Google not backing Biden or Trump in 2020 Election

Google not backing Biden or Trump in 2020 Election
By Robert Foreman

GOOGLE CEO SUNDAR PICHAI (CNBC.COM)

As the 2020 Presidential election campaign heats up many people have already made their choice between President Donald Trump and his challenger Former Vice-President Joe Biden. However, Google has opted not to back either Trump or Biden during this election cycle. At least that is what Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated when he and the CEOs of Facebook, Amazon, and Apple were recently called before Congress for anti-trust hearings. The topic of the 2020 Presidential election arose when Congressman Jim Jordan inexplicably began seeking assurances from Pichai that Google would not attempt to side with Biden. Following is part of the exchange between Jordan and Pichai:

JORDAN: So here's the question I think is on so many Americans’ minds. They saw the list we read here earlier. All the things Google has done. Google is siding with the World Health Organization over anyone who disagrees with them, even though the World Health Organization obviously lied to America and shills for China. YouTube and Google is siding with them. We have the history of what Google has done and the history of 2016, where they obviously, according to one of your marketing executives, tried to help Clinton. And here we are 97 days before the election and we want to make sure it's not going to happen again. Can you assure us you're not going to tailor or configure your platform to help Joe Biden? And second, that you're not going to use your search engine to silence conservatives? Can you give us those two assurances today?

PICHAI: Congressman, on our search engine, conservatives have more access to information than ever before—

JORDAN: We appreciate that, that wasn't the question. Can you assure us you're not going to silence conservatives and assure us that you're not going to configure your features as you did for Clinton in '16, can you assure us you're not going to do the same thing for Joe Biden in 2020?

PICHAI: We won’t do any work to politically tilt anything one way or the other. It is against our core values.

Jordan would continue to accuse Google of attempting to tilt the election in favor of Hillary Clinton in 2016 based off of an email that had been circulated through the company. The email detailed a donation that Google had made to the Clinton campaign. Pichai stated that Google found no evidence of such activity and that he stressed to his employees that any personal political activity should take place on their own time. The full video of the exchange between Jordan and Pichai begins at 11:15 (https://youtu.be/Iq_hw3eSIT0)

Ironically, after grilling Google about its own political leanings, Jordan found himself being grilled by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson regarding campaign contributions he has received from the tech giant. Carlson took Jordan to task for accepting campaign contributions from Google while he sits on the committee that is designed to regulate them. While Carlson agreed with Jordan about the Big Tech companies having a bias against conservatives, he pointed out that Google was the second-largest campaign contributor to the congressman in the last election cycle.

When pressed by Carlson about why Google would contribute money to his campaign, Jordan responded, “Look, if they want to exercise their First Amendment liberty to give me money, I raised $3 million last quarter. If Google gives me a few thousand dollar check, God bless them. That doesn’t change who I am. You saw that today in the committee. I went after Google. I went after them for the very issue you just raised, Tucker. In 2016, Google tried to tailor their features to help Clinton in key states. That’s directly from the e-mail, the head of their multicultural marketing sector.” The full article regarding Carlson’s interview with Jordan can be found here: Tucker Carlson Grills Jim Jordan After Tech Hearing: Why Would Google Give You Money And Why Would You Take It?

Jordan’s defense of Google’s campaign contributions to him should raise two questions. One, how can he rail against Google potentially taking sides in a Presidential election while pocketing campaign cash from them? Secondly, were the campaign contributions from Google personal contributions from employees or were they corporate contributions from Google? If they were corporate contributions from Google then it calls into question Pichai’s claim that the company doesn’t work to politically tilt things one way or the other. Then again, Google, and/or its employees, likely contribute to candidates of both parties to hedge their bets when it comes to regulations. Corporations have been doing that for decades. Just as politicians, like Jordan, publicly rail against certain companies, while taking campaign contributions on the side from those same companies, has been going on for decades with people of both political parties.

However, whether Google, or any other Big Tech company, chooses to take sides in the upcoming election does not change the fact that this will be a Presidential election for the history books. After all, it is the first Presidential election that will take place during a pandemic that has already claimed 150,000 American lives, a recession and protests against racial injustice. Not to mention the potential hurdles of in-person voting during a pandemic and the unfounded conspiracy theories regarding voting by mail. With less than a 100 days until the election, some people are firmly in the Trump camp while others are firmly in the Biden camp. Yet, regardless of who you vote for the important thing is that you vote. Because people who choose not to exercise their right to vote lose the right to complain about the outcome of an election that they refused to participate in. Every vote counts, so make sure that you make your vote count this November.

Blue Magazine Stands with Michelle Malkin

Blue Magazine Stands with Michelle Malkin

MICHELLE MALKIN BOOK SIGNING AT NIGHT TO UNITE

We are stunned that we even have to defend Michelle Malkin, whose steadfast support of law enforcement for decades is impeccable. Malkin has had our backs when many sellouts abandoned us, and yet we turn our backs on her?

Therefore we must ask cops everywhere: Have you had enough yet?

Are you tired of seeing all the violence—the nonstop assaults, the crazed people beating the hell of each other while the person filming stands idle and ironically calls you (the police) for help?  Yeah, you who they want defunded and off the streets. You, whose blood is spilling on the pavement and you whose bones are being broken from the many bludgeoning attacks simply for the uniform you wear. Are you tired of being scapegoated for political objectives?

This year, 140 of your fellow officers have already died in the line of duty, 29 from being shot by violent criminals. Does it sicken you that these heroes have parents, spouses, and children who are devastated and struggling to pick up the pieces, and many people don't care? Think of the pain of a child looking at a photo of their dead parent in uniform, tears streaming down their cheeks as they envision how their parent’s frantic last moments of life were consumed with pain and suffering. Recall the last words of Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia, who managed to radio his dispatch, “One-eighteen … Tell my family I love them,” before ultimately succumbing to a gunshot wound to the chest on July 4th.  We are being beaten and slaughtered to a point it's apparently become part of the job—what we signed up for.  Do you find this nauseating?  If this doesn't concern you, what will?

Are you tired of witnessing anarchy and lawlessness?  Are you tired of seeing businesses broken into and set on fire by criminals who believe they are rightfully owed the proprietor’s property and that burning the company to the ground is the right thing to do? Are you tired of seeing elderly grandmothers and grandfathers being punched out, knocked to the ground and beaten by savages who were raised to justify hurting someone who cannot defend themself is acceptable? Are you tired of hearing your loved ones tell you they are scared to go into the cities because they may be beaten to death, and nobody will care? Are you sickened by seeing miscreants burning our flag, hating our country and urinating on venerated objects like the face of Jesus Christ?

Are you tired of witnessing failed political leaders like major city mayors who stand by while providing cover for the criminals, claiming they are good-hearted people protesting? Are you angered watching your fellow brothers and sisters in Blue kiss the asses of these politicians who hate us? 

Are you sick of watching your coward police leaders kneel and pander to the politicians who could care less if one us choked on our own blood on the same streets they supposedly lead? Are you exhausted from watching your police leaders' utter fear to stand up for their men and women? Are you disgusted by your police precincts being overrun by criminals while your bosses order you to retreat and don’t have the courage to stand up to the political leaders? Are you sick of police leaders abandoning the rule of law and justice to placate the abhorrent desires of the same politicians who smile when cops die?

MICHELLE MALKIN RECEIVING WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD AT NIGHT TO UNITE EVENT

Are you concerned that crime is skyrocketing, and victims are piling up while the criminals are treated as victims themselves? Are you worried that your freedoms are being stolen from you right in front of your face?

Well, guess what? There are people out there like Michelle Malkin, who feel the same way you do. Malkin and her friends defended us at a recent Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Denver, taking a chance with their lives. And for what? Only to be sold out and abandoned by cops who stood by while cop-haters attacked them.

“So the message is loud and clear,” Malkin wrote. “When push comes to bloody shove in end-stage America, under the rule of the anarcho-tyrants, we, the law-abiding, are the enemy. Those in uniform sworn to protect and serve will turn their backs on us because their bosses don't answer to the public. They protect and serve the mob.”

If it doesn’t bother you that we are losing the faith of the people who support us, it’s clear where we as a profession are headed, and the only people we can blame are ourselves.

It’s time to take back our profession. It's time to stop being cowards pandering to people who’d rather see us dead. It’s time we demand our police leaders defend us. And if they continue to abandon us, we must unite against them. And it’s time we stand united with the people who support us.

Don't lose faith, Michelle. There are tons of us out here who thank and appreciate everything you do to support us. We are proud with our partners Brothers Before Others and Moment of Silence to have awarded you our 2019 Woman of the Year!  We stand with Michelle Malkin.

