Sunday, March 5, 2017

Drug Court and the Feckless Justice System. Part 1

Many times in the last year and a half people have asked me to put my experience of being robbed and my subsequent encounter with the ineptitude and or corruption of the court and corrections system into a blog.  Much of what my family and I went through has been general knowledge through Facebook status’s that had been shared numerous times. I hadn’t thought much about any of this the last six months when I much washed my hands of everything, assuming our felon had burnt his last bridge and would be doing at least ten years in state prison. That was until last Monday when I received a message at work from a good friend. “Hey, Kathy, what was the name of the guy that broke into your house last year? Looks like your guy is this week’s Rochester’s Most Wanted, just FYI. Nathan Bell, right?” 
Boom. Sure enough, he was out and back to doing what he does. My mouth went dry, my gun got placed back in my waistband, and all sense of peace was replaced by anger once again. The whole range of emotions on this ride is quite exhausting. From wanting to kill him, to wanting to save him, to just feeling numb about the entire incident. So, I decided to talk about it some more. I will take FB status’s and try and fill in some blanks as much of what was written, at the time was by pure emotion. I am trying to get back to the numbness. Hate and anger take way too much energy. I have had a headache more days than not this past week. 

August 27, 2015 4:30am
I have a sleep pattern has me up most days about 3:30 am. I slept later that day. We woke up to the dogs barking. Rick went downstairs and saw nothing. Knowing I wouldn’t be getting back to sleep at that point, I got up a few minutes later. I came downstairs to find the side door wide open. I didn’t think too much about it, as the door jam thingy did not always catch, and kids or whoever may have put the dogs out last, may not have noticed. Plus, it’s August. It is’ hot and humid. I made Rick’s coffee and brought it up to him, grabbed mine and headed to our basement living room. I noticed right away that it was super dark. Usually, there is a light from the two laptops casting a blue glow across the room. I switched a light on and saw nothing, no laptops on my desk. No phone or Ipad was charging on the bookcase, no purse with my handgun, and $400 cash…yea we were robbed. Lily and Bandit knew what they were barking at, and we ignored them.  I yelled up to Rick that everything was gone, that my gun was gone, and he ran downstairs to the dining room to where he used to unload his pockets. His wallet, his gun, and two ammo mags-gone. 

The Police were called and responded within 10 minutes. They had him within 35 minutes.

My first status of this long road.

August 27, 4pm-ish

"This was not how I planned to spend my day off. I hope this douche bag enjoys his 7-15 years on the firearms charges. I am ever so grateful to all the Rochester Police Officers that showed up this morning. You guys Rock!"



Rochester NH Police Department
On 08-27-15 officers from the Rochester Police Department responded to a past tense burglary which happened at a residence on Old Dover Rd in the early morning hours while the homeowners were asleep in bed. The homeowners advised they had woken up and discovered that their doors were opened to the home and they were missing some electronics, as well as 2 firearms. Police set up a perimeter as it was believed the suspect was potentially still in the area. As the officers were setting up the perimeter one officer made contact with a male located in the parking lot of Lius Garden at 603 Columbus Ave. The officer spoke briefly with the male before the male turned and started to run. As the male began running away from the officer he removed two items from his person and threw them into the woods. These discarded items were identified as the two stolen firearms from the burglary. Rochester Police K9 unit responded and tracked the male along the old railroad bed in the woods near Old Dover Rd. After a short track the suspect was apprehended in the woods by Rochester Officers. The suspect was identified to be:
CHRISTOPHER NATHAN BELL
 Age: 23
20 ACADEMY ST Apt. #A ROCHESTER, NH
He was charged with the following crimes:
BURGLARY Felony
RESISTING ARREST OR DETENTION
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY Felony Firearm
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY Felony Firearm
BENCH WARRANT- CONCORD DISTRICT
ARREST ON A WARRANT-MERRIMACK SUPERIOR COURT
RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY Misdemeanor
Bell refused bail and was sent to Strafford County Jail where he will be held until his arraignment on Friday August 28th, at 11:00am. The arraignment will be via video at the Rochester District Court.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Dear Transgendered People...

Dear Transgendered People,

There’s a letter header I never thought I’d be writing. Can we please have a conversation about this bathroom bill stuff?

As woman who was born female, and has always felt like a female, I know that I cannot possibly understand your life. At the same time, I really feel like the intention of recent legislation is being hijacked and distorted. As I have read many of House Bills that have passed through legislation, I don’t see them as the discrimination bills that they are being played as in the media. I see them as protection bills for the general public, especially our most vulnerable.

