The Stir By CafeMom: News & Views

Sisters Ejected From Mall for ‘Vulgar’ Cancer-Fighting Shirts While Buying Dresses for Mother’s Funeral

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:43:54 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

There's a time and a place for an F-bomb, but sometimes, it's OK to say eff it, and break all the rules. Three sisters were shopping for funeral dresses in the King of Prussia mall in Philadelphia on Sunday when they were asked to leave. Their mother had just passed away from breast cancer and Makia Underwood, 32, Zakia Clark, 29, and Tasha Clark, 27, felt like expressing their feelings. Wearing shirts and hats the read Fu*k Cancer, the sisters were ejected from the mall by seven security guards who did not appreciate the profanity.

Even though the F-word wasn't totally written out, the "c" had been replaced with a pink ribbon, it was still enough for security to get heated. According to Zakia, they were approached in the food court by a team of guards asking them to leave and threatening to call the cops. She says the whole ordeal was extremely embarrassing.

Listen, I get where security is coming from here. There are probably hard and fast rules about vulgarity in their private establishment, but guys, express a little free-will. These women weren't trying to cause trouble, they were expressing a feeling that most people have about the deadly disease.

I know gray areas aren't fair and rules should apply to everyone lest they become discriminatory -- but the mall handled this pretty poorly. Seven guards? Egregious. They should've sent one guard over to explain the situation and ask them to turn their shirts inside-out, or put on a coat, or something.

I can't help but feel for these women who lost their mom at 51 -- I'm sure they're terribly angry and sad and maybe their rebellious shirts helped them cope a little.

It's just too bad the mall couldn't have had at least one ounce of sympathy, even if rules are rules.

What do you think?

Photo via steve snodgrass/Flickr

Jodi Arias Jury Returns From Life vs. Death Deliberation -- Already? (VIDEO)

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:02:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

What is with this trial? It's one of the strangest we've ever seen. Earlier this week in her last testimony, Jodi Arias made the case for life because she wants to sell t-shirts supporting victims of domestic abuse. Um ... sure, Jodi. Well, that poor jury. They're having a real hard time deciding on her fate. Life in prison or death? Today the jury returned to court to say: We can't decide! The Arias jury is deadlocked.

The jury HAS to reach a unanimous decision. No one is getting executed if there's a single juror who doubts that's the right sentence for the crime. That's why the judge sent them right back to their deliberation and told them to come back when they have a consensus on Jodi's punishment.

The jury deliberated a total of two and a half hours, beginning Tuesday afternoon. So ... that's probably a long time to argue over anything, but it's not unreasonable to ask them to consider longer. A woman's life is on the line. "I do not wish or intend to force a verdict," the judge said. But man, try harder.

Judge Sherry Stephens suggested the jury start on points they agree on and then work from there, which sounds like a pretty helpful strategy.

I served on a jury last year, and I remember feeling the pressure of making a decision that would affect people's lives. You want to get it right! Many of us on the jury came from completely different walks of life and perspectives. That's the ideal, but it also sometimes makes it harder for everyone to reach an agreement.

Anyway, the last thing anyone wants is a hung jury. Then they'll have to start the sentencing phase all over again! Considering how emotional this case has been, I can't imagine the pain of making everyone deliver their testimonies to an all-new jury. So I hope the jury can get it together. Two and a half hours is not that long. They need to keep working on this, even if it takes days.

Are you surprised that the jury is already deadlocked?

Image via AZCentral.com

Wolf Blitzer Asks Atheist Tornado Survivor if She 'Thanks the Lord' -- AWKWARD! (VIDEO)

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:41:00 EDT

Post by Sasha Brown-Worsham

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer was in Oklahoma reporting on the devastating tornado when he came across a woman and her baby. Through a lens of false caring, he managed to majorly put his foot in his mouth. Oh yes, the journalist asked the woman if she "thanked the lord" for her survival. Which would have been a fine question.

Except she is an atheist.

See the cringe-worthy moment below:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

For many people who live on either coast of the U.S., there is a stereotype of the kind of person who lives in the middle of the country and it's very often incorrect. Blitzer ran into that (like a brick wall), but he was also guilty of something else besides ridiculous pandering to his viewers for cheesy soundbites.

He underestimated the intelligence of both his viewers and of the person he was interviewing. He assumed she would have a simplistic, easy thing to say that would make CNN look good and wrap it all up in a neat bow.

Well, guess what? It didn't work that way and I would bet a million dollars he wouldn't have asked that of someone from New York or San Francisco. It was his way of marginalizing a woman from the Midwest.

TOTAL cringe-fest. But you know what? Her response was fantastic. "We are here, and I don't blame anyone for thanking the Lord," she said. It was a kind response to a very rude question, and really, that's all you can ask for. It was terrible journalism that makes me embarrassed for Wolf, but she handled it beautifully and she is right.

My takeaway lesson is to assume nothing and to allow people their own beliefs no matter how different they might be from our own. Maybe she should run for Congress!

Do you think Wolf's question was rude?

Disney Cruise Employee Caught on Camera Molesting 11-Year-Old But Goes Free Anyway (VIDEO)

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:13:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

A man caught molesting a girl on camera was allowed to go free. Surveillance video from a Disney cruise ship caught crew member Milton Braganza following an 11-year-old girl into an elevator and hovering close by her for a few moments. You can't tell what exactly he's doing, but it definitely looks creepy. The girl, with her grandmother, accused Braganza of fondling her breasts and forcibly kissing her. What a terrifying incident for a young girl!

Braganza eventually confessed to molesting the girl, but there were no charges. Instead, after an investigation by Bahamian police, Disney paid to fly him home. We can only hope they also fired him. But the reason why he wasn't arrested sure looks shady.

The incident went down while the cruise ship was still docked in Port Canaveral, Florida. The girl got to her grandmother immediately and they both went to security to report the incident. Over four hours later, Braganza was called to security. But by then the ship had set sail. And Disney didn't inform the Florida police about the incident until hours later, so they couldn't investigate.

Instead, they let Bahamian police question Braganza. But here's the really crazy part -- by this time the grandmother changed her mind and decided not to press charges. (WHY???) And so, since Braganza had confessed, he was sent on his merry way and that's that. If they'd done the investigation in Florida, they would have pressed charges regardless of what Grandma wanted. So that's pretty screwed up, right?

