Lori Drew Gets Away with Murder

A U.S. District Judge today acquitted cyber bully mom Lori Drew in the MySpace suicide of Megan Meier.

Prosecutors had said Drew masterminded a plot to create a fake profile on MySpace, befriend Meier, then harass her because she didn't get along with Drew's daughter.

A jury threw out some charges, but did convict Drew of three misdemeanors. Drew should have received the full sentence of three years in prison, plus a $300,000 fine during today's sentencing. {Her attorney said the fine was unfair, since she had to relocate because of harsh publicity in the case and had no money. (BOO-HOO)}

However, Judge George Wu threw out the case, saying Drew never read the Terms of service, so she could not know that she violated them. He also said that if convicted, Drew's sentence would mean anyone could be sued for TOS violations.

Out. Rageous.

Drew committed what I believe was an act of cyber bully terrorism that lead to the death of a young girl - a pretty girl that likely Drew's daughter was jealous of. You cannot tell me that Drew had no clue what was happening on MySpace - as her attorneys want you to believe. Know way am I dumb enough to buy that.

The jury wasn't dumb enough to buy that, either, and yet, the judge overturned the will of these 12 people who decided this case. Judge Wu should immediately be removed from the bench. No judge should ever overturn a jury unless there is solid evidence found after conviction that could have changed a trial's outcome. Period.

This act was a KNOWING violation of MySpace's Terms of Service. Sure, people will violate them, but not in such blatantly harassing ways as in the case of Megan Meier. That is a distinction this judge failed to make - one that should be plausible under the law.

Drew's acquittal makes online media open season for bullies like her. It also teaches us that if we don't bother to read the terms and we can get away with murder. It also says that Megan Meier's death - and fragile life - was meaningless.

I'm not saying we need to take away individual business rights when it comes to TOS or other online items; I'm saying we need to be responsive when people like Drew take advantage of the technology to pick on the weak and defenseless.

Read more:

Wired.com

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

L.A. Times

In other cyber bully news, the WSJ writes about a new report that talks about cyber bullying, but how regulation efforts could hurt the net overall"

Cyberbullying Report Opposes Regulations {Wall Street Journal}

CNN's Bias Shows - Off Screen

Amazing how CNN considers itself an unbiased news source. This behind-the-scenes look at a reporter's erroneous tea party reporting says it all.

Homeopathic Allergy Spray May Be the Ticket

Last year, a friend and I attended a Civil War reenactment in southern Missouri. There, a woman with Josie's Original Soap Co., peddled her era-wares, including homemade soaps (one for poison ivy that works GREAT) and other items guaranteed to help with health issues. The one item that intrigued me was Nasal Snuff. This combustible mix of powdered pepper, and what appears to be cumin and other ingredients, is supposed to help alleviate severe allergy symptoms. You mix it until it is a thick paste and snuff it up your sinuses as far back as you can go. I'd just read in an allergy tome how peppers were good for allergy symptoms, something a doctor did not need to tell this jalapeno lover. I thought this could be the answer to my prayers.

I hate being medicated - no matter what the illness, I don't think sucking down a bunch of pills is a good idea. They ruin your liver and some make my heart palpitate until I think I'm going to pass out. I wanted something completely natural that could help me breathe again - and maybe, just maybe, give me back my original voice so I didn't sound like a stuffed pig while recording audio. I bought a package immediately, thinking I would try it in my neti pot, if nothing else.

Well, the more I smelled the potent mix, the more I thought about just how much it would hurt going down. Could I hack it? By the time I got brave enough to try it, I was stuffed up. (Have been throughout the year, frankly.) I could barely breathe through my nose. How would I be able to sniff it? I pulled out the package and mulled exactly what I should do. I decided I may have a cold with my allergies - even though it didn't feel that way, I thought I should try. After all, the antihistamine's just were not working this year. I sounded worse, even with the pill. Don't even ask what I sounded like without it.

While looking through the pharmacy for something suitable, I came across Sinus Buster. It's a homeopathic nasal spray with capsaicin pepper extract and eucalyptol. The best parts?

• Made in USA
• No animal testing
• No chemicals

As much as I hate nasal sprays, I was sold. I figured $12 wasn't much to try it. In fact, that was pretty cheap compared to the $100 I was paying for a prescription medication (which I had to give up because of cost).

I got home and immediately primed the pump. The first thing I noticed is no drip. The spray comes out in manageable measured doses. It didn't drip nearly as bad as other sprays.

The next thing I noticed was the pain wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.

