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| Thursday, December 21, 2006 Another Christmas CD for the List I read your list of Christmas albums in the Two River Times, and since the Roche’s “We Three Kings” isn’t on the list I’m assuming you’ve not heard it. It has replaced Nat King Cole’s Christmas album in our house as the most played during the holidays and after many many years and countless playings, never fails to raise goose bumps. (a third of the two dozen songs are done a cappella, and appropriately for the season these three sisters from NJ sing like angels!) I have no doubt that you’ll listen to it over and over again. Best regards, and Merry Christmas (there! I said it!) Dave M. Tuesday, December 19, 2006 Traitors We are in grave danger in this country from those who claim to protect us. If we don't return to the Constitution our freedom is a part of history. Dave E. Apple Valley CA The Suppression of McCombs' Speech It is truly disheartening to see something that is obviously private speech be suppressed under a transparent facade of "neutrality." The irony does not escape me that a civil liberties organization (ACLU) is spending its time suppressing free speech. Of course, no right is exclusive, not even fundamental rights. Ms. McComb's conduct, though, should be applauded, not attacked. She earned the right to exercise her freedom of speech in front of her graduating class and give thanks where she felt it was due for her achievements. I lead the Christian Legal Fellowship at Syracuse Law and I've forwarded your awesome prayer calendar to all CLF members. We're praying for the attorneys handling this case. You are doing a truly wonderful and Godly thing. May God richly bless your efforts! In Him, Daniel B. Great Idea What a great idea to possibly help battle the fear of being prosecuted for your beliefs this time of year.I've never seen a year that’s had as much controversy over Christmas as this one in my area Northern Michigan there was a news story of a person complaining about a town putting up a Christmas tree.How ridiculous. I reprinted your Christmas Isn't Illegal...Yet Commentary and Also Put up Your Twelve Rules on my website and of course linked them back to The Rutherford Institute.Hopefully it will help Christians in our area Stand up to these issues. Thanks for the Great Articles and also letting us know the rules. --Anon. Christmas Nia Christmas is a Feeling Sure on This Shining Night Silent Night Joy of Christmas Mary, Mary And some of the songs played by the bands: Silent Night Angels From the Realms of Glory Christmas Overture Hymn of Praise I don't think that happens in some of the larger schools – and what often gets reported in major media outlets — isn't a reflection of what's happening in some of the rural schools. Ours is a school of right at 700 students, grades K-12, and I can't think of a Christmas concert in my 25 years of living in West Point where some of the traditional Christmas songs and a mix of other arrangements with a Christmas message weren't included in the public school's program. Also, as of today, our junior and senior high students (about 330 kids) have raised $1,700 to buy food, clothing and other gifts for needy families in the area.... And it's not a school full of kids from affluent families.... Willis M. No Education Sir, my mother has long been a fan of yours for years and I never put any stock in that because my mom tends to favor Christian extremists who often run their mouths without an ounce of education to back it up. After my mom forwarded me an article that was supported by your organization, I can say with certainty, that you certainly fit the bill of the typical Christian extremist who runs his/her mouth with no education behind it. I am an officer in the United States Air Force, but have not been for long (two years). I have been married for 4 years to an enlisted member of the US Coast Guard and that short amount of time has educated me enough to realize what a bunch of ridiculous propoganda and welfare promotion your story is. Let me give you an accurate view of the military and the enlisted troops vs. the officers. Most enlisted troops have no formal secondary education, no desire to get such an education and absolutely EVERY opportunity to get a FREE secondary education. Why do they not do it? I can tell you that it is not because they are overworked. While there are some men and women in the military who work horrendous hours, for the most part it is a 9-5 job (well, usually 7-4) and not that stressful in-garrison (base level). A significant portion of enlisted troops are also VERY VERY VERY poor money managers and a semi-welfare system in the military does not help that. Let me give you an example. A lower enlisted person in the military can send their child to the base daycare (EXTREMELY high quality daycare, I would never use anything else) for about $65-$75 a week per child. I, on the other hand, must pay about $130 a week per child. Nearly double. However, I drive a minivan that cost $22,000 brand new (and I wasn't even comfortable paying that much), with no bells and whistles, yet a lot of these lower enlisted troops drive expensive vehicles like brand new Ford Expeditions with leather interior, factory entertainment system and rims totalling about $50,000. So are they not getting paid enough or are they just poor money managers? I can assure