For over 50 years - the USA has boycotted Cuba, with a misguided policy that a boycott would bring down Fidel Castro and his regime.
Well after 50 years, by any measure this policy has been a failure - Fidel and Raul Castro remain in power and the Cuban people suffer - frozen in time.
President Obama has taken small steps - but he must declare an unilateral end to the boycott of Cuba - and Open Cuba to all Americans who wish to travel and/or reunite with family and friends. No restrictions - let American bring their dollars and voices of freedom - let the Cuban people begin to feel the freedom - even if Fidel and Raoul benefit, in the short run.
A program on CNBC (Escape from Havana:An American Story)about 14,000 children secretly flown out of Cuba in the 1960's and their stories is a compelling story of survival and of the failure of US policy.
These children now seniors - some feel Cuba must be open and that American policy, that they once supported, is wrong - and the USA must open trade and travel to Cuba.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
DETROIT CITY COUNCIL TO CUT POLICE BUDGET - WRONG AND IGNORANT
What 'pain' is the Detroit City Council 'sharing' -
DPD just lost Officer Huff...they are understaffed (1000++), under equipped and undertrained and don't have enough jail space to house their prisoners..
A 7yr old girl is dead, a 17 year old is dead, a 69 yr old grandmother is dead etc etc etc
...criminals know that dpd is short jail space ...cant respond in a timely manner and the are
rewarded with even more cuts in the police budget....wrong wrong wrong
The mayor, council and pc need to sit down together and see where more money can do the most good...and what needs to be done to improve the dpd....(fed money).....
***************************** ******************************************* ***********************
Crime should be the #1 issue in Detroit - we need an all out war on crime and guns -
but the Detroit City Council wants to cut $6. million dollars from the police budget - that is incredibly stupid, shortsighted, and wrong and that is on top of the Mayor's cuts.
The DPD needs some structural changes to increase efficiencies:
adopt a Verified Response System for B&E alarms (to allow officers to respond faster to crimes in progress - and to stop them from being security guards for alarm companies).
get an agreement to use the WC jails/medical facilities for Detroit prisoners ( 1/2 of the jail cells were closed by xPC Cummings).
get rid of Crisnet report system (keeps officers in police stations too long / see Haddad memo)
raise the hiring standards - 2yrs college / military service, better background checks and better training...
The City Council and the Mayor must go to Washington, as a group, and get Federal funding (Homeland Security - special grants - etc) ...to get the money to hire officers, buy better equipment and to train and retrain officers.
If Council Chairman Pugh - doesn't understand this - and the Council doesn't act to improve the DPD, now - this will be indeed a bad summer for Detroit. Budget cuts is not proactive to solve Detroit's crime problem - it is a regressive - dangerous action that will cost residents lives.
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
DPD just lost Officer Huff...they are understaffed (1000++), under equipped and undertrained and don't have enough jail space to house their prisoners..
A 7yr old girl is dead, a 17 year old is dead, a 69 yr old grandmother is dead etc etc etc
...criminals know that dpd is short jail space ...cant respond in a timely manner and the are
rewarded with even more cuts in the police budget....wrong wrong wrong
The mayor, council and pc need to sit down together and see where more money can do the most good...and what needs to be done to improve the dpd....(fed money).....
***************************** ******************************************* ***********************
Crime should be the #1 issue in Detroit - we need an all out war on crime and guns -
but the Detroit City Council wants to cut $6. million dollars from the police budget - that is incredibly stupid, shortsighted, and wrong and that is on top of the Mayor's cuts.
The DPD needs some structural changes to increase efficiencies:
adopt a Verified Response System for B&E alarms (to allow officers to respond faster to crimes in progress - and to stop them from being security guards for alarm companies).
get an agreement to use the WC jails/medical facilities for Detroit prisoners ( 1/2 of the jail cells were closed by xPC Cummings).
get rid of Crisnet report system (keeps officers in police stations too long / see Haddad memo)
raise the hiring standards - 2yrs college / military service, better background checks and better training...
The City Council and the Mayor must go to Washington, as a group, and get Federal funding (Homeland Security - special grants - etc) ...to get the money to hire officers, buy better equipment and to train and retrain officers.
