Do you remember the much recorded 1907 song "School Days"?
An E-mail I had just read and listened to about a school answering machine in Australia led me to look up the song lyrics - part of which are repeated here.
School days, school days
Dear old Golden Rule days
Reading and 'riting and 'rithmetic
Taught to the tune of the hick'ry stick
One recording of the song was a twelve bar blues version - which based on teachers and administrators of the Australian school - would seem to be most appropriate. It sounds as if these folks are "feeling the blues".
They unanimously decided to introduce a unique school answering machine message.
This was due to their frustration with the reaction to their efforts to implement a policy requiring both students and their parents to be responsible for their childrens absences and missing homework.
In addition to failing to hand in homework many of the students had missed between 15 and 30 days - "a semester."
The high school's determination to fail those students who did not complete enough classwork to pass the class enraged several parents who promptly sued the school.
The school responded with the following answering machine message:
"In order to connect you to the right staff person please listen to all the options before making a decision:
Press # 1: to lie about why your child is absent.
Press # 2: to make excuses for why your child did not do
his homework.
Press # 3: to complain about what we do.
Press # 4: to swear at staff members.
Press #5: to ask why you didn't get information, that
has already been enclosed in your newsletter
and several flyers that have been mailed to you.
Press #6: if you want to raise your child.
Press #7: if you want to reach out and touch, slap
or hit someone.
Press #8: to request another teacher for the third
time this year.
Press #9: to complain about bus transportation.
Press #0: to complain about school lunches.
If you realize this is the real world and your child must
be accountable and responsible for his or her behavior,
classwork, and homework and it's not the teachers
fault for your child's lack of effort - please hang up and
have a nice day.
If you want this in another language move to a country that speaks it.
Thank you for your interest in public education."
My reaction? Maybe it's time to reintroduce the ''school days" song.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Gun Control?
Honest, I've really been trying to keep quiet on this subject - for a number of reasons. Better, get a second cup of coffee.
First, my experience with shooting guns is rather limited. Second, I have never
enjoyed the bonding that takes place between son & his father, brother and brother, cousin and cousin, aunt and uncle, etc due to hunting together.
I'm sure there is much to recommend it.
Third, I agree there's one helluva lot of knee jerk reactions by non NRA members and politicos everywhere to the shooting of those innocent kids up in Connecticut.
We appear to be a country that is hell bent on finding that "one simple solution" that will end all discomfort. Gun control arguments are just one good example.
To me, they simply seem to capture the depth of our frustration as a nation.
Finally, it appears to me that the whole issue of gun control in which critics rationalize that those who object to reviewing anything having to do with this subject, may tell us that way too much needs to be re-examined.
By both sides of the argument.
Many argue that the "take no prisoner" stand of many males who fear gun control may simply be blamed as simply being a last stand for one helluva lot of males who fear further emasculation down the road.
Again - another one size fits all argument.
However, is it true that in the last 40 years, males have seen several areas - where men were historically supposed to have dominance? Do they now belatedly show signs of fear for future impotence for our male population? Is this accurate and accurately depict a driving force behind what appears to be a stubborn stand on the part of many males?
Don't know.
Is it true, however, that the "modern males" - many of whom have learned to give lip service to the theme that women have historically been neglected and should now be be treated as equals - may now have some second thoughts?
That is even while secretly assuring themself that in a time of war this country will turn to -armed "men" to bail us out - as opposed to a group of people whose dependability once a month - may or may not be incompacitated by Mother Nature - but make them ill equipped to defend our country in battle.
The critics who espouse this simplistic argument above appear to believe our "gun control' problem is based strictly on testosterone fueled male insecurity and a recurrent theme where they refuse to accept that they no longer are representative of that ancestral species who historically "went out and shot supper".
I confess I have no sure-fire conclusions here - just some observations. I also admit I'm processing as I write this.
For those who are sure that gun ownership will historically protect us in time of enemy attack, I invite them to book a flight down to San Antonio, Texas and take a good look at what Texas "claims" is the remains of the Alamo.
It was humbling - even for this old-timer.
The fact that the altar at which these desperate males worship -"The NRA" -( which could easily be understood to be confused with the IRA by some) - is making morons out of all of them - and us who love them, as well.
I remain convinced that if the Irish women/mothers/wives in northern Ireland had not finally taken a "enough is enough" stand there would still be daily reports of bloodshed in that beleagued part of the world.
