Texas Missing Persons Foundation Forming

New Non Profit To Aid In Finding Missing Family Members

HOUSTON, TX - 2/24/2016 -- Ralph Baird, a philanthropist from Texas, has founded a new, non-profit organization, with the primary goal of helping families find their missing loved ones.  

The new organization, founded under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Laws as non profit organization, is named the Texas Missing Persons Foundation (TXMP).

Baird says the organization has a goal of providing "Another Pair of Eyes" for authorities searching for missing people.  TXMP will manage and direct all funds received to expedite the search for missing persons by experienced volunteer 501(c)(3) organizations, such as Texas EquuSearch.  The volunteers always work in collaboration and in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

At first blush, one would wonder why law enforcement needs volunteers.  However, agencies are strapped for funds as it is.  Many are not set up for the kind of large scale and labor intensive searches or high tech searches which the fund and organizations like Texas EquuSearch can provide.

The TXMP Foundation will be run by three (3) advocates who will serve as the Board of Directors and Officers of the Foundation.  The Board will have full discretion for disbursement of the funds it generates. To start things off, the founder/director has named two (2) Texans to serve on the initial Board of Directors. Those two people are Maureen Callaghan and Jack Hall.

The Texas Missing Persons Foundation is dedicated to improving the technology and expediting the search for missing loved ones by a collaboration of public and private agencies. The Foundation will complement and support the interests of the families and friends of missing persons. It will provide financial support to qualified search teams and other 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

The TXMP Foundation is in the process of establishing a charitable endowment to acquire and build a national training center.  The purpose of the center is the teaching and exchanging of past experiences of private and public agencies in a "hands-on" workshop format.  The idea is to use modern technology and teaching tactics to train a new generation of search coordinators.  Past search volunteers will pass their knowledge to the next generation of private searchers, public agencies and law enforcement.

It is not known exactly how many people go missing every year.  Not all missing people are reported.  Children and minorities are disproportionately represented, though any family from any walk of life could experience the trauma of a missing person at any time.  The estimated number of children alone is over 400,000 per year.  Families from all socio-economic groups are affected.  All families share one thing in common: The pain and angst caused by a missing loved one.

For more information contact Ralph Baird, TXMP Foundation.  Phone: (713) 461-1784

Email: ralph@txmp.org
Website: http://www.txmp.org

#beablackburnranger2016 Tim Paynter

Hi, all, I am trying out for #beablackburnranger2016. This is a brand ambassador for the bicycle accessories company, Blackburn Design. Each year, as a way of giving a little back to the community, Blackburn Design selects 6 people to represent them as brand ambassadors.

 I think I would be a great brand ambassador because I am a fanatic about bicycle riding and bicycle touring. In fact, this year, I took a long distance trip over Vail Pass to the hot spring city of Glenwood Springs. 

 Colorado has been a great leader in creating safe spaces for bicycle riders. I would like to advocate for all bike riders in creating a national system of routes and trails made just for the wheels of the non-motorized community. That includes skateboarders, kayakers, fishermen, and of course, all forms of two and three-wheel transportation. 

Whether or not Blackburn chooses me, I will do the same things. I will be "out there" in the land I love, living life. To me, that is a lot more important than using my right hand to click a mouse, while the rest of my body withers.  However, as a journalist, getting the nod from Blackburn Design will help me gain a bigger voice in advocating for the community.

While I am on the topic of advocating, I got a nice note from the Warm Showers community.  They are a non-profit organization which encourages members to offer their homes to touring cyclist.  The word is touring, this is not Motel 6.  Instead, Warm Showers is a chance for touring cyclist to meet advocates for the sport.  It is not just riding a bike through spectacular country that counts, it is the people you meet along the way.  Everyone has a story.  I would like to tell many of yours.

Please let Blackburn Design know you think I will make a good ranger candidate.  Through my years I have advocated for many causes, but I am the worst at advocating for myself.  I need your help to do that!  Please help me share the attached photograph.

Please share!  Thanks!

My best wishes to all the people who apply to be Rangers.  Each deserves this great chance.  Each of us wants to be "out there", going farther, doing more and being prepared for anything.  Each of us seeks to advance the sport of bicycle touring!

My Blackburn Ranger 2016 video is Here.

