A 28-year-old pregnant woman was knocked to the floor during the mad rush. She was hospitalized for observation, police said. Early witness accounts that the woman suffered a miscarriage were unfounded, police said
All the News Unfit Print for Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sick net: Kid kills himself online.. while thousands watched live on his webcam
Abraham Biggs, 19, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, killed himself. He was a college student at Broward Community College.. And while the news of a teenager committing suicide may not come as a shock, the fact that he did it online may--on his webcam while people watched.. Glued to their computer screens..
Biggs' name was "CandyJunkie" on a bodybuilding website.. He blogged his plans to kill himself.. Police have been in touch with users of the site that have read his previous blogs, blogs that often spoke about killing himself. According to an AP report today, some users who read the blog told investigators they did not take him seriously because he had threatened suicide on the site before.. However, as the AP goes on to say, the Biggs family is angry that the viewers, or the website, acted to save the 19-year-old's life..
Justin.tv CEO Michael Seibel said: "We regret that this has occurred and want to respect the privacy of the broadcaster and his family during this time."
The AP:
"Condolences poured in to Biggs' MySpace page, where the mostly unsmiling teen is seen posing in a series of pictures with various young women. On justin.tv, his alias was "feels_like_ecstacy.""
"I have let everyone down and I feel as though I will never change or never improve. I am in love with a girl and I know that I am not good enough for her. I have come to believe that my life has all been meaningless. I keep trying and I keep failing. I have thought about and attempted suicide many times in the past"
Biggs took a drug overdose in front of his life Net audience.. Viewers reacted with "OMG" and even LOL when they watched his motionless body on the bed while his webcam continued to stream live..
When police tracked down the address of Biggs' home and now death bed, the webcam shut off.. viewers were able to see the cops show up before the transmission was cut..
The disturbing news of Abraham Biggs' death now national and global news.. Another example of the "kids aren't alright" .. and the Internet being used to showcase it..
In this horrid example, though, the net was shown at its worst.. Users with anonymous names sending messages of glee as a young man killed himself in front of them.. People safely in front of their lifeless monitors encouraging madness.. The kids may not be alright, but neither is the Net..
All the News Unfit Print for Saturday, November 1, 2008
NASCAR, WAL-MART, and Central Pennsylvania: McCainiancs come home
The Keystone State of Pennsylvania is interesting. John McCain has been tirelessly campaigning in the state while Democrats stand and scratch their heads with confusion as to why..
McCain has been hoping that his upset victory in 2008 starts with Pennsylvania.. He's been talking non-stop to residents in PA via call, mail, and personal visits. He's been spending a lot of time in places like Pottsville, PA, small towns in Central Pennsylvania, crowds in Hershey PA.. And now the Keystone State has become the Woodstock of the McCain camp.. According to reporting from the Washington POST, people from other states are traveling to Pennsylvania to support their candidate John McCain. McCain is hoping that the same Democrats that led Hillary Clinton to a late spring Pennsylvania win votes for him. PA doesn't have early voting--so he's hoping his supposed 'comeback' helps in the last 48 hours in Pennsylvania..
But I truly doubt it will come down to Pennsylvania. Think of this: PA has 67 counties.. in 2002, Ed Rendell won the state with only the few counties in the extreme Southeast and he dashed any hopes for an African American Republican in PA with a landslide victory over Lynn Swann in 2006. And look at this: County by county in 2004 in Pennsylvania. John Kerry won a mere 13 counties of 67. And he won the state's 21 electoral votes because the counties he won has the biggest population in the state..
For McCain to win PA on Tuesday and score this dramatic upset, the stars may have to align. If get out the vote campaigns are successful in Southeast PA, it would be incomprehensible to think that the midstate or Central PA area can come up with enough votes to surpass Philadelphia and other suburbs of the city.. When Philadelphia votes, so goes the state..
A victory for McCain in Pennsylvania would not only be an upset, but a miracle. Miracles happen..I guess.
But rarely. Expect 2008's PA to go for Obama, even if he only wins 19% of the real estate--it's the population in the 19% that matters..
I had major problems with the Jesus Camps for Bush in 2004.. I have major problems with the bandwagon philosophy.. A people as a whole can, and have, do some bad things when they jump on the bandwagon--even when intentions start out as noble. Which is the exact reason the kids below scared me:
Does anyone else have a problem with this? Kids singing to Obama as opposed to America?
Nothing against Barack.. But believe me, I would have the same trouble with this type of a video if it was for McCain..
This country should not--though it sometimes does--idolize the presidents or leaders that lead it! Instead, it should always proudly wave the flag due to the fact that the Constitution of the United States has set up a system of government that is flawed but still the best in the world.. America should stand up tall for this country.. and not act like Obama is the new king of the world..
