Your Dog's Poop Under Investigation

Once or twice a month I feel the need to start a blog post with the word "Wow." I have barely restrained myself in this post, but you get the point.

Anyway.

Reuters reports today:

Under a six-month trial programme launched this week, the city of Petah Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv, is asking dog owners to take their animal to a municipal veterinarian, who then swabs its mouth and collects DNA.

The city will use the DNA database it is building to match faeces to a registered dog and identify its owner.

Big brother alive and well in Israel.

DNA Evidence Clears Death Row Inmate

Ten years ago, my cousin, Danny Lee, was convicted of murder, conspiracy to overthrow the government, and conspiracy to establish a whites-only homeland on U.S. soil. He received the death sentence. Since his conviction, he's been maintaining his innocence from the isolation of his solitary confinement. His only visitor is Sister Dorothy, his "minister of record," pictured above.

Several months ago, he finally got the DNA test that proves the state did not have a case against him. The state's only piece of non-circumstantial evidence was a hair thought to be Danny's. The DNA test proves the hair isn't his. After ten years of confinement, he still may have to wait years more before the government overturns his conviction.

You can read about Danny here, including his self-written profile, his letters, poetry, and some brief information about the case.