K9 Down

K9 Koda
Brockton Police Department, Massachusetts
End of Watch Saturday, December 23, 2017
Breed German Shepherd
Gender Male
Age 7

K9 Koda died four days after suffering a medical emergency while actively tracking a suspect.

Koda's handler noticed a behavior change during the track and immediately transported him to a local veterinary hospital. He underwent emergency surgery but suffered a cardiac event and passed away on December 23rd, 2017.

K9 Koda had served with the Brockton Police Department for five years.

Rest in Peace Koda…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

Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish, III
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado
End of Watch Sunday, December 31, 2017
Age 29
Tour 2 years, 7 months
Badge 1721
Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle
Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Zackari Parrish was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call involving an emotionally disturbed man at an apartment complex at 3404 E. County Line Road, in Highlands Ranch, at approximately 5:15 am.

Deputy Parrish and other deputies were attempting to speak to the man when he barricaded himself inside a bedroom. The man opened fire with a rifle, killing Deputy Parrish and wounding three other deputies.

The three wounded deputies were able to retreat to safety. Responding officers, including regional SWAT team members, re-entered the apartment to rescue Deputy Parrish. The subject inside opened fire on the officers, wounding a Castle Rock police officer before being shot and killed.

The subject fired over 100 rounds during the incident, wounding two citizens in addition to shooting the officers.

Deputy Parrish had served with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for seven months and had previously served with the Castle Rock Police Department for two years. 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. 

What's Going On In The World Today-180128

HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:

USA

USAF Spending Big On Technology Transition Projects

Jan 25, 2018 James Drew | Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
U.S. Air Force science and technology projects heading toward the “valley of death” should fear no evil in fiscal 2019, particularly if they relate to autonomy, directed energy, hypersonics, or low-cost and long-endurance aircraft.

The technology transition program, an Air Force budget line that funds advanced component development and prototyping, has grown exponentially since being established in fiscal 2014 and that trend is set to continue.

Funding for these projects has risen from $48 million in fiscal 2014 to almost $937 million this 2018 fiscal year, with Congress adding another $95 million to the president’s request for additional hypersonics, directed energy and long-endurance aerial platform experiments.

When the Air Force releases its budget program for fiscal 2019 in February, sources say to expect more strong support for the technology transition budget element (0604858). The funding is meant to shepherd promising technologies through the so-called valley of death, where laboratory experiments typically die if they are not immediately paired with an acquisition program for full-scale development and fielding. It achieves this by funding live component and platform tests to mature designs.

AFRICA

Chad: Government Cuts Internet To Hamper Protests

The Chadian government cut internet service, closed schools and deployed security forces to the capital city of N'Djamena in preparation for planned civil society protests against new austerity measures, Bloomberg reported Jan. 25. On Jan. 5, the government announced a plan to cut between five and 45 percent of wages for some public sector workers in order to comply with the International Monetary Fund wage ceiling that Chad agreed to in exchange for help paying off its debt.

ASIA

US to send aircraft carrier to Vietnam as ties between old foes deepen in response to rising threat of China

Decades after the US war in Vietnam, relations are increasingly anchored by shared concerns over China’s aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea

The proposed visit is scheduled for March at the central port of Da Nang, Vietnam’s defence ministry said in a statement. Such a visit by a US aircraft carrier could bring the most US forces to Vietnam since the conflict ended in 1975.

Freedom of navigation and access in the South China Sea will be critical to [Vietnam] economicallyU.S. DEFENCE SECRETARY JIM MATTIS
The arrival of a US aircraft carrier in Vietnam will be welcomed by an emerging network of countries that are nervously monitoring China’s military rise, particularly its assertive stance and island-building activities in the South China Sea. The busy waterway is a vital global trade route linking Northeast Asia with the Middle East and Europe.

In particular, the militaries of US, Japan, India and Australia are working more closely together as a “quad” of liberal democracies across what they now term the “Indo-Pacific” – moves driven by mistrust of China.

US Pacific Commander Admiral Harry Harris last week described China as a “disruptive transitional force in the Indo-Pacific” after meetings with Japanese and Indian military leaders in New Delhi.

India, Japan and Australia have all boosted military relations with Vietnam in recent years, with New Delhi providing advanced training for its emerging submarine forces and jet fighter pilots....

Preparing for a Rematch at the Top of the World

China and India faced off last year in a tense military standoff on the Doklam Plateau on the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) high in the Himalayas. Although the impasse was temporarily resolved in late August through a negotiated drawdown, it has been clear all along that the LAC will remain a contentious border because both countries will continue to seek an advantage in this difficult terrain.

Recent reporting, particularly in the Indian press, has highlighted how India and China are bolstering their infrastructure and forces along the LAC, including through the stationing of additional ground units near the plateau. Satellite imagery acquired by Stratfor working with its partners at AllSource Analysis helps illuminate the scope of these developments by looking at the air and air defense aspects of this strengthening of forces. Specifically, the analysis looks at four critical air bases, two Chinese and two Indian, that are within range of the Doklam Plateau. The imagery confirms that both China and India are pursuing a wide-ranging strategic buildup that has only accelerated in the wake of the Aug. 27 agreement...

Japan deploys first F-35A stealth fighter, with mission to keep tabs on North Korea

Japan on Friday has deployed its first F-35A stealth fighter, sending it to Misawa Air Base in the northeastern prefecture of Aomori to respond to airspace incursions and engage in surveillance of North Korea.

