Earlier this week in a post titled “It’s Called Murder” I alerted the readers to the CNN event hosted by Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in California. I encouraged all our readers to tune in to the event and hear the two candidates give their views to Pastor Warren. In the process I included the following paragraph:
“This matter is one which deserves an airing. That exposure will possibly come this Saturday night when both Obama and McCain will be present at Saddleback Church in Orange Country, California as the guests of Rick Warren. They will mutually attend a discussion group which has been labeled as “Leadership and Compassion”. It will be a test for all three of the principals involved. For McCain, we look forward to a firm response in favor of the unborn if the subject is broached. For Obama, we may see clarification of a very un-compassionate stance. The greatest test will be for Rick Warren to find if his idea of Christian leadership includes curiosity about the candidate’s attitude toward the sanctity of life.”
I acknowledge that the last sentence was “snarky” and prejudiced by opinions I had formed in advance about Rev. Warren. He did indeed present the question on abortion in clear terms. His handling of the interview with each candidate was evenhanded and scrupulously fair. In contrast to my pre-formed opinion, he appeared to be the ideal person to conduct the program.
I was wrong. I apologize to you, my readers and especially to Pastor Warren.
Thank you for reading.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thoughts in Passing
As usual, Jan and I were kicking around scenarios in the face of the upcoming political conventions. We mutually believe that the Republicans will, as normal, be less than exciting because of their very conservative nature. The Democrat assembly is the one which we anticipate watching, looking forward to characteristic strong feelings and divided loyalties.
She started our thinking with a suggestion of the analogy of kicking over an ant hill. Who has not, either through accident or intention kicked over an ant hill? We all know the result; apparent chaos will ensue. From the instant of the disturbance, the ants scurry about, disorganized, sometimes leaderless, and desperate to get back to business. These insects, often cited as nature’s best example of “community”, seek normalcy and the common good and demonstrate laudable work habits to support their reputation.
They are the finest example of the workers selflessly carrying loads far in excess of their own weight and struggling to accomplish whatever instinctive labor they undertake. They recognize and undergo any sacrifice to protect their leadership. They shine the light of a singular example of perseverance.
I guess the analogy fails shortly after the observation of the ensuing chaos. Unlike the ants, this body will be ruled by self-interest and seek leadership consistent with their personal agenda. Be it the promise of a ranking position in a future government or more “bacon” to bring home to their constituents, the results will be driven by their personal requirements. Unlike the ants, the common good will be lost in the shuffle.
As we read the reports, we see a number of very interesting developments. Barack Hussein Obama has graciously agreed to allow the Clinton Camp to not only seat the Michigan and Florida delegations but has encouraged the party to provide prominent speaking time to the entire family—even Chelsea. This demonstrates a magnanimous attitude on his part and also reveals a level of naiveté which he may come to regret.
We live in a rural area and often look to nature for our guide not only in survival here in the Ozarks but rules that work in all the matters of life. Among our neighbors, it is common currency that one realizes that “no snake dies before sundown.” Those who handle “dead” serpents are always inviting disaster.
We are most fortunate to have “pirated” a copy of the opening day agenda from a fellow blogger which we will share with you. It is an adjunct of the Denver Post blog called Freedom Fighter and I’m sure you’ll agree that being in Denver during the convention will be a distinct advantage for reliable coverage from the local paper.
Posted by John Galt:
Agenda for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (Just Released)
7:00 pm Opening flag burning
7:15 pm Pledge of Allegiance to the U.N. in Spanish
7:20 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
7:25 pm Nonreligious prayer and worship with Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton
7:45 pm Ceremonial tree hugging
7:55 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
8:00 pm How I Invented the Internet Al Gore
8:15 pm Gay Wedding Barney Frank presiding
8:35 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
8:40 pm Our Troops are War Criminals - John Kerry
9.00 pm Saddam Memorial Rally Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon
11.00 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:05 pm Collection for the Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund Barbara Streisand
11:15 pm Free the Freedom Fighters from Guantanamo Bay Sean Penn
11:30 pm Oval Office Affairs William Jefferson Clinton
11:45 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:50 pm How George Bush Brought Down the World Trade Towers Howard Dean and Rosie O’Donnell
12:15 am “Truth in Broadcasting Award”Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore
12:25 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
12:30 am Satellite address by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
12:45 am Nomination of Komrade Obama by Komrade Nancy Pelosi.
