Lick The Jack Boots: Reports and stories of outrageous control policy

[Brocke]

Queensland police place bets on Brendan Fevola slipping up

By Damien Stannard and Stephen Drill
The Sunday Mail (Qld)
October 11, 2009 12:01am

Officers from at least four stations are placing "friendly" bets to be the first to nab Brendan Fevola if he misbehaves / File

    * Police officers competing to arrest Fevola
    * Cartons of beer for the winner
    * Bad boy's record makes him "prize catch"
    * PerthNow: Chick 'caught with steroids'

POLICE have placed a mock "bounty" on the head of Brendan Fevola, with officers in southeast Queensland competing to be the first to arrest the Brisbane Lions' prized recruit.

The Sunday Mail reports that officers from at least four stations are placing "friendly" bets – with cartons of beer the prize jackpot – to be the first to nab AFL's bad boy if he misbehaves.

While the officers asked not to be named, they did confirm bets had been placed as of Friday afternoon following Brisbane's official announcement that the 28-year-old was heading to Queensland.

The officers said Fevola's history of poor public behaviour meant the former Carlton star would be a prize catch, should he not live up to his promise of staying out of trouble upon his shift to Queensland.

"There's a few Brisbane Lions supporters in the job and they're filthy that big Fev is coming up to Brisbane," one officer said.

"We were having a few laughs and thought, 'let's put a carton on the first one to arrest him'.

"(But) we won't be going out of our way to chase him."

The AFL community has been divided since news broke that Fevola would be joining the Lions, who have enjoyed a relatively scandal-free existence in Brisbane.

Fevola, though, cannot boast a similarly clean sheet.

His recent indiscretions, that led to him being traded by Carlton, include his very public drunken antics at the Brownlow Medal presentation, where he is also alleged to have sexually harassed a female Melbourne journalist.

In recent seasons, Fevola has also been in the spotlight following allegations of:

• Vomiting, heckling and arguing with security and patrons following last month's Brownlow Medal presentation.
• Urinating in public outside a Melbourne nightclub last year.
• Waving a sex toy in public following end-of-season celebrations last year.
• Fighting a bartender and being sent home from Australia's tour of Ireland in 2006.
• An extra-marital affair with model Lara Bingle in 2006.
• Attacking a female student with a fire extinguisher in 2001.

But while many fans have expressed disgust that the Lions would sign Fevola given his off-field antics, others have praised the club for landing a prize player who could help them win a premiership.

Last week, the Lions were rated by bookmakers as a $26 chance to win the flag next year. After Fevola's signing, and a subsequent betting plunge, the price was slashed to $13.

Kevin Comer, chairman of the Lions official supporters' group, offered a qualified welcome to Fevola.

"If he behaves himself, we're looking at a very strong forward set-up," he said. "What more could you want?"

Fevola's father said yesterday that a move to Queensland was just what his controversial son needed to turn over a new leaf.

Speaking out for the first time, Angelo Fevola said his son would benefit from a move interstate, where he could have a chance to rebuild his reputation.

Talking just before the deal was finalised, Mr Fevola said: "If it goes through, I would be happy for him. He can start a new life."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26194263-421,00.html

[Brocke]

So, same sex hugging is ok?! Kinda sends a mix message don't you think?



Hugging banned at Largs Bay Primary School in South Australia

By Miles Kemp
The Advertiser

October 20, 2009 12:01am

    * Kids banned from hugging
    * "Bad example for younger pupils"
    * Parents outraged

YEAR six and seven students have been banned from mixed-sex consensual hugging at a primary school in South Australia for fear it would set a "bad example" to younger students, AdelaideNow reports.

Following complaints from parents at Largs Bay Primary School, the school has banned hugging and other displays of affection for "boyfriends or girlfriends" in the two senior grades.

"Hugging is not banned (between friends) at Largs Bay Primary School but we do discourage displays of affection in the schoolyard among students in years 6 and 7 who have a boyfriend or girlfriend at the school," principal Julie Gail said in a statement.

". . . we want our older students to set a strong example for younger students at the school."

The SA Education Department yesterday refused to endorse the policy and could not say whether it applied at any other school in the state.

Parents from two families not happy with the policy contacted The Advertiser and said the school should act only if the display of affection was inappropriate, rather than a blanket ban for all 11 and 12-year-olds.

Neither would be named because of fears their children would suffer at school, saying students had been punished for hugging.

They said the school's deputy principal and counsellor had told the students of the ban at a meeting of Year 6 and 7s this week, after an outbreak of hugging when friends were reunited following the recent school holidays.

The school's governing council has not discussed the ban at its meetings but one family which has a girl at the school, and another with two students, are not happy with the policy.

They said it was far more strictly applied than the school suggests.

"I don't want my child to go to a school in which displays of affection lead to punishment," one mother told The Advertiser .

"My daughter has boys who are friends and she is being told she will be punished if she hugs them, I think that is setting a very bad example for younger and older children."

UniSA child protection expert Elspeth McInnes said the benefits or disadvantages of the policy would depend on how it was applied and policed.

"Commonsense needs to prevail and if someone has just heard of terrible news and is being hugged you would not expect the school to overreact as opposed to what may be going on at the back of the class," she said.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26232805-421,00.html

[Brocke]

Airline 'sorry' for kicking kid off flight

By Kate Schneider
news.com.au
November 04, 2009 11:00am

AN airline has apologised to a mother who was kicked off a plane with her "noisy" two-year-old son.

Southwest Airlines spokesman Chris Mainz told MSNBC that the airline has called Pamela Root to apologise, and also offered her a refund and a $300 travel voucher.

Mr Mainz said 38-year-old Mrs Root was removed from the flight to San-Jose, US, because passengers could not hear pre-flight safety announcements.

Her son Adam screamed: “Go! Plane! Go!” and “I want Daddy!” while the plane was preparing for take off in Amarillo, Texas.

The plane taxied back to the gate and the pair was escorted off.

The airline acknowledged that removing a crying child from a flight is unusual.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,26303430-5014090,00.html

[Brocke]

Over the last few months there have been many MSM reports of bikie gangs (biker gangs for us Americans) in violent and deadly clashes with each other. This apparent increase in violence is being used to attempt the installation of "anti-gang laws" that could ban ANY organisation that the police or the Australian Government deem as a threat. Are we looking at a time where 911 Truthers, Climate Skeptics, Anti-Vaccinationists and "conspiracy theorists" will be labeled criminals by associating with each other in groups?


Bikies protest anti-gang laws

AAP
November 12, 2009 01:09pm

BIKIES have protested outside parliament in Brisbane against proposed anti-gang laws.

The laws would allow the police commissioner to apply to the Supreme Court to declare an organisation, including bikie gangs, a criminal organisation.

If the court accedes, an application could be made for control orders covering individuals within the organisation.