An hour later, I realized I was breathing through both nostrils for the first time in months.

I sat and breathed in and out. In and out. I couldn't believe it. It was amazing to have results that fast.

This is my first day on Sinus Buster, so I'm not sure if the results will be long-term, but I'm definitely willing to test it out. Right now, I still have a bit of antihistamine in my body. I need to stop taking it completely for a few days and continue to use the spray to see if it could really do the trick. Even if I still have to take an antihistamine, Sinus Buster will be an excellent addition to the neti pot and pill, which do not allow me to breathe long-term through my nose.

You can find out more at http://www.sinusbuster.com/howitworks/index.html The photo included in this post is from the Sinus Buster Web site. The packaging is different from what I got, but it is the same product.

Since my digital camera is on the fritz, and I cannot take a photo of the box, I'll write out the text from the new box:

Sinus Buster
all Natural Nasal Spray
Sinus & Headache formula
Made with natural Capsaicin pepper extract
Relieves sinus pressure, nasal congestion, allergy symptoms and chronic headaches.

I should mention that I have never been tested for allergies, but I know that pollen, mold, ragweed, cedar blooms and oak (especially wood ash) put me through hell every year.

Huckabee vs. Maher

I was really impressed with Mike Huckabee's interviews with Bill Maher, the smug, self-sanctified host of his own show. Huckabee did GREAT. I think this interview pushes me to get satellite so I can watch FoxNews.

Objectivity, Subjectivity and Everything in Between

Recently, the Sarah Brightman Brigade decided to tear their teeth into a reviewer who doesn't care for the operatic wonder.

I'm not a super fan - I know who she is and that she seems competent when she sings and that I like a few things I've heard - but that's about it.

Shocked was I when fans of the singer tried to virtually lynch the reviewer, who gave the DVD she starred in 4.5 out of 5 stars. Their silly comments turned into a philosophical debate on hate. (Not sure how someone turned that around, but you have to give them credit for trying.)

Then, one commenter hit my hot button area: Journalism. They criticized the reviewer for not being objective. Anyone with half a brain and an ounce of common sense knows that objectivity is for hard news and subjectivity for reviews.

It made me mad enough to respond. Believe it or not, I toned it down before posting.

Take a look:

http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/repo_the_genetic_opera/

One thing that really came out of this for me is how people, under the cloak of Internet anonymity, will be spiteful, hateful and rude in a way that they never would in person. It's like cursing at the driver in front of you for doing something stupid, then realizing they are a friend of yours, or someone you go to church with.

What's on my iPod

Music is vitally important to me - especially as I work out. After a few fits and starts, I finally devised a playlist that works for me. I figure I will use it another couple of weeks before I change it up.

Black Betty - from the Miss Congeniality soundtrack
Toxic - Britney Spears
Somebody Told me - the Killers
Mr. Brightside - the Killers
Karma (fast remix) - Alicia Keys
Santa Monica - Everclear
Queer - Garbage
God-Shaped Hole - Plumb
Alien - Third Day

I will say there are some days when I need the soft solace of CandyCoatedWaterDrops (Plumb). Some days you just need an all Christian boost. Other days - especially those when I need to write a violent fiction scene, or it's just a stressful day - I need something fast and furious.

What do you listen to? What should I have on my workout playlist that isn't already there? Leave a comment and let me know.

Targeted for Audit: A Common Sense Missourian Responds to Senator's Stimulus Email

Today I got an email from Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, who wanted to clarify a few things about the stimulus nonsense approved by DC Democrats - and a few moderate Republicans.

I guarantee that I'm marked for some form of audit - like anyone else who has an opposing view to Big Government's Ignorant Spending Habits.

I tried to respond to the email, but of course, it was sent from a disposable email. (They don't really want you to respond and I'm sure lawmakers - like Big Business - know that by taking out the easy step to send an email response, few will have the time or inclination to dig up the correct email to send their thoughts.)

Unfortunately, some poor intern emailed me today that she would be in my area sometime in March. Bless her, but I sent it directly to her. May be File 13ed, or passed around the office. Who knows? At least I know a real, live person actually READ what I think, and it didn't go to some junk box.

The Senator's words:

Dear Ms. Wilson:

I just want to set the record straight in regards to the recently passed Economic Recovery Act.

First, this legislation provides one of the largest tax cuts in American history. Unlike tax cuts passed in the Bush administration, these tax cuts will go to most people who live in Missouri, instead of primarily helping those people who make more than a million dollars a year. Almost one third of the bill, over $247 billion, will go back directly into the pockets of hard working, middle class families and individuals. Also included are a series of important tax cuts for small businesses that are the engine of our economy. These small businesses will be a big help in creating jobs to get us out of this economic mess.

