Gabrielle Giffords To Resign From The U.S. Congress Later This Week

U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords

Photo: NBC

After more than one year of getting shot, Congresswomen Giffords will resign.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 22, 2012

Tucson, Arizona - On Sunday, a news release informed that after more than one year ago of suffering an inflicted gunshot wound to the head, U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, 41, (D-AZ) representing the 8th District will resign this week. Giffords decided to resign and devote her time to getting well. She has made a remarkable recovery, but is slowly recovering and won't be able to run for re-election.
“I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week,” the congresswoman said in a video message released today to her constituents.
Giffords, a third-generation Arizonan who served five years in the state Legislature before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2006, will not seek re-election this fall.
Giffords vowed that her career in public service has not come to an end. “I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” Giffords said.
Giffords is expected to turned her letters of resignation later this week to both Speaker John Boehner of the U.S. House of Representatives and to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. The governor will set the date for a special primary and general elections to determine who will serve the remainder of Giffords’ term in 2012.
She is expected to attend President Barack H. Obama's State of the Union speech at the Capitol on Tuesday night.
Giffords was shot and wounded in the head on January 8, 2011 and 13 people were also wounded and six were reported killed. They were attending an outdoor Giffords' political presentation about "Congress on your Corner" event near Tucson .
The alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was charged with five federal counts, two homicides and three attempted homicides in Giffords' shooting, including her staff and a federal judge.
Loughner is facing federal homicide charges for the murder of U.S. District Chief Judge John M. Roll, 63, and Gabe Zimmerman, 30, a federal employee and Community Outreach Director for Congresswoman Giffords.
Loughner is also charged with the attempted homicide of Congresswoman Giffords and her two staffers and federal employees Pam Simon and Ron Barber, Giffords Deputy Director.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Paterno Confirmed Dead On Sunday After False Reports Surfaced on Saturday Night

Legendary former Penn State coach Joe Paterno dies a day after false reports surfaced that he died.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 22, 2012

State College, Pennsylvania - On early Sunday, former Penn State coach Joe Paterno died at the age of 85, after being removed from a life support machine. The Paterno family released a statement on Sunday confirming his death after false reports had spread on Saturday night that he had expired. The family reported, that he was in critical condition at the time.
Paterno on Sunday subcummed to a lung cancer illness and died. A Paterno family released statement read, "It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled."
The anticipated news report of his death on Saturday night was first reported by Onward State, a student newspaper online. The report was than picked up by CBSSports dot com and went viral on the mainstream media.
The Onward State managing editor announced he would resign after the mishap and was surprised CBSSports grabbed the anticipated news of Paterno's death and did not attribute the report to Onward State, eventhough it broke the news without confirmation.
People began gathering outside Penn State on Sunday morning where a statue of former coach Paterno still stands, after it was confirmed that he had expired. Paterno, the legendary coach gained his 409th football career victory at Penn State two weeks before a sex abuse scandal broke at Penn State.
Last year, Paterno was removed as head coach of Penn State in the middle of the football season by the Penn State Board of Directors after a scandal broke about child sex abuses by former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Paterno and Penn State University president Graham Spanier allegedly didn't report the child sex abuse by Sandusky to police. Spanier was forced to resign and Paterno was fired for not doing enough to report the child sex abuse in 2001.
Sandusky was charged with 42 counts of child molestation dating from 1994 to 2009 involving at least eight boys, according to court records.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Mexicanbilly Pointy Boots Style Spreading Tribal Fever In The U.S.

(L-R) Gabriel Rodríguez Flores, Saul Nicolás Coronado and Martin Hernández Rodríguez show off the pointy boots.

