Saturday, July 25, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/feds-seize-emails-phones-in-probe-of-teen-found-dead-inside-gym-mat/ar-AAdqUMR?ocid=iehp

Feds seize emails, phones in probe of teen found dead inside gym mat
The Root -- Breanna Edward
July 24, 2015

Federal marshals took emails from a Lowndes County, Ga. sheriff’s office this week as part of a probe that has been carrying on more than two years since local investigators said there was no foul play in the death of 17-year-old Kendrick Johnson, CNN reports.

According to the news site, Marshals entered the Lowndes County IT offices on Tuesday and Wednesday with a warrant and, proceeded to copy emails from the sheriff’s office related to the investigation.

The warrant was reportedly connected to the federal grand jury investigation into the 2013 death, in which, the teen was found in a rolled-up gym mat. Lowndes County Attorney Jim Elliot said he did not know which emails were copied.

As CNN notes, county sheriff’s investigators had reached the conclusion that Johnson got stuck in the rolled up gym mat while reaching for a shoe and that the death was accidental. The state medical examiner seemingly agreed saying the cause of death was “positional asphyxia.”

However, a forensic pathologist hired by the teen’s family ruled the death a homicide, saying that there was evidence of “unexplained, apparent non-accidental blunt force trauma.”

The Justice Department started investigating Johnson’s death in October 2013, but has been silent in terms of what authorities have found.

Back in January, Johnson’s parents filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming that former classmates beat the teen to death. The lawsuit points to two former classmates who are brothers, and their father who is a local FBI agent, for the wrongful death as well.

Marshals reportedly seized items, including cellphones, computers and thumb drives – from the brothers’ family home as well as one of the former classmate’s college dorm room.

Read more at CNN.

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“The Justice Department started investigating Johnson’s death in October 2013, but has been silent in terms of what authorities have found. Back in January, Johnson’s parents filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming that former classmates beat the teen to death. The lawsuit points to two former classmates who are brothers, and their father who is a local FBI agent, for the wrongful death as well. Marshals reportedly seized items, including cellphones, computers and thumb drives – from the brothers’ family home as well as one of the former classmate’s college dorm room”

I don’t want to think that the DOJ would be dragging its feet in a case like this, but it has been almost two years since they began to investigate it, and the two suspects are the sons of a “local” FBI agent. I didn’t know there were any local FBI agents, but if they are long term residents of the community they could be implicated in a cover up by the school or the local police force. I just looked for racist incidents in Lowndes County, GA and found one on this particular case. See local comments below. They are made up of real information, local gossip and speculation. Reading these, I am reminded of this great motion picture. If you haven’t watched it, check it out at your local library and pop up some corn.


GREAT MOVIE ON THE SOUTH -- "In the Heat of the Night" (1967)
Stars: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates
An African American police detective is asked to investigate a murder in a racially hostile southern town.

LOCAL COMMENTS ON THIS MURDER:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/georgia/1971843-lowndes-high-murder-mystery-3.html
robinpostell
03-11-2014, 11:28 PM

Thanks for being forthcoming. More people should be doing this. People are apparently terrified - of what, not sure. Are they afraid of being killed? Or are they afraid of losing their jobs? Both are terrible in a small place like Lowndes County. Economics play such a crucial role in every aspect of the area, with football being the only leveler for playing field. But racism is still thick and pungent, and slavery, too, believe it or not. Just don't hear about it. Illegal aliens, according to reports from years back, and according to sources locally within last couple of weeks, emphasized they are the new slaves. You just hear about it as human trafficking. Naive to think this doesn't go on in your midst. If you're not privy to it, you wouldn't know about it.

The rumor about Prine's son was rampant, and I wondered why? How could so many people be wrong? He does have nephews, but not young enough to be in high school doesn't look like.

Sheriff Prine just went before the commissioners asking for many millions for the sheriff's office, to increase salaries, buy new cars, cover legal expenses for Kendrick Johnson - saying some off-color remarks. Lowndes County isn't used to having the world scrutinize its actions. Sometimes I want to send notes saying, "Get some PR, quick!" But it's not my responsibility. If they care so much about what people think about them, you'd think they would care more about what the world thinks - not just people here in Lowndes County.

The international eyeball glaring at Valdosta right now is unblinking. Pretty staggering to see the changes in how these kinds of taken-for-granted cover-ups manage with this level of global finger-wagging. There are people I've encountered from other countries who spend every spare moment trying to unravel this mystery.

