November 29, 2015


News Clips For The Day


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-planned-parenthood-shooting-officer-garrett-swasey-killed/

Officer killed in Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting was co-pastor, figure skater
CBS/AP
November 28, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Planned Parenthood shooting suspect talking to police
Play VIDEO -- FBI had warned of possible attacks against Planned Parenthood
Photograph -- garrett-swasey.jpg, University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey. UCCS
Photograph -- officer-procession.jpg
Law enforcement officers line the side of a road in Colorado Springs, Colorado as the body of fallen police officer Garrett Swasey is taken to the coroner's office on Saturday, November 28, 2015. KKTV
Play VIDEO -- Victims recount deadly Planned Parenthood shooting


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Faith led Garrett Swasey to a career in public service and pastoral care, and duty led him to a Planned Parenthood clinic where he was gunned down.

The 44-year-old Swasey was the first of three victims to be identified in the shootings Friday at the clinic.

Married with two children, Swasey worked as a police officer at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. He was there when he was called to assist with an active shooter at the nearby clinic.

Early Saturday morning, law enforcement officers gathered for a solemn procession to take Swasey's body from the shooting scene to the El Paso County coroner's officer, according to CBS affiliate KKTV.

At the University of Colorado, Swasey was known for going out of his way to help, including recently stopping to help someone in a serious car accident just off campus even though he was off duty and headed home, Lt. Marc Pino said. Pino also recalled that Swasey was disappointed he wasn't more involved with responding to the Waldo Canyon wildfire, which destroyed over 340 homes and killed two people in 2012.

"Garrett was always that person who was wanting to be the first one there helping people out," he said.

Swasey was originally from Melrose, Massachusetts, where Police Chief Michael Lyle said he dedicated much of his life to helping others.

He moved to Colorado in the 1980s to pursue competitive figure skater, his father told the Boston Globe. He became a police officer six years ago, around the time his daughter was born, 73-year-old David Swasey said.

"He was a great dad," Swasey told the newspaper. "I mean, a super dad. Everybody in the police department loved him. Anybody who ever met him loved him. He was a great guy, a great person."

As a skater, Garrett Swasey won a national championship in the junior ranks and competed in the U.S. Championships at least three times, his father said.

Swasey was a co-pastor at Hope Chapel, an evangelical church in Colorado Springs.

He and his wife, Rachel, began attending in 2001, according to a bio on the church's website. "As they raise their son, Elijah, and daughter, Faith, they view the members of the church as their family," the bio reads.

"Here's a guy who worked full time as a police officer, and then gave a great amount of time to his local church and didn't get a dime for it," the Rev. Scott Dontanville, a co-pastor who knew Swasey for 15 years, told The New York Times.

Dontanville told the Globe that he and Swasey, a fan of the New England Patriots, often would tease each other about football since Dontanville roots for the Denver Broncos.

"That's something he would always give us trouble for on Sunday morning," he told the newspaper. "He was an awesome man. ... Great father, great husband, good friend - caring, compassionate."

President Barack Obama praised Swasey in a statement released by the White House: "May God bless Officer Garrett Swasey and the Americans he tried to save -- and may He grant the rest of us the courage to do the same thing."

Little was known about the other two people who were killed or the nine who were wounded. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains released a statement that indicated none of the other victims worked at the clinic.

CBS affiliate KKTV reported the names of the other two people killed would likely not be released before Monday, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey.

Five police officers and four civilians were injured in Friday's shooting. A spokesperson from Memorial Hospital told KKTV Saturday morning two of four patients taken to the hospital were released. The status of the other patients was not available.

Colorado Springs Fire Department Chief Chris Riley visited four injured officers Friday night. All had been shot but were talking and expected to recover, he said.

"Their spirits are good," Riley said after visiting them. "They're obviously in pain. But they're alive and talking to us. They're heroes. Absolute heroes."

Two vigils were planned Saturday in Colorado Springs for Swasey and the other victims. Moments of silence were planned in honor of Swasey before the men's and women's basketball games at UCCS.

