Even Montgomery is looking down at this and crying

Ages ago, when I was a second lieutenant in Korea, my brigade executive officer had a great term I've used for ages: Oxygen thief. Generally a useless buerocrat who serves no constructive purpose. As any bureaucracy grows, it generally gets filled with more and more of them. The Department of Defense is an excellent example of one. 

Two years ago the Navy put out an instructional video on how to use pronouns and create "safe spaces." The fact this pathetic joke is seen as anything other than the waste of oxygen and resources is beyond me. I pray come January 2025 a new president purges the DOD of the people who created this crap and we  can concentrate the military on its real purpose, to win our wars. 

But such stupidity is not just in our service. From our greatest ally, London, we have a problem. 

Army boss considering scrapping 'masculine' titles like Guardsman 

General Sir Patrick Sanders says he wants to ensure everyone in the Army can be themselves.

The head of the Army is mulling scrapping traditional military ranks such as Rifleman and Guardsman because they are masculine. General Sir Patrick Sanders, in a plan to make regiments more inclusive, is set to move away from centuries of history by ditching the titles.

Gender-neutral ranks may replace the world-famous Guards regiment, and even General Sir Patrick’s own regiment, the Rifles...

...The decision in the hands of General Sir Patrick may also have wider implications for other strands of the armed forces.

In the event that he opts for gender neutral ranks, the Navy may be pressured into doing away with historic titles such as “midshipman” and “seaman”.

General Patrick, your army's recruitment is down even with a tough economy. You are supporting another nation's war against Russia. You have continued real issues with handing an army, and you are concerned about this crap? 

...Speaking to the Centre for Army Leadership podcast, General Sir Patrick said it was nations rather than simply armies that fight conflicts, and as such it was necessary for the army to reflect the nation it represents.

The Chief of the General Staff added: “If you want to tap into people's potential, people have to feel they can be themselves...”

Sir, with all do respect, you are dead wrong on this. An army is a team. "It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team." Perhaps you missed something about basic training. The instructors break the individual down to almost nothing, and rebuild them, ready, "part of a team." The day we lose that focus, we have lost. 

The problem is the Brit's (and the Americans) are not "loosing" that focus, but embracing the destruction of that focus. Ten years ago this concept would be laughed at as a bad joke Now it'e being metastasized into military culture. 

After the disaster of Vietnam, we spent a generation rebuilding what Washington destroyed. We will have to relearn the lessons and rebuilt again.  

I can relate to the ‘Daniel Penny Effect’

The persecution of Daniel Penny is an absolute disgrace, I don't question the man was mentally ill, but liberals and other idiots think all we have to do is talk to someone crisis and they will respond. I beg to differ, when a schizophrenic is listening to a couple of dozen voices in his head, the 23 year old sociology major getting a job on the subway will not break through all the noise in his head. I know, I've had to handle them, and it's no fun.

Back to Mr. Penny, once I heard he was going to be charged, I immediately donated 100 dollars to his legal defense fund. Looks like I was not alone, it's over 2.9 million. But it looks like New Yorkers are afraid to intercede when people need help from criminals or people in crisis. From Legal Insurrection:

‘Daniel Penny Effect’ Seen in NYC Subway Attacks Including at Least One Where No One Intervened

The New York Post reported on three slashing attacks that occurred on the subway system in a span of less than 20 minutes on June 18th, all allegedly by the same suspect. In at least one, it appears no one intervened as the suspect moved from one train to another as the bleeding victim cried for help:

Chilling video footage obtained by The Post captures a Manhattan subway-slash victim screaming in agony after the random attack — and pleading for help as other riders apparently just go about their business.

“Pull the emergency brake! Pull the emergency brake!” the 28-year-old victim can be heard sobbing. “Yo! Yo!”

The ailing straphanger actually hobbled after her attacker through the train car while shooting video of him on her phone — footage that cops said they used to help nail him.

The creep can be seen strolling off into the next car — as commuters stare at his distraught victim.

At one point, the victim, whose name is being withheld by The Post, pans down to show her sandal caked in blood.

“Yo! Somebody call 911! Somebody call 911!” she screams.

The victim was attacked around 4:30 p.m. Sunday on a southbound No. 4 train as it neared the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station — in what was one of three unprovoked slashing attacks in fewer than 20 minutes.

Two of the attacks are said to have happened inside the subway station. The third, detailed above, happened on the train.

I can relate from a recent experience. In May my wife Beth and I flew to Seattle for an Alaskan cruise.After settling in, we went to dinner and I wanted to take the subway. Mistake. 

