When you're convinced God is on your side, you are capable of anything.
The late Mike McQuay, science fiction author.
Brother McQuay didn't mean that in the good sense. Specifically, he was talking about the long history of barbaric acts perpetrated by those who are inspired by the white hot purity of their faiths.
Of course he was a stone cold atheist and had little use for anyone who professed a belief in a supreme being, no matter what their tradition, or culture.
Those of us who knew him can only imagine what he might have thought, or said about those good 'ol boys known as Boko Haram. They are the outfit in Nigeria who kidnapped 200 plus school girls and are threatening to sell them into slavery. The group's leader, Abubakar Shekau has said they did it with Allah's approval.
Yes, it would seem, just like the Bible, the Qu'ran can be used to justify anything that is part of someones agenda and behavior no matter how cracked it might be.
Various media sources are saying the Grand Mufti of Saudia Arabia has condemned both Boko Haram and Abubakar Shekau. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said, among other things, the group was, "set up to smear the image of Islam." He also claimed they are, "misguided." Then he noted, "These groups are not on the right path because Islam is against kidnapping, killing, and aggression." Finally, he added, "Marrying kidnapped girls is not permitted."
The Guardian on line reports scholars from the Cairo based, Al-Azhar, a Sunni learning center, issued a statement saying the kidnappers had grossly misinterpreted the faith and their act has, "...nothing to do with the noble teachings of Islam."
Hey, all that seems pretty darned reasonable doesn't it?
Well, tell it to Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag. She lives in Sudan and is married to a Christian man. According to Amnesty International, her father was Muslim, but he flew the coop early on so Mrs. Ishag was raised as an Orthodox Christian by her mother who is of that faith.
Despite those circumstances she was charged with apostasy because her dad was Muslim and Islam is apparently like the Hotel California--you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.
The 27 year old woman is eight months pregnant, but MSN reports that didn't stop Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa from sentencing her to death. Just to make sure she learns her lesson he threw in 100 lashes for adultery, because according to Sharia law her marriage to a Christian is just that. It remains unclear if she'll be beaten to death with a whip before, or after she is executed.
MSN quoted the judge as saying, "We gave you three days to recant, but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged." It's true. Ishag was convicted on Sunday, but over the next 72 hours she refused to budge on her beliefs, despite Muslim clerics urging her to do so.
Her response to the sentence was reportedly, "I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy."
The embassies of the U.S. U.K. Canada, and the Netherlands issued a statement saying, "We call upon the government of Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion, including one's right to change one's faith or beliefs."
The Sudanese Information Minister seemed befuddled by all the hubbub. He pointed out most Muslim countries, including Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh's home turf of Saudi Arabia, forbid Muslims to convert to another religion.
Indeed, what's the big deal?
It would seem Mike McQuay was right back then and still is now.
If you need me, I'll be in the bar.
5-15-14
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Don Sterling Explains Things to All of Us
I'm not a racist.
Donald T. Sterling, soon to be former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Club
I feel bad for him, because he's not the man I know, or knew. There is something wrong. I personally think he has dementia.
Shelly Sterling, estranged wife of Donald Sterling and soon to be litigant in the biggest sports team related law suit ever witnessed.
If you listened to her husband's rambling interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN you might tend to agree with Rochelle, Shelly, Sterling. Let's face it, his entire performance was a vile stream of consciousness which bordered on a horrifying piece of Dadaist street art.
Sterling bounced from effusive apologies for his "terrible" remarks straight into a series of vicious, personal, attacks on Earvin, Magic, Johnson. A moment later he was nearly wailing as he made over the top denials that he is not now, or has ever been a racist. He whined about being baited into saying what he did by V. Stiviano while claiming he didn't know he was being taped. He even became delusional when he said the Clipper players loved him. "Absolutely," he told Cooper, "they know I'm not a racist."
That would be the same team who dumped their warm ups onto the middle of the court in Sacramento and wore their shoot around jerseys inside out. It would be the same team whose point guard is Chris Paul, the head representative of the NBA players union. You know, the guy who told the media if the league hadn't banned Sterling for life when it did the Clippers and every other team in the playoffs would have refused to play another game.
Shelly Sterling also told NBC's Savannah Guthrie, "I don't think it happened overnight. I think it's been happening, but nobody really knew the reason. He gets crazy and yells and screams and hollers one moment and the next moment he'll talk about something else. Its like nothing makes sense."
Ok, Shelly, but as Guthrie pointed out during the interview, dementia doesn't make you say racist things unless you're already in that fetid place. Let's face it, Don Sterling's record on race has been public knowledge since at least 2005 when he was dragged into the dock for not renting to African Americans, Latinos, and families with children. People have testified in open court for nearly a decade that his attitude and language toward minorities is appalling .
And it all bubbled right up to the surface when he went off on Johnson. "What has he done?" Sterling asked Cooper. "Can you tell me? Magic Johnson, what has he done? That's one problem I have. Jews, when they get successful they will help their people and some African Americans--maybe I'll get in trouble again--they don't want to help anybody."
When Cooper pressed the issue Don Sterling almost went over the edge again. "There's no African American--then sensing imminent disaster, he caught himself--"Never mind. I don't know.I'm sorry. You know they all want to play golf with me. Everyone wants to be with me. I'm easy. I'm fun."
Obviously there are several disputable facts found in that diatribe. One is, Magic Johnson has done plenty for the African American community through Magic Johnson Enterprises. Another is it's highly doubtful, "they," all want to play golf with him. Third, the man has apparently never heard of Bernie Madoff.
Although Sterling maintains the owners won't sell the team out from under him, it is hard to imagine any NBA, CEO wanting to take the sort of massive PR hit he would have to endure by basically endorsing this goof.
While crazy ol' Don might be done, things are going to get sticky with Mrs. Sterling. She has already promised a legal battle. NBA spokesperson, Mark Bass claims the league constitution is specific when it comes to these things. If the owners force the sale of a team with a 75% majority vote, the minority partners in the club get their involvement terminated also. So, Shelly, you have no case. What Mr. Bass doesn't seem to appreciate is if, Shelly Sterling has a law firm on retainer, she has a case. They're paid to make sure she does.
That's right, unfortunately we aren't done with the highly dysfunctional Sterling family. At least not in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile chatrooms across the web are full of anonymous right wing werewolves yapping about Sterling's right to free speech while at the same time howling at the moon about people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. The current phrase du jour these malicious fucks use is, "the word police."
Well, the word police beats the hell out of guys who won't rent to people because of the color of their skin. They are also preferable to liars who make up evil nonsense to justify their attitude toward an entire race of people.
