Cf. this article about UK knife amnisty, and this one about Scotland toping the list of violent countries. Btw, Stanley knives or boxcutters are very common street weapons here in France too IIUC.
#1
Knifes don't kill people. People, supported by an ineffectual nanny state, kill people. If the state is unwilling to protect the people, at least let the people protect themselves. Then again, this is Europe where they don't believe that government exists at the consent of the govern [sorta like the Democrats/Socialists]. That when government fails, its powers revert back to the people.
#2
A: Guns kill!
B: Guns don't kill, people use guns to kill.
A: No, guns kill. So let's outlaw guns.
B: Well, OK.
later...
A: Knives kill!
B: Knives don't kill, people use knives to kill.
A: No, knives kill. So let's outlaw knives.
B: Well, OK.
later...
A: People kill! Let's outlaw people!
B: Uh, maybe if people had guns...
Satan-slobbering pinheads desecrate a monastery and shrine, reinforcing the statistical fact that even though the average IQ is 100, half of the population is below that line.
#1
What a bunch of sad losers. What sorry and very lame "stance" to take... satanic sheeps.
Here in France, lots of little provincial churches and chapels are graffitied by would-be satanists, with regional concentrations like in Britanny or in Alsace from what I understand.
This is much less serious than the ongoing pillaging of religious artefacts by organized rings of art thieves, or the torching/desacrating of churches by "Youths" (very un-PC to mention), but this is part of the "background noise" of the cultural war against christianity. Sad.
#6
"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
Dwarf dinosaurs? It sounds like the old George Carlin joke about jumbo shrimp: two words that just don't go together.
But fossils from northern Germany have revealed a dinosaur that evolved into a dwarf, ending up only about one-third the size of its closest known relatives, scientists report.
The four-legged plant-eater was no lap dog: It measured about 20 feet from its snout to the tip of its long tail and it weighed about a ton.
But next to its close evolutionary cousin Camarasaurus, a well-known beast that stretched some 59 feet long, this guy was a runt. What happened? The researchers say it's a case of island dwarfism, the tendency of big species to shrink over time when they find themselves on an island. It's well-known among mammals, as with fossil elephants only about 3 feet tall found in Sicily and elsewhere.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/08/2006 11:35 ||
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#1
"island" > LIMITED BIOMASS/BIOTIC SUPPORT SYSTEMS.
Five handguns used in Nicaragua a hundred and fifty years ago by mercenaries trying to conquer Central America have been stolen, police said on Tuesday.
Thieves robbed the Colt revolvers from the Hacienda San Jacinto, a historic site on the edge of Managua where gunmen in the pay of William Walker battled Central American soldiers in the 19th century. "The losses are five antique revolvers from the year 1812," said senior police official Edmundo Vindel. "They are antique weapons that are of interest only to the nation."
Tennessee-born Walker joined a civil war in Nicaragua in 1855, and with an army of only a few hundred soldiers had himself declared president. With the slogan "five or none" he then set out to conquer the region's four other tiny countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. Aided by U.S. railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had large business interests in the region, Central American armies eventually forced Walker to flee.
Museum director Julio Valle-Castillo called on the thieves to return the historic arms. "You're doing wrong. Return the pistols to a place where we can find them ... because they won't work as weapons," he said.
The defeated Walker was eventually turned over the Honduran government, who executed him by firing squad in 1860 at the age of 36. A student of a right-wing professor of Central American history had the chutzpah to wear a t-shirt with a picture of William Walker on it in front of a left-wing professor who damn near had a stroke. WW is sort of the "anti-Che".
#1
The movie based on Walker was dull and preachy. It would be nice if someone did a proper movie about what he did, some of it was amazing when you consider the odds.
#2
Actually, at the time Vanderbilt was still more of a tycoon in the steamboat and ferry business than the railroads. His major interest in Nicaragua in the timeframe cited was transporting immigrants and "49ers" across the isthmus to facilitate California/Eastern US freight and passenger traffic.
Although he dabbled in railroads before then, he didn't really get started building a true railroad empire until the 1860s (when he was in his 70s!).
Posted by: Dar ||
06/08/2006 13:14 Comments ||
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From 5 June, 11 placards featuring German supermodel Claudia Schiffer will be on display at London's Bank Underground station. The posters advertise the initiative, "Invest in Germany Land of Ideas", aiming to promote investment opportunities offered in Germany.
