Crime

Granted Dr. Ivins was only a suspect but isn’t the following quote standard for all neighbors of serial murderers?

“He did not seem to have any particular grudges or idiosyncrasies,” said Kenneth W. Hedlund, a retired physician who once worked alongside Dr. Ivins at the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Frederick. “He was the last person you would have suspected to be involved in something like this.”

[From Anthrax Suspect’s Death Is Dark End for a Family Man - NYTimes.com]

Of course the whole situation is terrible whether he was the Anthrax killer or not. What happens if it turns out Dr. Ivins was not the Anthrax killer and was bi-polar or something? I feel bad for his kids and family. It goes without saying that this is a good reminder to pray for our nation’s safety (and world’s) as well as personal prayers for those who personally survived and the families of those who died in the attacks.

BRIGHTON - The man arrested in the murder of a 20-year-old transgender person was on date with a person he thought was a woman, 9NEWS has learned. Police say when the suspect discovered his date was actually a man, he killed her.
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Allen Ray Andrade, 31, was arrested in Thornton on Tuesday and faces second-degree murder and aggravated motor vehicle theft charges.

In an arrest affidavit obtained by 9NEWS, Andrade admits to police to killing Angie Zapata, 20, who was living as a woman but born as Justin Zapata.

Zapata was found beaten to death in a Greeley apartment in the 2000 block of 4th Street on July 17. Authorities say Zapata had suffered fatal wounds to her head and face.

[From 9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Man arrested in murder of transgender person]

It goes without saying that what Andrade did was evil. I hope someday, somehow, he will personally seek to make amends to Zapata’s friends and family. I pray that Andrade is brought to justice, and there are plenty of laws on the books to do so. “Trans-panic” arguments are ridiculous… he committed murder and should be punished to the full extent of what the law demands. I also pray he will ask God for forgiveness concerning his murderous actions.

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Altamonte Springs Police Go Green

posted by Bruce Larson on Jul 8, 2008 4:28:32 AM

… The Altamonte Springs Police Department has recently added 16 new Toyota Prius Hybrids to its fleet of automobiles. The city planners first started discussions on replacing some police vehicles back in 2003, and, with rising fuel and maintenance costs, this decision made good sense. Four more are on order.

The Prius Hybrids get about 45 mpg while the Impalas previously in use only saw 17 mpg. The fuel savings are not the only area where the city and its residents will save, however. Annual maintenance costs for the Prius’s are one half the cost that the old Impala’s required, said Robert Pelton, Altamonte Springs Public Information Officer. Therefore, even though the new cars initially cost about $1200 more up front, they pay for themselves in the first two months of operation.

[From Orlando Sentinel - Altamonte Springs Police Go Green ...]

That sounds good and all but for some reason the old movie Tron popped in my head. There’s a part of me that wants the Altamonte Springs police to be environmentally apathetic brutes who will run right over bad guys. At the same time, I am environmentally aware without the “Green” conspiracy business. It is nice that they are helping to not fund the Middle East as much. I hope to, and I hope everyone else will do the same in the near future.

I actually agree with something Nancy Pelosi is suggesting with regard to China. I don’t think I blogged about it but I was shocked to learn that the Olympics were going to be held in China.

Accountability: The Name of These Games (From FRC Action Email Update)

Adding her dissent to that of other world leaders, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is the latest to voice objections to the U.S.’s involvement in the upcoming Olympic Games. In a frank discussion on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Pelosi said, “I think boycotting the opening ceremony, which really gives respect to the Chinese government, is something that should be kept on the table… I think the President might want to rethink this later, depending on what other heads of state do. …I don’t think China should have gotten the Olympic Games to begin with… They got [them] with the promise that they would… have better respect for human rights and freedom of expression. They have not honored that.” Pelosi’s objections put even more pressure on the Bush administration to reconsider its presence at the Olympics. While Pelosi is motivated by the host’s violent treatment of Tibetans, China’s religious hostility runs much deeper than the Dalai Lama. Christians are being imprisoned in record numbers, yet the White House refuses to weigh in on the growing persecution of the church. FRC has waited 111 days for a response from the State Department to our letter in behalf of the Chinese pastors. How many more will have to suffer before Secretary Rice takes our complaint seriously?

I would add that it isn’t just religious issues and right about now I think the Chinese government hates the Dalai Lama just as deeply or deeper than the Christians. Either way, it doesn’t really matter, if you publicly disagree with the Chinese *communist* government… you have a very high probability of simply disappearing for a few days or more and coming home with a new or silent view of the government … that’s if you come home.

I am willing to boycott watching the opening ceremonies in honor of those persecuted and murdered in China and not honor the state of China. I have no doubt the ceremonies will be gorgeous and moving but I will never forget that day I saw Tiananmen Square’s “Tank Man.” It seems a lot of people have forgotten him and that awful series of events.

Please pray for a peaceful revolution of personal freedom in China.

After three years in Mexico, the last two lived between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. in Mexico City’s clubs and concert venues covering music, I learned this much: no se metan con la juventud y su musica (don’t mess with the youth and their music).

Fandom is on whole ‘nother level there. For me, this was most apparent at concerts. At one memorable Rage Againt The Machine show, the energy was almost palpable and with the exception of U2, it was probably the most electrifying show I’ve ever attended.

When this energy is directed toward something positive, it’s a beautiful thing. When it’s not, well, you get this:

“The trio of long-haired teenagers grasped the plaza wall to shield their bodies as hundreds of youths kicked and punched them while filming the beating on cell phone cameras. “Kill the emos,” shouted the assailants, who had organized over the Internet to launch the attack in Mexico’s central city of Queretaro. After police eventually [emphasis mine] steamed in and made arrests, the bloody victims lay sobbing on the concrete waiting for ambulances while the mob ran through the nearby streets laughing and cheering.”