‘Anti-Feminist’ lawyer behind shooting at judge’s home

‘Anti-Feminist’ lawyer behind shooting at judge’s home

 By Robert Foreman

One of the worst fears that anyone can have is that they, and their families, will become the victims of an unprovoked home invasion. After all, your home is your private sanctuary away from the troubles of the outside world where you can feel completely safe. Unfortunately, for Judge Esther Salas, and her family, the peace of their New Jersey home was forever shattered when attorney Roy Den Hollander came knocking at the door. Hollander, dressed as a FedEx delivery man, arrived at the family’s home and fatally shot Judge Salas’ 20-year-old son, Daniel, when he answered the door. Judge Salas’ husband, attorney Mark A. Anderl, was also shot multiple times by Hollander, but he survived. Judge Salas was in the basement at the time of the attack and was not injured. The following day, Hollander was found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The FBI, US Marshals and local law enforcement have been working together on the case since it involves a U.S. District Judge. During the course of the investigation, the FBI has also linked Hollander to the murder of California attorney Marc Angelucci eight days earlier. Just as in the attack on Judge Salas’ home, he reportedly arrived at Angelucci’s home dressed as a FedEx delivery man and shot the victim when he came to the door. Authorities have noted that Hollander used the same gun in both attacks. Hollander was a self-proclaimed ‘anti-feminist’ lawyer and viewed Angelucci as a rival.

Judge Salas, who is the first Hispanic woman to serve as both a United States Magistrate Judge and as a US District Judge in New Jersey, has been involved in a few high-profile cases. She presided over the bank fraud trial of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her husband, Joe, in 2014. She issued an order in 2018 that temporarily blocked ICE from deporting some Indonesian Christians in New Jersey who were in the country illegally, but were seeking legal status. Yet, the most high-profile case for Judge Salas is the class-action lawsuit against Deutsche Bank that she is currently presiding over that involves the late, and disgraced, financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Ironically, Judge Salas and Hollander had previously crossed paths when he argued a case before her in which he represented a woman and her daughter who had filed a lawsuit against the military’s selective service. Hollander attempted to make the case that the draft was unconstitutional because women were not able to register. While Salas disagreed with part of Hollander’s argument in 2019, she also agreed with other parts of his claims and the lawsuit was allowed to move forward. However, Hollander removed himself from the case in 2019 and turned the lawsuit over to another law firm citing that he was terminally ill.

The motive behind Hollander’s attack on Judge Salas still remains unknown. Yet, it is reported that he claimed that he always had issues with female Hispanic judges because they were “driven by an inferiority complex.” He also pushed racist beliefs that organizations were trying to paint whites as barbarians and minorities as victims. However, his venom seemed primarily directed at women. He had built his reputation as the ‘anti-feminist’ lawyer by filing numerous lawsuits against bars and restaurants for hosting ‘Ladies Night’. He also filed lawsuits against the federal government over the ‘Violence Against Women Act,’ which he called the ‘Female Fraud Act’. All of his lawsuits were based on what he viewed as violations against the Constitution.

No one could have predicted how far Hollander would take his beliefs. Yet, in hindsight, there were signs. He told Stephen Colbert during an interview on The Colbert Report that “I’m going to fight the feminists until my last dollar, my last breath. And if there’s anything left after death, I will fight them for eternity. One has to wonder how anyone, especially a lawyer, could allow themselves to become so twisted by hate that they dedicate their entire life to it. Hating people who don’t look like you has never ended well for anybody, yet too many people continue to do it. In the case of Hollander, his twisted mentality has shattered two families and left a trail of blood, death and tears in his wake. To make matters worse, he chose to kill himself instead of dealing with the consequences of his murderous rampage which only goes to show that he was not only a sexist and a racist, but a coward. He won’t be missed and the world is better off without him in it.

Officer Anthony Dia remembered as a hero & family man

Officer Anthony Dia remembered as a hero & family man

By Robert Foreman

After being shot in the parking lot of Home Depot on July 4th, Officer Anthony Dia’s final words over the radio were, “Tell my family that I love them.”  The tragic events unfolded when Officer Dia, 26, responded to a call about an intoxicated man in the store’s parking lot asking for jumper cables. As Officer Dia approached the man, who was later identified as 57-year-old Edward Henry, he was shot once near the armpit. Henry fled into a wooded area and would later be found dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Responding officers did everything they could to save Officer Dia while rushing him to the hospital, but there was nothing that could be done. Officer Dia’s widow, Jayme, told a local newspaper that her husband, “Lived for his family, and he loved, just loved, being a police officer.”

Officer Dia, a devout Muslim, had written a letter to his family during the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan in which he stated “I also hope if I was shot, I was able to take the shooter with me. I hope I died with bravery.” Almost two months later, his letter seems almost prophetic. During his funeral, which was held in the packed John F Savage Arena, his cousin read the contents of Officer’s Dia’s letter and brought many of the people to tears. Officers from both Ohio and Michigan attended the funeral to show their support for Officer Dia, who had joined the police department in 2018.

Officer Dia’s final words, “118, tell my family that I love them” were played at the funeral. The postmortem call announcing his death was also played which stated, “Attention all units: Officer Anthony Dia, ID 2755, has answered his last call. From the entire family at the Toledo Police Department, Officer Anthony Dia, you and your family will remain in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.”

Officer Dia’s family remembers him as someone who was a great father, husband and friend. His shift commander remembered his work ethic and professionalism while noting that he always took time to speak to people in the community, particularly children. It was noted that Officer Dia would often let children sit in his squad car and play with the siren, and he would take pictures with anyone who asked. That is perhaps what makes his death even more tragic and senseless. He had a reputation for doing the right thing and lost his life while trying to assist someone in the community he served.

Obviously, no one has felt Officer Dia’s death more profoundly than his family. Yet, in their grief, his family remembers him as a hero. “My son died a hero, and if he was ever given a choice, 'Hey, do you want to die in bed sick, do you want to die in a car accident or do you want to die like this, a martyr,' Anthony would choose this box 100%. He wouldn’t want to go out any other way,” said Officer Dia’s father, Tony, at a recent press conference.

However, Officer Dia’s family, and others, are pushing for ‘Anthony’s Rule’, which would require that officers ride in pairs when responding to calls. This is due to the fact that Officer Dia was alone when he was shot. The Toledo Police Chief George Kral noted that there are, “Several areas in the city that are one-man car areas.” Chief Kral added that, “We have a policy that when we send a one-man crew, especially like that, we send two.” However, Chief Kral has temporarily suspended one-man crews while the department determines the best way to keep the officer’s safe.

The circumstances surrounding Officer Dia’s death, and his final words to his family, have resonated with not only officers, but civilians alike. His death is not only a reminder of the daily risks that officers take when responding to incidents, but it is also a reminder of how short life can be. In his letter to his family, Officer Dia knew that there was a chance that he could die and he made certain that the people he loved knew how he felt. While his life and career were cut short, Officer Dia’s death should remind us all that we never have as much time as we think that we do. It should also remind us that our true legacy is not the jobs we held, or the money that we made, but the mark that we left on people’s lives. Officer Dia leaves behind a wife, two sons and a legacy of love and bravery with everyone he knew. In the end, that is the legacy we should all aspire to leave behind.

Stress & Heart Disease: The silent enemy for officers

Stress & Heart Disease: The silent enemy for officers

By Robert Foreman

During the current pandemic and social unrest stress levels for many are higher than normal. For law enforcement officers, it is undoubtedly a stressful period on top of an already stress-filled job. However, what many do not realize is that high levels of unchecked stress can have a negative impact on your physical health. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, our bodies release the hormone cortisol to help us respond to stress.

However, studies have shown that high levels of cortisol produced from long-term stress can increase our blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure. All of these are well-known risk factors that can lead to heart attacks. Additionally, stress can create changes in our bodies that can cause the buildup of plaque deposits in our arteries. Long-term stress can also impact how our blood clots, which can make the blood stickier and increase the risk of stroke. In short, high levels of stress can be a ticking time bomb waiting to go off inside our bodies.

Yet, even minor stress can impact the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. So, it is important for people, especially those in high-stress jobs such as law enforcement, to closely monitor their stress levels. In fact, statistics have shown that sudden cardiac death from heart attacks accounts for 10% of the law enforcement deaths in the United States. The International Association of Chiefs of Police previously published data on the correlation between law enforcement and heart attacks and the figures are astounding. Some of their findings concluded that officers are 25 times more likely to die, or be disabled, by a heart attack than from confronting a violent suspect. Additionally, they noted that the average age for an officer to suffer a heart attack is 49 while the average age for civilians to suffer a heart attack is 67.

Most people assume that the only signs that they are experiencing a heart attack are a combination of intense pain in the chest, shortness of breath and sweating. However, the early warnings signs of cardiac arrest can be far more subtle and can surface days, even weeks, before the actual heart attack. This can include, mild discomfort in the chest, abdomen, back and arms/shoulders, unexplained heavy sweating, a sudden and unexplained shortness of breath, constant feelings of indigestion/heartburn and nausea/vomiting, to name a few.

Those symptoms can seem scary when one thinks about how people rush around in their daily lives and just brush things off as ‘normal aches and pains’ or ‘maybe I’m coming down with something’. Everyone can find ways of doing a better job of taking care of their health yet we all tend to fall short. This can include managing stress better, monitoring cholesterol levels, eating healthier, exercising regularly, not smoking (I should quit, but I haven’t yet), drinking in moderation and watching your weight. We all tend to think that we’re indestructible until we realize that we’re not.

