A 29-year-old tire repairman from northeastern Brazil is recovering after doctors removed a 10-centimetre blade that has been stuck in the front of his head for three years after a bar fight.
Edeilson Nascimento told the local Terra news agency that doctors previously told him not to take the knife out because it could cause further damage including lesions in the brain stem which could result in death. "In three years I felt bad headaches every day of my life from the time I woke up until bedtime," he told Terra news. "So I stopped working."
A team of seven people, including three neurosurgeons, from the hospital at the Federal University of Pernambuco removed the knife without causing further harm over the course of a three-hour surgery on Tuesday. Nascimento is expected to be released from Recife hospital next week
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Police: Elmo wins fight after 'unprovoked' attack at Winter Park guitar shop
Police in Winter Park said a man dressed as Elmo was attacked at a local music store on Saturday afternoon by a man who believed the Sesame Street character was a threat to him.
According to Winter Park police Lt. Wayne Farrell, the man had been hired to wear the Elmo suit for an event at Winter Park Village, and was on his break when the attack occurred at the Guitar Center on Orlando Avenue at about 3 p.m.
"He just wandered into the Guitar Center to look at instruments," Farrell said. That's when police say a man, who they said felt "threatened" by the Sesame Street star, attacked.
Farrell said the attack was "unprovoked."
He immediately thought (the man dressed as Elmo) was a threat," Farrell said. Farrell called the ensuing struggle a "very physical fight," with multiple punches thrown.
"Elmo got the best of the guy," Farrell said. "He broke two of his fingers."
Police took the assailant to a local hospital, where Farrell said he will be temporarily detained for mental health evaluation.
And though he was the victim of the attack, police said the man dressed as the loveable children's character emerged unscathed.
"Elmo was unhurt," Farrell said.
According to Winter Park police Lt. Wayne Farrell, the man had been hired to wear the Elmo suit for an event at Winter Park Village, and was on his break when the attack occurred at the Guitar Center on Orlando Avenue at about 3 p.m.
"He just wandered into the Guitar Center to look at instruments," Farrell said. That's when police say a man, who they said felt "threatened" by the Sesame Street star, attacked.
Farrell said the attack was "unprovoked."
He immediately thought (the man dressed as Elmo) was a threat," Farrell said. Farrell called the ensuing struggle a "very physical fight," with multiple punches thrown.
"Elmo got the best of the guy," Farrell said. "He broke two of his fingers."
Police took the assailant to a local hospital, where Farrell said he will be temporarily detained for mental health evaluation.
And though he was the victim of the attack, police said the man dressed as the loveable children's character emerged unscathed.
"Elmo was unhurt," Farrell said.
Former military personnel to prove UFO cover-up
An article published on Reuters claims that “Witness testimony from more than 120 former or retired military personnel points to an ongoing and alarming intervention by unidentified aerial objects at nuclear weapons sites, as recently as 2003.” Apparently, several nuclear missiles simultaneously and inexplicably malfunctioned while a disc-shaped object silently hovered nearby.
According to one of the witnesses, ICBM launch officer Captain Robert Salas, he was on duty during one missile disruption incident at Malmstrom Air Force Base and was ordered to never discuss it
Col. Halt stated “I believe that the security services of both the United States and the United Kingdom have attempted—both then and now—to subvert the significance of what occurred at RAF Bentwaters by the use of well-practiced methods of disinformation.”
A Press Conference will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 (Holeman Lounge, National Press Club). Witnesses will discuss the national security implications of these incidents and declassified U.S. government documents will be distributed at the event, which claim to substantiate the reality of UFO activity at nuclear weapons sites extending back to 1948.
As most UFO enthusiasts will already know, the more serious UFO sightings began around this time with the “Roswell UFO incident” in 1947. It is also believed that the first “official” contact with aliens took place in 1954 (involving President Dwight Eisenhower).
Skeptics often ask how it is possible to cover-up events like this, and the question is a valid one. Many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people in authority have probably witnessed UFO sightings that are unexplainable, yet very few come forward and reveal these secrets publicly.
This could be because they are ordered to remain silent, as was the case with Captain Robert Salas, or because they would be made to look foolish if they reported such sightings.
It is not unusual for the authorities to offer “earthly” excuses for UFO sightings, we all remember the “weather balloon” story at Roswell. The media are of course masters at making fun of such reports and can rarely read a story about UFO’s without smirking or adding some humourous remark.
With publicity like this, it is no wonder the public have been conditioned into thinking that the subject is just one big joke and those that have the sightings are all crazy. A good example of this response can be seen on sites like Fark.com, whose members enjoy bringing out the traditional UFO gags. I must admit that some of the jokes are quite funny (occasionally), but it would be nice to see some of them take the subject more seriously sometimes.
It will be interesting to see what the Press Conference reveals on Monday and hopefully details of this will be available soon.
According to one of the witnesses, ICBM launch officer Captain Robert Salas, he was on duty during one missile disruption incident at Malmstrom Air Force Base and was ordered to never discuss it
Col. Halt stated “I believe that the security services of both the United States and the United Kingdom have attempted—both then and now—to subvert the significance of what occurred at RAF Bentwaters by the use of well-practiced methods of disinformation.”
A Press Conference will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 (Holeman Lounge, National Press Club). Witnesses will discuss the national security implications of these incidents and declassified U.S. government documents will be distributed at the event, which claim to substantiate the reality of UFO activity at nuclear weapons sites extending back to 1948.
As most UFO enthusiasts will already know, the more serious UFO sightings began around this time with the “Roswell UFO incident” in 1947. It is also believed that the first “official” contact with aliens took place in 1954 (involving President Dwight Eisenhower).
Skeptics often ask how it is possible to cover-up events like this, and the question is a valid one. Many hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people in authority have probably witnessed UFO sightings that are unexplainable, yet very few come forward and reveal these secrets publicly.
This could be because they are ordered to remain silent, as was the case with Captain Robert Salas, or because they would be made to look foolish if they reported such sightings.
It is not unusual for the authorities to offer “earthly” excuses for UFO sightings, we all remember the “weather balloon” story at Roswell. The media are of course masters at making fun of such reports and can rarely read a story about UFO’s without smirking or adding some humourous remark.
With publicity like this, it is no wonder the public have been conditioned into thinking that the subject is just one big joke and those that have the sightings are all crazy. A good example of this response can be seen on sites like Fark.com, whose members enjoy bringing out the traditional UFO gags. I must admit that some of the jokes are quite funny (occasionally), but it would be nice to see some of them take the subject more seriously sometimes.
It will be interesting to see what the Press Conference reveals on Monday and hopefully details of this will be available soon.
Police making 'rescue' find nude bonfire instead
(PORTAGE, Ind.) Officers responding to a call of a boat in distress in Northwest Indiana, instead found the boat tied to the shore and its occupants enjoying a nude bonfire ashore at the base of a sand dune.
