Open Discussion – Ft. Hood Shootings, Earthquakes, etc.

Apr 2

Posted by

butterfly2This post is open for discussion of breaking news.  Updates will be posted in the comment section.

I’m watching the news now about shootings at Fort Hood in Texas.  One shooter has been “neutralized” and they are looking for a second shooter. The number injured as been reported as 3 and 8.  No news source has yet to verify the exact number.

Also in the news was an update to recovery efforts in the mudslide in Washington.  The death toll continues rising.

A criminal investigation has been opened regarding the Malaysian plane that disappeared.  Planes and ships are still searching the Indian Ocean for debris.

CNN presented a fantastic interview of a couple whose child was killed in an accident while driving a Chevy Cobalt.  It was because of those parents hiring attorneys and private investigators that they searched junk yards for Cobalts and found the problem, leading to GM’s recall.

Let’s continue sending out positive thoughts for the injured, and compassionate thoughts for suffering families.

blue butterflies

 

 

 

Posted on 04/02/2014, in open discussion, Potpourri and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 128 Comments.

  2. Xena | 04/02/2014 at 6:35 pm

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  3. Xena | 04/02/2014 at 6:39 pm

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  4. Jackie Saulmon Ramirez | 04/02/2014 at 6:43 pm

    I heard that. I was at Ft. Hood for over four years; it used to be close knit out there. The Killeen shooting was next to Ft. Hood.

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  5. Yahtzee | 04/02/2014 at 6:53 pm

    Here is an update:
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595587/BREAKING-NEWS-Active-shooter-confirmed-Ford-Hood-military-base.html

    Excerpt:

    One person is dead and up to 14 people injured after a soldier opened fire on Fort Hood military base

    Praying for the wounded and their families…

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  6. Yahtzee | 04/02/2014 at 6:58 pm

    May the families of those experiencing tragedies receive comfort and healing.

    https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKeBCW_Vtx7pGi6Jp8Uop1VYNe33hsxUnRBm-8dNyvgJTJ6ZY0

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  7. omtatjuan | 04/02/2014 at 7:30 pm

    If I needed to worry about anything, I’d for sure worry about the multiple earthquakes in Yellowstone Park.. If that caldera volcano comes to life.. Well things will change for millions of people in the US.. I don’t worry though…

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  9. Yahtzee | 04/02/2014 at 9:38 pm

    Police Confront Rising Number of Mentally Ill Suspects

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  10. Yahtzee | 04/02/2014 at 9:48 pm

    Hearing set to debate SYG for Marissa Alexander

    http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/hearing-set-debate-syg-marissa-alexander/nfQkX/

    Excerpt:

    Jacksonville, FL — Marissa Alexander’s attorneys continue their push for Stand Your Ground immunity, and a judge today has set a hearing for arguments around that.

    Alexander was denied SYG protection ahead of her first trial for charges of firing what she calls a warning shot in front of her estranged husband and two step-children. Her attorneys say the first hearing was not comprehensive, and they have new evidence that warrants another hearing.

    Those arguments will be heard May 16th.

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    • Xena | 04/03/2014 at 3:48 pm

      Yahtzee,
      At least Marissa’s attorney will get a chance to argue his motion. Maybe — just maybe, the court might grant it and hold another immunity hearing.

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  12. towerflower | 04/03/2014 at 12:57 am

    The Army has said that Lopez suffered from mental illness and he was being evaluated for PTSD.

    Evaluation and treatment for soldiers can take time as it is a lengthy process. The reason, I’m firmly believe, is that it is tied to a disability % for when the person is discharged from service. They want to make sure that the person is truly disabled before they sign off on it and pay them for their disability.

    I used to work with a man who “adopted” a military family in which the husband had been severely injured. He suffered a traumatic head injury, hearing loss, and had a severely injured leg. While all of his injuries, due to a roadside bomb, were obvious except for hearing loss, the government still made him go through a lengthy process for his disability. They would piece meal out his injuries…..say 10% for his hearing loss, 30% for his leg injury, etc and each complaint/injury had to be evaluated by a different doctor. The military is also in denial about the mental health issues in relation to troops returning from a war zone.

    My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of this latest shooting.

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  13. towerflower | 04/03/2014 at 12:58 am

    Slightly off topic, but it shows you how PTSD can send someone over the edge and anyone with this type of diagnosis should be forbidden to own a gun—-that includes Z.

