October 16, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/15/fbi-record-police-killings-tamir-rice-eric-garner

US policing The Counted
Eric Garner and Tamir Rice among those missing from FBI record of police killings
Jon Swaine and Oliver Laughland in New York
Thursday 15 October 2015

Only 224 of 18,000 law enforcement agencies reported fatal shootings in 2014
Previously unpublished FBI data sheds new light on flawed voluntary system


Photograph -- Emerald Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, right, cries while standing next to Esaw Garner, Eric Garner’s wife, center, and Lesley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown, in April. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP
Video -- Video shows John Crawford's girlfriend aggressively questioned after Ohio police shot him dead in Walmart -- Read more
Related Article -- Analysis The tracking of police violence in the US may have reached a turning point. The past week has seen a series of comments regarding the state of documenting US police killings – and some clarity on how the government plans to do so -- Read more.
Related Article -- The Counted: people killed by police in the United States in 2015 – interactive. The Guardian is counting the people killed by US law enforcement agencies this year. Read their stories and contribute to our ongoing, crowdsourced project

Killings by police that unleashed a new protest movement around the US in 2014, including those of Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and John Crawford, are missing from the federal government’s official record of homicides by officers because most departments refuse to submit data.

Only 224 of 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the US reported a fatal shooting by their officers to the FBI last year, according to previously unpublished data obtained by the Guardian, which sheds new light on flaws in official systems for counting the use of deadly force by police.

The Counted, an investigation by the Guardian to report all deaths caused by police in 2015, had already logged deadly shootings by officers from 224 different law enforcement agencies by 10 April this year. Crowd-sourced counts in 2014 recorded deaths at a similar higher rate.

Stephen Fischer, a spokesman for the FBI, said exclusions were inevitable because the program remained voluntary. “We have no way of knowing how many incidents may have been omitted,” Fischer said in an email.

Amid mounting pressure on public authorities to overhaul the recording of deadly incidents involving law enforcement, an extensive review of all data on “justifiable homicides” by police collected by the FBI from police departments between 2004 and 2014 found:

No police departments from the state of Florida reported any homicides by officers, meaning deaths caused by police in the country’s third-most populous state were not logged by the FBI. The New York police department, by far the country’s biggest, submitted data for just one year during the past decade.

The FBI records only basic personal details of each person killed and not information such as whether they were armed with a weapon – a critical factor in ongoing debates over the use of force by police around the country.

A chaotic approach was applied to recording other high-profile deaths over recent years. Some were logged, some filed to a separate category with general homicides without noting the subjects were killed by police, and others were ignored.

An increase in the number of homicides by police publicly reported by the FBI over the past five years was effectively matched by a rise in the number of individual departments reporting any homicides, casting doubt over purported trends in the data.

Details of other controversial deaths that prompted protests were entered incorrectly in the FBI database, damaging government efforts to monitor demographic information about people killed by police.

The analysis of raw FBI data was carried out as the US Department of Justice announced it was trialling a new open-source system for counting homicides by law enforcement. The system’s methodology closely resembles those of The Counted and a Washington Post record of fatal police shootings.


News of the pilot program, which is being run by the department’s bureau of justice statistics, came following strident comments from both US attorney general Loretta Lynch and FBI director James Comey, who reiterated calls for better official records of homicides by police.

Comprehensive records of killings by law enforcement officers has been a demand of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has risen to prominence since the fatal police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, of Michael Brown in August 2014. It was also among the recommendations made by Barack Obama’s White House policing taskforce, which was convened following Brown’s death, which was among those recorded in the FBI database.

While the people killed were not named in the FBI database, some could be identified by matching entries with publicly-available information on their age, sex and race, as well as those of the officer who shot them, the location of the incident, and the month it occurred.

But the death in July of Eric Garner, who was placed in a chokehold by an NYPD officer allegedly confronting Garner about selling loose cigarettes, was not included in the official federal record. The NYPD has not submitted data to the FBI since 2006. It pledged earlier this month to release more detailed data on officers’ deadly use of force from next year.

Erica Garner, Garner’s daughter, said she was “outraged but not shocked” by the omission. “It’s just another part of the cover-up and erasing of his murder from the record,” Garner said. “It says to the NYPD and the city and state of New York that my father’s life doesn’t matter.”

No other department in the state of New York had any homicides by officers recorded by the FBI during the decade except for one, by Rochester in 2006. In its annual Firearms Discharge Reports, NYPD has recorded 117 “subjects shot and killed by officers” between 2004 and 2014. Its total of 13 shooting deaths for 2006, however, exceeded the 10 reported to the FBI that year, the only 12-month period in which the department participated in the FBI’s count.

NYPD’s own counts also did not include non-shooting deaths such as Garner’s. By contrast a more comprehensive count of incidents and details of the demographics of the people involved would be “a huge help in this so-called ‘push to improve police relations with the Black community’,” said Erica Garner.

Florida keeps its own annual record of justifiable homicides by law enforcement, despite no departments in the state filing a report to the FBI in the past decade. The state data from 2013 was provided to the Guardian but did not list the departments responsible for each death, instead it recorded a single, statewide figure of 60 deaths from all departments who submitted records that year. NBC South Florida was provided with records dating back over a decade, showing the number of recorded justifiable homicides has risen from 14 in 1999 to 67 in 2012.

Departments behind some of last year’s most controversial homicides by police, including Cleveland and Beavercreek in Ohio, whose officers shot dead 12-year-old Tamir Rice and 22-year-old John Crawford respectively, also did not file reports on those incidents to the FBI.

A review of data collected over the years by the FBI showed that high-profile homicides in which officers were found to be at fault were not recorded or were logged inconsistently. Problems stem from the fact that only one of the FBI’s 32 classifications for all homicides – which are precise enough to include “child killed by babysitter” and homicides linked to gambling – makes reference to the person who carried out the homicide being a police officer. This classification, “felon killed by police”, is automatically counted as a justifiable homicide.

Apparently because the FBI offers no category for recording killings by law enforcement officers of people who were not felons, some departments have filed unjustified homicides by their officers among the general stack of murders, manslaughters and other killings between civilians.

A record matching the case of Yvette Smith, a 47-year-old black woman who was shot dead by Bastrop County deputy Daniel Willis in Texas when she opened the door to him, appeared among the general unjustified homicides for 2014. As a result, it was not included in the total figure for killings by police publicised by the FBI last month. The death was filed under “circumstances undetermined” and Willis was logged as a stranger to Smith rather than an officer. A prosecution of Willis on charges of murder recently ended in a mistrial.

Similarly Jonathan Ferrell, a 24-year-old former football player at Florida A&M who was shot dead by officer Randall Kerrick after knocking on a door when he crashed his car in North Carolina, appeared to be included among general homicides for 2013. But his death was categorised as “manslaughter by negligence” and Kerrick was recorded as having been known to the victim. A trial of Kerrick for voluntary manslaughter also ended in a hung jury.

Yet no record in either file – homicides by police officers and those by civilians – could be found that matched other major cases, including that of Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old black man shot dead at a transit station in Oakland, California, in January 2009. Grant’s death was dramatised in the film Fruitvale Station. Officer Johannes Mehserle, who said he meant to use a Taser, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter but cleared of murder.

No entries appeared for Rekia Boyd, a 22-year-old woman shot dead by an off-duty Chicago police officer in March 2012, nor for Malissa Williams, 30, and Timothy Russell, 43, who died after 137 shots were fired into their car by police officers in Cleveland, Ohio in November the same year.

The FBI has also logged incorrect information for several deaths. Among these was the case of Darrien Hunt, a 22-year-old who was shot dead in September last year while running away from police in Saratoga Springs, Utah, after allegedly wielding a replica sword. Hunt was listed as the person who carried out the homicide, and a knife or blade was said to be the deadly weapon. Hunt and the officers who shot him were listed as acquaintances.

Hunt’s mother, Susan, said the confused logging of her son’s death came even after federal officials said earlier this year that the FBI and Department of Justice were carrying out their own review of the fatal shooting. “There has been so much wrong with the entire incident,” she said.

Fischer, the FBI spokesman, said departments had until December to submit missing or corrected data and said the information analysed by the Guardian for 2014 was “a snapshot in time” that may be updated.

A knife was also listed as the fatal weapon for a case matching the details of Chieu-di Thi Vo, a 47-year-old woman shot dead by a Greensboro, North Carolina, police officer in March last year after allegedly brandishing a knife. Vo’s demographic information was given for both the person who was killed and the officer who carried out the homicide, who was in fact a man. The FBI’s final published tally counted only one homicide by a blade, but did not state which this was.

The Counted has documented more than 900 deaths caused by encounters with law enforcement officers so far this year. The FBI count, from which basic statistics were published earlier this month, documented just 444 justifiable homicides for the whole of 2014. That total was reached by the Guardian count before the halfway point of 2015.

The FBI data showed that while the number of departments reporting killings by their officers rose 14% from 196 per year in 2009 to 224 last year, the number of homicides increased by 12% from 392 to 439 per year in the same period.

Because of the nature of the FBI program there is no way of calculating whether these increases reflect a genuine rise in the number of people killed by police over the years or simply that more agencies have decided to submit their data.

Comey said last week that it was “unacceptable” the Guardian and the Washington Post were “becoming the lead source of information about violent encounters between police and civilians”.

“You can get online today and figure out how many tickets were sold to ‘The Martian,’ which I saw this weekend ... The CDC can do the same with the flu,” Comey said. “It’s ridiculous – it’s embarrassing and ridiculous – that we can’t talk about crime in the same way, especially in the high-stakes incidents when your officers have to use force.”



GEEK SPEAK IN THIS ARTICLE:

http://techterms.com/definition/opensource

Open Source

When a software program is open source, it means the program's source code is freely available to the public. Unlike commercial software, open source programs can be modified and distributed by anyone and are often developed as a community rather than by a single organization. For this reason, the phrase "open source community" is commonly used to describe the developer of open source software development projects. Since the source code of an open source program can be modified by anyone, it makes sense that the software is also free to download and use.


Crowd-sourced counts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing#Definitions

Jeff Howe and Mark Robinson, editors at Wired Magazine, coined the term "crowdsourcing" in 2005 after conversations about how businesses were using the Internet to outsource work to individuals.[2] Howe and Robinson came to the conclusion that what was happening was like "outsourcing to the crowd," which quickly led to the portmanteau "crowdsourcing." Howe first published a definition for the term "crowdsourcing" in a companion blog post to his June 2006 Wired magazine article, "The Rise of Crowdsourcing," which came out in print just days later:[7]

"Simply defined, crowdsourcing represents the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined (and generally large) network of people in the form of an open call. This can take the form of peer-production (when the job is performed collaboratively), but is also often undertaken by sole individuals. The crucial prerequisite is the use of the open call format and the large network of potential laborers."



http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-police-killings-us-database

The Counted is a crowdsourced interactive website with The Guardian.com. I looked at it and it doesn’t give any extra information or even verify whether or not a shot was actually heard. “The geeks” there must have a way of deriving clear information from it, or major newspapers wouldn’t be using it as a reliable source of information. Take a look at it and see what you think of it. I don’t know much at all about computer programs or for that matter statistics, but this “crowdsourcing” method seems unreliable to me. Many of the comments are vague, such as “heard a gunshot.”



theguardian.com -- “… most departments refuse to submit data. Only 224 of 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the US reported a fatal shooting by their officers to the FBI last year, according to previously unpublished data obtained by the Guardian, which sheds new light on flaws in official systems for counting the use of deadly force by police. The Counted, an investigation by the Guardian to report all deaths caused by police in 2015, had already logged deadly shootings by officers from 224 different law enforcement agencies by 10 April this year. Crowd-sourced counts in 2014 recorded deaths at a similar higher rate. …. The FBI records only basic personal details of each person killed and not information such as whether they were armed with a weapon – a critical factor in ongoing debates over the use of force by police around the country. A chaotic approach was applied to recording other high-profile deaths over recent years. Some were logged, some filed to a separate category with general homicides without noting the subjects were killed by police, and others were ignored. An increase in the number of homicides by police publicly reported by the FBI over the past five years was effectively matched by a rise in the number of individual departments reporting any homicides, casting doubt over purported trends in the data. …. The analysis of raw FBI data was carried out as the US Department of Justice announced it was trialling a new open-source system for counting homicides by law enforcement. The system’s methodology closely resembles those of The Counted and a Washington Post record of fatal police shootings. News of the pilot program, which is being run by the department’s bureau of justice statistics, came following strident comments from both US attorney general Loretta Lynch and FBI director James Comey, who reiterated calls for better official records of homicides by police. …. NYPD’s own counts also did not include non-shooting deaths such as Garner’s. By contrast a more comprehensive count of incidents and details of the demographics of the people involved would be “a huge help in this so-called ‘push to improve police relations with the Black community’,” said Erica Garner. …. Comey said last week that it was “unacceptable” the Guardian and the Washington Post were “becoming the lead source of information about violent encounters between police and civilians.” “You can get online today and figure out how many tickets were sold to ‘The Martian,’ which I saw this weekend ... The CDC can do the same with the flu,” Comey said. “It’s ridiculous – it’s embarrassing and ridiculous – that we can’t talk about crime in the same way, especially in the high-stakes incidents when your officers have to use force.”

“A review of data collected over the years by the FBI showed that high-profile homicides in which officers were found to be at fault were not recorded or were logged inconsistently. Problems stem from the fact that only one of the FBI’s 32 classifications for all homicides – which are precise enough to include “child killed by babysitter” and homicides linked to gambling – makes reference to the person who carried out the homicide being a police officer. This classification, “felon killed by police”, is automatically counted as a justifiable homicide. Apparently because the FBI offers no category for recording killings by law enforcement officers of people who were not felons, some departments have filed unjustified homicides by their officers among the general stack of murders, manslaughters and other killings between civilians.”

Both police departments and the FBI share blame in this article, with the FBI reporting form listing too few categories of deaths at the hands of police and the purposeful hiding of officer killings in other more miscellaneous categories. Above all, however, the reporting system is voluntary. The DOJ and the FBI are now running a new plan to collect good data from every department, or at least that seems to be the goal. I wonder what federal law says about police and their departments being required, per se, to do anything at all in how they run their police forces, such as filing a report on killings. Hopefully something is in the works that will improve that situation with the new “pilot program,” which is not named in this article. It, however, “closely resembles” those of The Counted and a Washington Post listing of police killings.



