Speaking out should be a choice

On Monday morning, 20-year-old Chris Brown pleaded guilty to the Feb. 8 felony assault against 21-year-old former girlfriend Rihanna.

It was announced that Brown would go to trial in March, shortly after Rihanna was subpoenaed to testify. The estimated punishment ranged from probation minimum to four years in jail maximum.

The final outcome on Monday resulted in 180 days of community service and five years of probation for Brown. The court also administered a “complete stay away” order in which Brown and Rihanna must remain 50-feet away from each other. The only exception is at industry events where both are present. The limit is then lowered to 10-feet.

It would be nice to say the media frenzy surrounding the R&B artists is over, but we know that it won’t be until everyone hears Rihanna’s version of the events. And with Brown’s plea agreement, her subpoenaed, public-record testimony was not needed.

Before the scheduled court appearance, celebrities, media and fans alike all clamored for Rihanna’s version of what transpired. Everyone wanted to know what exactly happened.

We then started to receive details via hospital photos and police reports, but still nothing from Rihanna. And despite the fact that we know the basic premise of what happened and have seen the results, people still want Rihanna to talk.

I would like to think that this strong moral outcry comes from a need to publicize the truth about abusive relationships – but really I think the majority of people just want to hear the juicy dirt. If we were really interested in teaching people about how to prevent abuse, we would – with or without Rihanna’s testimony.

In fact, here’s a little lesson on domestic abuse. The May 2000 “Intimate Partner Violence” report by the Bureau of Justice says 20 percent of dating couples between 16 and 24-years-old report some type of violence in their relationships.

This makes Rihanna’s unfortunate situation not uncommon. But instead of trying to reach out to those one-in-five victims, we’ve too busy trying to get Rihanna to spill the gossip about what happened to her. We forget that the important lesson in this situation is starting a dialogue, not rehashing the assaulted pop star’s wounds.

Crimes like assault, rape and abuse need to be talked about – but it’s a heck of a lot easier to talk about them when we aren’t the victims. These are crimes that people – especially teenagers – need to know about, know how to spot and know how to stop. But speaking out about a personal experience as a victim should be viewed as courageous – not as a requirement.

Maybe Rihanna will eventually talk about what happened to her – and hopefully inspire others to stand up and talk about their experiences. But she should also be allowed the opportunity to heal in her own way before she is comfortable enough to relay her experiences with others.

One less distraction for drivers

I've got terrible road rage. I blame my father. He has it too.

Over the years, I've tried to fight the urge to yell at drivers who can't hear me, chase drivers who cut me off and deliver a well-placed middle finger to drivers who piss me off. I'm usually good about not doing the last two, although I can't seem to curb my appetite to yell obscenities at people who obviously slept through driver's ed.

But thanks to the Tennessee General Assembly, there's one less thing drivers can now do to insight my road rage. Gov. Phil Bredesen signed the "texting while driving" bill into law early last month. It prohibits a person from writing or reading text messages while driving a vehicle.

Like any good legislation, there are people who are above the law. Exemptions include police officers and medical workers - when both are "in the actual discharge of their official duties."

The law does not apply to people who are in a vehicle when it is not moving. So if you wanted to text it up with a friend, make sure you do it at a stoplight. Entering a telephone number to call someone is also allowed. So texting is bad, but flipping through your contact list is a-OK.

Tennessee is not the first state to take a stance against cell phones on the road. Many other states actually prohibit the use of cell phones while driving all together. Some prohibit handhelds, but allow speakers and headsets. Comparatively, Tennessee is actually pretty chill on cell phones and driving.

While flipping through coverage on the texting and driving legislation, two sides became very clear. One thinks the legislation is unnecessary. Tennessee already has a "driving while distracted" law that allows officers to ticket someone who is obviously impaired - perhaps by a text message.

The second group applauds legislatures for protecting our roads - one less evil to distract people while operating a 5,000-pound death machine.

Honestly, I just think it's a sad day when we have to make common sense law. I've texted and driven - on empty roads with no one around or while sitting in traffic. Texting while driving is dangerous if you put yourself in a dangerous situation.

It has gotten to a point where people seem more preoccupied with doing everything but driving in their cars. I've seen everything from eating morning breakfast to putting on makeup. On one occasion I saw a woman driving with her knees so she could text.

Technology is amazing, but we are starting to use it more like an idiocracy rather than a society full of intelligent individuals. It takes very little effort to visualize the negative ramifications of texting while driving - just think about ramming your car into a tree at 70 mph.

But for those who still want to text and drive - fear not. The law does not take effect until July 1. So enjoy your last month of being able to text and drive without a $50 ticket.

