Court Grants William Ruto a Recess But It Won't Be Fun and Games

So International Judges do have common sense.  They recognized that a Kenyan leader needs a recess.  While recess brings back fun childhood memories, this recess is not likely to be enjoyable.  For those of you not following the news, Kenya has a little more problem at the mall these days than just skateboarders.  Their major mall is under a third day of armed conflict with terrorists who have taken hostages.  Rightfully so, Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osujjudges of the International Criminal Court, has excused Kenya's deputy president from his trial for a week.  Unfortunately, when he returns from dealing with this crisis, William Ruto will still have to face the allegations that he personally committed crimes against humanity.

When Ruto returns to the trial in The Hague, he will have to face allegations that he committed crimes against humanity by allegedly orchestrating violence in the aftermath of Kenya's 2007 presidential election. Ruto has pleaded not guilty; however, it may be easier to face the terrorists than the court.

The hostage crisis began Saturday at Nairobi's upscale Westgate Mall and is a crisis in its third day.

Washington D.C. Experiences Senseless Rage

Our nation's capital has experienced the senseless loss of lives associated with a bizarre deranged lunatic.On Monday, Aaron Alexis, a former Navy reserve from 2007 to 2011, entered a building at the Washington Navy Yard and killed 12 people and wounded three others before dieing.  It appears the raging lunatic was the only gunman. No motive for the murders have been established.  Mayor Vincent Gray said: “We don’t have any reason to think" that it was terrorism. But, of course, the possibility will not be ruled out for several months.

The shooting is reminiscent of Maj. Nidal Hasan killing 13 people and wounded 30 others in 2009 at Fort Hood in Texas. (Hasan was convicted in August and sentenced to death.) Ironically, Alexis, 34, is also from Texas.  Alexis died in a gunbattle with police.  It is theorized that Alexis entered the Navy Yard by using someone else’s identification card.Alexis was a petty officer third class when he left the Naval reserves. Alexis was working for a fleet logistics support squadron in Fort Worth, Texas.There is more that can be said about this senseless murder; however, the lunatics all blend together and at some point, its all repetitive adjectives that lead to one conclusion.  These killers are nuts.

However,  Starbucks Corp Chief Executive Howard Schultz wants to do something about it. In an open letter to customers, Schultz requested that customers leave their firearms at home, shifting company policy concerning gun rights. Schultz wrote: "Our stores exist to give every customer a safe and comfortable respite from the concerns of daily life."

Starbucks has nearly 7,000 company-operated stores in the U.S.

Is It Time To Start Building With Flame Retardant Materials?

The boardwalk was battered last October by Hurricane Sandy.  It was rebuilt five months ago. One of the top tourist attractions was Funtown Pier.  Funtown had not reopened since the October Hurricane and now it won't be reopening anytime soon.  Funtown Pier burned with at least 30 more buildings in Thursday fire. Unfortunately, Funtown Pier in Seaside Park may serve as an example for things to come if better building practices aren't followed. Funtown Pier collapsed after being engulfed in flames by a fire that had been burning for several hours. After the building collapsed, a construction vehicle parked near the site exploded. A log flume housing structure apparently burned for hours. Four blocks of bars, pizza shops and T-shirt stands on the Jersey shore boardwalk were destroyed. The fire sported flames that shot fireballs 50 feet into the air before crews got it under control. As many as 50 business owners suffered losses in Thursday's fire.

Governor Chris Christie said it would be "irresponsible for any of us to speculate" what caused the fire; however, since when has that ever stopped the media?  So here goes, sources suggest that the fire started in or under a frozen custard stand because of an electrical problem and the reason it spread so fast is because the building and boardwalk are not built with flame retardant materials.

Funtown Pier has been closed since it was damaged during Superstorm Sandy.  Unfortunately, now it won't be reopening for a long time.  Perhaps when the boardwalk is rebuilt, they will use flame retardant material when reconstructing the Pier and buildings.

Marriage, You Just Have to Smile at True Love

Is the institution of marriage strong or do the marriage strike advocates have another powerful arrow in their quiver? Let's ask Cody Lee Johnson's family and see what they think.  Cody Lee Johnson, 25, married Jordan Linn Graham, 22, because he was "in love." They had dated for two years and certainly he must have thought she was the one.  On July 7, 2013, just eight days into his marriage, Cody's new bride allegedly pushed him face-first off a cliff in Glacier National Park.  Jordan initially told authorities that Cody had left with friends but later supposedly confessed to the crime. Cody Lee Johnson's body was found five days later in an area of the park so steep and rugged that a helicopter had to be used to retrieve his body.

According to charging information, Jordan allegedly admitted to authorities that she had initially lied.  She supposedly said that she and Johnson had an argument, were upset and decided to go to the Loop Trail.They continued arguing on the trail until a point when Johnson allegedly grabbed her arm.  This allegedly caused Jordan to push Cody "..in the back, and as a result, he fell face first off the cliff."

Jordan Linn Graham has been charged in federal court with second-degree murder. charge in Johnson's July 7 death. So far, Jordan's public defender, Andrew Nelson, has no comment.

NFL Mediated Settlement A Win Win Solution?

National Football League is a huge player in the entertainment industry. The NFL sucks nearly 10 billion dollars annually from the economy while too many actual players sacrifice their long-term health and livelihoods for the profitability of the game. Mounting medical evidence suggests that concussions and repeated blows to the head can lead to serious long-term health problems.  A growing number of retired players now suffer from dementia, reduced mental capacity, mental illness, and other serious  problems.  Were players adequately informed of the potential health risks before they signed their employment contracts?

A Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy study suggests evidence that a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a severe degenerative brain disease, had been found in the brains of 14 of 15 deceased former NFL^® players. During their playing career, these players suffered repeated concussions, sub-concussive blows to the head, or both.  CTE is manifested by progressive deterioration in mental capabilities, starting with mild memory loss, decreased concentration, and typically progress into Parkinson's disease and complete dementia.

Similarly, Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago researches concluded that mild, repeated blows to the head may predispose people to dementia. These findings are consistent with a 2005 study that suggested that ex-football players may be at a higher risk for Alzheimer's. Consequently, it should be no surprise that the recent players lawsuit against the NFL was compromised.So what is the effect of the compromise? The NFL will pay $765 million to settle a lawsuit brought by more than 4,500 players and their families in order to settle the lawsuit accusing the league of concealing from the players what it knew about the dangers of repeated hits to the head. (The settlement provides $675 million for players or the families of players who sustained cognitive injury. Up to $75 million will be set aside for baseline medical exams. $10 million will be paid by the NFL for research. The NFL also agreed to pay legal fees for the plaintiffs’ lawyers. The settlement allows the NFL to avoid the huge cost of discovery associated with this type of litigation and put an end to some of the negative publicity..

To be clear, the settlement is not an admission of guilt on the part of the NFL. Furthermore, the settlement is relatively low when one considers the number of claimants and the severity of their damages. But given the uncertainty of litigation and the families who need help now, the players had little choice but to compromise their position.Christopher Seeger, was a lawyer for the plaintiff players. The settlement which was reached with the help of a court-appointed mediator needs to be formally approved by Judge Anita B. Brody of United States District Court in Philadelphia.

For related information, see:

• Seau Suffered From Brain Disease (January 11, 2013)

• Former Player’s Suicide Won’t End His Widow’s Fight (May 4, 2012)

• A Suicide, a Last Request, a Family’s Questions (February 23, 2011)

• Concussions Tied to Depression in Ex-N.F.L. Players (May 31, 2007)

• Explaining the N.F.L. Settlement (August 30, 2013)