Surf’s Over: Iran Blocks Millions of Internet Sites and Arrests Iranian “Blogfather”

250px-flag_of_iransvgIran has blocked access to more than five million Internet sites in a crackdown on immoral and antisocial viewing. Abdolsamad Khoram Abadi, an advisor to Iran’s prosecutor general, explained that “The enemies seek to assault our religious identity by exploiting the Internet.” Of course, any site catering to post-Sixth Century life would seem to challenge Iranian values at this point. The country has also arrested Hossein Derakhshan, a leading blogger, on the charge of spying for Israel.
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Step Away From the Corpse: Police Taser Pallbearer at Funeral

bilde-2The New Hanover County Sheriff’s office had a neat idea of how to arrest Gladwyn Taft Russ III, 42, for threatening his wife. When his father died, they waited until he was putting the casket in the hearse on the way to the cemetery and swooped in to grab him. When they ended up kneeing him in the back and tasering him in front of the shocked mourners, who said that the officers pointed guns and tasers at them. The family canceled the trip to the cemetery.
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What a Tool: Home Depot Founder Says People Who Do Not Support GOP “Should Be Shot”

150px-thehomedepotsvgHome Depot’s founder Bernie Marcus appears done building a customer base. In a conference call, Marcus said that retailers who did not support “Norm Coleman and these other guys . . . should be shot.” This gives the store’s “you can do it, we can help motto” a bit more menacing meaning.
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The Murder and “The Hidden Hand” of St. Pius: Two Catholic Priests Arrested for Murder of Nun

sisterabhayaJohn Grisham should be booking a ticket to India. Sixteen years after the body of Sister Abhaya was found in the well at the St. Pius convent in Kottayam, India, two priests and a nun have been arrested for murder. Father Thomas Kottor, Father Joes Phthrukayil and Sister Abey are being held on charges in the death of the 21-year-old sister. A court ordered the investigation re-opened after concluding that a “hidden hand” was a work to hide the truth in the case.

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French Court Rules That Muslim Man Cannot Divorce Wife For Faking Virginity

thumb_wedding_ringsA French appeals court has reinstated the marriage of a Muslim man who sought an annulment because his bride lied about being a virgin. A lower court granted the annulment but the appellate court has declared that they are still unhappily married.
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Sen. Ted Stevens Loses in Alaska — Awaits Sentencing on Corruption Charges

225px-ted_stevensSenator Ted Stevens (R. Alaska) appears to have avoided an expulsion vote in the Senate on Thursday by losing his seat in Alaska on Wednesday. The convicted felon had vowed to continue in office while challenging his federal conviction. The election, however, showed that roughly half of Alaskan remains pro-family and pro-felon.
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The Lord Will Not Provide: Religious Organizations Firing Employees Due to Lack of Contributions

thumb_bag_of_moneyIt appears that the economy is hitting evangelical groups and universities — once thought to be recession-proof. Both Oral Roberts University and Focuc on the Family have announced major layoffs. The Oral Roberts layoffs come shortly after a settlement with the founder’s son.
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When Law Students Attack: IL Puts Robber Into Hospital to Protect His Case Notes

laptop-robberArizona State Law Student Alex Botsio was willing to part with his wallet and guitars when faced with an armed robber but intruder Gabriel Saucedo learned that he would have to pry away his cold dead fingers from his laptop containing his class notes. Botsio defended his case notes with the passion of a mother mink and ultimately put Saucedo in the hospital in a act of heroism that has brought tears to the eyes of law professors around the globe.

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The International Blasphemy Law: UN General Assembly President and Nicaraguan Priest D’Escoto Calls for World Ban on “Defaming Religion”

157034Recently, there has been a steady and worrisome trend of stories in Western countries restricting free speech in the name of tolerance of religion, sexual orientation and other values. Now, United Nations General Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann has called for a world ban on anyone defaming any religion. A suspended Nicaraguan priest, D’Escoto is little concerned about the devastating blow to free speech and free press in such a rule — dangers already realized in various countries where speaking against a religion has resulted in criminal penalties and even death. In making this outrageous call, D’Escoto has given critics of international legal systems a great boost — showing the dangers of such rules in restricting cherished constitutional rights.

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New York Hunter Charged With Manslaughter After Killing 16-Month Baby in Home

taibi_ed-1In Swan Lake, New York, Edward Taibi, 45, of Queens, New York has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after firing at a deer too close to a home and killing 16-month-old Charly Skala inside the grandparents’ trailer home. It is only the latest such killing, but a relatively rare case of a hunter being criminally charged.

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Iowa Magician Points the Finger at Martha Stewart: Tort Case Alleges Product Defect in Lounge Chair

This is the story of Martha Stewart, the Lounge Chair225px-martha_stewart, and the Magician’s finger. In Des Moines, Iowa, Patrick Albanese is suing Kmart Corp. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia after he lost the tip of his right index finger while carrying the Martha Stewart Everyday lounge chair on his deck. Albanese claims to be a hand model, magician, and banjo player — making the loss a devastating blow, even after it was put back on by surgeons.

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