The Execution of Homosexuals and Others in Muslim-Run Countries

It's really ironic when certain Americans complain about America's "injustice" toward our own Islamic believers when they don't take their heads out of the sand to see real injustice ocurring all the time in Muslim-run and government controlled countries. I'm not talking about injustice against Christians, y'all just yawn to that for obvious reasons but yet many people do not want to acknowledge that these countries do persecute those not up to their ideals, including gays, druggies, those who commit infidelity, apostasy, Christian believers, other religious groups, political dissenters and so on where harsh prison sentences and, most often, executions do take place.

In Saudi Arabia on April 16, 2001, five homosexuals were sentenced to 2,600 lashes and 6 years in prison, and four others to 2,400 lashes and 5 years’ imprisonment for “deviant sexual behavior.” Amnesty International subsequently reported that six men were executed on charges of deviant sexual behavior, some of which were related to their sexual orientation, but it was uncertain whether the six men who were executed were among the nine who were sentenced to flogging and imprisonment in April.

According to Amnesty International, at least three homosexual men and two lesbians were publicly beheaded in January 1990. The Islamic Penal Law Against Homosexuals, approved in July 1991 and ratified in November of that year, is simple. Article 110: “Punishment for sodomy is killing; the Sharia judge decides on how to carry out the killing.” Article 129: “Punishment for lesbianism is one hundred (100) lashes for each party.” Article 131: “If the act of lesbianism is repeated three times and punishment is enforced each time, the death sentence will be issued the fourth time.”

It's funny to watch how many American gays and hippies scream bloody murder about Guatanamo Bay and the koran but turn a blind eye on what these Muslim-run countries do to their own gays, apostastics, or drug happy citizens. Do these Americans hold up the koran and its culture on a pedestal and proclaim support for while wanting to defile and spit on the Bible at the same time? Check out Part II of Newsweek reporting on the koran debacle. At least they are a bit more forth-coming this time.

These yahoo Americans should be so lucky to be in America where such cultural attitudes or trendy events won't get them jailed for life, have their hands cut off or, worst, executed. And they whine about "persecution"? Please, set your head on straight for once.

If they want real persecution, move to a Muslim-run country and you'll find out real quick what persecution means. Most Americans know better but the few sadly do not and would rather put America at risk by turning a blind eye on the koran and its culture of hate and love for death. They live in a fantasy world playing the professional victim in America. How droll.

They should be so lucky to be able have their freedom of expresssion and speech here in America. That's why America is called the "land of the free." Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-run country cannot claim this. Straight away anybody with common sense can see which practices are the most dangerous. Even now, the GLBT group is starting an awareness "campaign" on this practices in Muslim-run and government controlled countries. Good for them.

Count yourselves very fortunate to be living in America.

Don't like it? Move if you believe in "peace" loving Muslims in those countries that purport to be "tolerant." Hardly.

We give thanks daily to the men and women in the Armed Forces to help protect America. They're the heros. God bless them. Others who complain about the troops, about America, and those who purposely seek to undermine the security of America are cowards and would rather hold bitch sessions or complain about "stolen" ideas instead. All for naught and would rather see America succumb first.


Semper Fi.

Pity for Saddam? Think Again. And the koran? So What?

Oh, now Saddam is going to sue the Sun and Post for a picture of him in his skivvies (among others) released to the public yesterday. Please, cry me a river. And they say pictures of Saddam violate the Geneva Conventions? Oh, please. Liberals cry more about humiliation (e.g. underwear on prisoners head, picture of prisoners in their undies) than innocent individuals who were brutally decapitated by sawing their heads off by fanatical, wacko terrorists. Maybe Michael Moore need to visit this country called "Iraq" for a change?

And another thing, this koran incident, Newsweek is making this a big ado out of nothing knowing that this sort of thing would instigate violence among limp-wristed, overly sensitive fanatical Muslims. They knew this would happen and lied about the whole thing. Well, if the story weren't a lie then they wouldn't have retracted their story in the first place. Nuff said.

And there is a double standard when somebody does desescrate a copy of the Bible, koran, Talmud or other religious documents from around world in the United States as part of our freedom of expression (which is fine, we may shake our heads tho') by burning, spitting, tearing, crapping on, flushing it down the toilet or sewer, or whatever your heart desires. This is what makes America great. You should be so lucky. Whiners they are.

But, when it comes to the koran, they go into a frenzy demanding "death to America" or that New York City be bombed. And yet in their own countries they have very, very strick laws against desescrating the koran such as burning where penalties range from life sentences to death. Even for the act of displaying pictures, even if its fake, of a koran on fire on a computer will get you jail time. Or any other ways of desescrating the koran will they chase you down and kill you. Yet Liberals don't complain about this. Typical mindset.

I can do whatever I want if I want to express my opinion, including the koran, however I want. This is America. Stop wringing your hands in fear.

And for people who complain about the "lack of" freedom of speech or expression here in America, and complain they are a victim playing the professional victim? They whine about the treatment of Abu Ghraib prisoners? And Guatanamo Bay, too? Heck, even Saddam got better quarters than the soldiers guarding him. But Liberals hardly ever show any kind of support toward our own people and troops.

Liberals do everything in their power to make America weaker wringing their hands in fear because we're a superpower? And they're afraid that we might hurt our neighbors' feelings? Oh, please! You guys have absolutely NO SPINE! No wonder they want socialism. No wonder they want dumb down grades because kids not smart enough will feel "inferior." They're a bunch of limp-wristed, spineless, whiny bunch of yahoos.

You people are a bunch of effin

HYPOCRITICAL

IMBECILES!!


Weak. Weak. Weak. Weak.

You know who you are when you read this.

Move to Pakistan, India or any of the numerous fanatical Islamic countries, or Mexico or Canada, if you think America is so bad where many have died in wars and struggles to ensure that we get to enjoy our freedom in America.


Semper Fi!


Ok, back to our regularly scheduled program.

UPDATE: If you came here via Banjo's post then let it be known that Banjo is an idiot for twisting things about myself regarding human rights.  It's one thing when pictures of prisoners in underwear versus actual physical abuse and torture of prisoners to the point of sawing their heads off on video to be distributed through the internet. That makes him a moron who can't see the difference when it comes to respecting women's right who are abused daily in Islamic countries and sawing people heads off in delight by terrorists morons to that of those who got caught in a picture with his underwear on. Grow some balls, Banjo.

Can Clearplay Give Parental Controls On Political Hate Speech Seen In Movies? Sith Begone!

This "Sith" character I've been hearing about has been getting alot of attention in the blogosphere. The quote heard in the latest Star Wars movie - "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith" was heard as uttered from the Sith character's mouth while he hissed,

"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy,"

Nearly exacting the same quote on what President Bush said about the 9/11 in his September 20, 2001 Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People,

"Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

So, I guess that makes this Sith character a bonafide terrorist? A rhetorical question there. Sith said "enemy" while President Bush said "terrorists" at the end of their quote. I don't exactly see Sith as a peace-loving dude but would rather want to take over the world, even the galaxy where evil can truly reign to cause more suffering on the scale equivalent to beheading and torturing innocent people. President Bush want to enable people on the ability to protect themselves from tyranny and abuse. Something that Sith doesn't want to see that happening. And we see fans hooting in the movie theater hearing Sith's quote makes them terrorist sympathizers as well? Don't answer that one, either. It's just another rhetorical question there.

Now, this brings me to a company called Clearplay. ClearPlay has a device that works with any regular versions of movies (rented or owned) not altered. You then select which types of content (e.g. violence, language, sexual content) you want filtered while you watch. An ultimate Parental control device.

