TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

Category: Crime

  • Videospiel-Gewaltttigkeit

    Videospiel-Gewaltttigkeit

    Computer games train players to be violent?:

    I guess it’s not just Americans who harp on the alleged links between video games and violence. Now we have a study coming out of Germany from the “Stuff that we pulled out of our ass Department” at the University of Aachen from renowned German scientist Klaus Mathiak which says that video games are training people to be violent. Mein Gott, here we go again…

    Klaus Mathiak, of the University of Aachen, maintains he has discovered for the first time what goes on in players’ heads as a killer character lies in wait on a computer screen.

    Their brains react as if they are treating the encounter as real, says the academic.

    According to Dr Mathiak, when players know violence is coming, the cognitive parts of the brain become more active and during a fight its emotional parts shut down.

    How did Herr Doktor measure these activities?

    According to New Scientist, Dr Mathiak recruited 13 young men who played video games for two hours daily. He asked them to play the game while having their brains scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

    Dr Mathiak studied how brain activity changed during violent interactions.

    I’d be more inclined to believe him if he then dropped the subjects into an actual scenario of impending violence like Iraq or any violent big-city neighborhood, then compared findings. Most of these kids would probably crap their pants if they were in a real situation of violence.

    At least the British are thinking clearly…

    Last night, Mike McClure, director of public education at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said there were individuals who were susceptible to suggestions inherent in video games. But he added: “You would have to say it is a small minority. Most people can distinguish between them as a game and what they would be doing in reality.”

    And that small minority has something wrong with them to begin with.

    And as an added bonus, a follow-up to Rep. Chuck Schumer’s snit over the game “25 to Life”.

    According to the guys at Penny Arcade you can also play as the police. Notice that Chucky boy doesn’t mention that part.

    Instead of worrying about the games themselves, maybe scientists and politicians should worry about the parents that are letting these games into their houses for underage kids to play.

  • Video Game Violence 2005

    Video Game Violence 2005

    Violent game furor:

    Here we go again, folks. Last year, it was GTA: San Andreas. This year it’s a new game made by Eidos called “25 to Life”. This is the first I’ve heard about this game, so let me quote the article…

    “25 to Life,” allows players to attack police with an arsenal of Molotov cocktails, broken bottles and baseball bats. When weapons fail, players make strategic moves using civilians as human shields.

    The game even lets players choose gang colors and create personalized graffiti tags.

    It sounds like a GTA rip off to me. I bet the gameplay will suck. But of course, that’s not the point here. Certain lawmakers have their panties in a wad…

    “It’s the worst in a series of violent and gruesome games that lower the common denominator of decency,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is trying to block the game from hitting stores in September.

    “25 to Life” makes “other controversial games like ‘Grand Theft Auto’ look like ‘Romper Room,’” Schumer said.

    Schumer called on PlayStation manufacturer Sony and Xbox maker Microsoft to cancel their licensing agreements with Eidos. The senator also urged stores and retailers not to stock the game.

    Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, slammed “25 to Life” for its cavalier treatment of murder.

    “It’s outrageous that a company like this would try to desensitize our children,” Lynch said.

    First off, have you noticed that when a politician is usually involved in calling for the censoring of a video game, it’s usually a Democrat?

    Secondly, these are obviously people who have never held a game controller in their life, or at least not since Space Invaders or the Atari 2600.

    Not all video games are aimed towards children anymore, and haven’t been since the dawn of Mortal Kombat back in the early ’90s.

    Lastly, the bigger a deal you make out of these games, the more hype you’re giving them. You’re taking what looks like to be a mediocre game at best, and you’re potentially making it a blockbuster by trying to censor it. People always want what they can’t have.

    If this game ends up in the hands of children, it’s because of irresponsible parents, and I have yet to hear any kind of blame falling on them. Remember kids, censorship is the solution to bad parenting. Or so says the Democrats.

  • A message from Kyle Hulbert

    A message from Kyle Hulbert

    About a month ago, I re-told you the story of Kyle Hulbert. If you want the whole story, you can go here, here, and here.

    Long story short, Kyle was not in his right mind when he took part in a murder, and the mastermind behind it received a lighter sentence than Kyle. Kyle puts it better in his own words.

    Anyway, Kyle wanted to correspond with me through regular mail. Unfortunately, for privacy reasons, I don’t correspond with anyone via the mail, nothing against Kyle. Today, I received a message from him through a friend of his…

    Trench,

    Greetings; I understand you desire not to correspond via regular mail all too well, and I respect it. I just wish to extend my thanks to you for the “follow up” you posted on your site. I’m sure it will be of some help and I can use all that I can get. Again, thank you, and when the day comes (not if) that I am again roaming the Night, your site will be one I plan to frequent. Intelligence is rare in this world and must be appreciated. I appreciate yours, and I appreciate your help.

