Clipmarks | boniface's Comments

Face charges of Cruelty after killing and eating a rat

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:41:50 GMT

clipped by: wiganfootie

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Gino D'Acampo and Stuart Manning face charges of animal cruelty after cooking and eating a rat in the show.

The RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, said it was "not acceptable" that a rat had been killed by the pair as part of a performance.

Police confirmed they had issued court attendance notices for 3 February 2010.

The Italian chef and actor ate the rat after they were "exiled" and reduced to rations of rice and beans on the show.

D'Acampo, 33, told the show's video diary room, the Bush Telegraph: "I saw one of these rats running around. I got a knife, I got its throat, I picked it up."

"Production staff have to submit a notification form to the RSPCA or Animal Welfare League - both are charged with responsibilities under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

"They are due to attend court at Murwillumbah local court on 3 February 2010."

Our three deaths

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:24:39 GMT

clipped by: deusdiabolus

Clip Source: ponderabout.com

Neuroscientist, Dr. David Eagleman, in
his Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives,
suggests that our deaths will occur not just

once, but in this series of three stages:

". . . the first is when the body ceases to function

and the second is when the body is put in the grave.

The third is that moment sometime in the future
when your name is spoken for the last time."

graphics by Edward Gorey

For more on Dr. Eagleman's work, check out

his website, and these PonderAbout posts 1, 2

Art Teacher Loses Job After Kids See Nude Sculpture

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:24:21 GMT

clipped by: kwonsu
clipper's remarks: Well, no vagina clips and no nude art.....

Clip Source: blog.washingtonpost.com

In what might be the most ridiculous fooforaw (or argle bargle) since Marge Simpson brought Michelangelo's David to Springfield, an award-winning Texas art teacher has lost her job after a fifth grade field trip to the Dallas Museum of Art ended with parental complaints that kids had seen a nude sculpture. Sydney Mcgee, who has taught art for 28 years, was first reprimanded, and then relieved of her duties at Fisher Elementary School, Friday, after the school board voted not to renew her contract. Given this precedent, maybe local science teachers should avoid taking students to the zoo just in case the animals are... you know?

Source: Teacher reprimanded after student sees nude art on museum trip

Tags: art, kids, nude, sculpture

Sarah Palin's memoir sold 300,000 copies its first day

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:37:53 GMT

clipped by: jay8h

Clip Source: apnews.myway.com

Publisher HarperCollins said Friday that Sarah Palin's memoir sold 300,000 copies its first day, among the best openings ever for a nonfiction book. In 2004, Bill Clinton's "My Life" debuted with sales of 400,000 copies. The year before, Hillary Rodham Clinton's "Living History" started at 200,000.

"Going Rogue" was released this week and its print run already has been increased from 1.5 million copies to 2.5 million, HarperCollins announced Friday. Palin, the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate, is in the midst of a nationwide promotional tour.

15-ish Things Worth Knowing About Coffee

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:36:05 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: “Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.” That’s the recipe for coffee, according to the utterly French statesman Talleyrand (1754-1838).

AFRICAN ORIGINS
(Circa A.D. 800)

Goats will eat anything. Just ask Kaldi the legendary Ethiopian (map) goatherd. Kaldi, the story goes, noticed his herd dancing from one coffee shrub to another, grazing on the cherry-red berries containing the beans. He copped a few himself and was soon frolicking with his flock.

Witnessing Kaldi’s goatly gambol, a monk plucked berries for his brothers. That night they were uncannily alert to divine inspiration.

History tells us other Africans of the same era fueled up on protein-rich coffee-and-animal-fat balls"primitive PowerBars"and unwound with wine made from coffee-berry pulp. Coffee later crossed the Red Sea to Arabia, where things really got cooking...

ESCAPE FROM ARABIA
(Circa 1000 to 1600)

Coffee as we know it kicked off in Arabia, where roasted beans

Clip Source: theoatmeal.com

Tags: 2nd most traded commodity, african tribes, banned by the king of england grrrrr, coffee, ethiopian shepherds, legend

'Butchered man used for kebabs'

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:31:47 GMT

clipped by: jay8h

Clip Source: www.thesun.co.uk

'Butchered man used for kebabs'

SUSPECTED cannibals killed a young man, ATE part of him and then sold other bits to a KEBAB house.

