Police Banned From Denny's Restaurant After Manager 'Harassed' Detectives Over Guns
Huffington Post
Posted: 01/03/2013
A police chief in Belleville, Ill. has banned his officers from eating at a local Denny's and accused the restaurant of "political stupidness" after a confrontation between a group of detectives and the restaurant's manager on New Year's Day, CBS St. Louis reports.
According to CBS, a diner was alarmed after spotting a female officer's weapon and alerted David Rice, the restaurant's manager. Rice subsequently approached the five detectives, who were not in uniform, and asked that they either leave the restaurant or put their weapons in their car. The officers left before being served their meal.'
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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Homeless and unemployed veterans stop attacker
Rescuers: Helping robbery victim 'a reward in itself'
Two jobless veterans jumped in to stop attack, chased after suspect
Jan 2, 2013
Written by
Jennifer Edwards Baker
DOWNTOWN — David Hale was walking to the main branch of the public library downtown about noon Monday when he saw a man approach Gary Wagner at an ATM at the corner of Central Parkway and Vine Street.
“He put his arm around his neck and took him to the ground,” Hale said. “He started punching him. That’s when I ran over and got in between them, trying to separate them.”
Chad McClain heard Wagner scream for help and joined Hale’s efforts.
Together, the two men – one homeless and one who was recently homeless, and both military veterans who didn’t know each other before the incident – wrestled Wagner free. Hale stayed with Wagner while McClain, 38, ran after the suspect and stood in front of his car to keep him from leaving.
“I told him, ‘You’re not going to get away with this,’” McClain said. “The police were there within seconds.”
read more here
linked from Army Times
Two jobless veterans jumped in to stop attack, chased after suspect
Jan 2, 2013
Written by
Jennifer Edwards Baker
DOWNTOWN — David Hale was walking to the main branch of the public library downtown about noon Monday when he saw a man approach Gary Wagner at an ATM at the corner of Central Parkway and Vine Street.
“He put his arm around his neck and took him to the ground,” Hale said. “He started punching him. That’s when I ran over and got in between them, trying to separate them.”
Chad McClain heard Wagner scream for help and joined Hale’s efforts.
Together, the two men – one homeless and one who was recently homeless, and both military veterans who didn’t know each other before the incident – wrestled Wagner free. Hale stayed with Wagner while McClain, 38, ran after the suspect and stood in front of his car to keep him from leaving.
“I told him, ‘You’re not going to get away with this,’” McClain said. “The police were there within seconds.”
read more here
linked from Army Times
PTSD could be used as defense for Benjamin Sebena
PTSD could be used as defense for Benjamin Sebena
Currently in Milwaukee County Jail on $1 million bail
By Nick Bohr
Jan 03, 2013
Ben Sebena could use PTSD as defense
MILWAUKEE —The husband of slain Wauwatosa police officer Jennifer Sebena will learn Thursday whether he will stand trial in her death.
Benjamin Sebena, 30, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
The Iraq war veteran could use post-traumatic stress disorder as a defense.
In the two days he was in custody following the shooting death of his wife, Sebena slowly revealed details about their lives together and eventually, according to prosecutors, admitted to shooting her five times in the head.
read more here
Currently in Milwaukee County Jail on $1 million bail
By Nick Bohr
Jan 03, 2013
Ben Sebena could use PTSD as defense
MILWAUKEE —The husband of slain Wauwatosa police officer Jennifer Sebena will learn Thursday whether he will stand trial in her death.
Benjamin Sebena, 30, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
The Iraq war veteran could use post-traumatic stress disorder as a defense.
In the two days he was in custody following the shooting death of his wife, Sebena slowly revealed details about their lives together and eventually, according to prosecutors, admitted to shooting her five times in the head.
read more here
How do we protect unarmed citizens as well as gun rights?
It would be easier for me to stay out of the assault weapons argument. It would be easier to just ignore it but that is a huge problem in this country already. Too many stay silent and ignore too many things.
