WHOA Press Release #2008-10

For Immediate Release

WHOA-KIDS/TEENS DIVISION EMPHASIZES ONLINE SAFETY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Around this time every year children of all ages are returning to schools, colleges and universities. Fall is a reminder to all of us that our kids and teens will spend less time outside riding their bikes and playing basketball in the sunshine and more time inside watching television and surfing the Internet.

The concept of “back to school safety” used to mean that our children need to wear a seat belt in the family vehicle or, if available, on a school bus, paying attention to adult crossing guards and remembering to look both ways before crossing a street. It also meant when they were home alone they should keep the doors locked and when they were in public they should not talk to strangers. Now strangers can sneak inside your home via the Internet while you are at work and your children are home from school. Jayne Hitchcock, president of Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA) and Working to Halt Online Abuse-Kids/Teens Division (WHOA-KTD), says “today back to school safety has to include ways to keep children protected from online bullies and predators. This means not letting a stranger lurk inside your child’s computer. Being online can be a fun and worthwhile experience for kids and teens, provided they understand how to stay safer.”

WHOA-KTD was founded in 2005 in response to a rapidly expanding need for organized online safety groups that would specifically focus on the needs of children and teens who are victimized and taken advantage of every day on the Internet. WHOA-KTD is a subsidiary division of WHOA, which is the oldest and largest all-volunteer online safety organization. WHOA has been helping adult victims of cyberstalking since 1997 and remains the only online organization to provide the most up-to-date cyberstalking statistics and cumulative trends.

WHOA-KTD’s statistics from 2007 show that 28% of students have been cyber bullied and of 395 students canvassed, 54 admitted to being an online bully towards somebody else. A significant finding is that almost half said they had been contacted by a stranger via an instant messaging program, email or at an online gaming or social networking site (such as Myspace and Facebook). Approximately half of these children did share the experience with their parents or another adult, which is what WHOA-KTD encourages them to do. What is most frightening is this means that parents and guardians of about half of the children were unaware that their child had been approached by a stranger online.

The 2007 110th Congress 1st Session – Senate 205 found that:

35,000,000 children in kindergarten through grade 12 have Internet access;
41% of students in grades 5 through 12 do not share with parents what they do online;
31% of students are skilled enough to circumvent Internet filter software;
20% of middle and/or high school students admit to meeting offline with someone met online;

WHOA-KTD advises all parents and guardians to take a proactive role in their child’s Internet activities by doing some fairly simple things (from the book Net Crimes & Misdemeanors by J.A. Hitchcock):


1. Get actively involved in your children’s online life. Know what they are doing online. If your child has created a personal Web site, what information is posted on it? How about an online journal, blog or profile on a social networking site such as Myspace or Facebook?
2. Place the computer in a den, family room, kitchen, or other high-traffic location. Don’t allow your child to keep a computer with an Internet connection in the bedroom where the door can be closed while online. If they close the door whenever they go online, regard it as a danger sign.
3. Use a filtering/screening program such as Cyberpatrol, NetNanny, SafeBrowse, or Kidsnet.
4. Set use of the computer to specific times so that your child does not spend an excessive amount of time online.
5. Monitor how frequently your child gets unfamiliar e-mail­and read it.
6. Become more computer literate. The best way to do this is to sit down with your child and ask them to show you how the Internet works. You may be surprised to find how much they enjoy the role of teacher.
7. Sit and work alongside your child while they are online.
8. Warn your children to be cautious with online strangers.
9. Monitor your long-distance phone bill for evidence that your child has been in contact with a stranger.
10. If your child receives strange phone calls or gifts from strangers, find out what’s going on.
11. If your child turns off the monitor or computer when you approach, regard it as a warning sign.
12. Know what your children are looking at on the computer. If you find that it’s pornography, it’s time for a chat. If you check the Web browser cache and find it’s already been cleaned out or that it’s empty, it’s time for a chat. If you check the Recycle Bin to see if the cache info is there and it’s not, it’s time to disconnect the computer from the Internet and have a serious chat.

Jayne A. Hitchcock is a cyber crime expert who trains law enforcement from the local to federal level, and assists the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime and National Center for Victims of Crime. She trains advocate groups, conducts seminars, raises awareness of cyber crime and harassment and lectures educators, librarians, parents and students at middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities about the dangers of bullies, predators, stalkers and online social networking sites. She has appeared as an expert in various media, including America’s Most Wanted, PEOPLE magazine, Primetime Thursday with Diane Sawyer, TIME magazine, the Associated Press, The Montel Williams Show, A&E’s Investigative Reports, 48 Hours, Ladies Home Journal, Campus Security Reports, Inside Edition, Good Morning America and CNN. Her latest book, Net Crimes & Misdemeanors 2nd edition (netcrimes.net), highlights online crimes, how to be safer online and what to do if you are victimized. Video Professor recently released a 3-CD tutorial based on the book.

To interview Hitchcock, please contact her via email whoa@haltabuse.org. WHOA statistics may be quoted in media and on web sites with appropriate recognition. If someone you know needs help, or if you want to learn more about WHOA or WHOA-KTD visit www.haltabuse.org.

                                   

                                                          

IF YOU ASK ME ,

INVISABLE WORDS , YOU CANT SEE ,

SOUND LIKE , ANOTHER DEGREE ,

THE END IS NEAR , SO HAVE NO FEAR ,

FREEDOM IS HERE , ITS TIME TO UNWIND ,

A BRAND NEW DESIGN , POWER IS PEOPLE ,

HOLDING TIME , ONLY TIME ,

CAN FREE YOUR MIND , LIKE A NEW DESIGN ,

OF REAL GOOD WINE , ITS RAINING AGAIN ,

ASK YOUR FRIEND , TOO SLOW DOWN ,

SO I CAN SEE THEM AGAIN , WHEN IM AROUND ,

WITH A PEN ,  SEE IM NOT FOR PROFIT ,

IM NOT YOUR PROFIT , IM ONLY WANT ,

YOU TO PROFIT , SO IF YOUR NOT SET ,

TO VOTE FREE , STL BE ,

THE GATEWAY TO SEE , NEW FREEDOM COMMING ,

NATURALLY , FROM THE EAST ,

TO THE WEST , COAST TO COAST ,

FREEDOM IS BEST , WHEN YOU REST ,

MORE THEN A DAY , FROM LABOR DISSTRESS ,

IF YOU WONDERING , WHAT IS STRESS?? ,

ITS A VOTE , WITH NO PEN I GUESS ,

IF YOUR BLESSED , PLAYING CHESS ,

KING ME CONFESS , FREEDOM IS FRESH ,

AND FOR LESS , SO BLIND PEOPLE ,

ITS OK , HELP IS ON THE WAY ,

FOR YOU TODAY , HELLO ,

AND HAVE , A GREAT DAY ,

THIS IS THE BEST , I CAN DO ,

SLOW IT IS , BUT NOTHING NEW ,

ABRIEVIATION , OF REALITY ,

THAT FREES FUSTRATION ,

NATURALLY , FOR THE HUMAN NATION ,

NO DEMONSTRATION , JUST MY OWN CREATION ,

OF COMMUNICATION , CELEBRATIONS ,

LAST 3 DAYS IN FACT , ANOTHER HOLIDAY ,

IS NEEDED TO PACK , AND VISIT FRIENDS ,

WITH THIS NEW FACT , ITS TIME TO UNPLUG ,

TIME TO GET BACK , WITH REAL PEOPLE ,

THATS REALLY ON TRACK , IM NOT ON STRIKE ,

BUT THE TIME IS RIGHT , TO SING- A- LONG ,

WOULD BE ALRIGHT .

