November 4th, 2008 admin
A little over a week ago the LA Times did an article on the LAPD and shoddy fingerprint work that led to the prosecution of innocent people. A few days after that was another story involving the incompetence of the LAPD. According to the article, the LAPD’s DNA unit has allowed at least 7,000 sexual assault test kits to go unopened. As if that is not insulting enough to the victims, with at least 217 of those cases (the exact number is unknown at this time) the kits have been left to sit for so long that the 10-year statute of limitations has expired. That means that those assailants cannot be prosecuted.
LAPD Chief William Bratton cites the backlog due to not enough money, and even though the city has approved the addition of 16 criminalists, there is still no funding. As it is now, the division can’t keep up with the current DNA case demand, 80 percent of which are rapes.
Today’s news story is that the LAPD is vowing to begin processing this backlog, starting with the oldest first to try to keep within the statute of limitations. More of this at LA Daily Breeze.
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November 3rd, 2008 admin
Just a reminder for those in the US that tomorrow is election day. Remember to head out to your polling place to vote. Also be aware of a voting scam that is going on. Some people received paperwork stating that Republicans vote tomorrow (the 4th) and Democrats vote on the 5th. Everyone votes tomorrow! That is if you have not already voted early like I did.
Posted in Politics | No Comments »
November 2nd, 2008 admin
It is no secret that health insurance in America is rather expensive. But did you know that if you are a woman that you are paying more for your health insurance than a male counterpart? How much more? Well, we are talking about hundreds of dollars more each year compared to men of the same age.
Insurance companies say that this is because women between the ages of 19 and 55 incur more healthcare costs due to childbearing. They also cite that women are more likely than men to visit doctors, get regular checkups, to take prescription medications, and to have certain chronic conditions. Of course, what is not said is the gender bias that results in conditions that affect men getting more research precedence than those that affect women. Consider for a moment that Viagra is covered under Medicare but breast reconstruction is not. Consider that migraines primarily plague women and not a lot has been done to study how to stop them. Yet, studies clearly were done that led to Viagra.
Fortunately, some members of Congress have started to question insurers’ justifications for women’s higher premiums. It is yet to be seen though if anything will be done about it or if the insurance lobbyists will bury the issue.
Posted in Society and culture | 1 Comment »
November 2nd, 2008 admin
There is an article on Yahoo about an interesting poll that was released in the UK. Europe’s largest matchmaking service for singles, called PARSHIP, released its poll results on the same week as the latest Bond film “Quantum of Solace” had its royal premiere in London.
The poll surveyed 13,000 Britons. According to the poll results, British women fantasize about a glamorous James Bond-style romance, but actually prefer job security, an accountant boyfriend and marriage over an adventure romance.
The results are interesting. So, for the run down have a look at Most British girls prefer Joe Bland to James Bond.
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