Saturday, March 7, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-detains-suspects-murder-vladimir-putin-critic-boris-nemtsov/

Russia: Suspects detained in murder of Putin critic
CBS/AP
March 7, 2015

Photograph – A man walks past flowers at the site where Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was murdered at the Great Moskvoretsky Bridge, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow March 6, 2015. Nemtsov, 55, was shot dead late Feb. 28, 2015, as he was walking home.  REUTERS/MAXIM SHEMETOV

MOSCOW -- Two suspects have been detained in the killing a week ago of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, the head of Russia's federal security service said Saturday.

Alexander Bortnikov, in comments shown on state television, said the two suspects were from Russia's North Caucasus region, but gave no other details.

He said they were "suspected of carrying out this crime," but it was not clear if either of the suspects was believed to have fired the shots that killed Nemtsov as he and a companion walked over a bridge near the Kremlin on Feb. 28. No charges were immediately announced.

Nemtsov's killing shocked Russia's already beleaguered and marginalized opposition supporters. Suspicion in the opposition is high that the killing was ordered by the Kremlin in retaliation for Nemtsov's adamant criticism of President Vladimir Putin. The 55-year-old was working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict.

But Russia's top investigative body said it was investigating several possible motives, including that he was killed in an attempt to smear Putin's image. It also said it was looking into possible connections to Islamic extremism and Nemtsov's personal life.

Many believe that Nemtsov's death in a tightly secured area near the Kremlin wouldn't have been possible without official involvement, and could be an attempt to scare other government foes.

Putin dubbed Nemtsov's killing a "provocation."

One of Nemtsov's closest allies in the opposition, Ilya Yashin, was quoted by the Interfax news agency after the detention announcement as saying "We hope that they detained those who are really related to the killing, that it is not a mistake."

In some previous killings of Kremlin critics, especially the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, there has been wide criticism that those who ordered the killing have not been identified or prosecuted.

Armed with flowers and flags, tens of thousands turned out Monday in a somber but defiant display of solidarity with Nemtsov. Some carried banners that read "I am not afraid." But CBS News correspondent Clarissa Ward reports, in reality, many democracy activists in Russia acknowledge privately that they are now afraid.

Opposition leader Vladimir Ryzhkov was close friends with Nemtsov for more than 20 years. He said Monday that he can't remember the last time the atmosphere in Russia was as aggressive and negative as it is at present.

"This atmosphere was created by Kremlin propaganda for the last year," Ryzhkov told Ward. "I blame state and state propaganda for creating such kind of pro-violence, pro-terror and public atmosphere in country."

No matter who pulled the trigger, Ryzhkov said, the message was clear: Those who speak out against Putin can be targeted.

"I think that nobody knows, not only what future for opposition we have, no one can say what future for Russia we will have," Ryzhkov told CBS News.

Kremlin critics say the spiteful nationalist propaganda on state television, which cast Nemtsov and other liberals as Western stooges, helped prepare the ground for his killing.

"The atmosphere of mad aggression created by the state television ... has signaled that you could do anything to the people expressing a different view, this will benefit the Motherland," Dmitry Muratov, the editor of the Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper critical of the Kremlin, told the AP on Friday.

Nemtsov was walking with a young Ukrainian woman, Anna Duritskaya, when he was shot. The woman has returned to Ukraine after questioning by police and the state news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday quoted her lawyer Vadim Prokhorov as saying she has not been called back to Russia for testimony in connection with the detentions.



