totally off topic -- just a lot of random stuff Showing 51-100 of 1,139

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I read an article where a man was convicted, then later acquitted of murder, but 20 years later DNA in the case was tested. It was him, but the state couldn't retry him. He would have stayed free, but he was in the Army and they tried him. If he hadn't been military, he would be a free man.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/201...

[Wendy]

It is doubtful the cold case will ever be solved. Although, my vague recollection was there would have been lots of forensics.. aka blood. but they never solved Bob Crane of Hogan's Heroes murder either where he was similarly murdered.

[E.]

I think if the guy was found "not guilty" they can't retry him for the same crime. They would have to come at it from a different direction with a different charge. He could also be tried in a civil court with a monetary punishment (via a family member) but no prison.

[Wendy]

just read the article... wow

[Feliks]

Never heard of anyone named 'Durst'. Probably some lead vocalist..latest boy-band. It all merges together after a while. Just like when watching prime-time tv and two commercials appear at the break (1) KFC, is finger-licking good (2) Preparation-H eases hemmorhoids fast

Irrelevant topic #2 from me: when it comes to my kitchen junk drawer, stocked with (1) wax paper, (2) Saran wrap, and (3) Tin Foil...I gotta say I love the hell outta tin foil. Saran Wrap is annoying and Wax paper only has limited usage. Tin Foil is amazing in that it never gets hot-to-the-touch. And there's something very satisfying about crunching it into a ball in your hand after use. Also like the sound. What a great product.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

E. wrote: "I think if the guy was found "not guilty" they can't retry him for the same crime. They would have to come at it from a different direction with a different charge. He could also be tried in a civi..."

That would be my thinking as well.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Wendy wrote: "just read the article... wow"

Isn't that a bizarre story?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Feliks wrote: "Never heard of anyone named 'Durst'. Probably some lead vocalist..latest boy-band. It all merges together after a while. Just like when watching prime-time tv and two commercials appear at the brea..."

Look him up.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Is anyone going to watch Going Clear on HBO?

[Jenn]

Nancy wrote: "Is anyone going to watch Going Clear on HBO?"

Yes, can't wait for that one!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Jenn wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Is anyone going to watch Going Clear on HBO?"

Yes, can't wait for that one!"

I've already got it set up to DVR. Did you read the book? Fascinating -- the author ran into a lot of hassle from Scientology re the publishing of his book.

[Feliks]

Nancy wrote: "Look him up. ..."

I didn't bring my 32 volume set of Encyclopedia Britannica with me when I left college. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Feliks wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Look him up. ..."

I didn't bring my 32 volume set of Encyclopedia Britannica with me when I left college. :)"

I doubt you'd find him in there anyway.

[Jenn]

Nancy wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Is anyone going to watch Going Clear on HBO?"

Yes, can't wait for that one!"

I've already got it set up to DVR. Did you read the book? Fascinating -- the author ran i..."

No, I only heard about it in a recent article I read, and then I saw the previews during The Jinx. At my college, Scientologists were always leaving flyers on the cars in the dorm parking lots. Seemed to be a big thing in California, but I don't hear anything about it in Colorado.

[Wendy]

I do not have HBO, so not likely. A co-worker was becoming one years ago. It was awkward because she was SO STOKED on it, and I was just starting to go back to my Jewish roots. As a minority Jew, I learned a long time ago to just nod silently and bite my tongue with anyone who tries to change my views.

[Jan C]

I lived in a house where one young man (my roommate's son) got involved in it. I tried to discourage him, they were Jewish, and he wouldn't listen for the longest time. Eventually, he decided they were too controlling and left on his own. I don't think he was that deeply into it, had only been with it a couple of months. Thank goodness.

[Wendy]

I have wondered if she stuck with it...she was had a very domineering personality. (We were working independent living with a young woman who fired her for being too bossy.

[Jan C]

That doesn't sound like a very susceptible personality. People usually need to be looking for something.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Here's food for thought:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/book...

[Jan C]

I am not sure what to think of this title for a children's book - The Donner Dinner Party (couldn't find a link). It shows a cattle skull on the cover. A little more accuracy might show a human skull. But "dinner party" when what they dined on was each other. It just seems a poor choice for a title. Now it may be that they had a dinner party before they fell upon disaster. But still a poor choice.

[Tom]

Ha that is awesome

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

here's the blurb:

"Hale ... tells the harrowing story of the ill-fated Donner party. Beginning with their departure from Springfield, Illinois, in 1846, Hale depicts the party’s progress in small but clear panels and includes lots of factual details, such as a roster of everyone in the party, how they died, and a helpful map showing just how tantalizingly close they came to California before meeting their grisly end. It’s a difficult story, and Hale makes ­allowances for sensitive readers: “Horrible things are going to happen. If you are easily upset, skip ahead.” But despite the gruesome facts, Hale keeps it relatively light and lifts the mood with some much-needed humor, thanks in no small part to the over-the-top executioner—who, for instance, is outrageously sensitive to the death of cute and fuzzy animals but surprisingly nonchalant about cannibalism. "

egad. I wouldn't be sure about it either.