You can check out the Warm Showers program Here.

You can check out the Adventure Cycling Association Here.

You can APPLY to #beablackburnranger2016 Here.

Person Down, Dark Vehicle Stopped, Suspect Sought

A police scene is unfolding in front of the Cornerstone Assembly of God Church in San Bernardino, California.

Authorities stopped a dark (black) SUV.  Multiple shots have been fired into the vehicle.  A person is down in the street.  A suspect is reported to be fleeing on foot, moving South of the church.  It appears as if authorities may have been checking out the church prior to the altercation, although this is not known for sure.

Police say two suspects are dead.  A third person may be on foot.

Inland Regional Center, San Bernardino, CA.  The building
attacked is behind the tree

It is not known how this event is related to the mass shooting at the IRC in San Bernardino in which 14 persons were killed and an additional 14 persons have been injured.  The shooting has the hallmarks of expert planning with potential multiple shooters.

Already, hate messages have been posted on the church facebook website.  No one knows whether the church had anything to do with the event or not.  Attempts to contact the church have been unsuccessful.

This article has been updated, including the addition of photos, the number of suspects dead, and the fact expert planning appears to be involved.

Obama Equates Plannned Parenthood Shooting To Terrorist

Robert Lewis Dear, of Hartel, murdered 3 and injured
9 others during a shooting spree in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Paris, France, December 01, 2015 - "We have the power to do more to prevent gun homicides," President Obama said at a press conference in France during the conference on global climate change.

 "In the end of the day...Congress, states, local government will have to act to prevent persons who are deranged from getting weapons," the President said.

President Obama noted, Planned Parenthood, in some cases is the only organization which provides care to women.

"We can have a debate about abortion," the President said.  "I think it is fair to have a legitimate, honest debate about abortion.  How we talk about it, making sure we talk about it honestly, not demonize it," the President noted, will have an important impact on the result of this national debate.
"It is important in how we talk about organizations like planned parenthood, not demonize it," the President said.

The President's remarks may be hinting at the role right-wing rhetoric played in inciting the Colorado Springs shooter, Robert Lewis Dear.  NBC reported Dear as saying "No more baby parts", shortly after the shooting.

The President indicated shootings like the Planned Parenthood shootings don't happen in other countries.  The U.S. must take steps to ensure proper gun control comes to pass.

Family Of Fallen Officer Makes Statement

Words from the family of fallen officer Garrett Swasey

Officer Garrett Swasey was shot and killed as he responded
to police calls relating to a shooter at the Colorado Springs
Planned Parenthood.

Statement of Rachel Swasey, wife of Garrett Swasey:

The family of Officer Garrett Swasey sincerely thanks everyone for their support during this very difficult time. Our loss cannot be expressed in words. 

While the nation now knows Garrett as a hero who gave his life for others, he was also a devoted husband of 17 years and a wonderful father to his two children. His greatest joys were his family, his church, and his profession. 

We will cherish his memory, especially those times he spent tossing the football to his son and snuggling with his daughter on the couch.

Garrett was born in Melrose, Massachusetts. After a successful career in ice skating, Garrett found his calling as a police officer. Helping others brought him deep satisfaction and being a police officer was a part of him.

Garrett Swasey was a professional skater before he became a police officer.

In the end, his last act was for the safety and wellbeing of others and was a tribute to his life. What we need most today, and in the coming weeks, is your prayers for our family and for others who were impacted by this tragedy. 

We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love that has come from the community and across the nation.

We understand this is a public tragedy felt by many and we also appreciate your support for us to grieve privately.

Donations to help the family can be made to Youcaring.com.

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Robert Dear Accused of shooting:

Robert Lewis Dear, a recent resident of Hartsel, Colorado, is being held as the primary suspect in the shooting that killed 3 people, including Officer Swasey.  Dear was reported to have said "No more baby parts" after the shooting.  Some right wing web posters applauded the man who others say committed domestic terrorism.

Dear was reported to be mostly anti-social as he made few friends in his new home in the ranching community of Hartsel, Colorado.  Dear bought a 4.72 acre property in October of 2014.  The parcel had no water, sewer or electricity.  Dear moved an RV onto the property anyways.

Dear mobile home near Swannanoa, N.C.

