Saturday, May 2, 2015


News Clips For The Day


POLICE ISSUES – FOUR ARTICLES


http://www.npr.org/2015/04/28/402735968/the-right-hire-can-help-police-departments-build-community-trust?sc=tw

Effective Hiring Can Help Police Departments Build Community Trust
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST
APRIL 28, 2015

Baltimore is the latest city confronted with the question of how to build trust between a community and police. Renee Montagne talks to Maria Haberfeld of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
Baltimore is the latest city confronted with the key question of how to build trust between a community and its police. And that trust begins with how cities and towns recruit and train their officers. Dr. Maki Haberfeld has written critically of how police are prepared for duty in many parts of the country. She's chair of the department of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. She says the typical recruit is young - 20 or 21 - with a high school education and, in many police departments, can have a record of misdemeanors. Much of that aimed at having more police, but she says...

MAKI HABERFELD: It's not how many police officers we have; it's what kind of police officers we have. Police officers are always outnumbered by the population they police. So it's not about, you know - we know that we need 1,000 police officers. There's no empirical research that shows a clear correlation between the number of police officers and the tasks that they have to complete. But there is enough research already that shows that police officers who are more mature, who are better educated perform in a better way, have less complaints from the citizens, have less complaints internally within the organization.

MONTAGNE: Well, let's talk for a moment about training. What would be the average amount of weeks or months that is put into training a new police officer?

HABERFELD: In the United States today, somewhere between 15 to 16 weeks. That's an equivalent of a semester in college. So you can understand what tiny amount of knowledge an individual receives in one semester in college.

MONTAGNE: And what about the content of the training?
HABERFELD: Well, they learn use of force. They learn various local, state, federal laws. They have a couple of hours on various social sciences. But what they do not learn is emotional intelligence, social intelligence. And this to me, are skills that are completely essential and completely ignored during the basic academy training.

MONTAGNE: And how much difference does it make if the police force is diverse? We've heard so much about white police officers killing unarmed black men. On the other hand, there's Baltimore, which has got a police chief who's black, a mayor who's black, and then the same thing happens - a young, unarmed black man died in police custody. So what does diversity do? Or is it really something else that's going on here between police and the public?

HABERFELD: In my mind - and I've been saying it for years now - it's absolutely something else. The only thing that diversity does is it gives the impression that the community is represented on the police force. But at the end of the day, when there is an encounter between a member of the community and a police officer, the race of the police officer is only highlighted when it differs from the race of the person that he or she used the force against.

MONTAGNE: Is there, for you, a model police force anywhere here in the U.S.?

HABERFELD: There are quite a few forces that are doing the right thing. I observed the Department of Public Safety in Texas. They do not accept people with criminal records. They have very interesting in-service training. So, yes, there are police forces around the country that could be looked upon and learned from. But unfortunately, the recruitment age does not exist. NYPD comes as close as one could be because they require 60 credits, which is an associate degree. So at minimum, a police officer is the age of 22 before they start the academy.

MONTAGNE: Do they pay better then? And are there better benefits?

HABERFELD: They don't pay better, but there are more candidates because it is considered to be a prestigious appointment.

MONTAGNE: So are you saying that in other places becoming a police officer is not a prestigious career?

HABERFELD: Not necessarily, but again, depends on the type of police force. One thing that's important I think to understand is that out of 18,000 different police forces that we have in United States, 97 percent of these forces are very small - 50 officers or below. So you can imagine a force of 25, 30, 40 police officers policing a small jurisdiction. You know, the resources are simply not there. And it's harder to recruit to the smaller police departments.

MONTAGNE: Maki Haberfeld is chair of the department of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Thank you very much.

HABERFELD: Thank you.




“Well, they learn use of force. They learn various local, state, federal laws. They have a couple of hours on various social sciences. But what they do not learn is emotional intelligence, social intelligence. And this to me, are skills that are completely essential and completely ignored during the basic academy training. …. They do not accept people with criminal records. They have very interesting in-service training. So, yes, there are police forces around the country that could be looked upon and learned from. But unfortunately, the recruitment age does not exist. NYPD comes as close as one could be because they require 60 credits, which is an associate degree. So at minimum, a police officer is the age of 22 before they start the academy. …. So are you saying that in other places becoming a police officer is not a prestigious career? HABERFELD: Not necessarily, but again, depends on the type of police force. One thing that's important I think to understand is that out of 18,000 different police forces that we have in United States, 97 percent of these forces are very small - 50 officers or below.”

“... who are more mature, who are better educated perform in a better way, have less complaints …. But what they do not learn is emotional intelligence, social intelligence. And this to me, are skills that are completely essential and completely ignored during the basic academy training. …. out of 18,000 different police forces that we have in United States, 97 percent of these forces are very small - 50 officers or below.” So, NYPD seems to have better qualifications and training than many. Yet, their officers are repeatedly involved in abuse complaints. I agree with everything Haberfield said, but she didn't mention daily supervision and discipline, racial bias, theories of policing, extra rights and privileges accorded police officers. About racial bias, one article since Ferguson quoted a black citizen who said that even black people are more afraid of blacks than of whites, so just having black and Hispanic officers on the force may not be enough to prevent bias in policing. All in all, however, a police officer who has at least a 2 year college degree, is at least 22 years old, and has no criminal record of any kind would be a better candidate to respect all kinds of minorities, use peaceful means whenever possible and follow police procedures. Leaving “drop gun” by the body or planting other evidence is never legal. About “extra rights and privileges,” and drop guns, see the following articles.


http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=29874

Drop guns

Comment: This is not exactly a new rumor, but one that I heard many years ago which
has recently begun to recirculate among acquaintences of mine. It involves
police misconduct.

According to this rumor, in addition to the standard issue firearm, police
officers also carry a second, unregistered firearm hidden on their person
at all times. They carry this gun as a means of protecting themselves from
prosecution in the event that they are accused of using unnecessary force:
should a policeman shoot and kill an unarmed suspect, all he has to do is
take out the unregistered gun, throw it down on the ground next to the
body, and then claim that the dead suspect had pulled the gun on him. This
justifies the use of deadly force and prevents the officer from being
prosecuted on those grounds.

Do you know if there's any truth to this rumor?

DrRocket:

This assumes that the officer never got his prints on the gun, that the person shot DID get some prints on the gun, and that no one sees the officer put on gloves, get the gun out of its hiding spot, and put it on the ground, all this after a noisy shooting that's bound to draw attention, and that there's gunpowder residue on the hand of the person shot, and that it's on the right hand if the person was right handed................

All of this is pretty unlikely. Sounds more like a direct-to-DVD "B" movie to me.

