Saturday, January 17, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.npr.org/2015/01/16/369617159/nypd-disciplinary-problems-linked-to-a-failure-of-accountability

NYPD Disciplinary Problems Linked To A 'Failure Of Accountability'
ROBERT LEWIS
JANUARY 16, 2015

Photograph – New York Police Department Commissioner William Bratton attends a press conference after witnessing police being retrained under new guidelines at the Police Academy on Dec. 4.

The New York Police Department is known for pioneering the use of computer statistics to identify crime trends, but it can't seem to identify its own officers causing problems on its streets.

Darvell Elliott was arrested in August 2010 because he matched the description of a robbery suspect. He says he was already in handcuffs when the world went black.

When he came to, he was "in a hospital, Brookdale Hospital, face stuck to the sheet like Velcro," Elliott says.

Photos show his face covered with blood-soaked bandages. The robbery charges were ultimately dismissed, and he sued. The officers never had a chance to defend themselves and give their side of the story. The city settled the case quickly for $20,000, a nuisance value.

"He think we the danger," Elliott says. "But you're the danger. You're supposed to protect and serve us. We're not supposed to be scared of you. We're supposed to be safe around you."

Police unions often complain that the city is too quick to settle lawsuits — creating the impression an officer did something wrong without giving an opportunity to refute a plaintiff's allegations.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said it couldn't comment because dismissed cases are automatically sealed. But the New York City Law Department said that just because the city settled with Elliott doesn't mean the officer in question is at fault.

"The fact that the city settled with the plaintiff does not mean that the officer did anything wrong," Nicholas Paolucci, a Law Department spokesperson, said in an email.

The Brooklyn police officer named in the lawsuit is Donald Sadowy. He's been the subject of at least 10 lawsuits, including some for excessive force, in little more than two years. An 11th lawsuit was filed against him in November.

And it's not just him. While police disciplinary records are confidential in New York, it's easy to find dozens of other officers with similar records. All of which calls into question just how seriously the NYPD polices its own.

"I think there's been a really systematic failure of accountability on the part of the NYPD," says Samuel Walker, a retired criminal justice professor and police accountability expert.

He says the department keeps information on things like civilian complaints and disciplinary histories for its 35,000 officers. It also monitors officers who are accused of excessive force.

But Walker says it's not enough. He says the NYPD puts a lot of energy and resources into spotting crime trends. It should do the same for problem officers.

"If you could devise a system to identify them and to identify them early, you could prevent a lot of these inappropriate actions out there on the street," Walker says.

The city now spends more than $100 million each year to settle lawsuits against the police.

Referring to the multiple lawsuits against Sadowy, Candace McCoy, a criminal justice professor at the City University of New York's Graduate Center, says, "The question is: What is the cutoff? What is the exact number beyond which you take this person off the street?"

A lot of misconduct never results in a lawsuit. On the flip side, lawsuits often name several officers, including some who may have played a minor role. So departments around the country often look for a combination of indicators to spot patterns of questionable behavior. Many, for example, also look at officers who regularly charge people with resisting arrest.

"There's a widespread pattern in American policing where resisting-arrest charges are used to sort of cover — and that phrase is used — the officer's use of force," Walker says. "Why did the officer use force? 

Well, the person was resisting arrest."

A small number of NYPD officers account for the bulk of such charges. Sadowy, the officer with the 11 lawsuits, has more resisting-arrest cases than all but a handful of other officers.

Civilian complaints are another red flag. In New York City, they are confidential. But reports from the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board show 40 percent of the 35,000 officers on the force today have never been the subject of a citizen complaint. Another 20 percent have only one. Yet about 1,000 officers have 10 or more complaints. One has racked up 51 complaints.

"If an officer has a pattern of a lot of complaints, let alone substantiated complaints, that officer is certainly worth watching and even warning and certainly retraining," says attorney Richard Emery, chairman of the Review Board.

He says the department has not seemed too interested in using the board's records to spot problem officers, although he's hopeful that's changing under Police Commissioner William Bratton.

"They've had access to it, but they haven't asked," Emery says.

The NYPD did not respond to multiple requests for an interview, nor did NYPD Officer Sadowy.




