Roll Call 2018

Roll Call

Officer Down, Code 3

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(John 15:13)

Trooper Michael J. Anson

New York State Police, NY

EOW: Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Lieutenant Christopher Robateau

Jersey City Police Department, NJ

EOW: Friday, January 5, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Daniel A. McCartney

Pierce County Sheriff's Department, WA

EOW: Monday, January 8, 2018

Lieutenant Jeffrey W. Francis

New York City Police Department, NY

EOW: Saturday, January 13, 2018

Detective Micheal Robert Doty

York County Sheriff's Office, SC

EOW: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher David Hill

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US

EOW: Thursday, January 18, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Heath McDonald Gumm

Adams County Sheriff's Office, CO

EOW: Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Police Officer Glenn Anthony Doss, Jr.

Detroit Police Department, MI

EOW: Sunday, January 28, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Micah Lee Flick

El Paso County Sheriff's Office, CO

EOW: Monday, February 5, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Steven Belanger

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA

EOW: Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Reserve Officer Jarate Dewayne Condit

Asher Police Department, OK

EOW: Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Police Officer David Charles Sherrard

Richardson Police Department, TX

EOW: Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Police Officer Chase Lee Maddox

Locust Grove Police Department, GA

EOW: Friday, February 9, 2018

K9 Officer Eric Joseph Joering

Westerville Division of Police, OH

EOW: Saturday, February 10, 2018

Police Officer Anthony Pasquale Morelli

Westerville Division of Police, OH

EOW: Saturday, February 10, 2018

Commander Paul R. Bauer

Chicago Police Department, IL

EOW: Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Sergeant Edward Ronald Bollman

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, IN

EOW: Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Police Officer Darren Maurice Weathers

Detroit Police Department, MI

EOW: Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Kevin James Stanton

Brevard County Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Saturday, February 17, 2018

Police Officer Justin Taylor Billa

Mobile Police Department, AL

EOW: Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Sergeant Mujahid Ramzziddin

Prince George's County Police Department, MD

EOW: Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Sergeant Mark J. Baserman

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, PA

EOW: Monday, February 26, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Alexis Thunder Eagle Locklear

Scotland County Sheriff's Office, NC

EOW: Thursday, March 1, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Jacob M. Pickett

Boone County Sheriff's Office, IN

EOW: Friday, March 2, 2018

Police Officer Rodney Scott Smith

Hickman Police Department, KY

EOW: Friday, March 2, 2018

Police Officer Malcus Williams, II

Ashland Police Department, OR

EOW: Friday, March 2, 2018

Police Officer Christopher Ryan Morton

Clinton Police Department, MO

EOW: Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Police Officer Greggory Casillas

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW: Friday, March 9, 2018

Deputy Sheriff David Lee'Sean Manning

Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, NC

EOW: Sunday, March 11, 2018

Reserve Officer Christopher Michael Lawton

Zachary Police Department, LA

EOW: Monday, March 12, 2018

Police Officer Scotty Hamilton

Pikeville Police Department, KY

EOW: Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Douglas Zirkle

Marin County Sheriff's Office, CA

EOW: Thursday, March 15, 2018

Police Officer Andres Laza-Caraballo

Juncos Municipal Police Department, PR

EOW: Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Special Agent Melissa S. Morrow

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US

EOW: Thursday, March 22, 2018

Trooper First Class Kevin M. Miller

Connecticut State Police, CT

EOW: Thursday, March 29, 2018

Police Officer Phillip Lynn Meacham

Hopkinsville Police Department, KY

EOW: Thursday, March 29, 2018

Corporal Dale Shannon Hallman

Saluda County Sheriff's Office, SC

EOW: Friday, April 6, 2018

Police Officer Keith O'Neal Earle

Huntsville Police Department, AL

EOW: Monday, April 9, 2018

Patrolman Kevin F. Crossley

Whitesboro Police Department, NY

EOW: Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Sergeant Sean McNamee Gannon

Yarmouth Police Department, MA

EOW: Thursday, April 12, 2018

Sergeant Noel Beltran Ramirez, Jr.

Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Thursday, April 19, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Taylor Fletcher Lindsey

Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Thursday, April 19, 2018

Detective Sergeant Brian Scott Cuscino

New Castle Police Department, PA

EOW: Thursday, April 19, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Casey L. Shoemate

Miller County Sheriff's Office, MO

EOW: Friday, April 20, 2018

Police Officer Tamby Yagan

Paterson Police Department, NJ

EOW: Sunday, April 22, 2018

Master Deputy James Lester Kirk, Jr.

Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, SC

EOW: Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Corporal Eugene Cole

Somerset County Sheriff's Office, ME

EOW: Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Police Officer Rogelio Santander, Jr.

Dallas Police Department, TX

EOW: Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Police Officer Jesus "Chuy" Cordova

Nogales Police Department, AZ

EOW: Friday, April 27, 2018

Police Officer Charles Whites

Round Rock Police Department, TX

EOW: Friday, April 27, 2018

Police Officer Robert Shawn Pitts

Terre Haute Police Department, IN

EOW: Friday, May 4, 2018

Agent Joel Alexis Pantojas-Fuente

San Juan Police Department, PR

EOW: Sunday, May 6, 2018

Deputy Sheriff William J. Gentry, Jr.

Highlands County Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Monday, May 7, 2018

  

Police Officer Alex Isai Sable

York City Police Department, PA

EOW: Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Deputy Inspector General Richard W. Hale

Texas Juvenile Justice Department - Office of Inspector General, TX

EOW: Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Police Officer Lance Christian Whitaker

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Police Officer Emmett Paul Morris

Raleigh Police Department, MS

EOW: Thursday, May 17, 2018

Police Officer Thomas Coulter

Daytona Beach Police Department, FL

EOW: Monday, May 21, 2018

Sergeant Kent Donald Swanson

Shelley Police Department, ID

EOW: Monday, May 21, 2018

Police Officer Ayrian Michelle Williams

Monroe Police Department, LA

EOW: Monday, May 21, 2018

Police Officer Amy Caprio

Baltimore County Police Department, MD

EOW: Monday, May 21, 2018

Trooper Samuel Newton Bullard

North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC

EOW: Monday, May 21, 2018

Chief of Detectives William Allee

New York City Police Department, NY

EOW: Thursday, May 24, 2018

Senior Special Agent Paul Scott Ragsdale

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US

EOW: Thursday, May 24, 2018

Police Officer Anthony Christie

Savannah Police Department, GA

EOW: Friday, May 25, 2018

Special Agent in Charge David J. LeValley

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US

EOW: Saturday, May 26, 2018

Sergeant Daniel Scott Baker

Dickson County Sheriff's Office, TN

EOW: Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Trooper First Class Walter Greene

Connecticut State Police, CT

EOW: Thursday, May 31, 2018

Collection Operations Manager Christopher Todd Bacon

United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Intelligence, US

Police Officer Charles G. Irvine, Jr.

Milwaukee Police Department, WI

EOW: Thursday, June 7, 2018

Sergeant Charles R. Salaway

New York State Police, NY

EOW: Saturday, June 9, 2018

Supervisory Special Agent Brian L. Crews

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US

EOW: Sunday, June 10, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Patrick Thomas Rohrer

Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, KS

EOW: Friday, June 15, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Theresa Sue King

Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, KS

EOW: Saturday, June 16, 2018

Correctional Officer Tawanna Marin

Florida Department of Corrections, FL

EOW: Monday, June 18, 2018

Senior Police Officer Christopher James Driver

Rocky Mount Police Department, NC

EOW: Saturday, June 23, 2018

Police Officer Richard Lopez

New York City Police Department, NY

EOW: Sunday, June 24, 2018

Police Officer Mathew J. Mazany

Mentor Police Department, OH

EOW: Sunday, June 24, 2018

Special Agent Timothy Allan Ensley

United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US

EOW: Sunday, June 24, 2018

Chief of Police Lonnie Verdell Burton

Wayland Baptist University Police Department, TX

EOW: Monday, June 25, 2018

Trooper Nicholas F. Clark

New York State Police, NY

EOW: Monday, July 2, 2018

Police Officer Vu X. Nguyen

Cleveland Division of Police, OH

EOW: Friday, July 6, 2018

Deputy Jailer Randy ZoeRay Haddix

Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, NE

EOW: Monday, July 9, 2018

Police Officer Jarrod Kyle Friddle

Cumby Police Department, TX

EOW: Monday, July 9, 2018

Sergeant Michael C. Chesna

Weymouth Police Department, MA

EOW: Sunday, July 15, 2018

Special Agent Nole Edward Remagen

United States Department of Homeland Security - United States Secret Service, US

EOW: Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Police Officer Bronson K. Kaliloa

Hawaii County Police Department, HI

EOW: Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Agent Cadet Immanuel James Washington

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LA

EOW: Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm

Minnesota Department of Corrections, MN

EOW: Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Corrections Officer Kyle Lawrence Eng

Las Vegas Department of Public Safety - Division of Corrections, NV

EOW: Thursday, July 19, 2018

Senior Corporal Earl James "Jamie" Givens, III

Dallas Police Department, TX

EOW: Saturday, July 21, 2018

Police Officer Diego Moreno

Kent Police Department, WA

EOW: Sunday, July 22, 2018

Trooper Tyler James Edenhofer

Arizona Department of Public Safety, AZ

EOW: Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Police Officer Michael J. Michalski

Milwaukee Police Department, WI

EOW: Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Police Officer Adam Edward Jobbers-Miller

Fort Myers Police Department, FL

EOW: Saturday, July 28, 2018

Investigator Timothy Dale Cole, Sr.

Comanche County District Attorney's Office, OK

EOW: Saturday, August 4, 2018

Officer Kirk A. Griess

California Highway Patrol, CA

EOW: Friday, August 10, 2018

  

Police Officer Fadi Mukhlis Shukur

Detroit Police Department, MI

EOW: Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Police Officer Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello

New Rochelle Police Department, NY

EOW: Thursday, August 16, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Benjamin LeMont Zirbel

Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL

EOW: Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Assistant Chief of Police Kirt Roy Ricks, III

Montgomery Police Department, LA

EOW: Friday, September 7, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Aaron Paul Roberts

Greene County Sheriff's Office, MO

EOW: Friday, September 7, 2018

Police Officer David Alexander Tinsley

Fort Wayne Police Department, IN

EOW: Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Police Officer Oscar Adrian Reyes

Costa Mesa Police Department, CA

EOW: Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Corrections Officer Armando Gallegos, Jr.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA

EOW: Friday, September 14, 2018

Corporal Garrett Willis Hull

Fort Worth Police Department, TX

EOW: Friday, September 14, 2018

Chief of Police Frank A. McClelland, Jr.

Ludowici Police Department, GA

EOW: Saturday, September 15, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Robert Kenneth Kunze, III

Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, KS

EOW: Sunday, September 16, 2018

Detective Mark S. Gado

New Rochelle Police Department, NY

EOW: Sunday, September 16, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Mark V. Stasyuk

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA

EOW: Monday, September 17, 2018

Corrections Officer Joseph Parise

Minnesota Department of Corrections, MN

EOW: Monday, September 24, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Mark A. Cox

Real County Sheriff's Office, TX

EOW: Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Patrolman James Kevin White

Brookhaven Police Department, MS

EOW: Saturday, September 29, 2018

Corporal Walter Zachery Moak

Brookhaven Police Department, MS

EOW: Saturday, September 29, 2018

Sergeant Terrence Felipe Carraway

Florence Police Department, SC

EOW: Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Sergeant Dennis W. Reichardt