For those in law enforcement, it becomes even more imperative to maintain their health. The job of a police officer requires that they often confront dangerous situations, which can increase stress levels that can impact the body and heart. When faced with a life and death situation it is understandable that maintaining a healthy stress level ranks at the bottom of the priority list. Yet, taking the steps to maintain your health can lead to not only a longer career, but a longer life. Every officer wants to ensure that they come home to his or her family at the end of each shift, regardless of the dangers they face in the streets. Don’t let your health be the reason that your family has to lay you to rest. Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!

NYPD launches a new 30-day body cam release policy

NYPD launches new 30-day body cam release policy

By: Robert Foreman

With nationwide calls for police reform, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has enacted a new 30-day release policy for body-worn cameras. The new policy dictates that when an NYPD officer is involved in a shooting that leads to the injury, or death, of a civilian that the body cam footage must be made public within a month. Originally, the NYPD’s policy gave the police commissioner 30 days to determine whether the body cam footage involving an officer’s use of a taser, or firearm, should be made public. Under the new policy, the body cam footage will be shown to the family of the person who was either injured, or killed, before being released to the public.

The new policy comes on the heels of the city’s plainclothes anti-crime units being disbanded and the nearly 600 officers being reassigned to other departments. While some have praised Mayor de Blasio’s move as a step toward a new level of transparency between the NYPD and the public, the policy shifts received immediate pushback from some in law enforcement. One of the most vocal critics was Pat Lynch, President of the Police Benevolent Association union. Lynch believes that disbanding the plainclothes unit will come back to haunt the city and that city leaders are not making proactive policing a priority anymore. Whether Lynch’s prediction will ultimately become a reality remains to be seen.

However, having a set timetable to release body cam footage to the public, especially when it involves a shooting, seems to be the right move. Now, some may believe that automatically making the footage public is a bad idea. Yet, to be blunt, with the proliferation of cellphones it would be reckless not to release the footage especially if the shooting was considered controversial. Let the footage speak for itself, good or bad. Officers face life and death situations on a regular basis, so if a shooting was justified then the footage will prove that, regardless of public opinion. However, if a shooting is seen as not being justified, and likely avoidable, then the footage will reveal that as well and the proper steps for accountability can be taken.

Some may view ‘accountability’ as a dirty word, but it is something that we need more of in our society and no one should be immune to it. Be it civilians, first responders, political leaders and so forth. Without accountability things become stagnant and mistrust grows. Change is always necessary, but it has to be balanced and fair. One cannot always assume that an officer-involved shooting was unjust. Law enforcement is a dangerous profession and if an officer’s life, or the life of a civilian is in imminent danger, then the officer must use deadly force. However, one cannot always assume that deadly force is called for in every situation. In both instances, having body cam footage becomes a valuable tool. The body cam footage has no reason to embellish the truth the way human beings often do.

While constantly wearing body cams can be an inconvenience, it can also protect both officers and civilians. If a civilian falsely accuses an officer of misconduct, the footage will ultimately exonerate the officer. Yet, if an officer does act in a way that goes against his, or her, oath to ‘protect and serve’ then the footage acts to exonerate the civilian. Releasing body camera footage is not a perfect solution to police accountability nor does it lessen the daily risks that officers take whenever they encounter a potentially violent suspect. Simply put, real change and accountability will come from rebuilding mutual trust and respect between law enforcement and the communities where they serve. In the end, neither officers, or civilians, are perfect. As humans being we are all flawed. Starting from that realization is a first step toward embracing true change that will benefit everyone involved.

California ambushes are a nightmare scenario for officers

California ambushes are a nightmare scenario for officers

By: Robert Foreman

With the world’s attention focused on police conduct, one growing fear has emerged among many in law enforcement. What if an irate individual chooses to take matters into their own hands and target law enforcement officers during this turbulent time? Unfortunately, that fear became a tragic reality in California in which officers were either injured, or killed, during separate incidents in which they were ambushed by suspects. The first incident took place in Santa Cruz, California when Steven Carrillo ambushed and murdered Deputy Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller and wounded two other officers. Carrillo was ultimately shot during his arrest and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The nightmare ordeal in Santa Cruz began when deputies responded to a 911 call from someone who had spotted guns and bomb-making materials in Carrillo’s van. Deputies pursued the van to Carrillo’s driveway and they were ambushed with gunfire and explosives as they exited their vehicles. Deputy Sgt. Gutzwiller was wounded in the attack and died at the hospital. Another deputy was shot in the hand while a third deputy was injured by shrapnel or gunfire. Carrillo was ultimately shot and apprehended when he attempted to carjack a civilian.

The second ambush incident took place in Paso Robles, California when Mason James Lira shot three officers, and a civilian, in a 2-day period. Lira’s reign of terror began when he opened fire outside of a police station in Paso Robles. He shot one of the responding deputies in the face, which started a two-day manhunt. Lira is believed to have shot and killed a civilian near an Amtrak station the same day. The following day, Lira shot two other law enforcement officers, and was shot by officers as he tried to escape apprehension. All of the officers that were shot by Lira are alive and recovering from their injuries. Lira was previously arrested in May for making terrorist threats.

However, what makes the ambush scenario in Santa Cruz even more disturbing than Pablo Robles is that the assailant, Carrillo, was an active duty sergeant who was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. Additionally, Carrillo is believed to be the suspect who shot a federal officer in Oakland. The thought of an active duty soldier acting as a domestic terrorist on American soil against law enforcement officers seems like the plot of a bad Hollywood movie. Yet, as more information is revealed about Carrillo’s mindset the picture becomes even more chilling.

Prior to being arrested, Carrillo used blood to scrawl the phrases “I became unreasonable”, “boog” and “stop the duopoly” on the hood of a car. The word “Boog” is connected to an anti-government, libertarian movement that is looking to provoke a second Civil War in America. In fact, there have been instances of Boogaloo movement members attending Black Lives Matter protests in hopes of inciting violence. The FBI arrested three Boogaloo members in Nevada and charged them with inciting violence for using explosives, including Molotov cocktails, during the protests.

In addition to being charged with the murder of Deputy Sgt. Gutzwiller, Carrillo has also been charged with the attempted murder of the other officers, as well as the attempted murder of his intended carjacking victim. He has also been charged with assaulting a firefighter. The fact that Carrillo was ‘lying in wait’ to commit his crimes means he could potentially face the death penalty. Perhaps, that is why his defense attorney is already laying the groundwork for an insanity defense by claiming that Carrillo suffered a traumatic brain injury and was under emotional distress.

Lira’s father also pointed to his late son’s emotional and mental stability following his son’s death after the Pablo Robles’ ambush. The elder Lira has stated that his son suffered from Aspergers syndrome, Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. He also believed that his late son’s attack on the police station was a suicide attempt after a history of not taking his medication and being in and out of jail and treatment centers.

However, regardless of what emotional or mental illnesses that either Carrillo or Lira may, or may not, have been suffering from it does not excuse their actions. Both men plotted out a reign of terror and specifically targeted members of law enforcement. So, there is no excuse for their actions. In the case of Carrillo, he betrayed his oath to his country by both targeting members of law enforcement and by aligning himself with the Boogaloo movement.  So, regardless of what defense his attorney tries to come up with to lessen his client’s prison time, or spare him from the death penalty, it should fall on deaf ears. Once you carefully plan out an attack in advance, and target a specific group of people, you were in your right mind and knew right from wrong. So, hopefully, Carrillo will get the punishment he deserves; either life in prison or the death penalty.

Yet, no punishment for Carrillo will bring Deputy Sgt. Gutzwiller back to life, or ease the pain that his family and fellow officers are feeling, after his senseless death. Just as Lira’s death will not bring back the civilian he killed near the Amtrak station. However, these incidents should serve as a warning to all law enforcement officers to take extra safety precautions during these turbulent times. One cannot be sure if the call you are dealing with is an actual crime in progress or someone 'lying in wait' to take your life because of the uniform that you are wearing, as was the case with Deputy Sgt. Gutzwiller. So, officers must continue to balance out the need to protect civilians while also taking extra precautions to ensure that they are able to return home to their families at the end of their shift. The days, weeks and months ahead will be fraught with turmoil, but staying safe is always the top priority.

NYC Police Chief Takes Knee in Washington Square Park During Protest: Hero or Political Puppet?

NYC Police Chief Takes Knee in Washington Square Park During Protest: Hero or Political Puppet?

By Eddie Molina

Photo by: Craig Ruttle/AP

As the nation continues to spiral out of control, movements and statements are being made everywhere. On June 1st, NYC Police Chief of Department Terrance Monahan approached a tense crowd in Washington Square Park and joined the protesters by taking a knee.

