by Diane Dimond on October 4, 2010
Sweeping Out Corruption
Could it be a trend? Oh, please tell me it’s a trend!
There seems to be a mini-movement underway of disgruntled taxpayers and law enforcement officials intent on sweeping out the bums who play-act at being our political leaders while lining their own pockets.
You may have already heard about the situation in the Los Angeles suburb of Bell, California where eight current and past city leaders were arrested and charged with illegally awarding themselves exorbitant salaries and misappropriating public funds. When filing the charges District Attorney Steve Cooley called it a case of “corruption on steroids.” [click to continue…]
by Diane on July 12, 2010
US Marshal's Serve Warrants
At any given time in America there are one million outstanding arrest warrants pending … give or take a few. These are court approved documents allowing members of law enforcement to take into custody any suspect with their name on such a warrant.
In other words there are one million scared people in America. These are people who spend a part of their lives looking over their shoulder wondering when the law will catch up with them and they’ll be punished.
Some of these outstanding warrants are for scofflaw traffic infractions or minor drug offenses from years ago. Other warrants seek people who are suspected of committing violent crimes like rape and murder. [click to continue…]
My American Heroes!
This is the America I told my daughter we lived in when she was growing up.
“If you’re ever in trouble, honey, just ask your neighbor for help. Find a policeman if you can.”
On a bright sun-shiny day in Chapel Hill, North Carolina a few weeks ago there was no time for a girl we’ll call Sally to ask for help. As this 18 year old daughter jogged along the streets of her university town she was suddenly set upon by a fiend. A car rolled up, a would-be kidnapper jumped out and hit Sally in the face with a blast of pepper spray.
She didn’t have time to ask for help but Sally’s neighbors stepped up anyway. Two brothers, Joey and Freddie Shelton ran to her aid. They are American heroes in my book. [click to continue…]
by Diane on January 25, 2010
Not Buying What He's Sellin'
Mark McGwire must think we’re stupid.
The former baseball superstar certainly looked the part of a contrite apologist last week during his interview with sportscaster extraordinaire, Bob Costas. With his red eyes brimming and his chin quavering, McGwire finally came clean about his past use of performance enhancing drugs. I truly felt for the man.
“I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize,” McGwire said.
He went on to explain that he first dipped his toe into the fetid steroid pool during the 1989 season. After he was injured in 1993, McGwire admitted, he once again began using both steroids and human growth hormones, and he kept using them right through the 1998 season. [click to continue…]
by Diane on December 28, 2009
Number One Threat - Terrorism
W ith the year end celebrations mostly behind us it’s time to look ahead. 2010 is just days away and as I do every year here’s my wish list for a year filled with better news on the crime and justice beat.
My top wish is for everyone to truly understand the threat anti-American terrorism still holds for our country. To highlight that I wish the upcoming trials in New York for the 9-11 terror suspects would be televised. Just as the Watergate hearings enlightened America … [click to continue…]
by Diane on October 19, 2009
Victims Can Survive
It was an overcast October Saturday at the Joint Forces Training Base at Los Alamitos, California. The 7 am start time was daunting but I’d promised to go.
I’m glad I did.
It was the annual “Survive and Thrive” 5k run/walk event put on by a group called Crime Survivors. Note that it’s not crime victims – it’s crime survivors. And before you ask, no, I didn’t run but I did walk.
The woman who started Crime Survivors is Patricia Wenskunas, my hero.
She is a blond dynamo, a catering event planner by trade and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and attempted murder. She speaks gently but her message packs a wallop: Crime victims deserve consideration, at least as much consideration as the criminal gets. [click to continue…]
by Diane on September 27, 2009
Terror Suspect Najibullah Zazi
Crime happens when we least expect it. Criminal activity festers in places we can’t imagine and in the minds of those we least expect. We should not be surprised when it is discovered.
The recent arrest of three seemingly low-key, non-descript men on charges of lying to federal agents about a plot to blow up American targets sounds like the stuff Hollywood makes movies about. But these arrests were all too real and should go to remind us that America’s fight against terrorism is far from over. The battlefield is worldwide.
These most recent suspects … [click to continue…]
by Diane on August 3, 2009
Professor Gates Under Arrest
There is still an intolerable amount of racism in America. There are too many people in the U.S. who are bigoted and downright dismissive of those who don’t look like they do.
That said, let’s all admit something. Some of us see racism behind every act – and that in itself becomes a sort of racism too.
The catalyst for writing this week’s column is, of course, the recent disorderly conduct arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts following a concerned citizen’s report that two men appeared to be trying to break into a home.
There’s no need to rehash all the over-analyzed facts of this case but … [click to continue…]
by Diane on June 29, 2009
Mel Hall the Rapist
I am sick of it. I am sick to my core with professional athletes who escape true justice when they break the law.
Some of these guys project such a powerful image no one dares report their criminal behavior. A recent case in point is former major league baseball player Mel Hall who dodged charges of sexual assault against young girls for years. Finally, a Texas jury found him guilty of the decade old rape of a 12 year old girl. At least 3 other females testified at trial that Hall also sexually assaulted them when they were underage. Hall has now been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
For every Michael Vick who goes to jail there are countless other athletes who get the kid-glove treatment in court [click to continue…]
by Diane on June 22, 2009
Returning Vets Need Understanding
In America everyone is supposed to be equal in the eyes of the law. But we’ve got a growing group, a particular class of defendants entering American courtrooms who I believe need special consideration. They are soldiers returning from war.
Several studies conclude that between 30% to 40% of the approximately 1.6 million vets of Iraq and Afghanistan will “face serious mental-health injuries” like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and problems from traumatic brain injuries. Experts in the field report both those conditions are linked to anti-social and criminal behavior.
Now, to me those numbers – up to 40% of the troops afflicted – seem high. But if it’s even half that it’s too many brave souls returning home needing special help. So, what do we do with a soldier, who put their life on hold to go to a foreign land to fight for our liberty, when they come home and get into trouble with the law? [click to continue…]
