Lil Wayne is a CHUMP

Normally, I would write in support for someone who is going to jail for gun charge.  After all, states/cities writing their own laws to deny the basic right to self defense is laughable.  But in this instance, I simply want to "LOL" at the defendant.  Dwayne Michael Carter (aka, Lil Wayne) was sentenced to one year in jail yesterday.  Instead of serving his time at Rikers like a "man", Dwayne has requested that he serve his time in protective custody and be given special medical attention due to his massive dental problems.  Let's start with the first.  Dwayne, you say you're a member of the Bloods gang.  You "soowoop" (A "Blood" call sign) on your raps.  You're tatted up as if you've really done dirt and put in hard time.  In one of your songs, you say:

"Hold On To Your Surf Board When The Gat Wave.
Homie, You Can Be Deleted Like Backspace.
I'm Coming Threw Like A Fax Page.
I'm Just A Gorilla In A Unlatched Cage"

(Please note, these are his lyrics and his spelling... not mine).

Dwayne, you spoke this into existence.  Finally there's some truth to your raps.  You will be a gorilla in a cage.  A 5'6", 135-150 lb gorilla.  A gorilla who wears skinny jeans.  Stop hiding behind your money.  If Bernie Madoff (who' never claimed to be a thug), can serve his life sentence in prison without preconditions, SURELY you can handle Rikers for 8-12 months!  Practice what you preach, "gangsta."

CDA2

White House Asks To Have Trial Moved

Congratulations, Mr. President!  Sources say that the White House has asked the Justice department to seek new locations for the 9/11 hijacker suspect's, KSM's, trial.  This comes just one day after Mayor Bloomberg, one of the president's biggest supporters, called for the trial to be moved.  By holding this trial in regular court, there are numerous safety concerns, and the cost to the city of New York is growing rapidly.  This trial can reasonably be held in other cities and be far less expensive.

That's a huge win for proponents of the civil trial.  The next step?  Let's hold a military tribunal.

CDA2

Study: Spanked Children Do Better As Adults

A UK study was conducted which determined that young children spanked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit.

According to the research, children spanked up to the age of 6 were likely to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to college than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.  It also showed that children who continued to be spanked into adolescence showed clear behavioral problems.

Naturally, the "We will not raise your kids but we will tell you what is best for them" groups in the UK have tried several times to have physical chastisement by parents outlawed.  However, Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Michigan, said her study showed there was insufficient evidence to deny parents the freedom to choose how they discipline their children.  “The claims made for not spanking children fail to hold up. They are not consistent with the data,” said Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Michigan.  “I think of spanking as a dangerous tool, but there are times when there is a job big enough for a dangerous tool.  You just don’t use it for all your jobs.”

That is the BEST analogy to justify a whooping if I've ever heard one!

CDA2

It's Called Punishment For A Reason

"At 678, California has the nation's largest death row population, yet the state has not executed anyone in four years."  That sentence alone helps to explain why California faces the massive deficit that it has.  Why is the state refusing to punish people that have been found guilty of heinous crimes by a jury and sentenced by a judge?  Some inmates have even been on death row since the 1970's!  Hey, Governor Awnold!  You would have less crowded prisons if you would just rid the system of the 678 pieces of waste you have there now.

Stop with the stalling.  Fix the appeals process.  Put a timetable on all of it.  If a man/woman is unable to prove his/her innocence within 10 years of conviction/sentencing, why should we continue to pay millions for his/her food, care, and well-being?

CDA2

Understanding Plaxico

I usually preempt any controversial arguments with a clarifying statement. This note will not be an exception:

I am not a fan of Plaxico Burress. I do not like the New York Giants. I feel that SOUND laws should be respected and obeyed and that status, money, and power should never allow a person to be considered above the law. I feel that those of you who have been quick to call him a "thug", "typical athlete", or my favorite, "if you feel you need a gun, you shouldn't go there" are a little misguided. (Side note: I believe that Plaxico Burress should not have been charged, prosecuted, and convicted of a felony but that is not my argument today. If you want to argue gun laws and/or gun control, please wait, that opportunity will come soon).

Should this teen be charged?

We do STUPID things as teenagers. Most of us, anyway. A lot of times it's because as teenagers, we didn't fully respect the fact that we are not invincible, that we (and our friends) don't always know best, and that are consequences to our actions. One example of this played out with deadly consequence in Jacksonville this summer.

Here are the facts to this situation:

• In June, nine teens (ranging in age from 15-17) decided to skip their final day of class and head to the beach
• One of the teens, 16, borrowed the car from her parents but became sick so she asked her 15 year old boyfriend to drive them instead
• In Florida, even with a learner's permit, there must be a 21 year old in the passenger seat of the vehicle
• At the time of the accident, he was driving 72 in a 65 mph zone
• Possibly due to the weight in the vehicle (carrying NINE passengers in a FIVE passenger SUV) one of the tires blew out and the SUV rolled over several times