IS “TARJEY” UNDER ATTACK?


http://wgntv.com/2015/10/15/customers-say-porn-played-over-target-stores-intercom/

Customers say porn played over Target store’s intercom
BY TRIBUNE MEDIA WIRE
OCTOBER 15, 2015


SAN JOSE, Calif. – Customers at a Target store in California got nasty shock when they reported hearing a pornographic audio track being played over the store’s intercom system.

Editor's note: The video contains material that some viewers may find disturbing due to its graphic adult nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

Shopper like Chris Minor were horrified by what they heard at the Westgate Mall Target Wednesday morning.

"I felt violated,” Minor told KPIX. “My body said, ‘Wait a minute. This ain't right.’ So I was uneasy."

So were a lot of other shoppers, including mothers with babies like Gina Young. She was shopping with her twins when the moaning and groaning began.

"People offered to help me cover my twins ears. Others threw their stuff down and walked out. Employees were running around everywhere. Picking and hanging up phones, which worked....for about two minutes before it started up again. People were screaming at employees, video taping, some laughing some disgusted. It was terribly awkward," Gina Young posted on Facebook.

"That is terrible," one woman can he heard saying on a video of the incident uploaded to YouTube.

The customer who shot the nearly four minute video said there was also sexually explicit language and profanity, too.

Minor said at one point the sounds stopped when the store workers apologized over the intercom. But then the audio started again.

“Though it may have been Halloween related, maybe an employee playing games, but this was rated X material, which made me feel very uncomfortable,” Minor said. “I was taken aback, appalled and very frustrated."

Target issued the following statement about the issue:

"We are actively reviewing the situation with the team to better understand what happened and to help ensure this doesn't happen again."

Minor said the store’s manager apologized to him, but said Target should have had more safeguards.

KPIX reported that a similar incident happened at a Target store in San Luis Obispo in July.



http://sfist.com/2015/10/15/someone_plays_porn_audio_over_targe.php

[Update] Porn Audio Plays Over Target PA Systems In Northern California
BY JAY BARMANN IN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON OCT 15, 2015

Target shopper Gina Young was with her twins in the chain's Campbell, California store Wednesday when someone began playing the audio from a porno over the store's PA system. She recorded it for posterity and posted it to Youtube and Instagram as you can see above. And, hilariously, one of her three-year-old twins asked of the moaning woman blaring over the speakers, "Is she hurt?"

Says Young, "People offered to help me cover my twins' ears. Others threw their stuff down and walked out. Employees were running around everywhere. Picking and hanging up phones, which worked… for about two minutes before it started up again."

In the video you can sort of see a couple of employees rushing, somewhere, to fix this.

Funnily enough, this is not an isolated incident! As the SF Chronicle notes, something similar happened in July at a Target store in San Luis Obispo, which led to a brief evacuation of the store.

The LA Times got a Target spokesperson on the phone who said the company is investigating the incident, and they “want our guests to know that we take this very seriously.” The spokesperson adds, “We are actively reviewing the situation with the team to better understand what happened and to help ensure this doesn’t happen again."

Was this a marvelous prank by a clever hacker? Or have two different managers plugged their laptops into the wrong jack on their lunch breaks in two different towns? In any event: hilarious.

Update: As KTVU and others are reporting, this is at least the fourth such instance of what appears to be a serial hacking job dating back to April, with two other California stores, in Colma and Tulare, also both experiencing similar porn audio attacks.




Pardon me, but I don’t think this kind of thing is funny. It’s malicious. The little boy who said “Is she hurt?” experienced it as a frightening and painful event, and so do most adults. I think this kind of prank, or possible attack on the brand trustworthiness of Target, is on the level of a 12 year old boy. Nobody of mature and sound mind wants to listen to that kind of disgusting material. If it is an attack on Target by a competitor, I hope they find whoever did it. The existence of four such incidents is no minor matter and appears to show an organized effort.

The first article states, “Picking and hanging up phones, which worked....for about two minutes before it started up again.” So perhaps someone punched the intercom button on some phone in the store and played a tape at that site. If it came in over the computer system, modern computer geeks are good at pinpointing the origin of Internet materials, and the managers at each of the stores should examine their staff members closely to see if it is of local origin. It must have been done by someone with access to the intercom system. When I looked under “Target controversy,” I encountered not one but five different controversies in which the store has been accused of discrimination in ads. They do have some enemies.





HAMAS DAYS OF RAGE -- TWO ARTICLES


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hamas-call-for-day-of-rage-following-palestinian-attacks-on-israelis/

Israel braces for violence as Hamas calls for another "day of rage"
CBS NEWS
October 16, 2015

35 Photos -- New tide of Israeli-Palestinian violence


Israel is bracing for more violence and Palestinian protests after the Hamas militant group called for a "day of rage" Friday.

The last "day of rage" was on Tuesday, sparking four separate attacks on Israelis and clashes between Israeli security and Palestinian youths.

Already overnight in the West Bank, Israeli defense officials say dozens of Palestinians set fire to Joseph's Tomb, a sacred Jewish site.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the arson attack Friday, calling it "irresponsible," reported French news service Agence France-Presse.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been at the heart of recent violence after rumors Israeli officials wanted to limit access to Palestinians. Israeli security is turning away anyone under the age of 40.

In the last three weeks Palestinians have attacked Jews at least a dozen times, in most cases using knives.

Israelis say they have no other option but to defend themselves.

Jerusalem's mayor has called on Israeli citizens with gun permits to carry their weapons in public.

Outside the mosque Friday morning, groups of young Palestinians who were not allowed in were praying outside.

The Palestinian president has also called for peaceful resistance, but Israelis are bracing for what could be another day of violence.




“Israel is bracing for more violence and Palestinian protests after the Hamas militant group called for a "day of rage" Friday. The last "day of rage" was on Tuesday, sparking four separate attacks on Israelis and clashes between Israeli security and Palestinian youths. …. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the arson attack Friday, calling it "irresponsible," reported French news service Agence France-Presse. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem has been at the heart of recent violence after rumors Israeli officials wanted to limit access to Palestinians. Israeli security is turning away anyone under the age of 40. …. Israelis say they have no other option but to defend themselves. Jerusalem's mayor has called on Israeli citizens with gun permits to carry their weapons in public. The Palestinian president has also called for peaceful resistance, but Israelis are bracing for what could be another day of violence.”





http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/the-roots-of-the-palestinian-uprising-against-israel/410944/

The Paranoid, Supremacist Roots of the Stabbing Intifada
Knife attacks on Jews in Jerusalem and elsewhere are not based on Palestinian frustration over settlements, but on something deeper.
JEFFREY GOLDBERG
October 16, 2015

In September of 1928, a group of Jewish residents of Jerusalem placed a bench in front of the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, for the comfort of elderly worshipers. They also brought with them a wooden partition, to separate the sexes during prayer. Jerusalem’s Muslim leaders treated the introduction of furniture into the alleyway in front of the Wall as a provocation, part of a Jewish conspiracy to slowly take control of the entire Temple Mount.

Many of the leaders of Palestine’s Muslims believed—or claimed to believe—that Jews had manufactured a set of historical and theological connections to the Western Wall and to the Mount, the site of the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, in order to advance the Zionist project. This belief defied Muslim history—the Dome of the Rock was built by Jerusalem’s Arab conquerors on the site of the Second Jewish Temple in order to venerate its memory (the site had previously been defiled by Jerusalem’s Christian rulers as a kind of rebuke to Judaism, the despised mother religion of Christianity). Jews themselves consider the Mount itself to be the holiest site in their faith. The Western Wall, a large retaining wall from the Second Temple period, is sacred only by proxy.

RELATED STORY

Arson at Joseph’s Tomb

The spiritual leader of Palestine’s Muslims, the mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini, incited Arabs in Palestine against their Jewish neighbors by arguing that Islam itself was under threat. (Husseini would later become one of Hitler’s most important Muslim allies.) Jews in British-occupied Palestine responded to Muslim invective by demanding more access to the Wall, sometimes holding demonstrations at the holy site. By the next year, violence directed against Jews by their neighbors had become more common: Arab rioters took the lives of 133 Jews that summer; British forces killed 116 Arabs in their attempt to subdue the riots. In Hebron, a devastating pogrom was launched against the city’s ancient Jewish community after Muslim officials distributed fabricated photographs of a damaged Dome of the Rock, and spread the rumor that Jews had attacked the shrine.

The current “stabbing Intifada” now taking place in Israel—a quasi-uprising in which young Palestinians have been trying, and occasionally succeeding, to kill Jews with knives—is prompted in good part by the same set of manipulated emotions that sparked the anti-Jewish riots of the 1920s: a deeply felt desire on the part of Palestinians to “protect” the Temple Mount from Jews.




This Atlantic article is very informative, but too long to quote. It tells more of the competition and conflict over which religion, Judaism or Islam, has the “right” to worship there. One interesting statement I saw is that Palestinian powers have prevented archaeologists from digging there for fear they will find proof of Jewish use of the site prior to the rise of Islam. After all, the Jews were there some 3,000 years before Islam was invented. It’s just one more sad story.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-becomes-symbol-of-israeli-palestinian-violence/

Teen becomes symbol of Israeli-Palestinian violence
By JONATHAN VIGILIOTTI CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

35 PHOTOS -- New tide of Israeli-Palestinian violence
Photograph -- Thirteen-year-old Ahmed Manasra, a Palestinian from Beit Hanina in northern Jerusalem, sits in his hospital bed at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem in this handout picture released from the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) Oct. 15, 2015.
Play VIDEO -- Tensions escalate amid multiple violent attacks in Israel


TEL AVIV -- Amid a new wave of violence, a 13-year-old boy is at the center of the never-ending battle between Israelis and Palestinians.

To one side, he's a victim. To the other, a terrorist.

The Palestinian Authority said 13-year-old Ahmed Manasra was killed by Israeli soldiers, but then the Israelis released video of the Arab boy -- very much alive -- recovering in hospital.

Israel says Manasra tried to stab two people, including a Jewish teenager, and was hit by a car when he fled the scene.

It's the latest in a string of knife attacks against Israelis that have spooked the country.

Palestinians, mostly young men, armed with knives, appear out of nowhere, stabbing as many as they can. Their targets appear to be random -- which has only added to the fear.

All the suspects have been arrested or shot by Israeli security forces, including one woman gunned down at a bus station.

Now, for the first time since 2000, Israeli security forces set up extra checkpoints around the Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. So far, it hasn't done much to reassure anyone.

"It's a very, very dangerous place. We are scared all the time," a father of five told CBS News.

Meantime, both sides buried their dead this week in another grim procession of death.

Palestinians are calling for a day of mass protests after Friday's weekly Muslim prayers as the country braces itself for what could be more violence.




“The Palestinian Authority said 13-year-old Ahmed Manasra was killed by Israeli soldiers, but then the Israelis released video of the Arab boy -- very much alive -- recovering in hospital. Israel says Manasra tried to stab two people, including a Jewish teenager, and was hit by a car when he fled the scene. It's the latest in a string of knife attacks against Israelis that have spooked the country.”

All these knife attacks are happening because of “rumors” that Israel plans to limit access to Palestinians, and the rumor that this Palestinian young man was killed is causing more rage. I am not surprised that Israel is retaliating against the knife attacks, though the requested arming of Israeli citizens in Jerusalem with guns sounds irregular. That kind of thing just fans the fire of civil violence, it seems to me, which can’t be to the Jewish state’s advantage.





http://www.npr.org/2015/10/16/448944541/sexual-harrassment-case-shines-light-on-sciences-dark-secrect

Sexual Harassment Case Shines Light On Science's Dark Secret
Michaeleen Doucleff
OCTOBER 16, 2015

Photograph -- Astronomer Geoffrey Marcy, shown here at a scientific conference in 2015, resigned Wednesday from his faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley. Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Breakthrough Initiatives


A sexual harassment case is sending shock waves through the scientific community this week, and raising questions nationwide about how common sexual harassment is in science and why so little is typically done to stop it.

A six-month investigation by the University of California, Berkeley concluded in June that a faculty member, renowned astronomer Geoffrey Marcy, violated multiple sexual harassment policies over the course of a decade.

Marcy has been a leader in the hunt for Earth-like planets beyond our solar system, was head of a $100 million project aimed at finding life on other planets, and has often been touted as a possible candidate for the Nobel Prize.

But he resigned Wednesday after a number of faculty members and students in his department publicly released letters condemning his inappropriate behavior with students, and the university's inadequate response in dealing with it.

The school had kept its investigation private — even from its own faculty — until the online news outlet BuzzFeed broke the story last week.

Aside from confirming that "Marcy violated campus sexual harassment policy," the university released no details about what the investigation found. But according to BuzzFeed, the report concluded that Marcy's offensive behavior included unwanted massages, kissing and groping of at least four students, from 2001 to 2010.

One of these students was Sarah Ballard, now a postdoctoral fellow in astronomy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She first met Marcy a decade ago when she was an undergraduate at Berkeley. He taught her astronomy class and showed special interest in her career, she tells NPR.

"To have a really renowned scientist praise you — and praise your ability — you can imagine, was really encouraging to me," she says.

At first, she and Marcy met a few times at cafes around campus, where they talked about astronomy and her career. But sometimes, she says, the conversation became too personal. He talked about when he was young and about having sex with a former girlfriend.

Then one day, Marcy gave Ballard a ride home. He parked the car by her house. "The fact that we were in the car together suddenly made me feel really uncomfortable," she says. "I think I really realized that the tenor of the mood was really wrong."

As Ballard started to get out of the car, the professor "reached over and was rubbing the back of my neck," she says. She left the car — and stopped getting together with Marcy outside of class.

Ballard says she was afraid to report Marcy. She didn't want to hurt her chances of going to graduate school. It's a common and very real conundrum for many women hoping to pursue university research careers, says Katie Hinde, a biologist at Arizona State University.

