http://www.soapchat.net/ Discuss the latest news headline. This is not for political discussion. en Fri, 24 May 2013 15:37:18 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.soapchat.net/images/styles/Movara/misc/rss.png http://www.soapchat.net/ http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217653-Complaint-Accuses-Exxon-Mobil-of-Anti-Gay-Bias&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 23:53:45 GMT I thought this was really fascinating. I'm betting this approach is going to be used a lot from now on.

Complaint Accuses Exxon Mobil of Anti-Gay Bias
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — One after another, major U.S. corporations have updated anti-discrimination policies to protect gay, lesbian and transgender workers, drawing plaudits from gay-rights groups. There's one prominent exception: Exxon Mobil Corp.

The complaint, filed with the state's Department of Human Rights, says Exxon was sent two nearly identical resumes for a job opening at its office in Patoka, Ill. The only substantive differences were that one of the fictional applicants was clearly depicted as a gay-rights activist, and had higher college and high-school grades than the other applicant.

According to the complaint, Exxon's human resources office at its home base in Texas confirmed receipt of both applications, then made several efforts to contact the applicant with the lower grades to set up an interview. The applicant who indicated she was gay received no such follow-ups.

Rest of the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013...anted=all&_r=0 ]]> Headline News ronald mascot http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217653-Complaint-Accuses-Exxon-Mobil-of-Anti-Gay-Bias http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217652-Brit-Soldier-Beheaded-on-London-street&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:30 GMT

Home Secretary Theresa May has chaired an hour-long meeting of the Government's emergency committee 'COBRA' in relation to what she called a "sickening and barbaric" incident.

Security has since been tightened at Woolwich barracks and increased at all London barracks, confirmed the Prime Minister's press office.

David Cameron described the events as "truly shocking" and is planning to return from a summit with French President Francois Hollande in Paris tonight.

Speaking in the French capital, Mr Cameron claimed there were strong indications the "sickening crime" was a terror attack.

He added: "We've had these sorts of attacks before in our country and we never buckle in the face of them.

"We show indomitable British spirit. The terrorists never win because they cannot defeat the values we hold dear."


Footage from ITV News showed a man with bloodied hands and carrying knives making political statements into a camera in Woolwich.

He said: "I apologise that women had to witness this today, but in our lands our women have to see the same.

"You people will never be safe, remove your governments they don't care about you."

He was then shown walking back to what is thought to be the victim of the attack, lying in the street.

ITV also reported that he added: "We swear by almighty Allah, that we will never stop fighting you. Until you leave us alone, your people will never be safe."

"The only reason we have done this is because Muslims are dying by British soldiers every day. This British soldier is an eye-for-eye, a tooth-for-a-tooth."

The Muslim Council of Britain condemned the "truly barbaric act that has no basis in Islam."

A statement added: "Our thoughts are with the victim and his family.

"We understand the victim is a serving member of the Armed Forces. Muslims have long served in this country's Armed Forces, proudly and with honour.

"This attack on a member of the Armed Forces is dishonourable, and no cause justifies this murder. This action will no doubt heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom.

"We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail."

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Letchford, Newham's Borough Commander, said: "At approximately 2.20pm we were called to reports of an assault in John Wilson Street, Woolwich where one man was being assaulted by two other men.

"A number of weapons were reportedly being used in the attack, and this included reports of a firearm.

"Officers including local Greenwich officers arrived at the scene and shortly after firearms officers arrived on the scene.

"On their arrival at the scene they found a man, who was later pronounced dead. At this early stage I am unable to provide any further information about the man who has died.

"Two men, who we believe from early reports to have been carrying weapons, were shot by police. They were taken to separate London hospitals, they are receiving treatment for their injuries.

He added that "there will continue to be an increased police presence" in the area and surrounding areas for "as long as is needed."

One apparent witness, Twitter user @BoyaDee, claimed he saw a man "with his head chopped off".
He wrote: "Ohhhhh myyyy God!!!! I just see a man with his head chopped off right in front of my eyes!"

