On Target For Christina

Charlotte Range Masters with the Elite Training Academy Present:

A Bowling Pin Shoot for Christina

A Charity Fundraising Event for Christina Morris

Sunday, February 17th, 2013

12-4PM

Elite Training Academy

2811 Chamber Drive Monroe, NC

Christina Morris, 21, was critically injured in a hit-and-run car accident on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 on I-485 (Mile Marker 54) in Charlotte, NC.

Her car wrapped around a tree on the driver's side and Christina suffered with two collapsed and punctured lungs, broken ribs, a carotid artery dissection, a significant stroke on the right side of her brain, increased cranial pressure in her brain, and a diffuse axonal injury (to the brain) which we will not know the full severity of until her cognitive abilities can be assessed fully.

Since those darkest days, Christina has made what may be considered a miraculous recovery. Through care of an excellent medical staff, prayer, and the support of all of us who love her - Christina is doing things that most of us take for granted and were thought to be lost forever.

After the slow process of waking Christina from an induced coma and state of paralysis ... She's walking, talking, has regained a great deal of memory (other than that horrific day) and will one day hopefully return to her life as a
bright, sweet, vivacious, bubbly college student.

Christina aspires to be a pharmacist; she's a talented artist and a wonderful cook.

After multiple surgeries, and more to come, Christina still faces huge obstacles and will require various therapies for who knows how long.

The person who forced her off the highway has yet to be identified. Christina's comprehensive auto insurance will not cover her at all in this hit-and-run accident. Medical expenses are expected to be exorbitant, and continued rehab services will be a necessity.

Help us help Christina and her family with some of this debilitating financial and emotional burden. Christina's mother, Indian Trail Councilwoman Darlene Luther, her family and friends, Charlotte Range Masters, and the Elite Training Academy would all like to thank you in advance for your support.

More Information, to register or to donate visit the website here: http://www.ontargetforchristina.com/ the event's FaceBook page is here: http://www.facebook.com/events/list#!/OnTargetForChristina

Cedar's Take: The point of this post is to help Christina and her family. As you can imagine the medical expenses are beyond comprehension and her insurance company has offered little help.

However the person who was involved in the accident is still on the run. Someone knows who this is, the NC Highway Patrol and CMPD have a few leads but nothing that has led to an arrest.

Take a moment to read the Observer story here and coverage from WCNC here.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1000.00 reward you can submit an anonymous tip here. 

If anyone has information about this incident they're asked to call highway patrol at (704) 547-0042.

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The Thursday Change Up - Flo Rida

Cedar Posts isn't a big fan of "Rap" but Flo Rida's (Yep he is from Florida) Good Feeling hits that sweet spot of notable and memorable songs.

So much so that a cruise line and a Charlotte area car dealship picked up some tracks for their comericals.

And that makes it a good "change up" from daily grind of murder and mayham.

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In Case You Missed It - Medlock Moves On

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Lisa Pistolis Hooter's Waitress and Party Girl Charged With Murder In DUI Case

The crash that killed a man on Interstate 526 in Charleston was caused by a woman who was driving while intoxicated and while she was out on bail awaiting trial on a previous DUI charge.

Lisa Pistolis, 25, of Gemstone Boulevard, Hanahan, South Carolina is a Hooter's waitress and well known local party girl.

Police and media reports state that she was driving eastbound about 4:30 p.m. Sunday on I-526 when the Mustang she was driving drifted off the roadway into the grassy median in the center, North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said.

Pistolis tried to get back on the road but hit a sport utiltity vehicle.  The SUV also flipped several times in the wreck. Pistolis was charged with felony DUI involving death and felony DUI with great bodily injuries.

She was reportedly driving the same Mustang when she was arrested last year.

Some of the dozens of her FaceBook photos that show her party hard lifestyle.

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Harris Teeter Taking Recycling Grocery Bags To A New Level?

The other day I stopped by Harris Teeter at Stonecrest Shopping Center to pick up a few items. Nothing special just a couple of steaks, tomatoes, cereal, milk, some ground beef and bread.

As the cashier rang up the items she reached into a box under the counter and pulled out an obviously used Harris Teeter grocery bag

Whoa, how about paper? I asked.

Really you don't want your meat in plastic? How about the ground beef? The cashier replied.

Nope paper would be great.

I am not a germ-a-phob though my mother would disagree, but the idea of using someone else's grocery bag is pretty much grossing me out. I know by the time my bags have made the round robin trip they have slid across the dog fur covered back of my SUV, sat on the counter in the kitchen, called to the floor a hard dozen times and tumble across the parking lot on occasion. Hell no I wouldn't use my own grocery bags much less someone else's!

Now I am all in favor of recycling and re-purposing but why are you putting my groceries in a used bag that has been lord only knows where?

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Charles Michael Middleton Homicide

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting in the Sedgefield community off South Boulevard as Charles Michael Middleton, 62.

The shooting occurred early Friday. Police were sent to a duplex in the 300 block of Elmhurst Road around 5:45 a.m. after receiving a report of shots fired. Once there, police found Middleton with a fatal gunshot wound.

No arrests had been made late Friday.