Amazing.

R


03-18-2014, 08:30 PM
Newsboy

Just saw on the news that more than 120 Lowndes High students and parents have received subpoenas ordering them to testify before a federal grand jury!

This thing is about to turn REAL ugly ...

Wonder how this is effecting the mood of the LHS community, which I've always found to be a rather arrogant and slightly racist bunch to begin with? I can only imagine the things being said in white households vs black households. This could rip the whole South Georgia region apart once the truth comes out.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/georgia/1971843-lowndes-high-murder-mystery-valdosta-gated-3.html#ixzz3gvt6HUwc


03-19-2014
nedergras
Quote:
Originally Posted by halseyspartan2 View Post

I used to live in Valdosta, and I went to university there for five years. The word around the community, both whites and blacks, is that Kendrick was murdered by someone with powerful relatives. The original thought was that one of Sheriff Prine's younger relatives did for him, but Prine doesn't have any grandchildren young enough to go to LHS. The security tape covering the section of the gym where Johnson was killed "just happened" to have been defective, when all other security cameras were functioning perfectly.

My ex roommate went to jail on a suspended license charge, and he heard a lot of talk in general population from people who had connections. The gen pop word was that one of Prine's relatives (not grandchild, but nephew most likely) was fighting with Johnson over a girl and that this rivalry had been going on for quite some time. When the nephew learned that the girl had slept with Johnson, the nephew got his friends together and did the dirt on Kendrick as revenge. I doubt they meant to kill the kid, but he died still the same and now the powers in Valdosta are covering it up because at this point, they'd be eating charges on everything from obstruction of justice to conspiracy to conceal evidence. Those are some serious felony charges, and the people in power down there want to stay in power.

People might not take the word of criminals as trustworthy, but it's been proven in the past that if you want a good informant, the jails are often the best places to go because they have connections to other criminals and they're usually willing to talk in order to get a few years knocked off their sentence. Kind of like how if you want to know all the gossip about celebrities or politicians at a hosted event, you talk to the wait staff. They're low status and kind of invisible to most people, so the higher ups tend to run their mouths around them. Word gets around...

So it's a possible hate crime that the local community and possibly the state of Georgia are trying to cover up. Yep, just another day in Georgia.


03-19-2014
Newsboy
Quote:
Originally Posted by nedergras View Post

So it's a possible hate crime that the local community and possibly the state of Georgia are trying to cover up. Yep, just another day in Georgia.

Oh give it a break! Why would the state of Georgia -- 10 million people -- be trying to cover up an alleged hate crime in Lowndes County?!

If you are at all familiar with this case, or read any of the stories about it, the theory is that a young relative of a high-ranking public official in LOWNDES COUNTY (i.e. the county sheriff) had something to do with the crime, and THAT is why it has been swept under the rug AT THE LOCAL LEVEL!

There are plenty of people in Valodsta / Lowndes County and indeed the entire state of Georgia who want the truth to come out on this horrific incident.

BTW: It was producers and reporters at Atlanta-based CNN who first investigated this story and brought it to the nation's consciousness. And state officials, including the governor and attorney general, have been very forth-coming in their support of a federal investigation that would get to the bottom of it. That hardly sounds like a "conspiracy" by the State of Georgia, huh?


03-19-2014
nedergras

You misunderstood what I meant by the possibility of the state of Georgia being involved. No I did not mean the whole state, but the state government. Why wouldn't they want it covered up? It tarnishes the image of the progressive new south/Georgia, creates a negative business environment if it causes prospective businesses shying away from GA if they perceive that hate crimes are still common place here.


03-19-2014
Newsboy

Well, the truth is that the state is NOT trying to cover this up; a handful of politically powerful people in Valdosta are. So your whole theory is bunk.

Besides, does it not occur to you one bit that the leadership of Georgia would be viewed FAR more favorably, progressively and positively by the people they're trying to impress, by supporting the federal government's efforts to get to the TRUTH in this matter -- which is EXACTLY what's happening?

Why on earth would they want this covered up? It would be economic and political suicide!!!!!


05-06-2014
CAllen91

State of GA has nothing to do with this. If they had it their way they would exile the entire Lowndes County government to Echols.

This has Prine written all over it.

Robin, the story I heard was that it was Prine's niece/grandniece had been sleeping with KJ and somebody found out.


As for the feeling in town, well at least on VSU's campus its kinda embarrassing. Valdosta doesn't have the best rep with those of us who make it past freshmen year and this isn't helping.