Back in April of this year President Bush signed the "Family Entertainment and Copyright Act," which creates an exemption in copyright laws to make sure companies selling filtering technology won't get sued out of existence.

However, movie companies were decrying this move.

Critics of the bill have argued it was aimed at helping one company, Utah-based ClearPlay Inc., whose technology is used in some DVD players. ClearPlay sells filters for hundreds of movies that can be added to such DVD players for $4.95 each month. Hollywood executives maintain that ClearPlay should pay them licensing fees for altering their creative efforts.

Ok. Now you're probably wondering where I'm getting at. Since Clearplay gives Parents or anybody else a control on contents in a DVD movie by selecting one of the filtering requirements (e.g. sex, language, violence) so that the whole family, for example, can watch and enjoy a movie without worrying about unnecesary or uncomfortable contents not conducive to a family setting. I'm thinking if Clearplay (or other similar companies) has a device with this kind of edit control, can certain political comments such as Sith's be able to be edited as well?

Now, I am not sure how many movies of the past, if any, inserted similar political comments such as Lucas did. Perhaps somebody more knowledgeable will contact me on this aspect.

Now, if a company/person can produce a Foxblocker device for stoopid people who have the inability to skip Foxnews cable, why not produce a device where anybody can have direct, piecemeal editorial control of any particular political comment said in a movie by deleting or skipping it? This is not about sitcoms or cable shows that have these anti-Bush themes to it where I can easily not watch it such as Whoopi's really dumb show (which, btw, bombed horribly last year). Sitcoms were used as avenues to express their distaste toward certain politicians (in this case, President Bush) or rant about Republican's idealogues for some time. Something that the Liberals have been trying, without much success (remember, John Kerry lost the election) and now enters blockbuster movies where directors or producers will want to insert certain political statements.

"As you go through history, I didn't think it was going to get quite this close. So it's just one of those recurring things," Lucas said at a Cannes news conference. "I hope this doesn't come true in our country."Maybe the film will waken people to the situation," Lucas joked.

This is the first big step since Hollyweird is a vastly Liberal-controlled entertainment landscape and will use every means to promote their backward political message via a movie character or plot. Socialism here we come. I'm sure this isn't something that's new in today's world of Hollyweird entertainment but seeing how tv/cable sitcoms have behaved in the past, subterfuge efforts to insert certain political statements in movie plots will become more prevalent on the big movie screens in the future as Hollyweird's way of political protest. Whatever happened to good ole' fashion and exciting movies without all of the political baggage? Liberals are getting desperate. Michael Moore failed in his 911 movie where Michael Moore probably single handidly helped President Bush win his re-election. Maybe the secret here today is to subconsciously promote this political message rather than the in-your-face type mentality. It certainly didn't work on Michael Moore's behalf. Thanks Mikey!

And so, all this thinking led me to write an email today to Clearplay regarding if the device may have someday in the future the ability to censor certain political comments or scenes out of the movie. Or if they have plans to somehow incorporate certain offensive political language as part of the language editing control that parents (or others) can have when viewing their personal, store bought DVD movies. Maybe Artificial Intelligence will do the job for us in the future?.......... Strike that one. Bad idea. Badddd.

I'll let you know if I get a response from Clearplay. Meanwhile, you can send an email to Clearplay regarding the ability to censor disruptive political overtures in a movie meant to entertain rather than a soapbox to espouse political views or rants that would interrupt the flow of the movie's entertainment value.

After all, America is the land where we don't have to listen to crapola. We can reserve the full right to edit such comments from movies or even cable shows someday. You have a choice on not to watch a movie by skipping it, watching the whole thing in its entirety or watch the edited version set by you.

That's called "freedom of choice."

When Will Howard Dean (and DNC) Ever Learn?

Looks like Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona steered clear of Howard "Screaming" Dean during his Arizona visit. And for a good reason, too. Howard Dean's just too ultra-liberal for the governor. Howard Dean is so far out left he's dipping his toes into the socialist water. And if you have forgotten what his scream sounded like, go here.

And yet dear old ignorant screaming Dean boasted about the first Hispanic mayor of Los Angles saying that the GOP cannot claim that kind of diversity among their roster of mayors or U.S. Senators. How conveniently he forgets about U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. And the final blow was that the GOP improved its standing with Latinos in the November vote.

With Howard Dean's comments ranging from his maniacal screams, flubs and slander charges, you can certainly picture him in the pink house.

His comments? You forgot already? Tsk.

"John Ashcroft is not a patriot." - Dean's unpatriotic.

"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here." - Dean's a racist.

"I think Tom DeLay ought to go back to Houston, where he can serve his jail sentence down there," - Dean's prejudicial.

"If Bill Clinton can be the first black president, I can be the first gay president. " - Dean is way too overly ambitious. Did he tell his wife?

"We Democrats don't pay enough attention to our core groups," - Dean's admittance despite being completely clueless to his past when he boasted about the Hispanic mayor of L.A.

And review the top 10 Howard Dean quotes (pre-February 5, 2005). I'm sure every Democrat absolutely adore and love Howard "Screamin" Dean that they'll follow him everywhere.




From the NY Post.


Well, you get the picture.


Howard Dean and DNC certainly do not study history. They want you to forget them.

Keep it coming Howie. Keep it coming and you'll be like Michael Moore who helped George Bush win the 2nd presidential term.


Keep...it....coming!

Twin Towers To Rise Again? The Phoenix Bird Complex.

Well, I have to admit. Donald Trump is right on this one. Rebuild the Twin Towers only this time,

The replacements would be at least 1,475-feet tall, more than 100 feet higher than their previous incarnations. The new North Tower would also boast a 383-foot communications mast.

"It's bigger, it's stronger and it's better than the previous World Trade Center, and it sets the right tone and the right attitude," Trump said, adding that some members of the public who had seen the model had been moved to tears.

............................


And yet this design would be an improvement over the old ones.

The Trump towers -- he promised not to attach his name to the buildings -- would employ a tube-within-a-tube design with improved fireproofing and larger stairwells.
Gardner said the structures would be able to withstand the kind of attacks that brought down the original towers on September 11, 2001 killing 2,479 people.

This would be an excellent way of saying "Up yours!" to those terrorists. I'm for it. Many people are for it, too. Among 3,483 respondents in a poll, 80% voted for the Twin Towers to be rebuilt, "stronger and mightier than ever."

DePaul University Professor Suspended Without A Hearing After Arguing With Pro-Palestinian Students At A Student Activities Fair On Middle East Issues

Well, FIRE's at it again. This time they are sticking up for a professor when DePaul University administrators simply didn't have the gonads to do so in the first place....protect academic freedom and discourse on campus, even if others disagree. In this case, it was the pro-Palestinian students who couldn't agree to disagree...including the administrators of DePaul University, too.

CHICAGO, May 18, 2005—DePaul University administrators have suspended Professor Thomas Klocek without a hearing after he engaged in an out-of-class argument with pro-Palestinian students at a student activities fair. When the students complained to administrators, Klocek was denied the rights that DePaul guarantees to professors accused of wrongdoing and immediately suspended. Statements from DePaul administrators indicate that Klocek was disciplined because of his harsh criticism of the students’ viewpoint, despite DePaul’s stated commitments to free speech and academic freedom.

“DePaul has unquestionably violated Professor Klocek’s due process rights, and the university did so because his statements were allegedly offensive,” commented David French, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), which wrote to DePaul on Klocek’s behalf.

