Duke Lacrosse Case

I admit I don’t know all the facts in the case of the alleged rape that took place at a Duke Lacrosse team’s party. What I do know, however, raises enough questions that I’m skeptical there’s a case here.

First and foremost, DNA testing was done on samples taken from the suspects and turned up negative. If a rape did take place, it’s a given that there will be DNA evidence. Fingernails, hair, fluid – something. It’s highly suspicious that no evidence of rape was found if it occured the way the alleged victim claims.

Lawyers for the suspects claim to have pictures showing the alleged victim arrived with cuts and bruises. If true, that would torpedo the case right there.

The thing that really got me wondering was the 911 call preceding the alleged attack. An anonymous caller (allegedly the second dancer) called 911 to report that someone used a racial epithet. Say what? There are a lot of reasons to call 911 but a racial epithet isn’t one of them. What did the caller want – the cops to cordon off the block and question everyone? Put someone in jail for using the N word?

Or … maybe the caller was trying to set the suspects up, perhaps to make this a racial thing.

I certainly don’t condone sexual assault. If the kids are found guilty then they need to go to prison. But the kids haven’t been proven guilty of anything and the strongest evidence – the DNA – backs them up.

Let’s see what Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong can prove. He should either get this case quickly to court or drop the charges. Until then, I’ll be inclined to believe both the alleged victim and Durham’s grandstanding DA are playing the people of Durham for suckers.

Perfect Weekend For All But One Of Us

It was an almost perfect weekend. Weather was gorgeous, it was great being with the family, and the yard got mowed for the first time this season and looks great. Hallie and Kelly are healthy and in good spirits. One of Kelly’s longtime friends was in town and spent time visiting. I got a lot of quality Daddy time with the kids. I even spent time with my own parents, which was great.

The only thing missing was Travis’s health. The poor kid has run a fever of around 103 degrees for the past few days. He zones out in the daytime and wails at night. Occasionally he’ll perk up (right when the ibuprofen takes effect) and be his old self, but usually he’s just quiet. His appetite has taken a hit, too. That belly he’s been working so hard to build is going to slip away. 🙂

The doctor has given him a day or two to get back to normal. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll bring him back in for more testing. Man, it’s tough to watch the kids get sick.

Domestic Warantless Wiretaps Possible

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Man, I miss the Constitution. It used to totally rule. Literally.

I can’t wait to vote these crooks out of office.

Storytelling

I’ve been interested in learning the tricks to telling a good story, so I dropped a line to the Real Paul Jones thinking he would know where to find good storytellers in the area. Paul passed my query over to his friend Brian Strum, who sent me the following links:

More storytelling press

Good stuff, y’all.
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Kos Coming To Raleigh

Influential lefty political blogger Markos “Kos” Moulitsas Zúniga of DailyKOS fame has added a stop in Raleigh to his national book tour. Kos will visit Quail Ridge Books on Friday, May 12th at 7:30 PM to tout his new book, Crashing The Gate, which is a sober look at today’s Democratic Party and how it could be improved.

I’m out of town that weekend, but I’d be front-and-center if I was here. For a political junkie like me, it should be a very interesting talk.

It’s All True – I Found It On The Internet

OMG! This is all true LOL!

In other news, the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale on Craigslist.

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  • Molecularly speaking, water is actually much drier than sand.
  • The term “bank teller” originated in the wake of the 1929 stock market crash, when banks began hiring low-paid workers to “tell” throngs of frantic depositors that their money was gone.
  • The brand name “Jelly Belly” was created in 1982 after Nancy Reagan made a much-publicized quip about her husband’s 20-pound weight gain.
  • The Internal Revenue Service audits 87 percent of women who claim breast implants as tax deductions.
  • Scandinavian berserkers used to cut out their eyes before battle to spare themselves the sight of the carnage they invariably wrought.
    Continue reading →

Sweet Rain

I awoke yesterday morning to the sweet sound of thunder: it was raining! I’d seen some of that in Australia but around here it had been a while. Yesterday evening’s stormy weather didn’t dump any rain, but the winds were freakishly strong. The horizon looked eerily menacing, with black clouds swirling as if alive. If only those clouds had offered any rain.

The home weather station reports that yesterday we received an inch of rain, at times falling at 1.5 inches per hour. That brings my rain gauge’s yearly total to 4.76 inches. That’s far below the average of 12 inches this time of year, but at least its more consistent with RDU Airport. Last year our house received 5 fewer inches of rain than the airport.

Herb Sendek Moves On

The news this weekend is that Herb Sendek has taken a job at Arizona State. He cited the disgruntled fans as the reason.

Good for Herb, I say. Some so-called Wolfpack fans don’t deserve a coach of his caliber. He’s getting a fat raise and a new beginning at Arizona State.

Now the Pack will spend the next three years “rebuilding,” while Dook and Carolina roll to more championships. No need blaming anyone else: the Pack gets what it deserves.

On a related note, I take issue with Ned Barrett’s implying all Pack fans wanted this, which is not the case. Maybe Ned wanted a comedian to interview after the games. All I wanted was a coach who wins with class.

So long, Herb. I wish you all the best. You may not be a comedian but you’ll most certainly have the last laugh.

Home Alone

I’m awake and happy to be home, though the family isn’t back yet from Virginia. I’ve been spending the time unpacking and cleaning up the house a bit.

I went to bed around 3 after making a 2:30 AM run to Harris Teeter. The night manager eyed me suspiciously, and I can’t say I blame him. I don’t suppose they get many customers that early in the morning. It wasn’t difficult waking up at 9 this morning, either. Guess if I have to get used to a time difference its a good thing that daylight savings is happening this weekend.

It won’t be long before the family comes rolling in and we’ll all be together again. Woot!