Hundreds Attend Funeral for Slain 13-year-old

Devin Hawkins never sold drugs or belonged to a gang yet on April 23 the 13-year-old was shot and killed by suspected gang members. Devin was another innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of drugs, guns and violence.

Devin "Chumpy" Hawkins is described by friends and family as a happy teenager and student at Carver Middle School who had incredible talent on the football field. He was further described as a super star with a bright future.

On April 23, an argument in the streets near Devin’s home turned deadly, an argument that Devin was not involved in. The 13-year-old was outside when shots rang out, he was running for his house when he was struck and killed by a stray bullet. He died only feet from his front door in the Broadwater Townhome community in southern Chesterfield.

Rev. Lamont Hobbs delivered what is described as a rousing eulogy at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Petersburg where approximately 600-700 people turned out to say goodbye to Devin.

During the eulogy Hobbs acknowledge the local media for “getting this one right” by making it clear that Devin was not a drug dealer or gang member. He went on to call on parents to do their part to keep their children away from drugs, guns, and violence by checking their children’s rooms. He called on the community to do their part by reporting “wrongdoing” to the authorities.

Hobbs said:

"It ain't about Devin and where he is, the question is what are we going to do? We have got to get our house in order."

And in a closing that received a standing ovation Hobbs said:

"You need to have a jailhouse shakedown in your house,"

A 17-year-old who was shot in the leg during the incident is now believed to have been the intended target after he became involved in a verbal altercation.

The 17-year-old helped identify three suspects in the shooting. Jermon Rasheem Woodson-Jones, 21, who turned himself in after consulting an attorney, has been charged with criminal gang participation and being an accessory after the fact. Jermaine Powell, 18, who lived in the same block as Devin, was arrested and charged with criminal gang participation earlier this week. Yesterday police and the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested William Timothy Walker, 21, the alleged gunman, in Harrisburg, Pa. Walker has been charged with homicide, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and gang participation. All three suspects are believed to be members of a localized chapter of the "Bloods" street gang.

 

Donald Trump: The Great Fraud?

For quite some time now we have listened to Donald Trump talk about the “team of investigators” he has sent to Hawaii, last night he discussed his investigation with Anderson Cooper. As do most of Donald Trumps “Birther” rants last nights interview left many of us questioning, not President Obama’s citizenship but rather Donald Trump’s honesty. Donald Trump seems quite capable of making wild allegations and fueling the “Birther” fire but producing any actual evidence or even an actual investigator seems to be a problem for him.


Trump has made the comment, "you wont believe what they (his investigators) are finding" but when he is asked to elaborate on that or any other evidence he claims to have found he provides everything except a straight answer. So far, some of the answers he does provide are "we will see what happens", "its none of your business", "I don't want to say now, but it's going to be very interesting".

The CNN team has said that they haven't found one person during the course of their investigation who have been contacted by Trumps investigators, when Cooper asked trump if he thought the he former director of the Hawaii Department of Health (one of 2 officials who have seen the Original certificate) was someone they should be talking to Trump responded:

"Well I’ve been told very recently, Anderson, that the birth certificate is missing, I’ve been told that’s it not there or it doesn’t exist.  And if that’s the case it’s a big problem."

Cooper then asked: "Who told you that?"

Trump responds:  "I just heard that two days ago from somebody."

In true Trump style he dodged the original question all together and offered up some more "inside" information from yet another nameless, faceless "somebody".

There seems to be nothing about his "investigation that seems particularly honest and his information is certainly not being backed up by evidence. I began to ask myself if there was a possible financial motivation for Trump's massive "birther" campaign". Well, it turns out that there is at least one, Trumps TV show, The Celebrity Apprentice, has enjoyed a 12% increase in the ratings do to the added publicity.

Oddly enough, a USA Today Gallop poll shows that 7% of those polled say Donald Trump was definitely or probably born in another country. Nearly three in 10 say they don’t know enough to say.

I have to ask myself if the 7% really believe Trump was born in another country or is this attempt to distance the United States from "The Donald" and save us more embarrassment in the future.

First Female Commandant of the Army's Quartermaster School is Promoted to Brigadier General

In 2005 "Trailblazer" Gwendolyn Bingham became Fort Lee's first female garrison commander. In November of 2010 she once again left her mark when she became the first female commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee.

In March of 2010 Col. Gwendolyn Bingham was recognized by the U.S. Army Women’s Museum at Fort Lee along with 11 others as “a trailblazer who is setting a path for others to follow”. On Friday, April 22 the path became a little longer for those following in her footsteps.

Bingham’s story began 30 years ago when she was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from college on a ROTC scholarship. At the time she only planned to serve her four-year commitment and then enter the civilian work force. Her path would take her in a far different direction and she now admits that she was bitten by the “Army bug” at a young age saying:

 

“Quite honestly, I think I was hooked from the moment I walked on a parade field with my dad,”

Her father, Army first sergeant Edward McMillion, (now deceased) helped send Bingham on her path when he pinned the second lieutenant bars on her shoulder at the University of Alabama in 1981 when she was first commissioned.In 2005 Bingham made history at Fort Lee when she became the installations first female garrison commander. On November 22, 2010 she once again left her mark when she became the 51st commandant and the first female commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee.Bingham, originally from Troy, Ala, has spent the past 30 years of her life serving in the U.S. Army. Her career began at Fort Lee and although she has been called away on assignments she considers Fort Lee her home saying at the November ceremony:

“Today, I feel like Dorothy — there simply is no place like home,”

Bingham went on to say:

“It’s really not about me. . . . I don’t really look at it from the historical side, It’s indeed an honor for me to be the first, but I just feel privileged and honored to be a part of a team with all the men and women that have served with me in the past and continue to serve here with me at Fort Lee.”

Although she has held the position for the past six months the promotion to brigadier general makes it official, she is now the first female quartermaster general.Retired Lt. Gen. David S. Weisman described the turnout as the largest he has ever seen at a promotion ceremony. Among those in attendance where the mayors of Hopewell, Petersburg and Colonial Heights, as well as former Petersburg Mayor Annie M. Mickens and Delegate Rosalyn Dance, D-Petersburg.During the ceremony Maj. Gen. James E. Chambers compared Bingham to Lt. Gen. George Patton and Gen. Omar Bradley saying:

“Inside, she has the heart of a lion.”

And

“Don’t tell her it can’t be done.”

Bingham’s children, Phillip and Tava, participated in the ceremony by slipping off her former rank insignia and replacing it with the single star of a brigadier general. After the ceremony Bingham told reporters that she had never planned on becoming a general:

“Only about one percent of the entire Army is the general officer rank. It wasn’t something I had my sights set on.”

Brigadier General Bingham now oversees the training of more than 20,000 military personnel annually in her new role as quartermaster general.

 

Hate Groups Receive High Marks from the Better Business Bureau While Legitimate Businesses Struggle

America's most well known business reporting agency, the Better Business Bureau has come under fire after a 20/20 report revealed questionable practices on the part of the agency. It appears that the Arlington, Virginia based non-profit group should take a good look at their own "Standards of Trust" that they require their accredited members to follow.