The incident in question occurred on September 15, 2004, when Professor Klocek engaged in conversation with students representing Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and United Muslims Moving Ahead (UMMA). According to the DePaulia student newspaper and other sources, during the debate, Klocek cited a Chicago Sun-Times article that quoted the general manager of the Al-Arabiya television network as saying, “It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims.” A heated but strictly verbal argument ensued during which Klocek argued that a Christian viewpoint, in addition to Muslim or Jewish ones, should
be considered in discussing Israel and Palestine. According to Klocek, SJP and UMMA students (several of whom had gathered around Professor Klocek) made their own controversial statements comparing Israeli Jews to Nazis. The argument concluded when Klocek walked away from the SJP and UMMA tables and thumbed his chin at the students in what he believed to be an Italian hand gesture meaning “I’m outta here.”

The offended students complained to DePaul administrators, who moved quickly to punish Professor Klocek for his part in the argument. Klocek reports that on September 24, 2004, Dean of the School of New Learning Susanne Dumbleton informed him that the university had received letters of complaint from SJP and UMMA students and had met with the students and their faculty advisors the previous evening. Dumbleton immediately suspended Klocek with pay and ordered him to stay off campus. Klocek was never given a copy of the complaint letters, nor was he given a hearing or any other chance to face his accusers before his suspension.

Guess who the wimps, weenies and baby cryers are? I can tell you unequivocally it is not Klocek nor I.

McConnell Gets Kicked Out Of University Because Of Personal Beliefs

I thought I got your attention. And no, this is not about me even though my last name is McConnell. Nor am I related to this guy.

But this one here smacks the king of all imbeciles where actions by officials of Le Moyne College expelled a graduate student, Scott McConnell, who was pursuing a masters in education and had a 3.78 GPA, for expressing his own academic freedom and had gotten an A- in a paper he wrote for class that got him expelled. In this case, McConnell was never given a due process. Le Moyne College thereby violated their own "academic freedom," now to become expensively laughable. In FIRE's Feburary 15, 2005 press release they stated that:

McConnell submitted as part of an assignment a paper expressing his personal views on classroom management, including various ideas for attaining a classroom environment that is “based upon strong discipline and hard work” and that allows “corporal punishment.” The paper received an “A-,” with his professor noting that his ideas were “interesting” and that she had shared the paper with the department chair, Cathy Leogrande. McConnell ultimately received an “A” as his final grade in the course.

Yet in January 2005, with no prior warning, Leogrande dismissed McConnell from Le Moyne. In the dismissal letter, Leogrande stated that she had reviewed McConnell’s grades for courses he took during the summer and fall semesters and had “discussed” his work with his professors. Leogrande wrote, “I have grave concerns regarding the mismatch between your personal beliefs regarding teaching and learning and the Le Moyne College program goals. Based on this data, I do not believe that you should continue in the Le Moyne [Master of Science for Teachers] Program.” At the time he was dismissed, McConnell had achieved a grade-point average of 3.78 for the fall semester and had received an “excellent” evaluation for his work in an actual classroom.

According to David Limbaugh,

FIRE's (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) president, David French, who told me, "This is one of the most brazen examples of censorship and summary expulsion for the expression of dissenting views I have ever seen."

McConnell has since filed a multi-million dollar suit against the college as outlined in FIRE's May 5, 2005 press release.

Sic 'em, McConnell!


Now, let's hope Gallaudet University won't become like this someday.

A Course on "How to be Gay" ?

Granted. This was a controversy started a few years ago on the campus University of Michigan where a course was offered to students on "How to Be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation" - in the ENGLISH dept:

"It does not teach students to be homosexual," Mr. Halperin says in an interview. "Rather, it examines critically the odd notion that there are right and wrong ways to be gay, that homosexuality is not just a sexual practice or desire but a set of specific tastes in music, movies, and other cultural forms — a notion which is shared by straight and gay people alike.

Also as well on the exploration on camp, diva-worship, drag, interior design, muscle culture, taste, style and political activism.

Why can't people think for themselves rather than subscribing to today's "status quo"? Absolutely surreal. Robin Williams ought to be so proud.

Here's the pro-version's.

Here's the anti-version's.

sComm, Inc Received Their $1.3 Million NIH Award

Jason Curry, CEO of sComm, informed me via Yahoo IM while we chatted that,

"sComm, Inc just recently received $1.3 million in funding 3 weeks ago to develop a communication device that will enable FACE TO FACE communication for deaf and hard of hearing with hearing people. We are in the pre-development stage right now seeking contract manufacturers which we will be selecting to develop the final prototype. We should have a communication device ready for the public in 9 to 12 months."

I reported on sComm earlier in February about how sComm won the $1.3 million dollar NIH grant. The affirmation alone on this million dollar award shows that this company is a positive example of how empowerment can help other people help themselves. Jason Curry knows that a wall can stop you only if you let it. He's making sure the wall that separates deaf and hearing people will not be the case.

Jason Curry, who is deaf, signs and wears a cochlear implant ever since 2000. He is a known innovator and motivator whose positive energy encourages people to set their own goals to a higher standard for themselves. The simple power of transformation. The awesome power of greater independency.

Perhaps you have met Jason if you were at the National Training Conference that was held last week in Washington D.C. from May 9 - 11 where he attended sessions held by the Communication Service for the Deaf.

Look here on Kokonut Pundits for more news and direct information from Jason Curry regarding his company, sComm, and the device. And be sure to check out sComm's website where they'll be doing some updates.

Also, be sure to check out also a new website that came up in February of this year and its called Deaf Professional Network or DPN. It recently launched an e-newsletter. You can subscribe by going to the home page of their website.

Deaf Professional Network covers news, trends, technologies, laws, policy, education, lifestyles, and other issues related to the education and employment of deaf professionals and business owners.

Its founder and e-publisher is Stephen Hlibok, Ryan Malisweski is COO, Slemo Warigon heads Finance, Julie Bourne is Editor-in-Chief, Lindsay Dunn is a Contributing Writer, and Alicia Epstein is Advertising Coordinator.

Deaf professionals will surely appreciate any devices that will enhance their professional business, communication needs and the bottom line. sComm is certainly coming up with such a device to help people with hearing loss communicate more effectively and easily in the professional and business world that is largely a hearing population.

A Gang of Gay (Bi?) Murderers?

Here we may be witnessing a gang that sodomizes their victims before killing them. Who are these murderous gangs?

In the woods near Dallas, an innocent 21-year-old man was shot in the head, his remains eaten by animals. His pants were pulled down, and police suspect that he may have been sodomized.

A vicious gang they are, no doubt.

But there are other types of "gangs" of a different intention, nonetheless still serious.

Consider the radical homosexual agenda exposed in the Homosexual
Manifesto, authored by Michael Swift, published February 15, 1987 issue of the homosexual newspaper Gay Community News, and was reprinted in the 15-21 February 1987 Congressional Record: "We shall sodomize your sons, emblems of your feeble masculinity, of your shallow dreams and vulgar lies. We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker rooms, in your sports arenas, in your seminaries, in your youth groups, in your movie theater bathrooms, in your army bunkhouses, in your truck stops, in your all-male clubs, in your houses of Congress, wherevermen are with men together.

Your sons shall become our minions and do our bidding. They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us. "The complete manifesto can be read at: <http://members.ll.net/chiliast/> following the link on the left to Homosexual Manifesto.

What a nutty world we're living in.

However, there are two issues regarding the sodomization of victims.

It's become a maxim that rape and other sex crimes are not about sex. They are about power. If Moyer did in fact abuse the unconscious girl, as Mitchell believed he did, that act would have had more to do with Moyer's desire to exert some control over the girl than any other desire he might have harbored. By the same token, experts contend, if Nestor battered Moyer's testicles with a club, forced him to sodomize himself with the club, and then carved a mark on his nipple, then that too was a sex crime that had little to do with sex.

Power? Fetish? Desire? Sexual exploitation? Who knows? Still, it's ugly.

