Mr Smith Goes to Washington - Jimmy Stewart

The movie, Mr. Smith goes to Washington (1939) is about Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart), a noble but naive man who is appointed to finish out the remaining term of a recently vacated U.S. Senate seat. His encounters with all manner of corruption only serves to strengthen his resolve in the face of stagnant, status-quo Washington bureaucrats who serve their personal agendas at the expense of their constituencies who put them into office. Rather than give in, Smith stages a one-man filibuster that lasts, 'twenty-three hours and sixteen minutes.' He finally collapses but not before he confronts Senator Payne, with his challenge to remember The Golden Rule.

In the end, Mr. Smith refuses to lose hope. He refuses to part with his ideals and principles in the face of frustration.

Yes, this movie is sappy and yes, Washington doesn't work that way but there is a certain romance in watching heroic battles as the one put forth by Senator Smith in the defense of social justice and simple Human decency.

Sixty-nine years have passed since Frank Capra directed this movie. It remains poignant because Washington still has its share of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. Nowadays, it appears that almost daily, the majority party faces yet another sex scandal or charge for peddling influence to the highest bidder as did Congressman Robert Ney of (R) Ohio or California's Congressman (R) Randall 'Duke' Cunningham were.


Something has to change when a respected Senator [Larry Craig (R) Idaho] is caught in a bathroom sex sting or when another [Congressman Mark Foley (R) Florida] is forced to resign after being caught soliciting sex from under-age Congressional Page boys - all this as they fought to implement legislation against sex-offenders and spoke so vehemently about the demise of family values in America as foundations for their platforms to get elected into office. It turns out the Republican Party is rife with perverts, philanderers and people on the take. There are quite a few more, like Tom Delay and Newt Gingrich who go on the attack as if their ability to use the distributed responsibility argument could stand up to the very measure they invoke as God-fearing Christians. The point is, they are corrupt - period.

No-bid contracts are the order of the day for Republican associates and cronies who break the law are ignored by the White House. Worse yet, even when they are caught red-handed breaking the law, they are rewarded for such transgressions by presidential pardon.

Maybe now is the Democratic Party's opportunity to heed the call of the people by submitting to the only special interest that matters in America, the little man, the poor, the weak and the back-bone of this country, the working class.

If we cannot take care of our own family, how can we begin to even consider being a beacon for the rest of the world?

Another Republican Pervert is Busted

According to a Washington Post article that appeared this Saturday, 16 February 2008, Maryland Delegate Robert McKee resigned his position Friday, two weeks after authorities seized evidence including a couple of computers and child pornography in the form of videotapes and 'printed materials' from his home in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Beware of wolves in shepherd's clothing....

Ironically, McKee was instrumental in formulating and passing laws aimed at protecting children from sexual predators.

McKee also resigned as Executive Director for Washington County's Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter where he worked for 29 years. Wow. According to blogger, "Down with Tyranny," 'He's been very active in the Little League and, predictably, was a chaplain for the First Christian Church...'

Et tu Brutus?

Well, McKee joins long list of distinguished Republicans who have been involved in sex scandals. The party of Family Values which includes some heavy hitters like the US Senator Larry Craig whose penchant for random sexual liaisons with men in airport bathrooms was revealed in a police sting, or the lecherous sexual predator and pedophile Florida Congressman Mark Foley and his pursuit of Congressional Page boys just to mention a couple. The list of sex scandals linked to these lawmakers and their deviances grows every day leaving their once solid constituency baffled, confused and disgusted with each new revelation.

Personal character isn't what you do when everyone is watching, it is what you do when no one is watching.

The extent to which legislators like McKee, Rep Foley, Senator Craig and the host of other Republicans ring their morality bell as they target homosexuals branding them as perverts and sexual predators is ironic, even comical in light of their own scandalous tendencies.

An emerging reality is taking shape as these kinds of nasty revelations are brought to light; being highly active in implementing anti-gay legislation seems to be reciprocally related with unresolved, closeted behaviors when it comes to self-proclaimed, morally upright Republican legislators. It begs the question; who better to write such laws than the child molesters and closet homosexuals themselves?

As karma would have it, they just keep getting caught with the proverbial planks in their eyes. It all has an Alice in Wonderland quality to it; things just seem to be getting 'curiouser and curiouser.'

To be of service or to be serviced, that is the question...

With his sexual appetite for children revealed, McKee's resignation letter expressed how the exposure was, 'deeply embarrassing to me' and further characterized his behavior as, a poor reflection on his, 'service to the community.'

