criminal will always get better treatment than the victim.  The pedophile will move in next to a school, perhaps our son or daughter's school.  Non-parents will continue to harm or kill their own children and we will continue to hear about all of these types of tragedies each and every day.

The Troops of the 82nd Need You!

SondraK alerted us that our troops of the 82nd want to hear from us and need our support!  Please stop over at her site to find out how you can help!

...an Interesting Take

If you want a good read about God and evil, head over to Atlas Shrugs who shares one I really enjoyed reading.  I always love seeing the trap door open and you can almost hear it creaking this time! 

Animal Rights Whackos = Terrorists?

I think we're onto something here (emphasis mine):

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - New Jersey is using an anti-terrorism law for the first time to try six animal rights activists charged with harassing and vandalizing a company that made use of animals to test its drugs.

Prosecutors say the activists, who will stand trial next week, used threats, intimidation and cyber attacks against employees of Huntingdon Life Sciences, a British company with operations in East Millstone, New Jersey, with the intention of driving it out of business.

The six, members of a group called Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), are charged under the Animal Enterprise Protection Act, amended in 2002 to include "animal enterprise terrorism," which outlaws disrupting firms like Huntingdon.

If convicted, the group and its accused members face a maximum $250,000 fine and three years in prison.

SHAC argued that the charges are a violation of free-speech rights and it is the victim of a government crackdown on dissent. "This is a frightening step in the Bush administration's path to war on domestic dissidence," the group said on its Web site.

The defendants are also charged with interstate stalking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and $250,000 fine, and with conspiracy to engage in interstate stalking, carrying the same penalty.

Whoa, stop.  So this group is saying that the charges are a violation of free speech, huh?  Since when does committing a crime, such as stealing, trespassing, destruction of property and assult constitute "freedom of speech?"  Protesting peacefully is one thing, but these whackos are out causing harm to people and property.  They SHOULD be charged:

Their tactics included invading offices, damaging property and stealing documents. They also charged with physical assault -- including spraying cleaning fluid into the eyes of employees -- smashing the windows of their homes and threatening to kill or injure members of their families, prosecutors said.

The list of potential defense witnesses includes actress Kim Basinger (she joined a protest outside a Huntingdon laboratory in Franklin, New Jersey to try to stop such companies using animals to test their pharmaceutical products).

Hey - wasn't she supposed to leave the country when Bush was elected or something like that?  Oh yeah, I forgot.  She's an "actress."  She must have been "in character" at the time.

If you take the animals out of the picture, and just focus on the crimes by themselves, we have a bunch of hoodlums here.  If any of these whackos had their items stolen, had someone trespass on their property, or had been assulted, you can bet they'd be crying foul.  Who do they think they are to presume they are above all that?

His Book is Just Too Patriotic

I was listening to the radio this morning and they had an interview with Winston Groom, probably best known for the book "Forrest Gump."  Groom has a new book out entitled "1942: The Year That Tried Men's Souls" and received a particularly scathing review from New York Slime's critic Patricia Cohen.  I didn't think much of it until it was mentioned in the interview that Ms. Cohen pretty much deemed that the book was "too patriotic."  Huh? 

Now, I haven't read the book, so I can't profess to understand what the critic means when she refers to "terrible" writing in the review, but I find it rather amazing that anyone could conclude that a book, in particular a book that centered on the year 1942, World War II and the attack on our soil at Pearl Harbor, was too patriotic.

As I read Cohen's review, the first clue I had about how she felt about the book was how she approached the subject matter.  I believe her words about WWII and Pearl Harbor were along the lines of "well-worn history."  The review progressively irritated me.

Groom writes in his forward "I write to the average American reader, in hopes that he or she will take renewed pride in what our forefathers dealt with, and determined to accomplish, when faced with danger of the utmost severity.''  Good.  As an American, I should understand what is chronicled in history and what our forefathers did to pave the road to freedom.  This makes sense to me.  Not to Ms. Cohen (emphasis mine):

It is not surprising then that ''1942: The Year That Tried Men's Souls'' tends to read like a portable pep rally designed to fire up the home team for the next epic showdown. The ''Great Democracy'' versus the evil Axis -- or, more recently, the axis of evil.

Well, that pretty much seems to sum up how Ms. Cohen feels about President Bush and our involvement in Iraq while carrying with it a certain undertone of Anti-Americanism. 

She has a bit of an interlude in the middle, actually giving him some small accolades about his background and the history he tells.  I actually thought she might give the guy a break.  I was wrong.

Unfortunately the narrative is frequently interrupted by clunky writing, incongruous asides and relentless cheerleading.  The story is told in two dimensions with little of the ambiguity, nuance and complexity of real life. In Groom's account, the Japanese are ''wild-eyed,'' treacherous and unrepentant and their planning for Pearl Harbor ''diabolical.'' Their refusal to surrender is lunatic zealotry while the Americans' intention to fight to the end is heroic. Their imperial designs are part of a ''rapacious'' and cruel plot to ''control most of the world'' and squeeze America to death, while the colonial records of the Allies who already control it are glossed over. Following ''the tragedy of World War I,'' Groom writes, the ''Western powers had actually begun agreeing to return many (but of course not all) of their overseas possessions to the native inhabitants.''

Reading about WWII, even in school, the first thing I thought of was that America's will to fight to preserve freedom and liberty *was* heroic.  I'm glad Ms. Cohen wasn't in charge back then - we'd have laid down our arms, perhaps, and had a big ole group hug.  THAT would have taken care of those nice, pleasant Japanese men flying those nice little planes over Hawaii.

It goes on and on from there and she ends with the following:

And when an American officer on Corregidor says he hoped his troops could rest and receive medical attention after surrendering, Groom writes, ''This last observation raised perhaps the grossest example of false hopes in the history of the world.''

