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Proposed Law for Generators at Gas Stations and Grocery Stores

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Gas was a precious resource during storms like Sandy, Irene and the October nor'easter, and now there is more concern about  power outages throughout the region as a winter storm approaches.

State Senator John Kissel is proposing a bill that would give owners of gas stations and supermarkets a tax break to purchase a generator.

"When people realize it takes an hour, two hours, three hours, four hours, to get gas in their car, that really heightens their concerns," said Kissel, who represents Enfield and parts of north central Connecticut.

He said he came up with the idea from a constituent, James Lagana of Enfield, who waited like so many others in long gas lines after Sandy struck. Lagana thinks it would be helpful to have gas stations open, along with grocery stores and pharmacies.

"So that no matter how bad the storm is, if the electricity is out, we can get to a gas station, we can get gas for our cars, and we can get gas for our generators," Lagana said.

Senator Kissel said past attempts to require these types of businesses to get generators have gone nowhere.

"That's pushing the cost off of them," Kissel said. "If the state could be a good partner and incent them and let the gas stations make their own decisions in the best interests of their own business.

Ray manages the Mobil at Long Wharf in New Haven. He refused to give his last name, but said while he likes the idea of an emergency generator, he's not sure about the senator's plan.

"I think everyone has their own thinking, but most of them are business-minded," he said, referring to other gas station owners. "If they want to buy and there's a permanent tax break, then of course they'd take it. But if the incentive is 50 percent, then of course I'd buy it."

There's a public hearing on this emergency generator proposal on Thursday at the State Capitol.
 


AA, US Airways Merger Tentatively Set for Next Week

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American Airlines and US Airways have made tentative plans to announce a merger early next week, according to four sources familiar with the planning.

The sources caution no final decisions have been made, but that the announcement could come as early as Tuesday morning.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker would head the merged airline, which instantly would become the world's largest.

Under the scenario, now in its final stages, American Airlines CEO Tom Horton would accept a multimillion dollar payout to exit the company or take an honorary post on the board of directors in which he has no real power, the sources said.

An American spokesman said late Wednesday the company has no comment on rumors or speculation.

Unions representing pilots, flight attendants and ground workers have pushed for months for the merger. Privately, union leaders expressed cautious jubilation that the announcement appeared close.

A new merged airline would be based in Fort Worth and operate under the American name. The US Airways brand would go away.

American declared bankruptcy Nov. 29, 2011 and is expected to emerge in the next few months.

One source who supports the merger said Horton was still "throwing grenades in the room" and still opposed combining companies right now -- even as his own managers were preparing for the transition without him.

Another person with close knowledge of the deliberations of the creditors' committee said the influential group has essentially agreed on the valuation of each airline -- somewhere close to 75 percent for American and 25 percent for US Airways. That would bring more money to American's creditors because the talks started at 70 percent and 30 percent.

 

 

 

Second Suspect Charged in Sex Assault of Teen

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West Haven police have charged a second suspect in the sex assault of a teenage girl on Jan. 14.

Police arrested Rafael Rodriguez, 19, of Bridgeport, on Wednesday night on an outstanding warrant.

James Conners, 25, of West Haven, was previously charged.

Police said Conners and Rodriguez are accused of giving a 14-year-old girl marijuana and alcohol, then assaulting her and posting photos on Facebook.
 
Rodriguez was charged with sexual assault second degree, promoting a minor in obscene performances, illegal possession of child porn in the third degree and three charges or risk of injury to a minor.

He was held overnight on a $250,000 bond.
 

Winter Storm Preparation

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This time it's not just going to be a sprinkle of snow, we are expecting a large accumulations of snow across the state of Connecticut. With any storm, it’s important to not only make sure you are prepared, but also your house and car.

Here is a precautionary list of items for you, your house, and your car.

For your house to protect you, you must first protect your house. Winter storms can cause a lot of internal damage that might not be visible to the eye.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ready website recommends that you plan and stay informed when any storm hits.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have a supply of dry, seasoned wood.

To prevent your pipes from freezing, you can insulate them with newspaper or plastic and to allow the faucets to drip during the cold weather to prevent freezing.

FEMA’s Ready website provides a “how to” in case you need to shut off your water valves.

It’s common when winter storms hit that schools might be closing, but businesses might not, which is why it is important to pack a disaster kit for the car.

Important items to include are a scraper, brush, rock salt, sand and, surprisingly, cat litter.

Clay-based cat litter can help to de-ice a surface and add traction when trying to drive in inclement weather.

And for you and your family, make sure to have a battery-powered radio to tune into the local news or the National Weather Service with information regarding the storm.

Also include extra blankets, canned foods, water bottles or jugs, flashlights and a lot of extra batteries.

Additional tips:

  • Visit the bank or ATM to take out cash in case your bank loses power and you cannot access an ATM
  • Use text messaging:  During an emergency situation, text messages go through quicker than voice calls because they require less system resources.
  • Program Emergency Numbers: Make sure all your emergency numbers, including family members, the hospital, police and fire station, are in your phone.
  • Limit non-emergency calls: Keeping calls to a minimum will conserve battery power and free up wireless networks for emergencies
  • Charge your wireless devices:  Make sure all of your devices are charged before the storm arrives.  Car chargers can be especially helpful to ensure you have back-up power.
  • Protect your device from the elements: Cold weather can cause your battery to drain faster. Don't exposure your device to cold for any extended period of time – don't leave it in your car overnight or take it outside with you shoveling or sledding.
  • Have flashlights and extra batteries, extra medicine and baby items, first-aid supplies, heating fuel, a fire extinguisher and smoke detector.
  • Clear gutters and downspouts of debris to allow melting snow and ice to flow freely. To help prevent ice dams from forming, keep the attic well-ventilated and the attic floor well-insulated.
  • Consider having snow removed if the accumulation of ice and snow exceeds 20-25 pounds per square foot to avoid potential roof collapse.
  • Never leave a fire or burning candles unattended. Always properly dispose of fireplace embers.
  • Follow all safety guidelines when using supplemental space heaters to prevent electrical fires or fires caused by the placement of heaters too close to flammable materials.
     

For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/, click “Be Informed” and scroll down to the “Natural Disasters” and choose “Winter Storm & Extreme Cold.”






 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Woman Critically Injured in I-91N Crash

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A woman is in critical condition after being pulled from a car that was on fire on the exit 45 on-ramp of Interstate 91 North in East Windsor on Thursday morning, according to police.

LifeStar medical helicopter, at least two fire engines, four state troopers and emergency medical services responded or were requested. 

State police said two cars were involved in the crash.

Immediately following the crash, the on-ramp was closed and there was heavy congestion on the road.

No further information was immediately available.
 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut/Todd Piro

Nanny Arrested After Allegedly Smacking Baby on Hidden Camera

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A 52-year-old nanny was arrested after she was allegedly captured on this video slapping a 5-month-old baby in the face as her sister looked on in their Staten Island home. Read the full story here.

Stay Off Roads During Storm: Police

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State Police are recommending that all motorists stay off the roads and highways during the storm to prevent major traffic issues.

Wreckers will be utilized to respond as necessary to clear any road blockages, according to state police.

Gov. Dannel Malloy tweeted on Friday morning that more than 800 plows, both state and contractor, are ready to be deployed through the storm.

Salt mixtures are stockpiled geographically around the state and the state Department of Transportation has been pretreating highways, bridges and other problematic sections of road, according to Malloy.

State Police troopers with emergency equipment and all four-wheel drive vehicles will be deployed to strategic locations across the state to respond to emergencies.

Additional patrols will assist normal patrols and all off-duty troopers have been placed on stand-by and ordered to be prepared to be called for immediate duty if necessary.

As the storm is expected to intensify, Troopers recommend that all motorists stay off the roads and

If travel is necessary during the storm, State Police recommend that you ensure that your vehicle is has proper tires, adequate gas and proper wipers.

If you must travel during the storm, provide your route of travel details to a family member or friend.
Check our forecast prior to traveling to gather the latest updates on road conditions and possible closures.

Make sure you cell phone battery is fully-charged and you have a cell phone, bottles of water, nourishment bars or other non-perishable food, extra clothes, a shovel, flares and blankets in case of emergency. 

During any snow storm, reduce speed and expand distances between cars. 

If you become involved in a crash on the highway, move your vehicle to a safe location and call police.  

If your vehicle becomes stranded or stuck, stay in your vehicle and do not try to walk to safety. 

Call 911 for help from your cell phone. Run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
Open a window slightly for fresh air and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.  

During or after snowstorms, the state Department of Motor Vehicles urges drivers to scrape off heavy amounts of snow and ice before traveling or you could be fined $75 fine.

This state law pertains to passenger cars and other non-commercial vehicles. Fines can increase up to $1,000 for drivers who operate these vehicles when flying snow or ice off them causes personal injury or property damage.

“All drivers should take an extra few minutes to remove most of the snow and ice so it does not endanger themselves or others,” DMV Commissioner Melody Currey said in a statement. “That will be time well spent to avoid needless hazards on the roadways.”

A similar law pertaining to commercial vehicles is scheduled to go into effect later this year.

If you plan to travel by rail, Metro-North has posted a guide to winter weather travel on its Web site.

 

First Lady to Attend Funeral for Slain Chicago Teen Hadiya: Source

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First Lady Michelle Obama will attend the funeral of a 15-year-old girl gunned down last week in Chicago, a White House source told NBC Chicago.

The first lady will travel to Chicago on Saturday and attend the funeral for Hadiya Pendleton at Calahan Funeral Home, according to the source. She will attend along with Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Hadiya was killed last Tuesday at Kenwood Park on the city's South Side days after she performed at some of President Barack Obama's recent inauguration festivities. She was shot to death blocks from her school and about a mile from the president's Chicago home.

The reward leading to her killer stands at $40,000.

A petition was started asking that Obama attend the funeral. Unconfirmed reports earlier this week said Michelle Obama had considered attending.

The Pendleton family's pastor confirmed the president called Hadiya's parents to offer his sympathies. "We thank him for that, and if he does come, that's fine," Pastor Courtney Maxwell said. "If he doesn't, we know he sends his love."

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn also will attend the funeral, set for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Greater Harvest Baptist Church, at 5141 S. State St. A visitation for the teen will be held Friday at Calahan Funeral Home, at 7030 S. Halsted St., from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
 



Photo Credit: DNAInfo.com/chicago

Full Manifesto: Alleged Revenge Shooter Named Targets

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Three days after he left the Navy Reserve, and one day after allegedly shooting the daughter of a former colleague along with her fiancé at an Irvine condominium complex, fired LAPD officer Christopher Dorner posted a manifesto online, police said.

In the Feb. 4 manifesto, which has been taken down but provided to the media by the LAPD, he said that committing murder was "a necessary evil."

