tagged w/ Gangs
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Sometime you read a story and it takes a lot of re-reading and double checking before you can bring yourself to accept it truly is legitimate. This is one of those stories.
The seventh circuit of the United States Court of Appeals has just published a ruling on a case heard last September. Let us peruse the opening line and consider whether this may be the greatest legal ruling in history:
After concluding that the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons (“D&D”) represented a threat to prison security, officials at Wisconsin’s Waupun Correctional Institution took action to eradicate D&D within the prison’s wall.
Yes, you read that right. This is a ruling on whether or not prison officials were justified in confiscating D&D material. It wasn’t a case of officials being concerned that multi-faceted dice could be fashioned into weapons (only “twenty-one books, fourteen magazines” and handwritten notes were confiscated), but an even more serious matter:
Waupun’s long-serving Disruptive Group Coordinator, Captain Bruce Muraski, received an anonymous letter from an inmate. The letter expressed concern that Singer and three other inmates were forming a D&D gang and were trying to recruit others to join by passing around their D&D publications and touting the “rush” they got from playing the game.
The prisoner concerned, Kevin Singer, complained the confiscation was a violation of first amendment rights. He then, in the words of the court, sought “a panoply of relief”, which sadly turned out not to be a D&D spell.
Singer maintains that rather than D&D playing encouraging gang activity, it actually deters prisoners from joining gangs.
After losing the case, Singer took it to appeal. There, an expert on prison gangs argued not only that having a Dungeon Master issue direction to other players “mimics the organization of a gang”, but that the game encourages players to become obsessed with mentally escaping the restrictions of prison life, which could threaten “the safety and security of the institution.”
Although Singer produced witness testimony from 11 other inmates who said they had never heard of D&D leading to gang-related activity, the judges at the appeal ruled this was irrelevant: all that mattered was that it was reasonable for the prison officials to believe it might do so in the future.
And what is the evidence for this argument? Well, in a 2009 case, a prison gang leader “established and enforced rules.” You know, just like in D&D. And hell, there’s even a risk of “D&D players looking to Dungeon Masters, rather than to the prison’s own carefully constructed hierarchy of authority, for guidance and dispute resolution.”
In any case, the judges noted, the prison wasn’t banning all books or games. After all, in a 2005 case when some games were banned, ” strategy games like Risk, Stratego, chess, and checkers remained available to prisoners.”
In conclusion, the judges pointed out that Singer had failed in his duty to prove conclusively that D&D could not lead to gang activity. (Which may be because even the most creative role-player can’t prove a future negative.)
The court therefore rejected the appeal.
http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2011/01/25/dungeons-dragons-a-threat-to-prison-security/Sometime you read a story and it takes a lot of re-reading and double checking before... more
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"Freeway" Ricky Ross, a former US street legend, who as a drug dealer was once responsible for flooding California's streets with most of its hard drugs, spoke with RT about his activism against drugs. After making up to US$2 million a day and then spending 20 years in prison, Ross started from scratch and is now trying to make a difference by keeping kids from following into his footsteps.
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From NWA to Jay-Z, all these rappers are Illuminati puppets; Pawns in the Game. Remember "The Message" or the "Self-Destruction" single? Can't have positive music uplifting the black community, so they send in their actors to push drugs, pimpin and the gangster lifestyle through the music to aid in the destruction of the hood. Don't forget the blaxploitation films of the 70s...all Hollywood.!
"Freeway" Ricky Ross, a former US street legend, who as a drug dealer... more
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Oak Street Shooting in Vancouver.
Vancouver Police continue to investigate shoot out on the 3800 Block of Oak Street in Vancouver, BCOak Street Shooting in Vancouver.
Vancouver Police continue to investigate shoot out... more
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California's Long Beach Poly High School has sent more players to the NFL than any high school in America--prompting Sports Illustrated Magazine to name it "Sports School of the Century." For Poly players, football is a way out of a neighborhood struggling with poverty, drugs and gangs. But 2009 was a down year: Poly lost its first league game in 15 years and fell to crosstown rival Lakewood for the first time since 1982. Can head coach Raul Lara drive his team back to the top in 2010? His players' dreams for a better future are riding on it.