The 20/20 investigation found that such well known names as The Ritz Carleton, Wolfgang Puck, and Disney World have received the lowest rating offered by The BBB, an F. None of the three are accredited (paid) members of the BBB.

The 20/20 report came after business owners complained about questionable practices buy the consumer watchdog group. Just one example of the "pay for an A" ppractice was allegedly video taped by 20/20. Liz's Antique Hardware had a rating of C when she was reportedly told that it would not be changed unless she became an accredited (paid) member. According to 20/20 she gave them her credit card number and within 24 hours she had a rating of A+.

The BBB claims that not just anyone can be an accredited member, accredited members are by invitation only and must agree to uphold the highest standards of business practices (and pay the membership fee).

Angry business owners, with the help of an anonymous blogger, submitted Hamas and a racist website, stormfront.org and payed the $425 fee for accreditation. Using Bill Mitchell, president of the L.A. BBB and Aryn Whiting as the business owners along with fictitious address, the two businesses received an A- and an A+ respectively.

After watching the report I decided to search the BBB website and see what other colorful businesses would turn  up with good ratings.

It took me about five seconds to find the  Ku Klux Klan with a B+ rating. The KKK's business type is listed as general membership and lobbying. According to the BBB they have had no complaints filed against them and the BBB has no information regarding any government actions against the KKK.

A few minutes later I discovered the  American Nazi Party, self described aryan revolutionaries, sporting a impressive B rating. Once again the BBB has received no complaints and is aware of no government action against the ANP.

I need to point out that neither of these organizations are accredited (paid) members of the BBB. It appears that if they would pay their membership fees they could easily have an A+ by this time tomorrow.

I am sure I am not the only one who has a problem with the idea that hate groups enjoy B-A ratings while many legitimate businesses have to struggle with a C and pay to receive an A+.

In the heading of the BBB website it says  "start with trust", perhaps the American trust has been misplaced when it comes to the BBB.

Dolphin Maimed and Thrown Back into the Ocean to Die

 

WVFitzgerald.blogspot.com

 

As I sat on the beach at Atlantic Beach North Carolina word began to spread that a dolphin had washed ashore only a couple of hundred yards away. I grabbed my camera and started walking down the beach to where a small crowd had gathered.

I immediately noticed a huge wound in the dolphin's side accompanied by large teeth marks, the dolphin was also missing it's tail. The people in the crowd speculated that the dolphin had been the victim of a shark attack.

A small group of three researchers arrived to transport the remains to a more hospitable environment for preservation and further study. They quickly conducted a preliminary examination taking measurements, checking body temperature and examining the wounds.

Despite their apparent sense of urgency to move the animal the researches took a moment to express there thanks to the person who had called them. They went on to say that they collect approximately 130 sea animals annually that wash ashore along the coast.

After completing their examination the researchers determined that a shark had in fact attacked the dolphin. This was evident in the two large bite wounds, one on each side of the midsection. They then informed the crowd that the missing tail was not the result of the shark attack. The tail had been cleanly severed by a knife or other sharp object.

Although impossible to prove, they believed the most likely scenario was that the dolphin became tangled in a fishing net, the fishermen then cut the tail off to free the animal without risking damage to their nets. The dolphin was thrown back into the ocean, alive but unable to swim or defend itself properly. 

The presents of the injured dolphin soon attracted a hungry shark that attacked leaving the two gaping wounds; shortly thereafter the tide carried the remains to the beach. According to the internal body temperature the dolphin had died shortly before washing ashore.

It seems that this is a case of time and money outweighing the need for the humane treatment of all life. As is the case for most of us "time is money" in the fishing industry and nets cost money. It is most unfortunate that this results in an animal of any kind being maimed and left to suffer before eventually dying. If it is in fact necessary to injure the dolphin to remove it from the nets I would have to say that I believe it would be far more humane to kill it as opposed to letting it suffer. 

Interview with Westboro Baptist Church: Hate in the Name of God

 

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="242" caption="Members of Westboro Baptist Church demonstrate at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, Author: JCWilmore Creative Commons Attribution 3.0"][/caption]

Shirley Phelps-Roper from Westboro Baptist Church takes the time to answer some of my questions regarding the church, their controversial views, and their protests.

Most of us have heard about the Kansas based Westboro Baptist Church group. They routinely make headlines by traveling the United States holding what are most commonly refereed to as hate rallies. The church is commonly known as a hate group due to the message they attempt to spread through their protest.

Members of Westboro Baptist Church routinely appear carrying signs with such slogans as "God hates you", "God hates Jews", "fags are beast", "God hates fags", "Obama is the beast" and "thank God for dead soldiers” just to name a few.

I first became aware of the church in March of this year when they traveled to Central Virginia to hold anti-Semitic and anti-gay protest at four locations around Richmond and Henrico County. They held demonstrations at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Jerusalem Connection, Weinstein JCC, and Hermitage High School.

This group seems to simply show up around the country from time-to-time carrying signs and shouting slogans.

Many of us are left with more questions than answers after such an event, "what is their point?” "What do they hope to accomplish?” what do they believe in beside hate?"/ Well, you get the point. I decided that in the interest of fairness and understanding I would like to ask them a few questions about their church and their views and get their side of the story.

I decided on several questions and sent an email to Westboro Baptist Church and asked if they would mind answering them for the purpose of this article. Shirley Phelps-Roper took the time to answer my questions and here is what she had to say.

What inspired Fred Phelps to start the Westboro Baptist church, what was his vision for the church?

Phelps-Roper: WBC was started by Eastside Baptist Church in Topeka, KS and they invited Pastor Fred Phelps to be her first pastor. The vision of WBC is and has always been to serve God in the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven according to the written word that is found in The Book, the Word of God, commonly called The Bible!

I read on Wikipedia that the church is mostly made of Mr. Phelps's extended family, is this true? If so why, has he had trouble recruiting new members from outside of the family?

Phelps-Roper: Today, this tiny little flock of slaughter has about 70 people who regularly attend the service of the Church when we meet each week with God, pursuant to the pattern that is shown in The Bible of a New Testament Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Of those 70 souls, about 45 are members in good standing of WBC. Of those, about 85% are related by blood or marriage. Not quite the 100% that were related to Noah when God destroyed the old world with a flood of waters, saving 8 souls and sending, by some authorities, 16 billion souls directly into the bowels of hell! I say, 100% of those souls on that ark were related by blood or marriage.

What is your agenda, why travel the country holding what are most commonly described as hate rallies? What do you hope to accomplish?

Phelps-Roper: Our agenda is to preach the Gospel of Peace. As a matter of fact, those that hear and receive this gospel, it is a sweet smelling savor of life unto eternal life. To the rest, and the vast majority of mankind, it is a horrible savor of death, unto eternal punishment in hell where the worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched. Eternal torment. THAT is our agenda.

As a matter of beautiful, that-is-how-our-God-rolls fact, we are by this method, binding this nation to the standards of God. Further, we are bringing the thunder! We are using every fiber of our beings, and every resource at our disposal and every gift and calling that we received from our God to get this job done and to complete our testimony!

