No Plea or Firm Trial Date for Adrian Peterson
Montgomery County, Texas: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has still not entered a plea in response to charges of felony injury to a child.
The prosecution will be filing an official written motion for the Judge Kelly Case to recuse himself due to referring to the lawyers involved as “media whores.” Pending the outcome of that motion, no plea was entered.
Defense attorney Rusty Hardin asked for a tentative opinion from the judge on a trial date, specifically asking for the week of November 18. He stated that Adrian Peterson is facing harsh criticism and accusations in the media and cannot defend himself. The judge gave a non-binding trial date of December 1, which could change if he is replaced as a result of the motion for recusal.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has still not entered a plea in response to charges of felony injury to a child.
The child abuse charges are a result of Adrian Peterson disciplining his four-year-old son with a small tree branch. The incident caused an enormous surge of public opinion regarding what level of force is acceptable for corporal punishment. Many people claimed that what Adrian Peterson did was no worse than what they themselves had experienced as a child; the dissenting opinion that the severity of the beating crossed the line between legal discipline and child abuse was equally as strong.
The big question hovering in the air is whether or not Adrian Peterson is likely to play football again, either this season or in the future.
“I don’t know that that’s not going to happen in 2014. Honestly, I want the best for Adrian … If things get resolved and it’s a good thing, then the more power to him. We will worry about that when the time comes.” – Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, on the possibility of Adrian Peterson returning to the team this season.
Adrian Peterson’s future in the NFL will hinge on whether or not a jury decides that his actions did not violate the corporal punishment laws in the state of Texas, if a plea bargain agreement is not reached before trial. He has agreed to have no contact with his son until this matter is settled.
Jennifer Lawrence Says Stolen Nude Photos Was “A Sex Crime”
Jennifer Lawrence is speaking out about the nude photos that were stolen from her hacked account and published on the Internet. In an interview for Vanity Fair, she asserts that what happened was a sex crime.
“It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world…It is not a scandal. It is a sex crime. It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting. The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That’s why these Web sites are responsible. Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody’s mind is to make a profit from it. It’s so beyond me. I just can’t imagine being that detached from humanity. I can’t imagine being that thoughtless and careless and so empty inside.” (Source)
Jennifer Lawrence: Stolen Nude Photos “A Sexual Violation”
Before everyone starts going off the deep end at her terminology, a “sex crime” does not always equal “sex assault.” Jennifer Lawrence is not claiming she was a victim of sexual assault, or that what happened to her equals sexual violence or rape. She is not lessening the horribleness that is sexual assault or making light of what victims of rape and sexual violence face. However, hacking, theft, and sexual exploitation are all very serious and do equal a crime, and that crime is of a sexual nature to some degree. This was not just a simple scandal. Her private nude photos were spread all over the Internet by someone whose motivation was to humiliate, exploit, and make a profit. Investigations are still ongoing and the actual criminal laws that will apply to this case is yet to be finalized.
The general feeling that I am getting from the comments about this story, both today and earlier this year when the story broke, is that it’s her own fault for either a) taking the pictures in the first place, b) trusting that her password-protected cloud storage was secure, or c) both of the above.
Let’s see…if someone hacked your bank account and stole all your money, it’s technically your own fault for putting your money out there in the first place?
If someone hacked into, say, Target or Home Depot, and managed to get your bank card information and go on a spending spree, it’s technically your own fault for using such an unsecured means of making a purchase?
Or…one step further…if you’re sexually assaulted while crossing a dark parking lot, it’s your own fault for getting groceries alone after dark?
Many many people take not-meant-for-the-public photos. Nude photos of themselves or their partner. Naked baby pictures. Little kids running through the sprinkler in their underwear, in the privacy of their own fenced-in yard. Men and women who take “before” and “progress” shots when trying to lose weight or gain fitness. Pregnancy and breast-feeding shots. Saving these pictures on a password-protected server is no less secure than the days when your envelope of developed photographs sat in an unlocked rack out in the open at your local photo development department. What if she had kept her private photos printed and in a dresser drawer, and then what if her house had been broken into, the photos stolen and distributed to every print magazine and newspaper? Is that still her fault? Should she have no expectation of security or privacy?
People have every right to expect privacy, especially if they take measures to ensure it as much as possible. The constant refrain of “why would someone even take nude pictures of themselves anyway?” is nothing but indirect blaming of the victim. Why would someone do that? What were they thinking? Of course, it was stupid and risky. It’s all the victim’s fault.
