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Of Fish and Company
Six months. That’s how long it’s been since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Six months since Houston stepped up to the plate and provided shelter to many refugees who needed that shelter. Many Houstonians opened up their homes, their hearts, and their wallets without asking for anything in return. Six months have passed, and some of the evacuees have moved on; they’ve gotten new jobs, new homes, and new lives here in our fair city. Some have even moved on to other cities to be with family, and have made new lives for themselves there. However, there are still a large number of evacuees who are looking to play the victim and get others to keep paying for their government-funded apartments and lifestyles. Quite a few times, I’ve heard the phrase “but I’m from New Orleans” come from the mouths of those trying to get something for nothing, and it annoys me. And I’m not the only one. There are many Houstonians who are starting to feel that our hospitality is being abused. Since September, jobless claims in Houston have skyrocketed, and the vast majority of those claims are from refugees who have chosen to remain in Houston instead of returning to New Orleans and rebuilding their homes. In addition to the rising jobless claims, crime has skyrocketed as well. In the last quarter of 2005, violent crime rose so sharply that it pushed the annual average up by 23%. Houston is a wealthy city with plenty of opportunities for those who need work. We have one of the largest seaports and international trade hubs in the United States. We have oil refineries that need workers. We even have a booming tech industry that is hungry for new talent and new workers. Houston is quite literally the Land Of Plenty for those with the desire to earn a descent lifestyle. It’s been said, quite accurately, that fish and company start to stink after three days. It’s time for New Orleans refugees in Houston to start to earn their own keep, or to move on. Our patience is waning.
And I'm going to be standing by with popcorn. Via Malkin. Storm the White House
Multi-Day Event, Beginning March 15, come when you can and stay as long as you can - we are taking over the White House until they leave. Torture, Occupation, Genocide - Must End Now.
Wednesday, March 15th 2006 12:00 AM
Washington, DC USA
TAKE THE WHITE HOUSE BY STORM - Stop Genocide, Torture and Occupation
U.N. SOS - We need your help to end the reign of international criminals.
It is our duty and the duty of the United Nations to rescue the people of the world from the U.S. dictators. Murder for occupation and theft of land is illegal. Murder of journalists is criminal. Remove the traitors who have stolen the U.S. budget and used it to commit international crimes against humanity.
If we were being bombed and our journalists were being murdered here in the U.S. by a foreign country's military, we would hope that the people of that country would stop what they are doing and go to their president's office and demand that it was stopped. If we were the ones burying thousands and thousands of our family members and watching the destruction of the homes, schools, churches and offices that we had worked for decades to build, we would hope that someone, somewhere would care enough to do something for us. We must stop the criminals in our government NOW. There is no meeting with Congress that is going to change what they are doing. We must put the power of the people into action and stay there until they leave!
Inviting everyone to the White House for a protest rally to show that we do not accept the criminal government, illegal wars and the permanent occupation planned for Iraq and Afghanistan. For Nat Turner, For Martin and Coretta, For all the Torture and Assassination in Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and many others - We will not allow the Slave Holders that Still Prevail in this Country to Rule us any longer. Imprisonment and torture based on race, religion, resources or region is no different than the slavery we sought to abolish years ago. The Administration is Criminal and if they will not step down, we must storm in, show them how many of us do not accept a criminal government. How can we stand by and watch them kill our brothers, sisters, journalists and friends for their dollars?
...Location:
White House, Washington DC Starting March 15th, come for as long as you can and bring signs that say U.N. SOS and "Leave Now" or whatever you would like to say. Ride Share and Room Share Plans can be made here: http://www.citysites.com/travel/tiki-view_tracker.php?trackerId=3 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington DC 20500
Contact:
Darrow Boggiano
admin@politicalcooperative.org
415.409.2611
Sponsored By:
We are requesting participation from all members of the United Nations, PFAW, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Code Pink, police, soldiers, ACLU, CIA, NSA and International Courts of Justice/World Court. http://www.PoliticalCooperative.Org
Cyber Jihad
It seems the followers of the Pedophile Prophet™ (Piss Be Upon Him) are following up on their threats to attack weblogs who have been publishing the allegedly offensive cartoons and those who have been questioning the so-called Religion of Peace™. Michelle Malkin's blog has been experiencing DoS attacks originating from TurkTelecom in Turkey.
Attn. graphic artists
I have an idea. As everyone here knows, I have a penchant for finding ways to piss people off. My latest endeavor requires some artwork which I can't do, since I lack any artistic talent. The idea is for a new product called Jihad™ brand bacon, with an image of Mohammed frying up some delicious bacon. Thanks. :)
Update on Star
I haven't posted an update recently, as until the last couple of weeks or so, she's been fairly stable - not getting any worse, but not getting any better, either. Recently, they discovered two new tumors in her left breast, both are about 4cm each. Biopsies have revealed both tumors to be malignant. Currently, there's no word as to how her previous treatments have affected these tumors, or if there's a possibility of performing another mastectomy.