"Academia has a particular climate that allows sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual abuses to persist," Hinde tells NPR. Last year, she co-authored one of the few studies aimed at figuring out how common sexual harassment is in science.

Hinde and her colleagues surveyed roughly 500 women doing fieldwork in a range of scientific disciplines. Seventy percent of those women told the researchers they had experienced sexual harassment, often from their mentors or supervisors — "people who had power over their career, who had power over their research," Hinde says.

In science, letters of recommendation from mentors are particularly crucial to obtaining a coveted faculty position, Hinde says. When a mentor sexually harasses or assaults a woman, it backs her into a corner: She can either report the offense, and possibly hurt her career. Or she can try to ignore it.

In fact, most harassment is never reported, says Heather Metcalf, research director of the Association for Women in Science.

Women are often told to keep quiet about lewd comments, touching and leering, she says. "There is a bit of a norm for those behaviors to sort of be brushed off, rather than be taken seriously."

An incident last summer involving the prestigious journal Science shows how common this attitude is, Metcalf says. A young female scientist wrote to the journal's advice column, asking what she should do about a situation in the lab where she worked.

"She was really enjoying the scientific work she was doing, but she was feeling really uncomfortable because she kept catching her supervisor trying to take a peek down her blouse," Metcalf says.

The magazine columnist essentially advised the woman to say nothing — to turn a blind eye, Metcalf says. Science eventually retracted the column.

But the culture of keeping silent about sexual harassment continues.

In Marcy's case, it took years of complaints before the university took up its investigation. Then it disciplined him privately.

The university, which declined an interview with NPR, confirmed in a written statement that Marcy was told to follow strict behavior guidelines or "be immediately subject to sanctions that could include suspension or dismissal." This agreement was the "most certain and effective option for preventing any inappropriate future conduct," according to the statement.

Michael Eisen, a molecular biologist at Berkeley, disagrees.

"In essence the university convicted him," Eisen says, "and what was so stunning to me was that Marcy got, at best, something you would describe as a slap on the wrist."

By not punishing him, Eisen says, "they're all but ensuring this kind of behavior is going to continue from others. Basically they're saying there are no consequences for this type of behavior."

In the days since the news got out, many scientists have demanded consequences.

Thousands of scientists have signed an online petition supporting the women Marcy harassed. And 24 faculty members in the department of astronomy at Berkeley signed and released a letter Monday that said, in part, "we believe that Geoff Marcy cannot perform the functions of a faculty member."

Marcy hasn't responded to NPR's request for an interview. He denies some of the allegations, but prior to his resignation, and to the publication of the BuzzFeed story, he posted a public apology "for mistakes I've made" on his faculty website.




“Marcy has been a leader in the hunt for Earth-like planets beyond our solar system, was head of a $100 million project aimed at finding life on other planets, and has often been touted as a possible candidate for the Nobel Prize. But he resigned Wednesday after a number of faculty members and students in his department publicly released letters condemning his inappropriate behavior with students, and the university's inadequate response in dealing with it. …. Aside from confirming that "Marcy violated campus sexual harassment policy," the university released no details about what the investigation found. But according to BuzzFeed, the report concluded that Marcy's offensive behavior included unwanted massages, kissing and groping of at least four students, from 2001 to 2010. …. At first, she and Marcy met a few times at cafes around campus, where they talked about astronomy and her career. But sometimes, she says, the conversation became too personal. He talked about when he was young and about having sex with a former girlfriend. Then one day, Marcy gave Ballard a ride home. He parked the car by her house. "The fact that we were in the car together suddenly made me feel really uncomfortable," she says. "I think I really realized that the tenor of the mood was really wrong." As Ballard started to get out of the car, the professor "reached over and was rubbing the back of my neck," she says. She left the car — and stopped getting together with Marcy outside of class. …. Last year, she co-authored one of the few studies aimed at figuring out how common sexual harassment is in science. Hinde and her colleagues surveyed roughly 500 women doing fieldwork in a range of scientific disciplines. Seventy percent of those women told the researchers they had experienced sexual harassment, often from their mentors or supervisors — "people who had power over their career, who had power over their research," Hinde says. In science, letters of recommendation from mentors are particularly crucial to obtaining a coveted faculty position, Hinde says. When a mentor sexually harasses or assaults a woman, it backs her into a corner: She can either report the offense, and possibly hurt her career. Or she can try to ignore it. …. . "There is a bit of a norm for those behaviors to sort of be brushed off, rather than be taken seriously."

“The magazine columnist essentially advised the woman to say nothing — to turn a blind eye, Metcalf says. Science eventually retracted the column. But the culture of keeping silent about sexual harassment continues. In Marcy's case, it took years of complaints before the university took up its investigation. Then it disciplined him privately. The university, which declined an interview with NPR, confirmed in a written statement that Marcy was told to follow strict behavior guidelines or "be immediately subject to sanctions that could include suspension or dismissal."

Though Marcy was not severely punished by the University, a situation typical of male/female conflicts of this type – just try “telling on your boss” at almost any job and see what happens – Marcy’s university peers around the country have signed petitions and letters asking for his dismissal from the faculty. What this tells me is that the antifeminist tide is turning in the mainstream citizenry at least among the well-educated, and there is room for a hopeful future. Situations like this are not new. They’re just newly being reported. For a woman to stand up in this situation takes real courage, as she is likely to be found the guilty party, a “wanton woman.”

I would say, however, that for a student or employee to go out socially with her professor/boss is not a good idea, and for her to wear a low-cut top or an overly short skirt is never smart. It invites peering eyes and gives her a “reputation” that she shouldn’t want. Some young women do things like that to express their independence, but I wouldn’t advise it. There will be “unintended consequences” as long as the two sexes are constructed in the way that they are. Work with men, yes, and go for the top in your jobs, but do it in a professional manner. I’m not moralistic, but I am practical. Some facts are facts, not because we agree with their justice, but because human nature is hardwired in those ways. As for the justice in a rape, there is none, and that kind of criminal should go to prison until he is too old to do that kind of thing anymore.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/15/449011872/ken-taylor-canadian-envoy-who-hid-americans-during-iran-hostage-crisis-dies

Ken Taylor, Canadian Envoy Who Hid Americans During Iran Hostage Crisis, Dies
Laura Wagner
OCTOBER 15, 2015 7:52 PM ET

Photograph -- Ken Taylor helped a group of Americans avoid capture and eventually escape Iran in 1979. The former Canadian ambassador to Iran died Thursday at 81.
Gregory Payan/AP


Ken Taylor, the Canadian ambassador to Iran who concealed a group of Americans at his home during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, died Thursday. He was 81. Taylor's wife, Pat, told The Associated Press that he had colon cancer.

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted Taylor's death.

"It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of Ken Taylor. As Canada's Ambassador to Iran during the Iranian Revolution, Taylor valiantly risked his own life by shielding a group of American diplomats from capture. Ken Taylor represented the very best that Canada's foreign service has to offer."

Condolences also came in from U.S. officials who expressed both sadness over Taylor's death and gratitude for his help in 1979.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement, "Ambassador Taylor's courageous actions exemplify the enduring nature of the special relationship between the United States and Canada."

U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman also added his gratitude in a statement, saying, "Ambassador Taylor earned the enduring gratitude of the United States — and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal — for his valor and ingenuity in harboring six American citizens trapped in Iran in the aftermath of the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979 and, ultimately, in securing their safe return."

On the 30th anniversary of the Americans' escape from Iran, what's now called the Canadian Caper, NPR's Scott Simon described the situation:

"Sixty-six Americans were taken hostage by Iranian students who captured the U.S. embassy in Tehran in November of 1979. Some were released within weeks, but 52 of the hostages, from U.S. Marine guards and secretaries to the charge d'affaires of the embassy, were held for 444 days. But six Americans who were outside the embassy compound escaped capture and got back to the United States because they called friends for help.

"For three months, Canada's ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor, and other Canadian embassy employees, hid those six Americans in their own quarters and at great personal risk. They also collected intelligence and helped the CIA concoct a plan to bring their American guests out safely, even as it meant closing the Canadian embassy."

The story of the Americans' time hiding in Tehran and their eventual escape was captured in the 2012 Oscar-winning film Argo, in which Taylor is portrayed by actor Victor Garber. Taylor and others, however, contended that the film didn't give Canada enough credit for helping the Americans, and said the film glorified the CIA's role in the process.

Despite the controversy over the credit paid to Taylor in the film, he told NPR's Scott Simon in a 2011 interview — before the movie was released — that "not a month goes by" that some American doesn't approach him and shake his hand to thank him for his actions. Taylor said:

"I enjoy that, of course, because it is a sense saying to Canada: this is what you did. And Americans - U.S. citizens have long memories, particularly when they feel themselves in a dilemma where they're looking for an ally and that ally is there and is prepared to act on their behalf whatever the consequences."




“As Canada's Ambassador to Iran during the Iranian Revolution, Taylor valiantly risked his own life by shielding a group of American diplomats from capture. Ken Taylor represented the very best that Canada's foreign service has to offer." Condolences also came in from U.S. officials who expressed both sadness over Taylor's death and gratitude for his help in 1979. …. "For three months, Canada's ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor, and other Canadian embassy employees, hid those six Americans in their own quarters and at great personal risk. They also collected intelligence and helped the CIA concoct a plan to bring their American guests out safely, even as it meant closing the Canadian embassy." The story of the Americans' time hiding in Tehran and their eventual escape was captured in the 2012 Oscar-winning film Argo, in which Taylor is portrayed by actor Victor Garber. Taylor and others, however, contended that the film didn't give Canada enough credit for helping the Americans, and said the film glorified the CIA's role in the process. …. Despite the controversy over the credit paid to Taylor in the film, he told NPR's Scott Simon in a 2011 interview — before the movie was released — that "not a month goes by" that some American doesn't approach him and shake his hand to thank him for his actions.”

This Canadian’s saving of some of our diplomatic staff took personal courage, and it ran the risk of starting a war with Iran. It’s a shame that our American film which depicted the story didn’t give Taylor full credit for his actions. I didn’t see it because I wasn’t in the mood for that much violence, but it is probably a useful look at history. In those days I was an active Democrat, but I didn’t keep up with the news as I do now. I did feel great sympathy with President Carter because he was just following the US position on the Shah by allowing him into the country. We did, however, misjudge the situation which allowed a group of students like that to take over an embassy. Many thought at the time that Carter should have declared war on Iran, and such an act is an unconscionable action in peacetime. Carter has always believed strongly in peace is the truth. He did make an effort to rescue them, but that failed. It was a terrible time.

There is a wide gulf of difference between the Middle East and the West in a great many ways. It is harder for American society to incorporate Islamic people than most others, not just because of the religious differences, but because of the cultural matters. Some of our most highly prized rights are not valued there, such as a secular government and religious freedom for all, and of course the despicable way they do too often treat women and girls. Another thing is the forced insertion of a Jewish state into what the Palestinians considered to be their land, despite the historical background. It’s hard to make friends with a conqueror, and that’s what our Western society has done there.

As a Westerner, of course, I have to feel that our way of dealing with life is better than theirs in almost every way. To me their views on women and on the overall freedom of thought which we so prize, are simply “primitive” for lack of a better word. A society that cuts off the clitoris of a woman, and without painkiller too, in order to render her less able to enjoy sex is unspeakable to me. They do that because men there have no faith in a woman’s voluntary sexual loyalty. That’s sad. Luckily for their ladies, there is still the “G spot.”





http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/15/448960665/mcteachers-nights-teachers-unions-say-no-to-school-fundraisers

McTeacher's Nights: Teachers Unions Say No To School Fundraisers
Allison Aubrey
OCTOBER 15, 2015

Photograph -- A flier advertises a local McTeacher's Night.


Mark Noltner, who lives in suburban Chicago, heard about McTeacher's Nights when he found a flier in his daughter's backpack last year.

"There was a picture of Ronald McDonald [on the flier]," he says, and it was promoting the school fundraiser at a local McDonald's.

During McTeacher's Nights, teachers stand behind the counter at McDonald's, serving up food to their students who come in. At the end of the event, the school gets a cut of the night's sales.

Noltner complained to the principal at his daughter's school that he didn't like brand marketing creeping into the school. Some teachers, he says, wore T-shirts with a McDonald's logo to promote the event.

"The McDonald's logo is extremely recognizable to students, so in essence, the [teachers] are becoming walking billboards" for the brand, Noltner says.

Noltner reached out to others in the community who didn't like these events. And what he learned is that a lot of teachers are opposed, too.

So the National Education Association joined forces with a group of state and local teachers unions, as well as the watchdog group Corporate Accountability International. This week, the coalition — which represents more than 3 million teachers — sent a letter to McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook, asking him to end the practice of McTeacher's Nights.

"It is wrong to enlist teachers to sell kids on a brand like McDonald's, whose core products are burgers, fries and soda," the letter states.

McDonald's USA issued a statement defending the fundraising practice.

"McTeacher's Nights are all about community, fun and fundraising," the statement reads. It goes on to say that some participating school organizations have told McDonald's that "in addition to the extra financial support these events provide for their schools, they have a great time connecting with their students and neighbors in meaningful ways."

Some of the critics who have signed on to the letter argue that McDonald's benefits from these fundraisers more than the schools.

"It's disrespectful for a multibillion-dollar corporation such as McDonald's to throw pennies at our schools, while it uses our teachers to market its products," says Melinda Dart, vice president of the California Federation of Teachers and president of the Jefferson Elementary Federation of Teachers.

A flier advertises a local McTeacher's Night. It says, “Please come support my ASB class. And have my awesome teachers serve you dinner! #buenaasb #mcteachersnight” 💕 xoxo_madz 22 months ago.

McDonald's USA says that from January 2013 through September 2015, the company-owned restaurants "have paid over $2,525,000 to organizations for donations from McTeacher's Nights." And this figure does not include the amount raised at McTeacher's Nights held at McDonald's franchise locations. (About 90 percent of the McDonald's locations are franchise-owned.)

But critics say McDonald's should take action to end the fundraising practice, since it puts teachers in a compromising position.

"McDonald's is using the bond between student and teacher to create business for themselves, and I see that as exploitation," Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, told The Salt.