Why didn't Disney turn the ship around and head back to Florida as soon as the incident had been reported? That would have been the most responsible thing to do. Since it happened in Florida, their police has jurisdiction over investigating. But instead, they kept it all quiet and headed over to the Bahamas where it could all be taking care of with greater discretion.

And what's even more troubling about this incident is that it's a Disney cruise line. I've been on one of those cruises, and they provide a LOT of child supervision for parents. There are kids' clubs where you can just drop off your kid in the hands of the crew for a couple hours. That's a lot of trust we're putting in that crew. Not to mention, it's such a child-friendly environment, you see kids all over the place, and not always accompanied by an adult. So you would think they would screen extremely well and then take any allegations of child molestation very seriously.

Disney says they "took proper action," but come on. I think they got it wrong when they kept sailing away from Florida. It kind of looks like they tried to brush the whole thing under the rug to protect their image -- and it backfired.

Now that the video has surfaced (this happened nine months ago), the Florida police may come back and investigate after all. Man, I am so disappointed in Disney. I expected much better from them. I hope they're scrambling now to set things right, because there's an awful lot of parents putting their trust in the crew members of those ships.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Do you think Disney mishandled this incident?

Image via HotViralNews/YouTube

Man Sets Up Camera to Catch Ghosts But What He Finds Is Even Scarier

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:37:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

One man thought his house was haunted -- but it turned out his relationship was. The man, who lives in Tasmania, Australia, set up a videocamera to catch spirits, but he instead caught flesh. Lots of it. Believing he had ghosts in his kitchen, the man decided to try to film the apparitions, but then forgot to turn the camera off. What he ended up catching on camera did give him quite a fright though -- it was the sight of his long-term girlfriend, who is the mother of his young child, having sex ... with his 16-year-old son. Boo!

The man confronted his girlfriend with the video evidence, but she reportedly "downplayed the incident." How you downplay that I have no idea, but this woman deserves some kind of award for even trying! That? Oh sure, I was bonking your 16-year-old son ... but it was just in a friendly way!

The couple had lived together for 11 years, which means she'd probably known her partner's son since he was 5 years old. The adult couple also have a young child.

The man called the police and the 28-year-old woman was arrested since the age of consent is 17. But she thought it was 16, she claimed. Which really doesn't make the thing any better, does it?

The teen boy went on to confess that he'd had sex with his sorta-stepmom several times in the house, and she went on to admit that she'd followed him to another part of Australia and had sex with him in a hotel room. They probably wanted to get away from those non-existent ghosts.

Here this guy was so dedicated to filming paranormal activity when right in front of his nose was extracurricular activity. Something went bump in the night all right, but it wasn't Casper! (Unless his son's name is Casper.)

Let this be a lesson to us all: Pay a little more attention to this world, and don't do so much worrying about the next one.

Did you ever set up a camera to catch one thing and got another?

Image via goldberg/Flickr

Convicted Pedophile Found Dead But Girl He’s Suspected of Kidnapping Is Nowhere to Be Found

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:04:00 EDT

Post by Jeanne Sager

A convicted pedophile and suspected abductor has been found dead. Ready to cheer? Hold your applause. Because before Michael James Klunder was discovered, cops say he kidnapped two girls. A 12-year-old escaped, but 15-year-old Kathlynn Shepard is still missing. With Klunder's death, the cops have little to go on to find the missing girl.

Sadly, that's just the beginning of the tragedies surrounding the 42-year-old's mysterious death.

Cops now think Klunder may have been responsible for the abduction and murder of Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Morrissey, the two little girls from Iowa whose disappearance last summer had the entire country on edge. If they're right, that means the Morissey and Cook families also just lost a chance to get answers from their daughters' killer.

Answers beyond the fact that Klunder was a convicted sex offender, who was responsible for the kidnappings of two 3-year-old girls and a 21-year-old woman in December 1991. He was sentenced to 41 years for the crimes but spent less than two decades in jail.

If cops' suspicions prove correct, he kidnapped and killed Lyric and Elizabeth just a year after finishing work release. Then came the abduction of Kathlynn and an unnamed 12-year-old on Monday afternoon at a bus stop. The latter girl bravely escaped.

Good for her.

But what about her fellow captive? What of her?

This is where a live pedophile would pretty darn useful.

We don't know how he died yet. There are rumors that he might have committed suicide -- in which case, there's little that could be done by authorities. On the other hand, if he was killed by someone, it's proof once again WHY vigilante justice doesn't work. Sure, a pedophile is dead, but at what cost?

A powerful lesson in celebrating death, isn't it?

Kathlynn Shepard's family is devastated. The Cook and Morrissey families are desperate.

And what of poor Kathlynn? Is she out there, alone and scared, waiting to be rescued? Could we still help her?

Without Klunder, who knows?

What is your first inclination when you hear "dead pedophile"? Do you tend to cheer?

Image via police handout

Tamerlan Tsarnaev's Friend Killed by FBI in Strange Twist to Boston Bombing Case

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:13:00 EDT

Post by Jeanne Sager

It's been more than a month since the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and things were finally settling down. Were, that is, until we woke up this morning to news that a man named Ibragim Todashev, thought to be a friend of bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, had been killed by an FBI agent during an altercation in Florida.

That sense of security that had washed back over you as the headlines shifted away from the Tsarnaev brothers and back to Kim Kardashian's shoes? That's gone now, isn't it?

So far the FBI isn't telling us much about Todashev, aside from the fact that he was Chechnyan, had been linked to the elder Tsarnaev brother, and once lived in Boston. He was killed by an agent who reportedly felt that he was "under threat."

It's the relationship with Tsarnaev and the fact that he was being questioned about it that makes the whole case so confusing.

Was he involved in the bombing?

Is there more going on than the feds are telling us?

Is this nightmare ever going to be over?

We want this to just be something two bad men did in their spare time, by themselves. It would be nice if this could all be wrapped up in a neat little package, give the families of the victims closure, and give average Americans a warm, fluffy security blanket to duck our heads back under.

Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. And whether Todashev was involved in the bombing or not, the murky details around his death remind us that there are more violent people out there, some who may well carry the same anti-American feelings of the bombers.

We may have gotten to the bottom of the story behind the Boston bombing. But the fight to keep America safe is never truly over.