An eyewitness called James told LBC radio he saw two men "hacking at this poor guy" and that he "clearly saw a meat cleaver".

He said one of the men "went over to a bus to get people to take photos of him."

He added that one of the men later "charged at the police response vehicle" when it arrived, before claiming "shots were fired".

Further reports suggest a man wearing a Help for Heroes t-shirt was attacked with a machete-style knife and dumped in the street.

Local MP Nick Raynsford claimed one of the men who died is believed to have been a serving solider.

He said: "We think a serving soldier was the victim. We don't know the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"We do know a number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently."




Link ]]> Headline News Ome http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217652-Brit-Soldier-Beheaded-on-London-street http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217617-Oklahoma-Tornadoes-today&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 20:58:12 GMT I couldn't believe the size of the tornado that touched down in Moore Oklahoma today. A mile wide and was swirling for more than an hour. :( ]]> Headline News Sonya in Tx http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217617-Oklahoma-Tornadoes-today http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217579-Florida-man-accused-of-tricking-girlfriend-into-taking-abortion-pill-ending-pregnancy&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 14:49:20 GMT Florida man, John Welden, accused of tricking girlfriend, Remee Lee, into taking abortion pill http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/florida-man-john-welden-accused-of-tricking-girlfriend-remee-lee-into-taking-abortion-pill-48186/ A Florida man is accused of switching labels on a pill bottle... Florida man, John Welden, accused of tricking girlfriend, Remee Lee, into taking abortion pill


http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/flo...on-pill-48186/


A Florida man is accused of switching labels on a pill bottle to trick his girlfriend into taking an abortion pill after discovering she was pregnant.

John Andrew Welden, age 28, allegedly made the pill bottle appears as though it was Amoxicillin, a common antibiotic. After his girlfriend, Remee Lee, age 26, took the drug, she purportedly miscarried, reports The Tampa Tribune.
“In my years as a prosecutor, this case is one of the most shocking and premeditated cases I’ve seen,” Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow told U.S. Magistrate Anthony Porcelli during a hearing Wednesday.

Welden now faces the possibility of life behind bars without parole, charged with murder under a rarely used federal statute known as the “Protection of Unborn Children Act.” He also is charged with tampering with a prescription “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference” to the risk of death or injury.

Lee made it known in March that she was pregnant. He urged her to have an abortion, but she refused, planned on keeping the baby, even if she had to care for the child on her own.

The woman didn’t have medical insurance so Welden arranged for her to see his father, Stephen Welden, a practicing OB/GYN doctor. On March 28, the woman had a sonogram and learned her unborn baby was viable and healthy, Muldrow said.

“In a cold, premeditated fashion,” Muldrow said, Welden forged his father’s signature to obtain a prescription for the abortion drug Misoprostol, also known as Cytotec. On March 29, Welden obtained the drug from a local pharmacy and removed the label, replacing it with one that said Amoxicillin and the woman’s name.

The next morning, the woman took the pill before going to work. She began having abdominal pains and began bleeding. She went to the hospital, Muldrow said. “The baby was lost.”

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s investigators discovered a recording, the woman called Welden and said, “What did you give me, Andrew?”

“Cytotec,” Welden said, according to Muldrow.

“He admits throughout the recoding that he knew the pills were going to cause contractions,” Muldrow said. He also “confesses to the premeditated nature of the crime.”

Muldrow said Welden “confesses that he had tampered with the pill bottle, that he put a fake label on the bottle.” Muldrow said Welden said he used a label maker to make the bogus label.

________________________________


I had a robust conversation with people who took sides about who is wrong in this case. It ultimately led to a discussion about parental rights, both male and female with an unplanned pregnancy.

Most of the guys who chimed in said that they completely understand why the boyfriend did what he did. He didn't want to be a parent so, he did something about it.

Most women who apoke up said that he was wrong to force a miscarriage against the ex girlfriends wishes.

