The Antonym of Brotherhood

I never joined a fraternity during college. I always thought that brotherhood was the last thing that these groups had in mind, especially during initiation rites. I mean, how could anyone call their tormentors “brother.”

I had a dorm mate during my sophomore year who tried to join a famous fraternity in campus. We were already told that the recruitment process was a sham since entry therein was by invitation only. However, in order to keep their accreditation as a legitimate school organization, they still conducted yearly recruitments. Of course, the “undesirables” never made it, while the jocks breezed through the initiation rites.

I’m not totally against fraternities. Some actually merit the school and the community’s praises. However, many of these organizations were constituted just to house the hip and famous. Joining these entities is like joining a beauty pageant.

I know I sound a little bit bitter, or that my hatred for most of these groups is very evident. I guess you already have an idea why. During my freshman year, I got a fight with a fraternity member. It’s a geek-versus-jock kind of thing (guess who’s the geek). There was a time when I can’t even walk on the hallway without constantly looking at my back. That fraternity was notorious for maligning students who they deem to be “uncool.”

I heard that some of its members were already charged before the local courts for physical injuries. I wouldn’t even be surprised if the stupid jerk who punched me in the groin has a lengthy criminal record already.

I’m shoveling up buried angst right now. I already forgot about it actually until I saw an article on Yahoo! regarding the expulsion by a sorority of some of its members who didn’t “fit in.”

The expelled members are mostly overweight. Some of them are also members of the minority groups in the society. Many groups criticized the criteria that the organization has. However, the sorority’s governing body has denied allegations of discrimination and has vowed to look into the matter.

Ironic

The Oxford dictionary has defined “Irony” as an expression of meaning, often humorous or sarcastic, by the use of language of a different or opposite tendency.

Such was the word that immediately came into my mind when I saw the statistics on crime as posted on the White House Web site.

The good news is that violent crimes have declined since 1993. Property crime rates also followed a similar trend. Despite the drops, the number of adults inside correctional institutions has been sharply increasing. 7 million detainees were recorded in 2005. I guess it’s safe to surmise that that number is close to testing the 8 million mark already.

I’m sure you’ve already noticed that the statistics are conflicting. If the number of criminal records is declining, then how come penal facilities are still fully booked? I don’t have the data to explain this irony. Maybe it’s because violent or property crimes are just a small part of the total number of crimes that are being committed in the country. Let me know if you have a different answer.

New Evidence on JFK Assassination?

I’m sure many Americans would be opening up Lee Harvey Oswald’s criminal records again as a newly discovered footage of President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade shortly before he was shot was made public by the Sixth Floor Museum.

The homemade movie was taken by George Jefferies. He kept it from the public for forty years. It was only during a conversation with his son-in-law that he finally decided to let it out by donating it to the Dallas museum.

Some speculate that the footage would provide new insights to the assassination. I’m not sure if it will, but I hope that it could answer some of the questions that were left unanswered by the investigation that was conducted decades ago.

I’m sure that there are many more similar footages of the assassination or motorcade that are kept from the public. Although authorities have said that they already exhausted all available means and taken all open avenues to shed light to the case, new evidence might make the picture much clearer.

Rapping Their Way to Crime?

My ego is still hurting from the teasing that I got from my sister. She called me up last night to talk about the Grammy winners. She even gave me a line or two of the songs that won the gold.

She was surprised that I haven’t had the slightest idea of what she was talking about. I’m familiar with the award, but it’s just that the names of the current winners don’t ring a bell in my mind anymore.

I asked my officemates this morning if they’re fans of the awardees. I was relieved when most of them admitted that they don’t know who the Dixie Chicks are. I told them that I might be conducting a background check on some of the winners in order to reacquaint myself on the “who’s who” in the music industry. John joked that I should be doing a criminal records search instead if I want to know more about the rap artists who won the award. Very funny, John.

Persistent Problem

I was browsing through the Internet for some local news the other day when I chanced upon an article featuring identity theft. It seems that many Americans are still being easily conned by identity thieves.

Reports of identity theft incidents still baffle me. Local governments and various consumer groups had already conducted campaigns against this pernicious act. It’s quite surprising then that many persons still suffer from being charged for unauthorized transactions.

