A Dastardly Murder Part 1

John R. Manning

As recorded by History

Researched by Detective Henry S. Edwards

Bessemer Police Department

Officer Rick Thiot

Cullman Police Department

Special thanks to Dominga Toner

Bessemer Hall of History

And

Mr. Mike Manning

Great Nephew of John R. Manning

Bessemer Police Force

1887

A Dastardly Murder

As published in “The Bessemer”

Saturday April 6, 1889

On yesterday (Friday) a warrant was issued for the arrest of a Negro, Sandy Jones living in Prince Addition South Bessemer. Jones had made threats to kill another Negro and was carrying a Winchester rifle intentionally to put his threats into execution during the day he works at Sloss mines.

Officers John Manning, Fulton and Woods went over about eleven o’clock last night to arrest him. He was at home, he and his wife living in a small board dwelling near Crawford & Folshee’s store. Officer Manning stationed Woods at the rear door while he and Fulton went to the front. Manning knocked and on hearing a noise within, called out to Jones to open the door, that he had a warrant for his arrest. Jones replied, “ All right, that he was hunting a match to strike a light”. Finally Jones opened the door and asked manning for a match, which on receiving he closed the door again. After some little time Manning again called to him to come on or open the door. Jones then opened the door and said, “ Come in Mr. Manning”. As Manning stepped upon the threshold Jones put the Winchester almost at his breast and fired, the ball passing through the heart, and of course killing him instantly. Manning’s body fell out onto the ground, but Jones kept on firing some four or five shots.

 In the meantime Fulton went to a side window and broke out a pane of glass and fired four or five shots from his revolver at him. A lamp was burning and the distance was not over twelve to fifteen feet and he ought to have been hit. After firing, Jones passed out of doors into the darkness and escaped.

John Manning was about twenty-eight years of age. He is from Cullman, where his mother now lives and came to Bessemer even before it was started, being engaged in the construction of the mineral line. For over a year past he was connected with the police force of this city.

Manning was courteous and pleasant in his manner, very gentlemanly in his behavior, well liked by everybody and was considered one of the bravest officers on the force. He was a fine looking man, black hair and eyes and a heavy, long flowing black mustache.

His dastardly and totally unprovoked murder has aroused a strong feeling of resentment, and if the Negro could be captured today the majesty of the law might whistle for its dignity.

Sandy Jones belongs to that class of Negroes known as “Hard Cases”, the only safe course for citizen’s to pursue with reference to this class is upon the first premonitions of breaking out or defying the law, to string them up or drive them from the country to some other section where the people will string them up.

Efforts are being made to trace the murderer, but so far without any clue. Later the Citizen’s are raising funds to offer a reward for Jones arrest, and the following telegram has been forwarded to the Chief of Police at Birmingham, Decatur, Anniston, Calera, Tuscaloosa, and Blocton. “ A large reward is offered for the capture of one Sandy Jones, Who murdered a policeman in Bessemer last night. Said Jones is a Negro about five feet seven inches high, ginger cake color, very thin mustache, small eyes, thick set weight about 150 pounds, about 25 years of age. Had a Winchester rifle 38 caliber”.

 Alabama Tribune

Thursday, April 12, 1889

__

The Crime That Is Now Exciting Bessemer

__

Circumstances Attending The Killing—

The Excitement Now Is A Maner Subsided.

Birmingham, Ala. April 7^th—

 A Most cold blooded murder was committed at Bessemer Friday Night at 12 o’clock.

Policeman John manning, one of oldest and most valuable men on the force, was the victim, and Sandy Jones, a Negro, was the murderer.

An Age-Herald reporter went down to Bessemer yesterday afternoon, and although there had been rumor of wild excitement and threats of lynching, the town was very quiet and the public pulse was not above the normal beat. There had been considerable talk, and some excitement when the killing was first known yesterday morning, but that soon died away and everybody went quietly about their business and left the officers of the law to catch and deal with the criminal.

There are many and various accounts of the circumstances attending the killing, but the following were obtained by the police authorities of the place, and can be relied on.

About 8 o’clock Friday night complaints were made to the police that some Negroes living in south Bessemer had threatened to kill another Negro living in the vicinity, and warrants were sworn out for Sandy Jones and three others, said to be in the plot.

Several members of the force took the warrants and began searching for the Negroes, but not one of them could be found. This was about 9 o’clock.

About 11 o’clock Officers John Manning, m. Woods and James Potter started out again to try and catch the Negroes.

