Understanding the bankrupt ghetto culture of our big cities.

 

Chicago, IL—I was born and raised here, growing up in challenging circumstances with a dysfunctional, single mother who often left me to fend for myself. Whether she abandoned me with friends or sent me off to a boys' home for three years, I was forced to navigate a childhood of extreme poverty and neglect. By age 14, I had no choice but to get a full-time job and find my own apartment, or face being placed into foster care. Survival meant lying about my age, which I did to secure a job at Jake’s Pup in the Ruff in the Uptown neighborhood. By day, I attended Senn High School, and by night, I ran the hotdog stand alone. I found a small apartment and convinced the landlord I was 18. From there, things gradually improved, and I was thrust into adulthood much earlier than most.

The reason I share this background is to highlight my understanding of the realities of poverty, hunger, and parental neglect—issues that plague Chicago’s ghettos. However, despite those hardships, I didn’t grow up surrounded by the rampant drug culture and violence that has now become synonymous with these neighborhoods. 

At 19, I lied about my age again and managed to get hired by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police. This was all fine until I received my draft notice from President Lyndon Johnson. Hoping for an occupational deferment, my captain, Packy Walsh, discovered my real age. Instead of firing me, they reassigned me as a civilian until it was time for me to report for duty in the armed forces.  I had hoped be sent to the Coast Guard, but the Vietnam War had other plans, and I was trained as an Army infantryman. Although I received orders for Vietnam in 1968, I was rerouted to Germany, where I served as a medical corpsman at a large dispensary, similar to today’s urgent care centers.

After my service, I returned to work for Captain Walsh as if I had never left, this time in the Fugitive Warrants, Transportation Division. I spent my days dealing with the most dangerous criminals in Chicago, transporting them from jail to the various courthouses in the county, and even to County Hospital for medical treatment or the Cook County Morgue for Coroner’s Inquests. This job exposed me to a tragic and broken culture. Later, as a member of the Chicago Police Department, I truly saw the horrors of ghetto life—needless violence, child neglect, abuse, and the worst kinds of cruelty.

President Lyndon Johnson’s "war on poverty" was a socialist disaster. He and other Democrat politicians threw billions of taxpayer dollars at the problem, but instead of helping, they destroyed the black family structure. Overnight, the black community was transformed into a single-mother nightmare, with young women ill-equipped to raise their children properly, left to shoulder impossible responsibilities. With discipline gone from schools controlled by teachers' unions and massive political corruption at the hands of white liberals, black Americans were programmed into a cycle of dependency. They were led to believe that they could only survive by voting for the very people who kept them in misery.

Today, black Americans are trapped in a modern-day plantation, not much different from the days of slavery. They fill our prisons, jails, and death rows, kept ignorant, dependent, and in poverty by white liberals, Communists, and Democrats. The damage is so severe that it will take generations to undo. 

Black Americans deserve better—they should be competing for excellence and striving to achieve the American Dream. It all begins with education and training. Affirmative action, DEI hiring, and participation trophies strip people of their dignity. What truly matters is hard work, competitiveness, and the desire to succeed.

We need to provide remedial education so that black Americans can read, balance a checkbook, and manage a budget. We need to train them for real jobs or help them start their own businesses. 

Voting for Democrats has done nothing for them but serious harm. It’s time for black Americans to escape the plantation and start competing for their share of the American Dream.

YouTube has now taken on the role of a self-appointed arbiter of political correctness, gun control, and thought regulation.

Los Angeles, CA—The platform recently announced new terms of service concerning videos related to firearms education. These new censorship measures are driven by ignorance and emotion.

The controversy and politics surrounding guns are often misunderstood, even by the well-educated. Meanwhile, other significant societal issues like drug abuse, DUI, and various tools of violence receive far less attention. Guns have been increasingly glamorized by violent movies and video games.

Neal Mohan, a 50-year-old Indiana native of Indian descent with an MBA, is currently at the helm of YouTube. He is navigating the platform amidst loud public outcry, leading to what many see as a sociological disaster.

YouTube enjoys legal immunity, allowing it to selectively publish content unless Congress or the courts intervene.

Content creators are increasingly frustrated with YouTube's algorithms, which direct viewers to and away from specific videos. Erratic monetization decisions can devastate creators who depend on YouTube revenue to make a living.

Creating compelling videos is hard work, requiring skills in research, writing, photography, video editing, and sound engineering. Despite advanced technology and successful influencers like Casey Neistat, the current path to YouTube success involves avoiding any potentially controversial topics. Many creators now resort to AI to produce their content.