Amen brother!

There is poetic justice to it all; Mark McKee will get to witness first-hand how effective the predatory laws he helped to write are.

The investigators haven't yet revealed whether his preference is under age boys or girls.

A Tribute to Fallen LAPD Officer Randall Simmons

A Tribute to Fallen LAPD Officer
Randall Simmons

In the early morning hours of 7 February 2008, LAPD's SWAT officers responded to an armed suspect barricaded inside a residence call. Officer Randy Simmons did not go home at the end of his shift. He sustained a mortal gunshot as he and other fellow officers attempted to breach the barricaded residence. His wound proved fatal and the offender - a troubled man - also died in the exchange of gunfire. Randy's memorial service was held on Friday 15 February 2008.

While we can glean the headlines for information, such facts rarely tell the whole story about a person. Randall Simmons was a profoundly religious man. He is survived by his wife Lisa, daughter Gabrielle, and son Matthew.

The above video was created by a fellow police officer who identified himself only as 'Manny'.

In lieu of attending the funeral, Manny patrolled the streets of L.A. as his way of honoring his fallen comrade. Thank you to Manny for the video vignette of this good, decent man - you have revealed a side of him that most of us would never have known. Thank you also for donning that badge - your commitment to your community makes this world a better place to live in. You and your Department are loved and appreciated. I'm sure you can never hear it enough.

Rest in peace Randall Simmons. God bless you Manny along with all the other men & women who daily put their lives on the line to ensure our safety and security.

May Officer Simmons killer also rest in peace - I'm certain Officer Simmons would have wanted it that way.

Note: you can scroll your cursor through the pictures below in the YouTube Screen when the video is done to view related videos. All you have to do is click on the picture.

Jesus is Love
Lionel Ritchie

Father Help Your children And don't let them fall By the side of the road, mmm...mmm...

And teach them To love one another That Heaven might find A place in their hearts

'Cause Jesus is love He won't let you down And I know He's mine forever Oh, in my heart

We've got to walk on Walk on through temptation 'Cause His love and His wisdom Will be our helpin' hand

And I know the Truth And His words will be our salvation Lift up our hearts To be thankful and glad

That Jesus is love He won't let you down And I know He's mine Deep down in my soul

Jesus is love Oh, yes, He is He won't let you down And I know He's mine, He's mine, He's mine, He's mine, all mine Forever, oh, in my heart Help me, heart, heart Ooh...ooh...

(Deep in my heart) I know, I know, I know, I know Ah, 'cause His love's the power (Power) His love's the glory (Glory) Forever (Ever and ever)

Ooh, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Ooh, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Ooh, yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah)

I wanna follow your star Wherever it leads me And I don't mind, Lord I hope you don't mind

I wanna walk with you And talk with you And do all the things you want me to do 'Cause I know that Jesus

(Jesus is Love, I know) 'Cause I know, Lord (And if you ask, I'll show) (Love is the word forever) And ever and ever

Who can bring you love (Jesus) Who can bring you joy (Jesus) Who can turn your life around (Jesus), oh

Ooh, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Yeah (Yeah, yeah) Hey

Who will pick you up (Jesus) When you fall (Jesus) Who'll stand beside you (Jesus) Who will love us all

Hey, hey, Jesus (Yeah, yeah) Jesus (Yeah, yeah) Oh, yeah (Yeah, yeah)

One thing I wanna say Who can heal your body (Jesus) Who can make you strong (Jesus) Who can help you to hold out (Jesus) A little while longer

Ooh, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Yeah (Yeah, yeah) Jesus loves you (Yeah, yeah), Jesus wants you If you call Him, He will answer

(Jesus) Call him in the mornin' (Jesus) Call him in the evenin' (Jesus) Call him in the midnight hour

Hey, hey (Yeah, yeah) Yeah (Yeah, yeah) Yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) Yeah, y'all say it for me

(Jesus is love)

No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child

Great Police Relations - Baltimore PD - Officer Salvatore Rivieri - The Making of a Lawsuit

Men are respectable only as they respect - Ralph Waldo Emerson

...We wear the badge with pride. We are privileged because our society has placed in our hands, a sacred trust. Every day when we pin our badge on our chests and we go out on to the streets of our great city, we are given the opportunity to do good against evil... - LAPD Police Chief William Bratton at memorial services held for fallen SWAT Officer Randall Simmons

Partial transcript of the videotaped incident between Baltimore Police Officer Salvatore Rivieri and 14 year old skater, Kyle Bush:
Rivieri: "... Are you from the county or something?...First of all, you disrespected me, this badge and my department! You understand me? When I'm talking to you, you shut your mouth and you listen! Obviously your parents don't put a foot in your butt quite enough 'cause you don't know the meaning of respect! First of all, you better learn how to speak, I'm not 'man.' I'm not 'dude.' I am Officer Rivieri! The sooner you learn that, the longer you are going to live in this world..."

