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Woman With Rare Form of Amnesia Is Missing Again

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A woman suffering from a rare form of amnesia -- the same disease that the fictional Jason Bourne suffered from in a series of blockbuster movies -- has disappeared, authorities said, and it's not the first time she's gone missing.

Hannah Upp, 28, was last seen just before 8 a.m. Tuesday near Kemp Mill Road and Glenallan Avenue.

Authorities say Upp suffers from a rare form of amnesia. She has previously disappeared for days without any recollection.

She was last seen Tuesday morning around the time she should have been reporting to work, when a coworker saw her walking several miles from the Montessori school where she is a teacher's assistant. She also lives on the grounds.

Upp's bag and personal belongings were later found on a footpath near Wheaton Plaza.

She was also reported missing in 2003 in New York City and was missing for weeks.

Then a 23-year-old Spanish teacher, Upp disappeared the day before school started while on a jog along Riverside Drive, The New York Times reported.

She was found nearly three weeks later, floating face down in the Hudson River by a Staten Island Ferry captain on Sept. 16. 

The Times said Upp, wearing just running shorts and a sports bra, was barely visible to the captain. She gasped for breath as she was lifted out of the water by two deckhands. Upp was hospitalized at the time with hypothermia and dehydration, which is why police in Maryland say it is critical she is found soon.

While it's not known where Upp slept or ate during the time she was missing in New York, police were able to piece together some of the places she visited, which included the thoroughfare she was last seen on and an Apple store.

Upp, who was also a graduate student at Pace University back in 2008, even had a conversation with a fellow student. But when she was rescued, Upp had no recollection of the time she was missing.

"I went from going for a run to being in the ambulance," Upp told The Times in an interview several months later. "It was like 10 minutes had passed. But it was almost three weeks."

Upp reportedly suffers from dissociative fugue, a rare form of amnesia which causes her forget her identity.

Few psychiatrists ever see patients with Upp's condition, which is "characterized in part by sudden and unexpected travel combined with an inability to recall one’s past..."

Dissociative fugue is so uncommon that one of its most famous sufferers is fictional.

Jason Bourne, who is portrayed by actor Matt Damon, is a CIA assassin who experiences extreme memory loss. And like Bourne -- and perhaps Upp in this case -- sufferers only lose their identities, not the ability to perform everyday tasks.

"People have been known to not only travel across cities or countries, but also across continents," Dr. Philip Coons, who wrote a book about the disease, told The Times.

Police describe Upp as standing 5'7" tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and brown pants and some of her belongings were found on a footpath near Wheaton Plaza. 

If you have seen Hannah Emily Upp, call police at 240-773-5530. 


Caught on Tape: Robbery Suspect Slams Head

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San Diego police are looking for the man who robbed a downtown salon-- and may have injured himself in the process.

The robbery took place in the early morning hours of August 28 at Unite Salon on 7th Avenue.

According to officials, the man broke the glass door and stole a cash box from the reception desk.

The suspect may have suffered a head injury during the break-in. As surveillance video shows, the man ran right into the unopened side of the door as he tried to escape, hitting his head.

If you recognize this man, you’re asked to call police at 619-744-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.


Photo Credit: San Diego Police Department

Congregants to Text Message Thoughts on Jewish New Year

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Congregants at one Jewish New Year service in Miami Beach on Wednesday night will not be told to turn off cell phones. Instead, Rabbi Amy Morrison will ask them to send text messages of their inner thoughts and transgressions for everyone to see on a screen behind her.

The idea comes from the not-for-profit organization called The Tribe, which works to build a Jewish community for people in their 20s and 30s.

“They are young, transient and are looking to connect, and that’s tough to do when you walk into a room full of strangers,” said Rebecca Dinar, director of The Tribe. “Texting allows this group to communicate anonymously.”

Last year was the first time people who attended the Rosh Hashanah service at the Jewish Museum of Florida were asked to text message their inner most thoughts and desires. This year pop music was added to the program as well, so the Black Eyed Peas will be played alongside traditional Jewish songs sung by Cantor Marcos Ashkenazi.

There will also be sounds of rain falling, “to help them connect with this idea of renewal,” Dinar said.

Hundreds of people are expected at the free service, which beings at 8 p.m.

“I think that for all Jews there’s this need or desire to connect regardless of your level of religiusity,” Dinar said. “They feel at the end of the evening that they have really connected with hundreds of people.”

To plan, The Tribe convened a group young people and talk to them about what they wanted to get out of the holidays. So, the idea was born to have people text their thoughts when the rabbi asks a question like: “What things do you want to let go of,” Dinar said.

