Dishonesty of the Media; Truth, Lies, & Distortions

Updated 9/23/11

I think one of my biggest pet peeves is lack of honesty and person that are in authority to expose the truth that instead either hide or cover up the truth or distort the truth by taking what others say out of context. Even with subjects that are still open to debate, hiding facts that might sway another to see more merits of another side (even if not yet a proven a fact) is also disgusting.

This also includes judges, police officials, & major media outlets (that are supposed to be the guardians of free speech and the open discussion of facts and news) are no longer trustworthy.
This is not a right or left issue, as I know many persons that call themselves Republicans that are just as guilty of this. In my opinion a “true” conservative would not talk down & would champion any cause that is in their power to correct. Hopefully the Republican Party has gotten this message, however RINO false conservative Republicans such as Greg Walden of Oregon are still in office and still supported by the Republican Party (which is why I never donate to the Republican Party, rather to individual campaigns).

The problem of honesty has also made it hard to know who to trust, such as with a Pro Israel Website I have supported and promoted where I took many of what they stated as gospel truth since I did not have the time to fact check them, only to get a nasty totally dishonest distortion of what Rush Limbaugh stated on his radio show about Haiti relief.
Even after being told that he should read the transcripts (for proof) the author chose to believe media lies and distortions, this is even more disgusting as we all get thing s wrong, but when corrected, this shows the true humility and integrity of an individual to admit they were wrong. Needless to say I will never trust what this person says again since he cannot apologize even when many persons confront him with the truth..

Even on a personal level, believing rumors or turning one’s back on another can destroy a person for life. I know my family has been devastated more than once by lies where the truth was so easy to discover (such as a call to person who know us intimately or a therapist for my daughter).
I also have a family member that had a major issue come up many years back where a so called Christian man (& Pastor I might) had the power to come to his aid, but chose to look the other way. This has destroyed his life to this very day to which all I can say is this man at Bethany Baptist Church in Southern California should be ashamed with his evil/immoral behavior when he had a chance to make life changing difference in a person’s life.

Here are just few/points as to recent problems/example of this behavior

• The media lies about Rush Limbaugh that is spread out of utter hate for this man.
While I do not always agree with Limbaugh (especially in his optimism as to one’s chance of success in the USA as well as looking the other way in corporate corruption by Banks or Google), this still does not make it right to take out of context anyone’s comments.
In the most recent incident of Haiti Relief one might argue that he could show more empathy, this still does not make it right to state that he told person to not give to Haiti Relief when he did not and simply listening to his show (which I was that day) or reading transcripts is so easy to know the truth. He simply stated that we already give to Haiti through income taxes (which we do and most of this money rarely reaches those in the most need), as well he commented that there were better organizations that the whitehouse.gov site such as the many charitable organizations already there and that are more efficient (an example is Samaritans Purse whom I support).

While on the subject of Haiti relief, I find it sad on how the media jumps all over right-wing loons such as Pat Robertson but ignore Danny Glover who believes that the Haitian earthquake was caused by climate change and global warming. Here is a quote: “When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response, this is what happens, you know what I'm sayin?”

• This brings me to how the media totally hid and refused to report one of the biggest scams in modern history; “The Global Warming Hoax/Farce”.
I never heard a word other than a few lame comments attempting to discredit the whistle blowers. Even if you might still agree with this, hiding facts makes one look even guiltier of dishonesty. Persons in a free country have a right to the facts and both sides of an argument.

• The way the many liberals in power will do and say anything to get what they want, even when the will of the majority of the people is against it.
An example is Martha Coakley's non-reaction to an assault on a Weekly Standard Reporter assault by one of her Goons, even though she knew that the reporter only was trying to ask a question.
Here is a photo showing Coakley looking at the reporter on the ground with the assailant standing there witnessing this, yet she denied seeing the attack happen. Sadly this lady is the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in other words the number one law enforcement in this state.
As well I never heard any of this reported on Good Morning America, the Today show or other similar so-called news media.

Pushing a Health Care package using thug methods seems to be par for the coarse with or disgusting excuse for a President (Obama), Pelosi, Reid and others that care little for the surfs that they govern with contempt, and of coarse getting Martha Coakley elected is essential to this.
As well allowing backroom deals to allow unions to keep their premium insurance policies while placing a tax on others with similar Cadillac policies for private citizens.
The bribing for votes of senators such as the senator of Nebraska (Ben Nelson) is equally disgusting.