you it is the second, the military pays people very well, but the semi-welfare system benefits the lower enlisted troops while pretty much screwing over senior enlisted and officers (junior officers primarily). Before you go shooting off your anti-military propaganda in yet another typical pathetic attempt to discredit what the military does for this country, get permission to go to military base and find several large parking lots. Take a couple hours and look around at the vehicles in this parking lot and pay particlar attention to the Department of the Defense stickers on the windshields. Part of the sticker is a colored bar approximately .5" x 3" and will be red, yellow or blue and will have the name of a military installation on it. The red stickers are for junior enlisted, E-4 and below, the yellow stickers are for the upper level enlisted (E-5 to E-9) and the blue stickers are for commissioned officers, this includes all warrant officers (W1-W5) and regular commissioned (O1-O10). You will notice that most of the red and yellow stickers belong to vehicles that are FAR FAR more expensive and fancy than the average blue stickered car. To give you an example, our base general drives an older vehicle that is probably currently worth about $7,000, and he is an O-7. Additionally, in my office in particular, we have 2 officers (myself and my boss, an O-5) and 16 enlisted troops (most are E-5 and below). 85% of the enlisted troops drive vehicles that are more expensive than mine and my bosses. This is not an anomaly, this is typical throughout most military offices. Please educate yourself before printing articles such as these, most of these "poor" military families get food stamps and welfare and use their food stamps to buy steaks that they eat in front of their $5000 flat screen tv and their $5,000 DVD collection while sitting in their brand new Tommy Hilfiger clothing. Sincerely, A USAF Officer who has done it on her own The Military and Food Stamps Glad to see that you followed up on the military and their disgusting starvation wages. I have been talking about the American embarrassment for years, and it amazes me that it never picks up momentum. Regardless, I enjoyed and appreciated your article. What is gaining momentum, and what is my first priority amongst a long list of dire needs, is that effort focused on the integrity of the individual vote. I have joined forces with Pennsylvania's core group, The Coalition for Voting Integrity. We have much in the works in an effort to focus national attention on the issue. However, our educational and marketing efforts need to work in parallel with the legislative process. We are one of several hundred groups that are active every day in a desperate race against time. The elections of 2008 may indeed prove pivotal as to our nations legitimacy and legacy. A compromised voting system, is a compromised democracy. James S. Monday, December 11, 2006 Ellis County Article I could not agree with you more on your opinion article with concern to the draft. I too was in Vietnam, and a Corpsman/Dental tech. I can only speak to the time I was there, but in Chu Lai, we actually had more casualties due to the Saturday night fights at the Enlisted Club between Volunteer Marines and Conscript Army than we had sometimes out in the bush. We finally had to close the club for two weeks, and then ban any Army from coming within Marine Corps compound confines, unless on official business. I do not agree with now, nor ever did agree with a draft, and my dad, who was career army and RA, did not care for the draftees. However I do feel that as with the Vietnam era, our children of today take America for granted. They have never experienced life in a third world country and do not know just how good we have it here. I do believe the country is seriously lacking in programs and education that would help our young children, High School and College students to better appreciate America and the abundance we have here. How we can do that and help them to "want to" volunteer (not necessarily in Military service but in other ways also) to help preserve our freedoms is a matter that should be up for discussion, for as you know and I know, there may well come a time in our country when we will all have to pick up arms to defend freedom right here at home. I do not believe our youth is prepared to do so and I wonder if they could do so if necessary. In almost all of the "enemy" countries of America today, all of their youth are being trained in small arms, martial arts, demolitions, etc. I think that is a terrible thing to do to a yound mind, but on the other hand as the Boy Scouts say, we must be prepared. So what then do we do about that? --Harley B. Wake Up At first reading, your op-ed piece regarding our police struck me as another whining bleeding heart , and it was that. In your "Ivory Tower World", I'm sure you have not ever had the unpleasant experience of being attacked by any of the crazed criminal element you and your "ilk" try to protect. My wife and I were attacked by a knife wielding drug crazed coward, during a car-jacking. He got away with the car, but we were able to inflict some damage to him. We survived with over 60 stitches between us. I assure you that if I would have had one of my weapons, he would not be doing 20 years for two counts of attempted murder, but very dead. There was no time to play "Mr. Nice" and