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19 Oct 2011 11:07

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U.S.: Owner of Ohio exotic wildlife preserve opens cages, commits suicide

  • It’s always been a fear of mine knowing (the preserve’s owner) had all those animals. I have kids.
  • Neighbor Danielle White • Discussing the bizarre incident involving an Ohio wildlife preserve, where numerous animals — lions, tigers and bears, plus more — had to be taken down in shoot-to-kill fashion after the owner opened up the cages housing numerous animals … then reportedly committed suicide, allowing the animals to run free throughout the area and creating a number of challenges for authorities. The preserve had been the subject of many complaints over the past decade. White, for example, once saw a lion escape. Most of the animals have been put down, but nearby schools had to close as a result of the bizarre incident. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2011 10:42

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U.S.: Father of the year: Drunk dad used 9-year-old as designated driver

  • Not the best move, dude: Shawn Weimer’s early-morning October 8 outing wouldn’t have drawn quite so many eyebrows … had his daughter been a decade older. She wasn’t, and as a result, he’s been getting negative national attention for the incident. But is it a momentary sign of bad judgment on the Michigan dad’s part … or a sign of something worse? With Weimer’s trial delayed for now, the father has some time to contemplate — as does the public. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Oct 2011 10:25

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U.S.: Pepper-spraying NYPD cop Anthony Bologna disciplined

  • 10 days of vacation time lost for his pepper-spraying conduct source
  • But does it go far enough?While Bologna’s actions in the infamous YouTube video drew massive scorn, some of the victims weren’t impressed with the punishment. “He needs a lot of vacation. He needs to go to a place very quiet, far away, for a very long time,” Ron Kuby, the lawyer for one of the victims, said. “He’s supposed to be there in an advisory capacity, to ensure that the young patrol officers aren’t doing what in fact the deputy inspectors are doing.”
  • Presented in the right context?Meanwhile, Bologna’s union, the NYPD Captains Endowment Association, is standing behind the cop, despite the claim he violated the department’s rules on pepper spray use: “Deputy Inspector Bologna is disappointed at the results of the Department investigation. His actions prevented further injury and escalation of tumultuous conduct. To date, this conduct has not been portrayed in its true context.” Bologna can still challenge the ruling.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Oct 2011 11:04

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U.S.: Gallup poll: Americans favoring pot legalization at record levels

  • 50% of respondents want to see marijuana legalized — the first time it’s reached a full majority
  • 46% of respondents would rather that marijuana remain illegal … a number that’s been declining for years source
  • » Will we reach a tipping point? Quite possibly, the study suggests: “If this current trend on legalizing marijuana continues, pressure may build to bring the nation’s laws into compliance with the people’s wishes,” the summary noted. Considering the current state of affairs in California, public outcry is completely understandable. Think it’ll eventually happen?
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Oct 2011 10:36

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U.S.: Massive dust cloud rolls through Texas, looks pretty crazy

  • An inopportune time to play “Dust in the Wind”: A 8,000-foot-high dust cloud engulfed Lubbock, Texas yesterday afternoon, making for dramatic scenes like this one and lowering visibility to near-zero. Would not want to drive in this. Yikes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Oct 2011 00:33

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U.S.: CDC: America goes big or goes home when it comes to vices

  • $150B the yearly burden to society caused by lazy people who don’t exercise
  • $193B the yearly burden to society caused by smokers; *cough* *cough*
  • $224B the yearly burden to society caused by  “binge drinking,” our nation’s pasttime source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Oct 2011 11:53

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U.S.: MLK memorial dedication: King’s message about reducing poverty

  • We should be reminded of what Dr. King was attempting to do when he was assassinated at 48 years [sic] of age. He was trying to put poverty on the American agenda. If he could speak to us today — and he will be speaking to us on Sunday — he would tell us that we should provide people with a living wage, end the wars, bring the troops home. He would say, ‘Do not forget the least of us.’
  • Rep. John Lewis • Speaking about Martin Luther King Jr. before the hurricane-delayed dedication of the civil rights leader’s memorial. Lewis knows a thing or two about all this civil rights/poverty thing, due to the fact that he marched with King in Selma, Ala. — and notably got injured in the process. (Edit: As one of our readers noted, Lewis incorrectly stated King’s age. He was 39 when he died. He gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, which the dedication was originally timed to celebrate, 48 years ago.)  source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

15 Oct 2011 14:47

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U.S.: Brutal incident at NYC McDonald’s: Self-defense or unchecked violence?

  • There is video of this on YouTube. We’re linking it instead of posting it, because it’s that violent and difficult to watch. Here’s what happened: Two customers got unruly after a McDonald’s employee wouldn’t give them their food until he could check the $50 bill they handed over. The customers started slapping him, and then jumped over the counter to confront him. What these unruly customers didn’t know is that the employee, Rayon McIntosh, recently got out of jail for manslaughter, and the incident set him off. He got a hold of a metal pole and started beating them savagely. One of the customers suffered a broken arm and fractured skull. The result? Both the customers and McIntosh got charged, in McIntosh’s case with felony assault. The chain and franchise owner have both come out against McIntosh’s actions, but the video itself seems to support a reasonable cause for self-defense, even if McIntosh’s own reaction was too heavy-handed (to put it lightly). Watch the video and see what you think. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Oct 2011 16:09

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U.S.: Kansas City bishop indicted for failing to report child abuse by priest

  • The first time a Catholic Church official has been charged: In what’s a major development regarding the sexual abuse scandals that have engulfed the Catholic Church since the 1980s, an official — and his diocese — have been charged with a crime. Bishop Robert Finn, above, who leads the Catholic Church diocese in Kansas City and nearby St. Joseph, has been charged with failing to report child abuse (the photography and possession of child pornography, specifically) allegedly committed by one of his priests. The diocese itself was also charged. Finn’s lawyer denies the allegations. Either way, yikes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Oct 2011 12:27

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U.S.: Occupy Wall Street: Clashes with protesters after cleanup delayed

  • Brookfield believes they can work out an arrangement with the protesters that will ensure the park remains clean, safe, available for public use, and that the situation is respectful of residents and businesses downtown.
  • NYC Deputy Mayor Caswell F. Holloway • Discussing the near-disaster Occupy Wall Street had last night, after Zucotti Park owners Brookfield tried to force people away from the park for cleaning — which many park-dwellers assumed was an attempt to kick them out. The city, which claims it’s acting in the interests of the company that owns the park, has put the ball in Brookfield’s court. Despite the company and city backing down, there have been violent clashes between the police and protesters today. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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