Grover Furr: Worse than Ward Churchill

Just when I thought that nobody would be worse than Ward Churchill. Here comes Prof. Grover Furr and his absolutely looney teaching, if you call it that. A lobotomy job would do him good.

Senator Reid Borrowed "Loser" Comment From Senator Boxer?

Well, Senator Reid said that President Bush was a "loser" on May 6, 2005. The Democrats are increasingly becoming a "Party of Ideals" on making obnoxious and unprofessional display of courtesy toward the U.S. President. Republicans win when they lose out. The most likely source of the "loser" comment from Senator Reid goes to Senator Barbara Boxer. Her orignal "loser" comments started in her April 26, 2005 "news update". The "loser" comment was first displayed in bright red in her flash "news update" regarding President Bush' support for a Social Security Personal Retirement Accounts (that's "privatization" for you Liberal hacks). And clicking on the link will get to her report containing four more "loser" comments where she is taking an obvious but direct stab at President Bush as being the "loser" on the Social Security issue.

Expect more "loser" comments down the road from other Liberal hacks who have absolutely no respect for tradition on the Senate floor.

This is their "Party of Ideals" when they conjure up nasty words replete with overt disrespect toward their President along with their age old filibustering tradition of going against Judicial nominees picked by the President ever since 2003 breaking a 214 years tradition of a simple up-down vote for Judicial court nominees on the Senate floor for a simple majority vote win.

A real proud bunch of people who have little sense of value or respect who never heeded to the warnings from a Democrat Gov. of South Carolina who made his "Party of Ideals" comment in 2003, which as you already know by now, has obviously fell on deaf ears.

Governor Joe Erwin (D) said, “We have to get back to being a party of ideals people believe in.” It’s obvious the ideals it has become famous for in recent times haven’t helped attract winning numbers to the voting booth.

Guess who the winners are this time? Well, actually the Republicans have been the "Party of Ideals" ever since the days of Abraham Lincoln.

Marines In A Sandstorm in Iraq

My 22-year old nephew who is a Marine serving his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq sent me several pictures of the sandstorm that hit his camp unit somewhere in Iraq. Here's one picture. He's doing well with a few nearby mortar fire attempts. Their Black Hawk helicopters took them out.
Those dunderhead terrorists.

Don't mess with the Marines.

Semper Fi!



Tommorrow I'll add my piece about the BRAC closing that I wrote up during earlier today. Holloman AFB went unscathed but there's more. Stay tuned.

Gallaudet University Graduation Day - Reality Sets In

Congrats to the students of Gallaudet University who graduated today in Gallaudet University’s 136th Commencement Address.

I took a little time to watch the graduation via internet video today when it first came on but only watched it for several minutes. Not real exciting to watch but certainly exciting for those who graduated. Now, the shock comes next. They now face the real world outside of their protected little confines of Gallaudet University’s fenced-in, well policed campus. They'll soon realize that the real world can be quite not-so-friendly. Keep the faith and don't give up.

I saw this coming a few months earlier seeing that 136th Commencement keynote speaker was going to be Dr. Oliver Sacks and began jotting down notes I've gathered from the internet for this posting because Dr. Oliver Sacks is a familiar name since I read a few of his books but it's nothing deafness related if you're asking. And now today is graduation day and it was time for me to put down what I've found.

Dr. Oliver Sacks is also notably well known in the field of Medicine as described in Gallaudet University's 13th Commencement page:

Dr. Sacks is a physician, writer, and clinical professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

His book, Seeing Voices, focuses on American Sign Language and the conflicts between those who seek to teach people who are prelingually deaf to communicate via voice and lip reading, and those who maintain that sign language is by far a more effective method of communication.

His book also explains the remarkable impact of the 1988 Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet on American deaf culture.

Dr. Sacks will also receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University.

What Gallaudet University does not tell you is that Dr. Oliver Sacks wrote numerous books including the famously known “Awakenings” that was made into a 1990 movie called the “Awakenings” with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.

See also the New York Times newspaper article about Sacks’ “Awakenings.” Pesky free registration is required. It talks about the "Awakening" documentary where post-encephalitic patients are described in Oliver Sacks' book. That may be of interest of you since I already knew this since I've found the book and film quite engrossing and engaging. Medical oddities are my weakness and facination such as a 12-year old girl that has the size and looks of a 2 year old. Or visit Walter Reed Hospital Medical museum to find medical oddities such as a bone fragment from Abraham Lincoln - guess where it came from.

Even though Dr. Sacks is a professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York since 1965, it might interest you that Howard Dean graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York in 1978 receiving his MD degree.

What is the likelihood that Sacks and Dean met? Although Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York is not one of the top 10 Most Liberal Colleges, it is however located on the east coast where a majority of colleges and universities are known for their political liberal views.

I am, however, keeping my eye on Gallaudet University’s yearly keynote Commencement speakers. Looks like this year with Dr. Oliver Sacks probably put Gallaudet University’s closer to being one of the politically liberal colleges/universities in the United States.

Here’s one guy, Ilir Topalli, Ph.D, who is also a neuroscientist (and a rabid Liberal) at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who took the time to ask the question:

I'm sure you've all seen the electoral map. Indeed, many have been staring at it until bloodshot. It was so close. But how come it looks so RED? As a neuroscientist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, I thought, “Maybe a little research would clear things up.”

By the way, John Kerry lost if you have forgotten about it already. And, oh, an important milestone here, today marks 100 days since John Kerry promised, on national TV, to sign form SF-180 and release his military records. More here, too.

But I can’t say that Albert Einstein College is a rabidly liberal college anymore than I can say that Gallaudet University is. AEC probably have liberal tendencies just as Gallaudet University does. But I'm just reporting on what I’ve found interesting so don’t get your panties in a bunch here.

BTW, congrats to the graduates. The cold hard reality sets in. Now, start looking for a job or better yet continue with your college career and get your masters degree by investing in yourself for a better career and earning potential.

I know I did.

When the Daily Kos Get Their Pants Caught Down Along with cBS’ Interview of Ken Starr

Well, the Daily Kos has no pride. In fact, they must feel quite embarrassed to have a posting about the recent cBS interview of Ken Starr by which the producers (or whoever) directed the editing of the 20 minute interview of Ken Starr who took his comments way out of left field. Ken Starr never talked about the nuclear option but the judicial philosophy (ie filibustering) on judicial nominees.

This is what the Daily Kos reported:

It also took the "nuclear option" off the table, which even Ken Starr said yesterday was damaging to the Senate as an institution and "amounts to an assault on the judicial branch of government." This compromise would break the gridlock over these seven judges, and allow us to get back to doing the people's business.

The Daily Kos jumped at the seemingly rare opportunity to use Starr’s (he never addressed this) comment on the "nuclear option" (scary words created by Liberals that has nothing to do with nuclear bombs) by posting it in their May 10th, 2005 blog. But the discussion field for comments was mysteriously turned off on May 11 at 8:12 AM PDT.

Could it be that the Daily Kos caught wind of cBS criminal negligence in taking Ken Starr’s comment out of context? The Daily Kos leave many, many other comments on for discussion. Why turn the comments off regarding the talk on "nuclear option"?

Little Green Football helps set the record straight where Power Line has this quote from an email sent by Kenn Starr to CBS News :

I sat on Saturday with Gloria Borger for 20 minutes approximately, had a wide ranging, on-camera discussion. In the piece that I have now seen, and which I gather has been lavishly quoted, CBS employed two snippets. The ‘radical departure from our history’ snippet was specifically addressed to the practice of invoking judicial philosophy as a grounds for voting against a qualified nominee of integrity and experience. I said in sharp language that that practice was wrong. I contrasted the current practice and that employed viciously against your father with what occurred during Ruth Ginsburg’s nomination process as numerous Republicans voted, rightly, to confirm a former ACLU staff worker. They disagreed with her positions as a lawyer but they voted — again rightly — to confirm her.