12:50 am Speech and toast by Hugo Chavez to the departure of “the great satan”, ‘W’ Bush
12:55 am Hillary proposes a toast to our 89 million new Democratic Mexican voters
1:00 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast to the extinction of the Republican party.
1:05 am Coronation of Komrade Obama
1:30 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
She started our thinking with a suggestion of the analogy of kicking over an ant hill. Who has not, either through accident or intention kicked over an ant hill? We all know the result; apparent chaos will ensue. From the instant of the disturbance, the ants scurry about, disorganized, sometimes leaderless, and desperate to get back to business. These insects, often cited as nature’s best example of “community”, seek normalcy and the common good and demonstrate laudable work habits to support their reputation.
They are the finest example of the workers selflessly carrying loads far in excess of their own weight and struggling to accomplish whatever instinctive labor they undertake. They recognize and undergo any sacrifice to protect their leadership. They shine the light of a singular example of perseverance.
I guess the analogy fails shortly after the observation of the ensuing chaos. Unlike the ants, this body will be ruled by self-interest and seek leadership consistent with their personal agenda. Be it the promise of a ranking position in a future government or more “bacon” to bring home to their constituents, the results will be driven by their personal requirements. Unlike the ants, the common good will be lost in the shuffle.
As we read the reports, we see a number of very interesting developments. Barack Hussein Obama has graciously agreed to allow the Clinton Camp to not only seat the Michigan and Florida delegations but has encouraged the party to provide prominent speaking time to the entire family—even Chelsea. This demonstrates a magnanimous attitude on his part and also reveals a level of naiveté which he may come to regret.
We live in a rural area and often look to nature for our guide not only in survival here in the Ozarks but rules that work in all the matters of life. Among our neighbors, it is common currency that one realizes that “no snake dies before sundown.” Those who handle “dead” serpents are always inviting disaster.
We are most fortunate to have “pirated” a copy of the opening day agenda from a fellow blogger which we will share with you. It is an adjunct of the Denver Post blog called Freedom Fighter and I’m sure you’ll agree that being in Denver during the convention will be a distinct advantage for reliable coverage from the local paper.
Posted by John Galt:
Agenda for the 2008 Democratic National Convention (Just Released)
7:00 pm Opening flag burning
7:15 pm Pledge of Allegiance to the U.N. in Spanish
7:20 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
7:25 pm Nonreligious prayer and worship with Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton
7:45 pm Ceremonial tree hugging
7:55 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
8:00 pm How I Invented the Internet Al Gore
8:15 pm Gay Wedding Barney Frank presiding
8:35 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
8:40 pm Our Troops are War Criminals - John Kerry
9.00 pm Saddam Memorial Rally Cindy Sheehan and Susan Sarandon
11.00 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:05 pm Collection for the Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund Barbara Streisand
11:15 pm Free the Freedom Fighters from Guantanamo Bay Sean Penn
11:30 pm Oval Office Affairs William Jefferson Clinton
11:45 pm Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:50 pm How George Bush Brought Down the World Trade Towers Howard Dean and Rosie O’Donnell
12:15 am “Truth in Broadcasting Award”Presented to Dan Rather by Michael Moore
12:25 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
12:30 am Satellite address by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
12:45 am Nomination of Komrade Obama by Komrade Nancy Pelosi.
12:50 am Speech and toast by Hugo Chavez to the departure of “the great satan”, ‘W’ Bush
12:55 am Hillary proposes a toast to our 89 million new Democratic Mexican voters
1:00 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast to the extinction of the Republican party.
1:05 am Coronation of Komrade Obama
1:30 am Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
1:35 am Bill Clinton asks Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Friday, August 15, 2008
Your Daily Pun Fix
From The Corner at NRO comes a collection of the worst (best) puns I have had the pleasure of reading in some time. For those of you who don’t read "The Corner”, here they are. No groaning please.
“Pun Intended (Jonah Goldberg] This came in over the transom from a reader:
PUN INTENDED
1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, 'I'll serve you,but don't start anything.'