ORIGINALLY POSTED: www.mtsusidelines.com on June 3, 2009.

Watchmen amazes; perfectly portrays graphic novel

“The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout ‘Save Us!’

“…and I’ll look down, and whisper, ‘No.’”

And so opens Watchmen, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The character Rorschach delivers the above lines about fifteen minutes into the movie and the theme resonates through the remaining two hours.

Seeing Watchmen on opening night was one of the most enjoyable movie-going experiences I’ve had in a while. Spectacular is only slightly befitting of a description.

The movie excels in all aspects.

Character development is the shining beacon of this movie. The story mainly concentrates on six characters: Jon Osterman (Dr. Manhattan); Dan Dreiberg (Night Owl); Adrian Veidt (Ozymandias); Laurie Jupiter (Silk Spectre); and Edward Blake (The Comedian).

Six characters and only about two hours are allotted to properly develop those six plus a plethora of supporting characters. And yet, the story moves seamlessly, providing expediential growth, changes and insights into all the characters – even The Comedian whose death sparks the movie.

Cinematography was beautiful. There were times that I looked at the screen and felt like I was reading the graphic novel. The scene when Dr. Manhattan is standing on Mars with the starlit sky background was one of the best shots in the entire film.

As with any superhero movie, fight scenes can be difficult. Too much and it becomes cheesy. Too little and it becomes stagnant. The greatest weapons used by the superheroes were their actual talent as fighters. In fact, the only real character with any supernatural power is actually Dr. Manhattan. Fight scenes were intricate but to the point. Sound effects were modest but still gave the air of traditional crime noir.

I won’t get into the deeper meanings of the story and characters, but it is worth noting that I left the theater dissecting and examining Moore and Gibbson’s creation equally as much as when I read the novel version. But as I said, I’m not going to discuss the metaphorical meanings in this review.

But the best thing about Watchmen is that it stays true to the original comic.

In fact, the only thing that unfortunately omitted is background information provided in depth about the particular universe that the world resides in.

The only particular plot-hole I found somewhat distracting is Richard Nixon runs holds the president’s office for five terms during the span of the movie. Term legislation was passed during the time of Franklin Roosevelt and limits a person to only two consecutive terms in office.

Overall, I would definitely splurge on the outrageous and overpriced fees of the local movie theater to see it again. But a word of warning, if you do not like the crime noir genre of superhero fantasy – do not see this movie.

It is not a requirement that you read the book, you will understand everything that is going on. But I highly recommend picking up a copy and reading it when you can. Like I said earlier, it help to fill in some of those slight plot-holes.

Before wrapping up, a few interesting things to note: when I said they stayed true to the book, I do mean that Dr. Manhattan does appear nude in a number of scenes. By the end of the movie, you are used to seeing the computer-animated penis graphed onto the glowing blue body.

Another thing, the credits are wonderful but there is no “special” scene at the end of the movie. If you are waiting through the credits to see an extra – don’t. It isn’t there.

As I give Watchmen a 10 out of 10, I leave you with these final words from Dr. Manhattan:

“But the world is so full of people, so crowded with these miracles that they become commonplace and we forget – I forget. We gaze continually at the world and it grows dull in our perceptions. Yet seen from another’s vantage point, as if new, it may still take our breath away.”

Human teeth found in Walmart accessory

According to the Associated Press, a man shopping in a Falmouth, Mass. Walmart found teeth in a wallet.

The man was looking to purchase the pocket accessory but upon unzipping a compartment, he found the ten adult teeth. According to officials, the man turned over the teeth and wallet to store employees and then left the scene.

The AP writes: "Police investigating the incident told The Cape Cod Times that the teeth belong to an adult, but since there was no blood or gum tissue on the teeth, they would be unable to perform DNA tests."

Walmart spokespersons have said that the incident is "isolated" but will investigate.

I guess you really CAN buy anything at Walmart, whether you want to or not.

Lesbian banned from XBox Live

Apparently, an XBox Live user identified as "Teresa" is permanently banned from the gaming system because of her sexuality.

Teresa referred to herself as a lesbian on her profile page and apparently received such harassment and reviews from other users that Microsoft banned her account.

The XBox Live system is set up so players can review other players. Negative reviews are usually an indication of cheating - but not so much in Teresa's case.

According to Joystiq.com: "...Microsoft noted that users may not 'create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature. Profiles that do are asked to change the language and suspended until changes are made.'

"The company also stated that it does not allow Gamertags or profiles to identify any form of sexual orientation, though it is allowed in voice chat 'where context is more easily explained to all players involved.'