According to Powerline cBS refuses to hand over the 20-minute interview tape/transcript of Ken Starr to Ken Starr when he requested it.

To learn more about the whole "judicial philosophy" mess go here with FAQs.

And here are parting words from Rush Limbaugh in his radio talk today via his transcript about the whole cBS debacle and lies along with true Liberal weenies who are sucker for anything not true:

Why in the world would they take a guy who they despise and twist his words, take them out of context, as a means to hurt Republicans? The answer is: Because secretly they know he has integrity. They know he has credibility, and they know when they play this sound bite out of context that everybody is going to believe Ken Starr. "He said it! You gotta accept it!" It's not ultimate compliment to Starr in the sense of their impression of him, but it is the ultimate insult in terms of what they did. They actually fabricated essentially an opinion Starr has about the nuclear option that he doesn't hold, and they cut up the interview with him and they pieced it together in such a way as to make it look like he was talking about something that he was not discussing. He's like all of us. He thinks that this focus on judicial philosophy... This is an attack on Democrats. What Starr actually did was criticize Democrats. This business of judicial philosophy, deciding these seven nominees aren't worth it because of their judicial philosophy -- which is exactly what Bush has said, by the way. Bush said it's an argument over judicial philosophy, a code word, but Starr picks it up and says this argument over judicial philosophy is going to come back and boomerang against the Senate and they're going to regret it down the road. He was not saying that about the nuclear option. I wanted to pass this on to you and get it out there because to me it's huge. It is gigantic. It is. It is beyond irresponsible because it was done purposely. It can't be irresponsible and purposely done at the same time. Irresponsible would mean somebody wasn't paying attention. This is worse than irresponsible. It's dishonest. It's cheating. It's whatever you want to attach to it. But from now on I'm going to promise you anything comes from CBS, screw it. The first impression is going to be just like when I read the New York Times: Gee, what if that's true?

The cBS lollypop ship is going down along with the rest of the Liberal suckers who took the interview (for Pete’s sake, it’s cBS!) at face value. Even Rush knew something was wrong when he watched it but now he knows better. Don't trust cBS. That goes for the Daily Kos, too, if they can't be honest about the interview.
Watch it here on Google news on the latest cBS criminal debacle involving the Ken Starr interview by cBS.

Here’s another sucker website who believed in the cBS lie with one commenter making the correction.

PETA's Own Dirty Little Secrets

Check out this site, PETA Kills Animals, a non-profit organization bent on exposing PETA's lies. PETA has been known to be the animal extremist and cult group as they try and indoctrinate children and those easily-duped by the PETA's core "belief" on protecting animals...even fish.

Hooking a striped bass, says PETA, ought to be a crime.

Well, common sense completely thrown out of the door here. If I want to fish, I'll fish. Bait, hook, line and sinker. And I'll bring my machette so I can quickly lop off the head of this fish when I reel it in.

Read the story. PETA is nuts.

Why the Murderer of Major Gregory Stone's May Not Get the Death Penalty

The Air Force Times chimes in on an article of why Sgt. Akbar's murder of Air Force Major Gregory Stone and Army Captain Christopher Seifert may never get the death penalty.

The military hasn’t executed one of its own since 1961, while states have put scores of civilian killers to their deaths. Experts say the key difference in military justice is the role of the president, who unlike a governor, must take an active role in signing off when a service member gets the ultimate punishment.

“It is unique to the military justice system that there has to be an affirmative approval by the president of the United States,” said Eugene R. Fidell, president of the National Institute of Military Justice in Washington. “Clearly, there’s no rush to judgment.”

Currently, there are five people on military death row, three whose cases are in the appeals process and two who are awaiting action from the president.

Fidell pointed out that even though current President Bush and past
President Clinton came from states that had active records of executions, neither have put their name to a military execution.

The last time that happened was in 1961 when President Kennedy signed off on the hanging of Army Pfc. John A. Bennett for the rape and attempted murder of an 11-year-old Austrian girl.

And that was when the Cold War was "thawing" at a time when Austria was occupied by the Soviets. Imagine had the President not signed the death penalty? But oddly enough it was that Austria did not have the death penalty and the crime committed by Pfc. John A. Bennett never committed murder but attempted murder when he tried to drown the little girl in a drunken stupor.

Sounds like John F. Kennedy did this out of political reasons rather than by justification alone.

However, in Sgt Akbar's case, this was premeditated murder, and he did so successfully by killing two officers wounding several others. The death penalty is warranted and justified in this case.

But even if a military death sentence clears all the appeals, it then must go to the president, and an uncertain approval.

I believe President Bush will ensure to make an example of him on the fight against terrorism.

Cochlear Implant Helps Woman Succeed in Life

Here's a success story of a cochlear implant user who went from the unemployment line to full time job. The woman, Tammi Baglole, now works at a law firm in Charlottetown, Canada.

Who Would Want to Steal a Boy's Cochlear Implant?

Somebody is either real desperate or real dumb to steal another boy's cochlear implant.

A 15-year-old deaf boy's hearing device worth an estimated $10,000 was stolen at school Monday.

Anthony Rojas had taken the device off and placed it in his backpack during PE class at MacArthur High School when he discovered it was missing.

The mother is asking help for the return of the cochlear implant device. She cannot afford another $10,000 for a new cochlear implant device.

A New Earth Science Tool for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

There is a relatively new online library of Earth-system science resources for deaf and hard of hearing students to help keep them interested. The Digital Library for Earth System Education (www.dlese.org) fits the unique educational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students because of its visual, conceptual, and interactive nature.

Low academic achievement by deaf and hard of hearing K-12 students is well known to educators, says Mangan. Only a third of teachers responsible for science instruction are certified to teach science, a situation that compounds the problem for deaf students and others with disabilities. DLESE aims to give both students and teachers access to reliable, up-to-date information. For deaf students, it's an added boon that they do not need to continually refocus their attention from their lesson to their teacher or interpreter and back again, says Mangan. Without the lag time needed for interpretation, they may keep the same pace as hearing students.

"Not much research has been done on the science education of deaf students," says Mangan, whose own hearing is impaired by a hereditary condition that began when she was a senior in college. A recent study by NSF showed that students with disabilities are more likely to drop out of high school. If they do make it to college, they are just as likely as students without disabilities to major in math or science.

Deaf students fare better when instruction is interactive and participatory. For example, says Mangan, they get involved when they conduct their own research, either on the Web or elsewhere, rather than "listening" to lectures through an interpreter. It's also known that deaf students tend to learn best using visuals.

Check it out. But now begs the question of how many of these deaf/hh high school students are readily prepared for a transition to a college or university setting.

Too many deaf students arrive in college even more ill-prepared than their hearing counterparts. Many deaf students—who I believe are misplaced in special education classes—have learned in their educational experience that it’s OK not to do homework, not to attend class, not to pay attention. They often don’t know how to work with an interpreter, don’t understand academic culture, or have sufficient time management skills. Their senior year in high school, rather than their freshman year in college, would be an ideal time to take a “College 101” course. The structure of their high school curriculum should encourage and reward greater independence. Deaf students are often held to lower standards than they can achieve. When they pursue the independence of college life, they are often ill-prepared.
Tom Moran,
Professor of English, San Diego Mesa College

========

========

In my observation there are three areas that need to be “up to snuff” before thinking about coming to a university:

1) English language skills (reading and writing) at least above the 10th grade level,
2) math skills including mastery of both algebra and geometry, and
3) study skills.

