There Goes The Neighbourhood

The men involved - life in prison.  The young males involved - prison and counselling.  The sister who sold the younger sister - prison.  No leniency.  None.  Zero. Bad bad people. Why can this happen. Police: NJ teen sold stepsister, 7, for party sex Mar 31, 2010 By BETH DeFALCO Associated Press Writer TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A 15-year-old New Jersey girl prostituted herself and her 7-year-old stepsister to have sex with as many as seven men and boys at a weekend party near their home in a crime-plagued neighborhood, police said. Trenton police Capt. Joseph Juniak said Wednesday that the older girl started by taking money to have sex with several men at the party of a high-rise apartment. The teen then gave some of the money she had collected to the younger girl to let the men start touching her, Juniak said. "It went from touching to straight out assault and rape," Juniak said. "They threatened to kill her if she screamed or told anyone." The child later put on h...

Health care law too costly, most say March 30, 2010 By Susan Page, USA TODAY Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the health care overhaul signed into law last week costs too much and expands the government's role in health care too far, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, underscoring an uphill selling job ahead for President Obama and congressional Democrats. Those surveyed are inclined to fear that the massive legislation will increase their costs and hurt the quality of health care their families receive, although they are more positive about its impact on the nation's health care system overall. Supporters "are not only going to have to focus on implementing this kind of major reform," says Robert Blendon, a professor of health policy and political analysis at Harvard. "They're going to have to spend substantial time convincing people of the concrete benefits of this legislation." The risk for them is that continued opposition will fuel calls for repeal a...

It is not enough to say this is an oddity, an anomaly ... for it is not.  Laws have taken the place of common sense.  In a country that allows sex between 16 year olds or between 30 year olds and 16 year olds, who do they think they are finding offense selling fish to 14 year olds.  I am offended. Her offence was to unwittingly sell a goldfish to a 14-year-old boy taking part in a trading standards 'sting'. At most, pet shop owner Joan Higgins, 66, expected a slap on the wrist for breaking new animal welfare laws which ban the sale of pets to under-16s. Instead, the great-grandmother was taken to court, fined £1,000, placed under curfew - and ordered to wear an electronic tag for two months. The punishment is normally handed out to violent thugs and repeat offenders. The prosecution of Mrs Higgins and her son Mark is estimated to have cost taxpayers £20,000 and has left her with a criminal record. Mark, 47, was also fined and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work ...

Dying Patient Was Refused A Glass Of Water Monday March 29, 2010 Steve Davies, Sky News Online A dying patient had to ring a hospital switchboard on his mobile to ask for a glass of water, after nurses ignored his pleas. Officials from the South London NHS Trust have apologised to the family of Derek Sauter, who later died in hospital of pneumonia. The 60-year-old did not receive a "proper and professional standard of care" when he was admitted with a chest infection in June 2008. A formal investigation is being conducted into his death, after it was found his oxygen levels went unchecked for 11 hours and were 35% lower than recommended. Ruth Sauter, the patient's daughter, said she was disgusted by the treatment her father had received. She told The Daily Mail: "His condition was not life threatening, and nurses had specific instructions to keep close tabs on him. "'But their appalling lack of care, and cruel behaviour killed my father...It's so much ...

He made a very good speech and presentation to the troops - telling the truth, whether he belives it or not: Associated Press, March 28, 2010 "If this region slides backwards," Obama told the troops, "if the Taliban retakes this country, al-Qaida can operate with impunity, then more American lives will be at stake, the Afghan people will lose their opportunity for progress and prosperity and the world will be significantly less secure. As long as I'm your commander in chief, I'm not going to let that happen." Afghanistan

This is the first time in more than 35 years that Israel needs to worry about the US. 28 March 2010 15:56 UK BBC US 'may not veto UN resolution on Jerusalem' Israel considers areas within the Jerusalem municipality as its territory The US is considering abstaining from a possible UN Security Council resolution against Israeli settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, the BBC has learned. The possibility surfaced at talks in Paris last week between a senior US official and Qatar's foreign minister. The official said the US would "seriously consider abstaining" if the issue of Israeli settlements was put to the vote, a diplomat told the BBC. The US usually blocks Security Council resolutions criticising Israel. But relations between the allies have been severely strained by the announcement of plans to build 1,600 homes in an East Jerusalem settlement during a recent visit to Israel by US Vice-President Joe Biden. The move prompted the Palestinians to pull out of the...

