The following is a comment posted on:
It's All About Federal Drug Money & African-American Incarceration, 3/11/09 http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2009/03/its-all-about-federal-drug-money.html
"I can relate to this and can take it back to 1976 when Nick Jewell was sheriff.I saw the dirt first hand and with my own eyes.Dig into history and find out why officers Tom Diepert and Tom Exxum who worked for metro narcotics were arrested which was kept under covers.How about St Joe officer now retired Don Ives allowing county officer Steve Marshke to have drug parties at Dons house with there homosexual buddies.Tim Obrien was another story along with Eau Claire native Paul Bailey who is a racist along with his buddy officer John Hopkins whos brother was a coke dealer and allways overlooked ( I know I was there).I do not live in the area anymore (thank god) but have known or have been personaly involved on a social level with these people for almost 40 years.Benton Harbor used to be one of the most industrial flourishing towns in the nation and now it seems that all it produces is trumped up charges."
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Lieutenant Herrold's thinking is a shining example of that which has been lost in Berrien County through a decades old propaganda campaign. Racism is "manufactured", as the American historian, Howard Zinn, teaches. Racism has been manufactured in Berrien by the business "elites" for their purposes. How many people would one have to interview in this county to find a person who isn't racist in their thinking? Who believes Benton Harbor needs assistance, and the people are worth helping? Who believes that it's nearly impossible to pull one up by one's bootstraps if their boots have been taken from them? Herrold is right about the river, but there is also a monstrous force with financial power keeping the divide fiercely in place. It speaks volumes about this power structure that WP CEO Jeff Noel so casually commented to the U. of Mich. Business School students several years ago that if you're a corporation wanting land from a poor community and you have the peace & justice people "on your back", all you need to do is bring in Habitat for Humanity and build a few homes to facilitate a land grab. If he dared speak those words in public, it's not difficult to imagine what's being plotted inside WP Corp. And the barbarous actions taking place daily in the courthouse go unquestioned by county residents. Combining the school systems would be a no-brainer if the populace understood that for this blip in time we exist on the planet, there is no greater purpose than to help each other in ways which actually make a difference. Thank you for your kind, generous, and humanitarian letter, Lt. Herrold.
St. Joseph should do more to help BH schools
Editor,
I grew up in the area but have long since moved away. My parents routinely send me articles of friends in the news and other newsworthy articles to keep me up to date on the local area. The most recent article I received was about the Attack of the Killer Bison in St. Joseph in April. Though it was humorous, what really caught my eye were the MEAP scores on page A5.
I was embarrassed at the disparity between the scores achieved by St. Joseph and Benton Harbor school districts. The two cities are labeled the "Twin Cities." But the MEAP scores of the two schools show that the cities have nothing in common with each other. Last time I checked the only thing that separates the two cities is a river. Nothing else. It's obvious that St. Joseph has the resources and qualified teachers to motivate their children to perform far better then the state average. If the St. Joseph district has these resources, then why can't it use them to help better the children in Benton Harbor schools? After all, they are the "Twin Cities."
As the two school systems grow older and the need for new buildings becomes an issue, my suggestion would be to combine the two schools. In doing so, you could spread the resources and qualified teachers throughout St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and allowing more of the populace to perform better on MEAP tests, graduate from high school and possibly get college degrees. Right now the resources are there. The only thing that separates both cities from performing above the state average is a river. Nothing else.
Thomas Herrold
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Ridgecrest, Calif. HP, 6/5/09
St. Joseph should do more to help BH schools
Editor,
I grew up in the area but have long since moved away. My parents routinely send me articles of friends in the news and other newsworthy articles to keep me up to date on the local area. The most recent article I received was about the Attack of the Killer Bison in St. Joseph in April. Though it was humorous, what really caught my eye were the MEAP scores on page A5.
I was embarrassed at the disparity between the scores achieved by St. Joseph and Benton Harbor school districts. The two cities are labeled the "Twin Cities." But the MEAP scores of the two schools show that the cities have nothing in common with each other. Last time I checked the only thing that separates the two cities is a river. Nothing else. It's obvious that St. Joseph has the resources and qualified teachers to motivate their children to perform far better then the state average. If the St. Joseph district has these resources, then why can't it use them to help better the children in Benton Harbor schools? After all, they are the "Twin Cities."
