Category: International

China Bans 120 Tunes as Harmful to “Public Morality” and Social Stability

130px-Mao_Zedong_portraitChina remains one of the world’s most repressive regimes in the denial of free speech, association, and other basic rights in the “People’s Paradise.” The latest target of the government is music. The regime has posted a list of 120 tunes that can no longer be played in the country as harmful to “public morality.” Obviously, even the censors manning “Great Firewall of China” may have a hard time keeping music from the masses.

Continue reading “China Bans 120 Tunes as Harmful to “Public Morality” and Social Stability”

California Officially Bans Use Of The Word “Alien” In Government Documents

MendozaJBWhile the word “alien” is still used by the federal government and a wide variety of legal material to describe someone who is neither born nor naturalized in a country, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 432 this week to ban the use of the term. The bill was introduced by State Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) not only remove the term from all government documents but also removed the state’s preference for hiring U.S. citizens on public works projects during periods of unemployment.

Continue reading “California Officially Bans Use Of The Word “Alien” In Government Documents”

Zimbabwe Quietly Re-Opens Lion Hunts After Outcry Over The Killing of “Cecil the Lion”

250px-Male_Lion_on_RockZimbabwe has its ban on lion, leopard and elephant hunting that it imposed after the illegal killing of the beloved “Cecil the Lion” by Minnesota Dentist Walter Palmer. Hunting companies were told that they could start to line up wealthy trophy hunters again for bag the big game. In the meantime, conservationists have come forward to defend trophy hunting as a needed source of revenue for these parks.
Continue reading “Zimbabwe Quietly Re-Opens Lion Hunts After Outcry Over The Killing of “Cecil the Lion””

Indian Rape Victim Forced To Balance Heavy Stone On Head To Prove Her Virtue

a-rape-survivor-in-india-must-balance-a-heavy-rock-on-her-head-to-prove-her-purity-body-image-1438974892We have been following the plight of women in India from an epidemic of rape to discrimination in marriage and advancement. The medieval mentality found in some parts of India was on display in the Gujarat High Court, which asked a rape victim to balance a 40kg rock on her head in order to ‘prove her purity’ and reside with her husband again. It is part of the bizarre ritual called “Agnipariksha,” or “test of fire.”

Continue reading “Indian Rape Victim Forced To Balance Heavy Stone On Head To Prove Her Virtue”

UN Envoy: Women and Girls Sold By Age By ISIS “Like Barrels of Petrol”

200px-flag_of_the_united_nationssvgFlag_of_the_Islamic_State.svgThe stories coming out of ISIS strongholds continue to disgust people around the world. Indeed, the extremist view of Islam applied by these terrorists often seems hard to believe but, when a United Nation’s envoy releases such stories, there are credible sources for some of these incredible accounts. UN’s special envoy for sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Bangura has released a report that ISIS published ‘price list’ of captured Yazidi, Christian sex slaves for its fighters and customers. In addition, the group has reportedly executed 19 women for refusing to have sex with its fighters.

Continue reading “UN Envoy: Women and Girls Sold By Age By ISIS “Like Barrels of Petrol””

Japanese Olympic Logo Designer Accused Of Plagiarism By Belgian Designer

n-olymplogo-a-20150731-870x590There is a controversy in Japan that may rekindle questions about the increasing claims of trademarks and copyrighted material. Belgian designer Olivier Debie has accused Japanese designer Kenjiro Sano of stealing the basic design of his emblem for a Belgian theater as the official logo for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There is no question that the letter has similar geometric elements, but it is also true that Sano’s design is indicative of the minimalist tradition of Japanese art. To claim all future minimalist representations of an “T” raises the same concerns as common words or images being declared private property. By the way, I like the Sano design and I think it captures the character of the host nation and its artistic traditions.

Continue reading “Japanese Olympic Logo Designer Accused Of Plagiarism By Belgian Designer”

India Blocks Adult Websites In Sweeping Censorship

1024px-Flag_of_India.svgThe India government is under fire for a sweeping censorship move blocking hundreds of adult websites as a social nuisance. A total of 87 websites were blocked — denying millions of adults the right to choose their own associations and entertainment. It is a triumph for morality codes and a significant erosion of free speech and privacy protections for the Indian people.

