This is the case of Prisoner No. J8196L, whose real name is Timothy Fenstermacher. He is a high-school drop-out who was convicted in 1966 of a felony assault with 3 additional years tacked on to the original sentence of 16 years for an "altercation with a prison guard."

Mr. J8196L has recently made sensational news. While serving his term, Prisoner No J8196L challenged archaeologist Orly Goldwasser at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem about the origin of the alphabet, citing he found similar hieroglyphics in an old archaeology magazine (Biblical Archaeology Review) he came upon while in prison that presented an article (with a different set of hieroglyphics) contrasting current scholarship on the subject.

He was so interested in the featured article that he began a quest, and quite by happenstance he stumbled onto an incredible discovery about the origin of the alphabet. To continue his research he asked for solitary confinement (see PC 11189-11198 of the Penal Code) at the Tehachapi State Prison in Kern County, California. He was granted permission. His reason was to pursue his new-found focus on Egyptology. This is highly unusual for a state prison to grant this type of confinement, because of the human rights issued involved in this type of isolation and or solitary incarceration.

Why is Mr. Fenstermacher asking for this isolated confinement? Mr. J8196L is asking to stay out of the main population where he would have to contend with the general prison population and therefore, be unable to apply full concentration toward his task. Despite this reason who, asks the general public, in their right mind would ask for solitary confinement? Obviously, there are prisoners capable of achieving excellence while in prison, but few are able to change their lives while inside 'the Big House'. This is not the case of inmate No. J8196L.

Recently he challenged Mr. Hershel Shanks, the review editor of Biblical Archaeology Review who states, "The extent of this guy's self-taught scholarship is mind-boggling." Imagine, a prisoner may turn archeology on its head by claiming the "'rare Sinai Hieroglyphics' may be overstated" and "may not be the birth of the alphabet." For a perspective in time, this rare hieroglyph appeared during Egypt's Middle Kingdom that lasted from 2030 to 1640 B.C. It appears, through these archaeology magazines, Mr. J8196L has found similar hieroglyphics "outside the Sinai." Mr. Inmate has made four flash cards a day for one decade from his milk carton allotment, "each bearing a single hieroglyph."

What does this mean to the Hebrew rendition of today's alphabet and its early beginnings in the scope of biblical time? According to a March 14, 2012 article in the LA Times, written by Thomas H. Maugh II, who sites Mr. Inmate No. J8196L is a challenger of the instance of a "rare hieroglyph" through his readings while in jail. Mr. Fenstermacher has found while incarcerated he has a knack for linguistics that enables him to decipher hieroglyphics. What a talent he has found in himself while incarcerated! Once his challenge has been established, a new search to unravel the scholarship begins.

For further reading on this fascinating subject and the somewhat unstable childhood of Mr. Fenstermacher that makes his accomplishment even more impressive, please see the Los Angeles Times edition, Wednesday, March 14, 2012 ( front page), entitled: “Ancient Symbols Speak to Prisoner.” There is a lesson for all of us to learn from this person/prisoner.

Well, California has done it again! Is it a club house or a jail house? That is the question the U.S. Supreme Court has pondered and the result is the high court does not like 'bunking' now known as overcrowding that has prompted the release of over 33,000 prisoners this year. Whatever you want to call this issue, it is a disaster residing inside our state prisons and once released presents another set of intanglible problems set upon society to solve or endure. In fact, the state of our state prisons is classified as cruel and unusual punishment; a tenet that is part of our Constitution found in the Eighth Amendment that literally ends with these words: "…nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted." Our prisons are over 200% capacity leaving health and medical services in the wings for these inmates.

Drug addicts and low-crime offenders populate the prisons, as well as those serving life sentences under the Three-Strike law, so it's time to stop the "dramatic showdowns in court," said Douglas Berman, an Ohio State University law professor. Mark Leiman, a UCLA public policy professor states in the HUFFPOST LOS ANGELES May 24, 2011, "If they [California prison officials] don't want the federal courts messing with their prisons, then run decent prisons." Mr. Berman, an expert on sentencing laws clearly sees the errors of California: the Three-Strike law, longer sentencing - all add fire to the meltdown of our prison system! The fear, according to Justice Antonin Scalia is there will be "more criminals on the streets." The real fear should point to our legal system that has clearly failed.

