Silence and tears

“Help me, please!”

“Yes, he has a gun. My shotgun…”

“Please, he’s all I have.”

“He’s seventeen.”

“Yes, it’s loaded.”

“Please, do something!”

“In the living room, sitting on the floor.”

“The far wall, next to the sofa.”

“Wait here. We’ll work it out.”

“Please…”

“He’s all I have…”

A turn of the doorknob.

Gentle push against wood.

Warm air brushes my cheek.

Quiet.

Soft mechanical hum…refrigerator.

“Mark?”

Nothing.

A step inside.

“Mark?”

Soft sobbing.

Agony.

Turn the corner.

“Mark, it’s me.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Let’s talk for a minute.”

“Go away.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Maybe I do.”

Another step.

Shotgun barrel beneath quivering chin.

Back against wall.

Shells scattered on floor.

Tears.

Another step.

Eyes turn toward me.

I sit beside him.

Backs against the wall.

Waiting, in silence.

Finger trembling against steel trigger.

“Want to talk about it?”

Silence and tears.

Finally…

“You know how he is.”

“Yes…I do.”

“He was my boss for a long time.”

“How’d you stand it?”

“I couldn’t, at first.”

“But I understood it was hard for him, too.”

“When your mom died.”

“But I miss her.”

“He does, too, Mark.”

“You need each other.”

“He hates me.”

“No, he misses his wife.”

“I want her to come home.”

“Mark, I’m really nervous about that gun.”

Silence and tears.

I hold out my hand.

A slow surrender.

A hug.

A long hug.

Emotions spill.

Sky opens.

A flood.

An earthquake.

Torrential rains.

Heartbreak.

Loneliness.

Fear.

Sadness.

A long, gut-wrenching hug.

Storm slowly subsides.

“You ready?”

A nod.

A walk outside.

Father and son together.

Silence and tears.

A family again.

For two short weeks.

No chance to talk.

Not that time.

A father’s silence and tears.

“He was a good son.”

“He missed his mom.”

“I tried, I really did.”

“I know you did.”

“I was a good father.”

“Yes you were.”

“The best.”

A faraway look.

I sit beside him.

Backs against the wall.

Waiting.

Silence and tears.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“You know, I’m really nervous about that gun.”

Silence and tears.

A soft mechanical hum…refrigerator.

“I’m here for you, you know.”

“And I’ve got all day.”

“A lifetime, actually.”

“Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever you need.”

Silence and tears.”

Two weeks…

Four weeks…

Then…

Never-ending silence.

No more tears…

A soft mechanical hum…refrigerator.

11 college campus's

Occupy Wall Street has been going on for months now, and although reactions to the movement are mixed, there are protest locations numbering somewhere near 1,000. Within that number are several college campuses that boast major Occupy movements, whether there’s a presence on campus, or simply very active students involved in their local Occupy chapter. There’s even an Occupy Colleges movement, formed to protest college tuition hikes amid staggering student loan debt. Like Occupy Wall Street, Occupy movements on college campuses have been met with mixed reactions, some finding great support in university administration, and others fighting an uphill battle. Read on, and we’ll take a look at the beliefs, incidents, and status of 11 college Occupy movements going on today.

1. Occupy Duke: On the Duke University campus, students are getting involved in social activism. And although there is a local Occupy movement, Occupy Durham, students at Duke have decided to strike out on their own, citing issues with the Occupy Durham group, as well as a need to focus on problems within the university. Occupy Duke has created a peaceful camp on campus, offering a space to “create a platform for discussion.” Occupy Duke member Anastasia Karklina shares, “A lot of students here are from different economic backgrounds, and this is a self expression, a way to protest and express the way you’re discontent with the way things are, so I don’t see it as occupying yourself or occupying a privileged institution.” Faculty on campus at Duke have been primarily supportive, and have formed a group, calling themselves “Faculty in Solidarity.” Duke administrators have permitted an indefinite campout, and the dean of students has praised the movement’s high level of commitment. Occupy Duke tries to have at least one faculty or staff member present at all times, and Occupy Duke member Maria Arias indicated that having a faculty member on hand helps students to better understand the arguments being made by Occupy Duke and the larger Occupy movement. “It’s a good cause, well worth supporting,” Professor of Literature Kenneth Surin said.

2. UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley’s Occupy camp has made the news recently, with an incident between protesters and police on Nov. 9. Berkeley’s Occupy demonstrators attempted to establish an encampment on campus, but it was dismantled, and protesters were pulled off the steps of the administration building, some with the use of batons. Previously, the university administration indicated that protesters could stay around the clock for a week, provided that the camp didn’t have any signs of people living there, such as tents and stoves. The protesters did not comply, and set up an Occupy Cal tent site. The resulting incident that followed as police attempted to dismantle the site has sparked a debate over whether the police reaction was acceptable, or went too far. Still, the incident and fervor that has been sparked only goes to show that Berkeley has a strong Occupy movement that is not going away any time soon.

3. Seattle Central Community College: One might expect major protest movements to be centered on large universities, but in Seattle, a small community college is providing nighttime shelter to the city’s Occupy protesters, which now number somewhere between 100 and 200 overnight. The protesters, who have been through weeks of tension with Seattle’s city hall and police, agreed to move their tents to Seattle Central Community College, spending their nights on campus and days at protests occurring at Westlake Park. The group has promised not to interfere with academic activities, but the college has already decided they’d like the movement to leave. The college estimates that the demonstration is costing $20,000 a week, with reports of vandalism, and a need for additional security and cleaning crews. Demonstrators say they have no plans to move, while college administrators are researching legal ways to remove them from campus. Still, some in the college are finding a way to make use of the Occupy presence, with some professors hosting classes right in the camp. Professors offered their knowledge and resources, teaching protesters how to get their message across with history lessons, Martin Luther King letters, and more.

4. Boston University: Students from Boston University have been an active part of the Occupy Boston movement. They typically get involved by meeting on campus at Marsh Plaza, and then marching together to join other protesters. On Nov. 8, about 30 students also set up their own overnight encampment at Marsh Plaza as a contingent of Occupy Boston, right next to the statue of Martin Luther King. They vacated the space the following morning, after police officials and the dean of students asked them to leave, citing the lack of a proper permit for protesting in the space. This is not the first bit of trouble BU students have run into with Occupy Boston. In mid-October, about a half dozen BU students were among the 141 Occupy Boston protesters arrested in a police confrontation. Originally, 100 students had marched to join the protest, and the college’s BU Occupies Boston page has more than 500 members.

5. Auburn University: In early October, Occupy Wall Street found its way to Auburn University, as supporters began gathering at Ross Square on campus. The group has had good support even from the beginning, with over 200 people liking the Occupy Auburn Facebook page within its first week of existence, and by mid-October reaching more than 500 people. The group has spent time handing out leaflets at game days, discussing the movement, and gaining interest. The Occupy Auburn movement has been quick to point out that they don’t intend to be freeloaders, rather, they want to spread the wealth for others. On Oct. 28, the group gathered at Toomer’s Corner, displaying signs that shared phrases like, “I have a job and I Occupy Auburn.” Feeling misunderstood, the group wants everyone to know that they’re not looking for a handout, but a level playing field. They’ve encouraged others to engage in local banking and shopping to help discourage corporate greed and bailouts.

6. Brown University: Beginning in early October, Occupy College Hill has been a presence on the Main Green at Brown University. Initially, the group boasted about 60, and that number has held strong. One of the larger events held by the Brown University group was One Night Stand, in which Occupy College Hill and nearby Occupy Providence participants camped out the night before Brown University’s semi-annual meeting of the Corporation. The next morning, they confronted members of the Corporation, and shared discussions about grievances aimed at improving the university through teach-ins. Specifically, Occupy College Hill shared that they are concerned at the university’s lack of support for the Providence community, by not paying property taxes even though the university can afford to do so. Some of the university’s staff and faculty came out to show their support, including the chancellor, dean of the faculty, and associate dean for student life.

7. University of New Mexico: The (Un)Occupy Albuquerque group at the University of New Mexico has already had lots of run-ins in its short life. In late October, the group had several incidents with authorities, including the arrest of a man threatening protesters with a knife, and paramedics called to the area to treat someone who had collapsed, and subsequently died. The university responded by citing a difficulty to determine who exactly was a part of the (Un)Occupy protest. (Un)Occupy Albuquerque held a funeral procession for the First Amendment, citing an apparent violation of their constitutional rights by UNM. The ACLU came to the group’s rescue, and they were issued a new permit after a new agreement was facilitated. In early November, UMN hosted an Occupy Wall Streed/Unoccupy Albuquerque teach-in, focusing on the issues underlying the Occupy Wall Street movement with speakers including UNM faculty, deans, students, community activists, and even New Mexico Senator Tim Keller.

