The Best Things in Life are...Dragonflies

I tend to go through periods of high activity followed by low activity.  I have been letting a lot of things slide lately  such as: Bible study, exercise, my piano/voice practice, this blog, my other writing projects, basic house maintenance and the like.  So I am getting back on board with everything again (I guess everything but sentence structure).

I was sitting with my daughter last Saturday watching my son's soccer game.  The temp was warm but not hot, there was a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky (thats a rare event in the Midwest).  As I was watching the kids run from one side of the field to anther, I looked up and about two fields away there suddenly was a series of little sparkles, flashing about eight to ten feet up.  Suddenly all around us darting in and out of soccer players and spectators were easily a thousand dragonflies.  I have never seen anything like it.  There were at least two species maybe three buzzing around and then just as suddenly they were gone, only to return about five minutes later.

It became a moment, the time where you can just enjoy the warmth of the sun, the spectacle of soccer, the company of family and the wonderment of nature simultaneously.

It just readjusted my thinking and cheapened all my stresses.  The payments, the job, feuding families, stupid material arguments, all the things that we get caught up in that pull our heads down and stop of from seeing all the beauty and joy that God created for us.

It was a welcomed perspective shift.


I think I saw:  Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) and Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Luke 12:23-25

²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Back From Canada

The family and I just got back from Canada in the area of Northlake, ON.  I went without shaving for about ten days, maybe eleven.  Looks like I will never be able to get that handlebar mustache that I always wanted...stupid genes.

It was much needed break with the family with no cellular telephone reception I could not be on call and it still took me three days before I stopped checking my phones.  I can't remember the last time that I was able to sit with my wife and kids and take three hours to put a puzzle together or sit in the lake till it came out of my pores.

The Evolution of American Policing

Law Enforcement is very sensitive to public opinion and even more so to civil lawsuits.  The restrictions placed on me in 2010 are triple what they were in 1997 when I started.  Here is a perfect example, the first video is of a fan running on the field at a Phillies game and getting tased.  (An aside, the second a fan touches the field he/she has committed a crime.  The longer you chase someone the higher the chance that the offender does something even more stupid than running on the field and more important the higher chance someone gets hurt.  I was chasing someone and wearing the extra 40 pounds of gear and that caused an injury that cost me 9 months in recovery).  The officer stopped the offender, got him off the field and no one got hurt.

The second video is an Orioles game about a month later. after the blow back from the public that the officer at the Phillies game was just too mean to the fan on the field, so they just let him go on and on till he got tired.

The Police will stop enforcing the laws when all the public cares about is the wellbeing of the criminals and turn into meter maids with guns.  Oh wait isn't the national trend for the last five years showing an ever increasing number of citations issued and an equal lowering of initiated arrests?  That must just be a hitch in the numbers.

It's a Flood! Well in my basement at least.

Had about 5 inches come into the basement last night.  Spent all day cleaning up.  Learned two things: 1) check the basement if its pouring outside and 2) we have too much clothes...time to give a bunch away once they are clean again.  I wonder if with a little tile I could pass the basement as my new indoor pool.



Jude 1:12
These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

Three Fallen Brothers

Three of our fallen Chicago Pd brothers, by the hands of others in the last two months. End of tour.  Please be safe out there, each and everyone of you, they are and will take our lives.  Our prayers are with the families they left behind and thoughts go to the promised day when peace is everlasting.



Michael R. Bailey, 62, a 20-year veteran weeks from retirement, was shot a little after 6 a.m. while cleaning his Buick -- a retirement gift to himself -- in the 7400 block of South Evans Avenue, police said.  He had just gotten home and was still in his uniform when as many as three men approached, a source said. Preliminary information indicates Bailey announced he was an officer, and there was an exchange of gunfire between Bailey and at least one of the men, a source said.  The officer's son, who was home at the time, grabbed one of his father's guns and ran outside after he saw his father on the ground, the source said. It was unclear if the son fired any shots at the attackers.  The men fled and were being sought this afternoon, the source said. Three handguns, including one belonging to Bailey and another believed to belong to the assailants, were found at the scene.

Thor Soderberg

Thor Soderberg, 43, a 11-year police veteran.-Before ripping away Chicago police officer Thor Soderberg's handgun and shooting him dead with it, Bryant Brewer, a felon with a long arrest record, inexplicably tried getting inside the last place anyone would expect him to go: a renovated police facility full of cops.  Moments before Soderbergh, an 11-year police veteran, was killed Wednesday, Brewer strolled down 61st Street, screaming and hollering at no one in particular before he tried opening a locked door to the oldEnglewood police station that now serves as a police deployment center, according to a witness.  After Brewer killed the officer, he fired shots at a stranger sitting across the street and then peppered the facade of the police building with gunshots before being shot by responding officers, prosecutors said Friday.

Tom Wortham, 30, 3-year veteran.-Late Wednesday, Wortham became the latest casualty, fatally gunned down in front of his family homejust steps from the basketball courts after four men tried to rob him of a brand-new motorcycle, Chicagopolice said. His father, a retired Chicago police sergeant, witnessed the attack from the front of his home and wielded his own weapon to try to defend his son.  One of the robbers was killed and a suspect was critically injured. A third suspect surrendered to police by late afternoon, and the last was picked up during a traffic stop Thursday evening, sources said.  Wortham was a three-year officer and a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He had returned from Iraq in March.