We reached out to franchise operators in Ohio and elsewhere seeking their comments on McTeacher's Nights but did not get a response in time for publication.

However, it's clear that McTeacher's Nights have supporters, too. Ahead of an event last year in Newton, Iowa, Jennifer Norvell, a kindergarten teacher at the local Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, told the Newton Daily News that McTeacher's Nights are "a great time for families to come in and interact with the teachers."

But for critics like Sriram Madhusoodanan of Corporate Accountability International, the place where that interaction takes place sends the wrong message to kids. "We think that McTeacher's Night should very soon become a thing of the past," he says.




"There was a picture of Ronald McDonald [on the flier]," he says, and it was promoting the school fundraiser at a local McDonald's. During McTeacher's Nights, teachers stand behind the counter at McDonald's, serving up food to their students who come in. At the end of the event, the school gets a cut of the night's sales. Noltner complained to the principal at his daughter's school that he didn't like brand marketing creeping into the school. Some teachers, he says, wore T-shirts with a McDonald's logo to promote the event. …. Noltner reached out to others in the community who didn't like these events. And what he learned is that a lot of teachers are opposed, too. So the National Education Association joined forces with a group of state and local teachers unions, as well as the watchdog group Corporate Accountability International. This week, the coalition — which represents more than 3 million teachers — sent a letter to McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook, asking him to end the practice of McTeacher's Nights. …. McDonald's USA issued a statement defending the fundraising practice. "McTeacher's Nights are all about community, fun and fundraising," the statement reads. It goes on to say that some participating school organizations have told McDonald's that "in addition to the extra financial support these events provide for their schools, they have a great time connecting with their students and neighbors in meaningful ways. Some of the critics who have signed on to the letter argue that McDonald's benefits from these fundraisers more than the schools."

"McDonald's is using the bond between student and teacher to create business for themselves, and I see that as exploitation," Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, told The Salt.” There is definitely something creepy about this alliance – like placing corporate profits over the purpose of a school to teach, or inserting big business philosophy and practice in through the back door. In a way I feel there are too many school sponsored activities in general, including sports teams which are placed in the eyes of many community members over studying. I do feel that the Band, Chorus, Debate Team and art classes add something important to the kids’ education. McDonald’s, to me, is simply unrelated to what school is about, and adds nothing except, as one parent said, a habitually bad basic diet. Instead of learning about good dietary habits, they’re learning about hamburgers and fries.

Now if the students, on the other hand, were behind the counter at McDonald’s they would be learning something about working at a job, which is an important skill. Learning to be polite to the public and fulfill their duty is a good thing, and it would draw in their friends, thus making more money for McDonald’s and for the students. I don’t see whom these McTeacher’s Nights really benefit.

October 15, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/plea-deal-possible-for-former-house-speaker-dennis-hastert-in-hush-money-case/

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert to plead guilty in hush money case
By STEPHANIE CONDON CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

Photograph -- Former Republican Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert fights his way through the press as he arrives for his arraignment at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on June 9, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. SCOTT OLSON, GETTY IMAGES


Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is expected to plead guilty to charges related to his alleged efforts to conceal sexual misconduct, CBS News' Charlie Brooks reports from Chicago.

A judge in Chicago Federal Court convened a hearing Thursday in the case against Hastert, where Hastert's attorneys said the former speaker requests to plead guilty on October 28. The attorneys will present details of the plea to the judge on Monday, and he must approve the terms of the plea deal before it can be finalized.

If it is finalized, Hastert's potentially dark secrets from his past could remain secret.

Since the details of the plea deal were not announced in court on Thursday, it's unclear specifically what he will plead to. Hastert, the longest serving Republican House speaker in history, was indicted this past May and charged with violating federal banking laws and lying to FBI investigators.

According to the indictment, Hastert agreed to pay $3.5 million in 2010 to a person identified only as "Individual A," in an effort to "compensate and conceal" Hastert's "prior misconduct." Hastert pleaded not guilty in June.

Law enforcement sources have told CBS News that the misconduct mentioned in court documents refers to sexual misconduct allegations involving a young man that date back more than 30 years. From 1965-1981, Hastert was a popular teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville, Illinois.

To conceal the allegations of misconduct, prosecutors allege that Hastert made relatively small bank withdrawals to pay off the unnamed individual. From June 2010 through April 2012, he made 15 $50,000 bank withdrawals. That caught the attention of the banks, and after he was questioned by bank representatives, he began withdrawing cash in increments of less than $10,000, allegedly to avoid further scrutiny. Overall, he withdrew a total of $1.7 million from a number of his personal bank accounts.

In 2014, the FBI questioned Hastert about his withdrawals, and he allegedly lied, telling agents he was storing cash "because he did not feel safe with the banking system."




“Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is expected to plead guilty to charges related to his alleged efforts to conceal sexual misconduct, CBS News' Charlie Brooks reports from Chicago. A judge in Chicago Federal Court convened a hearing Thursday in the case against Hastert, where Hastert's attorneys said the former speaker requests to plead guilty on October 28. The attorneys will present details of the plea to the judge on Monday, and he must approve the terms of the plea deal before it can be finalized. If it is finalized, Hastert's potentially dark secrets from his past could remain secret. …. Law enforcement sources have told CBS News that the misconduct mentioned in court documents refers to sexual misconduct allegations involving a young man that date back more than 30 years. From 1965-1981, Hastert was a popular teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville, Illinois. …. In 2014, the FBI questioned Hastert about his withdrawals, and he allegedly lied, telling agents he was storing cash "because he did not feel safe with the banking system."

Adults who molest children and teens tend to enforce their silence by threats, but every now and then the child matures and decides to take control of the situation. This is one crime that even highly placed and wealthy politicians cannot erase entirely. Rape of any kind is considered to be truly despicable among most citizens, but child rape is especially bad. Interestingly his lawyer did request a deal with the court that the details will not be made public if he pleads guilty. If the judge agrees, I want to see some sort of punishment that includes more than a fine and probation. If Hastert were a black man with less than $1.7 million to distribute to his blackmailer and to the courts, he would certainly serve prison time. Right?





http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article39003903.html

Man tries to put out garbage fire by driving over it in a van loaded with ammunition
By Ian Cummings -- icummings@kcstar.com
October 13, 2015


A Clay County sheriff’s deputy retreated to a safe distance from a van burning in a field Tuesday afternoon after he heard the sound of live ammunition going off inside it.

The deputy found the van burning near Old State Highway 210 and Bluff Road, south of Liberty, about 2:30 p.m., said Jon Bazzano, a spokesman for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy had been in the middle of a traffic stop when he saw black smoke on the horizon and headed that way to investigate.

Eventually, the deputy found the owner of the vehicle watching the fire from a distance.

The deputy learned that the owner had been burning garbage in the field and accidentally let the fire get out of control. In an attempt to put the fire out, he drove his van back and forth over the flames.

This made matters worse, as the tires of the van caught fire. Realizing that the van was loaded with firearms ammunition and a full tank of gas, the driver evacuated the area for safety.

A crew from the Liberty Fire Department responded to make sure the fire did not spread. It was unclear what type of ammunition the owner had in the vehicle.

The deputy did not immediately cite the owner, who declined to make a report for a possible insurance claim.

“It seems like he’s just going to have to take a loss on that vehicle because I don’t think they’re going to cover it,” Bazzano said.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article39003903.html#storylink=cpy




“The deputy had been in the middle of a traffic stop when he saw black smoke on the horizon and headed that way to investigate. Eventually, the deputy found the owner of the vehicle watching the fire from a distance. …. A crew from the Liberty Fire Department responded to make sure the fire did not spread. It was unclear what type of ammunition the owner had in the vehicle. The deputy did not immediately cite the owner, who declined to make a report for a possible insurance claim. “It seems like he’s just going to have to take a loss on that vehicle because I don’t think they’re going to cover it,” Bazzano said.”

Aside from the issue of whether the van owner (unnamed) gave any thought to the danger of allowing a van full of ammunition to catch on fire, there is also the question of how much ammo he actually had, what kind it was, and who was going to use it. Was it intended for personal target practice? This is the kind of story that only raises more and graver questions the more I read it.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-more-u-s-troops-to-stay-in-afghanistan/

White House: More U.S. troops to stay in Afghanistan
By MARGARET BRENNAN CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Fewer troops to leave Afghanistan than expected


WASHINGTON -- After an "extensive, months-long review," President Obama has decided to slow the pace of the planned 2016 U.S. troop drawdown from Afghanistan, senior administration officials told CBS News.

The officials said Mr. Obama has decided to leave 5,500 U.S. troops stationed there at the end of next year. That is a more robust military commitment than the 1,000 U.S. Embassy-based troops the president had planned to keep in Kabul after he leaves office.

The American war in Afghanistan is over, the senior administration officials said, but the U.S. commitment to the Afghan government remains. For most of 2016, the current level of 9,800 U.S. troops will remain in place. It will be up to U.S. military commanders to determine when to reduce that number to the 5,500 level.

The cost of the U.S. commitment will be $14.6 billion, which is about $4.5 billion more than the previous plan.

Senior administration officials said the U.S. forces will be stationed at four bases, in Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.‎ Their mission will be focused on counter-terrorism threats, including those from al Qaeda and ISIS, as well as the train, advise and assist program for Afghan security forces who continue to fight the Taliban.

The U.S. is also having discussions with NATO allies interested in stationing more international forces in Afghanistan beyond 2017.‎ That leaves both Mr. Obama's successor and U.S. military commanders with more flexibility to combat any terror threats emerging from Afghanistan.




“The officials said Mr. Obama has decided to leave 5,500 U.S. troops stationed there at the end of next year. That is a more robust military commitment than the 1,000 U.S. Embassy-based troops the president had planned to keep in Kabul after he leaves office. The American war in Afghanistan is over, the senior administration officials said, but the U.S. commitment to the Afghan government remains. For most of 2016, the current level of 9,800 U.S. troops will remain in place. It will be up to U.S. military commanders to determine when to reduce that number to the 5,500 level. …. Senior administration officials said the U.S. forces will be stationed at four bases, in Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.‎ Their mission will be focused on counter-terrorism threats. …. The U.S. is also having discussions with NATO allies interested in stationing more international forces in Afghanistan beyond 2017.‎”

The threat of a takeover by jihadist forces in addition to the Taliban remains high. I will be more comfortable about Middle Eastern affairs if NATO does lend a hand and we leave enough troops there to prevent a power vacuum from occurring. ISIS, al-Qaeda, etc. are world threats and they are especially drawn to such a lack of central power. While I don’t want to get behind the hysteria about Islamic refugees swarming in here in large numbers, which is going on at the moment in the US (I received a very inflammatory email about the matter this week), it is unfortunately hard to differentiate between refugees and jihadists when they come to Europe and the US too fast to check them out personally. I think that it is unavoidable that some will be radicals bent on wreaking havoc in the West. Fanaticism is fanaticism and it is always dangerous. On the other hand, I don't want a bunch of wild-eyed "conservatives" causing violence either. Those people are just another type of fanatic.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mobile-app-groupme-used-to-counter-shoplifting-in-georgetown-accused-of-racial-profiling/

Stores using app to detect shoplifters accused of racial profiling
CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

Image -- groupme-app-visual.jpg readout states “AA female…just stole from Lacoste”--GOLDFARB, MATT


Some businesses in an upscale Washington, D.C. neighborhood are accused of racial profiling through a mobile app that allows shopkeepers to alert each other -- and police -- through private messaging about people acting suspiciously in their stores, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues.

In trendy Georgetown, store owners will tell you shoplifting is part of the cost of doing business.

"The type of people that is more like a shoplifter, they come here all the time, they go to that same item, they get the feel of the store," said Keisha Green, an employee at the Sports Zone Elite.

In the last 60 days alone, police recorded more than 120 thefts in the heart of Georgetown.

To counter crime, businesses are using an app called GroupMe. It works like a private chat room, in which 380 members -- including merchants, employees, community leaders and on-duty police officers -- send each other descriptions and pictures of customers acting suspiciously.

But in Georgetown, where nearly 80 percent of residents are white and have a median household income of almost $120,000, the vast majority of the reports are about black customers.

"AA female late 20...just stole from Lacoste," reads one post.

"Need someone ASAP...person walking out...BLK male," reads another.

Peter Murray, reporter for the Georgetowner newspaper, was unsettled by what he saw, and said you could "see the racial bias immediately."

Murray found that from March 1st to July 5th of this year, 330 people were identified in messages warning of suspicious or criminal activity. Of those, 72 percent were described as African Americans.

"Not only was there this jump to a conclusion that somebody has committed a crime because they're suspicious or because they're wearing a certain thing or they have a certain hair style, but also the people who are texting each other are sort of reveling in this game of following people around and saying who's suspicious," Murray said.

But Joe Sternlieb, who runs the Georgetown Business Improvement District, which started the neighborhood's GroupMe, says "a very small percentage, maybe less than five percent" of those identified as African American are arrested. He also pushes back at the notion that it's profiling.

"If somebody posts something that's inappropriate, the group, actually our staff, goes out and meets with the person, retrains them, makes sure they are comfortable with the rules and can abide by them, and if they don't, we kick them off," Sternlieb said.

A representative for GroupMe, which is owned by Microsoft, told "CBS This Morning" the company had "no comment" regarding this story.




"The type of people that is more like a shoplifter, they come here all the time, they go to that same item, they get the feel of the store," said Keisha Green, an employee at the Sports Zone Elite. In the last 60 days alone, police recorded more than 120 thefts in the heart of Georgetown. To counter crime, businesses are using an app called GroupMe. It works like a private chat room, in which 380 members -- including merchants, employees, community leaders and on-duty police officers -- send each other descriptions and pictures of customers acting suspiciously. …. Peter Murray, reporter for the Georgetowner newspaper, was unsettled by what he saw, and said you could "see the racial bias immediately." Murray found that from March 1st to July 5th of this year, 330 people were identified in messages warning of suspicious or criminal activity. Of those, 72 percent were described as African Americans. …. also the people who are texting each other are sort of reveling in this game of following people around and saying who's suspicious," Murray said. But Joe Sternlieb, who runs the Georgetown Business Improvement District, which started the neighborhood's GroupMe, says "a very small percentage, maybe less than five percent" of those identified as African American are arrested. He also pushes back at the notion that it's profiling. "If somebody posts something that's inappropriate, the group, actually our staff, goes out and meets with the person, retrains them, makes sure they are comfortable with the rules and can abide by them, and if they don't, we kick them off," Sternlieb said. …. A representative for GroupMe, which is owned by Microsoft, told "CBS This Morning" the company had "no comment" regarding this story.”

