Los Angeles, CA —America’s retail establishments are in deep trouble. I can understand why in places like Chicago and Los Angeles that insist on taxing retail customers to death. Amazon.com sales have soared to the best year ever with a 17% boost in 2008. It’s really simple the local jurisdictions need to end their extortion that the public can’t afford. Lowering sales taxes encourages more not less sales. Chicago has done their best to run every business out of town. Simple math says you can tax at a rate of 100% but 100% of nothing is nothing. Local jurisdictions need to compete because people can drive to places with lower tax rates or shop on line. Taxation is out of control in America along with wasteful government spending. Productivity must be rewarded and not punished or we won’t have anything to produce. Fewer goods are made and sold causes our jobs to hemorrhage. The answer by our government is still more extortion. Parking a car in Chicago costs more than some people pay to ...

Covina, CA —The pristine background of the Santa Claus Killer now known as, 45-year-old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo provides no clue for his deadly commando assault on his ex-wife and her family. Pardo was a well-educated engineer who regularly attended a Catholic church, lived in a nice home, had friends and a faithful dog. People who knew Pardo never saw a hint of the anger and desperation leading to the unleashed terror. Pardo did not need to use his guns since his homemade racing fuel fed flame thrower quickly reduced the home he attacked and people inside to mere ashes. Police say that Pardo himself suffered third-degree burns from the back-blast. His Santa suit actually melted with his skin. Divorce is difficult for anyone and being a Catholic carries addition problems because the church does not accept divorce. There was no fight over children but the wife got the dog in the settlement and that is no small loss. Pardo did lose his job but was living the American dream and would soo...

Celebratory gunfire at New Years is a tradition worldwide. People fire guns into the air simply to make noise. Is this dangerous? It could be. This can be a big problem when the shooters are also drinkers. Accidents can always happen around loaded guns, cars, boats trains, airplanes and alcohol increases that possibility. The danger to people outside if the immediate vicinity is way overrated. If the gun is discharged in a steep angle to the ground the bullet falls to earth at terminal velocity and that speed is determined by weight. Unless that fired bullet lands on a crowd hitting a person is incredible rare. If the bullet hits someone at terminal velocity the likelihood of injury is small. Shooting into the air is stupid, wasteful and frightens people. To say its bad for gun owner’s public relations for is an understatement. The discharge a gun around people who are without ear protection could permanently damage hearing. Why do that to your friends and family? Laws have be...

Murray, UT --Surveillance cameras never sleep! When a larcenous mutt hungered for a John Wayne sized rawhide chew he knew just where to go. He slipped into his local supermarket went directly to the correct isle and stole what he wanted. An alert store manager tried to stop the Krooked K-9 during his daring escape but did not want to lose a pinky or two in the process. I think this k-9 Kaper will hit America’s Most Wanted with a big reward.

Westwood Village, Los Angeles, CA— Being a history buff and having a special bond with Germany and its people seeing this film was mandatory for me. After serving as an Army medical corpsman(1968-1970)in Germany, I nearly stayed there to live. I should at least obtained employment with a government or company that would have given me equal time on both sides of the Atlantic. I also have a special bond of sorts with actor and Valkyrie star, Tom Cruise . His “mother”, Janet Caroll , from the Film, Risky Business is my friend. Janet’s father was a Chicago Police officer and district secretary. She also has several police bosses in her immediate family. Janet was successfully acting and singing in both Los Angeles and New York. Janet has recently returned to Los Angeles where she has made a second life for herself as an ordained minister helping others. Operation Walküre was a German government plan for martial law in event of a breakdown of law and order or revolt during World War Two...

Springfield, IL —Lawyer Ed Genson is demanding subpoenas for witnesses as part of his impeachment defense on behalf of Governor Rod Blagojevich . Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett and Jessie Jackson, Jr . and Barack Obama . I don't think these folks are looking forward to answering Genson’s questions under oath anytime soon. The conventional wisdom is that the Democratically controlled Illinois Legislature would bend over backwards protecting Obama and his minions. The problem is they can’t have their cake and eat it too, meaning they can’t impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich without affording him due process. Democrats may live to regret their rush to impeach the beleaguered governor. Okay, I’m laughing at the dilemma and am pleased to report that Emanuel, Jarrett and Jackson have hired their own criminal lawyers. I can’t wait to see these impeachment witnesses taking the Fifth and refusing to testify.

