Newsletter Text V837

Liberty In Peril

... Formerly

The Llano Ledger

Newsletter Text V837 ©2023 All Rights Reserved
August 18, 2023

Scroll Down About A Quarter Of The Way For The Latest Material:

Publisher's Note: This publication receives no financial support through advertising. Although shaken down, looted, and abused by corrupt government, area businesses remain unwilling to stand up. Locals are too gutless to donate financially, cowardly fearing retribution. For this publication to survive, national readers need to contribute. Liberty In Peril is, has been, and will always remain beholden to NO ONE. -- Precisely why there is no financial assistance. ... From day of launch and certainly a no-brainer to this very day, firmly resolved to walk away first rather than compromise principle. -- To the chagrin of many and delight of few. T.C. (5-7-13).

For new readers: Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

No matter what, no matter where, this publication will remain up and running. For it to remain centered here, however, financial and/or material support must be provided. Status quo, unsustainable. Time to step up. Now.

5-25-18

... Hey, Sheriff? Is it true Llano County Attorney Becky Lange has advised you to stay out of the "Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764" fiasco? That right, Bill? Isn't that obstruction of justice? Also true your deputies have advised the Bolens to accept the status quo and not force the no-trespassing issue with Greene? If so, isn't that also obstruction and official oppression? When will you do your job, Bill? As an elected official, you answer to the public, forget? -- No honor? ... No honor at all? If the foregoing allegations are indeed true, didn't you swear an oath to uphold the law and Constitution? Why aren't you doing so? No guts?

Your deputy has been accused of abusing authority. What action have you taken other than ignore the complaint? Why aren't both Rodriguez and the County Attorney under criminal investigation? The County Attorney appears to be obstructing justice, accepting the word of Greene in lieu of two surveyor companies who strongly assert otherwise. Both the County Attorney and District Attorney have ignored complaints. Par for the course in Llano County, isn't it? Failed to do their jobs. No surprise there, right, Bill? Both receiving 'special consideration' up to and/or including a bribe from Greene? Regardless, clearly, no justice in Nazi Llano County. Bottom line? Desperate need for an outside criminal investigation. Conveniently, forget? This County is ruled by men, certainly not rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Precisely, why there is desperate need for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, and prosecute criminal law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose only mandate would be to adjudicate such cases. Total independence. Until that happens, the criminal bastards who falsely believe they run and own this hell hole County will continue to do as they please.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril

Some salient quotes occurring later on in this edition vis a vis unfinished business County officials continue to ignore:

... "No justice. Precisely, why there is desperate need for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, and prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court that would adjudicate only these cases. Total independence. The only way to rein in these criminals, particularly the murderers in blue.

Sadly, the achingly clueless bastards in law enforcement don't need a legitimate reason to kill. Enjoy carte blanche to murder on the job. Nearly always, with impunity. ... Right, Sheriff? Sue the living shit out of the jackbooted motherf--kers, the department, and the city. Any officer engaged in, or threatening this kind of unnecessary violence needs to be criminally prosecuted. Not protected and coddled. Not put on paid leave, -- no more than a paid vacation. Not sent home without pay to catch up on his beauty sleep.

Firing is egregiously insufficient. How can the law enforcement community be trusted? No foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than the criminal jackbooted bastards in law enforcement. ... Right, Sheriff? Madam County Attorney? "Sonny Boy?"

These are extremely dangerous times for our formerly great country. ... Hear the rumble? An unwanted dreaded second American revolution catastrophically looming. -- As our legislators and other government officials figuratively 'fiddle while Rome burns.'

Not good enough. Nowhere near. Short of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution, only one way for these atrocities to end. Again, time for a new federal agency whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate such cases. Total independence.

Local and state authorities are egregiously incapable of handling these cases. Tend to protect their own. ... Right, Sheriff? Goes with the territory, doesn't it, Bill? Precisely, why there is no faith or trust in your criminal jackbooted bastards. Local authorities here in Nazi Llano County have their heads figuratively, securely lodged so far up their clueless ass their eyeballs are turning inside out. Protect and coddle your clueless, out of control officers. Imagine that.

Unadulterated, blatant ongoing horse shit. ... Right, Bill? F--k these jackbooted bastards. Aren't worth a crap. Continually abrogate their oaths of office to protect and defend the United States Constitution. ... Right, Sheriff? Includes not only deputies, but the brass as well. No principles. No honor. Lying, conniving, abusive, murderous jackbooted thieving thugs. The American Civil Liberties Union needs to step up and represent the victims of abusive law enforcement.

To say nothing of innocent civilians all across our formerly great country who are victimized by abusive police. Need far better representation than a public defender. Forget? It's how the bastards in government line government coffers. All too often, looting the innocent. Those on the bottom of the food chain. ... Right, Sheriff?

No justice. The American Way. Nazi America. When is this shit finally going to end? All of it. Wake up, Sheriff. Again, where is dashcam video of the killing of Jeffrey Gray Wise, 52, of Austin by DPS and the Llano County Sheriff's Office? Three hundred eighty two weeks, now. A goddamned disgrace.

Why are you still sitting on this information? What are you hiding, Sheriff? What is the identity of the officers who killed Wise? Too gutless to release this information to the public that pays your salary and that of your goons? Reportedly, there were three officers involved in the shooting. Who the hell are they?

When will the goddamned 'law' 'enforcement' community finally stop making excuses for engaging in outrageous criminal activity including blatant murder, violent assault, sexual assault, theft, drug trafficking, etc.? List can go on and on. Protecting its own no matter what it does or doesn't do? Convenient, isn't it, Sheriff? Again, no foreign power, no terrorist organization, not even the criminal element presents a greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than all branches and levels of government, -- including law enforcement.

Corruption within law enforcement remains an existential threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties. So what else is new? ... Right, Bill? Same old duplicitous, aggressively stupid shit occurs right here in Nazi Llano County. ... Doesn't it, Sheriff?

Think it'll change any time soon? Don't hold your breath, readers. Not how things work in Nazi America, right, Sheriff? Highly reminiscent of how your goons operate though, isn't it, Bill? Forget? 'Stupid is as stupid does.' F--ked up is f--ked up no matter where, no matter how. Problem throughout all law enforcement.

Including right here in Nazi Llano County, right, Sheriff? Too many officers clearly have their heads securely lodged where the sun seldom shines. Egregious insanity continues to be perpetrated by the criminal jackbooted bastards in blue. Ongoing issue. All over our formerly great country.

Not just in Dallas as in the Guyger case, but all over the nation. No end to it. Surprised? Why? In today's increasingly national socialist climate anything goes, right, Bill? Live in a de facto fascist police-state, quickly transitioning to the Trump nazi's Fourth Reich. Certainly, a problem here in Nazi Llano County, isn't it, Sheriff? Your goons, however, aren't held accountable when they egregiously f--k up. Ever.

Precisely why you refuse to release information on your deputies to the long-suffering public? That is, employment history, criminal background, results of drug testing, etc.. ... Got to protect your criminal jackbooted thugs preying on the citizenry with virtual impunity, right, sir?

Equally pointedly, why hasn't Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 been held criminally accountable for egregious abuse of power involving denial of property rights to a Kingsland property owner? To say nothing of consequent resultant physical damage done to a motor home on that property. Why are you protecting this clueless son of a bitch, Sheriff?

Why hasn't he been prosecuted for official oppression? Where is financial compensation for the damage this jackbooted piece of human excrement is responsible for? Ferociously pointedly, why are the District Attorney and the County Attorney continuing to protect this jackbooted piece of shit? He and others like him present an exigent threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties.

Equally to the point, why are your jackbooted pieces of human excrement refusing to enforce Berardi's property rights? Your goons have failed to take action against Theresa Ahrens when she tore down a no trespassing sign and barrier on Berardi's property. Have you, your goons, and/or Madam County Attorney been bribed by Johnny Greene?

Ahrens frequently drives all the way through Berardi's property. Coup de grace? When Berardi complained to Llano County Deputy Idle about the trespassing, the officer's response was insane. Said the Sheriff told him to tell Berardi since Ahrens believes she owns his property she can't be charged with trespassing. Perfect Catch-22, right, Sheriff? You're not fit for office, Bill. Bribed by Johnny Greene?

Why is Theresa Ahrens allowed by your goons to dictate what vehicles can and cannot be parked on Berardi's property? Ahrens claims she has proof the property belongs to her where the vehicle was parked. Has failed to produce it. Surveyors say otherwise. Back up Berardi. Yet, your jackbooted bastards refuse to enforce Berardi's property rights. Why? Somebody lining somebody's pockets, Sheriff?

Ms. Ahrens micro-mini portable 'house' is parked on an unused unmarked Llano County road. Imagine that. Madam County Attorney well-aware. Has done nothing. Shit squat. Egregiously ignored her oath of office. Someone bribing you, Becky? Lining your pockets, Counselor? Paying you not to sell the unused unmarked County road to Berardi? Doesn't the County want and need the sale money, to say nothing of the resultant tax income?

No question, County and State agencies remain determinedly, concertedly, achingly incapable of criminal investigation of their own. Precisely, why a new federal agency desperately needs to be created whose sole function would be to investigate, arrest, charge, prosecute corrupt, abusive, criminal officers, prosecutors, and judges in a special court whose sole function would be to adjudicate only such cases. Total independence. Certainly, go a long, long way to cleaning up this cess pool County. Rein in the outrageously corrupt, abusive, achingly inept, self-serving assholes who run and own this hell hole.

Sheriff, you falsely claim the Kingsland County Commissioner has the authority to resolve this ongoing property rights issue. Clearly, doesn't. You, Madam County Attorney, and "Sonny Boy" are certainly an egregious impediment, continue to determinedly stonewall. Someone's pockets are being lined. Again, where's financial compensation for the damage Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 is directly responsible for to the Pace Arrow? Why hasn't he been prosecuted for this damage, to say nothing of infringement of Berardi's property rights? -- Just getting started, Sheriff. Far more to come.

-- You're not doing your jobs, Sheriff. You've got a loose vicious dog problem in Kingsland, Bill. When will you and the troops finally do something about this ongoing issue? Certainly, a recurring problem on Skyline, particularly on occasion at the intersection of Odessa. Pedestrians, runners, and cyclists are at risk. Too busy lining County coffers with bogus tickets?"

... Hey, Sheriff? Reportedly, promote Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 to Sergeant? If true, yet another classic example of survival of the unfittest in the law enforcement community. Readers are reminded this is the very same idiot, clueless asshole responsible for thousands of dollars of damage to the Pace Arrow as reported in each edition of this publication. Far more to Kingsland property owner James Berardi in a property dispute. -- A dispute engineered by Johnny Greene, apparently financed by a bribe to the former County Attorney, current District Attorney, and Sheriff. A federal investigation of Llano County government and the aforementioned allegedly corrupt and abusive bastards in this ongoing fiasco is desperately needed. Tim Chorney.

... Small sampling of what's to come in this edition. Read on.

The following email was sent to the District Attorney:

Wiley B. "Sonny" McAfee
District Attorney
33rd and 424th Judicial Districts
Llano, TX 78643

March 9, 2018

Re: Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Counselor:

The enclosed emails were sent to the Llano County Attorney and Sheriff, respectively, vis a vis the above matter. Remain unanswered. The County Attorney appears to be protecting and defending the deputy at behest of Kingsland property owner Johnny Greene. May have received some consideration from Greene up to and including a bribe. Are the County Attorney, Greene, and the Deputy under criminal investigation? If not, why not?

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

*********************************

Rebecca Lange, Llano County Attorney
Llano County Attorney's Office
Llano, Texas 78643

February 9, 2018

Re: Berardi Property Rights Denial-Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Counselor:

As you're well aware, we have an outrageously corrupt, abusive, achingly inept Llano County Sheriff's Office here in Nazi Llano County. Worse, you and your office aid and abet these SS jackbooted bastards in black. The issue at the moment is the same it's been the last six months.

How is it two surveyor companies, the Appraisal District, the Tax Office, the Precinct 3 Commissioner, even the goddamned Sheriff himself now states Kingsland resident James Berardi owns the lots in contention all these months?

Yet, you ludicrously assert that's not the County's legal position. It's not? Why not? You claim you're not a real estate expert. Rather than accept the advice of two surveyor companies, the Precinct 3 Commissioner, the Appraisal District, the Tax Office, and even the Sheriff himself, you've inexplicably chosen to follow the advice of property owner Johnny Greene, -- who conveniently happens to be reportedly in the oil industry.

Question to be asked. Could you have received any 'consideration' in return, -- up to and including a bribe? Only way to know for sure is for the District Attorney to conduct a criminal investigation. Apparently, there has been none. If not, why not?

Equally pointedly, why hasn't Llano County Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764 been held criminally accountable for egregious abuse of power involving denial of property rights to this Kingsland property owner? To say nothing of consequent resultant physical damage done to a motor home on that property.

Our achingly useless, worthless, gutless Sheriff has ignored an email vis a vis the damage this jackbooted thug is responsible for. Interestingly, his fellow officers believe him to be an idiot. Yet, the Sheriff continued to defend this piece of human excrement until he realized this entire fiasco would not be swept under the carpet.

Rodriguez is indeed an idiot. Would you believe this piece of crap ordered the motor home to be moved on to an unmarked unused Llano County road? That motor home has indeed been moved back to where it was parked before Rodriguez forced it to be moved. Why hasn't the County paid for the cost of moving it back? To say nothing of the damage.