People in the audience will contribute to the moment, and share, and once that happens people seek out more, Dinar said.

There are two services planned, one for Wednesday night and one on Friday Sept. 13, the night before Yom Kippur.

 

2nd Porn Actor Tests Positive for HIV

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A second performer at a California adult film company has tested positive for HIV.

The announcement was posted on the Twitter account of actor Rod Daily, of San Francisco's Kink Studios. Kink chief executive Peter Acworth told the San Francisco Chronicle that Daily and an actress known as Cameron Bay, who tested positive last month, are in an off-screen relationship.

"I know it happened last month," Daily said in an interview Tuesday with the Los Angeles Daily News. "I know I don’t have a crazy lifestyle."

A Tweet posted Tuesday on Daily's account read, "Drumroll please!! I'm 32 years old and I'm HIV positive. Acute HIV, which means I recently was infected. For that I am blessed.

"With the tests I have done the doctors have figured out that I was infected within the last month."

An agent for Daily, also known as Joshua Rodgers, told the Daily News that his client has worked in the industry since 2010 on sets that require condoms, much like those in LA County.

Voters last year chose to expand a Los Angeles city mandate that adult-film actors wear condoms during on-screen vaginal or anal intercourse to include all porn sets in LA County.

The requirement was challenged by the adult film industry, but was upheld last month by a federal judge who ruled the health risks of not using condoms trumped porn producers' argument that it violated First Amendment rights.

Daily's diagnosis comes a week after an adult film industry group lifted a moratorium on porn production that was prompted by Bay's diagnosis. The Canoga Park-based Free Speech Coalition lifted the ban after all performers who worked with Bay were medically cleared.

In June, a male adult film star was jailed after he was convicted of knowingly exposing two female costars to syphilis.

More Southern California Stories:

 

Part of Pr. George's Courthouse Evacuated; 40-50 Ill

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A wing of the Prince George's County, Md. Courthouse was evacuated after 40 to 50 people complained of headaches or feeling dizzy Tuesday afternoon.

People began feeling sick around 1:15 p.m. in the Bourne Wing, which is the right side of the building in Upper Marlboro.

Prince George's County firefighters are at the scene trying to determine the cause.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for more.


Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Navy, Police Investigate Sailor’s Death

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An investigation was launched into the death of a local sailor on a Navy patrol boat, according to Navy Region Southwest.

Witness Steve Urschel said he saw Navy and Harbor Police boats stream to the B Street Pier at a high speed around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

There was frantic activity around the boat, possibly an attempt at life-saving measures, and then it stopped witnesses told NBC 7.

One sailor seemed very distraught.

"He looked very, very worried. There were other people around, filling around him, giving him hugs, patting him on the back trying to support him after what happened. Obviously it was not good," Urschel said.

Officials surrounded the area with crime tape, and a yellow tarp could be seen on the patrol boat.

Harbor police and Navy investigators were on hand gathering evidence and taking pictures.

Foul play was not suspected, according to Navy officials.

Why Locals Want U.S. Action in Syrian Conflict

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NBC 7's Greg Bledsoe spoke with a man who says he was tortured for years at the hands of the Syrian government, and says he believes U.S. involvement could stop that from happening to more people.

Faulconer to Enter Mayoral Race

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NBC 7 has confirmed San Diego City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer will announce Wednesday his run for mayor.

At least 15 people have submitted documents with the San Diego City Clerk's Office signalling an intention to run for the seat vacated by a former mayor Bob Filner on Aug. 30.

City Council President Todd Gloria will act as interim mayor until a special election on Nov. 19.

Faulconer was expected to make a public statement Wednesday regarding his decision on whether to enter the race.


Mt. Helix Standoff Suspect Had Good Heart: Family

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Family and friends of the suicidal man who fired more than 100 bullets in a 15-hour standoff with officials Monday say the man had a good heart and used shooting as a release.

Domestic violence convictions, alcohol abuse and the use of deadly weapons in anger were all part of gunman Lionel Silva's past but his family and friends tell another side of the man who held SWAT at bay from inside a Mt. Helix home.

Shattered windows in the home’s entryway and the lingering smell tear gas are all remnants of the war zone that was 9952 Grandview Avenue on Labor Day.

Officials say Silva killed himself after firing an estimated 100 rounds inside the home and outside at police.

Lionel Silva's ex-wife who told NBC 7 she was abused by him says this could have ended without his death.