Were you starting to feel safe again or is this just something you expected?

Image via o.maloteau/Flickr

Anthony Weiner Plays for Mayor But Can His Cute Baby Distract Us From His Sexting Past? (VIDEO)

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:10:00 EDT

Post by Sasha Brown-Worsham

Anthony Weiner was just a congressman from New York City two years ago when he was taken down by a massive sexting scandal. For months, without the knowledge of his pregnant wife Huma Abedin or his constituents, Weiner had been sending racy messages to women, and he was finally done in by a photo of his nether regions that was accidentally tweeted out. AWKWARD.

Now, he wants your vote for mayor.

Weiner announced early Wednesday morning that he is going to run for mayor of New York City in a pretty moving video where he admits his mistakes, but also goes into just why he loves his city as much as he does. For all the joking about his issues, he makes some good points. See below:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Pretty good, right?

In it, he says:

Look, I made some big mistakes, and I know I let a lot of people down. But I’ve also learned some tough lessons.

Hey, why not believe him? People can change. I was the first one calling for Weiner's head (um, no pun intended) after the scandal. It wasn't because of what he did, but because of how he lied about it. If he would lie about that, what else? But I also believe in second chances.

It's possible that he has learned his lesson, and not for one second did anyone call into question how much he loves his city. His love for New York is palpable. Sure, he has an uphill battle. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn leads Weiner by 10 points in a recent poll, but he is in second place. And he deserves a chance.

I live outside the city, so I can't vote for mayor. If I could, I would probably choose Quinn (who I love), but I also think he is worthy of a second look. Politicians have come back from way worse (look at Bill Clinton) and Abedin has clearly forgiven his transgressions long ago. If she can, why can't we?

Politicians are human. They make mistakes. I find it much more egregious when a man who preaches against gay marriage (and signs legislation against it) is found in bed with another man or when a man who talks about the importance of family is caught with a prostitute. Weiner lied, but he wasn't a hypocrite. He didn't promise his constituents one thing in public and deliver another in private.

I can forgive a mistake much more readily than I can forgive hypocrisy. Why not give him another chance, NYC? You mocked him. He has paid mightily for his mistake. Now let him move on.

Do you think Weiner deserves a second chance?

Image via YouTube

Mom and Baby Killed in Oklahoma Tornado While Desperately Trying to Reach Older Son

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:11:00 EDT

Post by Julie Ryan Evans

As the search and rescue efforts come to an end, and the death toll from the Oklahoma tornado continues to change, the heartbreaking individual stories of the victims are being told. Among the most heart-wrenching is that of Megan Futrell and her 5-month-old baby.

According to The Daily Mail, the 29-year-old mother and junior high school teacher was desperate to reach her other son, 6-year-old Cody, when the weather started getting bad. Like many of us would have done -- or wanted to do -- she set out to get him, to be with him, to protect him. Unfortunately, she never made it.

After speaking on the phone with her husband just "seconds before it happened" she knew she needed to divert and seek shelter. She went into a 7-11 where she and her baby went into the store's freezer, hoping and praying that they would make it out alive. The store was completely leveled, however, and she and her baby were killed. According to the Daily Mail, their bodies were found huddled together.

Now her husband and young son are left behind to try and navigate life without them. Their family was forever changed in an instant, and you have to wonder how they will go on. How so many affected by this terrible tragedy will go on?

As for those who may criticize her for going out in the storm, Pastor DA Bennett told the paper:

I hope that when people think of her they don’t think that she was reckless or some kind of thrill seeker. She was a mother who loved her baby and wanted to do what she could to protect that child.

None of us knows what we'd do in a similar situation, no matter how much we think might. Futrell was a mother doing what she thought was best for her children in a terrifying situation, which is all any of us can do. Unfortunately, it's just not always enough.

Do you think this woman was reckless in trying to reach her son?

Image via National Guard/Flickr

Shocking New Oklahoma Tornado Details Emerge a Day After the Tragedy

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:28:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

The people in Oklahoma are still in shock and trying to pick up the pieces (literally) of their shattered lives after a horrifically large tornado ripped through the suburbs of Oklahoma City, destroying nearly everything in its wake. There have so far been 24 confirmed deaths, nine of them children (downgraded from an erroneous count of 91). The twister tore through two elementary schools, a hospital, and countless homes. Here's what we know so far.

- The twister was two miles wide and 17 miles long. The hardest hit town was Moore, Oklahoma, which has a population of 56,000.

- The area had already suffered two previous big tornadoes, in 1999 and 2003. Moore was hit by the same size tornado in 1999. That one killed 50 people. Schools were already out, so children were spared for the most part. That storm hit five states and lasted three days. The Oklahoman's headline was, "Worse Than May 3," the day the 1999 twister struck.

- At least 230 people are injured, 60 of them children. At least 100 people were pulled alive out of the wreckage.

- Seven children were found drowned at the Plaza Towers Elementary School. They had been herded into a basement, which then filled with water.

- Terrified children at the Briarwood Elementary School cowered with their backpacks over their heads and asked, "Is this really happening?" as the twister bore down on them. Despite receiving a "direct hit", there are no reported fatalities.

- The schools, despite the area's history with killer tornadoes, do not have safe rooms.

- As of last night, there were still at least two dozen children missing in Moore. But today, authorities say that they are "98 percent" sure there are no more missing people or bodies unaccounted for. Several children are still missing, but authorities believe they may have gone home early with their parents. However, CNN reported on at least one father who sat outside today waiting for word on his missing third grader.

- The tornado was an EF5, the highest category of tornado. It has winds that blow 200 to 322 miles per hour. Winds in this latest storm reached 210 miles per hour.

- So many volunteers have shown up to help that police have asked people to stay away. Road lanes need to remain clear for emergency personnel.

- Moore, Oklahoma is particularly susceptible to tornadoes due to to its combination of warm moist air and strong wind shear. It also just seems to have, according to meteorologists, "bad luck." Scientists are trying to figure out if global warming is contributing to the violence of tornadoes.

- Tornadoes may not be done yet. The same storm system that created the Oklahoma tornado is headed for southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas, which have tornado, hail, and damaging winds forecasts for Tuesday. A swath from Texas to Indiana could see severe storms, though nothing like what Oklahoma saw.

