Where is the outrage?

At the time I was writing the previous article, an email was being delivered to me from an out-of-state friend. The source of the email was not included, so I don't know where this was published.

I agree with the content. Do you?

"Does anyone remember Detective Melvin Santiago?  He was a Jersey City police officer who was shot to death on July 13th.   Santiago was white.  His killer, Lawrence Campbell, was black.  Does anyone recall Obama appearing before national television and calling for justice for Officer Santiago's family?  Does anyone recall Eric Holder rushing to Jersey City to see that justice was done?

How about Officer Jeffrey Westerfield? He was a Gary, Indiana police officer who was shot to death on July 6, 2014. Officer Westerfield was white, his killer, Carl LeEllis Blount, Jr. was black. where was Obama? Where was Holder?

Officer Perry Renn was an Indianapolis, Indiana police officer who was shot to death July 5, 2014, the day before Officer Westerfield was killed. Officer Renn was white. His killer, Major Davis, was black. I don't recall any mention by Obama about the untimely death of Officer Renn. and, I doubt that Eric Holder rushed to Indianapolis to make sure justice was served.

Vermillion Parish Deputy Sheriff Allen Bares was gunned down by two men June 23, 2014 in Louisiana. Deputy Bares was white. His two killers, Quintlan Richard and Baylon Taylor were black. was Obama outraged? Did Eric Holder rush to Louisiana to make sure that the family of Deputy Bares found justice?

Detective Charles Dinwiddie of the Killen, Texas Police Department was murdered on May 11, 2014 by Marvin Lewis Guy, a black male. Officer Dinwiddie was white. Do you recall seeing anything abouth that on the news? Certainly, the white citizens of Killeen didn't take to the streets to loot and burn businesses. Do you recall any mention of Obama or Holder here?

Then, there is Officer Kevin Jordan of Griffin, Georgia Police Department. He was gunned down on May 31, 2014. Officer Jordan was black, his killer, Michael Bowman was white. This was a white man murdering a black police officer. Where was Jesse Jackson? Where was "The Reverend" al Sharpton? Was there looting and burning on the streets of Griffin, Georgia? No, in fact, we don't recall hearing about this one in the news as well. Why? You can draw your own conclusions.

Over the past 60 days, there have been five reported deaths of police officers by gunshot in the U.S. Of those, four were white officers who were murdered by black men. Blacks complain that white officers treat black men more aggressively on the street. You can draw your own conclusions on that one, as well.

A US President who tries to divide this republic, needs to be removed from office !"

Another reason to carry

The assassination of two NYPD officers provides yet one more reason to "carry."

But be careful!

When the troops arrive, you don't want to be mistaken for a Bad Guy.

Think ahead... What would you do, if you saw a law-enforcement officer being shot at. You might be driving by and spot an exchange of gunfire on a highway shoulder. You don't want to pull over and end up in the line-of-fire.

Think about what you'll say; i.e., how you will announce yourself to the cop as an armed citizen who is coming to his aid.

Be ready to present yourself as NOT a threat when other officers respond. Remember to stay calm and keep your hands in sight. Don't hold keys or cellphone in your hand. Holster your firearm. Or, if you've got it trained on a suspect, listen to the cops' instructions and do exactly what they say, when they say it. Comply. Don't argue or explain. There will be plenty of time for that.

Can you fire at a fleeing shooter, assuming that the shooter is leaving the scene on foot or in a car? A cop can;  but can you - a civilian? Even if you observed someone shoot down a cop? You may want to find out in advance - "just in case."

If you have to use the police radio to call for help for the officer, know where you are. Describe yourself to the dispatcher, so you don't get shot when other officers arrive. And remember to take your fingers off the microphone switch. Breathe! Don't panic!

Student kicked out for rifle cartridge

Grade schooler Cameron Carlson, of Chanute, Kansas, took a spent rifle cartridge to school (Chanute (Kansas) Elementary School) on the day after rifle practice with his mom to sight in their deer rifle. Read about it in their local newspaper.