YouTube's policies affect all creators, not just those related to firearms. For instance, even those teaching camera use and videography have been impacted. The terms of service are often confusing, vague, and inconsistently applied, reflecting a subjective and increasingly restrictive political correctness.

The platform has grown so large and convoluted that its management appears out of control. While legal immunity offers some protection, YouTube still faces potential litigation.

YouTube should cease its algorithmic manipulation, but it likely won't, as it seeks to control the thinking of its millions of viewers and influence public policy. It has become a self-appointed, left-leaning thought police.

Most other social media platforms are similar, though X may soon overtake YouTube as a video-sharing space. Content creators need a platform driven by advertising sponsors, free from algorithms and censorship.

Fighting Crime on Public Transportation, Solutions

Los Angeles, CA— There is and has been a nasty siege of murder and violence on public transportation here in the City of Angels.  We have one party rule here that dictates law-enforcement policy.  Of course it is the left-wing, lunatic fringe with their very radical ideas. 

 

In very recent years, people arrested for crimes are not put in jail pending court dispositions. Instead, they are simply cited and released on a promise to appear.  For most crimes, posting cash bail has ended.  Covid became an excuse to grant well beyond 100,000 convicts, early release from various prisons.  The impact from the insanity is obvious. people are dying as a direct result. 

 

Criminals congregate On Subway cars and public buses, where unarmed, and vulnerable people must travel to pursue their livelihoods.  We learned that saturating public transportation with uniform officers is of little help.  The criminals simply avoid doing their deeds in front of those cops.

 

What we know works, is putting undercover officers as bait inviting violent criminals to attack.  Since in an urban area like Los Angeles most of the criminals are those so-called, people of color.  It’s not about skin color but a very violent, bankrupt and cruel culture. 

 

Since these criminal’s hunt and attack their victims so quickly, undercover officers have no choice, but to employ deadly force to stop the attacks.  You guessed it, the cops justifiably and necessarily wind up killing these violent predators.  

 

In my younger days as a Chicago police officer the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) had its own plain clothes police department of 200 men.  None of them wore uniforms.  However, the Chicago Police Department at that time had 14,000 sworn members. 

 

What happened was that the small CTA police force wound up killing more criminals than the entire Chicago Police Department.  Virtually all the criminals killed were black.  Statistically on paper this did not look good.  The politicians put the CTA police in uniform.  They were also supplemented by the Mass Transportation Unit of uniformed Chicago Police.  

 

Crime on public transportation increased exponentially. The number of criminals killed on public transportation dropped to virtually zero.  However, the deaths of innocent people victimized by the criminals increased dramatically.  In the end, the dead criminals became far more important than the people they were killing.  The solution dictated by the politicians placated the minorities but did not help the victims one bit.

 

I suppose if they put a uniform armed cops on every bus and train car that would make a difference.  The taxpayers simply can’t afford that kind of protection.  Additionally, police radios are blocked out on most subway trains leaving the officers unable to summon help.

 

The politicians know that if they allow law abiding people to enjoy their Second Amendment rights to conceal firearms, the violence will increase a bit until the criminals quickly learned they’d be leaving public transportation in black rubber coroner’s bags.  Is that kind of a solution so bad after all?  

 

The rehabilitation of criminals is nothing more than a wild myth.  The only thing that slows down criminals is when they get too old.  Young, aggressive criminals must be kept off the street until they are too old and slow to harm anyone.  Our politicians understand only too well that those culturally deprived, people of color can’t control their behavior.  That is why blacks are so hyper-represented in prison populations.  Our misguided politicians much prefer to create crime solutions, as long as they don’t work.

 

There you have it folks, the truth.  If you want to be safe, you’re going to have to simply avoid public transportation at all costs in those large urban areas that are run by radical Democrats.  BLM should change their initials to BCLM, Black Criminal’s Lives Matter.   

The L.A. Trader Joe’s Shooting Story has Taken an even Darker Turn.

Melyda "Mel" Corado

Los Angeles, CA--It all began as a dispute between a 28 year-old drug addicted freeloader, Gene Adkins and his 79 year-old grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Madison in South L.A. 

Adkins allegedly shot his grandmother seven times with a handgun.  In the process a 20 year-old woman that was Adkin’s yet to be identified girlfriend suffered a bullet graze wound to her head. Adkins allegedly then stole his grandmother’s car and kidnapped the girlfriend.  

Suspect Gene Adkins being loaded into an ambulance

In Hollywood, the police caught up with the stolen car that was equipped with a GPS tracking device and the chase began.  

