Recently in crime Category
UK riot police raided a 30th birthday barbecue because they thought the organizer, who had invited his friends via Facebook, was staging a rave. UK police have the power to stop raves (see Part V, 63), but in this case, they removed about 15 people ready to eat some burgers.
Cincinnati, have no fear. Shadow Hare has your back. Armed with a taser, handcuffs, pepper spray, and nifty superhero outfit, Shadow Hare, a 21-year-old "crime fighter," is patrolling the streets and fighting crime.
From a local news write-up:
Shadow Hare is not alone in his quest to fight crime. He heads up a group of men -- and one woman -- called the "Allegiance of Heroes." The members communicate with each other in online forums. Among the members are Aclyptico in Pennsylvania, Wall Creeper in Colorado and Master Legend in Florida.
"I've even teamed up with Mr. Extreme in California -- San Diego -- and we were trying to track down a rapist," said Shadow Hare.
Check out the Heroes Network picture with tags. These guys need marketing help with their superhero names. Tothian? Nostrum? Are these crusaders or new brand-name drugs? (Thx Tricia).
Good question.
President Carter wrote an op-ed piece for the New York Times on Sunday.
The evolution in public policy concerning the manufacture, sale and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons like AK-47s, AR-15s and Uzis has been very disturbing. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and I all supported a ban on these formidable firearms, and one was finally passed in 1994.When the 10-year ban was set to expire, many police organizations -- including 1,100 police chiefs and sheriffs from around the nation -- called on Congress and President George W. Bush to renew and strengthen it. But with a wink from the White House, the gun lobby prevailed and the ban expired.
Peter Anspach has compiled a list of 100 ways to be a successful evil overlord. He probably could have cut it to 50, but nonetheless the list is worth a read. This is "Sun Tzu meets bad action movies":
15. I will never employ any device with a digital count-down. If I find that such a device is absolutely unavoidable. I will set it to activate when the counter reaches 117 and the hero is just putting his plan into operation.
20. Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.29. I will dress in bright and cheery colors, and so throw my enemies into confusion.
58. If it becomes necessary to escape, I will never stop to pose dramatically and toss off a one-liner.
92. If I ever talk to the hero on the phone, I will not taunt him. Instead, I will say that his dogged perseverance has given me new insight on the futility of my evil ways and that if he leaves me alone for a few months of quiet contemplation I will likely return to the path of righteousness. (Heroes are incredibly gullible in this regard.)
This well-written New York Magazine article on Bernie Madoff and Ezra Merkin, his (maybe) unwitting accomplice, is a great illustration of two things:
1. Bernie Madoff was a crucial player in creating a fair and equitable Wall Street.
2. What happened after that was neither fair nor equitable.
