It’s out – both dead and wounded. Being updated periodically. Below the fold: a trapped student’s IMs with her mom Also: According to the Chicago Trib, Cho Seung-Hui died with the words "Ismail Ax" on the inside of one of his arms in red ink. Nobody knows the significance, but this may provide a clue. (Thanks, Google). Update: Ismailax.com just … Read More
The Root Cause Of The Virginia Tech Massacre
The gunman, student Cho Seung-hui, was a "loner". Could have predicted that. He was also a resident alien, originally from South Korea. How long before wingnuts on the right use this for an anti-immigration anti-Muslim ("keep them ferners out") platform? "THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG" UPDATE: The prize goes to radio talk show host and wingnut Debbie Schlussel, who was pushing … Read More
Professor, A Holocaust Survivor, Sacrifices His Life For His Students
One of the many stories you’ll be hearing in the next few days: Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, threw himself in front of the shooter when the man attempted to enter his classroom. The Israeli mechanics and engineering lecturer was shot to death, "but all the students lived – because of him," Virginia Tech student Asael Arad – also an Israeli … Read More
…And Five In Iraq, Too
Bloody, bloody Monday. EVENING UPDATE: Okay. Who’s to blame for what happened today at V Tech? Should we blame video games? A lack of guns? Not enough Jesus? Folks, the dead bodies are still warm. Let’s not exploit this for our own agendae. And by the way — the correct answer to "Who’s to blame"? The shooter. (But the lack … Read More
Crazy Diaper-Wearing Cross-Country-Driving Kidnap-Planning Astronaut Woman Also A Little Kinky, Too
USA Today: Explicit photos of bound women were among the evidence that police recovered when they arrested ex-astronaut Lisa Nowak after she allegedly attacked a romantic rival at an airport in Orlando. "Fifteen of them were depictions of a woman in various states of dress and undress," the police reports said, according to Florida Today. "Most of the images depicted … Read More
First They Told Me About Contaminated Wheat Gluten In Wet Dog Food…
….and I said nothing. Then they told me about contaminated wheat gluten in cat food, and I said nothing. Then they told me about contaminated wheat gluten in dry dog biscuits, and I said nothing. Then they told me about contaminated wheat gluten maybe even being in human food, but then I read wikipedia and decided I’m okay, since it … Read More
Major Environmental Victory in Supreme Court
It was close, 5-4, but the Supreme Court handed down its opinion on the controversial EPA case. The case was relatively simple: does the Clean Air Act give the EPA the authority to regulate greenshouse gases? The EPA (under Bush) said "no". States sued, saying to the EPA, "Hey. Do your job." The EPA said, "It ain’t our job". BACKGROUND … Read More
Thanks For Nothing, TJ Maxx
It’s hard to sort the techno-economic gobbledygook, but the bottom line is this: If you used your credit card at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, changes are pretty good that hackers have your credit/debit card number: At least 45.7 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen by hackers who accessed the computer systems at the TJX Cos. [parent company of … Read More
It’s Not A Scandal Unless There’s A ‘Monica’ Involved
And now we have one. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales’s senior counselor, Monica Goodling, yesterday refused to testify in the Senate about her involvement in the firings of eight U.S. attorneys, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The letter sent by Monica’s attorneys explains the reasons why. But here’s the thing: none of the reasons pertain to self-incrimination. You … Read More
Important DC Circuit Second Amendment Ruling
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Grammatically, it’s an awkward sentence, and much has been made of the "well-regulated militia" phrase. Basically that controvery boils down to this: Does the presence … Read More
FBI Violated Patriot Act
But for a scandal-ridden administration and a scandal-weary public, the exclusive report by ABC news would probably be considered a "bombshell". Sadly, it’s probably just going to be thrown on the pile as yet another abuse of laws and the Constitution by the Bush Administration — a cabal who never feels beholden to follow the law and Constitution in the … Read More
NH Parental Notification Law On Verge Of Being Repealed
It was a law that made nation-wide news last year: a law in New Hampshire required underage girls to get parental consent prior to receiving an abortion, even when the life and health of the underage mother was at risk. The law was challenged as unconstitutional, and it made its way all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. … Read More
Diaper-Wearing Cross-Country-Driving Alleged Kidnap-Planning Astronaut Relieved Of NASA Duties
But you expected that, right?
The Alabama Sex Toy Case
Well, the Eleventh Circuit has ruled (for the fourth and probably last time) and the statute has been upheld: it is now illegal to sell sex toys in Alabama. (Guns, however? No problem). All tittering aside, the legal issues in this case were complex. In the end, however, I think the Eleventh Circuit got it wrong. Let me explain. In … Read More
Harold And Maude
Well, not quite. At least Harold in the movie was of legal age: An 84-year-old woman who confessed to having sex with an 11-year-old boy in her foster care reached a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted sex abuse, officials said.