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08 Mar 2010 10:14

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Culture: Is Scientology abusive? Tons of former members say yes

  • Why did we work so hard for this organization, and why did it feel so wrong in the end? We just didn’t understand.
  • Christie King Collbran • Regarding her decision to leave Scientology, specifically its elite Sea Organization. Collbran and others claim that the organization was abusive, forced them to work long hours for little pay, and kept them in a climate of fear. They aren’t alone – there are thousands of anti-Scientology Web sites out there, and some celebrities are even quitting the religion as a result of the claims, such as Oscar-winner Paul Haggis, who reportedly came to the conclusion that the claims of abuse must be true. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

06 Mar 2010 11:54

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U.S.: The story of Capt. Holly Graf, or how mean people always lose

  • rise Top female Captain Holly Graf was put in charge of a billion-dollar warship, the Japan-based U.S.S. Cowpens.
  • climax Graf, while leading the ship, was constantly profane and abusive to subordinates. She swore a lot and was very mean.
  • fall Her crew rebelled against her, which led to her removal as commander of the ship in January. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Feb 2010 08:45

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World: Sound familiar? Ireland’s Catholic Church rocked by a sex-abuse scandal

  • Yes, storms spark fear, even those that rock the boat of the church because of the sins of its members.
  • Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone • Discussing sexual-abuse scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church of Ireland. A November report noted that the church “obsessively” hid child abuse between the years of 1975 and 2004. Four bishops have already resigned as a result of the scandal, where at least one priest admitted to abusing as many as 100 children. Yikes. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2009 11:14

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U.S.: The Supreme Court skips out on defining Gitmo prisoner rights

Four Guantanamo prisoners (including these two) sued over torture allegations. An appeals court dismissed their case; now the Supreme Court does the same. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jun 2009 11:47

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Culture: O.J. Simpson’s ex, Christine Prody, sez he’s a bad human being

  • She wrote all about it in a new book. Prody says, beyond the cocaine, crime, pregnancy and abuse, he treated her like garbage. Without any income of her own to her name, he would get into fights with her and dump her out on the street miles from their home. He forced her to have an abortion – twice. He would get so possessive that he’d spy on phone records and emotionally wore her down. But the kicker, in our opinion, is this line: On a night she was wearing black, he told her, “Nicole wore black the night of her murder.” Wow. Who knows if this is all true, but W-O-W. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 May 2009 10:59

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U.S., World: Obama’s decision to block the Abu Ghraib photos was smart

  • The mere description of these pictures is horrendous enough, take my word for it.
  • Major General Antonio Taguba • Regarding the photos Obama chose not to release, which show scenes of “torture, abuse, rape and every indecency,” according to the general. We think the world is probably better off without them, kids. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 5 Comments • Permalink

23 May 2009 12:07

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Culture, World: M.I.A. calls out clothing companies with Sri Lankan ties

  • first Since the end of the war in Sri Lanka (and heck, even during it), M.I.A. has been outspoken against human rights abuses happening there – and has strongly supported the Tamil rebels who lost.
  • second The pop star took to her Twitter feed to inform her 30,000+ readers of clothing companies who produce clothes in Sri Lanka – and many of them are brands you wear, like Nike and Ralph Lauren. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

13 May 2009 23:10

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U.S., World: Obama to world: You don’t need to see those torture photos

  • Apparently, he was afraid of rocking the boat a little too much. The photos, which document the abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan by U.S. military, could tick off the Muslim world at large, Obama was told by his military advisers. So rather than cause a buttload of fresh drama, Obama chose to keep the photos sealed. Probably a smart move on his part. We can live without seeing photos of waterboarding. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 10:34

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Biz, U.S.: Bankers falling off the wagon in high numbers, rehab clinics say

  • We absolutely do see more people coming in naming either a job loss or huge financial reversals or big investments with Bernie Madoff.
  • Sigurd Ackerman • The medical director at New Canaan, Connecticut’s Silver Hill Hospital rehabilitation facility, on the high number of former bankers coming in with alcoholism problems. Many (well, former) bankers live in New Canaan. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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