ITS TOO LATE , TO RUN BACK NOWWWWW ,

I BELIEVE I BELIVE I BELIVE , IM FALLING FOR USSSSSS ,

ITS TO LATE , TO LOOK UP WOOW ,

I BELIVE I BELIEVE I BELIVE , IM FALLING FOR LOVE ,

ITS TO LATE , TO HELP OUT HOWWWWW ,

I BELIEVE I BELIVE I BELIVE ,

ITS TIME TO STOP RIGHT NOWWWWW ,

ITS TO LATE , TO COME BACK NOWWWW ,

I BELIVE I BELIVE I BELIVE ,

I DID NOT VOTE FOR WARRRRR ,

ITS TO LATE , TIME TO HIT THE DOOR ,

I BELIVE I BELIEVE I BELIEVE ,

IT OPENS UP MOOOOOORE .

                      

I'm sorry, but people should get a permit to be online. Or at least a beginner course in how to use the Internet properly. I am sick and tired of getting complaints that "I've been hacked!"

No, you haven't.

Real hackers don't bother with common folk like you and me. Real hackers don't just go breaking into people's email accounts to harass them. Real hackers are smarter than you (and probably smarter than me) and look for challenges.

You probably chose a password that was either

A) Easy to guess (like your dog's name, an anniversary or birthdate, the school you graduated from, your favorite color, etc

B) You wrote it down on a piece of paper in plain view or near your computer and the person who is now harassing/impersonating you found it and used it against you

C) You openly gave the person your password and when your relationship/friendship ended, you forgot to change your password.

Examples follow of real incidents reported to me:

He got so mad at me that he hacked in to photobucket account and put up pictures that were against the Photobuckets Terms of Service to try and get the account suspended.

Turns out this guy knew the harasser through an online game and had known him for four years. Enough time for that person to know a lot about this guy and most likely guessed his password. So what does he do? Instead of going to Photobucket and changing his password to a combination of numbers/letters/symbols, he starts telling the guy "f-ck you" via Yahoo Messenger. Which just escalated things.

They hacked my aol account and my myspace.com account

She dated the guy almost 10 years previously. For a long time. So he obviously knew a lot about her. I can bet you 10-1 her password was something really easy for this loser to guess. What was worse was he and his now wife were going into her AOL and Myspace accounts and sending people in her address book nude photos taken of her by him when they were dating.

NEVER, EVER let anyone take sexually provocative photos or videos of you, no matter how much you love them. Because this is exactly what happens when you break up. Unless you don't mind having things like this eventually show up online (and believe me, they will), keep the photos and videos to normal subjects. If you do decide to do a sex tape, don't be surprised when it does who up online.

So what did this woman do? Instead of going in and changing her password to something no one could guess, she BLEEP about them continuing to "hack" into her accounts.

My computer has been hacked into twice in two months with two different hard drives and two different operating systems.  I am now on my third install of windows.

Now, this one was what the FBI told her a "remote hack." Ever hear of firewall/antivirus software? How about a hardware firewall? Turns out she was using some free software. You get what you pay for and if it's free, well, you need to pay the money for something that will protect your computer better.

She hacked my email account and intercepted racy emails between my wife and myself and printed them from her computer and has distributed the documents to several people.

"She" is his ex-wife. Although he claimed to change his passwords frequently, it turned out he was using easy ones he could remember. Once he changed it to something with numbers and symbols in it, the "hacking" stopped.

The person hacked into my account between 9:30pm -11:30pm on 3/9/08. My personal email address was sent out and they have since erased the texts from the online account.

Um, this isn't hacking. This is someone going into their email program and putting your email address into the FROM line so that they could send out messages pretending to be you.

First he hacked into my myspace account to steal all the settings of my profile and then made a profile on myspace that is exactly the same as mine and messaged me.

No, he didn't "hack" into your Myspace account. Your Myspace account was publicly available to everyone online and all he did was copy everything you put up there and create a new profile imitating you.

My daughter's account was hacked into and password was changed--by her daughter or daughers boyfriend- filthy e-mail is being sent to her friends and family

Again, an easy password to guess. NOT hacking.

She then, somehow, hacked into my Myspace page and began contacting my friends and family by sending rude and nasty messages about me to them.

Again, her Myspace profile was public, so all this person had to do was go to her Friends list and send everyone messages. NOT hacking.

Get a grip people. And follow these 10 pieces of advice:

1) Create hard to guess passwords. Yes, they're harder to remember, but they're harder for someone to figure out and get into your accounts online or offline. Make your password a combination of at least letters and numbers, and if you can, add some symbols to it, like $t()()p1d (which translates to stupid - see what I did?)

2) Make your Myspace, Facebook, AOL or other profile private so that only those on your Friends list can view it.

3) On that note, only approve people who REALLY are your friends, because once you make them a friend, they can view EVERYTHING you put in your profile, blog, photos, etc.

4) Put as little personal info about you in your online profiles. Don't use your first and last name together anywhere in the profile, especially as the name of your account, such as myspace.com/johndoe. Don't post your cell, home phone or address. Don't put where your work unless you want people who get mad at you, want revenge or just want to be idiots call your workplace and cause trouble for you.

5) Don't post provocative or controversial photos or videos online anywhere. This can affect you now or later in life. You could lose a job, a spouse, a potential date, a scholarship, admission to a college, etc. Get my drift?

6) Again, DO NOT let anyone take sex photos or videos of you. They WILL eventually show up online, guaranteed. I don't care how much you "love" them now. Don't do it.

7) Make sure your computer has a good antivirus AND firewall program installed and keep it updated. Pay for the renewals every year. If you're really worried about online security, consider a hardware firewall. Go to your local computer store, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc for advice on what would work best for you. An unprotected computer is an open door for the real hackers.

