Six girls arrested in online threats

Middle school students post

F.T. Norton
Nevada Appeal

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Six middle school girls were arrested Wednesday afternoon after the group allegedly participated in a Facebook event called “Attack a Teacher Day.”

Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Jessica Rivera, the district's school resource officer, said five of the girls are students at Carson Middle School and one at Eagle Valley.

The page came to light Wednesday morning after the invitation went out to 79 students. A parent saw the content, said Rivera.

The six girls arrested allegedly posted threats on the page aimed at specific teachers using wording like, “I'm attacking (teacher's name),” and “Down with (teacher's name).”

According to the Facebook posting, the “attack,” which was never defined, was to take place Friday between the hours of 7-9 a.m. at Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School.

“Facebook has become quite the trend and quite the place to harass people and to threaten people and it needs to be understood by the public and students that this is a serious matter and we're not taking it lightly,” said Rivera.

The students were confronted by school deans and ultimately arrested and taken to juvenile detention on suspicion of threats. They were released to their parents Wednesday afternoon.

Rivera said they will receive a date to appear before the juvenile magistrate.

“All of the girls said it was just a joke, ‘We didn't mean anything by it,' and in one aspect you can think these are just kids making a joke. But on the other side, why would you take the time to accept the invitation, and then comment on the wall? Why would you take that much time to create the invitation and send it out to all of your friends?” said Rivera. “It's not appropriate for kids to be doing this.”

Carson City School Superintendent Richard Stokes said five of the students each received a three-day suspension, and one student received a five-day suspension.

“The schools have also contacted other students who were invited and the parents and let them know the gravity of the situation,” said Stokes. “We'd like all our parents to be aware of what their students are doing online. Just be aware and pay attention to what's going on in your student's life with these electronic opportunities.“

LINK TO FACEBOOK POST:

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20110106/NEWS/110109788/1070&ParentProfile=1058

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/in-2012-obama-may-need-a-new-coalition-20110105?page=1

Obama mouthpiece Robert Gibbs was forced out by new henchman William Daley

Toby Harnden World

January 7th, 2011

I wondered yesterday whether Robert Gibbs jumped or was pushed and noted that President Barack Obama’s words indicated that it was “not an entirely voluntary departure”.

It’s being reported by John King on CNN right now that Gibbs wanted to be a presidential counsellor – something he’s been putting about for quite a while – but William Daley, the new chief of staff, nixed this because he believed that too many cooks would spoil the presidential broth. So that’s why Gibbs is out.

Additionally, King reports that Valerie Jarrett, whose sole qualification to being a senior counsellor seems to be that she’s a long-time Chicago buddy of Barack and Michelle Obama, will have her wings clipped. Daley, not Jarrett, will be the person speaking to the business community.

It’s no secret that Rahm Emanuel, a Daley protege, clashed with Jarrett. Or that David Plouffe, about to join the White House, was often at odds with her when he was the 2008 Obama campaign manager. Obama is nothing if not ruthless. He dropped Jane Dystel, the agent who approached him to write “Dreams from my Father”, and has previously cut loose long-time advisers. One aide described him as “the most unsentimental man I’ve ever met”.

So the next question is: with Gibbs and David Axelrod gone, how much longer will Valerie Jarrett last?

      WARNING:   STRONG LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE

http://www.thebvx.com/2011/01/06/daily-smh-uncle-beats-nephew-for-being-facebook-thug-video/

Originally Published:Thursday, January 6th 2011, 10:26 AM
Updated: Thursday, January 6th 2011, 10:48 PM

Theodorakis/NewsNew York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin walks off the field after beating the Redskins to cap a 10-6 season Sunday.

When the Giants' season was over, Tom Coughlin insisted that even though his team didn't make the playoffs, his players should be happy with a 10-win year.

And for those people who aren't satisfied with that? Coughlin had a message for them, too.

In a postgame speech aimed directly at the heart - or at least the lips - of his critics, Coughlin told his players that anyone not impressed with a 10-6 season "can line up and kiss my a--." He delivered those remarks in the visitors' locker room at FedEx Field on Sunday just after the Giants beat the Washington Redskins, 17-14.

"Outstanding. Outstanding finish to the ballgame," Coughlin said in the speech, which was captured by cameras and aired on Showtime's "Inside the NFL." "We did our part, OK? That's all I can ask you to do. Hey, from the bottom of my heart and everybody's, we have a 10-6 season. A 10-win season in the NFL, OK? They can kiss my a--, OK? They can line up and kiss my a--. It's not an easy thing to do."

An unidentified player then yelled, "Can we quote you on that, Coach?"