Although items were thrown by some protesters towards the police officers staged in the area, the situation seemed to diffuse after Chief Monahan chose to kneel and hug several protesters. The video captured the verbal interaction between the Chief and the protesters that remained mutually peaceful and supportive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnzUTjGCoQ

However, many people- law enforcement officers among them- still stand divided on the issue of taking a knee. More images and videos of law enforcement officers refusing to take a knee are emerging on social media and news outlets everywhere.

The exact reasons why some officers refuse to take a knee are unknown but a common thread can be inferred.

Some officers view kneeling as admitting defeat and may symbolize police are the problem. These same officers likely believe that the police are not the problem and the real problem is political in nature. Politics play an ugly role in society and sometimes the police are caught in the middle.

Image taken from Mayor de Blasio’s Twitter page

Last week, New York Governor Cuomo heavily criticized the NYPD for not doing enough to stop the rioting and looting.  On the other hand, New York City Mayor de Blasio, who has been known for not showing police any support, publicly stated concerns about police abusing their powers. Between those two opposing beliefs lie the frontline officer who only wants to help the public and maintain law and order.

The other end of the frontline officer rank in any department is the upper echelon- high ranking individuals known as chiefs, captains, etc.  The frontline Officer’s role in law enforcement is enforcing day to day laws. Once an individual becomes the chief his role evolves into drafting policy and communicating between the ranks and the government. Their role is often clouded between fighting crime and appeasing politicians- in this case, the mayor.

Chief Monahan’s motivation for his actions in taking a knee with the protesters are unknown. One cannot deny that his decision could easily have prevented the protest from becoming violent. Or perhaps, he wanted to publicly align his beliefs with that of the New York City mayor to curry favor and put himself in a favorable position among the political landscape- a common, and albeit distasteful, tactic.

I for one believe that far too many politicians will do anything for a vote- to include modifying their own beliefs to go with the flow of public opinion. And right now public opinion is heavily anti-police. In my heart I don’t believe Chief Monahan is anti-police, but the question remains unanswered- what was his true motivation for taking a knee?

George Floyd’s death puts focus on ‘black lives’ and ‘blue lives’

George Floyd’s death puts focus on ‘Black Lives’ and ‘Blue Lives’

By Robert Foreman

By now, most people have viewed the video of George Floyd face down on the pavement, in broad daylight, with Officer Derek Chauvin’s knee pressed on his neck for nearly nine minutes. During the now infamous video, Floyd can be heard repeatedly stating that he can’t breathe and calling for his late mother. Floyd’s subsequent death led to Chauvin, and the other three officers on the scene, being fired and has sparked protests, riots and debates in Minneapolis, the nation and around the world. Four days after Floyd’s death, former officer Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The charges against Chauvin have since been upgraded to second-degree murder and states that he killed Floyd ‘without intent’. The other three former officers on the scene, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung and Tou Thao, were all subsequently arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

As a black male, and more importantly a human being, watching the video made me sick to my stomach, especially after watching the Ahmaud Arbery video in which he was murdered, in broad daylight, while jogging. In both cases, it was a death that did not need to happen. Floyd was clearly subdued so there was no reason for Chauvin’s knee to be pressed on his neck for as long as it was. In fact, Floyd’s pleas about not being able to breathe should have prompted Chauvin to remove his knee or for one of the other three officers to intervene. Yet, neither of those things happened, which is what has brought us to where we are presently.

Now, I’ll be the first to say that I have never understood rioting or looting as part of a protest because it only harms the people in that community with lost jobs and businesses. Additionally, it allows the media, and others, to take the focus away from the issues that are being protested. But, with that said, I understand the frustration and anger that fuels those riots. If you are part of a community that has faced countless injustices, and you feel that your concerns are being diminished, or worse yet ignored, then you get angry. Although I find it ironic that the same individuals who are now saying that people should be protesting peacefully were the same ones that ridiculed the peaceful protests that NFL players were making by taking a knee during the national anthem. People have to make up their minds about what type of protests they consider acceptable. Although I suspect that some would prefer that poor and marginalized people not protest at all and just remain quiet.

In the aftermath of Floyd’s death, the spotlight has again been focused on the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. I’ve lost count of how many times I have had to debate with people regarding ‘Black Lives Matter.’ What I try to explain to them is that if one black person kills another black person, under circumstances that aren’t self-defense, then the black person who did the killing is likely going to be convicted for murder or manslaughter. On the other hand, if a rogue officer or non-black civilian, such as the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery, kills a black person, under circumstances that aren’t self-defense, then history has shown, multiple times, that they likely aren’t going to be convicted for murder or manslaughter. So, when people say ‘All Lives Matter’ in response to ‘Black Lives Matter’ they are missing the point. ‘Black Lives Matter’ isn’t claiming that black lives matter more than anybody else’s life. It’s stating that black lives should matter just as much as everyone else’s life in the eyes of society and the justice system.

In the midst of the current unrest, there are those in law enforcement who understandably fear that they may now become targets for retaliation by protestors who are angry over Floyd’s death. Law enforcement already comes with its own daily dangers and officers don’t want to have to worry that they will be potentially maimed, or killed, over an incident that they had nothing to do with. That fear is very real when one remembers the 2014 deaths of Officer Rafael Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu. Both men were NYPD officers who were shot and killed by Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley. The shootings were Brinsley’s revenge for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown who were both killed during encounters with the police. The ‘Blue Lives Matter’ movement grew out of the frustration that some in law enforcement saw as a bias toward law enforcement and was a response to ‘Black Lives Matter’. However, since Floyd’s death we have seen multiple incidents of officers either posting videos to social media to express outrage over Floyd’s murder or, in some cases, choosing to engage and stand with the peaceful protestors.  

Yet, despite all of the protests and debates, at the end of the day, murder is murder, regardless of the color of the victim or the perpetrator. On a personal note, my friend, Luke, who was a black male in his 20’s, was murdered by young black men last month. He was sitting in his car, in front of his house, after getting off of work when the young men begin shooting into his car and hitting him with multiple bullets. It ultimately turned out that they killed Luke because they thought that he was someone else, so it was a case of mistaken identity. The same anger that I feel toward those men that killed Luke is the same anger that I feel toward Chauvin. Once again, murder is murder, regardless of skin color.

Yet, what frustrates a lot of black people is that when a black person is killed by a rogue officer, or a non-black civilian, under circumstances that are deemed controversial some people tend to blame the victim…even if there is video evidence to support the crime. It is either ‘let’s not rush to judgement’ or ‘we need to see more video’ or the focus shifts to black-on-black crime statistics. Yet, if a black person kills an officer, or non-black civilian, and there is video evidence to support the crime there is no question of the black person’s guilt. And there is usually no mention of professional or racial death statistics regarding the person that the black person murdered in an effort to change the conversation or blame the victim. The focus remains on the crime. So, for many black people, that is the essence of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement; don’t view us as the victim of a crime ONLY when the perpetrator is another black person.

The future remains uncertain regarding whether Chauvin, or the other three former officers, will be convicted, found not guilty or the charges dropped completely. However, the protests, riots and debates have, once again, brought both the ugly racism, and our shared humanity, to the forefront. For me, I will NEVER expect my white friends to feel guilty, or apologize, for the racist/criminal actions of some white people because it is not their fault. I will NEVER expect my friends who are cops and corrections officers to feel guilty, or apologize, for the racist/criminal acts of some in their profession because it is not their fault. Just as I will NEVER feel guilty, or apologize, for the racist/criminal acts of some black people because it is not my fault.

As a people, and as a society, we have to get away from painting entire groups, or professions, with a broad brush based solely on stereotypes and media perceptions.  Because once we start trying to decide which life has more value based off of race, or profession, then we begin to lose sight of our common humanity. Bottom line, we have to be ‘ride or die’ as a society and as a nation. The only way to correct our ‘imperfect union’ is to work together to fix it. If not, we will all watch it fall apart separately and there are no winners in that scenario. George Floyd’s six-year-old daughter stated that ‘Daddy changed the world!’ For all of our sakes, let’s hope that she was right.

Post-COVID-19 world will create a new normal for everyone

Post-COVID-19 world will create a new normal for everyone

 By Robert Foreman

As many states are beginning the process of easing lockdown restrictions, people are clamoring to return to life before COVID-19. However, the odds are slim that things will be exactly as they were. For starters, we are still in the middle of the pandemic. No vaccine has been found and the number of deaths in America is quickly approaching 100,000, as of this writing. So, ‘normal’ is likely something we won’t see for a long time. Even as some states are relaxing their restrictions, new cases are occurring. As a result, we will likely still see many people continue to practice social distancing and wearing face masks for the foreseeable future.

The long-term impact of COVID-19 on both the economy and the American people is unknown. Some businesses will never recover from the pandemic while other businesses adapted by having employees work remotely. Everyone hated the restrictions yet many of us complied and adapted. Meanwhile, there were other people who ignored the restrictions and complained about being ‘oppressed’ because they couldn’t get a haircut. If not being able to go to the barbershop, hair salon or restaurant is somebody’s idea of being ‘oppressed’ then they don’t understand the meaning of the word.

