DOXXP29

Ask them if the company has some sort of health or benefits plan that will cover your treatment at the local methadone clinic or mental health program. That should get quick results.

Well, what has happened here is that this case has been completely turned around now that it has been determined that the sedan driver was driving on a suspended license. Now HE is the one who was committing a crime and by engaging in criminal activity, he caused the death of eight people. The drivers in the race were breaking the law but the spectators technically weren't doing anything blatently illegal. Stupid, yes, but illegal, no. In Virginia, this guy would have serious problems. I have seen several people sentenced to five years in the penitentiary (NOT jail!) with no parole for driving on a suspended licence. True, they have to do it three times, but they take driving on suspended license very seriously over there. While Maryland isn't quite as draconian, the fact that his commisssion of a crime caused the deaths of eight people cannot be overlooked. I feel for the guy. He's gonna get in trouble for breaking the law by killing eight people who were watching someone else break the law. Lovely. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out. And no, the drivers have not yet been identified. The spectators will not identify them because they fear they will be charged, according to the Post.

Oh Lord!....The driver of the sedan was driving on a suspended license. What's that I hear? Sounds like something hitting the fan...

No surprise to me, Glenni. Your BATs are amazing! Personally, I LOVE the grungy looking buildings that you've come up with. Give my cities a more realistic look. Congratulations on your accomplishment and Thank You so very much for sharing your art with us!

I saw that indignant clown too, Ski. He acts like the driver was some crazed homicidal maniac who came down the road for the express purpose of slaughtering innocent people. Does he even consider the emotional trauma that the driver is going to live with? A body came through his windshield and landed in the passenger seat and on his lap! He's probably still shaking! But back to the clown and the other spectators...in most street races, they have a tow truck driver turn on his lights and block traffic during the race so something like this won't happen. Why didn't these indignant people have something like that set up, or at least have somebody looking down the road for oncoming traffic? Also of note, police have noted that several people have said that the sedan driver was driving without lights, yet others said he had his lights on. Police believe that the driver did, in fact, have his lights on and that the spectators are concocting a story to make him look more guilty. The police don't believe he could have travelled the distance he did at the speeds he attained without lights. (He wasn't believed to have been speeding. They figure he was doing around 55 mph and that he did everything in his power to stop.) There still are no names for the drivers. I wish the police and the public would stop looking at these people as poor, innocent victims and realize they were engaging in criminal activity. Just like if someone is selling drugs and that person winds up getting shot, it is looked at as coming with the territory. Same thing here. They were breaking the law and suffered the consequences. They easily could've rented some time at Budds Creek Dragway which is not too far away and made it legal. One other thing that I haven't seen addressed is how alcohol may have factored into this mess. The Washington Post noted that often these races occur after last call at the local bars and people go from the bars to the race. Makes me wonder if the people in the road weren't having something like a big tailgate party while the event was going on.

Well, from what I've seen and read, it doesn't look like the driver of the white sedan is going to be charged, nor is the driver of the truck. Not yet, anyway. The police believe that the visibility was obscured by the darkness and smoke from the racers and the next thing the driver knew, there was a wall of people across the road. Apparently, after the race was over, the spectators just kinda milled around and hung out IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD discussing the race. These same morons believe the drivers should be charged with murder. My opinion? The racing drivers should be charged with conspiracy or with accessory before and after the fact of homocide. Any spectators with children should be charged with reckless endangerment and have the kids removed from their custody. The drivers of the white car and truck should sue the spectators for creating a driving hazard and causing an accident as well as for psychological, emotional and physical damages. So far, the spectators haven't given up the names of the drivers, so the authorities should put them in front of a grand jury and hold them in contempt and jail them until they provide the names. This is truly a tragic situation and my heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives. But at the same time, I am truly sickened by the attitudes of the spectators who feel they were doing nothing wrong and should not be held accountable. I almost threw up when I heard one idiot say "They don't give us any choice. They won't provide a place for us to race so we have to do it like this." The duplicity of these jerks amazes me. They want the cops to crack down on the drivers that hit the spectators, but they don't want the cops to crack down on THEM when THEY are the ones that were engaging in illegal activity in the first place! I gotta quit, my blood is beginning to boil!

