Budweiser presents: The Snowball Fight

Talk about your passionate kiss! Wife takes off 1/2 of her husband's tongue during kiss!

Wisconsin Woman Bites Husband's Tongue Off During Kiss

(NewsCore) - A Wisconsin man underwent surgery Tuesday to have his tongue re-attached after his wife bit it off during a kiss, the Sheboygan Press reported.

The 79-year-old victim called police late Monday night and dispatchers sent an ambulance and officers to his home in Sheboygan, 60 miles north of Milwaukee, despite having trouble understanding what he was saying, the report said.

When officials arrived, the man and his 57-year-old wife were outside singing Christmas carols. The wife reportedly threw a coffee cup at the emergency responders.

Officers with the Sheboygan Police Department said the man’s tongue was bitten off when the woman tried to kiss him inside the couple’s home. The man was missing about half his tongue.

The man asked that his wife not be arrested, but she was taken into custody and charged with domestic violence.
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Detective Shavedlongcock:

Thank God she was kissing him and not blowing him!

Thanks to TKO K-9 Cop / Ditto for this news story.

Do you have a family member who suffers from a Developmental Disability, Autism, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety or another mental illness?

Special Needs Family Support

Do you have a family member who suffers from a Developmental Disability, Autism, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety or another mental illness? Are you feeling overwhelmed, or having trouble finding resources? You are NOT alone!

You can gain support, exchange ideas, and learn some new resources. We will discuss educational rights, treatment options, homecare and everything in between. Our group will meet once a month and provide speakers based upon members needs. The group is free and open to anyone having a special needs family member.

The first meeting will be held December 16th at 1100hrs at the Education and Training Academy.

Please contact Officer Julie Joyce at 312-754-4381, Lt Patty Casey at 312- 743-1425 or email specialneedspolice@gmail.com for further information.

Chicago police test - You will be searched like you were entering an airplane! And bring cash!

For the upcoming Chicago police exam - Applicants will be searched
Only a clear bottle of water may be brought in.

$3.00 FEE FOR YOUR COAT TO BE CHECKED

$4.00 STORAGE FEE FOR EVERY PERSONAL ITEM BROUGHT INTO THE BUILDING.
(CASH ONLY - NO CREDIT CARDS, NO CHECKS - Just untraceable tax scamming CASH!)

A suburban police officer called the city of Chicago and asked if he can bring his duty weapon in. He was told YES but it would have to be checked in for $4.00!

DALEY & DALEY SHORT TERM STORAGE SERVICE! You think?

10,000 applicants... times by ??? equals big fucking CASH!

CLICKING ON ANY IMAGE WILL DISPLAY THAT IMAGE FULL SIZE / ENLARGE IT

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Thanks to the big Mr. O for this information!

I remember when these suburbs were nice places to go to - Free of all the "Rip Raft"

7 arrested in Naperville prostitution sting


Seven people who police say advertised their services on the Internet were arrested last week in Naperville on prostitution charges, police said Tuesday.

Last Thursday, members of the Naperville Police Department’s Special Operations Group conducted an investigation into people engaging in acts of prostitution at locations on Naperville’s Far North Side, a release from Naperville police said. These people advertised their services on various Internet sites, the release said.

The suspected prostitutes posted various services on the Internet and agreed to meet their customers at various locations and perform sexual acts in exchange for money, the release said.

Seven people -- one of whom was found to have cocaine on her -- were arrested as a result of this investigation.

Those arrested are:


• Emily L. Dudasik, 20, of Wheaton, charged with prostitution.


• Natasha D. Accomando, 20, of Lombard, charged with prostitution.


• Heather A. Ashfield, 39, of Aurora, charged with prostitution and possession of a controlled substance (a Class 4 felony)


• Sonya M. Johnson, 33, of Aurora, charged with prostitution.


• Deja R. Davis, 20, of Chicago, charged with prostitution.


• Michael A. Green, 22, of Chicago, charged with attempted pandering.


• Martell A. Williams, 22, of Bolingbrook, charged with attempted pandering.


The prostitution and attempted pandering charges are Class A misdemeanors.

Mag Mile bank robbed by black man

The FBI is looking for a man who robbed a bank this evening on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, police said.

Police responded to the bank heist on the 500 block of North Michigan Avenue at 5:56 p.m. Bank employees told authorities that a man entered the bank and demanded money, said Police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala.

Zala would not provide the name of the bank. A Citibank branch and Bank of America are located on the 500 block of North Michigan.

Bank employees gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash before he fled on food. Initial reports did not indicate whether the suspect was armed, Zala said.

Zala said the suspect was described as a black man, about 5-foot-9 inches with a medium build and wearing a black puffy coat.

Belmont Area detectives are assisting in the investigation, which will be led by the FBI.

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

As Obama would say... The offender was just redistributing the wealth... Nothing wrong with that.

Six black stupid suspects, six states, one robbery

Six suspects, six states, one robbery

A Chicago man is among six people from six states who joined together to rob a convenience store in Birmingham, Ala.

Police say they're not sure what brought them to the city or how they are connected to each other.

"It's quite unusual to see a large group commit a convenience store robbery, but to have all the suspects from six different states is odd in itself," police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams Jr. told the Birmingham News.

Police say the suspects entered a Chevron store last week and began putting items in their pockets. When the owner tried to stop them, the group began beating and kicking him, according to police. (Want to bet the victim was white?)

Arrested were: Keenan Jefferson, 33, of Chicago; Broderick Johnson, 21, of Mobile, Ala.; Thurmon Polk, 20, of Detroit; Velvet Farmer, 18, of Cleveland, Ohio; Howard Washington, 27, of Los Angeles; and Makesonji Dieudonne, 20. of New Rochelle, N.Y.

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

It cost more for six people from six different states to meet together than any robbery from a convenience store could produce!

A bunch of morons!

Pearl Harbor - December 7th, 1941 - 69 years ago today!

UPDATE: Conceal/Carry for Qualified Disabled Officers - Will be presented to FOP Board tomorrow

CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATES IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER BEING PRESENTED BEFORE THE CHICAGO FOP 7 BOARD

Presenting IL HB 6901 to FOP CHICAGO LODGE 7 Board Members

Click here: Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB6901

FOP BOARD MEETING
1412 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL
Tuesday, Dec 7, 2010 @ Noon

Those interested in this bill moving forward are encourage to attend this presentation.

POSTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
COMMENT SECTION CLOSED

It appears that the dead former Metra chief was pulling several trains in his life..... Had two other secret households....

A lawyer for Phil Pagano's widow said that “in addition to the household in Crystal Lake … Pagano had not one, but two additional households, one in Palatine and one in downtown Chicago,” according to a court transcript.

Metra's longtime chief was supporting two other households in addition to his own, leaving his wife with staggering debts after he took his life, according to a lawyer for Phil Pagano's widow.

James Mullally, who represents Barbara Pagano, made the disclosure in federal bankruptcy court last week, claiming that she was left with more than $1 million in debts.

Saying he didn't want to get involved in "innuendo and hearsay," Mullally said that "in addition to the household in Crystal Lake … Pagano had not one, but two additional households, one in Palatine and one in downtown Chicago," according to a court transcript.