I don't care who you're voting for this year.. I don't care who you voted for in past years.. I think this video creeps me out for a number of reasons, and I think we're in a wonderful odd year. I'm enjoying it all, but when I see kids being used in this way, it reminds me a bit of a totalitarian dictatorship. And if they're at the inauguration (presumably if Obama wins) I will be even more fearful..
I find no virtue in worshiping a mortal. He or she is imperfect..
And when that mere mortal gets into office and does the same things that those mere mortals did in the past, where will it leave the kids singing their march for hope song? Will they still bang their drums for Obama? Will they still belt out "yes we can!" ... maybe, if the government makes them.
Everyone needs to chill out a bit. Obama is not God.
Even though the kids appear to think he is...
All the News Unfit Print for Saturday, September 20, 2008
Blue sky, Barfy burgers. .chem trails!
I have a few personal favorites when it comes to holidays and seasons.. I love July 4, followed by Halloween, then Christmas, and then Thanksgiving.. The other holidays nad special days end up lower on the list.. July 4 is the perfect time of year: Summer nights, fireworks, and the celebration of what it means to be an American, which all too often involves way too much alchohol and an odd American desire to eat hot dogs.. Halloween's my second favorite most likely because it takes place during my favorite season: Fall. A magical time of year.. really, I believe it is. There's something about fall that has a certain spirit--at least if you live in an area that is getting increasingly chillier at night like my areas is..
I woke up this morning, walked outside, smelled the clean air, looked up at the blue skies overtop of the still green but changing trees, and what to my wondering eyes should appear: But a few dozen chem trails littering the air.
The jet airliner's fecal release of chemicals clouds, following behind the jet that is long gone..
I don't necessarily fall into the conspiritorial mindset when it comes to these, but it does make me wonder.. As I look up at the sky..
Whether they're harmful or not to earth and human besides, they ruined a perfectly gorgeous morning today by littering the blue sky with white snakes.. They'll go away..to come back another day?
I had a thought last night when I put yet another photo of a child on my website welcoming them after birth.. Not welcoming their 'after birth' but welcoming THEM after birth.
My wife and I are not with child -- and as of now at least not expecting.. We will hopefully be blessed with children, but I wanted to inform readers: The Schmuckraker is not gettin' around like that.
Beautiful Skyla Lane is my wife's sister's newborn girl, and last month beautiful Eva was born to our friend's parents..
And to the best of my knowledge, neither child is mine.
However, it's a prayer of mine that one day I can post a photo of a child .. with parents.. and have those parents be me and Tara. Then you will know when the child is truly mine..
Until then, I'll be welcoming children close to me into this world.. A tradition that dates back to when I had the Horror-Report.com and my nephew Liam David was ushered into the world..
All the News Unfit Print for Thursday, September 18, 2008
Civics die young: What the kids don't know...
Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.. maybe a lot of people don't know that. Dates are tough. .History is filled with them, but a date like September 17, when an event like the signing of the Constitution occurred is kind of important.
An opinion written by Sandra Day O'Connor and Lee H. Hamilton appearing today was wonderfully written and somewhat frightening..
With young people voting at higher rates than ever before, it might seem that the founders would be pleased with our progress. Yet civic engagement requires more than voting in presidential elections every four years. A healthy democracy demands sustained citizen participation, and our schools must give students the knowledge and tools to participate.
Sadly, civic education has been in steady decline over the past generation, as high-stakes testing and an emphasis on literacy and math dominate school reforms. Too many young people today do not understand how our political system works. They lack the tools to shape their communities through their own participation
I have been thinking about this one for a while..Every election cycle we're told young people will vote in huge numbers. Though they failed to do this every time in history that they were supposed to, 2008 may be different.. They are not being polled since they're not likely voters, and they're organized this year more than ever.. But what will students think when their man Obama can't get his agenda passed through a combative Congress? Will they realize that free health care for all won't happen in a year? Will they know that "change" will have to be translated into legislation instead of mere words on a teleprompter?
O'Connor and Hamilton are right: We may have taught kids it's important to vote with "Choose or Lose" and "Vote or Die" campaigns from MTV, but in the aftermath of the vote, does it go back to normal? Jaded and cynical? I say yes..
But then I'm jaded. And cynical..
All the News Unfit Print for Friday, September 5, 2008
THE POLITICS OF CHANGE.. STARTING TO STINK .. World of the photoshops: Did you get the Palin email yet?
A few months ago, I had to combat people at work who thought Barack Obama was born in a different country and was a Muslim.. It was tough . .especially with the constant flow of emails into inboxes overwhelmed with untrue messages about Obama's heritage and faith..