Equally pointedly, why is it the County has allowed Theresa Ahrens to park and live in her tiny cottage on that very same road? Why hasn't she been evicted by the County? Why was she assessed taxes on an adjacent improvement she doesn't own?

Why is it, Counselor, Johnny Greene is paying for the attorney retained by Ms. Ahrens? Is Greene attempting to make this all go away by bribery? Greene has also informed Berardi he is going to sue. For what? Has Greene lost his mind?

What about Wells who installed a $4500 septic system on a lot turns out he does not own as a result of Greene, an outrageously inept County, to say nothing of the Llano County Attorney who remains equally determinedly clueless?

How about Bolen who hasn't a pot to piss in, but was nonetheless f--ked over by Greene to say nothing of an egregiously inept County, to say nothing of you and your goddamned equally incompetent office?

None of this is going away, Counselor, -- any time soon. Will not be swept under the carpet as all the other crap going on in this hell hole County. Not a chance. Expect a full expose in this publication whether or not this outrageous fiasco finally gets resolved. Including full public exposure of both the Sheriff and his jackbooted thug.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

*******************

Bill Blackburn, Sheriff
Llano County Sheriff's Office
2001 N. State Hwy. 16 Suite A
Llano, Texas 78643

August 23, 2017

Re: Damage To Pace Arrow-Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764

Sheriff:

Archive and retain all reports vis a vis damage to the Pace Arrow resulting from egregious abuse of authority perpetrated by Deputy Leroy Rodriguez, Badge #764, on the Berardi property in Kingsland on 8-16-17.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
www.libertyinperil.com
P.O. Box 151
Buchanan Dam, Texas 78609

c. Liberty In Peril

Wake up, Sheriff. Again, where is dashcam video of the killing of Jeffrey Gray Wise, 52, of Austin by DPS and the Llano County Sheriff's Office? Three hundred eighty two weeks, now. A goddamned disgrace. Why are you still sitting on this information? What are you hiding, Sheriff? What is the identity of the officers who killed Wise? Too gutless to release this information to the public that pays your salary and that of your goons? Reportedly, there were three officers involved in the shooting.

Who are they, Sheriff? Their past history? An ongoing investigation remains a lame bullshit excuse. How can you and your goons be trusted when you refuse to disclose information? Three hundred eighty two weeks. Especially, your egregious failure to disclose the identity of the officers who pulled the trigger. To cover your sorry ass, Sheriff? Those of your thugs? The people have a right to know what happened, how it went down. You don't understand that, Sheriff? Sadly, clearly, you answer to no one. Including taxpayers. Especially, taxpayers.

Until you and your goons come clean, doubt will remain this was indeed a good shoot. The longer you drag your feet, the greater the doubt. Think not? Wake up. Your credibility has tanked. Isn't getting any better as this bullshit continues unabated. Three hundred eighty two weeks. Still no identification of the officers involved ... Can't get your stories straight? In line? Discrepancy between LCSO and DPS? Wake up, Sheriff. The public no longer buys the bullshit. No longer trusts you. On this and many, many other issues. You have no credibility. Absolutely, none.

Readers, this is but one of about four other highly questionable killings by law enforcement in Llano County in the last decade or so. There was one within the City of Llano, another in a field near Fuzzy's Corner, Buchanan Dam, yet another in Point Tella, Buchanan Dam, still another in Tow. If there are any others I may have neglected to mention, kindly email.

It's time the public be fully informed. -- Know what we're dealing with here and how 'law' 'enforcement' operates in this hell hole County. If these jackbooted bastards are not reined in, the life lost could be many others courtesy of a law enforcement system that is no longer accountable to anyone. ... Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

The Sheriff seems to have no clue the people who pay him and his goons are entitled to know whom is killing whom and why. This shit always seems to be swept under the carpet. Ignored. The attitude of these jackbooted sons of bitches is trust us. They can't be. They've lied too many times. Refuse to be accountable to anyone. We live in a goddamned fascist police-state where law enforcement does as it pleases. Usually, with impunity. This has to change.

The Texas Rangers have become rubber stamp to atrocities committed by law enforcement. This also has to change. No one is holding law enforcement accountable any longer. No one. No one in state or federal government. This is precisely why Ferguson triggered such an uproar. There was no justice there. None here. None anywhere. Officers are abusive, corrupt, inept.

Falsely ticket and arrest the innocent to line County coffers. Court fees charged continue to be horrendous. -- Aren't taxpayers already looted to pay these costs? Aren't you not only double f--king those falsely accused, but taxpayers also hellaciously looted to pay the very same costs? Yet, the criminal bastards in power in Llano continue to pile on the fees. This is nothing more than goddamned bullshit. This money finds its way into the pockets of the corrupt, abusive bastards who falsely believe they run and own this hell hole.

Would you believe the last time the Sheriff's Office happened to be 'audited' during the Garrett regime, reportedly, auditors couldn't figure out what went where and why? Yet, surprise, surprise. Nothing was done. There has to be transparency. There is none. Why would these thieving bastards want any? ... Right, Sheriff? TL? How else could they so easily steal and loot with virtual impunity? Worse, this reinforces jackbooted power in this goddamned, godforsaken hell hole County.

The public has a right to know the histories of the Sheriff's goons. Clearly, the Sheriff doesn't think so. That is, where they came from. Why they left where they were. What is happening here is the Sheriff is using 'personnel matters' as a convenient excuse to deny the public access to the history of outrageously corrupt, abusive, inept officers who are no more than criminals themselves.

He's protecting his outrageously corrupt, abusive, inept jackbooted bastards. Worse, the standards imposed by sheriff's offices statewide with the exception of metropolitan counties are well below those of DPS and city police departments. Why? So the corruption, abuse, ineptness, and outright stealing can continue unabated? This has to change. ... Can't have that, can we? Sheriff? TL?

The public should understand Llano County authorities have it all sewn up. Did you know the Texas Attorney General does not have the authority to investigate and prosecute County authorities on his own? The District Attorney has to call for an investigation by the Texas Rangers. Then, the State can prosecute if it so chooses.

Consequently? Guess what? Nothing will happen. Nothing ever does. The goddamned corruption continues unabated until you, the public, pressure authorities. Precisely, why we all enjoy the 'best' government money can buy. Literally. Without question, the corrupt, abusive, inept sons of bitches are all bought and paid for. Firmly clamped to the taxpayer tit. Dependent on money looted from innocent citizens caught in their web. Phony fines and court costs cleverly designed to f--k the innocent and enrich the pieces of shit who falsely believe they run and own Llano County. Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

Interestingly, the former Sheriff and District Attorney were reportedly forced to retire after an outrageous scandal involving a drunk driving police officer from out of town. Including special treatment of the drunken son of a bitch that no other citizen caught doing the same would have been afforded. An honest, honorable Llano County Deputy suffered the consequences. Forget? Great officers do not last in this hell hole County. ... Right, Sheriff? TL? "Sonny Boy?" Madam County Attorney?

With all ongoing abuse in this goddamned County, one thing remains for damned sure. We're just getting started, Sheriff. You will continue to be exposed for whom and what you and your corrupt, abusive, inept jackbooted bastards have become, truly are, not what you phonies purport to be, that is, how you continue to f--k over a public you've falsely sworn to protect and defend. -- Exposure, the only way short of an unwanted dreaded revolution to force desperately needed change in a goddamned fascist police-state. The Fourth Reich.

Have your jackbooted thugs been tested for steroids, Sheriff? If you've nothing to hide, Bill, release the results of all drug testing. 'Personnel matters?' Bullshit. Looted taxpayers have the right to know. They're footing the bill for all this goddamned corruption, abuse, ineptness. When will you and the boys end the shakedowns? Looting of the innocent to line County coffers? No honor at all?

Where are your swastika armbands, you fascist son of a bitch? You and your thugs remain out of uniform. Once again, Sheriff, and ad nauseum, did you and/or your goons pressure Schilling to exit the race? Did you steal the election? If so, an aggressively stupid, achingly gutless public gets what it truly deserves. One of the most corrupt, abusive, inept 'law' 'enforcement' agencies in our formerly great country.

While the business and church communities stood tall during the recent Kingsland flood catastrophe, there was one glaring exception. On 10-17-18, the Antlers Coffee Shop closed due to storm-related failure of the Kingsland water system. Patrons, however, are routinely allowed to get online outside even when the shop is closed.

A long-term coffee shop customer entered the hotel lobby to ask the desk clerk whether wifi was still up and running after the catastrophe. She said it was and told the patron he could get online inside the closed shop. She then asked him to have another regular customer who had just arrived outside to come in and get out of the cold as well.

Antlers co-proprietor Rick apparently quickly got wind of both customers, made quite a jackass of himself emulating the petulant narcissist currently occupying the Oval Office. Aggressive stupidity at a time the Kingsland business community is indeed suffering, can least afford it. Further proof positive of the old adage 'can fix ignorant, can't fix stupid.'

Why would, why should both customers put up with this? Think this hasn't happened to others?

TC 10-19-18

Newsletter Text 837
August 18, 2023

Highly reminiscent of our outrageously bought and paid for judiciary, Llano County prosecutors, Sheriff Bill Blackburn and his criminal SS jackbooted bastards in black who continue to egregiously disgrace themselves and the badge, do as they please regardless of the law and Constitution, carefully consider the following. It's appalling. Runs against the grain of everything our formerly great country once stood for. No longer.

Facial recognition policy change. ABC News(AP) reports:

"The Detroit police chief said he's setting new policies on the use of facial-recognition technology after a woman who was eight months pregnant said she was wrongly charged with robbery and carjacking in a case that was ultimately dismissed by prosecutors. The technology, which was used on images taken from gas station video, produced leads in the case but was followed by “very poor” police work, Chief James White said. “We want to ensure that nothing like this happens again," White said Wednesday. His comments came two days after the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan announced a lawsuit on behalf of Porcha Woodruff, a 32-year-old Black woman, who was arrested in February while trying to get children ready for school. There have been two similar lawsuits against Detroit. Woodruff was identified as a suspect in a January robbery and carjacking through facial-recognition technology. She denied any role. The Wayne County prosecutor's office said charges later were dropped because the victim did not appear in court. White said his officers will not be allowed "to use facial-recognition-derived images in a photographic lineup. Period.”

About time.

"He said two captains must review arrest warrants when facial technology is used in a case, among other changes. The new policies will be presented to the Detroit Police Board of Commissioners. White said there must be other evidence, outside the technology, for police to believe a suspect had the "means, ability and opportunity to commit the crime.” Critics say the technology results in a higher rate of misidentification of people of color. Woodruff’s lawsuit says facial recognition identified her, although the victim had never described the carjacker as visibly pregnant."

How about that?

"She spent hours in jail following her arrest."

Outrageous.

“It’s particularly difficult when you’re talking about someone who was eight months pregnant, so we empathize with that,” White said. "We recognize we have to do better and there will be accountability on this mistake.”

Cowardly fail to financially and/or materially support those fighting for all civil and constitutional rights and liberties at great personal cost and risk? Get what you truly deserve. Forfeiture of liberty. At the hands of outrageously corrupt and abusive government.

The abuse never ends. ABC News(AP) reports:

"Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, have launched an internal investigation after a video posted to social media appears to show an officer punching a Black man the officer mistakenly believed was involved in a hit-and-run crash. The incident is another blemish for the southeastern Wisconsin city, which endured days of protests three years ago after a white police officer shot Jacob Blake, who is Black, during a domestic disturbance. A white Illinois teenager named Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people during a night of unrest, killing two of them, an incident that became a flashpoint in the national debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice. The hit-and-run crash happened on July 20, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported this week. Police said that witnesses told them they saw two Black men and a Black woman flee toward an Applebee's restaurant. One witness said the woman was carrying a child, according to police. An Applebee's employee told officers that some “suspicious people” who may have been involved in the crash were in the restaurant and directed officers to two people, including a Black man holding a baby. The officers tried to take the baby from the man and arrest him. The man yelled that he hadn't done anything wrong and officers should let him go. The video shows that after the officers removed the baby from his arms, they threw him to the ground and an officer began punching him as he ordered the man to put his hands behind his back."

How the jackbooted bastards in blue get their cookies off.

"Officers then discovered the people responsible for the crash in the restaurant’s bathroom."

Surprised?

"Police said the man who was punched wasn't responsible for the crash but tried to leave in defiance of officers' orders and resisted them."

That justifies the abuse perpetrated by the jackbooted bastards in blue? Will these pieces of shit in uniform ever wake up?

"Lt. Joseph Nosalik, a spokesperson for the Kenosha Police Department, didn't immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press inquiring about the race of the officer who appeared to punch the man."

Not possible to credibly defend the indefensible.

"Kenosha found itself embroiled in a days-long protest in August 2020 after Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, shot Jacob Blake, who is Black, during a domestic disturbance. Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, fatally shot two men and wounded another, saying he had been attacked and fired in self-defense. A jury acquitted him of homicide and endangerment charges in November 2021. Leaders of Kenosha, a nonprofit that describes itself online as advocating for transformative and restorative justice, held a news conference Wednesday to call for charging the officers involved in the Applebee's incident. “It just doesn't seem that anyone was a voice of reason that had a uniform on,” said Tanya McLean, executive director of Leaders of Kenosha. She said officers acted out of fear, just as Sheskey did. “We don’t want to stand here and have these conversations about people being harmed when they’re simply having a meal with their family,” she said."