Alchemy:

Carrying and using plant guns has been documented in several corrupt police departments, most notably a number of officers in the LAPD Rampart division. IIRC the shooting of Javier Ovando was the only time they got caught, but an officer testified to dozens of similar instances of Rampart officers murdering suspects and planting guns on the bodies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communi...treet_Hoodlums
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Ovando

Ali Infree:

Besides nefarious use of guns or knives to make the use of force by a cop a "good" shooting, some police departments do require their officers to carry a sidearm at all times. 

I think this practice has gone out of fashion since I recall a number of incidents where an off-duty police person shows up at a crime scene only to be shot when they appear with gun in hand.

It doesn't take a genuis to realize that someone in plain-clothes popping up with a gun and not identifying themselves might be a problem in situations like that.

Ali "surrender, Dorothy!" Infree

Dark Blue:

Throw down guns are what I've heard them called and I don'tdoubt that they have been used in some places. However there are also a large number of officers that carry a second gun as a backup gun. One to be used in case your gun becomes disabled or you loose it during a fight. My department has the make model and serial number of my back up weapon on file and I have to qualify with it on a regular basis so it would not be much use as a throw down gun.



LEGALLY, WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD SHOOT?

http://nationalparalegal.edu/public_documents/courseware_asp_files/criminalLaw/defenses/UseofForce.asp

Use of Force to Effectuate Arrest and to Prevent Crime
Terms:

Arrest:
To seize and hold under the authority of the law.

Breach of the Peace:
The creating of a public disturbance through illegal or disorderly actions.

Both private citizens and police officers have a right to use force in attempting to arrest a suspect. Thus, if a private citizen or police officer is charged with a criminal assault or battery he may defend himself by arguing that the use of force was for the purpose of arresting a suspect. However, the scope and the availability of this defense depends on whether or not the arresting party was, in fact, a police officer or a private citizen.

According to the traditional rule, a police officer was allowed to use any non-deadly force that reasonably appeared to be necessary to make an arrest for any crime. However, deadly force was only allowed in situations where the officer reasonably believed that the suspect had committed a felony. See Stinnett v. Virginia, 55 F.2d 644 (4th Cir. 1932). Thus, if a police officer was trying to arrest someone for committing a misdemeanor and the only way he could bring about the arrest was through the use of deadly force, by law, the police officer had to let the suspect escape. The more modern views are even more stringent as to when deadly force is allowed. According to the more modern views, deadly force can only be used if the police officer has reason to believe that the suspect had committed a dangerous felony. If the police officer had reason to believe that the suspect committed a felony involving the risk of physical harm or death to others such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, rape or burglary, he could use deadly force to effectuate an arrest. However, if the police officer was trying to apprehend a suspect who he reasonably believed had committed a victimless felony or a felony that involved no risk of physical harm to others, deadly force cannot be used.

It is important to remember that a police officer is allowed to use force based on reasonable belief. Therefore, if a police officer reasonably believes that a suspect whom he is trying to arrest has committed a rape, the police officer may use deadly force, and that deadly force will be considered justified even if it turns out that the officer’s reasonable belief was wrong. See Bursack v. Davis, 225 N.W. 738 (Wis. 1929).

The Model Penal Code follows the more modern view and allows the use of deadly force only in situations where the crime that the suspect is arrested for involved the use or threatened use of deadly force or if there is a substantial risk that the suspect would seriously harm or kill someone else if the arrest were delayed.

Private citizens who are trying to make arrests are also allowed to use force, but their right to use force is much more limited than the right to use force available to police officers. A private citizen is only allowed to use deadly force when trying to make an arrest if the suspect, in fact, committed a felony. Unlike police officers, who can act upon a reasonable belief and whose actions based on a reasonable belief will be vindicated even if those beliefs turn out to be wrong, a private citizen must actually be right about the suspect he is trying to arrest. If a private citizen uses deadly force on a suspect and it turns out that the suspect did not commit a felony, the private citizen’s actions will not be justified no matter how reasonable his belief might have been that the suspect actually did commit a felony.

In situations where a private person uses non-deadly force to arrest a suspect, the use of non-deadly force is justified if: 1) a felony was in fact committed, 2) the defendant reasonably believed that the person he was arresting committed it and, 3) the defendant used no more force than reasonably appeared necessary to bring about the arrest.

Please note that where a private person is deputized by a police officer in order to assist the police officer in making an arrest, the private person has the same privilege to use force as does the police officer. See Commonwealth v. Fields, 183 A. 78 (Pa. 1936).

Once a suspect has been arrested, force may be used to prevent his escape so long as the force could have been used to bring about the arrest in the first place. In other words, if deadly force could have been used to arrest the suspect, then deadly force can be used to prevent him from escaping. If, however, only non-deadly force would have been allowed in arresting the suspect, then only non-deadly force can be used in preventing his escape.

A defendant charged with criminal assault or battery can defend himself by saying that the force he used was intended to prevent the commission of a crime. At common law, a person was allowed to use reasonable non-deadly force to prevent any crime that amounted to a "breach of the peace," if he reasonably believed that the crime was about to be committed in his presence or was being committed in his presence. However, deadly force was only allowed to prevent the perpetration of a felony. Modern rules have maintained the same standards for the use of non-deadly force. However, modern laws hold that the right to use deadly force is limited to preventing felonies that create a substantial risk of death or bodily harm to others. See Storey v. State, 71 Ala. 329 (1882).

©2003 - 2015 National Paralegal College / National Juris University







http://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-did-gofundme-drop-account-supporting-baltimore-cops/

Why did GoFundMe drop account supporting Baltimore cops?
CBS NEWS
May 1, 2015

Photograph – Police line up shortly after the deadline for a city-wide curfew at North Ave and Pennsylvania Ave in Baltimore, Maryland April 30, 2015.  © ERIC THAYER / REUTERS

GoFundMe.com said it has taken down the fundraising campaign for the Baltimore police officers charged with the death of Freddie Gray because it violates the website's policy.

The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police created the page on Friday in hopes of creating a defense fund for their members involved in the case, but it was quickly taken down because according to the company, funds cannot be used for people accused of serious crimes.

"The campaign clearly stated that the money raised would be used to assist the officers with their legal fees, which is a direct violation of GoFundMe's terms," said GoFundMe.com spokesperson Kelsea Little.

Apparently our GoFundMe account has been suspended with no explanation. We are working to find a new site for donations. Thank you!
— Baltimore City FOP (@FOP3) May 1, 2015

Michael Davey, a lawyer for the police union, called the charges an "egregious rush to judgment" and said Gray's death did "not occur as a result of any action or inaction" of the officers.

The fundraising page was quickly filled up with negative posts about the officers …

One remarked, "this is the same site that let the Darren Wilson fundraiser rock. Keep that in mind." And another quipped, "they haven't been fired. Their union will provide them with any legal representation. They make $60-70k a year, they don't need my $."