Tom Wortham

Going out of business-The Police Business that is

One of the reasons to go into law enforcement and not the private sector (and I promise you my roommates in college consistently called me in the 90's telling me what they were making and what they were buying and what a dumb ass I was to be a cop.  Further, they had an open offer that when I was done "playing around" I could get a real job through them...What a turn around a bad economy can make in people's thinking, their opinion about my stupid decision has changed 180 degrees but I digress) is the security of the job and the stability of the position, well until the automatons take over.

What I am seeing for the first time ever is towns giving up their police forces or cutting them down to nothing.  Its a good trend for those who survive the purging and go back to "just the facts ma'am" from "oh sweet old lady your lonely let me have a cup of coffee with you and draw up an action plan".  But a troubling trend nevertheless.

Here is a brief summary of towns that have given up their Police departments.

San Luis, Colorado.  Chief and five officers gone.  Sheriff to take over.  Link: http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_fe7833bc-8668-11df-afee-001cc4c03286.html

Maywood, California.  41 officers.  Sheriff to take over.  Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/29/news/economy/city_fires_employees/index.htm

Bethel, Maine.  Five officers, Sheriff to take over.  Link:  http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/penny-pinching-towns-put-police-out-to-pasture/19550879

Fallowfield, Pennsylvania.   Five gone, Sheriff to take over.  Link Same As above.


Oakland, California.  80 Officers 10% of force.  Link:   http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/07/13/state/n172707D60.DTL

Etc Etc Etc.

Now I must acknowledge that there is an incredible duplication of services as each of these tiny cities throughout the Unites States fielded their own public services, fire and Police, that economies of scale would have produced better results.  But they have managed to keep their police and fire while cutting everything else.  Now it seems we are now on the block.  It can also be seen with the larger department pairing down their staffs in the hundreds, just look at Chicago Pd, 4,000 down and counting with no end in site.Your neighborhood watch better become armed.

Genesis 47:18
When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, "We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.

Discipline or rather the lack there of it

Discipline...I am in vast need of a lot more lately.  Since law enforcement is a 24 hour, 7 days a week gig, you can quickly get out of your rhythm with all the different work schedules this job necessitates.   As a result, you tend to stop exercising because you are not hitting the street or the weights at the same time everyday.  Or eating right when you are in your 16th hour and the only thing open is fast food.  Or sleep, one day its bed before ten, the next after two with the corresponding wake up time differentials.  Missing family functions and not being there when the kids get up or go to bed or hit the ballfields etc.  

The only thing I am maintaining is family and church (read attending services) time and that's important but wow am I letting two many other things go because I will not simply force myself to due what must be done regardless of the time of day or work load.

So I am now attempting to, in no particular order:

1.  began running again...5 times a week...right now hitting 3
2.  volunteering with my church or really doing more with what I am volunteering for.
3.  practicing my music
4.  staying in touch with my friends (Jason...Jason...I think I remember someone with that name...)
5.  getting the important chores around the home completed...have a porch to finish and a basketball hoop to put up.
6.  get writing again-to include getting to the blog much more often.
7.  loose 15 pounds...its just got to go
8.  getting my physical and dental checkups done...off by years
9.  get back to school.
10.  drink less beer

There is a reason that veteran cops get heavy, smoke and are divorced...when you let all these things and more go because of your work schedule and duties you turn around and they are not around to recover.

Proverbs 1:2-4

 ² for attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;
 ³ for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;
 ⁴ for giving prudence to the simple,
       knowledge and discretion to the young-

Sore

I have been in the field a bunch in the last two weeks in different surveillances. Its primarily spent hunkered down in my car, sitting still watching the target for hours at a time.  I did it again today.  I have not burned any calories or moved any major muscle groups but I am sore and tired as if I had one of the 16 hour days.  I always find it surprising that I am not flying off the walls with excess energy but rather just want to go to bed early.

A work Stopper

The work in the office ground to a halt the other day when one of our guys punched up the annoying orange video shorts.  I placed three here for your enjoyment and the rest can be found on their youtube channel...if it can attract and maintain the short attention span of multiple cops it has to be good...or well really stupid.

Some Brief Memorial Videos from DC

Wow been gone longer than I thought away from the blog...won’t happen again. Here are some brief cell phone videos I took while at the police memorial at Washington DC in 2010 for the candle light vigil. I know shaky –cam but it tells some of the story.  It quickly becomes sobering when you pass all our fallen brothers' and sisters' names chiseled into the stone.  Everyone please be safe out there.

Police Memorial-Washington DC

Was at the candle light service at the police memorial a better post on it very soon.  But for now hug your husband/wife/brother/sister/son or daughter and tell them you love them because some do not come home at the end of the shift.

At&T U-Verse slowing me down

Ok jumped into AT&T's U-verse pool last week and we have been having some problems.  With this system when it goes down, the TV, the telephone and the internet all stop working.  They worked on it today and so far so good.  Regular posting to follow.

Another excellent and needed charity-The Police Survivors

I just discovered this organization dedicated to assisting seriously injured or wounded Police officers. They have similarly wounded officers come to the home of a newly wounded officer for visitations, help them return to the incident location, provide counseling services and have a financial grants available.