try to determine if he planned to kill us or not. he said he would kill my wife if I didn't drive. Why don't you wake up and quit attacking our police. One of those police officers saved my life by stopping my neck bleeding until I could reach medical attention. AGAIN, WAKE-UP!! Sincerely, William F. Thanks What's interesting is that I know of some agnostics who, although do not believe in 'God' still appreciate the message of Jesus whether or not he actually lived. I'm an independent thinker esp. as far as religion goes and have been studying religious history for the last few years (I'm 58). The message Jesus brings is the same as did Buddha, the Dahli Lama, Mother Theresa, John Lennon, most Rabbi's I know, and Martin Luther King. That encompasses most people, so why not celebrate the message with the symbol of the tree and 'Christmas'??? These people need to focus on more important matters such as loving thy neighbor. Merry Christmas, Kathy Appropriate People: The last line of John Lennon song is appropriate for Christmas and for all year long as well. People from around the world don't see the world as we see it. Does the United States (conservatives and liberals alike) have the right to force values on the rest of the world? Not from where I stand! Does Wal-Mart? Does the American Chamber of Commerce? Does President Bush? Do I? NO! Another thing: Who is kidding who? A segment of our population talk about the need to keep the true meaning of Christmas, yet they try to gather as much money as possible by promoting the commerialism of Christmas. What is that? "Do as I say, not as I do!" Merry Christmas and may all that is good in this life be placed before you. May you realize what is good. "Let's stop all the Fight...." (John Lennon) How can we as a nation that professes to be Christian, justify what we did/are doing to the people of Iraq? Did not the "Christ" always talk of peace? Is anyone out there listening?--Anon. Christmas Limited Elaine A. Your Recent Articles I am writing you today to commend you on some of your recent articles regarding subjects that are very near and dear to my heart. The article you printed about Sgt. Patrick Stewart was without a doubt the most exciting thing I have read in Christianity Today in many years. Having been a Pagan all of my life I have found it hard to believe that followers of Christ could be as I experience many of them to be. I found a deep respect for the teachings of Christ during my many years of study as a Pagan and Priest of a Pagan church, often telling my students to read the bible again, from a pagan perspective. Many of us feel that his teachings and wisdom have much to teach the human race, but we are beguiled by the differences we see in those that practice the religion in regard to forgiveness, acceptance and demonstrating the love of Christ as his teachings would dictate. It is incredibly refreshing to know that not all Christians have forsaken the teachings of Christ for more secular agendas and purposes. Recently I read a story about some relief workers that had been captured and held prisoner by extremists in Iraq that pleaded for clemency and forgiveness toward their captors. They were Christians who were doing some kind of relief work in that war-torn region and had risked their lives to do the work that Christ would have them do. I printed the article and showed it to a few of my folks here telling them, "See this is what we should expect from Christians." Their ability to apply forgiveness to even those who have done such a great wrong to them was amazing. Christ himself upon the cross is remembered as saying "Forgive them father, for they know not what they do." Teaching the absolute of forgiveness. Many of my students and friends live in fear of Christians, mainly because the ones we encounter seem to have forgotten that they are followers of a religion that preaches acceptance and forgiveness. Also they fear these Christians because they are forgetting they are Americans, and America is founded on the ideals and rights of freedom for all, regardless of their beliefs. I know that we Pagans and the Christians have many subjects upon we may disagree, but one we should all agree upon is found in Pagan ideology, "Live and Let Live, Fairly Take and Fairly Give." An axiom that many of us have a hard time living up to but we should all aspire to uphold. I look forward to reading your articles in the future, as I am always interested in hearing things from a Christian point of view and I feel I have found someone that would truly be a perspective that can be respected from my understanding of your faith. Friday, December 08, 2006 Thank You Derek Hale was my good friend and fellow Pagan. He was also a kid. A young man with a bright future in store for himself and his family. I doubt that Derek would have remained a Motorcycle Club member into his mature years. He was more a "clean marine" than a biker at this point in his life. We were lucky to have his unbridled enthusiasm and his joy for living. We were lucky to have him among us for this short period of time. He leaves a wife and two children. Roy P. Bealeton VA Thursday, December 07, 2006 Is the Military Draft Really a Form of Slavery? I feel confident in saying that those who are opposed to the draft are potheads and/or children of potheads who believe in this sign, the sign of the American Chicken. They think the