Girl Humiliated By Police Receives Compensation

A girl in Florida who sued the city after claiming a police officer forced her to perform jumping jacks while topless has been awarded a compensation [PDF] amounting to USD35,000.

Florida City Pays Girl Who Says Cop Made Her Do Topless Jumping Jacks $35K

The City Council unanimously approved a $35,000 settlement for a teenage girl who sued the city after claiming a police officer forced her to do jumping jacks while topless, officials said.

"It was approved without discussion," City Manager Tom Bonfield said of Thursday's decision.

The April 2003 incident occurred when Officer Shawn Patrick Shields found the girl, then 16, and a 19-year-old male together in a parked car. Shields made the two teens exit their vehicle, then told them he could arrest them for lewd and lascivious behavior, authorities said.

The girl told investigators that Shields told her to perform five topless jumping jacks, which she said she did as he shone his flashlight on her.

Both teenagers passed polygraph tests during the investigation.

Shields was later fired from the police department and pleaded no contest to extortion.

He was placed on probation for two years in December 2003 and ordered to write a letter of apology to the girl.

The name of the girl's attorney was not immediately known.

Not exactly similar to Malaysia's own Nude Squat MMS Fiasco but not exactly far from it either. As far as I know, there is still no apology, no compensation and no outcome from this very dark and ugly episode involving our police force yet. Yes, the woman performing the shameful nude squats in the MMS has brought the case to court but will this end up under the carpet like the other high profile cases before this? One year after this whole episode saw the day of light, it is very much on its way to a very dark place.

Keywords: jumping jacks nude naked squat MMS 3gp video clip recording fiasco scandal police abuse Florida Malaysia compensation

China Bans Year Of Pig Ads

A Chinese TV Network, CCTV has banned advertisements [PDF] for the upcoming Year of the Pig celebrations containing pigs.

Chinese TV Network Bans Pig Ads During Year of Pig Celebrations Due to Muslim Sensitivity

[...] China Central Television said it would ban all verbal and visual pork references from advertisements during Lunar New Year celebrations next month, the Wall Street Journal reported. This week, the network banned a TV ad from Nestle SA featuring a smiling cartoon pig and the message, "Happy new pig year."

CCTV's ad department said the regulations are intended to avoid offending Muslims, who consider pigs unclean animals. China's 20 million Muslims comprise less than 2 percent of the population, the Journal reported. [...]

Considering Muslims make up the majority of the population here in Malaysia, will Malaysia follow suit?

Keywords: banned advertisements ads China Malaysia regulations commercial TV ad CCTV television Year of the Pig 2007 Chinese Lunar New Year Muslims pig boar

I'm Worth A Measly $25

Here's the deal. Look over the following list and see how many of the tasks you've done before. Add up the value of each task that you've experienced along the way. Then post the in the comments how much you are allegedly worth. I'm worth a measly $25. Pathetic no?

1. Had sex: $6.00

2. Smoked: $5.00

3. Got drunk: $5.00

4. Went skinny dipping: $3.00

5. Kissed someone of the opposite sex: $4.00

6. Kissed someone of the same sex: $4.00

7. Cheated: $2.00

8. Fell asleep in class: $0.50

9. Been expelled: $5.00

10. Been in a fist fight: $3.00

11. Given oral: $5.00

12. Got oral: $5.00

13. Prank called the cops: $3.00

14. Lied to your parents: $1.00

15. Stole something: $2.00

16. Done drugs: $5.00

17. Dyed your hair: $0.50

18. Lied about your age: $3.00

19. Done something with someone older (like a few years): $3.00

20. Went out with someone OVER 18 (if you're under 18): $4.00

21. Ate a whole thing made of Oreo cookies: $0.50

22. Cried yourself to sleep: $1.00

23. Said you love someone but didn't mean it: $1.00

24. Been in love: $4.00

25. Got caught doing something that you shouldn't have been doing: $1.00

26. Went streaking: $4.00

27. Got arrested: $5.00

28. Made-out with someone at the movies: $2.00

29. Peed in the pool: $0.50

30. Played spin the bottle: $1.00

31. Done something you regret: $3.00

Now add up and post as "IM WORTH $___"

PS: The smaller the better!

