NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Just in time for the holidays, a consumer group announced its pick for the 10 worst toys of 2004 Wednesday, including the Pocket Rocket Miniature Motorcycle and the Megabuster Battle Weapon.The only thing missing is the shrinkwrap on new CDs, movies and games. I've nearly killed things trying to get that shrinkwrap off!
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The list also included Imaginarium Police Car Building Blocks, Dress Me Paz, Fun Slides Carpet Skates, Air Burst Rockets, the 38" Playtime Trampoline, Happy Birthday Bear, Parents Magazine Mirror Pound-A-Ball and the 3 Gun Squad Set -- Uz-1 Commando Machine Gun.
The list, compiled by World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH), includes toys the group says are so poorly designed or tested that they pose a serious safety or health risk to children.
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Federal judge condemns sentencing laws:
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) -- A judge who condemned federal sentencing laws as "unjust, cruel and irrational" said he had little choice Tuesday but to sentence a first-time drug offender caught with a handgun to 55 years and one day in prison.So the prosecutor is happy the guy's off the streets even though the alleged criminal wasn't caught for the charges he's supposedly "guilty" of (not jury guilty "guilty" though). Interesting and not unexpected. Those prosecutors!
U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell gave record producer Weldon Angelos the minimum 55 years for carrying the gun -- and one day for dealing marijuana and money laundering while in possession of the weapon.
Cassell said Angelos, 25, will serve more time than rapists, murderers or airline hijackers -- and won't be eligible for release until he's 70.
"I'm disappointed the judge didn't go the extra step" of ignoring the sentencing guidelines, said Angelos' attorney, Jerry Mooney, who plans an appeal.
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Prosecutor Robert Lunt said Angelos has been suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering for years and got what he deserved.
Last year's trial made news when the witness list included Snoop Dogg and other artists who had worked with Angelos, but Bad Azz was the only big name artist who ended up testifying.
The defense argued Angelos made money legally through his work, while prosecutors claimed he used drug money to finance his music business, Extravagant Records.
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Jude Law named 'Sexiest Man Alive':
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- British actor Jude Law, currently starring as the irresistible cad in the remake of "Alfie," was named this year's "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine Wednesday.I think they overlooked a serious contender. Someone kind, warm, pleasant and who has a terrific smile. Yep, you guessed it! I'm thinking Bin Laden should have received the honor.
The chiseled-featured, 31-year-old actor was the top pick of the magazine's editors to succeed their leading male sex symbol of 2003, Johnny Depp.
Law appears on the cover of People's November 19 issue, which hits newsstands Friday.
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People bestowed its first "Sexiest Man Alive" honors in 1985 to Mel Gibson. Other winners have included John F. Kennedy Jr., Sean Connery, Denzel Washington, Richard Gere and Ben Affleck.