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Day: August 27, 2014

“COPS” TV Show Crew Member Dies After Being Shot

The show “COPS” has been must-see TV for millions of people in the U.S., and I’m sure many, like me, have wondered if anyone involved in the production of the reality TV show has ever been hurt, or has somehow become the story rather than the storyteller.

It happened last night.

A crew member with the “Cops” television show was fatally struck by police gunfire as Omaha officers confronted a robber — who also was fatally wounded — at a midtown restaurant, law enforcement sources said Wednesday.

The World-Herald has learned that at least 30 shots were fired at the Wendy’s near 43rd and Dodge Streets. Officials said it appears the only shots fired came from police.

Omaha Police held a press conference today at 2:30 pm central time.

In a statement, Langley Productions, which produces “Cops,” said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy and our main concern is helping his family in any way we can. Bryce Dion was a long term member of the Cops team and a very talented and dedicated person. We mourn his passing. An investigation is ongoing and we are cooperating with local authorities.”

Ebola: Is It Getting Worse?

Depending on who you pay attention to, you may hear that the Ebola outbreak in Africa is either no big deal, because it’s really hard to catch, or, it’s much worse and that the severity is being underreported. The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remarked on Wednesday that he believes things are much worse than anyone is willing to report.

“It’s even worse than I’d feared,” Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday of the Ebola outbreak rampaging through West Africa.

“Every day this outbreak goes on, it increases the risk for another export to another country. The sooner the world comes together to help Liberia and West Africans, the safer we will all be.”

A commenter on Lucianne.com says it best.

Help? We tried that. As long as the natives hide patients, raid clinics, and distrust doctors, there is no help to give. As in plagues of the past, complete isolation of the sick and adequate disposal of the dead is required and until those with the disease are willing to cooperate in these efforts, Ebola cannot be stopped. At a minimum we must not allow any travelers from those countries into the West unless they ALL be isolated until their health can be established. ALL travelers.

Brown Shooting Audio Might Be a Hoax

If you’ve been watching CNN at all over the last 24 hours, you’ve no doubt heard the audio clip purporting to be the exact moment Michael Brown was shot by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, MO. This morning, CNN had two former law enforcement officials on the program to comment on the validity of the audio. They were skeptical.

“I’ve told your producers that for all I know this is one of Howard Stern’s punk people,” former LAPD officer David Klinger said. “It came out, what, two weeks after the event, and so I don’t have a high degree of confidence in it.”

“But, it could be real,” he added without much enthusiasm.

Klinger noted that his first inclination is “someone is trying to punk CNN.”

CNN law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes seemed to share Klinger’s opinion. He left open the possibility that the audio, which to him sounded dubbed, may have been manipulated by CNN’s producers before it was aired.

“My producer says that’s all we were given,” Pereira said.

“When I heard this yesterday, I thought the exact same thing: it’s a hoax,” Fuentes added.

He went on to note that, even if the tape is real, it supports the claims of both Brown and Wilson’s supporters and is not of much evidentiary value.

CNN used to be authoritative. Now, they’re just one of many mainstream news organizations trying to be first with everything, even if it’s fake.

Tony Blair: Let’s Restore Gaza!

As details on the long-term truce in the Israel / Palestinian conflict continue to flow out to the public, some are rushing to put measures in place to rebuild after the destruction from the thousands of bombs that were dropped over seven weeks. The rebuilding wouldn’t necessarily be an area-wide endeavor. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, now Middle East Quartet Envoy, wants to immediately focus on opening the Gaza Strip to the world. He wants nations to join in the rebuilding effort, but it should be controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

“Such a plan can allow Gaza residents to lead better lives, and Israeli citizens to live in safety and security,” Blair said.

Blair puts an amazing amount of trust in the PA to manage a process like this. I guess in Tony’s world, no corruption exists. History shows when millions (or billions) of dollars are showered on a government for infrastructure, the money gets skimmed. Sometimes it completely vanishes into government or individual coffers. What guarantees would “the world” have to ensure the PA doesn’t turn around and manufacture more bombs with money targeted to this restoration effort?

And do you think Hamas would sit by idly and not expect to grab its own portion of the cash for its terrorist operations?

The truth is none of this will ever happen. Am I surprised by this suggestion from Blair? No. He’s trying to be relevant. He wants his name out there in conjunction with this truce agreement. I think world leaders would see his insertion here as just that – a way for Tony to claim ownership over a grand plan, even if it has no chance of implementation.