The suspected shooter, 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear, surrendered to authorities about five hours after the shooting and standoff began. He was being held without bond Saturday at the El Paso County Jail.



http://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-springs-shooting-investigation-robert-lewis-dear-arrest-planned-parenthood/

Source reveals what Colorado Springs suspect told cops upon arrest
CBS NEWS
November 28, 2015

Play VIDEO -- Planned Parenthood shooting suspect talking to police
Photograph -- A suspect, identified as Robert Lewis Dear of North Carolina, is taken into custody outside a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nov. 27, 2015. REUTERS


WASHINGTON -- A law enforcement source shed new light Saturday on the possible motivation of the man suspected of opening fire on a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, killing three people and wounding nine others.

The source told CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues that as Robert Lewis Dear was being taken into custody after a five-hour standoff he said "no more baby parts."

Dear, 57, was being held without bond at the El Paso County Jail. He was expected to make his first court appearance Monday.

The source said Dear has been cooperating with investigators since he was arrested. But throughout the interrogation, sources said Dear has been behaving erratically.

In addition, investigators have interviewed the suspect's family members, who have described him as "weird" and "unpredictable."

Sources also said the long rifle Dear allegedly used Friday wasn't the only weapon he had with him and that Dear took several guns and ammunition to the scene as well.

Law enforcement sources also said there were propane tanks outside his car. Investigators believe his intent was to fire on the propane tanks to spark an explosion, which in the end he was not able to do.



BEST ARTICLE ON R L DEAR:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/29/457756325/what-we-know-about-the-alleged-planned-parenthood-shooter

What We Know About The Alleged Planned Parenthood Shooter
Eyder Peralta
Updated November 29, 2015

Related story -- Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Lewis Dear To Appear In Court Monday
Photograph -- A small shack with no electricity or running water where where Planned Parenthood clinic shooting suspect Robert Lewis Dear spent time. The shack about a half-mile up a twisty dirt road near Black Mountain, N.C.
Michael Biesecker /AP


As Colorado Springs held vigils for those killed during a shooting rampage at a Planned Parenthood clinic, we are learning more about the alleged gunman and his possible motive.

Police say Robert Lewis Dear, 57, killed three people and left nine wounded.

A search of public records finds that Dear had several run-ins with the law. The records show nine criminal filings under his name: Two "personal intrusion" — or peeping Tom or eavesdropping — charges that were later dropped and he was acquitted of two animal cruelty charges.

With that, here's what other news organizations have turned up about Dear:

— Dear 'Preferred to Be Left Alone'

The New York Times visited Dear's home in Hartsel, Colorado. Dear lived in a white trailer "with a forest-green four-wheeler by the front door and a modest black cross painted on one end." One neighbor told the paper that Dear "preferred to be left alone."

The paper also visited with his ex-wife, Pamela Ross, who said Dear showed flashes of anger, even against her. The paper reports:

"He was an independent art dealer with a degree in public administration from a Midwestern college, she said, who struck deals with artists, mostly Southern ones, who painted Charleston, S.C., street scenes, Old South plantation tableaus, magnolias and pictures of the Citadel campus. He tended to buy the rights to paintings, commission 1,000 or so prints, then market and sell the prints and keep the proceeds.

"He was born in Charleston and grew up in Louisville, Ky., but he had strong ties to South Carolina. His father was a graduate of the Citadel, Charleston's famous public military college. Robert Lewis Dear Sr., the father, died in 2004. He was a Navy veteran who served in World War II and worked 40 years for the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company. ...

"He was generally conservative, but not obsessed with politics. He kept guns around the house for personal protection and hunting, and he taught their son to hunt doves, as many Southern fathers do. He believed that abortion was wrong, but it was not something that he spoke about much. 'It was never really a topic of discussion,' she said."

— An Interview With Police

Multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, NBC News, The Wall Street Journal and CNN, are citing unnamed law enforcement officials saying Dear gave a rambling interview to investigators after the shootings in which he mentioned "baby parts."

