Four generations of Sullivans have now lived in Forest Hills, Pennsylvania. They presently include son Bruce, wife Pattie, and two grandchildren, Shannon & Kyle. Before their arrival, Mom & Dad, my two brothers , Jim and Tom , and me, once resided there also.
If you throw in Frank Smith, my grandfather, who resided with our mom & dad briefly, that makes 5 generations.
A December, 2008 Pew Research Center survey found that 56% of U.S born adults have not lived outside their birth state, and of the 37% who have stayed in their hometown, 74% said the main reason was to be near their family.
It is true that a lot of the "moving around" we see in our country has had to do with the corporate motto: "To be promotable - Is to be mobile." But, in reality, not all of the exodus was that complex. Some of us just couldn't pay the rent and moved out at night.
Many of us think often about our hometowns after we move away. We delight when exchanging chit- chat with a stranger to discover that they are familiar with our home town. Some may have even lived nearby. I like to think our home town is our "place".
Tim Wendel is the author of " High Heat - The Secret History Of The Fastball'. He recently quoted famous writer Eudora Welty: "Any well written story requires a sense of 'place'. Without it the tale floats about, with no connection to the concrete world. From the dawn of man's imagination 'place' has enshrined the spirit".
Mom & Dad were not the most nomadic of people. Their Forest Hills addresses, in sequence were 119 Sumner, 23 Sumner, 120 Sumner, 200 Lenox, and finally 392 Avenue F. All but the last could probably be reached with a well thrown fast ball from the corner of Sumner & Atlantic Avenues where we often played at night. (that is - until the streetlights came on.)
In 1788 Allegheny County (our home county) was formed from parts of Westmoreland and Washington counties. Forest Hills was Pitt Township until 1812 and was then divided. Our section became Wilkins Township. In 1855 it was again sub-divided. Part of the current Forest Hills area remained in Wilkins Township while part joined Braddock Township.
Forest Hills, which had 4 homes in 1860, only had electric, gas, telephone, and water services established throughout the borough in 1913.
To put things in perspective: my Dad would have been 5 years old in 1913. We moved in as a family about 25 years later . We were pioneers and didn't know it.
As a tiny community, Forest Hills predates it's incorporation as a borough in 1919 by at least 50 years. In 1919 the population was 850 people and had an assessed valuation of about a half million dollars. In the 2000 census they counted 6,831 people, 3% of whom were 'black'.
Prior to it's incorporation, the early residents felt they were paying considerable sums in taxes and receiving few benefits. Therefore, representatives from all sections began meeting with the intention of establishing what is now Forest Hills Borough.
A key area of dispute was the maintenance of Lincoln Highway (Route 30) - now Ardmore Boulevard. Fortunately, after two years it was taken over by the county, much to the chagrin of
Wilkins and Braddock Townships who wanted this area to stay with them. They went to court - lost - and Forest Hills was then incorporated.
The early history of Forest Hills in the 1860's included the start of coal mining in the area. In 187o the Armstrong mine of The Duquesne Coal Company was well established. Mining petered out around 1905 but loose coal could be found on top the ground in many areas of the borough.
The Sullivan kids played in the woods behind 120 Sumner where the coal was plentiful.
One day the oldest gathered up some of the coal in his WW II wooden wagon. He had overheard his folks talking, and his mother was crying, because they were "poor". He proudly rolled the wagon down the back yard and proclaimed, "Look Mommy, we don't have to be poor anymore". She cried again.
The Freehold Real Estate Company had begun home development in the Ardmore Section in 1907, and Bryn Mawr started up 3 years later. The opening of Ardmore Boulevard and the street railway in East Pittsburgh around 1910 induced more families to move to Forest Hills. What would we have done without the infamous "87 Ardmore" streetcar?
It's gone now, but, some of us Sullivans are still hanging in there 100 years later.
(Source: Primarily, the 1969 Golden Jubilee booklet.)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
FRANK SMITH
Frank Smith was Mom's dad. He was married to my Grandma whose maiden name was Marie Smith. One assumes when they married it was decided there was no need to list monogram towels at the gift registry. Presumably, Grandma would just swipe some from her parents.
