Topic: THIS WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS (Read 30202 times)

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #90 on:** April 08, 2005, 10:52:08 AM »

Has anyone here read Mordden's "The Happiest Corpuscle I've Ever Seen"

?

William F. Orr · « **Reply #91 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:10:12 AM »

I admit that I was woefully ignorant of the present state of the "justice" system and "correctional services" in this country until it touched my own life. Things were not always thus. Well, I was prompted to do a bit of research.

According to Human Rights Watch, the US prison population has quadrupled since 1980. We have a much higher percentage of our population in prison than any other Western country.

The "prison industry" is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the country. In order to curb rising costs, of course, our New York Governor, like many others, has curtailed certain unnecessary expenses--job-training programs and educational opportunities for inmates. You know, anything that might lead to turning them into good citizens.

Sorry if I'm venting too much.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

CORPUSCLE!

William F. Orr · « **Reply #92 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:15:41 AM »

And by the bye, (BTB in Internet Lingo), when are we going to get to read "The Poem of the Randy Jack Benny and the Violin"?

vixmom · « **Reply #93 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:22:11 AM »

Speaking of the justice system , has anybody heard about this?

Quote

Convicted spammer sentenced to 9 years
Jaynes still won't go to prison, however, pending appealThe Associated Press
Updated: 1:35 p.m. ET April 8, 2005LEESBURG, Va. - A man convicted in the nation's first felony prosecution for illegal spamming was sentenced to nine years in prison Friday, but the judge postponed the sentence while the case is appealed.

Loudoun County Circuit Judge Thomas Horne said that because the law targeting bulk e-mail distribution is new and raises constitutional questions, it was appropriate to defer the prison time until appeals courts rule.

Jeremy Jaynes was convicted in November for using false Internet addresses to send mass e-mail ads through an AOL server in Loudoun. Prosecutors said Jaynes sent more than 10,000 spam e-mails over three days in July 2003 from his Raleigh, N.C., area home, using the Internet to peddle sham products and services such as a "FedEx refund processor."

A jury had recommended the nine-year prison term.

Jaynes told the judge that regardless of how the appeal turns out, “I can guarantee the court I will not be involved in the e-mail marketing business again.”

Lisa Hicks-Thomas, the prosecutor, said she was pleased with the ruling and confident that the law would be upheld on appeal.

“We’re satisfied that the court upheld what 12 citizens of Virginia determined was an appropriate sentence — nine years in prison,” said Hicks-Thomas.

Jaynes' sister, Jessica DeGroot, was also convicted in the November trial, but Horne dismissed that verdict a month ago, saying he found no "rational basis" for it. He upheld Jaynes' conviction, however. A third defendant, Richard Rutkowski was acquitted in the jury trial.

Virginia, where AOL is based, prosecuted the case under a law that took effect in 2003 barring people from sending bulk e-mail that is unsolicited and masks its origin.

Defense attorney David Oblon argued that nine years was far too long given that Jaynes was charged as an out-of-state resident with violating a Virginia law that had taken effect just two weeks before.

S. Woody White · « **Reply #94 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:25:52 AM »

Der Brucer and I have been errant and truant (better than errant and falsant). We have been taking pictures of dogs needing new homes, and staying off of the net in order to keep the phone lines open (only to have the expectant caller call us on the line we keep in the car), and last night we got drunk. ( $:-\$ )

I have several days worth of posts to catch up on. Or mustard on. Salsa on. Sriracha on! (My current condiment of choice. Yummers!)

vixmom · « **Reply #95 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:26:55 AM »

And here are two of our favorite topics "EBay" and the "American Judicial System" wrapped together in one interesting story:

Quote

EBay scammer sentenced to 6 years
Judge blasts 'complete lack of remorse'The Associated Press
Updated: 12:23 a.m. ET April 6, 2005PORTLAND, Maine - A federal judge rejected a plea bargain from a Yarmouth man accused of conducting a series of Internet scams after the man threw a pitcher of water across the courtroom at a prosecutor who called him a thief.

U.S. District Judge George Singal on Monday sentenced Charles Stergios, 21, to more than six years in prison for scams that cheated 321 people out of $421,000. Singal said he imposed a stricter sentence because Stergios had fought efforts to pay back his victims.

"You have shown a complete lack of remorse in this case," Singal said. "In my view, you are likely to perpetrate when you come out of incarceration."

Stergios wrote bogus checks to buy merchandise through eBay and sold items he didn't own, according to court records. His victims reported that he mocked them and sent insulting e-mails to those who complained about being cheated.