3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: 'A beer please, and one for the road.'
6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: 'Does this taste funny to you?'
7. 'Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.' 'That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.'
'Is it common?' 'Well, t's Not Unusual.'
8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says toDolly, 'I was artificially inseminated this morning.' 'I don't believe you,' says Dolly. 'It's true, no bull!' exclaims Daisy.
9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
10. DejaMoo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, 'Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!' The doctor replied, 'I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!'
13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.
14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.'But why?' they asked, as they moved off. 'Because, he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer.'
18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named 'Ahmal.' The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him 'Juan.' Year's later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal.. Her husband responds, 'They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal.'
19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)..... A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.”
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
“Pun Intended (Jonah Goldberg] This came in over the transom from a reader:
PUN INTENDED
1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, 'I'll serve you,but don't start anything.'
3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: 'A beer please, and one for the road.'
6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: 'Does this taste funny to you?'
7. 'Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.' 'That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.'
'Is it common?' 'Well, t's Not Unusual.'
8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says toDolly, 'I was artificially inseminated this morning.' 'I don't believe you,' says Dolly. 'It's true, no bull!' exclaims Daisy.
9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
10. DejaMoo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, 'Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!' The doctor replied, 'I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!'
13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.
14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.'But why?' they asked, as they moved off. 'Because, he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer.'
18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named 'Ahmal.' The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him 'Juan.' Year's later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal.. Her husband responds, 'They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal.'
19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)..... A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.”
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Thursday, August 14, 2008
It’s Called Murder
A euphemism is a delightful device used by writers to cloud issues, mask evil doing, and generally muddy the water about important issues. The user is excusing the use by pleading that the actual definition of the activity is too harsh, socially unpleasant, or outright shocking to be accurately named in easily understood terms. It is offered as a protective device to soften the affect on your sensitivities. It also serves to ameliorate the truth and shroud the activity in a cloak of righteousness. Personally, I see the use of a euphemism in general as a lie. In “the family way” is an old time reference to your daughter being pregnant. If a physician or clinician with the mother’s assent assists in disposing of the problem by abortion, it is not exercising “choice,” it is called murder The goal is to take a life!
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court found in a 7-2 decision, for the plaintiff, Jane Roe against the state of Texas (410 US 113) and set the course for the subsequent murder of nearly 40,000,000 Americans. This is a number which considered in the aggregate exceeds the total population of the original thirteen states at the founding of the republic in the eighteenth century by a factor of ten. It was not until 1870 that the nation exceeded 40 million. It is a number which approximates the total of all the purges, genocide, gulag deaths and other war casualties in all the wars and difficulties of the twentieth century world wide!
One need only ask oneself just how old were you in 1973 to establish how recent these deaths were. I rejoice that all my grandchildren were born since that critical date of 1/22/73. My youngest child was just three days from her first birthday when the decision was rendered.
Of the 4 million, not 40 million, citizens at the time of the revolution, the nation produced such notables as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ethan Allen, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Crispus Attucks, Benjamin Franklin, James Monroe, John James Audubon, John Jacob Astor, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Lucretia Mott, and Sojourner Truth. Of the forty million murdered babies over the last thirty five years, how many may have equaled or possibly excelled these famous figures from our history. What cures do we not have? What symphony or opera is missing as a result? What critical scientific breakthrough is waiting for the right person to bring it to pass? What epic poem or work of art is wanting for the lack of the artist? And, not the least important, what jurist was slain to never become a member of the Supreme Court?
The dead babies were not ax murderers, rapists, home invaders, serial killers or guilty of treason or any crime other than being in the wrong womb at the wrong time. It is an established fact that some of these innocents actually survived the abortion process and lived long enough outside the birth canal to be slain after the fact of birth.
In an effort to limit the practice, several state and the national legislatures have introduced bills to make the practice justifiably illegal. Even NARAL (National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws) has endorsed the proposed legislation. A spokesman for the organization made the following statement: “We, in fact, did not oppose the bill. There is a clear legal difference between a fetus in utero versus a child that's born. And when a child is born, they deserve every protection that the country can provide them.” When the issue came before the Illinois (S.B. 1082) group, Senator Obama voted against it because he alleged the bill didn’t have the “neutrality language” as the federal version did. As a result, he killed it in committee and it didn’t pass.. The only problem was that the bill did have the same language as the federal bill which passed at the federal level unopposed. Apparently, the senator feels that once the abortion decision is made, the only option is the death of the child, in utero or out. Without the legal protection which he seems willing to deny, the child is then in jeopardy.