http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu156896.html

"Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
Winston Churchill




“Alexander Bortnikov, in comments shown on state television, said the two suspects were from Russia's North Caucasus region, but gave no other details. He said they were "suspected of carrying out this crime," but it was not clear if either of the suspects was believed to have fired the shots that killed Nemtsov as he and a companion walked over a bridge near the Kremlin on Feb. 28. No charges were immediately announced. Nemtsov's killing shocked Russia's already beleaguered and marginalized opposition supporters. Suspicion in the opposition is high that the killing was ordered by the Kremlin in retaliation for Nemtsov's adamant criticism of President Vladimir Putin. The 55-year-old was working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict.... Many believe that Nemtsov's death in a tightly secured area near the Kremlin wouldn't have been possible without official involvement, and could be an attempt to scare other government foes. Putin dubbed Nemtsov's killing a "provocation." One of Nemtsov's closest allies in the opposition, Ilya Yashin, was quoted by the Interfax news agency after the detention announcement as saying "We hope that they detained those who are really related to the killing, that it is not a mistake."... Armed with flowers and flags, tens of thousands turned out Monday in a somber but defiant display of solidarity with Nemtsov. Some carried banners that read "I am not afraid." But CBS News correspondent Clarissa Ward reports, in reality, many democracy activists in Russia acknowledge privately that they are now afraid. Opposition leader Vladimir Ryzhkov was close friends with Nemtsov for more than 20 years. He said Monday that he can't remember the last time the atmosphere in Russia was as aggressive and negative as it is at present.... Kremlin critics say the spiteful nationalist propaganda on state television, which cast Nemtsov and other liberals as Western stooges, helped prepare the ground for his killing. "The atmosphere of mad aggression created by the state television ... has signaled that you could do anything to the people expressing a different view, this will benefit the Motherland," Dmitry Muratov, the editor of the Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper critical of the Kremlin, told the AP on Friday.”

It's time to reread the John le Carre novels now, I guess, and 1984 and Animal Farm as well. Of course the political atmosphere here in the US is becoming so opaque that we could apply 1984 to the US as well. I grew up on anti-Russian news and government intrigues, along with the pervasive fear of a nuclear war. Now here we are again in a new Cold War against Russia, which seems to be trying to regain its political control over their neighbors. That, of course, is what's behind the incursions into Ukraine, and Putin recently made at least one statement suggesting they may go into other areas where there is a similarly large Russian-speaking population.

Russia's reputation for assassinating political enemies had died down, though the death of Alexander Litvinenko was laid at the feet of Putin and the Kremlin in the Western press. From the following Wikipedia article comes the following quotation: “In the UK, Litvinenko became a journalist for a Chechen separatist site, Chechenpress. Litvinenko wrote two books, Blowing up Russia: Terror from within and Lubyanka Criminal Group, where he accused the Russian secret services of staging Russian apartment bombings and other terrorism acts to bring Vladimir Putin to power.”

In spite of the Glasnost thawing of international relationships and some democratizing within Russia, that age has apparently come to a halt. I notice there are still outspoken people in Russia, however, rebelling against the Oligarchs. That gives me hope, though no sense of security. Our potential to get involved in a hot war with Russia is increasing as the weeks and months go by. I now watch Russia with some anxiety, and empathize strongly with their democratically inclined citizens.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-dog-law-in-cincinnati-could-take-bite-out-of-owners-wallets/

New dog law in Cincinnati could take
CBS/AP
March 5, 2015

Photograph – A German Shepherd bares its teeth during Schutzhund attack dog training at Witmer-Tyson Imports February 14, 2002, in Newark, CA.  JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES

CINCINNATI -- A new Cincinnati law meant to hold pet owners accountable for dog bites allows for fines of up to $15,000.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the law adopted Wednesday stops short of criminalizing dog bites. Councilman Kevin Flynn says the target is bad owners, not specific dogs or breeds.
The law allows police to cite owners civilly with fines of up to $5,000 the first time and up to $15,000 for repeat offenses. Owners also can be fined if dogs run unattended, aren't kept on leashes or attempt to bite someone.

Flynn says the law doesn't cover organized dog fighting, which can be criminally prosecuted in Ohio.

Mayor John Cranley had proposed more breed-specific legislation targeting dogs considered to be pit bulls, but he supported the compromise approved by council.

According to a report released last year by State Farm and the Insurance Information Institute, in 2013, dog bite liabilities in the U.S. cost insurers $483 million. State Farm reported that Ohio ranked third on the list of states for dog bite claims in 2013.