Looks like some people take the bible very literally. Self-flagellation taken to a new level. Is this guy a true believer or is he mentally ill? As many have said, there are many ways to interpret the bible... Man Cuts Off, Microwaves His Own Hand 6 hours ago HAYDEN, Idaho — A man who believed he bore the "mark of the beast" used a circular saw to cut off one hand, then he cooked it in the microwave and called 911, authorities said. The man, in his mid-20s, was calm when Kootenai County sheriff's deputies arrived Saturday in this northern Idaho town. He was in protective custody in the mental health unit of Kootenai Medical Center. "It had been somewhat cooked by the time the deputy arrived," sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger said. "He put a tourniquet on his arm before, so he didn't bleed to death. That kind of mental illness is just sad." It was not immediately clear whether the man has a history of mental illness. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Johnson would not say whether an attempt was made to reattach the hand, citing patient confidentiality. The Book of Revelation in the New Testament contains a passage in which an angel is quoted as saying: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink the wine of God's fury." The book of Matthew also contains the passage: "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." Wolfinger said he didn't know which hand was amputated. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

They've known about medical benefits of reefer for years and being able to find and prove even more doesn't surprise me in the least. It should be legal. It's funny, the differences in culture, EasyBakes. On the east coast, you take your Marinol prescription to Walgreens, but on the west coast you take your doctor's note to the local boutique shoppes and get your dimebags or whatever they are.

Like the thread about the guy cutting off his hand, here's a woman who thought her kids were possessed by demons. A lot of this seems to be going around... Mother Charged in 4 D.C. Girls' Deaths District of Cololumbia medical examiner Dr. Marie Pierre-Louis, right, with ... By SARAH KARUSH, AP10 hours ago WASHINGTON — A mother found in her home with the decomposing bodies of four girls was charged Thursday with murder after reportedly telling investigators that the children were possessed by demons and died in their sleep. Banita Jacks, 33, was charged with felony murder and appeared in District of Columbia Superior Court. She told police that the deaths occurred before a utility turned off her electricity, which prosecutors said was in September 2007, according to charging documents. The bodies of the girls ??? ages 5 to 17 and believed to all be Jacks' daughters ??? were found Wednesday when deputy U.S. marshals served an eviction notice at the apartment in southeast Washington. "I don't think anyone in the city can remember a case involving this many young people who have died in such a tragic way," Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said. Jacks told investigators that the children were possessed by demons and began dying in their sleep, one by one, within a seven-day period, documents say. She could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Jacks appeared in court in a white jump suit, and court was recessed briefly before a judge could rule on her detention. Her attorney argued that she should be released to the custody of an adult relative pending trial. Prosecutors argued that she should be held without bond. The charging documents identify the children as Brittany Jacks, 17; Tatiana Jacks, 11; N'kia Fogle, 6; and Aja Fogle, 5. Although autopsies are incomplete, the medical examiner's office reported that there was evidence that Brittany had been stabbed, the charging documents state. There was evidence of binding on the necks of the Tatiana and N'kia, and evidence of blunt force injury to the head of Aja and binding on her neck, according to the documents. Court records in Charles County, Md., show that Jacks filed paternity suits against three men, two of which were successful. In one case, Norman C. Penn Jr., whose most recent address is in Glen Burnie, is named the father of Brittany. In another case, Kevin J. Stoddard, whose most recent address is listed in Prince George's County, acknowledged he is the father of Tatiana. The county court records indicated that both men failed to pay required child support. Penn was convicted of criminal contempt and received a suspended jail sentence. Records also show that in 2004, lenders foreclosed on a Waldorf townhome that Jacks had purchased three years earlier. The home where the bodies were found is in one of the city's poorest, most violent n

Leave the woman alone! There's nothing obscene or sexually suggestive about the picture. Looks like she's just showing off her physique and possibly some surgeon's handiwork. She's proud of her body and showing it off, just as many male body builders do. And Welcome to Simtropolis, Jumorgan!

According to Friday's Washington Post, the children might have been dead since May! Apparently, the father of two of the girls died and the mother came apart and couldn't handle life without him. This is so bogus! Her mother-in-law repeatedly came by to check on her and the kids, but Jacks wouldn't answer the door. The few times she did answer, she wouldn't let her in. And yes, a lot of questions are being asked regarding schooling and social services. They did have case workers assigned to the family, but the woman just laid low and never responded to their knocks or correspondence.

I thought everybody knew this, but thinking back, I remember it being talked about back in the day when cruise control just started making an appearance in cars. I haven't heard it being mentioned in the past 20 years or so. Maybe it's common knowledge for older drivers, but not the younger ones?

Speaking of literally... I wonder if the guy literally did see a 666 or 616 or whatever sign on his hand or if he just looked at his hand and knew/thought that in his mind, his hand had done something wrong or caused a sin or whatever and therefore decided it was evil and lopped it off and microwaved it to further excise any demons in it. And speaking of demons, there was a case the other day here in DC where marshalls went in to evict a woman and found four dead kids. Turns out, she says they were posessed by demons and "died in their sleep". She was charged. Kids had been dead for weeks. Guess a lot of people are seeing demons these days, no?

I'm surprised that he went back home at all!

