Murderer At Age 15? Check.

As reported by Matthew Zarrell on the Nancy Grace website, linked to CNN, a 15-year-old girl by the name of Alyssa Bustmante will be charged as an adult in the case of the slaying and brutal murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten. On November 18th, Bustmante was indicted by a Cole County Grady Jury "on charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action."

On October 21st, Elizabeth Olten, 9 years old, went missing. Bustmante is accused of slitting her throat, stabbing her multiple times, and strangling her. Thus, the charge of armed criminal action. Alledgedly, Bustmante used a knife in the horendous murder. On November 18th, Bustmante was charged as an adult and, if convicted, she could face life in prison with no parole. All at the young age of 15.

Of course a history of mental illness comes into question. No sane 15-year-old adolenscent murders a 9-year-old in the horrific manor as Bustmante is accused of. David Cook, a juvenile officer for the circuit court, "testified Bustmante spent 10 days at a mental health center after a suicide attempt." Since, she has been (thankfully) prescribbed prozac to help depression. Her oarents became conc erned when she began researching "Goth" but she soon stopped. Unsurprisingly, she tried to cut herself via her fingernails resulting in jail officials clipping her nails.

Could a 15-year-old have planned such a vicious crime? Sure. Sgt. David Rice, of the Missouri Highway Patrol, interviewed Bustmante and asked her mutiple questions about the murder. She confessed to digging two holes the Friday before the murder. Bustmante claims that she killed Olten "because she 'wanted to know what it felt like' to kill someone."

All I can think about is how awful for Elizabeth Olten's family. I was very pleased to read that Bustmante will be tried as an adult. In my opinion, killers often start young: killing animals and watching horror movies then onto humans and so forth. Of course she is young, but who's to say there wouldn't have been a next time or another helpless victim if she hadn't been caught? We can only hope that she doesn't slip between the cracks and become hospitolized for society's protection. Obviously, it was premeditated. Two holes were dug. She may not be sane but if she is old enough to kill another human being for sheer pleasure, she's more than old enough to facde the music and sit in jail for the rest of her life.

Thought Concentration Camps Were a Thing of the Past? Think Again

I was almost in tears as I read this devastating article on MSNBC.com reported by the Associated Press: Mom ran pet ‘concentration camp,’ son says.

Sharon McDonough is a widowed 43-year-old mother of seven, harmer of many. McDonough is accused "of running a house of horrors for pets at her suburban home, forcing her children to help torture them and burying at least 20 dogs in her backyard..." This is simply incredible to me. As to how anybody could ever cause harm to innocent, helpless animals is beyond me.

McDonough pleaded, ofcourse, not guilty to an embarrassing six counts of animal cruelty. She is accused of abusing five dogs and one cat. The poor animals were stored miserably in cages covered in feces and urine. As if that wasn't enough, their coats were matted with dirt. Fortunately, a judge has taken away custody of the woman's six daughters ages 18 months to 13 years.

Douglas, McDonough's 21-year-old son, turned his mother into authorities on November 5th. After his mother was arrested, he called the home they lived in "a concentration camp for the animals." He tales of the way the animals were treated was extremely hard to read and almost unbearable. "She would have the oldest kids hold down the dog while we duct-taped his mouth and she would hit him." He lated added that him and his sisters were forced to take part, against their will.

McDonough's unfortuante neighbors have feared the worse: that their missing pets could possibly be infact be very close to them. McDonough's suburban home is the site of 20 very shallow graves filled with dogs.

There is no excuse for any behaivor of this kind. Reason of insanity, in my opinion, can't even be a clausible plea for a crime like this. Whatever excuse this monster could come up with as to why events like these would ever be okay will probably never be known.

According to the Associated Press, "Since the dog carcasses were found, vandals have spray-painted "killer" on the garage and "guilty" on McDonough's mailbox." Along with other forms of vandalism, I have no doubt that this miserable excuse for a human being will be forever haunted by her unforgiveable actions.

Stop, Drop, Swim

When is it okay to set your "friend" on fire? According to 15-year-old Matthew Bent, apparently when he owes you $40 for a video game. On October 12, firefighter-paramedic Bobby Goss experienced "the worst call of his four-year career" says Rich Phillips, CNN reporter.