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    • Rachael | 04/03/2014 at 5:33 am

      Especially Z

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    • Xena | 04/03/2014 at 4:02 pm

      towerflower,

      Slightly off topic, but it shows you how PTSD can send someone over the edge and anyone with this type of diagnosis should be forbidden to own a gun—-that includes Z.

      BINGO! It’s not off topic. This is open discussion. Let it flow. 🙂

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  14. towerflower | 04/03/2014 at 1:38 am

    GM knew for 13 yrs they had a problem with the Cobalts, to me waiting this long and withholding information from the government early on should be criminal. Their refusal to address the system is more than “miscommunication” and those responsible should be held criminally accountable for their inaction. Maybe when we stop protecting big business and start making them accountable then maybe we’ll see changes. All of this was to say pennies on each car.

    Sad part is that those who lost family members prior to 2009 can’t do anything since the courts gave them protection in their bankruptcy.

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    • roderick2012 | 04/03/2014 at 10:29 am

      ‘GM knew for 13 yrs they had a problem with the Cobalts, to me waiting this long and withholding information from the government early on should be criminal.”

      I knew there was something odd about GM not only hiring their first female as CEO a few months ago but also paying her more than her predecessor.

      They set her up to take this fall.

      I guess she didn’t do her research on the company before she accepted the position.

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    • Xena | 04/03/2014 at 4:04 pm

      My son owns a Cobalt. They’ve had several recalls for things and the body started rusting after 3 years. My old Pontiac has less rust than his new Cobalt.

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      • towerflower | 04/04/2014 at 2:54 pm

        After seeing some of the reports of the Cobalt, I would get rid of that car as soon as possible.

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        • Xena | 04/05/2014 at 12:02 pm

          towerflower,
          He went to a dealer two weeks ago. His car is paid for, but dealers are not giving sufficient trade-in’s on the Cobalt, which means that more money for down payment is needed. He’s working on it and is currently looking under the state’s “lemon law” to see if there are any options.

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  15. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 11:53 am

    “Buffalo Flee Yellowstone Causing Fear Of Pending Natural Disaster
    Posted by: Megan Cornelius” 1 min ago

    (link has a video)

    http://americanlivewire.com/2014-04-03-buffalo-flee-yellowstone/

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    • Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 11:56 am

      http://www.eonline.com/news/528066/bison-seen-running-through-yellowstone-national-park-which-makes-us-nervous-for-one-big-reason

      Excerpt:

      Ilya Bindeman, who is an associate professor of geological sciences at the University of Oregon, doesn’t think there should be any reason to be alarmed. He believes an eruption isn’t due for another million years.

      “Yellowstone is one of the biggest supervolcanos in the world,” he said. “Sometimes it erupts quietly with lava flow, but once or twice every million years, it erupts very violently, forming large calderas.”

      The University of Utah Seismograph Stations also have no evidence to support an imminent eruption.

      “There is no evidence that a catastrophic eruption at Yellowstone National Park is imminent,” said the service. “Current geologic activity at Yellowstone has remained relatively constant since earth scientists first started monitoring some 30 years ago. Though another caldera-forming eruption is theoretically possible, it is very unlikely to occur in the next thousand or even 10,000 years.”

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  16. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 12:05 pm

    James Berling, Son of Fairfax Co. Officer, Arrested for Driving Police Cruiser, Firing Weapon”

    http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/James-Berling-Son-of-Fairfax-Co-Officer-Arrested-for-Driving-Police-Cruiser-253441841.html

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  17. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 12:21 pm

    Just found this wonderful butterfly video with lovely music 🙂

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    • Xena | 04/03/2014 at 4:09 pm

      Yahtzee,
      That video is gorgeous!!! Just imagine what those butterflies endured to come into existence as creatures with wings, flying free!!!

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  18. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 3:18 pm

    I BELIEVE! Don’t all of you think Spring is actually arriving!?

    Jingle bells, jingle bells
    Spring is on the Way!
    Oh what fun….


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  19. Xena | 04/03/2014 at 4:18 pm

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  20. crazy1946 | 04/03/2014 at 4:45 pm

    Ok, it must be official, I saw my first butterfly (it was not Xena!) of the year! Spring must have sprung…. Time to plant a small garden…

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  21. Rachael | 04/03/2014 at 6:34 pm

    Zimmerman jurors made public

    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/trayvon-martin/os-george-zimmerman-juror-names-20140403,0,3685963.story

    On a side note, Z claims to have PTSD. Seeing what can happen, all the more reason he should not carry a gun. Ughhh.

