Bill Clinton (former U.S. President) and Loretta Lynch (current U.S. Attorney General) / / THE CONVERSATION

Let’s not be fooled by Bill Clinton’s recent meeting with Attorney General Lynch; and her subsequent decision to recuse herself (recuse with a very small ‘r’).  She has (since the meeting with Bill has been disclosed and widely publicized) stated that she will turn over any final prosecutorial decision (Re:  the Hillary Clinton imbroglio) to career prosecutors within her office.  Don’t believe it.

OK, anyone reading this will immediately think / say:  ‘And why would we care what your opinion is?’  Well, I spent my career in law enforcement and conducting investigations of the most complex nature.  I’ve worked with a U.S. Attorney’s Office as a member of the FBI’s Strike Force.  Furthermore, I have worked with corporate attorneys, prosecutors in several states, civil attorneys and defense attorneys.  You do pick up some things along the way.

Bill Clinton’s reported visit to Loretta Lynch was not accidental, circumstantial, or (as some might opine) just plain ignorant.  Bill Clinton is a wise and an astute politician.  He was President, of course; but he was also Attorney General in Arkansas.  He knows very well that his efforts to meet with Lynch are/were improper.  Additionally, Lynch knows very well that agreeing to meet with Bill Clinton was improper.  Moreover, Clinton did not go out of his way to tell Lynch about his grandchildren.  There is something else going on.

Understand that Bill Clinton is not only the husband of a suspect in a federal crime which is currently under the direct responsibility of the FBI and the Attorney General’s Office.  But, he too may be a potential suspect in a federal crime.  Is it not conceivable that the FBI’s investigation has now expanded to the Clinton Foundation?  Why else would the FBI inquiry be taking this long?  Clearly, the investigation is no longer only about Hillary’s emails.

I’m not sure if the meeting was previously planned by Bill - maybe not.  Maybe the situation presented itself, and he just wanted to gauge Lynch’s body language.  I do think, nonetheless, that the meeting worked almost too perfectly in giving some perceived political cover to Lynch and the Obama administration.  Now, the public will be lulled into believing that the U.S. Attorney General’s official decision will be fact-based and impartial.

Do you believe that?  Do you think that government attorneys working in Lynch’s office, working for Lynch, would not consider Lynch’s opinion?  Do you think that they would throw away their careers for principle?  Well, I don’t happen to believe that.  I’ve seen the game played.

Something will come down – a criminal referral of some sort.  The FBI Director cannot spend all of this investigative time and money and not come up with something – not without becoming a law enforcement laughingstock.

I would say Hillary will probably be charged with some sort of misdemeanor.  She will make a public, perhaps tearful, apology; and continue on.  She will be forgiven by most.  Nobody is perfect.  Right?  And Hillary will be the next President of the United States.

True Nelson

Shooting (Massacre) in Orlando, Florida / When will this sleeping giant awaken? (Part Two and Conclusion - for now)

A few evenings back, right after the shooting in Orlando, I heard Dianne Feinstein on the PBS NewsHour say, quite authoritatively I might add, that assault weapons, specifically the AR-15, are designed for military use and solely for killing people – “and shoot big bullets.”  Apparently that was her basic answer to what should be done to prevent other mass-murders.  Let’s just ban the AR-15.  It just made me cringe.  Politicians, liberal politicians principally, have a fall-back response to incidents like Orlando - banning “military style” or “military grade” weapons – that way they don’t really have to define or clarify whatever gun image they may have momentarily floating around in their head.**

OK, my response would be that the genesis of all guns was for military or combat use in one form or another.  So I ask, what military are you referring to?  Is this in regard to World War I or II or perhaps the Spanish American War?  The .45 caliber auto (1911) was quite popular in the Spanish American War.  Or do you mean the Civil War and the Enfield 1853 Rifled Musket, and yes those guns did and do shoot big bullets.

It is just becoming idiotic.  It could be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that these people are actually making laws that affect all of us.

Ladies and Gentlemen, wake up.  The problem is that we have no actual leadership in Washington.  So what do we do (my opinion)?