"Bratton has started a massive departmentwide retraining on the use of force and has spoken out about the need to get rid of bad officers.
"There are some officers in the department unfortunately who should not be here," Bratton told reporters last year. "They're brutal, they're corrupt, and we'll work very aggressively to deal with that."... But in 2014, the department decided not to discipline a quarter of the officers who the Civilian Complaint Review Board found had committed misconduct. … "The fact that the city settled with the plaintiff does not mean that the officer did anything wrong," Nicholas Paolucci, a Law Department spokesperson, said in an email. The Brooklyn police officer named in the lawsuit is Donald Sadowy. He's been the subject of at least 10 lawsuits, including some for excessive force, in little more than two years. An 11th lawsuit was filed against him in November. And it's not just him. While police disciplinary records are confidential in New York, it's easy to find dozens of other officers with similar records. All of which calls into question just how seriously the NYPD polices its own. ... But Walker says it's not enough. He says the NYPD puts a lot of energy and resources into spotting crime trends. It should do the same for problem officers. "If you could devise a system to identify them and to identify them early, you could prevent a lot of these inappropriate actions out there on the street," Walker says. The city now spends more than $100 million each year to settle lawsuits against the police.... So departments around the country often look for a combination of indicators to spot patterns of questionable behavior. Many, for example, also look at officers who regularly charge people with resisting arrest. "There's a widespread pattern in American policing where resisting-arrest charges are used to sort of cover — and that phrase is used — the officer's use of force," Walker says. "Why did the officer use force? Well, the person was resisting arrest."... A small number of NYPD officers account for the bulk of such charges. Sadowy, the officer with the 11 lawsuits, has more resisting-arrest cases than all but a handful of other officers.... But reports from the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board show 40 percent of the 35,000 officers on the force today have never been the subject of a citizen complaint. Another 20 percent have only one. Yet about 1,000 officers have 10 or more complaints. One has racked up 51 complaints.”

"He think we the danger," Elliott says. "But you're the danger. You're supposed to protect and serve us. We're not supposed to be scared of you. We're supposed to be safe around you."... “Bratton has started a massive departmentwide retraining on the use of force and has spoken out about the need to get rid of bad officers. "There are some officers in the department unfortunately who should not be here," Bratton told reporters last year. "They're brutal, they're corrupt, and we'll work very aggressively to deal with that." But in 2014, the department decided not to discipline a quarter of the officers who the Civilian Complaint Review Board found had committed misconduct.”

Bratton as well as the Mayor have received criticism from the police officers' union for siding against the officers. Officers aren't taking any responsibility for abusive police tactics and incidents. It seems that there are no performance standards for their behavior. Unfortunately, they aren't frequently enough punished for violently assaulting citizens unnecessarily. I am glad to see that Bratton, who first accused de Blassio of not “having the officers backs,” has now taken a responsible and courageous stand to retrain “massive” numbers of officers and get rid of bad officers. I want to see him “retrain” or better still fire those individual psychos who don't intend to be responsible officers, but have been hired to the force. I'll keep clipping articles as I find them to look for actual disciplinary actions that are taken.

I have a feeling that Bratton is somewhat afraid of his officers. I wouldn't be surprised if he were to be attacked or even killed some dark night under mysterious circumstances for exercising firm leadership. When the large gang of motorcyclists attacked an Asian man in NY last year, it turned out that 8 or so riders were arrested for the assault, and several of them were off duty NYPD officers. Some police are basically criminals who are hiding behind their uniforms to bully and assault people. They are drawn to the police force because they get to beat citizens up or shoot them without being jailed for it. Oftentimes those suspects turn out to be black or Hispanic. That driver who was pursued by some 40 motorcyclists was Asian. It's not always about race, of course, but it is easier to get away with hurting minorities and poor people who aren't as likely to sue for damages.




CHURCH AND STATE


http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/14/after-satanists-planned-to-give-away-coloring-books-florida-school-board-halts-religious-distributions-entirely/

After Satanists Planned to Give Away Coloring Books, Florida School Board Halts Religious Distributions Entirely
By Hemant Mehta
January 14, 2015

In January of 2013, World Changers of Florida, Inc. held Bible distributions at a number of public high schools in Orange County, Florida. No student would be forced to take one, but there would be a table set up where interested students could take a copy if they wanted:

This alone could have been illegal, but the Orange County School Board agreed that non-Christian groups could also have a distribution if they wanted.

When the Central Florida Freethought Community (CFFC) called their bluff and planned their own giveaway, they were heavily censored. Many of their books, they were told, could not be given away, including titles such as Sam Harris‘ Letter to a Christian Nation and Ibn Warraq‘s Why I am Not a Muslim.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation didn’t buy their explanations for why the books were censored and filed a federal lawsuit against the district in June of 2013. Before the lawsuit was ruled upon, the district agreed to let the atheists give away whatever books they wanted.