“GoFundMe.com said it has taken down the fundraising campaign for the Baltimore police officers charged with the death of Freddie Gray because it violates the website's policy. The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police created the page on Friday in hopes of creating a defense fund for their members involved in the case, but it was quickly taken down because according to the company, funds cannot be used for people accused of serious crimes. …. The fundraising page was quickly filled up with negative posts about the officers …. One remarked, "this is the same site that let the Darren Wilson fundraiser rock. Keep that in mind." And another quipped, "they haven't been fired. Their union will provide them with any legal representation. They make $60-70k a year, they don't need my $."

I don't know how conservatives feel about this issue, but to progressives and most moderates, corrupt and overly violent cops are a danger to everyone, and a “black eye” on the community. I think most Americans want police officers to be very good citizens. We all understand that sometimes a shooting is necessary, but when they are like the event in South Carolina recently when the officer didn't try to run after the man and instead pumped half a dozen bullets into his back, it' not acceptable. It's dirty pool – considered the mark of a coward in the old western movies.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/policing-expert-freddie-gray-death-a-spectacular-institutional-failure/

Policing expert: Freddie Gray death a "spectacular institutional failure"
By JULIA DAHL CBS NEWS
May 1, 2015

Photograph – A still image taken from a cell phone video shows officers carrying Freddie Gray, center, to a police van on April 12, 2015, in Baltimore.  CBS

BALTIMORE - When State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced the indictments of six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray on Friday, she said that the charges were "not an indictment of the entire police force."

But former NYPD officer and prosecutor Professor Eugene O'Donnell, who has written about police-minority relations, disagrees.

"This is a spectacular institutional failure," O'Donnell told 48 Hours' Crimesider. "The police chief should go over this. He should go today."

In her press conference Friday morning, Mosby, Maryland's attorney for Baltimore City, said the officers "illegally" arrested Gray. She said the encounter began when two officers "made eye contact with Mr. Gray," who ran, but then surrendered. On his person, officers found a knife, which Mosby said was legal.

"Lt. Rice, Officer Miller and Officer Nero failed to establish probable cause for Mr. Gray's arrest as no crime had been committed by Mr. Gray," said Mosby before a crowd.

She went on: "Mr. Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside of the Baltimore Police Department wagon." And, despite Gray's pleas for help, as well as multiple officers checking on him multiple times, Mosby said the officers chose to respond to subsequent calls instead of seeking medical aid for Gray.

"This is the kind if thing you'd see in a third world country," said O'Donnell, now a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "A guy is arrested for running, thrown in a van, driven around town, and then dies."

John DeCarlo, the former chief of police in Branford, Conn., told Crimesider that the charges didn't surprise him because "what these cops did was tantamount to torture."

That said, O'Donnell thinks Mosby may have overcharged the cops and says that the case against them is "not a slam dunk."

The police union that represents the officers issued a statement Friday saying that "each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public."




“But former NYPD officer and prosecutor Professor Eugene O'Donnell, who has written about police-minority relations, disagrees. "This is a spectacular institutional failure," O'Donnell told 48 Hours' Crimesider. "The police chief should go over this. He should go today." In her press conference Friday morning, Mosby, Maryland's attorney for Baltimore City, said the officers "illegally" arrested Gray. She said the encounter began when two officers "made eye contact with Mr. Gray," who ran, but then surrendered. On his person, officers found a knife, which Mosby said was legal. …. "This is the kind if thing you'd see in a third world country," said O'Donnell, now a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "A guy is arrested for running, thrown in a van, driven around town, and then dies." John DeCarlo, the former chief of police in Branford, Conn., told Crimesider that the charges didn't surprise him because "what these cops did was tantamount to torture." That said, O'Donnell thinks Mosby may have overcharged the cops and says that the case against them is "not a slam dunk."

As all the cases in the news since Ferguson show, the court may not convict these officers of crimes, and if they do there may be an appeal made. I simply hope that they will be convicted of some charges, even if they are reduced, because we can't continue to let these things go without punishment. Professor O'Donnell said that the state attorney may have “overcharged” them. I think we do need close attention paid to the applicable laws to see what officers are allowed to do without being punished, and the degree to which they are liable. Not providing medical care alone, and the reported “rough ride” are at the very least negligent. The family could possibly sue them for damages.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-depraved-heart-murder/

What is "depraved heart" murder?
By JULIA DAHL CBS NEWS
May 1, 2015

Photograph – Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore state's attorney, speaks during a media availability, Friday, May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.  AP/ALEX GORDON

BALTIMORE - Of all the charges filed against six Baltimore officers indicted Friday in the death of Freddie Gray, the top count is second-degree depraved heart murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

In Maryland, depraved heart murder is "the killing of another person while acting with an extreme disregard for human life."

John Jay College of Justice Professor Delores Jones-Brown, the author of "Race, Crime and Punishment," told 48 Hours' Crimesider that the charge indicates an "extreme form of recklessness."

"You so disregarded the welfare and well-being of this person that we will treat it like a murder," she explained.

Scott Patterson, the State Attorney for Talbot County, Maryland, said that depraved heart murder is often used when the defendant caused a victim's death "without showing explicit intent to kill." He used the example of someone shooting a gun at cars: "The person may not have intended to kill anyone," but his behavior exhibits "an element of viciousness or disregard for human life."

According to jury instructions for the charge, in order to convict the defendant of depraved heart murder, the State must prove not just that the defendant's actions caused the death, but that "the defendant's conduct created a very high degree of risk to the life" of the victim, and that "the defendant, conscious of such risk, acted with extreme disregard of the life-endangering consequences."

Officer Caeser R. Goodson, Jr., is charged with second degree depraved heart murder, as well as involuntary manslaughter, second degree assault, and manslaughter by vehicle. In announcing the indictments Friday, State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said that Lt. Brian Rice, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, second degree assault and false imprisonment, told Goodson to transport Gray to central booking after he had been cuffed and placed in the back of a police van on April 12.

But, according to Mosby, "despite obvious and recognized need for medical assistance, Officer Goodson in a grossly negligent manner chose to respond to [another call] with Mr. Gray still unsecured by a seat-belt in the wagon without rendering or summoning medical assistance for Mr. Gray."

Mosby said the medical examiner concluded Gray's death was a homicide believed to be the result of an injury sustained while in police custody. While cuffed in the back of the van, Gray repeated asked for medical assistance and officers repeatedly failed to render it, Mosby said.

The police union that represents the officers issued a statement Friday saying that "each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public."

Former NYPD officer and prosecutor Eugene O'Donnell told Crimesider Friday that he thought Mosby may have overcharged the officers and that the cases against them were "far from a slam dunk."