Very nice Sal - I mean Officer Rivieri.

In New Mexico, the law on 'Battery' is: The non-consensual & intentional touching or application of force to the body of another person when done in a rude, angry or insolent manner.

I doubt that it would be much different in Baltimore - it might not be a bad idea for you to look it up in your state. Here is a valuable -albeit general - link for you to reference - (click here).

Anyone else whose actions were caught on tape like this would likely be subject to arrest for charges of assault and aggravated battery. While it is highly recommended that people be compliant with a police officer, there is no law that I know of that requires someone to be respectful.

Officer Rivieri appeared to have used a kubiton (the "stick" attached to his key ring) to physically control the juvenile. It does not appear that a lawful order for the juvenile to surrender the skateboard was ever given so, escalating to usage of physical force indicates the officer jumped up the use of force scale without properly giving the juvenile a chance to comply. As such, the kid appears to have been attacked by the officer. Also, using an object to batter someone makes the crime more serious because the object is considered a weapon. It is said to be 'aggravated battery'.

I had a hunch this wasn't his first incident of abuse. Someone else caught his abusiveness on tape. Click here to see that incident.

It will be interesting to see how Rivieri's attorney will frame a defense in the face of this video recording in order to justify:

1) Officer Rivieri's lack of officer safety; by turning his back to the 14 year old Rivieri musn't have perceived the juvenile as much of a threat. One can only wonder what could have happened if that allegedly 'disrespectful' kid had a weapon?

Fact: Veteran police officers with more than 7 years of police experience are statistically more likely to be killed in the line of duty because of their lax officer safety. Rivieri is a 17 year veteran police officer.
Police use of force:
Understanding the Use of Force Continuum, or, the Reactive Control Model (RCM) outlining acceptable use of force to control an offender is useful to review at this point:

Basically the Force Use of Force Continuum model of police control aims to outline how force is 'ratcheted-up' the scale according to how much a potential offender becomes non-compliant with an officer's commands. Baltimore PD has either this protocol or something quite similar as part of their Standard operating procedures outlining how to deal with an offender's resistance to lawful orders.

Officer presence is identified as the first level of force, then come verbal commands, then comes physical control/submission by application of force, followed by use of coercive tools (like batons and chemical devices) and finally use of deadly force - again the dictated level of force to be used is directly related to the level resistance posed by an offender. Ideally, police are trained to use only as much force as is necessary in order to gain compliance, maintain control and ensure safety. Such a protocol is aimed at; avoiding complaints against officer for use of excessive force; establishing an ethical response to resistance; reducing legal exposure by minimizing potential abuses.

2) Once Rivieri determined the juvenile was not complying with his lawful orders - and that becomes highly suspect as the interaction progresses - the officer scuffled with the alleged offender. Owing to that, Rivieri was essentially committed to physically restrain the kid ; he failed to use handcuffs to restrain the 'offender'.

Rivieri never did tell the kid to put the skate-board down or to step away from it either. A skateboard could be considered to be a potential weapon. Review of the video also reveals how Rivieri exposed his weapon to the kid in the ensuing struggle as he moved in to wrest the skateboard away. Shortly thereafter, he alsoturned his back to the other skateboarders at the scene. It is fortunate for the officer that the other kids didn't have bad intentions - or a gun or both.

While Rivieri did tell the kid to sit down twice, his command presence and shoving the kid apparently weren't enough to gain control . Rivieri had already wrestled with the juvenile and even appears to have used a kubiton on him. Bearing this in mind, the juvenile should have been considered to be resisting and non-compliant which clearly should have warranted his being handcuffed - detained for his safety. (Note: a detention doesn't necessarily imply arrest, Officers are trained to articulate in their incident reports that, "the offender was placed in handcuffs for his safety and the officer's safety. Such a statement has been court-tested and is considered to be an acceptable action for police officers by the Court).

