THE BREAST FEEDING BANDIT

I don't even know what to say about today's story. I mean, after reading this, I was just speechless; as I'm sure you will be too! This is literally a scene out that 1992 Rebecca De Mornay flick, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, only this was a real-life situation.

It turns out; a South Dakota woman was recently busted for breaking into another woman's house, and attempting to breast feed her 2-month old baby. All together now, "WHAT?" Apparently, the mother of the child was awakened by the sounds of barking dogs, only to discover 24-year-old, Rebecca Silva snoozing in her bed at around 5 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Wait a minute! Why wasn't the mother of the child in her own bed? Aren't mothers keeping their infants as close as possible for the first six months? Why was the infant even in another room? This suddenly doesn't make sense.

Supposedly, Silva then picked up the baby and tried to nurse her. The frightened mother, somehow, coaxed Silva to hand over the baby, and then rushed out of the room to call 911. According to the local police, after the mother called them, she found the suspect lying in her bed, and it appeared that she'd been drinking. You think?

Silva insisted that she never tried to feed the infant, and that the mother of the child, whom she met the night before, has invited her in. She told the Associated Press, "I did not break into her house. She gave me her pajamas. She lied to the cops that I broke into her house. I did not try to feed her baby. That didn't happen." Silva was charged with unlawful occupancy, admitted that they had been drinking and had quarreled with the mother of the baby before she was arrested. She was later released.

I have to say, true or not, what a creepy story! After reading this story, it seems the mother's story doesn't match up. Were there signs of a break in? The police never released that. If there wasn't then it's clear that Silva was invited in. I still don't understand how a 2-month-old baby is sleeping in a separate room than the mother unless, I'm misunderstanding that. Do I think that the mother might have made that story up about Silva breast feeding her child? Possibly, but what I would like to know is where was the child's father when all of this happened? I'm sure he would've liked to have caught this act! Just a thought......

MORE THAN A 20 PERCENT TIP FOR THIS MINNESOTA WAITRESS

 When we go out to dinner, the toughest part of paying the bill is always calculating the tip, right? Some cheapskates get away with paying less than the standard 15 to 20 percent because they'll make up an excuse about poor service. The bottom line is that these waiters and waitresses get paid next to nothing per hour, and thrive on what they make in tips, so when you leave a small tip, you're really cheating the server. I, personally, usually double the first number on the bill, and that usually comes out to a little more than 20 percent, which I think is fair. If the service is really good, we'll give a little more.

Well, Stacy Knutson, a struggling waitress at the Fryin' Pan restaurant in Moorhead, Minnesota, recently received an anonymous $12,000 tip from a customer that police suspected might be drug money. Knutson received the generous tip back in November, when a customer left a to-go box on a table. Knutson noticed the box and reportedly followed the woman outside and tried returning the box it its owner, but the customer told her to keep it. When the waitress returned to the kitchen, she opened the box and found three wads of bills wrapped in rubber bands, totaling $12,000. Being the religiously good Samaritan that she is, Knutson turned the money into the local police station as lost property. Why? What an idiot! Just so everyone reading this knows; if I was put in this same situation, those wads of bills were going right into my wads of pocket. No police involved at all! If any of you say differently, you're a liar and deserve to be punished!

Anyway, police told 'nutty' Knutson that if the money went unclaimed for 90 days, she could keep it. But here's the kicker! The police changed their tune after a police dog detected the scent of marijuana on the bills. Police then offered Knutson a $1,000 reward for turning in the money, but the short-on-cash mother of five was not hearing that! She refused the reward money and sued the police department. This never would've happened if Knutson hadn't gone straight to the police!

On Thursday, authorities announced that they were able to tie the money to a criminal investigation, and that Knutson would be getting a check for $12,000. Knutson, who is supposedly a very religious person, claims that this was the will of God and that the dough was intended as gift to help Knutson's financial woes. Personally, I could've done without all the religious hoo-hah, and chalked it up to a stroke of some really dumb luck! They do say that people from Minnesota aren't always the sharpest knife in the drawer! If this happened in New York, that cash was in her pocket with no police involved. What would you have done?