Read Full Manifesto Below

He would not stop shooting people, he wrote, until his name was cleared in the case that led to his firing. "When the truth comes out, the killing stops," Dorner wrote. He threatened to kill officers as well as their families.

Dorner, whose alleged shooting spree continued on Feb. 7 with the ambushing of three police officers, used the manifesto to recount his firing and declare his innocence. He was fired from the LAPD in 2008, after reporting another officer for alleged brutality – an accusation that investigators later said was false.

In the document, Dorner named a number of LAPD officers whom he blamed for his firing. He also said that Asian, Hispanic and lesbian officers would make "high value targets."

He also said African-American supervisors who belittle subordinate white officers were a "high value target."

"You breed a new generation of bigoted caucasian officer when you belittle them and treat them unfairly," Dorner wrote of black supervisors in the LAPD's South Bureau.

In one section, he accused officers from the LAPD’s Hollywood division of using racial epithets about African Americans.

"At that point, I jumped over my front passenger seat and two other officers where I placed my hands around [an officer’s] neck and squeezed," Dorner wrote. "What I should have done, was put a Winchester Ranger SXT 147 grain bullet in his skull." 

In another section, he said that he had been accused of bullying another officer, when in fact he had defended that officer.

"I was the one who stood up for [name removed] when other recruits sang nazi hitler youth songs about burning Jewish ghettos in WWII Germany where his father was a survivor of a concentration camp," Dorner wrote. "How [f------] dare you attempt to label me with such a nasty vile word."

Much of the manifesto revolves around Dorner's perceptions that others were involved in racist behavior or police brutality. At one point, he recalled what he said was an incident of racism from his childhood, along with his response to it.

"My first recollection of racism was in the first grade at Norwalk Christian elementary school in Norwalk, CA," he wrote. "A fellow student, [name removed], called me a [n-----] on the playground. My response was swift and non-lethal. I struck him fast and hard with a punch an [sic] kick. He cried and reported it to a teacher. The teacher reported it to the principal. The principal swatted Jim for using a derogatory word toward me. He then for some unknown reason swatted me for striking Jim in response to him calling me a [n-----]."

Several times, Dorner appeared to indicate that he did not expect to be alive for long.

"Self Preservation is no longer important to me," he wrote. "I do not fear death as I died long ago on 1/2/09. I was told by my mother that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I refuse to accept that."

Editor's Note: Exerpts from the manifesto in this article retain certain grammatical errors that appeared in the original, including those involving the usage of upper and lower case letters. Any changes have been indicated with brackets. The version of the manifesto provided by the LAPD ends aburptly, in the middle of what appears to be the word "our."

FULL TEXT

From: Christopher Jordan Dorner /7648

To: America

Subj: Last resort

Regarding CF# 07-004281

I know most of you who personally know me are in disbelief to hear from media reports that I am suspected of committing such horrendous murders and have taken drastic and shocking actions in the last couple of days. You are saying to yourself that this is completely out of character of the man you knew who always wore a smile wherever he was seen. I know I will be villified by the LAPD and the media. Unfortunately, this is a necessary evil that I do not enjoy but must partake and complete for substantial change to occur within the LAPD and reclaim my name. The department has not changed since the Rampart and Rodney King days. It has gotten worse. The consent decree should never have been lifted. The only thing that has evolved from the consent decree is those officers involved in the Rampart scandal and Rodney King incidents have since promoted to supervisor, commanders, and command staff, and executive positions.

The question is, what would you do to clear your name?

Name;
A word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.

Name Synonyms;
reputation, title, appellation, denomination, repute.

A name is more than just a noun, verb, or adjective. It's your life, your legacy, your journey, sacrifices, and everything you've worked hard for every day of your life as and adolescent, young adult and adult. Don't let anybody tarnish it when you know you’ve live up to your own set of ethics and personal ethos.

In 8/07 I reported an officer (Ofcr.[name removed]/now a Sergeant), for kicking a suspect (excessive force) during a Use of Force while I was assigned as a patrol officer at LAPD’s Harbor Division. While cuffing the suspect, ([name removed]), [name removed] kicked the suspect twice in the chest and once in the face. The kick to the face left a visible injury on the left cheek below the eye. Unfortunately after reporting it to supervisors and investigated by PSB (internal affairs investigator Det. [name removed]/[name removed]), nothing was done. I had broken their supposed “Blue Line”. Unfortunately, It's not JUST US, it's JUSTICE!!! In fact, 10 months later on 6/25/08, after already successfully completing probation, acquiring a basic Post Certificate, and Intermediate Post Certificate, I was relieved of duty by the LAPD while assigned to patrol at Southwest division. It is clear as day that the department retaliated toward me for reporting [name removed] for kicking Mr. [name removed]. The department stated that I had lied and made up the report that [name removed] had kicked the suspect. I later went to a Board of Rights (department hearing for decision of continued employment) from 10/08 to 1/09. During this BOR hearing a video was played for the BOR panel where [name removed] stated that he was indeed kicked by Officer [name removed] (video sent to multiple news agencies). In addition to [name removed] stating he was kicked, his father [name removed], also stated that his son had stated he was kicked by an officer when he was arrested after being released from custody. This was all presented for the department at the BOR hearing. They still found me guilty and terminated me. What they didn’t mention was that the BOR panel made up of Capt. [name removed], Capt.[name removed], and [name removed] had a signigicant problem from the time the board was assembled. Capt. [name removed] was a personal friend of [name removed] from when he was her supervisor at Harbor station. That is a clear conflict of interest and I made my argument for his removal early and was denied. The advocate for the LAPD BOR was Sgt. [name removed]. [Name removed] also had a conflict of interest as she was [name removed] friend and former partner from Harbor division where they both worked patrol together. I made my argument for her removal when I discovered her relation to [name removed] and it was denied.

During the BOR, the department attempted to label me unsuccessfully as a bully. They stated that I had bullied a recruit, [name removed], in the academy when in reality and unfounded disposition from the official 1.28 formal complaint investigation found that I was the one who stood up for [name removed] when other recruits sang nazi hitler youth songs about burning Jewish ghettos in WWII Germany where his father was a survivor of a concentration camp. How f------ dare you attempt to label me with such a nasty vile word. I ask that all earnest journalist investigating this story ask Ofcr. [name removed] about the incident when Ofcr. [name removed] began singing a nazi youth song about burning jewish ghettos.

The internal affairs investigation in the academy involving [name removed] was spurned by a complaint that I had initiated toward two fellow recruit/offifcers. While on a assigned patrol footbeat in Hollywood Division, Officers [name removed] and [name removed] (both current LAPD officers) decided that they would voice their personal feelings about the black community. While traveling back to the station in a 12 passenger van I heard [name removed] refer to another individual as a n-----. I wasn’t sure if I heard correctly as there were many conversations in the van that was compiled of at least 8 officers and he was sitting in the very rear and me in the very front. Even with the multiple conversations and ambient noise I heard Officer [name removed] call an indivdual a n----- again. Now that I had confirmed it, I told [name removed] not to use that word again. I explained that it was a well known offensive word that should not be used by anyone. He replied, "I’ll say it when I want". Officer [name removed], a friend of his, also stated that he would say n----- when he wanted. At that point I jumped over my front passenger seat and two other officers where I placed my hands around [name removed]’s neck and squeezed. I stated to [name removed], “Don’t f------ say that”. At that point there was pushing and shoving and we were separated by several other officers. What I should have done, was put a Winchester Ranger SXT 9mm 147 grain bullet in his skull and Officer [name removed]’s skull. The Situation would have been resolved effective, immediately. The sad thing about this incident was that when Detective [name removed] from internal affairs investigated this incident only (1) officer (unknown) in the van other than myself had statements constistent with what actually happened. The other six officers ([name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed] and names I have forgotten) all stated they heard nothing and saw nothing. Shame on every one of you. Shame on Detective [name removed] (same ethnicity as [name removed]) for creating a separate 1.28 formal complaint against me ([name removed] complaint) in retaliation for initiating the complaint against [name removed] and [name removed]. Don’t retaliate against honest officers for breaking your so called blue line. I hope your son [name removed], who I knew, is a better officer than you, Detective [name removed].The saddest part of this ordeal was that Officer [name removed] and [name removed] were only given 22 day suspensions and are still LAPD officers to this day. That day, the LAPD stated that it is acceptable for fellow officers to call black officers n------ to their face and you will receive a slap on the wrist. Even sadder is that during that 22 day suspension [name removed] and [name removed] received is that the LAPPL (Los Angeles Police Protective League) paid the officers their salaries while they were suspended. When I took a two day suspension for an accidental discharge, I took my suspension and never applied for a league salary. Its called integrity.

Journalist, I want you to investigate every location I resided in growing up. Find any incidents where I was ever accused of being a bully. You won't, because it doesn't exist. It's not in my DNA. Never was. I was the only black kid in each of my elementary school classes from first grade to seventh grade in junior high and any instances where I was disciplined for fighting was in response to fellow students provoking common childhood schoolyard fights, or calling me a n----- or other derogatory racial names. I grew up in neighborhoods where blacks make up less than 1%. My first recollection of racism was in the first grade at Norwalk Christian elementary school in Norwalk, CA. A fellow student, [name removed] if I can recall, called me a n----- on the playground. My response was swift and non-lethal. I struck him fast and hard with a punch an kick. He cried and reported it to a teacher. The teacher reported it to the principal. The principal swatted [name removed] for using a derogatory word toward me. He then for some unknown reason swatted me for striking [name removed] in response to him calling me a n-----. He stated as good Christians we are to turn the other cheek as Jesus did. Problem is, I'm not a f------ Christian and that old book, made of fiction and limited non-fiction, called the bible, never once stated Jesus was called a n-----. How dare you swat me for standing up for my rights for demanding that I be treated as a equal human being. That day I made a life decision that i will not tolerate racial derogatory terms spoken to me. Unfortunately I was swatted multiple times for the same exact reason up until junior high. Terminating me for telling the truth of a caucasian officer kicking a mentally ill man is disgusting. Don't ever call me a f------ bully. I want all journalist to utilize every source you have that specializes in collections for your reports. With the discovery and evidence available you will see the truth. Unfortunately, I will not be alive to see my name cleared. That's what this is about, my name. A man is nothing without his name. Below is a list of locations where I resided from childhood to adulthood.

Cerritos, CA.
Pico Rivera, CA.
La Palma, CA.
Thousand Oaks, CA.
Cedar City, UT.
Pensacola, FL.
Enid, OK.
Yorba Linda, CA.
Las Vegas, NV.

