Daily Commentary – Tuesday, February 7, 2012 – Does the System Bear any Responsibility For the Deaths of the Powell Children?

• Should child services have known that Josh Powell might murder his children and kill himself?

Daily Commentary – Tuesday, February 7, 2012 Play Download

Veteran Hollywood Film & Broadway Actor Ben Gazzara Dies of Pancreatic Cancer at Age 81

Another Hollywood and Broadway icon has passed away … Ben Gazzara, Rest in Peace. 

Ben Gazzara, best known for his collaborations with director John Cassavetes, has died at the age of 81 from pancreatic cancer. As reported by NBC, Gazzara fittingly died the same day that Cassavetes did more than twenty years ago. Gazzara had a 60 year acting career on statge, film and TV. The veteran actor appeared in more than 100 film and TV movies.  Gazzara is survived by his third wife Elke Stuckmann, their daughter, and an adopted daughter as well as Gazarra’s brother, Anthony.

Ben Gazzara in “The Killing of a Chinese Bookie.”

Ben Gazzara: 1930 – 2012 … Rest in Peace

From the NY Times:

Ben Gazzara, an intense actor whose long career included playing Brick in the original “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” on Broadway, roles in influential films by John Cassavetes and work with several generations of top Hollywood directors, died on Friday in Manhattan. He was 81.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, his lawyer, Jay Julien, said. Mr. Gazzara lived in Manhattan.

Mr. Gazzara studied with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in Manhattan, where the careers of stars like Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger were shaped, and like them he had a visceral presence. It earned him regular work across half a century, not only onstage — his last Broadway appearance was in the revival of “Awake and Sing!” in 2006 — but in dozens of movies and all sorts of television shows, including the starring role in the 1960s series “Run for Your Life.”

How could the New York Times not mentioned ‘Road House’ with Patrick Swayze in their list of movie appearances?

IMBb – Ben Gazzara’s film career.

Great obit at the LA Times.

Family of Murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry Files $25M Lawsuit Against ATF over Fast & Furious

The family of murdered border patrol agent Brian Terry has filed a $25 million wrongful death law suit against the federal government and ATF. The law suit claims that the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives knowingly sold guns to Mexican drug cartels under the Fast and Furious program, guns that were responsible for the death of Brian Terry.

The family of murdered Border Patrol agent Brian Terry has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives claiming Terry was killed with AK-47s that were knowingly sold under the Fast and Furious gunrunning probe to a straw purchaser for drug cartels.

In a 65-page complaint, served on the government on Wednesday, attorneys for the family claim ATF “wrongdoing” in Operation Fast and Furious.

“ATF’s failures were not only negligent but in violation of ATF’s own policies and procedures,” the complaint claims.

Brian Terry’s family has also filed a claim against the Lone Wolf Trading Company seeking unspecified damages for negligence.

The claim says Lone Wolf knowingly sold “hundreds of weapons” to various straw purchasers and in turn realized “hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits from these sales.”

The claim alleges that “but for defendants’ negligent and illegal sales … Brian Terry would not have been murdered in the Arizona desert on Dec. 14, 2010.”

Attorney General and the feds claim that Fast & Furious gun running program in which an actual AK-47 sold to Mexican drug cartels that was responsible for the murder of the border patrol agent had no causal affect in the death of Brian Terry. Really? Can you say pathetic government cover up? Some one needs to take the fall … Eric Holder.

Video Hat Tip: The Gateway Pundit

UPDATE I: AG Eric Holder set to take the Hot Seat again at Fast & Furious hearing. Will Holder be found in contempt of Congress? This story is starting to spiral out of control for the AG and Obama. As stated at Jammie Wearing Fool, one has to wonder how this scandal will continue to go on smack dab in the middle of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign.

On Tuesday, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., threatened to hold Holder in contempt of Congress, claiming that the Justice Department has been withholding documents related to the congressional inquiry into Fast and Furious.

“If the department continues to obstruct the congressional inquiry by not providing documents and information, this committee will have no alternative but to move forward with proceedings to hold you in contempt of Congress,” Issa wrote to Holder.