This matter is one which deserves an airing. That exposure will possibly come this Saturday night when both Obama and McCain will be present at Saddleback Church in Orange Country, California as the guests of Rick Warren. They will mutually attend a discussion group which has been labeled as “Leadership and Compassion”. It will be a test for all three of the principals involved. For McCain, we look forward to a firm response in favor of the unborn if the subject is broached. For Obama, we may see clarification of a very un-compassionate stance. The greatest test will be for Rick Warren to find if his idea of Christian leadership includes curiosity about the candidate’s attitude toward the sanctity of life.
To ignore the issue will be to ignore one of the most solid of all core beliefs which separate the two factions. To those of us who see a Christlike reflection in the eyes of every newborn, the issue is clear cut. It will, indeed, be interesting to see how every one comes down on the matter.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court found in a 7-2 decision, for the plaintiff, Jane Roe against the state of Texas (410 US 113) and set the course for the subsequent murder of nearly 40,000,000 Americans. This is a number which considered in the aggregate exceeds the total population of the original thirteen states at the founding of the republic in the eighteenth century by a factor of ten. It was not until 1870 that the nation exceeded 40 million. It is a number which approximates the total of all the purges, genocide, gulag deaths and other war casualties in all the wars and difficulties of the twentieth century world wide!
One need only ask oneself just how old were you in 1973 to establish how recent these deaths were. I rejoice that all my grandchildren were born since that critical date of 1/22/73. My youngest child was just three days from her first birthday when the decision was rendered.
Of the 4 million, not 40 million, citizens at the time of the revolution, the nation produced such notables as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ethan Allen, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Crispus Attucks, Benjamin Franklin, James Monroe, John James Audubon, John Jacob Astor, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Lucretia Mott, and Sojourner Truth. Of the forty million murdered babies over the last thirty five years, how many may have equaled or possibly excelled these famous figures from our history. What cures do we not have? What symphony or opera is missing as a result? What critical scientific breakthrough is waiting for the right person to bring it to pass? What epic poem or work of art is wanting for the lack of the artist? And, not the least important, what jurist was slain to never become a member of the Supreme Court?
The dead babies were not ax murderers, rapists, home invaders, serial killers or guilty of treason or any crime other than being in the wrong womb at the wrong time. It is an established fact that some of these innocents actually survived the abortion process and lived long enough outside the birth canal to be slain after the fact of birth.
In an effort to limit the practice, several state and the national legislatures have introduced bills to make the practice justifiably illegal. Even NARAL (National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws) has endorsed the proposed legislation. A spokesman for the organization made the following statement: “We, in fact, did not oppose the bill. There is a clear legal difference between a fetus in utero versus a child that's born. And when a child is born, they deserve every protection that the country can provide them.” When the issue came before the Illinois (S.B. 1082) group, Senator Obama voted against it because he alleged the bill didn’t have the “neutrality language” as the federal version did. As a result, he killed it in committee and it didn’t pass.. The only problem was that the bill did have the same language as the federal bill which passed at the federal level unopposed. Apparently, the senator feels that once the abortion decision is made, the only option is the death of the child, in utero or out. Without the legal protection which he seems willing to deny, the child is then in jeopardy.
This matter is one which deserves an airing. That exposure will possibly come this Saturday night when both Obama and McCain will be present at Saddleback Church in Orange Country, California as the guests of Rick Warren. They will mutually attend a discussion group which has been labeled as “Leadership and Compassion”. It will be a test for all three of the principals involved. For McCain, we look forward to a firm response in favor of the unborn if the subject is broached. For Obama, we may see clarification of a very un-compassionate stance. The greatest test will be for Rick Warren to find if his idea of Christian leadership includes curiosity about the candidate’s attitude toward the sanctity of life.