Silva’s 11-year-old son thinks the police response was over the top and a best friend begged for a chance to talk his Silva out safely.

“It's hard he hasn't seen his dad in three years,” Michele Silva said.

Michele Silva is left with the difficult task of explaining to 11-year-old Alex why his father had to die.

“Just thinking in my mind what could have happened if he wasn't drinking,” son Alex said.

Lionel Silva lived on the edge. He was an Alaskan fisherman by trade. Off the boat he was the life of the party, a hard drinker with deep emotions.

“Whenever he would drink and drink too much a lot of things would go through his head and sometimes he would just blow up,” friend Milton Neto said.

The family spilt in 2007. He was convicted of domestic violence against Michele and ordered to surrender all weapons. . A restraining order expired just last year.
Silva was an expert marksman. He had two assault rifles, shotguns and hand guns.

Shooting was his stress release.

During the Labor Day standoff the 100-plus shots fired seemed to have no direction from our vantage point.

“If he really wanted to shoot somebody he would have,” Michele said.

His son Nathan called Lionel’s cell phone but he didn't answer. Negotiators couldn't get close enough to throw in another mobile.

Milton Neto twice begged to try and reason with him but was denied the opportunity by sheriff’s deputies.

“Whenever he would get to the point where he was going to blow up I would say ‘Lionel it's me, chill out, it's your bro, I'm here,’” Neto said.

Silva seemed to do everything to the maximum including trips, parties, and work.

“He had a lot of people that loved him. He had a good heart,” Michele said.

The county’s special response team waited out Silva for a half a day without firing a shot other than the tear gas canisters employed to try and encourage him to come out of the home.

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Jan Caldwell said allowing a family member or friend to approach the house could have been catastrophic.

Caldwell is also a former negotiator and added that deputies don't send people inside a situation like the one they encountered on Monday.

Tour Bus Company In Pala Crash Failed Safety Inspections

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The company that operates the tour bus that crashed Sunday night near the city of Pala in northern San Diego failed California Highway Patrol safety inspections four times since 2011.

According to CHP, the "Polar Express" company received a satisfactory ranking in January 2013, but it received unsatisfactory safety reports from the CHP in August 2011, December 2011, March 2012 and July 2012.

The bus was headed from Los Angeles to the Casino Pauma with 18 passengers on board, all from the L.A. area.

The driver told officials that the brakes failed going around a curve. The bus struck a guard rail and careened to the right, crashing into trees and boulders before coming to a stop.

Ten people, including the driver, were taken to Palomar Hospital. Officials said the most serious injury was a laceration to the head. All of those passengers have been discharged from the hospital.

Casino Pauma provided a phone number for the "Polar Express" bus company, but a woman reached at the phone number provided said it was a wrong number and the establishment reached was a Chinese food restaurant.

The accident happened just before 11 p.m. Sunday on Pala Temecula Road near Arouba Road.

CHP said it does not appear alcohol played a role in the crash.

“We don’t really know any of the history of the company right now,” Officer Jim Bettencourt said. “Everything is still pretty fresh.”

NBC7 Investigates has requested copies of the unsatisfactory safety reports, as well as the bus inspection reports. An official with CHP said they are processing the request.

“Once we’re able to get the bus out of here, we’re going to do a full mechanical investigation on it to determine if there was anything else wrong with the bus, if it was mechanical or driver error,” he said.

The driver was 58-year-old Danhill Wong of El Monte. The 1996 tour bus is registered to Wong’s address, according to public records.

Part of Pala Temecula Road was closed for hours while officials were on-scene.

Flood Advisory Issued for Alpine

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The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the Alpine Area for Wednesday afternoon.

Heavy rain in Alpine, Descansco and Pine Valley has been reported throughout the day and those areas could see flooding.

NWS stated flash flooding is likely in areas near heavy thunderstorms.

The advisory is in effect until 3:45 p.m.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Police Probe "Molly" Use in U.Va. Student's Death

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Police are investigating whether a University of Virgina student who died after collapsing at a D.C. club over the weekend took a drug known as "Molly."

Two people who were with Shelley Goldsmith at the club EchoStage told first responders that Goldsmith had taken the drug molly, several law enforcement sources told News4. They also said she had come up on a bus from U.Va.

Goldsmith was taken to Providence Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m. Saturday evening. The cause of her death has not been determined; an autopsy and toxicology tests are being performed.

Molly, or MDMA, is a purer reboot of ecstacy and has been linked to several recent deaths: Two at a concert in New York and one in Boston, just this past week.

