An American student entering Israel from Egypt via the border crossing at Taba two weeks ago stood stunned as Israeli Border Police officers determined her laptop computer was a security threat and shot it three times.
Lily Sussman, 21, wrote on her blog that the police officers subjected her to two hours of questioning and searches, before firing three bullets into her Apple Macbook.
Sussman said that she then heard an announcement on the loudspeaker that "was something along the lines of, 'Do not to be alarmed by gunshots because the Israeli security needs to blow up suspicious passenger luggage.'" Moments later, Sussman wrote, a man came to her and introduced himself as the duty manager, who told her: "I'm sorry but we had to blow up your laptop."
"The security officers did not ask about my laptop prior to shooting it," Sussman said. "They used the term 'blew up' when they told me they destroyed my laptop. I don't know why they shot it."
The Israel Airports Authority said in response that, "A [security] check performed on the lady's luggage signalled the need for security personnel to follow procedure. The police who carried out the operation in question were called to the scene. We suggest you approach the Israel Police for any additional information."
Sussman managed to salvage the hard drive and security officials at the crossing gave her an address where she would be reimbursed for her mangled laptop.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Israelis shoot up student's laptop
Drunk 4 year old steals Christmas presents
A 4-year-old boy, beer in hand, is accused of stealing Christmas presents from his neighbors. It's a strange story, but also a sad one. Of course maybe it had something to do with him mother having him at 17.
April Wright is 21 years old and is going through a divorce with her husband who is in jail. She says she is not sure how her 4-year-old managed to get out of the house, open a beer, and steal the neighbors presents from under their tree. Now she's just glad he's okay and says she won't let it happen again.
The child, Hayden Wright, was found around 1:45 am Tuesday, wandering the streets of his neighborhood. In a police reports, officers said he was wearing a little girl's dress and drinking a beer. The police report says the child had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for alcohol consumption.
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What's the chance that the kid's dad is doing time for going on a drunken robbery spree while in drag?
Flashing teens cause car accident
It's not just cell phones that distract drivers.
A New Zealand teen who was flashing her breasts at passing cars has been found guilty of disorderly behavior for the prank, which ended with her in a hospital after a distracted driver ran into her. Cherelle May Dudfield, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge when she appeared in Invercargill District Court, the Southland Times newspaper reported Wednesday.
Dudfield, egged on by her friends, was flashing passing motorists from a traffic island in the middle of a four-lane road in the southern city of Invercargill on Sept. 27.
The alcohol-fueled prank went awry when one of the vehicles crashed into her as she tried to run to the side of the road, police Inspector Olaf Jensen said.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tomorrow I'm seeing Fiddler on the Roof...again
The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, was the first run of a musical in history to surpass the 3,000 performance mark. Fiddler held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years until Grease surpassed its run. It remains Broadway's fourteenth longest-running show in history. The production was extraordinarily profitable and highly acclaimed. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning nine, including Best Musical, score, book, direction and choreography. It spawned four Broadway revivals, a successful 1971 film adaptation, and the show has enjoyed enduring international popularity.
The original Tevye was played by Zero Mostel who was the best. Others that followed him were Herschel Bernardi, Theodore Bikel, Leonard Nemoy (yes Spock), Paul Lipson, Chaim Topol (also starred in the film version), Alfie Bass, Lex Goudsmit, Henry Goodman, Alfred Molina and Harvey Fierstein (who I'm seeing tomorrow). Other well known actors to perform in the production include Andrea Martin (Golde), Rosie O'Donnell (Golde), Beatrice Arthur (Yente), Bette Midler (Tzeitel), Bert Cony (Perchik), Adrienne Barbeau (Hodel), and Fyvush Finkel (Mordcha).
Here are some of the leads:
Zero Mostel
Theodore Bikel
Herschel Bernardi
Topol
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Liberals' twisted photo contest
Rick Mercer’s advice to Liberals: “First rule of photoshop – no posting of penis pics on politicians’ heads. Second rule – no assassinations.”
The Liberals seemed to have forgotten the rules because they they have a fake photo of Stephen Harper being assassinated by Jack Ruby on a Liberal website. Not surprisingly there is outrage in the Tory ranks.
Political spin doctors are just so infantile.
UPDATE: The many women of Tiger Woods
Yeah it's time for another update. Talk about Third Leg Syndrome.
