The Official Crimefile Review of, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

When I saw, Saving Private Ryan, I thought no World War II picture could top that. I was wrong. The biggest difference in this film was waiting for those familiar handsome major stars to show up but they never arrived. What I got were well established but lesser known actors who were probably cast in the best roles so far in their careers. Ordinary faces were cast to play ordinary young men

This is not so much a story about heroes but about American politician’s use and abuse of symbols and showmanship to lead the country in their desired direction. Such was the case for three of six ordinary young men who had the misfortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That place of course was Iwo Jima and their deed was being in Joe Rosenthal’s famous flag raising photograph taken Feb. 23, 1945. Rosenthal was an Associated Press photographer who took that Pulitzer Prize-winning picture. The three surviving boys' reward was being recruited help sell war bonds through an elaborate dog and pony show during the darkest time of the war.

These boys were revered as heroes not for their sacrifice and suffering but for raising the flag. The following outstanding young actors played the flag raising heroes:
Ryan Phillippeas, John "Doc" Bradley
Jesse Bradford as Rene Gagnon
Adam Beach as Ira Hayes

The most complex character of the film is the alcoholic and troubled, American Indian, Ira Hayes. I fully expect an Academy Award nomination for Adam Beach’s effort here.

I have to say that the period costumes and props were a realistic work of art. No expense was spared bringing the audience to Iwo Jima's ring-side seats.

The screenplay was first rate and the story perfectly told by those master film makers Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg.

Of course I fully expect too many of the politically correct mainstream reviewers, who hate war films to color their reviews with their personal baggage.

Yes, I recommend this film as one of the better offerings Hollywood has produced in the last several years.

You can find the trailer and additional information here.

Acquitted Taxi Driver Alexander Terminassian Will Never See Justice

52 year-old taxi driver, Alexander Terminassian just woke up at the end of a year-long nightmare. This all began when a drunken illegal alien assaulted Terminassian nearly a year ago in Hollywood. Terminassian fearing for his life used a Kahr 9MM to end the vicious assault, shooting his attacker in the abdomen. The attacker survived and Terminassian was jailed despite strong evidence that he was the victim of the crime.

The case finally worked its way through the system and after a week long trial a jury acquitted Terminassian of all charges this past Friday. Is this the end of this story? Not by a long shot. Terminassian spent a horrible amount of time in the L.A. County jail where he was held because he was unable to post the ridiculously outrageous bail that was demanded.

Before his arrest, Terminassian had to drive a taxi and worked two additional jobs in order to support his family. The ability for Terminassian’s wife to pay the rent, medical costs and other expenses ended while her husband was suffering in jail for using lawful self-defense.

Will Terminassian be able to collect his damages from anyone? I don’t see how. He could sue and get a whopping judgment against the criminal alien that attacked him but collecting that judgment will never happen.

Terminassian was clearly victimized twice, once by a criminal and once more by a flawed criminal justice system.

Here is my original story on this case.

Let’s try an experiment on gun laws

We got by in this country with virtually no gun laws for nearly two hundred years. I say that gun laws don’t make any difference in violence or crime.

Let’s take a one-month period of time where we suspend every gun law. I’m convinced that there would be no abnormal rise in violent crime because gun laws only impact the law abiding.

Does that sound absurd to anyone? If you think I’m wrong just look at the State of Vermont where there are no state or local gun laws. If gun laws really impact anyone or anything Vermont would be the most violent state in America. They have a low crime rate despite no laws controlling firearms. Think about it!

ID’s Not Required To Buy Guns Or Vote!

Court after court has ruled against legislative attempts to make sure only citizens who are actually qualified to vote, vote. Today such a ruling was made by the, The Missouri Supreme Court who’s 6-1 ruling struck down the state's new voter identification law Monday that would have required voters to show a photo ID at the polls.

Long ago the courts also ruled that poll taxes were un-Constitutional. Okay I accept those decisions by those courts. If the logic of these courts is correct that the government can’t make you qualify for or pay for any Constitutional rights.

If the courts are correct about nullification of ID laws to vote, why am I forced to qualify to keep and bear arms? Why must I show ID and wait for a background check before I can possesses a firearm? Why am I forced to pay a fee for my permits?