I grew up in a large city. The majority of people with guns were either cops or criminals. If anyone else had them, no one really knew. Living here in Florida now it seems as if most of the people I know have a weapon. At first it was hard to understand but now that I know them personally, I have no problem at all with being around people with guns. Some of them are against an assault weapons ban and some of them think there should be one because they are afraid of someone illegally getting their hands on guns owned legally by someone else.
The "General Welfare" should be about being able to go do school, worship, shopping and the movies without being slaughtered. For firefighters to be able to risk their lives facing the dangers of a fire without having to be risking them because some evil person has the desire to kill them. To have the right to not own a gun just as much as having the right to own one.
I have no idea what the right answer is but if we don't start talking about it, we'll never find the right way to protect our citizens at the same time we protect the rights of legal gun owners.
This is what they quote.
I guess they think that is all they need to know about The Constitution but there is more.
I grew up in a large city. The majority of people with guns were either cops or criminals. If anyone else had them, no one really knew. Living here in Florida now it seems as if most of the people I know have a weapon. At first it was hard to understand but now that I know them personally, I have no problem at all with being around people with guns. Some of them are against an assault weapons ban and some of them think there should be one because they are afraid of someone illegally getting their hands on guns owned legally by someone else.
The "General Welfare" should be about being able to go do school, worship, shopping and the movies without being slaughtered. For firefighters to be able to risk their lives facing the dangers of a fire without having to be risking them because some evil person has the desire to kill them. To have the right to not own a gun just as much as having the right to own one.
I have no idea what the right answer is but if we don't start talking about it, we'll never find the right way to protect our citizens at the same time we protect the rights of legal gun owners.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.As of this morning, there are 320 COMMENTS and most of them are demanding the right to have whatever weapon they want to have as a "Constitutional Right"
‘No ma’am’: Letter from U.S. Marine to Dianne Feinstein goes viral
JANUARY 1, 2013
BY MICHELE KIRK
The following open letter, written by U.S. Marine Joshua Boston and headlined “No ma’am.,” was posted in the CNN iReport on Dec. 27 with the included note from the producer and photo. It has struck a nerve with many and is being circulated around social media venues like Twitter and Facebook.Senator Dianne Feinstein,
CNN PRODUCER NOTE: joshdb50 was a Marine and was deployed to Afghanistan between the years of 2004 through 2005. Although he is no longer in the military he acknowledges that he owns gun. He says he does not believe the government needs to know what guns he owns because he believes registration would lead to confiscation. He says the laws that are in place for gun control are plenty, and adding more laws will remove a means of defense for people. ‘I own the guns I own because I acknowledge mankind’s shortcomings instead of pretending like they don’t exist. There are evil men in this world and there just may be a time when I need to do the unthinkable to protect me or my family,’ he said.
- Jareen, CNN iReport producer
I will not register my weapons should this bill be passed, as I do not believe it is the government’s right to know what I own. Nor do I think it prudent to tell you what I own so that it may be taken from me by a group of people who enjoy armed protection yet decry me having the same a crime. You ma’am have overstepped a line that is not your domain. I am a Marine Corps Veteran of 8 years, and I will not have some woman who proclaims the evil of an inanimate object, yet carries one, tell me I may not have one.
I am not your subject. I am the man who keeps you free. I am not your servant. I am the person whom you serve. I am not your peasant. I am the flesh and blood of America. I am the man who fought for my country. I am the man who learned. I am an American. You will not tell me that I must register my semi-automatic AR-15 because of the actions of some evil man.
I will not be disarmed to suit the fear that has been established by the media and your misinformation campaign against the American public.
We, the people, deserve better than you.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joshua Boston
Cpl, United States Marine Corps
2004-2012
read more here
This is what they quote.
AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
I guess they think that is all they need to know about The Constitution but there is more.
Section. 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Ex-Marine in recovery is Broward's first homicide victim of 2013
Ex-Marine in recovery is Broward's first homicide victim of 2013
By Tonya Alanez
Sun Sentinel
January 2, 2013
FORT LAUDERDALE
A softball-loving ex-Marine in recovery at a halfway house was the victim of Broward County's first homicide of 2013.
