And the shootings there are a bit of a shock.
I was there for an SCA event in the 1990s. I recall a couple of Apaches flying over while we were dressed in medieval garb, which was kind of surreal.
Category: Crimes
Two Shot at LA Synagogue Parking lot
Just heard it on the radio.
No clue as to what is going on, but it was an underground lot for the synagogue, so whoever did this wasn’t just a crime of opportunity.
Jon Stewart is a F%$#ing Genius, He Should Get a Peabody Edition
I have a call into Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye’s office regarding reports that there may be changes to Al Franken’s amendment prohibiting the writing of new contracts to contractors who use binding arbitration in discrimination cases, including, “any tort related to or arising out of sexual assault or harassment, including assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, or negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.”
While I am waiting for his office’s response, let’s have Jon Stewart put it all in perspective:
Buy Bye Bernie
Not Madoff, the other crook Bernie, Bernard Kerik.
About a month ago, the judge in charge of the Bernard Kerik case, Federal Judge Stephen Robinson, took him and his defense team to task for releasing information that was under seal.
Well, it appears that Kerik has tried other ways to leak this information out, potentially tainting a jury pool, so he revoked Kerik’s bail, sending him to jail:
Judge Stephen C. Robinson of Federal District Court in White Plains said Mr. Kerik could not be trusted to honor a consent order prohibiting him from revealing confidential information. The judge cited an email that Mr. Kerik sent to the head of his defense fund that apparently included such information.
Mr. Kerik had been allowed to remain free on $500,000 bail, which was secured by his house in New Jersey. The judge turned down a request by Mr. Kerik’s lawyers to keep him from being put behind bars for 48 hours while they prepare an appeal.
Before revoking the bail of Mr. Kerik, Judge Robinson described him as a “toxic combination of self-minded focus and arrogance, and I fear that combination leads him to believe his ends justify his means.”
It appears that Kerik, not only sent an email to the lawyer running his defense fund, Anthony Modafferi, but then tweeted to people directing them to his posts, which raises stupidity to a whole new level.
Of course, none of this has anything to do with the case at hand, which is for taking bribes from mobbed up businesses in the form of things like renovations.
It’s one of the things that Rudy Guiliani will have to deal with if he runs for office: The guy who he plucked from obscurity and made police commissioner is mobbed up, which makes him more vulnerable as a candidate, as is the fact that the more he campaigns, the less people like him.
The only way that he can win is if he runs against a complete loser like David Dinkins or David Paterson….osh#@!
New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate Convicted on Misdemeanor
He was acquitted of slashing his girl-friend’s face, not surprising, given that she was testifying on his behalf, but, “convicted of misdemeanor assault for dragging her through the lobby of his apartment building, which was caught on the building’s security cam.
It should be noted that some members of the State Senate, mostly Democrats, are calling for his ouster, while the Republicans are largely silent on this.
It’s not surprising, as Republicans would still be down by one vote 31-30 if Monserrate were to leave, and so, unlike the national Republicans, they are keeping their mouths shut, knowing that this is a lose-lose for the Democrats.
30 Pro-Rape Republican Senators
Senator Al Franken (damn, that sounds good) just passed a motion through the Senate banning federal funds to defense contractors who use mandatory arbitration to keep sexual assault victims out of court.
Good for him, and bad for the 30 Senators, all Republicans, who voted against it, Senators Alexander (R-TN), Barrasso (R-WY), Bond (R-MO), Brownback (R-KS), Bunning (R-KY), Burr (R-NC), Chambliss (R-GA), Coburn (R-OK), Cochran (R-MS), Corker (R-TN), Cornyn (R-TX), Crapo (R-ID), DeMint (R-SC), Ensign (R-NV), Enzi (R-WY), Graham (R-SC), Gregg (R-NH), Inhofe (R-OK), Isakson (R-GA), Johanns (R-NE), Kyl (R-AZ), McCain (R-AZ), McConnell (R-KY), Risch (R-ID), Roberts (R-KS), Sessions (R-AL), Shelby (R-AL), Thune (R-SD), Vitter (R-LA), and Wicker (R-MS) .
His statement is below.
Franken’s Proposal To Guarantee Sexual Assault Victims Their Day In Court
By 68 – 30, Amendment Offered in Honor of former KBR employee Jamie Leigh Jones Passes the SenateWashington, D.C. [Oct 6, 2009] – Today, the amendment offered by U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) to stop funding defense contractors who deny assault victims their day in court passed the United States Senate by a vote of 68 – 30
Last Thursday, Sen. Franken introduced an amendment (S.2588) to the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Bill that would restrict funding to defense contractors who commit employees to mandatory binding arbitration in the case of sexual assault. The legislation, endorsed by 61 women’s, labor and public interest groups, was inspired by the story of Jamie Leigh Jones, who watched the vote from the Senate gallery today.
