A SMALL CONSOLATION?

 A TALE OF TWO MURDERS

     On July 27th, 2012, the police and the district attorney’s office held a press conference to announce they had arrested Damien Rayon Barnhill, the alleged killer of his roommate three days before, Rouit Bahadur.

REFLECTING THE COMMUNITY? – 2

 DIVERSITY OF LANCASTER?

     “Philadelphia is a very diverse community, and that was part of the attraction to Lancaster,” said Sadler, whose wife is Puerto Rican. He said he was impressed with the diversity of Lancaster during the five visits he has made to the city in recent months.
Police Chief Keith Sadler quoted in a Lancaster Newspaper article from April 2, 2008, “New city chief was easy pick,” (click here).

AND POLICE CHIEF SADLER!

 HOLD SWITZER ACCOUNTABLE!

     Over the past five years, there have been 30 homicides in the city; 22 have been solved, Switzer said.
Lancaster Captain of Detectives Kent Switzer quoted in today’s front page article, “25 years after Carrie Marshall’s murder, a family lives with pain, seeks answer,” (click here).
     Captain Switzer can’t count and he can’t solve murders.  There are nine listed under the “UNSOLVED MURDERS” tab above on this site.  That list is from the day Keith Sadler was sworn in as the Chief of Police on April 23, 2008. 
   If you go back five years, you can add Juan Marquez to the list.  He was shot and killed less than a month before Sadler became the Chief on March 16, 2008.  His murder has never been solved.  And if you add three days from today’s date to the five years, you can add Juan Lopez to the list of unsolved murders.  He was shot and killed in his business on December 5, 2007.
     I don’t know about Switzer’s figure of 30 total murders but I will check on it as LNP reporter Dan Nephin should have done with the unsolved murders.  He could check his own newspaper – click here for a “slideshow” of unsolved county murders since 1992 published on April 3, 2011. 
     Please note that of the vast majority that occurred in the city, the caption directs anyone with information to call Captain of Detectives Kent Switzer!  And it was six months ago when I was on the phone with Chief Sadler about the unsolved murder of 83-year-old Erma Kaylor that he told me the detectives work on the unsolved murders every single day.  But there has not been a single arrest in any one of these cases since that phone call.  And Erma Kaylor’s brutal, horrific murder remains unsolved as well.

* 50 YEARS BEHIND THE TIMES!

* Making phone call this afternoon.  Back tomorrow.

     The problem is, the Lancaster Newspapers don’t reflect in any way, shape or form, the changing population!  These racist papers are 50 years or more behind the times!
Please check back later today.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH…

LNP LIES!
   

    There is a lot of talk this election season about living in a “bubble.” If you live in Lancaster County there is no question you are living in a bubble – a bubble created by the Lancaster Newspapers. The bubble includes among too many items to list:
- There is no corruption in Lancaster.  None!
- Our Judges are honest, decent and fair.
- There is no racial discrimination in hiring at the Lancaster Newspapers.
- Our police officers are doing a great job!
- There are not an outrageous number of unsolved murders in this county.
- Our courts are fee of racial prejudice – as is the police department, the prison and the DA’s office – and actually, anything you can possibly name.
- This is a conservative, religious and peaceful county.
- Our coroner always tells the truth and nothing but the truth.
- This county does not have enough shopping centers.
- The convention center was absolutely necessary to revitalize downtown Lancaster and it’s working!
    The Lancaster Newspapers control the bubble. But, gasp, it’s about to burst because it just can’t hold all of the lies!
Please check back later today.

A MADE-UP STUDY! – 3

TRUTH AND JUSTICE?
    It was one Millersville University student doing a term paper. Yes, that is the truth behind Jack Brubaker’s referring to a “Millersville University study” and referring to the University repeatedly in his story (see “A MADE-UP STUDY!” 1 and 2 below).
    We assume, trust and hope that all newspapers and their owners, editors and reporters seek truth and justice and are ethical.
    They aren‘t, though, and it’s a difficult and terrible lesson to accept.
    The Steinman family has owned the Lancaster Newspapers for years. Prior to the FCC forcing them to sell WGAL-TV and the WLAN radio station, they had an absolute monopoly on all the news distributed to the public in Lancaster County.
    And the Steinman family are racists – plain and simple. And when I say racist – I mean old time segregationists to the core. And that has been reflected in their newspapers for over 75 years and directly reflected in Lancaster County being one of the most racist and segregated counties in this country.