Christopher Valli, 46, was shot to death in his apartment at Third Step Recovery, 907 NW Fourth St., about 1:45 p.m. New Year's Day. No arrests have been made.
Valli had been at Third Step less than a month, going there on a referral after completing a 28-day recovery program, said Valli's mother, Karen, 74, of Margate.
"We didn't know what a horrible place it was until it was too late," Karen Valli said.
"Third Step is supposed to be a place of safety for people in recovery."
Third Step did not return calls seeking comment.
By Tonya Alanez
Sun Sentinel
January 2, 2013
FORT LAUDERDALE
A softball-loving ex-Marine in recovery at a halfway house was the victim of Broward County's first homicide of 2013.
Christopher Valli, 46, was shot to death in his apartment at Third Step Recovery, 907 NW Fourth St., about 1:45 p.m. New Year's Day. No arrests have been made.
Valli had been at Third Step less than a month, going there on a referral after completing a 28-day recovery program, said Valli's mother, Karen, 74, of Margate.
"We didn't know what a horrible place it was until it was too late," Karen Valli said.
"Third Step is supposed to be a place of safety for people in recovery."
Third Step did not return calls seeking comment.
"He's bipolar, has PTSD and he medicates with street drugs," Karen Valli said. "But I would really like someone to see him as something other than a recovering addict. There was much more to Chris than that."
read more here
Family wants to prevent soldier suicides after son takes own life
Record Eagle
BY GLENN PUIT
January 2, 2013
BEULAH — Eric Lewis Harm survived combat in Afghanistan, but he couldn’t survive coming home.
The decorated Army combat veteran was found dead Dec. 28, an apparent suicide in Manistee County, four months after he left the military. Harm, 24, was a 2007 graduate of Benzie Central schools and grew up in Almira Township.
His family said combat trauma played a role in his decision to take his own life.
“He was just always a happy guy, always looking to help other people and do good,” said his aunt, Dwin Dykema.
“He couldn’t deal with the things that he saw over there.”
A Manistee County sheriff’s sergeant declined comment on the cause of death, citing an open investigation.
The tragedy has Dykema and Harm’s parents wanting to help other veterans deal with the stress of life after combat. Dykema also started an online fundraising campaign to help pay for Harm’s funeral.
“There needs to be more awareness,” Dykema said. “These guys don’t come home with a care package. We are going to move forward and see if we can start a (veterans’ assistance) initiative.”
U.S. Army spokesman Mark Edwards said Harm was a motor transport operator on active duty from May 2009 to September 2012. His initial training was at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and his duty station was at Fort Knox, Ky. Harm deployed to Afghanistan from January 2011 to January 2012.
The problem of veterans taking their lives after combat is not a new tragedy to northern Michigan. U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph H. Baker II, 32, bottled up his emotions and ultimately took his own life in January 2011 in Antrim County. Family members said Baker suffered from terrifying nightmares and other symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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South Florida Soldier Returns Home For 2013
South Florida Soldier Returns Home For 2013
CBS Miami
January 2, 2013
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) – A South Florida family brought in the New Year with a special surprise, when a soldier was finally reunited with his loved ones.
Sergeant David Palma had been serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan for almost eight months.
The soldier left behind his mother, wife, and three daughters who had been anticipating his arrival.
“It’s his first deployment,” said Palma’s mother Cecilia Gil. “He misses his girls very much.”
read more here
CBS Miami
January 2, 2013
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) – A South Florida family brought in the New Year with a special surprise, when a soldier was finally reunited with his loved ones.
Sergeant David Palma had been serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan for almost eight months.
The soldier left behind his mother, wife, and three daughters who had been anticipating his arrival.
“It’s his first deployment,” said Palma’s mother Cecilia Gil. “He misses his girls very much.”
read more here
Fort Hood soldier killed in accident in New Mexico
Decorated GI was stationed in Texas since 2006
KXAN.com
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Jan 2013
FORT HOOD, Texas (KXAN) - A Fort Hood solider is dead after an accident in New Mexico.
