What's in the news?

[Sara Nilsson]

http://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/texas-judge-interrupts-jury-says-god-told-him-defendant-not-guilty/ZRdGbT7xPu7lc6kMMPeWKL/

A state district judge in Comal County said God told him to intervene in jury deliberations to sway jurors to return a not guilty verdict in the trial of a Buda woman accused of trafficking a teen girl for sex.

Judge Jack Robison apologized to jurors for the interruption, but defended his actions by telling them “when God tells me I gotta do something, I gotta do it,” according to the Herald-Zeitung in New Braunfels.

I.. am at a loss for words.

[Trieste]

How the fuck did that not end up in a mistrial? *boggles*

[Regina Minx]

How the fuck did that not end up in a mistrial? *boggles*

<blink> Because it's the judge's job to declare a mistrial.

[Arianna]

How the fuck did that not end up in a mistrial? *boggles*

That was my reaction too, then I read this

The act of intervening in a jury’s deliberations is not addressed in the state’s list of judicial canons, which serves as an ethical code for judges.

[Regina Minx]

<blink> Because it's the judge's job to declare a mistrial.

Followup: Although it appears that the jury disregarded the DL from the judge to God:

A defense attorney says a Texas judge mentioned God while defending his efforts to convince jurors to acquit a woman accused of trafficking a teenager.

Sylvia Cavazos said Friday she'll seek a retrial over state District Judge Jack Robison interrupting deliberations last week to tell jurors they shouldn't convict her client. Jurors ignored his pleadings and returned a guilty verdict.

[Trieste]

<blink> Because it's the judge's job to declare a mistrial.

He recused himself and the new judge STILL didn’t declare a mistrial. Like, how?

That was my reaction too, then I read this

I mean, yes. Idk. I’d be pissed if I were involved in that trial.

[Lustful Bride]

Terror attack in Kabul Hotel.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/several-dead-as-gunmen-attack-top-kabul-hotel-take-hostages/ar-AAuWstX?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[Regina Minx]

He recused himself and the new judge STILL didn’t declare a mistrial. Like, how?

I apologize. I completely botched my answer. Let me try again.

The original article said that the judge recused himself before sentencing. If I read that correctly, it seems like that was sometimes after the verdict came in, but before sentencing the convicted defendant.

A mistrial can only occur between the trial open and the return of the verdict. Once the jury verdict came in, it was too late for the trial to be halted.

[Lustful Bride]

Iraqi Court condems German woman to death for her service to IS.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iraq-condemns-german-woman-to-death-for-belonging-to-is/ar-AAuXBus?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

At least 30 dead after Security forces battle terorrists in Kabul's Intercontinent Hotel. Taliban claims responsibility for the attack.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/heavy-casualties-after-overnight-battle-at-kabul-hotel/ar-AAuWstX?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[Arianna]

Iraqi Court condems German woman to death for her service to IS.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iraq-condemns-german-woman-to-death-for-belonging-to-is/ar-AAuXBus?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

At least 30 dead after Security forces battle terorrists in Kabul's Intercontinent Hotel. Taliban claims responsibility for the attack.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/heavy-casualties-after-overnight-battle-at-kabul-hotel/ar-AAuWstX?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

I just... this is all so damn sad. First, why the hell do people still side with IS? How brainwashed are they? I simply cannot wrap my head around that. Second, can the Talibans just effin' stop killing people? Is it not enough that they bring terror all around them? Shakes head in disbelief... and is mad because she still can't get used to stuff like this.

[Lustful Bride]

I just... this is all so damn sad. First, why the hell do people still side with IS? How brainwashed are they? I simply cannot wrap my head around that. Second, can the Talibans just effin' stop killing people? Is it not enough that they bring terror all around them? Shakes head in disbelief... and is mad because she still can't get used to stuff like this.

That's how they operate. Inspiring fear and terror. If they can cause anarchy and destabilise a government then they can step in and take over. They want a power vacuum which suits them and makes others too afraid to oppose them so they might decide to join them instead.

[Orval Wintermute]

This is why I like the Pope, he said something that was at best insensitive and he then apologized for it. It wasn't a spokesperson or a clarifying press release, no he did it himself.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pope-francis-juan-barros-chile-child-sex-abuse-paedophile-priests-proof-vatican-roman-catholic-a8172366.html

[Regina Minx]

This is why I like the Pope, he said something that was at best insensitive and he then apologized for it. It wasn't a spokesperson or a clarifying press release, no he did it himself.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/pope-francis-juan-barros-chile-child-sex-abuse-paedophile-priests-proof-vatican-roman-catholic-a8172366.html

The first part of the headline is fine as far as it goes.

Pope Francis apologises

The second part I can't help but feel is more important.

but continues to defend Chilean bishop accused of covering up child sex abuse

[gaggedLouise]

Apparently the Senate have patched up a stopgap budget to keep the US state in business (until 8 February) and break the shutdown. Vote later tonight. :)

[Lustful Bride]

In Australia three girls jump a Mentally disabled girl and beat her, burned her, forced her to inhale shattered glass.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/18/horrific-video-shows-teen-repeatedly-slamming-disabled-girls-head-table-7239548/

All three have been arrested and charged as adults.