My opinion: Women have all of the legal rights when it comes to a fetus. She can bring the child to term. She can abort. Her body, her decision. Men, legally, are liable for child support when the child comes into the world and is adjudicated as his child. Therefore, men have a big stake in what happens in the birth control department. Some fathers advise sons that "some women won't wait for marriage to have kids, so don't let them trap you. If she tells you she's on the pill, use a condom anyway".

If this dude didn't want to have a baby, it was easier to use a cheap condom. Now, if the article is correct, he faces a year in jail minimum for the felony forgery of a prescription pad. Then they must test the Florida protection of the unborm laws.

But...I think this guy will only go to jail for the forgery, and maybe assault for giving a drug known to cause miscarriage. Because....if a woman can terminate a pregnancy and it's legal, then how can a man do virtually the same, and go to jail? It's his fetus, and he can abort if he wants to just like the woman. If the boyfriend goes to jail for fetal homicide, then every woman who aborts should go to jail for abortion. Equal protection as guaranteed by the constitution. (BTW, I'm pro choice)

I think this guy will walk on the murder rap and plea to a lesser charge of assault, because the drug could have caused the girlfriend harm beyond the miscarriage.

Let the gender wars and mayhem begin! Your thoughts? ]]> Headline News Sonya in Tx http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217579-Florida-man-accused-of-tricking-girlfriend-into-taking-abortion-pill-ending-pregnancy http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217560-Minnesotta-Makes-it-Twelve-Minnesota-Legalizes-Gay-Marriage-Gov-Mark-Dayton-Signs-B&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 23:16:05 GMT Mary and Rhoda approve and Marcus Bachmann can finally shave that beard. :) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/minnesota-gay-marriage-legal-_n_3275484.html When really are winning this! Hooray! Mary and Rhoda approve and Marcus Bachmann can finally shave that beard. :)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3275484.html

When really are winning this! Hooray! ]]> Headline News montyc http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217560-Minnesotta-Makes-it-Twelve-Minnesota-Legalizes-Gay-Marriage-Gov-Mark-Dayton-Signs-B http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217506-Marcus-Bachmann-can-dump-his-beard-and-marry-for-love!&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 13:10:29 GMT Minnesota House Passes Gay Marriage http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/09/minnesota-house-gay-marriage_n_3247769.html #12 is coming! Wow. Only 38 to go. Mary is having one of her parties to celebrate. I hope Rhoda and Lou can make it. Minnesota House Passes Gay Marriage

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3247769.html

#12 is coming! Wow. Only 38 to go.

Mary is having one of her parties to celebrate. I hope Rhoda and Lou can make it. ]]> Headline News montyc http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217506-Marcus-Bachmann-can-dump-his-beard-and-marry-for-love! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217457-Jodi-Arias-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-thank-goodness&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 22:18:15 GMT At least this Casey Anthony karmic sister didn't have the same lunkheaded jury...

Jodi Arias convicted of first-degree murder

Associated Press – PHOENIX (AP) — Jodi Arias was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the gruesome killing of her one-time boyfriend in Arizona after a four-month trial that captured headlines with lurid tales of sex, lies, religion and a salacious relationship that ended in a blood bath.

Arias fought back tears, and family members of the victim wept and hugged each other as the verdict was announced in the hushed, packed courtroom.

Outside, a huge crowd that had gathered on the courthouse steps screamed, whistled and cheered the news in a case that has attracted fans from across the country who traveled to Phoenix to be close to the proceedings. Some chanted, "USA, USA, USA!"

The jury of eight men and four women took about 15 hours to reach its verdict after four months of testimony, including 18 days on the witness stand by the 32-year-old Arias. The jury will return to the courtroom Thursday to begin the next phase of the trial that could set the stage for her being sentenced to death.

Arias was charged with first-degree murder in the June 2008 death of Travis Alexander in his suburban Phoenix home. Authorities said she planned the attack in a jealous rage after being rejected by the victim while he pursued other women. Arias initially denied involvement then later blamed the killing on masked intruders. Two years after her arrest, she said it was self-defense.