Dear was reportedly "starting over" after being charged as a "peeping tom" and with animal abuse in North Carolina.  Neighbors kept clear of the man who seemed to make little sense and who rarely appeared to be friendly.

President Obama has renewed his call for gun control after Dear entered a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic and opened fire with a "long rifle", more recently identified as an assault rifle.

Robert Lewis Dear Held In Colorado Springs Shooting

Another tragic day has been registered in the history of Colorado.  A lone gunman attacked the offices of Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Three people are dead.

The authorities have been tight-lipped about motives for the shooting.  Robert Lewis Dear, aged 59, from South Carolina, is being held as the primary suspect in the shooting.

One of the persons Dear allegedly murdered was Garrett Swasey, a University of Colorado Police officer who responded to back up Colorado Springs Police at the Planned Parenthood clinic, located at 3480 Centennial Boulevard.

"The #PlannedParenthood shooter is peacefully detained after shooting 5 officers. We've been killed for far less. pic.twitter.com/kGoaKZc55o

— deray mckesson (@deray) November 28, 2015"

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Little appears to be known about the alleged shooter, though speculation on social media is, Robert Lewis Dear has a criminal record and may be a member of a right-wing group opposed to abortions.

A Message From The Government About Terrorism and the Holiday...

WASHINGTON – Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are advising shoppers this holiday season to be aware of online scams that would have consumers purchase counterfeit goods instead of genuine products.

Counterfeit electronics that overheat due to improper manufacture, fake bicycle helmets that break upon impact and phony cosmetics that lead to skin ailments are just a few examples of knock-off items sold online that present a serious health and safety risk. Seasonal items like holiday lights can also be counterfeit, poorly wired and ignite fires.

“Tablets, sporting goods and beauty products are popular holiday gift items, but they’re also commonly counterfeited and sold to unsuspecting consumers,” said National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Director Bruce Foucart. “It’s important that the American public is aware of these online schemes so they can shop smartly, protect their finances and stay safe.”

Shoppers can protect themselves year-round by knowing how to identify copyright infringing websites, by exercising due diligence when purchasing items from independent sellers on e-commerce sites and by using caution when buying merchandise through social media platforms. Consumers should also avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements either emailed directly or found while searching the Internet. Key signs that a website may be peddling counterfeit goods include:

• All the products listed are on sale or offered at extremely low prices.
• The website does not have proper contact information.
• The product is not shipping from within the United States.
• The buyer is redirected to an external online payment system during checkout.

Shoppers who purchased products online that were unusually packaged, missing approval stickers from independent safety organizations or stitched poorly with faded colors and misspelled words may have inadvertently bought counterfeit goods. They are advised to review return policies, and contact the website for more information. If returning the item is not an option, then contact your bank to see if they offer any type of fraud protection, and report the crime through the ICE Tip Line 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

"CBP is working diligently to stop the flow of counterfeit and pirated goods,” said Michael Walsh, the Director of Customs and Border Protection's IPR Policy and Programs Division. “We ask that shoppers be wary and do their homework. Counterfeit and pirated goods are poor quality, harm legitimate businesses, and can pose health and safety risks to U.S. consumers."

The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. Working in close coordination with the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 23 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to intellectual property theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public's health and safety and the U.S. economy.

Editor's note:  We can't have a great America if we don't protect the businesses which have been the cornerstone to our way of life.  Everyone likes a great deal, but someone always comes out on the short end when things are fake.  In fact, if the deal is too good to be true, it is probably not such a great deal at all!  

At Un Dia Sin Fronteras, we work hard to advocate for fair treatment of all people.  That shoe has to fit on both feet.  We ask for fair treatment of immigrants, for example.  But we also advocate that the treatment is fair in both directions.

We wish each of you a safe and happy holiday!

Terrorists Hit Multiple Sites In Paris, Copycat Attacks Feared

Terrorists hit at least four "soft" targets in Paris, tonight.  The death toll now exceeds 153 persons.  Authorities are on guard for copy-cat attacks in other places.

Already, speculation is, ISIS is behind the attacks.  The speculation is based upon the nature of the attacks, completely indiscriminate, rather than targeted towards a specific religious group.  However, the speculation remains unconfirmed.  Authorities are overwhelmed attempting to sort out exactly what happened and who is behind it.