When a police officer shined a flashlight at the couple, they discovered a nude Agnieszka "Agnes" Baran, 31, of Chicago.
Tyler Gramm, 38, of Chicago, told Patrolman Richard Krieg he did not know it was illegal to start a fire in Portage Lakefront Park in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Baran said she was nude because her clothes got wet when the boat took on water, however, police said her clothing appeared to be dry. The identification she offered was her Indiana fishing license. Gramm provided police an Illinois driver's license.
Police said Baran and Gramm were slurring their words and their eyes were watery and bloodshot. They denied drinking, however.
A portable breath test show Baran's blood alcohol level at 0.24 percent and Gramm's at 0.09 percent. Then, Baran admitted to have "a few alcoholic beverages" at Quaker Steak and Lube in Portage.
Police extinguished the bonfire and secured the boat.
Both Baran and Gramm were arrested for public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.
When a police officer shined a flashlight at the couple, they discovered a nude Agnieszka "Agnes" Baran, 31, of Chicago.
Tyler Gramm, 38, of Chicago, told Patrolman Richard Krieg he did not know it was illegal to start a fire in Portage Lakefront Park in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Baran said she was nude because her clothes got wet when the boat took on water, however, police said her clothing appeared to be dry. The identification she offered was her Indiana fishing license. Gramm provided police an Illinois driver's license.
Police said Baran and Gramm were slurring their words and their eyes were watery and bloodshot. They denied drinking, however.
A portable breath test show Baran's blood alcohol level at 0.24 percent and Gramm's at 0.09 percent. Then, Baran admitted to have "a few alcoholic beverages" at Quaker Steak and Lube in Portage.
Police extinguished the bonfire and secured the boat.
Both Baran and Gramm were arrested for public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Christine O'Donnell Flashback: 'Evolution Is A Myth
Maher showed the brief segment from his 1990s era show "Politically Incorrect" tonight on his HBO show "Real Time." In the Oct. 15, 1998 clip which you can watch below, O'Donnell argued with Maher and his guests.
"Evolution is a myth," O'Donnell said as the others piped up incredulously. She repeated herself, then added:
Well then why aren't monkeys still evolving into humans?Living up on his promise from last week to show a clip each Friday, Maher presented the old footage. O'Donnell, a devout Catholic, was a frequent guest on Maher's show and also appeared regularly on television to push social conservatism.
Both O'Donnell and Coons said in their first debate that old statements aren't weighing on voters' minds.
Maher said tonight that O'Donnell is "what people have been asking me about all week," as the audience in his Los Angeles studio cheered and applauded. He was referring to the clip he'd shown last Friday of O'Donnell saying on his show in October 1999 she had "dabbled into witchcraft."
Introducing that clip last week, Maher said, "I have 22 episodes, Christine. If you're watching, I created you, you need to come on this show. If you don't come on this show I'm going to show a clip every week. I'm the only one who has them. I ordered them."
Maher tonight also showed a spoof clip he joked was from 1996, featuring Edie McClurg, Kato Kaelin and Christopher "Kid" Reid of Kid 'N' Play. Sporting goofy clothes, the group chatted with on O'Donnell impersonator. The fake O'Donnell mock-confessed that during a game of truth or dare, she "killed a Mexican."
After the spoof, Maher showed his panel a decorative Ten Commandments display that he said O'Donnell had given him years ago and which he still keeps in his office. "I've treasured it all these years," he said.
'Bail breacher' arrested after calling cops for lift
A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN man, wanted for 10 counts of allegedly breaching bail, was arrested after calling South Coast Police for a free lift home.
The 32-year-old had been drinking when he rang police from Main South Rd, Morphett Vale, at 1.30am on Friday, September 18.
“He called the police for a lift back to Elizabeth because he didn’t have any money left , he said he was broke,” Sergeant Rodger Allen told the Southern Times Messenger.
It is a 53km drive from Morphett Vale to Elizabeth.
“When he gave us his name we found out he was wanted for 10 counts of breach of bail.”
The 32-year-old had been drinking when he rang police from Main South Rd, Morphett Vale, at 1.30am on Friday, September 18.
“He called the police for a lift back to Elizabeth because he didn’t have any money left , he said he was broke,” Sergeant Rodger Allen told the Southern Times Messenger.
It is a 53km drive from Morphett Vale to Elizabeth.
“When he gave us his name we found out he was wanted for 10 counts of breach of bail.”
A postman who used social networking sites to groom up to 1,000 children
A postman who used social networking sites to groom up to 1,000 children – some of whom he sexually abused – was jailed for eight-and-a-half years yesterday.
Michael Williams, 28, used different profiles to target children he met on his post round, while doing school runs as taxi driver, and as the secretary of a football club.
He tricked his victims into performing sex acts on a webcam or to meet him in parks, beaches and at his home in Penryn, Cornwall, where he abused them
He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing indecent images.
Devon and Cornwall Police have identified about 500 victims he groomed or abused but believe there could be up to 1,000 youngsters in total because hundreds are too scared to come forward.
Williams, of Tresooth Lane, Penryn, worked as a postman in his home town, where he was regarded as cheerful and helpful.
He befriended many people on his rounds - including youngsters.
But he would also pursue the children using social networking sites - sometimes using false names and posing as a teenager.
He even dyed his hair different colours to hide his identity.
Police say Williams dyed his hair different colours and adopted various hairstyles to set up a series of Facebook profiles – pretending to be teenage boys and a girl called ‘Gorgeous Charlie’ to meet children aged 11 to 16.
On his own Facebook page he posted images of himself as a youngster meeting Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and players including Ryan Giggs and Peter Schmeichel.
Police say Williams – who used Facebook, Bebo and MSN Messenger to chat to several victims at once – is a ‘fantasist’ who kept newspaper cuttings about Ian Huntley.
In April, Williams admitted 27 specimen charges, including three counts of grooming, eight of sexual activity with a child and 13 of inciting children to engage in sexual activity.
He also asked for 460 other offences to be taken into consideration, including voyeurism, sexual assault and child porn.
Police have identified around 500 victims he groomed or abused but believe there could be up to 1,000 in total because hundreds are too scared to come forward.
Officers say many of the incidents could have been avoided if Facebook had installed a ‘panic button’ which would allow youngsters to alert authorities if they thought they were being groomed.
Facebook has recently announced it will allow a panic button application which will report suspected abuse to the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Jailing Williams yesterday at Truro Crown Court, Judge Paul Darlow said: ‘Every method employed by you was designed to exploit young children by the means you knew would be popular with them - Facebook, Bebo, MSN Messenger
You created completely fictitious profiles posing as the sort of person teenagers might be attracted to. They were lulled into a false sense of security.’