On their way out they stopped at the residence of Officer Fulton and he accompanied them. The first arrest was quietly and quickly made. The Negro wanted was taken completely by surprise and the officers entered his house and pulled him out of bed almost before he was fully aware of what was going on. He had a shot gun loaded with buck shot lying under his head. But was yanked out to quickly for an opportunity to use it. The second Negro wanted did not resist and was arrested without trouble.

Officer Fulton then pulled then piloted the party around to the house of Sandy Jones, about thirty yards from the Louisville and Nashville railroad, and a quarter of a mile from Sloss mines. Jones responded to repeated knocks on the door and invited Manning in; the rest remaining at the gate. At the door he asked Manning for a match, and got one. After his lamp was lit Manning said: Well, Sandy, I want you.”

“No you don’t responded the Negro, and he grabbed a Winchester lying near and fired twice at the officer in a second’s time. The first shot missed the mark, but the second struck manning in the heart. He staggered out towards the door and fired twice. He then fell down, saying:

“Boys, I’m dead.” And died.

The Negro then stuck the muzzle of his rifle about six inches out of the door and fired four times at the three officers standing outside. The officers returned the fire and ran around the back way to shoot the Negro from that side. While they were going around the house the Negro dashed out of the front door rifle in hand and escaped almost before they knew it.

 Searching parties were organized and searched the mountain fastnesses but no trace of the fugitive could be found.

The body of the murdered man was carried to the city jail. He was 30 years old, unmarried and came from Cullman. He had been on the force about eighteen months.

The Negro had been employed at Sloss mines for several years, and has frequently been in trouble before. He was five feet, six inches high, a ginger cake color and weighed about 160 pounds.

The Marshal received information yesterday morning that the Negro had been seen going in the direction of Sloss mines, but the authority is not reliable.

 (Transcribed from a photograph of an article clipping from a Cullman newspaper found in the Manning family bible.)

John R. Manning

 The news of the death of John R. Manning at Bessemer, last Friday night at the hands of Sandy Jones, a negro desperado, Carried sorrow to the hearts of a large circle of friends in this county where he was born and raised to manhood.

He was the son of the late Andrew J. manning, and his aged mother and several devoted brothers and sisters live to mourn his untimely death.

His remains were brought to Hanceville last Sunday and carried to his mothers place, some four miles distant, and on Monday were conveyed to Hopewell church for burial.

There were over three hundred persons at his funeral, which was conducted in a most impressive manner by the pastor Elder C. A. Owen.

Tears flowed from stout hearted men and sympathetic women as the narative was told of his taking off by the eloquent and feeling pastor, who was closely allied to the deceased by personalities. 

John R. Manning was about 26 years of age, a man of generous impulses and greatly beloved by his companions and neighbors, who turned out en masse to pay respect to his memory.

As a friend he was true and confiding, as an officer in the discharge of his duty he was bold and fearless, In his dealings he was truthful and honest his family have the sympathies of all who know them.

Make a Decision Obama!

Watch Video

What is your problem President Obama?

Do you not understand what your role as commander in chief is? That means you call the shots involving any military decision. Why do you announce a strategy for Afghanistan way back in March of this year and here we are eight months later with our soldiers spinning in the sand in harm's way while you are playing golf, running off to Copenhagen to give a sales pitch for the Olympics and playing backyard basketball with your boys? In case you are too busy trying to promote legislation on health care which will destroy our economy while creating a world record national deficit on top of an out of control spending spree, our children are dying in Afghanistan daily. Your very own hand picked General which you avoid as if he has the H1N1 flu has made it very clear that in order to win this war and implement the strategy your administration has developed, you must send in the requested troop build up now! Hell President, send twice the amount of troops if it will help keep our soldiers there safe. This is not about politics and standing in the spotlight. You need to make a decision right this minute to send the troops or bring them back home now. Your weakness of indecision has reverberated across the globe to every possible enemy against the United States of America and if that doesn’t bother you maybe the fact that your inability to make the call is costing us the lives of our children. If not, then maybe your words in your biography about you siding with the Muslims are true. Man up Mr. President and send the troops or bring them home until we can replace you with a real Commander in Chief.

Jersey and Virginian's Wise Up- Fool Me Once, Shame on You Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me!

Contact Your Representative in Congress Today!