In a 2014 survey, Houston ranked worst in the nation for dog attacks on letter carriers, pushing Los Angeles, 2013's leader, to second place.




“The law allows police to cite owners civilly with fines of up to $5,000 the first time and up to $15,000 for repeat offenses. Owners also can be fined if dogs run unattended, aren't kept on leashes or attempt to bite someone. Flynn says the law doesn't cover organized dog fighting, which can be criminally prosecuted in Ohio. Mayor John Cranley had proposed more breed-specific legislation targeting dogs considered to be pit bulls, but he supported the compromise approved by council.”

I am glad to see a city government taking this kind of action, even though it doesn't ban specific breeds. Unfortunately, pit bulls aren't even the only highly dangerous dog breeds. Even the beautiful and intelligent German Shepherd is on the list of top killers. What mystifies me is why anyone who takes on one of those breeds fails to give it full professional obedience training and a gentle upbringing, except of course for those who plan to fight the dog. Many people in the US, even when they live in safe areas, are so afraid of intruders in their home that they buy a dog like these and train it to attack. Then, shamefully, they fail to keep the dog safely confined so that it gets out and ends up attacking someone who is simply walking down the street. Further, they feel abused when the authorities hold them responsible. Their denial in such cases is beyond my understanding. Maybe a $15,000 fine will be high enough to make a real difference. I'm not sure $5,000 is.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/raising-a-generation-of-materialists/

Raising a generation of materialists
By AIMEE PICCHI MONEYWATCH
March 6, 2015

It may be a material world, as Madonna says, but that doesn't mean parents want their kids to grow up to become materialistic.

Unfortunately, loving parents may unwittingly be creating generations of materialists through the time-honored technique of bribing kids for anything from getting an A in math to doing their chores.

Yet using material possessions to express love and support can ultimately lead to those children growing into materialistic adults, whose self-worth is tied to the accumulation of goods, according to recent research published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

The study surveyed more than 700 adults for insight into the long-term impact of rewarding kids with material items. It found that those who had received more material rewards and punishments were more likely than others to rely on possessions to define and express who they are.

While that might seem like the American way, given our country's emphasis on luxury cars and big houses as a way to show status and success, materialism has been linked to several negative characteristics that lead to unhappiness, such as financial problems and compulsive shopping.

"If children grow up associating success with material goods, over time, they will focus too much on the end material good to define success and lose sight of the less tangible signs of success such as personal happiness with achieving goals," Lan Nguyen Chaplin, a co-author of the paper and associate professor of marketing at the University of Illinois at Chicago, wrote to CBS MoneyWatch in an email.

Americans are definitely spending a lot on their kids. Parents are slated to spend more than $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's up from about $199,000 in 1980, adjusted for inflation. The biggest areas where parents are spending more are in child care and education, and what the USDA calls "miscellaneous" expenses, which includes entertainment devices such as computers and TVs, as well as books and personal care items.

However, it's not guilty or time-strapped parents who are throwing material goods at their children, the study found.

Loving parents, or those who are warm and supportive, tend to rely on material rewards for their kids, creating a greater chance that those kids will grow up to suffer from materialism, the study found. But conversely, unwittingly generous parents aren't the only problem: Kids threatened with having their possessions taken away are also more likely to be materialistic as adults.

Aside from negative implications for personal finances and self-fulfillment, is there really anything intrinsically bad about materialism? After all, American capitalism is based on the idea of unflagging consumer demand for stuff. While materialistic adults may be helping prop up sales at American stores, they're not necessarily healthy for the environment, the authors noted.

"At the environmental level, materialism is associated with a lower concern for the environment," according to the study, which is co-authored by University of Missouri professor Marsha Richins. "The higher consumption levels of materialistic consumers contribute to greenhouse gas production and climate change, depletion of natural resources, and environmental pollution."

While that's troubling, parents may be left scratching their heads about how to reward good behavior. Chaplin says providing material gifts "in moderation is fine." She added: "It's important for parents to give their children the gift of their time and attention. You can't substitute material goods for your time or attention."