A MADE-UP STUDY! – 2

              IT TAKES A UNIVERSITY?

      Key words: “conducted by Lancaster New Era”
    To be valid, any “careful examination” would need to be done by someone (anyone?) not from Lancaster. Preferably the FBI. Maybe when they are done in Sanford, FL?
This comment in under “A MADE-UP STUDY!” immediately below.
    Yes, of course you are right, but in this case I’m actually going for the other partner in the “study.” Again, the fourth paragraph of the article states this:
    These are some of the conclusions of a careful examination of criminal sentencing in Lancaster County conducted by the Lancaster New Era and Millersville University.
    So, what part do you believe “Millersville University” played in this? Which department at Millersville? How many professors were involved? How many students? What kind of “study” did they do?  Where was it published?
    You aren’t going to believe this…
Please check back later today.

SPOTLIGHT ON RACISM AT LNP!

FORTY YEARS
BEHIND THE TIMES!

    The Rev. Edward Bailey, a local African-American minister at the Bethel AME Church in Lancaster, wore a hoodie while walking in his neighborhood Tuesday.   And he had a different reaction when he saw a white woman walking toward him.
    Sometimes he will cross the street to avoid seeing a white person tighten up and avoid eye contact with him, he said.
    Not this time.
    “I had to tell myself I’m not crossing the street. There is no reason I should cross the street,” he said. “Today I said, ‘Good morning,’ and kept on walking.”
From today’s front page article by Cindy Stauffer, titled “Spotlight on hoodies” online but in the print edition titled “Hoodies can’t hide,” (click here).
    Seriously? This is 2012! Seriously?
    On a Tuesday morning in his own neighborhood?
    This is a direct result of the blatant racism at the Lancaster Newspapers.
    This is a direct result.
Please check back later today!

WAS HE PUSHED? WHO MURDERED MARTINEZ?

I REMEMBER EPHIE!

    I was going to address this sentence from the NewsLanc.com “Watchdog” piece on the Sunday News’ “Justice Delayed” series today (click here) and then something remarkable happened…
    Having the name Steinman at the top of the masthead should assure the integrity of reporting that Lancaster experienced over the families[sic] illustrious stewardship, apart from the regrettable Convention Center anomaly.
    …I received this email late yesterday from an old Lancaster friend:
    Do you remember Ephie? The one that the police said jumped off the Prince Street Garage? My mom told me something before she passed – my uncle told her that he didn’t think that Ephie jumped. He thought he was pushed. Ephie had no reason to jump off the garage as the day before he had purchased a plane ticket to move to California just that morning. He said he knew this because he called my uncle. This is only hearsay. I am telling you this in confidence. Please do not use my name if you use this information as it may be deadly because the police may be involved.
    Yes, I remember John Dingle, known as Ephie. I remember Ephie very well. I spoke with his mother at the time he died. No one thought he jumped off the Prince Street Garage. Everyone thought he was pushed. Everyone in the minority community believed the police pushed Ephie off the Prince Street Garage.
Please check back tomorrow.

2011 IN REVIEW!

THE BEST!

1. Randolph Carney
2. Charlie Crystle
3. Lancaster County Detective Joseph P. Geesey retiring. There is not one good thing about this man and any of his prosecutions must be questioned.
4. Lady Gaga. Maybe she can clean up this town.
5. The contributors and commenters to this site and other Lancaster forums. You are the best!
6. My Facebook friends and special friends – Jodi, Barb and Patty. And to Jeffrey and Carl Cooper – I am sorry I have lost touch and will correct that in the upcoming year. To Bob and Bob – friends from college that I have reconnected with – you were and remain the best! I had really good taste many years ago.
7. My son and my sister.
    Well, unfortunately, that about sums up the good. The Penn State scandal, of course, tops both lists. I feel such empathy for the victims – but they were incredibly brave – and it has been a watershed story for victims of sexual abuse everywhere.