At the invitation of German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Claudia Schiffer, Mike de Vries (Director of FC Deutschland GmbH) and Gerhart Maier (Director of Invest in Germany), launched the project to the public at the German Embassy in London.
The Ambassador greeted the gathering of journalists and his "colleague", Claudia Schiffer: "For years you have been a wonderful ambassador in representing Germany on the international stage. This is only strengthened by the campaign being launched here in London. It proves that economics can be a thoroughly attractive topic."
Claudia Schiffer explained that her involvement in "Invest in Germany" comes from having had the opportunity to compare different countries through her numerous international travels. "I feel it is an honour to be part of the "Land of Ideas" campaign and to be honest, I feel it is the least I can do for a country that has supported me so much. Supported not only by giving me language, love and an identity, and not only by providing me with nearly perfect social, economical and political conditions, but also, and foremost, by letting me grow up in a creative atmosphere, amongst man's most important contribution to mankind: amongst ideas. I immediately agreed to support the campaign "Germany Land of Ideas" because to me, it perfectly captures Germany's essence. Starting with cars, bras, aspirins, football shoes, iPods to name just a few, Germany has made and will make more things possible than beer, punctuality and autobahns. And if I can help to get that message across to investors throughout the world, I am glad to do so."
As co-ordinator of Germany Land of Ideas", Mike de Vries underlined how thrilled he was that Claudia Schiffer was involved in the campaign: "The series of placards radiates humour and intelligence. It is a fitting example of the realisation of a creative idea, which convinces through the marketing of a supposedly challenging topic with fun and humour."
For Gerhart Maier of Invest in Germany, the campaign offers an ideal opportunity to playfully portray the strengths of the economic and technological centre that is Germany. "This campaign is unique: never before has an international supermodel promoted her country in this way. Claudia Schiffer presents Germany not only with renowned characteristics like quality and thoroughness. She also conveys a likeable and attractive image of the country.
#3
"Invest in Germany, where we can offer incentives like an endless, mind-numbing bureaucracy and countless licenses issued by the police. We have good beer, too."
Three British hooligans have slipped into Germany despite a massive security effort by both countries to prevent troublemakers from doing so ahead of the World Cup, which starts tomorrow. They are being monitored by police.
Ummm...okay.
The notion of boxing them up and sending them home must somehow be illegal under EU law ...
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., is alleging that a supporter of a political rival delivered dog feces to her office. Democrat Angie Pacchione's spokesman, James Thompson, denied the woman is associated with their campaign. Both candidates' offices identify the suspect as Kathleen Ensz, a professor emeritus, who taught French for 30 years at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She has been cited for criminal use of a noxious substance.
Ensz is accused of putting the excrement in a mailer, and stuffing the envelope into Musgrave's office door on June 2. Musgrave's office said they turned the investigation over to Greeley Police. Ensz is also an official with the Weld County Democrats. She could not be reached for comment.
According to Musgrave's office, Ensz supports Pacchione with a campaign sign displayed at her home. Musgrave's campaign is calling for Ensz to be removed from her party position and to apologize. Pacchione's office issued a statement criticizing the vandalism. "If it's true, this is a deplorable act. This woman isn't associated with the campaign, and we don't condone this type of extremism, no matter what party or organization they're affiliated with," said Pacchione spokesman, James Thompson, in the statement.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/08/2006 17:45 ||
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Conservative pundit Ann Coulter is clear on where she stands on politics. But where she votes is another matter. Election officials in Palm Beach County, Fla., are reportedly investigating why Coulter voted in the wrong precinct in a local election in February - even though a poll worker tried to stop her.
Knowingly voting in the wrong precinct is a felony in Florida, and Coulter has hired a former U.S. attorney to defend her there.
Coulter registered to vote at her Realtor's address when she bought a $1.8 million Palm Beach home last year. But instead of filing a change of address as a poll worker told her to do, she went ahead and voted in the wrong precinct, the Palm Beach Post reported. Coulter denied knowingly voting in the wrong district in a Fox News Channel interview Tuesday night, and said she actually lives in New York.
She said the reporters who wrote about the case are "all retarded" and accused Palm Beach officials of having a sexually transmitted disease. She's always such a class act....