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    • Xena | 04/03/2014 at 7:07 pm

      Rachael,
      Thanks for the info. From the article;

      In a letter, Sentinel attorneys asked Nelson for a specific ruling on how long she planned to maintain the jurors’ anonymity, noting it was already “well past the six month ‘cooling off’ period requested by the defense.”

      So now, jurors can be contacted by the media.

      Attempts to reach the jurors by phone and in-person Thursday were unsuccessful.

      Keep trying, OS. Maybe you can catch Juror B37 at the chiropractor’s office where she works.

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      • Xena | 04/04/2014 at 8:30 am

        Someone has a reading comprehension problem, or just likes making misrepresentations — or both. D.P. Juror B37 said at voir dire that she works for a chiropractor. In fact, she gave the names of the towns where her employer has 2 offices. Didn’t you watch voir dire?

        Doesn’t it make you wonder why the potential juror who let it slipped that she worked at a school was dismissed, but not B37 who, along with saying that she works for a chiropractor and that the two locations didn’t have “riots,” also said that she volunteers for animal rescue and that her husband is an attorney.

        https://twitter.com/RustyTrombone75/status/451879062722850816

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        • Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 9:05 am

          Someone has a reading comprehension problem, or just likes making misrepresentations

          Maybe DP can take a class with this Kevin:

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        • towerflower | 04/04/2014 at 12:15 pm

          He is a twister. A comment that he twists totally around to where he makes it sound like the complete opposite of the original.

          No where in your comment did you even remotely suggest that you were going to dox anyone.

          He counts on people not reading your blog and just blindly believing his words. He has one warped mind.

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          • Xena | 04/05/2014 at 12:23 pm

            towerflower,

            No where in your comment did you even remotely suggest that you were going to dox anyone.

            Thank you. D.P. knows that. He takes pleasure in misrepresenting, demeaning and degrading.

            He and his minions have made so many false accusations against me that I lost count. They are unable to support their accusations because they are false. The harder they try to defame me, the more positive energy works against them.

            Their method is to accuse myself and others of doing what they do so they have a “Mommy, she hit me first” defense.

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        • towerflower | 04/04/2014 at 3:25 pm

          The CTH are all talking about doxing any reporter who publishes the names of the jurors……they even talk about keeping the info off their site but publish the information on other sites. So that they are exposed to any doxing that the jurors experience. They are hypocrites, every last one of them.

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          • Xena | 04/05/2014 at 11:58 am

            towerflower,

            The CTH are all talking about doxing any reporter who publishes the names of the jurors……they even talk about keeping the info off their site but publish the information on other sites.

            The intent of the media is not the same as the intent of cyber-bullies and harassers. The court has released the names of the jurors. The media wants to see if they can get interviews with them. They are not going to search for info, neither make up rumors about those jurors to humiliate and terrorize them.

            What are those such as the CTH afraid of? Many people, including media employees, sat in the courtroom during trial, and they saw the faces of the jurors. Not one reporter has written a physical description of the jurors in hopes of spurring the public into trying to identify them.

            Some people have ethics.

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  22. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 7:34 pm

    Oh my gosh, look at the bird tunnel someone created:

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  23. Yahtzee | 04/03/2014 at 8:25 pm

    /large

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  24. dreamer | 04/03/2014 at 8:52 pm

    Strong storms — and possible tornadoes
    — barrel through central U.S.

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/03/us/severe-weather/index.html

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  26. sdunn5 | 04/04/2014 at 5:56 am

    Xena Let me know if I go through moderation, which is where I would like you to keep me, I will wait to hear I have some thoughts and would love to share them with you in private. XO

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    • Xena | 04/04/2014 at 6:51 am

      sdunn,
      Your comments are approved for posting without going into moderation, but per your request, I’ll make that change in just a moment.

      Before you let loose, post a comment, (anything) and see if it goes into moderation. You should get that message that your comment awaits moderation. If that happens, then it’s okay to let loose. 🙂

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  30. Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 8:02 am

    “Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Challenge to Domestic Abuser Gun Law” The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2014

    http://www.bradycampaign.org/supreme-court-unanimously-rejects-challenge-to-domestic-abuser-gun-law

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  31. Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 8:11 am

    Stand you ground needs to be repealed in EVERY state.

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  32. Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 12:58 pm

    /large

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  33. Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 7:00 pm

    Happy Birthday, Maya Angelou! Thank you for all of your beautiful poems and writings that you have shared!