Will history repeat itself here in our beautiful country that appears to be closing in on the idea of the need for respecting female equality?
Again, I don't have a clue, but I do know that there are one helluva lot of mothers in this country who are tired of watching their sons and daughters lowered into the ground because nobody could, or would, come up with an answer to gun violence.
Finally, for those lemming die hards who espouse the idea that universal gun checks are a waste of time - (a mind numbing stand) please help me to understand why, if it would save the life of just one of our babies, it would not be worth considering - or at the very least discussing - regardless of what some NRA official may be arguing in the media?
How the hell do we know? - We haven't 'truly' tried them? Yet the IRA (oops, NRA) "leadership" - and trust me that stuck in my throat for a while - are coming out with gun control positions that mock reality.
Once again - to paraphrase Jimmy Buffet's line about old men who identify life's issues by using sports analogies to explain them - perhaps it's time for us to move on - regardless of how strong one feels about gun rights from those on either side.
But, once more - my previous caveat. Let's not go nuts here.
Please don't get me wrong about these folks who are so protective of their amendment rights. My 70 plus years of experience suggests that, for the most part, these are good people who most of us would find they truly enjoy being in their company.
They are also most likely to be the ones who pull over on the side of the road in an effort to see if you need help changing a tire.
And yeah, I do have empathy for those who ask "why do so many of these good rational thinking men" decide to resort to a perceived mob mentality when the subject of making some changes in gun control comes up. Do I agree?
Again, that would take much too long to try to answer here and this blog is long enough already.
However, I admit those critics may be raising an interesting question similar to what I ask myself constantly about liberal legislators, ACLU attorneys and jurists who are up for re-election, as to how they would proceed on alleged rapists - amid the defense attorney's arguments of "well, she invited it really" - if it was their wife, daughter or grandaughter who was the alleged victim of rape?
Again, I don't have a solution, but know that I don't want myself or any of my kids to have to address that horrible situation down the road.
A logical follow-up question might also be, how likely the recalcitrant NRA officials would be to reject any and all attempts to find a compromise as to what we're doing in this country on the subject of gun control - that is, if someone near and dear to them was the victim of death by gun?
Would they be quick to accept their prior argument and proclaim that "guns don't kill - people do" - or instead conclude something else?
Worse yet, would their silent but ingrained thought process be: "Well that really was unfortunate - but I need this well paying job with the NRA - and I can do more for this country if I don't give up my position of power and influence" via my many years with the NRA by instead, saying or doing something stupid."
I'm not blasting the NRA or the many people who are defensive about the possible erosion of their gun rights. There are many of them whom I know and love (and believe) who will defend to their death (no pun intended) the right of gun ownership.
I am curious about one circumstance here - strictly in searching for clarity.
I will admit I'd like to see one or more of these non-profit gatekeeper groups
who measure and monitor Congressional morality and alleged transgressions while in office, to agree to publish the result of a survey that reveals how much money these politicians or jurists receive via the NRA and their many other hidden financial sources. Is it a checken and egg argument as the politicians would have you think?
Anyway, why the belated outrage now - or appearance of same - by me?
I just read in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the murder of two individual outside of The Cozy Inn in Murraysville - a suburb of Pittsburgh. I really know nothing else about what happened. It is located not too far from where my kids grew up and my grandkids live now.
I know well where the Cosy Inn is located and may have even been in the area many years ago at 7:30 in the evening when these murders were committed.
It was a frequent stopping off place for us Saturday golfers and trust me - we sure couldn't possibly imagine that this little peaceful place would someday be the location for what just happened.
In our day this occurrence would have been so unheard of that it probably would have been on the front page of the Pittsburgh Press and Sun-Telegraph for weeks. I doubt if that will be the case here ( and not just because those two referenced newspapers are no longer in print)
So, again, why am I so upset? Perhaps it's because I read too much - including those writings from people with whom I generally do not agree.
Dwayne Wickham, is a contributor to the USA Today and definitely is not one of my favorite "opinionated' columnists.
The other day he wrote about the tremendous difference in the ratios of black men killed by guns as compared to Caucasions and Hispanics.
My first reaction was that possibly, somewhere, a possible cause for the disparity and ultimate responsibility might well rest with those so called leaders of the Afro-American community who simply are looking the other way.
And then, like those who seek to find a single and irrefutable rationale as to why stricter gun control measures should not be put in place, I thought, "Dammit Barry, you're doing the same thing. You're looking for an easy fix."