DISMISSED FROM THE MILITARY FOR BEING ANTI-OBAMA

I always thought that when men and women enlisted in the military, they were sacrificing their lives to protect this country. I also thought that 'freedom of speech' was an amendment in the Constitution. Well, isn't the right to choose a political party part of the American way, as well? Many of us have been caught sitting around and talking politics and sometimes, we'll even bash the President, whether it is Obama or Bush or Clinton or whomever. Sometimes, we'll even post our feelings on Facebook. I've seen a number of posts within the past four years poking fun at our current President. Were any of those people punished? The answer to that is no! Then why should a 9-year Marine be dismissed for his Anti-Obama remarks? What is happening to this country that we can't even speak our minds anymore? I mean, yesterday, I blogged about a women who spoke her mind, but was extremely racist about it. Fine, she deserved to be punished, but someone who is fighting for and defending our country should not be punished for having a sense of humor. That is just plain wrong!

Out in Camp Pendleton, California, a Marine named Sgt. Gary Stein apparently criticized President Obama on his Facebook page and is now being accused of misconduct and according to a military board late Thursday, should be dismissed. The board also recommended that Stein be given another-than-honorable discharge. In other words, Stein would lose his benefits and would not be allowed on any military base. That's absolutely ridiculous! It kind of reminds me of people who made fun of Mussolini or Hitler, which wouldn't happen because those people would be punished and tortured. Well, this is no different! The board's recommendations go to a general who will either accept or deny them. If the general disagrees with the board, the case could go to the secretary of the Navy.

Stein's lawyers argued that the 9-year Marine, whose service was to end in four months, anyhow, was only expressing his personal views and exercising his First Amendment rights. Stein addressed the board members during Thursday's hearing, telling them he loved the Marine Corps and even wanted to re-enlist. During the hearing, the prosecutor stated that Stein went as far as using Photoshop to superimpose images of President Obama's face on a poster for the movie Jackass. Okay, I really don't see the harm in that. Was there really any sort of threat on the President's life here? The prosecutor went on to say that Stein's behavior violates Pentagon policy that limits free speech rights of service members, and said he should be dismissed after ignoring warnings from his superiors about his postings. It sounds to me that the prosecutor is getting a bit touchy here and I'm willing to bet if you go back into his private emails, there is some sort of Obama-bashing come from his end too!

The government's even submitted screen grabs of Stein's postings on one Facebook page he created called Armed Forces Tea Party, which the prosecutor said included the image of President Obama on the Jackass movie poster. Stein also superimposed the President's face on a poster for The Incredibles movie that he changed to The Horribles. I still don't see anything threatening about any of this. Stein has said that his opinions are his own and has even put a disclaimer on his Facebook page stating so. His attorney argued that service members have the right to voice their opinions as long as they do not appear to be presenting their views as being endorsed by the military. They also said that the Pentagon policy is vague and military officials don't even understand it.

The only real problem here is that Stein did declare on Facebook that he would not follow orders from President Obama and later clarified that statement saying he would not follow unlawful orders. I think that's where he is wrong because he may not like the President, but he's enlisted as a serviceman for this country, which right now, is being run by President Obama. So, unfortunately, Stein has to abide by the President's rules.

One former Marine, who happens to be a Senator now, wrote a letter to Stein's commanding officer stating that the sergeant should not be dismissed for an opinion shared by a majority of Marines. Stein went on to say that his statement was about President Obama was a part of an online debate about NATO allowing U.S. Troops to be tried for the Quran burnings in Afghanistan. In that context, he said that he was stating that he would not follow orders from the President if it involved detaining U.S. citizens, disarming them or doing anything else that he believes would violate their constitutional rights.

