Comic Censorship

According to news reports , The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights (CLRCR) issued a statement yesterday criticizing newspapers for dropping cartoons that might offend Muslims while running cartoons that might offend Catholics.
CLRCR was reacting to the news that at least 25 of the 200 or so "Opus" clients planned not to publish the Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 installments of Berkeley Breathed's Washington Post Writers Group comic.
The CLRCR has a point. Newspapers in the West have no qualms over publishing anything that might be considered offensive to Christian sensibilities.'Freedom of the Press' and all that, you know.
But, Heaven forbid, they would do anything to disturb Muslims.I'm sure it's merely coincidental that Christian protests over an offensive comic might consist of simply carrying signs or boycotting the newspaper while Muslim protests might involve blowing up a building.
I've put in the Aug. 26 comic....clicking on it will open a larger version. If I'm able to locate the Sept. 2 , I'll put it online as well.

The Spoon

This post was inspired, in part, by a post I read in Dom's blog village idiot savant: Philippine Defense Squad dot Com.

Growing up on the southern part of the United States, I assumed that when it came to the way one uses a fork,spoon or knife while eating, was pretty much standard throughout the world.I knew that people in other parts of the world used sticks to eat with, but it never occurred to me that there could be more than one way to use a fork and spoon.

When I first came to Philippines in 2000, I was introduced to a different method.I was staying with a friend who, as it turned out, was a bit of a snob and refused to eat the same way other Filipinos ate so it wasn't until some members of her family arrived that I learned the way Filipinos use the spoon.At one particular lunch, her brother had set the table....giving us all the proper culinary ware.I had no idea that the spoon set beside my plate was to be used for eating.....I thought it was some sort of serving spoon; after all, there wasn't any soup on the table so why else would I need a spoon.Her brother was completely scandalized to see that someone kept leaving his spoon in one of the bowls of food.

That was when I learned the proper way to eat.Spoon in right hand;the fork in the left.... using the fork as a "backstop" in much the same way we Southerners might use a biscuit.
As it turned out, after that first visit, I developed the habit of eating Filipino style and I continue to do so to this day; much to the amazement of some of my American co-workers.

Here in Georgia, my wife and I have several friends who are, like us, Filipina wife/American husband.I can't help but notice the way these other families have adapted to the difference in eating styles.The husbands that I had already judged as being more open minded were apt to be more tolerant of the way the wife used a spoon and fork.A few, like me, had picked up the habit themselves, as well. The others, which I would call the "tight asses", not only refused to change the way they ate, but forced the wife to eat the "American" way.

Why would anyone care one way in the least, how someone else choose to use an eating utensil ?

Sanford and Son Li Le Part 2

While waiting for further emails from Son, I did a bit of research.The scammers wanted an email with the word 'bank' in the address.They couldn't very well use a Yahoo email address for an international bank. So, they invested in a domain name :postbanknv-nl.com even setting up a little dummy site.
After looking at their dummy site, I went to a site that gives "whois" info and found out that the domain name is registered to a woman in Sarasota Fl. named Bethany Fischer. That info can be found here.
I'll paste the latest email exchanges between Fred, Son and the "Bank" below.

Thurs Aug 23, 2007
ATTENTION: Fred Sanford,
With regards to your email message/enquiry, please be hereby informed that opening an off/shore account here requires three easy steps. Firstly, you need to submit a copy of your most recent Identification for your personal account. The most preferable ID is either a copy of your international passport, a driver's license or any other Government identification. A copy should be sent to this office via email attachment or to our general fax line +31 84 719 8406.
Secondly, you are to send to us your personal information in this format as follows:
1. Your Full Names:
2. Your Home Address:
3. Your Phone Number:
4. Your Fax Number:
5. Your Age:
6. Your Occupation:
7. Your Next Of Kin:
Thirdly, there is a new policy that all new accounts must be activated by paying an initial deposit/ opening balance. The lowest interest bearing account is a personal bronze current account. You have to pay (?2850 Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Euros) to activate it. This account activation deposit can be sent to us through one of our contractual money transfer agents confirmable within 24hrs. Upon the receipt of the above mentioned, a copy Our web link will be supplied to you along with your account number and pin number to enable you operate your account worldwide online without delay.
With kind regards,
Postbank N.V.
Mr. Erol Ulu
Manager E-commerce and E-mail


Thurs Aug 23, 2007
Dear Brother,
Thank you for your recent update,I apreciate the fact that you are doing everything possible to ensure that the account is active as soon as
possible,this will enable us work according to the schedule.
I am not sure of the time it will take to have the acccount processed
and activated, but in my own opinion I believe it shouldn't take more
than a day, but it all depends on administrative procedures of the bank.
I expect you to follow it up diligently,to ensure that this process is
fast,which would be at our advantage. If it is possible tor the account
to be eady within today and monday then by next week tuesday morning HK time, we would effect the transfer from here.
I shall be waiting for feedback from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Your brother