It was not until I read the last piece of his commentary suggesting that those Afro Americans who have fled the ghettos and urban life - to protect their families- may very well someday experience the same killing insanity for reasons not limited to urban sprawl - I paraphrase Wickham's question, "Then what's going to happen when it's going on in their backyard?"
I'm embarassed to admit this but I guess this latest incident in Murraysville was just too close to "home" - and, isn't that a sad fact?
However, despite that admission, I would encourage the same question be posed to those bastions of the philosophy "no gun control under any circumstances."
I really don't want any of folks on either side of this argument to experience the death of a loved one simply so the anti-gun lobby can say, with more self-assurance, "I told you so!"
I can personally attest to the fact that losing a child can truly change your life - and not for the better. I wouldn't wish this fate on anyone.
I'm just asking those critics who are so sure they have the perfect and only logical answer to the problem - as well as those entrenched in a refusal to take a deeper look at the issue of gun control : "Would you please think this whole thing through again?"
Thank you.
First, my experience with shooting guns is rather limited. Second, I have never
enjoyed the bonding that takes place between son & his father, brother and brother, cousin and cousin, aunt and uncle, etc due to hunting together.
I'm sure there is much to recommend it.
Third, I agree there's one helluva lot of knee jerk reactions by non NRA members and politicos everywhere to the shooting of those innocent kids up in Connecticut.
We appear to be a country that is hell bent on finding that "one simple solution" that will end all discomfort. Gun control arguments are just one good example.
To me, they simply seem to capture the depth of our frustration as a nation.
Finally, it appears to me that the whole issue of gun control in which critics rationalize that those who object to reviewing anything having to do with this subject, may tell us that way too much needs to be re-examined.
By both sides of the argument.
Many argue that the "take no prisoner" stand of many males who fear gun control may simply be blamed as simply being a last stand for one helluva lot of males who fear further emasculation down the road.
Again - another one size fits all argument.
However, is it true that in the last 40 years, males have seen several areas - where men were historically supposed to have dominance? Do they now belatedly show signs of fear for future impotence for our male population? Is this accurate and accurately depict a driving force behind what appears to be a stubborn stand on the part of many males?
Don't know.
Is it true, however, that the "modern males" - many of whom have learned to give lip service to the theme that women have historically been neglected and should now be be treated as equals - may now have some second thoughts?
That is even while secretly assuring themself that in a time of war this country will turn to -armed "men" to bail us out - as opposed to a group of people whose dependability once a month - may or may not be incompacitated by Mother Nature - but make them ill equipped to defend our country in battle.
The critics who espouse this simplistic argument above appear to believe our "gun control' problem is based strictly on testosterone fueled male insecurity and a recurrent theme where they refuse to accept that they no longer are representative of that ancestral species who historically "went out and shot supper".
I confess I have no sure-fire conclusions here - just some observations. I also admit I'm processing as I write this.
For those who are sure that gun ownership will historically protect us in time of enemy attack, I invite them to book a flight down to San Antonio, Texas and take a good look at what Texas "claims" is the remains of the Alamo.
It was humbling - even for this old-timer.
The fact that the altar at which these desperate males worship -"The NRA" -( which could easily be understood to be confused with the IRA by some) - is making morons out of all of them - and us who love them, as well.
I remain convinced that if the Irish women/mothers/wives in northern Ireland had not finally taken a "enough is enough" stand there would still be daily reports of bloodshed in that beleagued part of the world.
Will history repeat itself here in our beautiful country that appears to be closing in on the idea of the need for respecting female equality?
Again, I don't have a clue, but I do know that there are one helluva lot of mothers in this country who are tired of watching their sons and daughters lowered into the ground because nobody could, or would, come up with an answer to gun violence.
Finally, for those lemming die hards who espouse the idea that universal gun checks are a waste of time - (a mind numbing stand) please help me to understand why, if it would save the life of just one of our babies, it would not be worth considering - or at the very least discussing - regardless of what some NRA official may be arguing in the media?
How the hell do we know? - We haven't 'truly' tried them? Yet the IRA (oops, NRA) "leadership" - and trust me that stuck in my throat for a while - are coming out with gun control positions that mock reality.
Once again - to paraphrase Jimmy Buffet's line about old men who identify life's issues by using sports analogies to explain them - perhaps it's time for us to move on - regardless of how strong one feels about gun rights from those on either side.
But, once more - my previous caveat. Let's not go nuts here.