Wife - Elin Nordegren (on her way out the door)
#1 - Rachel Uchitel (party planner)
#2 - Jaimee Grubbs (cocktail waitress)
#3 - Kalika Moquin (nightclub manager)
#4 - Jaime Jungers (cocktail waitress)
#5 - Cori Rist (Hooters waitress)
#6 - Mindy Lawton (waitress)
#7 - Holly Sampson (porn star)
#8 - Joslyn James (porn star)
#9 - Julie Postle
#10 - Theresa Rogers
Monday, December 14, 2009
Parity has definitely arrived at the NHL
OK, even the biggest cynic has to admit the Toronto Maple Leafs are hot. They are winners of 7 out of the past 10 games and earned 20 points in the past 14 games. So here is the weird part of this. The Maple Leafs have only moved up 1 spot in the standings. They are 29th overall and 14th in the East although tied with 4 other teams. Yet they are only 2 points out of a playoff position.
In the incredibly tight East, there are 3 points separating 8 teams. The Leafs are no where near being a Cup contender but they also don't look like a team that will be handing over a lottery draft pick to the Bruins this spring.
What turned this mess around? Well decent goaltending has been the main contributing factor. Also a consistent sniper (Kessel) has made the team much more effective during 5 on 5 situations. You can't win games by totally relying on your powerplay for goals. Most encouraging is that they play an entertaining game.
I don't see the Leafs maintaining a winning percentage of 70% but I don't see them going losing 8 games straight either. I guess the boo-birds have stopped calling for Ron Wilson's head - at least for the time being.
Ashley Dupre is now a journalist
How low will the mainstream media stoop to sell a newspaper? Well how about hiring Ashley Dupre, the former escort who brought down Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Ashley will be sharing what she's learned in her new sex, love and relationship column in the New York Post.
There is a future for Jaimee Grubbs, Jaimie Jungers, Holly Sampson et.al.
DUI Mindy steals an ambulance - oh what fun!
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In defense of Don Cherry
Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator is a leading expert on head injury so when he speaks people listen. He has seen the irreparable damage that can take place following a head injury and is a strong advocate for preventative measures. This past weekend he got a lot of attention his fight against head injuries by labeling Don Cherry as a negative influence by promoting violence in hockey.
People by now know that I’m not a big Cherry fan. Mostly because of his right wing and xenophobic views rather than his views on the game. His flamboyant approach reflects his desire to promote Don Cherry. Hockey is actually second on his list of priorities. However, Cherry’s views on the game reflect the public views and not the other way around. When you go down to the ACC or any arena, a breakaway doesn’t bring people out of their seats unless the home team scores. Yet, every fight brings people to their feet even the reserved Toronto crowds. The game is physical and violent, even the girls game. Don Cherry can’t change that.
Don Cherry does not promote a reckless, dangerous style of hockey. He like many fans of the game like the physicality and believe that fighting actually curtails the dangerous use of sticks. Clearly his approach sees the game teetering on the edge between controlled and uncontrolled violence. Occasionally players go too far and cross the line. The game then has to deal with those individuals and ensure that everyone else gets the message as well. I am not a fan of fighting but I also understand that it cannot be eliminated from the game. Sure there are other sports where any amount of fighting is not tolerated. However, hockey has had fighting since its inception and you just can’t start from scratch. Also Cherry and others are correct. A good on ice beating sometimes works better than a 3 game suspension as a preventative measure in the bad stuff that goes on.
The game has evolved much faster than those “in charge” can adjust to these changes. Protective equipment like elbow and shoulder pads are as effective as weapons as they are in preventing injuries. Hip check virtually disappeared when molded plaster shoulder pads were introduced. Meanwhile, helmet technology has not moved ahead as quickly as say stick technology. Rink also design contributes to injuries. Players do not take proper measures to protect themselves by wearing a chin strap that keeps their helmets on. The game is faster and high speed collisions are more likely to occur with negative consequences. Eliminating obstruction has in fact high speed collisions. Nothing Don Cherry can say is going to change how this game develops. He is merely stating what he likes and doesn’t like. And so is Charles Tator.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Newest Blue Jay outfielder Joey Gathright can jump over a car
...but of course he can't hit. So welcome to Toronto Joey. This should be one awful year.