Well, maybe. Unless you were hoping for a sophisticated account of the war in the Pacific.

I read a number of critic reviews on Groom's book and none were even remotely as harsh and critical as Ms. Cohen's and many were quite favorable.  I truly believe there was some kind of political agenda here on her part, which biased her review of the book.  Thanks to Patricia Cohen's review, I'm buying the book to check it out for myself (perhaps Groom should give her a cut for all the books she's going to help him sell...nah!).  Oh, and I failed to mention that Patricia Cohen is the NYT's THEATER Critic.  Perhaps Groom's book wasn't nearly as entertaining to her as all the song and dance numbers "Cats" had [insert your own conclusion here]. 

Justice Was Served?

In a day when dangerous sexual predators, attempted murderers, pedophiles and other criminals are given a slap on the wrist, this story seems so incredible to me:

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (AP) - After 35 years in prison for stealing a black-and-white television set, Junior Allen is a free man.

Allen, 65, walked out of prison Friday, ending a case that attracted widespread attention because he remained in jail while other inmates convicted of murder, rape or child molestation were released.

"I'm glad to be out," Allen told supporters outside Orange Correctional Center. "I've done too much time for what I did. I won't be truly happy until I see a sign that says I'm outside of North Carolina."

Allen was a 30-year-old migrant farm worker from Georgia with a criminal history that included burglaries and a violent assault when he sneaked into an unlocked house and stole a 19-inch black-and-white television worth $140.

Some state records say Allen roughed up the 87-year-old woman who lived there, but he was not convicted of assault.

Instead, he was sentenced in 1970 to life in prison for second-degree burglary. The penalty for the offense has since been changed to a maximum of three years in prison.

He got life in prison for second-degree burglary which is now a maximum of three years?  What an illustration for how the system has changed!   

The state Parole Commission decided last year to release Allen if he behaved and completed a transitional work-release program. He worked at a restaurant washing dishes and floors and had no prison infractions during the past three years.

He did so well he was released several months early - on his 26th try at parole.

I wonder how much 26 parole hearings cost?  I imagine more than the TV did!

His parole could last up to five years, meaning he could gain complete freedom by age 70.

Rich Rosen, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill law professor who took up Allen's case three years ago, said it was a shame that Allen had not been released decades ago. "At least he's got some years left," Rosen said.

Allen did not meet with the parole commission until January 2004. Prior to that time, his record was reviewed regularly by the commission and denied.

Rosen said the parole commission "hasn't been able to articulate a reason that Allen wasn't released."

"He wasn't the best prisoner, (but) he wasn't the worst," Rosen said.

Once outside the prison, Allen got into a car with two friends who were driving him to Athens, Ga., where he planned to meet relatives and return home to Georgetown, Ga.

Enoch Hasberry, the programs director at Carteret Correctional Center in Newport where Allen went through work-release, said he worries Allen might not adjust well to life on the outside.

"For a black-and-white TV, how much do you have to pay?" Hasberry said. "We've got an in-house joke here: How much time would he have gotten if he had stolen a color TV?"

Now think about this case and think about the case of John Couey, the sick, pig of a human being that murdered Jessica Lunsford.  An exerpt from Fox News on his criminal record:

Couey has an extensive criminal record that includes arrests for burglary, carrying a concealed weapon and indecent exposure. In 1991, he was arrested in Kissimmee on a charge of fondling a child under age 16. Records don't show how the case was resolved.

During a house burglary in 1978, Couey was accused of grabbing a girl in her bedroom, placing his hand over her mouth and kissing her, Dawsy said. Couey was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was paroled in 1980.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I understand that times have changed, but there's something seriously wrong when you look at these two situations side-by-side.  TV stealing conviction gets 35 years and 26 parole hearings.  Man convicted for fondling underaged girls, one in the act of burglary, gets a 10 year sentence, but paroled 2 years later.  These crimes were committed a mere 8 years apart. 

If Couey had remained in prison for the crimes he committed (what I have above is but a snippet), we may have a beautiful young girl still with us.  I can't firmly say what would have happened in the great black-and-white TV stealer's life, after all there is suspicion that he may have assulted the woman in the home he took the TV from (but was not charged for it).  I don't believe, though, it would have been too bad if he had gotten out and stolen another black-and-white television, do you?

I also can't help but ask one big, lingering question.  Where is the ACLU?

Nooseweek: Un-American. AGAIN!

Riding Sun has an enlightening post on yet further disgraceful "works" of Newsweek.  I encourage you to go read his article, but here is just a taste:

Newsweek's false, retracted story about American guards flushing the Koran down a toilet at Guantanamo doesn't necessarily mean the magazine's staff hates America or Bush, or wants us to lose in Iraq. To be charitable, let's just chalk that one up to sloppy journalism.

But I'm at a loss to explain this, from the February 2 issue of Newsweek's Japanese edition:

As you can see, the cover story shows an American flag, dirtied and tossed in a trash can, its staff snapped in two. The large white text reads, "Amerika ga shinda hi", which translates to "The day America died."

I encourage you to read the whole article - this isn't the only disgraceful Anti-American rhetoric Newsweek has to offer.  But I'm sure you're not surprised.

Honey, We're Going to Six Flags!

If we hadn't already made vacation plans, I'd beg my dear hubby to take me and the kids to Six Flags.  Their position is that they have the right to bar sex offenders from their parks.

CHICAGO — Bob Levan bought season passes to Six Flags Great America for his daughters and their best friend, but he is worried he won't be able to ride the roller coasters with them because he is a convicted sex offender.

Awww, poor Sex Offender Bob.  Can't ride the roller coasters with the little girls and boys?  How sad for you.