The Air Self-Defence Force plans to deploy nine more F-35As at the base in the next financial year from April to form a squadron of 10 fighter jets.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters: “The deployment of the high-performance F-35 aircraft is significant for Japan’s security at a time when neighbouring countries have been quickly building up their air force capabilities in recent years.”

Why America’s stealth jet forces should fear China’s new unarmed eye in the sky [1] An F-35 stealth fighter at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd plant in Toyoyama, Nagoya Prefecture. Photo: Kyodo

The ASDF aims to eventually acquire a total of 42 F-35As, which are known for their ability to evade detection by radar. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp, F-35A jet is Japan’s successor to the ageing F-4 fighter.

Japan has earmarked funds for purchasing long-range JSM missiles, capable of striking enemy bases, to be mounted on the F-35A air fleet.

But Onodera said: “The introduction of the missiles is not aimed at targeting enemy military bases. We rely on US strike capabilities for attacking enemy bases and this will remain unchanged.”


EUROPE

How Central Asian Energy Complements the Southern Gas Corridor

By Robert M. Cutler for Euractiv

It took the EU several years to move in a Central Asian direction for energy security after the US-sponsored project for a Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP) for natural gas fell apart in the late 1990s. Nevertheless, first through the 2004 Baku Initiative and then with the 2007 Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia, it began to take those steps.

The EU followed through with practical effect in 2011 when it initiated negotiations with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on TCP construction. Last June the Council of the European Union, evaluating the first decade of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, concluded that "the EU will continue to seek to extend the Southern Gas Corridor to Central Asia, and to further promote the EU's multilateral and bilateral energy cooperation" with the countries involved.

Key in this policy are not only the TCP but also the White Stream pipeline, planned to transport Turkmenistan's gas from the South Caucasus directly to EU territory, from Georgia under the Black Sea to Romania. The gas would then flow through existing infrastructure in Ukraine, Slovakia and Czechia to Germany and neighbouring countries. It can also feed new infrastructure being created, such as the Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria pipeline (BRUA).

AFGHANISTAN

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

CHINA

Why America’s stealth jet forces should fear China’s new unarmed eye in the sky

China is developing a surveillance plane designed to be launched from the country’s newest aircraft carrier and fitted with a radar system to spot enemy stealth jets, military observers say.

State media confirmed for the first time on Monday that China was building its first carrier-borne early-warning plane called the KJ-600.

The announcement comes as the United States has deployed F-35 stealth jets to bases in Japan and other parts of the Asia-Pacific over the last year, challenging China’s air defences in the region.

Chinese military observers said the KJ-600 would be fitted with an advanced active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radar which could enable it to spot stealth aircraft such as US F-22s and F-35s.

Beijing-based military expert Li Jie said the new surveillance plane could also become a command centre in the air...


IRAN

Hacking: Another Weapon in the Asymmetrical Arsenal

Scott Stewart

Iran's Islamic Revolution could play out, in part, online. On Jan. 4, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published a report describing the country as a "third-tier cyberthreat." The report's authors note that despite Iran's success with cyberattacks such as Shamoon and a spear-phishing campaign that hit Deloitte and several other companies, Iranian attacks generally feature poor tradecraft. As a result, investigators haven't had much trouble tracking cyber operations back to the Islamic republic, whether because the attack code contained Farsi terms or because its associated IP address traced to Iran. Iranian spear-phishing attacks, likewise, frequently suffer from their perpetrators' poor command of the English language.

But even if its capabilities pale in comparison with those of Russia or China, Iran is still a cyberthreat, albeit a third-tier one. The Carnegie Endowment's report about the country's adoption and use of an asymmetrical weapon such as hacking called to mind the way governments and their agents have come to embrace and employ terrorism. Looking at the manner in which state sponsors, proxies and non-state actors have practiced terrorism can offer a useful framework for understanding how countries could turn hacking into a more dangerous tool of asymmetrical warfare...

IRAQ

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ISRAEL

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

KOREAN PENNSULEA

Limited Strikes on North Korea Would Be an Unlimited Disaster

There’s no clear upside — and plenty of potential downsides — to punching Pyongyang in the nose.

Luke O'BrienJanuary 22, 2018, 10:09 AM

Many commentators across the national security community, such as Edward Luttwak, Michael J. Green, Matthew Kroenig, Oriana Skylar Mastro, and others, have the same bright idea for how to get North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to swear off further ballistic missile and nuclear warhead testing: Punch him right in the metaphorical nose.

The idea is that by hitting the right — and largely symbolic — target inside North Korea, we can find a sweet spot of escalation that’s light enough not to goad the North into a major war but painful enough to make them think twice about further testing of weapons of mass destruction. To quote one proponent, “Limited strikes should be targeted carefully and focused on North Korea’s specific provocation. A good start would be to take out the next North Korean intercontinental test missile on its launch pad.” As for the risk of a response, “If Kim can be deterred, as [critics of a strike] suggest, he will react in a way that risks few lives and leave

The allure of a punitive strike on North Korea is its seeming simplicity. North Korea continues its missile testing, or opts to detonate another nuclear device in a test shaft, and the United States fires a few missiles and fixes the problem. But this conclusion comes from a series of bad assumptions. We assume that the North Korean regime can detect with any realistic degree of confidence that a limited strike is in fact limited. We assume that North Korea will only analyze the costs and benefits of retaliating based on the merits of a fleeting crisis. And we assume that Kim Jong Un’s power is limitless and that he has none of his own constituencies to placate in the hours and days after a strike.

