Jack Webb The Ultimate TV Cop video

Yeah, we all loved Jack Webb's deadpan delivery. If Webb was interrogaing you the jig was up! I dusted off this old piece just so I could practice that famous style.

No Grace in the Departure of Dan Rather From CBS

For the record I’m not one of the fine officers that gave Dan Rather the bum’s rush at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

Rather has been around CBS a very long time. He was paid to be what he is, a grandstander, performer who was supposed to deliver the news to TV viewers in a way that would keep them watching. He’s never failed in that task.

Rather has his own political agenda and was caught with his pants down in the Bush National Guard story. Rather than admit the story was bogus or that he was snookered, Rather rode that bomb all the way down. There was no grace, no real apology and no retreat from his flawed position. Rather has painted himself into a dark corner.

The other shoe fell with his awkward departure from CBS. Now Rather is looking to start again elsewhere. His departure from CBS reminds me of earlier times.


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Is Saddam Hussein Really That Bad A Guy?

I know he was a brutal dictator who ran Iraq with an iron fist. Hussein’s public executions, torture and absolute power did some good for Iraq. Hussein somehow kept the various religious groups from killing each other long enough to produce oil and engage in commerce. That’s a challenge the new government never be able to meet without resorting to Hussein’s brutality and absolute control methods.

I think we have to learn to accept that the people in that region of the world are just not civilized, reasonable or freedom loving. These folks just don’t think like we do and we demand that they become converts.

I’m not sure why we are in Iraq this time but it’s beginning to look like a failed Crusade to me. We will never win this battle unless we resort to the same kind of relentless brutality and killing that does not respect women, children and the elderly. If we are not there to win then it’s time to get out.

The first Gulf War was different, Hussein invaded Kuwait and we stepped in to help that sovereign nation fight off a bully. The bully retreated.

Now the violence, killing and torture in Iraq is beyond any and all efforts civilized countries are willing to utilize in order to gain control. The only thing Iraqis understand is mayhem and that’s something polite societies like ours will never use to gain needed control.

I have not been to an American election in many years where I did not have to hold my nose while I voted for the creeps on the ballot. I don’t see how Hussein smelled any better or much worse than many of our own leaders.

Above all else I support our brave soldiers!

Connie Chung’s Swan Song

Connie Chung was always a respected journalist and broadcaster. I think she did fine until she teamed up with Povich for a show on MSNBC.

Her husband, Maury Povich is a long time freak show host that features pathetic, dysfunctional weirdoes of society. American audiences demand a voyeuristic window into the circus tents and trailer parks of the twisted and tortured. Show hosts Jerry Springer and Povich have been filling that need.

The short-lived Chung-Povich show was yanked off the air. I guess this was supposed to be funny ending but it appears to be a heart breaking swan song for Ms. Chung.

Is The Latest NY Subway Attack Publicity Tool To Sell Books And Raise More Taxes?

I can’t bring myself to buy into the latest media fear mongering of Ron Suskind’s new book. Going into this thing I know that fear mongering sells lots of books, newspapers and draws TV viewers. Next they are telling us that that Ayman al-Zawahri had “canceled” the plan in January 2003.

Come on! If that Ayman al-Zawahri could have pulled this off it would have happened! I seriously doubt these bums were capable of manufacturing the devices.

This is simply a case of an unrelable snitch.

Okay, these days we Americans are frightened cowards who expect the sky to fall any second unless senators like Chuck Schumer and Diane Feinstein can save us with lots of new Liberty restricting laws and more wild, out-of-control government spending.

Instead of buying Suskind’s book or getting too worked up, go out and rent the DVD of the movie, Chicken Little. That film may help you!

Seatbelt And Helmet Laws In America

Please, enough jokes about Darwin.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Rothlisberger suffered head injuries and survived. He since vowed to never ride again without a helmet.

My close friend, former TV news reporter turned actor, Rich Skidmore just took an unexpected trip to Pittsburgh because his brother Gary is now in a coma after a motorcycle mishap with both a deer and an oncoming car. Gary Skidmore was not wearing a helmet. In addition Gary suffered other serious injuries.

The huge and well-financed insurance lobby has demanded and gotten mandatory seat belt and helmet laws passed nearly everywhere. Laws demanded and passed to save lives, or boost insurance company profits? I think we all know what’s more important and it’s not life.

I’m a huge fan of seatbelts and helmets along with other protective gear. I’m a bigger fan of Liberty and keeping government out of my life. We don’t need laws to ratify Darwin’s theory of evolution. We need everyone to respect him or herself and their loved ones enough to buckle up or wear a helmet. Please be safe…

A sad update:
Rich Sidmore informed me that his 51 year-old brother Gary was pulled from life support and passed away. Rest in peace, Gary...

Naptime For Compton California School Police

One White and two Latino officers of this department sued claiming that Black officers are not disciplined as harshly as they were. These photos were offered up as evidence. I can imagine that it’s a real challenge to stay awake on the midnight shift watching school buildings.

Wait a minute one of these boys is off in Dreamland and it's daytime!