If Council Chairman Pugh - doesn't understand this - and the Council doesn't act to improve the DPD, now - this will be indeed a bad summer for Detroit. Budget cuts is not proactive to solve Detroit's crime problem - it is a regressive - dangerous action that will cost residents lives.
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
Saturday, May 15, 2010
ASSISTED SUICIDE - DR KERVORKIAN WAS RIGHT
The time to talk to your parents and your children about - your death - is now, when you are living and can make a decision on how you want to end your life - with care and dignity.
Sarah Palin, and Republican attempts to be disingenuous, misleading and wrong made this important discussion sound wrong - her 'death panels' comments lead people to believe that the government wanted to tell you how and when to die. Wrong - making that decision is one of the most important you will ever make - for your self and family.
Talking about Death is not easy, but necessary - you need to plan for the disposition of your property / wealth and how you want to die - slowly losing control of your body, your mind - or with dignity with grace. You need a will and a medical power of attorney, so that the person you chose to make your last decision - knows when and how you want the decision to be made, not at the last minute with or without passion - but with reason and properly thought out.
Medical discoveries can make us live longer than ever before and new medicines can preserve our lives - but it is the quality of life, that matters - not just life itself.
When our quality of life is over - its over - don't let your family be divided - love for you and your decision, is what matters, don't let your family be torn apart, guilt ridden - because you failed to let your final decision be known.
Dr. Jack Kervorkian - was right - Michigan and our country need to face this issue - and to allow people to die with dignity and grace - at the time of their chosing.
Sarah Palin, and Republican attempts to be disingenuous, misleading and wrong made this important discussion sound wrong - her 'death panels' comments lead people to believe that the government wanted to tell you how and when to die. Wrong - making that decision is one of the most important you will ever make - for your self and family.
Talking about Death is not easy, but necessary - you need to plan for the disposition of your property / wealth and how you want to die - slowly losing control of your body, your mind - or with dignity with grace. You need a will and a medical power of attorney, so that the person you chose to make your last decision - knows when and how you want the decision to be made, not at the last minute with or without passion - but with reason and properly thought out.
Medical discoveries can make us live longer than ever before and new medicines can preserve our lives - but it is the quality of life, that matters - not just life itself.
When our quality of life is over - its over - don't let your family be divided - love for you and your decision, is what matters, don't let your family be torn apart, guilt ridden - because you failed to let your final decision be known.
Dr. Jack Kervorkian - was right - Michigan and our country need to face this issue - and to allow people to die with dignity and grace - at the time of their chosing.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION - JUST SAY YES - ASSAULT WEAPON BAN
Rochelle
Rochelle Riley: Loss in the war on guns costs everyone | freep.com | Detroit Free Press 5/4/10
There is no War on Guns...if so the NRA would be spending millions of dollars trying to prevent the War...depicting President Obama as an anti-American whatever, who doesn't
believe in the Constitution ...doesn't want citizens to protect themselves - from big government - let alone your neighbor (who might be white, black, brown, yellow, gay - or an alien).
People of all races are racing to buy guns - to buy bullets (that are in short supply - now) for the coming War on Guns...that President Obama as a black president will surely propose.
But what we have now is an Arms Race - the more guns you have the safer you are ....but that isn't true - 25,000 Mexicans have been killed by guns purchased in the US Southwest states and smuggled over the border - because owning a gun larger that a .38 caliber is considered a military weapon, in Mexico.
The Mexican drug cartels, Mexican gangsters have to protect themselves from the big Mexican government that is trying to eradicate them. The cartels are killing, men, women, children, musicians, politicians, judges, police officers, soldiers, anyone that stands between them and their next drug deal, and US gun dealers are aiding and abetting the cartels, apparently with no remorse, conscience or regrets - because the bottom lines is that selling guns to the Mexicans is highly highly profitable....