U.S. lobbies a hurdle in Mexico drug war: Calderon March 28, 2010 Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Powerful groups in the United States appear to be blocking efforts to stem the flow of assault weapons fueling Mexico's drug war, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said in an interview broadcast on Sunday. Calderon, who has deployed tens of thousands of soldiers and police to fight drug cartels, told Fareed Zakaria's "GPS" program on CNN that there was resistance in Washington to Mexico's demands that sales of such weapons be stopped. "They (U.S. officials) say that they are facing strong opposition and there is powerful lobbies in the Congress in order to change that situation," Calderon said in a pre-taped interview in Mexico City. [...]       Interesting.  All those lobbyists still in DC.  We need to do a good cleansing.  The fact any American Congressman or White House does not step in to salvage the relationship between the US and Mexico and instead allo...

For more than sixty years we have had a rather unique and special relationship with the United Kingdom.  That time has passed.  For more than sixty years we have had a special relationship with Israel - that time has passed.  For much longer than sixty years we have had a very close relationship with Canada - that time has passed.  Building relationhsips or destroying decades of friendship.  And his supporters dare criticize Bush and his handling of the world community.  You have no right, no right to speak, no right to even open you mouth - not when Obama is busy destroying relationships. No 'special relationship' between Britain and US: MPs Mar 27, 2010 08:03 PM US/Eastern Agence France Presse   [...]   President Barack Obama's administration was taking a "more pragmatic tone" towards Britain than had been the case for some previous US administrations. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said in response to the report: "It doesn't really matter whether...

The Times March 26, 2010 Binyamin Netanyahu humiliated after Barack Obama 'dumped him for dinner'     Giles Whittell, Washington, and James Hider, Jerusalem For a head of government to visit the White House and not pose for photographers is rare. For a key ally to be left to his own devices while the President withdraws to have dinner in private was, until this week, unheard of. Yet that is how Binyamin Netanyahu was treated by President Obama on Tuesday night, according to Israeli reports on a trip viewed in Jerusalem as a humiliation. After failing to extract a written promise of concessions on settlements, Mr Obama walked out of his meeting with Mr Netanyahu but invited him to stay at the White House, consult with advisers and “let me know if there is anything new”, a US congressman, who spoke to the Prime Minister, said. “It was awful,” the congressman said. One Israeli newspaper called the meeting “a hazing in stages”, poisoned by such mistrust that the Israeli delegatio...

Having insurance 'going to be like Christmas' March 22, 2010 wral.com Durham, N.C. — Uninsured Triangle residents said Monday that they eagerly await the overhaul of the nation's health care system. "It's just going to be like Christmas," said DeCarlo Flythe, who lost health coverage for his family when he was laid off almost three years ago. "It's going to be great. You know, no worries (about) the bills. We are going to go ahead and pay our co-pay and be alright."                           great

Chavez is cutting power to businesses that have failed to reduce power usage. Reuters, March 21, 2010 "Indeed, I would love to have the powers I'm accused of by the opposition to defeat this situation which not only hurts Venezuela but the whole world as a result of the destructive voracity of the capitalist system." Chavez

White House report cites gaps in climate change strategy Improved risk assessments, more scientific study and better coordination between federal and local governments are needed, the report says. March 15, 2010 By Jim Tankersley Los Angeles Times Reporting from Washington — The federal government has "significant gaps" in its strategy to cope with the increasing effects of climate change on the country, according to a White House report scheduled to be released Tuesday. The report will call for better risk assessments, more thorough scientific research and improved coordination of federal and local governments in order to handle the effects of warming temperatures, according to a draft of the report. Adapting to warming temperatures, the report concludes, "will require a set of thoughtful, preventative actions, measures and investments to reduce the vulnerability of our natural and human systems to climate change impacts." The report urges federal agencies to funda...

Russian 'Day of Anger' rallies tests Putin's rule Alissa de Carbonnel Sat Mar 20, 10:52 am ET MOSCOW (AFP) – Thousands of protesters rallied in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's government as opposition groups mobilised anger over economic woes. Riot police in Moscow massively outnumbered some 100 activists who took to the streets for an unsanctioned rally. They detained a few dozen activists and blocked the street to prevent demonstrators from marching. "Today our movement is in solidarity with the other protests in the country where they are calling for the resignation of Putin's government. His policy during the crisis is not working!" youth activist Sergei Udaltsov told reporters shortly before being arrested. Police also detained a handful of activists in the Russian cities of Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk, news agencies reported. Dubbed the "Day of Anger", the nationwide rallies are being organized b...