Six Flags added wording on the back of season passes to all 30 of its U.S. amusement parks this year stating that it reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone convicted of a sex crime.

The amusement park said it does not actually plan to run background checks on everyone entering the park, but visitors seen acting inappropriately could be subjected to a check and thrown out.

Still, the warning was enough to concern Levan.

Hmmm...I thought he was "rehabilitated?"  Why would he worry?  Does he have "sex offender" tattooed on his forehead?  Is he worried that his actions will get him tossed out of the park?!?!?

"My 13-year-old girl read this on the back of the pass and said, `Now Daddy, does this mean you can never take me to Great America?'" he said. "I am 350 percent for protecting children, and that just bugs me."

Okay, let me get this straight.  Daddy is a convicted sex offender, and he and his 13 year old daughter talk about it as if it were a disability?  Discrimination?  Hmmmmm....I hear the ACLU marching in from somewhere here...

Levan was convicted of molesting an 8-year-old relative when he was 16. He served a brief jail sentence and underwent treatment in a mental health facility. Now 35, the divorced information technology worker is raising a family in suburban Chicago.

Andrea D. Lyon, president of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, complained that the language sends the message that sex offenders are social outcasts despite whatever steps they may have taken to rehabilitate themselves.

Damn right, Ms. Lyon.  They are social outcasts.  I applaud the actions of Six Flags.  They do have every right to set rules that they feel will make the experience the safest for their patrons.  Just taking the stand alone is brave, given this ACLU-lawsuit riddled society.

Keep Praying for Shasta and Dylan

COEUR d'ALENE, Idaho — Investigators cleared a man they called a "person of interest" in the bloody murders of three people and the disappearance of two children after the man passed a lie detector test.

As Minivan Mom shares, an Amber Alert is still out for the missing children of one of the victims.  Those missing are 8-year-old Shasta Kay Groene and 9-year-old Dylan James Groene.  Please pray for their safety and pray that they be found alive and well very soon.

Pray They are Safe

We can only pray that two missing children, eight-year-old Shasta Groene and her brother Dylan Groene, 9, are okay.  Unfortunately, other members of their family, including their mother and 13-year-old brother were found slain in their home.  An Amber Alert has been issued for little Shasta and Dylan.

COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho - Authorities said on Tuesday afternoon that they have no leads in the murders of three people found slain in an Idaho home. Earlier they issued an Amber Alert in the search for two children who lived at the house but were no longer there when the bodies were discovered.

"We have no leads, no persons of interest," said Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson. "We’re just doing everything we can early because time is of the essence."

They were last seen getting off a school bus at their house Monday afternoon, the Web site for the Spokesman-Review newspaper reported Tuesday.

Watson said that finding the children was law enforcement's main concern at this point. He said the county sheriff's office was working with the FBI and other agencies and had dogs searching in the area near the home, which is about eight miles from town.

Authorities have said that while the cause of death remained undetermined, there were "suspicious circumstances" reported by a neighbor and the deaths were obvious homicides. 

At least in this case, as it stands, the father of the children has been ruled out as a suspect.  There have been entirely too many situations of late where children are being killed by their own father or mother.  That being said, it doesn't bring any comfort to those impacted by these senseless murders.  I pray that Shasta and Dylan are found and that they have family and friends that can support them during this painful time.

...Death Penalty, Expedited!

Here is yet another reason to expedite the death penalty for these sons-of-bitches:

TAMPA, Fla. — The convicted sex offender accused of killing a 13-year-old girl, then dumping her body in a pond was caught trying to dig out of his jail cell, officials said.

David Onstott, 36, was found scratching on the concrete wall near the floor of his cell early Saturday with a metal towel holder he had apparently pried off a desk, said Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

He had only scraped about a quarter of an inch into the concrete, she said. He was later moved to another cell in the jail.

I wonder what this scum was thinking when he did this?  Did he want to harm another child?  Or was he worried that Bubba was coming to see him later?  Or just worried that he'd be dying in a matter of time for the horrific crime he committed?

Police said Onstott confessed to choking Sarah Lunde after getting into an argument with the girl at her Ruskin home in April. Her partially clothed body was found a week after she disappeared in an abandoned fish pond about a half-mile from her home.

Onstott is charged with first-degree murder and attempted sexual battery. He has pleaded not guilty. He served 5 1/2 years in prison for a 1995 rape and was arrested in March on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender.

Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.

Here's another loser, a child predator, a sex offender who ADMITTED that he killed a child (and trying to escape prison!!).  But he's allowed to enter a plea of not guilty?  I think when they admit they did it, someone should take them around back and shoot them in the head - no prison escapes, no threat to society after that.  And no more tax dollars spent on low life scum loser assholes who do not deserve to live after snuffing out the life of a child.

<soapbox> Based on the outcomes of cases and cases of repeat offenders, they cannot be rehabilitated.  Why do we continue to allow these damaged goods to get out of jail the first time?  ...the second time?  Does it truly take the death of a child for our society to learn of the dangers these monsters possess and to take them off the street? </soapbox>

Face of a Child Murderer?

Is this the face of a child murderer?

God, I hope not.  Yes, that place in my heart that holds out that people are generally good wants to believe this man did not kill his own daughter and her best friend.  But police have arrested him and filed murder charges according to Fox News.

The ex-con father of a little girl who was beaten and stabbed to death with her best friend on Mother's Day is under arrest and will be charged with first-degree murder.

Jerry Hobbs, who has an extensive criminal history and was released from a Texas jail just last month, stabbed his daughter, 8-year-old Laura Hobbs, and her 9-year-old schoolmate, Krystal Tobias, repeatedly in the neck, Illinois state attorney Mike Waller said Tuesday.