President Obama has enough on his agenda...but an assault weapons ban and strict enforcement of gun laws in the Southwest would provoke a fire storm of discontent - that may undermine his efforts..but it is something that Congress - must take up on their own and face down the National Rifle Association, during an election year, to save lives US and Mexican lives - The NRA should no longer be the most powerful lobby in the US - and people should no longer be allowed to buy an AK-47 or FN 5.7 (cop killer gun) and we must change the culture in America - that owning guns is a birthright - this is not 1776, the British and Indians have been defeated.
PO Huff was lost because of a 'ARMS RACE' and loose and easy access to guns (and not enough Detroit jail space)...no 10 year should have to again hear that 'dad isn't coming home' because Congress fails in its responsibility to stand up to the NRA.
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
Rochelle Riley: Loss in the war on guns costs everyone | freep.com | Detroit Free Press 5/4/10
There is no War on Guns...if so the NRA would be spending millions of dollars trying to prevent the War...depicting President Obama as an anti-American whatever, who doesn't
believe in the Constitution ...doesn't want citizens to protect themselves - from big government - let alone your neighbor (who might be white, black, brown, yellow, gay - or an alien).
People of all races are racing to buy guns - to buy bullets (that are in short supply - now) for the coming War on Guns...that President Obama as a black president will surely propose.
But what we have now is an Arms Race - the more guns you have the safer you are ....but that isn't true - 25,000 Mexicans have been killed by guns purchased in the US Southwest states and smuggled over the border - because owning a gun larger that a .38 caliber is considered a military weapon, in Mexico.
The Mexican drug cartels, Mexican gangsters have to protect themselves from the big Mexican government that is trying to eradicate them. The cartels are killing, men, women, children, musicians, politicians, judges, police officers, soldiers, anyone that stands between them and their next drug deal, and US gun dealers are aiding and abetting the cartels, apparently with no remorse, conscience or regrets - because the bottom lines is that selling guns to the Mexicans is highly highly profitable....
President Obama has enough on his agenda...but an assault weapons ban and strict enforcement of gun laws in the Southwest would provoke a fire storm of discontent - that may undermine his efforts..but it is something that Congress - must take up on their own and face down the National Rifle Association, during an election year, to save lives US and Mexican lives - The NRA should no longer be the most powerful lobby in the US - and people should no longer be allowed to buy an AK-47 or FN 5.7 (cop killer gun) and we must change the culture in America - that owning guns is a birthright - this is not 1776, the British and Indians have been defeated.
PO Huff was lost because of a 'ARMS RACE' and loose and easy access to guns (and not enough Detroit jail space)...no 10 year should have to again hear that 'dad isn't coming home' because Congress fails in its responsibility to stand up to the NRA.
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
DETROIT POLICE OFFICER BRIAN HUFF - CRIME IN DETROIT
Letter to editor - reporters....PO BRIAN HUFF..
Monday's shooting sounds suspicious, he said, contending that it's unusual that a supposed drug dealer would open fire on officers rather than surrender and face a prison stint.
expressed concern that the killing of the officer would ramp up tensions between police and the community....ron scott - detroit free press and detroit news 5/4/10.
Why????? were ignorant, divisive, stupid, inflammatory, wrong comments put in news articles about the killing of a Detroit police officer and the wounding of four officers, by Ron Scott, whose racist comments should have been excluded and ignored - in these articles.
Scott cited statistics that may or not be wrong, but certainly don't tell accurately the story -but were inappropriate ....his statements, which could have been mouthed by a spokesman for the Hutaree...or any hate organization that want to stir up anti police sentiments and fears.
Wake UP - Detroit - you need not fear Detroit Police Officers - fear the black / African-American murderers, rapist, robbers, b&e men, muggers, car thieves that are praying on you - your husband, wife, children, neighbors and friends. Black on Black crime should be your fear - and the police your ally, help them fight crime and criminals.
The Detroit Police Department has and has had a black police chief, with 73% black police officers, with a black mayor - a black city council - if you fear them - Detroit has no future.
Ron Scott - The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press owe PO Huff family and all Detroit Police Officers an apology - for a lapse of judgement - they won't face, criminal charges, civil lawsuits or departmental charges like Detroit Police Officers - do every day, if they lapse in judgement or make a mistake - so remember that - no police officer wants to brutalize a resident or make a mistake because the stakes for police officers are too serious, for them and their families. DLM
Ron Scott, director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, called for a full investigation and expressed concern that the killing of the officer would ramp up tensions between police and the community.