Because CFFC wasn’t notified that there would be no censorship, they didn’t bother submitting a formal request to do a distribution, but the floodgates had finally opened.
Then the fun began.

The Satanic Temple announced last year that they would file a formal request to do a giveaway of materials about Satanism, which eventually morphed into a single fantastic coloring book:

After all of this, the Orange County School Board finally — finally! — considered not allowing outside groups to do book distributions a couple of months ago:

Worried about facing national ridicule if a Satanic group is allowed to give out coloring books to children, the Orange County School Board moved Thursday toward preventing any outside group from distributing religious materials on campus.
…
The board discussed the issue during a workshop Thursday. The earliest it could vote to change the policy would be late January or early February, officials said.

“This really has, frankly, gotten out of hand,” said chairman Bill Sublette. “I think we’ve seen a group or groups take advantage of the open forum we’ve had.”

That last statement is just bananas. It didn’t get out of hand at all; Sublette was just mad because non-Christian groups took them up on their offer and that was never supposed to happen.

Well, the Orange County Public Schools board has finally decided to halt the distributions completely… at least until the policy can be “reworked.” They were fine with the Bibles being given away, but they have no desire to let atheists or Satanists have the same opportunities:

“Nothing’s going to be going on in this district this month,” confirmed Kathy Marsh, communications director for OCPS.

Marsh said no materials will be allowed from outside groups until the school system’s distribution policy can be “reworked” to avoid future problems. The school system is currently in talks with its attorneys to hash out the most efficient policy, she added.
…
For Florida Family Policy Council President John Stemberger, the school board’s decision to ban Bible distribution in the face of opposition was “unfortunate.”
“It required courage on their part, which is lacking,” he said. He believes the school board caved in to pressure after concerned parents spoke out at board meetings against Satanist materials being made available in schools.

“This is precisely what the Freedom From Religion people want,” Stemberger added. “They want to get rid of religion, and that’s their strategy. And everybody’s played into the strategy. It’s unfortunate.”

This is a typical Christian Right talking point. FFRF and CFFC and The Satanic Temple weren’t asking for special favors. They didn’t even force the district to stop third-party Bible distributions. They gave the district the choice of allowing all theistic and non-theistic groups to give away materials… or allowing none of them to do it.
That isn’t anti-Christian. It’s pro-neutrality.

And Stemberger sees neutrality as inherently anti-Christian because his God is a special little snowflake who needs to be coddled and given special treatment at all times.
(Large portions of this article were posted earlier. Top image via FFRF. Thanks toBrian for the link)




“When the Central Florida Freethought Community (CFFC) called their bluff and planned their own giveaway, they were heavily censored. Many of their books, they were told, could not be given away, including titles such as Sam Harris‘ Letter to a Christian Nation and Ibn Warraq‘s Why I am Not a Muslim. The Freedom From Religion Foundation didn’t buy their explanations for why the books were censored and filed a federal lawsuit against the district in June of 2013. Before the lawsuit was ruled upon, the district agreed to let the atheists give away whatever books they wanted. Because CFFC wasn’t notified that there would be no censorship, they didn’t bother submitting a formal request to do a distribution, but the floodgates had finally opened.... The Satanic Temple announced last year that they would file a formal request to do a giveaway of materials about Satanism, which eventually morphed into a single fantastic coloring book. After all of this, the Orange County School Board finally — finally! — considered not allowing outside groups to do book distributions a couple of months ago: Worried about facing national ridicule if a Satanic group is allowed to give out coloring books to children, the Orange County School Board moved Thursday toward preventing any outside group from distributing religious materials on campus.... The board discussed the issue during a workshop Thursday. The earliest it could vote to change the policy would be late January or early February, officials said. “This really has, frankly, gotten out of hand,” said chairman Bill Sublette. “I think we’ve seen a group or groups take advantage of the open forum we’ve had.”... Well, the Orange County Public Schools board has finally decided to halt the distributions completely… at least until the policy can be “reworked.” They were fine with the Bibles being given away, but they have no desire to let atheists or Satanists have the same opportunities:... This is a typical Christian Right talking point. FFRF and CFFC and The Satanic Temple weren’t asking for special favors. They didn’t even force the district to stop third-party Bible distributions. They gave the district the choice of allowing all theistic and non-theistic groups to give away materials… or allowing none of them to do it.
That isn’t anti-Christian. It’s pro-neutrality.”