 North Carolina’s HB 2 or “Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act,” is not meant to single you out, but has the intent of ensuring 'reasonable accommodation' for all.

Is that too much to ask? Is it too much to ask for a mom, shopping for school clothes, with her young children, to have them try on clothes in a dressing room, without a male audience? Target seems to think so with their recent press release.

 What could go wrong there?

So let’s just get to the angst that many of us parents, and women in particular are feeling. This isn't about YOU. 

We don’t care that you have changed your person, wear a skirt, or butch your hair short.

We don’t care that you wear makeup, take hormones to make your facial hair grow or stop growing, WE don’t care. This isn't about YOU!

WE don’t see you as a threat. We may not understand your journey, or relate to your dilemma. (Many of us Bio-females gave up pantyhose years ago. We find them binding. So for someone to intentionally wear them, whilst transitioning to the opposite sex, on purpose…is perplexing to us. Just Saying) Again, you are not the threat. We do not see you as a predator.  This may sound harsh, but some of us, don’t see you at all.

What we do see is the 400,000 registered sex offenders using bathrooms, and changing rooms as new “playgrounds.” We see the 80,000-100,000 convicted and released offenders that are not on the registry. And most of all, we see the not yet caught offenders who look nothing like you.  I had an encounter with such a man when I was 4 years old, at a daycare, in a bathroom. But this is not about me anymore then it is about you. It’s about our children.

 Not everyone is as virtuous as you or I.

Registered Sex offenders, are supposed to distance themselves from places like schools and other kid oriented events and activities, however enforcement of these policies are sorely lacking. Public buildings, malls, stores and other settings will become a ‘safe place to offend’. It’s already happened in the last few weeks, with the non-transgendered pushing the envelope in states that has adopted the 'now anyone can enter, anytime, anywhere' policies.

So I am asking you to take a step back. Although I recognize your need to be validated, I am asking you and your people in your PR dept., recognize the greater issue is of the physical, and emotional safety of our children and others. 

Sex offenders offend minors 44% of the time. Which obviously mean they offend adults male or female 56% of the time. That’s your sister in college, your mom, and yes, even your Grama. 

68% of sexual assaults are never reported to the police, and 98% of rapists will never spend 1 night in jail. And, are free to rape again.

 This should concern you. This is bigger than you and the need to be validated.


So please tell your PR people to stop with homophobic speak. It's a lie. 

Stop the victim mentality mantra, and think about the actual victims here. And think about those that are now being equipped with free pass, to offend more openly. Your rights, give them power.

Behind closed doors.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Journey through History...


My son started Civics yesterday. Bittersweet for me. I love civics and I am pretty active and take my citizenship pretty seriously. For those that need a refresher ~civics: a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens (Merriam-Webster). Or, the study of the rights and duties of citizens and of how government works. So why bittersweet? Because his class, the class of 2019 might be the last class to have the opportunity to take civics. There has been a push to integrate civics into other US History classes rather than to have a specific Civics class available to students, as a US History class.
On September 24th the Instructional Committee were presented with a new US History I course. There were three instructional committee members present, and three other board members present that night. So half of the Rochester School Board did not see this presentation. The course would be offered to sophomores, and in the end would raise History credit requirements by a ½ credit.   At first look, the proposal seemed like a great idea, but then we were told that the quarter required classes of economics, and civics would be eliminated. Fortunately, one of the board members who happens to teach History at a neighboring school district, was not only there, he also sits on the committee. Being that History/Civics is a passion for him, he knew all the right questions and concerns to raise.

We were told that civics would still be taught, but it would be through the new course. It was said that it would be making it “stronger and more in-depth.” The pessimist in me doubts that. Specifically, one of the slides in the presentation says, “Consolidates Civics curriculum into the US History I topics.”
We were told that the History Department has been working on this change for about two years. They were hoping for committee approval in September, full board approval in October, so that they could get the Program of Studies completed, updated for the 2016-2107 school year. Fortunately, no votes have been taken yet by anyone. Usually, something is worked on for years, and then is voted on immediately, by a trusting, agreeable board with virtually no research or vetting during the process. Thank goodness there is a History teacher on the board because Lord knows they wouldn't have taken any of my concerns seriously. At the time of the presentation, they said they would use the US History textbooks. “American Vision” that we currently are using, and then implement some online resources. I have emailed the HS History department to ask, what else will be used in class. The reply was the American Vision textbook. I knew that, so I will email again and ask about more specific about online resources.

The presentation was the third presentation of that evening.