It sounds to me; Stein is more of a hero than someone who is trying to hurt the President with his words. Why would they try to strip the man of his benefits after he spent 9 years defending this country? It also seems that his words were to protect other American citizens. I'm still trying to figure out what he did wrong? Was making fun of the President wrong? If that's the case, you might as well punish this whole country because we're all making fun of him! When did we become a country full of cry babies? We used to be a World Power, but now I'm feeling like we've become part of the World Comedy Hour! This is ridiculous! What do you guys think? Should Sgt. Stein be discharged from the Marine Corps?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A BLONDE GOES ON A RACIST RANT ON FACEBOOK?

 Normally, blondes that look like the girl on the right are, stereotypically, pretty dumb. Well, why should this instance be any different? To be honest, this story is almost like a real life blonde joke! Did you hear about the blonde bartender who went on a racist rant using her Facebook page? Ha-ha! She got fired! Idiot!

It's turns out; Jessica Elizabeth (probably not her real name), now an ex-bartender at Proof, a high-end Chicago night club, lost her job after she started a conversation on her Facebook page about African Americans, dropping the N word like it was going out of style and calling them "apes" and "f**king animals." Woah! Really? On Facebook? Did Miss Elizabeth (Ha! Not Macho Man's Miss Elizabeth R.I.P.) not realize that she was on a public social media site, where everyone can read her random thoughts? In this case, her racist random thoughts like: "Wow, so insane how one race of people can be so f**king incompetent and disgusting!" Can you picture this coming out of this girl’s fingers?

Here's the best part, though! Surprisingly, several of her Facebook friends seemed to feel the same way and joined in with the racist rants of their own. One of her friends wrote, "Wanna beat them up? Because I'd like to, with some of them." Elizabeth responded with "I just dropped one on her f**king nasty face and huge nose. They really are apes and must not be fully developed." Wow! I have to admit that I can be pretty racist from time to time, but in a joking manner. I'm not out to hurt anyone's feelings, but this girl puts me to shame! She is unbelievable!

Finally, one of her friends, who also seemed to work for the nightclub, and actually had somewhat of a resemblance to a brain, piped in that something was wrong with Elizabeth's rant, as she wrote: "Hey Hitler! This is in violation of your social media contract. Please remove it ASAP." Miss Elizabeth, clearly not understanding her friend's warning or that he Facebook page was public for everyone to see, replied, "r u joking? I have a life outside of the club." What an idiot! Nothing there said that she wasn't allowed to have a life outside of the club, but everybody can see her racist rants. I love how dumb people can be!

Proof owner, Mike Bloem said in a statement, "Proof would like to confirm its belief in equality, fairness and tolerance to all our friends and partners. Sadly, on occasion, we are all exposed to ignorance and racism. We believe that by continuing to be true to our ideals and leading through our actions that each of us can be an agent for positive change." And then Jessica Elizabeth was fired.

You can't totally blame Jessica Elizabeth for her racist feelings. They had to come from her upbringing. Her parents were probably racist and maybe she thought that it was okay to speak like this. I have to be really honest, though, after looking at her photo, I didn't think a girl that looked like her even knew how to type or use a computer. How is that for stereotyping, Jessica? You dingbat!





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JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER....PEE-SOAKED EGGS

Just in time for Easter, come this lovely story out of the Chinese city of Dongyang (there are so many jokes regarding the city name as it is!) Yesterday morning, my girlfriend heard on the radio something about these urine-soaked eggs in China, so she asked me if I've ever eaten them. I shrugged it off, telling her it was just a myth, and the guys on the radio had no idea what they were talking about. Well, it looks like the jokes on me, huh? It turns out, urine-soaked are becoming sort of a delicacy in China. I feel like throwing up just writing about this. I mean, we've all walked into these public bathrooms and have wanted to vomit from the overabundant smell of urine, and these people, whom are known for eating dogs and cats, are now eating eggs soaked in piss. I have to say, I'm a little embarrassed to be Chinese right now.