- Federal assistance has been granted for the state in the wake of the tornado. Oklahoma senators Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe voted to cut funding to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

As someone who lived through Hurricane Sandy and was touched and heartened by the outpouring of generosity and goodwill of the American people, I know that they will get through this with the help of everyone. Here are some ways to help.

Have you been affected by the tornado?

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Image via National Guard/Flickr

Hero Oklahoma Teacher Uses Her Body as a Shield to Save Her Students From Tornado (VIDEO)

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:50:00 EDT

Post by Emily Abbate

It was chaos as the horrific tornado that ripped through Oklahoma yesterday approached Plaza Towers Elementary school. But somehow, some way, first-grade teacher Becky Jo Evans' protective instincts kicked in. In the midst of all the noise, screaming, and destruction, Evans managed to think only about one thing: her students. She managed to usher some of them into a bathroom. As the walls began to fall around them, she quickly jumped on top of their tiny bodies to shield them from falling debris. After the horrific twister passed, the teacher continued on to pull children from the destroyed building.

As we have learned from school tragedies past, Evans' reaction was not unique. But that does not diminish what she did, it makes it all the more extraordinary. Stories of other Oklahoma school teachers who fearlessly protected their students in similar ways are coming to light in the aftermath, and we continue to be awestruck and grateful for each and every one.

It's almost impossible to think about Evans' heroism on that frightful day without drawing comparisons to the courageous teaching staff at Sandy Hook Elementary. As we all remember, teachers in Newtown sprung to action and risked their lives to put their students first, protecting them from the gunman.

These selfless educators were willing to risk it all for the love of their kids. And while any of us would hope we would react the same honorable way in that situation, it's natural to question whether we might have the guts, the same level of courage. We can only hope and pray that we would.

If anyone was especially touched by Evans' harrowing ordeal, it was her best friend, Edie Cordray. While news reports depicted the ghastly destruction of Plaza Towers, Cordray, a preschool teacher from another town not affected by the tornado, was in a frenzy. When Becky Jo and her students had been reported missing, all Cordray wanted to do was drive to where the school had been and weave through the wreckage. Little did she know at the time that her best friend's heroic efforts saved the lives of several lucky students amidst a horrific tragedy. Little did she know that her best friend was not only alive, but a true hero.

Once Evans was located, Cordray gushed with happiness to The Times. "After I knew she was OK, I knew I was not going to go to bed until I saw her and hugged her." We can only imagine how much amazing that embrace felt after such a frightening time.

We need to thank our lucky stars that there are teachers out there like Evans, and all the many others both named and still unnamed for their selflessness and courage. This list is bound to get a lot longer in the days ahead ...

- Rhonda Crosswhite: The sixth grade teacher draped her body across six students in a bathroom stall, shielding them from flying debris.

- Sherri Bittle and Cindy Lowe: The two first-grade teachers had students place their backpacks above their heads as a safety precaution. When the tornado got closer, they also put their bodies on top of as many kids as possible.

Have you heard any other heroic stories from yesterday's tragedy? Would you have been able to act as quickly as these teachers?

Image via CBS

Police Officer Arrested for Molesting Little Girls Also Has Kids of His Own

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:31:00 EDT

Post by Jeanne Sager

The very words "child molester" send chills down my back. But when I heard an LAPD officer was arrested on suspicion of luring little girls to his house and abusing them, a pit in my stomach joined the typical chills. Miguel Schiappapietra was supposed to protect little kids from sickos.

Now he's been charged with being one. And to top it off, Schiappapietra is a dad!

How do we protect our kids from guys like him?

According to the allegations against the LAPD officer, Schiappapietra lured two little girls under age 10 to his home, where he molested them. He's since been charged with two counts of lewd acts with a child, and he's being held on $100,000 bail.

It's comforting to see that even LAPD officers are not above the law, but his arrest is little comfort to parents.

As we struggle to teach them about bad people in this world, we are trying too to teach them about the good ones, the ones they can trust. We tell them that when the chips are down, they need to turn to parents with kids, to people in uniform.

Schiappapietra was both.

The hardest part to accept about child molesters is that they exist. But the second hardest is that we can't pin down a type. Not in a way that we can describe to our kids.

They are male and female.

They are parents and not.

They are doctors, lawyers, bakers, candlestick makers ... and cops.

And right now our best defense against them -- maybe even our only defense -- is a parent's gut. This arrest should be a flashing light for parents.

If something feels off about that guy (or lady) down the street, ignore the fancy degrees or the prestigious titles. Keep your kids away.

Do you get feelings in your gut that people could hurt your kid? How do you judge who is good and who is bad?

Image via Ringoeshire/Flickr

The Pope May Have Performed an Exorcism and We Want More!

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:19:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

Did you hear? New Pope Francis performed an exorcism! Sorta. After Sunday mass at St. Peter's Square, the Pope laid his hands on a young man in a wheelchair. The man then apparently "heaved deeply a half dozen times, shook, then slumped in his wheelchair" through the Pope's blessing. Great Beelzebub! It was like Francis was wrenching an evil spirit out of that young man's body. Or, maybe the guy just has a condition that causes him to lurch involuntarily. You decide -- but I think we all know which story is going to nab headlines.

In a statement, the Vatican was kinda cagey about what really happened. They say the Pope "didn't intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone who was suffering who was presented to him." So they're not saying it was an exorcism, but they're not saying it wasn't, either.

I mean, if someone with an evil spirit comes along, and the Pope just happens to be there, and just happens to give the afflicted a blessing, and the evil spirit leaves, well ... let's just say it's all in a good day's work for Francis. The Devil is a real thing to him, and he'd really like to get that guy.

Full disclosure, I don't believe in any of that stuff. But -- I do love a fun story, and I think it would be fantastic (in every sense of the word) if the Pope really did start going around performing exorcisms, real or not. You know, like real 1970s horror movie kinds of stuff. Forget modest, quiet laying on of hands. Let's get some light shows! Let's get some heads spinning! Let's see some projectile vomiting! I want to hear screaming, winds howling, and "I command thee!"

There's some phenomenal drama just waiting to happen here that would really shake up the people. I'm just saying -- the Vatican needs to consider this PR opportunity. But it probably won't happen because Pope Francis is not into flash. Gah! Oh religion, you're just never quite as much fun as you could be.

Do you believe in exorcisms?