Testimony began in early January, with Arias eventually spending 18 days on the witness stand. The trial quickly snowballed into a made-for-the-tabloids drama, garnering daily coverage from cable news networks and spawning a virtual cottage industry for talk shows, legal experts and even Arias, who used her notoriety to sell artwork she made in jail.

Jurors got the case Friday afternoon. They deliberated for two full days this week before reaching a decision late Wednesday morning. The verdict was announced at about 2 p.m. local time.

The trial will move into a phase during which prosecutors will argue the killing was committed in an especially cruel, heinous and depraved manner, called the "aggravation" phase. Both sides may call witnesses and show evidence during a mini trial of sorts. If the jury determines the killing was cruel, heinous and depraved, then another phase will begin to determine whether she should get the death penalty.

A mob of spectators gathered outside the courthouse to learn the verdict, while TV crews, media trucks and reporters lined nearby streets. Family and friends of Alexander wore blue ribbons and wristbands with the words "Justice For Travis."

Alexander suffered nearly 30 knife wounds, was shot in the forehead and had his throat slit before Arias dragged his body into his shower. He was found by friends about five days later.

Authorities said Alexander fought for his life as Arias attacked him in a blitz, but he soon grew too weak to defend himself.

"Mr. Alexander did not die calmly," prosecutor Juan Martinez told jurors in opening statements.

Arias said she recalled Alexander attacking her in a fury after a day of sex. She said Alexander came at her "like a linebacker," body-slamming her to the tile floor. She managed to wriggle free and ran into his closet to retrieve a gun he kept on a shelf. She said she fired in self-defense but had no memory of stabbing him.

She acknowledged trying to clean the scene of the killing, dumping the gun in the desert and working on an alibi to avoid suspicion. She said she was too scared and ashamed to tell the truth. However, none of Arias' allegations that Alexander had physically abused her in the months before his death, that he owned a gun and had sexual desires for young boys, were corroborated by witnesses or evidence during the trial. She acknowledged lying repeatedly before and after her arrest but insisted she was telling the truth in court.

Arias spent 18 days on the witness stand describing an abusive childhood, cheating boyfriends, dead-end jobs, a shocking sexual relationship with Alexander, and her contention that he had grown physically abusive.

Psychologist Richard Samuels testified for the defense that Arias suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative amnesia, which explained why she couldn't recall much from the day of the killing. Another defense witness, psychotherapist Alyce LaViolette, concluded that Arias was a battered woman.

Their testimony would be crucial to convince jurors that, one, Arias wasn't lying about her memory gaps from the day of the killing, and two, that she did suffer physical abuse by Alexander. Defense attorneys had to get jurors to believe that despite no evidence of Alexander ever having been violent in the past, he had attacked Arias on several occasions, and did so again on the day of his death.

After all, there was no dispute that Arias killed Alexander.

It was the first thing Arias' defense acknowledged as the trial began.

"Jodi Arias killed Travis Alexander," Arias attorney Jennifer Willmott told jurors in opening statements. "There is no question about it. The million dollar question is what would have forced her to do it?"

Martinez worked feverishly to attack the credibility of the defense experts, accusing them of having sympathy for Arias and offering biased opinions.

He later called his own expert, clinical psychologist Janeen DeMarte, who told jurors Arias didn't suffer from PTSD or amnesia, and that she found no evidence that the defendant was a battered woman. Instead, DeMarte said Arias suffered from borderline personality disorder, showing signs of immaturity and an "unstable sense of identity."

People who suffer from such a disorder "have a terrified feeling of being abandoned by others," DeMarte told jurors.

The case had devolved into dueling expert witnesses.

Aside from her lies, Arias had another formidable obstacle to overcome.

Her grandparents had reported a .25-caliber handgun stolen from their Northern California home about a week before Alexander's death — the same caliber used to shoot him — but Arias insisted she didn't take it. Authorities believe she brought it with her to kill him. The coincidence of the same caliber gun stolen from the home also being used to shoot Alexander was never resolved. It would be left up to the jury to decide if it made sense.