These assumptions are shaky at best. North Korea’s early warning network, fragile enough that a clean strike seems somehow viable, is more likely apt to encourage Pyongyang to take more aggressive action. Kim doesn’t have to consider just the ensuing hours and days after a strike, but also many years (and presumably other crises) in the future. And Kim is riding a tiger, and opting to blink will likely lead to his being thrown and eaten....

PERSONAL NOTE: The article is long but worth the read. I'll also attach a post from earlier this year, a look in Military.com, of a potential -Day of Korean War II. Fugly is not the word.

RUSSIA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

SYRIA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

MIDDLE EAST GENERAL

Saudi Arabia: The Crown Prince's Corruption Crackdown Is Over, for Now

When a Saudi public prosecution official announced the end of the anti-corruption campaign, it looked more like the end of a first phase than the end of an era. The splashy infographic posted on Twitter left big questions about the corruption campaign's future, as well as the status of Saudi billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal. Released in English, the announcement was almost certainly aimed at reassuring international investors. As the Saudi government gears up for an initial public offering of Saudi Aramco stock sometime this year or next, investors are looking for stability, transparency and certainty...

MISC

Stratolaunch's Gigantic, Rocket-Hauling Aircraft Could Fly in 2019
But by then, no one may care.

According to National Geographic, a full-grown male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) masses up to 7 tons. In contrast, Stratolaunch's "Roc" -- the massive rocket-hauling carrier aircraft that the space company unveiled at the end of May -- weighs in at 250 tons.

Despite the difference in size, I suspect we'll soon discover that Stratolaunch's Roc is just a gigantic white elephant, too. Here's why.

Stratolaunch is a creation of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Its new Roc is built by Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) subsidiary Scaled Composites. The plane, essentially designed as a scaled-up (pun intended) version of Orbital ATK's (NYSE:OA) Stargazer project, is intended to fly to high altitude and there release a rocket that will ignite in the sky and blast its payload the rest of the way into orbit.

Whereas Orbital ATK uses a modified Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) L-1011 aircraft as its carrier aircraft, though, Stratolaunch has designed an entirely new aircraft to fulfill this purpose. A beast of a machine with a 385-foot wingspan (wider than a football field is long) and sporting six Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines (the same engines that power a Boeing (NYSE:BA) 747), the Roc stands 50 feet tall and measures 238 feet from nose to tail. It's so big, it needs 28 wheels to support its weight as it trundles down the runway.

In flight, the Roc is designed to sling a rocket between its two fuselages, carry it to 35,000 feet, and there release it to blast off into space -- at which point the Roc would return to land and load up with another rocket for launch.

Regarding rockets

Speaking of that rocket, there is one small issue with Stratolaunch: There don't currently seem to be any rockets of the size it wants to carry that are suitable for air launch.

The Roc is designed to carry rockets weighing up to 275 tons, you see. (Thus, between the plane's 250-ton empty weight, 125 tons of aviation fuel for the plane itself, and a further 275 tons for the payload, the Roc would weigh 650 tons at takeoff -- about the same mass as an Airbus A380 fully loaded with passengers.) But Stratolaunch hasn't yet found a rocket of that size that can launch safely from midair.

Failing that, the latest plan is to have Stratolaunch instead carry "multiple" (three are depicted in Stratolaunch's artist depictions) Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rockets and deploy them in series.

Here's another problem with Stratolaunch: Using a huge airplane to help launch even "multiple" small rockets seems to defeat the purpose of building the huge airplane in the first place. After all, there are already at least two companies (Virgin Orbital and Orbital ATK itself) with aircraft that are suitable for air-launching small satellite rockets.

Plus, Orbital's Pegasus XL rockets only mass about 25 tons each. So even if Roc can carry and launch three Pegasus XL rockets at a time, in so doing, it would utilize only 75 out of its 275-ton lift capacity. Simply put, Roc is overkill for this purpose.

A solution in search of a problem

This, in turn, leads us to consider another problem with Stratolaunch. Namely, the company boasts that Roc has a "payload" capacity of 275 tons -- which sounds like a lot. After all, the biggest payload that SpaceX's famous Falcon 9 reusable rocket can carry to low earth orbit is 22.8 tons. The Lockheed Martin-designed Atlas V rocket operated by United Launch Alliance maxes out at 18.85 tons, while the Boeing-designed Delta IV tips the scales at 28.37 tons of capacity.

But this doesn't mean that Stratolaunch's Roc is 10 times more capable than its nearest ground-launched rocket competitor -- far from it. You see, the Roc's "275-ton payload" refers to the size of the rocket the Roc will carry. The ultimate payload -- the satellite that that rocket itself would put in orbit, is much smaller.

How much smaller? Multiply the Pegasus XL's 0.443-ton payload times the three Pegasi the Roc might be able to carry, and it looks like the most payload Roc can put in orbit is about 1.3 tons -- about 93% less than Lockheed's Atlas, 94% less than SpaceX's Falcon, and 95% less than Boeing's Delta.

Better never than late?

With stats like that, it's hard to see how Stratolaunch can hope to compete with any of these companies. And it gets worse. At the same time as Stratolaunch is trying to compete with SpaceX, Boeing, and Lockheed in the market for large satellite launches, space companies are gravitating toward launching more, smaller satellites instead -- and a new generation of small space-launch companies is springing up to serve this market.

So, what's the upshot for investors here? At last report, Stratolaunch was believed to have invested $300 million in getting the Roc ready for testing. As of last week, this investment has finally produced a plane, but Stratolaunch isn't expected to actually be ready to launch rockets before 2019 at the earliest.

By then, the Roc could already be obsolete -- and en route to extinction.