Idiots on Parade.  I am amazed.  Yes, Steven, it failed because the American people do not appreciate being lectured on Iraq.  Hurt Locker is not proof this is not the case.  Hurt Locker is not a run away money maker.  Few people went to see it, and quite likely, the same ones who saw it will buy it on DVD, which means still no one saw it.  The fact it won anything has nothing to do with the American people, and their interest or desire to see make believe reality, it has more to do with Hollywood make-believing anyone cares. Why 'Green Zone' failed March 15, 2010 Steven Zeitchik LA Times Blogs   It's dispiriting to sit back today and soak in just how poorly "Green Zone" performed over the weekend, earning a meager $14.3 million. Depression sets in because the Paul Greengrass movie is legitimately great, a potent thriller and action picture that entertains no matter your politics (we're not the only ones who feel this way -- the movie is the second bes...

Panamanian murderer caught in D.C., lived off federal subsidies By: Freeman Klopott Examiner Staff Writer March 18, 2010 A Panamanian murderer who escaped a prison in the Central American country has been captured in the District, where authorities say he used a fake Social Security card to obtain federally subsidized housing and cruised around town in three luxury cars. The FBI was led to 36-year-old Juan Barrera by an anonymous caller who claimed Barrera was planning to fire a rocket launcher at a Metro train, according to an affidavit recently filed in Greenbelt's federal court. The tip began an around-the-clock investigation, the affidavit said. The FBI staked out Barrera's third-floor apartment at 1405 Montana Ave., NE, for two days in late January before detaining him. Authorities said in court documents that Barrera did not own a rocket launcher and had no plans to attack Metro. Barrera was then immediately transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, spok...

In November 2000, Bush won, and Democrats refused to accept the fact. They fought it for quite a few weeks, and the bitterness remained. Yet, when the smoke cleared the day after the election and Republicans had taken control of the House by a slim majority of either 7 or 9, I cannot recall the 2 independents. In the Senate it was 50 – 50, 49-50, and 50 – 48. Regardless – very close, but Republicans still had control, and what do you think they did that day in November after winning the election and control of Congress? Slap kick the Democrats down the hallway? Nyet. Boot them out and lock the doors? Nope. They allowed them to keep control of all the committees until the 20th, which is only right, but given the election, the Republicans would have been within their right to prevent legislation that was opposed by Republicans. It was very civil – and Republicans deferred to the Democrats, went quiet, and gave them the last 70 or so days to do as they wished – and the Democrats wished a ...

Amazing - Democrats are re-writing the laws as they go along.  Amazing.  I would strongly warn against this in the most serious and significant effort, for if they do this thing, this very bad thing, it will be ruled unconstitutional, they will lose the House, they will lose the Senate, and they will lose the White House, after which they will be banished.  This is beyond simply playing games with the rules - this is intolerable and each day the American people become less tolerant.  In the end, the Congress who have supported these unconstitutional efforts will lose their jobs, and that thing they vote for will be neutered by the Courts, and the Congress. Now - is something unconstitutional simply because I say it is?  Absoluetly not, any more than if Obama wags a finger at the Justcies sitting in front of him, and lectures them on what is and is not Constitutional.   No question.  Absolute certainty. Imagine passing a bill, it is not yet the law...

The issue is not Caterpillar - the issue is industry.  As the costs increase and nearly every corporation and business in America would experience dramatic increases in their costs - the result will be? Caterpillar: Health care bill would cost it $100M Published on March 19, 2010 7:10 AM Dow Jones Newswires Caterpillar Inc. said the health-care overhaul legislation being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the company's health-care costs by more than $100 million in the first year alone. In a letter Thursday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Caterpillar urged lawmakers to vote against the plan "because of the substantial cost burdens it would place on our shareholders, employees and retirees." Caterpillar, the world's largest construction machinery manufacturer by sales, said it's particularly opposed to provisions in the bill that would expand Medicare taxes and mandate insurance ...

There are times when big things happen and we do not recognize the magnitude of the sea change. We are the tree in the forest and shifting a few trees around doesn't seem a bother least of all a sea change. Like Obama and his very real efforts to fundamentally change American society. Looked at in bits, they simply look like bits - golly gee, I just want to help everyone. It is often when we step back and consider the broader implications, or the macro, versus the micro, that we should be able to see more clearly this very real, change he wishes to impose on this country. His vision of what He believes we should believe. This sea change can occur in other places also, and be as significant in different ways as Obama is to Marxism - but very little press in the US for the extension in the term of service for the ISI chief in Pakistan. We are much too busy with health care to worry about whether some Pakistani gets to keep a job or retire. Perhaps we should care. One of the lies of t...