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The Table For One

The Table for One, in remembrance of the fallen firefighter. Each item on the table has special significance.

The table is round - to show everlasting concern for the missing brothers and sisters.

The table cloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call for duty.

The single rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of loved ones and friends of these who keep the faith.

The Bible represents the strength gained through the faith to sustain those lost from our country.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of their bitter fate.

Salt on the plate that symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families that await their return.

The glass is inverted because they cannot toast and the chair is empty because they are missing.

The names of 10 deceased firefighters is read, the final bell is rang and the bagpipes play amazing grace in their memory.

Cedar Says: Twitter is an amazing format for connecting with people you otherwise might not. In this case Mecklenburg County Commissioner the honorable George Dunlap who took the time to tweet about the significance of the table for one while attending the Annual Banquet of the Mecklenburg County Volunteer Fireman's Association.

Your can follow Commissioner Dunlap on Twitter @Vote4Dunlap

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Friday Wrap Up - CMPD Edition

Harold Medlock's Legacy - May be the CMPD Year Book fiasco.

Seems the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office was duped by the same company that Deputy Chief Medlock was in bed with.

Not surprising JSO staff was also told by superiors that sitting for the photos was mandatory even if they didn't want to buy pictures. JSO pictures were taken in March of 2011.

Jacksonville deputies laid out $150 each for the yearbook and photo packages in advance. Just like CMPD officers. Most of the JSO have received photos but the yearbook is a no show.

Word is that the company Harold Medlock as well as the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office hired has now filed for bankruptcy, meaning that JSO deputies and staff are out nearly $270,000.00 and CMPD Officers wont fair any better.

Cedar Posts has no information about the total of the CMPD purchase, but if every CMPD employee bought the standard package it would be in excess of $300,000.00.

Heads Up CMPD Officers - Amazon is making your job just a little harder. Would this key work on CMPD issued handcuffs? Cedar thinks it doesn't look like a match.

From the Amazon Listing:

"This could be one of the ultimate Hidden-in-Plain-Sight items; a non-metallic handcuff key disguised as a simple zipper pull. These can be attached to any zipper on your jacket, pants, etc.

The key remains completely hidden, and is simply pushed out from its housing when required in an emergency.

43 times stronger than regular plastic, this handcuff universal key will be there for you when you need it most. Tiny and lightweight, it can be hidden on or about your body or clothing so that it can not be easily spotted, yet ready for use if needed.   Since the key is attached to its cord, it will not become lost even during the most demanding situations. Includes key."

You can order yours right Here

Hat Tip to Belinda Bee for the bringing this to our attention.

The Odd Tale Of Brigida Mack - When the WBTV reporter posted the hashtag #TheChiefIsMyHomie along with a photo of her 5 foot 200 pound frame standing next to Chief Monroe, (See prior Cedar Posts) we assumed this was just another local newsie trying to make friends.

Then Brigida's "exclusive" on CMPD's top secret big brother "Snoop Center" aired on WBTV last night.

Click on the above photo to watch Brigida Mack's report.

Cedar's Take: When news reporters have a chummy relationships with police or politicians truthful news reporting becomes compromised.

In this case it turns out the Brigida Mack's lunch time invite and exclusive may have come via a tweet on January 15th from none other than @CMPD_newsroom.

15 Jan CMPD_newsroom ‏@CMPD_newsroom @BrigidaMack @brigidamack @brigidamack @CMPD_newsroom lunch?

Interesting that this twitter account bills itself as "the official companion twitter portal feed for our current news and information directly from the Public Affairs Office" Now that is a mouthful. There is even a link from CMPD's home page under "Social Media"

The above statement would make you assume that this twitter account belongs to CMPD's Rob Turfano.

However @CMPD_newsroom only follows four twitter accounts. 3 CMPD accounts and Brigida Mack, lacks any serious following with less than 275 followers and has made only 14 tweets since the account was started in October 2011.

It gets even even worse. Tweets are in reverse chronological order.



Cedar Posts Take: I'm not even going to take a guess as to who is tweeting from the CMPD_Newsroom account, because I am speechless.

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In Case You Missed It - WBTV's Brigida Mack Does Lunch With Rodney Monroe

Says Brigida via Twitter yesterday "Had lunch with my favorite cop today" which was followed by the hash tag "#TheChiefIsMyHomie" along with a photo of the always glamorous WBTV reporter and CMPD Chief Monroe

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CSI Las Vegas Double Fault

Shameless pug for niece Brittany Shaw, who makes a guest appearance on CSI Las Vegas Wednesday night on CBS WBTV Channel 3 Charlotte, at 10 p.m.

Sadly she is killed off before they roll the opening credits.

Chris Evert, Brittany Shaw and Lindsay Davenport

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In Case You Missed It - CFD Doing Good

Not all photos of Fireman saving lives involve heavy smoke and flames.

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Percy's Address

Percy gets his mail at the Post Office the same place small town America has been getting their mail for the last 150 years. In most small towns people use the post office as the ad hoc town center. A place where gossip is heard, bills are paid, and Sunday dinner is planned. A simple brick building where new friends are made and old ones reacquainted with.