If Rivieri's terse commands and agitated verbal tone are any indication, it is clear that Rivieri felt the kid was not complying. However, in the RCM model, Rivieri's actions vacillated from verbal commands to application of physical force and then back to verbal commands. It is not supposed to go that way. Typically, police are trained to establish and maintain control. Failure to do so risks further escalation and leaves open the potential for serious injury to either or both parties not to mention exposing the city of Baltimore to civil liability claims.

3) Rivieri failed to call for 'back-up' as he was - at least technically - outnumbered. Either his ego precluded him from doing this or he really felt he was in control as he berated the kid while the skateboarders stood by and didn't offer any resistance. It would have been a good idea to have another officer present (as a second corroborating witness for the court should testimony be called for in the future due to any allegations arising from the incident) in order to establish control and provide presence in case the situation happened to escalate.

4) Once Rivieri got the juvenile's information, he failed to radio in Bush's information to the PD Dispatch (he also did not get the kid's date of birth - a piece of information crucial for searching information in the database - in order to check for criminal history (granted juvenile information is highly protected even for law enforcement). Once he got the kids name and address, he did nothing with that information. That doesn't make any sense. He didn't call for a marked patrol unit to transport his 'prisoner' since that little Gem car he was in couldn't hold one - let alone three arrestees. It was clear that Rivieri did not intend to take anyone into custody but rather wanted to shake them up even if he had to assault and batter one of them - ostensibly to make an example of him.

5) Rivieri's obvious efforts to communicate (loudly) to passers-by that the 14-year old was being disrespectful - clearly an effort to rationalize why he was shouting at the kid. It appeared as though he was 'performing' for the public - a means of communicating that he was 'attempting' to verbally control the 'offender' thereby justifying why he was being so harsh on the kid. In police reports, police are trained to verbally articulate their reasons for using force in such a way as to convey to the public that their actions are rational and 'justifiable'.

Unfortunately, Rivieri's unprofessional and abusive conduct were recorded both prior to, and after the passers-by came and went. His somewhat softened tone and word choice when he asked, "What's wrong with you son?" seemed different once the approaching passers-by were out of ear-shot. Fortunately for the kid, the video was rolling as it recorded the abusive officer's changing behavioral and verbal tone as well.

Rivieri also used the word "son" when ironically - just a few moments earlier - he yelled at the kid "I'm not your father!" Could this be some kind of head trip he was playing on the kid? The word "son" implies some sort of familial affiliation - like a concerned parent might say. Considering the kid said he doesn't have a father, could this be even more insulting? It just seemed like an out-of-place if not inappropriate thing to say when taken into account with the general context of the interaction. Plainly put, at best Officer Rivieri sounded insincere and worst, he sounded mocking.

6) Riveiri contended that illegal skateboarding is an affront to his badge, his uniform and his police department.

Woah! Never mind that it is simply a violation of the law.

In short, Officer Rivieri personalized the issue - a very unprofessional approach for someone who is - in principal - charged with reporting, in an unbiased manner, to the court what the elements of the crime were. Ordinarily, police are expected to be the objective 'eyes and ears' of the court during testimony - that is what gives them credibility in the eyes of a judge.

Unfortunately, this probative video seems more indicative of just how badly the officer felt he could behave when he thought no one was watching and it would boil down to his word versus theirs. Any bets he didn't use that tone with the kid's mom?

7) The 'kid' who responded that he doesn't have a father suffered more insults and subsequent judgmental characterization about his mother (it's pretty evident Rivieri does not actually know her personally since) Rivieri described Bush's parents as poor disciplinarians evidently because he assumes they don't actually batter their child into submission enough.

Curiously, by Rivieri's logic, hitting a kid is considered a crime in many states. If parents did what Officer Rivieri was videotaped doing, they could be subject to charges for child abuse and battery on a household member. It begs the question, what does that say about the police officer sworn to uphold the law who bemoans lack of physical abuse in the home as an acceptable form of discipline?

8) Rivieri clearly committed Assault on at least three occasions: first when, in stead of carrying out on his threat to take the kid into custody - he instead followed through with threatening to 'smack you upside the head' for not shutting his mouth. On a second occasion when Rivieri walked toward Bush yelling, 'Don't call me 'dude!' (this action is called 'closing distance' between himself and the alleged offender - a recognized act of aggression).