It wasn't known who belonged to those households. Mullally on Monday declined to provide any names or details. Nor would he say if Barbara Pagano had determined who might belong to the "other households."

Mullally told the bankruptcy judge during Wednesday's federal court session in Rockford — first reported by the Tribune — that more information needed to be "flushed out," and that effort was continuing.

At the time, Mullally vowed that Barbara Pagano would fight her creditors, saying she was not responsible for the debts.

The disclosure that Pagano was supporting others with his money begins to answer the mystery of what the Metra executive director was doing with the hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and extra compensation he had gotten in recent years.

Pagano faced an ever growing need for cash, according to a special counsel who investigated the case for Metra.

Facing likely firing for taking $475,000 in unapproved vacation payments and possibly breaking the law by forging two memos to cover his tracks, Pagano, 60, committed suicide May 7 near his Crystal Lake home.

Barbara Pagano, 54, said she was left with no cash or savings, but with $255,000 in credit card and other debts and $765,000 in mortgage claims, according to her bankruptcy petition. But her husband took home more than $1 million this year, largely from payments from a deferred compensation plan, records show.

Mullally urged the bankruptcy judge last week to declare a $500,000 insurance policy on Phil Pagano's life off-limits to the creditors. Barbara Pagano is also fighting to keep her share of his Metra pension, estimated at $80,000 a year.

Most of the claims against Barbara Pagano "consist of debts that were rung up by her husband," Mullally said, according to the transcript.

"And out of the … debt that's out there, we intend to challenge each and every claim against Ms. Pagano," Mullally said. "She had nothing to do with incurring this debt."

Barbara Pagano's bankruptcy petition says she faces claims from nearly three dozen creditors, including credit card companies, financial firms, department stores and banks.

Among them is nearly $50,000 she said her husband owes United Airlines. Other debts include $3,342 to Diners Club, $9,875 to Nordstrom's and $6,843 to Target.

A lender, Beneficial Illinois, also has two mortgages totaling $765,000 against Pagano's Crystal Lake home, where the couple raised two children. Barbara Pagano says the home is valued at $340,000.

Repeating what he said in court, Mullally said Monday that Barbara Pagano would go after any assets she was entitled to as a spouse, including any money that her husband might have given to someone else for support.

No will for Phil Pagano is on file in McHenry County, and the estate is not in probate court.

"I think the (Pagano) attorneys would open an estate to pursue whatever assets there are," bankruptcy trustee Steven Balsley said.

Balsley is challenging Barbara Pagano's claim that the life insurance money is exempt from creditors. The trustee's obligation is to referee the bankruptcy case on behalf of the court and ensure that creditors are fairly compensated.

If Phil Pagano gave his money to people other than his wife, Balsley said he was "absolutely" obligated to go after it as well.

Although it is not listed as a creditor, Metra has said it would also seek $127,000 that Phil Pagano owes the agency.

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

A million dollar in DEBT? He was the ehad of Metra for years and couldn't make ends meet? This stealing fat fuck must of really been living the highlife off our money.

Use of Tasers UP with Chicago police department - not counting the cops who accidentally Taser themselves

Chicago police expand use of Tasers

A new report shows that Chicago police used Tasers to subdue nearly 700 offenders over 12 recent months, a dramatic increase that reflects the department's decision earlier this year to expand its use of the weapons.

In a wide-ranging annual report issued today, the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates serious accusations of police misconduct, said the increased use of the sometimes-controversial electrical devices has not generated many complaints, however.

As a result, the agency said it has decided against investigating every time an officer uses a Taser, saying the hundreds of incidents were "overwhelming" its resources. Instead, it will do so only if allegations of misconduct are made, serious injury or death resulted, or a minor or senior citizen was targeted.

According to the report, officers used Tasers on 683 occasions in the year ended Sept. 30, up sharply from 197 in 2009 and 163 in 2008.

But that's not surprising since the department in March more than doubled the number of available Tasers -- to 660, up from 280 -- and put them in the hands of patrol officers for the first time. Previously, only sergeants and field training officers were allowed to carry them, but now all squad cars and special-deployment teams are equipped with the weapons.

Department officials say the "stun guns" -- which have about a 35-foot range and carry an electrical charge -- have increased officer safety and helped defuse trouble.

"The mere presence of a Taser ... has proven to be an effective deterrent to a subject escalating the incident, which (otherwise) could require greater use of force," Lt. Maureen Biggane said in an e-mail response to written questions.

But the weapons are not without controversy.

In 2005, the department temporarily halted plans to buy more of the weapons after two high-profile incidents, including the death of a 54-year-old man shot with a Taser after he tried to bite an officer. A teen also had gone into cardiac arrest after being stunned with the weapon.

In its report, the review agency said its caseload continues to grow -- up to 2,168 from 1,981 a year ago -- despite its efforts to deal with the problem. The agency blamed vacancies among its 53 investigator positions for the growing backlog.

"The results of this shortage of investigators has been significant," said the report, noting that the agency did not want to compromise on "fairness and thoroughness."

The agency, created by city ordinance in the wake of several police scandals, was given stronger investigative tools than its predecessor, with a goal to restore the public's trust that police misconduct would be quickly investigated.

The report also said allegations of verbal abuse by officers of the public have fallen over the last three years, to 162 from 199. Also, excessive-force complaints have dropped after a sharp increase the previous year, the agency said.

Very Cool Video - Natalie time-lapse video: From birth to 10 years old

Natalie's father took a picture of her nearly every day (at least he tried to!) for 10 years. The result? As he calls it, "Stop motion human growth!" Video by JAMagicFilms

Natalie time-lapse video: From birth to 10 years old @ Yahoo! Video

'Dandy' Don Meredith, former Cowboys QB and 'Monday Night Football' announcer, dead at 72

DALLAS (AP) — Don Meredith was the happiest, most fun-loving guy wherever he went, whether crooning country tunes in the huddle as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys or jawing with Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as analyst on the groundbreaking "Monday Night Football."

His irreverent personality made him one of the most beloved figures in sports and entertainment in the 1970s and 1980s, helping turn the Cowboys and "Monday Night Football" into national sensations.

"Dandy Don" died Sunday after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma in Santa Fe, N.M., where he lived out of the limelight with his wife, Susan, for the last 25 years. He was 72.