You might not know this but the FBI stop posting wanted posters in post offices about four years ago. This of course didn't go unnoticed by Percy Craven, who wrote a letter to the FBI reminding them that Eric Rudolph would have never been caught had it not been for the FBI wanted poster in the Post Office. Percy never got a reply.

His mailing address for his lake house is a Post Office Box in Hayesville, NC. Percy stops their at least every other day and always on Saturdays. But some folks insist on a street address, but when he tells them Percy Craven Lake Chatuge, NC 28904, they get antsy. They want a street number and street name.

He tells them he doesn't have a number and that his road doesn't have a name. But folks are stubborn so he ends up telling them some crazy address like 1776 Craven Lane, Building 17, Suite 76 Haynesville, NC 28904 and that fits into their computers logic and all is well.

Truth be told both the UPS Guy and the FedEx Lady know where Percy lives, they know when he is in town and when he's away.

If he's out fishing they just open the door and set the package on the kitchen counter, click a couple of boxes on their hand held unit and go on about their day.

If he's there they open the door put the package on the kitchen counter and chat a spell.

Russell the UPS guy gets a laugh out of some of the outlandish addresses Percy gives people.

He all time favorite is Central Intelligence Agency Counter Terrorism Unit 3rd Floor, Building 37 Attention J. Edgar Hoover.

Says Russell, "The minute I saw CIA I knew it was for Percy".

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CMPD Epic Fail - Update

You might recall Cedar Posts from January 9th, where we called into question the intelligence of someone at CMPD.

Cedar emailed CMPD but received nothing but crickets.

Well seems that word got around to the right people. After all actions do speak louder than words.

Major Props to Bill Fehr for both photos and being an excellent steward our our great city.

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CMPD Officer Brathwaite Found Guility

CMPD Officer Darnley "Cecil" Brathwaite was found guilty of at least two charges stemming from an August 2012 altercation with his ex-wife.

Update via WSOC:

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer is on paid administrative leave after a judge found him guilty of assaulting his estranged wife's boyfriend during a confrontation at their home in August.
Guilty of pointing a gun and false imprisonment, Brathwaite's lawyer says he will appeal the conviction.

The judge found officer Darnley Brathwaite guilty of assault by pointing a gun and false imprisonment for keeping that man from leaving the home in Huntersville.

But the judge decided that officer Brathwaite was not guilty of pointing a gun at his wife and physically assaulting her.

Brathwaite was not available for comment after the trial, but his attorney said it was not the outcome they were hoping for.

"Obviously he's disappointed," said attorney Norman Butler.

Butler had called the case against Brathwaite a "web of deceit" but did not want to comment on the evidence after the trial because he told the judge they will appeal the convictions -- and ask for a jury trial.

Brathwaite has been with CMPD since 2005, and several officers and supervisors testified on his behalf Thursday.

As far as Cedar Posts is concerned the fact that he is still employed by CMPD is Amazing!

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More Reverse You Know What At CMPD

Interesting twist at CMPD.

Major Bruce Bellamy is responsible for CMPD's hire back program, where retired officers are given part time assignments such as working cold case files.

17 CMPD Officers retired in December of 2012. Major Bellamy called back 3, the other 14 received no call.

The 3 who where called, all African Americans, and the other 14? Did you guess that they are all white?

One white retired officer who didn't get a call, decided to make a call to Major Bellamy and offer his services. Bellamy sputtered, and dodged the officer's question as to why he hand not been called. Finally Bellamy top old him to call a certain CMPD captain.

And so it goes...

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Charlotte City Council Goes Gangman Style On Taxpayers

The Observer points out that handing over 125 million to Jerry Richardson is really no big deal. Even more so when compared to other NFL cities.

Maybe not, but Charlotte is fast taxing herself into purgatory while doing some crazy happy dance as the working middle class flee the taxes and crime.

We have a 15.25% hotel tax, higher than Charleston, a true tourist city at 12.5% and Atlanta at 11.5%

We have the highest gas tax in the Southeast.

Charlotte City Council sees it as "just a penny more" but the truth is a dinner for two in Charlotte will set you back about $50 sure you can squeeze by for $35 if you spare the beer and wine.

Doubling the "prepared food" tax hits two groups really hard, first those of us without stay at home moms, families where both spouses work and diner is more often than not on the run.

Don't forget that "prepared food" includes that deli sandwich and pasta salad you picked up from Harris Teeter at lunch.

The second group are service staff who depend on customers generosity for their income. Will that extra $1 on date night come out of the wait staff's pocket? You betcha!

Remember most of us are now feeling the pain of the 2% hike in the social security tax, not to forget Charlotte property owners got zapped with a flawed revaluation last year and then thanks to Charlotte City Council there's the ever increasing CMUD water bills.

The most troubling aspect of the Panther's deal is the way it came down. A dirty back room deal, put together to benefit the Big Fat Cat himself Jerry Richardson, a Bruton Smith wanna be.

If the BFC had set aside funds for renovations over the last 16 years he would have a state of the art stadium. Had they built a franchise and a loyal fan base they could ask the fans to step up.

