We have been looking at vintage mugshots recently discovered in the archives of the West Midlands Police Department, including the oldest mugshot in British history. These photos come from Birmingham England. I have a great fan of the series The Peaky Blinders and these mugshots originate in the period before the series in Birmingham. Today’s Victorian mugshot feature two women in the late nineteenth century. Continue reading
International
Victorian Felons: Top Hats And Cravats
We have been discussing the old West Midlands Police mugshots found in its archives, including what is believed to be the oldest mugshot in British history. Some names and charges were lost to history, including these two dapper gents.
Victorian Mugshots: Meet William Smith, Murderer
Ockham’s Razor And The Trump Tower Transcripts
Below is my column in the Hill newspaper on the release of the transcripts from the investigation into the infamous Trump Tower meeting. The testimony of key players is consistent with a reckless effort to get dirt of Hillary Clinton but, if anything, it undermines claims of collusion or conspiracy with the Russians. The answer may lie in the writings of 13th Century English Franciscan friar William of Ockham.
Here is the column: Continue reading
English Man Arrested With Cheerleader Outfit After Driving 130 Miles To Have Sex With 10-Year-Old Girl
Michael Bickerton, 49, insisted that his interest in sexual relations with children was purely fantasy. That did not sit well with English police who arrested Bickerton after he drove 130 miles to meet at 10-year-old for sex. It also did not help that he brought a cheerleading outfit with him in the car.
“Undesirable Person”: Russians Bar Entry Of German Journalist Who Helped Uncover Their Doping Program
We have previously discussed the questionable assurances of reforms from the Russian government after its government-led, systemic doping scandal. The greatest proof came this week when the Russians barred German Journalist Hajo Seppelt, the man who broke the Russian state doping story, from entry to the World Cup in Russia. If the Russians were so shocked and repentant, they should welcome Seppelt as a hero. Instead, they declared him an “undesirable person” for revealing their systemic cheating. Of course, the FIFA (which has distinguished itself as one of the most thoroughly corrupt organizations) has taken no real action.
Haspel Continues (Reluctantly) With Endangered Nomination Despite Opposition Over Her Prior Record Of Torture
CIA nominee Gina Haspel reportedly sought to withdraw her nomination last Friday but was convinced to continue by the White House. I have previously written extensively on my views the torture program implemented under the Bush Administration and why it was a clear violation of international laws and treaties. As I wrote recently, CIA nominee Gina Haspel has featured greatly in that torture program. Nevertheless, various Democrats continues to express a willingness to consider making her the head of the Central Intelligence Agency. In the meantime, Sarah Sanders has echoed the talking point that Senators will be hypocrites if they do not vote for the first woman to be nominated for this post. The problem is that she is also the first person nominated with an admitted history of torture, even though she continues to mislabel the programs as “enhanced interrogation.”