It is the next morning and no doubt the shock waves continue to roll through Washington from Ground-Zero's New Jersey and Virginia leaving the Dem's with a mighty headache and terrible heartburn. Their "Hope" of Superstar Obama casting the radiance of his Hollywood charm upon the blue States of New Jersey and Virginia causing the voters to march in mind numbed lockstep with the big tent party towards their goal of government run health care, private industry takeovers, stimulus pay offs, A.C.O.R.N. voter fraud and imaginary job creations. Instead, the voters of these States marched to the polls and demanded another change. Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me! The tax payers are very quick learners. It doesn't take a genius to take a good look around you and see that your friends and family are still unemployed and looking for a lifeline in this horrible economy, even while being told by the White House how many jobs were saved and created. They also were quick with figuring out that when the jackass is in power instead of the elephant there is much less of the take home pay to make ends meet with. To the average hard working tax payer there really isn't much left over. For quite a lot, there isn't enough to start with. The Dem's scream and shout about the evils of corporate America and taxing the rich to solve the countries problems while the middle class continues on paying outrageous taxes only to have their taxes raised again. As if that isn't enough all the President and Congress can talk about is how they want to take your health insurance away and take control of your health care via the government bureaucrats. And of course the tax payers believe it won't cost them not one dime extra. Well I assure you; those in New Jersey and Virginia do not buy that line either! The Democrat's will posture and pretend yesterday's elections do not affect their party because that is the arrogance of their ways. They are too high-minded and above the voters warning message that was shouted from the polls yesterday to admit that the American people simply do not like the policies coming from this administration, nor the shell game method of what they will allow the American public to know about their policies. The American voters in New Jersey and Virginia declared "You are fired!" and as the rest of the moderate to conservative States, they are very impatiently waiting for the next opportunity to fire the rest.


Contact your representative in Congress today and let them know they have the same fate. 


Click the Link above! 

Latest Gun Control Attempt

Senator Frank Lautenberg D-NJ finds it necessary once again to limit American’s access to purchasing firearms by proposing legislation to close loopholes which allow Gun Shows to sell guns without a background check on the buyers and to provide certain information related to the weapon sold. The proposed legislation appears noble at a glance until you consider a few things. Anyone who is familiar with the 2nd Amendment which states

 (Infringed- vb [Latin infringer] 1: Violate, Transgress 2: encroach, trespass.)

" A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Does this legislation encroach on the rights of law abiding citizen’s? I believe it does. The whole point of this proposal according to Senator Lautenberg is to keep American’s safer from Terrorist and Felonious Criminals. ]


[WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), the author of legislation to close the gun show loophole, today applauded a City of New York investigation that exposed overwhelming evidence that criminals and terrorists can easily access firearms at gun shows.]

" This investigation reveals how easy it is for criminals and even terrorists to purchase firearms at gun shows and is further proof that we must close the gun show loophole,” stated Sen. Lautenberg. “It will be clear to anybody who reads this report that we have an urgent need and responsibility to require a background check for every gun purchased at every gun show. Closing this dangerous loophole is plain common sense that will make our communities and our country safer."

But the Senator is assuming that Gun Shows are the only way criminals and terrorist are able to get firearms. Does he not realize that homes and vehicles are burglarized daily in which firearms are stolen by criminals and sold on the streets? What about illegal or stolen weapons that is imported into the United States via our open borders and other simple means?


One more serious question I have is where is the probable cause to restrict the sale or purchase of weapons of those who are buying and selling and are law abiding without violating any laws? Is this profiling? Are they suggesting that all involved in buying and selling firearms at a gun show a part of some criminal element? What about firearms bought and sold via the internet and classified ads?

"There is no rational reason to oppose closing the loophole. The reason it’s still not closed is simple: the continuing power of the special interest gun lobby in Washington,” Sen. Lautenberg said. “My legislation would require background checks for every gun purchased at every gun show across America and would help keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Without this change in the law, anyone – from felons to terrorists to fugitives – can buy a gun at a gun show, no questions asked. That needs to change.”Senator Frank Lautenberg

I believe all gun control laws are ineffective. The only people who are ever inconvenienced by them are law abiding citizen’s who wish to own a firearm for their own personal protection. The criminals just simply don’t care if they are illegal or not. A criminal violates all laws. They never have difficulty in obtaining a firearm. Did you know that guns are banned in China and yet they are experiencing a rising problem in China with gun violence?