To ignore the issue will be to ignore one of the most solid of all core beliefs which separate the two factions. To those of us who see a Christlike reflection in the eyes of every newborn, the issue is clear cut. It will, indeed, be interesting to see how every one comes down on the matter.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday Morning Rant 50
There is really no reason to treat MMR #50 any different from any other. I do find it curious, however, that coincident with fifty of these entries, the news provides the “perfect storm” for outrage. No, I am not upset with the global warmers, apostates, rude drivers, the UN, fat people, drunks or even presidential candidates today. I shall just let you see for yourself and see if you agree.
Here is an article from the Baltimore Sun that I will guarantee to get your blood boiling.
You must click on this link to get the background story, pictures of the couple (with their dogs) and other details. The fact you read this blog means you have some internet savvy. You will be shocked when you see the number of comments. As I write the total is 3,450 and I would guess it will be even greater by the time you check it out. No one has ignored this story even though it is in competition with falling fuel prices, Chinese Olympics, and John Edwards’s peccadilloes. Every major blogger has devoted space and comment to it and nearly all share the same disgust as your host.
As an update to the story I would point out that apologies (lame ones I’ll admit) have been forthcoming from some of the authorities responsible for this atrocity.
I hardly know where to start because this is wrong, wrong, and wrong at so many levels. First off, this is a result of our unsuccessful and useless “war on drugs.” Apparently we do not have the capacity to learn anything from our history. One need only return to the days and results of Prohibition of alcohol to see how useless these efforts are. Repeal finally came about after the turf wars for illegal alcohol resulted in an historic bloodbath. Once repeal occurred, the market for the illegal hooch disappeared and the gang wars stopped. As a recovering alcoholic I have spent a ton of time counseling other sufferers and fully understand the futility of attacking the liquor and not the spiritual failures of the individuals involved. Today I am not convinced that people steal to supply their drinking anymore than they do to replenish their refrigerator. Yes, I know that drunk drivers are a threat to innocent people but I also know that cell phone users, hair combers, newspaper readers, lunch eaters and just plain inattentive fools are an equal threat. Remember, I have spent years of my life as a professional driver (Greyhound etc.) and although I haven’t seen it all, I have come dangerously close.
The elaborate operation outlined in the newspaper article will show the ridiculous lengths that law enforcement has gone to mount a “sting” over a questionable amount (30 lbs.) of marijuana. To devote that level of resources on that type of evidence is just plain crazy. To not have the wit to investigate the subject of the raid in advance is yet more evidence that they have not done their homework. Mayor Calvo walked the dogs immediately prior to SWAT team attack and would have been easily available to the observers seated in the cars surrounding the property.
At the offset, the police claimed that they had a “no-knock” warrant signed off by a judge. That assertion is a patent lie! There is no evidence of any such warrant. The possibility still exists that they may find some crooked judge to falsify the record after the fact but that would become dicey for all concerned.
The center of the outrage currently centers on the murder of Mayor Calvo’s two pet Labrador Retrievers. I have owned two different labs over the last fifteen years and been friends with folks who have owned countless others. I have never owned a cat who was not more dangerous to be around than those dogs. If you need protection for your property get a Rottweiler, a German Shepard, or a miniature bull terrier. Those breeds will happily chew the leg off any intruder. The clearest danger from a lab is that he will “lick” you to death. Calvo’s dog, Chase, was shot while fleeing the scene. This is indeed a black chapter in the annals of police work.
Some people have allergies to dogs. Others have had a bad experience in childhood with one dog or another. Barring that, I seriously mistrust anyone who can not cope with the kindest, most loving breed of dog known to man. Thank Almighty God that the Calvos had no children available to be murdered at the same time. I truly believe that his mother-in-law was lucky to get away alive. It was bad enough that this terror stricken woman was forced to lie upon the floor hand cuffed behind her back next to the corpse of the slain pet for an hour and a half.
For those unfamiliar with Prince George’s county in Maryland, it abuts the District of Columbia and carries about the same demographic as the District. How Mayor Calvo manages to keep his position in a district which is 80% black is remarkable. His politics obviously transcend race in Berwyn Heights. If you have any curiosity about the chief law enforcement officer in the county and his department, I suggest you take a look for yourself. He has enough officers to man a regiment.