Photo: Edith Valle/VICE dot com

A growing boot style fashion trend hits the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2012

Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico - The Mexicanbilly pointy (exotic) boots originated in Matehuala, nearby municipalities and townships as a passtime and recreational musical dancing hobby by teenagers. Teenagers and adults with the boot making trade skill began to create boots with a stretched point to impress their friends, neighbors and girlfriends. The style took a while to catch, since the traditional boot point was short and stylist for decades and centuries.
The Mexicanbilly boots began to show up at outdoor rodeos and community events, which included dance contests. People at first, laughed at those wearing the strange looking pointy boots and the way it made people walk. Soon after, people from other areas began to pickup the style and competed against each other at rodeo contests and shows.
Today, the length of the pointy boot is limitless, as long as you can walk without sticking the point up someones behind, which would be considered disrespectful. Besides that, wearing the Mexicanbilly boots are an attention grabber and a conversation piece where ever you wear them at or exhibit them.
Tribal music was also created to allow those wearing the Mexicanbilly boots to show off their boots while dancing. The music was composed with a mixture of house, colombian cumbia, flutes and prehispanic culture from the mountainous region. The tribal dance included Aztec steps and other Mexican cultural style of dancing steps. A whole new choreography was born in Matehuala and it soon extended to rodeos around the region and has also been introduced in the U.S., especially in the Texas-Mexican bordertowns.
Since last year, tribal Mexicanbilly pointy boot contests have been flourishing in Texas and other parts of the U.S. where large Mexican populations reside. A mix of a long boot point and tribal music have attracted those with curiosity and those who are seeking a good laugh. Many people have been impressed and conquered by the tribal Mexicanbilly style.
Some who wear the Mexicanbilly pointy boots have even added LED lights to them and have adorn the boots with all types of flashy decorations. Competition, showing off and dancing for enjoyment are the essence of tribal dancing with the Mexicanbilly boots.  

Mexican pointy boots video at following link: http://tinyurl.com/MXPointyBoots

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

9-year-old Girl Escapes From Abductor In Colorado Springs And Calls 9-1-1

Jose Humberto Garcia

Suspect arrested without incident in connection with the abduction of a 9-year-old girl.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2012

Colorado Springs - On Friday, Colorado Springs police arrested Jose Humberto Garcia, 29, in connection with Thursday's abduction of Calysta Cordova, 9, from the City of Pueblo, Colorado. Garcia apparently on occassion stayed with his ex-girlfriend who lives next door to Cordova, according to family members. Cordova disappeared while walking home from the Columbian Elementary School. Her parents reported missing and an Amber Alert was send out throughout the area by the Pueblo Police Department.
The next day, Garcia's truck broke down near the Circle K convenience store. A man driving by noticed Garcia and a young girl stranded on Woodman Road and Orchard Valley. The man offered them a ride to the Circle K convenience store, located at 7055 Commerce Center Drive.
Once at the store, Cordova went into the store and asked to use the phone and called 9-1-1. Garcia came into the store and tried to take Cordova with him. But, she refused and told him she had called police. Garcia fled the scene without Cordova.
Colorado Springs Police received Cordova's call shortly after 9:00 a.m. and police, a K-9 unit, FBI agents and other law enforcement officials responded to the call at the Circle K. They found Cordova safe inside.
Police distributed a photo of Garcia and police began to search for the suspect at all public transportation terminals in the area. An employee at a bus terminal 7 1/2 miles away from the Circle K recognized Garcia and called police. A police officer patrolling the area then spotted Garcia walking near a bus terminal in Colorado Springs and arrested him.
Cordova was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. She had two blackeyes and visible bruises, according to police.
Garcia was also wanted for questioning concerning a previous incident earlier in the week in Pueblo. Garcia's ex-girlfriend called police on Thursday after he took her 9-year-old daughter to his house without her permission and fondled her. She says, Garcia was drunk at the time and had known Garcia for four years.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

Jude Awarded $2 Million Tentative Lawsuit Settlement For 2004 Beating By Off-duty Milwaukee Police Officers

Frank Lee Jude Jr.