A folksy foil to Cosell's tell-it-like-it-is pomposity, Meredith was at his best with unscripted one-liners — often aimed at his broadcast partners. His trademark, though, came when one team had the game locked up. Meredith would warble, "Turn out the lights, the party's over" — from a song by his pal Willie Nelson.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL NEWS STORY

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

Let's not forget he loved playing the cop roles on television too:

Three Days of Rain
John Horton

1994 Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone
Clay the Bartender

1990 Midnight Caller (TV series)
Foster Castleman
– Sale Away: Part 2 (1990) … Foster Castleman

1987 Police Story: The Freeway Killings (TV movie)
Detective Foley

1981 Terror Among Us (TV movie)
Sergeant Tom Stockwell

1980 The Night the City Screamed (TV movie)
Captain Donald Wiacek

1979 Undercover with the KKK (TV movie)
Gary Thomas 'Tom' Rowe Jr.

1979 Supertrain (TV series)
Rick Prince
– Express to Terror (1979) … Rick Prince

1978 The Courage and the Passion (TV movie)
Col. Jim Gardner

1978 Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (TV movie)
Clint Allison

1976 Mayday at 40,000 Feet! (TV movie)
Mike Fuller

1976 The Quest (TV series)
Shanklin
– Shanklin (1976) … Shanklin

1976 Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free (TV movie)
Banjo Hackett

1973-1975 Police Story (TV series)
Bert Jameson / Detective Bert Jameson / John Kowalski / …
– Face for a Shadow (1975) … John Kowalski
– The Witness (1975) … Detective Bert Jameson
– Explosion (1974) … Bert Jameson
– Glamour Boy (1974) … Bert Jameson
– The Hunters (1974) … Bert Jameson
See all 6 episodes »

1975 McCloud (TV series)
Linus Morton
– Showdown at Times Square (1975) … Linus Morton

1975 Sky Heist (TV movie)
Sergeant Doug Trumbell

1975 Police Woman (TV series)
'Turk' Allison
– The Loner (1975) … 'Turk' Allison

1974 Terror on the 40th Floor (TV movie)
Kelly Freeman

Looks like the US Customs officers will have a sweet Christmas - Thousands of Cuban cigars seized at O'Hare

U.S. customs officials say they've seized 30,000 Cuban cigars shipped from Europe to O'Hare International Airport in the past two weeks and are inspecting another 70,000 they also suspect are from Cuba.

The flood of the "popular contraband" is the biggest seen at the Customs and Border Protection's Chicago field office, which typically seizes 10 to 12 cigars a week at the O'Hare international mail facility, officials said.

It's illegal to import any Cuban product into the United States without a license from the U.S. Treasury Department.

I couldn't figure out why Jody Weis was defending the officer so strongly on the news... But this may explain it.

Officer 'in fear of her life' kills 'aggressive' unarmed suspect
SOUTH SIDE | Weis rejects suggestion cops are 'jumpy'

A Chicago cop investigating an alleged drug deal shot dead an unarmed man on the South Side on Saturday night after he made an ''aggressive movement'' toward her, police say.

Relatives of Ontario Billups, 30, want to know why he was killed on the 8100 block of South Ashland at 8:30 p.m. They believe the female officer who shot him may have fired in haste out of fear after a string of recent murders of Chicago cops.

Billups, of the 6600 block of South Seeley, was declared dead at the scene, where bloodstains remained in the snow Sunday morning.

Tactical officers assigned to the Gresham District first spotted Billups in the passenger seat of a car, apparently conducting a drug deal, according to a police statement.

When officers approached and announced themselves, Billups was inside the car, hiding his hands inside a jacket, the statement said. Billups refused to show his hands despite ''numerous demands'' from the officers, it said.

As Billups exited the car, he made an "aggressive movement" and an officer ''in fear of her life'' pulled the trigger, the statement said.

Billups -- known to pals as ''Long Long'' because of his lanky 6-2 frame -- had a felony drug conviction for dealing cocaine in 1999 and was sentenced to seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to attempted murder in 2003, records show.

But relatives said he had recently earned his G.E.D., was trying to turn his life around and wouldn't have threatened a cop. One of 17 brothers and sisters, he had worked on a garbage truck in Jackson, Miss., but was unemployed at the time of his death, his family said.

''With all the police killings, I think the officer got scared -- she must have been a rookie to shoot an unarmed man,'' Billups' sister Trevier Jones-Gaines said.

Supt. Jody Weis rejected any suggestion that officers are ''jumpy'' or quicker to shoot following the murders of five officers this year.

He urged people ''not to draw any inference just because a weapon's not there,'' adding that ''officers have to make split-second decisions'' and ''oftentimes if you wait for that weapon, you won't have time to take an action.''

Calumet Area detectives and the Independent Police Review Authority are investigating.

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

First let me say - I DEFEND THIS FEMALE OFFICER'S ACTIONS! PERIOD! When offenders refuse to obey a police officer's verbal command and come at the officer with their hand or hands in their pockets - deadly force should be used. An offender can fire a weapon even while the weapon is still in a pocket and still hit an officer!

Now with that said... I couldn't figure out why Jody Weis was so firm in his backing of the officer in this shooting. I figure Jody Weis would do the normal response, the investigation is on-going and I will have a comment when all the facts are know, type of response.

It was because the officer was FEMALE. Jody Weis fully knows that whatever slim chances he has to stay on with the Chicago police department would be totally shot down by the women groups and organizations had he not backed this female officer 100%.

I truly doubt that had the officer been a white male who fatally wounded a unarmed black man, that Jody Weis would have made the same statement. Plain and simple.

It's the world famous DSLC's "WHAT'S THE BEST CAPTION FOR THIS PHOTO?" Game Show!

Please leave your best caption in the comment section.

One lucky winner will win a PIECE OF MEIGS FIELD!

Ben Stein - Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about.. And we said okay..

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

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Thanks to Sister Kathleen "Katie" Todora for passing this on. Yes, DSLC even has sisters, nuns and priests as viewers!

Dr. George re-cut the movie trailer - THE BEAVER - Thanks Dr. George!

Illegal Beaner only gets 3 months in jail for murdering 10 month old baby - He sent the illegal alien witnesses back to Mexico

No witnesses meant plea deal in Wenatchee baby's death
Prosecutors say they were forced to plea-bargain with a man accused of killing a 10-month-old Wenatchee boy because witnesses apparently left town.

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Prosecutors say they were forced to plea-bargain with a man accused of killing a 10-month-old Wenatchee boy because witnesses apparently left town.

The Wenatchee World reports that 19-year-old Felipe Alvarez Jr. was initially charged with homicide by abuse and first-degree manslaughter in the death of Neftali Kai Garcia Jr.

His trial was set to begin next Tuesday in Chelan County Superior Court. But prosecutors said they couldn't locate the child's mother and aunt, who were the only witnesses to the alleged abuse.

Without them, the case risked being thrown out of court for lack of evidence. So deputy prosecutor Roy S. Fore says he let Alvarez plead guilty this week to the lesser charge of third-degree assault on a child.

Alvarez was sentenced to three months in jail, but has been released with credit for time served since his arrest in June.
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Thanks to Eddie L for this sad news story

Although pre-planned.... it is pretty cool.....

Thanks to Greg B!

SAUDI HUSBAND FAILS TO IDENTIFY DECEASED WIFE AFTER TENS YEARS OF MARRIAGE

After ten years of marriage and five children, a husband couldn’t even identify his dead wife. This has everything to do with Islam incorporating ancient patriarchal customs and then reinforcing them through its own misogynist doctrines. KGS

Who was the woman killed?

Saudi women’s veil versus modernity
Husband has not seen wife’s face despite 10 years of marriage

After nearly 10 years of marriage that produced five children, Mufleh Mohammed of Saudi Arabia still has not seen his wife’s face.

Mohammed Hilal, another Saudi husband, could not identify his wife who was killed in a road crash until her veil was put back on her face.

Mufleh and Mohammed are among many Saudi men who have never seen the face of their wives as they insist on sticking to ancient tradition of keeping their face covered even in front of their relatives or husbands in defiance of ongoing changes brought about by the advent of oil and a massive foreign influx.

In a report on such habits, the Saudi Arabic language daily Alhayat said many women in the conservative Gulf Kingdom that controls nearly a quarter of the world’s oil still defy the winds of change and stick to their ancestors’ traditions.

Even after they get married, they never remove their burqu (face veil), leaving their husbands guessing how they look like. Mufleh is one of those husbands.

“My wife still keeps her face covered all the time even in front of her family and relatives because she has been accustomed to this since she was a child…I have to respect her wishes and not insist on seeing her face,” he said.

“I cannot deny that the woman’s habit to cover her face in front of her family and inside her house is a tradition that my tribe had inherited from our ancestors…but I have thought that social changes and openness will alter some of these habits since they have nothing to do with Islam…but they have not changed…although I have been married to my wife for nearly 10 years and have five children from her, I have not seen her face even once in my life.”

Most Muslim women in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf crude producers still wear face veils as part of long-standing traditions dating back before oil was struck more than half a century ago. But some of them, mainly the new generations, have started to unveil their faces while keeping a scarf on their heads.

In Saudi Arabia, local women taking off their face veils in public still face the wrath of the feared Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which usually deploys thousands of its members in public places to warn unveiled women. Women with “seditious” eyes must fully cover their faces.

Such practices run against recent statements by an outspoken Commission official, who said Saudi women do not have to veil their faces.

Sheikh Ahmed Al Ghamdi, head of the Commission’s Makkah branch, also said there was nothing in Islam to prevent women from driving.

Alhayat said Mohammed was another one among many Saudi husbands who are deprived from seeing the face of their wives.

“I could not identify my wife after she was killed in a road accidents…I asked security women to put the veil back on her face…after they did so, I recognized her and indentified the dead person as my wife,” he said.

The paper quoted an unnamed teacher at a literacy centre as saying she succeeded in persuading two of her female students to uncover their faces in class. But after a while, she noticed that they could no longer concentrate.

“They kept blushing and turning their faces away from their class mates although it is a female centre…after a few days, they quit the school,” she said.

Another Saudi women identified only as Ibta said she had agreed to her husband’s request to take her face veil off at home despite criticism from relatives. “My husband is an educated man so I agreed to his request…but my relatives then started to look at me with contempt and one of them later shouted in my face and said ‘shame on you…how could you do this,’….I stood their criticism with my husband’s encouragement,” she said.

But another Saudi man was not as open as Ibta’s husband. “I don’t see anything wrong if our women stick to old traditions,” said the man, identified as Saleh.

“Every society has its own traditions and habits and we have no choice but to respect them…we do not force them to do anything they don’t like, because some women in our tribe keep their face veil and some do not.”

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Detective Shavedlongcock:

During my drinking years I had a few one-nighters that I wish I never woke up and saw their face.... A nice veil would have came in handy back then! But never seeing the face of the woman you married? Islam is one screwed up religion!

London Motoons Protest Muslim was $4 Million Crack Dealer

The mainstream media finally catches on to Luton’s Number One industry and who runs it:

In February 2006, Khayam, the son of a retired Urdu teacher, shocked the nation by dressing up as a suicide bomber – just months after the 7/7 bombings in London.

He was involved in angry protests outside the Danish Embassy in London after cartoons showing Mohammed had been published in Denmark.

Luton Crown Court was told two police officers stumbled across a heroin and cannabis factory in Ashburnam Road in Bedford on December 3 last year.

They had gone to arrest a man for an unrelated offence. He was not there but they noticed powder on the floor and objects covered by large plastic bags.

Steep sentence: Khayam has received 13 years in prison for his part in the drugs conspiracy
Prosecutor Natalie Carter said the officers returned with colleagues seven minutes later and searched the flat. Two men that were there had escaped through a window.

They recovered 26.2kg of heroin, along with 24.5kg of caffeine and 4.5kg of paracetamol to be used as ‘bash’ to cut the drugs. There was also a third of a kilo of crack cocaine with a street value of £17,500 and £124,795 in cash.

Other equipment including mixing bags, scoops, scales, face masks and a hydraulic press was also seized.
The street value of the heroin, once it had been cut, was £2.6million. The haul of drugs is believed to be the largest ever seized in Bedfordshire .

Mrs Carter said: ‘The men had left by a window. The heroin, bash and cash had been left behind.’
CCTV from the previous night showed men arriving at the flat with mixing bowls and the press. They were seen carrying items into the flat in plastic bags.

Three men are still at large, but Khayam’s co-defendant Mohammed Arfaan, also 27, was arrested after confessing his involvement to a police officer in Cambridgeshire and handing himself into Bedfordshire officers on March 17.
Khayam was arrested in a car in Milton Keynes on May 31. He was found to be in possession of 27kg of paracetamol, but was not charged with any offence in relation to this.

Both he and Arfaan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between May 18, 2009 and June 1, 2010. One charge related to heroin and the other cocaine.

Khayam, who appeared in the dock wearing a blue Islamic hat, had previously been sentenced to eight years by a judge at Luton on March 14, 2003 for conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and possession of cocaine.
It was reduced to five and a half years on appeal due to his previous good character.

His lawyer Abbas Lakha QC said Khayam had become involved because of a drug debt he owed and was not the main organiser.

‘He was beholden to others and was not at the top end.’ He said the stunt outside the Danish Embassy had ’caused a considerable amount of publicity. It has affected his life for a considerable period of time.’

Arfaan’s lawyer Alex Lewis said he had been drawn into the conspiracy by Khayam, who was a school friend. She said he was no more than a ‘driver, helper and mechanic’ in the conspiracy.

Jailing Khayam for 13 years and Arfaan for six years, Judge John Bevan QC said: ‘Dealing in heroin and cocaine is an odious and pernicious trade.’

He said Khayam had dragged Arfaan, who had been a perfectly respectable man, before the court.

A truly monumental example of Muslim hypocrisy. Islam expressly forbids narcotics of all kinds, but clearly doesn’t prohibit the sale of them to the kuffar.

Muslims are deeply involved to the point of being close to owning the Class A drugs racket in Britain – a lot of it centred on the Pakistani community in and around Luton, Southern England, where Khayam operated.

The Judge called him ‘fantastically stupid’ – we say he is enormously dangerous and deserves far more than the lenient sentence he received – whch will see him back on the streets in around six years.

______________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

A little news from the other side of the pond.... But important news it is.
Thanks to Arizona Eagle for this news story.

It's business as usual when you are a corrupt company doing business with the City of Chicago

Arrow Lumber owner still doing business with city after being caught in city corruption

Mayor Richard Daley's administration has known since 2007 that the owner of a South Side lumber company participated in a scheme to defraud the city, yet it has allowed him to continue to reap millions of dollars in city business, a Tribune review has found.

Donald Beal, owner of Arrow Lumber Co., was granted immunity more than three years ago to testify against former city trades supervisor Kevin O'Gorman about an alleged billing scheme to divert taxpayer-bought materials -- including kitchen cabinets, countertops, American flags and carpentry supplies -- to O'Gorman for his personal use.