Keywords: self worth survey poll

2006 Wrap-Up

It took me sixteen days into the new year before I wrap-up 2006 and usher in 2007. Hello people, I'm back. Sorry I've not updated my blog of late. I do realise it's been awhile and the cobwebs have accumulated here but I've been a tad busy and the crawling internet connection due to the Taiwan earthquake didn't help one bit.

I made a wishlist for 2006. Not exactly a list of resolutions but a list of what I wish for 2006, hence a wishlist. To wrap-up 2006, I guess it only makes sense to revisit that list.

1. to progress further in my self-initiated 'anger management' program which has been largely successful so far *ahem* :P (for context read this)

I think it has been a good year. I don't actually recall being angry (or at least showing anger like how I used to). In fact, I've been insanely calm when facing certain situations where most would already flare up (at least my old self would). *PASS*

2. to achieve ground-breaking results in my research

Of course there were some aspects that were new but I wouldn't regard them ground-breaking results. I put the bar high for this one but that's the only way I know to push myself to the limit. No complaints. *FAIL*

3. to finish my graduate studies (largely dependant on #2)

In progress. Writing my thesis at the moment. *FAIL*

4. to be gainfully employed (after achieving #3)

Refer #3. *FAIL* True, I'm self-employed (which many aspire to be) but I guess it's not exactly what many people think.

5. to stay healthy and maybe gain a little weight (been getting too many comments on being so skinny now)

I've gained some weight (towards the end of the year due to less stress and workload) but not satisfactory enough I suppose. Thinking of going to the gym for some workout in 2007. Been healthy as far as I can recall. *PASS*

6. to stop being a self enforced hermit

Been going out more especially the last few months (again due to less stress and workload). *PASS*

7. to visit the cinemas for at least one (good) movie (which I've successfully avoided the whole of 2005)

Successfully avoided for the whole of 2006, again. Been catching up on old movies through Astro and DVDs. However, I do plan to catch a movie this month. *FAIL*

8. to blog more from the heart and not so much from the brain

My readers should answer this one but if it was up to me, I would say *PASS*

9. to include more pictures in my blog

I wouldn't say my blog is filled with pictures now (since I'm not the camwhoring type) but there are definitely more pictures now. *PASS*

10. to make an impact in at least one person's life (my lifetime wish actually)

I wouldn't know this really but I guess since it's a lifetime wish, there's still plenty of time (I hope). But if someone did come up and tell you that you have positively influenced his life, I guess it's regarded as a success. *PASS*

11. to reply emails more promptly (can't they just read my blog? :P)

I've been replying most of my emails as promptly as possible but there are still some crying out for my attention, even now. *FAIL*

12. to start my pet project on podcasting

A few reasons why it didn't work out but will still embark on this in the near future. *FAIL*

13. a world without conflict (or at least less of it)

Sadly, *FAIL*

14. no major flu pandemic or the like

Fortunately, *PASS* but seems to be making a comeback in 2007.

15. Manchester United to win the EPL

Unfortunately, *FAIL* but thankfully on the right track to achieving that this year.

16. McLaren Mercedes to win the Constructors Title

Failed miserably. So disappointing. *FAIL*

17. Kimi Raikkonen to rule the F1 tracks

Refer #16. *FAIL*

18. Malaysia to be more Malaysian

Sadly, *FAIL* Remains a pipe dream.

19. Penang to be more developed (in the right way)

Sadly, *FAIL*

20. an affordable but powerful Intel iBook (wouldn't mind if someone gives me one)

Rebranded as the MacBook. Seems to be priced further and further out of my league. Would love to get the iPhone but I'm sure it would cost an arm and a leg here in Malaysia. *FAIL*

Will I draw up another wishlist for 2007? Maybe I will. Let's see how's my mood tomorrow. For the second half of 2006, I've not been blogging as much as I would have liked. I also realised I've not blogged much about current events in that same period which is very sad since the main reason for this blog is for me to speak my mind about these things.

It has come to a stage that I feel putting forward what I feel and think about current issues is really a waste of my time which is a luxury for me nowadays. I will do some research before I post those issues, so it does take up a lot of my time. I guess that's why unconsciously, I've not been blogging about current events lately since I don't exactly have the luxury of time.

I don't know when I will be able to clear the increasing number of drafts. Maybe I should sit down a day or two to complete them all once and for all. Maybe I should since that's all baggage from the old year and it's the new year now.

Anyway, here's to a healthy and progressive 2007.

Keywords: wishlist 2006 2007 resolution