Terror Plot Foiled At JFK Airport

Scroll down for updates.

Pardon me. Alleged terror plot. This is from Fox News, by the way.

Three people arrested and one still being sought in a plot to explode a fuel line that feeds the airport and runs through residential neighborhoods. It seems that, once again, the plot was foiled while still in the planning stages. It also seems that, if executed, the plan had the potential to kill a lot of people:

The New York suspect was identified as Russell Afreitas, a former JFK employee who allegedly planned to attack the airport's fuel supply because he thought he could do more damage than attacking a passenger terminal. Afreitas is a Muslim U.S. citizen from Guyana.

I'm sure that's just a coincidence. Not worth mentioning, really.

Interesting. Here's CNN's report on the arrest. Note how they handle the ethnicity of the suspects:

An official described the suspects as "al Qaeda wannabes."

One suspect, a U.S. citizen who is a native of Guyana and who once worked at the airport, was described by a source as "a very angry Muslim extremist."

Wannabes. Just a bunch of silly little terror poseurs, really. And of course, the suspect is a very angry Muslim extremist.

Also note how the story handles the question of the danger posed by the plot:

Rep. Peter King, R-New York, said law enforcement had had the plot "under control" for some time.

Another law enforcement official said the plot was never "fully operational."

Hey, I'm glad the authorities were on the ball with this, but let's not forget that there was in fact a plot to, you know, kill a lot of people.

But wait, it get's better. Here's the incident as reported by the venerable AP:

The plot, which never got past the planning stages, did not involve airplanes or passenger terminals, according to the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the arrests had not yet been announced.

The plot posed no threat to air safety or the public, the FBI said Saturday.

We keep hearing the plot didn't target airplanes or passenger terminals, but we already know from the Fox report that's because Mr. Afreitas felt targeting the fuel line would cause more damage, so that's not all that reassuring. Speaking of Mr. Afreitas, the only things AP tells us about him is that he's Guyanese and a former airport employee. There is, of course, one glaring omission.

Again, we're told the plot posed no threat to the public except that, until the plot was busted, it did. If anything, the AP report lists several recent "home-grown" terrorist plots that have been foiled. With this many plots being hatched, isn't it reasonable to assume at least one will make it past the "planning stages"? And if it does, I'd say the threat posed becomes considerable.

UPDATE: A press conference was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The suspects are named.

According to sources, the suspects have been identified as: Russell Defreitas, Abdul Nur, Kareem Ibrihim and Abdul Kadir.

Sources said a cargo worker at JFK allegedly began to plot attacking the US last July or August. The cargo worker sought help in carrying out a plan and went to an FBI informant, who gathered information about the plot.

It looks like the authorities were on top of this for about a year, which is great. I'm genuinely happy that law enforcement agencies are doing their jobs as far as keeping us safe. And as far as earlier reports stressing that plot posed no threat to public safety? Well according to U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf it was in fact "one of the most chilling plots imaginable." At the 1:00 p.m. news conference, she said "the devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable."

So much for that.

MORE: As always, Hot Air has lots more on this developing story. Possible Al Qaeda connection? Check. Oh look, one of the suspects was an imam. Charming.

Looks like Russell Defreitas was quite the piece of shit:

"Any time you hit Kennedy, it is the most hurtful thing to the United States. To hit John F. Kennedy, wow ... they love John F. Kennedy like he's the man ... if you hit that, this whole country will be mourning. You can kill the man twice," Defreitas said in another conversation, it said.

"Even the twin towers can't touch it," referring to the September 11 attacks in another comment that the law enforcement authorities said was recorded last month. "This can destroy the economy of America for some time."

Yeah, nothing at all to see here.

15 Minutes Over For The Sex Blogger

Jessica Cutler, aka The Washingtonienne, is broke and filing for bankruptcy. It appears things didn't work out as planned for the person who ignited a million bloggers' fevered dreams of book deals, fame, and mad blogging money.

In court documents filed in the case Thursday, however, Cutler says she can't even pay her American Express bill, legal fees and student loans. She submitted to the judge a copy of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition filed in New York dated Wednesday.