Then there was Arias' account of Alexander's killing. She said she shot him first, but he kept coming, forcing her to grab a knife and defend herself.

However, Dr. Kevin Horn, a Maricopa County medical examiner, testified it would have been highly unlikely that Alexander could have sustained so many defensive wounds from the knife attack had he been shot in the head first. Horn said the gunshot would have rendered the victim incapable of fighting back.

Meanwhile, the entire case devolved into a circus-like spectacle attracting dozens of enthusiast each day to the courthouse as they lined up for a chance to score just a few open public seats in the gallery. One trial regular sold her spot in line to another person for $200. Both got reprimands from the court, and the money was returned.

Many people also gathered outside after trial for a chance to see Martinez, who had gained celebrity-like status for his firebrand tactics and unapologetically intimidating style of cross-examining defense witnesses.

The case grew into a worldwide sensation as thousands followed the trial via a live, unedited Web feed. Twitter filled with comments as spectators expressed their opinions on everything from Arias' wardrobe to Martinez's angry demeanor. For its fans, the Arias trial became a live daytime soap opera.

Adding to the spectacle, Arias sold drawings from jail throughout the trial on a website operated by a third party, said her mother, Sandra Arias. According to the site, some pieces were fetching more than a $1,000, and Sandra Arias said the money was being used to help pay for family expenses. Nothing prevented Arias from profiting from her notoriety given she hadn't been convicted of a crime.



___ ]]> Headline News SnarkyOracle! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217457-Jodi-Arias-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-thank-goodness http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217445-Deleware-makes-it-eleven!&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 01:47:46 GMT Delaware Gay Marriage Bill Signed Into Law http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/delaware-gay-marriage-law-_n_3232771.html Delaware Gay Marriage Bill Signed Into Law

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3232771.html ]]> Headline News montyc http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217445-Deleware-makes-it-eleven! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217361-With-Rhode-Island-that-makes-ten!&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 23:00:02 GMT *Rhode Island Legislature Passes Gay Marriage, Governor To Sign * http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/02/rhode-island-gay-marriage_n_3204020.html New England is for lovers, all of us! I am very proud to live in the best region of the nation and know that where we go and what we lead, the... Rhode Island Legislature Passes Gay Marriage, Governor To Sign

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3204020.html

New England is for lovers, all of us! I am very proud to live in the best region of the nation and know that where we go and what we lead, the nation follows. ]]> Headline News montyc http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217361-With-Rhode-Island-that-makes-ten! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217360-Man-shot-dead-at-Houston-s-Bush-Airport&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 21:25:26 GMT Man shot dead at Houston's Bush Airport

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-te...p?cmpid=hpfsln


One person was shot dead Thursday at Terminal B of Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to the Houston Police Department.

HPD spokeswoman Kese Smith said an armed male in his early 30s entered the airport at 1:35 p.m. and fired a shot into the ceiling near a ticket counter in the pre-screening area of the terminal.

Hearing the shot, a Homeland Security special agent came out of his office and confronted the man, ordering him to put down the gun, Smith said.

When the suspect refused the command, the officer pulled out his weapon and the man turned toward him, Smith said.

The agent fired once, and the suspect shot himself in the head apparently at the same time, Smith said. He died at the scene.

It was unclear if the officer shot the suspect, or what kind of weapon the man was carrying.

Investigators were searching a white pickup parked at the airport that possibly belonged to the suspect. The vehicle's hood was up and the area cordoned off as police checked out the vehicle.

Tina Gellinger, a 40-year-old Kansan who went outside between flights was coming in to Terminal B when she heard shouts to "Run!" She and others ran toward elevators and hid behind walls as shots rang out.

Nearby at the McDonald's in the food court, employee Tiffany Rigmaiden, 23, heard two shots ring out, then shouting, then three shots. She said a TSA agent running by told her and other employees to get down. The employees escaped through a back door and took an elevator to a lower floor.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker tweeted about the incident at 4 p.m.