Frank was a short rotund man who smiled only when necessary. It is said he fancied himself to be a dude. Dad often commented about drinking with Frank and Charlie, my other grandfather. The line most repeated was, "Frank liked the ladies." ( Hey, Charlie liked his booze. )
Frank's most noticeable fashion statement was his straw boat skimmer hat. When he removed it one time at The old County airport it is reported two bi-planes were forced to land prematurely. His dark complected pate was as shiny as a mirror and just as reflective.
Grandma Smith had several unsuccessful attempts to have children who would survive long. My Mom was the exception.
Grandma was sickly, When I was just a young tyke Mom hustled Grandma and me off by train to go to St. Petersburg, Florida for Grandma's health. St. Pete is about a 30 minute drive from where my wife and I reside now.
When Grandma died they laid her out in the living room of their flat on lower Middle Avenue in Wilmerding. When you walked into the room her casket was resting against the right rear wall.
It is one of the earliest memories I have as a child.
I cannot comment on how long Grandpap was a widower. Perhaps my son Bruce and my brother Jim, who have researched the family, might have better information. However long it was, it wasn't long enough for my Mom, his devout Irish Catholic daughter. His second wife, Em, was never allowed to be called Grandma.
There are few memories of Em: She had a parrot, enormous breasts, and favored a purple dress which she always wore on the infrequent occasions I saw her. She also took away my dreams of inheriting a piece of propery with a cottage located at Geneva On The Lake.
The property was what my Grandfather had promised to me as his first grandchild. I know this to be true because Mom reminded me of it several hundred times when she learned Em had talked Grampap into disposing of the property.
I don't know a lot about Grandpap Smith due to his unfortunate decision to remarry and enjoy the comforts of - well, you know. He was invited to our home seldom and visited even less.
There is nothing I know of in recorded history that suggests Frank was the most clever of his family, but I do believe he loved me as well as my brothers.
Em died first - and what money she had accumulated via her marriage to my grandfather allegedly went to her side of the family according to Mom.
At some point , presumably after Frank had paid his appropriate penance, he moved in with us in Forest Hills. He was about 80.
It is said that while my brothers resembled my Dad's side of the family I inherited my genes from the Smiths. One look at a picture of Frank and a profile shot of my nose leaves little doubt as to veracity of this observation. Small winter birds took sking lessons when launched off our noses.
By the time he moved in with Mom & Dad , Frank had his share of health problems also. He couldn't hear a siren if it went off behind his chair in our livingroom .
I too have been blessed with this particular impairment. Some at my age suffer from CRS. (can't remember s--t.) My malady is CHS.
I am not bitter. Frank did live into his 80's and , besides, there were probably mosquitos everywhere at Geneva.
Frank was a short rotund man who smiled only when necessary. It is said he fancied himself to be a dude. Dad often commented about drinking with Frank and Charlie, my other grandfather. The line most repeated was, "Frank liked the ladies." ( Hey, Charlie liked his booze. )
Frank's most noticeable fashion statement was his straw boat skimmer hat. When he removed it one time at The old County airport it is reported two bi-planes were forced to land prematurely. His dark complected pate was as shiny as a mirror and just as reflective.
Grandma Smith had several unsuccessful attempts to have children who would survive long. My Mom was the exception.
Grandma was sickly, When I was just a young tyke Mom hustled Grandma and me off by train to go to St. Petersburg, Florida for Grandma's health. St. Pete is about a 30 minute drive from where my wife and I reside now.
When Grandma died they laid her out in the living room of their flat on lower Middle Avenue in Wilmerding. When you walked into the room her casket was resting against the right rear wall.
It is one of the earliest memories I have as a child.
I cannot comment on how long Grandpap was a widower. Perhaps my son Bruce and my brother Jim, who have researched the family, might have better information. However long it was, it wasn't long enough for my Mom, his devout Irish Catholic daughter. His second wife, Em, was never allowed to be called Grandma.
There are few memories of Em: She had a parrot, enormous breasts, and favored a purple dress which she always wore on the infrequent occasions I saw her. She also took away my dreams of inheriting a piece of propery with a cottage located at Geneva On The Lake.