8) If someone does guess your password and gets into your accounts, immediately go in and change the password(s) before they do. If they've already done that, then contact the content provider or your ISP to let them know your account has been compromised.

9) You are not anonymous online. Even if you open up a free email account through somewhere like Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, etc, harassing messages can and will be traced back to you. If you're that ticked off at someone, take a step back, really think about it and realize it's not worth it. Or you'll be taken in by Internet Road Rage. Just like some people get so mad driving down the highway, snap and begin chasing someone in a road rage incident, the same thing happens on the information superhighway. And the consequences could be jail time, loss of a job, suspension from school, or a divorce or breakup. Is it really worth it to "chase" someone online because they ticked you off?

10) Finally: If you wouldn't let your grandmother view it, don't post it online; if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't send that email or post it online; and if you don't want things you're doing now online follow you later in life, JUST DON'T DO IT.

For more information on staying safer online, visit my book's web site, Net Crimes & Misdemeanors. If you are a victim of online harassment, cyberstalking or bullying, visit my organization's web site at Working to Halt Online Abuse and for kids/teens who are being bullied or harassed online, go to our Kids/Teens Division at WHOA-KTD - click on Need Help? and follow the instructions from there.

I sat across from my daughter a few weeks ago and caught the conversation going on in the booth next to me.  The customer had ordered something that did not come out the way she wanted it or something to that effect.  The poor waitress tried every which way to correct the mistake that was made.  To no avail, the customer wanted to speak with the manager.  The customer called the waitress stupid, told her she should find other employment and threatened her job.  All because the steak that she ordered was not cooked as she requested and the baked potato was not hot enough.  None of which was in the control of the waitress.

Once the manager arrived the demeanor of the customer changed.  She went from an out and out horid witch to a creepy, grinning, sweet -talking mature female.  The noose around the managers neck was about to be tightened to choke.  She began by saying that she came there often and has never had a problem before.  She adds that she wasn't sure that waitressing was the job for this girl and that she hopes it can be taken care of in some meaningful way.  The manager began by putting on his most serious and earnest look.  He did the appropriate I"m sorrys and ended with how can we make it up to you?  Bad choice of words.  It ended up costing the price of the entire meal for the customer and her brood. 

He should have asked the waitress about how he could make it up to her.  Instead, the waitress was forced to smile broadly and reserve the hag her steak and potato.  How demeaning. 

Two weeks ago I was standing in line at McDonalds.  There was a lady and 3 kids in front of me.  They ordered, changed the order, added to and subtracted from the order and otherwise monopolized the counter for several minutes.  The poor kid at the counter repeated back what they ordered.   When he got to the fish fillet meal he made no mention of it not having cheese on it.  She did not want cheese.  This woman leaned in and screamed in the kids face "NO CHEESE"!  The kid took a step back and the woman turned to her kids and remarked "look at the baby" and pointed to the waiter.  When the kid related to her that he would not tolerate this behavior, the woman asked in a very provocative tone, "what are you going to do about it little boy".   The boy asked her to leave.  The next thing you know the manager is standing there asking the woman what he can do for her and excused the kid from his post.  She got a free fish meal and he had not returned a half hour later when I finished my meal. 

Then there is the airline.  I can not tell you how many agents have been threatened and abused.  Do the agents fly the planes?  Do the agents cause bad weather to happen or computor glitches?  Do the agents make the rules at all?   No, they get paid less than $10 an hour to tolerate asses that make no sense what-so-ever.  I mean, who can argue with a delay if flying the plane means risking life and limb?  Who cares if your luggage is delayed a day in order to make sure you got home on time?  It is just frigging unforgivable some of the things that get said to those agents who have no control over anything the airline does.  However, if you cry, stomp, threaten and otherwise BLEEP enough you will no doubt be rewarded with discounts or something to shut you up. 

I remember working at a call center very briefly.  It was stated to me, during the training phase, that we are never to hang up on a customer.  I asked if that meant a person who is abusing, harrassing or threatening and they simply stated that no caller will be hung up on ever.  I asked if this meant those who call for sexual purposes and again I was told that no caller will ever be hung up on.  I asked about protocol for handling such calls and was told to merely hang on until the caller stops talking and then try to assist the customer.  If the customer insists on speaking with a manager then a manager will talk with the customer but only as a last resort should the operator pass a customer on to a manager.  Now, as you can guess, I did not continue employment in that place.  Are companies that greedy that they really need that kind of a customer? I might want to add that the lines I was manning was a reward program, you know, like coupons.   If people get so upset over a coupon then they need another kind of hotline don't ya think?

Perhaps the most offensive piece of all of this is that the companies that employ these poor customer service persons will not hold the customer accountable.  They will not give reward to the associate but rather encourage bad behavior in its customer base.  I don't quite get it though because the law states that a person has a right to a violence free work place. 

Isn't the employer's first responsibility to its employee?  Sure, we all know that fellow employees are not allowed to abuse, harrass, threaten, and otherwise cause hostility in the workplace but what about continued harrassment by outside vendors, customers, etc.  Doesn't the employer have a legal obligation to deal with it?  They do.  If an employer allows continuous harrassment and abuse to its employess, then the employer is allowing violence in the workplace.  That is against the law and the employee's human rights.

The customer is right policy can and is constantly being taken too far.  I have dealt with my share of idiots, people who can not speak english and voice mail to know that the frustration level can climb pretty high.  However, I can not remember a time I felt it necessary to threaten or abuse anyone.  When I hear something like "we are a nation of whiners"  I know exactly what it means.  However, they need to add that we are a nation of abusive whiners.  From what I have seen lately it is true as hell.   Might want to check yourself the next time you need to negotiate something.

I have watched the public service announcements regarding OUI for the last month.  I have to say that I laughed like crazy at it all.  It is pure propaganda and holds very little water.   The nationwide crack down on drunk drivers is nothing more than a new way to gather cash flow for the coffers.  I wish it was not true but it is.  Where are they going to put even the most offensive drunk drivers?  If you put even the most damaging of these idiots in jail, you would have to double them in the bunks.  There are just tooooooooo many idiots on the road.

How did we get to the point at which we can not punish people?  Let's see....that is a multifaceted answer.  I suppose the lack of consequence has it's roots in the mental health/social worker arena.  After all you can not punish those with a so-called disease now can you.  Then there is the lack of accomodation at the jails where these individuals would go.  We must reserve the room for the most criminal of criminal.  Sorry MADD you have no recourse now.

I was always under the impression that refusing a breathalizer test when requested by the police, resulted in an automatic acceptance of guilt.  However, I was really wrong.  The latest thing I was told by the ADA in Androscoggin County, Deb Cashman, is that it is not enough to simply refuse the test.  The DA must be able to prove that the person was in fact drunk.  How does one do that if there is no test done. She went on to say that it is the total body of evidence that would prove it. 