Donald Sterling desperately wants to be a victim. A lot of others just like him want the same thing.
None of them should be tolerated.
Now you know why I despise being called a liberal. I am, many times, not tolerant, which is the very definition of that tepid label.
5-13-14
Donald T. Sterling, soon to be former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Club
I feel bad for him, because he's not the man I know, or knew. There is something wrong. I personally think he has dementia.
Shelly Sterling, estranged wife of Donald Sterling and soon to be litigant in the biggest sports team related law suit ever witnessed.
If you listened to her husband's rambling interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN you might tend to agree with Rochelle, Shelly, Sterling. Let's face it, his entire performance was a vile stream of consciousness which bordered on a horrifying piece of Dadaist street art.
Sterling bounced from effusive apologies for his "terrible" remarks straight into a series of vicious, personal, attacks on Earvin, Magic, Johnson. A moment later he was nearly wailing as he made over the top denials that he is not now, or has ever been a racist. He whined about being baited into saying what he did by V. Stiviano while claiming he didn't know he was being taped. He even became delusional when he said the Clipper players loved him. "Absolutely," he told Cooper, "they know I'm not a racist."
That would be the same team who dumped their warm ups onto the middle of the court in Sacramento and wore their shoot around jerseys inside out. It would be the same team whose point guard is Chris Paul, the head representative of the NBA players union. You know, the guy who told the media if the league hadn't banned Sterling for life when it did the Clippers and every other team in the playoffs would have refused to play another game.
Shelly Sterling also told NBC's Savannah Guthrie, "I don't think it happened overnight. I think it's been happening, but nobody really knew the reason. He gets crazy and yells and screams and hollers one moment and the next moment he'll talk about something else. Its like nothing makes sense."
Ok, Shelly, but as Guthrie pointed out during the interview, dementia doesn't make you say racist things unless you're already in that fetid place. Let's face it, Don Sterling's record on race has been public knowledge since at least 2005 when he was dragged into the dock for not renting to African Americans, Latinos, and families with children. People have testified in open court for nearly a decade that his attitude and language toward minorities is appalling .
And it all bubbled right up to the surface when he went off on Johnson. "What has he done?" Sterling asked Cooper. "Can you tell me? Magic Johnson, what has he done? That's one problem I have. Jews, when they get successful they will help their people and some African Americans--maybe I'll get in trouble again--they don't want to help anybody."
When Cooper pressed the issue Don Sterling almost went over the edge again. "There's no African American--then sensing imminent disaster, he caught himself--"Never mind. I don't know.I'm sorry. You know they all want to play golf with me. Everyone wants to be with me. I'm easy. I'm fun."
Obviously there are several disputable facts found in that diatribe. One is, Magic Johnson has done plenty for the African American community through Magic Johnson Enterprises. Another is it's highly doubtful, "they," all want to play golf with him. Third, the man has apparently never heard of Bernie Madoff.
Although Sterling maintains the owners won't sell the team out from under him, it is hard to imagine any NBA, CEO wanting to take the sort of massive PR hit he would have to endure by basically endorsing this goof.
While crazy ol' Don might be done, things are going to get sticky with Mrs. Sterling. She has already promised a legal battle. NBA spokesperson, Mark Bass claims the league constitution is specific when it comes to these things. If the owners force the sale of a team with a 75% majority vote, the minority partners in the club get their involvement terminated also. So, Shelly, you have no case. What Mr. Bass doesn't seem to appreciate is if, Shelly Sterling has a law firm on retainer, she has a case. They're paid to make sure she does.
That's right, unfortunately we aren't done with the highly dysfunctional Sterling family. At least not in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile chatrooms across the web are full of anonymous right wing werewolves yapping about Sterling's right to free speech while at the same time howling at the moon about people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. The current phrase du jour these malicious fucks use is, "the word police."
Well, the word police beats the hell out of guys who won't rent to people because of the color of their skin. They are also preferable to liars who make up evil nonsense to justify their attitude toward an entire race of people.
Donald Sterling desperately wants to be a victim. A lot of others just like him want the same thing.
None of them should be tolerated.
Now you know why I despise being called a liberal. I am, many times, not tolerant, which is the very definition of that tepid label.
5-13-14
Monday, May 12, 2014
Another Monday in the Books: Voting in Ukraine, Boko Haram Videos, and Marco Attempts a Comeback
It was a long weekend for many, especially if you're living in Ukraine.
Violence in the eastern part of the country is intensifying daily. Two areas of the nation, Luhansk and Donetsk held a referendum and the majority of voters in both places decided to secede. At least that is what pro secessionists say
NBC's Bill Neely pointed out the wording on the ballot was penned by separatists. Then the same separatists policed the voting, although there were no voter lists and therefore no way to tell who was eligible, who wasn't, or even how many times each person voted. After the polls closed the separatists were the ones doing the counting. They were also the people who announced the results, which was 89 to 90% in favor of secession.
Yes, the word "fixed" would seem to apply to the proceedings. Neely also noted those in charge of the affair claimed the turnout was 75%. It is a number which left a few experts a tad suspicious since vast numbers of people boycotted the vote either because they knew it was rigged, or they were afraid they'd get their heads blown off while standing in line--not an entirely unreasonable fear, because there were reports of Ukrainian militia firing into crowds of people waiting to cast a ballot.
NBC is also saying Donetsk has formally asked Moscow to annex it into the the Russian Federation. Exactly who might be doing the asking is a bit unclear since, at the moment, Donetsk has no president, premier, or parliament. Well, sometimes these decisions are best left to an unknown intelligentsia and an anonymous armed force who controls government buildings across the region.
As you can guess the Ukrainian government in Kiev, the United States and other western nations don't recognize the vote, while the Russians do. Each side is busy calling the other illegitimate and both have arguments which support their claims. Let's face it, the guys currently running the show in Kiev didn't win an election, fixed, or otherwise. They took power when former president, Viktor Yanukovych was run out of town after a series of mass demonstrations which turned into deadly riots.
In a further effort to do in Ukraine as a nation, the Russians have announced they'll cut off the natural gas supply to the country on June 3rd if the cash strapped government doesn't pay for June's allotment in advance. It is a move which will disrupt supplies in several European countries because Ukraine is the conduit through which they import Russian fuel.
Meanwhile those gentle souls known as Boko Haram have released another video. This one shows a large group of girls sitting on the ground reciting the first chapter of the Koran and praying.
The head of the outfit, Abubakar Shekau is also featured, although separately. Shekau is quoted as saying, "These girls, these girls you occupy yourself with we have indeed liberated them. We have indeed liberated them. Do you know (how) we have liberated them? These girls have become Muslims."