The principal got on his high horse and kicked Cameron out of school for five days. When the mother attempted to intervene, the ante almost got bumped up to the 186-day max.

Now, somebody tell me - what is dangerous about a spent casing? No hot primer. No powder. No bullet.

What have we got here? A failure in communication. A bully. A man who is stupid and sets a poor example for students, parents, administrators, teachers and the community.

If you want to add your 2¢ worth, write to
Gary Wheeler, Principal
Chanute Elementary School
500 Osa Martin Blvd.
Chanute, KS 66720
Phone 620/432-2530
Email: try wheelerg@usd413.org (or send to Wheeler, c/o howellb@usd413.org).

Visit the Facebook page of Cameron's mother, Deana Leigh Carlson, and show your support. She writes on her Facebook page that her family has received "violent threats" for standing up in this case.

We must stop the bullying by school administrators in all schools.

The problem with suspension is that it occurs immediately, before the student has a chance to appeal to the School Board (not that it would necessarily be fair, either). Due Process is violated. If the School Board over-rules the Principal, the suspension has already been served and the damage to the student has already been done.

It's time for parents to insist on Firearms safety courses in schools - as early as grade school. Stop the hysteria about guns. Teach safety and respect.

What should be done to Principal Wheeler? Give him a five-day suspension. Better yet - fire him.

Who is responsible for bus stop shooting death?

The Chicago Tribune reports the death of Donatello Herrera, 35, early yesterday morning. Herrera was a Chicago worker at a Burger King near Ogden and Western Avenues. He was shot by a person in a dark-colored SUV,  about 1:15am, while he was waiting for a bus to ride home.

Who is responsible?

The Cook County Democratics, who made it unlawful to carry a concealed weapon on a bus, 'L' or train?
Father Michael Phleger, who continually rants about guns and wants them taken away from law-abiding citizens?
MOMS Demand Action, the group also on a tirade against guns?
The CTA?
The RTA?
The NRA and the ISRA for failing to knock some sense into the heads of those named just above?
The manufacturers of the gun and the ammo?
The manufacturer of the SUV?
The manufacturer of the dark-colored paint?

Guns in the hands of many law-abiding people on that corner might not have prevented the shots that killed Herrera. But, if 10-15-20 people had pulled out guns and started pumping lead into that dark-colored SUV after the shots were fired at Herrera, it wouldn't take long for word to get around Chicago that it was no longer safe to do drive-by shootings.

Who is responsible for Herrera's death?

YOU are. I am. (OK,  so I "was", because I lived in Illinois when the concealed carry law was being argued and passed.) - For failing to exert enough influence on the politicians to over-ride their insane desire to keep people from protecting themselves in many areas outside their homes in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois.

Now is the time to call or write them and/or visit their Chicago office. Law-abiding, licensed, armed citizens are not the problem.

Wash. deputy tries to justify MRAP

Did you read about the Spokane, Washington-area deputy who tried to justify the use of MRAP because of "constitutionalists"?

You do know what MRAP is; right? Mine Resistant Ambush Protected. These are military vehicles that are now in the hands of local law enforcement.

Against Constitutionalists? You mean, like you and me?

Recently, I spotted a "No Firearms" sign at the entrance to the V.A. Medical Center here in Columbia, S.C., and I got to wondering why I can't carry my firearm in my vehicle onto Government property. I mean, besides the sign... It's not like I'm going "postal", if I have to wait five minutes for an appointment. According to the sign, I can't even drive onto Government property with a firearm in my car. V.A. employees are left defenseless while commuting, because of this prohibition.

Across the country, states are giving lawful gun owners the right to carry firearms in their cars while commuting and to store them in their cars in company parking lots, even if the employer says, "Don't bring that thing in here."

But the Feds make a Federal criminal out of you, if they can catch you with a gun in your car in their parking lot. Even if it is in the trunk. Even if you don't take it into the building.