For those of you who missed the fun the first time around, you can read the Washingtonienne blog archive over at Wonkette. Eh, it seemed better in original blog form. You can also keep up with Cutler's ongoing adventures at her new blog. Kind of sad, really. It's a shame that someone who is as obviously bright as she is just isn't that interesting unless she's kissing and telling.

Blast from the Past! Inspired by her heroic exploits, Ace of Spades decides to get in on the fun. Hilarious!

Finally, what would a post about a notorious sex blogger be without a picture of what all the fuss is about:



Meh.

All Hail Fred Thompson

Just the thing to wash the taste of Betrayer-In-Chief Bush out of my mouth! Fred Thompson formed a Presidential Campaign Committee, bringing himself one step closer to officially entering the race.

The "testing the waters" committee allows Thompson—a former Tennessee senator and actor best known for his film and television roles, including as a prosecutor on NBC's "Law & Order"—to raise money, hire staff and gauge support without officially committing to a White House bid and without having to publicly disclose donations or expenditures.

Frankly, I'm loving this. McCain and Romney just don't excite me, and Giuliani has lost a lot of his appeal with me. I've long thought Thompson would be the ideal "Reaganesque" candidate, which is something the party could use right now. I'll explore his positions on the issues more closely once (if) he officially enters, but I like what I'm hearing so far:



I'm cool with Fred's positions on gun control, immigration, and Iraq (in general). I'm pro-choice, but I agree that Roe v. Wade was bad law. I disagree with his gay marriage position; I'm sorry, but I can't condone denying certain American citizens a basic right like marriage.

I hate to be one of those "single issue" voters, but for me, the deciding factor for any candidate will be his stand on illegal immigration. Like I said, I like what Fred's saying so far:



Unless something major happens (like fred deciding not to run), I think I've found my candidate.

The Backlash Begins

Yesterday, I announced that, after 6 loooong years, George W. Bush is dead to me. The final straw - Bush's turning on Republicans over their criticism of the Amnesty Bill.

Seems like I'm not alone.

LaShawn Barber say's "It's Official - Bush is an idiot":

And I voted for him. Twice. I voted for Clinton twice, too, but I’m more ashamed of voting for Bush.

Ouch.

Peggy Noonan has a great piece at WSJ Online. She's telling the truth, and the truth sucks:

Leading Democrats often think their base is slightly mad but at least their heart is in the right place. This White House thinks its base is stupid and that its heart is in the wrong place.

Hot Air is encouraging people to express their opposition to the Amnesty bill through some very special "donations":

Enough is enough. You can help stop amnesty in its tracks. Send cero pesos to the RNC and DNC headquarters. Include a note protesting both parties’ pandering. Note that open borders create an unacceptable national security problem. Be civil, but firm. Tell them to pare amnistia ahora–stop amnesty now.

Speaking of donations, it seems the RNC is seeing a drop in small-donor donations.

Gee guys, if that's the case, why not hit up you new "base"? I'm sure they'll do the donating Americans don't want to do!

Immigration Reform: This Time, It's Personal

At least it is for George Bush, writes Julie Mason in the Houston Chronicle:

"I feel passionate about the issue. It's something I have felt strongly about ever since I was the governor of Texas," he said.

"Texas is a very diverse state, Houston is a very diverse city, and through that diversity, if you're open-minded, you get a great sense of how it invigorates the society," said Bush, a Houston resident in the 1960s and '70s.

Growing up in Texas, Bush said, "you recognize the decency and hard work and humanity of Hispanics. And the truth of the matter is a lot of this immigration debate is driven as a result of Latinos being in our country."

Or to be more specific, an unhappiness about Latinos being in the country. Bush, for the first time, is putting opponents on notice that he's going to call them out on their xenophobia if he needs to. In last year's failed effort at passing immigration reform, he never went that far.

Again with the name calling! George, can I make it any simpler for you? It's not immigration we're opposed to, it's illegal immigration! It's about hating the idea of rewarding lawbreakers with one of the greatest privileges of all - U.S. citizenship, and all that includes.