Jerry Hobbs has a lengthy record and a rocky relationship with his daughter Laura's mom. 

Hobbs has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1990 in Texas, including prior arrests on assault and resisting arrest charges, according to records kept by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Records also show Hobbs had a rocky relationship with Laura's mother, Sheila Hollabaugh. Hobbs had been arrested in 2001 after arguing with her, grabbing a chainsaw and chasing other residents around the Texas trailer park where they lived, according to Wichita County Assistant District Attorney Rick Mahler. Someone eventually subdued Hobbs by hitting him in the back with a shovel, Mahler said.

Hobbs was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 10 years probation, but he failed to appear for his required meetings, so his probation was revoked in 2003 and he was imprisoned until his release on April 12, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

It distresses me that a man like this, striking the fact that he probably murdered his own daughter, could be the father of a child.  Hell, he is no father - more like a sperm donor.  Keanu Reeves' character in the film “Parenthoodâ€� says it best. 

"You need a license to drive a car, even to fish, but any asshole can be a parent."

A place in my heart wants to hold out hope that this father did not ruthlessly slay his own daughter and her best friend.  Kids should be able to play together on a warm day, having fun, no worries in the world.  The LAST thing they should worry about is their own parent wishing to inflict harm on them.  What has this world come to?

Two Little Girls Lost

Anyone who reads my blog knows how I feel about crimes against children, in particular murder.  As Beth and Jody say, why?  Beth also talks about how difficult, border-lining impossible it is to blog about such a tragedy.  I personally feel compelled to blog about these innocent lives lost.  Even though I have but a little spec on the web, I feel like I need to play my part to keep this story in the public eye as much as I can so the evil soul(s) who did this will be caught and so their story isn't buried under the Michael Jackson trial or baseball season. 

These are INNOCENT HUMAN LIVES lost at the hand of a sadistic, psychotic, evil, disgusting pig of a human being.  Did this vile creature actually rationalize making the decision to slaughter these mere babies?

ZION, Ill.  — Police on Monday said they had few leads in the murders of two northern Illinois second-graders found dead from multiple stab wounds.

The bodies of Laura Hobbs, 8, and Krystal Tobias, 9, were discovered Monday morning by an area resident on a stroll in a heavily wooded area at 6:03 a.m. CDT. The girls, who attended the same elementary school and were described as best friends, had not been heard from since going out to ride their bicycles together Sunday afternoon.

"This is a heinous crime. It was a crime not only against those kids but against all of us," Police Chief Doug Malcolm said.

Look at these beautiful, innocent faces.  These girls each had a full life ahead of them...lives filled with boys, prom, borrowing the car, marriage, children.  How could anyone, no matter how down and out, no matter how bad their day was...how could they make a conscious decision to end their lives???

The parents of one of the girls had reported her missing about 8:50 p.m. Sunday, about two hours after she was expected home, Malcolm said. The parents of the other girl called shortly afterward, and authorities with rescue dogs began searching.

Malcolm said no weapons were found and there was no evidence of sexual assault. A girl's bicycle was found nearby. He said police had not identified any suspects and that there were "no solid leads that we're focusing on."

The killings stunned this town about 45 miles north of Chicago, prompting police and school officials to escort children directly onto buses at the end of the school day. Dozens of anxious parents waited until their children emerged from the front doors of the school, then put their arms around their kids or clutched their hands as they walked to their cars.

Fifteen-year-old Albert Tobias said he didn't know why someone would want to attack his sister. "But I would like to know what happened," he said in a brief telephone interview.

Constance Collins, superintendent of the Zion Elementary School District 6, said the girls were in the same second-grade class at Beulah Park Elementary School.

"They were best friends," said Laura Unrein, who lives near the park. "When one left, the other left. They were always together."

They are still together - in Heaven.  And they feel no more fear or pain.  I pray for the families and the friends of Laura and Krystal - I hope they find the strength to make it through this tragic and heart-wrenching time.  I also pray that they find the evil, sadistic, vile, disgusting pigs that did this to Laura and Krystal.  I want them to be found, tried, convicted and fried.  In one quick and evil moment, they decided to take the lives of these innocent girls and they do not deserve to breathe another breath of life themselves.

Cold-Footed / Cold Hearted Bride

Fox News reports that missing bride Jennifer Wilbanks was never abducted and merely got "cold feet" - hopping on a bus and ending up in Albuquerque, NM.  It was apparent she knew everyone thought she had been abducted, as she even told her husband-to-be (or former husband-to-be, perhaps?) that her abductors let her go and didn't know where she was (authorities traced her collect call to a pay phone in Albuquerque).

Fox News calls it cold feet - I call it irresponsible.  In this day, when so many women and children are truly being abducted and killed, this is playing with fire.  Tax payer money and fear are heavy costs paid for a fleeing bride's "cold feet." I hope there will be consequences for her actions. 

UPDATE:  On MSNBC yesterday, they interviewed one of the police officers regarding the case, and when asked if any charges will be filed against her, he said there would not be.  False reporting, here....false reporting here...lots of money spent with 100 officers out looking for her.  I'm not surprised, though.

NAMBLA & the ACLU - A Match Made in Hell

NAMBLA states that they are on an important, historic mission.  They state that their mission is simple - abolition of age-of-consent laws that classify sex with children as rape. NAMBLA is the North American Man/Boy Love Association. 