Suffolk County Police Department, NY

EOW: Thursday, October 4, 2018

Federal Agent Kristopher David Youngberg

United States Department of Energy - National Nuclear Security Administration - Office of Secure Transportation, US

EOW: Friday, October 5, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Raymond Bradley Jimmerson

Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office, TX

EOW: Friday, October 5, 2018

Corrections Officer Mark Anthony Gaspich

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, PA

EOW: Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Trooper Kevin Keith Conner

North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC

EOW: Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Police Officer Antwan DeArvis Toney

Gwinnett County Police Department, GA

EOW: Saturday, October 20, 2018

Investigator Farrah Turner

Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC

EOW: Monday, October 22, 2018

Assistant Chief of Police Dennis Burt Vincent

Brigham City Police Department, UT

EOW: Friday, October 26, 2018

Special Agent Dennis P. McCarthy

United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US

EOW: Saturday, October 27, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Loren Y. Vasquez

Waller County Sheriff's Office, TX

EOW: Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Corporal Travis Wells

Dallas Police Department, NC

EOW: Thursday, November 1, 2018

Sergeant Ronald Lee Helus

Ventura County Sheriff's Office, CA

EOW: Thursday, November 8, 2018

Police Officer Jared William Franks

Greensboro Police Department, NC

EOW: Saturday, November 10, 2018

Police Officer Toshio Hirai

Gardena Police Department, CA

EOW: Thursday, November 15, 2018

Police Officer Jason Michael Seals

Slidell Police Department, LA

EOW: Saturday, November 17, 2018

Police Officer Samuel Jimenez

Chicago Police Department, IL

EOW: Monday, November 19, 2018

Police Officer Leann Simpson

Philadelphia Police Department, MS

EOW: Saturday, November 24, 2018

Police Officer David Romrell

South Salt Lake Police Department, UT

EOW: Saturday, November 24, 2018

Police Officer Hunter Edwards

Winchester Police Department, VA

EOW: Saturday, November 24, 2018

Deputy Sheriff Antonio Hinostroza

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, CA

EOW: Sunday, November 25, 2018

Trooper Robert E. Nagle

New Jersey State Police, NJ

EOW: Monday, November 26, 2018

Detective Larry Marrero

Miami Beach Police Department, FL

EOW: Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase S. White

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US

EOW: Thursday, November 29, 2018

Sergeant Matthew Moreno

Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, CO

EOW: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Police Officer Jermaine Brown

Miami-Dade Police Department, FL

EOW: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Sergeant Benton Bertram

Charlestown Police Department, IN

EOW: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Police Officer Edgar Isidro Flores

DeKalb County Police Department, GA

EOW: Thursday, December 13, 2018

Officer Jason Quick

Lumberton Police Department, NC

EOW: Saturday, December 15, 2018

Officer Eduardo Marmolejo

Chicago Police Department, IL

EOW: December 17, 2018

Officer Conrad Gary

Chicago Police Department, IL

EOW: December 17, 2018

Detective Deidre Irene Mengedoht

Louisville Metro Police Department, KY

EOW: December 24, 2018

Officer Ronil Singh

Newman Police Department, CA

EOW: December 26, 2018

Officer Michael Smith

Henry County Police Department, GA

EOW: December 28, 2018

“And each one there has one thing shared;
They have sweated beneath the same sun,
Look up in wonder at the same moon,
And wept when it was all done,
For being done too soon.”

― -- Neil Diamond.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(Matthew 25:21)

Friday Friends Apology Edition

(This is a re-print from a Facebook post on my timeline.  I'm placing it here as I believe it never showed up on FB.  Maybe I was in Facebook Jail?)