Already there are hunger strikes occurring at this writing. "Inmates in at least 11 of California's 33 prisons are refusing meals in solidarity with a hunger strike staged by prisoners in one of the system's special maximum-security units, official said Tuesday," writes Sam Quinones with the latimes.com on July 1, 2011. "More than 400 prisoners at Pelican Bay are believed to be refusing meals...," he states.

What's going on here? Have we as citizens lost our minds? Have we reduced ourselves to the same status as Iraq's prison system, or better yet China's prison system that is notorious for human rights violations? Everyone knows that Pelican Bay is one of the most horrendous prisons systems built to house the worst of the worst in our society- the most incorrigible. But wake up, these prisoners, albeit some are partakers of horrific crimes, are suffering the basics of human existence. They are staging a round of hunger strikes throughout the prison system, announced over their web site, http://pelicanbayprisonproject.org/aande.htm complaining about the most extreme conditions that are likened close to torture. Can you imagine trying to keep your mental balance when confined to "cells that have no windows and are soundproofed to inhibit communication among inmates... 22.5 hours a day?"

On Sunday, a radio talk show host was talking about this issue that prompted this blogger to dig around online and find out "What going on?" The person being interview, whose name and affiliation was missed, talked about similar starvation strikes in Ireland's prison system for similar reasons.

From news clippings, it seems those imprisoned at Abu Ghraib, excluding water-boarding, of course, may have more Constitutional rights than those in our state prisons and with better living conditions. At least those is Abu Ghraib are allowed to matriculate with each other and apparently they were allowed to keep their faith current in some fashion, whether it was their dress or their ability to pray daily. The interviewee talked about Pelican Bay's treatment of prisoners under current conditions stating it will eventually cause mental disorders. Is this the intent of our prison systems? Not really, but what then? The intent of this isolation, in part, is to prohibit exchange between rival gangs, yet according to the interviewee the gangs are putting aside their differences and banding together on this very serious issue. Enough is enough! Further blogs on this subject will ensue!

Nina Salmo Ashford who Chairs California United for Public Safety recently published an article in the Fox & Hounds Daily, July 13, 2011 titled, "Time To Think Outside The Cell Block." In this article she runs parallel ideas regarding the AB 109's "realignment" plan that mandates release of 39,000 California prisoners over the next three years to the proposed post-conviction surety bonds (same as a bail bond) that will presumably protect California citizens from these zombies, excuse me prisoners, about to descend on California.

The theory behind the post-conviction bond is accountability, whereby linking the defendant's compliance to the "terms of his or her probation. If the defendant fails to comply…" well, you know the rest of the story - back to jail where they started in the first place! Oh yes, we forgot to mention the bail bondsman who probably posted the original bond before they were sentenced and sent to state prison. Now the bondsman has the opportunity to post another bond; a post-conviction bond. What an opportunity for the bondsman or so you would think.

She further remarks the post-conviction bond – really the bondsman "would track and return the offender to court – at the expense of the bail agent, not taxpayers." Hey, bondsman already to this to protect their bond from forfeiture. What a nightmare. Now the bondsman has to worry if the person shows up for a probation appointment! It was easier to worry over a simple court appearance. Think a little more clearly on the subject, Miss Ashford; you are asking the bondsman to micro-manage the state's over-crowding problem and the state’s "ill-thought-out sentencing laws" according to Vijay Das, Guest Commentary for the Contra Costa Times, who posted on July 1, 2011 an article on prison overcrowding. He sites "California's draconian sentencing laws" as the main culprit for this AB 109 ruling to exist per overcrowded conditions (See the real story: HUFFPOST LOS ANGELES on California Inmate Release). The post-conviction bond is just another excuse for the lawmakers to put their head in the sand, ignore logic and reason, while they profess to be politically correct in their convictions (no pun intended) that correctional institutes correct the inmate.