[Police in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, prepare to destroy a haul of 375 illegal guns and more than 300 knives last year. Although it is illegal for civilians to own guns in China, crime involving firearms has been on the rise in recent years. Photo: Xinhua

“With the convenient communication and exchange with the outside world, criminals have more channels to access guns. It’s difficult for us to plug all the channels,” he said."

http://china.globaltimes.cn/editor-picks/2009-05/432236.html




I believe Senator Frank Lautenberg’s agenda to restrict law abiding citizens ability to purchase guns at a gun show is simply another attack on law abiding citizen’s right to keep and bear arms. Why don’t this Senator and the rest of the Senators who hate guns and gun owners find ways to cut off access to this country at its borders and focus on the real threats to this country? Why don’t they propose much stronger mandatory sentencing for criminals violating Gun Violence Laws and committing crimes with them and leave the law abiding citizen alone?

I Tagged You For a Site Review!

Here is a fun blog game you can play that will absolutely get you TONS! of traffic to your blog! The game is called, “I am Tagging You For a Site Review!” Anyone with a blog can play and best of all its FREE! Here is how it the game is played.

Instructions:

• First off, you have been tagged!
• If you are reading this post… you have been tagged!
• Below is a list of blogs that have already been reviewed.
• At the bottom of the list you will find your site and a review that someone already wrote for you. If not, then you are reading this list on my site and you are welcome to play!
• In order to keep the game going, you will need to create a new post on your blog.
• Copy the entire list and instructions as you see it written here. (Be sure to copy the instructions.)
• Include two NEW sites to the list and put them on the bottom.
• Each site you will need to write a brief two to three sentence review. (For examples, just look at the reviews of the other sites listed below).
• Publish the post and title it, “I Tagged You For A Site Review!”
• Be sure to contact the authors of the two sites you did the review for and show them what they need to do to keep the game going.
• Don’t let the game end on your shift… otherwise you will get the Blogger’s Blues… which is much worse than walking under a ladder or crossing the path of a black cat!  You don’t want the game to end if you are tagged with the last site review.
• Pass the buck, and write two brief reviews. Clear your name and don’t get the Blogger’s Blues!

Previous Sites That Got Tagged With A Site Review:

• Garry Conn: I am web designer and have a natural talent for search engine marketing and provide a professional local website development and Internet marketing service in my home town. I have been around computers all my life and still remember using my Commodore 64 just like it was yesterday.
• Kyle’s Cove: a technology and blog that  features an audience made up of a wide variety of people, ranging from the technology savvy to those new to the world of Web 2.0. This website examines the latest technology and blogging services available around the Internet.
• Matt Jones: Hi! I’m Matt Jones and I’m the author of Affiliate Scam Guide. The purpose of my site is to help you make money online with affiliate programs and not get scammed!
• The Life of a School Bus Driver: Hello! My name is Jennifer. My site is a live journal of my life as a mom, wife, photographer, and the daily adventures of being a school bus driver!
• Who is Madhur: Bringing the best of gaming and technology! My hobbies include playing all sorts computer games especially FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer , surfing the net , listening music, learning game programming or some new languages , watching Manchester United Play. Currently I am trying to become a computer engineer from Jaypee University Of Info Tech, Shimla.
• Junker Jorge : A Former Word of Faith Pastor Turned Southern Baptist. A great expose blog about the dangers of the cult movement of combined humanism and Christianity.
• Police Diver  : This Blog is the musings of a waterlogged Staff Sargent. UNDERWATER AND SOMETIMES UNDERCOVER!!!!! HELPING TO KEEP THE BROTHERS SAFE ONE LITTLE BLOG AT A TIME!!! AND A FEW LAUGHS THROWN IN.