OK, this is a combination of birthday, Valentine's Day, and Father's Day presents...

Hell, add in next Christmas!

In all seriousness, an awesome looking weapon for small unit combat. The only issue I would see is trigger disciple, controlling the rate of fire.

Thank Bill L for the link.

Officer Down

Officer Andrew J. Camilleri, Sr.
California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Sunday, December 24, 2017
Age 33
Tour 1 year, 4 months
Badge 21653
Cause Vehicular assault

Officer Andrew Camilleri was killed when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on I-880, near Route 92, in Hayward.

He and his partner were parked on the shoulder the freeway when the vehicle struck the rear of their patrol car at a high rate of speed shortly before midnight. Officer Camilleri, who was in the passenger seat, suffered fatal injuries in the collision. His partner was treated and released from a local hospital.

The driver who struck them was also injured and faces numerous charges pending his release from the hospital.

Officer Camilleri had served with the California Highway Patrol for 16 months. He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, parents, brother, and 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. 

The beginning voyage of the USS Enterprise....

I've visited the Smithsonian two or three times over my life. Somewhere I have a picture of original USS Enterprise, and I rememember this article from a few year ago:

USS Enterprise Rebuild Underway at Smithsonian Space Dock

Fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation and later Trek productions know that computer graphics were used extensively, meaning there generally aren’t models of the Enterprise from Picard’s reign on. In the original series, the Enterprise was an 11-foot long model that had lights inside. The screen-used model that was featured in the filming of every one of the 79 episodes of the original series is now undergoing refit.

That refit is underway at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in the nation’s capitol. Preservation work on the model is ongoing, and the starship it is being restored to look like the Enterprise as it was seen in The Trouble with Tribbles episode of the show...

Well, I got this today from an old friend and I couldn't let it go:

You know there were some people on the lot asking, "What the hell is that?!"

Answer: History in the making!

Thanks Claude Z for the pic.

K9 Down

K9 Billy
Hillsboro Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch Monday, December 4, 2017
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male

K9 Billy was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of SE Tualatin Valley Highway and Century Boulevard at approximately 10:40 pm.

Another vehicle attempted to make a left turn in front of the handler's patrol car, causing a collision. K9 Billy's handler suffered minor injuries, but K9 Billy suffered severe trauma.

Rest in Peace Billy…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

What’s Going On In The World Today-180124

HYPERLINKS MAY REQUIRE AN EMAIL:

USA
Alleged CIA China turncoat Lee may have compromised U.S. spies in Russia too

The arrest last week of a former CIA officer suspected of spying for China exposed one of the most significant intelligence breaches in American history. But the damage is even worse than first reported, sources familiar with the matter tell NBC News.

A secret FBI–CIA task force investigating the case concluded that the Chinese government penetrated the CIA's method of clandestine communication with its spies, using that knowledge to arrest and execute at least 20 CIA informants, according to multiple current and former government officials.

American officials suspect China then shared that information with Russia, which employed it to expose, arrest and possibly even kill American spies in that country, said the current and former officials, who declined to be named discussing a highly sensitive matter. The possible sharing with Russia has not previously been reported.

Those sobering findings, sometime after the inquiry began in 2012, led the CIA to temporarily shut down human spying in China, and to overhaul the way it communicates with its assets around the world, according to former government officials familiar with the case.

It was a shocking blow to an American spy agency that prides itself on its field operations. There was also a devastating human cost: Some 20 CIA sources were executed by the Chinese government, two former officials said — a higher number of dead than initially reported by NBC News and the New York Times. Then an unknown number of Russian assets also disappeared, sources say.

Eventually a top secret joint FBI-CIA task force investigation led authorities to suspect that former CIA case officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee had been spying for China. Lee, 53, was arrested this week and charged, not with espionage, but with a single count of possessing classified information.

U.S. officials told NBC News they don't believe Lee ever will be charged as a spy, in part because they don't have all the proof they might need, and in part because they would not want to air the evidence they do have in a public courtroom...

The Pentagon Wants Its Nuclear Tomahawks Back


The Trump administration will embark on a “big-league” revival of the U.S. nuclear complex after decades of decline by reviving production of plutonium cores for new warheads and reintroducing a sea-launched cruise missile, among other plans.

A leaked draft of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review confirms what has been foreshadowed by U.S. military leaders over the past year: America will respond to the growing might of the nuclear forces of China and Russia, as well as emerging threats from North Korea, by broadly modernizing its outdated nuclear arsenal of Cold War-era bombers, submarines, missiles and nuclear-certified tactical fighters.

The draft policy, if adopted, would “move forward without delay [and] seek opportunities to accelerate” every key modernization program set in motion by the previous administration. This includes the Columbia-class submarine, Northrop Grumman B-21 bomber, Ground-Based Strategic Deterrence ballistic missile, Long-Range StandOff cruise missile, dual-capable Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and B61-12 guided free-fall bomb...


AFRICA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ASIA

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

EUROPE

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

AFGHANISTAN

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

CHINA

Who Would Lose More in a U.S.-China War of Reciprocity?

The United States spent 2017 laying the groundwork needed to aggressively pressure China on trade and investment in 2018. Now it appears the pressure is on. On Jan. 17, InsideTrade reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating setting up a system of reciprocity on Chinese foreign direct investment in the United States. Under that system, the United States would treat Chinese investment into U.S. sectors the same way China treats U.S. investment into its analogous sectors. It would fall to Chinese investors to prove their desired investments would be allowed under Chinese investment rules.