We also write songs, and this question has the first line of our Crazy Train (written for the benefit of the raging rebels called Metal Heads at the funeral of Ronnie James Dio) parody. "AMAZING / that's how God rolls / Billions of people / drowning in woe-oe-oe-oe-oe / CRAZY / it's much too late / to speak of God's love / when you brought on his ha-a-a-a-ate!"

These are not commonly described as "hate rallies;" they're called PROTESTS! As in "God sent his servants, rising early, daily and betimes, and sending, to protest your sin and your disobedience, for which thing, the wrath of God abides upon the children of disobedience." They're "love fests."

Most churches try to convert new members, on your website home page (godhatesfags.com) it says "God Hates You". Why would anyone join a church if they have already been told that God hates them, doesn't that make it pointless?

Phelps-Roper: That is an excellent question. You see this confirms what I said above. If God, in HIS MERCY, has given you eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart of understanding, you will see that sign and you will say, MY GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE. THAT is what the Bible says in the Old AND New Testaments.

You will say with Paul, "KNOWING therefore the TERROR of the Lord, we MUST warn our fellow man that his sin is bringing on his destruction and great wrath from God and death and hell!" THAT my friends is what God calls: LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. Further, God says, if you do NOT give such a warning, then (1) You hate your neighbor in your heart, and (2) Their blood will be upon your hands and in the Day of Judgment, God will require it of you! You will know that God said IF you OBEY MY COMMANDMENTS, THEN, I will not abhor you! You will know that the default for 99.999999% of all humans is hell.

You see friend, we must NOT concern ourselves with how the masses of Doomed America view the words, because, we do not serve the masses; we serve The Living God. We care about what HE says! HE said: "get out and give the words to EVERY human, and make sure it is MY WORDS that you give."

Jesus taught love, so how can any self described Christian justify teaching hate in any form?

Phelps-Roper: Jesus taught obedience! Here is the verse for you: 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

This is another verse for you that puts a proper face on your words: 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

The Bible is FULL of God's hatred. It is perfect, like his love. It is NOT an evil passion like it is in men. God does not hate you the way you hate us! No foaming-at-the-mouth with God. It is a perfect determination to send the UNREPENTANT to hell for eternity. You see GOD'S standard is the ONLY standard that matters. HIS standard is this: NO FORGIVENESS without repentance. NO love for the rebels. So while the Bible speaks of God's love, it is not for the vast majority of this last generation of Doomed Americans. You littered your landscape with lying preachers, professional mourners that put on a program of squally nonsense instead of just telling you WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF YOU! They do that because you pay them to do that. God requires that you OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS.

In short, if you do not preach and understand and teach the hatred of God, you are NOT preaching Bible truth.

Based on what most of us have seen at your rallies it seems clear that you are anti-Semitic and anti-gay. Based on the "God Hates America" slogan your known for would it be fair to say that you are anti-American?

Phelps-Roper: You are working WAY too hard at this. We are ANTI-SIN! We are PRO-OBEY! You are breaking down the demographics too much. With God, there are only two: Those that OBEY and those that do NOT OBEY!

Most known "hate groups" make it clear that they are anti-African American. With that in mind what is your belief regarding African Americans?

Phelps-Roper: My dad (Pastor Phelps) and my mom have 13 children. 11 of us are attorneys. My dad spent 25 years pioneering civil rights for black people and women and the elderly in the Federal Courts, as THE leading civil rights lawyer of his day. We think what God says! God NEVER said it was abomination to be black or female or elderly. Sodomites are identified by a perverted and filthy sex practice that they voluntarily engage in.

We must go to the words, because it is always and only about the words:

Ex 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.

How would you compare Westboro Baptist Church with other known hate organizations like the Neo-Nazis or the KKK? Are there any connections?

Phelps-Roper: What a silly question. How would you compare WBC to such rebels? We stand daily in your streets with the Bread of Life, in the bright light of day, open faced and honestly telling you that you must OBEY YOUR GOD. For our kindness, you entreat us with questions such as this.

In the asking of this question, you determine where the hearts and minds of your reader dwell. Shame on you!

According to your website Westboro Baptist Church was bombed on August 20, 1995. Why do you say that America bombed your church?

Phelps-Roper: America only acts by her government. When a bomb goes off, DUTIES arise. You know how that looks.

The ATF and more government agencies do things to investigate. People are put on trial and sentences get long for use of bombs, ESPECIALLY when directed at churches. E.g. the man in CA that was sentenced to 20 years in Federal Prison for conspiring to set off a bomb at a Jewish Temple. When that bomb was directed at us, we had to offer a $5,000 reward to catch the criminals. Then the prosecutor charged ONE of the three criminals with lesser offenses and NO charges for two of the men. Then, the prosecutor let that one plead to an even lesser offense and he got a sentence of 6 days in jail and he was permitted to serve them on weekends so as not to disrupt his life.

THAT failure to do your sworn duty is why God is using that SAME BOMB as the #1 killer of the children of Doomed America in war in Iraq and Afghanistan. You see, those guys used an IED. Roadside bomb. They did that in a day when most people didn't even know what an IED was. Now, EVERYONE knows. THAT amazing fact is HOW GOD ROLLS!

He promised that if you mess with his people, you have touched the Apple of HIS EYE! He promised to repay you TO YOUR FACE for that. AMAZING! All praise goes to THAT GOD! It belongs to THAT GOD! Shout loud and long Hallelujahs!

For most of us 9-11 was the single greatest tragedy since Pearl Harbor yet you carry signs saying "Thank God for 9-11". Why?

Phelps-Roper: Here is the verse that selfish DOOMED Americans forgot or ignored: BE YE THANKFUL! Here are three excellent reasons to Thank God for ______ EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING!

1. BE YE THANKFUL!

2. We all deserve such death as in 9-11, Pearl Harbor, Coal Mines exploding, etc. But on this day, you still have the breath of life and you can still repent! BE YE THANKFUL! In HIS mercy, God has not cut you off, but has yet given you space to repent. BE YE THANKFUL! The time is growing so very short, make up your mind. Serve God or destruction!

3. If you are a servant of God, you know by such confirmation as 9/11 that God has not sent us onto the mean streets of Doomed America now in our 20th year, without confirming our words! We told you from the beginning, IF YOU GO the way of Sodom, you will suffer her fate! So here is the passage that helps you understand what I am saying here:

Psalm 58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Why do you say thank God for dead soldiers and IED's?

Phelps-Roper: BE YE THANKFUL! YAY! Rejoice all ye that mourn for the sins of rebellious Doomed America! Shout Hosanna! Our God doeth all things well! Keep your eyes on that oil, that beautiful oil! Your destruction is imminent!

For many of us it seems likely that some of your rallies could spark violence against your members, has this ever happened?

Phelps-Roper: There is always a determination among the children of Satan to harm us, but our God has our back and he doeth all things well. HE keeps us in all our ways! So even as you try a thing here and there, we are all good, all the time! Here is a good, clear articulation of that promise that we go forth with:

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

This is just ONE of many, many promises of God to his prophets! Also this amazing fact: "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." Ps 76:10

Funerals are a sad and traumatic event, so why does your church believe that it is OK to cause more pain for the friends and family of the deceased by holding rallies at funerals?