As for off campus its a very sad but not surprised mood. The good ole boy system is alive and well around town but i do think most people are surprise its still strong enough to try to cover up the murder of a black student.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/georgia/1971843-lowndes-high-murder-mystery-valdosta-gated-3.html#ixzz3gvwZZoFQ





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeb-bush-medicare_55b11e41e4b0a9b94853e9eb

Jeb Bush Says We Should Phase Out Medicare
He also praises Paul Ryan's voucher approach.

Arthur Delaney
Senior Reporter, The Huffington Post
Arthur Delaney
Senior Reporter, The Huffington Post

Posted: 07/23/2015 | Edited: 07/24/2015

Photograph -- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on July 17, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Credit: John Locher/AP


WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Wednesday that we ought to phase out Medicare, the federal program that provides health insurance to Americans once they're 65. Bush praised Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for proposing to change Medicare to a system that gives seniors medical vouchers instead of paying their bills directly.

"We need to make sure we fulfill the commitment to people that have already received the benefits, that are receiving the benefits," Bush said. "But we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something, because they're not going to have anything."

Bush praised Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for proposing to change Medicare to a system that gives seniors medical vouchers instead of paying their bills directly. He also lamented that "the left" reacted with an ad showing a Paul lookalike pushing an old lady's wheelchair off a cliff.

Since 2011, Ryan's name has been closely associated with his Medicare plan, which Democrats have said would "end Medicare as we know it." Nevertheless, the Mitt Romney campaign in 2012 didn't endorse the plan even after adding Ryan to the ticket as a vice presidential candidate.

"Many people are afraid to act because they’re fearful of just getting beat up politically," Bush said at an Americans for Prosperity event in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Arguments for major overhauls of Medicare hinge on the notion that the program must be significantly scaled back because of rising spending.

For more from The Huffington Post, download our app for iOS or Android.

However, the latest report on the fiscal health of the program, which Medicare's trustees issued on Wednesday, didn’t communicate such a sense of urgency. The part of Medicare that pays for hospital care and related services will remain solvent until 2030, even as waves of retiring Baby Boomers sign on, the report projects. It also predicts that Medicare costs will rise more slowly than previously believed.

The Democratic National Committee eagerly put Bush's remarks about Medicare on YouTube. Bush's comments show he's out to get seniors, liberal groups said.

When asked for additional comment, the Bush campaign pointed to the candidate's remarks at an event on Thursday, when Bush complained that his remarks about Medicare had been taken out of context but did not repeat his "phase out" comment. Still, he insisted Medicare needs reform.

"It’s an actually unsound health care system," Bush said.

A decade ago, another Bush floated a plan to dramatically alter a safety-net entitlement for senior citizens. President George W. Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security -- which anticipated Medicare proposals like Ryan’s -- failed to attract the support of the public or the Republicans who controlled Congress at the time, in spite of months of lobbying and public events touting the proposal.

This story has been updated to include a response from the Bush campaign.

MORE: Jeb Bush, Medicare, Social Security, jeb bush 2016




"Bush praised Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for proposing to change Medicare to a system that gives seniors medical vouchers instead of paying their bills directly. …. We need to make sure we fulfill the commitment to people that have already received the benefits, that are receiving the benefits," Bush said. "But we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something, because they're not going to have anything. …. Arguments for major overhauls of Medicare hinge on the notion that the program must be significantly scaled back because of rising spending. …. However, the latest report on the fiscal health of the program, which Medicare's trustees issued on Wednesday, didn’t communicate such a sense of urgency. The part of Medicare that pays for hospital care and related services will remain solvent until 2030 …. the Bush campaign pointed to the candidate's remarks at an event on Thursday, when Bush complained that his remarks about Medicare had been taken out of context but did not repeat his "phase out" comment.”

“A decade ago, another Bush floated a plan to dramatically alter a safety-net entitlement for senior citizens. President George W. Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security -- which anticipated Medicare proposals like Ryan’s -- failed to attract the support of the public or the Republicans who controlled Congress at the time, in spite of months of lobbying and public events touting the proposal.”

We do forget that nearly all the population of the US, when they get old enough, are heavily if not completely dependent on Medicare and Social Security, so don’t expect any bills to “phase out” those basic necessities to pass both the House and the Senate. What we need to do instead of issuing “medical vouchers” which certainly won’t cover the whole hospital bill is continue the payment directly to the hospital/doctor, and go one important step further. Rewrite the law to give Medicare the responsibility of limiting the amount that the medical providers can charge, thus LOWERING THE OVERALL COST TO THE MEDICARE SYSTEM.