Rather than limit Chinese investment, the Trump administration seems to want to force China to change its investment policies — which it has been slowly doing albeit at levels far below those expected. The risk Washington is taking, however, is enormous. The plan could face significant legal challenges internationally and domestically. And it could also harm U.S. businesses depending on Chinese investment or those with investments in China at risk of Chinese reciprocation...

...Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, in a meeting in the Philippines on Aug. 6 that Pyongyang should stop carrying out nuclear and missile tests, BBC reported...

IRAN

U.S. Sanctions Abet Iranian Internet Censorship

If the United States wants to stand behind the next #IranProtests, it should liberalize rules that impede access to cutting-edge tools against repression.

President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the Iran nuclear agreement if Tehran does not agree to renegotiate its terms this spring. But rather than tear up the nuclear agreement, the Trump administration should work to support the next #IranProtests — which would be far more likely to bring change to Tehran than would a U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal.,,

For the Iranian Internet, It's High Speed, High Control

Highlights

Iran has learned its lessons from the Green Movement of 2009 to hone a better system of managing the flow of information within the country.
Instead of shutting down the internet at the first sign of trouble, Iranian authorities have developed a system of separating approved domestic web activity from sources of potential subversion.

President Hassan Rouhani promised a freer internet in his last election campaign, but his plans have been largely co-opted by conservatives operating a new national cyber network.
The storm has passed, and Iran's internet is starting to return to all systems go. When people in cities across the country began protesting a litany of issues at the end of last month, Iran's leaders did what many countries have done when confronted with such a situation: They imposed restrictions on the internet. But unlike some countries that have reached for a sledgehammer to swat a fly, Iranian officials didn't opt for an absolute shutdown of the country's internet. Instead, they resorted to more nuanced measures that showed they have succeeded in developing a far more sophisticated infrastructure to manage the web since the country last experienced such turmoil in 2009.

The emergence of the internet and other communications platforms has led to an unprecedented increase in the access to information, but such developments have led countries to pursue measures to control and filter the digital flow. China has developed one of the world's most comprehensive internet control mechanisms with the Great Firewall, and now Iran has its own monitoring success story. Iran's National Information Network may lack the name cachet of the Great Firewall, but its performance in strangling access to opposition content during the most recent protests proved that Iran is hard on China's heels in terms of controlling the flow of information. What's more, the network might just strengthen the hand of Iranian conservatives in co-opting President Hassan Rouhani's attempts to foster a more open Iranian internet.

IRAQ

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

ISRAEL

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

KOREAN PENNSULEA

Security at the 2018 Winter Olympics

RUSSIA

Has Russia’s Robotic Nuclear Torpedo Surfaced?

The prospect of a quiet, long-range drone that can obliterate a port is unnerving enough. That it comes amid Russia's newfound assertiveness only adds to U.S. concern.
In 2015, Russia television "accidentally" showed a glimpse of plans for a proposed new 100-megaton autonomous torpedo designed to destroy American ports and poison the coastline of any adversary it targets. Analysts were left wondering whether the blueprints were a sign that Moscow was returning to the good old days of bizarre Cold War weapons development—or just bluffing to keep the Yankees off balance.

The U.S. government still appears to believe that the weapon is a real Russian program, according to a leaked draft of the Trump administration's forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review obtained by the Huffington Post.

Jeffrey Lewis, a scholar at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, first noticed a brief reference to the weapon in a section of the report listing "New Nuclear Delivery Vehicles Over the Past Decade." The grainy, photocopied graphic shows the outline of "Status 6," an abbreviation of Russia's designation for the weapon, alongside the acronym "AUV"—short for autonomous underwater vehicle—in a column detailing sea-based nuclear modernization efforts of Russia and other countries over the past seven years. The review also references Russia's development of a "nuclear-armed, undersea autonomous torpedo" that matches the description of the weapon originally shown on Russian TV.

Little is known about the oceanic dirty bomb outside of its brief debut in Russian media. A November 2015 Channel One broadcast covering a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior military officials briefly showed a slide with an artist's rendering of the weapon—a glimpse described as an accidental leak of classified information by the Kremlin and assessed by some Russia watchers as an entirely intentional threat from Moscow.

H.I. Sutton, Covert Shores

The slide asserts that the drone can travel at a speed of more than 100 knots for as far as 10,000 kilometers, while sporting a 100-megaton nuclear warhead. Noting that “an important object of war is against the economy in coastal regions," it claims the "Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System" is capable of "guaranteeing mortal damage to the territory of countries, creation of zones of radioactive pollution unfit for carrying out military, economic and other activities."

A year later, the Washington Free Beacon carried a report claiming that the Pentagon had detected a Russian Sarov-class submarine carried out a test of the Status-6 weapon in November 2016. An intelligence assessment leaked to the outlet affirmed that the weapon, known to the Defense Department as "Kanyon," would carry megaton-class nuclear warheads.

The prospect of a new quiet, long-range drone that can swim up to the U.S. coast and obliterate a port along with the environmental viability of the surrounding areas was unnerving enough. That it came amidst Russia's newfound assertiveness to challenge the West only added to the concern among American policymakers...

SYRIA

Turkey has sent six howitzers and tanks with military vehicles to its Kilis province, which borders the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region of Syria, Reuters reported Aug. 5.

MIDDLE EAST GENERAL

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT

MISC

Officer Down

Police Officer Paul Lazinsky
El Mirage Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Age 58
Tour 17 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Police Officer Paul Lazinsky suffered a fatal heart attack while involved in a foot pursuit of a wanted juvenile in the area of Grand Avenue and Greenway Road.