Ignoring the order would carry a penalty of up to five years' jail.

United Motorcycle Council of Queensland spokesman Russell Wattie said the new laws would hand police sweeping new powers to use against any group, including churches, sports clubs and businesses.

"The Government is handing police an extraordinary array of new powers and simply asking Queenslanders to trust that those powers won't be misused," Mr Wattie said.

"Now is the time for those MPs on both sides of the house who are concerned about these laws to stand up and oppose them."

Mr Wattie said the new laws would allow a sporting club to be declared a criminal organisation even if just two of its younger members broke into a car.
add news.com.au to iGoogle

"You've got guys who can be found guilty under these laws for people they don't even know, who are overseas or interstate," he said. "They can't fight it, there's no jury, no right to question what's being said against you."

Mr Wattie said there was also no guarantee police would "stick to the letter of the law" and apply it fairly.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has promised the laws won't be abused, saying law-abiding citizens had nothing to fear.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26340132-29277,00.html

[Brocke]

Surreal drama of Zambia 'porn' trial

The trial of a news editor in Zambia, accused of distributing obscene material, is coming to an end. Chansa Kabwela says she sent photos of a woman giving birth without medical help to senior government officials to highlight the effects of a nurses' strike. Jo Fidgen has watched the trial, and reflects on what it reveals about Zambian culture...

Full story here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8358936.stm

[Brocke]

"to mark the United Nations' tenth International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women"


Ban on domestic 'psychological violence'

From correspondents in Paris
Agence France-Presse
November 26, 2009 05:18am

FRANCE is to pass a law banning "psychological violence within the couple" and study the idea of tagging violent partners to prevent them stalking their victims, the government said overnight.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced the measures in a speech to mark the United Nations' tenth International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, promising legislation in the first half of nest year.

"It's an important step forward: the creation of this offence will allow us to deal with the most insidious situations, situations that leave no visible scars, but which leave their victims torn up inside," he said.

"And we are going to experiment with electronic surveillance measures on the Spanish model to monitor the effectiveness of restraining orders against a violent spouse," he said.

Spanish judges now have the power to force a convicted wife-beater to wear a watch-sized electronic bracelet that triggers an alarm if he gets too close to his former victim and gives her a chance to call the police.

Since June, 58 men have been tagged and police have been called 222 times.

Last year 157 French women were killed by their husband or partner.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26402903-23109,00.html

[Brocke]

Henrico Medal of Honor winner, 90, ordered to remove flagpole

By Staff Reports
Published: December 2, 2009

VIDEO
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/POLEGAT02_20091202-091201/309031/#When:14:12:20Z

Col. Van T. Barfoot, a local Medal of Honor winner, is under the gun from his Henrico County community's homeowner association.

In a five-paragraph letter to Barfoot that he received yesterday, Barfoot is being ordered to remove a flagpole from his yard. The decorated veteran of three wars, now 90 years old, raises the American flag every morning on the pole, then lowers and folds the flag at dusk each day in a three-corner military fashion.

In a priority mail letter, the Coates & Davenport law firm in Richmond is ordering Barfoot to remove the pole by 5 p.m. Friday or face "legal action being brought to enforce the Covenants and Restrictions against you." The letter states that Barfoot will be subject to paying all legal fees and costs in any successful legal proceeding pursued by the homeowner association's board.

Barfoot's daughter said this evening that news reports about the association order have prompted an outpouring of sympathy and offers of help from people following her father's ordeal.

Tonight, the Sussex Square Homeowners Association issued a statement reiterating its position that Barfoot directly violated the association board's denial of his request to erect a flagpole.

"This is not about the American flag. This about a flagpole," the statement reads.

Barfoot lives in the Sussex Square community in far western Henrico; its board of directors rejected a plea from Barfoot in July to approve the pole, disallowing the fixture on aesthetic grounds.

There is no provision in the community's rules expressly forbidding flagpoles, Barfoot's daughter said. But she said the board ruled against her father's fixture and ordered it removed in July, deciding that free-standing flag poles are not aesthetically appropriate. Short flag stands attached to porches dot the community.

"Dad sort of feels like this is the end," said Margaret Nicholls, Barfoot's daughter, who lives a few doors away. But she said this morning that she and her husband are attempting to generate support for her father's cause, a flag-raising rite that he has undertaken for most of his life.

Barfoot received the Medal of Honor on the battlefield during World War II in Italy and fought as well in the Korean and Vietnam wars. A portion of a highway in rural Mississippi, his native state, was named in his honor this fall. A building at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond also carries his name.

Barfoot began regularly flying the flag on Veteran's Day this year despite the Sussex Square board's decision.

He said in November that not flying the flag would be a sacrilege to him.

"There's never been a day in my life or a place I've lived in my life that you couldn't fly the American flag," he said.

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.

-- Bill McKelway

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/POLEGAT02_20091202-091201/309031/#When:14:12:20Z

[Brocke]

Alien and Predator no match for Australia's fearless censors

THE other-worldly stars of cinema blockbusters Alien and Predator are among the most fearsome creatures in cinema history.

It appears, however, they are no match for Australia's fearless censors.

The nation's classification watchdog has banned a video game in which the adversaries square off against each other over concerns it is too violent.

Aliens vs Predator is the latest of many games refused classification by the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification Board, effectively banning it from store shelves.

The decision comes in the same week the board refused classification for another video game, CrimeCraft, for showing positive effects of in-game drug use.

In explaining why it rejected Aliens vs Predator, the Board cited violent game play that included "explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, throat, eyes and mouth or eyes".

As in the movie on which it's based, the Predator in the game collects "trophies" by "explicitly ripping off human heads, their spinal columns dangling from severed necks".

Friday's decision follows the recent controversy over the board's recent refusal to classify violent zombie-based first-person shooter Left 4 Dead 2 because of "graphic depictions of blood and gore".

A modified version of the game has since been released, following a failed appeal by the game's publishers.

Spokesman for Aliens vs Predator publisher SEGA Australia, Vispi Bhopti, said: "We will continue to investigate all options available to us, including the possibility of appeal."

The decision has reignited the long-running debate over Australia's lack of an "R" rating category for video games.s

Despite an 'R18+' rating existing for films and other media, the highest classification for video games is MA15+.

This means that adult games with a high level of violence, sex or drug references effectively can't be approved for sale.

The position is at odd's with most western countres including the UK and US, which have 18+ ratings for video games.

The games industry has mounted a long running campaign for the introduction of an R rating for games, which would require the unanimous support of all Australia's attorneys-general.

They have come up against a formidable opponent however in the form of South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who is opposed to the move.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/alien-and-predator-no-match-for-australias-fearless-censors/story-e6frf96f-1225807125322

[Brocke]

Walk your dog or go to jail

    * By Antonia Magee
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * December 05, 2009 12:26AM

 
PET owners could be punished for not walking their dogs, under radical new laws being proposed by the RSPCA.

