Sunday, August 31, 2008



Police: Man stole 32 deodorant products
COLLEGE HILL, Ohio (UPI) -- Police said a hygiene-minded thief in College Hill, Ohio, was arrested after taking 32 deodorant products from a Walgreens store.

Martin Steve Johnson, 38, allegedly entered the drug store Monday and attempted to transfer 18 sticks of Degree deodorant, 10 sticks of Axe deodorant and five bottles of Axe body spray from his shopping basket to his blue book bag, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Tuesday.

A police report said officers caught up with Johnson behind a Chili's restaurant at about 5:30 p.m. and arrested him. He was charged with theft and scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

Saturday, August 30, 2008

MEDITATION AND YOU



WHAT IS MEDIATION AND HOW DO YOU BEGIN IT?

If you really want to get to know the truth, that means meditate or understand meditation, you must first leave the mind to one side, leave religion, and leave your Saints and Gods in peace
Neither the Koran nor the Bible, nor the Torah or any "sacred writing" can help.
Deeds do not serve any purpose. Nor will going to the Himalayas. Only one thing can help you: start looking at things without the mind. When you look at a flower, do not let the mind say anything. Only look at it. It will be difficult because of your old habit of interpreting. You are always interpreting, and interpretations always differ. Interpretations depend on the mind.
How you see things depends on you, not things. Unless you reach a point where these thoughts leave the mind and you stop trying to interpret things and becomes direct, your mind cannot be the mediator. You distort things, and mix them up with interpretations. They are not pure.
So the only way to reach the truth is to learn how your vision can be immediate. You must learn how to abandon the aid of the mind ... This mind management is the problem, because the mind can only create dreams, and you can create wonderful dreams that can make you very emotional. And through that emotion the dream begins to resemble reality.
If you emotions too much, you're intoxicated, you're no longer in your senses, then what you see is a projection of yourself. And there are so many worlds and minds, because every mind lives in their own world. You can laugh at the stupidity of others, but until we start laughing at our own, we are not able to become a natural being, a man of truth. So what should you do?
Try small things: do not intervene on the mind about them. When you look at a flower, just look. Do not say: 'What beautiful! How horrible! ". Do not say anything! Do not use words. Do not verbalize. Just look. The mind will feel uncomfortable, uneasy. The mind would like to say something. Simply tell the mind: 'Be silence! Let me see. I need only to look."
Initially it will be difficult, but it starts with things in which you're not very involved. It will be difficult to watch your wife without words. You are heavily involved, too emotionally attached. Whether in anger or love, either way you are too involved.
Watch things that are neutral: a rock, a flower, a tree, the sunrise, a bird flying, a cloud floating in the sky.
Watch only the things you're not very involved with, which can remain disconnected from you, which can remain indifferent. Start with neutral things, and only when you have managed those move into emotionally charged situations.
People begin with loaded situations, and fail, because it is almost impossible. For your wife, you love or hate her. There is no middle ground. If you love you're crazy and if you hate you're crazy; will both emotions you have the words. It is almost impossible not to let both emotions come. It is very difficult due to the constant practice of speaking.
Sleeping or awake when you are emotionally involved is very difficult to leave the mind to one side. The mind intervene. So, first observe situations that are not loaded. When you feel that you can look at certain things without the mind interfering, then try it with emotionally charged situations.
Little by little, one becomes efficient. It's like swimming. At first you are afraid, you think that you will not survive. And you have been working for so long with the mind that you can not believe you can exist without it even for a single moment. But try! You will be starting the path to meditation in everyday life. Osho

Friday, August 15, 2008

HOW TO SURVIVE KIDNAPPING

Kidnappings

Kidnapping is a terrifying experience, but you possess more personal resources than you may be aware of to cope with the situation. Remember, you are only of value to them alive, and they want to keep you that way.