8. Oklahoma State University: At its inception, Occupy OSU identified itself as mainly a “group of people who are not afraid to go to jail,” citing the very real possibility of arrest as a protester in the Occupy movement. But they haven’t let that possibility keep them quiet, with plenty of events that have already happened, and more planned with the intent to air their disagreements about what’s going on at Wall Street. In late October, Occupy OSU joined the Occupy Your Capitol effort, staging a demonstration at the Oklahoma City capitol building. The group has focused its efforts on being a part of larger movements within the state, joining up with Occupy OKC and offering help in the form of supplies and lending their numbers to larger demonstrations. OSU’s occupation plans to take their cause to the Payne County Courthouse in Stillwater to make their movement even more prominently known in Oklahoma.

9. Humboldt State: Occupy Humboldt has found lots of support on campus, with several weeks of occupation at HSU on the Humboldt State Quad, and perhaps most interestingly, formal support from the Associated Students of Humboldt State University. On Oct. 17, a resolution from the Associated Students expressed support for the presence of Occupy Humboldt on campus, recognizing the constitutional rights of the occupiers, and calling on campus administration to allow occupiers to sleep and camp at the site. The camp on the HSU Quad has several tents, each with a purpose, including a library, first aid station, and sleeping quarters. The university has seemed to remain benign, and as of late October, reported seeing no need to confront participants or force them away. In fact, one HSU student and Occupy Humboldt organizer reports that the police have even been supportive.

10. Occupy UCLA: On Nov. 9, Occupy UCLA made a huge stir when 11 students sat at the middle of Wilshire Boulevard, shutting down the street for two and a half hours. The students were arrested, but all were bailed out. In all, 200 protesters were there to make their voices heard. These particular students were protesting as part of ReFund California, protesting tuition hikes and service cuts at public universities in California. Previously, Occupy UCLA had pitched tents on campus at Bruin Plaza, but the campout was short-lived due to missing permits. Interestingly enough, the campus has also been home to another Occupy movement, Occupy UCLA Athletics, a group that has voiced its disenchantment with the UCLA football program.

11. Occupy ISU: At Iowa State University, more than 200 people turned out to protest as part of the Occupy movement. The group has plans to make a difference at the state level, with the hope that a smaller movement can have a larger impact if applied at the right level. The Occupy ISU students made their voices heard by walking out of classes together and brandishing signs in solidarity, moving from the campus out onto the community streets. The students highlighted problems with school debt, and inability to find jobs after graduation, with one protester in particular wearing a box that shared, “My Student Debt is Boxing Me In.” Other students shared their problems, highlighting the plight of so many: working multiple jobs with a full course load and struggling to pay tuition and rent. The group has more events planned, and has worked together with the local Occupy Ames group.

* Today’s article is courtesy of www.onlineuniversities.com

 

Could you spot a stolen car?

How do cops spot stolen cars before they’re even reported as missing? Well, it takes a good eye and knowing the sometimes obvious clues. Here’s a checklist that just might help the hero of your story spot that stolen Infinity on page 76 of your work-in-progress.

1. Car thieves tend to drive stolen cars quite a bit rougher than a car’s owner, and cops keep an eye out for those hard-drivers. And, that aggressive driving provides the probable cause needed to make a traffic stop, which allows for a closer look for other stolen car clues.

2. Car thieves often exhibit an abnormal amount of nervousness when passing or being followed by a police car. They constantly glance in the rear-view mirror, cut their eyes toward the police car without turning their heads, etc.

Patrol is all about observation, so take your time. Drive slowly in the right-hand lane, and watch the cars in front and behind you. Just as the person in front may be nervous, so could the driver behind the patrol car. If they duck out at the first turn after seeing your eyes in the rear-view mirror, well, I’d suggest you turn at the next corner to have a closer look at the car and driver.

3. Car thieves just don’t look right in that car—a mini-van driven by a teenager dressed in heavy gold chains, sideways hat, with gang tattoos on his neck.

4. Markers, such as bumper stickers, rear window stickers, and vanity license plates are great indicators of the car’s driver. If the same kid from above (gang tattoos and gold chains) is seen driving a Buick with a Fraternal Order of Police/RETIRED license plate and National Sheriff’s Association sticker on the rear window, well, chances are he’s not a 60-year-old ex-police officer who’s reverting back to his childhood and, aging extremely well.

5. Vanity license plates have special meanings to car owners, such as the plate that reads ILVMYJAG (I love my Jaguar). If an officer spots that plate on a Honda, there’s a pretty good chance that the plates were switched to prevent detection of the stolen car’s plates. A good thief would try to swap plates with similar cars, but who says all thieves are smart?