Speaking as someone who wouldn't even be in this country if not for immigration, I can assure you I am neither xenophobic or anti-immigrant. What I am is American, and I'm sicked at how easy it is for some to just...give that away.

"People shouldn't fear our capacity to uphold our motto, E Pluribus Unum," Bush said.

Screw you, George! You'll never convince me that all these "manys" will somehow assimilate into one cohesive "one".

Immigra-ting on My Nerves

I never thought I'd ever say this. I never thought it would come to this, but it has.

George W. Bush, you are dead to me.

I voted for you twice. I've supported you in the Iraq War, even after it became apparent you weren't doing what you needed to do to win. I held my tongue during Harriet Miers and Dubai Ports; I turned a blind eye to all of the shitty little missteps your administration for which your administration has become famous.

The immigration bill, however, is the last straw. Your reckless and ill-conceived support for what is nothing less than amnesty cannot be tolerated.

To make matters worse, you would dare to turn on those who disagree with you on this issue, after everything else we've gone through for you?

FYI George, it's not about "racism" or "bigotry" or "xenaphobia" or "fear". It's about having some regard for what makes this country unique, special...the kind of place that millions of people want to come to. It's about doing what we need to do to preserve our inherent "Americaness", and not see that destroyed by a bunch of people who don't give a shit about what this country is, but only for what they can get from it.

It's about protecting our way of life. You know, that way of life you're always going on about whenever the Islamos get twitchy. Some of us still care about that. It'd be nice if you still did.

No more. I'm done with you. I'm sorry to say your administration may result in our party having to wander the wilderness for a while. Hopefully, our exile will not be too long.

Trainwrecks Are Fun!

First, Lindsay Lohan gets into a wreck and is busted for DUI. Hey, what's that white powdery stuff in your car?


Then, she goes out and gets 'faced for all the world to see.


Now, she's in rehab, again!
















Wow, Hollywood sure is glamorous!

A Favor, If you Please

I know that unpleasant things can happen in bathrooms, due to their designated function in life. Very unpleasant.

However, when it comes to public bathrooms, is it too much to ask that you save the more...explosive bowel movements for the comfort and privacy of your own home?

It's not that I'm a prude, or that I question the simple wisdom of "when you gotta go, you gotta go". It's just that I find it difficult to focus on my relatively mild use of the facilities when it sounds like a rip in the space/time continuum is opening IN YOUR ASS and the very hordes of Hell are spewing forth to lay waste to the Earth (and my olfactory sense).

Seriously Dude, are you shitting blood in there? Cause it sounds like your colon just plopped out!

One more thing. Do you really think that now is the best time answer your cellphone? I know it's ringing and all, but I'm sure they'll leave a message if it's important. I mean, you do seem kind of busy right now.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Who's More Stupid?

From MSN, the headline reads: Nicky Hilton Sued Over Hotel Project.

Interesting...Nicky so rarely makes the news these days. I read on:

In a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court, Robert Falor Investments and Grand USA Hotel Supply & Restaurant allege Hilton hasn't kept up her end of an April 2006 agreement in which she promised to promote the redevelopment project known as Nicky O's Chicago, a Nicky Hilton Hotel.

Imagine that, a Hilton sister not following through on her promises. But they seem like such responsible girls. Here's my favorite part:

Hilton also allegedly contracted out interior design work she was supposed to perform and tried to charge it back to the developer, the lawsuit alleges. The development group also claims Hilton misrepresented that she and her associates had experience in hotel design. [emphasis mine]

I've never heard of Robert Falor Investments or USA Hotel Supply and Restaurant. They may be a couple of fly-by-night operators, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. They decide to partner with someone in order to open a couple of hip boutique hotels, so who do they pick? Nicky Hilton.

Seemed like a good idea. I mean, it's not like we're talking about Paris. Nicky's the smart one.

So what qualifies Nicky to be a partner in this project? Let's look at her background, as found on Wikipedia:

1. She's 23
2. She's a part-time fashion model
3. She "designs" her own clothing line and handbags
4. She attended both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design, but failed to graduate from either.
5. She passed on "The Simple Life", which went on to become a big hit. Good call.