Walk around with a one-iron in your hand, and sooner or later Gawd's going to see if he can hit it ...
"I think the syphilis has gone to their brains," she said. "This is all false, I'm telling you."
Meanwhile, Coulter is also registered to vote in New Canaan, Conn. - though the local registrar told the Daily News yesterday it's illegal to be registered in two places at once. Coulter cast an absentee ballot in New Canaan in the 2004 election. She also owns a $1.5 million condo on Manhattan's East Side but has never registered to vote there.
#2
Meanwhile, Coulter is also registered to vote in New Canaan, Conn. - though the local registrar told the Daily News yesterday it's illegal to be registered in two places at once.
Unless, of course, you are a Democrat. Then you don't even need papers. Or be alive.
#3
One of few who tell it like it is...unvarnished, and unapologetic. Although she sometimes goes a little over the top with the personal stuff, I wish there were more like her. F the dems in Florida Ann. We all know this is totally politically motivated. They even coordinated the release to correspond with the MSM "coulter the cruel" smear and your new book. Too obvious.
Some 46,000 New Yorkers are registered to vote in both the city and Florida, a shocking finding that exposes both states to potential abuses that could alter the outcome of elections, a Daily News investigation shows.
Registering in two places is illegal in both states, but the massive snowbird scandal goes undetected because election officials don't check rolls across state lines. [Unless, of course, you're Ann Coulter.]
... The News' investigation also found:
# Of the 46,000 registered in both states, 68% are Democrats, 12% are Republicans and 16% didn't claim a party.
# Nearly 1,700 of those registered in both states requested that absentee ballots be mailed to their home in the other state, where they are also registered. But that doesn't raise red flags with officials in either place.
Efforts to prevent people from registering and voting in more than one state rely mostly on the honor system. [Unless, of course, your a blue blood Democrat who wants to shut up some pesky non-true believer. Dem Akbar, Akbar Dem.]
If she did it, she's wrong. However, I expect that the same enforcement will be directed against the majority of similar violators of the law.
#8
Ann is very smart if provocative. She has a book out this week and suddenly folks are talking Felony charges. I'm pretty sure Coulter kept her nose clean and this is all part of the media campaign (although I'm not sure the election officials are in on it or just predictable).
#2
If they were not fellow human beings I would suggest a quick hanging for most "journalists" but since thay are humans I will say they they should be hung for sedition and treason in time of war after a speedy and fair trial in a court of law. Giving aid and comfort to our self sworn mortal foes is treason.
This typical crap here is just open support for the Democratic party. Such support should be reported as I am sure it exceeds the permitted federal campaign limits as it is continual in nature and worth millions.
#3
Doom, I wouldn't be so quick to judge the SF Comical's staff as fellow members of genus homo sapiens. Maybe 'moonbats' is a more accurate term than we realize.
#4
Both Al Gore and John Kerry endorsed her. On top of that, just days before the election Busby speaking before a Latino crowd said, You don't need papers for voting. And she still lost?
KARACHI - A Pakistani man whose family says he is mentally unstable has been arrested for blasphemy, accused of desecrating the Muslim holy book, police said on Wednesday. The suspect, Shahzad Samiullah, 36, was arrested on Tuesday after a mob turned violent and tried to attack him in a poor part of Karachi city, police said.
Cause that's what you do when some sad-sack tries to burn a book ...
A neighbour said Samiullah had put a copy of the Koran on the ground, stepped on it and tried to set it alight, police said. His parents came to see him in jail and they say he is abnormal, investigating police officer Mohammad Amin told Reuters. But they have to produce medical evidence to prove this.
And it'd better be suitable for ol' Mo' hisself.
Before a Karachi court ordered him detained on Wednesday, Samiullah said he came from a religious family. I dont know what happened to me. I dont know why I did this. I felt like I was instigated by the Devil, a sobbing Samiullah told Reuters outside the court.
"Please don't let them kill me!"
Cases of blasphemy are relatively common in Pakistan, although no one has ever been executed for it.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/08/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
although no one has ever been executed for it.
Well, except for thoses lynched by mobs, killed by police on the spot, or snuffed with firearms in court or in jail (all examples I've read here in RB).
Manolo! Bring me the tiniest violin we've got.