Yet another incident occurred when Rivieri hypothetically implied that the kid might suffer a worse fate - something as extreme as - being killed in the event of some future contactbetween the juvenile and Law Enforcement. Rivieri seemed to imply that Bush could die at the hands of either Rivieri himself or perhaps another possibly less 'cool-headed' police officer if the 14-year old happens to 'insult' them because he doesn't know how to respect the authority conferred to someone wearing a badge or uniform?

Of course, this veiled threat by Rivieri easily fits the elements of the crime called, "Assault" - Actions or words which could cause the victim to be in fear of receiving an imminent battery (see definition above), or fears suffering great bodily injury - including threats of death.
9) Rivieri seemed a bit too thin-skinned when the kid called him 'dude' or 'man.' Perhaps a psychological Fitness for Duty Evaluation is in order for this officer. Rivieri's recorded behavior and actions were characterized by his own police department as 'disappointing'.

Clearly this officer has issues with respect. Moreover, the entitlement of respect as connected to his status as a police officer. Educator and renowned speaker, Ruby Payne PhD, discussed the dynamics surrounding a very similar kind of interaction her book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty. She dissected the incident paying particular attention to how both parties reacted according to the perspectives and attitudes from each individual's respective social class. According to Dr. Payne's model, Officer Rivieri was operating from a middle class frame of reference while the juvenile operated from a lower class, 'juvenile' frame of reference. It is clear from the video that each person had a set of pre-scripted, 'unwritten rules' which they were working from. Dr. Payne's criteria predicts an ominous result, conflict will ensue and the clash's outcome guarantees the police officer is going to win because he holds the power.

Interestingly, Courts could be considered to be structured along a 'middle class' value system (where, if the kid ends up being arrested, he will be charged and tried according to middle-class standards. This yields insight to why the officer behaved as he did; in essence, he knows the system well (better than the kid) and knows how to move in it comfortably - perhaps even being capable of manipulating it to his advantage. That said, the court system slants in favor or can even be said to be biased in the officer's direction. The video recorded interaction changes that as it tends to reveal the officer's capricious behavior thereby seriously undermining his credibility - perhaps permanently - in the eyes of the Court.

It seems kind of ironic as most police departments use the words, 'To protect and serve' as a motto for their community service in keeping the peace and yet the Officer has clearly lost control because the recording reveals him to be an aggressor rather than a protector.

It is pretty simple, this kind of Battery and assault on a kid by an officer of the law who has a sore spot for the adolescent's presumed 'lack of respect' for authority because the kid responds when Rivieri wanted Kyle Bush to shut up and listen.

That being said, the extreme punishment doesn't fit the crime. While Rivieri's frustration is understandable, a police officer simply cannot beat kids up and then take their toys away when s/he feels personally affronted.

At least Officer Rivieri was correct in observing that he is not the kid's father. Unfortunately, he failed to register the idea that in that situation, he represented the citizens of Baltimore and as such, he shouldn't have violated the community's trust in him when he behaved like a petulant bully with a badge.
Rivieri is suspended - with pay - pending an internal affairs investigation which is not a bad thing because there is a police union for the city of Baltimore to contend with. They will see to it that Rivieri's due process has been protected. Officer Rivieri does have his Constitutionally guaranteed rights after all - you know the same kind of rights that are guaranteed to the kid - the same ones Rivieri violated in this unfortunate incident.

If Rivieri was trying to teach the kid a lesson, he failed miserably. Might does not make right. To be certain, police officers are Human thus, the nature of their duties tends to encroach on people's civil rights as well - however, flagrant violations as observed on this video are definitely not protected according to the Tort Claims Act. Abusive Officers can be personally sued for such unacceptable behavior.

This is a tragedy all around because, the kid who allegedly lacked respect for authority before lacks little incentive to change his thinking pursuant to the way he was treated. Officer Riveri did seem clear on the concept of his badge, and his department, I wonder if he realized how much his actions could seriously damage what he staked so much personal pride in?
While it is undeniable that police authority must be respected it must also be acknowledged that police should have a clear and convincing presence as protectors of society, there is an overwhelming disparity of power in this situation: Adult vs child, Police vs adolescent; Large adult vs scrawny kid; Gun vs skateboard; it certainly leaves the Baltimore PD with a whole lot of explaining to do.
Mayor Sheila Dixon
City Hall, Room 250
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: (410) 396-3835
Fax: (410) 576-9425
Baltimore PD: 410-396-2411
Maryland States Attorneys Office: 1-410-396-4001
citizens review board: 410-396-3141

Here is a link which discusses the incident a little more in depth (click here).

“Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you.” - Frank Barron