Then he seemed to make an offer. He said, "We will never release them until after you release our brethren. Here I mean those girls who have not submitted." (converted to Islam.)
Several media outlets are reporting Shekau is offering to give up all the girls in exchange for his comrades sitting in jail right now. However, barring some sort of translation issue, it looks to this eye he is saying he'll trade only those girls who haven't converted to Islam--that he and his gang get to keep the rest who have.
The actual number of kidnapped teen agers has varied on a day to day basis. The current number is 223. It was estimated around 130 of them were shown on the video.
Here in the states, Florida republican Senator, Marco Rubio was interviewed by ABC Sunday. Rubio is the guy who the tea party loons began running away from when he came out in favor of a bipartisan immigration policy. Indeed, nothing will cost you right wing votes quicker than saying you'll work with democrats on anything, especially immigration. After all, those damn foreigners are the reason Obama is in the white house in the first place.
So what is a GOP presidential hopeful to do? For one, he can go on national TV and say, "I don't believe human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it. And I don't believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it. Except it will destroy our economy."
Atta boy, Marco. Get right back in there with a hot button issue and hammer away at those eco-lefties who are out to destroy The American Way of Life.
You might want to watch that stuff about "dramatic changes to our climate" though. Thanks to clowns like Oklahoma's very own Senator Jim Inhofe, there are plenty of GOP fringe dwellers who don't believe there is any climate change. That's right, humans aren't involved in global warming because, according to them, global warming is a myth. As for anyone who says it isn't, well, they're part of a massive left wing conspiracy which is out to kill the fossil fuel industry and force each and every one of us to become socialist vegetarians who must ride bicycles every where.
Marco Rubio seems set on a run for president. He went so far as to say if he does run in 2016 he will not seek reelection in the Senate. He might want to re-think that strategy. The latest poll involving viable potential GOP candidates shows him sitting in last place.
And there we have it. Another Monday is in the books.
There is a reason the Good Lord invented martinis.
5-12-14
Violence in the eastern part of the country is intensifying daily. Two areas of the nation, Luhansk and Donetsk held a referendum and the majority of voters in both places decided to secede. At least that is what pro secessionists say
NBC's Bill Neely pointed out the wording on the ballot was penned by separatists. Then the same separatists policed the voting, although there were no voter lists and therefore no way to tell who was eligible, who wasn't, or even how many times each person voted. After the polls closed the separatists were the ones doing the counting. They were also the people who announced the results, which was 89 to 90% in favor of secession.
Yes, the word "fixed" would seem to apply to the proceedings. Neely also noted those in charge of the affair claimed the turnout was 75%. It is a number which left a few experts a tad suspicious since vast numbers of people boycotted the vote either because they knew it was rigged, or they were afraid they'd get their heads blown off while standing in line--not an entirely unreasonable fear, because there were reports of Ukrainian militia firing into crowds of people waiting to cast a ballot.
NBC is also saying Donetsk has formally asked Moscow to annex it into the the Russian Federation. Exactly who might be doing the asking is a bit unclear since, at the moment, Donetsk has no president, premier, or parliament. Well, sometimes these decisions are best left to an unknown intelligentsia and an anonymous armed force who controls government buildings across the region.
As you can guess the Ukrainian government in Kiev, the United States and other western nations don't recognize the vote, while the Russians do. Each side is busy calling the other illegitimate and both have arguments which support their claims. Let's face it, the guys currently running the show in Kiev didn't win an election, fixed, or otherwise. They took power when former president, Viktor Yanukovych was run out of town after a series of mass demonstrations which turned into deadly riots.
In a further effort to do in Ukraine as a nation, the Russians have announced they'll cut off the natural gas supply to the country on June 3rd if the cash strapped government doesn't pay for June's allotment in advance. It is a move which will disrupt supplies in several European countries because Ukraine is the conduit through which they import Russian fuel.
Meanwhile those gentle souls known as Boko Haram have released another video. This one shows a large group of girls sitting on the ground reciting the first chapter of the Koran and praying.
The head of the outfit, Abubakar Shekau is also featured, although separately. Shekau is quoted as saying, "These girls, these girls you occupy yourself with we have indeed liberated them. We have indeed liberated them. Do you know (how) we have liberated them? These girls have become Muslims."
Then he seemed to make an offer. He said, "We will never release them until after you release our brethren. Here I mean those girls who have not submitted." (converted to Islam.)
Several media outlets are reporting Shekau is offering to give up all the girls in exchange for his comrades sitting in jail right now. However, barring some sort of translation issue, it looks to this eye he is saying he'll trade only those girls who haven't converted to Islam--that he and his gang get to keep the rest who have.
The actual number of kidnapped teen agers has varied on a day to day basis. The current number is 223. It was estimated around 130 of them were shown on the video.
Here in the states, Florida republican Senator, Marco Rubio was interviewed by ABC Sunday. Rubio is the guy who the tea party loons began running away from when he came out in favor of a bipartisan immigration policy. Indeed, nothing will cost you right wing votes quicker than saying you'll work with democrats on anything, especially immigration. After all, those damn foreigners are the reason Obama is in the white house in the first place.
So what is a GOP presidential hopeful to do? For one, he can go on national TV and say, "I don't believe human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it. And I don't believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it. Except it will destroy our economy."
Atta boy, Marco. Get right back in there with a hot button issue and hammer away at those eco-lefties who are out to destroy The American Way of Life.
You might want to watch that stuff about "dramatic changes to our climate" though. Thanks to clowns like Oklahoma's very own Senator Jim Inhofe, there are plenty of GOP fringe dwellers who don't believe there is any climate change. That's right, humans aren't involved in global warming because, according to them, global warming is a myth. As for anyone who says it isn't, well, they're part of a massive left wing conspiracy which is out to kill the fossil fuel industry and force each and every one of us to become socialist vegetarians who must ride bicycles every where.
Marco Rubio seems set on a run for president. He went so far as to say if he does run in 2016 he will not seek reelection in the Senate. He might want to re-think that strategy. The latest poll involving viable potential GOP candidates shows him sitting in last place.
And there we have it. Another Monday is in the books.
There is a reason the Good Lord invented martinis.
5-12-14
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Al Gerhart: Guilty and Guilty Again
Get that bill heard or I will make sure you regret not doing it. I will make you the laughing stock of the Senate if I don't hear this bill will be heard and passed. We will dig into your past yoru (sic) family, your associates and once we start there will be no end to it. That is a promise.
Al Gerhart's email to Oklahoma state Senator Cliff Branan.