The basics are, shooting broke out in a variety of locations mostly at the same time.  The worst casualties were at the Bataclan Theater where an American band was playing.  The shooters seemed only interested in body count, not hostages for ransom or political demans, as the shooters summarily executed concert goers.

At another location, the Cambodian Restaurant, a witness said she found herself on the floor after a window shattered and shots rang out while she was inside.  The witness found herself holding onto the hand of a fellow patron of the bar.  When she looked up, she found the patron whose hand she was holding with a bullet hole in her chest.  The witness does not know if the female patron died.  The witness heard the shooters pause to reload over a 2 or 3 minute period, then spray the venue again.

A bomb went off at an international soccer game at the State of France sports stadium.  Most people seemed unaware what the noise was and the match continued.

French borders are closed.  The City of Paris is expected to be a ghost town tomorrow, as authorities attempt to make sense of the madness.

Information for this article was obtained from CNN, the Voice of America, the Daily Mail, and Slate and Billboard Magazine.  Most photos are from Slate.

Fox Cuts Republican Debate to 8, Christie and Huckabee Out

Fox Business Network announced the debate has been narrowed to 8 candidates. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have been moved to the lower tier of candidates. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki are out of the debates completely.

The new Fox Business Network lineup is as follows:

Businessman Donald Trump

Dr. Ben Carson

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

Businesswoman Carly Fiorina

Ohio Gov. John Kasich

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul

Surprisingly, many pundits thought both Lindsey Graham and George Pataki performed well in the last debate, while especially Donald Trump performed in a lackluster manner, followed by Dr. Ben Carson.  If those pundits are correct, winning the debate is not necessarily what determines the next front runner.Trump has been flailing in the polls all week, though some recent polls put him as the front runner once again.  

Marco Rubio takes the third seat, though he is far behind both Trump and Carson.  Former Gov. Jeb Bush says he is not dropping out and insists the country, or at least the Republican Party, will soon come to its senses, despite having little support.The next presidential election will likely be one of the most partisan elections for many years.  


The only Republican candidate who holds a candle for the immigrant population is Jeb Bush.  All of the candidates appear to lean to the conservative side on a range of social issues from gay marriages, abortion, marijuana legalization to hawkish dealings with other countries.  Trump says he is going to build a grand wall on the Southern border of the U.S. and force Mexico to pay for it.  Sen. Ted Cruz says liberal media should be banned from hosting a conservative Republican debate.



Based upon the refusal of the GOP media credentials committee, which would not admit the immigrant friendly radio program, Un Dia Sin Fronteras from 1150 AM radio, into the Boulder Colorado debate, the GOP is sending clear signals about how exclusive it plans to be should its candidate win the White House.



"When the GOP Credentials Committee would not communicate with us about refusing us credentials, I filed a discrimination complaint with the University of Colorado," said talk show host, Tim Paynter.  "The University at least answered us, saying too many reporters applied, but all races were represented."  Paynter says the GOP credentials committee has yet to answer him.

              

Discrimination Complaint Filed Against GOP Debate

Jeanette Vizguerra

Geez Louise.  I thought discrimination was something in the past!

I used to be a member of the Young Republicans when I was a youth.  Today, I am stunned the GOP Press Credentials Committee is excluding us from the debate.  Worse, they are refusing to communicate with us, which is a tactic of minimizing.  If you ignore the minority voice, you are saying that voice does not matter.

I applied for credentials for myself and my co-host on the radio program, Un Dia Sin Fronteras on 1150 AM radio.  The application was with the GOP Press Credentials committee.  I hold a valid press pass from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.  I have been a host of the radio program Un Dia Sin Fronteras for nearly 5 years on Spanish radio, 1150 AM in Denver, Colorado.

The GOP credentials committee said they would notify us "shortly" after the close of business on October 21st, 2015.  Despite multiple emails to the committee, despite emails to event representatives Jennifer Dauble and Ryan Huff, we have not heard a single word about whether we will be granted credentials.

The committee is using silence to say we, as Spanish-speaking media don't count.  It is the most vile form of discrimination.  

"I am not discriminating against you, I am simply ignoring you."