Another example of society's overdependence on computers and lack of common sense. Man Using GPS Drives in Front of Train 8 hours ago BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. — A Global Positioning System can tell a driver a lot of things ??? but apparently not when a train is coming. A computer consultant driving a rental car drove onto train tracks Wednesday using the instructions his GPS unit gave him. A train was barreling toward him, but he escaped in time and no one was injured. The driver had turned right, as the system advised, and the car somehow got stuck on the tracks at the crossing. He jumped out and tried to warn the engineer by waving. He got out of the way just before the train slammed into the car at 60 mph, Metro-North railroad spokesman Dan Brucker said Thursday. The car was pushed more than 100 feet during the fiery crash. Some 500 train passengers were stranded for more than two hours during the Wednesday evening rush hour. The accident also heavily damaged 250 feet of rail, Brucker said. The railroad said that the driver was issued a minor summons for obstructing a railroad crossing and that he and his rental company would be liable for the damage, estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Good article, Coolotter. Some common sense rebuttals to the usual questions.

Since the number of frivolous lawsuits keeps going up, the number of ridiculous warning labels must go up as well. They have a contest every year and these are the results of this year's contest. "Danger: Avoid Death!" is priceless! Check out the winners and runners-up here: http://www.wackywarnings.com/

Some more "winners"... The following are actual instructions found on the named items: ON HAIRDRYER INSTRUCTIONS; - Do not use while sleeping. ON A BAG OF FRITOS: - You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. ON A BAR OF DIAL SOAP, - Directions: Use like regular soap. ON A FROZEN DINNER: - Serving suggestion: Defrost. ON A HOTEL-PROVIDED SHOWER CAP IN A BOX: - Fits one head. ON TESCO'S TIRIMISU DESERT - Do not turn upside down. (Printed on the bottom of the box.) ON MARKS & SPENCER BREAD PUDDING - Product will be hot after heating ON PACKAGING FOR A ROWENTA IRON - Do not Iron clothes on body ON BOOTS CHILDRENS COUGH MEDICINE - Do not drive car or operate machinery ON NYTOL (A SLEEP AID) - Warning: may cause drowsiness ON A KOREAN KITCHEN KNIFE - Warning keep out of children ON A STRING OF CHINESE MADE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - For indoor or outdoor use only. ON A JAPANESE FOOD PROCESSOR - Not to be used for the other use ON SAINSBURY'S PEANUTS - Warning: contains nuts ON AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PACKET OF NUTS - Instructions: open packet, eat nuts. ON A SWEDISH CHAINSAW - Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands ON A PACKET OF SUNMAID RAISINS - Why not try tossing over your favorite breakfast cereal?

This guy has got to be the winner of some award, although I'm not exactly sure which one. You know it's pretty bad when not only can an adult not accept responsibility for his actions, but then he has to go and blame it on the nearest kid! This is pathetic, but hey, "Only in America", right? Man, 60, Sues Boy, 8, Over Ski Collision Thu Dec 20, 10:51 PM EST VAIL, Colo. — A 60-year-old man is taking an 8-year-old boy and his dad to court, claiming the boy caused a ski-slope collision that left the older man with a shoulder injury. David J. Pfahler of Allentown, Pa., sued in federal court in Denver, claiming Scott Swimm, then 7, was skiing fast and recklessly when they collided in January, the Vail Daily reported Thursday. The suit claims Pfahler suffered a torn shoulder tendon and seeks compensation for physical therapy, vacation time, nursing and medical services provided by Pfahler's wife, and other expenses. It estimates the couple's losses at more than $75,000. Scott's father, Robb Swimm, said that he saw the crash and that Scott was skiing slowly and in control. "It wasn't a violent collision or anything; Scott just kind of tapped his ski boots," he said this week. Scott's mother, Susan Swimm, said her son weighs 48 pounds and couldn't have been going more than 10 mph. "Who in the world sues a child?" she said. "It just boggles my mind every day." Pfahler's Denver attorney, Jim Chalat, declined to comment on specifics but says Pfahler, who works for Reader's Digest, wants to go back to work. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Thanks, Duke! An excellent Xmas present!

Can you believe this monstrosity is a church?!? Check this building out: http://3rdchristiansciencedc.com/images/photos/church-view-t-button.jpg This bunker-like concrete building is only 36 years old, and the Historic Preservation Society has voted to give it historic landmark status. What's unusual about this? Well, it has been granted landmark status to preserve it because the church hates the building so much they want to tear it down! "It's totally dysfunctional" said one church officer. It costs thousands of dollars to change one light bulb due to the fact that scaffolding must be installed in the four story high ceiling. The acoustics are terrible and there are no windows except for the one in front. The building itself is an octogon. Church members hate the building so much that membership has declined to 40 - 60 people for the Sunday service. One thing that really enrages the church about this decision in addition to the hatred for the building is simple economics. The building sits at 16th and Eye Streets NW. (That's the letter "i" for those not familiar with DC) which is about two blocks from the White House. Property values are worth a fortune, and the church planned to knock down the building and either sell some land or build a complex of buildings and lease them out. But the landmark status means they're stuck with the building which, of course, nobody wants to buy. But that's typical of DC. And besides, where else is there an example of Brutalism that has been given landmark status?