Pelps-Roper: Blah, blah, squall! Each person that touched the dead child's life is personally responsible for that child residing in hell! Luke 16:18-32 will show you that the dead and in-hell child wants us there and wants us there and that child wants you to LISTEN so that you might not also go to hell!

Why does your church believe that President Obama is the anti-Christ, couldn't it have just as easily been George W. Bush or Rush Limbaugh?

Phelps-Roper: Another question that demonstrates your Bible ignorance. We don't hate on you for it, we just note that this so-called "Christian" nation is amazingly and deliberately Bible ignorant! Had you bothered to read that precious book, you would not be in all this trouble! But I'll answer.

George Bush is indeed anti-Christ as is Rush Limbaugh. However, Obama is THAT WICKED, THE BEAST (see Revelation 13) that is spoken of that will preside over the final end of Doomed America and then, he will get his global power-grab on and he will from that vantage point, bring the nations to march against Jerusalem and of course the prophets say and Christ said it will be THE WORST affliction in this earth from the Creation to that day, and ever after. That means WOE, WOE, WOE unto Israel, as these events are NOW. You can, even as I write, see how things are getting into place. Israel is not in the position she was in even a year ago and certainly not two years ago. I digress.

There are too many words about this to put into this answer, so I would refer you to the body of work that WBC has done called www.beastobama.com. Also, see www.jewskilledjesus.com for some much needed clarity. If you know or do not know, these events are already playing out, and you cannot stop ONE BIT OF IT! Praise ye the Lord!

When your group visited Richmond Virginia there was an 11-year-old boy in the group, do you believe that teaching hate based on religious preference, sexual orientation, or skin color is going to limit the child's future in the modern world?

Phelps-Roper: How funny is that?! You see, you don't need to worry about that little guy and his future. Because he resides with the People of God and he appears to be a little servant of God, he will be just fine.

He is a smart little child, his name is Noah. He is my #10 of 11 children. And he understands what he is doing in this life. Your unbelief is not, cannot and must not be binding upon our obedience to God! Get over the big lie of skin color in that question. Just forget the straw man called race! We are teaching that child what the Lord his God requires of HIM!

It would be easy to say that it appears that Westboro Baptist Church has declared themselves the judge of all things human and believe they are the divine voice of God. Would that be a fair statement?

Phelps-Roper: God is the Judge of all! HE HAS JUDGED! HE HAS ISSUED HIS JUDGMENT! He is at this very hour judging this nation! Look to the oil!

When God sent 9/11, this nation had an opportunity, like the Men of Nineveh to REPENT! But instead of repentance and a calling for of a day to fast and mourn for your sins, Bimbo Bush climbed on top of that pile of rubble and raised his fist to God and declared REVENGE! Bad move.

God is judging this nation and pursuant to HIS PRECIOUS PROMISES, clearly announced in his word, and articulated over and over, this very land that you have defiled is going to VOMIT YOU OUT!

Spewing time is on the way! See the adumbrations of that in the exploding power plants, coal mines and oil rigs, where God turned walking, talking, breathing rebels against him into human projectiles, vomiting them into the depths of hell! God alone has that power, and THAT is the God that is judging this nation! WOE unto you that forgot God! One more run to the words rebels:

Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

 

Well, there you have it, hopefully the answers to a few of the many questions that you might be asking the next time you see Westboro Baptist Church in the headlines.

 

 

Richmond Va: No Welcome Mats for Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group

Recently, representatives of the Kansas based Westboro Baptist Church visited Richmond Virginia to picket outside of the Holocaust Museum, Hermitage High School and other Jewish sites around the area carrying signs and chanting "God Hates Jews" and "God will destroy you."

In what could be described as a shinning moment for Richmond the group was met by counter-protestors at every turn, hundreds came out to voice their disapproval of the teachings of the church. As one young man so eloquently stated: "you can't come to Richmond to spread hate and expect not to be answered"

As the group arrived at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Shockoe Bottom, they found themselves facing as many as 400 counter protesters. Executive director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, Jay M. Ipson, (A Holocaust survivor) invited the members of Westboro Baptist Church inside to talk; his invitation was declined with a member of the group saying they did not come here to negotiate. Ipson later told reporters that he invited them in because if they wanted to hate him they should at least get to know him first. He went on to express his pride and gratitude to the counter protesters by telling the Richmond Times Dispatch:

"I feel like I'm 25 feet tall, this community is standing behind one another in love, not in hate."

 

 

Counter protesters came from many walks of life including 28-year old Iraq war veteran Nathan Cox of Mechanicsville, who played rock music through a megaphone to drawn out the group. The group is known to protest at the funerals of American soldiers killed in action, Cox told reporters that he first heard of the group while still serving in Iraq.

Although the Westboro group never picketed at Virginia Commonwealth University VCU students, faculty and staff took to the campus with their own anti-hate rally carrying signs with such slogans as “God Loves All People,” and “God Hates Morons”. The VCU rally that focused on inclusiveness was also joined by several faith-based and community organizations from around Richmond. The group was also met by opposition and increased police presents when they held an anti-gay protest at Hermitage High School.

It seems that the visit from the group has only served to give the people of Richmond a chance to stand together and speak out and their message was clear: Hate groups such as this one are not welcome.

 

 

Kentucky Mom Pleads not Guilty to Murder in the Death of Newborn

20 year old Ashley Cox pleaded not guilty to murder charges that resulted from allegedly giving birth in a restroom at the Roederer Correctional Complex in La Grange, Kentucky where she was visiting her Boyfriend.

According to police Cox gave birth in a restroom at the facility, she then stuffed toilet paper into the infant’s mouth causing her to suffocate. Cox allegedly placed the infant in a trash can and covered her with paper.

After allegedly hiding the body, Cox told prison officials that she had a miscarriage and Oldham County EMS then transported her to Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. While examining Cox doctors found that she had not had a miscarriage but rather gave birth to a full term infant. Hospital staff informed prison administrators of their findings and the Kentucky State Police were called in to search for the newborn. The infant's body was found at 4:29pm and Oldham County Coroner Brett Donner pronounced the death at 4:42.

An autopsy revealed that the infant was alive at birth and according to the arrest warrant had no "medical abnormalities". Cox was charged with murder and concealing the birth of an infant, she is currently being held on $2.5 million bond in the Oldham County jail.

Cox is the mother of a two year old daughter and prior to her arrest reportedly worked at a day care center. Cox's sister told reporters that the family was unaware of the pregnancy.




 

20 year old Ashley Cox pleaded not guilty to murder charges that resulted from allegedly giving birth in a restroom at the Roederer Correctional Complex in La Grange, Kentucky where she was visiting her Boyfriend.

 

According to police Cox gave birth in a restroom at the facility, she then stuffed toilet paper into the infant’s mouth causing her to suffocate. Cox allegedly placed the infant in a trash can and covered her with paper.

After allegedly hiding the body, Cox told prison officials that she had a miscarriage and Oldham County EMS then transported her to Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. While examining Cox doctors found that she had not had a miscarriage but rather gave birth to a full term infant. Hospital staff informed prison administrators of their findings and the Kentucky State Police were called in to search for the newborn. The infant's body was found at 4:29pm and Oldham County Coroner Brett Donner pronounced the death at 4:42.