The post-conviction bond proposal is full of challenges. One challenge might come from the ACLU. Yes, the American Civil Liberties Union that might balk at the whole concept: put an individual in an overcrowded prison, don’t provide adequate housing or medical attention, release the same individual, perhaps a low-crime offender- a drug addict, expect him or her to 'pick up the pieces' of their disheveled life, make every and all rehabilitation requirements, as well as all probation meetings
without a hiccup. It's a prescription for failure and now the draconian laws may effect a heavier sentence than originally handed down when failure occurs. My crystal ball sees a revolving door and a vortex so strong that many will fail as fast as they are released despite gaining a post-conviction surety bond.

Sexting is the fastest growing crime on the internet, but didn't the internet begin with porn? Sexting has emerged because this new technical age makes social interaction via mobile phones, such as the iPod Touch that has high speed connectivity and populates the vast cyberspace in seconds. However, sexting has huge implications for both teens and Senators alike, although it is a gray area of the law. Sexting does not fit the parameters of child pornography. However, teens innocently passing suggestive photos mobile-to-mobile could fall into this gray area of child pornography, despite the fact they are children themselves. Further, those who send and those who receive these messages or suggestive photos can be charged with distribution of child pornography! There have been cases of school administrators who have intercepted sexting evidence from their students only to face charges of possession, child pornography.

Here's the big ALERT for everyone on this subject from parents to teachers and even writers on the subject of sexting: Be aware, you could be implicated without your knowledge or participation of text-sexting. Parents need to advise their iPhone toting teens about this social phenomenon. Remember, juvenile bail bonds do exist, as well as juvenile court.

To further the point about sexting and its legal implications a search for 'sexting' on Google in this case, directed the inquirer to a single webpage where the actual domain name sexting.com is for sale: what – no bidders? The webpage then states you must be 18 years or older to enter the site that warns of many explicit photos ahead, of course, you have the option of entering or exiting. After having just completed a cursory research of sexting with the implications of this word fresh on the forefront, this blogger exited the site quickly without pursuing information worthy of telling the blog readers; information such as, how does this site prove you are actually 18 years or older?

It seems the lesser educated person – even a teen viewing the webpage could be marked as a trafficker in child pornographer or better yet, an internet trafficker of pornographer, if curiosity won out and the viewer decided to enter the site. Be aware and be careful! It would be rather cavalier to say Big Brother is Watching You, but in the case of sexting, everyone is watching.

Criminal charges for child pornography have very strict parameters and the law is explicit on punishment. In the state of California sexting laws may result in state prison, as well as having stigma of a felony criminal charge attached to you forever. However, sexting in the case of teens who innocently exchange risqué photos of themselves does not quite fall into the category of child pornography, since it is not published for sale and does not show explicit sexual acts (we hope) and exposure of minors private areas that pedophiles, for instance, peruse the web for their exploitative pleasure. This is why it is termed a gray area!

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The chief executive officer of National Lampoon Inc., the comedy brand behind "Animal House" and the "Vacation" movie franchise was arrested early Wednesday in West Hollywood in connection with an alleged $200-million Ponzi scheme, federal authorities said.

Timothy Durham, 48, is accused in a federal grand jury indictment of defrauding investors through his loan company and using the money to support expensive homes and cars, a 100-foot yacht and travel on a personal jet.

The arrest and indictment come two years after the FBI raided two of Durham's businesses -- Obsidian Enterprises of Indianapolis and Fair Financial of Akron, Ohio. Also named in the 23-page grand jury indictment were business associates James F. Cochran and Rick D. Snow.
All three each face 12 counts in connection with securities and wire fraud. Durham, who could not immediately be reached for comment, is scheduled to appear Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Shortly after purchasing Fair Financial in 2002, Durham and Cochran began to alter the business, the indictment said.

"Instead of using the majority of the money that Fair raised from investors through the sale of investment certificates for Fair's consumer financing business, Durham and Cochran began using investor money to make loans to themselves, to their family, friends, and acquaintances, and to businesses they owned or control," the indictment stated.