    Salud,

    Kyle Hulbert

    Like I said before, I think at the time Kyle was just an instrument in the murder, like a gun. It was Clara Jane Schwartz that pulled the trigger.

    And also, like I said before, Kyle freely admits to the killing and believes that he does deserve punishment. He just believes that the punishment he received was not equitable in relation to the sentence of Clara Schwartz, who would have gained the most from the murder, and I agree.

    You know I’m not the type that wants the system to coddle criminals, but if I believe that a sentence was unjust then maybe there’s some validity to the claim. And again, like I’ve said before, don’t believe me, see it Kyle’s own words.

  • Alejandro Avila

    Alejandro Avila

    I dare…nay…I defy one person to tell me that this scumbag doesn’t absolutely deserve the death penalty. Alejandro Avila was convicted of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Samantha Runnion…

    Some details from the case…

    Samantha was abducted, kicking and screaming, from outside her home in Stanton on July 15, 2002. Her nude body was found the following day in mountains some 50 miles away, left on the ground as if it had been posed.

    Samantha’s DNA was found on the inside of the door of Avila’s car. That evidence came from a small amount of clear liquid that the prosecution said was consistent with tears or mucous.

    Avila, of Lake Elsinore, had been acquitted of molesting two girls in 2001 in neighboring Riverside County, and authorities said they believe he killed Samantha to avoid another such trial.

    Try and tell me that this assclown doesn’t deserve to be removed from society in the most vicious and excruciating way possible.

    I defy you.

  • Kyle Hulbert

    Kyle Hulbert

    Almost 4 years ago, I told you the story of Kyle Hulbert. Kyle killed biophysicist Robert M. Schwartz. At the time, I chastised the media for calling in a “ritual” killing. Later, I had heard from a friend of Kyle’s telling me more of Kyle’s situation that Kyle suffered from mental illness, was taken off his meds by a social worker, and that the killing was orchestrated by Schwartz’s daughter, Clara Jane Schwartz.

    Clara had convinced Kyle that her father was abusing her, and killing him would protect her. As it turned out, Clara was in line for a rather large inheritance if her father died.

    Clara was sentenced to 48 years, Kyle was sent away for life without the possibility of parole. Sentencing seems kind of lopsided, doesn’t it?

    Recently, I received an e-mail from another friend of Kyle’s. She told me of Kyle’s website, which documents what has happened to him since the murder.

    He does not deny killing Dr. Schwartz, and feels that he does deserve some of the responsibility in Dr. Schwartz’s death.

    However, he does feel that his sentencing was unjust since the mastermind behind the murder is serving a lesser sentence. I happen to concur. But you don’t have to believe me. Go to Save Kyle and judge for yourself.

  • 3/20/05: From The Mail Sack

    3/20/05: From The Mail Sack

    Hey kids. Let’s do something we haven’t done in a long time. Catch up on my hate mail. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

    Big surprise here. Our first one is from my entry on the Eric Harris journal…

    i believe what they did was magnificent! To pay back the world for all the injustices you went through your entire life, it would be a rewarding experience to lash out like Eric and Dylan did. I admire them for doing something i could never do. But the only mistake they made was killing themselves, now they dont get to see the impact that they made on the world.

    Comment by unknown — Tuesday Mar 8, 2005 @ 10:49 pm

    First off, you’re on AOL, so I can already tell you have diminished mental capacity. Secondly, what impact did they make? If anything, I’m sure it wasn’t the impact they were looking for. If schools were ever to take a serious look at bullying, it stopped the day they pulled the trigger. Now, instead of worrying about bullying, schools are more focused on kids bringing weapons to schools. You have them to thank for ridiculous zero-tolerance policies while bullying still continues. Good job there.

    This next one was a response to another comment on my entry about the Eric Harris worship site…

    Shadi Ghazanfari you fucken idiot god, jesus and all that shit doesnt even exist. eople that believe in religion are fools dylan and eric are asleep now feeling and thinking nothing, they are not burning in hell recieving daily punishment from satan or whatever crap you believe in. Grow a brain and give religion the kick, its a fucking pile of lies…be an atheist today all you theists!! Start to think with your head !! Besides to all the catholics and christians and so forth why would you want to even worship a stinking jew is beyond me.

    Comment by despair — Thursday Mar 10, 2005 @ 1:02 am

    Because atheism is so cool these days. Sorry, I’d rather have the promise of life after this one. Besides, you’re not really an atheist. You’re obviously just a lowlife anti-Semitic scumbag. And yes, Harris and Klebold continue to burn in Hell.

    This next one is from our favorite underground rap “artist” Mutant Rabbit…

     

    I have a fan base of around 10,000 kids nationwide.

    You have four losers who agree with you.