It's funny, I was watching something on YouTube the other day and saw an ad at the bottom. I thought it was something that had been recorded by the person who uploaded the video. (It was something from TV, which is why I thought that.) I didn't realize that YouTube was putting up ads. Horrible! The only thing I can hope for is that people will hate the ads so much that a new site like YouTube becomes popular and everybody uses that site instead. Having ads crawling across the bottom of a video is not something we should have to put up with!

I've become "holiday neutral" over the years and generally say "Happy Holidays" in order to not offend anybody. This comes from about 20 or 25 years ago when I'd say "Merry Xmas" and some people would look at me icily and say "Happy Hoildays to you, too". It was kind of a chip worn on the shoulders back then, so I adapted. But what about what you like to HEAR? What you say is one thing, what you would perfer to hear is another. I personally prefer to hear a hearty "Merry Xmas" even though I'm not religious. I dunno, it just makes me feel a little happier or maybe a little more connected to the season. It's hard to describe, but it seems that those who say "Merry Xmas" are a little more enthusiastic or possibly more 'sincere' in their wishes. It just kinda resonates with me more than "Happy Holidays". Does it matter to the rest of you folks or does it make any difference in what people say to you? Just curious...

He says he was afraid of the Klan, but then the story goes on to say he went to the end of the driveway to confront the victims, who were known by his son. This is a bizarre way of playing the "race card", or so it seems to me. NY Man on Trial in Slaying of White Teen By FRANK ELTMAN, AP2 hours ago RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — John White grew up hearing stories from family members about the racial hatred of the Deep South, including the Ku Klux Klan's torching of his grandfather's business in Alabama in the 1920s. So when white teenagers showed up on his Long Island doorstep last year, spewing racial epithets in a fight with his son, White said he feared he was about to be attacked by a lynch mob. He grabbed a gun and, after an argument with the group, fatally shot one of the teens. Soon, a jury will consider whether White, a 54-year-old asphalt foreman, should be convicted of manslaughter or a lesser charge in the death of 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro. Closing arguments were scheduled for Tuesday. The case has been playing out in a Long Island courtroom over the last three weeks, marked by White's emotional testimony as he recalled memories of racial violence from his family's past. He recalled seeing the headlights of the teenagers' cars on that night in 2006, and thinking the worst. "In my family history, that's how the Klan comes," White said. "They pull up. They blind you with their lights." He broke down in tears on the podium, insisting: "I didn't mean to shoot this young man. This young man was another child of God." He contends the weapon — a pistol handed down to him by his grandfather — discharged accidentally. The victim's family argues the teen was shot down in cold blood. Prosecutors say White should have simply locked the door and called police — and not gone outside to confront the teenagers with a gun. The trouble apparently started on Aug. 9, 2006, when White's son Aaron was asked to leave a beer bash at a friend's home after a female guest complained about a bogus MySpace posting claiming Aaron wanted to rape her. Although White denied making the threat, he complied and left the party. Cicciaro and his friends subsequently called the teenager on his cell phone to continue the dispute, allegedly making threats that culminated when they arrived at the White home shortly after 11 p.m. Some of the teenagers continued to hurl racial epithets once at the home, and the younger White conceded that he responded with profanity-laced responses of his own. John White initially grabbed a shotgun from his house, but put it in a closet and instead opted to grab the pistol from the garage. Aaron took the shotgun and followed his father to the end of the driveway to confront the teens. Cicciaro, who had a blood-alcohol reading above the legal limit for driving, was just 3 three inches from the pistol when he was shot in the face, a medical examiner testified. White was initially charged with second-degree murder, which could have carried a prison term of 25 years to life, but a grand jury later indicted him on a lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a possible 15-year prison term. On Tuesday, Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn granted a request that would allow the jury to consider convicting White of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor that carries a prison term of up to 4 years. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Well, here's an update. Looks like the jury didn't think the KKK was currently active on Long Island... NY Man Guilty in Death of White Teen 30 minutes ago RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — A jury on Saturday convicted a black man of killing a white teenager during a racially charged encounter outside the man's home. Jurors found John White, 54, guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daniel Cicciaro despite the man's claims that he feared a "lynch mob" had come to attack his family. The ruling came on the fourth day of deliberations following an emotional three-week trial in which defense attorneys invoked the nation's violent racist past in arguing the shooting was justified. Jurors also found White guilty of criminal possession of a weapon. White testified during the trial that he was trying to protect his family in 2006 when he brandished a gun after a group of angry white teenagers turned up at his house late at night to fight his son. White claimed the gun went off accidentally, killing Cicciaro, 17. Jurors had asked on Saturday to hear readbacks of testimony from White's wife and son. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.