Stergios was to be sentenced Friday but the hearing was postponed after he threw a water pitcher at Assistant U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank.

In rejecting the plea bargain agreement, Singal sentenced Stergios to a year and three months more than prosecutors had requested.

In court, Stergios said he couldn't help himself and that he had become addicted to money the way others get hooked on drugs or alcohol. "Money was my drug, my obsession," he said.

Among Stergios' victims was a military serviceman who wanted to sell his computer to buy Christmas presents for his children. Another was a retired New York City detective.

Stergios pleaded guilty Oct. 18 to bank fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud. He acknowledged defrauding more than 50 victims out of more than $200,000. But more victims and more losses came to light after the plea was entered.

I think my favorite part of this story is the con man's excuse that he "became addicted to money"

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #96 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:34:11 AM »

DVD: Napolean Dynamite

CD: TommyDorsey/Frank Sinatra; Stan Freberg: The Collectors Series (with John & Marsha; St. George & the Dragonet; Sh-boom; Rock Island Line, and most of the Freberg classics)

vixmom · « **Reply #97 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:37:49 AM »

Quote from: S. Woody White on April 08, 2005, 11:25:52 AM

Der Brucer and I have been errant and truant (better than errant and falsant). We have been taking pictures of dogs needing new homes, and staying off of the net in order to keep the phone lines open (only to have the expectant caller call us on the line we keep in the car), and last night we got drunk. ( $:-\$ )

Ah wuz wondrin' where ya'all wuz , Ah figgerd you wuz jest dog tired......

Jrand74 · « **Reply #98 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:40:07 AM »

Cool and breezy today. Nothing in the mail. Nothing on the job front.

But HHW is still here and breezing along with the breeze!

vixmom · « **Reply #99 on:** April 08, 2005, 11:44:12 AM »

Quote from: JRand54 on April 08, 2005, 11:40:07 AM

Nothing on the job front.

Tarnation!
I shuld have made my

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] ~~~ JOB VIBES~~~
[/move]

bigger

William F. Orr · « **Reply #100 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:10:33 PM »

Quote from: vixmom on April 08, 2005, 11:26:55 AM

And here are two of our favorite topics "EBay" and the "American Judicial System" wrapped together in one interesting story:I think my favorite part of this story is the con man's excuse that he "became addicted to money"

So he expected to be sentenced to attend Money Anonymous meetings?

"My name is Donald Trump, and I am a moneyholic."

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #101 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:14:13 PM »

Good Afternoon!

Amazing what an hour of massage can do for a person. And amazing just how much tension one can hold in one's neck and shoulders! Yikes! I knew I had been busy, busy, busy the past couple of weeks, but I had no idea just what kind of toll it was taking on my body. Heidelberg - Yes! his Mom named him after the city in Germany - also has some chiropractic training - so he was also able to get my neck and spine realigned. I owe a big Thank You to my regular guy back in Richmond for the referral - Heidelberg is a former student of his. I'm feeling very relaxed, and also a bit re-energized.

*Best of all, Heidelberg is Filipino! Both of his parents are Filipino, and his mom named him after the city where one of the national heros went to school. Consequently, he usually goes by his nick-name, Berg. Who'd of thunk?

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #102 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:16:59 PM »

And now I think I shall have some salad...

-Just thought you'd all like to know that.

William F. Orr · « **Reply #103 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:24:19 PM »

Just a quick note. I don't think I'll be able to post again today.

Jim's mom just called. He has been sentenced to two years . Two years from last January. The year and a half he spent in Abu Ghraib, Long Island Branch, doesn't count. In January 2007, he can go before the PB again. There is a right to appeal this decision, but his lawyer says it is "a joke".

I'm going home to decide how to break this news to Joe.

Thanks for your vibes, your prayers. You are all wonderful people.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #104 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:26:56 PM »

Quote from: William F. Orr on April 08, 2005, 12:24:19 PM

Just a quick note. I don't think I'll be able to post again today.

Jim's mom just called. He has been sentenced to two years . Two years from last January. The year and a half he spent in Abu Ghraib, Long Island Branch, doesn't count. In January 2007, he can go before the PB again. There is a right to appeal this decision, but his lawyer says it is "a joke".

I'm going home to decide how to break this news to Joe.

Thanks for your vibes, your prayers. You are all wonderful people.

There are just no words...

Comfort.
Peace.
Love.