The common hostage responses of fear, denial, and withdrawal are all experienced in varying degrees. You may be blindfolded, drugged, handled roughly, or even stuffed in the trunk of a car. If drugs are administered, do not resist. Their purpose will be to sedate you and make you more manageable; these same drugs may actually help you to get control of your emotions, which should be your immediate goal. If conscious, follow your captors’ instructions.

Captivity

A hostage-taking situation is at its worst at the onset. The terrorists are nervous and unsure, easily irritated, often irrational. It is a psychologically traumatic moment for the hostage. Violence may be used even if the hostage remains passive, but resistance could result in death.

If taken hostage, your best defense is passive cooperation. You may be terrified, but try to regain your composure as soon as possible and to organize your thoughts. Being able to behave rationally increases your chances for survival. The more time that passes, the better your chances of being released alive.

Behavior Suggestions

Each captivity is different, but some behavior suggestions apply to most:
Try to establish some kind of rapport with your captors. Family is a universal subject. Avoid political dialogues, but listen attentively to their point of view. If you know their language, listen and observe; and if addressed, use it.
Plan on a lengthy stay, and determine to keep track of the passage of time. Captors may attempt to confuse your sense of time by taking your watch, keeping you in a windowless cell, or serving meals at odd hours. However, you can approximate time by noting, for example, changes in temperatures between night and day; the frequency and intensity of outside noises—traffic, whistles, birds; and by observing the alertness of guards.
Maintain your dignity and self-respect at all times.
Manage your time by setting up schedules for simple tasks, exercises, daydreaming, housekeeping.
Build relations with fellow captives and with the terrorists. If hostages are held apart, devise ways to communicate with one another. Where hostages are moved back and forth, to bathrooms for example, messages can be written and left. However, do not jeopardize your safety or the safety or treatment of others if attempting to communicate with fellow captives seems too risky.
Maintain your physical and mental health; it is critical to exercise body and mind. Eat food provided without complaint; keep up your strength. Request medical treatment or special medicines if required.
Establish exercise and relaxation programs. Exercise produces a healthy tiredness and gives you a sense of accomplishment. If space is confined, do isometrics. Relaxation reduces stress. Techniques include meditation, prayer, daydreaming. · Keep your mind active; read anything available. Write, even if you are not allowed to retain your writings. If materials are not available, mentally compose poetry or fiction, try to recall Scripture, design a house, even “play tennis” (as one hostage did).
Take note of the characteristics of your captors and surroundings: their habits, speech, contacts; exterior noises (typical of city or country); and other distinctive sounds. This information could prove very valuable later.

If selected for early release, consider it an opportunity to help remaining hostages. Details you have observed on the terrorists and the general situation can assist authorities with a rescue.

You can expect to be accused of working for the government’s intelligence service, to be interrogated extensively, and to lose weight. You may be put in isolation; your captives may try to disorient you. It is important that you mentally maintain control.

Avoidance of Capture or Escape

Efforts to avoid capture or to attempt escape have in most cases been futile. The decision, however, is a personal one, although it could affect fellow hostages by placing them in jeopardy. Several other considerations should be weighed.

To have any chance of success, you should be in excellent physical condition and mentally prepared to react before the terrorists have consolidated their position. This, also, is the riskiest psychological time. You would need to have a plan in mind, and possibly have been trained in special driving tactics or other survival skills.

If you are held in a country in which you would stand out because of race or other physical characteristics, if you know nothing of the language or your location, or if you are held in a country where anti-American or anti-Western attitudes prevail, you should consider the consequences of your escape before attempting it. If you conclude that an escape attempt is worthwhile, take terrorists by surprise and you may make it. If their organization has a poor track record of hostage safety, it may be worth the risk.

Rescue

The termination of any terrorist incident is extremely tense. If an assault force attempts a rescue, it is imperative that you remain calm and out of the way. Make no sudden moves or take any action by which you could be mistaken for a terrorist and risk being injured or killed.

Even in a voluntary release or surrender by the terrorists, tensions are charged and tempers volatile. Very precise instructions will be given to the hostages, either by the captors or the police. Follow instructions precisely. You may be asked to exit with hands in the air, and you may be searched by the rescue team. You may experience rough treatment until you are identified and the situation has stabilized.