An autopsy revealed that the infant was alive at birth and according to the arrest warrant had no "medical abnormalities". Cox was charged with murder and concealing the birth of an infant, she is currently being held on $2.5 million bond in the Oldham County jail.

Cox is the mother of a two year old daughter and prior to her arrest reportedly worked at a day care center. Cox's sister told reporters that the family was unaware of the pregnancy.

U.S. Marshals Arrest Georgia Fugitive in Chesterfield, Virginia

Richmond, United States - A nationwide search came to a quick end yesterday when the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force arrested a man accused of shooting his daughter and ex-wife in Georgia.

Roy Mandell Smith, 38, was arrested at the Regency Lake Apartments off Cosmic Road in Chesterfield and is currently being extradited back to Valdosta, Georgia. Smith is currently on parole after serving 10 years for distribution of cocaine in Georgia.

Although authorities are not sure of the motive for the shooting, Smith had recently been served with child support papers for his daughter.

Police claim 37-year-old Josephine Lonon was confronted and shot as she left the house for work. Her daughter, 16-year-old Rochelle Smith, heard the noise and walked outside to investigate the noise. As she came back into the house, she was followed and shot.

The two victims were taken to South Georgia Medical Center. Lonon suffered multiple gunshot wounds but is expected to survive, and Rochelle Smith suffered one gunshot wound and has been released from the hospital.

The Richmond and Chesterfield police were notified Smith might be in the area and was wanted in Georgia by the Valdosta police department. Local police then contacted the U.S. Marshalls Service.

Authorities began their search at around 11 p.m. when they first went to a family member’s home located in the 4000 block of Falconway Lane were they believed he might be staying. When they didn’t find him at that location they went to Smith’s girlfriend's house in the 6400 block of Cosmic Road.

Officers believe Smith saw them as they approached the house. At around 3:30 a.m. he exited the house and walked straight toward several officers where he was then arrested without incident.

As a condition of being allowed to move to Virginia and have his parole transferred, Smith signed an extradition waiver making it easier to return him to Georgia.

Local Strip Club Owner Charged with Threatening Police

Sam Moore, Owner of Club Velvet, has been charged with threatening a police officer over the phone. The Richmond Police would not confirm or comment on the charges, Moore was arraigned and released on bail only days before a Virginia ABC hearing on unrelated charges came to a conclusion.According to the Richmond Times Moore’s attorney, Michael Morchower said:

"The police involved themselves in a matter involving Sam and a couple of employees, I don't know specifically what was said."

The new charge became public as authorities are revoking Club Velvet’s alcohol license for unrelated charges. State, federal and local officials raided Club Velvet in February, 2008 after completing a three-month undercover investigation into activities at the club.

Alcoholic Beverage Control agents testified that they observed alcohol being consumed in unlicensed areas, underage drinking and after hour consumption of alcohol. They also testified that two dancers agreed to perform sex acts on each other in exchange for $450. A confidential informant (according to testimony) purchased cocaine from a dancer for the agents as part of the investigation.

Today an administrative hearing officer concluded that there was adequate evidence for a finding of nine state ABC violations including allowing sale to and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors and people who were already intoxicated; allowing public nudity; and creating a haven for illegal activities.

Earlier in 2008 Moore was charged with producing child pornography and unlawfully filming the acts, he was also charged with three misdemeanors, unlawfully filming sex with an 18-year-old woman and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. On June 11, 2008 Moore entered an Alford plea on 3 misdemeanor charges of having sex with a minor (17 years old) in exchange for dropping the more serious charges. The Alford plea means that he conceded that there was substantial evidence against him but he did not admit guilt, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Sam Moore also made headlines and sparked short-lived protest this summer when he placed an “Obama is a socialist” banner depicting President Obama painted like the Joker on the outside of the Club Velvet.

Richmond Officials Criticized Over Snowstorm Response

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<img src="http://digitaljournal.com/img/2/8/0/5/4/i/6/2/6/o/Image-4.jpg"" width="300" height="300"> As many of us who live in Richmond Virginia can tell you the response to the recent snow storm has seemed slow. Many neighborhoods had not yet seen a snow plow as of yesterday. Many streets remain covered in ice and snow creating dangerous driving conditions for local residents. In some cases residents have said that you can see an immediate difference in road conditions when crossing into the surrounding counties. In my own neighbor hood the snowplows made their first pass at around 10:30 pm last night. Church Hill resident Jonathan Friedman told channel 6 news:

"There's no evidence of road maintenance", a sentiment repeated by many Richmond residents.

Seeing snowplows driving on snow covered streets with their blades up, not removing the snow, has increased many residents’ frustrations. Just one example of this was when we saw snowplows driving down Orcutt lane, several hours later we discovered that the street had not been plowed. City Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall responded to these complaints telling channel 12:

"If they're turning around, coming from a break or going to get sand or on somebody else's route, generally they don't have to have their blades down. I think Mike would like them to always have their blades down and we will work on that."

Mayor Dwight C. Jones responded to the criticism by announcing a new plan for future snow removal and pointing out some of the reasons for the slow response.In 2007 under then-Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, the city sold off some of its equipment including 36 vehicles that would have been used to help with snow removal. The vehicles sold were among the newer models owned by the city, leaving them with approximately 50 older models. The remaining vehicles routinely had mechanical failures, as many as 20 inoperative at one point during the snow removal. Street parking was also blamed for slowing the snow removal; parked vehicles along Richmond streets hampered the snow removal efforts and in some cases doubled the time it takes to complete a route. The new plan for snow removal includes starting removal operation earlier, using private contractors, buying four highway plows, 12 tailgate spreaders and four reversible plows. The city has order 23 garbage trucks; they will now revise the order to equip them with snow removal capability. The city also plans to end the practice of buying cars for city inspectors and purchase pickup trucks that can be used for snow removal when needed. They are also considering designated snow routes that would require residents to remove their vehicles during a storm to allow for faster cleanup. With more snow possible this weekend Mayor Jones says the new plans will go into effect immediately. Only hours before the mayors comments Richmond City Hall was damaged when heavy snow slid from the roof and crashed through the glass panels below.

Snow Storm Slams Central Virginia

Virginia was under a state of emergency as the second major snowstorm of the season slammed into Richmond yesterday dumping between 11 to 14 inches of snow across the area. In what is considered to be an uncommon event the entire state of Virginia was covered in snow by a single storm.

Traffic slowed to a crawl and authorities advised against any unnecessary driving during the storm. Between the hours of 6pm Friday and 5 pm Saturday Virginia state police responded to 1285 traffic accidents with 231 of those being in the Richmond area.

The Richmond International Airport was forced to cancel more than 100 flights Amtrak was brought to a stop and Greyhound buses scheduled to run through the Richmond station were suspended.

In what could be described as a cruel twist of fate Marnel Francois, a Haiti earthquake survivor, was among those stranded at the Richmond Greyhound station. Francois told the Richmond Times that he lost nine family members and two children he considered as family in the earthquake. He then made his way through the Dominican Republic to Miami where he caught the bus trying to get home to New Jersey.