Bernie Sanders plan to make Medicare a single payer system, in other words, phase out the medical insurance plans that have been written into our Medicare system, which keep further increasing medical costs. My health insurance keeps raising prices on my meds by dropping the drug I’m on and inserting instead a new one that I don’t even want because the drug manufacturers want to sell new drugs all the time to boost their income. That looks like collusion to me, and should not be legal. That would solve a large percentage of the rising costs problem. Of course lots of doctors, who expect to get very wealthy from their medical practices, would drop out of the Republican Party and join one which is farther to the right.





http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/mother-of-toddler-killed-in-chase-sues-city-police-and-driver/ar-AAdpmNy?ocid=iehp

Mother of toddler killed in chase sues city, police and driver
Chicago Tribune
Steve Schmadeke
July 24, 2015

CHICAGO — The mother of 13-month-old Dillan Harris clenched her fists and took a deep breath before stepping in front of a row of microphones at her lawyer's Near North Side offices Thursday.

"My son was innocent and he should not have died," Shatrelle McComb told reporters before stepping out into the lobby and bursting into tears.

McComb was on her way to the beach with her three children two weeks ago when a man fleeing Chicago police after allegedly killing a rapper affiliated with Chief Keef fatally struck her youngest child as he sat in a stroller near a Woodlawn bus stop.

On Wednesday, McComb filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against the city of Chicago, the police officers involved in the chase and the man driving recklessly who killed her youngest child just weeks after Dillan had learned to walk.

Antoine Watkins led police on a 31/2-mile chase, running four red lights and driving at speeds up to 70 mph in an area of 63rd Street with a speed limit of 30 mph, prosecutors have said. Watkins was fleeing police after the fatal shooting of Marvin Carr, 22, a Chicago rapper known as Capo.

He has been charged with Dillan's death but not Carr's and is being held without bail. Prosecutors have said witnesses heard shots being fired and then saw Watkins get into a red Toyota Avalon.

About 20 minutes later, Watkins lost control of the car, jumped a curb on 63rd Street and struck the stroller Dillan was sitting in, dragging it and the infant into a vacant lot.

McComb's attorney, Antonio Romanucci, said there is evidence that a superior had ordered the pursuit of Watkins terminated. He would not specify what the evidence was but said even without it they would have a case that police ignored general orders when engaging in a high-speed pursuit through 31/2 miles of residential neighborhoods on the South Side.

He will seek to obtain the full radio traffic from the chase along with any available dash cam footage.

Romanucci said the infant's death was the result of a "police chase that never should have happened." He questioned whether police would have pursued through residential streets on the North Side and called out Superintendent Garry McCarthy for not offering condolences to the family.

"It all circles back to the culture that is instilled in the Police Department. ... They never accept responsibility," Romanucci said.

"Someone had better step up and take responsibility in the Chicago Police Department, and we know it's not Garry McCarthy. He's not taking responsibility. Where has he been accepting responsibility or offering condolences or apologies or saying sorry to this family? Where has he been?"

A Chicago police spokesman said the department does not comment on pending litigation but offered a statement to Dillan's family.

"It is an unthinkable loss to which the Chicago Police Department sends its deepest condolences," CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in an email. "The accountability rests on the suspect in this case who showed no regard for human life but now will answer to justice for his actions."

Attempts to reach the city Law Department spokesman were unsuccessful.




“McComb's attorney, Antonio Romanucci, said there is evidence that a superior had ordered the pursuit of Watkins terminated. He would not specify what the evidence was but said even without it they would have a case that police ignored general orders when engaging in a high-speed pursuit through 31/2 miles of residential neighborhoods on the South Side. He will seek to obtain the full radio traffic from the chase along with any available dash cam footage. Romanucci said the infant's death was the result of a "police chase that never should have happened." He questioned whether police would have pursued through residential streets on the North Side and called out Superintendent Garry McCarthy for not offering condolences to the family. "It all circles back to the culture that is instilled in the Police Department. ... They never accept responsibility," Romanucci said. …. A Chicago police spokesman said the department does not comment on pending litigation but offered a statement to Dillan's family. "It is an unthinkable loss to which the Chicago Police Department sends its deepest condolences," CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in an email. "The accountability rests on the suspect in this case who showed no regard for human life but now will answer to justice for his actions." Attempts to reach the city Law Department spokesman were unsuccessful.”

