Republican Rep. Todd Akin

Republican Representative Todd Akin’s will never know what it feels like to be a woman. When he was asked if he would support abortion of women who have been rapped, he said “It seems to me first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare”, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” Todd Akin’s statement is the most insensitive thing anyone could ever say? There is no such thing as legitimate rape, Rape is Rape. He tried to say “misspoke”, boy did he. Todd Akin is an IDIOT! The GOP has called for Todd Akin’s to resign from the Senate race. He says he’s not. Todd Akin is not the only IDIOT, in the conservative Republican Party. The GOP is always trying to get all up in woman’s business. Trying to dictate to them about their bodies and the sad thing is the majority of them are men. They have a lot of never! In the Kansas House last March there was a discussion about women purchase of separate abortion-only policies. Republican Rep. Pete DeGraaf suggested women should plan ahead for rape, the way he keeps a spare tire. A few weeks later, Indiana State Rep. Eric Turner, a Republican, said some women might fake being raped in order to get free abortions. These men are a bunch of IDIOT’S! You can bet that if their wives or daughters were rapped they would not think twice about an abortion. It is terrible that people actually think like this and people vote these lunatics into office. It really comes down to women having the only say, what happens to their bodies. Not a Man Period!

LM

http://nj1015.com/outrage-erupts-over-todd-akins-legitimate-rape-comment/

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/21/opinion/granderson-gop-rape-abortion/index.html

17 year old Claressa Shields Wins first U.S. women’s boxing gold in Olympic history

It does not matter how old you are, age is only a number. Claressa Shields born on March 17, 1995 and raised in Flint, Michigan. Claressa did something no other U.S. Woman has ever done in Olympic boxing history. I was watching this fight and 17 year old Claressa Shields, put a whipping on 34 year old Nadezda Torlopova of Russia. I had to write about this young lady she deserves to be known. Claressa Shields defeated her 19-12 on August 9, 2012 to claim the gold medal in the middleweight division. Claressa’s father was not around from the age of two through 9, he was in prison. Bo Shields Claressa’s father introduced Claressa’s to boxing at a young age. He boxed in underground leagues. Claressa’s father used to talk to her about Laila Ali piquing her curiosity in the sport. Bo Shields believed boxing was a man's sport and would not let Claressa pursue it until she turned eleven. Claressa trained at Berston Field House in Flint, under boxing coach Jason Crutchfield. Claressa grandmother encouraged her, not to accept restrictions based on her gender. Claressa won two Junior Olympic championships. She also competed in her first open-division tournament, the National Police Athletic League Championships, in the fall 2011. Claressa won the middleweight title and was named top overall fighter, and qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials. In February, she defeated the reigning national champion, Francon Crews. Then she defeated Andrecia Wasson the, 2010 world champion and Pittsburgh's Tika Hemingway to win the middleweight class. Claressa was unstoppable. Claressa won her weight class at the Women's Elite Continental Championships in Cornwall, Ontario, against three-time defending world champion Mary Spencer of Canada. She held an undefeated record of 25 wins and 0 losses at that point. After her victory at the U.S. Olympic trials it was originally reported that she would need only to finish in the top 8, at the 2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. There was a change in the rules on May 10. Just before Claressa first fight and the day after the contest began, Claressa would need to place in the top two from America. Claressa won her first fight, but was defeated by Savannah Marshall on May 13, 2012 leaving Claressa with her first loss. Her record was 26-1. Claressa chance of making Olympics was up in the air. It was determined on how Savannah Marshall's performance was and we all know how that turned out. It is a good thing Claressa’s father let her pursue it, because this young lady made history. You can best believe we are going to be seeing and hearing more about Claressa Shields. Woman Power!

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claressa_Shields

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/claressa-shields-wins-first-u-women-boxing-gold-164414857--oly.html