Goss was one of the first people on the gruesome scene. When Michael Brewer was attacked by five of his friends, his life would forever change. He is now burnt on over 65% of his teenage body. According to reports, Brewer was doused in alcohol and set on fire. When Brewer refused to pay the alleged $40 he owed Bent for a video game, "one of the teens -- 15-year-old Matthew Bent -- stole Brewer's father's bicycle."

But it didn't stop there. Brewer blamed Bent for the theft and police soon arrested him. Phillips reports that "The next day, Bent and four other teens found Brewer, authorities say, and surrounded him. Police say witnesses have told them that they called him a snitch before pouring alcohol on him and using a lighter to set him on fire."

Brewer then ran 100 yards to an apartment complex pool and jumped in, eliminating the flames. In my opinion, it is pretty safe to say that the pool saved Brewer's life. He was on a breathing venilator until Tuesday, and is now breathing successfully on his own after a month.

The five kids accused of this horrific crime are not getting away scott free. "Three of the five teens -- Denver Jarvis and Bent, both 15, and Jesus Mendez, 16 -- have been charged as adults with attempted second-degree murder..." They are currently being held without bail. Two other teens, one of whom is 13, are being charged as juveniles with aggravated battery. They may be charged as adultas as soon as prosecutors throughly investigate the case.

I find this extremely disturbing. It makes absolutely NO sense to me as to how ANYONE can think it's ever okay to set someone on fire for ANY reason. All five of these monsters should be tried as adults and be put away for the rest of their lives. They are only teenagers, who knows what they could possibly think of when they're adults. And over a video game? Really? What's going to happen when they get in a car accident or their girlfriend cheats on them or they're shorted change at a drive thru? It amazes me that anybody could ever think of setting somebody on fire as a way to solve their problem. I hope these five teenagers get everything they have coming to them.

Murder Gone Awry

While watching CNN with my mom throughout the week, I kept seeing a repeating story over and over: a seven year old boy who lived to tell an incredible story. I wanted to do more research to see if there was any other information I could find and I certainly did.

In Littleton, Iowa, a seven year old boy lay in a van covered in dried blood. His two year old brother was next to him, dead. The suspect? Their own mother. Michelle Kehoe had thunk up a brilliant plan of how a stranger had abducted her family and tried to kill them all. Emanuella Grinberg, author of the article I found on CNN.com, states "When it became apparent she was not going to die, the prosecutor said, she staggered half a mile down the road to the nearest home and told a story she'd concocted weeks before of how a stranger abducted the family, killed her sons and tried to kill her."

Amazing. I find it sickening that a mother could EVER even THINK about killing her children, let alone, following through with it. Even more disturbing, "Kehoe began plotting the attack the month before with the purchase of the knife and the duct tape..." Luckily, her seven year old son lived to tell the harrowing story. Sadly, the two year old was not so furtunate.

Kehoe, surprisingly, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first degree murder. However, if she is found guilty, she faces life in prison with the possibility of parole. In my opinion, there will never be justice served for the little boy who was not strong enough to put up a fight and had his life taken from him too soon. How could a mother do this? It is easily the ultimate betrayal.

How 'Bout Them Cowboys?

105,121-the record breaking attendance number of people at a regular-season NFL game.

30,000-the number of standing fans.

80,000-the number of seats.

50-the number of feet below ground level the field is

1,600-the number of toilets at the stadium

286-the number of concession stands

largest domed stadium in the entire world

world's largest column-free interior

largest high definition hung TV screen in the world

$75.00-the cost to park at the stadium

$1.2 billion-the finishing cost of the new Cowboys stadium

losing the season opener/the first home game to the New York Giants-PRICELESS

Needless to say, the Cowboys didn't play as great as the should have on Sunday night. Especially with Sunday night being the season opener AND the unveiling of the new Cowboys stadium to the NFL fans around the world. Fans were less than thrilled to see quarterback Tony Romo throw not one, not two, but three unforgivable interceptions resulting in a devastating two point loss bringing the final score 33-31.

As Kurt Daniels, writer for DallasCowboysStar.com, said, "Nearly everything was perfect but the final score." I couldn't agree more. Without Romo's three interceptions, a combined total of four turnovers, and one fumble I think the Cowboys could have easily won the game against the cross-country rivals.