“Of all the charges filed against six Baltimore officers indicted Friday in the death of Freddie Gray, the top count is second-degree depraved heart murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. In Maryland, depraved heart murder is "the killing of another person while acting with an extreme disregard for human life." John Jay College of Justice Professor Delores Jones-Brown, the author of "Race, Crime and Punishment," told 48 Hours' Crimesider that the charge indicates an "extreme form of recklessness." …. Mosby said the medical examiner concluded Gray's death was a homicide believed to be the result of an injury sustained while in police custody. While cuffed in the back of the van, Gray repeated asked for medical assistance and officers repeatedly failed to render it, Mosby said.”

“Depraved heart" murder is a new term to me, but it is very descriptive of the turn of mind which allows for grotesque and pointless abuse to occur. The callous, ignorant, disrespectful behavior of bullies everywhere is of the same lack of conscience that is shown here. In other words, it isn't just a crime, but a very deep and dark sin. I will be looking in the news of the future for the trials of these six people. Police officers shouldn't give up their soul for peer group solidarity, which I think is what occurs in this kind of case. It's not unlike the ignorant white man just a few years back in one of the southern states who tied a black man to the back of his pickup truck and dragged him several miles. He didn't kill the man with his hands, but he was dead nonetheless.


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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-aims-to-hike-u-s-minimum-wage-to-12-dollars-an-hour/

Bill aims to hike U.S. minimum wage to $12
By KATE GIBSON MONEYWATCH
May 1, 2015

Video – Seattle boss explains $70,000 minimum wage

Nearly 38 million Americans -- or one in four workers-- would get a raise under a bill introduced this week on Capitol Hill.

The measure, co-sponsored by Representative Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, and Senator Patty Murray, D-Washington State, would gradually increase the U.S. minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for the last six years, to $12 an hour in five years and then index it to median wage growth.

"It's just unfair for people to work for 40 hours a work and still live in poverty," Scott told CBS MoneyWatch.

The proposal would raise the minimum hourly wage to $8 in 2016 and increase it by a dollar annually in subsequent years, until hitting $12 in 2020.

The proposal would also gradually phase out the tipped minimum wage, which has held at $2.13 since 1991, raising it to equal the minimum wage, followed by indexing.

Tipped workers are two times more likely to live below the federal poverty line than the general workforce, and more than 46 percent receive federal assistance, according to Democrats on the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Proponents argue that a hike in the federal minimum wage is not only long overdue but has widespread public support. A survey earlier this year found 75 percent of Americans -- including 53 percent of Republicans -- favor hiking the minimum wage to $12.50 by 2020.

That poll, released by the National Employment Law Project, also found 63 percent of Americans backing an even larger hike to $15 by 2020.

"It's extremely popular nationwide, even in states that were simultaneously electing Republicans," Scott said.

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia, along with 21 cities and counties, have minimum wages above the federal rate, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Cities including Seattle and San Francisco have raised their minimum wages to $15, and some of the nation's largest employers have raised wages "even in the absence of federal action," the institute said.

The Scott-Murray proposal would bring workers more than $100 billion in increased earnings over the next five years, bolstering Main Street and the U.S. economy. "Because low-wage workers tend to spend increased earnings locally on basic needs, this will benefit Main Street businesses that rely on consumer spending," the institute said.

If the minimum wage had kept pace with price increases since 1968, by 2014 it would have stood at $9.54 --about 32 percent higher than its actual level, according to the Economic Policy Institute, which on Thursday published a report entitled "We Can Afford a $12.00 Federal Minimum Wage in 2020."

In the Senate, 32 Democrats signed on as co-sponsors to the Scott-Murray bill, while 160 Democrats are co-sponsoring in the House. Given the lack of support from Republicans who hold majorities in both chambers, advancing the measure could be difficult, if not impossible.

"The chair of the committees will decide if and when hearings will be held. Hopefully, we'll go through the legislative process," said Scott.

Spokespeople for both Republican chairs did not offer comment. Troy Young, a spokesman for Minnesota's John Kline, chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, deferred to colleagues in Washington.

"Working families are hurting in the Obama economy, and that is why we will continue to support pro-growth policies that help create jobs and raise wages for America's workers," Brian Newell, communications director for the House Education and Workforce Committee, said in an email response when asked about the Scott-Murray proposal.

Caroline Taylor, a spokeswoman for Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, could not provide comment. However, in the past Alexander has opposed increasing the federal minimum wage.

Still, Scott remained optimistic that his Republican colleagues might be swayed by their constituents, saying the outcome "depends on the public reaction. A groundswell of support should be there."




“Nearly 38 million Americans -- or one in four workers-- would get a raise under a bill introduced this week on Capitol Hill. The measure, co-sponsored by Representative Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, and Senator Patty Murray, D-Washington State, would gradually increase the U.S. minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for the last six years, to $12 an hour in five years and then index it to median wage growth. "It's just unfair for people to work for 40 hours a work and still live in poverty," Scott told CBS MoneyWatch. …. The proposal would also gradually phase out the tipped minimum wage, which has held at $2.13 since 1991, raising it to equal the minimum wage, followed by indexing. Tipped workers are two times more likely to live below the federal poverty line than the general workforce, and more than 46 percent receive federal assistance, according to Democrats on the House Committee on Education and Workforce. …. A survey earlier this year found 75 percent of Americans -- including 53 percent of Republicans -- favor hiking the minimum wage to $12.50 by 2020. That poll, released by the National Employment Law Project, also found 63 percent of Americans backing an even larger hike to $15 by 2020. "It's extremely popular nationwide, even in states that were simultaneously electing Republicans," Scott said. …. Cities including Seattle and San Francisco have raised their minimum wages to $15, and some of the nation's largest employers have raised wages "even in the absence of federal action," the institute said. The Scott-Murray proposal would bring workers more than $100 billion in increased earnings over the next five years, bolstering Main Street and the U.S. economy. "Because low-wage workers tend to spend increased earnings locally on basic needs, this will benefit Main Street businesses that rely on consumer spending," the institute said. …. In the Senate, 32 Democrats signed on as co-sponsors to the Scott-Murray bill, while 160 Democrats are co-sponsoring in the House. Given the lack of support from Republicans who hold majorities in both chambers, advancing the measure could be difficult, if not impossible."

The tipped minimum wage has always seemed terribly unfair to me, as though their tips would make up for the $5.00 or so per hour that they are missing under that system. Even worse, I have seen two articles on ways by which managers sometimes rob their workers of their fair share, from make waitstaff “share” their tips with the restaurant, to refusing to pay overtime at the rate of time and a half. That goes along with the frequent abuses against those who join or try to introduce unions into the business. That is often grounds for dismissal.

