Check out this over at SondraK’s. But before you do, hug your child and be sure to polish your gun. You may feel that you need it after you read it.

I’m sitting here, reflecting on the fact that I was actually born 38 years ago today. It was such a different world then, compared to today. I know my Dad wasn’t here in the states when I was born (he was stationed in Thailand). I know that Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. I know Lyndon Johnson was president. But what else?

~North Korea seizes US Navy Ship Pueblo, holding 83 on board as spies (the same year they launched the Tet Offensive).

~Senator Robert F. Kennedy is killed in Los Angeles.

~Median Household Income was $7743 (current dollars)

~Cost of a first class stamp was $.05, but increased to $.06 early in 1968.

~Green Bay won the Superbowl!!

~The motion picture rating system debuts with G, PG, R and X.

~2001: A Space Odyessy was released.

~Aminocentesis is developed.

~It was a leap year!

~Color TV is available in Canada for the first time!

~Soap Opera One Life to Live debuts.

~NASA launches Apollo 7.

~Cost of a new home: $26,660

~Cost of a gallon of gas: $.34

~Cost of a dozen eggs: $.53

~Cost of a gallon of milk: $1.07

~The Dow Jones high point was 985.

And these “famous” people were born in 1968:

~Cuba Gooding, Jr.
~Mary Lou Retton
~Lisa Marie Presley
~Ashley Judd
~Debra Messing
~Rachael Ray
~Will Smith
~Hugh Jackman
~Owen Wilson

Um….yeah.

FERNDALE, Mich. — A Detroit man with a history of smashing store windows to grab female mannequins has been accused of indulging his fetish again.

Ronald A. Dotson, 39, was arrested and jailed Oct. 9 after breaking a window at a cleaning-supply company to get at a mannequin in a black and white French maid’s uniform, police said.

A judge Thursday ordered him to undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether he is competent to stand trial on charges of attempted breaking and entering.

The poor guy couldn’t get rehabilitated in prison. Apparently they didn’t have a Mannequin’s Annonymous support group in the clink. He was out of prison less than a week and was at it again, even after he said he’d buy a mannequin so he could resist the urge to go steal them. Apparently, he likes that thrill of the chase, living on the wild side to find that “special” fiberglass dream come true.

His erotic pursuit of mannequins over the past 13 years has led to at least six convictions for breaking and entering and a stint in prison, police said.

I can’t help but wonder what a conversation with his parole officer might look like:

Mannequin Lover: But I couldn’t help it, Bob.

Bob Paroleguy: Manny, you gotta stop stealing mannequins. They are made of fiberglass. They can’t talk, they are cold…kinda like my ex-wife, but without the nagging…hmmmm….maybe you are onto something here?

Mannequin Lover: They are strong, silent types, Bob. I can get them to do what I want. They wear anything I want them to wear and they don’t tell me I drink too much. They are there when I need them. They LISTEN to me.

Bob Paroleguy: So tell me again, about this last one with the French Maid clothes….

Eh…the guy’s a freak. But at least his “victims” are fiberglass.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - A 100-year-old woman who quietly amassed a vast fortune before her death last year left $35.6 million to local diabetes and cancer research.

Eugenia Dodson donated two-thirds of the money to the University of Miami’s Diabetes Research Institute, the largest gift in its 35-year history. The rest goes to the university’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“She didn’t want any recognition in her lifetime, so she directed her lawyer to keep it confidential,” said Dr. W. Jarrard Goodwin, director of the Sylvester Center. “I told her people would be grateful. She said, ’No, I don’t want anyone to know.”’

Dodson lost part of a lung to cancer, and her two brothers died from complications to diabetes, according to Donald Kubit, co-trustee of her fund.

Dodson’s husband had held a stake in a limestone quarry, which went to her after his death in 1949. While she could have afforded a more lavish lifestyle, she instead saved money by living in a small condo and refusing in-home care until she was nearly 100, Kubit said.

“She denied herself the trappings of wealth. She was dead-set on doing good for humankind,” Kubit said. “She had a big heart.”

All I can say is wow. I could, actually, say a WHOLE lot more, but I don’t think Eugenia would have wanted that.

Omaha’s widdle biddy Ciddy Counswill seems to have gotten their feelings hurt because big, bad Tom Becka of KFAB fame did a parody on “Discover North Omaha” - a campaign designed to bring a postive focus to all that North Omaha has to offer.

Here’s the parody from Becka:

“Discover miles of mayhem.
Discover drive-bys.
Discover gang violence.
Discover North Omaha.
We’ve got a real sense of community here.
When there’s a shooting, we all stick together and don’t rat on the suspects.
I’m a police officer and north Omaha was nice enough to give me plenty of extra overtime.
Arson, abductions, assaults.
Everything that makes a community exciting.
Discover north Omaha.
After all, it’s safer than Baghdad.”

So the City Council is offended…and what do they do? Spend precious time voting on whether they should demand an apology from KFAB (the radio station Becka is employed with).

OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha’s City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to demand an apology from an Omaha radio station.