To think, Robert Falor Investments and USA Hotel Supply and Restaurant were suprised to learn that Nicky and her associates has misrepresented their hotel design experience. But surely everything in her resume suggested she would be such a pro at it.

So tell me, who's more stupid? Nicky for getting into something she's clearly not qualified for, or some businessmen for picking her to partner with in the first place?

A Soldier Responds

This is really something. A commenter responding to Andrew Arkin's insulting little diatribe at the Washington Post brings it home with this post. It's long, but defintely worth it.

Mr. Arkin-

I am an officer in the United States Army. I have deployed to Iraq twice, and been wounded once. I have had my soldiers killed and wounded, I have killed and wounded other human beings. I have carried wounded soldiers and civilians in my arms; crying in pain. I myself am permanently physically damaged by my experience.

Through all those events, I never shed a tear. Yet I sit here today crying; reading your original article and your rebuttal to the overwhelming response.

I am proud of what I do, what my soldiers do, the freedoms we defend, and everything we stand for. I proudly defend your right to publish your article, and it actually warms my soul to see free debate and discourse about any topic, because this is the only nation in the world where such completely unbridled discussion and opinion rage on in an organized fashion. That is the United States I am proud of, the one that has given me so much.

I decry and am ashamed of my fellow warriors who have lost their thin veneer of civilization and chosen to engage in the atrocities committed in Iraq. May God have mercy on their souls.
I have chosen to shelve my right to have an opinion on the war in Iraq. I support our effort to help the Iraqi people, depose Saddam, and promote a free(er) Iraq. Are we (or can we) still doing that? I don't know anymore. I have an opinion, but it is too visceral to be truly rational anymore, so I keep it to myself.

Overall, it does not matter. My country, almost unanimously, asked me to refresh the tree with my blood in Iraq/Afghanistan 6 years ago. That was this country, by referendum. As my country comes to terms with what she has done, and possibly chooses a different path, I will soldier on. I will guide and inspire my Soldiers to do the same. But, it saddens me to see so many of my brothers and sisters killed and maimed, only to find out my country either didn't mean it or had no stomach for it.

None of these are the reasons I cry. I cry for the lack of purpose, the apparent lack of caring, the lack of compassion you displayed in your original article and in this subsequent failure to apologize to me, my fellow warriors, and all those who came before me. Here's why.

1. I am not a mercenary. You could make me work two jobs and this would still be one of them, because I am that passionate about defending you and your rights. Many in the National Guard and Reserves do just that. My country needs professional warriors to do her bidding, and he is me, and thousands like me.

2. I have the right to express my opinion within the bounds of the UCMJ, as do my Soldiers. How dare you imply that I do not, or that I should reprimand them? We already accept an abbreviated set of rights willingly. Do not attempt limit my liberties that I have already willingly limited while I defend without complaint the unabridged version you are so rightly entitled to.

3. As an officer, my needs are met. However, in the three months leading up to my first deployment and the entire 13 month adventure, my pay amounted to 173 cents an hour. My friends and I logged our hours as a joke, but $1.73 is the reality. That equates to 19-20 hour days, 7 days a week, for 16 months. That's with the relatively lavish bonuses and benefits we receive while deployed. And I am an officer. Think of our junior enlisted, and find someone else in our great country that is willing to work so hard, day and night, no weekends, under fire, threat of death over their head, for so little? Find me one and I will retract this comment graciously. Of course, even when not deployed, it takes my wife and me quite some time to get through the line at the grocery store. That's because we get in line behind one of my fellow warriors, who with shame in their eyes and faces flush with embarrassment fill out their WIC paperwork because they don't make enough to support their wife and two kids (an average sized family).

4. This response is taking an inordinate amount of time to type, because I have only one functioning hand after being wounded in Iraq. I am trying as quickly as possible to use the medical system your (and my) taxes paid for to recover, so I can go back to Iraq and continue to fight for what you don't believe in, because I believe in you and my Soldiers. Still, I count myself lucky, as I received my Purple Heart next to a 19-year old warrior with both his legs amputated above the knee. No matter how wrong the majority feels the decision was at this juncture, that Soldier gave (I use the word gave deliberately) his legs at his nation's calling. Not for money. Not because he was too stupid to get into college. Not for the great benefits. Just because you asked him to. Please don't imply that this fallen hero is not entitled to the basic medical care he receives.