When Brother Al sent those words to the Senator, the ship known as the S.S. Gerhart almost immediately began taking on water. Branan passed a hard copy of the email to the Highway Patrol, who in turn gave it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It finally landed on the desk of District Attorney David Prater. That was early in April last year.
The end game came yesterday when Gerhart was convicted of both blackmail and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. The jury let him slide on the computer crime by neither fining him, or giving him a jail term, despite the conviction. He was hit with a $1,000 fine on the blackmail charge, but got off with no jail time once again. He was lucky. The maximum was a $15,000 fine and ten years worth of casual strolls in the yard of a Department of Corrections facility.
Gerhart, who bears a disturbing resemblance to Uncle Fester in the Addams family cartoons, was shocked by the decision. He was so confident of a favorable outcome that Tuesday, Nolan Clay of, The Oklahoman, reported our man, Al bragged in a Sooner Tea Party newsletter, he had turned down a plea bargain offered by the D.A's office. According to Gerhart, in exchange for a guilty plea on the blackmail rap, the computer crimes charge would be dropped, he'd receive no fine, get one year of unsupervised probation, and afterward, his record would be expunged.
When the judge asked assistant D.A. Scott Rowland about the deal, Rowland admitted an offer had been made, but only after one had been requested by the defendant's attorney. The negotiations were doomed because of two reasons. One was Al's ego, the other is why these clowns have repeatedly lost national and statewide elections--they steadfastly refuse to compromise with anyone. Gerhart told the judge he, "absolutely" rejected the deal. Hey, to do so he would have to admit guilt, which would mean he'd been wrong all along. Such an option is unacceptable to a man who claims free speech includes telling a press conference, "These politicians need to know that it doesn't end when their term is over. They need to know that their decisions are going to follow them the rest of their days."
Yes, well, there are a lot of things which follow people the rest of their days--a felony conviction being one of them.
Clay quoted Gerhart as saying the verdict, "...just chills free speech." Then, as always, the Moore carpenter, turned Tea Party honcho, attempted to portray himself as the protector of, The American Way.
According to Clay he also said, "Who is going to want to risk holding a politician accountable at this point? I lost a thousand dollars. I became a felon. I lost my voting rights. I lost my gun rights. I'm probably getting off easy compared to the rest of society though."
Some of society might disagree. When Gerhart's thuggery hit the news last year the comments section of Mike McCarville's conservative site, mccarvillereport.com filled up with observations about him such as these:
"I don't know what his agenda is or what he hopes to accomplish, aside from destruction."
Steve Dickinson
He has slandered and libeled many, but narry (sic) gives it a thought. In essence he has no conscience to speak of."
Jillian Harvey
There was more, but you catch the drift. And, as you might guess, those weren't wild eyed liberal types. They were right wing activists who, in theory, think the way he does.
Indeed, Mr. Gerhart has made enemies along his ruthless way, but most of them live and breathe on his side of the railroad tracks. He can howl he is being politically persecuted all he wants. However, in the final analysis, what got him to the spot he is in now are these words: Blackmail can involve any communication that threatens to expose information about someone which would in any way subject that person to the ridicule and contempt of society. It is blackmail if the communication is meant to extort or gain any thing of value from another, or compel another to do an act against his or her will.
The truth is the moment, Cliff Branan took the stand and said, "I know evil exists. It really scared me. He definitely was wanting me to do something I did not want to do," Al Gerhart's goose was cooked.
He had, in fact, broken the law as it is written--the jury, no matter what their political beliefs, couldn't ignore that simple fact.
sic vita est
5-8-14
Al Gerhart's email to Oklahoma state Senator Cliff Branan.
When Brother Al sent those words to the Senator, the ship known as the S.S. Gerhart almost immediately began taking on water. Branan passed a hard copy of the email to the Highway Patrol, who in turn gave it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It finally landed on the desk of District Attorney David Prater. That was early in April last year.
The end game came yesterday when Gerhart was convicted of both blackmail and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. The jury let him slide on the computer crime by neither fining him, or giving him a jail term, despite the conviction. He was hit with a $1,000 fine on the blackmail charge, but got off with no jail time once again. He was lucky. The maximum was a $15,000 fine and ten years worth of casual strolls in the yard of a Department of Corrections facility.
Gerhart, who bears a disturbing resemblance to Uncle Fester in the Addams family cartoons, was shocked by the decision. He was so confident of a favorable outcome that Tuesday, Nolan Clay of, The Oklahoman, reported our man, Al bragged in a Sooner Tea Party newsletter, he had turned down a plea bargain offered by the D.A's office. According to Gerhart, in exchange for a guilty plea on the blackmail rap, the computer crimes charge would be dropped, he'd receive no fine, get one year of unsupervised probation, and afterward, his record would be expunged.
When the judge asked assistant D.A. Scott Rowland about the deal, Rowland admitted an offer had been made, but only after one had been requested by the defendant's attorney. The negotiations were doomed because of two reasons. One was Al's ego, the other is why these clowns have repeatedly lost national and statewide elections--they steadfastly refuse to compromise with anyone. Gerhart told the judge he, "absolutely" rejected the deal. Hey, to do so he would have to admit guilt, which would mean he'd been wrong all along. Such an option is unacceptable to a man who claims free speech includes telling a press conference, "These politicians need to know that it doesn't end when their term is over. They need to know that their decisions are going to follow them the rest of their days."
Yes, well, there are a lot of things which follow people the rest of their days--a felony conviction being one of them.
Clay quoted Gerhart as saying the verdict, "...just chills free speech." Then, as always, the Moore carpenter, turned Tea Party honcho, attempted to portray himself as the protector of, The American Way.
According to Clay he also said, "Who is going to want to risk holding a politician accountable at this point? I lost a thousand dollars. I became a felon. I lost my voting rights. I lost my gun rights. I'm probably getting off easy compared to the rest of society though."
Some of society might disagree. When Gerhart's thuggery hit the news last year the comments section of Mike McCarville's conservative site, mccarvillereport.com filled up with observations about him such as these:
"I don't know what his agenda is or what he hopes to accomplish, aside from destruction."
Steve Dickinson
He has slandered and libeled many, but narry (sic) gives it a thought. In essence he has no conscience to speak of."
Jillian Harvey
There was more, but you catch the drift. And, as you might guess, those weren't wild eyed liberal types. They were right wing activists who, in theory, think the way he does.
Indeed, Mr. Gerhart has made enemies along his ruthless way, but most of them live and breathe on his side of the railroad tracks. He can howl he is being politically persecuted all he wants. However, in the final analysis, what got him to the spot he is in now are these words: Blackmail can involve any communication that threatens to expose information about someone which would in any way subject that person to the ridicule and contempt of society. It is blackmail if the communication is meant to extort or gain any thing of value from another, or compel another to do an act against his or her will.