Officer Lazinsky suffered a medical emergency and collapsed during the pursuit. Other officers immediately provided medical aid but he passed away a short time later. The subject he was chasing was apprehended.

Officer Lazinsky was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the El Mirage Police Department for 17 years. He is survived by his wife, three children, mother, and two siblings.

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 Kane
Bell County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Sunday, December 3, 2017
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male

K9 Kane was struck and killed by a vehicle as during a traffic stop on U.S. 25E at the Bell-Knox County line.

K9 Kane's handler had responded to assist a Kentucky State Police trooper and deployed Kane to perform a narcotics sniff. Kane gave a positive indication of narcotics in the vehicle, resulting in the seizure of narcotics and paraphernalia. When Kane's handler gave him his reward, the ball bounced off of him and into traffic. Kane ran after the ball and was struck by a vehicle.

Rest in Peace Kane…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

I wonder if these school staff morons understand the irony....

Much like the BLM protestors in Dallas, showing hatred for cops, until the bullets start flying. Or a BLM leader who calls the cops after he gets held up. The hypocrisy and schadenfreude is delicious.

Posters in OR Elementary School Seem to Call Police Predators

Notice the line, "It doesn't keep out predators,
it give them badges and guns." 

Eugene, OR, school officials say they're still working with police on the possibly unlawful removal of immigrant-friendly posters in a grade school, reports KLCC.

The top of the posters read "IMMIGRANTS WELCOME" – and were hung in hallways and classrooms at River Road /El Camino del Rio Elementary. But part of the poster said, "The border is not a wall…It doesn't keep out predators; it gives them badges and guns."

4-J officials say they believe a contractor took them all down over winter break. The suspect shared photos of the posters on Facebook, prompting accusations of student indoctrination from his friends. The post has since been removed and the contractor barred from the school.

"It wasn't the 'IMMIGRANTS WELCOME', it was what was below that, that spoke about the border wall and that was where it gets a bit tricky with the politics of it all," says 4-J District Superintendent Gustavo Balderas.

"As of right now, we welcome any immigrant posters that are up anywhere across the district," says Balderas. "It's making sure that again we use language that does not politicize this statement. It, this…it's not a political statement, it's "immigrants welcome," we welcome all students."

To the moron who called the cops "predators," then called them to report the theft, please, call the ACLU. You wouldn't want a "predator" in your school.

Officer Down

Corporal James Eric Chapman
Johnston Police Department, South Carolina
End of Watch Friday, December 8, 2017
Age 30
Tour 2 years, 5 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran
Cause Automobile crash

Corporal Eric Chapman was killed in a single vehicle crash on Columbia Road, between Star Road and JET Middle School, at approximately 10:30 pm.

He was responding to backup another officer who was dealing with an armed individual when his vehicle hydroplaned. He was ejected from his vehicle as it overturned multiple times. He was transported to Augusta University Trauma Unit where he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.

Corporal Chapman was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Johnston Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three stepchildren, parents, and two sisters.

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. 

North Korea's SLBM program.

I've often posted on how I've been interested, and concerned, about North Korea for decades. The Kim family is not as radical as you can get (See Iran), but they have a similar goal. Survival. They see what's happened in Russia, Egypt, and Libya, and they know being an adversary (hell, a friend or alley) of the United States can be problematic. And the Kim's, call them many things, you can call them survivors. And their ruthlessness compares to Stalin, Hitler and Mao.

With that as a backdrop, I've recently become a fan of this website, 38North.com. Back when I was in south Korea at Camp Casey, we had a bad joke, "We're 45 from the 38th." It would take 45 seconds for the artillery from North Korea to hit us.

Now here is an interesting report on North Korea's Sub-launched Ballistic Missile program. For some reason a nation that cannot feed it's population needs nuke launching subs.

North Korea’s Submarine Ballistic Missile Program Moves Ahead: Indications of Shipbuilding and Missile Ejection Testing

38 North November 16, 2017

A 38 North exclusive with analysis by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.

Commercial satellite imagery of the Sinpo South Shipyard from November 5 indicates that North Korea is on an aggressive schedule to build and deploy its first operational ballistic missile submarine.

The continued movement of parts and components into and out of the parts yards adjacent to the construction halls indicates an ongoing shipbuilding program. The presence of what appear to be sections of a submarine’s pressure hull in the yards suggests construction of a new submarine, possibly the SINPO-C ballistic missile submarine (SSB)[1]—the follow-on to the current SINPO-class experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA).[2]

A probable launch canister support, or launch canister, appears to be present within the service tower at the missile test stand suggesting the ongoing ejection testing of submarine launch ballistic missiles (SLBM). Such testing could support the continued development of SLBMs, a new ballistic missile submarine or a combination of both.

Both the SINPO-class submarine and submersible missile test stand barge remain berthed at the same locations as observed since last August and appear capable of putting to sea at any time of Pyongyang’s choosing; however, there are no activities suggesting a forthcoming at-sea or submerged test of a Pukguksong-1/KN-11, a potential Pukguksong-3, or other SLBM.

Building of a New Submarine

Throughout 2017 there has been continued movement of parts and components into and out of the two parts yards adjacent to the constructions halls in the center of the shipyard. Accompanying this has been the movement of the gantry and tower cranes that service the yards.[3] These activities suggest a prolonged and ongoing shipbuilding program, which is supported by the fact that the Sinpo South Shipyard has historically been the primary manufacturer of large submarines for the Korean People’s Navy (KPN).