In the case I discussed with her, the ambulance drivers wrote a note about the smell of alcohol, the was a notation about empty containers and witnesses to the aftermath of the accident noted beligerant behavior and noticeable intoxication.  Deb Cashman also did not notify the victim of the hearing nor did she ask the victim any questions about how the accident took place, what the damages were and how is the victim doing at this time.  Deb Cashman says that there was no reason that she could see for this.  Instead, Deb Cashman offerred a plea bargain to the man arrested for drunk driving.  He was allowed to plea out to driving to endanger and recieved a $700 or so fine, no jail and no restitution. 

The accused in this OUI case did the following.  He crossed the line and veered head on into the opposing lane.  He hit the driver at the side door post  doing the approximate speed of 50 mph. He had a large SUV and the victim was driving a Hyundai also at around 50mph.  That must have hurt.  100 mph impacts usually do.  (Deb Cashman did not bother to look into that.)  His crime involved approximately $20,000.00 in property damage to the vehicles.  Both were totaled by the insurance companies involved.  Both drivers had to be taken to the emergency room via ambulance.  Both have ER bills.  The victim has doctor bills, specialist bills, and physical therapy bills.  The victim lost 2 1/2 months of work as well.  The victim is still having health related issues at this time.  It is not over for the victim!  Deb Cashman cared nothing about this case other than to get it off her desk and collect the fine for the State of Maine.

When the victim of this crime called in response to a letter her lawyer wrote to her regarding the disposition of the case, the victim was told that the DA's office did not have any evidence to back up the fact that the criminal was drunk.  She was told that the driver who hit her was not guilty simply because he refused the test.  When the victim asked why she was not contacted she was told that they did not have any advocates available to do that and that they are working on getting caught up.  The victim was told that the ADA relied on the police report (A one page report that lacks any pertinant information and it's writer told the victim that the drunk who hit her was a "good guy but he likes to drink".  The writer also took nearly a week to get it written and out to the victim.)  When the victim asked about prior convictions, she was told that it is not relevant in this case. (The drunk who hit the victim also had at least one prior OUI.)  When the victim asked about empty containers she was told that he could have been saving them to return them.  (Yeah, I save loose empty beer cans on the floor of my vehicle.)  When the victim asked about notations in the hospital ER report she was told that there was no mention of alcohol. (The nurses at the ER handleing the victim made it known that the other driver was intoxicated and refusing any treatment or blood test. They were not speaking directly to the victim but used the mans sir name. I would almost bet that the ADA handling the case never inquired).  The witnesses at the scene reported that it appeared that the drunk was demanding that he be freed from the vehicle in order to escape police, was beligerant and smelled of alcohol. (The victim could hear the other driver screaming profanities from her trapped situation in her vehicle.)  When the victim asked the ADA why they allowed a plea, the ADA replied that they do it when there are no serious victims involved in the criminal act.  (I guess she means that the victim did not become a veg or die.  Therefore, the victimization piece of it is not enough.)  The victim asked the ADA how she was going to feel that justice is served.  The ADA replied "well you can sue".  (How is this going to serve justice on the drunk?  The insurance company is the only one that is going to feel that pain.)  Now, why did the ADA in this case feel that there was no evidence to prove the guy was in fact under the influence of alcohol?  (It costs too much money to prosecute a case these days, there are no beds in the jails and besides, no one died.) 

So, the next time you watch one of those public service commercials think about what they are really saying.  "We are cracking down on OUI's this month in order to increase revenues for the state."  Remember, you can beat an OUI in Androscoggin County by refusing to take the test.  They just can not prove it there!

I'm a bit late posting this, but wanted to let you all know about the wonderful true crime panel I was part of at the Westborough Public Library in Massachusetts on August 20, 2008.

It's part of the Sisters in Crime New England Chapter, of which I am a member (as well as their national organization). You can see the schedule there - I am on quite a few panels in October.

There were three of us: Margaret Press, Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and me. I was the first to arrive and Chris decided to come along with me, even though he was exhausted from the weird hours we works at Home Depot (one day it will be 9-6 pm, the next 12-9 pm, the next 6-3pm). He carried in my box of books and settled in the back of the room. People began arriving and Donna Martel from the library talked with me for a bit. Margaret showed up, then Mary-Ann (who brough her hubby, too).

We set up our books for sale on the table next to us, then decided I'd start the panel. We had a good crowd, about 30 or so people, one of the biggest for the true crime panel so far. They were mostly senior citizens, who asked some wonderful questions.

Afterwards, I appeared to be the hit and sold quite a few books. I was pleasantly surprised. One older woman told me I'd done a good job and to keep up the good work. When we left, I was walking on air. I love events like this that go so darned well.

Chris told me that Mary-Ann's hubby was nice, but he was no Jacob. For those who don't know, we've become friends with Tess Gerritsen and her hubby, Jacob. Chris gets a kick out of talking with Jacob and Tess and I are like kindred spirits. I only wish they lived closer to us. We get together when we can and email frequently.

So all in all, it was a good night. And a reporter who attended wrote a very flattering article about us: True-crime writers tell back stories by Judy Powell of the Worcester Telegram.

WHO@ Newsletter

September 1, 2008

I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .I apologize if this offends anyone, but I laughed my butt off when I read just the headline

Malaysian man gets nut stuck around penis: report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/malaysiasexoffbeat;_ylt=Ai
Sw8e7nJunHAoggc6PXKHDtiBIF

A Malaysian welder had to have a nut removed from around his penis after an attempt to lengthen it before he gets engaged next week went embarrassingly wrong, a news report said Sunday.

The nut got stuck on his penis following an erection, the Star newspaper said, forcing him to seek help at a hospital in southern Johor state.

Staff from the Sultanah Aminah hospital had to drain some blood from the penis and cut away a top layer of skin before the object could be removed, the newspaper said.

It said the fire and rescue department were also involved in trying to remove the nut from the unnamed welder, who is in his 20s and hoped the nut would weigh down his penis to make it longer.

"The patient is now recovering and we hope to discharge him today (Sunday)," hospital director Daud Abdul Rahim told the Star.

On August 25, another young man in Kuala Lumpur had tried to increase his sexual prowess by slipping a steel ring around his penis, forcing the fire department to cut off the ring after doctors were unable to remove it, the newspaper said.

Visit WHOA on the web at http://www.haltabuse.org

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NEWS TO USE AND PASS ALONG!

(DISCLAIMER: The following news items were found on the web and were not written or endorsed by WHO@; they are for informational purposes only)

Small World that may be getting too big - 09/01/08
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/sep/01/faceb
ook.socialnetworking
It was 11.05pm and the queue outside the exclusive Embassy nightclub in Mayfair, London, was getting restless. A young man nervously adjusted his tie as a blond woman scanned the list of names on her clipboard. Two young women flounced away after being refused entry. But one phrase could guarantee immediate passage past the velvet cordon: "I'm ASW."