Let’s take a look at what is really the saddest part of this whole thing. It is not that someone’s private photos were hacked and distributed. It’s that millions of people actively searched the Internet so they could gawk at the photos. Millions of people have such little respect for others that they couldn’t wait to find those photos and see for themselves. Thousands upon thousands of “shares” made the photos spread like wildfire all across the Internet. And then, these same people, turn around and condemn her for taking those photos in the first place?
Oh yes, now I see. Jennifer Lawrence is definitely the problem.
#ImNotLooking
The full interview will be available in Vanity Fair’s digital edition on October 9, then on newsstands nationwide October 14.
Hewlett-Packard Announces More Layoffs as Company Split is Confirmed
The rumor has turned out to be true. Hewlett-Packard has confirmed that it will be splitting into two separate companies: HP Inc. (computers and printers) and HP Enterprise (servers, software, and services).
“With the first half of our fiscal year completed, I’m pleased to report that HP’s turnaround remains on track,” said Meg Whitman, president and chief executive officer, HP. “With each passing quarter, HP is improving its systems, structures and core go-to-market capabilities. We’re gradually shaping HP into a more nimble, lower-cost, more customer- and partner-centric company that can successfully compete across a rapidly changing IT landscape.”
Hewlett-Packard started a massive restructuring back in 2012 with the purpose of streamlining, lowering costs, and become more competitive. Nearly 34,000 jobs were cut since then. The company split will add at least 5,000 positions to the chopping block, bringing the number of layoffs still to come to around 16,000. The final restructuring is expected to be done by the end of fiscal year 2015.
From a shareholder and potential investor standpoint, restructuring the company could have its benefits. A large corporation with split focus can be considered risky by targeted investors. A dip in market share for one business group can scare off investors who may have wanted a piece of the business groups that were thriving. Separating the consumer hardware business from the more profitable, in-demand enterprise hardware and services gives investors a lot more flexibility into which market they put their money.
Wall Street seems to be pleased by this move. At time of writing, Hewlett-Packard stock was hovering at $37.28, up $2.08 or 5.91% since the opening bell.
Modern Kindergarten: The Whole Family is in School!
“Modern Kindergarten” is a tongue-in-cheek series based on my experiences as a new Kindergarten Mom.
The school year is in full swing. We’ve had school pictures already and our fundraiser (trash bags!!) is behind us. It’s time to settle into the drudgery that is homework.
When did kindergarten homework start to require the participation of the entire family?
So…We have a reading packet with various reading/writing/phonics assignments; it’s about 4 pages long, front and back. That is handed out on Mondays and due on Fridays. I actually emailed the teacher in panic-mode during the first week because I couldn’t figure out how to do the reading packet (not my proudest moment). We have a reading project that requires us to read to her 10 minutes every day, and then she colors in spaces on a picture calendar to prove that we did it. There is also a family project, that all of us have to work on together, decorating … something. I haven’t quite looked at the details yet. On top of that, there are “suggested additional activities” in that reading packet for each day of the week, and a weekly homemade book that comes home with more “extra optional work” in the back. Add to that, there is show and tell on the Fridays that they’ve had a weekly “letter friend”. (Sudden panic as I remember that I need to help her find something that starts with M before tomorrow.)
On top of all that, there are the little things to remember, like which days are non-uniform days, which days she’s not having hot lunch, which days are child care after school, which days are car line, etc.
I literally have a spreadsheet/calendar where I enter all these things. I have to, or I will never remember all these little activities and their due dates. I feel like I am back in college again, trying to juggle working during the day and homework/projects at night. My husband and I take turns doing the 10 minutes of reading every night, but otherwise most of the homework and projects ends up falling on me, the mom, to organize and remember. He will have to join in on that family project, once I read the instructions and find out what we’re supposed to do.
It’s exhausting. Mothers with multiple kids in the school system? I applaud you, seriously. How do you not lose your mind keeping track of different kids with different teachers and different assignments?
When I was 12, I had to write a 20-page report (by hand, kids!) complete with bibliography and index cards with cites. My parents had absolutely no participation in that project except to drive me to and from the library so I could find my reference information. Ah, the good old days.
In fact, aside from the 9th and 10th grade algebra and geometry that had me weeping tears of frustration as my dad desperately tried to help me get a passing grade, I don’t have any recollection of a time when my parents sat with me while I did my homework. For that matter, I definitely don’t remember any “family projects” or “extra assignments to do with your child” either. I honestly do not remember having my parents as involved in my schoolwork as I seem to be with my daughter’s. What has changed?
It worries me a little that there are so many “extra assignments to do with your kids”. Are they are not teaching enough at school, so these home projects are necessary to make sure that she learns to read, write, do math, etc.? Am I over-thinking this?