The lockdown restrictions have been a major inconvenience, but they were designed for public safety. Even now as some people begin to flock back to the parks, beaches, malls, bars, etc., the threat of COVID-19 still hangs in the air. For those who have been able to adjust to the social distancing and wearing face masks, continuing to do so will not be a major issue. However, for those people who believe that they have been inconvenienced long enough they will take no precautions. In fact, this pandemic has shown both the grace and ugliness of human nature.

We have seen first responders, doctors and ordinary citizens put themselves at risks to help those who have suffered from COVID-19. Additionally, we have seen teachers adapt to virtual learning to ensure that elementary, high school and college students are able to continue receiving their education. Some businesses adapted to provide meals and PPE for first responders and ordinary citizens. However, we have also seen people give in to their worst instincts during this pandemic. People selfishly hoarding supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other needed items because they didn’t want to go without. Retail workers have been harassed, in some cases killed, just for asking people to wear face masks in the store. Incredibly, we’ve had to witness medical professionals, who have been on the frontline of the virus, dealing with protesters attempting to block hospitals because they firmly believe COVID-19 is a hoax.

At the end of the day, we have all had to adapt to the massive upheaval that COVID-19 has brought into our lives. Hell, we all want to go back to what we considered our normal lives. However, we have to be prepared for the fact that normal as we knew it will never return. As mentioned earlier, no vaccine has been found and there is always the possibility of a massive number of new cases emerging as stay-at-home orders are lifted. But, be that as it may, we cannot live our lives in fear. We have to continue to adjust and take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

If that means that we must continue to practice social distancing, using hand sanitizer and wearing face masks for the foreseeable future then so be it. Yet, what we cannot do is turn this pandemic into an excuse to give into our worst natures or divide us a country. Regardless of our race, gender, religion, job title or political beliefs we are all dealing with the same circumstances. COVID-19 can, and has, killed indiscriminately. Many of us have had friends, or relatives, who have won their battle with the virus. However, many people have lost loved ones and were unable to say a final farewell due to medical restrictions.

This pandemic has uprooted our society in ways that none of us could have ever imagined. Our politicians and media outlets feed us different information about the virus on a regular basis, so it is hard to know what to believe anymore. As a result, we have to weigh the information that we are getting along with our own common sense. Yet, as we slowly begin to put the pieces back together we should recognize that a new normal is on hand for all of us. How that new normal manifests itself has yet to been seen. However, we can only hope that this new normal is one that brings us closer together as a nation instead of one that continues to divide us even further.

COVID-19 budget crunch hits first responders & critical services

COVID-19 budget crunch hits first responders & critical services
 By: Robert Foreman

The economic budget crunch that has been unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting every profession, including first responders. Recently, Mayor Gary McCarthy of Schenectady, NY threatened to lay off 40 cops and 33 firefighters to plug a projected $11.5 million dollar budget hole unless federal aid was restored. He also noted that the city would have to make deep cuts in other areas to make up for lost revenue. McCarthy noted that if the federal aid isn’t restored, and the job cuts are not made, that the municipality would be bankrupt by the end of the year. Sadly, this is the reality that many first responders are facing throughout the nation as they are being laid off and furloughed.

At a time when first responders, and other critical services, are needed the most some cities are finding themselves facing deep reductions. This not only includes law enforcement and firefighters, but sanitation and health services. According to an estimate by the National League of Cities, 300,000 and 1 million public sector workers could soon find themselves being laid off or sent home without pay. The thought of that just seems astounding under normal circumstances, but in the midst of a national health crisis it seems unimaginable.

The budget crunch comes from the massive loss in revenue due to businesses being closed as many people stay home. There are those who estimate that we could find ourselves back in another Great Recession if federal funds are not pumped into the cities and states. As usual, the politicians in Washington are playing political games as they try to one up each other as the country struggles. Now is not the time for partisan politics. Until the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the top priority of those in Washington should be ensuring that the cities and states have the funds to keep critical employees, as well as critical services, in place.

Once you start laying off law enforcement officers, and firefighters, to plug budget holes then you’re setting yourself up for disaster. They are the definition of essential workers. They are the people who have the training to maintain law and order and deal with emergencies. If their numbers are reduced then the remaining officers and firefighters will find themselves being worked to their limits. Or, in an even worse scenario, those first responders will have to determine which emergencies to handle simply because they won’t have the manpower to deal with every critical situation. Then there is the fact that with less law enforcement on the streets the criminals will feel that they have a free pass. If that happens, even more innocent lives are being placed at risk. Or worse yet, unarmed civilians will find themselves falling prey to those who think they can take the law into their own hands by playing judge, jury and executioner.

The current restrictions, and economic conditions, that we are all enduring are already placing undue strain and stress on everyone. Do we really have to face the possibility of not having enough first responders on the streets to maintain order and handle whatever emergency arises? Apparently, that is the reality that many people could face as cities and states struggle to balance their books. However, expecting the first responders, who risk their lives on a regular basis, to sit back quietly while their jobs hang in the balance over politics and budget cuts is a slap in the face. The politicians in Washington love to talk about how much they value first responders. Now, more than ever, is the time for them to prove it with their actions by providing the states with the funds they need to keep first responders paid and on the streets. Anything less than immediate action is just empty words and political bullshit.

Dealing with Blue Suicide during COVID-19 pandemic

Dealing with Blue Suicide during COVID-19 pandemic
By: Robert Foreman

Recently, Dr. Lorna Breen, the head of the emergency department in Manhattan, committed suicide after spending weeks on the frontline attending to COVID-19 patients. This was on the heels of a Bronx rookie paramedic, John Mondello, taking his own life after only being on the job for less than three months. With the eyes of the world trained on the COVID-19 pandemic it is easy to forget the personal struggles that medical professionals, and first responders, are dealing with. This is why it is even more important that we do not allow the issue of Blue Suicide to slip through the cracks.

Law enforcement officers, like doctors and other first responders, are among the essential workers during this global medical crisis that has brought our country to a virtual standstill. Not only do these officers have to maintain law and order, in an already dangerous profession, they now have the added responsibility of trying to avoid getting sick themselves. For officers who are already dealing with PTSD, depression or other issues, the weight of COVID-19 can push someone on the edge to their breaking point. This is why it is so important to keep the lines of communication open regarding the issue of Blue Suicide.

Statistically, police officers are at a higher risk of suicide than any other profession. So much so, that the number of officers who have died by suicide is greater than those who have been killed in the line of duty. According to the Addiction Center website, 13 out of every 100,000 people die by suicide in the general population. Yet, this statistic increases to 17 out of 100,000 people for police officers. In fact, some prevention advocates believe that the statistics don’t accurately reflect the true number of suicides due to some families choosing not to report the cause of death as suicide and simply stating that the death was ‘accidental.’

Yet, COVID-19 has created an unprecedented situation for those officers who are considering suicide. Not only has it added increased stress to an already stressful job, but along with the stay-at-home orders they find themselves feeling even more isolated. An officer who is struggling with depression, or other issues, does not need to feel even more alone with their dark thoughts. So, if you have a colleague that is struggling to cope during the pandemic don’t be afraid to reach out to them. If you are an officer who is struggling to hold it together during the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t feel that you are alone. Many people, particularly in law enforcement, don’t want to reach out for help because they believe that it makes them look weak. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Just because you are a first responder doesn’t mean that you have to pretend to be Superman or Wonder Woman. Hell, even Superman and Wonder Woman had the Justice League to help them when they were in trouble. So, no matter how rough the world seems now with COVID-19 things can, and will, get better. Remember, that your brothers and sisters in blue will always be there to help you. All you have to do is reach out for assistance. If you are currently in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or feel free to speak to your fellow first responders at Moment of Silence Inc.: http://momentofsilenceinc.org/?fbclid=IwAR3iykXsx1Ai4BqYwtyKcvCXYy7enVK4jg0chngVmw3cMrqgBrkQDgIXn-k

Reopening America: the economy and health crisis

Reopening America requires a balance of economic & health needs

 By: Robert Foreman

The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially shut the American economy down and put the majority of us on what amounts to ‘house arrest’. The stay-at-home restrictions that have been put in place were designed to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. While those measures appear to be working, to some degree, the unintended consequence is that millions of Americans are losing their jobs and numerous small businesses are being forced to shut their doors forever. It has become obvious that the economy can’t stay on pause forever because that will just amount to a self-inflicted recession.

Presently, over 26 million Americans have lost their jobs and have filed for unemployment benefits. While the government has begun to send out $1200.00 stimulus checks, that money is not nearly enough to help people pay for food, rent, utilities and so forth in the months ahead. Additionally, many of the people that have been laid off, or furloughed, have also lost the health benefits that came with those jobs. It’s safe to say that being without health insurance during a pandemic is not an ideal scenario.

Economists are estimating that the jobless rate is between 15% and 20%, a number that was last seen during the early stages of The Great Depression. Already, we are seeing jobless Americans around the country lining up to receive food and other additional aid. New York, California, Georgia, Florida, and Texas are among the states who have reported the highest number of jobless claims. So, it is understandable that many people are clamoring for the economy to get back on track and a sense of normalcy to return.