The study also raises some red flags about rewarding kids with intangible experiences, which have been linked to feelings of happiness. While that might seem like a healthy alternative, the paper noted that other research has found the acquisition of experiences (such as a trip to Disneyland) can be just as materialistic as buying toys. The authors said more studies should be undertaken to find out if experiential rewards are less likely to create materialistic adults.

In the meantime, parents may want to rethink how they tell their kids they've done a good job. Instead of buying a toy, they could spend extra play time with their child.

"There are so many ways to define oneself ... we're not just what we have," Chaplin noted. "We're more than that. But if parents always reward/punish kids using material things, then their self-worth, over time, is centered around material goods."




“Yet using material possessions to express love and support can ultimately lead to those children growing into materialistic adults, whose self-worth is tied to the accumulation of goods, according to recent research published in the Journal of Consumer Research. The study surveyed more than 700 adults for insight into the long-term impact of rewarding kids with material items. It found that those who had received more material rewards and punishments were more likely than others to rely on possessions to define and express who they are.... Loving parents, or those who are warm and supportive, tend to rely on material rewards for their kids, creating a greater chance that those kids will grow up to suffer from materialism, the study found. But conversely, unwittingly generous parents aren't the only problem: Kids threatened with having their possessions taken away are also more likely to be materialistic as adults.... "At the environmental level, materialism is associated with a lower concern for the environment," according to the study, which is co-authored by University of Missouri professor Marsha Richins. "The higher consumption levels of materialistic consumers contribute to greenhouse gas production and climate change, depletion of natural resources, and environmental pollution."

It strikes me that this growing materialism, which shows itself in events like kids on the playground attacking another child to steal his popular name brand clothing – a jacket or a pair of shoes – and in a modern housewife who is old enough to know better pushing her husband for a membership in the local Country Club, or larger and more luxurious house or car. After all, it isn't just the kids who are “becoming” materialistic, but a characteristic of American society in most income brackets. Even the very poor, who have little or no discretionary money for desirable goods and services, are affected by the desire for wealth – with envy and sometimes hatred of those who look down on them or have expensive goods. That's another face of materialism.

There is no doubt in my mind that the present day Republican Party's recent takeover by a radical element who call themselves the Tea Party is partly due to the largely materialistic judgments on societal issues, which are indeed more prevalent now than when I was young. I came from a Methodist home, and we were not wealthy enough to get into much status seeking. Besides both my parents believed that the poor are not lazy, dishonest or otherwise less than acceptable just because of being poor. They stressed working, being honest, studying in school, and treating others fairly. That, to me, is a good life. It is quite possible to be in the presence of conspicuous consumption without allowing it to affect our views of people. Materialism is simply, to me, “the love of money” that Jesus spoke against rather than merely having money if we help the poor with part of it.

The Christian Church from the earliest times has fostered the choice by some individuals who refrained from living a comfortable life and amassing wealth. They were hermits in some cases, and members of monasteries and convents in others. Even today the philosophy of asceticism remains a part of Western society, though I can't think of many cases in the US among Protestants. The Quakers, the Amish, the Shakers and the Moravians from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are examples that do come to my mind. I do believe the “plain people” have the best philosophy and spiritual path among Protestants.

This article is indeed food for thought, and points up a very large problem in the US today. I just don't think it's a new societal trend, but rather a parenting mistake that the privileged classes are capable of doing, much more than the Lower Middle Class and the Poor. Luckily not all modern parents bring their kids up with lots of gadgets, allowances, new cars for their birthday, etc. There are those who understand the need for communication, personal responsibility, gentleness, reasonable amounts of praise, and hugs in rearing children, and who do so naturally. I suspect they are the ones who were brought up that way themselves.





FERGUSON VS DOJ – FOUR ARTICLES



http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/06/us-usa-missouri-shooting-idUSKBN0M21VC20150306

Obama criticizes Ferguson as city seeks settlement over racial bias
BY CAREY GILLAM AND JULIA EDWARDS
Fri Mar 6, 2015

Photograph – Protesters stare at a line of police officers and National Guard soldiers during a protest to demand justice for the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, outside the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri in this file photo taken November 28, 2014.
CREDIT: REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON/FILES

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday condemned the Missouri city of Ferguson for "oppressive and abusive" actions against African-Americans that were laid bare in a U.S. Justice Department report accusing police and court officials of a range of illegal actions.