6. Troll in areas where crime occurs on a regular basis. After all, crooks tend to hang out with other crooks, not in church parking lots. Stolen cars are often found in areas known for drugs sales and in places such as lower-end motels, bars, and thug hangout spots.

7. Car thieves sometimes have difficulty knowing how to operate many of the features on the stolen car; therefore they may not be able to dim lights, properly adjust the driver’s seat and mirrors, etc. So, if you spot a car traveling with the brights on, emergency flashers flashing, wipers on, doors locking and locking automatically, and the 4′-10″ driver is sitting almost in the backseat while peering through, not over, the steering wheel…those are clues, Sherlock.

8. You’re driving on the interstate and you pass a slow-moving car. You glance over at the driver who is staring straight ahead and gripping the wheel with both hands, pretending to not know a police car is beside him. Then you notice there are no keys in the ignition (when passing on the right side). Another glance reveals a broken steering column and a few multi-colored wires hanging from below the dashboard. Yes, Colombo, it’s probably stolen and you should call in your location, request assistance (backup), and initiate a traffic stop.

9. Back to the license plates for a second. Homemade license plates, mud-covered license plates (in many states it’s illegal to cover a plate with anything, including a clear lens), etc., are often signs of deception. An attempt to disguise the fact that the car is stolen. They’re also indicators that the license plates/registration has expired, the person has no car insurance, or doesn’t have valid driver’s license.

10. A broken rear, side window is sometimes a sign that a vehicle is stolen. Thieves break windows to gain access to the interior and they choose the rear ones so they won’t have to sit in the broken glass when they drive away.

So there you have it. Now, how many stolen cars will you spot during your holiday travels? They should be obvious to you now.

*     *     *

The top ten most stolen cars in 2011 are:

10. Chevrolet Tahoe

9. GMC Yukon XL 4WD

8. Hummer H2

7. Nissan Maxima

6. GMC Sierra Crew Cab

5. Infiniti G37 Coupe

4. Chevrolet Avalanche

3. Dodge Charger

2. Chevrolet Silverado

And, finally, the number one favorite of car thieves in 2011 is…

Cadillac Escalade

* Top ten list – Institute of Highway Safety study

Savannah's River Street

 

A walk along Savannah’s River Street is a modern-day stroll back in time. If you listen carefully you can almost hear the cheers as the S.S. Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, pulled away from the port on that May day in 1819. Or, perhaps the sounds of joy are those of General James Edward Oglethorpe and the 120 travelers of the ship “Anne” when, in 1733,  they landed on the bluff soon to be named Georgia, the 13th and final American colony. Savannah was Georgia’s first city. A closer inspection, though, just might reveal hundreds of present-day tourists making their way along the historic waterfront, exploring the 100-year-old cotton warehouses, now converted to shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

Passing under the Talmadge Bridge, the entrance to Savannah’s deep water ports and terminals, is one of the many cargo ships that dock each and every day. This one is making its way back to the open ocean and will, in just a few minutes, pass directly in front of our house.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle and the HMS Bounty, which appeared in the film “Pirates of the Caribbean II” as the Edinburgh Trader, are scheduled to visit Savannah next May for the Tall Ships Challenge 2012. The ship below is currently docked on River Street.

Souvenir shops along the cobblestone street feature items from jewelry and clothing to seashells and…

A block over, on Bay Street, is where you’ll find sights such as this 209 year-old-bell, the oldest in Georgia, that once hung in the cupola of the City Exchange. A watchman rung the bell to signal the close of the business day, and to alert citizens of fire. The bell was imported from Amsterdam.

President George Washington presented this cannon, and others, to the Chatham Artillery (Savannah is in Chatham County), after he visited Savannah in 1791. This cannon was manufactured in Strasburg in 1756

Savannah was once ranked first as a cotton seaport on the Atlantic and second in the entire world. The cotton exchange building, completed in 1887, was the center for that particular commerce. The building now serves as the offices of the Savannah chamber of commerce. The figure you see at the top of the dome is actually a live hawk that flew away just as I snapped the picture..

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the family of this brave officer.

Agent Mariano Rodríguez-Maldonado, 37

Puerto Rico Police Department

November 21, 2011 – Agent Mariano Rodríguez-Maldonado was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a call involving a mental patient who was causing a disturbance at an area business.

Agent Rodríguez-Maldonado is survived by his wife and three children.