I understand that part of the reasoning behind this is to force allow parents to spend time being involved in their child’s education. I get that. But there is a major difference between helping your child out when they get stuck on an assignment, or walking them through a task they don’t understand … and having actual assignments for parents. I don’t need assignments or projects. I have enough to do in the 2 hours before bedtime that I have free after work. (i.e., the nightmare that is dinnertime)
I will continue to slog through reading packets, do math activities that require cutting out paper bears, and work on family projects. I will keep my little spreadsheet with due dates and things to remember. I will sacrifice my free time to make sure that my daughter is keeping up with her lessons. I might have a glass (or two!) of wine to get me through some of it.
And who knows — maybe I’ll learn something new.
Homework is a family affair. High-five! We got this!
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IUDs Recommended For Preventing Teen Pregnancy
Revised for the first time since 2007, the American Academy of Pediatrics has altered its stance on IUDs for teenagers. Here is the official AAP recommendation:
IUDs have previously not been recommended for adolescents; risk of infection in teens … and liability concerns … … In some cases, however, an IUD may be appropriate for an adolescent who already has children and is taking precautions to protect against STIs. [The Mirena] IUD may be particularly useful for adolescents with severe menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea, as has been shown in adult women. (Source)
Pediatrics contributors expanded on that official recommendation with follow-up articles that actually say that due to the “efficacy, safety and ease of use” of IUDs, they are one of the best first options for preventing teen pregnancy.
Ugh – There are so many reasons why I would never encourage my daughter to get an IUD when she’s a teenager. To start with, there are a lot of physical side effects and major risks, which my friend Jenna Karvunidis detailed over at ChicagoNow. But, more significantly, this is just creating yet another “crutch” for teenagers who are already struggling to grow up.
IUDs Recommended For Avoiding Teen Pregnancy
Are we really trying to enable teenagers to be LESS responsible for their sexual activity by giving them a blanket “fix” so they don’t have to ever worry about pregnancy? So, in other words, instead of raising our girls to be strong, confident young women who don’t take sexual activity lightly, let’s just temporarily sterilize them so they … excuse me, the taxpayers … don’t have to worry about paying for their mistakes. Don’t we want girls to stop and think before considering any sexual experience? Having a “you can’t get pregnant” device inside her could encourage her to be a lot less thoughtful about her actions. And let’s not forget, an IUD does not protect against STDs in any way, so teenagers will STILL have to be responsible for a secondary form of protection. The IUD is not a magic bullet to stop teen pregnancy.
Dating as a young teen is an important part of life, but a teen girl should date and form a relationship, however serious it gets, and have that be the basis of why she is “going with” a boy. A girl should not start out her dating life by thinking the only way to keep the boy interested is to have sex. A lot of people argue that sex is an important part of a relationship and/or it’s no big deal to have casual sex if both parties are willing. That’s all well and good for ADULTS. A young teenage girl does not have the emotional maturity to be in a “serious” relationship nor have consequence-free casual sex. I’m talking about teenagers 17 and under, by the way. I fully believe that an 18 or 19 year old is grown up enough to make those adult decisions.
Everyone always falls back on the “teenagers are going to have sex” argument. Not true. All teenagers do not engage in sexual activity and a vast majority of those who do are using protection of some sort. There were just over 305,000 teen births in the US in 2013. Based on census data, there is an average of 22 million teenagers in the US in a given year. So we’re talking 1-2% of teenagers who may or may not be sexually active are actually getting pregnant. That is hardly a teen pregnancy percentage of epidemic proportions.
Look, teenagers are capable of acting a lot smarter than people give them credit for these days. They’re babied and coddled from a young age, excuses made for their behavior and lack of personal responsibility because they’re “just kids”. Do we really not realize that these teens are taking advantage of that, either consciously or subconsciously, because they’ve never had to really experience negative consequences for anything?
In Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn wants to curb teen pregnancy by encouraging doctors to prescribe highly effective forms of birth control like the IUD, citing the potential savings to taxpayers. By incentivizing doctors to recommend contraceptive devices like IUDs, the Quinn Administration says taxpayers could save millions of dollars and fewer girls would become teen moms.(source) Save tax dollars and cut down on teen pregnancy? Yes, it probably would. But that is NOT the right way to go about it.