The truth is the moment, Cliff Branan took the stand and said, "I know evil exists. It really scared me. He definitely was wanting me to do something I did not want to do," Al Gerhart's goose was cooked.
He had, in fact, broken the law as it is written--the jury, no matter what their political beliefs, couldn't ignore that simple fact.
sic vita est
5-8-14
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Boko Haram Isn't a Rock and Roll Band
Those dudes in Boko Haram certainly are a rambunctious lot.
In April they kidnapped somewhere between 200 and 300 teen aged girls from a school in northeastern Nigeria. Then last Sunday they hit the villages of Warabe and Wala, in the same general area of the country. During the raids they went door to door looking for more female hostages. By the time it was over they had grabbed 11 girls, aged 12 to 15.
On Monday, Boko Haram troops, if you want to call them that, overran the border town of Gamboru Ngala. After killing an estimated 300 civilians they burned much of the place to the ground. Nigerian Senator, Ahmed Zanna was quoted as saying, "All economic and business centers have been burnt."
This sort of barbaric shit has been going on for over five years now and its been routinely ignored by everyone who isn't a Nigerian. Let's face it, prior to the mass kidnapping, if you had asked the average American who Boko Haram was, he, or she would have probably told you they were a 60's rock and roll band.
No, that was Procol Harum and they are from Britain. These guys are Muslim fundamentalists who want to carve out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria and return it to the middle ages.
The leader of the outfit is one, Abubakar Shekau. He showed up on a low grade video the other day bragging his group had kidnapped the girls. He also threatened to sell them into slavery. Some experts speculate he has already started the bidding. Others think he is selling them directly to his fighters as wives for $12.
How things got this far is a bit complicated, as is everything in Africa. The Nigerian government has been slow to move against Boko Haram. Up until now the prevailing philosophy seemed to be contain, rather than eliminate. The group is hidden out in the Sambisa Forest and the adjoining mountains. It is a foreboding place filled with wild game and poisonous snakes. The local population, while not necessarily sympathetic to Shekau and his crew, are predominantly Muslim and they don't particularly care for President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
The reason why is brutally simple. When government troops have ventured into the area they tend to act as if everyone is a member of Boko Haram and there is a lot of indiscriminate killing and arson involved in the pacification process. In other words, the guys who are supposed to be good have acted just as bad as the bad guys.
The United States has sent in a team of military advisers, law enforcement types and some people from "other agencies" in order to assist the Nigerians. The British, French, and Chinese have also offered help. Jonathan's acceptance of the aid is being read as an admission he can't get the job done when dealing with the beasts prowling his northeast frontier.
Well, he had to act one way or another. Protesters have been massing in the streets of the capital, Abuja and other cities. They're demanding he do something. In addition huge numbers of people on more than one continent are up in arms. The U.N. has gone so far as to say Shekau will be charged with crimes against humanity if he actually does sell the girls.
In fact, right now the only guy who is, to borrow a phrase, happy happy happy, is Abubakar Shekau. He finally has what he's wanted all these years--the full attention of the world. At this very moment he's, no doubt, bopping himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand while wondering aloud, "why didn't I think of wholesale child abduction before now?"
Indeed, now that he has all this press and even though American involvement is minuscule, he can recruit all manner of monsters from across the globe. Not only will there be a chance to kill some westerners, Boko Haram has a bevy of future wives available at a price everyone can afford.
Jonathan's efforts to find them have been tepid at best. Although he did manage to open up Gamboru Ngala to attack when the troops meant to protect the city were redeployed toward Lake Chad in order to search for the victims. Any advice the Nigerian army might get, either from us, or others still has to be carried out by them. Telling someone you have to plow straight through an ambush in order to break it is one thing--them actually doing it when you aren't there and real bullets are flying about is another altogether.
The truth is the girls have probably been split up into small groups and now they're scattered across the Sambisa in various hide outs. No, there won't be any sort of Entebbe style rescue even if the Nigerians had the means, or will.
The end game could be, Shekau is looking for a big fat ransom. After all, weapons and ammunition cost money. Or, it might be he is just trying to boost the morale of those rowdy guys he commands by providing them with some companionship, no matter how gruesomely coerced it is. The only thing known for sure is, in his twisted mind, he has hit the jackpot. We can look for him to quickly double down. As the song says, when you're hot, you're hot and he knows he is.
This nightmare isn't ending any time soon.
5-7-14
In April they kidnapped somewhere between 200 and 300 teen aged girls from a school in northeastern Nigeria. Then last Sunday they hit the villages of Warabe and Wala, in the same general area of the country. During the raids they went door to door looking for more female hostages. By the time it was over they had grabbed 11 girls, aged 12 to 15.
On Monday, Boko Haram troops, if you want to call them that, overran the border town of Gamboru Ngala. After killing an estimated 300 civilians they burned much of the place to the ground. Nigerian Senator, Ahmed Zanna was quoted as saying, "All economic and business centers have been burnt."
This sort of barbaric shit has been going on for over five years now and its been routinely ignored by everyone who isn't a Nigerian. Let's face it, prior to the mass kidnapping, if you had asked the average American who Boko Haram was, he, or she would have probably told you they were a 60's rock and roll band.
No, that was Procol Harum and they are from Britain. These guys are Muslim fundamentalists who want to carve out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria and return it to the middle ages.
The leader of the outfit is one, Abubakar Shekau. He showed up on a low grade video the other day bragging his group had kidnapped the girls. He also threatened to sell them into slavery. Some experts speculate he has already started the bidding. Others think he is selling them directly to his fighters as wives for $12.
How things got this far is a bit complicated, as is everything in Africa. The Nigerian government has been slow to move against Boko Haram. Up until now the prevailing philosophy seemed to be contain, rather than eliminate. The group is hidden out in the Sambisa Forest and the adjoining mountains. It is a foreboding place filled with wild game and poisonous snakes. The local population, while not necessarily sympathetic to Shekau and his crew, are predominantly Muslim and they don't particularly care for President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
The reason why is brutally simple. When government troops have ventured into the area they tend to act as if everyone is a member of Boko Haram and there is a lot of indiscriminate killing and arson involved in the pacification process. In other words, the guys who are supposed to be good have acted just as bad as the bad guys.
The United States has sent in a team of military advisers, law enforcement types and some people from "other agencies" in order to assist the Nigerians. The British, French, and Chinese have also offered help. Jonathan's acceptance of the aid is being read as an admission he can't get the job done when dealing with the beasts prowling his northeast frontier.