Williams began his internet offending in 2005 when he started to groom youngsters he met during his postal rounds, taxi routes and at Falmouth Town Football Club.
He was working at the club as a secretary and set up video cameras in the showers where he filmed adults aged 18 to 25.
Williams, a bisexual, was arrested in November 2009 when various children came forward to police saying they had been assaulted.
Police searched his flat and found 1,342 indecent images of children, 20 videos featuring children he met on the internet and 800 ‘chat logs’.
Detective Inspector Simon Snell, who led the investigation, said: ‘The children who have been tricked into having sexual activity with this man are horrified and distraught. But some simple safety procedures could have stopped him.’
A Facebook spokesman said: ‘This case serves as a painful reminder that everyone must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet.
Michael Williams, 28, used different profiles to target children he met on his post round, while doing school runs as taxi driver, and as the secretary of a football club.
He tricked his victims into performing sex acts on a webcam or to meet him in parks, beaches and at his home in Penryn, Cornwall, where he abused them
He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism and possessing indecent images.
Devon and Cornwall Police have identified about 500 victims he groomed or abused but believe there could be up to 1,000 youngsters in total because hundreds are too scared to come forward.
Williams, of Tresooth Lane, Penryn, worked as a postman in his home town, where he was regarded as cheerful and helpful.
He befriended many people on his rounds - including youngsters.
But he would also pursue the children using social networking sites - sometimes using false names and posing as a teenager.
He even dyed his hair different colours to hide his identity.
Police say Williams dyed his hair different colours and adopted various hairstyles to set up a series of Facebook profiles – pretending to be teenage boys and a girl called ‘Gorgeous Charlie’ to meet children aged 11 to 16.
On his own Facebook page he posted images of himself as a youngster meeting Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and players including Ryan Giggs and Peter Schmeichel.
Police say Williams – who used Facebook, Bebo and MSN Messenger to chat to several victims at once – is a ‘fantasist’ who kept newspaper cuttings about Ian Huntley.
In April, Williams admitted 27 specimen charges, including three counts of grooming, eight of sexual activity with a child and 13 of inciting children to engage in sexual activity.
He also asked for 460 other offences to be taken into consideration, including voyeurism, sexual assault and child porn.
Police have identified around 500 victims he groomed or abused but believe there could be up to 1,000 in total because hundreds are too scared to come forward.
Officers say many of the incidents could have been avoided if Facebook had installed a ‘panic button’ which would allow youngsters to alert authorities if they thought they were being groomed.
Facebook has recently announced it will allow a panic button application which will report suspected abuse to the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Jailing Williams yesterday at Truro Crown Court, Judge Paul Darlow said: ‘Every method employed by you was designed to exploit young children by the means you knew would be popular with them - Facebook, Bebo, MSN Messenger
You created completely fictitious profiles posing as the sort of person teenagers might be attracted to. They were lulled into a false sense of security.’
Williams began his internet offending in 2005 when he started to groom youngsters he met during his postal rounds, taxi routes and at Falmouth Town Football Club.
He was working at the club as a secretary and set up video cameras in the showers where he filmed adults aged 18 to 25.
Williams, a bisexual, was arrested in November 2009 when various children came forward to police saying they had been assaulted.
Police searched his flat and found 1,342 indecent images of children, 20 videos featuring children he met on the internet and 800 ‘chat logs’.
Detective Inspector Simon Snell, who led the investigation, said: ‘The children who have been tricked into having sexual activity with this man are horrified and distraught. But some simple safety procedures could have stopped him.’
A Facebook spokesman said: ‘This case serves as a painful reminder that everyone must use extreme caution when talking to or meeting people they only know via the internet.
Supermarket refuses to sell bottle of wine to father... because he has no ID for his eight-year-old daughter
A father who went shopping with his daughter claims checkout staff refused to sell him a bottle of wine because he had no ID for the eight-year-old.
Navid Asadi, 28, says he was asked for identification as he arrived at the till with Leyla at the Tesco Express store in Leigh, Essex.
Despite explaining his daughter was only eight, he claims shop workers refused to sell him the alcohol and said the store later confirmed their decision was company policy.
Mr Asadi, who had popped into the shop to buy groceries, said: 'I just can't believe it.
'I totally understand if you are 18 and with a group of kids but my daughter is eight.
'I was buying potatoes, bananas, ham, regular shopping, and had a bottle of wine and they would not serve it to me.
'They didn't serve me so I left the whole shopping and walked out.'
Mr Asadi, from Hadleigh in Essex, added: 'I don't understand it. I was just standing there in shock. She is just eight.
'What did they want me to do? Let her stand outside on her own because I want to buy a bottle of wine?'
After leaving the shop he called the supermarket's headquarters.
'I even called Tesco head office and they said that this is the policy. It is madness,' he said.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: 'Tesco is unable to confirm this incident occurred.
'We are looking into it with the store as a matter of urgency.'
Angela Ives, 46, was refused two bottles of white wine at an Iceland store in Wickford, Essex, last year because she had her 17-year-old daughter with her.
In July, 67-year-old pensioner Christopher Page from Harlow, Essex, was refused a bottle of cider at his local One Stop Shop because he did not have acceptable ID - despite showing his bus pass
Navid Asadi, 28, says he was asked for identification as he arrived at the till with Leyla at the Tesco Express store in Leigh, Essex.
Despite explaining his daughter was only eight, he claims shop workers refused to sell him the alcohol and said the store later confirmed their decision was company policy.
Mr Asadi, who had popped into the shop to buy groceries, said: 'I just can't believe it.
'I totally understand if you are 18 and with a group of kids but my daughter is eight.
'I was buying potatoes, bananas, ham, regular shopping, and had a bottle of wine and they would not serve it to me.
'They didn't serve me so I left the whole shopping and walked out.'
Mr Asadi, from Hadleigh in Essex, added: 'I don't understand it. I was just standing there in shock. She is just eight.
'What did they want me to do? Let her stand outside on her own because I want to buy a bottle of wine?'
After leaving the shop he called the supermarket's headquarters.
'I even called Tesco head office and they said that this is the policy. It is madness,' he said.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: 'Tesco is unable to confirm this incident occurred.
'We are looking into it with the store as a matter of urgency.'
Angela Ives, 46, was refused two bottles of white wine at an Iceland store in Wickford, Essex, last year because she had her 17-year-old daughter with her.
In July, 67-year-old pensioner Christopher Page from Harlow, Essex, was refused a bottle of cider at his local One Stop Shop because he did not have acceptable ID - despite showing his bus pass
Footie fan tattoos his penis as tribute to Oz football club
Melbourne, Sept 24 : A man from Australia is such a fan of the Collingwood football club that he has covered every inch of his body and even his penis with tattoos as tribute to it.