Charles Jaynes, 25, reportedly viewed the group's web site shortly before the killing of Jeffrey Curley, a 10 year old boy, slain in 1997.  Jaynes also had in his possession some of NAMBLA's publications. Also convicted in the killing was 24-year-old Salvatore Sicari.  Sicari, convicted of first-degree murder, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.  Jaynes' second-degree murder and kidnapping convictions enable him to seek parole within the next 20 years.  Was this a case of misunderstanding?  Does this fit with NAMBLA’s philosophy of man/boy love that is non-violent?  Hardly.  Prosecutors said Jaynes and Sicari were sexually obsessed with the boy, lured him from his Cambridge neighborhood with the promise of a new bike, and then smothered him with a gasoline-soaked rag when he resisted their sexual advances. They then stuffed him into a concrete-filled container and dumped it into a Maine river. Non-violent?  No.  Loving?  No.

The ACLU is a supporter of NAMBLA, representing the organization in the civil case related to the aforementioned murder.  The ACLU is representing NAMBLA PRO BONO.  Their official position:  “In representing NAMBLA, the ACLU does not advocate sexual relationships between adults and children. What we do advocate is robust freedom of speech. This lawsuit strikes at the heart of freedom of speech. The defense of freedom of speech is most critical when the message is one most people find repulsive.â€�  I am repulsed.  Repulsed by the idea that my children may not be able to say “…one Nation, under Godâ€� in school some future day - thanks to the ACLU - but this disgusting, vile organization is supported due to freedom of speech?

In February 2005, the FBI arrested three NAMBLA members at Harbor Island as they waited for a boat that undercover agents told them would sail to Ensenada for a sex retreat over Valentine’s Day with boys as young as 9.  The FBI also arrested four additional NAMBLA members in a Los Angeles marina where they also planned to set sail to the same bogus retreat.  These men are a cross-section of people you and I might interact with regularly:  a dentist, a special education teacher, a substitute teacher, a handyman, a flight attendant who is also a psychologist, a paper company employee and a personal trainer.  How horrific to know that a number of these men had daily interactions with children!  As noted in court papers, most of these men told the undercover agent they had been sexually involved with children historically, including boys they met on the Internet and others.  Looking more closely at these men, at least one of the men is a member of NAMBLA’s national leadership, a second organized their national convention in 2004 and a third has been a NAMBLA member since the 1980s.  Thank God these criminals have been discovered so no more boys are harmed.

So what of Charles Jaynes?  The Boston Herald reports that Jaynes is now battling efforts by his victim’s mother to uncover whether NAMBLA is bankrolling Jaynes’ prison canteen.  There were court affidavits from two inmates claiming Jaynes engages in sex acts in the prison without discipline, shows off his victim’s autopsy and has a fat canteen account courtesy of NAMBLA.  While one of these inmates has now recanted their story, questions are still present about what NAMBLA is doing for Jaynes while he is in prison.  I won’t link to NAMBLA’s disgusting site, but they do have a Prisoner Program for those convicted of pedophilia.  The program on their website clearly states that they do not financially support prisoners, but provides instruction on what type of information should be sent to these criminals.  Here’s what NAMBLA says about those incarcerated for, what they believe, are unfounded criminal acts:  “Incarceration is a terrible thing. For a boy-lover ground into the criminal justice system, it is an especially harrowing fate.â€�  What about the fate of that 10 year old boy whose lifeless body was stuffed into a container and tossed away into the river? 

Cross-posted at The Wide Awakes

A Difference is Being Made in Afghanistan

Sally Goodrich, a mother who lost her son in the second plane to hit the World Trade Center on the September 11 attacks, had an opportunity to see the Afghan school being built with money she raised in the U.S.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Sally Goodrich, whose son died in the Sept. 11 attacks, kept a grip on her grief as she surveyed the foundations of the Afghan school being built with money she raised in the United States.

But the 59-year-old, who lost her son in the second plane to hit the World Trade Center, has been overwhelmed more than once as she surveyed the striking landscape of mountains and plains where al-Qaida honed its plot.

"How could it possibly have come from a place of such reverence and tranquility?" she told The Associated Press in the Afghan capital this week, the thought bringing fresh tears and a determined smile.

Goodrich, a native of Bennington, Vt., and an administrator for schools in nearby North Adams, Mass., has helped raise about $180,000 for the new girl's school in Surkh Abat, about 30 miles south of Kabul, in Logar province.

On Wednesday, she visited the site in a fertile valley edged by jagged mountains. Teachers and pupils gave her jewelry and a penholder made of colored beads. Later, they sang songs of welcome.

"All I had to do was maintain my composure, which was the most I could do," Goodrich said in an interview in a government guesthouse in Kabul, wearing a black headscarf even indoors out of respect for the country's deep-rooted Islamic customs.

A childhood friend of Peter Goodrich, Sally's son, wrote to Sally and Don Goodrich about the poor state of schools where he was stationed in Afghanistan.  What started as an effort to raise money for supplies turned into a much larger mission.  Supplies were sent to another school in Logar run out of a private home, but the Goodriches and others decided that Afghan children needed more than just supplies. 

Local churches, schools and family friends helped raise the funds for the school, paying some into a memorial foundation. Some of the money also came from compensation paid to families of the victims of the 2001 attacks.

The site for the new school was identified with the help of an Afghan deputy interior minister who once worked as an assistant to David Edwards, a professor at Williams College, in Williamstown, Mass., who also is involved in the project.

Haji Malik, the 60-year-old foreman of the construction site, said the people from seven nearby villages were delighted about the new school and the generosity of the "kind foreign lady."

"I condemn what happened on Sept. 11," Malik said as about 20 men heaved chunks of stone onto the foundations and smothered them in cement. "We are all part of humanity, we are all brothers, even if we have different religions."

One laborer, Ghulam Dastagir, said his three small daughters jumped up and down for joy when they heard about the school, which will serve elementary and middle grades.

Bibi Hawa, a 10-year-old girl minding four cows nearby, said she also would like to come to the school, "but my father won't let me," suggesting conservative Muslim traditions would deprive some local children of a chance for education.