Under the legislation, they would have to regularly exercise dogs, ensure animals are not kept chained up and give their pets adequate food and water. If the proposal becomes law, dog and cat owners across Australia would face prosecution, fines of up to $12,000 fines for animal cruelty and magistrates could consider jail in extreme circumstances.

Dr Hugh Wirth, head of RSPCA Victoria, is one of four experts the Federal Department of Agriculture's welfare division has appointed to draft national animal welfare guidelines.

"The draft will tell people what they have to do rather than what they want to do," Dr Wirth said. "The new standards would be regulatory, therefore a breach of the standards is a breach of the law."

The proposed new laws are designed to formalise the national code, which states dogs must be walked at least once a day.

Dr Wirth said jail sentences would not be handed out for a first offence, but it would something available for magistrates to consider.

"I would be amazed if a magistrate ordered jail time on the first offence, but, like every other offence under cruelty legislation, jail is an option," Dr Wirth said.

The proposed laws would be designed to help overcome the problems animal inspectors have had penalising bad owners. The working party is designed to create a national standard, but ultimately the laws would be have to be passed by State Governments.

Catherine and Mitch Wells said they would welcome laws to prosecute animal owners who did not exercise their pets.

They said exercising their much-loved "Diva" was part of the deal of owning a dog, and they said all pet owners should be made to regularly walk their animals.

"That's part of our responsibility of having dog," Mrs Well said.

The Newcastle couple gives their two-year-old English staffy at least 30 minutes "roaming time" each day at the local dog beach, and they say she thrives on it.

"Seeing her happy makes me happy," Mrs Wells said.

Mrs Wells said it distressed her to see larger dogs cooped up in yards, and barely ever let out to exercise.

"It's not fair to the dog," she added.

A spokesman for the federal Department of Agriculture said the working group was one of six set up to look at animal welfare.

"One of the goals of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is to develop national standards and guidelines for the care of different kinds of animals," the spokesman said.

"The states and territories are ultimately responsible for legislating for animal welfare, not the Commonwealth."

The draft is still in its early stages.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/walk-your-dog-or-go-to-jail/story-e6freuy9-1225807133564

[Freeski]

Walk your dog or go to jail

    * By Antonia Magee
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * December 05, 2009 12:26AM

 
PET owners could be punished for not walking their dogs, under radical new laws being proposed by the RSPCA.

Under the legislation, they would have to regularly exercise dogs, ensure animals are not kept chained up and give their pets adequate food and water. If the proposal becomes law, dog and cat owners across Australia would face prosecution, fines of up to $12,000 fines for animal cruelty and magistrates could consider jail in extreme circumstances.

Dr Hugh Wirth, head of RSPCA Victoria, is one of four experts the Federal Department of Agriculture's welfare division has appointed to draft national animal welfare guidelines.

"The draft will tell people what they have to do rather than what they want to do," Dr Wirth said. "The new standards would be regulatory, therefore a breach of the standards is a breach of the law."

The proposed new laws are designed to formalise the national code, which states dogs must be walked at least once a day.

Dr Wirth said jail sentences would not be handed out for a first offence, but it would something available for magistrates to consider.

"I would be amazed if a magistrate ordered jail time on the first offence, but, like every other offence under cruelty legislation, jail is an option," Dr Wirth said.

The proposed laws would be designed to help overcome the problems animal inspectors have had penalising bad owners. The working party is designed to create a national standard, but ultimately the laws would be have to be passed by State Governments.

Catherine and Mitch Wells said they would welcome laws to prosecute animal owners who did not exercise their pets.

They said exercising their much-loved "Diva" was part of the deal of owning a dog, and they said all pet owners should be made to regularly walk their animals.

"That's part of our responsibility of having dog," Mrs Well said.

The Newcastle couple gives their two-year-old English staffy at least 30 minutes "roaming time" each day at the local dog beach, and they say she thrives on it.

"Seeing her happy makes me happy," Mrs Wells said.

Mrs Wells said it distressed her to see larger dogs cooped up in yards, and barely ever let out to exercise.

"It's not fair to the dog," she added.

A spokesman for the federal Department of Agriculture said the working group was one of six set up to look at animal welfare.

"One of the goals of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is to develop national standards and guidelines for the care of different kinds of animals," the spokesman said.

"The states and territories are ultimately responsible for legislating for animal welfare, not the Commonwealth."

The draft is still in its early stages.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/walk-your-dog-or-go-to-jail/story-e6freuy9-1225807133564

I know people who would think this is a great idea.

[Brocke]

I know people who would think this is a great idea.

It's not a bad idea. However the potential for it to be abused is obvious...and it will be.

[Brocke]

Rural flight security to be tightened

    * By Malcolm Farr and Andrew Carswell
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * December 16, 2009 12:00AM

THE Federal Government will remove an anomaly which allows airlines to fly to major centres including the national capital, Canberra, without luggage being screened.

The aviation white paper, to be released today by Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, will broaden the requirement for screening to include all aircraft used by major airlines by 2014.

At present only luggage carried on jets has to be screened before being loaded, adding to the costs of Virgin Blue which flies only jets.

QantasLink, which link the capitals to major regional cities, uses Dash 8 turbo-prop aircraft, for which bags do not have to be screened.

From July next year, passenger and luggage screening will be compulsory on all scheduled airline flights using an aircraft weighing more than 30 tonnes.

This will be extended in July 2014 to all aircraft weighing more than 20 tonnes.

There will be a crackdown on the issuing and use of Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC) to airport and airline staff working in the most security sensitive areas of the nation's airports.

More rigorous background checks on workers - enabling renewed checks if a cardholder's status changed and greater powers to cancel cards - will be enforced.

There will be increased maximum penalties for a worker with an ASIC who does not reveal they have been convicted of an offence related to aviation security.

And it will be harder for a visitor to get into the security-controlled areas of an airport.

The white paper is also expected to introduce annual appraisals of security staff who screen passenger and freight.

They will have to undergo annual certification to prove they have acceptable skill levels.

The Government continues to want legislation, which was rejected in the Senate, to restrict access to aircraft cockpits to those who have an operational, safety or security reason to be there.

The Daily Telegraph toured Sydney Airport's new security screening centre yesterday and discovered that despite several public awareness campaigns, passengers were still attempting to carry prohibited items on to aircraft.

While the most common item surrendered at the airport's international terminal was water, as part of the restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels, other commonly surrendered items included scissors, tweezers and pocket knives.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/rural-flight-security-to-be-tightened/story-e6freuy9-1225810744280

[nustada]

It's not a bad idea. However the potential for it to be abused is obvious...and it will be.

