A world of inverted values and priorities - International Social/Political

In such an upside-down world should we be surprised to learn that regulatory authorities focus on minor issues at the expense of MAJOR CRIME? A case in point relates to the recent death of a young girl, Gemma Thoms, in Oz who died after swallowing her little stash of recreational drugs; a reaction to the presence of police sniffer dogs at a popular public festival. What a waste, what a crying shame! [Culpability clearly rests with the commissioner and minister, who share responsibility for CONTRIBUTING to the hapless girl’s death!]

The MORONIC, COMPENSATORY PERSONALITIES known as the POLICE fail to INVESTIGATE and arrest REAL criminals -- BANKERS and CORPORATE EXECUTIVES -- who commit MAJOR crimes in plain view! Why haven’t bankers, financial and mining executives been hauled before investigative committees, and the courts when insider deals and collusion are clearly evident?

This ‘ignoring the elephant and attacking the mouse’ (cowardly and incompetent) approach was amusing until innocent citizens began to suffer and now DIE.

Nations and States that ignore their most heinous criminals -- torturers, mass murderers and resource plunderers – would not be considered viable by any stretch of the political imagination.

Allow me to express the POPULAR SENTIMENT by taking a toke on a joint presently doing the rounds. I would add I normally do not smoke but the occasion warrants it, you miserable, INCOMPETENT, murdering PIGS!

Of course redemption is at your blue finger tips – let’s see some REAL WHITE COLLAR crims in the HEADLINES for a change – there’s certainly no shortage of those felons! Try the Capital for starters, then the boardrooms of major mining and financial corporations; you pathetic, compensatory, inadequates!

[‘War crimes!’ Did someone mention war crimes?]

[Teenage girl jailed while BHP continues to pillage water and war criminal John Howard remains free. That's new Oz justice in action for ya! ]

AN 18-year-old girl with no prior criminal history has been jailed for writing her nickname on the wall of a Sydney cafe.

Cheyene Back, who turned 18 last month, wept as she was sentenced to three months jail for graffiti on the public wall at Hyde Park Cafe, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Do you think this sentence is fair? Tell us below.

Back, from Daceyville, was caught with a black texta at the scene last month.

She was convicted of intentionally destroying or damaging property in Downing Centre Local Court this afternoon.

The word she allegedly wrote, "2shie", measuring 30cm by 60cm was still on the wall after her sentencing.

She was caught with a group of about five youths.

Hyde Park Cafe is seeking $200 compensation.

© 2009 News Limited

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wells Fargo & Co., which received $25 billion in taxpayer bailout money, is planning a series of corporate junkets to Las Vegas casinos this month.

Wells Fargo, once among the nation's top writers of subprime mortgages, has booked 12 nights at the Wynn Las Vegas and its sister hotel, the Encore Las Vegas beginning Friday, said Wynn spokeswoman Michelle Loosbrock. The hotels will host the annual conference for company's top mortgage officers.

The conference is a Wells Fargo tradition. Previous years have included all-expense-paid helicopter rides, wine tasting, horseback riding in Puerto Rico and a private Jimmy Buffett concert in the Bahamas for more than 1,000 employees and guests.

"I was amazed with just how lavish it was," said Debra Rickard, a former Wells Fargo mortgage employee from Colorado who attended the events regularly until she left the company in 2004. "We stayed in top hotels, the entertainment was just unbelievable, and there were awards — you got plaques or trophies."

While the nation's recession has led other banks, such as Bank of America, to cancel employee recognition outings, Wells Fargo has not.

"Recognition events are still part of our culture," spokeswoman Melissa Murray said. "It's really important that our team members are still valued and recognized."

Corporate retreats have attracted criticism since the bank bailout last fall. Congress scolded insurance giant American International Group Inc. for spending $440,000 on spa treatments for executives just days after the company took $85 billion from taxpayers.

AIG has since canceled all such outings.

Beginning Feb. 25, Wells Fargo's insurance division is hosting a 40-person team meeting at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Murray did not immediately have details about the size or cost of the events or what was planned.

In previous years, top loan officers were treated to performances by Cher, Jay Leno and Huey Lewis. One year, the company provided fortune tellers and offered camel rides, Rickard said. Every night when employees returned to their rooms, there was a new gift on their pillows, she said.

Wells Fargo Chairman Richard Kovacevich has traditionally greeted every employee personally when they arrived.

Rooms at the Wynn and the Encore are consistently among the most expensive in Las Vegas. The $2.3 billion Encore opened in December. Its decor includes a 27-foot Asian dragon made from 90,000 Swarovski crystals and artwork by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. One of the restaurants features Frank Sinatra's 1953 Oscar.

Both properties have high-end retail stores, including Manolo Blahnik at Wynn and Chanel at Encore.

On Monday, Wells Fargo said it would pay a quarterly dividend of $371 million to the Treasury Department as part of the bailout. The government invested billions in the company to help shore up the banking industry.

Associated Press writer Oskar Garcia in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

© 2009 The Associated Press

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