Had Charlotte City Council not been sold a "pig in a poke" again and again, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Bobcats Arena, White Water Center, Eastland Mall and on and on, they might have some money to fund a project and give BFC a deal.

A deal council is so ashamed of that they ducked out the back door of the basement using a service tunnel to avoid the media.

Apparently there is a tunnel under the street that Charlotte City Council members used to evade the local media. The tunnel connects the Goverment Center to the Parking Deck. 

According to WBT's Chris Miller a City Spokesperson stated that the police presence at closed-session Monday was "to facilitate the quick arrival and departure of our guests."

Photo of Charlotte City Council member entering the tunnel is below.

Note: Cedar Posts can't comfirm that the above person is in fact a Charlotte City Council Member.

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Charlotte City Council Huddles With Panther's Jerry Richardson In The Bunker

Charlotte City Council voted to meet behind closed doors with the Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. But it didn't take long for word to leak out the Richardson was asking Charlotte taxpayers to cough up $125 million to upgrade his 17 year old stadium.

No word if any council member opposed the closed session but Warren Cooksey tweeted at link to the NC statute that permits closed door meetings. That link is here. So one can assume Cooksey voted in favor of the closed meeting.

To pay for the renovations, council members are considering doubling Mecklenburg County’s tax on prepared food and beverages by a penny. That would bring the restaurant/bar tax to 2 percent, said three sources, who spoke to the Charlotte Observer and asked to remain unnamed because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

Council held its meeting with the team in the basement of the Government Center (Cedar Posts Assumes this is where Maxwell Smart's "Cone of Silence" is located, in some secret bunker located in the bowels of the Government Center).

Capitol Hill Police officer guards a staircase in Washington. Photo Credit Cliff Owen

Oddly CMPD Officers wouldn't allow the media near the outside door leading to the "bunker" where the meeting was held. When the meeting broke up late in the evening council members exposed the reason for the basement meeting by using a back door to leave the government center and enter the parking deck undetected, allowing them to dart off into the darkness behind the tinted windows of their cars without comment.

According to the Charlotte Observer: "Charlotte City Attorney Bob Hagemann said earlier Monday that council isn’t required to use a closed session for economic development issues. Instead, council members have the option to meet in public, as they did with the Knights last year.

City officials are only required to use closed sessions when discussing personnel issues, he said."

Even behind closed doors Richard has a tough sale, anyone who has been to the stadium lately has noticed it has lost much of its luster. 17 years and little improvements, and a so-so team makes you wonder where the big guy has spent all the money.

Council will claim the penny hike is not a property tax increase, but still it is a burden placed on Charlotte's tax payers and working class.  The people who pay much of the "prepared food" tax are those of us who work long hours and have our dinner either out, in a to go box or delivered in a pizza box.  Why should we pay for Jerry Richardson's failure to draw big crowds that will spend money on the panthers.

A little advice to Charlotte City Council: A sure fire way to get taxpayers pissed off about spending $125 million is behind closed doors.  And for the big guy, Jerry don't use George Shinn's play book.

Again the Charlotte Observer:

"Some council members are worried about the Panthers’ long-term future in Charlotte. Richardson, who had heart transplant surgery in 2009, fired his two sons as team executives and hasn’t announced a succession plan for the team.

Los Angeles is trying to lure at least one NFL team to play in a new stadium."

Best Jerry Richardson gets out ahead of any sort of talk and publicly denounce any such idea as moving the team.

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In Case You Missed It Inglewood Police Chase

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Monday Odds and Ends

I-485 Suicide



Late Sunday night a young woman took her own life by jumping from the western span of the Rea Road bridge over Interstate 485.

CMPD Officers on the scene indicated that she either struck or was hit by two cars traveling east bound on the outer portion of the loop.

Traffic was diverted for more than a hour as crime scene technicians and homicide detectives worked to collect evidence and confirm that the death was indeed a suicide.

Cedar's Take: Mainstream Media doesn't report on suicides as a rule. The thinking is that reporting a suicide may cause additional suicides. But Cedar Posts thinks that the best prevention is open discussion about the issue and awareness.

Miss America

When I heard that Miss "New York" had won the Miss America title I was pretty surprised. New York isn't known for attractive or personable women. So the truth comes out, Miss America Mallory Hagan is from Alabama and attended Auburn University.

Her reaction captured in this photo is pure Southern Girl.

Y'all know Southern Girls Rule!

Stinkhorn?

Thanks to a bag of contaminated cypress mulch from Lowes and the warm weather my yard is growing these freaks of nature.

Say hello to the Columned Stinkhorn Mushroom.

 

Yes this sucker stinks! You can smell it about ten feet away.

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Forty Five Years Ago Today

A young Johnny Cash performed at the Folsom Prison Cafeteria on January 13, 1968. Cash would later remark that the men of Folsom were the "most enthusiastic audience I have ever played to".

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Officer John Moody Cleared In Shooting

On June 8, 2011 John Moody a Manteca, California Police officer shot and killed Ernest Duenze in front of his house.

Nearly a year and a half later the San Joaguin DA's Office concluded that the officer was justified in his actions.