Broad Street, a major route through downtown, is closed to all traffic from 14th street to 25th until further notice. The Boulevard Bridge was also closed until further notice. Driving in many Richmond neighborhoods continues to be hazardous; it could be several days before plows reach some neighborhoods.

In my experience the snow often melts before the plows get to the side streets. The snow is expected to stick around for a while, as temperatures remain low.

Virtual Iraq: Treating the Traumas of Reality with Virtual Reality

You have returned from a tour in Iraq, you decide to take a trip to Disneyland to unwind. The cannons are fired from the ship, just part of the show, right? Not for one former Army staff sergeant with the Army's 4th Infantry Division. While in Iraq the staff sergeant barely survived a roadside bombing and mortar attack, when the cannons of Disneyland fired he suddenly found himself flat on the ground crawling for cover. Intellectually he knew he was at Disneyland but he could not stop himself from reacting physically to the sound of the cannons, the results of post-traumatic stress disorder.

What if the staff sergeant could go back and re-live the attack in a safe, controlled environment. In this way he could allow himself to not only face his fears that he is aware of but also dig up the repressed memories of the most traumatic experience of his life. The "virtual Iraq" system will allow him to do just that.

Virtual Iraq was originally adapted from the video game "Full Spectrum Warrior" and is credited to Dr Albert "Skip" Rizzo, a clinical psychologist from the University of Southern California. The system is available for both research and clinical use. Virtual Iraq is a form of virtual reality exposure therapy; the patient is virtually exposed to stimuli to allow them to face the traumatic experience that led to their PTSD.

To help the patient overcome post-traumatic stress disorder using virtual Iraq a therapist will first ask the subject to tell them about the event as they remember it. They will be asked to do this several times; the virtual scenario will be programmed based on this account.

The goal of Virtual Iraq is to re-create the stress and anxiety of the original event that led to the PTSD. In doing so, the suppressed or hard to describe memories and emotions become easier to grasp and vocalize. The virtual Iraq system has been compared to a backhoe, capable of digging up even the most repressed memories.

After the programming is complete the patient will stand or sit on a "base shaker" and wear a virtual reality headset. The headset gives the visual images based on the patients scenario, as the patient turns their head, looks up or down the scenery changes accordingly.

The base shaker simulates the feeling of an explosion by vibrating violently sending the sensation throughout the patient's entire body. Through a pair of headphones the sounds of the battle are introduced, the therapist can also introduce smells into the scenario, diesel fuel, body odor, smoke etc. The therapist will add each new element slowly. The objective is to re-create the situations as realistically as possible. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and levels of perspiration are monitored closely as the therapist introduces new elements to the scenario. Monitoring these responses is critical in order to strike a balance between comfort and anxiety.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta tried out Virtual Iraq in November 2006 as part of a CNN report. On his blog, he described his experience with Virtual Iraq as overwhelming. He was initially skeptical, not because he didn't believe in the technology, but because he had only spent a few weeks in Iraq and this is not comparable to the tours of the average soldier. After beginning his virtual trip back to Iraq he described it as reliving some of the most terrifying moments of his life, including all of the emotions of fear, helplessness and panic. With each new session he could feel his anxiety dissipate.

Army Col. Michael J. Roy describes the experience in an article on defense.gov:

"You feel like you're going to die: Your heart's beating out of your chest, your blood pressure's going up and you want to just get away from it all but you can make it through it. And you realize you're going to be OK."

Col Roy goes on to describe some of the success stories:

"We've had guys who were avoiding going out in public, not using the Metro, not going shopping, not going to sporting events and the movies. Then they go through this, and suddenly they're able to do those things."

Virtual reality is also being used by civilian therapist to treat common phobias such as the fear of flying or driving. Virtual Afghanistan is currently under development.

VCU Student Group Named in a Leaked Terror Threat Assessment

In what came as a surprise to both the Virginia state police and the public, especially the Muslim Student Association at Virginia Commonwealth University the Virginia State Police 2009 terrorism threat assessment was leaked.

The document was never intended for the public and carries the following warning at the top of the page:

" This is LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE information and is protected by Code of Virginia Title 52-48 and 52-49 unless otherwise noted.
Further distribution of this document is restricted to law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and Department of Defense organizations only.
Prior approval shall be obtained from VFC for dissemination to other agencies.
Persons or organizations violating distribution restrictions may be prosecuted and will be prohibited from receiving future documents.
NO REPORT OR SEGMENT THEREOF MAY BE RELEASED TO ANY MEDIA SOURCES."

Despite this warning the document somehow found its way on to the internet and caught some Virginia students by surprise. Members of the Muslim Student Association at VCU were shocked to find that they are in the document as possibly being a front organization for The Muslim Brotherhood. On page 41 the document states:

"There are indications the VCU chapter of the Muslim Student Association is a front organization for the Muslim brotherhood, and is possibly involved with terrorism financing and recruitment."


The Muslim Brotherhood is the U.S. chapter of The International Muslim Brotherhood and is one of the worlds most influential Islamic fundamentalist groups and has a violent history in the Middle East. In the U.S. they prefer to operate behind the scenes and rarely identify themselves as members of the brotherhood even to other Muslims.

According to the Va State Police document the International Muslim Brotherhood has influenced such groups as Al-Qa'ida and Hamas. The U.S. chapter’s mane international objective is reportedly to support Hamas. Some of their suspected activities include member recruitment, fundraising, and subversive political pursuits.

Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU Dean of Students told channel 12 news that this is

"Not even close to anything we've been contacted either by law enforcement or anybody outside the VCU community as being a problem with this student organization,"


And

"They raise donations so that people do not have to go hungry not only in the Richmond community but around the world as well,"


VCU says the only financing done by the group is for those less fortunate. Two predominately African American schools, Virginia State and Virginia Union Universities, are also mention in the report for contributing to the presence of race based extremist groups.

Kent Willis of the American Civil Liberties Union told channel 12:

"In essence, this is a report that uses both demographic and racial and religious stereotypes to assume that terrorism exists but then backs it up with no information,”


The Virginia State Police are not commenting on this document. I sent emails to both the state and national offices of Muslim Student Association asking them to comment, I have not received a response from either at this time.

Ohio: Child Protective Services Face Budget cuts

For the first time in Ohio's history the number of child abuse and neglect cases being reported toped 100,000 and Governor Ted Strickland's state budget plan has child protective service workers concerned.

Under Governor Strickland's proposed budget  $62 million usually used for child protective service by the counties of Ohio would be shifted to the state subsidized childcare program. This is just one of a series of cuts that have forced many counties to lay off caseworkers.  Director of the Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services, Judy Wauford, says that she has lost a large portion of her staff and most of her funding for protective services. Under these conditions protective service agencies are finding it difficult to keep up with the cases and respond to complaints within 24 hours as mandated by the state.

According to statistics released by Public Children Services Association of Ohio statewide reports of abuse and neglect are up by 14% and Franklin County has shown an increase of 16%. The report also says that the number of children being removed from their homes is down by 9% despite the increase in reports.