"We're calling for an informal meeting with people in the community, and hopefully the chief, so that we can reduce anxiety over this incident rather than increase it," Scott said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100504/METRO01/5040363/1409/Detroit-officer-s-attempt-to-help-proves-deadly#ixzz0n5IrurCm
Ron Scott, president of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, said the shooting could be the result of heightened animosity between residents and the police.
He said citizen complaints have jumped 208% this year, mostly stemming from Evans' Mobile Strike Force, which is comprised of units dispatched to crime hot spots to head off suspicious activity and confiscate illegal weapons. Scott said that some officers have unfairly profiled young, black men and used excessive force without probable cause.
Monday's shooting sounds suspicious, he said, contending that it's unusual that a supposed drug dealer would open fire on officers rather than surrender and face a prison stint.
Evans said Scott's comments were insensitive and ignorant. The chief said the suspect's rap sheet, which includes convictions on fleeing and eluding police and attempting to disarm an officer, indicate he has been aggressive toward police before.
"Welcome to the real world," Evans said of Scott. "In case he doesn't know, people don't like to go to prison."
David L. Malhalab, Sgt DPD Retired
ps. PC Evans responded appropriately...I hope he keep having our backs...
Monday's shooting sounds suspicious, he said, contending that it's unusual that a supposed drug dealer would open fire on officers rather than surrender and face a prison stint.
expressed concern that the killing of the officer would ramp up tensions between police and the community....ron scott - detroit free press and detroit news 5/4/10.
Why????? were ignorant, divisive, stupid, inflammatory, wrong comments put in news articles about the killing of a Detroit police officer and the wounding of four officers, by Ron Scott, whose racist comments should have been excluded and ignored - in these articles.
Scott cited statistics that may or not be wrong, but certainly don't tell accurately the story -but were inappropriate ....his statements, which could have been mouthed by a spokesman for the Hutaree...or any hate organization that want to stir up anti police sentiments and fears.
Wake UP - Detroit - you need not fear Detroit Police Officers - fear the black / African-American murderers, rapist, robbers, b&e men, muggers, car thieves that are praying on you - your husband, wife, children, neighbors and friends. Black on Black crime should be your fear - and the police your ally, help them fight crime and criminals.
The Detroit Police Department has and has had a black police chief, with 73% black police officers, with a black mayor - a black city council - if you fear them - Detroit has no future.
Ron Scott - The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press owe PO Huff family and all Detroit Police Officers an apology - for a lapse of judgement - they won't face, criminal charges, civil lawsuits or departmental charges like Detroit Police Officers - do every day, if they lapse in judgement or make a mistake - so remember that - no police officer wants to brutalize a resident or make a mistake because the stakes for police officers are too serious, for them and their families. DLM
Ron Scott, director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, called for a full investigation and expressed concern that the killing of the officer would ramp up tensions between police and the community.
"We're calling for an informal meeting with people in the community, and hopefully the chief, so that we can reduce anxiety over this incident rather than increase it," Scott said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100504/METRO01/5040363/1409/Detroit-officer-s-attempt-to-help-proves-deadly#ixzz0n5IrurCm
Ron Scott, president of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, said the shooting could be the result of heightened animosity between residents and the police.
He said citizen complaints have jumped 208% this year, mostly stemming from Evans' Mobile Strike Force, which is comprised of units dispatched to crime hot spots to head off suspicious activity and confiscate illegal weapons. Scott said that some officers have unfairly profiled young, black men and used excessive force without probable cause.
Monday's shooting sounds suspicious, he said, contending that it's unusual that a supposed drug dealer would open fire on officers rather than surrender and face a prison stint.
Evans said Scott's comments were insensitive and ignorant. The chief said the suspect's rap sheet, which includes convictions on fleeing and eluding police and attempting to disarm an officer, indicate he has been aggressive toward police before.
"Welcome to the real world," Evans said of Scott. "In case he doesn't know, people don't like to go to prison."