Adkins soon crashed his car near the entrance of the Silver Lake Trader Joe’s and was exchanging gunfire  with police as he sought refuge inside of the crowded supermarket.  Apparently Adkins was wounded in his left arm by police.  That’s when the store manager, Melyda “Mel” Corado was also struck by gunfire.  Corado was quickly dragged outside to the parking lot and unsuccessfully aided by numerous officers.  She died at the scene. 

Melyda "Mel" Corado surrounded by cops in the parking lot

Cops have to make split second decisions but firing into a crowded supermarket at any suspect is absolutely against police training in every American jurisdiction.  

Requirements everywhere in the USA are that before an officer shoots that that he or she knows the target and what’s behind it.  This shooting is out of policy everywhere.  

Ballistic evidence, body cam and other surveillance video will be examined redundantly by cops, lawyers and police trainers in the coming months and even years.

Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyer Lowell Steiger

I contacted Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyer, Lowell Steiger for his thoughts about the case.  Steiger said if he had the case he’d be immediately looking at deficiencies in the officer’s training, background and supervision.  He said any payout by a jury in this case could be astronomical.  He also said he’d put his own investigator on this case immediately. 

Another serious legal question may be about Trader Joe’s responsibility to protect their employees and customers.  

The biggest question remains as to when and how the LAPD will explain this disaster and own up to their failings.  

As for the cop/s that failed here it’s a huge tragedy for them and their families as well.  Nobody wanted this horrible outcome. 

As for the many friends and family of Mel Carado this is beyond a heartbreak.  Mel’s Big brother, Albert Corado now must take charge of healing his family from this unthinkable event.  

As for the Suspect, Gene Adkins, he will be charged under the felony/murder rule for Mel Corado’s death.  He will also face as many as 50 counts of kidnapping along with the shooting of his grandmother and girlfriend.  Last but not least, the theft of his grandmother’s car.  Adkins will never see another moment where he’s not locked in a cage for as long as he lives.  

As for any cops that failed, they too will pay a high price.  As for the rest of the cops that did their jobs heroically, they too will suffer greatly.  Sometimes everyone looses because of the unthinkable.  

Update:  The day after I published this blog article the LAPD confessed it was their gunfire that killed Ms. Carado.  However, they stopped short of admitting liability, negligence or recklessness.   

Use of Force And Self-defense Results In Too Many Bogus Prosecutions!

I have done this cases in many cities with incredible success.  It's my speciality!

Using Drones in Governmental and Private Security Applications is Safe, Effective and Economical

Santa Barbara, CA--Private Security is really more about deterrence, and loss prevention.  Bringing in drones is a perfect application for security contractors to rid their clients of burglars, sex offenders and vandals. 

Of course homeowners associations can create their own in house program but it's generally not needed.  However there are times when criminals show up in soft target communities then it's time to call in a qualified security contractor with drones.  

Wether it's a burglary or vandalism problem drones operated and flying at less than 300 feet can can easily observe and record the deeds.  Ground security and police can be quickly alerted to handle enforcement activities.

Drones are excellent for all industrial security applications.  They can be sent up as needed to examine areas or for responding to various alarms and such. 

Drones have been used to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities.  Actually those kinds of facilities could greatly benefit from using the drone technology to watch their own facilities augmenting ground patrols.  

FLIR thermal imaging and drones go really well together making night operations incredibly effective.  

Any professional guard agency can easily add drone patrol to their list of services. 

The only real question is when the FAA will stop standing in the way of progress and public safety?  Despite the existence of three million drones in unlicensed hands there's not been a single fatality, serious injury or notable property damage anywhere yet the FAA has engaged in massive restraint of trade and prior restraint style enforcement activities. 

The FAA seems to be in far greater need of control than America's drone operators. 

My Reaction to Quentin Tarantino’s Recent Denouncement of America’s Cops

Hollywood, CA—I salute every performer or artist in the world for his or her contributions both big and small.  What a horrible world we’d be living in without the art, music, films, plays, dance and comedy.

We all have our favorites celebrities.  Sometimes we are disappointed or shocked upon learning their personal politics or attitudes.  Sean Penn, Jane Fonda and Barbara Streisand immediately come to mind. After Hollywood's Blacklisting of Leftist artists in the 1950's it's now those artists on the Right getting the treatment.  Mel Gibson and James Woods are two of today's examples.

I’m perhaps overly tolerant all people when in comes to those whose views are totally opposite of mine.  Sometimes those people have been indoctrinated their entire lives and believe every lie ever broadcast or published.  My job is to lead them by tolerance, kindness and example.