Sally Goodrich said her visit was heartwarming and that the 10 female teachers had made clear their sympathy for her loss.

"You see it in they eyes, that they understand suffering," she said.

Sally and her husband plan to return to see the first classes in the completed building, which will fall around the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. 

Truly this story transcends politics and all of the critical fingerpointing we have seen since September 11.  Girls, who just 4-5 years ago would never have had an opportunity to go to school, will be attending a brand new school built because of the generous outpouring of Americans - those who were greatly impacted by the attacks that were planned on the very soil the school's foundation now stands. 

Domestic Strangulation Gets Probation

Nebraska has a new law that went into effect in Mid-April that classifies domestic strangulation as a Class 4 Felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. 

The first conviction has made its way through the court system (emphasis mine): 

LA VISTA, Neb. -- What may be Nebraska's first felony strangulation conviction has made its way through the courts, but the victim's family isn't happy with the outcome. The new classification of domestic strangulation as a crime is punishable by up to five years in prison, but Daniel Chumley, of La Vista, got probation. The victim's family believes the system let them down, but the Sarpy County Attorney feels differently. 

Memorial weekend 2004, Tiffany Johnson's ex-boyfriend, Daniel Chumley, showed up at her apartment and strangled her with his hands.  "She was choked, basically, to unconsciousness," said Christi Adams, Johnson's mother.  Chumley ran and hid at his mother's house. He staged a four-hour standoff with police, which ended when tear gas finally forced him out.

Adams said her daughter lives in fear of Chumley. When Chumley pleaded guilty to a felony charge under Nebraska's new strangulation statute she had hoped he would be sentenced to one to three years in prison.  "So, it was quite a shock when she got a phone call on the morning of sentencing that there was a possibility this judge would give him probation," said Adams.

Chumley was not sentenced to one to three years; he received probation, even though he's in jail now for violating DUI probation.  Sarpy County District Judge William Zastera sentenced Chumley to 30 months probation. He must refrain from alcohol use and complete an inpatient treatment program. Zastera declined to comment on the case.

Chief Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Tricia Freeman, who helped draft the strangulation legislation, said without the new felony law, Chumley may have gotten off on a misdemeanor.  Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov believes the system worked.  "A felony conviction is a serious condition," said Polikov. "It's a defendant who's going to have to jump through some significant hoops. And if he doesn't, I'm sure he'll do time."

I certainly appreciate the fact that this case didn't turn out to bring with it a misdemeanor offense, but instead of writing a law to segment this type of crime out from others, I think it would have been a more valuable effort to strengthen the law to charge these types of criminals more heavily, more aligned with attempted murder, not merely assault.  I'm finding it hard to understand why strangling someone to unconsciousness wouldn't be considered attempted murder, carrying with it a much stronger penalty.  It seems to be that laws are written to err on the side of the criminal with the questionable behavior versus protecting the victim.  This man should be serving time in a facility, not on probation.

They Don't Deserve Another Chance

There has been a lot in the news recently regarding registered sex offenders who had been in prison for their crimes and were sent back into society.  Their next crime was taking the lives of innocent children.  Most recently, we have all heard of the Jessica Lundsford case.  Over at Parrot Check, Craig posted about this tragedy, and the horrific news that Jessica had been buried alive.

Yes folks, she was bound, wrapped up in plastic trashbags, and then buried. I can not stomach the horror that this beautiful little girl must have gone through. I can only imagine the fear, the pain. I can imagine the feeling of being unable to breathe. The gasping struggle for air. And then imagine it happening to Jessica. I feel a fury only a parent can feel. If it were my child that was tortured and murdered, the person or persons responsible had better watch their backs for the rest of their lives lest they meet a fate less than pleasant.

It is a known fact that sexual predators are rarely, if ever, "rehabilitated."  Why do we let these monsters back on the street?  In an article on Fox News:

Criminologists say it’s all too frequent that the perpetrator is a pathological sexual predator, as in the case of Jessica’s alleged killer in Florida, John Evander Couey, and Roger Paul Bentley, who Iowa police say murdered Jetseta.

“It happens all the time,� said Louis B. Schlesinger, a forensic psychologist specializing in criminal behavior and sex crimes at John J. College of Criminal Justice in New York. “The dangerous ones have a high recidivism rate.�

According to data from the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, there are 381,967 entries for sex offenders in the NCIC Sex Offender Registration File — though not all states require sex offenders to be registered in the same way and some offenders are entered into the database for more than one state.

There have been multiple cases by which these sex offenders don't end up registering when they move, and a significant number of these criminals end up moving in right next to schools.  The laws vary by state, the burden to register is largely left up to the offender (are the nuts running the asylum here?!?!?!?) and there are multiple loopholes these freaks find.  In many states, a police department can't even act.  If they discover that a sex offender has moved too close to a school, AKA violating the terms of their release, they can only be told to move - no arrest!  So in effect, the very laws that were supposedly designed to keep our children safe are, in fact, doing the exact opposite - "cocooning" the criminal!  More on the Fox News article:

The Jessica Lunsford case so outraged her Florida community that a state representative, Charles Dean, said he’s introducing a bill called the "Jessica Lunsford Act" that would, among other things, require convicted sex offenders to wear electronic tracking devices.

“It’s a matter of us doing the job right. We need to find the loopholes, find the cracks,� Dean told FOX News.

As I stated previously, these criminals should not be given another chance and turned lose in society:

The reason many convicted sex offenders go out and molest more children, say sociologists and criminologists, is similar to why alcoholics continue to drink.