Thurs Aug 23, 2007
My Dear Brother,
As you know from my emails to you, I have been in contact with the bank regarding opening the account.
Here we have a slight problem.I was informed that there is a minimum deposit required with the bank.
This deposit comes to 5,000 Euros. I do not have access to that amount right now.As we are partners in this, I thought that you could share the expense with me. I can manage 2,500 if you can add the additional 2,500.
Please send the money to me right away so I can send the 5000 to the bank as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Your brother,
Fred

Fri Aug 24, 2007
Dear Partner,
Thank you for your effort so far in trying to make
this business a success, I really would have loved to
assist you but at present, am very low in cash as I
have put in thousands of dollars to get this
transaction to its present stage.
You might not be aware of what it takes to have such
an amount transferred, especially being inherited
funds, well let me make it clear to you that I have
taken care of the cost of all the logistics that has
to do with this transfer, such as the cost of
retaining the services of the Attorney and obtaining
the necessary official documents and clearances from
the Hong Kong authorities, including other
miscellaneous expenses which I have incurred to ensure
we have a hitch free transfer. I do not intend to take
any phase of this transaction for granted.
Actually for a person of your age and status and my
partner in this transaction, i expect you to handle
this issue of processing your account, I want the
account processed between today and monday, so that I
can go ahead with the transfer latest wednesday morning
of my time.
Please do everything humanly possible to get your
account ready to receive our funds, even if it means
you getting a loan of 100% interest. Please take, it
as long as we will pay back immediately the funds
credits your account. These funds mean the world to me
and my entire family , as our whole life depends on
it.
Kind Regards,
Song Li

Sat Aug 25, 2007
My dear brother,
I have good news regarding the account.
As I told you, I was afraid that I could not manage the entire deposit, but a friend has come to the rescue.She has agreed to invest in our scheme.
Even better news.....she says she knows you quite well.She told me she met you while traveling in South Africa.
Her name is Bethany Fischer and she sends her best regards.
Your brother,
Fred

Sanford and Son Li Le

In an earlier post- meet-ann-smithpart-3 - I mentioned a few emails between "Fred Sanford" and a scammer calling himself Son Li Le. As I mentioned in that posting , I sent "Son" an email after receiving his ID saying, "Thanks for the ID....now I can be Son Li Le".
I assumed that he understood that I had been pulling his leg and had , basically, stolen his fake ID. I was wrong. He seems to have missed that point and has started sending emails again.
So, I searched the Internet for images of fake IDs.....found this one with Woody Allen's photo on it. I photoshopped the name and sent it to Son.
Here are the email exchanges so far :

Mon Aug 20, 2007
Dear Mr. Fred Sanford,
If you refer to one of my previous emails, I had told you what you are
required to send before we commence this transaction.
Well if I may remind you again, you are required to send the following:
Firstly, I will want you to know your Names, Address, Phone Number, Occupation, Age and a copy of your Driver's Licence or your International Passport,the most important issue is that I want to be sure I am transacting with the correct person, my curiousity can be justified considering the
money in question, besides, it is this copy of your Driver's Licence
or International Passport that will be be used by the Attorney have
all the necesary documentations perfected.
If you really intend to execute this transaction with me it would be
necessary to have these sent to me immediately via email attachment or
fax +85230157075 .
Here is my number, you can call me so that we can finalise this transaction.
+85281990421
I earnestly await your response with the required details.
Sincerely,
Song Li

Wed Aug 22, 2007
I am sending a copy of my ID as an attachment.
Fred Sanford

Thurs Aug 23, 2007
Dear Brother,
I am in receipt of your mail and identification.I thank you for showing some great responsibility and trust. I must also let you know that I feel comfortable transacting with you especially after your last email even though we have not had a verbal conversation,please do not let me down.let me have your details that is your Full Names and your contact address so that my attorney who will put together the perfected paper work to be sent to the bank for the release of the funds,this should take not longer than a day or two. In this light,I have sent you the information of the bank so you can make enquiries on offshore/on-line account opening.
I advice you like I said earlier that you open an account with the bank so that once the funds are released, they will be moved striaght into your account and the transfer will not attract the monetary bodies, as the transfer be will seen as in-house.(same telex type with my Bank).You can then transfer the funds in safe bits to your main account for both of us.
Please find below the banks information.
Post Bank N.V
Amsterdam Branch
Raadhuisstraat 30
1009 DG Amsterdam
email:amsterdam@postbanknv-nl.com
Tel.: +31 62 645 9935
Fax: +31 84 719 84 06
Contact Person:
Mr. Erol Zeger
Opening Hours monday till friday:
9.00 - 16.00
Saturday:
9.30 - 13.30
Please note, that you are to inform the bank that you wish to open an offshore account with their reputable bank that can accommodate the sum of US$19.5M for further transfer, and they should advice you on such account. I will await an update. Please do make contact with the bank so that the account opening can be fast, I had to remain awake to get the notification about this contact details, you know the time difference.
I call you brother so that we both understand that our trust in each other is that of blood brothers. God Bless you for your positive resolve to affect our lives.
Attached is my Work Identification with my family picture and the certificate of deposit that was given to Col.Sadiq Uday as at whwn the funds were deposited at my bank for your reference.
Your brother,
Li song.