The Milwaukee Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett would have to approve the $2 million tentative settlement agreement for Jude.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Milwaukee - On Friday, Frank Lee Jude Jr., 33, who was beaten by 15 off-duty Milwaukee police officers at a party in 2004 was awarded a tentative settlement of $2 million dollars by the city as a result of a civil lawsuit. Jude's attorney Jon Safran confirmed the tentative settlement.
Jude and his wife, Maria filed a $30 million lawsuit for damages on June 19, 2006 and named all the officers involved, including Bartlett's wife, a former officer, Milwaukee Police Department and the City of Milwaukee. Jude received the settlement award figure in mediation when an agreement was reached on early Friday. The agreement was later announced in federal Judge Lynn Adelman's U.S. District Court room in Milwaukee.
The Jude settlement called for the City of Milwaukee to pay a total of $2 million to Jude. The Milwaukee Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett would have to approve the settlement award.
The incident occured when Jude attended a southside Bayview party with two friends Katie Brown and Lovell Harris. During the party, Jude was jumped outside and beaten by Milwaukee police officers on October 24, 2004, while Brown witnessed Jude's assault.
At least 15 Milwaukee officers were involved in the brutal beating of Jude, after the host of the party accused Jude of stealing his police badge and wallet. The badge was never recovered by the department.
Former Police Chief Nannette Hegerty fired eight officers in May 2005. Former officers Jon Bartlett, Daniel L. Masarik and Andrew Spengler were each charged with one felony count for substantial battery. Both Bartlett and Masarik were charged with 2nd-degree reckless endangering safety. Masarik was also accused of perjury in connection with Jude's beating.
Officer Nicole Belmore testified at a Milwaukee County Circuit Court trial that Bartlett and Masarik had kicked Jude while he was handcuffed and then Bartlett put a knife at Jude's neck. But a state jury on April 14, 2006 acquitted Bartlett, Masarik and Spengler. The jury became deadlock on a felony charge of substantial battery and couldn't reach a verdict.
On October 19, 2006, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Bartlett, Spengler, Masarik, Ryan Lemke and Ryan Packard for violating Jude's civil rights. Packard was indicted for violating Jude's and Lovell Harris civil rights under the color of state law and assaulting Jude. Three other officers, Joseph Stromei, Jon Clausing and Joseph Schabel pleaded guilty to related crimes in connection with Jude's beating. Schabel admitted that he stomped on Jude's head several times under a plea agreement and immunity from being charged for perjury, according to court records.
On July 2007, Lemke under a plea agreement pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
On July 26, 2007, a federal jury found Bartlett, Masarik and Spengler guilty on two counts. Packard was aquitted on two counts.
On November 29, 2007, Bartlett was sentenced to 208 months in a federal prison, Masarik was sentenced to 188 months in prison and Spengler was sentenced to 188 months in prison and each of them received 3 years supervision.
On December 6, 2007, Schabel was sentenced to 32 months in prison and Clausing was sentenced to 28 months in prison, according to court records.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

P&H Mining Shovel Blocks S. Layton Blvd. For Several Hours In Milwaukee

Photos: HNG

Mining electric shovel shell blocks traffic on snowy conditions.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Milwaukee - On early afternoon Friday, transport workers for P&H Mining Equipment Manufacturing were faced with a temperary dilema when a flatbed trailer carrying a large mining shovel got stuck while making a turn on S. Layton Blvd. The driver of the trailer going eastbound on W. National Ave. made a wide right turn going south on S. Layton (S. 27th) and became stuck.
Milwaukee police had to block off southbound traffic on Layton and eastbound traffic on National for more than several hours. Tow trucks were called to help move and manuver the flat bed to get it lineup with the street.
No heavy damage was reported by police or P&H Mining Equipment Manufacturing who manufactured the huge electric mining shovel at the 4000 block of W. National Ave.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

New York Rival Gang Members Bragged About Murder On Twitter Which Led To Their Arrest

Gangs bragged about crimes on the social media.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Brooklyn, New York - On Thursday, New York Police and other law enforcement agencies arrested 43 gang members from two rival gangs, the Waves and the Hood Starz. The gang members ranging from the age of 17 and older bragged about their murders, shootings and other crimes, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced.
They used Twitter to brag about their criminal acts by posting slang comments referring to their criminal acts. They were involved in 6 homicides, 32 robberies, 36 shootings and other crimes, according to Kelly.
Some of the gang members remained at large and those taken into custody are facing murder, assault, robbery and conspiracy charges.
The investigation began in 2010, when police began to notice the postings on Twitter and the rise of criminal acts by both groups.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile