Police (and Other) News Roundup.
The 9/11 Dog & Pony show is in New York. After some pretty tame testimony yesterday, today's testimony involved mostly Rudy Giuliani. Base10 for one is sick of this commission and wish it would die a quick death. But let's just say the questioning of the former mayor was less than enthusiastic. One of the key issues was the lack of coordination between the police and fire departments--most particularly the lack of efficient communications between them-- in the aftermath of the attack. One of the repeated questions has been whether the deaths of dozens of firefighters could have been prevented. It appears to have been largely due to deficiencies in the FD radio system, but there are other theories. While Base10 is sympathetic to the family members who want answers, he is also tired of having political hacks criticize the response to that incident. Base10 has been to many large scale incidents, some are run well, some less well. What amazed Base10 about 9/11 was how outstanding the response and organization was. Base10 saw it. What is even more amazing is that efforts were well coordinated in spite of facing an unprecedented incident and the uncertainty of whether more bombs were on the way.

Garry Kasparaov has an excellent article in the WSJ about terrorism. Yeah, that Garry Kasparov, the chess guy. Basically he argues that while we expect Al Jazeera to refer to terrorists as "militants" and "insurgents" we do not and should not expect the same from CNN. In an effort at political correctness, mass media is engaging in morally equating the two competing movements. It's a good piece.

Jets Fans Cheer. The Times reports that New York made the final cut by the IOC for the city to host the 2012 Olympics. Other cities are Paris, London, Madrid, and Moscow. The Times states that Paris is the front runner, so we have yet another reason to loath the French. But Jets fans are happy. This is another step toward a new home of our own in the city after which we are named. Meanwhile the Jets organization released plans for the proposed stadium. It seems to be a very green project and incorporates windmills and solar panels that will supply most of the facilities power.


Farewell Felix. Tony Randall, a New York icon, passed away yesterday. Base10 was once told in Chicken Soup for the Soul fashion that all he needed to know about life was contained in the Odd Couple and the Honeymooners. Although meant in jest, there is a certain amount of truth in this. Tony Randall's work has given me great pleasure over the years and New York has definitely lost one of its nicer spirits.

One of FDNY's sons was arrested on federal child porn charges after an internet watch dog group caught him in a sting. He was allegedly sending a video feed of himself--how shall we put this delicately--polishing his hose nozzle to what he believed was a 14 year-old girl. Oh yeah, and he was wearing an FD shirt on the video! Nice.

In a footnote to the 1993 terror bombing of the World Trade Center, jurors are being interviewed in the trial of attorney Lynne Stewart, who is accused of conspiring to passing information from Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman to his terrorist minions in the outside world. Base10 loves the way Newsday describes Stewart as an "activist lawyer." Base10 would prefer the phrase "alleged terrorist conspirator." Lynne Stewart may be a darling of the limousine liberal set, but her actions violated a court order and allowed an Islamic terrorist to continue his sick mission.

Constable John Miller who was killed in the line of duty will be honored by the Springfield Police, who will add his name to their police memorial. Interestingly, his death is the earliest known account of a law enforcement officer being killed in the line of duty. Miller was killed defending the town against Indians in 1675. Even this is not without some bit of controversy. An application to include Miller in the national police memorial was rejected since that memorial honors American law enforcement officers, and the US did not exist then. The previous oldest line of duty death included in the national memorial is New York City Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith, who was shot May 17, 1792.

Base10's favorite recent item is the creation of a memobook insert to be distributed to all police officers. The subject is the recognition of terrorists. Factors include carrying driver's licenses from different states, videotaping utilities and tunnels or wearing fake uniforms.
also suspect are those who "express hatred for America and advocate violence against America and/or Americans." Amazingly, the ACLU is complaining that the cards go too far. Base10 thinks they should also include anyone wearing a dynamite belt and screaming "Allah Akbar!"


And finally, in the "is that a Chevy in your pocket or are just happy to see me" department, a German men's magazine is reporting that the drivers of certain cars seem to be having sex more than others. Not completely surprising, BMW owners seem to have the most sex with Audi and Volkswagen drivers coming in second and third (no pun intended). Remarkably, Porsche drivers seem to be having sex only 1.4 times per week and didn't even make the top five. Base10 suspects this may be a case of "auto" eroticism. (Ah come on, how could anyone resist that?)
- posted by Base10 @ 7:48 PM