New York (AP) - A man was charged with withdrawing $2 million from an account after a bank confused him with a man who has the same name. Benjamin Lovell was arraigned Tuesday on grand larceny charges. The 48-year-old salesman said he tried to tell officials at Commerce Bank in December that he did not have a $5 million account. He says he was told it was his and he could withdraw the money. Prosecutors said the bank - which advertises itself as America's Most Convenient Bank - confused Lovell with a Benjamin Lovell who works for a property management company. The lesser-funded Lovell gave away some of the withdrawn money and blew some of it on gifts, but lost much of it on bad investments, prosecutors said. The district attorney's office did not immediately have information on his lawyer. Calls left with Commerce Bank on Wednesday were not immediately returned.
The less fortunate Lovell should not be drawn up on these charges because although he must of known there had to be a mistake, however the bank should not have insisted it was his money. Plus the Lovell should have realized that a significant amount of money was missing from his account. This man obviously had the money for a decent amount of time to lose it on investments. I feel that this man should not be arrested and Commerce Bank should replace the money to the correct Lovell due to their major error. It is not the other mans fault that he used this money that was not his because honestly it is human nature to value money and when someone is giving you free money of course you are going to take it.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
'Naked Cowboy' Sues for $6 Million!
For nearly a decade, Robert Burck has been a fixture in Times Square, where he strums a guitar on a street corner while dressed in his skimpy signature costume. In a lawsuit filed this week in Manhattan federal court, Burck said that two oversized Times Square billboards that promote M&Ms used his look without compensating him. The billboards feature a scantily clad blue M&M with a guitar alongside views of New York including street scenes and the Statue of Liberty. Burck is suing privately held Mars Inc., which makes M&Ms, and Chute Gerdeman Inc., an Ohio agency that he said created the ad, for trademark infringement. Neither company was immediately available for comment. "Just like The Naked Cowboy does on a daily basis in Times Square, the M&M is not only dressed as "The Naked Cowboy ," it is playing the Naked Cowboy 's distinctive white guitar in the cartoon," the lawsuit said. Mars and Chute Gerdeman "decided to exploit and trade upon The Naked Cowboy 's well-recognized likeness without a license and without furnishing any compensation," the lawsuit said. Burck has trademarked his signature look and has made several television and movie appearances in costume, including for a televised audition on the "American Idol" reality TV program, the lawsuit said.
Burck has made a significant living off of his trademark as the “Naked Cowboy” and M&M did imitate him without paying him, which is wrong. However, for this man to sue for 6 million dollars is a bit ridiculous. It is ridiculous enough that he has made a living off such a stupid performance, however good for him if we as Americans want to pay him to do these stupid antics fine. However, for this man to become a millionaire because the Mars candy company made an M&M look like him is outrageous. He should be able to get some money because they did steal his logo but he would have gladly sold them the rights to use it if they had asked for a great deal cheaper guaranteed. Now because he knows he can make money off of it he is just plain greedy and making a big deal over candy.
Burck has made a significant living off of his trademark as the “Naked Cowboy” and M&M did imitate him without paying him, which is wrong. However, for this man to sue for 6 million dollars is a bit ridiculous. It is ridiculous enough that he has made a living off such a stupid performance, however good for him if we as Americans want to pay him to do these stupid antics fine. However, for this man to become a millionaire because the Mars candy company made an M&M look like him is outrageous. He should be able to get some money because they did steal his logo but he would have gladly sold them the rights to use it if they had asked for a great deal cheaper guaranteed. Now because he knows he can make money off of it he is just plain greedy and making a big deal over candy.
State investigates midget wrestling event
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A suburban Des Moines nightclub may have violated state law when it hosted "extreme midget wrestling." Venues are required to post a $5,000 bond and pay taxes on revenues at events, such as professional boxing and wrestling. The Vieux Carre nightclub in West Des Moines hosted the Half Pint Brawlers, a traveling group that does stand-up comedy, stunts and fake wrestling shows, last Friday night. Dave Neil, the state's labor commissioner, said the event is considered professional wrestling under Iowa code and that the club should comply with the requirements. Club Owner Tom Baldwin disagrees. "It's just kind of a carnival-like show," Baldwin said. "It'd be no different than going to the Funny Bone" comedy club. Baldwin's club could face a fine of up to $5,000. The Union bar in Iowa City also is facing a similar inquiry after a similar show in December.
I feel that the state of Iowa should be fining these clubs for these “circus-like” events because I feel what they are doing is morally wrong. Although the midgets may not care that people are just there to watch and laugh at them but, it is still worng. So the clubs may be legally allowed to hold these degrading events however they should abide by the state’s laws and since they did not they should be fined not only because they broke the rules but because what they are doing is just plain wrong.