"4th and Forever," a new docu-series from Current TV, premieres May 26, 2011 at 10/9c.
Current TV is an award-winning media company committed to exploring the world's most important, interesting and entertaining stories. With a fully integrated television and online platform, Current connects its audience with what's going on in their world through its blend of bold and unique original and acquired productions. Current is available in the U.S., U.K., Italy and Ireland in 70 million households through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107 nationwide); Time Warner (nationwide); DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon; AT&T; BSkyB (Channel 183); Virgin Media (Channel 155) and Sky Italia (Channel 130).
More information is available in our press section: http://current.com/s/news.htmCalifornia's Long Beach Poly High School has sent more players to the NFL than... more
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Remix-to-Rio is a Documentary about young people making a difference. The film follows a group of young people from Toronto, Canada to Rio De Janeiro where they team up with several ex-gang members and work together on a project aimed at improving life in a notoriously violent neighborhood. In the process their own lives are changed.
The film has played Film Fests across the US, Canada and into Asia. It has won 3 Best Documentary Awards.
The filmmakers have decided to share the film for FREE on-line.
Please watch and please tell your friends.
www.remixtorio.comRemix-to-Rio is a Documentary about young people making a difference. The film... more
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Raw RCMP Video: Speeding Hells Angels Followed by Air 1
RCMP surveillance video shows full patch Hells Angels driving erratically and reaching speeds of 150km per hour followed by Air 1.Raw RCMP Video: Speeding Hells Angels Followed by Air 1
RCMP surveillance video shows... more
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An Iranian gang who tried to sell young female virgins to wealthy Arabs charging up to £150,000 a girl, was jailed for sex trafficking and prostitution today.An Iranian gang who tried to sell young female virgins to wealthy Arabs charging up to... more
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Police Gang Force Task Force video of an area in Prince George known for extensive drug trafficking and gang activity including shootings and murders.Police Gang Force Task Force video of an area in Prince George known for extensive... more
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Exclusive: Gang Drug War in Prince George
Metro Vancouver gangsters including Hells Angels moved north to cash in on a growing market for illegal drugs in Prince George, and triggered a bloody gang war. Kim Bolan accompanied the Gang Task Force in Prince George last weekend.Exclusive: Gang Drug War in Prince George
Metro Vancouver gangsters including Hells... more
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Says Many Gang Members Were Coming After His Family.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBS 2) — He was arrested for protecting his property and family.
But it’s how the Long Island man did it that police say crossed the line.
He got a high powered AK-47 and pulled the trigger and he ended up in jail, reports CBS 2’s Pablo Guzman.
George Grier said he had to use his rifle on Sunday night to stop what he thought was going to be an invasion of his Uniondale home by a gang he thought might have been the vicious “MS-13.” He said the whole deal happened as he was about to drive his cousin home.
“I went around and went into the house, ran upstairs and told my wife to call the police. I get the gun and I go outside and I come into the doorway and now, by this time, they are in the driveway, back here near the house. I tell them, you know, ‘Can you please leave?’ Grier said.
Grier said the five men dared him to use the gun; and that their shouts brought another larger group of gang members in front of his house.
“He starts threatening my family, my life. ‘Oh you’re dead. I’m gonna kill your family and your babies. You’re dead.’ So when he says that, 20 others guys come rushing around the corner.Says Many Gang Members Were Coming After His Family.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBS 2) —... more
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This is a documentary about the largest street gang in America....this gang makes all the other gangs look like child's play.