LAPD Officer’s New Home Is A New Beginning

When LAPD hero Kristina Ripatti chased down that desperate armed robber, 52 year-old James Fenton McNeal she took a bullet for all of us. This brave woman is in recovery and therapy these days so she can rebuild and keep her life meaningful. Ripatti has the kind of spirit that won’t let this roadblock stand in her way. Kristina Ripatti is a natural winner.

It was the politicians and judges under the Left Coast’s Liberal influence allowed that dangerous predatory criminal with a 33-page rap sheet loose to threaten, injure or kill. They were also the all too willing accomplices to the shooting of Officer Ripatti.

Ripatti’s story got the attention of the producers of the reality TV show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". Ripatti became their new project as they are in a race against time to build her a new home that would accommodate her wheel chair and other needs. It’s being built by a combination of fellow cops and many gracious volunteers from the community. Of course we will all be able to see the result on our TV’s soon. We all hope that this will boost Ripatti’s spirit and speed her healing. Just as important it will help this young mom raise her children.

I’m watching with excitement what new professional opportunities will exist for Kristina Ripatti. Of course I want to see her continue as a sworn officer perhaps in another capacity other than patrol. She’s pretty and well spoken. Perhaps the LAPD can create a special public relations position for her. The LAPD needs all of the good PR it can get these days.

Perhaps some enterprising TV producer can pitch a new network TV show hosted by our lovely hero? Whatever Ripatti chooses to do I know it won’t disappoint anyone. Of course I’m hopping for a medical solution allowing her to walk and run again soon.

Side note:
This new home is being built on the site of Kristine Ripatti and her husband, Tim Pearce’s existing home that they already owned and are paying a monthly mortgage to keep. The home had to be destroyed and rebuilt to make it wheelchair friendly. Their mortgage obligations have not changed.

In the mean time here is the information where donations can be made to help our hero and her family:
Officer Kristina Ripatti
C/O Los Angeles Police Department
Southwest Police Station
1546 West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90062

Police Officer Kristina Ripatti Trustee Donation Account
C/O Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union
16150 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91410

Oprah Zombies—Who Are These Women?

The house that Oprah built came at a time of social change in America. Affirmative action and political correctness were coming into vogue. The limited programming of early 1970s television created a captive but massive audience that had very little to choose from on their television dials.

Somewhere around 1972, I met a pudgy young Oprah Winfrey who was standing with a cute girl I was trying to pick up in the lobby area of Marina City Apartments, where I used to live in Chicago. They were both going to a Women In Broadcasting meeting for wannabe broadcasters. Looking at her I would never have envisioned Oprah’s success in a million years.

Oprah had some kind of incredible business sense that enabled her to own her TV projects where her talk show peers merely punched a clock as workers. Who could guess what massive empire would result. Oprah really learned how to use her race as a weapon.

I’ve never figured out how such a lame talk show, built on political correctness could captivate the hearts and minds of millions of American women. Oprah’s fans seem to double every time Oprah started a new diet. The world’s dictators must be envious of Oprah’s hold on people. If Oprah commanded her legions to drink poisoned Kool Aid there would be millions found dead the next morning.

I’ve talked to these Oprah Zombies and tried to understand the Oprah phenomenon. If I could understand it perhaps that kind of massive wealth could come my way. I’m sorry. I just don’t get it.

An Unhappy New Year is in store for former Illinois Governor George Ryan

Having been convicted and sentenced in U.S. District Court, the trial judge, Rebecca R. Pallmeyer rejected Ryan’s request for his freedom pending the appeal of his case. Had the judge granted Ryan’s request he may not have lived long enough to ever see a prison cell. Ryan was ordered to report to prison for his 6 ½ year stretch this January.

Ryan will not get much sympathy form the cops and death penalty supporters in Illinois. Ryan freed every Illinois Death Row prisoner from execution. Of course that included a number of cop killers. I know a lot of cops that are cheering the latest judge’s ruling.

I, on the other hand can’t support the death penalty because of both the potential to kill an innocent man and that I don’t want our government to have the power to kill our own citizens. It’s a power that every government abuses sooner or later.

Ryan hated gun owners and their rights and that's another group that's cheering for Ryan's current fate.