*     *     *

* 2011 line of duty deaths – 143 officers

Is pepper spray really the issue?

Pepper spray (Oleoresin Capsicum) is made from the fruit of plants, such as chili peppers. The chemical is basically a simple concoction—a high concentration of ground pepper suspended in pressurized water. Sometimes a dye is added to the mixture which marks a suspect for easy identification (as if the coughing, crying, and drooling aren’t enough).

The effects of the spray are: an immediate closing of the eyes (the person is able to open them but the burning sensation causes a strong desire to close them), burning sensation in the throat, breathing is uncomfortable, runny nose, hot itchy skin, and coughing. These effects of the spray normally last less than an hour. Sometimes the spray has no effect on the suspect.

However, people who suffer from asthma could suffer severe side effects, including death. And this is the side effect that made me re-think my position on pepper-spraying seated, peaceful protesters. A non-violent person, even people who are clearly breaking the law with their non-violent acts, should not be sprayed because there’s no way of knowing who has asthma or other medical problems, and who doesn’t. BUT, in the case of protesters who choose to toss a rock, push, shove, or strike a cop (or anyone else), well, they should be prepared for instant arrest using whatever means it takes for the officer to gain control. No time to check medic alert bracelets when someone comes charging with a sword.

So, I guess the only option for removing non-violent lawbreakers would be to return to the old standby—pain compliance, using wrist locks, arm bars, come-a-long techniques, riot batons, and sheer muscle to move people who break the law by blocking sidewalks, streets, bridges, and other public passageways and buildings.

San Diego protesters… “a peaceful resistance”

NYC protester “passively” ATTACKS a police officer. The crowd of peaceful protesters cheered as the man attempted to choke the officer.

Unless, of course, public opinion is to allow the occupiers to take over any place they desire, disrupting anything they want, all in the name of their peaceful movement (Please don’t misunderstand me, I agree with much of what the level-headed occupiers are saying. I just don’t agree with breaking the law to get the message across).

Seriously, should protesters be left alone to do whatever they want, anywhere they want? Is it okay for a hundred people to show up to camp in someone’s yard or place of business because the squatters don’t agree with how that particular citizen conducts his/her affairs.

NYC occupy camp

Is it okay for people to sit down at the entrance to someone’s personal driveway, blocking them from coming and going? How about camping in someone’s yard, running generators and using the flower garden as a public restroom? Is that okay because the campers don’t agree with the homeowner’s position regarding PTA matters?

NYC occupier

I guess the police can simply do nothing and just wait and see what happens. I’m positive everything would be fine. Sure, everyone will play nice and no bad would come of doing nothing to keep order. They won’t block city streets. They’ll stop burning cars and breaking out store windows. They’ll make the public parks a pleasant place to take your kids on a Saturday afternoon. Stepping across or around them to do your banking won’t be an inconvenience. Taking a one-hour detour around blocked streets and bridges will suit everyone just fine. Losing income due to damages to the store you’ve worked all your life to build from the ground up…no problem as long as the protesters have what they want.

Yes, there are protesters out there who are peaceful and truly want to make a difference. But police officers have no way of knowing the difference between the good and the people like those in the photo above who are using the movement as an excuse and cover to do damage. Therefore, officers have no choice other than to err on the side of caution, assuming everyone is out to do harm, until they see something to the contrary. Safety first.

Think about it, if the assaults, vandalism, car fires, etc, would go away, then so would the riot gear.

LA occupy camp outside City Hall

I think I like L.A.’s approach to the problem. Give the protesters an old office building (for a $1 per year rent) and shelter for the large group of homeless people who’ve joined their ranks. At least they’d be somewhere legally, unlike their counterparts in Oakland who’ve set up camp on a privately-owned lot that’s in foreclosure (sure, that land will be easy to sell now).

Back to the L.A. group, though…isn’t the offer of an office building a good idea for the group? There, they’d have a center of operations to conduct their activist work, instead of sitting in a public park or in the middle of public street where much of their focus is now on surviving the elements and dodging the police and local government officials. But the group hasn’t made a decision yet, not really wanting to give up their camp at City Hall, a condition that comes with $1 access to the office building.