Meeting challenges at the high school level force students to develop self-discipline.

Nina Treiman, Student Personnel Specialist, National Center on Deafness, Cal State Northridge

True. For those thinking of going to college or a university, get yourselves prepared. College, especially at the graduate level, is no easy task.

Three Deaf Teens Helping to Buck the Trend on Restaurant Ordering

Here's something that's changing for deaf people who must order their food either by writing it down or by pointing their fingers at the menu at restaurants or fast food places. Three teens describe the reality:

Typically, when deaf people go into restaurants, they need to write stuff down or communicate with a device. The students found some restaurants were not even willing to work with them.

“When I write it down on a piece of paper, most of the time, I will get the wrong order,” said Williams, a junior. “Some won’t even look at where I’m pointing on the menu,” Jacobson said.

“I feel really awkward,” said Klein, a sophomore. “I feel like a totally different person.”

However, the three deaf teens as part of their school project did a survey of surrounding restaurants and fast food places in terms of "deaf friendliness" by ranking them.

The three put together a project to change all that. They rated different places on how they were treated and also on other amenities, such as lighting or willingness to make gestures.

Now, as a result of their efforts the national chain TGI Friday’s is considering making the video mandatory for all of their 600 restaurants.

Good deeds do not go unheard.

Educate them! And not whine about it.

Daily Thoughts Turn to Daly Thoughts on Filibuster Brouhaha

Daly Thoughts provides crucial numbers on the hijacking ("filibuster") by Liberal Democrats on President Bush' judicial nominees via through the Library of Congress search engine. Historical numbers on Judicial nominees since President Truman can be seen here with much comparison on numbers (percentages) on nominee confirmations.

But the final fact remain is that Clinton had zero filibusters while President Bush had ten and counting so far. More here on filibuster facts.

Gay Resorts to Fake Hate Crime

What a shame. What people do to get attention for all the wrong reasons.

A 17-year-old top wrestler at an area high school here faked a series of gay-bashing incidents that prompted a police investigation, authorities said.

The rash of gay-bashing incidents at Tamalpais High School was the work of a student gay leader who claimed she was the victim of hate crimes, according to Mill Valley Police Capt. James Wickham.

The teen, who heads the school's Gay-Straight Alliance, admitted to authorities that she was the perpetrator of the incidents, which included vandalizing her own car with derogatory graffiti, police said.

Other incidents involved teachers who received threatening telephone messages.

"It has been determined that all the incidents have been committed by a single individual,'' Wickham said.

The student was not identified by police.

The girl has been suspended and could face expulsion, said Bob Ferguson, district school superintendent.

"She confessed to everything," Ferguson said. "She did admit to police that it was basically for attention."

Reminds me of how 12 year olds act playing into the "victimhood" game.

Oh woe is me.

Lime Sherbet anyone?

How Mentally Impaired One Must Be to Escape the Death Penalty?

The death penalty is carried in the state of Pennsylvania. The recent murders by Simich Jr in Freedom, Pennsylvania was possibly triggered from a family discussion of wanting to sell the house of 50 years where Simich Jr. resided since 1986. There are questions as to the validity and extent of his brain injuries and whether his action was the result of past head injuries and drug involvement.

Hudock (Simich Jr's cousin) said that Simich Jr. was beaten up and mugged about 20 years ago, while he was living in California and suffered brain injuries. He later "got involved with the wrong people and he got addicted to drugs," he said.

When his marriage ended in 1986, Simich Jr. moved back home with his parents. Hudock said he last saw Simich a few weeks ago but said Simich did not recognize him.

He had been going to therapy and was taking "lots of medication," Hudock said. Simich's parents told Hudock the doctor recently changed his dosage. "His dad (Simich Sr) thinks that's what caused [the shooting]."

Hudock said he believes the possible move from his boyhood home was too much for his cousin. "I think it actually hit Tommy that they were going to move."

"I honestly don't think he understands what he did and how bad it is," Hudock said.

This will be an interesting (and sad) case to watch. How will the Pennsylvania Judicial system work regarding a Deaf murderer who murdered his Deaf sister and Deaf brother-in-law and had a history of medication use along with past brain injury but never, supposedly so, showed any signs of aggression until last week. What will the legal concerns be over mental incompetency?

There was a legal case raised a few years ago involving the murder of six adults and seven children who were shot dead in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 1982. Psychiatrists agreed that there'd be a stay of execution due to George Banks' extreme mental unbalance and delusions:

After the shootings, police found George Banks barricaded in a friend’s house. Although apparently having only a limited recall of events, he told the police that he had killed his children to spare them from the racism he had experienced as a child. George Banks was born in 1942 to a white mother and African American father. Growing up, he was reportedly subjected to racial prejudice by both communities. He joined the army at 17, but left 19 months later, saying that he had been racially abused by a white officer. From 1976, he became convinced that a race war was looming and began stockpiling supplies in remote mountain locations and purchased a military assault rifle, the weapon later used in the shootings. In 1980, George Banks took a job as a prison guard. On 6 September 1982, he told fellow workers that he wanted to kill himself and was relieved of duty. He was assessed as depressed and suicidal and given medication. The shootings took place not long afterwards.

In the course of pre-trial proceedings, George Banks was examined by psychiatrists. They raised evidence that he was incompetent to stand trial, namely that he was unable to assist in his defence because of his fixed delusional beliefs. At the trial, psychiatrists for the defence and prosecution agreed that he suffered from mental illness, but disagreed whether, as a result of this psychotic disorder, he had been able to distinguish between right and wrong at the time of the shootings. George Banks consistently refused to cooperate with his trial lawyer in the preparation of an insanity defence because he insisted on presenting a claim of innocence or partial innocence. In court, he alleged that there was a conspiracy, which included the prosecutor, the judge, the coroner and police, to frame him for some of the murders. He claimed that some of the victims were killed by police, and he insisted on using gruesome autopsy photographs to prove his conspiracy theory. A state psychiatrist testified that George Banks was psychotic and delusional when he insisted on cross-examining witnesses, over the objection of his lawyer.
.

.

A psychiatrist, Dr Richard Dudley, who has reviewed his case, has reported that "Mr Banks has an extensive history of psychiatric hospitalizations, commitments and treatment during the course of his incarceration. The records of those hospitalizations provide insight into the chronic nature of his mental illness."

That was an extreme case of insanity and suicidal depression.

Now, those of you may remember the Joseph Mesa's case. Joseph Mesa's lawyer tried to use the insanity case where Joseph had "talking hands" tell him what to do which is pretty much in the same vein in a hearing person who hear voices telling him/her what to do:

The prosecution turned back efforts by Mesa's attorney to portray the Guam native as a mentally ill man who thought a pair of black hands were telling him to do bad things. "An insanity defense doesn't work if you're not insane," said Boasberg.

The insanity plea didn't work and Joseph Mesa received a life in prison sentence. But even with this sentencing the attorny for Mesa tried to question the interpreter's skill and whether Mesa properly waived his rights when interviewed of the murders.

Defense attorney Ferris R. Bond indicated he would appeal based on circumstances surrounding Mesa's four-hour videotaped confession and the use and accuracy of interpreters who worked with police. Bond also questioned whether Mesa properly waived his right to legal counsel before talking to police.

So, you could probably see what's coming down the road for Mr. Simich Jr's defense should he get the death penalty or life in prison.

Although, there are limited studies regarding the psychosis of deaf individuals compared to hearing people where multitudes of studies exist. Questions range from how to access the validity of such a deaf person experiencing psychosis "talking hands" to language dysfluency. This is a relatively new and unknown area involving deaf and hard of hearing individuals regarding psychosis.