"You can quote me on a lot more than that," Coughlin responded. "The priest is here or I'd say a few more things."

FEWELL HEATING UP

 
Perry Fewell, the Giants defensive coordinator, interviewed with Carolina Panthers officials Wednesday about their vacant head coaching job. It's the first of four interviews Fewell is expected to have in the coming weeks.

Fewell, according to an NFL source, met with Panthers GM Marty Hurney and team president Danny Morrison somewhere in the New York area. He is also scheduled to meet with Denver Broncos officials on Sunday to discuss their head coaching vacancy.

The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers have also requested permission to interview Fewell, though it's not known if he's accepted or scheduled the meetings yet.

LINK TO VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2011/01/06/2011-01-06_giants_head_coach_tom_coughlin_has_a_message_for_his_critics_they_can_line_up_an.html#ixzz1ALG68Cvl

Helen Thomas returns to journalism

Michael Calderone 

Thu Jan 6, 10:55 am ET

After a seven-month retirement, Helen Thomas has a new journalism gig: columnist for the Falls Church News-Press in Virginia, as the ARLnow blog in Arlington, Va., reports.

The 90-year-old retired from Hearst newspapers in June after a media uproar over controversial comments she made about Israel. That move sent shock waves through the press corps and left White House reporters scrambling to see who'd get Thomas' front-row seat in the briefing room.

So why'd the News-Press give her another chance?

  Nicholas Benton, the founder, owner and editor of the News-Press, said in an editorial welcoming her back to journalism: "She is progressive, and following my more than eight hours of direct, one-on-one talks with her since the events of last June, I remain firmly convinced that she is neither bigoted, nor racist, nor anti-Semitic."

She'll write weekly on political affairs. Her first column on Social Security privatization can be read here.

http://www.fcnp.com/commentary/national/8197-privatizing-social-security-again.html#

Tom Burlington, a former anchor, wasl et go in 2007.

Wed, Jan. 5, 2011

Trial set for firing over use of 'n' word

Michael Klein

Inquirer Staff Writer

A federal jury will be asked to decide whether it is acceptable for an African American person, but not a white person, to use the "n" word in a workplace.

U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick has ruled that former Fox29 reporter-anchor Tom Burlington's lawsuit against the station, claiming a double standard and alleging that he was the victim of racial discrimination, may go to trial. However, Surrick denied Burlington's claim of a hostile work environment.

Burlington, who is white, was fired after using the "n" word during a June 2007 staff meeting at which reporters and producers were discussing reporter Robin Taylor's story about the symbolic burial of the word by the Philadelphia Youth Council of the NAACP.

Burlington, who began work at the station in 2004 and is now working as a real estate agent, was suspended within days and fired after an account of the incident was published in the Philadelphia Daily News. He alleges that he "was discriminated against because of his race," according to court documents. He claims in his lawsuit that at least two African American employees at Fox29 had used the word in the workplace and were not disciplined.

The dispute began after Taylor, who is white, used the phrase the "n" word during the 2007 staff meeting. She said participants at the burial had said the full word "at least a hundred times or more," according to court records.

"Does this mean we can finally say the word n-?" Burlington asked colleagues, according to depositions.

Nicole Wolfe, a producer and one of the three African American employees among the nine people at the meeting, exclaimed: "I can't believe you just said that!"

Burlington told Taylor that although he did not necessarily expect her to use the word in her story, he thought that doing so gave the story more credence.

Burlington says he used the word only once and approached several attendees after the meeting to explain himself. The Daily News account said he had used the word more than a dozen times.

Surrick, in denying Fox's request to have the suit dismissed, said that federal courts had not determined whether a double standard, if true in this case, would violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which deals with equal opportunity in employment.

On the one hand, he wrote in a memorandum Dec. 23, the word is "considered by many to be the most offensive in the English language" and "has been used by whites as a tool to belittle, oppress, or dehumanize African Americans. When viewed in its historical context, one can see how people in general, and African Americans in particular, might react differently when a white person uses the word than if an African American uses it.

"Nevertheless, we are unable to conclude that this is a justifiable reason for permitting the station to draw race-based distinctions between employees."

Surrick wrote that "there is evidence in this case to suggest that at least two African Americans said the word in the workplace with no consequences."

Surrick wrote that a jury would have to decide whether Burlington was a "victim of political correctness run amok" - as Burlington's suit contends - or a victim of "his own poor judgment."

On Dec. 30, Surrick denied Burlington's attempt to prevent Fox from mentioning at trial that after the meeting, he told his former coanchor Joyce Evans that someone had referred to her as a "n- bitch."