Justin Witcombe, 31, a Corio tattooist, has dedicated his body to football, 1970s rock band KISS and boxing great Mike Tyson.
According to the Geelong Advertiser, he showed all but one of his Collingwood tribute tattoos, revealing a passion for all things black and white.
"The only thing I haven't managed to do is urinate in black and white," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.
"If Collingwood win I'll make room for another tattoo," he said.
The first tribute to the club appeared on his right ankle to honour the 1990 premiership team, and he says the reason he tattooed a magpie and the number 35 on his manly parts is because there was no space left.
"I ran out of room," he explained.
Justin Witcombe, 31, a Corio tattooist, has dedicated his body to football, 1970s rock band KISS and boxing great Mike Tyson.
According to the Geelong Advertiser, he showed all but one of his Collingwood tribute tattoos, revealing a passion for all things black and white.
"The only thing I haven't managed to do is urinate in black and white," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.
"If Collingwood win I'll make room for another tattoo," he said.
The first tribute to the club appeared on his right ankle to honour the 1990 premiership team, and he says the reason he tattooed a magpie and the number 35 on his manly parts is because there was no space left.
"I ran out of room," he explained.
Woman dead after car lands on house
A WOMAN has died after her car flew 15m into the air and landed on top of a house, trapping a boy in his bedroom.
The 37 year-old woman was driving west on the Burwood Hwy at Tecoma at 1am on Saturday morning when the car left the road, went up an embankment and smashed through the front fence as it ploughed airborne into the house, The Herald Sun reports.
Resident Simon Rodger was shaken from his bed, and rushed to his obliterated living room to find the door to his son Fin's room blocked by debris.
Neighbours rushed to help extinguish a fire that broke out as Mr Rodger went to the driver's aid.
"It was a tremendous impact," Mr Rodger said.
"Just an hour before, we had been sitting there in the living room. The kids had been playing there.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageHome: Aussie survives horror fall End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
The fact that (the driver) has died - that's very disturbing."
A 10-year-old boy was freed from his room through a disused doorway and is now in the care of a family member with his 13-year-old sister.
"They were very distraught, but they were very sensible about it," Mr Rodger said.
Friends of the victim later stopped at the house to lay flowers in solemn tribute.
They included a male friend who was travelling in a car in front of the woman, who turned around and assisted her after the crash.
She was still conscious when discovered by Mr Rodger.
Neighbour Doug McCleary, who was woken by the "almighty thump" of the crash, said the intersection on the highway near Sophia Grove had been the scene of accidents before.
"It's a bad corner," he said.
"People drive too fast down there."
Mr Rodger, who was last week granted a permit to renovate his home, is carrying out structural safety inspections.
Meanwhile, police are calling for witnesses to an incident in Mulgrave early this morning where a woman died when she was hit by a car.
It’s believed she was walking along Monash Freeway just after midnight when she was struck.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said there was nothing that could be done to save the victim.
The 37 year-old woman was driving west on the Burwood Hwy at Tecoma at 1am on Saturday morning when the car left the road, went up an embankment and smashed through the front fence as it ploughed airborne into the house, The Herald Sun reports.
Resident Simon Rodger was shaken from his bed, and rushed to his obliterated living room to find the door to his son Fin's room blocked by debris.
Neighbours rushed to help extinguish a fire that broke out as Mr Rodger went to the driver's aid.
"It was a tremendous impact," Mr Rodger said.
"Just an hour before, we had been sitting there in the living room. The kids had been playing there.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageHome: Aussie survives horror fall End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
The fact that (the driver) has died - that's very disturbing."
A 10-year-old boy was freed from his room through a disused doorway and is now in the care of a family member with his 13-year-old sister.
"They were very distraught, but they were very sensible about it," Mr Rodger said.
Friends of the victim later stopped at the house to lay flowers in solemn tribute.
They included a male friend who was travelling in a car in front of the woman, who turned around and assisted her after the crash.
She was still conscious when discovered by Mr Rodger.
Neighbour Doug McCleary, who was woken by the "almighty thump" of the crash, said the intersection on the highway near Sophia Grove had been the scene of accidents before.
"It's a bad corner," he said.
"People drive too fast down there."
Mr Rodger, who was last week granted a permit to renovate his home, is carrying out structural safety inspections.
Meanwhile, police are calling for witnesses to an incident in Mulgrave early this morning where a woman died when she was hit by a car.
It’s believed she was walking along Monash Freeway just after midnight when she was struck.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said there was nothing that could be done to save the victim.
Parolee wearing electronic tether robs Mr. Pizza
A parolee still wearing a GPS tether was arrested late Wednesday after police say he robbed an Ypsilanti Township pizzeria at gunpoint and fled into a heavily wooded area.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Sgt. David Archer said a man entered the Mr. Pizza in the 800 block of Ecorse Road at 11:05 p.m. His face was partially concealed, and he ordered the clerk to empty the cash register at gunpoint, Archer said.
Deputy John Cratsenburg was several blocks from Mr. Pizza when the call came in. He noticed a man riding a bicycle matching the description of the robber, a sheriff's summary said. When the man saw Cratsenburg, he got off the bike and ran.
Sgt. Dave Egeler spotted the man in the area and gave chase into the wooded area, where he and other officers were able to take the man into custody, reports said.
Police recovered the handgun and the cash taken in the robbery, Archer said.
The 43-year-old Washtenaw County resident is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on charges of armed robbery and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Police said he is currently on parole and was wearing an electronic tether, but the details of his past conviction were not immediately available.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Sgt. David Archer said a man entered the Mr. Pizza in the 800 block of Ecorse Road at 11:05 p.m. His face was partially concealed, and he ordered the clerk to empty the cash register at gunpoint, Archer said.
Deputy John Cratsenburg was several blocks from Mr. Pizza when the call came in. He noticed a man riding a bicycle matching the description of the robber, a sheriff's summary said. When the man saw Cratsenburg, he got off the bike and ran.
Sgt. Dave Egeler spotted the man in the area and gave chase into the wooded area, where he and other officers were able to take the man into custody, reports said.
Police recovered the handgun and the cash taken in the robbery, Archer said.
The 43-year-old Washtenaw County resident is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on charges of armed robbery and using a firearm to commit a felony.
Police said he is currently on parole and was wearing an electronic tether, but the details of his past conviction were not immediately available.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Octo-Mom Nadya Suleman Going On Welfare
With 14 children and no income, Octo-Mom is going on welfare.
Since giving birth to octuplets, Nadya Suleman has supported herself by selling access to her life, but a TV deal that she hoped would turn into a reality series fizzled.
That failure was a huge blow to Suleman's future and has left her in financial ruins, RadarOnline.com is reporting exclusively.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom At The Beach
"Nadya is running out of money very quickly," a source close to the infamous mom told RadarOnline.com. "She's still hoping to pull off a deal that will pay her a fortune but at this point it just doesn't seem possible."