Same at the Post Office. If you are going to the Post Office to mail your Christmas packages, leave your gun at home. Go unarmed and unprotected to the Post Office. If someone starts shooting because the line is moving too slowly, just point to the sign that says, "No guns in here." Yeah, sure...

Hungry lawyers go after deep pocket

Instead of going after Adam Lanza's mother's estate, greedy lawyers representing Newtown victims' families are going after the manufacturer of the Bushmaster AR-15.

Think those lawyers are working for free - pro bono? Or are they looking for a big pay day, if they find the right liberal judge or jury?

Maybe while they are at it, they should find out what kind of shoes he was wearing. If Nikes, go after Nike. What kind of car did he drive to the school? Sue the car manufacturer and dealership that sold the car. After all, they "should have known" he would use it in a crime.

And what kind of gas was in the car? Shell? Sue Shell, too.

And what did Lanza have for breakfast? Wheatie's? Go after the cereal company. Oh, don't forget the farmer. And the company that manufacturer the combine that harvested the wheat.

Somebody ought to get busy and sue those lawyers and those families for a frivolous lawsuit!!!

Where did Zinke land?

On December 1 the Northwest Herald reported that Andy Zinke had resigned as Undersheriff. That's the last time Zinke's name was in the paper.

Was it a good idea for him to clear out before Bill Prim was sworn in as Sheriff? He must have seen the handwriting on the wall and probably wanted to avoid the embarrassment of being escorted out of the building on Monday morning, as were the Jail Chief and Jail Deputy Chief.

In a timely response to a FOIA request, the McHenry County Sheriff's Department responded to my request for a copy of any inventory sheet showing official MCSD equipment and/or vehicle turned in by Zinke?
Their answer? "we have no document responsive to your request." Get that? No accounting of things like weapons, assault rifles, ammo, badges, patches, jackets, body armor, other equipment.

MCSD did provide a copy of Zinke's November 30th, 10:47am email to various MCSD department heads. He bragged that he had accepted "an awesome leadership position at another law enforcement agency on 11/25/14." Where did Zinke land? Does anyone know?

In his November 30th email Zinke asked that his "access cards" to the building be turned off effective 12/1, wrote that his portable radios and phone were in his office, ID and badges in Cynthia's office, and uniforms and equipment were in the sheriff's garage.

Now, about the uniforms and equipment being "in the sheriff's garage." Did he mean where Nygren sometimes parked his Tahoe, inside the Government Center? Or did he mean at the sheriff's "garage" at the end of Russel Court?

Others report that Zinke parked his car in the sally port and dumped his equipment on the ground by the vehicle. Various municipal police departments were delayed in delivering prisoners to the jail because of that equipment loose in the sally port.

By his 10:47AM email on Sunday, November 30, Zinke put Commander John Miller in charge of overall operations.

Let's see how McHenry County was protected, as the day approached when Bill Prim was to take over. Nygren was nowhere in sight; Zinke walked off the job. Miller was "in charge of overall operations." Guess it's a good thing there wasn't a major crime or jail break or jail death.

So much for any professional "style" to transferring the Department from the old to the new.

CIA report on torture

No, I haven't read the report. Probably won't.

What I do know is that there hasn't been another major terrorist attack in the United States since September 11, 2001.

The "detainees" (prisoners) at Guantanamo are not "nice" guys. And Obama cut five of the terrorists loose, in a dubious exchange for an American who may not have been worth it.

Should they be kept there as long as they have been, without a trial? No, I don't think so.





Watch Wolf Blitzer and that jerk, Diane Feinstein. Wolf makes a statement. She says, "Is that a question?" Of course, he was looking for a response.

She thinks she is sooooo important...

She said, "I am not going to get into this kind of discussion," after Wolf asked her if John Brennan, CIA Director appointed by Obama, was lying.