A resolution sponsored by Councilman Frank Brown says the radio station should offer a public apology and dedicate all resources necessary to repair the community damage it has inflicted.

This whole thing is flawed. The council sat there and debated on how to approach and in the end, they “filed” versus “voted” on a request to demand that the radio station apologize both on their site (which they have already done) and on the air (which they said they have already done). Folks, this is a clear cut example of why Nebraska - and Omaha - has to raise taxes at every turn of the corner. What a waste of time! Get over yourselves.

If you read the article, the point is clear. North Omaha *doesn’t* have a world class reputation because it DOES have an extremely high crime rate. Shootings, car jackings, stabbings, theft, arson - every time I look at my local news it seems to be mostly centered there. Why else would they have an ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN (complete with billboards and other means of reaching their targeted audience) that tries to focus on the positive side of North Omaha? As much as I dislike Becka, he’s a freaking radio guy for Pete’s sake! If nothing else, the council and the media are giving him higher ratings and far more attention than he would otherwise receive.

And Brown’s comment was rich - “the radio station should dedicate all resources necessary to repair the community damage it has inflicted?” Mr. Brown, North Omaha’s reputation has been “damanged” since I can remember and I’m going to be 38 on Sunday. Coming from a small town, if I come anywhere near North Omaha, instinct kicks in and I make sure all my doors are locked - I’ve done it since the first time I was in North Omaha. Small city radio guy Becka can’t do anything to harm an already harmed reputation. If you are searching for solutions, Mr. Brown, why don’t you take the money spent debating this juicy little issue in the City Council and, instead, pay to put an additional cop on the street so he or she can make a North Omaha neighborhood a little bit safer? I think that’s a far better solution than voting to “file” a demand for a radio station to apologize when it already did. Or even if they didn’t, for that matter. Get.a.clue.

I think people who beat their kids are evil. I think people who choose to spend little time with their kids for their own selfish reasons is pretty bad, too. But this couple….this vile, disgusting couple. There aren’t enough words to fully describe how awful they are.

JACKSONVILLE — The police description of the 9-year-old boy’s home sounds like a prison: he was locked in a bedroom for much of three years, did not attend school, had no friends and was watched by his father on a surveillance camera that tracked his every move.

The boy’s ordeal finally ended Wednesday when authorities arrested his father on child abuse and other charges. Officials now are trying to determine what led Randall Warren Piercy, 41, to allegedly treat his son that way and why no one stopped him.

…and why no one stopped him.

That would be the mother of this boy who saw him regularly but did NOTHING to save him…and possibly other relatives. The boy who was reportedly “home schooled” but at the age of nine couldn’t read a child’s book. A boy who was NEVER seen in the neighborhood by neighbors who had lived there 40+ years.

The Piercy home, located off a private rural road, had cameras in almost every room, with the father monitoring the boy on television and computer screens, sheriff’s Lt. Annie Smith said.

“According to our investigator, it appears that the Piercy home was a prison, and the child has never attended school, has no friends, does not receive medical attention, and may have been cut off from any human contact other than family,'’ Smith said.

Relatives shared stories such as the boy only being allowed to go to the bathroom once a day because the “dad” thought he needed to learn how to control his body. This “DAD” is being charged with aggravated child abuse, malicious punishment and unlawful caging of the boy. Of course this sick waste of a human being said he was being misjudged as he was doing this in the “best interest” of the boy. Oh, yeah. Methinks you were doing it because you are a heathen, a miscreant, and stand with one foot in the pit of hell. …and of course the “mother,” Michelle Piercy, hasn’t been charged with anything just yet. But read this and tell me she isn’t as guilty as the “Dad” is:

“We are very protective,'’ she said, adding that the cameras are so his parents can make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. She said the boy was hyperactive and was locked in his room at night to prevent him from going outside and getting hurt.

According to a police report, investigators were told Michelle Piercy allowed her husband to make all the decisions regarding the boy and that she doesn’t even know what size he wears or what television shows or games he likes. The report said her husband only let her see the boy at certain times and usually an hour a day.

Luckily an undercover investigator prompted this case to move forward. Unluckily, it’s likely there will never be enough justice served on behalf of a nine year old boy who was served a life sentence by the very people he was supposed to be able to trust.

Go check out hubby’s latest You Tube video here. He’s getting really good at these and always finds the best music to put with the video!

Disgusting:

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina said a woman confessed to killing her twin 9-month-old sons because they were crying in her bed.

Police said the mother, Lakeia White, 20, told them she went back to sleep after smothering the boys.

White was charged with homicide by child abuse. Officials said it appeared the boys were asphyxiated.

I read this story and immediately got sick to my stomach. Obviously to kill your kids is enough to get me there. But to smother them in your bed and then go back to sleep? I’m waiting for the “not guilty by reason of insanity plea” to come next since no “sane” person would ever do that.

Crazy LITTLE man….doesn’t he know the saying is “Speak SOFTLY and carry a BIG stick”???

Hi everyone!

Just quick note to let you know that I’ll be away on business tomorrow through Thursday, so it’s likely the blogging will be intermittent (um, what’s new, Merri)? Well, this time it’s intentional.