Friday Friends Apology Edition

It’s been more than six months now. It had been an eventful day. My daughters convinced me to go to Dallas to run a 5K with them. It was the second one of my life. I had run my first 5K with my daughters and I vowed that there wouldn’t be a second one. Daughters! Gotta love them.

After dinner we all adjourned to the living room. I knew something was up as the grandkids willingly went into the room, some with their boyfriend/girlfriend in tow and nervously sat anywhere there was empty space.

Then my daughters presented me with the booklet with my picture on the front of it. They had contacted friends of mine and asked to write letters to me for my 70th birthday. I flipped through the pages and tried to read the words through blurred eyes. Quiet settled over the room as a smile settled in on my face as I turned each page.

I don’t recall how the subject came up, but someone wanted to know a little about the letters. Rather than read the letters I recounted to my family my relationship to each of the people who had written and why they were special to me. Former classmate. Co-workers. Former students. Associates from church. Family. “Adopted” children and siblings. My voice cracked a few times and an occasional tear streaked across my cheek.

I don’t know why I picked up that little booklet again Wednesday night and thumbed through it. Now that I did it, I realize I had to read through it again.

Six months had passed and other things have happened in my life. There were trips, one with a grandchild and others for bike rides. There were trips to visit family. We experienced heartbreak in our home. We experienced blessings unnumbered. There were reunions with friends in our home and elsewhere. There were bills to pay, plans to make, obligations to keep, and adjustments to make in our new home. In the midst of it all, in spite of all the blessings and wonderful things that have happened in my life in the last six months I think I may have lost my way. In addition to the great and marvelous events in my life, there have been some deep concerns on my mind. In short, I’ve been a bit terse in remarks that I’ve made to people I care deeply about. One person referred to it as “mean.” It should never have happened. I have been most ungrateful.

And so, I read the letters again Wednesday night. And I must apologize to those I’ve lashed out and to others who perceived a darker side of me.

Here’s to you. Friends.

End-to End

Yesterday, Saturday, October 6, 2018, my oldest son and youngest daughter joined me in finishing the KATY Trail in Missouri.  Ben rode the first 70 miles with me earlier this year, then Megan rode with me from the beginning of the trail in Clinton, Missouri, to Defiance, Missouri.  We all wanted to make our way to the end, so we picked up the trail in Defiance again and rode to the opposite end of the trail in Machens, Missouri.  Since there really isn't any place to park at the end of the trail, we doubled back at the end of the trail to the next to last trailhead at Black Walnut where Susan picked us up.

The trail from Defiance to Machens is mostly flat, so we were able to make good time except for one place.  We averaged over 12 mph (I slowed everyone down in the pace), though there was one stretch where we averaged over 14 mph.  The trail was great until we got east of St. Charles.  Whoever was in charge of the trail dumped about a foot of finely crushed limestone all the way to Machens.  The crushed limestone was just a little larger than sand.  Even walking on it was a challenge.  There were places along the trail that our trail bike tires simply sunk down into the limestone causing us to lose control of our bikes.  I nearly crashed two or three times because of the "improved" condition of the trail.  We all commented that it was worse than a 35 mile section of trail that was primarily uphill.  It required every ounce of muscle we had to slog through the limestone on the trail.  It was so bad that people we met along the trail were turning back, refusing to force themselves any further.

When we got to Black Walnut, about 3.1 miles from the finish and the point where we were going to be picked up anyway, we considered just quitting, but then we knew if we did that we would regret quitting before the end and that we would never be able to say that we went end-to-end.  We pushed on.

Within minutes of leaving, a severe storm fell upon us from the west.  Tree branches were literally flying across the trail.  Some landed on the trail while others flew completely over the trail at about five or six feet above the trail.  As I rode on I was grateful that I was wearing a helmet, but nothing would have prevented a limb from flying into me, possibly impaling me in my chest.  In spite of the lose crushed limestone, the wind was so severe that it would push my bike toward the edge of the trail.  We pushed on.