Thats how most laws are. Very few laws are labeled "Dr Sinistros, Evil Plan to Subjugate the Universe". They have to be given fluffy sounding names.

[Freeski]

legal or lawfull?

[Brocke]

TV star Myleene Klass 'waved knife in self defence'

    * By Huw Borland, Sky News
    * From: NewsCore
    * January 10, 2010 7:22PM

A UK TV star warned over waving a knife at teenagers says she acted in self defence.

Myleene Klass, a TV presenter and model, was warned by police after she waved a knife at teenagers who were intruding in her garden in Hertfordshire after midnight local time on Friday, Sky News reported.

She was in her kitchen upstairs with her daughter when she spotted people peering into her window, before grabbing the knife and banging on the windows, scaring the trespassers away.

Hertfordshire Police officers warned Klass she should not have used a knife to scare off the teens because carrying an "offensive weapon" - even in her own home - was illegal.

Klass told Sky News in a statement: "My family are totally fine and I thank the police for being so re-assuring and comforting.

"However, I was left shocked and surprised to be told that a private individual in the privacy of their own home runs the risk of committing a criminal offence if, out of fear for their own safety and their loved ones, they grab something with which they could defend themselves if an intruder enters their home.

"I totally respect British law - but surely everyone has the right to self-defence in their own home if they are in danger?"

Her spokesman Jonathan Shalit said the former Hearsay singer was "utterly terrified" and was stepping up security at the property near Potters Bar.

He told the Sunday Telegraph: "Myleene was aghast when she was told that the law did not allow her to defend herself at home.

"All she did was scream loudly and wave the knife to try and frighten them off."

Klass' fiance Graham Quinn was away on business at the time of the scare.

It came amid calls for greater rights for people to defend themselves against intruders on their property.

In December, Munir Hussain was jailed for attacking a man who tied up his family in their home. He and his brother used a cricket bat to beat one of the intruders.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/tv-star-myleene-klass-waved-knife-in-self-defence/story-fn3dxix6-1225817854594

[Brocke]

Drivers who leave more than one pay-and-display ticket on their car windows will be fined

By Ray Massey
Last updated at 7:44 PM on 26th January 2010


Drivers who 'pay and display' to park their cars are being fined if they leave earlier tickets showing on their windscreen.

Council traffic wardens are exploiting a legal loophole to penalise motorists who have paid but simply forgot to remove a previous stub from their dashboard or window.

If wardens, or parking attendants, can see more than one ticket, they can fine the motorist.
Parking tickets

Penalised: Complaints from motorists over fines for petty infringements, such as displaying a disabled badge upside down, have soared in recent months

Critics have accused greedy council chiefs of seizing on 'pernicious' technicalities to punish drivers unfairly, in spite of pledges from ministers that town halls should not use their parking powers as a moneymaking scheme.

At present, 265 councils have powers to enforce parking and keep the proceeds under a system known as 'decriminalisation' which handed over control from the police to local authorities.

The clause imposing a fine on drivers showing multiple pay and display tickets is contravention number nine in a list of parking offences.

For example, the City of London Corporation's website says: 'It is a requirement that only a single ticket is displayed. If more than one ticket is visible, the civil enforcement officer will issue a penalty charge notice and it is unlikely that we will withdraw it.'

The fines can range from £120 in the heart of London to £70 outside the capital with a 50 per cent discount if paid within 14 days.

Parking expert Barrie Segal, who runs the AppealNow website, condemned the latest example of councils using their powers to fleece motorists.

He said: 'This type of enforcement is pernicious. No traffic has been blocked or delayed and no pedestrian has been endangered and yet the council will issue a parking ticket.

'It is this type of enforcement which convinces motorists that it is not about traffic congestion, traffic flow or safety but just old-fashioned greed to line the council's coffers.'

Most motorists simply forget to remove old pay and display tickets, he noted.

Last year councils raised £328million in parking fines, three times the amount collected by speed camera partnerships.

Complaints from motorists over fines for petty infringements, such as displaying a disabled badge upside down, have soared in recent months.

Motorists have also been fined when their pay and display ticket has fallen off the windscreen or dashboard. Such fines are routinely upheld by appeal adjudicators, even if the driver produces the voucher afterwards.

Motorists can also be fined for parking more than 19.6in (50cm) from the kerb.

The AA criticised the councils' interpretation of the rules.

A spokesman said: 'It is one thing if somebody is being clever and plastering their windscreen with old pay and display tickets, it is rather different when somebody was in a hurry and forgot to remove an old voucher. There has to be some sense of proportion.'

The Department for Transport said the rule was intended to make sure all motorists were treated fairly.

A spokesman said: 'Where parking spaces are in short supply, "no return" restrictions may be in place to stop people from monopolising a parking space for a long period of time.

'It is specifically in these cases that rules apply to prevent people from adding a second ticket to extend the amount of time they can park beyond the maximum allowed.'
 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1246228/Drivers-leave-pay-display-ticket-car-windows-fined.html#ixzz0dlDSyWGO

[Brocke]

Children's TV Stars Face Anti-Terror Quiz

1:31pm UK, Tuesday January 26, 2010

Hannah Stott, Sky News Online
Two children's TV presenters have revealed they were held by police under anti-terrorism powers after being stopped while running around with hairdryers in London.

TV hosts Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers dressed as they were when police questioned them under anti-terrorism powers


TV hosts Jamie Rickers and Anna Williamson in action

Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers, who front ITV1's hit show Toonattik, were filming a sketch for the programme on London's South Bank wearing combat gear and armed with children's walkie-talkies and glitter-covered hairdryers.

Their fake fatigues aroused the suspicions of patrolling police, who stopped and questioned them.

Williamson, 28, said: "We were filming a strand called Dork Hunters, which is to do with one of the animations we have on the show.

"We were out and about doing 'dork hunting' ourselves on the streets of London.

"Jamie and I were kitted out in fake utility belts. We've got hairdryers in our belt, a kids' walkie-talkie, hairbrushes and all that kind of stuff, and we were being followed by a camera crew and a boom mike and we get literally pulled over by four policemen and we were issued with a warning 'under the act of terrorism'."

TV hosts Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers dressed as they were when police questioned them under anti-terrorism powers


Williamson and Rickers in offending gear

Rickers, 32, added: "We were stopped, not arrested, but they had to say 'we are holding you under the Anti-Terrorism Act because you're running around in flak jackets and a utility belt', and I said 'and please put spangly blue hairdryer' and he was, like, 'all right'."

The presenting duo also hit the headlines in 2008 when Rickers, re-enacting a scene from The Emperor's New Clothes, appeared to strut around the studio naked, although it was later revealed he was wearing a flesh suit from the waist down.