First, we use our military might to crush ISIS.

Second, we don’t admit any refugees from Muslim countries without proper vetting / agreed upon by the FBI.  Just common sense, don’t you think?

Third, American Muslins should be made to understand that their cooperation is vital – that if they are not part of the solution, they are the problem.

Fourth, new civil laws should be developed, as well as appropriate criminal laws, to punish those who withhold information that could prevent the FBI from identifying a potential terrorist.  Don’t we all get a little tired of the old refrain by family and friends of the terrorist.– in that no one seems to have had any idea that the mass-murderer in their midst could ever actually do anything like that.  Nonsense.

Fifth, let’s set up a terrorist ‘hotline’ to receive information.  Publicize it nationally and provide additional FBI personnel to follow-up.

Sixth, determine how and where ISIS is disseminating their recruitment efforts and propaganda, as well as the latest information on what new atrocity they have committed or planned.  And destroy that capability.

And yes, I have some less grand recommendations regarding guns and gun ownership.  Understand that I do not buy many of the lame arguments tossed-about by politicians.  However…

I do believe that we should stop selling large capacity gun magazines that have no credible purpose in self-protection, hunting, competitive shooting, or just plinking.  How many cartridges should a particular magazine hold, I will leave that to others – but something reasonable.  It’s time that gun owners and the NRA made a good faith effort to compromise at some level.

Secondly, although this might surprise you, in my opinion AR-15s and similar weapons like the Sig Sauer MCX Rifle, should be placed in a special category – perhaps requiring additional licensing, background checks or extended waiting periods for new purchasers.  Current owners should be ‘grandfathered.’  The AR-15 has become a SYMBOL to the unstable, potential mass-murderer.  The AR-15 is no more deadly than many other weapons on the market; but due to the fact it is continually publicized, criticized, and discussed makes it the weapon of choice even to, or especially to, those who know little about guns.  As a result, those intent upon mass murder do not have to spend their limited mental resources selecting a weapon.  And, could potentially spend some valuable time asking themselves:  “Am I insane or what?”  Currently, the AR-15 has its own publicity agent – the news media.  We can do something about this.

Well, that’s a start.  Let’s get to it.

**On the same PBS NewsHour program where Ms. Feinstein made her comments, an ‘expert’ also appeared to explain the function and capabilities of the AR-15 (as we now know an AR-15 wasn’t the particular weapon used by Mateen.  It was a Sig Sauer MCX Rifle).  Said expert mentioned that the AR-15 makes a devastating wound due to its tendency to “tumble.”  That is a fallacy.  Admittedly, the bullet, .223 caliber does make a devastating wound.  However, the harm to the human body is caused by the velocity of the bullet, not a tumbling effect.  All bullets, of course can deflect or compress if they strike something hard in the body such as bone.

True Nelson

Shooting (Massacre) in Orlando, Florida / When will this sleeping giant awaken?

I’m not sure what to say.  Anyway, no one particularly cares what I have to say.  But, I have some thoughts – mainly for posterity.  No, I’m not presumptuous enough to suggest that future generations would be interested in what I’m thinking at the moment; but some, very specific individuals, maybe my grandchildren or my great-grandchildren might.

The massacre in Orlando, Florida, this attack on innocents by a radical Islamist terrorist, should be the final wake-up call for Americans; but, somehow, I doubt it.  Our political leaders choose to diminish, soothe, manipulate, simply redefine the situation - placate the population.  They say:  'How about stricter gun laws?'  Yes, brilliant, I feel better and safer already.

Example:  Omar Mateen wasn’t a ‘for real’ member of ISIS.  He was simply a ‘home-grown’ terrorist (as Obama has indicated).  As if all Americans should share in the responsibility of what happened in Orlando.  ISIS laughs.  But… I for one don’t feel guilty.  I just feel ashamed of our national leadership.

Japanese Naval General Isoroku Yamamoto is credited with the following quote subsequent to the attack on Pearl Harbor (admittedly said quote has never been officially documented; but if he didn’t actually say it in those words – no doubt he probably thought it at the time - or subsequently).