The writer of this article is doubtful that the bill will pass both houses and be voted in, however, noting that Republicans will probably fight it rather than compromise. Whatever comes with this bill, perhaps more states and cities will join those which have already raised their minimum wages without a mandate from the federal government. There is also the encouraging growth over the last couple of years of more union organization and active strikes, particular in the fast food industry. Some of the unions rather than being linked to a specific company are tied to an industry. McDonald's and Walmart have already raised their minimums, along with several other large companies. See the following article on the economic issues surrounding an overall raise in wages. WSJ being a Republican oriented publication, it includes all the cautions that higher wages cause fewer jobs, etc. It's a very good article. http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2015/04/02/wages-qa-what-do-mcdonalds-wal-mart-and-target-pay-raises-mean-for-the-economy/, Wages Q&A: What Do McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and Target Pay Raises Mean for the Economy?, By ERIC MORATH, Apr 2, 2015





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/b-b-king-enters-home-hospice-care/

B.B. King enters home hospice care
AP May 1, 2015

Video – Obama sings the blues with B.B. King

LAS VEGAS -- Blues legend B.B. King was in hospice care Friday at his home in Las Vegas, according to a longtime business associate with legal control over his affairs.

The 89-year-old musician posted thanks on his official website for fans' well-wishes and prayers after he returned home from a brief hospitalization, said Laverne Toney, King's longtime business manager and current power-of-attorney.

"Mr. King is where he wishes to be," Toney said. "He's always told me he doesn't want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home."

An ambulance was summoned Thursday after what Las Vegas police Officer Jesse Roybal characterized as a domestic dispute over medical care. No arrests were made, and Roybal said no criminal complaint was filed.

Toney disputed reports by celebrity website TMZ citing one of King's daughters as saying she called police because she was upset about her father's condition and that he had suffered a minor heart attack. Efforts by the Associated Press to reach the daughter, Patty King, were not immediately successful.

Paramedics checked King's heart rhythm, and he was treated at the hospital for complications of high blood pressure and diabetes, Toney said. King was diagnosed with diabetes decades ago.

Roybal confirmed that police received a report on Nov. 16 claiming abuse at the house. No charges have been filed, and the police spokesman said details of the investigation were not immediately unavailable.

King's hospitalization was the second in a month. He posted a similar message to fans when he returned home April 7.

He canceled the final shows of his 2014 tour last October after falling ill in Chicago.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has released more than 50 albums and sold millions of records worldwide.

His guitar, famously named Lucille, has soared and wailed in songs ranging from "Every Day I Have the Blues" to "When Love Comes to Town" to "The Thrill is Gone."




“Blues legend B.B. King was in hospice care Friday at his home in Las Vegas, according to a longtime business associate with legal control over his affairs. The 89-year-old musician posted thanks on his official website for fans' well-wishes and prayers after he returned home from a brief hospitalization, said Laverne Toney, King's longtime business manager and current power-of-attorney. "Mr. King is where he wishes to be," Toney said. "He's always told me he doesn't want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home." …. Toney disputed reports by celebrity website TMZ citing one of King's daughters as saying she called police because she was upset about her father's condition and that he had suffered a minor heart attack. Efforts by the Associated Press to reach the daughter, Patty King, were not immediately successful. …. He canceled the final shows of his 2014 tour last October after falling ill in Chicago. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has released more than 50 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. His guitar, famously named Lucille, has soared and wailed in songs ranging from "Every Day I Have the Blues" to "When Love Comes to Town" to "The Thrill is Gone."

"The Thrill is Gone" sung by King is one of my all time favorite pieces of music. He's up there with Otis Redding singing “Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay” and “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles. Good blues is simply thrilling to me. King played himself in a wonderful little movie fantasy called “Hearts And Souls,” which I recommend to each of you to get for yourself. The lead role is played by Robert Downey, Jr. It is well written and produced, funny, heartwarming, highly imaginative and inspiring, and not once mawkish. . It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mans-wikipedia-crusade-turns-him-into-grammar-hero/

​Man's Wikipedia crusade turns him into grammar hero
By STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS
May 1, 2015

Photograph – Bryan Henderson works to change "comprised of" to "composed of" in Wikipedia entries
CBS NEWS

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Bryan Henderson's story is comprised of a single obsession: the misuse of the phrase "comprised of." As in -- an ax is comprised of a handle and a head. It's supposed to be "composed of."

"There's no such thing as comprised of," says Bryan.

When asked what difference it makes, Bryan said: "Because there are people who care a lot about language and it's like fingernails on a blackboard when somebody uses something incorrectly."

So a few years ago -- in an attempt to remove this one, particular shriek from the chalkboard of his life -- this computer engineer from San Jose, California searched for every instance of "comprised of" on Wikipedia -- the 36 million page online encyclopedia.

He found more than 16,000 references. And then, one by one, took it upon himself to edit them out.

"Four years later I had removed the last 'comprised of' from Wikipedia," said Bryan. "There aren't any left."

And you thought golf was a boring hobby. Yet to Wikipedia's volunteer editors Bryan is a rock star.

"He's like my hero, he's amazing," said one attendee.

"I had to take a day off work to answer my fan mail," said Bryan. "How many engineers can say that? That was an amazing thing."

And what's even more amazing is that to this day if anyone ever adds "comprised of" -- as I secretly did to my own Wikipedia entry the night before our interview -- Bryan has written a computer program that instantly roots it out.

My entry, "Hartman's family is comprised of a wife and three children," was changed. I now have a family "composed of" a wife and three children.

I really wanted to know how a guy gets like this. So I went to see the one person who has known Bryan as long as anyone -- his older brother, Robin.

"What do you think this obsession is based around?" I asked.

"You said 'based around!' You did that on purpose didn't you?" Robin answered.

Turns out the Henderson family is composed of two compulsives -- although Robin has different peeve, what he calls the "lazy around."

"The movie was based around the book, not possible," said Robin.

Robin spends a couple hours a week on Wikipedia changing "based around," usually to "based on."

"Sometimes the 'lazy around' can be replaced with comprised of," said Robin. "And I'm so tempted to change it to comprised of and let Bryan deal with it."

It all sounds so trivial, but I think the Henderson brothers would agree: our world is based around rules and the army to enforce those rules is comprised of all of us -- although, obviously, they would have phrased it differently.


http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/comprise-versus-compose

"Comprise" Versus "Compose"
By Bonnie Trenga Mills, read by Mignon Fogarty, Grammar Girl
September 18, 2009

Today Bonnie Trenga will help us boldly go where many grammarians have gone before: deep into the dictionary to discover the true meaning and correct usage of the word “comprise.” Some of you may feel that this is an alien word to be avoided at all costs—because it is tricky. Others will be more willing to communicate with this strange species. Helping us on our journey will be an odd mnemonic device.

The Meaning of “Comprise”

It seems simple enough: “to comprise” means “to contain” (1), as in “The house comprises seven rooms.” In other words, this house has or contains seven rooms. When you use “comprise,” you’re talking about all the parts that make up something. Usually. More on that a little later.