Second, this legislation provides a massive investment in our roads, bridges, electric grid, railways, alternative energy, rural broadband, and scientific research. Jobs, jobs, jobs – millions of jobs. Within hours of the President signing the bill, Missouri was the first state to put people to work as MoDOT began fixing a dangerous bridge over the Osage River near Tuscumbia using the additional federal dollars for Missouri’s highways. We will receive $637.1 million in additional funds for Missouri roads and bridges.

There is a lot of misinformation about this legislation out there. All of the spending in this bill is through formula funding or competitive grants or loans. There are no earmarks. The money in the bill for rapid transit will be available to eight different high traffic corridors in our country, and they must compete for those funds. There is no bullet train to Las Vegas in this bill. Yes there is some funding for helping American manufacturers build alternative energy products, including batteries. Once again, this will create jobs and has the added benefit of getting us out from under the thumb of foreign oil.

This legislation is not perfect, but the Chamber of Commerce, most Republican governors in this country, economic experts, and the National Association of Manufacturers supported it. And the alternative was to do nothing. With thousands of Missourians losing their jobs every month, doing nothing just didn’t cut it for me. I’m proud I was able to work with some of my Republican colleagues to take some spending out of this bill that wasn’t going to create jobs and add oversight and accountability.

We have to remember that America can handle any problem that comes along. Our work ethic and ingenuity will prevail. This tax cut and stimulative spending will not cure the illness, but it will stop the bleeding. Together the tough grit of the American people will ultimately cure the illness. Don’t bet on failure, not in America.

All best,
Senator Claire McCaskill

My response:

Dear Senator:

You say in your letter that this was the best plan for America. The BETTER plan would have been to give the American people making less than $250,000 - or even $100,000 - a check for $25,000 to spend as they wished. Nothing stimulates the economy more than giving people tax-free cash - and giving it to people who can spend it appropriately. All the government has done is give money to corporate interests who have proven time and again that they cannot balance budgets or handle what money their investors put in their banks or investment firms.

And instead of getting jobs for REAL people, the money in these plans are going to state jobs. Everyone knows if you do not know someone who works for the state, if you are not married to them or related somehow, you don't get that job. So, essentially, you are giving jobs to your friends, and not regular folks who really need the jobs. Think about it for a second. Roads and bridges need special skills sets to build. And, of course, we know that MoDOT awards contracts for equipment and transporting that equipment to companies who grease the pockets of the right lawmaker at the right time.

Citibank gets more funds, and the New York Times reported recently that they got SCAMMED by someone from Nigeria. It makes me feel real good to know my tax dollars are going to bail them out. (Get on Digg and see just how many people have read the article and commented their outrage.)

Funny thing about your "tax cuts." You are giving Americans an additional $13 per paycheck beginning in April. Don't give them too much - God forbid they might pay off debt and save a bit. The problem? You didn't bother to change the TAX CODES, so that means every American will be TAXED on that money next year.

What kind of savings is that? Make 'em feel good now and make 'em pay later? That is just idiotic.

I don't want to hear anymore about the so-called "stimulus." It does nothing but make me angry as a taxpayer and as an American who does her best to balance her budget, not overspend and save for retirement, since lawmakers have misused Social Security to the point that it will be out by 2017.

This entire bill is wasteful and I will campaign actively against anyone who supported it - Republican or Democrat. Perhaps enough people will get angry enough to start supporting competent third-party candidates instead of the same old nuisances.

Rick Santelli Rocks

The Obama administration's stimulus monstrosity is nothing more than throwing money at problems at hoping it sticks - much like throwing crap at a whitewashed wall to see if you can get it to stick.

Rick Santelli spoke exactly what Americans with any amount of brains are thinking. The Obama Administration doesn't like it. Spokesperson Gibbs basically acts like Santelli is a moron who refuses to print the more than 1,000 pages of this stimulus joke. (I guess if he needs toilet paper that bad, he could print it, but I'd hold out for something a bit softer.)

Amazingly enough, I didn't see a darn thing about Santelli's comments on the three big media channels until the Sunday morning political round abouts. Was this squashing an important message until no one was watching TV except the more informed?

See Santelli's comments yourself, as well as his response to Gibbs' PR nightmare response. (I give Gibbs maybe 6 more months. He might be good behind the scenes, but a White House spokesperson he is not.)