Weekly Daily Brickbats Archive 2008 February 15-31

Mick Forsythe admits he accidentally scratched Lorna Steele's car while parking outside a tattoo parlor she runs in Newtown, Wales. But a discussion of the accident got heated and Forsythe called Steele an "English bitch." Apparently, British law takes a dim view of calling someone English. A court found Forsythe guilty of racially aggravated disorderly behavior for his remarks. The court sentenced him to 10 weeks in jail but suspended the sentence.

Iranian authorities are cracking down on rap music. Iranians are supposed to have prior approval from the government before making any records. But in their country, rap is spread through underground channels. Officials say they will close any illegal studios they discover and "confront" rappers.

China has banned movies and TV shows dealing with the occult and the supernatural or that aim to frighten people. The government says fictional horror and violence are harmful to the psychological development of children.

In Saudi Arabia, the government ordered florists and gift shops to remove red-colored items before Valentine's Day, especially red roses. Saudi religious authorities reportedly believe the celebration of Valentine's Day encourages romantic relationships between unmarried men and women.

David Sanders spent eight months in prison on child molestation charges before another man confessed to the crime. Sanders was freed from prison, but the city of Milwaukee paid him just $5,000 and legal fees as compensation for wrongly imprisoning him.