“ … police ignored general orders ….” There was another infamous police chase several months ago in which a huge number of police cars joined in, with the result that an innocent couple, who happened to be black, received over a hundred shots into their car, killing them both. Though one officer in particular was named because he stood on the hood of the car and directed many shots into the front seat and was caught on camera. Still there was no murder charge or anything similar brought against any of the officers. This is what Attorney Romanucci is referring to when he says, “It all circles back to the culture that is instilled in the Police Department. ... They never accept responsibility," Romanucci said. Not only do they “never accept responsibility,” but they time after time behave in reckless disregard for public safety when something as enjoyable as a good car chase is going on. These police officers ignored the order to stop the chase. So much for police department discipline. Too bad if a pedestrian gets killed.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lafayette-louisiana-movie-theater-shooting-john-houser-extreme-views-on-tv/

Louisiana gunman's rage dates back decades
CBS/AP
July 25, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Gunman in Lafayette shooting had erratic past
22 PHOTOS -- Louisiana movie theater shooting

For decades before he opened fire in a Louisiana movie theater and killed two people, John Russell "Rusty" Houser was known as a man prone to anger, a loudmouth provocateur never afraid to share his opinion.

His family said they feared him so much they hid his guns and had him hospitalized. A local TV host frequently invited him as a guest, knowing he'd be a lightning rod who could light up the phone lines with rants against abortion and working women. In one prominent fight with local officials, he unfurled a banner outside his bar in the state of Georgia picturing a swastika.

In the early '90s, he was a regular guest on a call-in television show where he'd be the conservative Republican pitted against a Democrat to debate issues. The host, Calvin Floyd, said Houser had radical opinions that included advocating violence against abortion providers, keeping women out of the workplace and fearing a military takeover of civilian government.

"He made a lot of wild accusations," said Floyd, who hosted the show on WLTZ-TV in Columbus for more than two decades. "He could make the phones ring."

Yet Houser had a dark side that went way beyond talk. In 1989, court records say, he was accused of hiring someone to burn down a lawyer's office. A woman and her father say he virtually destroyed a foreclosed home he was being evicted from in 2014 after they bought it. His wife and other relatives filed papers accusing him of domestic violence in 2008.

In Lafayette, Louisiana, police said Houser stood up during a showing of the movie "Trainwreck" Thursday night and started shooting without a word. Two people were killed and nine were injured; authorities said Houser shot himself to death as officers pursued him in the theater.

"I wasn't a bit shocked that it happened," Floyd said. "As many times as I had him on it was obvious he had a screw loose."

The church-going son of a longtime city tax official, Houser received an accounting degree in 1988. Despite later problems, records do not indicate he was ever suspended or expelled, said a school statement.

Houser posted on an online career website that he was an entrepreneur who owned and operated two nightclubs in Georgia in the 1980s and 1990s. But his stint as a club operator ended when he was accused of selling alcohol to minors at Rusty's Buckhead Pub in LaGrange.

Houser put up the swastika banner in protest, according to an April 28, 2001, story in the LaGrange Daily News.

He told the newspaper he was "completely against" the Nazi philosophy but chose the symbol because it represents a government's ability to do what it wants.

"The people who used it - the Nazis - they did what they damn well pleased," Houser told the newspaper, accusing police officers of lying on the stand during his trial.

But CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues reported the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremists, has said it uncovered writings where Houser praised Adolf Hitler for "accomplishing far more than any other" and described America as a "failing filth farm."

In April 2008, Houser's wife Kellie Maddox Houser, daughter and others filed court papers seeking a temporary protective order against Houser, saying he had "perpetrated various acts of family violence" and had a history of bi-polar disorder.

At the time, records show, Houser was vehemently opposed to the upcoming marriage of his daughter. A judge had Houser committed, but the man told his wife he would continue trying to stop the wedding once he got out of the hospital.

A police report included with the request for a protective order said Houser believed his daughter and her fiance, who were 23 and 26 at the time, were far too young to wed and that he was mad at his wife for not stopping the marriage.

His wife Kellie told police "she had removed all of the guns from their house," and that "he should not have one unless he obtained it illegally."

Pegues reported that investigators have revealed Houser legally purchased the handgun used in the movie theater shooting last year in an Alabama pawn shop. In 2006, he was denied a permit in Alabama to carry a concealed weapon.