After the “drug war”, murdered dogs, and the sting gone wrong, there are two other issues which bear an airing.
I have carefully watched SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) squads come into common usage by police forces nationwide over the last few years. Prompted by increased fire power in the hands of criminals, these agencies felt the need to upgrade their response. Like too many good ideas, the end result has been all too frequent overkill. They have obviously copied the military in armaments and safety equipment but ignored that which keeps the service men from rampages such as this – discipline. It is insufficient to simply hand out automatic weapons and Kevlar without adequate screening, training, and supervision to do the job. As I recall my service training it was 16 weeks of 18 hour days in the use of gear and tactics before I ever left for an advanced training assignment. After the first 8 weeks, we finally got a day off to go to town – if we were consistent with the training cycle that is. The military found this a very serious business. There was no toleration of “macho” attitude allowed.
Of course, we had a capable and experienced officer and non-com corps to guide our every step. While it was unpleasant at the time, I found it, as did nearly every other man in the unit, necessary and beneficial in my future military life. Those who could not tolerate it were sent back to momma. I have watched these SWAT units on TV and often wondered how any one of them could handle the physical stress of our training. Fifteen miles with a fifty pound pack and a nine pound rifle is guaranteed to knock the “macho” right out of you. We were not allowed to blow off steam by killing harmless dogs and handcuffing old ladies.
The last issue I choose to deal with is the racial angle. Many complaints have been offered to suggest that if Mayor Calvo had not been a squeaky clean white guy, this would never have had any press. Unfortunately, that is probably true. Shame on us! To view any citizen as anything more or less than just another American is reprehensible. People in our history have given their all to preserve the rights of every citizen to be treated with dignity and respect. If this issue brings to light the problems with this type of bogus police work then we should all cheer. No segment of our society should be subjected to such indignities without the constitution’s guarantees of equal rights for every person regardless of birth, color, background or what have you.
It would appear that we have learned very little since Ruby Ridge, Waco, and the old grandmother in Detroit who was shot to death. Until we rid ourselves of the notion of no accountability protection, police agencies, judges and prosecutors will continue to run roughshod over the citizens and the unfortunate outcome will be the same.
Normally writing this down would tend to alleviate some of my distress. I’m just as upset now as I was when I started.. I plan to stay this way until I see some justice.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Here is an article from the Baltimore Sun that I will guarantee to get your blood boiling.
You must click on this link to get the background story, pictures of the couple (with their dogs) and other details. The fact you read this blog means you have some internet savvy. You will be shocked when you see the number of comments. As I write the total is 3,450 and I would guess it will be even greater by the time you check it out. No one has ignored this story even though it is in competition with falling fuel prices, Chinese Olympics, and John Edwards’s peccadilloes. Every major blogger has devoted space and comment to it and nearly all share the same disgust as your host.
As an update to the story I would point out that apologies (lame ones I’ll admit) have been forthcoming from some of the authorities responsible for this atrocity.
I hardly know where to start because this is wrong, wrong, and wrong at so many levels. First off, this is a result of our unsuccessful and useless “war on drugs.” Apparently we do not have the capacity to learn anything from our history. One need only return to the days and results of Prohibition of alcohol to see how useless these efforts are. Repeal finally came about after the turf wars for illegal alcohol resulted in an historic bloodbath. Once repeal occurred, the market for the illegal hooch disappeared and the gang wars stopped. As a recovering alcoholic I have spent a ton of time counseling other sufferers and fully understand the futility of attacking the liquor and not the spiritual failures of the individuals involved. Today I am not convinced that people steal to supply their drinking anymore than they do to replenish their refrigerator. Yes, I know that drunk drivers are a threat to innocent people but I also know that cell phone users, hair combers, newspaper readers, lunch eaters and just plain inattentive fools are an equal threat. Remember, I have spent years of my life as a professional driver (Greyhound etc.) and although I haven’t seen it all, I have come dangerously close.
