Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Sotomayor rips Texas prosecutor for ‘racially charged’ remarks — MSNBC

Sotomayor rips Texas prosecutor for ‘racially charged’ remarks — MSNBC: "Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is schooling a United States prosecutor who attempted to win a drug case by invoking race in the argument.
The country’s first Latina justice released a rare statement on Monday, ripping the Texas prosecutor for trying to “substitute racial stereotype for evidence and racial prejudice for reason.”
The remarks come amid a decision by the nation’s highest court to not  hear an appeal of Bongani Charles Calhoun, who insisted during his trial two years ago that he didn’t know that a group of men he was with at a hotel were prepping to make a drug deal."

'via Blog this'

House Science Committee Questions Existence of Meteors : The New Yorker



"WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—The chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology said today that the committee would hold hearings next week “to settle the question, once and for all, of whether meteors exist.”
“The media has been in something of a frenzy recently on this whole topic of meteors,” said chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). “I think it’s irresponsible of them to frighten the public about something that, at the end of the day, may be about as real ".  As Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby recently said of his fellows, "we have to stop being the stupid party".


House Science Committee Questions Existence of Meteors : The New Yorker

One of My Favorite Moments Debating With Mayor Ed Koch in 1979



I was there, I took the picture. I was a photographer for a small local newspaper called "The Black Press." As I recall the auditorium was almost at capacity and Koch was talking to people who were lining up to talk to him. The majority of the people were typical Staten Islanders that seemed to be thrilled to just talk with Koch. Koch was cordial and seemed to know he was playing to his audience and he did not spend much time with them. Then up came John.

John sat down and introduced himself. Koch asked him something about his concerns. I began taking photos, I did not think that we would have much time. I don't recall the specifics of what they were talking about but I recall saying to myself that this has become a debate and John was "eating Koch's lunch." He was owning him. Koch was getting louder and trying to turn the debate into a monologue. This was a sure sign that Koch felt that he was not doing well. I bet he was not saying to himself, "how am I doing." John was talking with Koch longer than anyone. Finally John said something like , "it is obvious that we will not agree, thank you for your time." John than got up. Koch in his typical high pitch voiced sounded panicky as he said, "wait a minute, wait a minute, comeback, comeback." John thanked him again and left. I believe everyone within earshot including Koch new he was beaten. If you look at the man in the background he seems to being saying, "oh s--t I can't believe what I just witnessed."

At the end and at the greeting line Koch attempted to engage John again. One thing I always knew, the one who talks the most during a disagreement is the one who is usually wrong or has lost the argument. - Charles Roland,

(Charles Roland is a Psychiatric Social Worker and Photographer who lives and works on Staten Island)