 Anyway, this unique springtime snack, favored by local residents deep in the coastal Zhejiang province, and is soaked in basins and buckets of boys' urine collected from primary school toilets. These "virgin boy eggs", as they're called, is a local tradition of soaking and cooking eggs in urine of young boys, preferably below the age of 10. Are you vomiting yet? Was this what Michael Jackson was referring to as 'Jesus Juice'? Now, there is not good explanation as to why it has to be boys’ urine, except for the fact that it has been that way for centuries.

 The scent of these eggs being cooked in pots of urine is unmistakable as people pass the many street vendors in Dongyang who sell it, claiming that it is remarkably healthy for you. One vendor stated that if you eat these eggs, you will not get heat stroke. I think I'll take my chances! One customer, who bought 20 eggs, stated that by eating these eggs, he will not have any pain in his waist, legs, and joints. He also said that he'll have more energy when he works. I definitely think I will take my chances and stick to Red Bull.

It takes nearly an entire day to make these unique eggs, starting off by soaking and then boiling raw eggs in a pot of urine. After that, the shells of the hard-boiled eggs are cracked and they continue to simmer in urine for hours. Vendors have to keep pouring urine into the pot and controlling the fire to keep the eggs from being overheated and overcooked. One vendor said that he's been making the snack, which is popular for its fresh and salty taste (blach!), for more than 20 years. Each egg for $0.24 USD, a little more than twice the price of the regular eggs he also sells.

Many Dongyang residents, young and old, said that they believed in the tradition passed on by their ancestors that the eggs decrease body heat, promote better blood circulation and just generally reinvigorate the body. The eggs are not only bought at street vendors; apparently, local residents are also known to personally collect boys' urine from nearby schools to cook the delicacy in their homes. The snacks popularity has led to the local government to list the "virgin boy eggs" as an intangible cultural heritage.

 But not everyone is a fan of the "virgin boy eggs"! Chinese medical experts have mixed reviews regarding the health benefits of the practice, with some warning about sanitary issues surrounding the use of urine to cook the eggs. Some Dongyang residents even said that they hated the eggs. Me? I think this is absolutely disgusting! I just told me sister about it, and her response was, "Why does it have to be Chinese people who are doing this?" Yes, this is a little embarrassing to read and write about, but for the record, I do not eat eggs soaked in piss! Neither does my family!  I will say this; however, if I see my grandmother follow my nephew into the bathroom with a bucket, I am out of there!

MADAME UNIVERSE?

I'm a bit troubled by this Miss Universe story because when I think of Miss Universe, I think of world's most beautiful women on one stage competing for bragging rights to be called Miss Universe. I would never, in a million years, think about Miss Universe being born a man, getting a sex change, and becoming one of the world's most beautiful women. Okay, wait! I'm not saying that she's the most beautiful! I was just generalizing that statement. Anyway, it seems times are changing and apparently, you can have a sex change to be in a beauty pageant. Well, according to The Miss Universe Organization, anyway!

It turns out, Monday night; the pageant's organizers reversed an earlier decision and are allowing a transgender woman to enter the Miss Universe Canada pageant. 23-year-old, Jenna Talackova was born a male, which led organizers to disqualify her last month as a finalist in the 61st Miss Universe Canada pageant this coming May. The rules of the contest run by Donald Trump's New York City-based organization states that "all entrants must be 'natural born' females. The Vancouver born Talackova was said to live her life as a female from the age of 4, she began hormone therapy at 14, and changer her sex at age 19.

 Shortly after Talackova announced a news conference in Los Angeles with her high-profile lawyer for Tuesday, the Miss Universe Organization quickly stated that she can compete providing that she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and standards established by the other international competitions. Does this mean she has to prove that she has her lovely lady lumps, and no male genitalia? Who does she have to show this to? Originally, I thought that Miss Universe contestants could not have any surgery performed on them, but after doing some research, that rule does not exist; though, it should because all contestants should be judged on their natural beauty.

