The Second Amendment of the Constitution of United States of America gives us all the right to bear arms. It means that as Americans we can keep fire arms without governmental infringement. A few days ago many Americans chose to exercise this right at political Town Hall meetings on health care reform throughout the United States. Some are defending these actions. Others are not. The NRA is remaining quiet.
posted by Mastercheddaar on Aug 20, 2009 - 255 comments

In Utah, mob mentality rules. A gay man either kidnapped his next-door-neighbors' two children, or he took them in because they couldn't sleep during an all night party at their own house -- depending upon who you ask. The children were gone from their own home for only ten minutes. What is certain is that a retaliatory mob broke into drag queen David Bell's house and brutally attacked him and his lover. But no charges will be filed against the mob. [more inside]
posted by punkbitch on Aug 8, 2008 - 40 comments

Joanna Connors, a theatre critic, was raped on an empty stage. She tells her story in vivid, lucid detail-- then traces her rapist's twisted family history. One of the best pieces of journalism-- or writing, for that matter-- I've read for ages. Lots of resources for survivors and their families, as well.
posted by Maias on May 6, 2008 - 120 comments

The battle over Nandigram continues (after the massacres of March 14), as a fresh spate of atrocities have been reported.
posted by hadjiboy on Nov 13, 2007 - 5 comments

Los Alamos whistleblower "Tommy Hook is still hospitalized today after being brutally assaulted over the weekend," the Project on Government Oversight is saying. "A group of three to four assailants threatened Hook to keep silent, in apparent reference to his upcoming Congressional testimony on fraud at Los Alamos."
posted by Coherence Panda on Jun 7, 2005 - 31 comments

Olympic gold medal skier Bill Johnson was released from jail late Monday after a traffic stop resulted in charges of assaulting police officers, driving under the influence of intoxicants and resisting arrest. Johnson allegedly punched the deputy repeatedly and kicked the officer in the groin after taunting them with his gold medal from the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, where Johnson became the first U.S. skier to win the downhill.
posted by Gankmore on Feb 15, 2005 - 17 comments

Restaurant Industry Warns Members to Beware Strip-Search Hoax. "If anyone requests a manager or other employee to order someone to disrobe, ignore their request because it is a privacy invasion." Anyone want to supersize their sexual assault?
posted by squirrel on Apr 7, 2004 - 10 comments

As reported by Don O'Briant of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Phineas J. Monkey, local celebrity and co-star of Uncle Grampa's Hoo-Dilly Stew, was assaulted by Burt Reynolds at a gala for the IMAGE Film and Video Center earlier this week. Mr. Reynolds appears to have been enraged by the puppet's biting wit, so much so that he was compelled to latch violently onto the charming emcee's throat with both hands. I'd like to say this sort of thing is surprising, but alas, it is not. Irrational behavior seems to have become a part of Mr. Reynolds's operating system, a point well illustrated by his dismissal of an agent for landing him his only decent role in 1997 (par 14). To be fair, Boogie Nights was no Meet Wally Sparks.
posted by cachilders on Jun 7, 2003 - 9 comments

Man accused of spiking child's juice This cracks me up. Apparently a child wouldn't stop crying on an international flight. So a flight attendant took it upon himself to drug the child to get it to be quite. I can certainly sympathize with him. Yes I know it's serious, but it still cracks me up.
posted by tljenson on Mar 14, 2003 - 85 comments

Doctor brands woman's uterus with his alma mater's initials during surgery. And if doubt the claim, you can watch a video of the operation.
posted by Pinwheel on Jan 29, 2003 - 63 comments

What's the Frequency, Moby? Techno superstar Moby was assaulted by a pair of mysterious assailants last night after a concert in Boston. "He wrote on his Web site that he is not angry about the attack, just mystified about the motive. He has asked the attackers to post an explanation." Moby's journal has been discussed previously, but is worth a look if you've never visited.
posted by Joey Michaels on Dec 13, 2002 - 47 comments

Israeli reservists tell of Jenin assault Anecdotal or an overview? You decide. In a similar situation, how would you react?
posted by Postroad on Apr 26, 2002 - 8 comments

Attackers carve slur on young lesbian. I'm going to be sick.
posted by donkeyschlong on Mar 28, 2002 - 27 comments

Cookie Monster Plan Crumbled -- Your regular idiot assault story, but with some fabulous quotes.

"People started yelling at me that I should be ashamed of myself for hitting Cookie Monster. I did not kick or punch Cookie Monster," says the man arrested for shoving and kicking the 21-year-old woman who played Cookie Monster. A Seasame Street spokeswoman denied the man's allegations that Cookie Monster started the violence: "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster."
posted by jennak on Jun 21, 2001 - 12 comments

mmmm. crunchy. i wonder if the woman will be charged with anything? i wonder if she's liable for anything? in a nation where predators sue their prey when they fight back, anything's possible, i suppose...
posted by fuzzygeek on May 22, 2001 - 15 comments

I despise parades. The author gets a bit theatrical at the end but the core of the editorial is true. I live in NYC and often these ethnic pride parades devolve into some kind of justification for violence. Last Sunday's PR Day Parade was en especially bad example of this.
posted by Nyarlathotep on Jun 14, 2000 - 23 comments