    Legendary author, activist and poet Dr. Maya Angelou turns 86 today. She’s the woman Oprah calls her greatest teacher, and over the years they’ve had many profound conversations together about wisdom, courage and spirituality.

    Today, we look back at an “Oprah Show” interview with Dr. Angelou from 2002. Celebrating her 74th birthday at the time, she shared candid advice on aging that will make you smile.

    “Don’t get older just to get wiser,” Dr. Angelou says. “If you get older, you will be wiser, I believe that -– if you dare. But get older because it’s fun!”

    From bad knees to grey hairs, the body goes through changes. “But so what?” she says.

    “And the breasts are very interesting,” Dr. Angelou says, the audience erupting in laughter. “Because they are in an incredible race to see which one will touch my waist first!”

    All of it, Dr. Angelou says, is fun. “Living is fun,” she says.

    “Oh, that’s fun? Watching them run for it?” Oprah jokes.

    Yes, Dr. Angelou says, because it’s all in your state of mind. “I’m still here and somebody’s still calling me darling,” Dr. Angelou says. “Hello!”

    Find more videos and full episodes from “The Oprah Show.”

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/04/maya-angelou-birthday_n_5091996.html

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    • Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 7:03 pm

      Angelou’s simple message: Be a rainbow
      Brittany Lyte
      Published Friday, April 4, 2014http://www.newcanaannewsonline.com/news/article/Angelou-s-simple-message-Be-a-rainbow-5376780.php

      Excerpt:

      The takeaway was this: Be a rainbow in somebody’s cloud.

      “In Genesis, we are told that the rain persisted so unrelentingly that people thought it would never cease,” Angelou said when the room had quieted from the excitement of her musical entrance. “So in an attempt to put the people at ease, God put a rainbow in the sky.

      “However, we know that suns and moons and stars and all sorts of illuminations are always in the firmament. However, clouds can lower and lower. The viewer can’t see the light.

      “But if the rainbow is put not just in the sky, but in the clouds themselves, that means that in the worst of times, there’s the possibility of seeing light.”

      Angelou talked about growing up poor, black and female in Arkansas before desegregation. She talked about being raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was 7. She talked about her teenage pregnancy.

      She also talked about her rainbows: her poems, her children, her mother’s nurturing encouragement, the rush from reciting one of her poems before an entire nation at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, her portrait that will be installed Friday at The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.

      “All of that,” she said, “because I had rainbows in my life.”

      Find the rainbows, she said. Be the rainbow.

      “Look at you today,” Angelou said, scanning the crowd from behind a pair of animal print sunglasses, “influencing somebody whose name you may never know, whose face you may never see, whose complexion may not jive with your complexion — indeed, who may not call God the same name you call God, if he calls God at all. But here you are, trying to help someone, trying to be a rainbow in somebody’s sky.”

      Angelou, who turns 85 on Friday, left the stage much as she came, only now the song was “Happy Birthday” and she was the audience for an 800-woman chorus.

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    • Yahtzee | 04/04/2014 at 7:14 pm

      Published on Feb 27, 2014 by ASCD
      One of the most renowned and influential voices of our time, Maya Angelou is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom as well as a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, and educator. She served as a keynote speaker at the 2013 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show.

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  36. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 7:44 am

    “Earthquake Rattles Southern Greece”
    ATHENS, Greece April 4, 2014 (AP)

    http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/earthquake-rattles-southern-greece-23200068

    Excerpt:
    Seismologists say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 rattled southern Greece and was widely felt in the capital, Athens. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

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  37. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 7:50 am

    I am sending my prayers and caring thoughts for those people affected by flooding + a magnitude 6 earthquake in the Solomon Islands.
    “Double disaster as Solomon Islands hit by tropical storm and earthquake”
    http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/04/double-disaster-as-solomon-islands-hit-by-tropical-storm-and-earthquake/

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  38. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 8:58 am

    Shallow magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits southwest China: A magnitude 5.3 quake has struck southwest China on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people and destroying dozens of houses, state media reported.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-05/an-magnitude-53-quake-hits-southwest-china/5370208

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  39. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 9:02 am

    Excerpt from link below:

    ……earthquakes happen all the time. When we hear about a quake in the news, it’s likely because it affected a notable area (like a major U.S. city, for example).
    Each year, there are thousands upon thousands of earthquakes felt around the world. According to the U.S. Geological Survey using data going back to 1900, there are over 14,000 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater every year.