By the way, the antidote for a dose of pepper spray is clear, cool water or milk. Not to drink, though. Turn the face sideways and slowly pour the liquid over the affected area(s). Another way to avoid the burn is to obey the law by not resisting arrest or assaulting police officers…

Castle: Kill Shot

Hypervigilance was Stana Katic’s mission was this week. Her job was to portray someone suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), displaying an abnormal state of being on guard and extremely tense, with an increased awareness of her surroundings, and she did a great job. A fantastic job, actually. In fact, I’m sure last night’s viewers had also reached their own state of hypervigilance, with their rear ends glued to their chairs and their eyes riveted to the screen, anxiously watching and waiting for Beckett’s next move. But more about this later. First…Melanie’s take on the mushy side of the show. Are you there, Melanie?

Melanie Atkins

The past two weeks have crept by for me, mainly because we didn’t have a new Castle episode last week. This week, they made up for it with “Kill Shot”, an intense episode that centered around Kate’s battle with PTSD. I thought Stana Katic did a fabulous job. I’m willing bet they’ll submit this one for Emmy consideration. What do you think?

I’m not sure how well the writers did in portraying her PTSD, since I don’t know enough about it to judge — I’ll leave that part to Lee — but I found the show to be powerful, heart wrenching, and fast moving. And when Kate finally accepted help from Esposito, I had tears in my eyes. That scene rocked! I also love that she went to see her therapist voluntarily. That proves she truly wants to get better.

Relationship-wise, Rick was obviously distressed by Kate’s terror and begged Esposito to help her because he didn’t know how — and then stepped back to allow Kate to find her way. Very smart of him. She appreciated it, too.

And at the end, Kate admitted to her therapist that she’s ready to try to let go of the past and stop defining herself by her mother’s murder. By the case that has engulfed her more than once, and by her shooting. She wants to let go of all that and live her life… to open herself up to other possibilities. This has been reiterated by Stana in several recent interviews I found online. She claims Kate wants to “dive in”, to experience what she’s been denying herself, such as a relationship with Rick. So maybe, just maybe… they’re getting closer to starting something fun.

Oh, I hope so! Next week ABC is airing a Castle rerun, so tune in on December 5 for “Cuffed”… and get ready to rumble. Read the blurb below and tell me what you think. Tee hee!

Here’s the blurb from ABC’s press release for “Cuffed”: When Castle and Beckett wake up in bed, handcuffed together, in a locked room with no memory of how they got there, they must piece together the mystery of where they are and why, all while trying to escape. But as the two of them adjust to being shackled together, what’s the biggest threat they face… the people who abducted them or each other? Meanwhile, Ryan, Esposito and Gates are left to investigate their disappearance in a case where all is not what it seems.

This episode was very well-written and well-thought-out. And the writers packed in a lot of things in short period of time, meaning they kept the tension going throughout. Sure, we saw Lanie digging a bullet from a wall, telling us the shot was fired from 200-300 yards away (medical examiners don’t poke around crime scenes removing crucial pieces of evidence, well, unless they want to compromise the entire investigation…and, she couldn’t and wouldn’t have known the distance), but let’s overlook that and get to the what made this show what I think was the best of the season.

1. Stana Katic. Enough said. She is the reason this episode came across as well as it did. Her character was extremely layered, and we looked on as each of those layers melted away with the passing of each scene. She was frightened. She was confused, not knowing what was happening to her. She was vulnerable. Yet, she was still Beckett, determined to get past the demons clawing at the inside of her head.

Some of Beckett’s PTSD symptoms were quite realistic—reliving sounds of her own shooting (flashbacks), hypersensitivity to loud noises (hyper-startle responses), extreme anxiety, avoidance of places and people that reminded her of “the shooting,” unable to sleep, outbursts of anger, wanting to be alone, she couldn’t concentrate, she tried to “drink away” the problem, and, of course, there was the hypervigilance.

Then there was the scene where Beckett dumped her badge and gun on the floor, her attempt to separate herself from the case, the shootings, and her emotions. This was extremely raw and realistic. I know because I’ve been in those very shoes (well, maybe not those exact shoes, but…). When PTSD came knocking at the inside of my head, one of the first things I did was to ditch my gun, placing it in a box in the bedroom closet. Didn’t want any parts of it. In fact, I didn’t even want to look at it. Weird, I know. But it is what it is. Thankfully, that’s in the past.

So a big BRAVO to Stana Katic and to the writers for delving into this topic, and for doing such a great job with it. My only negative comment about the PTSD issue is how quickly she overcame it. People sometimes suffer from PTSD for many, many years. For some, the demons are with them for life.

2. Esposito – What a great job he did with taking viewers to the classroom. He taught us everything we needed to know about snipers, weapons, and ammunition, and he did it without doing the dreaded info-dump. The information was needed to help viewers understand what had happened, but the actor made the learning experience seem like part of the dialog. That’s how it should be done in books, too. Great job. Espo also did a great job of showing emotions when it was time for us to see them.