Democratic Party-The Party of Hypocrisy

Democrats seem to be in competition with each other to see who can be the most bizarre political figure holding office or simply the most extreme radical. Meanwhile we American's are suffering through a terrible recession that the Dem's seem to be in total denial over. Can you feel the pinch? I sure can! I wonder if Bill Clinton can feel my pain? Good Lord, I never thought I would see the day when I would consider him to be more of a conservative Ex-President comparing to what we have in Washington D.C. today. Well, let me say something to you Democrats. It's the ECONOMY STUPID! How has the Stimulus Bill helped you regular Joe's out there? This Joe Lunch Bucket has a much lighter lunch bucket to carry lately. I can't afford to pay attention, much less pay for gas. Maybe that is one of Obama's "Hope"'s. Listen, I remember Obama cheering to the crowds of goo goo eyed, star struck audiences when he announced "CHANGE" as his platform by introducing transparency. Where is it please? My worst subject during my schools days was math. It was all Greek to me but I made it through life with a calculator or a friend that knew it but even my dumb self can see the White House isn't giving us the right numbers on how many jobs have been so called "created" by this stimulus package. The numbers are skewed and it sure isn't showing to be true with the "out of work" friends I know. So tell me how the math will work on the ten year proposed budget neutral health care bill that wont add "One Dime" to our deficit. Please! How stupid do they really think we are? The fact that we have a deficit at all is proof enough to me that both parties have no ability to balance a budget. And we are expected to believe Obama, Pelosi, and the rest of this radical mob? No, it won't add one dime to the deficit, it will add BILLIONS of dimes for a lot longer than ten years. I really am disgusted with this fairy-tale driven administration and their attitude that we serve them instead of those in the administration serving "We The People"!. The unveiling of this health-Crime Bill was show cased before a hand picked audience and the West side of the Capital building where my son and I were allowed to roam freely during a field trip there last year was closed off to the public and our United States Capital police were used as bar bouncers to exclude anyone who was not on a Nancy Pelosi pre-approved list of allowed citizens. Chicago and San Fransisco pay to play politics will get you a ticket in. Just ask all the Union members present. I'm sure it came out of the bail-out money. No pain for them as it would be for us Joe Lunch Buckets huh? This Elite mob of radicals don't stop there with they're tactics. The 1,990 page proposed health Crime Bill is being posted online for 72 long hours ( There is your Transparency! ) for us to peruse at our pleasure, as long as we find the time to read two-thousand pages of legalese and understand it within 72 hours. I'll tell you this. When these days of history are recorded and studied by future societies they will be mind boggled at how stupid we American's are for electing this crowd. How embarrassing! But if that isn't enough already, how do you enjoy the record breaking total hypocrisy of this administration and our congress. Congressman Alan Grayson is allowed to call Advisor to the Fed Chairman, Linda Robertson a K-Street Whore! Is this not one of the worst sin's you can commit in the Political Correct Religion? What HYPOCRISY! If this were a Conservative, oh for crying out loud we all know what would happen to Grayson. If Grayson thinks Linda Robinson is a whore by the standards of occupations, what does this make Congressman Alan Grayson? A Road House Slut? He has totally sold out the constitution in his role of being a Representative. But, we all know this guy literally is a lunatic. I wonder what his constituents in Florida's District 8 must feel about this monster of an embarrassment to their district? hell, I'm embarrassed for them! But it all boils down to the fact that these radicals have no principals, no lie is too big to tell, and in their eyes we are just the little people who no longer deserve protection from the constitution of our freedom. What is next?

Use of common Sense is Necessary with Animal Rights Issues

A Story of Shelter Abuse

I am an animal lover and volunteer for those who help them when I can. I am also a public servant in the capacity of a police officer. I have always loved animals as all of my family members. We have literally rescued more hurt or stray creatures than I can count. I am not however to the extreme as such animal rights people who seem to hold the perspective that a Tadpole = a Puppy = a Human Baby. I believe these types do more damage to the movement of animal rights and lobbying for laws that protect them. Common sense should be the rule of thumb. As in this "Mindy story", I believe the author is sincere yet I am experienced enough on both sides of caring about the needs of dogs mistreated and from the standpoint of being a public servant. It is very easy to point fingers and judge those who work for a public "city" animal shelter and suggest what they should have or have not done. These employees cannot make decisions outside of their department policy. They just can't. I myself have been in very dangerous situations with dogs while on duty as a police officer. To suggest that "Dangerous dog breeds" are not dangerous is a foolish assumption. A dog becomes what a person puts inside him. In the case of Pit Bulls, this particular dog is an extremely powerful animal with a bite that can crush the largest of human bones and of course can and will kill humans as obvious documentation has shown. When a public servant whether dog catcher or policeman is called to the scene of a dangerous dog we have no choice but to use any tool necessary to control the animal for capture in order that we are safe from all manners of disease or injuries or worse. We are not called to come visit a lovable pet dog. That never happens. We are called when an animal has attacked or is a threat to attack. We have no knowledge of if the Pit bull has been raised friendly or trained to viciously attack. We have no choice but to approach every animal as dangerous and capable to severely injure us. After all, they are very terrified animals by this point and even children know a scared animal is a dangerous animal. I have been present many times when their is nothing humanly possible left to do but to put the suffering animal down. I have also read blogs or newspaper articles where the shelters and public servants were very unfairly judged for what made a good sensitive story, leaving out chunks of pertinent information others were not aware of. Are there instances of animal abuse that happen? Well of course the there is. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. A lot of these people who are condemned to hell are simply doing all they can while all else is oiut of their control. Focus needs to be placed on those

who are truly mistreating and fighting animals out of criminal profit and ignorance.