[ Note: He sent the same photos in an earlier email. I guess he forgot. ]

Thurs Aug 23, 2007 ( sent to amsterdam@postbanknv-nl.com )
Erol Zeger
Dear sir,
I would like information about setting up an account with your bank.
Total assets will exceed 19.5 Million Dollars.
Thank You,
Fred Sanford

Thurs Aug 23, 2007
Dear Son,
I have sent an email to the bank as you suggested.
Here is my information for your lawyer:

Fred G. Sanford
1313 Buangka Street
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Thank you,
Fred

Meet Ann Smith...Part 5 ; the finale.

It looks as though I've lost my scammer.It's been more than 24 hours since my last email to him trying to lure him back.
Here are the last email exchanges between us, as well as the "CD" I sent to him as a temptation.

Thur Aug 16, 2007
Dear Ann,
I wanted to let you know that I have received 2 emails from your lawyer.
Ann, you are a young girl and can be taken advantage of easily. Please be very careful in choosing a lawyer.He seems honest but you must be careful. If you believe he is trust worthy I will work with him for you.
Please, do not forget to sent copy of your passport.
Lamont.

Thur Aug 16, 2007
Dear Barrister William,
Thank you for answering my email so quickly.
As you know, we are both working to help this poor girl who has lost her parents.We both want to be sure she is not being taken advantage of or abused.
You understand that this is the reason why I must ask for a copy of your ID. I am only looking out for Ms. Smith. I am sure you are an honest man, but Ms Ann is so young I must be vigilant on her account.
I will be leaving for the UK to attend the funeral of my friend Blaise Pascal. We can communicate by email but my cellphone will not work outside this country...so I cannot call you from the UK.
I hope to hear from you again soon.
Lamont Sanford

Thur Aug 16, 2007 ( written from "Ann"'s email address )
Attn: Mr. Lamont Sanford,
Well, let me make it very clear to you that if you disagree to send me your phone number, residential address and particularly your own identification for any reason whatsoever, I will ask her to discontinue from moving on with you.
Barr. Peter William.

Thur Aug 16, 2007 ( written to "Ann"'s email address )
Attn Peter William.
I want to make a few points:
Why are you sending me emails from Ann's email account? Why do you have access to her email? Have you some sort of evil control over her?
I had every intention of sending phone numbers , ID and address but now I am not so certain.
I have only Ms Smith's interest at heart. Her money means nothing to me.As you can see from the enclosed copy of one of the CDs in my account, I have enough money without worrying about hers.
Can the same be said of you?
Lamont Sanford

Meet Ann Smith...Part 4

In this episode, we see the departure of Blaise and Lucy as Lamont Sanford picks up the baton.Ann introduces a new character as well.Of course, it should come as now surprise to anyone that the emails from "Ann" and the emails from the lawyer come from the same IP address:

Mon Aug 13, 2007
I know you'll be busy waiting for the lawyer's phone call though, he actually called, but the hospital phone was on a voice message as a result there was no way his call could link you for the discussion.
I think you have to alert them that you are expecting a call so that they can open the access for in-coming calls or perhaps you can as well call the lawyer on this number +234-1-7207194 for him to explain the procedures of the transaction to your understanding.
Ms. Ann Smith

Tue Aug 14, 2007
My Dear Ann,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I send this email.Our dear friend, Blaise Pascal has died.
As I am here in Japan with him,Mr Pascal's parents,Gertrude and Heathcliff, have asked me to handle the arrangements of sending his body back to the UK as his final resting place.
It would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to help you at this time.I have asked Mr. Pascal's associate, one Lamont Sanford, to assist you.You should be receiving an email from him soon.
Please, take care and let me know how you are doing.
Regards,
Lucy Ricardo

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Ms. Smith,
My name is Lamont Sanford.I recently spoke with Mrs. Lucy Ricardo, who told me that my late, dear friend, Blaise Pascal had offered you some sort of help.She said that she had at first agreed to help you but the grief from the loss of her employer (my dear friend) was too much for her.
She has asked me to look into the matter to see of I can be of help.
You must tell me the nature of your problem. Mrs Ricardo said that you had not confided in her and she did not know what sort of help you are asking for.
Please fell free to unburden yourself and tell me exactly what I can do.
Yours very truly,
Lamont Sanford

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Lamont Sanford
I actually felt for Mr. Blaise’s untimely death and I pray for his body to rest in perfect peace. However, it cost me so much time to find a reliable one that can assist me secure an inheritance fund that was left behind by my late father with the Africa Development Bank where the fund is currently deposited, and I finally meet with Mr. Pascal who gave me enough confidence to move on with him before the incident occurred.
I believe you will be as good and helpful to me as Mr. Pascal since you are also coming from the same direction with him. The amount to be secured from the above stated bank is the sum of $6,500,000.00 (Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only), and the lawyer will require your complete residential contact address, cell phone number to enable him apply for some of the legal documentations that will authenticate your beneficial statute as the next of kin to the account with the bank where the fund is posited.
The essence of making this change of next kin to your name was that the bank refused to grant me access to the fund since I am below their required age of inheritance policy. Therefore, you have to ensure that you reach the lawyer through his email account or perhaps, calling him on phone at this number 234-1-7207194 to enable him give you the details of what can be done for the bank to approve for the transfer of the fund to any bank account which, you are going to provide for them. I am sending you below the site of the incident that claims my father’s life including my photograph, and I would want you to send me your own photograph or identification too for record purpose.
Here is the site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
I will be waiting to hear from you once you are through with the lawyer.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Ann,
You story is so sad....to be a young child without parents.I will do the best that I can to help you.
You must be aware of my situation.Because of my situation at the bank, I will have to see a photo ID from you. It must be a passport or similar ID with your picture on it. I only ask because in my situation it is for security purposes.
Thank you,
Lamont Sanford.

