Early Evening Post - Mette
We're getting lots of extra hits yesterday and today, mostly from our regular referrers (SecondCitySarge, Crimefile, etc.) Yesterday, we topped 4,100 visitors for the first time in a month or two.
We've started to see links and visitors from new sources, too. The Volokh Conspiracy did a nice little write up about the "duty to retreat" doctrine that still exists in a few overly liberal areas of the United States - a hold over from English common law predating the "Castle Doctrine" and the rights to self defense. The author, Eugene Volokh doesn't reference SCC directly, but points to the Kass article and writes a pretty good case against "duty to retreat." We're also seeing a couple of anti-police sites referring visitors here, but we don't really care - their comments never see the light of day.
Here's what we need for all our readers to do today, tonight and tomorrow. We're going to try to take the Mette case nuclear:
If we can up our visitors by 33% in just a day by championing Mette's cause, then the whole lot of us can make this effort to blow it wide open. Go for it ladies and gentlemen.
We've started to see links and visitors from new sources, too. The Volokh Conspiracy did a nice little write up about the "duty to retreat" doctrine that still exists in a few overly liberal areas of the United States - a hold over from English common law predating the "Castle Doctrine" and the rights to self defense. The author, Eugene Volokh doesn't reference SCC directly, but points to the Kass article and writes a pretty good case against "duty to retreat." We're also seeing a couple of anti-police sites referring visitors here, but we don't really care - their comments never see the light of day.
Here's what we need for all our readers to do today, tonight and tomorrow. We're going to try to take the Mette case nuclear:
- Everyone who surfs here needs to click on the little envelope at the bottom of the posts titled "SCC Exclusive," "More on Iowa," and "Iowa Stupidity" (linked here for your convenience.) Forward these three posts to your personal mail lists - lists of coppers, retirees, friends, families.
- ALSO, to any media types who might be sympathetic to the cause - O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, whoever.
- AND some of the right leaning links in our right hand tool bar - Instapundit, AceofSpades, CaptainsQuarters, RightWingNews, Kim du Toit, every single one of them. All of them have contact e-mails on their front pages.
If we can up our visitors by 33% in just a day by championing Mette's cause, then the whole lot of us can make this effort to blow it wide open. Go for it ladies and gentlemen.
Labels: info for the police
posted by SCC at 4:45 PM
34 Comments:
A video needs to be produced to expose Michael Mette's plight to the masses. I know crimefile made a really nice looking video tribute to CPD in the past. I was wondering if he or anyone was willing to produce a video with regards to Ofc. Mette's incident. This video should then get posted on YouTube and any other video sharing sites. This video should be posted as a response to a popular video on YouTube which would then give it a chance to be seen much more often than a general posting. Let's keep getting the word out. Let's keep up the pressure on those responsible. This is such an outrage!
At last, the local Dubuque media is covering the Mette outrage.
Go to today's online edition of the Telegraph Herald and click on "Criminal cop or victim of the system?"
www.THonline.com
Watch out for that Dubuque Co. prosecutor Timothy Gallagher. He's a rattlesnake.
We posted on a link on our police memorial as well as policelink, which is ran by chris @ odmp
off topic:
check out this site from LA
http://copwatchla.org/index.cgi
An Educated Guess,
I betcha there are some folks in Iowa that are really worried right about now and rightly so.
Wait until the DOJ looks into this whole fiasco.
Just got back from the Northwest corner of Illinois today, which is next to Dubuque. The citizens on both sides of the river ARE unaware of this incident.These are good people, they may vote lefty if it'll help their pensions, etc; but they're very conservative on home defense, military,crime.I wouldn't hammer people because they're from that area.
And this isnt their fight, its OURS! The fault lies w/that prosecuter and judge!!!
"ALSO, to any media types who might be sympathetic to the cause - O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, whoever"
What about Lou Dobbs? He's more Pro Law Enforcement then those 3 Clowns combined.
Dobbs was the 1st to bring attention to the travesty of Justice perpetrated upon the Boder Patrol Agents,by an overzdealous US prosecutor.
The 3 contard stooges? Strangely silent on the matter?
Not surprising...
I burned off a letter to Glenn Beck.
www.glennbeck.com
email at me@glennbeck.com
Huh? O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh? I don't think those are names we should associate with. Maybe Scarborough or something just as less amplifying and insulting. But certianly not the names you mentioned.
I sent the Defense Fund information out to all stations and units today. I hope they all post it. If you see it and can think of any additional locations to put it up, please make a copy and re-post it. I was thinking of suburban departments, courts, watering holes, emergency rooms, etc. I know several Policemen who know nothing about this case. If you do, please start discussing it with everyone. Instruct them to read the Judge's decision on SCC. It's pretty unbelievable.
Just left bill oreilly a lengthy email with most of the facts of the case and if you dont mind scc i left him the address to the site...so boys and girls, lets keep it somewhat clean on the sight for a little while since this site will be getting nationwide attention from the media in the next week or two
I think sending your blog out to media types is just propping up your ego SCC. I thought keeping those types away was the whole idea from the start?? What will thousands of hits do for Mette? Sorry just how I feel, too much ego.