QOTD
"One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us." -Kurt Vonnegut, "Cold Turkey", In These Times, May 10, 2004
Big Brother, Where Art Thou
Let's take a look at what Houston's Chief of Police would like to do:
Police chief wants surveillance cameras in Houston apartments
HOUSTON Houston's police chief is suggesting putting surveillance cameras in apartment complexes, downtown streets and even private homes.
Chief Harold Hurtt today said it's another way of combatting crime amid a shortage of officers.
Houston is dealing with too many police retirements, too few recruits and a population increase of about 150-thousand hurricane refugees.
Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf coast in late August.
Rita hit southeast Texas about one month later.
The Houston City Council is considering a public safety tax to pay for more officers.
Scott Henson with the American Civil Liberties Union calls Hurtt's proposal to require surveillance cameras as part of some building permits -- "radical and extreme."
Houston Mayor Bill White hasn't talked with Hurtt about his idea, but sees it as more of a "brainstorm" than a "decision."
Many of us in Houston pretty much expect the local cops to be corrupt and inept. In fact, the phrase "corrupt Houston police" is much like "crooked politician" or "raving moonbat"; it's simply redundant. Take this in conjunction with Nicki's post, which I reproduced earlier, and taking a look at the manner in which cops all over the nation are acting, it's becoming even clearer that many police organizations see themselves above the concerns of the paltry and irrelevant rights of us mere citizens. Emperor Mayor Bill White, best known by readers of this blog to be the orchestrator of the "Cars for Kickbacks" scheme known as SAFEClear, says this is only "brainstorming." I couldn't help but notice that every time Emperor Mayor White gets involved in brainstorming, those policies have a tendency to get passed into law without the subjects citizens ever being informed until the law has been passed. It makes me wonder how long it will be until something like this gets passed, then how much longer until it's not shot down by the Supreme Court. Update
HPD may add video cameras to its ranks
Feb. 16, 2006, 1:09PM
HPD may add video cameras to its ranks
Officer shortage leads city to look at surveillance of streets, malls — even some homes
By ALEXIS GRANT
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Facing a shortage of police officers, Police Chief Harold Hurtt called Wednesday for a new type of patrol: surveillance cameras on downtown streets, apartment complexes and shopping malls — and in extreme situations, private homes.
"If you're not doing anything wrong, why should you worry about it?" Hurtt told reporters.
His remarks came as the City Council approved a financial-incentive program to help the Houston Police Department recruit officers.
The department is struggling with a manpower shortage as well as a spike in violent crime. To supplement officers on patrol, HPD is considering installing five video cameras downtown, Hurtt said. He also suggested that new apartment complexes and malls be required, as part of the building-permit process, to provide security cameras.
And when asked whether the need for cameras extends to private homes, he said, "If they're putting a burden on the criminal justice system and cheating the other residents of Houston, yes."
He did not elaborate on how police would accomplish such surveillance or when it would be appropriate.
Source of funds
The downtown-camera project already has a group to fund it: the Houston Downtown Management District. Once the cameras are installed, the project would be carried out by HPD. Officers would monitor video feeds from a new storefront office planned for downtown.
"It's going to be a lot less expensive than having officers standing in those locations or responding to all those calls," said Hurtt, who wants to have the cameras up by the end of this year. "What we need is a combination of technology and human resources to deal with this issue."
The Downtown Management District, which works to improve the central business district using taxes paid by downtown property owners, has proposed five sites for cameras at intersections on and around Main. They are high-pedestrian-traffic, not high-crime, locations, said Bob Eury, executive director of the district.
Mayor must approve
"The goal is for people to feel safe," said Eury, who compared the cameras to those at shopping malls. "We're finding new ways to make it basically safer in reality and perception."
The program would cost tens of thousands of dollars, Eury said, declining to estimate more precisely since the project will be put out for bids.
The emphasis on new police and surveillance is part of the city's response to a recent spike in violent crime.
It was up 2.3 percent through November 2005, compared with the same period in 2004, though the overall crime rate was down 2.2 percent.
Mayor Bill White, who must approve the camera program for it to go into effect, said he had not yet discussed it with Hurtt.
"There's a legitimate right to privacy," White said. "On the other hand ... if there are some crime hot spots, then we want something where we don't have to have uniformed officers staring at a particular spot 24 hours a day."
The City Council's Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will consider the program Feb. 28.
Some privacy concerns
Some privacy advocates questioned whether apartment owners should be required to install cameras.
"It's radical and unheard-of," said Scott Henson, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Texas Police Accountability Project.