    That works out to be approximately 40 per day (if they were equally distributed—more on that later). Even what we consider large earthquakes (magnitude 6 or greater) occur, on average, over 150 times per year.

    Earthquakes are not rare occurrences on the planet, but where they occur along the plate boundaries strongly influences whether anyone notices.

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/02/a-lot-of-earthquakes-have-been-reported-lately-but-scientists-aren-t-worried.html

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    • Xena | 04/05/2014 at 11:45 am

      Yahtzee,
      Yesterday, Dr. Turi wrote about earthquakes again, and he predicts a devastating one for California. While he is able to read planetary line-ups for his predictions, (and I don’t claim to understand it all), there are astrologers who are issuing how to turn negative influences currently in Aries into positive influence in our daily lives.

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  40. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 10:50 am

    /large

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  41. Xena | 04/05/2014 at 1:05 pm

    Congratulations, Attorney Phillips. And, thanks for standing by the parents of Jordan Davis.

    https://twitter.com/JohnPhillips/status/452494815813705728

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  42. Yahtzee | 04/05/2014 at 8:36 pm

    “Song for Peace”

    Uploaded on Apr 2, 2011 by M. Enes
    Joyful blessings from the dolphins and the sea

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  43. Xena | 04/05/2014 at 9:55 pm

    But D.P., you don’t define us and you never will.

    Bet you wish that you had someone to share with you on any of your blogs.

    https://twitter.com/RustyTrombone75/status/452567439646019584

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    • Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 7:41 am

      Such a pity that, day in and day out, DP creates and chooses to exist in a cloud of negativity.

      Too bad that DP doesn’t turn over a new leaf and believe in the possibility of all that a new day could bring him which could change his world.

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  44. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 7:59 am

    Loretta Lynn: “I BELIEVE”

    I believe for every drop of rain that falls
    A flower grows.
    I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
    A candle glows.

    I believe for every one who goes astray
    Someone will come to show the way.

    I believe above the storm
    The smallest prayer will still be heard.
    I believe that someone in the great somewhere
    Hears every word.

    Every time I hear
    A new born baby cry
    Or touch a leaf
    Or see the sky
    Then I know why I believe.

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  46. Xena | 04/06/2014 at 4:58 pm

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  47. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 8:17 pm

    “Ex-Fullerton cop wants immunity in Kelly Thomas beating”

    http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-kelly-thomas-immunity-20140331,0,4487618.story#axzz2y9u78kz4

    One of the former Fullerton police officers acquitted in the beating death of Kelly Thomas now wants immunity from possible federal prosecution before he speaks with lawyers in a pending wrongful-death suit.

    Manuel Ramos, a former city patrolman who was accused of murder in the 2011 death of the homeless man, is set to be deposed April 15 in a wrongful-death suit filed by Thomas’ father.

    But federal prosecutors are also looking into Thomas’ death, though the U.S. Justice Department has not said whether it would try to prosecute Ramos or any of the other former officers in the beating case.

    The motion for immunity includes a declaration by Fullerton Police Sgt. Michael Chocek that says the sergeant spoke Feb. 6 with a federal agent who told him the Justice Department had met with Orange County prosecutors and requested their files of the investigation into the death of Kelly Thomas.

    Federal agent Efren Delgado also asked for portions of the transcripts of the criminal trial, the motion said.

    Chocek is a liaison between the Fullerton Police Department and the Orange County district attorney’s office.

    Because of the potential for being prosecuted by the federal government, Ramos filed a motion on March 20 asking for immunity regarding any statements he made during the deposition about his violent confrontation with Kelly.

    If Ramos isn’t granted immunity, he likely will ask a judge to limit the scope of questioning.
    Ramos’ attorney said that subjecting Ramos to questioning about what happened the night of Thomas’ death would essentially violate the former officer’s 5th Amendment rights.

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    • Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 8:24 pm

      Xena, I posted this too quickly. I just want to quote the first paragraph as an excerpt.
      Would you please fix this for me if it is possible?

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      • Xena | 04/06/2014 at 8:54 pm

        Yahtzee,
        IMHO, the info is important and it needs no editing.

        Thanks so much for keeping us up-to-date on these various topics.

        Looks as if Ramos has really stepped in it.