The morning programme, which provides light-hearted links in between cartoons such as Ben 10: Alien Force and Dork Hunters From Outer Space, attracts around 616,000 viewers each weekend morning, making it the most popular terrestrial programme of its kind.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/TV-Presenters-Anna-Williamson-And-Jamie-Rickers-Held-By-Police-Under-Under-Anti-Terror-Powers/Article/201001415536056?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15536056_TV_Presenters_Anna_Williamson_And_Jamie_Rickers_Held_By_Police_Under_Under_Anti-Terror_Powers

[Brocke]

Let's clean up the language, Calif. lawmakers say

Feb 25 05:50 AM US/Eastern
By ROBIN HINDERY
Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers have a history of trying to keep the state's air and waters clean. Now they're tackling language.

The state Assembly is scheduled to vote on a resolution Thursday calling for a statewide "Cuss Free Week," to occur annually during the first week of March. If approved, it would go to the state Senate for a final vote on Monday.

The rest of next week will be officially swear-word free if both houses approve the resolution.

The resolution by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, was inspired by a South Pasadena teenager, McKay Hatch, who founded a No Cussing Club at his junior high school in 2007. His efforts to stamp out profanity have generated international attention, with 35,000 members joining the No Cussing Club's Web site.

Portantino said the California Legislature—known for imposing strict clean air and clean water laws—is the first state legislative body in the nation to consider a statewide profanity-free week.

Hatch, now 16, said he sees a link between cussing and drug use, bullying and other harmful behavior. A cuss-free world would be a more harmonious one, he said.

"I want to bring as much awareness as I can to people about their language and how they're speaking to each other," Hatch said in a telephone interview Wednesday as he was headed to Sacramento. "We need to stop tearing people down and uplift them instead."

Portantino said his resolution is simply a guideline, a reminder to "act like you're at your grandma's house." There would be no enforcement mechanism included.

"We're having fun with it," the lawmaker said, adding that he expected the measure to receive bipartisan support in both houses.

Profanity is rare on the floor of the Assembly or Senate, where lawmakers of both parties try to maintain a sense of decorum even as they engage in heated arguments over legislation.

After one former lawmaker used the word "hell" in the Senate chambers in 2007, senators took time out from a busy day of voting to debate whether it was appropriate to use the word on the floor. Lawmakers eventually agreed to disagree.

If the Assembly approves the resolution, Portantino said he and his staff plan to deliver a "cuss jar" to the office of every state lawmaker and the governor. Those who let a foul word slip would be encouraged to deposit money into the jar as penance, Portantino explained.


http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9E34FM01&show_article=1

[graffX]

In attempting to adhere to such guidelines, many folk would be rendered speechless... and that would be a good thing.  :-)

[DAVIDE MTL]

need this,my friend doesn't believe we're in a police state

[Freeski]

need this,my friend doesn't believe we're in a police state

Tell him we're all communists and don't even know it. Seriously.

[Brocke]

Aussie parents to defy UN smacking ban

    * By Linda Simalis at The Sunday Telegraph
    * From: NewsCore
    * March 21, 2010 2:25PM

Aussie parents are set to defy UN calls to ban the smack.

PARENTS will continue to be allowed to smack their children despite an international push to ban corporal punishment in the home, Government says.

A New South Wales (NSW) State Government review of smacking laws obtained by The Sunday Telegraph has rejected an international trend to outlaw the practice.

Under NSW laws, parents and guardians have a legal defence that allows them to discipline children, provided the punishment is reasonable.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child condemns the practice, with its last report on international corporal punishment laws chastising Australia for refusing to outlaw smacking.

A review of the legislation by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General examined whether children should have the same rights as adults and how far the state should intervene in regulating activities in the family home.

A growing number of countries are moving to follow the lead of Sweden in banning corporal punishment of children. Among the 17 to follow suit include Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Italy, Israel, Iceland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Belgium and Greece.

New Zealand is one of the latest countries to ban smacking. However, the move has triggered widespread opposition with a public referendum held on the issue last year resulting in almost 90 per cent of respondents calling for the ban to be overturned.

The report on the review said the UN committee found it concerning Australia had failed to outlaw smacking.

"The committee notes that it is troubled by the failure of Australian legislation to prohibit corporal punishment at home, no matter how light that punishment is," the report said.

Countries where it is legal to smack children include Canada and Scotland.

A submission from the NSW Corrective Services Department recommended the laws be amended to specify that reasonable force should not involve use of a closed fist.

The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has raised concerns that NSW was failing to meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"In HREOCs view, appropriate discipline should be interpreted to include only non-violent disciplinary techniques and excludes discipline inflicting physical or mental harm," the report said.

But NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the review found laws to be in line with community expectations.

"Excessive force will never be regarded as reasonable under NSW law," he said.

"The lawful correction laws are in line with community standards on the discipline of children."

http://www.news.com.au/national/aussie-parents-to-defy-un-smacking-ban/story-e6frfkvr-1225843384853

[Brocke]

Dubai bans restaurants from cooking with alcohol

    * From: AFP
    * March 23, 2010 12:56AM

DUBAI restaurants will face stiff fines for cooking with alcohol, a United Arab Emirates newspaper has reported.

The National reported that Dubai's municipality sent a notice to restaurants banning the sale of dishes cooked with alcohol and threatened fines of up to 20,000 dirhams ($5,948).

Restaurants had ignored a previous ban on using alcohol, a common element in dishes such as sushi and Teriyaki sauce, and in European cuisine.

"There have been a lot of violations, with hotels often hiding content of alcohol in food from customers," the newspaper quoted Ahmed al-Ali, the head of food inspections at the municipality, as saying.

He added that the decision was taken in part after customer complaints.

"This is a Muslim society and visitors to our hotels are our guests. It is important to ensure they are informed about everything," he said.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Islam forbids the production, sale and consumption of alcohol, but Dubai's ban applies only to cooking. Licensed hotels and restaurants with a permit will still be allowed to sell alcoholic drinks.

"If implemented this is going to affect the food industry. In fact, it will change the taste of food in Dubai's hotels," the manager of a Japanese restaurant told the newspaper.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/dubai-bans-restaurants-from-cooking-with-alcohol/story-e6frfku0-1225844050829

[Brocke]

Officials chop down 6000 trees to prevent strangers having sex in the woods

    * From: NewsCore
    * March 23, 2010 8:25PM

SIX thousand trees were chopped down at a British beauty spot, partly to discourage strangers who were regularly having sex in the woods, it emerged Tuesday.

The tree felling program was ordered initially by the local government after a health and safety survey of the 12-hectare area in Darwen, northwest England, area newspaper the Lancashire Telegraph reported.

The survey found the trees were old and at risk of falling on the A666 road, known locally as The Devil's Highway.

But Sergeant Mark Wilson, from the neighbourhood policing team, told the Lancashire Telegraph that cutting the trees would help reduce incidents of "dogging," which is British slang for strangers having sex in a semi-public place while others look on.