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Lamont Sanford,
Thanks for accepting to assist me to have the fund released to your bank account over there though, it is my interest to furnish you with my identification which, is not within my reach at the moment, but I’m going to provide you with it in subsequent time as requested.
Let me know if you have communicated with the lawyer and what his response is all about with regards to the way forward to get the fund out from the bank to your own account.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Ann,
Thank you for your prompt email.I expect to recent a copy of your ID soon.
I have not received any email from your lawyer.
I am looking forward to it.
Lamont Sanford

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Lamont Sanford,
Thanks for responding so quick to my email here is the lawyer's email account which, you have to use to communicate him directly; peterwilliamchambers_private@yahoo.com all you have to do is to copy the email account and notify the lawyer with regards to my correspondence with you though, I have already briefed him about my communication so far between you and I.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Ann,
I will send an email to your lawyer right away.
I expect you to send me your ID very soon if we are to continue.
Lamont

Wed Aug 15, 2007
Dear Sir,
I am Mr Lamont Sanford.I believe Ms.Ann Smith has talked to you about me.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Lamont Sanford

Thur Aug 16, 2007
WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATE
SOLICITOR & ADVOCATE
NO. 13 OTUN-OBA STR.
KUJE AMUWO, MAZA-MAZA LAGOS-NIGERIA.
Tel: 234-1-7207194
Attn: Mr. Lamont Sanford

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your prompt email.
The young girl has actually briefed me little of your conversation so far with her and I do believe that she must disclosed to you of the circumstances that warrants her from engaging into this volume of transaction which, is mostly her reason for consulting my guidance to render any legal assistant towards realizing the fund into your bank account provided you have a good heart and intentions.
I will be going to meet with the bank officials today to examine and re-examine all the payment files with the bank and will get back to you with what will be needed to do for the fund to leave for your bank account as she wished.
Yours faithfully,
Barr. Peter William.

Thur Aug 16, 2007
WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATE
SOLICITOR & ADVOCATE
NO. 13 OTUN-OBA STR.
KUJE AMUWO, MAZA-MAZA LAGOS-NIGERIA.
Tel: 234-1-7207194
Attn: Mr. Lamont Sanford

If you wouldn’t mind send me your own cell phone number which, I can use to communicate you when am back from the bank.
Yours faithfully,
Barr. Peter William.

Thur Aug 16, 2007
Dear Lamont Sanford,
Find below attached copy of my international passport as you requested and I will want you to send me yours through the same attach file for record purpose.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Meet Ann Smith...Part 3

If you haven't read parts 1 and 2 , I'd suggest reading those before reading this post.
Here we have a photo from a scammer claiming to be Mr. Li Le Son.He is not presently involved in the Ann Smith scam....though he will be soon (unknown to him, of course).
While waiting for emails from Ann, I received an email to another of my Yahoo IDs from Mr. Li.
He says he is from Hong Kong but, I opened the full headers in his email and copied his IP address -196.15.10.110- and it shows his location is between Douglas and Kimberley, South Africa.
Seeing that this could come in handy , I brought in two characters -"Misty Meaner" and " Fred Sanford" who sent in emails to Mr. Li. :

Sun Aug 12, 2007 ( sent to me )
Good Day,
My name is Mr.Song Lile, i am the director of operations in Hang Seng
Bank Hong Kong. I have a business proposal in the tune of $19.5m.
After the successful transfer, we shall share in ratio of 30%
for you and 70% for me.Should you be interested, please contact me
through my private email (lsongpriva@yahoo.com.hk) so we can commence
all arrangements and I will give you more information on how we would
handle this project.
Kind Regards
Mr. Song Lile.

Mon Aug 13, 2007 ( sent from Misty Meaner )
Thank you for your email. Can you tell me more about your business?
I await your next email.
Misty Meaner

Mon Aug 13, 2007 ( sent from Fred Sanford )
Dear Sir,
I am very interested to learn more.
Please send information to me right away.
Fred Sanford