Suleman was an infamous headline-generating national curiosity after giving birth to octuplets on January 29, 2009.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Promotes PETA
RadarOnline.com led the way in covering her chaotic life, documenting her struggle to raise 14 children, her brutal fights with her mother and the notoriety that led attorney Gloria Allred to head the quest for a guardian to be appointed for her children.
Now, however, the press attention has diminished and TV networks aren't buying a reality series featuring Suleman.
A potential deal with the Game Show Network fell through, as RadarOnline.com was first to report.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Talks And Drives On The Cell Phone
"She was hoping for merchandizing deals, but those never came through," the source said. "And she's written a book but no publisher wants it."
Meanwhile, Suleman has fallen behind on her mortgage payments again.
In April, the man holding her mortgage threatened to evict her when she fell behind.
That situation was resolved and as RadarOnline.com recently reported exclusively title to the house where Nadya lives was transferred to a company owned by her lawyer, Jeff Czech. (Nadya's father bought the house.)
LISTEN: Octo-Mom Calls 911
"Nadya has nannies and huge expenses raising 14 children," the source said. "She needs a lot of money just to keep up with the basics. And now the income has dried up and she didn't make enough in the past year and a half to live off of it.
"That money is gone and now she's facing desperate times.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Nadya Suleman Has Valentine's Date
"Nadya will never come out publicly and say she's going on welfare but everyone close to her and familiar with her situation knows that it's going to happen very, very soon. She needs the money. She has no choice at this point.
"And she's been on public assistance before."
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Octo-Mom's Mom Says My Daughter Is Insane
Suleman previously stated one of her goals was to get off public assistance and she managed that during the height of her notoriety.
She stated many times that she hoped to go back to school, get a Master's degree and work in the counseling field.
That hasn't happened - and even if it did, as the source points out, there's no way she could earn nearly enough to cover her enormous expenses.
"Nadya's parents have done a lot to help her despite their difficult relationship," the source added.
"But they aren't rich and they're struggling too. Her father bought the house but he can't support her.
PHOTOS: Kate Gosselin Rocks Her Bikini In Her Backyard
"She's going on welfare and it's going to be very soon.
Since giving birth to octuplets, Nadya Suleman has supported herself by selling access to her life, but a TV deal that she hoped would turn into a reality series fizzled.
That failure was a huge blow to Suleman's future and has left her in financial ruins, RadarOnline.com is reporting exclusively.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom At The Beach
"Nadya is running out of money very quickly," a source close to the infamous mom told RadarOnline.com. "She's still hoping to pull off a deal that will pay her a fortune but at this point it just doesn't seem possible."
Suleman was an infamous headline-generating national curiosity after giving birth to octuplets on January 29, 2009.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Promotes PETA
RadarOnline.com led the way in covering her chaotic life, documenting her struggle to raise 14 children, her brutal fights with her mother and the notoriety that led attorney Gloria Allred to head the quest for a guardian to be appointed for her children.
Now, however, the press attention has diminished and TV networks aren't buying a reality series featuring Suleman.
A potential deal with the Game Show Network fell through, as RadarOnline.com was first to report.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Talks And Drives On The Cell Phone
"She was hoping for merchandizing deals, but those never came through," the source said. "And she's written a book but no publisher wants it."
Meanwhile, Suleman has fallen behind on her mortgage payments again.
In April, the man holding her mortgage threatened to evict her when she fell behind.
That situation was resolved and as RadarOnline.com recently reported exclusively title to the house where Nadya lives was transferred to a company owned by her lawyer, Jeff Czech. (Nadya's father bought the house.)
LISTEN: Octo-Mom Calls 911
"Nadya has nannies and huge expenses raising 14 children," the source said. "She needs a lot of money just to keep up with the basics. And now the income has dried up and she didn't make enough in the past year and a half to live off of it.
"That money is gone and now she's facing desperate times.
PHOTOS: Octo-Mom Nadya Suleman Has Valentine's Date
"Nadya will never come out publicly and say she's going on welfare but everyone close to her and familiar with her situation knows that it's going to happen very, very soon. She needs the money. She has no choice at this point.
"And she's been on public assistance before."
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Octo-Mom's Mom Says My Daughter Is Insane
Suleman previously stated one of her goals was to get off public assistance and she managed that during the height of her notoriety.
She stated many times that she hoped to go back to school, get a Master's degree and work in the counseling field.
That hasn't happened - and even if it did, as the source points out, there's no way she could earn nearly enough to cover her enormous expenses.
"Nadya's parents have done a lot to help her despite their difficult relationship," the source added.
"But they aren't rich and they're struggling too. Her father bought the house but he can't support her.
PHOTOS: Kate Gosselin Rocks Her Bikini In Her Backyard
"She's going on welfare and it's going to be very soon.
One-Legged Man Escapes on Foot
Deputies in Orange County, Fla., are trying to track down a one-legged man who evaded authorities on foot.
The strange story began as a routine traffic stop on Sept. 14, when officers pulled over the suspect, George Bush, who is believed to be either 47 or 48 years old, according to WFTV.com.
But the motorist sped off, reportedly driving recklessly through a residential community before smashing his car into a power pole.
Witnesses say police were chasing the driver when he nearly hit a group of children waiting for a school bus and crashed into a pole. But law enforcement officials say they called off their pursuit when the motorist began driving erratically.
After the crash -- which shut off electricity to several nearby homes -- Bush allegedly climbed out of his vehicle and made his way into a wooded area, giving authorities the slip.
Later that day, deputies on horseback attempted to track the suspect, but according to the station, Bush's whereabouts remain unknown.
It's also unclear why Bush fled in the first place.
The strange story began as a routine traffic stop on Sept. 14, when officers pulled over the suspect, George Bush, who is believed to be either 47 or 48 years old, according to WFTV.com.
But the motorist sped off, reportedly driving recklessly through a residential community before smashing his car into a power pole.
Witnesses say police were chasing the driver when he nearly hit a group of children waiting for a school bus and crashed into a pole. But law enforcement officials say they called off their pursuit when the motorist began driving erratically.
After the crash -- which shut off electricity to several nearby homes -- Bush allegedly climbed out of his vehicle and made his way into a wooded area, giving authorities the slip.
Later that day, deputies on horseback attempted to track the suspect, but according to the station, Bush's whereabouts remain unknown.
It's also unclear why Bush fled in the first place.
Ben Affleck Mistaken for a Bank Robber
Can you believe the handsome Ben Affleck was mistaken for a bank robber?
Ben says he was mistaken for a robber recently while shooting scenes for his new movie The Town.
He said, “One day we were shooting near a bank and they wanted to keep the bank open for the day so we tried to accommodate them as best we could,” he said.
