.
Feedback

Frankenstorm, October Surprise and Italian Corruption

Join the national conversation as we discuss this week's Hot Topics.

First things first: Frankenstorm. Some say this could be the storm of the century, but who knows what could happen between now and then? The storm has already ravaged the Caribbean, causing 40 deaths.

Meteorologists expect a combination of high winds, heavy rain and extreme tides, according to the BBC. It could also bring snow.

Our weather blogger believes it has the potential to become the "perfect storm," causing all kinds of drama. It should hit the U.S. late Monday or early Tuesday.

----------

Donald Trump's "October Surprise" left many a little disappointed. Some believe President Obama should release his education records and passport applications.

That's not a surprise, that's a request. He did offer to donate $5 million to charity if Obama submitted to his request. Patch readers spoke out about the announcement, with various interpretations of Trump's proposal.

"He's a nut case, and needs to find something more constructive to do with his time," MDG wrote.

"Mr. Trump seems to have a particular animosity toward President Obama that he didn't exhibit toward any of our previous Presidents, including President Clinton. I wonder what could be the reason," David Brown mused. "I don't think that Trump realized how bad this makes him look to most people who are thinking 'if you have the money, why aren't you making the donation no matter what?'"

----------

Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced for tax fraud. He allegedly bought U.S. film rights "at inflated prices via two offshore companies under his control," according to the BBC.

Berlusconi has been tied to a number of crimes. He's been found guilty of three separate crimes on charges over the past two decades ranging from "perjury to illegal financing of a political party to the bribing a member of the tax police," according to Time Magazine.

In layman's terms, he used offshore companies to purchase movies, marked up the price and resold them to his own media company, then put the profits into a slush fund.

Each charge was either overturned or dropped.

He's currently on trial for paying for sex with an underage girl and "trying to cover it up."

The purpose of this post is to get our readers talking. How does this affect you? What's your opinion on these stories?

Subscribe to Barrow Patch’s newsletters, follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Barrow Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kristi Reed (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:22 pm
Thanks for posting Devera! It looks as if you have a lot of fun activities planned.
Bill Summerour June 15, 2013 at 08:49 pm
I grew up in a Winder where doors were not locked and the town was full of folks shopping! SometimesRead More a moonshiner would get caught or the parking meter would run out of time and one would get a parking ticket by one of the three cops in town! Now I keep a weapon handy because of voices and footsteps on the pavement at night! Where are these people coming from and going to after one o'clock in the morning? Why does it take so long for a policeman to show up after a call is made,if they show up at all? I've watched nice homes on my street turn into dumps. They are rented by owners who are only interested in the money and not the quality of people who are renting. Yeah, I keep a weapon and it's loaded for a thief or prowler! When seconds count a cop is only several minutes away,if at all!
Timothy Hinds June 17, 2013 at 12:51 am
Excellent comment, Bill. I, too, remember what it was like to trust those around you as much trustRead More as you gave them.