‘Soul Train’ Creator Don Cornelius Dead of Gun Shot Wound at Age of 75 of an Apparent Suicide

Don Cornelius, the creator of the TV dance show ‘Soul Train’ has died at the age of 75 of an apparent gun shot wound. How tragically sad. It appears that Cornelius was found dead in his apartment around  4 am of an apparent suicide, self inflicted gun shot wound. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Cornelius died of a gunshot wound at a house on Mulholland Drive, said Los Angeles police Officer Tenesha Dodine. Police responded to the call about 4 a.m. (7 a.m. ET), Dodine said.

Cornelius was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Los Angeles police investigators reported to the coroner that Cornelius died from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter said. The coroner’s office will perform an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

He was the black Dick Clark of the 1970′s. However, it was not just black America that watched ‘Soul Train’. I can remember Soul Train on the TV on Saturday and the amazing crazy dance moves performed that I could only dream of doing. As stated at the WAPO, long before BET or MTV,  before cable television or the Internet, “Soul Train” taught a generation how to dance and let black America see itself having fun. At the center stood Cornelius in all his preternatural cool.   Some singing greats provide comments of the dearly departed Don Cornelius.

Gladys Knight, who performed on the pilot of the show more than four decades ago, said Cornelius “opened up so many avenues for African-American artists.”

In an interview with CNN Wednesday, Knight said he appeared in ill health when she saw him recently.

“Last time I saw him, he was pretty sick,” Knight said. “He had lost a lot of weight, but he still had that thing about him.”

Singer Aretha Franklin called his death “so sad, stunning and downright shocking.”

Singer Smokey Robinson said it was “a musical tragedy.”

Music producer Quincy Jones expressed shock and deep sadness in a written statement to CNN.

Tremendous obit at the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Robert Hegyes, Actor who Played Juan Epstein on ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ Dies at Age 60

Robert Hegyes, the actor who played Juan Epstein on one of my favorite comedies of all times, ‘Welcome Back Kotter” has died. Hegyes, who played Puerto Rican wheeler-dealer Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein and one of the “SweatHogs” on the 1970s classic “Welcome Back Kotter,” back in the day when comedies could be un-PC and were actually funny, dies at the age of 60 of an apparent heart attack.

Obit from USA Today:

THe was born in Perth Amboy and grew up in Metuchen, the eldest child of a Hungarian father and Italian mother.

He attended Rowan University, formerly Glassboro State College, in southern New Jersey, before heading to New York City after graduation. He returned to Rowan on several occasions to teach master classes in acting, a university spokesman said Thursday.

“He was a good friend to the university,” spokesman Joe Cardona said.

Hegyes continued to act after Kotter and was a regular on Cagney & Lacey. He also guest-starred in shows including Diagnosis Murder and The Drew Carey Show.

Robert Hegyes website.

In honor of the debates, we have included the Youtube VIDEO of the Sweathogs debate. Welcome Back Kotter, and its cast  John Travolta, Ron Palillo, Gabe Kaplan, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs and Robert Hegyes were brilliant in a time when comedy was comedy and there was no such thing as “reality TV” on TV.

Goodbye Robert Hegyes, Rest in Peace … signed, Epstein’s Mother’s doctor.

How Insensitive Could They Possible Be … Costa Concordia Offering Survivors of the Cruise Ship Disaster a 30% Discount Off on Future Cruises

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, COULD COSTA CONCORDIA CRUISE LINES BE MORE CLUELESS AND INSENSITIVE!!!

Following the cruise ship disaster of the Costa Concordia where it ran aground and  … the owners of the Costa Concordia are offering survivors a 30% discount on future cruises. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! Who the hell would get back on any boat that would have had such a disaster that was caused by Captain error? Let alone the fact that the Captain and some crew members fled the ship before actual passengers were rescued.

The owners of the Costa Concordia are offering survivors of the disaster a 30 per cent discount off future cruises as they battle to stave off law suits expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds.