These aggressive efforts by the religious right to take over the thought processes of the US as a part of “teaching” are nothing other than indoctrination of young people whose minds are inexperienced and malleable. From my experience with Bible Club in high school, I remember a hardcore approach to us students by a forceful female teacher which was much more extreme than anything I experienced in my United Methodist Church growing up. The Bible was to be 1) taken completely literally “in faith” with complete belief in every word; and 2) memorized. I passed that course, but I didn't knuckle under to the pressure to join the religious group which was sponsoring the class – Youth For Christ. This kind of Bible teaching in the school system is at issue again in various state and local forums and is in my opinion part of an attempted right wing takeover of our society. At the very least, it is an inappropriate move on the part of any religion. Freedom from religion is as important a part of our Constitutional rights as the freedom to chose a religion. Some people just aren't religious, and may not particularly consider themselves to be athiests. It is, incidentally, still questionable or even illegal under the Constitution to mix religion into the school system, and rightfully so. See the articles below on different aspects of the matter.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bible-classes-in-public-schools/

Bible Classes In Public Schools?
By JOEL ROBERTS AP
May 12, 2006

The long-dormant idea of teaching public school students about the literary and historic importance of the Bible is getting a fresh look this year from state legislatures and local school boards - though with political bickering and questions about what should be included.

The buzz results mostly from "The Bible and Its Influence," a glossy high school textbook with substantial interfaith and academic endorsements. It's available for the coming school year, and some 800 high schools are currently considering the course.

The publisher, the Bible Literacy Project of Front Royal, Va., will issue a teacher's edition next month and is providing online teacher training through Oregon's Concordia University. The group expects no legal problems, but is promising school districts worried about lawsuits that Washington's Becket Fund for Religious Liberty will supply attorneys without charge.

Bible Literacy isn't alone in the field. Its older rival, the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools of Greensboro, N.C., is backed by numerous conservative Protestant activists and says 36 new clients have adopted its program this year, compared with just a couple per month in 2005. Overall, the group says school districts in 37 states with 1,250 high schools use its curriculum.

The National Council believes the Bible should be students' only textbook. It offers teachers a course outline, "The Bible in History and Literature," and a CD-ROM of "The Bible Reader," a 1969 anthology of texts and commentary. The outline follows the King James Version and recommends the conservative Protestant Ryrie Study Bible for further background.

Both efforts pursue an opening created by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a notable 1963 ruling, the court banned ceremonial Bible readings in public schools but allowed "objective" study of the text in a manner divorced from belief.

"The Bible is worthy of study for its literary and historic qualities," the court said.

Last month, Georgia's Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a law that sanctions but doesn't require Bible courses, and directs the state education department to pick a curriculum by February. Legislators are mulling similar proposals in Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama.

In Alabama, Republicans have killed a Democratic proposal specifying use of Bible Literacy's textbook after conservatives complained to Republicans about its pluralistic approach.

"To some extent, this is about Democrats trying to get religion, and certain Republicans trying to spread religion," says Mark Chancey of Southern Methodist University.

Representing the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, Duke University law professor Erwin Chemerinsky charges that Georgia is "clearly violating" the First Amendment with "state-sponsored religious promotion" both through Bible classes and another law allowing Ten Commandments displays. 

At Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a spokesman finds it "deeply worrisome" that a "religious pressure group" like Bible Literacy is promoting coursework.

Americans United cites religious activities of Bible Literacy Chairman Chuck Stetson, an Episcopalian and New York entrepreneur, who co-edited the textbook. The National Council's course outline is anonymous, and President Elizabeth Ridenour declines to state her religious affiliation.

The National Council's Web site features attacks on Bible Literacy from conservatives, including megachurch pastors John Hagee of San Antonio and D. James Kennedy of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Hagee calls the new textbook "a masterful work of deception, distortion and outright falsehoods" that would leave pupils "greatly damaged." Kennedy says it would be "a tremendous mistake to impose such very anti-biblical material."

Other conservatives disagree. Bible Literacy won endorsements from a lineup of evangelical scholars and leaders including Charles Colson, who says, "I do not see how any of its content would work to undermine one's faith."

The National Council also faces attacks, particularly a scathing 32-page report last year by SMU's Chancey that was sponsored by the liberal Texas Freedom Network and endorsed by 187 religion professors.