Image via BBM Explorer/Flickr

Did Amanda Berry's 911 Operator Call Her a Horrible Name?! (LISTEN)

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:05:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

Considering all that Amanda Berry, one of three women who had allegedly been held captive for 10 years in a house of horrors, had to go through, it would have been nice if the first call she made after breaking for freedom, to a 911 dispatcher, could have been received with some respect. Instead, the operator sounded rushed, callous, and almost disbelieving. In fact, he hung up on her before a police car even arrived. That was enough to get the public irate and enough to get him investigated, but now there's something even more shocking that might have happened. The 911 operator may have called Amanda Berry a "f***ing b**ch"!! WHAT?!

The call, which grabbed a lot of attention because of the blase attitude of the 911 operator, may have been even worse than originally thought.

A distressed Amanda identifies herself to the dispatcher and says, "I've been kidnapped. I've been missing for 10 years and I'm here. I'm free now."

The operator sounds mildly peeved with the fact that Amanda is giving a different address from the one she's calling from (she was across the street), and when she repeats that she's Amanda Berry, the operator says, "I got that, dear."

The operator, a man, then tries to hang up on her, but thinking better of it, begins to ask descriptive information about Ariel Castro, her alleged abductor. Amanda gives it and then the operator tries to hang up on her again, telling her to talk to police when they get there. He handles the call as if it's someone reporting that a squirrel had climbed through the chimney.

Granted, operators can't get too emotional. He didn't owe Amanda Berry a "thank god you got out of there!" or whatever. In fact, it sounds as if the operator had no idea who Amanda Berry was, which is forgivable. Maybe he just moved to town. Maybe when he's away from work, he doesn't want to hear more bad news and avoids watching it. And it was a long time ago that Amanda went missing.

The operator, however, did owe it to Amanda, and any victim who calls in immediate danger, to at least stay on the phone to make sure help arrives -- which is why the operator is being investigated.

But now here comes news that, at the end of the call, right before the operator hung up, it sounds like he says, "F***ing b**ch." One sound expert confirms that this is what it sounds like. Another says the first word starts with "f" and the second word is "b**ch."

Right before the operator says either this or something that sounds suspiciously like it, you can hear him getting more frustrated with Amanda, who becomes increasingly panicked as she realizes that the operator is about to hang up. "Talk to them when they get there," he says, sounding like he can't wait to get off the phone.

I am not a 911 dispatcher. It's possible his board was lighting up with calls and he needed to get off. I don't know. But if he truly did call Amanda that name, then he seriously is in the wrong business. That's got to be a really tough, stressful job, but you must know what you're getting into when you sign up for it.

No word yet on whether this dispatcher is being reprimanded, retrained, or even fired. But if he did call her this, there's no excuse and something needs to be done about it.

Do you think he should be fired?

19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Image via 19 Action News

Oklahoma Tornado: 10 Ways to Help the Devastated Families and Children

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:07:00 EDT

Post by Jeanne Sager

The Category 4 tornado that tore through parts of Oklahoma City, ripping apart two elementary schools as it moved through the area, has left us with images that are burned in our minds. The people of Moore, Oklahoma are hurting, and America, we should not look away. This is the time to do what we do best: to step in and help the people of Oklahoma.

They are our brothers. Our sisters. Our fellow Americans. And if a single image out of Moore broke your heart, then you should help in whatever way you can.

1. Donate to the United Way of Central Oklahoma. The non-profit already helps fund disaster relief efforts in that area, and their May Tornado Fund is being marked specifically for the victims in the Moore area.

2. Donate to Team Rubicon. This veterans' group sent volunteers to help with relief efforts after Superstorm Sandy, and now they're launching a similar effort to put boots on the ground in Oklahoma making home repairs and lending a hand wherever they can.

3. Spread the Picture Recovery Facebook Page. As relief workers pour in to help, they're finding plenty of items strewn about from the homes destroyed. What can be salvaged is being photographed and placed in a Facebook group where residents can lay claim to their belongings.

4. Send Money to the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief. The group typically responds to disasters around the state, and this is no different. They have people on the ground, and they've promised "every penny" donated to their efforts will go to "disaster relief and helping victims."

5. Share the Safe & Well Page. The American Red Cross has set up a site for folks who are okay to register their names so friends and relatives know they're all right.

6. Donate to Global Giving. The online non-profit gets top marks from Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau, so you can feel safe knowing the Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund is the real deal.

7. Help Feed the Children. Just $50 will deliver 375 pounds of relief supplies to Oklahoma.

8. Get a Band Together. The Bo Phillips Band, based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, has already started putting together a concert to help raise money for the victims. They're looking for musicians to perform on June 9 in Davis, Oklahoma.

9. Buy Gift Cards. People are going to need to restock their entire lives, and the folks behind Toomer's for Tuscaloosa, a non-profit group that came together after the 2011 storms in Alabama, has turned their sights on helping folks in Oklahoma. They say gift cards to Target and Wal-Mart will be a huge help for families in need, and they're collecting them.

10. Help the Tulsa Community Foundation. Another local charity, this non-profit will ensure donations stay IN Oklahoma.

What are you doing today to honor the people in Oklahoma?

Image via The National Guard/Flickr

Susan Powell’s Disappearance Case Closed Just as Police Release Sick New Details From Investigation (VIDEO)

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:59:00 EDT

Post by Sasha Brown-Worsham

The disappearance of young Utah mother of two Susan Powell riveted the nation back in 2009. The sordid details of father-in-law Steven Powell's obsession with his daughter-in-law, husband Josh Powell's horrifying decision to murder their two young sons, and brother-in-law Michael Powell's suicide last February have left the case cold and impossible to solve. Police have opened the book on it after all these years and some of the details will chill the blood.

The case was more convoluted and sick than most of us can imagine. Poor Susan Powell lived under nearly constant threat from her father-in-law's sick obsession. He took photos of her without her knowledge and consent and pasted photos of her head on nude women that he would use to masturbate. She was trying to raise her two young sons in this house of horrors.

Now, it has been revealed that police highly suspected both Michael and Josh of Susan's murder and that Josh may have been having an affair for two months before her disappearance. The tragedy is that no one will likely ever pay for what is probably her murder.