It breaks my heart that more and more we keep seeing things like this pop up, of disabled people being beaten and attacked as a sick joke, people filming themselves attacking them and abusing them for a laugh.

[gaggedLouise]

In Australia three girls jump a Mentally disabled girl and beat her, burned her, forced her to inhale shattered glass.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/18/horrific-video-shows-teen-repeatedly-slamming-disabled-girls-head-table-7239548/

All three have been arrested and charged as adults.

It breaks my heart that more and more we keep seeing things like this pop up, of disabled people being beaten and attacked as a sick joke, people filming themselves attacking them and abusing them for a laugh.

Whoa, that sounds dismally crazy. Swallowing bits of broken glass is by itself a threat to one's life - with a little bit of bad luck one could either scratch open vital blood vessels or damage the throat, nose and lungs, to begin with. Not to mention the fear she must have felt! :(

I once saw a movie scene where a woman tried to kill herself by slamming a glass of wine into the table and swallowing the shards - it's one of the most disturbing scenes of a suicide attempt I've ever seen.

[Orval Wintermute]

The second part I can't help but feel is more important.

The most salient part there is 'accused of'. I don't know if you've ever seen Spotlight, it's about how the Boston Globe uncovered abuse by priests and how it was covered up by the diocese, the important part is that there was a trail of breadcrumbs that showed the involvement of the churches senior management. All Pope Francis has said is that type of evidence does not exist (or at least hasn't been presented to him) and until that evidence emerges he won't condemn the bishop; innocent until proven guilty instead of trial by mob, seems perfectly reasonable to me. 

[Regina Minx]

The most salient part there is 'accused of'...All Pope Francis has said is that type of evidence does not exist (or at least hasn't been presented to him) and until that evidence emerges he won't condemn the bishop; innocent until proven guilty instead of trial by mob, seems perfectly reasonable to me.

That standard of evidence found guilty in a court of law, is an impossible standard in this case for the same reason that the priest whose abuse Barros is accused of covering up will never face justice in a court of law. Because the statute of limitations has run out on his alleged crimes. From the Guardian, "Chilean authorities dropped criminal charges against the priest in 2011 because the statute of limitations had expired."

Also in that same article is the independent evidence of two witnesses, Juan Carlos Cruz and James Hamilton, who testify that Barros was present when they were being abused and did nothing.

There IS evidence of Barros' guilt. The problem is not Francis' unwillingness to pass judgment absent evidence. The problem is Francis' unwillingness to accept the account of four abuse victims AS evidence and to believe Barros over four people who corroborate one another's' testimony that Barros was aware of and complicit in their abuse.

Accusing victims of sexual abuse of lying and slander is a page out of the abuser's handbooks, and Francis can go to hell for playing it.

[RedRose]

Just read this. Translating: "Jerusalem is Israel's capital, everyone knows it, but the USA shouldn't unilaterally make any decision that belongs to Israelis and Palestinians". My first thought was: are we going to have (another) terror attack as a punishment #sadworld
http://www.20minutes.fr/politique/2207183-20180123-manuel-valls-jerusalem-capitale-israel-personne-va-remettre-cause

[Caeli]

I've been following and listening to many of the victim impact statements from the Larry Nassar sentencing / USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal and have been so impressed by the judge presiding over the case.  What an incredible advocate for all of the young women and girls who have come forward as survivors to tell their stories.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/sports/larry-nassar-rosemarie-aquilina-judge.html

[Blythe]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/emergency-official-missing-oklahoma-rig-explosion-52525050

I've been to this town; it's in my area of the state. My heart goes out to the workers and families.   :-\

[gaggedLouise]

Just read this. Translating: "Jerusalem is Israel's capital, everyone knows it, but the USA shouldn't unilaterally make any decision that belongs to Israelis and Palestinians". My first thought was: are we going to have (another) terror attack as a punishment #sadworld
http://www.20minutes.fr/politique/2207183-20180123-manuel-valls-jerusalem-capitale-israel-personne-va-remettre-cause

Unfortunately that's not very unlikely. The embassy move is being seen as a severe provocation by many people around the Near East, and there is no lack of angry hotheads.

[Sara Nilsson]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/22/technology/montana-net-neutrality.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-1&action=click&contentCollection=Business+Day&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article

Through an executive order, Gov. Steve Bullock declared on Monday that any internet service provider with a state government contract cannot block or charge more for faster delivery of websites, two core aspects of net neutrality, to any customer in the state.

Basically Montana said they won't do business with any service provider that block or throttle internet speeds in same way our old net neutrality worked. Good job Montana :)

[HairyHeretic]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/obituaries/ursula-k-le-guin-acclaimed-for-her-fantasy-fiction-is-dead-at-88.html

[HannibalBarca]

The Earthsea Trilogy literally changed my outlook on life as a teen.  She was a master craftswoman at her art.