Too Fat to Execute!

Momma, just killed a man. Put a gun against his head; pulled my trigger, now he's dead...Momma! Ooooh oooh ooooh ooooh! I don't wanna die!

Famous song. You know it. Especially if you've seen Wayne's World. It's Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. It's rather fitting for this very short news article that made me say, "Bwuh?! I don't THINK so!"

Since I know you're not clicking the links, anyway, I'll just copy/paste the article here for your enjoyment. I did say it was short. Long enough for me to make an opinion. Of course, there's not much out there "too short" for an Assassination.

Supreme Court rejects inmate's too-fat-to-execute appeal
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from an Ohio prisoner who argued he is too obese to be executed. Richard Cooey is scheduled to be put to death Tuesday.

The court denied his request for a stay without comment Monday. Cooey is 5-foot-7 and weighs 267 pounds.

State officials said prison staff examined Cooey's veins and found no problems that would interfere with the execution.

Cooey has one more appeal pending before the court. It argues Ohio's method for lethal injections could cause an agonizing death and violates the constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Cooey, 41, raped and killed two college students in 1986.

That's right, you read this correctly (and if you follow the link, you get to see a creepy looking guy). He's "too fat" to execute because it will be "cruel and unusual punishment!"

He raped not one, but TWO women AND killed them. Notch his penis twice and let the victims' families make a wish. Not sure what I mean, here. Read this article.

I'm sure it's the prison's fault he's fat, too. I mean, they make him eat 3-times a day and offer exercise routines for all the inmates. I'm sure he could turn around and sue the BoP for not stopping him from over-eating or sneaking food into his cell or not showing up for the exercise classes. People are sue-happy here in America. Because, as I've stated numerous times, we have no responsibility.

He has one appeal left before his execution.

Why?

Why is he appealing this with stupid reasons? Whether you're for or against the death penalty, I really don't care. I'm very for it. It eliminates prison-overcrowding and keeps repeat offenders, such as murderers and rapists, off the streets. If you're convicted, take it like a man (or woman), and own up to your wrong-doings and take the punishment. Quite whining and complaining about how your circumstances set you apart from any other person who's done something as stupid or worse than you. You are unique, just like everyone else. And no one else cares about their personal problems.

You raped and killed two women.

You should not live. THEY didn't get the option to say they were "too fat." And if they did, you didn't listen. Why should I?

Unsympathetic? You betchya!

I'm just a poor boy, no body loves me! (He's just a poor boy from a poor family! Spare him his life from this monstrosity!) Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?

Yes.

We'll let you go.

Straight to the Lethal Injection Table.

Bravo, BoP

Death of former military personnel in dangerous situations always makes me sad. Especially if they've been through a war or two. Doubly so if the situation was preventable. Like this one.

Twenty-two year old Jose Rivera worked at the Atwater Federal Prison in California. He was a guard there. Federal guard. Federal guard. That is repeated for importance. He was a FEDERAL guard. If you don't understand why I'm emphasizing this, then you need to look up the prison system in America. Federal prisons are where really bad people go. Like Al Capone and Bridman of Alcatraz bad. In fact, Alcatraz was a Federal penitentiary. So, that should give you some idea of the people that are housed within Atwater.

In June of this year, two inmates stabbed and killed Mr. Rivera. Normally, this type of thing wouldn't get my dander up. Yes, I'm sad and upset that my taxpayer money goes to teach inmates how to make weapons MacGuyver would be proud of, but it's part of the job risks of working at a max-security Federal prison. I know. I had considered it a career option.

However, what they don't tell you is that you will have to do your job sans weapons. Of any kind. Or protection.

That's right, kiddies. If you want to work at the Federal Penitentiary, you don't get to carry pepper spray, collapsible batons, or even wear kevlar. You're at a FEDERAL PRISON. I'm sure the government thinks that once these murderers, rapists, gang members, etc, are put behind bars, they lose all urges to continue to commit crimes.

WRONG.

It's a prison! These are not good people! If they're killing each other, why wouldn't they try to kill the one or two people that stand in their way of freedom?!

So, yes, this story pisses me off even more than normal. Here's a boy that came back from Iraq where he had people shooting at him. But, he had a gun. He could shoot back. He had armor. He had opportunity to defend himself.

