Quick Hits (page 2)
Police Raid High School for Drugs in Goose Creek, South Carolina
By: CNN
After complaints from parents and students, police in Goose Creek, South Carolina, defended their decision Friday to send a team of officers, some with guns drawn, into a high school earlier this week for a drug raid that turned up no drugs.
The Berkeley School District north of Charleston, South Carolina, also defended its role in the incident, which has triggered outrage among some in the community.
Stratford High School students described Wednesday's incident as frightening.
"They would go put a gun up to them, push them against the wall, take their book bags and search them," Aaron Sims, 14, told CNN affiliate WCSC. "They just came up and got my friend, not even saying anything or what was going to happen. ... I was scared."
Sims said his mother was "a little angry," but his father understood and "thought it was necessary."
Lt. Dave Aarons of the Goose Creek Police Department said the raid, the first the department has done at a school, followed a police investigation into drug activity that began after a student informed school staff about drug sales on school property.
Police monitored video from school surveillance cameras for several days and "observed consistent, organized drug activity," he said. "Students were posing as lookouts and concealing themselves from the cameras."
When the principal saw more of the same suspicious activity on the school surveillance video, he asked for the officers to respond, Aarons said.
On Wednesday, November 10th, 14 officers went to the school "and assumed strategic positions," he said.
Within 30 seconds, officers had moved to "safely secure the 107 students who were in that hallway," Aarons said. "During that time some of the officers did unholster in a down-ready position, so that they would be able to respond if the situation became violent."
"The school also designated faculty to secure the hallway to keep other students from entering," Aarons said.
Anytime narcotics and money are involved he said there is "the reasonable assumption that weapons will be involved. ... Our primary concern was the safety of the students (and) everyone else involved."
School had no knowledge that weapons would be drawn
Aarons said "12 to 14 students" were placed in handcuffs or plastic flexcuffs "due to their failure to respond to repeated police instructions to get on their knees with their hands on their heads," after one of the lieutenants explained to the students what was going on.
A canine unit was brought in and the dog responded positively to 12 book bags, which were then searched by school officials, said David Barrow, secondary school supervisor for the Berkeley School District. But no drugs were found and no arrests were made.
"The school had no knowledge that weapons would be drawn," Barrow said. "We understand students' and parents' and the community's concerns about this particular search. We will work internally and with local law enforcement to be sure these issues are addressed."
Still, he said, the school was concerned about possible drug sales on campus, and believed action was necessary.
Jared Weeks, 14, told WCSC that police were aggressive.
"They kind of pushed us against the wall and started searching us," Weeks said. "I didn't think all that was called for."
Weeks said he was "kind of nervous," but not scared "because I didn't have anything to hide."
He said there are a lot of drugs in the school, but that this sort of raid was unnecessary. "There is certain people that you know sell drugs," he said. "They could have just searched those people."
Aarons said police believe the drug-dealing students were tipped off.
"I don't think it was an overreaction," he said of the raid. "I believe it was one tactical method by which we could safely approach the problem to ensure that everybody was safe."
He said the incident is being reviewed, as is every police operation.
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Growin' Our Own (page 2)
Twas the Night Before Christmas ... Y'all
By: Elmore Stone
Everybody in their right mind kind of thinks Santa Claus is real. Yet most people truly don't beleive in Santa Claus. They have to see it to believe it. But that is wrong in this case. When it comes to the joys of Yule or Christmas, seeing is not believing -- believing is seeing. And so it has always been.
Everybody assumes, of course, that there is but one Santa. But what about Santa's brothers and sisters? Does he even have any brothers or sisters? And, pray tell, if Santa does have siblings, where do they live and what do they do? These are the questions which try men's souls. I have an answer for you. Well, at least part of the answer. Santa does indeed have a brother.
Rhett Claus.