Chancey branded the National Council version he examined "a sectarian document" that promoted primarily conservative Protestant views, lacked input from scholars in other faith traditions and is inappropriate for public schools. The class outline has since been revised somewhat.

The National Council notes in response that its "Bible Reader" was compiled by two Protestants, a Roman Catholic priest and a rabbi, and cites support from several Catholics and an Orthodox rabbi.

Bible Literacy's textbook tries to sidestep sectarian disputes.

Its textbook is designed to fit with a 1999 agreement it helped broker on coursework and other issues regarding the Bible in schools. That pact was endorsed by, among others, seven major public school organizations, four Jewish and three evangelical groups and the National Council of Churches.

Asked to answer the barbs from the National Council, Bible Literacy spokeswoman Sheila Weber said: "With 8 percent of the nation's schools offering coverage of the Bible, there's plenty of room for different kinds of projects."



http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/15/presidential-proclamation-religious-freedom-day-2015

Presidential Proclamation -- Religious Freedom Day, 2015
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

On January 16, 1786, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was adopted. It was one of the first laws in our Nation to codify the right of every person to profess their opinions in matters of faith, and it declares that "no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any" religion. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, this historic legislation served as a model for the religious liberty protections enshrined in our Constitution.

The First Amendment prohibits the Government from establishing religion. It protects the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, to change their faith, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free from persecution and fear. This religious freedom allows faith to flourish, and our Union is stronger because a vast array of religious communities coexist peacefully with mutual respect for one another. Since the age of Jefferson and Madison, brave women and men of faith have challenged our conscience; today, our Nation continues to be shaped by people of every religion and of no religion, bringing us closer to our founding ideals. As heirs to this proud legacy of liberty, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard these freedoms.

We must also continue our work to protect religious freedom around the globe. Throughout the world, millions of individuals are subjected to discrimination, abuse, and sanctioned violence simply for exercising their religion or choosing not to claim a faith. Communities are being driven from their ancient homelands because of who they are or how they pray, and in conflict zones, mass displacement has become all too common.

In the face of these challenges, I am proud the United States continues to stand up for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in peace. Promoting religious freedom has always been a key objective of my Administration's foreign policy because history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion -- are ultimately more just, more peaceful, and more successful. In every country, individuals should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind -- and of the heart and soul. Today, let us continue our work to protect this tradition and advance the cause of religious freedom worldwide.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2015, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and that show us how we can protect it for future generations at home and around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA



http://www.alliancealert.org/tag/zz-world-changers-of-florida-inc-v-district-school-board-of-collier-county/

TAG ARCHIVES: ZZ: WORLD CHANGERS OF FLORIDA INC. V. DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY

FL: School reopens Bible distribution, overturning ban on Religious Freedom Day
Liberty Counsel: “A federal judge has entered a Consent Decree that overturns the decision of the Collier County School Board, which banned voluntary distribution of Bibles to high school students on Religious Freedom Day. This Decree is the culmination of litigation brought by Liberty Counsel to vindicate the constitutional rights of World Changers, the local group denied equal access by the school board.”

Posted: 11/04/2010
|
Category: Religious Liberty
|
Source: www.lc.org
Tags: Category: Religious Liberty, Group: Liberty Counsel, State: Florida, Topic: Education, ZZ: Case Filings, ZZ: World Changers of Florida Inc. v. District School Board of Collier County


Liberty Counsel files suit against Collier County schools
Florida Baptist Witness: “Orlando-based Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit July 1 challenging a ban on the distribution of Bibles in Collier County on Religious Freedom Day.”

Posted: 08/04/2010
|
Category: Religious Liberty
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Source: www.gofbw.com
Tags: Category: Religious Liberty, Group: Liberty Counsel, Topic: Education, ZZ: World Changers of Florida Inc. v. District School Board of Collier County
Florida school district bans Bibles on Religious Freedom Day
Orlando Sentinel: “Maitland-based Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit Thursday to overturn a ban on Bible distribution on public school campuses in Collier County. According to the Liberty Counsel, the Collier County School Board allowed World Changers to distribute free Bibles to students during off-school hours on Religious Freedom Day, but now the school officials claim that Bibles do not provide any educational benefit to the students and the distribution should stop.” | Complaint in World Changers of Florida, Inc. v. District School Board of Collier County (M.D. Fla.) [Google Viewer] | Liberty Counsel

Posted: 07/01/2010
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Category: Religious Liberty
|
Source: blogs.orlandosentinel.com
Tags: Category: Religious Liberty, Group: Liberty Counsel, Topic: Education, ZZ: World Changers of Florida Inc. v. District School Board of 





ON TO OTHER MATTERS



http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/01/15/miami-police-target-practice-mug-shots-blacks/21834491/

North Miami police use faces of black men as targets
Michael Winter, USA TODAY
January 15, 2015

North Miami Beach police are facing criticism for using mug shots of black suspects for target practice.

