Here's the perfect gift for that hard-to-shop-for, true-crime aficionado in the family.
The Associated Press reports that one of history's most infamous murder weapons, the icepick police believe was used to kill Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky (above), has resurfaced just weeks before the 65th anniversary of his assassination.
Tests to authenticate the weapon have been delayed by a dispute between the current owner, who may hope to sell it, and Trotsky's grandson, who wants it for his museum - evidence of the ongoing struggle between socialist ideals and capitalism.
Not qualified? He's seen 'Dirty Harry'
In 1999, Orange County (Calif.) Sheriff Michael Carona and his former chief assistant Donald Haidl deputized 86 untrained civilians, at least half of whom were their friends or family or political contributors, giving them badges and in some cases gun permits and limited arrest powers, according to a recent Los Angeles Times report.
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Some of the 86 volunteers are still "on duty," and the sheriff did not begin to dismiss some "deputies" until a state law enforcement organization continued to complain that the deputies were not qualified for police work under state law.
Source: www.newsoftheweird.com
Lying to armed guys probably a bad idea
The winner of a German beauty contest has confessed she used to be a man.
Judges at the Miss Marksmen Festival 2005 competition held in Hanover voted unanimously for 24-year-old Kira.
She was among nine leggy contestants at the traditional men's only shooting club's annual beauty pageant.
It was only after the dark haired student teacher accepted her prize did she admit that until two years ago she used to be a man called Tarek.
She said: "I always felt that I was a woman trapped in a man's body and always wanted to be treated as such. This prize means a lot to me as it shows I really am a woman now."
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Members of the Schuetzenverein Hannover, a traditionally conservative shooting and archery club, said they would not be stripping Kira of the title and would make her an honorary member instead.
Source: www.ananova.com
Another sports dynasty is born
Estonia has won the World Wife-Carrying Championship again.
Source: www.oregonlive.com/edge/
To contact The Rail, send an e-mail to features reporter Tom Pantera at tpantera@forumcomm.com and he'll forward it to the writers. No animals were harmed in the compiling of this Rail.
Today's best bet: Downtown Street Fair Car Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Island Park, Fargo