During the BOR an officer named, Sgt. [name removed], from Los Angeles Port Police testified on behalf of the LAPD. [Name removed] stated for the BOR that he arrived at the location of the UOF shortly before I cuffed the suspect. He also stated that he assisted in cuffing the suspect and that's old the BOR he told me to fix my tie. All of those statements were LIES!!! [Name removed], you arrived at the UOF location up to 30 seconds after I had cuffed Mr. [name removed]. All you did was help me lift the suspect to his feet as it was difficult for me to do by myself because of his heavy weight. You did not tell me to fix my tie as the BOR members and everyone else in the room know you lied because the photographic evidence from the UOF scene where [name removed]’s injuries were photographed clearly shows me wearing a class B uniform on that day. A class B uniform is a short sleeved uniform blouse. A short sleeved uniform blouse for the LAPD does not have a tie included. This is not Super Troopers uniform, you jackass. Why did you feel the need to embellish and lie about your involvement in the UOF? Are you ashamed that you could not get hired on by any other department other than port police? Do you have delusions of grandeur? What you did was perjury, exactly what [name removed] did when she stated she did not kick [name removed].

What they failed to mention in the BOR was [name removed]’s own use of force history during her career on the LAPD. She has admitted that she has a lengthy use of force record and has been flagged several times by risk management. She has a very well known nickname, [name removed], which she was very proud to flaunt around the division. She found it very funny and entertaining to draw blood from suspects and arrestees. At one point she even intentionally ripped the flesh off the arm of a woman we had arrested for battery (sprayed her neighbor with a garden water hose). Knowing the woman had thin elastic skin, she performed and Indian burn to the woman’s arm after cuffing her. That woman was in her mid-70’s, a mother and grandmother, and was angry at her tenants who failed to pay rent on time. Something I can completely understand and I am sure many have wanted to do toward tenants who do not pay their rent. [Name removed] was also demoted from a senior lead officer rank/position for performance issues. During my two months of working patrol with [name removed], I found her as a woman who was very angry that she had been pulled from patrol for a short time because of a domestic violence report made by Long Beach Police Department because of an incident involving her active LAPD officer boyfriend, [name removed], and herself. [Name removed] is the same officer investigated for witness tampering. She also was visibly angry on a daily basis that she was going to have to file for bankruptcy because her ex-husband, a former LAPD officer and not [name removed], who had left the department, state, and was nowhere to be found had left her with a tax bill and debt that she was unable to pay because of a lack of financial means. [Name removed], you are a POS and you lied right to the BOR panel when Randy Quan asked you if you kicked [name removed]. You destroyed my life and name because of your actions. Time is up. The time is now to confess to Chief Beck.

I ask that all journalist investigating this story submit request for FOIA with the LAPD to gain access to the BOR transcripts which occurred from 10/08 to 2/09. There, you will see that a video was played for the BOR members of Mr. [name removed] who suffers from Schizophrenia and Dementia stating that he was kicked by a female officer. That video evidence supports my claim that [name removed] kicked him twice in the upper body and once in the face. I would like all journalist to also request copies of all reports that I had written while employed by LAPD. Whether in the academy, or during my 3 years as a police officer. There are DR#’s attached to each report (investigative report) that I have ever written so they all exist. A FOIA request will most likely be needed to access these at Parker center or at the Personnel/Records. Judge my writin/grammar skills for yourself. The department attempted to paint me as an officer who could not write reports. Even though Sgt. [name removed] a training officer who trained me stated for the BOR panel that there was nothing wrong with my report writing and that I was better than all rookie/probationer officers he has ever trained. Officer [name removed] stated the same but refused to testify as he did not want to “get involved” with the BOR’s. Contact Sgt. [name removed], (now a Captain at Lompoc PD), Sgt. [name removed], and Sgt. [name removed]. All will state that my report writing was impeccable. I will tell you this, I always type my reports because I have messy handwriting/penmanship. I never had a single kickback/redlined report at Southwest division and Sgt. [name removed] and Sgt. [name removed] can testify to that. I never received an UNSATISFACTORY on any day or week. The same can be said within the U.S. Naval Reserves. All commanders will state that my report writing was always clear, concise, and impeccable. Even search my AAR (after action reports),chits, Memorandum’s, IIR’s (Intelligence Information Reports) which were written in the Navy. All were pristine.

I had worked patrol at LAPD's Harbor Division from 2/06 until 7/06 when I was involuntarily recalled back to active duty (US Navy) for a 12 month mobilization/deployment to Centcom in support of OIF/OEF. I returned back to LAPD's Harbor division on 7/07 and immediately returned to patrol. I worked at Harbor division until 11/07 where I then transferred to Southwest Division. I worked At Southwest division until 6/25/08 when I was relieved of duty.

I have exhausted all available means at obtaining my name back. I have attempted all legal court efforts within appeals at the Superior Courts and California Appellate courts. This is my last resort. The LAPD has suppressed the truth and it has now lead to deadly consequences. The LAPD’s actions have cost me my law enforcement career that began on 2/7/05 and ended on 1/2/09. They cost me my Naval career which started on 4/02 and ends on 2/13. I had a TS/SCI clearance(Top Secret Sensitive Compartmentalized Information clearance) up until shortly after my termination with LAPD. This is the highest clearance a service member can attain other than a Yankee White TS/SCI which is only granted for those working with and around the President/Vice President of the United States. I lost my position as a Commanding Officer of a Naval Security Forces reserve unit at NAS Fallon because of the LAPD. I’ve lost a relationship with my mother and sister because of the LAPD. I’ve lost a relationship with close friends because of the LAPD. In essence, I’ve lost everything because the LAPD took my name and new I was INNOCENT!!! Capt [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], Randy Quan, and Sgt. [name removed] all new I was innocent but decided to terminate me so they could continue Ofcr. [name removed] career. I know about the meeting between all of you where [name removed] attorney, [name removed], confessed that she kicked [name removed] (excessive force). Your day has come.

I'm not an aspiring rapper, I'm not a gang member, I'm not a dope dealer, I don't have multiple babies momma's. I am an American by choice, I am a son, I am a brother, I am a military service member, I am a man who has lost complete faith in the system, when the system betrayed, slandered, and libeled me. I lived a good life and though not a religious man I always stuck to my own personal code of ethics, ethos and always stuck to my shoreline and true North. I didn't need the US Navy to instill Honor, Courage, and Commitment in me but I thank them for re-enforcing it. It's in my DNA.

Luckily I don't have to live everyday like most of you. Concerned if the misconduct you were apart of is going to be discovered. Looking over your shoulder, scurrying at every phone call from internal affairs or from the Captains office wondering if that is the day PSB comes after you for the suspects you struck when they were cuffed months/years ago or that $500 you pocketed from the narcotics dealer, or when the other guys on your watch beat a transient nearly to death and you never reported the UOF to the supervisor. No, I don't have that concern, I stood up for what was right but unfortunately have dealt with the reprocussions of doing the right thing and now losing my name and everything I ever stood for. You fuckers knew [name removed] was guilty of kicking (excessive force) [name removed] and you did nothing but get rid of what you saw as the problem, the whistleblower. [Name removed] himself stated on video tape (provided for the BOR and in transcripts) he was kicked and even his father stated that his son said he was kicked by [name removed] when he was released from custody. The video was played for the entire BOR to hear. [Name removed], [name removed], and [name removed] all heard it. You're going to see what a whistleblower can do when you take everything from him especially his NAME!!!

Look what you did to Sgt. [name removed] (now lieutenant) when he exposed the truth of your lying, racism, and PSB cover-ups to frame and convict an innocent man. You can not police yourselves and the consent decree was unsuccessful. Sgt. [name removed], I met you on the range several times as a recruit and as an officer. You’re a good man and I saw it in your eyes an actions.

Self Preservation is no longer important to me. I do not fear death as I died long ago on 1/2/09. I was told by my mother that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I refuse to accept that.

From 2/05 to 1/09 I saw some of the most vile things humans can inflict on others as a police officer in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the streets of LA. It was in the confounds of LAPD police stations and shops (cruisers). The enemy combatants in LA are not the citizens and suspects, it's the police officers.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. How ironic that you utilize a fixed glass structure as your command HQ. You use as a luminous building to symbolize that you are transparent, have nothing to hide, or suppress when in essence, concealing, omitting, and obscuring is your forte.

Chief Beck, this is when you need to have that come to Jesus talk with Sgt. [name removed] and everyone else who was involved in the conspiracy to have me terminated for doing the right thing. you also need to speak with her attorney, [name removed], and his conversation with the BOR members and her confession of guilt in kicking Mr. [name removed]. I'll be waiting for a PUBLIC response at a press conference. When the truth comes out, the killing stops.

Why didn't you charge me with filing a false police report when I came forward stating that [name removed] kicked Mr. [name removed]? You file criminal charges against every other officer who is accused and terminated for filing a false police report. You didn't because you knew I was innocent and a criminal court would find me innocent and expose your department for suppressing the truth and retaliation, that's why.

The attacks will stop when the department states the truth about my innocence, PUBLICLY!!! I will not accept any type of currency/goods in exchange for the attacks to stop, nor do i want it. I want my name back, period. There is no negotiation. I am not the state department who states they do not negotiate with terrorist, because anybody with a Secret or TS/SCI has seen IIR's on SIPR and knows that the US state department always negotiates by using CF countries or independent sovereign/neutral country to mediate and compromising.

This department has not changed from the Daryl Gates and Mark Fuhrman days. Those officers are still employed and have all promoted to Command staff and supervisory positions. I will correct this error. Are you aware that an officer (a rookie/probationer at the time) seen on the Rodney King videotape striking Mr. King multiple times with a baton on 3/3/91 is still employed by the LAPD and is now a Captain on the police department? Captain [name removed] is now the commanding officer of a LAPD police station (West LA division). As a commanding officer, he is now responsible for over 200 officers. Do you trust him to enforce department policy and investigate use of force investigations on arrestees by his officers? Are you aware [name removed] has since promoted to Sergeant after kicking Mr. [name removed] in the face. Oh, you Violated a citizens civil rights? We will promote you. Same as LAPD did with the the officers from Metro involved in the May Day melee at MacArthur Park. They promoted them to Sergeant (a supervisor role).

No one is saying you can't be prejudiced or a bigot. We are all human and hold prejudices. If you state that you don't have prejudices, your lying! But, when you act on it and victimize innocent citizens and fellow innocen officers, than that is a concern.

For you officers who do the job in the name of JUSTICE, those of you who lost honest officers to this event, look at the name of those on the BOR and the investigating officers from PSB and [name removed] and ask them, how come you couldn't tell the truth? Why did you terminate an honest officer and cover for a dishonest officer who victimized a mentally ill citizen.

Sometimes humans feel a need to prove they are the dominant race of a species and they inadvertently take kindness for weakness from another individual. You chose wrong.

Terminating officers because they expose a culture of lying, racism (from the academy), and excessive use of force will immediately change. PSB can not police their own and that has been proven. The blue line will forever be severed and a cultural change will be implanted. You have awoken a sleeping giant.

I am here to change and make policy. The culture of LAPD versus the community and honest/good officers needs to and will change. I am here to correct and calibrate your morale compasses to true north.