The president's comments came as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday dismantling the police department was a possibility.

"We are prepared to use all the power that we have... to ensure that the situation changes there," Holder said. "That means everything from working with them to coming up with an entirely new structure."

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said three city workers who demonstrated "egregious racial bias" are no longer employed by the city, and said Ferguson officials are pursuing other reforms to try to reach a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department.

The Justice Department said it found that the mostly white police force routinely targeted African-Americans for arrests and ticketing in part to raise revenue for the city through fines and fees. It also found officers followed a pattern of using excessive force and illegally arresting people without cause, deploying attack dogs and tasers on unarmed people "unreasonably."

“What we saw was that the Ferguson Police Department in conjunction with the municipality saw traffic stops, arrests, tickets as a revenue generator, as opposed to serving the community, and that it systematically was biased against African Americas in that city who were stopped, harassed, mistreated, abused, called names, fined,” Obama said in comments made at a town hall-style meeting in South Carolina.

The federal investigation started after a white Ferguson police officer shot and killed an unarmed black teenager on Aug. 9, triggering nationwide protests and illuminating long-held complaints in Ferguson and elsewhere about police treatment of minorities.

The Justice Department said it did not find grounds to prosecute police officer Darren Wilson for killing 18-year-old Michael Brown, but it did find racially disparate practices rampant through the police force.

Obama on Friday said he fully supported the decision not to charge Wilson.

"That was the decision that was made, and I have complete confidence and stand fully behind the decision that was made by the Justice Department on that issue," Obama said at the town-hall meeting.

The city and the Justice Department are attempting to negotiate reforms to address the problems found, and Knowles said the city has hired a consultant to work with the police.

Knowles said city leaders plan to meet with Justice Department officials in about two weeks to review reform strategies, and try to agree on a settlement.

Relations between the city and the Justice Department have been tense over the last several months amid the federal probe, and city officials have bristled at some of the report's allegations.

"There are a lot of things in that report that are very troubling and need to be addressed, but there are also things that are an overreach," Knowles said.

"Our hope is those negotiations lead to mutual satisfaction. But if we cannot come to terms... we are not going to settle."

Knowles would not comment on whether Police Chief Tom Jackson would be asked to step down. Several community and civil rights leaders, as well as some lawmakers, have called for Jackson's ouster for months.

"We're looking at where the breakdown was and then we'll make changes accordingly," Knowles said.

(Reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City and Julia Edwards in Columbia, South Carolina; Editing by Bill Trott, Lisa Lambert and Lisa Shumaker)




"We are prepared to use all the power that we have... to ensure that the situation changes there," Holder said. "That means everything from working with them to coming up with an entirely new structure." Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said three city workers who demonstrated "egregious racial bias" are no longer employed by the city, and said Ferguson officials are pursuing other reforms to try to reach a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department.... The Justice Department said it found that the mostly white police force routinely targeted African-Americans for arrests and ticketing in part to raise revenue for the city through fines and fees. It also found officers followed a pattern of using excessive force and illegally arresting people without cause, deploying attack dogs and tasers on unarmed people "unreasonably."... The city and the Justice Department are attempting to negotiate reforms to address the problems found, and Knowles said the city has hired a consultant to work with the police. Knowles said city leaders plan to meet with Justice Department officials in about two weeks to review reform strategies, and try to agree on a settlement. Relations between the city and the Justice Department have been tense over the last several months amid the federal probe, and city officials have bristled at some of the report's allegations. "There are a lot of things in that report that are very troubling and need to be addressed, but there are also things that are an overreach," Knowles said. "Our hope is those negotiations lead to mutual satisfaction. But if we cannot come to terms... we are not going to settle."