The property was what my Grandfather had promised to me as his first grandchild. I know this to be true because Mom reminded me of it several hundred times when she learned Em had talked Grampap into disposing of the property.
I don't know a lot about Grandpap Smith due to his unfortunate decision to remarry and enjoy the comforts of - well, you know. He was invited to our home seldom and visited even less.
There is nothing I know of in recorded history that suggests Frank was the most clever of his family, but I do believe he loved me as well as my brothers.
Em died first - and what money she had accumulated via her marriage to my grandfather allegedly went to her side of the family according to Mom.
At some point , presumably after Frank had paid his appropriate penance, he moved in with us in Forest Hills. He was about 80.
It is said that while my brothers resembled my Dad's side of the family I inherited my genes from the Smiths. One look at a picture of Frank and a profile shot of my nose leaves little doubt as to veracity of this observation. Small winter birds took sking lessons when launched off our noses.
By the time he moved in with Mom & Dad , Frank had his share of health problems also. He couldn't hear a siren if it went off behind his chair in our livingroom .
I too have been blessed with this particular impairment. Some at my age suffer from CRS. (can't remember s--t.) My malady is CHS.
I am not bitter. Frank did live into his 80's and , besides, there were probably mosquitos everywhere at Geneva.
"You will now!"
A blog was completed last night fulfilling a promise to explain what writing a blog has meant to me. It has been deleted. It was longer than my average blog and even wordier than most things I write.
The irony didn't escape me that it was a lot like trying to explain a joke.
A little boy was in his elementary school class frantically drawing something. He was still at it long after the other kids had completed their art assignment. His teacher approached him:
"Jimmy, what are you drawing that is taking so much of your time?"
"I'm drawing a picture of God," Jimmy explained.
His teacher said, "But Jimmy, nobody has ever seen God so we don't know what he looks like."
Jimmy looked up at the teacher and replied, "You will now!"
My reasons for writing a blog are also simple: It's enjoyable - it might by accident say something of interest - it's therapeutic for me - and - some of what has been written might just filter on down to those who follow.
The latter is an affirmation of my suggestion to others to write a blog regarding their unique perspective on family history. It could be of benefit to young curious family members who seek to know something about their ancestors, particulary if told in a anechdotal style.
Few of us have such a record and most of us wish we did.
However, while not the sharpest knife in the drawer - if history is any indication - my blogs will go the way of my baseball card and comic book collections - and that's okay too.
It's been great therapy for Pap and someone may recall a few of the stories.
The irony didn't escape me that it was a lot like trying to explain a joke.
A little boy was in his elementary school class frantically drawing something. He was still at it long after the other kids had completed their art assignment. His teacher approached him:
"Jimmy, what are you drawing that is taking so much of your time?"
"I'm drawing a picture of God," Jimmy explained.
His teacher said, "But Jimmy, nobody has ever seen God so we don't know what he looks like."
Jimmy looked up at the teacher and replied, "You will now!"
My reasons for writing a blog are also simple: It's enjoyable - it might by accident say something of interest - it's therapeutic for me - and - some of what has been written might just filter on down to those who follow.
The latter is an affirmation of my suggestion to others to write a blog regarding their unique perspective on family history. It could be of benefit to young curious family members who seek to know something about their ancestors, particulary if told in a anechdotal style.
Few of us have such a record and most of us wish we did.
However, while not the sharpest knife in the drawer - if history is any indication - my blogs will go the way of my baseball card and comic book collections - and that's okay too.
It's been great therapy for Pap and someone may recall a few of the stories.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
That Lucky "55".
Numerology is a subject that has always fascinated me. I love the number "5" but not the number "23". Both my wife and I recall sports uniforms we wore that were either numbered "5" or were a combination of the number.
We recently won $250 in a football pool where I simply chose available numbers that started five spaces from any of the four corners of the sheet. I won money as I was passing the slots in A.C. using the same logic by choosing the 5th slot machine from the end.
We also recall that the number "23" - which also adds up to "5" - was a date that produced several unfortunate events in our lives. We will occasionally request doctors to reschedule appointment dates that fall on that day - just to be on the safe side.
Perhaps my fascination with any combination of numbers stems from my dad's occupation as an Accountant. As I recall, he enjoyed playing number games with us as kids.