One of the six bullet-riddled faces was the brother of a Florida National Guard sergeant, who was shocked when she arrived at the gun range after police snipers last month, according to WTVJ-TV. Her brother had served four years in prison for a fatal drag race as a teenager, but turned his life around after his release in 2004.
North Miami Beach Police J. Scott Dennis defended his sniper team, which he said includes minority officers. No policies were violated, no racial profiling was involved and none of the officers would be disciplined, he said.

He acknowledged, however, that they could have used better judgment, because one target -- Woody Deant -- had been arrested by his department and "would be someone that was on the streets of North Miami Beach."

Dennis told the NBC station that photographic targets were "vital for facial recognition drills," and they would continue to be used after the department expands its inventory of images, which also includes white and Latino faces. But his officers won't use booking photos of suspects arrested by North Miami police, and they will be instructed to remove their targets when they're done at the Medley Firearms Training Center.

Several federal and state law enforcement agencies and five local police departments disputed Dennis' claim that use of human faces for target shooting is commonplace, the station said. All use only commercial targets.

Deant's sister, Valerie, said she "cried a couple of times" when she saw her brother's 18-year-old face with bullet holes through his forehead and right eye.

Woody Deant was "speechless" and outraged. "I'm not even living that life according to how they portrayed me as," he said. "I'm a father. I'm a husband. I'm a career man."

The Deants also wonder why officers would shoot at faces of African Americans at a time when relations with police are strained over the shooting deaths of unarmed black men.



http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/01/16/377750676/fla-police-department-used-black-mug-shots-for-target-practice

Florida Police Department Used Black Mug Shots For Target Practice
Krishnadev Calamur
JANUARY 16, 2015

“ …. North Miami Beach Police Chief J. Scott Dennis acknowledged that his officers, who had selected the targets, could have used better judgment. But he denied racial profiling was at play, noting that the sniper team included minority officers. He said his department also uses pictures of whites and Hispanics for target practice.”




“Several federal and state law enforcement agencies and five local police departments disputed Dennis' claim that use of human faces for target shooting is commonplace, the station said. All use only commercial targets.... Dennis told the NBC station that photographic targets were "vital for facial recognition drills," and they would continue to be used after the department expands its inventory of images, which also includes white and Latino faces. But his officers won't use booking photos of suspects arrested by North Miami police, and they will be instructed to remove their targets when they're done at the Medley Firearms Training Center.... Her brother had served four years in prison for a fatal drag race as a teenager, but turned his life around after his release in 2004. North Miami Beach Police J. Scott Dennis defended his sniper team, which he said includes minority officers. … "I'm not even living that life according to how they portrayed me as," he said. "I'm a father. I'm a husband. I'm a career man." The Deants also wonder why officers would shoot at faces of African Americans at a time when relations with police are strained over the shooting deaths of unarmed black men.”

Whether or not the use of minority faces as a shooting gallery is against the police department's policy, there is no question that it is a very unsubtle and unintelligent way of teaching police officers how to do their work. A target, according to a number of other police departments, is sufficient to teach accurate shooting. Whether the department used white and Hispanic faces as well or not, it is basically unnecessary, inhumane and brutal. It certainly is poor human relations in a period when the police departments nationwide are too often at odds with poor and minority communities. Policing needs to be within the realm of justice, as well as effective. Racial profiling is unjust and shooting to kill in lots of cases should be avoided. Many of these recent events happened over a very minor crime or as a result of the suspect “resisting arrest.” That oftentimes doesn't mean slugging the officer, but merely failing to get down on the ground quickly enough in a prone position. Using human faces for target practice is pouring gasoline on an already uncontrolled fire. It is at best foolish, and at worst should be illegal.