NBC News reports:

"In one statement, made after the suspect was taken in for questioning, Dear said 'no more baby parts' in reference to Planned Parenthood, two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case told NBC News.

"But the sources stressed that Dear said many things to law enforcement and the extent to which the 'baby parts' remark played into any decision to target the Planned Parenthood office was not yet clear. He also mentioned President Barack Obama in statements."

— A Person 'You Had To Watch Out For':

The Washington Post visited Dear's other home in Black Mountain, N.C., where Dear lived in a yellow shack without indoor plumbing.

A small shack with no electricity or running water where where [sic] Planned Parenthood clinic shooting suspect Robert Lewis Dear spent time. The shack about a half-mile up a twisty dirt road near Black Mountain, N.C.

One of his Anderson Acres' neighbor told the paper that Dear was the kind of person "you had to watch out for."

"He was a very weird individual," the neighbor said. "It's hard to explain, but he had a weird look in his eye most of the time."

The paper reports:

"... Neighbors said they recognized Dear from television news coverage of Friday's shootings, in which police said he killed three people, including a police officer, and wounded nine others. They said he looked more beaten down than the last time they had seen him, and that his beard was new — but that he was the same aloof, angry man they remembered.

"'He complained about everything,' said another neighbor who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying that he feared for his security. 'He said he worked with the government, and everybody was out to get him, and he knew the secrets of the U.S.A. He said, "Nobody touch me, because I've got enough information to put the whole U.S. of A in danger." It was very crazy.'"

Dear is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday. He is being held without bond at the El Paso County criminal justice center.




"A search of public records finds that Dear had several run-ins with the law. The records show nine criminal filings under his name: Two "personal intrusion" — or peeping Tom or eavesdropping — charges that were later dropped and he was acquitted of two animal cruelty charges. …. He was an independent art dealer with a degree in public administration from a Midwestern college, she said, who struck deals with artists, mostly Southern ones, who painted Charleston, S.C., street scenes, Old South plantation tableaus, magnolias and pictures of the Citadel campus. He tended to buy the rights to paintings, commission 1,000 or so prints, then market and sell the prints and keep the proceeds. …. "He was generally conservative, but not obsessed with politics. He kept guns around the house for personal protection and hunting, and he taught their son to hunt doves, as many Southern fathers do. He believed that abortion was wrong, but it was not something that he spoke about much. 'It was never really a topic of discussion,' she said." …. "But the sources stressed that Dear said many things to law enforcement and the extent to which the 'baby parts' remark played into any decision to target the Planned Parenthood office was not yet clear. He also mentioned President Barack Obama in statements." …. One of his Anderson Acres' neighbor told the paper that Dear was the kind of person "you had to watch out for." …. "He was a very weird individual," the neighbor said. "It's hard to explain, but he had a weird look in his eye most of the time." …. They said he looked more beaten down than the last time they had seen him, and that his beard was new — but that he was the same aloof, angry man they remembered. …. 'He said he worked with the government, and everybody was out to get him, and he knew the secrets of the U.S.A. He said, "Nobody touch me, because I've got enough information to put the whole U.S. of A in danger." It was very crazy.'"


Ted Kaczynski comes immediately to my mind. Like Dear, he was educated and intelligent, but decidedly psychotic. We do not at this time have a society in which people who are permanently “out to lunch” must be incarcerated, partly due to the Ronald Reagan era move to give everyone the right to do things like refuse their medication and live alone on a mountainside rather than in a hospital. When Saint Elizabeth’s in Washington DC was forced to put some people who could do okay if they TOOK their medication out on the city streets, the homeless population and the number of “shouters” who were standing on street corners went up. Reagan’s reason for that move was the high cost of such government funded hospitals, rather than the civil rights of the patients, in my cynical opinion. Whatever his reasoning, it was a mistake.

Supposedly people have “a right” to be free, but that is one of the true causes of our epidemic of violent killings of this kind. In my youth people who were “a danger to themselves or others” were committed involuntarily to insane asylums. I know there were some that were abusive to the patients, and that was a terrible thing. The great book and movie “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” was on that subject, and it definitely influenced the public mind.