Flashcards were conquered quickly in the Sullivan home.. We learned that the complement of a two digit number was the sum that, when added to the object number, would produce the number 100.
We memorized those complements such as: 36 + 64, 73 + 27, 49 + 51, etc.
This information also made it easier for me to correct mistakes I had made on the huge IBM proof machine I operated at a bank when I was going to college. In order to "zero out' the computations you took the total on the tape and added to it those numbers that would produce all zeros.
As a child I also quickly learned the irony that the numbers from one through ten when added together would produce the number 55 , and of course, 5 + 5 = 10.
I failed to apply these math skills when practicing the rhythm method with a wife and Mom who was a practicing Catholic. We had 4 incredible kids in 5 years. Because they were born so close together I didn't always remember their names and referred to them as "Boy #1, Boy #2, and Boy#3. Child # 4 was easy. It was my only daughter, Beth.
OK, the last was a lie - for the most part anyway.
So why, so many years and generations later do I entitle this blog "That Lucky '55'?"
Very simple. I recently read that the total # of blogs I have published prior to this one is 55.
There are few things I enjoy these days more than writing my blogs. It keeps me off the streets.
In my next blog I hope to relate, in a manner that does not resemble paint drying, why I write a Blog and why I would encourage you to do the same.
For now, I'll just say "Thank You" for the comments and feedback you have provided to me during the completion of the first" 55".
We recently won $250 in a football pool where I simply chose available numbers that started five spaces from any of the four corners of the sheet. I won money as I was passing the slots in A.C. using the same logic by choosing the 5th slot machine from the end.
We also recall that the number "23" - which also adds up to "5" - was a date that produced several unfortunate events in our lives. We will occasionally request doctors to reschedule appointment dates that fall on that day - just to be on the safe side.
Perhaps my fascination with any combination of numbers stems from my dad's occupation as an Accountant. As I recall, he enjoyed playing number games with us as kids.
Flashcards were conquered quickly in the Sullivan home.. We learned that the complement of a two digit number was the sum that, when added to the object number, would produce the number 100.
We memorized those complements such as: 36 + 64, 73 + 27, 49 + 51, etc.
This information also made it easier for me to correct mistakes I had made on the huge IBM proof machine I operated at a bank when I was going to college. In order to "zero out' the computations you took the total on the tape and added to it those numbers that would produce all zeros.
As a child I also quickly learned the irony that the numbers from one through ten when added together would produce the number 55 , and of course, 5 + 5 = 10.
I failed to apply these math skills when practicing the rhythm method with a wife and Mom who was a practicing Catholic. We had 4 incredible kids in 5 years. Because they were born so close together I didn't always remember their names and referred to them as "Boy #1, Boy #2, and Boy#3. Child # 4 was easy. It was my only daughter, Beth.
OK, the last was a lie - for the most part anyway.
So why, so many years and generations later do I entitle this blog "That Lucky '55'?"
Very simple. I recently read that the total # of blogs I have published prior to this one is 55.
There are few things I enjoy these days more than writing my blogs. It keeps me off the streets.
In my next blog I hope to relate, in a manner that does not resemble paint drying, why I write a Blog and why I would encourage you to do the same.
For now, I'll just say "Thank You" for the comments and feedback you have provided to me during the completion of the first" 55".
Saturday, February 20, 2010
MORE FAMILY FEUD
Like many folks, we were home and watched Tiger's "act of contrition" yesterday.
I will agree with those who stated it was weird. Had Tiger been a boy when I was, many an adult male would simply have listened to his speech and said, "You know? That kid ain't right in the head!"
And, that would have been "the end of it. "
Unfortunately, today we are living in a time when it is common that one or more groups of people will publish a paper which purports to analyzye the number of snaps, crackles, and pops in one 10 ounce bowl of Rice Krispies. Then they will criticize each others scientific methodology.
Just like Tiger's speech: "there will never be 'the end of it'".
Okay, maybe until the time another public personality screws up. Tiger's advisors over at IMG are probably already inteviewing potential candidates.