Continue reading “India Blocks Adult Websites In Sweeping Censorship”

Idaho State University Employee Triggers Outrage With Taunting Pictures of Big Game Kills In Africa

Sabrina-Corgatelli_3395602bThe alleged unlawful killing of two lions by two separate American doctors has caused an international outcry and demands for extradition to Zimbabwe for prosecution. (here and here). However, one American woman is using the controversies to taunt animal lovers and apparently drive up traffic on her Facebook site. Sabrina Corgatelli is believed to come from Boise, Idaho and is reportedly a university accountant at Idaho State University who also runs a clothing company called Racks and Ridges. She teased those objecting to the illegal hunts by saying “To all the haters. Stay tuned, you’re gonna have so much more to be pissed off about.” She then posted various photos from the “trip of a lifetime” posing with the corpses of a giraffe, warthog, kudu and impala during a trip to South Africa. To be sure to ignite those grieving over the death of Cecil the Lion, Corgatelli posted a series of pictures with such notes as “All you haters, This is for you!! Have a great day, cuz I know I will!!’

Continue reading “Idaho State University Employee Triggers Outrage With Taunting Pictures of Big Game Kills In Africa”

Second American Doctor Accused of Illegally Killing Lion In Zimbabwe

2B0B22D800000578-3183020-image-m-55_1438531460851Many people around the world have been following the unfolding drama surrounding the death of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe by Doctor Walter James Palmer. Zimbabwe is demanding Palmer’s extradition. Now a second American doctor, Jan Casimir Seski of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, has been accused of an illegal lion hunt with a bow and arrow at the very same park, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.

Continue reading “Second American Doctor Accused of Illegally Killing Lion In Zimbabwe”

From Predator to Prey: Zimbabwe Seeks Extradition of Minnesota Dentist For Killing Cecil the Lion

CLBO8g9WIAAoQftMinnesota Dentist Walter Palmer is already one of the most vilified individuals in the United States. Palmer paid $50,000 to lure a lion with bait, kill him with a bow and arrow, cut off his head and skin him. What Palmer viewed as a good time has turned into a nightmare after he bagged Cecil the Lion, a famous lion in Zimbabwe. Cecil was lured out of the park sanctuary with a dead animal on top of a vehicle. He was wearing a collar and was first wounded and then hunted down the next day for the kill by Palmer. He then left Zimbabwe just in time to avoid arrest. Not so lucky was the head of the safari and the owner of the land upon which Cecil was killed. Now, Palmer has become the prey as Zimbabwe announced that it is seeking his extradition for prosecution.

Continue reading “From Predator to Prey: Zimbabwe Seeks Extradition of Minnesota Dentist For Killing Cecil the Lion”

Ultra Orthodox Man Stabs Six At Jerusalem Gay Rights Parade

israel1Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man, stabbed six marchers in the annual Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem. What is equally disturbing is that Schlissel was just released after serving 10 years for stabbing participants in the Gay Pride Parade in 2005. Schlissel immediately demanded a court held in accordance with Jewish law, a request which was denied.

Continue reading “Ultra Orthodox Man Stabs Six At Jerusalem Gay Rights Parade”

Passenger Sues Airline After Being Forced to Share Sit With Obese Individuals

EY-Etihad-Airways-new-logo-EnBoeing_777-FFX,_Etihad_Airways_Cargo_AN2275000James Andres Bassos has an interesting lawsuit against Etihad Airways for a flight from Sydney to Dubai. Bassos charges that he was forced to sit next to a “grossly overweight” person and, as a result, injured his back in having to contort his body during the flight. The court in Brisbane, Australia decided that Bassos has a legitimate claim and declined to dismiss he lawsuit.

Continue reading “Passenger Sues Airline After Being Forced to Share Sit With Obese Individuals”

New York Attorney General Moves To Shutdown Leukemia Charity Accused Of Giving Less Than One Percent Of Funds To Patients

leukemia1-635x357Police in New York have arrested Zvi Shor, 64, the founder of the National Children’s Leukemia Foundation (NCLF). He is accused of a truly despicable fraud. The New York Attorney General’s office alleges that roughly 83 percent of the nearly $10 million that the NCLF raised from 2009 to 2013 was paid to professional fundraisers and less than one percent— $57,541— went to direct assistance for leukemia patients. Shor, whose son died of leukemia, has previously been accused of fraud. He was convicted of felony bank fraud in the Eastern District of New York in 1999.

Continue reading “New York Attorney General Moves To Shutdown Leukemia Charity Accused Of Giving Less Than One Percent Of Funds To Patients”

Rainbows Make You Gay: Saudi Religious Police Arrest School Administrator For Having Rainbow Image On Building

Rainbow-House-x400Saudi Arabia has given the world another bizarre example of life under the strict Islamic code and values of the Kingdom. The Talaee Al-Noor International School in Riyadh painted an inviting and playful rainbow image on its building. The Kingdom’s religious police quickly swooped in an arrested the administrator, fined the school $25,000, and ordered the facade painted over. The reason? Rainbows are seen as “emblems Of homosexuality.” It is not clear what the religious police will do with naturally occurring rainbows.

Continue reading “Rainbows Make You Gay: Saudi Religious Police Arrest School Administrator For Having Rainbow Image On Building”