Year: 2009

Just because you’re paranoid…

…doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. The FBI spent 45 years keeping files on Chicago writer and journalist Studs Terkel. And to think this agent provocateur went unwatched for the last 18 years of his life!

More applicants, fewer jobs in the NYPD

The story by Michael Schmidt in the New York Times.

Police Officer Uses Taser On 10-Year-Old Girl

As a reader pointed out: “She was just too big and tough, I guess.” My point (again) isn’t that cops violated their rules. It’s that the rules are wrong! Update November 19: The officerinvolved has been suspended for seven days (with pay, mind you). This is an example of the worst functionings in a police…
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Police speak out against racial profiling in California

Take that, “blue wall of silence.” From Anthropoliteia.

Political Correctness Kills?

No. My buddy Ron Smith has a column with the headline: “Fort Hood massacre shows how political correctness can kill.” (just for record, columnists don’t write headlines.) I’m not a fan of political correctness (though I like being polite) and don’t consider myself very politically correct (though I try and be considerate). But I’m pretty…
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Did officers mishandle this call?

No. And Peter Hermaan, a very good reporter, should really learn his 10-codes. Here’s the story. The dispatch said she was notifying the Eastern, where the car was headed. The Southeast cannot drive around and look for a car at a location long since gone.

Marine reservist attacks Greek priest

Why? Because marine reservist Jasen Bruce said he “looked like a terrorist.” He doesn’t. He looks like a Greek priest. Why? Because Bruce said he tried to rob him. He didn’t. He’s a priest. Why? Because the man yelled “Allahu Akbar.” He didn’t. He’s a priest. Why? Because the man grabbed Bruce’s crotch and made…
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Eminent Domain

After winning one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in my lifetime, Pfizer is pulling out of New London, Conn. They’re leaving a vacant lot where they worked hard to destroy a neighborhood. Of course it’s not just Pfizer’s fault. Who knows what shady deals got the local city officials behind it? The court decision,…
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Detective Accused of Providing Tips to Informers Is Acquitted

Drugs is a dirty world. Too bad we put police into a battle they can’t win.

Baltimore Mayor Dixon’s trial starts

The story in the New York Times.