Cyberbullying

This article addresses the growing threat in cyberstalking and cyberbullying. A girl sent a vulgar text message to another who ended up killing herself in Missouri. Missouri recently revised their harassment law to include harassment via cyber sources. 45 states have followed this trend, ever since a thirteen year old killed herself in California because her neighbor set up a fictitious Myspace account. They had a cyber relationship, and when the "boy" broke up with this girl, he said "The world would be a better place without you." The girl killed herself shortly after. The new revision has met a lot of criticism. Some people believe that the law is something that is very hard to enforce, and that what they are saying isn't illegal, but it is unethical and mean. Since the law took effect in Missouri, a few cases have started to pop up, but not an overwhelming amount.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28325107/

I don't really know how to feel about this law. For some cases I feel like it will be useful, but then so many trifle cases might pop up that really shouldn't be dealt with, and our court systems might get bogged down. I think everybody should learn some netiquette and respect each other. If the person can't say it to the other ones face, then they shouldn't be texting it or anything like that. The fake a boyfriend Myspace thing is just sick. Especially because the neighbor was a mom, and she caused the death of that girl. I would feel so guilty for the rest of my life, and feel like really lame for using Myspace as an adult. That lady should be ashamed, along with the texter. But I do feel that they didn't really break the law. It's to hard to enforce and unethical not so much illegal.

Finish Her?!

An 18 year old and his 17 year old girlfriend were babysitting the girls 6 year old sister. They beat, kick, and slammed her to the floor, apparently imitating some moves from he game Mortal Kombat. The little girl died, and the sister was accused with negligently causing a death through child abuse, and was sentenced to six years in Colorado's youth offender recovery type of program. The 18 year old man was convicted of causing death through child abuse and is awaiting his sentencing that will take place in January.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28245235/

Mortal Kombat is an awesome game, some of the moves on it are really fun to attempt, from back flips to roundhouse kicks. But on a six year old girl? I can't believe that anybody could take an obsession this far. No maybe he didn't pull a Lu Kang finisher and shoot her with a fire bolt, but kicking her would probably be enough. There has been quite debate on violent video games effects on teens, and this just supports one side very heavily. I don't believe that they have a very significant effect, but this incident does start to sway me to believe the other way. So Finish Her?

Sick Teens

Two teenage girls are charged with "assault, abuse of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver, abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, disorderly conduct and failing to report suspected maltreatment", for spitting in peoples mouths, groping, and abusing residents at a old folks home in Albert Lea, Minnesota. There were a total of eight teenagers involved, some of which were charged with not reporting these crimes. These teens reportedly would laugh about the incidents the next day at school. The two main girls are will get suspended jail sentences, and probation.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28051548/

Okay so these two girls were tried as adults, and charged with assault and all those other gross misdemeanors...and they only get a suspended jail sentence and probation?!?! I'm sure if anyone else committed these crimes, they'd probably be in jail for some time. These girls must have had quite the lawyers. This is such a sick crime to, how could someone possibly abuse these old people? They had Alzheimer's and dementia, the last thing they need is some stupid teenage girls poking and prodding them. These girls are sexual predators and I thought Minnesota was cracking down on these kinds of people. I can't believe that they would talk about it at school. I would have to call them some sick freaks and that's not JMHO, its fact.

The Wal-Mart Stampede

A Wal-Mart employee in New York was trampled to death inside the store, on the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday. The man was doing part time maintenance work for the store, and was killed as over 200 people converged on the store at 4 A.M. when the store was opened. The police are watching to security videos, but don't expect to be able to press any charges because it will be nearly impossible to discern who was directly involved in the manslaughter. The lead investigator has called the scene "utter chaos". Several other people were injured as well, leaving them with minor injuries, one of them was a pregnant women. A women summed up the situation in these few words, "Some man lost his life because a VCR was on sale? Please. It's just too sad for words."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27996349/

I would never think that I would have to fear for my families life, or mine, when I go shopping. It's sad to think that nobody seemed to care that a man was dying beneath their feet, they were only concerned with the unbeatable deals that they were competing for. It just goes to show the value that America puts on human life. These people seemed to turn into primordial beasts when deals were waved in front of their faces. I think if charges were to be pressed, they should be imposed on Wal-Mart for setting up the circumstances for this killing to take place. They know that America runs on greed, and with a failing economy, sales. Companies took advantage of peoples drive to save money, and in return, many people were injured, and this unlucky man was killed.