Yet, it cannot be forgotten that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and the United States currently has the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases in the world. True, COVID-19 is not an automatic death sentence, but it is still a health crisis that can slow the economy with people becoming sick and quarantined. So, reopening the economy has to be done with public safety in mind. While researchers scramble to find a vaccine, there are nowhere near enough COVID-19 tests to identify those who have been exposed to it. So, we can’t just swing open the doors to the economy without balancing it out with safety measures that will continue to slow the spread of the virus.

Many of the health restrictions that were put in place were done gradually as the number of cases mounted, so those restrictions should slowly be lifted as the number of cases decreases. As businesses begin to reopen they should start off with limited capacity, while maintaining health guidelines for customers and employees. If the number of new cases remains low then more restrictions should be lifted. Ideally, we would all love to go back to complete normalcy tomorrow, but that is unlikely to happen.

COVID-19 has created an unusual economic crisis for the country. On one hand, you have people that are frustrated with the restrictions, but don’t feel confident that enough has been done to keep them healthy. On the flip side, there are people who are like ‘COVID-19 be damned’, they want to go back to work, shop and get back to their lives. Ultimately, the only way to get the economy thriving again is to ensure that the American people have confidence in not only the economy, but for the health of themselves and their families. America is the greatest superpower in the world. We should be able to walk and chew gum by addressing both our economic and health needs simultaneously. We don’t have to choose between economic recovery and public health; both are equally important. 

Living with Covid-19: One officer’s private battle

Living with Covid-19: One officer’s private battle

By: Robert Foreman

 (The officer’s identity, rank and department have been kept anonymous for this article to protect the privacy of both he and his family.)

First responders, such as law enforcement officers, have been on the front-lines of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic since the beginning. Law enforcement officers have to continue to maintain the peace while also placing themselves at an even greater risk of contracting the virus. Despite the public focus on ‘essential workers’, many people have failed to remember that law enforcement officers are the definition of ‘essential’. If they fall to Covid-19 then who will maintain law and order? The following article details one officer’s harrowing battle with Covid-19 after he was diagnosed in early March.

Covid-19 symptoms & testing

“I went to sleep with a headache about 10:00 pm. It was a regular migraine between the eyes, and then about 4 or 5 in the morning it progressed. I got some chills and was sweating on and off. I thought it was just regular hot and cold chills. I was still laying down, and then I woke up and I wasn’t feeling good. So, I took my temperature. It was a 100.8 at that time. I went back to sleep and woke up again about 10 or 10:30 am with a temperature of 102,” said the officer. “I couldn’t get out of bed with my headache, and I was just sweating. I couldn’t have gone to work if I tried. I just took Tylenol. I went to sleep that night, but I wasn’t in that much pain. But I definitely took Tylenol to keep my fever down, and then my doctor prescribed that I take the Coronavirus test the next morning.”

The officer added that he, along with his other first responders, required authorization from a doctor before being allowed to take the Covid-19 test. He noted that there were separate lines for officers and firefighters who were waiting to be tested.

“For the test, they put a really skinny swap deep in your nose. It’s really uncomfortable. It’s less than three seconds, but they go in deep. It makes your eye watery. I coughed actually. After that, I went back home and didn’t take Tylenol all day because I had no fever at all. My body felt okay. I couldn’t have gone to work because you feel like you’re run down. At 10 that night I got a fever again, so I took Tylenol again. And that was the last time that I remember taking anything for my Coronavirus,” said the officer. “Since that day I haven’t had a fever. I was feeling good the next day. I just rested all day. I was tired and just had some slight chest pain. It was the same thing the following day. But after that it seemed like a second round hit me. When I would go to bed my chest felt really tight. As for my breathing, I don’t know if it was anxiety or shortness of breath, but I definitely had a lot of anxiety. I was huffing and puffing a lot when I was going to sleep.”

The feeling of death

The officer noted that it was on the fifth night of his battle with Covid-19 that he truly felt that he was going to die.

“As soon as I laid down, around 10:30 or 11, it felt like my chest was getting tighter and tighter for about a half hour. It got to the point where I had to stand up and keep taking a lot of breaths just to get some air in. It was really tight for about 25 minutes, and then it just went away. After that, I was able to lay down and I just went to sleep,” said the officer.

The pain of isolation

Like others who have been diagnosed with Covid-19, the officer has had to be quarantined from his loved ones.

“I’m isolated from my family in a room by myself. Psychologically, it’s absolutely hit me. It’s tough when you can’t hug your kid. You’re locked away and you’re eating and looking out the window, looking at a mirror. You’re isolated. And I only see my wife, with a mask on, from six feet away,” said the officer.

Ready to work again

As would be expected, the officer is eager to get back to work. He will be getting tested again and, if all goes well, he hopes to return to work within a couple of weeks. Yet, while he is eager to get back to work he also believes that the pandemic hit so fast that his department was unprepared.

“They gave us gloves and N95 masks. They disinfected all of our vehicles every day with the machines. So, I could probably say they’re trying. But a lot of departments think the same way; that it’ll never hit close to home. So, I assume it’s a lot of last-minute scrambling,” said the officer.

Advice for fellow officers

“My doctor tells me that the only way you can get it is by touching something that’s already contaminated and then touching your eyes or mouth. So, wash your hands as much as possible. Disinfect your hands as much as possible. That’s the number one cause of people getting it is through germs. When you touch something that has it, and then you touch your eyes, mouth or nose, that’s how you get it. It’s not airborne,” said the officer.

Conclusion

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the officer, as well as with everyone who has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that everyone continues to use both caution and common sense as we struggle to return to a sense of normalcy. And for our brothers and sisters in blue, we hope you continue to remain safe both on and off the job. You are definitely essential workers!

PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR CELLPHONES FROM COVID-19

Protecting yourself and your cellphones from Covid-19
By: Robert Foreman

As we all try to adjust to the new normal that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) has created, many of us our consciously trying to protect ourselves from becoming infected. This includes, continually washing our hands, using hand sanitizers, dealing with public restrictions and, in some cases, wearing protective masks and gloves. However, what tends to slip through the cracks in our protection efforts is a failure to recognize that Covid-19 can live on high-use surfaces. One surface that we all use on a daily basis is our cellphones. How often do we use our phones to text, make calls, check social media, and then touch our faces? Without proper precautions, our cellphones can be the delivery system for the very virus that we are trying to avoid.

Cellphones are constructed of glass, metal and plastics and some researchers have estimated that the virus can live on those surfaces for up to 9 days. So, if you are not thoroughly disinfecting your phone, as well as other heavy-use surfaces around your home, then you may be putting yourself at undue risk. Now, some would ask ‘Why should I worry about cleaning my phone if I’m just staying at home?’ The response to that would be ‘If you, or other people in your home, go out to the supermarket, doctor’s office, pharmacy or any other place that is deemed ‘essential’ then you are bringing the germs home and putting them on high-use surfaces, such as your cellphone.’

Of course, some people believe that by wearing protective gloves at all times that they can protect themselves from the virus. Yes, protective gloves are an excellent defense against Covid-19…if used properly. If you are wearing protective gloves and continually touching multiple surfaces, without properly disinfecting those surfaces, then you are just transmitting the virus to multiple places. And if those surfaces have not been properly disinfected then you are still potentially exposing yourself to the virus once you touch those same untreated surfaces with your bare hands. So, protective gloves are useful as long as you are disinfecting the high-use surfaces in your home and also changing the gloves on a regular basis by properly disposing of them.

For those wondering how they should properly disinfect their cellphone, Apple has offered some helpful tips. They recommend that people use Clorox wipes, or any wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol, on the devices. Of course, prior to cleaning your phone, you should always switch the phone off and unplug it if you are charging it. Additionally, Apple recommends that you use soft, lint-free lens cloths, while using warm soapy water. However, be sure to avoid getting any type of water or alcohol in the charging port or headphone jack to avoid damaging your phone.

Now, for those who think that using any cleaning solution to disinfect your phone is a good idea, think again. Avoid using products such as compressed air, bleach, hand sanitizer and Lysol sprays on your phone. Apple has stated that such abrasive materials can scratch your phone and diminish the coating. (On a side note, one of my co-workers attempted to use hand sanitizer on his face and that didn’t work out well for him; the least of which was him becoming the butt of quite a few jokes.) So, remember, use only the proper solutions to disinfect the proper surfaces. Certain materials should only be used on your skin and other materials are meant for high-use surfaces only.

Bottom line, Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives and we are all waiting to get back to some sense of normalcy. Hopefully, that will be sooner than later. However, one thing is clear. We will get through this. Americans are strong and resilient, and we always bounce back. Yet, we must all remember to do our part to stem the flow of the virus so we can get back to our normal lives. That includes, properly disinfecting high-use surfaces, such as cellphones, and adhering to the protocols set by the CDC and the stay-at-home orders that many states have put into place. Fear, panic, and conspiracy theories should be avoided at all costs. We should all be vigilant in protecting ourselves while relying on our common sense and the medical professionals. Everyone stay safe and stay healthy!