Do the jackbooted bastards in blue truly believe they're God? ABC News reports:

"Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, say they've launched an internal investigation into the forceful arrest of a man wrongfully suspected of fleeing a crash. The incident was caught on cell phone video inside an Applebee's restaurant. According to a criminal complaint filed against the man for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, a copy of which was obtained by ABC News affiliate WISN, Kenosha police officers were responding to reports of a rollover crash nearby where multiple people fled the scene. The officer was looking for "an African American male and African American female" with a baby who had "run toward Kohl's or Menards," the complaint says. The woman was described as wearing a red shirt with a bun on top of her head. Jennifer Harris, the manager at a nearby Applebee's who was on duty at the time, says the police initially went into the restaurant asking employees if they had seen any individuals that matched that description, but an employee said they hadn't. Minutes later, another employee spotted two individuals with a baby that seemed to match the description and she called the police, Harris told ABC News. The complaint states that an officer looking for the suspects from the crash went back to the restaurant and identified a man and a woman who had a baby and matched the description of the suspects. According to the complaint and court records, the man encountered by police in the Applebee's was identified as Jermelle English. The complaint says officers initially believed he and the woman were involved in the accident and were evading police. "After being asked what car they arrived in, they indicated that they did not need to answer any questions and refused to tell" the officer, the complaint says. Harris says she believes English then got up to change his baby's diaper, but the criminal complaint says he "started walking toward the exit."

That right? Think so? Believe the jackbooted bastards in blue incapable of lying?

"In the cell phone video, employees attempt to grab the baby as police try to arrest English. People can be heard yelling "get the baby" as the chaotic scene ensues. An employee yells "Careful, the baby's head" as officers attempt to subdue English. Once an employee was able to get a hold of the baby and pass it to Harris, multiple officers tackle English to the ground. The cell phone video shows one officer repeatedly striking him while he's pinned down."

It's how these jackbooted bastards in uniform get their cookies off.

"The complaint says the woman who was with English was fighting with another officer while English was being detained and that an officer witnessed her "actively pulling her arm away" as police tried to take her into custody."

That right? Believe it? Think the sons of bitches don't lie?

"Police officers "also deployed pepper spray without letting anyone know so we all were having some respiratory issues," Harris says. "Also, that is why I couldn't get the baby to calm down, because I realized the baby had been pepper sprayed — was right there when it happened." She says officers called for EMS when she told them the baby had been exposed to pepper spray. Police dispute the claim the baby was nearby when the pepper spray was deployed. "The child was not in the immediate area when pepper spray was used so wasn't directly exposed. It's hard to say if the child was affected due to any particulates in the air," a spokesperson for the Kenosha Police Department said."

Think these bastards don't lie like hell to protect their sorry asses?

"Harris says police later found the individuals suspected of fleeing the crash hiding out in the men's bathroom of the restaurant and thinks they "snuck into the Applebee's using a side door and not the front door." Information on charges for those suspects was not immediately available."

No transparency. Imagine that.

"English, meanwhile, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest."

Surprised?

"I think they [Kenosha police] still felt like what they did to the couple was justifiable because he [English] didn't answer their questions so they kind of treated it like it was two separate incidents," Harris told ABC News. "Now, this one is getting arrested for not complying and for resisting arrest, but an arrest that shouldn't even happen."

The jackbooted bastards in blue can't, won't be confused by the truth. ... Right, Sheriff?

The following is nothing more than empty, hollow, meaningless, self-serving bullshit with no substance:

"A police department spokesperson said, "The Kenosha Police Department has an internal process in place to review our officer's use of force that is more robust than what the state requires. We were aware of the incident immediately as a result of that process and started a review of it. Currently it is under investigation. The investigation when complete will be comprehensive and dictate whether the officers acted appropriately or not and if any disciplinary action or additional training is deemed necessary."

Think there isn't a problem with this department? Wake up:

"The forceful arrest comes three years after a white officer shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, in the back after Kenosha police responded to an alleged domestic dispute. Blake survived the shooting, but was paralyzed from the waist down."

The federal government protected and coddled the jackbooted bastard responsible:

Following an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department in the Blake case, the agency said the evidence was insufficient to prove the officer "willfully used excessive force." The county DA also declined to file charges against the officer and the police department said he acted "within policy."

Re-read the above quote. Shooting someone in the back within policy? Give me a break.

"Harris adds she was fired from her job shortly after the incident. Applebee's did not immediately comment on the nature of Harris's firing, but sent a statement to ABC News from a local franchisee about the arrest seen on video. Cas Banaszek, vice president of operations of the local Applebee's franchisee, said in a statement, "The safety and well-being of our guests and team members is a top priority. We are committed to cooperating with the local authorities in their investigation and any additional questions can be directed to the Kenosha Police Department."

'Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.' What a goddamned crock of shit.

Think Chicago police don't treat female officers like shit? CBS News reports:

"For three years, Chicago Police officer Erin Kreho has documented filthy conditions inside rooms she was told to use when she needed to pump breast milk. She faced unsanitary conditions and a lack of privacy after having her children. Kreho also has filed formal complaints about the state and federal violations. Despite that, she says the Chicago Police Department has failed to fix the problems. "It shouldn't involve cleaning a room or asking to use a place that your coworkers can't see you... in a state of undress," said Kreho. "Or worrying about the contaminants that are, you know, obviously falling into the milk." Kreho said she would have to use wipes to clean very dirty spaces and chairs she used before pumping. Kreho has had two children while on the force, but after returning to her job as a Chicago police officer, she faced difficult and degrading challenges to using her breast pump. "My face was so red the entire time, and I was just crying it was just humiliating," said Kreho about one of many embarrassing moments, including other officers walking in while she was pumping. "I'd be undressed in front of my coworkers and pumping milk." Federal and state statutes require employers to provide lactating women with a clean room to pump with a locking door lock for privacy. It can't be a bathroom. Kreho says the department, entrusted with upholding the law, has been breaking it. She began collecting evidence, photos and videos to document the poor conditions for the past three years. "If you wouldn't have lunch there, I really shouldn't be pumping milk for a baby and I was," said Kreho. She said she was sent to bathrooms to pump and had to drag in chairs and sit near the outlets she could find. "I'm putting my bag on the floor. The pump would go on my lap, and yes, I'm very close to a urinal," said Kreho. "I was frustrated, I was really anxious. I would come home nauseous about it."

Sad, isn't it?

"She says her career as a Chicago police officer started off great. Her image was even used on a recruitment poster. But all that changed when she had a baby in 2020 and returned to work facing problems over where she could pump. "That was one of the worst times just emotionally for me," said Kreho. "I was initially told to pump in the backseat of the squad car." She says had to pump in all kinds of unacceptable conditions - in dirty bathrooms, locker, and storage rooms. She filed two complaints, in 2021, with the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Each one detailed the poor conditions. "Illinois Department of Human Rights agreed with me on some of the instances of discrimination and disagreed with me on other ones," said Kreho. She is not the only one experiencing issues. Jessica Lee, a senior attorney at the Center for WorkLife Law in San Francisco, said Kreho's case is overwhelmingly common among women working for police and fire departments around the country. "Since 2022, we found that of all the lactation discrimination cases decided under those federal sex discrimination laws, 41% were from first responders," said Lee. "So even though only a small segment of the population are woman working in those fields, they really dominate the legal cases, and that's a terrible trend when these are the people tasked with upholding the law and protecting our communities." She says employers in male-dominated industries have been failing to treat women fairly for ages. There have been other similar lawsuits against the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, along with police departments in New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. "It's definitely still a macho culture amongst police officers, firefighters, other first responders," said Lee. "A lot of women who filed discrimination cases have said they didn't quite fit in. And as soon as they expressed they needed to go pump milk or were breast feeding, all of a sudden feeling a torrent of harassment." Lee reiterated Illinois workers have a right to break time for pumping in clean private spaces that are not bathrooms. "I did not expect that it would be this hard," Kreho said about her attempts to get a clean room for pumping. "There have been several occasions that I had to dispose of the milk that I pumped - if the room was particularly dirty." She says after her first two complaints, the problem was not getting fixed. She was told to use a filthy storage room. It was filled with discarded office equipment, boxes, and other supplies. It also was covered with white specks of material. "It was falling from the ceiling. It was all over the room and it was falling continuously," said Kreho. "Which I worried about contaminating the milk." Kreho then filed another complaint this summer. This one is with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). She is frustrated and discouraged about how this is impacting her job and children. She fears retribution too. "I've been treated differently for complaining, I would say for sure," said Kreho. "It's really hard to advocate for yourself over, and over, and over again and just not get any result." Her complaint triggered a Chicago Police Department Internal Affairs investigation. It was opened in July 2021. Two years later - nothing has happened. Kreho is still waiting to just talk to an investigator. The Chicago Police Department declined to comment because of pending litigation."

No transparency. Convenient, isn't it?

Apology from law enforcement. Believe it? Credible? CBS News reports:

"Police in Lansing, Michigan have issued an apology after a Black teen was put in handcuffs by a White police officer in an "unfortunate case of 'wrong place, wrong time.'" The police department made several statements on Friday after videos circulating on social media showed the incident. The Lansing Police Department said first that it was an "unfortunate understanding." Officers were investigating a string of Kia car thefts, the department said, including a "specific" theft reported on West Jolly Road. A witness to the theft, which had multiple suspects, described one suspect as wearing neon shorts and a white shirt. A responding officer saw someone matching the description in a similar outfit and attempted to make contact, but the person fled. A second officer saw the mistakenly-cuffed boy and "made contact with him," the Lansing Police Department said. Cellphone video reviewed by CBS Detroit showed an officer leading the boy, who was later identified as 12-year-old Tashawn Bernard, through a parking lot, with his hands cuffed behind his back. A voice can be heard saying that the "kid" was "bringing out his trash to the Dumpster." The department did not say why the boy was handcuffed."

Why not? Why no transparency? No transparency, zero credibility.

"A lawyer representing the family told the Associated Press that the officer "had his "gun unholstered and was holding it in front of him."

Why?

"The video then shows a man who identified the boy as his son, then approached the officer. The officer walked Tashawn toward his father, later identified as Michael Bernard, before another officer brought the child to a patrol vehicle and put him in the rear seat, according to CBS Detroit. The video shows Bernard appear to be in distress and speaking with an officer while pacing. "They traumatized my son," Bernard could be heard saying to the person recording, according to CBS Detroit. After about three minutes, the handcuffs were removed, and Tashawn was able to join his father after speaking briefly with an officer. The department said that the "initial officer was able to respond and clarify the young man in the video was not the suspect who fled earlier." According to a second statement issued on Facebook a few hours later and credited to Chief Ellery Sosobee, the young man was "released to his father when eliminated as the accused."

That right?

"I have reviewed the incident and can confirm the officer who contacted and detained the young man was respectful and professional during his investigation," said Sosobee. "It's unfortunate that incidents like this occur but through communication and sharing of information, we can help people understand the whole story. We understand that something like this has an impact on all parties involved. As the Chief of Police, I want to apologize that this incident had such an effect on this young man and his family. I'm asking for the community to consider all the facts of the situation before making a judgment."

Sadly, Chief, the problem is simple. Law enforcement has lied so many times about abusive officer behavior that it has no credibility.

"Police have released blurred photos showing the suspects. Once this information was obtained, the young man was released and officers continued to search the area. We are including pictures of both individuals. We have blurred both photos to protect the identities of the subjects."

Think that resolves the credibility issue?

ABC News reports:

"A 12-year-old who was wrongfully handcuffed and detained by police in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday while he was taking out the trash spoke out in an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America" about what the family says was a "traumatic" experience. "When it happened, I was really, like, shocked and frightened about like the situation, and how it happened," Tashawn Bernard said in an interview that aired on "GMA" Monday. "This has been a very traumatic and emotional experience for him and his entire family," family attorney Rico Neal told "GMA." Tashawn's father, Michael Bernard, said that the incident happened when he asked his son to take the trash out to the dumpster at their apartment complex. But a few minutes later, realizing that Tashawn had not returned, he looked outside and saw that Tashawn was surrounded by police. "I saw police around him, so I dropped what I had in my hand … and rushed downstairs," Bernard told "GMA." "So I say, 'why you have my son in handcuffs? What's the problem?'" The incident was captured on cell phone video and went viral on social media. Tashawn was released moments after he was detained but appeared visibly shaken in the video."

For damned good reason.

"According to a statement by the Lansing Police Department shared on social media Friday, officers were investigating a string of Kia thefts, including the theft of a vehicle that was reported on the 3600 block of W. Jolly Road, where a witness described the suspect as wearing neon-colored shorts and a white shirt. While one officer pursued a suspect matching the description, police said that another "saw the young man pictured in the viral video wearing a very similar outfit and made contact with him," but he was later "released" after police clarified that he was not the suspect they were seeking. "Community relations is a top priority for us as a department, from top-down. Our hope is we can put this unfortunate case of 'wrong place, wrong time' behind us and continue to represent the community that we serve," the Aug. 11 statement said, which included intentionally blurred images of both the suspect and a boy, who was later identified as Tashawn Bernard. Neal, the Bernard family's attorney, said that Tashawn was not wearing a white shirt, but rather one that was " light gray or a light bluish." Lansing Police Department Chief Ellery Sosebee also apologized in a statement released on Friday for what he called an "unfortunate" incident. "I have reviewed the incident and can confirm the officer who contacted and detained the young man was respectful and professional during his investigation," Sosebee said."