Burlington had said he was simply illustrating what he considered to be an unacceptable use of the word, court filings say. Evans was not at the staff meeting.

The trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 18.

A Fox spokeswoman on Tuesday said the station disagreed with the judge's decision about the disparate treatment and looked forward to presenting its case to the jury.

UFC Fighter Jacob Volkmann Calls Out President Barack Obama, Gets A Visit From the Secret Service

UFC lightweight Jacob Volkmann, following his UFC 125 win over Antonio McKee, declared that he wanted to fight President Barack Obama for his next fight.

His words got him a visit from the Secret Service on Tuesday.

Volkmann, who is based out of Minnesota, told MMAFighting.com after his win over McKee that he wanted to face Obama because he disagreed with many of his policies.

After defeating McKee, Volkmann was asked who he would like to fight next. Volkmann first requested Clay Guida, then said “Actually, Obama. He’s not too bright … Someone needs to knock some sense into that idiot. I just don’t like what Barack is doing.”

That comment got the government’s attention, as just days later, the Secret Service came to chat with the fighter.

“It happened on Tuesday, I was coaching youth practice, and then two guys came up and one of the other coaches that was helping me out, they said there was a cop and another guy out there waiting for me,” Volkmann told MMAWeekly.com. “I went out there and the guy introduced himself and said he was from the Secret Service and he wanted to ask me some questions about UFC 125 and my quote. He said there were people calling in to D.C. telling them that somebody, me, was threatening the President.”

The Secret Service showed up both at his residence and during a youth wrestling camp he coaches.

The interview is a formality, as the Secret Service investigates all potential threats made against the President, but Wednesday should be the close of the matter for Volkmann.

“This guy had the whole interview on a piece of paper and it had my picture and everything,” said Volkmann. “He was like ‘is this what you said?’ and I said, ‘yes it is.’ He’s like ‘I want to let you know I’m a little embarrassed for coming here and doing this because obviously nothing happened.’ He actually apologized for coming, but he had to come. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to D.C to hurt the President.

The person who contacted Volkmann, according to the fighter, was a member of the election committee that worked for President Obama’s campaign.

Volkmann, who is also a chiropractor, wanted to clarify the statements he made in the original interview as well, because he says that was the reason most people seemed upset with him in the first place.

Volkmann, a chiropractor, says that he was trying to make a point about the health-care law, with which he disagrees. “People were misunderstanding the point of view I was going for with the health care plan. That’s why they were getting so upset. I’m thinking about the provider, I’m a chiropractor, so I’m thinking about my point of view, not everyone getting insurance. They don’t have to worry about getting denied, which is good I guess, just not good for health care providers,” said Volkmann.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/01/05/airport-steaming-over-strip-club-neighbor/

Man Abandoned In Courthouse For 18 Hours

January 6, 2011 7:33 AM

GENEVA, Ill. (WBBM/CBS) – An Elgin man abandoned overnight in the Kane County courthouse last month is reportedly considering suing the county.

As WBBM Newsradio 780’s Bernie Tafoya reports, Husan Smith, 32, was supposed to have been taken to the Kane County Jail after his court appearance last month.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Bernie Tafoya Reports.

 http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/06/man-abandoned-in-courthouse-for-18-hours/

He was supposed to be spending four nights in jail for testing positive for drugs, in violation of his parole for an earlier drug offense.

But a bailiff put Smith in a nearby conference room, and no one remembered he was there until the next day.

Smith had been handcuffed with his hands behind his back. He had no water, no food, and no way to go to a bathroom. His screams went unheard for 18 hours.

On Wednesday, Kane County Judge Timothy Sheldon apologized to Smith, and while Smith tells the Chicago Tribune he appreciates the apology, he says he is considering his legal options.

Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez has ordered an investigation.

Fla. man says he'll live in lions' den for 30 days

Associated Press

January 3, 2011 02:39 AM 

Spring Hill, Fla. (AP) --

A Florida man says he's going to spend the next month living in a fenced enclosure with two African lions.

James Jablon of Spring Hill hopes the stunt will raise money for his wildlife center, Wildlife Rehabilitation of Hernando.

Jablon entered the lions' den Saturday. He says he's going to sleep on hay near the lions named Lea and Ed and eat when they eat.

He says he's also going to build a place to sleep and hide in the trees in the enclosure, in case the lions fight with each other. His adventure is being streamed live online through January 31.

About 100 animals live at the center about 40 miles north of Tampa. It was started for native wildlife needing medical treatment, but Jablon says he's now being asked to provide homes for exotic pets.