Last year, Houser was evicted from his Phenix City, Alabama home but later returned and caused some damage, including pouring concrete in plumbing pipes and tampering with a gas line, said Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor.

Norman Bone, 77, had bought the house out of foreclosure for his daughter, Beth Bone. Houser, angry he was being evicted, left it behind completely uninhabitable, they told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper. Blankets were torn, with feathers scattered all over the home; human waste was left in buckets; cut-up goldfish were strewn about the pool and the house. Even the fuse box was cemented shut.




“A local TV host frequently invited him as a guest, knowing he'd be a lightning rod who could light up the phone lines with rants against abortion and working women. In one prominent fight with local officials, he unfurled a banner outside his bar in the state of Georgia picturing a swastika. …. The host, Calvin Floyd, said Houser had radical opinions that included advocating violence against abortion providers, keeping women out of the workplace and fearing a military takeover of civilian government. …. Yet Houser had a dark side that went way beyond talk. In 1989, court records say, he was accused of hiring someone to burn down a lawyer's office. A woman and her father say he virtually destroyed a foreclosed home he was being evicted from in 2014 after they bought it. His wife and other relatives filed papers accusing him of domestic violence in 2008. …. But CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues reported the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremists, has said it uncovered writings where Houser praised Adolf Hitler for "accomplishing far more than any other" and described America as a "failing filth farm." …. Last year, Houser was evicted from his Phenix City, Alabama home but later returned and caused some damage, including pouring concrete in plumbing pipes and tampering with a gas line….”

“He told the newspaper he was "completely against" the Nazi philosophy but chose the symbol because it represents a government's ability to do what it wants.” This is not something we want in America. We want a limited government with laws protecting individual rights and written to promote “the general welfare.” That means that individuals, political groups and businesses will be punished if they go out and do just “anything they want.” Respect for “the rule of law” is the key to maintaining a peaceful nation, which is why I care so much who gets elected to office. Those people will write or enforce the laws, so they have to favor good laws rather than unfair and useless ones.

And that’s why I care so much what kind of police officers, court officers, lawmakers both state and federal, etc. get themselves into positions of power. This rightwing trend in thinking in this country -- this time -- produced a homicidal maniac, but when it produces a neo-Nazi political party that’s no better. The one kills or abuses individuals, the other kills and abuses groups such as blacks and Jews. What they all have in common is viciousness and utter selfishness. We have to stay vigilant as a society against such people wherever they exist.

Now, to me the term “position of power” shouldn’t include “police officer” except to a very limited degree. This is where so many “conservative” people disagree with me. The police should not merely enforce laws, but abide by them as well, and the courts should punish them if they fail to do that, with criminal charges such as murder, graft, etc. Jail and prison are for bad cops as well as regular street criminals.

In this specific case of horrific individual insanity, I feel that he should have been committed to an insane asylum as long as he remained “dangerous to himself and others,” as he was long known to be. He ws committed briefly, but was soon out again. The family let him live among them even though he was violent, and the community didn’t arrest or force him otherwise into being confined. People like him shouldn’t be given a few antidepressants and sent back home. A sociopath is not merely “depressed.” I know he was classified as bipolar, but he was a person with vicious views in general, in other words a sociopath. Part of the problem that keeps showing up with these severely ill people is that hospitals don’t want to keep them if their insurance quits paying, and of course there are homeless people who have no insurance anyway. Those people commonly stop taking their medicine because it make them feel dizzy or sleepy, or is too expensive. I know, “Bedlam” is a cruel and terrible thing, but society used to permanently hospitalize the criminally insane and there are still some hospitals of that kind. Society needs enough of those to house dangerously ill people before they buy a gun illegally and shoot a lot of people. This man was not unknown, and should have been stopped earlier. From the way I see this case, though, everybody failed to do their part, and a tragedy happened – again.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/25/426146861/pentagon-asks-armed-citizens-not-to-stand-guard-at-recruiting-centers

Pentagon Asks 'Armed Citizens' Not To Stand Guard At Recruiting Centers
Scott Neuman
JULY 25, 2015

Photograph -- Zachary Gallegos, 23, stands guard outside the Armed Services Recruiting Center on Thursday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Pentagon has asked such self-appointed "armed citizens" to leave, citing security concerns.
Kevin Burbach/AP

The Defense Department, reacting to armed citizens appearing in front of military recruiting offices around the country since last week's fatal shootings of five U.S. servicemen in Chattanooga, Tenn., has asked that "individuals not stand guard" on federal property.