“And we had this scene where I have my mask on and a machine gun and Jeremy Renner is the same and we’re dragging Rebecca Hall into the van.
“I realized that I should start from inside the bank to give myself a place to cut so I went into the bank. I walked in wearing a skeleton mask, holding a machine gun and I have never seen true terror until that moment. Including from the security guard.”
Obviously waking into a bank with a machine is going to freak people out! One woman screamed so loud they had to stop shooting so he could attempt to calm her down. “One lady just screamed so I took my mask off and went ‘It’s OK, it’s just me’ and that made her scream even louder!”
He jokingly added, “We had a lot of felons in the movie which caused problems when we were shooting scenes because they’re supposed to hold guns and stuff but they’re not allowed to,” he said. “So we had to go to the federal judge and their probation officers. It turns out they take those laws very seriously
Ben says he was mistaken for a robber recently while shooting scenes for his new movie The Town.
He said, “One day we were shooting near a bank and they wanted to keep the bank open for the day so we tried to accommodate them as best we could,” he said.
“And we had this scene where I have my mask on and a machine gun and Jeremy Renner is the same and we’re dragging Rebecca Hall into the van.
“I realized that I should start from inside the bank to give myself a place to cut so I went into the bank. I walked in wearing a skeleton mask, holding a machine gun and I have never seen true terror until that moment. Including from the security guard.”
Obviously waking into a bank with a machine is going to freak people out! One woman screamed so loud they had to stop shooting so he could attempt to calm her down. “One lady just screamed so I took my mask off and went ‘It’s OK, it’s just me’ and that made her scream even louder!”
He jokingly added, “We had a lot of felons in the movie which caused problems when we were shooting scenes because they’re supposed to hold guns and stuff but they’re not allowed to,” he said. “So we had to go to the federal judge and their probation officers. It turns out they take those laws very seriously
Police say man raped, beat woman then called his mom for gas
A Fayette County man is in jail awaiting a hearing on rape and assault charges while his alleged victim remained hospitalized with serious injuries from the beating, state police said.
Anthony Cramer, 23, of McClellandtown, is being held on $100,000 bail, pending a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. next Thursday before District Judge Ronald Haggerty on charges of rape, kidnapping, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and simple assault.
The woman, interviewed by police at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., said the assault occurred Monday night, shortly after she met the suspect and he offered to drive her home to Uniontown, according to a police affidavit.
Instead, he pretended to head toward a gasoline station and drove her to a secluded location off Middle Run Road in German Township.
There, the suspect ordered the woman out of the vehicle and sexually assaulted her, the affidavit said.
When the woman asked her attacker to take her home, he punched her, knocking her to the ground, where he began kicking her in the head, face, chest, abdomen and back.
She suffered broken ribs and nose, a fractured skull, facial fractures and a torn spleen, police said in the affidavit.
He also took $30 from her and destroyed her cell phone, the affidavit said.
The suspect walked to the front of his van, and the woman said she then fled into the nearby brush to hide from him.
While cowering, she said she heard him try and fail to start his van. Then she heard him on a cell phone, saying, "Mom, I need some gas."
Within minutes, another vehicle arrived with a man and a woman who brought a can a gasoline, and the three then left the scene.
When it appeared safe for the victim to move, she said she walked to Route 166, where a motorist drove her to a convenience store in Carmichaels.
Based on the victim's description of the suspect and his vehicle, a white van, state police tracked him down Wednesday when they saw the van parked in his driveway on Lambert Road, less than two miles from where the woman was assaulted.
Investigators later returned to the scene, where they found blood and the victim's broken eyeglasses on the ground.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1088035-455.stm#ixzz0zoVZrhKk
Anthony Cramer, 23, of McClellandtown, is being held on $100,000 bail, pending a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. next Thursday before District Judge Ronald Haggerty on charges of rape, kidnapping, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and simple assault.
The woman, interviewed by police at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., said the assault occurred Monday night, shortly after she met the suspect and he offered to drive her home to Uniontown, according to a police affidavit.
Instead, he pretended to head toward a gasoline station and drove her to a secluded location off Middle Run Road in German Township.
There, the suspect ordered the woman out of the vehicle and sexually assaulted her, the affidavit said.
When the woman asked her attacker to take her home, he punched her, knocking her to the ground, where he began kicking her in the head, face, chest, abdomen and back.
She suffered broken ribs and nose, a fractured skull, facial fractures and a torn spleen, police said in the affidavit.
He also took $30 from her and destroyed her cell phone, the affidavit said.
The suspect walked to the front of his van, and the woman said she then fled into the nearby brush to hide from him.
While cowering, she said she heard him try and fail to start his van. Then she heard him on a cell phone, saying, "Mom, I need some gas."
Within minutes, another vehicle arrived with a man and a woman who brought a can a gasoline, and the three then left the scene.
When it appeared safe for the victim to move, she said she walked to Route 166, where a motorist drove her to a convenience store in Carmichaels.
Based on the victim's description of the suspect and his vehicle, a white van, state police tracked him down Wednesday when they saw the van parked in his driveway on Lambert Road, less than two miles from where the woman was assaulted.
Investigators later returned to the scene, where they found blood and the victim's broken eyeglasses on the ground.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1088035-455.stm#ixzz0zoVZrhKk
'Star Trek' Cremation Urns Take Trekkies on a Heavenly Journey
This certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "the final frontier."
"Star Trek" fans worldwide -- and there are millions of passionate "trekkers" out there -- now have a chance to boldly go into the afterlife by purchasing a new line of "Star Trek" cremation urns for themselves or their loved ones.
Eternal Image, a manufacturer of brand-name memorial products, has created two cube-shaped, "Trek"-themed urns with separate themes: "To Boldly Go" and "The Voyage Continues."
Not that your remains will end up in outer space, like the ashes of the late "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and "Trek" actor James "Scotty" Doohan, which were launched into space.
Eternal Image CEO and President Clint Mytych told AOL News why his company came up with a "Star Trek" design. "We hope that it makes the process of picking out funeral products a little bit easier -- it's already a painful process to go through," he said. "Nothing seems to come close to 'Star Trek' in terms of staying power and worldwide appeal."
The urns are made of a composite of minerals and metals, and, according to Mytych, "the box itself actually has white speckles in it, and it kind of resembles a star field."
Each urn displays an image of the Starship Enterprise, visible inside a delta-shaped Starfleet logo.
"That image of the Enterprise was created just for this urn. The exact rendering of the Enterprise and the way it's flying through space has never been produced on any other product. It's a new piece of art, just for these urns," said Mytych
"Star Trek" fans worldwide -- and there are millions of passionate "trekkers" out there -- now have a chance to boldly go into the afterlife by purchasing a new line of "Star Trek" cremation urns for themselves or their loved ones.