"This incident has just proved that it's not something to mess around with," one student told News4. "It's a serious issue and it's a serious substance. College kids think they're invincible and they're not."

Goldsmith was 19 and from Abingdon, Va. "We were real lucky to have her for almost 20 years," said Goldsmith's father, Rob Goldsmith.

Shelley Goldsmith had a full scholarship to U.Va., where she was beginning her sophomore year. She was a Jefferson Scholar and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Students remembered their friend by painting the Beta Bridge near campus with the message "Shelley our Shooting Star."

"Several people have been asking why, and what happened," Rob Goldsmith said. "I don't even need to think about that. I just know that she's not here anymore."

A vigil and rememberance service for Goldsmith will be held at Alpha Phi sorority Thursday evening. 

In New York, over Labor Day weekend, a dance music festival had to be canceled after two people died and four others were hospitalized because of apparent drug overdoses. The city has said the deaths appear to have been linked to drugs, specifically molly, though a spokeswoman for the city medical examiner said autopsy results were inconclusive.

Air Conditioning Technicians in High Demand

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With temperatures rising throughout San Diego County, AC service technicians are working hard to keep locals cool.

Three Men Charged in Death of SJSU Nursing Student

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Three men are now charged in the death of a San Jose State University nursing student who was shot and killed while she drove through downtown San Jose last month.

San Jose police announced on Wednesday the arrests of Caris Warren, 22, and Jessie Grant, 23, both of San Jose. Those arrests follow the arrest of Johnny Lozano, 23, of San Jose on Aug. 7.

The trio are now all allegedly connected to the killing of Kimberly Chico, 19, who died Aug. 3 when a stray bullet whizzed into her car. Chico was in the passenger seat and caught in the crossfire.

She and her friend were driving in the area of 3rd and E. San Salvador streets when the shooting happened at 1:20 a.m.

MORE: Woman Shot, Killed in Downtown San Jose

San Jose police said the shooting was "gang-motivated" and Chico was an innocent bystander.

Police said there was no known link between the suspects and the victim.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has now charged all three suspects with Chico's murder as well as a gang enhancement.

"This was a very sad case of a victim in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Homicide Unit Commander Michael Kihmm. "My condolences go out to her family. "

Chico’s family told NBC Bay Area that Chico was out with her friend celebrating their last night together before her friend went back to San Diego for school.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the San Jose Police Department's Homicide Unit at (408)277-5283. Persons wishing to provide information anonymously may call Silicon Valley Crimestoppers at (408)947-STOP (7867) or may visit www.tipsubmit.org and may be eligible for a reward.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Convicted Killer Naso: "I Don't Deserve the Death Penalty"

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The Bay Area jury who found accused serial killer Joseph Naso guilty of killing four women in California between 1977 and 1994 in a notorious series of killings known as the "alphabet murders" is now being asked to decide if he should die for his crimes.

The sentencing phase of the trial began Wednesday morning in Marin County and is expected to last several weeks.

Naso was convicted of murdering Roxene Roggasch, 18, whose body was dumped in Fairfax in 1977; Carmen Colon, 22, who was found near Port Costa in 1978; Pamela Parsons, 38, who was found in Yuba County in 1993; and Tracy Tafoya, 31, who was found in Yuba County in 1994.

"I don't deserve the death penalty," Naso said.

The same jury found Naso guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, as well as the special circumstance of committing multiple murders, which makes him eligible for the death penalty.

 "I should not get the death penalty because I have a lot of reverence for life. I care about others," Naso told the jury Wednesday.

He said he's been an advocate for the mentally ill and has been active in the national alliance for the mentally ill.

He said he's visited a lot of facilities and hospitals and has seen a lot. "I do what I can for those who need help," Naso said. "I care about people. I will continue to care about people. For the rest of my life I will continue to care about people who need help."

He says he'd rather help others than go on vacation. "A good time for me, a vacation for me is to help somebody who needs help. It's the gift of giving. That's better than taking a vacation," Naso said.

He admitted he's not perfect. "I've made mistakes in my life", but added that his "good days and good relationships far outweigh the few people are talking about."

Even if Naso is sentenced to death, it is unlikely he will be executed. There are 725 inmates already on California's Death Row and executions have been on hold since 2006, when a federal judge ordered an overhaul of California's execution protocol.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Arrests in Shooting of 7-Year-Old Girl

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A 7-year-old girl riding in the back seat of her family's car was struck in the head by gunfire from another vehicle after a dispute at a Palmdale fuel station, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale Station.