Once we started moving a homeless male got into Beth's face and demanded, "You got money!" I didn't intervene  immediately, I know that may make him worse. But I did get into a crouch position and oriented on his mid-body. If he got any more aggressive, I would take action. 

Fortunately, he walked off, made the same demand of every other rider on the car, then started smashing his arms against the door, But a disturbing thing is I was thinking I would be the next Daniel Penny. I really had thoughts of a liberal DA in Seattle charging me with assault of a homeless dude who threatened my wife and others. Have no clue what criminal record this dude has, but I'll lay money it violent. He doesn't know better. 

Suffice to say we never took public transportation again while we were there. But this is what happens when you allow leftist intent on destroying society to have power. God help Mr. Penny. And God help the John and Jane Q. Publics other there in major cities who have to use public transportation.

Officer Down

        

Senior Investigator Nicholas Georgeadis
New York State Police, New York
End of Watch Friday, April 28, 2023
Age 52
Tour 21 years
Military Veteran
Cause 9/11 related illness
Incident Date Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon Aircraft; Passenger jet
Offender 19 suicide attackers

Senior Investigator Nick Georgeadis died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Investigator Georgeadis was a United States Army National Guard veteran and had served with the New York State Police for 21 years, assigned to the Special Investigations Unit and New York State Homeland Security. He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, father, sister, nieces, and nephews.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

Officer Down

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson
Nyssa Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch Saturday, April 15, 2023
Age 43
Tour 16 years
Cause Gunfire

Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson was shot and killed near the intersection of North Third Street and Locust Avenue while making a traffic stop at about 8:20 pm.

He was responding to reports of a violent man damaging property at a home and threatening its occupants. During the response, he encountered the suspect driving away and conducted a traffic stop. The subject immediately exited his car and opened fire, fatally wounding Reserve Corporal Johnson before he had a chance to return fire. The subject abandoned his vehicle, fled the scene, and was arrested two days later.

Reserve Corporal Johnson had served with the Nyssa Police Department for almost five years. He had also served as a corrections officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years and currently worked as a civilian employee for the agency. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

Officer Down

Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen
Pope County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota
End of Watch Saturday, April 15, 2023
Age 44
Tour 12 years
Badge 603
Military Veteran
Cause Gunfire
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen was shot and killed while he and another deputy attempted to arrest a man for domestic violence in the 400 block of Stromen Street in Cyrus at about 7:30 pm.

Deputies, as well as police officers from the Glenwood Police Department and Starbuck Police Department, had been dispatched to the house for reports of a domestic violence incident. The officers were attempting to place the man into custody when he opened fire on them. Deputy Owen and the subject were both fatally wounded. The other deputy and the Starbuck officer were injured.

The incident occurred on Deputy Owen's 44th birthday.

Deputy Owen was a Minnesota National Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Pope County Sheriff's Office for almost 12 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and parents. His father is a retired law enforcement officer.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

Deleted Space Seed scene

From the endless sea that is YouTube, an interesting scene from a great series. Star Trek's greatest villain, Khan Noonien Singh, is holding the command staff in the briefing room as Captain Kirk is suffocating. A piece taken from the reel. Enjoy. 

 

Deleted ‘Space Seed’ Scene Wows ‘Trek’ Fans

The deleted scene, which popped up on YouTube in 2020, takes place in the briefing room aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) and a group of his followers have seized control of the ship, with at least four of them brandishing phasers. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Scotty (James Doohan) are seated in chairs, as Khan stands in front of them, addressing the group. Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) is standing to Khan’s right. The camera then pushes in tight on McCoy as he approaches Khan and the doctor testily says, “I never thought I’d say this to a patient, but you owe me something. In case you’ve forgotten, I saved your life!” McCoy grabs at Khan’s arm and is immediately hit with phaser fire by one of Khan’s group. The doctor falls to the ground, as Uhura reaches out to help him. As the scene went unused in “Space Seed,” it was never completed. Thus, there are no special effects (for the phaser fire), nor is there any music to complement and enhance the action. 

The scene continues with a quick cut to Spock, who is now standing, and Khan, who explains to the Vulcan that McCoy is only stunned and that he will avoid bloodshed…if possible. Khan then says, “I’m sure you approve.” Spock replies, “I approve only of the logic with which you took control of our vessel.” Spock pauses and raises his right eyebrow, and then says, “Brilliant.”

It’s Dr. McCoy’s Passion Versus Spock’s Logic in Confrontation With Khan in Deleted ‘Space Seed’ Scene

Great scene from a great series. RIP Spock, Scott, McCoy and of course Khan. And thank you for the great memories. 