5. Given the opportunity, I would fight the Germans in 1944. Oh, to have that definition of purpose, that sense of righteousness! But, that is not to be. This is the war that this country has chosen for me, my peers, and my Soldiers. With its vagueness, dirtiness, ambiguity, undefined enemy, amorphous center of gravity, and undefined purpose. The actions of our administration, the decisions higher-echelons of our military, the blunders of the CPA, (I could go on) etc. aside; it comes back to one thing. America chose this fight for me, and I will fight it with all my skill and might until she tells me to stop. The woes and throes of the majority, hawks, doves, liberals, neocons, etc. mean nothing to me or those Soldiers you quoted. What matters to us is that you told us to be there, 3000+ of our brothers and sisters have died there, and we are still there. Change that - in reality, not in the abstract - and we will gladly leave and prepare ourselves for the next challenge and opportunity to defend your freedoms.

I am a Warrior, a Soldier, a Scholar, and a Patriot. This country has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to train and educate me. I am well-versed in our government, our demographics, our history, and our Constitution. Perhaps I am an idealist. To the end of my life or capability I will defend your rights and this country. I am proud that I live in a country where a free-thinker such as you can write an article so critical of current policy. But I am deeply hurt by the insinuations and accusations listed above. I request an apology, on the behalf of all the Armed Forces, for your insensitive and boorish comments. I only wish I could communicate with your entire readership the bitter taste of betrayal that is in my mouth as easily as you communicate your speech and thoughts.

With Respect,

A United States Army Officer
"Army Strong"

Wow. Just...wow.

The New Face of Terror

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the new face of terror:

"Mooninites Rule!"

Out of the ten cities in the U.S. where these signs were planted, only Boston saw fit to panic. I find that strange, in as much as your average Bostonian is usually the type who pooh-poohs the color-coded alert levels and swears that a "potential threat" is usually Bush's way of deflecting attention from something else.

In other words, the terror is all in our minds.

UPDATE: From that bastion of rational thought the Daily Kos. See what I mean?

"You are a disgrace to this country. When a plastic bord with lights on it can send a city into a full blown terror alert, I think there is ample evidence that the terrorists are winning. CALM DOWN."

"Whatever they paid for this marketing campaign, it's not nearly enough! I'm going to have to check the show out, myself. Thanks, Boston, for showing us why Security Paranoia is stupid."

"This is what happens when people watch too much Fox News and watch Sean Hannity too much. They start seeing bombs everywhere. Dudes, It was 9/11 in 2001! That was over five years ago! It is time to Calm The F*** Down and not see bombs and terrorists everywhere! Go get a sandwich and take a valium or something! :)"

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm probably in agreement with most of these posters in that no one should be getting in trouble (or getting sued) over this. To be clear - no one did anything illegal, dangerous, or intentionally disruptive. Unlike the Kos Kidz, however, I feel that way mainly because I love ATHF and don't want the show to suffer, not because I believe we shouldn't be mindful of potential security threats.

Are we destined to live through another terrorist attack on U.S soil? Most likely. Will it have anything to do with Adult Swim's line-up? Doubtful.

Happy Anniversary GHS

Wow. Time flies.

It's been one year since I started GHS.

A year ago, we were in the midst of the Danish Cartoon uproar - today, the uproar is over an entirely different cartoon.

A year ago, Al Gore was jetting around the world warning people about global warming (excuse me, climate change). Today...he's still doing that, only now he's been nominated for the Nobel prize because of it.

A year ago, Republicans controlled the Congress. Today, they don't.

A year ago, we didn't know whether Hillary was going to run for President. Okay, maybe we did, but now she's made it official.

A year ago, Jack Bauer was having the fifth worst day of his life. Today, he's living through the sixth, a nuclear bomb has gone off, and Muslims are still complaining about it!

A year ago, 24 was my favorite show on T.V. Today, it has some serious competition.

A year ago, I was a "thirty-something". Today...I'm not.