Today, I read Bob Smizik's sports blog in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette regarding Tiger, whose confession he deplored. It was another blog where Bob allows us access to the views of various sports analyists whose communication we might never encounter otherwise.
Todays guest columnist was Gene Simmons with ESPN.com . Whoops, no that was Bill Simmons, (another guy with tongue problems). Simmons approach to Tiger's speech made me long for a deceased friend by the name of Eddy Angell.
Eddy once received a long scorching letter from his ex-wive severely criticizing his behavior. Rather than responding or rationalizing what he had allegedly done, he simply corrected her grammar, spelling, and punctuation with red ink, and mailed it back to her.
I wish Simmons had employed that same intellect. There are some who may have finished his lengthy and repetitive article in it's entirety. Those people are the same ones, who as kids, never threw up in the back seat of their parents car during a long trip.
I chose the Evelyn Woods method after digging through the first few paragraphs. My read on the column was that the only valid conclusion Simmons had was that he regretted not being chosen to write Tiger's speech nor afforded the opportunity to determine the appropriate venue.
Oh, and of course, being paid fabulous sums to do so.
Help me out here, will you please. Isn't ESPN the entity that had a major sports commentator disappear from the air recently because he was accused of being a philanderer? As I recall, they responded to the accusation at about the same speed Toyota did to the mechanical claims.
Now, I may have missed it, but, I don't recall four of his ESPN peers sitting down together in a circle and analyzing his actions. For hours and hours.
Probably never happened. Although if ESPN could have found a way to spin it as a responsbile approach in the critique and rehabilitation process of a public figure, I'm sure they would have .
Of course, that would be only after their actuaries produced a favorable profit analysis.
You see, the key question in our day will always be : "Where's The Money?" It is the one thing (other than the consumption of beer, as our bartender buddy, Andy, reminded us) that drives this country and defines what and who we are all about.
His observation came during an open discussion my wife, Phyl, and I were having with him as we exchanged reactions to Tiger "falling on his sword" earlier in the day.
The three of us talked about sportscasters and the extreme blitz approach the sports media took in their coverage after the speech. We also addressed Tiger's comments regarding the notorious paparazzi and their pursuit of his kids.
We finally concluded that if we were hosting Family Feud (there's that reference again) and said:
"We interviewed 100 sports media and paparazzi and the top 7 answers are on the board. Our question was: 'What wouldn't you do for money?"
At the end of that round, not one of the panelists would have correctly answered the question.
You see, no one would have come up with "NOTHING", the only viable answer to the question.
I will agree with those who stated it was weird. Had Tiger been a boy when I was, many an adult male would simply have listened to his speech and said, "You know? That kid ain't right in the head!"
And, that would have been "the end of it. "
Unfortunately, today we are living in a time when it is common that one or more groups of people will publish a paper which purports to analyzye the number of snaps, crackles, and pops in one 10 ounce bowl of Rice Krispies. Then they will criticize each others scientific methodology.
Just like Tiger's speech: "there will never be 'the end of it'".
Okay, maybe until the time another public personality screws up. Tiger's advisors over at IMG are probably already inteviewing potential candidates.
Today, I read Bob Smizik's sports blog in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette regarding Tiger, whose confession he deplored. It was another blog where Bob allows us access to the views of various sports analyists whose communication we might never encounter otherwise.
Todays guest columnist was Gene Simmons with ESPN.com . Whoops, no that was Bill Simmons, (another guy with tongue problems). Simmons approach to Tiger's speech made me long for a deceased friend by the name of Eddy Angell.
Eddy once received a long scorching letter from his ex-wive severely criticizing his behavior. Rather than responding or rationalizing what he had allegedly done, he simply corrected her grammar, spelling, and punctuation with red ink, and mailed it back to her.
I wish Simmons had employed that same intellect. There are some who may have finished his lengthy and repetitive article in it's entirety. Those people are the same ones, who as kids, never threw up in the back seat of their parents car during a long trip.
I chose the Evelyn Woods method after digging through the first few paragraphs. My read on the column was that the only valid conclusion Simmons had was that he regretted not being chosen to write Tiger's speech nor afforded the opportunity to determine the appropriate venue.
Oh, and of course, being paid fabulous sums to do so.