Microsoft is big, big business, and its primary goal is to get richer by the day. Selling an app like this one is clearly a means to that end, as long as paranoia rules human society. There have been other stories in the last couple of years in which businesses use racial profiling on the pretext of protecting their businesses from shoplifting and/or armed robbery. It’s not surprising that black skin, hoodies, etc. are grounds for suspicion. It’s like when police officers pull over a black person driving an expensive car under suspicion of auto theft.

The smarter criminals don’t go into a store dressed in a hoodie, with their pants hanging down on their hips to show their colorful underwear and wearing an Afrocentric hair style. They dress in a business suit and tie. Dressing to succeed applies in theft as well as in business settings. Nobody who is dressed like that will get a good office job, and they are more likely to be profiled by shop owners. I understand watching them. I don’t understand physically assaulting them as has happened a few times in the news. They have also been falsely arrested by officers who are too quick to assume the worst.

I don’t see anything wrong with the app, per se, but if the GroupMe management doesn’t remove businesses who break the rules as Sternlieb says they do, then GroupMe should be sued for damages, at least, or financially sanctioned for allowing the violation of Internet rules (assuming falsely persecuting anyone for any reason is against some kind of law.) It is very similar to the online bullying and other harassment cases that have appeared in the last few years and at least one or two laws have been made against that. The Internet is a great boon for society, and I am behind Net Neutrality, etc. because a free Internet gives us much more benefit than harm, but it is also the tool of child molesters and kiddie porn sites, the misuse of Craigslist for targeting crime victims, shadow groups from the White Power movement to ISIS, etc. Misused, it is very dangerous.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/guess-who-owns-half-the-worlds-assets/

Guess who owns half the world's assets
By AIMEE PICCHI MONEYWATCH
October 15, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Forbes 400: America’s richest billionaires revealed
Play VIDEO -- Where is the middle class heading?
Play VIDEO -- London tops billionaires list


The likes of Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould -- the robber barons of the late 19th century -- might feel right at home in today's economy.

The coffers of the uber-rich have exploded since the Great Recession, reaching a level "possibly not seen for almost a century," according to a new report from Credit Suisse Research. The top 1 percent has more than made up for the losses it suffered during the slump, when its control of world wealth slipped about 4 percentage points to just under 45 percent in 2007, the report noted.

The world's richest citizens, the study found, now own about one-half of global wealth.

That means that the ultrawealthy have already reached a tipping point predicted by Oxfam earlier this year, when the charity forecast that the world's wealthiest 1 percent would control half the world's assets by 2016. It's no wonder American workers and policymakers are concerned about the trend: The wealthiest are thriving at a time when everyone else -- from the middle class on downward -- are making do with less each year.

The report's findings weren't reassuring on how the rise in inequality is hurting America's middle class. The study noted that "the middle class in North America has less than average wealth, the only region for which this is true."

"The middle class in the United States is also unusual in having a particularly low share of the country's wealth, which at 19.6 percent is considerably less than its share of the adult population," the report found. "This is because the middle-class wealth share is squeezed by the exceptionally high wealth of the 12 percent of adults who are beyond the middle class."

What's happened to the once-fabled American middle class, the economic backbone of a country that now appears to have osteoporosis?

Even though America isn't alone in having a middle class feeling the squeeze, that's small comfort. Globally, the ranks of the middle class shrank during the recession, and they still haven't recovered to their 2007 level, the report found.

The downside to the world's growing inequality could be severe, ranging from lower economic growth to instability in regions where the poor and middle class can't find jobs or feel their standard of living is at risk. The ratings agency Standard & Poor's last year warned that America's income gap was reaching an "extreme" threshold that could dampen the country's long-term economic growth.

Given that the Credit Suisse report focuses on tracking the fortunes of the world's wealthiest as well as global median wealth, it doesn't examine too deeply how widening inequality might play out politically or economically. Still, the investment bank noted that one reason for the expanding fortunes of the top 1 percent is due to the recent rise in asset valuations, such as equities and real estate.

That jibes with the research of economist Thomas Piketty, the author of "Capital in the Twenty-First Century," which found that the rate of return on capital has outpaced the rate of economic growth. When that happens over an extended period of time, the wealthy can see their riches accumulate, while inequality grows worse.

With the richest 1 percent now owning half the world's assets, the rest of the income distribution isn't coming out ahead. The bottom 71 percent of the world's population controls just 3 percent of the globe's wealth, giving each person in that lowest level less than $10,000 per person in assets. The middle 21 percent own 12.5 percent of the world's wealth, or less than $100,000 per person.

The second-richest group represents 7.4 percent of the global population, but it controls 39.4 percent of assets, or as much as $1 million per person.

With the surging fortunes of the world's richest people, a new category has emerged: the "ultra-high net worth individual." About 120,000 people, with assets of more than $50 million, qualify for this group. About half of the world's ultra high net worth population lives in the U.S.

According to Credit Suisse, it's not citizenship so much as lifestyle that unites this group.

High net worth and ultra-high net worth "tend to share more similar lifestyles, for instance, participating in the same global markets for luxury goods, even when they reside in different continents," the report noted. "The wealth portfolios of these individuals are also likely to be more similar, with a focus on financial assets and, in particular, equities, bonds and other securities traded in international markets."




“The coffers of the uber-rich have exploded since the Great Recession, reaching a level "possibly not seen for almost a century," according to a new report from Credit Suisse Research. The top 1 percent has more than made up for the losses it suffered during the slump, when its control of world wealth slipped about 4 percentage points to just under 45 percent in 2007, the report noted. .… With the surging fortunes of the world's richest people, a new category has emerged: the "ultra-high net worth individual." About 120,000 people, with assets of more than $50 million, qualify for this group. About half of the world's ultra high net worth population lives in the U.S. According to Credit Suisse, it's not citizenship so much as lifestyle that unites this group.High net worth and ultra-high net worth "tend to share more similar lifestyles, for instance, participating in the same global markets for luxury goods, even when they reside in different continents," the report noted. "The wealth portfolios of these individuals are also likely to be more similar, with a focus on financial assets and, in particular, equities, bonds and other securities traded in international markets."

http://www.amazon.com/The-Rich-Super-Rich-Study-Power/dp/0818400692, Hardcover – June, 1968, by Ferdinand Lundberg – Excerpts: “Thirty years ago, a bombshell of a book appeared which told the story of the lords of wealth and their glittering clans. It was called America's Sixty Families. It rocked the nation and became a classic. Lundberg showed how America was ruled by a plutocracy of inherited wealth, even under the New Deal. At the time he could only provide a sampling of the economic and political patterns of those families, which, for one reason or another, had come under public scrutiny. In addition to the Sixty Families he dealt with in depth he was able to outline the probable holdings of a few hundred other families. Where are they today - those Sixty Families? What ravages of time, death and taxes worked on the mighty fortunes of yesteryear? Is the "Welfare State" robbing them of the opulence they knew in the good old days?... Lundberg shows that there are 200,000 very wealthy individuals in the United states. Most of them are of some 500 super-millionaire families. Examples are 250 Du Ponts, 73 Rockefellers. Some 61% of the 200,000 inherited their wealth. These families are far wealthier than ever before.... These families have all the old levers of power and pelf plus a whole host of new ones created for them during the intervening decades by the politicians, lawyers and judges who serve them. --- excerpts from book's dustjacket.”

This book is available from Amazon at the price of about $50.00 for new copies and in the $2 to $5 range for used. Welcome to the REAL “New World Order,” which is supported heartily by the “conservatives” in this country. A friend of mine said that he doesn’t understand why American citizens vote against their own best interests. I do. They are hanging on to their irrational belief in their own ability to get rich, and to the religion-sponsored views that we now call “conservatism.” As those people continue to increase the present unhealthy economic and social trend by voting for the right wing candidates, largely over matters such as hatred of the black, Hispanic and Islamic segments of our society, they are causing our society to decay around us.

PS, though I had seen this word before, I hadn’t looked it up in a dictionary. See the following: “pelf” means “1.money, especially when gained in a dishonest or dishonorable way,” according to Oxford Dictionaries. The word origin is given as “late Middle English (in the sense ‘booty, pilfered property’): from a variant of Old French pelfre ‘spoils,’ of unknown origin. Compare with pilfer.”





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cecil-the-lion-hunt-theo-bronkhorst-fall-guy-zimbabwe-charges/

Man behind Cecil the lion hunt: "It's destroyed us"
CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Inside Zimbabwe's business of big-game hunting
Play VIDEO -- Opponents seek alternative punishment for dentist lion killer
Photograph -- In this undated photo provided by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Cecil the lion rests in Hwange National Park, in Hwange, Zimbabwe. ANDY LOVERIDGE/WILDLIFE CONSERVATION RESEARCH UNIT VIA AP


A courtroom drama played out Wednesday as the man behind the hunt of Cecil the lion appeared before a judge in Zimbabwe. While Walter Palmer, the Minnesota dentist who shot Cecil, has been freed of all charges, the man who led the hunt is still being prosecuted, CBS News' Debora Patta reports.

Hiding behind dark glasses and a cap, Theo Bronkhorst drove into the Hwange magistrates court and sat in his car, anxiously waiting for court to start. Turning his head away from the camera, he told CBS News that he had done nothing wrong because he had a legal permit and would be vindicated in court.

"Well, I guess I shot a famous lion," Bronkhorst said.

The famous lion was of course the iconic star attraction of the Hwange National Park - the rare black-maned Cecil.

Bronkhorst said he believes he is the fall guy.

"There are many collared lions shot every year, and as far as I'm aware there's five that were shot this year alone," Bronkhorst said.

Bronkhorst broke down as he told CBS News his life had been ruined by the charges.

"Well, it's destroyed us, it's destroyed the family, my business," said an emotional Bronkhorst. "You know, we employ a lot of people, and they are on half-time now. I guess each family is supporting six or more dependents."


Zimbabwean authorities insist the shooting of Cecil was against the law. Illegal hunting is seldom prosecuted in Zimbabwe, but Brent Staplekamp -- who collared Cecil as part of an Oxford University study -- was convinced that because of the international outrage over the shooting of Cecil, this time would be different. But like many Zimbabweans, he is surprised charges were dropped against Palmer.

"I really thought this was going to be an example to other people who have done this before or who would do it in the future, so very disappointed that we are not going to see justice," Staplekamp said.

Bronkhorst said he believes that the fact that charges were dropped against Palmer prove that all the papers were in order. But he is going to have to wait a little longer to have his day in court as his case has been postponed once again until early next week.




“A courtroom drama played out Wednesday as the man behind the hunt of Cecil the lion appeared before a judge in Zimbabwe. While Walter Palmer, the Minnesota dentist who shot Cecil, has been freed of all charges, the man who led the hunt is still being prosecuted, CBS News' Debora Patta reports. …. Bronkhorst said he believes he is the fall guy. "There are many collared lions shot every year, and as far as I'm aware there's five that were shot this year alone," Bronkhorst said. Bronkhorst broke down as he told CBS News his life had been ruined by the charges. "Well, it's destroyed us, it's destroyed the family, my business," said an emotional Bronkhorst. "You know, we employ a lot of people, and they are on half-time now. I guess each family is supporting six or more dependents." …. . Illegal hunting is seldom prosecuted in Zimbabwe, but Brent Staplekamp -- who collared Cecil as part of an Oxford University study -- was convinced that because of the international outrage over the shooting of Cecil, this time would be different. …. Bronkhorst said he believes that the fact that charges were dropped against Palmer prove that all the papers were in order. But he is going to have to wait a little longer to have his day in court as his case has been postponed once again until early next week.”

“All the papers were in order,” so the Zimbabwean government dropped the charges. Thank goodness the hunt organizer is still being charged. The main problem here is that Zimbabwe gets mega money annually from wealthy people around the world eager to participate in a completely safe and easy supervised “hunt” of one of the world’s few remaining lions – and rhinos, elephants, etc. Virtue has not triumphed here. Many such hunts take place in the US on glorified farms called safari clubs, which cater to wild animals like antelopes and the cowardly “hunters” who pay to shoot them. But it isn’t new. The old story about Theodore Roosevelt, who DID hunt dangerous wild animals in the wild, famously refused to kill a poor black bear tied to a stake for the same purpose, hence the news media furor at the time and the new toy named “teddybear.” This is one of the ways that very rich people spend their extra cash, while poor people live in misery.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rupert-murdoch-apologizes-for-real-black-president-remark/

Rupert Murdoch apologizes for "real black President" remark
CBS NEWS/AP
October 8, 2015

Photograph -- Rupert Murdoch, CEO of News Corp. JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES


NEW YORK - The founder of the global News Corp. media empire, Rupert Murdoch, issued an apology Thursday after he faced social media backlash following his suggestion that President Obama isn't a "real black President."

Murdoch was praising Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife on Twitter on Wednesday when he wrote: "Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?"

Twitter – “Rupert Murdoch ✔ @rupertmurdoch
Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide? And much else.
8:59 PM - 7 Oct 2015”

He also recommended a New York magazine article suggesting Mr. Obama has been a "disappointment" to the black community.

Murdoch, who founded Fox News Channel, apologized Thursday and tweeted that he "personally find(s) both men charming."

Twitter -- Rupert Murdoch ✔ @rupertmurdoch
Apologies! No offence meant. Personally find both men charming.
8:14 AM - 8 Oct 2015
286 286 Retweets 204 204 favorites

The 84-year-old Murdoch has praised Carson on Twitter before, calling him "irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision."




