LA Sheriff's Dept.: Get a Tat? Get Suspended!

Only in the Peoples Republic of California

Anti-gang task force police officers in major metropolitan areas live harrowing lives.  According to the LA Times:  "The Gang Enforcement Team in Los Angeles is divided into two platoons of relatively autonomous deputies who target neighborhoods where gang violence is high, locate armed gang members and take their guns away."


Let me repeat that in case you missed it:  Locate armed gang members and take their guns away...


I'm sure this is a relatively simple task.  Undoubtedly, the officers go into the gang neighborhoods, ask the first passerby the location of the nearest gang clubhouse, knock on the clubhouse door, and the gang members meekly surrender their guns.


I guess with lives of such relative ease, it's only fair that several members of the Los Angeles Gang Enforcement Team are having to experience some minor difficulties.  Like getting suspended. According to a LA Times story, seven members of the team have been suspended for belonging to a clique called the Jump Out Boys and getting a tattoo of the image above.

"The design of the tattoo, confirmed by two sources, includes an oversize skull with a wide, toothy grimace and glowing red eyes. A bandanna wraps around the skull, imprinted with the letters "OSS" — representing Operation Safe Streets, the name of the larger unit that the Gang Enforcement Team is part of. A bony hand clasps a revolver. Investigators suspect that smoke is tattooed over the gun's barrel after a member is involved in a shooting."

After reading this, I thought:  "Oh my goodness!  Tattoos with a 'toothy grimace and glowing red eyes'! Los Angeles deputies must be running around shooting gang members willy-nilly."  Just after that thought, I read this quote:

"Sources say there is no evidence that deputies alleged to be in the clique have been involved in improper shootings or other misconduct. But the new revelations have heightened concerns."

WOW!  The LASD has some pretty rigid standards if "heightened concerns" are grounds for investigation and suspension.  I can hear the libs now, "But Sahib!  It is possible that they add smoke to the gun tattoo after a shooting!"

Really?  GOOD!  These guys have a crap job (conditions, not the job mission) and put their lives on the line every day.  If they want to create a support group and get matching tats, more power to them. The LASD brass would be far better served in finding ways to help and support them than looking for ways to punish them.

Good luck Jump Out Boys and watch your backs.  The gangs aren't the only ones after you.  You are in Sahib and The Crew's thoughts and prayers. 

If You Want a Palestine, How About Hispanstine?

"Official" Flag of Hispanstine

This weekend I had a lively discussion with a former state department employee who spent 21 years in garden spots like Iraq, Egypt, and Yemen.  His view of our role and status in the world was unsurprising, yet discouraging.

After discussing Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran (He believes the Iranians are bluffing and really don't want war with Israel.) our conversation turned to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Sitting in that converted warehouse watching kids play indoor soccer, the heavens opened up and I had an epiphany.  I have been wrong my entire adult life.  Yes devoted readers, your beloved Sahib has been WRONG.

My previous post about a "Palestinian State?  Just Say No" was misguided and hateful.  It makes no difference that there has never in the history of the world been a Palestine.  Who cares if the British Mandate in Palestine was divided 75% the for Arabs living in that region and 25% for the Jews with the 75% being called Trans-Jordan?  The Palestinian people shouldn't have to move one foot away from where their ancestors lived.  It is irrelevant that genetic analysis suggests that the Palestinians are descendants of Christians and Jews from Southern Levant and that it was not until the Muslim conquests of the 7th century that they "willingly" converted to Islam.  They believe they are a unique and individual people and they deserve their own country exactly where their ancestors lived.  That a large portion of them were nomadic is of no consequence.

My conversion led to another epiphany (I was very epiphanated this weekend).  There is another group of disenfranchised people living much closer to us.  They too deserve.... nay, are ordained by divine right to have their own nation.  I of course are referring to the Hispantinian people.

Today, I start my campaign to begin the annexation of the US states of New Mexico and California for the creation of the new nation of Hispanstine.  I will be submitting my proposal to the United Nations this week. I propose Los Angeles as the capitol.  I mean really... if the Jews shouldn't mind sharing Jerusalem, Hollywood shouldn't mind sharing Los Angeles.  I will also be submitting an application for official refugee status for all Hispanic people living anywhere in the world who can prove (or at least pinkie-swear they are telling the truth) that some relative, at some time, in the past, lived in what is now known as the southern United States.

The United States will be encouraged/pressured/threatened/blackmailed into providing material, medical, and financial support.  Hispantinians will be allowed to work in the United States without interference from the US government.  Allowances will be made for any slight indiscretions made by the Hispantinian people such as rocket attacks, mortar attacks, or suicide bombers perpetrated against their former/current oppressors.

SACSTW followers!  Join me in supporting the brand new nation of Hispanstine, kindred spirits to their brothers and sisters across the world in Palestine!


Please excuse me... *sob*.... just a little emotionally overwhelmed...