“...an entirely new structure” is an ominous sounding phrase, but it may be needed. One small town near Jacksonville recently suffered the elimination of their police force for the fact that they had a quota system under which every police officer had to turn in approximately a traffic ticket every hour every day, all for the purpose of raising money from the public. That was Waldo, FL, and they are one of many infamous “speed traps,” sprinkled around the South. Their operation was deemed unethical and corrupt. Doing that to a city the size of St. Louis would, presumably, be more difficult, however. It will be interesting to see what happens there. Hopefully the city and the DOJ will come to terms and there will be great improvements.





http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/03/06/391241868/3-ferguson-officials-linked-to-racist-emails-fired-mayor-says

Mayor: 3 Ferguson Employees Linked To Racist Emails No Longer With Department
Krishnadev Calamur
MARCH 06, 2015

Three Ferguson, Mo., employees who were responsible for emails that contained disparaging references to President Obama and African-Americans are no longer employed by the city, Mayor James Knowles tells The Associated Press.

As NPR's Carrie Johnson reported, the emails were uncovered this week as part of a federal investigation of the city's police force that concluded the department engages in "a pattern of unconstitutional policing." The Justice Department also said it will not file federal charges against Darren Wilson, the now-former police officer, who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown last August.

Brown's death resulted in extensive protests and scrutiny of the city's police department that culminated in the Justice Department investigation.

As Carrie reported about the emails:

"One says Obama will not be president for long because "what black man holds a steady job for four years." Another says a black woman in New Orleans was admitted to a hospital to end her pregnancy and then got a check two weeks later from 'Crime Stoppers.'"

The AP says that Knowles, the Ferguson mayor, first learned about the emails on Wednesday after meeting with Justice Department officials in St. Louis.

"He said he was so incensed that he ordered the accounts of all three employees disabled while he was in the car returning to Ferguson after the meeting," the news service reported. "Knowles said there was no evidence that Jackson or other police administrators were aware of those emails."

Knowles also told the AP that city leaders will meet Justice Department officials in about two weeks "and provide a plan for ways to improve the police department."

"They want to hear what we will do," he said. "We're going to hopefully work out some sort of agreement and we'll move forward."

Meanwhile, President Obama, speaking on The Joe Madison Radio Show on Sirius XM radio's Urban View channel, said the type of racial discrimination described by the Justice Department report in Ferguson, Mo., was not unique to that city's police department.

"I don't think that is typical of what happens across the country, but it's not an isolated incident," he said. "I think that there are circumstances in which trust between communities and law enforcement have broken down, and individuals or entire departments may not have the training or the accountability to make sure that they're protecting and serving all people and not just some."




“As Carrie reported about the emails: "One says Obama will not be president for long because "what black man holds a steady job for four years." Another says a black woman in New Orleans was admitted to a hospital to end her pregnancy and then got a check two weeks later from 'Crime Stoppers.'" The AP says that Knowles, the Ferguson mayor, first learned about the emails on Wednesday after meeting with Justice Department officials in St. Louis. "He said he was so incensed that he ordered the accounts of all three employees disabled while he was in the car returning to Ferguson after the meeting," the news service reported. "Knowles said there was no evidence that Jackson or other police administrators were aware of those emails." Knowles also told the AP that city leaders will meet Justice Department officials in about two weeks "and provide a plan for ways to improve the police department."

"I don't think that is typical of what happens across the country, but it's not an isolated incident," he said. "I think that there are circumstances in which trust between communities and law enforcement have broken down, and individuals or entire departments may not have the training or the accountability to make sure that they're protecting and serving all people and not just some." As usual, Obama's words are eloquent and rather gentle, describing the gist of the situation which is negative and biased standing under the law. I know, those things are against the law, but when local people don't uphold the law it might as well not be written. Police officers are the most immediate enforcers of civil rights, and too often, the only ones. Highly biased policing comes from a locality that is likewise biased, or it couldn't continue. Too many right wingers have been elected to office there, and the treatment of citizens reflects their negative beliefs.





http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/06/us/ferguson-justice-department-report-fallout/

2 Ferguson police officers quit; court clerk fired after Justice report
By Ralph Ellis
Fri March 6, 2015

Photograph – Ferguson Police Captain Rick Henke, center.