Internet puts personal data within reach of wrong people, Adamstown man learns - 08/31/08
http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=104192

Using social networking and other online tools can put your personal information in the wrong hands. A bit of caution can prevent some serious problems.

Russia Web site owner killed after arrest - 08/31/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cnet/20080901/tc_cnet/83011357
831002979838;_ylt=AhYQnFqOe33z29Wp46ANJdb6VbIF
The owner of an opposition Internet news site in Russia's volatile Ingushetia region was shot and killed Sunday after being detained by police.

Social networks and "psychological profiling" in real time -08/29/08
http://www.popgadget.net/2008/08/sometimes_techn.phpa>
Sometimes technology can be put to really great use. Sometimes it can just be used to spy on us.

Man Sentenced For E-Mail Threats - 08/29/08
http://www.my58.com/news/17339568/detail.html
A Sacramento man was sentenced Friday for using e-mail to threaten the FBI, police and members of the rock band Korn, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said.

Des Moines man indicted for Internet threats, ID theft - 08/29/08
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/200814
5766_threats29m.html
A Des Moines man was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Seattle in a case involving Internet threats to shoot or blow up employees at Boeing facilities and at an Anacortes oil refinery.

Missouri Internet Stalking and Harassment Law Goes Into Effect - 08/29/08
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/si
d/30246/
Legislation called for to protect children from Internet stalking and harassment in the wake of Megan Meier's terrible death goes into effect.

Stowaway computer virus sent into orbit - 08/28/08
http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8913146
Nasa has confirmed that computer viruses have made it into space, after finding that computers on board the International Space Station were harbouring a malicious worm.

Brunswick man held on email threat - 08/28/08
http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/032186.html
A Brunswick man was arrested early today in connection with a racially charged e-mail sent to Gov. John Baldacci and at least one other member of the Maine delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, police said.

E-mail threat leads to cyberstalking charge - 08/28/08
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/charge_24245___artic
le.html/cyberstalking_leads.html
A Wilmington man faces a charge of cyberstalking after a Gastonia man told police he e-mailed death threats.

Warning to college students: Beware e-pervs - 08/28/08
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20094999&BRD
=1697&PAG=461&dept_id=44551&rfi=6
Colleges and universities in New Jersey are being asked to warn incoming freshmen and returning students about the dangers of sexual predators surfing the Internet, cyber bullying and harassment, Attorney Anne Milgram said yesterday.

MySpace threats lead to arrest - 08/27/08
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A
ID=/20080827/NEWS03/808270361/1062
Threats against a Captain Shreve High School senior that were posted on MySpace, a social networking Web site, led to an assault charge for a classmate.

Fifth suspect arrested over 'Islamic internet plot to kill Gordon Brown' - 08/27/08
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1049212/Fif
th-suspect-arrested-Islamic-internet-plot-kill-Gordon-B
rown.html
A fifth person has been arrested in connection with threats to kill the Prime Minister which were posted on an Islamic website.

Man arrested for posting Guns N' Roses songs on Web - 08/27/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080828/wr_nm/gunsnroses_d
c;_ylt=AoXwPIU3nQlfNDj3LnQtK0z6VbIF
Federal officials on Wednesday arrested a man on suspicion of violating copyright laws for placing songs on the Internet from an unreleased album by rock band Guns N' Roses.

Fury over web film of graffiti at Palace - 08/27/08
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/artic
le1611601.ece
AN internet clip in which a hoodie scrawls graffiti on Buckingham Palace was blasted by royal officials last night.

Herbal medicines sold online frequently contain 'dangerous levels of toxic metals' - 08/27/08
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23545241-de
tails/Herbal+medicines+sold+online+frequently+containa>+'dangerous+levels+of+toxic+metals'/article.do
Herbal medicines sold online frequently contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic and mercury, a study suggests.

Apple's 'misleading' iPhone advert banned - 08/27/08
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_
web/article4618214.ece
Apple has been forced to withdraw an advert for the original iPhone after its claims that the device could access “all parts of the internet” were deemed inaccurate.

PayPal Refunds $50 Defraud, Sics Collections On You - 08/27/08
http://consumerist.com/5041902/paypal-refunds-50-defra
ud-sics-collections-on-you
Last year, Gpotato.com fraudulently took $50 from reader Adam's Paypal account. He disputed the charge, Paypal agreed it was fraud and returned the funds, and Adam closed the account.

The Seven Deadliest Social Networking Hacks - 08/26/08
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=162226&
WT.svl=news2_1
Think you know who your real online friends are? You could be just a few hops away from a cybercriminal in today's social networks

Website selling fake sicknotes for £25 each being investigated - 08/26/08
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1049315/Web
site-selling-fake-sicknotes-25-investigated.html
The NHS fraud squad is investigating a website that sells fake NHS sicknotes for £25.

You really can't hide on Internet - 08/26/08
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AI
D=/20080826/OPINION01/808260324/1014/OPINION
Remember the old saying, "You can run, but you can't hide"? These days, there seems to be a lot of folks who think they can hide behind a cloak of Internet anonymity, who believe they can comment and hide without consequences.

Facebook summarily denies undeniable user-menacing security hole - 08/25/08
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/25/facebook_secur
ity_hole/
Facebook's hip new application platform contains a gaping hole that allows attackers to run malicious javascript on unsuspecting users' machines, a developer has demonstrated.

Just as an FYI to everyone in the service, there are men and women out and about that just want to say thank you to you. One of them is a gentleman named Roger Bintliff. Please see below for the newest press release as the military says thank you to Roger for his service.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,

VETERANS, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Headquarters, Maine National Guard

Camp Keyes, Augusta, Maine 04333-0033

August 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 Contact: Captain Shanon W. Cotta

Public Affairs Officer

Maine National Guard

(207) 626-4390

 

MEDIA INVITATION

Major General John W. Libby will be awarding the Patrick Henry Award to Roger

Bintliff, Director of Operation Recognition. The event will be held at the

Sheepscot Harbour Village & Resort in Edgecomb, Maine. The award ceremony

will begin at 12:00 p.m. on August 28, 2008.

Roger Bintliff founded Operation Recognition to honor Maine National Guard

service members and families who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operation Recognition, a non-profit organization, has selected over forty

military families to enjoy the Sheepscot Harbour Village & Resort in

Edgecomb, Maine and Wiscasset Raceway.

The Patrick Henry Award is designed to provide recognition to local officials

and civic leaders, who in a position of great responsibility distinguished

themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of

the United States.