A Valentine's Day break: S.C. radio station offering free divorce to some lucky unhappy couple
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A Charleston radio station is observing Valentine's Day with a reminder that Cupid sometimes misses his mark. WKLC-FM, better known as Rock 105, is giving away a free divorce. Valentine's Day isn't all hearts and flowers, says WKLC Program Director Jay Nunley. There is a darker side, he said, "Where maybe you despise your spouse and resent the entire day." Through 4 p.m. on Thursday, Valentine's Day, applications for the free divorce will be accepted on the classic rock station's Web site, www.wklc.com. The winning name will be drawn at 5 p.m. Nunley cautions that this is a real divorce and people shouldn't enter if they aren't serious. Also, people expecting a long, drawn-out legal battle should hire a lawyer because the Rock 105 contest is for a relatively uncomplicated divorce.
No wonder the divorce rate in this country is so high, this radio station is making a mockery out of a holiday about love and making it about getting out of love. I definitely agree that there are a great deal of unhappy couples out there in this world, however I do not feel that divorce should be promoted because making a contest like this may cause couple to just take the easy way out and not even try to work out their differences. Marriage is supposed to be a sacred act about love and Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the day when the act of love is celebrated but, making a contest promoting divorce on this day makes it seem like love and marriage do not me anything special at all.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Teen faces WMD charge after plastic egg explodes!
In Middletown, Pa. An 18-year-old man is charged with possessing a weapon of mass destruction, risking a catastrophe, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and simple assault. Police say he ignited a plastic egg filled with plastic air-gun pellets in a flea market, hitting at least five people and causing alarm. It happened Saturday afternoon at a Saturday's Market in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County.
Although charging this teen with a WMD charge is a bit extreme this kid definitely needs to be punished. He didn't make a bomb or anything that could cause mass destruction however, this immature teen took an idea and concept that is very real and very scary and put a teenagers twist on it took cause fear and alarm. Now this kid is not a terrorist but the concept of terrorism is to instill fear in people and cause them to become alarmed and that is what this teen did in Pennsylvania. I disagree with the fact that they are charging this man with a WMD charge because he could not have caused mass destruction but, I do respect this small town for recognizing the fact that this kid was making a parody of terrorism the thing that we in the U.S. are fighting against. I feel they are making an example out of this man for all those who think terrorism is a joke!
Although charging this teen with a WMD charge is a bit extreme this kid definitely needs to be punished. He didn't make a bomb or anything that could cause mass destruction however, this immature teen took an idea and concept that is very real and very scary and put a teenagers twist on it took cause fear and alarm. Now this kid is not a terrorist but the concept of terrorism is to instill fear in people and cause them to become alarmed and that is what this teen did in Pennsylvania. I disagree with the fact that they are charging this man with a WMD charge because he could not have caused mass destruction but, I do respect this small town for recognizing the fact that this kid was making a parody of terrorism the thing that we in the U.S. are fighting against. I feel they are making an example out of this man for all those who think terrorism is a joke!
Brazil Carnival Star Eyes Surgery Record
Angela Bismarchi, 36, is hoping to set the world record for most plastic surgeries. The Brazilian model has had 42 operations, making her a celebrity in her home country. In preparation for Rio's five-day Carnival blowout in February, she's having her 42nd plastic surgery - closing in on the Guinness World Record of 47 surgical procedures held by 52-year-old American Cindy Jackson, who calls herself a "Living Doll" and now promotes her own skincare line.
Now this is a strange but true article featured on AOL news, however, the strange truth behind this article is how the world bases a great deal on looks. The main fact that the current record holder is an American entrepreneur now because of the amount of plastic surgeries she has had speaks a great deal about this country. The fact that the United States feeds this woman who I consider shallow and narcissistic about her self-beauty, disgusts me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder is not a factual statement here in the U.S. where looking good is everything and now it is spreading throughout the world. For there to be a world record for the amount of plastic surgery done just shows how beauty is envied even if it is all silicon and botox. I feel the world should be talking about how to stop hunger or find a cure for AIDS rather than worry about who holds the record for most plastic surgeries.
Now this is a strange but true article featured on AOL news, however, the strange truth behind this article is how the world bases a great deal on looks. The main fact that the current record holder is an American entrepreneur now because of the amount of plastic surgeries she has had speaks a great deal about this country. The fact that the United States feeds this woman who I consider shallow and narcissistic about her self-beauty, disgusts me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder is not a factual statement here in the U.S. where looking good is everything and now it is spreading throughout the world. For there to be a world record for the amount of plastic surgery done just shows how beauty is envied even if it is all silicon and botox. I feel the world should be talking about how to stop hunger or find a cure for AIDS rather than worry about who holds the record for most plastic surgeries.
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