The elaborate operation outlined in the newspaper article will show the ridiculous lengths that law enforcement has gone to mount a “sting” over a questionable amount (30 lbs.) of marijuana. To devote that level of resources on that type of evidence is just plain crazy. To not have the wit to investigate the subject of the raid in advance is yet more evidence that they have not done their homework. Mayor Calvo walked the dogs immediately prior to SWAT team attack and would have been easily available to the observers seated in the cars surrounding the property.
At the offset, the police claimed that they had a “no-knock” warrant signed off by a judge. That assertion is a patent lie! There is no evidence of any such warrant. The possibility still exists that they may find some crooked judge to falsify the record after the fact but that would become dicey for all concerned.
The center of the outrage currently centers on the murder of Mayor Calvo’s two pet Labrador Retrievers. I have owned two different labs over the last fifteen years and been friends with folks who have owned countless others. I have never owned a cat who was not more dangerous to be around than those dogs. If you need protection for your property get a Rottweiler, a German Shepard, or a miniature bull terrier. Those breeds will happily chew the leg off any intruder. The clearest danger from a lab is that he will “lick” you to death. Calvo’s dog, Chase, was shot while fleeing the scene. This is indeed a black chapter in the annals of police work.
Some people have allergies to dogs. Others have had a bad experience in childhood with one dog or another. Barring that, I seriously mistrust anyone who can not cope with the kindest, most loving breed of dog known to man. Thank Almighty God that the Calvos had no children available to be murdered at the same time. I truly believe that his mother-in-law was lucky to get away alive. It was bad enough that this terror stricken woman was forced to lie upon the floor hand cuffed behind her back next to the corpse of the slain pet for an hour and a half.
For those unfamiliar with Prince George’s county in Maryland, it abuts the District of Columbia and carries about the same demographic as the District. How Mayor Calvo manages to keep his position in a district which is 80% black is remarkable. His politics obviously transcend race in Berwyn Heights. If you have any curiosity about the chief law enforcement officer in the county and his department, I suggest you take a look for yourself. He has enough officers to man a regiment.
After the “drug war”, murdered dogs, and the sting gone wrong, there are two other issues which bear an airing.
I have carefully watched SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) squads come into common usage by police forces nationwide over the last few years. Prompted by increased fire power in the hands of criminals, these agencies felt the need to upgrade their response. Like too many good ideas, the end result has been all too frequent overkill. They have obviously copied the military in armaments and safety equipment but ignored that which keeps the service men from rampages such as this – discipline. It is insufficient to simply hand out automatic weapons and Kevlar without adequate screening, training, and supervision to do the job. As I recall my service training it was 16 weeks of 18 hour days in the use of gear and tactics before I ever left for an advanced training assignment. After the first 8 weeks, we finally got a day off to go to town – if we were consistent with the training cycle that is. The military found this a very serious business. There was no toleration of “macho” attitude allowed.
Of course, we had a capable and experienced officer and non-com corps to guide our every step. While it was unpleasant at the time, I found it, as did nearly every other man in the unit, necessary and beneficial in my future military life. Those who could not tolerate it were sent back to momma. I have watched these SWAT units on TV and often wondered how any one of them could handle the physical stress of our training. Fifteen miles with a fifty pound pack and a nine pound rifle is guaranteed to knock the “macho” right out of you. We were not allowed to blow off steam by killing harmless dogs and handcuffing old ladies.
The last issue I choose to deal with is the racial angle. Many complaints have been offered to suggest that if Mayor Calvo had not been a squeaky clean white guy, this would never have had any press. Unfortunately, that is probably true. Shame on us! To view any citizen as anything more or less than just another American is reprehensible. People in our history have given their all to preserve the rights of every citizen to be treated with dignity and respect. If this issue brings to light the problems with this type of bogus police work then we should all cheer. No segment of our society should be subjected to such indignities without the constitution’s guarantees of equal rights for every person regardless of birth, color, background or what have you.
It would appear that we have learned very little since Ruby Ridge, Waco, and the old grandmother in Detroit who was shot to death. Until we rid ourselves of the notion of no accountability protection, police agencies, judges and prosecutors will continue to run roughshod over the citizens and the unfortunate outcome will be the same.
Normally writing this down would tend to alleviate some of my distress. I’m just as upset now as I was when I started.. I plan to stay this way until I see some justice.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
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