And in United States v. Joseph Mesa, the trail stemming from the two murders that took place at Gallaudet University in 2000-2001, the case hinged on the defense's assertion that Mr. Mesa (who is deaf) experienced psychotic symptomatology that supported a not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) plea whereas the prosecution asserted that Mr. Mesa's claims were not consistent with psychotic illness at all, much less a valid NGRI defense. Dr. Pollard, examiner and expert witness in the case, was left trying to explain the above complications regarding the manifestation and assessment of psychosis in deaf vs. hearing people, but without the advantage of a valid tool for making such an assessment of Mr. Mesa (other than his clinical interview skills and experience), and simultaneously refuting the use of invalid psychological tests that the defense put forth as supporting Mr. Mesa's claimed psychosis. (It is well known that the use of psychological tests designed and normed for use with hearing people typically make deaf subjects appear more disordered than they actually are. (Brauer, et al, 1999; Leigh & Pollard, in press; Rosen, Vernon & Andrews, 1990) references). One juror later remarked to the press, "If this case does anything, I hope it does provide the initiative for more research to be done in the areas of psychological testing for deaf people."

Again, how will the Deaf community react should a death penalty be handed down? Or even life in prison? And how does the Deaf community feel about the death penalty for a Deaf person? What are their rationale for their opinions? What excuses would they use? What new conspiracy theories will come up thinking it's a "hearie" plot against Deaf people?

There are always people who favor the death penalty and those who are against it whether they're hearing people or not. However, this time it is a family affair gone bad. There are exceptions for a truly insane person. But, is this a case of a person gone bad due to insanity or mental incompetency?


See my past blogs on the Simich Jr case here, here,and here.

Sgt. Earl "Jay" Beatty Finally Meets Deaf Penpals at KDES

Recently Sgt. Earl "Jay" Beatty met up with students of Kendall Demonstration Elementary School located on the campus of Gallaudet University this Tuesday, May 3.

Students at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School at Gallaudet University had used e-mail and a school Web log to get first-hand accounts of the insurgency in Iraq and the daily survival of a U.S. Marine stationed there.

I covered this unique story in my blog recently detailing examples of what Sgt. Beatty had to go through while in Iraq. But what was never covered was how this penpal relationship got started.

The correspondence with Sgt. Beatty began when Kendall teacher Philip Bogdan, 46, heard that his good friend was being deployed to Iraq last August.

"I freaked out when I found out he was being deployed," Mr. Bogdan said. "I wanted to know how we could support him, how I could help. Then I thought of the kids at school."

What began as a way to keep in touch with a friend blossomed into a seven-month lesson in culture and world affairs for the students.

The 6th, 7th and 8th graders who are deaf or have partial hearing loss, used their signing via interpreters to say "thank you" to a very humbled and teary-eyed Sgt. Beatty and his wife, Donna, 30, for including them in their lives while corresponding with the students of the successes, horrors and hope in Iraq. Sgt Beatty had this to say:

People who went to Vietnam didn't get thanks. Just to see how important this was to these kids means a lot. But to have a young man come up and give me a hug who has a hearing impediment and may not get the chances I have, and have him thank me for what I'm doing -- wow!

The kids at KDES learned to appreciate their U.S. troops serving in Iraq with the help of Sgt. Beatty's e-mails and the pictures he sent home. What they have earned is a new friend.

Semper Fi, Sgt Beatty! The people of Kokonut Pundits salutes you for your efforts and gallantry.

Please pray for our troops in Iraq. My 22-year old nephew is serving his second tour of duty in Iraq as a homegrown U.S. Marine. Everybody in my family, including his Father (my brother) who was also a Marine, are proud of him.

When Haloscan Is Your Buddy

Just to get your attention folks about the neat features of Haloscan!

Now, suppose some Yahoo or cyberstalker plan to use one of the library computers to try and harrass you by making odious comments in your blog comment section via Haloscan, what can you do? Well, Haloscan can allow you to make a blanket ban by putting in a wildcard asterisk at the end of an IP address number (e.g. 234.23.45.*) rather than a specific IP (e.g. 234.23.45.435) where the original offending computer came from (btw, I'm making up the IP address number as I go). For every computer connected to the internet, each computer has a unique IP address identifier (e.g 234.23.45.435). By designating an IP address number with a wildcard asterisk in place of "435" at the end, for example, will allow a whole slew of library computers (or other locations where roomful of computers are connected to the internet) to be automatically banned from that particular location. If somebody goes to a different library or a different location and do the same dumb cyberstalking nut job, Haloscan can let you designate a blanket ban. Pretty soon, your offending Yahoo will find him/herself running out of libraries or locations with roomful of internet connected computers. Sweet. Thank you Haloscan.

Each blogsite usually comes with a rule (it may be posted or not) by the owner who have a certain amount of tolerance for trolls. But for me, all I ask is for you to follow MY rules. Be courteous. You can be stern or adamant in your opinion but making vindictive or offensive comments toward me will not win you anything. Debate and argue, yes. Whining and cursing with vindictive comments or call names like an insolent little girl or boy? No. If you get banned, don't despair. Just move on with your life and lick your wounds.

Now, you must be wondering if I banned anybody after writing this. Yes. One person who was foolish to disregard my rules posted at the top of my blog. I believe in 2nd or 3rd chances, but after that...sayonara. You get my drift.

Now, guess who win the coveted Darwin award thinking that the library strategy with a roomful of computers connected to the internet was a brilliant idea?

Well, somebody knows.

The Saga of Murderer Simich Jr

Googled up on the Simich Jr's murder of a Deaf couple to check up on any updates and now they're saying he had a history of mental problems and drug abuse.

DeLuca said that when Simich's father was asked why his son shot the Bergmans, a bewildered Simich indicated he didn't know why.

Piccinini said as far as police could determine, officers reported to one minor domestic disturbance at the house several years ago, but did not have additional information on the incident.

Simich Jr. has only one criminal case in Beaver County. In 1994, he pleaded guilty in a case involving the illegal sale of a prescription drug. The details of that case, and Simich's sentence, were not available Tuesday.

Siget said that Simich told police he was a custodian at an area car dealership and had graduated from a Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (Corrected by a reader on where Simich graduated from - see Alumni page).

Simich's cousin Rich, 38, of Monaca said that the whole family was still in shock Tuesday. Hudock said that while he knew Simich was taking medication to treat mental illness, he hadn't shown any signs of aggression in the past.

Police believe Simich Jr was upset when his sister suggested that he should move out of their parents' house. But

(Sgt. DeLuca) police said that all indications were that no matter where the Simiches would have moved, they had always planned to take their son with them, DeLuca said.

"He loved that spot," DeLuca said, "and he obviously didn't want to
leave."

Does Simich Jr fit this description of mental illness by anti-capital punishment groups? For more information on different types of mental illness check out the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness organization. We'll know more exactly what kind of "mental illness" Simich Jr has while this saga continues to unfold.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Would Like to Hear Inputs From Deaf Community on Murdered Deaf Couple by Simich Jr. (Deaf Murderer)

Received an email from Gabrielle Banks, who reported the double homicide in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper yesterday, after seeing my blogsite referencing her article.

Hi Mike,

Saw my story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette referenced on your site about the double homicide of a partially deaf couple in Freedom. I'm doing a followup specifically about reactions in the deaf community.

Wondering if you could tell me how much word has spread in the deaf community about this incident? Can you quantify it--how much people are emailing about it? How many times a day?

Is it on chatrooms/boards, otherblogs? Does word spread faster/differently within the community? Is it primarily school mates of the victims, or has it touched a wider circle of people?

I see you're in NM, how far has word spread beyond the Pittsburgh
area?