Eternal Image, a manufacturer of brand-name memorial products, has created two cube-shaped, "Trek"-themed urns with separate themes: "To Boldly Go" and "The Voyage Continues."
Not that your remains will end up in outer space, like the ashes of the late "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and "Trek" actor James "Scotty" Doohan, which were launched into space.
Eternal Image CEO and President Clint Mytych told AOL News why his company came up with a "Star Trek" design. "We hope that it makes the process of picking out funeral products a little bit easier -- it's already a painful process to go through," he said. "Nothing seems to come close to 'Star Trek' in terms of staying power and worldwide appeal."
The urns are made of a composite of minerals and metals, and, according to Mytych, "the box itself actually has white speckles in it, and it kind of resembles a star field."
Each urn displays an image of the Starship Enterprise, visible inside a delta-shaped Starfleet logo.
"That image of the Enterprise was created just for this urn. The exact rendering of the Enterprise and the way it's flying through space has never been produced on any other product. It's a new piece of art, just for these urns," said Mytych
Are You Reading This During Sex?
Our undying love for the Internet has gone a bit too far, according to a recent study claiming that almost a quarter of US residents think it's acceptable to be online during sex. Are you one of them?
The study, conducted by computer security firm PC Tools, surveyed 1,012 U.S. adults in a random phone poll.
PC Tools' study also highlights some other disturbing trends in Internet connectivity. According to the poll, 29% of Americans think it's ok to be "plugged in" during a honeymoon, 26% stay connected during fancy dinners, 8% surf the web during religious services, and 6% are online during weddings.
We buy that people check their Blackberry's during dinner, but we're not sure what it means to be connected to the Internet during sex. Is PC Tools trying to tell us that nearly a quarter of Americans are simultaneously getting it on and reading work emails? Or are they just watching Internet porn? We're still waiting for an answer from PC Tools
The study, conducted by computer security firm PC Tools, surveyed 1,012 U.S. adults in a random phone poll.
PC Tools' study also highlights some other disturbing trends in Internet connectivity. According to the poll, 29% of Americans think it's ok to be "plugged in" during a honeymoon, 26% stay connected during fancy dinners, 8% surf the web during religious services, and 6% are online during weddings.
We buy that people check their Blackberry's during dinner, but we're not sure what it means to be connected to the Internet during sex. Is PC Tools trying to tell us that nearly a quarter of Americans are simultaneously getting it on and reading work emails? Or are they just watching Internet porn? We're still waiting for an answer from PC Tools
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Canada's prince of pot sentenced to five years in jail
SEATTLE, Wash. — Sentenced to five years behind bars, Canada's Prince of Pot Marc Emery was led off to an American penitentiary Friday repenting his seed-selling sins and professing love for his wife.
"I love you Jodie!" he mouthed silently to her as he was led away.
There may be a place for and time for a debate over the legalization of marijuana the judge told him, but this is not the time or the place — marijuana is illegal.
In a beige prisoner's jumpsuit, Emery sat throughout the 15-minute hearing with his hands folded under his chin.
His wife Jodie Emery sat stoically the public gallery with about 40 supporters, press and undercover law-enforcement officers.
Seeds traced to grow houses in every region of the U.S. were linked to Emery according to the prosecution, and the original DEA press release called Emery one of the "most wanted international drug trafficking organizational targets -- one of only 46 in the world and the only one from Canada."
Judge Ricardo Martinez, of the western Washington district court, told the 52-year-old Vancouver businessman that he had grown up along the Canadian border and was saddened by what illegal drugs have done to both countries.
"I regret the example we set," Emery told him, "and I won't be doing that again.
"I'd like to point out though that it made it sound like I'm a bad guy . . . but I had very good intentions and wanted to be considered a proper participant in our society. I do believe that these prohibition laws create a lot of problems and create organized crime."
It was a sad emotional end to a 30-year public career by the staunch libertarian most Canadians considered a benign and charismatic political prankster.
The U.S. prosecutors said he was the "largest [pot seed] distributor in North America and at least the largest into the United States . . . .no doubt he sold millions of marijuana seeds that produced millions of marijuana plants in the U.S."
Outside the federal courthouse, a small group protested his sentence.
Emery said he now realizes that some of the methods he chose to fund his efforts to repeal the marijuana prohibition were "ill-conceived and ultimately destructive."
In a letter given to the judge prior to sentencing, Emery said he was "over-zealous and reckless" and "acted arrogantly in violation of U.S. federal law.
"I regret not choosing other methods — legal ones — to achieve my goals of peaceful political reform."
It sounded as sincere as Galileo's confession.
Emery has been a political activist for three decades — fighting Sunday business-closing laws in Ontario, Canada's national ban on drug literature and, of course, the marijuana prohibition.
A Canadian citizen and president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, Emery has run for office several times.
In furtherance of his goal of legalizing cannabis, for many years he sold marijuana seeds around the world through catalogue sales.
"This was not a business that operated underground, or even in the shadows," Richard Troberman, Emery's lawyer told the court.
"On the contrary, Marc openly operated his seed distribution business ("Marc Emery Direct") from a storefront in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as over the internet; through telephone sales; direct mail sales; and though other media outlets. Revenue Canada gladly accepted taxes on all of his sales, which were duly reported to the appropriate taxing authorities. Virtually all of the profits from the business went to funding lawful efforts to legalize marijuana in Canada and the United States through the political process."
Crown counsel in Canada refused to prosecute Emery but under the former Republican presidency the U.S. ramped up its war on drugs and targeted Emery because of his political profile.
"The Attorney General's true motive — which was to silence Mr. Emery's political activity — could not be more clear," Troberman said.
Emery was indicted in Seattle on May 26, 2005 for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and arrested in Halifax on an extradition warrant a few days later.
He was held in custody from Aug. 2 through Aug. 5, 2005. Emery remained free until Sept. 2009 when a tentative plea bargain was reached and he surrendered himself into custody Sept. 28.
He remained imprisoned in Canada until Nov. 18, when he was released to await the Justice Minister's final determination of his extradition.
On May 10, Emery was told the minister had refused his last-ditch appeal and went back into jail.
He was transported to the U.S. May 20 and has remained imprisoned since.
Emery admitted selling more then 4 million seeds, 75 per cent to U.S. customers.
He asked to be housed in the federal correctional institution at Lompoc, Calif., so he can continue to be visited by his wife. The judge recommended that.
After his sentencing, Emery's lawyers delivered a request to the Canadian consul for a prison transfer to Canada.
His B.C. lawyer Kirk Tousaw said that if all went well, Emery could be serving his time in a Canadian institution within a year.
"I received hundreds of letters and emails, most of them favourable to you," Judge Martinez said.
"One in crayon," he quipped, "others quite well written, very thoughtful, making some very interesting points. I know five years is a long time. I wish you the best."