Ryan’s corruption was outrageous and his conviction and punishment were well deserved.

West Side Story Weapons Of Mass Hysteria

Click on the picture to enlarge.

I have to laugh about better times in our country’s schools. Schools were never really a safe haven. There were always bullies and various threats that are really a part of life. In many American schools carrying a little insurance against a superior force was normal behavior. The gangs were always here. They’ve existed since the beginning of time. Until recent times We did not have a system to spread bad news quickly to every American.

That soon changed with radio and the television that followed. Americans learned the gory details about murders and soon copycat criminals emulated the media created celebrities who got caught harming others. Today there is no escape from instant media notification about every school kid with a bloody nose.

When I was a first grader I remember the corner candy store by my school. Prominently displayed on the counter was a cardboard sales rack with those gleaming, Italian stiletto knives. You know the push button variety where the blade flicked open with the help of a spring. These knives were no more dangerous or deadly, but they were impressive to watch as they flew open. School kids had them and they were no big deal.

Then came the 1960s and that damned Broadway play, West Side Story was turned into a movie seen by everyone. Young singers, dancers and actors formed the Jets and the Sharks on stage to choreographed gang fights and tragic death of the romantic characters.

West Side Story creators, Robbins, Sondheim and Bernstein brought that wonderful and poignant entertainment project to America sending legislative imaginations over the edge. I’ve seen and enjoyed the film version and a few plays over a period of time I don’t want to admit.

Within two years of West Side Story laws banning switchblade knives were passed in 47 of 48 states along with a federal ban on their importation. West Side Story brought mass Hysteria to America’s politicians and many parents.

Did the bans on these weapons in our high schools accomplish anything at all? The rate of stabbings and such simply went up ever since. Parents and politicians were satisfied with the false sense of security these laws brought. The kids with evil intentions still had whatever weapons they wanted.

Bolshevik Network Fails In Radio Referendum

The message of Liberal talk radio and news broadcasting network, Air America has fallen on deaf ears. A lack of listeners and advertisers has put Air America in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

This bankruptcy move will allow Air America a little breathing room to continue with a plan to survive and begin profitability. I say it’s a lost cause for the financially strapped propaganda network. There are just not enough English speaking, Leftist radio listeners to keep this outfit afloat. Their next step? Chapter 7 bankruptcy and silence.

On the other side of the coin are the profitable Conservative broadcast organizations that have no shortage of listeners.

This phenomenon is a reliable sign of the America’s rejection of the Liberal political platform.

I do have a great plan for Al Franken and the other members of the Air America talent department. They can always sell their broadcast to folks suffering from insomnia as quick and cheap cure for their sleeplessness.

L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy James Mee Is In Hot Water Over Mel Gibson Arrest

I long suspected who and what was behind the publicity overdrive on actor Mel Gibson’s recent DUI arrest in Malibu. I could not help but focus my thoughts on the arresting deputy who happens to be Jewish as the source of leaked reports and perhaps a retaliation campaign to embarrass the tipsy actor.

TMZ.com published a story today about a search warrant being served on Deputy Mee in connection of leaking four pages of an early report of Gibson’s arrest. TMZ’s Top Gun, Harvey Levin was the happy recipient of the unlawfully leaked records and proceeded to beat that story to death screaming about a Sheriff’s cover-up of Mel Gibson’s bigoted verbal tirade.

Harvey Levin is a lawyer and knows full well that racially insensitive speech, even made by a drunken driver is protected in America under the First Amendment. Since the insensitive speech is not a crime it’s incredibly inappropriate for a cop to include a four-page summary of the speech with in a report about a crime. That's especially true when the speech does not impact or somehow aggravate the crime such as in a physical assault.

It’s obvious that Deputy Mee was really offended to try and put all that crap in his report. I say that’s too bad because being insulted by arrestees is a real part of police work. If you don’t have really thick skin becoming a cop is a horrible idea. The issue was not drunken speech but drunken driving.

TMZ and Levin have criticized the L.A. County Sheriff's department, constantly clamoring that there was a cover-up to protect Gibson. If that were the case Gibson would never have been charged or convicted of DUI. Harvey needs loosen up but that would not bring needed readers to TMZ.com.

