These days, violence is a frequent topic of discussion in the news. Recently, more often than not the issue is gun control, stop-and-frisk policies or even police training tactics gone horribly awry. What these subjects have in common is that they take into consideration the rights and background of the targets and the accused.
Not long ago, New York City’s police department announced that they will run criminal background checks on those who report instances of domestic violence.… [Read more]
With approximately 34,500 uniformed officers and 51,000 employees overall – even more than the Federal Bureau of Investigation – the New York City Police Department is the largest police force in the country. It’s a powerful army in its own right and it has been expanding its global presence as it continues to fight the global war on terror.… [Read more]
One rationale for continuing stop and frisk practices is that it is a viable, proactive and productive way for law enforcement to combat crime. Personally, I beg to differ; in my opinion it’s like using a sledgehammer on a nail. You may get the desired result but what else are you smashing?
That’s how I feel about “Stop and Frisk.” We are well aware of the controversy surrounding the stop and frisk practices in New York City.… [Read more]
Right this moment there are 1,500 Palestinian prisoners participating in a hunger strike to petition Israel’s apartheid government for fair trials; meanwhile in a wide network of suburban homes, corporate coffee shops, and lunch-break cubicles, a swarm of slightly-overweight opinioneers is debating, defeating, and prefiguring the validity of whatever we could call the democratic, anti-capitalist awakening which is taking hold of this country.… [Read more]
Last month, a story broke that nearly 1,500 NYPD officers were shown a documentary during anti-terrorism training called “The Third Jihad“. This revelation has created much controversy and goes to show that if you lead a horse to water, it just might drink that bright, red Kool Aid instead.
One media giant, apparently stunned and hungry for verbal bitch-slapping, published two articles, an op-ed, and an editorial in the past month claiming the film had “anti-Islam” themes and was inappropriate to show NYPD officers.… [Read more]
So, what’s the news today? Let me check. Hmm…OK, here’s an evolving story: The New York City Police Department raided the Occupy Wall Street camp in Zuccotti Park. Based on the comments I’m reading, I get the impression that some people are surprised. Really? Why? Didn’t they see something like this happening after it was announced weeks ago that Zuccotti Park needed a clean up? … [Read more]