“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”

America is, once again, the sleeping giant; perhaps comatose would be a better description.  When will we, our leaders, say that’s enough?  No more.  When will this giant awaken?

To be continued...

True Nelson

Portland, Oregon Police Bureau's Chief (Larry O'Dea) Shoots Friend in the Back (RE: The Oregonian 5/25/16)

You’ve probably heard.  Larry O’Dea, the Portland Police Bureau’s Chief was sitting around a campsite in Eastern Oregon, back in April, drinking beer with his buddies, and shooting squirrels, when he accidentally shot one of his friends in the back.

Let’s try to put aside that these guys sound like they are about sixteen.  It’s hard to, but let’s try.

More importantly, perhaps, is that they lied to Harney County law enforcement who were investigating the incident – stating that the victim apparently shot himself.  Now, get this, it appears that this judgement-impaired group of 'hunters' (and I use the term hunters very loosely) conspired to lie to the investigating Sheriff’s Deputy in order to, apparently, conceal the Chief’s involvement in the shooting.  I think there are laws against filing a false police report, but I will leave that to others to decide.

Reportedly, most of those in this group of 'hunters,' with the exception of O’Dea, were former / retired Portland police officers – who should know better – one would think; but, nonetheless, decided to make-up a story.  As it turned-out, the victim (not yet identified – and why I’m not exactly sure) was quite certain that he did not shoot himself.  And, he should know.  It has been reported that he will be OK.

The Chief decided to ultimately confess his transgressions, a few days after the shooting, to Portland Mayor, Charlie Hales (his boss).  Hales decided to keep it quiet until it could be determined how this all was going to ‘shake-out.’

Well, approximately one month has passed since the incident – and the s--- has finally hit the fan.

The Harney County Sheriff didn’t like how things were ‘shaking-out’ and decided to turn the inquiry over to the Oregon State Police.  The plot thickens.

Now, 'accidentally shooting' someone is often accidental.  Most people customarily admit what they’ve done; and their immediate and usual concern is for the victim.  Apparently, O’Dea’s standards are not the usual.

True Nelson

Recent Developments in the Alleged Murders of Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude / My Thoughts...

Tony Clyde Reed has reportedly been arrested in San Diego County by U.S. Marshals as he re-entered the United States from Mexico.  It appears that Tony arranged his own arrest to preclude a potential incident.  He and his brother, John Blaine Reed, have been charged with murdering Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude.  Patrick and Monique’s bodies have not been located.  The presumption of homicide is based on crime scene evidence developed by Washington State investigators to include the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.  John Reed remains at large, presumably in Mexico.

Based on what I’ve read in the media, I have an opinion as to what is developing:

This opinion is my personal and professional take on what is occurring and Tony’s motivations.  I have no inside information; and, of course, both Tony and his brother, John Blaine Reed, should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

It appears that Tony and John have had a falling-out, or have entered into an agreement that Tony should surrender to authorities.  I suspect the former.

Theory:  As a fact, or as a tactic, Tony will declare that he had no participation in the actual murders; but that his involvement only occurred after John had killed the couple.  Tony will agree to testify against John in exchange for leniency.  He will probably admit that he assisted in covering-up the crime and in assisting his brother to escape imminent arrest.  He will assist in locating the bodies.  It should be understood that the extent of his disclosures, his veracity, and any evidence he might produce to prove his statements could mitigate subsequent sentencing.

____________________________________

If convicted, neither John nor Tony would face the ‘death penalty.’  Regarding capital murder cases, the State of Washington had the ‘death penalty’ up until recently; but Washington Governor (Jay Inslee) announced a moratorium (in 2014) on the sentence of death in capital murder cases.  However, this moratorium did not, does not, apply to those sentenced to death prior to 2014, and nine men remain on ‘death row’ in Walla Walla.