(CNN)Racist emails -- like one that depicted President Obama as a chimpanzee -- resulted in three Ferguson, Missouri, city employees resigning or being fired, the city spokesman said Friday.

Police officers Capt. Rick Henke and Sgt. William Mudd resigned Thursday over the emails discovered during the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of racial prejudice in the city's police and judicial system, city spokesman Jeff Small said on Friday, citing the city attorney.

The city's top court clerk, Mary Ann Twitty, was fired earlier this week in connection with the emails, Small said.

Several employees forwarded the emails but until now none had been disciplined, the report said.

Examples of the racist emails include one sent in October 2011 that showed a photo of bare-chested dancing women, apparently in Africa, with the caption "Michelle Obama's High School Reunion." A June 2011 email described a man trying to put his dogs on welfare because the canines were "mixed in color, unemployed, lazy, can't speak English and have no ... clue who their Daddies are."

Some critics have called for the department to be disbanded and for Police Chief Thomas Jackson to resign.

In a Friday interview with CNN's Sara Sidner, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said Jackson was not copied on any of the emails.

When asked if Jackson and the city manager may be fired, Knowles said, "We're going to do our due diligence and hold people accountable."

Knowles also said he doesn't think the department will be disbanded.

When asked about what happens next in Ferguson, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Friday, "We are prepared to use all the power that we have, all the power that we have to ensure that the situation changes there. And that means everything from working with them to coming up with an entirely new structure."

When a reporter asked if that included dismantling the police force, Holder replied, "If that's what's necessary then we are prepared to do that."

Holder ordered the investigation after a white police officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed black teenager Michael Brown last summer, setting off months of sometimes violent street protests in the town outside St. Louis.

The DOJ declined to bring chargesagainst Wilson, who has since left the force. No state charges were filed either.

In a separate report, the Justice Department described what it said was a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African-Americans by the Ferguson police and municipal courts. That discrimination included racist emails.

Ferguson is a town of 21,000 that is 67% African-American.

Among the findings in the report:

From 2012 to 2014, 85% of people subject to vehicle stops by Ferguson police were African-American, 90% of those who received citations were black, and 93% of people arrested were black.

In 88% of the cases in which Ferguson police officers reported using force, it was against African-Americans. From 2012-2014 black drivers were twice as likely as white drivers to be searched during traffic stops, but 26% less likely to be found in possession of contraband.

President Obama said Friday that although he doesn't think the abuses of power in Ferguson are typical of America, there are individuals and possibly whole departments in American law enforcement that may struggle to prevent prejudice in their ranks.

"I don't think that is typical of what happens across the country, but it's not an isolated incident," Obama said in an early morning interview on SiriusXM's Urban View channel.

"I think there are circumstances in which trust between communities and law enforcement has broken down, and individuals or entire departments may not have the training or the accountability to make sure they are protecting, serving all people, and not just some."

Knowles has outlined a number of reforms the city implemented to address some of the Justice Department's concerns, and said the city "must do better" to address racism.

"We must all work to address issues of racial disparity in all aspects of our society," he said Wednesday.




“Racist emails -- like one that depicted President Obama as a chimpanzee … one sent in October 2011 that showed a photo of bare-chested dancing women, apparently in Africa, with the caption "Michelle Obama's High School Reunion." A June 2011 email described a man trying to put his dogs on welfare because the canines were "mixed in color, unemployed, lazy, can't speak English and have no ... clue who their Daddies are.".... Some critics have called for the department to be disbanded and for Police Chief Thomas Jackson to resign. In a Friday interview with CNN's Sara Sidner, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said Jackson was not copied on any of the emails.... When a reporter asked if that included dismantling the police force, Holder replied, "If that's what's necessary then we are prepared to do that."