The problem is, however, that insane people are not all alike. Just as they aren’t all dangerous, there are some of them who are very, very dangerous. This man is one of them. Religion and social issues like abortion are very appealing to a certain kind of mind. They view themselves as avenging angels, or as in the case of David Berkowitz (Son of Sam), a neighbor’s barking dog “told” him to go kill someone. He was interviewed on one of the 48 Hours type TV programs in his permanent home, a state prison. He was clearly much improved in his mental condition at the time of the interview, but he will never be released in all probability. He is serving six consecutive life sentences. Somehow I feel better with that being the case. The Wikipedia article “David Berkowitz,” is very interesting and suggested reading.





https://www.yahoo.com/politics/the-shooting-at-planned-parenthood-put-gop-2016-203438711.html

The shooting at Planned Parenthood put GOP 2016 hopefuls in a ‘politically uncomfortable’ position
Hunter Walker
November 28, 2015

Photograph -- Robert Lewis Dear taken into custody outside the Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs, Nov. 27, 2015. (Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/Reuters)


The motive for a shooting that took place outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday still isn’t clear, but all three of the top Democratic presidential candidates quickly rushed to express their support for the organization.

Meanwhile, the leading Republicans, all of whom have spoken out against Planned Parenthood, have largely remained silent about the shooting.

Operatives from both parties suggested to Yahoo News that the incident puts the GOP field in a tough spot because of its opposition to Planned Parenthood. The organization is the country’s largest provider of abortions.

Three people were killed in the shooting. One of the victims was a police officer who responded to a call for help. The suspect has been identified as Robert Lewis Dear, who was reportedly captured on the scene in Colorado Springs after surrendering to law enforcement.

According to the Associated Press, Dear had spent part of his time living in a North Carolina shack, and his neighbors described him as an incoherent loner with no known political or religious leanings. However, John Suthers, the Republican mayor of Colorado Springs, suggested people could draw conclusions about a motive for the attack by drawing “inferences from where it took place.”

President Obama issued a statement on the shooting Saturday that did not address the question of opposition to abortion as a potential motive. Instead, the president suggested that the incident is further proof of the need for stronger gun control.

“We don’t yet know what this particular gunman’s so-called motive was for shooting 12 people, or for terrorizing an entire community, when he opened fire with an assault weapon and took hostages at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado. What we do know is that he killed a cop in the line of duty, along with two of the citizens that police officer was trying to protect,” Obama said, adding, “This is not normal. We can’t let it become normal.”

Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley: All expressed support for Planned Parenthood after the attack. (Photo: AP)

The three top Democrats vying to be Obama’s successor all addressed the shooting on Twitter. Both frontrunner Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued expressions of support for Planned Parenthood. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took things a step further and suggested antiabortion rhetoric could have encouraged the attack.

“I strongly support Planned Parenthood and the work it’s doing. I hope people realize that bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences,” Sanders wrote.

Indeed, all of the leading Republican candidates have expressed opposition to Planned Parenthood. And almost none of them have made any public comment on the shooting.




“The three top Democrats vying to be Obama’s successor all addressed the shooting on Twitter. Both frontrunner Hillary Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued expressions of support for Planned Parenthood. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took things a step further and suggested antiabortion rhetoric could have encouraged the attack, a very rational conclusion and a warning to Republicans to stick to thoroughly proven stories before they broadcast them. Sanders says, “I strongly support Planned Parenthood and the work it’s doing. I hope people realize that bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences,” Sanders wrote. Indeed, all of the leading Republican candidates have expressed opposition to Planned Parenthood. And almost none of them have made any public comment on the shooting.”


The video which has inspired such hatred and violence has been proven to be “doctored” to present a shocking and totally negative view of Planned Parenthood’s activities. The scientific need for fetal tissue is behind their “harvesting” specialized tissue samples, for which they receive a laboratory fee. It does, after all, cost money and is a legal activity. However to those who are opposed to abortion under any conditions, usually for religious reasons, the fact that it is a “fee” and not a sale price makes no difference. They will continue to call it “selling” the tissue.

