It's Time For Some Q&A...
Yes, boys and girls...we have sifted through the refuse and come up with some important questions that need to be asked.
And we all know that the best way to learn IS by asking questions...is it not?
I once had a teacher that used the old saying: "There are no stupid questions", and while I used to agree 100% with that as I've grown more "seasoned" over the decades, I've come to find that there are INDEED (a few) stupid questions...usually asked by STUPID PEOPLE.
We, at the Fortress have never professed to be among that crowd, however...nor shall we.
Instead, we ask the questions that provide insight and enlightenment, and none of THOSE questions could in any way be considered stupid.
(we don't play that fiddle in this house)
So, without any further ado, let's proceed...
*** Question: When is it okay to shoot at a law-enforcement officer who is serving a warrant for your arrest?
Answer: When you're a minority felon living in the EDEN GREEN APARTMENTS late at night.
Just make sure you're ready to receive some MAJOR INCOMING FIRE in the process.
And this is exactly what went down at the apartments (building 4B) when a FEDERAL Deputy Marshal attempt to serve that warrant.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120410/LOCAL07/120419997
As soon as I heard THIS, I immediately thought of my (newly created) acronym - "WWRGD?"
Which stands for: "WHAT WOULD RAYLAN GIVENS DO?"
(Gratuitous plug for the FX show JUSTIFIED - which is on tonight at 10PM)
Hell, Raylan would have SHOT FIRST (and accurately), and it would have been over a lot sooner.
The deputy marshal was listed in serious but stable condition following non-life threatening surgery to his leg, and the shooter, who was hit at least once (I'm thinking nicely-perforated) was listed in critical condition...and has since been declared RECENTLY-DECEASED.
I'll bet that one woman who drove up to the scene (and identified herself as the shooter's mom) is gonna wish she postponed her "whew" (of relief) when told her boy was transported to hospital after being shot.
(Can't pull a "Trayvon" on THIS scenario, folks...sorry)
Yes, just like the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) the U.S. Marshal Service ALWAYS get their man...don't much matter what condition he winds up in, though.
I say score one for the GOOD GUYS.
I would have liked to have seen Tommy Lee Jones take control of the scene last night...that woulda been cool to watch.
HE made a damn fine U.S. Marshal, too.
The ISP has taken over the investigation at this point and no other details about victim ID or the name of the marshal have been released at this time.
Moving along...(before we get ticketed)
*** Question: When it is fine to pretend to be a police officer and attempt to pull over another motorist?
Answer: Most of the time...UNLESS the person or persons you're trying to pull over are...(wait for it)...OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS who don't take kindly to having POSERS "playing cop"...
Well, that's JUST what occurred last week on the NE side of town, as evidenced by THIS wonderful story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120410/LOCAL07/304109982/1002/LOCAL
Anyone with half a brain KNOWS that placing ANY "wig-wag" device in your vehicle, especially a RED and BLUE one will "get you noticed" and usually by the local constabulary...pronto.
(and if you didn't know it before...you do NOW)
What is hilarious about this, is that the perp (apparently) used his CELL PHONE (for the wig-wag)...YES, they "have an APP for that", too...LOL.
This smiling dumbass didn't think it so funny AFTER the officers he tried to pull over DISPLAYED A REAL SHIELD...(and were not smiling back).
The perp then ran off the road, and eventually drove off with the off duty officers following along.
It was at a parking lot at Leo Crossing that the perp came to a stop and approached one of the other officers who displayed HIS shield and ID'ed himself as an officer.
The perp took off into the (nearby) Rusty Spur Tavern, where, after a brief chase around the place, he was taken into custody by an on-duty officer (who arrived on scene).
He (the perp) said he ran because he KNEW he was in trouble...gee...'ya THINK?
Chad Voegeli, 21, was charged with suspicion of resisting law-enforcement (just suspicion?), impersonation of a public servant (po-po poser), and two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was released on $2,500 bail and is expected in court Thursday (bring the popcorn and get a good seat, because THIS should be one helluva comedy event).
*** Question: How do you make a "fast and easy" $2500.00 in Ft. Wayne WITHOUT selling street pharms in MY part of town?
Answer: By turning in the person/persons who recently robbed pharmacies elsewhere in the city.
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120410/LOCAL07/304109976/1002/LOCAL
Purdue Pharma LP is ponying up the cash for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for robbing a Walgreens up along Dupont Rd., and another Walgreens along Lima Rd late last year.
Descriptions of the perps are included in the article.
What I find very interesting about these robberies is that they BOTH occurred on the 29th of the months of November and December.
What I tend to notice in MY part of the ghettohood, is that drug activity (in general) usually plays out on days that END IN THE NUMBER 9.
The SAME houses (around us) have increased traffic (stop-bys) on the 9th, 19th and the 29th...very interesting indeed.
But, it's not like I didn't pass this along to the FWPD brass...AGES AGO...(yes, I did. And I'm still waiting to see some results.)
This deal is, however much better than the lottery, folks...no OUTLAY of cash on your part...just the price of a phone call.
Good luck to those wishing to play.
*** Question: What do you do when careless people toss trash all over your street?
Answer: Send in the "big guns".
Yes friends, we had a street sweeper roll through yesterday...I damn near had a coronary!
Now don't get me wrong...we have them come through 2-3 times a year...as I'm sure most every neighborhood does, but around HERE...we can use one every damn WEEK...the people care that little about where they live.
Personally, I think that what's worth having, is worth taking the hell care of...period.
That's the way my parents did it, and that's the way I've done it...and it''s worked pretty well since then.
(sounds like something Tony Stark would say...lol)
But, you have to realize that we have an inordinate amount of RENTERS around, and since HUD and the FWHA has their finger in THAT pie, we're not exactly getting the "best" rental candidates to reside IN those rental cribs.
Hell, there's PLENTY of GOOD renters out there...they're just not being sent down to THESE houses...wonder why?
Could be a case of BIAS...perhaps.
*** Lastly today, speaking of bias, take a swing over to the blog The Observer (KCMO). There a great post there about stereotypes.
Here's the exact link:
http://southkansascityobserver.blogspot.com/2012/04/stereotypes-and-et-cetera.html
Nice to know some folks still "get it".
And I'd also like to take some time to thank those 28 "followers" I have here now, as well as ALL of you that just stop on by to read whatever it is that's on my mind.
There are many of you out there in the blogosphere that have much to say, and I personally enjoy not only the content of your musings, but also the passion you display when you blog. Many of you out there have this wonderful way of presenting the facts (as I attempt to do here), and in today's world of 24/7 journalism, replete with slants and bias, It's marvelous to see plain old TRUTH and COMMON SENSE come to the forefront with such regularity.
I'd like to think we're supportive of one another, in whatever we try to convey and to whoever will spend the time to "listen in".
I not only appreciate the support and kudos I have received, but also come to a realization that we're not so much the minority that many would broad-brush us...we ARE the silent majority...that is fast becoming silent NO longer...and that's kind of cool...
Thanks again for being who YOU are.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
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((Tomorrow - We have Wrestlemania, Tebowmania, and now we have Trayvonmania. Find out more on this when we next meet right here.))