Sergeant Wilson said: “It’s an on-going problem and very worrying for members of the public.

“It’s far too early to tell if cutting the trees back has had any impact on the dogging situation, but we’ll be paying regular attention to the area.”

Area councilor Jean Rigby said it had quietened down a lot since the felling program.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/officials-chop-down-6000-trees-to-prevent-strangers-having-sex-in-the-woods/story-fn3dxiwe-1225844471220

[citizenx]

It's gettin' to be where a bear's got nowhere to shit anymore.  Damn.

[Satyagraha]

... cutting the trees would help reduce incidents of "dogging," which is British slang for strangers having sex in a semi-public place while others look on.

Must be those crazy Druids are at it again. Seems counter-productive to clear the trees when it seems they like public displays. And what about the shrubberies?

[agentbluescreen]

The "devil's highway" indeed. LOL

[Brocke]

Households limited to two cats in Mitcham

    * By Aaron McDonald
    * From: AdelaideNow
    * March 24, 2010 1:55PM

A SOUTH Australian council has has formally endorsed a controversial cat-control bylaw which restricts the number of cats per household.

AdelaideNow reports in addition to the two-cat restriction, Mitcham cat owners will be required to register and microchip the animals.

Cat owners are permitted to own more than two cats if they can convince the council they are not impacting negatively on the community and they are properly cared for.

The council endorsed the bylaw at last night's council meeting, in a 9-4 vote.

Mitcham Animal Management Committee chair and councillor Diana Gibbs Ludbrook said she had received strong feedback that residents supported the bylaw.

"Eighty-one per cent of the residents surveyed are in support of the cat bylaws," Ms Gibbs Ludbrook said.

"We're not talking about hurting cats. We're talking about education and providing a framework for cat management we can work in."

Other councillors agreed that it was up to the council to lead the way.

"This is a good thing for cat owners," councillor Elaine Grimm said.

"If someone's moggy does go walkabout and the RSPCA gets it, they'll get it back."

But several councillors had serious concerns about the efficacy and cost of the bylaw.

"The bylaw is approximately $57,000 for one year, $101,000 for two years," councillor Diana Weaver said.

"For five years it is $252,000.

"This is pretty relevant to the community. They haven't been asked whether they'd rather have this - it is documented that it does not work and it is costing the community."

http://www.news.com.au/national/households-limited-to-two-cats-in-mitcham/story-e6frfkvr-1225844760052

[Brocke]

Police report for passerby who rescued schoolboy from tree

By John Coles of The Sun in London
From: NewsCore
March 26, 2010 10:02AM

    * Boy, 5, gets stuck up tree at school
    * Teachers can't help him due to rules
    * Passerby saves him; cops called

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD British pupil was left stuck up a tree at school because a bizarre health and safety policy banned teachers from helping him down.

And when a passerby rescued the stranded child, she was reported to the police for trespassing, The Sun online reports.

The impish youngster climbed the 6m tree at the end of morning break and refused to come down.

But instead of helping him, staff followed guidelines and retreated inside the school building to "observe from a distance" so the child would not get "distracted and fall."

The child was only rescued when a woman noticed him and helped him down herself.

But instead of being thanked for her actions by staff at the Manor School in Melksham, southwestern England, Kim Barrett was reported to the cops.

Barrett, who lives in the town, was left stunned by the school's policy.

"I stopped to ask him if he was OK, and it became clear that he'd been there since the end of playtime, which had been around half an hour earlier," she said.

"I was immediately concerned. I walked over to the school with the boy and was met by the associate head (of the school).

"He didn't appear at all concerned, and was actually very patronising, patting me on the arm and asking me 'what do you expect me to do, exactly, dear?'

"When I said I thought it was a serious incident, he then said his only concern was me trespassing.

The next morning she was visited by a local cop who told her she trespassed by helping the young schoolboy down from the tree.

The school confirmed official policy prevents staff going to help children who have climbed trees.

http://www.news.com.au/weird-true-freaky/police-report-for-passerby-who-rescued-schoolboy-from-tree/story-e6frflri-1225845871509

[Freeski]

Households limited to two cats in Mitcham

    * By Aaron McDonald
    * From: AdelaideNow
    * March 24, 2010 1:55PM

A SOUTH Australian council has has formally endorsed a controversial cat-control bylaw which restricts the number of cats per household.

AdelaideNow reports in addition to the two-cat restriction, Mitcham cat owners will be required to register and microchip the animals.

Cat owners are permitted to own more than two cats if they can convince the council they are not impacting negatively on the community and they are properly cared for.

The council endorsed the bylaw at last night's council meeting, in a 9-4 vote.

Mitcham Animal Management Committee chair and councillor Diana Gibbs Ludbrook said she had received strong feedback that residents supported the bylaw.

"Eighty-one per cent of the residents surveyed are in support of the cat bylaws," Ms Gibbs Ludbrook said.

"We're not talking about hurting cats. We're talking about education and providing a framework for cat management we can work in."

Other councillors agreed that it was up to the council to lead the way.

"This is a good thing for cat owners," councillor Elaine Grimm said.

"If someone's moggy does go walkabout and the RSPCA gets it, they'll get it back."

But several councillors had serious concerns about the efficacy and cost of the bylaw.

"The bylaw is approximately $57,000 for one year, $101,000 for two years," councillor Diana Weaver said.

"For five years it is $252,000.

"This is pretty relevant to the community. They haven't been asked whether they'd rather have this - it is documented that it does not work and it is costing the community."

http://www.news.com.au/national/households-limited-to-two-cats-in-mitcham/story-e6frfkvr-1225844760052

Man, your red highlights really tell a story, and the 81% (if not a lie by Gibbs) is a real kick in the head.

[Brocke]

Grandmother fined, tagged and on curfew for selling goldfish to minor

    * From correspondents in London
    * From: AFP
    * March 31, 2010 11:16PM

A BRITISH grandmother has been heavily fined and electronically tagged for selling a goldfish to a child, triggering criticism of over-zealous use of animal protection laws.

Pet shop owner Joan Higgins, 66, was fined £1000 ($1640) also given a dusk-to-dawn curfew for selling an animal to a person under the age of 16, but her 47-year-old son Mark - also ordered to do community service - slammed the ruling as a farce.

The pair were prosecuted after the local council sent a 14-year-old boy to buy a goldfish in a "sting" operation following reports that their shop, Majors Pets, had sold a gerbil to a teenager with learning difficulties.

The shopkeepers sold the fish without asking his age or how the fish would be cared for, prosecutors said.

"I think it's a farce and legal lunacy and I told the council that," said Mark Higgins, cited by the Daily Telegraph, noting that his mother was also given an electronic tag.

"What gets me so cross is that they put my Mum on a tag - she's nearly 70, for goodness sake.

