Has anyone been following the Amanda Knox trial? I can't say I know all the specifics but have been loosely paying attention. Anyway, from what I understand she was in jail in Italy for the murder of her roommate. She was acquitted today after spending 4 years in an Italian jail.

There was, from what I understand, (and feel free to correct me if I'm a bit off) a problem with how evidence (DNA) was handled. She originally implicated another man who it turns out was not involved. She was found guilty of slander for that reason and her four years in jail was considered time served.

Can't say I really have any idea if she is or isn't guilty. I hear part of the evidence they had to toss was her fingerprints on the handle of the knife. However, after that was tossed there was nothing else implicating her is my understanding. Strange case but I am sure her family is glad it's over. I feel for the parents of the victim though.

TIS

TIS, the Italian justice system places appeals in the hands of a jury. Her appeal led to her release.

A strange state of affairs that Knox case. Who knows if she was guilty or not but it doesn't matter now i guess!

I know the Italian courts are quite different aren't they? I guess there were crowds outside the courthouse both for and against her.

I really don't know if she's guilty or not but I can imagine how nice it will be for her to be back in America.



TIS

She was acquitted, but from what I understand, the prosecution can try to have her acquittal overturned. They said on the news this morning that she might be back in court again. However, will she fight extradition back to Italy???

Yea, that's what I understand too SB. They seem to think it's unlikely but who knows. Like Oli pointed out, the jury has the decision in the appeal reminding us that they do things very differently.


TIS

It's also important to understand that some foreign justice systems allow appeal courts to consider the evidence such as the Knox appeal jury did. In effect then, it's almost like a second trial. However, in the US, our state and federal appeals courts, although empowered to consider the evidence, don't. They merely examine due process issues.

All over the news here of course, with the victim being English. Her family are obviously devastated......in contrast to the Knox family who are obviously ecstatic!

I feel badly for the victims family. They HAVE been forgotten in all this. I understand however, that one person is in jail for the murder right? Don't know his role.


TIS

How many racially offensive place names are still around? Hundreds, at least. It’s impossible to say precisely how many offensively named towns and geographic features remain within the nation's borders. Here's the link to the article. Read it, especially you Dagoes!:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p....html?GT1=38001

By Kimberly Hayes Taylor msnbc.com contributor updated 10/7/2011

First, too much texting caused some people to come down with painful Blackberry Thumb. Now today’s technology is being blamed for another malady: text neck.

Doctors and chiropractors say people hunched over their mobile gadgets are developing neck strain, headaches and pain in the shoulders and, sometimes, in arms and hands. What’s more, all that curving of the body to text, type, watch videos and play games could cause debilitating pain that lasts a lifetime, they warn

Speaking of texting, does anyone here text while they drive? I can't tell you how many times I've seen it. And it's not just one group of people or male/female either. I've seen young kids and adults both do it.

A while back, I was waiting for a light change to enter the freeway and see a kid in front of me with his phone on the steering wheel as he's texting waiting for the light to change. That is SO dangerous. Nobody should text and drive. They give tickets for it, but I see a whole lot of it going on and it's really scary.

TIS

Heard that Sir Paul McCartney is getting married (or maybe already did) today in NYC in a civil ceremony. I can't believe he's 69. Anyway congrats to the "cute" Beatle.



TIS

On John Lennon's birthday?



Signor V.

OMG, yea, that's right?



TIS

I asked on Facebook shortly ago, but this is odd -- I know at least 5 ppl the past week or so who've had stomach problems in the past week or so. Don't know if it's just the NJ/NY area or what, but I'd feel better knowing it's not just ME. Anyone else? Is there a stomach virus (or something) going around??

Not that I'm aware of, but it seems like an above average amount of my employees are out sick the last 2 days. But that could be because of the nice weather, and not illness.

well i know up here alot of people are gettin sick, with flu's and really heavy colds so

I wouldn't assume.... if they have what I have... it's not good,....:/

I don't know. It didn't seem like you were feeling any pain on FB earlier tonight.

What's the mystery? You're in ... New Jersey!

I did say Zynga made me sick to my stomach -- maybe that's all it is!

When I first heard this was an actual bill, I couldn't believe it. The guy (lawmaker) who sponsored a bill to allow guns in bars was arrested for dui with a gun. Ok, I laugh at the picture. Don't know if it's the actual person but nice touch. RR is that you?

I just can't help but think guns/drinking maybe don't mix??


http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/12/te...r-dui-with-gun/


TIS

It's REALLY hard not to think of the southern stereotype when you see a picture like that. Unfortunately, most stereotypes are true at least part of the time. And that guy right there is a redneck. Plain and simple.

Click the photo credit - he's not a redneck

Okay, he's a California redneck .

Never picture rednecks in CA do you?

That picture though makes me think someone took a picture of cousin Jethro after a drinking binge and then sold it to a reporter.

TIS

By Rita Rubin

Ladies, if you feel your partner is a great provider -- but meh in the love-making department -- it may have something to do with your birth control.

Women who were taking contraceptive pills when they met their significant other were more likely to stay in the relationship than women who weren’t on the Pill, according to new research. While the partners of the non-Pill taking women tend to be more handsome and better in the sack, their relationships just didn’t have the same staying power.

By Al Olson

Gap, ubiquitous in malls across America, will reduce the number of its U.S. stores to 700 by 2013, a 34 percent decline from 2007, the company announced Thursday.

Although it is shrinking its retail footprint in the U.S., the company announced it is expanding Gap and Banana Republic stores in China, Italy and South America. It is planning on tripling its Gap stores in greater China from roughly 15 at the end of this year to about 45 by the end of 2012, according to the press release.

I guess this is a sign of the times we live in. I just found out that I'm a brand new uncle to a beautiful little girl, Sophia McKenzie. Where did I find this out? Facebook.

I'm still waiting on a phone call from SOMEBODY in my family...