But if you watch the video below, and it is indeed very graphic you will conclude that Officer Moody may not have been justified.

 

Cedar's Take:

Clearly Officer Moody knew the suspect and that the suspect was a threat.

Duenze at one point just before he is shot seems to be complying attempting to put both hands on the roof of the truck.

At first glance it appears that Officer Moody has over reacted and shot an unarmed man. In fact the media has played to this thinking.

Google John Moody shooting and see how many news stories pop up that say "Officer Cleared In Shooting of Unarmed Man".

This has spawned a firestorm of local and national outrage.

A couple of interesting facts:

Anonymous has targeted the Manteca Police Department and DA.

Officer Moody seems like a stand up guy.

Officer Moody discharged his weapon 13 times hitting Duneze 11 times.

Officer Moody shot Duenze at least 4 times while he was already down.

Duenze tries to exit the truck from the back seat and his leg becomes tangled in the front passenger seat belt.

Immediately after the shooting Officer Moody is asked how many shots, his answer "around six".

In the video which is pretty intense, even slowed down no weapon is visible, in fact as officer Moody searches Duenze he is unable to find a weapon.

Even as Duenze' wife runs to his side, Officer Moody is still firing his weapon. But he doesn't know it.

There are still two rounds in the weapon but the gun is not firing even though he continues to pull the trigger.

However

However the facts and an analysis of the dash cam video as well as a very detailed review of the shooting determined that indeed Duneze had unsheathed a throwing knife and held it in his right hand.

This was in fact a "good shoot".

The entire report is here.

The report shows without a doubt Officer Moody was justified in using deadly force.

A couple of things to consider.

This video and the DA's report should be mandatory study for every CMPD Officer. Not just the shooting but the aftermath. Look at how many possible additional threats are present. Notice the person in the window, had they been armed it would have been fatal for Officer Moody.

Duenze though his actions is to blame for his own death. A number of factors created a situation that turned deadly. Any Officer given the same scenario should react the same way. However, as the situation exploded a number of things could have gone much worse.

First there were still two people in the truck, a number of occupants in the home could have been struck. Officer Moody is clearly shaken so much so that he is involuntarily pulling the trigger even when Duneze's wife is approaching unarmed.

Officer Moody is at first securing his weapon, anticipating a foot chase, had Duenze held a firearm and not just a knife this would have been a memorial post and not a review of a good shoot.

Notice to all you thugs, if you think the police are not going to shoot because you are trying to run away guess again.

Notice to all the family members who cry out that the Officer should have shot him in the legs, guess again it just doesn't work that way.

Advice to all, until the Officer knows that you are no threat stay in the car, keep your hands in plain sight make no sudden movement.

Nothing freaks out a Cop than some idiot diving under the seat for a dropped cell phone just as he/she walks up to a car on a traffic stop.

Finally a word on CMPD. Why doesn't our police department provide the same level of transparency?

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In Case You Missed It White House Rejects Petition to Build Death Star

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TO

Secure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016.


This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For

By Paul Shawcross

The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons:

The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000.

We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.

The Administration does not support blowing up planets.

Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?

However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky -- that's no Moon, it's a Space Station! Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live and thrive in space for long durations. The Space Station has six astronauts -- American, Russian, and Canadian -- living in it right now, conducting research, learning how to live and work in space over long periods of time, routinely welcoming visiting spacecraft and repairing onboard garbage mashers, etc. We've also got two robot science labs -- one wielding a laser -- roving around Mars, looking at whether life ever existed on the Red Planet.

Keep in mind, space is no longer just government-only. Private American companies, through NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office (C3PO), are ferrying cargo -- and soon, crew -- to space for NASA, and are pursuing human missions to the Moon this decade.

Even though the United States doesn't have anything that can do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, we've got two spacecraft leaving the Solar System and we're building a probe that will fly to the exterior layers of the Sun. We are discovering hundreds of new planets in other star systems and building a much more powerful successor to the Hubble Space Telescope that will see back to the early days of the universe.

We don't have a Death Star, but we do have floating robot assistants on the Space Station, a President who knows his way around a light saber and advanced (marshmallow) cannon, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is supporting research on building Luke's arm, floating droids, and quadruped walkers.

We are living in the future! Enjoy it. Or better yet, help build it by pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field. The President has held the first-ever White House science fairs and Astronomy Night on the South Lawn because he knows these domains are critical to our country's future, and to ensuring the United States continues leading the world in doing big things.

If you do pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with us! Remember, the Death Star's power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force.

Paul Shawcross is Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget

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Lights, Camera, Action

My dad likes to tell this story when talking about the perils of business management.

Pointing out that no amount of planning can cover every obstacle.....

The famous director Cecil B. DeMille was known for his fantastic sets and amazing scenes.



The famous director was under pressure to kept costs down and complete the current film on time and under budget.

He told the film studio he would do just that, all he needed was to shoot the final climatic scene.

He had worked out every last detail, the cast knew their lines cold, the special effects team was ready, a thousand extras were in place.
He even put his best cameramen on the scene. One take was all he could afford, as the scene called for a massive explosion where an entire freight train crashed into the canyon below.