The important thing to remember when you’re using the word “comprise” is that the item that is the whole shebang comes first in the sentence; second come the items that are its parts. For example, you might say, “A full pack comprises 52 cards.” The pack is the whole shebang, so it comes first in the sentence. It would be wrong to say, “Fifty-two cards comprise a full pack.” Likewise, America comprises 50 states, not fifty states comprise America. In this sentence, America is the whole shebang, so it comes first in the sentence. The whole comprises the parts.

The Meaning of “Compose”

The fly in the ointment as far as the word “comprise” goes is the similar-sounding word “compose,” which means “to make up,” as in “Many ethnic groups compose our nation.”

Notice in this sentence that the parts come before the whole. If you wanted to start the sentence with the words “our nation,” guess which verb you’d have to use instead? Our friend “comprise”: “Our nation comprises many ethnic groups.” So, the parts compose the whole, but the whole comprises the parts.

- See more at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/comprise-versus-compose#sthash.zriIOo8N.dpuf




"There's no such thing as comprised of," says Bryan.” I've never thought of the difference or similarity for that matter between these two words. I have almost certainly used both of them incorrectly numerous times. In reading Grammar Girl's explanation of the terms above, I see that he is correct. …. "He's like my hero, he's amazing," said one attendee. "I had to take a day off work to answer my fan mail," said Bryan. "How many engineers can say that? That was an amazing thing." And what's even more amazing is that to this day if anyone ever adds "comprised of" -- as I secretly did to my own Wikipedia entry the night before our interview -- Bryan has written a computer program that instantly roots it out.…. "You said 'based around!' You did that on purpose didn't you?" Robin answered. Turns out the Henderson family is composed of two compulsives -- although Robin has different peeve, what he calls the "lazy around." "The movie was based around the book, not possible," said Robin. Robin spends a couple hours a week on Wikipedia changing "based around," usually to "based on." "Sometimes the 'lazy around' can be replaced with comprised of," said Robin. "And I'm so tempted to change it to comprised of and let Bryan deal with it."

Wikipedia is one of my very favorite sites. It is run by a nonprofit group. I am a member, and give them $3.00 a month. Their services, of course, are free of charge. I understand that the writers of articles may not be equally well qualified or accurate in everything they say, but when it comes to science and medical terminology or other subjects which would require more time to study and investigate than I have on hand, Wikipedia is usually to the point, understandable and very informational. Sometimes if I'm lucky I'll find an Internet article from a college website giving a professor's discussion. Often they use words that are too unfamiliar to me to read with good understanding however. Biochemical terminology, for instance, is not something that I ever studied. Wikipedia usually gets to the gist of the matter, and if it uses jargon terms it will often link those terms to other Wikipedia articles for more explanation. Clicking on first one and then another until I get a good understanding is usually possible. It's also a very entertaining way to spend time.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chris-christie-ally-david-wildstein-guilty-george-washington-bridge-traffic-jam/

Ex-Christie ally makes damning admission in traffic scandal
AP May 1, 2015

Photograph – From left: Bridget Kelly, Bill Baroni, David Wildstein
 CBS/AP

The two people he implicated - former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, who was the governor's top appointee at the Port Authority - were charged in an indictment unsealed later in the day.

Wildstein gave no indication in court that Christie had any role in the scheme. But after the hearing, his lawyer, Alan Zegas, reiterated a claim he made last year that there's evidence that Christie knew about it as it happened.

The Republican governor has insisted all along that he knew nothing about the plot.

Lawyers for Kelly and Baroni planned afternoon news conferences to discuss the charges.

The nine-count indictment accuses Kelly and Baroni of conspiracy, fraud, deprivation of civil rights and other charges.

The scandal broke wide open more than a year ago when an email from Kelly to Wildstein was revealed. It read, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Wildstein's reply: "Got it." That exchange was key in the indictment.

The closing of two of three access lanes caused monumental gridlock at the George Washington Bridge, one of the busiest spans in the nation, linking New Jersey with New York City. School buses and emergency vehicles were held up, and commuters were stuck in traffic for hours over four mornings.

Wildstein said they orchestrated the lane closings to start on the first day of school to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, a town at the foot of the bridge, for not endorsing Christie's re-election bid.

Christie, who coasted to re-election in the fall of 2013, has called the scheme "stupid" and ridiculed the notion that he was even interested in an endorsement from Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich.

Before Wildstein appeared in court, Christie declined to comment Friday as he left a hotel in McLean, Virginia. But on Wednesday, when asked about impending action in the case, he brushed off the potential impact.

"I don't think that has anything much to do with me," he said.

Federal prosecutors scheduled an early afternoon news conference on the case.

By the time the incriminating email was made public, Wildstein had resigned, as had Baroni. The governor soon after fired Kelly and cut ties with Bill Stepien, his two-time campaign manager. Stepien was not indicted.

Questions over whether the lanes were closed for political retribution have been dogging Christie for more than a year. Christie has been gearing up for a 2016 presidential campaign but has not announced he is running.




“Wildstein gave no indication in court that Christie had any role in the scheme. But after the hearing, his lawyer, Alan Zegas, reiterated a claim he made last year that there's evidence that Christie knew about it as it happened. The Republican governor has insisted all along that he knew nothing about the plot. Lawyers for Kelly and Baroni planned afternoon news conferences to discuss the charges. The nine-count indictment accuses Kelly and Baroni of conspiracy, fraud, deprivation of civil rights and other charges. …. Wildstein said they orchestrated the lane closings to start on the first day of school to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, a town at the foot of the bridge, for not endorsing Christie's re-election bid. Christie, who coasted to re-election in the fall of 2013, has called the scheme "stupid" and ridiculed the notion that he was even interested in an endorsement from Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. …. By the time the incriminating email was made public, Wildstein had resigned, as had Baroni. The governor soon after fired Kelly and cut ties with Bill Stepien, his two-time campaign manager. Stepien was not indicted.

“The scandal broke wide open more than a year ago when an email from Kelly to Wildstein was revealed. It read, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Wildstein's reply: "Got it." That exchange was key in the indictment.” Christie has not a prayer of being elected to the Presidency after this. His claim that his aides acted without his involvement or knowledge just don't make sense. The terse phraseology in the emails indicates that it was an option that had been discussed and planned ahead of time, undoubtedly with Christie's involvement. It reminds me too much of another apparently intelligent Republican – Tricky Dick.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/royal-baby-born-kate-prince-william-baby-girl/

Kate gives birth to new royal baby
By LAUREN MORASKI CBS NEWS
May 2, 2015

21 Photographs – Duchess Kate visits "Downton Abbey"

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to a baby girl Saturday morning in London.

Kensington Palace announced that the yet-to-be-named girl was safely delivered at 8:34 a.m. (3:34 a.m. ET). Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, was present for the birth of the couple's second child.

The baby weighs 8 pounds 3 ounces, according to the palace, which also says that mother and daughter are doing well.

The baby comes nearly two years after the birth ofPrince George, formally named His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.