But on city streets, it's a different story. Cities across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, already use surveillance cameras in public places. In London, where cameras are commonplace, the technology helped police solve last year's transit bombings.
Technology isn't the only tool HPD is using to fight crime. The understaffed department hopes to entice experienced officers nationwide to work in Houston by offering a $7,000 bonus and increased pay under a program approved Wednesday by City Council. By hiring 700 new officers every year for the next three years, Houston would have 2.8 officers for every 1,000 people, the national average, instead of the current 2.2 per 1,000 people, Hurtt said.
Under the incentive program, HPD officers who have less than five years' experience will also get a pay raise.
Shamelessly stolen from Nicki at The Liberty Zone via Constitution Death Pool. I wish there was something I could add to this, but Nicki pretty much says it all better than I could.
Mark Edward Marchiafava did not break the law in Gonzales, La. on January 28, 2006. But nonetheless, he was handcuffed, arrested, and his firearm, which he was legally carrying in the open on his side was confiscated and not returned.
I don't know Mr. Marchiafava very well. We have had several email communications, but nothing more than that. We have not always agreed, and sometimes our discussions got heated. But what I do know is that Mr. Marchiafava's right to keep and bear arms and his property rights were violated by the Gonzales, La. police.
When I deployed with the National Guard to New Orleans in support of relief and recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, I remember a meeting on an abandoned tarmac (where we slept the night before inside our humvee) with the Louisiana JAG. We were informed, in no uncertain terms, that open carry was legal in Louisiana, that we were there to help enforce the laws of Louisiana, and the law stated the people had a right to keep and bear arms. He were told that unless we witnessed a crime being committed, under no circumstances were we to relieve people of their firearms if they were carrying them in the open.
The Army and Air National Guard understand this. I wonder how brainless the Gonzales cops have to be to not get this simple concept.
In Mr. Marchiafava's own words:
After meeting my youngest daughter, Christie, and my adopted daughter, Kelly, along with Kelly's 2 year old daughter, Isabella, Kelly drove us to Gonzales, La. to visit my oldest daughter, Michelle. Needing to pick up something, I asked Kelly to drive into Tanger Factory Outlet. She dropped me off in front of the store, I ran in and out in less than 2 minutes while Kelly circled the parking lot.
While waiting to check out, I noticed an older guy standing right outside, staring intently at me. I KNEW he was either an off duty cop or he had just CALLED the cops on me. Yes, I WAS openly carrying a gun, which is quite legal in Louisiana. The state constitution CLEARLY states so. It does, however, retain the right by the state to regulate concealed carry, something that doesn't come into play here.
Sure enough, as I was paying, a Gonzales police car came cruising by slowly. After exiting the store with my purchase, I got into Kelly's car and within seconds, the cop turned on his lights and blipped his siren. Kelly exited and the cop told her it was ME he wanted to talk to.
Carefully, I approached officer Rome, and he asked why I was wearing a gun. After telling him EVERY citizen had that right, he just stood there, speechless.
I asked if he was aware of that, but STILL there was no answer.
It took THREE further queries before he finally answered, "No, I didn't know that."
Seemingly satisfied, he handed my driver's license back to me, and I heard him tell headquarters to print him out a copy of my driver's license info. At that point, I knew "they" were about to do "something." I got back into Kelly's car, not wanting to alarm them.
Sure enough, as soon as we exited the center's parking lot, FOUR Gonzales cop cars swooped in and, in true TV cop fashion, with guns drawn and lots of loud shouting.
I slowly exited the car, hands away from my side. Yes, I was roughly handcuffed to the point of having red marks on both wrists 3 hours later. I was transported to Gonzales Police headquarters. There, Officer David Breaux was trying to figure out just what to charge me with. Since he was holding Louisiana revised statutes, title 14 (criminal code) in his hands, I suggested he read 14:95, "Illegal carrying of weapons," which he did.
I tried, in vain, to explain to him there is nothing in the entire book which prohibits anyone from openly carrying a weapon in Louisiana.
His response: "Tell it to the judge."
Another "officer," Billiot, transported me across the Mississippi river to the jail in Donaldsonville. On the ride over, I tried to explain to HIM what the law states and the rights of any citizen.
He said, and I quote, "I don't care what the laws or the Supreme Court say. WE are NOT going to have people running around, wearing guns, with women and children everywhere."
I was fingerprinted, photographed and released on a $200.00 bond. Yes, all this for a MISDEMEANOR and a $200.00 bond. I am still trying to retrieve my gun at this date.
Now, let's take a look at what the law says.
Louisiana state constitution
Article 1 sec. 11 Right to Keep and Bear Arms
The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged, but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit the carrying of weapons concealed on the person.