“Murdoch was praising Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson and his wife on Twitter on Wednesday when he wrote: "Ben and Candy Carson terrific. What about a real black President who can properly address the racial divide?" …. He also recommended a New York magazine article suggesting Mr. Obama has been a "disappointment" to the black community. Murdoch, who founded Fox News Channel, apologized Thursday and tweeted that he "personally find(s) both men charming." The 84-year-old Murdoch has praised Carson on Twitter before, calling him "irreproachable on background, achievements, character, vision."

Murdoch has been on the far right since I first encountered his work in the 1970s. He’s also been known for a number of cases of misrepresenting the facts in a story and worse (such as bugging important people’s telephones). His photograph shows a fairly nice-looking old man, but apparently looks can be deceiving. So can words. His concession that President Obama is "charming," doesn't impress me much. See the Wikipedia article about Murdoch's life and career below. The following is an excerpt from a longer article.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Keith Rupert Murdoch /ˈmɜrdɒk/,[8] AC, KCSG (born 11 March 1931) is an Australian American business magnate. Murdoch became managing director of Australia's News Limited, inherited from his father Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch in 1952.[6][9] He is the founder, chairman and CEO of global media holding company News Corporation, the world's second-largest media conglomerate, and its successors News Corp and 21st Century Fox after the conglomerate split on 28 June 2013.[10][11][12][13]

In the 1950s and '60s, he acquired various newspapers in Australia and New Zealand, before expanding into the United Kingdom in 1969, taking over the News of the World followed closely by The Sun. He moved to New York City in 1974 to expand into the U.S. market, but retained interests in Australia and Britain. In 1981, he bought The Times, his first British broadsheet, and became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 1985 to satisfy the legal requirement for U.S. television ownership.[9]

In 1986, keen to adopt newer electronic publishing technologies, he consolidated his UK printing operations in Wapping, causing bitter industrial disputes. His News Corporation acquired Twentieth Century Fox (1985), HarperCollins (1989)[14] and The Wall Street Journal (2007). He formed the British broadcaster BSkyB in 1990, and during the 1990s expanded into Asian networks and South American television. By 2000, Murdoch's News Corporation owned over 800 companies in more than 50 countries with a net worth of over $5 billion.

In July 2011, Murdoch faced allegations that his companies, including the News of the World, owned by News Corporation, had been regularly hacking the phones of celebrities, royalty and public citizens. He faces police and government investigations into bribery and corruption by the British government and FBI investigations in the U.S.[15][16] On 21 July 2012, Murdoch resigned as a director of News International.[17][18] On 1 July 2015, Murdoch left his post as CEO of 21st Century Fox.[19]”





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marco-rubio-house-gop-not-having-a-meltdown/

Marco Rubio: House GOP not having a "meltdown"
By REBECCA KAPLAN CBS NEWS
October 15, 2015

Play VIDEO -- GOP increases pressure on Paul Ryan to run for House speaker


Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, said that the House GOP's difficulty in finding a speaker to replace John Boehner is not a "meltdown," but rather an "open and public debate" about the future of the party.

"I don't think it is a meltdown at all," Rubio told CBS News Chief White House Correspondent during an interview in Derry, New Hampshire Wednesday. "If, in fact, they had gone into some secret room and anointed someone and came out, everybody would say, 'You see the game is rigged there is no real competition there is no real choices. There is no transparency.'"

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, dropped out of the race for speaker last week, leaving no clear choice for Boehner's successor. Many Republicans have rallied around House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, but he has said he doesn't want the job.

Rubio, who is one of the 2016 Republican presidential candidates, said there's a broader debate within the Republican Party.

"What is this party going to be in the 21st century? Has not the time come for us to turn the page and elevate new leaders with new ideas relevant to the times in which we live? How are we going to take the principles of limited government and free enterprise that undergird the conservative movement and apply them to the challenges of a unique moment, the 21st century?" he said, citing that debate as one of the reasons he is running for president.

He said he doesn't side with Boehner, who has warned of "false prophets" in the party who promise voters things they cannot deliver. Nor, he said, does he side with Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Florida, the speaker candidate backed by the conservative House Freedom Caucus, because he's not involved in the current fight.

But he defended members of the GOP who take up fights they are not certain they can win.

"I would say that we can have a debate in our party about the appropriate tactics. I personally do not believe that it is a wise tactic to declare defeat before you even try to win," he said, citing people who say the GOP cannot win a fight over increasing the debt limit or defunding Planned Parenthood.

"I think that's misjudging the American electorate, and quite frankly, it really undermines and depresses and demoralizes the base of this party that gave the Republican Party the majority in the Senate," he said. "They didn't give us the majority in the senate so we can concede defeat on every issue."




"What is this party going to be in the 21st century? Has not the time come for us to turn the page and elevate new leaders with new ideas relevant to the times in which we live? How are we going to take the principles of limited government and free enterprise that undergird the conservative movement and apply them to the challenges of a unique moment, the 21st century?" he said, citing that debate as one of the reasons he is running for president. …. "I would say that we can have a debate in our party about the appropriate tactics. I personally do not believe that it is a wise tactic to declare defeat before you even try to win," he said, citing people who say the GOP cannot win a fight over increasing the debt limit or defunding Planned Parenthood. "I think that's misjudging the American electorate, and quite frankly, it really undermines and depresses and demoralizes the base of this party that gave the Republican Party the majority in the Senate," he said. "They didn't give us the majority in the senate so we can concede defeat on every issue."

So, more gridlock ahead, and more attempts at socially restrictive legislation. I hate to say it, but Ben Carson and Jeb Bush, my two favorites on the Republican side as personalities, are still positioned against my beliefs and interests. I admit I have followed on my father’s heels in distrusting all Republicans, but it really isn’t unreasonable in most cases.

The only Republicans currently running whom I like even a little bit are Trump (who says what he means and fairly clearly when he tries to speak sensibly, even if I hate his views, the way he looks and his conceit), Bush (who is a well-educated and smart guy, even if has been bought and paid for long ago), Chris Christie (who has a heart beneath his Republican exoskeleton, even though he made the vicious bridge-closing sneak attack against a candidate who refused to support him), and Ted Cruz (who read aloud to the Senate one of my favorite books “Green Eggs And Ham.”) I may be wrong, but I think Ben Carson isn’t as far right as most Tea Party Republicans. Surprisingly, in the article preceding this one on today’s blog, Murdoch speaks highly of him, even though he is black. He strikes me as having a lot of “good common sense,” and intellectual prowess, but not much if any more moderation in his views than Independents like Rand Paul, who doesn’t follow the “party line” the way most of them do. He seems to me to think for himself, and be courageous enough to say so, and I admire courage. I still don’t want him for President, though.

My favorite of those political nonconformists is Bill Maher, not surprisingly, because he’s much more like a progressive Democrat than most of those who call themselves "Independent." See the interesting article below from http://hollowverse.com/bill-maher/. I agree with him on nearly everything, and particularly with his statement that “doubt is the only appropriate response for human beings.” Let’s face it, doubt is not atheistic or immoral. It is logical, given that there is no rational, physical proof of any religious group’s theology. On the other hand, I could really agree with philosophies such as Buddhism which recommend quiet contemplation on the human condition, the correct relationship of people to each other and the “truth” about the way the world works.

From Hollowverse.com come the following statements --

“Religion
Maher was raised a Catholic (but has a Jewish mother). However, he calls himself an apatheist (meaning that he's an atheist who doesn't care about the topic).

Political Views
Maher is a liberal who has endorsed at least the last two Democratic presidential candidates.

“Most of the research for this article was done by watching Bill Maher’s film, Religulous. The film very clearly outlines Maher’s religious beliefs interspersed with him making fools of religious people (which he very effectively does), be they fundamentalist Muslims or barely-educated truckers at a truck stop Christian church.

Maher would be considered, in traditional terms, an agnostic, saying:
“I’m saying that doubt is the only appropriate response for human beings.”2

However, Maher takes it a step further, calling himself an “apatheist”3 because he thinks religion is so ridiculous that it’s not even worth thinking or caring about–even though his films, numerous comments and critiques, and his show “Real Time with Bill Maher” would indicate that he does, in fact, care quite a bit. This is certainly not the only case of hypocrisy in Maher’s mentality–as we will see later. Don’t label me. Ok, label me a liberal. Wait, I don’t want no labels

Politically, Maher doesn’t want to be put in any categories. He’s said that he is politically “practical.”4 However, he seems to be quite offended by the use of the word “liberal” as derogatory.5

Let’s just own up to it, O.K. Bill? You’re a liberal. Seriously dude, you’re a liberal. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

He sits on the board of directors of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),6 he endorsed Kerry over Bush and President Obama7 (even donating $1 million to Obama’s 2012 campaign),8 and opposed the Iraq War.9

There is one interesting case of Bill Maher breaking with liberal tradition–the tradition of blind tolerance. Maher is an outspoken advocate of “Western Values,” which he defended after making a comment about being alarmed that the most popular baby name in England is Mohammed. He said:

And when I say Westerner, I mean someone who believes in the values that Western people believe in that a lot of the Muslim world does not. Like separation of church and state. Like equality of the sexes. Like respect for minorities, free elections, free speech, freedom to gather. These things are not just different from cultures that don’t have them. … It’s better. … I would like to keep those values here.10

Can’t really say there’s much to disagree about there.”





http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/15/448956315/republicans-hand-hillary-clinton-another-gift-on-benghazi

Republicans Hand Hillary Clinton Another Gift On Benghazi
Jessica Taylor, Political Reporter
OCTOBER 15, 2015

Photograph -- House Select Committee on Benghazi Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, about former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton using her personal email account for official business.
Susan Walsh/AP


Republicans handed more ammo to Hillary Clinton Wednesday, with another congressman suggesting the purpose of the House Benghazi committee was to harm the Democrat's presidential bid.

New York Rep. Richard Hanna was the latest to fuel the fire, telling local radio station WIBX:

"This may not be politically correct, but I think that there was a big part of this investigation that was designed to go after people — an individual: Hillary Clinton."
His comments follow GOP Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's own faux pas, when he touted the committee's work by saying:

"Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee, [and] what are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping. Why? Because she's untrustable. But no one would have known any of that had happened."

Even though he later tried to clarify, those comments were part of the reason McCarthy was forced to withdraw from the race for House speaker. The damage had already been done — Team Clinton quickly seized on the GOP leader's comments, making them into a web ad and touting what it called the politicized nature of the investigation during Tuesday night's debate.

The latest slip-ups couldn't come at a worse time for Republicans. While Clinton has been damaged by both lingering questions over the 2012 Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans on top of controversy over her private email server at the State Department, she handled questions on those deftly on Tuesday night. She got an assist from her chief rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who seemed to shut down the issue in the debate, asserting that people had heard enough about her "damn emails."

Clinton will face questions from the Benghazi panel next week, but she goes into it in a much better position than she could have. In addition to the McCarthy and Hanna remarks, a fired Benghazi committee staffer alleged it was a "partisan investigation."

Explaining Hanna's remarks

McCarthy suffered for his foot-in-mouth moment, but could Hanna be harmed politically, too?

Possibly. But they might actually help. The three-term congressman represents a potentially competitive district — Mitt Romney carried it in 2012 by 1,328 votes and, in 2008, John McCain won it by only 149 votes.

Hanna initially won his seat in the 2010 GOP wave by knocking off a freshman Democrat. Since then, Democrats have been unable to successfully challenge for the seat.

In 2014, Hanna won re-election unopposed. He doesn't have a challenger for 2016 yet either, and Republicans haven't included him on their Patriot Program for vulnerable Republicans so far.

But Hanna is one of the few remaining moderates in the House — he supports same-sex marriage and abortion rights and has been critical of hard-line conservative tactics. Last month, he was one of just three Republicans to oppose defunding Planned Parenthood.

Hanna has no opponent yet, but 2016, a presidential year, could be a tight race for him. What's more, if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, she is the state's former senator. By pointing fingers at Republicans for the Benghazi grilling, Hanna could also be trying to inoculate himself from potential attacks next fall.

Later on in the interview, Hanna even acknowledged the political harm that McCarthy did to himself.

"Kevin McCarthy basically blew himself up with that comment over the Benghazi committee," Hanna said. "Sometimes the biggest sin you can commit in D.C. is to tell the truth."

And he underscored that the committee was trying to find answers, adding, "I also think there is a lot of it that is important, and we needed to get to the bottom of this."

Ultimately, these comments probably don't mean much for Hanna. It's over a year until the election, and Democrats have to come up with a candidate to even contest the seat and they have higher targets in the Empire State.

They're far from the 30 seats they need to flip control, and with highly gerrymandered maps for the rest of the decade, most people believe it's out of reach, even in a presidential year. But the larger message for Democrats — the partisan targeting of Clinton, with taxpayer money — is a big gift.



http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/10/14/3712578/richard-hanna-benghazi-clinton/

POLITICS -- Second Republican Congressman Admits Benghazi Committee Was ‘Designed To Go After’ Clinton
BY SCOTT KEYES
OCT 14, 2015

Photograph -- Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY)


A second House Republican has now conceded that the overarching purpose of the House Select Committee on Benghazi has been to attack former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In September, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) argued that one of House Republicans’ successes has been using the Benghazi Committee to drive down Clinton’s poll numbers. Though McCarthy tried to walk back his controversial comments, Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) argued on Wednesday that the Majority Leader had it right to begin with.

“Sometimes the biggest sin you can commit in D.C. is to tell the truth,” Hanna said in an interview on Keeler in the Morning, a radio show in upstate New York. The third-term congressman paused for a moment, perhaps recognizing the importance of what he was about to say, before going on to agree with McCarthy’s original statement.

“This may not be politically correct, but I think that there was a big part of this investigation that was designed to go after people and an individual, Hillary Clinton,” Hanna said.

He explained further why he believes the Benghazi Committee’s purpose has been in part to attack Clinton. “After what Kevin McCarthy said, it’s difficult to accept at least a part of it was not,” Hanna said. “I think that’s the way Washington works. But you’d like to expect more from a committee that’s spent millions of dollars and tons of time.”

Listen to it (relevant section starts at 9:45):

For years, House Republicans had claimed the Benghazi probe was about investigating the events surrounding the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, rather than undermining Clinton’s potential presidential bid.