With everything in place Cecil yelled into his megaphone the time honor words Lights Camera Action!

The actors spoke, the extras moved on cue. Everything was perfect and the train crash and massive explosion was truly epic!

When the crescendo subsided, and the dust settled Cecil was very pleased, the entire scene was just as he had hoped.

He promptly turned to his #1 cameraman and asked: George did you get it all?

George replied: Sorry Mr. DeMille No Film!

Cecil turned to his #2 cameraman: How'd it go Bill?

Bill replied: Sorry Mr. DeMille No Power!

Cecil's last hope his best wide angle cameraman on the canyon ridge above.

Cecil picked up his megaphone and yelled to his most trusted cameraman Jim: Any trouble Jim?

Jim replied: Ready when you are Mr. DeMille!

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Medlock Jumps Ship as CMPD Rank and File Do Their Happy Dance

Fayetteville's Police Department will become all to familiar with Harold Medlock's autocratic management style and ragging temper before the end of February.

Many saw Medlock's DNC assignment as making him heir apparent to succeed Rodney Monroe. So what happened in the wake of the convention? Many suggest that Chief Monroe expected a call back to Washington, a call from Bo that never came. Which gave Medlock no move but out.

According to the Fayetteville Observer:

"Fayetteville's next police chief says his administration will focus on gun violence and police technology and training.

"We are going to focus on people who use guns and firearms to assault other folks or to rob other folks," Harold Medlock said Wednesday.

Medlock, 55, a deputy police chief in Charlotte, was introduced at a news conference Wednesday outside the Police Department headquarters, where more than 50 city employees had gathered.

"I'm thrilled to be here today," said Medlock, who had driven into town with his wife, Gloria. "This is a highlight of my career. This is a capstone."

Medlock plans to start his job Feb. 18, overseeing a department of about 390 officers who came under scrutiny more than a year ago over vehicular consent search practices that stopped a much higher percentage of black drivers than white ones.

"What I'm asking the community to do is to give me a chance, to get to know who I am and give me a chance to make an impact in building that trust," Medlock said.

Medlock said he plans to be accessible to the public and be at the scene of any major crime.
"I like interacting with the community," he said. "I thrive on that, and I love working with cops."

He complimented the Fayetteville police force, which is nationally accredited, and said he looks forward to getting to know the officers.

"We are going to look at some exciting things moving forward, a lot of new technology and a lot of opportunities in this profession," he said.

"We are going to explore all of those," he said. "We are going to be very aggressive in making sure we have the most up-to-date Police Department, that we are the best-equipped and the best-trained in the state of North Carolina."

Medlock will be leaving a command that had put him in charge of about 800 officers in the southern half of Mecklenburg County in the state's largest metropolitan area. He said his focus in Charlotte has been on reducing crime and improving the quality of life.

"And I want to bring that same enthusiasm, that same focus to FPD," he said.

Medlock's most recent assignment was coordinating security for the Democratic National Convention in September. It was an immense undertaking touted by Voorhees.

"I'm very excited about his ability to connect with the community," Voorhees said.

Mayor Tony Chavonne and City Councilmen Bill Crisp, Wade Fowler and Bobby Hurst, who were at the news conference, said they are pleased with the selection.

"I think he will do exceptionally well, and I'm optimistic," Crisp said.

Hurst said Medlock's resume is impressive.

"I think he'll be able to bring a lot of good ideas here," Hurst said.

Medlock's span with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police began in 1993.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx said through a spokeswoman that Medlock has done "an excellent job serving Charlotte over many years."

"I'm very sorry to see him leave but wish him well at his new post in Fayetteville," Foxx said.

Few CMPD Officers have the same feeling toward Harold Medlock as Mayor Foxx, and while most are doing a happy dance, once the reality sets in that the next Deputy Chief will more than likely be worse, they will stop dancing.

Who will it be? Ruth Story, Sherie Pearsall, Bruce Bellamy?

In the end CMPD Officers on the street will keep doing their job, never mind the idiots above.

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CMPD Epic Fail!

Cedar Posts can't imagine who within CMPD came up with this plan but I don't think he/she was sober.

This blocking of the pedestrian sidewalk is on Albemarle Road just up from Farm Pond Lane. Wasn't it just recently that city roll out garbage containers in the sidewalk, contributed to the death of a middle school student, along Sharon Road?

Photo Credit: Bill Fehr

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East Charlotte - CMPD's New West Charlotte

Veteran CMPD Officers know two things about homicide in Charlotte, first no amount of police work will keep people from killing one-another and second West Charlotte used to be the killing field.

But that all changed as builders encouraged by the rapid growth of Charlotte in the 80's and early 90's urged Charlotte City Council to approve apartment complex on top of apartment complex along Albemarle Road, Harris Blvd and Central Avenue. At first these were "high end" apartments with amenities like club houses, pools, weight rooms and tennis courts. But as the growth slowed the rents declined and the demographics shifted.

As the great black migration to the north reversed course many minority families returned to the South, and many to Charlotte but with a northern attitude about what was right and wrong. 

Once the home to yuppies and DINKs East Charlotte suddenly became home to low income single parents and families looking for affordable housing.