Louisiana Revised Statutes
Title 14 sec. 95
Illegal Carrying of Weapons
A. Illegal carrying of weapons is:
(1) The intentional concealing of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, on one's person, or
(2) the ownership, possession, custody, use of any firearm, or any other instrumentality customarily used as a dangerous weapon, at any time by an enemy alien, or
(3) the ownership, possession, custody or use of any tools, or dynamite, or nitroglycerine, or explosives, or other instrumentality customarily used by thieves or burglars at any time by any person with the intent to commit a crime ; or
(4) the manufacture, ownership, possession, custody or use of any switchblade knife, spring knife or other knife or similar instrument or having a blade which may be automatically unfolded or extended from a handle by the manipulation of a button, switch, latch or similar contrivance.
(5)(a) the intentional possession or use by any person of a dangerous weapon on a school campus during regular school hours or on a school bus. "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, or vo-tech school in this state and "campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property. "School bus" means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
(b) the provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to:
(i) a peace officer as defined by RS:14:30(B) in the performance of his official duties.
(ii) a school official or employee acting during the normal course of his employment or a student acting under the direction of such school official or employee.
(iii) any person having the written permission of the principal or school board or engaged in competition or in marksmanship or safety instruction.
United States Code, title 42, chapter 21, subchapter I, sec. 1983
Civil action for deprivation of rights
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom or usage, of any state or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, priviliges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer's judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purpose of this section, any act of Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia.
UPDATE FEB. 6TH, 2006
District Attorney, Tony Falterman, obtained a copy of the arrest report and, after reading it, dismissed the charge. According to his assistant, Melissa, "Mr. Falterman has read the report and considers it complete BS."
A local reporter, Steve Ward with the Advocate, contacted chief of police Bill Landy concerning my arrest. According to Steve, the chief stated "We have a policy of arresting anyone carrying a gun without a permit. We don't care what Mr. Falterman says or does."
I attempted to retrieve my gun, only to find out the Gonzales police department has a "policy" of sending all seized weapons to the state police crime lab for ballistics testing.
So let's get this straight. A man broke no law. He is arrested. His property is confiscated. The prosecutor recognizes this case as complete crap. The police will not give back property, even though no crime was committed.
Check out the letter Mr. Marchiafava received from the prosecutor in the case below.
What kind of circus are they running down there in Gonzales?
Should you want to contact the fascist nazis on Mr. Marchiafava's behalf -- and on behalf of our constitutionally guaranteed rights -- please do so. The Gonzales Police Chief's name is Bill Landry. You can email him here: gonzpd@eatel.net
Or if you're feeling particularly angry about this, give him a call and demand to know why a man who has committed no crime has been relieved of his property by his tyrannical staff, and why his officers have no respect for the laws they have sworn to enforce. His number is: 225-647-2841
The Internet is for Porn - NSFW
35
The 35th birthday came and went fairly uneventfully yesterday. This coming weekend, however, is booked solid with people wanting to have birthday parties/dinners, etc. We'll see how that goes.
Sometimes, being right can be such a bitch.
I have to admit: I like it when people prove me right. It's even more entertaining for me when those who most often tell me I'm wrong turn around and prove that my assessment is indeed correct. The events of the last few days, under ordinary circumstances, would make me as giddy as a schoolboy who had just made off with a double armload of candy. Unfortunately, though, sometimes being right can be downright disenheartening. People who have been reading my blog for a while, and people who know me in real life know that I have issues with religious fanatics. That is, of course, to put it mildly. Blind fanaticism is a dangerous thing. Religious fanaticism is even more dangerous in that the fanatics are absolutely convinced they will go to Heaven (or Paradise, or Vahalla, or whatever you wish to call it) should they die in the persecution of their specific "holy" crusade. I've had this opinion for more years than I care to count, only to be told that I'm wrong. To the naysayers, I direct your attention to the events unfolding between Denmark and the cult of Islam. In case you haven't been paying attention, Michelle Malkin has oodles and oodles of links and pictures - far more than I am willing to chronicle on my own humble little blog. Many practitioners of the so-called "Religion of Peace" are up in arms - often violently so - over a few poorly drawn cartoons of an alleged "prophet". Personally, I am unable to comprehend how such poorly drawn caricatures can create such a massive and vulgar response. Hell, even the Secretary General of the Useless Nitwits has said things have gotten out of hand (not that the UN would actually attempt to bring about a lasting peace). Frankly, I've seen many things in much worse taste than these depictions of Mohammed, though I have to admit that it takes some serious effort to offend me. As I mentioned, I usually enjoy being proven right. This time, however, I can only shake my head and utter those four words I really don't like to say: I told you so.
Hmmmm
 Lucifer. The most misunderstood of all the ArchAngels, you're most like the ArchAngel of Light. You've seen the darkside and have opted for something better. You need better press, though chances are no one will really understand your motives. Which ArchAngel are you most like? brought to you by Quizilla
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