• I should also note that many Republicans are guilty of looking the other way to, such as the before mentioned RINO Republican Greg Walden or the many Republicans that carte blanche support many in corporate America such as Google, Bank of America and many more.
As to Banks, while the media and left wing of this country like to push the half truth that the collapse of the mortgage industry and banking industry in general was due to corporate greed, this missed the fact that Barney Frank and other in charge of banking in our Federal government forced bad loans upon these banks.
However this does not change the fact that many banks (not all though) such as Bank of America treat their employees like dog meat and will cheat consumers and businesses at every chance they can get; and with this problem many Republican Politians and right wing pundits will look the other way.

An example is the common practice of Credit Card fraud committed upon small businesses such as myself where so called “buyers” will make phony purchases online then report the sale as fraud (often keeping the merchandise) and the Banks (such as B of A) will even charge the innocent retailer $10 for a reversal fee. Recently I had a transaction come through that failed fraud tests, but to make sure we contacted the buyer in multiple attempts (documented too), yet the so-called buyer filed a fraud complaint after we already refunded the money back to his bank due to his lack of response, we were then charged $10 for this by his fraudulent bank.
I am told by our credit card processor that this is a common problem but the “banks can do what they want” and no government agency (Republican or Democrat) will correct this gravy train for banks.

Back to Google, pages can be written about the fraud committed by this company such allowing Adsense on plagiarized websites, making "search" updates that favor only large companies and website "scrapers", with the result of spammy, irrelevant, out of date, or downright incorrect websites coming up in search well ahead of good, relevant and researched content; this despite what the media goons that swoon over everything Google repeat like parrots. Searches such as "Aquarium Lighting", "UV Bulbs", & "Aquarium Planaria" are just a few proofs of this.
See also Google Panda Update Fail

In Summary, while I believe this problem is only getting worse, especially with the election of the most corrupt President and Congress in our Nations history, this will not go away as long as the average person is shielded from the truth by and even more dishonest media, as well as long as many Republicans cannot learn from the past and also look the other way when they have the opportunity to correct a problem (such as Gordon Anderson and Greg Walden of Oregon) and as long as many Republicans fail to understand what a “True Conservative” is or that there is a difference between being conservative and a capitalist (see: What is a True Conservative; Conservatism versus Capitalism) we as Nation or God fearing people are doomed to repeat these problems.

Grants Pass Police; Dishonesty, Corruption

Updated 1/15/12

Our society has many checks and balances, however sadly many of these fail when it comes to government organizations where the abuse of authority or power comes into play.
I have witnessed this with persons in the teaching profession where 95% are excellent, but a few bad apples can really soil the reputation of the good ones, however this is to be expected in any job or similar. The problem really starts when others that have the ability or authority to correct the situation choose to look the other way or worse, promote dishonest and immoral behavior

This brings me to the Grants Pass Police Department, while the vast majority of police, Sheriff, etc. are good honest and moral persons (& likely many in the GPPD as well), the Grants Pass Police has a terrible reputation and those in authority to stop the few bad apples refuse to. This includes Sergeants (one Sergeant in particular is a real power hungry a##), the Deputy Chiefs, the local courts, and the City Counsel/Mayor.

I will also admit I was in disbelief (as to rumors I heard about the GPPD) and hid my head in the sand as to the truth of the alleged corruption and arrogance of the GPPD (or at least those who had the authority to correct the known problem officers).
In my defense my first real contact came two years after moving to Grants Pass with officer Mike Miner. He was so professional, compassionate, and courteous that it led me to believe that ALL these persons comments about problems within the GPPD must be wrong (maybe this officer should be Chief, as I know he still works with the GPPD).

For those shaking their heads while reading this and wondering what I am talking about, let me give several alleged examples (a couple are my own, while other examples are from other upstanding community members here in Grants Pass, Oregon)

• An upstanding citizen of Grants Pass (she ran a well known Day Care) had a malicious call that she was suicidal. The GPPD shows up at her home and rather than investigate this call for what it was (& considering what she does for a living), they hand cuffed her in front of her children, neighbors, & husband. The officers did not conduct an investigation by asking her kids, husband or neighbors, not did they ask the Pastor of the church that employed her as the director. These offices simply made a presumption of “guilt” and took her into a hospital for a psychiatric exam.
  Upon release she called the Sergeant in authority at this time who (typical of the GPPD) treated her rudely and with contempt.