Cook County Judge Steven Goebel acquitted O'Gorman on Jan. 19 and, in his ruling, chastised Beal.

"Mr. Beal did get on the stand, admitted to defrauding the city, but obviously blamed (O'Gorman)," Goebel wrote in his verdict. "I find parts of Mr. Beal's testimony absolutely dishonest and unbelievable."

City officials say they are in the process of debarring, or formally blacklisting, Arrow, an action that began Sept. 24 -- four days after the Tribune filed a Freedom of Information request for Arrow Lumber contracts.

That action would bar Arrow from doing further business with the city of Chicago, but the company also would stand to lose contracts with the Park District and the schools, which have paid millions of dollars to the lumber firm.

Beal's attorney James Marcus, who helped hammer out the immunity deal, questioned the timing of the city's move to debar Arrow. The inspector general -- after launching an investigation based on a tip from a whistle-blower, an Arrow employee -- accused O'Gorman and the lumber company of defrauding the city more than three years ago.

Given the time that has passed, Marcus said it seems strange that officials would just now decide to ban Arrow.

"Something else must have caused this because they've known about it years before this," Marcus said. "It's taken them three years to figure this out?"

So far this year, Arrow Lumber has billed the city for more than $300,000 as part of a five-year contract worth up to $50 million.

Contracting fraud long has plagued the Daley administration and led to fumbled attempts at reform. One of the more notorious cases involved the mob-connected Duff family, which garnered more then $100 million in city work after creating phony minority-owned and women-owned businesses. After initially ignoring a recommendation to permanently bar the family from doing business with the city, officials caved to an outcry from aldermen and imposed a lifetime ban.

The city's Department of General Services recommended that Arrow be barred from doing business with the city in July, six months after O'Gorman's acquittal. A spokeswoman for the Department of Procurement Services said officials needed time to wade through paperwork and still must clear legal hurdles before the city can nullify contracts with Arrow. Arrow is fighting the debarment.

"There were roughly 155 pages of transcript to review and, after reviewing the transcript, DPS worked with the Law Department to determine the best course of action," spokeswoman Shannon Andrews wrote in an e-mail. "The Department of Procurement Services takes the debarment of vendors very seriously and makes a careful review of the document in any debarment matter, especially in cases where the city's inspector general has not made a recommendation to DPS to debar a vendor."

Although the city has been backing the purported whistle-blower in a case to recover penalties from O'Gorman and Beal since 2007, a spokeswoman for the Law Department said the city was powerless to "explore the validity of the allegations" while the criminal trial proceeded.

"When the criminal case was concluded, we worked with Procurement to review the transcripts of the criminal trial and determine what action should be taken," spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said.

Meanwhile, in November, the Chicago Park District awarded Arrow Lumber $500,000 for roofing tools and materials -- a substantial bump in business considering Arrow Lumber has been paid about $1.1 million for Park District work since 2002. District officials were to consider the company's "integrity" and "past performance," among other factors, in awarding the contract, according to Park District code.

"At the point of that award, we had no reason to preclude that company from doing business with the Chicago Park District," spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner said. "If they are debarred, we would certainly re-evaluate the contract."

Arrow Lumber also has earned millions of dollars over the years as a minority-owned subcontractor from Chicago Public Schools contracts, including a portion of a $1 million kitchenwares contract signed by a restaurant supplier in February, a month after the judge's ruling.

"We expect all of our contractors and subcontractors to meet the guidelines under our contracting policies," spokeswoman Monique Bond wrote in an e-mail. "At this time, we are unaware of any inconsistencies and will take the appropriate action, should that be required."

Officials first accused the lumber company in 2007 of scheming with O'Gorman to divert more than $50,000 in supplies to his personal use. O'Gorman was charged with theft, and Beal was granted immunity by prosecutors to testify against him "based on the fact that he was acting at O'Gorman's direction in filling the orders," said state's attorney's spokesman Andy Conklin.

In exchange for his immunity, Beal paid the city $12,176.65 for the diverted materials, which he spoke of in his testimony.

"That money was for items, more specifically the countertops and kitchen cabinets," he testified Jan. 13. "Those were specific items. I don't know all the other items."

In his ruling, Goebel said he believed that Arrow Lumber was double-billing the city and may have shredded documents and engaged in extortion.

However, Marcus described Beal as a respected businessman who felt pressure to scheme with O'Gorman in order to keep the city's business. He said authorities investigated his other dealings with the city and did not find wrongdoing.

"Don has been an honest city contractor for many years and never had a problem," Marcus said. "This is one isolated incident."

O'Gorman, a local union president and former precinct captain in House Speaker Michael Madigan's 13th Ward Democratic Organization, quit shortly after his indictment to avoid being fired and losing his benefits. Since his acquittal, he has tried unsuccessfully to get his job back.

"It's been horrendous. It's been a nightmare," O'Gorman said. "We just don't know what the whole reasoning was behind this because, as the judge said, it's very clear what's been going on."

O'Gorman's attorney, Collins Whitfield, questions why city officials refuse to rehire O'Gorman but remain willing to do business with Beal.

"It doesn't pass the stink test," he said.

________________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

Let's face it, had this company been an honest business... it never would have received a contract from the City of Chicago to begin with. The Chicago Way.

Information for disabled police officers - Please pass it on

Disabled officers are being charged excessively for optional life insurance when they shouldn't be. Can you post this? It would put a lot of money back in their pocket at a time of true need.

Thank you.


http://chicagofop.org/newsletter/2010/122010news.pdf

DISABLED OFFICERS & LIFE INSURANCE

In our last contract, every member of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) received an increase in their life insurance to $75,000 from $25,000. This is a contractual benefit that benefits all active and disabled members. The contract also provides procedures for officers to purchase optional Group Term Life Insurance and Universal Life Insurance in addition to basic life insurance coverage at a nominal additional cost to the officer. The Optional Group Life Insurance shall continue to be provided officers at the Employer’s then current cost.

It has come to the Lodge’s attention that our disabled officers that have the optional insurance are being charged a substantial amount more once they are determined to be disabled. If you have purchased the optional insurance and have received an increase in your monthly/yearly payments, please contact me at the Lodge. (Bill Doherty) 312-733-7776.

Well...here is another one of those home made cartoons.... Enjoy!

Chicago cop tasers himself while attempting to make an arrest in Garfield Ridge neighborhood

A 56-year-old woman was ordered held on bail today after being charged with resisting arrest and causing a police officer to Taser himself by mistake, officials said.

Irene Bramwell of the 5900 block of West 64th Street was ordered held on $40,000 bail by Circuit Court Judge Maria Kuriakos-Cesil.

She was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, resisting arrest, and criminal trespass to a residence, prosecutors said in court today.

According to court records and prosecutors, Bramwell was arrested when police responded to a call at a building on the 5500 block of South Nottingham Avenue on Friday. After police showed up and were told that a person was inside the home, they noticed that a window in the front of the building was broken. When they went around to the back, they found an open back door, officials said.

The officers found Bramwell in the basement after entering the building, officials said. Bramwell threw a wooden chair at one of the officers, striking the person in the right arm, officials said.