The first part may be strange, but the last few paragraphs make it even stranger. Computer snafu is behind at least 50 'raids' on Brooklyn couple's home BY Kate Nocera and John Lauinger DAILY NEWS WRITERS Friday, March 19th 2010, 4:00 AM Police come to Rose and Walter Martin's home on Thursday - this time to explain reason for years of faulty raids. Take our PollCity's most wanted? Embarrassed cops on Thursday cited a "computer glitch" as the reason police targeted the home of an elderly, law-abiding couple more than 50 times in futile hunts for bad guys. Apparently, the address of Walter and Rose Martin's Brooklyn home was used to test a department-wide computer system in 2002. What followed was years of cops appearing at the Martins' door looking for murderers, robbers and rapists - as often as three times a week. After the Daily News exclusively reported on the couple's plague of police raids yesterday, apologetic detectives from the NYPD...

The State of the States - Venezuela (everyone) is mocking Obama - they hated Bush. Cuba mocks Obama - they hated Bush.. Canada (govt) doesn't care much for Obama - they liked Bush. Britain - (govt) really does not much like Obama - they liked Bush. France (govt) really really do not like Obama - they liked Bush. Germany (govt) do not like Obama - they liked Bush. Ukraine (everyone) very much do not like Obama - liked Bush. Poland (everyone) really really do not like Obama - liked Bush. Israel (everyone) have grown to really not trust or like Obama - liked Bush. Syria (govt) mocks Obama - afraid of Bush. Jordan (govt) do not care about Obama - respected Bush. Egypt (govt) don't care one way or another about Obama - respected Bush. Lybia (govt) mocks Obama - respected and feared Bush Russia (govt and people) are indifferent to and disdain for Obama - respected Bush and as between Putin and Bush, friendly. Iran - mocks Obama - feared Bush Australia - disdain for Obama's arroga...

Biden mistakenly blesses Irish leader's mother (AP) – March 17, 2010 WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden asked for God's blessing for the late mother of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen during a White House celebration of St. Patrick's Day — except the elderly lady is very much alive. "God rest her soul," Biden said Wednesday night as he introduced Cowen and President Barack Obama. He quickly caught himself and noted that it's Cowen's father who is no longer living. Of the prime minister's mother, Biden said, "God bless her soul." Biden then cited the Irish proverb that "a silent mouth is sweet to hear" and yielded the podium to the president.     And once again, like Obama, who cares if he made some dumb mistake.  Then again, he is VP - what other dumb mistakes is he making that may impact us?  Yet when Bush made dumb statements, it was all about Bush.  It proved he was an idiot.  It proved he was ... Biden, quite honestly, does ...

According to the current Attorney General, Osama bin Laden has the same rights as Charles Manson. Hear him say this at this link. Mr. Holder.  There is a difference between Charles Manson and Osama bin Laden.  A vast difference and apparently these differences are lost on you. I think it would be appropriate for you to resign instead of further proving why you are a hack appointed to a job you are unqualified for. osama

Obama Says ‘Louisiana Purchase’ Will Help With the Earthquake in Hawaii Obama speaks and screws up a great deal when he doesn't have a teleprompter.  The hundredf of billions that will be saved turns out to be millions.  The jobs created, turns out to be a few ten thousand less ... he never fails to misspeak, misquote, or otherwise, misinform. Of course he isn't lying. Makes you wonder who is pulling his strings.  If no one is, God help us.  Certainly not Biden - he gets his strings pulled by someone else. *********************** Ok.  So, we all misspeak, and Obama does occasionally as well. It is not as big of a deal as some on the right make it to be.  He was nervous and misspoke.  It happens.  With Obama, unless he has a teleprompter, it is quite often, but it is not a big deal. UNLESS YOU ARE A LIBERAL and Bush is speaking.  Then EVERY bloody statement he makes is a cause in itself.  Point of every mistake, every misstated phrase, wo...

The Washington Post (2/26/10) had an article about the Hurt Locker - the headline was "Some Iraq, Afghanistan war veterans criticize movie 'Hurt Locker' as inaccurate'" were not happy or in agreement with the film. 'Some' - as in, maybe 10 or 15, what is SOME anyway? What if the headline read: Iraqi War Vets Critical of Hurt Locker. Does that headline sound / read differently than 'Some Iraqi War Vets Upset with Hurt Locker'? What if we had a headline six years ago - "A few people were protesting the Iraq War" - when the number was about 10-20,000. Versus those who supported the action, even though they opposed the fact we were laboring too long in the desert. The headlines never read 'a few' ... they were always 'Protestors' or 'Thousands Gather ...' Does it matter? Most certainly it matters - the bias cannot be mistaken, and to rearrange the boxes to suit your purposes - so you might argue that no one cares, is r...