Mon Aug 13, 2007 ( sent to Misty and Fred )
Dear Friend,
Thank you very much for your response, and your interest in this transaction, I am also glad to note that you are noble and trustworthy person whom I can rely on for your capabilities to handle this transaction. Like I said before, due to this issue on my hands now, it became necessary for me to seek your assistance, I appreciate the fact that you are ready to assist me in executing this project, and also you will help me in investing my money in your country, I am quite certain about that.
Let me start by introducing myself.I am Mr. SONG LI LE director of operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Colonel Sadiq Uday who was with the Iraqi forces and also big time businessman, made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Nineteen millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch.Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the war which began in 2003. Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later found out that the Colonel along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.
You should not have anything to worry about, I will do everything legally required to ensure that the project goes smoothly, it shall pass through all Laws of International Banking, you have my word. Having resolved to entrust this transaction into your hands, I want to remind you that, it needs your commitment and diligent follow up. If you work seriously, the entire transaction should be over in a couple of days.
Firstly, I will want to know precisely the type of occupation that you do and how old you are, you should note that this project is highly capital intensive, this is why I have to be very careful, I need your total devotion and trust to see this through. I know we have not met before, but I am very confident that we will be able to establish the necessary trust that we need to execute this project.
I am now in contact with a foreign online bank, I now intend that you open an account in your name in this foreign bank. The money would be transferred to your account which you will open in the bank for both of us, this is the best way, I have found, it will protect us from my bank. I want us to enjoy this money in peace when we conclude. So you should listen to my instructions and follow them religiously. Also You have to know that I cannot transfer this money in my name as my bank will be aware that it is from me, this is where I need you.
As result of this, you will have to open an account in the corresponding bank. I will obtain a certificate of deposit from this my bank, it will be issued in your name, this will make you the bonfire owner of the funds. After this, the money will be banked online for both of us.
We can then instruct the bank to transfer our various shares into our respective home bank accounts. I will also perfect the documentations with the assistance of my attorney to give the transaction the legal right. Before I commence, I will need you to send me a copy of any form your identification (Driver's license Work ID or International passport) and your current address. I want to be sure that I am transacting with the correct person.
As soon as I get these from you, I will commence the paper work. I hope you will understand why I need all these, the money in question is big and I want to ensure that I know you well before I proceed to give you all the details to commence the project, I will also send you my Work Identification and my family picture upon receipt of your identification. I will send the name and contact details of the bank so that you can commence communication with them.
Ensure that you keep this project confidential, do not discuss it with anybody, because of the confidential nature of this transaction and my work.
Please reply soonest.
Regards,
Song Li.

Mon Aug 13, 2007 ( sent from Misty )
Dear Sir,
Your email is very complicated and I am just a simple girl.Can you please send another email explaining your idea in a very simple way?
Regards to you too.
Misty Meaner

Tue Aug 14, 2007 ( sent to Misty )
Dear Friend,
If you refer to one of my previous emails, I had told you what you are
required to send before we commence this transaction.
Well if I may remind you again, you are required to send a copy of
your Driver's Licence or your International Passport,the most
important issue is that I want to be sure I am transacting with
the correct person, my curiousity can be justified considering the
money in question, besides, it is this copy of your Driver's Licence
or International Passport that will be be used by the Attorney have
all the necesary documentations perfected.
If you really intend to execute this transaction with me it would be
necessary to have these sent to me immediately via email attachment or
fax +85230157075 .
I earnestly await your response with the required details.
Sincerely,
Song Li

Tue Aug 14, 2007 ( sent from Misty )
dear sir,
will you take other ID?
I do not have a passport and cannot get a driver's license because I have too many driving while drunk offenses against me.
any other way?
Misty

Mon Aug 13, 2007 ( sent from Fred )
Thank you so much for the email. It sounds like a good way for the two of us to make money.
However,before I send you anything you must send me a copy of your ID.
As you say "Driver's license Work ID or International passport"
Thank you
Fred Sanford

Tue Aug 14, 2007 ( sent to Fred )
Dear Partner,
I got you mail and was quite understood, i requested for this information for my perusal and not for the purpose of the public, i will really like to know the person i am dealing with for easy recognition and that is my reason for
requesting for such information, note that i will not be entrusting such fund in your care without your identification, all what i want you do now is to have the bellow information sent to me so that with the assistance of my attorney to give the transaction the legal right.
Before I commence, I will need you to send me a copy of any form your identification (Driver's license Work ID or International passport) and your current address(send it to my fax +85230157075 . I want to be sure that I am transacting with the correct person.
Ensure that you keep this project confidential, do not discuss it with anybody, because of the confidential nature of this transaction and my work.
Please reply soonest.
Regards,
Song Li.

Wed Aug 15, 2007 ( sent from Fred )
thank you for the ID.
Now I can be Son Li Le.

A Brief Pause

While we wait for further emails from Ann, we'll take a brief pause and hear from our sponsor-Vitameatavegamin-

Meet Ann Smith...Part 2

As promised in Part 1, I've uploaded the photo sent to me by a scammer claiming to be Ann Smith, an 18 year old Nigerian girl.Rather than write out the story, I will simply paste the email exchanges as they are now.The emails sent from "Blaise" and "Lucy" are the ones I sent to "Ann". I have no idea what will happen next.

Fri Aug 3, 2007
Dear Sir
I am 18 years old Girl .I am contacting you after my long search on the internet.I lost my parents On the 27th of January 2003 in the Ikeja bomb blast here in my country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
but before the death of my parents,my father Late Ugo Smith deposited the sum of $6.5 MILLION with a Bank.The Bank has refused to release the fund to me,with reason that until i am 25years and above.
I have no uncle or Aunty to claim this money for me. Only my father's personal lawyer wants to claim this fund behind me but the Bank has refused and identified me as the next of kin and said they will only release the money to whoever I pick as the next of kin.
I need someone who will be ready to claim this fund and also be responsible in taking me out of Nigeria to further my studies until I am old enough to manage myself, because of the evil people in this country. I have the certificate of deposit with the Bank and death certificate of my father to enable you claim this fund. Upon your willingness to assist me, I will give you more information to reach the Bank.
please be kind enough to assist me, I promise not to disapiont you. This is my life story give it a consideration and assist me please.
I await your urgent response.
Thanks and God Bless you.
Ann Smith.

Mon Aug 6, 2007
Dear Ann,
I hope I can help you.
You must understand that we must be careful dealing with people on the Internet.
Can you sent a copy of your photo ID si I will know you are who you claim to be.
Thank you.

I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room.
Blaise Pascal
French mathematician, physicist (1623 - 1662)

Mon Aug 6,2007
Dear Blaise,
Thanks for your response to my email however, I don't know who you are and have not met you in person before, my hope and confidence is in your credibility for this assignment is only in the hands of God, you should not betray the confidence that is reposed on you as God himself will always be there to reward you abundantly for your good work please, as I told you in my first email due to my age which, will not be in the position to prosecute this assignment at this time.
However, I will be highly grateful if you can furnish me with your handy telephone number so that I can tell you the next step and also feed you with other information for the success of this transaction. I wish to let you know that as soon as the money is transferred into your bank account, Then I will quickly prepare for my visa, then after that I will come down to your country so that you can direct me on what I will do because you know more than me and also know what I will use the money for so that it will help me in future since my father is no longer alive.
I am entrusting my life in your hands, I pray the Almighty God will guide you throughout this endeavor, I don't want to ask for any assurance from you because I know God himself is the rewards of those who diligently seek him.
Meanwhile, I will appreciate to have your cell phone number. Below is my attached photograph and I also want you to send me yours for record purpose please.
Regards
Miss. Ann Smith.

Fri Aug 10, 2007
Dear Blaise Pascal,
I am still waiting to hear from you.
Thank.
Ann Smith.

Fri Aug 10, 2007
Dear Ann,
I am sorry that I have not replied your last email.
I have been very sick these past few days.....I am still not in best of health.
I will write to you soon when I am fully recovered.
Blaise Pascal

Fri Aug 10, 2007
Dear Ann,
My name is Mrs. Lucy Ricardo. I am the personal assistant to Mr Blaise Pascal. As I am sure you know,Mr Pascal took ill a few days ago with a very serious disease.He appeared to have recovered but has since taken a turn for the worse.He is presently in a coma and the doctors do not expect him to live much longer.
I am sure you are greatly disturbed to learn of this, but I must tell you of Mr Pascal's plan for you.
As his trusted assistant he told me that you were in need of his help and should anything happen to him, I should contact you right away and help you in any way possible.
I do not have access to Mr Pascal's email so I do not know the nature of you email exchanges. If I am to help me as Mr Pascal wishes I need you to send an email to me explaining your problem.
I am willing to follow his wishes but you must tell me the situation.
Yours,
Mrs Lucy Ricardo

Fri Aug 10, 2007
Lucy Ricardo
What a sad news; I have to be praying for his recovery and definitely God will heal him. With regards to your email I would appreciate to be updated from Mr. Pascal before I cam move on with you because I have every confidence that he is not going to betray me when the funds must have been transferred to his account, but that is not to say that you are bad.
Though, I am also going to write Mr. Pascal as well with regards to above-mentioned development and will have to get an answer from him before I continue with you.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Sat Aug 11, 2007
Dear Ann,
You can send an email to his address and you will see for yourself that he cannot reply.
I will await another email from you.
Lucy Ricardo

Sat Aug 11, 2007
Dear Blaise Pascal,
Your email of yesterday was received concerning the state of your health, which I know God must surely recuperate you, but I was also surprised and sad to have received another email from one Mrs. Lucy Ricardo that seems to be confirming herself to me as your personal assistant that the situation is worsening perhaps, I am not comfortable with her correspondence without your permission to carry on with her irrespective of being your PA.
However, I will want you to write me in details explaining what must have transpired between you and your PA if I should move on with her.
Remain blessed in God,
Ms. Ann Smith.