And now, the new rock star of American politics, Sarah Palin, is getting her share of Photoshopped press. Emails flying around of Palin with a gun, wearing an American flag bikini with underage children drinking in the background.. Pictures so well-done it forced one very intelligent man I know to believe the photos were true. He sent them to a lot of people.. I showed him Snopes .. but I think he discounted factual evidence and still continued to believe the Palin Photoshops to be real..
During Obama's Muslim fictitious days, hardcore close-minded Republicans believed Obama was a traitor and sold out America and for these reasons wasn't qualified to be president... During these new Palin-crazed days, hardcore close-minded Democrats believe Palin is an unintelligent right-wing nutcase that isn't qualified to be vice-president. And they are set out to prove it! Even if it means believing fiction..
I just got new emails to my inbox: Palin's kids drinking.. More fakes... and fakes.. and fakes. Didn't get an Obama email lately, though. I guess I'll get it again in October...
I hate to brag, but I predicted the Palin thing a few days back. I know, it's only days..
And yes, there are some topless rumors going around .. more fakes..
The refreshing "politics of change." Looking more and more like the politics of 1800s and 1900s every day. Some brave new world. Some 21st century....
All the News Unfit Print for Saturday, July 12, 2008
DARK KNIGHT LIGHT
I am going to be completely unbiased in my reporting of the amount of money DARK KNIGHT makes at the box office. I will be pretty unbiased when it comes to reporting on Oscar possibilities for players in the film.. I will be a little unbiased when posting reviews from sources for the film. I will be completely biased when expressing my interest and love for this film.
It's not even out yet, I haven't seen it besides pirated 5 minutes online that have quickly been deleted from various sources, but I feel like already giving it four stars.
I have anticipated this movie for months, if not years. I have anticipated a movie finally laying to rest the images of Cesar Romero as the Joker .. images of his moustache being seen through white makeup. Images of a Joker that were so happy and opposite to what the comic book idea of the Joker was.
As great as Jack Nicholson was in the truly excellent Tim Burton version of BATMAN, it was not Ledger's performance. Heath Ledger, apparently, is sticking to the notion that the Joker really isn't funny, especially when he's busy trying to blow up hospitals and have no mercy on anyone.
The DARK KNIGHT really isn't going to be a kids movie, though I do see the Bale BATMAN and Ledger JOKER figures for sale at toy stories. But kids will see it. With parents. And all will be blown away by the performances of everyone in this film..
The other villain in this film, Harvey Dent, will explode from the "white knight" of Gotham City into Two Face. . .
But Two Face will have to wait.
Right now, it's the Joker's turn.
And goodbye to the images of Cesar as the clown prince of crime.
Random rakings
I woke up this morning, walked outside, smelled the clean air, looked up at the blue skies overtop of the still green but changing trees, and what to my wondering eyes should appear: But a few dozen chem trails littering the air.
A few months ago, I had to combat people at work who thought Barack Obama was born in a different country and was a Muslim.. It was tough . .especially with the constant flow of emails into inboxes overwhelmed with untrue messages about Obama's heritage and faith..
And now, the new rock star of American politics, Sarah Palin, is getting her share of Photoshopped press. Emails flying around of Palin with a gun, wearing an American flag bikini with underage children drinking in the background.. Pictures so well-done it forced one very intelligent man I know to believe the photos were true. He sent them to a lot of people.. I showed him 
I am going to be completely unbiased in my reporting of the amount of money DARK KNIGHT makes at the box office. I will be pretty unbiased when it comes to reporting on Oscar possibilities for players in the film.. I will be a little unbiased when posting reviews from sources for the film. I will be completely biased when expressing my interest and love for this film.
It's not even out yet, I haven't seen it besides pirated 5 minutes online that have quickly been deleted from various sources, but I feel like already giving it four stars.
I have anticipated this movie for months, if not years. I have anticipated a movie finally laying to rest the images of Cesar Romero as the Joker .. images of his moustache being seen through white makeup. Images of a Joker that were so happy and opposite to what the comic book idea of the Joker was.
As great as Jack Nicholson was in the truly excellent Tim Burton version of BATMAN, it was not Ledger's performance. Heath Ledger, apparently, is sticking to the notion that the Joker really isn't funny, especially when he's busy trying to blow up hospitals and have no mercy on anyone.
The DARK KNIGHT really isn't going to be a kids movie, though I do see the Bale BATMAN and Ledger JOKER figures for sale at toy stories. But kids will see it. With parents. And all will be blown away by the performances of everyone in this film..
The other villain in this film, Harvey Dent, will explode from the "white knight" of Gotham City into Two Face. . .
But Two Face will have to wait.
Right now, it's the Joker's turn.
And goodbye to the images of Cesar as the clown prince of crime.