As the two school systems grow older and the need for new buildings becomes an issue, my suggestion would be to combine the two schools. In doing so, you could spread the resources and qualified teachers throughout St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and allowing more of the populace to perform better on MEAP tests, graduate from high school and possibly get college degrees. Right now the resources are there. The only thing that separates both cities from performing above the state average is a river. Nothing else.
Thomas Herrold
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Ridgecrest, Calif. HP, 6/5/09
Harbor Shores campaign of propaganda and misinformation
Editor,
I often wonder how the Harbor Shores juggernaut continues to find acolytes to perpetuate their campaign of propaganda and misinformation. Are people so blind that they really can't see what is happening? Paul Abrams' letter is a perfect example.
He says Klock Park "was a beautiful, clean park, ... the nicest and most beautiful in Southwest Michigan." That is true, until it was all but obliterated by Harbor Shores in the name of "improvements." Once again, he cites the "garbage-strewn parking lot," yet claims that the beach is unused. If the restrooms were poorly maintained, which is also true, wouldn't the logical remedy be to pressure the city to do its job instead of giving the beach away to private developers? The city has the funds for this specific purpose, but chooses to pretend otherwise. Oh, I forgot. The 22 acres are not being given away, they are being leased for pennies for the next 105 years.
It would appear that the majority of people around here believe that men with bulldozers are greater landscapers than God, and, that if a beach is not "packed with people," it is worthless. But, aesthetics and God aside, Mr. Abrams is still missing the point. Does he really think they are luring investors and homebuyers with the prospect of a packed beach? A typical advertisement shows a solitary couple walking along the beach at sunset. This is about private vs. public use - period.
Just imagine a championship golf event or a Whirlpool annual picnic taking place on the same weekend as a big family reunion, barbecued ribs and all. Or a wedding party or baptism with lots of noisy kids and honking cars. Will everyone be accommodated, or will someone have to be excluded, and if so, guess who? Does anyone believe that the view Harbor Shores says it must have will include picnic tables, volleyball nets and concession stands? Ain't gonna happen.
So far, I have not seen any so-called "improvements" at Klock Park that do not primarily or at least equally benefit the golf course. The city government has abdicated its responsibility and allowed the private developers to take control. How dumb do you have to be to fall for a letter that refers to the park as "some swampland," and then in the same sentence, "to the glory and usefulness it once was"?
It is unclear whether we have already lost or are about to lose our greatest natural public asset, but there are a few of us left who still believe that it's not a done deal. If you are interested in learning the truth, go to www.protectjkp.com.
Scott Elliott, HP 6/6/09
Editor,
I often wonder how the Harbor Shores juggernaut continues to find acolytes to perpetuate their campaign of propaganda and misinformation. Are people so blind that they really can't see what is happening? Paul Abrams' letter is a perfect example.
He says Klock Park "was a beautiful, clean park, ... the nicest and most beautiful in Southwest Michigan." That is true, until it was all but obliterated by Harbor Shores in the name of "improvements." Once again, he cites the "garbage-strewn parking lot," yet claims that the beach is unused. If the restrooms were poorly maintained, which is also true, wouldn't the logical remedy be to pressure the city to do its job instead of giving the beach away to private developers? The city has the funds for this specific purpose, but chooses to pretend otherwise. Oh, I forgot. The 22 acres are not being given away, they are being leased for pennies for the next 105 years.
It would appear that the majority of people around here believe that men with bulldozers are greater landscapers than God, and, that if a beach is not "packed with people," it is worthless. But, aesthetics and God aside, Mr. Abrams is still missing the point. Does he really think they are luring investors and homebuyers with the prospect of a packed beach? A typical advertisement shows a solitary couple walking along the beach at sunset. This is about private vs. public use - period.
Just imagine a championship golf event or a Whirlpool annual picnic taking place on the same weekend as a big family reunion, barbecued ribs and all. Or a wedding party or baptism with lots of noisy kids and honking cars. Will everyone be accommodated, or will someone have to be excluded, and if so, guess who? Does anyone believe that the view Harbor Shores says it must have will include picnic tables, volleyball nets and concession stands? Ain't gonna happen.
So far, I have not seen any so-called "improvements" at Klock Park that do not primarily or at least equally benefit the golf course. The city government has abdicated its responsibility and allowed the private developers to take control. How dumb do you have to be to fall for a letter that refers to the park as "some swampland," and then in the same sentence, "to the glory and usefulness it once was"?
