As some who have commented already have alluded to, placing the nearly 1 in 5 Americans who ostensibly still support the neo-cons and their agenda in the same camp as those who would support the search, arrest and subsequent trial of "witches" is not an altogether distant stretch. Although you are most certainly invoking a level of satire into your suggestion, the tragic mistakes of late-fifteenth century Salem, Mass. are not far removed from the mindsets of hundreds of thousands of twenty-first century Americans (many of whom, sadly, are surely wholly unaware of the existence of the Salem Witch Trials). If something akin to a series of "witch trials" happened today in, say, Easley, South Carolina, or Starkville, Mississippi, or anywhere else in America's bible-belt, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see many media outlets giving the event "serious" coverage while right-wing radio sings a chorus of support for the "extermination" of those who would be a threat to all of their fellow "God-fearing" Americans.
About Dick Cheney
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
The ramblings and musings of a declared non-compos-mentis shacked up in a Soviet-style apartment block off the shore of Lake Michigan. Dreams really do come true!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Briefs

Police said they only learned of the deal after the 36-year-old man went to them to get his daughter back because payment wasn't made as promised. The man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of human trafficking.
Officers also arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of statutory rape. Investigators believe the girl went willingly with the man, but she's under California's legal age of consent and can't legally marry.
Police say arranged marriages involving underage girls have become a problem in this small Central Coast farming community.
As a father, there have admittedly been occasions when I would rather have had 100 cases of beer in my presence than my daughter (and some steaks to go along with the beer, are you kidding me?), but when I ponder selling her off, it usually involves convents or the like. Selling her off to someone who's primary goal is to plow her seems like kind of a dick thing to do...even with the steaks in the deal. -ed.
MUNCIE, Ind. – Also from the AP: A 26-year-old man and his father were arrested by an off-duty Muncie police officer after the man cut in line at a Wal-Mart store. A police report said Edward R. Pluhar Jr., of Frankfort, cut to the front of the line at the Wal-Mart service desk Sunday. What he didn't know was that Officer Chris Kirby was waiting in the line.
Kirby said Pluhar refused when asked to wait his turn. Pluhar's father, 61-year-old Edward R. Pluhar Sr., then asked Kirby if he wanted to step outside. That's when Kirby told the men he was a police officer.
Kirby followed the men into the parking lot where they scuffled. Other officers arrived and arrested both Kirbys.
They were released after posting bond. The Associated Press left a message at a listing for Pluhar in Frankfort seeking comment.
I lived in Muncie for 3 years. This story describes the ambiance of the city quite well. -ed.
ABOMEY, Benin - From Reuters: Voodoo priests in Benin offered sacrifices and prayers to gods and ancestors on Saturday to seek an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to other wars in Africa and elsewhere in the world.
The small West African state sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria is the home of the ancient Voodoo religion, which was later carried by slaves to the Americas where it survives in different forms in countries like Brazil, Haiti and Cuba.
Addressing devotees at Abomey, 145 km (90 miles) north of Cotonou, voodoo high priest Dah Aligbonon referred to the conflict in Gaza during ceremonies to celebrate Benin's national voodoo day, a festival which draws hundreds of foreign visitors.
After sacrificing a cock, spilling its blood on the ground in honour of deities and ancestors, the high priest invoked their aid to end conflict in Gaza, in Somalia, in Democratic Republic of Congo and "everywhere where peace is under threat."
Well, what the heck. When decades of international diplomacy and negotiations don't work, why not try sacrificing a cock? What have you got to lose, right? Plus you get to fry ol' Foghorn up and put him away with a few cold brews after the sacrifice. It's really a win-win. -ed.