Durham became CEO of National Lampoon in 2009 after his predecessor, Donald Laikin, was arrested and charged in 2008 with allegedly manipulating the stock of the Los Angeles-based company.

Durham had sought to revive the flagging brand and its now-shuttered "National Lampoon" humor magazine.

Durham became CEO of National Lampoon in 2009 after his predecessor, Donald Laikin, was arrested and charged in 2008 with allegedly manipulating the stock of the Los Angeles-based company.

Durham had sought to revive the flagging brand and its now-shuttered "National Lampoon" humor magazine.

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Members of the Muslim Assn. of San Fernando Valley had a permit to hold an event at one of the banquet rooms on the campus, said Capt. Scott G. Vanscoy of the Cal State Northridge Police Department. But rivals who said they were from the Islamic Center of Northridge showed up with security guards who allegedly tried to intimidate people from entering the gathering.

Fereydoun Mohajerifar, 47, of Glendale and Jose Maria Lopez, 32, of Canoga Park each were booked on suspicion of bringing a firearm on a university campus, Vanscoy said. Both men said they worked as security guards. Police were investigating whether the men worked for a security company. No bail amount was set.

Four others were removed from the campus and subjected to a weeklong stay-away order, Vanscoy said. None of the four were Cal State Northridge students or affiliated with the event at the campus banquet hall. Their names were not released.

The incident took before the event at the banquet hall when a half-dozen people were found in the parking lot late Saturday afternoon passing out flyers and attempting to serve what appeared to be court documents on members of the rival group, Vanscoy said. A threat, which was not detailed by authorities, allegedly was made to one of the members of the group in the university parking lot.

Vanscoy said police investigators have learned there was ongoing friction between the groups but that there had not been past problems involving use of CSUN facilities.

The conflict between the two rival groups escalated about a year ago. Los Angeles Police Department officers have been called several times to each of the rival groups' mosques and have taken reports on accusations of battery, witness intimidation, trespassing, verbal threats and disturbing the peace but no criminal charges were filed in any of those cases.
In January, The Times detailed the bitter dispute between the two sides, each made up mainly of Pakistani and Afghan immigrants who are battling in court over leadership elections and greater openness at the Granada Hills mosque and an older satellite center in Northridge.

The fight has gotten increasingly bitter as both sides have engaged in heated rhetoric, including which group is more American in dress, accent and behavior. The parties also have traded accusations of radicalism as each side tries to discredit the other.
Defendants in the court case are the Islamic Center's two imams, Qazi Fazlullah and Qari Yousuf, along with board members and supporters, many of whom emigrated from Afghanistan or Pakistan's Pashtun region. The plaintiffs are mainly from Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, and from the country's Punjab region.

A dissident group accuses the mosque leaders in a lawsuit of methods that "resemble Taliban-style tactics one might presume to exist only outside the boundaries of the United States."

The suit also quotes a threatening, profane voicemail message it says was left for one of the plaintiffs, in which the caller allegedly said, "Don't … with us. We are Pashtuns. We will kill you."

Actor Mel Gibson 55, appeared in the LAX Courthouse on Friday and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor spousal battery charge, closing his high-profile domestic violence case involving his ex-girlfriend.

Gibson thanked the judge and the prosecutor as the hearing ended.

The judge sentenced Gibson to 36 months' probation and to complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling program and 16 hours of community service.

“He maintains his innocence,” his attorney told the judge. “He feels a plea is in the best interest of his children.”

He’s being served with a protective order Friday, which requires him to not harass or intimidate Oksana Grigorieva, his ex-girlfriend.

The actor-director's latest legal trouble began last year when Grigorieva, the mother of his daughter, accused him of threatening her with a gun and punching her at his Malibu home.

Secret recordings of Gibson engaging in a series of racist, profane rants were leaked to the celebrity website Radar Online. In the recordings, Gibson appeared to confirm Grigorieva's allegation of violence, telling her: "You … deserved it."