But after McCarthy’s Kinsley gaffe, which was among the factors that doomed his seemingly-inevitable rise to the House Speakership, and now Hanna’s admission, there is growing doubt even among GOPers about the Benghazi Committee’s true purpose.

McCarthy and Hanna aren’t the only Republicans to publicly declare that the Benghazi Committee has been on a partisan quest. Over the weekend, Maj. Bradley Podliska, a Republican investigator formerly working on the Committee, revealed that he had lost his job for refusing to solely focus his investigation on Clinton. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), who heads the Committee, denies the charge.

Clinton is set to testify before the Committee, which has now continued longer than the Watergate probe, on October 22nd.




NPR – Even though he later tried to clarify, those comments were part of the reason McCarthy was forced to withdraw from the race for House speaker. The damage had already been done — Team Clinton quickly seized on the GOP leader's comments, making them into a web ad and touting what it called the politicized nature of the investigation during Tuesday night's debate. …. , she handled questions on those deftly on Tuesday night. She got an assist from her chief rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who seemed to shut down the issue in the debate, asserting that people had heard enough about her "damn emails." Clinton will face questions from the Benghazi panel next week, but she goes into it in a much better position than she could have. In addition to the McCarthy and Hanna remarks, a fired Benghazi committee staffer alleged it was a "partisan investigation." …. But Hanna is one of the few remaining moderates in the House — he supports same-sex marriage and abortion rights and has been critical of hard-line conservative tactics. Last month, he was one of just three Republicans to oppose defunding Planned Parenthood. …. By pointing fingers at Republicans for the Benghazi grilling, Hanna could also be trying to inoculate himself from potential attacks next fall. Later on in the interview, Hanna even acknowledged the political harm that McCarthy did to himself. "Kevin McCarthy basically blew himself up with that comment over the Benghazi committee," Hanna said. "Sometimes the biggest sin you can commit in D.C. is to tell the truth."

THINKPROGRESS -- “This may not be politically correct, but I think that there was a big part of this investigation that was designed to go after people and an individual, Hillary Clinton,” Hanna said. He explained further why he believes the Benghazi Committee’s purpose has been in part to attack Clinton. “After what Kevin McCarthy said, it’s difficult to accept at least a part of it was not,” Hanna said. “I think that’s the way Washington works. But you’d like to expect more from a committee that’s spent millions of dollars and tons of time.” …. there is growing doubt even among GOPers about the Benghazi Committee’s true purpose. McCarthy and Hanna aren’t the only Republicans to publicly declare that the Benghazi Committee has been on a partisan quest. Over the weekend, Maj. Bradley Podliska, a Republican investigator formerly working on the Committee, revealed that he had lost his job for refusing to solely focus his investigation on Clinton. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), who heads the Committee, denies the charge.”

I think I smell the fragrance of a rose among the stinkhorns (see the fungus family Phallaceae). I want to personally thank GOP Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Hanna and Maj. Bradley Podliska for their fair play, courage, and honesty against the tide of “hardball” (i.e. “dirty tricks”) coming from the RNC. If either of them should become President in the future I would be much less unhappy than if most other Republicans were to win. The same is true for Gen. Colin Powell. They are good people, and that is a little more than half of what I want out of a President. Having fair, well-informed and reasonable ideas is the other part. Theodore Roosevelt, after all, was a Republican, as was Lincoln. I am proud of them all.

October 14, 2015


News Clips For The Day


WEIRDEST STORY


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/attorneys-explain-why-woman-sued-12-year-old-nephew-over-exuberant-hug/

Attorneys explain why woman sued 12-year-old nephew over exuberant hug
CBS/AP
October 14, 2015

Photograph -- Jennifer Connell FACEBOOK VIA CBS NEW YORK

HARTFORD, Conn. --Lawyers for a New York City woman who sued her 12-year-old nephew for injuring her while excitedly greeting her say Connecticut law forced her to go to court over her medical bills.

A jury on Tuesday rejected Jennifer Connell's lawsuit seeking $127,000. She says she broke her wrist when the Westport, Connecticut, boy jumped into her arms at his eighth-birthday party, causing her to fall.

Connell's law firm says her nephew's parents' insurance company offered her $1 and she had no choice but to sue to pay medical bills. They say she was never looking for money from him.

Peter Kochenburger is an insurance law specialist at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He says state law typically requires those claiming injury to sue the individual responsible.

CBS New York reported that Connell testified before a jury that when the child jumped, she tumbled to the ground as she tried to catch him.

"All of a sudden he was there in the air, I had to catch him, and we tumbled to the ground," Connell told jurors.

"I remember him shouting, 'Auntie Jen I love you,' and there he was flying at me."

According to the Connecticut Post, Connell testified that she has a hard time walking up to her third-floor walkup apartment in Manhattan and her social life has been affected as well.

"I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold my hors d'oeuvre plate," she said.




One of the weird things here is that in the first paragraph it is stated that the boy is 12, while the second says it happened at his 8th birthday party. I suppose I should conclude that Connell waited four years to sue him, but why? Is it impossible to sue an 8 year old, but legal to sue a child of 12?

I suppose she tried to get his parents to pay her expenses and failed, thus her recourse to the law. How much does an 8 year old weigh, I wonder? Of course, like an overly exuberant 50 pound dog, anybody who jumps with all their weight in that manner may have been able to knock her off her feet. I personally don’t think that her complaint of being unable to hold her cocktail plate at a party is a very severe hardship, though her inability to walk up three flights of stairs is certainly worse. I don’t think a broken wrist would cause me an inability to walk up stairs 00 a broken ankle, yes. Maybe this article is just very poorly written and there is more involved.

This does strike me as the kind of problem that the upper 1% have, but if so, why is she living in a third floor walkup? Almost all buildings have elevators nowadays. Maybe I’m wrong about her and she holds down a job for her daily living, but I doubt it. It also looks to me as though there may be a lack of love for her nephew on her part. It’s a sad story, to me.




http://www.cbsnews.com/news/police-parents-beat-son-to-death-in-church-counseling-session/

Police: Parents beat son to death in church "counseling session"
By CRIMESIDER STAFF CBS/AP
October 14, 2015

Photograph -- joseph-irwin-david-morey-linda-morey-sarah-ferguson.jpg
Joseph Irwin (left), David Morey (left of center), Linda Morey (right of center) and Sarah Ferguson (right) NEW HARTFORD, N.Y., POLICE DEPARTMENT
Photographs -- bruce-leonard-deborah-leonard.jpg
Bruce Leonard (right) and Deborah Leonard NEW HARTFORD, N.Y., POLICE DEPARTMENT


NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- Brutal beatings that left one teenager dead and his brother seriously injured Monday at a New York church were part of what members considered a "counseling session," according to police.

New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra said Wednesday that both Lucas and Christopher Leonard were subjected to hours of physical punishment at the Word of Life Church "in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness."

Inserra says investigators are still looking into what the supposed sins were. He said there's no indication, at this point, that the issue was sexual assault.

Nineteen-year-old Lucas Leonard died. Seventeen-year-old Christopher is hospitalized in serious condition.

Six church members, including the victims' parents and sister, are now locked up on charges they assaulted the two young men on Monday.

Bruce Leonard, 65, and Deborah Leonard, 59, of Clayville, were charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of their son Lucas, said Lt. Timothy O'Neill of the New Hartford Police Department. O'Neill said Lucas Leonard died Monday after he was beaten at Word of Life Church in New Hartford, which is 80 miles northwest of Albany.

He was said to have "died a violent death over several hours."

Police did not reveal if any weapons were used, but did say "feet and fists were involved."

The six church members were arraigned Tuesday and sent to Oneida County Jail. At the arraignment, it was revealed that both teens suffered injuries to their abdomens, genitals, backs and thighs. Bail for the Leonards was set at $100,000 each and for the four other defendants at $50,000 each. All pleaded not guilty.

Police said more arrests were expected as the investigation continues. A possible motive wasn't disclosed.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott D. McNamara indicated Wednesday during a phone call with 48 Hours' Crimesider that the location of the attack on Lucas Leonard, at the Word of Life Church, was not incidental. He declined to comment on a motive or other details of the case. McNamara said a preliminary hearing for all six defendants is scheduled for Friday.

A neighbor of the teenage brothers says they were not allowed to do "normal" kid things.

Nicole Howard says Christopher and Lucas Leonard weren't allowed to have sleepovers. The 31-year-old, who says grew up six houses away from the Leonards, says the family was very religious and the children were forced to read the Bible two hours each day.

The investigation began at about 12:30 p.m. Monday when family members brought Lucas Leonard to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators determined that the Word of Life Church was the scene of the death, and the building was surrounded by special operations teams from state and local police agencies.

Police eventually entered the church, a three-story brick building on a residential street that originally housed a school. Several church members were interviewed, and several children were turned over to child welfare officials.

It took time to find Christopher inside the church, according to officials. He was on the second floor and was not making himself known. Family members did not say where he was.

In addition to the Leonards, police arrested David Morey, 26, of Utica; Linda Morey, 54, of Utica; Sarah Ferguson, 33, who lives at the same address as the Leonards; and Joseph Irwin, 26, who lives in the church building.

Bruce Leonard's lawyer, Don Gerace, said his client will not be able to make the $100,000 bail. He said it was too early to comment on details of the case.

"We expect to learn more about the evidence and charges at that time," Gerace said of the upcoming hearing.

Deborah Leonard's lawyer, Devin Garramone, declined to comment. Contact information for the other defendants' attorneys wasn't immediately available.

CBS/AP




“New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra said Wednesday that both Lucas and Christopher Leonard were subjected to hours of physical punishment at the Word of Life Church "in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness." Inserra says investigators are still looking into what the supposed sins were. He said there's no indication, at this point, that the issue was sexual assault. …. Six church members, including the victims' parents and sister, are now locked up on charges they assaulted the two young men on Monday. …. Police did not reveal if any weapons were used, but did say "feet and fists were involved." The six church members were arraigned Tuesday and sent to Oneida County Jail. At the arraignment, it was revealed that both teens suffered injuries to their abdomens, genitals, backs and thighs. Bail for the Leonards was set at $100,000 each and for the four other defendants at $50,000 each. All pleaded not guilty. …. Oneida County District Attorney Scott D. McNamara indicated Wednesday during a phone call with 48 Hours' Crimesider that the location of the attack on Lucas Leonard, at the Word of Life Church, was not incidental. He declined to comment on a motive or other details of the case. McNamara said a preliminary hearing for all six defendants is scheduled for Friday. A neighbor of the teenage brothers says they were not allowed to do "normal" kid things. …. The investigation began at about 12:30 p.m. Monday when family members brought Lucas Leonard to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators determined that the Word of Life Church was the scene of the death, and the building was surrounded by special operations teams from state and local police agencies. Police eventually entered the church, a three-story brick building on a residential street that originally housed a school. Several church members were interviewed, and several children were turned over to child welfare officials. …. In addition to the Leonards, police arrested David Morey, 26, of Utica; Linda Morey, 54, of Utica; Sarah Ferguson, 33, who lives at the same address as the Leonards; and Joseph Irwin, 26, who lives in the church building. Bruce Leonard's lawyer, Don Gerace, said his client will not be able to make the $100,000 bail. He said it was too early to comment on details of the case.”

“Spare the rod and spoil the child” is questionable doctrine for any church to preach. That kind of thing, and especially in this extreme example, is cultlike rather than typical of what I consider to be a church. Doctrines that lead to this kind of abuse are unintelligent and even vicious. It’s exactly the same as the cases in hardline Islamic areas of women being killed in a mob-like setting for committing fornication, yet Christians tend to hold their group and beliefs above those of Islam. After all, we don’t do such things, right?

A civilized society has to have a few commonsensical rules of behavior that are held above the “freedom of religion.” I believe there should be no group or single partner sex, sacrificing of a human or even an animal, brainwashing, undue domination such as requiring large amounts of money to be paid to the church, etc. allowed by the US government as defensible under the doctrine of “freedom.” I do believe, however, that most “conservatives” in this country would not defend what happened in this group, no matter how their constituency expressed itself. This case goes beyond normal, sane human behavior.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/emotional-abuse-in-childhood-as-harmful-as-violence-or-neglect/

Emotional abuse in childhood as harmful as violence or neglect
By ASHLEY WELCH CBS NEWS
October 14, 2015

Photograph -- FASPHOTOGRAPHIC


Though abusive words don't leave physical scars, they may have the same lasting mental health effects as violence, new research finds.

According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, emotional abuse can be just as damaging as other forms of child abuse, including violence and neglect.

"Although people assume physical abuse is more harmful than other types of abuse, we found that they are associated with similar consequences," study author David Vachon, a professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University, said in a statement. "These consequences are wide-ranging and include everything from anxiety and depression to rule-breaking and aggression."

Emotional abuse, including ridicule, intimidation, rejection and humiliation, is experienced by about one third of children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

The study authors say their findings could have implications for how different forms of child abuse are recognized and treated.

The researchers analyzed data on almost 2,300 racially and ethnically diverse children aged 5 to 13 who attended a summer research camp designed for low-income kids from 1986 to 2012. About half of the boys and girls who attended the camp had a well-documented history of maltreatment.

At the end of each summer, researchers collected reports from counselors, peer ratings of behavior and child self-reports that were used to assess psychiatric and behavioral problems. If children attended the camp for multiple years, only the information from their first year of attendance was used in the analysis.

The researchers questioned common assumptions about child abuse, including the belief that each type of abuse has specific health effects and the belief that abuse has different consequences for boys and girls of different races.

"Many people have the assumption that physical abuse equals physical aggression and emotional abuse equals anxiety and depression," Katherine Lamparyk, a pediatric psychologist at the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cleveland Clinic Children's, told CBS News. "But what the study found is that that's not the case at all. Physical abuse can lead to depression just as emotional abuse can lead to physical aggression."

Lamparyk, who was not involved in the study, said these findings could result in a paradigm shift in how treatment for child abuse is approached.

"I think that we have to be a little more broad in our thinking," she said. "We need to look at each individual child and have treatment focusing on the individual and not have the assumption that because you have this specific type of abuse it means that you're going to have these problems. But we need to say that because you've suffered any of these types of abuse, you're likely to have more difficulty and we need to better assess what that might be."

