May 19, 2015

Suspended MSUM wrestler to get 4 months for dorm rape

http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/crime-and-courts/3747741-suspended-msum-wrestler-get-4-months-dorm-rape

He only received 4 months for supplying alcohol to an 18 year old, videotaping himself assaulting her while she could not consent, and even invited other people to watch.

4 Months?????????????????????????????

October 31, 2014

Why a Marine dad was banned from his daughter's school for objecting to Islam essay

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2014/1030/Why-a-Marine-dad-was-banned-from-his-daughter-s-school-for-objecting-to-Islam-essay

http://www.somdnews.com/article/20141029/NEWS/141029042/1074/la-plata-hs-student-x2019-s-dad-banned-from-school&template=southernMaryland


The studies included worksheets that ask the students to know The Five Pillars, the details about the early caliphate, that Islam was typically tolerant of other faiths (but no mention of the tax that non-believers were expected to pay)

I would argue that a comparable knowledge should be expected of the students of The Ten Commandments, The Great Commandment/Great Commission, Jesus, Paul, the early Christian church, Abraham, Moses, the early Jewish church along with other similar knowledge of other major religions.

October 26, 2014

Invisible fence in front yard

My daughter was walking my in laws lab while I had our border collie and aussie. We use five foot leashes. As we passed one house the lab strayed approximately 1-2 feet to the inside of the sidewalk. Another lab being controlled by the electric fence attacked our lab. The fence line was within one foot of the sidewalk. No injuries but very scary for us, and led to questions from the neighbor with the electric fence about incursion into their front yard.

I think it is insane to try to control your dog with an electric fence in the front yard. This is one reason. A child running through the yard would be another. Just be scared and forced into the roadway would be another. Also being scared and injuring yourself reacting to the dog charging the fence line.

I have done some research but I wonder what are the easement entitlements for pedestrians in the front yard? That brings up the second question of dogs who defecate/urinate on another person's property. All of our dog waste goes immediately into a bag. I guess I never gave it any thought before now. Dogs do what dogs do. It is actually illegal to walk on a roadway in our community when a sidewalk is available. I don't think a five foot leash is unreasonable. The shorter one (three foot) hurts my back.

Anyone have any opinions.

October 13, 2014

Alleged flamingo bandit made rap video about incident

It seems he is unaware of how much trouble he is in.

http://www.wdam.com/story/26767472/alleged-flamingo-bandit-made-rap-video-about-incident

September 9, 2014

Here is the next domestic abuse the NFL should deal with

In July a judge in a criminal case conducted as a bench trial determined that Panther's Greg Hardy was guilty of domestic abuse and sentenced him to 60 days. He has a legal appeal available (apparently a jury trial which is really weird since I thought appeals are supposed to be based on procedural errors and not another trial involving guilt or innocence). Anyway how is a grainy altered video which has already been demonstrated to be incomplete sufficient to justify a revision of an originally adjudicated punishment but the results of a bench trial are not???? Hello Scotty beam me up. This comes on the heels of the NFL representing that they did a thorough investigation of the original Ray Rice matter (at a minimum they had to know the video existed and several reporters have accurately described the contents of it and at least one major reporter said the NFL had seen the video (he has since retracted that statement).

http://www.wncn.com/story/26017107/greg-hardy-accuser-take-stand-in-assault-case-against-panther-star

Why can't the NFL act now on the results of a bench trial? At what point will they act?

August 31, 2014

A sexual assault on Iowa State campus

Less than a week into the semester and my daughter's university is already reporting an acquaintance sexual assault. Can't help but worry about my daughter's safety.

August 21, 2014

Tennessee teen in trouble for saying 'bless you' after sneeze

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2014/08/20/tennessee-teen-in-trouble-for-saying-bless-you-after-sneeze/14366865/

"Bless you" is on a list of banned words/phrases in the classroom. So long as an individual is allowed to speak after a sneeze, I don't see how this particular phrase can lead to punishment.

https://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/joint-statement-current-law-religion-public-schools


1. Students have the right to pray individually or in groups or to discuss their religious views with their peers so long as they are not disruptive.

Religious messages on T-shirts and the like may not be singled out for suppression.

August 16, 2014

Russell Rios shooting - Here is an interesting case

from Texas with some parallels to the Michael Brown shooting. One question I have is whether journalists looked through social media for pictures of the individual shot for unflattering ones.

This particular police officer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter when, off duty, he pursued someone suspected of shoplifting, a struggle ensued and the the suspected shoplifter was shot and killed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2656090/Cop-walks-free-court-despite-guilty-shooting-manslaughter-teen-stole-iPad-case-Walmart.html

August 14, 2014

Idiot Talk Show Host Michael Berry running a

picture of someone arrested for murder and saying it is Michael Brown. He has been corrected for over three hours without pulling thread.

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBerryFanPage/photos/a.363467236699.163471.115017781699/10152312509651700/?type=1&theater

April 14, 2014

Suggestions for high school musician

My daughter will be a 11th grader in band and orchestra next year. She has been frustrated by her progress this year in playing the clarinet and violin. She wants to stay with both instruments even though we are not a family with a history of music. Neither my wife nor I have ever played an instrument or sang in a choir. I will not force her to go down to one instrument. Because of health concerns this year I have tried to limit her academics next year as well (only two-three academic courses besides the two music classes). She will have a significant amount of time to invest in music.

We have some contact hours for lessons with professional musicians as well as her lessons with her instructors, but I would like to help her know she is doing well when practicing at home. Does anyone have any suggestions on software or other aids that might assist her in this?