Be careful what you wish for...

Says it all. 

Officer Down

Investigator Patrick J. Hogan
New York State Police, New York
End of Watch Thursday, April 13, 2023
Age 61
Tour 22 years
Cause 9/11 related illness
Incident Date Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Weapon Aircraft; Passenger jet
Offender 19 suicide attackers

Investigator Patrick Hogan died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

Investigator Hogan was a United States Marine Corps Persian Gulf War veteran and served with the New York State Police for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, three children, three brothers, and a sister.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

K9 Down

                                        

K9 Hudson
Kane County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Breed Dutch Shepherd
Gender Male
Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed

K9 Hudson was shot and killed in Geneva during the apprehension of a robbery suspect.

A Kane County deputy sheriff located a stolen vehicle after being alerted by an LPR hit. Deputies attempted to stop the car at the intersection of Randall Road and Silver Glen Road in South Elgin, but the driver fled, and a pursuit was initiated. The driver exited the vehicle holding a handgun at the intersection of Randall Road and Fabyan Parkway, in Geneva. K9 Hudson was deployed for an apprehension and bit the subject, who then opened fire.

K9 Hudson and the subject were both killed during the exchange of gunfire.

K9 Hudson had served with the Kane County Sheriff's Office for six years.

Rest in Peace Hudson…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

It’s The End Of The Web As We Know It…(And) I Feel Fine.

During a speech about the economy, then President Obama said (with a straight face, shows he is an accomplished sociopath) “When it comes to regulation, we prefer a light hand.” Ranks up there with, “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor…” 

In the latter part of the Obama years, he inflicted upon one of the most active parts of the economy, the Internet, Net Neutrality. Supposedly it would ensure all users get equal access to the Web, without throttling, blocking, etc. for their points of view. That’s not how it worked out. 

 

On June 11, 2018, the new FCC Chairman under then President Trump announced the end of Net Neutrality. And the usual suspects screeched the “wild wild web” with unlimited free expression was over, people (primarily leftists) would not be able to get viewpoints out or sell items on the market. 

 

As usual, their disastrous predictions didn’t come to fold. 

The Death of the Internet, Five Years Later

Ajit PaiJune 11, 2023 

…In January 2017, times changed with the new Trump administration. The new president designated me chairman of the FCC shortly after Inauguration Day. In May of that year, we proposed to repeal these regulations. In December, we voted to do so. And on June 11, 2018 — five years ago today — that repeal took effect.

Going only on press coverage, social media, and political rhetoric, you would have been justified in preparing for civilization’s demise.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) proclaimed, as did “news” outlet CNN, that this was “the end of the Internet as we know it.” Not to be outdone, a columnist at the New York Times moaned that “the freewheeling internet has been dying a slow death,” and that repealing net neutrality rules “would be the final pillow in its face.” The Senate Democratic Caucus’s Twitter account proclaimed, “If we don’t save net neutrality, you’ll get the internet one word at a time” — putting each word on a separate line to emphasize the danger. Famed telecommunications regulatory experts like anonymous street artist Banksy and Silicon Valley representative Ro Khanna predicted that internet applications would become pay-per-view, with consumers having to pay $1.99 per Google search or to purchase them in packages. And for good measure, multiple U.S. senators called the decision “un-American…”

Read the rest of the article, it’s funny. 

So, what has happened over the last five years. The only person I’ve known kicked off a social media platform is the former president who pushed to remove “Net Neutrality,” Donald Trump. Twitter still hosted the Iranian terrorists in Tehran, and domestic terrorist groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Plus being used by criminals for illegal activities, like flash mobs. So how has the general public fared without “Net Neutrality?” Pretty well all in all. 

“…In an era defined by the paranoid style of American political argument, it may not surprise you to learn that they were not. In fact, they were diametrically wrong. The evidence is indisputable today that in the five years since the FCC’s decision to repeal net-neutrality regulations went into effect, American consumers are benefiting from broadband networks that are stronger and more extensive than ever. According to independent measurement service Ookla, average fixed broadband speeds in the U.S. are 287 percent faster today than they were in June 2018 (269.28 Mbps download speeds today versus 93.98 Mbps in 2018). Average mobile broadband speeds have increased even more, at 570 percent (156.51 Mbps versus 27.47 Mbps). Millions more Americans have access to the internet today compared with 2018, thanks in large part to private investment in digital infrastructure.