I have seen many organizations dedicated to the honorable and critical need of serving the families of fallen officers but this is the first that I have discovered dedicated to a much higher population, the critically wounded officer. I believe they are a cause worth supporting. The following is the link to their web site and some material from it.
The Police Survivors

Mission Statement

The Police Survivors was established to assist in the recovery of any Police Officer who was seriously and traumatically injured in the Line of Duty in the State of Illinois. This will be accomplished through one on one visitations with similarly wounded police officers, return to the scene visitations, private independent counseling services, and financial grants. We are here to assist with the recovery process in any way possible. With your help, we can continue to “Take Care of Our Own".


Donations & Merchandise Our organization relies on your donations; any size donation is greatly appreciated.
You can use the PayPal link below to pay by credit card.
If you would like to pay by check, please make it payable to "Police Survivors" and send it to:

Police Survivors
5215 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 6063


How We Came To Be

In 1995, a group of seriously injured police officers decided that an organization should be founded to assist in the recovery process of any police officer injured in the line of duty within the state of Illinois. The process took over a year to put together and the following officers formally established The Police Survivors in the spring of 1996. They are Steven Tyler, Joseph Sosnowski, Michael Lappe, Sol Karadjias, Henry Davis Sr. (who has since passed away), Terry Baney, Talmitch Jackson, Jacqueline Healy and Dennis Dobson.

Three Floyds-Dark Lord Day

I made my first pilgrimage with three friends to Munster Indiana for the Three Floyds Brewery’s Dark Lord Day. Their Dark Lord is an imperial Russian stout that is only sold one day a year and to be guaranteed a bottle you have to buy a $10 ticket on line on Saint Patrick’s Day. It was nuts and fun because everyone comes with rare beer from all parts of the United States and the World to trade. So I was able to sample a lot of excellent and not so excellent brews. Our novice status has been successfully terminated and we now know what we need to do to make it even better.  I up loaded these three quick videos I took from different parts of the line to you tube.

Fishing Bloopers

Something about how Bill Dance takes it all in stride makes it even better.  Life is too short to be serious all the time, enjoy.


Ecclesiastes 10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

Moral Quandary

I am really not sure how to address this issue from a believers standpoint.  I already know how to feel as an officer.

On August 23, 2003, while in protective custody at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts, ordained Priest and suspected multiple-child molester John J Geoghan was strangled and stomped to death in his cell by Joseph Druce, a self admitted white supremacist and murderer. 

How do you treat, both intellectually and emotionally, incidents where evil preys on evil? I know how I want to feel, but is it right? The fallen are fallen and the lost are lost and once their life is extinguished a man’s chance for redemption through Christ is lost.  But then both their actions/decisions brought them to this place.  The following is the feed of the outside of the cell during this incident.




Psalm 7:13-15  13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;  he makes ready his flaming arrows.   14 He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. 15 He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.

A brief look into a mind

I spend a lot of quality time walking around downtown areas and as such receive many interesting missives from the unrealized mentally ill or in some rare cases well wishing individuals.  I was handed this flyer from a homeless man when I realized that most of the people in America do not get to interact with the marginalized mentally ill people we as officers see every day.  In person and in real time is the best way to educate yourself about them, but at least with the ones that are creative, their output at least give you some sense of understanding.  PLEASE NOTE...I not only do not endorse his ideas I am pretty sure I disagree and am trouble by all of them.

1 Samuel 21:13
So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

Fallen and injured police officers-Matt Crosby

First and foremost

Donations
Heartland Bank
c/o “Officer Matt Crosby Charitable Fund.”
9877 Manchester
Road, Rock Hill, MO 63119

I have been feeling that I can make a more positive use of my blog, so along with my regular posts I will be helping to get the word out about various fund raisers for our fallen and injuried brother and sisters in uniform.  I ran across this article for Officer Matt Crosby who was shot and gravely injured.  He is very worthy of our support.


Upcoming fundraisers:
Saturday, April 17, a lemonade stand operated by a local young lady that will include Matt Crosby’s sons, Saturday at the Market at McKnight Center located at the southwest corner of Manchester and McKnight roads in Rock Hill.

At 7:30 p.m., April 30 the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association will host a fundraiser at the SLPOA Hall, 3710 Hampton Ave. Tickets will be available at the door or from the Rock Hill Police Dept. 320b W. Thornton Ave., or through Shannon Dandridge at (314) 703-3111.