Force teenagers to start being accountable for what they do. Teach them about safe sex and abstinence and the right to just say NO. Model for them what a good relationship is. Raise them to have self-confidence and self-esteem even when things are not going their way 100%. Prepare them to become adults when they are out of high school; get rid of the notion that they are entitled to fun and “experiencing life” until they are 30. Give them consequences as they are growing up, so that when faced with a “should I risk unprotected sex?” situation, they are armed with both logic/education and common sense/respect for potential consequences. THAT is what will influence them to make better choices. Shrouding them in yet another layer of bubble wrap to shield them from having to ever make a responsible decision in regards to preventing teen pregnancy is not the answer.
IUDs Recommended For PreventingTeen Pregnancy
Form a relationship with your teenager. Talk to them! Educate them! Love them! Build mutual trust and respect. It’s not easy, it’s tough. It’s one of the hardest parts of parenting, finding that fine line between friend and foe. But it does exist, and it can be done, and it should be done.
Don’t just install a birth control device in your daughter and think “Whew, now that is one less thing I have to bother to worry about.”
Chelsea Clinton Has a Daughter; Hillary Clinton Finally a Grandmother
Congratulations, Chelsea Clinton, on the birth of your daughter Charlotte!
Hillary Clinton has made no secret of how much she was looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild. She couldn’t wait to “babysit all the time” and just be a great grandma to the newest addition to their family. I am sure she and her husband Bill are enjoying a lot of snuggles and kisses right about now.
To be honest, I really hope that Hillary finds that attention to her family is a lot more important than running again for President. I don’t hate her as a person, or a woman, but I don’t think she is the right person for the job. I can’t think of anything from her long history as a fixture in Washington, D.C., that would convince me that she is the answer to our problems. Considering the way things are going, the struggling economy and the brink of another long “World War”, I strongly believe that we need a President who has solid business acumen, as well as strong military experience. Does such a person exist anymore? Oh, for sure. Are they able to win an election? Well, it depends on their campaign strategy, and unfortunately, their money.
I would love to see such a person emerge from the woodwork, a solid candidate with the skills to put the economy back on the right track without amassing more debt and to join other world leaders in protecting our citizens from harm. I would really like this candidate to not be a career politician, but instead they would be an “everyday” person, someone who really understands both our domestic problems and our international ones. I don’t believe that someone needs to be an ex-Congressman or ex-Cabinet member to qualify to run the country. We’ve seen that concept fail time and time again. Let’s get some new blood in the game.
I hope that Hillary Clinton spends her twilight years doting on her grandchild. It would be great if she would throw her weight behind a solid candidate, continue to raise awareness for women’s issues, and use her significant political clout to make a difference outside the Oval Office.
It’s still a long time until November 2016. In the meantime, congratulations again, Clinton family!
Jasmine Tridevil and Her Tri-Breasted Chest
Jasmine Tridevil is 21 years old and so incredibly disillusioned with dating that she never wants to do it again. Her solution to this was to spend $20,000 to add a third breast, complete with nipple and tattooed areola (eww). Her reason: “I got it because I wanted to make myself unattractive to men, because I don’t want to date anymore.”
That “reason” is just so ridiculous that I really don’t feel like spending a lot of time on it. Because seriously? If you can’t think of any way to stop dating besides disfiguring yourself, then you’ve got bigger problems than I am qualified to even remotely understand.
Jasmine Tridevil and Her Tri-Breasted Chest (Image courtesy of Facebook)
I find it interesting that there is no documented evidence to support the existence of this extra breast. The doctor who did this conveniently required an NDA so that his/her identity could never be revealed. All of the photos of this phenomenon are all taken by Jasmine herself and originate from her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Supposedly there is a camera crew following her around all the time, but no one has published any shots of that freakish chest except for her. Even during an interview, when she had the opportunity to finally show those triplets in all their glory, she claimed she couldn’t give a sneak peek of what would be in episode six of her reality show.
She is a tease. She’s leading the public along, dangling a carrot that may or may not turn out to be real.
But people are writing about it. Heck, I am writing about it.
Because, let’s face it, there really are thousands of people who would tune in for a reality show just to see if she’s faking or not. That is really, unfortunately, the brilliance of her plan. And it is really, unfortunately, the sad sad state of our culture.
Jasmine Tridevil’s site is linked to a woman who was charged with fraud in the past. Snopes also reports that Tridevil’s domain is registered to Alisha Hessler, who runs a “massage parlor” in Florida called Golden Touch which boasts that it is a “provider of Internet hoaxes since 2014” and a “specialist in massage for three-breasted women.” (source)
So I will look forward to finding out down the road if this is just a flim-flam that will eventually be discovered as false, or if this woman is indeed so starved for attention that she spent $20,000 just for people to ogle at her. She doesn’t care if the attention is good or bad. Media buzz equals money, and that is really the bottom line for Jasmine Tridevil.
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