Well, he had to act one way or another. Protesters have been massing in the streets of the capital, Abuja and other cities. They're demanding he do something. In addition huge numbers of people on more than one continent are up in arms. The U.N. has gone so far as to say Shekau will be charged with crimes against humanity if he actually does sell the girls.
In fact, right now the only guy who is, to borrow a phrase, happy happy happy, is Abubakar Shekau. He finally has what he's wanted all these years--the full attention of the world. At this very moment he's, no doubt, bopping himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand while wondering aloud, "why didn't I think of wholesale child abduction before now?"
Indeed, now that he has all this press and even though American involvement is minuscule, he can recruit all manner of monsters from across the globe. Not only will there be a chance to kill some westerners, Boko Haram has a bevy of future wives available at a price everyone can afford.
Jonathan's efforts to find them have been tepid at best. Although he did manage to open up Gamboru Ngala to attack when the troops meant to protect the city were redeployed toward Lake Chad in order to search for the victims. Any advice the Nigerian army might get, either from us, or others still has to be carried out by them. Telling someone you have to plow straight through an ambush in order to break it is one thing--them actually doing it when you aren't there and real bullets are flying about is another altogether.
The truth is the girls have probably been split up into small groups and now they're scattered across the Sambisa in various hide outs. No, there won't be any sort of Entebbe style rescue even if the Nigerians had the means, or will.
The end game could be, Shekau is looking for a big fat ransom. After all, weapons and ammunition cost money. Or, it might be he is just trying to boost the morale of those rowdy guys he commands by providing them with some companionship, no matter how gruesomely coerced it is. The only thing known for sure is, in his twisted mind, he has hit the jackpot. We can look for him to quickly double down. As the song says, when you're hot, you're hot and he knows he is.
This nightmare isn't ending any time soon.
5-7-14
Monday, May 5, 2014
Cinco de Mayo: Starting a Long Losing Streak, Girls on the Market, Crazy in Jonesboro, and Al Gerhart Goes To Trial
So here we are on Cinco de Mayo. In Mexico the 5th is officially known as, "Dia de la Batalla de Puebla," which translates into American as, "Another Excuse to Drink a Lot of Beer Day."
Most Anglos assume May 5th is the Mexican equivalent of the 4th of July, which it isn't. That celebration is in September and it is almost uniformly ignored north of the Rio Grande. No, today commemorates a Mexican military victory over invading French troops in the year 1862. It was, in fact, the battle which began a French losing streak in wars which lasted right through both Vietnam and Algeria nearly a century later.
But enough of history. There are things happening right here and now.
A French news agency secured a video of Mr. Abubakar Shekau. He is the head of Boko Haram, another in the seemingly endless list of radical Islamic groups. They operate in the northern outback of Nigeria and love to burn down schools with the children and teachers in them--most of the time anyway. In mid April members of the group raided a girl's school and kidnapped around 200 female students.
In the video Shekau made these terse statements, "I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market." He added that, Allah had told him to do so. Hey, it beats having to feed them and as the late science fiction author, Mike McQuay said, "Once you have God on your side, you're capable of anything." The Nigerian president claims his government will secure the girls' release, but so far, if any actual attempts have been made, they've failed. People in Nigeria and across the globe are outraged. The United States, as usual, has promised to support the Nigerian government's efforts, although what support that might be remains a tad fuzzy.
Reports say, "Boko Haram" means, "western education is sinful." In the grainy video Shekau admonished girls, presumably everywhere, not to go to school, because they should get married instead.
Yesterday, here is the states, Mr. Porfiro Hernandez showed up at a home in Jonesboro, Arkansas carrying a .357 magnum handgun. Before he left two were dead and four were wounded, three of them critically. He then drove about three miles down the road where he shot and killed a third person. Police found his car and body parked on a rural road a little while later. The evidence available is, after the deadly rampage, Hernandez used the weapon on himself.
In an email, a Jonesboro police officer told the Associated Press that Porfiro Hernandez had recently been released from a "mental health facility." Why should anyone be surprised? There was no mention of who owned the weapon, or how Hernandez got his hands on it, although this being America if it hadn't been that one, he would have certainly found another.
Locally, Mr. Al Gerhart, head of the "Sooner Tea Party" went on trial this morning. The charges are blackmail and violating the state's computer crimes act.
A year ago, Gerhart was all hot to trot about a bill in the Oklahoma senate. The measure would have banned the state and local communities from dealing with any entity which participated in a voluntary U.N. program, because--well--it is a U.N. thing and therefore a terrible threat to the sovereignty of these United States.
In March, 2013, he sent an email to state Senator, Cliff Branan, a fellow republican. In it he told Branan that unless he moved the bill out of committee there would be hell to pay. The communication read, "Branan, get that bill heard or I will make sure you regret not doing it. I will make you the laughing stock of the senate if I don't hear this bill will he heard and passed. We will dig into your past, your family, your associates, and once we start on you there will be no end to it. This is a promise."
Later Gerhart held a press conference and claimed Branan had taken the email to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, because the "scuttlebutt" in the senate was he'd had some sort of sexual dalliance with a staffer. Branan denied it and Gerhart, who promised he'd make sure the Senator's church knew what he was really like, has never provided any proof of the accusation.
That hogwash wasn't what got him charged though. The line about, "I will make you the laughing stock of the senate," is what landed Brother Al in the dock. As The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported today, Oklahoma law, in part, states blackmail can involve any communication which attempts to compel someone to do something against his, or her will by threatening to expose information about that person, which would in any way subject such a person to the ridicule or contempt of society..."
Oops.
The defendant is claiming the email was free speech and his attorney is howling the case is pure, "political prosecution." He maintains Oklahoma legislators do this sort of shit all the time when they're trying to get a bill passed. If true, it would make the Oklahoma house and senate two of the most ruthless places in America, outside of a few "social clubs" catering to mob types.
Gerhart was, for the most part, unknown outside of the world of conservative politics before this slimy affair hit the news. However, among fellow travelers on those dark seas he has quite the reputation as a bellicose bully. When the conservative on-line news letter, "The McCarville Report," first began covering the controversy last year it's comments sections were full of horror stories written by conservative activists regarding the man.
Clay notes the trial should last three, or four days. He also says the defense has subpoenaed a number of legislators as "expert witnesses" on the legislative process.
In the end, the bill's sponsor in the senate withdrew it from consideration after he found out about the threats to Branan and his family. It hasn't been heard of since.
There we have it. And just think, it is only Monday.
Viva Mexico!