Now, according to Santa, Rhett is a bit of a character. He looks remarkably similar to Santa, you know - height, girth, beard and hair color - but that is where the similarities end. Rhett, though all his friends call him 'Bubba,' does not live at the North Pole. He makes his official residence at the South Pole. Complete with a southern gentleman's accent, white suit which is lined with red fur, black string tie, red cowboy hat lined with white fur and alligator boots. Rhett ... er ... Bubba is also said to enjoy a nice stiff bourbon and branch instead of hot chocolate (shaken not stirred) which is Santa's favorite drink. Rhett also enjoys a good cigar, Cuban preferably, while relaxing in his hot tub with his favorite squeeze. Yes ladies, Bubba is single. Just make sure you can cook southern chicken fried steak ('cause Bubba likes chicken), fried okra and gravy (by the way, to Bubba, gravy is a food group). Having a 36 - 24 - 36 set of measurements or better doesn't hurt either.
Bubba, of course, has a sleigh kind of like Santa's. It is painted candy apple red with the Stars and Bars painted down both sides. On the rear of the sleigh, in hand painted calligraphy no less, are the words: "Sleigh protected by Smith and Wesson."
What is the most interesting part of Bubba's ride is the, well, options. They are, from what I've been told, not normally available at your local sleigh dealership. Radar detectors. Radar jammers. Various other warning systems. Interrogator, Friend or Foe (IFF). The sleigh itself is made of a composite graphite material, somewhat like Kevlar, but better, thereby rendering the sleigh and its occupant -- immune to bullets. Bubba's sleigh is also equipped with a CB radio, 1000 watt amplifier and twin whip antennas. Bubba's handle is "BC" and you can reach him -- sometimes -- on channel 15.
Oh, one other thing about Bubba's sleigh, it is equipped with numerous hidden yet expandable compartments. "It's almost like magic how those work" Santa told me before. "Keeps nosy people from finding things they shouldn't." Yeah, it seems like old Bubba does shall we say 'special delievery' for a living. And from the rumors I've heard he gets paid quite well for the risks he takes. Never, as in ever, been caught, let alone busted. Just ask Interpol, the DEA, the FBI or the BATF.
But wait, how could I forget? A sleigh, any sleigh, just isn't going to go very far unless it is pulled by something. And, yet again, Bubba is different from Santa in that regard. Bubba's sleigh is pulled, not by reindeer, uhn uh, but by Blue Tick hounds. Bubba's nine Blue Ticks are named: Stonewall, Robert E. Lee, Cletus, Jefferson D., Earl, Beauregard, Beaumont, Buford and leading the pack is ... Earnhardt.
Now you do understand that Bubba's Blue Ticks are not just your run of the mill hounds. These hounds are very special and as such require special food and handling. Which is why Bubba feeds them pickled eggs with a Jack Daniels (black label of course) chaser. They are exercised often to keep them in shape for those long, late night runs.
The call.
It was, I suppose, bound to happen someday. Over the last 40 years or so, the U.S. has been tightening up security in order, supposedly, to thwart threats to our national security. Whether these threats are real or perceived nobody, in government at least, can truthfully tell you. However it has had a real detrimental effect on Santa and his reindeer. That is the unvarnished truth. Remember, Santa has a lot of stops to make and a limited amount of time to do so. But now with the new Homeland Security Department snooping around everywhere and with the Patriot Act which has turned Santa into the equivalent of an international terrorist things are not going all that well for Santa. In fact, Santa almost did not make it out of Cleveland last year. It was that close. All because Rudolph cut loose with a real nasty one - Mexican food always gives him gas you see. Anyway, the Homeland [In]Security Department thought some terrorist group was flying around in a crop duster (can you imagine Santa flying a crop duster, give me a break) and dispensing a gas weapon of mass destruction over Cleveland.
Hell, Christmas is almost upon us and Santa is worried. How was he going to get all those presents delivered to all the good boys and girls without getting shot at, shot down, imprisoned, or worse and his reindeer turned into to dog food? Well, Santa needed help. Indeed Santa needed special help. The kind of help that only a person with eons of experience delivering cargo, undetected, into hostile territory would have. It was time to place a call to Bubba.
This kind of a call one just does not do by picking up the phone and dialing. This needed to be kept covert. No listening ears of the NSA or U.S. military intelligence (a true oxymoron). No agents of the FBI reading Santa's intercepted email. Nope. None of that. For this particular mission Santa sent his best elf, Henry, to personally contact Bubba and pass a message for Bubba to contact Santa -- soonest.