Wow. Time flies.

Here's to another year of looking at the world, taking it all in...and just shaking my head in amazement.

Oh, and to those eight folks that chose to leave comments...thanks.

MLK Day Party Goes Awry

Seems some students at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX planned a little party to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday.

Good for them!

Oh look, it's a costume party!

Interesting. Looks like fun!

Oooops! Guess not!

Just a Thought...

As we start a brand new year here at Glass Half Spilled, a question -

is it possible to be successful while at the same time despising those qualities which often make people successful?

Take THAT, Kanye!

Remember last month when Kanye West made a fool of himself at the MTV Europe's Video Awards? His video, "Touch the Sky" didn't win video of the year, so Kanye crashes the stage when they're handing out the award and starts bitching about why his video should have won:

He then added his reason for why he was most deserving, as he proclaimed Touch The Sky "cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it. I was jumping across canyons."

Well, it looks like Mr. West's little oevre is getting some attention after all...in the form of a lawsuit:

Evel Knievel has sued Kanye West, taking issue with a music video in which the rapper takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and tries to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon.

Evel is upset because some of the racier parts of the video are not representative of his true personality. Here's the money quote, though:

That video that Kanye West put out is the most worthless piece of crap I've ever seen in my life...

Heh. Viva Knievel, indeed!

Spam of the Month

And now, the first in a new series here at GHS: Spam of the Month.

There are millions and millions of unsolicited e-mails sent every day. Some manage to rise above the crowd. These are those stories:

From Mrs. Aminatu Abubaka Arikama. [Buba for short]

Dear, [Yes, sweetheart?]

I am Mrs Aminatu Abubaka Arikama, from Sierra Leone republic, residing in Cote d'Ivoire. I am married to Mr Abubaka Arikama, who deals in Cocoa and Gold business in Cote d'Ivoire for twenty five years before he died in the year 2002. We were married for twenty years and God give us a son, his name is Abubaka Usman Arikama Jr who is 22 now, and because of my husband love to me he refused to marry another wife [Huh?!?]. He died after a brief illness
from food poison which lasted for only four days [must have been some of that time release food poison]. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get another child outside my matrimonial home [how noble!], my husband relatives was responsible for his death because they want to inherit the entire legacy, I was ill and my son is still a little boy [Little? I thought he was 22?].

Before the death of my husband he deposited a huge amount in a suspense [Oh, the suspense!]account with a bank here in Cote d Ivoire [Of course he did], Since my Doctor told me that I have a little time left (about Six months) due to cancer problem [Christ, you have cancer too? This has not been your year!]. Having known my condition and I can not survive this cancer illness, and I don't want to lose my only son, I decided to transfer this fund and my son out of this country.

I took this decision because I don't want to lose every thing my husband has worked for, and my husband relatives are not even good at all because they are responsible for the death of my husband in other to have all his properties and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used by those that conspired for his death [Yeah, only non-conspirators and complete strangers on the Internet need aply!] and they will still kill my son if they have the opportunity.

Contact me only on email address; as soon as I receive your reply of accepting to help me I will give you all the details including your percentage for assisting us.

Thanks.

May God be with you.

From Mrs. Aminatu Arikama

I guess the Ethiopians resolved all of their banking issues, since I haven't gotten one of their e-mails in a long time.

Dave Cockrum: 1943 - 2006

Sad news today. Dave Cockrum, the man who gave the Uncanny X-Men a second chance at life, passed away on November 26 after a long battle with diabetes:

The artist laid the groundwork for an unparalleled comic book success story when, in 1975, he launched the "new" X-Men alongside writer Len Wein and editor Roy Thomas. GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 and the reinvigorated UNCANNY X-MEN grew to legendary status, the impact of which is still felt in today's comic world. Cockrum's first tour of duty with the characters was from 1975 to 1977, and he then returned to his creations from 1981 until 1983.

The man created Colossus, Storm, Phoenix, Mystique, and Nightcrawler - featured most prominently in the last X-Men movie. That, my friends, is what we call a legacy.