Jennifer · « **Reply #105 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:38:33 PM »

DR Vixmom, I wonder if that spammer guy is facing jail time because he sent spam emails OR because he was peddling fake products. The latter seems much more worthy of punishment.

vixmom · « **Reply #106 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:40:48 PM »

Quote from: William F. Orr on April 08, 2005, 12:24:19 PM

Just a quick note. I don't think I'll be able to post again today.

Jim's mom just called. He has been sentenced to two years . Two years from last January. The year and a half he spent in Abu Ghraib, Long Island Branch, doesn't count. In January 2007, he can go before the PB again. There is a right to appeal this decision, but his lawyer says it is "a joke".

I'm going home to decide how to break this news to Joe.

Thanks for your vibes, your prayers. You are all wonderful people.

Two years for 'resisting arrest'?! No actual crime charged?!!

Please give Joey a big hug from me... I am so sorry...

Jennifer · « **Reply #107 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:42:38 PM »

DR WFO, I'm very sorry. I wish that there was something that we could do. I don't get it. Why did they even give him a parole hearing last week, if they clearly weren't even going to let him speak.

Good vibes to him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

vixmom · « **Reply #108 on:** April 08, 2005, 12:43:43 PM »

Quote from: Jennifer on April 08, 2005, 12:38:33 PM

DR Vixmom, I wonder if that spammer guy is facing jail time because he sent spam emails OR because he was peddling fake products. The latter seems much more worthy of punishment.

I agree, the fraud does seem more "penalty worthy' but from my reading of the article ( and lord knows I could have misread this) it seems as if he has been charged under a anti-spamming law.

Matt H. · « **Reply #109 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:03:56 PM »

I've never heard the scores for the musical versions of SHEBA, PICNIC, or BUS STOP, but I think trying to musicalize any of them is a HUGE mistake. I just don't think every play is ripe for musicalization.

Of course, people said that about PYGMALION, too.

Matt H. · « **Reply #110 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:05:42 PM »

Very sorry, DR WFO. Ah, the world is just not fair SO much of the time.

Matt H. · « **Reply #111 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:07:56 PM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on April 08, 2005, 10:52:08 AM

Has anyone here read Mordden's "The Happiest Corpuscle I've Ever Seen"?

LOL! Nope, but I have read THE HAPPIEST CORPSE I"VE EVER SEEN and was very disappointed with it. I liked his other survey books very much.

However, just this very morning, I ordered his 1930s musical survey book (the last in the series). I wasn't aware it had been released and just stumbled across it today.

Matt H. · « **Reply #112 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:10:49 PM »

I was also pleased to see that Amazon is now selling those Sepia reissues of Broadway show albums. They've got TWO'S COMPANY (Bette Davis) and SEVENTEEN/HIGH BUTTON SHOES on their list for imminent release.

I can now retire my worn out TWO'S COMPANY LP after decades of playing.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #113 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:28:47 PM »

I am shaking my head DR WFO. And I know this has probably already been done, but if your state legislator is accessible, you might ask for his help.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #114 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:29:22 PM »

Congratulations to Mr BK on his one dozen thousand + posts!

S. Woody White · « **Reply #115 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:45:19 PM »

Quote from: JRand54 on April 08, 2005, 01:28:47 PM

I am shaking my head DR SWW. And I know this has probably already been done, but if your state legislator is accessible, you might ask for his help.

Uh, I think you've got me and DR William F. Orr confused again. As in confused for each other.

He's the woofy one. I'm the one with the dogs.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #116 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:47:06 PM »

Do you think Charles and Camilla will do the Chicken Dance or the Macarena at their wedding reception tomorrow?

Is anyone going?

Coverage starts at 6 a.m. EST on WE!

Jrand74 · « **Reply #117 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:48:58 PM »

I AM SO SORRY SWW - again! Now I have a mental block! Well, I always had it. I don't know what to say. I did change the original post though.

S. Woody White · « **Reply #118 on:** April 08, 2005, 01:51:20 PM »

I guess it's better to have a mental block than to have your brain up on blocks! (Been there, done that.)

S. Woody White · « **Reply #119 on:** April 08, 2005, 02:00:23 PM »

Quote from: Hisaka on April 08, 2005, 05:26:56 AM

The cherry trees in Washington DC are very famous, aren’t they?

When the cherry trees in Washington DC bloom each year, a festival is held celebrating Japan's arts and culture, taking place right now. The trees were a gift from the city of Tokyo to the United States, and are loved.

News:

Author Topic: THIS WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS (Read 30202 times)