Lou Dobbs will not be silenced! Lou Dobbs 3 hour radio program via live satellite.
Launching March 3, 2008
Monday – Friday, 3-6pm ET.
February 20, 2008
Police Investigate Theft of $100,000 From Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
SAN DIEGO — Police are investigating the theft of as much as $100,000 from the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, police said.
A former employee is the chief suspect, and the chamber’s executive director is leaving after board members said the organization is insolvent and beset by management problems.
But police would not say if the executive director, Linda Caballero-Sotelo, is the suspect.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Caballero-Sotelo has claimed thousands of dollars in commission payments that may have fallen outside of her contract.
The organization’s longtime treasurer has resigned, and said the agency was “technically insolvent.
“Chairman of the board Joseph Casas told the newspaper that the agency has tightened financial policies and will seek prosecution of an unnamed former employee.The chamber provides business networking and other assistance to Latino-owned businesses, and has in past years sponsored an annual mariachi music festival at the Del Mar fairgrounds as a fundraiser.
Immigration Commentators Pushing Hate?
The answer is yes…but not in the fashion that the article implies. By news agencies such as this article in the Houston Chronicle, they are promoting a hated for the certain anti-illegal alien organizations, and for all American’s who dare speak up against illegal immigration and for secured borders.
http://blogs.chron.com/immigration/archives/2008/02/immigration_exp.html
Immigration commentators pushing hate?
As the temperature of the immigration debate keeps rising, a growing chorus of people want to cool the harsh rhetoric inflaming this contentious issue. As part of this call for a more sedate debate, some groups are calling on major cable TV networks to carefully vet immigration commentators appearing on their programs. Their reason? Some of these experts and spokespeople have ties to vigilante and hate groups, they say. They are using the cover of organizations such as the Minuteman Project and NumbersUSA to propagate hate and xenophobia. The National Council of La Raza recently launched a Web site to out hate groups and vigilantes stoking the immigration debate. The Web site also calls out news media — CNN anchor Lou Dobbs is the prime target — that help fuel the hate. The site says Dobbs “has turned what was once a show devoted to covering business in America into a nightly harangue against immigrants and immigration.” It goes on to say:
[Dobbs] refers frequently to illegal aliens from Mexico into the United States as the “invasion” and as an “army of invaders” (Lou Dobbs Tonight transcript, 3/31/06). One of his reporters referred to a visit from Mexico’s then-President Vicente Fox as a “Mexican military incursion.”
La Raza’s campaign also focuses on what it describes as “suspect spokespeople.” People like Dan Stein, president of Federation for American Immigration Reform. Southern Poverty Law Center’s Mark Potok said Stein shouldn’t be taken as a serious commentator. Stein, Potok says on the Web site, has defended taking money from white supremacy organizations. FAIR, however, says its goal is to “improve border security, to stop illegal immigration, and to promote immigration levels consistent with the national interest — more traditional rates of about 300,000 a year.” It boasts 250,000 members and supporters who range from liberal to conservative. But La Raza isn’t the only one on the halt-the-hate bandwagon. The American Jewish Committee made the same plea in a recent letter to network news leaders. An excerpt from an AJC press release about the letter:
AJC pointed out specifically that Lou Dobbs Tonight, The O’Reilly Factor, and MSNBC News Live offer national platforms to spokespeople who represent known vigilante or hate-promoting groups. … They regularly appear on news programs as anti-immigration “expert commentators” and pundits. “Rarely is their status as a representative of a vigilante group or one that promotes hate acknowledged or challenged. Rarely do they face anyone with an opposing viewpoint,” said Sinensky. In addition, the AJC letter noted that spokespeople espousing vigilantism and fear regularly appear on nightly news programs. They often speak in code, calling immigrants “criminals,” “an army of invaders,” and “diseased”; and children born to immigrants are referred to as “anchor babies.” Many talk show hosts and commentators parrot this hate speech on their broadcasts.