Of course, some Spanish media somewhere no doubt has gained access to the event, so the GOP will say it is not discriminating.  The fact is, when you exclude media which is likely to speak the truth about the debates, you are discriminating.

The University of Colorado would like to be known for a first class campus where events like the Republica GOP debate can be held. In reality, if the University takes no action in this matter, it might be better known as an institution which supports discriminatory practices against the minority voice.

We filed a discrimination complaint with the on-line office of Institutional Equality Compliance which manages discrimination complaints on the University of Colorado campus.  We are optimistic the University will step in to prevent this rampant discrimination by the GOP Debate Credentials Committee.  If the University refuses to get involved, saying "we are not in charge", it will be the same action taken throughout history by people who stand by while discrimination is passing.  The parallells in history are frightening!

We ask you to take action to contact the GOP, the Univesity, CNBC and others to tell them discrimination is unjust and must be stopped!

Tell them Tim Paynter and Jeanette Vizguerra from the radio program Un Dia Sin Fronteras should be allowed the same access as all other journalists to cover the Republican debate on the C.U. Boulder campus!

Here is the email of the press credentials committee: presscredentials@gop.com Please copy and paste and send them a message to stop discrimination against Spanish-speaking programs like Un Dia Sin Fronteras on 1150 AM radio in Denver, Colorado!

Summit County Hosts Civil Rights Organization, CIRC

The first ever Colorado Immigrant's Rights Coalition annual assembly in Summit County will be held this weekend.

Roughly 25 residents from Summit County, including residents from the mountain towns of Breckenridge and Dillon, will be included in the state-wide meeting.  Over 200 people from organizations across the state of Colorado are expected to attend.

In addition to CIRC members, representatives from law enforcement will also attend the event.

The Summit County organization Unidos por la Igualdad (United for Equality) will discuss the efforts it has made in Summit County.  They will have a clinic on wage theft and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and other topics.

Summit County has come a long ways towards fostering better relations between authorities and immigrants.  In 2004, Summit County was the site of one of the worst immigrant roundups in area history.  Officials knocked on doors late at night in subdivisions occupied by immigrants.  Those who answered their doors were questioned about their immigration status, while those who refused to answer their doors were not molested.  Authorities had no warrants and simply were doing "knock and talks".  Local authorities were backed up by FBI and federal immigration authorities.

Multiple parties who answered their doors were hauled to the local jail pending identification.  Most of those who were rounded up were black.  When many of the parties detained proved to be documented, Law enforcement claimed the massive roundup and time spent detained was merely an inconvenience.  Today, law enforcement is working more closely with the immigrant community that has proven to be vital to the tourist economies.

The town of Breckenridge has historically been an activist for minority rights.  Breckenridge was created in November 1859 by General George E. Spencer. Spencer chose the name "Breckinridge" after John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, the 14th Vice President of the United States.  Spencer hoped to win support of the U.S. government and gain a post office, turning the community into an official town.  It was to be the first post office on the Western slope of Colorado between the continental divide and Salt Lake City.

However, when the civil war broke out, Spencer changed the name of the community from Breckinridge, to Breckenridge.  Vice President John C. Breckenrige was siding with the South and pro-slavery states and Spencer wanted to put distance between that divisive issue and the new town.

Today, a large percentage of the population in the ski towns are immigrants.  The early immigrants in Summit County were looking for gold.  Today, most immigrants and others depend upon the white gold of the ski industry.

Sophia Clark, CIRC Rocky Mountain region organizer, said registration is closed, and the event is at capacity, but anyone interested in getting involved in the future is encouraged to reach out to the organization.

ICE Agents Bust Coke Ring, But No Immigrants

While most people believe ICE is only interested in immigrants, most people would be wrong.  ICE, as a department of Homeland Security, is interested in the safe keeping of all America.  That includes drug rings selling cocaine to citizens.

According to the Daily Herald, Randy Lynch, a businessman from Hollister, North Carolina, was arrested for drug trafficking.  Lynch is the owner of a salvage business as well as a bar-b-q business in Hollister.

During the raid, carried out by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and the Vance County Sheriff's Office in cooperation with ICE, Lynch's businesses and home were searched.  These included Lynch's Bar-B-Q and Grill and Lynch's Salvage.  The latter business is located in Warren County.