I’m not saying that their crusade or program is flawed. I believe that the campaign against identity theft should be constant and relentless. The people should also participate in it by educating themselves about the act. There are many reliable materials on the Internet regarding the issue. I usually direct friends to http://recordssitereviews.com/recommends/theftprotection. All efforts to curb identity theft would go into naught without the participation of the intended victims of the crime.

For Crying Out Loud!

The heater in my place went on strike again, and this time it refused to function even after I’ve kicked it a few times already.

I guess I’ve already told you a couple of times that my skin is as thin as a worn out shroud when it comes to insulating my body from cold temperatures. Since a warm blanket won’t be enough to keep me comfy all through the night, I decided to sleep in my old room at my parent’s house in Syracuse.

Everything’s warm and cozy at our old home. I even got a hot cocoa from my mom before I turned the lights off. Everything’s excellent except for the brat next door. Our neighbor’s son is already 5 years old, but he still cries as frequently as a new born child does.

I don’t know how my parents could even sleep at night with that noise! If cursing is a crime, then my criminal record would’ve been 10 pages long already. If that kid doesn’t stop crying within the hour, his parents would really get an earful from me.

Second Chances

The lunch meeting that our parish priest and I have been planning for the longest time finally took place last Sunday after mass. A neighbor of mine told him about my line of work, and our Jesuit friend has been on my tail ever since.

He already conveyed his desire to ask for my help as early as last November on the project that he plans to organize by spring. He didn’t provide me with much detail at that time. I just remember him asking on how to search for persons who have criminal records.

I thought that the reason why he asked me on how to open or look for criminal records online is that he wanted to hire persons who have an impeccable background or character record. I was wrong. On the contrary, the persons that he wants to hire for the project are those who have already been convicted of a crime in the past and have already served time for it.

“The project is all about second chances,” my Jesuit friend said. I’m not sure if I agree with him. But then again, life is all about second chances.

Avoiding the Courts

I shouldn’t have ridden a cab today.

One of my New Year’s resolutions for this year is to try not to ride a cab when going to the office. I have had horrible experiences with cab drivers in the city. They can be opportunistic, especially if they know that you’re not from town.

No, I wasn’t taken for an unwanted tour of downtown New York. I already learned the hard way that one would be taken for a joy ride if he or she falls asleep inside the cab. The cab that I was riding this morning bumped the rear of a motorcycle. The driver didn’t suffer any injury, but his bike suffered a minor dent.

Surprisingly, both drivers didn’t lash each other with their tongues. The owner of the motorcycle agreed with the cab driver that the minor traffic incident should not result in the creation of a criminal record for either of them. I think the cab driver just gave the victim his telephone number or the address of the taxi company.

The Book and its Deceiving Cover

A man already serving sentence for killing a doctor was again held guilty of another offense.

James Kopp was found by a jury to have violated the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act when he shot Dr. Barnett Slepian in order to prevent him from performing abortions.

Kopp waived his right to counsel and argued by himself. He tried to plead his innocence by explaining that he did not intend to kill Slepian, and that he only wanted to injure him so that he won’t be able to conduct an abortion the next day.

It’s very disturbing to know that there are still people who take the law into their own hands. The fact that these persons did not have any criminal record before they committed the crime is equally frightening.

I’m not good at judging or determining a person’s character. I’m sure that if I had met Kopp before he committed the felony, I wouldn’t have had an inkling that he has a propensity to shoot somebody without fear.

Justice Delayed, But Hopefully Not Justice Denied

Justice finally caught up with a former sheriff’s deputy.

James Ford Seale, a former sheriff’s deputy in Mississippi, was recently arrested for allegedly taking part in the murder of two black men 43 years ago. He’s charged for kidnapping the two teenage black men who were then hitchhiking.

Many thought that Seale was already dead. Several inquiries were already made a few years ago as to his whereabouts. However, his family had always insisted that he was already dead. Fortunately, Canadian documentary filmmaker, David Ridgen, and Thomas Moore, found the accused near the site where the kidnappings took place in 1964.

Seale’s criminal records would have been almost blemish-free if not for the efforts of the two men and the older bother of one of the victims. Many are wondering though, why Seale was just charged for the two men’s kidnapping and not for their murder. Another suspect, Charles Marcus Edwards, was not charged.

When the Cats are Away

My two aunts from Guam are planning to have a party in their old house in Connecticut. However, they practically have no idea how to prepare for one.

I told them that organizing a party in Connecticut should be a breeze. I think majority of our relatives haven’t abandoned the state for another, so my two aunts will certainly have several extra minds and hands to turn their old home into a ballroom :)

Their old home needs some renovation, though. Surprisingly, they told me that they already found a person who was willing to do the needed repairs for just under $500. My uncle said that it’s already a bargain.

I hope that the carpenter that they’ve hired is trustworthy. My aunts will be coming over next week for a quick tour of New York. Nobody lives in their old house anymore, so that means the carpenter can do practically anything that he wants or intends while he’s inside the house. That’s quite scary. I think I’ll ask my aunts for his name and check if he has a criminal record for theft or any other crime.

Unsolved Pizza Crimes

My taste buds have been bugging me for a perfect slice of pizza since Monday. Greg, a distant cousin of mine from Niagara, went here in Manhattan last week to look for a new job. He previously worked as a manager of a pizza parlor.

I don’t know why he quit his job. He seemed like he was really enjoying his stint at the food business the last time I asked him how he was. We even talked about setting up a small pizza parlor in Connecticut by 2008.

My mom used to joke that I’m the 5th member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I really loved pizza when I was still a kid. I always get “the eyebrow” from her whenever she sees me carrying a box of pizza. My dad didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I think he even secretly snatched a few slices back then. I lightheartedly indicted him for “pizza theft,” and he always pleaded his innocence with a laugh.

I’m really craving for a slice. Maybe I’ll invite my dad out on Wednesday for a box or two. Maybe I’ll even blackmail him in paying for the meal. I’ll tell him that the unexplained disappearance of the several slices of pizza back in 1988 could still merit him a criminal record :)

Wrong Hacker

I was trying to access one of my blog accounts yesterday when a very disturbing message suddenly greeted my eyes. My browser displayed an Error 403 message, saying that I've been denied access to the site and that my IP address has been banned. Apparently, the administrator of the Web site thought that I was hacking through my account.

I went through the links that the message provided. I then found out that the primary reason why I was denied access is that my PC was allegedly infected by a virus or malware. It recommended that I should use a "real" anti-virus.

I almost cursed after reading the message. I mean, I'm using McAffee's latest anti virus, and then somebody would tell me to use a "real" anti-virus? Common! I'm using Viruscan. How real can one get?!

I already sent a message to the administrator to check the mistake. I didn't attach any dynamite to the mail. It was more of a request rather than a demand. I understand their cautious disposition. I myself am constantly looking for ways to stop hackers. I just hope that they device a more fool-proof and error-free means to ferret out the real hackers from the innocent ones.

More Than Meets The Eye

Even though the local news networks have already ran a number of features on the Shawn Hornbeck kidnapping, I’m still baffled by the case because of the puzzling facts that separate it from many abduction incidents.

The first thing that surprised was that the man who kidnapped Hornbeck had no criminal record except for two inconsequential traffic violations. His character or demeanor is not that suspicious or vicious either. Many of his neighbors thought that he was just an introvert or just doesn’t want to mingle with the neighbors.

I have a keen eye for suspicious behavior. However, I think I wouldn’t have been able to suspect or notice that Hornbeck was being kept against his will if I had seen him with the kidnapper. Some of the suspect’s neighbor even recounted that they once saw him and the boy pitching a tent outside their rented apartment.

Looks can be very deceiving. I guess people should have to exercise a higher degree of vigilance if they really want to help in the search for missing or abducted persons.

Terror Attack?

New York got another terror scare last Monday when a mysterious odor filled Manhattan and some parts of New Jersey.

Some people panicked, thinking that it was flammable. Others even surmised that it was a terror attack, and that the gas was poisonous. Of course, the authorities took it seriously.

I admire the city’s law enforcement agency for being brave and selfless in checking the incident without much regard for their personal safety. They’ve already proven that in 9/11.

Keeping the city in order is a gigantic task. New York concretizes the words “diversity” and “melting pot.” One might even say that it’s impossible to secure such a place unless the police conduct a criminal records search on each New Yorker.

I believe I’ve already said before that law enforcement is not just the job of the police. Each citizen should do his or her part in making sure that the city is safe and free from criminals or terrorists. Let’s make sure that New York would never become a venue again for tragedies written by terrorists.

Don't Drink and Drive

It’s almost midnight, but my officemates are still wide awake downstairs. They asked me to join them for another round of beer, but I’ve already exceeded my three-bottle limit. I would’ve wanted to oblige, but my skin revolts every time alcohol runs into my veins.

Paul is the only non-drinker in our group. He’s also our department’s designated guardian and driver in any party since he’s the only person who’s sober enough to sit behind the wheels. He begged off from his car pool duty tonight because he wasn’t really feeling too well.

The other guys brought their car with them. However, some of them had one drink too many. Instead of sending them off to their deaths, I just decided to have them here for the night. I told them that I didn’t want to be blamed for any blemish that might ruin their records if they get caught driving under the influence. Anyway, what’s one night compared to an indelible criminal record entry.

Solution to Resolutions

I was browsing through Yahoo! last night for funny New Year’s resolutions. Everybody in the office keeps asking me what’s mine. I just answer by telling them that I made a few even if I actually didn’t make any.

I made 10 last year, and ended breaking up all but one. I wasn’t able to break the last one because I forgot what it was. I’m afraid that the list that I’ll be making for 2007 would suffer the same fate. Hence, I just decided to dispense with it.

However, I need a makeshift list in order to appease my curious officemates. Some have even speculated already that my only resolution for the year is to get promoted. I have to give them a witty answer before they make up another embarrassing or uncomfortable resolution for me.

One man from Ohio said that his sole New Year’s resolution is to try not to kill his neighbor’s cat with a chainsaw. Now that’s a resolution for you. Good luck to that guy. I hope that he also wished for a clean criminal record this year.

Paranoia

Two officemates of mine extended a late invitation last night to go with them to Times Square for the New Year party. I wanted to come, but paranoia got the better of me that day. I shouldn’t have watched CNN that morning.

The frequent video clips of car bombings in Iraq have raised fears in me of the possibility of similar attacks in US soil. Paranoia struck me last week when I stepped out of the train that I was already in and decided to just catch the next one since a man with a huge bag boarded the coach. I entertained the baseless suspicion the bag had a bomb in it.

The goal of terrorists is to inflict as much damage and cause as many deaths as possible. I thought that Times Square was a very tempting target for them, so I passed off Mike and Gil’s invitation. I told them about my fears and just laughed at me. I even joked that I might just end up conducting a criminal records search on every suspicious person that I see if I’ll go with them.

I’ll definitely join them next year. This paranoia of mine is really taking the fun out of my life.

The Next You

I was just flipping through the cable channels last night when I came across a silly but interesting movie about a person who pretended to be somebody else. The plot was interesting considering that the person whom the protagonist was pretending to be was already dead.

I wasn’t able to get the title of the movie. It was a funny one, although there were tear-jerking scenes at the end of the film. In the end, the family who thought that the protagonist was their missing uncle accepted him even after he revealed his true identity.

Don’t think that impersonation only frequently happens in movies. The incidence of identity theft has been climbing for the past few years. And while the movie that I saw ended happily, that’s usually not the case in real life. Identity theft has cost many people thousands of dollars in unauthorized transaction.

Be very careful when giving out information about yourself to others. Protect yourself from identity theft. If you doubt the credibility of the person who asking for certain details about yourself, conduct a criminal records search on him. Who knows, he might just decide to be “you” the next time he buys something online.

What's in a Tree?

Is your Christmas tree made of plastic, or did you cut a real pine tree to make it as the centerpiece of your holiday decorations?

We never had a real pine tree for a Christmas décor. My dad said that it would be a shame to cut them just for Yuletide props. I remember one time when I nearly went into a tantrum when my parents refused to buy the pine tree that was on sale near our village. My dad tried to scare me by saying that cutting a tree is like killing a person, and that such a deed would be noted in my criminal record.

Of course, I didn’t believe him. But I gave up on my effort to have a real tree inside our home because my dad had a point. It would be a shame to kill a living thing just to make your house look good. Besides, the white artificial Christmas tree that they bought really looked good.