Why was he handcuffed? What threat did he pose?

"As the Chief of Police, I want to apologize that this incident had such an effect on this young man and his family," Sosebee continued."

What the hell did you expect, Chief? Time to wake up, sir:

"I'm asking for the community to consider all the facts of the situation before making a judgment. The relationship with our community has been and will continue to be a top priority for the Lansing Police Department."

Empty, hollow, meaningless rhetoric.

"Lansing Mayor Andy Schor also apologized for the incident, telling ABC News that the Lansing Police Department is in contact with the family and providing support. "Our officers do their absolute best to protect Lansing, but in this case a mistake was made and we own it and apologize to those affected," Shor said."

Time to wake up, Mr. Mayor. Why was this kid handcuffed? What threat did he pose?

"The Bernard family said that they are keeping all options on the table following the incident, including the possibility of filing a lawsuit, "I want justice for my son," Bernard said, adding that "in this time and era in America, I am still scared for anything to happen to my son." "This has been a traumatic experience for Tashawn and his family," Neal said. "This has been an experience that Tashawn and his family will live with for the rest of his life."

Sue the living shit out of the bastards. Force desperately needed change.

"ABC News has reached out to the Lansing Police Department for further comment."

How do they credibly defend the indefensible?

More of the same old shit. No justice. ABC News(AP) reports:

"Prosecutors in Utah on Friday declined to file charges against a Salt Lake City police officer who shot and badly wounded an unarmed 13-year-old boy with autism after responding to his mother's 911 call for help when the boy had a breakdown."

The jackbooted bastard in blue was protected and coddled. No justice.

"The September 2020 shooting drew widespread scrutiny and was one of several around the U.S. that fueled questions about how police respond to calls involving people with mental illness."

For damned good reason.

"The family of victim Linden Cameron reached a $3 million settlement with Salt Lake City last year in a civil lawsuit over the life-changing injuries and emotional trauma the boy suffered from the shooting. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill called the shooting “unjustified” in a letter sent to the city's police department. But Gill declined to charge the officer in part because two use-of-force experts who reviewed the case came to opposite conclusions regarding the officer's conduct."

That's no excuse. Should have gone to trial. It was up to you to prove the use-of-force 'expert' supportive of the officer wrong in his assessment. Delusionally believe that officer won't consequently abuse his authority in the future?

“We cannot say that the shooting of an unarmed 13-year old child suffering a mental health crisis — who never presented even a facsimile of a weapon or an object which could have been mistaken for a weapon, and who did not act in a manner in which fair inference would suggest a weapon — was reasonable," wrote Gill."

All the more reason you should have prosecuted the son of a bitch, Counselor.

“However, given the inherent conflict of experts which would introduce doubt, we believe we are not likely to meet our burden of proof,” he wrote."

That's goddamned gutless, Counselor. You're not fit for office. Here's why:

"The officer is still employed at the Salt Lake City Police Department on “modified duty,” said agency spokesperson Brent Weisberg. The department is reviewing the district attorney's findings and an internal review is ongoing, he said."

Think the jackbooted bastard won't wind up killing his victim next time?

"In a public statement, Linden Cameron wrote that “Mr. Gill’s decision represents a miscarriage of justice and contributes to the steady erosion of trust by the public due to many documented instances of police violence and brutality.” The family's attorney in the previously settled civil case said Friday that the Camerons believed there was enough evidence to pursue criminal charges. Attorney Nathan Morris added that Salt Lake prosecutors were using a double standard for the officer and would have pursued charges against a civilian based on similar evidence."

No question. Two systems of justice. One for the jackbooted bastards in blue, the other for the rest of society.

“When it comes to police, if there's a scintilla of doubt they decide not to prosecute,” Morris said. “Clearly it was an unjustified shooting.” It happened Sept. 4, 2020, when the boy's mother called 911 and requested officers trained in crisis intervention to help her son who has autism and sensory issues. Outside Linden's house, officers first spoke to his mother who warned them police were a trigger for her son: “He sees the badge and he automatically thinks, like, you’re going to kill him, or he has to defend himself in some way," according to Gill's letter. When officers knocked on the front door to confront Linden, he fled, leading to a foot chase. Eventually, one officer said he saw Linden's hand go toward his waistband and, fearing he was reaching for a gun, fired 11 shots, six of which hit Linden. He was hospitalized, and no weapon was found. In an interview with a detective, the officer who shot Linden was asked if he'd seen a weapon in the boy's hand. “I did not. I do not recall," the officer replied, according to Gill's letter."

Then why did you open fire, you gutless son of a bitch? Shoot first, ask questions later?

"After the shooting, Salt Lake City began providing training for police, fire and dispatch officers about how to best engage with people who have sensory needs like Cameron."

Too little, too late. Time to wake up.

Think the U.S. Constitution means shit squat to the jackbooted bastards in blue? NBC News(AP) reports:

"A small central Kansas police department is facing a firestorm of criticism after it raided the offices of a local newspaper and the home of its publisher and owner — a move deemed by several press freedom watchdogs as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection of a free press. The Marion County Record said in its own published reports that police raided the newspaper’s office on Friday, seizing the newspaper’s computers, phones and file server and the personal cellphones of staff, based on a search warrant. One Record reporter said one of her fingers was injured when Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody wrested her cellphone out of her hand, according to the report."

Jackbooted mothef--ker in blue.

"Police simultaneously raided the home of Eric Meyer, the newspaper’s publisher and co-owner, seizing computers, his cellphone and the home’s internet router, Meyer said. Meyer’s 98-year-old mother — Record co-owner Joan Meyer who lives in the home with her son — collapsed and died Saturday, Meyer said, blaming her death on the stress of the raid of her home. Meyer said in his newspaper’s report that he believes the raid was prompted by a story published last week about a local restaurant owner, Kari Newell. Newell had police remove Meyer and a newspaper reporter from her restaurant early this month, who were there to cover a public reception for U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Republican representing the area. The police chief and other officials also attended and were acknowledged at the reception, and the Marion Police Department highlighted the event on its Facebook page. The next week at a city council meeting, Newell publicly accused the newspaper of using illegal means to get information on a drunk driving conviction against her. The newspaper countered that it received that information unsolicited, which it sought to verify through public online records. It eventually decided not to run a story on Newell’s DUI, but it did run a story on the city council meeting, in which Newell confirmed the 2008 DUI conviction herself. A two-page search warrant, signed by a local judge, lists Newell as the victim of alleged crimes by the newspaper. When the newspaper asked for a copy of the probable cause affidavit required by law to issue a search warrant, the district court issued a signed statement saying no such affidavit was on file, the Record reported."

How about that?

"Newell declined to comment Sunday, saying she was too busy to speak. She said she would call back later Sunday to answer questions. Cody, the police chief, defended the raid on Sunday, saying in an email to The Associated Press that while federal law usually requires a subpoena — not just a search warrant — to raid a newsroom, there is an exception “when there is reason to believe the journalist is taking part in the underlying wrongdoing.” Cody did not give details about what that alleged wrongdoing entailed."

How about that?

"Cody, who was hired in late April as Marion’s police chief after serving 24 years in the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, did not respond to questions about whether police filed a probable cause affidavit for the search warrant. He also did not answer questions about how police believe Newell was victimized. Meyer said the newspaper plans to sue the police department and possibly others, calling the raid an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment’s free press guarantee. Press freedom and civil rights organizations agreed that police, the local prosecutor’s office and the judge who signed off on the search warrant overstepped their authority. “It seems like one of the most aggressive police raids of a news organization or entity in quite some time,” said Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas. The breadth of the raid and the aggressiveness in which it was carried out seems to be “quite an alarming abuse of authority from the local police department,” Brett said."

Surprised?

"Seth Stern, director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement that the raid appeared to have violated federal law, the First Amendment, “and basic human decency.” “This looks like the latest example of American law enforcement officers treating the press in a manner previously associated with authoritarian regimes,” Stern said. “The anti-press rhetoric that’s become so pervasive in this country has become more than just talk and is creating a dangerous environment for journalists trying to do their jobs.”

CBS News reports:

"Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of a small Kansas newspaper, collapsed and died at her home on Saturday, a day after police raided her home and the Marion County Record's office, the newspaper said. Meyer had been "stressed beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief," the Record said, calling the raids illegal. Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody on Saturday defended the raid and said that once all the information is available, "the judicial system that is being questioned will be vindicated." Police have not shared an update since Meyer's death was announced. Police took Meyer's computer and a router used by an Alexa smart speaker during the raid at her home, according to the paper. Officers at the Record's office seized personal cellphones, computers, the newspaper's file server and other equipment. Cody also allegedly forcibly grabbed reporter Deb Gruver's cellphone, injuring a finger that had previously been dislocated. "Our first priority is to be able to publish next week," publisher Eric Meyer said. "But we also want to make sure no other news organization is ever exposed to the Gestapo tactics we witnessed today. We will be seeking the maximum sanctions possible under law."

Sue the living shit out of the jackbooted bastards and government.

"The federal Privacy Protection Act protects journalists and newsrooms from most searches by law enforcement, requiring police usually to issue subpoenas rather than search warrants. "It is true that in most cases, it requires police to use subpoenas, rather than search warrants, to search the premises of journalists unless they themselves are suspects in the offense that is the subject of the search," Cody said. Friday's raid was conducted on the basis of a search warrant. The search warrant, posted online by the Kansas Reflector, indicates police were investigating identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers. It also indicated police were looking for documents and records pertaining to local restauranteur Kari Newell. According to the Record, Newell had accused the newspaper of illegally obtaining drunk driving information about Newell and supplying it to Marion Councilwoman Ruth Herbel. "The Record did not seek out the information," the newspaper wrote. "Rather, it was provided by a source who sent it to the newspaper via social media and also sent it to Herbel." The Record verified the information about Newell through public records but did not plan to publish it, believing that the information had "been intentionally leaked to the newspaper as part of legal sparring between Newell and her estranged husband," the paper wrote."

Get this:

"The victim asks that we do all the law allows to ensure justice is served," Cody said. "The Marion Kansas Police Department will [do] nothing less." The Kansas Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation "into allegations of illegal access and dissemination of confidential criminal justice information," the bureau said in a statement. "Director Mattivi believes very strongly that freedom of the press is a vanguard of American democracy... But another principle of our free society is equal application of the law," the bureau said, adding, "No one is above the law, whether a public official or a representative of the media." Police have fallen under scrutiny due to the search, with free speech advocates expressing concern about its implications. The raid appears to have violated federal law and the First Amendment, according to Seth Stern, advocacy director of Freedom of the Press Foundation. "This looks like the latest example of American law enforcement officers treating the press in a manner previously associated with authoritarian regimes," Stern said Friday. "The anti-press rhetoric that's become so pervasive in this country has become more than just talk and is creating a dangerous environment for journalists trying to do their jobs." PEN America on Saturday said law enforcement should be held accountable for violating the Record's rights. "Journalists rely on confidential sources to report on matters of vital public concern," Shannon Jankowski, PEN America's journalism and disinformation program director, said in a statement. "Law enforcement's sweeping raid on The Marion County Record and confiscation of its equipment almost certainly violates federal law and puts the paper's very ability to publish the news in jeopardy."

NPR reports:

"Law enforcement officers in Kansas raided the office of a local newspaper and a journalist's home on Friday, prompting outrage over what First Amendment experts are calling a likely violation of federal law. The police department in Marion, Kansas — a town of about 2,000 — raided the Marion County Record under a search warrant signed by a county judge. Officers confiscated computers, cellphones, reporting materials and other items essential to the weekly paper's operations. "It took them several hours," Eric Meyer, the Marion County Record's co-owner and publisher, told NPR. "They forbid our staff to come into the newspaper office during that time." Local authorities said they were investigating the newsroom for "identity theft," according to the warrant. The raid was linked to alleged violations of a local restaurant owner's privacy, when journalists obtained information about her driving record. Meyer's mother, Joan Meyer, collapsed and died one day after police raided her home, the Record reported in an update. She was the newspaper's co-owner. Joan Meyer was 98 and was "otherwise in good health for her age," the newspaper said. But, it added, she had been unable to eat or sleep after police entered her home Friday under a search warrant. Joan Meyer "tearfully watched during the raid as police not only carted away her computer and a router used by an Alexa smart speaker but also dug through her son Eric's personal bank and investments statements to photograph them," according to the Record. Without the devices, she was left unable to stream shows onto her TV or use devices if she needed help, the newspaper said. It also alleged that during the police operation, officers seized a number of devices that went beyond the search warrant's scope and were unrelated to their apparent investigation. Officers came to Meyer's home around the same time police seized computers, cellphones and other equipment during a search of the Record's offices. Another injury occurred, the newspaper said, when police chief Gideon Cody "forcibly grabbed" a cellphone from reporter Deb Gruver, alleging that the act injured Gruver's finger that had previously been dislocated."

