Gums' Editorial Section

TIME FOR ME TO LET OFF SOME MORE STEAM

By Gums
OK, for the last couple months, I have been pissing and bitching about the "JACKASS" drivers who just have to talk on their cell phones while driving their cars. Seems like they are just out looking for someone to kill with their car-- Well here is the biggest "JACKASS" of them all !

Last Thursday, I was heading down 15th Ave South towards Passadena Ave. I was stopped at the stop sign at 15th and Passadena and saw this nice silver newer Harley go by on Passadena Ave. Now the guy ridding it must have been a newer rider, he just had that "look at me" look about him. What made me notice him was his attire for ridding. Now get this---cut off shorts---no shirt---and leather sandals. I will admit though, he did have his hands protected with a full pair of leather gloves, not the cut off fingerless gloves either. I figured at least his hands wouldn't get "road rash" if he went down & we all know how important it to keep our hands safe!!! We both stopped at the next traffic light and I was looking over checking out his ride as the light changed. Then this guy really showed how stupid he really was. Just after the light changed to green, I guess his cell phone rang. Well, it seems he couldn't get it to "unhook" from his belt,(maybe if he took off his stupid gloves it would have been easier) so here he is riding twenty-five mph while looking down at his belt and using his left hand trying to figure how to answer his stupid ass phone. After about thirty seconds of fooling around with his left hand wandering all over his left side he finally got to answer his very important call. Never mind the fact that during this time, he was weaving all over the right lane of Passadena Ave. I figured that was the end of this guy's problems---but oh no---now we had gone several hundred yards down Passadena Ave and it was time for him to shift gears! By this time, I was laughing my ass off at this jackass. Anyway, to shift gears, what does this "MORON" do now you ask? He, in all his coolness, takes his phone, lays it on his left shoulder and holds it down with his chin, with his face looking to his left so there is no way he can see the road in front of him. After shifting gears, he calmly resumes his very important conversation and I fall way behind him. I figured that some where on down the road I'll find some nice used parts laying around in the roadway----I will give no further comments on this so called "BIKER"----except-----STAY OFF THE FRIGGING PHONE AND RIDE YOUR BIKE YA JACKASS!!


OK, ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

I think most people are just like me when it comes to the political ad's during an election year. They all "SUCK"! The only time you hear from the jackasses is when they want your vote. For at least the last fifty years I have listened to them all say the same shit---"Vote for me and I will solve all your problems, you will have a wonderful life--I can fix anything---etc" Now if you believe any of their bullshit, just go ask an American Indian how their life has gotten better. After all we stole this country from them. When and if you go to the polls to vote, look for the entry on the ballot that reads "NONE OF THE ABOVE." That is who I would vote for. I haven't seen a single poll taken among honest working class people who make an hourly wage. All polls are taken from the college educated upper class people of this country. If the poll takers don't like what you have to say, they just "delete" your vote. How the hell can people like Bush or Kerry say they will represents the working people if they have never worked at an honest job themselves? Do you really think they worry about the same things that we do? Like the cost of home or auto insurance----the cost of a good "T" bone steak-----the cost of a gallon of gas for their government supplied cars--or a hundred other things that we common folk have to worry about. Now take good ole Kerry, who say's he is in touch with the "people." When he bought his townhouse in Boston, he had the city dig up a fire hydrant and move it down the block so his wife could park right in front of their town house. Just how much do you think that cost the taxpayers of Boston? Better yet, do you think MR. Joe Citizen could get the city to do something like for them?---Not on your best day! With the whole government the way it is right now (and I don't mean because of Bush) we the people are in for a lot more of getting screwed by our elected officials--------and those in public office love it that way!---If ya don't like who is running for office----don't vote. Some will piss and moan that the idea of not voting is un American, well to that I say "bullshit"!

What if for some strange reason we had the choice of voting for Charlie Manson or Ted Bundy for president, which would you vote for? Would you just vote for what you thought was the lesser of two evils just so you could brag that you voted. Before anyone starts pissing about it, I know neither of those two could run for office and that would never happen, or could it? (Bundy is dead anyway) I would probably vote for good ole Charlie any way, but that is another topic. All I can say is "think hard before you vote"!