Three Suspected Hate Crimes In West Valley, One In Glendale
There has been a large increase in Hate crimes since the NCLR began their “Hate Speech” attack on American’s. One can only wonder if there is not some connection to this all.
Three suspected hate crimes occurred in 14 hours in the West Valley, including an incident in which someone dropped a Molotov cocktail at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, officials said today.The Molotov attack occurred about 2 a.m. Monday at the rear of the campus in the 22600 block of Vanowen Street, and no suspects have been arrested, police said.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa condemned the attack.
It is “a poignant and sad reminder that racism, anti-Semitism and prejudice still exist in our society,” he said in a prepared statement. “In a city defined by unparalleled diversity, hate crimes of any kind will not be tolerated and this incident will not go unanswered.”
The Jewish Federation, which owns and operates the facility, “will continue to be vigilant in protecting all visitors to the campus,” the federation’s Deborah Dragon said in a statement.
The Milken campus is funded in large part by the Jewish Federation and operated by the Federation’s Valley Alliance. John Fishel, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said his agency is very concerned about the attack. “We take this type of thing very seriously,” Fishel said. “Our major concern is for the safety and the security of those who work and frequent the center.”
The incident was among several reported between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday. Police said a Molotov cocktail also was thrown at someone’s home and a hate-filled phone call to a large retail store was placed in West Hills.
“We feel that the retail store incident is most likely unrelated, however it is appropriate to advise the Jewish community of all of the incidents for the sake of increased vigilance and accurate reporting,” according to a bulletin released Tuesday by the LAPD West Valley Division.
In January, graffiti displaying swastikas and anti-Semitic remarks were painted on walls in Tarzana, prompting city officials to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to arrests of suspects in that case.
Also Monday in Glendale, someone spray-painted a Turkish flag on the wall of an Armenian church at St. Peter’s Armenian Church, 632 W. Stocker St.
Turkey is the target of anger among many Armenians who are fighting to get that country to officially recognize the killings during World War I of as many as 1 1/2 million Armenians as a genocide.
Anyone with information on Monday’s incidents in the West Valley can call the LAPD at 818-374-7630 or 818-374-7611.
On the Glendale incident, call 818-548-4840, or Crime Stoppers at 818-507-STOP.
California Wilfire Victims Still Waiting On FEMA Homes
Before Christmas FEMA promised residents of California affected by the Wildfires a place to live. It seems Santa skipped them this year.
Why? Because the California terrain and FEMA rules wouldn’t allow FEMA to move the homes to the building sites. Of course this could be because FEMA is trying to move 60 foot, three-bedroom double wide houses onto the properties. Homes that are to large to be run off generators and solar-panels and must be hooked into power grids.
It is a far cry better then the toxic 15 foot travel trailers that they delivered in New Orleans after Katrina. But it is yet another FEMA blunder for the poorly prepared government agency.
With so many low cost, shell package house plans available. It would seem that FEMA could come up with a reliable source of housing that suits any family just getting back on their feet.
Pioneer logic lacks in the modern day Government agency it seems. Our ancestors knew to build small to get inside from the elements, put a roof over their heads and floor under their feet, and build it in a fashion that they could add on to as they could afford to.
Perhaps one day FEMA will catch on and build a small two story/one-story cabin style home that is quick to assemble and affordable. But don’t hold your breath for that day to come.
USDA In Hot Water Over Massive Beef Recall
Harsh words and unnerving facts were shared by Federal Lawmakers and Watchdog Groups Monday for the U.S.D.A. The recent recall order of 143 million pounds of beef has finally woke up some to the lack of food safety that really does reside in this nation.
The recall came after an undercover Humane Society worker captured video showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts, shocked with batons, and having other forms of what could not be called anything less then torture, went public.
Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. A Chino-based southern California slaughterhouse recalled meats dating back two years since February 1, 2006.
Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Chairwoman of the House Agriculture, FDA Appropriations Subcommittee, stated she felt the video inhumane and that it “demonstrated just how far our food safety system has collapsed.”
DeLauro, D-Conn, requested an independent investigation into the government’s ability regarding safety of meat in nation’s schools since Westland was a major supplier of beef in the National School Lunch Program. DeLauro also requested Undersecretary Dick Raymond to gather a list of schools that might have received the recalled meat, as well as an explanation of other locations where the meat might have been sold commercially, and if it was mixed with any beef from other processor plants. She is also inquiring to the agencies addressing of staff shortages among slaugherhouse inspectors. An issue that was raised by several food safety experts and watchdog groups.
In fact the lack of inspectors is a very serious concern. Based on district anywhere from 7 percent to 21 percent of the positions have been left vacant by the USDA, according to a statement made by Felicia Nestor, senior policy analysis with Washington D.C. based Food and Water Watch.
Keith Williams, USDA spokesman denied the claim, stating they had no shortage of inspectors, and that the recall was done not for safety reason but to revoke the USDA seal of inspection for the meat processed at that plant. What he failed to address is how it took an undercover civilian to capture what the USDA failed to recognize.
What makes this most unnerving is that the meat was up to two years old and had mostly been already consumed. If there is that great of lack of monitoring of the food supply in this country. Imagine what serious heath risks could be lurking just around the corner, and be able to slip in without anyone catching it for years.
Hate Crime Legislation Revived After Student Shooting
EL MONTE – The shooting death of a 15-year-old gay student last week in Oxnard has prompted Assemblyman Mike Eng to revive anti-hate-crime legislation.
Lawrence King was an eighth-grader at E.O. Green Junior High School and was teased because he dressed like a woman. He was shot and killed last Tuesday, and prosecutors charged a classmate, 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, with premeditated murder.
On Monday, the El Monte Democrat unveiled a plan that would require tolerance classes as part of the public-school curriculum. The bill would provide training for teachers, administrators and parents so they could identify “symptoms of hate.”
“When there’s a death, it makes you realize this could have been prevented,” Eng said. “Our legislation will develop a new curriculum that teaches tolerance, offers training to teachers, and will have programs that reach out to parents.”
Critics of similar legislation say that these bills provide nothing more than “flowery language.”
There is legislation that currently protects the equal rights of students. Senate Bill 777, introduced by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles, amended the education code and prohibits gender bias against gay, lesbian or bisexual students.
Supporters of Eng’s proposal said administrators have a responsibility to protect children such as King.
“We think that it is mandatory to teach kids about intolerance,” said Adele Andrade-Stadler, president of the Alhambra Unified School District.
Eng introduced a resolution in 2007 designed to strengthen the ability of federal, state and local government to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
He also proposed bills that would have offered tolerance training in diversity, race, ethnic background and sexual preference. The governor vetoed those bills, Eng said.
“I was shocked when I heard about Larry King,” Eng said. “I thought if our legislation would have been enacted, perhaps there would have been a different result.”
Victim’s Family Sues Church That Sheltered Killer
NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Even in a house of God, Marie Sabe wasn’t safe.It was a Monday, just a regular day at work. She was wandering peacefully back to her office when Bobby Miranda surprised her.
She was tall and pretty; an earthy, healthy blonde working for a Christian record label renting space at First Assembly Church of God.
He was a convicted murderer, robber and rapist, seeking refuge at the church after earning parole a little more than a year earlier.
She knew the big man with the tattoo on his face, and had even loaned him money a few weeks earlier. He flashed the cash, then pushed her into his room.
“I want to show you something,” he growled, according to court testimony. “Be quiet.”
He produced a dirty, 4-inch kitchen knife. Over and over, he plunged it into her chest.
“I screamed for help,” Sabe later testified. “I screamed my boss’s name and I was beaten and stabbed and slashed practically to death.”
It’s been a year since the savage attack. Sabe is now dead, Miranda is in prison and Sabe’s family has filed a civil suit for negligence against the church and its pastors for failing to notify her that there was a killer living on the grounds.