Stand Up and Fight Back!

We American's have allowed our freedom of speech to be taken from us because of our fear to be labeled or branded by the false prophets of the religion of political correctness. Stand up Americans and have your say. Point out the hypocrcies of this false religion. What is right is right. What is wrong is wrong. This will never change. What has changed and is the difference between our founding fathers and us is that we are not willing to lose anything we have and the founding fathers were willing to lose everything including their lives to live and speek free. Are we going to wait until we are faced with such threats or will we stand up and fight back to have our freedom of speech restored?

Police Vrs. Dangerous Dog Breeds

All police officers should be able to tell you a wild war story involving a Pit bull or other dangerous breed dog. At one time or another we have placed ourselves in dangerous situations with dangerous animals during the course of our regular duties. At times, police officers receive frequent calls about dangerous dogs on the loose, fighting dogs calls, or violent attacks by dangerous dogs. Nevertheless, many of our Officers face this danger routinely without any regulation or laws in place that deal with the issue of dangerous dogs. Many times officers are faced with the decision to shoot a dangerous dog when they are attacked by one or when the threat is apparent that an attack is imminent. In urban areas owning a Pit bull has become a status symbol and fighting them has become a lucrative form of gambling. It is well known that some gangs and drug dealers train Pit bulls to guard or protect areas where they do business, and still others train them to attack police officers. Should local Governments establish regulations and ordinances for owning Pit bulls and other dangerous dogs?

Who Protects the Protectors?

It is time the voters of this country collectively hold it's politicians and lawmakers responsible and accountable for the runaway crime rate and purge society of it's convicted repeat violent offenders.
The constitution we all have sworn to uphold has been weakened and adulterated to the point of its only usefulness is to liberate the criminal from penalties required for his crimes while victims and law abiding citizens are left with only the protection of a reactionary law enforcement force that is grossly out numbered by the criminal population. Law enforcement officers have a duty to act upon all crime while also being held to a perfect standard and being held accountable and liable for each and every split second decision and action against the most lawless of society.
The self defense of a law enforcement official is held to the highest standard of scrutiny while the rights of a criminal is protected and guarded as sacred regardless of his assault or murder of a police officer, let alone a citizen he is charged to protect.. Any assault against a law enforcement official should be regarded as an assault on the constitution of the united states of america, and all the citizens it was crafted to protect. Furthermore, any assault on a law enforcement official should be a federal offense with heavily imposed and strictly enforced penalties up to and including death for the murder of an officer. If the citizens of the united states truly have guaranteed civil rights, why are the ones who are charged with the duty to enforce those rights and protect the citizen from falling the victim of crime not given the protection of legislation that would impose stricter and more severe punishment including hard labor and restitution when convicted of violent crimes against a law enforcement official? After all, the assault or threat of assault against a police officer is an assault or threat against all citizens and the laws themselves.
The past few years have been some of the deadliest years in law enforcement across the nation in the past 28 years. These deaths should not only alarm those in law enforcement, but also each and every citizen. How much longer will law enforcement be able to continue to hire capable and qualified candidates to fill these desperately needed positions when an already grossly underpaid and overworked police force nationwide continues to be preyed upon without thought by the ever increasing violent criminal offender who has better and more acurate weapons, and an ever increasing willingness to use them against the officers? As with the bargain basement salaries of local law enforcement officers continuing to fall far behind those salaries in the private job market, so does the lowering of standards and qualifications of candidates for law enforcement. The hiring pool for local law enforcement continues to shrink due to the lack of value society continues to ignore concerning the bare minimum rate of pay and lack of benefits that are awarded to those who are willing to accept the position, resulting in an increase of corruption in the profession. How much longer will we allow this to happen, and at what cost to us all?

