Video of the Flies

Image from GawkerWhile in New York I've been trying to get caught up on the news and learned about the videotaped beating death of Chicago 16-year-old Derrion Albert. Again, there's a reason why they make you read "Lord of the Flies" in high school to show children for the cruel, amoral monsters they can sometimes be. To essentially stomp a peer to death for fun and to videotape the whole thing is perverse, but not shocking when you think of how throughout history people have been drawn to violence and witnessing that violence first-hand. Per usual, I wonder where any of the adults were in this. One can't control their children at all times, but one would hope that they wouldn't raise little monsters who would murder one of their peers.

Census Worker Hanged With "Fed" Scrawled On Chest

In a case of it's always funny until someone gets killed we have the odd case of one Bill Sparkman, a teacher and part-time census worker in rural Clay County, Kentucky. He was found, dead, of apparent homicide on Sept. 12 in a remote part of Daniel Boone National Forest, hanging from a tree. The word "fed" was written on his chest. His truck and computer were found nearby. He'd been doing door-to-door interviews when the incident happened so all door-to-door interviews in the county have been suspended. The FBI is investigating the death.

More after the jump.

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Question of the Day: An Interracial Dating Double Standard?

CNN recently reported the story of Brian Milligan Jr., an 18-year-old white man who was beaten by a group of 10 to 15 black men, possibly because Milligan was dating a black woman, 18-year old Nicola Fletcher. The couple from Buffalo, NY said they'd been regularly harassed by men and boys in the neighborhood because of their relationship. Milligan had even been shot with paintball pellets two days before the incident. His father now wants the attack to be treated as a hate crime.

More after the jump.

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Question of the Day: Michael Jackson Death Ruled Homicide, Should the Doctor Face Charges?

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has ruled that Michael Jackson's death was a homicide, meaning his doctor could face criminal charges for the powerful cocktail of drugs he used to treat Jackson's insomnia before he died.

From Associated Press:

The homicide ruling was based on forensic tests that found the anesthetic propofol combined with at least two sedatives to kill Jackson, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released.

Read more here.

It has become apparent that Jackson has had a dependency on painkillers since the accident that scarred his scalp when his hair caught on fire while filming a commercial for Pepsi in the 1980s. Many, from nurses to other past medical personnel who have claimed to work with the pop star, have said he regularly requested powerful medications to treat his insomnia. But these same medical professionals that fed his habit also had the knowledge to know what a deadly game was being played. So who is at fault? The addict who wanted more or the doctor who knew better?

Bill Maher: Gates Arrested For Not Kissing Cop's Patootie

From Huffpo:

I'm not even sure this is a racial situation because I don't know if this cop is racist. But I have to say it seems to me more like a police situation. I think Henry Louis Gates was arrested for the crime of not kissing the behind of the police officer.

I might have to agree with that one as well. Thoughts?

Charges Dropped Against Gates in Home Arrest

From Reuters:

BOSTON (Reuters) - Disorderly conduct charges filed against one of the nation's pre-eminent African-American scholars have been dropped, local media reported on Tuesday.

Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested on Thursday after what police described as "exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior," including accusing police of racism.

Boston's WHDH-TV said all charges would be dropped, quoting unidentified sources.

Scholar Henry Louis Gates Arrested, For Nothing, At Own House

Updated on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 12:56PM by Danielle Belton

Obviously the Cambridge, Mass. police department didn't get that memo about us living in "Post-Racial America" and felt it's still cool to arrest a man of a certain age (58) for trying to get into his own house. All he was was the homeowner and a well-connected Harvard Professor. I'm sure he looks EXACTLY like someone who would break into a house in that Tony suburb.

Um ... What's up with this, police?

More after the jump.

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To The People Who Are Blaming Steve McNair ... (Guest Post)

Damon at This May Concern You has a few words for the people who blame murdered ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair for his own demise

By Damon

You all should have stopped before your started. But since you didn’t, I’ll ask you to silence yourselves now.

No, I’m not foolish enough to paint Steve McNair as some “holier than thou” figure. He needs to be remembered as a human who did a little great, some good and some bad. It’s obvious he didn’t walk on water, make it so the blind could see or heal the sick.

He was human. Frankly, I don’t care how you look at him, so long as you don’t look at him as though he caused his own death.

More after the jump.

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When Politicos Go Bad: Marion Barry Busted For Stalking

Stalking? Really, ex-mayor? STALKING?

From New York Daily News:

Former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry was arrested Saturday night after a woman accused him of "bothering her" as the two traveled in separate vehicles in the capital's Anacostia Park, police said.

The United States Park Police said Barry, a current D.C. Council member, was arrested after a woman flagged down an officer and complained that Barry was stalking her.

He was charged with misdemeanor stalking and released. He will appear in court some time this week.

Never mind the fact that he's on probation for tax fraud. Was this from some residual stupidity left over from that drug sting in the 80s or has he always been off his rocker? Just when I was ready to give Kwame Kilpatrick your title and make him King of the Douches, you go for the Hail Mary of WTF and reel yourself back in the running. Bravo, Berry. Bravo. I applaud your ability to get in situations no other politician would be caught drunk, dead, high or with another woman, not their wife, in.