This'n'That; February 3rd[Gillibrand;Cop;JuvCourt]

The "Breath-Of-Fresh-Air" I Hoped For Imagine my surprise when I today's rag and found that SENATOR Gillibrand [Rob'em's replacment] had voluntarily released her tax records to reporters. Remember, the Senator first ran for elective office in 2006; 2005 was her family's best year, tax-wise. That year, she earned the bulk of the family's income [$509k-versus $24.6k for her husband, Jonathan] During her last year of private employment she was a partner at the Boies, Schiller & Flexner law firm. Her husband is an active stock options trader. His best year was 2007, just before the economic collapse, inwhich he had a net annual income of $40k. Their combined taxable income: ***2005-$533,852; ***2oo6-$149,357; ***2007-$199,135. This is rare for a member of Congress to release his/her income tax information. Most opt to use the current financial disclosure system which allows members to report income and assets in ranges rather than specific dollar amounts. This system also allows the member to exclude spousal income. "Chuckie-Cheese" Schumer didn't respond to the question of whether he'd release more accurate information... Why does that NOT surprise me?!?! Wounded Policeman Update A 14-year old boy has been arrested in connection with the weekend shooting of a Rochester police officer. Mayor Duffy says the youth, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to police earlier today. A news conference is scheduled for later this morning. **I found the above on the D&Cs Editorial Board Blog, as posted by James Lawrence, Editor.** Radio news reports are calling the lil' bastard a "person-of-interest." [Below is the newspaper [website] report, a synopsis of the news conference held at Rochester's Public Safety Building, late this morning] A 14-year-old boy has surrendered to police in connection with the weekend shooting of a Rochester police officer.Mayor Duffy today said the youngster, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to police earlier today.At a news conference this morning, Rochester Police Chief David Moore said Tyquan Rivera, 14, of 65 Dayton St., was charged this morning with first-degree assault and second-degree attempted murder, both felonies. Tyquan is scheduled to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in City Court. Tyquan is accused of shooting Anthony DiPonzio, 23, of Greece in the back of the head Saturday afternoon after he and two other officers responded to a complaint about drug activity near the area of 21 Dayton St. The officers questioned a group of people on the street but found no reason to make arrests. When they turned to walk away about 3:45 p.m., DiPonzio was shot.The officers drove DiPonzio in a patrol car to Rochester General Hospital, where he underwent 2½ hours of surgery Saturday evening. DiPonzio was listed in guarded condition Monday, said Officer LaRon Singletary, city police spokesman.DiPonzio has been a member of the Rochester Police Department for one year and is a 2003 graduate of The Aquinas Institute in Rochester. He also graduated magna cum laude with two bachelor’s degrees, in history and political science, from the State University College at Brockport in 2006, according to university spokesman Nick Mascari. Revamp Juvenile Trial and Sentencing System? I vote YES!! Take the case of this "wounded policeman." Here's a young guy-a family guy-just embarking on what he feels is his life's calling. Last Saturday, this young cop was on routine traffic patrol when he was dispatched to a "suspected drug activity" call in one of Rochester's "finer ghettos." He arrived there with two fellow cops [all riding single] and the three of them spoke with a group of individuals on the street. After determining there was no basis for arrest; no reason to suspect anyone of shady dealings, the three walked down the sidewalk to their respective patrol cars. The next thing they know, one of them is shot in the back of the head!! An unprovoked assault-with wanton disregard for human life!! The policeman was taken to the nearest local hospital by police cruiser; one cop cradling his head to keep the airway open; another squeezing his hand-urging him to remain conscious until arrical. So, at this point-what do we have?? [A] We have a policeman with a possibly fatal head wound; countless other members of law enforcement trying to bear up under crushing stress. [B] We have an individual, to whom human life has absolutely NO VALUE!! [C] We have a flawed juvenile criminal justice system, further hampered by failed social engineering. [D] Speculation by those locals who would know is that an unknown individual 14 years old, acquired a 9MM handgun from the family residence to assault the policeman. Thus far, the weapon has not been recovered. Fast forward to mid-morning, today: The "person-of-interest" accompanied by his lawyer, surrendered at the Rochester Police Department. Where the hell has he been for the last two-and-a-half days since the attempted murder? Who sheltered him? Who fed him? Who advised him? Who funded him? Who transported him? Anyone who had the slightest involvement with his evasion of capture should be arrested and charged with "Accessory After The Fact, Aiding and Abetting" and "Evidence Tampering"...just for starters!! [E] Now, presume the lil' bastard who turned himself in is the actual culprit. This kid now has earned his "street cred".....is and will be a hero the to his fellow "slugs of the ghetto." The culprit is probably of the mind that he's fourteen years old and will be treated as a juvenile at trial. He'll get juvenile sentencing and be back in the 'hood in his early to mid-twenties. He will return with his "street cred" intact!! [F] Therein lies the problem. Many juvenile participants in the criminal justice system are truly repentant; their involvement was a "one-time" deal; they will have learned their lesson. For others, it has been and will be a revolving door to criminal education. The current juvenile system doesn't take into account-frequency or the level of the crime committed. There needs to be a formula to assess the situation, which should include several factors: age, frequency, crime charged with, just to name a few. Each factor should be assigned an unwavering percentage value. When the totals reach a pre-determined level, each and every lil' bastard is then tried in the appropriate [adult] criminal court, WITHOUT EXCEPTION!! The time has come for each and every city in America to take back it's streets!! Til Nex'Time....