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/16/bernie-sanders-says-obama_n_6487770.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000013

Bernie Sanders: Obama Won't Propose Chained CPI To Cut Entitlements
Michael McAuliff
Posted: 01/16/2015

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will not renew his pursuit of a stealthy cut to Social Security and other entitlement programs by proposing a cheaper way to measure inflation, according to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Many budget-cutters on both sides of the aisle have proposed stemming the growth of entitlement programs by changing the government's standard measure of inflation, the consumer price index, to one that grows more slowly, known as the chained consumer price index.

Obama included chained CPI in his budget two years ago as a concession to get Republicans on board, but he dropped it last year. Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, said Friday he expects the proposal will not make a return.

"It is my understanding that the chained CPI will not be in the president's budget," Sanders said in a Capitol Hill press conference. Sanders called the conference to emphasizethat he would aggressively oppose any Republican budget proposals that failed to acknowledge the realities of record poverty, income inequality and falling middle-class wages.

"While the economy in the last six years has made significant gains, the simple truth is that the American middle class has been declining over the last 40 years, and I think most American workers understand that," Sanders said.

Chained CPI requires the government to change which items it incorporates into inflation calculations when prices climb and consumers switch to cheaper alternatives. For instance, when beef gets too expensive and people start buying more chicken, under chained CPI the inflation index would also switch to measuring the price of the cheaper chicken.

Supporters say the method is more accurate because it measures what people are actually buying. Opponents call it the "cat food index" because it leaves people on fixed incomes with less money, forcing them to buy cheaper and cheaper alternatives for basic staples like pet food.

Depending on a person's income and age, shifting to the new inflation gauge could mean cuts of thousands of dollars from retirees' future incomes.

"At a time when the wealthy and corporations are doing phenomenally well, median family income is nearly $5,000 less than it was in 1999," Sanders continued. "When you look at a budget, it is imperative that you look at the overarching reality of American life, and today when we look at America we have to understand that we have an obscene level of income and wealth inequality, the highest of any major country on earth, and worse in America today than at any time since 1929."

Michael McAuliff covers Congress and politics for The Huffington Post. Talk to himon Facebook.



“Supporters say the method is more accurate because it measures what people are actually buying. Opponents call it the "cat food index" because it leaves people on fixed incomes with less money, forcing them to buy cheaper and cheaper alternatives for basic staples like pet food. Depending on a person's income and age, shifting to the new inflation gauge could mean cuts of thousands of dollars from retirees' future incomes. "At a time when the wealthy and corporations are doing phenomenally well, median family income is nearly $5,000 less than it was in 1999," Sanders continued. "When you look at a budget, it is imperative that you look at the overarching reality of American life, and today when we look at America we have to understand that we have an obscene level of income and wealth inequality, the highest of any major country on earth, and worse in America today than at any time since 1929."

I don't hear of everything that happens, nor track every issue, so I was surprised to hear of this low down dirty trick of substituting a cheaper product for a preferable one as a basis of tracking the cost of living for our entitlement programs. I'm sorry to see that Obama ever did go along with this, since it's my Social Security payment that went down as a result of it. That wasn't a good way to “work across the aisles.” That was selling us out. I'm glad to hear that he won't do it again this year. I'm also going to read what Bernie Sanders says more often. Go Bernie!





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-employee-arrested-after-flying-with-gun-in-carry-on-bag/

FAA employee arrested after flying with gun in carry-on bag
CBS/AP
January 16, 2015

ATLANTA -- A Federal Aviation Administration employee is under investigation after flying from Atlanta to New York with a gun in his carry-on, authorities said Friday.

The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that an FAA safety inspector used a badge to bypass TSA screening and gain access to a secure area of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Tuesday while carrying a gun in his bag. He was arrested after arriving at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

In a statement, the FAA said it "takes security incidents involving its employees very seriously," and that Administrator Michael Huerta ordered the suspension of a program allowing safety inspectors to bypass security screenings.

"The agency also will require inspectors to sign a new agreement that details each inspector's responsibility under the program and clearly states that any infraction related to a weapon will result in an immediate and permanent suspension of privileges and possible further disciplinary action," the FAA said.

The inspector "is currently performing non-safety-related duties," according to the FAA, which is investigating the incident along with the TSA and police for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia.

The arrest comes less than a month after investigators uncovered a gun-smuggling scheme involving current and former airline employeesand planes flying from Atlanta to New York.

Five people were arrested, including a Delta Air Lines baggage handler. The baggage handler is accused of also using his security badge to bypass security and deliver guns to a smuggler on multiple occasions.