So far 12 individuals have died and there are 20 people still missing following this cruise ship debacle and the cruise ship has the audacity to offer 30% discounts. Could they be more insulting? What’s next, will they offer free drink and photo vouchers? People are dead and missing, survivors are getting ready to file law suits and the cruise ship company decides to add insult to tragedy.

Former Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno Dies at Age 85 … Rest in Peace

Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85 …

We knew last night when it was reported that he was in grave condition, near death and had asked for friends, family and loved ones to come to the hospital to say his final goodbyes, that it was only a matter of time. Sadly, JOE PA has passed away at the age of 85 from complications of lung cancer.The winingest coach in Division I college football,  capturing 409 victories and two national championships at Penn State, has died.

Joe Paterno:  December 21, 1926 – January 22, 2012, Rest in Peace

His family released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death: “His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.”

“He died as he lived,” the statement said. “He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

It is obvious that Joe Paterno lost the will to live following the Penn State/Sandusky sex scandal. Joe Paterno loved two things, his family and Penn State. Sadly, many will only see the sex scandal that occurred as Paterno’s legacy; however, nothing could be farther from the truth. In the end Joe Paterno did not die of cancer, he died of a broken heart. He admitted he could have and should have done more when it came to the sex scandal that cost him his job and tainted his legacy. Paterno admitted, “I didn’t know exactly how to handle it and I was afraid to do something that might jeopardize what the university procedure was.” However, it would be short sighted and ignorant not to see the good that Joe Pa did for Penn State University and the many individuals whose lives he touched.

No matter what the PSU trustees try to do, Joe Paterno was and forever will be the face of Penn State. His contributions to the University were tremendous. How many sports coaches does any one know who give back to their colleges, rather than just use them as a stepping stone for their careers? The millions he gave back to PSU to make academics at Penn State a better place needs to be remembered.  Joe Pa made an incredible impact on the lives of so many; however, like all of us, Joe was human and not without flaws. He left the game the winningest coaches ever, he leaves us as a flawed man who tried to do his best. Let us remember him for the good he has done and forgive his trespasses.

Paterno became the winningest head coach in Division I football history on Oct. 29, when the Nittany Lions defeated Illinois for his 409th victory. It would be the last of the 548 games he served as Penn State’s head coach, covering almost 46 full seasons.

Statement from Penn State  Trustees and President Erickson on passing of Paterno:

We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always.

The University plans to honor him for his many contributions and to remember his remarkable life and legacy. We are all deeply saddened.

We will never again see a coach like Joe Paterno in college football. That is a shame. How many people actually stay in one place and forgo offers from other institutions or the NFL? Seriously, Joe Paterno was an institution. For many of us that grew up in the Northeast and had friends and family in Pennsylvania, Penn State football was our regional team. So many lives this man touched, yet it is the scandal that he is presently remembered for. Sadly, the sex scandal has tainted his reputation, but that is not all that JoePa was. We are all not without sin and I hope the individuals who were sexually abused at the hands of Jerry Sandusky get justice. More now than ever. What Sandusky did was pure evil and his actions continue to cause consequences.  Let us remember the many good things that Joe Paterno did and the many he helped, influenced and lives he impacted. As for his sins, all I can say is the following:

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

29 People Still Missing Following Italian Cruise Ship Costa Concordia Running Aground

The search goes on by rescuers for missing survivors following the cruise ship Costa Concordia running aground off the Italian coast. Italian coastguard official stated that the number of people missing had been revised up to 29 – 25 passengers.  Amazing pics can be seen of the rescue attempts at the UK Daily Mail.  It looks like a cross between Titanic and the Poseiden Adventure. Say a prayer.

A stricken Italian cruise liner shifted on its rocky resting place on Monday as worsening weather disrupted an increasingly despairing hunt for survivors and authorities raised their estimate of the number missing to 29 people.

As the Costa Concordia’s owners blamed their captain for veering shorewards on Friday in a bravura “salute” to residents of a Tuscan island, the giant ship slid a little, threatening to plunge its whole gigantic carcass and 2,300 tonnes of fuel below the Mediterranean waters of the surrounding nature reserve.