 

"Patrick Henry Award Ceremony for Roger Bintliff"

12:00 p.m., August 28, 2008

Located at the Sheepscot Harbour Village & Resort

306 Eddy Road, Edgecomb, Maine

I CURRENTLY HAVE A OPEN CASE WITH E.E.O.C. FOR BEING DISABLED AND BEING OF BLACK RACE. I THOUGHT PEOPLE HAVE MOVED FORWARD, BUT IT DOES'NT FEEL THAT WAY. WHEN A COMPANY CAN PUT UP A NOOSE IN THE SHOP AND LEAVE IT THERE FOR US EMPLOYEES TO BE REMINDED EVERY DAY.A NOW BECAUSE OF THE COMPLANT THE COMPANY PUT UP ANOTHER ONE IN THE CUTTING YARD ON PURPUSE. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED WHO CAN HELP OR WHAT TO DO? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAGE.    COMPANY NAME STEEL STRUCTURES OF OHIO                                             /

WHO@ Newsletter

August 25, 2008

I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .To me it looks like a devil cat

Fame finds 4-eared feline thanks to Internet photo
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080823/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fo
ur_eared_cat;_ylt=AlxG_Y_7JbJMFEQJuH4G2TftiBIF

The owners of Yoda ­ a cat with four ears ­ could use a couple extra hands to answer their telephones.

Ted and Valerie Rock said they've been inundated with television offers and media inquiries since their son posted a photo of their smoke-colored cat on a Web site. That turned the four-eared feline from a suburban animal oddity into an instant Internet celebrity.

The Rocks, from the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, have fielded calls from "Good Morning America," "Fox News" and "The Tyra Banks Show." The cat's photo has graced the London Guardian and a British tabloid. The Daily Mail said if Batman had a cat, it would be Yoda.

"It's amazing," Ted Rock said. "For the past few days, our phone has just been ringing off the hook."

Yoda's extra ears give him a hint of a devilish appearance. The Rocks said they found him in 2006 while watching a Chicago Bears game at a Blue Island bar.

Some in the bar were passing the then-eight-week old kitten around, making fun of his extra set of ears, mocking his appearance and calling him names such as "Devil Cat" and "Beelzebub."

It wasn't quite love at first sight, but the Rocks felt sorry for the cat and offered to adopt the kitten from the bar's owner, who kept the animal caged atop the bar for his customers' amusement.

Visit WHOA on the web at http://www.haltabuse.org

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NEWS TO USE AND PASS ALONG!

(DISCLAIMER: The following news items were found on the web and were not written or endorsed by WHO@; they are for informational purposes only)

Hackers steal details of millions of Best Western hotel guests - 08/24/08
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2613095/Hackers
-steal-details-of-millions-of-Best-Western-hotel-guests
.html
Criminals have hacked into the online booking system of the world's largest hotel chain and stolen the personal data of up to eight million guests.

New NCG Report To Examine Cyberstalking - 08/23/08
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2008/08/23/cybersta
lking_repor/
A newscaster with a CBS affiliate in Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to him hacking into his co-anchor’s computer to read her e-mail.

2 charged with attempted extortion of NY executive - 08/22/08
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/AP/story/654112.ht
ml
Prosecutors say two men tried to shake down a top executive with the Blackstone Group for millions of dollars, threatening to destroy his career if he didn't pay.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office said Friday that Stuart Ross and Stuart Jackson tried to extort as much as $11 million from David Blitzer, the husband of Ross' estranged daughter and a senior managing director at the New York-based firm.

Police: Woman tries to kidnap 'virtual' ex - 08/22/08
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AI
D=/20080822/NEWS01/80822022
A North Carolina postal worker not ready to end her virtual romance with a Delaware man was arrested in Maryland after breaking into his Claymont apartment in an attempt to kidnap him.

Fired Philly TV anchor admits e-mail hacking - 08/22/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080822/ap_on_re_us/news_a
nchor_charged
A fired TV newscaster admitted in court Friday that he illegally hacked into his co-anchor's e-mail accounts and leaked private information about her to gossip columnists.

Beware: Internet, vehicles can be used as weapons - 08/22/08
http://www.miltoncanadianchampion.com/news/article/200
695
Although technically not weapons, both the Internet and a vehicle can be awfully dangerous in the wrong hands.

Psychological profiling on the Web - 08/21/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cnet/20080821/tc_cnet/83011009
31002274383;_ylt=Agsl50qspbt494_AMv_l60T6VbIF
Yesterday I ranted on Facebook about how annoyed I was with it. I've also had my share of emotional posts about various topics on Twitter. And I'm frequently opinionated in my blog postings on this site.

Scientists design shield to prevent deadly pacemaker hijack - 08/21/08
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/health/article-1047432/S
cientists-design-shield-prevent-deadly-pacemaker-hijack
.html
A 'cloaking' device that stops computer hackers maliciously hijacking pacemakers' radio signals could save lives, say scientists.

Car hire firm shares plummet £12m after ex-worker spreads malicious email under Bond-villain name - 08/21/08
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1047428/Car
-hire-firm-shares-plummet-12m-ex-worker-spreads-malicio
us-email-Bond-villain-name.html
A car hire firm has seen millions of pounds were wiped from its stock market value in the wake of a malicious email sent to hundreds of important contacts.

Thousands are left out of pocket and out of luck after festival ticket ‘scam’ - 08/21/08
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_en
tertainment/music/festivals/article4576827.ece
Thousands of music fans have been left angry and out of pocket this week after a suspected scam operator failed to supply tickets for three of Britain’s biggest festivals.

Google claims right to post photos from private land - 08/21/08
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080821/NEWS/106
44/0/news07
Don’t expect privacy in your front yard, even if your house is located one mile down a private, dirt road.
In a sweeping legal claim, Google recently stated it has the right to enter private roads and driveways to take photographs of people and their property, and then publish the images online.

Nelson Mandela's name hijacked in internet fraud - 08/21/08
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandind
ianocean/nigeria/2592034/Nelson-Mandelas-name-hijacked-
in-internet-fraud.html
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said it wanted to warn the public about the scheme, which appears to be a variation on the "advance fee" or "419" frauds which originated in Nigeria.

No plea yet in e-mail threat case - 08/20/08
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700252337,00.htm
l
A man who is charged with taking out his frustrations with the government by sending threatening e-mails to state leaders will wait a few more weeks before entering a plea.

Malicious Flash ads attack, spread via clipboard - 08/20/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cnet/20080821/tc_cnet/83011009
31002171583;_ylt=Av7Qhc91lCYKGxJ8g5YCRdn6VbIF
A new type of Internet-based attack is spreading in which Flash-based ads seize control of a Web surfer's clipboard and paste in a link to a malicious site in the hopes that it will be spread from there into e-mails, blogs, and instant messages.