And on top of that, consumers are benefiting from more choice than in 2018. Indeed, competition has not just increased but transformed since then. Residential fiber deployment hit an all-time high last year. Wireless companies like T-Mobile are providing high-speed 5G fixed wireless service to millions of customers. Companies like Starlink are launching low-Earth-orbit satellites to support residential-broadband service, especially in harder-to-reach rural areas. And cable companies are expanding their footprint and upgrading their systems to enable much faster speeds.

The contrast between America’s broadband consumers and their European counterparts during the Covid-19 pandemic is telling. Americans with internet access largely were able to rely on broadband networks to do videoconference calls, stream in high-definition, and otherwise stay connected. Abroad, however, a key European commissioner felt compelled to ask streaming services to throttle video content to standard definition. Why? Because he feared that otherwise digital “infrastructures might be in strain.” I’d argue they were “in strain” partly because the European Union has had quite strict net-neutrality regulations that meaningfully undermine the incentive for investment in high-capacity broadband infrastructure. Fortunately, neither I nor any other public official in the United States had to make a similar request, then or since…”

The bureaucracy has no desire for efficiency, and competition will always improve goods and services.  Iron sharpens iron, to use an expression. And this is not the only example of the Federal Communications Commission throttling success and improvement. 

I’m almost 60, and I remember having one phone company for my service, and having to change my phone number when I moved across town. Today many people don’t have home phones, only cell phones, and they take them from one state (or country) to another, keeping the same phone number for decades. But this is a relatively new phenomenon. What took so long? I’ll give you three guesses, but you will need only one. 

For decades the FCC put a stranglehold on use of the digital broadcast band, from not allowing competition in local markets on radio to refusing sales to communications companies for services. If you want an excellent example, many people believe the first mobile phone was used in 1973, a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X in New York City. While it was the first handheld phone, the first cellular phone call was made on June 17, 1946. Granted, it was a car phone that took up half a trunk, it was an analog mobile phone. Just as we were coming out of World War II.

Why did it take ages to get to handheld phones? The FCC would not sell digital bandwidth to this startup company, and it died. There was a similar blocking of the FM (frequency modulation) by the FCC. We could have “FM…for a better sound all around decades before the 70s. 

If you want an excellent review of the FCC and it’s incompetence, read The Political Spectrum: The Tumultuous Liberation of Wireless Technology, from Herbert Hoover to the Smartphone, by Thomas Hazlett (where I got the information on the 1946 phone, among other facts). Goes over one failure after another, and how many politicians bought out the FCC staff to ensure their radio stations, etc. would not face competition. Thankfully the FCC is more business friendly than 100 years ago. And more business means more competition and better goods and services for the consumer.

Why do we have to keep relearning this? As long as the politicians and the bureaucracy control a valuable commodity, it will not be used efficiently. Hopefully we can keep the FCC from screwing up use of the digital spectrum any more.  

Officer Down

                                                

Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney
New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Sunday, April 9, 2023
Age 34
Tour 7 years
Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Friday, October 30, 2020
Weapon Handgun; .40 caliber
Offender Charged with attempted murder

Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney succumbed to complications from a gunshot wound sustained on October 30th, 2020.

He and his partner were stopped at the intersection of St. Philip Street and Royal Street when a passenger in a passing pedicab opened fire on them without provocation. Officer Abney was struck in the left side of his face, and his partner suffered cuts to his arm from the shattered windshield.

The subject was apprehended after a foot chase through the French Quarter. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer following the initial shooting.

Officer Abney was transported to the University Medical Center New Orleans where life-saving measures were performed. Doctors were unable to remove the bullet, which remained lodged in his brain and blinded him in the left eye. He succumbed to complications of the wound on April 9th, 2023.

Officer Abney was a United States Army Iraq War veteran and had served with the New Orleans Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and parents.

Rest in Peace Bro…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

K9 Down

                                         

K9 Rudy
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Friday, April 14, 2023
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

K9 Rudy was shot and killed near the 22200 block of River Road, in Perris, while tracking a wanted felon at about 4:45 pm.

Deputies were in the area looking for the man when dispatchers received a call about a couple trespassing on their property. The deputies were able to confirm the man was the fugitive and requested a canine to conduct a track. K9 Rudy's handler responded to the scene and began tracking the subject.

K9 Rudy alerted to the subject's presence and the man opened fire, killing K9 Rudy. The couple then fled on foot and the wanted man was fatally shot when he pointed his firearm at pursuing deputies.

K9 Rudy had won a first-place award at the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Trials the previous month.

Rest in Peace Rudy…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!