Those Caucasian officers who join South Bureau divisions (77th,SW,SE, an Harbor) with the sole intent to victimize minorities who are uneducated, and unaware of criminal law, civil law, and civil rights. You prefer the South bureau because a use of force/deadly force is likely and the individual you use UOF on will likely not report it. You are a high value target.

Those Black officers in supervisory ranks and pay grades who stay in south bureau (even though you live in the valley or OC) for the sole intent of getting retribution toward subordinate caucasians officers for the pain and hostile work environment their elders inflicted on you as probationers (P-1's) and novice P-2’s. You are a high value target. You perpetuated the cycle of racism in the department as well. You breed a new generation of bigoted caucasian officer when you belittle them and treat them unfairly.

Those Hispanic officers who victimize their own ethnicity because they are new immigrants to this country and are unaware of their civil rights. You call them wetbacks to their face and demean them in front of fellow officers of different ethnicities so that you will receive some sort of acceptance from your colleagues. I'm not impressed. Most likely, your parents or grandparents were immigrants at one time, but you have forgotten that. You are a high value target.

Those lesbian officers in supervising positions who go to work, day in day out, with the sole intent of attempting to prove your misandrist authority (not feminism) to degrade male officers. You are a high value target.

Those Asian officers who stand by and observe everything I previously mentioned other officers participate in on a daily basis but you say nothing, stand for nothing and protect nothing. Why? Because of your usual saying, " I......don't like conflict". You are a high value target as well.

Those of you who "go along to get along" have no backbone and destroy the foundation of courage. You are the enablers of those who are guilty of misconduct. You are just as guilty as those who break the code of ethics and oath you swore.

Citizens/non-combatants, do not render medical aid to downed officers/enemy combatants. They would not do the same for you. They will let you bleed out just so they can brag to other officers that they had a 187 caper the other day and can’t wait to accrue the overtime in future court subpoenas. As they always say, "that's the paramedics job...not mine". Let the balance of loss of life take place. Sometimes a reset needs to occur.

It is endless the amount of times per week officers arrest an individual, label him a suspect-arrestee-defendant and then before arraignment or trial realize that he is innocent based on evidence. You know what they say when they realize an innocent man just had his life turned upside down?. "I guess he should have stayed at home that day he was discovered walking down the street and matching the suspects description. Oh well, he appeared to be a dirtbag anyways". Meanwhile the falsely accused is left to pick up his life, get a new, family, friends, and sense of self worth.

Don't honor these fallen officers/dirtbags. When your family members die, they just see you as extra overtime at a crime scene and at a perimeter. Why would you value their lives when they clearly don't value yours or your family members lives? I've heard many officers who state they see dead victims as ATV's, Waverunners, RV’s and new clothes for their kids. Why would you shed a tear for them when they in return crack a smile for your loss because of the impending extra money they will receive in their next paycheck for sitting at your loved ones crime scene of 6 hours because of the overtime they will accrue. They take photos of your loved ones recently deceased bodies with their cellphones and play a game of who has the most graphic dead body of the night with officers from other divisions. This isn't just the 20 something year old officers, this is the 50 year old officers with significant time on the job as well who participate.

You allow an officer, [name removed], to attempt to hack into my credit union account and still remain on the job even when Det. [name removed] shows the evidence that the IP address (provided by LAPFCU) that attempted to hack into my account and change my username and password leads directly to her residence. You even allow this visibly disgusting looking officer to stay on the job when she perjures (lies) in court (Clark County Family Court) to the judge’s face and denies hacking into my personal credit union online account when I attempted to get my restraint order extended. Det. [name removed] provided the evidence and you still do nothing.

How do you know when a police officer is lying??? When he begins his sentence with, "based on my experience and training".

No one grows up and wants to be a cop killer. It was against everything I've ever was. As a young police explorer I found my calling in life. But, As a young police officer I found that the violent suspects on the street are not the only people you have to watch. It is the officer who was hired on to the department (pre-2000) before polygraphs were standard for all new hires and an substantial vetting in a backround investigation.

To those children of the officers who are eradicated, your parent was not the individual you thought they were. As you get older,you will see the evidence that your parent was a tyrant who loss their ethos and instead followed the path of moral corruptness. They conspired to hide and suppress the truth of misconduct on others behalf's. Your parent will have a name and plaque on the fallen officers memorial in D.C. But, In all honesty, your parents name will be a reminder to other officers to maintain the oath they swore and to stay along the shoreline that has guided them from childhood to that of a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer.

Bratton, Beck, [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], Quan, [name removed], [name removed], [name removed]/[name removed], and [name removed]. Your lack of ethics and conspiring to wrong a just individual are over.
Suppressing the truth will leave to deadly consequences for you and your family. There will be an element of surprise where you work, live, eat, and sleep. I will utilize ISR at your home, workplace, and all locations in between. I will utilize OSINT to discover your residences, spouses workplaces, and children's schools. IMINT to coordinate and plan attacks on your fixed locations. Its amazing whats on NIPR. HUMINT will be utilized to collect personal schedules of targets. I never had the opportunity to have a family of my own, I'm terminating yours. Quan, [name removed], [name removed], and BOR members Look your wives/husbands and surviving children directly in the face and tell them the truth as to why your children are dead.

Never allow a LAPPL union attorney to be a retired LAPD Captain,(Quan). He doesn't work for you, your interest, or your name. He works for the department, period. His job is to protect the department from civil lawsuits being filed and their best interest which is the almighty dollar. His loyalty is to the department, not his client. Even when he knowingly knows your innocent and the BOR also knows your innocent after [name removed] stated on videotape that he was kicked and [name removed] attorney confessed to the BOR off the record that she kicked [name removed].

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants-TJ. This quote is not directed toward the US government which I fully support 100%. This is toward the LAPD who can not monitor itself. The consent decree should not have been lifted, ever.

I know your TTP's, (techniques, tactics, and procedures). Any threat assessments you you generate will be useless. This is simple, I know your TTP's and PPR's. I will mitigate any of your attempts at preservation. ORM is my friend. I will mitigate all risks, threats and hazards. I assure you that Incident Command Posts will be target rich environments. KMA-367 license plate frames are great target indicators and make target selection even easier.

I will conduct DA operations to destroy, exploit and seize designated targets. If unsuccessful or unable to meet objectives in these initial small scale offensive actions, I will reassess my BDA and re-attack until objectives are met. I have nothing to lose. My personal casualty means nothing. Just alike AAF's, ACM's, and AIF's, you can not prevail against an enemy combatant who has no fear of death. An enemy who embraces death is a lose, lose situation for their enemy combatants.

Hopefully you analyst have done your homework. You are aware that I have always been the top shot, highest score, an expert in rifle qualifications in every unit I’ve been in. I will utilize every bit of small arms training, demolition, ordnance, and survival training I've been given.

Do you know why we are unsuccessful in asymmetrical and guerrilla warfare in CENTCOM theatre of operations? I’ll tell you. It's not the inefficiency of our combatant commanders, planning, readiness or training of troops. Much like the Vietnam war, ACM, AAF, foreign fighters, Jihadist, and JAM have nothing to lose. They embrace death as it is a way of life. I simply don't fear it. I am the walking exigent circumstance you created.

The Violence of action will be HIGH. I am the reason TAC alert was established. I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty. ISR is my strength and your weakness. You will now live the life of the prey. Your RD's and homes away from work will be my AO and battle space. I will utilize every tool within INT collections that I learned from NMITC in Dam Neck. You have misjudged a sleeping giant. There is no conventional threat assessment for me. JAM, New Ba'ath party, 1920 rev BGE, ACM, AAF, AQAP, AQIM and AQIZ have nothing on me. Do not deploy airships or gunships. SA-7 Manpads will be waiting. As you know I also own Barrett .50's so your APC are defunct and futile.

You better have all your officers radio/phone muster (code 1) on or off duty every hour, on the hour.
Do not attempt to shadow or conduct any type of ISR on me. I have the inventory listing of all UC vehicles at Piper Tech and the home addresses of any INT analyst at JRIC and detachment locations. My POA is always POI and always true. This will be a war of attrition and a Pyrrhic and Camdean Victory for myself. You may have the resources and manpower but you are reactive and predictable in your op plans and TTP's. I have the strength and benefits of being unpredictable, unconventional, and unforgiving. Do not waste your time with briefs and tabletops.

Whatever pre-planned responses you have established for a scenario like me, shelve it. Whatever contingency plan you have, shelve it. Whatever tertiary plan you've created, shelve it. I am a walking exigent circumstance with no OFF or reset button. JRIC, DOJ, LASD, FBI and other local LE can’t assist and should not involve themselves in a matter that does not concern them. For all other agencies, do not involve yourself in this capture or recovery of me. Look at the big picture of the situation. They (LAPD) created the situation. I will harm no outside agency unless it is a deadly force/IDOL situation. With today's budgeting and fiscal mess, you guys can not afford lose several officers to IOD or KIA/EOW. Plus, other officers should not have to take on the additional duties and responsibilities of dead officers. Think about their families, outside agencies, Chiefs/Directors.

Outside agencies and individual officers on patrol. If you recognize my vehicle, and confirm it is my vehicle thru a dmv/want warrant check. It behoves you to respond to dispatch that your query was for information purposes only. If you proceed with a traffic stop or attempt to notify other officers of my location or for backup you will not live to see the medal of valor you were hoping to receive for your actions. Think before you attempt to intervene. You will not survive. Your family will receive that medal of valor posthumously. It will gather dust on the fireplace mantel for years. Then one day, it will go in a shoe box with other memories. Your mother will lose a son or daughter. Your significant other will be left alone, but they will find someone else to fill your void in the future and make them just as happy. Your children, if you have them, will call someone else mommy or daddy. Don't be selfish. Your vest is only a level II or IIIA, think about it.

No amount of IMINT, MASINT, and ELINT assist you in capturing me. I am off the grid. You better use your feet, tongue and every available DOD/ NON-DOD HUMINT agency, contractor to find me. I know your route to and from home, and your division. I know your significant others routine, your children's best friends and recess. I know Your Sancha's gym hours and routine. I assure you that the casualty rate will be high. Because of that, no one will remember your name. You will merely be a DR# and "that guy" who was KIA/EOW or long term IOD/light duty in the kit room. This is exactly why "station 500" was created. Unfortunately, orphanages will be making a comeback in the 21st century.