Family ties are a great thing and though their life styles are considerably different, Bubba was not going to let his brother down and he damn sure was not going to let Santa get shot down by some over zealous idiot with a shoulder fired anti-air missile while delivering toys over Washington, D.C. Bubba told his girl friend, Tammy-Sue, a lovely redhead (38 - 22 - 36) with nothing between the ears except 60 pounds of vacuum, but she could cook - ask Bubba, to quickly pack as they were taking a trip.
Later that same day Bubba, Tammy-Sue and Henry, that lecherous elf had been eyeing Tammy-Sue's ... er ... assets for the entire trip, arrived at Santa's residence at the North Pole. Pleasantries were exchanged and, naturally Bubba ensured they arrived just in time for dinner. Mrs. Claus and elves had been working very hard to ensure the chicken fried steak, greens and gravy were cooked just right for Bubba.
It was a great dinner and excellent conversation. Catching up on family, the latest in sleigh technology and so on. It had been years since Bubba and Santa had been in the same hemisphere together at the same time. Tammy-Sue had to step out for a minute and that is when Mrs. Claus asked Bubba what had happened to Varina, Bubba's former girlfriend (36 - 24 - 36). Bubba explained that Varina, named after the wife of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis, had dumped him when she learned that NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon was getting divorced. "Doane (pronounced Don't) understand why?" said Bubba, "Mah (pronounced My) sleigh can run circles around his kah (pronounced car) and it doesn't burn awl (pronounced oil)." "But there y'all have it." said Bubba "Besides Ah (pronounced I) have Tammy-Sue now" as Bubba noticed her waltzing back into the dining room.
Upon completion of a delicious dinner, Santa stepped into the living room and started mixing after dinner drinks. A mint julep for Tammy-Sue, bourbon and branch for Bubba, a glass of sherry for Mrs. Claus and a hot chocolate (shaken not stirred) for himself. Santa also rolled a couple of phats, from his special stash for himself and Bubba to savor later.
Once all was ready and the drinks served, Santa said "Bubba, you and I need to step into the study so we can have a undisturbed conversation." To which Bubba replied "On my way bro." Santa asked that they not be bothered for any reason, "Christmas is soon upon us and we must have a way to get through and deliver presents to all the good girls and boys." Santa said.
There was no problem ensuring privacy for Santa and Bubba. Tammy-Sue plopped down on the couch and proceeded to watch The Shopping Channel on satellite television. Mrs. Claus was busy going over a very long list with an elf named Barney and Henry was busy watching Tammy-Sue and drooling.
The secret plan.
What happened behind those closed study doors is most secret. Nobody except Santa and Bubba know the plan for Christmas. Not the elves. Not Tammy-Sue, who would trust her with such an enormous secret anyway? Not even Mrs. Claus knows what the plan is and she can be trusted.
Bubba and Santa were in the study, locked away from everyone else for hours. When they emerged the smell of a certain kind of smoke preceded them, their eyes were slightly blood-shot, both were laughing and ... hungry.
"Doane worry bro" Said Bubba "This Christmas will be one for the record books." Laughing as he said it.
"It sure does seem that way" Replied Santa. "Really do appreciate your help, Bubba."
"Yo bro, y'all got ne-moe (pronounced any more) of that mahty (pronounced mighty) fine weed?" Asked Bubba.
"Of course." Replied Santa, "I've already put a couple of bricks in your bag."
Did you two work everything out for a safe and Merry Christmas for all the good boys and girls?" Queried Mrs. Claus.
"Absolutely dear." Replied Santa. "Bubba has some tricks up his sleeves that are incredible. It is no wonder he has never been caught." "We'll be fine this year." Said Santa who was also rolling a couple more doobies.
"Yah (pronounced Yeah), have no fear, your ol' man will be back safe and sound." "Y'all got mah word on it." Said Bubba.
After Santa and Bubba finished off the smokes which Santa had made it was time for all to get some sleep. It had, after all, been a very long day.
The next day Bubba and Tammy-Sue had breakfast, packed up their stuff and said their good-byes to Santa and Mrs. Claus.