Is Mette in custody now. Once stopped an escaped prisoner from the west coast with a warrant for her arrest. Thing was this west coast state would not extradite from IL so she was RWOC at the station. Perhaps we could get together funds so that Mette could travel far enough away from Iowa but still within the US so that Iowa would not extradite. Again this would only work if Mette 1) is not in custody currently 2) thinks he does not have a good chance of winning on appeal 3) and if Iowa extradition policies do not include the whole US. Also would have to look into the legality of this measure. We should consider any legal measure to prevent him from serving 5 years.
That was the second article that called it a "beating" since when is one bunch a beating?
I have no contacts over in Iowa, but has anyone been able to contact the law Enforecement community over there to see if they also believe this is bullshit or do they also have their heads up their asses?
Anyone see that asshat lawyer Jon Lowvy on the news trying to make an issue where there is none?
If he got his wish tomorrow and every CPD officer who had ten complaints in 5 years (whether sustained or not)was suspended or disiplined..WHO THE FUCK WOULD PATROL & PROTECT THIS CITY? I mean 1/2 the department would be suspended!
Think people!..To citizens reading this..that guy is a piece of garbage who simply wants to sue the city and profit (via frivolous lawsuits.) The REAL PROBLEM in this city is that of criminals and predators who have more "rights and due process" then officers!
Support this asshole and you will be fucked. Someday some criminal will victimize you or your family..you'll protect yourselves only to find out that the SA's office is charging you.
Remember the Northshore homeowner who shot a home intruder (burglar) who had burglarized his home twice? He shot the career criminal and was nearly sent to prison for having a gun in his home!
Lowvey is 100% Lib-turd..BEWARE!
OT:
Monday, July 16th 2007, 4:00 AM
Firefighters Union President Stephen Cassidy has filed a racially explosive affidavit defending the FDNY against charges that its written exams discriminate against minority-group candidates, the Daily News has learned.
"Basic intelligence is an important asset for firefighters, and ignoring that fact will imperil the safety of the firefighting force," Cassidy wrote in the affidavit filed in Brooklyn Federal Court
Cassidy contends the union will be harmed by any outcome of the lawsuit that diminishes the importance of the written exam or creates a "pass-fail" system that would render the ranked hiring lists obsolete.
He also argues the UFA is concerned the city might agree to a settlement that could lead to a "preferential hiring system" for black and Hispanic candidates to avoid the embarrassment of being found guilty of discrimination.
The city has created a new written exam, but it continues to hire firefighters from two older lists the Justice Department contends are discriminatory.
Huh? O'Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh? I don't think those are names we should associate with. Maybe Scarborough or something just as less amplifying and insulting. But certianly not the names you mentioned.
Love them or hate them, those are the 800 pound gorillas of cable news and talk radio. We get them on Mette's side, this thing is as good as won. We for one, have never heard a Limbaugh broadcast and don't plan to any time soon. We stopped watching O'Reilly 2 years ago after his mini scandal and some truly goofy comments. But they still pull in millions of listeners and watchers every single day.
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I think sending your blog out to media types is just propping up your ego SCC. I thought keeping those types away was the whole idea from the start?? What will thousands of hits do for Mette? Sorry just how I feel, too much ego.
And what would you suggest? A quilting bee? Maybe a bake sale? Perhaps you have a blog site that is supporting Mette in some way, shape or form?
We didn't think so.
We aren't doing this for our ego. There isn't a website big enough to fill our opinion of ourselves anyway (sarcasm). We're doing this because it's the right thing to do and if we have to use the media the way the media constantly uses (and abuses) us, then we're going to use the right-leaning side of it.
We're waiting for a better idea to come along - but we have the feeling that waiting for you to come up with it will result in Mette serving his sentence in full.
Michael:
Your brothers and sisters from the Cook County Sheriff's Police STAND WITH YOU 100%. The bank is on 38's beat; we will be there. We will donate. We will tell others of your plight. We stand together on this.
You will overcome. You will persevere. I hope that when it is all over; that you will be whole once again.
Sincerely,
Concerned County Police Sergeant
AFSCME Local #3953
WHY has the FOP NOT opened the lodge here in Chicago to host a pye per entry fund riser for the man? THAT is the fastest way for Mette to raise the cash he needs to mount a true appeal, which he must do by October. What about it, FOP? Ready to get off the fence, for a change???
Have to agree with you concerning the "sincerity" of Limbaugh and O'Reilly, SCC. Limbaugh was nothing more than a precription pill dopehead, hiding behind his Hispanic housekeeper to keep him supplied. O'Reilly has never adequately explained his sexual harrasssment suit filed against him by a former producer; when threatened with alleged phone calls he made to the woman being exposed (a text version was, but the actual adio version of the messages was never released), O'Reilly quickly settled, and never spoke about it on his show.
