Yearly Archives: 2013

State seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

"All of their children, from several months old to age five, have been put up for adoption. The last three children were seized shortly after birth at hospital. 'It’s a heartbreaking experience,' the father told the Citizen. 'They come in and take your baby. It’s like they are stripping your life away.' The father said it was wrong for a court to punish him for future crimes a judge said he was likely to commit. He pleaded guilty for sex crimes against children when he was 12. 'I was a kid. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I pleaded guilty. But there was no sex, it was experimenting as a 12-year-old boy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingState seizes couple’s four babies due to father’s juvenile sex offense

Pipelines and Legislators: Partners in Plunder

While the crony capitalism prevalent in Texas made national news headlines during the 2012 presidential campaign, the practice has not been curtailed.  One need only look to the ongoing saga between private property owners and pipelines in Texas to see that the politically influential continue to script law that grants them special privilege. The ability of legislators to convince the public of their commitment to the rule of law, private property rights and free markets … Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPipelines and Legislators: Partners in Plunder

After ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

"Under the new law, youth age 17 and older must have a parent or guardian present for an initial consultation with a tanning salon. It also bans children under 14 from getting spray tans in tanning salons. Governor Chris Christie said that while he does not favor government regulation of small business, the new law was important for protecting the safety of minors. Patricia Krentcil, who became known in tabloid stories as the "Tan Mom," denied exposing her daughter to a tanning session, and a grand jury opted not to indict her on charges of endangering the welfare of a child." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAfter ‘Tan Mom,’ New Jersey bans children from tanning beds, spray tans

New York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

"The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is being sued by a woman who says that officers violated her civil rights when they pepper-sprayed her entire family — including a 2-year-old child and a 5-month-old baby. Marilyn Taylor accuses Officers Maripily Clase, Suranjit Dey and Jermaine Hodge of overacting when they saw her pushing the stroller through a service entrance instead of going through the subway turnstile. 'The pepper-spray caused the children to scream out and choked the two-year old, who went into fits of vomiting,' the lawsuit says. 'Ms. Taylor was then placed in handcuffs as the minor children cried in fear and pain.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York police sued for pepper-spraying 5-month-old baby over subway fare

Twice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked

"A Transportation Security Authority baggage-checking manager has got his job back a second time after he was unfairly fired twice. Raymond Ware and 35 other TSA employees were let go from Honolulu International Airport in 2011 after an investigation revealed that for several months, some officers failed to hand-screen checked baggage for explosives. But Ware challenged the dismissal, and has become the fourth TSA manager to win a settlement or successfully challenge his firing after the baggage-checking scandal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTwice-fired TSA manager gets his job back AGAIN after judge rules he was unfairly sacked

Student given probation, loses scholarships and internship after semen breath mint prank

"Jordan T. Drake, 18, pleaded guilty in January to adulterating a food item in May 2012, when he put semen into a bottle of 'Ice Drops' breath mint drops as a senior prank. Drake was a high achiever at Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy before the incident, winning science fair and quiz bowl awards, but was suspended after an internal investigation. He had enough units to graduate, but was not allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies,. He also lost a scholarship at Michigan State University and an internship at Dow Chemical Company. Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek sentenced Drake to 18 months probation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudent given probation, loses scholarships and internship after semen breath mint prank

Greek footballer given lifetime national ban after apparent Nazi salute

"The AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been handed a life ban from all national teams by Greece's football federation EPO after he appeared to give a Nazi salute to supporters during a match. Katidis denied he gave a Nazi salute. The player said he was simply pointing at Michalis Pavlis in the stands to dedicate the goal to his team-mate as he continues to fight health problems. AEK's German coach, Ewald Lienen, backed Katidis. 'He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on the internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreek footballer given lifetime national ban after apparent Nazi salute

Cuba auctions cigars to raise money for health system

"An auction of luxury cigar humidors in Cuba fetched $1.1 million, which will go toward the public health system, the state news agency said Sunday. The sale came at an international cigar festival attended by celebrities such as American actor Danny Glover and German tennis great Boris Becker, Prensa Latina said. Six fancy wooden humidors containing between 350 and 550 cigars each were sold at the auction Saturday night, the report said. Glover received a silver sculpture in thanks for his support for Cuba and for his role in the 'fight for peace and justice,' the agency said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCuba auctions cigars to raise money for health system

Daddy Bloomberg Wants to Require Retailers to Hide Tobacco

"The ban on large size sugary drinks was odd enough, but NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has now gone totally loony. A new proposal would require New York City retailers to keep tobacco products out of sight under a first-in-the-nation proposal aimed at reducing the youth smoking rate. The legislation would require stores to keep tobacco products in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in other concealed spots. They could only be visible when an adult is making a purchase or during restocking. 'Such displays suggest that smoking is a normal activity,' Bloomberg said. 'And they invite young people to experiment with tobacco.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDaddy Bloomberg Wants to Require Retailers to Hide Tobacco