For writers – I’d like to point out one tiny detail about the ejected brass Espo found under the cabinet/table (whatever it was). An expert sniper/shooter most likely would have retrieved/picked up (“policed” as they say on the firing range) that spent brass. But, later in the show they clearly stated the guy was not the expert they’d once thought.

– I liked seeing Ryan taking care of “paperwork.” This is how cases are often worked, with detectives splitting up to work on various aspects of the crime. Not everyone is a “door-kicker.”

*By the way, Beckett would not have been allowed to remain on this case.

*     *     *

General information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research Fact Sheet – Overview of the latest research on PTSD, including its causes, risk factors, and promising new treatments. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Myths and Facts About PTSD – Learn the truth behind common misconceptions about PTSD. (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance)

Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Self-Test – Online self-test for PTSD to help you evaluate your symptoms. (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

The Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Chronic and/or Delayed – Description of PTSD’s many symptoms, including withdrawal, avoidance, isolation, and flashbacks. (PTSD Support Services)

Common Reactions – Find information on some common reactions to trauma, including anger, nightmares, sleep problems, avoidance, and depression. (National Center for PTSD)

Treatment and self-help for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatment of PTSD – Guide to the treatments for PTSD, including cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR. (National Center for PTSD)

Self-Help and Coping – Series of articles on how to cope with PTSD in healthy ways that promote healing and recovery. (National Center for PTSD)

Pepper Spraying

Liz Nichols, at five-foot-nothing, is hardly a physical threat to big, burly, well-armed police officers. But add Ms. Nichol’s tiny body and soft-spoken voice to a herd of angry protesters and suddenly she’s ten-feet-tall and bulletproof. And that’s exactly what she tried to become (unstoppable by police and other officials) when she and her fellow Occupy Portland protesters “sat down” inside a Chase Bank, refusing to move. Admittedly, her goal was to be arrested. Yes, it was her intention to break the law and, when officers entered the bank to remove Nichols and her group, she asked to be arrested.

However, officers did not arrest Ms. Nichols or her fellow protesters. Instead, the officers herded the group out onto the sidewalk where a large crowd of protesters were already refusing orders to disperse and vacate the street (they were impeding the flow of traffic on the street and sidewalks and blocking and interfering with business-as-usual in public places). Not only was this crowd of protesters refusing to obey the police order to disperse and vacate, they had begun to push back and throw items at the officers. By the way, announcements to disperse and vacate were continuously broadcasted via loudspeaker. The message also clearly stated that those who didn’t comply would be arrested. There was plenty of advance notice regarding impending arrests if orders were not obeyed. Everyone had the opportunity to leave. MORE than amply opportunity. The mob chose to ignore the continuous warnings.

Well, Ms. Nichol’s once tiny presence had grown significantly and had now become a huge threat to the safety of the definitely-outnumbered police officers and citizens who were attempting to conduct that business-as-usual. So what options were available to police? Actually, there weren’t many. They could do nothing and allow the protesters to take control of public places and businesses, such as parks, banks, city streets and sidewalks. Obviously, that would be the wrong thing to do.

Protesters attempt to occupy Steelbridge in Portland

Or,  the protesters could do what’s legal and leave those public places, obtain the proper permits, and then conduct their protests and have their voices heard in an appropriate venue.

A great example of having a message heard, without breaking the law, took place on August 28, 1963, when someone announced his “dream” to over 200,000 people.

In the case of Liz Nichols (receiving the mouthful of pepper spray in top photo), she and her fellow protesters across the country may have a valid point to make. But, and I’m speaking from the point of view of the police officers, there’s a better way to make that point. Why poke a stick into a hornet’s nest full of officers who have a job to do (remember, they’re acting on orders given from their bosses), and who simply want to do that job without getting hurt or hurting anyone else. Besides, the Occupier’s points are being overshadowed by all the negativity.

Believe me, it’s no fun to squirt pepper spray into the faces of unarmed people, especially tiny women like Liz Nichols. Actually, it’s a bit demeaning to do so. There’s always a feeling inside tugging at your emotions because you’ve hurt someone, even though that hurt is normally temporary and minor.

Please, everyone, place yourself in the officer’s shoes for a moment. You’re outnumbered 50 or 100 to one. The mob is angry. They’re throwing rocks and bottles at you. You have no way of knowing who’s armed and who isn’t. Cops get shot and killed almost every day. These folks are breaking the law. They will not listen to reason, or your commands to move out of the street. And they start pushing back. Harder and harder. Any sign of hesitation and weakness on your part and they push even harder.