ALL JEW'S AREN'T ALIKE

I just have to bring this up to make myself feel better. This little piece isn't for anyone's ego but mine, sometimes ya just meet a real piece of crap and ya just have to tell someone---so here goes! I for the last thirteen years, have worked as a "maintenance" man for a local Jew Synagogue. During those years, I have discovered one thing, I now know why some people feel the way they do towards Jews. This little synagogue has some of the nicest people that I have had the privilege to know. But then there were the others! Most all of the people at this Synagogue are over seventy-five years old and set in their ways. Another words, they don't want change, just leave them as they are! Now this is just fine as it is their synagogue. However, I have never seen anything like some of the things that went on at this place. As maintenance man, I would have to lock up even the smallest of things like toilet paper and paper hand towels. When they were still having Friday evening services, I would make sure there was plenty of towels and toilet paper out for them. They would have maybe twenty-five people at the evening service, and low and behold, they would use all ten to twelve rolls of paper and two packs of paper towels (500 towels per pack) figure that one out. I went into the kitchen a few years ago and saw some writing on the shelf in one of the pantries. Upon looking closer, I saw someone had counted all the salt and pepper shakers and written the count on the shelf in ink. When I ask the ladies why, they said they did that so no one would be tempted "steal" any. By the way they also counted all the cream pitchers too! GIVE ME A BREAK! Going back to the way some people think of Jews in general, let me say this---in thirteen years, I received two Christmas bonuses. One year was a bottle of whiskey and the other year it was twenty-five dollars---talk about cheap. However several of the members gave me personal gifts and made sure that I knew they appreciated all I did for them and the gifts were from them, not the Synagogue! So a hand full of them were the nicest people I had met and not just because they gave me a gift. They would just treat me with respect and not the expected nose in the air Jewish attitude that I had seen there. Over the years, I worked hundreds of hours, over and above what my job called for, and received no pay or even a thank you, but this can be expected of some of these people. There are thousands of stories that I could tell you about this place, but I'm sure we have all met people like this before. Seems for about two years now they have a new president. Good old Elaine, about 75 I think even though she say's she is 61,. Now here is a real piece of work! When first elected to office, she seemed to have the best interest of the synagogue at heart. Boy oh boy, did that ever change quick. She quickly became a "SCHMEGGEGE" (one that doesn't have it all together) I don't know where to start on her---so lets just mention a few things that would blow your mind if you were normal (which I doubt she is). Well, she didn't like all the "ole" ladies helping her in the kitchen so she ran them out ---said she wants things done "her" way and she had to do it herself if it was to be done right---all the ole ladies were doing was trying to be use full and help----but no "queen" Elaine had to have it her way. Next she decides no one should be allowed to enter "her" kitchen at all when she isn't there to be boss so she puts a lock on the kitchen door! The siding on the building needed some work----what does "queen" Elaine do, you guessed it---hires an unlicensed contractor who promptly screws her (and the synagogue) out of about $2500.00. She says the man told her that he had children to feed and she felt sorry for him and gave him his money in advance. I will admit some work got done, he spilled paint all over the place, put steel screws and nails through the siding to help make it "waterproof" and walked off after working for several hours---oh ya, his helper was his ten year old son who just happened by on his bicycle.. When she needed a contractor to do some work, I would recommend someone who I knew to be honest and reliable and most of all "licensed and insured." The electrician I sent over told her after a couple weeks that he was to busy to do the job for her at this time (truth was he wanted no part of her or the job)! A good friend Jeff who has been a building contractor for twenty some odd years even put a tarp on the synagogue roof at six AM on a Saturday before their services, so the rain wouldn't leak through their leaking roof, and only charged her a small amount. Did she ever call him back for the main part of the job (the kitchen ceiling had collapsed from all the rain)---no way. Jeff is another one who wouldn't work for her ever again. By the way, the ceiling came crashing down in the kitchen just a few months after they had put a $25,000.00 roof on the place. I sent a painter to her to paint the kitchen for her. This man has been a painting contractor for twenty-five years and has painted inside and outside of my house. Queen Elaine approved the work to be done and did nothing but bitch the whole time the painter was working. She kept adding things that weren't part of the job trying to be one of "those type Jews" who are always trying to get something for nothing, I think it's called a "SHNORRER" (someone who always asks others for free services)! Keep in mind, that all Jewish people are not like this! Another word for this person is "MRYVEN" (an expert or know it all) just has to be in total control of everything going on around her. If she isn't in charge, she feels inferior and totally lost. While she does have a college degree, she has no common sense or street smarts. I was going to post this several weeks ago, but I had to research some Jewish words that fit the topic and person. Me not being Jewish, (I am a German WASP and proud of it) it took some time to find and check the meaning of the words. So in closing Elaine, I hope your fat old butt has a good life and here are a few words in Yiddish or Jewish or what ever you call it that will remind me of you---
"SCHNOOK"--------unscrupulous one (now that's fits you)
"NEBBISH"--------a pitiful person
"GOLEM"----------a mindless person
something you don't have----"SAYCHEL"----common sense
something you can't take----"MUSSAR"-----constructive criticism
all you ever did was--------"KVETCH"-----complain (mostly behind peoples back though)
so I guess you are just-----"MESHUGE"----crazy
I hope all these words are correct, not being a Jew, I did my best on the meaning and spelling!!