Cops also believe the 25-year-old victim's body parts may have been used to fill PIES too.

The trio of homeless men were arrested in Russia - accused of murdering the man with knives and a hammer.

Prosecutors revealed: "After carrying out the crime, the corpse was divided up - part of it was eaten and part of it was sold to a kiosk selling kebabs and pies."

Suspicions were raised when dismembered parts of a human body were found near a bus stop in the outskirts of the Russian city of Perm - which is 720 miles east of Moscow.

They have been arrested on suspicion of killing their victim - who has not been named - before chopping up his corpse to eat.

But police said it was not clear yet if any of the human meat had been sold to customers.

Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:00:57 GMT

clipped by: ratilfar
clipper's remarks: Same-sex marriage bill, as written, called a threat to social service contracts.

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city.

Several D.C. Council members said the Catholic Church is trying to erode the city's long-standing laws protecting gay men and lesbians from discrimination.

Tags: catholic church, d.c., law, discrimination, services, poor, needy

Should Inmates Pay Rent ?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:47:37 GMT

clipped by: ljsdesign
clipper's remarks: "If the court determines that sheriffs have the authority " as part of their duties and responsibilities " to institute fees, there are millions of dollars in savings to the taxpayers as a result of inmates paying a very small portion of their fees and services," Assad said.
Walker said the majority of inmates are indigent, so the money in their canteen accounts is sent to them by family members so they can buy basic items that are not supplied by the jails.To deduct money from those accounts is like placing an unlawful tax on prisoners' families, she said

Clip Source: wbztv.com

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson's controversial program to charge inmates for rent, haircuts, medical visits and high school equivalency tests raised $750,000, but outraged inmate advocates who said the fees violated their constitutional rights and amounted to an unlawful tax.

Hodgson said he believed they could help teach inmates to accept responsibility for their actions and ease the burden on taxpayers,

a Superior Court judge ordered Hodgson to stop charging the fees, agreeing with inmates who claimed in a class-action lawsuit that the fees violate a state law requiring Hodgson to safeguard inmates' funds until their release

In his appeal, Hodgson argues that the fees fall under the broad discretion sheriffs have to manage their jails

But the legal group representing inmates argues that the fees amount to a second punishment.

"There is no statute that says the sheriff can collect a fee to have the pleasure of being incarcerated,"

Medieval Suits of Armor

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:41:06 GMT

clipped by: willhelm

Clip Source: www.darkroastedblend.com

Mafia Hit on CCTV

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:23:47 GMT

clipped by: foxyarse
clipper's remarks: Journalist Roberto Saviano, who has a permanent armed escort since exposing the activities of the Naples mafia in his best selling book Gomorrah, called the killing a "classic Camorra hit, very well planned and executed without fanfare". He added that the video "shows what little value these people have for human life," in a recorded commentary posted on la Repubblica's website. "The thing that strikes you," he said, "is the absolute serenity of the killer."

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Even by the mafia's brutal standards, the killing of a man smoking a cigarette outside a central Naples bar in broad daylight was shocking in its ruthlessness.

But perhaps more disturbing is the reaction of witnesses, who can be seen in a video that has been released by Naples prosecutors in an unprecedented step to try and to find the killer. As the Camorra hitman dispatches his victim with clinical efficiency, a bystander casually checks her lottery scratch card and walks away. Others peer at the body and continue about their business as if the shooting was a normal part of daily life.

The CCTV footage - and the aftermath of the crime - give a troubling insight into the extent of the Naples mafia's control of their territory. Although the hit took place on 11 May this year, and the face of the killer is clearly visible on the recording, with witnesses present, investigators have so far met with silence.

[Video]

Tags: mafia hit, killing, murder

As many as 20 presrent at gang rape.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:07 GMT

clipped by: ofcapri
clipper's remarks: The victim was found under a bench, semi-conscious.

"This just gets worse and worse the more you dig into it," Lt. Mark Gagan of the Richmond Police Department. "It was like a horror movie. I can't believe not one person felt compelled to help her."

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

Police: As many as 20 present at gang rape

As hundreds of students gathered in the school gym, outside in a dimly lit alley where the victim was allegedly raped, police say witnesses took photos. Others laughed.