Diane could have just said, "Listen, damn it. My mind is made up. Don't try to confuse me with more facts."

John McCain's statement was described to me as "eloquent". I wish I could agree. He read it, and not very well. And, when you listen to it carefully, he really didn't say anything.

Lawyers sue over court fees

The subject of McHenry County Circuit Court's super-high scale of fees and costs is near and dear to my heart, even now. And even as a person who was not abused by them.

I chose to chicken out on a 2007 Woodstock headlight ticket, because I knew that about $200 in court costs and fees would be assessed, if I argued my case in court and lost. The ticket was unfair, because the cop was going to issue a Warning - until Cop #2 showed up and reminded him that the "word" at the Woodstock Police station was "If Philpott gets stopped, he gets a ticket, not a warning."

Many defendants in traffic court are not aware that they can avoid the court costs and fees by paying their traffic fines in advance of the court date. They show up in court and plead Guilty. The judge might be sympathetic, because he knows they are going to get socked at the Payment window, so he'll set a fine at $25-50 "plus costs". Imagine the shock when the poor (too often, literally) defendant gets to the Payment window and learns he has to cough up $250-275.

The boiler-plate language on the ticket information sheet given by the cop to the driver is insufficient to educate him.

Today's article in the St Louis Post-Dispatch online edition reports that some lawyers in St. Louis are suing St. Louis County courts in some municipalities over illegal charges, such as warrant-recall fees. Read the article.

What I am reminded of was the ease with which Attorney Jack Franks, in his capacity as a lawyer and not as a Illinois State Representative, stood before a judge in a civil courtroom at the McHenry County Courthouse several years ago and asked the judge, routinely and matter-of-factly, in case after case for a body attachment warrant.

Some poor sucker who couldn't pay his credit card bill was on the losing end of the stick, and the creditor had retained Jack to suck the money out of him. The debtor most likely received Notice to Appear in court and failed to appear - his mistake, of course, if he did receive the Notice. But the judge never, in even one case, asked for any proof of service or whether Jack knew why the defendant wasn't in court.

What happens after a body attachment warrant is issued? Let's say the subject of the warrant has run down to McDonald's for a sack of burgers for his kids. He gets stopped for a burned-out license plate light. Bingo! Wanted! So he gets arrested, has his vehicle towed, gets hauled off to jail and sits there until the next day's court. And the kids wonder where daddy and dinner are.

Ka-ching! Ka-ching! The money machine rings up another "sale" at the lobby ATM and at the Jail desk.

Unfortunately, most of the fees on the long Schedule of courts costs and fees are probably "legal", because the General Assembly (that would be Jack and his buddies in Springfield) passed them; the McHenry County Board did its part by tossing in their own set of charges.

Do the cops know you probably won't fight a ticket, because of the risk of those costs and fees? You bet.

McHenry County Jail? Squeaky clean? NOT

Aside from the dispatch of the jail chief and jail deputy chief on the first day in office of the new sheriff (and the arrival of a new jail chief who might have had a hard time finding the keys and where the coffee room was), it appears that the jail is running on a "business as usual" basis.

Except for the rumors that five sergeants are about to be demoted, leaving two sergeants standing in the jail. Will favoritism be rooted out? Will all employees now be expected to pull their own weight (don't close the gym yet)?

Will those with "good" pay and virtually no full-shift duties find more work on their desks?

And what about the new prisoner incident in the women's section of the jail? What was that, and how serious was it?

The new sheriff ran on a platform of transparency. Of course, if he doesn't tell the public about what he doesn't want them to know, how do you judge whether there really is transparency?

If what happened in the women's section of the jail was a crime under Illinois statutes (like when the male prisoner got into his girlfriend's cell for a little "afternoon delight"), was an arrest made? Charges filed? Is it showing up in the daily crime reports' log that used to be (and may still be) in the lobby of the Sheriff's Department, ready and available for any reporter or citizen to inspect? Of course, to examine that log you have to park in the parking lot, pass through security and enter the second floor Sheriff's Dept. administrative office lobby, under full observation and inspection of the eagle-eyed folks behind the counter.