• A local businessman parks in the parking lot at G and 6th Street to drop off packages for his business at the post office, he walks by several officers standing on 6th Street; upon return these same officers stop him and question him like he was a criminal, even though it was obvious what he was “up to”.


• A lady is side swiped shortly after turning north on 7th from Manzanita, she has to chase down the other driver who was obvious distracted. She contacted the GPPD where the officer did not conduct a through investigation and instead cited her for an unsafe turn (not even considering the damage to her vehicle as proof)


• I have sat in personally in traffic court and noted that one officer in particular (officer JJ) display his total lack of compassion, ability to tell the truth (even when evidence to the contrary is presented), and simply lack of morals and obvious power hungry abuse of power.


• On July 30 2009 an out of control officer (he does not remember the name, but the dishonesty reeked of Officer Jamie J. & this name is whom he seems to remember) stopped an employee of mine for running a yellow light (not a red) and was rude, hassled him, and worst of all accused him of being on drugs since he was shaking from being nervous. It does not take a brain surgeon to recognize the difference between being nervous and taking drugs. Furthermore everyone who knows this young man knows that he is the nicest person you could meet without a mean bone in his body, as well he does not even touch a drop of alcohol, yet alone drugs.


• Sergeant TH when complained to about Grants Pass Police abuse after an officer bangs on the back door of a home falsely accusing of using illegal fireworks is condescending and corrects the caller for using the word “officer” and stated that he must be addressed as “Sergeant”, if this is not a person with abuse of power problems, I do not know what is.
  In this same incident he defended this officers actions (which admittedly although are wrong, was an innocent mistake as he did not know this families personal situation and why banging on the back door sent chills down their spines) by stating he can bang on “any door he wants to at any time”.
  Sorry Sergeant TH, this is not the Peoples Republic of China, check your location as this is the United States of America!


• I received a citation for following “To closely” in a minor accident that caused essentially not damage to the other vehicle (it happened under 15 mph), this accident occurred while under the extreme stress created by my daughter’s improper removal from our home by DHS
  The Officer (JJ) (who lied in court again) never asked me what led up to this and showed ZERO compassion. As well Sergeant TH made up false claims as to insurance companies position and putting words in their mouths (both my insurance agent and my best friend works as a broker for Farmers have denied the officers statement), this classifies this as a lie IMO. Sadly I was in a similar accident where I was rear ended in this same truck several years back with no damage to my truck and moderate damage to his vehicle, the deputy who responded actually talked to us both and decided to not write the other driver a citation (this was at Don Julian Rd. & 7th Av. North in the City of Industry). No one would argue that going 36 in a 35 zone is speeding, however most reasonable persons would agree that writing a ticket for this would be abuse of authority, which in my view (besides the typical lack of compassion the GPPD displays) is what happened here.
  I also looked up the legal definition of Careless or Reckless driving which this uncompassionate sergeant implied I could have been cited with rather than the “kinder” citation of following to close(which is a blatant lie) and they do not apply, especially Reckless Driving
  
  I have been contacted by a friend who has worked as an executive in the insurance industry for decades that stated the Deputy Chief and other’s statement as to the insurance industry preferring that citations be issued regardless of whether a traffic violation was actually broken is an absolute lie.


• As per the Grants Pass Courier Letters; a man who was traveling down 6th St, with his an infant and young child in the car. He spotted his wife & honked and waved at her and was immediately pulled over by a GPPD (probably Officer JJ). The man stated in his letter that the GPPD officer was extremely rude & obnoxious and even addressed the small child asking if he would like to see his father arrested. This behavior by the officer upset the child considerably.

The police chief cited that honking the horn is illegal except in an emergency, while this is true, do we really wants an overly aggressive police force that hands out tickets for something this absurd? Why not tickets for going 31 mph in a 30 mph zone? This can be taken to the extreme. Has the idiot chief ever heard of the spirit of the law and the intent of the law? Please retire buddy.

• There are many citizens that are also aware of Officer Jamie J. alleged selling of Steroids while the officer on duty at Grants Pass High.
  Once again a cover up ensued and the local courts participated in the cover up of what in my personal experience as well as the many persons in town consider an extremely dishonest and slime of a human being that sadly disgraces the badge.