The girl was hospitalized in critical condition. A family member identified the young victim as 7-year-old Desiree Macias, of Palmdale, and said she was shot in the head.

At mid-day, family members told NBC4 Southern California they are waiting for other family members to arrive at the hospital before removing the girl from life support.

A shooting happened at about 12:45 a.m. near 57th Street East and East Avenue S. before a second round of gunfire near Essex Drive and Regency Place. Rounds may have been exchanged from car-to-car, officials said.

The dispute began at a nearby fuel station (map), according to investigators. Macias was in the backseat of her family's car when they were followed by another driver after leaving the fuel station.

Evidence markers indicating the discovery of bullet casings were placed in the street at four locations in a nearby neighborhood. At least two bullet holes were found in a red Toyota Corolla in which the six victims were traveling.

"I just saw a mother holding her child, bleeding out on the sidewalk," said resident Ray Desepio. "She was just screaming and screaming, 'My baby's been shot, she's been shot in the head.'"

Three people were booked on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the shootings. The attackers' vehicle also was located.

Authorities initially said two individuals wanted in connection with the crime might have left the location, but later determined all of the attackers were in custody.

More Southern California Stories:

Child's Alleged Shooter Held on $2.2M Bond

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A man accused of shooting an 8-year-old boy in the face Tuesday afternoon in Dallas is being held on a $2.2 million bond.

D.J. Maiden, who turned 8 on Sunday, was shot at the La Bella Palm apartment complex on Royal Lane. The boy's grandfather, George Locklin, said his grandson was shot while collecting toys he had gotten for his birthday.

"It's unbelievable," Locklin said. "I mean, I don't know anyone that could put it into words."

"Mother sends you out to gather your toys and, you know, someone fires two shots at you," he said. "I mean, [we] just can't put it into -- we coping with it, you know?"

Maiden had emergency surgery at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, where he remains in critical condition, police said.

Witnesses said a man -- whom neighbors did not recognize and was wearing only one shoe -- was handing out free firecrackers to children playing tag in the parking lot.

The man had a brief exchange with Maiden, who then started running back toward his apartment. Witnesses said the man pulled out a handgun and fired twice at the child, hitting him once in the cheek.

Brian Cloninger, 46, was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child.

According to the arrest warrant, Cloninger was found next to his pickup truck. A handgun was found inside the truck.

Witnesses said the gunman tried to drive away after the shooting, but his car wouldn't immediately start, allowing people time to get a good description of the man's vehicle.

According to the arrest warrant, Cloninger told a witness, "I did that."

Residents of the apartment complex said they were "freaked out" by the shooting.

"I heard the shot and then I just seen blood everywhere," Jemiah Thompson said. "I come outside and people are everywhere, screaming, 'He got shot, he got shot.'"

Thompson described the man as "very creepy" and said he had never seen him before.

"I guess he said something to the little kid, and he didn't like it, and the kid took off running," he said. "Then the guy shot at him."

Maiden's best friend, 12-year-old T.J. Liesmann, heard the gunfire and then saw his friend running with his jaw in his hand.

"heard the gunfire, and DJ came and ran," he said. "He ran on the logs right here, and I said, 'DJ, what happened?' And he said, 'Help me, T.J., I got shot.'"

Liesmann said it has been on his mind ever since.

"[I'm] mad and upset that dude shot my friend," he said.

Gregory Taplin said he noticed Cloninger standing in the apartment complex parking lot several hours before the shooting. Taplin knew he wasn't a resident, so he went up to talk to him.

"'Do you stay here?' 'Da da da da' -- that's all he was saying," Taplin said. "He was gone, man. He was spaced out. He's up there, like," Taplin said, blinking his eyes repeatedly. "I said, 'What's wrong with this man?'"

Hours later, Taplin heard the gunshots and went outside. Scared residents pointed at Clonginer as he was standing near his truck. Tapline went up to him.

"Did you shoot that boy? He said, 'Yeah, I shot him.' I said, 'Why?'" Taplin said.

But Cloninger only muttered words that didn't make sense, he said.

Editor's Note: The victim in the shooting was originally identified to NBC 5 as a 7-year-old boy. Police revealed more details Wednesday that updated the victim's age to 8. We regret the error.

NBC 5's Omar Villafranca contributed to this report.

Weiner Has Heated Exchange on Campaign Trail

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Democratic mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner got into a heated exchange with a bakery shop patron during a campaign stop in Brooklyn Wednesday after the man appeared to call Weiner an expletive and made a misguided reference to the candidate's wife.