Keep in mind, you do NOT have to identify yourself, if you go in to read the daily log of crimes. They'll ask who you are. Just say you are a citizen or resident. If they demand your name or ID, ask Why. Ask if you must provide ID to read the public record. They'd better say, "No." If they don't, get their names and badge numbers before you provide your own ID, or just leave.

What if the U.S. had a REAL president?

CCN.com wound up its current online article about the violent protests throughout the U.S. with this:

"In his interview Monday, Obama suggested that people who aren't 'African-American or Latino' view the deaths of both Michael Ferguson (did Obama really say "Michael Ferguson" or was this the wording of a careless CNN reporter?) and Eric Garner as 'tragedies.'"

No, Mr. President, WE. DO. NOT.

Michael Brown was a criminal who died while attempting to assault and batter a police officer - again.

Eric Garner's death is an entirely different matter. The whole story isn't known yet.

But neither death should be the cause of what has been unleashed in this country.

I'll tell you what the "tragedy" is - that the U.S. is tolerating hooliganism, violence, looting, burning, UN-peaceful protests.

A peaceful protest would be one when I could walk down a street where a protest is occurring and not be in fear for my life or my health or my property.

You, Mr. President, are encouraging the violent protestors by your wimpy, namby-pamby responses and comments. Of course you are safe there in the White House, surrounded by security and the Secret Service.

The People - white, black, brown, red, yellow - do not enjoy your level of security and safety.

The violent protests had better be stopped soon by law enforcement.

Questions about fundraiser for deputies

An article in the Northwest Herald provoked .many comments and numerous attacks on two people who had the courage to ask a couple of questions. I guess that's how the mob attempts to squash questions that might result in the "wrong" answers.

The fundraiser was for MCSD Deputies Maness and Satiewicz, who were injured in an on-duty shooting incident when they responded to what was initially called a "well-being check" by then Undersheriff Andy Zinke. Later, if memory serves me correctly, it was referred to as a "domestic" call.

A fundraiser was held recently for the two deputies. A December 6th online article described the fundraiser, which was sponsored by the Iron Justice Motorcycle Club and McHenry County Police Charities. State Rep Barb Wheeler sent out a broadcast e-mail about it.

The opening comment (by "GringoDaddy1963") questioned the need for the fundraiser, and the increasingly-personal attacks began shortly thereafter. A relative of one deputy acknowledged that, indeed, all medical bills were being paid.

This comment addressed to me by "macg4" read, in part, "Care to share your source on what the police charities does with the money?  You know sooo much, lets share it" That comment followed my remark that McHenry County Police Charities (MCPC) keeps a significant amount of donations made through it.

The question to me caused me to do a little homework on Guidestar.com, which is a popular resource for financial information on charities, and on the website of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

The Mission of the MCPC is "To create an opportunity for 300+ children to work and socialize with 100+ police officers in uniform, in a positive, image building event. To raise funds with which needy children can purchase Back to School supplies in August and Christmas gifts for their family in December." This is locally known as the Shop with a Cop program.

Now, just where does fundraising for two deputies fit in its Mission? It doesn't.

Furthermore, I believe you cannot donate tax-deductible funds to a non-profit, tax-exempt charity, understanding that those funds will be distributed to specific individuals, such as the two MCSD deputies. Were donors told that their donations would be tax-deductible? Did they receive receipts? What was the wording on the receipts?

Did MCPC endanger its registration with the Internal Revenue Service by participating in this fundraiser? It might just have done so.

Any money given or "donated" to Deputies Maness and Satkiewicz was, I'm sure, freely given from the heart. Just don't try to claim it on your tax return by running it through MCPC.

The latest financial data on Guidestar from MCPC is for 2003, when MCPC's income was $50,240 and its expenses were $62,520. Let's hope they figured out how to do business.