Lynch is accused of trafficking 7 kilograms of cocaine which amount to about 15 pounds of addictive substance.  Lynch is being held on 1 million dollars bond while his case winds through the legal system.  All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.  However, Lynch has reportedly been on law enforcement radar for some time, according to the Herald.

Many people wish ICE would spend more time going after drug dealers and less time chasing poor people.  Drug dealers represent a significant threat to the youth of the nation.  Other countries say, if the U.S. could reduce demand, illicit industries in central and South America would dry up.

Texas Equusearch Says Cars Have Bodies

City of Houston Says They Won't Pay To Find Out

Houston, Texas - If the headline and byline seem ridiculous, the actions of Houston leaders appear outrageous.  After extensive searching, a private, non-profit, search organization says there are at least 130 cars in Houston Bayous and some of those cars may contain the bodies of missing persons.

Texas Equusearch has formed a public-private partnership with many law enforcement agencies. The organization uses high technology to find missing persons the cops are unable to find.  The organization worked on the Natalie Holloway search effort and has solved multiple high profile missing persons cases.

One of the techniques Equusearch uses is sonar which can identify sunken objects in murky water much faster than divers can through a physical search.  Unfortunately, perhaps, Texas Equusearch has been so successful at finding sunken vehicles in Houston Bayous, the City says it could not possibly afford to pull the vehicles from the mire.

Tim Miller, Texas Equusearch founder, wants Houston to use it's resources to recover suspicious sunken vehicles just like other cities use their resources to clear abandoned vehicles.  Miller and high ranking volunteers at Texas Equusearch are not afraid of controversy.

Last year, Miller waged a battle against the FAA after it imposed over-broad sanctions in the use of drones to search for missing people. Despite Texas Equusearch being a non-profit organization, the FAA decided the use of drones to search for people was a commercial venture.  Perhaps the FAA could use a page from the President Obama playbook in using prosecutorial discretion in the cases it asserts against non-profit organizations doing the job of government.

In a surprisingly arrogant response to news inquiries about why Houston is not interested in pulling discovered vehicles out of the murky depths, Houston police officer Victor Senties claims the department already knew about many of the vehicles.  A few years ago, Houston P.D. even searched a few of the wrecks.  But beyond that, Houston shows no interest in yanking vehicles from bayous.  They say it simply costs too much money.

Of course, the families of missing persons don't agree.  What is a police force supposed to do, if they can't be instrumental in the search for missing persons?  Little buffers community morale more than a police department which solves crimes.  To most families, there is no price too high to put an end to the suffering they face in not knowing what happened to a family member, spouse or child.  Tim Miller, supported by city council member Michael Kubosh, says some of those answers lie in the sunken remains of over 130 vehicles.

Meanwhile, in 2006, before red light cameras were installed on selected Houston intersections, the constabulary planned to spend the anticipated $6 million in fines on higher salaries for Houston officers. Texas ranks number 5 in the nation for handing out traffic citations.  While reporting a missing person is easy in Houston, finding the person is another part of police work altogether.  Houston is at risk of being more interested in fining red-light violators than it is in finding missing persons.

Dugger Parents Protected The Guilty, Trivialized The Innocent

Protection of Josh Dugger Allowed Molestation To Continue

On the face of it, the decision to protect one of your children from life changing felony charges for sexual molestation of "little girls" might be difficult.  By protecting one child, Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger assured a second event:  Little girls would continue to be at risk of future "inappropriate touching" by son Josh, the predator who has no conscience.

Years later, after the statute of limitations had passed for the prosecution of the crime of sexual molestation, as well as the crime of child endangerment for which Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger were likely guilty, all three of the Duggers moralized to a nation of Christians about the evils of pre-marital sex. They remained mostly quiet on the topic of child molestation, though.

Photo In Touch

The Duggers insist they are not mandatory reporters, a class of people including teachers, doctors and others of responsibility who MUST report molestation confessions.  While parents do not fall within this class, they do have a fundamental obligation to protect the true victims against sexual perpetrators.  The failure of the Duggers to appropriately inform the authorities meant their own daughters as well as a family friend would suffer at the hands of Josh Dugger.

