Briefs

GREENFIELD, Calif. – From the Associated Press: Police have arrested a Greenfield man for allegedly arranging to sell his 14-year-old daughter into marriage in exchange for $16,000, 100 cases of beer and several cases of meat.

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.

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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.

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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.