WARNING: DOCUMENTARY CONTAINS DISTURBING IMAGES THAT MAY CAUSE YOUR BLOOD TO BOIL AND YOUR HEART TO RACE...CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN IF YOU HAVE A HEART CONDITION OR LIVE COWERING IN FEAR.This is a documentary about the largest street gang in America....this gang makes all... more
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jubal
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added this
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1 year ago
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Staff-Sgt. Dave Goddard, from the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch, explains the legal consequences of growing and trafficking opium and its derivatives.Staff-Sgt. Dave Goddard, from the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch, explains the... more
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Chilliwack RCMP have arrested two men found tending a seven-acre poppy field containing an estimated 60,000 opium poppy plants.Chilliwack RCMP have arrested two men found tending a seven-acre poppy field... more
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Police say a teenager has been shot to death in a fight between rival gangs at a gay pride festival in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, the Associated Press reports.
The teenager was reportedly shot as gangs got into a fight at the beginning of the parade, which was attended by nearly 70,000 people.
The 17 people detained include the suspect in the shooting, police report.Police say a teenager has been shot to death in a fight between rival gangs at a gay... more
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A high-profile member of the Hells Angels is believed to be dead after being shot several times at his Vancouver home this morning.A high-profile member of the Hells Angels is believed to be dead after being shot... more
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--- Many of these have been posted,...but some of these placards seem fresh and the pics are good-
--a couple of videos and 12 pictures of some of the funny signs, including “Have you seen my keys?”, “Odin is God”, “Is this thing on?”, and (my personal favorite) a cardboard sign with an arrow pointed at the Westboro taintbadgers that simply said, “DERP“.
Link-
http://gammasquad.uproxx.com/2010/07/the-best-counterprotest-signs-at-comic-con--- Many of these have been posted,...but some of these placards seem fresh and the... more
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Publisher's Note: We are now receiving numerous conflicting reports regarding the veracity of this article. Numerous sources on the web (found via Google search) are picking up on this report, just as we did at The Cypress Times. The original writer for this article stands by his sources. If you wish to inquire about the sources, please visit the original story source URL listed in the article body below. I can tell you that as of now The Cypress Times has been unable to confirm the story. - John G. Winder, Publisher - The Cypress Times.
by Digger - republished with permission from DiggersRealm
UPDATE: Story is now 100% confirmed by second source within the Laredo Police Department
The bloodbath continues along our southern border and now word is coming in that Los Zetas, the highly trained killers formerly with the Gulf Cartel, have crossed into the United States and taken over at least two ranches in the Laredo, Texas area. I am receiving word that the owners of the ranches have evacuated without being harmed.
Founder of the San Diego Minutemen Jeff Schwilk tipped me off to this story and passes along the following information on the location. The ranches are said to be "near Mines Rd. and Minerales Annex Rd about 10 miles NW of I-35".
Update - Statement from Mr. Schwilk)
I can personally vouch that this info came in late last night from a reliable police source inside the Laredo PD. There is currently a standoff between the unknown size Zeta forces and U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement on two ranches on our side of the Rio Grande. The source tells us he considers this an "act of war" and that the military is needed on the border now!
Whether it is lone members or squads is not certain.
Anonymous sources in law enforcement in the Laredo area tonight have passed on word that US law enforcement agencies are in the area and are weighing their options regarding the ranches. The media has been silent on this incident and some law enforcement in the area says that they are furious that the media is not reporting the whole story of the continued violence along the border. Their frustrations are understandable because keeping the truth suppressed continues to hamper law enforcement from receiving the true support they need along the border.
The ranch assaults come on the heels of attacks in Nuevo Laredo that shut the city down as a gun-battle raged in the streets. Los Zetas blocked off intersections with vehicles and used fragmentation grenades to attack Mexican law enforcement. In the end 12 were killed and 21 injured in the assaults. Citizens in the area were told to stay in their homes and bullets whizzed all around.
Cypress Times
The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo had posted warnings on its website hours before the gunfire was reported by Texas citizens, “We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics-trafficking organizations and the Mexican army in Nuevo Laredo.”