If you had a well regulated AWB, this would not happen. The time is now to reinstitute a ban that will save lives. Why does any sportsman need a 30 round magazine for hunting? Why does anyone need a suppressor? Why does anyone need a AR15 rifle? This is the same small arms weapons system utilized in eradicating Al Qaeda, Taliban, and every enemy combatant since the Vietnam war. Don’t give me that crap that its not a select fire or full auto rifle like the DoD uses. That’s bullshit because troops who carry the M-4/M-16 weapon system for combat ops outside the wire rarely utilize the select fire function when in contact with enemy combatants. The use of select fire probably isn’t even 1% in combat. So in essence, the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle is the same as the M-4/M-16. These do not need to be purchased as easily as walking to your local Walmart or striking the enter key on your keyboard to "add to cart". All the firearms utilized in my activities are registered to me and were legally purchased at gun stores and private party transfers. All concealable weapons (pistols) were also legally register in my name at police stations or FFL's. Unfortunately, are you aware that I obtained class III weapons (suppressors) without a background check thru NICS or DROS completely LEGALLY several times? I was able to use a trust account that I created on quicken will maker and a $10 notary charge at a mailbox etc. to obtain them legally. Granted, I am not a felon, nor have a DV misdemeanor conviction or active TRO against me on a NCIC file. I can buy any firearm I want, but should I be able to purchase these class III weapons (SBR's, and suppressors) without a background check and just a $10 notary signature on a quicken will maker program? The answer is NO. I'm not even a resident of the state i purchased them in. Lock n Load just wanted money so they allow you to purchase class III weapons with just a notarized trust, military ID. Shame on you, Lock n Load. NFA and ATF need new laws and policies that do not allow loopholes such as this. In the end, I hope that you will realize that the small arms I utilize should not be accessed with the ease that I obtained them. Who in there right mind needs a f------ silencer!!! who needs a freaking SBR AR15? No one. No more Virginia Tech, Columbine HS, Wisconsin temple, Aurora theatre, Portland malls, Tucson rally, Newtown Sandy Hook. Whether by executive order or thru a bi-partisan congress an assault weapons ban needs to be re-instituted. Period!!!

Mia Farrow said it best. "Gun control is no longer debatable, it's not a conversation, its a moral mandate."

Sen. Feinstein, you are doing the right thing in leading the re-institution of a national AWB. Never again should any public official state that their prayers and thoughts are with the family. That has become cliche' and meaningless. Its time for action. Let this be your legacy that you bestow to America. Do not be swayed by obstacles, antagaonist, and naysayers. Remember the innocent children at Austin, Kent, Stockton, Fullerton, San Diego, Iowa City, Jonesboro, Columbine, Nickel Mines, Blacksburg, Springfield, Red Lake, Chardon, Aurora, and Newtown. Make sure this never happens again!!!

In my cache you will find several small arms. In the cache, Bushmaster firearms, Remington precision rifles, and AAC Suppressors (silencers). All of these small arms are manufactured by Cerberus/Freedom Group. The same company responsible for the Portland mall shooting, Webster , NY, and Sandy Hook massacre.

You disrespect the office of the POTUS/Presidency and Commander in Chief. You call him Kenyan, mongroid, halfrican, muslim, and FBHO when in essence you are to address him as simply, President. The same as you did to President George W. Bush and all those in the highest ranking position of our land before him. Just as I always have. You question his birth certificate, his educational and professional accomplishments, and his judeo-christian beliefs. You make disparaging remarks about his dead parents. You never questioned the fact that his former opponent, the honorable Senator John McCain, was not born in the CONUS or that Bush had a C average in his undergrad. Electoral Candidates children (Romney) state they want to punch the president in the face during debates with no formal repercussions. No one even questioned the fact that the son just made a criminal threat toward the President. You call his wife a Wookie. Off the record, I love your new bangs, Mrs. Obama. A woman whose professional and educational accomplishments are second to none when compared to recent First wives. You call his supporters, whether black, brown, yellow, or white, leeches, FSA, welfare recipients, and n----- lovers. You say this openly without any discretion. Before you start with your argument that you believe I would vote for Obama because he has the same skin color as me, f--- you. I didn’t vote in this last election as my choice of candidate, John Huntsman, didn’t win the primary candidacy for his party. Mr. President, I haven’t agreed with all of your decisions but of course I haven’t agreed with all of your predecessors decisions. I think you’ve done a hell of a job with what you have been dealt and how you have managed it. I shed a tear the night you were initially elected President in 2008. I never thought that day would occur. A black man elected president in the U.S. in my lifetime. I cracked a smiled when you were re-elected in 2012 because I really didn't think you were going to pull that one off. Romney, stop being a sore loser. You could've exited graciously and still contributed significantly to public service, not now. Mr. President, get back to work. Many want to see you fail as they have stated so many times previously. Unfortunately, if you fail, the U.S. fails but your opponents do not concern themselves about the big picture. Do not forget your commitment to transparency in your administration. Sometimes I believe your administration forgets that. America, you will realize today and tomorrow that this world is made up of all human beings who have the same general needs and wants in life for themselves, their kin, community, and state. That is the freedom to LIVE and LOVE. They may eat different foods, enjoy different music, have different dialects, or speak a second language, but in essence are no different from you and I. This is America. We are not a perfect sovereign country as we have our own flaws but we are the closest that will ever exist.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time an authoritative figure has lied on me.

Mr. [name removed], assistant principal, Cypress HS. Remember when you lied to my mother and the police officer in your office about stating that you never stated to me in a private conversation that you know the theft suspect ([name removed]) stole my watch. Let me refresh your memory. A physical education teachers assistant, a student, stole the list of combination codes to peoples lockers, from the P.E. teacher. That student then opened many of those lockers and stole students personal property. My watch was taken in that multi theft an I reported it to you. A week later you discovered that the theft suspect was [name removed], a student. You stated to me in private that you know for a fact he stole my property. When I attempted to retrieve my property from the suspect. Campus security was called and you lied and stated that you never stated to me that you "know he stole my watch". You sat there and lied to their faces right in front of me. You said it with such a deliberate, stern face. I never forgot that and was not surprised when 13 years later I was lied on again in the BOR by [name removed]. maybe you can confess to your family at the very least in the private of your own home. After that, contact my mother and apologize for lying to her in 1996.

If possible, I want my brain preserved for science/research to study the effects of severe depression on an individual's brain. Since 6/26/08 when I was relieved of duty and 1/2/09 when I was terminated I have been afflicted with severe depression. I've had two CT scans during my lifetime that are in my medical record at Kaiser Permanente. Both are from concussions resulting from playing football. The first one was in high school, 10/96. The second was in college and occurred in 10/99. Both were conducted at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in LA/Orange county. These two CT scans should give a good baseline for my brain activity before severe depression began in late 2008.

Sure, many of you "law enforcement experts and specialist" will state, "in all my years this is the worst........", Stop!!! That’s not important. Ask yourselves what would cause somebody to take these drastic measures like I did. That's what is important.

To my friends listed below, I wish we could have grown old together and spent more time together. When you reminisce of our friendship and experiences, think of that and that only. Do not dwell on my recent actions the last few days. This was a necessary evil that had to be executed in order for me to obtain my NAME back. The only thing that changes policy and garners attention is death.

[Name removed], greatest friend, Marine officer, aviator, and an even better father and husband. I Couldn't have had a better big brother than you. Your spoken wisdom was always retained by me, you old salty Mustang. You sternly told me that no matter what I accomplish I will always be a n----- in many individuals eyes. At the time, I did not comprehend your words. I do now. I never forgot the quote you state below. I love you bro.

I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever feeling sorry for itself. –D.H. Lawrence

[Name removed], greatest friend, Naval officer, aviator, Great Father, husband, doctor, and even better human being. I always strived to live my life parallel to your similar values and personal disciplines. [Name removed] is lucky to have found a man like yourself, and you are fortunate to have married an irrefutable imperfect woman. Always focus on your IMMEDIATE family as they are the ones who have loved you unconditionally and always been their to support you in difficult times. I always lived my life as WWJD (what would [name removed] do). [Name removed], take care of this guy. [Name removed], I’m sorry I missed your wedding and you had to find another best man. I’m sorry my predicament with the department stopped me from watching you and [name removed] get married and arguing with you about issues that were insignificant when I was really angry at the LAPD for what they did to me. I’m deeply sorry and I love you guys.

[Name removed], great friend, attorney, father, husband, and the most cynical/blatant/politically incorrect friend a man can have. Best quality about you in college and now is that you never sugar coated the truth. I will miss our political discussions that always turned argumentative. Thanks for introducing me to outdoor sports like fishing, hunting, mudding, and also respect for the land and resources. Us city boys don’t get out much like you Alaskans. You even introduced me to PBR. A beer, that when you’re a poor college student is completely acceptable to get buzzed off of. I’m sorry I’ll never get to go on that moose and bear hunt with you. I love you bro.

[Name removed], greatest friend, accountant, entrepreneur, and even better Human being. You are probably the most well balanced person I've ever met and the most driven for success. In college, and after graduation, I was inspired by your personal drive. Never settle. When you make your first million, promise me you won’t forget to enjoy it a bit. I know your first reaction will be to invest it somewhere else. Spend a little, just a little. I love you bro.

[Name removed], great friend, entrepeneur, husband and father. You showed me the importance of fatherhood and friendship. Love you bro.

[Name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], [name removed],[name removed], [name removed], [name removed],[name removed], [name removd], [name removed], and [name removed].

You guys were all important and very special to me. Don’t be angry with me. I missed some of your weddings and unfortunately, some of your funerals. This was a necessary evil.

Some say it is my fault that I was terminated. Yes, DDX, I remember you stating this to me in an angry fit. You said that I should have kept my mouth shut about another officer’s misconduct. Maybe you were right. But I'm not built like others, it's not in my DNA and my history has always shown that. When you view the video of the suspect stating he was kicked by [name removed], maybe you will see that I was a decent person after all. I told the truth. It still hurt that you abandoned me in my time of need. I hope you’re happy, that’s all I ever wanted for you.

Sgt. [name removed], you meant well but you should have known with your time on the job that the department would attempt to protect someone like [name removed] because of her time on the job, personal friendships, and ethicity. I’m not angry with you, but you should have known as an IA investigator.

Sgt [name removed] LPPD, Ofcr [name removed] LPPD (ret), and Chief [name removed] LPPD, your guidance and mentoring as a young police explorer was second to none and invaluable as a young man, police officer, and naval officer. Sgt [name removed], you forewarned me long ago about joining LAPD as they were "different" and operated differently from other modern law enforcement agencies. I now know it was your humbleness and respect for all who wear the badge and protect their communities that you didn't just express what you wanted to say, that they lack values and basic ethics as law enforcement officers. Chief [name removed], your fucking awesome. Thanks for the long talks over the years when I was an explorer, college student, Naval officer, and Police officer. Your are a great leader and carry your heart on your sleeve. Your son will be a great Air Force officer with the upringing you provided. [Name removed], what can I say? Your just an awesome person and my first exposure to what law enforcement was really about was on our ride alongs. Your realistic approach and empathetic approach to treating all people as humans first is something I carried with me daily. Thank you, every one of you.

Dr. [name removed], thank you for the superb surgery you performed on my knee on 7/98 in Irvine, CA. I never had the opportunity to thank you for allowing me to live a life free of knee joint pain. Thank you.