As for Deputy James Mee, I hope he did not somehow profit from leaking information. If he did, I wonder if Harvey Levin will hire Mee at TMZ when he gets fired?

Here is the TMZ.com story.

You can see a video story put up by KABC-TV. It shows an earlier interview with Deputy Mee where he plays dumb about the actual copy of the leaked report. It seems he could not tell if he wrote it or not. Find it in Top videos here.

Ghettocams are coming to your block soon!

These cameras were fine when placed in high crime areas to watch the usual suspects killing each other. Now Mayor Richard M. Daley has promised that they will be installed on every block in the city.

Imagine the city bureaucrats in possession of video showing the only kind of action that goes on in Chicago’s safest neighborhoods, cheating spouses. The only benefit of these cameras would be to provide incumbent politicians and bureaucrats a way to spy on their rivals and potential rivals. Of course the taxpayers get to pick up the tab.

The nosy bastards running the City of Chicago should be forced to hire PIs for this spying out of their own pockets.

Why Only Indict Adam Gadahn For Treason?

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced bringing the first indictment for Treason in over 50 years against 28 year-old, Adam Gadahn.

Okay this little Southern California grown turncoat has turned on his own country and his on family’s way of life. Gadahn has given aid and comfort to our enemies.

Why are they only indicting Gadahn? What about all those past and present members of Congress that have done as much or even worse? What about all the rogue educators? Let’s not forget Jane Fonda and John Kerry’s contributions to disloyalty and treason.

Gadahn is merely a kid with zero influence or power. Gadahn has also seen American politicians take sides with our enemies without punishment. Gadahn is only following the example set by others. Even Adam Gadahn deserves equal protection that we’ve provided for all the other traitors in America. I say indict them all or none.

Fear Is A Gift, But…

We will soon be in that month long period of the November Sweeps. That’s when the news becomes even more sensational as they will do anything to make you watch a news show. Be ready for that out-of–control pandering to you fear. If you have no fear, don’t worry; they will do their best to make you afraid.

It’s still a month away but producers and reporters are busy dreaming up this crap to broadcast even when they should be sleeping.

Fear is the number one emotion exploited by the news media. They must think we’ve lost sight of the fact that we’re all going to die. If we live long enough we will get cancer or a host of other fatal ailments. That’s if we don’t die as a result of an accident or even a murder.

Do you want to create a national November news story? Just leave your lunch in a knapsack in a very public place. Stand by and watch the news media spend hours covering the bomb squad as they disarm that salami on rye sandwich and apple inside.

As the media covers health issues, terrorism, school shootings, bad spinach, bad lettuce, mad cow burgers, and fowl with the flu, our reporters never fail to find plenty of pathetic people to interview. They will ask them what they think about these hazards of life. The public’s answers are so conditioned. “It’s so scary!”--“It’s frightening!”--“I’m afraid for my children!”-- “We need new laws and help from the government!”

You never hear the sound bite where someone says, “I’m not worried, and I know how to take care of myself and my family."

What would we do without fear mongers in the media to remind us that we should stay in bed and never leave our homes? The explosion of non-stop 24-hour cable news has put every hazard of life under a microscope. Perhaps some day all the news directors will find something new.

Disclosure: I do freelance TV new producing and undoubtedly will be directly involved in this nefarious activity.

Can A Hero Become A Police Superintendent?

Most cops know that police superintendents and chiefs never seem to come from the ranks of working street cops. They are too often are administrative types who will do anything and everything they can to avoid police work. The types most likely to get the top spot almost always seem to have the least real police experience.

Today I had a sad revelation that far to little information is available about the former chiefs and superintendents of the Chicago Police Department. There once was an informational display in the lobby of police headquarters but it’s been since removed. Finding out who these guys were and what they did is shrouded in mystery today.

To help put this shameful mishandling of police history in perspective I will tell a story I know of the late Superintendent, James M. Rochford. Other than this story, I can’t tell you much more about this giant of a cop.

Hostage negotiations, SWAT teams or the Chicago Hostage Barricade Team did not exist when this story unfolded. Officers confronting in these kinds of events flew by the seat of their pants since police training never prepared anyone this kind of event.