    I love this site! Reminds me who we’re fighting against!

    -A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but once.

    Eric and Dylan died fighting oppression.

    You die a little every day you have to look in the mirror and see you’re half the man they were. You’ve accomplished nothing; played some video games, jerked off under your bed sheets, worked a dead end job. The highlight of your year was beating Halo 2.

    Where is your legacy?

    Comment by Dead Rabbit — Thursday Mar 10, 2005 @ 3:38 am

    I could list all my accomplishments, too, but I don’t answer to mutants. I just wanted to address one of your points. Harris and Klebold did not die fighting oppression, as you put it? Who the fuck were they oppressed by? They were two spoiled suburban white kids. I’m really sure the man was keeping them down. You’re right about one thing, though. A coward does die a thousand deaths. And if we judge it on the degree of cowardice, then Harris and Klebold will be dying infinite deaths.

  • Texas UFIA Fallout

    Texas UFIA Fallout

    Coaches Fired Over Hazing Scandal:

    This is a follow-up to the Donna, Texas hazing scandal I previously told you about where once again high school athletes sexually assaulted a younger teammate.

    Now it turns out that three coaches have been fired over the incident. What makes matters worse is that this may not have been an isolated incident…

    In all eight underclassmen have come forward making similar claims of being assaulted.

    Sources tell Action 4 News the locker room may not have been the only place where freshmen boys were attacked.

    Officers are now looking into an overnight baseball trip where some students may have allegedly been sexually assaulted.

    Could we have another Mepham on our hands? It’s entirely possible.

    What gets me, though is, in what universe do these kids think it’s ok to insert something into another kid’s ass? And why do coaches continue to try and cover it up? All in the name of a game.

    I still have yet to have any athlete or coach or parent come forward and defend this kind of behavior.

    And to the kids who perpetrated this, I hope it was worth ruining your lives over.

  • Return of the Mutant Rabbit

    Return of the Mutant Rabbit

    Not too long ago, I did an entry about how the New York mall shooter who was allegedly partially inspired by a rapper who promotes violence against the “ruling class” by the name of Dead Rabbit. Mr. Rabbit claimed that he was saddened that innocent people were hurt. I said, “yeah right” and said that Mr. Rabbit is using this tragedy to further his own career. Then I asked if he would have changed his tune if people had died in the incident. Well, I received a response from someone claiming to be Mr. Rabbit…

    No, I wouldn’t have changed my tune if somebody died. It still would have went something like this. “do doo do dooe wop”

    See, some people can accomplish more in life than learning a little html, getting some fellow geeks to comment on “news items” and calling it a collective.

    I only regret that you took the noble symbol of the Columbine uprising, the trenchcoat, and turned it into a coward’s cape

    Comment by Dead Rabbit — Monday Mar 7, 2005 @ 6:01 pm

    Rather than engage in a pointless flame war with you, I’ll just leave your comment as is so the rest of the world can marvel at your ignorance.

  • Responsibility is Unconstitutional

    Responsibility is Unconstitutional

    High court: Juvenile death penalty unconstitutional:

    In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that executing 16 and 17-year-olds is unconstitutional. Executions for those 15 and younger had been previously outlawed. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, said…

    “Our society views juveniles … as categorically less culpable than the average criminal,” Kennedy wrote.

    With all due respect to Justice Kennedy, this is a load of crap. In which society are 16 and 17-year-olds viewed as less culpable? So what you’re telling me is that if Dylan Klebold had lived (Eric Harris was 18 at the time) after Columbine that he would not deserve the death penalty because somehow in your mind he’s “less culpable”?

    This sends out one of the worst messages possible. “Hey, kids, go out and kill all you want. You’re less culpable than the average criminal“

    Personal responsibility dies another death.

    UPDATE: Ogre has a take on this as well.

  • Texas Hazing and Cover-Up

    Texas Hazing and Cover-Up

    Donna athletes arrested for alleged hazing:

    Again, I have to ask what the hell is wrong with student-athletes?

    This time we have a case in Donna, Texas, where 3 Donna High School football players, Jacob Leal, 17, Reynaldo Magallanes, 18, and Derick Castillo, 18, allegedly sexually assaulted a freshman player.

    They are said to have gotten the poor kid in the locker room showers, pulled off his pants, slapped around his genitals, and tried to give him a UFIA* by inserting their latex-gloved fingers into his anus. But it gets better.

    It turns out that Donna High School’s athletic director and head football coach, David Evans, may have been telling people involved to keep quiet. Nothing like telling people to keep quiet about a sexual assault all in the name of football.

    Like I’ve said before, with all the forced, sodomy, teabagging and the like, how long will it be before we have full-blown man on man rapes in our high school locker rooms in the name of hazing?

    *Unsolicited finger in the anus.