Police (and Other) News Roundup.
There's lots of good stuff today in the Opinion Journal:

First: WSJ editheads have a good piece about actual connections between al Qaeda and Saddam's Iraq. They point to "The Connection," by Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard as a source and look at one individual, Ahmed Hikmat Shakir, who was probably active in both al Qaeda and Saddam's Fedayeen.

Second: The Journal also has a nice piece explaining what shouldn't have to be explained, that outsourcing is ultimately a good thing for the U.S. economy. This is indeed one of the immutable laws of economics. Trade is good. The article explains and counters the only rational (if weak) justification for being protectionist.

Third: Robert D. Kaplan of the Atlantic Monthly has a nice piece about the realities of fighting in Fallujah. This is not a pro-Bush feel-good piece. Kaplan is actually very critical of the administration in its failure to articulate the tremendous care and restraint that has been employed by our soldiers.

In other major international news, Britain has arrested radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri based on US terrorism charges stemming from a 1998 incident in Yemen.

There also seems to be some kind of cease-fire brewing in Najaf between insurgents and U.S. troops. The sticking point appears to be what happens to al Sadr.

On to the Police news...

In probably the biggest story of the day, the US Attorney General and the FBI director released photos of seven suspected al Qaeda operatives who may be planning an imminent terrorist attack in the United States. Commissioner Kelly was in attendance. One of the individuals is a US citizen. Base10 is shocked that some Democrats are accusing the administration of releasing this information for political reasons. Here is a link to the FBI site and the pictures.

A federal judge has ruled that Commissioner Kelly can be deposed about police counter-demonstration tactics. The group is seeking a demonstration permit. The city had argued that the release of this information could aid terrorists and the judge allowed the questioning buy agreed that it should be limited to that consistent with public safety and only what has been done in the past.

Vernon Geberth, a retired NYPD Lieutenant noted for his expertise in homicide investigations, is speculating that the murderer of Sarah Fox may be a sociopath. The Post is reporting that the murderer visited the body shortly before its discovery, spread flower petals in the area, and may have "posed" the body.

Apparently, corruption is not limited to the Police Department. A teacher was fined for basically having a no-show job in charge of after school programs. As part of the settlement, Assistant Principal Jacqueline Serna will pay back $22,000 over two years, but will be allowed to keep her job. Surveillance and EZ Pass records showed Serna collected almost $14,000 in pay when she was home.

Newsday is reporting that Kimberly Diaz, the mistress of slain PA Police Officer Liam Callahan, is suing his widow for a greater share of benefits due to the child she had with the officer. Callahan died in 9/11.

Heroes:

• The Sailors and Marines who are in town today celebrating Fleet Week.
  
• The jury that took four hours to convict murdering drug dealer Michael Amuso of his crimes.
  
• The judge who sentenced cocaine-fueled killer Louis Telese to life for his commission of a 1984 ritualistic slaying on Long Island. Also for the Detectives who cracked the case in 2002.
  

Goats:

• The New Jersey father who was indicted on child abuse charges after he let his twelve year-old retarded son spend the entire day on the beach without enough sunscreen. The kid ended up with second-degree burns.
  
• Gilbert McKenzie, the alleged murderer of a Coney Island drug store manager, for claiming that the murder was in self-defense.
  
• Oklahoma City bomber Terry Nichols, who was convicted of 161 state murder charges after a jury deliberated five hours. Let's see, that's less than 2 minutes per victim.

Maybe Not a Goat Just Yet:

• Berkeley, California Police officials are reporting that the man charged yesterday for the 1970 slaying of Police Officer Ronald Tsukamoto will not immediately face judicial action for the slaying, intimating further investigation is needed.

And finally in the "but this is New York City, damn it" Department, Slashdot reports that farmers in Nepal, who have no telephones, are utilizing wifi technology to keep in touch with families and do business. Base10 doesn't even have wifi at work, but Nepalese farmers have it? How very twenty-first century!

- posted by Base10 @ 12:47 PM