Federal authorities and Atlanta airport officials have pledged stricter employee-security procedures after the smuggling operation was uncovered.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was also in Atlanta last week discussing security operations, and federal officials announced they are considering additional security measures for airline and airport employees nationwide.




“The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that an FAA safety inspector used a badge to bypass TSA screening and gain access to a secure area of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Tuesday while carrying a gun in his bag. He was arrested after arriving at LaGuardia Airport in New York. In a statement, the FAA said it "takes security incidents involving its employees very seriously," and that Administrator Michael Huerta ordered the suspension of a program allowing safety inspectors to bypass security screenings.... The arrest comes less than a month after investigators uncovered a gun-smuggling scheme involving current and former airline employeesand planes flying from Atlanta to New York. Five people were arrested, including a Delta Air Lines baggage handler. The baggage handler is accused of also using his security badge to bypass security and deliver guns to a smuggler on multiple occasions.”

In a situation of hundreds of people waiting in line for security inspections, it is easy to think that shortcuts will be a good thing. I don't agree. There is another shortcut I heard about recently that is worse. There are certain countries that are trusted more fully than others, and travelers from those areas can go through without a visa. It's called the visa waiver program. The US is considering reevaluating that program with the increased danger of jihadists entering the country and traveling on American airlines – definitely not something we want, it seems to me. That shouldn't have been the case at any time since 9/11. We are in an especially high risk time right now, but the occasional bomber has been caught during the last 10 years when we weren't under a high security alert level. I think people who come to the US even for humanitarian reasons should be screened thoroughly. They may be coming from ISIS or al-Qaeda and have a history of arrests, with the full intention of doing harm.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-school-custodian-provides-unlikely-service/

High school custodian provides unlikely service
By STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS
January 16, 2015

EULESS, Texas -- Being a custodian here at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas isn't exactly the most important job in America -- but don't tell that to the custodian.

"If I clean a toilet, and you sit on that toilet, you can rest assured that's the cleanest toilet you'll ever sit on," said Charles Clark.

Clark takes his job that seriously. But his greatest asset has nothing do with his cleaning - it's his counseling.

Not long after he started at Trinity 25 years ago, Charles Clark began pulling kids aside. Kids he thought might be falling through the cracks. Kids he thought might need a little mentoring. Kids like 17-year-old Jesse Walehwa.

"Mr. Clark has been looking out for me ever since I been here," Walehwa told me. "I can tell Mr. Clark anything. I know he's going to give me his honest opinion. He's very wise, very loving."

"They've never had a man tell them they love them before," said Clark. "Once they trust you and they know you love them you can get them to buy in to what you're selling."

Clark says most of his clients come from the school's counselors.

Peggy McIntyresa is a clinical counselor at Trinity with a Masters in social work -- but she says Charles has a better way with certain kids.

"He's worked with a lot of our students here who ended up going to college - ended up doing really well," McIntyre told me. "He gets results, he sure does."

By all accounts, this custodian has helped dozens of kids turn their lives around -- not because it was his job, but because it needed to be done. And there's a lesson in there for anyone who feels trapped by their title.

"You going to tell me I don't have a good life?" said Clark. "This custodial thing is working good for me."

To contact On the Road, or to send us a story idea, e-mail us.




"Mr. Clark has been looking out for me ever since I been here," Walehwa told me. "I can tell Mr. Clark anything. I know he's going to give me his honest opinion. He's very wise, very loving." "They've never had a man tell them they love them before," said Clark. "Once they trust you and they know you love them you can get them to buy in to what you're selling." Clark says most of his clients come from the school's counselors. Peggy McIntyresa is a clinical counselor at Trinity with a Masters in social work -- but she says Charles has a better way with certain kids. "He's worked with a lot of our students here who ended up going to college - ended up doing really well," McIntyre told me. "He gets results, he sure does."

Some teachers and counselors don't find the good in a student who seems to have problems and relate to them one-on-one as Mr. Clark does. Getting sent to the Principal's office is more likely to be a short route to some form of punishment than a way of finding help. I suspect that is especially true for black and Hispanic children, just because of low expectations from those in authority. One news article said that the high schools are involved in sending many such students into the juvenile court system rather than offering aid, that the school is “the first step to a life in prison.” Teachers and administrators are more likely to expel a black kid than a white one. Often what that is about is the fact that the white delinquent has a wealthy father and the school board intervenes in the case. It's good to see that this Good Samaritan is employed on the school grounds and can make contact with these youths to set them straight. What a happy story!