Monday, January 12, 2009
Teaching "Physical Education"
For decades, male teachers have had to take great cautions to protect themselves against false claims of inappropriate behavior toward the female students lest their names become plastered all over the local (and depending on the circumstances, state or national) media. Those teachers who actually did involve themselves in inappropriate activity were faced with public humiliation, loss of their careers, and even jail time. Most were sentenced to time in state prison.
Prior to "the age of the scandal" which began around the time of Watergate in 1974, an offending teacher was more likely quietly let go and perhaps moved to another town to live his life, perhaps legitimately, perhaps not. The school wasn't interested in the negative publicity, the offending teacher wasn't interested in becoming the subject of a lot of "talk" or a stain on his career, so everyone involved (excepting the victim) would oftentimes just sort of make it all "go away".
But these were the male teachers. What of the female teachers?
In 1986, when I was a sophomore in high-school, a fellow male student began having a sexual affair with a young female teacher. In fact, we were both in her class together during the time of the transgressions. Rumors started to circulate, starting in the football locker room as I recall, that the aforementioned student and teacher were "involved". The rumors then started to become whispers around the entire school - that So-and-so was sleeping with Miss So-and-so.
Then, finally, the day came when Miss So-and-so wasn't in class and was substituted with an older male teacher who introduced himself as our "substitute for the remainder of the semester". When asked what happened to Miss So-and-so, the substitute claimed not to know why she was no longer teaching at the school, only that he was asked to take over her classes immediately.
The offending student was conspicuously absent as well...for a few days anyway...until he returned looking slightly less animated than before and unwilling to talk about any of the events that had transpired. An energetic and animated kid, he returned after all that quiet and to himself.
And that was it. Teacher: gone. Student: tight-lipped.
That was then.
Today the stories of female teachers sleeping with male, and sometimes female, students hit the news cycle hard and fast. People eat up the stories about pretty young English or science or math teachers seducing 13, 14, 15 year old boys and all the crazy things that they "allegedly" do with them.
This week's story involves one Christine A. McCallum, an English teacher, of Rockland, Mass., who seduced a 13-year old boy and, according to the boy, had sex with him at least 300 times over the course of 18 months. Police have found evidence to prosecute McCallum, 29, for at least seven of these acts of congress of which they can produce proof of their having sex together. In Massachusetts, the charge against her is statutory rape, which under Massachusetts state law (M.G.L. c.265, sec. 13B - Indecent assault and battery on child under fourteen) states that:
In other words, Mrs. McCallum isn't going to be quietly let go and told to find a job outside of the field of education. Things have changed for teachers, male or female, who have sex with their students.
Regardless, these stories are commonplace in the news today. Although the vast majority of teachers, male and female, are 100% legitimate in their code of ethics, those who aren't are being prosecuted at an alarming rate. The cause of this, I believe, is the internet. Text messages, e-mails, IMs - all are being used to prosecute offending teachers, whereas before these methods of communication were possible, only letters and recorded conversations could be used as evidence against an offender.
Here in Michigan, teacher Kristen Patrick (neé Margrif) was prosecuted for having sex with a 16-year old boy dozens of times. Although the age of consent in Michigan is 16, it becomes 18 if the older party is in a position of authority. Patrick was sentenced to three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct which were reduced to three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a misdemeanor, when she remained out of trouble for a year.
Elizabeth Marie Miklosovic, now 40, of South Haven, Mich. is serving 6-25 years in prison for "marrying" a 15-year old female student (who insisted that the relationship was consensual) in a pagan ceremony at a state park in Van Buren County.
A simple Google search will net hundreds of stories like these. There are dozens of web sites dedicated to following the cases of teacher-pedophiles.
Perhaps Miss Miklosovic should have consulted with Kristen Patrick and waited until the girl turned 16. Or the rest of us who suggest 18 to be a better age to start sexing people up. One year in age made the difference between probation and a long stay in prison. Three years difference would have resulted in a legal, although ethically questionable (due to the age difference), relationship between an 18-year old woman and a 40-year old woman.

The Robert Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth.
Michigan's maximum security women's prison.
After being sentenced in 2005, Elizabeth Miklosovic will be eligible for parole on October 7, 2010. Kristen Patrick is on probation in Tuscola County, Michigan. Christine McCallum faces up to life in prison if convicted. All will remain on their state's sex offender registry for life.
My, how things have changed over the years.
Prior to "the age of the scandal" which began around the time of Watergate in 1974, an offending teacher was more likely quietly let go and perhaps moved to another town to live his life, perhaps legitimately, perhaps not. The school wasn't interested in the negative publicity, the offending teacher wasn't interested in becoming the subject of a lot of "talk" or a stain on his career, so everyone involved (excepting the victim) would oftentimes just sort of make it all "go away".
But these were the male teachers. What of the female teachers?

Then, finally, the day came when Miss So-and-so wasn't in class and was substituted with an older male teacher who introduced himself as our "substitute for the remainder of the semester". When asked what happened to Miss So-and-so, the substitute claimed not to know why she was no longer teaching at the school, only that he was asked to take over her classes immediately.
The offending student was conspicuously absent as well...for a few days anyway...until he returned looking slightly less animated than before and unwilling to talk about any of the events that had transpired. An energetic and animated kid, he returned after all that quiet and to himself.
And that was it. Teacher: gone. Student: tight-lipped.
That was then.
Today the stories of female teachers sleeping with male, and sometimes female, students hit the news cycle hard and fast. People eat up the stories about pretty young English or science or math teachers seducing 13, 14, 15 year old boys and all the crazy things that they "allegedly" do with them.