Child abuse and neglect can have many causes; drugs and alcohol as well as mental illness may be the first to come to mind.  However it is believed that the current economy and foreclosures are at least in part to blame for the spike in reported cases. As some parents struggle with the usual personal and marital issues their frustrations can be compounded by layoffs, foreclosure and other financial issues. They find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope, the resulting stress can be taken out on the children.

Shooting Victims Family outraged by Controversial Verdict

After a day of swimming, LSD and alcohol Joey Parrish, 17, Ethan Parrish, 24, and Stephanie Reynolds, 19 (all White) pulled into a Sheetz parking lot in Powhattan Virginia to drop off two friends. At this point there was a verbal confrontation with 18-year old Tahliek Taliaferro, (African American) and friends: Courtney Jones, Lawrence Harris, Tommie Williams, Kendall Trainum, and Kwamaine Marshall. The confrontation ended a short distance down the road with Taliaferro dead and 15-year old Jones seriously wounded.

Grand jury testimony and evidence led to certification of charges against the two Parrish cousins including first degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, two counts of attempted murder, and charges of using a firearm in the commission of felonies.  Joey Parrish, a convicted felon, received an additional charge for possessing a firearm.

Emotions ran high in Powhattan this week after the jury dropped most of the charges against Joey and Ethan Parrish finding them guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Taliaferro, and misdemeanor assault for wounding Jones.

Although the shooting is not believed to be racially motivated some in the community believe the verdict was. One bystander outside of the court described it as the most racist thing he had ever heard and went on to say, "That’s Powhattan".

The Virginia NAACP released a statement after the verdict was read expressing disappointment in the outcome of the trial.

"This verdict reaffirms what many citizens of Powhatan County have always felt, that there is no justice for African Americans here. We now await the lenient sentence that this jury will impose. The judicial system did not work for Tahliek Taliaferro, his family, friends, loved ones and citizens."

Kaa Caputo, Taliaferro’s mother in an emotional statement to 12 news said: "How did they come to that conclusion? Involuntary manslaughter - do they know what it means?"

Jean Taliaferro, Tahliek's grandmother added: "They can go to see their son but I can't go and see Tahliek, I guess they thought he was a deer or a duck or something."

Carolyn Jackson, Jones's mother said "It's unbelievable they did not give him first degree murder, I cannot believe that my child was shot in the back and you said you are going to give him a pat on the back. What would have happened if he had died? It's unfair, unfair."

The jury recommended a sentence of 10 years for involuntary manslaughter and an additional 12 months for assault and battery in the case f Ethan Parrish. Joey Parrish has not been sentenced yet but could face up to 16 years, 11 for involuntary manslaughter and assault and an additional 5 years for possessing a firearm.

 

Below is a brief recap of the grand jury testimony and the trial that led to the controversial verdict.

Defendant Stephanie Reynolds (granted testimonial immunity) told the grand jury:

“Someone ‘bucked' at Joey and Ethan got mad, Ethan and Joey started cussing and then Ethan pulled out a gun from between his feet and made like he was going to get out, but I grabbed him and told him not to.”

According to further testimony, before leaving the Sheetze parking lot Joey told Taliaferro: “Come on if you want to finish this.” Reynolds went on to say that she assumed that Taliaferro and his friends would follow them but the Parrish cousins said they would handle it.

After leaving the parking lot heading west on route 60 Ethan began digging around in the back seat of the car, he then told Reynolds to turn around and if she didn't she could get out and he would drive. Ethan made the comment that he was going to "scare" and "smoke" Tahliek. Shortly after making a U turn they turned on Dorset Road and stopped. Ethan told Joey to cover the licensee plate with a bag. Reynolds said Joey got back in the car as the other teens pulled along side of them on Dorset Road; she went on to say,

“Ethan was hanging out of the back driver’s side window with the assault rifle. Tahliek was just laughing at us, he wasn’t nervous — when he started laughing Ethan pulled the trigger.”

Courtney Jones said:

“I saw the back window go down and I saw a gun, then it just started shooting, I got down and then I looked and saw Tahliek laid over.” Jones was struck in the back and Taliaferro died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the head.

At the trial:

Margaret Ashton Bradbury, one of the teens being dropped off by the suspects, testified that before getting into her own car she heard Joey Parrish yelling at Taliaferro and his friends who were eating at the Bruster's ice cream shop next to the Sheetze. She said she couldn't make out everything Joey said but she thinks she heard him say 'If you want to fight, follow us,'“ She went on to say that she attempted to flag down the car that Taliaferro was riding in as they passed by a couple of minutes later, she wanted to warned them that Joey had a 9 mm and Ethan had an assault rifle in the car.

Courtney Jones along with other friends of Taliaferro testified that that the teen may have wanted to fight Joey and may have said, "Let's go fight them. Let's get them." (Accounts very, some say they did not hear him say this) he was not chasing Joey when the shooting began. Lawrence Harris, driver of the victim’s vehicle said that they turned down Dorset road to drop off one of his passenger, not to follow Parrish.

Reynolds told the jury that after Ethan ordered her to pull over and told Joey to cover the License plates they sat and watched Harris drive slowly past. She said that Harris had something in his hand but whatever it was wasn’t pointed at them, this is when Taliaferro saw the gun and started laughing, Ethan then began shooting.

Police testified that they recovered 6 shell casings fired from a semiautomatic Mac 90 military style assault rifle (83 round drum clip) at the scene, and found a bb gun and some baseball bats in Harris's car, they went on to say that 2 bullets hit the street and 4 hit the vehicle, one struck Jones in the lower back and another hit Taliaferro in the head killing him. All of the bullets entered from the rear of the vehicle.

Ethan Parrish told the court that he began firing out of fear, he believed that the other teens were coming after him, he also said he believed they had a gun. Joey Parrish didn't testify.

Outraged Over AIG Bonuses Turns To Protest

As many U.S. taxpayers lose their jobs and homes and others struggle just to hold on it seems that the recent bonuses handed out by AIG have put a face on the economic crisis, giving a direction for the public to focus their anger. American taxpayers are outraged by the insurance giant AIG's use of bailout funds to hand out bonuses to their top executives and they have taken their outrage to the source. This anger has taken various forms ranging from protest to death threats. 

On Thursday a rally was held in Phoenix at the local AIG office, led by the Service Employees International Union. The protestors wanted answers to questions about the bonuses and if any were paid to Arizona employees, no one was available to answer. They had also planned to present a large "reality" check to AIG but no one came forth to accept it. They wanted to draw attention to what they described as a class struggle between top executives and the average working American.

Union member Todd Schwartz said:

"These people are seriously out of touch with what life is like for working men and women in America,"

Members of the union also attended a protest outside of the Seattle AIG office located at 520 Pike St. With several police officers standing by, the protestor entered the office and attempted to deliver another "reality" check, they were told that it was private property and they would have to leave, the protestors asked to see someone from AIG in person, their request was refused as was their request to send the "reality" check up to AIG.

Linnae Riesen said:

"Corporations got bailed out, people got sold out, that's pretty much our message."

Saturday, about 40 Protesters made the rounds in Connecticut visiting Norwalk, New Haven, Hartford and other towns visiting AIG offices and the homes of executives to voice the opposition to the taxpayer funded bonuses given to executives.