“From 2012-2014 black drivers were twice as likely as white drivers to be searched during traffic stops, but 26% less likely to be found in possession of contraband.” Statistics can be telling, and this one is particularly so. Not only are fewer black people carrying guns, knives, drugs, etc., but they are forcibly searched twice as often. How can police officers with such obviously closed minds think the situation through well enough to make good arrests? I would hate to be a crime victim in St. Louis and depend on those cops to help me. I've heard such police “investigations” called “rounding up the usual suspects.” In other words, go out and pick up some black men.





http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/us/ferguson-police-chief/index.html

Ferguson police chief mum on federal report
By Sara Sidner and Dana Ford, CNN
Fri March 6, 2015

Ferguson, Missouri (CNN)Ferguson's police chief is ducking questions about his department and his future there in the wake of a scathing federal report.

"I need to have time to really analyze this report so I can comment on it," Chief Tom Jackson said Thursday in an exclusive interview with CNN.

He spoke one day after the Justice Department released its 102-page report, which found rampant racism within the Ferguson Police Department.

It specifically faulted officers for seeing residents as "sources of revenue," a practice that disproportionately targeted African-Americans.

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When asked what he thought about the report, and what he planned to do about it, the chief said he would "take action as necessary."

Asked whether that meant he would remain at the department, Jackson repeated himself: "I'm gonna take action where necessary."

Later, in response to the same question, he said: "I will let you know."

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Many have called for the chief to step down since the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Brown, a black teenager, was shot by a white officer in August. His death triggered widespread protests, and calls to change policing practices in America.

Obama: Ferguson police abuse 'not an isolated incident'




"I need to have time to really analyze this report so I can comment on it," Chief Tom Jackson said Thursday in an exclusive interview with CNN. He spoke one day after the Justice Department released its 102-page report, which found rampant racism within the Ferguson Police Department. It specifically faulted officers for seeing residents as "sources of revenue," a practice that disproportionately targeted African-Americans.... Asked whether that meant he would remain at the department, Jackson repeated himself: "I'm gonna take action where necessary." Later, in response to the same question, he said: "I will let you know."

I don't know about dismantling the whole police department, but the chief probably should step down. Supervision and discipline every time an untoward event occurs would really stop these crimes, which is what they are. In an article on police brutality I saw since I began looking at these things in August, one police officer was quoted as saying that the problem causing so many events is that the officers who commit them are NOT PUNISHED. They are either “given a paid two week vacation” or transferred to another department, but not fired or charged with murder. I've seen enough reports on individual situations across the country to agree with that statement. The police chief will usually say that the officer was “put on unpaid leave,” or in some cases fined. That sounds like it might be helpful, but the FOP has often paid the officer's fine for him, so that is no punishment either. There is a real need for nationwide reform, possibly in response to some new federal laws covering police discipline and policing techniques. I think the situation will be improved when all cities buy and require the wearing of cameras while they are on their beat. The fact that there are no witnesses causes abusive cops to get away with a great deal.





https://www.yahoo.com/tv/s/4-old-girl-perfect-reaction-183500239.html

4-Year-Old Girl Has the Perfect Reaction When a Boy in Class Telling Her She's Ugly
ETonline
John Boone
March 6, 2015


It’s appropriate that this all happened in school. Because this little boy got schooled.

A video popped up today where a 4-year-old named Miss CiCi talked about what happened after a boy in her pre-kindergarten class told her that she looked ugly.

CiCi didn’t cry. CiCi didn’t get mad. CiCi just told him what’s what: "I didn't come here to make fashion statement. I came here to learn, not look pretty."

And when the little boy continued to tell her she looked bad, she shut his little toosh down: "Did you look in the mirror lately? Buh-bye, see you later...making me mad."





There is a book that came out 15 or so years ago called “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten.” According to Wikipedia this was published in 1988, and is a book of short essays by American minister and author Robert Fulghum. He lists those things as “sharing, being kind to one another, cleaning up.” This boy just got a very important lesson. Clever little girl, obviously. If kids are verbally capable, they won't have to fight to defend themselves nearly as often.