Although she lost half her blood and the knife punctured her lung, Sabe’s attack on Jan. 22, 2007, attracted little attention at the time. The Los Angeles Police Department didn’t issue a press release, and the District Attorney’s Office didn’t herald Miranda’s arrest and prosecution on an attempted murder charge.
“It’s the ultimate story of, `No good deed goes unpunished,”‘ said Ron Berman, her attorney. “She lends him $11, he stabs her 12 times.”
Miranda, 52, took a plea deal on the lesser charge of assault with a deadly weapon the day before his criminal trial was set to begin last October. With two previous strikes against him, he’s now in Wasco State Prison and could spend the rest of his life locked up.
But Sabe could only enjoy a small feeling of justice with Miranda’s sentence. After 36 years of a healthy lifestyle, she’d contracted skin cancer. Her family believes her immune system, compromised after the nearly fatal stabbing, shut down. She died Oct. 24.
In November, her family sued the church and its pastors, accusing them of negligence for not informing Sabe and others who worked nearby that there was a convicted sex offender in their midst.
The lawsuit’s still in the early stages, but Sabe’s relatives hope it will help commemorate her life and prevent similar deaths.
“She was a light and he put it out,” said Deborah Rowden, Sabe’s mother. “Since January of last year, she’s been swept under a rug. She deserves better than that.”
The church did not respond to several requests for comment through its lawyer, Paul deLorimier. Given religious organizations’ history of helping ex-cons get back on their feet, however, the case presents an interesting legal question.
“You could say, `We have a charitable institution and if we impose these restrictions, they won’t provide these services and these people will be out on the street,”‘ said Greg Keating, a University of Southern California law professor.
“The counterargument is, `Why is the cost on the woman? Why does she have to be killed?”‘
In a January case with some similarity, a jury awarded $12million to the family of Sharon Santos, allegedly killed by the maintenance man at her Burbank apartment building.
The jury found that the owner and manager, Villa Apartments L.P. and Francis Property Management Inc., should have screened the man’s prior criminal background before hiring him and giving him access to apartments.
But Sabe’s stabbing was different, her family’s lawyers noted, because the church already knew Miranda had an extensive history of serious violence.
Miranda’s criminal career began as a teenager with a brutal shotgun murder in 1975, said Bill McCord, who’s also representing the family.
He eventually was paroled, and in 1983 broke into someone’s home and raped a girl who was younger than 14, according to prison records and the state’s Megan’s Law database of sex offenders.
A judge sentenced him to 43 years in prison, but he was paroled a second time in December 2005.
“There’s a conflict of laudable objectives,” McCord said. “You can’t fault the folks at the church for wanting to rehabilitate and save a soul. On the other hand, they have a responsibility to innocents in the zone of harm: they have to make sure they’re not injured.”
As her health slipped away, Sabe took a unique perspective. While she suffered and felt her body wither, she told her fiance, Carl Barnard, that she was glad Miranda picked her instead of a parishioner or one of the kids running around the church grounds.
“Thank God it was me,” Barnard remembered her saying. “If he’d stabbed one of those little girls, she’d have died.”
Former Teacher Sentenced In Sex Cases
Teacher/Student Sexual relations seem to be on the rise. Numerous cases already have come out this year of other teachers around the U.S. engaging in sexual acts with students. One can only wonder if this is the new way the school educational system is going, and more so, why there is not more care and screening being done to learn who or what is teaching children. Many schools are no longer allowing parents into classrooms, but perhaps it is time America rethinks that policy and opens the doors to parents once again. Someone has to get order back in U.S. schools.
azfamily (FULL STORY)
LAURENS, S.C. (AP) — A former middle school teacher was sent to prison for six years Tuesday for having sexual encounters with five teenage boys. Authorities said Allenna Ward, 24, met 14- and 15-year-old boys at the school where she taught as well as at a motel, a park and behind a restaurant.