Jones was a 19-yr-old employee of defense contractor KBR (formerly a Halliburton subsidiary) stationed in Iraq who was gang raped by her co-workers and imprisoned in a shipping container when she tried to report the crime. Her father and U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tex.), worked together to secure her safe return to the United States, but once she was home, she learned a fine-print clause in her KBR contract banned her from taking her case to court, instead forcing her into an “arbitration” process that would be run by KBR itself. Just today, Halliburton filed a petition for a rehearing en banc in the 5th Circuit Court, which means that Jamie’s fight is far from over.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished today,” said Sen. Franken. “Victims of sexual assault deserve their day in court and no corporation should be able to deny them that right. Jamie’s courage in telling her story will help women all over this country and I’m honored to have been a part of that.”
“I am highly honored that Senator Franken and his wife have created this amendment to ensure that others do not have to endure the suffering that I have,” said Jones. “This amendment makes all the hard times that I have gone through, when going public with such a personal tragedy, worth every tear shed from telling and retelling my horrific experience. I know this amendment will save so many in the future.”
Specifically, Sen. Franken’s amendment:
- Does not require contractors to change or modify existing employment contracts. It only bars funds to contractors who continue to use these mandatory arbitration clauses in their employment contracts.
- Narrowly targets the most egregious violations and applies to defense contracts, many of which are administered abroad, where women are the most vulnerable and least likely to have support resources. The amendment will apply to many contractors that have already demonstrated their incompetence in efficiently carrying out defense contracts, and have further demonstrated their unwillingness and their inability to protect women from sexual assault.
- Applies to claims arising out of sexual assault, like assault & battery (including rape), intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent hiring, retention, and supervision, as well as Title VII civil rights claims, which were specifically designed to protect vulnerable groups in the workplace.
Leading Minnesota and national organizations who have endorsed Sen. Franken’s amendment include the Minnesota Women Lawyers, the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Sexual Violence Center, Minnesota NOW, Advocates for Human Rights, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the National Women’s Law Center, the National Partnership for Women and Families, the American Association of University Women, the National Council of La Raza, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the Consumer Federation of America. A full list of the 61 endorsing organizations is attached.
“Sexual violence is about a person trying to exercise power and control over another person through unwanted sexual contact and violence,” said Pam Zeller, Executive Director of the Sexual Violence Center. “In arbitration the intent is to arrive at an agreement. This agreement does not have to be equitable in order to be resolved. It is also not intended to resolve a criminal matter. Sexual harassment and sexual violence inherently have an imbalance of power. Submitting a victim of sexual harassment, or sexual assault, to a process of arbitration is a revictimization of the victim, and minimizes the seriousness of the crime of sexual assault. The proposed amendment by Senator Franken will protect victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence from being revictimized through the arbitration process.”
“This amendment reflects a critically important step in safeguarding the rights of those who have experienced discrimination in the form of sexual violence, harassment, and stalking,” said Donna Dunn, Executive Director of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. “We know that justice for victims of violence often seems elusive. It is very important that each person have the right to assess and choose the options that they believe best fit their needs. This amendment is a giant step in that direction.”
“No survivor of sexual assault should be denied the ability to seek justice,” said Terri Poore, Policy Chair of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “Asking a victim to enter into arbitration with someone who raped her or a company that wouldn’t protect her is outrageous and sends a clear message that such violence is simply not taken seriously.”
Minnesota Organizations Endorsing the Franken Amendment (SA 2588)
–snip–
###
I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumours
Pictured in Happier TimesBut I think that God’s got a sick sense of humor
And when I die I expect to find Him laughing.*
Meleanie Hain, who made headlines when she showed up to a kids soccer game with a pistol strapped to her hip, and then filed a 7 figure lawsuit against the sheriff when her carry permit was revoked, has been shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide, along with her husband.
Thankfully, the children, who were in the house, have not been physically injured.
God Bless the 2nd amendment.
*Song Blasphemous Rumors, artist, Depeche Mode.
This was no Boat Accident
Well, we have an update on the death of Bill Sparkman, the US Census worker who was found dead at a cemetery in Daniel Boone National Forest.
He was naked except for his socks, gagged, and bound hand and foot with duct tape, and had the word “Fed” written on his chest in pen, but authorities are, “Still trying to determine if Sparkman died of foul play.”