A fascist police-state. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"Newsroom raids are rare in the United States, said Lynn Oberlander, a First Amendment attorney. "It's very rare because it's illegal," Oberlander said. "It doesn't happen very often because most organizations understand that it's illegal." Several media law experts told NPR the raid appears to be a violation of federal law, which protects journalists from this type of action. The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 broadly prohibits law enforcement officials from searching for or seizing information from reporters. Oberlander said exceptions to the Privacy Protection Act are "important but very limited." One such exception allows authorities to raid a newsroom if the journalists themselves are suspected to be involved in the crime at hand. In a statement sent to NPR, Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody cited this exception to justify his department's raid of the Marion County Record. "It is true that in most cases, [the Privacy Protection Act] requires police to use subpoenas, rather than search warrants, to search the premises of journalists unless they themselves are suspects in the offense that is the subject of the search," Cody said. But Oberlander said that exception doesn't apply when the alleged crime is connected to newsgathering — which appears to be the case in Marion. "It raises concern for me," Oberlander said. "It normalizes something that shouldn't be happening — that Congress has said should not happen, that the First Amendment says should not happen."

No question.

"Ken White, a First Amendment litigator, said police raids of newsrooms used to be more common in the U.S., which led Congress to bolster federal protections against such searches. White said the police raid of the Marion County Record could also be a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from "unreasonable" searches and seizures by the government. The search warrant in Marion, signed by county magistrate judge Laura Viar on Friday morning, allowed officers to confiscate a wide range of items, from computers and hardware to reporting documents. "It's an abuse of power by the police and it's a serious dereliction of duty by the judge who signed off on it," White said. Viar could not immediately be reached for comment. Meyer, the Marion County Record's publisher, said local restaurateur Kari Newell accused the paper of illegally obtaining drunk-driving records about her. But the paper, Meyer said, received this information about Newell from a separate source, independently verified it on the Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles website — and decided not to publish it. The paper instead opted to notify local police. The search warrant, as published by the Kansas Reflector and verified by the police chief, specifically allowed officers to confiscate documents and records pertaining to "the identity theft of Kari Newell." The warrant also ties the search to "unlawful acts concerning computers" that were used to access the Kansas Department of Revenue records website. "We never attempted to steal anyone's identity," Meyer said."

Get this:

"Jeff Kosseff, a law professor at the United States Naval Academy who specializes in the First Amendment, said he was surprised the county judge found there was sufficient probable cause to sign off on the search warrant. Kosseff said there would need to be "a whole lot more for this to be a correct decision." "I can't imagine a scenario in which all of these other protections would be overcome to allow a raid on a newsroom," Kosseff said, referencing the First Amendment, the Fourth Amendment and the Privacy Protection Act. "This raid has been more than just potentially compromising sources. This has threatened the ability of the newsroom to operate altogether — and that's why we have these protections." James Risen, former director of the Press Freedom Defense Fund, called the raid an "outrageous abuse of power by the local authorities." Risen said all authorities involved in the raid should be investigated for carrying it out. "There's lots of precedent for bad behavior of local officials against the press," Risen said. "In each case, it has to be called out and stopped if we're going to protect the First Amendment in this country." Meyer said the confiscation of the paper's computers and phones makes it difficult to continue operations — but the paper, which has five full-time staffers, still plans to publish its weekly edition this Wednesday. And, Meyer added, he's working with an attorney to challenge the police's right to inspect the items they confiscated. "We cannot let this stand. They cannot put us out of business over this," Meyer said. "That just is too bad of a precedent to set for the United States, to allow anything like that to happen."

Sue the living shit out of the jackbooted motherf--kers. There is no greater threat to life, liberty, all civil and constitutional rights and liberties than the nazi element in law enforcement. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

The Washington Post reports:

"Police in Kansas raided a local newspaper and its publisher’s home on Friday, seizing computers and other records — an action that sparked outrage from First Amendment advocates and that may have contributed to the death of the paper’s 98-year-old co-owner on Saturday. The raid unfolded in Marion, a town about 60 miles north of Wichita, and appears to have stemmed from a dispute between a local restaurant owner and her estranged husband in a divorce proceeding. The restaurant owner, Kari Newell, claimed that the newspaper, the Marion County Record, had illegally obtained damaging information about a 2008 conviction for drunken driving and was preparing to publish it, leading a local judge to issue a warrant authorizing police to seize the newspaper’s files. The Record, a family-owned weekly serving the small town of about 1,900, didn’t publish the information about Newell’s conviction for drunken driving and has denied that it came by it illegally. In an unbylined story, the Record called the raid “illegal” and said it had led to the death on Saturday of Joan Meyer, the paper’s co-owner and the mother of Eric Meyer, its editor and publisher. The newspaper said Joan Meyer had been “stressed beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief” following the raid, which involved the town’s entire five-person police force. Police raids on news organizations are almost unknown in the United States and are illegal under most circumstances under state and federal law. “This shouldn’t happen in America,” said Emily Bradbury, the executive director of the Kansas Press Association, in an interview Sunday. She added: “Freedom of the press is fundamental to our democracy. … We’re not going to let this stand on our watch.” Bradbury said the newspaper’s records could have been obtained via a subpoena, a court-ordered command for specific material that is subject to legal objections, not “an unannounced search.” Eric Meyer went further in a Record news story on Saturday, describing the seizure of the paper’s computers and cellphones as “Gestapo tactics.”

Plot thickens:

"The Record had been actively investigating Police Chief Gideon Cody at the time of the raid after receiving tips that he had left his previous job in Kansas City, Mo., to avoid repercussions for alleged sexual misconduct charges, Meyer said in an interview published Saturday on the Handbasket, a newsletter by journalist Marisa Kabas. Though the paper never ran the information, details about the investigation — including the identities of those who made the allegations against Cody — were in a computer seized by police. Meyer, a former Milwaukee Journal reporter for 20 years and professor at the University of Illinois for 26, is the son of the Record’s late editor in chief, Bill Meyer. His family bought the paper in 1998. The raid and its aftermath followed a fast-moving sequence of events. Newell, the restaurant owner, spoke at a public city council meeting last Monday in an effort to obtain approval for a liquor license for her catering business. She said at the meeting that her “private personal information” — records of her drunken driving conviction and other driving violations — had been illegally obtained by a reporter and had been shared with a council member, Ruth Herbel. The records could undermine Newell’s license application. State law prohibits issuing liquor licenses to applicants with felony DUI convictions. She accused Herbel of “recklessly and negligently” sharing the information with “others” in violation of state privacy and identity-theft laws. Herbel denied doing so. Instead, in a news story following Newell’s accusation, Eric Meyer wrote that the paper obtained the information about Newell from “a source who contacted the Record via social media and independently sent the material to both the newspaper” and to Herbel. The newspaper said it verified the source’s claim that the information had come from a government database, but decided not to publish it out of concern that the source may have obtained the records through illicit means. The paper also notified the county sheriff and city police chief about the leak."

How about that? LOL.

"Meyer wrote that Newell had verified the accuracy of the information in a conversation with the newspaper immediately after the council meeting. She indicated, according to Meyer, that she believed that her estranged husband was behind the disclosure as part of a divorce proceeding in which he sought to retain ownership of the couple’s vehicles on grounds that she didn’t possess a license. According to Meyer, Herbel, the councilwoman, alerted Marion’s city administrator about the alleged records breach, advising him that police should investigate. Tensions between the paper and Newell had flared a few days before the city council hearing when Newell hosted a campaign event for Rep. Jake LaTurner (R) at Newell’s restaurant in Marion. At the time, Newell asked police to bar Meyer and another Record reporter from the event. Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, citing possible identity theft and illegal use of a computer, authorized the search of the newspaper’s offices and the Meyers’ residence Friday morning. A state law passed in 2022 defines identity theft as having the intent to “misrepresent [another] person in order to subject that person to economic or bodily harm.” However, the exact justification for the search warrant isn’t known, because the judge hasn’t released the affidavit supporting it. The affidavit would have been filed by Marion County officials. First Amendment advocates continue to question the raid. On Sunday, more than 30 news organizations and press groups, including The Washington Post, wrote an open letter to Marion Police Chief Cody condemning the action. “Newsroom searches and seizures are among the most intrusive actions law enforcement can take with respect to the free press, and the most potentially suppressive of free speech by the press and the public,” wrote the group, headed by the nonprofit Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Bradbury, the press association director, said her group would support the Record if it challenged local officials in court. “No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, everyone should be concerned” about “government overreach and trying to silence investigative work.”

No question. Without a free press, there is no democratic republic, -- just a fascist police-state. ... Right, Sheriff? Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

NPR reports:

"The small-town Kansas newspaper raided by police officers on Friday had been looking into allegations of misconduct against the local chief just months ago, according to the paper's publisher, raising further concerns about the law enforcement officers' motives. The Marion, Kansas police department confiscated computers, cell phones and a range of other reporting materials from the office of the Marion County Record — the sole local paper in a small city of about 2,000 residents. Officers spent hours in the newsroom. It also seized material from one of its journalist's homes. Eric Meyer, the publisher and co-owner of the newspaper, said his 98-year-old mother passed away the day after police raided her house, where Meyer was staying at the time. He said he believes the stress from the raid contributed to her death. The raids sparked coast-to-coast outrage among journalists and advocates for freedom of speech, including a letter of protest signed by the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN and the Wall Street Journal, among others. "The U.S. Supreme Court, over the years, has said that people in authority — government officials — have to suffer a free press," says Sandy Banisky, a lawyer who taught media law at the University of Maryland's journalism school and also former senior editor at the Baltimore Sun. "Incidents like this have to be examined and exposed thoroughly to be sure that the kind of raid that happened in Marion, Kansas doesn't happen around the country."

No question.

Get this:

"The Marion County Record conducted "routine background checks" in the lead-up to police chief Gideon Cody's start-date, according to Meyer. When the paper published a story about Cody's candidacy for the police chief position, Meyer said it received anonymous tips from several of his former colleagues, who alleged misconduct. Cody was sworn in as Marion's police chief on June 1 after retiring from the Kansas City Police Department in late April, according to the department's employee retirement website. "It was alarming, to say the least, the number of people who came forward, and some of the allegations they made were fairly serious," Meyer said. "We were simply looking into the question." The police chief was aware the paper was looking into his background. Meyer said a Record reporter approached Cody seeking comment on the allegations. In response, Meyer said Cody threatened to sue the paper. NPR reached out to Cody, who declined to confirm whether he threatened to sue the paper, or whether the raid was linked to the newsroom's reporting on his background."

Expect better from a liar?

"Meyer said the police chief "has reason to not like us," but he stressed that he didn't know if there was a connection between his paper's reporting and the raid. Any communications between the Record's reporters and Cody are stored on the computers the officers seized during the raid, Meyer added. The newsroom currently does not have access to these documents. "We can't consult our source material," Meyer said. "It's been taken away from us."

... By the jackbooted bastards in blue.

"Prior to Cody's tenure as police chief, the Marion police department had upheld a decades-long practice of releasing a list of the department's routine activities each week, Meyer said. The Record would publish this list in its weekly edition, detailing the general areas where officers conducted investigations or responded to complaints. But that practice came to an abrupt halt when Cody took the helm of the department, according to Meyer. "He cited reasons of privacy," Meyer said. "Tracing back 60 years, it's been a regular feature of the paper." Cody did not respond to a request for comment on this change in department policy."

Not possible to credibly defend the indefensible.

Think the judge isn't in bed with the police chief?

"County magistrate judge Laura Viar signed a search warrant on Friday morning, authorizing the Marion police department to raid the Record. The warrant cites suspected "identity theft" of a local restaurant owner as the reason for the raid. On Friday, just after the raid, the Record requested access to the probable cause affidavit — the document that would outline why the judge saw reason to authorize the raid — from the Marion County District Court. But the court's written response, reviewed by NPR, indicates that document may not exist."

How about that? Surprised?

"This Court is unable to respond to this request as there is not a probable cause affidavit filed," judge Viar wrote in response to the newsroom's request."

Jesus Christ. Incredible. LOL. Corrupt and abusive law enforcement enabled by a corrupt and abusive 'judge.' A de facto fascist police-state. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"Cody justified the raid in a statement to NPR, claiming it was legal because of an exception to the federal Privacy Protection Act, which broadly prohibits law enforcement officials from searching for or seizing information from reporters. "It is true that in most cases, [the Privacy Protection Act] requires police to use subpoenas, rather than search warrants, to search the premises of journalists unless they themselves are suspects in the offense that is the subject of the search," Cody said. But there's broad consensus among media lawyers that the police department's legal reasoning doesn't hold up, since the alleged crime is linked to news gathering — which is protected by federal law."

A corrupt and abusive 'police chief.' A corrupt and abusive 'judge.' A de facto fascist police-state. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

The Associated Press reports:

"A Kansas prosecutor said Wednesday that he found insufficient evidence to support the police raid of a weekly newspaper and that all seized material should be returned in a dispute over press freedoms that the White House acknowledged it is watching closely. “This administration has been vocal about the importance of the freedom of press, here and around the globe,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at her daily briefing on Wednesday. “That is the core value when you think about our democracy, when you think about the cornerstone of our democracy, the freedom of press is right there.” She said the raid raises “a lot of concerns and a lot of questions for us.” On Wednesday, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey said his review of police seizures from the Marion County Record offices found “insufficient evidence exists to establish a legally sufficient nexus between this alleged crime and the places searched and the items seized.” “As a result, I have submitted a proposed order asking the court to release the evidence seized. I have asked local law enforcement to return the material seized to the owners of the property,” Ensey said in a news release. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Monday it was leading the investigation into the raid and what allegedly prompted it. Even without the computers, personal cellphones and other office equipment taken in the raid, the small staff scrambled and were able to put out a new edition on Wednesday. “SEIZED … but not silenced,” read the front-page headline in 2-inch-tall typeface. On Wednesday’s front page, stories were focused solely on the raid and the influx of support the newspaper has received."