Help me out here, will you please. Isn't ESPN the entity that had a major sports commentator disappear from the air recently because he was accused of being a philanderer? As I recall, they responded to the accusation at about the same speed Toyota did to the mechanical claims.
Now, I may have missed it, but, I don't recall four of his ESPN peers sitting down together in a circle and analyzing his actions. For hours and hours.
Probably never happened. Although if ESPN could have found a way to spin it as a responsbile approach in the critique and rehabilitation process of a public figure, I'm sure they would have .
Of course, that would be only after their actuaries produced a favorable profit analysis.
You see, the key question in our day will always be : "Where's The Money?" It is the one thing (other than the consumption of beer, as our bartender buddy, Andy, reminded us) that drives this country and defines what and who we are all about.
His observation came during an open discussion my wife, Phyl, and I were having with him as we exchanged reactions to Tiger "falling on his sword" earlier in the day.
The three of us talked about sportscasters and the extreme blitz approach the sports media took in their coverage after the speech. We also addressed Tiger's comments regarding the notorious paparazzi and their pursuit of his kids.
We finally concluded that if we were hosting Family Feud (there's that reference again) and said:
"We interviewed 100 sports media and paparazzi and the top 7 answers are on the board. Our question was: 'What wouldn't you do for money?"
At the end of that round, not one of the panelists would have correctly answered the question.
You see, no one would have come up with "NOTHING", the only viable answer to the question.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
HOW DO THINGS GET SCREWED UP?
It's doubtful anybody has ever accused me of being a bleeding liberal - but, who knows? After reading the following you may wonder.
One of the breaking news items this morning in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is about a female police officer who was allegedly assaulted at night by a 20 year old black man near Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, a town where I grew up. (The word "allegedly" is my personal tribute to any politically correct readers.)
It is similar to the report: "The victim's wife 'allegedly' slipped and stabbed her spouse 26 times in the back."
Per this article, the police responded within 5 minutes of a robbery victim's call stating the robber was a black man wearing all black.
We are told the officer shot and killed the suspect. The article says the officer was "seriously assaulted by the man before she shot him." It adds that she is in the hospital being treated for a concussion, facial wounds, and a broken nose." She is also on paid administrative leave.
The paper was kind enough to include a head shot of the suspect - suggesting either a very cooperative family member or friend, or, that the man might have previously been arrested.
The police spokesperson assures us:" Police have no doubt that the man who was killed is the same person who committed the robbery earlier in the night on Denniston Street. "We know who everybody is." said the spokesperson.
The victim of the armed robbery was not injured.
The term "armed" suggests that the suspect attempted to commit the robbery with the use of a weapon as a negotiating tool.
One other sentence in the report: "During the fight, she shot him, fatally wounding him, and police 'later' recovered the gun".
Now, I will admit my first reaction to the headline: "Officer fatally shoots armed robbery suspect in Shadyside." - was: "Great! Too many of these guys get away and nobody will come forward to identify them."
Could my reaction have also been based upon the fact that my reflexes have slowed a little since I became a septugenarian, so I have safety concerns of my own? ( don't bother to look it up. It's that horoscope sign the prophets seldom take the time to analyze or predict.)
Maybe you would not have responded in the manner I did? Maybe I've watched too many cop shows? Maybe it's an "open and shut" case?
Question: When the family's lawsuit comes -and, if past alleged gun shot fatalities at the hands of the police are any indication, it surely will - what will the plaintiff attorney for the family argue that the police did wrong?
Answer: If we're smarter than a 5th grader - and I like to think we might be - the attorney will most likely argue: "Why was it 'later' that the police recovered the gun and how do they know it was his?
Now comes a question like that which you might find on The Family Feud: "What other arguments do you think the plaintiff attorney will make?" Assume: "One hundred people were surveyed and the top 7 answers are on the board."
Hopefully, you and your family will make it to the bonus round.
Hopefully, you also do not have a female relative who has been physically assaulted by a man or who is a police officer hurt by a larger assailant in the line of duty. That could prejudice your answers to the question.
But, if not, it may help you when you next read the incredible report that: "Three police officers filled a suspect with 70 bullets because they 'had reason' to believe he was armed".