Also, what are people saying? Are there important issues being overlooked that people in the deaf community would have to deal with in a situationlike this? I'd love to hear your thoughts and talk to anyone else you've been in touch with.

If you would forward this along to any others concerned about the incident (or post it for that matter), it would be great. Anyone who has thoughts, please feel free to email or call me at the number below.

Thanks very much,

Gabrielle


Gabrielle Banks
Staff Writer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(412) 263-1370
gbanks@post-gazette.com
http://www.post-gazette.com/

If you are Deaf and have something to say about the double homicide, please contact Gabrielle Banks. This is a shock to everybody in the Deaf community, reliving another double homicide that took place a few years ago involving a Deaf person murdering two Deaf people on the campus of Gallaudet University.

I would like to thank Deafreedom in helping spread the news of the murders. Tragic. Prayers to those affected.



UPDATE II: Gabrielle Banks asks more questions for the Deaf community in an email to me and granted permission to post it here:

This is fantastic.

Thank you.

A few more questions:

-Besides the issue of Simich Jr.'s sentencing, has the event raised other new issues of discussion?

-Can you quantify how much buzz there has been compared to other news around the two communities?

-Can you name where some of the farthest locations you've seen emails on the Simich shootings from--cities in US or beyond?

-Are there unique issues that deaf people might encounter dealing with an incident of this nature?

-Finally, have you heard about a recent incident involving a partially deaf man stabbed by his girlfriend, also deaf, near Detroit?

very best,

gabrielle

Please give Gabrielle a response. She informs me that she is planning to write up another article on how the Deaf community responded to the murders in a few days from now in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Deaf Man (Simich) Kills Deaf Sister and Deaf Brother-in-law. Silent Murders.

Freedom, a town about 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh had a shocking day of discovery when a Deaf man (Simich) murdered his Deaf sister and Deaf brother-in-law at the family's home in Freedom.

Rochester police Sgt. Joe DeLuca said Simich became upset while family members were discussing the possibility of selling the family home so the parents could move to another location.

"It was about selling the house, and he wouldn't have it," said DeLuca.

DeLuca said an argument began and Simich Jr. grabbed a 20-gauge shotgun and, from close range, shot his sister in the back and his brother-in-law in the chest.

The victims were identified as Marilyn Bergman, 43, and her husband, Steven, 46. Like Simich and his parents, they could not hear or speak. They were visiting from Palm Bay, Florida.

A sad, sad chain of event. Simich's anger resulted in the calculated murder of his sister and brother-in-law simply because they disagreed with him on selling the family members' house. So, Simich made sure to make an example of them for disagreeing with him because of he happens to live in his parent's house with little income to live on.

Looks like he may get the death penalty since Pennsylvania carries the death penalty.

Now, this was a Deaf family, like any other typical hearing family where there is no misunderstanding because of communication problems, who have gotten into a heated argument where one "snapped" to ensure others won't "get away with it" having their say in the decision.

Sad.

But I'm predicting that the Deaf community will rise up in defense of Simick to ensure that he doesn't get the death penalty as a favoritism issue because he's Deaf. The hope to get pity from the hearing community as a result. Much like the Mexicans who oppose the death penalty for Mexicans who commit serious crimes in the United States when some polls find that a majority of Mexicans support the death penalty for Mexicans who commit serious crimes in Mexico but at the same time they oppose the death penalty for Mexicans who commit serious crimes in the United States. Only this time maybe some Deaf people favor the death penalty for hearing people but when it comes to their own people, the Deaf people, then they just might oppose it.

We'll see. The saga starts now.

UPDATE: Well, the saga started sooner than I thought. Though he still read my "boring" blogs. Nice. Though I reported this shocking murders yesterday while some reported it today. Interesting. Am I complaining? Nah. Just......interesting (with heavy German accent).

Anyway, I was hoping for somebody to bring up the Joseph Mesa case where a Deaf Gallaudet University student (Mesa) murdered two Gallaudet University students in a robbery attempt. Finally two did respond about it. This case was in the national spotlight because of the uniqueness of the unfortunate event at a well known university for deaf and hard of hearing students. Something that nobody wanted. Entirely understandble.

Now, about the Mesa case. Joseph Mesa committed two murders in Washington D.C. on the campus of Gallaudet University where there is NO capital punishment in D.C.. While Pennsylvania does carry the death penalty punishment, Mr. Simich Jr stand to face a possible death penalty. So, there is reason to believe that there will be a divide (on opinion) among the Deaf community should a death sentence ought to be carried out. This was a brutal and vicious act of murder. Mesa is so lucky.

People need to realize that many states (or district as in this case for D.C.) do not carry the death sentence, while other states do.

Yes, there will be a divide on this issue within the Deaf community should a death sentence be carried out rather than life in prison.

This is no different in the hearing community regarding death sentencings of convicted hearing people where there is always a divide among those who support the death penalty to those who do not.

Next time, please use the Google if you're not sure. I leave the 'tard to somebody else.

Check out Larry's website on the murders, too. A sad, sad turn of event that is beginning to soak in around the Deaf community.

The Minuteman Project Update.

Check out the latest statistics on the Minuteman Project's successful results:

Minuteman Project statistics for April, 2005, as of 8am April 27:

857 MinuteMan Project volunteers have completed a 4 hour training session and have spent at least one 8-hour shift in the field. Many are spending the entire month.

335 Border Patrol apprehensions have been directly facilitated by MMP volunteers observing and calling the Border Patrol.

The Minuteman Project claims a 98% reduction in border crossings in the area monitored from April 1 through April 26, 2005. See more statistics.

And these were dangerous guys? Yesterday the Minuteman Project wrapped up their month long "controversal" project that netted well over 300 hundred aprpehensions reducing the flow of illegals in one particular stretch of the Arizona and Mexico border.

"We have proven that ordinary citizens sitting in lawn chairs on the border can shut down illegal border traffic. We will not stop; we will not be deterred. We will continue to secure our borders until relieved by our military and National guard."

Now, we have the greatest faux pas of the CBS memo, NBC gaffe, and now the MSM are experiencing eggs on their faces when they portrayed the MP as a dangerous one. Hardly. As I have said earlier, this is just like a neighborhood watch program. Nothing illegal about that, either.

Check out this website called the "Civil Homeland Defense" where

The Mission of the Civil Homeland Defense Corps, headquartered in Tombstone, Arizona, is to report suspicious illegal activities to proper authorities and deter, by legal means, illegal aliens, drug traffickers and terrorists from entering the United States by physical presence along the immediate U.S. Mexicanborder. Citizen groups along the Canadian border and coastal areas are encouraged to operate with the same level of vigilance.

The Civil Homeland Defense was around before the Minuteman Project.

Civil Homeland Defense volunteers have recorded 4,112 peaceful, non-violent assists with Border Patrol and Customs agents of people illegally crossing our border with Mexico since November of 2002.

Since June 1, 2003, CHD Volunteers have made 157 Rescues of men, women and children who were provided life-saving water, first aid, blankets and food while volunteers waited for Border Patrol agents to arrive on scene to deport groups.

And why didn't the MSM and liberals scream back then? But thanks to them, the exposure to the border problem is now even more exposed.

63 Days Until Impact with Comet Tempel 1 - say your prayers.

The world is coming to an end!! 63 days til we make a direct impact on comet Tempel 1. Well, to put it more accurately it is NASA's spacecraft that will make an impact on comet Tempel 1 exactly 63 days from now. The flyby spacecraft is almost as big as a Volkswagen Beetle where it will make touchdown on Tempel 1 about the size of a living room coffee table in order to take samples of the comet's make up and relay the information back home to earth. The speed of the comet is traveling at approximately 23,000 mph.