Uncommon Valor. Hat's off. Much more on all this as the story develops.

Finally, guilty pleas on state charges. In follow-up to an horrendous case covered repeatedly here and elsewhere, The Washington Post reports:

"Six White former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty to state charges Monday for physically and verbally abusing two Black men in a blatant racist attack in January that included a 90-minute torture session, in a case that has sparked outrage over police brutality against Black men. The officers admitted entering a home in Braxton, Miss., without a warrant, where they handcuffed, punched and verbally abused the two men with racist slurs. They then carried out a disturbing series of violent acts, including Tasering the men more than a dozen times, federal prosecutors said earlier this month when the men admitted their guilt in a connected federal civil rights case. The officers, who branded themselves “the Goon Squad,” threw eggs at Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker, held them down while pouring milk and alcohol over their faces, and assaulted one of them with a sword, prosecutors said. One officer carried out a “mock execution” by inserting a gun into the mouth of one man, according to the indictment. When the firearm discharged, it broke his jaw. On Monday, the six men pleaded guilty to state charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to hinder prosecution and agreed to sentences recommended by state prosecutors that range from five to 15 years, according to Mississippi News. The officers include five former members of Rankin County Sheriff’s office: Brett McAlpin, 52, Christian Dedmon, 28, Jeffrey Middleton, 46, Hunter Elward, 31, Daniel Opdyke, 27. The sixth officer is a former member of the Richland police department: Joshua Hartfield, 31. These sentences will run concurrent to the federal sentences they are expected to receive in court in mid-November, according to the Associated Press. Some of the officers nicknamed themselves the “Goon Squad” because of their willingness to use excessive force and cover it up, including the January assault, the investigation found. After the attack, the officers concocted a cover story, including falsely charging Jenkins with drug possession, planting a gun and drugs, and destroying surveillance footage, prosecutors say. “The defendants in this case tortured and inflicted unspeakable harm on their victims, egregiously violated the civil rights of citizens who they were supposed to protect, and shamefully betrayed the oath they swore as law enforcement officers,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement earlier this month."

In follow-up to the shooting of a teacher by a six-year-old seven months ago, The Associated Press reports:

"The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of felony child neglect, seven months after her son used her handgun to critically wound the educator in a classroom full of students. Prosecutors agreed to drop a misdemeanor charge of reckless storage of a firearm against Deja Taylor. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors said they will not seek a sentence that is longer than state sentencing guidelines, which call for six months in jail or prison. A judge will have full discretion and will ultimately decide the length of Taylor’s sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27. Taylor was charged in April with felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly storing of a firearm. The January shooting shocked the nation and roiled this shipbuilding city near the Chesapeake Bay. The case against Taylor is one of three legal efforts seeking accountability, including the teacher’s $40 million lawsuit that accuses the school system of gross negligence for failing to respond aggressively to multiple warnings that the child had a gun at school on the day of the shooting."

Readers will recall:

"Police said the first grader intentionally shot teacher Abby Zwerner as she sat at a reading table during a lesson. Zwerner, who was hit in the hand and chest, spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has endured multiple surgeries. Moments after the shooting, according to search warrants filed in the case, the child told a reading specialist who restrained him: “I shot that (expletive) dead,” and “I got my mom’s gun last night.” Police said the student brought the gun to school in his backpack, but it had been unclear exactly how the 6-year-old got the gun. During Taylor’s plea hearing Tuesday, prosecutor Joshua Jenkins said the boy told authorities he got the gun by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser, where the gun was stored in his mother’s purse. Those details were contained in a “stipulation of facts,” a list of facts that both sides agree are true. When police arrived at the school that day, they entered the classroom and saw the boy being restrained by the reading specialist, according to the stipulation of facts document read aloud by the prosecutor. The boy used a profanity and said “I shot my teacher,” before breaking free and punching the reading specialist in the face, the document states. The gun was on the floor nearby. “My mom had that. ....I stole it because I needed to shoot my teacher,” the boy said, according to the document. The document said the boy had been diagnosed with a defiance disorder. He had previously taken his mother’s car keys from her purse, which prompted her to put her keys in a lock box. But she continued to keep her gun in her purse, the document states. Taylor told police she believed the gun was in her purse, secured with a trigger lock, according to search warrants. She said she kept the gunlock key under her bedroom mattress. But agents with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they never found a trigger lock after conducting searches, according to federal court documents. The stipulation of facts also said there was no gun safe or trigger lock found during searches by authorities. Taylor did not speak during the plea hearing except to answer questions from the judge about whether she understood the proceeding. She spoke softly and was asked by the judge to raise her voice. In June, Taylor pleaded guilty in a separate but related federal case to using marijuana while possessing a firearm, which is illegal under U.S. law."

Get this:

"Taylor’s attorney, James Ellenson, said in April that there were “mitigating circumstances,” including her miscarriages and postpartum depression before the shooting. Ellenson said Tuesday he will address depression and anxiety issues at Taylor’s sentencing hearing. Taylor told ABC’s “Good Morning America” in May that she feels responsible and apologized to Zwerner. “That is my son, so I am, as a parent, obviously willing to take responsibility for him because he can’t take responsibility for himself,” Taylor said. Her son has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and was under a care plan that included a family member accompanying him to class every day, Ellenson said. The week of the shooting was the first when a parent was not in class with him. The change was made because the boy had started medication and was meeting his goals academically, Taylor said. “I just truly would like to apologize,” Taylor said on the show. Virginia’s law on felony child neglect says any parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care of a child “whose willful act or omission in the care of such child was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life” is guilty of a Class 6 felony. Ellenson said in court Tuesday that the boy is now in the care of his great-grandfather."

An incredibly sad story on so many levels.

Justice Thomas gift acceptance far worse than previously reported. NPR reports:

"Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted more vacations and gifts from billionaire benefactors than previously reported, according to a new report by ProPublica. The conservative justice, who has come under scrutiny for his failure to disclose such gifts, took at least 38 vacations, 26 private jet flights, eight flights by helicopter, a dozen VIP passes to sporting events, as well as stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica, the nonprofit news site reports. ProPublica notes that Thomas appears to have broken the law by failing to disclose flights, cruises and sports tickets. The report is the latest revelation about the justice that has brought into the spotlight the Supreme Court justices and the ethics rules they are supposed to follow."

Readers will recall:

"ProPublica previously revealed that Harlan Crow, a Texas billionaire, paid for Thomas' vacations, his mother's house, and a nephew's tuition payments. Separately, The New York Times reported that Thomas received special treatment from members of the Horatio Alger Association, including David Sokol, a former Berkshire Hathaway executive; and H. Wayne Huizenga, the billionaire. ProPublica reported that Paul "Tony" Novelly, the oil baron, is a previously unnamed benefactor of the justice. The total value of the undisclosed trips Thomas has received from these men since 1991, when he was appointed to the Supreme Court, is likely in the millions, the news site said."

Bought and paid for?

"Neither Thomas nor Novelly responded to ProPublica's questions for its report. Huizenga died in 2018. In a statement, Sokol said though he hosted the Thomases, they "have never once discussed any pending court matter."

That right? Believe it?

"Thomas isn't the only justice to come under such scrutiny. ProPublica reported in June that in 2008 Justice Samuel Alito went on a fishing trip to Alaska with hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, a Republican donor who has had cases before the Supreme Court. Alito traveled to the remote Alaska site on Singer's private jet, along with Leonard Leo, a longtime leader of the conservative Federalist Society, who helped organize the trip. And the salmon fishing lodge that they all stayed at was owned at the time by another big Republican donor, Robin Arkley II, who footed the bill for Alito's lodging. Alito did not subsequently recuse himself from a case involving Singer's legal interests before the court."

Bought and paid for?

"Legal experts have said that the justices should have disclosed free trips like these. "The statute itself is clear, and the justices can be very harsh on litigants who fail to follow statutory language," Amanda Frost, a University of Virginia professor, told NPR in June. "So I think they should hold themselves to that same standard."

Called hypocrisy. 'Don't do as I do, do as I say.'

"In April, Thomas issued a statement declaring that when he first came on the court in 1991, he was advised by his colleagues and others that he didn't have to disclose hospitality from personal friends. That understanding has been corrected, he said, and he would in the future disclose such personal travel and entertainment paid for by others. He did not, however, commit to amending his prior disclosure forms."

Surprised? Called bullshit. Goddamned hypocrisy. Bought and paid for.

"Polls show that Americans of all political stripes are increasingly troubled by the lack of a code of ethics for the high court. Chief Justice John Roberts has more than once said the court is working on an ethics code for itself, but so far one has failed to materialize."

Surprised? Bought and paid for. Think things will ever change?

Trump prosecutor stands tall. ABC News reports:

"Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has responded to a recent attack ad from former President Donald Trump, writing in an internal memo sent to staff urging them not to respond and reminding them that "we have a job to do," according to a copy of the memo obtained by ABC News. "We have no personal feelings against those we investigate or prosecute and we should not express any," Willis wrote in the memo on Wednesday. "This is business, it will never be personal." The memo came in response, Willis wrote, to an attack ad taken out by Donald Trump to run in the Atlanta area to run through Sunday. In the memo, Willis told her staff not to "comment in anyway on the ad or the negativity that may be expressed against me, your colleagues, this office in the coming days, weeks or months." "In this office, we prosecute based on the facts and the law. This law is non-partisan. You should feel no need to defend me," she wrote. "I am not concerned with the calls, emails, or ads and you should not concern yourself with them." The Trump Campaign recently released an ad which attacked Willis with a number of unproven or exaggerated allegations."

Surprised?

"In her memo, Willis did not specifically name which ad she was referring to, but the Atlanta Journal Constitution -- which first reported the memo -- reported that the Trump campaign paid $79,000 for that ad to run on cable news channels in metro Atlanta between Aug. 9 and 13, according to Medium Buying. In her memo, Willis said the ad contained "derogatory and false information about me as the District Attorney of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit."

Surprised?

"ABC News previously reported that Willis, who for over two and a half years has been investigating Donald Trump and his allies' efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, is expected to bring her case before the grand jury next week, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Willis also reminded staff of a policy not to comment on matters "on social media or any public forum." "No employee of this office may make any public comments related to the noise," Willis continued. "You[r] instruction from me is to ignore all the noise and keep doing your job with excellence."

Judge issues Trump protective order. ABC News reports:

"The judge overseeing special counsel Jack Smith's Jan. 6 case against Donald Trump issued a protective order against the former president following a hearing Friday in which she cautioned Trump against making "inflammatory statements" about the case and said that his First Amendment rights are "not absolute." Judge Tanya Chutkan heard arguments Friday on the terms of a protective order that Smith was seeking in order to prevent "the improper dissemination or use of discovery materials" his team is preparing to turn over to Trump's attorneys for them to prepare Trump's defense. Trump himself was not present at the hearing. The judge's ruling, issued following the hearing, prohibits the disclosure of a range of "sensitive" materials, including all recordings, transcripts, interview reports and related exhibits shared by the special counsel. Smith requested the protective order last Friday after Trump posted a message to his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" "Mr. Trump, like any American, has a right to free speech," Chutkan told attorneys at Friday's hearing. "But that right is not absolute." The Trump campaign said Trump's message was aimed at political interest groups."

Think so? Believe it?

"Chutkan, as she was wrapping up the hearing, cautioned Trump over public statements he has made related to the case -- and suggested that his words could backfire by moving the case to trial even faster. "I intend to ensure the orderly administration of justice in this case as I would with any other case," Chutkan said. "The more a party makes inflammatory statements about this case which could taint the jury pool or intimidate potential witnesses, the greater the urgency will be that we proceed to trial to ensure a jury pool from which we can select an impartial jury."

Readers will recall:

"Trump earlier this month pleaded not guilty to charges of undertaking a "criminal scheme" to overturn the results of the 2020 election by enlisting a slate of so-called "fake electors," using the Justice Department to conduct "sham election crime investigations," trying to enlist the vice president to "alter the election results," and promoting false claims of a stolen election as the Jan. 6 riot raged -- all in an effort to subvert democracy and remain in power. The former president has denied all wrongdoing and denounced the charges as "a persecution of a political opponent."

That's a crock of shit. Is that all the Trump nazi and legal counsel have? That's no defense. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"On the question of how wide-ranging the protective order should be, Trump's attorneys proposed it be more limited in scope and also wanted to be able to share discovery materials with so-called "volunteer lawyers" and other non-attorneys that are assisting in the case."

Aren't his shysters confident they can handle his defense? LOL.