Sat Aug 11, 2007
Dear Mrs. Lucy Ricardo
Thanks for your email with the content noted.
I wonder if you can explain to me in a written details of how you come across my email address since you stated in your previous email that you were unable to access Mr. Pascal’s email account due to his state of health though, I am not really trying to doubt you, but I want to be and comfortable sure of whom am dealing as well as your credibility to handle the transaction.
I am going to send you the details of how we can achieve this success upon receipt of your response to this email. Meanwhile, I have related this information to the attorney that agreed to assist us and he requested that I should inform you to send down your cell phone number to enable him discus with you on the phone.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Sat Aug 11, 2007
Ms. Smith,
As I told you, I am Mr. Pascal's personal assistant. Before he went into the coma, he told me a bit about you and he was able to write down your email address.
I do not have the password to his private email account so I do not have access to any exchange the two of you may have had.
I understand your uneasiness. I am only doing as I was instructed by my employer.
You can reach me via Mr. Pascal's cellphone number.
Thank you,
Lucy Ricardo

Sun Aug 12, 2007
Dear Ms.Smith,
It was Mr. Pascal's wish that I help you in any way possible. However,you have not provided me with the information I need to help you. I do not even know what your problem is.
You have not sent the information to me via email........
I asked you to call me on Mr. Pascal's cell phone number but you have not done that either.
I am trying to do as my employer asked of me but you are not cooperating.
Lucy

Sun Aug 12, 2007
Dear Lucy Ricardo,
I am in receipt of your email meanwhile, I would want you to re-confirm Mr. Pascal's cellphone number so that the lawyer can communicate you with it for a proper explanation of the details of the transaction.
Ms. Ann Smith.

Sun Aug 12, 2007
My Dear Ms. Smith,
It is with great sadness that I tell you that the Doctors say Mr. Pascal's condition is getting worse.
I have been spending all my time in his hospital room.I am told that cellphones are not allowed in the hospital so I have kept Mr Pascal's cellphone in his office.Perhaps that is why you and your lawyer could not reach.
Please call me at his hospital room land-line phone.
Mr. Pascal is in Keio Univ. Hospital in Tokyo.
the Hospital number is 03-3353-1211
The operator will connect you to the room.
Thank you,
Lucy

Sun Aug 12, 2007
Dear Lucy Ricardo,
I have sent the phone number to the lawyer to enable him call you on phone for more talks on the way forward to actualize the business.
Ms. Ann Smith

Mon Aug 13, 2007
Dear Lucy Ricardo
The lawyer have called the given phone of the hospital, but the receptionist could not allow him access because he could not provide the extension and room numbers I wonder if you can confirm the extension and room number as soon as possible so that he can call you again or if possible you can send down your own personal phone number which, I know will be better.
Ms. Ann Smith

Mon Aug 13, 2007
Dear Ann,
I am so sorry that I did not send the room number with the hospital number. I am under a great deal of stress because of Mr. Pascal's condition.
I am staying at his bedside the whole time.....I only leave when I am in need of a bath or when I come to use the Internet to contact Mr.Pascal's family in the UK.
I cannot bring my personal cellphone into the hospital so I will just give you the proper extension.
Mr Pascal is in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU )
The ext is ICU 812
Awaiting your call
Lucy.

Meet Ann Smith...Part 1

The image used in this post is a jpg of French mathematician, Blaise Pascal. I'm sure most of you are asking yourselves why an image of Pascal would be featured in a pieced called "Meet Ann Smith".It seems that, although Pascal has been dead since 1662, he has, of late been involved in a series of email exchanges with a Ms. Ann Smith.
Ann is an 18 year old Nigerian girl and like all 18 year old Nigerian girls, she is an orphan and heir to an incredible amount of money.Of course, she needs Blaise Pascal's help in transferring the money out of Nigeria where she can claim it in full.
Let me start at the beginning.
A few years ago, my primary email account was with Netscape. Now, however, that email address is useless due to the ever increasing number of emails from spammers and scammers. To make matters worse, it is difficult to access the Netscape email account using the Firefox browser. I only use it now as a source of scammers to fool around with.
When I was using that email on a regular basis , I put in a signature into my preferences using a quotation from Pascal. At the end of each message there read:

I have discovered that all human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room.
Blaise Pascal
French mathematician, physicist (1623 - 1662)

A few days back, I received an email from Ann Smith with the usual Nigerian orphan story. My usual response from any scam email I find interesting is to explain that I need a photo so that I can be certain that the person is who they claim to be.
Of course, I know the person isn't giving a true name and I know any photo I receive will not be a true photo.....but it makes for better blogging if I have an image. I had forgotten about the email to Ann and I was taken by surprise when she sent me two replies.One email contained a photo and another sent afterwards was asking me why I had not answered her email with the photo.
The really odd thing was that "Ann" had taken my signature as part of the message and she believed my name was Blaise Pascal. ( I'm not sure what she thinks the 1623 - 1662 means )
I did not want to lose this fish but wasn't quite sure where I was going to take this. So, I sent off an email to Ann telling her that I had been ill and would send another email to her when I had fully recovered.
I gave this some thought while at work and decided to bring in Lucy Ricardo as Pascal's assistant.Returning from work tonight, Lucy sent an email to Ann telling her of Pascal's turn for the worse.Lucy, being the loyal assistant, would help Ann in any way possible.
So, this is where the story stands. I will put up Ann's photo in my next posting along with any response she gives to Lucy.
Until then......to be continued.

What's the punchline?#2

It's time for another round of "Here's the photo; what's the punchline?".
I sent out an email with this photo, asking that question.
Here are a few responses:
1) "Who farted?"
2) "OK Everybody !!!! ' Whether you're a brother Or whether you're a mother,You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.....' "
3) "Look up in the sky - its a bird - its a plane - its Superman! <>"

Hangin's too good for 'em.