Seriously, I understand how they might not know the motive, it could be a paranoid meth lab operator, or perhaps something to Glenn Beck’s 912 whack job anti-government paranoia, but when a man is found naked except for his socks, gagged, and bound hand and foot with duct tape, it’s foul play.
This is not some friend and confidant of Jerry Fallwell being found in his closet in wearing two rubber SCUBA suits, rubber underwear, diving gloves and slippers, “numerous straps and cords” restraining him, a leather belt, and a dildo in the anus covered with a condom.
This is a man who was clearly killed by someone else. Of course it’s foul play, and given the area, there is a non-zero possibility that the drug trade, particularly meth, might have something to do with this.
The question is who did this, and why, not whether there was foul play involved.
Holy Crap, the Murders Have Begun in Kentucky
It looks like one of Glenn Beck’s or Michelle Bachmann’s butt boy fans has decided to murder a census worker:
The FBI is investigating whether anti-government sentiment led to the hanging death of a U.S. Census worker near a Kentucky cemetery. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press the word ‘fed” was scrawled on the dead man’s chest.
The body of Bill Sparkman, a 51-year-old part-time Census field worker and teacher, was found Sept. 12 in a remote patch of the Daniel Boone National Forest in rural southeast Kentucky. The Census has suspended door-to-door interviews in rural Clay County, where the body was found, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Speaking as a former “part-time Census field worker”, I think that until the perp is found, the door to door survey should be stopped now.
If you don’t like census takers, fine. No congressman for you.
If there is reduced representation of the crazy parts of the country, then the governance of the country will improve.
Abortion Wingnut Shot Dead
James Pouillon is actually one of 2 people murdered, and the motivation wasn’t political, except that the person was settling scores, and the shooter was sick and tired of his habit of carrying, “Big signs with very graphic pictures of fetuses,” and showing them to children as they entered school.
That being said, the money quote is about the other victim, Mike Fuoss:
The police said the suspect told them that he had been involved in another shooting Friday at a gravel company, Fuoss Gravel, in nearby Owosso Township. The company’s owner, Mike Fuoss, 61, was found dead in his office around 8 a.m.
Prosecutors said Mr. Fuoss was not involved in abortion protests and had no link to Mr. Pouillon. The suspect was angry at him for another reason, Ms. Edwards said.
(emphasis mine)
So this is some crazy going postal and settling scores, but in 24 hours Pouillon will be a martyr to the Christo-Fascists will use it to call for retribution.
I expect to see one shooting a week, or more, by year’s end unless Obama and Holder go full patriot act on the whole movement today.
I Guess That They Are Morally Superior
Stephen is on the left, Melina is on the RightThe former assistant dean at Pat Robertson’s Regent University, formerly CBN University, and his wife, Stephen and Melina Mcpherson, pled guilty to sexually abusing three teenage sisters at Hope Haven Children’s Home.
Court records show the McPhersons manipulated the teens into submitting to fondling, kissing and other sex acts. They cited Bible verses that they said justified the abuse and, afterward, would pray together for God’s forgiveness.
It gets better, because he has already pled guilty to forcible sodomy and object sexual penetration on two of the girls.
I guess that the members of the religious right are just better than the rest of us.
Seriously, Tartuffe looks less and less like a comedy every day.
H/t Pam’s House Blend.
You Don’t Have to be a Sick F%$# to be a Republican…..
But they do have more than their share
Case in point, a Republican legislative aide in the Pennsylvania statehouse who propositioned a teen online, he wanted to have sex while one or both of them were wearing a panda costume, and there are indications that diapers may have been involved too.
It gives an entirely new meaning to Richard M. Nixon’s “Checkers” speech.
When he talks about his wife Pat having, “Respectable Republican cloth coat,” and not a fur coat……
L’Affaire Harman and L’Affaire Pelosi
Zachary Roth at TPMMuckraker uncovered this little gem from Newsweek in 2004:
Until a few weeks ago, Patrick Murray was just another ambitious Capitol Hill staffer. As a top aide to Rep. Porter Goss, the Republican chairman of the House intelligence committee, Murray had a reputation as a sharp-tongued partisan lawyer. When Democrats on the committee asked the CIA for information, Murray would cut them off, reminding the agency that only requests backed by the Republican majority should be honored. “He was just impossible,” says one staffer who dealt with him. “He was sarcastic, snide and had this uncanny ability to push people’s buttons.” One former CIA official told NEWSWEEK that Murray leaned on him more than once to declassify information so he could use it to “embarrass the Democrats.” Murray was irritated when the agency declined. He regarded much of the CIA as a nest of obstructionist bureaucrats, time-servers who had schemed to undermine the administration’s policies–especially in Iraq.
