In my opinion, there are two people in this community that could compose a list of the names of these puppeteers. There are many more of course, but most are intimidated by these scoundrels and keep quiet for fear of reprisal. Anyway, the two who can name names are the Judge himself and our courageous District Attorney, Steve Bebb. (I was being facetious about him being courageous.)

I believe Bebb is not being truthful when he plays down the sinister nature of the tape's release. I believe he knows why and for whom it was leaked and that his accusing the media of hype is a pathetic attempt to shift the blame. I believe he has the proof that, had he had more guts and integrity, could put some of the Cleveland Mob behind bars for trying to manipulate the judicial system in Bradley County. I say the mob, because that is what they are, but a mob of what and for what remains to be exposed.

In my opinion, Bebb is failing in his job and jeopardizing the respect of his office and should be the subject of a FBI investigation, as many in the community have suggested. The FBI should also look into Hagler's case to investigate judicial intimidation. And, if none of this comes about, Hagler should talk to me or another honest media source to help put an end to corruption in Bradley County once-and-for-all.

Likewise, if any of our readers have information on the root of this evil, please contact me, anonymously if you must, but please try to supply proof that we can verify. Any piece of the puzzle will help the whole.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Safety is an illusion

Airport safety is in the news again. This time, after the release of complaints received by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),  a branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Airport security screeners have become some of the least liked government officials in the United States with their obnoxious arbitrary officialdom and inconsiderate demeanor receiving most complaints. Answers of poor overworked and underpaid personnel trying to do a good job may be appropriate for some TSA employees, but my personal experience of their attitude caused me frustration and insult. I personally could take a little officialdom if there was an improved feeling of safety for the common good, but that is not the case. Airport safety is a joke and I do believe the post 9-11 panic was more because the Pentagon was attacked than the World Trade Center. Airport security measures seem more programmed to stop flying bombs than to protect the flying public. And when government sends a message that everyone is to be considered a potential terrorist, it is bound to attract hordes of unfulfilled playground bullies racing to sign up for a job as passenger screener.

I recently had cause to fly from Atlanta International Airport and it was a mess, a disaster waiting to happen because of the way the TSA were organizing passenger screening. If a terrorist had managed to navigate the system with explosives he may have been able to bring down an aircraft killing a few hundred people - providing an air marshal had not got him first - but he could have saved himself the risk and found himself a much easier target, that of the airport itself. 

In order to proceed to a departure gate, it was necessary to line up, with all the other travelers in a vast central area that also housed those sleeping in between flights, and non passengers, along with hundreds of unscreened carry-on bags and dozens of overflowing trash containers. Apart from the TSA screeners at the end of the lines containing thousands of passengers, there was absolutely no security personnel present, at least no one in uniform. What made it all the more ludicrous were the signs advising liquid restrictions on flights, which caused passengers to dispose of them into the already leaking and overflowing containers provided. Remember, thousands of people were present in this area all the time.

Had a terrorist wanted to set off a small bomb inside this screening area, and there would have been ample opportunity for it to be accomplished, the toll would have been thousands and the bomber could have been long gone before the blood stopped flowing.

I repeat, airport security is a joke. Either the TSA is run by idiots, or the public is being misled by false threats of danger and the TSA know it, or the security is not intended to protect passengers but encourage people not to travel by harassing them.

Any way you consider it, the travelling public is being duped by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

We are not safer, we are being made fools of.

That's what I think. What do you think?
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