Eventually, we saw the end trailhead at Machens.  Again, we considered our options.  Finding it would be difficult without clear directions.  The wind was letting up, so we decided to return to Black Walnut.  We rode fast and furious.  The return 3.1 miles didn't seem as bad as it was when we were headed out to Machens, but then it began to sprinkle and then rain.  Never did anything look as sweet as the trailhead at Black Walnut.

Susan was there and we were able to load our gear in and bikes onto the car.  We rode home wet, but no worse for wear.

As I contemplated our ride, I couldn't help but think about how disappointed we would have been had we turned around like other bikers did when they first encountered the foot-deep crushed limestone.  Then, as the end came into view more discouragement was heaped upon us.  Then as we headed to our final destination, the place where we would find final shelter, the winds returned with rain.  It was as though everything conspired to discourage us, but we persevered.  We finished the course.

I think that life is often that way.  Sometimes we get bogged down in the thickness of life.  We move forward with every ounce of strength we have.  We swerve.  We stumble.  Sometimes we crash.  Then, as you think the end is in sight, even more challenges can fall upon you.  Yes, you can quit, but if you do, you miss completing your destiny.

We were all tired.  Exhausted.  Sore.  But, we finished.  We met our goal.

Not only that, but we did it as a family.

Confirmation Hearing Circus

Defining Moments Monday

Needless to say, I am deeply troubled by the entire circus surrounding Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Senate Confirmation Hearings and the two allegations made against him about sexual misconduct.  I do not know if the allegations against him are true or not.  Those of you reading this don’t know either.

In no way do I want to diminish the seriousness, the tragedy, the humiliation of victims of sexual violence or misconduct.  While I studied sex crimes investigations with the FBI and spent a fair amount of time in my policing career investigating sex crimes, I have nothing but compassion for those who have been victimized of this most horrific, demeaning crime.  I understand that I can never comprehend the daily agony that a person must go through following such victimization.

I also know that alleged perpetrators are wrongly accused and it is not a rare occasion when it happens.  My career taught me that there are multiple reasons for false allegations made against people and that those false allegations also have long-standing, painful consequences for those accused of such.  I suspect that all of us at one time or another have been wrongly accused of something, not necessarily of a sexual nature, and can have an appreciation of the sickening feeling that overcomes one when victimized of a false allegation.  Most of my former colleagues and those currently in the law enforcement field know what it is like to be falsely accused of wrongdoing.  No matter how many times it happens you never get used to it.  Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.  And, no matter how often you are cleared of false allegations, the cloud of doubt never goes completely away.

A defining moment came to me in my policing career when I learned that memories can be created seemingly out of thin air.  It happens.  Events that never happened can become very real in people’s minds, and nothing one can say or prove will convince the “victim” otherwise.  And, unfortunately, just like copycat crimes that occur, copycat victimizations also happen.  I’ve seen it first-hand.  I saw it spin absolutely out of control.  The self-created victimizations come out of the woodwork.

I reiterate.  I have nothing but compassion for those who have been victims of sexual or any other type of abuse.  It is inexcusable.  And while the timing of the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh is suspect (and shame, shame, shame on Diane Feinstein for holding this ace up her sleeve until the very last moment), I draw no conclusions as to his participation in the allegations made against him.  However, I also have compassion for those wrongly accused of any act or crime.

At best, if Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed, even if he is completely exonerated, he has essentially been neutered.  He will join the ranks of Justice Clarence Thomas and slide into history as irrelevant.  (By the way, I personally like Justice Thomas.  There is more to him than what meets the eye,)  If shown by clear and convincing evidence that he has committed these acts, he should be disbarred – not for having committed them, but for lying.  Meanwhile, it is inconceivable to me that there is already talk of impeachment of Judge Kavanaugh should his appointment to the Court be approved.

There are a number of lessons to be learned from this whole confirmation circus.  Where do I begin?