Born into this mess in the late 80's and early 90's are the two suspects who were arrested Monday in a fatal shooting that occurred at Farm Pond Lane and Albemarle Road in East Charlotte. As was the victim Monte Jarron Gay, who was 21. 

Monte Jarron Gay

Gay of course has a lengthily arrest record dating back to a juvenile. Many of his arrests where gun charges the other drugs, driving offenses and robbery.

Two 19-year-olds Terrence Parker and Brenton Samuels who are harged with the murder of Gay are well known to CMPD's Independence and Hickory Grove divisions.

Officers arrested Parker at a motel on Independence Boulevard. Samuels was arrested in Mint Hill.

Terrence Parker

Brenton Samuels 

Parker's arrest record is mainly breaking and entering charges and a couple of drug arrests.

Samuels long record includes several weapons, drug and robbery charges including shopping lifting, employees theft and assault on a handicapped person.

CMPD Officers responded to a call at 3:59 p.m. and found Gay suffering from a gun shot wound and unresponsive. Paramedics took the wounded man to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Hickory Grove Captain Chuck Henson,  "Chuckles" as he is known around the department explained the shooting as "not a random act of violence".  

But what is lost on Chuckles is the real cause of violent crime in East Charlotte. A broken system that has failed to institutionalize violent offenders. The first gun crime should be a life sentence. No exceptions no second chances no parole.

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In Case You Missed It - 135 Years Ago The Last Warrior Chief Is Attacked

1877 Outnumbered, low on ammunition, and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves, Crazy Horse and his warriors fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana.

Six months earlier, Crazy Horse (Tashunca-uitco) and his ally, Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake), led their combined forces of Sioux and Cheyenne to a stunning victory over Lieutenant Colonel George Custer and his men near the Little Bighorn River of Montana.

Outraged by the killing of the flamboyant Custer and more than 200 soldiers, the American people demanded speedy revenge.

The U.S. Army responded by commanding General Nelson Miles to mount a winter campaign in 1876-77 against the remaining hostile Indians on the Northern Plains. Combining military force with diplomatic overtures, Nelson succeeded in convincing many Indians to surrender and return to their reservations.

Much to Nelson's frustration, though, Sitting Bull refused to give in and fled across the border to Canada, where he and his people remained for four years before finally returning to the U.S. to surrender in 1881. Meanwhile, Crazy Horse and his band also refused to surrender, though they were suffering badly from sickness and starvation. His followers later reported that Crazy Horse, who had always been slightly odd, began to grow even stranger during this difficult time, disappearing for days into the wilderness by himself and walking about the camp with his eyes to the ground.

On January 8, 1877, General Miles found Crazy Horse's camp along Montana's Tongue River. The soldiers opened fire with their big wagon-mounted guns, driving the Indians from their warm tents out into a raging blizzard.

Crazy Horse and his warriors managed to regroup on a ridge and return fire, but most of their ammunition was gone, and they were reduced to fighting with bows and arrows. They managed to hold off the soldiers long enough for the women and children to escape under cover of the blinding blizzard before they turned to follow them.

Though he had escaped decisive defeat, Crazy Horse realized that Miles and his well-equipped cavalry troops would eventually hunt down and destroy his cold and hungry people.

On May 6, 1877, Crazy Horse led 1,100 Indians to the Red Cloud reservation near Fort Robinson. The mighty warrior surrendered in the face of insurmountable obstacles. Five months later, a guard fatally stabbed him after he allegedly resisted imprisonment by Indian policemen.

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CMPD Command Staff Looking Beyond The Department

Reports are popping up that no less than four members of the Charlotte Police Department's command staff are looking elsewhere to further their careers.

This would include Deputy Chief Harold Medlock who was rejected as Fayetteville, North Carolina's new police chief. (CP Sources may have this wrong so read on) also on the hunt for new jobs are a couple of CMPD majors who have been passed over for the DC position and Chief Monroe himself.

At least one CMPD Major was on the list Rock Hill Chief's list. However the Rock Hill Police Chief job was was taken off the table when Rock Hill announced that they would promote from within late Friday Morning.
Reasons for the sudden departures is explained as differences of opinion and management style.  But internal strife is almost always cited at the water cool
First There Was This:

Interim Fayetteville Police Chief Wants Permanent Job

The interim police chief in Fayetteville said Thursday that she's confident the police department can move on from recent controversy and restore trust in the community.

Katherine Bryant, who has risen through the ranks over the past 25 years, took the helm of the police department last month from Tom Bergamine after he retired.

“I love what I do,” Bryant said. “I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, and I know that this was my purpose. This is what I was supposed to do. Coming to work is enjoyable, and I think it’s wonderful when you can love your job.”

In the last year and a half, the Fayetteville Police Department has drawn complaints that officers engaged in racial profiling during so-called consent searches of vehicles. The searches are done during traffic stops when officers have no search warrants.

The City Council hired an outside consultant to review the department, and officers are now required to get written permission from drivers to do the searches.

A police advocacy group has sued the city, saying consent searches are legal and arguing that officials overstepped their authority.

