know Clapton has said he left this out of the unplugged special and album beacuse the song wasen't ready. …

Abdul,

You are about as predictable as Al Sharpton. I think I called exactly what you were going to do in my comments to another post of yours.

You accuse Al of being a Parrot. Sounds like you doing a pretty good job of Parroting the same statistics over and over again.

So your Mayor Ballard is going to bailout the Pacers with a $33.5 million handout? Will their cash be coming from our new water bills?

Actually it's coming from CIB budget. But you're a Democrat so I wouldn't expect you to know anything about finance.

I only say what's true. You don't have to listen or read it.

… but I can recognize a shell game! Ballard's expecting to hand out the big bucks now that the Water Company shuffle-around and the 30 year bonds and the higher water bills look likely.

Because that 400% Peterson rate increase is so preferable.

Wow! You are being extremely defensive this morning! That $33.5 million bailout by Ballard must be really touchy for you.

Not really, I'm just in a mood to argue! :-)

And you're low hanging fruit.

but Ballard's $33.5 million bailout handout is for the high rollers!

Who give primarily to Democrats like Melina and Andre, so you should be excited!

I have to admit, I did not stay for all of Al Sharpton's address last night, I left about 15 minutes before he ended.

I am in agreement with Abdul. I believe this whole situation has become a circus. I have become frustrated not only with the concerned clergy but with the Police organization itself. I have asked the question so many times, where are they when we have black on black crime, or crime committed against the elderly or even crime committed against the white population of the community. This has become a race for the mic. I am very disappointed that as a Police organization that someone has not asked the question ” Why only now” and not when we have true true victims of crime, not the ones that are selling drugs, and or illegal weapons.

So I'm sitting at my desk, plowing through the weekend garbage loosely called “vital e-mail” and I tune in to find Abdul slamming Al Sharpton, and then engaging in a typed-word-toss with Wilson. Low-hanging fruit. Funny. Hilarious. And Eric Clapton wanders into the comments. Perfect.

Most important factoid from the above? You were in a church 3 times in one day.

And the whole hate-Peterson mantra spewed by the 25th floor didn't leave your spirit.

Hint: he's gone. Ballard can't bash him next year. Then Ballard will be gone, too.

Let's hope the new mayor does a few things:

First, eliminate the Public Safety Director position.

Second, do whatever is necessary to rid IMPD of the (very few) bad apples that exist. Hell, pay rewards to the good officers if you have to, but root them out. Then, the Sharpton visits, and the racist nonsense the flows from all sides of this hopeless argument, will be eliminated.

I'll think of some more, but for now, this is Abdul's moment. He loves the Sharpton and low-hanging fruit references. Substance will come later.

Much later.

God I hate Mondays.

You and the Boomtown Rats.

How naive to think that getting rid of the very few bad apples will eliminate the 'racist nonsense' in our community. Amos Brown anyone???

The issue isn't black or white; it's about American Citizenship and the rights that membership guarantees. As an American citizen, tax payer and active voter –and yes, I vote on individuals and not parties–, I am curious to know how many deaths, injuries and how much property damage has occurred due to police chases over non-violent offenses. I don't feel any safer after the incidents. Do you? I could possibly understand if the pursuits removed murderers and/or pedophiles off the street but traffic violators? SIDEBAR: How does a traffic violator receive more punishment that a pedophile? Hmm… Moving on…We entrust cameras to take a picture of the license plates to follow up with a ticket. Police can't do the same? Even if the car is stolen, there is a such thing as finger prints. I expect a police officer to act just as professional as I would a store clerk, even more so with the power that they possess. Wrong is wrong….job training and a spiffy uniform does not transform a human being into an Angelic-do-no-wrong being. I entrust my public safety to safety officers, and I expect them make decisions based on strategy not emotions and preconceived notions. Just as I would expect a teacher to make a better decision than a student. To sum it up, I like to see any citizen standing up for their rights and hopefully realize that citizenship –its rights and responsibilities– is a lifestyle not just a reaction. And anybody, white–black–Asian–Hispanic–other, should be offended at the abuse of power. Period. A human being is a human being, there are no degrees and if your reaction to a story is determined by what those involved look like then you're part of the problem. All other considerations, such as the messenger, in this land of the free and brave are distractions.

Many of the ministers there get grants for their “foundations” from the city….some of the more vocal ones did not get their annual grant and are pissed off………it is about the money!!