world owes them everything and there is no reason for them to work for anything, not even their next joint. If their freedom is to be maintained, let the slave owners, the parents, do the fighting. “Soldiers who want to be in the military do a better job than those who don’t….” Is that supposed to be a profound Confucion philosophical statement? Everybody does a better job when it is something they want to do. Most don’t even know what they want to do at the age of 18. One might join the Air Force to fly a F16 and discover another job more to their liking. One might join the Army cavalry to drive a tank and find something better. One might join the Navy and four years later, get out and join the Marines. While serving in the military, you do loose some of your freedoms. You do not suffer the “loss of all liberty” as suggested in the article. You are taught discipline. You do not have the run of the house as you did before entering the military. Then you could tell your parents where to go and how high to jump. In other words, you are no longer a pampered, overindulged brat. You are learning how to be a responsible adult. That is something your parents may or not have tried to teach you; you will learn it in the military. If you don’t want to learn, you can return to the same life you left. The same person who believes it is against the Constitution to be forced to take up arms and fight is probably the same brain deficient person who thinks personal firearms should be banned. We like to think, “We have the police. They will protect me. I am too busy whining and bitching to others about how bad I have it to defend myself.” Are you the American Chicken who made those tracks? Mr. Ivan Eland made the erudite statement about volunteers doing a better job than draftees and prior to that statement, he said `…a draft “contradicts the principles of a free society by coercing people to fight for freedom….”’ Like I stated in the beginning, he thinks someone should fight for his freedom, just so long as it isn’t him. He is probably waiting for someone to give him another joint. Mr. Eland, I see you have the same low opinion of our troops as does Sen. Kerry when he implied that if you don’t spend lots of time and money on an education, you will end up a stupid dogface in Iraq. If one does spend lots of money and time in obtaining an education, will you wind up taking bribes from lobbyists? My brother was killed in Korea in 1952. He was a stupid dogface. Should I be ashamed of him and what he did because his country asked him to do it? Sen. Kerry, I wonder about your decorations because officers can write up anything anyway they so desire and with help from other officers, turn 20,000 Leagues under the Sea into Sergeant York. The former President, Ronald Reagan, said in Human Events, `…the draft “rests on the assumption that your kids belong to the state. If we buy that assumption then it is for the state—not for the parents, the community, the religious institutions or teachers--to decide who shall have what values and who shall do what work, when where and how in our society. That assumption isn’t a new one. The Nazis thought it was a great idea.”’ Our kids must belong to the state; parents, schools and religious institutions are not allowed to discipline children now because pettifoggers have legislated discipline to the courts. The last line of that paragraph is quite interesting, “The Nazis….” I know the Nazis did a lot of terrible things. That era in history equates to the sayings of Confucius. He is attributed with thousands upon thousands of philosophical sayings. He probably uttered about 25% of them. When anyone wants to declare that something is really bad and atrocious, the Nazis get the credit. Don’t you think Attila the Hun and those involved in the Spanish Inquisition would like some notoriety, too? They worked hard to obtain their nefarious reputations. Yes, dear US citizens, everyone is a slave in spite of the Constitution. Every Sunday little boys loose their freedom while attending mass. Some are forced to light candles and do other menial chores for the priests. Those in the audience give up their freedom of yelling or running up and down the aisles. When adults are driving, they are slaves to the other drivers and rules of the road. They can’t turn left wherever or whenever they so desire. They are required to come to a stop and wait even though they don’t feel like doing so. Only the youngest can stop in front of Sears on a rainy day and take a shower in the nude. To reiterate a hackneyed cliché, Freedom is not free. Everybody needs to fight for what is rightfully his or hers or loose it. Dale Schunke, MSgt, USAF, Ret. Tucson, AZ Christmas So much for memories. At last look, I believe that the United States Constitution does not have any verbiage in it with purports this country to be Christian. It is a place which is open to all. I believe the words on the Statue of Liberty embraces this philosophy. We are free to observe the religious belief we choose. Though memories of all the good "Christmas" observances from your childhood may have been the spark for your latest writing, I challenge you to speak to somebody who is a contemporary of yours that does not follow the Christian beliefs how comfortable they were when certain religious aspects of Christmas had to be observed in the name of education. Churches are free to put up all