"Finally, Microsoft stated that harassment is "not condoned" and "taken very seriously.'"

Microsoft is asking for Teresa to step forward but for now, she has been permanently banned from the system.

My only question is would this happen if the person was heterosexual? By no means am I implying that Microsoft is discriminatory, more specifically I want to know if a "straight" person would have received the same "harassment."

But I think we all know the answer to that question.

CMA announces 2009 inductees

The Country Music Association announced their 2009 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees today.

Charlie McCoy is the 2009 inductee for Recording and Touring Artist. McCoy was introduced by friend and 2007 inductee Mel Tillis.

Roy Clark is the 2009 inductee for Career Achieving National Prominence from World War II to 1975. Clark was introduced by friend and 2003 inductee Carl Smith.

Barbara Mandell is the 2009 inductee for Career Achieving National Prominence from 1975 to the present. Mandell was introduced by sister Louise Mandrell.

Congratulations to this trio for their achievements and success in the country music industry.

For more information on the Country Music Hall of Fame, please visit their Web site at: http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/.

Don't Taser me babe!

The summation is two 18-year-old girls were fighting at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Fla. In an attempt to break up the fight, the resource officer (a police officer assigned to keep peace and order at the school) decided to Taser them.

Both girls were immediately taken to the hospital. Separate hospitals actually - just in case, I guess.

"Tasering them, that's serious. They could've done some serious damage to her, nerve damage or whatever. You don't just Tase somebody like that. That's a lot of voltage going through her body," said Janice Robinson, mother of one of the girls, to Local 10.

This is absolutely and utterly an unnecessary use of force. Fights are terrible but maybe if these girls had pulled out weapons, a taser gun might have been called for.

Whatever happened to the days of teachers pulling students apart while shouting "anyone standing here in ten minutes gets detention for a week!"

Honestly, I don't think it's such a bad idea to just let students brawl for a few minutes. It might be somewhat barbaric, but it could allow them to work off some steam before planting their butts in the confines of in-school suspension.

And let's not kid ourselves, as soon as these girls are back on their feet, they'll be back at each other's throats. This time though, it'll be out of the Taser's watchful range.

As for the officer, nothing was said about how he'll be handled. Maybe a lawsuit from the parents of the kids would send a message that says protection that a firm grip is better than an electric shock.

SIDENOTE: The event actually took place at 7:30 a.m. Can't kids today at least wait until after grown-ups have had their morning coffee?


ORIGINAL STORY:

Officer Shoots 2 Girls With Taser Gun At High School
BSO: Resource Officer Stops Students Fighting

POSTED: Monday, February 2, 2009

UPDATED: 5:00 am EST February 3, 2009

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- A school resource officer shocked two teenage girls with a Taser gun at a high school in order to stop a fight Monday morning, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

BSO said the two 18-year-old girls began fighting at about 7:30 a.m. at Blanche Ely High School. They were identified as Kayla Robinson and Latia Johnson.

Before the first school bell rang, a school resource officer came upon a group of girls locked in a brawl. He tried to break it up, but when the students refused to back off, another deputy fired his Taser gun, striking both Robinson and Johnson, Local 10's Roger Lohse reported.

Both girls were taken in for medical clearance. One went to North Broward Medical Center, and the other went to Imperial Point Medical Center.

The teenagers were OK, but Robinson's mother, Janice Robinson, said she is shocked the deputy did not find a safer way to break up the fight.

"Tasering them, that's serious. They could've done some serious damage to her, nerve damage or whatever. You don't just Tase somebody like that. That's a lot of voltage going through her body," Janice Robinson said.

Local 10 took Robinson's concerns to BSO, which provided a copy of the agency's policy on when deputies are allowed to draw their Tasers. Section 6.4 reads:

"When all other alternatives to restrain, secure and prevent injuries have failed and/or there may be a likely risk of injury to the deputy."

In this case, BSO said there were hundreds of other students gathered around as the school resource deputy physically tried to separate the girls. The second deputy thought the crowd was becoming unruly and felt the Taser was the safest way to restore order.

"You have a school resource deputy there. At any time, someone could have even reached for his weapon. So you want to gain control of the situation as soon as possible. You want to minimize any injuries, and you want to protect everyone that's involved -- our deputies, the students, everyone," said Veda Coleman-Wright of BSO.

Kayla Robinson, Johnson, 18-year-old Ashley French and two juveniles are charged with misdemeanor counts of simple battery and disrupting a school function.

The two juveniles were released to their parents. The other three were expected to post $1,000 bond to be released Monday evening.

It is unclear what sort of punishment the students will face from the school district.

Copyright 2009 by Post-Newsweek Stations.