It's easy to criticize the police here. There are so many ways they bungled the case and it's deeply unfortunate that the lack of evidence allowed Josh enough access to his young sons that he could hurt them. But the reality is, many murder cases go unsolved.

Our justice system is built so that those who are innocent aren't convicted. You have to PROVE guilt. It's hard and, yes, sometimes guilty people go free, but I maintain it's better than the alternative.

The reality is, anyone who might give Susan Powell justice is dead now. Those who might have been guilty are likely paying eternally already (if you believe that). There is nothing more those people can do in this life to harm others.

Justice for a murder is a cold comfort. It doesn't bring back the deceased or ease their family's burden. Powell's parents still have to live without their beautiful daughter. It's a heartbreak, but it's the way these things happen sometimes. Evil people sometimes get away with murder. It's a horrifying reality.

May Susan Powell be somewhere better, resting in peace with her beautiful boys.

More details below:

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Do you think the police bungled this case?

Image via Alan Cleaver/Flickr

Children Are Among the Many Dead After Nightmare Oklahoma Tornado (VIDEO)

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:10:00 EDT

Post by Sasha Brown-Worsham

The initial death toll for the devastating two-mile-wide tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma for a shocking 40 minutes Monday afternoon, is presumed to be 24, lower than previous counts from last night that had it as high as 91. Though it might continue to climb, at least some of the dead are children. It's an absolute nightmare scenario, a tragedy beyond any kind of comprehension.

The state's medical examiner's office said the office anticipates 40 more deaths from Monday's twister. This isn't a movie. This is real life. It's possibly the worst tornado in history and is coming on the heels of so many tragedies in the past few months, it's almost impossible to process.

For those in the path of the storm, things were fine one minute, and 10 minutes later, everything was destroyed. It's the kind of thing that makes you ask why? Why do things like this happen? There is no explanation.

There are heroes, of course. Teachers who embraced scared children and comforted them before their parents could arrive. Teachers who led students out of the schools, holding their hands and carrying them. The photos are profound and moving. Just as they were from another school tragedy just a few months ago. After the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, teachers were heroes.

Now we see this again at Plaza Towers Elementary School and Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. Teachers are heroes.

As a parent, I know this every single day when I send my children to school. They come home full of excitement and new information. But I also trust my children's teachers with their lives and, for the most part, I think that trust is well placed.

People always pay lip service to teachers not being paid enough, but then bash them when it comes to union negotiations and such. How many school tragedies is it going to take for us to look at the selflessness of teachers. They are bloodied and battered in the photos out of Oklahoma, but they are still carrying children. They are still thinking of our babies first.

There are no words for my gratitude and appreciation of those teachers and my sorrow at the many losses in Oklahoma yesterday. Many were asking how to explain these deaths to children and there probably is no way. At least none that makes sense.

How can we possibly explain a storm as massive as this one that can come along on a perfectly normal day and destroy everything in its path.

See footage below:

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

My heart is breaking for Oklahoma. We have to focus on the good -- the heroes -- or we will lose our minds. But I can't stray far from the sobering and horrifying facts of this situation. When all is said and done, close to 100 people may have lost their lives on a perfect May afternoon. That is just simply beyond comprehension or reason.

Have you seen any heroic stories that moved you?

Image via YouTube

Oklahoma Tornado Destroys 2 Schools and Hysterical Parents Wait for News

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:08:00 EDT

Post by Julie Ryan Evans

The images of the powerful tornado that ripped through Oklahoma this afternoon and its aftermath are horrifying, but none are more heartbreaking than those of the two schools that were in its path. Rescuers are currently searching through the rubble now, and the number of deaths there and elsewhere throughout the state continues to rise.

According to reports, both Plaza Towers Elementary School and Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma, were hit ... and hit hard, with the buildings' roofs being ripped right off. While several children have been pulled from the rubble alive, it's unknown how many teachers and students were in the building at the time ... and where many of them are now.

CNN reports that at this time, at least 51 people -- including 20 from Plaza Towers Elementary School -- were killed. We can only hope that number doesn't grow.

Reports say heroic teachers covered the children's bodies with their own to protect them, but in some cases, it wasn't enough against the storm's power. Understandably hysterical parents are said to be converging around the rubble. Search and rescue efforts will continue throughout the night, as these parents wait.

As a parent, the first thing I think of when storm clouds start moving in is how long it would take me to get to my kids at school. What if disaster strikes while they're there, away from me. I imagine how terrified they would be, and how I couldn't comfort them, and I'm sure every parent with a child at those schools has imagined such a scenario before too. Today it became their reality.

To them our hearts go out. For them we pray.

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

Have your children ever been at school when a natural disaster has struck?

Image via YouTube

Devastating Oklahoma Tornado Hits With Terrifying Force (VIDEO)

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:15:00 EDT

Post by Sasha Brown-Worsham

A suburb of Oklahoma City has been leveled by what appears to be a massive tornado that some are calling the most destructive in the history of the world. Yes, seriously. The terrifying storm struck just south of the city on Monday afternoon, ripping apart homes and other buildings, including at least one elementary school.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency, which is apparently unusual even for this part of the Midwest. It indicates that widespread damage and fatalities were likely. The images from the scene are horrifying, and one news anchor said it was the "biggest destructive tornado in the history of the world."

Terrifying doesn't even begin to cut it. Here is what we know so far:

Houses are destroyed: "The houses are destroyed .... Completely leveled," a helicopter pilot for CNN affiliate KFOR said. A school was leveled: An elementary school was apparently among the structures leveled by the twister. CNN reports that children were being pulled from the school. Medical centers have been evacuated: Moore Medical Center in Oklahoma was evacuated. It was damaged by the storm. All patients went to centers elsewhere. As of 11:30 p.m., 51 people are reported dead. Residents are being told to go underground: More are expected to come. Downed power lines and gas continue to pose risks: As always with any disaster, the aftermath can also be very dangerous. The extent of the damage isn't yet clear, but the scene is likely very unstable, chaotic, and dangerous. Afternoon government sessions were canceled: The Oklahoma House of Representatives canceled its afternoon sessions so Capitol employees and state lawmakers could take shelter in the basement. Storm was said to be two miles wide.

The story is developing so much more is likely to come in overnight. But one thing we do know is that this isn't over and that this is likely to go down in history as one of the worst storms in history. "Our worst fears are becoming realized this afternoon," Bill Bunting, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, told CNN Monday afternoon.