There used to be a saying: "You might as well be caught for stealing a sheep as for stealing a lamb." It may or may not be applicable to analyzing the 70 bullet scenario. (and, what were you doing hanging around sheep in the first place?)
No answers here - just questions - like the one which is the title of this blog.
One of the breaking news items this morning in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is about a female police officer who was allegedly assaulted at night by a 20 year old black man near Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, a town where I grew up. (The word "allegedly" is my personal tribute to any politically correct readers.)
It is similar to the report: "The victim's wife 'allegedly' slipped and stabbed her spouse 26 times in the back."
Per this article, the police responded within 5 minutes of a robbery victim's call stating the robber was a black man wearing all black.
We are told the officer shot and killed the suspect. The article says the officer was "seriously assaulted by the man before she shot him." It adds that she is in the hospital being treated for a concussion, facial wounds, and a broken nose." She is also on paid administrative leave.
The paper was kind enough to include a head shot of the suspect - suggesting either a very cooperative family member or friend, or, that the man might have previously been arrested.
The police spokesperson assures us:" Police have no doubt that the man who was killed is the same person who committed the robbery earlier in the night on Denniston Street. "We know who everybody is." said the spokesperson.
The victim of the armed robbery was not injured.
The term "armed" suggests that the suspect attempted to commit the robbery with the use of a weapon as a negotiating tool.
One other sentence in the report: "During the fight, she shot him, fatally wounding him, and police 'later' recovered the gun".
Now, I will admit my first reaction to the headline: "Officer fatally shoots armed robbery suspect in Shadyside." - was: "Great! Too many of these guys get away and nobody will come forward to identify them."
Could my reaction have also been based upon the fact that my reflexes have slowed a little since I became a septugenarian, so I have safety concerns of my own? ( don't bother to look it up. It's that horoscope sign the prophets seldom take the time to analyze or predict.)
Maybe you would not have responded in the manner I did? Maybe I've watched too many cop shows? Maybe it's an "open and shut" case?
Question: When the family's lawsuit comes -and, if past alleged gun shot fatalities at the hands of the police are any indication, it surely will - what will the plaintiff attorney for the family argue that the police did wrong?
Answer: If we're smarter than a 5th grader - and I like to think we might be - the attorney will most likely argue: "Why was it 'later' that the police recovered the gun and how do they know it was his?
Now comes a question like that which you might find on The Family Feud: "What other arguments do you think the plaintiff attorney will make?" Assume: "One hundred people were surveyed and the top 7 answers are on the board."
Hopefully, you and your family will make it to the bonus round.
Hopefully, you also do not have a female relative who has been physically assaulted by a man or who is a police officer hurt by a larger assailant in the line of duty. That could prejudice your answers to the question.
But, if not, it may help you when you next read the incredible report that: "Three police officers filled a suspect with 70 bullets because they 'had reason' to believe he was armed".
There used to be a saying: "You might as well be caught for stealing a sheep as for stealing a lamb." It may or may not be applicable to analyzing the 70 bullet scenario. (and, what were you doing hanging around sheep in the first place?)
No answers here - just questions - like the one which is the title of this blog.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
ODDS & ENDS
I realized I was not a good romancer when I was very young. I could never think of the right thing to say. Once I was asked for a dance by a rather heavy set young lady and complimented her after our dance thusly: "You know for a fat girl - you don't sweat much!"
She slapped me.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I try not to undress in front of our dog. You never know what she might decide to say to the other dogs who are out when we walk her. If I see a couple dogs looking at me and laughing, I'm sure I'll know who told them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I read about a woman recently who was vacationing overseas and searching for trinkets and unusual food items to take back home. She was fascinated by these little round packages being displayed in a straw basket on the counter of one of the shops..
Becoming frustrated at her inability to identify the food product contained therein. She asked the shopkeeper for assistance.
"Those are condoms, madam. Please do not become embarassed. This question comes up quite often."
She was so happy she had not purchased any for her sister-in-law - a devout Catholic and mother of 6.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw a cute item in Reader's Digest that appealed to me as my daughter has four children and she was the last of four who were all born within less than a 5 year period of time.