THE WORST!

1. The Lancaster City Police Department. Multiple unsolved murders, racism – and thus a community that rightfully doesn’t respect or trust them – a man dying in a police holding cell, a man shot in the back twice and mug shots of suspects who have been obviously beaten. They need to be investigated by the U.S. Justice Department.
2. Prison Warden Vincent Guarini. In any other town, with any other news organization in that town, he would have been gone years ago. He’s a liar. He lied directly to me. He is costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and bringing heartbreak to multiple families. He must go!
3. The Lancaster Newspapers. Because of their journalistic failures, the above two travesties of justice have been allowed to continue. And they are the main contributors to the next two on the list.
4. The Convention Center brought to you by the Lancaster Newspapers. Go to Plan B and do it now! Is there a Plan B? Start working on it now and run LNP out of town and replace them with a legitimate news organization.
5. The survelliance cameras – also brought to you by the Lancaster Newspapers. No one knows who owns them, who is monitoring them or what is being done with the tapes. And taxpayer money is being used to fund them. This is unacceptable – plain and simple.
6. Blatant racism in hiring by the Lancaster Newspapers. The city is now more than 50% “minority” and they have one on their editorial staff of more than 100 people. Those responsible should be fined and jailed. They are breaking a 40 year old federal law and it’s time they were held accountable.
7. Mayor Rick Gray.
8. Commissioner Scott Martin.
9. Sunday News editor “Marvelous” Marv Adams.
10. Lancaster County Judges – President Judge Joseph Madenspacher, Dennis Reinaker and David Ashworth to name three. And let’s not forget District Judges Isaac Stoltzfus and Kelly Ballentine.

    I will go into much more detail on some of the items in the good and bad list tomorrow – I am rushing today to catch the Eagles game! No – I’m not – that’s a bad joke. But I do have some pork to eat.
    Have a great New Year’s Day and please check back tomorrow.

ONCE A DIRTY COP… – 2

LANCASTER LYNCHING

    I learned today that Lancaster County Detective Joseph P. Geesey will retire at the end of this year. He is 75-years-old. I hope to give him a very uneasy retirement. No one is more deserving.
    The Lancaster Police Department has been dirty for years, and I will come back to their latest unconstitutional act tomorrow. Today, click here for this article from February 3 of 2010, “ONCE A DIRTY COP…”

* PERFECTLY SAFE?

* I was going to rant and rave this afternoon – but then I was dumbstruck by one of the dumbest and longest headlines I have seen in recent memory – courtesy of WGAL-TV: “Church Won’t Be Fined For Not Demolishing Church After City Denies Demolition Permit,” (click here).
    The headline tells it all and apparently they are at a total deadlock!  How will they break it?   Wow, I need a drink after that!  Have a great Friday and please check back tomorrow! 

THE MOTHER OF HYPOCRITES

IT BEGINS WITH SMART!

A RACE ISSUE?

      We talk about guns, we talk about gangs. But in his LOL post, I think citydweller is absolutely right – this is a class issue. It’s a race issue to the extent that the blacks and Latinos doing the shootings are of the underclass. Essentially, you have a tremendous amount of poor Latino and to a lesser extent black families in the city, you have children having children, you have fathers who are not around and thus kids who are growing up without any paternal role models – Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote about all of this 42 years ago. It’s still happening. We really don’t talk about it.

ONLY IF YOU’RE WHITE?

REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS?
   

    Would someone please ask Mr. Smart to address the issue of why there are no minorities on the editorial staffs of the Lancaster Newspapers? Talk about inequality!
    A comment I sent in to the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness (LIPW) website where Associate Sunday News Editor Gil Smart is giving a talk tonight, “Past Peak Prosperity: Sustaining Community in an Era of Growing Inequality,” (click here).
    My comment is “Awaiting Moderation. ”Talk about total hypocrisy! There will be more on this coming.
    Speaking of “prosperity,” FWIW sent a long and reasoned response to “Cindy” who asked several questions under “UPDATE – OCCUPY LANCASTER!” below on this site. Please take time to read his comment.    
    Thanks, FWIW! Your invite to the LIP bash is back on – bell bottoms or not! There will be more this afternoon.
    “It was a mild night. A lot of folks were out, and they should have a reasonable expectation to sit in front of their house without being shot,” he said.
    Police Chief Keith Sadler quoted from his press conference in today’s article, “Police vow to bring person who shot 7-year-old girl ‘to justice,’” (click here). This is one of the stupidest and most insulting statements I have ever heard or read. This man should be fired immediately.
Please check back later today.