CM1 [name removed] (Ret.), I learned more from you about leadership than most of my own commanders. You lived by a strict ethos of get it done, and get it done right. I wanted to attend your retirement, I really did. But because of my predicament I was unable to. Hope you and [name removed] are still together. I’ve always held you in high regard.

Sgt Maj. [name removed] USMC, Thank you for the intense instruction and mentorship and time spent forging me into a never quit officer. You were challenging as a DI. You made sure the vicious and intense personality I possess was discovered. On a lighter note....Don't feel humbled you never broke me. I made it a personal goal to never give up years before. The Corp is lucky to have you at the front. Your leadership is essential and needed for all marines, especially staff NCO's and mentorship and advisement to company grade officers. You are the epitome of a US marine and never forget that.

I thank my friends for the awesome shared experiences. I thank the unnamed women I dated over my lifetime for the great and sometimes not so great sex.

It’s kind of sad I won't be around to view and enjoy The Hangover III. What an awesome trilogy. Todd Phillips, don't make anymore Hangovers after the third, takes away the originality of its foundation. World War Z looks good and The Walking Dead season 3 (second half) looked intriguing. Damn, gonna miss shark week.

Mr. Vice President, do your due diligence when formulating a concise and permanent national AWB plan. Future generations of Americans depend on your plan and advisement to the president. I’ve always been a fan of yours and consider you one of the few genuine and charismatic politicians. Damn, sounds like an oxymoron calling you an honest politician. It’s the truth.

Hillary Clinton. You'll make one hell of a president in 2016. Much like your husband, Bill, you will be one of the greatest. Look at Castro in San Antonio as a running mate or possible secretary of state. He's (good people) and I have faith and confidence in him. Look after Bill. He was always my favorite President. Chelsea grew up to be one hell of an attractive woman. No disrespect to her husband.

Gov. Chris Christie. What can I say? You’re the only person I would like to see in the White House in 2016 other than Hillary. You're America's no shit taking uncle. Do one thing for your wife, kids, and supporters. Start walking at night and eat a little less, not a lot less, just a little. We want to see you around for a long time. Your leadership is greatly needed.

Wayne LaPierre, President of the NRA, you're a vile and inhumane piece of shit. You never even showed 30 seconds of empathy for the children, teachers, and families of Sandy Hook. You deflected any type of blame/responsibility and directed it toward the influence of movies and the media. You are a failure of a human being. May all of your immediate and distant family die horrific deaths in front of you.

Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Pat Harvey, Brian Williams, Soledad Obrien, Wolf Blitzer, Meredith Viera, Tavis Smiley, and Anderson Cooper, keep up the great work and follow Cronkite's lead. I hold many of you in the same regard as Tom Brokaw and the late Peter Jennings. Cooper, stop nagging and berating your guest, they're your (guest). Mr. Scarborough, we met at McGuire’s pub in P-cola in 2002 when I was stationed there. It was an honor conversing with you about politics, family, and life.

Willie Geist, you’re a talented and charismatic journalist. Stop with all the talk show shenanigans and get back to your core of reporting. Your future is brighter than most.

Revoke the citizenship of Fareed Zakaria and deport him. I've never heard a positive word about America or its interest from his mouth, ever. On the same day, give Piers Morgan an indefinite resident alien and Visa card. Mr. Morgan, the problem that many American gun owners have with you and your continuous discussion of gun control is that you are not an American citizen and have an accent that is distinct and clarifies that you are a foreigner. I want you to know that I agree with you 100% on enacting stricter firearm laws but you must understand that your critics will always have in the back of their mind that you are native to a country that we won our sovereignty from while using firearms as a last resort in defense and you come from a country that has no legal private ownership of firearms. That is disheartening to American gun owners and rightfully so.

The honorable President George H.W. Bush, they never give you enough credit for your successful Presidency. You were always one of my favorite Presidents (2nd favorite). I hope your health improves greatly. You are the epitome of an American and service to country.

General Petraeus, you made a mistake that the majority of men make once, twice, or unfortunately many times in a lifetime. You are human. You thought with your penis. It's okay.I personally believe you should have never resigned and told your critics to shove it. You only answer to two people regarding the affair, your wife and children, period. I hope you return to government service to your country as it is visibly in your DNA.

General Colin Powell, your book “My American Journey” solidified my decision to join the military after college. I had always intended to serve, but your book and journey motivated me. You are an inspiration to all Americans and influenced me greatly.

To all SEA's (senior enlisted advisers), you are just as important if not a greater viability to large and small commands. It's time you take a more active role in leading your enlisted and advising officers. These are not your twilight years or time to relax. You can either strengthen the tip of the spear, or make it brittle. You decide.

Pat Harvey, I’ve always thought you carried yourself professionally and personally the way a strong black woman should. Your articulation and speech is second to none. You are the epitome of a journalist/anchor. You are America.

Ellen Degeneres, continue your excellent contribution to entertaining America and bringing the human factor to entertainment. You changed the perception of your gay community and how we as Americans view the LGBT community. I congratulate you on your success and opening my eyes as a young adult, and my generation to the fact that you are know different from us other than who you choose to love. Oh, and you Prop 8 supporters, why the fuck do you care who your neighbor marries. Hypocritical pieces of shit.

Westboro Baptist Church, may you all burn slowly in a fire, not from smoke inhalation, but from the flames and only the flames.

Tebow, I really wanted to see you take charge of an offense again and the game. You are not a good QB by todays standards, but you are a great football player who knows how to lead a team and WIN. You will be "Tebowing" when you reach your next team. I have faith in you. Get out of that circus they call the Jets and away from the reality TV star, Rex Ryan, and Mark Rapist Sanchez.

Christopher Walz, you impressed me in Inglorious Basterds. After viewing Django Unchained, I was sold. I have come to the conclusion that you are well on your way to becoming one of the greats if not already and show glimpses of Daniel Day Lewis and Morgan Freeman-esque type qualities of greatness. Trust me when I say that you will be one of the greatest ever.

Jennifer Beals, Serena Williams, Grae Drake, Lisa Nicole-Carson, Diana Taurasi, N’bushe Wright, Brenda Villa, Kate Winslet, Ashley Graham, Erika Christensen, Gabrielle Union, Isabella Soprano, Zain Verjee, Tamron Hall, Gina Carano, America Ferrara, Giana Michaels, Nene, Natalie Portman, Queen Latifah, Michelle Rodriguez, Anjelah Johnson, Kelly Clarkson, Nora Jones, Laura Prepon, Margaret Cho, and Rutina Wesley, you are THE MOST beautiful women on this planet, period. Never settle, professionally or personally.

Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" is the greatest piece of music ever, period. Hanz Zimmer, William Bell, Eric Clapton, BB King, Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, Metallica, Rob Zombie, Nora Jones, Marvin Gaye, Jay-Z, and the King (Louis Armstrong) are musical prodigies.

Jeffrey Toobin and David Gergen, you are political geniuses and modern scholars. Hopefully Toobin is nominated for the Supreme Court and implements some damn common sense and reasoning instead of partisan bickering. But in true Toobin fashion, we all know he would not accept the nomination.

John and Ken from KFI, never mute your facts and personal opinions. You are one of the few media personalities who speak the truth, even when the truth is not popular. I will miss listening to your discussions.

Bill Handel, your effin awesome. For years I enjoyed your show.

Anthony Bourdain, you're a modern renaissance man who epitomizes the saying "too cool for school".

Larry David, Kevin Hart, the late Patrice Oneal, Lisa Lampanelli, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK, Dave Chapelle, Jon Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Dennis Miller, and Jeff Ross are pure geniuses. I’m a big fan of all of your work. As a child my mom caught me watching Def Jam comedy at midnight when I should have been asleep. Instead of scolding me, the next night she let me stay up late and watch George Carlin, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor comedy specials with her for hours. My sides were sore for days.

Larry David, I agree. 72-82 degrees is way to hot in a residence. 68 degrees is perfect.

Cyclist, I have no problem sharing the road with you. But, at least go the fucking speed limit posted or get off the road!!! That is a feasible request. Livestrong you fraudulent a-------.

Cardinal Mahoney, you are in essence a predator yourself as you enabled your subordinates to molest multiple children in the church over many decades. May you die a long and slow painful death.

If you continuously followed me while I was walking at dusk/night I would confront you as well. Too bad Trayvon didn't smash your skull completely open, Zim. While Trayvon's body erodes to bones 6 feet under, Zimmerman has put on no less than 40 pounds while out on bail. Zimmerman was arrested for battery on a Peace officer and avoided jail/prison because he completed a diversion program. Thats a history of being an a------. Zimmerman couldn't get hired by a LE agency because of poor credit/and a history of violence/restraining orders with women. So what does he do? Designate himself, neighborhood watch captain and make complaints to his city council about the horrible work ethic and laziness of the officers patrolling his neighborhood. Good one Zim. How classy that your father attempts to use his veterans status "disabled veteran" during your bail hearing but doesn't state what his disability percentage is. Prior service personnel know it can be 5% disability to 100%. You and your attorneys always avoid mentioning your fathers occupation as a magistrate/judge because I'm sure he's utilized his position to get you out of way more jams then the public has discovered and that your family is not indigent. Oh, tell your wife to stop perjuring herself in court.

KCCO

Anonymous, you are hated, vilified, and considered an enemy to the state. I personally view you as a culture and a necessity that brings truth to a cloaked world. Forge ahead!

Charlie Sheen, you're effin awesome.

My opinion on women in combat MOS', Designators, Rates, and AFSC's. I wish all of you who attempt to pursue combat occupational roles the greatest success in completing, graduating, and qualifying in their respective schools/courses. Many want to see you fail. Remember, everyone of you is a pioneer. There was a time when they didn't allow blacks to fight the good fight. This is your civil rights. Don't quit!!!

It's time to allow gay service member's spouses to utilize the same benefits that all heterosexual dependents are eligible for. Medical, Dental, Tricare, Deers, SGLI, BX, Commissary, Milstar, MWR, etc. Flag officers, lets be honest. You can't really give a valid argument to as why gays shouldn't be eligible as every month a new state enacts laws that allow same sex marriage.

LGBT community and supporters, the same way you have the right to voice your opinion on acceptance of gay marriage, Chick Fil-A has a right to voice their beliefs as well. That's what makes America so great. Freedom of expression. Don't be assholes and boycott/degrade their business and customers who patronize the locations. They make some damn good chicken! Vandalizing (graffiti) their locations does not help any cause.