As with George's birth, the British royals have taken a more modernized approach with the couple's second birth announcement, sending an email to journalists a minute before posting the big news on Twitter. The official announcement is then placed on an easel outside of Buckingham Palace. This all happened after Queen Elizabeth II, senior royals and Kate's parents, the Middletons, receive the news first.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

So where does the new addition fall in the line of succession? The baby, regardless of gender, will be fourth in line to the throne - essentially serving as the backup or "spare" if anything happens to the first-born in the family.

When George came into the world on July 22, 2013, he catapulted ahead of Prince Harry to become the third in line to the throne -- right behind his grandfather, Prince Charles, and his father, William. Kate and William's newborn is now fourth in line, pushing Harry to fifth place. Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II's second son, now shifts to sixth in line to the throne.

In 2013, Britain changed a centuries-old ruling on gender that put boys before girls in the line of succession. Under the old system, a princess' succession spot could be replaced by a younger brother. Reports said William and Kate didn't know the baby's gender prior to birth.

An easel is placed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace announcing the birth of a baby girl to Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, in London May 2, 2015.

There's been a lot of buzz surrounding William and Kate's second baby, but not nearly the media frenzy that surrounded their first-born child in 2013.

Kate's second pregnancy was announced on Sept. 8, but her due date remained a mystery. In March, she reportedly told a charity worker that she was due in mid-to-late April, which is already a big month for the British royals: Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, and William and Kate's wedding anniversary is April 29.

Kate, 33, and William, 32, made plenty of appearances over the past several months, maintaining their official duties until March, with Kate looking quite fashionable at every stop.

In December, the royal couple came to the United States, where they visited the Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum, attended a black-tie gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and took in a Brooklyn Nets game. While there, they met Beyonce, Jay Z and LeBron James.

In early March, Kate visited the set of "Downton Abbey." During her tour of London's Ealing Studios, she met with "Downton" cast and crew members and watched a scene being filmed for the series' upcoming sixth season.

Her final public appearance before giving birthtook place at the end of March, when she and William toured a community center in South London. After that, she was spotted picking up a few last-minute items at Zara Home in Kensington High Street, London, just a short walk away from her home at Kensington Palace.

On April 28, she was spotted driving away from Buckingham Palace, where she reportedly took George for a swimming lesson in the palace pool.

Things were a little bumpier earlier on, with Kate experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness), the same condition she had during her first pregnancy with George. The morning sickness forced Kate to scrap plans for her first solo royal tour to Malta -- though she soon started feeling better and resumed her royal duties.

The Duke of Cambridge started paternity leave in April, taking a break from his new job as an ambulance helicopter pilot. He expects to begin flying rescue missions this summer, while continuing to maintain his royal duties and engagements.

Ahead of the birth, William and Kate sent boxes with croissants and pastries, along with coffee, to royal fans waiting in tents outside St. Mary's Hospital.

The former Kate Middleton and William got engaged in October 2010 during a trip to Kenya and were married in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.




“Kensington Palace announced that the yet-to-be-named girl was safely delivered at 8:34 a.m. (3:34 a.m. ET). Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, was present for the birth of the couple's second child. The baby weighs 8 pounds 3 ounces, according to the palace, which also says that mother and daughter are doing well. …. As with George's birth, the British royals have taken a more modernized approach with the couple's second birth announcement, sending an email to journalists a minute before posting the big news on Twitter. The official announcement is then placed on an easel outside of Buckingham Palace. This all happened after Queen Elizabeth II, senior royals and Kate's parents, the Middletons, receive the news first. …. In 2013, Britain changed a centuries-old ruling on gender that put boys before girls in the line of succession. Under the old system, a princess' succession spot could be replaced by a younger brother.”

I hope that, now she has had two heirs to the throne, she will have no more babies, since she apparently is doomed to have severe nausea with every birth. Maybe she will want to have more, of course, but I hope she isn't pressed into it by Her Majesty The Queen. One news article said that the two have had some conflicts, particularly over her wardrobe malfunction. The article said that she was supposed to have had weights sewn into the hem of all her dresses so that the wind couldn't blow them up. That's what QEII does in her clothing. The Queen also wanted them to live closer. Kate, on the other hand, seems to want some privacy. See this article for more: http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2014/kate-middleton-wins-war-queen-elizabeth-family-amner-hall/, "Kate Middleton Wins The ‘War’ With Queen Elizabeth: Moves Prince William and Baby George To Amner Hall." I've always respected and liked Queen Elizabeth, but in her relationship with Diana and now Kate she is clearly following her womanly instincts rather than logic. Mothers-in-law” and grandmothers can be domineering, and often consider it to be their right and privilege. Many a young mother has her own mother or mother-in-law watching her and critizing. That doesn't make for peace in the family and can drive the young couple to a divorce.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-old-net-will-guess-your-age-test-your-self-esteem/

How-Old.net will guess your age, test your self-esteem
By AMANDA SCHUPAK CBS NEWS
May 1, 2015

Upload if you dare.

A new site from engineers over at Microsoft called How-Old.net will take a photo of you and use facial recognition software and machine learning to guess your age. Prepare to be amazed. Or devastated. Or possibly flattered.

CBS News' Gigi Stone Woods and Vladimir Duthiers, along with CNET senior editor Jeff Bakalar got a little taste of all those responses when they put the "How Old Robot" to the test with their own photos. The site guessed Bakalar's age within four years, just outside the one-to-three year range of accuracy experienced by many of the tens of thousands of people around the world who have tried the software. Duthiers was unpleased with his estimate; Woods took the Fifth.

Microsoft is keeping the details of exactly how the software works under wraps, but it leverages the power of existing facial-recognition technology and machine learning that uses the data it amasses to improve performance.

"The more people use it, the more people upload photos," Bakalar explained, "it gets closer and closer" to correctly guessing age every time.

Microsoft is certainly not the only major company looking into new ways to put facial recognition to use. "Facebook is all over that," said Bakalar. "They definitely target ads based on the people in the photos that you're looking at."

On the back of its DeepFace facial recognition software and massive archive of photos, the social network is getting astoundingly good at recognizing people in pictures and automatically tagging them. An article published in Science in February found that DeepFace is now "as accurate as a human being at a few constrained facial recognition tasks."




“Upload if you dare. A new site from engineers over at Microsoft called How-Old.net will take a photo of you and use facial recognition software and machine learning to guess your age. Prepare to be amazed. Or devastated. Or possibly flattered. …. Microsoft is keeping the details of exactly how the software works under wraps, but it leverages the power of existing facial-recognition technology and machine learning that uses the data it amasses to improve performance. …. On the back of its DeepFace facial recognition software and massive archive of photos, the social network is getting astoundingly good at recognizing people in pictures and automatically tagging them. An article published in Science in February found that DeepFace is now "as accurate as a human being at a few constrained facial recognition tasks."