This country will continue to be under siege until the American public demands that its citizens be protected from crime and terrorism and that its borders be properly and effectively guarded and protected. This must be the very first priority above all else if we continue to believe in and guarantee civil rights for all. After all, what good are civil rights and criminal laws when you live in constant fear of criminals committing crimes of violence at will? What good are laws that protect crimes against persons when the applicable penalties are ignored or bargained down to lesser charges and weaker sentences?
Every new generation breeds a more violent criminal population, yet more prisoners are pardoned and paroled to re-enter society with a stronger body and an increase in criminal sophistication to better victimize society. And the endless cycle continues and multiplies all in the name of prison overcrowding and civil rights, again trumping the safety and prosperity of law abiding citizens.
Building larger and more generic prisons that are self sufficient and maintained through the daily use of hard labor required of each prisoner serving every hour of his full sentence would both discourage crime and reduce the financial loss incured by crime drastically.
It may be argued that I am placing a greater value upon law enforcement victims over the non-law enforcement victim of violent crime. However, if you understand that laws are enacted by the will of the people for the greater good of all, then you should understand that the enforcement of those laws are necessary in order for them to be followed. This is what makes us a civilized society. In essence, law enforcement personnel are the will of the people in human form. The will of the people to be free and prosper in the pursuit of happines without becoming a victim. Therefore when law enforcement officials are violently attacked, everyone is symbolically attacked also.
Never before has the need to defend ourselves abroad and at home been greater. Never before has the individual responsibility of the people been greater to demand their personal safety from the most petty of criminals in your own neighborhood to the larger nationwide threats of illegal immigration and terrorism. Your voice and your votes matter and will be the deciding factor.
How will you use it?

Jennifer Edwards 1986 - 2000

I know you walk the streets of gold
hand in hand with angels bold
listening to stories of ancient old
pausing to greet family who came before
waiting patiently for those adored
to walk from beyond through heaven's door


All the glory that must surround
must surely be brighter from your smile
angels sing from wings aloft
ready to gather those once lost
you sit and pet both lion and lamb
for peace and love will never dim
only waiting for more to come
to gather together a family as one


We miss you dearly with earthly toil
selfish love yearns for our loved
but heaven was ready to receive your joy
it was but a gift from God above
who knows best his perfect love


God was ready to give your crown
as you kneel at his feet to praise his name
now cloaked in purple in a royal gown
you ran the race and received your prize
at last he wiped the last tears from your eyes

ESPN U SUCK

I am watching the Kentucky Vrs Auburn game on ESPN U. I know, the fact that you all know I am for Auburn would no doubt raise your eyebrows that I would put Kentucky before Auburn in describing this game. But why not? The ESPN U announcers have taken every opportunity to promote the Kentucky team and individuals at every opening of their biased mouths. Every time Auburn lines up for an offensive play the announcers either comment on Auburn struggling offensively and the Kentucky defense is given credit for hard play. When Auburn has a false start penalty thrown against them the announcers quickly give credit to the Kentucky defense for keeping Auburn out of sync or poor offensive preparation for the game. When Kentucky gets the ball it is praise after praise for all blue and white. Never mind the fact that Auburn should not have near the win loss record they have at this point and have achieved outstanding success against the odds.
I take nothing away from Kentucky. They are playing a hell of a typical hard hitting SEC game. Kudos surely go to them, but the obvious bias of the ESPN U announcers are sickening. This has happened previously also during the Auburn Vs West Virginia game while the Mountaineers seemed to be in charge of the game, Auburn stayed just below the surface as the announcers crowed with glee about their assumption that West Virginia would win the match. Until the very end when Auburn stole the show from the Mountaineers the announcers continued their embarrassing biased diatribe for west virginia. Again tonight, no credit to Auburn.
It is just not entertaining to listen to color commentary in black and white.
ESPN U SUCK.

Am I the only one who gets sick of the biased mainstream media?

I thought that the national media owes the viewing public the facts of any news story or situation they are suppose to be covering. Did I ask for their opinion? No. But they sure give it to me and it rarely lines up with my own opinion. I want the news that has been investigated objectively and then have the anchor shoot it to me straight. Let me decide on what my perceptions of the facts are. I understand that most printed news historically has provided the current news and then behind that they have an op-ed page listing all the different viewpoints and opinions from the spin doctors. That is fine. That adds flavor and thought provoking ideas for me to consider however, now all I get from the national mainstream TV news outlets are opinion based propaganda of current politics and current news that fits the liberal agenda chosen to indoctrinate me with.

  Slick suits or pretty smiles with long legs deliver the news with a condescending tone telling me how I should believe and follow the doctrine of political correctness. The President himself utilizing CBS news from within the white house to force feed the viewers with his health-care bill pitch. Every night, hour by hour it is a constant barrage of liberal brainwashing pouring forth from the tube. It appears that I’m not the only one sick of it because there are so many cable news outlets that cater to the conservative viewpoint of politics. Ratings are showing that these alternatives to the mainstream news are pulling in far better ratings. But I must admit that I also wonder about the accuracy of the conservative outlets also. Although, I am pretty much convinced that the latter out performs in the category of   objectivity than the former.