"Shooting incident at IAH under control," she tweeted. "Police acted swiftly. System in place worked. Glad no other injuries. Airport open, check @iah.-A."

________________________


Damn......I have to repeat what the uncle of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects said. This dude was running around being a loser.... ]]> Headline News Sonya in Tx http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217360-Man-shot-dead-at-Houston-s-Bush-Airport http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217331-Jason-Collins-First-Queer-Male-Professional-Athlete&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 18:14:48 GMT I expected this and wonder if there will be a mass exodus from the closet by professional athletes?

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...comes-out.html

It's amazing it happened so fast. ]]> Headline News montyc http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217331-Jason-Collins-First-Queer-Male-Professional-Athlete http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217316-Twenty-Years-of-a-Free-Open-Web&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 00:57:40 GMT *Twenty years of a free, open web* On 30 April 1993 CERN published a statement that made World Wide Web technology available on a royalty free basis, allowing the web to flourish. The first website The world’s first website was about the WWW project itself. Visitors could learn more... Twenty years of a free, open web


On 30 April 1993 CERN published a statement that made World Wide Web technology available on a royalty free basis, allowing the web to flourish.

The first website

The world’s first website was about the WWW project itself.

Visitors could learn more about the web, access technical details for creating their own web page, and even find an explanation on how to search for information. There are no screenshots of this original page and, in any case, changes were made daily to the information available on the page as the WWW project developed.

See a 1993 copy of this first website at its original address, http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html


More about how the World Wide Web (WWW) got started at the CERN URL below:

http://info.cern.ch ]]> Headline News Miss_Texas http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217316-Twenty-Years-of-a-Free-Open-Web http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217295-Event-of-the-year!&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:51:52 GMT Yes, even more important than the Eurovision Song Contest.
Today we're going to celebrate the coronation of our new King, Willem-Alexander, and his wife Maxima, who will become the new queen.
Last night Queen Beatrix gave her farewell speech on television, followed by a banquet for all sorts of royalty.
Charles and Camilla were there too. She had big puff'd-up hair, very 80's.
And also Princess Victoria (from Sweden I believe) - many years ago she was considered a good candidate for the House Of Oranje.

Well, the big show starts at 9:00 AM, but I'm too excited to go to sleep.
I have seen the coronation of Beatrix, and of course all the royal weddings (including UK) - and now this.
The next one will be his daughter Catherina-Amalia and then we're back to Queen again.
Too bad they didn't name her Alexis. Ha!

Long live the King!:exit: ]]> Headline News willie oleson http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217295-Event-of-the-year! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217285-Hapless-attempt-at-parallel-parking-is-internet-hit!&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:23:37 GMT Hapless attempt at parallel parking in Belfast is internet hitBy Fiona Murray BBC News The woman took about half an hour to park her car A video of an unfortunate woman trying to park her car in a Belfast street has become an internet sensation. It shows a female driver taking about 30... Hapless attempt at parallel parking in Belfast is internet hitBy Fiona Murray

BBC News

The woman took about half an hour to park her car
A video of an unfortunate woman trying to park her car in a Belfast street has become an internet sensation.

It shows a female driver taking about 30 minutes and several attempts to reverse her car into a space between two vehicles on Fitzroy Avenue in the Holyland area.

The hapless attempt at parallel parking was captured on a mobile phone, after a group of students from a nearby house saw the scene unfold.

They uploaded the footage to Youtube, named it The World's Worst Attempt at Parallel Parking, Enjoy, and it has now been viewed more than 700,000 times.

A blow-by-blow commentary was given by Ciaran Doherty and Ciaran Shannon and their friends, which undoubtedly helped the footage go viral.

Ciaran told the BBC: "One of the boys in the house was looking out the window having a wee bit of fresh air and saw it. The next thing we were all at the window and looking out.

"We were looking at it for a good 15 minutes before we started videoing it. I offered to park the car for her. I can't believe she couldn't get it in. It could easily have fitted a big people carrier in that space."

