Don't We Live In A Free Country?

Say I wanted to walk through a neighboring town, with my friends, take a couple of pictures, and enjoy a nice lunch at a local cafe....what would be wrong with that?  Apparently, a lot; that is, if you walk through the ultra-orthodox Jewish community of Kiryas Joel, in the state of New York. 

According to a small group of friends, who decided to visit this village,

we saw a new-looking sign advising visitors to cover themselves and "maintain gender separation." We did the best we could given that we had walked five miles in 88 degree heat--the one female in our group had brought a long-sleeved shirt just in case, and she put it on before passing the sign.

Once inside the village limits, they began to take a few pictures and were soon stopped by a man, dressed in traditional orthodox garb, who jumped out of a black SUV.  This person, who doesn't seem to have presented the visitors with authoritative credentials, asked for the IDs of all members of the group.  They refused and began walking away from this man, who turned out to be Moses Witriol (a public safety director for the village); Moses then grabbed one of the group by the arm and refused to let go (a clear case of assault). 
See news coverage of the incident:


Read the full story of the group here

It seems to me that we live in a free country.  If I want to visit any town in this great nation of ours, I should have the right to do that.  This kind of seperatism in this country is abhorrent and should not be tolerated.  Just because they want to keep an isolated community does not mean that they can if any of the funds used for the city streets, sidewalks, etc are paid for with taxpayer money. 

This poor group was stopped because they appeared to be "suspicious".  Of what?  Taking in the sights and snapping a few pictures?  Should these communities be allowed to enact a 'police state' where our own rights to walk down a public road are violated?  NO! 

What the hell is this country coming to?

Update: Warren Jeffs

After only three hours of deliberation, Warren Jeffs has been found guilty on both counts of aggravated sexual assault.  MSNBC reports that he could face up to 119 years in prison, but we must wait for the sentencing phase (jurors are taking a break before that phase begins). 

I sincerely hope that his pervert gets the maximum sentence, although I doubt he'll survive long in prison.  From what I understand, even convicts are disgusted by crimes against children and have been known to mete out their own version of jailhouse justice in the form of a shank.

Very Serious

I've just seen the most horrific thing and I am just now able to see through the tears to pass this along to you now.  If you have access to Netflix, I suggest that everyone watch "The Stoning of Soraya M."  I've spent the last hour literally bawling over this movie. 

Let me begin by saying that I, from the age of two until I was fourteen, suffered molestation, rape and beatings, but now, I feel so petty that I bewailed my childhood when much more unspeakable crimes are being committed in places like Iran.

Hit the jump...

Spray On Burkas

Well, you had to think that this would happen.  Once the radical muslim community in the UK attempts to create "sharia controlled zones", the authorities inevitably step in to tell them what's what.

Image Source

Two young vandals were offended by adverts that used models with exposed flesh; they thought it their duty to cover these "scantily-clad" vixens with spray paint, but were caught in the act by authorities.  One of them had already been fined previously for placing anti-gay stickers up. 

I can totally see more severe clashes occuring in the future.  Read more at The Freethinker.

They Are Trying To Take Your Balls!

Hanging of 'Truck Nuts' Grows into a Free Speech Debate
A South Carolina woman was pulled over by Bonneau, SC "police chief Franco Fuda" because she had a pair of "truck nuts" hanging from the hitch of her pickup.  It seems the chief asked her to remove them, but "when she refused, he wrote her a $445 ticket saying that she violated South Carolina’s obscene bumper sticker law."

Well, she's fighting back and the issue will now be brought before a jury. 

Geez, what's next? Cod-pockets for bulls, horses and bulldogs?  If they are offended by plastic testicles they must be really offended by naturally occuring ones.

Image Source

Crazy Polygamist Threatens Those Who Prosecute His Church

Wow, this certainly seems to be a frequently occurring theme from the faithful.  Warren Jeffs, leader of the extremist Mormon sect whose trial began recently, claims he will bring "sickness" and "death" upon those who oppose him.

"I, the Lord God of heaven, ask the courts to cease the prosecution of my holy ways," Jeffs said. "There will be a judgment against all those who prosecute the church. ... I shall let all people know of your unjust ways. I will bring sickness and death. Let this cease."

[Judge] Walther then told him that "if you call for the jury's destruction" while the jury -- who will decide if Jeffs is guilty on two counts of sexual assault on a child -- is present, "you will be removed from the courtroom."

The defendant responded by saying, "I am not threatening. I am releasing a message."

Read more here

This scary dude has an estimated 10,000 followers and he has been able to maintain contact with his flock via telephone conversations.  I sincerely hope that the jury is being protected against potential attacks from these loonies.

Thankfully, this "smurfin'" dumb dumb has decided to represent himself, so the trial probably won't last long.  His delusions will not save him from paying for his crimes.