"Prosecutors, who sought to protect a wider range of materials, said the government's aim is to prevent any materials that are handed over in discovery from being used to taint an eventual jury. "They have identified what they intend to do with it," special counsel attorney Tom Windom said of Trump and his team. "Even if it is non-sensitive material, it still has the potential to intimidate witnesses." Chutkan ruled that Trump would be restricted from discussing publicly materials deemed "sensitive," which would include all recordings, transcripts, interview reports and related exhibits shared by the special counsel. The judge said she believed the release of the materials created "too great a risk" that witnesses could be intimidated or the jury pool would be tainted. Trump's attorneys also sought latitude from the judge as Trump campaigns to regain the presidency in 2024. Trump attorney John Lauro pressed the judge on the matter, saying that Trump is entitled to speak freely if he "has a memory of something on the campaign trail." Chutkan, however, responded that "this is a criminal trial" and that she would not base her decision on "whether it will affect a political campaign on either side." "The existence of a political campaign will not have any bearing on my decision," Chutkan said. "He's a criminal defendant -- he's going to have restrictions like every single other defendant," said the judge."

Goddamned right. Why should he receive special treatment simply because the fascist bastard is at the top of the food chain? Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"On the portion of the protective order that relates to how Trump himself should be supervised when reviewing discovery materials shared by the government, Lauro said he had concerns about requiring an attorney to sit with Trump at any time he wants to read through evidence -- but Windom countered that the government had ample reasons to request that. "He has shown a tendency or desire to hold onto material which he should not have," Windom quipped in reference to charges Trump is facing regarding his alleged retention of classified documents. Windom said the government was concerned that if Trump was alone reviewing evidence, he could choose to take a picture of it with his phone or make some kind of "photocopy" that he would then release out. "Like live-tweeting?" Judge Chutkan asked. "I mean, literally just photocopying or taking a picture of something in order to do whatever he wants," Windom answered. Chutkan ultimately ruled that she will allow Trump to review discovery materials without having a member of his legal team sit with him -- however, she said she will order his lawyers to "ensure" that if Trump is reviewing materials alone, he must not have any kind of electronic device or phone that could be used to copy the materials."

Think Trump won't do precisely as he pleases?

"Windom said the government would begin sharing discovery materials once the protective order is in place -- "roughly 11.6 million pages or files," he said, adding that the materials are "extraordinarily well organized" and that the government expects to have discovery "substantially completed" by the end of the month."

NBC News reports:

"Lawyers for Donald Trump and federal prosecutors appeared in a federal courtroom Friday morning to discuss what restrictions could be imposed before a trial on charges related to the 2020 election, including limits on what information the former president can share about the case. The 10 a.m. ET hearing before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan took place before special counsel Jack Smith's team turns over discovery in a case that the government would like to set for trial in January. By late afternoon, Chutkan had entered a protective order laying out restrictions on how Trump's team can handle hundreds of thousands of pages of discovery that will be turned over and verbally warned Trump's lawyers about statements about the case. "The defendant and defense counsel shall not disclose Sensitive Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than persons employed to assist in the defense, persons who are interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and other persons to whom the court may authorize disclosure," Chutkan wrote. Chutkan ruled Friday that the protective order will only apply to "sensitive" materials, not all discovery, as the government had requested and she issued a stern warning to Trump and his defense team to avoid public statements that could intimidate witnesses, prejudice potential jurors or otherwise create a “carnival atmosphere” around the case. “Mr. Trump, like every American, has a First Amendment right to free speech. But that right is not absolute,” she said."

Sadly, Trump and his shysters expect special treatment. In a democratic republic, however, everyone from the bottom of the food chain to the very top is supposedly treated equally.

"Friday's hearing centered on a protective order requested by prosecutors that would set rules about what information Trump or his attorneys could share publicly before the government turns over discovery materials. Citing Trump's "statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others associated with legal matters pending against him" — particularly a Truth Social post that said, "IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I'M COMING AFTER YOU!" — Smith's office said sharing, for example, grand jury transcripts "could have a harmful chilling effect on witnesses or adversely affect the fair administration of justice in this case." Trump's team has argued that the government was seeking "to restrict First Amendment rights," though, as a matter of common practice, criminal defendants' constitutional rights are routinely restricted. Trump's lawyers argued that Smith's office "requests the Court assume the role of censor and impose content-based regulations on President Trump’s political speech."

Why should Trump receive special treatment?

"In Friday's hearing, Lauro noted the uniqueness of a case involving a former president and current candidate for president brought by the administration of his likely general election opponent, President Joe Biden. “We have to face the fact that we’re in uncharted waters here. ... His opponent has the Justice Department bringing criminal charges against him," Lauro said."

That's a crock of shit. That all Trump's shyster has in his defense? More bullshit:

"Lauro argued that the government’s proposed protective order would be beneficial to the Biden campaign because it would stifle Trump’s political speech."

That all you have, Counselor?

"Chutkan rejected the political argument. “This is a criminal trial. … I cannot and I will not factor into my decisions the effect it’s going to have on a political campaign for either side,” she said. “I intend to ensure that your client is afforded all the rights he’s entitled to. The existence of a political campaign is not going to have any bearing on my decision," she said, later adding: "I intend to keep politics out of this." Thomas Windom, a prosecutor for Smith's office, argued that a protective order is needed to protect witnesses and "prevent the use of any material produced in discovery from harming the jury pool." The defense is “asking for the court’s blessing to use criminal discovery for political purposes,” he said. Chutkan reiterated that she has to weigh Trump’s First Amendment rights to speech, noting that Trump is already bound by his conditions of release from harassing or intimidating witnesses. After a discussion about Trump possibly posting discovery materials online, she ruled that witness interview transcripts will be considered sensitive materials subject to the protective order. “Your client’s defense is supposed to happen in this courtroom, not on the internet. And to the extent your client wants to make statements on the internet, they always have to yield to witness security and witness safety,” Chutkan told Lauro. Lauro assured her that “President Trump will scrupulously abide by his conditions of release,” which includes not doing anything that could be construed as harassing or intimidating witnesses. Lauro argued that because of Trump’s campaign, he might need to address witness testimony. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is running against Trump in 2024, testified before the special counsel grand jury in April. “He is a criminal defendant,” Chutkan said of Trump. “He is going to have restrictions like every other defendant.”

Why shouldn't he? Why should he receive special treatment?

"She said the protective order will require defense attorneys to review any notes Trump takes while looking at sensitive materials to make sure they don’t contain any witness’s personal identifying information. Trump will also be forbidden from having a phone, copy machine or anything else that could create a copy of the sensitive materials while reviewing them. “He has shown a tendency to hold on to material which he should not,” Windom said."

No shit. LOL.

"The trial is still many months away. Smith's team proposed Thursday that jury selection start in December and that a trial get underway just after the new year. A Jan. 2 trial date, his team wrote, "would vindicate the public’s strong interest in a speedy trial — an interest guaranteed by the Constitution and federal law in all cases, but of particular significance here, where the defendant, a former president, is charged with conspiring to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, obstruct the certification of the election results, and discount citizens’ legitimate votes." Trump’s team has not yet filed its response for a trial date. Windom said Friday that the government is prepared to turn over 11.6 million pages of discovery in its first production, as well as a hard drive containing extractions from various devices. “I can just imagine your motion for a trial date now,” Chutkan joked to Lauro."

No shit. LOL.

"She ended the hearing with a warning to Trump's team "to take special care about your public statements about this case." “Even arguably ambiguous statements by the parties or their counsel, if they could be reasonably interpreted to intimidate witnesses or to prejudice potential jurors, can threaten the process," Chutkan continued. The more a party makes public statements that could influence potential jurors, she said, the more quickly the case will proceed to trial."

You need to hold Trump and his shysters to that, Judge.

The Associated Press reports:

"The federal judge overseeing the election conspiracy case against Donald Trump warned Friday that there are limits on what the former president can publicly say about evidence in the investigation as he campaigns for a second term in the White House. Presiding over her first hearing for the case, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington heard arguments on how to structure a protective order for evidence turned over by prosecutors, a common step in criminal cases. But she also used the forum to address the case’s unprecedented mix of legal and political concerns. Chutkan stressed that political considerations wouldn’t guide her decisions. She also repeatedly said Trump was subject to the court’s rules as a defendant before trial even as he runs for the 2024 Republican nomination for president. “Your client’s defense is supposed to happen in this courtroom, not on the internet,” Chutkan told Trump’s lawyers. The judge said that the more anyone makes “inflammatory” statements about the case, the greater her urgency will be to move the case more quickly to trial to prevent witness intimidation or jury pool contamination. She noted that “arguably ambiguous statements” could be construed as intimidation or harassment of potential witnesses. “I will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the case,” she said."

Hopefully, that's true.

"Trump has pleaded not guilty to four felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and conspiracy to obstruct Congress’ certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s electoral victory. The charges could lead to a lengthy prison sentence in the event of a conviction, with the most serious counts calling for up to 20 years. Smith’s team has indicated that it wants the case to move to trial swiftly, and this week it proposed a Jan. 2 trial date. Trump is already scheduled to stand trial in March in a New York case stemming from hush money payments made during the 2016 campaign and in May in another case brought by Smith accusing the former president of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart in June imposed a similar protective order in the Florida case that prohibits Trump and his legal team from publicly disclosing evidence turned over to them by prosecutors without prior approval."

Trump indicted a fourth time. The Associated Press reports:

"Donald Trump and 18 allies were indicted in Georgia on Monday over their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state, with prosecutors using a statute normally associated with mobsters to accuse the former president, lawyers and other aides of a “criminal enterprise” to keep him in power. The nearly 100-page indictment details dozens of acts by Trump or his allies to undo his defeat, including beseeching Georgia’s Republican secretary of state to find enough votes for him to win the battleground state; harassing an election worker who faced false claims of fraud; and attempting to persuade Georgia lawmakers to ignore the will of voters and appoint a new slate of electoral college electors favorable to Trump. In one particularly brazen episode, it also outlines a plot involving one of his lawyers to access voting machines in a rural Georgia county and steal data from a voting machine company. “The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s presidential election result,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whose office brought the case, said at a late-night news conference. Other defendants include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows; Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; and a Trump administration Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, who aided the then-president’s efforts to undo his election loss in Georgia. Other lawyers who advanced legally dubious ideas to overturn the results, including John Eastman, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, were also charged. Willis said the defendants would be permitted to voluntarily surrender by noon Aug. 25. She also said she plans to seek a trial date within six months and that she intends to try the defendants collectively."

The walls are certainly closing in on Trump. What took so long? Why did it take two and a half years? Why did he receive special treatment?

"The indictment bookends a remarkable crush of criminal cases — four in five months, each in a different city — that would be daunting for anyone, never mind someone like Trump who is simultaneously balancing the roles of criminal defendant and presidential candidate. It comes just two weeks after the Justice Department special counsel charged him in a vast conspiracy to overturn the election, underscoring how prosecutors after lengthy investigations that followed the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol have now, two-and-a-half years later, taken steps to hold Trump to account for an assault on the underpinnings of American democracy. The Georgia case covers some of the same ground as Trump’s recent indictment in Washington, including attempts he and his allies made to disrupt the electoral vote count at the Capitol. But in its sprawling web of defendants — 19 in total — the indictment stands apart from the more tightly targeted case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which so far only names Trump as a defendant. In charging close Trump aides who were referenced by Smith only as unindicted co-conspirators, the Georgia indictment alleges a scale of criminal conduct extending far beyond just the ex-president. The indictment, with charges under the state’s racketeering law and language conjuring the seedy underworld of mob bosses and gang leaders, accuses the former president, his former chief of staff, Trump’s attorneys and the ex-New York mayor of being members of a “criminal organization” and “enterprise” that operated in Georgia and other states."

Interestingly and clearly a mistake:

"The indictment capped a chaotic day at the courthouse caused by the brief but mysterious posting on a county website of a list of criminal charges that were to be brought against the former president. Reuters, which published a copy of the document, said the filing was taken down quickly. A Willis spokesperson said in the afternoon that it was “inaccurate” to say that an indictment had already been returned but declined to comment further on a kerfuffle that the Trump legal team jumped on to attack the investigation’s integrity. Trump and his allies, who have characterized the investigation as politically motivated, immediately seized on the apparent error to claim that the process was rigged. Trump’s campaign aimed to fundraise off it, sending out an email with the since-deleted document embedded. In a statement after the indictment was issued, Trump’s legal team said “the events that have unfolded today have been shocking and absurd, starting with the leak of a presumed and premature indictment before the witnesses had testified or the grand jurors had deliberated and ending with the District Attorney being unable to offer any explanation.” The lawyers said prosecutors presenting their case “relied on witnesses who harbor their own personal and political interests — some of whom ran campaigns touting their efforts against the accused.” Trump responded to the indictment Tuesday by announcing a news conference for next week to present yet another “almost complete” report on the alleged fraud he has yet to prove nearly three years after the 2020 election."

Trump is clearly a congenital liar who needs to be held to account criminally. Not given an advantage of the clear mistake of premature posting of charges with no explanation.