  I also wonder why the duty to report is often neglected by both the liberal and conservative news agencies. Take for instance the A.C.O.R.N. scandal of voting fraud during the last presidential election combined with all the other forms of corruption behind this non-profit taxpayer funded organization. It simply took two very young filmmakers and a camera to take down the taxpayer funded organization of thieves. Where were the major news organizations? Were they told to turn a blind eye to this enormous scandal? Or did they simply choose to ignore it for political expediency and better access opportunities on less challenging stories to pursue. 

  Shame on all of them!

The following is the journalist creed. Maybe all the news outlets should follow this creed and report the news fair and accurately.

I believe in the profession of Journalism.

I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of lesser service than the public service is a betrayal of this trust.

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true. I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.

I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocket book is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or another's dividends.

I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.

I believe that the journalism which succeeds the best-and best deserves success-fears God and honors man; is stoutly independent; unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power; constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of the privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance, and as far as law, an honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship, is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world.

A Creed for My Profession: Walter Williams, Journalist to the World by Ronald T. Farrar University of Missouri Press 1998 ISBN 0-8262-1188-7

Hurting People

Hurting people







Recently, I went through a horrible family crisis. One which could have been entirely avoided which left me with no one to blame but myself. The crises not only affected me but my family and several other innocent people.


As word quickly spread about like a grass fire of the situation we were going through many friends came to our support. It was very encouraging to have such friends give sincere uplifting wishes to us all. We all took it to heart as we needed encouragement at the moment of our despair.


However, I began receiving e-mail from one particular friend who was relatively new to our family. This friend came about our situation through another family member of hers who is also a friend of ours. One of my family members shared, in confidence, particulars of information that was relative to the big picture of our problem. She shared that information with her family member who felt the need to send me the e-mails which were filled with judgmental tones and indications that she had suffered the same problems in her past by another family member, yet she continued to give me unwelcomed advice, this advice from someone who barely knew me and had little understanding of the problem.


I responded with a reply of my own to inform this person that she was not aware of all the details involved and that she should not be judgmental of me in the first place due to the fact that her advice was not requested. This person responded by sending further emails that were clear attacks against me and several areas of my life and personal business including my job. Again I replied but this time I made it clear that it was entirely none of her business and I didn’t appreciate her nosing in on it.


Again the unwanted emails came in a flurry and grew stronger in language and references to the bible based on her belief and she suggested that I read my bible. At this time I became furious and wrote this persons family member to request that she tell her to leave me along in an attempt to keep the friend relationships from being damaged. This request went unanswered to me and I became even angrier due to this person being the one to speak of things told to her in confidence to someone who is clearly a speakeasy and gossip.


My family member sent messages to those who were involved in these attacks on me to point out that those who were attacking me seem to believe they are perfect and without blame in their own lives. She did this in a manner without using their identity. Needless to say this ignited more and more hurtful communications to the point that not only were the friendships damaged, but damaged beyond repair.


This whole ordeal with these “friends” left me bewildered and in constant thought of what would possess someone to attack an acquaintance and his family they barely knew during that family’s serious crisis. My thoughts were that this particular person was mentally unstable. I could think of no other reason until I was reminded of a leadership class I attended in which the subject of confrontations was discussed. I read a quote from the material written by John C. Maxwell which read,


“Hurting people hurt people and are easily hurt by them”.


This made perfect sense to me because this person hurting me with her words of condemnation made me believe that maybe she was still hurting from her bad experience with a family member in her past. Was she merely lashing out at me with anger as if I was the one who hurt her? Did she feel the need to cause me pain so strongly that she was willing to destroy friendships over something that was absolutely none of her concern or business to do so? Or was she simply crazy and off of her meds?


I choose to believe the former because it is more comforting and easier to understand than simply someone targeting me for evil words during a very hard time in my family’s life. I only wish that I had remembered the John C. Maxwell quote early enough to prevent the friendships from ending.


We all have pain that lays dormant deep inside of us that has never had time to heal. And once something breaks open that old wound the pain becomes fresh and as painful as ever. I hope these people that have chosen to kick me while I was down simply did so to ease their own suffering. If so I wish for them to get the help they need to heal.


As for me and my family we will continue to seek healing of our own and learn from this experience that hurting people hurt people and are easily hurt by them. Understanding that many people are in pain is a very good start.