There are some of those antiabortion people who are mentally disturbed enough to do these killings, a trend in this country for the last thirty or so years since Roe v Wade, and despite their psychological condition they have been allowed to purchase guns. One of these articles said that he had an automatic rifle, which in my opinion shouldn’t be sold in this country for civilian purposes, as the only real purpose for such a gun is to kill people. It’s a weapon of war. Hunters don’t want to shoot 15 or 20 bullets into a deer and then eat the meat.

Carlie Fiorina publicized the video in question to further her political run for the presidency, and the NRA is behind the selling of weapons of war to US citizens. Bernie Sanders said the most important thing, in my opinion, “…bitter rhetoric can have unintended consequences.” During WWII the word was “Loose lips sink ships.” This is no different.





http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/11/29/brad-pitt-rejects-his-southern-baptist-upbringing/

FAITH -- New York Post
Brad Pitt rejects his Southern Baptist upbringing
Published November 29, 2015

Photograph -- November 23, 2015. Cast member Brad Pitt poses on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Big Short" in New York. (Reuters)


Brad Pitt‘s religious upbringing seems to have backfired.

Despite being raised in a strict Southern Baptist household in Springfield, Mo., the 51-year-old actor is now a proud atheist.

In a Saturday interview in the UK’s Telegraph, Pitt linked his lack of faith to his dad, who raised him “with all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn’t do.”

Still, Pitt took other aspects of his father’s lessons to heart when it comes to raising his own six children.

“One thing my folks always stressed was being capable, doing things for yourself. He was really big on integrity — and that informed a lot of what [we] try to do now.”

His wife, however, has her own thoughts when it comes to a higher power.

“We’re not alone in the world,” Angelina Jolie, 40, told People last year. “I don’t know if there’s a name for that — religion or faith — just that there’s something greater than all of us, and it’s uniting and beautiful.”




“Despite being raised in a strict Southern Baptist household in Springfield, Mo., the 51-year-old actor is now a proud atheist. In a Saturday interview in the UK’s Telegraph, Pitt linked his lack of faith to his dad, who raised him “with all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn’t do.” …. “One thing my folks always stressed was being capable, doing things for yourself. He was really big on integrity — and that informed a lot of what [we] try to do now.” His wife, however, has her own thoughts when it comes to a higher power. “We’re not alone in the world,” Angelina Jolie, 40, told People last year. “I don’t know if there’s a name for that — religion or faith — just that there’s something greater than all of us, and it’s uniting and beautiful.”


Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are two of the most interesting Hollywood people to me. Some of them strike me as having very little talent, but these two are both very creditable actors, and have been in interesting and thought provoking films. Conservative people don't like them at all, unfortunately, and they do in fact flout public opinion in many ways. I don't believe in modeling our lives around "the court of public opinion," and as I get older I find more and more people who agree with me. That is the essence of the American Way, to me. We don't all "march to the same drummer," and that's a sign of a vibrant and creative culture.

I have never actually been an atheist, but I have been an agnostic ever since I began to think about religion, from the virgin birth and the dying and rising lord, to the hateful ban on Darwin’s theory of evolution and nowadays the Koch-driven opposition to the matter of global warming/climate change. Religion shouldn't make us dumber than we started out to be. To my way of looking at things, the Higher Power will not damn me to hell for trying to think.

I do believe in what I can see, hear, touch and rationally understand. I realize there is a limit to what I can understand, but in the USA I have a right to believe in logical proofs, and in addition, through some experience of meditative states, I “feel” that there is some form of intelligence in the Universe. I do not believe in heaven and hell, and I don’t form my list of right and wrong purely from the Ten Commandments. I do realize that if there is a hell and a punishing God, then I will be in serious trouble later. I believe in the Golden Rule, basic honesty, non-violent relationships, and generally doing our best in life.