Please don't get me wrong about these folks who are so protective of their amendment rights. My 70 plus years of experience suggests that, for the most part, these are good people who most of us would find they truly enjoy being in their company.
They are also most likely to be the ones who pull over on the side of the road in an effort to see if you need help changing a tire.
And yeah, I do have empathy for those who ask "why do so many of these good rational thinking men" decide to resort to a perceived mob mentality when the subject of making some changes in gun control comes up. Do I agree?
Again, that would take much too long to try to answer here and this blog is long enough already.
However, I admit those critics may be raising an interesting question similar to what I ask myself constantly about liberal legislators, ACLU attorneys and jurists who are up for re-election, as to how they would proceed on alleged rapists - amid the defense attorney's arguments of "well, she invited it really" - if it was their wife, daughter or grandaughter who was the alleged victim of rape?
Again, I don't have a solution, but know that I don't want myself or any of my kids to have to address that horrible situation down the road.
A logical follow-up question might also be, how likely the recalcitrant NRA officials would be to reject any and all attempts to find a compromise as to what we're doing in this country on the subject of gun control - that is, if someone near and dear to them was the victim of death by gun?
Would they be quick to accept their prior argument and proclaim that "guns don't kill - people do" - or instead conclude something else?
Worse yet, would their silent but ingrained thought process be: "Well that really was unfortunate - but I need this well paying job with the NRA - and I can do more for this country if I don't give up my position of power and influence" via my many years with the NRA by instead, saying or doing something stupid."
I'm not blasting the NRA or the many people who are defensive about the possible erosion of their gun rights. There are many of them whom I know and love (and believe) who will defend to their death (no pun intended) the right of gun ownership.
I am curious about one circumstance here - strictly in searching for clarity.
I will admit I'd like to see one or more of these non-profit gatekeeper groups
who measure and monitor Congressional morality and alleged transgressions while in office, to agree to publish the result of a survey that reveals how much money these politicians or jurists receive via the NRA and their many other hidden financial sources. Is it a checken and egg argument as the politicians would have you think?
Anyway, why the belated outrage now - or appearance of same - by me?
I just read in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the murder of two individual outside of The Cozy Inn in Murraysville - a suburb of Pittsburgh. I really know nothing else about what happened. It is located not too far from where my kids grew up and my grandkids live now.
I know well where the Cosy Inn is located and may have even been in the area many years ago at 7:30 in the evening when these murders were committed.
It was a frequent stopping off place for us Saturday golfers and trust me - we sure couldn't possibly imagine that this little peaceful place would someday be the location for what just happened.
In our day this occurrence would have been so unheard of that it probably would have been on the front page of the Pittsburgh Press and Sun-Telegraph for weeks. I doubt if that will be the case here ( and not just because those two referenced newspapers are no longer in print)
So, again, why am I so upset? Perhaps it's because I read too much - including those writings from people with whom I generally do not agree.
Dwayne Wickham, is a contributor to the USA Today and definitely is not one of my favorite "opinionated' columnists.
The other day he wrote about the tremendous difference in the ratios of black men killed by guns as compared to Caucasions and Hispanics.
My first reaction was that possibly, somewhere, a possible cause for the disparity and ultimate responsibility might well rest with those so called leaders of the Afro-American community who simply are looking the other way.
And then, like those who seek to find a single and irrefutable rationale as to why stricter gun control measures should not be put in place, I thought, "Dammit Barry, you're doing the same thing. You're looking for an easy fix."
It was not until I read the last piece of his commentary suggesting that those Afro Americans who have fled the ghettos and urban life - to protect their families- may very well someday experience the same killing insanity for reasons not limited to urban sprawl - I paraphrase Wickham's question, "Then what's going to happen when it's going on in their backyard?"
I'm embarassed to admit this but I guess this latest incident in Murraysville was just too close to "home" - and, isn't that a sad fact?
However, despite that admission, I would encourage the same question be posed to those bastions of the philosophy "no gun control under any circumstances."
I really don't want any of folks on either side of this argument to experience the death of a loved one simply so the anti-gun lobby can say, with more self-assurance, "I told you so!"
I can personally attest to the fact that losing a child can truly change your life - and not for the better. I wouldn't wish this fate on anyone.
I'm just asking those critics who are so sure they have the perfect and only logical answer to the problem - as well as those entrenched in a refusal to take a deeper look at the issue of gun control : "Would you please think this whole thing through again?"
Thank you.