City Press Image

Or, protesters have filled the lobby of your bank and won’t leave, turning your customers away. Hundreds of them have camped out on your property, using your shrubbery as a bathroom.

City Press image

They litter the ground with waste and feces. Tents fill your once beautiful landscape. Your friends and family can no longer visit. Generators hum all day and night. Assaults and rapes take place during the dark hours. And the protesters will not leave, so you call the police.

As a police officer, what would you do, tuck your tail and run? Certainly not. You do your job, using whatever it takes to enforce the law. I’m truly sorry Ms. Nichols got a face full of O.C. spray, but the officers didn’t know her. All they know in those mob-type situations is…

AP photo

…if walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, then it must be out to hurt me. After all, a little woman can be as violent as well as any big man. There’s no time in these situations to take a “who’s violent and who’s not” survey. So please, Occupy Folks, sit down and have a meeting. Discuss things. Iron out the details. And for goodness sake, use your heads. There’s got to be a better way. This plan is definitely not working.

* Ms. Nichols has been charged with three counts of interfering with a police officer.

Businesses in Oakland are suffering due to the Occupy movement – KFI radio image

* So far, the Occupy movement has cost cities in excess of $10 million ($6 million in NYC). And who’s footing those huge bills? Yep, the taxpayers. People whose backs are already breaking from the state of the economy.

Portland has shelled out approximately $100,000 just to fix damages caused to public parks by the Occupy protesters. Another $750,000 has been spent in police overtime.

* Top image – Huffington Post

 

Pumpkin Soup

 

Sure, living in our neck of the woods is great if you like the beach, palm trees, warm temperatures, tidal creeks, and marshland. But there are other equally appealing attractions. For example, the Harvest Fest on Oatland Island, which is a stone’s throw from our front door.

The festival took place last weekend at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center and it was a fun step back into time.

The crowd enjoyed a variety of activities, good food, and more wild animals than you could shake a stick at, including bison, wolves, cougars, snakes, armadillos and, well, you’ll see a couple of them below. But the grinding of sugarcane always takes center stage.

Grinding sugar cane the old-fashion way…

…using a one-horsepower engine named Charlie. Yep, Charlie walks slow laps while attached to a pole hooked to the cane-grinding device. The horse’s lazy movement turns the wheels that smash the sweet juice from the bamboo-like stalks of cane. Charlie did stop working long enough for me to to rub his nose and pose for a photo. Then it was back to the old “grind.”

Making sugarcane syrup from the freshly-ground cane.

These two ladies were tasked with making homemade cornbread (not a box in sight). The corn was ground by hand in a separate, smaller cabin. Then they made and cooked the batter in the cabin fireplace.

Cornbread-making instructions from a pro.

Homemade pumpkin soup cooked on an open fire. Absolutely delicious.

Nothing modern about this place.

This critter (an opposum) had the softest fur ever (very kitten-like). But its hind feet had a thumb each and that was too weird for me. Still, it was quite tame and enjoyed snuggling.

This owl enjoyed a scratch behind the ears. A little bit of gentle back-stroking seemed to be equally as pleasing.

Did you know an owl cannot move its eyes? They rotate their heads, instead, when needing to look to either side.

Cloggers stomping to a Miranda Lambert tune.

White Ibis taking advantage of low tide to find a bit of lunch.

Nothing like stumbling on a clutch of gator eggs, ’cause you know what’s nearby…

 

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Detective R. Shane Wilson, 27

Doraville Georgia Police Department

November 14, 2011 – As a SWAT team member, Detective Shane Wilson was responding to a home invasion when his vehicle was struck head-on by a drunk driver. The detective died at the scene.

Detective Wilson is survived by his wife, 8-year-old-son, and parents.

Funeral procession for Detective Wilson led by police motorcycles.

A riderless horse followed the horse-drawn caisson carrying the casket of Detective Wilson (Rockdale Citizen images).

Officer James Capoot, 43

Vallejo California Police Department

November 17, 2011 – During a high-speed pursuit of a bank robbery suspect, Officer Capoot executed a PIT maneuver, disabling the target vehicle. The suspect then ran behind a group of houses. When Officer Capoot rounded the corner of a residence the suspect shot him multiple times.

Officer Capoot is survived by his wife and three daughters.

The scene immediately after the shooting.

Seattle PI images