David L. Malhalab, Sgt DPD Retired
ps. PC Evans responded appropriately...I hope he keep having our backs...
Monday, May 3, 2010
DETROIT - WAR ON CRIME - PO BRIAN HUFF
Detroit needs an all out - War on Crime.
The death of Detroit PO Brian Huff and wounding of four other officers should be the last straw, the final spark that will get powerful Detroit black ministers off their bibles and get them onto their pulpits and pounding them and telling their members that it is alL right to call police and 'turn in' a murderer, robber, rapist, drug house, drug pusher, a B&E man/team, car thieves.
Mayor Bing, at every Detroit church, must also get up and declare that the police are not an occupying army or an army of oppressors and that residents should not fear police officers, that are trying to protect them from criminals, who have no concern for Detroit or its residents. We must change the culture in Detroit - that make residents accept crime and fear the police.
The Mayor should tell Ron Scott to shut up - and not to denigrate officers and to cooperate with the police department to make it better - not to help spread the fear and suspicion about police officers. The Board of Police Commissioners must be more visible and active
in making the Department better and accepted by the residents.
The ministers, Mayor and City Council member should commit themselves to making crime - the number one concern that needs to be solved - and make public safety Detroit's No. 1 problem.
Former Ella Bully Cummings should be held accountable for this officers death - you can't arrest criminals - when there is not enough jail space to put them in (she closed 1/2 of the jail cells in Detroit). Cummings created a now failed Reorganization Plan, failed to supervise the progress of the DOJ decrees, and violated EEOC laws. Cummings failed police officers and residents of Detroit, and the problems she created have not been solved.
Mayor Bing and the City Council must seek federal grants to get Detroit Police - state of the are equipment, hire and train more officers and to make DPD the best police department in the country. This cant be done just at the city level - it will also take a commitment from the State and Federal governments.
I have always offered to be a resource...and spoken out about the problems and solutions that are needed to make the DPD better - hopefully someone will begin to listen now.
The news media must take an active role in examining bad policies and the lack of progress and why problems remain unsolved year after year. (crisnet / lack of jail space-medical facility/ lack of facilities and equipment/ lack of quality leadership - just a few)
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
The death of Detroit PO Brian Huff and wounding of four other officers should be the last straw, the final spark that will get powerful Detroit black ministers off their bibles and get them onto their pulpits and pounding them and telling their members that it is alL right to call police and 'turn in' a murderer, robber, rapist, drug house, drug pusher, a B&E man/team, car thieves.
Mayor Bing, at every Detroit church, must also get up and declare that the police are not an occupying army or an army of oppressors and that residents should not fear police officers, that are trying to protect them from criminals, who have no concern for Detroit or its residents. We must change the culture in Detroit - that make residents accept crime and fear the police.
The Mayor should tell Ron Scott to shut up - and not to denigrate officers and to cooperate with the police department to make it better - not to help spread the fear and suspicion about police officers. The Board of Police Commissioners must be more visible and active
in making the Department better and accepted by the residents.
The ministers, Mayor and City Council member should commit themselves to making crime - the number one concern that needs to be solved - and make public safety Detroit's No. 1 problem.
Former Ella Bully Cummings should be held accountable for this officers death - you can't arrest criminals - when there is not enough jail space to put them in (she closed 1/2 of the jail cells in Detroit). Cummings created a now failed Reorganization Plan, failed to supervise the progress of the DOJ decrees, and violated EEOC laws. Cummings failed police officers and residents of Detroit, and the problems she created have not been solved.
Mayor Bing and the City Council must seek federal grants to get Detroit Police - state of the are equipment, hire and train more officers and to make DPD the best police department in the country. This cant be done just at the city level - it will also take a commitment from the State and Federal governments.
I have always offered to be a resource...and spoken out about the problems and solutions that are needed to make the DPD better - hopefully someone will begin to listen now.
The news media must take an active role in examining bad policies and the lack of progress and why problems remain unsolved year after year. (crisnet / lack of jail space-medical facility/ lack of facilities and equipment/ lack of quality leadership - just a few)
David L. Malhalab
Sgt DPD Retired
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