So, then, how do we treat those children who are setting fires, hurting animals, and hurting other humans while displaying little or no remorse and prevent them from continuing down a dark path? It is suggested in the article that some hope “to develop a specific diagnosis for these children – callous and unemotional disorder – and to develop programmes and treatments specifically geared to their condition. In essence, these children have to be painstakingly taught reactions which the rest of us have automatically.”

My question is, would this work, and shouldn’t we start now in identifying and maintaining support systems at an early age for those kids who display a marked lack of empathy or remorse? Prevention saves lives.

The arrest comes on the heels of authorities discovering the existence of the group in early November 2011; they suspect the group to be a right-wing terror organization responsible for the deaths of Turkish or Greek businesspeople and a policewoman over the past decade.

Many of the murders were originally thought to be related to organized crime instead of being politically or ideologically motivated.

Good news: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is amping up what’s being called the “Predator Program” – the use of unmanned drone aircraft that is “playing a larger role in the nation’s border security.”

Two drones are currently based in Texas and one will be based in Arizona by the new year 2012. Six in total are currently available for deployment. So far they’ve logged more than 10,000 flight hours and aided in nabbing 46,600 pounds of drugs.

According to U.S. Forces – Iraq PAO, “information and evidence gathered…led ISF to i.d. and arrest two suspected AQI criminal associates.”

Here’s hoping they find their main target as well.

NYT reports that in White Plains, New York, the “Westchester County executive has vetoed funding to save the farmhouse dating to 1738 where George Washington slept and plotted strategy during the Battle of White Plains in 1776.” The farmhouse has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Hopefully funds can be raised privately to save this invaluable piece of American history.

Happy Independence Day! Apologies to my readers for not posting lately, things have been hectic. However, I couldn’t miss this prescient post in honor of the birth of our great nation.

Note: This blog was named after The Culper Ring, a spy ring organized under the orders of (then) General George Washington. Its task was to infiltrate the British-controlled New York City and to report on troop activity and plans. The Ring performed covert ops until the end of the Revolutionary War. An operative known as “355″ aided and assisted the Culper Ring in its operations. “355″ was the group’s code for “lady.”

NYT reports that Israel has said its commandos fired only in self-defense after being attacked by activists wielding knives and clubs as they boarded the Turkish ship, and the video I’ve seen of the raid seems to suggest this is true (will post as soon as I can find it)

H/T: Rhetorican