Henry Louis Gates Jr.- Harvard Scholar,... Really?

Maybe it's just me,... but on the very few occasions when I have been approached by a Police Officer, I have tried to extend the courtesy of calmness and respect. My perception is that every day Cops walk into the middle of volatile situations. Just a little bit of Reality TV will show you that these Officers have to make difficult decisions instantly, often in wildcard scenarios.

I'm no Harvard Scholar, but if a Cop asks me for my ID, I don't argue with him. I just show it to him. I trust that he is serving the greater good for our community. I believe this courtesy has served me well over the years and has made my seldom and brief interactions with the Law generally enjoyable.

... and by the way Mr. President. If you are blithely unaware of the facts in a situation, you might consider keeping "mum"... otherwise you may come off as "acting stupidly".

You are, after all... a Harvard Scholar.
-e

There are Limits to Multiculturalism

Sadly, a very horrific crime took place in the Phoenix area this week.
I caution, this is rough.

via KFYI

Four Boys Charged in 8-Year-Old Girl's Rape
PHOENIX (AP) – Maricopa County authorities say four boys ages 9 to 14 have been charged in the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl whom they had lured to an empty storage shed with chewing gum.
...
Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill says the boys held the girl down while they took turns sexually assaulting her.
...
All the children are refugees from the West African nation of Liberia.

But wait, it gets much worse.

via AZCentral

...Police said the girl's parents criticized her after the violence, blaming her for bringing shame on the family. All five children are refugees from the West African nation of Liberia.
...
Authorities said the victim was in the care of Child Protective Services after her parents blamed her for the rapes and bringing shame to the family.

“The father told the case worker and an officer in her presence that he didn't want her back. He said Take her, I don't want her,'” Hill said.

Hill cited the family's background as the reason the family shunned the girl.

In many parts of Africa, women often are blamed for being raped for “enticing” men or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Girls who are raped often are shunned by their families.

You read that right. I wish I could say this was an abberation, but unfortunately it is very common in many parts of the world, particularly Africa and the Middle East. When women are victims of rape and sexual assault, they are held responsible and punished. Oftentimes they are murdered by their own families in what is called an "honor killing."

As difficult as this young girl's life will be in the custody of Child Protective Services, clearly she is not safe anymore with her family.

Allow me to step outside the civilized bounds of Political Correctness, but this is wrong. And any society or culture that condones such abhorrent treatment of women and girls is inferior.

Am I off base here?
I yield back the soapbox.

The Random Rocky Picture of the Day*

You KNOW I look good!

Photo shoot outtakes

*Not a daily feature

Let's Make Fun of California

California: The Pyrite State
Motto: Eureka!, We Lost It!
State Bird: Don't know, but whatever it is, it's flown the coop
State Flower: the Blooming Idiot
Population: Guarantee you it's higher than the number of citizens
Chief export: Productivity

Hey, come on. The government (aka your intellectual superiors and overlords) are working hard and taking this problem very seriously.

How seriously? This seriously!
After all, California has a reputation for fiscal discipline and wise spending.

Seriously man, we just need a couple of bucks until the end of the month. You know we're totally good for it: California Prepares to Issue Promissory Notes

Hmmm, always read the fine print: California begins issuing IOUs … to the peons

Duh doh: Big Banks Don't Want California IOUs via HotAir

California legislature's response: Hey, at least we aren't New York.

Really, couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people.

What's that? What you mean people in glass houses?
Yeah, you have a point. But really, it's all too schadenfreudelicious to resist.

Bad Cattitudes

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