"As people announced over time that this was going on, more people came to see, and some actually participated," Lt. Mark Gagan of the Richmond Police Department told CNN.

The witnesses failed to report the crime to law enforcement, Gagan said. The victim remained hospitalized in stable condition. Police arrested five suspects and more arrests were expected.

So why didn't anyone come forward?

Tags: victim, rape

Our Neighbor Rocks

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:34:09 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: "I'm not sure what he thought was cool, that a rock star lived in the suburbs next to neighbors who looked like us, or that the rock star would deign to speak to the old folks, let alone invite them to a concert?"

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

In a man's lifetime, he finds he has little influence over two important things: growing older and choosing his neighbors.

"No disrespect, sir," he said, "but what are you doing here?"

"We are invited guests." I was getting a little defensive. "The lead guitarist is my neighbor. He wants us to see what he does for a living."

The guard's eyes grew wide. "No way!"

"Oh, you'll just love them," the agent said. "They're great kids."

"The gal is just great and so pretty,"

"What about the guy," I asked.

You're just gonna love him."

"But what does he do for a living?"

"He plays a musical instrument in a group," she said, eyeing her car nervously.

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Praise be to God: a neighbor with tool skills, a work ethic and a willingness to lend a hand. I decided to overlook the hair.

Since that day, Robin Finck and I have helped each other on many projects

Why Do Some Straights Fear Gays?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:15:30 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: Of course, this article is written in 2007, but I feel it addresses the fear I still see perpetuated about the recent Hate
Crimes legislation that was signed by our President.

We still have a long way to go as a society and I want to thank every person on CM who speaks out against hate.

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Gays are hated. Prove me wrong.

Gay people have paid all the taxes you have. But you have equality, and we don't.

Who cares if a faggot dies? Parts of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. are joining with the Nigerian archbishop, who believes gays should be put in prison. Episcopalians! Whoever thought we'd have to worry about Episcopalians?

Gays do not realize that the more we become visible, the more we come out of the closet, the more we are hated. Don't those of you straights who claim not to hate us have a responsibility to denounce the hate?

Why is it socially acceptable to joke about "girlie men" or to discriminate against us legally with "constitutional" amendments banning gay marriage?

Why do you hate us so much that you will not permit us to legally love? I am almost 72, and I have been hated all my life, and I don't see much change coming.

I think your hate is evil.

What do we do to you that is so awful?

Religious sensitivities on all sides

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:35:16 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: The reason I'm clipping this is because religious sensitivities are back in the news and Muslims are not the only one apparently offended all the time. The other reason I'm clipping this is because I've been watching Curb Your Enthusiasm (not this episode though) and I think Larry David should have folded his show last season. The episodes in the new season are utterly ridiculous and not funny. Like Seinfeld, his show has always been brilliant though but I think he has lost it by now.

Clip Source: newsbusters.org

HBO's hit series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" has pushed the comedic envelope for many years, but what happened in Sunday's episode was so disgraceful it's already received comment from the Catholic League's Bill Donohue.

The set-up is the show's star and producer Larry David is taking some medication that is making him urinate quite forcefully.

It's so powerful that while urinating in his assistant's bathroom, he accidentally splashed some of it on a picture of Jesus Christ hanging on a nearby wall.

Tags: comedy, entertainment, tv

Reports: As many as 15 people watched gang rape of 15-year-old

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:39:56 GMT

clipped by: Lexica
clipper's remarks: As a woman, I worry less about the active predators out there than I do about the much larger number of people who just don't give a damn and wouldn't help.

Clip Source: www.insidebayarea.com

As police continue searching for additional suspects in the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl after a dance at Richmond High School, numerous media outlets from across the country are reporting this morning that police have said as many as 15 people saw what was happening yet did nothing to stop it.

Police arrested and booked a 15-year-old student from Richmond High last night on a charge of felony sexual assault and are continuing to actively search for other suspects — both juveniles and adults, according to police.

Authorities said people took photos,

laughed and some joined in as the girl was repeatedly assaulted. The victim was a student who had attended her homecoming dance earlier in the evening.

Apparently no one called police until word of the ongoing rape spread to a house party in the city's North and East neighborhood, where an appalled partygoer felt obligated to phone in the rumor.

Tags: rape, violence, misogyny, bystander-effect, sometimes-people-suck