Finally, it’s worth keeping in mind three facts about terrorism:
The overwhelming majority of victims have been abducted from their vehicles on the way to or from work.
A large number of people taken hostage ignored the most basic security precautions.
Terrorist tactics are not static. As precautions prove effective, they change their methods. There is a brief “window of vulnerability” while we learn to counter their new styles.

Additional Precautions

Do not settle into a routine. Vary times and routes to and from work or social engagements.

Remember, there is safety in numbers. Avoid going out alone. When traveling long distances by automobile, go in a convoy. Avoid back country roads and dangerous areas of the city.

A privately owned car generally offers the best security. Avoid luxury or ostentatious cars. Keep your automobile in good repair and the gas tank at least half full. Driving in the center lane of a multiple lane highway makes it difficult for the car to be forced off the road.

[Source: The United States State Department]

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Woman accused of kidnapping child found near cemetery was near breakdown



A woman who was arrested after police said she dropped a 4-year-old off at a cemetery in the middle of the night was showing signs of a mental breakdown in the days leading up to the incident, a family member says.

Gidi Guerrier, 23, of Tallahassee, was arrested July 28 on charges of child abuse and kidnapping. According to court documents, Guerrier dropped the child off in St. Marks between 3 and 4:30 a.m. The child wandered around alone for some time before being found by a citizen. The child was not hurt and is now in the custody of the father.

Guerrier, the mother of two young daughters, routinely cared for the 4-year-old, said Tawanna Sykes of Atlanta. Sykes' son is the father of Guerrier's daughters. They all lived at the same Tallahassee apartment with another woman, the mother of the 4 year old.

Sykes said Guerrier had no history of mental illness or drug use but recently started acting strangely. She had lost her job and was under a lot of stress. She said she was normally a caring and responsible mom.

"It's like she has just been experiencing a mental breakdown," Sykes said. "I would talk to her on the phone ... and her whole frame of mind was changing. It was like she was trying to save the world from evil. She thought everyone around her was evil or she thought someone was out to get her."

Sykes, a Tallahassee native who owns a construction business, said she and other family members tried to get Guerrier help starting July 24. But she said police officers and deputies who showed up didn't get her the help she needed.

"If they had just taken her somewhere to be evaluated by a professional, they would have known that there was a problem and that she needed help," she said.

Officials with the Tallahassee Police Department and the Sheriff's Office responded by saying Guerrier didn't show signs of being a danger to herself or others at the time.

Under Florida law, people can be placed in involuntary psychiatric care if they are incapable of surviving on their own without treatment or there is a likelihood they will hurt themselves or someone else.

Police were called to Guerrier's apartment July 25 in reference to a family dispute. An officer who responded had no indication that Guerrier needed to be taken into custody, said David McCranie, spokesman for TPD.

"She did not make any statements or take any actions that led the officer to believe that she was in need of mental-health services," he said.

Deputies were called to the apartment twice July 24 in reference to family disputes. No action was taken, and neither of the calls had to do with mental-health issues, said Sgt. Tony Drzewiecki, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were called a third time on July 25 to assist TPD. The call was about a woman who was saying that everyone was evil. Tallahassee police were already on scene when the deputy arrived.

"We never evaluated this person because there was no reason for us to evaluate this person," he said.

No reports were taken of the incidents, McCranie and Drzewiecki said. Leon County declined to release any 911 tapes from the Guerrier residence because of an ongoing TPD investigation.

Guerrier has pleaded not guilty and has been appointed a public defender, according to court records. She is being held without bail in the county jail.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

WOMAN ESCAPES KIDNAPPING



COLORADO SPRINGS - A woman makes a dangerous escape after she's pulled into an SUV. The investigation involves two different convenience stores on the south side of Colorado Springs. The victim pulled in to a 7-11 parking lot at 1801 South Nevada when the suspect drove up next to her, pulled her out of the drivers seat and threw her into his SUV.