True Nelson

Brothers in War / The Boys of ’67;’ and Some Personal Memories

Although it was first screened on the National Geographic channel, I watched “Brothers in War” on Netflix just recently.  I highly recommend it.  What can I say?  It’s graphic, disturbing and it will touch your heart.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Some of you will remember the Vietnam War.  For some of the younger folks, it’s just a much maligned, misadventure by our American military.

That said, “Brothers in War” is a very personal account from those actually there.  It’s history.  Everyone should watch it.

“Through gripping first-person accounts and digitally remastered archival footage, including the soldiers’ own home movies and personal audio tapes, Brothers in War recounts the harrowing combat experiences of the men of Charlie Company — one of the last American combat infantry companies to be drafted, trained and sent to fight together in Vietnam.”

I served in Southeast Asia during the war (’68 – ’70).  But, I must admit, with some residual feelings of guilt, my experiences were nothing like those of Charlie Company.

I was a Team Commander for the First Mobile Communications Group (USAF).  Our motto was ‘First In, Last Out.’  Although the First Mobile was stationed in the Philippines, our mission was to deploy and set-up tactical communications equipment and navigational aids, as well as conduct necessary training for the subsequent, long-term operators - often members of the Army or Marines.  When the Marines or Army were finished with the equipment, or it had been destroyed, we would again deploy to recover what was left.  The equipment often contained classified equipment and codes.  Some members of the First Mobile spent time in extreme combat assignments, including Khe Sanh.  I did not.  I was lucky.

My experiences, my hardships were nothing compared to Charlie Company.  While at Chu Lai, I did experience a Viet Cong ‘rocket’ attack.  The Viet Cong efforts were, generally speaking, remarkably inaccurate.  They did score an accidental direct hit on the base PX (photo above), but it was at night and there were no casualties.  Marine Corps’ spotters, during the hours of darkness, watched the jungle hillside which was some distance from the base.  When they saw a flash, they would immediately hit the siren.  Those of us sleeping in the base hooches had a few seconds to sprint to the nearest bunker – usually right outside the door – before the rocket hit.  American helicopters were scrambled to ‘light-up’ the general area from which the rocket originated – efforts that were almost always unproductive.

Personally speaking, an incoming rocket, or the far more frequent false alarms, did disrupt an otherwise sweat-drenched effort to sleep.  But, it was a small sacrifice compared to Charlie Company soldiers’ sleepless nights in a mud-hole.

One Vietnam experience has stayed with me.  I once hopped an ‘in country’ transport on a C-130 moving Marines to their new base – from which they would be deployed.  The pilots and Load Master were Air Force; but, other than myself, the rest were young Marines.  I sat in the back in the jump-seats with this very solemn group of young men, all Marines.  Nobody spoke.  They looked so young.  God, they looked young.  As they say, wars (at least in those days with the military draft in place) were not fought by ‘John Wayne types.’  I wanted to say something to the young man next to me, but what could I say?  Good luck?  I don’t think so.

Back to the documentary, Charlie Company took considerable casualties – killed and wounded.  Upon completion of their one year tour, they (what was left of the original contingent) were flown back to the States.  When they arrived in the U.S., happy to finally be home and to be alive, they were met by anti-war demonstrators who cursed them, threw things at them and spit on them.

They were just boys – often draftees.  They had nothing to do with the politics of the Vietnam Conflict.  And did you know that some were actually ‘conscientious objectors,’ who acted as medics and carried no weapons – but, nonetheless, died trying to save others.

If you were one of those demonstrators, how do you live with yourself – the shame of it?  Well, you might say, ‘I was young, perhaps a little thoughtless, but just joined a crowd of my friends and peers.’

Sorry, I don’t buy it.  Who would buy it?  Your wife?  Your kids?  Your grand kids?  I doubt it.

PS:  Incidentally, the above documentary was based on the book by Andrew Wiest, ‘The Boys of ’67.’  A good book if you care to read more about these young heroes.

True Nelson

The FBI, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Hoffa and my thoughts.

The investigation involving Hillary Clinton seems to drag-on into dim uncertainty.  We all are aware of the allegations against Hillary and her private ‘server;’ as well as her reported disregard for State Department procedures and relevant federal laws.

