Magic Statistics

Police have raided four homes in a "polygamist enclave" in Colorado City, Arizona, searching for evidence against eight men previously arrested and charged with child sex abuse and conspiracy.  The eight are scheduled to go on trial in July.

The action comes amid growing concern about the alleged mistreatment of women and children by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [FLDS].
. . .
[I]ncreasingly alarming allegations that girls as young as 12 have been forced into marriage, of incest and the routine expulsion of hundreds of boys from the community, have forced an investigation.
. . .
The raids garnered paperwork and other evidence, possibly including DNA samples, that could prove who fathered children with underage mothers. All the men facing trial have multiple wives and one is a former police officer. Each has pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse stemming from alleged sexual contact with underage wives.

Last month, the FBI placed sect leader Warren Jeffs on its 10 Most Wanted fugitives list, accused of "rape, child sexual abuse and arranging underage marriages."  Mr Jeffs is also a leader of the FLDS colony in Bountiful, BC.  Canadian authorities have pointedly avoided taking action against the Bountiful group despite public acknowledgement of polygamous activities by many of its members, so he is "probably" hiding north of the border.

Previous related posts:

• Enforce Canada's polygamy laws
• BC polygamists send kids to public schools

An award-winning article argued that consumers preferred genetically modified (GM) to non-GM corn, but anti-GM campaigners are crying foul, maintaining that the consumers were deceived.

A leading researcher into scientific ethics is calling for the withdrawal of a paper published in the British Food Journal two years ago purporting to show that consumers preferred genetically modified to non-GM sweetcorn. The study, carried out at a farm store in Canada, claimed that sales of the GM crop were 50 per cent higher. The journal later awarded the study a prize as its "most outstanding paper" of 2004.

Now the campaign group GMWatch has published a photograph that it says shows a large sign suspended above the non-GM corn during the study that asked: "Would you eat wormy sweetcorn?" The GM corn, it claims, was labelled as "quality sweetcorn".

The journal has asked the lead author of the paper for a response.

via Faith-Science News.

St Jude's Cathedral, Iqaluit, target of an arson attack last November, is to be demolished this week.

"We actually deconsecrated the cathedral at Easter, so it ceased to be a church that time," said Reverend John Tyrell, the church's interim dean in Iqaluit.

"Rather than look at it as 'there is our church building going', let's look at it as this is the first step towards building the new St. Jude's Cathedral."

The contractors expect to have it torn down within three days.

The last few days have seen a lot of activity at the church, with the last few bits of salvageable material, like some of the church pews, being removed.

An estimated $3 million is needed to build a new cathedral, but a fund-raising campaign is just getting underway.

Previous related post: Work begins to re-build Iqaluit cathedral

Is another South American country about to go the way of Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile?  Two finalists remain in the running for president of Peru but, no matter who wins, says Daniel Hannan in the London Telegraph, the country has already lost.

On the far Left stands Alan García who, as president between 1985 and 1990, suspended foreign debt payments and nationalised what remained of the private sector, including the banks. The result? An absolute decline in national wealth, mass unemployment and 7,649 per cent inflation.

On the even further Left stands Ollanta Humala, a cashiered ex-officer who sees [General] Velasco as his role-model. Humala combines socialist economics with aggressive nationalism and a millenarian appeal to the indigenous peoples. His violent rhetoric has left opponents wondering whether, if he were to win, there would be any more elections.

Why are Peruvians about to elect a leftist anti-yanqui populist?  Like citizens of other South American countries, they have been victimised by right-wing nationalist governments that respected neither private property rights nor the rule of law.  When the regime systematically loots the populace, civil society breaks down.  Peruvians have turned to the far left in a desperate bid to restore public order.

We shall see if that hope is realised any better in Peru than it has been in Venezuela.

Previous related post: Why so much world poverty? The prophet Amos knew.

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it Your caffeine addiction level: high

And here's the StatWife:

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low