5-5-14
Most Anglos assume May 5th is the Mexican equivalent of the 4th of July, which it isn't. That celebration is in September and it is almost uniformly ignored north of the Rio Grande. No, today commemorates a Mexican military victory over invading French troops in the year 1862. It was, in fact, the battle which began a French losing streak in wars which lasted right through both Vietnam and Algeria nearly a century later.
But enough of history. There are things happening right here and now.
A French news agency secured a video of Mr. Abubakar Shekau. He is the head of Boko Haram, another in the seemingly endless list of radical Islamic groups. They operate in the northern outback of Nigeria and love to burn down schools with the children and teachers in them--most of the time anyway. In mid April members of the group raided a girl's school and kidnapped around 200 female students.
In the video Shekau made these terse statements, "I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market." He added that, Allah had told him to do so. Hey, it beats having to feed them and as the late science fiction author, Mike McQuay said, "Once you have God on your side, you're capable of anything." The Nigerian president claims his government will secure the girls' release, but so far, if any actual attempts have been made, they've failed. People in Nigeria and across the globe are outraged. The United States, as usual, has promised to support the Nigerian government's efforts, although what support that might be remains a tad fuzzy.
Reports say, "Boko Haram" means, "western education is sinful." In the grainy video Shekau admonished girls, presumably everywhere, not to go to school, because they should get married instead.
Yesterday, here is the states, Mr. Porfiro Hernandez showed up at a home in Jonesboro, Arkansas carrying a .357 magnum handgun. Before he left two were dead and four were wounded, three of them critically. He then drove about three miles down the road where he shot and killed a third person. Police found his car and body parked on a rural road a little while later. The evidence available is, after the deadly rampage, Hernandez used the weapon on himself.
In an email, a Jonesboro police officer told the Associated Press that Porfiro Hernandez had recently been released from a "mental health facility." Why should anyone be surprised? There was no mention of who owned the weapon, or how Hernandez got his hands on it, although this being America if it hadn't been that one, he would have certainly found another.
Locally, Mr. Al Gerhart, head of the "Sooner Tea Party" went on trial this morning. The charges are blackmail and violating the state's computer crimes act.
A year ago, Gerhart was all hot to trot about a bill in the Oklahoma senate. The measure would have banned the state and local communities from dealing with any entity which participated in a voluntary U.N. program, because--well--it is a U.N. thing and therefore a terrible threat to the sovereignty of these United States.
In March, 2013, he sent an email to state Senator, Cliff Branan, a fellow republican. In it he told Branan that unless he moved the bill out of committee there would be hell to pay. The communication read, "Branan, get that bill heard or I will make sure you regret not doing it. I will make you the laughing stock of the senate if I don't hear this bill will he heard and passed. We will dig into your past, your family, your associates, and once we start on you there will be no end to it. This is a promise."
Later Gerhart held a press conference and claimed Branan had taken the email to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, because the "scuttlebutt" in the senate was he'd had some sort of sexual dalliance with a staffer. Branan denied it and Gerhart, who promised he'd make sure the Senator's church knew what he was really like, has never provided any proof of the accusation.
That hogwash wasn't what got him charged though. The line about, "I will make you the laughing stock of the senate," is what landed Brother Al in the dock. As The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported today, Oklahoma law, in part, states blackmail can involve any communication which attempts to compel someone to do something against his, or her will by threatening to expose information about that person, which would in any way subject such a person to the ridicule or contempt of society..."
Oops.
The defendant is claiming the email was free speech and his attorney is howling the case is pure, "political prosecution." He maintains Oklahoma legislators do this sort of shit all the time when they're trying to get a bill passed. If true, it would make the Oklahoma house and senate two of the most ruthless places in America, outside of a few "social clubs" catering to mob types.
Gerhart was, for the most part, unknown outside of the world of conservative politics before this slimy affair hit the news. However, among fellow travelers on those dark seas he has quite the reputation as a bellicose bully. When the conservative on-line news letter, "The McCarville Report," first began covering the controversy last year it's comments sections were full of horror stories written by conservative activists regarding the man.
Clay notes the trial should last three, or four days. He also says the defense has subpoenaed a number of legislators as "expert witnesses" on the legislative process.
In the end, the bill's sponsor in the senate withdrew it from consideration after he found out about the threats to Branan and his family. It hasn't been heard of since.
There we have it. And just think, it is only Monday.
Viva Mexico!
5-5-14
Friday, May 2, 2014
Friday Dispatches: Unavoidable Sanctions, A Deeply Troubling Execution, and A Shooting in Alaska
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel showed up outside of the White House today along with President Barack Obama. Both of them promised there would be another round of economic sanctions if the Russians don't tone down their act in Ukraine.
Obviously, they have to do something, because the ones in place now certainly haven't put a dent in Vladimir Putin's enthusiasm for annexing territory and slipping special ops forces into the eastern parts of the country. Neither Merkel, or Obama went into detail about the nature of the "unavoidable" sanctions, or how they might curb Russia's involvement in the ongoing attempt to partition Ukraine and isolate the government in Kiev.
Meanwhile, the situation there continues to deteriorate. NBC reports there was rioting today in the city of Odessa between pro unity backers and separatists. An English language media outlet in Kiev claims Russian speaking thugs attacked a demonstration of pro government supporters. At this point there is no telling what really happened. The truth is always the first casualty in situations such as these. Everyone knows the value of the media and how to manipulate it and nobody hesitates to do so.
In the eastern part of the nation, Ukrainian troops are pushing into the city of Slovyansk, which has been under the control of anti government forces. The move has angered the Russians, who, as always, are never at a loss for reasons to be angered. They are claiming the offensive voids a cease fire agreement brokered by the U.S. and others. Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement which says, "English speech has been heard on the air and English speaking foreigners were spotted among those who attacked Slovyansk."
In addition the foreign ministry is accusing U.S. "private security forces" of being involved in Ukraine. Both accusations are a double edged sword. The first question, which could reasonably be asked, is how did the Russian government get this shocking intelligence? If the charges have any merit there are only two possible answers. The first is they are so closely supporting the separatists they have constant communications with them. The second--Russian troops are directly involved in Slovyansk, despite the tepid denials by Vlad himself.
Much closer to home, Oklahoma authorities are still trying to figure out what went wrong Tuesday during the execution of Clayton Lockett.
Mr. Lockett did not go quietly into that good night. The Department of Corrections issued a statement saying prior to the botched execution, Lockett had to be tasered because he was, "uncooperative" when officials tried to restrain him for a pre hot shot set of X-rays.
Then things really went down hill.