Mr. Bill Cosby, you are a reasonable and talented man who has spoken the truth of the cultural anomalies within the black communities that need to change now. The black communities' resentment toward you is because they don't like hearing the truth or having their clear and evident dirty laundry aired to the nation. The problem is, the country is not blind nor dumb. They believe we are animals. Do not mute your unvarnished truthful speech or moral compass. Blacks must strive for more in life than bling, hoes, and cars. The current culture is an epidemic that leaves them with no discernible future. They're suffocating and don't even know it. MLK Jr. Would be mortified at what he worked so hard for in our acceptance as equal beings and how unfortunately we stopped progressing and began digressing. Chicago's youth violence is a prime example of how our black communities values have declined. We can not address this nation's intolerant issues until we address our own communities morality issues first. Accountability. We need to hold ou
 

 



Photo Credit: AP

Women Shot by Police Were Delivering Newspapers

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Two women delivering newspapers in Torrance were wounded and another person was shot at on Thursday by police in cases of mistaken identity in a search for a fired LAPD officer wanted in a deadly revenge rampage in which he allegedly targeted law enforcement and their families.

The three victims were driving in dark-colored pickup trucks that matched the description of former Officer Christopher Dorner’s, police said.

Police were posted on protective duty outside the home of one of those officers Thursday morning when they became suspicious of a driver moving through the neighborhood, according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck.

Driving a blue pickup truck with its lights off, the newspaper carriers slowly approached the officer’s house before dawn in the 19500 block of Redbeam Avenue.

Police fired at the truck, thinking it was Dorner's. The truck was riddled with more than 15 bullet holes in the back windshield and tailgate.

One woman was struck in the hand and is expected to recover; the other was shot in the back and her condition was unknown late Thursday. Both were taken to the hospital.

Two blocks away from where that shooting occurred, Torrance police shot at another driver travelling in a pickup truck 25 minutes later.

While responding to the first officer-involved shooting, a Torrance police cruiser collided with a truck that resembled Doran’s. The incident occurred near Beryl Street and Flagler Lane in Redondo Beach, on the border with Torrance.

"Shortly thereafter, shots were fired," said Sgt. Chris Roosen, with Torrance Police Department. "The officers believed that the person involved was Christopher Dorner."

Bullets flew through the windshield, missing the driver.

Neither shooting involved Dorner, 33, who remains at large, police said.

Roosen said police believed Dorner was headed to an officer’s home close to where the shootings happened.

A neighbor said she’d seen at least eight squad cars staked out near the officer’shome. Another said he was rattled but understood the officers’ actions.

"It’s scary," said resident Dan Lankford, "but ... if you have a high-ranking officer that is in the neighborhood and a vehicle that matches that description and the killings that are going on, I could see how it’d be easy to jump to a conclusion."

The manhunt for Dorner – whose 11,000-word online manifesto names several of his former colleagues as targets – had Southern California law enforcement on edge.

Dorner is accused of killing three people – including a police officer – and wounding two others.

Extreme Weather 2013

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2012 was the hottest, and some say most extreme, weather year in U.S. history. 2013 Promises more of the same. A big winter storm is expected to hit the Northeast and New England this weekend, pummeling some parts the region with as much two feet of snow and blizzard conditions. Click to see more dramatic weather photos.

Lockdown Lifted at Manchester Memorial Hospital

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Manchester Memorial Hospital was placed into lockdown Thursday as police investigated a possible threat against a hospital employee.

Police responded to the hospital at 71 Haynes Street in Manchester around 2:30 p.m. after a female employee received a text message on her phone. The message was in Spanish, but the employeed does not speak Spanish and asked a co-worker to translate it.

According to police, the co-worker deemed the message to be a threat against the hospital employee, so administrators placed the hospital into lockdown and called police.

Police determined the threat was not credible and the lockdown was lifted around 3:30 p,m.

JetBlue Flight from Bradley Diverted Over Ill Passenger

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A flight that left Bradley Airport, heading to West Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday morning was diverted because of an ill passenger. 

The captain of Flight 229 chose to divert to Charleston International Airport because of the illness and the passengerwas taken to a local hospital for evaluation, according to corporate communications from JetBlue.

One-hundred-forty-nine people were on the flight, which left Bradley at 7:47 a.m. It was scheduled to arrive at 10:06 a.m., but the flight left Charleston at 10:54 a.m. and landed in West Palm Beach at 12:18 p.m.



 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Power Companies Say They Are Ready to Respond

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Connecticut Light and Power, the state’s largest power company, said it is prepared to respond to the blizzard.

The company has activated its emergency response plan, according to a statement from CL&P “and is prepared for any possible power outages as the predicted heavy, wet snow and high winds have the potential to bring trees down onto power lines.” 

A spokesperson from CL&P said almost 400 linemen are available on standby, along with tree workers and outside resources are ready to go. The company is prestaging employees across the state so they will be where they are needed to respond.

United Illuminating Company also said has already begun plans for how it will respond if power outages occur. 

A statement from the company said officials began watching the weather patterns as early as Wednesday. They have held internal meetings to begin preparations, secured several contractor crews and notified employees to be on alert in case they are needed for restoration efforts.

“It was just 7 days ago that we were discussing a wind storm and very quickly we’re watching out for a possible Nor’easter,” James P. Torgerson, UI’s president and chief executive officer said in a statement. “Our team knows what is needed and we are taking all necessary precautions to be prepared for any effects on our distribution system.”
 



Photo Credit: AP

Woman Who Flipped Off Judge to Apologize to Him Friday

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The woman who got a 30-day sentence after she flipped the bird at a Miami-Dade judge is expected to apologize to him in court on Friday.

Penelope Soto's appearance in court on Monday made national news after her profane encounter with Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat earned her a month behind bars.

Soto, 18, who was sporting orange jail clothes and smiled and stroked her hair through the proceeding, laughed when she was asked a question about her jewelry and other assets for posting bond.

Check back here at 2:30 p.m. Friday, when Soto is scheduled to apologize to watch a live stream of the court room

"It's not a joke, you know, we're not in a club now," Rodriguez-Chomat told her. "We are not in a club, be serious about it."

"I'm serious about it, you just made me laugh," Soto replied. "You just made me laugh, I apologize. It's worth a lot of money."

The arrest affidavit says that on Feb. 3, authorities got a call about a woman who had fallen down at SW 96th Street and SW 142 Avenue. When they got there, she was crying and standing near a bike and had grass in her hair. She told authorities she had fallen down, but she appeared to be under the influence, the report said.

Then she spontaneously said: "I'm on Xanax bars and I have more in my purse," the affidavit said.

She opened her purse and handed the officer three green baggies with 26 Xanax bars, the report said. She was arrested, and the Xanax impounded.

Meanwhile, in court on Wednesday she appeared more composed. The proceeding was related to her arrest for possession of Xanax. Soto didn't laugh or smile during the appearance before Judge Jeffrey Rosinek, who had to ask her several times to repeat herself because she was so quiet.

Rosinek set her bond at $5,000, but so far she still has to serve the 30-day sentence.

Soto, who told Rosinek she lives with her mother, will have her case thrown out if she completes a drug program, the judge ruled.

During the initial proceeding, Rodriguez-Chomat set her bond at $5,000 and said "bye-bye," and Soto laughed and replied "Adios."

Rodriguez-Chomat summoned her back and reset her bond at $10,000, shocking Soto.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"I am serious. Adios," he replied.

Soto started to walk away when she flipped Rodriguez-Chomat her middle finger and blurted "[expletive] you."

She was called back again, and Rodriguez-Chomat gave her a 30-day sentence for contempt of court.

The only judge who can drop the contempt sentence is Rodriguez-Chomat.

A Twitter account, @FreePenelope, featuring a photo of Soto, had been created late Tuesday to support the teen, as well as a Facebook fan page.



Photo Credit: Miami-Dade Corrections

Police Chief: Ex-LAPD Revenge Shooter "Knows What He's Doing"

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Christopher Dorner, the man suspected in a series of murderous revenge attacks on police officers and their families, has a long military and law enforcement background that gives him an unusual expertise in firearms.

The 33-year-old spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves – rising to the rank of lieutenant before receiving an honorable discharge last week. And he spent eight years at the Los Angeles Police Department, working as an officer in at least two divisions until he was removed from service in 2008.

"Of course he knows what he’s doing," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said as the manhunt for Dorner heated up on Thursday. "We trained him."

More: LAPD Murder Manhunt | Timeline

Dorner received a Rifle Marksman Ribbon and a Pistol Expert Medal, and he was highly schooled in the use of a variety of weapons while at the LAPD.

In a 11,400-word manifesto published online, he repeatedly used military and law enforcement terminology to describe his strategy for hunting down police officers who he believed betrayed him, along with their families.

“I know your TTP's [sic], (techniques, tactics, and procedures),” he wrote to those who he knew would end up hunting him. “Any threat assessments you generate will be useless. … I will mitigate any of your attempts at preservation.”

Patrolling officers who recognize his vehicle, he warned, should not confront him.

“If you proceed with a traffic stop or attempt to notify other officers of my location or for backup you will not live to see the medal of valor you were hoping to receive for your actions,” he wrote. “Think before you attempt to intervene. You will not survive. Your family will receive that medal of valor posthumously. “

Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Cate Cook said Dorner was not a sniper in the military, as some reports have contended. But he was highly skilled.

On Thursday, when a two-person LAPD detail assigned to protect some of the people he had threatened tracked him down in Corona, Calif., Dorner fired at their car, Beck said.

He missed killing one of the officers by inches or less, grazing him on the head, and shot up their patrol car so badly that they were unable to follow him any further.

With the officers unable to pursue him, Dorner then went to nearby Riverside, where he shot two of the inland city’s officers as they sat in their patrol car at a red light, Riverside police Lt. Guy Toussaint said.

In a passage of the manifesto that hints alarmingly at his deep knowledge of weaponry, yet is riddled with grammatical and punctuation errors, Dorner also bragged that his knowledge of the legal system had enabled him to purchase guns illegally.

"Are you aware that I obtained class III weapons (suppressors) without a background check...?" he wrote. "I was able to use a trust account that I created on quicken will maker and a $10 notary charge at a mailbox etc. to obtain them legally."

Dorner’s shooting spree began Sunday night, when he gunned down the daughter of the police union lawyer who had represented him in an internal investigation. Monica Quan and her fiancé, Keith Lawrence, were found slumped in their car on the top floor of the parking garage at the Irvine condominium complext where they lived.

In that case, Dorner was terminated for filing a brutality report against a colleague that officials later determined was false. He filed a lawsuit against the LAPD claiming he was treated unfairly, but the suit was rejected at both the Superior Court and Appellate Court levels.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Most Memorable Snowstorms

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Millions of people across the Northeast, where many communities have yet to recover from Superstorm Sandy, now find themselves bracing for a blizzard on Friday.

With a blizzard warning in effect for New York City, Connecticut and much of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, it's reasonable to wonder, what exactly is a blizzard?

"From my end, technically speaking, blizzards are not what they used to be," joked Paul Knight, a senior climatologist as Penn State. "When I was a kid it was quarter-mile visibility, sustained winds of 35 mph and the temperature 20 degrees or less."

