Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Michael L Kuhne said 6:18AM on 5-15-2008
Oh, my, what are all those poor advertisers going to do? They can't scream in your ear about the fine used car that was only driven to church on sunday while she owned it. They can't scream in your ear about deoderants, feminine hygene products or other such crfap any more. Now the car manufactorers and other loudmouths will have to shut up, especially that obnoxious creep about his "free money" book. Thank God for the British regulators!
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Mary said 7:19AM on 5-15-2008
About time -- for years I have utilized the "mute" button to the max -- when an advertisement comes on, I mute it. I became aware of the change in volume when my niece was very young - as a toddler, she would stop what she was doing to watch ads on television -- the decibel level changed just enough to grab her attention. That's when I started muting it.
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Greg Gebhardt said 7:58AM on 5-15-2008
This texhnology has been available for years to be added to our own tv sets at the time of manufactor but the advertisers have paid to not have it installed
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James said 8:07AM on 5-15-2008
Back in the 70's Congress passed a law saying commercials couldn't be louder than the program. Obviously the FCC is not enforcing that law. Probably for political reasons. The big companies and advertisers are lining the politicians pockets and bank accounts with PAC money.
That same congress is the one who tells the FCC what to do.
As usual the taxpayers and citizens are the losers when it comes to Congress representing us as opposed to special interest groups.
I guess if you reflect back and think about the most important event of the 20th century might be; a new medicine, landing on the moon, the computer...none of the above. Actually it was the MUTE button on the TV remote.
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Marlene McElroy said 8:08AM on 5-15-2008
I'm a senior citizen, but my ears are still fine. Loud commercials have driven me away from some of my favorite programs (and therefore also from their advertisers). My pets have even begun to leave the room during the cacaphony!
Enough already! Unless I desperately need that item. I refuse to patronize the noisemakers.
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James said 8:08AM on 5-15-2008
Back in the 70's Congress passed a law saying commercials couldn't be louder than the program. Obviously the FCC is not enforcing that law. Probably for political reasons. The big companies and advertisers are lining the politicians pockets and bank accounts with PAC money.
That same congress is the one who tells the FCC what to do.
As usual the taxpayers and citizens are the losers when it comes to Congress representing us as opposed to special interest groups.
I guess if you reflect back and think about the most important event of the 20th century might be; a new medicine, landing on the moon, the computer...none of the above. Actually it was the MUTE button on the TV remote.
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joann s. said 8:12AM on 5-15-2008
i have an additional problem with commercials besides being louder....some commercials hurt my dogs ears and she howls in pain and we have to dive to mute the commercial....only certain commercials do it...e.g. campbells soups... among others......i dont know if it is caused by high frequency or what....would love to find a solution to this problem...and my dog would certainly appreciate it.....
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Fox said 8:14AM on 5-15-2008
Eh? I'm sorry, the words to this report is too loud! I'm just wondering if the advertisers are going to be forced to tone down their audio ads, will they retaliate by closed captioning in CAPITAL LETTERS?
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Walter F. Barber said 8:20AM on 5-15-2008
I propose that a law be passed that all audio transmissions (TV,DVD,TAPES,DISCS,.RADIO PROGRAMMING ETC.) be at a standard level. Let us change the volume to suit what we consider to be a comfortable level!
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Terry Conley said 8:36AM on 5-15-2008
Not only are commercials loud, they are getting longer with several advertizers in a row. We used to switch channels during commercials, but they soon caught on to this and most channels have the commercials on at the same time. In addition to all these tricks, they are waiting for the program to get underway before blasting us. Less commercials on the hour. Have you all noticed this?
Interestingly, when TV was first introduced back in the late 40s, a poll showed that the general public would not approve of advertizing on TV.
What happened? Noe the commercials are almost as long as the program. By the time the commercial is over, I sometimes forget what I was watching.
News Flash!!! Soviet missles headed for the U.S.........but first a word from our sponser.
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K.P. said 8:46AM on 5-15-2008
Believe it or not...There is a control more powerful than the remote control, it's called self control. Turn the television OFF. Think of all the possibilities; you could go for a bike ride, sit in the sun, go shopping (spend that new goverment "boost the economy check") or take a nature walk and take the dog too. I realize that it is more difficult, but the rewards could be amazing! =)
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momma bear said 1:45PM on 5-15-2008
So true KP.
I gave up most TV watching long ago in favor of reading. I can't stand to watch the commercials. The shows are so short now because of the ads. I'd rather spend my time doing something other than waiting for the show to come back on.
Terry said 8:52AM on 5-15-2008
To K.P. I agree totally. I find myself reading more also.
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Mike said 8:54AM on 5-15-2008
I HATE COMMERCIALS
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Quinlivan said 8:59AM on 5-15-2008
I do not just press the mute button. I change the channel.Broadcasters. If you allow advertisers to annoy me, I shall vote with my feet, and tune in to your competition. If your competition is also rude, then I shall turn off the set and read a book. I do not cede anyone the right to enter my home and irritate me because some pervert with a psych. degree thinks that is how to trigger memory and manipulate spending patterns. NO! it triggers ANGER and this Irish American does not submit to abuse.
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Kris said 9:05AM on 5-15-2008
Now what will Billy Mays do for a living. Not that anything he was screaming about was all that great to begin with...
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jaguignon said 12:53PM on 5-15-2008
Kris, I know exactly who and what you are talking about! He and the guy with the book about free money from the gov. and the commercial about "I WANT MY MONEY AND I WANT IT NOW!"
momma bear said 1:46PM on 5-15-2008
So true! He was exactly who I thought of when the article mentioned loud commercials. :) When we are excited about something in our family we use our faux Billy Mays voices.
bernadette said 9:08AM on 5-15-2008
MY FAMILY,FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ALL PUT THE TELEVISION ON MUTE WHENEVER A COMMERCAIL COMES ON....SO THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOSING BUSINESS FOR THE PRODUCT THEY ARE ADVERTISING...KEEP THE NOISE DOWN PLEASE.
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carol la rue said 9:19AM on 5-15-2008
I am so sick and tired of commercials we pay huge prices
for cable just to see loud commercials what a dumb thing
to do....well I will not buy any product they show me...Nope
I just boycott there crap also I mute the commercials...so
I neather look at them,hear them,nor buy them...
And that makes me feel good....
Darla
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