At 9521 South Exchange Avenue on April 14, 1969, there was a horrific bloodbath that resulted in the deaths of Detective Jerome A. Stubig and Sergeant James R. Schaffer. Additionally six other officers and two civilians suffered serious hand gernade shrapnel and gunshot wounds.

It began when a 43 year-old, mentally disturbed former Marine, labeled as a “Mad Bomber”, Frank J. Kulak, barricaded himself in his home. Kulak began sniping at his neighbors who called police. The first two officers responding knocked on Kulak’s door and were met by fatal gunfire and tossed hand gernades.

The entire gun, battle and siege lasted six hours. Jim Rochford responded, climbed over the bloody bodies of his comrades, Schaffer and Stubig to make voice contact with Kulak. Using incredible calm, courage and negotiation skills, an un-armed Rochford took Kulak into custody ending the carnage.

Along with some deadly booby traps set at Kulak’s front door police seized 52 unexploded manufactured bombs, hand grenades, and various paraphernalia for the manufacture of explosives including gunpowder, pipes, cylinders, tape, and military-type fuses. Also seized were two carbine rifles, two shotguns and two pistols.

Kulak never faced criminal charges for his crimes. He was declared incompetent by a court and sent off to the Chester Mental Hospital at Menard for treatment.

James M. Rochford quickly rose through the ranks succeeding James B. Conlisk, Jr. as Chicago Police Superintendent where he served from 1974 through 1979. Rochford passed away in 2004.

Sergeant James Schaffer
Detective Jerome A. Stubig

Cops and Hotdogs

Cops and hotdogs go together. That was especially true in Chicago where there was a gauntlet of hotdog stands within a block of the old O’Brien Street police academy. The Vienna Sausage Company was also nearby flavoring the air. While getting a cop’s education you could not avoid at least several meals at these stands that were on the old Maxwell Street Market. As hotdogs go these were the very best found anywhere on our planet.

Chicago and New York are the hotdog centers of the Universe. Hotdogs were the original fast food and a natural for cops on the go. Nathan’s dogs from New York are a close second to Vienna and are another example of fine dog dining.

With your properly dressed dog you get French fries and a soft drink and I don’t mean the diet variety. It was easy for growing, baby coppers to down two of those torpedoes in one sitting.

Today, Jim's Original, the real grandfather of the Chicago dog sits on the land of the old O'Brian Street academy.

When I moved to Phoenix where there is a huge Chicago influence making it possible to find the real thing prepared in the traditional Chicago way. Chicago’s Luke’s franchise opened at Indian School and 12th Street.

In Los Angeles they don’t have a clue about a properly dressed Chicago hotdog. A few places dare to carry signs boasting claims to have them but they are a disappointment. Perhaps because the workers preparing them have never been closer to Chicago than Mexico City and just don’t know the way to do the dog justice.

I’m praying for the Chicago area chain Portillo’s to open a place in L.A. Of course my physician hopes that will never happen. I just don’t get his beef since they provide the four basic food groups, bun, dog, fries and soda.

In Los Angeles they all put ketchup on hotdogs (YUK!). In Chicago destroying a dog with ketchup is a part-one felony crime.

Portillo’s website had good news for me today! Their new place is now open in Buena Park, CA! Well it’s still too far away… 8390 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, California-714.220.6400.

A quick update! One of my more distinguished readers informed me they renamed O’Brien Street to, James M. Rochford Street after the late, former police superintendent who led the department in the 1970’s.

We Could All Learn From The Amish Folks

NICKEL MINES, Pa. - Little girls were viciously slaughtered by that 32 year-old madman, Charles Carl Roberts, IV last week in this humble little town. The vile details of Roberts’ intentions defy any logical understanding. That twisted soul had no prior criminal history and apparently just snapped. In all my years I never can recall a similar event happening anywhere.

Most of us live in a cold society where revenge, retribution and punishment are foremost in this age of Victim’s Rights. We have cheerleaders for punishment and hate in the likes of Court TV’s Nancy Grace and America’s Most Wanted creator, John Walsh. Anger and hate fill too many peoples’ lives these days. Hate does not belong in our justice system, but punishment does.

The Amish lost far too many of their precious daughters and their grief must be mind numbing to say the least. It's a faith and trust in God along with their way of life that brought these close knit people to forgive and move on. Perhaps their way of handling this unbearable grief is a gift.