• A lady with the Grants Pass Public Safety Department (the title of this department is laughable IMO based the total condescending lack of compassion here), wanted to argue that everyone else is wrong; which includes my previous attorney, LA Sheriff Deputies, to two insurance agents, to others I respect in the business community. Apparently only the GPPD has it right and everyone else is wrong.
  This is also arrogant, and although she and others at GPPD may be correct on some points, however this "we" (GPPD) are right and everyone elsewhere is wrong attitude is despicable.


• Complaints by a family about a person that harmed their family in many ways (including a young girl), have literally been laughed off by the GPPD.
  Sergeant TH laughed in a phone call about this problem, likely due to the strange, sickly twisted manner of the continued emails sent by this person. Unfortunately this is not a laughing matter and any professional Police Officer would understand this as a dangerous person that can one day totally snap and the emails present prove this progression as well. Sadly this incident and the first noted about the Day Care Administrator really display the total incompetence, corruption and lack of morals displayed by what appears to be an inept police department.


• Once again officer J.J. argues with a witness of a minor traffic collision outside Boatnik Festival telling the witnesses that they did not see what they saw???.
  Comment: This officer just cannot help himself to stop his lying and making up stories to back up his corrupt behavior; is there no one in this department with the integrity top stand up to this guy and finally give him the boot?

What is also interesting to me (after this was pointed out by another citizen frustrated with our police department) is the number of Officers for a town of this size which I have been told is 35. When you consider that the Josephine county Sheriff’s Department does not have anywhere close to this number for about the same number of citizens and vastly more territory to cover, it has got to leave one scratching their heads if we have too many officers with too much time on their hands; this of coarse is an opinion, but a valid opinion/question for any reasonable person. The only way this is going to stop is not only for citizens to stand up and say “No More”, but for those reading this that are even considering visiting the heavily tourist dependent Grants Pass area to boycott Grants Pass. This will send a message that police corruption or dishonesty is not tolerated and soils the reputation of those elsewhere (& even in this department that likely are forced to be quiet) that strive for excellence and morality.

In Summary; I am not saying all the officers are bad, dishonest, corrupt or whatever adjective one would choose, I suspect that the majority GPPD officers are good moral persons, however the buck stops at the top and when the top makes excuses, lies or denies the laws of the United States in defense of bad officers, then we clearly have a problem of alleged corruption or at the very least blatant dishonesty & indifference. I also certainly do not want to encourage a "piling on" as the liberal media has falsely done with sheriff Joe Arpaio (of Arizona).

If this department wants to clean up its act, I can think of at least two officers in particular that should be in the unemployment lines (Officer JJ and Sergeant TH). Worse if something were to happen in the case of second to last complaint listed here, the City of Grants Pass will be liable for a lawsuit (especially in lieu of what happened in Tucson since this guy has much in common); is this what this town can afford?
I have already instructed my children (especially my child that attends GPHS) to avoid Officer J J (since he has already proven his total lack of character to me and others) & and Sergeant TH. If either of these scum approaches them seeking to speak, for my kids to call 911 and ask for the Sheriff department.
BTW, after showing these incoming emails from this predator whom Sergeant TH found so entertaining, most have been horrified as to that something has not been done and how dangerous this person is;
my point is Sergeant Todd H is clearly scum especially as of Jan of 2012, this dangerous person is still attempting to contact my family that this scum with a badge could care less about!

Sadly we had a solo accident in front of our home (Spring of 2011) involving a drunk driver (our maple tree was damaged), but since no one was hurt, both me and my wife decided to not get involved based on our terrible experience in the past with the GPPD. I still feel bad that we feel that calling 911 is a bad choice in this town, but unfortunately ours and others treatment by our so-called police department has made us feel this way; Is this how a local police force should condition their community to feel???

Hopefully those reading this post will do the right thing; either boycott Grants Pass, call their City Council Person (if they live in Grants Pass, OR), or even call the GPPD to complain.
Remember this quote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”

OR better hopefully the City Council will DO THEIR JOB AND GET RID OF THE PROBLEM OFFICERS, as well as make changes that does allow future problems of this sort, so that I can remove this blog post that I do not enjoy posting since I have otherwise always been big supporter of law enforcement!
If there has been some "house cleaning" and the alleged problem officers have "moved on" please comment on this blog (although I know Officer JJ is still around as of Jan. 2012).

Please continue to read the comments that have since come in after this article was published

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For my field of expertise, see my article about UV Sterilization which deals with all aspects of ultraviolet sterilization in depth, including UV Bulb Replacement

Another popular/researched article is Aquarium Lighting.