The U.S. Consulate went on to say, “The consulate confirmed that fragmentation grenades were used in the attacks and that suspected drug-gang members had blocked several roads, adding that it advised ‘all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves.’”
US Citizens in Laredo called 911 after hearing gunfire and explosions just across the border. Laredo police spokesman Joe Baeza deflected the concerns of citizens with what I see as utter contempt. He said there was no spillover violence onto the US side and "We were getting reports from people who live on the river's edge that they could hear gunfire and explosions from the Mexico side," Baeza said, "We didn't have any incidents on the American side. It's hard for people to understand who don't live here ... They're not Vikings, they're not going to invade us, it doesn't work that way."
This was said just a day before the reported breaking news on the ranches being taken above.
Violence has been on the rise along the border. In April 2010 a Border Patrol agent in Laredo shot and killed an lllegal alien drug smuggler near the Rio Grande
The Los Zetas are highly trained killers initially trained by United States Special Operations forces to combat the drug cartes within Mexico. As the drug war heated up the Zetas saw more money in working for the cartels and joined up with the Gulf Cartel.
In March, 2010 there was a fracture between the Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel when a Zetas leader was said to have been assassinated by the Gulf Cartel. They demanded that the killer be turned over to them. When the Gulf Cartel refused the Zetas captured 16 Gulf Cartel members.
Since March Los Zetas abandoned their stronghold in Reynosa and moved to Nuevo Laredo, just across from the border with Laredo, Texas. There are estimated to be over 1,000 Zeta members there.
Additional Sources: Houston Chronicle, Borderland Beat
Visit DiggersRealm.com for more info.
Additional Source Reporting on Laredo Siege -
AllVoices.com reports the following -
In what could be deemed an act of war against the sovereign borders of the United States, Mexican drug cartels have seized control of at least two American ranches inside the U.S. territory near Laredo, Texas.
Two sources inside the Laredo Police Department confirmed the incident is unfolding and they would continue to coordinate with U.S. Border Patrol today. “We consider this an act of war,” said one police officer on the ground near the scene. There is a news blackout of this incident at this time and the sources inside Laredo PD spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Word broke late last night that Laredo police have requested help from the federal government regarding the incursion by the Los Zetas. It appears that the ranch owners have escaped without incident but their ranches remain in the hands of the blood thirsty cartels.
Laredo Border Patrol is conducting aerial surveillance over the ranches to determine the best way to regain control of the U.S. ranches, according to the Laredo Police department.Publisher's Note: We are now receiving numerous conflicting reports regarding... more
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“Fear/Love” is a new short film directed by the veteran English street artist and urban videographer Rob Chiu. The film was made in collaboration with an urban youth program called the I Care Revolution, which encompasses a multitude of talented artists working together to empower young people to make a difference in the lives of others.
Set against the harsh backdrop of inner city London, “Fear/Love” interweaves the lives of three adolescents who never really meet each other, but whose actions intersect and interpenetrate as they struggle with who they are, who they want to be and who they are becoming. Their lives enact the central quest for the ever-evasive heuristic sense of identity, whether that means not knowing your identity, being ashamed of who you are, trying to become someone else or looking for acceptance.
Their intertwining journeys take them down paths mixing visions of potential identity with yearnings for love, wishes for intimacy that are inevitably thwarted by their fears of others. Ultimately, decadent overindulgence gives rise to self-destructive acts, leading up to a horrible event.
This piece includes colorful high-resolution photographs, as well as the remarkable and timely short film.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/fearlove-a-tale-of-identity-fear-and-self-destruction/“Fear/Love” is a new short film directed by the veteran English street... more
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Joe Becker is a middle school teacher & hip hop artist at an inner city school on Chicago's south side. With an epidemic of murders going on in the streets and a 50% chance of youths not graduating from high school, there seems to be little hope. But Joe is trying to reach these kids and in doing so using his hip hop songs to help steer these kids away from a life of crime. Produced by David TurveyJoe Becker is a middle school teacher & hip hop artist at an inner city school on... more
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