"We've had some divided issues, and ... we've got to move forward on those issues," Bryant said. "We've got to come back together because both the City Council and the mayor and and the police department, we are still part of one community, one organization."

The outside consultant made 24 recommendations, and Bryant said some were already in the works at the time. Others, such as a proposed citizen review board to handle complaints against police, are still being discussed, she said.

"We have a few things to still work on, and the citizen review board is one of those, as well as the in-car cameras. We have most of our cars outfitted with in-car cameras,” she said.

Ted Voorhees, the newly hired city manager in Fayetteville, is expected to name a permanent chief in the near future. If Bryant is named as chief, she would be the first woman in that position in Fayetteville history.

"The fact that here I am right now as the interim is pretty amazing to me,” she said. "(Becoming the permanent chief is) definitely something I’ll have to strongly consider, looking at it both personally and professionally, making sure that whatever direction I choose is the best for both me and the department."

And This from last Friday: 

Interim Fayetteville Police Chief Katherine Bryant returned to work Friday after she accidentally shot herself in the hand during the Christmas holiday, authorities said.

A spokesman for the city said Bryant was injured when her personal firearm accidentally discharged at home. No one else was hurt.

Officials did not provide more details on the incident.

Bryant, who has risen through the ranks over the past 25 years, took the helm of the police department last summer from Tom Bergamine after he retired.

Bryant will remain on the job until a replacement is named, officials said. Earlier this month, the city announced the top two finalists for the job are Charlotte Deputy Police Chief Harold Medlock and Dallas Deputy Police Chief Malik Aziz.

Then This From Today:

The new Fayetteville police chief will be named Wednesday, city officials said.

City Manager Ted Voorhees will announce his choice at a 1:30 p.m. news conference in front of the Police Department at 467 Hay St.

Voorhees chose two finalists: Malik Aziz, 44, a deputy chief in Dallas, and Harold Medlock, 55, a deputy chief with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg force.

Both candidates met with city officials and residents in two public forums last month. City Council members and community leaders said they were impressed with both men's credentials and ideas for fighting crime in Fayetteville.

Aziz, in his 21 years with Dallas police, has directed the special operations and tactical teams. Medlock has commanded a patrol division covering the southern half of Mecklenburg County and oversaw security ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Charlotte in September.

About 100 people applied for the police chief's job. The new chief will succeed Tom Bergamine, who retired last summer.

Finally This From Late This Evening:

Dallas police Deputy Chief Malik Aziz said tonight he was not chosen to be Fayetteville's next police chief.

"I was informed earlier today I was not the selection," he said.

Earlier today, City Manager Ted Voorhees announced he planned to host a news conference Wednesday to announce his choice for the job.

Aziz, 44, was one of two finalists for the position out of an applicant pool of more than 100 candidates.
The other finalist is Charlotte-Mecklenberg Deputy Police Chief Harold Medlock, 55.

Aziz said tonight Voorhees did not tell him specifically Medlock was chosen for the position.
Both finalists met with city officials and residents in two public forums last month in Fayetteville. City Council members and community leaders said they were impressed with both men's credentials and ideas for fighting crime in Fayetteville.

Aziz, in his 21 years with Dallas police, has directed the special operations and tactical teams.

Medlock has commanded a patrol division covering the southern half of Mecklenburg County and oversaw security ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which was held in Charlotte in September.
Voorhees' news conference was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of the Police Department at 467 Hay St.

The new chief will succeed Tom Bergamine, who retired last summer

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Idiots Among Us - Texting While Driving

Anyone who drives as much as I do, knows some simple truths about Charlotte drivers, first Mini Vans are the scourge of the city, know for going 10 miles a hours below the posted speed limit, making right turns with the left blinker flashing away, sudden stops and other erratic driving. Second Audi A6 and A8 are pretty good cars to follow.

Except when the driver is a 50 something blonde driving her Audi A6 on 485 in the left lane going only 60 and texting.

Not only is she texting but she's put on her reading glasses to do it.

I don't care if you text and drive just don't do it on the Interstate in town, in the left hand lane and force car after car to pass you on the right because you are only going 60 mph.

I am not kidding the line behind her was 20 cars.  Thankfully she took her happy little butt off 485 at Providence Road.

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Time Warner to Kill Al Jazeera In America

Little noticed by main stream media was the sale of Current TV to Arab news giant Al Jazeera.

The takeover will provide Al Jazeera with access to millions of U.S. households, a lucrative market the Qatar-based broadcaster has long coveted. The deal also means the end of Current, the low-rated channel co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore.

Time Warner Cable had recently renewed their contract with Current TV but when the sale was announced Wednesday morning Time Warner Cable announced plans to drop it as quickly as possible.. "Our agreement with Current has been terminated and we will no longer be carrying the service," the cable provider said in a statement.

Current TV's wiki page is here.

Cedar's Take: I am sure I am missing something maybe a US rule that says US cable companies can't carry Arab owned television networks.

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Wednesday Change Up Staind - It's Been Awhile

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Wednesday Change Up - Rise Against - Savior

One of my all time favorite drive fast take lots of chances songs. Speeding ticket assured.

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