 A couple of the points that were made during the Presentation…

*Economics, (a social studies requirement) had the highest enrollment for sophomores in 2014-2015. 75% did not pass. We didn't get numbers on civics passing rates.

*We would not need to increase staff.

I walked away from the meeting tentatively pleased. A stronger US History class would be nice, but is it really?

Only 24% of High School seniors score proficient, or as we like to say in Rochester “competent,” on the US civic literacy test. Is eliminating required civics courses going to improve those numbers?

Watch the presentation here:

http://www.rochesterschools.com/schoolboardvids/instruc9_24_15.html

While your contemplating if removing civics from course requirements is a good idea, consider this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiZFXkmofgI


Just Saying.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Making America Great Again

Trump.  I am sure to tick off many of my fellow conservatives with this one, but here it goes…

It was very exciting a couple of weeks ago to hear him say pretty much what every American is thinking. But now, as they say, he is sucking out all the oxygen. I DO like that he is pissing off the establishment, but this thing with McCain is getting as old, as McCains time in the Senate. McCain isn't running, and we all know he is a moron. The comments that McCain made about the people that were at the best attended political rally to date shouldn't be at all unexpected. Saying that Trump "fired up the crazies" is not any different than when back in 2013, he attacked Rand Paul and Ted Cruz calling them "wacko birds." The guy has complete disdain for anyone that is not an establishment Republican. He dismisses anyone who pushes the issue of following the law of the land, the Constitution.

Trumps comeback to McCain is to attack his military service. Lame. The guy has turned into a progressive. There are so many others things on his record that could have been addressed and not attack his military service. Leave that alone. But no, he dug a hole and then continued to dig deeper, and to a certain extent put down other POWs.

Then he trades jabs with Lindsey Graham. Graham calls him a "jackass" and Trump responds by calling him an "idiot" and gives out Graham's cell phone number. No wonder people disengage from "politics" The three of them belong in a clown car.

I actually agree with what Rubio says regarding all this, "The country needs a president who restores dignity and class to the White House." Putting it simply, we need a grown up that understands the importance of The Constitution.

I don't think Trump bring that to the table.

Trump goes on to attack Rick Perry, saying "he did an absolutely horrible job securing the border. He should be ashamed of himself," which is complete BS. A year ago, when all those, "kids" started coming over by the thousands, on top of trains, through the river, he begged the WH for some backup and got nothing. So he called in the National Guard. The guy in the WH even refused Perry's request to visit the border with him.

So before Trump goes on to attack better candidates than him, let's revisit some facts about this guy.

He is outspoken. And yes, sometimes that is good.

He says his net worth is $10 billion. So, he probably can't be bought. But...he also probably can't realistically relate to any Americans families whose annual combined salary is $50-100k a year. You know, the little people, the middle class, and the voters.

He is against sanctuary cities. We all should be. It's like the spot on the Monopoly game board that is FREE PARKING for people that broke the law after they get into our country. But he is for comprehensive immigration reform, which is not all that different from the "pathways" that the progressives from both parties support.

In 1999, Trump said on Meet the Press, "I am very pro-choice" even saying that partial birth abortion should remain legal. When considering a run for the presidency in 2011, he said he was pro-life. Yesterday he said that selling baby parts is disgusting. (Of course, this procedure of parting out babies is done largely through partial birth abortions).

Trump was a Democrat from 2001-2008.

He has given more to elect Democrats than Republicans at every election cycle. Since 2010, he still continues to give to Democrats.

Matthew 6:21 Jesus said, "For Where your treasure is, so your heart will be also,"

In 2004, he gave $40.500 to Democrats, and $17,250 to Republicans.

In 2006, he gave $50,000 to get Democrats elected. $1000 to Republicans.

In 2006, he gave $50,000 to assist in Rahm Emmanuel's Mayoral campaign (Obama's Chicago mayor)

In 2006, he gave $77,200 to Democrats in the Senatorial races. That same year he gave $26,250 to the GOP.

In 2010, he gave $50,000 to the Progressive GOP, Karl Rove's super PAC, American Crossroads.

He has financially supported John Kerry, and Ted Kennedy.

In 2010 (after he changed from a democrat to republican) he supported infamous selfie perv, Anthony Weiner. He also supported Harry Reid over 'tea party' challenger Sharon Angle to the tune of $10,000.

He is very tight with the Clintons. Bill was unable to make it but, the Hillz had a front row seat to his latest wedding to Melania Knauss, in 2005. Bill showed up at the reception.

One source I read says that he has given between $100,000 -$250,000 to, the Clinton Foundation. The constant figure I found was $100,000 and Apprentice show was mentioned. The show did raise money for charity, so that may be where the other $150,000 comes into play.