"You would think they have better things to do with their time and money."

But Trafford Council in northern England defended the decision to prosecute, noting that the gerbil sold to the teenager with learning difficulties - who was also 14 - was put in a cup of coffee.

"The evidence presented for this conviction clearly demonstrates that it is irresponsible to sell animals to those who are not old enough to look after them," Iain Veitch, the council's head of public protection, said.

Higgins and her son pleaded guilty at Trafford Magistrates' Court to selling an animal to a person aged under 16.

She was ordered to obey a curfew from 6pm to 7am for seven weeks because she is unfit for community service.

Her son, who manages the shop, was fined £750 and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work at the end of eight months of legal action.

The story was highlighted by a number of British newspapers.

The Daily Express said it made a "farce" of Britain's legal system, adding in a front-page headline: "Proof Britain really has gone mad."

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/grandmother-fined-tagged-and-on-curfew-for-selling-goldfish-to-minor/story-e6frfku0-1225848258469

[Freeski]

Grandmother fined, tagged and on curfew for selling goldfish to minor

    * From correspondents in London
    * From: AFP
    * March 31, 2010 11:16PM

A BRITISH grandmother has been heavily fined and electronically tagged for selling a goldfish to a child, triggering criticism of over-zealous use of animal protection laws.

Pet shop owner Joan Higgins, 66, was fined £1000 ($1640) also given a dusk-to-dawn curfew for selling an animal to a person under the age of 16, but her 47-year-old son Mark - also ordered to do community service - slammed the ruling as a farce.

The pair were prosecuted after the local council sent a 14-year-old boy to buy a goldfish in a "sting" operation following reports that their shop, Majors Pets, had sold a gerbil to a teenager with learning difficulties.

The shopkeepers sold the fish without asking his age or how the fish would be cared for, prosecutors said.

"I think it's a farce and legal lunacy and I told the council that," said Mark Higgins, cited by the Daily Telegraph, noting that his mother was also given an electronic tag.

"What gets me so cross is that they put my Mum on a tag - she's nearly 70, for goodness sake.

"You would think they have better things to do with their time and money."

But Trafford Council in northern England defended the decision to prosecute, noting that the gerbil sold to the teenager with learning difficulties - who was also 14 - was put in a cup of coffee.

"The evidence presented for this conviction clearly demonstrates that it is irresponsible to sell animals to those who are not old enough to look after them," Iain Veitch, the council's head of public protection, said.

Higgins and her son pleaded guilty at Trafford Magistrates' Court to selling an animal to a person aged under 16.

She was ordered to obey a curfew from 6pm to 7am for seven weeks because she is unfit for community service.

Her son, who manages the shop, was fined £750 and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid community work at the end of eight months of legal action.

The story was highlighted by a number of British newspapers.

The Daily Express said it made a "farce" of Britain's legal system, adding in a front-page headline: "Proof Britain really has gone mad."

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/grandmother-fined-tagged-and-on-curfew-for-selling-goldfish-to-minor/story-e6frfku0-1225848258469

f**k off! (no offence Brocke)

[Brocke]

Colac students to face child porn charges after sex in gym filmed on mobile phone

    * By Ellen Whinnett
    * From: Sunday Herald Sun
    * April 18, 2010 12:57AM

FOUR boys and one girl will be charged with making child pornography over the filming of a sexual encounter that took place in a school gym.

The girl and one of the boys allegedly had sex in the gym while the three others were allegedly involved in filming of the incident.

The girl was aged 14 at the time of the incident, which took place last year in the rural Victorian town of Colac. Her alleged partner was between 15 years and 17 years.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said that the five teenagers had been interviewed and would shortly be summonsed to appear in the Children's Court.

A Colac resident said the boys had bragged about the encounter and that "half the school" had the video of the incident on their mobile phones.

Police have not charged anyone with distributing the video of the encounter, instead restricting their charges to making child pornography.

Acting principal of Colac Secondary College Simon Dewar said disciplinary action had been taken.

"An isolated incident did occur at the school seven months ago and was dealt with appropriately at the time," he said.

"The students involved were suspended and the school continued its work in educating all students about their responsibilities in relation to technology and the scope and ramifications of its inappropriate use.

"Our school has moved forward from this one-off incident and is pleased with the exemplary behaviour - online and otherwise - of students since."

Mr Dewar said Colac Secondary College had a cyber and mobile phone policy to which students were expected to adhere at all times.

The students who have been interviewed are a girl, now aged 15, two boys aged 16, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old youth.

Because of their ages, their cases will be heard in the Children's Court, meaning they cannot be identified.

Inappropriate use of mobile phones in schools has become such a problem in Victoria that a senior magistrate from rural Victoria toured schools to warn students about it.

Police and magistrates have warned of the dangers of capturing offensive, sexual pictures or messages on mobile phones and forwarding them to friends.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/colac-students-to-face-child-porn-charges-after-sex-in-gym-filmed-on-mobile-phone/story-e6frfro0-1225855009565

[Brocke]

Porn star helps New York pizza guy escape jail sentence in Puerto Rico

    * By Todd Venezia and Jennifer Bain of the New York Post
    * From: NewsCore
    * April 24, 2010 9:57PM

A NEW York City man dodged the threat of a 20-year prison sentence thanks to the kindness of a porn star.

Carlos Simon-Timmerman, a pizza delivery man from Brooklyn, was put on trial in Puerto Rico for allegedly transporting child pornography, the New York Post said today.

US customs agents found a dirty DVD called Little Lupe the Innocent in his bags as he passed through San Juan Airport security in Puerto Rico on his way back to New York.

The agents said the actress in the video, porn star Lupe Fuentes, was underage, and they arrested him.

But Mr Simon-Timmerman was sprung earlier this month after Ms Fuentes flew to Puerto Rico and proved in court that she was 19 at the time the film was made.

"I'm thankful to her," his mum, Eff Simon, said. "It was a big relief."

Mrs Simon said her son was visiting his sister last year in Venezuela when he bought the DVD in a flea market, believing it was nothing more than legal smut.

At his trial this month, a pediatrician insisted Lupe Fuentes was underage.

But that was before Mr Simon-Timmerman was able to put "Little Lupe" - a Spanish native whose real name is Zuleydy Piedrahita - on the stand, where she produced her passport and photo ID.

His lawyer, Hector Ramos-Vega, said he tracked her down through her website and persuaded her to appear in court.

She asked for no money and was enthusiastic about helping, Mr Ramos-Vega said.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/porn-star-helps-new-york-pizza-guy-escape-jail-sentence-in-puerto-rico/story-e6frfku0-1225857833498

[H0llyw00d]

Somewhere, Ron Jeremy sheds a tear

[Brocke]

California First-Grader Suspended for Writing in Her Own Yearbook

FOXNews.com

Crystal Ledger told the Appeal-Democrat that her daughter Natalie Day scratched out a photo of one of her classmates and wrote next to it that the girl was rude because that girl had bullied her all year.