Interestingly enough, the police officer, Joseph Hutchins, who the Duggers sought out to handle the investigation of Josh, is now serving a lengthy spell in prison for distribution of child pornography.  Hutchins now says Jim Bob told him Josh had only molested one little girl.  One has to wonder how many little girls it takes to be fingered in their most private parts in order for the authorities to take drastic action, but then, considering who was investigating this crime, perhaps the result was to be expected.

While it may be too late to prosecute Josh Dugger and his parents for the crimes they perpetrated against society, they will likely never earn the trust of broadcasters to parade their family in front of TV audiences as the moral example of what all families should be like.  In fact, the Duggers are one more in a line of television personalities who moralize to their audiences while committing private sins.

It is not too late for authorities to step in to protect the remaining minor Dugger children against thier parents who trivialize touching of childhood vaginas "over clothes" except on those occasions when the touching was directly with the innocence of our nation. There are 19 reasons and counting why these parents deserve to lose the right to parent their children.

Southern California Forensics

This crime of robbing the innocence of defenseless children has sullied more than just the Dugger's "19 and counting".  After Fox News promised there would be no passes in the interview by their reporter, Megyn Kelly, by the end of the interview, it was clear the Duggers had chosen Kelly for the same reasons they had chosen officer Hutchins.  Clearly, the Duggers were looking for another pass, and Kelly gave it to them.

For years, Fox News has espoused the conservative line, while their reporters have given conservative personalities far more grace than they ever deserved.  Kelly's gentle nature allowed Jim Bob and Michelle to trivialize the sexual molestation of their own children so the Duggers could perpetuate their fame and fortune on a reality show.  The actions of the Dugger parents are as dirty and disgusting as Josh's nasty fingers...or at least a close second.  Thanks, Fox News!

GEO Group Employee Smuggles Contraband

GEO Group Facility, Big Spring Texas

A GEO Group employee plead guilty to smuggling products to inmates. Two others also plead guilty for bribery of public officials, and aiding and abetting,

GEO, Group employee, Eva Bermea, who worked as a recreational specialist for GEO Group, Inc. was smuggling tobacco and creatine to a GEO Group inmate, Jonas Cruz, at the Big Spring Correctional Center in Big Spring, Texas.  Kami Nicole Bennet assisted Bermea and Cruz by packaging the products and by collecting money from Cruz's brother who is not incarcerated.

GEO manages prisons for profit.  In the traditional GEO model, the government pays GEO to operate the prison on the theory the private sector can do the job for less money than the government can.  In at least some GEO prisons, GEO charges the government a price similar to that a traveler would pay for a luxury hotel for each night a prisoner stays in the "GEO hotel".  At the same time, GEO gives the least it can to inmates, including limiting rations of toilet paper and providing medical treatment at a snail's pace to the detriment of needy prisoners.

Toilet paper is a big issue for people who are incarcerated.  Being able to cleanse one's self after evacuation contributes to the dehumanization of inmates in an environment that is already incredibly harsh.  The practice also leads to unhealthy habits by inmates so GEO can make an extra buck.

From WWW.NUK3.com

Earlier, a GEO contracted teacher plead guilty to smuggling tobacco and alcohol to inmates and received a six month sentence.  Ronald Craig Maxwell was sentenced to making false statements and abetting in the tobacco scheme.  Maxwell said tobacco "fell" out of the ceiling at the Big Spring Correctional Institution, and he sold the products to inmates for a handsome profit.  The truth is, Maxwell was dirty along with other GEO personnel in the product smuggling business.

GEO is traded on the NASDAQ.  Anyone can be in the prison for profit business with GEO Group, Inc. if they buy GEO Stock.  In the past, the investment division of Wells Fargo has purchased significant GEO stock only to find a national boycott of their banks for investing institutional millions in the dirty business of prisons.  In the past year, GEO Group, Inc. stock has fluctuated dramatically.

The sentencing of Bermea, Cruz and Bennet is just one more brick in a bulging wall of evidence why private prisons for profit are a bad idea.  Imagine what the billions spent on incarceration each year could to towards building recreational facilities and schools?  Many of those locked up in GEO hotels could be placed on ankle monitoring devices.  Tax payers don't pay for ankle monitoring, the inmate pays for the cost of his own monitor.