Due to our mental and emotional capabilities or lack thereof, we will not be perfect no matter what we do. As Jesus himself said, mankind is “sick with sin.” The older I get the more I realize the truth of that statement. We all have to have some faith in the future, have courage and be good citizens of the world. Suggested reading, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden,” by Joanne Greenberg, written under the pen name of Hannah Green. In that semi-biographical novel, her schizophrenic main character tells her psychiatrist, “I believe in cause and effect.” I can truthfully say that I do also.





http://nypost.com/2015/11/29/rogue-cop-refused-orders-to-move-away-from-pope-francis/

‘Kiss my ass’: Rogue cop who lurked by pope during visit
By Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein
November 29, 2015 | 6:01am

Photograph -- Port Authority PBA boss Paul Nunziato weaseled his way next to Pope Francis -- and refused to leave. Photo: AP


A police union boss wormed his way into standing next to Pope Francis — then refused orders to step away, disciplinary papers ­reveal.

Pushy Port Authority PBA President Paul Nunziato slipped into a secure enclosure at the 9/11 Memorial where Francis was praying with Timothy Cardinal Dolan during the pontiff’s city visit in September.

As Francis was at the reflecting pools contemplating the names of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, Nunziato stood feet away, looking officious. But Nunziato, a patrolman by rank, wasn’t on papal patrol. He had no business being there.

And he wouldn’t leave.

“On three separate occasions and by three different superior officers, Police Officer Nunziato was ordered to remove himself from this restricted area and he failed to do so,” said a complaint against Nunziato by the commanding officer of the PAPD’s World Trade Center Command.

Nunziato, according to the Oct. 2, 2015, memo obtained by The Post, was charged with violating the department’s rules of conduct. Not only was he encroaching, he was flouting the department rule that “caps be worn in a military manner.”

“Nunziato was observed out-of-uniform in that he did not wear his cap, but instead placed it onto the right side of his gun belt where it remained,” said the memo titled “Derogatory Incident at the WTC Command.”

Nunziato is unrepentant.

“I think I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool as the pope blessed it, and anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass,” he told The Post.

Nunziato said the Secret Service let him pass.

“I had 37 police officers’ names on that reflecting pool that the pope was going to bless, and I told them if anyone was ­going to stand here as he blessed that pool, it was ­going to be me,” he said.

‘I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool…anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass’
- Paul Nunziato

He said he went to the ceremony at the behest of two 9/11 widows who didn’t want the PAPD to be overshadowed by the NYPD and FDNY. And, he said, he removed his hat as a sign of ­respect for the pontiff.

The union boss, who represents 1,800 rank-and-file officers, was a key figure in the Bridgegate scandal. He is close to David Wildstein, a former PA executive who is an ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Wildstein was an architect of the September 2013 traffic debacle at the George Washington Bridge, when local access lanes were closed as payback to the Fort Lee mayor who refused to back Christie’s re-election bid. Nunziato said he had suggested the “traffic study” at the bridge — the official cover story for the lane closings — to Wildstein.

Nunziato was subpoenaed by a legislative committee investigating Bridgegate and was reportedly questioned by the feds. He was not charged.

The 53-year-old cop joined the PAPD in 1987.

It was unclear what punishment Nunziato might face for the pope incident. A PA spokesman declined to comment.




“Pushy Port Authority PBA President Paul Nunziato slipped into a secure enclosure at the 9/11 Memorial where Francis was praying with Timothy Cardinal Dolan during the pontiff’s city visit in September. As Francis was at the reflecting pools contemplating the names of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, Nunziato stood feet away, looking officious. But Nunziato, a patrolman by rank, wasn’t on papal patrol. He had no business being there. And he wouldn’t leave. …. Nunziato, according to the Oct. 2, 2015, memo obtained by The Post, was charged with violating the department’s rules of conduct. Not only was he encroaching, he was flouting the department rule that “caps be worn in a military manner.” “Nunziato was observed out-of-uniform in that he did not wear his cap, but instead placed it onto the right side of his gun belt where it remained,” said the memo titled “Derogatory Incident at the WTC Command.” Nunziato is unrepentant. “I think I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool as the pope blessed it, and anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my ass,” he told The Post.” …. He said he went to the ceremony at the behest of two 9/11 widows who didn’t want the PAPD to be overshadowed by the NYPD and FDNY. And, he said, he removed his hat as a sign of ­respect for the pontiff. The union boss, who represents 1,800 rank-and-file officers, was a key figure in the Bridgegate scandal. He is close to David Wildstein, a former PA executive who is an ally of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. …. It was unclear what punishment Nunziato might face for the pope incident. A PA spokesman declined to comment.”