The AP story adds a couple of nice details, sure to resonate with any true fanboy:

In his Superman pajamas and with his Batman blanket, Cockrum died in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, S.C., early Sunday morning.

The article also mentions that Cockrum will be cremated wearing a Green Lantern t-shirt.

Cockrum's passing also brings attention to a long-standing stain on the comics industry, the issue of creator's rights. For years, creators of a lot of comics most popular characters received little or nothing in the way of recognition or royalties for their work, even though their creations went on to make millions for the publishing companies. Sadly, Dave Cockrum found himself in the same situation. Fortunately for him, writer Clifford Meth and comics legend Neal Adams petitioned Marvel Comics to do the right thing, which they eventually did.

A nice little tribute site can be found here.

Kramer Apologizes

Following his tirade against some black hecklers at The Laugh Factory the other night, Michael Richards has apologized for his behavior.

On the Letterman Show.

Jerry Seinfeld was a guest on the show, and he asked Richards to appear to discuss the issue (Richards appeared on a screen, not in person). I didn't see the show or watch the apology, but from what I'm reading Richards went off on more than one tangent. His sincerity is entirely dependent on whether you're inclined to give his a break or not.

Kramer.

TMZ.com has video of Michael Richards - Kramer from Seinfeld fame - losing his mind at some hecklers who interrupted his comedy routine at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.

The hecklers were black. Richards make a reference to lynching, after which he called the heckler a "nigger". Seven times. Loudly.

In the video, you can hear someone challenging Richards on his behavior, saying it was "uncalled for". It also shows the majority of the crowd begin to get up and leave, including the hecklers. Richards begins taunting them as they leave.

The entire incident is very surreal, made even more so by the fact that it's Kramer! I didn't see that one coming. Now, of course, the usual suspects will weigh in. Conventional wisdom says that Richards' career is "over".

I'm sure some would argue his career was over when Seinfeld went off the air, but that's another issue.

More on the UCLA Tasering Incident

Michelle Malkin, Ace, and Allah have weighed in on the tasering story.

Michelle is taking her usual measured, "let's wait and hear the whole story" stance, while Ace and Allah question the cops' decision to taser the student.

Naturally, the tasee has lawyered up - and as Michelle points out, a whole crowd of civil rights groups are siding with him, most noticeably CAIR. Interestingly, Tasee's lawyer has his own baggage, as Patterico points out:

The best part: the “high-profile civil rights lawyer” is Stephen Yagman, currently under indictment for money laundering and tax evasion.

Both Ace and Allah quote witnesses who state that, althought the use of tasers may have been excessive, Tasee was definitely either making trouble or was someone who would not be opposed to making trouble:

Let me start off by saying that the guy DEFINITELY was asking to get his ass kicked. He was being extremely rude with the campus patrol guys (who are college students...this was before the real UCPD got called in). He was not complying with their requests to leave the premises, and he was definitely itching for a fight. I actually know the guy and a few of his friends, and I can tell you that he's the kind of guy that loves to make trouble.

Just as a little backstory, one of the quotes the guy has on his facebook (which he now has taken down) was "I like to find the most difficult solutions to the simplest of problems".

He definitely taunted the UCPD into behaving the way they did with him.

I'm a little disappointed in Ace's moderation. Personally, from what I heard in the video and what I've read online, Tasee is just the kind of little bitch who would try to make a point about his precious "civil liberties" and have it go down this way. Bottom line, if he had just left the library when he was first asked to, therefore aoviding the need to call the campus police, his protesting ass would have remained taser-free. I would have, because for me, rules are rules and legitimate authority is just that. Does that mean Tasee got what he deserved? I suppose that depends on how you define "excessive force". In my opinion, one of the cops shooting Tasee in the leg is excessive; tasering him on drive mode to put an end to his little protest and diffuse a potential escalation by other concerned, socially aware citizens is not.

We live in a very different world than that of just a few years ago. A world where "ordinary" American citizens are capable of...who knows what? Where bizarre and questionable incidents take place on college campuses all of the time. Where the unthinkable can come from out of nowhere and change everything in an instant.

In this kind of world, perhaps the type of excessive force used by these campus police may be the difference between an "incident" and a "tragedy".