The Chevron Richmond Refinery Had Another Fire

Being a resident of Richmond California can seriously be a hazard to your health. Living in a town that has the third largest oil refinery in the state, run by Chevron has had its share of fires in the past. In January of 2007, the seal on a pump in a crude unit failed, triggering a fire that lasted almost 10 hours. A former worker at Chevron Richmond refinery named David Rorai 60, worked as a welder about a decade ago said another explosion injured several workers. There were two explosions at 6:15 p.m. on August 6, 2012. With two large fires emitted thick, black smoke into the sky. Chevron officials said, the fire started at the refinery's No. 4 Crude Unit. An inspection crew discovered that, there was a diesel leak in a line in the unit just before 6:30 p.m. All employees were evacuated no serious injuries were reported. One employee had burns on his wrist and was treated at Chevron Richmond refinery onsite clinic. Sirens ripped through the air, alerting residents to stay indoors to prevent breathing tainted air. Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo shelter-in-place remained in effect until late Monday. All of Contra Costa County had an advisory, for those with lung conditions or a sensitivity to smoke to stay indoors. Oakland hills residents were being warned by police about smoke heading their way. Smoke stretched out over the El Cerrito hills. Contra Costa County hazardous materials units rolled through the neighborhoods, taking air samples. Contra Costa County hazardous materials specialist Trisha Asuncion said, “That no hazardous compounds had been detected in the air, but that monitoring would continue.” Several dozen people went to Kaiser's Richmond Medical Center complaining of shortness of breath. BART was affected they shut down, Richmond, El Cerrito del Norte and El Cerrito Plaza stations at about 7 p.m., and shut down service between Richmond and El Cerrito and Richmond and North Berkeley about 30 minutes later. Richmond Station remained closed late Monday. 500 angry residents crowded the Richmond convention center August 7, 2012 for a community meeting and demanded answers. Chevron was called to answer questions about the incident. They booed when refinery General Manger Nigel Hearne apologized again for the fire. Rev. Kenneth Davis of North Richmond Baptist Church said, "You talk about shelter in place, but how long can I hold my breath," and "What about our dogs, our cats, our chickens, our horses and what about our children?" I can feel for the residents of Richmond to have another fire 5 years apart is not good. Not knowing how this is going to affect their health in the long run. Another thing is how this will affect the already high prices of gas? On Tuesday throughout California spot gas prices could reach $4 a gallon by next week. After the fire at Chevron's east Bay refinery. Chief oil analyst Tom Kloza of Oil Price Information Service said, "With the spike in spot gasoline prices today, you are looking at average pump prices in the Bay Area ranging from $4 to $4.10 a gallon within a week or so," The price of gas in the Bay Area is $3.70 or a bit higher. As for the price of gas being raised, is so unfair. What can we do about it? Everyone is going to continue to drive, so we all are going to have to suck it up and get over it.

LM

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fire-at-Chevron-refinery-in-Richmond-3767221.php

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_21254171/investigation-continues-into-richmond-refinery-fire

The First African-American Gold Medalist in the All-Around Gymnastics 2012 Gabby Douglas

Most people had not heard of 16 year old Gabby Douglas, like me. I first heard of her while watching the Olympic Gymnastics trials on TV. They were held in San Jose California from June 28-July 1 2012. I remember saying these girls could win when gold in London. When they picked the five girls to represent the U.S.A., Gabby Douglas was among them. The Fab 5 were on their way to the Olympics. There has never been an African-American woman to win gold medal in the all-around. Gabby Douglas made history. Just like Dominique Dawes, who was on the 1996 Olympic "Magnificent Seven" gymnastics team? She was the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and the first black person of any nationality or gender to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. Gabby Douglas is a 4-feet-11 inch 90 pound ball of fire, with an infectious smile. 

You can’t help smile, with her. Gabby sacrificed a lot at a young age to pursue her Olympic dreams. She left her home in Virginia Beach to live with strangers in West Des Moines, Iowa, just before her 14th birthday. Gabby wanted to quit and go back home, but her mother would not let her. Her mother said, “I know she would never be able to live with herself if she was sitting home on July 26 getting ready to watch the start of the games and her name wasn’t on it,” Ms. Hawkins said. “It was your decision to come, and you’re not a quitter.” I’m so happy her mother would not let her quit. So many parents give in to their kids. Gabby has had criticism about her from the African-American community about her hair. I just want to say, all of you who have been talking about her hair shame on you. That is so negative, you should be proud! Gabby Douglas you do you. I look forward to seeing Gabby Douglas in 2016 in Rio. She is going to be more mature and stronger. Gabby Douglas just might shock the world!

LM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/gymnastics/story/2012-08-02/gabby-douglas-aly-raisman-olympic-gymnastics-all-around/56704226/1

Shooting at a Sikh temple by a former U.S. Army soldier Wade Michael Page

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Another senseless shooting happened at a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on August 5, 2012. Forty year old Wade Michael Page a former member of the U.S. Army went in the Sikh temple and started shooting. When it was all over, he had killed six people five men and one woman ranging in age from 39 to 84. He also shot  Lt. Murphy , a 51-year-old officer who was first on the scene. Lt. Murphy was ambushed by Wade Michael Page in the parking lot. He was shot eight to nine times at close range with a 9 mm handgun. When two other officers arrived they exchanged gunfire with Page, killing him. The officers found Lt. Murphy laying shot in the parking lot. Lt. Murphy and two other shooting victims are listed in critical condition. Lt. Murphy is expected to make a full recovery, because he was wearing a bullet proof vest. Wade Michael Page is from Colorado. He received basic training in Fort Sill, Okla., moved to Fort Bliss in Texas and finished at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. A U.S. Army spokeswoman told Yahoo News that Page served from April 1992 until October 1998 as a member of the psychological operations unit. He was never deployed, but was awarded numerous medals, including two for good conduct and one for humanitarian service. A psychological operations specialist is "primarily responsible for the analysis, development and distribution of intelligence used for information and psychological effect," according to the U.S. Army website. If that is the case what happened to this so called decorated soldier? According to CNN, citing a Pentagon official, Page was discharged in 1998 for "patterns of misconduct." Of course the U.S. Army would not confirm that. I think just maybe their covering themselves, because they don’t want to admit they let a deeply disturbed person loose on the streets. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Page "was a frustrated neo-Nazi who had been the leader of a racist white-power band." The band, called End Apathy, formed in 2005. According to the group's MySpace page, its music "is a sad commentary on our sick society and the problems that prevent true progress." If you ask me Wade Michael Page was a racist and he could have targeted any minority group. Unfortunately it just happened to be the Sikh community. I’m going to say it again we need stricter gun laws in this country. All these innocent people killed by these cowards have to stop.