See below:

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

It isn't the kind of thing you can get out of your head. This story will continue to develop and we will follow it, but for now, our hearts are with everyone in Oklahoma City and we are praying that most were able to take shelter.

Have you been following this story?

2-Year-Old Shoots Himself in the Face With Dad's Gun and Is Saved by a Miracle

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:19:00 EDT

Post by Lindsay Mannering

A 2-year-old toddler was playing in his parents' bedroom when he picked up a gun, stuck it in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. It happened Sunday in Asheboro, North Carolina. The boy was at home with both his parents and three older siblings when he shot himself in the face. The dad rushed his son to the emergency room where, miraculously, they received astonishingly good news.

Despite the extremely close-range shot, the toddler is expected to recover -- the bullet missed all major arteries and his spinal cord. Doctors assure the young child is "extremely lucky."

Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a string of children and accidental shootings. Last month, a 4-year-old boy was accused of killing a sheriff deputy's wife with a gun; just a few weeks ago, a 5-year-old was accused of fatally shooting his 2-year-old sister with a "My First Rifle"; and earlier in May, a 35-year-old grandmother was arrested after her 3-year-old grandson got a hold of her gun and shot and killed himself.

Authorities say this Asheboro case is still under investigation and it's yet to be determined if the parents will be charged. It seems too early to lean one way or another, but there is something that's certain. Even though the parents of the little boy weren't looking out for him, the universe certainly was.

How a toddler can shoot himself in the mouth and survive is truly amazing. He's in serious condition, but they're optimistic he'll pull through.

Hopefully that gun is now locked up and safely out of reach of the four children who live in that home. Something tells me if that gun were to go off again, the luck in that house will have run out.

What do you think?

Photo via peasap/Flickr

Kate Middleton Has Figured Out the Secret to Prince William's Heart

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:01:00 EDT

Post by Ericka Sóuter

The need to nest is the only thing mom-to-be Kate Middleton is preoccupied with these days. The Duchess of Cambridge is also taking cooking lessons, according to Us Weekly. A source tells the magazine that the couple's newly hired housekeeper is teaching Kate how to prepare a feast worthy of her future king. This can only mean one thing.

Kate is the absolute sweetest royal wife in recent history. How many other newly minted princesses and duchesses are so gung-ho to roll up their sleeves in the kitchen? Think about it. When you dream of that kind of fairy tale, it typically involves wearing tiaras and servants, not using that brand new KitchenAid mixer. But for some, that dream romance can mean taking on a very traditional role.

I am no Donna Reed, but it does feel good to cook a great meal for my husband. It's wonderful to hear how much he has enjoyed some dish that I labored over and tried to prepare to perfection. And it's especially nice to be appreciated for the effort. Kate is probably not much different. Admittedly, there is little about their marriage that is normal -- at least by commoners' standards. I would bet that most women in her position wouldn't even consider stepping foot into the kitchen. They may make sure the staff has a list of the family's favorites, but that's about it.

Kate, on the other hand, seems to be lovingly taking matters into her own hands. The new housekeeper is reportedly teaching her to make homemade pastas and fresh baked breads. It's a small, but important gesture. Doing something you don't have to do for your partner, lover, or spouse can go a long way. It must make Prince William feel incredibly loved.

What do you think of Kate's cooking lessons?

Image via Splash

Teens Accused of Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old and Posting Video of the Attack

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:34:00 EDT

Post by Linda Sharps

Last Friday, it was announced that three Chicago teens accused of gang-raping a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint will face charges as adults. Scandale Fritz, 16, Kenneth Brown, 15, and Justin Applewhite, 16, are each are being held on $900,000 bail. Each of the teens is facing one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault, based on the events that allegedly took place on December 15.

As it turns out, the boys' desire to document the attack -- and, horribly, share it on Facebook -- may be exactly the evidence that will be needed to put them behind bars.

According to Chicago police records, the alleged sexual assaults took place at around 3:30 p.m. December 15 in Fritz's home. Prosecutors say that the girl agreed to meet Fritz at his home, but when she arrived, she saw Brown with a gun in his pocket. Fritz then allegedly took the girl downstairs to the basement, and once she declined his demands for sex, he raped and sodomized her.

Fritz then allegedly demanded that the girl have sex with Brown and Applewhite, and forced her to do so at gunpoint. Fritz videotaped the sex acts, and prosecutors said all three boys appear on the footage, in which the girl begs them to stop. Brown reportedly held a gun during sex, and the boys could be heard shouting gang slogans.

The day after the assaults, the girl went to the hospital and notified police. Unbelievably, the very next day after that -- December 17 -- prosecutors say the video was posted on Brown's Facebook page ... and then on all three boys' Facebook pages.

I ... yeah, I don't even know what to say about this. I can't believe the evil of what these boys are accused of doing to a 12-year-old girl, and I can't imagine what they were thinking sharing that video on Facebook.

Unfortunately, I guess it's not such an unfamiliar story these days, is it? It sounds pretty similar to the shocking details of the Steubenville rape case, down to the bizarre decision to gloat about the details of the attack via social media.

The silver lining, if there's one to be had here, is that if the allegations against these teens are true, then they did the prosecution a giant favor by posting that video. Not that the poor girl wanted the details of her horrific assault to be seen by others, but at least it will remove the he said/she said element altogether.

In fact, court documents say that Fritz has provided a handwritten statement to investigators admitting that he made the tape. So whatever happens next with these boys, it's not looking good in terms of proving their innocence. If they're guilty as charged, I hope they get the full punishment possible -- because they'll deserve to lose what's left of their childhood, and more.

Are you surprised to hear about another rape case involving shared video of the attack?

Image via Matteo Paciotti/Flickr

Burglary Suspects Accidentally Dial 911 Mid-Crime and the Tape Will Crack You Up (VIDEO)

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:14:00 EDT

Post by Nicole Fabian-Weber

Ah, butt dialing. It's gotten countless people in trouble -- cheating lovers; shit-talking friends. But(t) now it's dovetailed into a new realm: Accidentally butt-dialing 911 mid-crime. What are the odds? Slim, to say the least. But hey, this really happens.