Monday, February 18, 2013
ANOTHER TEST FOR JOHNNY
Last night ( in our story) actually happened a long,long time ago.
Johnny didn't sleep well. You see, he had a test today and Johnny seldom did well on tests.
It wasn't that Johnny wasn't bright enough to pass tests. His teachers, relying on standarized test results to measure intelligence knew he had the intelligence. Therefore they felt justified to scold him for his poor test results.
This reinforced Johnny's conclusion he must be dumb.
How bright was Johnny? Only the Shadow knew. And, of course, his teachers -and the caretakers of the school intelligence testing records.
You see, back then, so-called "IQ" test results were kept about as secret as The Manhattan Project.
The theory was that if you revealed to the student any "IQ" scores that were substantially above the mean - the student would simply cease to study and just "get by."
On the other hand, if the scores were below the mean, teachers and admimistrators were also reluctant to reveal the results to those students for fear they would simply "give up.".
It was perceived to be a "lose-lose" proposition.
Anyway, students like Johnny who were very "bright' were left in the "dark".
It is curious now why nobody bothered to question why Johnny failed "test taking" but had memorized the batting averages for the players on all 8 teams in the National League at that time.
So now, the day after the restless sleep night, Johnny sat in his hard back desk chair awaiting receipt of todays test for which he was sure he would earn yet one more "F" - for "Failure."
Then he preceded to turn over the test questions and with his wooden pencil - the size of a peg on a whaling ship- he began to write what he felt were the logical answers to the strange questions he would usually encounter.
The following are the questions and Johnny's answers*:
Q1 - In which battle did Napoleon die?
* His last battle.
Q2 - Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
* At the bottom of the page.
Q3 - River Rivi flows in which state?
* Liquid.
Q4 - What's the main reason for divorce?
* Marriage
Q5 - What's the main reason for failure?
* Exams.
Q6 - What can you never eat for breakfast?
* Lunch & dinner.
Q7 - What looks like half an apple?
* The other half.
Q8 - If you throw a red stone into the blue sea
what will it become?
* It will simply become wet.
Q9 - How can a man go 8 days without sleeping?
* No problem, he sleeps at night.
Q10 - How can you lift an elephant with 1 hand?
* You'll never find an elephant with 1 hand.
Q11 - If you had 3 apples and 4 oranges in 1 hand
and 3 oranges and 4 apples in the other
hand - what would you have?
* Very large hands.
Q12 - If it took 8 men 10 hours to build a wall,
how long would it take 4 men to build it?
* No time at all. Wall is already built.
Q13 - How can you drop a raw egg onto a
concrete floor without cracking it?
* Any way you want. Concrete floors are
very difficult to crack.
Johnny got his usual "F".
I wish I could have been there for Johnny, if
only to tell him "F" meant "Fantastic!"
Johnny didn't sleep well. You see, he had a test today and Johnny seldom did well on tests.
It wasn't that Johnny wasn't bright enough to pass tests. His teachers, relying on standarized test results to measure intelligence knew he had the intelligence. Therefore they felt justified to scold him for his poor test results.
This reinforced Johnny's conclusion he must be dumb.
How bright was Johnny? Only the Shadow knew. And, of course, his teachers -and the caretakers of the school intelligence testing records.
You see, back then, so-called "IQ" test results were kept about as secret as The Manhattan Project.
The theory was that if you revealed to the student any "IQ" scores that were substantially above the mean - the student would simply cease to study and just "get by."
On the other hand, if the scores were below the mean, teachers and admimistrators were also reluctant to reveal the results to those students for fear they would simply "give up.".
It was perceived to be a "lose-lose" proposition.
Anyway, students like Johnny who were very "bright' were left in the "dark".
It is curious now why nobody bothered to question why Johnny failed "test taking" but had memorized the batting averages for the players on all 8 teams in the National League at that time.
So now, the day after the restless sleep night, Johnny sat in his hard back desk chair awaiting receipt of todays test for which he was sure he would earn yet one more "F" - for "Failure."
Then he preceded to turn over the test questions and with his wooden pencil - the size of a peg on a whaling ship- he began to write what he felt were the logical answers to the strange questions he would usually encounter.
The following are the questions and Johnny's answers*:
Q1 - In which battle did Napoleon die?
* His last battle.
Q2 - Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
* At the bottom of the page.
Q3 - River Rivi flows in which state?
* Liquid.
Q4 - What's the main reason for divorce?
* Marriage
Q5 - What's the main reason for failure?