Imagery from November 5 shows two larger circular objects that may be sections of a submarine’s pressure hull. The diameter of the first object is approximately 7.1 meters, while the diameter of the second starts at approximately 7.1 meters and reduces to approximately 6.1 meters. The larger object has what appears to be two internal cross members that could be used to support decks or internal equipment. If these assessments are correct, then the shipbuilding program is for a submarine with a beam broader (in width) than the ROMEO-class attack submarine (6.7 meters)—meaning it is potentially a SINPO-C SSB, the reported follow-on to the SINPO-class SSBA.

Figure 1. Continued movement of parts and components observed at parts
yards adjacent to construction halls. Image © 2017 DigitalGlobe, Inc.

Figure 2. Close-up of one parts yard shows potential pressure
hull components. Image © 2017 DigitalGlobe, Inc. 

Likely Ejection Testing of Missile

At the test stand, imagery from November 5 shows an object visible at the top of the service tower that appears to be either a launch canister support or launch canister. This object does not appear in previous satellite or ground images of the test stand. While there is no additional activity of note in the immediate area, the service tower remains in place. During the earlier development of the Pukguksong-1/KN-11, it was removed after testing campaigns. Therefore, the continued presence of this object suggests ongoing SLBM ejection tests. If correct, this is likely a continuation of the ejection test campaign reported during July of this year.[4] Regardless, additional ejection tests should be expected in the future for further development of the Pukguksong-1, a potential Pukguksong-3, or other future SLBMs. Such a test would also be valuable for validating missile launch systems for a new class of SSBs.

Figure 3. Close-up of the missile test stand indicates launch canister support
or launch canister present at service tower. Image © 2017 DigitalGlobe, Inc.

ICBMs, submarines with missiles. Look just over the border you see China with its submarines program and carrier development. Seems these nations are interested in projecting power.

No question, the Kim's have learned the lesson of Muammar Gaddafi. The US will turn on you (thank you Mrs. Bill Clinton) after giving up you WMDs. So unless you want to attack North Korea (ugly would not be a word to describe it) you're going to have to live with a nuclear armed rogue state. Personally, I would use an updated version of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Return our tactical nukes to South Korea (open secret is we've had a nuke sub off the peninsula for ages to keep the NK army on their side of the DMZ), deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to South Korea, Japan and Australia. And finally, arm Japan and Australia with nuclear weapons. These are people who live by the words of Stalin, "Treaties are like pie crust, made to be broken." A signed document means nothing to the Kim’s, or China. Unless we have a fist to hit them with, they hold us at the disadvantage. And we cannot tolerate that.

Officer Down

Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Cohen
Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, Maryland
End of Watch Friday, December 8, 2017
Age 33
Tour 9 years
Badge 403

Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Cohen was struck and killed by a vehicle on southbound I-270, near Falls Road in Montgomery County, while assisting at the scene of another crash involving an off duty FBI agent.

Deputy Chief Cohen was off duty when he encountered a single vehicle crash that was blocking the left the lane of the interstate. He activated his flashers and notified the Maryland State Police barracks that he was checking on the welfare of the driver, Supervisory Special Agent Carlos Wolff. He and Agent Wolff were standing on the shoulder of the highway when another vehicle swerved to avoid the crash scene.

The vehicle struck Deputy Chief Cohen and Agent Wolff, throwing them both over the jersey wall into the northbound lanes. They both suffered fatal injuries as a result of being struck.

Deputy Chief Cohen had served as a law enforcement investigator with the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal for nine years and served as a volunteer firefighter with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.

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. 

At the very least, could they have put that animal away for fifteen years....

I remember a quote from a judge profiled in 60 Minutes ages ago. She was in the process of sentenceing a convicted felon to over 250 years and he was crying. So she comforted him with these words, "Don't worry, you won't serve half of it...."

Now the Harris County, TX District Attorney has made herself famous for wanting to, among other things, "reform" bail and reduce the number of people in jail. I wonder how her plan looks now.

Suspect in Spring couple's murder served only three years of 30-year sentence

Khari Kendrick is one of three suspects charged with murdering Bao and Jenny Lam.

Investigators say the suspects ambushed the Lams, tortured them and killed them execution style. They believe robbery was the motive.

Less than two months before this ruthless crime was committed, Khari Kendrick was in prison. He was serving a 30-year sentence for burglary, a weapons charge and engaging in organized criminal activity.

Of that 30-year sentence, he served just three years and was released with supervised parole.

Victim's advocate Andy Kahan was outraged. He said he can't believe the suspect was able to serve such a short sentence.

We reached out to the Parole Board to ask them about the short sentence and they said he was approved for parole for the following reasons:
1.He maintained a satisfactory institutional adjustment.
2.He completed prison programs, activities and treatments.
3.It was his first incarceration and he would remain under a period of supervision...

I posted last week on the new Philadelphia DA wanting to "reform" bail and reduce the number of people in prison. I wonder how soon Phili will have a story like this?

Thanks Ryan W for the link.

K9 Down

K9 Ori
Antrim County Sheriff's Office, Michigan
End of Watch Friday, November 10, 2017
Breed German Shepherd
Gender Male
Age 1
Cause Struck by vehicle

K9 Ori was struck and killed by a vehicle while working on off-leash obedience training in Kalkaska County.

K9 Ori had only served with the Antrim County Sheriff's Office for two weeks.