“Their sexual preference is for children. They have a compulsion to molest children,� said Keith F. Durkin, a criminologist at Ohio Northern University and an expert in the study of pedophilia. “Many, if not all, will molest children until the day they die. They’re dangerous and they’re going to reoffend.�

But there aren’t accurate numbers about the rate of recidivism among child molesters, since many of their repeat offenses go unreported.

Not only are they almost certain to continue sexually abusing children, but some eventually kill their young victims — more often than not for the purpose of keeping them quiet.

“Usually it’s to cover up the crime so the victim won’t say who he is,� Schlesinger said.

Which is more than likely what happened to Jessica Lunsford.  The thing that gets me, though, is the court's unwillingness to LISTEN TO THE CRIMINAL and act appropriately (emphasis below is mine): 

But a number of sex offenders do know they can’t be trusted around kids. Couey reportedly was so aware of his problem that he’d pleaded for help in the past, saying he was a danger to children because he couldn’t stop himself from sexually abusing them. That compulsion is what makes it next to impossible to “cure� chronic child molesters.

“They’re basically untreatable,� Schlesinger said. “They’re predatory, compulsive, repetitive offenders. These are very dangerous people, aroused by children. That’s part of their sexuality. It’s very, very difficult to change that.�

In spite of that reality, many still are only serving fractions of their sentences — which often are light to begin with.

“The bottom line is that almost all these offenders will get out because they don’t have any laws barring them fro m getting out,� Schlesinger said. “They’re allowed back in the community because the court system is following the law.�

If someone had listened to Couey, and taken action, this little girl would still be alive.  Wouldn't you think that common sense should prevail in these cases?

I cannot even begin to understand the grieving Jessica's family has had to endure, and certainly can't even fathom the horror this innocent girl faced when buried alive.  But I am a Mom.  And I know what I would do to any son-of-a-bitch who comes anywhere near *MY* children.  As my good friend Raven said: "FURY wouldn’t be the word I would use to describe how I would feel."  It goes way beyond that.

10 Years Ago: The Oklahoma City Bombing

Ten years ago, on the morning of April 19, 2005, Timothy McVeigh parked a rented Ryder truck with explosives in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and, at 9:02am, a massive explosion occurred which sheared the entire north side of the building, killing 168 people. The site now houses a memorial to those who lost their lives due to this senseless tragedy. 

The numbers truly speak for themselves:

168 people killed

19 children killed

1 rescuer killed

850 people injured

85 rescuers suffer minor injuries

30 children orphaned

219 children lost at least one parent

462 people left homeless

7000 people left without a workplace

12,384 participated in rescue, recovery and support

387,000 estimated number of people in OKC who knew someone killed or injured in the bombing (roughly a third of the population)

190,000 estimated number of people attending funerals for bombing victims (19% of the population of OKC)

Over 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed

More than 1000 people survived

Source:  Governor Frank Keating's office, 1995

Hopefully those whose lives were altered forever have been able to heal some over the last 10 years.  It is evident, when you look around the Internet, there are still many supposed "Americans" who empathize with the likes of Timothy McVeigh and blast the very ideals this country was founded upon.  May what we learned this tragic day keep us on an ever-ready watch for this kind of hatred and may we stop it before the hatred turns into another bloodbath.

Don't Just Stun that Criminal, Mr. Policeman, SHOOT HIM, it's SAFER!

So I'm listening to the morning radio show as I'm getting ready for work this morning, and they were talking about a meeting taking place in Omaha tonight regarding the police's use of taser guns and an open discussion regarding safety concerns.  My first thoughts were "um, okay..." and then it suddenly made sense.  The radio guys stated that Nebraska's ACLU president Tim Butz (no, really, that's his name!!!) would be there to present the ACLU's concerns about whether tasers were safe to use in police interactions.  Of course, the Nebraska ACLU hid behind their Momma's skirt and touted the event as "A Powerful Conversation:  Community Forum in Omaha on Police Use of Tasers."  How politically correct.

Apparently police department taser use is somewhat of a hot topic here in Nebraska.  KHAS-TV out of Hastings, NE reported just yesterday on the subject.

I do think there's a bit of confusion on what the police think about the use of tasers, at least in this article.  Here's paragraph one:

Tasers are the topic of conversation across the nation. More police departments use them and said they are saving lives, but many people say they are lethal.Taser technology is shocking the nation.Touted as one of the safest non-lethal use of force options, police say they are saving lives.

However, toward the end of the article, the author writes:

One reason gun shops like Old Market Firearms do not stock them. Even some police departments are not convinced they are safe.

The Hastings Police chief shares that they have seen a significant decrease in the numbers of injuries to police officers caused by subjects who were combative or resistant.  During training, Hastings police officers are encouraged to take a hit so they understand how the taser works and what a person will feel when hit by the taser's 50,000 volts. 

Grand Island's taser trainer Sergeant Steve Rathman said most officers opt to experience it.

"If they know what it feels like when they are exposed to it, I feel they are less likely to use it haphazardly," said Rathman.

There have been no deaths linked to tasers in Nebraska. 

"They are designed to save lives and prevent injury, and that is what they are doing," said Chief Thoren.

In 2004 the Hastings Police Department has used the taser 50 times, but no one has required medical attention.The Grand Island police said they have used the taser more than 20 times.

It is apparent, however, that there is some national knee-jerking going on (courtesy of the ACLU, perhaps?).  Last week, a man died in California, prompting the police department to suspend the use of tasers. 

The ACLU in Nebraska states that they are receiving complaints about the tool.  Hmmmmm....I wonder if these complaints come right after the "subject" posts bail?

Here's where the ACLU's uncovers their agenda (not surprising):

It is incapacitating for 5 seconds, but other than the possible slight redness and itch there is no further injury. Yet the A.C.L.U. in Nebraska questions the safety.