It’ll be a crazy few days, but I’ll get a chance to meet a lot of people I’ve only worked with on the phone. Also, San Jose will be in the mid-70s for temps, while dear Nebraska will experience what appears to be the first freeze of the season.

Take care, all, and I will try to pop in to say Hi - if that doesn’t happen I’ll see you on Thursday or Friday!

It’s that time again, ladies and gentlemen. With Columbus Day and Halloween already marked on your calendar, I thought I’d let you know of a few lesser-known days of celebration for October. But FIRST, be sure to celebrate October for the month that it is (National Celebrate Sun Dried Tomatoes Month, National Cookie Month and Workplace Politics Month!). Oh, and now those daily celebrations:

October 9: National Kick Butt Day (I’ll be traveling, so this may come in handy!)

October 11: National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day (awwwwwwww!)

October 12: International Moment of Frustration Scream Day (I’ll be traveling again, so I’m sure this will fit!)

October 13: International Skeptics Day (hmmm….I’m not so sure about that…)

October 15: Be Bald and Be Free Day (um….no. Ain’t going there)

October 25: Sourest Day (pucker up!)

October 26: Mule Day (also known as jackass day? hehehe)

October 27: Cranky Co-Workers Day (and just how would one “celebrate” this?)

October 30: Haunted Refrigerator Night (um…who thinks these things up anyway?)

October 31: National Knock-Knock Jokes Day (and to think Halloween kicked this one off the calendar!)

Enjoy! And just in case you need more reason to celebrate, next week is National Chestnut Week, so go wild!

Back in December, this story was in the Omaha news. In a nutshell, April Rogers killed Alex Tay, a little baby who Rogers admitted to repeatedly slamming his head to the floor while she was caring for him in her home last December. Little Alex was injured and later died. April Rogers has been found guilty of child abuse resulting in death.

Rogers had a brief trial before Judge Michael Coffey last Thursday morning. The defense did not present a case.

Rogers’ lawyer, Steve Lefler, said he was not surprised by Thursday’s verdict, and he plans to appeal based on the minimum 20-year sentence.

“They could have charged her with manslaughter, for which she would not have to go to jail for at least 20 years,” Lefler said.

Lefler said that at sentencing, he’ll talk about the stresses and pressures Rogershas was facing at the time of the death, as well as her spotless record before it.

She killed a baby by slamming his head onto the floor over and over. Because she was facing “stresses and pressures” at the time of his death. Yeah, and that’s little Alex’s fault because….? Quit with the fucking excuses already. She *should* go to jail for at least 20 years. In twenty years, little Alex would have grown into a young man but because of her, he’ll never see adulthood. Face it. There are, and should be, consequences for her actions - I don’t care if she doesn’t have a “record.” If she had put a gun to someone’s head, pulled the trigger and killed them, would you feel the same way, Mr. Lefler? Didn’t think so. As a matter of fact, what she did was far worse. At least an adult may have been able to defend themselves. She took the life of a helpless baby who relied on her to CARE FOR HIM. The fact that this woman is out on bond until sentencing dumfounds me.

Douglas County attorney Stu Dornan is pleased with the verdict and expects to pursue a strict sentence at the hearing in December.

“It was a difficult case for everybody concerned. We try to achieve justice in the best way that we can. In this case, the first step towards justice has occurred, and that is the conviction of the offender, and the first step towards accountability,” Dornan said.

Bingo. Um, isn’t that the point of a sentence….a first step toward accountability? It’s too bad that most defense attorneys don’t believe in that philosphy. Instead, they want their client to get the minimum slap on the wrist….perhaps so they can get a multiple case discount down the road?

13 years later, and I’m still pissed off.

That shitty little city in that shitty little country should have been given the Dresden treatment.

With the new African Taliban in charge, it still should get the Dresden treatment.

If I met a foreigner on the street, and he told me he’s Somalian, I’d kick him in the nuts and bust a 2X4 over his head. That’s how much this still pisses me off 13 years later. I hope they’ll spare us the agony and kill each other off.

Save us Ethiopa, you seem to be our only hope.

(more…)

Supreme Court declines case challenging classes on Islam

SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has refused to consider a lawsuit by parents objecting to a three-week class for seventh-graders on Islam.

Jonas and Tiffany Eklund say pupils at a public school in Byron, California, were given pages from the opening chapter of the Quran to read and studied Islam’s Five Pillars of Faith.

The Eklunds argued that the world history unit violated separation of church and state. Their lawyers charged that the public school “had children become Muslims for three weeks.”

School Superintendent Tom Meyer denies that the classes amount to indoctrination.

The Ninth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the Islam program activities were not overt religious exercises and therefore did not raise constitutional concerns.

Was this “assignment” followed up by the children becoming Christians for three weeks? If so, then I guess I don’t have a big problem with this class. Three weeks sounds like an awful lot of time to make the children aware and familiar with any religion. It just seems that ANY attempt to bring CHRISTIANITY into the classroom is met by liberals screaming “Separation!!!!”

Look who got lost in a parking lot North of Memorial Stadium:

Doesn’t he realize the next game is an away game? Heh!