Rico,

Do you think if it was a black cop that commited the crime of brutally beating a kid in handcuffs that the ministers and the black community wouldn't be up in arms.

I think they would be just as upset. Last night I didn't hear once person single out white officers.

As much as you despise Al Sharpton you didn't have to cover the event but you did.

I definitely believe Big Al wouldn't have come to town if the cop had been black. And with the 'concerned clergy' it's always about race. Grow up!

I predict we'll be reading about young Brandon sometime in the future. He may not have deserved all he got, but he's a punk heading down the wrong road.

Sorry. There are degrees. The scum among us with no regard for life are less human than you or I. Period.

The curse of my day job!

TA, dont worry about Sharpton. Can you please continue your discussions with Ryan .

I see another Brian Reese in the making.

Indy,

Are you serious. It is about race. Thats how Sharpton and I make our money. If we was white folk we would be stick in an office someplace forced to listen to Rush Limbaugh and Abdul

Democrats with Al Sharpton, Republicans with a Bailout… Now you know why I am a Libertarian.

what world do you live in Indy? how bout fantasy island. de plane de plane.

OK, maybe I didn't get the glossary, but I don't get that comment. ??

A punk heading down the wrong road? On what do you base that, Rico?

And yeah, I do believe that getting rid of a few IMPD bad apples will improve the overall situation. I know a lot of LEOs. They share that view. The overwhelming majority of them do good jobs day in/out, under sometimes-difficult circumstances. I have tremendous respect for their courage and (usually) their calm common sense.

An IMPD officer was fired, and another disciplined over this case. Surely the community agree,s that the kid didn't deserve a beat-down…? The evidence determined as much, and the prosecutor, as lame as he is, decided against prosecution when he saw the evidence and case reports.

(Who's Ryan)??

Wrong Abdul… The Circus has NOT left town. Only a Ring Leader. The carnies have been left behind.

I base that comment, and stand by it, on his behavior that day. I'm sure he'll grow up to be a loyal Democrat, and that's probably all that matters to you.

I love this quote. “about American Citizenship and the rights that membership guarantees”. Sadly, the only right we have anymore is the opportunity to work your butt off. The other “rights” are secondary.

Wow

How sad it must be, to go through life with such a chip on your shoulder, and such a sour puss.

You're pathetic.

YOur favorite CCC cast member Ryan Vaughn

I only fly first class

Truth hurts, doesn't it? And I'm only sad for where those of your ilk are taking this once great nation. And to be judged 'pathetic' by you is a badge of honor. I shall wear it proudly.

The Public Safety Director position needs to go, post haste! It is an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy with a budget for the office that is NOT justified. Why has the Public Safety Director's staff increased to a size never before seen under Straub? Is Straub accountable to anyone, or just given free reign to create make-work, do-nothing jobs while essential city service jobs go unfilled?

In fact, after seeing the silly things this public safety director is doing, it wouldn't surprise me if he hired Monroe “Sweet Pea” Gray to be his “Public Safety Community Liason” with a salary of $90k+.

Mayor Ballard and any incumbent on the City Council (well, the ones I get to vote for anyway) just lost a vote. It is ridiculous that we are giving money to a basketball team. I don't care how much we gave the Colts – just because we were stupid once doesn't mean we are obligated to be stupid again.

I was thinking low hanging, but fruit was not on my mind.

The kid wasn't beat after cuffed he was injured while resisting arrest. At this time I’m not convinced that the officers did anything wrong.

And not a single person, including the Concerned Clergy, have addressed Brandon Johnson's absent father, and the abysmal rate of illegitimacy in the black community. Hear this people, and hear it well: CHILDREN FROM SINGLE PARENT HOMES DO LESS WELL ON EVERY MEASURE OF SOCIAL WELL BEING THAT THERE IS. I don't want to hear any more rhetoric about the “system”, “racism”, or even the police, until the black community itself addresses this issue themselves. It's nothing that neither the government nor publicity hungry “preachers” from out of town can fix!

Buzzy –

Obviously you didn't go to the speech last night because Al specifically touched on that point.

Also – Not that it makes a difference but I would almost bet Brandon's father is white.

Our city is very sick.

our city needs a great healing, guys. This has got to end.

Then run Amos Brown and the 'concerned clergy' out of town. They make their living by perpetuating our racial divide.

No, “rico”, in America we don't let anonymous nobodies hiding behind a fake name drive anybody out of town. Get over yourself! Your era of Klan Night-Riders burning down homes and firing at folk is over.