At 5: 10 p.m., May 27, the Webster Groves Police Department is hosting a Tex Mex dinner/auction at Lattitude 26, 6407 Clayton Road.
His story-Link to Globe Democrat New Story


George Issac Jones, 36, of Tennessee, is charged in the shooting that left a Rock Hill police officer paralyzed.
According to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's office, Jones is charged with five counts, including assault, armed criminal action and resisting arrest. Jones' bond is set at $150,000 cash only. He remains hospitalized Friday.
According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Jones was on parole for a facilitation to aggravated robbery conviction. His prior convictions were robbery and aggravated assault.
Friday's charges stem from what police said started as a domestic dispute Thursday night.
Domestic disputes are some of the most dangerous assignments a police officer can face, and two Rock Hill Police officers stared danger directly in the eye Thursday night.
Matthew Crosby, 30, a three-year veteran of the department, now lays in a hospital bed, paralyzed from the waist down after being shot April 8 in the shoulder during just such an incident at the Stanford Place Apartment Homes in the 1100 block of Raritan Drive, near the 9400 block of Manchester Road.
The bullet came to rest on his spine and he remains in stable condition at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, according to police.
St. Louis County police are now handling the investigation. At a news conference Friday afternoon County police Lt. Tom Larkin said the officers were called to the multi-level apartment by a woman who said her live-in boyfriend had assaulted her. They were told that the boyfriend, identified as Jones, was armed and dangerous.
Officers say Jones walked up the stairs to an apartment on the second floor through a glass window. They entered the building and knocked on the door, identifying themselves.
Larkin said the officers then took cover down one level because they didn’t want to stand in front of a door with an armed suspect inside.
“He (Jones) came out the door, walked a few steps, I understand there is a railing there, and shot down at the officers,” Larkin said.
The suspect fired two shots from a small caliber handgun he was holding, striking Crosby. Officers returned fire, striking Jones who then tumbled down a flight of stairs to the first level.
Larkin said the woman and her child were not in the building. The two may have been beaten earlier, he said.
Both Crosby and Jones were taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center and both remain in critical condition Friday, Larkin said. Jones may have been struck in the torso, he said.
Rock Hill Police Lt. Galen Cox said everyone in the department is praying for Crosby’s recovery, and added Crosby’s wife, Stephanie, and his three sons are at his bedside.
“He’s a good man who knows the business,” Cox said. “He knows how to handle himself. He’s a member of our special weapons and response unit and has got a lot of experience.”
Lewis was placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure when an officer is involved in a shooting, Cox said.
A St. John’s Mercy Medical Center spokeswoman said the family did not wish to speak to the media about the incident.
Cox said he spoke to Crosby’s wife, a nurse by profession, and said she “seems in pretty good spirits, considering.”
Cox called domestic dispute calls the “worst calls we have, or any department, can have.”
“You just don’t know what you’re going to encounter,” Cox said. “You already have two people who are in a combative state most of the time, and if there’s any drugs or alcohol added to the situation that certainly doesn’t help.”  “You don’t want to go to them (domestic disputes) but we go to them all the time,” Cox said. “It’s just that these things happen, unfortunately. It was just a disturbance between boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Cox said he did not know if drugs or alcohol were involved in Thursday night’s shooting.
“You have to be on alert and on your toes and pay attention to your surroundings as best you can,” Cox said of responding to a domestic dispute. “It’s probably one of the worst calls, besides one involving a child.”
According to Rock Hill officials, Jones is believed to have moved here three months ago from Tennessee. Larkin said there were several outstanding warrants for Jones in Memphis involving aggravated assault and kidnapping in a domestic violence case.

Vacation ending-Auction Stuff

Well the end of the Arizona vacation is here and we are about to fly back to the midwest.  I have an arrow head collection that takes up one wall of my office.  I have limited time to search for arrowheads so my total personal arrowhead find count is one.  As a result I do what bad hobbyist all over the world do, I purchase preexisting  collections from auctions when I can.  Here are the ones that I picked up yesterday.  Back to regular posts after today.

Vacation in Sedona Arizona

A much needed vacation in Sedona Arizona with my wife, the kids and my parents.  Over a year in the making and its been a good payoff.

Genesis 2:2
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Easter

Well I am late on Easter praise, but thank God he was not late on me.  He is Risen.

The Best Part of the Easter Story.

John 20:10-18

10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

16Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Missed Good Friday Services

One of the negatives in a career in law enforcement is also one that you can be told about but until you experience it you truly do not understand it.  The general public quickly forgets that policework is a 24 hour seven day a week commitment. Case in point, we were finished with the week and it looked like Friday would be a quick paperwork day running into the Easter weekend. As a result I made plans with the family to attend Good Friday services at Harvest Bible Chapel. So as these things go, right when I was walking to my car to go home we got called out and my family had to attend church without me and also as these things go we finished just at the right second that I would not be able to scream out of the area and make it while services were still in progress.

Missed family time is one of the prices that Officers pay to keep everyone else safe.  It is also one of the reasons this profession has the highest divorce rate.

The New Doctor Who-Matt Smith

I am waiting, experiencing both excitement and dread, for the new Doctor played by Matt Smith episodes to come out.  One one hand another episode/year of the doctor is always a good one regardless of the actor (I even liked Colin Baker) but on the other hand David Tennant's turn at the Doctor challenged even my Tom Baker love.

I had decided to do a post about how going away from David Tennant and Russell T Davies might actually be a good move because it seems like this incarnation of Doctor Who was running out of steam with a plot pattern that was being recycled multiple times.  This plot of unstoppable and relatively unseen alien beings taking over a human and then using their newly gained body to kill the rest of the humans around, with a different plot device used each time to keep the humans trapped in a small finite space where they run and run and run, till the doctor, with a degree of personal sacrifice, saves most of everyone..(See: The Uniquiet Dead, 42, Silence in the Library, Forest of the Dead, The Waters of Mars,).

