September 7, 2016

Move the federal government out of Washington

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/opinions/government-departments-should-be-spread-out-price/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool


"In one bold move, it would bring the federal government closer to the people, reduce the threat a major act of terrorism would pose to our nation's capital, and create new jobs and new infrastructure throughout the country. But, perhaps most importantly, it would renew faith that our government exists not to serve the wealthy or the connected, but all the people.
No, not the White House nor the Congress, but the rest of the federal government, namely the Cabinet departments and large agencies that have grown up around the Beltway, should move and disperse. There is really no compelling reason that federal agencies and departments remain in Washington, D.C., and many good reasons why they should be relocated across the United States over time."

The key is over time.

This is actually a great idea, and I have been thinking along the same lines. Unlike his recommendation I would consider areas of economic depression for the location that also fits the role. Des Moines is doing well, and does not need the Dept of Agriculture, but perhaps Memphis? Dept of Transportation to Detroit? Department of Energy to Houston? What I don't like is wasting existing infrastructure.

August 28, 2016

Two gang members charged in murder of Dwyane Wade’s cousin

Source: New York Post

The shooting occurred during a brief period when one of the brothers had legally removed his mandatory ankle monitor, according to Johnson.

Read more: http://nypost.com/2016/08/28/two-gang-members-charged-in-murder-of-dwyane-wades-cousin/

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What?

July 26, 2016

Three arrested after shooting at Fort Myers Club Blu

http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2016/07/25/two-dead-up-16-injured-after-shooting-fort-myers-nightclub/87518214/

Lots to unpack. I am not sure 12-15 year olds should be hanging with 16-20 year olds in a nightclub setting. I can see the value of having activities for the older teens.

******
"The shootings led to the arrests of two former Dunbar High School football players. Derrick Church, 19, who had played last fall at Warner University, was identified as the white Impala’s driver. Tajze Battle, who had received a scholarship offer from Alabama A&M but did not play football there, was identified as one of the suspects who fled on foot along with Demetrius O’Neal, 19.

City councilman Forrest Banks and Congressman Curt Clawson accompanied Watson.

“The message is, we have a socioeconomic situation in Fort Myers, just like every city in the state and every city in this country,” Banks said. “We need to all get together. The problem is, too many people, they don’t see the value of a high school education. They get in trouble. They get a record. What do they do? Then you have social media. Social media is going on. When you type something, it’s not like when you’re saying it. People interpret it a certain way. You get a few back and forths, and then somebody is mad. I don’t know if this is the case, but I’ve heard that had something to do with it.”

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott attended the news conference and told The News-Press afterward during a phone interview one of his main concerns is the glorification of gangster-style behavior.

“Dress like a thug, speak like a thug, act like a thug,” Scott said. “I know we have dismal examples in the hip-hop world. These are people who these young kids in some places look up to. When I was 14-years-old, I wouldn’t be out at a bar at 12 o’clock midnight. You’ve got to look at parenting. You’ve got to look at a lot of different things.”"

June 19, 2016

First female teen to win Ohio masonry competition bumped from national contest

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/06/19/teen-girl-bumped-from-national-masonry-competition.html

Shania Clifford, a 17-year-old from Scioto County, became the first female to win a gold medal in the SkillsUSA Ohio masonry competition in late April.

But in mid-May, Clifford found out she would not be attending the next level of the competition, a national leadership and skills conference held in Louisville, Kentucky.

And she found out via Facebook.

This is a great competition that I knew nothing about. On the other hand the administration is abysmal.

February 13, 2016

Alleged Craigslist Sneaker Robber Chased by Victim, Hit by SUV, Loses Arm: NYPD

So much wrong with this story:

1. We have a sick society that would price a pair of sneakers to $500.
2. Using a gun to steal such sneakers.
3. Using your auto as a weapon over a property theft of sneakers.

Both belong in jail. The driver should be charged with Attempted Murder



http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Craiglist-Sneaker-Robber-Chased-Victim-Hit-SUV-Brooklyn-368674731.html

January 24, 2016

Father and son dead, 2 wounded after shootout at gun shop

http://www.wlox.com/story/31040532/2-dead-2-wounded-after-shootout-at-gun-shop

So who was the good guy with a gun?


The wife of the gun shop owner, who was at the counter, called her husband and son to de-escalate the situation. Both father and son pairs began to argue, resorting to physical violence and eventually gunfire.

The gun shop owner and his son were pronounced dead on the scene.

January 12, 2016

Support for U of Missouri's Melissa Click "Get some muscle"

http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/5/missouri-republicans-ask-curators-fire-professor-m/

Over 100 faculty members signed this letter. It is an interesting way to characterize a battery and attempt to restrain the press from doing their job.

"We believe that her actions on November 9 constitute at most a regrettable mistake, one that came, moreover, at the end of several weeks during which Click served alongside other faculty and staff as an ally to students who were protesting
what they saw as their exclusion from and isolation at the University."