The victim's quick thinking in this case could have saved her from something worse. The victim, a 28-year-old woman, says she exchanged numbers with 25-year-old Luther Brumfield at the 7-11 at Lake and Rand around midnight Tuesday morning. "Apparently she thought she knew him and that's why they exchanged numbers," says Lt. Steve Tobias with the Colorado Springs Police Department.

About an hour later, the victim says she was driving down South Nevada and Brumfield started tailgating her in his maroon Suburban. She pulled into the 7-11 parking lot on South Nevada. Brumfield drove in next to her, grabbed her and threw her into his vehicle. He locked the doors and drove off. "If you are going to pull over, make sure it's in a well-lighted area and there are people around," Tobias says. The victim rolled down her window and held down the control so Brumfield couldn't roll it back up.

She jumped out of the moving car and ran for help. "It's not a good idea to jump out of a moving vehicle," says Tobias, "but if you think the outcome is going to be worse than that, that's a decision the victim has to make." Officers tracked the cell phone number the victim got from the suspect, back to Brumfield and his maroon suburban. He's in the El Paso County Jail charged with second-degree kidnapping. Police are still investigating Brumfield's motive in this kidnapping. The victim is okay.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Detectives Investigate Rape, Kidnapping Of 13-Year-Old Girl



DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. -- A 13-year-old girl who was walking alongside Old Highway 52 in Davidson County on July 25 was kidnapped and raped by a man who stopped to pick her up, detectives said.

The girl told detectives that the man drove her into Forsyth County where he raped her before releasing her near the Wal-Mart on Peters Creek Parkway.

Detectives said they began conducting surveillance on Old Highway 52 when they noticed a vehicle matching the vehicle the girl said her abductor was driving.

The vehicle was stopped and detectives charged one of the occupants, Martin Chimal Gonzales, 29, with first-degree kidnapping.

Detectives said that more charges involving rape could be filed in Forsyth County.

Gonzales was being held on a $1 million bond.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Man held without bail on parental kidnapping charge



BOSTON (AP) - The man accused of snatching his 7-year-old daughter in Boston and taking her to Maryland has been arraigned in Boston, on charges including felony parental kidnapping.

Clark Rockefeller has been ordered held without bail.

He didn't speak at the hearing, though he was heard muttering "that's not me" when a prosecutor mentioned an alias that was attributed to him.

His attorney says Rockefeller did not kidnap the girl. He told reporters, "Kidnapping doesn't apply, it was his own kid."

He also denies that Rockefeller has any links to a slaying in California. The Boston Globe said his fingerprints may be linked to an investigation of a homicide.

The lawyer says Clark Rockefeller is his client's real name. Prosecutors say he has at least a-half dozen aliases and that he's told authorities he doesn't remember his history.

Members of the Rockefeller family of Standard Oil fame say there's no indication he's related to them.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Sunday, August 10, 2008

MAN THREATHENS BARACK OSAMA



MIAMI (AP) - A man who authorities said was keeping weapons and military-style gear in his hotel room and car appeared in court Thursday on charges he threatened to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

STILL NO SIGN OF THE DAUGHTER



Missing Girl's Mom Formally Charged
Prosecutors have filed formal charges against the 22-year-old mother of a missing central Florida girl, but not in her disappearance. Casey Anthony was formally charged Tuesday, August 5, with child neglect and filing a false statement. Police have held her on $500,000 bail on those charges since last month. A delay between an arrest and formal charges is typical in Florida as prosecutors build their case.

Friday, August 8, 2008

'Disturbing' Details Shroud T.O. Girl's Death

A Toronto police officer said Tuesday he has heard "disturbing" third-hand information about the life of a seven-year-old girl who was found dead on Sunday, and now he's pleading for people with first-hand knowledge to come forward with details.

Det.-Sgt. Steve Ryan said he doesn't want to disclose the details until they are confirmed, but he said there are suggestions that young Katelynn Sampson was abused for some time.