But I have realized that most of my media posts lean to the negative so, I changed my mind and decided to list my favorite episodes of the David Tennant era as a way to help pass the torch from him to Smith.  If you care, enjoy and if you don't just wait for my next post I promise it will be back to my to two major themes of faith and law enforcement.

In no particular order:

The Girl in the Fireplace: I was genuinely moved-it began and supported the first reoccurring theme that the Doctor is alone and lonely  and the second reoccurring theme of this Doctor that saving the world/universe is only accomplished with some great personal sacrifice.

Gridlock: Good Premise, Good threat, Good ending...and like all good Doctor Who Episodes not everything is explained

Blink:  A rare Doctor Who episode that breaks the unwritten over-riding rules of a Doctor Who episode without running out of steam with its premise.  The Pulp Fiction of the Doctor Who world.  The end is the beginning or is it really the end?

Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead:  The best of everything that is Doctor Who, killer premise-literally, has what all the best DW episodes have-the Doctor running in an enclosed space with a threat that he can not overcome physically in any way, thus he has to improvise on the fly, there is also a lot of well timed misdirection, a duality in both plot and setting that is finally brought together into what I guess you would call a mono-ality, a number a cool and unexpected plot twists and easily has the best ending of any DW episode I have seen...ever.  "Now and then, every once in a very long while..." (and I really do not like Donna as a companion yet even she has a real and proper role).

Here is the hope for the future...of these four, three (The Girl in the Fireplace, Blink and the two parter Silence in the Library and the Forest of the Dead) were written by Steven Moffat who is taking over for Russell T Davies.


(The following was an early show with meaning)
Jeremiah 43:9
"While the Jews are watching, take some large stones with you and bury them in clay in the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes.

New Police Interceptor

My first assigned squad was a mid 90's Chevy Caprice Squad with a ZR1 Vette engine.  It was big.  It was fast.  It used a lot of gas and as long as you did not have to turn or stop quickly it was perfect.  The only squad I have driven that came anywhere close was the Dodge Charger with the Hemi V8 but that was only a week long test drive.

As time has gone by the squads have slowly gotten smaller and slower till I am wedged into my seat pushed between the door and the laptop computer watching bicyclists pass me by.

The following article is about the new police interceptor from Ford using the Taurus package (which I believe is the renamed old Ford 500 but I could be mistaken).  If everything that is stated is included into the package that actually makes it into our police parking lot it seems like a major upgrade from what is available to agencies from Ford for the last decade.

Article Link

2012 Ford Police Interceptor: The Crown Vic's Robocop Replacement

 Fords Crown Victoria-based police interceptor will finally end production late next year. This is its replacement — the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor. Other than the movie Robocop, it's the first time Ford's Taurus has served as a purpose-built patrol car.

Ford first introduced its police package in 1950 and today the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the industry leader. The automaker's dominated the streets to the point that over the last five years, Ford's controlled more than 70% of the patrol cars sold. Obviously police fleets are an important segment. Unfortunately, the Crown Vic's Panther-platform's getting a little long in the tooth — it hasn't seen a redesign in over 15 years. The replacement? An all-new Police Interceptor built off the Ford Taurus platform that will be produced at Ford's Chicago, Ill. assembly The new Police Interceptor sedan will obviously offer two powertrain options in order to be competitive with the upcoming Chevy Caprice PPV. The first'll be a standard engine with a 3.5-liter V6 Duratec engine producing more than the Crown Vic's current anemic V8 and more than the standard Taurus V6 — over 263 HP. But it's the second powertrain that police officers'll be pining for — a twin turbo Ecoboost 3.5-liter V6 delivering 365 HP and 350 lb-ft of torque. That's the same engine found in the new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and it gives Ford a performance boost over the new GM patrol car — the Chevy Caprice PPV — that'll be hitting the streets at about the same time as the new Police Interceptor.

There's also an optional AWD system for the members of the Fargo police department and any other P.D.'s with need of more-than-front-wheel drivetrain police cruisers.

And oh, that interior. We're told by police forces who've already seen the vehicle that nearly 90% of the interior's been redesigned specifically for police. Ford's done little things — like installing the slimline shifter on the column to free up more console area. The instrument panel includes a horseshoe shape for aftermarket equipment installations. It even appears they've thoughtfully provided standard 9" spacing between the passenger and driver — just like the Crown Vic — so agencies can transfer existing aftermarket equipment to their new Police Interceptor. Ford's also supposedly redesigned the doors to make them open 71 degrees. That's not quite as good as the Carbon Motors concept's suicide doors, but not too shabby — and better than the Caprice PPV it'll really be in competition with.

We can also see that there's a 220 amp alternator to provide officers with all the power they'll need for computers, lights and the like — and we're told by suppliers there's a flexible conduit inside the headliner for ease of wiring aftermarket equipment. Lastly, don't forget the anti-stab plate in the back of the front seats — for your protection from shiv-equipped baddies in the back seat.

But that's the near-term future. The long-term future reportedly include a second Police Interceptor that'll be available as a "utility version" built on the same platform. Yup, a Ford Flex-based Interceptor.