As Bramwell continued to resist arrest, the other officer took out a Taser and fired it at the woman, striking her, officials said.

Even though she had been struck by the Taser, Bramwell continued to flail her arms and resist the officers, officials said. As the woman continued to resist arrest, the officer who earlier Tasered her set up the Taser again.

She continued to flail her arms, causing the officer to accidentally discharge the Taser and shoot himself in the pinky finger of his left hand, officials said.

The woman was eventually arrested and the officers were treated for minor injuries at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, officials said.

_____________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

The cop may have said OUCH from the Taser! But it looks like Irene Bramwell got more than just the missed Taser! She may have been better off being Tased.

Make sure you are wearing your boots for this bullshit - WEIS: City crime drops again, auto thefts climb

Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis announces recent crime statistics during a press conference today at Chicago Police Department headquarters. (Nancy Stone/ Chicago Tribune)

Overall crime in Chicago dropped by nearly 4 percent in November with overall violent crimes dropping by nearly 10 percent, according to Chicago police officials.

Supt. Jody Weis discussed the figures today at a press conference at Chicago police headquarters to announce November's crime statistics, saying that the decrease amounted to the 23rd consecutive month of lower overall crime in the city.

Crackhead 'Santa' accused of battery to female Chicago cop, store worker

'Santa' accused of battery to cop, store worker

Even though he was sporting a Santa hat and a fake fur coat, a North Side man wasn't exactly in a holiday mood Friday, police said.

First Adam Klimek, 35, was asked to leave the Brown Elephant store at 3651 N. Halsted in Lake View because he was swearing at other customers and appeared intoxicated, police said.

Then, while he was being escorted out of the store, he allegedly pushed a store worker toward the sidewalk before fleeing south on Halsted.

Police caught up with him a block away. When he was told he was going to be placed under arrest and was handcuffed, he spit at and kicked an officer in the shin, causing her to suffer bruises and swelling, according to a police report.

Klimek, of Uptown, was charged with felony aggravated battery to police and misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal trespass, police said.

It must be NATIONAL FINGER GUN DAY - Man armed with finger gun in police standoff arrested peacefully

Standoff on Far South Side resolved peacefully

A standoff that began early this morning at a Far South Side Fernwood neighborhood residence was resolved peacefully with no injuries, police said.

About 3:40 a.m., police received a call about a domestic incident in the 70 block of West 102nd Street, according to police News Affairs Officer Amina Greer.

By 6:30 a.m., the incident was "resolved peacefully" and no one was injured, according to Calumet District police.

It was not immediately known how many people had been in the residence, Greer said.

Chicago police fatally wound drug dealer armed with finger gun

Police shoot, kill man on South Side

A police officer shot and killed a man believed to be dealing drugs in the South Side Gresham neighborhood Saturday night, officials said.

About 8:30 p.m., Gresham District police tactical officers were on patrol in the 8100 block of South Ashland Avenue when they saw a vehicle in an area known for drug deals and gang activity, according to a release from police news affairs.

A man in the vehicle appeared to be selling drugs when officers arrived, the release said. Officers identified themselves, but the man in the vehicle stuck his hands in his pockets and refused to cooperate.

The man then got out of the vehicle and made an "aggressive movement" toward the officers, the news release said, and an officer shot him several times.

Ontario Billups, 30, of the 6600 block of South Seeley Avenue, was shot dead and pronounced on the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Billups had an extensive criminal history, according to court records.

At a press conference Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said the officers were doing surveillence in the area when the incident occurred. He said no gun was recovered from the scene.

No one else was injured.

The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the incident.
________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

The news story did not say if the finger gun was loaded or not......

Shit happens!

Cook County Deputy Sheriff allegedly 'decked' woman at tavern, got punched

Cook County Deputy Sheriff allegedly 'decked' woman at tavern, got punched

A Cook County Sheriff's deputy has been put on desk duty after he was arrested early Friday for allegedly punching a woman at a Southwest Side bar.

Joseph Ranzino, 49, of Marengo, was arrested at Cha Cha's, 3900 S. Western Ave., police said.

Ranzino walked up to a 43-year-old woman sitting on a barstool and "decked her," about 1 a.m. Friday, according to police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez.

A man seated with her came to her aid and punched Ranzino in the nose, Perez said.

The woman suffered a cut above her eye and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, while Ranzino was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery, he said.

Ranzino has worked in the sheriff's electronic-monitoring department since 1995, according to department spokesman Steve Patterson.

French police bust 'medieval' ring of girl pickpockets in Paris, Bosnian ringleader arrested

French cops busted a large ring of young girl pickpockets each ordered to steal $400 a day or face horrific punishments that included being beaten, burned with cigarettes and getting raped.

In total, 18 men have been arrested for their role in the case, including the ring's alleged "patriarch," a 58-year-old Bosnian, whose name was not released.

He was arrested in Italy on Tuesday, along with his two sons, aged 27 and 33. They are likely to be extradited back to France.

Approximately 100 girls, most from the Balkans, are between the ages of 12 and 16. They were trained to steal wallets and snatch purses in the Paris subway and other tourist hotspots.

Some of the girls were sold to the ring by their poor families, police said.

The ring brought in an eye-popping $5.3 million, with one girl stealing more than $130,000 in a single day.

The Bosnian leader reportedly used the cash to buy luxury cars and property in Italy, Paris Prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin said.

But many of the girls lived in fear. Authorities called their treatment "medieval."

"If you did not meet the daily objectives, you would be hit with fists and weapons, burnt, even raped," said Marin.

The investigation took two years because the girls were trained to tell police they were 12 years old, which in France ensured they could not be prosecuted.

The girls also refused to be photographed or to provide physical evidence. And when asked their names, they all replied "Hamidovic."

The ringleaders face 10 years to life behind bars. The girls who spoke to police are currently in a shelter.

Nude black man arrested on drugs charges in Lakeview

Nude black man arrested on drugs charges in Lakeview

A 38-year-old man was running around with only socks in the frigid wintry weather this morning in Lakeview when he was arrested with a crack pipe and marijuana in his possession, Chicago police allege.

Police responded to a disturbance a little before 11 a.m. in the 2900 block of North Broadway when they encountered the man carrying the pipe, police said.

Police eventually found his clothing--with the marijuana inside them-- nearby, police said.

The man, 38-year-old Keithan Robie, of the 1400 block of South Canal Street, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors.

________________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

Nothing like smoking a little weed and getting naked! Happens everyday in Chicago!~

The shit hits the fan at an exclusive Englewood Social Club - 3 Security Guards Shot & Wounded

It does appear that their sign & logo fits them perfectly!

3 shot working security at Englewood social club

Chicago, IL (DSLCN) - Three men working security at an Englewood social club on the South Side were shot early this morning shortly after escorting someone out of the club.

The victims -- ages 37, 40 and 41 -- were taken to area hospitals; two of them were reported in serious condition, Chicago police said. The third victim's condition wasn't available, but police said it was stabilized.

The victims escorted a man out of the club in the 7200 block of South Racine Avenue about 4:30 a.m. Police could not say why he was escorted out, but said he threatened to return.