Medics: D-Day is Near and There’s A Call to Arms

Medics: D-Day is Near and There’s A Call to Arms
By Eddie Molina

As we embark as a nation towards a journey into dark, uncharted waters, many issues remain unresolved and questions still go unanswered.

When will this be over?

How do I know what to do?

Are we ever going to get through this?

Those answers will remain unknown. What has been answered thus far is- are there enough medical resources? No, there isn’t. Personal protective equipment, ventilators, N95 masks, test kits all run low and there’s virtually nothing law enforcement can do about it.

Wendy Gillette, news anchor, prepares for broadcast at an eerily quiet Times Square- the epicenter of the Coronavirus.

But there is one thing that can be done about the situation. On April 3rd, Mayor DeBlasio delivered a press conference and put out a call to arms for medics everywhere to get involved in this pandemic. For all former and current medical staffers whose services are not being utilized or are under- utilized, you can volunteer and head towards the New York Metro area. Every hospital is about to hit its apex and the resources will be strained to its limits, likely exceeded them.

The New York City area has always been viewed by the international community as being one of the most dynamic cultural hotspots in the world. Many of us are local residents to New York City and sometimes we take it for granted.  But there’s not a single person in any developed country that doesn’t know where Times Square is- and right now she is in trouble.

Many of you law enforcement officers have spent time in the military or know officers that have. And for those that have spent time in the Army I’m sure you know a few 68 Whiskeys, or combat medics, that are now out of the business. Start there. Ask them to dust off their medical skills and head to the epicenter of the Coronavirus- as any true Soldier would.

If you are the medical professional, this is your D-Day. This is the critical battle of the war where we can turn the tide and start winning this thing.

Mel Gibson as William Wallace in Braveheart put taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity perfectly in his speech to his Soldiers, “And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom.”

That is where we are right now- today. If you’re a medical professional that fits this bill, now is your chance to fight back. Now is your chance to define your passion and join the crusade towards victory. Our history is filled with heroes who stepped up but not with anyone that backed away.  Show the world and even yourself that you have the courage to fight and stop saying to yourself this is someone else’s problem. This is a human problem, an American problem, our problem.

Do your part whether it’s spreading the word or gearing up and volunteering. Just do your part. And together we can storm the beach, overcome the enemy, save lives and put an end to this pandemic.

For more information on how you can help, go to NYC.gov or covid19.nj.gov

Michele Hendershot offers helpful tips for homeowners

Michele Hendershot offers helpful tips for homeowners
By: Robert Foreman

As businesses around the nation are shuttering due to quarantines, millions of Americans are facing an uncertain future with a struggling economy. This is especially true for those who have been laid off from their jobs and are wondering how they will pay their bills, including their mortgage. Michele Hendershot of Homebridge understands these concerns and she is offering helpful tips for homeowners trying to navigate these turbulent times.

“I just wanted to give a little insight on what’s happening with the market right now. I know you probably hear a ton of things about getting money back; about being able to get zero percent interest rates. I’m here to tell you that most of the stuff that you’re reading on the internet is probably 5 percent true,” said Hendershot. “The zero percent interest rates, which are actually the negative rates that are out there now, are actually being used for short period debt like car loans and credit card debt. Because everybody is so afraid that people aren’t going to pay anything.”

Hendershot added that within the last two weeks things have started to come to a head in regards to loans. She noted that lenders were able to do loans for people who had foreclosures within the last two years, or had credit scores of 550 or 580. Yet, the shutdown of the economy has forced credit scores to be raised to 600 or 640, jumbo loans are now few and far between and the PBA loans are, temporarily, being cut.

Hendershot stressed that with interest rates being low, that now might be the right time for some people to refinance and save some money and pay off credit cards. However, she warns people to be careful before rushing to make a decision to refinance.

“My last point to touch on is the mortgage relief that the media loves to talk about. Yes, actually all of the companies out there are honoring it, but they’re not honoring it a way that you would think. So, when they say that they have 3 months, or 90 days, forgiveness for the payments please ask the questions and read the paperwork,” said Hendershot. “Because these loans that they’re doing, yes they’re going to forgive it for 90 days, but guess what? No one is just going to pay it. The lenders themselves are fronting the money. So, what’s going to happen, depending on the lender, will be that you’ll either have to pay the 3 months upfront. Or have that money, with interest, rolled into your loan payments for a year and that’s going to make your payment even higher.”

Hendershot advises people to do their best to keep their payments up, if possible. She added that people are welcome to reach out to her for advice and possible assistance.

“If you have any questions about what the market is doing and what you can qualify for, what you can’t qualify for, I’m here for you. Call me. Maybe I can help you. If you did a refinance, you’d have two months off to save some money. But I’m not going to do a refinance or anything if it doesn’t make sense,” said Hendershot. “But before you don’t make that payment, or before you don’t want to be on the phone with your current lender for 4 or 5 hours and then just get crazy about it, call me. I’m literally here 24/7 to help you guys get through this and to answer any questions. I am your biggest supporter and happy to be part of your team. And I hope that when the dust settles, and we get through this, I hope to be able to come out and see you guys more often. So, please, give me a call with any questions at (973) 464-7119. Stay safe.”

Michele Hendershot, a New Jersey native with over a decade in the mortgage industry, specializes in first-time homebuyer and 203(k) renovation loans. She is active within the law enforcement community and often attends PBA meetings and fundraisers.

Coronavirus; are we mentally prepared?

Coronavirus; are we mentally prepared?

Lt. Patrick J Ciser (ret.)

I’m not an expert in the medical field, however, as an old-time street cop I look at many things the same as you do. “Just the facts Ma’am” and forget the hype. I’ve seen two other coronaviruses come and go, such as SARS, (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS, (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Now while this new strain called COVID-19, (Coronavirus Disease 2019) also attacks the respiratory system, there are some interesting differences.

COVID-19 is much more contagious than SARS was, however, it doesn’t seem to have the high mortality rate that SARS had back in 2003. It took SARS about eight months to infect about 8000 people, whereas COVID-19 infected about 100,000 in the first 10 weeks. SARS’ mortality rate was roughly, 9.6% of those infected, COVID-19 is much lower at about 2.3% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, according to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, 80% of those infected “spontaneously” recover on their own. The actual rate of death could be even lower because many infected get well without even realizing that they had COVID-19. There are now seven known coronaviruses, with four, including the common cold, being quite mild. Young people are doing particularly well with COVID-19; probably due to their strong immune systems.

In the United States we have roughly 24 million cases of flu-like illnesses annually, resulting in 180,000 hospitalizations and approximately 16,000 deaths. If it weren’t for the flu vaccine, I’m sure that the flu mortality rate would be much higher. But as cops, should we panic when a new virus comes along? Not for nothing, but I’m one of the guys who lived through the AIDS epidemic. I was pricked by a hypo in a raid of a “shooting gallery” in Paterson, (NJ) and spit at by a suspect with full-blown AIDS in Clifton. Did these things stop us from doing our job? No! TB (tuberculosis) is, unfortunately, making a comeback in America also, with most cases being brought in by illegal immigrants. And I’m sure that you all remember the Ebola scare that kind of petered out.

Countless people worldwide, I believe, will eventually contract COVID-19. But who is most at risk from dying of the flu or COVID-19? Not cops really, but healthcare workers and older people; usually with underlying health conditions. Most cops are between the ages of 21-60, and not in the age range of most people who are succumbing. It seems that people over 70 are the hardest hit. What about symptoms? Generally speaking, if you have the flu, you’ll have a fever, sore throat, coughing, aches and pains. Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, coughing, and respiratory problems; usually no aches and pains. 

I’m not going to talk about washing your hands and things like that because by now, you’ve probably heard it all. I will say this though: Try to keep a distance of six feet or more from any suspected coronavirus patient. Viral particles emitting from their mouths when they speak, cough or sneeze, seem to drop off to the ground by five or six feet out.  Because COVID-19 does well in warm environments, it’s definitely going to continue to spread well into the spring, unlike seasonal influenza. SARS came and went in 2003, and I’m sure once we have a vaccine, COVID-19 will also become a thing of the past.

Bottom line; cops are survivors! With all of the clear and present dangers inherent to law enforcement, we still put on the badge and go to work every day; it’s what we do.

I’ll close now by telling you my secret to fight off any infection.

WATER FASTING!! Having a strong immune system is the best thing you can do for yourselves during this period, as there is no vaccine yet available. Experts on this subject claim, and I believe them, that a 72-hour starvation period kills off old white blood cells and even cancer cells. Once you reintroduce food after your fast, your body makes brand new white blood cells which gives you a recharged immune system. I took care of my daughter last year through a cold, and later the flu, and I never got sick. Personally, I like to fast for 96 hours once a year, just to make sure. Eat until 5 p.m. on Sunday, for instance, then start eating again on Wednesday (72 hours) or Thursday (96 hours) at 5 p.m. Drink water, black coffee and tea throughout the fasting period. Also take magnesium and a little salt in a couple of ounces of water each day. It’s not as hard as it sounds as you eventually become disinterested in food. On day three I was actually shopping at Costco and it didn’t bother me in the least.  Search YouTube for Dr. Valter Longo for additional information.