"See y'all on Christmas Eve, bro" said Bubba.
"I'll be there" replied Santa.
With that Bubba and Tammy-Sue were gone. Heading back to their home at the South Pole.
Christmas Eve.
What is going to happen this Christmas Eve, I don't know. However, I would like to say this. Be prepared. Who knows if it going to be Santa and his reindeer, led by Rudolph or Bubba and his Blue Tick hounds, led by Earnhardt. Therefore I would strongly suggest that all good boys and girls not only have hot chocolate (shaken not stirred) and cookies ready for Santa but also bourbon and branch and chicken fried steak ready for Bubba. Oh, and if you really want to help out, leave a can of Copenhagen out for Bubba. He can't smoke cigars or anything else for that matter while he is flying.
Look out below.
Have a wonderful Yule, a very Merry Christmas and a terrific New Year.
Click here for more Growin' Our Own.
Pipeline (page 2)
Authorities Investigating Limbaugh for Money Laundering
By: Jill Barton (AP)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Authorities are investigating whether Rush Limbaugh illegally funneled money to buy prescription painkillers, a law enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Wednesday.
Back on the air after attempting to dry out, Limbaugh responded with a blanket denial of the allegations first reported Tuesday by ABC News.
"I was not laundering money. I was withdrawing money for crying out loud," Limbaugh said in his three-hour broadcast. Or, if the law is not on your side, pound on the facts. If the facts are not on your side, pound on the law. If neither the law or the facts are on your side ... pound on the table, which is exactly what Limbaugh is doing.
Limbaugh was absent from his show for five weeks after announcing he was entering a drug rehabilitation program because of his addiction to prescription painkillers. But he told listeners he could tell them little about the allegations.
"I know where the story comes from, I know who's behind it, and I know what the purpose of the story is, and I'll be able to tell you at some point," he said.
Law enforcement sources in Palm Beach County, where Limbaugh owns a $24 million oceanfront mansion, previously confirmed that a criminal investigation into a prescription drug ring involved the conservative radio commentator. His former maid, Wilma Cline, reported supplying him with OxyContin and other painkillers.
Authorities learned two years ago during an investigation of U.S. Trust bank in New York that Limbaugh withdrew cash 30 to 40 times from his account at amounts just under the $10,000 bank reporting requirement, ABC News has reported. A bank employee was reported to have delivered some cash to Limbaugh.
Limbaugh told listeners the report was misleading and said that he had the bank bring cash to him at his New York office "maybe four times, if that many." Otherwise, he said he obtained cash from a bank in Florida, where he was living.
Further, he said his bank, U.S. Trust, advised him to make withdrawals that were less than $10,000 as a way to lessen the bank's paperwork.
"There was a $10,000 reporting requirement and they said if you keep it under that, then nobody has to file any paperwork ... and so that's what I did," Limbaugh said.
Limbaugh's lawyer, Roy Black, did not return a phone call for comment. I wonder why.
It can be a federal crime to structure financial transactions below the $10,000 limit to avoid the reporting requirement.
U.S. Trust spokeswoman Susan Bishop refused to say whether Limbaugh was a client of the bank.
New York regulators fined U.S. Trust $10 million two years ago after finding the bank was allowing customers to make "the same type of withdrawals" reportedly made by Limbaugh, according to a spokeswoman for the state Banking Department.
Limbaugh said he started taking painkillers "some years ago" after a doctor prescribed them following spinal surgery. Limbaugh said he became hooked taking the pills for chronic post-surgical pain.
Limbaugh's drug admission came less than two weeks after he quit as an ESPN pro football commentator. He'd received criticism for saying on the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.
Limbaugh reported two years ago that he had lost most of his hearing because of an autoimmune inner-ear disease, but some medical experts have said abusing painkillers can lead to profound hearing loss.
Limbaugh had surgery to implant an electronic device to restore his hearing.
In the past, Limbaugh has decried drug use and abuse on his show, mocking then-President Clinton for saying he had not inhaled when he tried marijuana and often making the case that drug crimes deserve punishment.
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Dakota Joseph Arts