It is unclear whether we have already lost or are about to lose our greatest natural public asset, but there are a few of us left who still believe that it's not a done deal. If you are interested in learning the truth, go to www.protectjkp.com.
Scott Elliott, HP 6/6/09
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Quote for the Day
It is a trick among the dishonest to offer sacrifices that are not needed, or not possible, to avoid making those that are required. Ivan Goncharov, novelist (1812-1891)
This reminds us of the long list of community service efforts and bar association honors which Judge Alfred Butzbaugh has accumulated. However, all are in conflict, ethically and morally, with his direct participation in the Berrien County Courthouse where it's routine for all-white juries to convict African-Americans from Benton Harbor. With great ease, he presides over these convictions.
Approximately three years ago, the court was observed and studied by the NY ACLU. It was also visited by an author researching a book which explores American courts where judges, prosecutors, and defenders cooperate and work together (otherwise known as being in bed together). In both of these instances, the visitors to the Berrien court were appalled, and had similar comments indicating they had never before seen this level of corruption.
U of M researchers have stated that the innocent and juvenile convictions are at the highest rate in Michigan in this courthouse, or at least very close to the top of the list. Other observers report witnessing consistent injustice by judges toward Benton Harbor African Americans. Benton Harbor residents have reported police misconduct, harrassment, drug planting, and other abuses going back years. Atty. Hugh Davis's remarks on this are worth reading again:
http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2008/08/report-from-rev-pinkneys-attorney.html
It is a trick among the dishonest to offer sacrifices that are not needed, or not possible, to avoid making those that are required. Ivan Goncharov, novelist (1812-1891)
This reminds us of the long list of community service efforts and bar association honors which Judge Alfred Butzbaugh has accumulated. However, all are in conflict, ethically and morally, with his direct participation in the Berrien County Courthouse where it's routine for all-white juries to convict African-Americans from Benton Harbor. With great ease, he presides over these convictions.
Approximately three years ago, the court was observed and studied by the NY ACLU. It was also visited by an author researching a book which explores American courts where judges, prosecutors, and defenders cooperate and work together (otherwise known as being in bed together). In both of these instances, the visitors to the Berrien court were appalled, and had similar comments indicating they had never before seen this level of corruption.
U of M researchers have stated that the innocent and juvenile convictions are at the highest rate in Michigan in this courthouse, or at least very close to the top of the list. Other observers report witnessing consistent injustice by judges toward Benton Harbor African Americans. Benton Harbor residents have reported police misconduct, harrassment, drug planting, and other abuses going back years. Atty. Hugh Davis's remarks on this are worth reading again:
http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2008/08/report-from-rev-pinkneys-attorney.html
Monday, June 01, 2009
Removal of Wiley
If a regular citizen failed to comply with an order from the Michigan Supreme Court, they would be arrested.
Rev. Pinkney is asking people to take a minute to ask for the removal of Judge Dennis Wiley for ignoring the April 22 Supreme Court order to "articulate the reasons" for keeping Pinkney under 24/7 house arrest with electronic tether.
Please mention that the complaint you are referring to is #09-18209.
(Basically, you are supporting this complaint, filed by Rev. Pinkney.)
Simply call, email or write the Judicial Tenure Commission and the Supreme Court asking for Wiley's removal. Reason: contempt of court; defying court order, etc. He had 21 days to comply, and did nothing.
Judicial Tenure Commission, 3034 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 8-450, Detroit 48202
313-875-5110, judicialtenure@courts.mi.gov
Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Hall of Justice, P.O. Box 30052, Lansing 48909
517-373-0130, msc-info@courts.mi.gov
If a regular citizen failed to comply with an order from the Michigan Supreme Court, they would be arrested.
Rev. Pinkney is asking people to take a minute to ask for the removal of Judge Dennis Wiley for ignoring the April 22 Supreme Court order to "articulate the reasons" for keeping Pinkney under 24/7 house arrest with electronic tether.
Please mention that the complaint you are referring to is #09-18209.
(Basically, you are supporting this complaint, filed by Rev. Pinkney.)
Simply call, email or write the Judicial Tenure Commission and the Supreme Court asking for Wiley's removal. Reason: contempt of court; defying court order, etc. He had 21 days to comply, and did nothing.
Judicial Tenure Commission, 3034 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 8-450, Detroit 48202
313-875-5110, judicialtenure@courts.mi.gov
Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Hall of Justice, P.O. Box 30052, Lansing 48909
517-373-0130, msc-info@courts.mi.gov
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