In Memory of all Police Dogs

They handled themselves with beauty & grace

And who could ever forget that beautiful face

Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test

They always worked hard; and did their best

They were real champions; at work or at play

But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day

While working on the job with their partner one day

They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way

They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give

They gave up their life; so someone could live

The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say

Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way

Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze

The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees

The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall

Off in the distance they can see a waterfall

As they look over the falls; down through the creek

The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek

Far up above; in the deep blue sky

They see the birds soar high; as they fly by

They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall

Chasing each other; and just having a ball

They play all day; from morning to night

There's no more rain; just warm sunlight

Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow

Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow

The harps would play and the angels would sing

As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings

We remember that they died; in the line of duty

And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty

Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free

With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree

No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take

Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake

A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore

Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more

These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above

They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love

We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night

In loving memory of all; these very special knights

By John Quealy

Officer Down

                                                

                                                            

>Police Officer Emily Ann Breidenbach 

Chetek Police Department, Wisconsin 

End of Watch Saturday, April 8, 2023 

Age 32 Tour 4 years, 10 months 

Badge 614 

Police Officer Hunter Timothy Scheel

Cameron Police Department, Wisconsin

End of Watch Saturday, April 8, 2023

Age 23

Tour Not available

Badge 608

Military Veteran

Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Police Officer Hunter Scheel of the Cameron Police Department were shot and killed during a traffic stop at Wisconsin Highway SS and 13th Avenue in the Village of Cameron at 3:38 pm. Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel pulled over a vehicle for a warrant and welfare check on the driver. The subject exited his vehicle, began shooting at the officers, and gunfire was exchanged. Officer Breidenbach and Officer Scheel succumbed to their wounds at the scene. The subject was transported to the hospital where he died. 

Officer Breidenbach had served with the Chetek Police Department for over four years and previously served with the Stoughton Police Department. She is survived by her parents, brother, her fiancé, and his four children. Her father was the Chief of Police for the Pardeeville Police Department. 

Officer Scheel was a United States Army National Guard veteran and served with the Cameron Police Department for one year. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, father, and three sisters.

Rest in Peace…We Got The Watch

Nemo me impune lacessit

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.

A Cop Can't Be A Christian?

I'm not about to call myself a strong Christian. I was born and raised a Catholic, and I think of myself as a part-time Catholic (e.g., Christmas and Easter mass, etc). Part of it is laziness. Part of it is serious scheduling issues (cop's generally don't work 9-5). And part is, quite frankly, issues with the current Vicar of Christ.

With that as a background I found this article rather interesting. A judge says a cops cannot be Christians? 

NY Judge Argues Cops Can’t Be Christian Because of “Killing”

A New York state appellate judge is under fire for trying to make a case that cops can’t be faithful Christians — because the job could include killing people.

During a hearing Tuesday in Manhattan before the state Supreme Court’s First Judicial Department, lawyer Jimmy Wagner contended the city should’ve never denied his client, NYPD Sgt. Patrick Marsteller, a religious exemption during the pandemic so he could remain on the job without getting vaccinated, the New York Post reports.

Associate Justice Troy K Webber fired back, citing the sixth commandment: “Does being a police officer conflict with Christian values as well? That, you know, do not kill the thing?...”

No madam, it's the "do not murder" thing. The 6th Commandment in the Bible is colloquially quoted as you do, with the word "kill." It's more accurately described as "Thou shall not murder." Seeing you are a black female Democrat, you may like understand that over 600, 000 men died in a war to liberate the slaves. Tell me Ms. Webber, were these men not deserving of God's grace? 

Another point, you may have heard the Battle Hymn of the Republic in the past. Most people know, to one degree or another, the first few verses. But it is a long hymn, and the final verse is appropriate here (emphasis mine):

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea (glory, glory Hallelujah)

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me (glory, glory Hallelujah)

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free 

His truth is marching on

Glory, glory Hallelujah

Glory, glory Hallelujah

Glory, glory Hallelujah

His truth is marching on

Judge I suggest you say away from cases involving law enforcement. To say the least, your objectivity is questionable.   

The Deam That Many Will Not Understand

Been black the last few weeks, the wife and I were on a 10th Anniversary cruise to Alaska. Sailed out of Seattle and returned a little over a week ago, If you have not done so, take a trip to America's Last Frontier. It is beautiful.

As I've been trying to catch up, I found this great piece on what a motorcycle means to a rider. Says it better than I have ever been able to say. I can relate, a four day trip to New York, stopping to visit friends and family all over the country. Hoping to make so many miles in a day, but stepped by weather, traffic, or the desire to just stop and watch. 

