Archive for the ‘illinois’ tag

American Injustice System, part II

Previously on bokeen.com: American judges handed down puny sentences for horrific crimes. An NFL player was sentenced to 24 days in jail for killing a man in a drunken car accident. A Chicago cop walked free after viciously beating a defenseless female bartender. Jack Bauer narrowly escaped after being captured and tortured by terrorists. Read part one for the full story.

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In February, four bicycles were stolen from outside of a hotel in Santa Rosa, California.  The bicycles in question were not the caliber of a bike that you or I would ride; they belonged to Kazakh cycling Team Astana, which was competing in the Tour of California. 

Sacramento resident Lee Crider pleaded no contest to charges of burglary and theft in the case.  He will be sentenced to three years in prison. 

One of the bicycles belonged to legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong is the record-setting, cancer-surviving, single-testicled, Livestrong-bracelet-wearing athlete that has dominated sports reports on summertime newscasts for a decade.  He is also a giant piece of steaming shit.

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American Injustice System, part I

Some say that justice is blind; the American judicial system is deaf and dumb as well.

Criminal sentencing is wildly inconsistent as judges punish criminals with blatant disregard for the severity of their crimes.  Three cases in the last month alone illustrate the shortcomings of the country’s judicial system.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth pleaded guilty to charges of DUI manslaughter for killing a man while driving drunk; he will serve 24 days in jail.

Chicago Police officer Anthony Abbate was found guilty of aggravated battery for a drunken incident where he belligerently threw a female bartender to the ground and beat her; he will serve two years probation, avoiding jail altogether. 

A man named Lee Crider pleaded no contest to charges of burglary and theft for stealing three bicycles, including one owned by world-famous douche-on-a-bike Lance Armstrong; he will serve three years in jail.

The incongruity of the punishments compared to the crimes is utterly staggering.

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Hot Weather Crazy

Hot weather causes residents of the Midwest to become raving lunatics.

Midwesterners are simply unable to adequately prepare themselves for the summer.  Last winter in Chicago, for example, was extremely long; snow fell during five successive months.  Spring is virtually nonexistent, so a Midwesterner experiences septic shock when the temperature rises above 80 degrees. 

For many, foolish behavior functions as a means to cope with the jarring change in climate.  With summer officially underway, I am reminded of a few instances where I have witnessed the dramatic effect that the sun can have on residents of the Midwest.

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Introducing Angry Letters: The road paved with failure

I can be an angry fellow from time to time.

Normally, this blog is an adequate medium for expressing my frustrations.  However, there are times when I feel that this site does not fully reach its intended audience.  In certain circumstances, a more direct approach is appropriate. 

I am happy to introduce the latest series of posts, entitled “Angry Letters.”  In addition to appearing on this site, each letter will be sent to one or more individuals.  In the highly unlikely event that a letter elicits a response, I will post the response here as well.

The first letter concerns the atrocious road conditions in the Chicago area.  This letter was sent to Illinois’ Secretary of Transportation, Gary Hannig.  Copies were also mailed to several other officials at the Illinois Department of Transportation, including the Directors of the Offices of Operations and Communications, the Division of Highways and the Division of Traffic Safety.

I am eagerly anticipating their responses.

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Illinois’ ban on texting while driving is complete bullshit

Illinois lawmakers are a rather apathetic lot; when they take action, it is rather newsworthy.

Last week, the Illinois Senate approved a measure to ban drivers from using their cellular phone to send text messages or surf the internet while driving.  Offenders would be fined $75, and would have their driver’s license suspended after three violations in a 12-month period.

“We’re creating safer roads in the state of Illinois,” boasted bill sponsor Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Mexico.)

Like any politician, especially one from Illinois, Sandoval is well-versed in the craft of bullshit.  The proposed law has absolutely nothing to do with public safety.

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