Some eBay sellers frustrated with rule changes - 08/20/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080820/ap_on_hi_te/ebay_f
ees;_ylt=AiZmgpCxE64zwIKswJ0qLyr6VbIF
Some people who sell things on eBay are fed up with new rules the company has been imposing in hopes of making the auction site more attractive to online shoppers. Now even more changes are coming in the next few weeks, but this time eBay Inc. hopes it can cool tempers.

Two murders, suicide end a love triangle - 08/20/08
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/27179084.html?e
lr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQL
anchO7DiUs
A Zimmerman, Minn., man shot and killed his wife and another man before taking his own life, apparently angered over their relationship that began when they met through an online swinger's club.

Wabash man pleads guilty to harassment - 08/20/08
http://www.wabashplaindealer.com/articles/2008/08/21/l
ocal_news/local1.txt
Ryan Brown, 23, Wabash, faces a maximum jail time of 180 days in jail plus fine at sentencing in Wabash Superior Court on Sept. 17.
At that prospect, Cindy Flanagan spoke for herself and daughters Haley Flanagan and Emily Jones: "We just want to throw up." They were speaking to this reporter, just outside the Judicial Center.

Germany outraged by data theft scandal - 08/20/08
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germa
ny/2591783/Germany-outraged-by-data-theft-scandal.html<
/a>
German politicians are being urged to tighten data protection laws after a state privacy watchdog said information on the entire German population was available and being traded online.

Australian Olympics gymnastics judge target of hate mail, online abuse - 08/20/08
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/beijing_olympics/stor
y/0,27313,24216995-5016752,00.html
HATE mail and abusive online postings have been directed toward an Australian gymnastics judge at the centre of a Olympic medal tie between the United States and China, Australian gymnastics expert Liz Chetkovich says.

Family urging lawmakers to enact cyber-stalking laws - 08/20/08
http://www.wabashplaindealer.com/articles/2008/08/21/l
ocal_news/local2.txt
Emily Jones received a startling call from her pastor in March.
The pastor, who was taking a new position out of state, was adding members of his congregation to his Facebook account to keep in touch with after the move. He found a Facebook page - an Internet socializing network - that purportedly belonged to Jones.

Prison for eBay hair tong thief - 08/20/08
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_
and_east/7572248.stm
A hairdresser has been jailed after stealing almost 1,000 sets of hair straighteners to sell on eBay.

TV journalist fired after ad reported - 08/20/08
http://www.lvrj.com/news/27170089.html
KTNV-TV, Channel 13, reporter, Jeff Gradney has been fired after he and his girlfriend were accused of soliciting male partners on the Internet.

Bigfoot Hoax Could Get Cop Fired - 08/20/08
http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/080820-ap-bigfo
ot-hoax.html
Turns out Bigfoot was just a rubber suit. Two researchers on a quest to prove the existence of Bigfoot say that the carcass encased in a block of ice ­ handed over to them for an undisclosed sum by two men who claimed to have found it ­ was slowly thawed out, and discovered to be a rubber gorilla outfit.

Cops: Beware online classified flim-flams - 08/19/08
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/n
ews/1219170051189800.xml&coll=6
Three recent arrests in western Washington County underscore the need for users of online classified Web sites to be vigilant about the transactions they accept, whether as buyer or seller.

British 'cyber groomer' jailed for recruiting UK's youngest terrorist - 08/19/08
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23541687-de
tails/British+'cyber+groomer'+jailed+for+recruiting
+UK's+youngest+terrorist/article.do
A British cyber groomer was jailed for 12 years today after recruiting the country's youngest terrorist to a "worldwide" holy war against non-Muslims.

The Guerrette  Healing Spaces Project is under way.  Already, we have received generous donations from Portland Matress Makers, JC Penny at the Maine Mall, Budget Blinds, and the Sherwin Williams Company.  We have secured a volunteer carpenter and have had very possitive response from those we have approached.  To all of you I say thank you.  The more I get to know little Nikki, the more impressed I am that she remains so positive even after all she has been through and still must go through.  Her Mom says she actually giggles when she talks about her new space that we are designing for her.  The magic has begun.  In order for it to continue, we need your help.  If you can make any cotribution please do so.  When you see this young lady's smile and the twinkle in her eye, because of what you have helped make happen it is well worth it. 

Spread some good ju ju, where ever you go!

Kat Powers   

For some unknown reason we are forced to pay more than the rest of you. I recently traveled to Bar Harbor to play golf and found gas prices to be considerably less than Franklin county.

There was a time when tourist areas had to pay premium prices but that wasn't the case at all. Beginning my journey last weekend, from Norridgewock to Bar Harbor, I observed prices that were as much as 15-20 cents less a gallon than the Farmington area.

I wish somebody could explain to me why that could happen!

Don't get me wrong, I love the area I live in. Crime is low, streets are safe , no traffic jams, real estate is still reasonable and taxes, from what I've observed,  are a bargain ( I don't want say that too loud).

If we could just have a competive fuel market like the rest of you, life up here in Franklin county would be heaven.

WHOA Newsletter

August 18, 2008

I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .I'd hate to be the ad agency who did this

Sweet Home Alabama...England?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080814/od_nm/birmingham_d
c;_ylt=AnweiBKBBcydSzrKUYuK5lXtiBIF

Council chiefs in Birmingham were left red-faced when they mistakenly used a picture of their U.S. namesake in Alabama on thousands of official leaflets.

Pamphlets about recycling in the West Midlands bore an image showing the skyline of the city in the Deep South.

Under the headline "Thank You Birmingham!," the picture showed office blocks in the U.S. city, rather than its own distinctive Rotunda tower and the curvy Selfridges store.

The council said it had made a mistake, but had no plans to recall the leaflets.

"We accept that the wrong photo was used but the text and detail contained in the leaflet is wholly correct which is the most important message as we strive to further improve our green credentials," the council said Thursday.

Visit WHOA on the web at http://www.haltabuse.org

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NEWS TO USE AND PASS ALONG!

(DISCLAIMER: The following news items were found on the web and were not written or endorsed by WHO@; they are for informational purposes only)

UK pedophile was "librarian" for global abuse ring - 08/18/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080818/wr_nm/britain_paed
ophile_dc;_ylt=AnFlEUt2caFO6hqSMOG7_qf6VbIF
A pedophile who acted as a "librarian" for a global Internet child abuse ring was jailed on Monday after one of the biggest undercover police investigations into online abuse in Britain.

Asian Countries Look to Bolster Cyber Defenses - 08/18/08
http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/article.aspx?id=257
6
Reports last week that Georgia was hit by a coordinated cyber attack that compromised government Web sites offered a reminder of the additional front governments must protect when diplomatic or military hostilities break out between nations.