LM

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/sikh-temple-shooting-suspect-u-army-wade-michael-123748845.html

Three Children from Watsonville Accused in Brutal Attack on Three Kittens

Our Children are supposed to be our future. Well on July 29, 2012 two girls and one boy from Watsonville under the age of 10, viciously attacked three kittens. A witness reported it to the authorities and gave a description of the children. The Santa Cruz County animal shelter manager found the kittens in the street. One of the children threw a kitten against a wall causing severe brain damage causing it to be euthanized. The Shelter manager also found the other two kittens with rope tied around their necks, restricting their breathing. Thank God, they survived. The National School Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the National Crime Prevention Council all agree that animal cruelty is a warning sign for at-risk youth. Studies show that chronic physical aggression (e.g., animal cruelty) by elementary school boys increases the likelihood they will commit continued physical violence as well as other nonviolent forms of delinquency during adolescence.[vi] A child who abuses animals may also be acting out against violence in his own home.[vii]. Professional intervention can remove a child from a potentially abusive situation and divert him or her from future abusive behavior. Experts agree that early prevention and treatment of animal cruelty is the key to stopping the cycle of violence, because as aggressive children get older, they are less responsive to therapeutic intervention. I think animal cruelty at an early age is signs of a sociopath that will grow up being an abuser or serial killer. The parents of these three children should be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and neglect. Not to know where your young child is and what they’re doing is neglect. Both the children and the parents should also have serious counseling. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter officials asked authorities to charge them with felony animal cruelty. I’m so glad these three children were caught I don’t want to imagine what they would have grown up to be. Maybe it is not too late for them. In the song “The Greatest Love Of All” the opening the first verse says it all.

“I believe the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride, to make it easier; let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”

LM

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/08/03/kitten-killed-2-hurt-in-brutal-animal-cruelty-allegedly-by-watsonville-children/

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/qa/cruelty_violence_connectio

One Person Dies While Riding on Party Bus Going To Santa Cruz

On July 27, 2012 a party bus traveling on highway 17 going to Santa Cruz was the scene of a accident. The bus was carrying Natasha Noland and fellow passenger’s home to Santa Cruz. A fight broke out between the 25-year-old Noland and a 20-year-old woman from Felton. 

Natasha Noland some how toppled out of the door of the moving bus and died. According to California Highway Patrol they had a hard time questioning the passengers, because everyone except the driver was drunk. Noland's boyfriend, Bryan Jeffrey Larson, 33, of Santa Cruz was arrested after he kicked an officer several times and kicked out the window of a patrol car. Along with Larson, Hunter John Richardson, 19, of Santa Cruz, was arrested on charges of public intoxication and obstructing officers. Officers seized the black, 1998 Ford bus and plan to contact the 12 to 15 people believed to have been on board. Several passengers fled the scene some were suspected of being underage drinkers. The authorities are still trying to piece together what happened. Two years ago teenager Brett Studebaker was killed on Highway 101 near San Mateo in a car crash after leaving a party bus, after a night of heavy drinking. Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, describes party buses as "Booze cruises, a party on wheels." He has authored a bill to rein in the party bus companies and make them assume responsibility for their passengers, including minors drinking on board. Party Buses have become very popular in the Bay Area cities. They shuttle teenagers and adults to hot spots, nightclubs and bars in big-cities. Some buses cater to bachelor or birthday parties while others bring together strangers for a pub crawl or ride to a concert. These party bus riders have become more rowdy. The City of Walnut Creek has made it known that party buses are not welcome in their town. The residents of Campbell have blamed the rowdiness of their new downtown partly on the party bus. In San Francisco a North Beach Club called Monroe is no longer permitting patrons from party buses to come inside. The owner Nader Marvi told KTVU. "I know of incidents where there is, let's say, 25, 30 guys who come into the club to cause problems. Security gets involved, and the security is outnumbered. They start beating up on security guards."

I think there should be employees from the party bus company on board to make sure things don’t get out of hand. If it does than the party bus company should have the right to return the patrons back to where they started without them knowing. This should be in every party bus company contract. It was a sad situation what happened to Natasha Noland. It is not surprising something like this was bound to happen. Put a bunch of drunken idiots together, who have been partying all night is a recipe for disaster. I don’t think it’s the party bus that is the problem. It is the people who choose to get out of hand. The bill Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo is trying to get passed I think will help the party bus companies adhere to a better and safe practice. Not just make it about the money they generate.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_21195152/party-buses-hidden-world-drinking-parties-and-debauchery?nstrack=sid:12103806|met:300|cat:0|order:3

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/07/party-buses-san-francisco-opposition_n_1498220.html