* Exams.
Q6 - What can you never eat for breakfast?
* Lunch & dinner.
Q7 - What looks like half an apple?
* The other half.
Q8 - If you throw a red stone into the blue sea
what will it become?
* It will simply become wet.
Q9 - How can a man go 8 days without sleeping?
* No problem, he sleeps at night.
Q10 - How can you lift an elephant with 1 hand?
* You'll never find an elephant with 1 hand.
Q11 - If you had 3 apples and 4 oranges in 1 hand
and 3 oranges and 4 apples in the other
hand - what would you have?
* Very large hands.
Q12 - If it took 8 men 10 hours to build a wall,
how long would it take 4 men to build it?
* No time at all. Wall is already built.
Q13 - How can you drop a raw egg onto a
concrete floor without cracking it?
* Any way you want. Concrete floors are
very difficult to crack.
Johnny got his usual "F".
I wish I could have been there for Johnny, if
only to tell him "F" meant "Fantastic!"
Saturday, February 16, 2013
THAT'S A CRIME? - Part II
Let's start off our follow-up blog on crime as we did with the first.
Recently, reported statistics for housing federal prisoners:
2000 - $21,603 2012- $29,027
Chicago, Illinois: After spending most of his adult life behind bars, Walter Unbehaun 73, allegedly decided to rob another bank in hopes of getting caught.
He felt more comfortable in prison, according to court documents, and wanted to spend his final years there.
The balding, gray-haired man (whose bank camera picture that accompanied the article appeared to confirm his age and verified his lack of time spent in a tanning booth) leaned on a cane as he walked into a bank in suburban Chicago over the weekend.
He used a novel stickup line, according to a federal complaint citing his post-arrest interrogation: He had six months to live, so he had nothing left to lose.
Unebehaun allegedly lifted his coat to show a (bank) teller a silver revolver shoved into his waistband.
Unebehaun, of Rock Hill , S.C. on Saturday walked out of Harris Bank in Niles on Saturday with $4,178 in his pockets, according to court documents.
He wore no disguise, so law enforcement officials, quickly tracked him down, using surveillance-camera photos of him holding up the bank, the complaint said.
When authorities stopped Unbehaun on Sunday outside a motel room where he was staying, he immediately threw down his cane and surrendered, saying he knew they were there because he robbed a bank the day before.
Uberhaun told investigators hours after his arrest that he had spent most of his adult life in prison and "felt more comfortable in prison than out."
"He wanted to do something that would guarantee that he would spend the rest of his life in prison and he knew that robbing a bank with a loaded gun would accomplish that", according to the complaint, signed by FBI agent Chad Piontek.
Uberhaun's defense attorney declined to comment on Tuesday.
Uberhaun's most recent stint behind bars ended in "2011" when he was released after serving 10 years for a bank robbery in "1998."
Ubberhaun made an initial court appearance Monday in Chicago and was ordered "to remain in jail" pending further court procedures.
No additional hearing dates were sent.
If he is convicted on the new bank robbery charge, he could be sent to prison for up to 20 years.
That is assuming somebody in a position of authority declares:
"That's A Crime!"
After all, this was much more serious than a Ponzi scheme that cheats people out of millions - where you might be able to stay out of jail simply by returning the money and paying a fine.
If you were lucky you might even be able to avoid making an apology - unlike that guy in Utah who was shooting at a guy on his property who was a suspected burglar.
(Source material taken from USA Today - State-By-State - Associated Press -
Wednesday February 12, 2012)
Recently, reported statistics for housing federal prisoners:
2000 - $21,603 2012- $29,027
Chicago, Illinois: After spending most of his adult life behind bars, Walter Unbehaun 73, allegedly decided to rob another bank in hopes of getting caught.
He felt more comfortable in prison, according to court documents, and wanted to spend his final years there.
The balding, gray-haired man (whose bank camera picture that accompanied the article appeared to confirm his age and verified his lack of time spent in a tanning booth) leaned on a cane as he walked into a bank in suburban Chicago over the weekend.
He used a novel stickup line, according to a federal complaint citing his post-arrest interrogation: He had six months to live, so he had nothing left to lose.
Unebehaun allegedly lifted his coat to show a (bank) teller a silver revolver shoved into his waistband.
Unebehaun, of Rock Hill , S.C. on Saturday walked out of Harris Bank in Niles on Saturday with $4,178 in his pockets, according to court documents.