I have 60 staring me down the face, so I know some day I will have to transition to a three wheeler, or give it up. But I will continue to ride until my body says "Enough fat old dude." Everyone has one of these things you don't do to live, but live to do. Whatever it is, enjoy it till you can't. 

Reprinted with permission,  enjoy.

THE DREAM THAT MANY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND:

 

I bought a BIKE for a personal dream.

One day when I am very old and when I can not walk anymore, it will be in my garage as a trophy of my memories.

I met people who taught me something and have the same spirit and I met others that I'm glad I forgot.

I got wet,

I felt cold,

And I felt warm,

I was affraid,

I fell,

And I stand up,

I even hurt myself,

 

But also, I laughed out loud inside the helmet.

 

I spoke a thousand times with myself.

 

I sang and shouted with joy like a madman,

 

And yes ... sometimes I cried.

 

I have seen wonderful places and lived unforgettable experiences.

 

I often made curves that even Marc Marquez would be proud of;  other times I made curves full of terror.

 

I stopped a thousand times to see a landscape.

 

I spoke with perfect strangers, and I forgot people I see every day.

 

I went out with my demons inside and returned home with an absolute peace in my heart.

 

I always thought how dangerous it is, knowing that the meaning of courage is to advance even feeling fear.

 

Every time I go up to my machine I think about how wonderful it is.

 

I stopped talking to those who do not understand, (they just do not understand) and I learned through gestures to communicate with other riders.

 

I spent money that I did not have, giving up many things, but all these things are not worth even a moment about my BIKE

 

It is not a means of transport or a piece of iron with wheels, it is the lost part of my soul and my spirit.

 

And when someone says to me: "You have to sell the BIKE and you have to be a more serious person", ... 

I do not answer.  I just swing my head and smile,

 

Walking on, BIKE..... only the person who loves them understands it.

 

May God bless my friends and their toy of great people!

 

And the adventure continues.  

Gus Pappas

 

Remembering Those Who Have Passed Before Us...

You know something... When I was studying law, and Mr. Keefer here was writing his stories, and you, Willie, were tearing up the playing fields of dear old Princeton, who was standing guard over this fat, dumb, happy country of ours, eh? Not us. Oh, no, we knew you couldn't make any money in the service. So who did the dirty work for us? Queeg did! And a lot of other guys. Tough, sharp guys who didn't crack up like Queeg.

LT Barney Greenwald (Played by Jose Ferrier), The Caine Mutiny, 1954

For some reason I'm drawn to this quote every Memorial Day. It's not an exact fit, but it works. 

This country has always needed men (and an increasing number women) to stand guard over it, and as the years have past, fewer and fewer have come up to serve. If memory serves, within my life time (born 1965) over half the Congress was veterans at one point. Now it's down to 17% (it has increased since 9/11). But even as Iraq and Afghanistan become history, we will have men and women come forth and serve. And we will have men and women die in the service of our country. And that is the meaning of Memorial Day. 

It's a misnomer to say "Happy Memorial Day." It's not a day to celebrate, but to commemorate and thank the men and women who have gone before us. We must, in Lincoln's greatest words, "...to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us,that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 

Friend, mentor, retired Army officer and Manny Gonzales penned a poem for his fellow members of the Thin Blue Line. It's appropriate for this day as we say thanks to countless men and women, most known, some known but to God, for their ultimate sacrifice. 

Warriors Poem

We were warriors made and formed, In a fortress of grey stone. All are souls that I admire, with a bond forged strong by fire. 

True friends for all my life, wearing proudly life's deep scars. Sharing lots of joy and grief, as we gaze upon the stars.

We received the call to arms. And as warriors trained we marched. And we journeyed in the rain. In a broken land of pain.

With a life that was well lived. We marched off to hold the line. To protect our way of life, and the ones we left behind

Now we lay upon the field, we gave everything we had. As I looked upon the sky, I knew my fate was sealed.

But in my dreams a Nordic Queen, with hair of golden light, and a skin as white as ice, 

came to me within my dreams.

The Valkyrie angel fair, made me Champion of her realm. To protect her heart and soul, in a land of frost and elm

She’s a goddess in true form

With wings of stately white

Whose eyes and lips entice

My heart to paradise

She embraced me in her arms

And she lifted me on high.

To my final resting place

At Valhalla in the sky. 

You were warriors and builders, and artists, true friends. I remember you my brothers. You left us too soon. However I will see you all in Valhalla.

RIP ladies and gentlemen.

