The JB Random Report 4/1/10

NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS

9 arrests were made, the final one this week, in connection with a terrorist group whose targets included law enforcement officers. The idea was to kill cops then bomb their funerals. The plotters were charged with conspiring to wage war against the United States, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosive materials and carrying a firearm during a violent crime. You would think that an arrest like this would be a great victory against Muslim extremists, until you realize that these arrests were made in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and all arrested were part of a Christian Militia group. And in an odd coincidence, these Hutaree militia members are all white and from the rural part of the United States. Racism and the Christian attitude of violent death to their enemies…that’s in the Bible right? Look, maybe no one wants to hear it but there really is a need to fear home grown terrorists that have nothing to do with Muslims and everything to do with clearly hating Americans and American values, all while waving a huge American flag.

Hey Barack Obama, you won, no need to appease those who are not gonna work with you anyway. Republicans, whose progressive enegy policy for the future seems to be “Fuck you, gimme more oil!” have long wanted to drill in places that might be a risk to the environment. Bad enough that those corporate assholes were barely held accountable for the Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989, now Obama seems to be caving to pressure to drill 50 miles off the Virginia coast, essentially reversing a ban that for 20 years has limited off shore drilling to the Gulf of Mexico. Reducing our dependency on foreign oil and creating jobs are very popular politically, but both can be achieved by green jobs and seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.

ENTERTAINMENT

Ricky Martin finally came out of the closet, and as usual, I’m shocked that so many people are shocked. I guess that “Shake Your Bon Bon” video really was a cry for help after all…

“Gimme sympathy, after all of this is gone / Who would you rather be, The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?” – Metric

Ahhh…The Stones by a landslide, thank you.

I really gotta write an updated version of "Top 10 Hottest News Anchors" and include Jessica Yellin of CNN.

SPORTS

Who the Hell had West Virginia and Baylor in their Final Four? OK stop lying, we were all caught by surprise. Since we all gotta pick someone, I guess I’m going with Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Why? Why not? The last time they won it all I had a great year, and there is no fucking way I’m ever picking Duke.

THIS WEEK’S REASON WHY TERRORISTS WANNA KILL US

How fucked must your situation be when Bill O’Reilly wants to act as your savior?? When Albert Snyder’s son was killed in action in Iraq, the last thing he imagined would be anti-gay picketers at his son’s funeral. His son wasn’t gay, nor was he political, so what sparked this outburst? And even worse, after he sued them for disrupting the most difficult event in the lives of both himself and his family, why would he be ordered to pay the legal costs of a handful of demonstrators from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan.? Once again, religion setting the example for all of us; Because picketing outside the Maryland funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder with signs expressing such sentiments as "God hates you" and "Thank God for dead soldiers," not to mention wearing T-shirts saying “Godhatesfags.com,” Is exactly what Jesus would do. So my question once again is why? Even these maniacs admit their outburst had nothing to do with Snyder as an individual, just that church members have demonstrated at other events with similar signs. Founded by Pastor Fred Phelps, the church believes God is punishing the United States for "the sin of homosexuality" by allowing wars and soldiers' deaths.

So Mr. Snyder, obviously horrified by the disruption, filed a federal lawsuit claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy. Although difficult to prove, both are solid legal grounds in this case, so I am baffled as to why after being awarded $10.9 million in compensatory and punitive damages, the 4th District Court of Appeals not only reversed the ruling, saying Phelps and his people were protected by First Amendment free-speech rights, but also ordered Snyder to pay more than $16,000 in legal fees accumulated by Westboro Baptist in defending itself. I really thought that it was the 9th District that was full of …umm “odd” decisions, guess the whole legal profession is gonna have to start watching these guys too. By ruling in this manner, the court is essentially saying that the Snyders’ case was totally without merit, and that is legally erroneous to say the least. A case without merit would have been dismissed at the procedural level, not adjudicated, awarded and then decided it was without merit. Maybe the 4th District was sick the day they taught law in law school.

And in a rare showing of actually doing the right thing, on his "O'Reilly Factor" cable show Tuesday night, Fox News (HA! “News”) commentator Bill O'Reilly said he would write a personal check to cover the fees charged to Snyder. Thankfully, The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case in another test of how far the First Amendment can stretch in guaranteeing the right of free expression. I’ll keep you posted. So…killing cops, blowing up funerals, picketing dead soldiers…nice example religion is setting, not to mention the Catholic Church, circling its collective wagons against a new set of charges, international charges this time, so sorry Vatican assholes, you can no longer say this is an “American” problem, that they are diddling young boys.