In case you, also, are wondering, PAPD stands for “Port Authority Police Department” (covering New York and New Jersey, USA). This story looked as though it was going to be another story about a psychologically disturbed policeman, but as I read his explanation for everything I don’t believe he meant to be a threat to the Pope at all. His act may have been foolish, however, as I think he will face discipline for removing his hat and remaining in his position even after three superior officers told him to move. This story did give me a chuckle.





http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/29/457779757/nsa-ends-sept-11th-era-surveillance-program

NSA Ends Sept. 11th-Era Surveillance Program
Eyder Peralta
Updated November 29, 2015

Photograph -- The National Security Agency campus in Fort Meade, Md.
Patrick Semansky/AP


A controversial government surveillance program has come to an end. As of midnight, the United States National Security Agency has stopped the bulk collection of the metadata from Americans' phone calls.

The bulk collection program was undertaken by the NSA after the attacks of September 11th. In essence, the government would ask the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which acts mostly in secret, for an order requiring the big telecoms to hand over metadata — things such as phone numbers and duration of calls, but not the content of them — on virtually all calls made by their customers.

The surveillance program was then thrust back into the spotlight in the summer of 2013, after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked classified information with details of the program.

One of the key documents leaked by Snowden was an order by the FISC requiring Verizon to hand over all those records. His revelations sparked a heated congressional debate, which ultimately resulted in the USA Freedom Act.

The law still gives the U.S. government access to the information. Except, the massive database of call records now remains with service providers and the government can seek court orders to access specific records.

In a statement, the office of the Director of National Intelligence said it would wind down the bulk collection program but that it also wants the FISC to allow the NSA to continue accessing historical data through February, so "technical personnel" can verify that the new system is working as intended.

Sen. Ron Wyden, who led the charge to end the program, hailed its demise in a written release saying the program "needlessly violated the privacy of millions of Americans every day, without making our country any safer."

Wyden added: "This is a victory for everyone who believes in protecting both American security and Americans' constitutional rights."

It's worth noting that today marks the end of one of the most controversial parts of U.S. surveillance but other parts remain untouched.

For example, the PRISM program, which was also revealed by the Snowden documents and collects a vast amount of Internet data, continues to operate. The program has not been as controversial here in the U.S., because it does not directly target Americans, but as we've learned through the Snowden leaks, some content from Americans' communication gets caught in the dragnet.



“The surveillance program was then thrust back into the spotlight in the summer of 2013, after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked classified information with details of the program. One of the key documents leaked by Snowden was an order by the FISC requiring Verizon to hand over all those records. His revelations sparked a heated congressional debate, which ultimately resulted in the USA Freedom Act. The law still gives the U.S. government access to the information. Except, the massive database of call records now remains with service providers and the government can seek court orders to access specific records. …. Sen. Ron Wyden, who led the charge to end the program, hailed its demise in a written release saying the program "needlessly violated the privacy of millions of Americans every day, without making our country any safer." Wyden added: "This is a victory for everyone who believes in protecting both American security and Americans' constitutional rights." …. For example, the PRISM program, which was also revealed by the Snowden documents and collects a vast amount of Internet data, continues to operate.”


Poor Snowden. I wonder if he has found love and happiness in Russia. I hope so. Maybe he will write a book or two.




https://gma.yahoo.com/princess-charlotte-laughs-stuffed-dog-adorable-photos-144229380--abc-news-celebrities.html

Princess Charlotte Laughs at Stuffed Dog in Adorable New Photos
Good Morning America
By CAROLYN DURAND
November 29, 2015


They grow up so quickly.