Shortly thereafter, a man approached the trio, shot them and fled the scene in a white van. Police could not say if the shooter was the same person who the victims had escorted from the club.

The shooter is described as African-American, 37 to 38 and wearing red clothing, police said. No one was in custody

You know what Sunday is? It is the day of the week you can pick from any of the daily specials at FOLOS!

CLICKING ON ANY IMAGE WILL DISPLAY THE IMAGE FULL SIZE / ENLARGE IT

Daily Specials 7 Days A Week! And Sunday is the best day... You can select any daily special! You can't go wrong!

Go from hungry to belt buster faster than any where else around!

National News Headline - Chicago police see spike in cop killings, assaults

Photo: Murdered Chicago police officer E.T. Mike Flisk

CHICAGO – The police officer was in full uniform, gathering evidence from a car break-in when someone walked into the garage and shot him and the car's owner in the head, then fired another bullet into their heads as they lay on the ground.

The brazen, daylight slaying last week of Officer Michael Flisk underscores what Chicago police have been saying for months: They are increasingly confronting people willing to attack them even as overall violent crime in Chicago continues to fall.

Five police officers have been killed in the line of duty this year — the most in at least 25 years. A sixth police officer was gunned down as he sat in his vehicle while off-duty just a few days before Flisk's death. Add to that, the number of reports of batteries on police officers has nearly tripled in just over a decade.

In 2009, there were just under 3,300 reports of battery on a police officer, more than twice as many as were reported in 2002 and nearly triple the number reported in 1999.

Police say the most dramatic jump came after the process of reporting the batteries was fully automated in 2004, when it became more accurate. But between 2007 and 2009 the number of reports climbed from 2,677 to 3,298 — a 23 percent increase — and this year the number is on pace to climb well past 3,000 again.

"There is a lack of respect for the police, a lack of fear of the police that's getting worse," said Officer Nick Spencer, a 17-year-department veteran. "They see a cop, and they just don't care anymore."

Police, activists and even some former gang members point to other explanations, from the drop in the number of police officers on the streets to changes in the structure of gangs that has led to increased violence among the city's estimated 100,000 gang members.

Officers routinely return to their station with stories about rocks and other debris pinging off their squad cars as they respond to calls or being confronted by crowds that no longer disperse just because an officer tells them to. Also, the sound of gunfire that used to stop whenever they arrived at a scene now continues long afterward.

Superintendent Jody Weis said there was "no indication whatsoever that there's any group of folks or gangs targeting our officers."

But he has said many times in the last several months that criminals are becoming increasingly brazen, and clearly he has been baffled in recent months by people who don't hesitate to take on a police officer.

"I simply cannot understand how a person can have such a total disregard of life and for those who keep order on the streets that he can attack, disarm and then shoot and kill a uniformed officer in broad daylight," he said after the July slaying of Officer Thor Soderberg as he was walking out of a police station. "This savage act defies all human value."

It was a similar story when off-duty Officer Thomas Wortham IV was shot and killed when he tried to stop a group of men from stealing his motorcycle.

"He identified himself as a police officer and they still killed him," Spencer said.

Another officer, Michael Bailey, was shot and killed while washing his car outside his home after returning from working the overnight shift, where he was assigned to protect Mayor Richard Daley's home.

The department has about 1,000 fewer officers than the 13,500 it had as recently as March 2008, according to the police union. As the department scrambles to cover the city — more officers are riding alone in squad cars, dubbed "rolling coffins" by beat cops — there is a growing concern that the uptick in violence is linked to the smaller force.

"The criminal element sees there are fewer police officers out there," said Lt. Robert Weisskopf, head of the Chicago police lieutenants' union. "Criminals go where there's no pressure on them . . . and the easier it is, the more bold they will become."

With Weis saying more than half the homicides committed in the city this year involved gangs, police say they have no doubt that many of the assaults and at least some of the police slayings were committed by known gang members — including the 19-year-old parolee charged with killing Flisk.

"They feel like they can get away with a lot more," said Phil Cline, Weis' predecessor, who said he noticed during his tenure that gangs seemed to have less and less fear of police. "When you think of a 19-year-old gang banger murdering an officer processing a crime scene, it's unbelievable."

Some of that escalating violence, police say, may be due to changes in the gangs.

Lt. Thomas Waldera said gangs are far less structured than ever because many gang leaders have been sent to prison — resulting in less organization and control among members who are not only more likely to attack rivals but members of their own gangs.

Former Vice Lord gang member Reginald Berry, who spent 18 years in prison for murder, said the gang hierarchy that was in place when he was locked up had all but disappeared by the time he got out in 2006.

"All these young guys are taking the law into their own hands; every little kid's got their own little gang and they won't let up on one another," Berry said.

Waldera said those gang members don't seem nearly as concerned about the police as they once did.

"They're not afraid of us at all anymore," he said. "Most are not stupid enough to fight it out with the police, but there is something going on."

___________________________________

Thanks to Hank P for this submission.


More submitted video from Mike Flisk Funeral Procession

A cool little video that shows the Chicago Police Marine Unit rescuing a distressed sail boat during the big wind storm we had on 27 OCT 2010

Good work officers!

Thanks to Charlie T for this video!

40-year wait over - Vietnam veteran awarded Purple Heart in surprise ceremony

Jim DePersia (right) of Cedar Lake gets a hug from VFW Post 802 Cmdr. Tom Cooper after receiving his Purple Heart medal.

Forty years ago, while fighting in Cambodia, Chicagoan Jim DePersia was hit by a bullet that pierced his shoulder, lung and shattered a vertebra before exiting his lower back.

It just missed his heart -- and DePersia kept fighting.

But DePersia, who is now 61 and lives in Cedar Lake in Northeast Indiana, never received a coveted Purple Heart, which honors soldiers wounded or killed in action -- until Thursday night.

"It's special when you wait 40 years for it," he said. "I think it's more valuable and more meaningful now."

DePersia served in the 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. After the injury, he spent five months in the hospital.

In 1970, he did receive the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for valor.

But it wasn't until 10 months ago that he filled out the application for the Purple Heart, and he said he hadn't heard whether the military would award one to him so many years later.

On Thursday night, at a Christmas party for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17, he learned that he indeed had been granted the award from chapter Cmdr. Tom Cooper.

"Tom didn't say a word" before the surprise ceremony, DePersia said. "I told the guys as I was walking up there that I hope it's not another court martial."

Since DePersia's medal -- complete with his name inscribed and a profile of George Washington -- hadn't arrived yet, Cooper loaned DePersia his own Purple Heart for Thursday's ceremony.

__________________________________________

Detective Shavedlongcock:

God bless this hero. It's never too late to pay tribute to one of the men or women who have sacrificed so much so we may enjoy the freedoms we all share!

Detective Shavedlongcock will also honor Jim DePersia with the Golden Shavedlongcock Award! Congratulations!

Fallen CHA officer remembered as 'true brother in blue' - Also memorial fund established

Officers and friends attend the wake of former CHA Police Officer Stephen Peters (inset) on Friday night.

Chicago, IL DSLCN - During his life, retired Chicago Housing Authority police officer Stephen Peters often attended police wakes and funerals, paying respect to his fallen comrades.