What does the Illinois Attorney General have on file? The Form 990-EZ for the calendar year 2013, Part III, carries this statement: "Primary Exempt Purpose - To provide positive police interaction and a Christmas to those children in McHenry County that are less fortunate and may not have a Christmas otherwise."

MCPC started the year (2013) with $66,401 and took in $25,304. Then they spent $47,568. Walmarts in Crystal Lake and Johnsburg got $40,346 (what about Walmarts in Harvard, Woodstock, Huntley, Algonquin?). Office expense was $710, and insurance was $459. That's $41.515. $47,568 - $41.515 = $6,053. Where did the other $6,053 go?

Professional fees and payments to independent contractors totaled $2,290 (included in the $47,568 spent). Were those the commissions to raise $25,304? But there is still $6,053 that doesn't seem to be accounted for in the 2013 financial report to the State of Illinois.

MCPC's Mission is the "Shop with a Cop" program. So, was MCPC operating outside its legal authority, when it was a co-sponsor of the fundraiser?

December 7th - a forgotten day?

Today is December 7th. Something important in the history of the USA happened on this day in 1941. That was 73 years ago.

Wouldn't you think it would be mentioned by the
Northwest Herald?
Chicago Tribune.com?
CNN.com?

Was it mentioned on any of the Sunday morning TV news programs?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, "... a date which will live in infamy..."

Americans must remain ever alert. Be watchful. Be mindful.

And remember - "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance".

Be at the ready to protect this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Where was Nygren on Dec. 1?

Where was (now-former) Sheriff Keith Nygren on Monday, December 1, 2014?

Was he at 2200 N. Seminary to welcome Bill Prim as the new Sheriff of McHenry County? Was he there to walk Bill around the office and introduce him to employees, staff and deputies alike? Was he there to say, in person, how proud he was of the deputies and the Corrections staff and the office employees?

Was Nygren there to show Bill where the keys are and to escort him to get his building ID pass, keys, and find out who would re-assign the Tahoe to Bill?

Or had Nygren abandoned the ship, leaving the final dusting job to Andy Zinke?

And where was Andy that morning? Had he fled the ship, too?

They showed their true class (or lack thereof) on that morning.

Good luck to Sheriff Bill Prim.

The perfect Christmas gift

Looking for the "perfect" Christmas gift.

One that costs only $3.49? And doesn't cost more for shipping? One that will be kept for years? One for which the recipient will (or ought to) thank you year after year?

What is it?

Vik Khanna's book, Your Personal Affordable Care Act - How to Avoid Obamacare.

First, let me stress that this Vik Khanna is not Dr. Vic Khanna of Mercy Woodstock Medical Center. Vik is the public health official who wrote a super article in the NRA December issue of America's 1st Freedom. A public health official who doesn't think guns are bad. Imagine that! (The book is not about guns.) The article can be read on Health Care Blog. Look for the title "Why Public Health Needs a New Gun Doctrine."

Click on the link (book title above) or go to www.Amazon.com and find the book. If you have any hesitation, read the first part right on Amazon. Then click and buy it. And buy several copies as gifts.

And be sure to click on the links embedded within the book, especially one of the first, which is a short talk on TEDx by former Navy SEAL and doctor, Kirk Parsley.

OK, right now, go to Amazon and read a sample by clicking on "Send sample now" on the right side of the page. You can read it on your e-reader, SmartPhone or right on your computer. Or just skip the sample and buy it. You'll be glad you did.

NOTE: In my original article I mistakenly referred to Vik Khanna as a doctor. I had assumed that after reading "public health official" in his article. As soon as Vik saw my error, he quickly contacted me, and I corrected my article.

Resigning - McHenry County Style

Could this really be true?

Is it possible that a McHenry County Sheriff's Department deputy resigned and returned his car and all his equipment by just pullling up at the Department and walking away from the car and his equipment?