Protester Emeline Bravo-Blackport said:

"We think $165 million could be used in a more appropriate way to keep people in their homes, create more jobs and health care,”

In some cases public anger has taken a more sinister turn including death threats. In a recent AIG corporate security memoemployees were advised against wearing the AIG logo, the memo went on to advise employees to hide their corporate badges from public view before leaving the office building. Employees are also encouraged to avoid parking in dark areas and to travel in pairs after dark. These are only a few of the suggestion being made by AIG security.

One AIG employee speaking under terms of anonymity said:

"It's scary,People are very, very nervous for their security."

Company spokesman Mark Herr told the AP:

"However someone may feel about the appropriateness of the retention payments, there is nothing appropriate about the threats that people have made to and about employees,"

James Haas and Doug Poling, who have said that they will be returning their bonuses to AIG, did not reply to the AP's request for a comment regarding the threats.

The matter may be further complicated by recent accusations from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal that AIG actually paid out $50 million more than they reported bringing the total to $218 million. AIG contends that the full amount of bonuses had already been explained to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the $165 million are for the March payments and do not include payments made in December.

Blumenthal responded responded by saying:

"We've not only added the numbers, but the company has given us documents that have the number at $218 million, some of that total is from earlier bonuses, but the main point is all of it seems to be out of taxpayer funds. ... Whether the payments were made in December or March seems to be beside the point. The total that was disclosed so far was $165 million.''

 

 

45 Richmond, Va Jobs to be Lost To Mexico

St. Louis-based Belden's Midlothian manufacturing plant employees 45 local workers who make connectors and components for industrial automation. In December 2008 Belden announced that it would cut its global workforce by 20% (around 1800 people) by late 2009. The layoffs are in response to the global economic downturn that has led to lower demand for their products.

In a December statement John Stroup, president and chief executive, said:

"As we reported in October, we have seen softening of our major markets globally, and we expect that economic conditions will remain challenging for some time, We regret the hardship these actions will impose on our (employees)."

During the December announcement Belden indicated that some U.S. plant closings would occur as part of a restructuring plan but declined to say what plants were being considered.

Belden now says that the Midlothian plant will be closed by July and the manufacturing operations transferred to their plant in Tijuana, Mexico. Belen says those affected by layoffs will be eligible for severance benefits. Beldoen is expecting to save up to 30 million Dollars in 2009 as a result of layoffs.

This is not the first Belden layoff that involved moving U.S. jobs to Mexico, in March of 2008 they announced plans to close the Manchester, Conn. plant resulting in 132 people losing their jobs, this plants operations were also transferred to Mexico.

"We regret the impact of these actions on the affected associates," said John Stroup,President and Chief Executive Officer of Belden. "It is a difficult, but necessary step in the implementation of our regional manufacturing strategy. The expected cost savings associated with this action are further benefit of this strategy and take advantage of our lower cost capacity at the recently completed Nogales, Mexico facility."

U.S. State Department Warning About Traveling to Mexico

The U.S. State department has issued a new travel warning for U.S citizens traveling to Mexico. Skirmishes between Mexican authorities and the drug cartels in border towns and elsewhere are being described as "small unit combat" and in some cases foreign bystanders have been caught in the cross fire resulting in injuries and death.

 

Although large-scale confrontations between authorities and the cartels have occurred across Mexico they have recently became more frequent in Northern Mexico in towns such as Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez and others. The border towns can erupt into combat zones as government officials confront cartels that are using automatic weapons and hand grenades in their fight for the valuable Northern drug trade routs.

U.S. citizens are being advised to cooperate fully with any official Mexican checkpoints they may in counter. They are also advised to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all times, travel only on main roads (Toll roads are the most secure) and avoid any areas known for drugs or prostitution as well as isolated areas. The U.S. Embassy and consulates will issue travel advisories asking their employees and tourist to stay away from certain roads or areas of the country due to dangerous conditions and criminal activities, be aware of these advisories and stay up to date.

Criminals along the border region are known to be heavily armed and have used police and military uniforms as well as vehicles that appear to be official in the commission of various crimes.

The drug war in Mexico is having a dramatic impact on Mexican and U.S. Businesses located in border towns, the fear of violence has led many U.S. shoppers to refrain from their usual shopping trips south of the border. In many cases merchants are reporting that sales are down by as much as 75%. Gabriel Lara, a Mexican businessman, said:

“The economy is very bad. We need your money,”

Sharelene Reams from Arizona said:

“I haven’t been down shopping for a long time just because of what we heard about the shootings six months or so ago,”

Mexican tourists who do not live in the Northern region may otherwise visit the U.S. border states, but due to the ever-increasing violence they are afraid to travel through the area.

A Chesterfield Teacher Arrested While Chaperoning a Field Trip

Jean Marie Mendelis, a world history teacher at James River High School in Chesterfield County, was arrested while on an overnight field trip to the Model U.N. in Norfolk Virginia. Mendelis was arrested for public drunkenness around 1:00 a.m. on Friday February 13 while acting as a chaperone. Upon learning of the arrest school officials sent two replacements to Norfolk. Mendelis has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by the school.

It seems simple enough, until you take a look at the information that was released (or not released) by the school and by the Norfolk police department. On Saturday February 14 James River High School Principal,John Titus sent the following letter to the parents:

 

"February 14, 2009 

Dear Parents and Guardians of students on Model U.N. Trip in Norfolk, Virginia:

Early yesterday morning (Feb. 13), we were made aware that a teacher-chaperone on the Model U.N. field trip had been arrested overnight in Norfolk. The teacher-chaperone was immediately directed by Chesterfield County Public Schools to leave the event site. Two additional staff members were immediately dispatched to Norfolk to join the student group and assist our chaperones already on site through the end of the conference.

The school administration began an immediate investigation as soon as it was made aware of these serious allegations, and the teacher will not be returning to the classroom pending completion of the investigation and final disposition of any resulting disciplinary action.

We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 378-2420. As always, if your child shares any information or concerns with you as you discuss this information, please let us know as well.

Thank you for your support of James River High School.

Sincerely,

John Titus

Principal"

At this point neither the school nor the police department would release any information concerning the identity of the teacher or the charges filed against her leaving many local parents only able to guess as to the nature of the crime and who was involved.

On February 17 information was released naming the teacher and the charges against her (public drunkenness). To add a twist to the story at around 9:40 a.m. on the 17th a Norfolk police spokesperson sent an e-mail to local Richmond media saying that the charges had been determined to be unfounded and no charges would be filed against Mendelis. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch they asked for clarification of this statement and received a second email from Norfolk saying the charges had been dropped because they where "determined unwarranted”.

At around 1:30 pm yet another email was sent from the Norfolk police department to several Richmond news agencies informing them that they had once again changed their mind and Mendelis is in fact facing a charge of public drunkenness, a court date has been set for April 7.

Mendelis is the second Chesterfield county teacher to be arrested this month, a Tomahawk Creek Middle School teacher was charged with one count of felony assault and two counts of misdemeanor assault after he allegedly shoved three disorderly students against a wall during a fire drill.