The students' comments on the video include: "What is she doing, like?" and "this has been going on for 20 minutes".

'Day five'
BBC Newsline's Tara Mills challenged one of the students, Ciaran, to parallel park
They cheer when the woman appears to be mastering the task in hand, shouting such encouragement as "go on get her in, go on ye girl ye".

But then the students fall about laughing as the woman appears to be carrying out a three-point turn instead of parking.

They shout "women drivers" and "man she's nuts, she's turning too early" and "ah no, she's coming back out".

At one stage the commentary is reminiscent of a reality TV show, as one of the students shouts: "Day five".

After 30 minutes, when the car is finally parked, the watching students whoop with delight and give the poor woman a round of applause.

The other Ciaran said: "We found it quite funny. It was crazy. The space is big enough for the car to fit in.

"I drive myself and have had plenty of problems trying to park cars. That was an exception."

Ciaran Shannon initially put up the footage on his Facebook page but never imagined that it would have such a huge response.

"It was only a joke between my friends on Facebook, the next morning there were 30,000 views," he said.

The boys admit they were perhaps a little unkind to the woman but would love to track her down.

"We've been trying to find her. We've been up and down the streets, but no such luck yet," said Ciaran.

His friend told the BBC: "We want to see her view of the story. We would like to meet her and just talk to her."

If they ever find her, perhaps she would tell them that true grit and determination pay off in the end. As any woman knows!

Swami:wiggle: ]]> Headline News Swami http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217285-Hapless-attempt-at-parallel-parking-is-internet-hit! http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?217284-Deal-or-No-Deal-winner-sentenced-for-fraud&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:22:41 GMT Deal or No Deal winner Caroline Banana sentenced for fraud Caroline Banana failed to declare her game show winnings Continue reading the main story Related Stories Game show woman admits benefit fraud Game show woman denies benefit fraud A woman who won £95,000 on the TV show Deal or No... Deal or No Deal winner Caroline Banana sentenced for fraud Caroline Banana failed to declare her game show winnings Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Game show woman admits benefit fraud
Game show woman denies benefit fraud

A woman who won £95,000 on the TV show Deal or No Deal has been ordered to carry out 215 hours of unpaid work after admitting benefit fraud.

Caroline Banana, 40, from Stoke-on-Trent, had admitted wrongly receiving more than £6,100 in housing and council tax benefits and income support.

Banana failed to declare her winnings from the Channel 4 game show and did not disclose that she had found work.

She received a 12-month community order at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Banana, who had found work including jobs at a chemists, hospital and doctors' surgery, falsely claimed the benefits between 28 March 2011 and 13 May 2012.

She also admitting falsely claiming free school meal allowances.

Banana, of Whitridge Grove, Bentilee, failed to declare her windfall from November 2011 to Stoke City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Sentencing her, District Judge David Taylor told Banana she had brought the large amount of media attention the case had attracted across the world upon herself.

He said "any honest person" would have reported the game show winnings soon after receiving them and said he believed Banana's behaviour amounted to "a deliberate cover-up".

House in Turkey

"Any offence of benefit fraud is never victimless," the judge said.

"It harms every member of society who works and pays tax with the misfortune of having to claim benefit."

The judge said Banana had only pleaded guilty just before her trial last week and so only gave her "minimum credit" for that plea.

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“
Start Quote
We take a very dim few on those who defraud the council”
End Quote
Paul Shotton

City council cabinet member for finance

Banana was also ordered to repay £2,517 to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and £3,794 to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

She was also told to pay £350 in costs to the court.

Banana's solicitor David Green said his client would have to sell a £60,000 property in Turkey she had bought with her winnings in order to settle the debt.

Mr Green said Banana had shown "all remorse and shame" and job offers had been withdrawn after potential employers read about her case in the press.

Paul Shotton, city council cabinet member for finance, said ignorance about the benefits system was "no defence".

He added: "We take a very dim few on those who defraud the council, and we will prosecute wherever appropriate."

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