"Many of the 161 acts by Trump and his associates outlined in the Georgia indictment have already received widespread attention. That includes a Jan. 2, 2021, call in which Trump urged Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” the 11,780 votes needed to overturn his election loss. That call, prosecutors said, violated a Georgia law against soliciting a public official to violate their oath. It also accuses Trump of making false statements and writings for a series of claims he made to Raffensperger and other state election officials, including that up to 300,000 ballots “were dropped mysteriously into the rolls” in the 2020 election, that more than 4,500 people voted who weren’t on registration lists and that a Fulton County election worker, Ruby Freeman, was a “professional vote scammer.” Giuliani, meanwhile, is accused of making false statements for allegedly lying to lawmakers by claiming that more than 96,000 mail-in ballots were counted in Georgia despite there being no record of them having been returned to a county elections office, and that a voting machine in Michigan wrongly recorded 6,000 votes for Biden that were actually cast for Trump. In a statement, Giuliani did not respond directly to the allegations but called the indictment an “affront to American democracy” and “just the next chapter in a book of lies.”

Talking about yourself, Counselor? LOL.

"Also charged are individuals prosecutors say helped Trump and his allies on the ground in Georgia influence and intimidate election workers. One man, Stephen Cliffgard Lee, was charged for allegedly traveling to Freeman’s home “with intent to influence her testimony.” Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss testified to Congress last year about how Trump and his allies latched onto surveillance footage from November 2020 to accuse both women of committing voter fraud — allegations that were quickly debunked, yet spread widely across conservative media. Both women, who are Black, faced death threats after the election. The indictment also accuses Powell and several co-defendants of tampering with voting machines in Coffee County, Georgia, and stealing data belonging to Dominion Voting Systems, a producer of tabulation machines that has long been the focus of conspiracy theories. An attorney for Powell declined to comment."

Surprised?

"According to evidence made public by the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot, Trump allies targeted Coffee County in search of evidence to back their theories of widespread voter fraud, allegedly copying data and software. Besides the two election-related cases, Trump faces a separate federal indictment accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents as well as a New York state case charging him with falsifying business records. As indictments mount, Trump — the leading Republican candidate for president in 2024 — often invokes his distinction as the only former president to face criminal charges. He is campaigning and fundraising around these themes, portraying himself as the victim of Democratic prosecutors out to get him."

Sadly, the racist fascist autocrat remains a congenital liar. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"Republican allies once again quickly rallied to Trump’s defense. “Americans see through this desperate sham,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter."

Talking about yourself and your fellow racist fascists, Mr. Speaker? Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

The Associated Press reports:

"The fourth indictment of former President Donald Trump may be the most sweeping yet. The sprawling, 98-page case unveiled late Monday night opens up fresh legal ground and exposes more than a dozen of Trump’s allies to new jeopardy. But it also raises familiar legal issues of whether the First Amendment allows a politician to try to overturn an election. Already, Trump and his supporters are alleging the indictment is the product of a politicized, corrupt process to hobble him as he competes for the GOP nomination to face President Joe Biden next year.

"This may be the last of the Trump indictments, but it was the big one. The indictment lists 18 defendants in addition to Trump, all joined together by Georgia’s unusual anti-racketeering, or RICO, law. Many of the defendants aren’t even based in Georgia. The better-known defendants include former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and attorney Sidney Powell, who appeared in numerous hearings and on television spreading false claims about unfounded incidents of purported election fraud. Giuliani and Powell were among the unnamed co-conspirators in the federal indictment against Trump for his push to overturn the election that was released earlier this month. Others, however, had to date escaped mention in charging documents, like Trump’s then-chief of staff Mark Meadows, who was on the call during which Trump urged Georgia election officials to “find” him the votes he needed to be declared winner of the state. Other defendants include Mike Roman, a Trump campaign official who the indictment alleges helped arrange slates of fake Trump electors whose votes Congress could count rather than those of the actual appointed ones for the winner of the election, President Joe Biden. Another person charged is Jenna Ellis, who has become a prominent conservative legal personality after working on the Trump campaign and helping spread Trump’s false allegations of widespread fraud. The charges also fall upon several Georgia players, including Ray Smith and Robert Cheeley, lawyers working for Trump in Georgia, and David Shafer, then the state GOP chairman, for serving as a fake Trump elector along with fellow co-defendants Shawn Still, then the state GOP finance chairman, and Cathleen Alston Latham."

Certainly, the most comprehensive Trump indictment to date:

"Critics may argue this is an overreach for a local prosecutor’s office. But the Georgia RICO statute gives Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ office the ability to construct a wide-ranging narrative by citing and charging other players in the alleged wrongdoing, even those out of state. Some legal analysts think that Jack Smith, the federal prosecutor who filed the earlier charges against Trump for trying to overturn the election, didn’t charge people identified as co-conspirators in his case, like Giuliani, because he is aiming for a trial as quickly – and with as much time as possible before the 2024 presidential election — as feasible. Willis on Monday night said she hoped for a trial date in six months. But her office is taking a notably different, more sweeping approach from the more streamlined federal indictment. She vowed that she would seek to try all 19 defendants together."

Certainly, not clear Trump, indeed, has a viable defense:

"Trump is expected to employ a similar defense in both the earlier federal indictment and the Fulton County case. He and his supporters contend he’s being charged simply for speaking up against what he saw as an unfair election and practicing politics as usual. But it’s not clear that defense will work. Indeed, some of the 161 acts that prosecutors contend were part of the conspiracy to overturn may sound like protected political machinations in isolation – emails and texts about meetings of people contending to be Trump electors, tweets about alleged voter fraud, even the filing of a lawsuit in Georgia challenging the election outcome. But the indictment argues they were all steps in what it calls “a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump.” For example, it alleges that those fake elector meetings were part of an attempt to convince Georgia state lawmakers to “unlawfully” appoint the phony Trump electors, rather than the Biden ones they were bound to by law. The indictment contends the tweets about phony voter fraud and even the lawsuit were part of a similar scheme. And, finally, it says some of the lies trying to persuade Georgia’s top election official, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and Gov. Brian Kemp to declare Trump the victor could be considered another crime under state law, solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer."

The following is certainly a mistake that should have never been made:

"A document briefly posted to the Fulton County Clerk’s Office website earlier Monday snagged the day’s proceedings and gave Trump a window to further disparage the case against him. People were still waiting to testify before the grand jury when Reuters reported on a document listing criminal charges to be brought against Trump, including state racketeering counts, conspiracy to commit false statements and solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer. Reuters, which later published a copy of the document, said the filing was taken down quickly. A spokesperson for Willis said the report of charges being filed was “inaccurate,” but declined to comment further. A statement subsequently released by the Fulton County courts clerk called the posted document “fictitious,” but failed to explain how it got on the court’s website. Trump and his allies immediately seized on the apparent error to claim that the process was rigged. Trump’s campaign aimed to fundraise off it, sending out an email with the since-deleted document embedded. “The Grand Jury testimony has not even FINISHED — but it’s clear the District Attorney has already decided how this case will end,” Trump wrote in the email, which included links to give money to his campaign. “This is an absolute DISGRACE.”

Wake up, Mr. Trump. What is a disgrace is the congenital liar, racist fascist autocrat who was president for four treasonous years. Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"Trump’s legal team said it was not a “simple administrative mistake.” Rather, it was “emblematic of the pervasive and glaring constitutional violations which have plagued this case from its very inception,” said lawyers Drew Findling, Jennifer Little and Marissa Goldberg.

... Talking about your Fuhrer, the Trump nazi? Fascism, nazism, national socialism defined as the pernicious blend of government, business, and religion. 'Justified' by perversion and bastardization of the latter.

"The sheer number of investigations, criminal cases and lawsuits brought against Trump are unprecedented for a former president. The same could be said for the tens of millions of dollars in legal fees paid out to attorneys representing him and his allies, straining the finances of his campaign. An Associated Press analysis of recent fundraising disclosures shows Trump’s political committees have paid out at least $59.2 million to more than 100 lawyers and law firms since January 2021. The threat posed by this colossal drain of resources has led Trump’s allies to establish a new legal defense fund, the Patriot Legal Defense Fund."

Tough shit. Trump can certainly afford it. LOL.

The effort to expose Wells Fargo egregious deceptive trade practices continues. Several years ago to determinedly apply renewed pressure on our truly worthless, egregiously self-serving Texas Attorney General, now Governor, an excoriating email was sent to the bastard. Copies of which were also passed on to both offending Wells Fargo officers. A copy was also sent to the Davis campaign and others at the time.

Voters did have a right to know as Attorney General, the GOP candidate for Governor apparently selectively investigated, or not, bona fide complaints filed by citizens against banks too big to fail. Possibly, Wells Fargo could have lined his pockets in some fashion. That has yet to be determined.

The bastard and his office, no matter what, failed to respond to the complaint originally snail mailed several years ago. This material, figuratively targeting Wells Fargo and the governor 'wannabe' now Governor, had been posted and can be found by scrolling all the way down and clicking on the links well below. ... Governor? Wells Fargo bribe you to look the other way?

Will continue to do all I can to publicly expose this to all, both in this publication and elsewhere. Have done precisely that with the following email sent to Matt Turner, Matt Turner Video Services, Marble Falls, TX. A copy of it was also sent to Wells Fargo officer Amanda Wright. She has, indeed, been promoted branch manager. Reverse Darwinism. Survival of the unfittest.

This young woman has indeed been rewarded by the Wells Fargo corporate management suite for engaging in criminal deceptive trade practices and her undying loyalty to her corporate masters. The process to update those already informed of this fiasco has finally been completed. This latest material can be found by clicking onWells Fargo Deceptive Trade Practices Salvo 240, 2-8-19 .

The name of this publication was changed some fifteen years ago from The Llano Ledger to Liberty In Peril. The reason? Simple. Cowardly failure of this community to stand up to tyranny that has only exponentially worsened the last decade and a half. Clearly, demonstrated as well by the cowardly failure of businesses to financially support this publication. Either through advertising or other financial support. Too afraid doing so would enrage the bastards who run and own this hellhole County.

-- Despite the fact these businesses were, and are, being egregiously f--ked by these very same bastards. Tough, isn't it? Impossible to entertain any sympathy for cowardice, however. Especially in view of the fact this writer has placed himself in great jeopardy taking on these corrupt, abusive, inept criminal bastards. Alone.

Exactly, why you see no investigative material highly critical of these sons of bitches in other local rags. Sadly, cowardly, all advertising income immediately dries up. Consequently, the bastards continue their criminal chicanery with impunity. On a rampage. Thus, you get what you truly deserve. Always. Precisely, why this earlier name change to Liberty In Peril remains appropriate. -- Despite the fact this writer has not yet left the area. Ten years after originally intending to do so. Thirty years in this goddamned godforsaken hellhole.

This writer, then and now, remains primarily interested in state, federal, and international issues. Another reason for this publication name change. Despite the fact I stupidly cluelessly remain here, local issues must be addressed. Can't be ignored. That's where you come in dear readers. Have the courage to inform this writer of local abuse, corruption, ineptness you are aware of, have personally experienced.

... Information these criminal bastards do all they can to conceal, cover up. Otherwise, how can they effectively sustain the charade and intended result? Loot confiscation through a boot heel on the throat of the citizenry.

The only way, short of an unwanted dreaded second American revolution, to force badly-needed change is to expose all this to the light of day. These bastards are beginning to understand they have a problem. No question, the growing rage of those they've abused, looted, egregiously f--ked. It's time to stand up. Expose this corruption to glaring sunlight. Otherwise, as fools, cowards, you will remain under their thumb. From the loftiest business owner to those on the bottom of the food chain. Wake up. Grow a pair.

Still don't think that likely to happen. After all, you're bought and paid for. Owned. Not only by your government masters, but their masters. The corporate management suite. Your employers. Think not? Wake up. You're human chattel. Corporate-owned, bought and paid for. Precisely, why you cowardly, compliantly, literally bare your asses for corporate inspection by the company doctor. Willingly, compliantly, cowardly piss in a cup under employer supervision. To sit in front of a keyboard or stock shelves all day. You have no control of your lives. You're owned. Forget? For a measly salary, no job security, reduced to no benefits. At a time of record corporate profits and cash reserves.

Then, you gallingly complain about the oppression as you tolerate egregious theft of your labor. Not only by your corporate masters, but their bought and paid for government lackeys. Too cowardly to stand up, allow disclosure of your identity when you rightfully complain to this publication of being mercilessly f--ked. Some of you falsely arrested, criminally assaulted, bogusly fined for 'offenses' you did not commit. To line County coffers. Keep the peasants in line and under control. A fascist police-state. Nazi America.

Again, yet another reason why this publication is called Liberty In Peril. Most galling? Nothing changes if you fail to step up and challenge corrupt, abusive, inept authority. Too afraid, cowardly compliant to let the bastards know who you are. Did it ever occur to the cowards out there if the identity of the accuser is kept under wraps the bastards will falsely claim it's all made up by this publication? Thus, conveniently killing all credibility. Wake up.

Cowardice is unbecoming, unworthy of our formerly great country. Insult to injury? There are the hopelessly deranged who believe the chicanery reported here to be manufactured anyway. No matter the effort. No matter the research. No matter the proof. Wake up. This writer cannot do it alone. Snowball's chance in hell. Then again, cowardice, delusion is always amply, justly rewarded. Always. You continue to 'enjoy' the very best government money can buy. Literally.

Tim Chorney

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
Formerly,
The Llano Ledger
United States Of America

Cannot do it alone. Impossible. Not sustainable. This publication needs your financial and material support. Both. Time to step up.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
Liberty In Peril
... Formerly
The Llano Ledger

Previous Newsletter
Next Newsletter
Back To Home Page
Tim Chorney, Publisher
libertyinperil@protonmail.com