the creche scenes they want. But in municipalities where the belief that government is by the people for the people, there have to be lines of division. Appropriately, our courts have addressed these issues over the years. It is the law of the land. As an attorney, you are expected to uphold the law. Rather than try to force a return for, at best what was an unconstitutional effort at the mixing of church and state, would you not better serve those who look to you for inspiration and tell them to (1) observe Christmas as they see fit and (2) respect the attitudes and religious beliefs of others for what they are without making statements that imply condemnation of a specific belief if it is not that of a Christian origin. If one of the goals of any religion is to teach righteousness and tolerance, then certainly you should not have any difficulty understanding or complying with the two statements I just made. My best holiday wishes extend to you as well. Marc. W. Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Trail of Death Let’s examine one encounter: A man lured police to his town house by faking an emergency, then opened fire on them before killing himself: FRESNO -- A pre-dawn ambush by a 25-year-old man who wounded two police officers ended seven hours later Thursday after the gunman killed himself in the bathroom of his town house, authorities said. James George Lunsford called 911 at 3:28 a. m. Thursday and asked officers to come over to help his friend, whom he claimed was suicidal, said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer. When officers arrived at the San Jose Villa complex, Lunsford was standing on his balcony alone and told the two responding officers that he and his friend were unarmed. He threw the keys to officers Trevor Shipman, 22, and Daniel Messick, 27, who went around to the front door, Dyer said. When the officers opened the door, a spray of bullets met them. Messick was struck once in the calf, and Shipman, who was wearing a ballistic vest, received at least four shots in the back, one in his forearm and two in his upper thigh. "This was an absolute ambush -- we have absolutely no doubt, and that's what this investigation has proven," Dyer said. "If not for God's grace and protective hand upon these officers, they would not be with us today." After they were shot, both officers fled the town house and were treated at the University Medical Center, where Shipman remained in stable condition following surgery. Messick was treated and released. Neither officer shot at Lunsford, who was on probation for 2005 drunken driving arrest, during the confrontation, Dyer said. Shortly before 4 a. m., Lunsford called 911 again and told dispatchers he had hurt a police officer. He then fired more than 20 rounds of bullets from inside his house, according to witnesses. At least three neighbors also called police, saying they were trapped in their homes and feared leaving. A SWAT team arrived and transported the three, none of whom was injured. Crisis negotiators tried to reach Lunsford by cell phone or public address system, but he did not respond, Dyer said. Later in the morning, SWAT officers shot tear gas into the house, also to no response, the chief said. They found Lunsford in the upstairs bathroom closet, dead from numerous self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head. Listen to the tape of the radio traffic. http://home.comcast.net/~mwilltn/AMBUSH-ShipmanMessick.wmv You assertion that U.S. Police are “Militarized” is a myth. Law enforcement and the military have always had influence on each other. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, when armed gangs (Al Capone and others) were victimizing middle America, police – armed with .38 revolvers at the time – were outgunned. They reached out and obtained BAR’s, “Tommy Guns,” Colt 1911 45acp’s and more from the military arena. They had to upgrade to match the threat. Then in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, armed paramilitary groups began to commit crimes – murder, bombings, robberies, kidnappings – and the police, once again, had to change. The first SWAT teams – in the U.S. – were created. Note: SWAT teams were nothing new in Singapore or Hong Kong – they had their “flying teams” with special weapons and tactics since the 1930’s. Since the 1970’s, police started using protective vests, which great enhanced survivability. Where did the technology come from? Yep, the military (and Richard Davis, to be sure). Once the bad guys found about body armor, they started to shoot police in the head. So, the police started using helmets on high-risk instances. This great reduced death and serious injuries. And where do you get the helmets? From the military, of course. Today, the police face threats from well-armed gangs, terrorists and public. The Mexican cartels have killed 3,000 in the past two years in Mexico; 200 American government employees (local, state and federal) have been charged with corruption in the past two years). Three reporters have been killed in last two months. Armed attacks on Border Patrol agents are up 108%. Local police (police and sheriff’s deputies) are being ambushed and fired upon from the Mexican side of the border by gangs, Cartel members and/or rogue members of the Mexican Army. Want to learn more, go to: http://www.newschannel5.tv/Video/News/32304 And every police officer is being