Grenade Found In Carry-On Baggage In Denver-But Smells Good

Traveling by air requires special preparations.  It is always wise to think about what you are carrying on an airplane.  Even if you have the very best of intentions, you could find yourself in hot water with law enforcement if you are not careful.

TSA Week in Review

In Denver, Colorado, TSA agents found what looked like a grenade (3rd item from left) in the carry on luggage of a passenger.  It turned out, the grenade was full of cologne.  However, a flight crew might have a hard time ascertaining that fact in a heated situation.  No one can be sure their carry on baggage won't fall into the wrong hands on a flight.  Therefore, no matter your intentions, it is illegal to carry objects that resemble bombs and grenades.

You would think this is just plain common sense.  However, the TSA encounters these kinds of things all the time.  How about a loaded weapon with a bullet in the chamber?  Should that be allowed as a carry-on item?

TSA Photos

How about a knife concealed in a belt buckle?  In Kennedy Airport, a knife was recovered from a passenger.  An object like this could easily be used to threaten flight crew or passengers.  Although the TSA is tight lipped about who gets arrested and who gets a ticket, when items are concealed indicating the carry on of the item was not a mere accident, you can bet agents are more likely to arrest the person.

After GermanWings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, locked the captain out of the cockpit and steered the aircraft he was flying into a gradual descent until it crashed into the Alps, perhaps passengers have a stronger argument for arming themselves with certain tools while flying.  The better solution is for more safeguards to be put into place to prevent distraught pilots from taking similar actions.  Passengers with weapons are usually the least able to help in an emergency.  More likely, the weapon will be used for nefarious purposes.

The lesson here, don't bring weapons onto planes.  If you have a pistol that must be transported, along with ammunition, you must declare it.  The item, if approved for transport, must not be in your carry on luggage.

Change.org To Feature Brothers Valenzuela In Email Campaign

San Francisco, California - Change.org selected a petition to the President of the United States to stop deporting U.S. Veterans and Bring deported veterans home.  

my san antonio.com

Specifically, the petition is designed to stop the unfair harassment of two Viet Nam veterans, Manuel and Valente Valenzuela.  The Valenzuela Brothers found themselves in removal or deportation proceedings after applying to renew their driver's licenses.  The Brothers have lived in the U.S. nearly all of their lives and have a U.S. citizen mother.

Valente Valenzuela arrived in 'Nam shortly after the Tet offensive.  Valente soon found himself working in a section of the military whose activities remain secret today.  Valente says he still suffers nightmares from his experiences.

Latino Fox News.com

Manuel soon followed Valente to serve the U.S. performing rescue services for at-risk military teams.  Like his brother Valente, Manuel put his life on the line in active duty combat situations.  Many soldiers never returned from theater, others returned severely maimed.  The brothers took that chance supporting the country they call home.

Upon return from Viet Nam, both Valenzuela Brothers suffered the disgrace placed upon them by U.S. citizens angry at the Johnson Administration for it's escalation of the war.  A soldier who places his life on the line has no say in how and where he is deployed, yet one of the brothers remembers clearly having human feces thrown at him upon his return to the U.S.

Please sign the petition to stop deporting veterans and bring deported veterans home!  Stop the injustice to the Valenzeula Brothers and all veterans!

Life continued for the Valenzuela brothers for many years.  Each brother encountered minor skirmishes with the law as they dealt with their memories and trauma of life and death in a war zone. Each brother worked hard to follow the rule of law set down in the U.S., especially in the 911 environment.  What a surprise was in store for the brothers when they renewed their driver's licenses.  They received a notice to report to Homeland Security.  From there, deportation cases were opened on the elderly Viet Nam vets.

That is when the Brothers Valenzuela, as they like be called, found out they are not the only soldiers to face the wrath of aggressive actions by the Department of Homeland Security.  Many soldiers have been deported.  Homeland Security says they don't really know how many, because they don't keep statistics on who is a veteran and who is not, when they institute deportation proceedings.

Fabian Rebolledo, Getty Images

I had the chance to meet Fabian Rebolledo when I traveled with the Valenzuela brothers to the border to conduct a protest over the deportation of veterans.  

I will never forget the interview I did with Fabian's son who had an extremely difficult time talking about what could happen to his father.







   You can help return deported veterans by signing the petition from Change.org