The killer was buried today, and that did not prevent dozens of the area’s Amish folks from attending Robert’s services. More importantly the Amish people put their arms around the killer's innocent widow and children giving them their love and support at a time when they needed it most.

I learned a lot from these fine Amish folks. I think these people set a great example that will influence others for many years to come. These Amish people have my respect as I grieve for their loss.

California’s Jerry Brown's Dishonest Political Campaign

We know all about Jerry, he’s one of the most extreme Left Wing politicians in the country. Brown’s values are right out of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto. He is a lot of things but a loyal American is not one of them.

Brown is running for Attorney General of California where he’s been Oakland’s Mayor. Oakland was on the forefront of the fight to teach children the second language of “Ghetto Ebonics” in school a while back. I guess it’s a way to guarantee Oakland’s children stay mired in the Socialist quicksand of poverty and don’t become Conservatives as a result of success.

Brown’s campaign commercials are outrageously dishonest, in his attempt to exploit fear while falsely claiming the support of the rank and file of California’s cops. Police bosses appointed by gun-rights hating politicians support gun laws. The officers in the trenches hate laws that prevent the law abiding from protecting themselves and families from criminals. Real working cops know that gun laws only affect the law-abiding folks and not criminals.

Brown’s latest commercial displays a .50 Caliber cartridge claiming his political rival, Chuck Poochigian has an A rating from the gun lobby and has taken thousands of dollars from the gun lobby organizations in campaign contributions. Further claiming Poochigian has a record of voting against “sensible” gun laws. I’d say that “A” rating from the NRA is a badge of honor for someone that supports our Bill of Rights. I’d urge all California gun owners and rights supporters to send Chuck Poochigian a contribution.

Brown’s latest campaign propaganda piece shows an animation of the .50 caliber bullet passing through the doors of police cars. Okay, despite the .50 caliber rifle being legal in 49 other states no cop has ever been injured or killed by such a bullet. Perhaps it’s because the rifle that can fire this round weighs more than even the biggest criminal would want to carry around to hold up liquor stores and such. That of course along with the cost (upwards of $3,000.00) for this specialized firearm. Brown won’t let the truth get in the way of his fear mongering.

Will Jerry Brown fear tactics fool ignorant voters? Will Jerry brown’s outrageous lie claiming support from the rank and file cops be exposed in such a short time before an election? I hope not.

Here is that bogus Commercial! Rank and file cops my ass!


The truth is below in these clips:

In Memory Of The Late Hans Gruber, “Uber Terrorist”.

Fox Tower AKA The Nakatomi Building in Century City by day

Okay, I’m having too much fun with YouTube these days. I found this little project of a twisted mind to watch. Yes, someone is in mourning for the tragic death of Hans Gruber at the hands of NYPD officer John McLane.

If you never noticed before Gruber’s gun is the great HK-P7-M-13 rarely found in satin chrome. It was a fitting piece for the ultimate terrorist gentleman.

In Case Anyone Forgot About Lying Sexual Predators Holding Political Office…

In Case Anyone Forgot About Lying Sexual Predators Holding Political Office…

Here is our former Democratic Party Presidential office holder under oath during his a federal court deposition. Tell me again why he only lost his law license over this perjury?

Die Hard 4.0? John McLane is coming back!

Fox Tower AKA The Nakatomi Building in Century City

I drove by the Nakatomi building today in Century City and snapped this picture. It’s really the headquarters for 20th Century Fox and of course the location of the very first Die Hard film where McLane took on Hans Gruber and his merry band of bearer bond thieves.

Right now in L.A. and for the next several months they are making Die Hard #4 in the Die Hard franchise. It’s really titled, Live Free And Die Hard. This time our hero McClane is going to duke it out with Internet terrorists. Is he going to fight with a mouse instead of a gun? I don't thnk so.

I was hoping that the bad guy was a blogger and the title would be, Blog Free And Die Hard. Of course the villain would have to win this one! Somehow I don’t think that the screenwriter had my great idea in mind.

I don’t think I know a cop anywhere that would miss another Die Hard film. But please, this time give Mclane a real gun, a .45 instead of a wimpy Beretta 92F, 9MM.