Pardon my paranoia, but the potential uses of this to the NSA, CIA, FBI and the nameless other spying organizations are all too obvious. Already Facebook is being used by police, potential employers and government agencies. In addition to all that, I just don't want a computer to be “intelligent” per se, and I really don't like the fact that not only computers, but “intelligent” household appliances (my television, for instance) may be capable of making sound recordings in the area around them but making videos. A device like that is bound to catch people as they walk nude out of the bathroom. I was happy without all this technology, and it does make me feel less free and safe.





http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/04/30/after-stopping-bible-giveaway-atheist-mom-says-threats-have-forced-her-to-pull-son-out-of-school/

After Stopping Bible Giveaway, Atheist Mom Says Threats Have Forced Her to Pull Son Out of School
by Hemant Mehta 
April 30, 2015 

Earlier this month, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School teacher Erica Mackey announced she had a surprise for her third-grade students:

The student reports that Mrs. Mackey announced that she had “the holy Bible” and asked if anyone would like one. Nearly all the students walked up to her desk and she handed them out. After seeing his classmates take Bibles from the teacher, the child felt peer-pressured and coerced to do the same.

Thankfully, that child told his mother, and she contacted the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center. They sent a letter to the district explaining how church/state separation works.

The District eventually relented, assuring the AHA that teachers will no longer be allowed to distribute religious material to children.

They did say, however, that they would allow passive distribution of religious materials for high school students (in other words, they would permit an outside group to set up a table with Bibles). And just as we saw in Florida, a Satanic church quickly requested permission to distribute materials. Hilarious.

Anyway, the mother who initially informed the AHA about the Bible distribution is named Lea and it turns out, following the backlash from this whole debacle, she decided to pull her son out of Duncan Public Schools.

Koni, a blogger at Atheist Analysis, interviewed Lea about what’s happened over the past month and her responses are just heartbreaking:

Koni: Did the possibility of retaliation [from Christians] cross your mind?
Lea: Not once.

Koni: I suppose you didn’t really have time to consider that possibility. At what point did you begin to fear for the safety of your child and yourself?

Lea: I began to fear for mine and my sons safety when I read “run her out of town” and “snitches end up in ditches.” I have the comments in an email, but I’d have to go through hundreds of comments to find them. I feared for my son when the parents all had their kids carry their bibles to school one day, to prove a point. Kids are mean. I couldn’t let my son face that kind of ridicule for not having a bible.

Koni: “Snitches end up in ditches?” That is certainly unnerving. I can’t imagine anyone feeling safe with people openly making death threats, like that. Do you have plans to move out of the community?

Lea: Yes. My house is for sale.

Ugh… and all because Lea opposed an illegal Bible distribution in her son’s classroom.She did the right thing and Christians (presumably full of the love of Christ) have pressured her to move away and pull her child out of school. He’s currently under the supervision of another homeschooling mother. It’s unclear what they’ll do with him next year.

(Top image via eBay. Large portions of this article were published earlier)
FILED UNDER: EDUCATION, GENERAL, LAW 264 COMMENTS




“Nearly all the students walked up to her desk and she handed them out. After seeing his classmates take Bibles from the teacher, the child felt peer-pressured and coerced to do the same. Thankfully, that child told his mother, and she contacted the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center. They sent a letter to the district explaining how church/state separation works. The District eventually relented, assuring the AHA that teachers will no longer be allowed to distribute religious material to children. …. Lea: I began to fear for mine and my sons safety when I read “run her out of town” and “snitches end up in ditches.” I have the comments in an email, but I’d have to go through hundreds of comments to find them. I feared for my son when the parents all had their kids carry their bibles to school one day, to prove a point. Kids are mean. I couldn’t let my son face that kind of ridicule for not having a bible. Koni: “Snitches end up in ditches?” That is certainly unnerving. I can’t imagine anyone feeling safe with people openly making death threats, like that. Do you have plans to move out of the community? Lea: Yes. My house is for sale.”

This is not the old time Christianity, and it simply isn't good citizenship. Conservative people almost always consider themselves to be of superior moral character because they are Chrisitans and great patriots. The Constitution is written to ensure freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion, which is being contested by Dominionist Christians in public office today. Our country was set up as a secular nation with no state religion, but which guarantees the existence of all religions. That's the reason why groups like the Pagans and Wicca are allowed to exist here. Not even Voodoo is against the law. Laws against animal and human sacrifice, which are still practiced in some religions are allowed under the First Amendment. See the following article.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_aspects_of_ritual_slaughter

Legal aspects of ritual slaughter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The legal aspects of ritual slaughter include the regulation of slaughterhouses, butchers, and religious personnel involved with traditional shechita (Jewish) and dhabiha (Islamic). Regulations also may extend to butchery products sold in accordance with kashrut and halal religious law. Governments regulate ritual slaughter, primarily through legislation and administrative law. In addition, compliance with oversight of ritual slaughter is monitored by governmental agencies and, on occasion, contested in litigation.

Scope of regulations[edit]

In Western countries, law reaches into every stage of ritual slaughter, from the slaughtering of livestock to the sale of kosher or halal meat.

Due to differences between ritual and mainstream slaughtering practices, kosher slaughter may be exempted from animal welfare laws. For instance, in the United States, the Humane Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. section 1901) exempts ritual slaughter, and this exemption has been upheld as constitutional.[6]

In the United States religious slaughter is not practiced under any exemption. Instead the Humane Slaughter Act defines religious slaughter by Jews and Muslims as one of two humane methods for killing animals for food, the other being using stunning. [7] [8] The kosher food industry has challenged regulations as an infringement on religious freedom.[9]

Secular governments also have sought to restrict ritual slaughter not intended for food consumption. In the U.S., the most prominent such case is Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah. In this case, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled unconstitutional a local Florida ban on Santería ritual animal sacrifice.

United States[edit]

The United States is one of the countries that has legislation for protection of shechita (Jewish) and dhabihah (Muslim) ritual slaughter. The Humane Slaughter Act defines ritual slaughter as one of two humane methods of slaughter.[73]

Since 1958 the United States has prohibited the shackling and hoisting of cattle without stunning them first.[citation needed]

In Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah 508 U.S. 520 (1993), the United States Supreme Court struck down a ban imposed by the City of Hialeah, Florida, on Santería religious animal sacrifices practiced by the Church as contravening the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution of the United States. While the City of Hialeah claimed that its ban on ritual slaughter "not for the primary purpose of food consumption" was motivated by concerns for animal welfare and public health, the Supreme Court held that ample evidence showed that it was in fact motivated by animosity to the Santería religion and a desire to suppress it:

The United States Supreme Court held that animal sacrifice and ritual slaughter were practices protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of religious liberty and that government could not enact targeted legislation suppressing religious practices under a guise of protecting animal welfare or promoting public health.[citation needed]