A Disgrace To The Badge

Year ago I arrested a twenty something woman who did something very stupid. She moved into an apartment and three days later she received a credit card for the previous occupant. Then she waited five days and let temptation get the best of her. She called in to get the card approved, then went shopping. Small stuff first, a coffee, lunch, some cloths, etc. Well, the card holder was living in another state. The card company called and asked if she was in Houston using her card, and she said no. Then the twenty something was stopped by security and we got her. 

This woman was completely clean, never had a traffic ticket, and was not used to being handled as a suspect. She cried as soon as the cuffs went on. She was completely clueless that any charge on another person's credit card was a felony. Through tears, she asked me, "What should I do?" and I told her, "Get a lawyer and get a plea bargain for a misdemeanor." I can only assume she did, I was never called for trial. 

The ignorance of the law does not apply to this now ex-cop. Good riddance to bad garbage.  

FL Officer Arrested, Fired for Stealing Dead Man’s Credit Card Information

A St. Cloud, FL, police officer has been arrested and terminated for stealing and using credit card information she obtained from a deceased person at the scene of a medical emergency.

St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke and Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez jointly announced that Officer Dianne Ferreira, 25, was arrested Tuesday and charged with theft of credit card information with intent to use, fraudulent use of a credit card over $200 (both felonies) and use of personal ID of a deceased person. She was held on a $4,000 bond that Osceola County Jail records show was posted by Wednesday morning for her release.

"She was an officer, but she doesn't deserve that title now," Chief Goerke said Wednesday.

Goerke said he made sure that Ferreira was arrested in her own handcuffs, the Osceola News-Gazette reports.

For non law enforcement types, it is common for two types of criminal to be arrested with specific cuffs. When a cop killer is arrested, he is cuffed with the deceased officer's cuffs. And when a cop has disgraced the badge, he goes to jail with his cuffs on him. Both turds deserve it. 

The arrest came after about a month-long investigation, from which these facts came out: on April 3, Ferreira was part of the response with medical responders to a deceased male at a St. Cloud home. She took photos of the man's credit card information while paramedics were working, and loaded the information into a mobile application in order to use them remotely, which she began doing on April 4 outside St. Cloud around Osceola County for expenses like gas, fast food, a hotel room and eyelash extensions, all made on her days off.

"The badge she wore has been tarnished and will never be worn again; in fact, it will be destroyed," Goerke said.

Thank you sir for insuring that badge is never seen again. You took the difficult needed action. An ex-cop like this deserves to be treated as a traitor to the badge that she is.  

No-Knock Warrants...

As a rule I do not favor "No-Knock" warrants, where you kick the door and try to take control of the scene. Calling them dangerous is being generous. Not just for the cops, but the people in the building you're breaking into. 

A point to stress, you have a warrant for a reason, to obtain something. People, drugs, other evidence, etc. If a person is the target, wait him out. He's likely will leave his house sometime. Or if he's inside of a building, cut off his life support (water, electric, etc). cut off all hope, and motivate him to come out. Time is on your side.

Classic example how NOT to do something, Waco TX 1993. The ATF had legitimate reasons to arrest David Koresh. Multiple weapons charges, and the state had multiple felonies to charge him with, not the least was Aggravated Sexual Assault of minors. Now, how to get the subject into custody? Seeing the man went running on the road three times a week, drove into town regularly (shopping, etc.), and traveled out of town regularly with his band, the easiest way would be to wait till he's away from his compound and scoop him up. 

To call the opening of the incident a disaster is being far too generous to the ATF and the people who planned it. Raiding a location where you know there are multiple firearms, oven an open area, in broad daylight. If you had anyone with some intelligence planning this they should have screamed it's a recipe for a disaster. Don't know if no one did that, or if they were ignored. But the raid ended up with 80 people dead, including 25 children. 

Remember, PPPPPP (Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance). 

Fast forward to 2019 in Houston TX. A now former Houston cop lied on an affidavit for a search warrant, leading to a raid for black tar heroin (none there). The couple inside the house were shot, as well as 4 of the five officers who executed the warrant. Further investigation showed then Office Goines lied about having an informant. This officer is currently on trial for murder, and another one of the officers was convicted of Falsifying a Government Document (the other three did now know of the falsifications).

Now coming down from Austin, Texas is severely restricting "No Knock" warrants. 

Texas House Overwhelmingly Approves Restrictions on No-Knock Warrants

Conservatives who support the bill recognize the conflict between unannounced home invasions and the Second Amendment.