The slippage forced rescuers to suspend for a few hours their efforts to find anyone still alive after three days in the capsized hull, resting on a jagged slope outside the picturesque harbor on the island of Giglio. Six bodies have been found. Most of the 4,200 passengers and crew survived, despite hours of chaos.

Fears grow as time goes by in the search for those still missing. The ship’s owners have blamed the captain for Friday’s crash, saying he changed course towards an island. According to accounts, the ship’s captain, Capt Schettino, has been accused of abandoning his vessel before all the passengers had been evacuated. So much for the captain going down with the ship. Capt Schettino was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Dateline NBC Profiles the Case of the Disappearance of Honeymooner George Smith Aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruiseship Brilliance of the Seas in 2005 (VIDEO) … JUSTICE FOR GEORGE

George Smith, missing since 2005 …

“We have truth on our side. “My son’s life is not going to be in vain.” -  (Maureen Smith, George’s mother – Jan. 2006)

The disappearance of George Smith aboard who went missing in 2005. Scared Monkeys has followed the case ever since. The family of George Smith are tremendous people who deserve answers.  Dateline NBC reviews the Royal Caribbean 6000 page file and provides a profile on the case and new details never before released. Even though George disappeared in 2005, the case is still being investigated and the Smith family never rests in getting JUSTICE FOR GEORGE.

What is most amazing in this case and may provide answers as to what happened to George Smith, the controversial and confrontational settlement between Royal Caribbean, Jennifer Hagel Smith and the Smith family may have been the smoking gun. Part of the settlement was the handing over of their files, a treasure trove of data and information.

PART 1

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This segment shows the last day of George Smith’s life and what took place the night prior to his disappearance and presumed death. The newlyweds George and Jennifer Hagel Smith went to dinner and then headed off to the on board ship casino. Also at the Casino Royal were the passengers Josh Askin and the individuals who would become known as the “Russians” (Rostislav “Rusty” Kofman and cousins Greg and Zachary Rozenberg ). It was reported that some passengers had heard that George Smith had said that he had large sums of money back at his cabin. Whether George did or not is irrelevant, what those that over heard him say; however, is relevant. Did the money play a role in what happened to George Smith, was it a robbery gone horribly wrong?

PART 2

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The party moved from the from the casino to the disco. Josh Askin through his attorney states that when things got a little weird and sleazy. He references that the group was met up with the an off-duty casino floor manager who had his arm around Jennifer and was coming on to her completely forgetting and ship employee – passenger boundaries.  Jennifer leaves the disco with Lloyd, the casino floor manager after many witnesses noticed an argument between Jennifer and George.  The disco closes and the four Russians help an drink George Smith back to his room. Thanks to the electronic key cards (locklink), there was a trail of who went where and when. It is reported that after George, Josh and the Russians got back to George’s room, they left again with George to go find Jennifer. When she left the disco, she never went back to the room. After looking for Jennifer, they return to George’s room at 4:01 am. Later that morning a passenger in the room next to George’s hears words, things being moved and then a loud thud. Then there is silence.

Read more

Pakistan Taliban Leader Hakimullah Mehsud Reportedly Killed in US Drone Strike … Taliban Denies

So was he or wasn’t he?

It is being reported that Pakistan Taliban Leader Hakimullah Mehsud was killed on January 12, 2012 in the North Waziristan tribal area by a US drone strike. Militant radio communications were intercepted indicating that the Taliban leader was recently killed.  However, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Asimullah Mehsud denied the Taliban  leader was killed.

Intercepted militant radio communications indicate the leader of the Pakistani Taliban may have been killed in a recent U.S. drone strike, Pakistani intelligence officials said Sunday. A Taliban official denied that.

The report coincided with sectarian violence — a bomb blast in eastern Pakistan that killed 14 people in a Shiite religious procession.

The claim that the Pakistani Taliban chief was killed came from officials who said they intercepted a number of Taliban radio conversations. In about a half a dozen intercepts, the militants discussed whether their chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed on Jan. 12 in the North Waziristan tribal area. Some militants confirmed Mehsud was dead, and one criticized others for talking about the issue over the radio.

I wonder if this Taliban leader was one of Joe Biden’s Taliban that was not our enemy, per se?