Both hypocrites for sure, but the two blowhards draw in millions of listeners and viewers, respectively. Still, I would have to hold my nose before I enlisted the help of either one of these pathetic excuses for men to assist me in any way...but Mette needs the help, and he needs it NOW. With his freedom on the line, I guess a little stench isn't so bad.
Where can we mail letters/cards of support to PO Mette?
Over thirty comments to the Dubuque Telegraph Herald's report on the Mette case. The local registered subscribers' comments are overwhelmingly in Mette's favor.
See www.THonline.com
Maybe this will silence the handful of moron posters who want to retaliate against all the good citizens of Dubuque and the State of Iowa. It never occurred to them that a majority of Iowans may well side with Mette's plight.
Good interview with Mette on Channel 2 this evening at 10 PM with reporter Mike Parker. Officer Mette comes across as sincere, innocent and poised.
The defense fund is a very good idea. Mike Mette needs appellate attorneys who are well-versed in IOWA criminal law (he had an out of state attorney at the trial court level which may have been a mistake).
I believe many of the bashing comments and immature attitudes expressed here and elsewhere need to be checked. Picking on Iowa motorists, bashing the investigating officer, etc., deflects away from the very real consideration that the judge misapplied Iowa law to the very facts that she found. At this point it's the Iowa Court of Appeals that needs to be impressed. While it's perfectly appropriate to express support, pushing the wrong buttons could do more harm than good.
If a Dubuque cop was in the city and lied to you about how some civilian hit the pavement and that cop had blood on his hands and shirt, you have to admit that your hands would pretty much be tied. It's not like you stopped him for 19 over.
On the flip side, a good ASA would probably have seen right through this. But that's water over the dam.
The best shot is to, in a professional manner, keep this in the public view while a competent legal team works on the appeal.
Bear in mind that if the judge is reversed, the game isn't necessarily over. If the Court of Appeals finds that the judge misapplied the law to the facts that she found, the best case scenario is reversal with remand for acquittal. On the flip side, it could be reversed and remanded for a new trial. There may also be possible ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims. Again, competent Iowa lawyers need to be on board. I think checking with brother officers in Iowa City should reveal the names of some competent faculty members at the law school.
I worked with Mike in call back and was his instructor in the academy Mike is a first class man and this is outrage. I pray for him and his family. I feel the city should stand up for him. This as other events should show every officer on this job we need to stick together and act more as brothers in arms.
The comment about maybe Iowa wouldn't extradite is funny.
I've seen Iowa extradite for a stolen radio. It was actually kind of funny to see a public offender's jaw drop when the Governor's warrant came through.
Catch this from the Des Moines Register (a very good newspaper):
But the Dubuque County attorney's office said the case was justified because Gothard was fighting for his life the night he was hit.
Assistant County Attorney Timothy Gallagher said Gothard's injuries were life threatening. He said Gothard was bleeding from the face and the head and had numerous other bruises that were more consistent with being knocked down and kicked.
"He was a police officer who ostensibly is trained how to handle drunken individuals, how to subdue a drunk without beating him senseless," Gallagher said.
Gallagher seems to be adding requirements that don't appear in the Iowa law!
He's a convicted felon, beware the department has rules against associating with him...........
Where can we mail letters/cards of support to PO Mette?
7/17/2007 10:35:00 PM
Send them here--
C/O Northwest Community Credit Union
7400 N. Waukegan Road Niles Illinois 60714.
And make sure they have well wishes-- and POSSIBLY a little cash.
Did everyone read the same ruling and findings of fact that I did. No where in the findings of fact does it say Officer Mette lied to police, no where does it say the "victim" was fighting for his life. I don't know how the county attorney can go to the media and blatantly lie about unsubstantiated evidence. if what the county attorney alleges were true then the judge would have put it in her findings. but she didn't...i dont know maybe because those statements the county attorney keeps throwing out there are "NOT" true.....
How is punching someone once beating him senseless. Terribly irresponsible journalism. SCC, my check is in the mail and you're DOING A GREAT JOB! If I were ever in a jam, I'd want SCC behind me. Thank you for your tireless efforts for Officer Mette.
there's a copy of the judge's order on this site. cut and paste this
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3340598&postid=40197718
"If a Dubuque cop was in the city and lied to you about how some civilian hit the pavement and that cop had blood on his hands and shirt, you have to admit that your hands would pretty much be tied. It's not like you stopped him for 19 over."
From what I read, Mette never lied about the guy falling. According to the judge's ruling, "The remaining seven men were isolated and interrogated. The story about how Jake fell was proffered(sic) but did not ring true to Officer Craig Salmonson." She does not state that mette lied and said that he fell of his own accord, rather his friends said that. If you want to get technical, which is what the judge did in the case when applying the self-defense argument based on Mette not avoiding conflict, even if Mette did say that Mr. Gothard fell and hit his head on the ground, is that not what happened and was stipulated to in the the findings of fact. Only telling part of the story is not lying. When the officer continued to ask questions, Mette said I hit him one time.
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