"We take the safety of our service members, our DoD civilians, and the families who support them very seriously, and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is currently reviewing recommendations from the services for making our installations and facilities safer — including our recruiting stations," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

"While we greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for our recruiters from the American public, we ask that individuals not stand guard at recruiting offices as it could adversely impact our mission, and potentially create unintended security risks," Cook said. "We continue to partner with and rely on first responders for the safety of the communities where our service members live and work."

The self-appointed armed guards began appearing in front of recruiting centers shortly after the July 16 shooting rampage by lone gunman Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez at Tennessee military sites that killed four U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy sailor.

As we reported on Thursday, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command had issued a policy letter warning its soldiers to avoid vigilante guards and to report them to local law enforcement and the command.

Some of the self-appointed guards – who have appeared outside recruiting centers in Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Idaho, Washington, Texas, South Dakota and elsewhere — are affiliated with militia groups, according to Stars and Stripes.




"While we greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for our recruiters from the American public, we ask that individuals not stand guard at recruiting offices as it could adversely impact our mission, and potentially create unintended security risks," Cook said. "We continue to partner with and rely on first responders for the safety of the communities where our service members live and work." …. As we reported on Thursday, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command had issued a policy letter warning its soldiers to avoid vigilante guards and to report them to local law enforcement and the command. Some of the self-appointed guards – who have appeared outside recruiting centers in Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Idaho, Washington, Texas, South Dakota and elsewhere — are affiliated with militia groups, according to Stars and Stripes.”

Some rightwing zealots have been investigated by the federal law enforcement groups already, and I feel that more should be. I don’t think that the majority of the “militia” members are mentally healthy at all. They are often cruel at base, or at least paranoid, which is not considered consistent with sanity. The fact that the ranting of Tea Party members has brought a large number of them out into the open, where they show up walking down the aisles at Walmart and Target with repeating rifles of various kinds strapped around their body, exercising their “right to bear arms.” In my opinion all they really want to do is act macho and show off. Unfortunately those things tend to lead to pointless violence. Enough, already!!





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tenderloin-sewing-machine-tailor-mend-community/

Man uses sewing machine to mend neighborhood's heart
By STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS
July 24, 2015

Photograph -- Michael Swaine uses an antique sewing machine to fix peoples' clothes in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco CBS NEWS

Editor's Note: This story originally aired on May 22, 2015. Since then we've learned that Michael Swaine has plans to move to Seattle. He'll be leaving his sewing machine so his assistant can take over.

SAN FRANCISCO -- When most people look at the streets of the Tenderloin district in downtown San Francisco they see drugs, crime, and homelessness. But Michael Swaine sees it differently.

"I find the Tenderloin the most beautiful, magical place," he said.

His unique perspective comes from a 15 year mission to mend the neighborhood -- literally mend the neighborhood. Once a month, Michael, a college art teacher, sets up a sewing machine on the sidewalk and -- stitch by stitch -- repairs the fabric of his community -- all for free

When one man tried to hand Michael some bills, Michael politely refused.

"I don't need any money," Michael said. "You know someone else who needs the money.

It's such a simple gesture, but it means so much to the residents of the Tenderloin. Michael's work makes them feel like they're getting back something they've lost. One woman we met applauded Michael's efforts while marveling at why anyone would want to fix somebody's "nasty, grimy clothes."

It's a good point. And the answer has nothing to do with sewing.

"The sewing machine has become more than just the tool for mending," explained Michael. "It's also the tool for making people stop. It's also the tool people feel really comfortable around."

Michael started sewing for strangers after he found an antique sewing machine tossed to the curb. It was his way of paying it forward. But in the years since, it has become less about letting out pants and more and about taking in stories, about building community.

"He's a good man and he's touching the world and healing people with his gift and I honor him and I thank him," said one woman.

Like an old pair of jeans, the Tenderloin will probably never be good as new -- but thanks to people like Michael, it's still got a lot of life left in it.

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

You can find Michael at the "Tenderloin National Forest." For more information on the location and Michael's work, go to: http://www.luggagestoregallery.org/tnf/




"I find the Tenderloin the most beautiful, magical place," he said. His unique perspective comes from a 15 year mission to mend the neighborhood -- literally mend the neighborhood. Once a month, Michael, a college art teacher, sets up a sewing machine on the sidewalk and -- stitch by stitch -- repairs the fabric of his community -- all for free. When one man tried to hand Michael some bills, Michael politely refused. "I don't need any money," Michael said. "You know someone else who needs the money.” …. Michael started sewing for strangers after he found an antique sewing machine tossed to the curb. It was his way of paying it forward. But in the years since, it has become less about letting out pants and more and about taking in stories, about building community. "He's a good man and he's touching the world and healing people with his gift and I honor him and I thank him," said one woman.