(Emphasis mine)
It is best to remember that Bush and His Evil Minions™ had 8 years to politicize the state security apparatus, driving out all but hardcore loyalists who would use the levers of the state in pursuit of their own political, partisan, and personal gain.
They have done their level best to poison the bureaucracy.
As such it is best to wait until a report is fully vetted and final before taking it at face value.
So then, what do we make of the reports that she was briefed in 2002 on the use of torture enhanced interrogation techniques in 2002 (here and here)
NOT ON THE TABLE! NOT ON THE TABLE!
After Pelosi’s non-performance regarding even considering impeachment investigations after the Dems took Congress in 2006 (see pic), I’m not generally inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt, but in this case, with a document that Leon Panetta felt compelled to include a cover letter noting that this is very preliminary.
Additionally, as Emptywheel (link above) notes, this “report” almost instantly hit both the mainstream and wingnut press (HumanEvents dot com).
Additionally, Greg Sargent notices that while there might have been a discussion of torture techniques, it is not clear in the document as to whether the Congress critters were told that the techniques were being used.
I do rather believe that Pelosi knew what was going on, and I would guess that it is at least even money that she was specifically briefed about it being done in an ongoing manner: It would explain her recalcitrance on impeachment, because the scandal could pull her down too.
I would also note that involving members of Congress in torture in this manner, so that they would be inclined to oppose any investigation or punitive action, sounds like SOP for Bush/Cheney.
Former Bush Officials Work to Soften Ethics Report on Interrogations – washingtonpost.com
It looks like the Justice Department’s ethics report on the torture memo authors will not recommend a criminal investigation, but it will recommend disciplinary action by the local bar associations, and this has Bybee, Yoo, and Bradbury are doing the level best to use whatever connections they have to make the report milder.
I do hope that this will bet both of them disbarred, but I think that a criminal investigation is really in order, but these folks are merely the sociopaths (Yoo) and careerists (Bybee and Bradbury) who could be reliably counted on to ignore the law in drafting the memos.
We need to work this up the chain, which will doubtless expose obstruction of justice by higher-ups.
For the good of the country, Cheney and Rumsfeld need to spend the rest of their natural lives in jail, so that people inside the DC Beltway stop thinking that rules do not apply to them.
39 Years Ago
Bloody Hell!
Another senseless shooting, this one at a religious retreat in California.
What the hell is going on here?
12 Dead In Another Shooting Rampage
This one at an immigration services center in Binghamton, NY.
What the hell is going on here? There have something like a ½ dozen of these over the past month.
Yoo May Have Tenure Revoked
Basically, the question is whether the legal opinions that John Yoo supplied to Bush and His Evil Minions&trade are so outrageous as to justify the termination of his tenure at UC Berkeley law school.
I am of the opinion that Yoo actually broke the law, using the Nuremberg precedents for trying judges and lawyers.
One caveat about this article, ignore Alan Dershowitz, who has actually been a big supporter of torture, going so far as to suggest that judges should authorize it, and not an opponent of Yoo’s position as the writer states.
Former Head of AIG CDS Terrorists Hires Lawyer
It looks like US and British authorities are investigating possible criminal activity.
Here’s hoping they find some, and send him away for a very long time.
And Some Public Floggings Would Be Nice Too
Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism calls for aggressive criminal investigations, and I agree.
It’s clear that there was a lot of outright criminality, and the broken window theory of law enforcement works with white collar criminals too:
Of course, it isn’t clear whether deterrence works against white collar criminals, but the flip side is William Bratton style zero tolerance policing was successful in seemingly ungovernable New York. The theory was that allowing minor infractions, like window breaking, to go unpunished sent a very visible signal that misdeeds were tolerated. Of course, zero tolerance wasn’t the only technique used by Bratton (he also was big on flexible deployment, shifting officers to neighborhoods that suffered an increase in crime), but it is considered to be an effective policing tool. And Wall Street is so far from having any meaningful policing that it’s a joke.
It seems anything short of regulatory or legal moves that limit career options (read future earning power) is an insufficient disincentive to risky trader and investor behavior.
I would argue that the Wall Street crooks have more to lose than a corner dope dealer.
After all, if they get caught, thrown in jail, and their assets,and possibly those of their spouses and perhaps their children’s college funds, are forfeit, that’s a lot more to lose than getting 3 to 5 in a prison when you had nothing before.