LINK TO LIVE STREAM: http://wrohflorida.com/live-stream-qin-the-denq

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/01/03/national/a023959S77.DTL#ixzz1AFvM8Erf

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/01/05/05-homeless-dj-update.html?sid=101

School-bus driver admits driving drunk with a busload of kids

DAN ROZEK

Staff Reporter

SunTimes

Last Modified: Jan 5, 2011 06:01PM

Former Mount Prospect school bus driver Betty Burden admitted Wednesday she was drunk last March when she navigated a nearly seven-mile route to deliver about 45 grade school students to their homes.

Burden, 55, now faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to felony drunken driving charges during a brief hearing in Rolling Meadows.

The veteran driver was charged after police said she failed a field sobriety test, then racked up a .226 blood-alcohol level during a breath test--nearly three times the .08 percent standard for drunk driving.

Burden admitted drinking vodka and orange juice before driving the children home from the Lions Park Elementary School in the northwest suburb, police said following her March 9 arrest.

She was subsequently fired by Mount Prospect District 57, as was her supervisor, who had checked on Burden after getting a report that she might have been drinking, but did not immediately contact police.

Last fall Burden unsuccessfully tried to have the DUI charges dismissed, a ruling that ultimately led to her guilty plea Wednesday.

LINK TO PHOTO:

http://www.suntimes.com/3170473-417/burden-driving-driver-bus-drunk.html

“Is this what you want to do today, enter a plea of guilty?” Cook County Judge John Scotillo asked Burden during the hearing.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

Burden, who remains free on bond, declined to comment after the hearing.

But defense attorney Ernest Blomquist said he will ask that Burden be placed on probation, noting that she had never been arrested previously and has an outstanding driving record.

“Her background is exemplary. She has an incredible employment history,” Blomquist said.

Prosecutor Maria McCarthy declined to say whether she would seek a prison term for Burden.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/01/04/upper-darby-police-use-technology-to-nab-robbery-suspect/

Officials: Churchgoers exposed to hepatitis?

Originally published: January 3, 2011 8:59 PM
Updated: January 3, 2011 10:56 PM
DELTHIA RICKS AND PAUL LAROCCO

Hundreds of people who took Holy Communion at two Christmas Day services at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, Nassau County health officials said Monday.

Nassau County Department of Health announced what it's calling potential exposures to the virus during the 10:30 a.m. and noon Masses on Dec. 25, but would not say how many parishioners - if any - may have been infected. The health department declined to say who might have transmitted the pathogen, which is found in the fecal matter of the viral carrier.

"An individual tested positive for hepatitis A who is involved in the Communion process," said Nassau County health department spokeswoman Mary Ellen Laurain, referring to an unidentified person.

"We feel the transmission [level] is low," she added, saying only a few people were possibly exposed. "And to protect the public from potential illness, those who received Holy Communion on December 25 should receive prophylactic treatment."

Unlike its more virulent cousins - hepatitis B and C - hepatitis A is not as dangerous. "Hepatitis A can make you pretty sick," said Dr. Melissa Palmer, medical director of NYU Hepatology Associates in Plainview. "Most people will get flulike symptoms, diarrhea - on occasion some people will have jaundice. But unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not lead to chronic liver disease."

The health department is offering immune globulin injections or the hepatitis A vaccine to those who attended either of the Masses. Immune globulin contains antibodies that destroy the hepatitis A virus. The vaccine prevents infection.

Roughly 7,500 parishioners belong to Our Lady of Lourdes, a Roman Catholic church, but it wasn't immediately known how many attended the two Christmas Masses or received Holy Communion that day.

"It was probably a full church," said Sean Dolan, a spokesman for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He could not provide church capacity.

Calling the investigation ongoing, Dolan said he also could not identify who might have transmitted the virus. Generally speaking, priests are aided at crowded Masses by authorized eucharistic ministers, of which Our Lady of Lourdes has 30, he said.

"We don't want to jump to conclusions," he said. "Obviously, it's very concerning when there's potential exposure to any sort of virus."

Dolan said it's still too early in the diocese's review to speculate on any new hygiene practices. "We're hoping no one comes down with the virus, but we also urge prudence," he said.

Msgr. James Lisante, who is pastor of the parish, could not be reached Monday night. But an outgoing recording at the rectory referred questions to the Health Department. The diocese said on its website: "We pray that no one comes down with this virus."

Palmer said hepatitis A has a "fecal/oral route of transmission." Hepatitis A outbreaks are often associated with food handled by a carrier who has ineffectively washed his or her hands. Palmer said a Communion wafer is as likely a source of infection as would be any other food handled by a person with unclean hands. Treatment with immune globulin, she added, can effectively treat infection.