Officials at Fort Hood say Spc. Marcus Orin Williams, 27, died from injuries after a single-vehicle accident in Albuquerque, N.M., on Dec. 19 around 2 a.m.
Williams is from Winslow, Ariz. He entered active-duty service in April 2006 as an motor transport operator.
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Is the no-draft military creating a warrior class?
Is the no-draft military creating a warrior class?
Some fear all-volunteer force may desensitize US to effects of warfare
By MATTHEW SCHOFIELD
McClatchy News Service
Published: January 2, 2013
WASHINGTON — Before a roadside bomb in Baghdad burned and tore apart Jerry Majetich, before 62 operations put him back together, even before he volunteered for the Marines, then the Army, there were five older brothers who’d enlisted and a mother who’d served as an Army nurse in Korea.
His family background shaped former Staff Sgt. Majetich, who’s now 42 and a single father and investment firm vice president in Jacksonville. Despite the torment since the 2005 blast, that history is part of what moved his 21-year-old son to consider leaving college to pursue a military career, and his 17-year-old daughter to join her high school Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“I’d be thrilled if they chose to serve,” he said. “Despite everything, I believe in military service.”
January marks 40 years since the United States ended the military draft, and an ever smaller slice of the population appears to share Majetich’s belief, however. Statistics are rare, but a Department of Defense 2011 Status of Forces survey indicated that 57 percent of active troops today are the children of current or former active or reserve members of the armed forces.
A recent Gallup poll showed that despite the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a much smaller percentage of those who’ve reached military age since Sept. 11, 2001, have served than in previous decades.
Some fear all-volunteer force may desensitize US to effects of warfare
By MATTHEW SCHOFIELD
McClatchy News Service
Published: January 2, 2013
WASHINGTON — Before a roadside bomb in Baghdad burned and tore apart Jerry Majetich, before 62 operations put him back together, even before he volunteered for the Marines, then the Army, there were five older brothers who’d enlisted and a mother who’d served as an Army nurse in Korea.
His family background shaped former Staff Sgt. Majetich, who’s now 42 and a single father and investment firm vice president in Jacksonville. Despite the torment since the 2005 blast, that history is part of what moved his 21-year-old son to consider leaving college to pursue a military career, and his 17-year-old daughter to join her high school Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“I’d be thrilled if they chose to serve,” he said. “Despite everything, I believe in military service.”
January marks 40 years since the United States ended the military draft, and an ever smaller slice of the population appears to share Majetich’s belief, however. Statistics are rare, but a Department of Defense 2011 Status of Forces survey indicated that 57 percent of active troops today are the children of current or former active or reserve members of the armed forces.
A recent Gallup poll showed that despite the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a much smaller percentage of those who’ve reached military age since Sept. 11, 2001, have served than in previous decades.
In the wide halls of the Pentagon, the military often is referred to as “the world’s largest family business.” The fear among some military leaders, politicians and experts begins with the belief that as fewer segments of society have family or friends in uniform, others become desensitized to the risks and stresses of military service. The feared risks range from a reluctance to fully support those who serve to an almost cavalier willingness to wage war, reasoning, “That’s what THEY signed up for.”
read more here
Business get tax cut to hire veterans
Congress passes tax credits for vet employers
Army Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 2, 2013
The tax extender bill passed on New Year’s Day by Congress includes five work opportunity tax credits aimed at encouraging businesses to hire veterans.
Called the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors work opportunity tax credits, the programs pay between $2,400 and $9,600 to businesses who hire veterans.
President Obama has promised to sign the measure, and the Treasury Department says it is working on how to handle the tax-related provisions.
read more here
Army Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jan 2, 2013
The tax extender bill passed on New Year’s Day by Congress includes five work opportunity tax credits aimed at encouraging businesses to hire veterans.
Called the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors work opportunity tax credits, the programs pay between $2,400 and $9,600 to businesses who hire veterans.
President Obama has promised to sign the measure, and the Treasury Department says it is working on how to handle the tax-related provisions.
read more here
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