The bottom line is that although the guy says some things that need to be said, he is NOT the conservative that he plays himself off to be. We have several fantastic Constitutional candidates running in this race. Because this is such an important race, I hope we pick the right horse. Trump, I fear may be a Trojan one.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Sci-fi Fantasy and the Reality of Today

 I enjoy Sci-Fi themed TV, movies and books. I think most people do. Not the little green men with 3 eyes and foot long tongues kind, but theyour driving to work, and suddenly spill coffee all over your crotch, choke back the swear word’, and thenan asteroid, a spaceship or a foreign nation attacks or the zombie apocalypse happens---and life as you know it forever changes. I believe that I, like so many others, have actually picked up some survival skills from this particular genre of entertainment. Let’s face it, we ‘Dead’ fans totally know how to effectively stop a zombie without wasting ammo. And after 5 seasons, we might not even be squeamish about having to get it done.

Most of these kinds of shows or books are somewhat believable. And given the headlines of late, aren’t such a stretch anymore.

When Red Dawn came out in 1984, I was a senior in High School. The Soviet Union was the big bad. In reality, they were Communist-ruled. The reality was, being an American in the ‘Land of the Free’ was something to be proud of and we had just elected a strong America loving president. Today, Russia’s Putin is currently rebuilding the Soviet Empire and our president…well, he has done nothing but transform and destroy the fabric of America with every policy and pen at his disposal. It might not be the Russians that will invade small-town America. It would more likely be some Christian, Jew, woman, and homosexual hating Islamic faction that our government has allowed to flourish within our own borders. There are 35 training camps of these haters on our own soil that we know of today.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/hannity-camps/

After reading a book written almost 70 years ago, in a setting of 30 years ago, I see pieces of a puzzle that show a pretty scary and real picture. If I had read the book Nineteen eighty-four in 1984, I would have considered it pretty farfetched. Today, not so much.

The book has The Ministry of Truth, (Oceana’s propaganda machine) we have CNN, MSNBC and yes sometimes even FOX, spouting lies and misinformation.

The novel has the Thought Police. It is the job of the Thought Police to uncover and punishthought crimesor free thought.

The novel also had Big Brother on the telescreen monitoring every move, and communication you make. We have the NSA. It really doesn’t matter the depth that our government actually surveys on your life, it is worse than you can imagine.

And you think this could never be a realityBut 2 years ago, then-Mayor of New York City, Bloomberg said this, “…And our laws and our interpretation of the Constitution, I think, have to change.” Read more at...

http://news.yahoo.com/bloomberg-boston-bombing-rethink-constitution-142223471.html
 
That means everything is on the table for these people.

Just this week, a presidential candidate, (Oh God, please help us), Hillary Clinton even said, “Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will,” she explained. “And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs, and structural biases have to be changed. As I have said and as I believe, the advancement of the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of their societies is the great unfinished business of the 21st century and not just for women but for everyone — and not just in faraway countries but right here in the United States.”

http://hotair.com/archives/2015/04/24/hillary-deep-seated-religious-beliefs-have-to-be-changed-for-abortion/
 
The Supreme Court, right now is deciding if ultimately many Evangelical churches will be forced to perform gay marriages. The outcome will be a game changer for many Bible believing churches. Who will cave in favor of the All-mighty dollar that comes with being tax exempt? We will know soon.

I digress.

Monday, I am listening to the radio, and a news update comes on, and I hear the Mayor of Baltimore say, "I made it very clear that I work with the police and instructed them to do everything that they could to make sure that the protesters were able to exercise their right to free speech. It's a delicate balancing act. Because while we tried to make sure they were protected from the cars and other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy the space to do that as well...."

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/04/baltimore-mayor-spoke-with-obama-in-afternoon-then-waited-hours-to-call-in-the-national-guard/
 
My first thought was that this is kind of like Nineteen Eighty-four’s, Two Minutes of Hate. But then I realized that she must have recently watched The Purge: Anarchy, like I did two weeks ago when it was free on HBO. Because what she ended up condoning was a government sanctioned5 hours of mayhem.’ Of course, she denies saying it. (Sorry Sweetie, we have this thing called video and we gotcha). If you give theseprogressive leftistenough rope they will hang themselves with their very own words.

Speaking of death by spinal cord injury, when I was a kid I watched this movie trilogy calledA Thief in the Night.” In it that series, anyone that didn’t denounce Jesus and bow down to a One World government was decapitated. What are the odds that something like that will ACTUALLY happen? Oh, wait