The disqualification won Talackova widespread sympathy and raised the question of whether the pageant had the right to decide who is female. What? Of course, they do! Last I checked, it was called "Miss Universe" and not the "Former Mister but now a Miss Universe" pageant. I don't agree with the organizations decision to reverse the disqualification. If you're not a real woman, you should not be allowed to compete. It's plain and simple. You don't see real women competing in transgender competitions do you? Exactly! The Miss Universe pageant was always a reputable competition.....Then again, there was Vanessa Williams. But she's all women!

Anyway, what do you guys think about this? Should a transgender be allowed to compete for Miss Universe? Wait! Let me just be clear that I have nothing against the transgenders! I just feel like they shouldn't be allowed to compete in a competition like this.

THE WALMART OF WEED OPENS IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Now, I know that I'm still looking for work and all, and prospective employers might even take a look at my blog as part of my background check, but I can't help getting excited about a store called weGrow touching down here on the East Coast! Why should I be nervous about a future employer reading about my excitement of a weGrow opening on the east coast? Well, weGrow happens to be a franchise that actually sells medical marijuana.....LEGALLY! The store has been dubbed the "Walmart of Weed", and is laying down roots in America's capital city, Washington D.C., which will, without a doubt; further the debate on marijuana, whether it be medical or otherwise.

That's right! Just a few miles from the White House and federal buildings, a franchise company that candidly caters to medical marijuana growers is opening up its first outlet on the East Coast. The opening of the weGrow store last Friday in Washington D.C. coincides with the first step in implementing a city law allowing residents with certain medical conditions to purchase pot. I think I'm suddenly coming down with something! Anyway, weGrow looks at itself as providing the necessary tools to pioneers of a 'green rush', which some project could reach nearly $9 billion within the next five years. The store houses towering shelves of plant food and vitamins, ventilation and lighting systems, garden products, how-to classes, books, and magazines on growing medical marijuana. To be honest, I've tried both and there really is no difference between medical and the fun stuff!

Although, federal law outlaws the cultivation, sale or use of marijuana, sixteen states and Washington D.C. have legalized its medical use to treat a wide range of issues from anxiety and back pain to HIV/AIDS and cancer related ailments. Fourteen states also have some kind of marijuana decriminalization law, removing or lowering penalties for possession. In 2010, nearly 17.4 million people admitted to using marijuana, which is up from 2007, where 14.4 million people admitted to using. A Gallup poll last year found a record-high of 50% of Americans saying that marijuana should be made legal while 70% support the medical uses for pot.

Just to get the story straight, weGrow does not sell pot or seeds to grow marijuana, but it don’t keep any secrets about its products and services to help cultivators grow their own pot plants for personal use or for sale at dispensaries. Selling hydroponic and other indoor growing equipment is legal, but because those products are used to cultivate a plant deemed illegal under federal law, the industry has tried to keep a low profile. Store founder, Dhar Mann opened the first store in Sacramento, California, last year. He said that he started his venture after he was kicked out of a mom and pop hydroponics store in Berkley just for mentioning marijuana. WeGrow has since opened locations in Phoenix, San Jose, and Flagstaff, Arizona, but Mann says that the company also has franchisees in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and he plans on expanding into Oregon, Washington state, and Michigan.  It only costs $40,000 to start a weGrow franchise with a $150,000 minimum liquid capital. That's not a lot to open a franchise. Trust me, I have looked.

WeGrow sounds like an amazing business opportunity and amazing business period! According to Mann, medical marijuana cultivation and distribution is going to happen with or without federal government approval, and that is true! I'm suddenly feeling anxious! I think I might need to grow my own medical marijuana. 

TAKE A LOOK AT THE STORE HERE