Her name is Hanna and she is part of the aquatic wildlife at this aquarium down under at Sydney Australia. I can see lots of daddies with newfound interest in sea life taking their children to study nature with Hanna…

Covina, CA .--Police say a man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire with a handgun at a Christmas Eve party. Three people were killed and two others including an 8 year-old girl were wounded by gunfire. When police responded to the scene they found the home on fire. Firemen could not immediately respond because of reported gunfire. The bodies were found once the fire was extinguished. Police believe that the attack came as a result of an ongoing domestic dispute. They are seeking a man they are calling a person of interest, 45-year-old Bruce Jeffrey Pardo . Police say Pardo is the estranged husband of a person who may have been at the party. Update: 9:10 AM Covina police now say their person of interest Bruce Pardo has killed himself. Pardo's body was later found at the home of his brother near Slymar, CA. Second update: Police are now saying "several more bodies" have been found in the burned out crime scene. I will update this with full details when available. Third Up...

Phoenix, AZ —Two little boys were found unconscious, and near death at a park located at 93rd Avenue and West Elwood Street. The boys, Jesse Ramirez, 7 , and Edwin Pellecier, 10 were badly injured by what has been determined to be blunt force trauma. At this hour the the boys who are cousins are not expected to survive. The boys were discovered on Wednesday. Police arrested 36 year-old, Joe Sauceda Gallegos a man with a history or erratic behavior. Gallegos was observed walking away from the scene with a baseball bat on surveillance video. Police are unsure of any motive for the attack on the two boys. A subsequent search of Galegos’ home led to the seizure of a bloody T-shirt and an aluminum baseball bat. This is video from the Maricopa County Superior Court bail bond hearing: There is more on this story from KTVK-TV in Phoenix, AZ . Update: 12/26/08 sadly both little boys died this morning. It's expected to see charges upgraded to two counts of murder against Joe Sauced...

To my visitors: I know we are in for some difficult times ahead. Somehow we wound up under the control of the worst possible politicians. Our economy is tanking and those of us still working for government are facing far less desirable working conditions. I hope the New Year brings wisdom and sense to our elected leaders. We are all Americans that want safety, prosperity, good health and a reason to keep smiling. That will be our future if we stick together and fight for that. We will never all agree on everything but in the end we have more in common than we disagree about. Here is my favorite Christmas experience as a cop: I could not top this Christmas story from so long ago when I was a young cop. I am republishing this because it’s really special to me and I hope everyone else that reads it. I remember working every Christmas of my life when I was a cop. I never really minded that because it was always an easy day. One such Christmas, We received a disturbance call and respon...

Chicago, IL —I was so worried that Barack Obama and his transition team might come back with a finding of impropriety or even criminal conduct in the Blagogate matter. Whew! They were able to clear themselves! I guess Obama must think the whole world is as dumb as the dopes that voted for him. I wonder how many other crooked politicians would have gone away to Club Fed if they too were allowed to investigate themselves? Hell if Obama gets to investigate himself Governor Rod Blagojevich should being entrusted with the same ability to clear himself! Let’s play fair. I can’t help but consider Obama’s self-serving-self-probing is anything less than laughable. Where are the telephone and e-mail records? Records? We don’t need no stinkin’ records!

Cyberspace News Flash —There is a poll out where you can vote for your favorite police related blog. I voted for myself a half million times but not one vote registered! Is the fix in? Vote early, vote often! Crime, Guns and Videotape is halfway down the list! VOTE HERE!