"I can only tell you from what I observed as a non-medical person, that some of those injuries did not appear to be fresh injuries," he told reporters in Toronto.

Ryan said when emergency workers found Katelynn's body in an apartment in the west-end neighbourhood of Parkdale, there was evidence the Grade 3 student had been sleeping on the floor and had been subject to poor living conditions that he did not want to discuss.

"I saw probably the worst thing I've seen in 20 years of policing," he said.

He said he'd like to hear from anyone with any information at all about the girl — teachers, neighbours, even convenience store owners.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

YOU CAN ALL HELP THROUGH SENDING THIS INFO AS AN EMAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU KNOW

Dear Blog Reader,
The following email message is of great importance. KINDLY READ, COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR EMAIL AND FORWARD TO AS MANY PERSONS AS YOU CAN SO WE CAN HELP THIS MOTHER TO CARE FOR HER CHILDREN.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL,
Brenda



EMAIL INFO:



Dear Reader

I am a single mother of four kids: ages five, three and a half, 17 months, and a two week old baby girl. God has blessed me with three beautiful, healthy children. Until recently, things were going great for us even though we struggled financially at times (my part-time job was not enough to support us).

Then, the tragedy struck on January 13th. My oldest, Matt, got hit by a car while playing outside. ( The driver was never found - it was a hit and run). After agonizingly long weeks of hospitalization, we did not think he would live but thank god he is alive right now ... but barely. He is still in the hospital in a comatose condition. Doctors say he will be a vegetable for the rest of his life, if he ever comes out of the coma - his brain is too damaged for him to live a normal life. My insurance coverage ran out and I can't afford the hospital bills. Right now, I owe the hospital over $500,000 dollars soo far.

Shortly after the accident happened, my 87-year-old grandmother, with whom I was really close to(she raised me as a child), suffered a stroke and could not live on her own anymore. I took her in.

All of this happened while I was pregnant with Carissa. Therefore, this severe stress that I've been through caused Carissa to be born a premie with Down's syndrome as well as chronic colitis. She is also missing fingernails on her right hand. She is in the hospital as well because she needs to be monitored 24/7. Right now I am at the lowest point of my life. I don't have a job. I'm taking care of three sick family members that are so dear to me, and it is a full time job. I can't afford to pay for my tiny apartment. My car got taken away because I couldn't make the payments, not to mention the debt with the hospital!

I know you are not obligated to do anything. You are free to delete this email without giving it a second thought, but please listen to the cry from a mother's heart! We worked out a deal with AOL where for every 12 forwards I will get 15 cents. Please don't harden your heart. If you can spare the time, then send this email to everyone on your list. This is crucial for our survival!! God bless you all!

Sincerely,

Debbie Shwartz

Monday, August 4, 2008

TODAY'S WORDS FROM JOEL AND VICTORIA

Today's Scripture

“ It is an honor for a man to cease from strife ” (Proverbs 20:3)

Today's words from Joel and Victoria
Strife is a very destructive force. It can creep into relationships by starting small, maybe through a comment or a wrong look from someone, and can then escalate into something much bigger. But when you choose to cease from strife and overlook an offense, you are acting honorably, and you are honoring God. How do you avoid strife? The Bible tells us that love covers over many offenses. It means that you give people the benefit of the doubt. You consider what they may be going through over how they reacted to you. Maybe someone was short with you at the office, but they may have a loved one in the hospital, or they may have some other concern. Instead of getting upset, walk in love—be patient, be kind to them. Choose to avoid strife. Look for ways to walk in unity with the people in your life. The Bible says that He has commanded the blessing when we walk and live in unity. Choose unity today and watch the hand of the Lord move mightily on your behalf!

A Prayer for Today


Father God, today I choose Your ways. I invite Your plan to unfold in my life. Help me to avoid strife so I can walk in peace and unity and honor you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Friday, August 1, 2008

AN AWESOME PRAYER

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness..

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth of my wrongdoing, and receive forgiveness.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that You change people and You change things for good reasons. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every one of my family members and friends and their families. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.