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  48. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 8:35 pm

    “Judge in Renisha McBride case won’t step down”

    Judge in Renisha McBride case won't step down

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  49. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 8:48 pm

    “Just outcome may be elusive in Marissa Alexander case”
    Posted: April 4, 2014

    http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2014-04-04/story/just-outcome-may-be-elusive-marissa-alexander-case

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    • Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 8:56 pm

      This above article ends with
      Regardless of this case’s outcome, members of the Legislature should take a cue from other states that are revisiting mandatory minimum laws.

      Failure to revise the 10-20-Life law this session would be irresponsible, especially since this case has made so plain how ridiculous and harmful the law is.

      My question is this:

      Will Michael Dunn now get a different sentence for the charges he has already been convicted of? At the time of the conviction, mandatory 10 to 20 years was the sentence for each conviction. The judge postponed sentencing. Will the new law have been signed by Gov. Scott before Dunn is sentenced? Will this have an effect on the number of years he is sentence to?

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      • Xena | 04/06/2014 at 9:36 pm

        Yahtzee,
        It’s Florida. 🙂 However, in other states, unless legislatures write in a grandfather clause, any new or amended law only applies after the date that the governor signs the Bill. If they write in a grandfather clause for sentencing, it will open a can of worms for a separation of powers argument.

        In criminal and civil cases, trials are conducted based on current law and in criminal cases, sentencing is based on the law that is current at the time of trial. Defendants do not get a second bite at the apple via legislation but only by appealing to higher courts if the lower court erred at trial. That is America’s classic separation of powers that prevents the legislature from getting involved in applying the law. The legislature only has the power to write laws.

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  50. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 9:09 pm

    “Kendrick Johnson’s parents meet with US atty in “gym-mat” case”

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendrick-johnsons-parents-meet-with-us-attorney-in-gym-mat-case/

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  51. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 9:14 pm

    Spring breakers riot at ‘Deltopia’ party in California:

    More than 100 people were arrested and 44 treated at hospitals during the annual blowout in Isla Vista, near the University of California Santa Barbara. ‘It really was ridiculous,’ sheriff’s spokeswoman says.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/spring-breakers-riot-deltopia-party-california-article-1.1747641

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  52. Xena | 04/06/2014 at 9:25 pm

    Need to clarify a misunderstanding of the legal system so others are not led astray and also because she follows this blog.

    Trayvon’s parents were not charged with a crime. They did not need a criminal defense attorney. There are no private criminal prosecuting attorneys; only state and federal. Private parties cannot bring and prosecute criminal charges against others here in the U.S.

    During Zimmerman’s and Dunn’s case, there were people thinking that the civil attorneys representing the parents of victims were involved in the trial/prosecution. That is not true.

    On another note, the U.S. Constitution provides for citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances. When anyone sues for wrongful death, that is an option given to them as a constitutional right.

    https://twitter.com/Nettles18/status/452923932920672257

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  53. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 9:56 pm

    “US writer and environmentalist Peter Matthiessen dies aged 86”

    http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26910063

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  54. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 10:28 pm

    “Jail Officer Who Serverly Beat Inmate Can Invoke Stand Your Ground, ((Florida Appeals)) Court Rules

    http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/04/01/3421525/jail-officer-who-severely-beat-inmate-can-invoke-stand-your-ground-court-rules/

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  55. Yahtzee | 04/06/2014 at 11:21 pm

    Ecuador volcano throws up spectacular ash plume

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-26901834

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  56. Yahtzee | 04/07/2014 at 7:18 am

    /large

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    • Yahtzee | 04/07/2014 at 7:27 am

      Youtube video published on Aug 28, 2013 by PBS NewsHour
      “The Reverend Joseph Lowery, leader in the civil rights movement and third president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.”

      Quotation from Rev. Lowery’s speech:

      We’ve come too far, marched too long, prayed too hard, wept too bitterly, bled too profusely, and died too young to let anybody turn back the clock on our journey to justice.

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      • Yahtzee | 04/07/2014 at 7:41 am

        Excerpt from interview:

        Interviewer: Some people say that the Civil Rights Movement and all that it signified is past history. It’s done.

        Rev. Lowery: They call it a “post Civil Rights Era.” Yeah…Never been able to define that. I would refer them to Trent Lott if they think it’s over.

        I would refer them to RACIAL PROFILING…here, there and everywhere from New York to California, from Maine to California.

        I would refer them to the fact that the median income has moved in the ’60’s but it is still below the (19)70’s. There ought to be parity. It ought to be equitable.

        It ain’t over.

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