Furthermore, I understand that the Clinton Foundation is also under investigation; but, in that instance, ethical lapses and improprieties may not be considered a federal crime – or will they…  There is some talk that the private ‘server’ used by Hillary was actually set up and paid for by Bill Clinton’s staff in furtherance of the ‘Foundation’ goals.  What does that mean?  At this point, I’m not quite sure.  Conflict of interest – almost certainly.  Crime – don’t know.

What I will tell you is that I’m becoming more and more convinced that the ‘fix,’ or attempted ‘fix,’ is ongoing in the Hillary case.  Let’s be very clear about the status of this case and the resources dedicated.

As we all know, the FBI has practically unlimited resources of money and investigative personnel.  Additionally, the Hillary case is undoubtedly complicated, but it is not the most difficult type of investigation handled by the FBI.  This inquiry has suspects available to be interviewed, actual evidence in a potential crime to be evaluated, and a presumably top level priority; but nothing seems to happen.  The FBI is starting to appear inept – even foolish.  More likely, deals are in the works.

For comparison, let me give you an example of what I might consider a difficult FBI investigation or series of related difficult investigations:  The focal point, for the purpose of this discussion, is the disappearance and presumed murder of Jimmy Hoffa.  This case and some of its off-shoots are still open cases to this day (perhaps now considered pending inactive cases) with the FBI.

Hoffa’s disappearance occurred in July of 1975.  I was an Agent in the FBI at the time.  More than 40 years have passed and the Hoffa case remains unsolved – even though hundreds, dare I say generations, of FBI Agents have worked on the investigation over the years.  I, too, played a small role in attempting to develop an informant who believed he could help the Bureau locate Hoffa’s body.  It didn’t happen.  Why was he murdered?  Uncertain - other than he had enemies.  No doubt about that.

A brief summary:

Jimmy Hoffa, former President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was a powerful and politically connected operator / criminal with close ties to the ‘Mob.’

Robert Kennedy (US Attorney General 1961 to 1964) with the concurrence of his brother and the President, John Kennedy, decided to put the full-court-press on Organized Crime, with particular emphasis on Hoffa.  The FBI, under Hoover, was given their marching orders.

As a result, Hoffa was convicted of various Federal crimes to include fraud and attempting to manipulate a Federal Grand Jury.  He was sentenced to thirteen years in Federal Prison.  Appeals followed, but he was finally incarcerated.

His sentence was subsequently ‘commuted’ by President Nixon when Hoffa had served about four years in prison.  There were rumors that Nixon received a bribe, but no evidence of that was produced.  However, in appreciation for Nixon granting Hoffa early release from prison, the IBT endorsed Nixon during his 1972 Presidential Campaign.  Odd, in a way, because the IBT customarily endorsed Democrats.

Water mostly over the dam at this point, but is an example of an FBI investigation taking a long time, involving numerous suspects, innumerable crimes and elusive criminal associates.  In fact, the Hoffa disappearance (alleged murder) is just one aside to the ongoing comprehensive investigation first demanded by Robert Kennedy in the 1960s.

Now, back to the inquiry involving Hillary.  It is hard for me to believe that the Clinton investigation is taking as long as it has with literally nothing to show.  In this matter, they presumably have a prima facie case involving Clinton or those very close to her.  After all this time, I certainly hope so.

Secondly, as the months pass, the FBI hasn’t even gotten around to calling Hillary Clinton for a preliminary interview.  The FBI Director, James Comey, when asked, simply reiterates that the FBI is being thorough.  Sorry, I just don’t buy it anymore.  Clinton creeps ever closer to the Democratic nomination for President; and Comey says he is being thorough.  Hundreds of Agents, millions of taxpayer dollars, months of investigation – and he’s being “thorough.”  I don’t believe it.  Something is in the works.  Something that has little to do with ‘equal justice under the law.’

Sounds like the good-ole-Nixon days, doesn’t it?

True Nelson