Everything was going fairly well Monday; that is, until I returned from work to find the cable was not working.No T.V. and no Internet access.The T.V. I could live without, but the Internet was a different story.
My first thought was that we had forgotten to pay the bill. My wife was sure that we had, but without Internet we could not go online to our bank account to see if the check had posted.
I was going to have to drive down to the cable company first thing Tuesday morning and get it taken care of. So, J.P. and I are off bright and early Tuesday......too early as it turned out. We arrived at the Comcast office fifteen minutes before they opened.I wasn't about to stand there out front with a two year old in tow. We were back into the van, heading for the public library.I could, at least, check my email on a library computer.
Back to Comcast.The lady in the office tells me that we are not behind with the bill so she'll send out a repair tech to fix the problem.
That was Tuesday 9:30 AM. The cable guy finally arrived at the apartment at 10:30 AM Wednesday.
No Internet for a day and a half. ARRGHHHH !!!!! The humanity !!!!!!!
The cable guy says that there was evidence of tampering. Someone in my apartment building trying to steal cable.
There are some who would get angry at those who steal cable while they themselves must pay for it. I don't mind so much that this person was getting something for nothing. But, it does bother me that he knocked out my Internet in the process.
Hangin's too good for 'em.

What's the punchline?

OK. Here's the photo... what's the punchline?

Before posting this, I sent out an email asking that question.
Here are some of the responses:

1) "That's how he got the name 'Wee Willie' ".
2) "Mrs. Clinton, how big is your penis?"
3) "Well,Bill was Governor of Arkansas, not Texas, if you catch my drift."

Dressing The Part

Yesterday, I was surfing around, checking out the stuff on Drudge Report.There was a link there from Smoking Gun that told the story of two homeless people arrested for having sex in a car parked outside a daycare center.I went back to Drudge today looking for the link, but it's gone now.I was able, however, to get this story from the Smoking Gun website. Here is the story without editorial comment:
AUGUST 1--Meet Amanda Lynn Bailey. The Florida woman, 41, was arrested early yesterday on a drunk driving charge, her second DUI bust in the past three months. Bailey, a dealer at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, was booked into the Hillsborough County jail at 4:41 AM. There, a sheriff's employee snapped the below mug shot of Bailey, making sure that the photo's composition included the entire unfortunate message on her t-shirt.

Americans move to Canada in record numbers.

According to news reports,Americans are moving to Canada in record numbers....reaching a 30 year high last year.The number of Americans accepted in Canada reached 10,942 in 2006, almost double the number admitted in 2000.That hasn't happened since the 1970s, when the U.S. was experiencing political turmoil. From 1970 through 1974, Canada was admitting between about 22,000 and 26,000 Americans a year, many of them draft dodgers from the Vietnam war.

I came across the story yesterday on the abc news website.For some reason, I can't access the story on their website today. Fortunately, I snagged this photo yesterday.I was able to access the story on different sites, but they lack the same editorial comments as the abc version.
By contrast, the number of Canadians admitted to the United States in 2006 dropped sharply from the previous year, falling to 23,913 from 29,930.

Naturally, the abc story placed the reason for the increase on George Bush and his political policies.That seems a bit odd to me.If Americans are leaving the US for Canada because of Bush, it makes little sense that they emigrate towards the end of his administration.If he's their problem....he'll be gone soon enough.

The Edmonton Journal version of the story mentions that the Americans moving to Canada are highly educated.The article says nothing about the educational level of the 23,913 Canadians moving here.

Will these disgruntled Americans be coming back should Hillary because President? I hope we never know the answer to that.

Baptist pastor charged with indecent exposure

I had never heard of Tommy Tester prior to my receiving an email with a link to an article about his recent arrest.

From time to time I will post entries in this blog which are spoofs or satire and completely the product of my imagination. That is not the case with this entry, however.To the best of my knowledge, the story is true.I'm including a link to the story as told by timesnews.net.

Here is the short version of the story:

Tester is a Christian radio station employee and Bristol Virginia, Baptist pastor who has been charged with indecent exposure as well as DUI and violation of the open container law.

Tester allegedly pulled up in a blue 2007 Toyota Camry and offered to give Johnson City Tennessee police officers oral sex when they arrived at 308 S. Belmont Street to investigate a report of indecent exposure.
Tester, allegedly wearing a skirt, then reportedly got out of his car at the Belmont Car Wash and urinated in a wash bay in public view with children present.
A search of Tester’s vehicle reportedly revealed a half-empty pint-sized bottle of vodka and an empty bottle of Oxycodone in the passenger floorboard.

So, what are we to make of all this? This is truly bizarre behavior , brought on, in part I'm sure, by Mr. Tester's addiction to alcohol and Oxycodone. He obviously suppressed whatever homosexual tendencies he had but under the influence of the drugs could no longer keep his problems under control.

When I first read the story, I almost wanted to laugh, but the more I read and the more I thought about how I should blog this , the sadder I became.
It's been reported that members of the congregation at Gospel Baptist Church on Reedy Creek Road where he is pastor have rallied behind him with their support.I'm not so sure that radio station WZAP-AM 690's owner, Al Morris will be so generous.