NOW FOR THE NEXT ITEM

I see that with all this "national security" crap they are shoving down our throats, we (you not me) have something new to look forward to. The local sports authority wants to start doing "pat downs" at the Buc's football games. That's right, just like when ya get busted by the cops. Now when ya go to a game, you will get a free feel up by some rent-a-cop. Boy that will sure make me feel safer! I can just see all the "funny" guys applying for that job now--- But wait, if they put all the men in one line and all the chicks in another, I wonder if I could get a job patting down the chicks. I mean it's all in the name of public safety isn't it? Hell I'd work real cheap on a job like that------


OK--HERE'S ANOTHER ONE

Seems a bunch of child psychologists have gotten together and started something new---They no longer want our teachers to use "RED" ink or "RED" pencils when grading children's school papers. Yup--that's right, they say it's "bad" for the children. They say children think of "danger" when they see "red." Seeing a red mark on their papers will give them a feeling of "failure." These pabulum puking liberals now want our teachers to use, are ya ready for this one, "PURPLE OR LAVENDER" ink when grading papers. They say these colors have a calming effect and will give the children a much better feeling about themselves. Hell if they had their way, they would put all the little boys in pretty little sun dresses! I sure as hell don't know who pays these assholes, but I hate the thought that they may be getting paid with my tax dollars to come up with this shit! Hell, what's next--no red bicycles--boys must wear ribbons in their hair so the little girls don't feel different--damn, they may even want boys to wear "mini pads" once a month so girls don't feel bad. Damn, if it wasn't for red ink, I would never have even gotten any of my papers back from the teachers.


OK MOVIN ON

One of the most dangerous groups around today is our own government--I have gathered below some examples of the government forfeiture and seizure act. I have gathered them from several sources around the net. This is the government act that allows just about any State, local or Federal authority, to seize your property weather you committed a crime or not. I hope some of the items below will give a wake up call to those who still trust our government. Keep in mind that this "act" was put in force to combat crime----instead it has turned our authorities into a bunch of thieves that are worse than the people they (the government) are supposed to be protecting us from!----Like the old saying goes, "FEAR THE GOVERNMENT THAT FEARS IT'S PEOPLE" and our government is scared to death of it's citizens------------

A police dog scratched at your luggage, so we're confiscating your life savings and you'll never get it back.' Police stopped 49-year-old Ethel Hylton at Houston's Hobby Airport and told her she was under arrest because a drug dog had scratched at her luggage. Agents searched her bags and strip-searched her, but they found no drugs. They did find $39,110 in cash, money she had received from an insurance settlement and her life savings; accumulated through over 20 years of work as a hotel housekeeper and hospital janitor. Ethel Hylton completely documented where she got the money and was never charged with a crime. But the police kept her money anyway.

Nearly four years later, she is still trying to get her money back. Ethel Hylton is just one of a large and growing list of Americans - now numbering in the hundreds of thousands - who have been victimized by civil asset forfeiture. Under civil asset forfeiture, everything you own can be legally taken away even if you are never convicted of a crime. Suspicion of offenses which, if proven in court, might result in a $200 fine or probation, are being used to justify seizure of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property.

Totally innocent Americans are losing their cars, homes and businesses, based on the claims of anonymous informants that illegal transactions took place on their property. Once property is seized, it is virtually impossible to get it back. Property is now being seized in every state and from every social group.

Seizures include pocket money confiscated from public-housing residents in Florida; cars taken away from men suspected of soliciting prostitutes in Oregon; and homes taken away from ordinary, middle class Americans whose teenage children are accused of selling a few joints of marijuana. No person and no property is immune from seizure. You could be the next victim. Here are some examples: In Washington, D.C. police stop black men on the streets in poor areas of the city, and "routinely confiscate small amounts of cash and jewelry." Most confiscated property is not even recorded by police departments.