1.     As Americans, we tend to jump on the latest craze as it sweeps the nation.  Just like new toys that come out and are gobbled up by children, we tend to jump onto the latest social fads only to find that there is not nearly as much substance to them as what was first declared.
2.     No male is safe now from #MeToo.  (I have grown fearful of responding with a “me too” instead of “I agree” or “it happened to me as well.”)
3.     Youthful indiscretions will come back to haunt you – or someone else.
4.     While we should never blame the victim for victimization, there is something to be said for not putting yourself into dangerous situations. 
5.     Never, ever underestimate the power of alcohol.
6.     Contrary to popular opinion, the motivation to dominate a woman is not the only reason men commit sex crimes.
7.     There is something to be said for living a virtuous life.
8.     As you should never judge a book by its cover you should never judge an allegation by its content.

At this point, I don’t know which outcome will be worse, whether the allegations be proven to be true or if they are proven to be false.

Defining Moments Monday - The First Amendment

Defining Moments Monday

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution isn’t about the Five Freedoms.

I have been interested in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at least ever since I was in high school. However, I have taken greater interest in the Bill of Rights in the Last 45 years.  My good friend Richard E. Miller has suggested that those first ten amendments should really be called the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.  I agree with him 100%, but he said it first, so you should look to him for his explanation.

I’ve decided that the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights is the foundation of the remaining nine amendments. Here is the wording of the First Amendment.  

“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 grievances.”

First, please note that these “freedoms” are guaranteed to the PEOPLE and come before anything else in the Bill of Rights.

Second, the very first freedom is “freedom” of religion, or more particularly, we are free of Congress from telling us what we must believe (or not to believe) concerning religion.  Along with this is a promise that government will not interfere with anyone’s exercise of their religious convictions.  More importantly, this is a recognition that God, whatever form that being may take in any person’s mind, is at the forefront of all those basic freedoms.  Content Alert: Here’s some history.

The Commonwealth of Virginia in 1776 began work on its Declaration of Rights.  George Mason had suggested that “"all men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience...."  James Madison objected to this wording suggesting that the “toleration” of religion was a gift of government and not an inalienable right, and suggested that "all men are entitled to the full and free exercise" of religion instead.

“Thank you, James Madison.”  

Years later Madison would put pen to paper to write our Constitution then write what would be ratified in 1789 as the Bill of Rights.  This fourth President of the United State, a deeply religious man, would not only become known as the Father of the Constitution, but also as a defender of religious liberty.  Given a mountain of facts not presented here, it is extremely difficult to deny that Madison’s thoughts were focused on the role of God and religion on this fledgling country of ours.  He was careful to separate the RULE of “the Church” on “the State”, but he never really intended to prohibit or forbid the INFLUENCE of God on our nation.  Remember that Madison was the one who said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”

Third, if the First Amendment is the foundation of the entire Bill of Rights, then this First Freedom, the Freedom of Religion, is the cornerstone of the First Amendment.

Fourth, in recent years there has been a growing voice suggesting that freedom of religion should actually mean freedom FROM religion.  If this should become the true interpretation of this longest clause of the First Amendment, then it would naturally hold true that there should be no free press, no freedom to peaceably assemble, and no freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances.  Let that sink in.  Is it already happening?

Fifth and finally, the five freedoms in the First Amendment are actually manifestations of an even more important freedom.  These five freedoms are an expression of this one very basic freedom: The Freedom of Conscience.  It is the freedom to choose.  It is the freedom to believe.  Or to not believe.  It is the freedom to succeed or fail.  It is the freedom to be.  And that is my defining moment which took over 45 years to come to fruition.

I believe we all have defining moments in our lives. Those moments mold and shape us into the person we become. While some of those defining moments point in the same direction, not all of them do. There are contradictions. Step-by-step though, those defining moments help make us who we are.

#DefiningMomentsMondaygtalley