He wore no disguise, so law enforcement officials, quickly tracked him down, using surveillance-camera photos of him holding up the bank, the complaint said.
When authorities stopped Unbehaun on Sunday outside a motel room where he was staying, he immediately threw down his cane and surrendered, saying he knew they were there because he robbed a bank the day before.
Uberhaun told investigators hours after his arrest that he had spent most of his adult life in prison and "felt more comfortable in prison than out."
"He wanted to do something that would guarantee that he would spend the rest of his life in prison and he knew that robbing a bank with a loaded gun would accomplish that", according to the complaint, signed by FBI agent Chad Piontek.
Uberhaun's defense attorney declined to comment on Tuesday.
Uberhaun's most recent stint behind bars ended in "2011" when he was released after serving 10 years for a bank robbery in "1998."
Ubberhaun made an initial court appearance Monday in Chicago and was ordered "to remain in jail" pending further court procedures.
No additional hearing dates were sent.
If he is convicted on the new bank robbery charge, he could be sent to prison for up to 20 years.
That is assuming somebody in a position of authority declares:
"That's A Crime!"
After all, this was much more serious than a Ponzi scheme that cheats people out of millions - where you might be able to stay out of jail simply by returning the money and paying a fine.
If you were lucky you might even be able to avoid making an apology - unlike that guy in Utah who was shooting at a guy on his property who was a suspected burglar.
(Source material taken from USA Today - State-By-State - Associated Press -
Wednesday February 12, 2012)
THAT'S A CRIME? Part I
IS IT WORTHWHILE GOING TO JAIL?
Recently reported statistics for housing federal prisoners:
2000 - $21,603 2012 - $29,027
In Los Angeles, Superior Court Judge William Ryan has reduced sentences of five three-strikes inmates under a new voter approved initiative to soften the state's tough sentencing law.
Among the five were a 74-year-old man who has served more than 15 years for possessing $10 worth of drugs and an 81-year-old who served 17 years for stealing cigarettes.
The Proposition (36) provides for reduced sentences for minor crimes under a law that sent inmates to prison for 25 years to life if they racked up three (3) convictions.
That's a crime?
In Lake City, Utah, Clare Niederhauser of Layton, was arrested January 31 for shooting at a suspected burglar who was fleeing his property.
Niederhaus, (not the suspected burglar), apologized during a plea deal hearing and agreed to a deal that includes a class B misdemeanor discharge of weapons.
He will pay a $700 fee, take a weapons class and forfeit a .357 caliber weapon.
That's a crime?
In Henderson Arkansas, a thief who stole a debit card, DVD player, cash and a paycheck from Catherine Simpkins' car had a change of heart.
A day after she reported the theft, Simpkins found the items in her mailbox with a note, "Sorry, for the inconvenience." It was signed "anonymous".
Not returned was $100 in cash.
(Shipping and handling charges?)
That's a crime?
In Easton, Pennsylvania, graduate student Megan Thode wasn't happy about the C-plus she received for one class in 2009, saying it kept her from getting her desired degree and becoming a licensed therapist - and as a result, cost her $1.3 million in lost earnings.
Now Thude is suing her professor and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, claiming monetary damages and seeking a grade change.
Now folks, THAT'S A CRIME!!
Recently reported statistics for housing federal prisoners:
2000 - $21,603 2012 - $29,027
In Los Angeles, Superior Court Judge William Ryan has reduced sentences of five three-strikes inmates under a new voter approved initiative to soften the state's tough sentencing law.
Among the five were a 74-year-old man who has served more than 15 years for possessing $10 worth of drugs and an 81-year-old who served 17 years for stealing cigarettes.
The Proposition (36) provides for reduced sentences for minor crimes under a law that sent inmates to prison for 25 years to life if they racked up three (3) convictions.
That's a crime?
In Lake City, Utah, Clare Niederhauser of Layton, was arrested January 31 for shooting at a suspected burglar who was fleeing his property.
Niederhaus, (not the suspected burglar), apologized during a plea deal hearing and agreed to a deal that includes a class B misdemeanor discharge of weapons.
He will pay a $700 fee, take a weapons class and forfeit a .357 caliber weapon.
That's a crime?
In Henderson Arkansas, a thief who stole a debit card, DVD player, cash and a paycheck from Catherine Simpkins' car had a change of heart.
A day after she reported the theft, Simpkins found the items in her mailbox with a note, "Sorry, for the inconvenience." It was signed "anonymous".
Not returned was $100 in cash.