Kensington Palace released two new photos of 6-month-old Princess Charlotte today. The photos were taken in early November by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the Palace said.

Absent from the photos is Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's oldest, Prince George. The Palace last released photos of the two children over the summer around the time of Charlotte's christening and George's second birthday.

Prince William Gives Speech About Illegal Ivory Trade on Chinese Television

Duchess Kate and Prince William Go Rappelling in North Wales

Prince William Gives Moving Tribute Speech About Princess Diana at Charity Event


READER COMMENTS FOLLOW, MOSTLY NEGATIVE.

There is, of course, a vocal anti-royal trend in Britain, but it can be argued that maintaining a royal household lends stability, and they are after all real people with real lives. I think they should do touristy things if they want to. No problem. In their lives are two beautiful children. I cannot apologize for highlighting these photos. The “Brits” do elect their representatives to Parliament and have medical care, public schools and other social services financed by the government.

The royals promote good liberal causes, including Prince William’s interest in the hateful ivory trade. I’m glad to see someone in a position of importance speak up for the poor elephants. They are going extinct, for goodness’ sake! The Brits also have freedom of speech, etc. very similar to the life in the US – and better in some ways. True, the royals are very rich, and it is possible that Queen Elizabeth II will be the last monarch as the public becomes more populist and oriented toward democracy. We’ll see what happens.

I do have a definite affection for their traditions. Some of my earliest memories are of fairy tales peopled by princesses and paupers. When I went to England in 1987 I could almost see the fairies dancing about. The Windsors have maintained the look of royalty without any sign of an actual dictatorship, at least in my eyes. The Labor Party and other British liberal groups would disagree, I’m sure. There is no question that maintaining the royal lifestyle costs lots of money which could be spent on more help for the poor. It was a step forward toward democracy when Parliament voted to force QEII to pay taxes, and in my view a good thing, as it creates a better balance of power in their society. QEII also agreed to the inclusion of fewer family members and royal dwelling places under the umbrella of royal privilege.

Above all, we should not forget that the Brits are one of our best friends internationally, and a true enemy of fascism. That’s what we need right now with the far right making power grabs and stirring up anti-Semitism as well as other “anti” movements. The Brits are good guys in my view. Besides, I love baby pictures.



SanJuanKid 8 days ago 1 5
Not since Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon has the world been so riveted.
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Viking 8 days ago 2 3
I just wasted 1:12 of my life watching this.
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BayCyclingJim 8 days ago 2 5
They seem nice.
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RunnerX 8 days ago 4 5
she must've needed a break from her tough job of getting pampered all day...
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Dont-Tase-Me-Bro 8 days ago 5 4
Hasn't the free world moved into the 21st Century where people aren't born"royal", but instead it is earned?
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Irene 6 days ago 2 1
Perfect couple!!!
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Muhammed Atta 8 days ago 4 0
why is she wearing pants?
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TJ's Brother Pookie 8 days ago 6 7
In my minds eye, the Duchess is the epitome of 'Sweetness', especially without the usual 'sexy trash' the women of today flaunt! ALL CLASS!
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C 7 days ago 2 3
What? smug idle Middleton doing outdoor stuff? Lets all cheer and applaud, a nice break from her usual idle pampered life. and a nice break too from creating an organic firm in the footsteps of our very precious seeming Prince Charles! All the produce will be geared towards the rich. Middleton is a waste of space!
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Ronald W 8 days ago 2 4
Go to Daily Mail and see the photos, these people are pushing soft porn.
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John philip 5 days ago 0 0
Why is this on a news channel, and who cares?
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robert 6 days ago 0 0
now come on the royals work hard look at andrew and kids
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Ian 7 days ago 2 3
More royal bull. Out of date and should be out of here.
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Michael 6 days ago 1 0
Parasites on parade again! Both a waste of space, oxygen and skin!
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ting tong 8 days ago 3 2
Hip Hip Hurrah for the idle pair.....
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