President-elect, Barack Obama promised us full disclosure on his and his transition team’s communications with embattled and accused Senate Seat Seller, Rod Blagojevich . What we know now is that Obama reneged and full disclosure ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. No memos, phone or e-mail records will ever see daylight. This is hardly a great start for the, Administration of Change that has not even begun yet. Is this a sign of things to come? Why am I expecting a cover up that would even make Richard Nixon roll over in his grave? The really bad news for Obama is the rats that surround rats can be counted on to eat each other. It’s only a matter of time…

Los Angeles, CA —As a long time member of the, Screen Actor’s Guild , I’m watching the movement toward an actor’s strike. In Los Angeles acting is a tough game. Unless you are closely related to, sleeping with or have decapitated some Hollywood big shot's prize horse and put put that trophy in his bed your chances of making a decent living are really slim. It’s the agents who control who does or does not work. For the unemployed or underemployed actors there are auditions with endless driving, waiting and all manner of roadblocks. For example you must pay for your own parking during auditions. Hundreds of actors are submitted to producers for nearly every single role. I know may actors that are lucky to get five tiny parts in an entire year. For that they are compensated at $759.00 per day for speaking roles. The Internet and related new media threatens actors on any residuals. The Internet has no control and actor’s products are subject to perpetual play. Yes there are a sm...

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause!

Oak Park, IL -This quiet, progressive and wealthy town was the location of an armed robbery. I can’t understand how that could happen since the Village of Oak Park politicians have done their best to make laws banning guns for simple self-defense. As one man was putting gas in his car, two other men decided to try and rob him of his leather coat. Instead of handing over the coat the intended victim drew a gun and shot one of the robbers twice and quickly left the scene. Of course leaving the scene of the shooting is not a crime anywhere in America. The wounded stick-up man had some very nasty but non-life threatening injuries. So far police have arrested nobody but a dragnet has been cast for the intended victim. I just hope the lucky fellow who survived the robbery attempt is smart enough to remain absolutely silent and demand a lawyer if they ever catch up to him. Thankfully this fellow put his own life at a higher priority than blindly obeying unconstitutional Illinois gun laws. The...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievence." —The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution First let me say it’s a great country we live in. As difficult times approach new business opportunities may be rare. I have an idea suited for some to help bring home the bacon. It’s really quite simple, making films and paying actors to engage in on-camera adult consensual sex acts is constitutionally protected activity. For example a woman offered to produce either still pictures or video of herself and a willing partner that’s not a crime. Likewise that same woman would be allowed to sell or rent to you a camera for your very own Cecil B. DeMille, close-up encounters of the sticky kind. Of course that camera with instruction may cost $500.00 for an hour film...

Anytown, USA —I don’t see what the problem is. Government allows certain types of betting in certain places. Native Americans have gotten filthy rich with casinos, why can’t I do the same? It’s very simple some Americans are more equal than others. Equal protection under law is a total myth in America. The government’s refusal to grant me a license is a solid denial of equal protection under law. Someone please tell me why I’m wrong?

Washington, DC —Those people we sent to Congress want to have the Treasury Department send out checks to taxpayers as a way to stimulate the economy. I would expect thousands of checks will be obtained through criminal means. The government has to do the accounting, prepare and send checks and that in and of itself will cost millions. My thoughts are that it makes more sense to suspend withholding tax from American’s paychecks. They could also suspend small businesses from sending in quarterly reports. That would stimulate the economy without including so much unneeded bureaucracy and additional cost. Of course the downside is people who don’t work or pay tax won’t get the free money. Perhaps that’s incentive for the folks that don’t work to take a job, any job. I guess that’s not a downside after all. I guess I don’t understand the teachings of Karl Marx and need to spend time in a government re-education camp.

During a documentary interview the late TV journalist, Jessica Savage posed a question to author and police trainer, Massad F. Ayoob for a PBS Fronttline Piece: Q. Should a man who beats his wife be allowed to have a gun? A. A man that beats his wife should not be allowed to have a wife. Washington, DC —That’s the very issue before the United States Supreme Court in, U.S. vs. Hayes . Of course the, Lautenberg Amendment covers simple assaults of anyone who shares a dwelling with someone he has been convicted of assaulting. A person convicted of even to the most minor assault is barred from owning firearms for his or her entire life. These types of crimes are never recorded by video surveillance cameras or observed by independent witnesses so far too many convictions here are flawed for two reasons. People lie and courts too often error on the side of conviction because the popular conception is conviction with probation or other punishment will prevent a second such accusation ther...