"We have received complaints from several places across the state about the inappropriate use of tasers," said Nebraska A.C.L.U. Executive Director Tim Butz.

Under fire is when police are calling on the tool.

"Police departments that have tasers are allowing their use at a low level of involvement," said Butz.

Police are trained that the use of a taser is at the level of chemical mace - just below striking a subject. 

"These things are potentially lethal," Butz said.

The ACLU said they will continue to gather information supporting their concerns and may present their concerns to the legislature next year.

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but if the use of tasers in law enforcement lowers the incident rate of police injury and allows a policeman to gain control over a combative "subject" I'm all for it.  For safety's sake, would Mr. BUTZ rather have the police officer use their gun?   

You can read the entire article here.

National Library Week

The week of April 10-16 is National Library Week.  Back in late February, I posted a story about our Omaha Public Libraries on Eric's website and their decision to allow any child, of any age, to check out movies without parental knowledge, even if they are rated "R."  Here's the article:

Want your 7-year old to watch R-rated movies? Come to Omaha!

I live in a Red state, but appear to live in a Blue City...sometimes.  On February 20, 2005, the Omaha World Herald printed an article outlining a new policy the Omaha Public Libraries initiated allowing all children to check out any movie they wish, unless the parent placed a "block" on their card.  This is a departure from the original policy of only allowing those children 8th grade and younger to check out material marked "juvenile."  The Library Board made this decision, stating that it is "up to the parents" to decide what their children can or cannot watch. 

Fast forward to the Omaha World Herald on 2/26/05...."Library to Revisit Policy on Kids, R-rated Films." 

Here's what the Library Director, Rivkah Sass, had to say: 

"Sass expressed concerns Friday about putting too many restrictions in place, particularly on the basis of a private movie rating system."

So, in other words, even though every other venue offering R-rated movies restricts viewing or checking out of said movies for those under the age of 17, the library feels like it is above that because the rating system for movies is private?  I thought the library was a place that kids were supposed to go to in order to explore and learn, not a place where they are exposed to violence, bloodshed, profanity and nudity.  What this comes down to is a misuse of funds and laziness.  The library system is looking for ways to cut costs and what better way than to put children into harm's way and blame it on parent's inability to monitor their children 24/7.

Interestingly enough, the reason they are "revisiting" this policy (not reverting to the old policy, mind you) is due to the public outcry regarding their decision.  My hope is that the heat is turned up enough that they are required to return to the original policy of restricting checkout.

One thing I will say about the Omaha Public Library - they have not yet bowed to the American Library Association's recommendation to pull Internet filtering programs off of juvenile computers within libraries.  Here's an excerpt from the ALA's statement on filtering:

"The use in libraries of software filters to block constitutionally protected speech is inconsistent with the United States Constitution and federal law and may lead to legal exposure for the library and its governing authorities. The American Library Association affirms that the use of filtering software by libraries to block access to constitutionally protected speech violates the Library Bill of Rights."

Here's the policy in the Omaha Public Library.  In a nutshell, it states that computers in the areas designated for minors would have filtering on them, in order to reduce the amount of exposure juveniles would have to content that they should not see (they are clear that it wouldn't eliminate the material entirely, which anyone using filters understands), but greatly reduces the risk of juveniles seeing pornographic material.  In light of their position on audio-visual, I wonder how long it will be before the library board in Omaha decides that they should conform to this recommendation?  They are allowing full access for children to any audio-visual materials, even if it is inappropriate, why not porn on the Internet?

It will be interesting for parents here in Omaha to follow this story.  One thing still troubles me, however.  If the Omaha Public Libraries revert to their original policy of restricting access to audio-visual materials for those 8th grade and younger, it still allows a 9th or 10th grader to check out material a parent may want to view prior to their child checking it out.  I think I have the best solution of all - no library card in our household.  I'll buy off of Amazon.com before I subject my children to the lax, non-family focused values of the Omaha Public Library.

As it has been awhile, I wanted to provide an update on the actions of the Omaha Public Libraries.

I Can't Help But Believe PETA is Involved....

The London Telegraph reports that a woman is breastfeeding two endangered tiger cubs.

A Burmese woman has been breastfeeding two Bengal tiger cubs, according to the London Telegraph.

Hla Htay, 40, a mother of three apparently began feeding the cubs at a zoo in Rangoon after they were removed from their “aggressive mother,� the Telegraph reported.

The mother tiger apparently killed a third cub from her litter.

Here's the part that made me sick...

"I felt sorry for them so I decided to feed them before their teeth grow," she told the privately-owned English-language paper Myanmar Times, the Telegraph reported.

Before their teeth grow.  Hmmm....I wonder how she will be alerted to their teeth growing?  [insert loud piercing scream here]

The Bengal tiger is listed as endangered on the World Conservation Union's red list, with the global population estimated at fewer than 2,500, according to the paper, which reported that a tenth of them live in Burma.

The tigers are apparently threatened by poachers who kill them for medicines and trophies.

...and this message brought to you by PETA.  Save the tigers and don't forget to have your pets spayed or neutered.

Jane Fonda Says North Vietnam Visit Was Betrayal

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that this has GOT to be an April Fool's Day prank.  Then I realized that Hanoi Jane just wants to sell her book (her memoirs come out next week).

My eBay Auctions

Hi everyone,My eBay auctionshusband's auctions, and his website, for more information on Terri Schiavo.

While I normally don't do much past recipes and White Trash Wednesday on Rachael Ray Redux, I feel very strongly in the ongoing causes for Terri Schiavo, and wanted to do something to contribute to the donations being collected to save her life. Here is the link to my auctions:

The proceeds (minus shipping, insurance and fees) that I get from the auctions that I sell from Sunday's listings will benefit Terri's cause.

Please also see my