But, we are wondering if the Taurus being used as a Police Interceptor is just one more step in the eventual evolution of Detroit police officers into Robocop. Probably not, but somehow that's all we'll be thinking if we see this mean-looking patrol car pulling us over.

Firefly Thunderbolt Watch

I just picked up a Firefly Thunderbolt Watch through a friend of mine that is a throw back-the classic traveling salesman.  It has led's embedded into the watch so that one push and it illuminates low level blue to read the watch but the second push turns on the orange LEDs that work like a flashlight.  It is rechargeable and all you have to do is lay it on its stand and it will recharge no cords etc.

This is a law enforcement friendly tool.  The reason I decided to buy it was to have a last resort flashlight with me at all times on my wrist and...well...to also tell me the time.  The last time we were out late in the morning working, my flashlight up-and-dried-out (LED's do not dim so you never really know when they are going to go out on you) leaving me to run through a couple of places in the dark-not a good tactical position-and then perform some searches borrowing other guys lights.  If I had this watch then it would have saved a lot of hassle.  I think for any Officer that works after the sun goes down this would be a good way to go.  Just a thought.

Three Floyds Alpha King

A couple of buddies and I ran over to the Three Floyds Brewery on a Saturday.  First, we went on the brewery tour and I discovered that beer crafting is both easier and harder than I thought at the same time (and I came to this dichotomy before we started drinking) .  Second, we went to the little pub attached to the brewery and had a couple of beers that you can not get anywhere else and ate and ate and ate (Scotch Eggs, Mussels, fried chicken skin and my sandwich was a pastrami and beef tongue).

Their beer Alpha King is easily the best beer I have had in a long long time.  It runs against my IPA love but it is what a beer should always be about, sharp hoppy beginning, citric middle and crisp end, with clean limited aftertaste.  Brewed in limited batches and hard to find, it is worth the search to have a few and if you go to the brewery I will meet you there! 

3Floyds Link

Mosab Hassan Yousef, The Green Prince

I was listening to the BBC World Service News Hour and they had a lengthy interview with Mosab Yousef, who revealed himself to be the green prince.  After his arrest and subsequent release he became an informant for Israeli's version of the CIA.  He has since become a Christian and moved to the United States, and in fully embracing American culture has, of course, written a book which I will be getting.  It all started when a tourist gave him a Bible.

Mosab was able to turn against his homeland, his friends, his family, his initial religious affiliation, his initial political philosophy, his wealth and his power base.  Wow, even though I believe what he did was not only courageous and correct, I am not sure I could have over come all these obstacles that was between Yousef and the right thing.  Is he a hero or a deeply flawed human being that was able to throw off his loyalties and turn his back to all he has known.  I will let you decide.  I am leaning toward hero but need a lot more research on this matter.

 

Newspaper Write up.

 
Revealed: 'Green Prince' who betrayed Hamas
Israeli informer who provided intelligence to Shin Bet for more than 10 years is son of jailed Palestinian leader
By Ben Lynfield in Jerusalem

The son of a Hamas leader in the West Bank has told an Israeli newspaper that he was the "Green Prince", a key informer who provided Israel's intelligence services with crucial information for more than a decade.

Mosab Hassan Yousef, 32, is the son of Hassan Yousef, a founder of Hamas in the West Bank who is serving a six-year prison sentence in Israel. His intelligence is said to have helped Israel's Shin Bet intelligence service to prevent dozens of suicide bombings and led to the arrest of top Palestinian leaders. "So many people owe him their life and don't even know it," his former handler told Haaretz. "People who did a lot less were awarded the Israel Security Prize."

The claims were dismissed by Hamas as a "Zionist ruse", but independent analysts in the West Bank said they were plausible. If widely believed, they would deal another blow to the prestige of Hamas, already reeling from the assassination of an armed wing leader in Dubai last month, apparently by Israeli agents. Dubai police say a Hamas member facilitated the killing, and Hamas has been at pains to deny there was a security breach.

Mr Yousef, who now lives in California, has gone public with his claims ahead of the publication of a memoir, Son of Hamas. "I wish I were in Gaza now," he said. "I would put on an army uniform and join Israel's special forces in order to liberate Gilad Shalit." He was persuaded to work as the "Green Prince" – a nickname derived from the colour of the Palestinian flag and his own status as the son of a key Hamas figure – in 1996, while he was in an Israeli prison.

Throughout the early years of the second Palestinian uprising that broke out in 2000, he was considered the agency's best source inside Hamas, and contributed to the arrests of the suicide bombing mastermind Abdallah Barghouthi, now serving 67 life sentences, and the firebrand Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, according to the newspaper.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/revealed-green-prince-who-betrayed-hamas-1909932.html

Random Thoughts - John Carpenter

I am on Netflix and was sent John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars.  Despite being an incredibly bad movie (you know there is a problem when all the director/writer of the movie/screenplay can talk about is the score he created with the help of aging rock stars) it seems that Carpenter was being just lazy.

Take his remake of The Thing (great movie) and turn the snow to sand, the prevailing color white for the color red, the transmission source from blood to sand, keep the formless aliens and also keep the sense of isolation and desperation and you come out with Ghost of Mars...well once you add in bad acting, bad script and crappy sets aaaaaaaannnnnddddd lets add a dash of the clothing ascetic from Escape of New York.
  