A seven-year-old California girl was suspended from school for a day after scratching out a picture and writing in a comment in her yearbook.

Crystal Ledger told the Appeal-Democrat that her daughter, Natalie Day, scratched out a photo of one of her classmates and wrote next to it that the girl was rude because that girl had bullied her all year.

Ledger said the school called her so frantically that when she arrived at the principal’s office she was relieved to see that her daughter was safe – then surprised to hear she was being suspended for “disruption.”

Ledger told the Appeal-Democrat she believes the school is overreacting to Natalie’s action while not doing enough in response to this and other bullying incidents in the school.

Nancy Aaberg, superintendent of the Yuba City Unified School District, told the Appeal-Democrat "student safety is one of our top priorities" and that the district does not condone bullying “at any level."

The student whose picture was scratched out was also suspended.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/20/california-grader-suspended-writing-yearbook/

[Silveryminnow]

Officer-Involved Shooting Leaves One Man Dead
Man Had Been Walking Around Neighborhood Firing Gun, Neighbors Say

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/officer-involved-shooting-leaves-one-man-dead/1d04mys1b
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --
A man is dead after a police shooting in northeast Albuquerque.

On Thursday night, Albuquerque police were called out to the Northeast Heights near Juan Tabo Boulevard and Spain Avenue after several calls from neighbors said a man -- later identified by police as Chris Hinz, 43 -- who had been drinking was walking around outside his house, firing his gun in the air.

On Thursday night, Albuquerque police were called out to the Northeast Heights near Juan Tabo Boulevard and Spain Avenue after several calls from neighbors said a man -- later identified by police as Chris Hinz, 43 -- who had been drinking was walking around outside his house, firing his gun in the air.

When officers arrived at the house, they found the garage door open with gun casings inside a bottle of liquor. Investigators said they could hear more gunshots being fired from inside the house. When officers tried to make contact with Hinz, he refused to come outside, police said.

After some time, police said, Hinz exited his garage carrying a rifle and walked toward officers. Police said the officers felt it was necessary to take action. Police Chief Ray Schultz said one shot was fired, killing Hinz.
(Posters Note, Hinz was on his property holding a rifle. At no time is it stated he pointed the weapon towards the officers, or threatened violence against them with the weapon.)

Schultz said they are continuing to investigate the incident.
Police said Hinz had one prior DWI charge outside of Albuquerque.
The two officers involved in Thursday night's shooting are now on standard paid leave.

Friend Describes Hinz
Angela Durham, a close family friend of Hinz, described Hinz' sbattle with alcoholism and his devotion to his daughter.
Durham said Hinz was a loyal friend and devoted father to his only child, 18-year-old Krystal Hinz.
"He wasn't just a friend for me, he was like a big brother," said Durham. "I've lost my big brother now."

Durham said she's been friends with Hinz for over 12 years. Their daughters were classmates and cheerleaders together at Eldorado High School. She said Hinz was a loving father who was also a recovering alcoholic, working to stay sober for his daughter.
"When we had functions, he did not drink," said Durham. "And he was really working because of his love for his daughter."
Police said they'd had calls of service to the Hinz home before and that Thursday night, Hinz was also under the influence before he was killed.
But now his daughter -- who Hinz raised while being a single parent -- is orphaned.
"He did everything for her," said Durham. "His life revolved around Krystal."

Action 7 News spoke to a neighbor who called 911 after Hinz began firing shots inside his home. The neighbor said she called 911 to get help for Hinz, but never thought the incident would end up the way it did.

Council Report on APD shootings:http://www.cabq.gov/council/completed-reports-and-studies/apd-oversight-mechanisms/i-introduction

Compare this action with the one involving Border Patrol agents who had rifles pointed at them by the Mexican military. The agents stood down and allowed the Mexican soldiers to actually posess American soil.
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/jun/10/fbi-border-agents-chased-away/

[KI4BNC]

So my car died a couple weeks ago and I am borrowing a jeep from a family member.the other night I got off work and forgot to pull the emergency brake.The thing rolled into the street.My son came in and told me the cops were here.I went out and before I could LEAVE MY YARD(this is an important detail)I was getting patted down.I stepped back as the patrol-person said "just gonna pat you down for weapons"I said
"YOU ARE IN MY YARD!"He said"it don't matter-just gonna pat you down for my safety."
anyways I got questioned,breath tested and finally got to put the stupid thing back in the yard.I was agitated but the whole getting handled in my own yard thing really pissed me off.It will not happen again.
just wanted to share that.maybe when I have time I will re-write it with all the details.

[Brocke]

German with Hitler ringtone faces jail

    * From: AFP
    * July 01, 2010 10:48PM

Train passengers were shocked to hear the sound of Hitler screaming coming from the man's phone / AP Source: AP

    * Ringtone ended with Sieg Heil
    * Phone also had picture of Hitler
    * Penalty could be three years' jail

A MAN who had a speech by Adolf Hitler as his ringtone could face up to three years in jail.

Police seized the 54-year-old's phone at Harburg station, near the northern city of Hamburg, after fellow train passengers, shocked by the sound of Hitler screaming, alerted police.

"It was an original speech by Adolf Hitler which ended with the phrase 'Sieg Heil'," police spokesman Ruediger Carstens said, adding that the man also had a picture of Hitler standing in front of a swastika on his phone.

Police have handed the case over to prosecutors.

Under German law, the man could face up to three years in prison or a fine.

The public display of Nazi symbols like the swastika have been banned in Germany since the end of World War II.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/german-with-hitler-ringtone-faces-jail/story-e6frfkyi-1225886903375#ixzz0sTHQOiKB

[Brocke]

Expanding FSB powers is a revival of totalitarian state – rights watchdog

Edited 17 July, 2010, 11:01

The Kremlin’s human rights council has opposed the idea of expanding the Federal Security Service’s (FSB) powers, saying it is anti-constitutional and would be a revival of the worst practices of a “totalitarian state”.

Russia’s presidential Council on Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights has appealed to President Medvedev and suggested that the State Duma “immediately” suspends the process of the adoption of amendments to the law that would give a lot more power to the FSB.

Initiated by the government, the bill would allow the FSB to issue warnings to people it believes are about to commit a crime and threaten, fine, or even arrest for up to 15 days for disobeying its orders.

“The FSB would be allowed to summon citizens and publicly make such warnings. No grounds would be required for such measures to be taken and there would be no need [for the FSB] to follow procedures set by the law for limiting citizens’ freedom,” the presidential human rights watchdog statement reads as published on their website...

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http://rt.com/Politics/2010-06-25/fsb-powers-rights-totalitarian.html