“I apologize from the depths of my heart,” Ward said in court.
Police began investigating last year after school officials found a note believed to have been written by Ward to one of the boys. Some of the victims were students at Bell Street Middle School in Clinton, where Ward taught. She was fired about a year ago.
February 19, 2008
Defense Contractor Gets 12 Years For Bribery
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A defense contractor was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Tuesday for bribing former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham with cash, trips, the services of prostitutes and other gifts in exchange for nearly $90 million in Pentagon work.
Brent Wilkes was labeled “a predatory wolf (in) self-styled patriot’s clothing” and a “poster boy for war profiteering” by prosecutor Phillip Halpern. U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said he was troubled that Wilkes continued to maintain his innocence.
“If you were to do the right thing about this, today is the day to own up,” Burns told Wilkes at the sentencing hearing.
“You have no sense of contrition,” the judge added. “You had this corrupt relationship with the congressman and you profited from it.”
I don’t know why the judge seems so shocked. Everything is about fast and easy cash now a days, and in D.C. the greenback blinders are required attire.
Wilkes, 53, was convicted in November on 13 counts of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud.
Prosecutors argued during a three-week trial that Wilkes lavished Cunningham with more than $700,000 in perks, including cash, submachine gun shooting lessons and the services of prostitutes. In return, they said, Cunningham helped Wilkes secure $87 million in Pentagon contracts, mainly for scanning paper documents.
Wilkes’ attorney asked for a sentence less than the eight years and four months Cunningham received. Prosecutors asked for a “significantly higher punishment,” and federal probation officials had recommended 60 years.
Wilkes acknowledged no wrongdoing in a brief statement in which he asked the judge to look beyond his dealings with Cunningham.
“I am a man who cares deeply for this community, for my family, for my country,” Wilkes said.
Right, he cared so much about them he willingly screwed all three of them over.
Cunningham, an eight-term Republican congressman and Vietnam War flying ace, pleaded guilty in 2005 to accepting $2.4 million in bribes from Wilkes and others – including antiques, boats, a used Rolls-Royce and cash to pay the mortgage on his mansion.
Wilkes has insisted on his innocence since he was charged almost exactly one year ago. In eight hours on the witness stand, he testified that his transactions with Cunningham were legitimate and flatly denied bribing him or any other lawmakers.
He blamed wrongdoing on others, particularly his former employee Mitchell Wade, who in 2006 admitted giving Cunningham more than $1 million in kickbacks for about $150 million in government contracts. Wade awaits sentencing.
Neither side called on Cunningham to testify.
Authorities said Wilkes bribed Cunningham to win work for ADCS Inc., a data and document storage company he owned.
“Wilkes coldly and successfully exploited the simplemindedness of one of this country’s war heroes, now a tortured shadow of his former self,” prosecutors wrote in a pre-sentencing court filing last week. “Wilkes stands now revealed as a war profiteer, a thug, a bully, a lecherous old man who preyed on his young female staffers and hired prostitutes.”
This is just priceless, playing Cunningham as basically a Gomer Pile type being taken in by the big bad wolf. Yet it seems Cunningham made out pretty good with $2.4 million dollars, antiques, boats, rolls-royce, and got to buy a mansion on top of it. No Cunningham knew exactly what he was getting, and Wilkes knew exactly what he was doing, and both just hoped no one else would catch on to their scheme.
Wilkes and a former top CIA official, Kyle “Dusty” Foggo, were charged in a separate corruption case last year that alleged Wilkes gave Foggo meals, trips and other perks. Wilkes was also accused of promising Foggo, a childhood friend, a job upon retirement.
In that case, Wilkes and Foggo have each pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors said last week that they would drop charges against Wilkes in that case but reserved the right to indict him on the same or similar charges. The government also dropped objections to moving the case against Foggo, the CIA’s former No. 3 official, from San Diego to Virginia.