He simply ripped himself off and let us down.  This, from the man that gave two of my all time favorite movies: Escape from New York and The Thing.  Why would you phone it in when you are going to spend all the time and energy being the director, script writer and composer, wouldn't be simpler to attach yourself to another low budget project where you only spend 30 shooting days with the movie?  I don't know, it's just a random thought.

PS:  My daughter says he looks like Yoda.

Jesus Vicente Zambada Niebla

The Mexican Cartel Drug Wars rarely touch the Midwest where I live, in any significant way other than their products are consumed and injected on our streets and byways.   However, when I ran across an article about jesus vicente zambada niebla being in federal custody in our local paper I thought it was cool but not earth shattering till I did some research. He really popped up.  I have a rule, in hard news the more outlets propagate a story the more significant it becomes in my mind.  Here is a list and a couple lines from that day from the different news sources that I encountered, starting from Chicago where he ended up and then pulling out.  30 is a big fish for a change.

1.  Son of Mexican drug kingpin pleads not guilty in US court

(AFP) – 2 days ago

CHICAGO — A leading Mexican drug figure suspected of plotting attacks on government buildings in the United States and Mexico pleaded not guilty in a US court Tuesday to trafficking charges.

Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla is the son of one of Mexico's top drug lords, Sinaloa cartel chief Ismael "el Mayo" Zambada-Garcia, and led its operations, logistics and security, Mexican officials said following his March arrest.

Shackled at the ankles and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, Zambada-Niebla stood quietly with his hands clasped behind his back as his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf and an interpreter translated the brief proceedings.

First Link

2.  Mexico to Chicago: Cartel leader extradited (Chicago Examiner)

In what has been heralded as a significant step forward in the war on drugs, a high ranking member of the Sinaloan drug cartel has been extradited to Chicago from Mexico. Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla is described as a second generation cartel leader that was responsible for the import of over $50,000,000.00 worth of Cocaine into the United States with Chicago being the hub of the operation.

Second Link

3. Alleged Sinaloa drug cartel leader denies Chicago charges (Chicago Sun Times)

A man described by authorities as a high-ranking leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel pleaded not guilty today in federal court in Chicago to wide-spread drug conspiracy charges that accuse him and others of bringing massive amounts of cocaine and heroin in to Chicago.

Third Link

4. Alleged Mexican cartel figure pleads not guilty (The Washington Post)

By MIKE ROBINSONThe Associated Press
Tuesday, February 23, 2010; 3:51 PM
CHICAGO -- A man accused of being one of the leaders of a powerful Mexican drug cartel pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he conspired to import and sell large amounts of cocaine and heroin in the United States.

4th Link

5. Mexico: Alleged "narco-junior" Vicente Zambada extradited to the U.S. (Los Angeles Times)

Vicente Zambada, son of one of Mexico's top drug kingpins and allegedly a major operator in his own right, was extradited Thursday to the United States, where he will stand trial on federal trafficking charges, authorities in both countries said.

Zambada, 34, was flown to Chicago and will be arraigned on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo.

5th Link

Ok you get the idea

2 Kings 15:9

He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

Hit with a Cold Again!

I usually get sick twice a year at most.  But this is the third one this winter and this is also the first year I did not get my flu shots.  Well lesson learned.

Psalm 38:3

Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

Lyrical personal credo

I am not really sure how I stumbled on Ricky Skagg's and the Kentucky Thunder Album Live at the Charleston Music Hall.  I am not a bluegrass aficionado and at the time I was not following any Christian musicians.  But I found this album and specifically the song "A Simple Life".  It really struck home and has become my unofficial theme song slash personal credo.  My wife knows it and both of my children can sing it word for word because I played it so many times since I discovered it.  I find myself getting bogged down in all the disappointments, stresses and distractions of modern life and this song helps remind me that the truly important things are not complicated and worth focus.  I easily take to heart every line.  Enjoy and start to live the Simple Life. (I think you can just listen to the music and ignore the picture-mentally put yours in).

Larry Norman

I was at a dinner party last night and the conversation turned to Christian Rockers.  We went through the current ones that we have recently gone to see in concert (Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys).  One of the couples was from one generation removed from my wife and I and they started talking about the Christian Rock groups that they used to go see back in the 70's and 80's (mainly the Jesus People movement).  That spurred my memory back to the first Christian Rocker that I really hooked into.  Back in the (yes Rich I am aware that is not a proper sentence and this one is not also) easly 80's I was complaining to my youth pastor Dave Barber that the reason that I did not like any of the current Christian groups (Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Michael W Smith) was because they were lame, sugar coated, pop songs that never delt with the real world.  Dave then pulled out a Larry Norman album  that had the song Why Don't you look to Jesus.  I was blown away.  These lyrics in a "Christian Song?!?"   I immediately became a fan and played the h-e-double hocky sticks out of that tape.   Here is a live performance of this song, worth a listen.


Well I eventually moved on and forgot about Larry and his ass-kicking for Jesus till last night and of course as usual with my timing he has shed this life for the next about a year and change ago, so I will not have the opportunity to see him live.  But man that guy was on the street, playing for the whores, tell'n them about Jesus.  How cool is that!

This is what Larry wrote the day before he died.