In Iowa, "a woman accused of shoplifting a $25 sweater had her $18,000 car - specially equipped for her handicapped daughter - seized as the 'getaway vehicle.'" [USA Today, 5/18/92]

Detroit drug police raided a grocery store, but failed to find any drugs. After drug dogs reacted to three $1.00 bills in the cash register, the police seized $4,384 from cash registers and the store safe. According to the Pittsburgh Press, over 92% of all cash in circulation in the U.S. now shows some drug residue.

In Monmouth, New Jersey, Dr. David Disbrow was accused of practicing psychiatry without a license. His crime was providing counseling services from a spare bedroom in his mother's house. Counseling does not require a license in New Jersey. That didn't stop police from seizing virtually everything of value from his mother's home, totaling over $60,000. The forfeiture squad confiscated furniture, carpets, paintings, and even personal photographs.

Kathy and Mark Schrama were arrested just before Christmas 1990 at their home in New Jersey. Kathy was charged with taking $500 worth of UPS packages from neighbors' porches. Mark was charged with receiving stolen goods. If found guilty, they might have paid a small fine and received probation.

The day after their arrest, their house, cars and furniture were seized. Based upon mere accusation, $150,000 in property was confiscated, without trial or indictment. Police even took their clothing, eyeglasses, and Christmas presents for their 10-year-old son. The incentive for government agencies to expand forfeiture is enormous. Agencies can easily seize property and they usually keep what they take. According to the Pittsburgh Press, 80% of seizure victims are never even charged with a crime.

Law enforcement agencies often keep the best seized cars, watches and TVs for their "departments," and sell the rest. How extensive are seizures in America today? The Washington Post has reported that the U.S. Marshals Service alone had an inventory of over $1.4 billion in seized assets, including over 30,000 cars, boats, homes and businesses. Federal and state agencies seizing property now include the FBI, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Coast Guard, the IRS, local police, highway patrol, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, FDA, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Asset forfeiture is a growth industry. Seizures have increased from $27 million in 1986, to over $644 million in 1991 to over $2 billion today. Civil asset forfeiture defines a new standard of justice in America; or more precisely, a new standard of injustice. Under civil seizure, property, not an individual is charged with an offense. Even if you are a totally innocent owner, the government can still confiscate your ''guilty'' property.

Once your property is seized, expect to spend years fighting government agencies and expect to be impoverished by legal fees - with no guarantee of winning - while the government keeps your car, home and bank account. In fact, in a recent Supreme Court decision (Bennis v. Michigan), the Court said explicitly that innocent owners can be deprived of their property if it's used to facilitate a crime, even without the owner's knowledge or consent. That means you can now lose your home or business because of the action of employees, relatives, or guests, over whom you have absolutely no control.

Police and prosecutors have incentive to confiscate as much as possible.. Not only do police and prosecutors have the power to seize anything you own on the slightest pretext, they also have the incentive. The dirty little secret of the forfeiture racket is that police, prosecutors and judges can benefit personally by stealing your property. Brenda Grantland - America's leading asset forfeiture defense attorney - gives these examples of government greed in her book Your House Is Under Arrest: Suffolk County, NY. District Attorney James M. Catterton drives around in a BMW 735I that was seized from an alleged drug dealer.

He spent $3,412 from the forfeiture fund for mechanical and body work, including $75 for pin-striping. Warren County, NJ. The assistant chief prosecutor drives a confiscated yellow Corvette. Little Compton, RI. The seven member police force received $3.8 million from the federal forfeiture fund, and spent it on such things as a new 23-foot boat with trailer, and new Pontiac Firebirds.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. The head of one Los Angeles police forfeiture squad claims his group personally pocketed over $60 million in seized property. Why do our courts tolerate these outrageous legalized thefts? Because they get their cut. It's completely legal for confiscated property to be used by police, prosecutors and judges, so long as it's for official business. In 1996, a federal district court even ruled that police can personally receive 25% of the value of any confiscated home, car, or business.

Some police will kill you for your property in Malibu, California, park police tried repeatedly to buy the home and land of 61-year-old, retired rancher Don Scott, which was next to national parkland. Scott refused. On the morning of October 2, 1992, a task force of 26 LA county sheriffs, DEA agents and other cops broke into Scott's living room. When he heard his wife, Frances, scream, he came out of his upstairs bedroom with a gun over his head. Police yelled at him to lower his gun.

He did, and they shot him dead. Police claimed to be searching for marijuana which they never found. Ventura County DA Michael Bradbury concluded that the raid was "motivated at least in part, by a desire to seize and forfeit the ranch for the government ... the search warrant became Donald Scott's death warrant." ...