These guys need blankets, pillows and Teddy Bears!

Dennis Farina To Exit Law & Order

Ex-Chicago police, Area Six (now Area Three) burglary dick, Dennis Farina has left TV’s LAW & ORDER after two seasons. Farina’s long time publicist, Lori De Waal in Los Angeles, recently made the announcement.

Apparently Farina who is currently involved in two feature films now in production, YOU KILL ME and PURPLE VIOLETS, wants to develop films for his own production company. For some reason Farina’s talent shines in films much better than those TV shows.

The films Farina made I enjoyed most were GET SHORTY, MANHUNTER, MIDNIGHT RUN, THAT OLD FEELING and his cameo in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.

I can see Farina in yet another role, that of an old Area Six homicide dick, Frank Heatley in that project I’ve been pushing for three years COME FRIDAY. Heatley was a somewhat frustrated older cop who was committed to find a way to keep serial rapist, Robert Ellis off the street. The Heatley character narrates the film and requently stumbles while hunting for Ellis.

Frank Heatley was repeatedly outshined in this investigation by the youngest ever homicide detective who was young enough to be his son. Of course, the real hero was an intended victim of Ellis, recruit policewoman, Ann Leybourne.

Farina was no stranger to Ann Leybourne since they knew each other on the job and Farina had worked with both of Ann’s husbands. Among those heartbroken friends who traveled to Ann’s premature funeral in Michigan was Dennis Farina.

Will Legalizing Drugs Be Good For America?

Let's keep this simple. I'm only asking a question here. Let me begin with the broad statement that I don't smoke, drink or use drugs. I hate the drug culture and the people who use drugs for recreation or addiction.

I've arrested thousands of users and dealers over the course of time I was a policeman. I always felt that the Drug War was a lost cause and pondered better ways of dealing with this huge problem.

If all currently illegal drugs were made legal the profits from this activity would evaporate. The drug producing countries, Drug, Lords, and Drug Czars would all be put out of business in a single day.

Sure the drugs would be sold legally but the price would drop like a rock since they cost no more to produce than sugar or coffee. The seemingly endless criminal enrichment would finally end. That's the only punishment that would really work.

The huge amount of cash spent on drug enforcement could go directly to help those addicted kick the habit in a voluntary treatment setting. I have long believed that treatment works only for those who want to end their drug use.

The reduction of murders and property crimes brought about by legalization would be dramatic to say the least.

Laws against driving while impaired and such could still be enforced. All government entitlements could be denied to those addicts that don't seek treatment. Legalizing drugs would never or should never make drug use acceptable for society or employers.

I don't think any of us will start using this poison just because it is legal.

I want comments on this issue please.

Why Ban Cell Phones When 911 Solves All Our Problems?

They are a lifesaver, yet a curse. Cell phones are everywhere disrupting traffic on the roadway, going off during lectures, movies and religious services. Inconsiderate people with the phones abuse everyone as they enjoy their special ring tones and pollute the quite around us.

Should cell phones be banned in your child’s school? Many teachers, school boards and local governments are demanding they be removed from schools. Of course the school officials who can’t seem to control the criminal behavior of their students are complaining the loudest.

Many cell phones are equipped with cameras that can even capture and send video. Witnesses, victims and even the offenders using these cell phones have documented crimes. Privacy has been invaded as the cell phone/cameras have been pointed up skirts and brought into locker rooms. Along with the bad side of this story came a new field of cell phone forensics has solved thousands of crimes across the nation.

On the other hand cell phones save lives! You can use them to call for medical, fire or police emergencies. Parents can find lost children or vise versa. Cell phones save huge amounts of fuel every day in America. Who should we blame for making 911 the solution to all of our problems?

Cell phones are like guns. It’s not the devices that are a problem but the people that use or abuse them. Outlawing cell phones because creeps in our world abuse them makes little sense.

I think that particularly in schools those charged with discipline need to deal with the bigger picture, the bad behavior that they can’t seem to control. Banning life saving cell phones is just not the answer.

First Kristina Ripatti LAPD Fundraiser Today at the Southwest Station

Be sure to click on the pictures to see them full size.

This BBQ was the first of many Kristina Ripatti Fundraisers today at at the Southwest station.

I had lunch with many fine officers from a multitude of agencies today. I was pleased to meet Officer Rippatti’s very proud father who promised to give a certain heroic lady a giant hug for me.

LAPD Role Model Kristina Ripatti

More of the story of the courageous confrontation between Between Kristina Ripatti, her partner and the now dead armed robber has emerged this morning.

It’s indefensible that the career criminal, McNeal was roaming the streets to rob and shoot anyone. Any and all government officials responsible for releasing this violent savage from his cage need to be removed from the government payroll.

As for the LAPD crime fighting team of Kristi Ripatti, fellow officer and husband, Tim Pearce, they are made of the right stuff.

This morning’s L.A. Times covered a bedside press conference as Kristina Ripatti was transferred to a rehabilitation center for the second portion of her recovery.

I know that every cop will pray for Officer Rippati’s total recovery.