The BoP (Federal Bureau of Prisons) insists that its guards don't need non-lethal weapons. STATE prison guards carry pepper spray. FEDERAL prison guards must be Chuck Norris. Or Jackie Chan. Or Mr. Rogers, but that's another story. What is the Federal government thinking?! Miraculously, these prisoners are going to be civil? Nooooooooo....

I say that Federal Guards should be carrying guns. Yes, the inmates can get to those and use them to shoot the guards. But, ya know what? I'd rather have a guard shoot a prisoner than have a prisoner kill a guard. Contrary to popular belief, when a person chooses to commit a crime that lands them in a Federal prison, they lose their rights. There is no "civil liberty" for someone who's chosen to break the law. That's why it's called "punishment." I'm extremely tired of hearing about "criminal's rights." My right eye! THEY COMMITTED A CRIME! They WILLINGLY violated someone else's rights. Someone who -didn't- chose to violate the laws of America.

Heath Ledger's Joker had it right when he selected his men. "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I'm hiring. The bad news is, there's only one position. Make it quick." Maybe, since there's such an over-crowding issue, that would be a good way to handle prisoners. "Good news, boys, you're going to Atwater. Bad news, only have one place available...."

Oh, wait. We used to do that. I think it was called THE DEATH PENALTY.

Ah, Justice

Now that the Olympics are finally over, we can get back to news.

By the way? Congrats to Michael Phelps for all his gold medals. Also, congrats to the rest of the US Swim Team for making it to the Olympics. That's an honor and even if Mr. Phelps stole your thunder, he can't steal your prestige.

I'm done with that. That was my Olympics rant.

Moving on to more "important" things...

It seems that Brennan McKinney is in the news, again. Don't worry. I didn't know who she was, either. But that article made my toes curl and made me go, "Hmmm..." If you haven't followed these links, you're missing out on quality entertainment.

Brennan McKinney is the woman who had five puppies cloned from her pitbull, Booger. Yes. Her dog's name was "Booger." He died. Probably killed himself. I didn't really feel like looking up the reasons behind the dog's death. Mostly because the pictures of Ms. McKinney terrify me. I will have nightmares for a week featuring her.

Apparently, however, Brennan McKinney is wanted in at least one state (and possibly another country) for some crimes. In 2004, she allegedly planned a burglary and hired a 15 year old to do it. She needed money, you see, for a prosthetic leg. For her horse. I think this woman dropped a little too much acid in the 60's.

What's worse is that in 1977, under the name of Joyce McKinney, she allegedly kidnapped a Mormon missionary and chained him to the bed and forced him to be her sex slave. That was in England. She skipped court and moved to America.

Here's the clincher, kiddies.

With two--not one, but two--incidents that she has admitted to, the prosecution is debating on bringing her to justice.

Prosecutors are reviewing charges against the 58-year-old McKinney to decide whether to pursue the case, said Melanie Widener, an assistant district attorney for the county in the northeast part of the state near the North Carolina state line.

"It'll depend on where she is now, how important the case is, how much it would cost the taxpayers and whether witnesses are still around," she said.

BWUH!?!

"It'll depend on where she is now, how important the case is, how much it would cost the taxpayers and whether witnesses are still around"?!?!

Since when is a crime like rape not important?! Since when is the corruption of a minor not important?! Forget that what she was planning on stealing would have been a felony. And if you're wondering how I jump-shifted to "rape," read the definition, then read what she did in 1977 in England.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, America?!

Am I really the only person that's bothered by the ineffectiveness of our Justice System? A system that will arrest someone for not paying a library fine, but potentially won't prosecute a psychotic woman who's committed two felonies in two different countries?! Throw me a bone! Arrest the crazy lady and do your job!!

Taxpayers pay more for stupid lawsuits (like suing because hot coffee is hot) and "scientific investigations" (like "Do Cows Produce Methane?" Um? Duh?) that we don't even notice if we're paying for something that, I dunno, SHOULD BE PROSECUTED!!!!!!!

Cut the bull.

It's not just "..with liberty for all." It's "..with liberty and justice for all."

