A 16-year old teenager from Georgia was arrested and charged last week for bouncing a baby off an inflatable pillow. And how was this crime revealed? Well, through YouTube. This teenager along with a friend videotaped the incident and posted the terribly shocking video on the famous video hosting site.
Please watch the video below for more details about the incident.

Note:
This is why you shouldn't just trust anybody with your child.

Just when you think breaking up with someone ends easily with that “breakup talk” that starts with the “We need to talk” line, think again. Most people think saying “it’s over”technically means it is over between you and your partner. However, this nineteen-year-old girl from Pennsylvania thinks otherwise.

May 22, 2008 – Thursday, Shanta Dargbeh from Bristol, PA set fire the residence of her ex-boyfriend in Hillcrest Avenue in Trenton, NJ. Although no one was injured in the incident, it unfortunately left 10 people homeless. Nine of them were home that early morning when the fire started on the home’s front porch. The family climbed through the windows to escape the burning house and save their lives. Two of them were treated for smoke inhalation.

Why it happened? Authorities reported that Dargbeh got furious and upset at hearing that her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend brought another girl to the Trenton High School prom the previous weekend. Hence, she burnt his house. (Talk about sweet revenge.)

Unfortunately, everything has a price. Just as Dargbeh’s ex-boyfriend’s house got burned, Dargbeh herself was arrested. Friday - May 23 - she was arrested by authorities and today faces 10 felony charges including aggravated arson. She is being held on a $250,000 bail. Yes, that’s definitely a lot of money and charges to pay for a case of rejection.

Now that has got me thinking whether that revenge was as sweet now as she thought it would be. Kids these days.

Last week there were prayer vigils and rallies held in almost every state in America to mark the 5th year anniversary of the war in Iraq. Some people say that the war is over and Americans are now helping the Iraqis fix their country. While on the other hand, some would argue that the war is still going on and it will not end any time soon.

Whether you believe the war has ended or not doesn’t really matter. There are still thousands of soldiers out there risking their lives. Back in 2001, almost the entire world mourned over the loss during the “terrorist attack” in America. Almost every citizen in the United States wanted to attack Iraq, to have revenge, and to seek justice.

Now, five years later, thousands of American soldiers have already died and still the war isn’t officially over. The number of fatalities of both American soldiers and Iraqis continues to rise.

Last night, four US soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb. Over 5 years of war, the death toll of American soldiers had officially reached 4,000. That number only represents the fatalities of American soldiers, how about their “enemies?” How many people, both innocent and guilty, have died all in all? How many families have suffered from lost and longing? How many children were born and raised without their fathers? Or both parents? How many soldiers are suffering from depression and frustration? How many lives have been affected?

Whether the war should have been started or not no longer matters. What matters most are the lives of the people. We all live in one world and we are all affected by this war. No matter what officials are going to do about the war right now, one thing’s for sure – the killings will not end soon.

I hope we all pray for the soldiers doing their jobs and the innocent Iraqis trying to live in peace. We don’t know when the killings would end, but we all know that there is someone who continues to listen. I know not everyone believes in a divine being but I know we all yearn for someone to take us away from the sorrows we are experiencing. Prayer is our best weapon in times like this.

As listed by the document below, are:

1. You shall not kill.
2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
7. Support the families of accident victims.
8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
10. Feel responsible toward others.

VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Got road rage? The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists to be charitable to others on the highways, to refrain from drinking and driving, and to pray you make it before you even buckle up.
An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that automobiles can be "an occasion of sin" -- particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.

It warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."
It urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive with a moral sense, and to pray when behind the wheel.

Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, told a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.

He noted that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus -- and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people -- from refugees to prostitutes, truck drivers to the homeless.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."

The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving -- family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.
But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles: Drivers use their cars to show off; driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding; drivers can kill themselves and others if they don't get their cars regular tuneups, if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.

It also pointed the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome, including "minicars" that teens can drive without full driving licenses, and "the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles." It called for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.

And it suggested prayer might come in handy -- performing the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the Rosary along the way. The Rosary was particularly well suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."

The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies at major road hubs, motorway restaurants and lorry parks."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/19/vatican.road.rage.ap/index.html

Yesterday was my second time to experience Memorial Day here in the United States. Yes, I've been here for over a year now (Anniversary was last May 21, 2007). How time flies by so fast. Last year's memorial day was spent with my family and relatives over at my cousin's place. Oh it was fun with all those kwentuhan (story telling/sharing) and karaoke (one of my favorite things to do). Honestly, at first it felt weird partying on a so called "Memorial" Day.

But this year we did quite the opposite. We spent the day at home; me and my family. I just danced, read the newspaper, biked around the village, prepared food for the family, watched the news and Ms. Universe 2007. I told you it was the oppposite. Why? Did our relatives banned us from joining them grill burgers? No. Simple, the rest of our relatives live mostly in California, some are scattered around the U.S. and the rest around the globe.