Now this is a hero, and a true Christian. With no loud preaching about heaven and hell or attempts to bomb abortion clinics, he is following the specific command of Jesus to his followers, “Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.” and he does it with an admirable degree of humility. We need more like him. In America the Beautiful, we need to redefine our ideas of what “a good man” is. I wonder if the Pope has read this article? From what I’ve read of his comments, I think he might agree with me.





http://www.cbsnews.com/news/missouri-girl-saves-grandpa-thanks-to-science-fair-project/

10-year-old girl saves grandpa, thanks to science fair project
CBS/AP
July 24, 2015

Photograph -- 10-year-old Sophia Tabors showing off her science fair project that helped her save her grandfathers life. CBS AFFILIATE KMOV

ST. LOUIS -- A 10-year-old St. Louis girl is being credited for helping save her grandfather's life after noticing, thanks to her science fair project, that he was having a stroke.

Sophia Tabors tells CBS affiliate KMOV that she decided to study strokes after one of her grandfathers suffered one. The fourth-grader's project won a second-place ribbon.

"My other grandpa had a stroke and during that stroke I'm like, 'Well it'd be interesting to find out why strokes happen and what causes them,'" Tabors told KMOV.

Two months after the science fair, she sprang to action when her other grandpa suddenly dropped a bag of apples.

"He was staring at it and I was trying to ask him if he was okay. ... He was saying something but I didn't get it and his face was droopy on one side," she told KMOV.

Sophia told her mom what was happening, and she called 911.

Dr. Amer Alshekhlee credits the girl's quick thinking with saving a lot of her grandpa's functions and probably his life.

The grandfather is recovering.




“A 10-year-old St. Louis girl is being credited for helping save her grandfather's life after noticing, thanks to her science fair project, that he was having a stroke. Sophia Tabors tells CBS affiliate KMOV that she decided to study strokes after one of her grandfathers suffered one. The fourth-grader's project won a second-place ribbon. "My other grandpa had a stroke and during that stroke I'm like, 'Well it'd be interesting to find out why strokes happen and what causes them,'" Tabors told KMOV. .... "He was staring at it and I was trying to ask him if he was okay. ... He was saying something but I didn't get it and his face was droopy on one side," she told KMOV. Sophia told her mom what was happening, and she called 911. Dr. Amer Alshekhlee credits the girl's quick thinking with saving a lot of her grandpa's functions and probably his life.”

They say that if you get the patient to an emergency room (not the family doctor) within an hour, the symptoms from the stroke will be lessened greatly. Most strokes are caused by blood clots and the doctors will immediately inject a “clot-buster” drug into the patient’s vein at the ER. This girl proved her mental quickness by recognizing the situation and getting help immediately. Not only does a science project like this one improve the kids’ education because it causes them to see practical results from science studies; it also makes the kids become enthusiastic about exploring the world, questioning and therefore learning. They will decide to be a doctor, perhaps, and study with enthusiasm and joy rather than with a confused and defeated drudgery.

The whole thing of “teaching to the test” so the kids will know exactly what answers to write down on a grueling annual exam will only teach the specific points which happened to be chosen for the test. It will not stimulate and teach kids to enjoy the learning process and apply it to their lives, or cause them to become able to think things through for themselves and come up with some new ideas. Science projects, yes, too many tests, no!! I have nothing against a set of goals toward which the teachers will aim, such as Common Core does, assuming they don’t actually try to “indoctrinate” kids as the program’s foes claim. Now if what they actually oppose is that empathy with others no matter their racial/gender/economic class/or religious group, and a government which will promote a reasonably comfortable life for all is being taught, then I do disagree with generally “conservative” thinking on that subject.

If kids do learn to love their educational process through stimulating teaching methods, they will almost always study more on their own and as a result get a much better education. When they hit the College Board test – if that were the only standardized test as when I was young – they will almost certainly do better on it than if they had tried to memorize a boring test every year. Education was on a much better track before the state and federal legislatures got into directing what was being taught and how. That includes the fact that though there was debate about evolution when I went through, none of my teachers ever tried to force it down my throat, and no textbooks even mentioned “intelligent design.”