Vachon told CBS News that "another implication is that awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies should not ignore the considerable harms associated with emotional abuse, the most common type of maltreatment."

Lamparyk said future research should look at the cumulative effects of abuse. "There's been other research that has found that if you have two types of abuse then it's going to be more problematic than one type," she said. "So I think it'd be interesting to see how that plays into it especially now that we know we can count emotional abuse as having the same consequences as physical abuse and neglect."

Vachon also suggested looking at whether abuse changes personality itself.

"My interest in this area is to understand how maltreatment changes the way in which children typically think, feel and behave," he said. How do they view themselves, others and the world? What kinds of emotions do they experience? What happens to their confidence and self-worth? Do they trust others? How do they protect themselves from future risk? If there are early changes in thinking, feeling and behaving, it is no surprise that some maltreated children experience mental illness further down the road."

"Ultimately, treatment may be more effective if it targets these immediate changes in personality and the neurobiological events that accompany them," he said.




"Although people assume physical abuse is more harmful than other types of abuse, we found that they are associated with similar consequences," study author David Vachon, a professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University, said in a statement. "These consequences are wide-ranging and include everything from anxiety and depression to rule-breaking and aggression." Emotional abuse, including ridicule, intimidation, rejection and humiliation, is experienced by about one third of children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The study authors say their findings could have implications for how different forms of child abuse are recognized and treated. …. About half of the boys and girls who attended the camp had a well-documented history of maltreatment. At the end of each summer, researchers collected reports from counselors, peer ratings of behavior and child self-reports that were used to assess psychiatric and behavioral problems. If children attended the camp for multiple years, only the information from their first year of attendance was used in the analysis. The researchers questioned common assumptions about child abuse, including the belief that each type of abuse has specific health effects and the belief that abuse has different consequences for boys and girls of different races. …. Physical abuse can lead to depression just as emotional abuse can lead to physical aggression." Lamparyk, who was not involved in the study, said these findings could result in a paradigm shift in how treatment for child abuse is approached. "I think that we have to be a little more broad in our thinking," she said. "We need to look at each individual child and have treatment focusing on the individual and not have the assumption that because you have this specific type of abuse it means that you're going to have these problems. But we need to say that because you've suffered any of these types of abuse, you're likely to have more difficulty and we need to better assess what that might be." …. ? If there are early changes in thinking, feeling and behaving, it is no surprise that some maltreated children experience mental illness further down the road." "Ultimately, treatment may be more effective if it targets these immediate changes in personality and the neurobiological events that accompany them," he said.”

It would be interesting if children who show up in school with an inability to deal with peers or adults, with their studies and with insufficient ability to learn, or other problems which have frequently been considered misbehavior rather than a negative internal reaction, would be given talk therapy and perhaps group therapy as well rather than psychotropic drugs or harsh punishments. In the old days it was all punishment, and it still is in many school settings. Early treatment of kids could perhaps heal their inner wounds and therefore stop the “misbehavior.” Adults tend to view children as little adults, but they simply are not. Their brain and emotions are not developed yet, and to a certain degree they also don’t “know right from wrong,” either. Even when a child is emotionally and mentally fully normal and healthy they still have to know a complex set of societal rules that are often different from society to society. Children have a very great deal to learn and grow into on their path through childhood.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gun-shop-found-liable-in-shooting-of-two-milwaukee-police-officers/

Gun shop found liable in shooting of two Milwaukee police officers
CBS NEWS
October 13, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Wisconsin officers shot in line of duty sue gun shop


MILWAUKEE -- Two police officers who were shot and seriously wounded have won their lawsuit against a gun store that sold the weapon used against them.

The jury awarded Bryan Norberg $1.5 million and Graham Kunisch $3.5 million, reports CBS affiliate WDJT.

The trial begin September 30, and closing arguments took place October 12.

CBS News' Adriana Diaz reports that in 2009, Officers Graham Kunish and Bryan Norberg approached 18-year-old Julius Burton for riding his bike on the sidewalk. A struggle ensued. Burton pulled out a gun and shot both officers in the face.

Kunisch lost an eye and had to have part of his brain removed. Norberg was shot in the mouth. Bullet fragments are still lodged in his cheek.

Surveillance video shows Burton with a friend at the Badger Gun store a month before the shooting. He paid the friend $40 to buy a gun for him because he was underage. Store Clerk, Donald Flora, appears to help the friend fill out the paperwork, Diaz reports. Flora told jurors he was unaware of an illegal sale known as a "straw purchase."

"The last thing we want to do is put a gun in somebody's hands that's going to commit a crime," said Flora on the stand.

In their lawsuit, the officers claim the weapon Burton used was "negligently and unlawfully sold by Badger Guns."

According to the charging document, in 2005, 537 guns recovered from crimes were traced back to Badger Guns, which "ranked as the number one crime gun dealer in America."

During closing arguments, Patrick Dunphy, the officer's attorney, said the store shares responsibility.

"If they had done their job, Bryan and Graham wouldn't have been shot June 9th," he said.

Legal experts previously said the officers face a very high bar to win their case and would likely need to prove criminal behavior on the part of the gun shop.

In opening arguments, the defense argued that gun sellers cannot be held responsible. President George W. Bush signed a law in 2005 that shielded the gun manufacturers and dealers from civil liability resulting from "the misuse of their products by others."

"I wouldn't be shocked if there were a jury verdict in this case that favor the plaintiffs. But then the question would be, would that jury verdict hold up on appeal?" Bloomberg Businessweek's senior writer Paul Barrett previously said to CBS News.




“Surveillance video shows Burton with a friend at the Badger Gun store a month before the shooting. He paid the friend $40 to buy a gun for him because he was underage. Store Clerk, Donald Flora, appears to help the friend fill out the paperwork, Diaz reports. Flora told jurors he was unaware of an illegal sale known as a "straw purchase." …. "The last thing we want to do is put a gun in somebody's hands that's going to commit a crime," said Flora on the stand. ….

“According to the charging document, in 2005, 537 guns recovered from crimes were traced back to Badger Guns, which "ranked as the number one crime gun dealer in America." Clearly, not only are laws covering gun sales lax, but so are the humans who do the selling. A man who had trouble filling out the form to purchase the gun might have caused the store owner to take a second look. One basic problem with businesses in general is that the “bottom line” is their profit margin, and a gun shop that gives buyers too many problems about the sale probably loses customers. Laws are only as effective as the people who enforce them. I’m glad to see a store get into trouble for doing what is probably commonplace, but is nonetheless deeply wrong.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nationwide-fbi-sex-trafficking-sting-nets-150-arrests/

Nationwide FBI sex trafficking sting nets 150 arrests
By CRIMESIDER STAFF CBS NEWS
October 14, 2015

Photograph -- An officer with the Alexandria, Va. Police Department monitors an undercover sting operation in an Alexandria hotel room during Operation Cross Country. FBI


A nationwide FBI sting focusing on underage victims of prostitution resulted in the rescue of 149 sexually exploited children and the arrests of more than 150 pimps and others, according the bureau.

The ninth annual initiative known as "Operation Cross Country" - the largest to date - was carried out last week in135 cities including Atlanta, Cleveland, Denver, Knoxville, Tenn., Alexandria. Va., Jackson, Miss., Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento and Seattle, with the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Local initiatives were coordinated through 73 of the FBI's child exploitation task forces, which include local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, according to the Bureau. More than 500 law enforcement officers participated in stings at hotels, casinos, truck stops and other locations known to be frequented by pimps and prostitutes, the FBI says.

"When kids are treated as a commodity in seedy hotels and on dark roadsides, we must rescue them from their nightmare and severely punish those responsible for that horror," FBI Director James Comey said in a statement.

The youngest victim rescued was reportedly 12 years old.

"It's a really young age - we're really concerned about that," said Staca Shehan, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children executive director, in a video posted to the center's Facebook page. "The majority of cases we see involve 15-, 16- and 17-year-old children.

The Bureau released raw video footage of the stings at hotels in Alexandria, Va. and Jackson, Miss. via its Facebook page. It shows law enforcement agents conducting video surveillance on hotel rooms, raiding the rooms and arresting suspects.

According to NCMEC, many of the victims are runaways who are being targeted by traffickers.

"Runaway juveniles are particularly vulnerable to being led into prostitution because they run away from possibly a bad family situation and then get pulled into drugs or a lifestyle that leads to prostitution," Crystal Nosal, a spokeswoman for the Alexandria Police Department, which assisted in the effort, says in the video.

Nosal said detectives would interview the victims to determine how they became involved in prostitution, and offer help. Nearly 100 FBI victim specialists were on hand to assist the child victims after the stings, according to the FBI, providing services including crisis intervention, food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention.

"Human trafficking is a monstrous and devastating crime that steals lives and degrades our nation," said Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. "As a result of the FBI's outstanding coordination and exemplary efforts alongside state and local partners during Operation Cross Country, more children will sleep safely tonight, and more wrongdoers will face the judgment of our criminal justice system."

"Operation Cross Country" was a part of the Bureau's Innocence Lost National Initiative, an effort launched in 2003 to combat sex trafficking.

"This operation is just a glimpse - just a snapshot into what's occurring in this country every day," said NCMEC's Shehan.




"When kids are treated as a commodity in seedy hotels and on dark roadsides, we must rescue them from their nightmare and severely punish those responsible for that horror," FBI Director James Comey said in a statement. The youngest victim rescued was reportedly 12 years old. "It's a really young age - we're really concerned about that," said Staca Shehan, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children executive director, in a video posted to the center's Facebook page. "The majority of cases we see involve 15-, 16- and 17-year-old children. …. Nosal said detectives would interview the victims to determine how they became involved in prostitution, and offer help. Nearly 100 FBI victim specialists were on hand to assist the child victims after the stings, according to the FBI, providing services including crisis intervention, food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. …. "Operation Cross Country" was a part of the Bureau's Innocence Lost National Initiative, an effort launched in 2003 to combat sex trafficking. "This operation is just a glimpse - just a snapshot into what's occurring in this country every day," said NCMEC's Shehan.”

Some crimes and sins are worse than others, and sexually assaulting a child is one of the worst. Children are often unable to cope intellectually with that kind of damage to their view of the world and their emotional nature. A single assault leaves damage, but to use such kids as sex slaves and subject them to it repeatedly is inhuman. I’m glad to see the FBI brought victim specialists with them to aid the victims, and organized the whole thing so that the criminals didn’t have time to warn others of the sting. The Internet is capable of instantaneous communication, but 150 pimps were arrested, while 149 kids were rescued. I only hope the courts will give the pimps enough time in prison to make a difference. Too often when I see the actual sentences that such people have to serve I am appalled at how lenient they are.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-sends-fighters-to-syria-using-cover-from-russias-air-campaign/

Iran sends fighters to Syria, using cover from Russia's air campaign
CBS/AP
October 14, 2015

Photograph -- A group of Iranian Revolutionary Guard members mourn during the funeral ceremony of Gen. Hossein Hamedani in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. Hamedani, a senior commander of the Guard, was killed by ISIS extremists last week near the Syrian city of Aleppo, according to a state TV report. AP PHOTO/VAHID SALEMI
Play VIDEO -- President Obama on Russia's military moves in Syria


BEIRUT -- Iran has sent hundreds of troops into northern and central Syria, its first such deployment in the country's civil war, joining fighters from its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in an offensive against rebels and taking advantage of cover from Russia's air campaign, a regional official and Syrian activists said Wednesday

CBS News' David Martin reports that U.S. officials say at least 1,000 Iranian fighters have deployed near Aleppo to augment Syrian ground forces fighting to retake the city. The Russians are expected to pitch in with air strikes, artillery and rocket launchers.

Their arrival is almost certain to fuel a civil war in Syria which has already claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and displaced half of the country's population. It also highlights the far-reaching goals of Russia's military involvement in Syria.

Moscow began launching airstrikes in Syria on Sept. 30, and Syrian troops and allied militiamen began a ground offensive against rebels in central Syria a week later. Russia says its airstrikes are meant to weaken the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other terrorists in Syria, but Western officials and Syrian rebels say most the strikes have focused on areas in central and northern Syria where extremist group does not have a strong presence.

The arrival of Iranian troops reinforces fighting under the cover of Russian air power further strengthens the view that Russia's main goal is to shore up Syrian President Bashar Assad's embattled government.

The official, who has deep knowledge of operational details in Syria, said the Iranian fighters began arriving in Syria about two weeks ago, after the Russian airstrikes began, and have accelerated in recent days. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has also sent a fresh wave of fighters to Syria, he told The Associated Press.

He said the Iranian fighters were arriving at Damascus airport and transported to a military base in the coastal town of Latakia from where they were deploying on the ground - mainly in the central Hama province and northern Aleppo province.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss military affairs.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported Wednesday that Iranian troops were arriving in Syria and were transported to the military base in the town of Jableh.

Iranian and Syrian officials have long maintained that Iran has advisers and military experts in Syria. Wednesday's news is the first confirmation of Iranian fighters taking part in combat operations in Syria.




“Iran has sent hundreds of troops into northern and central Syria, its first such deployment in the country's civil war, joining fighters from its Lebanese ally Hezbollah in an offensive against rebels and taking advantage of cover from Russia's air campaign, a regional official and Syrian activists said Wednesday. CBS News' David Martin reports that U.S. officials say at least 1,000 Iranian fighters have deployed near Aleppo to augment Syrian ground forces fighting to retake the city. The Russians are expected to pitch in with air strikes, artillery and rocket launchers. …. Russia says its airstrikes are meant to weaken the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other terrorists in Syria, but Western officials and Syrian rebels say most the strikes have focused on areas in central and northern Syria where extremist group does not have a strong presence. …. Iranian and Syrian officials have long maintained that Iran has advisers and military experts in Syria. Wednesday's news is the first confirmation of Iranian fighters taking part in combat operations in Syria.”

I can only hope that the Iranian and Russian troops will actually fight ISIS rather than merely prop up the Assad regime. Russia has admitted that one of their goals is to do just that. Of course we always have a secondary and unstated goal when we send troops in anywhere also. There are no clean hands here.