Although the scientific definition still holds, Knight says people use the term much more casually these days. Originally, the word blizzard referred to a shot from a musket or cannon — but it was first used to describe a storm in the 1870s by an Iowa newspaper.

The record of blizzards (or lesser storms) across the Northeast goes all the way back to 1888, when more than 3 feet hit some parts of New York and New Jersey. Among the highlights since:

Halloween 2011 Halloween was postponed a week across much of Connecticut, as a freak storm hit the region. But the problem wasn't so much the snow, of which there was plenty, as it was the ice that glazed roads and power lines, leaving thousands without electricity for more than a week.

Boxing Day 2010 – The day after Christmas saw two feet of snow bury New York City. Then Mayor Mike Bloomberg got buried by the press after snow removal took far too long. In fact, the city's response was so bad that even hizzoner admitted they blew it.

Snowmageddon/Snowpocalypse – The nation's capital got pounded by so much snow during the first week of February 2010 that even President Barack Obama was calling it "Snowmageddon." Ironically, the storm shut down the government just as a global warming bill was trying to get through Congress. This was one of three huge storms to hit the nation in that single month.

April Fool's Day Blizzard of '97 – Rain, sleet and snow fell from Maryland to Maine, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and as much as three feet of snow to shovel.

Blizzard of 1996 – From Jan. 6 to 8, New York City got 20 to 30 inches of snow, Providence got 24 inches, Boston and Hartford got 18, parts of New England saw up to 33 and President Bill Clinton shut down the government. The storm killed more than 150, and damages totaled more than $1 billion.

Blizzard of '78 – This one shut down the state of Connecticut for three days, as 2 feet of snow and whipping winds made for massive snowdrifts and impassable roads. Massachusetts and Rhode Islands experienced record 24-hour snowfalls, there were nearly 100 deaths and damages totaled nearly $2 billion.

Great Blizzard of 1947 – Probably the whitest Christmas in New York City's history. By the time the snow had stopped, there were more than 26 inches in Central Park. Cars and buses were stranded, the subway was at a halt and 77 people had died.

Blizzard of 1888 – This was back in the days when a storm could really catch you off-guard. The forecast for March 11, 1888, called for "cloudy followed by light rain and clearing," geese were already heading north and Walt Whitman had written a poem about the first flower of spring. And then parts of New York and New Jersey got 40 inches of snow, while Connecticut and Massachusetts got 50.

But while historic storms hit from Halloween to April Fool's Day, they definitely cluster around a time when two factors make blizzards most apt to happen.

"February, at least centered around February, is blizzard season," explains Knight.

"The reason for that is that the chilly air in the northern reaches of North America has kind of maxed out at this point, and if there's going to be a time for it to come south, it's going to be late January or February," he explains. "The second thing is the temperature contrast between the water and the cold air over the land is almost at a maximum now. That then leads to the potential for storms, because storms are totally driven by temperature contrast."

As bad as some of these recent storms have been, Knight notes that it's important to realize that they're really not so out of line with past snowfalls.

"We've just gotten used to (warmer winters). It's so human: We adapt to the very pleasant weather of last winter and say, 'Well, this is the way it should be,' or 'This is what we think the new norm is,'" says Knight. "Insofar as the shift in climate is going to make the winters notably milder, then when we get a more normal winter, which is what we're having, we will perceive it as being worse than they really is. But this is really not that bad."

And no matter how bad things do get this weekend, overall this will have been another mild winter, Knight says.

"Given the amount of warmth we've had, when you incorporate December, January and now at least the first half of February, there's no way we're gonna get temperatures for that three-month period to average below normal anywhere in the Northeast," he said.



Photo Credit: AP

Six Months Later And Still No Arrest in Devastating Fire

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It’s been six months since someone set fire to a multi-family home in Willimantic and there are still no arrests.  Now, the husband of a woman critically injured in the ordeal is once again speaking out in the hopes that someone will come forward with information about the crime.

The charred building on South Street stands as a reminder of the horror that unfolded there in the middle of the night back on August 7, 2012.

"It could have easily been both of us dead in there.  Arson is a terrible, terrible crime," said David Marshall in a Skype interview from New Zealand.

Marshall, a researcher at the University of Connecticut, barely escaped the burning building.

His wife, Kathy Hill, who is also a UConn researcher, was pulled from the building by firefighters.  She's still struggling to recover and has been moved to a rehabilitation center in her native New Zealand.

"She can't communicate anything clearly to us yet and she still can't really control anything she wants to do, her arms.  She still clearly can't blink in response to commands or anything and yet she reacts a lot emotionally and otherwise like she probably understands what we're saying," said Marshall.

Police quickly determined the fire was intentionally set, however they have been unable to solve the case.

"It's just very frustrating because there is an arsonist on the loose and if a person can do it to the building behind me then everybody's at risk," said Kathy Dubay, the property manager of the building.

For now, family and friends cherish the slow progress Hill is making and hold out hope that she'll make a full recovery.

"I think about sometimes the fact that the person who did this is out there, but this is so overwhelming.  It's very difficult to think about much else other than the situation Kathy is in," said Marshall.

"Just hope that somebody comes forward for an arrest.  It's a horrible crime," said Dubay.

A $2500 reward remains in effect for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
 

Weather Affecting Travel

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If you plan to travel on Friday, check the transportation company’s schedule because several have changed service plans because of the storm.

Several flights at Bradley Airport are canceled and all commercial activity is canceled as of 1:30 p.m.

CT Transit is operating as usual on Friday morning, but will be running early dismissal services on express routes for people who get out of work early. General Manager of David Lee said the transit company will probably suspend service early tonight. What happens tomorrow has not yet been determined. The best-case scenario is a delay. An alert on the CTTransit Web site says all local bus service will cease around 6 p.m.

Metro-North is adding extra trains during the early afternoon on Friday to help customers return home and there will be fewer trains during the evening peak.

Train combinations and cancellations are possible at any time, but increase in likelihood as the evening progresses to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm. For more details, visit the MTA Website.

Amtrak is reducing service on its Acela Express and Northeast Regional routes between New York and Boston.

Southbound service out of Boston South Station will be suspended following the departures of Northeast Regional train # 137 at 1:40 p.m. and Acela Express train # 2167 at 1:15 p.m.

Northbound service out of New York's Penn Station will be suspended following the departures of Northeast Regional train # 86 at 12:30 p.m. and Acela Express train # 2160 at 1:03 p.m.

The Springfield Shuttle service, between Springfield, Massachusetts and New Haven, will be suspended following the departure of train # 493 at 10:30 a.m. from Springfield.

Vermonter service is also canceled in each direction between Springfield, MA & St. Albans, Vermont.

Downeaster service is suspended following the southbound departure of train # 682 from Brunswick, Maine at 7:05 a.m. The last northbound departure from Boston North Station will be train # 683, scheduled to depart at 1 p.m.

Determinations about service for Saturday, February 9 will be made on Friday.

Passengers who have paid but choose not to travel because of the service disruption can receive a refund or a voucher for future travel. Some tickets booked online that have not yet been printed can be modified or canceled on Amtrak.com or by using the free Amtrak mobile app.

More information is posted on Amtrak’s Web site.

Peter Pan has canceled service north of New York City on Friday, including all Foxwoods casino service, until further notice.  The list of what routes that affects is posted on the Peter Pan Web site.

Greyhound service has also been affected. The schedule is posted on their Web site.
 

Mountain Search Continues for Fired LAPD Officer

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Members of several law enforcement agencies remained in the mountains east of Los Angeles overnight as the search continued for a fired Los Angeles Police Department officer suspected in a series of revenge killings -- part of a plan outlined in an online manifesto that lists police officers and their families as targets.

Timeline: Revenge-Plot Slayings | Read: Full Manifesto | Map: Search Locations

The search for Christopher Dorner, identified Wednesday as a suspect in Sunday's shooting deaths of an Irvine couple, led from Riverside County to the San Bernardino Mountains when the 33-year-old's burned-out Nissan Titan was discovered south of Big Bear Lake. The vehicle was discovered Thursday morning after Dorner allegedly shot three police officers, killing one, in Riverside County.

The search continued in Big Bear and the surrounding area amid snow and overnight temperatures the low 20s. Winter weather advisories are in effect for the area late Thursday as law enforcement agents conducted door-to-door searches and canine units patrolled the mountain community.

"The search will continue, unless the weather gets to a point that it hampers the search," said Cindy Bachman, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "They searched quite a large area, and they've been out here for quite a while. It's very cold, and the conditions aren't very good."

At a news conference Thursday night, Bachman estimated that officers had visited about 50 percent of the 400 homes in the search grid. Tracks on the ground were discovered leading from Dorner's burned-out vehicle, but authorities have not indicated that there have been other signs of the suspect or whether he has ties to Big Bear.

The resort area includes many vacation homes that are not occupied year-round. The vacant homes will be checked for signs of break-ins.

"He could easily get into a cabin and lay low for weeks, and no one would even know it," said visitor Paul Bergmann.

An update regarding the search was scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m.

"We can't say for certain he's not in this area," Bachman said. "It's been extremely intense. We don't know what he's going to do -- we know what he's capable of doing."

Schools in Bear Valley Unified and Rim of the World school districts will be closed Friday.

Revenge-Plot Slayings Began in Irvine

Dorner, a former Navy reservist who was fired from the LAPD in 2008, outlined plans to kill law enforcement officers and their family members in a 11,400-word document posted online. In the document, Dorner addressed his reporting of a fellow officer for excessive use of force, and stated he wanted to get his "name back," and that the actions he was taking were his "last resort."

"The attacks will stop when the department states the truth about my innocence," Dorner writes in the manifesto.

Dorner, 33, was identified as a suspect Wednesday in the slayings of Monica Quan, 28, and her fiancé, Keith Lawrence, 27, who were fatally shot Sunday while sitting in their car on the top level of a parking structure in the 2100 block of Scholarship Drive, according to Irvine police. The couple left a Super Bowl party at about 7 p.m. and were found slumped over in their car about 9 p.m.

Quan's father was the first Asian-American to become an LAPD captain, and also worked on the Asian Gang Task Force. In an online manifesto, Dorner repeatedly refers to a Randy Quan as being involved in his 2008 firing.

The search led to Riverside County early Thursday after two LAPD officers -- part of a security detail assigned to one of the families mentioned in the Dorner manifesto -- encountered Dorner in Corona. He allegedly used a "shoulder-type" to fire on the officers, one of whom suffered a graze wound to the head.

Authorities said they believe Dorner has an arsenal that includes a semi-automatic rifle.

About 20 minutes after the Corona shooting, Dorner allegedly shot two Riverside officers, killing one. The deceased officer was identified as a father and military veteran.

About seven hours later, Dorner's burning pickup was discovered in the Big Bear area.

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