With the Cowboys' first play in full motion, the game was obviously in favor of the Giants. Romo's pass, intended for Roy Williams, was "intercepted by [Giants] corner back Bruce Johnson, who waltzed 34 yards into the end zone untouched for the touchdown" Daniels noted. Utterly pathetic, Romo. The Cowboys were favored for a victory by three points but blew it early on.

Throughout the exciting game, fans grew uneasy as they watched America's team slowly lose the game. It was only a matter of time until the inevitable happened. With four seconds left of the game, it was a sure win for anyone watching. The Cowboys were up 30-31, and there was no possible way we could give up this unforgettable win. Or was there? Lawrence Tynes was called in for the last, crucial four seconds of the game. Why? Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback, pulled an incredible quarterback sneak, gaining two yards. Tynes did indeed successfully kick the 37-yard field goal but not before Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips strategically called a final timeout, forcing a re-kick. As though anybody thought he couldn't do it, Tynes, one again, did score the final three points with another successful 37-yard kick.

In my opinion, the score shouldn't have even been that close. The Cowboys had everything, and I mean everything, to play for. They were the hosts of the largest attendance of an NFL game in history, it was their home season opener, and new faces on the field. You would think a new stadium might have incentive to play better and more importantly, play as a team right? Wrong.

What was Kanye (NOT) Thinking?!

By now, I'm sure the ENTIRE world has heard about Kanye West's latest stint that has Hollywood, along with local media, in an incredible uproar. On Sunday night, at the MTV Video Music Awards, or the VMA's, Taylor Swift was welcomed to the stage to collect her award for "Best Female Music Video." Before she could finish her speech, and before the audience or anyone watching could comprehend what was about to happen, Kanye West has ran onto the stage, grabbed the microphone from Swift, and proceeded to tell any and all viewers that "... Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time,"stunning the crowd.

This isn't the first time West has been accused or career suicide. West has ranted that George Bush does not care about black people in addition to saying he is the next Elvis. Really? In MTV News' recent article titled "Experts Weigh In On Kanye West's Post-VMA Career Recovery," the author, Gil Kaufman, voices his opinion by stating that this could possibly be "irreparable damage to his career."

I could not agree more. With Taylor Swift being an innocent 19 year old country singer who happens to write her own songs, and Kanye West being a master of the auto-tuner, it is awfully sad and embarrassing that West pulled this stunt. What does he have to show for it? And what is there to be proud of? The fact that he stole the lime-light from a more than deserving talented artist is just plain horrible.

The night after the VMA's, West went on the Jay Leno show (convenient, huh?). Unplanned, according to Leno, apologized to Swift saying he felt "ashamed." He should feel a lot more than ashamed. He should be humiliated. And to make this story even better, Beyonce did go on to win the award for "Best Music Video of the Year."

Is Twitter the New Facebook, MySpace?

I read the article in the June issue of Time Magazine titled "How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live." It is an inevitable fact that Twitter is extremely close to becoming the new Facebook and/or MySpace. Every day, more and more people are beginning to "follow" friends, co-workers and even their favorite celebrities. With Twitter limiting your "tweet" to 140 characters, people are challenged to only tweet their most important thoughts.

I think Twitter has become an easily accepted social network because it is so simple to use. In some ways, Twitter has become an addiction for me. In the beginning, when i was just starting to use Twitter, I thought it was a horrible idea, served no purpose, and was immediately turned off.

As I began to follow more people, including my mom, Miley Cyrus, and People Magazine, I became more informed. With People Magazine updating their Twitter almost hourly, I knew about celebrity break-ups, deaths and new movies coming out instantly. It is very easy to keep up with news and current events going on around the world as long as I'm following the right Tweeters.

Like the author of the article, Steven Johnson, I was also skeptical about using Twitter. I thought it bared no relevancy to the real world. Boy, was I wrong. As soon as I fell into the black hole of Twitter, I knew there would be no return. To make matters worse, my mom decided to download UberTwitter on my phone. Now not only am I lucky enough to have Facebook Mobile, I've also got a form of mobile Twitter.

All in all, I think only time can tell as to how the rest of the world will react to Twitter. I'll be the first to admit that in the beginning, it's hard to stay interested. As soon as you begin following the tweeters of your interest, it will become hard to stop.