Whoever commits an indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of fourteen shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years, or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years; and whoever commits a second or subsequent such offense shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or any term of years; provided, however, that a prosecution commenced under the provisions of this section shall not be placed on file or continued without a finding.
No person serving a sentence for a second or subsequent such offense shall be eligible for furlough, temporary release, or education, training or employment programs established outside a correctional facility until such person shall have served two-thirds of such minimum sentence or if such person has two or more sentences to be served otherwise than concurrently, two-thirds of the aggregate of the minimum terms of such several sentences.
In other words, Mrs. McCallum isn't going to be quietly let go and told to find a job outside of the field of education. Things have changed for teachers, male or female, who have sex with their students.
Regardless, these stories are commonplace in the news today. Although the vast majority of teachers, male and female, are 100% legitimate in their code of ethics, those who aren't are being prosecuted at an alarming rate. The cause of this, I believe, is the internet. Text messages, e-mails, IMs - all are being used to prosecute offending teachers, whereas before these methods of communication were possible, only letters and recorded conversations could be used as evidence against an offender.

Elizabeth Marie Miklosovic, now 40, of South Haven, Mich. is serving 6-25 years in prison for "marrying" a 15-year old female student (who insisted that the relationship was consensual) in a pagan ceremony at a state park in Van Buren County.
A simple Google search will net hundreds of stories like these. There are dozens of web sites dedicated to following the cases of teacher-pedophiles.
Perhaps Miss Miklosovic should have consulted with Kristen Patrick and waited until the girl turned 16. Or the rest of us who suggest 18 to be a better age to start sexing people up. One year in age made the difference between probation and a long stay in prison. Three years difference would have resulted in a legal, although ethically questionable (due to the age difference), relationship between an 18-year old woman and a 40-year old woman.

The Robert Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth.
Michigan's maximum security women's prison.
After being sentenced in 2005, Elizabeth Miklosovic will be eligible for parole on October 7, 2010. Kristen Patrick is on probation in Tuscola County, Michigan. Christine McCallum faces up to life in prison if convicted. All will remain on their state's sex offender registry for life.
My, how things have changed over the years.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Briefs

Washington, D.C. - Obama transition team officials confirmed Friday that "First Granny" Marian Robinson, the president-elect's mother-in-law, will be moving into the White House along with Mr. Obama, his wife Michelle and their two children, at least temporarily, to help smooth the family's transition from Chicago to Washington. Ms. Robinson was a regular fixture on the campaign trail helping to care for the children while Mr. and Mrs. Obama weathered the rigors of a nearly two-year campaign for president.
In a press conference an hour later, the transition team announced that President-Elect Obama will be moving the Oval Office to Honolulu, at least temporarily, while his mother-in-law helps smooth the family's transition from Chicago to Washington.
HOUSTON, Tex. – From the Associated Press: A Texas death row inmate with a history of mental problems pulled out his only good eye and told authorities he ate it.
Andre Thomas, 25, was arrested for the fatal stabbings of his estranged wife, their young son and her 13-month-old daughter in March 2004. Their hearts also had been ripped out. He was convicted and condemned for the infant's death.

While in the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Thomas plucked out his right eye before his trial later in 2004. A judge subsequently ruled he was competent to stand trial.
A death-row officer at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice found Thomas in his cell with blood on his face and took him to the infirmary.
"Thomas said he pulled out his eye and subsequently ingested it," agency spokesman Jason Clark said Friday.
Thomas was treated at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler after the Dec. 9 incident. Then he was transferred and remains at the Jester Unit, a prison psychiatric facility near Richmond southwest of Houston.
"He will finally be able to receive the mental health care that we had wanted and begged for from day 1," Bobbie Peterson-Cate, Thomas' trial attorney, told the Sherman Herald Democrat. "He is insane and mentally ill. It is exactly the same reason he pulled out the last one."
At his trial, defense lawyers also argued he suffered from alcohol and drug abuse.
Thomas does not have an execution date.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in October upheld his conviction and death sentence for the death of 13-month-old Leyha Marie Hughes. Also killed March 27, 2004, were his wife, Laura Christine Boren, 20, and their son, 4-year-old Andre Lee.
Thomas, from Texoma, walked into the Sherman Police Department and told a dispatcher he had just murdered the three and had stabbed himself in the chest.
Thomas told police how he put his victims' hearts in his pocket and left their apartment, took them home, put them in a plastic bag and threw them in the trash.
Court documents described the three victims as having "large, gaping wounds to their chests."
I got nothing to follow that with. Nothing.
Motherfucker rips out his own kids' hearts and eats his own eyeballs.
Whaddaya follow that with?

Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Presidents Meet for Lunch

Presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton
and Jimmy Carter (not pictured) meet with President-Elect
Barack Obama for an historic meeting of all living U.S.
Presidents in the Oval Office on January 7, 2009. (Photo: AP)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Let The Games Begin
You know what I truly love about the left?
We don't agree on much of anything.
Sure, we all pretty much agree that the war in Iraq was a crappy idea and that black, brown, red, yellow, gay, straight, fuzzy, transgender, little, fat, homeless, naked, Canadian, and people wearing turbines in airports should, more or less, have the same rights as every other group you can think of.

We definitely prefer our protesters naked and, under certain
circumstances, in a cage.
We agree that Bush is bad, Clinton was good and Obama is better. Beyond that, however, now that we've got our guy headed for the White House it's hard to get a group of lefties to agree on much of anything.
During the last eight years, we could go to any given right wing blog, newspaper or News Channel and watch the righties agree on just about anything that got thrown at them. Iraq? Kill 'em all! The Patriot Act? Hell, if you ain't doing nothin' wrong then you got nothin' to worry about. Illegal wiretaps? See "The Patriot Act". Harriet Myers? If she's good enough for Dubya, she's good enough for America.
And so on.
All us blue boys and girls got together to boost Barack over the top on November 4th, but after that, and a brief honeymoon period, it was time to get to work microanalyzing the decisions and the press-releases and calling out the O-Man if he's not doing right by us.
Rick Warren? Our people could go through half a dozen appletinis debating whether or not that guy's a racist pig or just some guy that made a mistake. Same goes for the proposed national service program, Israel/Hamas policy, Venezuela, Rahm Emanuel, Hillary (sweet Lord, NO ONE can agree on Hillary), Harry Reid, Tara Reid, and whether or not Michael Moore is a genius or just another crazy left-wing fat man.

Tara Reid has nothing to do with this essay.
Why is this so great?
Because when Blago fucks up, we don't all rally around him just cuz he's blue. Because Sanjay Gupta doesn't get a free pass from the left, he's gonna get debated and discussed and people are gonna learn about him and decide whether or not having him as the next C. Everett Koop is a good thing. Because, in all seriousness, we all know that debate is what this nation was founded on, and that blindly following the leader gets us right here...

...thousands of times over.
And that's a high price to pay for blind faith.

We don't agree on much of anything.
Sure, we all pretty much agree that the war in Iraq was a crappy idea and that black, brown, red, yellow, gay, straight, fuzzy, transgender, little, fat, homeless, naked, Canadian, and people wearing turbines in airports should, more or less, have the same rights as every other group you can think of.

We definitely prefer our protesters naked and, under certain
circumstances, in a cage.
We agree that Bush is bad, Clinton was good and Obama is better. Beyond that, however, now that we've got our guy headed for the White House it's hard to get a group of lefties to agree on much of anything.
During the last eight years, we could go to any given right wing blog, newspaper or News Channel and watch the righties agree on just about anything that got thrown at them. Iraq? Kill 'em all! The Patriot Act? Hell, if you ain't doing nothin' wrong then you got nothin' to worry about. Illegal wiretaps? See "The Patriot Act". Harriet Myers? If she's good enough for Dubya, she's good enough for America.
And so on.
All us blue boys and girls got together to boost Barack over the top on November 4th, but after that, and a brief honeymoon period, it was time to get to work microanalyzing the decisions and the press-releases and calling out the O-Man if he's not doing right by us.
Rick Warren? Our people could go through half a dozen appletinis debating whether or not that guy's a racist pig or just some guy that made a mistake. Same goes for the proposed national service program, Israel/Hamas policy, Venezuela, Rahm Emanuel, Hillary (sweet Lord, NO ONE can agree on Hillary), Harry Reid, Tara Reid, and whether or not Michael Moore is a genius or just another crazy left-wing fat man.

Tara Reid has nothing to do with this essay.
Why is this so great?
Because when Blago fucks up, we don't all rally around him just cuz he's blue. Because Sanjay Gupta doesn't get a free pass from the left, he's gonna get debated and discussed and people are gonna learn about him and decide whether or not having him as the next C. Everett Koop is a good thing. Because, in all seriousness, we all know that debate is what this nation was founded on, and that blindly following the leader gets us right here...

...thousands of times over.
And that's a high price to pay for blind faith.

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