[Jan C]

Nancy wrote: "here's the blurb:

"Hale ... tells the harrowing story of the ill-fated Donner party. Beginning with their departure from Springfield, Illinois, in 1846, Hale depicts the party’s progress in small ..."

I had trouble enough in my 20s reading Bernard DeVoto's The Year of Decision 1846 which details what happened (among other events of 1846). And that was more straightforward history. Dispassionate, if you will.

[Jan C]

Nancy wrote: "Here's food for thought:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/book..."

Interesting article. Maybe Laurie R. King came to the same conclusion with her Kate Martinelli stories. And thus came up with her Mary Russell stories.

[Wendy]

I am from the USA. We now have a group of mostly volunteers called the Innocence Project who strive to free falsely imprisoned. Reasons: dna, new suspects, false/poor witness, corrupt __. They've freed over 300 people. One guy served 27 years. Anything like this in other countries?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

question to anyone reading this: Has anyone seen Archer?
http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/arche...

I saw an ad for this show on Hulu and I'm wondering if it's any good.

[Tom]

Archer is awesome! Funny take on the spy genre. The voices are impeccable

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Archer is awesome! Funny take on the spy genre. The voices are impeccable"

I'm considering watching it while I'm a work widow next week.

[Tom]

Its a little irreverent I will warn but I don't get offended very easily

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Its a little irreverent I will warn but I don't get offended very easily"

Irreverent doesn't bother me at all -- I'm a huge South Park fan.

[Tom]

OK. it's not THAT irreverent so you will be fine :-)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I can't help myself with South Park. I've been a fan for years. I know it's pretty awful, but it is just too funny.

[Wendy]

I also recommend Archer. I found it gloriously offensive in that OMG way. Think of a inept, politically incorrect, rated R James Bond.

[Wendy]

South Park, was also fun. I esp liked the jokes about the Jewish kid. (I'm Jewish) Although that human centipede was just gross.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Wendy wrote: "South Park, was also fun. I esp liked the jokes about the Jewish kid. (I'm Jewish) Although that human centipede was just gross."

My husband's Jewish as well, so we enjoy the humor. I hated that episode! Ewwwwww.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Wendy wrote: "I also recommend Archer. I found it gloriously offensive in that OMG way. Think of a inept, politically incorrect, rated R James Bond."

I'll give it a try.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

A very, very horrific day in Nepal.

[Jan C]

And a bad day on Everest.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I have this thing about getting overly involved in tragedy and sitting there sobbing so Larry told me not to watch the news. I did check BBC news here and there throughout the day though. I can't even imagine.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I don't feel alone now, Denise -- Thank you! I'm limiting myself to news videos from BBC in Nepal, but if there are are children in the picture, I'm flattened.

[Chris]

o do I know I'm a mystery writer? A doctor's office today asked me for my husband's middle name. "M," I said. "N?" she asked. "No," I replied, and added without thinking, "M, as in murder."

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Chris wrote: "o do I know I'm a mystery writer? A doctor's office today asked me for my husband's middle name. "M," I said. "N?" she asked. "No," I replied, and added without thinking, "M, as in murder.""

too funny!

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Chris wrote: "o do I know I'm a mystery writer? A doctor's office today asked me for my husband's middle name. "M," I said. "N?" she asked. "No," I replied, and added without thinking, "M, as in murder.""

That is so funny Chris! 8:D

[Laurie]

Just read that Ruth Rendell died. I have enjoyed her Wexford series and other novels over the years. Sorry to say goodbye to another talented author.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Thanks so much, Laurie.
Here's an obituary from The Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015...

She has given me hours and hours of pure pleasure for years.

[Jan C]

Sad news.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

The Guardian named five "key" works of hers -- when I get caught up with real-life stuff, I'm going to go read/reread them:

From Doon With Death,
Not in the Flesh,
A Judgement in Stone (which, by the way, is my favorite of hers as Rendell),
Adam and Eve and Pinch Me,
and my favorite of her novels as Barbara Vine, A Dark-Adapted Eye.

[Wendy]

Unbelievable! I have not read any of her books according to my Lists... I AM positive I read a Barbra Vine book, just do not know which one. I read some of PD James years ago as well as watched the BBC/PBS Mystery! Adaptions.

[Thomas]

While I have read 3 of her books, I have not read any of the "key" books. I will have add them to my tbr list.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I'm planning on nominating a Rendell novel for an upcoming group read. Stay tuned -- thread will be posted today.