Pope Springs Eternal: Begs forgiveness, promises action on abuse
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view.bg?articleid=1260882&srvc=rss
During a Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict XVI begged forgiveness from clerical abuse victims and promised to "do everything possible" to ensure priests don't rape and molest children ever again. This mass marks the end of the "Vatican's Year of the Priest," a yearlong celebration of the priesthood, which is supposed to be a joyous occasion. The celebration has been blighted by continuous allegations of abuse. We're having a hard time believing the Pope since the same has been said before with the same results - elaborate cover-ups to protect the interests of adult men instead of children. Is that Sunshine Anderson we hear singing in the background?
Getting Down and Dirty: Taliban using HIV bombs
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/3005443/Taliban-using-HIV-bombs.html
It is being reported that the Taliban is burying dirty needles with their bombs in an attempt to infect British troops with HIV. Taliban fighters are hiding hypodermic needles below the surface pointing upwards to prick bomb squad experts as they hunt for devices. The needles (and razors) are also part of the bombs and act like shrapnel when a bomb explodes. We've heard the saying that all is fair in love and war, but this is ridiculous.
Poetic Injustice: Arlington Cemetery scandals prompt dismissals
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37612199/ns/us_news-life/?gt1=43001
Speaking of abuse and war, 211 graves at Arlington Cemetery were improperly marked. In some cases, bodies were buried in the wrong graves. In one instance, a soldier was buried on top of another soldier. Four urns were also dumped indiscriminately. Two top administrators have been disciplined because of the dust-up, Pentagon officials have reported. Army Secretary John McHugh announced that Arlington National's superintendent, John Metzler, would be relieved of his duties and that his deputy, Thurman Higginbotham, would be placed on immediate administrative leave, pending further investigation. Higginbotham is also alleged to have hacked into his co-workers computer. The graves and bodies affected are those of soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Way to honor soldiers who gave their lives in a war based on false information. Shaking our heads over at the Root.
Total Recall: Chocolate Toddler 'Formula' Pulled After Sugar Uproar
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diabetes/mead-johnson-drops-chocolate-flavored-emfagrow-parent-uproar/story?id=10876301
Parents are ticked off that a line of designer toddler drinks consists mainly of milk and sugar. Mead Johnson's Enfagrow Premium contains more than 25 additives to boost growth, brain development and immunity for the kids. Some parents and nutritionists say that the added sugar for flavoring may contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic. Amid growing concerns, Mead Johnson dropped its chocolate-flavored product, which is seen as the worst offender because it has 19 grams of sugar per serving. We're not nutritionists, but why would any parent be giving any child under the age of 1, which is the target group for this product, anything with the word "chocolate" in it? And buying designer formula? Perhaps the parents that bought this product should actually be mad at themselves as opposed to Mead Johnson.
Bachelorette Crisis: Hoping for a husband, Ohio woman calls 911 — five times
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/06/09/ohio-woman-calls-911-seeking-husband.html?sid=101
Apparently one too many drinks coupled with one too many episodes of The Bachelorette sent Audrey Scott, 57, over the edge. Scott called 911 five times pleading for a husband, even after being warned to stop abusing the system. Scott was convicted of improper use of the 911 System and was sentenced to three days in jail. We'd also like to recommend some couch time with Dr. Robin L. Smith and to back away from Steve Harvey's manifesto on getting a man. On another note, we'd like to share the memo on drunk dialing with Ms. Scott. When drinking, never call ex-boyfriends, ex-husbands, ex-haters or 911. Laughing hysterically over here at the Root.