First off, the phlebotomist apparently couldn't find a usable vein in his arms, legs, or feet, so the IV was inserted into Lockett's groin. He was administered the drug midazolam which was meant to knock him out. Then he was given a dose of vecuronium bromide in order to paralyze his muscles To end it, potassium chloride was added to the mix which was supposed to stop his heart.
It was the first time Oklahoma had used this particular mix of drugs. It was also the first time anyone had used them in the doses which were run into the IV. It will probably be the last, because things went terribly awry. Even though Lockett had been declared unconscious he began thrashing about on the table and for, at least a moment or two, seemed awake. The doctor in charge decided his vein had collapsed and called a halt to the execution saying the drugs had either leaked out, or been absorbed by Lockett's tissue; that there weren't enough in his system to kill him. A faint heart beat was detected, but the doctor was wrong, there was enough potassium chloride in him that 43 minutes after the execution began, Lockett was declared dead of what has been diagnosed as a heart attack.
Yes, it seems when the state kills people, we'd rather not have them flopping around on the gurney like a boated tuna, especially in front of witnesses. The White House issued a statement earlier this week through Press Secretary Jay Carney, saying the execution, "fell short of humane standards." Today Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the affair. In the past, he has also said some crimes are so heinous the death penalty is warranted.
Governor Mary Fallin delayed the execution of Charles Warner until May 13th, so someone could figure out what went wrong. He was scheduled to be killed a couple of hours after Lockett. Robert Patton, the head of the Oklahoma DOC sent the Governor a letter saying all executions should be delayed indefinitely. Warner's attorney agreed and added she believed a cover up was in process and an independent investigation should be conducted.
Lockett was convicted of shooting a teen aged girl with a shotgun, then watching as two of his pals buried her alive. Warner maintains he is innocent of raping and killing an 11 month old baby.
Finally, up in Alaska, a man described by a witness as, "a young kid, or young adult," shot and killed two state troopers in the town of Tanana Thursday. Tanana is 130 miles west of Fairbanks and so isolated it can only be reached by air. The suspect was taken into custody last night by an Alaskan SWAT team after a standoff.
So far the NRA has been mum on the shooting. No doubt the organization realizes their contention the killer would have been stopped if everyone was armed is pretty useless when it comes to a place like Alaska. Because--you know--everyone there is armed.
And there we have it. Just another Friday down the drain.
As always, the bar is open.
sic vita est
5-2-14
Obviously, they have to do something, because the ones in place now certainly haven't put a dent in Vladimir Putin's enthusiasm for annexing territory and slipping special ops forces into the eastern parts of the country. Neither Merkel, or Obama went into detail about the nature of the "unavoidable" sanctions, or how they might curb Russia's involvement in the ongoing attempt to partition Ukraine and isolate the government in Kiev.
Meanwhile, the situation there continues to deteriorate. NBC reports there was rioting today in the city of Odessa between pro unity backers and separatists. An English language media outlet in Kiev claims Russian speaking thugs attacked a demonstration of pro government supporters. At this point there is no telling what really happened. The truth is always the first casualty in situations such as these. Everyone knows the value of the media and how to manipulate it and nobody hesitates to do so.
In the eastern part of the nation, Ukrainian troops are pushing into the city of Slovyansk, which has been under the control of anti government forces. The move has angered the Russians, who, as always, are never at a loss for reasons to be angered. They are claiming the offensive voids a cease fire agreement brokered by the U.S. and others. Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement which says, "English speech has been heard on the air and English speaking foreigners were spotted among those who attacked Slovyansk."
In addition the foreign ministry is accusing U.S. "private security forces" of being involved in Ukraine. Both accusations are a double edged sword. The first question, which could reasonably be asked, is how did the Russian government get this shocking intelligence? If the charges have any merit there are only two possible answers. The first is they are so closely supporting the separatists they have constant communications with them. The second--Russian troops are directly involved in Slovyansk, despite the tepid denials by Vlad himself.
Much closer to home, Oklahoma authorities are still trying to figure out what went wrong Tuesday during the execution of Clayton Lockett.
Mr. Lockett did not go quietly into that good night. The Department of Corrections issued a statement saying prior to the botched execution, Lockett had to be tasered because he was, "uncooperative" when officials tried to restrain him for a pre hot shot set of X-rays.
Then things really went down hill.
First off, the phlebotomist apparently couldn't find a usable vein in his arms, legs, or feet, so the IV was inserted into Lockett's groin. He was administered the drug midazolam which was meant to knock him out. Then he was given a dose of vecuronium bromide in order to paralyze his muscles To end it, potassium chloride was added to the mix which was supposed to stop his heart.
It was the first time Oklahoma had used this particular mix of drugs. It was also the first time anyone had used them in the doses which were run into the IV. It will probably be the last, because things went terribly awry. Even though Lockett had been declared unconscious he began thrashing about on the table and for, at least a moment or two, seemed awake. The doctor in charge decided his vein had collapsed and called a halt to the execution saying the drugs had either leaked out, or been absorbed by Lockett's tissue; that there weren't enough in his system to kill him. A faint heart beat was detected, but the doctor was wrong, there was enough potassium chloride in him that 43 minutes after the execution began, Lockett was declared dead of what has been diagnosed as a heart attack.
Yes, it seems when the state kills people, we'd rather not have them flopping around on the gurney like a boated tuna, especially in front of witnesses. The White House issued a statement earlier this week through Press Secretary Jay Carney, saying the execution, "fell short of humane standards." Today Barack Obama said he was "deeply troubled" by the affair. In the past, he has also said some crimes are so heinous the death penalty is warranted.
Governor Mary Fallin delayed the execution of Charles Warner until May 13th, so someone could figure out what went wrong. He was scheduled to be killed a couple of hours after Lockett. Robert Patton, the head of the Oklahoma DOC sent the Governor a letter saying all executions should be delayed indefinitely. Warner's attorney agreed and added she believed a cover up was in process and an independent investigation should be conducted.
Lockett was convicted of shooting a teen aged girl with a shotgun, then watching as two of his pals buried her alive. Warner maintains he is innocent of raping and killing an 11 month old baby.
Finally, up in Alaska, a man described by a witness as, "a young kid, or young adult," shot and killed two state troopers in the town of Tanana Thursday. Tanana is 130 miles west of Fairbanks and so isolated it can only be reached by air. The suspect was taken into custody last night by an Alaskan SWAT team after a standoff.
So far the NRA has been mum on the shooting. No doubt the organization realizes their contention the killer would have been stopped if everyone was armed is pretty useless when it comes to a place like Alaska. Because--you know--everyone there is armed.
And there we have it. Just another Friday down the drain.
As always, the bar is open.
sic vita est
5-2-14
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