(Shipping and handling charges?)
That's a crime?
In Easton, Pennsylvania, graduate student Megan Thode wasn't happy about the C-plus she received for one class in 2009, saying it kept her from getting her desired degree and becoming a licensed therapist - and as a result, cost her $1.3 million in lost earnings.
Now Thude is suing her professor and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, claiming monetary damages and seeking a grade change.
Now folks, THAT'S A CRIME!!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Those @#$%&* Computers
"Ladies, if a man says he will fix it, he will. There is no need to remind him every 6 months about it."
"NASA's robot Curiosity landed on Mars. Early pictures show no signs of ESPN, beer, or porn. This makes it very clear that men are not from Mars."
Okay, that's all the men bashing for today. So, let's turn to taxes, w2's, zombies and those @#$%&* computers.
Tax time is either one to which you look forward or try to hide under the covers.
We Florida residents are fortunate as we have no State income taxes and very forgiving real estate taxes due to the Homestead Act.
So, some of us actually do receive a nice tax gift at tax time. Some do not.
In Montana - well at least in the town of Kalispell - Public School employees
also received a suprise - but it wasn't a tax rebate. When electronic W-2s were sent to them via e-mail they showed wages at quadruple the right amounts.
Business clerk Gwyn Anderson blamed new software and improper instructions from the vendor.
Who did we blame for our mistakes before the advent of computers?
To be honest the folks in Montana seem to have become the focus of more serious issues.
We just discovered via The USA Today there was a place in Montana called "Town" - suggesting a lack of real imagination by the founders but perhaps making it easier for non-residents who got lost and stumbled upon a sign at a 3 way crossing.
Having lived on Avenue F in a Pittsburgh suburb I can empathize. One reached Avenue F via Avenue K and Avenue L - or could take the longer route of Avenue B and A. Same problem - no imagination.
My brothers and I continue our petition to change the name of Avenue F to Sullivan Way.
Anyway, the "Town" residents also received a surprise - particularly those who were tuned into TV station KRTV - a Great Falls affiliate and it's CW station this past Monday.
The Emergency Alert System interrupted the regular programming with news of a zombie apocalypse. The station reported that "dead bodies are rising from their graves" in several Montana counties.
The alert continued by saying the bodies were "attacking the living" and warned people not to "approach or apprehend these bodies as they are extremely dangerous."
The Montana Television Network claimed it was the work of hackers who broke into the Emergency Alert System.
But, you and I know it was those @#$%&* computers who were really to blame.
"NASA's robot Curiosity landed on Mars. Early pictures show no signs of ESPN, beer, or porn. This makes it very clear that men are not from Mars."
Okay, that's all the men bashing for today. So, let's turn to taxes, w2's, zombies and those @#$%&* computers.
Tax time is either one to which you look forward or try to hide under the covers.
We Florida residents are fortunate as we have no State income taxes and very forgiving real estate taxes due to the Homestead Act.
So, some of us actually do receive a nice tax gift at tax time. Some do not.
In Montana - well at least in the town of Kalispell - Public School employees
also received a suprise - but it wasn't a tax rebate. When electronic W-2s were sent to them via e-mail they showed wages at quadruple the right amounts.
Business clerk Gwyn Anderson blamed new software and improper instructions from the vendor.
Who did we blame for our mistakes before the advent of computers?
To be honest the folks in Montana seem to have become the focus of more serious issues.
We just discovered via The USA Today there was a place in Montana called "Town" - suggesting a lack of real imagination by the founders but perhaps making it easier for non-residents who got lost and stumbled upon a sign at a 3 way crossing.
Having lived on Avenue F in a Pittsburgh suburb I can empathize. One reached Avenue F via Avenue K and Avenue L - or could take the longer route of Avenue B and A. Same problem - no imagination.
My brothers and I continue our petition to change the name of Avenue F to Sullivan Way.
Anyway, the "Town" residents also received a surprise - particularly those who were tuned into TV station KRTV - a Great Falls affiliate and it's CW station this past Monday.
The Emergency Alert System interrupted the regular programming with news of a zombie apocalypse. The station reported that "dead bodies are rising from their graves" in several Montana counties.
The alert continued by saying the bodies were "attacking the living" and warned people not to "approach or apprehend these bodies as they are extremely dangerous."
The Montana Television Network claimed it was the work of hackers who broke into the Emergency Alert System.
But, you and I know it was those @#$%&* computers who were really to blame.
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