Two videos, one released by a blogger on the campaign trail and another released later by the Weiner campaign, capture the exchange.

"You're a real s---bag, Anthony," the man told the candidate, according to a video posted on the Weiner campaign Vimeo page.

"That's a charming guy right there," Weiner says in response as he exits the Borough Park bakery with Rosh Hashana sweets.

Weiner has slipped from leading in the Democratic mayoral primary at one point this summer, to an apparent fourth place, never regaining his lead after he admitted in July that the online explicit relationships he carried on before resigning from Congress continued as recently as last year.

In Wednesday's exchange on the campaign trail, the bakery patron then appears to say "married to an Arab," an apparent misguided reference to his wife, Huma Abedin, as others in the bakery tell him to be silent, according to the Weiner campaign video. 

Weiner and the patron continue jarring as the mayoral hopeful exits the bakery. The patron calls Weiner "disgusting," among other things, and Weiner says "It takes one to know one, jackass."

The former congressman turns and yells, "You wait 'til I walk out to say anything. That's courage."

The unidentified man says, "We'll have a discussion. Come back in here. I'm not afraid of you."

In the next part of the exchange, captured on video released by the Weiner campaign (video at the top of this page) and blogger Jacob Kornbluh (video to the left), the man says Weiner does disgusting things and questions how he has "the nerve to even walk around in public."

Weiner replies, "You're a perfect person? You're my judge? What rabbi taught you that? What rabbi taught you that you're my judge?"

The man says, "You talk to God and work out your problems, but stay out of the public eye."

"You're a bad example for the people," he adds.

Weiner later says, "I fought very hard for this community and delivered more than you will ever in your entire life."

The man responds: "You never delivered anything for any of these people. You deliver for yourself. You're selfish." 

Anthony Weiner Argues with Patron in Brooklyn Bakery

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Anthony Weiner got combative with a bakery customer during a campaign stop in Brooklyn Wednesday when the voter accused him of "doing disgusting things" and makes reference to his wife.

5 Burning Questions for the 2013 NFL Season

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With the 2013 NFL season just a short screen pass away, there are a lot of of questions. Here's five of them, and we've included answers, too. See if your favorite team has the goods to make this season a memorable one.

Can the Baltimore Ravens defend their Super Bowl title?

Without Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, as well as the injured Dennis Pitta, the Baltimore Ravens will be a very different team in 2013. The signing of Elvis Dumervil helps the pass rush and former Raiders safety/cornerback Michael Huff adds depth in the secondary, but without Boldin, the Ravens lack a clear-cut number one receiver. Unless Jacoby Jones and recently acquired Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark can contribute and one of their rookies can chip in, the pass attack, despite QB Joe Flacco's $120.6 million contract, looks mediocre. At this point, it appears the Ravens can make the playoffs on their defense, but they will need Flacco to prove his worth once again if they are to defend their Super Bowl title.

How will Sean Payton's return affect the New Orleans Saints?

Without Payton, the Saints staggered to a 7-9 record in 2012, in spite of an insane 5,177-yard, 42-touchdown season from quarterback Drew Brees. Away from Brees, injuries to Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham and the ineffectiveness of Mark Ingram hurt the multifaceted offense at times. A spotty defense, thanks to Tracy Porter's off-season signing with the Denver Broncos and Jonathan Vilma's suspension was what really hurt the team, however. Payton's return to the team, calling the plays and providing leadership, will prove a drastic change. Expect the team to run the ball far less than they did last year and utilize Graham (who's in a contract year) and Sproles far more. While the defense will continue to be suspect, a more efficient Payton-directed offense should be enough to get the team into the playoffs.

Can the Patriots offense thrive without Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez?

Without Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots once mighty pass attack doesn’t look nearly as formidable. If Tom Brady can’t get the most out of recently acquired Danny Amendola and Welker-clone Julian Edelman, New England is going to spend more time on the ground than they’d like.

Can Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson avoid a dreaded sophomore slump?

All three looked poised as they led their respective teams to playoff appearances in their rookie seasons. With a bevy of maturity and an abundance of talent, the trio will have the eyes of the NFL world on them as they embark on season two of their pro careers.

Will J.J. Watt dominate again?

It’s pretty hard to top 20.5 sacks, but when you consider the 6’5”, 295-pound Watt’s raw athletic ability, not ot mention a 37” vertical leap and youth (he's just 24), it’s easy to say that barring any serious injury, Watt will continue to be the most dominant player in the NFL.

 



Photo Credit: AP
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