Wish I'd been there with a camera to catch the magic moment.

When you turn in equipment that has been issued to you, no matter what your rank, somebody (they probably don't have a Quartermaster) should be there with a clipboard and an inventory list and start checking off what is being returned.

Then there would be that empty column for equipment issued, but not returned.

If you just dump it in front of the Department, then you can claim that you returned it, but what's missing must have disappeared after you left it.

NWH snubs Prim?

On the Northwest Herald homepage right now is no mention of incoming Sheriff Bill Prim. Or, if there is, I cannot find it.

Prominently displayed is a photo of dearly-departed Andy Zinke, whose resignation has become effective. What "lucky" department will he grace with his presence? Why no mention of that in the article about his resignation? Can the reporters not do a little independent digging and "out" the next employer? How thoroughly did the new employer conduct a background check? What was its opinion of the legal action in Federal Court about Andy's objection to the process server at his door?

How soon with the Northwest Herald move Zinke to Page 2 and replace him with the first sheriff elected into office by the People, rather than slipped into place by the power brokers in the county?

Will Nygren be there to congratulate Bill Prim and hand over the keys?

And who will check back in all outstanding Department equipment in Nygren's possession? Will all the Department property - badges, patches, ID cards, keys, clothing, firearms, ammo., vehicles, snowmobiles, trailers, laptops - be accounted for?

And, for that matter, all Department property in Zinke's possession?

Departments across the country are notoriously sloppy with inventory records on equipment issued over the years. Is it any better at the McHenry County Sheriff's Department?

"Souvenirs" are not allowed, strictly speaking.

Did Prim feel the knife?

On the way out the door, former MCSD Undersheriff Andy Zinke stuck a knife in Prim's back with this comment, as reported in the Northwest Herald, "I wish Bill Prim and the executive staff good luck. No matter who the sheriff is, our department is strong, and they can function no matter what."

The Northwest Herald says that Zinke resigned last Wednesday, effective today. Bill Prim will be sworn in as Sheriff this morning. Prim announced a new trio last week to help him steer the ship, and he eliminated the position of Undersheriff. (Remember, recently, when I wrote about such an elimination and had a bunch of lemons tossed at me by Primites, who claimed I was wrong?)

Cal Skinner reported Zinke's resignation as being effective at midnight Sunday (guess that would be 11:59pm on November 30). Current Patrol Commander John Miller issued an email on Sunday at 12:21pm (not to me, of course, but Cal apparently got a copy, either directly or indirectly) with this paragraph, "In the event something pressing comes up from then until Sheriff Prim is sworn in at approximately 0830 Monday morning please notify me ASAP." (Just about anybody familiar with military time knows that you don't say "0830 Monday morning"! "0830" is morning.

Which reporter will be first to learn the name of Zinke's new employer? There was a rumor a couple of months ago that Woodstock's Mayor Sager wanted to hire Zinke. Will Chief Lowen be retiring? Will an industrious reporter get on the phone this morning and call every law enforcement agency until she or he finds the right one?

Where was Keith Nygren in all this? Avoiding a speeding ticket near Minocqua or trying to avoid sunspots in Cape Coral? He was still the elected sheriff and pulling in his $150,000/year.

All Zinke did was quit a job. It's Nygren whose job ends with Bill Prim's swearing in. Zinke was still in charge at noon yesterday, assuming Nygren was AWOL. Did Nygren delegate to Zinke and did Zinke delegate to Miller? Doesn't sound like it from the wording of Miller's email.

And "something pressing"? Give me a break. With all that FBI training and a media relations deputy, couldn't MCSD even put out a professional announcement?

What's going to happen to Miller? Sedlock? Firman? What resignations will follow on Zinke's heels?

These potential departures caused me to think also about new hires.  Can the Sheriff hire anyone he wants, or do applicants go through the County hiring process with all the thorough background checks, reference checks and drug tests?