Cops Answer The Call, Always Have, Always Will

Cops Answer The Call, Always Have, Always Will
By: Chris Amos

It was Spring of 1989. It was hot. It was humid. It was miserable. By this time I had been on the Norfolk Police Department for two years.  On this day, I was one of about 200 officers detailed to Greekfest. The weekend event was, as best I could tell, a kind of spring break that targeted several historical African American Colleges. Meaning thousands of college students converged on the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Norfolk State University hosted a well-attended step dance contest.  

Our event went off without a hitch. We returned to the station for a quick debrief and to turn in our gear before heading for home, exhausted. For some reason no one collected the radios and keys we were assigned for our detail. And to my surprise no one told us we could go home. And so, for an hour we all just hung out. Our time of relaxing ended when the Chief arrived. He told us the Virginia Beach Police Department had requested our assistance. We had five minutes to call whoever we needed to call and tell them we would be late getting home. We then squeezed four or five officers into each of about 30 police cars, marked and unmarked. Over my career I have seen too many funeral processions for officers killed in the line of duty but this was different, much different. We were not a solemn procession traveling at 35 of 40 MPH. We were speeding freight train, 30 cars strong, traveling 65, 70, maybe 75 MPH, lights flashing and sirens wailing.  

As we neared the oceanfront, residents came out of their homes from a neighborhood adjacent to the oceanfront. They were waving, clapping, and hollering. As a relatively new cop I was a little shocked by the warm reception. Once on scene, we were led into a large room. A supervisor from the Virginia Beach Police Department began to brief us. He started by telling us an officer from their mounted patrol had just moments earlier been shot. We would find out later the officer hadn’t been shot but someone had thrown a brick striking his horse, which sent both the horse and officer to the ground. The briefing went something like this. “We are on the verge of losing control of much of the oceanfront. A State of Emergency has been declared. Anyone on the street is subject to arrest. There have been reports of shots fired up and down the oceanfront and multiple businesses have been looted. We have working car fires that our fire department cannot safely respond to. Thank you for coming, we can use all the help we can get.” 

Without getting into too much detail, I can tell you the next six hours was unlike anything I had ever experienced, before or since. Keep in mind, I found myself on the same streets that just a few years earlier I had “cruised” with my buddies from high school. Those very streets now looked like something you would see on the news from a third-world country. Fires, broken glass, fire extinguishers being thrown at us from hotel balconies 7, 8, 9 stories high. When all the smoke cleared, we discovered the ringleaders to, and most of those involved in the Greekfest riot of 1989 were locals. Many of the out-of-town college students were holed up in their respective hotel rooms, terrified.      

From that very night until the day I retired, 25 years later, I was one of the officers that answered a neighboring police department’s call for help. T-shirts were printed up that pictured drawings of officers from VBPD, NPD, and Virginia State Police. In the background was a picture of total chaos. Underneath the officers were the words “It’s a Blue Thing, You Wouldn’t Understand.” You know what? Unless you put on a badge and strap on a gun every day or night before heading out the door, you wouldn’t understand. Thirty-one years later, I can still tell you who was on my right and left during much of that night.  

Friends, the Greekfest Riot of 1989 is small potatoes compared to what you are facing. You are, right now, standing in the gap for all of us. You do not have the luxury of calling in sick or to work from the safety of your home. No, you are on the front lines and while it may mean very little right now. I promise you in time, you will be able to look back and proudly say, “Where was I during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020? I was on the front lines. I was serving, protecting, reassuring, comforting, and yes, maintaining law and order.”

Many are fearful of this unseen, undetectable, at times deadly virus. They live in fear not knowing if the next doorknob they touch or shopping cart they push is going to be infected. All I can say is welcome to the world of our nation’s 800,000+ law enforcement and corrections officers. You have chosen a career of both seen and unseen threats that at any second could cost you your life. Long after the Coronavirus is gone, and folks stop hoarding toilet paper, you will still be walking into dark alleys, approaching suspicious vehicles, knocking on closed doors, not knowing what waits on the other side. Friends, you are all heroes in my book. And I didn’t need a pandemic to realize that.

Take care, God Bless, and see you at the finish line!  

Protecting Seniors: What's the Right path?

Protecting Seniors: What’s the Right Path?
By: Lt. Patrick J. Ciser (Ret.)

Let me ask a question: What happens after every mass shooting in America takes place? Being a school, movie theater, nightclub, or wherever, the liberal politicians and media go crazy screaming for gun control. Facts go right out the window when they insist that we take all guns away from the American people. Hell, there’s even a movement to disarm the police! What insanity, right? But what do supporters of the second amendment, like me, have to say? Don’t take guns away from law-abiding people that simply want to defend themselves and their families, but get guns out of the hands of criminals. Austere penalties, including years behind bars for felons using guns, would go a long way in accomplishing that goal.

This article, however, is not about the second amendment; it’s about overkill!

Enter the world’s 7th known coronavirus, COVID-19, aka, SARS-COV-2. When the first day of the first wave of restrictions came out, I wrote on social media that I thought we were attacking the problem backwards! The biggest reason for this is that this particular virus, by all accounts, spares the youngest among us (approximately 50% of swine flu H1N1 victims in 2009 were between 0-24 years of age). Think about it. Why close all schools and businesses and bankrupt the country when we simply have to look out for the oldest and most vulnerable, rather than the entire population?

Most people that are 65 and up are retired anyway, so keeping most of them home under quarantine would make the most sense. People of all ages can make their own decisions about whether they’d like to venture out or not, with no government control. If older people live with younger family members, perhaps they could block off a certain section of the house for themselves. Millions of retired folks live either alone or with their spouse in senior housing, senior communities, or even nursing homes. Our government, currently paying out trillions throughout this ordeal, could rent entire hotels throughout the country for a couple of months and have many seniors with nowhere to go stay there rent free for 30 or 60 days. Many supermarkets recently came up with the idea of opening in the morning, usually 7-8 a.m. exclusively for seniors. Night crews can sanitize shopping cart handles and certain areas of the store before the seniors arrive. This affords the seniors a feeling of freedom, and gets them out of the house or hotel for a while. Others with pre-existing conditions can also take it upon themselves to self-quarantine, and perhaps be eligible for a hotel room, if they fit certain criteria.

Protecting our seniors shouldn’t be just against the virus. Who’s protecting them from bankruptcy and their 401(k)s from hitting rock bottom? Who’s saving Mom and Pop’s store whose livelihood depends on their business? Who’s paying into social security while the country is shut down? When this is over, will those looking forward to retirement actually be able to retire, or did we kill their dreams? If people lose too much, will they become suicidal? There were many suicides when the stock market crashed in 1929. Additionally, the biggest driver of that crash was panic! Everyone tried to withdraw all of their savings from their banks at the same time, due to fear and hysteria.

From April 2009 to April 2010, 60.8 million Americans contracted the H1N1 swine flu, remember? Most people don’t. This led to 274,000 hospitalizations and killed roughly 12,500 people. Many young people, in the millions perhaps, would contract COVID-19 under my plan, and they then would be immune and no longer able to transmit it to their parents and grandparents. ALL pandemics “run their course,” even with the Spanish flu of 1918 (which didn’t actually come from Spain, by the way), and eventually petered out without a vaccine.

As a society, I believe that we simply have to build immunity to it. We’ve seen so many diseases come and go through history, such as avian flu H2N2, SARS, swine flu H1N1, MERS, and now COVID-19. So why all of the panic? Is it a sign of our times? First World can’t handle Third World problems? Could it be political? The way the liberal media has hyped this virus only caused absolute panic (and no toilet paper!), and is extremely irresponsible at best, and frankly, quite reckless.

Initially, we thought that the mortality rate for COVID-19 was between 2.4 -3.4%. However, the more people that are tested, the more that number will decrease; about 1.3% in the U.S., as of today. What if our estimates are wrong because of our lack of testing, and a million people in the United States already had and got over the virus? Many young people anecdotally reportedly were infected and thought that they simply had a cold. In a typical year, 30 million people in the U.S. of all ages contract the flu. In the 2017-2018 flu season, 61,000 people died from this persistent virus; this is typical of every year! We should expect COVID-19 to come and go.

When it comes to pandemics, it seems like the science of estimating the mortality rate isn’t much better than our crystal ball for hurricanes and snowstorms. When MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) hit the Middle East in 2012, we were told that it would come here big time! It didn’t arrive in the states until 2014, and it was only a blimp on the radar. Ebola was another scare that never really materialized to the degree that we were told.

Putting life (and death) into perspective: there are probably 50 things out there that could kill us, now there are 51.

Preventable deaths in the United States: #1 Smoking, 480,000 per year. #2 Obesity, 300,000 per year. Take care of yourself, get some exercise, eat some fruits and vegetables, and throw that pack of cigarettes away.