The ugly scene, which was aired on TV news bulletins, is part of a new wave of violence against this urban tribe that has sprung up in Mexico in the last decade. The emo subculture probably existed in your high school before the term even bloomed, the latest movement on a continuum represented by goths in the ’80s and alternative rockers in the ’90s. In yearbooks, they’re the kids who wear exaggerated haircuts and immerse themselves in moody music. In short: the kids jocks have been beating up for decades.

When I first read this I thought, seriously, punks? Beating up the emo kids because you don’t like their music? What kind of desmadre (mess) is this? One youth worker, however, suggests the attacks had nothing to do with music:

“At the core of this is the homophobic issue. The other arguments are just window dressing for that,” said Victor Mendoza, a youth worker in Mexico City. “This is not a battle between music styles at all. It is the conservative side of Mexican society fighting against something different.”

Well, that’s the real story. Hopefully there’ll be a follow-up. In any case, it’s just plain wrong, and stupid.

A facebook friend mentioned that she was hoping to move to Orando within the next few years.  She asks …

I have a couple of quick questions that I’ve been meaning to ask you: How long have you lived in Orlando? Which part of Orlando do you live in, and what has your overall experience been there?

I have lived in Orlando for almost six years.  Which part? The best of course :).  I don’t share that info online :).  Although, some suggestions of where to live are Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland but there is a lot of places in Orlando proper as well.

My overall experience has been positive.  The first year was rough.  The humid weather is something to get used too.   There was a little bit of culture shock for this Southern boy (the “South” ends at around Ocala.)  Orlando is a true “melting pot” because it is a very young city.  It is true that this is a city built by Disney.  While I think it would do fine on its own now … Disney built “The City Beautiful.”

It’s a fast paced city and the population has outgrown its road system.  Even so, it is no where near the commutes and jams of a really large city.  I like Orlando in another sense that it seems like people here really know how to relax and have a good time.  It takes longer to have a sense of community but once it comes… it’s a great community.

Plus, it is Florida, there is a lot of things to do.  I love going to the beach and kayaking and going to the beach :).  The theme parks are fun to go to about once a year.

The only downside is that crime has been on the upswing the past couple of years and the local government is a little nuts.  Oh and the three Hurricane in 2004.   Another upside is that development is going through the roof and housing prices are in your favor now through the next year or so.

I am excited you are moving here!

My thoughts after the jump …

White House Aide Resigns Over Plagiarism
WASHINGTON AP - A White House official who served as President Bush s middleman with conservatives and Christian groups resigned Friday after admitting to plagiarism. Twenty columns he wrote for an Indiana newspaper were determined to have material copied from other sources without attribution.

Timothy Goeglein, who has worked for Bush since 2001, acknowledged that he lifted material from a Dartmouth College publication and presented it as his own work in a column about education for The News- Sentinel in Fort Wayne, Ind. The newspaper took a closer look at his other columns and found many more instances of plagiarism.

The president was disappointed to learn of the matter and he was saddened for Tim and his family, White House press secretary Dana Perino said in a statement.

She said Goeglein had accepted responsibility and has apologized for not upholding the standards expected by the president.

The White House sought deal with the embarrassing situation quickly, the same day the plagiarism was reported by a blogger, Nancy Nall, a former News-Sentinel columnist.

His behavior is not acceptable and we are disappointed in Tim’s actions, said White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore. He is offering no excuses and he agrees it was wrong. …

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Read Florida Victim of Anti-Gay Beating Appears in Online Video :: EDGE Boston

In this article some gay groups, activists and one blogger make the irresponsible assertion that violent crimes are created by people who disagree over the morality of homosexuality and dare to enforce existing law or affect future public policy (Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Naugle and Florida4marriage.org). Instead of focussing on the criminals who perpetrated these awful crimes … they blame people and groups that have nothing to do with these crimes.

It’s opportunistic of these activists to try and turn this horrible tragedy into an opportunity to smear those who oppose public sex and the same sex redefinition of marriage.

A friend of mine, who doesn’t have any “activist” involvement, said that he sees two waves toward what apparently “militant” gay activists want. The first one is to normalize homosexuality in every sphere possible. This has pretty much been accomplished. The second wave is to silence *any* dissent, opposing religious freedom or freedom of conscience by redefining it as hate speech which will in itself be lobbied to be reconsidered as a criminal act.

Along with the above example, I guess the second wave is in full swing.

I agree with the ending statement that Mayor Naugle could condemn the attacks. Whether he goes to the vigil or not, I hope he does, I do.  What happened to these two young men is horrible and should be denounced.  I pray that they find true justice and not a manufactured culture war campaign.

Some brave people fought against the “modesty” police and kept them from abducting a young woman for not dressing appropriately. The following video is not great quality but Pajamas Media has a rundown of what you are seeing. The crowd is chanting “We don’t want Islamic Regime!” “We don’t want Dictatorship!” and “Death to the Police!”

It’s difficult to imagine that one of the officers was badly beaten but at the same time, how great is it that this young woman did not just disappear to who knows what kind of treatment?

Lets not forget that among the many atrocities that go unreported about Iran, this regime routinely kills, rapes and tortures people who are or simply alleged as homosexual. Say what you will about Islam as a whole but from what I have seen, this Islamic regime is despicable and evil through and through. I am going to pray that a revolution in Iran gains footing, leadership and find tremendous success.Perhaps their plight and struggle for freedom should remind us to be grateful for what we take for granted here in the West.