BOSTON --A convicted murderer who claims he is a woman trapped inside a man's body testified Thursday about feeling distressed "every waking moment" because prison officials refuse to pay for a sex-change operation. Bring the tissues, Manolo...
Michelle Kosilek, who was Robert Kosilek when he was convicted of killing his wife, Cheryl, in 1990, is suing to compel the state to allow and pay for the surgery. My tax dollars potentially at work...
Kosilek, who wore makeup and a feminine sweater with jeans to court, cried several times while describing growing up feeling like a "circus freak" trapped in the wrong body. Actually, he looks like Howard Stern if Howard Stern was like a really, really, really ugly woman.
Kosilek broke down and sobbed when asked what will happen if state prison officials refuse to allow the sex-change operation.
"I would not want to continue existing like this," said Kosilek, who has twice attempted suicide. "The greatest loss is the dying I do inside a little bit every day." Whereas, his wife died relativily quickly WHEN HE MURDERED HER!
Kosilek, 57, is serving a life sentence at an all-male prison in Norfolk.
Kosilek sued the state Department of Correction in 2000, claiming that its refusal to provide the surgery violated the Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment. Sounds like he's spent lots and lots of time in the law library at Norfolk.
In 2002, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf ruled that Kosilek was entitled to receive medical treatment for gender identity disorder, but stopped short of ordering a sex-change operation.
Since Wolf's ruling, Kosilek has received female hormone treatments, laser hair removal and psychotherapy. Kosilek has also been given some access to female undergarments and makeup.
But Kosilek said those treatments have not been enough to feel "normal." I wonder if his wife feels "normal"? Oh, that's right. She can't feel anything...
"Just the hormones and the makeup do not get rid of my suffering," Kosilek said. Well, speaking for the majority of taxpayers in Mass, I'm willing to put up with your suffering...
Prison officials say allowing Kosilek to have the sex-change operation would create serious security concerns.
If Kosilek returns as a woman to the all-male prison, she could be targeted for assault by the male inmates, prison officials have said. If she is transferred to the women's prison in Framingham, officials say they are concerned she could pose a risk to the female inmates. Ah, what the hell, let's build another prison. Just for her.
"Really, the question here is ... is this really necessary medical support or is this something ... that's more discretionary?" Public Safety Secretary Robert Haas said.
"Obviously, if it is in fact more discretionary in its nature, then I don't see what the state's role is in supporting that kind of cost, or absorbing that kind of cost," Haas told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday. The radio says there's six guys lined up right behind her if she wins...
Neither side has given an estimate for how much the surgery would cost.
Kosilek, who legally changed his name to Michelle in 1993, described living in a state of limbo. Kosilek wears female undergarments and can purchase lipstick at the prison commissary, but is an inmate in an all-male prison.
A psychotherapist who testified for the state said she does not believe the sex-change operation is medically necessary, as Kosilek claims. You mean spirited hate monger!
Cynthia Osborne, a Baltimore therapist, said that when she interviewed Kosilek in prison last year, Kosilek said the female hormone shots and other treatments had improved her outlook. I feel pretty...
"She described herself as hopeful, she denied symptoms of suicidality, she denied symptoms of depression or anxiety. These are all statements of her doing very well," Osborne said. Oh so pretty...
Kosilek opted to have the case heard by Wolf instead of a jury. Which would probably laugh it out of court, even here.
In his 2002 ruling, Wolf said the state had failed to adequately treat Kosilek's gender identity disorder. But the judge said the Correction Department had not violated Kosilek's Eighth Amendment rights because Kosilek did not prove that the correction commissioner had shown "deliberate indifference" to Kosilek's medical needs. He's probably regretting he ever heard of this case...
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Dwarf dinosaurs? It sounds like the old George Carlin joke about jumbo shrimp: two words that just don't go together. 
Three British hooligans have slipped into Germany despite a massive security effort by both countries to prevent troublemakers from doing so ahead of the World Cup, which starts tomorrow. They are being monitored by police.
KARACHI - A Pakistani man whose family says he is mentally unstable has been arrested for blasphemy, accused of desecrating the Muslim holy book, police said on Wednesday. The suspect, Shahzad Samiullah, 36, was arrested on Tuesday after a mob turned violent and tried to attack him in a poor part of Karachi city, police said.