trained to respond to terrorism. The threat which they face is from weapons of mass destruction, which is why they need sophisticated protective gear. And where does the expertise exist? In the military, of course. Our local SWAT team has only had two shootings out of the last 30 call-outs in which persons were taken into custody. This speaks highly of their skills, strategies, tactics and mind-set. And their training. I say, let’s give police better equipment and better training. Are the police perfect? No. But, increase training and pay….you will get better policing. The Pressure I support law, order, and justice, but NOT POLICE BRUTALITY. Police are almost as corrupt as the general public and they cover for each other. Unfortunately, this is a trait that lawyers, doctors, politicians, the press and every group practices. When organized groups form they ultimately do almost the same things organized crime does. Keep the pressure on. --Romney Tuesday, December 05, 2006 Listen Dear Mr. Rutherford: I just wanted to thank you for your commentary on police abuse. This has been a concern of ours for quite some time now. What is so very frustrating, is that people do not believe it, until something happens to someone that they know. I remember the days of my youth when I had such great respect and admiration for law enforcers - but this has changed dramatically over time. It is unfortunate that the young people of today will never experience this. Our family has had the experience of finding an entire swat team planted throughout our property one evening, after we had made a quiet, calm phone request for a police officer to just be on hand while we prepare a loved one for a trip to the local hospital for psychiatric evaluation. I have to believe that as I stepped outside into the dark - before we even knew they were there - there was a good chance that a gun was pointed at my head. Anyway, we are in particular, concerned for those who are mentally ill that cross paths with poorly trained (if at all) law enforcement. To illustrate, you can visit this website. But be forewarned, it is very disturbing. In addition, to follow are links to local stories of youths being - (I call it) - brutally murdered by bad police officers, hired into local police forces: http://www.edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu/~vsova/ http://www.drypen.net/ Again - thank you for voicing what needs to be said - over and over, until people start to listen. --Debra S. Monday, December 04, 2006 Absolutely Right John: You are absolutely right. The very training that is given to law enforcement is directed toward their being up-to-speed on the latest "exceptions" to the warrant requirement. Police forces are being schooled in the "pretext du jour" for stopping motorists in order to investigate for drugs. (The latest in my community, Cheyenne, Wyoming, include cracked windshields and allegely defective license plate lights.) I recently saw a district court judge rule that no warrant was required to invade private property, so long as the behavior of the police was subjectively "reasonable." The problem has become attitudinal. The courts deny bail so often that the majority of the jail population consists of pretrial detainees, most of whom end up pleading guilty in order to obtain their freedom. The end justifies the means, and nobody ever loses and election by promising to make it worse. How is an awakening possible? Robert M. Why Don't You Tell the WHOLE Truth? Mr. Rutherford, I wrote you once before when you told only one side of a story involving the execution of a man in Virginia. Apparently, giving both sides doesn't comport with your agenda: Regarding the 88 year old woman - first, she was 92 years old; get your "facts" right. Second, although you mentioned that the woman "fire[d] at the 'intruders' in self-defense," for some reason, you inexplicably failed to mention that she actually wounded three officers, shooting one in the face. You also stated that the police did not knock; according to news reports: "Dreher, the assistant police chief, said that as far as he knew the narcotics officers did "everything by the book. They had a search warrant, they announced themselves and knocked first." The case is still under investigation and one wonders about your conception of "the presumption of innocence." Regarding the 23 year-old man who died on his wedding day: Mayor Bloomberg was wrong to "rush to judgment" about the incident, and I believe his office came out later and said so. The case is still under investigation and one wonders about your conception of "the presumption of innocence." Regarding the former Marine who was shot: you stated: "Police swarmed Hale in front of the suspected home of a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang that is notorious for violence and drug offenses." what you didn't mention was that police also stated that Hale had: "recently joined the Pagans Motorcycle Club, was a "person of interest" in a recent drug investigation conducted by the Delaware State Police." The case is still under investigation and one wonders about your conception of "the presumption of innocence." You write that: "The militarization of civilian law enforcement, along with a dramatic and unsettling rise in the use of paramilitary units (known as SWAT teams) for routine police work, has also contributed to the alarming use of deadly