It seems that the Mom in the story was grocery shopping with 4 boys - and a baby. Her patience was wearing thin as the boys kept yelling "Mommy, Mommy' while she was trying to shop.
In her exasperation she shouted out, "I don't want to hear the word Mommy for at least ten minutes."
The boys fell silent for a few seconds. Then one tugged on his mother's dress and said softly, "excuse me, miss."
----------------------------------------------------------------
A man get's pulled over after a high speed chase. The policeman comes along side the stopped car. He's tired but enjoyed the chase on what was an otherwise slow day.
He says to the driver, "Look I'm going to give you a break. If you can give me a a good excuse I won't give you a ticket."
The driver responded, "Four weeks ago my wife left me for a cop. So, when I saw your car coming I thought you were trying to bring her back."
The cop let him go.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another cop pulls a little old lady over on Route 17 in the Jacksonville area. The driver is driving really slow and traffic is steadily backing up.. He walks up to the car , notes there are three other elderly women in the car and asks the driver why she was going so slow. She explains." The sign says the speed limit is 17 mph. "
He explains that is the route # - not the speed limit - and asks her to please speed it up. As he is going back to the car he remembered the panicked look on the faces of the three passengers when he first walked up. He returns to the car before the driver pulls back into traffic.
He inquires of the women if there is a problem. The lady in the left rear answers. "Yes, officer. You see, we just got off Interstate 295!"
----------------------------------------------------------
A employee of a gift shop receives a call inquiring as to whether they might have a small plastic phone. The caller explains it is to go on a casket ribbon that says, "God called - and she answered."
After the sales clerk told the caller they did not carry the item, she hung up and shared the story with a co-worker. Just then the phone rang.
The co-worker said, "You answer it."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy!
She slapped me.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I try not to undress in front of our dog. You never know what she might decide to say to the other dogs who are out when we walk her. If I see a couple dogs looking at me and laughing, I'm sure I'll know who told them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I read about a woman recently who was vacationing overseas and searching for trinkets and unusual food items to take back home. She was fascinated by these little round packages being displayed in a straw basket on the counter of one of the shops..
Becoming frustrated at her inability to identify the food product contained therein. She asked the shopkeeper for assistance.
"Those are condoms, madam. Please do not become embarassed. This question comes up quite often."
She was so happy she had not purchased any for her sister-in-law - a devout Catholic and mother of 6.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw a cute item in Reader's Digest that appealed to me as my daughter has four children and she was the last of four who were all born within less than a 5 year period of time.
It seems that the Mom in the story was grocery shopping with 4 boys - and a baby. Her patience was wearing thin as the boys kept yelling "Mommy, Mommy' while she was trying to shop.
In her exasperation she shouted out, "I don't want to hear the word Mommy for at least ten minutes."
The boys fell silent for a few seconds. Then one tugged on his mother's dress and said softly, "excuse me, miss."
----------------------------------------------------------------
A man get's pulled over after a high speed chase. The policeman comes along side the stopped car. He's tired but enjoyed the chase on what was an otherwise slow day.
He says to the driver, "Look I'm going to give you a break. If you can give me a a good excuse I won't give you a ticket."
The driver responded, "Four weeks ago my wife left me for a cop. So, when I saw your car coming I thought you were trying to bring her back."
The cop let him go.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Another cop pulls a little old lady over on Route 17 in the Jacksonville area. The driver is driving really slow and traffic is steadily backing up.. He walks up to the car , notes there are three other elderly women in the car and asks the driver why she was going so slow. She explains." The sign says the speed limit is 17 mph. "
He explains that is the route # - not the speed limit - and asks her to please speed it up. As he is going back to the car he remembered the panicked look on the faces of the three passengers when he first walked up. He returns to the car before the driver pulls back into traffic.
He inquires of the women if there is a problem. The lady in the left rear answers. "Yes, officer. You see, we just got off Interstate 295!"
----------------------------------------------------------
A employee of a gift shop receives a call inquiring as to whether they might have a small plastic phone. The caller explains it is to go on a casket ribbon that says, "God called - and she answered."
After the sales clerk told the caller they did not carry the item, she hung up and shared the story with a co-worker. Just then the phone rang.
The co-worker said, "You answer it."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)