Hispanic boy dragged by noose in parking lot, perp gets off with jail time sleepover

I haven't written in a long time. But it's hard to write about things that piss you off when it seems as though everything in the news does.

But this just took the cake. Could someone please explain to me how,

"[An Ohio 18 year old] accused of putting a noose around a Hispanic boy's neck and dragging him in a parking lot..."

is sentenced to ONLY 10 (read TEN) days in jail?! I mean what the hell?

This incident is far too similar to the dragging deaths in Texas (Brandon McClelland and James Byrd). Of course, I could make connections to the "possible" racial motivations behind this sentencing, but that would preposterous given that America is in a "post race" era since we now have a Black president.

Gruesome crimes like those in Texas happened in barbarian times -- you know, like a year ago.

Permission or no? Police req. to search cars

I thought this was one of those "duh!" factor things.

It seems in Utah there was some question as to whether or not a police office actually *needed* your permission to search your vehicle after pulling you over.

Seems a little simple doesn't it? But to be sure I have it, lets do some math:

My = possessive. My vehicle = individual possession of vehicle. My, not yours infers need for permission. Thus: My vehicle, you need permission to enter, touch, or do anything with said vehicle.

I may suck at math, but I think this works out.

Of course, there are instances where "my" is canceled out by "reasonable proof of wrong doing" such as having a gun on the seat, drugs, open bottle of alcohol, person tied up and gagged in the back seat, where a police officer doesn't need your permission.

Next time a cop pulls you over for speeding or no lights and asks to search your car, stick to your hypothetical guns and say no way!

Of course, this won't happen unless you are any of the following:

*Black/listening to rap
*Mexican/have the Virgin Mary as back window decorations
*Gay/listening to Cher louder than neighborhood regulations allow
*Muslim/have something other than a...well, nothing, on your head

PA teen murdered by those meant to protect

"The Department of Human Services (DHS) strives to protect children from abuse, neglect, and delinquency. We also work to strengthen and preserve families by enhancing community-based prevention services. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and permanency of DHS youth in nurturing home environments."

"Unable to help herself because of her cerebral palsy, she wasted away from malnutrition and maggot-infested bedsores that ate her flesh. She died alone on a putrid mattress in her mother's home, the floor covered in feces. She was 14 but weighed just 42 pounds."

I will say nothing about her parents, there is no combination of words that can appropriately address or explain my rage.

But the Department of Human Services (DHS) is another matter. They knew what was going on in that home, and they lied, falsified documents, and left that child there to die. After she was dead, they attempted to cover their tracks.

Perhaps the system is over burdened, perhaps the caseworker(s) were under trained and overwhelmed, and perhaps a million other excuses. Because in the end, that's what they are: excuses.

God grant her the rest and comfort she did not get in this life.

UPDATE: If you wish to contact the PA DHS and tell them your thoughts on the matter, their commissioner, Anne Marie Ambrose, can be at:

AnneMarie.Ambrose@phila.gov
215-683-6000