On Friday, it was other police officers from many departments who came to a wake at the A.A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home on East 71st to pay their respects to Stephens, who was killed a week ago along with a Chicago police officer.

The officers, along with the 44-year-old Peters’ many friends and family members, solemnly filed past his casket, which was next to a large floral arrangement depicting a CHA police badge.

“He was a true brother in blue,” said Tony DeBois, Deputy Chief of the Markham Police Department. “Any time a police officer died, he’d be at the funeral.”

At the CHA Police department, “he was a mentor to many young officers, including myself,” said DeBois, who worked with Peters there. “It wasn’t easy work, but he always gave residents 110 percent of his effort.”

Peters, who was recently married and has an 18-year-old son and two adult stepsons, also worked for the Robbins police force, but recently was working for AT&T as an engineer.

Across the street from the funeral home, 16 Ford Mustangs were parked — a symbol of Peters’ passion. For more than 15 years, he was an active member of the Chi-Town Mustang Club.

“He was hoping for good weather Sunday, so he could drive his Mustang in the Toys for Tots parade,” said club president Keith Flowers.

Peters also worked every year in the club’s efforts to donate food and clothing to the needy at Christmas.

“He was a very generous person,’’ Flowers said. “He enjoyed community service and helping people.”

It was a break-in to Peters’ prized 2008 Mustang Cobra that led to his death. Prosecutors say Peters and police evidence technician Michael Flisk were gunned down in the alley of the 8100 block of South Burnham while Flisk was processing the scene of the burglary to Peters’ Mustang. Authorities have charged a convicted felon who had been paroled and was on electronic monitoring for the murders.

Flowers and others at the wake expressed anger at the circumstances of his death.

“Our justice system is so screwed up,” said Flowers. “For him to be out at all was just crazy.”
_____________________________

Memorial Fund Information:

FYI...

Members of the Chicago Police Department, in partnership with concerned citizens of Chicago, have established the "Stephen Peters Memorial Fund." Contributions to either the "Michael Flisk Memorial Fund" or the"Stephen Peters Memorial Fund" can be sent to the Chicago Patrolmen's Federal Credit Union | 1407 W. Washington Blvd | Chicago, IL 60607 | Tel: 312-726-8814 or 800-326-8814.

Although Peters was not CPD, he was a former police officer who served with honor. That makes him part of the policy family. Police officers see this as well as the community. We do our best to take care of our own in time of need. It matters not where one served. That's who we are... that's what we do.

If you could find a way to share this information, I am sure the Peters family would be grateful.

Thanks.

John Andrews

Here is that change Obama promised you - Unemployment to hit almost 10%

U.S. unemployment climbs to 9.8%, raising doubts about recovery
Hiring unexpectedly stalled last month: Employers added only 39,000 jobs, compared with 172,000 in October.


Reporting from Washington — In a potentially serious setback for the U.S. economy, hiring unexpectedly stalled in November while the nation's unemployment rate jumped to 9.8%, reversing a pattern of slow but steady improvement in the prospects for American workers.

The grim report released Friday by the Labor Department flew in the face of strong job growth in October and a slew of largely positive economic indicators in recent days. And it called into question the belief of most economists that the recovery from the worst recession in a generation was gaining momentum.

Although jobs data from any single month can't be weighed too heavily, November's figures suggest that many U.S. companies — especially manufacturers — have found ways to supply any growth in demand for their products without expanding payrolls.

For one thing, most companies are operating well below maximum capacity. Many are also squeezing more productivity out of existing employees and spending heavily on new, more efficient equipment and technology.

"We've found ways of doing things faster and better," said Alan Parkhill, president of Banner American Products Inc., a maker of machines for schools and the print industry. The Temecula, Calif., firm employs 25 workers, down more than 20% from late 2007 when the recession started.

"It's sad to say, but … you get rid of somebody and thought they were integral but then you find out you don't suffer," Parkhill said. "You realize you were bloated."

All that points toward the prospect that high unemployment levels could stretch much further into the future than most economists had expected.

In addition to inflicting immediate hardships on millions of idle workers, elevated joblessness could act as a drag on the overall economy, imposing heavy costs on working Americans in the forms of slow growth, more belt-tightening, falling tax revenues for government at all levels and higher costs for aid programs.

"It's certainly disappointing. It's certainly a jobless recovery," said Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in New York.

The Labor Department said employers nationwide added a paltry 39,000 jobs last month, most at temporary-help firms and in health services. In October, employers added a heartening 172,000 jobs, which most economists saw as a sign of a gradually accelerating recovery.

The November slump pushed the overall unemployment rate, which had held steady at 9.6%, upward for the first time since August. The jobless figure for college graduates jumped to 5.1% in November, the highest on record.

"Most business owners now are content to just run the cash register but not make any big investment," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer of Harris Private Bank in Chicago. "They're in maintenance mode."

In some cases, analysts said, employers are holding back from hiring because sales are still weak and the outlook remains uncertain. Although consumer holiday spending so far has exceeded expectations, many experts doubt that such growth is sustainable given high household debt loads, tight credit and weak income and housing growth.

"We're still bouncing around the bottom," Kermit Baker, chief economist at the American Institute of Architects, said about business at architectural firms, which have been hammered by the depressed real estate market. "I think it's going to improve in the months ahead," he said, "but not very quickly."

Wall Street took the dismal jobs report in stride: Major stock indexes closed up slightly Friday.

That may reflect uncertainty about whether the November data marked a new trend or were only an aberration. Also, some may see the bad news as supporting — or possibly accelerating — the Federal Reserve's recently announced bond-buying purchases to stimulate economic activity.

Looking ahead, California equipment maker Parkhill sees business activity continuing to pick up and hopes he can begin hiring soon.

On Friday union leaders and other advocates for workers joined Vice President Joe Biden in calling on Congress to renew extended unemployment benefits that began to expire for many workers last month.

Two million jobless workers, including about 450,000 in California, will see their benefits end this month. The White House estimates that an additional 5 million unemployed people face losing their benefits coverage next year.

"Not only is it the right thing to do," Biden said, unemployment insurance is also a "powerful driver of economic growth."

By the Labor Department's count, the number of unemployed workers once again rose above 15 million in November. More than 40% of them, about 6.3 million people, have been out of work for more than six months.

Carolyn Hartt, who has been jobless since September 2009, wouldn't be surprised at the disappointing employment report. The 57-year-old Westfield, Mass., woman says she hasn't seen hiring picking up much. Before she was laid off, Hartt made $68,000 a year, plus $15,000 in commission and bonus, working in pharmaceutical sales.

"I've even put in for Home Depot," she said. Hartt's unemployment benefits will expire early next year. "To me, it's a lifeline.... Without it, I don't know where we'd be."

Last month the retail industry eliminated 28,000 jobs, despite increases in sales and rising consumer confidence. Government payrolls fell by 11,000. Construction lost 5,000 jobs. Average weekly work hours and earnings were flat.

"It was an across-the-board bad report," said Heidi Shierholz, a labor economist at the Economic Policy Institute. "This could just be the nature of the kind of recovery we're in — it's just sluggish."