Nathan Teklemariam and Carson Rinehart, both 20, were hanging out recently when one of them accidentally dialed 911. When the operator answered the call, unbeknownst to them, they began talking about their desire to get high. "I just want to smoke weed so bad right now," one of them reportedly said as the dispatcher in Fresno, California listened to the conversation. But after a half hour or so, the discussion went in another direction. The boys were narrating a burglary they were allegedly committing -- and the operator heard every last word.

"Get the bolt and give me the hammer just in case," one of the boys was allegedly heard saying. Then moments later, the operator heard a window break, followed by shouting about how prescription drugs had been found. The operator then tipped off police to the boys' location. Shortly thereafter, they were pulled over, arrested, and charged with burglary, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property. Looks like somebody may have taken one too many bong hits, man.

At first when I read this story, I admit, I thought it was a little odd that the dispatcher stayed on for an entire half hour. Sure, the dudes were talking about weed and whatnot (and that was bound to be an entertaining conversation!), but it didn't sound like they had marijuana on them at the time of the call, or they were selling it. And since the operator didn't call police right away, it's almost like: Why not just hang up and not waste time? Aren't there real emergencies to be waiting for? No need for the audio version of Harold and Kumar.

But it's a good thing he or she did. A real crime was committed 30 minutes in. No, nobody was shot or killed, but who knows what could have happened? If the suspects were to have driven under the influence, something really awful could have happened.

And seriously. If you're going to butt dial 911 while talking about weed, you need to pay in some way. No one deserves to get away with that.

What do you think of this?

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Image via ABC

Ariel Castro Gets a Taste of His Own Twisted Medicine in Jail

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:05:00 EDT

Post by Kiri Blakeley

The tables have turned on Ariel Castro, the man who allegedly kept three women locked inside his home in Cleveland, Ohio, for a decade. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were beaten, raped, and held captive allegedly by Castro after he abducted them off the streets. Now it's Castro who is held captive, inside a tiny Cuyahoga County jail cell. And if Castro committed the crimes he's accused of, he is getting a taste of what it felt like to be those poor women.

Castro remains on suicide watch and is therefore checked on every 10 minutes by a guard, his activities recorded. Reportedly Castro spends all of his time either asleep, resting, pacing, or cleaning his 9-by-9 foot cell, which contains only a metal bed with a thin mattress, a metal sink, and a small mirror. Glad there are no windows, as he allegedly never let the three women see daylight in the decade he kept them inside the house, often chained up.

In the early days of Castro's confinement, he apparently walked around naked, but now he's wearing his prison garb. It doesn't sound like he's doing much in there, logs say things like, "Inmate lying on mat staring at ceiling," or, "Inmate lying on mat staring at floor."

Could he be contemplating the horrific crimes he's accused of and reportedly confessed to?

Logs say when he received his breakfast he thanked the officer and then said, "Have a good day, officer." He's so much more polite to people who have power over him! Early reports said that Castro was being hounded by other inmates who yelled at him all night, calling him names. I hope they're still around.

Obviously, Castro hasn't been found guilty yet; however, the evidence against him seems overwhelming. Presuming he did imprison these women for a decade, it's nice to hear of him getting a small taste of what he doled out to them.

Only he knows he will get fed. (He allegedly starved the women for days at a time.)

He knows he won't get punched or kicked in the gut like he allegedly did to Michelle Knight until she miscarried. Nor will he get hit in the head so many times that he'll lose his hearing, like what reportedly happened to Michelle.

He won't be raped. He will probably get an hour a day of exercise. All in all, better than he allegedly treated those poor girls.

But it's a taste. And I hope he hates the bitter taste of it.

Do you think this is sweet revenge on Castro?

Image via AP/Cuyahoga County Jail

Amy Poehler Spoofs IRS Scandal on 'SNL' But Gets the Facts Right (VIDEO)

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:50:00 EDT

Post by Adriana Velez

As presidential scandals go, the recent IRS scandal is so, so ... Something you think you should care about but don't because it's about taxes. Isn't there a German word for that? Snoresenfreude? Anyway, it's ALL. SO. SCINTILLATING and it just keeps getting better. Here's the latest shocker: President Obama's lawyer learned about the IRS case weeks ago but didn't tell Obama about it because ____. (Fill in the blank. It's like Mad Libs!)

Well, we could speculate all day. Or we could watch SNL's Amy Poehler and Seth Meyer explain the IRS scandal on their segment, "Really?!? With Seth and Amy." Because Obama apparently gets his briefings from television. And I get my news from comedy shows. But I'll do a little fact checking on Amy and Seth just for fun.

The IRS unfairly targeted Tea Party groups: Starting in February 2010, the IRS Determination Unit based in Cincinnati was directed to look for political advocacy groups who use buzzwords like "Tea Party," "patriot," "we the people," etc. The Inspector General began reviewing this targeting in March 2012.

Last week IRS exempt organizations division director Lois G. Lerner apologized for "inappropriate" targeting of conservatives. She blamed backlog and low-level employees. President Obama fired Acting IRS chief Steve Miller, or as they say in Washington, his resignation was announced.

The IRS is more unpopular with Americans than exercise. True. Well, there's no investigation currently underway of this allegation, but I think we can all safely assume it's true.

Obama learned about the scandal on TV. Over the weekend, Obama aide Dan Pfeiffer said the president did not know the IRS was targeting Tea Party groups until he heard about it from the media, same way we did. And anyway, he said, "No president would get involved in an independent IRS investigation. It would be wholly inappropriate." I guess the reasoning is, keeping the president out of the loop protects him from this scandal, but I'm a little uncomfortable with that idea.

Obama probably knows how Breaking Bad ends. Unconfirmed.

Tea Party groups shouldn't be surprised they were targeted because they did name themselves after "a group of people who proudly and historically violated tax laws." Amy makes a good point there. If anyone is going to cheat on their taxes, wouldn't it be groups who actively and openly protest paying taxes?

Attention to detail isn't really the Tea Party's thing. Yeah. Check out these hilariously misspelled Tea Party protest signs. Now don't get mad! I didn't write these signs. I'm just saying.

Wesley Snipes is out of prison. Did you know he was sent to prison in 2010 for tax charges? Wait a minute! Wesley Snipes was sent to prison the same month that the IRS started targeting Tea Party groups. IS THERE A CONNECTION?!?

Do you think President Obama should have been briefed about the scandal long before the scandal broke out?

Image via NBC