Rest in Peace Ori…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 Donald O. Kimbrough
Detroit Police Department, Michigan
End of Watch Thursday, December 7, 2017
Age 71
Tour 7 years
Badge 2257
Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Friday, August 25, 1972
Weapon Handgun
Offender At large

Police Officer Donald Kimbrough succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on August 25th, 1972, while responding to a robbery.

He and his partner, both in plain clothes, were in the area of a methadone clinic when they were informed that two men were shooting at people in the parking lot at the intersection of Belmont Street and Woodward Avenue. As the officers arrived on scene they confronted one of the armed subjects walking from an alley to a car that had just pulled into an adjacent parking lot.

The man complied, but a second subject sitting in the vehicle's driver's seat opened fire with a handgun, striking Officer Kimbrough in the chest. The first subject then picked up the shotgun and fired at Officer Kimbrough's partner. Both officers returned fire as the suspects fled in the car.

Officer Kimbrough was transported to Henry Ford Hospital where it was determined that the bullet had lodged against his spine, causing him paralysis from the waist down. Although confined to a wheelchair, he was able to return to limited duty until being medically retired in 1977. His health continued to deteriorate, and he died of complications of the original gunshot wound on December 7th, 2017.

The two suspects involved in the shooting were never identified and the case remains open.

Officer Kimbrough was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Detroit Police Department for a total of seven years before medically retiring. He is survived by his son.

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. 

Not good news for the "City of Brotherly Love"...

An article I read last year (and I've been meaning to blog on) shows how there is a new class of district attorney's out there, former defense lawyers, not tied to the "old ways" of doing things. Not looking at using capital punishment, or "excessive" bonds, etc. I would point out the new DAs listed in that article likely were put in when minority voters went out in November 2016 and voted a straight Democratic ticket against Donald Trump.

Well, got more news from the formerly great North East. We have another new district attorney who is making his intentions clear.

New Philadelphia DA fires 31 lawyers in office

The Philadelphia Inquirer

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner fired 31 staff members in the office, a dramatic shake-up and the first major staffing decision announced by the city's new top prosecutor, just three days after he was sworn in.

Krasner's spokesman, Ben Waxman, said the dismissals Friday were part of a "broad reorganization" of the office's structure and a way to implement a culture change in an institution Krasner frequently criticized during the campaign.

In seeking their resignations, the new district attorney "thanks them for their service to the city," Waxman said in a statement. "However, he made clear his intention to take the office in a different direction."

The sweeping change affected lawyers of all ranks and could represent a 10 percent reduction in the number of prosecutors. Names were not released, but current and former employees - none authorized to publicly discuss the firings - said the group included trial attorneys and some supervisor-level staff, many with decades of experience. As many as a third of the office's homicide prosecutors were told to leave, sources said....

In a city of 1.5 million, where there were 317 murders in 2017, one of the DAs first acts is to reduce size and experience level of his homicide prosecutors. New York City, with a population of 8.5 million, had 290.

"...The announcement was the first bombshell in what some of his supporters have hoped - and his critics have feared - would be a wave of drastic changes accompanying the installation of the career civil rights lawyer to the city's top law enforcement job.

During his campaign, Krasner pledged to reduce the number of people behind bars, never seek the death penalty, and seek to end use of cash bail - goals that were praised by fellow Democrats and liberal criminal justice observers, but met with skepticism or even scorn from other law enforcement officials. After his victory, Krasner reiterated his priorities but downplayed concerns about a possible exodus or mass purging of staff..

.
And it shows. Now this is chickens%^&!

...Some of those let go, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss their termination, said they were told Friday morning to come to the office as soon as possible. When they arrived, they said, they were escorted by the office's detectives as they learned their fate - often without explanation - and cleaned out their desks. Several left in tears.

Andrew Notaristefano, a homicide prosecutor and district attorney's office employee for more than a decade, said he had a homicide trial scheduled to start Monday - and that he'd met with the victim's family Thursday night to prepare. He was at his desk working Friday when a human resources employee took him aside and told him he was fired, he said.

Notaristefano, who secured dozens of murder convictions during his career, said he was given "no explanation." He requested to leave after prosecuting his upcoming trial but was told no, he said. His request to speak to Krasner was also denied, he said...

Sorry Mr. Notaristefano, the new boss gotta get his people in now.

"...Michael Barry, deputy of the pretrial division, confirmed that he was asked to resign, with his last day next Friday. James Carpenter, chief of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit for the past six years, said he would also leave that day.

Derek Riker, chief of the Diversion Courts Unit for the last five years, said he was shocked to be let go because "I consider myself one of the progressive people in the office," responsible for cases that involve alternative treatment and programs instead of incarceration - the types of ideals Krasner campaigned to expand.

Gwenn Cujdik, a homicide prosecutor, asked what would happen if she didn't resign as requested. She said she was told she would be fired on Monday.

"A lot of us stayed because we were willing to stay and willing to work for (Krasner) and continue to do what we do," Cujdik said..."

I think you'll do better staying away from the SAS.

"...Lt. Philip Riehl of the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit said: 'These career prosecutors were dismissed in a classless and callous manner.. The entire system lost today.'"

In his statement, Krasner's spokesman said the new district attorney 'was given a clear mandate from the voters for transformational change. Today's actions are necessary to achieve that agenda.'"

Voters of Philadelphia, you will reap what you've sown. Last year I wrote an article for American Thinker, explaining how cops, when threatened by their political bosses, will simply "Go Galt." A cop will sign on, answer calls for service, but otherwise not do anything self initiated. They got careers, families, pensions, etc, to protect. And seeing how the new Philli DA is looking at his office, all I can say to the cops in Philadelphia is watch your back.