Searches & Seizures

An article dated yesterday on MSNBC announced that 'Wire' actress, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson had been arrested on a drug charge. Actually, that was the headline. The tagline was that police wanted her to cooperate in a murder trial in which she is to be a witness.

I'll let that settle in.

Okay. So, the police had a warrant to take her into custody because she wasn't wanting to testify at a murder trial. I can't say that I blame her. I wouldn't want to testify in a murder trial unless I was absolutely sure that I would be safe. If you don't know what I mean, see this article.

Granted, there is no way that you can get out of testifying. To my knowledge. You can refuse all you want, but if they summon you, you have to go. Do I agree with detaining an American citizen so they will testify? No. But, I'm not the one that makes the laws in this country. Probably should be thankful for that. I'll have to create The Rogue Assassin's Commandments sometime...just to see how fast the country would whine and complain.

Anyway, Ms. Pearson was served a warrant for her detention until the trial September 16. While they were serving the specific warrant, they decided to search her home. Let me remind you, loyal readers, that is illegal. In her bedroom, they found a couple of cigars that they thought might contain marijuana, so they arrested her for a minor drug charge.

Um. No.

See, we have this wonderful thing in this country called The Constitution. Attached to the Constitution is a little thing called The Bill of Rights. In this little Bill, the Fourth Amendment gives us the following information:

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.

So, the fact that they had a warrant for her detention does not nor did not give issuance to "probable cause" to search her house. And, even if it did, they would have had to go back for a SECOND warrant to search her bedroom. I don't understand what runs through law enforcement's brains when they pull bone-head moves like this. Lawful Anal is not a real alignment--no matter how much you wish it was. Just because you have a gun and a badge doesn't give you the right to trounce my rights.

And cops wonder why lawyers hate them...

Cop: "You let this hardened criminal get away?!"
Lawyer: "What part of 'illegal search' do you not understand?"
Cop: "Oh, sure! Blame me for not following the law!"
Lawyer: *has already left this conversation for a much needed tequila shooter*

There've been numerous reports of cops being shot and killed because they don't announce themselves when they burst into a house. Burst into my house unannounced and you won't be shot. You may find yourself down a limb or a head, but I won't shoot you. I don't like guns. Swords on the other hand...

These amendments are in place to keep the government in check. Without specific warrants, police could come into your home at any time and arrest you for no apparent reason. OH! Here's an example. My SO and I were walking to a movie theatre near our apartment. A police officer saw us near a smarmy motel. We didn't have many options of not being near said smarmy hotel since, oh, it's on the way to the theatre? We could have been on the other side of the street, but...why? The theatre was on the side of the street we were walking on. They followed us and stopped us in the parking lot of the theatre to find out where we lived and what we were doing and what we were planning, etc. Had I not been on my phone, I probably would have been arrested for non-compliance. What was their probable cause? Neither my SO nor myself look like criminals. Both of us were dressed casually, but not scummy. Neither of us have tattoos or facial piercings. In fact, we don't even look like we would have come out of that hotel.

Apparently, there's a lack of crime in Los Angeles and they were bored.

Stupid Criminals

The Darwin Awards will be wonderful this year. Especially if it includes the name Tyree Monique Tate in the nominations. Why, you ask? Because this gem of humanity hid herself in a trash compactor after she allegedly shoplifted from TJ Maxx.

That's right! A trash compactor.

She and another girl, having miraculously reached their mid-twenties, were alleged suspects in a shoplifting report at TJ Maxx in Michigan. The two left the store and one hid in the trash compactor, the other behind it.

You can guess what happened.

DUH?

So, of course, you know what's going to happen. The alleged accomplice will be charged with shoplifting and given a slap on the wrist in the criminal courts (since, anything under five grand is a misdemeanor) and TJ Maxx...will be slapped with a law suit by Tate's family, claiming some criminal negligence for not checking to make sure there wasn't a person in their trash compactor before crushing the garbage.

You know it's true. Deep in the cockles of your heart...maybe even the sub-cockles... Who knows, but, the point is...you know you're going to be glued to CNN for the latest developments in this case...And to this blog just to see me rant and say, "I TOLD YOU SO!" when it happens.