NO ONE KNEW THEIR NAMES!

HOW MANY CRIMES?

A LICENSE TO KILL
    My memory is a little foggy, but I do remember it in the news back in 1981. Would you please give a general primer to what happened? What’s the connection between Daniel Rhoads, the three men who kidnapped and beat him, their connection to the police, and how does Robert Henderson figure into all this?
This comment in under “THE DEPTH OF UGLINESS” below.
Please check back later today.

THE DEPTH OF UGLINESS

SO EASY!
    The remainder of my answers to this morning’s email (see immediately below):
    I took the picture 21 days after the attempted lynching of Robert Henderson and one day before the artist‘s sketches were finally printed in the paper. I was living in Philadelphia, working full time and could only come up on weekends. I took the photograph the third weekend. They were so easy to find. They didn’t even bother to move the van they used to pick up Henderson. It was parked right at the crime scene.
    I learned about the lynching attempt while walking past a newsstand in Philadelphia. I freelanced for the Philadelphia Tribune and their front page headline, “Man critical after Lancaster lynching try,” jumped out at me. I asked Jim Davis, the city editor, why they hadn’t called me – they knew I was from Lancaster. He hesitated – “These things can get really ugly, Becky.” I had no idea then the depth of ugliness he was referring to.
    Daniel Rhoads was white. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The police could not arrest these three men – they had hired them previously to kill – so they could never “solve” his attempted murder. I went to Rhoads’ home after he was released from the hospital. I showed him my photograph. His hands began to shake and he said we should call the police immediately and he reached for the phone. How do you tell an 81-year-old man who has led a privileged life that the detectives working his case know the three men who tried to kill him? And, no, they won’t be making an arrest in your case.

CASE NUMBER 1

LANCASTER LYNCHING

     This email in:
    My name is [deleted] and I am a freshman at Penn State University and a resident of Lancaster County. I am writing a paper about a racial event that has taken place from the area I grew up in for a Civil Rights Class that I’m taking. As I was researching my topic, I came across your articles on “Lancaster Lynching” and was intrigued by them. I have a few questions however. My first is, how long were you in Lancaster before taking the picture of the suspects that attempted to kill Robert Henderson? Second, how did you find out about the attempted murder? Also, I have been having some difficulty finding who Henderson sued for violating his civil rights. Finally, was Daniel Rhoads African American? Thank you for any help you can provide to me. I hope to be in contact with you again soon.
    To answer one of your questions, Robert Henderson sued Lancaster Detectives Joseph Geesey and Walter Goeke.
Please check back later today.

HAVEN’T COME ALL THAT FAR?

HEAT OF THE NIGHT

    The encounter left me sleepless, tossing and turning and wondering if there was something else I could have said, should have said.
    …”D*** Puerto Ricans need to leave,” she said, conversationally, to the little girl. “Why they gotta come here, take what we have. Go back to their own country.”
    ….The little girl, the dripping ice cream, the leisurely, summery night, the American flag T-shirt, the talk of church.
    And underneath, the ugly truth that we haven’t come all that far.
Excepts from a LNP column today by Jen Kopf, “Cruel words, like ice cream, best served cold,” (click here).
    Ms. Kopf, if you want to do something about racism in Lancaster County, speak to your employer.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again:  The Lancaster Newspapers and their racist hiring and journalism practices are the major reason for the blatant inequalities and racism in Lancaster County.  Period.  Look to your employer, Ms. Kopf.  If you want change – demand they change.  I’m surprised you can sleep any nights.

* NO CASH REQUIRED!

ARREST THE KILLER!

WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT VOICE!

MISSION NOT ACCOMPLISHED!

FORUM WARS REDUX!

BUT GOOD JOB ON STORMY GIRL, MR DA!