| Torch Today
Updated throughout the day, it's the Torch News Ticker with all the news and info that's not fit for print. Bookmark it every Monday! Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:00 p.m. - TNA management was pleased with last weekend's turn-out in Ohio for the house shows in Troy and Youngstown, continuing what they believe has been "nothing but strong experiences in 2008." Steven Godfrey, TNA's public relations manager, tells the Torch: "It's exciting to start the year with this kind of momentum for our live shows, because we feel like this will create a buzz for our pay per view events in Greenville and Norfolk, as well as more live events slated for the coming months." TNA has a three-night tour of New York in late February, and they will be announcing another series of live shows soon. 4:00 p.m. - NWA Notes: The schedule for the "Pro Wrestling Showcase" TV tapings in Las Vegas includes: Feb.
John Ervin: SEX, DRUGS AND FAMILY VALUES
The distinction is very important here. As Mike Jones, author of the recently released memoir, I Had to Say Something, repeatedly reminded those of us who attended a public reading and Q and A he hosted at Minneapolis Magers and Quinn Booksellers, he performed duties for most of his clients that went way beyond sex. However, it must be said that the bump-and-grind was the key - if not only - component of the three-year escort-client relationship he had with his most famous patron, defrocked pastor and founder of Colorados New Life Church, and defunct leader of the National Association of Evangelicals, Ted Haggard.
That appeared to be the case from the excerpt that Jones, who, at fifty, could pass for thirty thanks to a physique that would put the current Governor of California to shame, read from the opening pages of his book.
Surveillance, Schmurveillance?
Wal-Mart's apparent research and surveillance activities geared toward shareholders raises troubling, but perhaps fleeting questions about trust. SocialFunds.com -- The recent scandal involving Wal-Mart's surveillance activities raises complex questions about the level of trust that must exist between publicly traded companies and their stakeholders.
Although the current situation is the latest in a list of revelations that include the head of Hewlett-Packard ordering surveillance of some of HP's Board members and Cintas's lawsuit against shareholder Tim Smith, the Wal-Mart (ticker: WMT) case is fundamentally different. In this case, the scandal may have little consequence for company-stakeholder relations.
The story initially broke when the Wall Street Journal reported on April 4 that Wal-Mart runs a "Threat Research and Analysis Group" at its Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters.
Fike H.S. Coach Facing Sex Offense Charge
Wilson — A former Fike High School physical education teacher and wrestling coach faces a felony charge of sexual offense and a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the Wilson County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday. David Brandon Earp, 33, of Sims, was charged Friday, authorities said. He resigned from the Wilson County Schools on Saturday, the school system said. The system had hired Earp in August, according to Robert Kendall, the system's public relations director. The case began after a parent told Fike Principal Steve Ellis of a text message found on a student's cell phone that suggested inappropriate behavior, officials said. Ellis contacted schools Superintendent Larry E. Price. Price contacted the sheriff's office, but deputies reported Jan.
Winners of the coveted 2007 Award for Political Incorrectness
The Duke lacrosse case represents an enduring failure of the American mainstream media. Not only did the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, and other outlets neglect their duty to provide balanced and factual coverage of the case. Worse, they became the public relations arm of a sleazy prosecutor named Michael Nifong. As so often happens in rape cases, the media featured lurid accusations made by an anonymous victim, all the while omitting the word "alleged" and failing to offer the defendant the opportunity to present his side of the event. In the Duke case, it was the Raleigh News and Observer that led the headlong rush to judge. Its March 25, 2006 issue featured a front-page five-column article with the headline: "Dancer Gives Details of Ordeal: A Night of Racial Slurs, Growing Fear, and, Finally, Sexual Violence." Media sensationalism doesn't get much worse than that.
Probes into lecturer's indecent assault bid complete
Two official investigations into a former senior childcare lecturer convicted of attempted indecent assault have been completed, it emerged tonight.The gardaí have sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions after its inquiry into Athlone Institute of Technology ex-lecturer Dr Niall McElwee.Separately, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said it is considering whether to publish its own probe into the circumstances surrounding the case.Dr McElwee resigned from the third-level college last year over his prosecution in the Netherlands of attempted indecent assault on two young women in an Amsterdam hotel room.Children's Minister Brendan Smith ordered an independent review of the the case last July while the gardaí were investigating if Dr McElwee broke sex laws in the Republic.Individuals are obliged under the Sexual Offenders Act 2001 to inform authorities here of any prosecution abroad for an offence also deemed criminal in Ireland.A garda spokesman said: "The investigation is complete and the file is with the Director of Public Prosecutions."Separately, lawyers are to decide whether the HSE probe will be published after health chiefs receive the findings in the coming days.Independent management consultant Conal Devine - a former Director of Industrial Relations at the Irish Medical Organisation - was appointed to carry out the HSE inquiry last July.Child protection experts were to be brought in from outside the State to help Mr Devine with his investigation, it was announced at the time.The report is now understood to be concluded and will be handed to the Assistant National Director of Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) services in the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Area before the end of the week.A HSE spokesman said its lawyers will study the findings before a decision is taken on whether or not to make them public."The HSE is committed to establishing the full facts of what information was available to the health services in relation to Dr McElwee," he said.A review inquiry team headed up by Mr Devine was charged with looking at concerns about child protection relating to the incident.It was expected to investigate:::Documents from State agencies, including the gardaí, government departments and Athlone IT relating to Dr McElwee and child protection issues.
US State Dept: Daily Press Briefing
It sends a strong message to Iran that it needs to comply with UN Chapter 7 resolutions. They’re becoming increasingly isolated and I think this shows that they aren’t able to divide us in our commitment to this effort. In terms of details, I don’t have them right now. They’ll be released in appropriate time. QUESTION: Well, I mean when they – when Steinmeier says we’ve agreed on the elements in the resolution – I mean, one might logically assume that if those elements included sanctions he would have said so. MR. GALLEGOS:Well, since I don’t have it, we haven’t released it, I can’t tell you at this point. But I do know that at an appropriate it will be released and we’ll be able to comment on it further at that time.
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