Nevertheless, the issue remains largely unaddressed, and the black community's problems will not get any better until it is. And shame on any man, er, I mean male, of any race who doesn't have enough spine to marry the mother of his children FIRST, and then stay there to raise them.

When you are one deviation down your ability to function in a society like ours is also at least one deviation down.

The Klansman who just died, A-hole, was a 'pillar of the Senate' in YOUR party. Yours is the Party of racists and race-baiters. It is your party who has hyphenated America and sees only color. It is your party who engages in the 'subtle bigotry of lowered expectations' in the name of diversity.

I was responding to Melyssa, Simpleton. I don't want them run out of town, I want them exposed. It is you Dems that try to silence dissent. The 'concerned clergy' cares about as much for the black community as your heroine Julia did the last decade of her life.

Our city needs homeowners who will not leave tree limbs and throw mattresses in their backyards and then ignore code violations until the taxpayers have to pay to clean it up.

You mean Ryan Vaughn , the council member with more conflicts of interest than any of the others………

Since the Brandon Johnson is clearly motivated by race according to Sharpton et al, I would like to respond for the white community. Remember, Brandon Johnson is bi racial.

You interfered with the police, and you got what you deserved. It is called personal responsibility and respect (or how about basic civility toward your fellow person). A lesson both of your parents (regardless of colour, failed to teach you) Soon, you (your mother and the clergy) will settle with the city for several hundered of thousands of dollars in damages. When the money runs out, we will see you again in the headlines.

Flag on the play, racist.

I normally dont agree with Joe Slash since he voted to KEEP IMPD Off. Bobby Jefferson on the police department after Jefferson was caught red handed (he returned the money and admitted to the theft) of $500 he stole during a traffic stop of a hispanic last fall. But occassionally, Slash does suprise.

In case of police stop, keep cool, follow rules
Joseph A. Slash
Posted: July 13, 2010.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...
The Indianapolis Urban League does not condone inappropriate police actions that result in injury or mistreatment of any citizen. We are disturbed by the recent police actions, and believe justice will be done, and expect those responsible will be held accountable by the proper authorities.
As one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the country, our more pressing concern is to make sure members of our community avoid confrontational situations with law enforcement officials.

A few years ago, numerous community and civic leaders worked together to develop a Community Code of Conduct and Rules of Survival to be used if detained by law enforcement officials.
As we begin the summer months, we feel it is appropriate to remind the community of these guidelines and strongly encourage all citizens to use this information if detained by the police:
1. Be polite and respectful when stopped by the police. It is important to make police feel that they are not in a threatening environment.
2. Stay calm and remain in control. You may be scared, but it is important for you to relax. Watch your words, body language and emotions.
3. Do not under any circumstances get into an argument with the police.
4. Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law.
5. Keep your hands in plain sight and make sure the police can see your hands at all times. This means you keep your hands out of your pockets and avoid any hand motions or gestures that may be viewed as aggressive.
6. Avoid physical contact with the police. Do not brush against the police in any manner.
7. Do not run from the police even if you are afraid.
8. Even if you believe that you are innocent, do not resist arrest.
9. Do not make any statements about the incident until you are able to meet with your parents, guardian, a lawyer or a public defender.
10. Remember that your goal is to get home safely. Use the above rules to help you navigate a police stop. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you and your parents have the right to file a formal complaint with your local police jurisdiction.
Also a few years ago, the then-chief of the Indianapolis Police Department published a flier titled “What to Do When Operating a Motor Vehicle and Stopped by a Police Officer.” The Indianapolis Urban League has encouraged the current chief to reissue this important and timely information.
We owe it to every citizen of our community to do everything we can to make the Greater Indianapolis community a safe environment.

.
.Slash is president and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League.

Officer Whitlow, Brandon Johnson father is white. Mother is black. This has to do with personal responsibility of a sub-cultural that exists within our society. A sub-cultural that relates immediate self gratification, lack of responsibility and damn the consequences. A sub-culture that is growing in population (look at out of wedlock birth rates) and unfortunately acceptance into our society.

Where was the concern when a black officer, while off duty but in uniform,shot and killed a drug dealer at the request of another drug dealer? Could it be that since all 3 were black, that the deafening silence from the “Concerned” clergy was an indictment of their failure as moral stewards of God, at least for these individuals? Spare us Your observations, Rmoney..and as far as predictable, I have seen that alot in your posts. Predictable as in hypocritical

That word means nothing anymore, thanks to those of your ilk.