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canada+prince+sentenced+five+years+jail/3508028/story.html#ixzz0zFns1gKS
"I love you Jodie!" he mouthed silently to her as he was led away.
There may be a place for and time for a debate over the legalization of marijuana the judge told him, but this is not the time or the place — marijuana is illegal.
In a beige prisoner's jumpsuit, Emery sat throughout the 15-minute hearing with his hands folded under his chin.
His wife Jodie Emery sat stoically the public gallery with about 40 supporters, press and undercover law-enforcement officers.
Seeds traced to grow houses in every region of the U.S. were linked to Emery according to the prosecution, and the original DEA press release called Emery one of the "most wanted international drug trafficking organizational targets -- one of only 46 in the world and the only one from Canada."
Judge Ricardo Martinez, of the western Washington district court, told the 52-year-old Vancouver businessman that he had grown up along the Canadian border and was saddened by what illegal drugs have done to both countries.
"I regret the example we set," Emery told him, "and I won't be doing that again.
"I'd like to point out though that it made it sound like I'm a bad guy . . . but I had very good intentions and wanted to be considered a proper participant in our society. I do believe that these prohibition laws create a lot of problems and create organized crime."
It was a sad emotional end to a 30-year public career by the staunch libertarian most Canadians considered a benign and charismatic political prankster.
The U.S. prosecutors said he was the "largest [pot seed] distributor in North America and at least the largest into the United States . . . .no doubt he sold millions of marijuana seeds that produced millions of marijuana plants in the U.S."
Outside the federal courthouse, a small group protested his sentence.
Emery said he now realizes that some of the methods he chose to fund his efforts to repeal the marijuana prohibition were "ill-conceived and ultimately destructive."
In a letter given to the judge prior to sentencing, Emery said he was "over-zealous and reckless" and "acted arrogantly in violation of U.S. federal law.
"I regret not choosing other methods — legal ones — to achieve my goals of peaceful political reform."
It sounded as sincere as Galileo's confession.
Emery has been a political activist for three decades — fighting Sunday business-closing laws in Ontario, Canada's national ban on drug literature and, of course, the marijuana prohibition.
A Canadian citizen and president of the B.C. Marijuana Party, Emery has run for office several times.
In furtherance of his goal of legalizing cannabis, for many years he sold marijuana seeds around the world through catalogue sales.
"This was not a business that operated underground, or even in the shadows," Richard Troberman, Emery's lawyer told the court.
"On the contrary, Marc openly operated his seed distribution business ("Marc Emery Direct") from a storefront in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as over the internet; through telephone sales; direct mail sales; and though other media outlets. Revenue Canada gladly accepted taxes on all of his sales, which were duly reported to the appropriate taxing authorities. Virtually all of the profits from the business went to funding lawful efforts to legalize marijuana in Canada and the United States through the political process."
Crown counsel in Canada refused to prosecute Emery but under the former Republican presidency the U.S. ramped up its war on drugs and targeted Emery because of his political profile.
"The Attorney General's true motive — which was to silence Mr. Emery's political activity — could not be more clear," Troberman said.
Emery was indicted in Seattle on May 26, 2005 for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and arrested in Halifax on an extradition warrant a few days later.
He was held in custody from Aug. 2 through Aug. 5, 2005. Emery remained free until Sept. 2009 when a tentative plea bargain was reached and he surrendered himself into custody Sept. 28.
He remained imprisoned in Canada until Nov. 18, when he was released to await the Justice Minister's final determination of his extradition.
On May 10, Emery was told the minister had refused his last-ditch appeal and went back into jail.
He was transported to the U.S. May 20 and has remained imprisoned since.
Emery admitted selling more then 4 million seeds, 75 per cent to U.S. customers.
He asked to be housed in the federal correctional institution at Lompoc, Calif., so he can continue to be visited by his wife. The judge recommended that.
After his sentencing, Emery's lawyers delivered a request to the Canadian consul for a prison transfer to Canada.
His B.C. lawyer Kirk Tousaw said that if all went well, Emery could be serving his time in a Canadian institution within a year.
"I received hundreds of letters and emails, most of them favourable to you," Judge Martinez said.
"One in crayon," he quipped, "others quite well written, very thoughtful, making some very interesting points. I know five years is a long time. I wish you the best."
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canada+prince+sentenced+five+years+jail/3508028/story.html#ixzz0zFns1gKS
Woman, 21, owes $32,000 in parking fines
GEELONG woman racked up a whopping $32,105 in warrants after ignoring 152 parking fines from the City of Greater Geelong, a court heard.
Melissa Jaworski, 21, has agreed to pay the fines at $150 each fortnight, meaning she will be in debt to the court for almost 12 years, the Geelong Advertiser reports.
Mary Foley, for Jaworski, told Geelong Magistrates' Court that the sheriff had also agreed to let Jaworski convert some of the warrants to community work orders, allowing her to do unpaid work on weekends in blocks of 81 hours.
"There is some $30,000 owing, the price of a car and she has not got the money to pay," Ms Foley said.
Documents lodged with the court show Jaworski received the fines, often twice in the one day, when parking her car in and around Moorabool St from late 2008 through until earlier this year.Magistrate Michael Coghlan said Jaworski had shown "callous disregard" for parking rules.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/woman-21-owes-32000-in-parking-fines/story-e6frfkvr-1225918768250#ixzz0zFgE6xgV
Melissa Jaworski, 21, has agreed to pay the fines at $150 each fortnight, meaning she will be in debt to the court for almost 12 years, the Geelong Advertiser reports.
Mary Foley, for Jaworski, told Geelong Magistrates' Court that the sheriff had also agreed to let Jaworski convert some of the warrants to community work orders, allowing her to do unpaid work on weekends in blocks of 81 hours.
"There is some $30,000 owing, the price of a car and she has not got the money to pay," Ms Foley said.
Documents lodged with the court show Jaworski received the fines, often twice in the one day, when parking her car in and around Moorabool St from late 2008 through until earlier this year.Magistrate Michael Coghlan said Jaworski had shown "callous disregard" for parking rules.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/woman-21-owes-32000-in-parking-fines/story-e6frfkvr-1225918768250#ixzz0zFgE6xgV
Friday, September 3, 2010
Cops: Drunken caller demands ride
When Ibis Rene Cabrera allegedly called 911 last Saturday in Stuart, FL he had a rather strange request. According to police, Cabrera told the operator that he did not have a job, and wanted a ride back to Honduras. A police officer responded, advised Cabrera that they did not give rides to other countries and suggested he stop calling 911. Instead, Cabrera, who cops say was intoxicated, called the emergency line seven more times in the next hour.
He was arrested for misusing the emergency line, and taken to Martin County jail.
He was arrested for misusing the emergency line, and taken to Martin County jail.
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