In a message he wrote on Saturday, Feb 23, the day before he passed away, Norman said:

"I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home. I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help. My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be funeral information posted on my website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.”
“Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye."


A Brief Bio of Larry


Feb. 25th, 2008, Salem, Oregon - Larry Norman, the singer, songwriter, and producer known as the "father of Christian rock music," died of heart failure on Sunday (Feb. 24) in his Salem, Oregon home. He was 60.

Norman was an eccentric visionary whose songs drew controversy from both the conservative religious establishment and the secular music press for his lyrical mix of radical religious, political, and social themes. His 1969 solo album Upon This Rock was the first Christian rock record, and his milestone 1972 release Only Visiting This Planet is considered one of the best albums in the genre. His music was an influence on such diverse artists as U2, John Mellencamp, and the Pixies.

"Larry was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike person I ever met," former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon hearing of Norman's passing.

Norman was born on April 8, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas. At the age of 3 he relocated to San Francisco, California with his family and in the mid-'50s became fascinated with the music of Elvis Presley. During this time he also frequently accompanied his father on Christian missions to prisons and hospitals. At the age of nine, Larry began writing and performing original rock and roll songs at school, experimenting and incorporating a spiritual message into his music. In 1959 he performed on Ted Mack's syndicated television show The Original Amateur Hour on CBS. Upon moving to San Jose, California, he began recording for Capitol Records with his band People! in 1966 and for the next 2 years performed concerts supporting The Doors, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. People! scored a Billboard Chart hit in 1968 with a cover of The Zombies’ song “I Love You.” Norman left the band the day People!’s debut album was released.

His solo albums recorded in the 1970s on his own independent label Solid Rock, and the albums of other artists he discovered and produced, laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Christian rock music industry, a genre which largely shunned him and his music. According to Portland news/radio station KXL, Norman's early social positions caused a stir among many conservative Christians. His views against racism and poverty caused him to receive multiple death threats in the 1970s. A widespread ban on Norman's music, which is largely still in effect today, existed in Christian stores. This ban was due not only to Norman's social positions, but his preferred company as well. Said Norman in a separate interview, "The churches weren’t going to accept me looking like a street person with long hair and faded jeans. They did not like the music I was recording. And I had no desire to preach the gospel to the converted."

Time Magazine once called Norman “the most significant artist in his field.” Over 300 cover versions of his songs have been recorded by artists such as Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Black, and Cliff Richard. His songs have also been recorded by contemporary Christian artists like DC Talk, Rebecca St. James, and Audio Adrenaline. He performed for The White House, twice - and in Moscow at the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. He headlined venues like The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House, The Palladium and London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall, which he sold out six times, once filling it twice on the same day. In the last 40 years Norman has released nearly 100 solo albums.

In 2001 Norman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Elvis Presley. At the time of his death he was working on an album with Frank Black and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, which will be released later this year.

For everyone who loves Christian Rock this is your founder.  RIP Larry till I see you when I see the Lord face to face and your with him.

Geese Really? Didn't occur to you that it may go bad?

If you have read this blog for any length of time I am almost always a Police apologist and supporter, primarily because I am one and secondly, the information used to criticize  an Officer's conduct is usually either wrong or demonstrates a gross lack of understanding of our profession.

However the following story is an exception to my stance.  While this Sergeant is 1) stupid 2) a disgrace 3) morally bankrupt 4) should be locked away for at least 20 years...it is..... 5) really funny.


Charges: Cop using squad car to deliver pot

February 2, 2010

By MATT HANLEY mhanley@stmedianetwork.com

An Earlville police sergeant who lives in North Aurora is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly made a marijuana delivery while on duty.

Sgt. Sergio Fuentes, 41, was charged with felonies possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct, according to the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team.

On Friday, Fuentes delivered marijuana to a person who was working with the narcotics team, police said. Fuentes was on duty at the time of the alleged delivery and drove his Earlville squad car to the delivery.

Fuentes was arrested a short time later at the Earlville police station.

After the arrest, officers found more marijuana in Fuentes' personal car, then recovered another illegal drug -- Clonazepam, a muscle relaxer -- during a search of his squad car, police said.

According to the Earlville Mayor Mike Hall, Fuentes has been suspended without pay. At the advice of the city's attorneys, Fuentes' medical benefits remain in place for the time being, Hall said.

Hall said Fuentes had been with the department several years and was generally thought to be doing a good job. He hurt his knee on the job and had been out on workman's compensation, returning a few months ago.

"As a city, obviously we're very disappointed," Hall said Monday. "We're shocked. The state's attorney and those people are handing this. We'll obviously cooperate in any way we can."

Official misconduct carries a possible sentence of up to five years. If convicted of possession of marijuana, Fuentes could be sentenced to up to three years.

The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team consists of police departments from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

Psalm 14:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

More Silliness

Meet Hello Kitty Superman, Hello Kitty Armored Personal Carrier, Hello Kitty Rifle, Hello Kitty 1911 and finally Hello Kitty Airliner.  After this I promise no more Hello Kitty anything...ever...ever again.  Going to need insulin just looking at these pictures.

Just Something to Lighten the Mood

Meet the Hello Kitty Darth Vader there is hope for humanity yet.

Genesis 21:6

Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."