Play It Safe: Hackers use the back door to get into your computer; a strong, well-chosen password is your front-door lock - 08/18/08
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/aug/18/play-it
-safe-hackers-use-the-back-door-to-get-into/living/

Password security is a big deal, and if you don't think it is, then someone might be hacking into your computer even as you read this.

Murdered couple in 'scam' probe - 08/15/08
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/756158
9.stm
A Chinese couple murdered in Newcastle may have been involved in a range of internet scams, including betting and providing false visas, police said.

MySpace Deletes 146 Nebraska Sex Offender Profiles from Site - 08/15/08
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8848456&nav=
menu605_1
Attorney General Jon Bruning announced today that social networking site MySpace deleted 146 profiles belonging to approximately 112 registered Nebraska sex offenders. The company removed the profiles during the first half of 2008.

The Legal Perils of Social Networking - 08/15/08
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/web20/64171.html?we
lcome=1219074564
There's something about the Web that makes some people just want to let it all out, compelling them to type things they'd hesitate to speak out loud. However, words on the Web can sometimes have real impact in the office -- and in the courtroom. Web or no Web, talking trash about your employer can get you fired, libeling others can get you sued, and some lies are far from harmless.

Yahoo's Fire Eagle Draws Fire from Privacy Advocates - 08/14/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080814/tc_nf/61345;_ylt=A
v.IG_F5KBeAjtJmOQHEMMv6VbIF
Yahoo's recently launched Fire Eagle has privacy advocates burning up about the new open platform that allows users to show their location on the Web and also allows developers access to users' locations.

Indiana man arrested for cyber-stalking to women - 08/14/08
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/26932289.htmla>
Police in Wabash arrested a man for cyber-stalking two sisters -- one of them underage -- and using their identities for sex for two years before he was discovered.

Brain surgeon's identity stolen for Facebook slur on gold medallist - 08/14/08
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-2353243
6-details/Brain+surgeon's+identity+stolen+for+Faceb
ook+slur+on+gold+medallist/article.do
Britain's leading female brain surgeon told today how she had her identity stolen on Facebook.
Fraudsters opened an entry under the name of Helen Fernandes, a consultant neurosurgeon at one of the country's top hospitals.

French Jewish group to sue YouTube - 08/14/08
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?
id=d912ced1-ec7a-43d6-813d-02588a086577
A French Jewish group said Thursday it is suing the YouTube video-sharing website over a clip showing a host of Jewish public figures to the soundtrack of a pre-war anti-Semitic song.

Hunters claim to have nabbed Bigfoot, Internet goes nuts - 08/14/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cnet/20080814/tc_cnet/83011357
731001710236;_ylt=Ak0Fukp5iWsgkHex.za9rqn6VbIF
A couple of hunters in northern Georgia (the state, not the country) claim to have found a carcass of the legendary creature known as Bigfoot (or Sasquatch, if you prefer).

Bloggers enraged over "pretty face" fakery - 08/13/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080813/wr_nm/olympics_cer
emony_criticism_dc;_ylt=AnsnWqu8hUS4EMHHy8vFnOf6VbIF>
Bloggers were up in arms on Wednesday over China's decision at the Olympic opening ceremony to have a pretty little girl lip-synching for the real singer who had crooked teeth.

Buy evidence of my husband's adultery on eBay - 08/13/08
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080813/wr_nm/adultery_kni
ckers_dc;_ylt=AtHXjwrn043LmhmBrxV_TCL6VbIF
An Australian woman has taken revenge on her cheating husband by putting a photograph of his lover's underpants up for sale on the auction site eBay.

Google Sees Massive Spam Spike - 08/12/08
http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/37649
41/Google+Sees+Massive+Spam+Spike.htm
Spam is once again on the rise, and this time it's apparently being fueled by spam vendors that can't scale. That's the accusation being leveled by Google, which today revealed some surprising new spam figures.

EPA on HOW TO CLEAN UP A NEW LIGHTBULB.

Humans use mercury in a variety of manufacturing processes and products such as thermometers and fluorescent bulbs. If you improperly dispose of products with mercury in them, they may break and release mercury vapors which are harmful to human and ecological health.

• Dispose of used mercury-containing items properly.
• Clean up mercury spills properly and report them to the proper authorities when necessary.

---

Spills What Never to Do with a Mercury Spill

• Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury (but see the "What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks" section below for more specific instructions about vacuuming broken fluorescent light bulbs). The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure.

• Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.

• Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.

• Never wash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact with mercury in a washing machine, because mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage. Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded. By "direct contact," we mean that mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the clothing. For example:
  • if you broke a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came in contact with your clothing, or
  • if you broke a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) so that broken glass and other material from the bulb, including mercury-containing powder, came into contact with your clothing.

  You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, like the clothing you happened to be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.

• Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.

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What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are lighting more homes than ever before, and EPA is encouraging Americans to use and recycle them safely. Carefully recycling CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights.

EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and businesses. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection released a CFL breakage study report on February 25, 2008. EPA has conducted an initial review of this study and, as a result of this review, we have updated the CFL cleanup instructions below.

Pending the completion of a full review of the Maine study, EPA will determine whether additional changes to the cleanup recommendations are warranted. The agency plans to conduct its own study on CFLs after thorough review of the Maine study.

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal below. Please also read the information on this page about what never to do with a mercury spill. Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
• You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
• Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

• Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out. Make sure all pets are removed from the area. Open all windows and doors to the outside; shut all doors to other parts of the house.

• DO NOT allow children to help you clean up the spill.

• Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile and any similarly smooth surfaces.

• If a spill occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other absorbent surfaces, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the disposal means outlined below. Only cut and remove the affected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.

• Cleanup Instructions

  1. Put on rubber, nitrile or latex gloves.

  2. If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip lock bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  3. Locate visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Take a flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room when "searching."

  4. Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  5. After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively, use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

  6. OPTIONAL STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury. Where to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use.

  7. If you choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.

  8. Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

  9. Remember to keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately. View information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. For additional information on health effects, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides a Mercury Fact Sheet that also presents information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury.

  Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women in the house, seek additional advice from your local or state health or state environmental agency.

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  Spills of More than the Amount in a Thermometer, but Less Than or Similar to Two Tablespoons (One Pound) Cleanup Instructions

  1. Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out.
  2. Open all windows and doors to the outside.
  3. Turn down the temperature.
  4. Shut all doors to other parts of the house, and leave the area.
  Don't vacuum.
  5. Call your local or state health or environmental agency.

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  Spills of More than Two Tablespoons (One Pound)

  Any time one pound or more of mercury is released to the environment, it is mandatory to call the National Resp