force by the police." Apparently, in only one of the above instances was there a SWAT team, and if you think that investigating the Pagans motorcycle gang is "routine," then I suggest that you go on a ride-along some time during one of those "routine" operations. Incidentally, you will have to sign a release in the event you are injured or killed while on the ride along. "As Radley Balko of the Cato Institute writes: 'These increasingly frequent raids, 40,000 per year by one estimate, are needlessly subjecting nonviolent drug offenders, bystanders, and wrongly targeted civilians to the terror of having their homes invaded while they’re sleeping, usually by teams of heavily armed paramilitary units dressed not as police officers but as soldiers.'” Please take Mr. Balko with you when you go on your ride-along. Try telling both sides of a story. Steve McC. W-S, NC Great Admiration I have great admiration for your work and your vision. I agree with what you have written but I am surprised that this position was taken so clearly by your office concerning this specific account [Sean Bell shooting]. This cop, who I agree fired with "overkill", was also a 12 year veteran on the force who had never drawn his gun before. Doesn't this earn him the slightest possibility of consideration that he is not one of those "pseudo-SWAT teams, complete with riot gear and a take-no-prisoners attitude" Or at least, should he not be proved guilty before being sentenced? I am wondering how you could come to this position so readily. seeing that your account only mirrors what the media has portrayed. Isn't the voice of the media twisting this scene too much already to sentence this "murderous racial act of unprovoked police bigotry", without hearing all the details? I have chosen NOT to flee the neighborhood I live in BECAUSE I believe that the best world is one where ALL races are integrated. I do believe this is God's heart. Even my child chooses to be on teams where there are children of all color and who do not even speak the same language. He most likely can be accused of having a reverse prejudice, where he is uncomfortable being on all "white' teams. Now, my son-in-law is a NYPD cop in a great neighborhood, Manhattan North, fortunately he does not work in this "pit" part of the city I have a friend who worked as a sunday school driver/teacher in a similar neighborhood situation, Bed Sty Brooklyn. after spending a year working there....walking over chalk outlines of previous killings and rescuing babies from crack addicts passed out on the street, hearing routine shots fired in the street she ended up back home in Virginia silent and practically catatonic for an entire year. Thankfully God has restored her joy. There is an emotional toll exacted when people deal continuously with horrific evil and wickedness. What is missing from the media coverage concerning this tragic shooting is.........this same man, the one to be wed the following day, is portrayed as the innocent victim of a hateful abusive police assassination- had a long rap sheet complete with felonies and even armed robbery. Little is said about the fourth man who got away. Before the officer started shooting they had attempted to run the officer over not only once but twice. I am pretty certain if I had a gun ( and that is why i would never own a gun) and someone started running me over I would use it, and if they were coming at me a second time to finish the me then I would most definitely use it. The media tells us that he and his fiance were "high school sweethearts" He was merely having a bachelor party in a place known to be so bad that police had been staking it out for awhile. What the heck was he doing there? What we are directed to see are innocent kids with their dreams cut short. These sweethearts who were to be wed had two children together already- does that fit the same picture that we are being manipulated with? I am sick over this shooting, not only for the ones suffering such a terrible loss of a son, husband, father, or of the horrible racial tension it brings but also for the poor cops who are stuck in a pit of a city with little to no support and no protection for themselves. How is it that our young would be so bold as to try to run over a cop who was declaring himself to be one? --Anon. Police Shootings We joke in Boise that the leading cause of death of our residents is from police shootings. --Chris B. Question... Please tell us how average citizens can stop the overkill. While Law Enforcement is necessary, overkill is not. Innocent people should not be killed and killing should be in absolute Self Defense (for real) only or to prevent the death of an innocent victim. Seria D. Mental Intimidation I would like to know why you did not mention anything in your article about the fact that a person when being drafted is given a choice to step forward, take his oath, join or NOT step forward, therefore having the choice not to be drafted. I believe intimidation mentally, emotionally and physically most likely comes into play forcing most people to eventually step forward. However, this is a very important fact which means a person does have a choice (if he can overcome the obstacles of intimidation) and so how do you justify this important fact in your belief and argument that the draft IS a form of slavery? Patricia O. |
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