But however way we choose to celebrate this day what matters is we honor and remember those who died; whether we know them or not. And yesterday's memorial day I offer to the soldiers who died in the war in Iraq, the innocent lives that were unfortunately taken away, and the wounded families left behind. From exatly a year ago - Memorial Day 2006 - nearly 1,000 U.S. soldiers had already died. That data is only for U.S. soldiers, how about their opponents? And the lives lost and affected due to this war? The number of children with diseased parents increases every year and that figure results to various negative acts in our society.

We will never know exactly when this growing war will end. But let us at least honor the brave souls who fought for their countrymen and for their principles. May their families be able to move on from such lost and the children continue to walk on a straight path despite the lost and absence of parents to guide them.

---This is something I first read a few years back when the 9-11 tragedy was still very fresh to the victims and their families. (and it still is, I believe). It's freaky but i don't know how true the facts presented are. Yet I still wanna share it to others through my blog. The coincidence with numbers reminds me of the movie "Number 23" by Jim Carrey. It shows the same game with numbers and how specifically the number 23 controlled their lives.---

This is actually really freaky!! (mainly the end part, but read it all first)

1) New York City has 11 letters
2) Afghanistan has 11 letters
3) Ramsin Yuseb (The terrorist who threatened to destroy the Twin Towers in 1993) has 11 letters
4) George W Bush has 11 letters.

This could be a mere coincidence, but this gets more interesting:

1) New York is the 11th state
2) The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight number11
3) Flight 11 was carrying 92 passengers. 9 + 2 = 11
4) Flight 77 which also hit TwinTowers , was carrying 65 passengers. 6+5 = 11
5) The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11 as it is now known. 9 +1+ 1 =11
6) The date is equal to the US emergency services telephone number 911. 9 +1 + 1 = 11

Sheer coincidence. .?! Read on and make up your own mind:

1) The total number of victims insideall the hi-jacked planes was 254. 2 +5 + 4 = 11
2) September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year. Again 2 + 5 +4 =11
3) The Madrid bombing took place on 3/11/2004. 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 11
4) The tragedy of Madrid happened 911 days after the Twin Towers incident

Now this is where things get totally eerie:
The most recognized symbol for theUS , after the Stars & Stripes, is theEagle.
The following verse is taken from the Quran, the Islamic holybook:

"For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace."

That verse is number 9.11 of the Quran.
Unconvinced about all of thisStill ..?! Try this and see how you feel afterwards, it made my hair stand on end:
Open Microsoft Word and do the following:
1. Type in capitals Q33 NY. This is the flight number of the first plane to hit one of the Twin Towers.
2. Highlight the Q33 NY.
3. Change the font size to 48.
4. Change the actual font to the WINGDINGS.

----I did not add anything to the information above.

When I first read this I thought, the person who did it sure is smart enough to have figured out such. Now, was everything planned to fit such picture? Or is everything mere coincidence? Whatever the reason may be, I just hope and pray that such violence will end. Guns should be made to protect their owners and not to gain power which will only be abused. Owning one requires responsibility and maturity. Such tragedies occur because people don't think of the consequences of their actions and they boast once they think they have control over the situation. A little joke may end up in a big fight.

The 9-11 victims are suffering until now. Some died even after the incident because of the gas they inhaled during and after the attack. The buildings may be replaced after how many years or months of work but the lives taken will never be. The families are suffering; parents who lost their children, children who lost their parents, lovers who lost their partners, friends who lost their friends. When will the word "war" be wiped out in the dictionary of the world? Will the killings, sufferings, pains, and the sort ever end? Is there really no Utopia?

Some may have lost hope for peace to ever come. Especially those who have lost everything. But then once there is still life, there will always be hope. As long as we all have faith and do our part for it to come.

...composed April 19, '07...


I was in the office working with my fm player on when I heard the news regarding the shooting in Virginia Tech campus where a total of 32 people died. I was shocked! I told myself that it's another one of those shootings that occur in US campuses (though this is the first time it ever happened in a college campus). I asked myself how it could have happened? Who did it? Why did he do it? Could it have been prevented? How could this affect the country and its' citizens expecially the youth?

Then I thought of the shootings in Columbine High School years ago and the effects it brought. I cannot anymore wonder the very root of this violent act: whether it be the lax gun control in the country, the intimidating class structure, the media, etc etc. Sadly there are a lot more reasons that caused these violence not just in schools (done by students themselves) but also in our society. It has been a problem with no definite solution. But then are we going to continue to live like this?

As my sister and I were watching the news last night we saw that in a school here in las vegas a student brought in a gun to campus which alarmed a lot of students, parents, and faculty members. She then confessed her fear of going to school here in the States and her longing of going back home to the Philippines. I may had hidden my emotions under a fascade when I told her to just pray, to always be careful, and to choose her peers. But I knew inside my heart I was also a bit scared not just for her but for all of us.

Because I knew this violence will never stop - as much as I prayed it would end. It's an ongoing problem that people are too occupied to give time to mend. I mourn with the families of the victims. I feel their lost of such gifted people who are supposed to be the hope of the nation, of the world.
During these times all we can do is use our greatest weapon - PRAYERS. All we can do is pray and have faith on our so called leaders and on GOD.