The Texas House of Representatives last week overwhelmingly approved a bill that would sharply restrict the use of no-knock search warrants, which the state Senate is now considering. Both chambers are controlled by Republicans, and the bipartisan support for the bill suggests that many conservatives recognize the potentially lethal hazards of routinely allowing police to enter people's homes without warning. That practice pits law enforcement priorities against the right to armed self-defense in the home, which the Supreme Court has recognized as the "core" of the Second Amendment.

H.B. 504, which state Rep. Gene Wu (D–Houston) introduced last November, passed the House by a vote of 104–33. It would require that all applications for no-knock warrants be approved by the police chief or a supervisor he designates. Municipal court judges who are not state-licensed attorneys generally would not be allowed to approve no-knock warrants. The officers serving the warrant would have to be in uniform or "otherwise clearly identifiable" as police. If the bill passes the state Senate and is signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas will join Florida, Virginia, and Oregon in restricting this type of warrant.

"No-knock warrants are really dangerous," Wu told Houston Public Media. "They're just a bad policy. There's no reason that you can't announce that it's the police coming into your door in the middle of the night." He said Texas conservatives "understand that you don't really have a right to defend your home if you don't know who is coming in."

That point was vividly illustrated by the 2019 raid that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, a middle-aged Houston couple falsely implicated in heroin dealing. The warrant to search their house on Harding Street was based on a fraudulent affidavit, which led to state and federal charges against Gerald Goines, the veteran narcotics officer who submitted it. But beyond the problems with the warrant, the cops who served it did so in a reckless manner that invited confusion and violence.

Members of the Houston Police Department's Narcotics Division broke into the house without warning in the early evening, when Tuttle and Nicholas reportedly were napping, and immediately used a shotgun to kill the couple's dog. Tuttle responded by grabbing a revolver and firing at the intruders, which prompted a hail of bullets that killed him and his wife. "Once the homeowners thought that their doors were being kicked down by home invaders, they started firing, and the police responded in kind," Wu noted. "We simply can't have that."

That deadly raid prompted Art Acevedo, then Houston's police chief, to start requiring approval for no-knock warrant applications from a high-level supervisor, which is similar to the main element of Wu's bill. But lax supervision was just one of the problems revealed by this appalling incident....

...According to Goines' affidavit, there was probable cause to believe that "knocking and announcing would be dangerous, futile, or would inhibit the effective investigation of the offense" in light of two facts. First, "heroin was purchased from the location and additional substance was observed at the above residence in question by the confidential informant." Second, the informant had seen "a semi-auto hand gun of a 9mm caliber" at the home.

All of those assertions were lies. There was no confidential informant, no heroin, and no 9mm handgun. And it turned out that Goines had a long history of fabricating evidence against drug suspects, including fictional transactions and firearms that supposedly were observed but were not recovered during searches. Again, Marcum did not know that Goines was making the whole thing up. But he accepted Goines' contention that the combination of contraband, which is characteristic of all drug cases, and gun ownership, which is common in Texas, was enough to justify a no-knock warrant...

As much as I strongly disagree with the Democrats in the legislature, Rep Vu is right here. We need to limit these raids to very urgent events, such as a hostage situation when all other options are not available. 

It gets back to one thing all cops must know: Remember the mission. What are you trying to do? In the case of Waco, the goal should have been to take Koresh into custody, something that could be achieved easily. The fact the ATF was trying to polish its reputation after the disaster of Ruby Ridge with this raid was a large part of the disaster that followed. Ruby Ridge, again, if they wanted to get Randy Weaver, they could wait him out. 

A needed correction to an improper police procedure, and hopefully this passes the legislature. Thank you Mr. Vu for taking lead on it. 

Roll Me Away

I started riding a motorcycle in my mid-30s. Why then, I"m not sure, just never got to it until then. Well, after learning a few lessons on a Kawasaki, I purchased my 2007 Harley-Davidson Road King and never looked back. 

Ronald Reagan often said one of the things he liked about being on a horse is it clears your mind being on top of an animal like that. Mr. President, I (and many others) get the same from being on top of horsepower. It's you, your bike, nature and the road. I've taken my Harley on ridges of over 4,000 miles often, and a bike is a large part of my retirement plans. 

I joined the Blue Knights, a law enforcement motorcycle club in 2010, and this past weekend I spend 4 days at our regional conference in South Padre Island. Cops and motorcycles, just something right about it. 

One of my favorite groups is Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. While there is no "official" video for this classic, this is a good one. The song just explains how sometimes you just need to get away from everything. Some people it's a horse or boat. For me, it's a two-wheel animal. 

From 1982's "The Distance," Roll Me Away. 

Have a great weekend!