I’m a really Conservative Libertarian.  In Hollywood I’ve meet some really Left of center people that are incredibly talented and kind.  Actor Martin Sheen is a great example.  Sheen told me how he wanted to be a NYPD officer, applied and was promptly rejected when he fell ½ inch too short.

Sheen actually wanted to get my script, Come Friday about the Chicago policewoman hero Annie Leybourne made into a feature film. .  He spent some serious time hooking me up with his talent agency, ICM.   The film has still not yet been made because of issues not under his or my control. 

Recently mainstream media has given a massive soapbox to professional race baiters like Jessie Jackson and Al Starpton.  Every young African-American criminal killed by a white cop is treated like a innocent victim of a KKK lynching.  This is in part because both print and broadcast media is dying and they hope to prolong their existence with the sensationalism they too often create.

Now comes a somewhat self taught and gifted writer/film director into to the limelight for making ignorant, and hurtful denouncements of the men and women of law enforcement.   Yep, Quentin Tarantino took the floor of the debate and managed to offend thousands including me.

The immediate reaction of my cop friends was to call for a boycott of Tarantino’s films.  I was hoping the law enforcement community would put more thought into their reaction showing more tolerance than Tarantino.  That was not the case however.

There is a lot more than Tarantino involved here.  There are hundreds of fine men and women in the cast and crew of his films.  We’ve all see the endless credits rolling after every film. Punishing Tarantino also victimizes them.

Do we want to kill the hope and dreams of the young actors lucky enough to land a role in a Tarantino film?

Tarantino was emotional and convinced that he was addressing valid concerns.  I’m sure he never once thought about how politicians keep criminalizing more and more conduct.  I’m sure he never though of how the politicians have turned cops into extortionist bagmen to collect excessive fines from citizens for very trivial violations.

I say that it’s okay to rebuke Tarantino but a boycott of his films that we’ve all enjoyed is not the answer.  Let’s show Tarantino that our skin is much thicker than we’ve displayed so far.  I think all of us are guilty of putting our foot in our mouths at one time or another.  Go see his new film and judge it on its own merit.  I’m not going to miss the film, Hateful Eight.

When I have my next chat with Tarantino I will let him know that more than the cops, he hurt their wives and children more by his rash remarks.  I will forgive Tarantino for his thoughtless rant just as I ask my Liberal friends to overlook mine.  It’s going to be really difficult for Tarantino to save face here.  Let’s help him along. 

The FAA Can’t Perpetuate Drone Hysteria Without Evidence of a Single Notable Accident!

Town of Paradise Valley, AZ—Some of this small but wealthy community’s politicians bought into the baseless idea that multi-rotor camera drones were a threat to safety and privacy. 

Ignorance and the novelty of the drones themselves motivated politicians here to make an effort to ban drones. They thought that their residents would somehow appreciate their efforts.

Things backfired when local relators complained that the use of drones showcased the homes and community like never before.  Banning or over-regulating them could damage property values and of course property tax collections.

The Town Council considered the ban but cooler heads in that body tabled the idea at least until they had more valid guidance and information.  How they revisit this issue remains to be seen.

As for the somewhat popular Drone Invasion, there were no less than 700 reports of near misses with conventional aircraft investigated by the FAA.

Not a single collision, photo, or video has surfaced in those reports.  Were these bogus reports by people seeking attention?  Were they reports by some pilots seeking to protect their jobs by slowing down the proliferation of drones that will take their jobs?

I can’t guess what was real or fraudulent in the much-publicized world of drones and their detractors.  What we do know is their are zero fatalities, serious injuries or significant property damage.  Certainly there’s not a singe collision with other aircraft.

There are well over two million of these marvelous machines in the hands of teens and adults that are gathering spectacular images for creative endeavors, journalism and marketing.

The privacy invasion and safety fears have not been realized in any way, shape or form beyond unsubstantiated reports that have been given far too much ink.

I fully expect as the bogus reports begin to die down the FAA will take credit for their educational efforts for the decline in those rogue sightings.

The fact is there must come a point in time when the hysteria must die without some tangible evidence. 

It’s interesting to note that all FAA regulations for conventional aircraft were actually written in blood!  Yes, actual deaths and serious crashes were behind each and every rule.

When it came to the drones the FAA radically changed direction to enacting prior restraint guidelines and criminalized private enterprise.  This was un-American and violates the civil rights of those wishing to operate their drones.

Despite the threats of enforcement and state and local efforts to police our drones, what’s lacking is a legitimate demonstration of any misbehavior by drone operators.

The few attempts at prosecution have fallen flat from a lack of evidence.  The videos and telemetry data contained on the drones themselves have vindicated the operators.

It’s time to move forward with this exciting new technology.